Two stories- one is intriguing, the other is just a beach read in my opinion. I was fascinated to hear about the deportation of the French Jews by their own policemen, and what happened to Sarah (or "the girl" which I don't get why her name was never mentioned since it IS the title of the book, and "the girl" did have a key with her at all times.) That story was intense and kept me going. - 5 Stars for that part of the book.
Now, let's talk Julia, the 2002 story. She is so entrenched in the particular story of Sarah, that she overlooks all else in her life, including her family. She feels personal responsibilty. I must be hard hearted because I don't get it. I understand feeling bad and horrible about the situation, but to be personally responsible? Plus, she was just a whiner. I liked Zoe, her daughter, but I wasn't sure how plausible her maturity was, either. As a teacher for many years in a middle school, it just seemed a little out of reality. Or, maybe it was the school I taught at). 2 or 1 stars for Julia's story.
Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys (4.5/5 stars)
Who would have thought I would like a book about Josie, a young girl, who grows up in a bordello because her mother has dragged her there, but found a family who is anything but her mother (who is utterly terrible). Of course, the 1950's French Quarter takes the scene to a fascinating era and situation.
Josie, however, does not want to be there, but wants to go to Smith college and never come back. But what she realizes is that there are things that make her place a home, even if she wants to leave. Oh, and then there is a murder that her mother may or may not have been a part of, so there's that, too. Again, horrible parenting on her part.
There is one part that is cliche that I've encountered in many recent historical novels, but I don't want to say due to spoilers, but that was my only real issue with the novel. You'll understand when you read it.
Loved it, and definitely watch Ruta's description of how she came to write the novel.
Another Day by David Levithan (3.5/5 stars)
So, the basic premise is that A (that's his name) goes from body to body every day, and has since the day he was born. One day he meets a girlfriend, Rhiannon, and falls in love. Thenceforth, they try to create a relationship once Rhiannon is convinced what is happening. This book tells the story from Rhiannon's point of view. It was good, but I think I would have liked to read it closer to when I read Every Day. It definitely brought up some of the questions I had when I read the first publication, but ultimately, I don't think I could ever figure Rhiannon out. I mean, she is annoyingly needy, but has this incredible gift of being able to figure every person out by their body language which is constantly being narrarated. And I actually felt bad for Justin, so she completely changed my perspective of him from the last book.
Overall, though, if you read Every Day, then you have to read Another Day. It's a new rule I made up
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (4/5 stars)
haven't researched it yet, but I wonder what time period is most written about. So far, my guess is WWII. And this book is about WWII, so it must be pretty outstanding to be set apart from the slew of others. And it does in many ways, but I can't say it was the best or overall that outstanding.
Marie Lare is blind, lives in France (first Paris, then in Saint Mare). Her father is out of the story about half way through, lives now with her uncle and his housekeeper. Werner is a German who questions what he is supposed to have an allegiance to. It's a good read, but I have to say, the last part seemsreallyrushedandI'mnotreallysureaboutthesignificanceofsomethings.
Reality Boy by A.S. King (4/5 stars)
What really goes on behind the scenes on reality shows? I wonder how accurate this book is, but I still found it fascinating. Little boy Gerald is now grown up and still known as the Crapper Boy because he would, well, crap in and on things when upset or trying to make a statement. So, that's the background of his life, but being screwed up goes way deeper than the trauma of having the whole country watch his childhood. And then he meets a girl, who is just as screwed up as he is, and he is trying to make sense of it all. Crazy, but good. Oh, lots of F words, though.
The Martian by Andy Weir (5/5 stars)
Totally awesome! You have to listen to this. It's science, and it's fiction, but it's definitely, in no way, shape, or form, campy science fiction. It's about fighting to stay alive on Mars. Seriously- try it! The audible version is, well, out of this world... Sorry for that.
Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee (2/5 stars)
Isn't it weird that when you watch old TV shows that are set in the western times, you can still tell it's from the 70's (think Little House). That's how this is. So even though this was set in the Wild West, it's more of a setting, than a historical fiction. And, I had a hard time believing that Andy and Sammy were being passed off as boys. But, maybe a young adult would like it. I'm 44.
One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis (2/5 stars)
Some books are able to make me feel as though I've been taken to the limit, that have me actually say "wow, no way!" This one does, too, but more like, "There is no way that would ever happen." How can a woman go from a life of absolute love with her family to a life of drugs and more in less than one year. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, just more that it doesn't seem plausible in Emily's case. Didn't fit with her personality, despite her understandable tragedy. However, kudos on the Charlie thing- had me fooled!
Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (3/5 stars)
This book has layers- many, many layers. A Jesuit priest is part of a group who has discovered a new territory (think America in 1492, but really a new planet). So, we have the introduction of a new culture into an established one. We have the concept of faith and what it entails. We have the concept of human jobs versus artificial intelligence. But, it seems to work. It was good; not great. Slow beginning, but the end saved it. Who knew a garden could have such an impact? Read it, and we'll talk.
Unbreakable by Kami Garcia (3/5 stars)
First of all, I have to say I'm tired of love triangles in young adult books. Can't we just have some good old fashioned ghost stories and mysteries without brining in the John Green aspect? With that said, though, it wasn't a horrible read. A girl has no idea she is a part of a demon-fighting legion (or is she?) that have all, like her, lost loved ones to evil spirits. There are two brothers (see above), and nerdy youngster, and a hip beautiful girl that can kick butt. Kennedy, our narrator, had an endemic memory, which is her super power per se. I liked the ending, the mix of adventure, mystery, and "wait, what just happened?" feeling. Good for those who like Rachel St. Vincent and Kendra Blake