Review: Summy and Izzy in a Tizzy

Summy and Izzy in a Tizzy by THEA LYNN PAUL
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Melissa's Musings:

*I won a copy of this via Goodreads Giveaways*

This is a short and simple children's book. It has a nice rhyming scheme that works well for new readers. The story is very basic, I felt there could have been a little more to it.

The interesting thing about the illustrations is that they are done with alcohol inks, which gives them a very unique look.

I imagine I'll be passing this book on to my youngest niece when she is old enough to read.

Do you have a favorite children's book?

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?

Book Tour Review: Comfort of Fences

Hello fellow readers! Welcome to my stop on the tour for Comfort of Fences by Stacy Overman Morrison.

Title: Comfort of Fences

Author: Stacy Overman Morrison

Publisher: Telemachus Press

Published: October 17, 2013

Pages: 244

Format:  E-book

Source: Received from author in exchange

for an honest review

My Rating: 3 Stars

Synopsis:

Ruth is dying and her 52 year old daughter Denise has never paid a bill, lived on her own, or had a romantic relationship. Ruth knows she has been overprotective, but hoped that she would outlive her special-needs daughter. Metastasized cancer crushes that hope and forces Ruth to find a way to provide for Denise once she is dead. First Ruth turns to Social Security for Disability benefits. After tests, pokes and prods, doctors, nosy psychologists, and ill-furnished waiting rooms, the government declares Denise not eligible for benefits. Mad at the world and daring the government to arrest her so they will have to take care of her since they wouldn't her daughter, Ruth takes up smoking pot in the backyard. A few joints in, Ruth begins to realize her anger is self-directed. She doubts every decision she has ever made in raising her daughter that doctors, in the 1950s, labeled "retarded." Partially to coax her mother from the backyard and partially because Ruth will not speak of the past, Denise asks her mother to write down their history of which Denise has no memory. Trying to atone and explain how she could be so obtuse, Ruth agrees. Telling her story becomes an obsession for Ruth who sees the history as her only chance to leave a place for herself in the world since cancer is steadily eating away her physicality. While Ruth writes, Denise begins to pursue her own independence, despite the minor setbacks of a chopped off fingertip and chemo poisoning. She begins to make choices for herself and finally tells her mother pieces of her own truth: Denise stayed with her mother because she chose to, because she loved her mother more than any life she could make for herself. In claiming her own truth, Denise also chooses silence about the biggest secrets of all. Comfort of Fences explores the messy business of mothering. It is a story about the love between a devoted mother and her special daughter that exposes the irony that the people we love the most can also be the ones we underestimate the greatest.

Melissa's Musings:

Comfort of Fences is slow to start, but once it's up and running, you become involved and interested in the lives of the characters. 

Ruth is the glue of the story and her evolution throughout the book is the most interesting. I felt for her at first, because she seemed so stifled by her upbringing, and at the same time so naive. My opinion of her changed throughout the story as I personally don't agree with some of her choices, especially those involving Denise. 

This book is all about choices. It begins with Ruth's choice to pursue a romantic relationship with a man who turns out to have his own demons, that are ultimately too much for him. It follows Ruth through her life as she chooses to keep and raise a baby eventually on her own, after her parents try to interfere in a way that she doesn't like. 

The book deals with subjects that may be sensitive for some readers. It deals with alcoholism, mental disability, and cancer, to name a few. It is also what I would call heavy with religious elements. If any of those themes make you uncomfortable, I wouldn't recommend this book.

The format of the book is one that worked well for the story. When Ruth learns that she is dying of cancer, she decides to write down her story for her daughter, rather than try to explain it all to her. I think this was a nice touch, as it gives Denise a physical keepsake of her and her mother's lives together. Plus it ties the story together well.

As Ruth writes out the story, it the novel weaves in and out of the past and the present. As Ruth's battle with cancer becomes more serious, you get the sense of urgency in the telling of the story for Denise.

Of all the character's Georgia is my favorite. She's full of spontaneity and energy. But she also has a sadness to her that is so human. As happy and independent and carefree as she seems, she's just as weighed down by life as anyone else.

I felt that Denise's character was the most flat. She felt stifled, suffocated even. Both literally and figuratively. And maybe that was the point, as part of Ruth's evolution at the end of the novel is that she only hopes that Denise can see why she made the choices she made, and why she felt she had to stifle Denise. It was to protect her from all of the negativity in the world. I do understand where the development came from in terms of the story itself, but in terms of reality or real world application, I felt that the expectations for Denise were stereotypical, and that felt slightly demeaning in a way.

This book isn't without its flaws, but the overall story of friendship, and the demonstration that all the choices we make have an impact on the outcome of our lives are poignant themes that will stick with you after you finish this book.

