Wild Connection

Wild Connection: What Animal Courtship and Mating Tell Us about Human Relationships Jennifer L. Verdolin 4/5	Published June 3rd, 2014 First Sentence "It wasn't until I was about eleven years old that I became acutely aware that there was a difference between boys and girls."
Publisher's Description: Wild Kingdom meets Sex and the City in this scientific perspective on dating and relationships. A specialist in animal behavior compares the courtship rituals and mating behaviors of animals to their human equivalents, revealing the many and often surprising ways we are both similar to and different from other species. What makes an individual attractive to the opposite sex? Does size matter? Why do we tend to "keep score" in our relationships? From perfume and cosmetics to online dating and therapy, our ultimate goal is to successfully connect with someone. So why is romance such an effort for humans, while animals have little trouble getting it right? Wild Connection is full of fascinating and suggestive observations about animal behavior. For example, in most species smell is an important component of determining compatibility. So are we humans doing the right thing by masking our natural scents with soaps and colognes? Royal albatrosses have a lengthy courtship period lasting several years. These birds instinctively know that casual hook-ups are not the way to find a reliable mate. And older female chimpanzees often mate with younger males. Is this the evolutionary basis of the human "cougar" phenomenon? Fun to read as well as educational, this unique take on the perennial human quest to find the ideal mate shows that we have much to learn from our cousins in the wild.
Dear Reader, This book was so much fun to read. It was exactly what I was expecting and more. I think I annoyed everyone around me with my, "Did you know..." statements. This is that kind of book, the one you have to share every little awesome fact you come across with anyone around you. Don't you just love those kinds of books? Well, I do. While the animal courtship and mating facts had me a-flutter, the comparison with human relationships was a bit less intriguing to me. You see, I've found that someone and this book might have been more relatable in my mate seeking days. Although, everything she says... I agree with. This is one of those books that you'll either love, get offended or blush and run away from it. Each chapter gives us a glimpse into a mating trait or ritual that can always be related to animal behaviour in some way. She gives examples that span from cockroaches to elephants and everything in between. The animal facts are truly fascinating, and in my opinion, the best part about the book. We get taught how birds will actively seek out certain colored foods to brighten up the colors of their feathers. Why? To get those lady birds of course! I could go on and on with all the facts I've learned but honestly, I just think you should read the book. What are you waiting for? Go out and buy this book, then read it. Go on... GO! Happy Reading, AmberBug

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This is Where I Leave You (review by Arianna)

This is Where I Leave You Jonathan Tropper 4.5 / 5	Published 2009 First Sentence "'Dad's dead,' Wendy says offhandedly, like it's happened before, like it happens every day."
Publisher's Description: The death of Judd Foxman’s father marks the first time that the entire Foxman family—including Judd’s mother, brothers, and sister—have been together in years. Conspicuously absent: Judd’s wife, Jen, whose fourteen-month affair with Judd’s radio-shock-jock boss has recently become painfully public. Simultaneously mourning the death of his father and the demise of his marriage, Judd joins the rest of the Foxmans as they reluctantly submit to their patriarch’s dying request: to spend the seven days following the funeral together. In the same house. Like a family. As the week quickly spins out of control, longstanding grudges resurface, secrets are revealed, and old passions reawakened. For Judd, it’s a weeklong attempt to make sense of the mess his life has become while trying in vain not to get sucked into the regressive battles of his madly dysfunctional family. All of which would be hard enough without the bomb Jen dropped the day Judd’s father died: She’s pregnant. This Is Where I Leave You is Jonathan Tropper's most accomplished work to date, a riotously funny, emotionally raw novel about love, marriage, divorce, family, and the ties that bind—whether we like it or not.
Dear Reader, I don't know how much more I could add to Amber's comprehensive review of this book, especially without giving things away!  She is right - I would definitely classify it as a dark comedy, and a very enjoyable one at that.  The Foxman family is a crazy mess, but underneath all of their issues they clearly love each other.  They have each others' backs and they are there when someone needs a shoulder to cry on (well...usually).  I loved the oddball family and all of its messed up issues.  I am really looking forward to the upcoming movie, especially after Amber & I (along with our friend Claire) got to see a panel at BookCon which featured Jonathan Tropper, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, and Shawn Levy (the director).  The cast looks really well selected!  Even though I felt like Judd (played by Jason Bateman) was younger in the book...but, from the preview clips they showed the audience, it doesn't appear to be a game-changer: Bateman was masterful in the role. I don't know what else really to write about this book that hasn't already been said.  Especially because it is essentially a character study of an entire family, and there isn't much plot aside from the main storyline, wherein Judd must attend his father's funeral shortly after having found his wife in bed with his boss.  A nuts but not unimaginable scenario, one which Tropper handles with grace and aplomb - he writes a very true-to-life story.  The players are so real, and the situations so tangible.  Readers can identify with the family tension and can easily put themselves into the same situation, mentally.  However, don't try asking yourself what you'd do in the same situation - because the characters will constantly surprise you! The ending of the book seemed perfect, though.  The decision Judd makes is exactly the right one, I believe. Yours, Arianna

