Tag Archives: book
The Smell of Other People’s Houses
The Smell of Other People's Houses
Random House Children's Books
February 23, 2016
Hardcover
240
In Alaska, 1970, being a teenager here isn’t like being a teenager anywhere else. This deeply moving and authentic debut is for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, and Benjamin Alire Saenz. Intertwining stories of love, tragedy, wild luck, and salvation on the edge of America’s Last Frontier introduce a writer of rare talent.
Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she’s always known on her family’s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away than to stay home—until one of them ends up in terrible danger.
Four very different lives are about to become entangled. This unforgettable book is about people who try to save each other—and how sometimes, when they least expect it, they succeed.
Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock was born and raised in Alaska. She worked many years fishing commercially with her family and as a reporter for Alaska Public Radio stations around the state. She was also the host and producer of “Independent Native News,” a daily newscast produced in Fairbanks, focusing on Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Canada’s First Nations. Her writing is inspired by her family’s four generations in Alaska.
Review:
“The Smell of Other People’s Houses” is an engaging and unique literary novel that is a joy for all of the senses.
What I loved most about the book is the descriptions of the sights, sounds, and obviously, the smells. They are so vivid that you feel as though you are standing in the characters’ places. Everyone knows that different houses have different smells, but the author made the smells match the personalities of those living in the houses. It’s difficult to explain, but you will see what I mean if you read the book.
There are four main characters, and the story is told from each point of view. It’s very interesting to read how they interpret one another (including the smells of the others’ homes) and how their stories weave together. I also need to say that this is a wonderfully diverse book! The author grew up in Alaska and you can tell she has an intimate knowledge of the various people who make up the land. There is nothing but love for the many cultures, while also not being afraid to point out some of the systemic issues present in the area.
“The Smell of Other People’s Houses” is a beautiful book meant for those who enjoy reading about the lives of others. It’s meant to be savored, not devoured, and therefore will probably be best suited for those not looking for a fast-paced plot. I can say that it is a story that will stick with me and most likely be read several more times.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence
Herbie’s Big Adventure
Herbie's Big Adventure
Curious Fox
August 25, 2016
40
Herbie is a little hedgehog who is perfectly happy at home with his mother. But one day Mommy tells Herbie that it's time to go exploringall by himself! Herbie is so not sure, but ready or not, a westerly wind sweeps Herbie into the wide world...and Herbie's Big Adventure begins! Little Herbie finds that he's braver than he thinks and even makes a friend before coming safely back home to Mommy.
Review:
“Herbie’s Big Adventure” has adorable illustrations featuring a little hedgehog out on his first real adventure. In the story, he is afraid of going away from his mother, but finds out it was all fine in the end. It would be perfect for little ones who are anxious about going to school or other new places. My only concern is that Herbie stayed out all night, though I am sure parents will counteract that message. Otherwise, I would have given it five stars.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Yellow Brick War
Dorothy Must Die, Book 3
Juvenile Fiction
HarperCollins
March 15, 2016
432
In this third book in the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die series, new girl from Kansas Amy Gumm is caught between her home—and Oz. My name is Amy Gumm. Tornadoes must have a thing about girls from Kansas, because—just like Dorothy—I got swept away on one too. I landed in Oz, where Good is Wicked, Wicked is Good, and the Wicked Witches clued me in to my true calling: Assassin. The way to stop Dorothy from destroying Oz—and Kansas—is to kill her. And I’m the only one who can do it. But I failed. Others died for my mistakes. Because of me, the portal between the worlds has been opened. And if I don’t find a way to close it? Dorothy will make sure I never get to go home again. Now it’s up to me to: join the Witches, fight for Oz, save Kansas, and stop Dorothy once and for all.
Review:
I’m not even sure if I can objectively review “Yellow Brick War”, and since this one isn’t for a publisher, I’m not even going to try to be dignified.
*flail* Ilovethemsomuch. *flail*
Ahem.
If you can’t tell, I liked the book. It may be my favorite of the series.
The best plot twist isn’t even in the book.
Is it next year yet?
