The Dreamers: A Novel

Karen Thompson Walker's The Age of Miracles is a book that hit me like a ton of bricks and has stayed with me for years (since 2012!); when I saw that her newest book, The Dreamers, was available for request on Netgalley I jumped on it. 

A mysterious virus is snaking it’s way through Santa Lora, a sleepy college town deep in California. It’s starts with one student, makes its way to get another, and soon the entire town is blanketed in sleep, dreaming but not waking. Very few will be left awake, and the town is under full quarantine. Who will survive and who will not? What is happening deep down at the cellular level to cause this disease — and what are the dreamers dreaming? 

I wish that my blurb on this book could be a fraction as eloquent as Walker is in her prose. She is one of the most languid and beautiful novelists of our day. She writes with such a deep understanding of her characters yet provides us this knowledge at a remove; it’s as if she’s our higher power telling us the story of our ancient civilization. It’s a folklore that will be come to know by all who dwell here. It’s incredible, her ability to move me as a reader while still feeling like a universal storyteller. 

Walker focuses on Mei, a young woman who feels like an outcast in her college dorm. Her roommate is the first to experience infection and pass away. Walker has written Mei to be the most empathetic of characters, one that is easy to relate to even though in the surface it seems we have nothing in common. Mei, who is asked to endorse more than any 19 year-old does. She is in the eye of the hurricane and when it fans out, she is the moral compass in the storm. She, along with Sarah and Libby, the two young daughters of janitor at the college, anchored this story for me more than any other characters. The couple with the baby felt too close to home for me, as it made my gut ache. Walker has a way of doing that. The story is important, but the characters’ journeys are the lifeblood. 

The Princess in Black: Science Fair Scare

The Princess in Black: Science Fair Scare by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham is part of a series that I did not know about before Book Expo this year. One major reason for this is that prior to this Book Expo, I hand no need to look for elementary and middle grade books. That has changed since the addition of my little guy as well as my desire to find books for my teacher education students, and this year was a feast of goodies.

Apparently I have been missing something, which is that The Princess In Black has so many adventures, and her science fair is just one of them. Why has no one told me? In this adventure, Princess Magnolia, our protagonist, heads to the science fair to present on her work regarding how seeds grow into plants. There are many princesses presenting, and everything is going well until one boy's volcano starts talking. Wait -- is that right? It turns out that boy, Tommy, added monster fur to his volcano to help it erupt, and erupt it does -- right into a big old monster who is set to destroy the entire science fair! Can Princess Magnolia, err, the Princess in Black, get rid of the monster (in a humane way, of course) and save the science fair before the monster eats it all?

I am so very happy that I picked up this book to have on my son's bookshelf as he heads into elementary school in a few years. Not only is it so much fun without being scary, but it features female protagonists who are also superheros when they aren't princesses. The Princess in Blankets joins the Princess in Black to fight the monster while also aided by other princesses who are at the science fair. It is important to me to surround my child with female heroes deliberately and frequently, because he, as a White male, will be surrounded by his likeness frequently and unconsciously. I loved the moral of this story, and how the girls saved the day. 

Artemis: A Novel

I haven't read The Martian yet, but I loved the film, so when I found out Andy Weir was coming out with a new book -- Artemis -- I requested a review copy, and here we are!

Jazz grew up in Artemis, the moon colony that has no home country. People who live there and visit there are from everywhere, and due to the restrictions on imports, Jazz runs a booming underground economy for her clients. One evening while delivering contraband to her best client, Trond, he tells her he wants to hire for her a job -- a life changing job. The only problem is that it's super illegal and could get her killed, but if she succeeds, she will be rich beyond belief and can finally live a life outside of just scraping by. When she takes it, she finds herself on the ride of her life -- or is for her life?

I was quite pleased by this novel and its caper quality. I will say that it was not the deepest piece of fiction I have ever picked up, and there were many times where it was clear that a man was writing from the attempted perspective of a young woman. I found myself rolling my eyes a couple of times at the internal comments Jazz would make at the audience, as they were very unauthentic, but I was willing to look past this for the sake of the story. After all, I wasn't in it for character development, but rather for the story.

