Review: paper airplane

paper airplane by Kersten L. Kelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

This book has been sitting on my shelf a good long time. As someone who has spent nearly the last decade and a half traveling by plane due to an international long distance relationship, and now due to visiting family and friends in the US, I loved the concept of this book when the author first approached me to review it. I've had a few of these same experiences myself, so I thought I would relate to it well.

Some of the stories were interesting. The story I most enjoyed was the author's experience of her first time skydiving which is intermixed in with the story in the chapter "Kenny the Floating Jeweler." This chapter has the most personal connection to the author's life and the one that felt the most genuine.

Other stories didn't really hold my interest all that well. It felt as though something were missing, in terms of variety.

The book is classified as a memoir, but I wouldn't really call it that. I don't feel that there's enough of the author's experiences outside of her travels to truly be considered a memoir. In all honesty, I liked this book a lot more at the beginning than I did at the end. After a while, the "lessons" learned that were "imparted" at the end of chapters felt repetitive, and I started to get bored, which likely explains why what should have taken me a day or two to read, took 11..

Another thing that took away from the story was the language. It felt too forced, and that hindered my emotional involvement. It felt like the author was trying to write an essay, rather than relate anecdotes and experiences. This could have been pared down both in literal language by about a third of the length, to 10 or 11 chapters instead of 17. It would have been much more impactful. If I were able to use half stars I would have likely given this a 2.5

I really appreciated the concept as a whole, and would recommend this to anyone who likes books about travel.

Does anyone who might read this post have any interesting airplane encounters they want to share?

Review: What Matters Most

Title: What Matters Most

Author: Bette Lee Crosby

Series: N/A

Publisher: Bent Pine Publishing

Published: April 20, 3013

Format: Print Copy

Pages: 287

Dates Read: July 30-August 3 2017

Source: Received from the author in
exchange for an honest review

Add on Goodreads
 My Rating: 2 Stars

Synopsis:

Louise Palmer is a settled-down person. A woman who wants nothing more than to remain in the same house until the day she dies. When her husband, Clay, announces an intention to quit his job and move to Florida, her life is thrown into a turmoil of mixed emotions and strained loyalties. Torn between Clay’s desire for “the good life” and the lifelong friendships of her quilting club, Louise struggles with what to do…until her best friend hatches a scheme to thwart the move.


Before she discovers the truth of what matters most, a marriage will be tested, family relationships will fall apart and the friendships Louise tried to hold onto will change dramatically.

Melissa's Musings

The premise of this one caught me up. And then, sadly, let me down.

At the beginning of the story I felt I could learn to like the characters, but found myself wishing that there were more backstory. As the story progresses, there are a few holes in things that are just too much for me.

Like how Louise and Clay can move to another state without having a real, in depth conversation about it. Clay announces his intentions, Louise tries to hatch a scheme to get out of it. It doesn't work, and she slowly, (so slowly) resigns herself to life in Florida.

I don't like Louise as a character much at all. She's passive agressive, and whines entirely too much. She had this quirk of believing that double initials make a person lucky. Which, if I had liked her, I would have thought was a nice character quality. But, as that got repeated throughout the story, it got old, and annoying, and was eventually proved wrong by the events of the story itself.

I do like some of the more minor characters though. They add fun, liveliness, and even a little drama to the story. And, I did like the comaraderie between the characters. It was pleasant to read how the people of Tall Pines were kind  and welcoming to Louise and Clay.

I hoped this story might redeem itself at the end, but the resolution was too quick and tidy. I would have liked to see more exploration of the back half of this story rather than all the exposition on Louise's adjustment to life in Florida. I also found the cover of this book confusing once I finished the story. The main character is an older woman with grown children and so the young woman on the front cover doesn't really go with the plot.

I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them, so I'll consider trying another book by her in the future.

Have you ever had to make an interstate move like Louise? How did you adjust?

Review: The Littlest Angel

Title: The Littlest Angel

Author: Heidi Chandler

Series: N/A

Publisher: Self Published

Published: March 27, 2012

Format: Print Copy

Pages: 174

Dates Read: July 29-30 2017

Source: Received from the author in
exchange for an honest review

Add on Goodreads

My Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis: 

Four years ago I had the perfect life. I had a great career, a doting husband, and a loving family. Life couldn’t get any better, so my husband and I decided, after four years of carefree marital bliss and a great deal of hesitation, it was finally time to start a family.
My pregnancy happened quickly and mirrored my life - happy, healthy, and full of love, even dubbed “perfect” by one of my doctors. That all changed when my water broke two weeks before my due date, and I was blindsided by the ugly reality that perfect doesn’t exist.
What followed was a tortuous hospital stay, where I learned my daughter’s umbilical cord had wrapped tightly around her neck, causing her to die in my womb. I had a grueling delivery that scarred me emotionally and physically. I tried desperately to move past the shock, understand what went wrong, and say goodbye to my only child.
I spent months blaming myself, relentlessly searching for the why and how, cursing God and trying to comprehend what I had done to deserve such pain. I was a recluse filled with guilt and self-hatred. I carried my daughter’s ashes everywhere I went. I became obsessed with having another baby, certain that the only way life would get better was if I could replace my daughter.
Reluctantly forced to return to work and the real world, I struggled to find normal. Yet over time, through the kindness of strangers and friends, I realized that there is a method to the madness of life, and I began to find peace. I became pregnant again, and, though I longed for a girl, now have two little boys that taught me that life moves on and it’s possible to love again.

Melissa's Musings

First let me preface this review by saying that I have had this book on my shelf waiting to be read for far longer than I care to admit. Also, let me preface this by saying that I have never been pregnant, nor have I experienced the loss of a child.

This might leave some of you wondering, "Well, why would you read a book like this if you can't really relate to it?"

Simple. I've always been interested in people's stories, people's lives. And this is quite the story.

This is a story of intense loss, and grief. But also a story of the pains and joys of picking up life to move forward and onward, but not away from what happened. 

This is told in a raw, real, down to earth way. The author has a writing style that is relatable, and not stiffed or forced. In some of the most intense moments in the book, I found myself laughing out loud, not because something was funny, but just from the fact that the author was so candid in  her responses to such intense situations. 

I liked that the author chose to show the whole gamut of her emotions, from awkwardness to panic, to fear, to grief, and all that run in between, rather than hiding behind the "appropriate responses" that other people expected her to display. Is it "normal" to carry around your daughter's ashes with you as you go about your daily life? No, probably not, but it was an honest and true need of the author. And the fact that she let herself do that probably helped her to heal in a way that she may not have had she not allowed herself to do something like that for fear of it being strange or odd.

