tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35888807363454466552013-05-24T08:00:09.333-04:00That's What She ReadMichelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.comBlogger1465125 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-stories-i-only-tell-my.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-48114815224636326382013-05-24T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-24T08:00:09.376-04:002013-05-24T08:00:09.376-04:00<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781250008855?p_cv" rel="powells-9781250008855" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781250008855.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781250008855?p_ti" rel="powells-9781250008855" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Rob Lowe <br> <b><i>Narrator:</i></b> Rob Lowe <br> <b><i>ASIN:</i></b> B004XXVSS8 <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Audiobook Length:</i></b> 9 hours, 11 minutes</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Nonfiction</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Origins: </i></b>Mine. All mine.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Excellent and honest autobiography.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/17-9781250008855-3">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "A teen idol at fifteen, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at twenty, and one of Hollywood's top stars to this day, Rob Lowe chronicles his experiences as a painfully misunderstood child actor in Ohio uprooted to the wild counterculture of mid-seventies Malibu, where he embarked on his unrelenting pursuit of a career in Hollywood.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <i>The Outsiders</i> placed Lowe at the birth of the modern youth movement in the entertainment industry. During his time on <i>The West Wing</i>, he witnessed the surreal nexus of show business and politics both on the set and in the actual White House. And in between are deft and humorous stories of the wild excesses that marked the eighties, leading to his quest for family and sobriety.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Never mean-spirited or salacious, Lowe delivers unexpected glimpses into his successes, disappointments, relationships, and one-of-a-kind encounters with people who shaped our world over the last twenty-five years. These stories are as entertaining as they are unforgettable."</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>Rob Lowe has had many different titles over the years - teen heartthrob in the 80s and a cliché in the 90s. Today, with his acclaimed work on <i>The West Wing</i>, <i>Brothers and Sisters</i> and most recently on <i>Parks and Recreation</i>, he has been able to bounce back from his years as a Hollywood bad boy to become well-respected in the industry. In <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781250008855?p_ti" rel="powells-9781250008855" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography</a>, Mr. Lowe explores the circuitous route that took him from Dayton, Ohio to Malibu, California, from the echelon of up-and-coming young actors in the early 1980s to his headline-making relationships and nightclub exploits to his calmer, more mature work on television. As he shares his stories, he reflects on the choices he made as well as their consequences. More importantly, he does not gloss over his poor choices or his reckless, alcohol- and drug-fueled actions. It is an honest and open narrative that shares with the world a little more insight into Rob Lowe the man as well as the actor.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While one must acknowledge that Mr. Lowe is honest about his drug use and abuse of the party/night club scene, and that he remains profoundly embarrassed by that particular path of his life, one gets the distinct impression that he still is not quite as open as he could be. He mentions his womanizing and his drug use, but unless one is very familiar with the headlines that were splashed all over magazines in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a reader will not understand just how bad it was based on most of his stories. Similarly, he mentions the infamous sex tape made with a minor only briefly, not necessarily excusing his actions but explaining them in a way that could easily be interpreted as not quite his fault. These, however, are some of the most disappointing elements of the entire autobiography.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One should not let one or two incomplete stories mar one’s overall enjoyment of the autobiography however. Mr. Lowe has had the privilege to work with some of Hollywood’s top stars and directors as well as sustain friendships with people whose names make the rest of the world sit up and take note. His numerous female conquests read like a who’s who among the elite, and even then, he does not name half of them. As titillating as all that is however, it is his discusses about his career and about his family that take center stage. As quick as the media was to label him among the Brat Pack and its dubious claims to fame, his filmography is surprisingly multi-faceted and exposes a talent for which he does not get enough credit. His discussions of his craft only serve to showcase that he is not in the business to make money but because acting truly is his calling, and his need to act becomes palpable in his stories about his early career. Along the same lines, his complete happiness with his wife and his boys denotes a satisfactory end line after a long and rough journey. Gone is the pretty boy socialite from the 80s and in his place is the mature, wise, and adoring husband/father who has finally found that inner peace that eluded him when he was young. It truly is a feel-good story, and the celebrity-filled stories only add to its fairy tale nature.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As a narrator, Mr. Lowe is excellent. His impressions of his fellow actors are perfect and highly enjoyable. One would not consider him such an accomplished mimic, but a listener has no doubt as to which actor he is imitating. Outside of that, his voice is incredibly pleasant, pitched appropriately and soothing to the ear. As the author and narrator, he shows emotion in those scenes that obviously mean a lot to him but also manages to portray his chagrin at some of his more dubious choices. His performance is of a man reliving his experiences and reflecting ruefully on them, and this only serves to highlight the narrative. He obviously cares about his craft based on his stories, and one has no doubt that this care also extends to audio work. In fact, because his voice is so well-suited to the audio format, one can only hope that audiobook producers will take note of this fact and seek him out for other narrating projects.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Never a huge Rob Lowe fan in the first place, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781250008855?p_ti" rel="powells-9781250008855" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Stories I Only Tell My Friends</a> provides listeners with a new-found appreciation for the actor, his accomplishments, and his rougher patches. His stories are highly entertaining and surprisingly erudite for an actor/author. He is appropriately reflective and open about his past, although one might wish for a little more candidness on some of his more infamous actions. In spite of that, one knows he is balancing his need for honesty with the need for discretion and can respect him for the information he does share. His gratitude towards everything he has earned and accomplished is profound, and his final paragraphs about his current satisfaction and happiness are some of the most moving in the entire novel. <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781250008855?p_ti" rel="powells-9781250008855" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Stories I Only Tell My Friends</a> is an insightful and very well-written autobiography and one in which the audiobook version is even better than the print version solely because of Mr. Lowe’s earnest narration and spot-on impressions.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-stories-i-only-tell-my.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-stories-i-only-tell-my.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html">Audiobook Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-reconstructing-amelia.html">Audiobook Review - Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-girl-with-iron-touch-by-kady.html">Review - The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/6f7387f88dab6a5799a9bb14eb92c516b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/6f7387f88dab6a5799a9bb14eb92c516b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/6f7387f88dab6a5799a9bb14eb92c516b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/6f7387f88dab6a5799a9bb14eb92c516b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/6f7387f88dab6a5799a9bb14eb92c516b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/6f7387f88dab6a5799a9bb14eb92c516b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/6f7387f88dab6a5799a9bb14eb92c516b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/6f7387f88dab6a5799a9bb14eb92c516b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-girl-with-iron-touch-by-kady.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-18550272958540487382013-05-23T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-23T08:00:07.708-04:002013-05-23T08:00:07.708-04:00<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780373210855?p_cv" rel="powells-9780373210855" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Girl With the Iron Touch by Kady Cross" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780373210855.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Girl With the Iron Touch by Kady Cross" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780373210855?p_ti" rel="powells-9780373210855" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Girl with the Iron Touch</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Kady Cross <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9780373210855 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 384 <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Science Fiction, Young Adult <br> <b><i>Origins: </i></b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.netgalley.com/">NetGalley</a>, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=2357">Harlequin Teen</a> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> The weakest of the series - predictable and boring</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780373210855-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him…and for Griffin.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance of triumph, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has….”</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>As the third story in the Steampunk Chronicles, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780373210855?p_ti" rel="powells-9780373210855" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Girl with the Iron Touch</a> is definitely getting stale. The plot arc is too familiar, as it is the same one that was used in the first two novels. There are no big reveals or major character development. The series plot progresses predictably. There are very few surprises and the plot twists only serve to lengthen the novel rather than create misdirection. The ubiquitous cliffhanger is nothing but an annoyance at this point in time, as the series has lost all sense of urgency that makes cliffhangers so effective. Even the romantic elements feel overused, as they continue to skirt around their feelings for one another.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Still, fans of the story will rejoice that Emily, the brilliance behind their gang, gets her chance to shine in the spotlight. Readers get the chance to climb into her head for a bit and understand her motivations and past. Her particular battle with the Machinist is every bit as satisfying as Sam’s and Finley’s were before her, and while the ending may leave some quite frustrated, it does highlight her determination and spirit.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jasper and Jack have very small roles in this third novel, and the story definitely suffers. Jack still remains the mysterious bad/good guy that he has been since the beginning, and Ms. Cady is proving to be very stingy in revealing more of his secrets. Considering he is one of the more enjoyable characters, if not the most enjoyable character, this omission is to the detriment of the series, especially as his role moves beyond being the third element of a love triangle to becoming the go-to guy for information and back-up in battles. Meanwhile, Jasper’s existence in the novel feels more like an add-on, as if Ms. Cady doesn’t know what to do with his character now that his love interest is dead. He neither contributes much to the progression of the story nor plays a key role in any of the scenes. As the characters pair off more definitively, one only hopes that we see more of Jack and Jasper and less of the romantic couples.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780373210855?p_ti" rel="powells-9780373210855" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Girl with the Iron Touch</a> is unfortunately a mediocre addition to a series that has lost its special something. The storyline is too formulaic, resulting in a plot that readers can predict prior to even reading the first page. Emily’s viewpoint is definitely refreshing, but the time spent with her narrative is relatively short as the point of view turns back to Finley’s for a majority of the novel. There was a distinct lack of cool steampunk gadgets, a la James Bond, and even the action scenes feel flat. Apparently, once you bring down a building in battle, everything else just pales in comparison. The disappointing experience that is <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780373210855?p_ti" rel="powells-9780373210855" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Girl with the Iron Touch</a> is made more so by how creative and unique the first novel was and by the surprising turn of events in the second novel. One can only hope that in the next novel, Ms. Cady throws away her plot structure and brings back the creativity that made the first two books so enjoyable.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-girl-with-iron-touch-by-kady.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-girl-with-iron-touch-by-kady.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-last-camellia-by-sarah-jio.html">Review - The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-witchs-handbook-of-kisses-and.html">Review - A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html">Audiobook Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/28b61125b3941398e526547974be1523b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/28b61125b3941398e526547974be1523b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/28b61125b3941398e526547974be1523b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/28b61125b3941398e526547974be1523b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/28b61125b3941398e526547974be1523b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/28b61125b3941398e526547974be1523b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/28b61125b3941398e526547974be1523b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/28b61125b3941398e526547974be1523b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-last-camellia-by-sarah-jio.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-15566020570408444102013-05-22T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-22T08:00:00.754-04:002013-05-22T08:00:00.754-04:00<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780452298392?p_cv" rel="powells-9780452298392" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780452298392.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780452298392?p_ti" rel="powells-9780452298392" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Last Camellia</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Sarah Jio <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9780452298392 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 320 <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Suspense <br> <b><i>Origins: </i></b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/adult/plume.html">Plume Paperback</a> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Decent pseudo-Gothic thriller perfect for summer</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780452298392-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “On the eve of the Second World War, the last surviving specimen of a camellia plant known as the Middlebury Pink lies secreted away on an English country estate. Flora, an amateur American botanist, is contracted by an international ring of flower thieves to infiltrate the household and acquire the coveted bloom. Her search is at once brightened by new love and threatened by her discovery of a series of ghastly crimes.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> More than half a century later, garden designer Addison takes up residence at the manor, now owned by the family of her husband, Rex. The couple’s shared passion for mysteries is fueled by the enchanting camellia orchard and an old gardener’s notebook. Yet its pages hint at dark acts ingeniously concealed. If the danger that Flora once faced remains very much alive, will Addison share her fate?”</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>Flora loves her parents and would do anything to help them. So when a mysterious stranger offers her a job locating a missing and highly prized botanical specimen or else risk her parents’ health, she finds herself crossing the Atlantic Ocean and entering the world of an English manor as the household’s new nanny. While there, she inadvertently discovers the truth behind some unsolved disappearances and soon ends up disappearing herself. Over half a decade later, Addison too finds herself fleeing across the Atlantic Ocean and heading to the very same English manor. While she is hoping to put her demons behind her, she finds herself drawn into the manor’s mysterious past. As her past closes in on her, she attempts to uncover the truth on those long-ago crimes as well, before she ends up meeting the same fate as Flora. Sarah Jio’s latest novel, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780452298392?p_ti" rel="powells-9780452298392" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Last Camellia</a>, has all of the charms and atmosphere as a true Gothic mystery, with its foreboding past, mysteriously sinister servants, hidden secrets, and missing heirlooms. Fast-paced and distinct, it will win over new readers and reaffirm fans’ love of her charming stories.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The overgrown gardens, the elderly servants, the charms of a bygone era - Ms. Jio capitalizes on the pre-established atmosphere that automatically comes with an English manor to create the mystery into which Addison stumbles. She uses each element to her advantage. The gardens playing a key role in the mystery, and the contrast between Flora’s story and Addison’s highlights the quaintness of the manor system. Unfortunately, she does nothing to take these familiar and oft-used elements and make them her own. Her characters are too much like archetypes, as is the setting, and her subplots feel forced, as they do nothing to further the story. Even her ancient, devoted servant is a bit too much like Mrs. Danvers, complete with bedroom that was left exactly as it was on the mistress’ last day of life, thereby ruining the overall effect because it all but forces readers to draw comparisons to other similar novels. It is easy to see what Ms. Jio was aiming to achieve, but such comparisons only serve to highlight the weaknesses of the story, namely its lack of creativity and triteness.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Setting aside the negatives, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780452298392?p_ti" rel="powells-9780452298392" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Last Camellia</a> is proof that even the weakest story is enjoyable if one does not overanalyze it. While Addison’s side story is fluff, doing nothing more than giving her a reason to go to England, the main mystery behind Flora’s disappearance and the missing camellia tree are satisfying and engaging. The juxtaposition between the beautiful, showy blooms of the camellia against the disappearing young women and the tragedy that permeates the household adds to the intrigue. The characters may be poorly defined, with minimal development, but that does not prevent Flora from being adorably naïve and devoted while Addison has a determination about her that is not easily ignored. The ending is enough to satisfy the romantics, while the mystery provides a good balance to the sappier elements. Fans of Ms. Jio will be delighted her latest novel, as she branches out into a pseudo-Gothic thriller while still relying on the two-period format that has brought her such success. Other readers will enjoy it for what it is - an easy and enjoyable summer mystery.