Weir does an outstanding job of doing his homework and presenting the science thoroughly and, more importantly, interestingly. I ended up purchasing this book twice over the holidays, once for my brother and again for my brother-in-law. It's a great piece for just about anyone -- you can enjoy the story and skip past the science if it doesn't interest you or you find it tedious, or if you like the science, you can totally geek out on it and criticize it and be in awe of it and focus on that. It was what I think was the best part of this book -- it's a caper that has a story that grabs you and has a little something for everyone.

For myself, I'm not so sure after reading this book that I would be open to living on the moon. My anxiety was over the top reading about the precautions the residents had to take in order to live in a vacuum, and that's just not for me. I think that the idea of creating a colony on the moon, however, was fascinating and got me thinking long and hard about sustainable solutions for life on Earth. Would I at least want to take a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Artemis?

Why, yes, I would. Thanks, Mr. Weir. I'm looking forward to it. 

Lois Lane: Triple Threat

I am madly in love with Gwenda Bond's version of Lois Lane. This will come as no surprise if you've been reading this blog for a while: Fallout and Double Down were both highly reviewed here. So I hung around the booth for the 1pm drop of this book at Book Expo and rejoiced to the heavens when I got my hand on Triple Threat.

Lois Lane, fresh off her discovery of the covert and evil laboratory experiments done by Dabney Donovan, starts having strange encounters in Metropolis with a group of kids who have strange powers that match their odd silver appendages. They seem to be after her, and she can't figure out why. Could they be related to the mob boss she helped put away recently? Or is this revenge for her deeds against Donovan? All of this on top of being smitten with her internet boyfriend, SmallvilleGuy, who surprises Lois by telling her that he's coming to town. Suddenly Lois's worlds come crashing together, and she must find a way to find herself and save herself at the same time.

So, yeah, Clark comes to town. That's no big secret. After all, that's kinda the premise of the superhero story, you know? I love that Lois is the center of this story and that Clark gets to be the gorgeous hunk of meat that steals Lois's heart. She's a great heroine -- she's plucky, she's brave, she's reckless, she's head over heels in love with someone she has never met -- and she's absolutely delightful. I loved that she finally met Clark in this book, along with his parents. Lois begins to suspect that there's more to Clark and their shared love of Strange Skies, the message board they met on, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this relationship goes in the future.

I am still smitten with this series, but I will say, this was not my favorite of the trio so far. However, I think that this book served as a fulcrum in the story. The investigation that Lois dives into isn't the most exciting, but it does set the stage for several things that look like they will be taking place in the near future. The action took a back burner in this story to the character development of Lois, Clark, and even her best friend Maddy. Who they are becoming throughout this series was more important to develop in this story than the action, and I can appreciate where this looks like it's going. Lois may have saved the day this time around, but only for the little guys who were hurt by the big guys. The big guys are still out there, and they want Lois. She isn't safe, even after her good work this time around. This book was a smaller grain of sand in a larger beach picture, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's next this spring!

The Book Thief

Hi!

I’m currently taking a break from all the nonfiction I’ve been reading lately to get back to literary fiction for a while. I decided on The Book Thief by Markus Zusak because it has always been on my to-read list. It was definitely a heavy place to start, but this is a book I can highly recommend. It’s about as far as you can get from a light and bubbly summer read, but I loved it. Although it’s a cliché statement, this is a book I actually couldn’t put down.

The Book Thief is narrated by Death. The opening section of the book, in which Death describes his encounters with “the book thief”, foreshadowing the entire novel, was my favorite part of the story. Because you know once you pick it up that The Book Thief takes place in Nazi Germany, you have that overhanging cold feeling of dramatic irony in which you know that things will continue to grow worse. Still, the subtle foreshadowing helped to set the tone for the whole book and created an air of mystery that I found compelling.

Death is a theme in almost all novels that take place in Nazi Germany, but in The Book Thief its personification helps you to feel its presence, almost like even death itself didn’t want to be involved in this level of societal evil. The novel follows a young girl named Liesel, “the book thief” because she steals books at important moments in her life, and shows the effects of Hitler’s rise to power and the subsequent war on Germany and its people through her eyes.

Unsurprisingly, it is heartbreaking. There are touching moments and terrifying moments. The book focuses on individuals and their human connections, their friendships and the emotions they feel in the face of such dread and confusion, and the ways they try to find meaning and connection in such a time. Some novels about this period in history are overdone and try to capture everything that happened, and the sheer scale of it makes it hard to process emotionally for the reader. The micro scale of The Book Thief, as well as the young age of Liesel and thus her innocent approach to processing many of the horrible and unprecedented things she sees and feels, makes the book hit home in an emotional way.

