August, 2011

"Taken Hostage" by Ranae Rose         

Tiffany is taken hostage after the bank she works at is robbed. Immediately she is attracted to the "hot gunman" and agrees to join his life of crime. I was a bit disappointed in this book. Although the sex/romantic scenes were steamy rather than sleazy, I just didn't like Tiffany. I found her to be shallow and one-dimensional. Overall, the story wasn't a bit believable, which took away from the plot.

"Dancing in the Shadows of Love" by Judy Croome         

Lulu, Jamila and Zahra are three very different women whose lives are somewhat entwined. The story takes place on a world much like our own, however the author has invented her own terms and phrases. I found the writing style to be odd and hard to follow. I kept having to refer back to the glossary, which was a huge downfall. Overall, I did not enjoy this book

"Rena's Promise: Two Sisters in Auschwitz" by Rena Kornreich Gelissen 

This is the second or third time I have read this compelling and interesting story. Rena, was on the first transport of women into Auschwitz and she survived to tell about the three years spent in the camp. Her sister, Danka joined her is Auschwitz a few days later. Together, they managed to survive the brutal conditions, lack of food, unsanitary conditions, hard labor and selections for death. I am amazed at the determination and will to survive that both Rena and Danka exhibited. They continually fought to live, something many holocaust victims were unable to do. I cannot help but admire their strength.

"Ungrateful Daughters: The Stuart Princesses Who Stole Their Father's Crown" by Maureen Waller         

Although I am interested in the history of the English monarch, I found this book to be very dry and a bit boring. it is divided into multiple parts. At first it gives a series of biographies for each of the important actors of the time, Queen Mary Beatrice, Princess Anne, Princess Mary, King James II, and Prince William of Orange. 

These biographies cover the same time period and often overlap. I think it could have been much better written or organized. While both sisters were vilified, Anne came across as the master manipulator. The author showed her obvious dislike for Anne through her descriptions of her physical appearance and behavior. Further, she described Mary's reign in detail while ignoring Anne's. In addition, I expected to read more information about King James' son. The book did not describe his attempts to retake the crown or how Mary and Anne thwarted such attempts. Overall, I found this book to be disappointing.

"The Kindness of Strangers" by Katrina Kittle         

Sarah, a widow with two children, is struggling to hold together her family amidst her catering business. When driving home through the rain, she finds her best friend son Jordan, stumbling around with his backpack. She picks him up and is forced to rush him to the hospital after he attempts suicide. Her oldest son Nick, finds numerous cds inside Jordan's backpack. The CD's document the child sex abuse of Jordan and other children by his father. Despite Jordan's protests that his Mom is innocent, there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. In an act of extreme kindness, Sarah and her family decide to foster Jordan as he is healing and dealing with the upcoming trials.

     This book was extremely powerful and moving. It deals with a very difficult and hard to comprehend subject, the idea that your closest friend isn't who you thought she was. That she could allow and perhaps even participate in the sexual abuse of her child. Due to the heavy topic of this book, I would have to say that it wouldn't be for everybody. It definitely wasn't a casual or "beach" read.

"The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner         

This is the first book on the Easton list that I have been unable to finish. I read almost half of the book and had no idea what it was about. From my understanding, the book is divided into four sections. The first three sections are written as stream-of-conscious. I hate this writing style, which is probably why I had difficulty paying attention.

"Be Brave, Be Strong: A Journey Across the Great Divide" by Jill Homer         

The Great Divide is a 2,740 mile mountain bike race from Canada to Mexico across the Continental Divide. Jill, a newspaper editor in Alaska decides to undertake this momentous feat amidst injuries, a break-up and the uncertainty of her career. Jill details her journey through the race as she battles rain, mountains, bicycle breakdown, self-doubt and a tumult of emotions regarding her life.         

Let me begin by saying that I did enjoy this book. However, I felt at times that the same things happened over and over and that Jill made monumentally stupid decisions. From repeatedly failing to refill her water bag, to trudging ahead with a failing bicycle and failing to take care of injuries, I am quite amazed that she didn't die of dehydration, exhaustion or exposure to the elements. The book was very well written, Jill is a wonderful story teller and I was cheering as she hit the Mexico border.

"The Bone House" by Stephen Lawhead         

This book continues the story of Kit Livingstone, who is on a mission to recover the "Skin Map." The Skin Map was created by a ley traveler, one who travels, not in time, but between universes.         

