10.24.09
Review of The Postmistress
The Postmistress
Thank you Barnes and Noble for letting me receive a copy of this book for the First Look Book Club! It was very much appreciated!
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake, is rather unique. It has two mini plots which then merge into one through the novel. The first arc features the inhabitants of Franklin, Massacheusetts mainly Will Fitch and his wife Emma, and Iris James who works at the post office. The second arc is focused mainly on Frankie Bard, who’s in Europe. She works as a journalist covering the Blitz in England. The Postmistress focuses on one letter Iris decides to not send, which in turn brings the three women together and also brings the realization of war to their doorstep.
I have to admit, I had to force myself to get into it at first. The start of the book was rather slow and hard to get into. It really wasn’t until I hit the chapters that focused on Frankie that I suddenly got myself into the book and was more interested in it. Besides the slow start, I was left wondering what in the world these characters have to do with each other until certain events take place then the pieces fall in, slowly. To be honest, if it weren’t for Frankie and her experiences throughout Europe, I probably would have liked this book less. I found Frankie to be the most central part of this book and which brought all the characters together through her voice on the radio. The descriptions of the quiet town of Franklin and its’ inhabitants is nice and detailed enough to make it real. There is a big distinction between both Franklin and London and it’s written well enough that both places are realistic and well rounded out. I liked how Franklin is so far away from the war and in their own little world, oblivious to what is happening on the other side of the world, knowing there is no way of the war hitting home. Yet Frankie brings it to them through her voice and she does what she can to make sure all sides of the war is shown and that people get the truth of what’s happening. When she comes on the radio, you can almost “hear” her talk and it goes to show how powerful the use of radio was back then in the 40’s because it’s left to the listener’s imagination.
The most eye opening part in the book is when Frankie goes within Europe to interview refugees she finds along the way from Germany to France. This actually changes her outlook of the war and this is where you see a key development in her character. I also thought it was the most interesting part in this novel and felt just as helpless as she was towards these refugees. I also liked how Blake intertwined both plots to eventually make it into one towards the end of the novel by having the three main women featured in the novel to finally come together face to face. It went smoothly and without a bump, definitely a good job done by the author.
Aside from the slow start, I sort of didn’t understand Iris and her character. In the beginning I thought she was strange and not very likable at all. Honestly, I get the idea of why she would be part of the story in the first place, but she’s such a flat character and very uninteresting that I feel the author just placed her there just for placement and for necessity. She’s really just a secondary character, I think. However of all the characters, I really did like Frankie the best. She was such an free spirit and a forward thinking individual, definitely a woman that stood out during the 40’s!
Another thing, Frankie likes to say “Christ” a lot. For some reason I can’t see a woman swearing like that in the 40’s, it just seems unreal and odd. Also, there’s a part in the novel where Emma smokes and she’s pregnant. Now perhaps it wasn’t known that smoking during pregnancy is harmful for an unborn child so it was really strange and odd to read that. Then again, we have to remember, this book takes place in 1940, not in present day. It’s hard to remember that and it’s odd to read. Once you have it set in your mind about the major differences, then it gets easier.
Overall, a book that starts to grow with you, so don’t give up early on it. It does eventually get better.
I give it a 7 out of 10.
09.11.09
Review of Crazy Beautiful
Crazy Beautiful
First! thank you Houghton Mifflin for providing me a review copy of this book. It was very much appreciated. Second, this is one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen. For some reason it just calls out to me. I think it’s very well done.
Crazy Beautiful is told in two points of view: Aurora and Lucius. Both are new to the high school they’re going to. The difference? Lucius has no hands, due to a chemistry concoction gone wrong. So instead of hands, he has hooks instead (which freaks out the entire school population) except Aurora. In a modern day retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Crazy Beautiful explains love, redemption, and forgiveness.
It’s a short read. About 200 pages long. I absolutely loved this book. I immediately sympathized with Lucius and hated those that just assumed these whirlwind stories about him were true. Just because of his disability he’s immediately an outcast in the cruel world of High School. Both main characters were very well liked by me. I loved Lucius for being strong despite being a social outcast the minute he stepped on school grounds. I loved Aurora for standing up for what she believes in and even has the courage to stand up and tell her peers they’re wrong about assumptions they have made. Both characters are very strong, brave, and mature which makes them even more likable. I couldn’t stand Jessup (I can’t stand his name either). I just absolutely hated him and I was glad Aurora could see through his actions and was able to fend him off. (Yet another reason why I liked Aurora so much).
