Read to Your Heart's Delight

Blind Your Ponies

2011-09-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

Title: Blind Your Ponies by Stanley Gordon West
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5/5

There's not a lot of hope left in the fading town of Willow Creek, least of all for the high school basketball team with their ninety-three game losing streak. But the people of Willow Creek aren't quite ready to give up on their dreams, and Coach Sam Pickett and five young men are going to provide the strength and courage they need to bring joy and ambition back to their town.

Blind Your Ponies is a real page-turner. I couldn't put it down.

In the book, Stanley Gordon West created not just one or two fully developed characters but an entire town of them. Their lives are intricate and intertwined but not to the extent that the reader is distracted from the story by trying to keep track of all the subtle details. Within pages, I was completely invested in the characters and their happiness, from the grief-striken coach to the humble giant of an exchange student to kooky grandma Chapman.

Over the course of the story, the townspeople come together to support their underdog basketball team and begin to grow closer. It becomes clear that there's a lot that they don't know about one another and my one complaint about the book is that it almost seems like there are too many secrets for this tiny town. However, most seem to fit with the overarching story of these courageous boys and their fellow townspeople. And as they open up to one another, they learn that sometimes life gets better when you have someone to lean on and share your burdens.

To quote some cliches, it's the story of hope and hard work overcoming adversity, of getting up again when the world knocks you down. After so very many losses, almost no one believes that the boys can win a game, let alone the state-sanctioned conference, but with Coach Pickett and Grandma Chapman cheering them on, the boys are willing to believe in miracles.

Blind Your Ponies is an absolute must-read. It's one of the best books I've read this year and is definitely being added to my favourites list. I can't wait to see what this once-self-published author comes out with next.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

2011-07-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

Title: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5/5

Bruno isn't sure exactly what his father's job is, only that he's "a man to watch," and that his new promotion has forced the family to move to a horrible place called "Out-with" where there's no one to play with and a fence runs along the property as far as the eye can see. He's been told to stay away from the fence and the strange people on the other side but one day while exploring Bruno finds a young boy sitting just on the other side of the fence. Though their circumstances differ greatly and they can never actually play together, the two boys strike up a strong friendship with unforeseen consequences.

I absolutely loved The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. The Holocaust is a very difficult topic to deal with but I thought Boyne did a fantastic job, despite a slightly awkward beginning.

I found the eight-year-old narrator completely believable. Though he's sheltered by his parents and naive about what is actually going on, he does seem to realize that there's something strange about his new home and all of the people on the opposite side of the fence. He even picks up on the barely restrained rage of one of his father's lieutenants. As well, his difficulty in pronouncing some of the words was realistic and I loved that he referred to Hitler as the Fury, giving a little humour to such a large villain.

This book was originally written for children and so glosses over, rather than highlights, some of the atrocities that would have been occurring at the time. But even without the gruesome descriptions, Bruno's growing confusion over the treatment of his family's waiter, his separation from his grandparents and the circumstances of Shmuel's life, so very different than his own, emphasizes the injustice of the Holocaust and provides the book with some truly emotional scenes.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is both a heartwarming and heartbreaking book, and I highly recommend it. It's one I expect to reread in the future.

Outlaw by Angus Donald

2011-05-23T14:27:00.001-07:00

Title: Outlaw by Angus Donald
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Rating: 3/5

From the back cover:
"When he's caught stealing, young Alan Dale is forced to leave his family and go to live with a notorious band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. Their leader is the infamous Robin Hood...But Robin is a ruthless man - and although he is Alan's protector, if Alan displeases him, he could also just as easily become his murderer..."

I found Outlaw by Angus Donald a bit difficult to get into. The writing at the beginning was a bit dry and the plot a little slow, but I found the second half of the book much more interesting.

While I admit that my knowledge of Robin Hood is patchy and comes mostly from a handful of books and movies, Donald's Robin seems like a much darker character than he's normally portrayed. I'd always thought that Robin ruled through kindness to the less fortunate, but here he rules with fear, torturing and murdering those that betray him or stand against him. It's an interesting twist, at least for me. Tuck's description of him as a "cold-hot man" seems very fitting.

I really enjoyed the backstories provided for some of the secondary characters. Some authors don't consider Little John and Tuck important beyond the role they play in the love story of Robin and Marie-Anne, so it's nice to see stories explaining their history, even if it's only in the context of how they met Robin and joined his band of outlaws. However, I would have liked to see more of them throughout the book. Hopefully, they'll play a larger role as the series continues.

In the end, I'd probably only recommend Outlaw to those interested in the Robin Hood legend or to readers that enjoy a violent story. And I haven't decided yet whether I'll continue with the series or not.

Hidden Wives by Claire Avery

2011-05-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

Title: Hidden Wives by Claire Avery
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

Fifteen-year-old Sara and her sister, Rachel, are members of a polygamist community and will soon be married to much older men chosen for them by the sect's Prophet. Distraught in his choices for their husbands, they begin to question their faith and must find the strength to leave behind the only life they've ever known.

Hidden Wives is a real page-turner. I was emotionally invested in the characters and wanted to know how everything worked out for them. Sara was stubborn to her core and has such a deep desire to learn. And poor Rachel is so very naive but so very loyal, even to her own detriment. My one complaint with the book is that it's almost too negative and biased; Sara, Rachel and Luke seem to be the only redeemable people in the entire community, while the other members commit evil act after evil act. However, Avery redeems herself with a talent for imagery. Her descriptions were vivid and realistic. This is not a book to be missed.

The Passage

2011-03-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

Title: The Passage by Justin Cronin
Genre: Paranormal, Fiction
Rating:3/5

When a government experiment to improve human cellular regeneration goes horribly wrong, a nightmare beyond all imagining is released on the world. As civilization falls, one young girl is sheltered by an FBI agent who is haunted by his role in the catastrophe. But her survival is only the first step in much longer journey, one that will span decades, to bring an end to creatures that never should have existed.

The Passage by Justin Cronin is beautifully written and just brimming with vivid imagery. Cronin's talent with the written word is evident from the very first page.

As one of the most talked about books in North America last summer, I've been waiting months to read The Passage. At more than 750 pages it was obviously going to be a longer read, but until I actually started it, I didn't realize how truly dense the story was going to be. The book begins with several different story lines that slowly weave together until they join at the point where the experiment subjects break free of the compound. Unfortunately, this does mean that the first third of the book feels a lot like backstory and that the main storyline doesn't begin until 250 pages in, when we're presented with a whole new cast of characters.

This isn't the type of vampire story that's been popular for the last few years. These vampires aren't the friendly, vegetarian vampires of Twilight, but brutal and gruesome killers. In fact, with the virus-like way in which the vampirism spreads, the book is actually a really interesting combination of the vampire myth with the modern-day zombie apocalypse. And Cronin's writing style is very much in the vein of Stoker's Dracula - it's a literary, Gothic epic.

Although I was really intrigued by Cronin's idea, I wasn't captivated by the story itself. I had no problem putting the book down when other things came up, and I probably wouldn't have finished as quickly had I not been commuting at the time. Moreover, there's no true ending to the book as Cronin intends this to be the first book in a trilogy.

Although I wasn't overwhelmed but the book, I do recommend The Passage to other readers, particularly those interested in darker literature. As for me, I'm waiting to give the next book in the trilogy a try.

The Icing on the Cake

2011-02-21T18:01:00.000-08:00

Title: The Icing on the Cake by Alison Kent
Genre: Non-fiction, Romance
Rating: 5/5

Michelle Snow was happy with the path her life was taking when her friends convinced her to try Match.com. Unwilling to settle for anyone but the man who would complete her, finding Todd Bracken's profile within her first set of matches seemed too good to be true. Will their love survive their unconventional meeting and the many obstacles that stand in their way?

The Icing on the Cake is a wonderful love story and a testament to how dreams can be realized with a little help and encouragement. And as the second of two good reads I've received from True Vows, it's leading me to expect great things from this line.

I really enjoyed Alison Kent's writing. It was extremely smooth, with minimal disruption at point-of-view changes. Even the emails were so expertly woven with the surrounding story that you weren't jolted out of the narrative. And her descriptions of Michelle's fabulous creations and of the treats she tries on the bakery tour were mouth-watering. I've never craved cupcakes as much as I did while reading this book.

And I loved the characterizations of Michelle and Todd immediately. They were interesting, complicated and balanced; there was none of the flatness that can be found in other biographical works.

The only thing I found disappointing was the lack of any overwhelming drama. Don't get me wrong, horrible things happened to both Michelle and Todd - she lost her job and he had to deal with his father's illness - but nothing truly seemed to threaten their relationship, the way relationships are threatened in fictional romances.

A wonderful and heartening book, The Icing on the Cake is a must-read for all romance fans. And True Vows is a line to watch in the future for talented writing and moving stories.

Thanks to Health Communications, Inc. for the review copy of The Icing on the Cake. The views expressed above are my own. For more information on The Icing on the Cake, check out the True Vows website.

The Man with the Golden Torc

2011-02-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Title: The Man with the Golden Torc by Simon R. Green
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery
Rating: 4/5

The Drood family has been protecting humanity from the things that go bump in the night for centuries upon centuries. Eddie Drood, the family's black sheep, is one of the best until a mission proves to be a deadly trap. Declared rogue, Eddie must team up with the wild witch, Molly Metcalf, in order to find out who's trying to kill him and what horrid secret is at the heart of the family's power.

I really enjoyed The Man with the Golden Torc, though I found Green to be a bit long-winded with descriptions at points. Or maybe it was just that some of the descriptions seemed a little unnecessary. But since it's the first book in the series and he's setting everything up, I suppose I can forgive that. One thing I did love though was the chapter titles. Normally I don't pay much attention to them in books (since they're often quite boring and self-evident) but most of these were witty and fitting. I also liked the variety in the supernatural/science fiction/horror elements: all the elves, demon cars, aliens, robots and serial killers. It doesn't seem like it would work, but it does.

I really enjoyed Eddie as a character, he seemed pretty well-rounded with some faults but generally a good guy who does what he thinks is right. And Molly was fantastic. I thought she was going to be a little too much or too perfect at first but her naivete when it came to some of her friends and associates kept her realistic. And I loved Mr. Stab (aka Jack the Ripper). I always find it interesting to see how authors deal with people or characters that the reader is already familiar with.

I definitely recommend this book to other readers. And I'll be giving the next book in the series a try; it'll be interesting to see how Eddie deals with how things are left off in this book.

