The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Sorry.  No bare-chested man-hunk on the cover of this book.  Carrie seems to have corned the TFA market on testosterone for the month, so I went ahead with another genre.  I know, I know...but this book DOES have quite an array of covers.  See?  


Adding to the colorful cover choices is a lovely cast of characters, headlined by Don Tillman.  Don is a brilliant but socially awkward genetics professor who sets out to find a mate by creating a 16 page survey to administer to prospective candidates.   The search leads him to Rosie (she fails the survey miserably) which leads to a very unlikely friendship.  Don and Rosie team up to find Rosie's biological dad, but also find themselves falling for each other.   This book is sweet, tender and a bit sad.  Don's never had a second date (most likely because he's a 40-year-old man with autism), Rosie is harboring some major anger toward her stepfather (leading her to want to find her biological father) and Don's only go-to-friends for advice are a loveless couple in an open marriage.  Yikes.

The Rosie Project is a story about love where you least expect it; love in seemingly all the wrong places.  It's also story about acceptance and change, which never gets old in my book.  Throw in some science geekiness and a bit of humor and it works.  The Rosie Project isn't a bare-chested man-hunk steamy type of read, but it is worthwhile just the same.

Short. Funny. Done.

I don't know about you, but short,  funny, and done is how I like my summer reading.  I save the long, drama-filled plot twists and turns for the school year.  Summer, in my view, should be filled with quick little funny stories that I can pick up at the pool and put down once a friend plops down next to me and my Build-a-Bear towel. 

Portuguese Irregular Verbs by Alexander McCall Smith (of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency fame) is just that.  It follows Professor Dr. von Igelfeld and his haphazard band of academic acquaintances all over Europe.   Very proud of his title and of his published novel about verbs, Dr. Von Igelfeld takes himself way too seriously. And it's funny. 

There are two more in this series and I plan to finish them this summer.  Where, you ask? At the pool, of course!

Happy reading!

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

I could sit in that chair
for days.  With coffee, of course.

This is for all of you Nicholas Sparks lovers out there.  You are out there, aren't you?  I love his stories.  They are chock-full of emotion, feeling, connection and love.  But they are also chock-full of sadness.  Heavy, heavy sadness.  That is why I can only read one of his works every year or so.

This year I decided on The Best of Me.  It features two high school sweethearts with the odds HEAVILY stacked against them.  Dawson is from the wrong side of the tracks and hails from a family known for violence and numerous run ins with the law.  Amanda comes from money and a family that expects her to marry nothing less.  After a  mostly secret courtship during high school, Dawson pushes Amanda to go to college and forget about their relationship.  The pain endures over the years as Dawson  endures a stint in prison (for a traffic accident that killed a man) and as he performs his lonely duties on an oil rig in the middle of the ocean.  Amanda on the other hand, fulfills her families wishes, marries well and goes on to have three children.  Her adult life is consumed by child rearing and charity work with Dawson always in the back of her mind.  And then one day they are both summoned back to Oriental, their hometown.  Unbeknownst to each of them, a man they had in common in their past included them in his will with very specific instructions.  Their feelings and desires are still present after all of the years apart and their future will be determined by the how they spend the next 48 hours.

For those of you that are frequent Sparks readers, this book will not disappoint.  It has all the marks of a classic Sparks tale.  You have your love, your serene surroundings for more love, and the tell-tale family drama for even more love.  What I do love about Nicholas Sparks is his ability to paint such a clean, clear picture.  Whether it was the dusty garage where Dawson and Amanda would sit for hours and talk while Dawson fixed old cars or if it was the field of wildflowers they discovered hidden away next to a flowing stream, I was there.  It was THAT real.  And I'm not sure how he does it time after time, but his characters are also always so very real.  He creates such seemingly normal people.  Could I picture myself as Amanda?  Totally.  Is it easy to imagine falling for a guy like Dawson?  Again, yes.  And that is what I think makes this book (and all of his others) so hard for me to read.  If I can put myself there, then it could actually happen!  I don't want to have someone I love taken from me.  I don't want to live a life full of regret.  And I certainly don't want to live through having to make such heart-wrenching choices over and over again.  The sadness is just too overwhelming!

Every time I read a Nicholas Sparks book I cry my eyes out.  This time was no exception.  I can't imagine what would happen if I actually watched one of the movie adaptations.  I think I will stick to reading them in the privacy of my own home....once a year.

Devil's Corner by Lisa Scottoline

My first autograph from a
non-baseball player.

I'm somewhat of a book nerd.   Ok, who am I kidding?  I blog about books I've read.  I'm not SOMEWHAT of a book nerd, I AM a book nerd.  Need more proof?  Check the picture.  That's right.  That is an autograph (and an 'xoxo' thank you very much) from one of my new favorite authors,  Lisa Scottoline.  She was at the National Book Festival in September and when I was supposed to be in the Mary Pope Osborne line with my kids, I snuck over to see her.  Her line was relatively short (everything was short compared to Ms. Magic Treehouse), my kids had water, and their aunts were kind enough to wait with them...so why not?  She relayed to me some of her personal experiences surrounding her work in Save Me and even gave me a hug! A hug! It was pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

I swear I had already reviewed Save Me here at TFA, but it seems I did not.  (Ugh, I hate getting old and forgetting things.  I'll have to review it in the next month or so.).  But anyway, after meeting her and having my book signed, I wanted more. Meeting an author does that to you, I think.  I went to the library the next day and checked out Devil's Corner. 

So did I like Devil's Corner as much as Save Me?  Yes.  Possibly even more.  Devil's Corner is Scottoline's 12th novel and tells the story of US Attorney Vicki Allegretti in the midst of her most recent case.  The book opens with Vicki and her ATF partner Morty, calling on an informant for a scheduled interview.  The informant is home but so are the thugs who are robbing her.  Vicki then falls victim to a robbery, watches her partner die in the ensuing firefight and finds her pregnant informant dead upstairs.  All of that is just in the first two chapters, my friends.  The deeper Vicki digs however, the more she finds that Morty's death may have not been an accident.  Her findings lead her to one of the most notorious drug rings in Philadelphia.  There, she finds an unlikely accomplice/ally in an ex-con just released from prison.  oh, and did I mention she gets the added pressure of trying to suppress her deep desire for a married man who is also her best friend?  In short, Vicki is one busy gal.

This book reminded me of some of the older Patricia Cornwell novels that featured Kay Scarpetta, only with less technical jargon and more likeable characters.  With Scarpetta I got a rough-around-the-edges feel versus a tough but also more sensitive vibe from Allegretti.  I like the tough and sensitive better.  I thought it was refreshing to let your lead female character show her vulnerabilities every once in a while without letting it sacrifice her professionalism.  Allegretti also had the influence of her parents (both lawyers) in the story.  That was an interesting twist that allowed us to see a more complete picture of Allegretti.

I am pretty sure (Google told me) that this is the only one of Scottoline's novels that features Vicki Allegretti.  I'm bummed, but maybe I shouldn't be.  There are plenty of other Scottoline novels out there that sound like they would make for some great reads.  I will probably save some of those to read next summer.  For now, I'm researching who will be attending the 2013 installment of the National Book Festival.  Who needs a hug?

