It's Monday, What Are You Reading (173)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I had another busy week though I did finish three books. I am very behind on writing reviews and I had hoped to post one last week but I didn't get a chance to. Maybe this week I will have some time to write more.

I am glad that it is warming up again though I have a feeling it won't last. We had snow yesterday but it has already melted and it is supposed to hit 60 tomorrow. This coming weekend I will be going home to stay with my mom for the weekend. She is now able to walk a little bit without the use of her walker and she even went out shopping with my dad to Kohl's yesterday and he took her out to eat at Olive Garden. That is something she always enjoyed before she got sick so it is wonderful that she is able to get out again.

Books read:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (reread)

I love this book and the writing style and I felt like I appreciated it even more after rereading it. My book group liked it as well and we enjoyed talking about both the book and the movie adaptation which is a little different from the book but still really good.

Unmasking Juliet by Teri Wilson

This is a contemporary romance inspired by Romeo and Juliet without all the tragedy and death. Juliet and Leo come from feuding families in the chocolate business but they fall for each other after meeting at a masked ball. It is both funny and steamy and a little over the top at times but I liked it. The author also wrote a book inspired by Pride and Prejudice that I want to check out.

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Initially I wasn't sure I would like this and there were a few times when I was frustrated by the main character but I did like the story. It reminded me a little bit of The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson but with more emphasis on romance and less politics. 

Currently reading:

Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews

I usually enjoy Mary Kay Andrews's books and I really like this one so far. It is set in Savannah, my favorite Southern city.

A Fine Romance: Falling in Love with the English Countryside by Susan Branch

This book is great for armchair travelers as long as they don't mind that it is handwritten. I like the style and the stories of the author's visit to England.

What I plan to read next:

Empire Girls by Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (172)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I haven't had the chance to participate in this meme since the beginning of February right before my mom became ill. This week we should finally have an official diagnosis for whatever caused her coma in the first place. She is doing a lot better now and is getting stronger every day and she goes to physical therapy three times a week. She is so determined to improve and walk without a walker and she has a great attitude about it all. I will be going to stay with her in two weeks.

Last week I had the chance to go to the PLA library conference in Indianapolis where I got to meet Susanna Kearsley, one of my favorite authors. She signed a copy of The Splendour Falls which I still haven't read. I guess that means I need to make time to read it soon! I also was able to attend the author lunch and book signing with John Green. He is an excellent speaker and also really nice. My sister and I stood in line for an hour and a half to get signed copies of The Fault in Our Stars for her and my step-niece. 

With all the traveling and other stuff going on I haven't had much time to read this month. I am currently rushing to reread The Book Thief before my book group meeting on Tuesday! I did finally get to watch the movie and I loved it.

Books reviewed:

Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Books read:

Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

Faking Normal covers a similar topic to Speak but it is written in a different way. I really liked the character of Bodee and though I think Speak is better, I think this book has a really important message too.

Mambo in Chinatown by Jean Kwok

I loved Girl in Translation and so I was eager to read Mambo in Chinatown. It features ballroom dancing and there is even a cameo from Kimberly (main character in Girl in Translation). 

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

I really loved the characters in One Plus One. It has a different tone compared to Me Before You but I still thought it was fantastic. It reminded me of a combination of Liane Moriarty and Sophie Kinsella. It would make such a cute movie! 

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

I finally finished this book after giving up on it early on due to pacing issues. I am glad I had to keep reading (it is the afternoon book group selection for this month) because it definitely got better. I am curious to see how the other members of the book group found it.

Currently reading:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (reread)

I love this book and I am enjoying rereading it though I do wish that Death didn't give away so much! I think the movie was a good adaptation and I was surprised by the negative reviews.

What I plan to read next:

Empire Girls by Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan

I will be reading this book for review elsewhere. I love that time period and for some reason the premise of this book reminds me of Sense and Sensibility though there is no reference to it as any kind of adaptation.

A Fine Romance: Falling in Love with the English Countryside by Susan Branch

This is an enchanting travel journal with painted illustrations, photos, and really pretty writing. It is like a scrapbook of the author and her husband's travels and how they fell in love. I started reading it already and I'm enjoying her descriptions of their voyage on the Queen Mary 2. I'm looking forward to reading about her experiences in England. It is my lifelong dream to go there one day (though I think I'd fly instead of sailing especially after reading about her seasickness!). 