The Radleys

2011-01-23T15:47:00.000-08:00

Title: The Radleys by Matt Haig
Genre: Fiction, Paranormal
Rating: 3/5

The Radleys appear to be your average family in a small, quiet English village. But they have a secret, one that not even their son and daughter know. They're vampires, abstaining from their dark desires so that their children can lead safe and normal lives. Until the shocking events of one horrifying night make it all impossible.

I found it really interesting that Haig took the idea of vegetarian vampires (a popular concept thanks to Twilight) to a whole new level by having the Radleys abstain from blood completely. I especially enjoyed the side effects he attributed to their lack of blood; Clara's poor sight and ill health and Rowan's terrible rash. But as a complement to this twist on the regular vampire story, Haig's kept a lot of the other parts of the mythology; the weakness to direct sunlight, garlic and stakes through the heart.

I also really enjoyed the notion that the community bottles vampire blood like wine so that they no longer need to hunt humans like they once did. And I found the quotes from the Abstainer's Handbook hilarious. They seem to be advising vampires to not only act human but to become the most boring individuals imaginable. Only don't imagine anything because that road leads to temptation.

I did find that there was a little too much going on, and not all of the storylines that popped up seem to develop or conclude. In particular, the flirtation and possibility of an affair between Peter and the wife next door felt unnecessary and didn't really seem to go anywhere.

The Radleys is an extremely quick and easy read (most of the chapters are only a couple pages long) and one that many will enjoy.

Thanks to Free Press for the review copy of The Radleys. The views expressed above are my own. For more information on The Radleys, check out the Simon & Schuster website.

Meet Me in Manhattan

2011-01-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

Title: Meet Me in Manhattan by Judith Arnold
Genre: Non-fiction, Romance
Rating: 4/5

Ted and Erika were high-school sweethearts but had very different dreams for their futures. Fifteen years later, they're both living in Manhattan when their paths cross again. Can their love overcome the obstacles this time around?

Meet Me in Manhattan is part of a new line of reality-based romances from Health Communications, Inc. As a fan of Harlequin and other fictional romances, I was intrigued by the True Vows line and immediately requested a review copy.

I thought that Meet Me in Manhattan was really well-written. Arnold's style was smooth and the story she told was compelling. Choosing to start the book with the scene of Ted and Erika's reunion, before circling back to tell of their original relationship was a fantastic decision. Erika's nervousness at seeing Ted again and her sorrow after they part ways, really hooked me and made me curious as to what went wrong the first time.

My main complaint with the book were the sections written in the second-person point of view. The change distracted from the overall story and most of the information could probably have been worked into the rest of the book without losing anything important.

The characterizations of Erika and Ted were interesting, though admittedly I have no idea how they compare to the real Erika and Ted (or how the story compares as a whole). They were well-rounded, with talents and flaws and insecurities. They seemed more real than a lot of characters in your run-of-the-mill romance novels, which makes sense as Arnold was trying to stay true to the actual individuals. And while this story seems a little less dramatic than many of those other romances, you've got to love a story where people not only get a second chance, but true love wins out in the end.

Overall, I really enjoyed Meet Me in Manhattan and I think it's a lovely and quick read that any romance fan would appreciate. Or anyone who loves a happy ending.

Thanks to Health Communications, Inc. for the review copy of Meet Me in Manhattan. The views expressed above are my own. For more information on Meet Me in Manhattan, check out the True Vows website.

Stuart: A Life Backwards

2010-12-22T18:12:00.000-08:00

Title: Stuart: A Life Backwards by Alexander Masters

Genre: Non-fiction, Biography

Rating: 4/5

Alexander Masters, author, first met Stuart Shorter, homeless ex-con, as Stuart was begging by a rough sleepers' day centre in Cambridge, England. What followed was an extraordinary friendship and the winding and chaotic revelation of the events that transformed Stuart from a happy child to the suicidal, homeless drug addict that he became.

I picked up a copy of Stuart: A Life Backwards after realizing that the film starring Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch was actually based on a memoir. It's one of the most interesting biographies, frankly one of the more interesting books, I've ever read. Stuart's story is at times absolutely hilarious and at others so heartbreaking that it moved me to tears. Masters' incredible writing talent paints a vivid and empathetic portrait of Stuart. Though there is the odd dull moment (not uncommon in even the best of books), in the end, I think Masters accomplished what Stuart asked and created "something what people will read." As well, I loved the cartoons and maps; they're unpolished, just like Stuart was. I definitely recommend Stuart, even if biographies and memoirs aren't your thing. Fair warning, though, there are some dark topics involved.

Call Me Mrs. Miracle

2010-11-14T17:46:00.001-08:00

Title: Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Rating: 4/5

Mrs. Miracle is back and this Christmas she's working her magic in the toy department of Finley's department store in New York. Unfortunately, Christmas has been ruined for her boss, Jake Finley, since the death of his mother and sister decades ago and this year the store's in need of a miracle to stay open. Meanwhile, Holly Larson, who's been looking after her nephew while her brother is stationed overseas, is in need of her own miracle in order to purchase the perfect gift despite her financial troubles. Can Mrs. Miracle help make this the perfect Christmas for them both?

Call Me Mrs. Miracle is a wonderful read, guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. The sequel to Macomber's successful Mrs. Miracle, I had high hopes for this book and it didn't disappoint.

Mrs. Miracle is just as brilliant and wonderful this time around, refusing to take any gruff from anyone, even J.R. Finley, the store owner and Jake's grumpy father. Each chapter begins with words of wisdom from her or one of her friends. And Gabe, Holly's nephew, is adorable. He's a strong boy, who obviously misses his father and is dealing with this major life change as best he can.

Macomber's writing is as delightful as ever, but I was a little disappointed by the story itself. While a heartwarming read, it's not as complex and intricate a tale as Macomber normally weaves. The secondary storylines aren't as drawn out as they could be and seem to be too easily resolved. And admittedly the conclusion is a bit predictable to anyone familiar with her writing or romances in general. However, she does a beautiful job of setting the scene and it's easy to feel like you're in New York at Christmas with the characters. Plus, there's a couple of delicious-sounding recipes throughout, which seems to be Macomber's signature.

Regardless, I'd definitely recommend Call Me Mrs. Miracle to anyone looking for an uplifting, holiday story or a little bit of romance. It may not be Macomber's strongest book, but it's still a fantastic read. And keep an eye out for the movie this Christmas from Hallmark.

Thanks to MIRA Books for the Advance Reading Copy of Call Me Mrs. Miracle. The views expressed above are my own. For more information on Call Me Mrs. Miracle, check out the Harlequin website.

Warlord

2010-11-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

Title: Warlord by Ted Bell
Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery
Rating: 4/5

For months, Alex Hawke has given up on life, drinking away his grief over the death of the woman he loved and ignoring the concerns of his closest friends. But when a madman threatens the British royal family, Alex answers the call of duty (and HRH himself) and becomes entangled in a conspiracy that stretches far beyond what he imagines.

Warlord by Ted Bell is an action-packed and engaging read, in the style of Clive Cussler and Robert Ludlum.

I really enjoyed the fictional portrayal of Prince Charles, Lord Mountbatten, and the rest of the royals. Most of the novels I read depicting royalty focus on historical figures like Henry VIII, so these contemporary portraits were a nice change. And I'm curious about how Bell developed these portraits, whether research and interviews were involved or if they're completely fictional. I also found Bell's use of actual events (Mountbatten's assassination and Diana's death) as major plot points fascinating. It brings a realistic element to Warlord that a lot of thrillers are missing.

As for Bell's writing style, although I found the changes in point of view a little distracting at points, his use of flashbacks to relate events that occurred before the novel's start worked far better to maintain the pace of the story and keep the readers intrigued than a long recitation from a character would have. As well, some of the chapters from other points of view were like snapshots of the horror the terrorists were inflicting. Unfortunately, because we only meet the characters for them to die, the scenes don't quite hit the emotional note. However, in the end, the stories weave together for a powerful climax.

My main complaint about the book is that it's a little too long. As I sadly haven't read the rest of the series yet, I'm not sure how Warlord compares in terms of length, but I think that it could have been trimmed down just a bit. For example, the little injections of trivia/research were interesting but interrupted the flow of the action.

Overall, Warlord is a great book for anyone looking for an entertaining read. Personally, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Thanks to William Morrow for the Advance Reader's Edition of Warlord. The views expressed above are my own. For more information on Warlord, check out the HarperCollins' website.

Stephen Fry talks Language

2010-10-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this fantastic kinetic typography animation which RogersCreations has created from one of Stephen Fry's "podgrams."

Once Wicked, Always Dead

2010-10-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

Title: Once Wicked, Always Dead by T. Marie Benchley
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 2/5

With the tragic death of her parents and the disclosure of her husband's affair with another man, Molly Madison's upscale life is turned upside down. In order to heal and start anew, she returns to the family ranch in Montana. But the local old boys' club isn't happy with a woman taking over and someone's trying to scare Molly into selling. As if that wasn't enough, a sociopath begins killing men in the same area.

I was really intrigued by the synopsis of Once Wicked, Always Dead that AtlasBooks sent around a few months ago and was excited to read the book. Unfortunately, the writing just didn't hold up to the promise of a good mystery. It felt unfinished, like the book could have used another heavy edit. And the characters could have been engaging if they didn't feel so wooden.

However, the story is interesting and moves quickly. And with the revelation of Molly's husband's sexuality and his affair, their subsequent divorce and her blooming romance with the foreman of her father's ranch, the story has a strong soap opera feel to it. I couldn't wait for each new twist.

In the end, I probably won't recommend Once Wicked, Always Dead to anyone. Unfortunately the writing is just too rough and distracts from what could have been a good story.

Thanks to M.M.W.E. Publishing House for the Advanced Reading Copy of Once Wicked, Always Dead. The views expressed above are my own. For more information on Once Wicked, Always Dead, check out T. Marie Benchley's website.

Plain Kate

2010-10-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

Title: Plain Kate by Erin Bow
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, YA
Rating: 4/5

Plain Kate lives in a world of magic, witches and curses. A talented woodcarver, Kate has lived alone in the woodcarver's stall since her father's death. But when a sickness comes to her village, the townspeople begin to turn against the gifted orphan and Kate makes a horrifying deal with a gypsy to escape being burnt as a witch.

I loved Plain Kate. It's beautifully written and I was captivated by Kate's story. My favourite books tend to be ones where I'm truly fascinated by the characters, and this book accomplished that, even moving me to tears at one point.