The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner

Scary books are not my thing.  In all honesty, scary anything is not my thing.  Just ask my husband about the time he made me ride Stitch's Great Escape (formerly known as Alien Encounter) at Magic Kingdom.  The "Happiest Place on Earth" was not so happy that day.  So when I had this brilliant idea we decided to make October all about scary books here at TFA, I didn't think I would have much material to contribute.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the book that I was currently reading (I Googled scary books and it was one that came up!) would end up qualifying for a review this month.

Scary.  But good.

Gardner writes a disturbing tale of marriage gone horribly wrong.  After she uncovers that her husband Jim is a serial murderer, Tess takes matters into her own hands and goes to the police.  Jim, a respected police officer, is eventually jailed but he escapes (of course..don't they always in scary-type stories?).  Tess knows that Jim will stop at nothing to kill her once he is released so she finds a safe place to hide her young daughter and treks across the country to hire and train with a present-day mercenary.  As an ex-Marine, J.T. is perfect for the job.  He's fit.  He's tough. Yeah, he has a drinking problem, but that is a minor detail.  At least Tess hopes it is.

So where is the scary?  Everywhere. Just the fact that she might not convince J.T. to help her train/get stronger is scary because he is her ticket to staying alive.  What if Jim finds where she hid their daughter?  Would he use her to lure Tess to him before she was ready?  What if J.T.'s sister, a FBI agent, blew her cover?  The biggest scare factor, though, is that Jim had a police background.  He had old uniforms, he knew the vernacular, he could assimilate himself into virtually any situation unnoticed.  I feared every new character Gardner introduced because I was certain that Jim was going to appear at any moment and continue his killing spree.  When the police found a severed head of one of their own in the ceiling duct of the headquarters conference room, things got particularly eerie.  Jim was a master of disguises too, which didn't help my nerves.

All in all, my first venture at reading a scary novel was a success.  It wasn't so scary that I had to quit reading it but it was scary enough that I had to take short breaks between chapters.  So, I think that means I may be ready for more scary books.  That does not mean however, that I am ready to ride Stitch's Great Escape (formerly known as Alien Encounter) again.  Dumbo ride, anyone?

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

Laugh out loud funny. 
But lots of swearing.

Are we allowed to swear on this blog?  I failed to ask my co-bloggers before I wrote this review so I guess I will err on the side of caution and keep the swearing to a minimum.  Even though there is A LOT of swearing in this book.  Funny swearing, but a lot nonetheless.  (Side note: my mom once told me that if you are quoting something that someone said it is okay to swear. I was in 6th grade and standing in the kitchen and had just retold her something that happened at school that day.  It kind of blew my mind that she let me say sh*t in front of her).   Now, on to the review.

This review is short for two reasons.  One, I am a day late on posting.  No excuses, just late.  Two, the book is short.  It's only about 150 pages and reads super fast.   Sh*t My Dad Says was written by Halpern after he was dumped by his girlfriend and forced to move back in with his parents.  At the age of 28 he found himself working (writing for a magazine) from his childhood home while his retired dad, Sam, looked on.  His idea for the book came after he tweeted some of his dad's irreverent one liners and words of advice.  In less than one month he found himself with over 300,000 followers and requests for tv interviews.  The book is a compilation of those tweets with chapters about his earlier life mixed in.  The chapters comprise most of the book, but it was the quotes that made me have to leave the room (I was laughing too loud and my kids were trying to watch the newest episode of Good Luck Charlie.  How rude of me, right?).

These were some of my favorites that did not involve multiple curse words:

On curfew:  "I don't give a sh*t what time you get home, just don't wake me up.  That's your curfew, not waking me up."

On his son's bloody nose:  "What happened?  Did somebody punch you in the face?  ...The what?  The air is dry?  Do me a favor and tell people you got punched in the face."

On shopping for presents for his birthday:  "If it's not bourbon or sweatpants, it's going in the garbage...No, don't get creative.  Now is not a creative time.  Now is a bourbon and sweatpants time."

On slumber parties:  "There's chips in the cabinet and ice cream in the freezer.  Stay away from knives and fire.  Okay, I've done my part.  I'm going to bed."

If all of this sounds familiar that may be because there was a tv series based on the book that ran for a short time in 2010 on CBS.  William Shatner starred as Sam and although 18 episodes aired, the series was cancelled in February of 2011.  I can't speak for the tv series but I can (and will) speak for the book. It's hilarious.  Yes, it's full of swear words.  And no, it's not serious subject matter.  But it is one man's take on his childhood and upbringing at the hands of a caring yet tough father. And it's funny.  And that was enough for me. 

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

I don't know what my problem is lately.  For the past month or so, every time I go to pick out a new book the only ones that look good to me are ones about animals.  I reviewed A Dog's Purpose back in June.  I read War Horse one afternoon last week.  And now I read this.  For whatever reason, books about animals totally appeal to me right now.  So if they don't appeal to you, I apologize.  I will try very hard to make my next book review to be animal-free.

I couldn't resist.

Enzo is a special dog.  And what's funny is that he knows it.  He walks the earth with the spirit of a human trapped in a dog's body. And oh how he wished he had thumbs!  He watches TV (he loves to watch racing), hears private conversations and experiences true emotions.  He knows he is trapped in his canine form, but that doesn't stop him from doing his best to soothe, comfort and stand by his human family.  His master, Denny, is an up-and-coming race car driver with a wife and small child. When Denny's wife is diagnosed with cancer, Enzo is her comfort.  When a subsequent custody battle over the daughter ensues, Enzo is a soothing constant for the girl as well as a faithful friend for Denny.   Enzo sees from Denny that just as in racing, it isn't always about speed.  As he sees it, it is more about the big picture.  Humans should focus on what is ahead and the techniques they need to get there (just like race car drivers do on the track) that makes this life easier and more rewarding to navigate.  Enzo is positive that he will return in his next life as a human and cannot wait to explore the human world as a human instead of a four-legged creature.

If I gave away too many more details I would be spoiling some of the best parts of the book.  I will say that the special relationship Enzo maintains with each different family member was remarkable.  He knew when to play gentle with the toddler, how hard or soft he should nuzzle Eve after she returned home from one of her cancer treatments and even how to offer solace to a grieving husband and father.  The Art of Racing in the Rain makes it seem totally plausible that animals (well, dogs) can understand our conversations and even our relationships.  The absurdity of a dog processing human language and interactions takes a back seat to the profound insight being offered.  Loyalty, love and even some humor make this book a wonderful lesson in what is important in life. All through the eyes of  a dog, that is.

While researching the book, I found that Garth Stein used to be a documentary film maker.  It was in his role as a film maker that he heard about a famous legend in Mongolia.  It is a legend about what happens to a dog once it dies.  It was this legend that lead Stein to write this book some ten years after he initially heard it.  I think when an author has something gnaw at him or her like that for such a long time, it usually leads to something extraordinary.  You can click on the video book trailer below and see for yourself.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

Yes, this is kind of a cheater post.  I have already reviewed this book for our other book blog BeTween Books, but it's good enough to review again here.  Plus, the emergency plumber just left, my kids are still awake and I'm day one into a 30-day Paleo diet challenge.  Cheater post beats no post at all, right?

