The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffler and Annie Barrows
I have seen this on shelves at stores many times over, but my interest was never piqued. Then I saw a preview for a movie or series based on this book and I became a little bit interested. Not much later, a new friend on Facebook indicated that she had bought this book and was planning to read it before the movie came out. I figured, at the very least, I would have someone to discuss this with, so I ordered it myself.
If you've been following me for any length of time, you know I read fairly quickly and move onto the next one. This is not an especially long book, less than 300 pages, and it held my interest quite well, so why did it take me several days to read? The only answer I have is that I wanted to savor this one. Admittedly, a part of me wants to go back to the beginning and read it again. That almost never happens to me. Even better, I want to buy a copy and give it to my grandmother! I'm still trying to make up for the snafu that was my recommendation of The Lovely Bones a decade ago, and this just might be the one to do it.
I absolutely LOVED this book. LOVED IT!! There was just something about it that made me want more, and the ending absolutely left it open for more.
Maybe it was the way this was written that made me love it so. It's an epistolary novel--one that is told through letters-- and as such, the reader is on more intimate terms with the characters. At least that was the case for me. You're not necessarily told every little detail, and there are things that the reader has to figure out on their own in a way that a "regular" novel doesn't provide that makes the reader more invested. Whatever it was, this was probably my favorite book to read this summer, maybe even this year.
Ok, so the story itself...
Juliet is an authoress in London just after the end of World War II. She is on a book tour for something she wrote during the war. Her letters at the beginning are to her best friend, Sophie, her editor and best friend's brother, Sidney, and her friend, Susan. Then she receives a letter from a man named Dawsey from Guernsey, who ended up with a book that used to belong to her. This letter is the beginning of their friendship, and they start to correspond. Then so do Dawsey's friends on Guernsey. These letters give Juliet and idea for a new book, about the Occupation on Guernsey during the war. The residents of this Channel Island would very much like to meet Juliet, so she comes for an extended stay. Juliet becomes one of them, and a beautiful story continues to unfold.
Please, rush out and get this book! I promise you won't regret it.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Summer Book 20
A Prom to Remember by Sandy Hall
Because I loved her book A Little Something Different, I had to read this one. I had a hard time finding it in places other than Amazon too. Usually, Hall's books are fairly easy to find at Target, but I have been to no less than five of those and couldn't find it anywhere. No worries, as I sucked it up and got it at Barnes and Noble.
What I like about Hall's books is her use of multiple perspectives. In this case, there were seven, and none of them was a squirrel. Ha. As the title suggests, this is about a bunch of seniors getting ready for their prom. I also love that none of the characters we hear from are the popular kids. I think it would've been a whole different book if they had been. For example, we have a guy who likes to fly under the radar nominated for prom king, and he has to deal with all the anxiety that entails.
As someone who wasn't exactly popular and whose prom experience didn't live up to the hype/expectations, I could relate to most of these characters. High school is rough if you're not in the upper echelon, and this book is for those kids.
Because I loved her book A Little Something Different, I had to read this one. I had a hard time finding it in places other than Amazon too. Usually, Hall's books are fairly easy to find at Target, but I have been to no less than five of those and couldn't find it anywhere. No worries, as I sucked it up and got it at Barnes and Noble.
What I like about Hall's books is her use of multiple perspectives. In this case, there were seven, and none of them was a squirrel. Ha. As the title suggests, this is about a bunch of seniors getting ready for their prom. I also love that none of the characters we hear from are the popular kids. I think it would've been a whole different book if they had been. For example, we have a guy who likes to fly under the radar nominated for prom king, and he has to deal with all the anxiety that entails.
As someone who wasn't exactly popular and whose prom experience didn't live up to the hype/expectations, I could relate to most of these characters. High school is rough if you're not in the upper echelon, and this book is for those kids.
Friday, July 20, 2018
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Summer Book 18
Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
I received this book as an advanced reader copy from First to Read in exchange for my honest review, so here we go.