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Disturbing Imagery
The Awakening of Sunshine Girl
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Weinstein Books
March 1, 2016
Hardcover
320
Based on the wildly popular YouTube channel, "The Haunting of Sunshine Girl" has been described as "Gilmore Girls" meets "Paranormal"
Review:
“The Awakening of Sunshine Girl” is a great follow-up to “The Haunting of Sunshine Girl.” It has all of the humor and chills of the original, while furthering the story of how Sunshine came to be.
The plot breezes along at an easy to read pace that doesn’t slow down. All of the favorite characters from the first book are back, just as enjoyable as before, along with the addition of some new ones. All of the history of the Luiseach was fascinating and made me want to learn more.
I wish I could say more but almost everything I can add would spoil the story in some way. I’ll leave you with this: you’ll probably wish you had the next book already in your hands when you turn the last page.
“The Awakening of Sunshine Girl” is a good choice for all of those who enjoy a good ghost story that, while it includes disturbing imagery, actually falls into the clean category. Only minor language and a few kisses are involved. It’s also perfect for reluctant readers, though be sure they begin with the first in the series!
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Disturbing Imagery
Save Me, Kurt Cobain
Delacorte Press
March 8, 2016
272
A chance discovery makes Nico, fifteen, believe that not only is Kurt Cobain, lead singer of the 1990s grung band Nirvana, still alive, but that he might be her real father.
Review:
“Save Me, Kurt Cobain” is not a book meant to be read by everyone (which is in no way a bad thing), but for those it is meant for, you will enjoy it immensely.
At its heart, it is the coming-of-age story of Nico Cavan, a girl who has been lost in the world since the age of four. She is an extremely well-developed character who evokes both sympathy and, at times, rage. Believe me, sometimes the reader will truly want to shake her and ask what the heck she is doing. The auxiliary characters are developed to the perfect point of being both mysterious and understood. In other words, you see them as Nico sees them.
The book is also a love story to music. While Nirvana is the central band, as is obvious from the title, there are many other good ones mentioned. I really hope some of the younger readers will give them a try. I grew up in the Kurt Cobain era, and the facts and stories about him brought an intense wave of nostalgia. Though I do have to admit I felt ancient when they were classified as oldies that parents listen to. Many of the facts presented I had never heard, and I found that to add quite a bit of enjoyment to my reading experience.
My only complaint is that the beginning of the book seems to drag somewhat. All of it is important to where the story goes, so please remember that if you are tempted to stop reading. It is totally worth it.
“Save Me, Kurt Cobain” will appeal to all of the audiophiles, artists, “freaks”, and the lost. It’s perfect for both young adults and adults.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Brief Sexual Situations, Drug Abuse, Discussions of Suicide
This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!
This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!
Algonquin Books
September 8, 2015
Hardcover
304
With Bernard, her husband of fifty-five years, now in the grave, seventy-eight-year-old Harriet Chance impulsively sets sail on an ill-conceived Alaskan cruise that her late husband had planned. But what she hoped would be a voyage leading to a new lease on life becomes a surprising and revelatory journey into Harriet’s past.
There, amid the overwhelming buffets and the incessant lounge singers, between the imagined appearances of her late husband and the very real arrival of her estranged daughter midway through the cruise, Harriet is forced to take a long look back, confronting the truth about pivotal events that changed the course of her life. And in the process she discovers that she’s been living the better part of that life under entirely false assumptions.
In This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! Jonathan Evison has crafted a bighearted novel with an endearing heroine at the helm. Through Harriet, he paints a bittersweet portrait of a postmodern everywoman, her story told with great warmth, humanity, and humor. Part dysfunctional love story, part poignant exploration of the mother-daughter relationship, nothing is what it seems in this tale of acceptance, reexamination, and forgiveness.
Review:
“This is Your Life, Harriet Chance” is unlike any other book I have read. It combines a series of past events presented in the style of the game show “This is Your Life”, the ghost of a recently deceased husband, and a family whose dirty laundry is slowly being hung out for all to see.
This is definitely a meandering book and will best be appreciated by those who enjoy simply being along for the ride. It jumps all over between past and present. Even the flashbacks are in no particular order. The nature of Harriet’s past ranges from pure to scandalous, with everything in-between. In short, it’s a life that isn’t sugar-coated when looked back upon. The current family issues that are mixed in do a wonderful job of showing how our past can help shape our futures while not necessarily defining them. I can’t help but wonder what I would see if I looked back on my life in the same manner.