Review: The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

Title: The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

Author: Paulette Mahurin

Publisher: Self Published

Published: January 1, 2012

Format: Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 202 pages

Source: Received from the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read: January 4-5, 2013

In A Few Words: Enlightening, Entertaining

My Rating: 4 Stars 

Goodreads: Add This To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads  Synopsis:

The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State, expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in settling a boundary dispute between the United Kingdom and Venezuela; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Britain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When news of Wilde’s conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment. It is a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing.

Melissa's Musings:

Let me start off by saying that historical fiction isn't a genre I normally read much of as I find that at times the stories can be dry and more focused on the history than the story. In this case, it was reversed and I was pleasantly surprised.

There are a lot of historical events incorporated into this novel, like Oscar Wilde's imprisonment, sovereignty issues, and racism. They are incorporated in such a natural way that you are immediately drawn into the story.

The story focuses on two women, Edra, and Mildred, who are cousins. They are also lovers. After hearing of the imprisonment of Oscar Wilde for gross indecency, they begin to fear that the true nature of their relationship will be, and they discovered and they will have to suffer the consequences of hateful prejudice. Mildred comes up with a plan to divert the towns attention from them, and begins courting a man named Charley, who has just lost his wife to illness.

Aside from the secret of  Edra and Mildred's relationship, there is a lot of animosity toward Mildred, as she is very wealthy and has a hold in many of the major aspects of the town. There are many women who are jealous of her money, and put her down by talking about her looks and mannerisms.

The characters in this novel are all very realistic and approachable. It's very easy to be drawn in to their world. As you read, you find that they all have their own secrets to hide. This paints a somewhat bleak (on the part of the general population of the town) picture of the closed mindedness of the time.

Mildred and Edna's relationship is very sweet, and very simply portrayed. You can see how much they care for one another in the way that they speak to each other and always have each other's best interests at heart. They find it difficult to let people into their lives but they manage to let a few select people in who are very trustworthy.

One thing that I really enjoyed were the Oscar Wilde quotes at the beginning of the chapters. They were all relevant and fitting to the chapters themselves. There are also numerous mentions of several classic books. You have to love when an author can incorporate other great books into their work. I learned a lot about Oscar Wilde from reading this novel. Many of his quotes resonated with me, just because they are such common sense, and yet still so true.

Some of the plot points are easy to guess at, but you won't really mind because the rest of the story is easy to get swept up in.

This is a simple, yet powerful story about family, love, friendship and what it means to truly trust and care for those around you. I would recommend this to anyone who's hesitant to read historical fiction because it will pull you right in.

Behind the Blog 35: Constants

Behind The Blog is a meme to help bloggers connect their life and interests to the content showcased on their blog. The co-hosts Faye Kathe and Melissa will provide a different topic, idea, or question every week that bloggers can relate to themselves and the books, films, or media they find interesting!

That One Thing:

With 2012 ending and the new year beginning, there has been a lot of talk about the things that have passed and the things that will soon be coming and so I would like us, instead, to talk about the constant things. The objects, people, music, etc, that are always with us no matter where we go and can often help to keep us grounded when we feel like we're floating up to the sky. Is there an item from your childhood, or early teens, that you've kept with you until the present day because it meant too much to you to throw out? Do you have a friend whose been there from the beginning? What about your family? Tell us about something that is a constant in your life.

In relation to books and media; are there any heros or heroines that are constantly attached to something throughout the story, something that they draw strength from, or maybe even gives them a weakness?

 This topic is an easy one for me to talk about, because I realize that I do have many constants in my life. In terms of items, I have a few things in particular that are very special. I have a bear that my dad got me when I was born, that I still have, all these years later. I also have a stuffed monkey named Fred that my grandmother got me for my 6th birthday. 

I also have a necklace that she bought me when I turned 10. I used to wear it on each birthday, but the chain is broken and I haven't found a similar one that I like.

My family is always there for me. My dad and my younger sister in particular. They have done a lot for me, and I will always be grateful to them for being there for me no matter what. 

My best friend Tanya, has been my friend for over half my life. We have been through all the ups and downs that life has had to offer us over the years. I know that I can always count on her to be there when I need someone to talk to.

My boyfriend, Dearran. He's been in my life for almost a decade now, and he will be in my life for many decades to come. We've had our share of ups and downs but we've stuck by each other through it all.

When I think about music that's a constant, I'd be crazy not to mention Coldplay. Ever since they first came out, they have been in my music collection, Their music is my go to music whenever I need something familiar and comforting.

As I'm reading back through this post, I'm very lucky to have all of these constants in my life. Life is always changing, which is a wonderful thing, but it's nice to know that I have all of these things, and people to fall back on when it gets to be overwhelming. 

What are some of the constants in your life?

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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?