Plain Kate is darker than most other YAs I've read. The way the villagers look for someone to blame and burn when things look bad reflects the Spanish Inquisition and the witch trials of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Also, Linay's plan to take revenge on the town that caused the death of his sister illustrates the desperation of grief. Moreover, the self-mutilation, even to control a ghost, is a little disturbing, though very well done.

I thought Bow's depiction of Taggle was absolutely perfect. A cat-owner myself, it seems completely fitting that a talking cat would be stuck up and pompous, consistently talking about his superiority when not talking about food or being hungry. And I thought his slow transformation to something more than cat was fantastic.

As well, I enjoyed the inclusion of lyrics. They were lovely and poetic and it seemed fitting that spells would be cast in song. It also reminded me of the medieval bards and minstrels of times past, which seems appropriate considering the setting.

I'd recommend Plain Kate to all and sundry. It's a beautiful and emotional story and leads me to expect great things from Erin Bow's future novels.

Mr. Toppit

2010-10-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

Title: Mr. Toppit by Charles Elton
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

When an obscure British children's author is killed by a cement truck in a freak accident, he is comforted in his last moments by an unknown American tourist, who then insinuates herself into his family. She becomes obsessed with his books and champions them back in America, bringing them to posthumous fame worldwide and rocketing her own celebrity career. But fame is not always what it's cracked up to be.

I was hooked from the very first line of Mr. Toppit. It's an entertaining and emotional read, chronicling the life of the Hayman family after Arthur's death and the posthumous success of The Hayseed Chronicles.

There's a hint of mystery throughout the book; several secrets that are answered as the story unfolds and which help keep the narrative moving. The most notable mystery is the eponymous Mr.Toppit, a sinister character in The Hayseed Chronicles, who had only just appeared in the last book published, but whose presence is felt throughout all five books and who becomes one of the major points of discussion about the series.

The story of the Haymans is rather reminiscent of the success of AA Milne, author of the Winnie-the-Pooh books. Like Christopher Milne, Luke Hayman resents the fame the his father's books brought him. He wants nothing more than to fade back into obscurity and to avoid people who assume they know him just because they've read the books.

There's also a strong thread throughout illustrating the possible consequences of success, particularly the inability to deal with the stress of living in the public eye and to regulate desires when everything is at your fingertips. In the books, Luke is an only child and as a result, Arthur's daughter overcompensates by trying to become involved in every aspect of The Hayseed Chronicles' success. She offers to write the next book in the series and her father's biography, and tries to influence filming decisions for the BBC miniseries based on the books. She drowns her sorrows and insecurities in drink and drugs, spiraling further and further into depression. The star of the BBC miniseries was already a bit of an alcoholic, but later rumours circulated that he'd become an addict and was HIV positive.

I found Elton's writing witty, smooth and moving, though a little dark. At the end of the book, everything seems to be tied up but I still found myself asking "That's it?" I look forward to seeing what else Mr. Elton writes and I definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy an engaging, more literary read, particularly one with a hint of mystery.

Thanks to Other Press for the Advanced Reading Copy of Mr. Toppit. The views expressed above are my own. For more information on Mr. Toppit, check out the Other Press website.

Gym Dandy

2010-09-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

Title: Gym Dandy by Storm Grant
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from MLR Press:
Mixed signals or glitchy gaydar? After a first kiss gone horribly wrong, out and outgoing personal trainer Victor Brighton settles for friendship with handsome new client Douglas Newkirk. But is Doug in denial? Each time the boys get close, something or someone interferes: ex-wives, ex-boyfriends, bitchy bosses, even the cable guy.

Gym Dandy is a hilarious and entertaining read with just the right touch of angst to keep you interested in the romance. The characters are fun and realistic, though I get a kick out of Doug's manner of speaking. And I like the way Grant builds up their back stories over the course of the book, so that it explains aspects of their personalities that we've already noticed. I also thought that Grant put her knowledge of Toronto to good use in her depictions of the city. The portrayals of Church St. and the Yonge and Eg area seemed familiar and faithful to the city. Even the fictional locations seemed to fit right in. I was a little surprised by the plot twist at the end, because it felt a little like it came out of nowhere but looking back there are a couple of hints throughout.

In the end, I'd definitely recommend Gym Dandy to other readers and personally I'd like to read one of Storm Grant's other books myself.

Stash

2010-09-14T16:17:00.001-07:00

Title: Stash by David Klein
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2/5

Gwen Raine's your average stay-at-home mom living in an idyllic suburban neighborhood. But Gwen's perfect world starts to fall apart when she's involved in a car accident and the cops find marijuana in her car. Thanks to a recent rise in drugs-related crime, they're taking this seriously even though the accident wasn't Gwen's fault.

Sadly, I wasn't overly impressed by Stash. While I do think it was well-written, I didn't find it very engaging. It just seemed to fall flat.

For the most part, I found the characters stereotypical and dry. Gwen's your average well-off stay-at-home mom - school volunteer, vice-president of the PTA and very aware of her appearance in the community - who smokes up on occasion (with her best friend) to relax. Her husband's a workaholic whose company is going through its own crisis at the moment, and who's being pursued by a coworker. The character I found most interesting was Dana, one of the secondary characters. An athlete who avoids drugs and alcohol despite the example her parents set for her (or perhaps because of it). She seems unique thanks to a venous malformation that makes her look like she has a permanent black eye. Even when she makes some less than intelligent decisions, she fights back and takes care of herself.

The narrative switched points of view throughout the book and I found it distracted from the story. I also found the story predictable at points. I was only surprised a few times by the events in the book, one of which occurred towards the end and actually got me interested in the story for a while. Unfortunately, it didn't last long.

As the book progressed, I thought maybe the moral of the story was going to be how drugs can mess up your life, but considering the conclusion I'm not sure any of the characters learned anything.

I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have finished Stash if I wasn't reviewing it for this blog. Personally, I'm not likely to recommend it to anyone but I've seen some very positive reviews out there, so give it a try and decide for yourself.

Thanks to Broadway Books for the Advanced Reading Copy of Stash. The views expressed above are my own. For more information on Stash, check out the Random House website.

The Reckoning

2010-09-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

Title: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Fiction, YA, Paranormal
Rating: 5/5

Two weeks ago, Chloe Saunders was your average fifteen-year-old girl. Then she started seeing ghosts. Now she's on the run from the corporation that experimented on her as a child and is attempting to cover up what they see as their mistakes. And the only people she can trust are the other three teenage paranormals who are running with her.

I absolutely loved The Reckoning. I admit that I'm a bit biased because I think Kelley Armstrong's a fantastic writer, but I was completely captivated by the story. All that suspense and action, I couldn't put it down.

I really enjoyed the character development over the trilogy, which was rounded out in this book. Chloe, Derek, Simon and Tori have all gained increased control over their powers, though it's less noticeable with Simon. Derek's still over-protective but he tries to listen to the others' opinions and to think before he flips out. Tori's probably grown the most, having come to some unpleasant realizations about her family. She's no longer the spoiled brat that she was to start and she's willing do her part to help out.

I don't really have anything negative to say about the book. The only thing I found disappointing was that we didn't really see any of the characters of Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. Perhaps that will come. Armstrong's kicking off a new YA trilogy in April with The Gathering and I can't wait to read it.

I have to say that The Darkest Powers trilogy is probably one of the best YA paranormal series that I've read since I started reading the genre in the mid-1990s. I completely recommend The Reckoning. But make sure to read The Summoning and The Awakening first. You don't want to miss the setup.

The King's Mistress

2010-09-02T18:06:00.000-07:00

Title: The King's Mistress by Emma Campion
Genre: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Rating: 3/5

History remembers Alice Perrers as a greedy and conniving harlot who took advantage of an aging king. But is that who Alice truly was? Or was she a woman who was taught always to obey and who cared for her family so greatly that she was easily manipulated by those in power?

The King's Mistress is a really good book. It's well-written, contains some beautiful imagery and Campion's obviously done her research, even if she doesn't necessarily agree with the popular beliefs on Alice Perrers. Unfortunately, the book just didn't grip me. It's not to say that I didn't want to read the complete book, just that I didn't mind putting it down for a day or two to read something else for work, which meant it took me a while to finish it.

I liked the stylistic symmetry of including lines of Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde as epigraphs to the chapters. It's a tragic love story set against the background of the Trojan war where the female protagonist's decisions are influenced by society and her family. It complements Alice's story and the way her own choices are influenced by her love for her family. However, my minimal knowledge of middle English meant reading the epigraphs took a little deciphering.

I really enjoyed Campion's characterizations of Alice, King Edward and the other historical figures. It's interesting to see Alice as a young girl with no say in what happens to her, who falls in love against her better judgment and grows to become a woman willing to do whatever it takes to protect her family. I found the manipulative and secretive nature of the royal family completely believable, particularly Edward's temperamental nature. And his spiral into dementia was heartbreaking. I also really liked the friendship that Campion imagined between Alice and Chaucer. Considering Chaucer's connections to two of Edward's sons, it is entirely believable that he and Alice may have known each other, and in the book he proves to be one of the few confidantes she can trust.

In the end, I'd recommend The King's Mistress to history lovers, particularly those interested in the British monarchy, and those that enjoy family fictions. It's definitely worth the read and I look forward to reading Emma Campion's future books.

Thanks to Crown Publishers for the Advanced Reading Copy of The King's Mistress. A positive review was not a requirement and the views expressed above are my own. For more information on The King's Mistress, check out the Random House website.

Life Penalty

2010-08-04T07:20:00.000-07:00

Title: Life Penalty by Joy Fielding
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 1/5

A stay-at-home mom with two gorgeous daughters and a loving husband, Gail Walton was living your average middle-class life. Then the unthinkable happened: her six-year-old daughter was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered. Depressed, Gail retreats into herself and vows that if the police don't find the killer within 60 days, she'll do it herself.

I'm not sure exactly why, but I just couldn't get into Life Penalty. Part of it was the characters. Gail starts off the book as this almost perfect mother and wife and then devolves into this irrational woman whose grief and obsession overwhelm everything and ruin all of her relationships. She spends a great deal of the book imagining that she's being attacked and then putting herself in situations where she could be gravely injured or killed. And Jack was this cliched patient husband, willing to wait forever for his wife to recover despite her unwillingness to try.

As for the story itself, I found it too dark and depressing as a whole, and poorly written. I've read books that deal with dark and difficult themes in the past, but I just found that this story had no redemption to it. Gail just keeps spiraling deeper and deeper into her depression, which dragged on throughout the book with no hope of recovery. The ending itself felt rushed and the last scene just seemed completely unbelievable.

I'm hard-pressed to say what I did like about the book, other than the fact that it was a quick read. I do feel that it had a realistic depiction of the 1980s judicial system in North America, though an admittedly one-sided view.

