July, 2013

"Rose Under Fire" by Elizabeth Wein         

When Rose's transport plane is intercepted by German fighter pilots, she is forced into Germany territory.  Once captured, she is sent to Ravensbruck, where she suffers untold horrors.                  

I enjoyed this book.  I thought it was well written and I found myself rooting for the characters. I do think the story would have been more powerful if it was told in a more linear fashion.  The author moved back and forward in time, which I felt took away from the powerful impact of Rose's journey.  Overall, a good book.  I will definitely read more by this author.

"Children of the Tipi" Edited by Michael Fitzgerald         

This is a very factual account of Native American life.  It features beautiful illustrations/photographs.  Overall, I didn't think the book was really written for children.  It was more of a collection of quotes and snippets of stories.  The organization seemed a bit disjointed.  I do think children will use this book for research projects, but not for casual reading.

"Here After" by Kate Brian         

When Rory realizes that she's dead, she begins to question her very existence.  Told that her job is now to usher souls into the next phase of life, she begins working with the other "lifers" at Juniper Landing.          

Let me start by saying that this is an interesting story line and the author can write.  I found myself caring about the characters and trying to unravel the mysteries myself.  However, I absolutely hate how the author ended the book.  She was building up to a climactic moment and then...the end.  This made the book itself lack any purpose whatsoever.  It was all building to a moment and then suddenly ended.  Ugh, so frustrating.  I doubt I will pick up the next book in the series, the author has just pissed me off.

"Overcome:  Burned, Blinded and Blessed" by Carmen Tarleton         

During her divorce proceedings, Carmen's soon to be ex-husband broke into her house, beat her with a baseball bat, sexually assaulted her and poured industrial strength lye all over her body.  Nearly three months later Carmen woke from her medically induced coma to find out that 80% her body was burnt and that she was blind.  Unable to do even the simplest tasks, Carmen relied on her family and friends to help her through this ordeal.          

I found this to be a powerful and moving story.  It was hard to believe the levels of acceptance and forgiveness that Carmen underwent.  She is an inspiration.  I would love to follow her story and see how her face transplant turns out.  Perhaps a sequel is in order.  Highly recommended.

"The Articulate Attorney" by Johnson and Hunter         

One of the subjects that I felt was missing from law school was a good communications or speaking class.  Everyone automatically assumes that lawyers have an innate talent for speaking, but this is often not the case.  This book was well written, engaging and gave useful information.  Overall, highly recommended.

"Forty Days at Kamas" by Preston Fleming        

This book is set in a futuristic society where even the slightest infraction can earn you a sentence to a work camp.  When Paul Wager, a former businessman, is sent to Kamas, he realizes that his struggle has just begun.  Hard labor toppled with starvation rations means that many do not survive the camps.  Immediately Paul falls in with a group of prisoners intent on changing conditions.  What ensues is 40 days of revolt.          

Overall, this was a well written and well paced book.  It alternates between Paul and his daughter, which gave an extra layer of understanding to the situation.  Without giving anything away, I think the ending would have been more powerful if it had ended differently.  Overall, highly recommended. 

"Amy, My Daughter" by Mitch Winehouse         

Amy's father, Mitch, tells his daughters story, one of music, fame and drugs.  I found myself really disliking Mitch and Amy by the end of the book.  Everything was really just the same cycle,  drugs/alcohol, saying she is quitting, drugs/alcohol, saying she is quitting.  Mitch seemed to blame her problems on others, rather than looking at himself, his family or Amy's psychological state.  Overall, I thought this book was a bust.

"The Light In The Ruins" by Chris Bohjalian         ***Spoilers***

The Rosati's, a wealthy Italian family find their home overrun by Germans during the last days of WWII.  A little over ten years later, a killer is systematically murdering the remnants of the family.  Serafina, a police officer, begins to investigate the murders, only to discover that her past is linked to the Rosati's.          

Overall, I enjoyed this book.  However, halfway through the book, the killer told us that he was a woman.  I found this very intriguing, only to be disappointed in the end, when the killer turned out to be male.  Perhaps this was an accident of editing, but it was frustrating and took away from the overall book.

"Rivka's War" by Marilyn Oser         

During WWI, Rivka, a Russian Jew, joins up with a troop of women soldiers.  This book follows her story into battle and beyond.  I found myself growing a bit bored about halfway through the story.  Rivka's journey turned into a bit of rambling, which made me put the book down.

"Between You and Me" by McLaughlin & Kraus         

When Logan visits her superstar cousin Kelsey, she realizes that the girl is quickly falling apart.  Taking up a position as her personal assistant, Logan tries to rebuild their childhood friendship.  Overwhelmed with stardom, Kelsey makes a series of bad decisions, resulting in the loss of her daughter.          

I think we are all a little obsessed with celebrities and how they live.  This book provided an insight into their "glamorous" world.  I enjoyed the characters and the relationship between Logan and Kelsey.  The book did seem a bit unfinished, making me think that the author is working on a sequel.  Overall, a good read.

"Educating Autumn" by Jane B. Night         

After WWIII the earth was nearly destroyed.  In order to repair its battle-torn surface, civilization moved underground.  When they re-emerged, laws and traditions arose which kept women subservient to men.  Autumn, born into this society, wants more.  She has dreams, hopes and questions the world around her.  When she is given to Orion to wed, she discovers that his family is much different from her own.          

I thought this was a fascinating book.  I enjoyed the characters and the growth they showed throughout.  I would love to read more set in this world or just more from this author.  Overall, highly recommended.

"Dream of Time" by Nancy J. Price         

When Robin falls asleep, she awakes as Jennie, a turn of the century Victorian-age woman.  Forced to live two lives, Robin/Jennie struggles to discover why she has been sent back to the future.  With the help of Travis, a police officer, she explores Victorian San Francisco and adjusts to the widely different culture.          

Overall, I thought the book was interesting and engaging.  I enjoyed Robin/Jennie as a character, she came across very realistically.  I do wonder if the book will "hold up" over time, because the author uses a lot of pop cultural references.  The future generations may not get all of the wit and humor that really made this book good.  I also found it a irritating that she would continually foretell the future, i.e. if I had known what was going to happen next, I would have....  I just don't like this as a plot device.  Overall, a good read.

"After the Ending" by Fairleigh & Pogue         

I thought the premise of this book was interesting, but ultimately, I did not want to read a bunch of e-mails and text.  After about the fifth or sixth e-mail I put the book down.  When I pick up a book I want to see character interaction, dialogue, etc.  Not endless e-mail communications.