Christmas in Wine Country *Contains Mild Spoilers* *Edited To Add...*

Title: Christmas In Wine Country

Author: Addison Westlake

Publisher: Self Published

Published: November 18, 2012

Format: Kindle

Pages: 390

Source: Received from the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read: December 10-11, 2012

In  A Few Words: Sweet, Romantic,

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads:  Add This To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

It's Lila's big debut as an event planner and the company holiday party is going to be her chance to shine. At a Tuscan-style vineyard near the Northern California coast in the perfect little black dress she's sure to impress commitment-phobe Phillip. What could go wrong?

Seventy-two hours later with no job and no boyfriend, Lila finds herself with all kinds of answers to that question. Like mistaking the glowering Jake Endicott of Endicott Vineyards for the groundskeeper. Or a new video on YouTube featuring Lila pawing her way through drunken karaoke of "Hungry Like the Wolf."

Solo on the romantic holiday getaway she'd booked for her and Phillip near the vineyard, Lila at least gets to visit with her old friend Annie who lives nearby in the coastal town of Redwood Cove. Drawn into the local bookstore with gleaming wooden floors and welcoming armchairs, Lila chats with the owner and impulsively accepts a job offer.

Sleepy, misty Redwood Cove is the perfect place for Lila to take a break from her horrible track record with guys. The only one she finds even remotely attractive knows her as the holiday party crazy lady. Ranked in Bay Area magazine's 10 hottest bachelors, Jake Endicott is just the type Old Lila would have wasted years pining after.

Join Lila on her year of comedy, adventure and self-discovery on the Northern California coast, with all kinds of ups, downs and misadventures and a full cast of small-town wine country characters. Thankfully, even the greatest misunderstandings can all be worked out with a little Frank Sinatra and mistletoe.

Melissa's Musings:

*EDITED: All profits for Addison Westlake's book sales this month will go to charity to help the victims of the CT school shooting**

Christmas in Wine Country is wonderfully funny, sweet, always brimming with one kind of adventure or another.

Lila is a 28 year old woman who is stuck in a job that she doesn't like, dating a man that barely even acknowledges her presence,  and barely living life outside of her job. Then in one drunken, karoke filled evening, she loses her job, her semi-relationship and is forced to finally make some real choices about what she wants to do with herself and her life.

She drags herself to a B&B that she had reserved for her and her boyfriend's holiday getaway. While there she wanders into a charming book shop named Cover to Cover. After talking with the owner, she is hired on the spot, and with that she leaves big city life for small town life.

I admired Lila's guts in making the move to Redwood Cove. I think everyone wishes they could make moves like this, completely transform themselves, start over somewhere new. It has to be fun to do, and Lila really seems to enjoy herself.

She embraces being single for a while, giving herself time to get over Phillip. He's a huge jerk, and easily the least likeable character in the story. He tells Lila that they were never really dating and that he and a woman named Axcell are ready to take things to a new level. I laughed every time I read the name because I kept thinking about the computer program.

The surrounding characters in this story are so much fun. There's Lila's loving, patient, wise Gram, who always knows just what to say. Then there's Annie, Lila's college roomate, who supports her, but also gives her healthy doses of reality when she needs it. There's also Zoe, whose a lot of fun. She's a yoga teacher in Red Cove, who's very into naturalistic thought and ways of life.  And there's also Godfrey, a somewhat dramatic, (but well meaning) co-worker from the bookstore.

I think Zoe is actually my favorite of the characters because she's got this double persona. You mainly read about her as hippie-ish, vegan, yoga teacher Zoe. But about halfway through you learn that she grew up in the privileged lifestyle and used to be a debutante. It just goes to to show that not everyone is what they seem and they don't always keep the same path that they start life out on.

The same is true for Lila's love interest in the story, Jake. She assumes that he grew up in the hills of wine country, when in reality he grew up with a single mother who died of breast cancer when he was a teenager and a father who sent him to boarding school.

The romance between he and Lila is perfect. Definitely not insta-love, (their first meeting definitely does not go smoothly) the tension throughout their relationship is the perfect balance of nice moments and awkward ones, as they start the complicated dance of trying to figure out just what they are to each other. They definitely have their work cut out for them with interfering presences like Vanessa (I'll just let you discover her for yourselves) and some serious misunderstandings.

In addition to the great characters, there's also great food. Lila learns to cook and goes through periods of making soups and desserts, most of which sound delicious. I'm always a sucker for books with food. A book about food and a bookstore? Even better.

The overall message of the book is about embracing life, and doing what makes you happy. It's also about following your dreams, sticking up for yourself, and letting yourself be comfortable with who you are and what you want out of life. It teaches the reader that you don't have to let other people's perception of you or what you do for a living make you feel any less worthy. As long as you love what you're doing (and isn't that what we all really want anyway) then the title really doesn't matter, and who cares if you don't fit in to the cookie cutter world of fancy job titles or marketing?

I'd rather be passionate about what I do than a person who's only in their job for the money any day and Lila becomes just that. Passionate, happy, and sure of herself.

This is the perfect holiday comfort read.

