August, 2015
“The August 5” by Jenna Helland
Tommy, the son of an administrator, has never wanted for the physical things in life. Tamsin, the daughter of a revolutionary cottager, has only known poverty. When her father and other revolutionaries take a stand, five of them are arrested and thrown into prison. Tommy's dad, takes the opportunity to seize control and implement harsh and unforgiving laws.
I'm not sure what to say about this book. The setting and overall events were interesting. The characters were a bit bland and boring. They really seemed to have little depth. The plot did keep my reading, which is why I rate this book a 3 out of 5.
“This Is Where It Ends” by Marieke Nijkamp
This book details those trapped in a school when a shooter let's lose. Tyler, the gunman, seems to have an agenda, aimed at getting back at all of the people who never listened to him or paid attention to him. Trapped in the auditorium, his sister and her girlfriend waiver between staying low and trying to rescue others. Outside the school, Tyler's ex-girlfriend realizes with horror that he is the shooter.
I had a hard time getting into this book, mainly because they began by switching through too many characters, giving us name after name after name of person. However, once the doors to the auditorium were locked, I was waiting breathless to find out if anyone could survive. I do wish the author had gotten a little more into Tyler's head, I would have liked to know more about what led him to mass murder. Overall, well worth reading.
“Peak” by Roland Smith
When Peak is caught climbing a skyscraper, the judge wants to throw the book at him. However, his absent father, Josh, jumps in, offering to take Peak out of the country and away from the media spotlight. However,Josh has an ulterior motive, to promote his climbing company by having his son be the youngest person ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest. What follows in an interesting story interwoven with facts about Everest and mountain climbing. The characters were well written and interesting and the story moved at a quick pace. I think this will definitely be a hit with teenage and young adult males. Overall, highly recommended.
“The Hours Count” by Jilian Cantor
Millie and her family move into Knickerbocker Village, a few doors down from Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. A lonely woman, Millie befriends Ethel and comes to know her family and political leanings. When Julius is arrested, Ethel freezes out Millie, not wanting her to be caught in the web of suspicion. However, when Ethel is called into court, she lives her two sons with Millie. Ethel is arrested and never returns.
This book was a bit slow moving. It seemed to take the friendship forever to develop, and even then it seemed to be more of a superficial friendship. The entire tone of the book was a bit depressing, as Millie struggled with her husband's drinking and her child's inability to speak. Even when the FBI becomes involved, it adds little to the drama. Overall, a bust.
“We’ll Never Be Apart” by Emiko Jean
Alice is sitting in a mental hospital after her sister burnt down a barn and killed Alice's boyfriend Jason. Alice is furious and is determined to break into the D ward and murder her sister. In the hospital, Alice meets Chase, a mysterious boy, who wants to help her find Celia. The book unwinds little by little, giving up information about their childhood and what sent the twins to a mental hospital in the first place.
This was a well written and dramatic book. The characters were fascinating and realistic. My only criticism is that I would have liked more content after the big reveal, it seemed that the author rushed to finish the book. I think teenagers and young adults will really go for this story. Overall, highly recommended.
“Thousand Pieces of Gold” by Ruthanne Lum McCunn
Lalu, or Polly, as she is later called, is sold by her father when famine strikes China in the 1870’s. Sold to a merchant bound for America, Lalu is auctioned off to the highest bidder. The saloonkeeper who purchases her loses her in a poker game. Her lover, Charlie, won her in and gave her freedom. The two moved to a remote location and built themselves a life.
I thought this book was a bit lackluster. It was missing large chunks of Lalu’s life, which could have made her more realistic and more interesting to read about. Overall, I thought this book was a bust.
"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
Set in a dystopic world, women are tightly controlled and regimented by society. Offred is a handmaiden, her sole purpose is to have a child for Fred and his wife. Once a month, she is taken to their bedchamber, and in a weird ménage troi, hopes to conceive. While she remembers life before, it seems more like a surreal dream to her now. Overall, I thought this was an interesting premise. The book was well written and engaging. However, at the end, it seemed that the author was trying to spark a scholarly debate, which was a bit off-putting. 3 out of 5 stars.
"The Scent of Secrets" by Jane Thynne
Clara Vine, a German actress, is working with the British intelligence to become close to Eva Braun and uncover the Fuhrer's plans. At times this book seemed to move very slowly. The writing was extremely dense. I felt like I could read one or two sentences in each paragraph and know exactly what was going on. The descriptions were a bit overwhelming and seemed to take away from the action and excitement. Overall, a bust.
"A Place We Knew Well" by Susan Carol McCarthy
Sarah and Wes live near an air force base. They are both alarmed with the base is mobilized and seemingly endless numbers of troops and airplanes arrive. Sarah, a nervous woman, spends more and more time in the bomb shelter, not coming out for days. Wes seems to be more of a down-to-earth community man, who just wants to run his gas station and keep his family safe.
I thought this book was a bit slow moving. At the beginning of the book it switches points of view frequently, but by the end of the book it is all Wes' point-of-view. This was a bit frustrating to me as a reader, you shouldn't change style mid book! Overall, not a bad book, just not one I can see myself rereading.
"Devotion" by Adam Makos
This is the story of the Navy Air force and Marines during the Korean War. Tom Hudner and Jesse Brown, the first black air force pilot, ran missions across Korea as they attempted to save the marines and fighters on the ground. My grandfather, John Holtrey Young, was a marine in the Korean War. He was part of the amphibious landing at Inchon and survived the Chosin Reservoir. This book gave me a glimpse into what he and others went through. The first chapter of the book, sent chills through me, as I pictured my grandfather and the other marines trapped at the Chosin Reservoir. Putting aside my emotional reaction to the book, I thought this book was extremely well written, engaging, fast paced and hard to put down. This has to be one of the best books I've read this year. Overall, highly recommended.
"Red Blood, Yellow Skin" by Linda LT Baer
When Loan's father dies, her mother marries a rich, but domineering doctor. The doctor treats Loan very poorly, beating her for acting like a child. When the situation in North Vietnam worsens, the family travels to South Vietnam, completely changing their economic status. Poor, with barely enough to eat, Loan leaves home at 13 to work in Saigon. After several years of working odd jobs, her situation changes when American's enter Vietnam in numbers. She makes money selling goods on the black market and, drinking Saigon Tea. She is arrested numerous times for having insufficient money to bribe the police. After having a baby with an airman, he leaves, and she never sees him again.
This was quite a story. The life Loan lived was remarkable, it's quite miraculous that she survived. The book did seem choppy at times, Loan glossed over several periods of time. One chapter she was starving and in the next she had three maids and seemed to be much better off. Overall, well worth reading.