I was first introduced to Ms. Woodson's work when I read Brown Girl Dreaming for one of my classes when I was pursuing my library science degree, so when the opportunity came to read an advance copy of her newest book, I jumped at the chance. This is written for middle grades, which is a younger audience than the young adult books I usually read, but a good book is a good book, no matter what age it is written for.
This book is told by Haley, whose father is in prison for killing her mother in a car accident. She is in a class at school with five other children, and it is a "special" class, but it is unclear why they are in this "special" class. On Fridays, from 2pm until the end of the school day, these six children got to the ARTT room. There they talk about anything and everything. They learn about Esteban's father who was picked up by immigration, about Amari not being able to play with his toy guns anymore because of an incident where a young, black boy was killed, about Tiago and the prejudices his family feels because they speak Spanish all the time, about Ashton who doesn't feel like he feels in because he's white, about Haley's situation with her parents. We never really learn about Holly in the room, and I am not sure why that is (and frankly, it's one of the reasons I could never give this five stars on Amazon). These adolescent kids learn about the world and themselves in that room on Fridays.
There are some problems with the book though. As I mentioned, we never really hear about Holly except that she is perceived as rich by her peers. That seems unfair, when all the other kids share. There's also the jump in time from midwinter to Easter. Like, most of the book takes place in a succession of Fridays, but then jumps several months. That doesn't work for me. The ending also seems rushed and doesn't really fit.
Like I said, I knew going in that this would be a good book, and it was, but there were some flaws that I just couldn't overlook.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy from First to Read in exchange for my honest review, so here we go.
I was first introduced to Ms. Woodson's work when I read Brown Girl Dreaming for one of my classes when I was pursuing my library science degree, so when the opportunity came to read an advance copy of her newest book, I jumped at the chance. This is written for middle grades, which is a younger audience than the young adult books I usually read, but a good book is a good book, no matter what age it is written for.
This book is told by Haley, whose father is in prison for killing her mother in a car accident. She is in a class at school with five other children, and it is a "special" class, but it is unclear why they are in this "special" class. On Fridays, from 2pm until the end of the school day, these six children got to the ARTT room. There they talk about anything and everything. They learn about Esteban's father who was picked up by immigration, about Amari not being able to play with his toy guns anymore because of an incident where a young, black boy was killed, about Tiago and the prejudices his family feels because they speak Spanish all the time, about Ashton who doesn't feel like he feels in because he's white, about Haley's situation with her parents. We never really learn about Holly in the room, and I am not sure why that is (and frankly, it's one of the reasons I could never give this five stars on Amazon). These adolescent kids learn about the world and themselves in that room on Fridays.
There are some problems with the book though. As I mentioned, we never really hear about Holly except that she is perceived as rich by her peers. That seems unfair, when all the other kids share. There's also the jump in time from midwinter to Easter. Like, most of the book takes place in a succession of Fridays, but then jumps several months. That doesn't work for me. The ending also seems rushed and doesn't really fit.
Like I said, I knew going in that this would be a good book, and it was, but there were some flaws that I just couldn't overlook.
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Summer Book 17
Somebody's Daughter by David Bell
I think it's been three years since I first discovered David Bell's work, and I have since read everything he's written. He's one of the few authors that I anxiously wait for new titles from. This one came out last week, and I couldn't wait to get started. As excited as I was for this, it was a little bit of a slow start, but that didn't last too long. Once I got started, I didn't want to stop, as usual.
Michael is married to Angela, but ten years ago, he was married to Erica. Michael and Angela are trying to have a baby, but they're having trouble. In fact, the night that Erica shows up on their front porch, is the peak time for Michael and Angela to try to conceive a baby. But, Erica shows up. Her daughter has been missing since that morning, and she needs Michael to help her find the girl.