I loved the ending too, which I won’t give away here. The writing in The Book Thief is exquisite, and there are sentences you will read over two or three times just to let them sink in. It leaves you haunted and sad, which seems appropriate. It’s a long book but is worth the time it takes, and it gives real insight into the emotional perspectives of the characters. This is the first book I read about Nazi Germany that connected with me in quite this way, because I felt the sense of confusion and dread came through in a real way.

I think in today’s political climate, we are especially poised to resonate with feelings of powerlessness and to remember that we must notice the creeping changes in a political situation when it comes to rights, social norms, protections, and expectations, before they have crept too far. The Book Thief may leave you devastated and faintly queasy, but it should. It’s a beautifully written novel that deserves to be read. And if you love it as I do, I suggest that you go back once you’re done and read the opening section once more, now that you know the journey Death and Liesel have been on together.

All in all, the novel was very interesting, and I loved the ending. The novel is well written and although it is long, it is worth your time. I feel that I learned about different perspectives and ways of life, which was interesting and mind opening. 

The Testing: A Novel

This was one of my first exciting grabs at my very first Book Expo four years ago. I don't know why it took me so long to get to Joelle Charbonneau's The Testing, but I finally did this last week. 

Cia Vale is out of Five Lakes Colony, and they haven't seen anyone selected for The Testing in years. Since the Seven Stage War, the colonies have sent their best and their brightest to Tosu City to test for university and a government placement. Only once you leave your family, you can't go back. When Cia graduates, she is selected along with three classmates. She heads into the city but finds out quickly that the testing is not as happy an honor as it's made out to be. She must fight to stay alive, and in the process, manage a new relationship and the knowledge that soon she will lose all of her memories. 

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It came out at the height of the dystopian YA movement (years after those hungry novels but right at the release of the movies) and I was terribly interested in a new take. I thought the plot was engrossing enough to keep me reading, and Charbonneau has quite a knack for good end-of-chapter cliffhangers. I am not the first to jump at the chance to read dystopian fiction; it's just not my style. This story, though, transcended that aversion and got me deep into the inner workings of a young woman's quest to stay alive while still retaining her values. 

I also really loved the character of Cia -- she was a strong, fantastic female protagonist, cut from my favorite cloth of problematic while lacking in whininess or self-pity. Cis struggles with hurting other people in the last round of testing, and she shows her empathic side in a scene that involves death at a large level. Watching her struggle with her feelings of fairness was a lovely and honest read. She did what she had to do and it was glorious. I would absolutely feel comfortable handing this book off to my own children as a great story that also reads as a story of female empowerment. 

Dark Matter: A Novel

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch came out a while ago, and honestly, I read it a while ago. Sometimes I just run behind on my reviews, so here I am catching up the week before Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to winter break to catch up on my blog!

One night, Jason heads out to meet a super successful colleague at a bar. He's feeling a little down on himself -- he's just a professor with a gorgeous artist wife and a healthy son, after all (sense my sarcasm?) -- and on his way home, he is kidnapped by a man in a mask who looks and sounds awfully familiar. He's taken to a warehouse, stripped down, and put into a box. When he comes out of it, he is still himself, and it's still the current time -- but he is somewhere else with a different life. No wife, no kid, and this time he's the successful one. What happened? How did his early choices in life affect where he is now? Most importantly -- how does he get back to his old life that he now wants back more than anything in the world?

So, bad Nicole, this book was read months ago. Maybe I can get away with saying that I was waiting for my husband to read it? Which there is definitely some truth to, as I thought he would really enjoy it. He did -- he whipped through it in a whole day. I was impressed.

I was also happy with this book. I never really got science as an adolescent, and now that I'm older, I find myself often wanting to know and understand more about physics. This book wasn't necessarily a first choice in terms of content (I'm not much of a sci-fi or fantasy person), but I am incredibly happy I picked it up. It had enough science for me to learn something new, and it was enough of a well-told story with a great arc and fantastic characters that I completely bought into the premise and then into the whole story. I was rooting for Jason the entire time, and I couldn't stop turning the pages to get to the rest of the story. It was a complicated enough plot line for me to be in it to win it, and the topsy-turvy curves of the story were fascinating.

