February, 2014
"The Tyrant's Daughter" by J. C. Carleson
When Laila's father, the dictator, is killed, she is forced to flee along with her mother and brother to the United States. While Laila's mother works with the CIA, Laila is thrust into an uncomfortable and seemingly baffling situation, high school. Her illusion that she is a princess, and her family is royal, is quickly displaced with gruesome images and horrifying stories about her father.
I thought this was a fascinating book. The story was well set up and could easily have been non-fiction. I look forward to reading more from this author. Overall, highly recommended.
"Nick the Saint" by Anthony Szpak
Set during the Industrial Revolution, this is the story Nick. Once a child laborer, he landed in jail, torn away from the woman he loves. Serendipitously he escapes, along with an inventor. Together, they seek to overthrow the man who sent Nick to jail and stole his woman.
This book was full of cliché’s and stereotypes. Nonetheless it was a pretty good read. It was interesting to see how the author blended the idea of Santa Claus and The Christmas Story together. It moved at a fairly decent pace and held my attention.
"Blood Feud" by Daniel Harris
Russell, the books narrator, has worked for the Galetti family his entire life. Although they started with one grocery store, over time, the chain grew larger and larger. Moving up through the ranks, Russell ultimately becomes the store's president. Ten years after one of the brothers dies, his widow sues the other, claiming that he has fraudulently bought her stock shares. This book reads like a non-fiction story. It is well crafted and the characters are realistic. Overall, highly recommended.
"The Lost Sisterhood" by Anne Fortier
This book alternates between Diana Morgan and Myrina. Diana Morgan's story takes place in modern times. An Amazon scholar, she is recruited by an unknown agency to decipher a language found in an ancient temple. Myrina's story takes place in the past. Myrina and her sister travel from Africa to the Mediterranean to Greece.
I absolutely loved this book. Both stories were fascinating and the author connected them superbly. The characters were realistic and dynamic. I will definitely pick up the author's other book and hope that she writes more. Overall, highly recommended.
"The Gondola Maker" by Laura Morelli
Set in 16th century Venice, this book tells the story of Luca, the son of a gondola maker. When he quarrels with his father and accidentally burns down their boatyard, he knows he's in trouble. He runs away, determined to succeed in life without his family. He works at several jobs before landing a position as a private gondolier to a famous painting. He is immediately intrigued with a woman the painter is utilizing and seeks to learn all he can about her. At the same time, he finds an old beat-up gondola in the artist's boathouse and begins to restore it.
This was a very well written book but I have to wonder about the ending. It was a bit odd and a bit abrupt. The author leaves us wondering about the girl, an important part of the plot. I think this book is more geared towards young adults. It is certainly an interesting view on the city of Venice and the gondolier profession.
"Ballerina" by Edward Stewart"
Stephanie and Christine share a dream, to become ballet dancers. After meeting at an audition for a prestigious school, they become fast friends. While Stephanie's mom is overbearing, Christine's parents are distant and uninterested in her career choice. After finishing ballet school, they are accepted into different ballet companies but eventually Stephanie joins the more prestigious company that Christine belongs too.
Overall, this was a very interesting and engaging book. The changing dynamics between Stephanie and Christine were interesting to watch throughout time and conflict. I do think the book was a bit too long, at places it seemed to move slowly, which could have been fixed with more critical editing. Overall, well recommended.
"Insatiable" by Asa Akira
Asa Akira, a famous porn star, recounts bits and pieces of her exotic and erotic life. Written in a funny, yet shocking manner, the book is hard to put down. It was just fascinating. I do wish we learned more about her parents and/or childhood. I would have liked to have known where she came from and how she interacted with her parents.. Overall, a must read.
"When Patty Went Away" by Jeannie Burt
I'm just going to be blunt. I hated this book. I quickly grew tired of Jack, the narrator, constantly commenting on his wife's weight. He continually describes her fat, what she is eating, etc. It completely took away from the story of Patty and made me put the book down.
The book is extremely slow, the author is spending so much time describing the wife, that she can't pick up the pace. The narrator did not come across as male and just didn't seem realistic.
"17 & Gone" by Nova Ren Suma ***SPOILERS***
This book really made me feel crazy. I knew from the beginning that Lauren had schizophrenia and was spiraling out of control. I don't think teens will realize this until the very end of the book, or they may hold onto the idea that she is somehow psychic. This author is a master storyteller, who really knows how to build characters, show their struggles and advance a story. Overall, a great success.
"Cathedral of the Wild" by Boyd Varty
Boyd has lived an extremely unconventional life. Growing up on a game reserve in South Africa, he is intensely connected with the wilderness and its animals. Elephants, tigers, lions, he has seen and experienced it all. This book gives us a look into his life and his extraordinary family. Well written, this book flows, keeping the reader coming back for more. The only complaint I have is that at the end of the book, Boyd comes across as preachy. I know that he is advocating a way of life but it was just a bit too much. Overall, well written and worth a read.