And, oh yeah, Michael is the girl's father, or so Erica claims. Michael has a soft spot for children, and has since his baby sister died in an accident when they were children. Michael was supposed to be looking after his sisters, and wasn't paying attention, so he feels responsible for her death. Erica knows this, and uses it to get Michael's help.
Thus begins a crazy night of trying to find a kidnapped child.
This book, like all of Bell's books, is full of twists and turns and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Details are revealed, and you don't really know how they fit in, but keep you wanting more. Right up to the end, you don't know what's going to happen. READ THIS!!
I think it's been three years since I first discovered David Bell's work, and I have since read everything he's written. He's one of the few authors that I anxiously wait for new titles from. This one came out last week, and I couldn't wait to get started. As excited as I was for this, it was a little bit of a slow start, but that didn't last too long. Once I got started, I didn't want to stop, as usual.
Michael is married to Angela, but ten years ago, he was married to Erica. Michael and Angela are trying to have a baby, but they're having trouble. In fact, the night that Erica shows up on their front porch, is the peak time for Michael and Angela to try to conceive a baby. But, Erica shows up. Her daughter has been missing since that morning, and she needs Michael to help her find the girl.
And, oh yeah, Michael is the girl's father, or so Erica claims. Michael has a soft spot for children, and has since his baby sister died in an accident when they were children. Michael was supposed to be looking after his sisters, and wasn't paying attention, so he feels responsible for her death. Erica knows this, and uses it to get Michael's help.
Thus begins a crazy night of trying to find a kidnapped child.
This book, like all of Bell's books, is full of twists and turns and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Details are revealed, and you don't really know how they fit in, but keep you wanting more. Right up to the end, you don't know what's going to happen. READ THIS!!
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Summer Book 16
The Universe is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler
After finishing The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things I knew I had to read this one. Much like Summer Book 15, I sincerely hope that Ms. Mackler will continue writing about Virginia because I want to see more of her. She's only sixteen, and there are still adventures to be had.
This one picks up roughly four months after the predecessor. It's near the end of Virginia's sophomore year of high school. Her sister will be coming home from her stint in the Peace Corps, and her brother is about to go to Paris. Until he is arrested for the date rape nine months previously. This throws a wrench in everything, particularly Virginia's new relationship with a boy. Who happens to be the brother of Byron's victim.
Virginia and Sebastian decide it is best to continue to see each other and keep what happened between their siblings out of their relationship. This works pretty well. Until it doesn't
I liked this book, but there were some things that irritated me and they irritated me in the first book also. First, Virginia's parents. They harp on Virginia's weight because she's not super thin like everyone else in her family, as if this makes her less than. Then, anytime she tries to assert herself, she's somehow wrong, but not for any real reason. And how they make Byron's problems her problems. I just wish they could see and love Virginia for who she is.
Then there's Byron. He's an asshole. He thinks that because he's some golden child things can't touch him. Like when he squirts the windshield wiper fluid on Virginia in the car, that it's no big deal. Who does this crap? People who turn out to date rape girls, that's who.
Again, I loved both of these books and hope there are more.
After finishing The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things I knew I had to read this one. Much like Summer Book 15, I sincerely hope that Ms. Mackler will continue writing about Virginia because I want to see more of her. She's only sixteen, and there are still adventures to be had.
This one picks up roughly four months after the predecessor. It's near the end of Virginia's sophomore year of high school. Her sister will be coming home from her stint in the Peace Corps, and her brother is about to go to Paris. Until he is arrested for the date rape nine months previously. This throws a wrench in everything, particularly Virginia's new relationship with a boy. Who happens to be the brother of Byron's victim.
Virginia and Sebastian decide it is best to continue to see each other and keep what happened between their siblings out of their relationship. This works pretty well. Until it doesn't
I liked this book, but there were some things that irritated me and they irritated me in the first book also. First, Virginia's parents. They harp on Virginia's weight because she's not super thin like everyone else in her family, as if this makes her less than. Then, anytime she tries to assert herself, she's somehow wrong, but not for any real reason. And how they make Byron's problems her problems. I just wish they could see and love Virginia for who she is.
