Chronicles of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

When Bayardo San Roman returns his new bride, Angela Vicario, hours after their wedding, her disgraced family demands that she name her first lover. Her twin brothers set out to kill Santiago Nasar for the shame he has brought to their family. There is no evidence to support Angela's claim, in fact, nobody can remember ever seeing Santiago and Angela together. The twins make no secret of their plans to murder Santiago, and yet no one in the town intervenes to stop the murder from happening. In the end, Santiago ends up dead, leaving more questions than answers.

This was an interesting novel for me. It has a very journalistic style, and the story is told in a very straight forward manner. The facts are laid out with little to no emotional commentary. It reads more like a newspaper article or crime report than a novel. Although it is clear from the beginning what was going to happen, this book leaves more questions than it answers. I found it interesting that no one intervened to save Santiago, especially when there were questions surrounding the validity of Angela's claim. In fact, other than her saying it was Santiago, there seems to be little evidence that her claims are true.

There are several instances where others could have intervened and prevented the crime from happening, and yet they don't. What was puzzling to me about these instances was that the reasons for their lack on interference are silly when two men are running around with knives, clearly content to carry out a murder. Santiago is not painted as a bad man, someone who people would be glad to see get his comeuppance, yet no one intercedes on his behalf.

This was an okay read for me. I found the style and story intriguing, but I was left indifferent in the end.

This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff

This Boy’s Life is a memoir about a young boy growing up in the 1950’s. After his parents’ divorce, Toby finds himself constantly on the move as he and his mother search for the better life that always seems to elude them. Through this heartfelt and often humorous narrative, Toby recounts his adolescent search for identity, while regaling the reader with stories of his wild schemes.

This is a re-read for me. I first read this book when I was a senior in high school and find myself in one of life’s many full circle moments as I read it again in preparation to read it as an English teacher with my high school seniors. I enjoyed this book the second time around as much as the first. Toby, a.k.a. Jack, is a great character that is easy to relate to. He is precocious, hopelessly naïve at times, and consumed with the confidence that only comes with youth.

"When we are green, still half-created, we believe that our dreams are rights, that the world is disposed to act in our best interests, and that falling and dying are for quitters. We live on the innocent and monstrous assurance that we alone, of all the people ever born, have a special arrangement whereby we will be allowed to stay green forever.”

The story perfectly captures that awkward period between childhood and adulthood, where we all think we have things figured out, when in reality we know nothing and are just beginning to discover who we are. While Jack’s childhood is somewhat unconventional, there are universal elements that ring true for us all – the quest to define ourselves, to experiment with new things and identities, the need to find acceptance while remaining unique, etc.

The book is funny, at times poignant, and is an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Night by Elie Wiesel

Night is an extremely powerful narrative, despite its diminutive size. Elie recounts his story as a survivor of the Holocaust, a genocidal campaign carried out by the Nazis under the leadership of Hitler during World War II. Elie finds himself the lone survivor of a journey that would take him from his small town to the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Buchenwald. Along the way, he finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew, including his faith in God.

This is not an easy book to read, and it is far from an enjoyable read. It is an important narrative. I have read many Holocaust survivor stories. I have always been fascinated by this horrific event, which probably sounds a little strange, but it is true. It is a prime example of humanity at its worst, but at the same time, there are examples of hope, kindness, and goodness. I think it is this juxtaposition of the opposite sides of humanity that fascinates me.

For anyone interested in the human psyche, I think the Holocaust is a treasure trove of things to explore. I am always intrigued by how humans respond when faced with such unimaginable things. Why do some give up, while others fight? How do some hold on to hope and faith, while others lose theirs forever? How does one man get the power to bring such destruction to the world? How do others let it happen? For the survivors, where do you go from there? How do you rebuild your life after it has been shattered so completely? So many questions that have no easy answers.

One thing that always strikes me when I read Night is the denial. Despite the warnings and the ever increasing restrictions on their freedoms, many Jews refused to believe that it could get worse and chose not to leave when they had the chance. I am by no means judging these people. I can't even imagine how I would respond if I was in their shoes. Who could ever have imagined how far Hitler would go to create his vision of the perfect world? Who knew that he would get so close to doing it? To me, the denial speaks to a greater belief that many of us hold - that at our core, humans are inherently good. That in the end, good will triumph over evil.

“For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living. He has no right to deprive future generations of a past that belongs to our collective memory. To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.”