Though the author does a good job of including bits and pieces of her husband's experience I think the book would have been that much more powerful if we had heard a bit of his perpective in his own words, perhaps if he had his own chapter. Losses like those of stillbirth are often limited to the woman's experience, and it would have been interesting to see this from both parent's perspectives directly.

This is an intense, quick read that's well worth the time.

Review: Hera, Queen of Gods

Title: Hera, Queen of Gods

Author: T.D. Thomas

Series: Goddess Unbound # 1

Publisher: Self Published

Published: October 3, 2012

Format: Kindle

Pages: 536

Dates Read: June 26-July 5

Source: Received from the author

in exchange for an honest review

Add on Goodreads

My Rating: 3 Stars

Synopsis: 

Hera couldn't care less what the other gods think, even when it's about her. And it often is. Frankly, Hera couldn't care less about anything, except doing her duty as queen - protecting order and defending the mortal world against any threats. But when the Fates go missing, Hera and a handful of other gods must temporarily become mortal to search the human world for the missing goddesses.

Hera finds that mortality begins to change her. It's not just the loss of her divine powers. She expected that. It's deeper somehow. It's affecting how she thinks, how she feels, what's important to her. And it gets much worse after she meets Justin, who defies every prejudice she once had

about mortals. At the worst possible time, and despite all her efforts, Hera's black-and-white world starts to unravel.

Torn between who she's becoming and who she needs to be in order to fulfill her duty, Hera must survive a horde of murderous creatures sent to exploit her new weakness. In the end, only Hera can stop a traitorous plot conceived by a secret alliance of ancient and new enemies, a plot that threatens to destroy not only the order Hera is sworn to protect, but all of existence itself

Melissa's Musings

I have to admit, my knowledge of Greek Mythology is a little sparse, given that the only time I remember learning about it was in 6th grade, and that was now several years ago. At first, I was tempted to Google and fact check the powers and roles of all the different gods that were mentioned, but I decided to let myself get carried away into the story instead.

I do have to say though that I've never read a story that put such a modern twist on the subject before. I really liked the fact that Thomas set the story with these gods and goddesses inhabiting the bodies of teenagers. Definitely not something you would expect.

The story progresses quickly and is quite action packed. A little too much so, if I'm being honest. Once the story got going it seemed like the characters were constantly battling/running from something. First it's half man half bear. Then, it's snakes. And then a giant. And harpies, among other things.

While all this action definitely makes you want to keep turning the pages, it really takes away from the character development. I felt like the story was more about the action and less about the characters themselves.

If I had to pick a favorite though, it would be Hera. She's strong, somewhat closed off, but also has a softer side. Her spark with Justin is an interesting twist too, given that she despises the fact that Zeus falls for mortals all the time. But, since Justin becomes a Dreamer throughout the course of the story maybe it's just a little different for her?

Justin's ability to move to and from the Dreamlands was also an unexpected twist. It felt like a reward for all the stuff he was quickly expected to believe and go along with when he started helping the gods on their mission to find the Fates.

There's also an element of magic in the story which was an interesting touch as well.

This was a unique story, and, despite a little too much action I'm curious to see what else happens to these characters.

Has anyone else read this? Or would you recommend any other stories that feature Greek mythology?

Review+Giveaway: Candy and the Cankersaur

Title: Candy and the Cankersaur
Author: Jason Sandberg
Publisher: Jason Sandberg E-Books
Published: June 12, 2012
Format: Kindle
Pages: 32
Date Read: April 20th, 2015
Source: Received from the author
in exchange for an honest review.
Add It on Goodreads
My Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis:
This is the sweet and funny tale of a young girl named Candy and a Cankersaurus Rex! Candy receives a dinosaur as a gift and is determined to train him to be a good pet.

Melissa's Musings:

I don't often read children's books, but I'm glad to have read this one.

Just as the synopsis says, this is a sweet story. Candy is a little girl who's father is a busy man. He buys Candy lots of toys, but he knows that her toys don't make her happy, so he buys her a dinosaur to be her companion. 

Candy also has a neighbor named Chucky, who wants her to notice him, so they are always in competition with each other about who can get the biggest and best toys. Chucky is very jealous of Cank, so he sells him to the circus. Candy is very upset and they go on an adventure to rescue him. 

The story has a lot of different lessons embedded in it. First and foremost, money can't buy happiness. Even though Candy has all the latest and greatest toys, they aren't making her happy. Her father realizes theat as well, which is why he knows she needs a friend. Although, what Candy ultimately wants is to spend time with her father, which is something that many kids have experienced in today's hectic times, where either one or both of their parents may work.

Chucky learns that he needs to think before he acts, because in selling Cank, he hurts Candy's feelings, when all he really wants is for her to notice him. 

And, there are general rules that are good for little ones to learn at a young age, like "No biting!"

This is an adorable story with lovely illustrations. I'd especially recommend it to any child who loves dinosaurs.

And now, lets have a giveaway!

Mr. Sandberg is kindly giving away 10 Kindle copies of Candy and the Cankersaur.

Some rules to note before you enter:

This giveaway is open to US Residents Only

Winners will be notified within 72 hours of the giveaway ending, and will have 48 hours to respond before alternate winners are chosen.

Mr. Sandberg, not Melissa's Midnight Musings, will be responsible for the sending of the prize. A list of the  winners will be sent to him, so that he can send out the copies.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Ghosts of Nagasaki

Title: The Ghosts of Nagasaki

Author: Daniel Clausen

Publisher: Self Published

Published: December 8, 2012

Format: Paperback

Pages: 248

Dates Read: April 1-15

Source: Received from the author

in exchange for an honest review

Add to Your TBR List on Goodreads

My Rating: 3 Stars

Snippet That Stuck With Me: "For a moment they are solitary stars, tied together by an invisible shoelace. "(pg. 108)

Synopsis:

One night a foreign business analyst in Tokyo sits down in his spacious high rise apartment and begins typing something. The words pour out and exhaust him. He soon realizes that the words appearing on his laptop are memories of his first days in Nagasaki four years ago. 

Nagasaki was a place full of spirits, a garrulous Welsh roommate, and a lingering mystery. 

Somehow he must finish the story of four years ago--a story that involves a young Japanese girl, the ghost of a dead Japanese writer, and a mysterious island. He must solve this mystery while maneuvering the hazards of middle management, a cruel Japanese samurai, and his own knowledge that if he doesn't solve this mystery soon his heart will transform into a ball of steel, crushing his soul forever. Though he wants to give up his writing, though he wants to let the past rest, within his compulsive writing lies the key to his salvation.