The one issue I had was that I wasn't in love with the ending, but I also recognize that there was no ending that could serve the characters to the fullest -- except this one. It still sits with me, but I also believe that the feeling I have is the sign of a good book. I couldn't stop thinking for days about how uncomfortable the ending made me feel, and that is more of a testament to a great book that has gripped me and made me think hard rather than a book that had a dull ending. It was a great choice, and one that made me think deeply.

Guest Blogger Charlotte: Alice in Wonderland

Hi There!

I have always been a bit hesitant to read classics, not because I doubt how amazing they are, but because I didn’t want to not enjoy them and crush my 7-year-old self. Anyways, this month Alice in Wonderland kept popping up, so I decided to go ahead and read the fairy tale and let me say, I was far from being disappointed!

Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland is considered a children’s book, however, it is so beautifully written that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about tea parties, chasing a rabbit, and an intense game of croquet. I guess what I’m trying to say is the book can be enjoyed by anyone, especially if you love adventure with a touch of magic and madness. Also, I thought it was very interesting to somewhat go back to the story of Wonderland that I so desperately desired to travel to and loved while growing up. However, reading it a few years later, I found that different things stood out to me and even though I still adore the story, I focused on different parts of the book this time through.

The book begins when Alice is being read a book by a sister, and to Alice’s surprise, the book has no images! This deeply troubles Alice, and a running white rabbit that is completely distressed and running late soon distracts her. For obvious reasons, Alice follows the rabbit… I mean who wouldn’t? She follows him until she falls into a whole for what feels like hours! I mean seriously, Alice is able to pick up books from shelves and drink tea and even comes to the conclusion that she will soon arrive on the other side of the world. My favorite part of this scene is when she contemplates how it will feel to be standing upside down. Out of all the things she could be thinking, like where is she or the fact that she is falling, (!!!) left me with a bubbly feeling inside. It shows pure innocence and joy and I absolutely loved the little details like this throughout the novel.

Alice soon lands and finds herself in a corridor of doors. She quickly finds the rabbit and continues her mission to figure out why he is in such distress.  This is when Alice is confronted with a small door and is unsure what to do. All the other doors are locked and when a key appears on a table in the room, it only opens the minuscule door. She looks in and sees a beautiful garden and is completely dedicated to fitting through the door and exploring this garden and Wonderland. Then, the infamous scene with the ‘Drink me’ potion and ‘Eat me’ cake occurs.

Once she makes it through the door her adventure in Wonderland begins (yay!).  Even though I know the story, I was so excited to see what would happen. She meets fabulous and quirky characters, but also meets characters that teach her important lessons and morals. As the book continues and Alice continues her adventure, the reader also gets to see different parts of her personality and we find out that she is actually a quite fiery, yet kind and confident girl that I honestly wish I could be.

However, my favorite characters were by far the Tea Party ‘Crew’ (especially the Dormouse), the Caterpillar, and the Queen of Hearts because of how well written they were, and that I could somewhat relate to them. (I’m not crazy I promise.) The Tea Party ‘Crew’ stood out to me for their utter insanity, and because the tea party never stops, which I think everyone dreams of. I especially want to mention the Dormouse because it was always sleeping, but said such random things when it was awake that I couldn’t stop myself from giggling. Then, the Caterpillar came along.  I really enjoyed him.  Not because he kept asking strange questions, but because he truly did have some good points that still have me questioning what I’m doing with my life. Lastly, the Queen of Heart a.k.a the Drama Queen was also one of my favorites. My younger self was definitely afraid of her, but this time around I just found her to be hilarious. I loved her personality, and couldn’t get enough of her overly dramatic and often compulsive comments.

Alice left me left with a good feeling inside that I hadn’t felt with a lot of the more current novels I’ve been reading. I truly enjoyed my visit to Wonderland and recommend everyone to either read this book, or a fairytale classic they grew up loving. It will put you in such a bubbly mood, and you’ll find new meanings to the story. It is so beautifully written and magically organized that it flew by fast in the best way possible. I guess this means I’ll be reading more ‘classics’ now!

POGS,

~ Charlotte

Rarity from the Hollow: A Novel

Rarity from the Hollow by Robert Eggleton caught my eye when the author himself told me about where he sends the proceeds for this book. I will tell you more about it below, and if you are even remotely interested in this book, I want to urge you to consider purchasing it and reading it. 