The plot is very short and doesn’t take too long to go through. It’s almost as if you’re watching a half hour TV high school show. Which isn’t that bad, mind you, although I would have like the story to develop a little more. That’s just me, as I’m used to reading longer novels. It seemed to just go a little too fast but at least there’s enough going on in this novel to make it flow and to keep the reader interested. There were parts that actually got me laughing out loud. Lucius has charming wit that enhances his personality and character, also his bravery in standing up against the most popular guy in the school also makes this an entertaining read.
Overall a good quick read. It does have certain parts that would qualify as a modern fairy tale. I enjoyed it very much and just wished it was just a bit longer as I thought there could be more to it. Lucius and Aurora made a wonderful couple and it seemed they were made for each other so it gave the romance a nice cozy feel to the story. Pick this up if you feel like reading something quick but also a light hearted read.
I give it a 9 out of 10.
08.29.09
Review of Jumping Off Swings
Jumping Off Swings
First! thanks Nicole at Candlewick Press for sending me this book! why I chose this one I don’t know. It just called out to me. Lately I’ve been in the mood of trying different type of books. So far so good. Haven’t had one that I have regretted asking for.
Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles covers a teenage pregnancy through the eyes of four characters: Ellie the would be mother, Corinne her best friend, Caleb the nice guy who’s had a crush on Ellie, and Josh, the would be father. Throughout the story you go through Ellie’s pregnancy and how each of these characters feel as they try to help her through her ordeal.
I found it a very sombre story. Ellie just wants to feel and be loved. Although she’s going about it the wrong way, as you read more into her character, you see her family isn’t your typical loving one. As you figure out how her family really is, you understand and start to sympathize with her as the story progresses. I have to admit I didn’t really have much patience for Ellie. I just felt like shaking my head and slapping her across the face and telling her to wake up, grow up and do the responsible thing whatever it is. On the other hand, she’s extremely scared. This sort of thing is very life changing, so her behaviour is understandable.
The plot flows well throughout this story, each chapter is told in each of the character’s perspective so you have a glimpse of how they live and they problems and issues they face even though it’s all centralized with Ellie. I can’t help but think this is like one of those made for TV after school specials for teens. It sure seems that way when I was reading this book. However, it does the job of engrossing me and kept me turning the pages to read on. Most of the time you just feel so sad for Ellie and what she’s going through (once your initial anger phase goes away). I changed my mind about her more than halfway through the book and realized that she indeed is a very brave person to go through her decisions regarding her baby.
The only thing that irks me is Josh. I don’t know how the rest of the guys feel when they’re having an unexpected surprise spring on them by a girlfriend. I suppose the pessimistic side of me expects them to just take a hike and leave. Although I know most guys probably aren’t that way, you just hear about the bad ones more. So I’m not sure if Josh as a character is realistic but that’s just me. You would think most guys would run away at the sound of “baby” and “yours” put together.
Other than that, I thought all characters had a sense of realism to them. They weren’t the cookie cutter ones you read in some of those teen books where everything is perfect. They each have their issues and problems too. It makes the characters almost “three dimensional” so to speak. The ending leaves with a sombre note too, but with a sense of optimism for some of the characters.
Overall a good sombre, serious read, but a satisfying one.
I give it a 7 out of 10.
08.20.09
Review of The Wife’s Tale
The Wife's Tale
Like in my last review, I normally don’t read this kind of book. However I gave it a try – why not? I should at least try almost everything once. I found this book to be a touching read. Not touching in a sad sense, but more of a feel good touchy feeling. When I first started reading this book I just felt this wretching pity for Mary. She’s grossly overweight, her husband just left her, and she was so dependent on him so obviously she’s lost and doesn’t know what to do at first. I wanted to just take her by the shoulders and shake her. The pity and sadness just deepens further when Mary goes to California to her mother in law’s place thinking her husband is there. I hated her mother in law. She’s everything I would never ever want to have in an in law. Eden’s (mother in law) callousness and spite just makes her look like your typical old mother viper. She sort of gets her come uppins towards the end of the book but, well you do change your opinion of her after that. However as the story progresses, from pity, you then feel very supportive of Mary and you start backing her up (that “you go girl” feeling becomes more present)
What will never change throughout this book is Mary’s very open and willingness to help others despite what they think of her. She has this strange uncanny ability to make acquaintances as she meets them and she’s so friendly that even strangers help her at random encounters. Which does sort of bother me, however perhaps it’s because I have a rather pessimistic view and would never rely on strangers to help me. I couldn’t, for example go up to random people on the parking lot to ask for a ride (which Mary did…and succeeded). That doesn’t really strike up as realistic to me, however I put that thought aside, it’s just a story, after all.