Jacob T. Marley

Jacob T. Marley R. William Bennett 4 / 5	Published 2014 First Sentence "To understand the time between Jacob's death and his wispy visit with Ebenezer in the bedroom with the old Dutch tiles showing the scenes of Bible stories, one must go back and see what path led him to this spot wherein he was permitted to frighten Scrooge for his own good."
Publisher's Description: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a holiday favorite and this new book, written in the style of Dickens, tells the story from the perspective of the character who was a ruthless taskmaster business partner who taught and influenced Scrooge and then saved him from the brink of a terrible fate. Jacob T. Marley is to A Christmas Carol as the world-famous Wicked is toThe Wizard of Oz and is a masterfully crafted story teaching us, once again, the true meaning of Christmas.
Dear Reader, I meant to write this review before Christmas, of course. But the holiday season caught up with me and I am still trying to find time for reading and posting here! My apologies that this is a bit delayed...I hope you will forgive me and allow this belated holiday post: I hope it will perhaps continue your celebrations just a little bit longer! I was very wary of this book, going into it. I loved the concept behind it: how did Scrooge become the true miser he was? - but was worried that it might try too hard and then fail to meet those expectations. Lucky for us, Bennet did a great job of writing in Dickens' style with enough of a touch of his own that it became an enjoyable but very traditional read - I could see this easily joining the A Christmas Carol canon, becoming the volume which everyone places to the left of the classic on the shelf. I was impressed by how well Bennett matched the style and feel of Dickens' classic: it feels as if he must have read and re-read that book a hundred times over! It is why I truly believe this book could be a serious companion piece to ACC, rather than a bit of fluff that someone felt like imagining up. And in many ways it was quite unlike Wiked as compared to The Wizard of Oz. While Wicked is a standalone piece which touts Maguire's own style and voice, Jacob T Marley is much more of an homage to the master, weaving Marley's view of things in with the story which Dickens originally told. My favorite quote from this book? "If we do nothing but remove a rock upon which someone might have tripped, though they may never know we did it, is this not our cause, our reason for life?" All I can do is recommend this to anyone who loves the classic and wants to see more of Scrooge's story. It's a wonderful explanation of how both men turned into who they were - and, who they would ultimately turn into, which is the heart of both of these original and timeless Christmas tales. Yours, Arianna