Review: Heartbeat

Heartbeat

By Elizabeth Scott

Published: January 28, 2014

Life. Death. And...Love?

Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.

But Emma can't tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.

Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn't have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.

Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love?

My review:

After reading The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley which also tells the story of a brain dead pregnant woman on life support, I wondered if this book would be similar. While that book focuses on the ethical aspects and court case, Heartbeat keeps the focus on Emma. There is no court case here or much ethical discussion although Emma is against her stepfather's decision to keep her mother's body on life support for the sake of the baby.

Emma is understandably angry but she also seems incapable of seeing her stepfather Dan's grief and she can be very selfish and mean. While this did not exactly endear her to me I thought it was an authentic portrayal of Emma's feelings. She is not just angry at Dan. She is angry at herself for not spending enough time with her mom and putting too much emphasis on being the perfect student. Emma is also frightened that Dan will abandon her once he has his long awaited child. 

Emma is fortunate to have her best friend Olivia who is there for her even when Emma is being self centered. Olivia is supportive and caring even if she can't always understand what Emma is feeling or going through. Emma also develops a friendship/relationship with Caleb, the school troublemaker. Caleb does understand grief because he has suffered the loss of a loved one too. With the help of Caleb and Olivia, Emma is slowly able to forgive herself and begin to mend her relationship with Dan.

Heartbeat is a moving contemporary novel. It is sad but it also has moments of hope and light especially in the scenes between Emma and Caleb. I loved how she started to come out of her solitude with him and I think that seeing the environment he lived in and the way his parents treated him helped her in her own relationship with Dan. Emma grows as a character and she realizes some truths about herself, her mom and Dan, and what is truly important in life. 

I think that teens will find it easy to relate to Emma even if they haven't experienced such a personal loss themselves. Fans of Sarah Dessen, Sarah Ockler, Morgan Matson, and Jessi Kirby will likely enjoy it.

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

Review: Better Off Friends

Better Off Friends

By Elizabeth Eulberg

Published: February 25, 2014

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

My review:

Macallan first meets Levi a year after her mother died. Things are still raw and she is tired of being treated differently by those around her so Levi is like a breath of fresh air. They both share a love of the same BBC show, Buggy and Floyd which initially bonds them. Macallan also becomes close to Levi's mother and their families mesh well together, sharing weekly meals. As the two grow older, their friendship continues to deepen but they hit speed bumps like Levi's desire to be popular and Macallan's tendency to run away when facing difficulties.

Better Off Friends is a novel of friendship, love, and loyalty. The story is told through the perspectives of both Macallan and Levi which allows the reader to get to know both characters better. Macallan seems almost too good to be true but she does have some flaws. It is hard for her to acknowledge her feelings, something that could have been explored more in the novel. She is loyal to her family and friends and she isn't afraid to speak her mind except when it comes to her feelings for Levi. Levi is portrayed as a decent guy though he sometimes chooses popularity over doing what is right.

The novel has been touted as "When Harry Met Sally for teens" and the comparison is apt. Though it would be nice to see a book where the characters remain just friends without undercurrents of romance, it is a good exploration of friendship and growing up and falling in love. The romance is sweet. There isn't an instant attraction but instead it is a love that is based on friendship which makes it more satisfying when the characters get their happy ending.

Better Off Friends would be a good pick for readers of contemporary teen romance and it would be appropriate for younger teens as well. Fans of Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen and teen contemporary romantic comedy should definitely consider picking this up.

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

Great news!

Since my last post, my mom has been moved out of the hospital and into their rehabilitation center where she has been undergoing physical therapy and speech therapy. I just found out this afternoon that my mom will be able to go home on Monday! 

I will be traveling to Fort Wayne to see her this weekend at the rehabilitation center and then once she is settled back in at home, I will plan to go and spend some time with her there too.

In the meantime I will also be going to PLA in Indianapolis next week with my sister. It will be easier to go to a library conference knowing that my mom is doing well!

