Book Review : This Dark Endeavor

Title : This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein 

Series : #1 Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein
Author : Kenneth Oppel
Rating : ****

Basic Plot : This book (ahem trilogy) is the prequel to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Victor and Konrad Frankenstein are twins who live an affluent life of imaginary adventure often involving their distant cousin and live in "sister" Elizabeth and their imaginative friend Henry. Suddenly though, after discovering a hidden, forbidden Dark Library in their manor house, their adventures become all too real. Konrad is taken ill, deathly ill, and Victor returns to the library in search of an alchemical cure. With time running out for his brother, Victor, along with Elizabeth and Henry, attempt to assemble the ingredients for the Elixir of Life. They climb the highest trees, explore the deepest caves, and make unthinkable sacrifices. This revival of the Gothic Novel would not be complete without these dark endeavors, seemingly magical potions, and the complicated love that fuels it all. 

Comments : I just have to start by saying LOOK AT THAT COVER! I love it so, so much and the story surpassed all my expectations. During much of the story, I admit, it was hard for me to relate to Victor, our dark hero. He is arrogant, dishonest, and power hungry--at times downright primal. Over the course of the story his character becomes more and more obscure. It is disquieting, but perhaps it is meant to be so. Needless to say, once started I could not put the book down. Through Mary Shelley we all know how the story ends, but far more intriguing through Kenneth Oppel's eye, we now can see how it might have begun. It is full of action, suspense, darkness. I am indeed looking forward to the next installment, "Such Wicked Intent."

Significance : One thing that really struck me while reading this book was how the corruption of our hero took place in increments. A deception here, a falsehood there. That was just the beginning. Also how the initial quest for the elixir was forged out of necessity and a deep desire to heal a loved one, but grew into a dark obsession and desire for power and praise. Our protagonist becomes brash, jealous, and arrogant--so unlike the heros I am used to cheering for, but perhaps far more realistic. The sacrifices made throughout the novel, to gain the ingredients, would have been noble had it not been for an underlying unease I felt about Victor's real intent and his battle between the primal and human duality within.

Similar : Frankenstein by Marry Shelley (read), Airborn by Kenneth Oppel (read), Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (wishlist).

Book Review :: Midnight in Austenland

Title : Midnight in Austenland

Series : #2 Austenland
Author : Shannon Hale
Rating : ***

Basic Plot : This story, much like the previous Austenland, is about a heroine, Charlotte, who is pretty much fed up with real life and looking for an escape. In this case she wants away from her ex-husband, his mistress turned 2nd wife, her teenage daughter, and her son. So, after an awkward run in with her daughter's boy friend, she has decided enough is enough and signs up for the Austen-esque vacation. She is lighted away to Regency England for two weeks where her days fill with polite chatting, evening attire, delicious gentlemen to cater to her fancies, and Gothic mystery. Once caught up in the fantasy, the lines of reality start to blur and Charlotte isn't sure if she finds herself enveloped in a story, or in a real life mystery. Does her life hang in the balance or is this all just part of the vacation experience?

Comments : Again, I really enjoyed this book, much as I enjoyed the original Austenland. It is simply charming to be swept up in these modern stories of Regency England. Right now it is probably one of my favorite genres to indulge in. I truly love the idea of an Austenland and wouldn't mind vacationing there myself if my husband would trail along and obey the rules. Alas, despite the goodness of the story and the plot the main character, Charlotte, is a bit too ridiculous for my taste. She is constantly running an inner dialogue, and though it is believable at times and even funny in the rare case, it is mostly unrealistic to my taste. I kept feeling the inner monologues were interruptions and wanted to get them over with so I could get back to the action. Despite the insanity of Charlotte, I still enjoyed the concept, the plot, and of course all that lives and flourishes in Austenland.