My good friend Sharlene politely shoved this book at me loaned me this book to read.  Being that her living room is literally three walls of bookcases (and it even contains this really cool lamp made out of books) when Sharlene says a book, "is something every human being on this planet should read" I take note.  I also make note to hurry up and finish said book because along with Sharlene's book recommendations come Sharlene's timelines.  I got right to work and finished this one in three days, although I could have read it in one.  Please don't tell Sharlene.

Written in 2007, The Wednesday Wars is about an 11-year-old  boy growing up in Long Island.  The year is 1967 and because Holling Hoodhood is neither Catholic nor Jewish and does not have a Hebrew or Catechism class to attend on Wednesdays, he finds himself the only student in 7th grade.  Just Holling the Presbyterian, and his teacher, Mrs. Baker every Wednesday for the entire school year.  At first, Mrs. Baker has him keep himself busy by cleaning the classroom, the coat room and even worse, the desks.  But as time passes, she has him start reading Shakespeare and writing essays.  Clearly annoyed and starting to hate her even more, Holling has no choice but to comply.   His compliance leads to an eventual appreciation of Shakespeare which in a round-about way gets him the starring role in a local play.  Although he must wear tights as the star of the play, the rest of his year is filled with normal 7th-grade-boy things.  A girl crush.  Sneaking away from school to watch Yankee baseball games.  A love/hate relationship with his older sister.  But what is not normal and the most wonderful part of the book is the warm and inspiring bond he forms with Mrs. Baker.  They navigate the year together one Wednesday at a time and find that more often than not they are all each other has.  They are exactly what the other one needs during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.  It is a beautiful relationship and a very well-written book.

One major highlight for me was Holling and his love of baseball. I couldn't help but think of my dad as a young Holling. I was reminded of the baseball stories my dad would tell me about when he was growing up around the same time.  Being a baseball-aholic myself, I loved that Holling and his teacher shared their love of the game. 

As I mentioned before, the book is set in 1967.  That means the Vietnam War was center stage as were air raid drills and telegraphs from the front.  Mrs. Baker's grown son is serving his first tour, air raid sirens go off almost daily and telegraph deliveries arrive at the school way too often.  Again, the war part of this book touched home to me but it was also extremely relevant to the time period.

I can't say enough good things about this book.  It's touching and sweet and appropriate in so many ways.  My almost 5th-grader did read it last summer without me knowing and absolutely loved it. However, I wish she would have waited a year or two.  She is an advanced reader, so that was not the problem.  The problem was that a lot of the book went right over her head.  She had no clue what Vietnam was (sadly, she just figured it was another war like the ones we are in now), thought the air raid drills were something they made up, and didn't see what all the fuss about the main character meeting Mickey Mantle was all about  (obviously I have failed her in the baseball history department).  Basically, the historical parts of the book were wasted on her.  I think for that reason it is more appropriately suited for 12-18 year-olds.

The Wednesday Wars has secured a spot in my Top Five Favorites of all time.  Yes, it really is THAT good.  Read it.  Or I will tell Sharlene.

Worlds Apart by Kate Mathias AND author Q&A

Every once in a while, all of the time I spend on Facebook pays off.  This is one of those times.   You see, I am Facebook friends with someone I swam with in high school. (If you are picturing bad 90's hair, too much chlorine and the dreaded swimsuit photos for the annual yearbook, that would be pretty accurate).   I saw in my news feed a couple of months ago that Josh's (the guy I used to swim with) wife (Kate) was writing a book.   Say what?!  Hoping Josh would not think I was crazy for Facebook stalking him, I messaged him and told him about our little blog and offered to write a review.  Thankfully, he didn't think I was crazy, told me to go for it and so I did.  Last week, I downloaded Kate's newly released book, read it in two days and am excited to announce that I really liked the book AND that an author Q&A with Kate follows this review.  I think I may start Facebook stalking more often!  But first, the review.

Stay tuned.  You could win a copy!

Piper Reynolds is an energetic teacher, loyal daughter and fun-loving aunt.  Pregnant with twins and ready to start a new life with soon-to-be husband Joe, things are going great for Piper.  So why does Piper keep coming face to face with Pip, a woman who looks just like her in some sort of parallel reality?  Over time, Piper and Pip discover that they are drawn to each other during their greatest times of need.  Their recurring "jumps" into each others lives serve as the foundation for a bond that seems to lasts a lifetime.  Pip is there when Piper delivers the twins and again when one of the twins is diagnosed with leukemia.  Conversely, Piper is there for Pip when Pip is the victim of an attack.  The "jumps" aren't permanent, however, and they never know how long they will stay in each others lives.  When Pip turns up as a "perfect match" bone marrow donor for Piper's son, it's almost too good to be true.  But can she stay in Piper's world long enough for the donation?  Will her own husband Joe still be understanding and waiting for her if and when she returns back to her own reality?   And the biggest questions of all:  can their bond withstand a fatal car accident?   Sorry to leave you hanging, but you will have to read it for yourself to find out. 

Loyal readers of this blog may be surprised to learn that I really, really liked this book.  I'm not so much a fan of para-anything.  I don't have the best imagination and it's hard for me to get excited about something I don't think could actually happen in real life.  This book proved me wrong.  Why?  I think because the plot was SO unexpected (I can't stress enough how original the storyline is) and the numerous twists and turns kept me wondering what would happen next.  Normally, I would find numerous twists to be tiresome but in this case all of the twists were actually believable.   Everything that happened to the characters was something that I could actually imagine taking place.  And something about the characters made me want to keep reading to find out what happened next.

Speaking of characters, Mathias did a great job of letting us get to know the characters with just the right amount of detail.  (I do so love an author that gets in and gets to the story!) I can't really point to any character I didn't like (besides the guy that attacked Pip, of course).  As a matter of fact, the entire cast of characters seemed relatable and strong.  Kind of refreshing compared to some of my latest reads.  Worlds Apart is a quick read as well, which is always a bonus for a mom with two kids on summer vacation.  I only had to ignore them a few times to finish this book.  :)

Kate Mathias

As an extra bonus we are also featuring our very first author Q&A!  Read below to find the answers to some of our questions for Kate. 

1.  What book are you currently reading?

I just started reading Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt.  I am enjoying it so far!  I usually read about 2-3 books a week.  I read daily while working out on my elliptical and love to support my fellow indie authors by reading their books. 

2.  How do you balance your work with family time?

If you ask my husband, sometimes I don't feel like I balance it very well!  :)  I am a stay at home mom to three children, ages 4, 6, and 9.  We were transferred to Phoenix two years ago with my husband's job.  At that time, I started to stay at home full time because he travels heavily.  I got so caught up in trying to be a good mom and wife and started to feel like I was losing a part of me.  In January, I decided that I needed to make time for myself and started to write Worlds Apart.  I would write from nine to midnight every night after I got the kids to bed and cleaned up the house.  I would also take my laptop and write when I was at my children's sport practices.  Any time I had a few extra minutes, I would write.  My characters consumed me and I needed to get my story that had been stuck in my head for three years down on paper.  I felt guilty at first for taking the time to write and worried that my writing would take away time from my family, but found as my story was coming to life that I too felt fulfilled.  My husband and children have been so supportive of my writing and I never regret the decision that I made that day to start writing Worlds Apart. 