I had a really tough time getting through the whole book and almost abandoned it a few times. Only my desire to see whether the killer was eventually found kept me reading. Overall, Life Penalty is not a book I'd recommend to anyone, but I might be willing to try reading another book by Joy Fielding in the future.

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno

2010-07-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

Title: The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno by Ellen Bryson

Genre: Fiction, Historical

Rating: 3/5

Bartholomew Fortuno is the world's thinnest man. After working for P.T. Barnum's American Museum as a human curiosity for nearly a decade, he's content with his life. That is until a new performer arrives shrouded in secrecy, provoking Fortuno's curiosity and enthralling both him and Barnum.

Ellen Bryson's The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno is an intriguing look at P.T. Barnum's famous museum and the human curiosities that he surrounded himself with throughout much of his life. Before reading it, I'd known that "gifted" individuals toured with circuses but had no idea that Barnum and Bailey's circus had been preceded by a museum of these curiosities.

The protagonist, Fortuno, is an interesting character. He takes great pride in his thinness and doesn't know who he is beyond his gift. He holds great disdain for those who don't come by their talents naturally and is obsessed with the new performer, Iell Adams, a bearded lady who actually looks feminine. As the story progresses, he begins to understand that his fellow performers are more than the impressions he'd conceived based on their gifts and performances and that there's more to his own gift than he realizes.

Bryson did a fantastic job with the setting. She avoids overly long descriptive sections and instead weaves bits and pieces of historical information in to provide authenticity to the story; Abraham Lincoln's assassination and funeral, the ringing of the bells of St Paul's chapel, the smell of the over-flowing sewage system and the horse trolleys on the street.

Unfortunately, I found that the book dragged a bit in the middle. There were a few times when I was tempted to skim through sections, though I resisted the urge. However, the revelations that concluded the book more than make up for the duller sections.

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno is a good book and while I don't think it's a book for everyone, it's one I'd recommend to those interested in historical fiction or those looking to be intrigued.

Thanks to Henry Holt and Company for the Advanced Reader's Edition of The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno. A positive review was not a requirement and the views expressed above are my own. For more information on The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno, check out the Macmillan website.

Heat Wave

2010-07-05T07:54:00.000-07:00

Title: Heat Wave by Richard Castle
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 4/5

During a heat wave in New York City, a real estate tycoon plunges to his death and embroils Homicide Detective Nikki Heat in the secret lives of the wealthy. Unfortunately, she's hindered by a wise-cracking superstar magazine journalist assigned to ride along with her to research an article New York's finest.

Heat Wave is a must-read for any fan of ABC's Castle. In a lot of ways, Heat Wave feels just like another episode of the show with its attractive and brilliant female lead detective, the two humourous male detectives who make up her team and the wise-cracking writer. And as a fan of the show, I'm not saying that's a bad thing but I'd like to imagine that "Richard Castle" would be a little more creative with his work. Also, I think it might create a problem with readers unfamiliar with the show, as there's little character development or even description. However, it has a lot of the humour of the show and a rather interesting murder investigation. And publishing the fictional book talked about throughout the first season of Castle was a brilliant publicity move on ABC's part. There's even endorsements from writers James Patterson and Stephen J. Cannell, Nathan Fillion's "author" photo on the back cover and an acknowledgments section from "Richard Castle."

Heat Wave is a great, quick read and I definitely suggest checking it out. I know I'll be reading the sequel, Naked Heat, which is out this fall.

Campus Chills

2010-07-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

Title: Campus Chills edited by Mark Leslie
Genre: Fiction, Horror, Thriller, Short Stories
Rating: 4/5

From the back of the book: "Thirteen original tales of terror set on campuses across Canada..."

I really enjoyed Campus Chills. There's a good variety of stories throughout, from the utterly gruesome to the ones that make you wonder "what if." From your typical ghost story to the monstrosities that may be possible through science. My favourite stories in the collection were "The Forever Brotherhood" by Julie E. Czerneda, "Sara" by Nancy Kilpatrick, "Sown" by Susan Moloney and "Old Spice Love Knot" by Steve Vernon.

"Prospero's Ghost" by Kimberly Foottit and Mark Leslie was also really interesting with its use of metafiction. It's a story that involves books printed on an Espresso Book Machine at McMaster University and the Campus Chills collection was created for the Espresso Book Machine and launched at McMaster University, as well as three other bookstores in Canada with EBMs.

Overall, I'd recommend Campus Chills to anyone interested in Canadian works or horror stories. And don't be frightened by its Print on Demand status, it's actually of rather good quality.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

2010-06-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

Title: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, Novella
Rating: 4/5

From Little, Brown: Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

As a fan of the Twilight Saga, I knew I was going to read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner but after the cracktasticness of Breaking Dawn I wasn't sure what to expect. Luckily, Stephanie Meyer seems to have returned to the more polished writing of her earlier books. It was intriguing to see how a more traditional vampire, one that hunts humans, fits in the Twilight world and to see Bella from the POV of a vampire other than Edward. The Bree of this novella is less animalistic than the one in Eclipse. She befriends another new vampire named Diego, is suspicious of their unnamed creator and avoids confrontation with the other new vampires rather than participating in the in-fighting. I also found it interesting to see how Victoria used superstitions about vampires in order to control her new army. Each morning they returned to the coven before sunrise for fear of its effects.

I really enjoyed The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner and would recommend it to fans and non-fans alike. Bree won me over within pages, and despite knowing what would happen, I found the ending bittersweet and wished it could end another way. Rumour has it that Meyer may be writing other books based on minor characters in the Twilight Saga and I'll definitely read them if she does, particularly if Freaky Fred gets his own book.

Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me

2010-06-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

Title: Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me by Howie Mandel with Josh Young
Genre: Autobiography, Non-fiction, Humour
Rating: 5/5

From the publisher: A frank, funny, no-holds-barred memoir that reveals the Deal or No Deal host’s ongoing struggle with OCD and ADHD–and how it has shaped his life and career.

I absolutely loved Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me. I grew up watching Bobby's World and have watched Here's the Deal, and knew that the book would be funny but it's so much more than that. Mandel reveals some of his darkest moments and the two instances where he truly felt embarrassed, both of which involve his daughter. He talks about his childhood and the cruel things he did to his younger brother in order to get attention, about the humiliation he heaped on friends as a joke and his struggle with OCD and ADHD. And towards the end of the book, he talks about his recent health scares and admits that as of early 2009, he didn't know if he'd still be alive to see the book published. It's utterly heartbreaking at points and fall-off-your-chair hilarious at others.

Mandel's writing is smooth and entertaining. Each chapter reads as its own story, so it's easy to find a place to break if you absolutely must put it down, though you won't want to. The middle of the book is filled with pictures that are amusing, narrated with funnier captions, and help illustrate the stories throughout the book. My only complaint has to do with the shortness of the book, but I suppose this means I may be able to look forward to a sequel.

I absolutely recommend Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me to other readers. Whether you're a child of the nineties (and watched Bobby's World), a fan of stand-up comedy, a Canadian or just like a good story, this is the book for you.

Captivity

2010-06-06T15:47:00.001-07:00

Title: Captivity by Deborah Noyes
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Rating: 4/5

In mid-nineteenth century America, three sisters inspired a religious movement known as the American Spiritualists when they announced that they were able to communicate with the dead. In Captivity, Deborah Noyes fictionalizes their rise to fame and intertwines it with the story of Clara Gill, a fictional woman past her "prime," who'd become a recluse after a scandal had driven her family from their home in London a decade earlier.

Captivity is a beautiful and enthralling story that weaves together fact and fiction. From the fictional Clara Gill and her work at the factual menagerie at the Tower of London to the imagined personalities of the real Fox Sisters. Nothing felt awkward or out of character. It's obvious that Deborah Noyes did her research into the time period before she began writing. I am glad, though, that my knowledge of the Fox Sisters and the American Spiritualist movement was minimal before reading the book as I believe it would have distracted from Noyes' lyrical language and the haunting tale that she was spinning.

As for the characters, I found Maggie Fox irritating at the start of the book due to her self-centred nature, but came to appreciate Noyes' artistic portrayal of her as she matured. Maggie began to see the sisters' performances as more than a game and to consider the results of her actions. In comparison, I liked Clara from the start. It was hard not to empathize as it became obvious just how withdrawn from society she was and how obsessed she was with an unknown tragedy in her past. And I have to admit, I was intrigued by the mystery of what that tragedy was, and loved how Noyes expertly prolonged the suspense by offering only a bit of Clara's backstory at a time. Though in the end, I was surprised by the revelation as I'd been expecting something simpler and more innocent.

Overall, Captivity is a book that I'd recommend to other readers, but one that I'd be selective in recommending. It's a wonderful and entangled read, not something for those just looking for a quick afternoon's diversion. But those willing to give it a try will be rewarded.

Thanks to Unbridled Books for the ARC of Captivity. A positive review was not a requirement and the views expressed above are my own. For more information on Captivity, check out the Unbridled website.

The Railway Detective

2010-05-24T11:53:00.000-07:00

Title: The Railway Detective by Edward Marston
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Rating: 4/5

It's 1851 in London, England, and the country is preparing for the Great Expedition, which will celebrate the engineering triumphs of the railway. However, not everyone views the railway in the same positive light, and a group of men successfully rob a mail train, injuring the driver and forcing the engine to crash. Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck soon realizes that this is just part of a larger plan and he must pit his intelligence against the criminal masterminds in order to prevent the unthinkable.

Overall, I enjoyed The Railway Detective, though I found it a bit slow at the beginning. It's a book that keeps you intrigued with its talented language, not one that grips you from the very first line or keeps you guessing at the identity of the villains.

I found Marston's writing style subtle yet clever. He had a great deal of historical information woven throughout the book, informing the reader of relevant facts necessary to the story but at no point did it ever feel like I was reading a history lecture. In fact, I quite enjoyed learning about the railways and locomotives of the mid-nineteenth century, and at points it helped cement the notion of Inspector Colbeck's intelligence and his desire to continue learning new things.

Inspector Colbeck was an intriguing character, consistently well-dressed, which was often criticized by the other characters, and extremely observant. He actually reminded me of Sherlock Holmes in many ways, though I've been informed by a fellow book nerd that's because they're both "proper" detectives. My only complaint with the character occurs later in the book when he concludes something based on the "atmosphere" of the room rather than any actual evidence. And the romantic in me really enjoyed the buildup to a relationship between Colbeck and Madeleine Andrews, and its something I look forward to seeing develop in the later books in the series.