Overall, “This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!” is an enjoyable read for someone who enjoys the slice-of-life writing style.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
As this is an adult book, there are no content warnings.
The Revolution of Ivy
The Book of Ivy, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Entangled: Teen
November 3, 2015
400
Ivy Westfall is beyond the fence and she is alone. Abandoned by her family and separated from Bishop Lattimer, Ivy must find a way to survive on her own in a land filled with countless dangers, both human and natural. She has traded a more civilized type of cruelty-forced marriages and murder plots-for the bare-knuckled brutality required to survive outside Westfall's borders. But there is hope beyond the fence, as well. And when Bishop reappears in Ivy's life, she must decide if returning to Westfall to take a final stand for what she believes is right is worth losing everything she's fought for.
Review:
While I’m a fan of the new trend of some series that don’t require three books moving to duologies, I feel like trying to fit the conclusion of Ivy’s story into “The Revolution of Ivy” took away from the book.
Don’t get me wrong, I liked the book and thought it flowed well with Ivy and Deacon’s story from “The Book of Ivy.” Characterization was consistent and the romantic tension was wonderful. I really enjoyed meeting some of the new characters and would have liked to know more about them.
Which is my beef with the book. I feel like there was much more to be told about what happened in the first two-thirds of the book, and it would have been nice to have that part extended to create the middle book of a trilogy. The ending felt rushed and deserved a lot more detail. It could have easily been its own book.
Overall, I was satisfied with how “The Revolution of Ivy” ended, but I am stuck on what could have been. I do think those who liked the first book of the series will find it enjoyable and a worthwhile read.
Content Review:
Mild Language, Sexual Situations, Violence
Did I Mention I Love You (DIMILY Book 1)
DMILY, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Sourcebooks Fire
December 1, 2015
416
Love is everything but expected. Eden Monro came to California for a summer of sun, sand and celebrities Â- what better way to forget about the drama back home? Until she meets her new family of strangers: a dad she hasn't seen in three years, a stepmonster and three stepbrothers. Eden gets her own room in her dad's fancy house in Santa Monica. A room right next door to her oldest stepbrother, Tyler Bruce. Whom shecannot stand. He's got angry green eyes and ego bigger than a Beverly Hills mansion. She's never felt such intense dislike for someone. But the two are constantly thrown together as his group of friends pull her into their world of rule-breaking, partying and pier-hanging. And the more she tries to understand what makes Tyler burn hotter than the California sun, the more Eden finds herself falling for the one person she shouldn't... Did I MentionI Love You? is the addictive first book in Wattpad sensation Estelle Maskame's DIMILY trilogy: three unforgettable summers of secrets, heartbreak and forbidden romance.
Review:
“Did I Mention I Love You” is a somewhat twisted love story that is geared toward older young adults and new adults. It wasn’t my favorite book, but it was good enough to make me interested in reading the sequel.
The main characters of Eden and Tyler are well-developed, and they both range from completely unlikable to tolerable. I never felt that I particularly liked either of them, but that didn’t bother me very much since I at least knew where they were coming from. The secondary characters are more like high school clichés. They fit in with the story being told, though, so I can’t complain too much about it. What I do wish that the book had been trimmed down around 100 pages. It was entirely too long.
I have two other problems with the book, and while one would think the “forbidden” romance may be one, it is not. That part was a big selling point to the entire thing for me, to be honest. What I do have is a deep concern that the series is going to lead down the dark path toward romanticizing unhealthy relationships. I hope I’m wrong about that.
My other problem was with the excessive drinking. Either I grew up in a bubble or these teenagers live a very different life on a very different planet. I can’t think of even one of the wildest of my classmates (from the dark ages) who managed to party that hard virtually every single night. Those kids must already have pickled livers from the level of alcohol consumed. It seemed completely unrealistic.