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-last-camellia-by-sarah-jio.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-last-camellia-by-sarah-jio.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html">Audiobook Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-witchs-handbook-of-kisses-and.html">Review - A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-reconstructing-amelia.html">Audiobook Review - Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/d663be597b919f9d508f53bd8d444cf9b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/d663be597b919f9d508f53bd8d444cf9b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/d663be597b919f9d508f53bd8d444cf9b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/d663be597b919f9d508f53bd8d444cf9b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/d663be597b919f9d508f53bd8d444cf9b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/d663be597b919f9d508f53bd8d444cf9b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/d663be597b919f9d508f53bd8d444cf9b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/d663be597b919f9d508f53bd8d444cf9b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-witchs-handbook-of-kisses-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-54395302260179207222013-05-21T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-21T08:00:08.535-04:002013-05-21T08:00:08.535-04:00<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451641851?p_cv" rel="powells-9781451641851" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781451641851.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451641851?p_ti" rel="powells-9781451641851" title="More info about this book at powells.com">A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Molly Harper <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9781451641851 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 368 <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Science Fiction, Romance <br> <b><i>Origins: </i></b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.simonandschuster.com/">Pocket Books</a> <br> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Perfect light-hearted romantic comedy with a twist <br> <br> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781451641851-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b> <br> <blockquote> "Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it. <br> <br> Complication One: Her grandfather was Mr. Wainwright and the artifacts are lost somewhere in what is now Jane Jameson's book shop. Complication Two: her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, who keeps turning up half naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn't need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially when he’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard - can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?"</blockquote> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>Molly Harper is back, and this time <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451641851?p_ti" rel="powells-9781451641851" title="More info about this book at powells.com">A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses</a> brings readers back to Kentucky and Jane Jameson’s vampire family that inhabits Half-Moon Hollow. This time, the reader is an outsider looking in, as the story follows Nola Leary, a witch on a mission. She also happens to be Mr. Wainwright’s granddaughter, so there is that going for her, but the idea of having to search through the stock of the book store’s vampire owner is still intimidating. Adding to her stress is her heavenly shirtless neighbor. With her deadline rapidly approaching, she must overcome her lost and her fear of vampire reprisal and search for the missing heirlooms or else face the loss of her family magic. In true Ms. Harper fashion, hijinks will definitely ensue along the way. <br> <br> Don’t be put off by the idea of yet another book about vampires or witches or werewolves or other supernatural creatures. The characters may have magic powers, but they are more human than some humans. If it were not for the reminders of the synthetic blood added to their coffee or their need to go inside before dawn, it is difficult to remember that there is anything out of the ordinary with these extraordinary characters. <br> <br> Nola is a typical Harper heroine – awkward, prone to clumsiness, sarcastic, and normal…well, except for her magical ability to heal people and burst light bulbs in times of high emotion. The best part is that she fits quite well into Jane’s menagerie of friends and family. In particular, Dick’s response to Nola’s presence is absolutely priceless and induces more than one laugh-out-loud moment. The dialogue in any Harper novel always generates a laugh or two as well, and this time is no different. Seeing Jane’s and Andrea’s relationship from the outside is a blast, as the snark that falls from their lips flows quickly and effortlessly, and the dialogue that results is perfection. Nola fits into this dynamic as if she was born a part of it, and there is a tremendous sense of coming home both for the reader and for Nola. <br> <br> There is always a gorgeous romantic love interest, and Nola finds hers in Jed Trudeau. He’s all country charm but has a mysterious side that is just as distracting as the fact that he never seems to wear a shirt. Their burgeoning relationship is fun to watch, and while there are the usual hiccups and shocking, game-changing secrets, everything falls into line as expected. As is so often the case, the journey is more fun than the end result. <br> <br> As in these types of novels, for the most part the plot follows its designated, and predictable, path. Most of the surprises are easily predicted, and the final resolution is about the only way the story could result in its happily ever after. However, Ms. Harper always manages to keep hidden one or two unexpected twists among the more predictable ones that add a nice zing to the proceedings and which always add a special something to her stories. Combined with the snappy dialogue, fabulous characters, and more charm than should be allowed in a book, the reader gets a solid and highly entertaining romantic comedy with a hint of suspense. <br> <br> Some books are meant to educate, some books are meant to foster personal growth, and some books are meant to poke fun at the seriousness of life. Molly Harper’s books fall into the latter category and are nothing but fun. They are goofy, charming, romantic, utterly endearing, and always worthy of one’s time. <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451641851?p_ti" rel="powells-9781451641851" title="More info about this book at powells.com">A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses</a> is more proof of that. <br> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. All affiliate income is used to support the blog.</div><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/41401212/0/thatswhatsheread"> <div style="clear:both;padding-top:0.2em;"><a title="Add to Any" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/26/41401212/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/addtoany20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Add to FaceBook" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/2/41401212/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/fbshare20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Like on Facebook" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/28/41401212/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/fblike20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Share on Google+" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/30/41401212/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/googleplus20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Pin it!" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/29/41401212/thatswhatsheread,http%3a%2f%2fwww.powells.com%2fbookcovers%2f9781451641851.jpg"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/pinterest20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Stumble This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/12/41401212/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/stumble20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Add a Technorati Favorite" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/5/41401212/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/technorati20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Tweet This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/24/41401212/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/twitter20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/19/41401212/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/email20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/20/41401212/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/rss20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="View Comments" href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-witchs-handbook-of-kisses-and.html#comment-form"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/comments20.png"></a>&#160;<a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/feeds/5439530226017920722/comments/default"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/commentsrss20.png"></a>&nbsp; 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text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~bookjourney.wordpress.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Button" border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTYyOVV2x7k/TwZWUMtH78I/AAAAAAAAB00/tytNFcpilbk/s200/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-90.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Hosted by Sheila from <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~bookjourney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Book Journey</a>, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <b>Finished Last Week:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451661507?p_cv" rel="powells-9781451661507"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781451661507.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451682052?p_cv" rel="powells-9781451682052"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781451682052.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Currently Reading:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780399158551?p_cv" rel="powells-9780399158551"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Stoker's Manuscript by Royce Prouty" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780399158551.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Stoker's Manuscript by Royce Prouty" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Currently Listening:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062105622?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062105622"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062105622.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Up Next:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780385349406?p_cv" rel="powells-9780385349406"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780385349406.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781608192656?p_cv" rel="powells-9781608192656"><img alt="Book Cover Image: A Girl Like You by Maureen Lindley" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781608192656.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="A Girl Like You by Maureen Lindley" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780316099783?p_cv" rel="powells-9780316099783"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780316099783.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780670025831?p_cv" rel="powells-9780670025831"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780670025831.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780307958716?p_cv" rel="powells-9780307958716"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780307958716.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="More info about this book at powells.com (new window)" /></a> <br> <br> What are you reading?</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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What Are You Reading?</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/a1d57dc2d9806c579f4a4ece6397c193b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/a1d57dc2d9806c579f4a4ece6397c193b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/a1d57dc2d9806c579f4a4ece6397c193b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/a1d57dc2d9806c579f4a4ece6397c193b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/a1d57dc2d9806c579f4a4ece6397c193b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/a1d57dc2d9806c579f4a4ece6397c193b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/a1d57dc2d9806c579f4a4ece6397c193b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/a1d57dc2d9806c579f4a4ece6397c193b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-may-19th-edition.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-18409431556915258542013-05-19T09:30:00.000-04:002013-05-19T09:30:02.883-04:002013-05-19T09:30:02.883-04:00<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-FecjSnAdg/SyWFJRoknGI/AAAAAAAABD8/6bVZoYvw4rs/s1600/TSSbadge2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: The Sunday Salon" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-FecjSnAdg/SyWFJRoknGI/AAAAAAAABD8/6bVZoYvw4rs/s1600/TSSbadge2.png" title="" /></a></div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Hola, Chickas and Chicos! &nbsp;How is everyone this fine Sunday? Spring allergies have felled me once again this year. While my eyes haven't quite swollen completely shut, but they are definitely puffy and horribly itchy. Allergy eye drops, Benedryl and Allegra are keeping me sane if lethargic. I'll be glad when all the trees stop blooming, even though they are truly beautiful to behold, especially after our ridiculously long winter.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We knew the fun had to end sometime. Jim is heading back to California tonight, and I am going down to Mexico again tomorrow morning. My dad is a <strike>glutton for punishment</strike>&nbsp;lifesaver and going to watch the kids while we are gone. We spent a lot of time trying to figure out the planning of these trips, as we opted to minimize how much time we are apart, but even then he is definitely in for a crazy week. He gets to look forward to late arrivals for school, three field trips, three dance classes, and some ongoing home improvement projects that our neighbor/contractor will be working on in the evenings. And yes, this was the BEST week for us to travel. Go figure.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The end of school craziness has reached a fever pitch. Between increased dance classes as Holly prepares for the recitals in June, new school orientations for both Connor and Holly, field trips, concerts, meetings for marching band and fall sports, and who knows what else, insanely busy doesn't even begin to cover it. What's worse is that school ends on June 7th, and Connor starts marching band practice on June 10th. So much for summer, eh?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Reviewed this week:</div> <ul> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-call-me-zelda-by-erika-robuck.html">Call Me Zelda</a> by Erika Robuck</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-inquisitors-wife-by-jeanne.html">The Inquisitor's Wife</a> by Jeanne Kalogridis</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-reconstructing-amelia.html">Reconstructing Amelia</a> by Kimberly McCreight</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html">The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry</a> by Rachel Joyce</li> </ul> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Speaking of home improvement projects, the work continues today, and I should probably make sure I am helping. We are finally turning our screened porch into a true four-seasons room. I cannot wait to see it completed. Since we have been preparing for this all winter, the furniture in that room has been somewhat neglected, and we haven't been enjoying the porch as much as we want. That all ends as soon as it is finished, which should be this week. I'm so excited!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday and a great weekend. Have a good week and happy reading!</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-may-19th-edition.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-may-19th-edition.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-mothers-day-edition.html">The Sunday Salon - Mother's Day Edition</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-cinco-de-mayo-edition.html">The Sunday Salon - Cinco de Mayo Edition</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/the-sunday-salon-april-28th-edition.html">The Sunday Salon - April 28th Edition</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/0298d0afbdf53ef19bd334e593776837b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/0298d0afbdf53ef19bd334e593776837b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/0298d0afbdf53ef19bd334e593776837b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/0298d0afbdf53ef19bd334e593776837b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/0298d0afbdf53ef19bd334e593776837b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/0298d0afbdf53ef19bd334e593776837b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/0298d0afbdf53ef19bd334e593776837b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/0298d0afbdf53ef19bd334e593776837b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 <ol><li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/41259654/0/thatswhatsheread/~Audiobook-Review-The-Unlikely-Pilgrimage-of-Harold-Fry-by-Rachel-Joyce">Audiobook Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/41070656/0/thatswhatsheread/~The-Sunday-Salon-Mother%27s-Day-Edition">The Sunday Salon - Mother's Day Edition</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/41140748/0/thatswhatsheread/~Review-The-Inquisitor%27s-Wife-by-Jeanne-Kalogridis">Review - The Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/41103158/0/thatswhatsheread/~It%27s-Monday%2c-May-13th%21-What-Are-You-Reading%3f">It's Monday, May 13th! What Are You Reading?</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/41215031/0/thatswhatsheread/~Audiobook-Review-Reconstructing-Amelia-by-Kimberly-McCreight">Audiobook Review - Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight</a></li> </ol><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/41316128/0/thatswhatsheread"> 2013-05-19T04:00:01-00:002013-05-19T04:00:01-00:00 tag:feedblitz.com,2013-05-19:thatswhatsheread/2013-05-19T04:00:01-00:00 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-45685362943373888152013-05-17T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-17T08:00:17.634-04:002013-05-17T08:00:17.634-04:00<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780812983456?p_cv" rel="powells-9780812983456" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780812983456.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780812983456?p_ti" rel="powells-9780812983456" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Rachel Joyce <br> <b><i>Narrator:</i></b> Jim Broadbent <br> <b><i>ASIN:</i></b> B008OCRSHE <br> <b><i>Audiobook Length:</i></b> 9 hours, 57 minutes <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Fiction</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Origins: </i></b>Mine. All mine.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Simple, insightful, and beautiful</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/18-9780812983456-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning the mail arrives, and within the stack of quotidian minutiae is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn't seen or heard from in 20 years. Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Harold pens a quick reply and, leaving Maureen to her chores, heads to the corner mailbox. But then, as happens in the very best works of fiction, Harold has a chance encounter, one that convinces him that he absolutely must deliver his message to Queenie in person. And thus begins the unlikely pilgrimage at the heart of Rachel Joyce's remarkable debut. Harold Fry is determined to walk 600 miles from Kingsbridge to the hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed because, he believes, as long as he walks, Queenie Hennessey will live.