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Last Winter We Parted

Last Winter We Parted Fuminori Nakamura Translated by: Allison Markin Powell 2.5/5	Published October 21st, 2014 First Sentence "It's safe to say you killed them... Isn't that right?"
Publisher's Description: A young writer arrives at a prison to interview a man arrested for homicide. He has been commissioned to write a full account of the case, from its bizarre and grisly details to the nature of the man behind the crime. The suspect, while world-renowned as a photographer, has a deeply unsettling portfolio—lurking beneath the surface of each photograph is an acutely obsessive fascination with his subject. He stands accused of murdering two women—both burned alive—and will likely face the death penalty. But something isn't quite right, and as the young writer probes further, his doubts about this man as a killer intensify. He soon discovers the desperate, twisted nature of all who are connected to the case, struggling to maintain his sense of reason and justice. What could possibly have motivated this man to use fire as a torturous murder weapon? Is he truly guilty, or will he die to protect someone else? The suspect has a secret—it may involve his sister, who willfully leads men to their destruction, or the "puppeteer," an enigmatic figure who draws in those who have suffered the loss of someone close to them. As the madness at the heart of the case spins out of control, the confusion surrounding it only deepens. What terrifying secrets will this impromptu investigator unearth as he seeks the truth behind these murders?
Dear Reader, This book made me flash to that song on the top 50 radio station, "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys. You must have heard this song, the chorus is just over and over "This girl is on FIIIIRRREEEEE, Ohhhh Oooh Ooooh". Anyways, yeah... probably a horrible thought for such a dark subject. Moving on... to the actual book.... I was SO frustrated that Last Winter We Parted didn't give me what I wanted from it. It was such a quick read and from the start I was really enjoying it, but the last 1/3 of the book took the longest jump into a pool of blah, EVER! I just wanted that last chapter to end. I'm so sad because I devoured the first part so quickly.  Putting my disappointment aside, I did like a few things enough not to throw the book off the train (yes, I finished this on the train). The first person we meet is the investigative journalist who is compelled to interview and write a book about this well known photographer who set some of his models on fire and photographed them. He visits him in jail and hears a little about his side of the story. From there we're brought to various individuals attached to the case, one of these includes his sexy sister that seduces the investigator. It's like Melrose Place up in here. Okay, maybe not that bad but it definitely treads that line of "what just happened?", which can be really entertaining or annoying as heck. This started getting pretty darn annoying. The beginning of the book was chock full of insightful and thoughtful ideas surrounding photography and the psychology that can be attached to the art. Much talk surrounding the idea of capturing the essence of someone in a photo, or even how a snapshot captures a small moment in time and can be kept for eternity. All this talk of philosophical ideas behind a photograph brought me straight back to right after High School, I had a bout of insomnia at the time right after my best friend passed away from a tragic accident. I was distraught and during that time had enlisted in a few classes at the local community college (one of them being photography). I was deeply saddened and affected by my friends passing, I couldn't sleep. So what do you do at two or three in the morning on the fourth sleepless night? Go outside, inhale the night air, bring your camera and start taking pictures. It was a combination of the realization that life is too short and also a way to release that pain in a creative way. Ali (the friend who passed) and I were the top picture takers in our group of friends, so when the time came to gather what we had in memorial for her, I had tons to contribute. The things is this, I started to realize how important photos can be and I wanted to make sure that I documented EVERY important thing that happened in my life AND all those things that didn't seem to be important but might turn into something significant. I would look back on those photos and it would bring me closer to her, keeping her memory and essence alive. I think that's why the main characters idea of capturing the essence of someone in a photo is astoundingly similar to the realization I had come across at such a young age. Once I made that kind of connection to this book, it was hard for me to admit that it was going downhill. Like I said before, it had such promise but the end felt so rushed. I thought the second to last chapter was just one big last ramble to tie everything together. I just wish the Author would have taken his time and kept the story a little more bizarre and not so mainstream. I liked dipping into this world of characters that look at things askew and find profound things in the simple. Maybe it got lost in the translation, who knows. I'd love to see how others felt about this book, I'll be scouring the internet for the reviews. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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The Accidental Highwayman