Lacy Dawn lives in Appalachia with her worn-out mom, her Iraq War disabled dad, and her mutt Brownie. Lacy Dawn's android boyfriend, DotCom, has come to the hollow with a mission. His equipment includes infomercial videos of Earth's earliest proto-humans from millennia ago. DotCom has been sent by the Manager of the Mall on planet Shptiludrp: he must recruit Lacy Dawn to save the Universe in exchange for the designation of Earth as a planet which is eligible for continued existence within a universal economic structure that exploits underdeveloped planets for their mineral content. Lacy Dawn’s magic enables her to save the universe, Earth, and, most importantly, her own family. 

This book was absolutely fascinating, and it was heartbreaking to boot. Lacy Dawn is such an interesting young lady, and I found the early pages when she was working with her best friend to prepare for a spelling test to be so telling of her character. She is a bit of a loner, but a very special girl. Her healing gifts were bestowed on her classmates, and her best friend idolizes her. She is dependent on DotCom for help herself, and when she is called upon to help save the universe, her willingness to use her gifts for good was interesting to watch and follow. As you read this book though, you have to keep in mind the world in which Lacy Dawn lives. It's not an easy life, being a daughter of Appalachia, and growing up with not much more than a box to play in. I was incredibly struck when she describes the death of a classmate at the hands of her father -- it has stayed with me long after putting this book down. 

Dark and humorous at times, this book reached for absurdity in its plot to teach a deeper lesson about childhood and when children have to deal with adult circumstances. No child should have to save the world, just like no child should have to deal with the death of her childhood friends and her father's mental illness. It's a story that holds meaning if you let it come to you. 

Author proceeds have been donated to Children’s Home Society of West Virginia where the author worked in the early 1980s: Children’s Home Society Of West Virginia. It's a private, non-profit child welfare agency caring for more than 13,000 children, youth, and families throughout the state of West Virginia each year. The list of the services they provide is incredible, and well worth your support.

For purchase below.

Youngtimer: Adventures in Time

I am always scouting fun books for early and middle grades, and when G. G. Fulton's Youngtimer came across my desk I was excited to take a look at it. Traveling through time to see bands and movies? Now that's up my alley. 

Carly is devastated by the death of her grandfather. He was her hero, and he left behind a small box with a letter for her. It instructed her to only open the box if it became necessary -- or when she turned 18. Carly and her best friend Patti decide to peek at what's in side, and they find the most unbelievable thing. A time machine! They explore some of the things they have always wanted to see -- a One Direction concert and Santorini during the filming of their favorite movie. It's all fun and games until Carly decides to try to help her mother -- and in turn, may erase her own existence. Can she fix things before it's too late?

I had a lot of fun with this book. This is a book for middle grades, and so from that perspective the book is fun, well written, and interesting. Fulton has created a timely piece for kids, and I really appreciate that. The references to One Direction are cute and on point, and the girls learn a good lesson about how they can affect others' lives by the decisions they make while they are traveling back in time. They almost get two men fired, and they have to rectify that situation. It's a great lesson to teach through such a fun story.

It gets even deeper when they head to Santorini to watch the filming of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, their favorite movie. Santorini is beautiful, but they are too trusting of a stranger who offers to take them around. Carly specifically learns to be more mindful of where she is and who she is with. The greatest lesson, though, comes with Carly's final experiment with the time machine. She has to learn very quickly how important it is to not mess with the past -- when you do, you affect everything that comes later. This book was fun and definitely a learning lesson, and I would absolutely recommend it for your young readers in the house. 

For purchase below. 

The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel

We all know how super hot this book was last summer, and I picked it up over spring break. This is Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane. 

Funerals are always full of nostalgia and the past. When a middle-aged man goes home for one in his childhood town of Sussex, he revisits a past he has long forgotten but which has always had a hold on him. He met Lettie Hempstock when he was seven, She was a vital part of a frightening part of his life, when a boarder of his family's committed suicide, releasing a chain of events that affected everyone's lives forever. Lettie was his comfort and his guide, and someone he can never let go.

So, my big confession is that this is my first ride with Gaiman. I will pause, let you catch your breath, and then be angry at me for that first statement. I know, I know, I'm behind the times -- but I have rectified it with this novel. It was interesting for sure, and intriguing as well. Gaiman has a way with the supernatural that brings it into the world of the real; when he writes about fantastical creatures in this novel, they are human and realistic, lending them a humanness that grounds them in the world. It's incredible, really.

