An Anonymous Girl By Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

After a lukewarm reaction to the first collaboration of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, I was hesitant to pick up the invitation extended to me by St Martin's Press for their Sophomore release, An Anonymous Girl. I must say that I enjoyed this novel more than I did "The Wife Between Us".  The structure of this narrative lent itself much better to the team approach to writing since there were very different voices between the two main characters that came through very well. 

The psychology behind the premise is compelling but if you are looking for something that will keep you on your toes with twists and turns, this one is fairly straightforward as far as the plot is concerned. 

Definitely pick it up for a light and fun read.

Lies by T.M. Logan

I had a hard time getting into this book even with the good reviews from some of my friends who were also reading this on behalf of St Martins Press and I can't quite put my finger on why.  The plot was well thought out and just twisted enough to keep things interesting.   I did like the way that Logan threaded a technology aspect to the building of evidence against poor Joe through the story.  Especially as his nemesis built his business around software development.

My main issue, I think, is the police overlooking MAJOR plot holes and their incompetence was more laughable than frustrating.  For example (without spoilers) part of the evidence they were using said that both phones were using the same cell tower - which makes absolute sense since the characters were both supposed to be in the same place but yet it was presented as damning to Joe's story.  

The ending....I didn't see all of it coming but I did narrow it down to a small band of people who could be responsible and it turned out to be a mix of them.  

Overall, if you are looking for something that would fit in with a trip or a relaxing weekend, I would recommend giving, Lies a try.

 

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

I was thrilled to receive a copy of "A Spark of Light" By Jodi Picoult from Net Galley and Ballentine Books Publishing in return for an honest review.  I have been hit or miss with Jodi Picoult for years.  When she is good she is great (see: The Storyteller, Small Great Things) when she is off she is really off (see: Tenth Circle, Lone Wolf).  This novel set right in the middle with me.

Trigger warning before you pick this up.  This book dives VERY deeply into the subject of abortion.  All sides of abortion, pro-life - pro-choice - providers, protestors, medical abortions, surgical abortions, fathers, mothers the whole gamut.  Picoult does a wonderful job of balancing the polarizing sides of this issue, the good the bad and the ugly of why and how abortion is and will remain a hot button in this country.

I gave the book a three-star rating even though I wanted so badly to rate hit higher because I feel like this is a very important story to tell and Jodi Picoult is a perfect voice to tell it.  But the rating stands for two main reasons:

1. The format.  The chronology of events goes backward starting with the consequences of what happens to these characters and working its way back hour by hour until the very beginning.  (There is an epilogue to tie up some loose ends but...it still felt unsatisfying).  I understand why she did it as there is a twist or two in the late chapters that are facilitated by the flashback style of storytelling but I'm fairly certain those reveals could have come into the plotline in a different way.

2. Character count.  There was a LOT going on - many different characters to keep track of within each hour block of time and, if you aren't reading this book in a few sittings, it can get confusing to keep track of which backstory belongs to which character.  Again, I know why the author did it this way and I'm glad that each of the characters existed in this novel because they all had an important to story to tell but, especially with the timeline in reverse and the fact that there was nothing but an extra line break to indicate the jump to a different character, it became pretty disorienting pretty fast.

I'm half tempted to go back and read this book in chronological order and see if it helps.  Maybe one of you can do it and get back to me on how the experience of this story differs between mine and yours.

2018 Goodreads Reading Challenge

With two months to go, I met my goal for the 6th year running.  Re-discovering my love for reading over the past decade has been one of the best things that I have done for myself.  See my list of reading material and ratings by following the add to GoodReads link below!  Happy Reading Readers!

Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart

OK before I get into the book review - How freaking fun is this video?  #booktube

As for the book.  I am a sucker for stories that involve a physical journey that accompanies an emotional one.  Barry Cohen takes such a trip on a Greyhound bus in a desperate attempt to escape his many many problems ranging from his autistic son to the failure of his hedge fund and is just certain that the answer lies in a good old-fashioned return to his roots via a road trip across America with no Black Amex or cell phone to buffer his experience.