Four in the Morning by Christi Goddard

Title: Four in the Morning

Author: Christi Goddard

Publisher:  Immortal Ink Publishing

Published:May 2012

Format: E-book

Pages: 202 pages

Source: Received in exchange for

an honest review

Read: November 26

In A Few Words: Surprising

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads: Add This to Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kathleen Hayson thinks her biggest problem is her mother. The only runner up—her mouth. With a wit sharper than her mother's perfectly manicured nails, her clever remarks create more problems than they solve.

But it's not her clever remarks landing her knee-deep in trouble. This time, Josh Colby is to blame. Kathleen's former childhood friend has become the school's most stuck up jerk. Before, she'd have told him to piss off and write his own stupid letter to the town slut/minister's daughter. Now Kathleen's escalating problems at home force her to reevaluate how flexible her principles are. She agrees to write the controversial letter Josh has requested.

Enter Rigel, a smartass magical creature who invades her room one night, promising he has come to help. When a boy Kathleen hates turns up dead and her mother goes missing, the letter becomes a key piece of police evidence—implicating Kathleen. As she fights her way out of a web of lies, the trust she has in those closest to her shatters. In the end, she's pushed to a terrible choice: who lives, and who else dies.

*also available in print*

Melissa's Musings:

Let me start off by saying, I finished this book and the first thought that popped into my mind was "What the fuck?" Excuse the swearing but that really was the first thought I had. The last portion of the book is just so strange, so that phrase fits perfectly. 

The story does a good job of pulling you in immediately. Kathleen is a tough character full of sharp wit and snark, which I really liked. Kathleen sure as hell needed it to put up with her mother. This kind of character profile  can be hard to pull off at times, but Goddard does a great job of making her likeable. Her character profile is really well done and it's easy to relate to her. 

Kathleen and her mother have a lot of problems. For as likeable a character that Kathleen is, her mother is ten times as unlikeable. I kept finding myself thinking, "Wow, her mother is such a bitch." I haven't said that about a character in a while. Here's just one quote as an example of how awful Kathleen's mother is to her:

"No boyfriend still?" Mom said. "Not that I'm surprised. Boys tend to give flowers when they want something. Or already got something. Payment for services rendered, perhaps?"

"Yeah, 'cause I'm a big fat ho."I grabbed a vase off one of the shelves in the curio and headed upstairs, stomping the whole way just to hear my footsteps reverberate through the house."

Goddard, Kindle location 725.

That's just one of the choice interactions between Kathleen and her mother. There are a few others that are equally as bad if not worse. You do end up finding out why their relationship is so sour, but I won't spoil the whole reason for it. Part of the reason is that Kathleen's mother is psychotic. She holds a grudge towards Kathleen and takes it out on her in unusual ways, such as punishing her for not eating a dinner of eggplant by making her take a cold bath with the eggplant in it.

In addition to a psychotic mother, Kathleen has a virtually non existent sister and father, a cryptic best friend, a bully who likes to torment her and another boy who is interested in her but won't really tell her that. Add to that a talking skunk with a British accent, who's something else entirely more creepy altogether, a couple of crimes and  you have an odd paranormal mystery type story on your hands.

This was the first time I'd read about a talking skunk in any stories, and he is definitely an odd character. You'll see what I mean when you read this.

There is quite the balance of moments that will make you laugh out loud, as well as those that will have you shaking your head saying "WTF?"

This is definitely different than anything I've read lately and I'm curious to see what will come next from Goddard. If I had one thought or piece of advice to offer I'd say, "Remember that things and people are not always what they seem." The crazy turns of events will definitely keep you on your toes.

The only thing I was confused about was the title. I might have missed the clue on this one and not been reading carefully enough, but I'm just not sure what the significance of the title is.

Has anyone else read this? If so what did you think?

34 Pieces of You by Carmen Rodrigues is an Intense Read

Title: 34 Pieces of You

Author: Carmen Rodrigues

Publisher:  Simon Pulse

Published:   September 4, 2012

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336

Source: Sent to me by the author 

Read: September 22, 2012

In  A Few Words: Intense, and powerful

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add This to Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

A dark and moving novel—reminiscent of Thirteen Reasons Why—about the mystery surrounding a teenage girl’s fatal overdose.

There was something about Ellie... Something dangerous. Charismatic. Broken. Jake looked out for her. Sarah followed her lead. And Jess kept her distance, and kept watch.

Now Ellie’s dead, and Jake, Sarah, and Jess are left to pick up the pieces. All they have are 34 clues she left behind. 34 strips of paper hidden in a box beneath her bed. 34 secrets of a brief and painful life.

Jake, Sarah, and Jess all feel responsible for what happened to Ellie, and all three have secrets of their own. As they begin to confront the darkest truths about themselves, they will also find out what Ellie herself had been hiding all along..

Melissa's Musings:

All I can say is wow. This book is intense, to say the least.