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Still in his yachting shoes and light coat, Harold embarks on his urgent quest across the countryside. Along the way he meets one fascinating character after another, each of whom unlocks his long-dormant spirit and sense of promise. Memories of his first dance with Maureen, his wedding day, his joy in fatherhood, come rushing back to him - allowing him to also reconcile the losses and the regrets. As for Maureen, she finds herself missing Harold for the first time in years.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> And then there is the unfinished business with Queenie Hennessy."</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>Harold Fry is an ordinary man. Newly retired, he has yet to find a hobby to fill his days. His wife has fallen out of love with him, and their relationship is a strained one. However, when a death-bed letter arrives from a former coworker, he finds himself shaken out of his lethargy and driven to do something. That something, as it turns out, is to walk across the country to save his friend. Beset by doubters, physical ailments, and issues with motivation, every step of Harold’s walk brings new discoveries and a new sense of self for both him and for his left-behind wife. Rachel Joyce’s <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780812983456?p_ti" rel="powells-9780812983456" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry</a> is the extraordinary story of faith, love, aging, friendship, and of rediscovering oneself no matter what age.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Harold is a delightful man and a pleasure to follow on his journey. There is a placidity to his actions that is comforting, while his thoughts are insightful in so many ways. He remains humble throughout his journey, a difficult feat given the attention he soon garners as news of his pilgrimage hits the news media, but it is his observations about himself and humanity that truly make the novel. His simple faith in the goodness of people – at first internalized and then put to the test – is profound and a healing revelation given all of the negative news that dominates the headlines these days. His remorse at his estrangement with his wife, at the strained relationship with his son, and for other regrets shows just how unexpected life’s course really is. It is at once a great reminder to stay vigilant and fight for the truly important things in life and a heart-wrenching image of what could happen to all of us.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While Harold is walking, Maureen undergoes her own spiritual journey. Hers is every bit as profound as Harold’s, although hers happens under the comfort of her own roof. While Harold’s path shows how important it is to leave one’s comfort zone and do things, Maureen’s shows the importance of self-reflection and of holding up the proverbial mirror to the truth. Both are incomplete until the two methods are combined, and their reunion is made more powerful as a result.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780812983456?p_ti" rel="powells-9780812983456" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry</a> is the type of novel that begs for an open map and web browser. His journey definitely arouses a reader’s curiosity to learn. Following along Harold’s route, looking up the tourist sites he visits, and checking out the scenery as he denotes its changes serves to enhance one’s understanding of his long journey. This is especially true for readers unfamiliar with England’s varied topography or even its geography. This multi-media interaction, however voluntary, also creates a better link to Harold’s struggling mindset, as it is easier to imagine the physical struggles that enhance his mental ones. The opportunities for learning more about English culture, geography, and people allows for a total immersion into this beautiful story.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jim Broadbent, he of Harry Potter and Moulin Rouge fame, is the narrator. His delivery is very slow and deliberate, which can take some time to adjust to it. However, his methodical narration suits the plot so well that it soon becomes a nonissue. His is also a subtle performance, well-suited for the story. He does differentiate characters through intonation, pitch, and accent changes, the latter which also highlight Harold’s northward passage, and his emotional output is minimal. Yet, a listener can distinguish between the characters and, more importantly, can feel Harold’s ever-changing mood. Mr. Broadbent’s narration falls heavily upon the ear when Harold is struggling to find his motivation; similarly, the entire feel of his performance changes when Harold is most inspired and determined. It is a quite brilliant performance specifically because of its restraint.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Words fail to do justice to this beautiful work of prose. Each word is as deliberate as each of Harold’s steps, and the time Harold spends remembering and reflecting provides a natural inclination for readers to do the same regarding their own lives. Even better, Harold’s progress is not as one would expect. Just as in life, he starts, stumbles, doubts, continues, stumbles and doubts again, and so on. His pilgrimage truly is a metaphor for the journey of life, with the need for love, kindness, faith, and hope just as important as the need for food and shelter. While such a journey would change anyone, Maureen too undergoes astounding growth, showing that even the hardest heart can change if willing. The ending is every bit as moving as one would expect without becoming overly sentimental or manipulative. It is just a wonderful, heartfelt story that makes one feel good about this great thing called life.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-stories-i-only-tell-my.html">Audiobook Review - Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-last-camellia-by-sarah-jio.html">Review - The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-reconstructing-amelia.html">Audiobook Review - Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/55d5c4d8c82ad122ae1947138c3c0eb7b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/55d5c4d8c82ad122ae1947138c3c0eb7b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/55d5c4d8c82ad122ae1947138c3c0eb7b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/55d5c4d8c82ad122ae1947138c3c0eb7b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/55d5c4d8c82ad122ae1947138c3c0eb7b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/55d5c4d8c82ad122ae1947138c3c0eb7b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/55d5c4d8c82ad122ae1947138c3c0eb7b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/55d5c4d8c82ad122ae1947138c3c0eb7b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-reconstructing-amelia.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-75649126289640478612013-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-16T08:00:10.828-04:002013-05-16T08:00:10.828-04:00<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062225436?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062225436" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062225436.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062225436?p_ti" rel="powells-9780062225436" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Reconstructing Amelia</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Kimberly McCreight <br> <b><i>Narrator:</i></b>Khristine Hvam <br> <b><i>ASIN:</i></b> B00BW7OTCU <br> <b><i>Audiobook Length:</i></b> 12 hours, 15 minutes <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Fiction <br> <b><i>Origins: </i></b>Mine. All mine. <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Intense, emotional, and twisty - the best three adjectives for any novel</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780062225436-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Kate's in the middle of the biggest meeting of her career when she gets the telephone call from Grace Hall, her daughter’s exclusive private school in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Amelia has been suspended, effective immediately, and Kate must come get her daughter—now. But Kate’s stress over leaving work quickly turns to panic when she arrives at the school and finds it surrounded by police officers, fire trucks, and an ambulance. By then it’s already too late for Amelia. And for Kate.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> An academic overachiever despondent over getting caught cheating has jumped to her death. At least that’s the story Grace Hall tells Kate. And clouded as she is by her guilt and grief, it is the one she forces herself to believe. Until she gets an anonymous text: She didn’t jump.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062225436?p_ti" rel="powells-9780062225436" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Reconstructing Amelia</a> is about secret first loves, old friendships, and an all-girls club steeped in tradition. But, most of all, it’s the story of how far a mother will go to vindicate the memory of a daughter whose life she couldn’t save.”</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>We’ve all been there. That unexpected phone call that usually comes at the worst time, telling you that you have to pick up your child from school as soon as possible. The first response is one of annoyance at the poor timing followed quickly by guilt that you could ever think your child an annoyance. Then it becomes a rush to finish up a project, juggle schedules, inform the powers that be, decide what work to bring home, maneuver through traffic, and get to the school in a timely fashion, before the school calls again wondering where you are and mentally add your name to the bad parent list for not arriving sooner. To Kate, it is just one more example of the fight for balance she has had to maintain over her career as a junior partner in a prestigious law firm while a single mother. Yet, when she arrives later than planned to her daughter’s school, she faces any parent’s worst nightmare. Kimberly McCreight’s <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062225436?p_ti" rel="powells-9780062225436" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Reconstructing Amelia</a> spotlights a mother’s grief at the loss of her child and her need to find better answers than the ones given to her.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ms. McCreight uses Kate to speak for all working mothers and their never-ending debates regarding work life and motherhood. Her struggles to find the right balance, opting for quality weekend time over being home at regular hours on week nights, the reliance of a nanny, and time-saving methods, are familiar to any mother looking to assuage the guilt associated with missing a child’s concert or game because of a business trip or meeting. Of course, that guilt is nothing compared to the blame she feels at not arriving at Grace Hall sooner. Through Kate, working mothers also get to live out their biggest fears – that something would happen to their children, and their presence could have prevented it. By making Kate so relatable, drawing on familiar maternal instincts and warring needs, there is an increased urgency behind her need to discover the truth, as if a reader is urging Kate forward to help prevent something similar from happening to one’s own children. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As powerful as the emotional content is, and as utterly sympathetic as Kate is in her anguish and desperation, there are a few issues with the book that may cause a reader some heartache. First, while Kate is emotionally sympathetic, her life of privilege will distant some readers/working mothers who are working because they have to do so rather than because they want to work. Kate’s nanny, housecleaner, Amelia’s private school education, her Brooklyn brownstone, Kate’s parents – everything about Kate and Amelia screams money. While earning enough money to afford such luxuries is always wonderful, it does cause the tiniest bit of friction between Kate and the reader, as a reader knows that such luxuries come at a price. All working mothers make sacrifices, either in career or in family, but it seems as if Kate’s sacrifices to this point are fairly miniscule until she loses her daughter.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The other issue readers might find in the novel is the fact that Kate assists the police with their investigation, as in she not only tags along at visits to potential suspects but gets involved in the questioning and collection of evidence. Her indignation when she is finally told she has to stop is understandable, but one cannot help but wonder why she was allowed to be an active participant in the first place. Granted, her participation helps with the narrative and creates more tension as she fits to control her frustration and desperation. However, it just is not very realistic and dilutes the message as it makes her no different from the other mothers she meets.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However emotional Kate’s search is, Amelia’s story is the one that will draw readers the most. Through various Facebook posts, text messages, and first-person narrative, one gets to know Amelia quite well, through all her doubts, fears, triumphs, and failures. Amelia becomes the daughter the reader wishes she had, since she really is a good girl with the whole world ahead of her, making her loss that much more tragic. The secret club situation at Grace Hall may be stereotypical, but it is an effective one as Amelia’s experiences in the club remind female readers how tough it is to be a teenage girl in any age but confirm that the advent of social media and the use of cell phones have made girl-on-girl bullying even more psychologically sadistic than it used to be. The unveiling of the truth, not through Kate’s discoveries but through Amelia’s eyes, serve to highlight the peer pressure she faces as well as the complex world of teens that parents can never completely understand, and Amelia’s last scene is absolutely haunting in its honesty and innocence.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Since the story is told from two different perspectives, the ability to distinguish between the two voices is key to making <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062225436?p_ti" rel="powells-9780062225436" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Reconstructing Amelia</a> a successful audiobook. Thankfully, Khristine Hvam is more than up to the challenge. She manages to convey Kate’s business-like professionalism and contrast that with the more emotionally fraught teenage voice of her daughter. She also takes her narration one step further by intoning into each of her characters that nasally, valley girl-like inflection that permeates today’s younger generation’s speech patterns. Listening to Ms. Hvam’s Magpies really is like listening to a gaggle of teenagers. Her male voices are equally impressive, as she drops her voice just enough to sound masculine and differentiate between the various male characters without sounding completely false or strained. Overall, hers is a satisfying performance that does much to enhance the context of Amelia’s last few weeks.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062225436?p_ti" rel="powells-9780062225436" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Reconstructing Amelia</a> may not be as completely shocking as last year’s It book, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780307588364?p_ti" rel="powells-9780307588364" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Gone Girl</a>, but it definitely brings its own surprises. Ms. McCreight uses the dual narration to great effect, as she highlights Kate’s emotional fragility with Amelia’s self-discovery. Her overall message is equally timely given the emphasis on ending bullying that has increased in schools around the country. Kate and Amelia are both strong, remarkable women, and readers will empathize with them both from the very beginning. The tragic loss of Amelia and its underlying reasons are eye-opening and will make readers hug their children just a bit tighter at night in an effort to protect them longer.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780451239921.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780451239921?p_ti" rel="powells-9780451239921" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Call Me Zelda</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Erika Robuck <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9780451239921 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 352 <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Historical Fiction <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Origins: </i></b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/adult/nal.html">New American Library</a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Poignant and insightful look at the end of an era <br> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780451239921-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “From New York to Paris, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald reigned as king and queen of the Jazz Age, but those who really knew them saw their inner turmoil. Committed to a Baltimore psychiatric hospital in 1932, Zelda vacillates between lucidity and madness as she fights to forge an identity independent of her famous husband. She discovers a sympathetic ear in her nurse Anna Howard, who finds herself drawn into the Fitzgeralds’ tumultuous lives and wonders which of them is the true genius. But in taking greater emotional risks to save Zelda, Anna may end up paying a far higher price than she ever intended.”</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>Zelda Fitzgerald, probably the most famous Flapper to exist, had the type of real-life relationship that makes Scarlett O’Hara’s relationship with Rhett Butler look staid in comparison. Her marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald was notoriously volatile, as each struggled with their own personal demons and mental illnesses. Erika Robuck’s <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780451239921?p_ti" rel="powells-9780451239921" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Call Me Zelda</a> provides an intimate look into the life of this remarkable woman, while introducing readers to an equally impressive woman in Anna Howard, a nurse who becomes Zelda’s personal caregiver and who is dealing with her own heartache. Together, both women explore the meaning of independence, love, and loss, and form a friendship that will last for decades.</div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Scott and Zelda’s relationship is a true tragic love story. There is no doubt that they loved each other unequivocally and passionately. However, both sides are guilty of the destruction that mars the beauty of their relationship. Scott’s alcohol and Zelda’s mental illness are the two catalysts that set fire to their fragile relationship. What started out as a mutually beneficial working relationship - in addition to passionate marriage - becomes the biggest obstacle between them, as neither side can adapt to the need for a new set of boundaries or their new roles. Scott refuses to accept Zelda’s need for artistic output and identity, not willing to give up the muse that so inspired him and helped him become famous, while Zelda digresses to childlike behavior used to deliberately provoke her husband and set him to further drink. It is a vicious, ugly cycle that does not end until his death. It is into this maelstrom that Anna strides, fervently hoping to set things to right in order to help her patient. It proves to be a job beyond her talents.</div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Anna’s own story is equally tragic, but the tragedies that bring both women together ultimately set them apart as well. While Zelda’s mental illness is a huge mitigating factor in the decline of her marriage, ultimately both Scott and Zelda create much of their own chaos. In contrast, Anna’s story is not one of her own making. As she struggles to help her patient and heal from her own wounds, a reader can only admire her dedication, steadfastness, and determination. This serves her well as she enters the tumultuous lives of the Fitzgeralds’. It also proves to be helpful in allowing her to set aside her past heartache and move forward when the time is right. She is the type of character that easily evokes sympathy and makes a reader want to be a better person. As such, one is firmly supportive behind Anna through all of her doubts, awkwardness, and later her happiness.