Significance : The significance of this book for me comes from an inner desire to avoid conflict and making yourself the martyr of a situation, a victim. A lot of the time I feel this way myself instead of taking charge of problems and circumstances and doing something about it. I fancy myself clever, strong, and brave. Much like Charlotte of the story, I need to start acting like it. That is my takeaway from this book really, but also that I need to go back and read more Gothic fiction from this time because I forgot how much I LOVE it!

Similar : Austenland by Shannon Hale (read), The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (read), Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson (wishlist)

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Book Review :: Entwined

Title : Entwined

Series : NA

Author : Heather Dixon

Rating : ***

Basic Plot :  This story revolves around a band of 12 sister princesses living in a castle with Sir, the King, their father. Their mother had tragically passed away after giving birth to the last little girl and they are all expected to live the next year in mourning. That means no sunlight, no visitors, no walking in the gardens, and worst of all, no dancing. The King does not approve of breaking any of those rules. Just when Azalea, the High Princess who has just come of age, should have the world before her, she is locked away. Yet, they discover something. A hidden passage in their room which leads to a magical pavilion and its master, The Keeper. He too has been locked away, but for centuries, and allows the girls this secret place for them to dance. It does come with a price however, as the name Keeper may suggest. Every night the girls enter the enchanted passage, emerge in the silver forest, and dance in the magical pavilion. Every night Azalea becomes even more entwined in The Keepers web.

Comments : I have been looking, searching for a book such as this. Usually, especially when I stumble across works from local writers, I am left feeling less than impressed. With Entwined I was immediately captured by the story of these close knit sisters and their love for life and one another. I probably related most with Bramble, the second sister who is wild, sarcastic, fun-loving, and stubborn, but I also connected with all of the older girls in various ways. There are strong ties to family and loyalty throughout the book. There is love, dedication, and romance. Of course, as a brave new telling of a Grimm fairy tale  there is also a small dose of magic mixed throughout. I just have to say, there is something about YA I just cant get enough of, and Entwined definitely surpassed my expectations.

Significance : The meaning I gleaned from this book came through the unity of loss. The Queen, the girl's mother, dies from illness in the early chapters of the book. The girls and their father are devastated. Initially, The King takes the death of his wife badly and isolates himself from his family. He is obligated to ride off to war, leaving his 12 daughters to mourn and fend for themselves. Through this tragedy the girls become even closer, bonding over their loss. It takes some time, but the King does return and slowly begins to rediscover his place as their Papa. It is sweet, really, the way everyone comes together in the end. The perfect kind of story for my sentimental, endlessly teenage heart. 

Similar : The Selection by Kiera Cass, The Treachery of Beautiful things by Ruth Long, The Season by Sarah MacLean

February Blogger Book Club

Hello February! You are the month of love. You are the month of red hearts and paper doilies. You are the month of chocolates and flowers. For some, you are the month of single awareness or lost loved ones. So, for my set list of books for this month I have tried to choose books about love, love, love. Why? Because I love love. I like it in all stages of awkwardness and growth. I like how affection develops and blooms. I like how it is different for everyone. Love! 

February Book Club Books:

Bright Young Things by Anna Godberson

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict  by Laurie Viera Rigler

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Book Review :: Bringing Up Bebe

Title : Bringing Up Bebe

Series : NA

Author : Pamela Druckerman

Rating : ***

Basic Plot : This is a non-fiction book full of tips about bringing up a baby like the French do. The American mother is curious why French children are so well mannered. Why don't they throw their food and cause a scene at a restaurant? Why are they so civil and polite while talking to adults? And why do they all sleep through the night at such early ages? Through this book you learn all the the French secrets about parenting the French themselves don't even realize they are keeping. 

Comments : I loved the jovial, conversational tone of this book, especially because I listened to it and didn't read it. This made it so easy for me to follow along with all of the messages, tips, and tricks the author had to share. The language was genuine and sincerely helpful. This is a great book about French parenting from the perspective of a non-french mother. This book teaches about easy, calm authority. It shows how parents are not at the constant service of their children. Bringing Up Bebe gives useful advice about bringing up strong, polite, independent children who have respect for older generations. Pamela Druckerman nailed it with her writing style. 