This is a coming of age story that digs deep into our beliefs about humanity and family. This is a short novella, but it is whimsical and moving and caring and loving. It introduces us to a world we may not understand, and, in fact, the narrator himself may not even really understand. It's the beauty of childhood as well as the curse. May we all one day come back from our ocean at the end of the lane. 

For purchase below. 

Seven Wonders: A Novel

History! Intrigue! Anthropology...? Yes! Fascinating and fun. This is Ben Mezrich's Seven Wonders.

Respected mathematician Jeremy Grady is murdered in his lab on campus one night, and in a way that leaves few wondering if it was a well-planned hit. His twin brother, renowned anthropologist Jack Grady, has a suspicion after looking at the last thing Jeremy was working on: a bright, shining pattern in the Wonders of the World, ancient and new. Serpentine, almost. Jack sets out with his team to investigate what his brother could have found, and he soon discovers an ancient, concealed connection between the wonders of the world -- and his own research -- that will change history as we know it. 

I will start out this post by saying that this book, while not being one of the best written I've ever read, was entertaining. I like to get that out of the way, because that's the general feeling I had after finishing this book. As some of you may or may not know (okay let's face it, most of you guys have no clue) I was a Classics major in undergrad. I have a special affinity for anything related to mythology, secret societies, anthropology, and, obviously, psychology. I have always loved history, so I was super interested in this book when I had an option to pick it up at BEA. I have also read some of Mezrich's work previously, so it was kind of a done deal.

This book had a really interesting premise, with the seven wonders and an historical connection to an ancient secret society. It was really interesting to follow Jack through the story, knowing that the and would be only slightly predictable but still terribly interesting. I particularly loved the scenes that took our characters to the modern seven wonders of the world, and I appreciate Mezrich's focus on detail in these places. Also let his imagination when it came to having to dig deep in these places, locations where people may have never been and where they just may still be rumors. There was a love story too, but I was more interested in the woman's academic credentials than I was in her beauty or sexual attraction.

Overall, I was entertained and had fun with this book. It was good for a snowy weekend in this winter, and I was able to get lost in the history for a bit.

For purchase below.

Guest Blogger Charlotte: Close to Destiny

Hi there!

Close to Destiny by Adria Cimino was a breath of fresh air. Most YA authors spend countless hours subtly weaving PSA-style messages into their novel. I’m a sucker for a good story, but I also totally get that I shouldn’t do drugs, have sex or worship Satan without having it subliminally shouted from the rafters in most of the YA books I read.

I really do. It’s getting ridiculous at this point. I’m halfway expecting the back cover of the next book I read to have a cigarette-pack-style warning shouting against whatever cause the author has decided to take up. I wish more writers would start to come around to the idea that having a moral to your story doesn’t necessarily make it better… and in lots of cases it takes away from what would otherwise be an enjoyable read.

So, for me, that’s exactly why Close to Destiny was such an enjoyable read. The author left the parenting to my parents and lesson teaching to my school (where I spend way too much time). She does this while at the same time addressing serious topics that I hear about or in some way face on a daily basis. She gracefully presents the story without judging or taking a position one-way or the other.  It’s a novel with some romance, mysticisms and a great story that doesn’t feel like it was assigned for summer reading because it will make me realize that suicide is bad (I’m looking at you, I Was Here).

The book opens as Kat, the main character, is attempting suicide. She’s unsuccessful. The scene is graphic and it’s immediately clear how desperate her situation is. However, what’s not clear is exactly why all this is happening. While she does have a strained relationship with her mother and boyfriend, it’s obvious that there is a lot more to the story.

At the suggestion of her psychiatrist, Dr. Bell, Kat begins painting her feelings on canvas as part of her recovery. When Dr. Bell’s friend, Gwen, notices Kat’s artwork, Kat is invited to London to take part in an exhibit. With nothing making sense at home in New York City, Kat reluctantly accepts the invitation and flies to London to take part in the exhibit.