There are moments in the book where I had the warm fuzzies (did I just SAY THAT?). I especially enjoyed Mary’s makeover at the salon. I liked how other women around her supported her, and even comforted her as she told her story of how her husband left, and how she’s off to find him. It was a great moment and my most favorite part of the book.
Plot flow was great! no blips or bumps! No side tracking to anything. There were times where Mary would be flooded with memories and flashbacks. However I thought it was an essential part of the story, so you could understand her relationship with her husband.
I liked the ending, it gave me a sense of optimism and it looked like Mary was indeed off to a fine start.
Overall a good, nice, comforting touchy feely story. One I would recommend to those that like a “feel good” book.
I give it a 7 out of 10.
08.14.09
Review of Fear the Worst
Fear The Worst
First of all, thank you very much the lovely people at Randomhouse.ca for giving me the opportunity to read and review Fear the Worst. I greatly appreciate it. *hearty applaud* Now! where do I start?
The book starts off with Tim Blake, a normal average car salesman who finds out his daughter is missing. When he goes where she’s currently employed to ask if they might have seen her, he finds out they haven’t even heard of her. In turn, this opens up a huge can of worms as Tim is set off on a wild goose chase that’s filled with more twists and turns I have ever seen in a book.
I liked how the main protagonist is a simple car salesman. We don’t get very “normal average every day” people as the ones who are caught up in this sort of dilemma. It’s a nice refresher and gives you a break from other stories which always include either a detective, a member of the police, or even a member of the military. It gives the plot an overall realistic flavour to it. However wrong it is, a lot of teenagers and children are missing everyday and we don’t usually see it from the parent’s point of view.
My heart went out for Tim. I don’t know how it feel like to be a parent but sometimes on my evil juvenile days I used to make my parents worry a lot and they would probably feel like Tim did. There were times in the book where his acts of desperation in finding his daughter just makes your heart want to sink. He’s not exactly a character you would like or dislike, but he’s someone you would cheer for until the end.
I don’t have many criticisms for this book. I just advise if you are going to read this, pay very close attention. 
The book has plenty of twists and turns and throughout the book you find everybody has a dirty little secret and as you follow Tim you eventually figure them out. I actually liked that, as some of their secrets are related to the disappearance of his daughter. Some weren’t but it was just interesting to know anyway. The ending was something I did not expect. I was already putting the blame on whoever was coming along but afterwards when it all sinks in it’s rather shocking and almost..creepy. I just like it how it all started with one huge large difficult puzzle and the pieces just fit together nicely in the end.
It’s a great book if you’re into twists and turns and unexpected finds.
Overall this book gets an 8 out of 10.
08.13.09
Review of Under This Unbroken Sky
Under This Unbroken Sky
I’ve read bleak depressing books before and this one is one of them. There are a few light hearted moments but not many. Living on a farm in the 30’s was extremely hard and twice as difficult if you were immigrants. This book stresses the family dynamic and without the cooperation of everybody then nothing would work and everybody would starve. You have Teodor and Myron (father and son) who work the fields and do the majority of the heavy duty work. Maria (the mother) and her daughters help in the kitchen and prepare food, plant seeds into the soil, and help out what’s needed around the farm. Throughout the pages you just read about them working so hard to overcome harsh winters, and hot summers. It’s not the most easiest work in the world.