3.  Now that you have been through it once, what advice do you offer
for authors interested in self-publishing?

I would tell other authors to go for it and follow their dreams.  I have had a really positive experience with self-publishing and would encourage others to explore that option.  I wanted to get my novel out in the public and this has been an exciting journey so far.  Self-publishing certainly has its ups and downs.  I have been solely in charge of my own marketing of the book.  I have poured over every website and information I could get my hands on.  This path has been challenging, but is very fulfilling.  I would suggest three things to think about before I would self-publish again.  First, I did try and go the traditional publishing route and sought out to find a literary agent.  The process of writing a query letter to agents was a learning experience in itself.  I would still like to be published traditionally.  I feel as though I exhausted this publishing route before I decided to self-publish.  Secondly, I came up with a marketing plan on how I would get my book in the public since I would be responsible for its ultimate success or failure.  Thirdly, I researched the social networks and writer's groups online like WAE Network, Facebook, and Goodreads.  I reached out and tried to get myself established among them.  I am currently still working on this last one!  :)

4.  As a former elementary teacher, do you have any favorite books you
recommend for parents trying to encourage their kids to read?

I taught 4th grade so we read chapter books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bunnicula, and Where the Red Fern Grows.  I loved Where the Red Fern Grows and even named our first dog after Little Ann.  By the time that my students got to my class, they already knew how to read, but some still didn't have the love of reading instilled in them.  I would encourage parents to continue to read aloud to their children nightly even in the upper grades.  My oldest son and I read chapter books together nightly, each taking turns to read aloud.  He and I look forward to that quiet time where we can get lost together in a book and discuss what we think is going to happen.  Some parents think that their children are too old to enjoy reading with their parents, but I think they would be surprised at how much both the child and parent enjoy reading together and bonding over a good book.

5. What can we expect from the next installment of the Silver Oaks Series?  

Spoiler alert!!  Don't read this if you haven't read Worlds Apart.  I have already started writing the second book, Hiding in Plain Sight.  The prologue starts about twenty years in the future where we find Graham in a situation involving Pip and his half sister, Palmer.  The experience he has in the run down shack trying to save the important women in his life from a man who relentlessly threatens their safety, pushes Graham to evaluate how his actions have molded him.  While Worlds Apart is Piper and Pip's story, Hiding in Plain Sight is primarily about Graham and how he struggles with his identity after losing his mother and taking a man's life.  The first chapter then goes back and begins exactly where Worlds Apart ends with Graham "jumping" to Pip's world.  The second book of the series is darker and has some shocking twists that the readers won't see coming.  I believe in pushing the boundaries just enough to hopefully make the reader put down the book and still be thinking about certain scenes a few days later.  Hiding in Plain Sight will make you question whether or not that really just happened, but will make you read on because you will want to find out where Graham is hiding and exactly whom he is hiding from.

 

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

See what I mean?

I know, I know.  Never judge a book by it's cover.  But I couldn't help it.  It was so "Jodi Picoult-ish" that I couldn't help myself.  (Don't tell my fellow book club members, but I am a closet Picoult fan).  Plus, I was doing a double shift at the school book fair and had already read the first few chapters. I had to buy it.  (It's for the kids, ya know).

I had prepared myself for heart-wrenching drama, sadness and extreme emotion, but I really didn't need to.  In Fly Away Home, Sylvie Woodruff is a devoted senator's wife who has successfully raised two daughters.  She plays the part dutifully for over 20 years by helping with speeches, making social appearances and putting her own career on the back burner.  All of that falls apart when the media gets wind of her husband's affair with a 20-something staffer.  Couple that with her daughter Diana (a well-respected ER surgeon) admitting to cheating on HER husband and her other daughter Lizzie fresh out of yet another stint in rehab and the Woodruff women are a hot mess.  Eventually, they migrate to Connecticut and the summer home where they used to spend quality time together.  The three women spend several months reconnecting, reevaluating and reorganizing their lives.  They help each other forgive and set new priorities, some of which are different than ones they had in the past.

Meh.  It was sad.  I can do sad, but sad needs to have a purpose.  You know, like a terminal illness or a suicide.  This was just boring sad.  Sad because these three women made a series of bad decisions and neither one of them had the guts to tell the other one to "get out of your loveless marriage" or "put down that joint" or "quit hiding in your work and be engaged with your family."  There was no purpose to this sad other than to highlight some bad choices and three somewhat boring characters. 

Speaking of characters, I wish Weiner would have focused more on the grandmother and the rehab-rebound boyfriend.  The grandmother made me want to stand up and cheer especially when she gave her daughter regular bouts of unsolicited advice.  Go grandma!  As for the boyfriend, he was sweet.  He accepted Lizzie for who she was and didn't run when she ended up getting pregnant by him and then trying to push him away.  He was the only stand-up guy in the novel and it was a shame he was only written in at the halfway-ish point.

Since book covers seem to be so misleading (at least to me) I think I will stick to downloading ebooks.  They don't really qualify as having covers, do they?  Either that or I let Sarah and Carrie (my fellow TFA bloggers) pick out books for me to read.  On second thought,  I'll stick to ebooks.   It will be safer for everyone that way.

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

I think my last post set a new record.  Six comments on the blog, numerous comments on my personal Facebook page and the blog's Facebook page (have you "Liked" us on there yet?) and something like 175 pageviews.  Thankfully, many of you were in agreement with my review of FSOG (that's right, it has it's own acronym now) and I didn't feel half as silly as I thought I was going to feel for thinking the book was a waste of my time.  This time around, I hope the same holds true.

After my review of FSOG I went Facebook stalking.  You know, when you read something that someone wrote on your wall so you click on their page and see where another person commented on their page then you click on that person and read stuff on their wall?  Yeah, well I did that and ended up finding a recommendation for Slammed.  A bunch of people on that page insisted Slammed was a "must read."  Pretending that conversation was intended for me, I downloaded it that night.

Slammed is really kind of a tragic story.  Layken is 18 years old and has recently moved to Michigan from Texas due to the unexpected death of her father.  Her mom works the night shift as a nurse so Layken must balance starting a new school at the beginning of her senior year as well as caring for her nine-year-old brother.  She handles being thrust into responsibility very well and even finds a fast friend in the same situation across the street.  Her neighbor Will is also raising his younger brother due to tragic circumstances.  They quickly fall for each other and just when Layken thinks Michigan might not turn out to be SO horrible, she sees Will at school the next day.  As in he is her third period teacher.  Oops.  In the best interest of both parties they decide to end their relationship but we all know it's never that easy, is it?  Tragedy strikes again and Layken and Will have no choice but to lean on each other.  At the risk of Will losing his job and his only means of financial support and Layken being expelled from school they continue their relationship.  Is it the right choice?  Can they make it through together?  Will love really conquer all? I liked the book enough not to spoil it for you, so I won't.

Like I said, I did like the book.  I was surprised at how much I liked the characters seeing as I have such strong feelings about student/teacher relationships.  (They are icky and wrong.  Did I mention they are icky?).  It was a bit unbelievable that the subject of school and jobs didn't come up in the days their relationship was new, but the author did a good job of covering for it in the book.  Layken and Will were very normal and real though, so I was able to look past it.