Then there's Byron. He's an asshole. He thinks that because he's some golden child things can't touch him. Like when he squirts the windshield wiper fluid on Virginia in the car, that it's no big deal. Who does this crap? People who turn out to date rape girls, that's who.
Again, I loved both of these books and hope there are more.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Summer Book 15
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Just got this yesterday. I somehow managed to get it in paperback, even though it hasn't been released in this format here yet. Go me. I was a little concerned that this wouldn't be as good as Simon vs. The Homosapiens Agenda because I didn't really like Leah in that book, but I loved this.
So, Leah is bisexual, but only her mother knows. Leah's never gone out with anyone and never kissed anyone, but she has had crushes on people before. In fact, she has a big ol' crush on Abby, but figures nothing will come of that because Abby is straight and dating her friend, Nick. They're all getting ready to graduate and are receiving their college acceptances. Leah and Abby will both end up at the same college, but Nick is going to a school in Boston, which could be a problem since Abby doesn't want to have a long-distance relationship. Abby breaks up with Nick right before spring break, which is also right before prom. Abby is fine about it, but Nick isn't.
During spring break, Abby and Leah go to an orientation at their college, and Abby kisses Leah. It's Leah's first kiss. Leah doesn't know what to make of this, but figures Abby is just experimenting and therefore playing with Leah's emotions. It turns out that was not Abby's intent. She's just trying to find herself and understand things.
And oh yeah, there's a guy who is smitten with Leah, but because she is hung up on Abby, she is kinda stringing him along. Normally, this would anger me, but it was just so sweet to see how things between Leah and Abby developed that I could overlook it.
I realize that I have not done this awesome book justice. I'm sorry about that. I genuinely hope that Albertalli will allow us to follow Simon and Bram and Leah and Abby through college because I know I am not satisfied yet. Surely I am not the only one.
Just got this yesterday. I somehow managed to get it in paperback, even though it hasn't been released in this format here yet. Go me. I was a little concerned that this wouldn't be as good as Simon vs. The Homosapiens Agenda because I didn't really like Leah in that book, but I loved this.
So, Leah is bisexual, but only her mother knows. Leah's never gone out with anyone and never kissed anyone, but she has had crushes on people before. In fact, she has a big ol' crush on Abby, but figures nothing will come of that because Abby is straight and dating her friend, Nick. They're all getting ready to graduate and are receiving their college acceptances. Leah and Abby will both end up at the same college, but Nick is going to a school in Boston, which could be a problem since Abby doesn't want to have a long-distance relationship. Abby breaks up with Nick right before spring break, which is also right before prom. Abby is fine about it, but Nick isn't.
During spring break, Abby and Leah go to an orientation at their college, and Abby kisses Leah. It's Leah's first kiss. Leah doesn't know what to make of this, but figures Abby is just experimenting and therefore playing with Leah's emotions. It turns out that was not Abby's intent. She's just trying to find herself and understand things.
And oh yeah, there's a guy who is smitten with Leah, but because she is hung up on Abby, she is kinda stringing him along. Normally, this would anger me, but it was just so sweet to see how things between Leah and Abby developed that I could overlook it.
I realize that I have not done this awesome book justice. I'm sorry about that. I genuinely hope that Albertalli will allow us to follow Simon and Bram and Leah and Abby through college because I know I am not satisfied yet. Surely I am not the only one.
Friday, July 6, 2018
Summer Book 14
The Third Twin by CJ Omololu
I hate when you come across a book, read the blurb and it sounds amazing, but it turns out being boring for 2/3 of the book. That was the case with this one.