The journey was hilarious as Barry's myopic view of the world from a position of extreme wealth

gets shattered over and over again yet he remains undeterred.  I mean, who wouldn't want an inner city charity teaching kids about the value of collecting watches as an investment. Right?  I kept waiting for Barry to have the 'aha' moment that the audience experienced when they figure out what Barry's problem really is - but the frustration of him continually glossing over it actually propelled the book forward

Meanwhile back at home, his wife, Seema and autistic son, Shiva are on a parallel journey which the author mirrors in a poignant way to show the differences between the way that both characters perceive their lives and their paths.

If you have read my reviews in the past, you know that endings are usually my sticking point, but, in this case, I liked the ending because the characters were still very much themselves at the end but they were comfortable with being who they were and there is so much beauty in that kind of conclusion.

Special thanks to Gary Shteyngart, Random House Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for this review.  It was an enjoyable ride.

Our Homesick Songs by Emma Hooper

I was delighted to have been invited to read this book as an advance reader copy after thoroughly enjoying and reviewing Emma Hooper's first novel, Emma and Otto and Russel and James.  I wish that I loved this novel as strongly as I love E.O.R.J. but something in this one fell a bit flat for me.

The good: Ms. Hooper still does a fantastic job of creating a world in which you can place yourself with the characters.  You could visualize the cold and bleak area, the dying fishing town, and the eccentric characters fit well within that framework.  Those characters too were vivid and refreshing.  The relationship between Aiden and Martha was so realistic and showed how relationships grow and can be picked apart and put back together again in a naturally unnatural way.  The pluck and vigor of Finn was so much fun.

The problem:  The whole thing didn't really hold together for me.  I feel there were MAJOR things that were glossed over surrounding the actions of the children.  I understand that the parents were wrapped up in their own stuff but Cora's storyline especially struck me as especially egregious. (I SO want to give stuff away here but will refrain).

I wanted to love this but I just couldn't though I am grateful to the publisher, author and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

This is a book about a small town hockey team but please don't let that stop you from reading it.  I have stopped and read aloud poignant lines from this novel so many times that my husband keeps asking me if I'm sure that it's a book about hockey.  But it is.  But it also isn't.

My soul ached for every character in this novel.  If you happen to pick this book up before you read Beartown, fear not because Fredrik goes even more in-depth into these flawed members of a town with only one thing in common.  Hockey.  But its just a game - it doesn't mean anything.  I didn't know that Beartown needed a sequel until a publishing agent reached out to me to offer an advanced copy and now I can't imagine the whole story without this postscript

Just a few of the quotes littering my Kindle:
"What does it take to be a good parent? Not much. Just Everything.  Absolutely everything."
"The best friends of our childhoods are the loves of our lives, and they break our hearts in worse ways."
"It's impossible to measure love, but that doesn't stop us coming up with new ways to try."
"Everyone wants to get paid the only difference between us is the preferred currency."
"Cynicism is simply a chemical reaction to too much disappointment."

Fredrik Backman's other novels (A Man Called Ove, Britt-Marie was Here and the heart-wrenching And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer) among them are some of my favorite all-time reads.  Now I am happily counting Us Against You in that list.

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

I finally finished Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage laying by the pool while watching my kids take turns throwing each other into the water.  It is exactly the setting you want to be in while you are reading this novel.  It's a great summer/beach read but you will want to keep your kids close and hug them a lot while you are getting through this one.

The Good Parts: Zoje Stage sets a very vivid picture of the place where they are living.  I love that the mother, Suzette, has a prominent facing battle with Chron's Disease.  I feel like that detail played into some of the desperation that she feels towards needing time to rest and gave an interesting plot device.  The plot as a whole reads as a modern telling of an Oedipal story to great effect.  I loved how her actions were completely different around her father than her mother which was credible after seeing how my own kids act differently between each parent.