It touches on so many different issues. In some books, this might be a bad thing, meaning that there's not enough focus and it feels a little aimless, or just like a laundry list of issues to spout off. That's not the case here. While there are lot of issues mentioned within the first chapter or two,  it's done in a natural way, so that you don't get bogged down in them.

This book touches on everything from divorce, to drinking, to sexuality, to sexual abuse, and several other complex issues. 

It's a very hard book to put down because you get so drawn in, so fast. Or at least I did. And the characters are all so interconnected, in ways that you wouldn't even think of. Ellie is the magnet, the one that draws them all in. To her, and to each other. I think that Ellie enjoyed that, in a way that it gave her power. But, at the same time she was hurting and lost and lonely, even surrounded by all these people that it was just too much for her. 

In reading it you might say that Sarah was affected the most, because she attempted suicide with Ellie, but survived, so the survivors guilt must be horrible. Which, I'm sure it is a horrible thing. But, I wouldn't necessarily say that she was the one who suffered the most. I think they all did, in their own way, each equally painful and significant.

I felt the most for Tommy and Jess, because they were the ones who had plenty of secrets of their own to hide, and they were with people who didn't necessarily openly want to be with them, or who were lusting after other people. I'm not mentioning other names because I don't want to give away major plot points or spoilers. Lets just say that when you read it you might be surprised at just how interconnected they all are with each other and some relationships develop that you might not expect,  that you'll be rooting for.

The evolution of the characters is intense, as these painful events draw out memories that they want to forget. The evolution of all the characters is significant in it's own way, even the more minor characters like Jake and Ellie's parents. It was good to see the book from both the kids and the adults perspective, which can be rare for YA books. Usually the parents are distant, or not around at all, and in this case, while they were not the major characters, they played more of a significant part in the story.

I also really liked the way that the story was set up, structurally. Each of the chapters was told from a different character's point of view. But, prefacing each of the chapters was one of Ellie's 34 secrets that she kept in a box under her bed. They were secrets about all of them, what she really felt. And each one set up the coming chapter perfectly. I also like how the chapters are titled either "Before" or "After" because I think that's a mindset that many people can get into when a loved one dies. There's life before it happens, and then life after.

I am very glad that I got the opportunity to read this book and I can't wait to see what comes next from Carmen Rodrigues. If you're looking for something to make you think, this is it.

Have you read this? If so, what did you think?

ARC Review: Twelve Days to Christmas by Michele Gorman is a Sweet Story

Title: The Twelve Days to Christmas

Author: Michele  Gorman

Publisher: Self Published

Published: October 11, 2012

Format: E-book (ARC) 

Pages: 120

Source:  Provided to me by the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read:  October 2, 2012

In A Few Words:  Short and Sweet

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads: Add this to your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

"What if his proposal had an expiration date?"

Hannah’s in a bit of a pickle. In twelve days she flies from Hong Kong to the US with Sam, where he’s finally going to meet her parents… and ask to marry her.
Since overcoming a rather rocky patch in their relationship (which was totally his fault), he really is a new man, and they’re completely in love. The problem is, she feels panicky every time she contemplates matrimony. Which is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Isn’t it?! She has no idea but she’s got to find out before he pops the question... because she’s not 100% sure she’s going to say yes. Which will make for a very uncomfortable family holiday. He’s got to ask her before they go. So Operation Proposal begins.
As time ticks down to their flight, Hannah realizes that her own secrets are threatening their future. Before she can be happy with Sam, she’s got a lot to learn about herself in the twelve days to Christmas.

This is a novella of 120 pages.

Melissa's Musings:

A few months ago, Michele contacted me to review the previous novel in this series, Misfortune Cookie.  (You can read that review here) So when she contacted me about The Twelve Days to Christmas I was happy to say yes because I wondered what had happened to them.

I have to admit that I wasn't all that thrilled by the ending of Misfortune Cookie only because I had hoped that Hannah would stick to her guns and not get back together with Sam because it seemed like he didn't care about her enough. But at the end of the book you could already tell that she was considering letting him back in. In this book. it's very obvious that he cares for her a lot. It seems as if they've flipped roles a little in that regard because Hannah doesn't seem quite as needy as she was before (this is a very good thing).

But, as she starts to suspect (and worry) that Sam is going to propose to her, she starts to plan Operation Proposal to ensure that he does, even though it's clear that she's having second thoughts about the whole idea. I was a bit disappointed about this, more on a personal level than one with the book itself. Hannah knowing that Sam is going to propose just takes all the fun out of it. In terms of the story though, it's perfect because it's reason to throw Hannah into a frenzy and get her all worked up which is typical of her character.

It's a bit fun to watch her go to the length to ensure that Sam proposes, but I did feel kind of bad about the fact that she had her own secrets to keep from him in this book. It's almost like payback for the secret he kept from her in Misfortune Cookie. 