I am reviewing this book for Smashwords. When I choose the book I did not realize that it was the second book in a series. As such, I found it a little difficult to follow the storyline and characters at first. However, once I became more familiar with the storyline, I found the plot to be intriguing and interesting. The characters are interesting and dynamic. Just enough intrigue and back story is thrown in to keep the reader interesting. Overall, I would recommend reading the first book before this one, but this was a very good read.

"Lady of the Hay" Barbara Erskine         

Jo, an investigative journalist, is working on a series about hypnosis, past-life regression and reincarnation. Initially skeptical, she allows herself to become hypnotized as part of her research. Immediately she begins reliving the life of Matilda, the Scottish Lady of Hay who lived eight-hundred years earlier. As she becomes more and more involved in Matilda's life, the men around her also appear to be reincarnations of the men in Matilda's life.         

I was immediately drawn into the story through Erskine's writing style and dynamic characters. The historical nature of the book was carefully entwined with the present, creating an interesting and dynamic plot. At times the book did seem to drag on and the people Jo encountered seemed a bit too serendipitous. Despite these flaws I highly enjoyed this book.

"Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky         

I picked up this novel as part of the Easton's top 100 books. I have to admit that I wouldn't have read it, or finished it, if it wasn't part of this list. It follows the deterioration of Rasko, a poor student, who decides to murder a pawnbroker in an attempt to better his life. This go awry from the beginning, when in a state of panic he forgets to bolt the door. After committing the murder, he takes a handful of trinkets. Rasko is immediately wracked by guilt, and begins making mistake after mistake.         

The novel was probably considered a psychological thriller when it was initially published. However, I found it to be a bit dry and hard to read. Oftentimes characters would go on non-sensical rants that lasted several pages. I found the moral questions raised throughout the book to be interesting. A more modern take on this book would probably be interesting and well worth reading.

"Most Likely" by Craig Hansen         

"Most Likely" tackles the difficult questions of abuse, teen sex and maintaining faith throughout difficult periods of life. Becky Howard has trained all year for a track meet, one that she desperately wants to win. On top of the pressures of being an athlete, Becky is struggling with whether to tell an adult about the abuse her best friend is suffering. When she does tell, she discovers that it is much too late. While visiting her friend in the hospital, Becky is dealing with pressures to have sex and her sister's marital problems.

     I thought the book dealt with these difficult topics in an important way. It showed Becky's internal struggles as she attempted to work through her problems and handle all of the situations around her. Although sometimes she failed, I felt that this mirrored the realities of life. Overall, I enjoyed the author's writing style and the characters dialogue. The Christian themes were not overpowering, which will allow a greater number of teenagers to enjoy the book.

"Across Many Mountains" by Yangzom Brauen         

This book follows the lives of three generations of Tibetan women. It begins with Yangzom's grandmother, Kunsang, a Tibetan nun. Kunsang grew up in a remote mountain village where she devoted herself to Buddhist principles. Although her early life was filled with struggles, it was also filled with peace, oneness with nature and a strong spiritual sense. Kunsag married a monk and they had two children together. Her entire life was turned upside down with the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950's. The Chinese immediately began targeting Tibet's spiritual life, and monks and nuns were often their targets. In order to survive, Kunsag flees across the Himalayan mountains to India with her husband, six year old daughter, Sonam, and toddler. Forced to lie in abject poverty, the family battles starvation, disease and an unfamiliar culture.

     Sonam, only six years old when she fled Tibet, endures the death of her father and younger sister in India. A deep bond develops between Sonam and Kunsang, who are forced to rely upon each other for survival. A young Swiss man falls in love with Sonam, and does everything within his power to obtain a visa for Sonam and Kunsang to move to Switzerland. After their marriage, Yangzom is born, a child of two cultures.

     The difference among the three generations to be striking. From Buddhist nun to a woman of two cultures to a author/model/actress. It is easy to imagine the peaceful, contemplative lives the women would have lived if Tibet had never been invaded by China. As such, their struggles and rise from poverty are all the more dramatic. I found the women's strength and determination to be heart-warming and admirable. Before reading this book I knew little about Tibet and the struggles that its people have faced. As such, I believe this is an important book, one that I highly recommend.

