I enjoyed Shadow and Bone, but the whole time I was thinking that it seemed a lot like Red Queen, which when I read Red Queen, it seemed like it was like Red Storm Rising... (girl from low family finds out she is really the most powerfully gifted of the governing body). I really liked Six of Crows better.
At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen (4/5 stars)
For those who loved Water For Elephants, this has nothing to do with it. However, it has the same feel- like a spectator watching people's lives intertwine in both superficial and deep ways. Maddie has been brought to Scotland with her husband and his best friend in order to find the Loch Ness Monster. Maddie finds that maybe her life isn't all she thought it was. I thoroughly enjoyed Sara Gruen's new book. It is set during World War II, but it is not specifically about World War II, and of course, has lots of Scottish flavor. There's some drama, too. I gotta say it- Sara Gruen is a fantastic writer! I said 4 stars, but I could easily be persuaded to 5.
Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton (4/5 stars)
When I realized that Michael Crichton wrote Andromeda Strain in 1969, I became officially impressed. Many of the things may have seemed inconceivable, but I don't think that word means what we thought it meant. The whole idea of an underground shelter, not such a wild idea. The health scan by machines is not as progressed as in the book, yet it isn't as far fetched as it probably would have been in 69. In fact, pretty amazing is that biotech isn't just an idea, now- it's an industry. It's kind of like watching a Star Trek and thinking that those things that seemed amazing back then you find at a grocery store (except the transporter- wouldn't that be, cool, though?)
Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn (4/5 stars)
Wow, so much to this. We find out gradually about Win's anger issues, his family issues, and his delusions to cope with his trauma. He is at boarding school, learning how to deal with the possibility of friendships, until it all comes down to one night's party. And then the full ugly story unravels of who and why Win is who he is.
My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins (3/5 stars)
I liked it, and it was cute. Obviously there were some that I enjoyed more than others. In fact, I truly appreciated that there were some very interesting ranges of types of stories- fantasy, realistic, heart strings being pulled. But I enjoyed it for the season.
Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (5/5 stars)
Ah, every one needs an Enzo in his or her life. Who wouldn't want a dog looking out for you, understanding everything you say, but has such a big tongue he can't let you know he gets you? Especially when you have such horrible harassers in your life like Denny's in-laws? I cried. Silently so I wouldn't wake my husband, as I couldn't put the book down until it was finished and I had Enzo closure. Good book. Sniff.
The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt's Masterpiece, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer by Anne-Marie O'Connor (4/5 stars)
Ok, this review is actually a friend of mine, Melissa N., so I can't take credit. But I doubt I could add anything to the review, so I'm giving hers:
This was not an easy book to read. It took a long time and it was far from a page turner. There are many complex characters. I should have kept notes to keep them straight in my head. Why was this a good book then? The story is fascinating. It is a true story of a wealthy family in Vienna. The story takes place from the turn of the 20th century into the turn of the 21st century and it exposes a perspective on Austria's participation in the Nazi regime that I have not been privy to yet. When we think in terms of how recently WWII really happened, I think that we'll see a lot more of these stories that will shape our views of the events of Hitler and WWII. If you enjoy history and/or art, this book is worth struggling through for the story. There is a movie that is well done, but it is only part of the story.