Why I've Been Gone

I have been taking a break from blogging because my mom has been in the hospital since February 8th. After more than a week the doctors believe they have finally found what is wrong, a rare disease called limbic encephalitis. Since starting the new treatment my mom has improved a lot and is now awake and able to eat and move and they will be moving her out of the ICU soon. It is truly amazing to me to see how God is healing her.

During this time I have been reflecting on how much I love my mom and how I haven't always been present when I visit her. I let myself get distracted by other things and didn't always give her my full attention when she was trying to spend time with me. I last saw her when I was home for Christmas and I hate to think how much of that time I spent on the computer either using Pinterest or on this blog. For some people blogging is a hobby that is just a part of their life and an activity they enjoy. For me it became something that I perhaps have devoted too much time to over the past few years. Honestly I haven't enjoyed blogging since 2011 but I've kept at it because I do like the community and I love to read and I didn't want to just quit. 

I am so glad my mom is doing better and I plan to spend as much time with her as I can. Her hospital is 3 hours away but I will go visit her as much as possible. In order to devote more time to my family and to get my priorities straight and because writing book reviews is frankly not something I want to think about right now I am going to be taking a break from it for the next several weeks. 

Thank you for reading my blog. I truly appreciate it. 

Saying goodbye for now,

Christina T

Review: The Invention of Wings

The Invention of Wings

By Sue Monk Kidd

Published: January 7, 2014

From the celebrated author of The Secret Life of Bees, a magnificent novel about two unforgettable American women

Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, Sue Monk Kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a voice in the world.

Hetty "Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke’s daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women.

Kidd’s sweeping novel is set in motion on Sarah’s eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid.We follow their remarkable journeys over the next thirty-five years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other’s destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love.

As the stories build to a riveting climax, Handful will endure loss and sorrow, finding courage and a sense of self in the process. Sarah will experience crushed hopes, betrayal, unrequited love, and ostracism before leaving Charleston to find her place alongside her fearless younger sister, Angelina, as one of the early pioneers in the abolition and women’s rights movements.

Inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, Kidd goes beyond the record to flesh out the rich interior lives of all of her characters, both real and invented, including Handful’s cunning mother, Charlotte, who courts danger in her search for something better.
This exquisitely written novel is a triumph of storytelling that looks with unswerving eyes at a devastating wound in American history, through women whose struggles for liberation, empowerment, and expression will leave no reader unmoved.

My review:

The Invention of Wings is mostly an excellent novel that explores slavery, abolition, and women's rights through the eyes of Sarah Grimke and her fictional slave Handful. Although Sarah Grimke was a real person, it is Handful that feels more real and her character shines from the page. 

The novel is detailed in depicting life in Charleston during that time period for both the high society slave owners and their slaves as well as life for Quakers and abolitionists in Philadelphia. The inclusion of real life historical persons such as Denmark Vesey, the Grimke family, and Lucretia Mott adds to the authentic feel of the story. 

The character of Handful is unforgettable. She is strong and determined and intelligent. I also really liked Charlotte though her actions could be infuriating at times with all the risks she took. I loved how she used her quilt to tell her story and how she had such spirit. 

The one slightly disappointing thing about this novel is that Sarah becomes less vivid as a character as she becomes an adult. I started longing for the sections from Handful's point of view because I found that I didn't care about Sarah as much. The writing style seems to change during Sarah's parts of the story as she becomes a Quaker and moves to Philadelphia. I just lost interest a little bit because of the way the story is told but I did admire Sarah and her sister Angelina for their efforts on behalf of abolition and women's rights. Sarah, Handful, and Angelina were held back by the rules of the world they lived in but they fought back in an inspiring way.

Readers of historical fiction should definitely add this book to their TBR list. The author put a lot of research and detail into the book which really appealed to me as a fan of historical fiction. While the segments from Sarah's point of view are not always as strong, I thought this book was really good in spite of minor flaws. Though I don't usually go for "Oprah books" I think this one lives up to the hype (though I have heard it is better to read the Kindle version without the Oprah notes rather than the annotated Kindle edition). Other similar books I'd recommend are Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill and The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen.

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

Review: The Promise of Stardust

The Promise of Stardust

By Priscille Sibley

Published: February 5, 2013

Matt Beaulieu was two years old the first time he held Elle McClure in his arms, seventeen when he first kissed her under a sky filled with shooting stars, and thirty-three when he convinced her to marry him. Now in their late 30s, the deeply devoted couple has everything-except the baby they've always wanted.