“Did I Mention I Love You” will not be everyone’s cup of tea, and it is most certainly not meant for young readers. However, if you like forbidden romances and have some patience, then I recommend you to give it a try.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Child Abuse, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Underage Drinking
For the Love of Mary
Fiction
May 1, 2016
280
Fifteen-year-old Jacob feels almost on the inside: almost smart, almost funny, almost good-looking, almost worthy of falling in love. His sister is too busy dating guys in Whitesnake jackets to notice, and his best friend is occupied with his own painful pubescent crisis. Jacob’s mother has just started a curious (and rather un-Christian) holy war with the church across the street, while his father has secretly moved into the garage. Everything changes when Jacob meets Mary. Jacob thinks Mary is the most beautiful girl in the world. If only Mary’s father wasn’t the minister at the enormous rival church. If only she wasn’t dating a youth pastor with pristine white teeth and impeccably trimmed hair. If only Jacob could work up the courage to tell Mary how he feels . . . As the conflict between the churches escalates, a peeping Tom prowls the neighborhood, a bearded lady terrorizes unsuspecting Dairy Queen customers, a beautiful young girl entices Jacob into a carnal romp in a car wash, and the church parishioners prepare their annual re-enactment of Operation Desert Storm. For the Love of Mary is sidesplitting satire with a surprising amount of heart.
Review:
“For the Love of Mary” is the kind of coming-of-age story that anyone can relate to. It’s also hilarious, and it had me laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe at some points.
The character development of Jacob and his friends, family, fellow parishioners, and other assorted characters is so good that it is off the charts. The reader is made to feel as if they live in the small town themselves and know the residents personally. Speaking of the town, it can be considered a character unto itself. It’s developed as a living and breathing entity, and it shows. Even a person who has never set foot in a tiny town will feel like they have lived there for much of their lives.
The plot is steady and meandering, much like the summer days of adolescence. It brings back a lot of nostalgia. I also need to mention that for anyone who lives in the Bible Belt, or anywhere with small churches that are the centers of the community for that matter, will truly appreciate the absurdity of an all-out war being started by church signs. For those of you not from those places, it’s completely bizarre, but also something that actually happens. Frequently.
“For the Love of Mary” is a great read for any adult or older young adult. It’s entertaining, thought-provoking, and sentimental all at the same time. You really won’t want it to end.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations
Ask Him Why
Fiction
Lake Union Publishing
December 15, 2015
From the bestselling author of Pay It Forward comes the stunning and emotional story of a young soldier’s unthinkable act…and the bonds of a sister and brother’s love.
Ruth and her little brother, Aubrey, are just teenagers when their older brother ships off to Iraq. When Joseph returns, uninjured, only three and a half months later, Ruth is happy he is safe but also deeply worried. How can it be that her courageous big brother has been dishonorably discharged for refusing to go out on duty? Aubrey can’t believe that his hero doesn’t have very good reasons.
Yet as the horrifying details of the incident emerge, Joseph disappears. In their attempts to find him, Ruth and Aubrey discover he has a past far darker than either of them could imagine. But even as they learn more about their brother, important questions remain unanswered—why did he betray his unit, his country, and now his family? Joseph’s refusal to speak ignites a fire in young Aubrey that results in a disastrous, and public, act of rebellion.
The impact of Joseph’s fateful decision one night in Baghdad will echo for years to come, with his siblings caught between their love for him and the media’s engulfing frenzy of judgment. Will their family ever make their way back to each other and find a way to forgive?
Review:
“Ask Him Why” is a very complex and emotionally taxing book about the price of war on both those fighting it and those close to them. It’s also a very real examination of the nature of the press and how it can tear people apart.
The story is split between the events of a soldier returning from war to his family, including two younger siblings, after being dishonorably discharged and a period of reflection on the past that takes place a decade later. I won’t spoil the reasons for the discharge, but the children are left in the dark while their parents and brother deal with a press that is brutal in their treatment of the very difficult situation in which he found himself.
The plot was good but there was a bit of a problem with the pacing in the middle. That is my only reason for giving it four stars instead of five. The ending picks back up nicely.
I recommend “Ask Him Why” to anyone willing to ask themselves difficult questions, most importantly “what constitutes the right thing to do in war” and “how can we judge the difficult decisions of others in such difficult circumstances?” I, for one, will be looking at media coverage of certain stories through a new awareness.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
As this is an adult book, there is no content warning.
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