The Accidental Highwayman Being the Tale of Kit Bristol, His Horse Midnight, A Mysterious Princess, and Sundry Magical Persons Besides Ben Tripp 4 / 5	Published October 14, 2014 First Sentences "Gentle Reader, This story contains nearly as many dark deeds, treacherous villains, and acts of violence as one might expect to find in a typical morning newspaper. In addition, there is a significant emphasis on heathen magic and demoniacal doings. I cannot recommend that anyone read it."
Publisher's Description: The Accidental Highwayman is the first swashbuckling adventure for young adults by talented author and illustrator, Ben Tripp. This thrilling tale of dark magic and true love is the perfect story for fans of William Goldman’s The Princess Bride. In eighteenth-century England, young Christopher “Kit” Bristol is the unwitting servant of notorious highwayman Whistling Jack. One dark night, Kit finds his master bleeding from a mortal wound, dons the man’s riding cloak to seek help, and changes the course of his life forever. Mistaken for Whistling Jack and on the run from redcoats, Kit is catapulted into a world of magic and wonders he thought the stuff of fairy tales. Bound by magical law, Kit takes up his master’s quest to rescue a rebellious fairy princess from an arranged marriage to King George III of England. But his task is not an easy one, for Kit must contend with the feisty Princess Morgana, gobling attacks, and a magical map that portends his destiny: as a hanged man upon the gallows…. Fans of classic fairy-tale fantasies such as Stardust by Neil Gaiman and The Princess Bride will find much to love in this irresistible YA debut by Ben Tripp, the son of one of America’s most beloved illustrators, Wallace Tripp (Amelia Bedelia). Following in his father’s footsteps, Ben has woven illustrations throughout the story.
Dear Reader, Too often, I have been enticed into reading a book because of its kind comparisons to other books or authors I've loved. Too often, I've been disappointed by these same books that I went into with such high hopes. I am pleased to say that was NOT the case with this lovely little gem of a book. It rightly deserves its place in between The Princess Bride and Stardust on your bookshelf - the jacket copy couldn't have been more spot-on with this one.  Charming and guileless Kit Bristol begins his tumultuous journey unexpectedly, when he finds his master senseless, sprawled across the kitchen table. On the brink of death, Kit's master reveals his secret identity, and innocent Kit, thinking only to help his beloved employer, takes up the dangerous mantle. From there, his life is forever changed, as he encounters no end of magical folk and bright characters. I loved the sweetness and innocence of this book; there wasn't an evil bone in Kit's body, which meant that he was selfless and wanted only good things for all of his friends. It felt like a true fairy tale. This story wasn't made for complexity; evil is evil and good is good, simple as that. But don't misunderstand me: it's also a very complex, involved, and creatively spun yarn. You won't want to put it down. I think one of my favorite parts was the footnotes in the book, both when they were silly and (very cool) when they were explaining an archaic word to the reader. The author - who, by the way, earns even more esteem in my eyes because he is the son of the illustrator of the Amelia Bedelia books! - does a wonderful job of keeping the story "period" while not losing his reader. He explains without being overbearing; he acts as the "translator" for the reader, as he claims to have discovered the manuscript in an old, long-locked chest in a family attic. Tripp certainly has his father's illustration chops: the book is peppered throughout with everything from small sidebar illustrations to full-page graphics which depict some of the more enthralling parts of the story. I would love to see this book in its fully finished form; I look forward to its release so I can check it out! I'd recommend this as bedtime story reading for anyone with a big imagination, who loves to laugh and yearns for adventure. Does Kit get the princess in the end? You'll have to see for yourself! (And I guarantee you'll be pleased with the unlikely ending.) Yours, Arianna

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Skink--No Surrender

Skink--No Surrender Carl Hiaasen 3.5 / 5	Published September 23, 2014 First Sentence "I walked down to the beach and waited for Malley, but she didn't show up."
Publisher's Description: The #1 New York Times bestselling author Carl Hiaasen serves up his unique brand of swamp-justice in Skink—No Surrender. Classic Malley—to avoid being shipped off to boarding school, she takes off with some guy she met online. Poor Richard—he knows his cousin’s in trouble before she does. Wild Skink—he’s a ragged, one-eyed ex-governor of Florida, and enough of a renegade to think he can track Malley down. With Richard riding shotgun, the unlikely pair scour the state, undaunted by blinding storms, crazed pigs, flying bullets, and giant gators.  Carl Hiaasen first introduced readers to Skink more than twenty-five years ago in Double Whammy, and he quickly became Hiaasen’s most iconic and beloved character, appearing in six novels to date. Both teens and adults will be thrilled to catch sight of the elusive “captain” as he finds hilariously satisfying ways to stop internet predators, turtle-egg poachers, and lowlife litterbugs in their tracks. With Skink at the wheel, the search for a missing girl is both nail-bitingly tense and laugh-out-loud funny.
Dear Reader, This was my first Hiaasen book, which also of course means it was my first encounter with Skink. I am now one of the many superfans of the crazy former governor. I don't know how much he shows up in Hiaasen's other novels, but I know that he is a beloved favorite - and I can understand why. (I almost wish I had already read other Skink adventures; then it would feel like I was reencountering an old friend!) This is the author's first foray into young adult novels, and I really think he successfully nailed it. Granted, I am far from the target YA audience, and therefore while *I* think his references were all up-to-date and his slang spot-on, I could be very, very wrong. However, none of the writing (the story was told from the first-person point of view by a fourteen-year-old boy) felt forced or uncomfortable, the way teenage talk can sometimes seem when an adult is trying to sound "with it." So, it at least worked for ME. The story itself is great because it's also not at all the condescending sort of YA, despite the author moving from adult to teen writing. The narrator is a young boy who takes off on an adventure with his new friend Skink, in pursuit of his cousin and best friend, who has run off with a boy she met on the internet. While Malley acts like everything is fine, Richard can tell that it isn't. When the old governor hears of Malley's predicament, since he is a man of action and appears to move from one serving-of-justice adventure to the next, he and Richard set off immediately in pursuit of the girl and her kidnapper. The book does not stop moving - the action is constant, and it's often fun and it's never really outlandish, even though so many things happen to the pair in the short span of a few days. While this isn't generally the type of book I seek out - it's relatively "light" fare (great writing, don't get me wrong, just fast-paced and what I think of more as a "beach read"), and I don't read a lot of adventure or action novels - this one was really well done, and I couldn't put it down. I will certainly seek out more Hiaasen. I also felt like I learned a lot about the Florida panhandle, where all of the action takes place. Hiaasen was able to bring in a lot of the area's history and biology without making it sound like he was teaching the reader - he simply managed to work these things in as part of Richard's narrative. I loved that. All in all, a very enjoyable story. If you want a great escape from everyday life for a while, this is a wonderful book to help you with that. Yours, Arianna