So you have one family doing a lot of work, putting their blood, sweat, and tears into their beloved farm to make a living, and to survive. On the other side you have the other family. Anna, Petro, Lesya (might be Mischa in other versions of the novel from what I hear), and Stefan. They don’t do much. Although Lesya seems to be the one carrying the family on her shoulders (and she’s a young girl, younger than 16). Anna is busy wallowing in her self pity and depression. Her marriage to Stefan isn’t so great as he leaves for several months and then comes back whenever he feels like it. Petro idolizes his father not knowing any better.
There, you have two very different families. You read through their hardships and at first everything is all right. Then several catastrophes happen. It’s almost as if it’s an omen for things to come. Then Stefan arrives into the picture. Remember my hatred for Robert Dudley in The Virgin’s Lover? Well Stefan is down there too. I can’t stand this guy. He’s arrogant, he’s scum, he’s got all the qualities I dislike. Thanks to him, everything just goes to nothing. I can’t sympathize with Anna. Then again perhaps she has every right to be acting the way she is. Of all the characters I like Teodor and Maria the most. They were so supportive of each other and were very strong. I admired Maria the most because she went through great lengths to support her family and was the steady “rock” who was the glue of the family.
Normally I don’t read this kind of fiction but I decided why not. Give it a try. I don’t regret it, however I was a little squeamish as there were parts of graphic deaths of animals and I just can’t stomach those. There was a lot of description and normally I can’t stand that but it was well done. It wasn’t over the top description but enough to let you feel and literally smell the surroundings of the setting so you can actually feel like you’re there with the characters. The plot was good and flowed nicely. The ending, well, let’s just say it suits the book. Whether it could have been prevented or not, I’m not sure. Probably not. (You’ll see what I mean if you read it)
Don’t pick this up if you’re squeamish. However if you want something dramatic and realistic then read this. It’s actually quite good. It’s a serious read. It’s dramatic, serious, dark, bleak yet beautiful. All at the same time.
Overall I give this a 7 out of 10.
08.03.09
Mailbox Monday and Library Finds 8/3
Today is Mailbox Monday and Library Finds. I got A LOT of goodies both at the library and at my mailbox!
For Mailbox Monday:
Dark Time Mortal Path Book One – Dakota Banks (Shelf Awareness)
Jumping Off Swings – Jo Knowles (Requsted from publisher)
Liquid Soul – Matthew Carter (Requested from Bostick)
The Lie – Fredrica Wagman (Requested review)
Benny and Shrimp – Katarina Mazetti (Requested review)
The Desert Baron: Friedrich: A Warrior for All Seasons by Conrad Crease (Bostick)
The Amanda Project – Stella Lennon (Requested at Barnes and Noble)
Library Finds:
The Spies of Warsa – Alan Furst (More WWII stuff)
Warbreaker – Brandon Sanderson (I love his fantasy stuff)
Nefertiti – Michelle Moran (I feel like going to Ancient Egypt)
Masquerade: Blue Bloods Novel – Melissa De La Cruz (I know I’m going to read Italian Vogue when I open the first few pages. I’m too stubborn to give this series up. Let’s pray she stops using so many name brands) (seriously..Cosabella Thong? who the F@#$ cares?) (I still can’t get over the label dropping over some frakking piece of underwear!!!!)
And for those of you wondering what I won at Goodreads?
I won: What the Bayou Saw – Patty Lacy (looks like a good Southern read)
That’s it! lots of goodies!!!!! time to read!!!
08.02.09
Sunday Salon: Finished!
Hoorayy!! I finished Fear the Worst! I will not post my review until Aug 14th (as per randomhouse.ca’s request) apologies my dear kitties. All I can say is, it’s very good.
Next up to bat; hmmm. Well next up on ARC’s would be The Wife’s Tale by Lori Lansens. However not sure if I will start reading this as of yet. The following is on my list to read today:
The Godfather – Mario Puzo
Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side – Beth Fantaskey
Night of Flames – Douglas Jacobson
The Dark Queen – Susan Carroll
one of those I’ll continue reading today. Otherwise, back to reading!!
Sunday Salon: Finishing and starting some more stuff.
My goal for today is to finish my ARC of Fear the Worst, then probably work on The Godfather. It’s all up in the air again, but I have to finish Fear The Worst as I only have a little bit left to read and it’s gotten really interesting!!!! there’s hardly any plans for today so yay! I get to read for a while! *claps* what’s on everybody’s reading agenda today?