The Bad Parts: Hannah was too young for some of the thoughts that she was having.  Even with her advanced intellect and powers of observation, I had a very hard time grasping that a 1st grader would be able to formulate some of these elaborate plots, much less be able to execute them.  The second challenge that I have with the novel is that after multiple neurology and speech pathology exams, there was no mention of a psychiatric evaluation until things reached critical mass.  I know that it is definitely difficult to source psych services for children but I can't believe that after 7 nonverbal years not one medical professional suggested mental help for her.  I understand the mother's reluctance toward doctors, etc due to her chronic illness but she did not seem to have a problem with the medical testing.

All in all - if you can keep a reasonable disbelief suspension, you will likely enjoy this novel.  For me it was a solid 3 stars - not great but I'm not mad that I spent the time to read it.

Many thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy of Baby Teeth.  Available 07/17/2018 at retailers.

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall

I finally finished this lovely novel.  I originally received a copy of this book via Netgalley back in 2013 (OOPS!) But it showed up on my recommended reading list and I went back to the title.  I am so glad that I did!

Susan Crandall does a lovely job of creating the world of Starla - who believes in a story about her mother so much that, when she gets in trouble at home, her blind faith sends her to look for her and finds experiences that she never imagined could exist in the world.

The real star of the novel, for me, is Eula, a penniless black woman who teaches Starla more about love and devotion than any of her natural family ever could.

If you are looking for a summer read with more substance than your standard Beach novel, I highly recommend Whistling Past The Graveyard by Susan Crandall.

Baby Teeth Giveaway!

EXCITING news from the Paper Posse!  The amazing publishing team at St Martin's Press has sent me THREE copies of Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage to giveaway to my book-loving friends!  

This book kept popping up on my watchlist for best summer reads of 2018 and promises a dark and twisty ride (I'm a sucker for dark and twisty).  So I requested a galley copy (Which I started reading last night – watch this space for a full review) and the publisher offered to send me some hard copies to share. 

Here is your chance to read it before it hits the stands on July 17th.  Leave a comment below with your email address and the title of the book you are most looking forward to this summer and I will choose a random winner on May 31st! 

May the odds be ever in your favor.

  

Synopsis: (via Goodreads)

Sweetness can be deceptive. 

Meet Hanna.

She’s the sweet-but-silent angel in the adoring eyes of her Daddy. He’s the only person who understands her, and all Hanna wants is to live happily ever after with him. But Mommy stands in her way, and she’ll try any trick she can think of to get rid of her. Ideally for good.

Meet Suzette.

She loves her daughter, really, but after years of expulsions and strained home schooling, her precarious health and sanity are weakening day by day. As Hanna’s tricks become increasingly sophisticated, and Suzette's husband remains blind to the failing family dynamics, Suzette starts to fear that there’s something seriously wrong, and that maybe home isn’t the best place for their baby girl after all. 

Laura and Emma by Kate Greathead

I have been in a reading slump - not in terms of quantity but in terms of quality.  I have been gravitating more toward more literary fiction so I was excited to have been granted a digital copy of Laura and Emma by Kate Greathead from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

The story started off interesting with Laura, a person of means who makes a choice to live modestly with her unplanned daughter.  As a single mom, I appreciated the choices that she had to make to find ways to make ends meet, however, the fact that she did come from wealth and had access to round the clock help and a guaranteed if needed dulled that camaraderie between myself and the main character somewhat.  As a result, it took me a long time to finish this book.

I can't fault the writing which was stylized and descriptive and made me feel the time period with the emergence of the AIDS epidemic and the changing view of the ability of single women to support themselves and their own freedom.  I wish the focus has been more on the relationship between Laura and Emma.  There seemed to be some disconnect in their relationship and I was expecting more given the title.

I recommend this book for your next book club pick as I'm sure that different women would have a great time discussing their perspectives on the story and the time.  This was a solid 3.5 star read for me.