The premise was good. Lexi and Ava are twins, and seniors in high school. Ever since they were little and got in trouble, they would blame Alicia--who didn't actually exist. Now that they are older, they use Alicia to go out on dates with guys they'd never be caught dead with otherwise. The book even starts out with Lexi as Alicia, going out with some guy that Ava decided wasn't good enough for her when she was Alicia. The guy wouldn't take no for an answer, so Lexi scratched his face with her keys, and a few days later, they find out he'd been murdered.
In the intervening day, Lexi (as herself) runs into another guy who dated Ava (as Alicia), and ends up going out with him later. Ava, meanwhile is dating another guy, and he ends up dead. Since Lexi knows she didn't do it, she is convinced Ava is killing these guys and framing Lexi. So Lexi goes to warn Eli, which doesn't work out so well, since he ends up dead. The law is looking for Lexi, and she has to do whatever is necessary to clear her name, even though the evidence is piling up against her.
When the book finally gets good, the last hundred pages or so, so much is revealed and things start to make sense, even if parts are a little predictable. And of course, in my effort to not ruin the ending for you, I can't tell you about the good parts.
I didn't love this book, but I can't say I hated it. The last third of the book made it worthwhile, but I guess I was just expecting more. Oh well, they can't all be amazing all the way through.
I hate when you come across a book, read the blurb and it sounds amazing, but it turns out being boring for 2/3 of the book. That was the case with this one.
The premise was good. Lexi and Ava are twins, and seniors in high school. Ever since they were little and got in trouble, they would blame Alicia--who didn't actually exist. Now that they are older, they use Alicia to go out on dates with guys they'd never be caught dead with otherwise. The book even starts out with Lexi as Alicia, going out with some guy that Ava decided wasn't good enough for her when she was Alicia. The guy wouldn't take no for an answer, so Lexi scratched his face with her keys, and a few days later, they find out he'd been murdered.
In the intervening day, Lexi (as herself) runs into another guy who dated Ava (as Alicia), and ends up going out with him later. Ava, meanwhile is dating another guy, and he ends up dead. Since Lexi knows she didn't do it, she is convinced Ava is killing these guys and framing Lexi. So Lexi goes to warn Eli, which doesn't work out so well, since he ends up dead. The law is looking for Lexi, and she has to do whatever is necessary to clear her name, even though the evidence is piling up against her.
When the book finally gets good, the last hundred pages or so, so much is revealed and things start to make sense, even if parts are a little predictable. And of course, in my effort to not ruin the ending for you, I can't tell you about the good parts.
I didn't love this book, but I can't say I hated it. The last third of the book made it worthwhile, but I guess I was just expecting more. Oh well, they can't all be amazing all the way through.
Monday, July 2, 2018
Summer Book 13
Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye by Lois Lowry
I have been to four or five Target stores lately, and this book has been on the shelf of EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. Because of this, I thought Ms. Lowry had a NEW book out. I read the blurb on the back, and it sounded good, so I bought it. It wasn't until I started the book that I found out that it was published in 1978. Forty freaking years ago, but being presented as something new. Ok, I can give this a shot; there are some things that transcend time, and I thought this might be one of those things. Having finished the book, I am on the fence on that assessment.
This book is about a young woman who is adopted and has decided that she would like very much to find her birth family. This is admirable, and something I would encourage, I think. That said, finding one's biological family in 1978 is very different than it is in 2018. Nowadays, if you have a name, you can plug it into Ancestry.com and get information. If not, you can request their DNA kit or one from 23and Me, swab your cheek, send it in and wait for results (Disclaimer: I am not 100% sure that's how it works, as my only frame of reference is TLC's Who Do You Think You Are?). In 1978, you had to hope that someone somewhere knew something.
And that's how it was for Natalie, the main character of this book. She has to put in the work. Luckily for her, she has the name of the lawyer who handled the adoption, as well as the name of the doctor who delivered her. She knows the town where she was born. Still, it's not a lot to go on. Natalie chases every lead she can until she comes up with the answers she is looking for.