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Rock Angel

Rock Angel Jeanne Bogino 4 / 5	Published September 16, 2014 First Sentence "Time was running out."
Publisher's Description: Shan is young, beautiful, talented, and addicted to heroin in Rock Angel, a novel that follows her meteoric rise to guitar goddess stardom in the 90’s. She is discovered in New York by a handsome, arrogant musical genius named Quinn, and sparks fly between them when he hires her as lead guitarist of his band. Although Quinn is accustomed to bedding a different groupie every night, he can’t ignore his deepening feelings for his new band mate. From gritty Greenwich Village clubs to L.A.’s Troubadour; gigging and touring the country to the cover of Rolling Stone, Rock Angel is infused with the passionate music and intense sexual chemistry of Shan and Quinn. Shan must work out her personal demons and learn to trust Quinn enough to love him, but still remain true to the music that has always been her salvation. A hot, hard-driving story set in an intoxicating world of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll, Rock Angel is the first novel by author, Jeanne Bogino.
Dear Reader, I fell in love with this book fast & hard (much like the two main characters did), although it's certainly not my usual fare. I fell in love with its nostalgic feel that brought me back to the '90s and the passion and irrationality of first love. So I couldn't put the book down (400 pages in a few days, while also juggling other stuff like my job) because I felt the draw of the electricity that connected Shan and Quinn. However, in some ways, this often felt like a romance novel to me, despite how much other content is in the book. Ultimately, it's ALL about the love between the two main characters, although the story also revolves around a bunch of their friends and loved ones, so certainly has more to it. You can tell how much the author loves music, and I was surprised to read that she actually doesn't have any real musical experience, herself! I would never have guessed, from the way she sounds completely in her element when discussing the instruments, the shows, the lifestyle. (She's actually a fellow librarian - yay!) Amber & I met her at the BEA this year, and really liked her - she is clearly passionate about her writing. And I think she is very good at it - she writes people, feelings, connections really well. Rock Angel is a book I would have DIED to read when I was in high school, when this kind of rock n' roll world thoroughly attracted me. However, the book IS quite adult, including many references to (what else?) sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. It recalls a bit of Kurt & Courtney, a bit of Sid & Nancy. The larger-than-life personalities that the band produces are often at odds, and their egos regularly jockey for top position. At the same time, there exist love, and passion, and many strong & true relationships that form over the years. Sometimes I hated Quinn, and sometimes I wanted to shake Shan for what he let him put her through - but then I remember that I've been there. I know what it is like to let someone you love hurt you again and again, and not be able to extricate yourself from the situation. (Luckily, I've moved well beyond that particular relationship, but it's not a feeling I'll ever forget.) I think that might have been part of what drew me to the book - first, the reminder of that excited feeling when two people connect in a special way, and then as you watched Quinn & Shan grow up together and face the realities of life together, the feeling of what it is to be an adult and deal with heartbreak, love, loss, and joy - sometimes all at once. Yours, Arianna

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Jackaby (review by Arianna)

