Review: Still Me

Still Me

By Jojo Moyes

Published: January 30, 2018

From the sensational #1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes, a new book featuring her iconic heroine of Me Before You and After You, Louisa Clark.

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She is thrown into the world of the superrich Gopniks: Leonard and his much younger second wife, Agnes, and a never-ending array of household staff and hangers-on. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her job and New York life within this privileged world.

Before she knows what's happening, Lou is mixing in New York high society, where she meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. In Still Me, as Lou tries to keep the two sides of her world together, she finds herself carrying secrets—not all her own—that cause a catastrophic change in her circumstances. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?

My review:

At the end of After You, Louisa decided to take a temporary job in New York with the wealthy Gopnik family. Now she is finally in there and ready for adventure but her new job isn't quite what she expected and neither is life in New York. She is sort of an assistant to Agnes who is lonely and rejected by the other society wives who hate her for replacing the first Mrs. Gopnik. Louisa's friend Nathan reminds her that the Gopniks are not like Will and his family. Agnes may call Louisa her friend but she really isn't. It is quite an adjustment for Lou to get used to both a new job and a new city. She also really misses Sam and it is so hard connecting with him across the miles. 

I really enjoyed this sequel to After You. I liked it more than that book in fact. It doesn't have the same kind of emotional impact as Me Before You but I liked how Lou continued to grow as a character and really try to figure out who she is instead of being what others needed or wanted her to be. While she still misses Will so much it is nice to see her find happiness and future possibilities. There are some great secondary characters too and some unexpected friendships that developed. I was glad we got to see more of Lou's family as well. They can be such a hoot!

If you haven't read the first two books in the trilogy, I really recommend that you do so the story makes sense. I don't know if this is the last book about Louisa but if it is, I think the author left things in a great place. 

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley

Sunday Post (102)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

The week went by really quickly and I enjoyed some of the warmer weather we had. Too bad it isn't sticking around! This past Monday was my 8th blogoversary and I totally forgot about it. I can't believe I've been blogging so long though of course I haven't written much in recent months. I don't know if I'll still be blogging next January but I hope so.

Last week on my blog:

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu (review)

Books read:

American Panda by Gloria Chau 

Mei has always been the good, obedient daughter but now she is struggling under the weight of her parents' expectations and rules. I liked this book and it did remind me a little of When Dimple Met Rishi though Dimple's and Rishi's parents were much more caring and understanding than Mei's overbearing parents. 

The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

This is an interesting mystery with part of the story focusing on three widows who live in seclusion, inheritance issues and a murder in the house. The other part is also interesting as it gives the back story of the main character, Perveen Mistry, in her struggles to study and practice law as well as a dark secret from her past. I can't wait to read more.

To Capture What We Cannot Keep by Beatrice Colin

It took awhile to get into this story but I liked it more than I thought I would primarily because I felt sorry for Cait. I hope the other members of my book group liked it. 

Currently reading:

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I am just at the part when the family arrives in Alaska but it is fascinating. I am reminded a little of The Glass Castle (the movie--I haven't read the book yet) especially where Leni's parents are concerned.

On my TBR pile:

The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta

I saw this book mentioned somewhere and I decided to give it a try. It is the second Indian mythology inspired book I've come across lately (the first is Aru Shah and the End of Time). This book also seems similar to the Rick Riordan formula of humorous mythology adventure. I would have loved to see books like these when I was a kid.

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

I usually enjoy Sophie Kinsella's books and I could use a good lighthearted story after I finish my current book. The cover is perfect for Valentine's Day too.

New books received:

The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta

The English Wife by Lauren Willig

Review: Moxie

Moxie

By Jennifer Mathieu

Published: September 19, 2017

An unlikely teenager starts a feminist revolution at a small-town Texas high school in this novel from Jennifer Mathieu, author of The Truth About Alice.

MOXIE GIRLS FIGHT BACK!

Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with an administration at her high school that thinks the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes, hallway harassment, and gross comments from guys during class. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules.

Viv's mom was a tough-as-nails, punk rock Riot Grrrl in the '90s, and now Viv takes a page from her mother's past and creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. She's just blowing off steam, but other girls respond. As Viv forges friendships with other young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, she realizes that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution.

Moxie is a book about high school life that will make you wanna riot!

My review:

Vivian starts out hesitant to rock the boat but she decides to act when no one does anything about the unfair rules and harassment towards girls at her school. Inspired by her mom's collection of Riot Grrl zines, Vivian makes one of her own and secretly distributes them in the girls' bathrooms. The zines gradually inspire the other girls at her school to make a stand of their own and the movement grows beyond anything she could have imagined.