I think I would have liked the book more if it wasn't so sad.  Both families involved have been kicked in the gut with some really unfortunate circumstances and that's just not what I was in the mood to read.  (Disclaimer:  I haven't seen my kids in four weeks and that might have just a little bit to do with it..maybe.)   The writing was good, so please don't think it's not.  And I did read it in three days.  There is a sequel to this book called Point of Retreat that was released in April.  I will read that one too, just not right away.  I need something happy and uplifting right now seeing as I don't pick up my kids for another week.  Anyone have any recommendations or do I have to start Facebook stalking again?

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

As I get older, no matter the subject matter, I can't STAND to know that some piece of pop culture is  passing me by.  Remember when I (embarassingly) read a Sookie Stackhouse novel thinking that she and Snooki were the same person?  If you need a refresher, click here.  Ever since that mishap, I am so determined to keep up with times that I even plan on suffering through a matinee showing of Magic Mike.  ;)   So when everyone was posting about Fifty Shades of Grey on Facebook, I immediately leapt into action.  Well, that's not entirely true.  I called Sarah and Carrie to make sure they were not planning on reading it for the blog (they assured me they were not) and THEN I leapt into action. (Here's hoping my mother and mother-in-law never read this review).

He ties her up with that,
you know.

I think everyone gets the gist of Fifty Shades by now but just in case, here is a quick synopsis.  Anastasia (Ana for short) is a 22-year-old girl that is weeks away from college graduation.  As a favor to her ill roommate, she agrees to interview Christian Grey for the school newspaper. Grey is an entrepreneur and huge benefactor to the school so his interview is key to the next edition.  At the interview Ana learns that everything she has heard about Christian Grey is true.  He's rich and he's beautiful.  (According to the author that is all there is to him, people.)  Thinking he is way out her league she finishes the interview and goes on her way.  Obviously Christian feels differently and a series of chance (?) encounters occur over the next week or so.  This is how their relationship begins and Ana begins to finds out about Christian's sordid past and unique sexual desires.  As you probably know by now, Christian presents Ana with a contract.  In order to be with him (sexually and likewise) she must agree to be his Sub.  As in Submissive.  She gets her own room at his mansion, all of the clothes money can buy, a personal trainer, spa appointments, and pretty much anything else she wants...as long as he okays it.  Christian, as the Dom or Dominant, gets complete access to every.single.inch of her from Friday evening until midday on Sunday.  Every week. No questions asked.  It seems that as a teenager and young adult Christian was a Sub and this type of relationship is his normal.  Ana struggles with her decision (the entire book) as to whether she wants to sign the agreement or not.  It is her deep desire that Christian will eventually come around and agree to live a more traditional sexual lifestyle.  I won't spoil it for you and I'll just let you read it for yourself to see if Ana gets her wish.

It should be known that Fifty Shades of Grey and the entire trilogy in fact, developed from a Twilight fan fiction originally titled Masters of the Universe.  It was written under the pen name Snowqueen Icedragon and was loosely based off of the characters Bella and Edward from Twilight.  It's a long story (feel free to Google it, it's really not THAT central to this review but I thought you needed to know a bit of background) but eventually all of that evolved into Fifty Shades of Grey.  This is just my nice way of saying that if you liked Twilight you'll most likely like, if not love, Fifty Shades.   I did not care for Twilight so you can probably guess how I felt about this book.

At the risk of sounding lame, old and like a big, fat prude...I didn't like it. First, it was not written well.  At all.  The character of Ana was so underdeveloped, the author actually wanted me to believe that she was a 22-year-old college virgin who had never been drunk before and didn't even own a computer.  Really?  I didn't buy it.  And then there was the sex.  Non-stop sex.  I'm pretty sure you could open the book to any page after the second chapter and it would be about sex.  And while I am at it, am I really supposed to believe that a virgin would be up for um, well, all of that?  And that each and every time would be complete and utter earth-shattering satisfaction?  Come on!   All of the sex aside and as was the case with Bella in Twilight, I wanted to shake Ana until the two brain cells in her head crashed into each other in the hopes that an actual intelligent thought might be produced.  Do you really have to think about staying in a relationship where your partner gets his kicks by whipping you until you bleed?  Must you really have to decide if it is okay to be chained to a bed in a "Red Room of Pain" in order for your mate to feel fulfilled sexually?  Ugh.  Could I please have a female lead character with just a little less lust on the brain and a little more of a backbone?

I do appreciate the fact that Fifty Shades of Grey and the two other books in the trilogy have set all sorts of  records.  Last week it became the number one best-selling book for the Kindle in the U.K.  The trilogy even topped The Hunger Games trilogy for June, according to the USA Today's Best-Selling Books list. Economics experts are even predicting a baby boom accredited to Fifty Shades in the next 9 months or so.  Oh lordy.  No matter the subject matter, I will admit that those are impressive numbers.  And I am all about people reading books.  (Reading is the hobby I always list first on job applications, you know).  I just wish that when a book tops a best-seller list it could be about something besides a young woman being emotionally and physically controlled by a man or men with commitment issues.

Ok, now it's your turn.  I know most of you have read it.  Don't be shy.  Let's hear it.  Except for you, Binnie and Lynn.  Remember, in my mind you've never had sex.  :)

A Dog's Purpose - A Novel for Humans by W. Bruce Cameron

Not Sadie. 

"So you got a dog, huh?  You know she's gonna break your heart when she dies."  Those were the words spoken to me by my father when he met our dog Sadie, for the first time. Way to spoil my moment, dad.  How could he say that about such an adorable puppy?  I was so enamored with Sadie that I dedicated an entire scrapbook album to her.  I thought I had never seen anything as funny as when she would bark at leaves that blew past her.  I remember watching Joshua trying to get her leashed trained and laughing hysterically.  Today, Sadie is approaching 14 years-old, hard of hearing and becoming more and more like an house guest that has overstayed her welcome.  We love her, but her health is steadily declining and there have been times recently when I have questioned her purpose after having been with us for so long.  And then I read this book.


A Dog's Purpose spent 49 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List.  That is pretty impressive seeing that it is written from the perspective of the dog and like the title says, is a novel "for humans."  This is just not the sort of book I think of when I think of bestseller material. But I think what made it bestseller material was the fact that it WAS written from a dog's perspective. Cameron tells the story as Baily, a homeless mutt of a dog that dies tragically only to be reborn as a energetic golden-retriever.  As a retriever, Bailey is adopted by Ethan, an 8-year-old boy.  The two are inseparable and we get a front seat to all of their many adventures.  It is with Ethan that Bailey finds how to be a good dog and becomes a well-loved family pet.  Unfortunately, Bailey doesn't live forever (they never do, darn it) and is reborn yet again.  (Stay with me here...it sounds tiring, but it's really not).  Bailey approaches life the same way this time, but with caution.  His mood is increasingly pessimistic and frankly he's a bit tired of being reborn.  Can you blame him?  Each rebirth has him questioning his purpose even though down deep all he really wants is to be with Ethan again.  Bailey is resigned to be a good pet though and carries on with yet another new owner and new life, but he never stops yearning for Ethan and the life he had with him. 

It is obvious that animal lover's would really, really like this book, right?  So, what if you are not one of those?  You should read it anyway.  Once you can get over the fact that you are inside a dog's head and the book is being narrated by someone with four legs, you cannot help but be impressed with dog's take on human relationships.  You see (through a dog's eyes) the ugliness of hatred, marital stress, sickness, sorrow and aging from an entirely new perspective.  Not only do you see all of that, you see how even as a dog, Bailey uses his experiences (good and bad) to adapt to each new life.  That is something that we can all learn from and for me was really quite enlightening.