Jackaby William Ritter 4 / 5	Published September 16, 2014 First Sentence "It was late January, and New England wore a fresh coat of snow as I stepped along the gangplank to the shore."
Publisher's Description: “Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,” Jackaby said. “I have a gift that allows me to see truth where others see the illusion--and there are many illusions. All the world’s a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain.” Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny. Doctor Who meets Sherlock in William Ritter’s debut novel, which features a detective of the paranormal as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre.
Dear Reader, This book was a super YA novel, perhaps one of the best I've read in a long time. I think that my being enamored of it has to do quite a bit with how the author doesn't for a minute talk down to his readers; he treats them like adults, equals, using wonderful descriptions and (sometimes surprisingly) delightful word choices which really raised my enjoyment of the whole story. And, it was so wonderfully unique! Despite that it could have become a copy of many of the other supernatural teen books out there, it was nothing of the sort: it takes place in the Victorian era, with a lovely, independent young girl (Abigail Rook) as the narrator (and I can't get over how well Mr. Ritter wrote an adolescent female's voice!). And the creatures and characters encountered in the book are unlike any I've seen before. I wasn't even able to solve the mystery before the end, which is something I pride myself in doing more often than not! But this book just did a great job of leading the reader on a wonderful, exciting adventure, full of mystery and plot twists and just great scenes and characters (human or otherwise). It might have helped that I had a bit of a crush on the eponymous character, who is adorably quirky, sure of himself, and perfectly disheveled. Not to mention brilliant and almost always right. Another thing I loved about this book, in fact, is that Abigail did not fall immediately head-over-heels in love with her employer. Rather, he was her (albeit often absent-minded) mentor. What little "romance" there was in the book was limited enough that this book would appeal equally, I believe, to readers who both enjoy a love story and those who avoid them. This book is fun, quite enjoyable, and not condescending in the least. (Not to mention, it was refreshing to see a stand-alone book which didn't immediately anticipate a follow-up or trilogy! As much as it definitely has the potential for further adventure.) I'd recommend it to anyone, really. Keep in mind, there is a bit of the supernatural, but it's done well. Even if you don't like sci-fi or fantasy, you could easily enjoy this period adventure. Yours, Arianna

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Broken Monsters

Broken Monsters Lauren Beukes 4/5	Expected Publication: Sept. 16th, 2014 First Sentence "The body."
Publisher's Description: New York Times bestselling author Lauren Beukes returns with her next smash crossover thriller. Detective Gabriella Versado has seen a lot of bodies. But this one is unique even by Detroit's standards; half-boy, half-deer, somehow fused. The cops nickname him "Bambi," but as stranger and more disturbing bodies are discovered, how can the city hold on to a reality that is already tearing at its seams? If you're Detective Versado's over-achieving teenage daughter, Layla, you commence a dangerous flirtation with a potential predator online. If you are the disgraced journalist, Jonno, you do whatever it takes to investigate what may become the most heinous crime story in memory. If you're Thomas Keen, you'll do what you can to keep clean, keep your head down, and try to help the broken and possibly visionary artist obsessed with setting loose The Dream, tearing reality, assembling the city anew. If Lauren Beukes' internationally bestselling The Shining Girls was a time-jumping thrill ride through the past, her BROKEN MONSTERS is the genre-redefining thriller about the horror of our city's future.
Dear Reader, This book! I needed a book like this. Not that I didn't love all those other books I've read this year (well some of them anyways) but I feel like a long, lost lover has come back to me (sorry hun). I forgot how much I love a GOOD horror, even if this is borderline. I really needed this to perk me out of that funk, a good murder or two. Okay, so maybe I shouldn't be admitting that... but I'm sorry, someone who likes horror will tell you the same thing... sometimes you have that itch that needs scratching. Lately I've been ignoring it. No longer! Lauren Beukes has invigorated me, not only has she given me a horror novel, but one that is REALLY well written with a great plot. I truly would have given this book 5 stars if it didn't get a little odd at the end there (not going to give that away, just sayin'). Okay, let's get past my gushing on horror and get to what the book is about. Beukes introduces us to a few main characters and quite a few background ones. We have Detective Gabriella Versado, the strong - single mother police figure that thinks she can carry the world on her shoulder. I think what I really liked about this book was how far the Author strayed from mystery/police detective cliches but Detective Versado was the closest she came to making one. I loved hearing all the perspectives from the mind of the killer, the detective, the detective's teen daughter, a homeless guy and a failing journalist. Each character has great depth to them and brings many angles to the main plot, I'm a sucker when this is done well. Telling the story this way also gives the Author ways to drop little hints and clues and possibly explain things that another character would not have caught or noticed. Another thing I particularly love in books is getting into the mind of a killer. I think it might be that horrible curiosity that begs to ask the question "why? why? why?". After a few of my favorite novels that have featured a serial killer, I may have learned a little of the why (broken homes, tragedy, psychological damage, etc) but I still can't seem to get a real grasp on how that switch gets flipped. I think it's only natural to be curious about something that you could never imagine yourself doing... we, the human race, love questioning why people do the things they do and this is no different. In this particular novel, Art is the desire and motivation behind the killer and this is quite a different take from other books I have read. In a way, I can almost bring myself close enough to have that slight flickering of understanding, obviously not that Art is a reason to end someone's life, because it isn't. However, almost every artist knows that the best art is created during stressful and hurtful situations, and what could be more stressful/hurtful than murder?! I know. Sounds bad, but you have to admit, there is truth to it. Steering clear of that topic (it makes me uncomfortable to express my feelings about why it fascinates me or why I think there is something to be said about it), the clear reason this book is something to be read is the writing. Beukes has a way with creating real to life characters that come to life a little too much, and the fact that her books center around horrific people make them even more intriguing. I haven't read her previous success "The Shining Girls" but I think I'll be diving into that the next time an itch comes up - I know what to reach for. Be advised readers, this book does have a funky dunky ending and some might not like it BUT the book is worth the trip and I would hardly say that is something to deter anyone from reading this. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Station Eleven (Review by AmberBug)