I really liked the girl power and focus on friendships and empowerment. Not all of Vivian's friends were onboard with the Moxie movement at first and Vivian also had to figure out what she believed about feminism and how far she was willing to go to change things at her school. She also kept her involvement with Moxie a secret from her mom. She kind of wanted it to be her own thing and she also had a reputation for being a "good girl" and not a "troublemaker" the way her mom was so it was hard for her to break that mold. Although there is a romance (and a decent love interest), Vivian wasn't all about trying to impress a guy. 

Overall I thought this book was fantastic and so timely! Although I was a teen in the 90s I didn't really know anything about the Riot Grrl movement but now I wish I had. I didn't really think much about feminism till I got to college. I think during my high school years I sort of viewed feminism as this historical movement and not something that applied to my life and there was also this undeserved negative reputation that feminists were "man haters" or that you couldn't be a Christian and be a feminist. Thankfully those false ideas were debunked when I got to college! Hopefully Moxie will inspire today's young women to take a stand for themselves and cause them to view feminism as something important and relevant to their lives.

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss

Sunday Post (101)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I can't believe I am posting two weeks in a row! Maybe this is the start of a new beginning when it comes to writing. I still haven't written a book review in months but I hope to write something for this week. We'll see how that goes!

I am glad that we've got a break from the snow and the weather has warmed up. It is supposed to be in the 50s on Monday and even though rain is in the forecast I am thrilled. Hopefully the last of the snow will melt.

At work the reading challenge is going well with over 30 people signed up to participate so far. I also have finally have some programs planned. I have been struggling with that and I wanted to try some new programs this year that might bring in more people. One of my ideas is a themed trivia night. I also have some summer reading program ideas including a wine making program. One of my coworkers makes wine so she is going to do the program for me for free. 

Books read:

The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin and Samantha Norman

I really liked this one. Some great characters (especially Gwil and Penda) and some suspense as well. I am curious to see how the other book club members liked it.

Books listened to:

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan (reread)

Currently reading:

American Panda by Gloria Chao

I am enjoying this book so far. It reminds me of When Dimple Met Rishi.

On my TBR pile:

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I am excited to read this one! I hope I'll get to it soon but I may have to read To Capture What We Cannot Keep first because it is for my book group.

To Capture What We Cannot Keep by Beatrice Colin

I selected this for my afternoon book group because I thought I'd read some good reviews of it but when I looked it up on Goodreads it had mixed reviews. Now I'm worried it'll be a dud. 

New books received:

The Boat People by Sharon Bala

The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

Sunday Post (100) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I meant to write more in December and then earlier this month but time got away from me. A lot happened--some good, some bad. I did get a new car. So nice to have something reliable. It also has heated seats which is such a bonus at this time of year.

It's hard to believe we are already three weeks into 2018. I was honestly dreading this year for a long time (because I'm turning 40) but I've decided to embrace it instead. I am planning to go to Washington D.C. in July with my sister to celebrate. We hope to see Hamilton at the Kennedy Center and do some sightseeing. I love history so there is a lot I want to see and experience (sadly not the White House--really wish I'd been able to go before 2017).

As I write I am bundled up in my apartment without heat. My heater decided to quit working last night just as we were hit with a snowstorm. I have a feeling it won't be fixed till Monday at the earliest. The maintenance guy dropped off some space heaters for me which helps a little. On the bright side I still have electricity and I did get a snow day today (Saturday) because of the bad weather. Is anyone else ready for spring?

I haven't read that many books recently. I have been busy working from home, trying to get my online reading program for adults up and running. It starts on Monday. The children's department is doing an online winter reading program but it doesn't start till February. I hope that our patrons will respond positively to it. We have been getting some calls from people who are excited to try it. I am still offering a paper option for those without computer or Internet access but we want as many people as possible to use the online software and I'm trying to add some cool incentives like extra prizes and points they can earn. We'll see how it goes!

Books read:

In This Moment by Karma Brown

I was intrigued by the premise of this book. A mom is picking up her teenage daughter after school and she waves another student across the road but he is hit by an oncoming car that doesn't see him. The book deals with the guilt and emotional fallout that the mother feels but I found her to be really unlikable especially for some bad choices she makes.

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

This is the sequel to After You. Louisa takes a job as an assistant of sorts to the second wife of a wealthy New Yorker. I thought it was pretty good and liked it more than After You though it isn't quite as good as Me Before You which set the bar pretty high. It is great to see Lou continue to discover who she is.

Currently reading:

The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin and Samantha Norman

I am more than halfway through this book and it is so good. A historical novel with some suspense as there is an evil murderous monk involved. It is the book my evening book group is reading for January.

New books received:

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk

American Panda by Gloria Chao