4/5 stars
Amazing book. I read the first one last year, which was In the Woods. I actually liked this book better. A detective in Ireland who went undercover years ago gave up that job to work in the murder investigations department. Her undercover persona was then stolen, only to turn up dead. So basically, a non-existant woman turns up dead. Cassie, our detective, actually looked just like her (hence the title) and moved into her life. Then her life became blurred as to whether or not she wanted to keep that new life, or try to find the murderer.
Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
2.5/5 stars
If you like action and Cotillions, then this is the book for you. It was entertaining, but not a lot of meat. As someone from my book club put it, there was lots of froth in this book. Harper is ready for Cotillion, also the Valedictorian and trying to do her best to be the best. Well, right before she is about to be crowned Homecoming Queen, she goes into the bathroom to put on some lipstick, but then encounters a custodian, who has been stabbed. As he is dying, he kisses her, and all of the sudden, she's Amazon woman, able to kick anyone's tail, which she does against her Social Studies teacher who is now trying to kill her. Come to find out, she is now a Paladin, charged to protect the boy she despises (not a spoiler because anyone would see this coming- she falls in love with him). Again, entertaining froth.
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
3/5 stars
I love, love, love Liane Moriarty books. But this one wasn't as jaw dropping as I normally like. It wasn't bad, mind you, but it was just kind of there. Alice bumps her head during an exercise class and wakes up thinking it was 10 years prior, forgetting about her 3 kids, marriage breakup, and pretty much a complete change in personality. So, she's trying to get her life back to the way she thought it should be, but forgetting about all the other people who are not used to her memory loss. I wasn't all that surprised at the end, and everything was wrapped up in a pretty bow, which was nice, but not as exciting as some of her other books.
David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcom Gladwell
4.5/5
I have never really wanted to read non-fiction, unless it was narrative. Now I'm a believer. It ranks up there with freakanomics for me. Great book, interesting, and I've used some of the things I've learned in some conversations. I feel smart, now.
The Dinner by Herman Koch
4/5 stars
This is an intense book. It was on the verge of being a cross between Defending Jacob and Gone Girl. I read this book with no preconceived notions- I didn't even really know what it was about- it was recommended to me. I'm so glad I read it because it shows how crazy, again, people can be. What we consider to be happiness is redefined as two brothers and their wives have to discuss an egregious act each of their 15 year sons did. But how each of the parents responds, it is a dream for any therapist/psychologist. Loved this book once I really got into it, but I realize how perceptions can really screw us up.
Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
3/5 stars
This is an intense book. It was on the verge of being a cross between Defending Jacob and Gone Girl. I read this book with no preconceived notions- I didn't even really know what it was about- it was recommended to me. I'm so glad I read it because it shows how crazy, again, people can be. What we consider to be happiness is redefined as two brothers and their wives have to discuss an egregious act each of their 15 year sons did. But how each of the parents responds, it is a dream for any therapist/psychologist. Loved this book once I really got into it, but I realize how perceptions can really screw us up.
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
3.5/5 stars
Ok, who else could ever compare elephants to human emotion and responses? It is pretty amazing. There were some things that seemed more like fantasy- I'm not a great proponent of palm readers and such, but it was interesting none-the-less. And the plot has been done in a few movies. Hopefully that didn't give anything away. But all the same, it was entertaining, and I feel as though I would like to watch a bunch of YouTube videos about elephants now. Or look up purple mushrooms...
Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
3.5/5 stars
A young girl learns her way in the world despite a narcissistic father who tries to take advantage of her webbed fingers during the days of Coney Island's popular days. She encounters another young man who has to face his own demons before he can be the man he was meant to be. I enjoyed this book, and not knowing what it was about in the first place made it probably more enjoyable than if I had something to compare it to. But the characters were well written, the plot was fairly easy to follow, and I am now very intrigued by Coney Island.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
3/5 stars
Good and easy to read. I have never really read true steampunk before, so this was a great first experience. I especially appreciate the part at the end where Scott Westerfeld has explained what is true about the Great War and those things he fabricated. Plus, it was an interesting mix of Darwinism vs. industrial engineers. I would say this is a great book for the history likers (not lovers) and those who enjoy a blend of action with fantasy. Oh, and the best part were the pictures because, by golly, there is no way I would have been able to imagine what Scott Westerfeld was thinking. Way to go, publishers!
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
4/5 stars
A woman who loves drama and conflict is, believe it or not, the central part of the story, although she certainly helps it along. I guess that's one of the reasons I love this book. Really, the book is about her friends who endure more than petty arguments. Domestic violence and bullying are never easy subjects, and somehow liane moriarity is able to write about these sad realities with the severity they deserve, but without the feeling that the sole purpose of the book is to rip out your heart. She writes about it in daily life, the inner struggles of those who are going through the conflicts, and all with a bit of humor. She could have been writing about me, or a neighbor, or whoever. I felt like I was there, down under, wondering about ziggy's father and who he was, wondering about whether or not Celeste would be able to get out of her marriage despite her love still for her husband, wondering about the comical blonde bobs. I'm hooked on liane moriarity.
Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavendar by Leslye Walton
4/5
Ok, someone read this and talk to me about it. What up with the ending? What does it mean?
Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers
3/5
The book was not riveting, but it was humorous in that you could sense the sarcasm in Walter dean Myers. He truly does get to the heart of things. I have a renewed sense of awe of him now after reading his memoirs. Sometimes simplicity is far more deep than long winded sentences.
Night by Elie Wiesel
5/5
Incredible. Not sure how anyone could read this and not be affected. I like that it was not reliant on sensationalism. Just simple humanity, and lack of it as well.
Around the Next Corner by Elizabeth Wren
2/5
A woman hates her life during a mid-life crisis and so gets a dog to train to become a seeing eye dog. Meh.
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
2.5/5
I can totally see the appeal for students (at least my high school students) who love the scary books. This is totally up their alley. In fact, I often recommend the book. However, I wasn't really into the book. The romance seemed contrived- I didn't see it or feel it. I also was confused as to what a white witch, black witch was. But again, I have students who rave about it, so it is appealing some I trust.
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
3/5
Ok, I liked it. I wouldn't go so far as to say it is Game of Thrones for young adult, but it does have some of that same appeal. There are 4 teenagers who are basically going to save three warring kingdoms. There's the romance, the spoiled brat, the young innocent girl who has a bunch of "don't mess with me" attitude even though she really hasn't a clue. So yeah, it's good, and it's a sequel if you like that sort of thing.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simson
4/5
I confess I love Big Bang Theory, and this is book shows us what’s going on in a slightly odd genius’s head. Warning, there may be some language and adult situations. But basically, a man who has created a highly regimented lifestyle, is looking for a girl. So, he makes a questionnaire for them to fill out. Meanwhile, there is a good friend who has no trouble finding girls, even though he is married. Humor galore. Quirkiness abounds, and just plain fun.
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
5/5
I read some reviews of people who didn't like the book, and it was interesting. Most of the stuff they didn't like was what I liked best about the.book. I loved every single person and felt as though they were my friends. I loved the ending. I mean, with an ending like that, which is certainly plausible, how can you move on other than the way zusak did? It was the point of the whole book. I'll admit, I didn't write a review right after I read the book which I usually do because it wanted to seeI read some reviews of people who didn't like the book, and it was interesting. Most of the stuff they didn't like was what I liked best about the.book. I loved every single person and felt as though they were my friends. I loved the ending. I mean, with an ending like that, which is certainly plausible, how can you move on other than the way zusak did? It was the point of the whole book. I'll admit, I didn't write a review right after I read the book which I usually do because it wanted to see the total impact of it on me. It was more like a loaf of bread that slowly rises and begins to permeate my life with a delicious smell. See, Marcus Zusak can make metaphors seem easy, but I I try them, and I sound stupid. That's how good he is.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
4/5 stars
I liked it and I don't care what anyone says. :-)
Wired by Douglas E. Richards
4/5 stars
If a book has me thinking about the implications of something even after I read it, I'd say it was pretty good. The actual plot was ok- quite a few things popped out of the blue, but the main thing was if there was a gene therapy that made you way more intelligent than anything ever seen- even to the point of being able to regulate your own biological healing, where does that place faith? Did Nietzsche really know what he was talking about? Is there a split between compassion and intelligence; can they be mutually exclusive? I can't say it was a phenomenol book, but I did like the questions it posed. Well done, Douglass e. Richards! I might have to recommend this to our biotech school bookclub!
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
4/5 stars
Reading a book about a boy, then a man who goes through the whole drug infested life and world of cheating others despite being given lots of opportunities of help and a good life. I never knew about the Goldfinch painting, but apparently I am one of the few in the world who didn’t. It was pretty wild- like being on drugs but not actually doing them (which I do not promote, by the way). It also showed that the clean life is possibly one of the best lives to have.
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
4/5 stars
Awesome. Fun plot- mystery without murder which seems kind of hard to pull off nowadays in the world of being so sensational. Intertwines the thought of traditional verses modern way of doing things (like reading in books or on kindles). Great characters. I almost could relate and imagine almost everyone of them. And I enjoyed the writing. I read a few reviews of how horrible and simplistic the writing was. I enjoyed the mix of simple sentences intertwined with those that I had to look up words. Good book. I can see how it got so many rewards.
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
4/5 stars
If you loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone like I did, then you will love this second one. Great mix between fantastical worlds and realistic dilemmas. It's just cool.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
5/5
She's a master. A train wreck on a mountain. A murder of someone who is known to be a scumbag. And of course, the master of figuring out the whodunnit. Read it. Once you get into the writing style, you'll completely enjoy the book.