Significance : I wish, of all the parenting books I read, that this was the one I discovered before giving birth. Though I did not agree with everything, there were so many tips and tricks I found useful and that would have been helpful in the early stages of having my infant home those first months. The one I liked most of all, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of the baby. Also, teaching your child to wait. These are things, once I implemented them in my own home, that made life so much easier for me and my little one. This booked helped me get my son an a regular eating and napping schedule. This book helped me figure out why I was feeling so down and grungy. Granted, every circumstance is different, but French parenting certainly helped me. I enjoyed it and learned much from it. 

Similar : French Kids Eat Everything by Karen Le Billon, The Lincolns: A Portrait of a Marriage by Daniel Mark Epstein, How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm by Mei-Ling Hopgood

Book Review :: The Fault in Our Stars

Title : The Fault in Our Stars

Series : NA

Author : John Green

Rating : ***

Basic Plot :  This is a thoughtful fiction about a girl with terminal cancer who, with the help of tumor shrinking medicine, has bought some time. She is an introvert 16 year old who is taking college classes, but is understandably depressed. Grudgingly she attends a weekly support group and it is there she meets attractive Augustus Waters, and the last chapters of her life suddenly take a turn for the better. He is a fellow, teenage cancer survivor who, despite his prosthetic leg, lives a full and vibrant life. Both kids are intelligent, sarcastic, and find common ground to plant and grow their tragic love story. Their relationship is staked in a novel titled An Imperial Affliction, and their quest to find out what happens to characters of the book after the ambiguous, and unfinished ending. 

Comments : I found this story to very deep and raw, but not at first. Initially I found it hard to relate to the angry and pretentious characters, not because I don't have firsthand experience with cancer, but because I felt they were a little over the top. I don't know many teens with cancer, but I did grow up knowing one who lived next door and she was not nearly so jaded and dark. However, once I sifted through the harsh beginning I quickly got to the good stuff. I The Fault in Our Stars communicated just how draining and debilitating it is to live with cancer, not only for the cancer riddled body but the lives of their families and friends as well. As the plot winds on some heavy subjects, like life, death, and love, are tackled by these teens. This story is breath taking and heart breaking in both the literal and metaphorical sense. Some might see this as a book about cancer or people dying with cancer, but to me it is more. It is a book about humans, being human, and becoming more than our circumstances. As a note, just be sure to have a box of tissues for the last quarter of this book. 

Significance : The one thing I connected most with in this book, and found to be particularly sad, was that so few people in the novel really knew who the characters were, few people understood their heart of hearts. Throughout The Fault in Our Stars Hazel gets to know Augustus, really knows him, and Augustus really knows her, even after such a short amount of time. Sadly though, no one else in their stories gets to know them so deeply and greatly. To the world these two characters are who they are expected to be. Even their families do not seem to fully understand the depth of these teens living withing their own walls. When it ends, as all stories do, no one is left to truly remember how unique and beautiful they were as individuals. That was what was most tragic for me and makes me want to live my life with a greater expression of who I really am. 

Similar : Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and Illustrated by Maira Kalman, Hope: A Tragedy: A Novel by Shalon Auslander, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Book Review :: The Night Circus

Title : The Night Circus

Series : NA

Author : Erin Morgenstern

Rating : ****

Basic Plot :  This delightful tale revolves around the black and white striped tents of Le Cirque des Rêves. The circus arrives without warning or announcement and is brimming with  acts and performances of amazing feats. Entering this circus is much like entering a world a dreams, where impossibility falls away and dreams become your reality. The circus however, is merely a facade. Behind the scenes a fierce competition, a game between two young magicians, is playing out. This duel between Celia and Marco will leave only one of them standing. Unfortunately the magic of the circus brings them together and they fall in love. The already high stakes of the game are only increased with the number of performers and patrons whose lives are tangled up with the circus.