One thing that I want to note that was really fun about the structure is that at the beginning of each chapter there's a set of  lines that's repeated and grows with each chapter, that's very similar to The Twelve Days of Christmas song. That was a cute touch to the story.

If you're worried about the fact that this is a series, don't be. Each of these work well as standalone books too. I didn't get a chance to read Single in the City before I read Misfortune Cookie and I didn't really feel like anything major was missing. I don't think anyone who reads just this story will feel that way either.

I do have to say that I was slightly disappointed by the ending. To me, it just felt a tiny bit cliche, I was hoping for something more. There was also an issue with the names of characters at the end (I won't say what this is because I don't want to spoil it) but I felt it was slightly unoriginal.

Those are really personal issues though, nothing to do with the book itself, which was excellent. This is a wonderfully sweet story that's perfect for the Christmas season.

I'm just curious, for those of you that are engaged, did you know beforehand, or were you completely surprised? Also, do you have any 'take the significant other home to meet the parents stories (that involve Christmas or otherwise) that you'd like to share?

Special Note:

If you're looking for a Christmas gift to give this season to someone who likes to read this book would be a  great option. And you can even have it signed or Kindlegraphed by Michele Gorman! Here's what she had to say about that process:

If anyone is looking for stocking stuffer ideas, eBooks can be given as gifts through Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and readers can make a request for a free personalized eBook inscription throughwww.kindlegraph.com (adding their friend’s kindle or regular email and a note so that I know who it’s from/for and the occasion). The inscription works for any eReader, not just Kindles. They can also request a paperback inscription here (http://michelegorman.co.uk/Bookplates.html) and I’ll send them a bookplate with the inscription to paste inside the front cover.

Isn't that a neat gift idea?

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Published: March 22 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 359

Source: Library

Read: September 15-16 2012

In A Few Words: 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add this to your TBR shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Melissa's Musings:

A few days ago, I posted my review of Hex Hall. Let me just say that Demonglass is just as good. I was so involved in the story that I didn't quite see all the twists and turns that come up in this book, so I was nicely surprised there.

There is a love triangle, but to be honest I really kind of enjoy this one. I know that I've said in the past that some love triangles are horrible, but this one is really well done. The dynamics that Sophie has with each of the guys are really different, so they're easy to differentiate, and she really has different feelings for each one. It's kind of a forced love triangle in a way since Cal is betrothed to her, but it still works well. I feel for Cal, he's so nice and it's clear that he cares for her a lot, so it's a shame that she doesn't feel the same way. Although judging by some actions toward the end of the book this may change, it'll be interesting to see what happens between them in the next book.

There's a lot of action in this book, and a lot more magic and spells. A lot more dark magic, of course, now that Sophie knows she's a demon. There's cool teleportation, Sophie's bound to a ghost, people are trying to kill her, it really is jam packed. But, the laugh out loud humor is still there, which is awesome. I loved it in the last book and I loved it in this one too.

The progression of the relationship between Sophie and her father is really great to watch too. At first, she's unsure, and doesn't trust him. I wouldn't either, if he'd been gone from my life for 17 years. But then as she starts to trust him a little more, she grows to care for him. It's clear that she wants to make him proud, and that she recognizes that he has a lot that he can teach her. 

The story leaves you wanting so much more. I don't want to put in any spoilers but let me just say that I'm so disappointed that my library doesn't have the third book, I'll have to get it ASAP so that I can find out what happens.

Review: The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook by Joanne Rocklin

Title: The Five Lives  Of Our Cat Zook

Author:  Joanne Rocklin

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Published:  April 1, 2012

Format: Hardcover

Pages:  240

Source: Won in a Goodreads  Giveaway

Read:  July 31 2012

In a Few Words: A sweet, colorful, fun story

My Rating: 5 wonderful stars

Goodreads: Add it to your to-read shelf

Goodreads Synopsis: 

n this warmhearted middle-grade novel, Oona and her brother, Fred, love their cat Zook (short for Zucchini), but Zook is sick. As they conspire to break him out of the vet’s office, convinced he can only get better at home with them, Oona tells Fred the story of Zook’s previous lives, ranging in style from fairy tale to grand epic to slice of life. Each of Zook’s lives has echoes in Oona’s own family life, which is going through a transition she’s not yet ready to face. Her father died two years ago, and her mother has started a relationship with a man named Dylan—whom Oona secretly calls “the villain.” The truth about Dylan, and about Zook’s medical condition, drives the drama in this loving family story.

Praise for The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook

“Oona’s character is a combination of Harriet the Spy in curiosity and Anastasia in spunk. Another emotionally satisfying outing from Rocklin; hanky recommended.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Melissa's Musings:

I loved this book. The characters are loveable, the wordplay is fun, there are tons of interesting theories told only the way a child would tell them. I loved it for the variety in perspective. It was such a nice change from all the YA and Adult fiction that I normally read. 