This is where things start to get weird, like Ghostbusters weird. A naked woman named Destiny visits Kat in the night and whisks her away to a party at the top of her hotel. The party is glamorous and the champagne is flowing yet no one seems to notice that Kat is in her nightgown. As the champagne and laughter go on into the night, Kat is left only with more questions, and, when she wakes up the next morning, she’s not sure whether the experience was a dream or reality.

At first it’s hard to tell where Adria Cimino is going with this. I found myself dreading the moment when the author would take that inevitable turn towards an underlying message, but, thankfully, that turn never happened. In this sense, the story stays pure, which shines a light on seamless transitions between fantasy and reality. Adria told the story without passing judgment on her characters, which is not easy to do.

The story ends after a maze of mystery, a centuries old love affair, and back and forth trips across the pond. The plot connects beautifully in unexpected ways, and was an easy read. I’m now a fan of magical realism and Adria Cimino, and, even though I wish it had lasted longer, I’m glad it ended where it did.

POGS

~ Charlotte —Book Chameleon 

For purchase below.

Chronicles of Gilderam, Book One: Sunset

I have been waiting on this novel for almost five years. Yes, you read that right: FIVE YEARS. So when I get an email with the book attached, of course I dropped everything and picked up my Kindle to read Kevin Kelleher's Chronicles of Gilderam, Book One: Sunset.

This novel is epic. Owein is a bodyguard hired to protect a great new ship on its maiden voyage...until the ship is attacked and all hell breaks loose. Owein discovers that he is at the center of a much larger prophesy in which he is the chosen one--you know, as if he doesn't have enough to deal with fighting off bad guys. His team of unlikely allies must defeat forces much bigger than they ever could have imagined in order to survive, and in turn, save the world.

First of all, I have known Kevin for some time and I am ridiculously proud that this book is not only out but that it is outstanding. We all know that I am not the greatest lover of fantasy and science fiction, but I loved the story here. The opening sequence of this book hooked me immediately and my mother had to drag me away from the couch to help with Christmas dinner. Nothing says Merry Christmas like pirates on a ship.

There were many times throughout this book that I just shook my head in disbelief at the sheer volume of creativity and thought and care that went into crafting this story. The detail is superb and not a question was left standing in my head about who these characters were, what their relations were, and what their arcs were. I cared deeply about the characters, and I specifically have to applaud Kevin for his creation of strong female characters. A lady captain? I can get behind that! Go team!

I am a lover of stories, be they in print, on the stage, or on the screen. Anyone who can craft a narrative that is strong, tight, and fluid gets my vote. Sunset is that story. The writing is solid yet creative and intelligent, and I seriously raced though this book in just a matter of days. That, my friends, is the mark of a good action story.

I think you would feel better about yourself if you just pre-ordered the book below. Unless you are reading this after January 2013, in which you will order it in real time. Also, check out Kevin's website.

Everything Matters! A Novel

Everything Matters! by Ron Currie, Jr. was handed to me by a publisher friend for whom this book is a favorite. I can see why, no doubt.

Junior is born with the ability to see the past, the present, and the future. He knows that at a certain point in his adulthood the world will end. He will sound crazy if he tells anyone. He confides in the love of his life, Amy. She leaves him. Through the course of his adult life, Junior spirals downward until he finally has the ability to do good. But is this how things have to turn out? What if, just maybe, he can retell his story and never confide in Amy in the first place?

I thoroughly appreciate Currie's storytelling. He is a little bit Vonnegut, a wee bit Yates, with a dash of earnestness thrown in. I loved the first 100 pages and fell in love again the last 50. I will be honest that I got a wee bit lost in the middle 150 pages, but that didn't take away my appreciation for and care for this book.

It is beautifully written and a labor of love. Junior is the heart of the book and his relationship with his family, combined with his "very special gift", make for an intriguing story that makes you want to give Junior the love he so desperately craves. I understand why he fell so in love with Amy--I might have too--and I only wanted them to work out. I won't say whether they did or not, as you must read this for yourself. But it's worth the journey, so consider lacing up your shoes and making it.

 

Every Day

I find sometimes that YA Lit is so much more than just a genre for young people. David Levithan's Every Day was one of those stories.

Each morning A wakes up inhabiting a different body--never the same body twice. A is only male or female when he wakes up as one, and he ages as the bodies do. He makes no connections until one day, in the body of a jerky high school boy, he meets  Rhiannon, the beautiful girlfriend and lost soul of the body he is in. He falls in love and can't let go. As A falls deeper and deeper as the days wear on, he effects the lives of those he inhabits. Can he learn to let go in order for others to continue on?