Comments : I was immediately enchanted with this book and it has to be one of the best stories I have read in a long while. The darkness and mystery of the circus are vibrantly contrasted with the brilliance and brightness of the characters. They are all of them unique, memorable, and endearing. They are also vibrant and carefully constructed. In some novels it can be difficult to track the string of narratives, getting lost in each story to the point where you forget the overarching picture being portrayed. This is not so with The Night Circus. Here you follow the lines of narrative, none of them too short or too long, and all of them yielding detail and weight to the story. It is a wonderful tangling of time and nuance as the separate narratives converge in to one. I was also entertained and mystified by the imagery of this book. I could see it in front of my eyes, unfolding much like a popup book. I smelled the hot apple cider and caramel, I felt the painted ground underfoot, and I saw the black and white of the circus. Erin Morgenstern has such a way of revealing the detail I could even see the magic and illusion happening before my eyes. The Night Circus, much like Le Cirque des Rêves, has something for everyone; appealing to romantics, mystery lovers, historical enthusiast, and those who appreciate a good story. It was a fun read, a beautiful read, an elegant illusion and quite intoxicating. It was as if this book were written just for me, I loved it so much. I am absolutely a Reveure through and trough, mono-chromatically dressed to blend with the circus, loving the circus, yet still standing apart with my red scarf distinguishing me from the performers. I was sad when it was over, not because it was a sad ending, but more of a sad parting. I hate to leave these characters and their stories behind and will likely be re-reading this very soon.

Significance : I found meaning in this book through the connection I felt with the whole story. So many lives were tangled and tied up in the circus. Not only were the performers and the patrons so closely linked to the circus, but also those who found meaning in exploring the black and white tents. There is something about this connectivity that really appealed to me. Our stories intertwine and we do not know, or cannot see how much our lives may impact others or how much their lives impact our own. None of those relationships were an illusion, and I loved that.

Similar : The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell, A Discovery of Witches: A Novel by Deborah Harkness, The Girl with No Shadow: A Novel by Joanne Harris

January Blogger Book Club

I don't know if anyone would be interested, but I was thinking of opening up a blogger book club. This year I want to read a lot of books, 52 to be exact. That is one book a week and it sounds crazy, I know. Time is not a commodity I have in excess, but I do have Audible, Kindle, and a library card in my book reading arsenal. This year I have decided it is time to put them to good use. 

So how would a blogger book club work? Honestly, I have no clue. The basics of a book club include reading the same read and discussing it with a group. Sounds simple, and it is when you don't have the world wide web between you. A blog would make discussing a book difficult unless you want to navigate a long stream of comments. I really don't want to do that. So if local book readers want to meet in person, that is one thing, but for all the online buddies what could we do? Ideas? Instant messaging? :) You can easily see how this would gets complicated and likely wont hold up.

Ok, so maybe a blogger book club would be more about moral support. It wouldn't matter if you read one book, two, or fifty-two. It wouldn't even matter if you were reading one of the books on the monthly list. Rather it would be all about reading, commenting, and giving recommendations. There is very little I like more than a good book recommendation from a like minded literary enthusiast. So what do you say? What are you reading? What are your 2013 goals as far as reading is concerned? Anything good so far?

We can post reviews at the end of the month of the books we read and then do a linkup. That way we can see what friends are reading, what they liked, and what we can skip. Sound good? Okay. Look for a linkup post at the end of this month and we will see how this goes. 

For me I am looking at these four books for January:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman

The Rule of Three

source

When it comes to books I consider myself fairly flexible. I like fantasy, and YA. I like historical fiction and memoirs. I like mystery, and philosophy, and satire. I enjoy a comfortable and quick summer flick. I cuddle up with warm and enveloping literature. Unfortunately, I cannot say I haven't met a book I didn't like. I have; so many of them in fact. The trouble with this is I usually end up sucking it up and sticking it out until the end, hoping against hope that it gets better. I yearn for it to pull through. Its like rooting for the underdog who is never going to win. There the book is staggering along, spinning happily in loop-dee-loops, and never crossing the finish line. Then there I am getting angrier and angrier, more and more frustrated, willing for end to come and dreading it when I finally get there and realize how much energy, time, and encouragement I have wasted. The madness has to stop! So finally, after years and years of reading books, I have developed a system. It is my rule of three.