Melissa's Musings:

The first word I would use to describe this book would be confusing. It delves into the story right away, with very little background info. Which is good for setting a fast pace, but not so great for someone like me who enjoys the buildup of a backstory. At times I found myself not wanting to pick it back up again. But, once I did I was able to be pulled in enough to keep reading.

This is a stream of consciousness novel of sorts. Or maybe a novel with multiple streams of consciousness?

The book shifts perspective a lot, between the protagonists present day life as a business man in Tokyo, and his memories of his life four years ago when he first came to Japan to teach English. The story is also mixed in with what could be perceived by some as delusions or hallucinations. The story jumps can be unsettling, but they're also part of what draws you in in the first place.

I never really related to the main character on a personal level. There's not much told about him as a person, except that he is an orphan, who went through the foster care system and had it kind of rough. You actually don't even ever learn his name. I only knew it from an insert that the author sent along with the book. 

My thought is that by not telling us his name and by telling the story from the first person perspective, the author might have been trying to make the story, as well as the pain the protagonist is running from more universal.

The story itself is somewhat dark, there's a lot of pain, and unresolved grief and a loss of his sense of self, on the part of the protagonist. It's likely why he attacts all of these ghosts, and other figments of his imagination, like Mr. Sparkles, a glittery dinosaur.

Mr. Sparkles actually made me laugh out loud. I thought of him as an alternate funnier, version of Mikey Welsh, the protagonists' roomate.

Along with ghosts and glittery dinosaurs, there are other added elements of magical realism in the book. The magical realism element is further solidified  with the introduction of an island where one can go to procure and grow a brand new heart,fed by memories. This magical island seems to be some sort of limbo for the protagonist, between the current version of himself and the version of himself from 4 years ago.

There's a strange religious side to the story as well. One of the characters that Pierce attracts is a man who follows him around claiming that he's an apostate. In one scene the protagonist conjures up more of his ghosts who take this character and put him onto a cross in the middle of the ocean, and Pierce feels it his duty to rescue this man, against impossible odds. Then there's a secretive backstory that Pierce's first foster family were evangelicals, who were somehow horrible to him, and that the family who eventually adopt him are also particularly religious as well. I found the religious undertone confusing and at times disturbing.

The main message that I gathered from the story is that it's about a person who was trying to escape the pain of never having a place to really call home, and trying to recover from the death of the one person in life who seemed to truly understand him.

This story, while confusing, was told in an unusual and unique way.

Review: E-Learning 101: It's Not As Tough As It Looks

Title: E-Learning 101: It's Not As Tough As It Looks

Author: Dr. Liz Hardy

Publisher: Self Published

Published: April 2nd 2012

Format: Kindle

Pages: 50

Date Read: March 29, 2015

Source: Received from author 

in exchange for an honest review

Add To Your TBR List on Goodreads

My Rating: 3 Stars

Synopsis:

E-learning 101 is an e-book that will cheer you on, while it shows you the ropes.

It’s just like having your own personal e-learning coach.

This e-learning resource can do three things for you.

1. Save you time – by quickly explaining how everything works (it’s much faster than guessing on your own).

2. Stop you worrying – by replacing your fears with action and progress.

3. Make you more confident – by giving you step-by-step strategies for dealing with the tricky parts.

E-learning 101 can help you if you’re:

• Somewhere between slightly nervous, and frankly terrified

• Frustrated with having to guess about what to do next

• Too busy to wade through enormous books about online learning

• Keen to make progress on your course right now.

In 6 short lessons, you’ll find the solutions to your biggest e-learning questions.

And you’ll discover that e-learning’s really not as tough as it looks.

Melissa's Musings: 

This book is very straighforward and to the point. Broken down into 6 lessons, the information is easily read and absorbed.

I wouldn't say that I learned anything prolific or even anything new really. Given that I do have some experience with e-learning having taken some online courses during my college career, none of the information was new to me. But, I can see how it might be helpful for someone who doesn't have much experience with technology or online learning.

The chapters have nice summaries at the end with the points the author wants you to take away from reading them, as well as simple tasks to help you stay on track. The most important lesson that the book stresses is time management, and fitting studying into a busy schedule.

The one thing that didn't really work for me is the pictures of the dogs on the cover and throughout the book. I'm not sure what the author was aiming for in using these, but I found them distracting.

I would say that this is a good book for a quick read and some easy to follow tips.

Have any of my blog readers taken any online courses? Do you have any tips about e-learning to share?

Review: Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen

Title: Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen

Author: Sally Smith O'Rourke

Publisher:  Victorian Essence Press

Published: September 22, 2012

Series: The Man Who Loved Jane Austen #2

Format: Kindle

Pages: 261

Source: Received from author in exchange

for an honest review.

Synopsis: 

Was Mr. Darcy real? Is time travel really possible? For pragmatic Manhattan artist Eliza Knight the answer to both questions is absolutely, Yes! And Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley Farms, Virginia is the reason why!

His tale of love and romance in Regency England leaves Eliza in no doubt that Fitz Darcy is the embodiment of Jane Austen’s legendary hero. And she’s falling in love with him. But can the man who loved the inimitable Jane Austen ever love average, ordinary Eliza Knight?

Eliza’s doubts grow, perhaps out of proportion, when things start to happen in the quiet hamlet of Chawton, England; events that could change everything. Will the beloved author become the wedge that divides Fitz and Eliza or the tie that binds them

My Rating:

3 Stars

Melissa's Musings:

When Sally Smith O'Rourke first approached me about doing a review of this book I was hesitant. Ashamedly, I have never read any of Jane Austen's work, (Horrible, I know. Though they are on my TBR) So, I was afraid that I wouldn't be the best candidate  to do a review. She assured me that I didn't need to be familiar with Jane Austen's work in order to enjoy the books, and she was right.

I did thoroughly enjoy this book. It is told in alternating chapters, that flash back and forth between a span of a few years in the 1800's and the present day.

The story itself is an easy read. I wouldn't say that I got swept away by it, but it was enjoyable. I wish that there had been more rounding of some of the characters, but I understand why there wasn't. The main focus of the story was on Fitzwilliam Darcy, and the progression of his relationship with Eliza. 

Jane's role could possibly be seen by some as a love triangle of sorts, depending on how you look at it. Except Fitz is never in love with Jane herself, only the idea of her. Though Eliza's jealousy of the time he spent with Jane, is a very real thing that she has to work through so that they can move forward with their own relationship.

