These stories are told in each author's unique voice with a touching point about gifts their mothers gave them. But the stories as a whole are cohesiv...moreThese stories are told in each author's unique voice with a touching point about gifts their mothers gave them. But the stories as a whole are cohesive and flow seamlessly from one to the next. I think this would be a fantastic gift for all mothers, especially on Mother's Day. (less)
A YA coming-of-age end-of-the-world story that zings at the beginning and fizzles as it approaches the end. Very interesting concept and raises good q...moreA YA coming-of-age end-of-the-world story that zings at the beginning and fizzles as it approaches the end. Very interesting concept and raises good questions.(less)
I haven't read a contemporary women's fiction novel in a while, but picked SHELTER ME up because I'd heard friends talking about how they loved it. Th...moreI haven't read a contemporary women's fiction novel in a while, but picked SHELTER ME up because I'd heard friends talking about how they loved it. There wasn't a single time while reading it when I wanted to lay the book down. It's a subtle page-turner, which is surprising for a book about a recent young widowed mom. It was a book I couldn't wait to pick up and read again. I loved the theme, so well woven, on family and love and grief and life. I highly recommend SHELTER ME. (less)
An interesting window into the world of renowned author, Eudora Welty. I enjoyed making connections to how she became who she was as a writer through...moreAn interesting window into the world of renowned author, Eudora Welty. I enjoyed making connections to how she became who she was as a writer through her stories. (less)
The voices in A Land More Kind Than Home are so captivating and vivid, and liken the novel to To Kill a Mockingbird. Dark and tragic and compelling, t...moreThe voices in A Land More Kind Than Home are so captivating and vivid, and liken the novel to To Kill a Mockingbird. Dark and tragic and compelling, this is an incredible novel that I must highly recommend.(less)
An outstanding book, one that, though long, lived every page in full color with unfailing suspense, vivid history, and endearing characters. This is o...moreAn outstanding book, one that, though long, lived every page in full color with unfailing suspense, vivid history, and endearing characters. This is one of the best books I've read in a very long time; likely to be my favorite novel of 2013. Highly recommend. I will be featuring VILLA TRISTE at http://greatnewbooks.org.(less)
Zelda Fitzgerald was a woman of incredible character, entirely unique unto herself, and lived a life that fit only a woman so outrageous as the wife o...moreZelda Fitzgerald was a woman of incredible character, entirely unique unto herself, and lived a life that fit only a woman so outrageous as the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald could live.
Therese Fowler's book reads in the first person in a conversational style, enough that as a reader I felt I might be her closest confidant. Fowler's rendition of Zelda is smooth, flowing, and easy to read, beginning to end. But the tone I felt throughout was a flat and soft portrayal of Zelda's character. I would loved to have seen her well-known craziness come through loudly. (less)
I loved this brilliant and compelling first-person rendering of the life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I never realized how much the Lindberghs lived in t...moreI loved this brilliant and compelling first-person rendering of the life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I never realized how much the Lindberghs lived in the spotlight, and how difficult Charles made Anne's life, as he smothered her with his shadow. An important and illuminating read, on one woman's struggle to find her place in a confusing and changing world. I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction and fictional autobiography.(less)
Some novels tread lightly around the lives of the characters involved, and some skim around heartbreak to arrive at truth, but this book is not one of...moreSome novels tread lightly around the lives of the characters involved, and some skim around heartbreak to arrive at truth, but this book is not one of those. THE COMFORT OF LIES is an excellent and compelling peek into the troubled inner lives of three women.
The story moves along swiftly, shifting from one perspective to another, creating women so real it's impossible to believe that they are not. With a fluid writing style, Meyers sweeps the reader into a full-color world centered around the conflict between three women, caused by the infidelity of one man.
I experienced a full range of emotions while reading, the result of the story's betrayal and lies to truth and redemption. This is a novel that will forever remain in my memory.
I highly recommend this book for fans of women's fiction, and of writers like Marisa de los Santos, Juliette Fay, and Jodi Picoult.(less)
This is one of my favorite books for the unique real-life-inspired story, the inside look into the art world, and the interesting discussions that res...moreThis is one of my favorite books for the unique real-life-inspired story, the inside look into the art world, and the interesting discussions that result on art and authenticity. The author wove together many strands which kept me guessing and led to a very satisfying and surprising ending. The one trouble I had with the book was the main character's strange eccentricities, which may have been necessary in the telling of the story, but to me often came across as excessive.
I highly recommend THE ART FORGER to fans of mystery / thriller / literary novels and will be featuring it at Great New Books (http://greatnewbooks.org).(less)
A story that takes the reader for a terrifying yet redemptive walk through the underbelly of worldwide human trafficking. Though the events are shocki...moreA story that takes the reader for a terrifying yet redemptive walk through the underbelly of worldwide human trafficking. Though the events are shocking, it is for an important reason-- to communicate what is a tragic happening of current times. I hugged my children much tighter after reading A WALK ACROSS THE SUN, and now see the world in a completely different way. I highly recommend this book.(less)
The Lost Wife is one of the rare books that takes a tough time and place in history and still creates a beautiful, redemptive story despite the Holoca...moreThe Lost Wife is one of the rare books that takes a tough time and place in history and still creates a beautiful, redemptive story despite the Holocaust setting.