</div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ms. Robuck does an excellent job of bringing back to life the extraordinary Fitzgeralds and of creating a highly realistic and sympathetic character in Anna. Better yet, for every fact she presents, more questions will automatically arise. Were the Fitzgeralds’ a victim of the era in which they lived? Would they have had nearly as many problems had they lived in the Baby Boomer era or even before the Jazz Age? That being said, would Scott have been half as success if he had written in a different decade as well? Was Zelda really sick or a victim of her own circumstances? Questions like these only indicate how successful Ms. Robuck is at fleshing out these large-than-life historical figures and making readers care about them. <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780451239921?p_ti" rel="powells-9780451239921" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Call Me Zelda</a> is a fascinating glimpse at the decline of the Jazz Age, as those who epitomized the era struggle to find new roles in an age that no longer considers them relevant.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-call-me-zelda-by-erika-robuck.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-call-me-zelda-by-erika-robuck.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-last-camellia-by-sarah-jio.html">Review - The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-witchs-handbook-of-kisses-and.html">Review - A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html">Audiobook Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/4ca55459560dae9aadeb6ab16283e8dfb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/4ca55459560dae9aadeb6ab16283e8dfb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/4ca55459560dae9aadeb6ab16283e8dfb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/4ca55459560dae9aadeb6ab16283e8dfb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/4ca55459560dae9aadeb6ab16283e8dfb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/4ca55459560dae9aadeb6ab16283e8dfb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/4ca55459560dae9aadeb6ab16283e8dfb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/4ca55459560dae9aadeb6ab16283e8dfb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-inquisitors-wife-by-jeanne.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-34101002628607956482013-05-14T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-14T08:00:02.187-04:002013-05-14T08:00:02.187-04:00<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780312675462?p_cv" rel="powells-9780312675462" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780312675462.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780312675462?p_ti" rel="powells-9780312675462" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Inquisitor's Wife</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Jeanne Kalogridis <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9780312675462 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 400 <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Historical Fiction <br> <b><i>Origins: </i></b> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~us.macmillan.com/SMP.aspx">St. Martin's Press</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.netgalley.com/">NetGalley</a> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Interesting if historically inaccurate</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780312675462-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "1481 Seville: The Inquisition makes its first appearance in Spain. Its target: <i>conversos</i>, Christians of Jewish descent - specifically those who practice Judaism secretly in their homes. The penalty for 'crypto-Judaism': Burning at the stake.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Marisol Garcia, a young <i>conversa</i>, is hurriedly wed to Gabriel, a civil lawyer working for the Inquisition, in hopes that he will protect her. But she still yearns for the childhood love who abandoned her four years earlier, and she's shocked when he reappears suddenly at her wedding.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> When her father is arrested and tortured, Marisol finds herself caught between her love for him and her desire to save the lives of her people. After becoming a favorite of the ruthless Queen Isabella, Marisol discovers a dangerous secret about her former lover, Antonio, and finds herself trapped in a life-threatening web of intrigue. As the Inquisition's snares tighten around her, Marisol's love for Antonio and loyalty to her Jewish family are tested as never before…"</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>Marisol Garcia has known nothing but the comfort of a loving well-to-do family and the luxuries that lifestyle provided. In spite of her converso heritage, her parents shelter her and provide her with love and all they can offer. When the veil is cruelly ripped from her eyes upon her mother’s tragic death, however, Marisol must make sense of the world into which she is thrust. Her marriage to Gabriel Hojeda, long-time neighbor and civil lawyer for the Inquisition, shows her not only the harshness of the world for conversos, but also a more dangerous world than she ever imagined, one in which a stranger can accuse someone of being a crypto-Jew with nothing more than a statement. Jeanne Kalogridis’ <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780312675462?p_ti" rel="powells-9780312675462" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Inquisitor's Wife</a> uses Marisol to highlight the terror of the age and the depths of man’s cruelty and intolerance.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> From a historical perspective, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780312675462?p_ti" rel="powells-9780312675462" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Inquisitor's Wife</a> is an excellent source of information. Marisol’s marriage affords her a unique perspective on some of the inside aspects of the Inquisition, from Hojeda’s initial plea to the Queen, to the growing unease of the conversos, to the royal edicts allowing anonymous denouncements, to Torquemada’s growing influence over the proceedings. Make no mistake, the proceedings are highly biased and draw upon every commonly-held belief about the Inquisition itself, but it still enlightening. While there are some scholars who belief that torture was not quite as wildly used as is believed, Ms. Kalogridis uses the torture scenes to highlight how hypocritical the entire proceedings were. The Spanish Inquisition and its fundamental tenets are some of the lowest points of Christianity, and most readers will be absolutely disgusted by the behavior of these professed men of God and their holy obligation to rid their towns of the “threat” of Judaism.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Against this very serious backdrop, historically inaccurate but still proving the point, Marisol is just too childish, unbelievably so. Ms. Kalogridis tries to explain this by the fact that her parents kept her completely sheltered from anything negative or dangerous as a measure of protection against the likelihood of an Inquisition questioning her mixed heritage. However, her reaction to her father’s decision to marry her to her anti-Semitic neighbor is too overdramatic given the time period. At times, she shows such fire and backbone, but when things get tough, she relies on her faithful childhood servant and the friendship of others to help her. Again and again, she finds herself in trouble because she does not listen to those who are trying to help her, instead preferring to do things her own way. Yes, she is young, but her reactions to troubling events and insistence on rushing into situations without knowing the full details of them maker her more like today’s whiny, self-obsessed teens than a teenager living during the Spanish Renaissance. The dangers in which she finds herself, because they are so often of her own doing, become tedious after a while, as she proves incapable of rescuing herself.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Still, even Marisol’s ineptness and overall annoying attitude cannot mar the fact that <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780312675462?p_ti" rel="powells-9780312675462" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Inquisitor's Wife</a> shines because of its historical details. The subject matter itself is sickening, but by highlighting the cruelty one human can bestow upon another, it becomes a profound learning experience for a reader. The ignorance and anti-Semitism mentioned in detail throughout the novel are no less despicable because they occurred over 400 years ago, as -except for the use of torture - it does not take a great stretch of the imagination to envision such hatred in today’s era. Ms. Kalogridis does a great job allowing readers to experience the intense fear and confusion the conversos must have felt upon hearing the royal edict creating the Inquisition tribunal and the Papal Bull approving this action. A reader may not be surprised at some of the story’s plot twists, and Marisol may be one of the weaker heroines in recent months, but the story is still intense and exciting. A fascinating plot can make even the weakest character more enjoyable, which is what happens here. In spite of all its faults, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780312675462?p_ti" rel="powells-9780312675462" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Inquisitor's Wife</a> is a fast-paced thriller that will engage readers with its historical tidbits, allowing them to gloss over the feebler elements and still enjoy the story for what it is.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-inquisitors-wife-by-jeanne.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-inquisitors-wife-by-jeanne.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-witchs-handbook-of-kisses-and.html">Review - A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html">Audiobook Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-reconstructing-amelia.html">Audiobook Review - Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/d1235e57ce708e0fa5e465840c6f4654b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/d1235e57ce708e0fa5e465840c6f4654b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/d1235e57ce708e0fa5e465840c6f4654b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/d1235e57ce708e0fa5e465840c6f4654b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/d1235e57ce708e0fa5e465840c6f4654b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/d1235e57ce708e0fa5e465840c6f4654b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/d1235e57ce708e0fa5e465840c6f4654b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/d1235e57ce708e0fa5e465840c6f4654b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/its-monday-may-13th-what-are-you-reading.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-39851055613790282212013-05-13T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-14T20:50:03.093-04:002013-05-14T20:50:03.093-04:00<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~bookjourney.wordpress.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Button" border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTYyOVV2x7k/TwZWUMtH78I/AAAAAAAAB00/tytNFcpilbk/s200/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-90.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Hosted by Sheila from <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~bookjourney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Book Journey</a>, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <b>Finished Last Week:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062133434?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062133434"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062133434.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780525953685?p_cv" rel="powells-9780525953685"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780525953685.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780316216852?p_cv" rel="powells-9780316216852"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780316216852.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062110831?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062110831"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062110831.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780547959108?p_cv" rel="powells-9780547959108"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780547959108.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062112248?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062112248"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062112248.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Currently Reading:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451661507?p_cv" rel="powells-9781451661507"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781451661507.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Currently Listening:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062105622?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062105622"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062105622.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Up Next:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451682052?p_cv" rel="powells-9781451682052"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781451682052.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780385349406?p_cv" rel="powells-9780385349406"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780385349406.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell" /></a> <br> <br> What are you reading?</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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What Are You Reading?</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/d6e48e6b287603f3653d22e58321584cb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/d6e48e6b287603f3653d22e58321584cb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/d6e48e6b287603f3653d22e58321584cb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/d6e48e6b287603f3653d22e58321584cb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/d6e48e6b287603f3653d22e58321584cb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/d6e48e6b287603f3653d22e58321584cb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/d6e48e6b287603f3653d22e58321584cb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/d6e48e6b287603f3653d22e58321584cb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-mothers-day-edition.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-75050726665394427102013-05-12T09:30:00.000-04:002013-05-12T09:30:02.852-04:002013-05-12T09:30:02.852-04:00<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-FecjSnAdg/SyWFJRoknGI/AAAAAAAABD8/6bVZoYvw4rs/s1600/TSSbadge2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: The Sunday Salon Button" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-FecjSnAdg/SyWFJRoknGI/AAAAAAAABD8/6bVZoYvw4rs/s1600/TSSbadge2.png" title="" /></a></div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Good morning, everyone! To all mothers out there, I hope you are being spoiled rotten. It is the least they can do for having had to deal with the indignity of pregnancy as well as the horrifying pains of labor and delivery. Right?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I'm kicking back today, catching up on all my neglected written and online correspondence. I have no idea what the kids have planned for me today but I'm sure it will be good whatever it is. I do plan on settling in with a book or two. Perhaps a nap is in order as well. Who knows? That's what Sundays are all about anyway!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jim's home for the next week, which is a good thing, as the calendar is definitely getting more full with the big push towards the end of the school year. New school orientations, meetings, rehearsals, and so much more are keeping us all busier than ever. Not to mention the work to the yard that we now have to maintain. It is definitely more than one person can handle.&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Did you happen to see that I was featured on <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~bookbloggersintl.blogspot.com/2013/05/michelle-of-thats-what-she-read.html">Book Bloggers International</a> this week?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Reviewed this week:</div> <ul> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-cuckoos-calling-by-robert.html">The Cuckoo's Calling</a> by Robert Galbraith</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-interestings-by-meg.html">The Interestings</a> by Meg Wolitzer</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-night-rainbow-by-claire-king.html">The Night Rainbow</a> by Claire King</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-program-by-suzanne-young.html">The Program</a> by Suzanne Young</li> </ul> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I'm keeping it short and sweet this week, as I want to make sure everyone gets the chance to spend today with their mothers or mothers of their children. Have a great day, everyone. Happy Mother's Day!</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-mothers-day-edition.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-mothers-day-edition.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-may-19th-edition.html">The Sunday Salon - May 19th Edition</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-cinco-de-mayo-edition.html">The Sunday Salon - Cinco de Mayo Edition</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/the-sunday-salon-april-28th-edition.html">The Sunday Salon - April 28th Edition</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/a5f1747048c9c97fe08ba800efe94630b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/a5f1747048c9c97fe08ba800efe94630b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/a5f1747048c9c97fe08ba800efe94630b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/a5f1747048c9c97fe08ba800efe94630b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/a5f1747048c9c97fe08ba800efe94630b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/a5f1747048c9c97fe08ba800efe94630b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/a5f1747048c9c97fe08ba800efe94630b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/a5f1747048c9c97fe08ba800efe94630b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 <div style="clear:left"><ol><li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/41004381/0/thatswhatsheread/~Audiobook-Review-The-Interestings-by-Meg-Wolitzer">Audiobook Review - The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40923664/0/thatswhatsheread/~Review-The-Night-Rainbow-by-Claire-King">Review - The Night Rainbow by Claire King</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40850903/0/thatswhatsheread/~It%27s-Monday%2c-May-6th%21-What-Are-You-Reading%3f">It's Monday, May 6th! What Are You Reading?</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40829199/0/thatswhatsheread/~The-Sunday-Salon-Cinco-de-Mayo-Edition">The Sunday Salon - Cinco de Mayo Edition</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40887444/0/thatswhatsheread/~Review-The-Program-by-Suzanne-Young">Review - The Program by Suzanne Young</a></li> </ol><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/41060056/0/thatswhatsheread"> </div> 2013-05-12T04:00:01-00:002013-05-12T04:00:01-00:00 tag:feedblitz.com,2013-05-12:thatswhatsheread/2013-05-12T04:00:01-00:00 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-interestings-by-meg.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-5477952843255049422013-05-10T08:00:00.001-04:002013-05-11T22:59:58.216-04:002013-05-11T22:59:58.216-04:00<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_cv" rel="powells-9781594488399" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781594488399.