Which leads me to why I am on the fence as to relevance. I plan to put this book in my classroom library. Will students be interested because the technology that they know of isn't there? Will they like it anyway and view it as a process, almost like a detective finding clues and seeing where they led? I enjoyed the book for the clue aspect, but then, I am in my forties so I will see things differently than they will. Time will tell, I suppose.
I have been to four or five Target stores lately, and this book has been on the shelf of EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. Because of this, I thought Ms. Lowry had a NEW book out. I read the blurb on the back, and it sounded good, so I bought it. It wasn't until I started the book that I found out that it was published in 1978. Forty freaking years ago, but being presented as something new. Ok, I can give this a shot; there are some things that transcend time, and I thought this might be one of those things. Having finished the book, I am on the fence on that assessment.
This book is about a young woman who is adopted and has decided that she would like very much to find her birth family. This is admirable, and something I would encourage, I think. That said, finding one's biological family in 1978 is very different than it is in 2018. Nowadays, if you have a name, you can plug it into Ancestry.com and get information. If not, you can request their DNA kit or one from 23and Me, swab your cheek, send it in and wait for results (Disclaimer: I am not 100% sure that's how it works, as my only frame of reference is TLC's Who Do You Think You Are?). In 1978, you had to hope that someone somewhere knew something.
And that's how it was for Natalie, the main character of this book. She has to put in the work. Luckily for her, she has the name of the lawyer who handled the adoption, as well as the name of the doctor who delivered her. She knows the town where she was born. Still, it's not a lot to go on. Natalie chases every lead she can until she comes up with the answers she is looking for.
Which leads me to why I am on the fence as to relevance. I plan to put this book in my classroom library. Will students be interested because the technology that they know of isn't there? Will they like it anyway and view it as a process, almost like a detective finding clues and seeing where they led? I enjoyed the book for the clue aspect, but then, I am in my forties so I will see things differently than they will. Time will tell, I suppose.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Summer Book 12
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Every time I go to look at books at Target lately, this one is staring back at me from the shelves. I finally bought it two days ago. I should also point out that the one I bought is the updated version. In an author's note at the beginning, Mackler mentions that in order to keep the story relevant, she went back through and added things like smartphones and Netflix, and I can appreciate this because it helps today's young adults relate to the book.
This is about Virginia, a teenager who lives in Manhattan. She has an older sister and an older brother, who everyone thinks is some kind of god. She doesn't look like the rest of her family, mostly because they are all stick thin and she is not. This is starting to bother her, and Virginia is making an effort to change things, but that is thrown out of whack when her brother is kicked out of college for a semester for date raping a girl.
There's also the fact that Virginia's mother seems to treat her as less than because of her weight. It is refreshing when Virginia finally does something about that. She doesn't have that many friends, so to have her family at odds with her doesn't help things.
I liked this one so much I ordered the sequel, and I am hoping it makes it here sooner rather than later. I was enthralled with this one, and finished it in less than one day.
Every time I go to look at books at Target lately, this one is staring back at me from the shelves. I finally bought it two days ago. I should also point out that the one I bought is the updated version. In an author's note at the beginning, Mackler mentions that in order to keep the story relevant, she went back through and added things like smartphones and Netflix, and I can appreciate this because it helps today's young adults relate to the book.
This is about Virginia, a teenager who lives in Manhattan. She has an older sister and an older brother, who everyone thinks is some kind of god. She doesn't look like the rest of her family, mostly because they are all stick thin and she is not. This is starting to bother her, and Virginia is making an effort to change things, but that is thrown out of whack when her brother is kicked out of college for a semester for date raping a girl.
There's also the fact that Virginia's mother seems to treat her as less than because of her weight. It is refreshing when Virginia finally does something about that. She doesn't have that many friends, so to have her family at odds with her doesn't help things.
I liked this one so much I ordered the sequel, and I am hoping it makes it here sooner rather than later. I was enthralled with this one, and finished it in less than one day.
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