It has been said that narratives such as Night should not be taught. That the only way to move forward is to put the past behind us. I think this is a common adage. If we put a horrific experience behind us and don't think about it, then we can move on. I disagree with this train of thought wholeheartedly. Stories like Night need to be told over and over again, especially when genocides are still occurring in the world today. If we do not continually hold these stories up as a mirror, then it is all too easy to ignore and brush aside the fact that these events DID happen and CONTINUE to happen.

I give this book 5 stars, not because it is enjoyable, but because it is a powerful and important narrative. I would also highly recommend picking up the other two books in this trilogy.

Cover Reveal ~ All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

ABOUT ALL LINED UP:

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them knows how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

“Laughter + heartache + hot sexual tension = the perfect Cora Carmack book.” 

—Monica Murphy

Release date: May 13th!

Pre-Order Links:
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About Cora Carmack:

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Author Links:
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ALL LINED UP Goodreads

Wallbanger (Cocktail #1) by Alice Clayton

Book I: Wallbanger
When Caroline moved into her new San Francisco apartment, she never imaged that she would get to know her next door neighbor so intimately. The thin wall between her bedroom and her neighbor's bedroom gives her a front row seat to her neighbor's sexual prowess. Night after night, Caroline is privy to the sounds of ecstasy coming through the wall from a seeming endless parade of women.

On a self-imposed dating hiatus after a string of bad dates has sent Caroline's "O" into exile, her neighbor's antics only fuel the frustration. After several sleepless nights, Caroline charges across the hall (in a pink baby-doll nightie) to confront the man responsible for her lack of sleep, only to find herself face to face with Simon Parker, a devilishly handsome photographer.

Soon after their late night encounter, Simon and Caroline's paths begin to cross more and more. Deciding to call a truce when their friends begin dating, Simon and Caroline find that they have quite a bit in common and a friendship between them develops. The only problem is, they are both fighting their own mutual attraction. As the tension continues to build, the couple gives new meaning to the idea that sometimes what you want and what you need are right in front of you.

Alice Clayton delivers a steamy romance with a slash of humor that makes for a great read. The characters are great and Caroline's narrative had me laughing out loud several times throughout the novel. It was just the blend of romance, sex, and humor. The banter between Caroline and Simon was highly entertaining and I enjoyed watching these two characters come together. There is a sequel scheduled to be released in June and at least two other books planned for this series, and I will be picking them up. The upcoming titles and covers are fantastic (see below) and I can't wait to see what's next for this couple and what other adventures Alice has in store for us.

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Coming up in the Cocktail Series...

Book II: Rusty Nailed (June, 2014)

In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though! Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?

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Book III: Screwdrivered (September, 2014)

In the third book in the bestselling Cocktail series, a romantic at heart decides that she will not ever, under any circumstances, fall for the engineer next door.

Viv Franklin is a retired Army captain who now designs software programs. She’s also a romance junkie who longs for a knight in shining armor or a cowboy on a wild stallion or a strapping firefighter to sweep her off her feet. Knowing she’s never going to meet her hero by spending all her time behind her keyboard, she uproots her life to move to California, where she meets an actual cowboy. And—sigh—an engineer. But which man is truly Clark Kent and which is her Superman?

A madcap romantic comedy with unforgettable characters and the promise of true love, Screwdrivered has just what you need.

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Book IV: Mai Tai'd Up (December, 2014)

Synopsis TBA

Fall Away Series by Penelope Douglas

Book #1: Bully
Jared and Tate were friends, best friends, until everything changed the summer before they started high school. Jared went away to visit his estranged father and when he returned, he was a different person. Now Jared's mission in life is to make Tate's life miserable. For the past 3 years, Jared has humiliated, shut out, and tormented Tate, all without explanation or apology.

When Tate returns for her senior year after spending a year abroad, she is no longer willing to sit back and take Jared's bullying. Determined to push back, Tate begins to stand up to Jared. As the two go head to head, the walls separating them begin to crumble and the pull that has always been between them gets harder and harder to ignore. As the truth comes to light, Tate will have to decide whether she can forgive the past and learn how to trust Jared again. Jared will have to face the consequences of his actions and prove his trustworthiness. But can the two of them really have a future when their past is never far away?

Penelope Douglas is a story telling master! This book is absolutely amazing and deserves 5 giant, gold stars! When I started this book, I hated Jared. I mean, I HATED Jared. He was such a Grade-A A-hole. His best friend, Madoc, wasn't much better, but more on him later. I thought that there was NO way that Penelope could redeem this character, at least in a way that was believable. He was just TOO HORRIBLE and so undeserving of a second chance, at first glance. You all know that I love my book boyfriends damaged, but Jared definitely pushed the line of what is forgivable. And while I was totally on Tate's side from the get-go, I worried that I would lose all respect for her when she simply gave in and forgave Jared's behavior, no questions asked.