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_ti" rel="powells-9781594488399" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Interestings</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Meg Wolitzer <br> <b><i>Narrator:</i></b> Jen Tullock <br> <b><i>ASIN:</i></b> B00BMBAK9M <br> <b><i>Audiobook Length:</i></b> 15 hours, 41 minutes <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Fiction <br> <b><i>Origins: </i></b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/audiobooks/index.html">Penguin Audio</a> <br> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Not-so-interesting tale of pretentious teens who never lose that attribute as they grow older <br> <br> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/2-9781594488399-1">Synopsis</a>: </i></b> <br> <blockquote> "The summer that Nixon resigns, six teenagers at a summer camp for the arts become inseparable. Decades later the bond remains powerful, but so much else has changed. In <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_ti" rel="powells-9781594488399" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Interestings</a>, Wolitzer follows these characters from the height of youth through middle age, as their talents, fortunes, and degrees of satisfaction diverge. <br> <br> The kind of creativity that is rewarded at age fifteen is not always enough to propel someone through life at age thirty; not everyone can sustain, in adulthood, what seemed so special in adolescence. Jules Jacobson, an aspiring comic actress, eventually resigns herself to a more practical occupation and lifestyle. Her friend Jonah, a gifted musician, stops playing the guitar and becomes an engineer. But Ethan and Ash, Jules’s now-married best friends, become shockingly successful — true to their initial artistic dreams, with the wealth and access that allow those dreams to keep expanding. The friendships endure and even prosper, but also underscore the differences in their fates, in what their talents have become and the shapes their lives have taken."</blockquote> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>Meg Wolitzer’s latest novel, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_ti" rel="powells-9781594488399" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Interestings</a>, explores the decades-long friendship of five friends and their lives both together and separate. Meeting in their teens at a liberal arts camp, the group stay connected through separate colleges and get even closer as they enter into long-term relationships, have families, and start careers. Their individual paths are not what any of them expected or dreamed, but they each find success in different ways. More importantly, they remain available for the highs and lows in each of their lives. This character drama plays out over the span of decades and explores the highs and lows of life. <br> <br> The fault of <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_ti" rel="powells-9781594488399" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Interestings</a> lies in little things that aggravate and annoy rather than in one big deficiency. For one, the group is too old to have fallen prey to the “everyone is a winner” mindset that is proving so difficult with Millennials in the business world, and yet, that is exactly how they act. Having come of age in the 1970s, this Gen X group would have been subjected to the same tough standards and competition that defines their generation. However, they act like the much younger Millennial generation when they each take their talent as a youth and consider it a given that they will be able to make careers out of it, when the chances of that happening are slim to none – as the story soon proves. The truly interesting part of all of this is that it is not the parents who are encouraging them to “live their dreams”; the parents are actually quite realistic about their chances. Yet, the parents are shown as harsh and judgmental. This interaction between parents and kids, and the whole idea of being able to turn a childhood talent into a successful career is just not generation-appropriate. <br> <br> Also, there is a disturbing trend in fiction to use a character’s full name throughout a novel rather than just once or twice for character introductions. Even after decades of friendship, it is still Ash Wolf and Jonah Bay rather than just Ash and Jonah. After a book is two-thirds over, is a character’s last name truly that important? It is a slight thing but seriously annoying, and it serves no obvious purpose. This sort of description is happening though more often in novels, but that does not mean that it is a welcome trend. <br> <br> Speaking of characters, there is something quite despicable about Jules and Ash. Jules’ blind worship of anything related to the Wolf family is disturbing. Ash is too full of herself to be taken seriously, and yet, that is exactly what everyone does. She has a power that is undeserved, unless it comes down to the power associated with a beautiful girl. Her feminist career path is hypocritical after the stance she takes towards her brother’s “transgression”, and for that reason it is difficult to take her seriously. While there is no doubt that she does love Ethan and Jules, there is still a false note in each of those relationships. Forcing her friends to take her brother’s side or else risk their friendship, failing to include her husband on one key element of her family history – they are terribly manipulative and make it difficult to accept her as is. <br> <br> As for Jules, her hero worship of Ash is understandable at first but quickly devolves into the absurd as the years pass. Their adult friendship also strikes a false note, as Jules goes back to her apartment and mocks everything about Ash’s new life but accepts the free vacations and other perks associated with being friends with millionaires. At more than one point in the novel, a reader asks just why the two are friends, and it is very difficult to discern valid reasons for the relationship lasting as long as it does. Jules would definitely be happier if Ash were not such a prominent feature in her life. Both girls are meant to be tragic but come across as close-minded and bitter instead. <br> <br> The true heart of the novel, and the stories that derive the most sympathy, are Jonah’s and Ethan’s. Jonah is the odd man out - the friend on the fringe - but by staying on the sidelines, he manages to be the most normal of the group. His childhood tragedy is just that, and it is easy to see why he steps away from his music. He finds a fulfilling job, relationships, and a modicum of success that most people aim to achieve. In other words, he is refreshingly ordinary in spite of his talent and his musical childhood. Ethan is similarly sympathetic and enjoyable. A reader has no doubts about the fact that he loves Jules and has always loved her, and this definitely makes him a tragic figure. His success is genuine, unlike Ash’s, and his initial discomfort at her newfound wealth is endearing…until Ash tells him that he needs to start spending money. One gets the feeling that without Ash’s influence, Ethan would have been the one friend to have changed the least. Again, like Jules and Ash, there is a ring of falseness surrounding his marriage to Ash that is disconcerting. There is nothing wrong with dislikable characters, but there are one too many characters that do not ring true, and in a character-driven novel, this makes it very difficult to enjoy the narrative. <br> <br> Jen Tullock takes a no-nonsense approach to narrating <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_ti" rel="powells-9781594488399" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Interestings</a> . Her delivery is very matter-of-fact and distant, and it takes a while for a listener to adjust to it. In a way, her delivery makes sense as the narrator truly is a disinterested third party. Still, leaving all of the emotional context to the dialogue of the characters can be very off-putting. As for her characterization, Ms. Tullock does a decent job. Some of her female characters sound a bit like valley girls and her male characterizations have that pseudo-bass note that all women trying to pose as men use. Given the rampant use of each character’s name, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_ti" rel="powells-9781594488399" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Interestings</a> is one novel where the use of different voices and tonalities is not necessary to keeping track of the dialogue, and her performance might have been stronger had she kept the use of different voices to a minimum. As such, the audio version of <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_ti" rel="powells-9781594488399" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Interestings</a> doesn’t quite work. Ms. Tullock’s performance does nothing to enhance the story, and considering how unemotional her performance is and how little action there is in the story, one would be better served reading it in print versus listening to it. <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_ti" rel="powells-9781594488399" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Interestings</a> just does not live up to its name. The group of friends have all of youth’s pretentiousness when they meet, which is to be expected, but they sadly never lose this attribute as they age. They come across as snobs, and it is difficult for readers to feel anything other than slight contempt for them. The insertion of political issues into the narrative is distracting and does nothing to enhance the story. While the study of talent versus success is intriguing, there is a considered lack of realism in this that mars this particular plot element. Similarly, there is nothing to promote a strong reader-character connection, and the story tends to plod along as it focuses on the minutiae of the group’s everyday lives. <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781594488399?p_ti" rel="powells-9781594488399" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Interestings</a> are just not that interesting. <br> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780316206846.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780316206846?p_ti" rel="powells-9780316206846" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Cuckoo's Calling</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Robert Galbraith <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9780316206846 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 456 <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Mystery <br> <b><i>Origins: </i></b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.mulhollandbooks.com/">Mulholland Books</a> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Refreshing upgrade on the classic murder mystery</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780316206846-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “When a troubled model falls to her death from a snow-covered Mayfair balcony, it is assumed that she has committed suicide. However, her brother has his doubts, and calls in private investigator Cormoran Strike to look into the case.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Strike is a war veteran - wounded both physically and psychologically - and his life is in disarray. The case gives him a financial lifeline, but it comes at a personal cost: the more he delves into the young model's complex world, the darker things get - and the closer he gets to terrible danger...”</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>A famous model plunges to her death from her third-story flat, and the world mourns for a few frenzied weeks. Such is the life and death of a celebrity. To her family members though, the ruling of death by suicide does not sit well, prompting them to look up an old family friend cum private detective to search for the truth. Enter Cormoran Strike, former military police, wounded in Afghanistan, and now facing the sudden and volatile break-up with his long-time girlfriend. His business is failing, and now that his relationship is over, he has no home. What he does have is a careful attention to detail, a passion for justice, and the intellect necessary to use one to achieve the other. As he goes about his business searching for clues and hard proof to back up his suspicions, he is helped by his extremely competent and adorably innocent secretary, Robin. Together, they ferret out the truth and uncover a surprising plot for fame, money, and glory.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Robert Galbraith’s <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780316206846?p_ti" rel="powells-9780316206846" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Cuckoo's Calling</a> is a true, old-fashioned murder mystery, albeit without the misogynistic, machismo tendencies such novels traditionally have. In true detective novel fashion, it is the characters that makes the story so enjoyable. Cormoran Strike is at once sympathetic and more than a bit scary. He is hairy, large, and extremely capable. There is a coldness to him, due to his past experiences in the military, that makes itself known in every little action and word. Yet, he is endearingly sweet, careful around his loved ones, and still very vulnerable thanks to his mental and physical wounds. It is this vulnerability onto which a reader will latch, as he struggles to pull his life back together while attempting to discern the truth. Similarly, Robin is a delightful counterpoint to Cormoran’s fumblings. She is exceedingly competent at her job, appears delicate but has a backbone of steel when needed, and has the type of caring attitude that her boss needs to further his healing. Moreover, she is intelligent and very good at thinking on her feet, something Cormoran appreciates, recognizes as a huge asset, and for which gives her credit. Robin is not the bimbo secretary there to take his calls and organize his schedule and files, nor does he treat her like one. Theirs is definitely a modern-day partnership, with all the respect and appreciation good working relationships generate.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780316206846?p_ti" rel="powells-9780316206846" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Cuckoo's Calling</a> harkens back to old-school detective novels. Cormoran has all the modern-day sensitivities even if he is a man’s man with his massive bulk, his non-metrosexual body hair, military history and accolades, and intimidating demeanor. Robin, for all her tidiness and appearance of delicacy, is the perfect foil for Comoran, and together they make a great team. Also, the story itself is one of the few mysteries in recent months that actually remains a mystery until the very end. The use of well-hidden clues and plenty of red herrings excel at throwing readers off the scent of the truth. Mirroring Cormoran’s detective work, the novel is methodical and deliberate, and while there is little action, the resolution is as satisfactory as it is surprising because of the time Mr. Galbraith takes in developing his characters and establishing the plot. Because of the care Mr. Galbraith takes to establish his story, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780316206846?p_ti" rel="powells-9780316206846" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Cuckoo's Calling</a> is not meant for slapdash, quick reading. Instead, it requires the same deliberately slow reading pace used to set the tone of the novel. However, because the story is so careful and exactly in its details, a reader will not mind at all to spend a little more time with the adorable Robin and vulnerable yet daunting Cormoran Strike.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Night Rainbow by Claire King" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781608199440.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Night Rainbow by Claire King" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781608199440?p_ti" rel="powells-9781608199440" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Night Rainbow</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Claire King <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9781608199440 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 272 <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Fiction <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Origins: </i></b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.bloomsbury.com/us/">Bloomsbury Publishing</a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Beautiful and heart-wrenching</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781608199440-1">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "It is summer in the south of France, and Pea and her little sister Margot spend their days running free, inventing games in the meadow behind their house. But Pea has worries beyond her five and a half years. Her father has died in an accident, and her mother has just lost a baby. Maman is English, already isolated in this small, foreign village, and in her compounded grief, she has retreated even further. Pea and Margot stay out of her way and try to make things better, but they can't make Maman happy again. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> When Pea befriends Claude, a man who seems to love the meadow as she does, she wonders if he could be a new papa. But why do the other villagers view Claude with suspicion, and what secrets does his large empty house hold?"</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>Pea and Margot are lonely. Their beloved Papa has died in a tragic accident, and Maman is exhausted with grief and with the extra exertion that comes in a woman’s final few months of pregnancy. The girls do everything possible to help their mother – stay out of the house, clean up, make meals, and take care of themselves while Maman sleeps – but her despair seems to grow. Rescue from their own growing despondency comes in the form of a mysterious man. He looks scary but is not and soon provides them the love and friendship they so desperately crave – not to mention nourishment and supervision. However, Claude has his own secrets, and others do not take quite as kindly to his help as Pea and Margot do. As Maman nears the end of her pregnancy, the girls find themselves immersed in an adult feud that they not only cannot understand but which frightens them. Claire King’s <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781608199440?p_ti" rel="powells-9781608199440" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Night Rainbow</a> explores the girls’ search for happiness and understanding in a world left bereft after Papa’s death and Maman’s ongoing depression.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The synopsis of <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781608199440?p_ti" rel="powells-9781608199440" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Night Rainbow</a> sounds incredibly depressing, but the story itself is surprisingly upbeat and cheerful. Pea is a delightful narrator. Her narrative is simple and age-appropriate, as she shares Margot’s and her thought processes on how they can help Maman feel good enough to get out of bed and take care of them. At age five, her grasp of the adult side of things is severely limited, yet her observation skills are excellent and she shares more with a reader than she realizes or comprehends. The childish sense of hope and faith never wavers even through Pea’s darker moments, making this very tragic story something wonderful to experience.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ms. King’s prose is absolutely gorgeous. She captures the spectacular setting with clear and precise descriptions that evoke all five senses, but she does so in such a way that makes it obvious that the descriptions are from Pea’s viewpoint. She imbues the most innocuous things with a twinge of fear while she styles other things, that which adults might find uncomfortable, with wonder and astonishment. This not only confirms Pea’s place in the story but adds a large-than-life element to the entire setting that fits perfectly with the story at large.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781608199440?p_ti" rel="powells-9781608199440" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Night Rainbow</a> is not flashy nor is it all that exciting. It is, however, an excellent study about the grieving process and an absolutely beautiful story about the preciousness of a child’s unwavering love and loyalty. The plot reveals itself slowly, in delicate layers that enhance the emotional upheaval Pea feels throughout the story. Speaking of Pea, she charms readers with her childhood innocence and desperate yearning. As each puzzle pieces fall into place, readers get the chance to understand everything that Pea cannot and the full picture is truly agonizing in its depths. Yet, Pea’s dogged optimism in light of the ongoing tragedy makes her the type of child character with whom readers fall in love and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781608199440?p_ti" rel="powells-9781608199440" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Night Rainbow</a> the type of novel that will haunt readers long after finishing it.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Program by Suzanne Young" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781442445802.