I would say that the story is very much romanticised. Fitz says a lot of things that are just right, and the disagreements between he and Eliza don't last all that long.They're  solved in what seems like seconds.  The details are perfect in setting the scene for the romance between  Eliza and Fitz, and although Eliza puts up some resistance, it didn't feel genuine to the vibe I got from her character. I would have liked to have seen more of a struggle between them, instead of them just feeling "like home" for each other throughout.

The one naggingly unexplained detail is the whole fact that no one ever really figured out the time travel element. That was too easily wrapped up and explained away. 

Simmons, the stable hand employed by Jane Austen's brother wants to go through the portal that is open between the two times to see if there will be better opportunities for him in Fitz's time. So, he goes through the portal in a field of the Chawton estate that opens at sunrise and sunset.

There just happened to be a renactment going on the day that Simmons stepped through the portal, so he fit in well enough. They assumed he was Amish to explain away his lack of understanding of technology, and they automatically assume that he knows Fitzwilliam Darcy without checking to find out for themselves. I wish that there had been some mention of how the portal was discovered in the first place. Since this is the 2nd book in the series the explanation isn't there, but I feel it would have helped to have a brief recap of some sort.

Overall, the story is very enjoyable. It's a nice look at Jane Austen's world for someone who isn't quite ready to delve into her work, with a nice glimpse of what she might have been like. If you're looking for an easy, romantic read, this is it.

If you'd like more information on the author and her books, be sure to check out this guest post

ARC Review: Broken Truce

Title: Broken Truce

Author: D.D. Chant

Series: Broken City #2

Publisher: Self Published

Published:  February 1, 2014

Source: Received from Author in exchange for an honest review

Format: Document format

Pages: 342

My Rating: 3 Stars

Add on Goodreads

Synopsis:

Life isn't turning out the way that Deeta thought it would. With the Lewises defeated and peace between the tribes, she'd believed that the dark times were in the past.

However troubles between the tribes continue and the Andak council has selected Tom as their ambassador and chief spokesman to the other tribes.

Deeta knows that there is still much resentment against the Andak, that Tom is in danger every time he leaves the safety of Andak city.

Struggling with her own complicated feelings against the tribe that she is now a part of, Deeta tries to ignore the changing attitudes growing within her.

Then Tom is betrayed and with the whole City thrown into great danger, Deeta finds that reality can't be ignored forever..

Melissa's Musings:

The book starts out with us finding out that Tom and Deeta are now married, as are Jan and Tom's brother (one of many) Ryder. There is a fragile truce between the tribes as they struggle to rebuild and possibly find peace in their broken world. But, they are being threatened by a tribe who is not happy with Andak rule.

There is a lot of banter between the characters throughout the book. Deeta and Tom, Jan and Ryder, and Deeta and Jan all have good ebb and flow of banter within each of their relationships. I liked it as a tool to break up the action and serious points, but toward the end of the book it did feel like it was starting to wear  somewhat thin.

The main focus of the book felt to me to be the action between the tribes and how Jan, Tom and Deeta all get caught up right in the middle of it. The book is very fast paced, so anyone who likes a page turner will enjoy this.

The familial relationships and friendships still feel somewhat confusing to me, even with the background of having read the first book in this series. I just feel that there are too many relationships and too many brothers and uncles etc. to keep them all straight. I like that the author is promoting the strength (or in some cases lack thereof) of family bonds, but I think this could have been more simply executed.

The dialogue felt a little, lax in some places. It felt too informal, so I couldn't really get into the story quite as much. But I also think it worked in some spots, just in terms of the personality of the characters. I'm not sure if I really like this element or not. 

Overall, this is a solid story, and I'm interested to see how it will end.

Book Review: The Rockin' Chair

Title: The Rockin' Chair

Author: Steven Manchester

Publisher: The Story Plant

Published: June 25, 2013

Format: Kindle

Pages: 272

Source: Received from the publisher

in exchange for an honest review

Read: September 23, 2013

Genre: Contemporary

In A Few Words: Poignant

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add This To Your To-Read Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.

Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy Grandpa John calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, THE ROCKIN' CHAIR is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read

Melissa's Musings:

This is the 2nd book I've read by Steven Manchester. His first, Twelve Months, pulled me in from the very first page. The Rockin' Chair is no different. I don't know quite how he does it, but Manchester manages to create a world that the reader is immediately pulled into from the very first sentence. I settled in instantly, already feeling at home with the family from the start.

This book deals with some tough issues.

 At the forefront, we have John, the family patriarch. He's a beloved grandfather, a father, a hard worker, a devoted husband. We watch as he struggles with watching his wife Alice lose her memories to Alzheimers.

The relatioship between Alice and John is beautiful. The kind that most of us dream to have. Where someone loves us so much that they will take care of us through anything, no matter how difficult life gets.

 Upon Alice's death he calls his family back to his farm in Montana.  We watch as he pieces the family back together again, using memories. Some lighthearted and positive, some not so happy. He helps his grandchildren deal with some of their inner demons.

 Evan ran away from the farm, eager to get away from his abusive father and small town life. He was hoping to settle down with a girl who he thought he loved, who only turned around to break his heart by cheating on him. George, a war veteran whose time at war caused him to make some decisions that he wasn't proud of, is still fighting, even though he's returned home. Only now he's fighting to come to peace with himself. And Tara, who left for New York hoping to make it big, only to fall to the temptation of drugs and alcohol, who knows she needs to change her ways for her young daughter.

It's an emotional journey as you read on to discover how John manages to help each one of his family members. Painful as it is to relive some of these memories that John helps each family member recall, there are lessons in each of them. He even manages to bring some peace and redemption to himself, and repair his relationship with his son Hank.

The rocking chair that the story's title comes from is a central part of the story. It has an intimate significance to the bond that the family shares. The idea of a rocking chair holds different memories and ideals for each of the characters throughout the story. One thing I've noticed is that each of Manchester's recent books features a chair/chairs on the cover. 

 This book had me in tears several times over the course of reading it. I devoured it in a few hours. Even though the story was resolved well, it still left me wanting more. I can't wait more from this talented author.

Review: Salem VI: Rebecca's Rising

Title: Rebecca's Rising

Authors: Jack Heath, John Thompson

Publisher: Pressque Publishing

Published: July 16, 2012

Format: E-book

Pages: 336

Source: Received from publisher/author

in exchange for my honest review

My Rating: 4 Stars

Add To Your TBR Shelf: 

Synopsis:

Having stepped off the fast track of primetime network television news, John Andrews has chosen a quieter life as editor of Salem News, a small paper in a quiet New England town. Life is perfect until Andrews’ wife is killed in a tragic accident. After several years of trying to numb the pain with alcohol, Andrews is visited by the spirit of a long dead ancestor who opens a door to a shocking family history. After he experiences a surreal glimpse into the past, Andrews must confront the question of whether he is losing his mind or whether for several hundred years his ancestors have been engaged in a secret battle with a coven that worships Satan. Fueled by the need to understand whether his wife's death was really an accident or something far more sinister, Andrews, along with his beautiful assistant editor, risk everything to discover a truth so horrifying it threatens to destroy everything and everyone he knows and loves.