Oh how wrong I was! Not only was Penelope able to redeem Jared, but she did it in such a way that made you understand (but still not condone) why he did what he did and what his true motivations were. And while Tate does forgive Jared, she certainly doesn't forget, and makes him work to earn back her trust. Instead of losing respect for Tate, she earned my respect for going toe-to-toe with Jared and not backing down. The result is a story full of angst, passion, and redemption, with a splash of holy hotness! I couldn't put it down and was completely wrapped up in this story from the beginning. Amazing!

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Book #1.5: Until You

Until You gives us the events of Bully from Jared's POV, but is not a straight retelling of Bully. It can be read as a stand alone novel, but I wouldn't recommend reading it until you have read Bully. This is Jared's story and it goes a long way to fill in some of the holes in Jared's back story and fleshes out his character. I loved being in Jared's head, but I'm not sure I would have had the same response to the book had I not read Bully first. I enjoyed being able to see certain events from Jared's POV and this book really enhanced my experience of Bully and made me even crazier for Jared.

It also does a great job of better introducing us to Madoc, Jared's best friend, and his brother, Jax, both of whom are scheduled to get their own books! There is definitely more than meets the eye with these characters. While I hated Madoc in the beginning too (not as much as Jared, but still), it becomes clear that he's not such a bad guy and had his own motivations behind his attacks on Tate. Until You went a long way in changing my opinion of him. We also get to learn more about Jax and his relationship with Jared. I have a feeling that both of these boy will provide for entertaining reads.

As I've said before, I love my book boyfriends to be damaged, and this book solidified Jared's place on my list. I am super excited to see what's next for these characters. 

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Coming up in the Fall Away Series:

Madoc's story: Rival (Fall Away #2) - expected release August, 2014

It’s different within these four walls—behind this closed door, at night, in the dark. I’m not Madoc, and she’s not Fallon. I’m not smiling, cracking jokes, or putting up a front. And she’s not cutting me down with her smart mouth or looking at me and wishing I was a million miles away from her.

Here—in her room, on her turf—is where she’ll let go of everything that makes her fight me everywhere else. I told her that she should lock the door to keep me out. She never does.

Fallon

Madoc thinks that he has me pegged. He thinks that what you see is what you get, and that he’s on top of the world. Three years ago, I was cast aside and kicked out of my home all because of him. The little prince plays a game not even knowing that we’re at war.

Some people call it fighting. Others call it angst. Our parents call it sibling rivalry.

AND...

Jax's story: Native (Fall Away #3) - expected release winter, 2014

The Destiny of Violet & Luke (The Coincidence #3) by Jessica Sorensen

The Destiny of Violet & Luke is a spin off of the The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden series by Jessica Sorensen. It follows Violet, the enigmatic roommate of Callie, and Luke, the roommate and best friend of Kayden.

Both Violet and Luke appear on the outside to be tough and in control, but both of them are damaged and beaten by their pasts. After her parents are brutally murdered, Violet spends her childhood being passed from foster home to foster home. Haunted by her past, Violet keeps her distance from everyone, shutting down her emotions, and seeking adrenaline rushes when things get to be too much. Luke's life is all about order and control, two things that he lacked growing up with his drug addict mother after his father walked out. He uses alcohol and meaningless sex to block out the memories of his past.

When Violet and Luke's paths cross, the two of them clash instantly, but they can't seem to stay away from each other. Slowly they begin to break down each other's walls and make each feel things that neither one has ever felt before. As they open up to each other about their pasts, they discover a link between them that has the power to destroy everything.

Jessica Sorensen delivers another great one with this novel. Violet and Luke are so damaged that my heart broke over and over again reading their story. These are some seriously damaged people, and I love them for it. The story moved a little slowly, was a bit repetitive at times, and I figured out what the big twist was, but that didn't stop me from being completely wrapped up in this couple's story. These two people are so perfect for each other that it will be tragic if they do not end up together.

The cliffhanger is gut-wrenching and according to Goodreads there will be a sequel entitled The Probability of Violet & Luke. It looks like it will be released some time this year, but a specific release date was not posted. Needless to say, I will be picking this one up as soon as it is released, because I am dying to find out how this story ends. I have a feeling that it will be full of a lot of drama and angst...just how I like it! Fingers crossed for a happy ending!