And if you ARE an animal lover (especially one partial to dogs) and decide to read this book, get your tissues ready.  Bailey is the perfect dog in each of the lives he lives. He is loyal.  He is funny.  He is protective.  He is loving.  I wanted nothing more than for him to find his purpose in life and be happy.  He was everything I wanted a dog to be, if that dog could process human thoughts and emotions, that is.  That made it all the more heart-breaking to read and watch as Bailey had to learn some hard life lessons at his own expense.  It did come with it's fair share of humor though, which did well to lighten up some of the more somber moments.  And the ending?  Well, let's just say it was a three-tissue ending.  In a good way.

Unfortunately, reading the end of this book won't be the only three-tissue ending in my near future.  Sadie and her aches and pains (and the other many things the vet says is wrong with her) are a constant reminder of that.  I just hope Sadie can take comfort in knowing that she has fulfilled her purpose in this life.  And for that, I am forever thankful.  Can somebody pass me a tissue?

The Miraculous Jouney of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

This is my living room floor on a daily basis.

I was never a big fan of stuffed animals when I was little.  Sure, I had a few go-to standby's....there was Tami, the stuffed dog my Dad got me for my 5th birthday.  Pete, my stuffed dragon from the movie by the same name and when I got older I think I spent a few good months with my Cabbage Patch doll, Gretchen.  I was more of a reader and board game girl, I guess.  Fast forward 25 years or so and I am now the mother of two children who each have more stuffed animals than I have coffee mugs.  That's a lot of stuffed animals, people.

So I was a little surprised that I liked The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane so much.  A friend suggested I read it saying, "it's quick, it is well written and you might tear up a bit at the end." Sold. Plus, I already knew I liked Kate DiCamillo.  Her Mercy Watson series is a hit at our house and so is her most famous book The Tale of Despereaux.   In short, my friend was right.  Here's the longer version.

Even though I was not one to play with stuffed animals much when I was young, it was easy to like this book right from the start.  Edward Tulane is a china rabbit living a rather posh lifestyle with the Tulane family in their home on Egypt Street.  Abilene, the young girl who cares for him, likes to dress him up, sit him at the dinner table and even tuck him into his own bed at night.  All is well until Abilene and family set sail one day on the Queen Mary and Edward is accidentally thrown overboard by a group of rowdy boys.  This is where the "miraculous journey" part comes in.  Edward's journey includes being caught in a fisherman's net, spending time in a hobo camp and living out some heart-wrenching days with a dying young girl. Edward never forgets Abilene though and yearns to be with her again.  It is a sweet story with a simple message and one I think everyone can relate to. 

If nothing else, this story has made me a bit more tolerant of my messing living room floor.  So what if my children hoard their stuffed animals (currently they are all in suitcases headed for New York to see the Statue of Liberty) like a crazy lady hoards cats?  I know that the days of the stuffed animal game, "Bed State Area" are limited.  And who knows?   Maybe their time in our house is the beginning of their very own "miraculous journey."

From the Ashes by Jeremy Burns

This time of year (May in particular) is quickly becoming one of the most dreaded for me.  As both of my children are now school-aged I can literally hear the sound of money flying out the window (end of year teacher gifts, field trips and numerous birthday parties being the main culprits).  Add to that the fact that May officially starts the PCS season for us military folks (either we are preparing to move or at least half of our friends and neighbors are which translates to emotional goodbyes almost every weekend) and I am a tad bit grumpy.  Oh, and I haven't even begun to tackle the twice yearly "wardrobe transition" (you know, where you have to go through all of your clothes and the kids clothes to find out what still fits, what doesn't and what looks best with ghostly white legs).  Yeah, I don't like May.

Earlier this week, I decided to take matters into my own hands.  I did what any good wife, mother and book blogger would do and avoided all of the above and started reading.  So, you can imagine my excitement when I found From the Ashes.  I had completely forgotten about this free download from Barnes and Noble!  It was the perfect escape and provided me with three and half days of solid procrastination.  That right there should be endorsement enough, right?

If not, here's more: graduate student brothers, Michael and Jonathan Rickner have been close their entire lives.  However now that Michael has a new girlfriend, Jonathan can't help but be a little jealous.  Having spent most of their childhood on archaeological adventures with their famous father Sir William Rickner, Jonathan is not adjusting to the fact that he must now share his brother with another person.  Unfortunately, Michael shows up dead in his Washington, DC apartment and the police want to rule it a suicide.  Jonathan knows better and starts to dig into his brother's latest dissertation research.  What he finds is disturbing.  And dangerous.  He and Mara (the girlfriend) agree to work together to pick up where Michael left off and try to solve a series of clues that are hidden throughout New York City.  Their quest takes them through the historical ugliness of the rise of Nazi Germany, the Hoover administration, the Great Depression and even the Rockefellers.  Their enemies are determined to stop them so the closer they get to uncovering the long-hidden truth, the more danger they put themselves in. 

There were lots of things about this book that made it the perfect escape.  I think the best part for me was the dedication and devotion Jonathan had for his deceased brother.  Nothing was more important to him than making sure his brother's work was finished and that the truth was exposed.  Familial loyalty, especially one highlighting brothers, is not often found in thrillers like this.  It was a nice touch.  I was also happy to see that Burns didn't take the easy way out and automatically make Jonathan and Mara a couple.  It was important to me that they continued on their quest and did not let the tragedy lead them straight into each others arms. 

Also central to the book were the historical references.  It was evident that Burns did a ton of research and it paid off.  As he and Mara were navigating the streets of New York and at one point climbing around the statue of Atlas in Rockefeller Center, I could almost hear the sounds of the city coming off the pages of the book.  Weaving in some historical references like Rockefeller, Hitler and their ties to the essence of our country in the 30's and 40's only added to the credibility of the author and the story.

I really hope Burns continues the story of Jonathan and Mara.  They made a good team and I would like to see them working together again in another book.  But really, I just need him to write another book and release it by next May.   I  don't like May.



 

The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma

Germs are bad. Book
fair germs are the worst.

Twice a year, I volunteer at the book fair at my daughter's school.  It's a full week of practicing my money counting skills (have you ever counted out $14.50 in pennies and nickels?  Because I have.), aggressive use of hand sanitzer, and helping youngsters understand that their money would be better spent on an actual book and not on a Justin Bieber poster.  But really, what it boils down to is I get to sit for five days straight and be surrounded by books.  (Yes, some of my mom besties are there sucking down coffee and diet soda with me but it is really all about the books). 

Last month, between classes of second graders and the recess rush I found The Reading Promise in the "section where all the moms and teachers shop."  It is a true story about a young girl and her father that make a promise to read togther (he reads outloud to her for at least 10 minutes) every night for 100 nights.  It seems daunting, yet they persevere.  Once they reach their goal Alice, an 11-year-old, suggests they go for something bigger...1000 nights.  As a single dad and elementary school librarian, her father Jim excitedly agrees.  To make a long story very short, "The Streak" continues until she is 18 and goes off to college.  To be exact, the streak continues for 3,218 nights.  That is 3,218 nights of reading regardless of the circumstances.  Nothing stood in the way...not laryngitis, hours of high school homework or even prom.  It's a story of their shared committment to reading but more importantly to each other.