In the first few pages, the reader learns that an elderly man re-meets the woman he married in Prague sixty-some years ago-- the "Lost Wife". And though to the 1/3 point of the book, the story quietly builds, the last half of the book is un-put-down-able. We journey with Lenka, the Lost Wife, through her trials in Nazi-occupied Prague to her lengthy stay at Terezin, a concentration camp north of Prague. There, her passion for art helps her survive the horrors she faces.
I have visited Terezin and seen the art and sketches Richman writes about in Lenka's story. Richman's evocative portrayal of the camp, the conditions, and the art that survived to tell the story are all accurate and engrossing. Not only will The Lost Wife be my next book recommendation pick for Great New Books (http://greatnewbooks.org), but I will be buying many copies of The Lost Wife to give to friends and family -- it's that good. Highly recommended.(less)
A vast, sweeping collision of a novel, with story lines and characters all embodying the tragic darkest side of what it is to be human. I wanted to lo...moreA vast, sweeping collision of a novel, with story lines and characters all embodying the tragic darkest side of what it is to be human. I wanted to love this novel, especially for the setting and setup, but it didn't get me there. Good writing, interesting format. Recommend to fans of Jonathan Franzen.(less)
Blackberry Winter is the story of a current-day journalist sent during a late snowstorm in Seattle to report on a blizzard that occurred in Seattle on...moreBlackberry Winter is the story of a current-day journalist sent during a late snowstorm in Seattle to report on a blizzard that occurred in Seattle on the very same May day in 1932. As she finds her angle on the story, investigating a small child's disappearance in the '32 storm, she also begins to confront the pain in her own life. And as the two storylines converge, the reporter's life and the child-long-missing's lives tie together in unexpected ways.
Blackberry Winter grabbed me quickly and kept me turning pages right to the very end. It is a wonderful story about tragedy and loss, and the healing and love that can result despite the pain.
I loved Blackberry Winter; it is my favorite of Sarah Jio's books so far. I highly recommend it, for book clubs, friends, and just a warm winter read. (less)
A dark, at times violent, and haunting tale of a man, his grief over the loss of his sister and mother, and the two troubled girls he comes to shelter...moreA dark, at times violent, and haunting tale of a man, his grief over the loss of his sister and mother, and the two troubled girls he comes to shelter. Beautifully written and highly original, this is a book that flows into your mind and touches your heart as well.(less)
Call Me Zelda is about the friendship between Zelda Fitzgerald and a nurse named Anna, and it brings us into the years after the Fitzgerald party, aft...moreCall Me Zelda is about the friendship between Zelda Fitzgerald and a nurse named Anna, and it brings us into the years after the Fitzgerald party, after the Great Gatsby-like craziness. Scott notoriously used Zelda as his writing muse; Zelda famously fell into ruin, and after that, found her way into Phipps Psychiatric Hospital. From there, CALL ME ZELDA begins. Through the lens of friendship, we watch each woman grow and heal in different ways, and strengthen each other over the course of the novel.
I particularly like the way Erika has portrayed Zelda, as sympathetic despite her illness and her famous antics. I also love the tenderness with which she writes about the Fitzgeralds together.
It is a must-read novel, on the ways we fail each other and yet can redeem those losses and support each other as well. CALL ME ZELDA helps shine light and meaning into brokenness, and opens up a new dimension to the Fitzgeralds and their place in history. I believe in its theme, that through friendships, we can become a better version of ourselves.
I highly recommend Call Me Zelda to readers of historical fiction and to those interested in the Fitzgeralds. A wonderful, thoughtful, and thought-provoking book.(less)
Kimberly Brock's THE RIVER WITCH is a gentle Southern story with eclectic characters, in the tradition of Sue Monk Kidd and Beth Hoffman's SAVING CEEC...moreKimberly Brock's THE RIVER WITCH is a gentle Southern story with eclectic characters, in the tradition of Sue Monk Kidd and Beth Hoffman's SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT.
Roslyn, a former ballerina, retreats to a Georgia sea island to recover from career-ending tragedy, yet in the process of her summer away, finds the most healing through relationships with a variety of locals. Damascus, a 10-year-old girl, among others, lights up the narrative with her spunk and charm, involving Roslyn with a giant pumpkin, a magical river, and an alligator named Spook.
I received a review copy of THE RIVER WITCH as part of the SheReads blogger program.
A charmed story of finding life again after crushing events, as well as claiming hope despite loss. Beautifully written. Recommended for those who enjoy mystical, heartwarming Southern fiction. (less)
From its hairless protagonist, Sunny, to her Nobel Prize-winning rocket scientist husband, SHINE SHINE SHINE is truly an original.
The story begins wit...moreFrom its hairless protagonist, Sunny, to her Nobel Prize-winning rocket scientist husband, SHINE SHINE SHINE is truly an original.
The story begins with Sunny's unsunny life -- her husband Maxon has just launched with NASA into space with his precious robots, her mother is surviving in the ICU on life support, her son copes with life on different terms, and her pregnancy seems sure to become an early delivery after a car accident. But the worst happens for Sunny when, in the car accident, her wig flies off and lands in a mud puddle. In that revealing moment, her whole world sees that she is truly different, hairless, bald and covering it up.
Through the story, we journey with Sunny as she comes to terms with her differences, with her societal world, with her mother, and with Maxon. It is the story of coming back to one's true self after wandering far to become someone we're not. It is the heartachingly beautiful story of coming back together with the ones we love. SHINE SHINE SHINE is a powerful story that I deeply loved, and is one I will not soon forget.
A wonderful debut by Lydia Netzer! I give SHINE SHINE SHINE my highest recommendation. A must-read for 2012. (less)
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