Melissa's Musings:

If you've been a reader of the blog for a while, you'll know that I love books that have to do with witchcraft and magic. Mainly because I like the character's exploration of their history and their powers, if there are any. While there were some powers, they were kept to a minimum, and this book focused mainly on the historical aspects of the story. The fact that one of the authors is descended from these two families makes it more realistic. I'm not sure if this adds to the story for me, or not though. I don't think it effects my enjoyment of the story itself at all, it's just one of those neat facts to hold on to and remember about the book.

I read The Crucible in high school and remember that Rebecca Nurse was a central character in that story. She plays a central character here too, only this time in ghostly form. At first her character is a little unsettling, as she just makes John seem like he's losing it. But once you get into the heart of the story, you see that Rebecca Nurse is a powerful character, even if she doesn't actually say anything at all.  

The rest of the cast of characters is equally interesting. All I'll say is that  almost none of them are what they seem, based on first impressions.

I read this story in short bursts, as it was my go to book on my Kindle during lunch at work. I was always left wanting more, and wish that I had been able to read it all at once. The fact that I couldn't read it all at once helped me to enjoy it even more.

The story itself is really engaging. I don't think I've read a story that has a character descended from two powerful families like these in quite a while. I enjoyed seeing the reach of these families and their effect on a town in modern times. Part of what I enjoyed were the intricacies that come with being descended from such powerful families, and the other part was learning about all of this important history in the context of a modern story. I also like that this story focused more on the history and less on powers. I got more of the "why they did it" kind of back story, and I like that.

While there are some blips and minor inconsistencies, they don't detract too much from the story. The story is blended together quite well, and I couldn't really tell that it was written by two different authors. The plot itself is full of action and adventure. There are some tender moments too, but I have to admit that some of these fell short for me. There is a bit of romance between John and Amy, which is subtle. While the subtlety is nice, I wish there had been more to it. I'm hoping that this will be explored further in book two.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am excited to see what follows in book two of this series.

Have you read this? What are some other books about witchcraft that you would recommend?

Review: Finding Compassion in China: A Bicycle Journey Into The Countryside

Title: Finding Compassion In China: A Bicycle Journey Into the Countryside

Author: Cindie Cohagan

Publisher: Drifting Sands Press

Published: June 25, 2012

Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir,

Format: Paperback

Pages: 242

Source: Received from author in

exchange for an  honest review.

Read: May 7-16th, 2013

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads:  Add To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

By the time Tim and Cindie entered China, they had been traveling the globe by bicycle for three years. Cindie was ready to explore China’s interior, but what she wasn’t prepared for was the intense isolation that comes with not speaking the language, the scheming tactics of the Chinese government and the unexpected outpouring of kindness from the locals. Along the way the duo was arrested by the Chinese government, turned away from the only hotel in Siziwang Qui, thrown out of Internet cafes and called late at night by prostitutes. Yet whenever they needed food, shelter, or directions, the local people were there and willing to help—even if that “help” was scary at timesBy the time Tim and Cindie entered China, they had been traveling the globe by bicycle for three years. Cindie was ready to explore China’s interior, but what she wasn’t prepared for was the intense isolation that comes with not speaking the language, the scheming tactics of the Chinese government and the unexpected outpouring of kindness from the locals. Along the way the duo was arrested by the Chinese government, turned away from the only hotel in Siziwang Qui, thrown out of Internet cafes and called late at night by prostitutes. Yet whenever they needed food, shelter, or directions, the local people were there and willing to help—even if that “help” was scary at times.

Melissa's Musings:

I really enjoyed this book. The writing style is very simplistic, much like I imagine the method of journeying around the world on bicycles must be. The writing style encompasses and demonstrates the author's desire for a simpler life. A life consumed with less "stuff" and more actual living, and enjoying the little things life has to offer.

The story flows easily from one road adventure to the next, with lots of personal stories and anecdotes thrown in. When the author started to speak of her loneliness and distance from her then husband, I really felt for her. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in a country where I didn't speak the language, and having my traveling partner, the one person who I could communicate with distance themselves from me, would be difficult. I'm very curious about personal details in stories like these, so I was wondering about what happened between Cindie and Tim during that time, but there wasn't much of the dialogue and goings on between them within the book. I completely understand this, because their personal relationship issues are between them, but I must admit I was curious about the nitty gritty of what drove such a wedge between them and had them ending up going their separate ways.

The book also showcases some of the wonderful historical and spiritual sites that areas of China and the nearby countries have to offer. I learned a great deal from reading through the author's experiences at these sites. Cohagan also talks about how she found what she had been missing in the form of Buddhism on her travels throughout China. It must be wonderful to have taken such a grand, once in a lifetime trip, and also have such profound personal spiritual growth as well.

The book also makes the reader stop and think about whether they really need all the things they have, and whether they could get by with less. It also makes you appreciate the freedoms we possess that others around the world don't necessarily get the chance to enjoy.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes books about travel and culture


*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not in any way compensated for this review.*

Review: Montana Wildfire

Title: Montana Wildfire

Author: Rebecca Sinclair

Publisher: E Publishing Works!

Published:  June 9, 2011

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Historical Romance

Pages: 436

Source: Received in exchange for an honest review

Read: April 13-May 6, 2013

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads: Add This To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

After her father's sudden death, lovely Amanda Lennox had no money for the long trip from Boston to the ranch she inherited in faraway Seattle. When she saw the advertisement for a wilderness expert to escort eleven-year-old Roger Bannister,III to Montana, the adventure-loving woman jumped at the chance, never guessing she'd end up lost in the wilds of Idaho with a twisted ankle. Then an arrogant halfbreed on a palomino stallion came to her rescue and comforted her with is healing touch. Rugged ranch hand Jacob Blackhawk Chandler knew from experience that prissy white princesses meant trouble. He'd seen Amanda Lennox's type before, haughty and citified and utterly unequipped to survive in the wide open country. He couldn't just ride off and leave the lovely minx alone and hurt but he sure wouldn't be taken in by that sweet smile, either!

Melissa's Musings:

Historical Romance isn't a genre I have read much of, I'll admit. But, I've been trying to expand my reading horizons, so when the author's assistant reached out to me to review this book, I was a little skeptical, but I'm glad that I decided to read and review it. 