I loved it.  At times I thought both the father and daughter were a bit TOO dependent on each other as well as a little too dependent on this streak.   I wanted them to enjoy each other more outside of the reading each night, but since it was a healthy dependency (she still went on dates and was in school plays) I could overlook their sometimes abundant closeness. 

And while some critics found the fact that Alice would sit close to her dad and lay in the crook of his arm when he read to her to be more disturbing the older she got, I found it refreshing.  Why shouldn't a daughter want to sit next to her dad while he reads to her?  In fact, I believe that if more young girls had healthy relationships with their fathers during their adolescent and teen years they would be saving themselves from some UNhealthy relationships in the future. 

Not only did this book make me miss my dad more, it solidified in me the importance of reading to my children.  I read to my kids two, three and sometimes four times a day when they were infants and toddlers.  Now that they are school-aged I sometimes forget that they still need to be read to.  If nothing else, it is dedicated time carved into each day where they can have my undivided attention. My only problem is that my children have very different tastes in reading (do they make an atlas/Harry Potter/weather encyclopdia type book?). I need to find one if they do.

The coolest part of this book are the last few pages.  There is where you can find a list of all of the books Alice and her dad read during "The Streak."  I find it to be an outstanding resource and really enjoyed seeing how many of them I had read, were read to me, or that I have read to my children. 

The next time you're at the library or the book store, pick up a copy of The Reading Promise.  And then maybe some hand sanitizer, too.

Amy's Top Five for The Family Addiction

In honor of our blogiversary (yes, I know that was technically earlier this week, but we like to stretch things out a bit around here) it is my turn to take a trip down memory lane.  This past year I reviewed 29 books for The Family Addiction. Wow.  That was a lot of reading!  And typing!  And ignoring my household duties! Yay! You would think that composing a list of my top five favorites should be easy, right?  Wrong.  It would actually be easier for me to list my top five LEAST favorites that I have reviewed this year (I'm looking at YOU, Sweet Valley High Confidential: 10 Years Later).  When I don't like something, I REALLY don't like something.  But when I like something, I LOVE something and there were a lot of books that I LOVED this year.  I'll do my best to break them down for you here. 

5.  Crush by Alan Jacobson
Months later, I still find myself comparing female crime fighters in books and even on TV to Karen Vail.  She is tough in a male-dominated profession and yet has a likable feminine side to her also.  She balances her duties as mom, cop and girlfriend the best she can, even when surrounded by a gruesome murder during what was supposed to be her vacation.  It didn't hurt that this particular mystery was set in California; more specifically the wine country. Jacobson crafted some memorable characters in a realistic setting and I am looking forward to reading more.

4.  Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger
Again, love the strong crime-fighting main character in this one.  This time it's an ex-sheriff of a sleepy Minnesota town by the name of Cork O'Connor.  He's Irish, rugged and no-nonsense.  Cork's main focus is finding the truth even if it means he has to make some major sacrifices on his part.  He is part loving dad, part loyal ex-sheriff and part torn ex-husband.  Bonus:  there are ten more Cork O'Connor novels for me (and you!) to read.

3.  My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking
Finally a vampire novel I could read without being annoyed!  And this one even made my top five list!  Hocking made her mark as an e-publishing dynamo with this series that she wrote in her spare time. Even though it is a young adult novel, I didn't FEEL like a young adult when I read it.  The characters are mature without taking themselves too seriously.  The book is fun, short and is exactly what I want in a paranormal romance. 

2.  There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz
I was blown away by how much this book affected and still affects me.  Set in Chicago, There Are No Children Here is the story of real life for two young men raised in the Henry Horner homes. The day-to-day living of these particular boys was riveting and heart-breaking at the same time.  Drugs, crime and poverty invaded every moment of their lives in the early 1990's.  What could just a few more dollars and a little bit more opportunity have done for them?  Would their lives have been any different?  I wish I knew.

1.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Surprised?  You shouldn't be.  I talk about this book all the time!  By far my favorite book this year.  If you haven't read it DO.IT.NOW.  (Sarah...this means you!).  Almost daily, I see where more and more people are reading this book or have teenagers that are reading this book. What is all the fuss about? Set in the future after the fall of the North America, the country of Panem now exists in twelve districts that must send one person each year to The Hunger Games to fight to the death.  It's full of action, suspense and drama.  Once you start, you'll be hard-pressed to put it down. I promise.

What were your favorite books in the past year?  What would you like to see us review in the future?  Leave us a comment and let us know.  It just might make my list of favorites for next year!  Happy Reading!

Spencerville by Nelson DeMille



Has anyone seen this phone?

My poor neighbor, Tami.   Her phone was stolen yesterday.  When she is out and about today doing all of the things that us awesome moms do, she will be without her phone.  How will she find out if Jason Varitek shows up to training camp?  What if there is a last minute Hanna Andersson coupon emailed to her?  To make matters worse, she won't be able to read this post and bask in the glory that she once again recommended a winner.  Sadly, she'll have to wait until she is home tonight and the kids are in bed to pull this up on her home computer.  Maybe by then the culprits will have returned the phone.  Or maybe not...

Either way, Tami gets the "cool neighbor" award for turning me on to  Spencerville.  I believe the interaction went something like this:

*Knock on my 1950's Army-issue brown screen door
Me:  Come in.
Tami:  Hey.  Have you read the book Spencerville?
Me:  No, should I?
Tami:  Ya. (heavy Boston accent way of saying yeah) You totally should. I don't know if it's good or not, but you should read it and tell me if I should read it.
Me: Cool, thanks.
Tami:  So, are we having a firepit tonight?
Me:  Yes.  How much wine do you have?

Let's just say that we like our books here on this street, but we like our wine just as much.  And our coffee, too.  But that's another story.  

The cover looks spooky, but the book is not.  At all.

Now, on to the review.  I knew I was going to like Spencerville from the start.  The main character Keith Landry is an ex-military type that has recently retired and moved back to his hometown. He is fixing up his boyhood home while his parents are soaking up the rays in Florida, and not much has changed since he left 25 years before.  Oh, except his ex-girlfriend and first true love is now married to his arch nemesis who just so happens to be the town sheriff.  Spencerville has some police action, some small town drama, a military man and some romance.  What's not to like? 

So, what specifically was the draw for me?  The characters.  Keith has just retired after a full military career.  After Vietnam he served the government in a more "covert" capacity until his 20 years were up.  Now that he is officially a civilian, Keith isn't really sure what he wants to do and finds himself in Spencerville.  I think he knew all along he would end up there, if for nothing else to see Annie one last time.  I will admit, I loved that part about him.  He never stopped loving her and it was her letters that got him through some of the roughest parts of his tours in Vietnam.  So, to recap:  Keith dutifully served his country for 20 years and never stopped loving his first girlfriend.  Can we just clone him, please? 