In this story we meet Freddy and Oona, brother and sister who are being raised by their mother after their father's death. They have a cat, named Zook, who has become a beloved member of their family. When Zook suddenly gets sick, it brings back memories for Oona of the time when her father is sick too, so she has to deal with all of those memories and emotions that she's kept hidden for so long.

This book is full of stories within stories. It's told from Oona's perspective, and man is she one smart kiddo. She has very creative and inventive theories. One is the Big Whopper theory, where all the lies people tell are color coded for the kind of lie that they are. Black Whoppers are meant to hurt someone, White Whoppers are meant to make someone feel better. 

Or, there's the name theory, in which Oona declares that everyone's name is perfect for them, no matter  what. Here's a quote to explain the theory: 

"Gramma Dee's name is easy Dee RW (rhymes with) bee=honey=sweet like candy. Gramma Dee likes to make Russian taffy, which she learned from her Russian grandmother, who was born in Russia." (pg. 49)

I think what she's trying to say is that people grow into their name, or the meaning of it. They personify that meaning. I think to some extent that becomes true after a while.

I love the wordplay in this book. The play on words with Zook (the cat's) name. Then there's the fact that the kids get paid in fried Zuchinni and pizza is great, and so are the cute word games that Oona plays with Freddy to teach him to read. I love when authors take the time to add these small but important touches to their stories because it helps you become that more attached to the characters.

Oona also has a lot of responsibility for such a little girl. She picks her brother up from school, she's teaching him to read, (with rhyming games and pictures, which I loved) and she even has an after school job. She gets paid in food, but still. For someone so young, that's a lot to handle, but Oona handles most of what comes her way pretty well. She isn't too fond of her mother's new boyfriend, but for a girl whose beloved father passed away that's not a surprise.

Among  all these inventive theories and stories about cats who have 9 lives there are a lot of real life observations and lessons which are told in only the way a child can see them. Children have such a different view of the world than adults. There's such innocence, and yet such depth, as well as insight. It's easy to forget how much insight kids have until you read a story like this. And when you do, boy can it pack a punch.

 I feel a bit silly admitting this, but I found myself tearing up at the end of this novel, not because of what happens to the characters, but because of the depth and richness of the lessons that Oona learns and the changes that she goes through throughout the course of the book. Now, it takes a lot for me to cry at a book. I have to be really invested in the story, and this was definitely a story that I was invested in. It's got a little bit of everything. It's a sweet story about family, love, loss, friendships, and growing up. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys heartfelt stories.

What about you, do you have any interesting theories that you'd like to share?

Review: Misfortune Cookie by Michele Gorman

Title:  Misfortune Cookie

Author:  Michele Gorman

Publisher:  Self-Published

Published: March 22 2012

Format: E-book

Pages: 198

Source: Provided by the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read:  July 25-26

In A Few Words: A sweet, fun,  adventure

My Rating: 4 solid stars

Goodreads: Add it to your to-read shelf

Goodreads   Synopsis:

Would you move 6,000 miles to be with the love of your life?
Hannah did. Unfortunately her plan isn't going terribly well. What was supposed to be a move to Hong Kong to start a wonderful new life with Sam is turning into a move to Hong Kong to spend occasional weekends with Sam, when he can get away from an unanticipated work assignment on the opposite side of the South China Sea. Still, she's optimistic, if woefully unprepared for the intricacies of Hong Kong. Stumbling through the alien city, which she loves, she starts to build a life for herself. Things definitely look up when she finds a great boss to work for, and her best friend Stacy moves to the city too. But alarm bells ring as Sam seems to be getting a bit too cozy with his boss. And when things start going wrong at work, Hannah can't help but wonder if she's made the biggest mistake of her life.

Melissa's Musings:

This book was an absolute joy to read. I can't believe that I didn't get to it sooner, I wish that I had. This book is just so much fun. You get to take part in Hannah's journey's first hand as she moves to Hong Kong to be with her boyfriend Sam. You get to experience her ups and downs as she adjusts to life in another new country, (she lived in London, England before moving to Hong Kong) and you get to watch her really grow into her own. 

Most of  her family and friends think she's nuts for moving half way around the world, especially for a guy. But, Hannah is determined. And I like that about her. She sticks to her guns even when those around her are not as supportive as she might like. 

There's a lot that I could relate to personally as I read this book and I think that may be why I liked it so much. I moved to Canada for a year and a half in 2010 and went through similar experiences to Hannah's. I had to adapt to life in a new country, moved away from all my friends and family, had to find a job, much like Hannah. My relationship even went through ups and downs like hers does. Not the same type of ups and downs, but ups and downs all the same.