I do not judge a book by its cover, or even by the summary on the back. Instead I simply use my rule of three. I read the first three chapters and in those three chapters three things must, absolutely happen. I know for some three chapters is much to long to toil in a bad book. For these people often the first paragraph will make or break the story. For others three is not long enough, they need eight or ten. Still for others, as I used to be, they read the whole dang thing and then decide. Not me! Not anymore.

When I read a book I consider my own experience as a (completely unpublished) writer, my studies as an English major, and my personal taste. I know it takes guts and courage to get your writing out there. It also takes publishers, editors, and even managers to get your manuscript to print. It takes hard work, late nights, and organization. I appreciate all of this. Because of these circumstances I felt that once I started the book I was in a pact with the author to finish it. This unspoken agreement made me feel guilty for not giving the entire work a chance. Though I do respect what it takes to be published, I now realize that does not mean I have to finish the book, especially because anything can now be electronically published for a Kindle or Nook edition. Thus, to determine whether or not I will be a committed reader to the end, I judge the first three chapters and look for three things specifically.

First: I need to have found a connection to the hero(s) of our story. I don't mean, "I'm and girl and she is a girl, so now I have to read this whole book to the end." No, not at all. That would be disastrous, in fact. I mean something a little more deep seated. I need to find an emotional turmoil that connects us, a human experience linking us together, or a common set of characteristics that would make us friends. Basically I need to feel invested in the characters or circumstances. Three chapters is plenty of time to establish this connection, nab my attention, and urge me to solider on and see how things turn out.

Second: The plot must develop. I seriously cannot stand a book when the first three chapters merely set the stage. These books take eons to get through, and I do not have the time to spare for such an endeavor. I do not need to know the hue of the lamp shade sitting atop a battered table on the left of the threadbare armchair that was purchased at a flea market in Brooklyn thirty-three years ago by a characters brother's, aunt's, sister's boyfriend from Germany who only came to the States to start a flower shop and fall in love. "Just stop it right now," I want to scream at these pages, "and tell me where this story is going for pity's sake!" Put me in the action, take some steps forward, and get a move on. If this happens in the first three chapters then we are good. I do not need an explosion of events, but I need to at least have a heading and linear movement forward by the end of three chapters.

Third: The character interaction must be believable in context of the story. I don't care if I am reading about aliens, fairies, or talking panda bears. In a novel the lead characters should not fall desperately in love after a brief exchange in the street within the first three chapters.  In a novel the lead characters should not get shot in the patella, sent to the hospital, and fall in love with the head nurse within the first three chapters. So, so many of the books I have lately started often result in me giving them an eye roll and thinking, this would never happen, ever, in this world or any other. Don't get me wrong, I have imagination and don't mind flying elephants if that is the context of the story. I can believe that. However, I cannot believe a character involved in a kidnapping, then car chase, then bank robbery will suddenly fall in love with her captor and join his team of ex-cons; severing all ties with her friends, family, and livelihood to go gallivanting around the continental United States. If this happens within the first three chapters I am out.

There you have it, my simple rule of three when starting a new read. I require only connection, development, and believe-ability. If these three things happen in the first three chapters then I am required, by my personal code of readerly ethics, to keep going until the end. Only then will I make my final decision regarding the merit of those pages. If however, one or even all, gasp, of these rules are broken within the first three chapters, I am no longer obligated to fulfill my role as reader and will stop immediately. No benefit of the doubt and no second chances.

So what are your rules for starting a new book and when do you decide enough is enough?