"Life Support: The Santee Series Book One" by Robert Whitlow         

As an estate planning attorney, one who has dealt with numerous powers of attorneys' and bickering families, I found this book hard to read. I don't know if it was my personal experiences or merely the author's writing style, but I found this book less than realistic. The characters seemed stereotypical and contrived. The dialogue was messy and unbelievable. 

"Kingdom of Shadows" by Barbara Erskine         

Clare seems to have it all, money, land and a handsome husband.  However, when Paul and Clare learn that they cannot have children, things seem to go awry.  Through focused meditation, Clare begins reliving the past as Isobel, Countess of Buchan.  The story alternates between the crumbling life of Paul and Clare and the war torn Scotland of the fourteenth century.  As Paul makes one bad investment after another, he begins to pressure Clare to sell her inheritance, the ruined castle on the sea and the surrounding land of Duncairn.  As he learns about her "trips into the past" he first involves the church and then plays upon her phobias to drive her further away from sanity.

Well written, this was definitely a page turner.  I first picked up the book because I was interested in Isobel, the woman who spent four years hanging in a cage for crowning Robert the Bruce King of Scotland.  However, now I've found an increasing interest in Scottish history.  Her suspenseful writing style keeps the reader engaged and interested and her characters are dynamic and interesting. 

"Full:  A Life Without Dieting" by Michael Snyder, M.D.         

Michael Snyder, a bariatric surgeon, urges us to reject the diet mentality.  He states that the diet industry is built on the notion of failure and that the cycle of dieting and binging is unhealthy.  He sets out some commonsense guidelines and strategies.  He does not set forth a meal plan, list of foods you can or can't have.  He urges portion control and exercise.  Overall, I found nothing new in his book.  Although his strategies are practical, I'm guessing the average dieter has already thought about and utilized most of them. 

"I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced" by Nujood Ali         

This remarkably true story is about Nujood, a child from Yemen who was forced into marriage at the age of ten.  One of many children, her family lived in poverty, scrounging for every meal.  In order to rid himself of another mouth to feed, Nujood's father marries her off without a second thought.  Despite an agreement not to touch his wife until she came of age, Nujood was immediately subjected to his sexual desires.  Beaten and abused, Nujood is in for a life of misery and servitude.  Through her courage and determination to be free from her husband, Nujood runs away and asks for help at the courthouse.  Through the help of lawyers, sympathetic judges and the international press, she is granted her divorce.

     I was touched by Nujood's strength and determination.  Just as easily, she could have been killed as an example to other women or just sent back to her husband.  However, through her force of will, she has now paved the way for other child brides to obtain divorces.  I believe this book touches upon an important, and little known, social issue.  It is important to read and learn about these issues in order to spread awareness.  In addition, this book was extremely well written.  It was a quick read, one many can enjoy.

"Parker & Hume: A Lesbian View" by Glamuzina and Lauri         

In 1954, two New Zealand girls, Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme, killed Pauline's murder.  This book explores the social and economic status of the girls, the Christchurch society and the overall conditions of the time period.  It explores why children or women murder and discusses the anti-lesbian hysteria surrounding the trial.  I picked up this book in order to read more about the case.  Overall, the book contained few details about the girls life.  It was more of a social commentary about the time period than about the girls themselves.  Overall, I was a bit disappointed, not because of the writing style, but because I wanted to know more about the girls backgrounds, interactions and the murder itself.

"The Blessings of the Animals" by Katrina Kittle         

Cam, a small-town veterinarian, is a strong dynamic woman.  She runs her own clinic and rescues animals on the side.  She is completely floored when her husband announces one morning that he is leaving her.  Cam, tries to hold herself together in order to be strong for their daughter, Gabriel.  Along the way she finds peace in caring for her collection of stray animals.  Moonshot, a shy a skittish horse, comes to life under her ministrations, as they develop a unique bond.         

I really loved this book.  The author created dynamic and interesting characters, who immediately pulled me into their story and suffering.  I cheered for Cam through her victories and sympathized with her tragedies.  I loved the message the author conveyed about marriage, and recommend it to anyone who is going through a rough patch.   Overall, I thought this book was a home run.  I enjoyed it so much that I am now going to check out the author's other books.

"Dirty Little Angels" by Chris Tusa         

16 year old Hailey lives in the New Orleans slums.  Her dad is unemployed and spends his checks gambling.  Her mom recently suffered from a miscarriage and is extremely depressed.  I have to admit that I couldn't finish the book.  I thought the author's writing style was just fine, but the plot seemed to be lacking.  The characters were unlikeable and a bit boring.  I'm not sure where the author was going or what he was trying to convey through this story.