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Program by Suzanne Young" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781442445802?p_ti" rel="powells-9781442445802" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Program</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Suzanne Young <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9781442445802 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 416 <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Young Adult Fiction <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Origins: </i></b>Simon Pulse</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Emotionally tense and so romantic</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781442445802-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone - but so are their memories.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them."</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>In a not-so-distant future, teen suicides have reached epidemic proportions. The government’s response is The Program, a course of treatment that erases any depressing memories, thereby allowing patients to move on with their lives. To the parents, its track record of 100 percent recovery justifies any uncomfortableness surrounding it. To those who are in danger, it is a constant source of worry and tension as no one wants to lose their memories or worse. Sloane and James have managed to survive without becoming infected or drawing unwarranted, and unwanted, attention to them. However, it is still a long time until they are legal adults and out of the reaches of The Program, and the fight to appear calm and happy grows increasingly more difficult as they watch their friends succumb one at a time. It is just a matter of time before The Program comes for them, and their desperation is palpable. Suzanne Young’s <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781442445802?p_ti" rel="powells-9781442445802" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Program</a> deftly weaves the emotional turmoil Sloane experiences and uses it to both confuse and entice readers, leaving them wondering just how good The Program really is.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While young adult romances have arguably been overdone, there is something about James and Sloane. The Program classifies their relationship as co-dependent and the reason why they both get sick, and it is a viable opinion. A reader can see how they feed off of one another and filled with survivor’s guilt. At the same time, though, a reader can also see the legitimacy of their feelings. Sloane is a different person when she is around James – happier, relaxed, comfortable. It is when they are apart that they succumb to the pressures of the near-constant surveillance. They may be young, but their bond is more than due to their mutual grief and guilt. Theirs is a relationship that grew over time, and Sloane’s memories prove that. Sloane and James are two bright spots of hope within a story that is bleak and clinical.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Those potential readers worried about reading yet another dystopian novel should have no fear. Actually, to classify <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781442445802?p_ti" rel="powells-9781442445802" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Program</a> as a dystopian novel is to lump this clever story into a bloated, heavily diluted genre. There is nothing about the setting that indicates the fall of society. There is no group of people struggling to exist. There is no futuristic (or archaic) technology. The novel is better served when classified as an alternative reality-type novel, where the only thing that is different or otherworldly is the idea of depression as a contagious, and often terminal, infection.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Speaking of the infection, there are so many questions left unanswered about it, and therein lies some of the story’s power. The questions raised by Sloane and through a reader’s own curiosity hint at a more insidious plot than what The Program would have one believe. Yet, there is nothing concrete to confirm those hints. Is this depression really an infection to be cured, or is it a self-fulfilling prophecy created by the constant surveillance and pressure these teens face on a daily basis? How much is internal and how much of their sickness external? For that reason, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781442445802?p_ti" rel="powells-9781442445802" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Program</a> is incredibly intense. There is the underlying threat of danger that evokes a reader’s flight-or-fight response, but the truly interesting part is that this supposed danger could easily be explained as Sloane’s paranoia. A reader must decide whether Sloane’s suspicions and fears are over-the-top teen angst or truly deserved. The doubt - Sloane’s and the reader’s own - makes the story that much more compelling, as one tries to decipher if Sloane’s hatred of The Program is justified. A reader’s own uncertainties create a level of anxiety that only adds to the already heightened tension.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781442445802?p_ti" rel="powells-9781442445802" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Program</a> should come with a warning label cautioning readers about elevated blood pressure and racing pulses. It is a natural reaction to this powerful story, where the truth might not be what it seems. Then again, it very well might be exactly what it seems. On the surface, the idea of a suicide epidemic is appalling, and it makes sense that the government would get involved in saving an entire generation. Then, The Program happens. Sloane’s experiences are heart-breaking in their cruelty, and watching her lose certain memories is very upsetting. Her struggle to get her life back after her return is just as agonizing. Just like Sloane, a reader has many unanswered questions, which leave one feeling unbalanced at all of the possibilities. Yet, these very same possibilities are 100 percent enticing and draw a reader further into the story’s web. <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781442445802?p_ti" rel="powells-9781442445802" title="More info about this book at powells.com">The Program</a> is a strong contender for one of the better releases this spring and definitely worth getting drawn into another series.</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-program-by-suzanne-young.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-program-by-suzanne-young.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-last-camellia-by-sarah-jio.html">Review - The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-witchs-handbook-of-kisses-and.html">Review - A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html">Audiobook Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/ced05f70327e616066162d3e1626961ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/ced05f70327e616066162d3e1626961ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/ced05f70327e616066162d3e1626961ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/ced05f70327e616066162d3e1626961ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/ced05f70327e616066162d3e1626961ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/ced05f70327e616066162d3e1626961ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/ced05f70327e616066162d3e1626961ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/ced05f70327e616066162d3e1626961ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/its-monday-may-6th-what-are-you-reading.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-25542958907884543762013-05-06T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-06T23:33:49.471-04:002013-05-06T23:33:49.471-04:00<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~bookjourney.wordpress.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Button" border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTYyOVV2x7k/TwZWUMtH78I/AAAAAAAAB00/tytNFcpilbk/s200/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-90.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Hosted by Sheila from <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~bookjourney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Book Journey</a>, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <b>Finished Last Week:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780446563109?p_cv" rel="powells-9780446563109"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Unholy Night by Seth Grahame-Smith" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780446563109.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Unholy Night by Seth Grahame-Smith" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780312675462?p_cv" rel="powells-9780312675462"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780312675462.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781442445802?p_cv" rel="powells-9781442445802"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Program by Suzanne Young" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781442445802.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Program by Suzanne Young" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780452298392?p_cv" rel="powells-9780452298392"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780452298392.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062225436?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062225436"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062225436.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780373210855?p_cv" rel="powells-9780373210855"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780373210855.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Currently Reading:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062112248?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062112248"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062112248.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780525953685?p_cv" rel="powells-9780525953685"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780525953685.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Currently Listening:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062110831?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062110831"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062110831.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062133434?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062133434"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062133434.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Up Next:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062105622?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062105622"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062105622.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780316216852?p_cv" rel="powells-9780316216852"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780316216852.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780547959108?p_cv" rel="powells-9780547959108"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780547959108.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451661507?p_cv" rel="powells-9781451661507"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781451661507.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451682052?p_cv" rel="powells-9781451682052"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781451682052.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780385349406?p_cv" rel="powells-9780385349406"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780385349406.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell" /></a> <br> <br> What are you reading?</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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What Are You Reading?</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/89deb99cea181c6d3266c50d2a9b7f5db8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/89deb99cea181c6d3266c50d2a9b7f5db8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/89deb99cea181c6d3266c50d2a9b7f5db8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/89deb99cea181c6d3266c50d2a9b7f5db8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/89deb99cea181c6d3266c50d2a9b7f5db8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/89deb99cea181c6d3266c50d2a9b7f5db8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/89deb99cea181c6d3266c50d2a9b7f5db8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/89deb99cea181c6d3266c50d2a9b7f5db8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-cinco-de-mayo-edition.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-91623211504584614612013-05-05T09:30:00.000-04:002013-05-05T12:27:50.977-04:002013-05-05T12:27:50.977-04:00<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-FecjSnAdg/SyWFJRoknGI/AAAAAAAABD8/6bVZoYvw4rs/s1600/TSSbadge2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: The Sunday Salon" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-FecjSnAdg/SyWFJRoknGI/AAAAAAAABD8/6bVZoYvw4rs/s1600/TSSbadge2.png" title="" /></a></div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Hola! Happy Cinco de Mayo! I don't know about you, but days like today make me happy to be alive. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. The temperatures are comfortable. The house is clean, and we are spending the day puttering around the house. These are the reasons why I love spring and the weekends.&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Since Google announced its decision to delete Google Reader and with the latest announcement that it is merging its commenting system with Google+, I have felt very uncomfortable with continuing with the Blogger platform. Since Google owns my content, who knows what changes they are next going to implement? Given how big Blogger is, I don't think anything is going to happen, but I just do not like the changes Google keeps making. So, I think I have made the very big decision to move my site to Wordpress. This is not a decision that I undertook lightly, but it feels right. I am in talks with a designer who will move everything for me and help design a new look to go with my new site. I don't envision this being a quick transition by any means, but I wanted to give you a heads-up that things will be changing, hopefully for the better. I promise to give everyone adequate time to switch over their feeds and make the necessary changes so that you don't miss anything.&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It's a big week here in the Shannon household. Namely, this is the week in which I graced everyone's presence. Wednesday is my birthday, and I have learned not to expect any big to-do, the day still fills me with excitement. Granted, Jim will be out of town until Wednesday and I do have to work, but birthdays are always special days, no matter what age you are turning.&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I've been kicking ass and taking names with finishing books this week. This means keeping up with all the necessary reviews. This week, I reviewed the following:</div> <ul> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/audiobook-review-grown-up-kind-of.html">A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty</a> by Joshilyn Jackson</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-orphan-train-by-christina-baker.html">Orphan Train</a> by Christina Baker Kline</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-red-moon-by-benjamin-percy.html">Red Moon</a> by Benjamin Percy</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/its-monday-april-29th-what-are-you.html">Serving Victoria</a> by Kate Hubbard</li> </ul> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I also gave an update about <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/april-el-final.html">my year-to-date stats</a>. So far, so good on meeting my unofficial goals!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I'm keeping this short and sweet this week because the weather is just too beautiful to stay at a computer. I hope everyone is experiencing similarly lovely weather and has a wonderful and relaxing Sunday. Happy reading!&nbsp;</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-cinco-de-mayo-edition.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-cinco-de-mayo-edition.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-may-19th-edition.html">The Sunday Salon - May 19th Edition</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/the-sunday-salon-mothers-day-edition.html">The Sunday Salon - Mother's Day Edition</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/the-sunday-salon-april-28th-edition.html">The Sunday Salon - April 28th Edition</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/96c68b52671062d20bc29a4e2dd79d6ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/96c68b52671062d20bc29a4e2dd79d6ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/96c68b52671062d20bc29a4e2dd79d6ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/96c68b52671062d20bc29a4e2dd79d6ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/96c68b52671062d20bc29a4e2dd79d6ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/96c68b52671062d20bc29a4e2dd79d6ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/96c68b52671062d20bc29a4e2dd79d6ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/96c68b52671062d20bc29a4e2dd79d6ab8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 <div style="clear:left"><ol><li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40751513/0/thatswhatsheread/~April-El-Final">April - El Final</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40707811/0/thatswhatsheread/~Review-Orphan-Train-by-Christina-Baker-Kline">Review - Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40587946/0/thatswhatsheread/~It%27s-Monday%2c-April-29th%21-What-Are-You-Reading%3f">It's Monday, April 29th! What Are You Reading?</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40579857/0/thatswhatsheread/~The-Sunday-Salon-April-28th-Edition">The Sunday Salon - April 28th Edition</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40626268/0/thatswhatsheread/~Audiobook-Review-A-Grown-Up-Kind-of-Pretty-by-Joshilyn-Jackson">Audiobook Review - A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson</a></li> </ol><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40814571/0/thatswhatsheread"> </div> 2013-05-05T04:00:01-00:002013-05-05T04:00:01-00:00 tag:feedblitz.com,2013-05-05:thatswhatsheread/2013-05-05T04:00:01-00:00 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/april-el-final.