Book Review :: September Flops

Title : Match Me

Series : NA

Author : Liz Appel

Rating : **

Comments : This was a short story, very short. Very short and very predictable. In fact, the story was so familiar I thought perhaps I had read a similar one during my Publishing Club days at University. Through the whole story I felt the same creepy feeling of deja vu. Perhaps I have read this before, but I certainly do not have to read it again. 

Title : License to Thrill

Series : NA

Author : Stephanie Bond

Rating : *

Comments: I chose this book because in the past I have really enjoyed the Body Movers series by this same author. The characters of those books are quirky, endearing, and have wildly hilarious capers with some morgue-bound bodies. So I got this book on my kindle in hopes that it would live up to my expectations and contain some of those same elements of humor and endearment. Sadly, it did not. This is a smutty romantic thriller full of foul language, hanky-panky, and a disengaging plot. Perhaps it was simply the unbelievably of how quickly the attraction develops between the two characters that had be put off from the start. I was only thrilled when it was over. 

Title : 

Series : NA

Author : Liz Appel

Rating : **

Comments : Of the three flops I read this month, this book was the least bad of them all. I thought the story was nice, but predictable. It was basically a more familial version of The Bachelor, the movie starring Chris O'Donnell and Renée Zellweger not the television series staring a bunch of nutter bars. The relationship that developed between the main characters was superficial. There was very little language, no violence and the one moment of sex was barely mentioned. Those were all good things in my book, but the story could have, should have been better. I honestly wish I liked this story more. It was cute, it was a fast read, and it lacked depth. 

Book Review :: The Weird Sisters

Title : The Weird Sisters

Series : NA

Author : Eleanor Brown

Rating : ****

Basic Plot : The Weird Sisters is a delightful novel about three decidedly different sisters returning to the small college hometown of Barnwell to, on the surface, take care of their mother who is dealing with breast cancer. The Andreas girls grew up with their noses in books and their father taught life lessons directly quoted from the Bard, specifically those in verse. Rose (Rosalind; As You Like It) is the eldest daughter and takes on the role of level headed protector and has primarily tethered herself to Barnwell taking care of their parents. Bean (Bianca; The Taming of the Shrew) is a man-eater who dodged off to N.Y. as soon as she could. Cordy (Cordelia; King Lear) is the wandering vagabond with no aspirations and no direction. Early in the book you discover the real reasons why these three sisters have returned to their home and how their lives are spiraling out of control.

Comments : The Weird Sisters is a deeply engaging story of three grown women who still have a lot of growing up to do. Over the course of the book you learn all about their defining past, their troubling present, and in the end get a glimpse of their happy future. Rose is the typical older sister who is controlling and bossy. Her levelheadedness and endless protection of the others, as it turns out, is a cover for the fear of striking out on her own. Bean was caught embezzling money and climbs into bed, the bed of a married man, looking for nothingness. Her spoiled and calamitous nature is a reflection of a lost middle child, the one who is always out shown by her older and younger siblings and stands forgotten. Cordy, the last and perhaps least lost, returns home from her wanderings after being knocked up by a random artist. As the baby in her family, she has always been coddled and taken care of and her biggest fear is the inability to take care of herself, let alone this completely dependent being growing inside of her. The book is a stunning debut and a breath of fresh air; especially for Bard lovers and sisters alike. The style of Eleanor Brown is a bit confusing at first; speaking in first person using “our,” then referencing the girls in third person. It was a bit jarring for me as a reader. Finally, thematic elements include an affair and some language. Overall I really enjoyed the read. 

Significance : I found meaning from The Weird Sisters mostly through the sibling relationships. It was so true, and so interesting, how the sisters all defined themselves by and through the others. How they gave each other a hard time, but more importantly were always there to support each other in times of need. Also, I did have many a college lecture on the Bard, I have read and researched much of his work. While reading Eleanor Brown's work I really loved, as well as recognized, many of the Shakesperian references throughout the read and it brought back the comfort of Shakespeare I once knew. Lastly, this book had me wishing I read more, always having a book handy. The stacks, libraries, and continued reference to tomes spilling in from every side was a simple delight to a bookworm like myself. 