In the end, The Railway Detective is a book that I'd recommend to all mystery lovers and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Mornings in Jenin

2010-04-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

Title: Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa
Genre: Fiction, Historical, Multicultural, Political Fiction
Rating: 5/5

Amal's family was driven from their home with the creation of the state of Israel and her older brother, just a baby, was stolen from their mother's arms by an Israeli soldier in the chaos. In the refugee camp of Jenin, Amal is born into a family where the adults dream only of returning home and her mother has never recovered from the loss of her son. Mornings in Jenin follows the struggles of Amal's family over six decades, documenting their sadness and joy and the strength of their love.

I loved Mornings in Jenin. It's a fantastic and heartbreaking family saga, driven by Abulhawa's brilliant and captivating writing style. She's created intriguing characters, which provide North Americans with a face and a voice for the long-lasting Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

I found it interesting that though its clear Amal is the focus of the book, and the majority of the story is told from her POV, Abulhawa chose to place Amal's birth several years after the tragedy of 1948. I think it was a smart decision as it made Ein Hod almost a fairytale for Amal, rather than a source of grief, but I think another author would have avoided changing POVs in this manner. In fact, I found the brief sections with alternate POVs a little disruptive and distracting at points though it may have helped emphasize things at other points.

I found Abulhawa's manner of storytelling engaging, the way events mostly ran in a chronological order, but occasionally looped back in order to give some anecdote or important bit of information. It made the listing of years at the beginning of each chapter particularly useful. I also thought it was interesting the way that Amal's adult reflections were sometimes worked into the accounts of her childhood, that she had never forgotten something another character had said or forgiven herself for some decision she made.

Mornings in Jenin is an incredible and haunting read, which really makes you think about the political conflicts occurring worldwide. Her characters are lifelike and their story is utterly moving. This is definitely a read that I'll be recommending to friends.

Thanks to Bloomsbury US for the complimentary copy of Mornings in Jenin. A positive review was not a requirement and the views expressed above are my own. For more information on Mornings in Jenin, check out the Bloomsbury US website.

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

2010-03-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

Title: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters
Genre: Fiction, Mashup, Classic, Horror
Rating: 2/5

As the title implies, this is Jane Austen's classic retold with a twist. Something has transformed the world's oceans and the creatures of the sea have mutated and now hunger for the flesh of man. Amongst all the tentacles and giant lobsters, can the Dashwood sisters find true love?

I was rather disappointed in Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. The premise was intriguing but the writing failed to live up to its promise. The connection between Austen's original and Winters' new scenes felt disjointed and I think Winters would have been better off writing something original. As well, there was a little too much repetition, especially in regards to how disgusting Colonel Brandon's mucous-covered tentacles were. By the fourth or fifth mention I just wanted to shout 'all right already, I get it.' I also found the way everyone looked down on Colonel Brandon and his cursed features contradictory once Winters introduced the idea that John Dashwood was undergoing experimentation in society's fight against sea monsters. However, there was one thing I really enjoyed, the addition of steampunk when Elinor and Marianne go to Sub-marine Station Beta, a London-like city based within a dome on the ocean floor.

Overall, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters is not a book that I'd recommend. It's not that I hadn't expected it to be ridiculous, I did, but it was just too much so. I do hope that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was better orchestrated as it's still on my to-be-read list.

Soulless

2010-03-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

Title: Soulless by Gail Carriger
Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Steampunk
Rating: 4/5

In a Victorian London populated with werewolves, vampires and ghosts, there is only one being that can negate their supernatural powers. Alexia Tarabotti is a preternatural, a person without a soul, and when she accidentally kills a newly turned vampire, she becomes embroiled in the investigation of the mysterious appearances and disappearances of other vampires. And she must face an enemy crueler than she can imagine.

Soulless is the best paranormal novel I've read in ages. It was nice to read something a little different after all the recent paranormal novels set in modern-day. The writing was a little rough for the first thirty pages or so while Carriger figured out her characters and style, but after that I couldn't put it down. The combination of the paranormal, steampunk and Victorian romance genres was intriguing. I especially enjoyed the idea that the success of the British Empire was due in large part to the accepted presence of werewolves and vampires in society. Soulless is a book that I'd recommend to a variety of readers. And I can't wait to read the sequel, Changeless, which is out on March 31.

After

2010-03-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

Title: After by Amy Efaw
Genre: Fiction, YA
Rating 4/5

Devon Davenport is a straight-A student and competitive soccer player with a bright future. Until she abandons her baby in a trashcan behind her apartment in an act of desperation. Now she's living in a juvenile detention centre, charged with attempted murder, while the court decides whether to try her as an adult, despite the fact that she's only 15, which would land her life in prison.

I couldn't put After down. The desire to find out what could make a model teenager like Devon ignore every sign that something wrong with her body and then commit such a desperate and shameful act kept me riveted. The book starts with Devon home sick from school and barely conscious, hardly able to focus on what's occurring around her. It's hard not to empathize with Devon as she begins to sort through her dream-like, perhaps nightmare-like, memories in order to remember and comprehend her own actions. Especially as we learn of her strong belief in self-discipline and of her mother's flirtatious and child-like behaviour.

After is a fast-paced, engaging and emotional read that I'd definitely recommend to others.

The Children of Men

2010-03-08T18:46:00.000-08:00

Title: The Children of Men by P. D. James
Genre: Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: 4/5

It's the year 2021, mankind is sterile and the youngest generation on earth has turned twenty-five. England is ruled by a charismatic dictator and the nation is regularly subjected to embarrassing fertility tests with no hope in sight. Until one small group of individuals decides that it's time to challenge the ruling power.

I really enjoyed The Children of Men. It's a dark read, and really made me think about what people are capable of when faced with their own death and the death of their entire species. The horror of knowing that you're growing older but there is no child or grandchild to follow after you. In The Children of Men, that knowledge has driven some women mad, as they transfer their maternal instincts to dolls and pets. James' future is chilling but utterly believable.

As for the writing itself, I enjoyed the combination of the first person narrative and the third person narrative. The stream of consciousness entries from Theo's diary allowed greater insight into his character, and also allowed James to provide the history necessary for the reader to develop an understanding of Omega without it reading like a "Here's what you need to know" section. I also appreciated James' descriptive skill. The imagery wasn't overly graphic, she didn't focus on the blood and gore, and yet it was still truly disturbing.

The Children of Men is a book that I'd like to read again one day and certainly one that I'd recommend to other readers.

Moab is my Washpot

2010-03-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

Title: Moab is my Washpot by Stephen Fry
Genre: Non-fiction, Autobiography
Rating: 4/5

The humorous and frank story of the first twenty years of Stephen Fry's life, following his public school years and his turbulent teens.

I really enjoyed Moab is my Washpot. I've not read many autobiographies in the past, but Stephen Fry's was a joy to read, he's such a genius with words. And his intelligence, or at least his vast knowledge, was evident in the many literary and cultural references throughout the book. The language is a little colourful at points, and the humour a little bawdy but it follows with Fry's style of writing and I didn't find it off-putting.

I have to admit that I was surprised to learn what Fry was like as a child and teen. He seems so friendly now, and it's difficult to picture him causing so much trouble and being arrested in his youth. In Moab is my Washpot, he talks openly about his actions and doesn't make excuses. It's obvious now where many of the ideas for his first novel, The Liar, came from. In fact, he admits to taking whole sections of the book from his own life.

Fry's conversational style of writing and his wit are a joy to read, and I fully plan on reading the rest of his works. Apparently, Fry announced at the beginning of the year that he was taking a break from acting in order to complete a second volume of his autobiography and I await it with bated breath.

84 Charing Cross Road

2010-02-01T08:09:00.000-08:00

Title: 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Genre: Non-fiction, Correspondence
Rating: 5/5

84 Charing Cross Road follows the twenty-year correspondence between New York playwright Helene Hanff and London bookbuyer Frank Doel, which began when Hanff contacted Marks & Co. booksellers in order to locate British literature she was unable to locate in New York. Over time, a long-distance friendship evolved between the two and between Hanff and the other employees at Marks & Co.

I absolutely adored 84 Charing Cross Road. Reading the preface and introduction, I couldn't believe how attached people were to what amounts to someone else's correspondence. But Hanff's enthusiasm and no-holds-barred attitude had me captivated within pages. You can read her emotions in her letters; the lack of capitals when she's rushing to type out her thoughts and the overuse of capitals to show her annoyance and outrage. In contrast, Frank Doel's letters were very professional for a long time. He doesn't address her by her first name for almost two years, and it takes her commenting that "I'm helene only to my FRIENDS" before he addresses her as "Dear Helene." The letters between the two and between Helene and others reveal so much about them, their hopes and dreams and problems. I think my only complaint for the book is that it seems that some of the later letters are missing. 84 Charing Cross Road is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's utterly moving and entirely amusing, and I'd recommend it as a must-read for any book lover.

Seven Deadly Wonders

2010-01-27T18:44:00.000-08:00

Title: Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly
Genre: Fiction, Adventure
Rating: 3/5

According to legend, every 4,500 years a terrible solar event occurs which can bring about the end of the world. However, there is a Golden Capstone for the Great Pyramid created by the Egyptians that averted this catastrophe the last time. Now, a team of soldiers from seven small nations have come together in order to retrieve the missing capstone pieces from their hiding places within the ancient wonders of the world and save the planet.

I nearly gave up on Seven Deadly Wonders when I first started reading it. I found the multitude of diagrams a little insulting, like someone decided the reader couldn't understand the picture Reilly was painting with words so they put actual pictures in. More importantly, the writing didn't feel polished at the beginning. Luckily, as the book progressed, the writing smoothed out.

I really enjoyed all the historical information weaved throughout the book. Things like who'd built the pyramids at Giza and descriptions of the other ancient wonders. Some of it I already knew, some of it I'd forgotten and some of it I'd never learned but it all appealed to the classicist in me, though I realize that not all of it was based on fact.

Characterwise, I found Lily adorable. She was raised as naturally as a child could be by eight soldiers, an archaeologist and his wife. They let her grow into her genius and she loved them for raising her. As for Jack West, the group's leader, he's a little too perfect in some ways. And with his metal arm, he's a little like Indiana Jones meets the six-million dollar man. Luckily the rest of the characters balance him out well.

Overall, I'd recommend Seven Deadly Wonders to anyone looking for a fun and exciting read. It's not perfect but it is good.