One of the scenes I enjoyed most (because it really is true) is when Hannah is describing how empowered she feels being in a new country. She feels like she has a new chance, to start over, to redefine herself. And, she loves it in Hong Kong, she really feels at home there, and can see herself there long term. I have the same feeling about Canada so I can completely relate to this. Being in a new country really does give you a chance to start over. No one, or at least very few, depending on who you know beforehand, knows you in a new country. You can be whoever you want because no one has predefined ideas about you. Hannah took this in stride and really grew more confident as the story progressed.

I really like the pace of this book. It's told in first person, and the dialogue is so easygoing, and descriptive that it feels almost as if we're reading a journal of some sort. I really enjoy books told in this format and this one is no exception. 

The dynamic between Stacy and Hannah is great as well. It was really great that Stacy moved to Hong Kong to be with Hannah. It was great to read their interactions because I have a lifelong friend who I could see myself doing something like that with. Plus she was very supportive when I moved as well, so those characters completely clicked for me.

The only thing I didn't care for was the ending, but I don't want to mention why because it's too big of a spoiler. It's just a personal preference though, I just thought it would end differently than it did.

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes fun romances and neat adventures.

Behind The Blog # 3: Childhood Friends

Hello my awesome readers! It's time for this weeks' Behind the Blog!

Behind the Blog is a meme to help bloggers connect their life and interests to the content showcased on their blog. The co-hosts, Faye, Kathe, and Melissa will provide a different topic, idea, or question every week that bloggers can relate to themselves and the books, films, or other media they find interesting!

Our theme this week is Childhood Friends. Everyone has a friend or two in their childhood who were impossible to forget, and who may have set the trend for coming friends. (Or who was the one exception.) Who was your childhood best friend? How did he/she change your life? Regarding books/films: Which pairs or groups of childhood friends do you love? What do you particularly enjoy about them?

My childhood best friend is someone who, luckily for me, is still my best friend.

Her name is Tanya, and she's awesome. We've been friends for over 15.5 years now. There's so much I could say about her and how she's changed my life. I don't even know where to begin.

We met when we were in the 6th grade, in 1997. We attended the same school in 6th  and 7th grades, but after 7th grade we both moved and ended up going to different schools. For some people, moving might have meant the end of a friendship.

Not for us. We didn't get to see each other as often, but we talked on the phone  nearly every day during middle school and at least couple of days a week during high school. Plus we  got together for sleepovers and other events as often as we could.

Now that we're adults and life ends up getting in the way sometimes, we don't see each other as often. But when we do get together, we make it count. Whether we're just hanging out, or have fixed plans, we always manage to have fun, and we always end up laughing about something.

We've seen each other through a lot of different ups and downs in life. She always has an objective point of view, and she's not afraid to be honest if I'm making a poor decision, or being overly emotional about something that's going on with me. She gives it to me straight.

I think one of the reasons that we're such good friends is that we're complementary to each other. It's sort of like an "opposites attract" kind of thing, but in a friendship rather than a relationship. She's bold, outgoing, and spontaneous. I'm more quiet, reserved, calculated. Though, when I'm around her, I do tend to come out of my shell more than I normally might.

Being friends with Tanya gives me a different perspective on life, as do all friendships, each in their own way. Having different people in your circles who like different things allows you to open yourself up to having so many more experiences.

The best thing about having a best friend is that I know I always have someone in my corner, no matter what. She knows everything about me. The good, the bad, the ugly. And she doesn't judge me. Through thick or thin, I know she'll always be there for me.

 It's been a wonderful friendship over the last 15 years and I can't wait to see what happens to us over the next 15. I know that we'll still be friends well into our old age, and it'll be interesting to see just how much we have to reminisce about in our golden years. I love her like a sister, and couldn't imagine my life without her in it.

When I was younger, I always thought that lifelong friendships that begin in childhood were just things of fiction, material for TV and movies. Obviously they do happen in real life, and luckily for me I have one of those kinds of friendships in mine.

Books and Media tie in:
The instant I saw the topic for this week I automatically thought of The Babysitter's club for my tie-in portion. What better series to describe childhood and friendship than this one?

The Babysitter's Club

I think that I read almost, if not all of these as a kid. I even read some of the California Diaries spin off, The Babysitter's Little Sister spinoff, and the Babysitter's Club Mysteries spinoffs  as well. What I liked about The Babysitter's Club is that the group had girls with such different personalities in it. And, even though they fought at times, they were always there for each other. Even though the stories were a bit predictable, I always wanted more!


Have you read The Babysitter's Club books? What are some other books that you think encapsulate childhood and friendship?


Behind the Blog is a new meme for bloggers themselves. To find out more, check out Kathe's blog or that on Faye’s Or,  you can check out my introduction post here

Are you joining us? Here are our rules:

• The hosts' Behind the Blog posts go live at midnight on Friday GMT, +0:00. Feel free to post before that and then just link up on Friday!
• Feel free to make use of the button shown above, or if it clashes with your blog colors, email us or make your own.
• Read, write, and connect! The Linky is there for you. Make use of it!
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