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-70915064698003735532013-05-03T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-03T08:00:02.791-04:002013-05-03T08:00:02.791-04:00<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~2.bp.blogspot.com/-BgELrQGtpio/UYB--1IIuhI/AAAAAAAACf8/QzymLhlRmOk/s1600/April-2013-flower-calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image: April 2013 Calendar" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BgELrQGtpio/UYB--1IIuhI/AAAAAAAACf8/QzymLhlRmOk/s320/April-2013-flower-calendar.jpg" title="" width="247" /></a></div> April is over, and I know I am not alone when I hope that we have <i>finally</i> seen the last of the snow and cold weather for the season. <br> <br> For the calendar being fairly light, it seems like this month has been just as hectic as all the others. Track started for Connor, and Holly is getting busier as her ballet and dance recitals draw ever closer. Jim was actually home for every weekend even though he still traveled for half the month, so I say we are making progress on that front. As for me, work and the kids are definitely keeping me on my toes...and in my car. <br> <br> On a book front, I continue to stay on pace to meet my goal of 200 books this year as I've read a total of 68 books so far, 19 of which I completed in April. It didn't feel like I read that much this past month, which makes sense since six of the books I finished were audiobooks. <br> <br> So far, I've read a total of 20,219 pages and spent over 9 days listening to audiobooks. I'm still skewing towards mostly female authors, mostly review copies, and mostly new-to-me authors. Nothing about those statistics shock me at all, well except for how long I've spent listening to audiobooks. That's almost two full work weeks. Impressive! <br> <br> As for the books I read this month, here's the full list: <br> <ol style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.59375px;"> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/audiobook-review-grown-up-kind-of.html" style="color: #bd224a; text-decoration: none;">A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty</a>&nbsp;by Joshilyn Jackson - audio</li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/review-river-of-no-return-by-bee-ridgway.html" style="color: #bd224a; text-decoration: none;">The River of No Return</a>&nbsp;by Bee Ridgway</li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/review-eternity-cure-by-julie-kagawa.html" style="color: #bd224a; text-decoration: none;">The Eternity Cure</a>&nbsp;by Julie Kagawa</li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/audiobook-review-whered-you-go.html" style="color: #bd224a; text-decoration: none;">Where'd You Go, Bernadette</a>&nbsp;by Maria Semple - audio</li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-red-moon-by-benjamin-percy.html" style="color: #bd224a; text-decoration: none;">Red Moon</a>&nbsp;by Benjamin Percy</li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/review-end-games-by-t-michael-martin.html" style="color: #bd224a; text-decoration: none;">The End Games</a>&nbsp;by T. Michael Martin</li> <li>Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe - audio</li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/review-hes-gone-by-deb-caletti.html" style="color: #bd224a; text-decoration: none;">He's Gone</a>&nbsp;by Deb Caletti</li> <li>The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer - audio</li> <li>A Half-Forgotten Song by Katherine Webb</li> <li>A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper</li> <li>Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline</li> <li>The Night Rainbow by Claire King</li> <li>The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce - audio</li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/its-monday-april-29th-what-are-you.html">Serving Victoria</a> by Kate Hubbard</li> <li>The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith</li> <li>Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck</li> <li>Unholy Night by Seth Grahame-Smith - audio</li> <li>The Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis</li> </ol> There were so many great books I read this month, and I enjoyed almost all of them for various reasons. I don't think I could pick out a favorite if I tried. Suffice it to say, check out my reviews and see for yourself! <br> <br> With Jim gone again this week and next, plus another business trip to Mexico planned, I suspect that May will be just as successful as this year has been on the reading front. It is also gearing up to be another month of fabulous book releases, which always makes reading so much fun. Here's to hoping the weather cooperates, and reading outside is in my future. I love my recliner, but I'm ready to bask in the sun! <br> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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<div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/april-el-final.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/april-el-final.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html">Audiobook Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-reconstructing-amelia.html">Audiobook Review - Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-call-me-zelda-by-erika-robuck.html">Review - Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/63994faf7c60db8ba6c1e948dbcff622b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/63994faf7c60db8ba6c1e948dbcff622b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/63994faf7c60db8ba6c1e948dbcff622b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/63994faf7c60db8ba6c1e948dbcff622b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/63994faf7c60db8ba6c1e948dbcff622b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/63994faf7c60db8ba6c1e948dbcff622b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/63994faf7c60db8ba6c1e948dbcff622b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/63994faf7c60db8ba6c1e948dbcff622b8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-orphan-train-by-christina-baker.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-33634655251152817872013-05-02T08:00:00.001-04:002013-05-02T08:00:05.924-04:002013-05-02T08:00:05.924-04:00<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061950726/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0061950726&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=cincibooksexa-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline" border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=0061950726&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=cincibooksexa-20" title="Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cincibooksexa-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0061950726" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780061950728?p_ti" rel="powells-9780061950728" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Orphan Train</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Christina Baker Kline <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9780061950728 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 304 <br> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Historical Fiction <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Origins: </i></b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.harpercollins.com/imprints/index.aspx?imprintid=518003">William Morrow</a>; <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.shereads.org/">She Reads</a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> Eye-opening and heart-warming</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780061950728-2">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to “aging out” out of the foster care system. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse...</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren't as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life - answers that will ultimately free them both."</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>During the late 1800s and into the 1900s, orphans from the major East coast cities were packed up and shipped off to the Midwest in hopes of finding them new families and opportunities that did not and would not exist for them had they remained on the streets. By most accounts, several hundred thousand children found themselves newly arrived in the Midwest through these orphan trains. Vivian Daly is one such orphan, having lost her family first through immigration from Ireland and then again in a tragic fire. Now, at the age of 91, with an attic filled with memories, she sets out to help another orphan who arrives at her doorstep in search of answers she doesn’t know she needs. Christina Baker Kline’s <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780061950728?p_ti" rel="powells-9780061950728" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Orphan Train</a> explores their extraordinary friendship and their stories that helped make them the women they are today.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The historical elements of <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780061950728?p_ti" rel="powells-9780061950728" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Orphan Train</a> are absolutely fascinating, and one wonders why more is not known or written about the real-life orphan trains. Vivian’s experiences bring to life the fears and challenges these orphans faced as they were shipped across the country in search of a better life. What she finds is not necessarily a surprise but still heartbreaking as it shows how unwanted these children were even in faraway states. The fact that so many of them were not only able to survive the bleak conditions they found but also thrive is a testament to their fortitude and survival skills, and more attention should be paid to this generation of children who lost everything but found themselves.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The writing within <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780061950728?p_ti" rel="powells-9780061950728" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Orphan Train</a> is simple but beautiful. There are no flashy descriptions, and Ms. Kline uses dialogue sparingly but effectively. While the story itself is predictable, there is an element of methodical tension that keeps a reader’s interest. The plot unfolds slowly and carefully, and this pacing only barely covers the emotional turmoil underlying Vivian’s and Molly’s stories. There is no doubt this is deliberate on the part of Ms. Kline but in no way feels manipulative but rather a careful choice to allow a reader to get to seen beneath the words and understand the truth. That is not to say that the words themselves are completely without emotion. On the contrary, there is a lot that is said, but it is what is not said that drives home both the girls’ plights.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Both Molly and Vivian make delightful heroines and complement each other perfectly, even though their friendship is a foregone conclusion before they even meet. Yet, even the predictability of their friendship and Molly’s transformation under Vivian’s subtle influence does nothing to detract from the enjoyment of their interactions. Vivian’s stories give Molly the strength to try to improve the situation in her current foster home but also the willingness to step out on her own when it doesn’t work. In reliving her past, Vivian highlights how important it is to rely on one’s own strengths and intelligence and not on others. It is an important message, not only for Molly but for the reader as well.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780061950728?p_ti" rel="powells-9780061950728" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Orphan Train</a> is not without its bit of controversy however. First, there is the idea of shipping hundreds of thousands of orphans westward itself. The goal was to prevent these children from slipping into lives of crime and intense impoverishment, but the reality was that the program’s directors were seeking to find anyone willing to take these children, and it didn’t matter the reasons why the adults wanted the kids. Without any sort of vetting process or protection services for the children, some found themselves in even worse straits than they were in the East, and the mere idea of this is absolutely horrifying in today’s age. In addition, some of Vivian’s actions are quite surprising and, depending on one’s viewpoint, could be highly upsetting to readers. Her biggest secret is a well-kept one, and most readers won’t pick up on it until the big reveal. The surprise and shock of her decision will stun readers and generate an intense debate as to the rightness or wrongness of her actions. It is truly a special book that can do this and still remain appealing.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ms. Kline’s <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780061950728?p_ti" rel="powells-9780061950728" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Orphan Train</a> is a beautiful piece of historical fiction interwoven within a modern-day story. With elements of social commentary towards the modern foster system as well as an inside look at the orphan train system around the turn of the century, it is provides food for thought and educational points. In addition, both Vivian and Molly are equally strong, independent, and yet endearingly fragile, more than earning a reader’s sympathy and empathy. Between their two stories, one understands how far the country has come in its treatment of orphans and how far we still need to go in order to protect this vulnerable demographic. Because of the grace with which it educates and yet forces a reader to debate some its more surprising elements, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780061950728?p_ti" rel="powells-9780061950728" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Orphan Train</a> is a worthy addition to the wealth of fabulous spring releases this year. </div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Red Moon by Benjamin Percy" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781455501663.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Red Moon by Benjamin Percy" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781455501663?p_ti" rel="powells-9781455501663" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Red Moon</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Benjamin Percy <br> <b><i>ISBN:</i></b> 9781455501663 <br> <b><i>No. of Pages:</i></b> 544 <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Science Fiction</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Origins: </i></b><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.netgalley.com/">NetGalley</a>, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~https://www.hachettebookgroup.biz/about-hbg/publishers/grand-central-publishing/">Grand Central Publishing</a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line: </i></b>One of my favorite books of the spring.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781455501663-0">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "They live among us. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> They are our neighbors, our mothers, our lovers.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> They change.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> When government agents kick down Claire Forrester's front door and murder her parents, Claire realizes just how different she is. Patrick Gamble was nothing special until the day he got on a plane and hours later stepped off it, the only passenger left alive, a hero. Chase Williams has sworn to protect the people of the United States from the menace in their midst, but he is becoming the very thing he has promised to destroy. So far, the threat has been controlled by laws and violence and drugs. But the night of the red moon is coming, when an unrecognizable world will emerge...and the battle for humanity will begin."</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>In Benjamin Percy's <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781455501663?p_ti" rel="powells-9781455501663" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Red Moon</a>, the world is very similar to ours except for one key difference. The national threat is not terrorists from the Middle East but rather something a bit closer to home. Lycans, or werewolves, have long been protesting their treatment at the hands of the government, and their more radical elements are done with polite protesting. A plane attack is just their first plan. The ultimate solution is so much worse. With anti-lycan sentiment at an all-time high, those infected with the disease find themselves facing all new threats.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Percy's world-building is a creative masterpiece. By substituting the lycans for every other real-world, modern-day national threat, he establishes a world that is surprisingly realistic. He also minimizes the fantasy element by building a world in which the major, historically relevant, and well-known revolts and protests still happened but with different culprits. It is a brilliant piece of alternative history that does much to lend credence to the entire story.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The story itself is a fast-paced, no-holds-barred thriller. The action is at times brutal, but Mr. Percy never crosses over into the macabre or uses gore for sensationalism. Every act of torture or scene of violence serves a purpose, one that creates the emotional connection necessary to understand the characters and their motivations. He also uses such scenes to highlight the huge swath of gray that covers such polarizing ideologies. For, a reader will find it difficult to unanimously side with either one character or faction. Mr. Percy balances a reader's sympathy between the two, further complicating the decisiveness of the escalating conflict.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A clever premise complete with thrilling action makes <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781455501663?p_ti" rel="powells-9781455501663" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Red Moon</a> one of the more exciting novels to be released this spring. Its revisionist history may alter familiar terrorist attacks but provides an excellent analogy for our current "war against terror" and our continued presence in Afghanistan. The characters are wonderfully complex and very real, but it is Mr. Percy's beautiful writing that steals the show. His stark words paint a clear and realistic picture of this multi-layered, highly symbolic story about intolerance and the depths to which people will go in order to protect their rights. One should not be turned off by the fact that <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781455501663?p_ti" rel="powells-9781455501663" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Red Moon</a> just so happens to be about werewolves because the message is one for the ages. </div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover Image: A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780446582360.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson" /></a><b><i>Title:</i> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780446582360?p_ti" rel="powells-9780446582360" title="More info about this book at powells.com">A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty</a></b> <br> <b><i>Author:</i></b> Joshilyn Jackson <br> <b><i>Narrator:</i></b> Joshilyn Jackson <br> <b><i>ASIN:</i></b> B0071H413M <br> <b><i>Audiobook Length:</i></b> 12 hours, 25 minutes <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Genre:</i></b> Fiction</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Origins: </i></b>Mine. All mine.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Bottom Line:</i></b> The women absolutely make the story and are worth getting to know just because of their vibrancy.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780446582360-1">Synopsis</a>: </i></b></div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Fifteen-year-old Mosey Slocumb-spirited, sassy, and on the cusp of womanhood-is shaken when a small grave is unearthed in the backyard, and determined to figure out why it's there. Liza, her stroke-ravaged mother, is haunted by choices she made as a teenager. But it is Jenny, Mosey's strong and big-hearted grandmother, whose maternal love braids together the strands of the women's shared past--and who will stop at nothing to defend their future."</div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i>Thoughts: </i></b>As many novels have done before and will do again, Joshilyn Jackson’s <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780446582360?p_ti" rel="powells-9780446582360" title="More info about this book at powells.com">A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty</a> explores familial bonds, the ties that bind and that destroy, and the intricate relationships that evolve from these complex connections. For the Slocumb ladies, every fifteen years seems to provide a family curse. Pregnant at age fifteen, Jenny hopes for a better future for her daughter, but her struggle to create a loving environment for Liza sets her down a dangerous path. Eventually, Liza also becomes pregnant at age fiftenn and presents the world with Mosey. Now that Mosey is that magic age - fifteen years old - Jenny can only pray that the curse will not rear its ugly head. However, certain circumstances occur which force Jenny to realize that her curse is still alive and kicking, and she must show her mettle in an effort to protect her family at all costs.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ms. Jackson is known for strong female leads, and all of her characters in <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780446582360?p_ti" rel="powells-9780446582360" title="More info about this book at powells.com">A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty</a> definitely live up to those standards. As the matriarch, Jenny is fiercely loyal and quite the force of nature. She will do everything in her power to protect her girls, and it is difficult to imagine this feisty woman as vulnerable or incapable. Mosey, as the youngest, still retains the artlessness unique to youth, although glimpses of her lively personality leave a reader with no doubts that she will grow up to be the same supremely confident woman as the others in her family. In between is Liza, a woman struck essentially voiceless due to her stroke but who retains her spirited personality and makes that fact known. Hers is the most tragic story of the three women, but she never appears a victim nor desires sympathy. Just like her mother, she remains devoted to protecting her daughter. Together, this dynamic trio of women create such a strong presence in any scene that one knows they are more than capable of tackling any problem and will do so with aplomb.