I really enjoyed the 13th tale, but I reserve the right to change my rating the more gothic tales I read. I wanted to read this book because it was so highly recommended after reading the Little Stranger. But after reading other reviews of this book, apparently it is not the best in its literary genre. I don't care at this point, I enjoyed it- even to the point of ignoring my kids for a day.
So, Vida Winter, and world renowned author is dying and asks bookworm Margarent Lea to write her biography. Margaret has found out she was a twin at childbirth and has therefore felt as though she were only half of herself. I didn't care all that much since she never knew she was a twin until she was older, so that part was kind of weird. But Vida Winter's story is extremely interesting. I am not a great mastermind, but I did figure out the mystery fairly early into the book, but I have read enough Agatha Christie to know to think outside the box.
So, all in all, though, I enjoyed it as my second gothic novel about ghosts. Who even knew it was a genre- it must be underground. Ha Ha.
This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Trapper (5/5 stars)
It's not normal that I rate a book 5 stars, but this is one that I think definitely met the standard- felt sad when the book is over, will probably be quoting or relating it to something in conversations, and although I didn't actually cry, I think if I wasn't in the throes of summer vacation and well rested, I probably would have.
Judd is sitting Shiva for the funeral of his father with his mom and 3 siblings and their respective partners. Weird stuff happens between them- some funny, some very awkward, some sad, and some poignant. Judd also is at a loss since he found his wife and boss in a very compromising position (it was in the first chapter, so that was not a spoiler). So, no wife, no job, and his dad just died.
I'm not sure how to relate why it's a good book (hence no one clammoring at my door to be a reviewer), but when you have a mix of emotions, personalities, and real life expectations so cohesive in one book, it has to be pretty awesome.
The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes (3.5/5 stars)
Sophie's husband painted a picture of her in 1914. It had the same effect as the Mona Lisa, apparently. The French town of Sophie, and her family have been taken over by WWI Germans. The Kommandant is obsessed with the picture which hangs in the family's hotel, and Sophie was obsessed with saving her husband who had gone to war. Skip to the present, and Liv is trying to get over her husband's death 4 years prior. There's more story, and of course, a legal scuffle over keeping the picture of Sophie, called the Girl You Left Behind.
It was good, and I enjoyed it. I didn't even mind getting into the original story and then going to present day- tactifully done and believable. It was kind of like Sarah's Key, but Liv was a different kind of crazy- not just obsessed with the story and feeling personal guilt for the atrocities to happen.
So, here's my equation:
(Sarah's Key x Goldfinch)/Monuments Men = The Girl You Left Behind.
Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCouer (3/5 stars)
I thought the summary was pretty cheesy of this book- a girl who just graduated from high school gets a job at a movie studio gets to be production designer, and while searching for artifacts comes across a letter to a movie star's lost lover, so she finds that person. Also, it has an LGBT slant. So, I thought, chessy, right? Right- maybe that's why I enjoyed the book due to low expectations.
* First, she is just graduating from high school but has a super busy, important job in the movie industry. Maybe it happens- I don't know so I'm going to just assume it's not crazy.
* The slant of finding a lost love for a deceased movie star meant to mimic John Wayne was interesting, as it led to different trails and different people. Again, a slight suspension of belief had to happen, but still entertaining.
* Finally, the fact that she was into girls wasn't too much of a big deal, not a book about coming out. The only beef I had about it is that the church-going mom was a huge villian. Why is it always the church going people? Not everyone who is a strong Christian acts like that.
But overall, pretty entertaining.
The Last Anniversary by Lianne Moriarity (3/5 stars)
I just love Liane Moriarity so much I just can't give her less than three stars, although I would be tempted if I didn't have this weird loyalty about her. I figured out the mystery very early on, which if you know me is unusual. There were some minor twists although I think I was most intrigued by postnatal depression. I've heard about it lots, I've had a few acquaintances who had it, but this book made me realize how scary it is- both for the mother and for those around. Overall, way to go Mrs. Moriarity for only getting better with each novel!
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (4/5 stars)
I had a dog, a great dog. But he got old and clearly in pain. And I had a hard time not wanting him to be gone forever from our lives, so I can't even begin to imagine how it would feel as a mother, or a wife. Lou is quirky and and fun and has to be convinced of all the wonderful things she can do with her life. Will used to have a life he loved, while Lou has a life she lives. It makes me wonder how much of either I am- a person who would be devastated if my life were to drastically change, or if I just go along with the motions, not really taking every opportunity. Anyway, those are my take away thoughts from the book.
I hear another book is being written. Not sure how I feel about that.
Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (4/5 stars)
What about the families after World War II who are struggling to keep their mansions alive, despite the fact that new money and a middle class are restructuring the society in England? And if one of the middle class (a fairly respected doctor) is still pining for that mansion and to be a part of the dwindling upper class steps in to help/inflitrate? a family, then you have yourself a fairly interesting book, especially to bring in the concept of possible ghosts.
I won't say much since I don't want to ruin it, so I'll just say this- please, everyone, read this book so we can all say "what did ....mean? What happened when...? " not a ghost story, or was it? Don't know. Just read it and tell me.
Lock In by John Scalzi (5/5)
Let me start with this: if you have the option, read the "supplement" first. (http://www.tor.com/2014/05/13/unlocked-an-oral-history-of-hadens-syndrome-john-scalzi/ )
It will help you understand Haden's disease.
(Please excuse mispellings, as I listened to the book and didn't read it)
Haden's disease is a fictional virus that develops like the flu, then menengitis, and then completely shuts down every function of the body, save the brain's ability to think. So, in the near future, Congress and the President (whose wife got it) made many strides to counteract the disease. They couldn't, so they made it possible to live through Threeps (robots controlled by their brains, basically linked by bluetooth) or Integrators (people who willingly have implants in their brains to do the same thing as the Threeps).
So, the most famous Haden becomes an FBI agent, and is sent on her second day to a murder victim in the Haden crimes division. Her partner was an integrator, and a little crass, but they get along ok. The rest of the book is the coolness of solving the crime, as well as getting into a look into how fascinating the technology is. And the cool part is it is set in DC, so I totally picture when they decribe Route 7, 15, McLean, Falls Church, Loudoun, etc.
Fascinating.
Fake Id by Lamar Giles (3/5)
I'm not YA. Not even close, although I work at a high school. So, with this review, please be reminded that this is an adult perspective. In fact, I can see lots of my students loving this book, and they would probably rate it differently. You know how some books are great crossovers between adult and YA? This isn't it.
"Nick" and his mom and dad are in the witness protection program, and they are on their last assignment, as Dad keeps getting into trouble. Mom is fed up, and Nick just kind of is getting more and more bitter. So, they move into Stepton, Virginia, keen on keeping everything on the down-low. But Nick, on his first day, bumps into a hot girl, gets her ex boyfriend mad, and is saved by Eli, the only journalist in town. So, now he is roped into being a journalist and finds out about Whispertown, whatever that is, as well as his dad's involvement.
Mystery wise, pretty well set up. I liked what was going on. I wasn't really loving any of the characters, though. Nick was cool, but I still didn't feel like I could really connect, even with some of the internal dialogue. It seemed very surface. But, like I said, I can see lots of student enjoying this book, and thank you, Mr. Giles, for having a male lead.