When an accident leaves Elle brain dead, Matt is devastated. Though he cannot bear the thought of life without her, he knows Elle was afraid of only one thing-a slow death. And so, Matt resolves to take her off life support.

But Matt changes his mind when they discover Elle's pregnant. While there are no certainties, the baby might survive if Elle remains on life support. Matt's mother, Linney, disagrees with his decision. She loves Elle, too, and insists that Elle would never want to be kept alive on machines. Linney is prepared to fight her son in court-armed with Elle's living will.

Divided by the love they share, Matt and Linney will be pitted against each other, fighting for what they believe is right, and what they think Elle would have wanted resulting in a controversial legal battle that will ultimately go beyond one family . . . and one single life.

My review:

The Promise of Stardust is a gut-wrenching story. There are no easy answers and the author does a good job of presenting both sides of the argument. The book shows both the current situation in the hospital and courtroom as well as the past and how Matt and Elle met and various key moments in their relationship. This helps the reader to get to know Elle as she is already in a coma at the beginning of the novel. 

Matt and Elle are the most well developed characters in the book though we also learn more about Linney and Elle's parents. Some of the other characters are not developed at all like Matt and Elle's siblings. This did not detract from the story however since it is Elle and Matt that take center stage and are most important. 

Overall I loved this book though there were some minor flaws. This is the sort of book that makes you think and feel strong emotions while reading.  It is both a beautiful (and tragic) love story and an exploration of parent/child relationships, death, and life. This book has been compared to Jodi Picoult's works and while it should appeal to her fans, I prefer The Promise of Stardust to any of Picoult's books I've read so far. It would make a great selection for book discussion groups. 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (171)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

I am glad that January is behind us but I am a little worried about February, my least favorite month of the year. We are supposed to get 4-8 inches of snow from Tuesday to Wednesday but fingers crossed that it won't be that bad...

Books reviewed:

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Books read:

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

This book was fun once I got used to the e-mail exchanges. It wasn't as good as Rowell's newer teen novels but I could see the beginnings of Eleanor and Park and Fangirl in the writing style.

Come Home to Me by Brenda Novak

After enjoying the other Whiskey Creek novels, this book was a big disappointment. I liked the main character and wanted to see her have a happy ending after all the struggles she has been through but a secondary plot line really derailed my enjoyment of the book in a major way.

While Beauty Slept by Elizabeth Blackwell

Though I didn't care for all the foreshadowing of doom I still really enjoyed this creative retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

Currently reading:

The House of Ivy and Sorrow by Natalie Whipple

This is really good so far. I like the humorous tone that offsets some of the creepy suspense. It reminds me a little of Hex Hall and similar novels.

Review: Manor of Secrets

Manor of Secrets

By Katherine Longshore

Published: January 28, 2014

My review:

Lady Charlotte has not yet had her debut season but she is bored with the life she is expected to lead. She longs for adventure and wants to be an author. Unfortunately her mother has other plans and expects Charlotte to secure a marriage proposal from Lord Andrew Broadhurst before the season begins. Janie is a kitchen maid working for Charlotte's family along with her mother who is the cook. Janie knows her place but she has dreams too. Charlotte and Janie's paths cross when she catches Janie dipping her toes in the lake and Charlotte wishes she could have that kind of freedom. A friendship between a kitchen maid and a lady would be forbidden especially by Charlotte's strict mother, Lady Diane but that doesn't stop Charlotte. Then Charlotte's scandalous aunt arrives throwing everything into turmoil.

Manor of Secrets is a little different from the other teen historical fiction set during this time period. While there is that upstairs/downstairs divide, the focus of the novel is on the growing friendship between Charlotte and Janie. The characters seem more innocent and younger too. 

Charlotte's naivete can be frustrating. She behaves like a much younger girl at times and she seems to live in a dreamworld. Charlotte is kind to Janie though she doesn't realize it when she puts Janie in a difficult place by asking her to come upstairs to help her though Janie is a kitchen maid. Charlotte also has unrealistic expectations of romance. Although Charlotte is initially annoying, she grows through her friendship with Janie as the story progresses. She is well meaning and she is lonely having never had her mother's love or pride. 