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The story behind <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780446582360?p_ti" rel="powells-9780446582360" title="More info about this book at powells.com">A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty</a>&nbsp;pales next to the women’s vibrancy and determination. The unfolding of past actions and their relation to the current day’s proceedings are anemic and slightly predictable when compared to their dedicated and unpredictable personalities. While the discoveries of Liza’s shady past and Mosey’s true origins are interesting, they just cannot stand up to the maturity and devotion among the three that prevails in the present day.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Typically, authors narrating their own works tends to be uncomfortable, if not outright disastrous. Sure, they know the voices of their characters, but being an author is not the same thing as being a performer. Thankfully, Ms. Jackson proves better than average at narrating her novels, having done so with previous stories and then again with this latest. While her voice tends to fall into a nasally whine at times, her performance makes up for this deficiency in its enthusiasm. Her differentiation between characters is slight but effective, and she is able to maintain the world-weary innocence within Mosey that any parent of a teenager knows so well. Her infectious Southern charm infuses an average performance with enough vigor to please even the most discerning audiophiles.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780446582360?p_ti" rel="powells-9780446582360" title="More info about this book at powells.com">A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty</a> is a true Southern novel. Its plot is slow and leisurely, meandering through subplots knowing that it will arrive at its denouement in good time. The only thing missing is the hidden mysteries, only seen when right on top of them. Alongside this unhurried narrative are three extremely energetic and forceful women about whom there is nothing genteel or demure and who stand in direct counterpoint to the seeming gentleness of the story. The storyline does have its moments of excitement but for the most part, the vitality of the main characters is what drives a reader’s interest. In that light, <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780446582360?p_ti" rel="powells-9780446582360" title="More info about this book at powells.com">A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty</a> is the best kind of character-driven novel. They may not completely grown and change, but their personalities drive the novel. All a reader can do is hold on for the ride. </div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. All affiliate income is used to support the blog.</div><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40626268/0/thatswhatsheread"> <div style="clear:both;padding-top:0.2em;"><a title="Add to Any" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/26/40626268/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/addtoany20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Add to FaceBook" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/2/40626268/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/fbshare20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Like on Facebook" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/28/40626268/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/fblike20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Share on Google+" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/30/40626268/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/googleplus20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Pin it!" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/29/40626268/thatswhatsheread,http%3a%2f%2fwww.powells.com%2fbookcovers%2f9780446582360.jpg"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/pinterest20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Stumble This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/12/40626268/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/stumble20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Add a Technorati Favorite" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/5/40626268/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/technorati20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Tweet This" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/24/40626268/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/twitter20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/19/40626268/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/email20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/_/20/40626268/thatswhatsheread"><img height="20" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/rss20.png" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;"></a>&#160;<a title="View Comments" href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/audiobook-review-grown-up-kind-of.html#comment-form"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/comments20.png"></a>&#160;<a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/feeds/7790365108451475894/comments/default"><img height="20" style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/i/commentsrss20.png"></a>&nbsp; <div style="clear:left;"><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/audiobook-review-grown-up-kind-of.html#comment-form"><h3>Comments</h3></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/audiobook-review-grown-up-kind-of.html#comment-form">Comments</a></li></ul></div><h3 style="clear:left;padding-top:10px">Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-unlikely-pilgrimage-of.html">Audiobook Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/review-last-camellia-by-sarah-jio.html">Review - The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/05/audiobook-review-reconstructing-amelia.html">Audiobook Review - Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight</a></li></ul><div width="300" style="clear:both;max-width:300px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="display:block;max-width:100% !important;table-layout:fixed"><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td colspan="2"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/300x250/5663/29687935/39222a49c76bbff565aba1f4662dc74fb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/300x250/5663/29687935/39222a49c76bbff565aba1f4662dc74fb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51043" alt="Feed Ads by FeedBlitz" border="0" width="300" height="250"/></a></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/39222a49c76bbff565aba1f4662dc74fb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51044" height="1" width="1" /></td><td><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/1x1/5663/29687935/39222a49c76bbff565aba1f4662dc74fb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/51045" height="1" width="1" /></td></tr><tr style="line-height:1px;margin:0px;padding:0px"><td align="left"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/116x15/5663/29687935/39222a49c76bbff565aba1f4662dc74fb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/116x15/5663/29687935/39222a49c76bbff565aba1f4662dc74fb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44782" alt="powered by" border="0" width="116" height="15"/></a></td><td align="right"><a href="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/l/69x15/5663/29687935/39222a49c76bbff565aba1f4662dc74fb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://feedads.feedblitz.com/i/69x15/5663/29687935/39222a49c76bbff565aba1f4662dc74fb8717eddaed60af53974e9d3d3732534/ccbot/44783" alt="ad choices" border="0" width="69" height="15"/></a></td></tr></table></div>&#160;</div>Michelle Shannonhttps://plus.google.com/109200806520911159819noreply@blogger.com0 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/its-monday-april-29th-what-are-you.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-10648913651159639942013-04-29T08:00:00.000-04:002013-04-29T18:57:24.023-04:002013-04-29T18:57:24.023-04:00<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~bookjourney.wordpress.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Button" border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTYyOVV2x7k/TwZWUMtH78I/AAAAAAAAB00/tytNFcpilbk/s200/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-90.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Hosted by Sheila from <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~bookjourney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Book Journey</a>, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br></div> <b>Finished Last Week:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780812983456?p_cv" rel="powells-9780812983456"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780812983456.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780316206846?p_cv" rel="powells-9780316206846"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780316206846.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780451239921?p_cv" rel="powells-9780451239921"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780451239921.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Finished Most of It and Giving Up on the Rest:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780062269911?p_cv" rel="powells-9780062269911"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Serving Victoria by Kate Hubbard" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780062269911.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Serving Victoria by Kate Hubbard" /></a> <br> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I tried. I really did. I made it to page 150 before I started to skim and to page 244 (out of 364) before I decided that this was not for me. Ms. Hubbard was too sympathetic towards Albert and had a decidedly anti-Victoria stance that I found rather disturbing. Her phrasing choices were odd, too enthusiastic in all the wrong ways. Also, she ended up inserting her own opinions, pretending to know exactly what Victoria was thinking or feeling at any given point in time. Between the weird descriptive phrases, her almost misogynistic approach towards Victoria, and her omniscient knowledge of Queen Victoria's mindset, it was just too much for me. Oh, and the book spent a LOT of time talk about how boring life as a lady in waiting or maid of honor was. In all, the subject matter was interesting, but there were too many idiosyncrasies that irritated me and put me to sleep.</div> <br> <b>Currently Reading:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780312675462?p_cv" rel="powells-9780312675462"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780312675462.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis" /></a> <br> <br> <b>Currently Listening:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780446563109?p_cv" rel="powells-9780446563109"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Unholy Night by Seth Grahame-Smith" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780446563109.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Unholy Night by Seth Grahame-Smith" /></a> <br> <br> My brother recommended this one to me...and my brother does not read. If he gives something high praise, then I have to read/listen to it! <br> <br> <b>Up Next:</b> <br> <br> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780452298392?p_cv" rel="powells-9780452298392"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780452298392.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780373210855?p_cv" rel="powells-9780373210855"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780373210855.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780525953685?p_cv" rel="powells-9780525953685"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780525953685.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780316216852?p_cv" rel="powells-9780316216852"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780316216852.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780547959108?p_cv" rel="powells-9780547959108"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780547959108.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451661507?p_cv" rel="powells-9781451661507"><img alt="Book Cover Image: The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781451661507.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9781451682052?p_cv" rel="powells-9781451682052"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9781451682052.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.powells.com/partner/35156/biblio/9780385349406?p_cv" rel="powells-9780385349406"><img alt="Book Cover Image: Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell" src="http://www.powells.com/bookcovers/9780385349406.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(76, 41, 13);" title="Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell" /></a> <br> <br> What are you reading?</div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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Have you recovered from the Read-a-thon? How did you do? For those who aren't aware, I ended up spending the day with Jen from <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.devourerofbooks.com/">Devourer of Books</a> and Julie from <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~girlsjustreading.blogspot.com/">Girls Just Reading</a>. We didn't read as much as we wanted (I only finished two books; I brought 12 with me), but we had a blast chatting, enjoying the sun, and enjoying each other's company. In case you missed it, I had the brilliant idea of posting all updates via Instagram, which then posted to my <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.tumblr.com/blog/whatsheread">Tumblr</a>. It was such a low-key way to keep everyone apprised of my progress, as I didn't open my laptop once. I definitely want to do that again. I stayed up for almost the entire thing, mostly because I was so tired by hour 21 that I couldn't fall asleep. Yes, I am going to bed as soon as I finish writing this. Here's my end-of-event meme before I forget. <br> <br> <ol> <li><i>Which hour was most daunting for you?</i>&nbsp;- I didn't really have one, unless you count 4 AM when I couldn't keep my eyes open but couldn't shut off my brain enough to fall asleep. I think I finally fell asleep around 5 AM, even though I stopped reading around 4:15 AM.&nbsp;</li> <li><i>Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?</i>&nbsp;- It changes so much from year to year. Shorter is definitely better though, as are thrillers and suspense IMO.</li> <li><i>Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?</i>&nbsp;- Not a thing!</li> <li><i>What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? </i>- I wasn't really paying attention to any of the event stuff as it was occurring, but using Instagram as my progress updates was a stroke of brilliance on my part.</li> <li><i>How many books did you read? </i>- Two. I had 12 on my list. Abysmal.</li> <li><i>What were the names of the books you read?</i>&nbsp;- The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith and Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck</li> <li><i>Which book did you enjoy most? </i>- I really did enjoy The Cuckoo's Calling for its plot set-up and for being one of the few mysteries I've read in recent months where I didn't figure out the killer at all.&nbsp;</li> <li><i>Which did you enjoy least? </i>- The Cuckoo's Calling because it took me the first 18 hours of the Read-a-thon to finish the damn thing!</li> <li><i>How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? </i>- If I can participate, I will absolutely. I really like being a just a reader and enjoying the day to finishing a few books.</li> </ol> <br> When I wasn't busy working or catching up on reviews or prepping for my girls/reading weekend with Jen, I managed to put together a very wacky <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/inside-michelles-brain-random-thoughts.html">Inside Michelle's Brain</a>. Suffice it to say, I think of weird things. <br> <br> Reviewed: <br> <ul> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/review-end-games-by-t-michael-martin.html">The End Games</a> by T. Michael Martin</li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/review-hes-gone-by-deb-caletti.html">He's Gone</a> by Deb Caletti</li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/audiobook-review-whered-you-go.html">Where'd You Go, Bernadette</a> by Maria Semple</li> </ul> I'm working on about three hours of sleep, so I really need to go to bed. I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday evening and great work week! <br> <br> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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What Are You Reading?</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40339261/0/thatswhatsheread/~The-Sunday-Salon-April-21st-Edition">The Sunday Salon - April 21st Edition</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40396909/0/thatswhatsheread/~Audiobook-Review-Where%27d-You-Go%2c-Bernadette-by-Maria-Semple">Audiobook Review - Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40469444/0/thatswhatsheread/~Review-He%27s-Gone-by-Deb-Caletti">Review - He's Gone by Deb Caletti</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/40430864/0/thatswhatsheread/~Review-The-End-Games-by-T.-Michael-Martin">Review - The End Games by T. Michael Martin</a></li> </ol><Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/40559985/0/thatswhatsheread"> </div> 2013-04-28T04:00:01-00:002013-04-28T04:00:01-00:00 tag:feedblitz.com,2013-04-28:thatswhatsheread/2013-04-28T04:00:01-00:00 http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2013/04/welcome-read-thoners.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3588880736345446655.post-71821841411855085842013-04-27T08:00:00.000-04:002013-04-27T08:00:09.628-04:002013-04-27T08:00:09.628-04:00<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZMFYTTYnSY/UXs0SZseaAI/AAAAAAAACfs/8ZZx7dkS9Wk/s1600/dewey-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon Button" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZMFYTTYnSY/UXs0SZseaAI/AAAAAAAACfs/8ZZx7dkS9Wk/s1600/dewey-300x300.jpg" title="" /></a></div> <br> Coming to you live from the northern suburbs of Chicago, it's read-a-thon day!!! We're starting early here <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(to be honest, I'm writing this on Friday night so I'm probably not up yet, but you never know)</i></span>, but there is no better way to start the day than by picking up a good book. <br> <br> Before we get any farther, here's the Hour 1 opening meme: <br> <br> <i>1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?</i> - Chicagoland suburbs <br> <br> <i>2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? </i>- I honestly don't know. I'm just looking forward to reading without kids or family interruptions. <br> <br> <i>3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?</i>&nbsp;- Does wine count as a snack? If not, we've got brownies and chocolate chip cookies waiting for us. <br> <br> <i>4) Tell us a little something about yourself! </i>- I'm Michelle. I've been blogging for over four years, and you'll soon discover that I am an open book when it comes to what I think and feel about everything. I absolutely love this event, even if I don't get a chance to participate as often as I would like. But I'm here today and ready to read! <br> <br> <i>5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? </i>- Today is all about the reading. And napping. The last time I was able to participate, I got caught up in all the mini-challenges and cheerleading, and I finished the event feeling like I should have read more than I did. This time around, I'm going to read, post when I feel like it, and sleep when my eyes get tired. Since I'm doing this surrounding by blogging friends, I'm going to enjoy the good company and just go with the flow. <br> <br> I had the brilliant idea of updating my read-a-thon progress via Instagram, to which I have links in my sidebars. You might see me stopping in to say hi here, but I'm not making any promises. <br> <br> Now, It's time to read, people! Have fun! <br> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image: Signature Block" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqZNfDnoalU/TGibgBOeiBI/AAAAAAAABko/hVx7fqMCG0E/s1600/newsign2.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">All content on this blog is protected under US copyright by Michelle Shannon. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Copyright That's What She Read 2009-2013 I have an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including <a href='http://www.powells.com/partner/35156/?p_hp_tx' title='' rel='powells'>Powell's Books</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/thatswhatsheread/~www.indiebound.org/?aff=jmchshannon">IndieBound</a>. 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