Angel and Apostle

2010-01-20T15:33:00.000-08:00

Title: Angel and Apostle by Deborah Noyes
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

Angel and Apostle tells the story of Pearl, Hester's illegitimate daughter in The Scarlet Letter. The book begins by retelling The Scarlet Letter through Pearl's eyes as she copes with the humiliation heaped upon her mother and herself by the Puritans of New England. The second half of the book follows Pearl's life as she travels to England, marries and has a daughter of her own.

Angel and Apostle is a wonderful book. Noyes' writing style is elegant and authentic, echoing Hawthorne's way with words. She doesn't reach for the same descriptive depths that he does, however her plot is a little more involved. Angel and Apostle isn't a straightforward retelling of Hawthorne's romanticized tale, instead it's an imaginative reinventing of The Scarlet Letter. There are several changes, but the most obvious is the replacement of Roger Chillingworth with an attractive, younger physician named Daniel Devlin and his role in the story.

I really enjoyed Noyes' transformation of Pearl. She is not the cruel, uncaring child found in The Scarlet Letter, but an uncultured child who's been left to her own devices too often as a result of being mostly ignored by the villagers, and at times her own mother. She's still spirited and moody, but often regrets the cruel things she says to her parent and those around her. And as the book moves past the events of The Scarlet Letter, she grows and learns to hold her mouth at times and think of how her actions will affect others, though she pays dearly for some of these lessons.

Angel and Apostle kept me intrigued throughout and surprised me with its ending. It's definitely a book that I will recommend to friends.

Thanks to Unbridled Books for the complimentary copy of Angel and Apostle. A positive review was not a requirement and the views expressed above are my own. For more information on Angel and Apostle, check out the Unbridled Books website.

Museum of the Missing

2010-01-15T19:31:00.000-08:00

Title: Museum of the Missing: The High Stakes of Art Crime by Simon Houpt
Genre: Non-Fiction, Art History
Rating: 4/5

Interpol currently lists more than twenty-five thousand works of art as stolen. Each is a piece of a culture's history and together they could fill a museum. A museum of missing art. Museum of the Missing covers the rising value of art from the 1950s, art theft during wars and the creation of art recovery squads.

I loved Museum of the Missing. The topic was extremely interesting and I ended up reading every last word, even though the writing style was a little dry at points. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on art theft in times of war and Hitler's desire to open his own museum of stolen art during World War II. That definitely wasn't something we covered in my high school history classes, but it really underlines how much cultural destruction occurs in a time of war.

This book made me want to go back to school and start studying art and art history again. The reproductions of the artwork are incredible; crisp and vivid. Printing in colour was a smart move on the part of the publisher, and worth the extra cost. This is definitely a book for any art lover or history buff.

Shiver

2010-01-04T19:09:00.000-08:00

Title: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, YA
Rating: 4/5

Grace has been obsessed with the yellow-eyed wolf ever since it saved her from the rest of the pack. Sam has watched Grace from a distance for years, both as the yellow-eyed wolf and as his human self. But when Sam's shot by a hunter, Grace learns the truth about her wolf and they have to fight Sam's very nature in order to be together.

I really enjoyed Shiver, it's a new take on the werewolf theme for me. Instead of changing at will or in relation to the lunar cycle, Sam and his pack change with the seasons, only becoming human in the summer. Moreover, they only have so many years of changing before they become wolves permanently. Sam's struggle to stay human for Grace, despite the dropping temperatures, is entirely believable and wonderfully described. Grace seemed a little too perfect to me at times, unfortunately, but not enough to distract from the story.

The narrative successfully bounces between Grace and Sam's points of view, adding to the story rather than distracting from it. As well, time is portrayed in temperatures rather than in concrete time, emphasising the approaching winter and Sam's next transformation.

I really loved the design for this book. The varying blue shades of the bare trees and the wolf against the white background really make one think of a winter's day. And the red dot of the 'i' in Shiver stands out as a result, as does the red text on the back of the book.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend reading Shiver, and if you like displaying interesting and attractive books on your bookcase, I'd go pick up a copy asap.

Divine Misdemeanors

2010-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Title: Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Gothic, Romance
Rating: 2/5

Merry and her men have left the faerie courts and returned to the safety of Los Angeles. But someone is killing the fey in LA and Merry has been called in to help find the killer. And if that wasn't enough, mortals that Merry once healed are going around and performing miracles.

I had high hopes for Divine Misdemeanors after reading Swallowing Darkness last summer. Unfortunately I was disappointed as once again the interesting plotline, the investigation of the fey murders, seemed to be overshadowed by the rather explicit sex scenes. It's a good thing that Merry's essentially a fertility deity otherwise I'd be worried about those babies she's carrying. As for the murder investigation, I found the revelation of fey porn interesting and a great way to emphasize the human obsession with the fey. And I loved the introduction of the Fairy Godmother of LA, who I hope we see more of in the future, and the introduction of more fantastical species. I've found that every other book in the series seems to be sex-driven rather than plot-driven, so hopefully the next book will be reminiscent of the earlier books. Perhaps if Hamilton stopped trying to publish a book a year in each of her series, and instead spent a little more time developing plot and editing, her writing quality would improve again. Overall, I'd say give it a read for the investigation and the plot, but wait for the paperback before buying for your collection.

Sundays at Tiffany's

2009-12-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

Title: Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Rating 2/5

As the lonely daughter of a famous Broadway producer, Jane Margaux's only childhood friend is imaginary. But on her ninth birthday, Michael has to leave, as all imaginary friends do, and promises her that she'll soon forget him. Years later, Jane is as lonely as she ever was, and she's never forgotten Michael. Then one day she meets him again, and he's as perfect as ever. But can they overcome the obstacles to be together and why is Jane the first child that Michael's met again as an adult?

I'm sad to say I wasn't overly impressed with Sundays at Tiffany's. Unfortunately, I found the writing style a little choppy and wondered at points whether it signified a change in authors, which distracted from the actual storyline. From the description at the back of the book, I hadn't expected Jane to remember Michael right away and was looking forward to the big 'Ah ha!' moment. However, I thought her disbelief at seeing him again was very well done, and a good way for her to realise how low her self-esteem had dropped. He seemed to be the motivation she needed to start fighting for her own personal happiness with her mother and boyfriend, instead of letting them win all the battles. Overall, its a cute and simple romance but I think that James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet have better books out there.

To Catch a Pirate

2009-12-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

Title: To Catch A Pirate by Jade Parker
Genre: Fiction, YA, Romance
Rating: 3/5

In 1720, Annalisa Townsend's life was spared by a young pirate, James Sterling, in exchange for a stolen kiss. One year later, her father has been arrested on suspicion of being in cahoots with the pirates that attacked their ship and Annalisa has forged a letter of marque in order to find James Sterling and prove her father's innocence. And this time she's in danger of him stealing far more than a kiss.

I don't have much to say on Jade Parker's To Catch A Pirate. It's your average cliched romance novel. Boy meets girl, boy kisses girl, unforseen problems arise to keep them apart. Can they overcome the obstacles to be together? It's essentially a book for Harlequin readers-in-training, with only kissing and no sex. I wasn't sold on the character of Annalisa, her opinions were too easily swayed by other characters in the book and her transformation from the prologue to chapter one seemed a bit much to me. I found James to be a more believable character; a pirate because that was the life he landed in, not because of his desire for treasure. And the rest of the characters are basically peripheral ornaments; they play their role and then fade into the background again. There is little to ground the book in a specific place or time while reading, but there is an interesting author's note at the end to set the background information. Overall, its a quick and romantic read, but if you're looking for something that gives a better look at the pirate life, I'd try suggest trying a different book.

The Liar

2009-12-06T19:18:00.000-08:00

Title: The Liar by Stephen Fry
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

Adrian Healey is your average public school boy but for one thing, his inability to tell the truth. Over the years his lies land him into trouble, and he finds himself in over his head, tangled in murder and mystery.

The Liar is utterly hilarious and completely brilliant. Anyone who's watched or read Stephen Fry's work can tell you that the man's a genius. Unfortunately, it also means that there were points in the book where I had to go back and reread in order to catch things I'd missed the first time around. Time weaves through The Liar in a very intricate fashion, and something which seems inconsequential at first may later turn out to be rather important.

The protagonist, Adrian, is a fascinating character. It's nearly impossible to pick out the bits of truth from his lies, and everything around him becomes so much more dramatic as a result. At times I started to feel sorry for him, only to have another of his lies revealed. The theme of lies and untruths plays a large part in the book, and not just with Adrian. More and more of the characters seem to be involved in deceptions as the book continues until you're left wondering if anything is true. Shocking, hilarious and absolutely brilliant, The Liar is a must-read for any fan.

Dead Until Dark

2009-11-23T19:07:00.000-08:00

Title: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Genre: Fiction, Horror, Romance
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Penguin:

Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life - and one of her coworkers checks out...

Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.

I hate to admit it but I put off reading Dead Until Dark and its sequels for a long time because I wasn't a fan of the covers. The artwork just wasn't my style. That was most definitely a mistake. I really enjoyed Dead Until Dark. I truly liked Sookie; she's caring, charming and sentimental. Most importantly, I didn't find her annoying like I have some of the other first-person narrators in vampire and supernatural books.

The book is a real page-turner, following the mystery of the murders and the romance between Sookie and Vampire Bill. There are also several minor plotlines going on throughout involving the secondary characters. As this was the first book in the series, it understandably focused on Sookie and Vampire Bill for the most part. Hopefully the later books in the series will expand on some of the secondary characters. I'd particularly love to see more of Bubba.

I'd definitely recommend Dead Until Dark to any paranormal lover. I've already leant my copy of the book to a friend and mentioned it to several others.

How to Catch and Keep a Vampire

2009-11-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

Title: How to Catch and Keep a Vampire: A Step-by-Step Guide to Loving the Bad and the Beautiful by Diana Laurence
Genre: Entertainment, Humour, How-to, Romance
Rating: 3.5/5

Have you seen every episode of Forever Knight, Blood Ties, Buffy and Angel? Read every book by Stephenie Meyer, Charlaine Harris and Anne Rice? Wanted your own dark and immortal lover to keep you warm at night? Then this book is for you. In How to Catch and Keep a Vampire: A Step-by-Step Guide to Loving the Bad and the Beautiful, Diana Laurence draws on personal experience to reveal the secrets to finding and keeping your own vampire lover.

This book is a terrific, tongue-in-cheek guide on how to maintain a relationship with a vampire. With chapters on the pros and cons of dating a vampire versus a mortal, how to introduce your new undead boyfriend to your family, and FAQs About the Undead, How to Catch and Keep a Vampire covers everything you'd want to know. Moreover, some of the advice given is also relevant for relationships with mortals; don't let your partner push you around, communicate and compromise with them, and listen to your instincts.