This book was at times fascinating and at others engrossing. I had such a hard time putting it down to go do things like eat or swipe my Metrocard. I was fascinated by Levithan's creation of A and the world he works within. The details are well-thought-out and intricate, and the plot is beautiful. The choice A makes at the end punched me in the gut and left me feeling slightly bereft but in awe of the good that can come if we just take a leap of faith. There is a subplot about possession that is funny and horrifying.

I had a lovely journey with this novel over the weekend and I would like to encourage you, too, to curl up on your couch with a good book as fall is upon us.

The Sugar Frosted Nutsack

The Sugar Frosted Nutsack by Mark Leyner.  I mean, there isn't a whole lot more I can say.  The title refers to exactly what your dirty little mind thinks it does, and it's kind of out-of-this world ridiculous and fun and I-can't-believe-I-am-actually-reading-this-right-now-or-that-someone-actually-wrote this.

I listed this book under fantasy, but that's not entirely accurate.  This book needs a genre of it's own.  Let's call it, "Crazy Writing."  The gods now live in a the tallest skyscraper in the world, in Dubai, but don't think these are the gods and goddesses you learned about in Latin 101.  These are XOXO and Mogul Magoo among others, and they direct the ancient myth of Ike, otherwise known as The Sugar Frosted Nutsack.  That's all I can really tell you because the rest of the story does to your mind what the cover (<---) does to your eyes.

You have to buckle your seat belt and hold on for this book.  It's hilarious and off-it's-own-rocker and outlandish and sick and just overall awesome.  There's an obsession with signs and with numbers having deeper meaning (that doesn't sound at all like a satire on religion) and it's all just...otherworldly. 

A fair warning for all who read this: This book is not for the faint-hearted.  It can be confusing at times, WTF??? at times, and slightly offensive at others.  Fortunately I like that kind of stuff, but certainly not everyone does.

Xor: The Shape of Darkness

Moshe Sipper's Xor: The Shape of Darkness is the story of Lewis, a young man who lost his mother when he was 8 years old.  On his twelfth birthday he comes home from school to find his house destroyed, his father dead, and himself in a land he doesn't understand--Xor.  It turns out he was adopted as a baby by his earthling parents and he is actually a Shaper--the most important and powerful beings in Xor.  He is now charged with saving Xor from destruction by the Realm Pirates. 

Happy birthday, kid.  That was my initial thought.  I mean, how much would that bum you out on your twelfth birthday?  Actually, I might be more inclined to be pumped about saving a planet, but that's my sick sense of duty or humor or adventure or whatever.  I had a blast reading about the world that Sipper created.  There were ArPers (artificial persons), maps that popped up in the middle of the air, and transportation that feels like floating.  Where do I sign up?  I have vacation time coming up.

If you are a fan of fantasy then yes, this book is definitely for you.  Or if you just like reading about worlds that are unlike Earth than pick this up.  You can get it on Amazon for the awesome price of $2.99, so hurry up, kids.  Get your read on this weekend.

Have Book - Will Travel

Have Book - Will Travel by father/son team Kfir & Yonatan Luzzatto falls under the banner of YA Fantasy Lit.  This was a super fun book, particularly if you love fantasy, so forget the YA label and just enjoy the book.

Max is a wealthy young man sent to his uncle's for a time--his uncle's home just happens to be a castle-like structure.  While poking around one afternoon Max meets Darla, a young woman from the village outside the castle who has found a way in through a hole in the wall.  These two find a mutual love of adventure stories, and soon they find themselves escaping the confines of their respective lives and enter into the world of the book, traveling via teleportation.  When they run into a small snafu, namely being chased by a bad man who wants the book, can they escape in time?  Will they be able to get home--ever?

This book was a super fun read.  I am not normally a fantasy fan but I am certainly willing to suspend my disbelief for an enjoyable story.  This was kind of like book candy--it was a super easy read and kept pushing me through the story.  I loved the different aspects of the "map" in the book that Darla and Max were able to visit; the details were vivid and descriptive, and I could see these fantastical places.

I also love that this was written by a father/son team.  It's so cool that this world could come together though a neat collaboration.  This book comes out on June 1, so keep an eye out.  Or pre-order.  Whatever floats your boat.