Freshwater by Awaeke Emezi

"She was a question wrapped up in a breath.  How do you survive when they place a god inside your body."

Freshwater is a novel unlike anything I have ever read which is something that rarely happens in my reading life.  It took me a long time to really sink into this story due to the fact that there is a lot of dense perspective to get through but I am incredibly glad that I stuck with it because the complexities blended beautifully into a unique perspective of a woman (Ada) with dissociative identity disorder which is narrated by the different personalities themselves.

The slightly disjointed feel to the story would traditionally be a pain point in my reading process but, in this case, it perfectly reflected the fracture of Ada's soul into these unique personalities and it worked seamlessly into the narrative.

This book will take you deep into many trigger worthy issues like sexual assault and suicide so please keep these things in mind before you crack the spine on this novel.  That said, when you let yourself into The Ada's world, you will be afraid that you will not get back out.

Thank you goes out to Grove Press, Akwaeke Emezi and Netgalley for and advance copy of Freshwater in exchange for an honest review.

The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian

This novel started off really interesting.  A woman wakes up next to a dead body and has no idea how it died and only a vague idea of how the vodka-fueled hookup could have ended so poorly.  I was hooked for the first few chapters as we followed Cassie's drunken memories and reactions to this unexpected chain of events.  I found myself wondering what I would have done in that situation and how it was going to play out.

Then the middle of the book happened.  We know who killed the dude so there is no mystery of "did she or didn't she", a good 30% of the dialogue centered around Cassie's alcoholism. People admonishing her for drinking too much, her admonishing herself about drinking too much. Even total strangers telling her she drinks too much.

The final third redeemed itself somewhat by providing a slight twist that I didn't really predict but seemed to fit.  Skip the epilogue though...it was unnecessary and kind of made me angry.

So - on my rating scale it ended up a solid three.  I didn't hate it but I didn't love it, but I think there is an audience for it so definitely give it a try.

I'd like to thank Chris Bohjalian, NetGalley, and Doubleday publishing for providing me a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Night Child by Anna Quinn

I have seen a lot of advanced praise for this book so when I was granted a copy of it via Netgalley I was incredibly excited to dive in.  I have always been a big fan of the dark and twisty psychological thrillers this, however, fell a little flat for me. 

The good: This made a great vacation read and I was able to go through the whole novel in a day and a half poolside.  The premise was good and made you think about the way that your past may be intentionally burying itself in our subconscious to protect and insulate us from emotional trauma.

The not so great: It may be a function of the copy I received but I found myself confused at times about what characters were in each scene. More delineation between especially the male characters would have helped this tremendously.  

Trigger warning for abuse and mental illness.

Based on other feedback that I read, there are a lot of people who really enjoyed this story.  Please don't let my lukewarm response prevent you from picking up this novel. 

Thank you to Anna Quinn, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor

I think I wanted to like this book more than I actually did due to the fact that I had heard so many intriguing things about it.  This is a solid first go from CJ Tudor and it was a fun, light read for me but not so much of a thriller like the pre-release reviews would have us believe.

The good.  Tudor did a good job with the back and forth timeline of the novel.  It is hard to get that right but, with a few exceptions of where the linearity got a little muddy, she did well transporting us from 1986 to 2016 and back again.  The world building was lovely and believable especially the fair (some imagery that I won't forget there), and the woods.

The not so good. The characters reminded me of other novels and movies almost exactly.  Not to draw to fine a line, but I pictured the characters of Fat Gav and Nicky as Dustin and Max from Stranger Things.  There seemed to be quite a few loose ends that were left unexplained and, in the end, I saw the identity of the real murderer coming from the halfway point.

All in all, if you are a fan of murder mystery novels, please pick up this debut offering from CJ Tudor.  I have a feeling this summer is going to be a great time for this book and I wish her so much luck.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and author for allowing me an advanced look at this novel in exchange for an honest review.