One thing I was disappointed in was that the advice is mostly female-oriented, there is little for the man interested in finding his vampire bride, though there is a case study dealing with Dan, his vampire girlfriend and an encounter with an Anti-Vampire Person. I also felt Laurence pushed her examples a little too far sometimes, as in Case Study 106 when Aidan pulls a fishing pole from a picnic basket. Though, I have to admit I was amused by the imagery of the vampire equivalent of Mary Poppin's magic bag.

I absolutely loved the design of the book, the pages are just beautiful to look at. The paper stock is thick and smooth, and the image of the red satin ribbon repeats intermittently throughout and is reflected in the red text. Overall, I found How to Catch and Keep a Vampire both interesting and humorous. A must read for anyone fascinated with vampires.

For more information check out the book's website or Sellers Publishing.

The Conquest

2009-11-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

Title: The Conquest by Jude Deveraux
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Rating: 1/5

The Peregrines have been at war with the Howards for generations and when a daughter is born, the family will do anything to protect her. So they raise her as a boy, training her to be a soldier, and hiding her true identity from anyone beyond the castle walls. But when the youngest Howard returns, he sees beyond the disguise and campaigns to win her heart.

I picked up The Conquest because I thought it had a fun plot and because I've enjoyed Jude Deveraux's work in the past. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst books I've read by her. The characters feel like stock characters and are difficult to empathize with. Both of the main characters are childish and Zared Peregrine has a lot of difficulty overcoming her early prejudices and beliefs. Moreover, the plot feels very choppy with a lot of time and detail being paid to some parts and very little being paid to others. And the side story of Severn and Anne, which plays an important part in the first half of the book, is essentially forgotten in the second half and remains incomplete by the end of the book. My biggest complaint has to do with the last chapter and I think the book could have been improved by ending the story before that point. It's not all bad; the book is a nice and easy read for those who want to relax and there's a lot of angst to the relationship between Zared and Tearle for those that appreciate angst. However, The Conquest is not a book that I would recommend to any but the most devoted Jude Deveraux fans.

My Sister's Keeper

2009-11-04T16:06:00.000-08:00

Title: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5/5

All her life Anna Fitzgerald has undergone countless surgeries and transfusions so that her older sister, Kate, can fight her leukemia. Now a teenager, she's starting to question who she is and what she wants for her future. Tired of having no say in her own well-being, Anna decides to sue her parents for the rights to her own body.

My Sister's Keeper is one of the best books I've read in a while. The plot is well-written, emotionally moving and all around riveting. I was hooked from the first line. The characters were realistic and kept me interested in their problems throughout. Even Jesse, who had a lesser role in the drama, seemed to emphasize the Fitzgeralds struggle to balance the regular problems a family has to deal with and the problems that arise from Kate's leukemia.

The chapters switch points of view from one character to another as the book progresses, and I was genuinely surprised by how well this worked as it's not a technique I generally like. Each part provided a little more background and gave a look into the inner workings of the characters. They also introduced new twists to keep the reader hooked. And I think it is interesting that the chapters from Sara's POV are all set in the past until more than halfway through the book, unlike the other characters.

My Sister's Keeper deals with some big questions, including whether it is morally correct to infringe on the rights of one child in order to save the life of another. It wrenched at my heartstrings and made me think. It's definitely a book I'd suggest to all the women in my life.

Moonlight in Odessa

2009-10-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

Title: Moonlight in Odessa by Janet Skeslien Charles
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Rating: 4/5

Moonlight in Odessa is a humorous and delightful book featuring a strong, street-smart protagonist. After months of unemployment, Daria finds work as the secretary for a foreign company. Plagued by an amorous boss, crooked officials and a mobster who she has feeling for, she begins to moonlight as an interpreter for a "matchmaking" agency that deals in mail-order brides, where she finds an American who wants to marry her. But will life in America prove to be what's she's always dreamed it would be?

I really enjoyed Moonlight in Odessa and I quickly fell for Daria as a character. Despite her desire for a better life, she truly seems to care for Odessa and constantly praises the city, telling anyone who will listen such factoids as Odessa's opera house is "the third most beautiful in the world." Although she doesn't always make the right decisions, she tries to do what's best for her friends and family, particularly by taking care of the grandmother who raised her. I loved following her relationships with the other characters, particularly David, and seeing how she'd react to their actions.

The plot kept me captivated for the most part, and although I wasn't entirely happy with the direction it took towards the end, I found that it left me contemplating what had occurred and wanting more. I particularly enjoyed the way Charles used Daria's lessons on English verbs to emphasize events and Daria's emotions throughout the book. I also found all the factoids about Odessa that Daria recites extremely interesting.

Overall I was definitely entertained by the book and have already started recommending it to others. And with the holiday season approaching I think Moonlight in Odessa would be a great present, what with its red and white cover featuring the image of a snow globe.

For more information on Moonlight in Odessa check out Bloomsbury's website.

The Historian

2009-10-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

Title: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Genre: Fiction, Horror
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Little, Brown: Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters. The letters are all addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," and they plunge her into a world she never dreamed of - a labyrinth where the secrets of her father's past and her mother's mysterious fate connect to an inconceivable evil hidden in the depths of history. The letters provide links to one of the darkest powers that humanity has ever known - and to a centuries-long quest to find the source of that darkness and wipe it out.

The Historian is a very interesting take on the Dracula sequel. Unlike most, it is set in the twentieth century and doesn't deal with the characters from Dracula. Well, except for the man himself. Instead it recognizes Dracula as a fictional work and focuses more on the facts and fictions of Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, aka Vlad the Impaler. I studied Dracula a couple of years back for one of my University courses but had forgotten a lot of the background my professor covered. By working the information into letters and character retellings, Kostova made it enjoyable to relearn.

Moreover, she made me interested in the characters. The plot focuses mainly on the narrator and her father and their separate yet symmetrical quests for the truth. Though they occur decades apart, both involve the sinister figure of Dracula, a little bit of romance and the search for a missing individual. As the father reveals his story to his daughter in fits and starts, you come to care for them and begin to root for them to succeed. Overall, I found that The Historian was a really good read. Its biggest appeals were the historical aspect and its suspenseful twists and turns. I was always trying to guess what would happen next. And though I wouldn't say I couldn't put it down, I can say that I never wanted to put it down for long. I'd like to try some of Kostova's other works and I've already started reccing this one to my friends.

Audio and Video

Listen to an Excerpt

The Ruby Knight

2009-09-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

Title: The Ruby Knight by David Eddings
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Rating: 4/5

Summary from Random House: Ehlanda, Queen of Elenia, has been poisoned. A deep enchantment sustains her life, but it will end soon. Then Sparhawk, Knight of the Queen's Champion, learns where to get to cure for the poison. He and his companions set forth on a dangerous quest to find the antidote before the queen should perish and the peace ends...

Book Two of The Elenium, The Ruby Knight picks up from where The Diamond Throne left off and is very much the middle book of a fantasy trilogy. It's fast-paced and action-filled but the plot doesn't develop too much. Mostly Sparhawk and his entourage travel the continent trying to locate the Bhelliom so that they might heal Queen Ehlana and stop Annias. The big revelation of the book involves Flute, but it's not hard to guess if you've been paying attention. Still, the dialogue is fun and my interest in the characters' well-being kept me reading. I'd definitely recommend The Ruby Knight to any fantasy lover, though I'd suggest reading The Diamond Throne first.

Over the Moon

2009-09-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

Title: Over the Moon by Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra and Sunny
Genre: Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Short Stories
Rating: 3/5

From the back cover: "Three beloved bestselling superstars and one exciting new voice in paranormal romance come together in an anthology of startling seduction.
"Experience the lure of the moon..."

Over the Moon was a decent book overall, I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. The first story, "Moon Dance" by Angela Knight was good. I liked her writing style though I found the whole daughter running away from overbearing father to the protection of the strong newcomer a little cliched. "Between the Mountain and the Moon" by Virginia Kantra was also good and I'm pretty sure its a sequel to another short story I've already read. I found the main character a little annoying and oblivious at points but I was rooting for her in the end. I was surprised when I realised that I liked "Driftwood" by MaryJanice Davidson. I've read a book by her before and wasn't quite sold on her style. Frankly I'm still not, but I found her main characters hilarious and endearing and I would definitely read a book that focuses on them. The last story in the book, "Mona Lisa Three" by Sunny, didn't work for me at all. Truthfully, it read like a poor imitation of Laurell K. Hamilton's writing, and it seems to fall more under the "erotica" genre than paranormal romance. I did enjoy some of the secondary characters though. In the end, Over the Moon is a book that I'd suggest borrowing from the library or a friend if you like one of the authors but don't spend your money on it.

Camelot's Honour

2009-09-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Title: Camelot's Honour by Sarah Zettel
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Romance
Rating: 4/5

Though set in the time of King Arthur and the Round Table, Camelot's Honour focuses on a young Welsh midwife and one of the lesser known Knights, with only a brief passage featuring Arthur and Merlin. The midwife, Elen, goes out one night to deal with a difficult birth only to return to find her family slain by a local chieftain who is loyal to Morgaine. Captured by the chieftain, she vows revenge, but it is only through the aid of young Sir Geraint that she may achieve it.

I've read books dealing with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table before, however, they were all focused on the better known knights and had a very masculine feel to them, so I was understandably worried about reading a book with a female protagonist. Surprisingly I liked the character of Elen from the start. She was very passionate and kind-hearted but when Urien killed her family she quickly showed her backbone and her desire for justice. However I did find her too easily swayed at points.

I also rather enjoyed the addition of faerie to the book. The stories of King Arthur that I've read in the past always involved magic but never of this sort. It brings to mind Spenser's The Faerie Queene and Shakespeare's Oberon and Titania, which are personal favourites. Moreover the glimpses we get of the fae folk help weave the story together from beginning to end. I really enjoyed Camelot's Honour and I'd love to read another in the same series as soon as I figure out her North American publisher.

Artist creates incredible pieces of art from old books

2009-08-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

I have a new book to review shortly but in the meanwhile I wanted to share something very cool. Su Blackwell, an artist in London, England, takes second hand books that have been sitting on the shelf for years and turns them into paper models. She waits to be inspired by the books themselves, and I think that her model from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass is just amazing. And according to the article, she never cuts up first editions or rare books.

Check out the Telegraph.co.uk website for the full article and a pictures of her work.