The characters in this book are well fleshed out and somewhat complex. There's Amanda, a proper Bostonian lady, who's taken a job of chaperoning a young boy back to his father's home, to make some extra money to get home to her inherited ranch in Seattle. 

Then there's Roger, Amanda's willful, insolent charge, who ends up being kidnapped early in the story.

And there's also Jacob Blackhawk Chandler. A man who walks between two worlds, the white world and the Native American world as he is half white, half Native American.

Each of these characters goes through a great deal of growth and maturity throughout the novel, which is nice to see. I like to read multidimensional characters who are constantly changing for the better. They make for much more interesting characters than those who are too dense to have any real change or growth.

The author expressed Amanda's dislike for Roger so well that I grew to dislike him too, and was actually somewhat glad when he got kidnapped and the story switched focus to Amanda and Jacob. I was worried that when they finally found out what happened to Roger and caught up with him again, I wouldn't like the story as much because of Roger's personality, but he too, became more mature and changed his ways over the course of the novel.

As for Amanda, she learns to break free from the hold of proper societal norms (although you can sense a willingness to do this in her character from the very beginning.) She also manages to teach Jake a lot about himself and the way he carries himself, and how that makes him look to the rest of the outside world.

I have to note that amongst all this change, growth and racial tension, there is also a lot of sexual tension between Jake and Amanda. There are some racy sex scenes between Jake and Amanda, so if those make you uncomfortable, be forewarned. They are tastefully written, even the most heated ones.

The only thing that really bothered me about this book is that some of the language and phrasing got extremely repetitive. I understand the need for it, to keep the language consistent with the historical theme, but I would have really liked it if the author could have varied some of the phrases a little more. The same phrases every few pages just got old after a while.

That fact aside, if you're looking for a tension filled historical romance to read, this would be it.

Have any of you read this? Or are there any other historical romances you can recommend that I try out?

Review: Ramblings in Ireland

Title: Ramblings in Ireland

Series: N/A

Author:  Kerry Dwyer

Publisher:  Someday Box

Published: August 15, 2012

Genre: Memoir

Format: Kindle

Pages: 179

Source: Received From Author

Read: March 7-9th 2013

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads:  Add To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

This is not a book about rambling in Ireland.

It tells the tale of one particular walking trip and the memories and musings it inspired.

Exploring the West of Ireland is a time for meditation, spiritual reflection and strengthening the bonds of life. More practically the ability to read a map might have proved helpful. The tourist office in Ireland has all their paths clearly marked. You can’t go wrong if you follow that little yellow man. Or can you?

As British ex-patriate Kerry Dwyer leads Bertrand, her trusting French husband, astray once more, they reminisce and reflect upon accents and accidents, family and friends, love and what it means to be alive. Bertrand doesn’t mind getting lost – he loves Kerry all the more for going off the beaten track.

This is a book about ramblings in Ireland. Walk with Kerry and Bertrand and follow where your thoughts lead you.

Melissa's Musings:

This is a very easygoing read, just like the title might suggest. The reader follows Kerry and her husband Bertrand on their walking trip through Ireland. In addition to great scenery, you get little snippets of their personal life with different stories that are mixed in throughout the chapters.

This is the kind of book that I love because it intersperses personal anecdotes with information. You get to learn about the great sights of Ireland, but at the same time you get to know more about the author on a personal level. Sometimes with non-fiction pieces I often get the feeling of informality, but not here.

I really enjoyed the author's comparisons of the differences between aspects of French and English (British) cultures. I really related to this given that my boyfriend is Canadian. Having had the chance to live in both Canada and the US, I definitely know what it's like to be of one culture and experiencing another, and the differences that you can encounter.

One of the examples that Dwyer uses is a reference to idle chit chat. Britons like to chat with people, to ask how they are doing, etc. whereas the French are more direct and don't tend to chit chat with one another. Dwyer's husband was also very excited by the fact that in Ireland the houses are all painted unique combinations of bright, cheerful colors. In France, house colors must fall within a range that has been approved by the French government.

One thing I noticed is that at times, the interactions described in the book do seem somewhat stiff, even formal. Most of these are the interactions between Kerry and her husband. I'm just wondering if some of that is... I'm not even sure how to put this, language interspersment issues? Since Dwyer knows both French and English, but lives in France, where my guess would be she mainly uses French, maybe some of the formality of the French language is coming through in the writing?

There's an element of fun, easygoingness to this book in the fact that Kerry and her husband do get lost from time to time. They have as much fun getting lost as they do when they aren't, which is enjoyable to see.

This is an excellent travel memoir that will give you a glimpse of the scenery of Ireland just as if you were walking the journey yourself.

Review: Godspeed: A Love Story

Title: Godspeed: A Love Story

Series: N/A

Author: Dan Chabot

Publisher: Createspace

Published:  June 12, 2012

Genre: Romance

Format: Kindle

Pages: 306

Source: Received from author

Read: March 4-5 2013

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add To Your To-Read Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

When Derry and Amedee fall in love, it is a collision of destinies, and they are sure it will last forever. But when it ends in tragedy, Derry, beset by remorse and guilt, sets off on an improbable, reckless crusade for redemption. When it finally ends abruptly, he has found someone to help him build a new life from the ashes of the past, and readers are left to ponder a poignant question: How can a lie be wrong when it makes so many people feel so good?

Melissa's Musings:

When I first started reading this book, I was afraid I would end up really not liking it. It just didn't make sense at first. It starts out at a funeral, and I figured "Oh no, that can't be good." But then it delves into more of the story before the funeral, so thankfully my perception changed.

There are a lot of characters with slightly ridiculous, and some very unusual, sometimes alliterative names. These include Phil Farell, Finbar O'Halloran and Hortense Hickenlooper to name a few. And there are a lot of them. At first I was thining that having so many characters would mean an onslaught of useless information, or confusion. But, in the end, each one has a distinct personality, with just the right amount of detail as to get a sense of who they are as a person but not so much as to overwhelm the reader.

There are a few inconsistencies with some of the details about the characters but  these are very minor and do not detract from the story at all.

One of the best parts about this book is that this crazy cast of characters has a list of running gags that will make you laugh so hard you cry. At one point I had tears streaming down my face, I was laughing so hard. I don't want to ruin the effect by demonstrating with quotes, you really have to read it for yourself to see what I mean, but lets just say there are some crazy names that get slipped into news stories and some very creative headlines with double meanings.