And then there is Annie.  Not wanting to hold Keith back from his career aspirations of serving his country she stepped back and they drifted apart.  She eventually married Cliff (the bully of a town sheriff) and they had two children.  By the time Keith returns the children are off to college and Annie is stuck in a now increasingly abusive marriage.  As the wife of the possessive town sheriff she has no freedom and has literally become a prisoner in her hometown.  At first I was annoyed with Annie because I wanted her to stand up for herself and GET.OUT. (Truth be told, I really wanted her to not have let Keith go to war without being her husband, but that is just the Army wife in me getting in the way).   But the poor girl just didn't know how.  Right when she is on the cusp of figuring things out, Keith shows up and it is like the stars align and kitty cats are dancing on rainbows.  Yes, that's right.  Kitty cats on rainbows.  I'll spare you the picture.  You're welcome.

But it couldn't be that simple and by the amount of pages I had left in the book, I knew it wasn't going to be that simple.  The last 150 pages or so were intense and a bit gruesome.  I had the feeling of dread and doom the whole time and just wanted it to be over. But, I couldn't put the book down even though I wanted to put it down just in case something bad was going to ruin their happy ending.  Does that make sense? I wanted Keith and Annie together and back to doing what they do best; loving each other.  I wanted Cliff gone and not in a police uniform anymore. I wanted peace for Spencerville.  I wanted the happy ending!

Did I get the happy ending?  I'm not telling.  You'll have to read it for yourself to find out. You'll also have to check here to see if Tami gets her phone back.  That is a happy ending I hope I do get to tell.

Life Sentences by Laura Lippman (PLUS your chance to win!)

Switch gears with me, will you?  I love sports and I love books about sports but I haven't read any in the recent past.  I have read some non-fiction, but it was about Khost, Afghanistan which is too depressing for Valentine's Day.  I'm currently reading a book with my daughter (as in, we are sharing it, which is complicated so don't ask) but I am not finished yet, so I cannot review it.  So for now, you all are stuck with a fiction review of a book that I didn't really like. Bummer.  But, I'm going to make it up to you.  I promise.

You may remember that I reviewed another Laura Lippman book last May.  If not, you can refamiliarize yourself with it here. In that instance, I sort of stumbled upon the book while looking for a gift.  This time, I went looking for another Lippman novel and chose this on purpose.  The fact that it was based on a true story immediately caught my attention. The jacket description describes a single novelist with diverse middle-class Baltimore upbringing.  Hoping to regain her standing in the non-fiction world, Cassandra Fallows returns to her roots and starts investigating a former classmate that was accused of murdering her young child.  Cassandra is confident that this story will be a best seller and decides to delve into her past and the pasts of those that were closest to her.  Not everyone is thrilled she has started digging though, and she is met with some major challenges. Those challenges make up the meat of the book, so I'll stop right there. 

I really wanted to like this book. Life Sentences has everything I like.  Some mystery.  Some crime.  Some colorful characters.  And it's set in Baltimore...a hop, skip and a jump from where I live.  I should have liked it, but I didn't.  There are a few reasons worth mentioning, so I'll start with the biggest.   My main problem was with Cassandra.  I just DID NOT like her.  And from what I've read in other reviews about this book, most people felt the same way.  Like most other reviewers I felt that Cassandra was a smart girl, but a tad morally corrupt.  For example, she starts an affair with another woman's husband. That husband also happens to be the lawyer who is defending/defended another woman who is accused of murdering her infant son.  Oh, and did I mention that both of those women were her BFF's in high school?  Who does that?  I understand the need for authors to use some elements of betrayal in their story lines, but in this case it drove a rift between me and the main character.  Or maybe I'm just old fashioned.  Either way, I didn't like her which was a major contributing factor to me not liking the book.

Another sticking point for me was that the plot seemed "muddled."  Was Ms. Lippman trying to address race as an issue in this novel or the class system in Baltimore?  Or maybe she meant to explore the world of political corruption?  I couldn't tell and it confused me.  I felt like she was trying to tackle too many things with this book and it got tiresome.  A good effort, but she should have stuck with one main theme and let that be the star of the show.  Instead, she tried too hard and it left me feeling disconnected.

The good thing is that I REALLY liked the first book of hers that I reviewed and there are way more of that genre by Ms. Lippman.  And I really liked the main character in that one too.  Tess Monaghan is a smidge more wholesome and has some more exciting adventures to boot.  I think I'll stick to those.  Or maybe I should try a sports book, instead.  Anyone have one I can borrow?

**And now for the good part.  Remember when I said I would make it up to you?  Well, here it is! It's Valentine's Day and we here at The Family Addiction want to share some love.  Book love, that is.  So in honor of Valentine's Day and February being the 1st anniversary of The Family Addiction we are doing another giveaway!  This time, we're giving away the Hunger Games trilogy to one lucky fan.  That's right...the TRILOGY!  I you haven't read these books, they are fantastic.  Don't believe me?  Read my reviews of them here.  To win, simply leave a comment on this post. You have until Thursday at midnight (EST) to register.  Good luck and happy reading!

Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger

It's cold outside.  The thin layer of snow in my yard has iced over and I can see little blades of frozen grass poking through.  I ran some errands this morning and in order to open my car door I had to knock icicles off of the door handle.  A mixture of ice and slush littered the parking lot of the library making it downright messy to return our books.  What does all of this have to do with my review?  Nothing, really.  Except that it reminded me of the cold and aggressive winter conditions in Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger. Perfect timing really, since I had a review due today.  Oh, and it also made me thankful that I don't live in Minnesota.

See? Doesn't it look cold?

 Mr. Krueger was featured as Barnes and Noble's spotlight author for October 2011.  After reading a short question and answer about him, I decided to give Iron Lake (a first in a series, of course) a try.  You can read that question and answer here.  I polished this book off on my nook in under a week and have already downloaded the next in the series.  Before I continue, you need some background.  Cork (short for Corcoran) O'Connor is the ex-sheriff of a small town in Minnesota.  He's rough, he's no nonsense and has little patience for wrong doing.  None of that matters though, when he finds himself deep in the apparent suicide of a local judge.  Cork must balance his tattered home life and old grudges harbored by local residents while trying to piece together what really happened.

At first, I had a hard time following all of the characters and what they meant to the story.  Mr. Krueger detailed some seemingly insignificant ones at first, only to have them reappear and become central to the unique identity of the town of Aurora.  For example, the first chapter is about Paul, the town newspaper boy.  We learn of his work ethic, his determination and his sense of duty which characterize the spirit of Aurora and it's Native American residents.  It is Paul who hears a gunshot on his last delivery of the day and ultimately finds the judge dead.  The details in the first chapter laid the foundation for the kinds of people we encounter in the rest of the story.  I think I may even go back and reread some of the first few chapters again.

The other big winner for me was Cork himself.  I loved the strong mix of sensitive father and hard-nosed ex-sheriff.  Yes, I have a thing for men in uniform (military ones, that is), but Cork is more than just that.  He cares for the people he used to protect and does so at his own risk.  He also still cares deeply for his soon-to-be ex-wife.  Even though they have both moved on to other relationships he values his relationship with her and treats her with the respect the mother of his children deserve.  I also thought the cast of supporting characters was just as strong and exactly what was needed to compliment someone like Cork.  

I'm excited that this series continues.   Northwest Angle, the 11th book in the series was released last year.   That means there are ten more Cork O'Connor books for me to read.  And that makes ten more opportunities for me to root for the good guy in uniform.  I do so love the good guys in uniform.