Or check out the video with her from scmp.com

Swallowing Darkness

2009-07-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

Title: Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Gothic, Romance
Rating: 4/5

Swallowing Darkness, the seventh book in Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry series, picks up just after A Lick of Frost left off. Merry, now pregnant with twins, has been raped by her uncle, who claims that her bodyguards are a threat to her and her children, which he claims as his own. On top of that, there are those that will go to great lengths to keep her off the throne of the Unseelie Court. However, Merry is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her children and her lovers.

I really enjoyed Swallowing Darkness. It seems like the series may be returning to its roots and giving more attention to the plot rather than to the many and various ways in which Merry can couple with her guards, as in some of the more recent books in the series. Although I still think Hamilton took the easy way out in deciding the parentage of Merry's children, I do find that it emphasizes the fantastical elements of the series. More importantly I was caught up in the intrigue and found myself waiting for each new twist. The book rounded up several of the storylines and with its beautiful ending, would have been a good place to finish the series. However, there are a few things that have yet to be dealt with and I hope that Hamilton deals with them as nicely in Divine Misdemeanors, which will be released in December 2009. There's a good chance I might reread Swallowing Darkness at some point in the future and I think this might be the book to bring back some of the readers who gave up the series when it became too graphic.

Tipping the Velvet

2009-07-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

Title: Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Rating: 3/5

Synopsis from www.sarahwaters.com:
A saucy, sensuous and multi-layered historical romance, Tipping the Velvet follows the glittering career of Nan King - oyster girl turned music-hall star turned rent boy turned East End 'tom'.

I thought Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters was a good book, although I found Nancy to be rather annoying at points. She seemed to always make the wrong decision and it got a little unbelievable near the end. Everything was about her pleasure and her happiness with little thought as to how it might affect others. I suppose it was necessary though, to emphasize her emotional growth. However, I found the secondary characters; Florence and Ralph, Mrs M and Gracie; to be very interesting.

Overall, I found it to be a very good historical novel. I admit that I don't know too much about that time period in England but I really felt that Sarah Waters did a good job with it. The fear felt by the 'toms' is very believable and I have no trouble imaging a women's club devoted to Sappho. I had trouble with some of the slang though and at times wished for a cheat sheet at the back of the book. I really loved the look at the music halls of the time too, and think its rather interesting that the different classes would frequent different halls rather than just having separate sections to sit in. While I don't know that I'd ever read Tipping the Velvet again, I'm definitely going to give some of her other titles a try.

The Jane Austen Book Club

2009-07-06T17:47:00.000-07:00

Title: The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

Six Californians (five women and one man) turn to Jane Austen to bring them together and help them deal with the obstacles that pop up in their lives over the course of six months.

I picked up The Jane Austen Book Club after it had been recommended to me by several friends. Apparently it was my kind of book. And I did really enjoy it. It is admittedly a very simple read though some of the Austen references will likely be lost on someone unfamiliar with her work. I really liked how Fowler split the book into sections instead of just continuing the narrative unstopped. Each section is devoted to a month, book and the character hosting the meeting that month. For example, Chapter One was March "in which we gather at Jocelyn's to discuss Emma." Interspersed with the book discussions, Fowler feeds the reader background information on the characters, how they met and important events that shaped the people they became. And by switching back and forth between the discussion and the character development, you never tire of either.

The characters are interesting, though I wish Fowler had spent more time developing them. There is so much hinted at that we never get to see, like Bernadette's many other husbands. The book's also a little deceptive in its appearance, the novel itself is only about 3/4 of the book, the rest is additional material like summaries of Austen's six books and suggested book club questions. I did really like the section in which Jane's friends and families comment on her books. Apparently her mother liked Pride & Prejudice better than Mansfield Park.

The Jane Austen Book Club is definitely a book I'll recommend to friends and something I think I'll give another read through some time in the future, probably the next time I read Pride & Prejudice. I also want to give Karen Joy Fowler's other works a try.

Star Trek Academy: Collision Course

2009-06-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

Title: Star Trek Academy: Collision Course by William Shatner
Genre: Sci Fi
Rating: 4/5

Years before the events of Star Trek: The Original Jim Kirk and Spock were just two conflicted teens living in San Fransisco. Kirk is headstrong and wants nothing to do with Starfleet, while Spock is determined to prove that he is Vulcan through and through. Then one night the two meet and become involved in a mystery that challenges the Federation's belief that war is a thing of the past.

I picked up Star Trek Academy: Collision Course shortly after watching the new Stark Trek movie. Who could resist reading William Shatner's take on how Kirk and Spock meet after all the media coverage about his reaction to the new movie? And I've got to admit, I really rather enjoyed it. It's very interesting to see how Shatner imagines young Kirk and Spock would handle various circumstances and what kind of relationships they would have with their families. There is a lovely scene earlier on between Lady Amanda and Sarek as they discuss how they can best help Spock. Also, I thought it had a good plot, I could barely put it down. There is mention of a sequel at the end of the novel and I'd definitely like to read it but so far it hasn't been published. Collision Course is a book that I would suggest others try, at least those who enjoy Star Trek.

Burned

2009-03-12T19:47:00.001-07:00

Title: Burned by Ellen Hopkins
Genre: YA
Rating: 3/5

Pattyn Von Stratten comes from a extremely religious family, one ruled by an abusive and controlling father. The oldest of seven girls, she is expected to help raise them but as her home life continues to decline, she begins to question the ideas that she's been taught by her father and her church. And when she's caught in a compromising position with a boy, particularly one who is not a Mormon, she is sent to live with her aunt for the summer so as not to bother her once-again pregnant mother. There she finds love and acceptance, but what will happen when school starts again in the fall?

I really rather enjoyed Burned. The story was very interesting and it was difficult not to feel for Pattyn. The difficulties she faced and every horrible thing that happened to her really tugged at your heartstrings. You wanted her to overcome the obstacles in the way of her happiness, to get away from her abusive father and from a church that would side in his favour. I was surprised by the ending and don't really feel like everything was resolved. But that's not necessarily a bad thing as it kept me thinking for a while after I finished the book.

As for the text itself, it's laid out in the form of bad poetry. Visually, it's rather appealing and Hopkins has done some interesting stuff with it but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to why she's ended lines where she has except for the visual effect. They do, however, wonderfully mimic how a high school girl would likely write poetry. Overall, Hopkins does an incredible job portraying this angst-ridden young girl and I would recommend Burned to anyone willing to try something a little different.

The Foretelling

2009-02-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

Title: The Foretelling by Alice Hoffman
Genre: YA
Rating: 1.5/5

Conceived when her mother was raped by fifty men, Rain is destined to be the next Queen of the Amazons. But her mother can't bear to touch her or look at her and leaves her upbringing to the rest of her Amazon sisters. A born warrior, Rain raises a bear-cub as a sister and dreams of a black horse. Then she begins to see a life beyond what she has been taught and begins to wonder about the forbidden...love, peace, mercy.

I've got to admit I wasn't overly impressed with The Foretelling. The story of the next Amazon queen seemed like such an interesting idea, but it just didn't live up to its promise. The narrative felt like a continuous stream of consciousness with little dialogue, which eventually became kind of annoying. And I found it difficult to relate to Rain so I didn't really care about what happened to her. However, I did find the design of the book to be very interesting. Each chapter had an image, like a pictograph, which related to the chapter and was used in place of asterisks in order to indicate lapses in time. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone unless they were extremely interested in Amazons and their depiction in literature.

The Friday Night Knitting Club

2009-02-25T18:55:00.000-08:00

Title: The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5/5

Single mother Georgia Walker is the owner of Walker and Daughter, a yarn shop in New York City and home of the Friday Night Knitting Club. Made up of six very different women (and one daughter), the club quickly changes from a place to receive knitting help to an opportunity to share the stories of their lives and find the comfort and companionship they were missing.

Truthfully I found The Friday Night Knitting Club a little slow to start. The first eighty pages were entirely from Georgia's point of view and was filled with her complaints. But as she slowly accepted the club and loosened up, she started to grow on me. And then we got to know the other characters and I was hooked. She introduced each character's personality quirks little by little, letting us get to know them without bombarding us with information. I love the knitting advice that precedes and directly relates to each section; who knew that life could be so easily reflected in a craft? The ending was absolutely moving and truly surprising, and I'm not normally caught off guard by much. The Friday Night Knitting Club is a book that I will recommend often, and I can't wait to read the sequel.

A Place Called Here

2009-02-25T15:51:00.000-08:00

Title: A Place Called Here by Cecelia Ahern
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.5/5

When Sandy Shortt is ten years old her classmate Jenny-May Butler disappears. Ever since, Sandy has been obsessed with finding put where missing things go. It's not like a sock just grew a pair of legs and wandered off, is it? Now in her thirties, she runs a missing persons agency and has agreed to help Jack Ruttle look for his missing brother. But on the day they are to meet, Sandy disappears and finds herself in the world of missing things. Now all she wants to do is find her way home.

For the most part, A Place Called Here is a good book. It's no where near as good as PS I Love You but it does have a very intriguing premise. Who hasn't wondered what's happened to the matching sock that disappeared in the wash? And the idea that not just physical objects but actual memories of individuals go missing is interesting but also absolutely heartbreaking. I liked the way flashbacks were used to reveal information and develop Sandy's character but it felt a little like the majority of the story was back story. The weakest part of the story was the ending. It felt rushed after the leisurely way the flashbacks had occurred up to that point. It was also somewhat unbelievable. Overall, A Place Called Here is a good vacation read but not something I'd necessarily read again.

Missing You

2009-02-12T16:50:00.000-08:00

Title: Missing You by Meg Cabot
Genre: YA
Rating: 4/5

Missing You is the fifth and final book in Meg Cabot's 1-800-Where-R-You series. It picks up a couple of years after Sanctuary left off. Jess Mastriani, who developed psychic powers after being hit by a bolt of lightning when walking home from school, is living in New York, power-free thanks to a case of post traumatic stress syndrome from helping locate terrorists in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, her attempt at a normal life is cut short when her ex shows up on her doorstep asking for her help in finding his missing sister.

Overall, it's a good book and wraps up the series in a neat little package.. You can tell that there was a gap of time between the writing of the first four books and this one, Cabot's writing style has shifted somewhat, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. Jess has matured since the last book, she's no longer a hit first, ask questions later kind of girl. As well, the content is slightly more mature in regards to the romantic relationships of the characters, though I'm sure it will please most fans of the series. Cabot toots her own horn at one point, mentioning the tv series that was based on this series, but she makes it work, Jess claiming that it was a result of all the media interest in her talent, which had been mentioned in the past books. Missing You is a great conclusion to the series and fans will love it.