Derry and Amedee's relationship is really what glues the story together. Their relationship moves quickly, (but not insta-love quickly) It is tender, sweet, and true.  They just fit very well together. They have some extremely tender moments with each other that were enough to move me to tears.  I can't say much about what happens with them without ruining the story. But I will say that I like how everything comes full circle in the end.

This is an amazing story that will take you on a rollercoaster of a journey. You'll laugh, cry, and you may even wonder "Do I appreciate the people in my life enough?" This story reminds the reader that life is short and that people should appreciate the people in their lives, because you never know what could happen.

Review: The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt

Title: The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt

Series: Hartlandia #1

Author: Ilana Waters

Publisher: Self Published

Published: August 10, 2012

Genre: Children's-Middle Grade

Format: Kindle

Pages: 244

Source: Received from author

Read:  February 23-25, 2013

In A Few Words: Questions authority

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads: Add This To Your Goodreads Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ten-year-old Stanley Delacourt loves his quiet life in the peaceful village of Meadowwood. At least, he does until his best friend is killed. Then the town library—where Stanley lives and works—is burned to the ground. The individuals responsible for both tragedies are a nasty group of soldiers. They work for the kingdom’s new leader, Christopher Siren. With the grown-ups too fearful to take action, Stanley vows to confront Siren. He plans to get answers and demand justice. Little does he know that his journey will involve sword-wielding knights, kidnapper fairies, and dark magic.

Stanley has only two allies back home: a witch named Meredith, and a young apothecary called Sophie. Can they help him discover the reason behind Siren’s crimes and end this terrible reign? Or is Stanley set to become the next victim in the tyrant’s evil plot?

Melissa's Musings:

This is a great adventure story. It begins with Stanley's work in the library, so I was instantly hooked, just based on that alone. There aren't enough stories that prominently feature libraries, so this was such a refreshing change.

The setting and language of the story is wonderful. It's easygoing, and comfortable. As I read I was immediately able to fall into Meadowood and imagine myself there, right along with the characters. The setting seemed like a mix of olden times (think medieval times) and more modern times.

The story starts out simply enough, Stanley, Sophie and Will enjoying a boat race together and a festival, but you can tell that there's something going on by the odd soldiers milling around. Then, when Will is killed after being out after "curfew" and then the library is burned down, Stanley knows he has to do something. He sets off on a quest to find out who the new ruler in place, Christopher Siren is, and what happened to the old king and queen. 

He faces a lot of trials and tribulations along the way. He also runs into all different kinds of magical creatures. There are subtle elements of magic throughout the story, right down to the very boots that Stanley is wearing. There's talk of vampires and vampire wars, witches, fairies, and much more. 

The magical element is perfect. It's done with just enough detail to keep the reader interested, but not so much as to overwhelm them. Sophie finding out she is a witch is also very fitting, given that she already has a job as an apothecary, and likes to write poems, it seems quite the natural fit that she becomes a witch. I particularly enjoyed the spin of her spells coming to her in her sleep, and her thinking of them more as poems than anything.

As Stanley gets further on in his journey, he is kidnapped and forced to work in one of Siren's factories, where several kids are nothing more than glorified paper pushers. Literally, they put papers into boxes. And they don't question it. They don't want anything more for themselves but to earn shiny metal discs and the promise of a better position if they earn enough of them.

At first Stanley tries to resist this, and tries to ask the others about their dreams, and whether they know that they are being forced to do these things for nothing, and give up on what they really believe in. But after an incident he too becomes numb and just goes along. You later find out that Hartlandia is under a spell. I thought this was a great way to demonstrate the fact that children should learn and think for themselves. They should question authority and not just do everything they are told. The story also demonstrates how easy it can be for kids to just forget about their dreams and "go along" if they are restricted enough.

This story is the perfect combination of magic, adventure, friendship, and the trials and tribulations of growing up. I can't wait to see what comes next in Stanley's adventure. I'd recommend this to lovers of magic, libraries, and easygoing characters/settings.

Review: Life Got in the Way

Title:  Life Got in the Way

Author: Deborah J. Davis

Publisher: Self Published

Published: June 11, 2012

Format: Paperback

Genre: Women's Fiction

Pages: 336

Source: Received from the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read: December 29-30 2012

In A Few Words: Nice story, but hard to connect to characters

My Rating: 2 stars

Goodreads: Add to your to-read shelf

Synopsis From the Back Cover:

Life Got in the Way  is the story of two women, Jackie Colson and Dana Talbert, who meet during their freshman year at Wilberforce University and become lifelong friends. Both are bright optimistic students with high expectations of future success. They naively think that the road will be relatively simple and neither is prepared for what life brings them. Little do they know that so many things will be out of their control.

Jackie Colson,  orphaned at birth and raised by her grandmother, is determined to become a partner in a law firm before she's forty. Dana Talbert had a perfect life plan until an unexpected and determined boyfriend got in the way. We journey with them as they face major life issues; marriage, divorce, infidelity, illness and aging. Throughout all their challenges the one thing that remains constant is their bond of friendship. In Life Got in the Way Deborah Davis explores the changing roles of women as they move from the seventies to the present facing changing goals, aspirations, and expectations and the realization that they can do it all, but at what cost.

Melissa's Musings:

 The first few chapters are of the present day, of situations going on that set the pace for the rest of the story, so you can see where it is these women ended up, but the real story starts with Jackie and Diana's graduations. They are just about to graduate from high school and go off to bigger and better things. The friendship between Dana and Jackie is constant throughout the book. It's very simple, and sweet, and mirrors how friendships are so close when you're young and change (not necessarily in a bad way) as you get older and life gets in the way. These two women go through a lot together, which is true of any long lasting friendship. 

The book starts in the present, then jumps backwards to the past and then progresses toward the present again. This is a nice way to tell a story, and connects the characters well. I really appreciate that the author stuck to the first few chapters being in the present day and then going into the past and continuing chronologically rather than jumping back and forth between past and present because that can sometimes be confusing

As pleasant as the friendship is between Diana and Jackie, we never really get to see the two women interact fully and completely. This might sound like an odd statement, but I do have a reason for saying it. The reason we don't get to see them interact completely is because rather than the book being told from one of their perspectives, or even both, the entire book is narrated. Not by another character, but it's just written in a full  narrative style. The style lead to me feeling that the whole book was a "tell".

In writing you're often told that it's better to "show not tell." Showing allows you to fully develop characters, setting, plot etc. In this books' case, the telling style was nice at first, but I was really hoping that as the book went on, there would be more interaction between the characters, and that one or both of their perspectives would take over the style. The style of writing left the characters feeling flat, and under developed. It also made them very difficult to connect with or feel for. 