Similar : Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn, The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman, and Where We Belong by Emily Griffin

Book Review :: Swapping Lives by Jane Green

Title : Swapping Lives

Author : Jane Green

Rating : 2 Star

Basic Plot : Vicky Townsley is a single and successful features director of a London magazine, Poise! She wants her life to be more like the life of her brother and sister in law; marriage and children all she needs to attain real happiness. On the flip side, of the story and the world, Amber Winslow is a busy wife and mother living in the suburbs of Connecticut. Her days are spent organizing charity events, managing the help around her McMansion, and dressing in the finest designers. Amber feels her life is quickly spinning beyond control and she is losing all sight of who she is and what makes who truly happy. Vicky is tired of the hip single life and years for something stable and more substantial. So, when chief editor of Poise! suggests a life swap for Vicky to write the search begins for the best candidate, a desperate housewife, someone whose life is the complete opposite of Vicky’s. Across the pond Amber turns out to be a perfect fit. Both women are excited for this new adventure, but quickly discover the grass is not always greener.

Comments : This is my first experience with Jane Green and I thought the book was fine, a bit clichéd, but still fairly good. It is certainly a light and fluffy chick-lit. There is a surprising respect of fidelity both described and upheld through the book, despite the life swapping. However, as is often seen with novels following the English tradition, there are a number of cusses including several uses of the F-bomb. Also the story seems to drag; the swap not even happening until the novel is already halfway over. The subject is not as engaging as I had hoped and the female characters lack dimension. Combine desperate housewives with a reality TV show and wife swap and you have “Swapping Lives.” Throw in a predictable ending and you have a pretty good idea of the entire plot of this book. It was unsurprising and would probably work best as a casual beach read. I was unimpressed really, hoping for more depth and meaning, but never getting it from the characters or the plot. 

Similar : Probably anything Jane Green like Dune Road or Promises to Keep

Book Review :: Sarah's Key

Title : Sara’s Key

Series : NA

Author : Tatiana de Rosnay

Rating : 4

Characters : Julia Jarmond, an American of modern day who is living in France, married to a Frenchman, and losing herself in the history of the Vel d’Hiv. Sarah Starzynski, a 10 year old girl living in 1942 who finds herself in the middle of the Jewish roundup in France.

Comments : This story was so very good. Granted it was sad and clamps you in a vice grip from the beginning, but good all the same. It was also full of heartache, heartbreak, and heart wrenching moments. Do not let that steer you away from this book. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I first started reading. Lately I have been skipping reader reviews and the back of book summaries. Instead I have started to find books outside of my usual YA and Mystery genres. I have been reading to be surprised. With this story I loved jumping in with both feet; no previous toe dipping involved. This is why I have decided to alter the format of my reviews slightly, leaving more for the reader to discover for themselves. Well, getting on with it, this book is a story of the holocaust, but in a way you might not expect. It is the based in France, which makes for such an interesting commentary. The plot alternates between the past and the present. The heroine of our book is a 10 year old Jewish girl in the midst of the encampments who struggles to get back home and rescue her 4 year old brother. Our other heroine, Julia, becomes wrapped up in her story. 

Thematic Elements :: Violence? Yes, mostly holocaust related. Sex? There is talk of sex between husband and wife, infidelity, and the like, but there is nothing over the top sensual or scandalous. Skipping over some of those sexually uncomfortable parts is fine, the story doesn’t need them. Language? Probably, but nothing that sticks out to me now. Age Appropriate? I would recommend maybe 16+.