"Sundome"  by Kazuto Okada  (Review by Jerome) Yen Press, Mature 18+        

Caution: Sundome might be too graphic for some, and otherwise might be considered perverted by those not living in Japan.   Sundome literally means "stopping the moment before", in this case referring to either the peak of sexual excitement or  just before tragedy. The story's main character is a high school student named Hideo Aiba. Hideo is a member of a school club called the Roman Club, a school group interested in the occult. The story centers around his, awkward, relationship with a girl named Kurumi Sahana. Once the two are left alone in the club room, Kurumi makes a special “request” of Hideo. At that moment, Hideo’s dull life gets far more….

     Sundome has been labeled as a provocative sexually driven story. With some saying it is dull, with little more then a few adventures hidden among overtly perverted sexual situations. With others downgrading the art within the pages. While others call it down right pedophilia.

     I would have to agree, that, the story can at times be overtly perverted as well as sexually driven. The writer and artist aren't shy about showing nudity, although it's mostly hinted at (through wet, tight clothing) more then actually shown. The two also seem to cross lines that most are not used to seeing in main stream manga, but to call it paedophillic it a touch overboard. They delve into abnormal fetishes; fetishes that a percentage of people actually share, and the creators make no apologizes about it. The art work can, at times, be whimsical and funny to go along with funny moments; yet also, at times, have a realistic look that pushes the border of the readers desire.

     I think people focus on the wrong attributes of the story. They let their inhibitions, embarrass themselves. If you can get past the "perverted fetishes", which you should, you'll find the story conveys not only the shade of gray emotions of happiness and sadness, but even the complex emotions of desire, pensiveness, gentleness, and frustration.

     If, you were to take away all the out of the, normal or not, topics above, then yes the story would be dull. But with it, with the complex emotions, the pervish behavior, the sexual tension and subsequent release; with all of the elements of human nature together it combines to make a great love story. I'm not going to lie and say its a romantic love story, because it isn't. It's a love story based on lust; and love based on lust can be just as true, and honest with human nature. Sundome was good enough to bring tears to my eyes.  I give it a 5 out of 5

"Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture" by Shimoku Kio (review by Jerome) Del Ray Media , Mature 16+         

Genshiken is a "Slice of Life" manga series, later adopted into an anime, that revolves around a Japanese college club or circle. A hand full of different geeks (or Otaku if you're Japanese) get together and become tight knit friends; talking about anime, manga,video games, cosplay, etc. The story follows Tanaka, Madarame, Kasukabe, Ohno, Sasahara & Kosaka along their experience through college and into the job market. It shows their troubles with the acceptance they are looking for; from others as well as their selves. The characters are involved in heartaches, romances, family drama as well as those hidden funny things in life. The story follows them through the in's and out's of "Japanese School Club" culture, Otaku anime/manga conventions, as well as the choices that everyday otaku have to make; i.e buying food for the week or buying the newest doujin (fan made comic book) they've been waiting on.

     I think the story is very well written, and thus the translation into English. You have to be able to understand Japanese culture or you Will be lost; the books have lots of translator notes to help you grasp those...misunderstandable things the characters end up talking about. I love how I can attach myself to the story and feel like, "Hey, I would Love to hang out with people like this" or "Wow, that reminds me of So'and'so." The writer, within the story, makes fun of otaku culture, but not in a bad way. Its in a way where geeks can laugh along and know exactly what the situation means or is. Even in parts a character has out right said, "If we were in a manga, right about now "this" would happen."

The art work lends itself well, giving that cartoonish big eyes small mouth look, and over playing it when the comidic timing hits the fan.

     If you yourself are a geek, weather it be manga/anime/gundum model/cosplay/video games...whatever, you should give this series a try. Geeks can relate to at least one of the characters and know someone else who is like the other characters. Most geeks will also associate with the situations the characters are going through. As a side note, each issue has tributes to other anime & manga (by way of quotes, theme songs, pictures, cosplays); can you guess what series' they are talking about (they don't actually use the names for copyright reasons)?

     I'm totally addicted to this series and am sad, as it only goes to 9 volumes. I give this series a 9 out of 10 (I'd have given it a 10 of 10 if it went to 15 volumes.