Janie on the other hand is more of a realist. She has experienced hardship and is not keen to do anything that would cost her a job since she has only recently been reunited with her mother. Although Janie has the opportunity for romance she knows that she'd be fired if she pursued it. Janie is a more sympathetic character and even though Charlotte endangers her job, she is still willing to try to help her because she understands Charlotte's loneliness.

Manor of Secrets does not have quite the same gossipy feel as other Edwardian/Downton Abbey inspired fiction. It takes a look at family relationships, dreams, and the roles of women during that time period. Although the secret is easy to guess, it may not detract from the reading experience as the book is more about the characters' relationships and friendships than solving a mystery.  

I have heard that this author's Tudor fiction is excellent which may be why Manor of Secrets did not quite meet my expectations. The novel has its flaws but it would be a good pick for those who enjoyed Leila Rasheed's Cinders and Sapphires or T.J. Brown's Summerset Abbey. Those readers looking for a little more soapiness or substance should check out The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. 

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

Top Ten Characters I Wouldn't Trade Places With

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. There is a new subject each week and this week's topic is "Top Ten Characters I Wouldn't Want to Trade Places With".

1. Eddard Stark from the A Song of Ice and Fire saga by George R.R. Martin

Eddard Stark is an honorable man and while I admired his strength of character he didn't have what it took to play the game of thrones and he was easily outmaneuvered by the crooked politicos of Westeros. Poor Ned. Besides who would want to live in Westeros? Winter is coming...

2. Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

While I would love to live at Bag End (I'm almost short enough to fit right in with the folks of the Shire) and I'd love to visit the elves at Rivendell, I would not want to travel to Mount Doom or be controlled by a ring or have anything to do with the creature known as Gollum...

3. Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

It may be fun to be a wizard and go to Hogwarts but Harry certainly had his share of misery, first losing his parents and being raised by the vile Dursleys and then having to avoid being killed many times by Lord Voldemort. Not fun at all. I'd rather trade places with  Hermione :)

4. Charlotte Lucas Collins from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Poor Charlotte is from a time when women had few choices in life. As a "spinster" at the ripe old age of 27 or 28, Charlotte jumped at the chance to marry Mr. Collins, the clergyman who would one day inherit Longbourn. What makes her situation especially deplorable is the fact that Mr. Collins is an annoying toady and she also had to put up with regular visits with Lady Catherine De Burgh...I'd be surprised she didn't hurl herself from the roof of Rosings Park...

5. Robb Stark from the  A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin

Red Wedding. Enough said.

He is kind of cute though...I've heard he is going to be the Prince in the new Cinderella movie...

6. Mary Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I am probably more like Mary than the other Bennet sisters but only because I can play the piano, am a terrible singer, and I am plain and socially awkward.  Mary however also liked to read sermons and recite moral platitudes. Poor Mary was looked down upon by her family and society and I wish Jane Austen had given Mary a hopeful ending in P&P. Maybe that's why I like reading all those novelizations about her that give her a happy ending.

7. Tris Prior from the Divergent series by Veronica Roth

One reason I wouldn't want to be Tris: I know what happens in Allegiant. Another reason I wouldn't want to be Tris: she is forced to kill someone she cares about. A third reason I wouldn't want to be Tris: she can be annoying. A fourth reason I wouldn't want to trade places with Tris: She lives in a stupid world with stupid factions.

8. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games

I'd like to think that if my little sister was selected to be in the Games, I'd trade places with her in a heartbeat. Of course she would stand a much better chance of survival than me since she works out all the time. She may be tiny but she is incredibly strong...

While I wouldn't mind being as tough or talented as Katniss, I wouldn't want to be Katniss or live in that bleak and hopeless world. I can't imagine anyone would...

9. Juliet from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

I'm not into the whole romantic suicide thing. Plus Romeo is definitely not worth killing oneself for. Poor Juliet. She deserved so much better...

10. Bella from the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

Hmm. An angsty love triangle with a vampire and werewolf? No thank you. Especially no to drinking blood or being hunted by vampires or kissing or being romantic with someone who is like a frozen marble statue. Of course I'd have more of a personality than Bella and I'd choose family over living forever with a vampire so Charlie would win out...