Ever read American Wife? It's about a random woman who is a librarian, met a rich guy who became a Christian, bought a baseball team, and eventually became President. Hmmm. Now switch that to a woman who lives in England, meets the future king (his brother is more of a playboy), they fall in love and get married. Hmmm. However, Royal We reads a little more like a harlequin or soap opera with the amounts of getting drunk and waking up with a different person. I liked the premise, but was put off by the constant collegiate behavior even after they were out of college. I just wanted to shake them all and yell "grow up!"
Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas (3.5/5 stars)
3.5, really. I have to say that I was pretty enthralled with the whole story, but the writing didn't seem as smooth as say Boys in the Boat or Unbroken. I appreciate that Jeanne Marie Laskas was using the exact words of Bennet Omalu, the neurosurgeon who coined the term CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) and paired the idea that continuous concussions from the NFL create dementia for the players. I think I was more disappointed in the ending. I mean, if you're going to write a huge book and do all that research, I feel that there should be more of an ending, closure, etc. But I did learn a lot about the NFL, Tau thingies, and how to spell encphalopathy.
Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman (4/5 stars)
What a hidden gem from the 80's ! I think this is one of the most fun mysteries I have read in a long time. Mrs. Pollifax is a spunky lady who is choosing to go to the CIA to work when most people her age would be looking for retirement homes. While on a "mission" which is simple to purchase a book in Mexico City, things go awry and she ends up in a far more dangerous situation. But she's quirky, and her counterpart is acerbic, and by golly, petticoats aside, I think it was just plain fun. And everyone needs some fun.
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things (5/5 stars)
It's been a while since I've actually laughed out loud at a book. I think Janet Evanovich #4 (that's where I stopped for some reason). Jenny Lawson is amazing- and she is incredibly honest with her battles with mental illness. However, the way she looks at life is take every possible happy moment and make it "furiously happy". It's a great book and I would recommend it to all, except for my children who are 6 and 8. Too many incidents that I just couldn't filter out.
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Shroeder (4/5 stars)
I've read the author's other two books and it seems to be a perfect blend of romance and paranormal and extreme sadness in an easy format for those who are reluctant readers. Definitely will be recommended for many of my high schools students who come into the library and say they hate to read.
Sweet by Emmy Laybourne (3/5 stars)
If you were thinking of reading a book that forces all suspension of belief, yet you oddly can't put it down, then this is a book for you. At first it's a cute story about two girls who go on a cruise that is about to reveal a miracle weight loss supplement. Throw in a Ryan Seacrest type hero, and there you go- romance, right? Nope. Romance plus people turned into skeletons and worse. Huh. Seriously, suspension of belief...but fun.
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Wolf (3/5 stars)
Ok, so I read this book to better myself by reading classics. Hmph. Maybe I needed something not so um, boring. I get it- for 1925 it was unconventional to place the plot within a day. And it's pretty awesome to experience the higher lexiled reading from the day. In fact, reading the other reviews- people are pretty insistent on writing them with lots of poetic language. However, I read this in 2016. I am 45 years old, and I found Clarissa to be irritating, jealous, and way too self involved to realize how others feel about her. I think they could revamp it to today and just call it the Kardashians/Dalloways. Just saying...
Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (5/5 stars)
Here's the recipe: 1 book of Unbroken, 1 book of Boys in the Boat, mix it up with a little World War II in Germany book (there are many- take your pick), and you will have the Olympic Sports cake of 36. I was confused at the beginning of the book, then somehow, I was sitting on the sidelines of the Poughkeepsie watching, biting my nails to see if Joe Rantz, Al Uberkrison, Don Hume, et al were going to take all the regalia and go on to the Olympics. I know that they did, but it was pretty intense none the less. Yup, it was a winner.
The Nest by Kenneth Oppel (4/5 stars)
Wow. I just finished reading Challenger Deep by Shusterman, and I have to say that I was thinking along those lines when I was reading this book. I can maybe say that it is, but oh, man, there are some pretty wild parts. This is a book for 8-12 year olds, but I would be safe to say that high schoolers would LOVE this book.
Steve is a child with OCD, as well as some other "broken" parts in him. So when his baby brother comes home, also broken, the Queen wasp appears to him as an angel and says they will take care of the baby; they will fix him. Great characters, great moments of truth, and great moments of "no way!"
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (4/5 stars)
I wasn't really looking forward to reading this book. But I liked it! I was basing my perceptions initially on the fan fiction from FanGirl, which was not my favorite. At first it seemed like it was going to be a Harry Potter wannabe. Wrong. It had some of the elements, but it really had some fantastic, unique plot twists to it all. I know a plethora of my students will enjoy it as well since it crosses many genres- fantasy, romance, mystery, etc.
Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman (4.5/5 stars)
I am amazed at what people have to go through when they have mental illness. I guess I've never really thought about it, but I appreciated what Shusterman described in the book. I guess I always knew that people can have mixed realities, but I never half-way (if even that) experienced them like Caden. And the families that support their loved ones. Thank you, Mr. Shusterman and son, for sharing with us.