In all honestly, I started to feel bored with their situations. Some of the events, while they would have been shocking if told from the characters point of view, such as Jackie's discovering her husbands' infidelity, just felt blah. It was like, "Okay...and?" I didn't really have much of a reaction. These situations also resolved themselves very easily without much conflict.

One good thing about the narrative style is that it does make for an easy read. 

I did appreciate the cover and it's connection to the book. One of the characters in the book, Gran, makes a comment about friends coming and going, and how some stay in your circle for a long time, and others are only in your life for a short time. The cover feels like it represents these circles of friendship. It also could be a symbol of the way that life can sometimes be confusing, and how people can sometimes get diverted from their dreams, or feel like they're just going through a maze and will never find their way out, but how different life choices can eventually lead to what you're looking for.

In order to enjoy this book I'd say that you really have to enjoy narratives rather than character driven books.

Have any of you read this? If so what did you think? How long has your longest friendship lasted?

My Happy Birthday

Title: My Happy Birthday

Author: Mary Ryan

Publisher: Self Published

Published: August 30 2012

Format: Kindle

Pages: 25 

Source: Received from the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read: December 10, 2012

In  A Few Words: Nice Sentiment

My Rating: 3 Stars

Amazon Synopsis*: 

Besides being enjoyable, this story teaches children a life lesson!

“Imagine being a young boy, who is looking forward to celebrating his birthday, only to realize that his parents are so busy that it seems they have completely forgotten about this annual event…?”

That happened to Samuel, as he was very sad to discover that his parents forgot all about his eighth birthday. Read how Samuel deals with his sadness and sorrow, and discover which important life lesson he learned. All is well that ends well, as Samuel gets to enjoy a very special day, one of the most important days of his life.

Read this book to your child for enjoyment, and at the same time, teach one of the most important life lessons any child needs to learn in order to succeed through life

Melissa's Musings:

Samuel wakes up in excitement realizing that it's his birthday. He is then disappointed to find out that his mother has apparently completely forgotten his birthday. On his way into town to run errands for his mom, he meets an old man with a broken down truck and helps him fix it.

The lesson embedded in this meeting is a very good one for children to learn. The man teaches Samuel that it's good to be thankful for what you have and to use it for as long as you can, which is important since we've seemed to become such a "throw it away and get a new one" society.

 Then Samuel comes home to find a surprise of his dad waiting for him, and a shiny new red truck that's been left on the porch. Sam declares it the best birthday ever.

Overall, the message of the story is nice. It teaches kids to be thankful and appreciative of what they have. And it teaches them that fixing items is a better thing to do than just throwing something away and getting a new one.

The structure of the story seemed a little wordy for a book for 4-8 year olds. The drawings were a little odd to me too. They seemed really caricature like, rather than realistic, and this made Samuel appear to be much older than an 8 year old boy. It seems to me like the look of his character changes throughout the book and he starts off young and then on the last page, I'd say the drawing of him makes him look like a young teenager, so that was definitely a drawback. If there's anything that's really important in kids' books it's consistency, whether it's in the story itself or the illustrations.

*The synopsis and cover used in this post are both credited to Amazon.com

Volunteers for Literacy-*There May Be Spoilers*

Title: Volunteers for Literacy

Author:  Gretchen Elhassani

Publisher: Self Published

Published: September 1, 2012

Format: E-book/Kindle

Pages: 190

Source: Received from the Author in exchange

for an honest review.

Read: December 5 2012

In A Few Words: Fast paced

My Rating: 3 Stars

Goodreads: Add This Book To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Amanda Smith never learned to read. A local tutoring program called the City Volunteers for Literacy agrees to provide her with a free tutor. The first time they meet at the downtown library, Amanda is energized; the second meeting is horrifying. As Amanda struggles with sight words in a remote tutoring room, bank robbers burst into the library to escape from the police. Amanda must use her survival skills to save her tutor and the innocent people who are caught at the library that day.

Melissa's Musings:

Volunteers for Literacy will certainly make you think twice about the safety of a public library. 

The initial story is well rounded and believable. Amanda is a single mom, working as a manager of a local burger joint, not able to advance any further as she left school at a young age and cannot read. She has a 5 year old daughter to care for, and even her daughter knows that the stories her mom "reads" to her are made up.

Amanda finally decides to help herself and goes to the Volunteers for Literacy program to be matched up with a tutor.

On the second visit there the library is invaded by robbers. These same group of people have come into contact with Amanda before, or at least one of them has.  Anthony helps to kidnap Sara, one of the employees at Burby-Q where they both work

The action is quick paced, and as a character, Amanda is quick on her feet and fast thinking. I don't care for the fact that a few of the other characters insulted her because she can't read. But it's obvious that what she lacks in reading skills she makes up for in problem solving ability.

As quick as the action is, it could have been cut some as well. It seems like overkill when they are finally about to escape the library just to have the other robber in the group finally come looking for the rest of them with Sara as the hostage and then having to outwit him too. 

I was shocked by one of the actions of the character at the end of the book partly because the action seems so unrealistic, and partly because it's out of character for him. ***SPOILER ALERT***

When the robbery is going on, the senior librarian, Erik, seems like a nice, respectable guy. He wants to protect his patrons and colleagues throughout the ordeal. One of the robbers brings the stash that they got from the bank and tells the hostages to cut out the middles of books and stuff the cash into it. (I cringed when I read this because I cannot imagine destroying books like this) Then they are to tape up the books and send them through the inter library loan program. Well, Erik is the one doing the processing. 

Then once it's all said and done the situation ends and everyone goes back to their normal lives. There's a ceremony to reward Amanda, Anthony and Erik for their actions. Amanda gets a 2 year scholarship to a community college, Anthony is allowed to say a few words and Erik gets a mere plaque. Amanda makes a note that this doesn't seem like enough.

That is until Erik disguises himself and goes to the library that the hollowed out books were sent to and goes to retrieve them. The end of the book is left asking whether he will turn the money in or not, but it's almost a given that he would take it, so it's kind of silly to end it by asking the question in the first place. Otherwise why would he have disguised himself.

This doesn't even seem like a realistic scenario because it's unlikely that the police would have just forgotten about the money that the thieves stole as it is.

This ending did detract from the story a bit, but overall this is a good book. After reading this I'd say that I hope there are hidden rooms and passages in my local library like there are in this one. One, because they just sounded neat, and two because you never know what could happen.

Just a small word of warning, some of the instances of violence in this book may be a bit gruesome for some readers.

I don't think I've read a book where the characters spend a lot of time in a library since I read A Discovery of Witches  so I really enjoyed this setting.

Have any of you read this book? Or, can you recommend any other books where one of the main settings is a library?