Similar : The Holocaust, the French, and the Jews by Susan Zuccoti, Sweet Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky, Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks

Book Review :: The Beloved Dearly

Title :: The Beloved Dearly

Series :: NA

Author :: Doug Cooney

Rating :: 4

Age:: 10+

Main Characters :

Ernie is the creative, ingenious schemer who is a born entrepreneur. At ten years old he starts up a business giving dearly beloved pets a proper burial. With his team of kids Ernie’s little business meets much success. They clean up and use an old abandoned lot to bury their customers’ pets. Over the course of the book Ernie befriends his funeral team as well as a kindly Cat Lady.

Dusty is the artsy mastermind behind casket design. He does a beautiful job on his funeral boxes and plans out the program for each funeral. His creations become more and more elaborate. He uses everything from macaroni glue ons to a science fair volcano to celebrate the lives of the deceased.

Swimming Pool is a spunky little sister to a clan of boys. The story of her naming is odd, but strangely sweet. She is the professional crier. She knows just how to produce the tears, kindness, and consideration each client needs at a pet funeral. This girl quickly becomes the heart of the entire operation.

Tony is the muscle. He digs the graves, works the internment, and mostly stays behind the scenes. He is not complicated and neither is his role in the dearly beloved scheme. He considers himself a free agent, and when he “get’s a gig, he’s gotta dig.” After all there are many uses for a hole in the ground.

Basic Plot :

Ernie keeps getting in trouble for his aspiring pursuits of becoming a businessman. He tried renting out his skateboard, selling burgers in the school lunchroom, and several others means to take advantage of his peers. His dad has had enough, steps in, and says that if he catches Ernie in one more cockamamie business scam then he will be grounded. So this new idea is kept on the down low, which is hard because business is booming. Ernie and his team use a dressed up vacant lot to house deceased pets in their final resting place. They treat each client with the utmost respect and solemnity, quite the task for a bunch of elementary school kids.

Comments :

I loved reading this book. Light, funny, creative and genuine all the way around. This is the type of book that has your imagination taking flight and brings back the best of childhood memories, at least it did for me. It is a tale of friendship, family, and, of course, death. Though this story certainly discusses much about loss, the story is all about life. You do not have to be a pet owner to like this book, it just helps a little. There is no language, no sex, and nothing to be ashamed of. Death is a fairly heavy topic and there are some icky descriptions about dead pets, but that is about it as far as worrisome content. 

A New Year's Resolution

I am all about resolutions. Making them, keeping them, breaking them, writing them down every year no matter what. Well this year things have changed a little bit with little man. I have less time, much less time for myself. So, when my friend decided she wanted some support for her venture to read 52 books this year, I thought it sounded like the perfect way to find time for myself. Enough time to read one book a week at least. So I am joining in. She has some rules and guidelines and other friends joining in the fun. It will be good to get back into some kind of reading routine.

Did you know that in elementary school I was not a reader. In fact, they put me in the the remedial reading class. Insert stink eye right here! I did not like it. Not one bit. Sixth Grade Helper: Go on, sound it out. Me: raised eyebrows. Helper: You can do it. Me: K N E E. You can see how much help it really was. Honestly though, it probably wasn't fourth grade remedial reading that taught me to love books, but it did teach me the importance of learning to read. It wasn't until junior high that I really started feeling this passion for books. 

So yes, I am jumping on the book wagon and hope to read one book per week. I wanted to put my own little spin on this challenge because I know what I like and I end up reading a lot of books in the same genre. So, for this year I am going to try branching out. My reason? Because there are too many good books out there, and bad ones, to be missed because I read only a certain type of book. So here is the rhyme.

Something Old :: Classics

Something New :: Modern Reads (preferably written in my lifetime)

Something Borrowed :: From The Library 

Something Youth :: YA/Children's Longer Books (I could have done blue, but it would have been a stretch)

Wildcard :: Anything I Like (this is because some months do have five weeks in them)

So there you have it. Read more about the challenge, the rules, and other book reviews here. Without further a' do, the January Plan. Wish me luck!

Something Old :: Count of Monte Cristo

Something New :: Better Than I Know Myself

Something Borrowed :: Giraffe

Something Youth :: The Beloved Dearly