Station Eleven Emily St. John Mandel 5/5	Published September 2014 First Sentence "The King stood in a pool of blue light, unmoored."
Publisher's Description: An audacious, darkly glittering novel about art, fame, and ambition set in the eerie days of civilization's collapse, from the author of three highly acclaimed previous novels. One snowy night a famous Hollywood actor slumps over and dies onstage during a production of King Lear. Hours later, the world as we know it begins to dissolve. Moving back and forth in time-from the actor's early days as a film star to fifteen years in the future, when a theater troupe known as the Traveling Symphony roams the wasteland of what remains-this suspenseful, elegiac, spellbinding novel charts the strange twists of fate that connect five people: the actor, the man who tried to save him, the actor's first wife, his oldest friend, and a young actress with the Traveling Symphony, caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous self-proclaimed prophet. Sometimes terrifying, sometimes tender, Station Eleven tells a story about the relationships that sustain us, the ephemeral nature of fame, and the beauty of the world as we know it.
Dear Reader, Love, love, loved this... and you will too (I hope). This is yet another story that happens to be post-apocalyptic, but to my surprise also features pre-apocalyptic and present day (we get to see it all go down). The main focus isn't on the tragic events but more importantly, on the characters brought to the stage. Yes, stage! Much of the plot centers around acting and more importantly, Shakespeare! This gives a little more of a whimsical side to the doom and gloom of an apocalyptic world. We travel back and forth in time, a technique that I love (but only if done right). One of the characters we meet, Arthur, is an actor with three ex-wives. Two of the exes are interwoven into the story as well as his best friend Clark. We also get introduced to Kirsten (I think it's Kirsten and not Kristen but please, let me know if I got that wrong), whom was but a small child when the "flu" came and wiped out 99% of the population, she knew Arthur through the "King Lear" play they both acted in. As we follow her into the future, we see her grown-up and grouped up with a traveling symphony that puts on Shakespeare and plays classical music to the towns they pass. The group is tight knit and quirky. At first, I didn't think I'd like reading the chapters that involved them because I'm not that into "Shakespeare", "acting" and "symphonies", but the story flows so well, those parts became some of my favorite ones. Mandel has given us a fully imagined world that you can easily picture yourself in. She also includes SO many references to our present day society but she uses them in the "past" sense because the world is left without novelty items, such as comic books. Speaking of comic books, I fell in love with the character, Miranda, who ends up writing this very intricate sci-fi comic that survives the apocalypse and keeps popping up among the future. I loved everything about those bits and I really hope the publisher or Author comes out with a "comic" side project to bring these to life? I'm sure anyone who falls in love with this book would agree. We want a Station Eleven comic, pretty please?! What else can I say that'll convince you to read this one? This story isn't like any other doomsday novel you've read before. The writing is beautiful. The characters are brilliant. The settings are done so real you feel yourself pulled into the story. You start wanting a "reset" to the life we currently live in, you can imagine yourself without all those distracting "extras". I think that might be enough reasons... don't you? Run out and get this one when it comes out, it's not to be missed. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Neverhome

Neverhome Laird Hunt 4/5	Published September 2014 First Sentence "I was strong and he was not, so it was me went to war to defend the republic."
Publisher's Description: She calls herself Ash, but that's not her real name. She is a farmer's faithful wife, but she has left her husband to don the uniform of a Union soldier in the Civil War. Neverhome tells the harrowing story of Ash Thompson during the battle for the South. Through bloodshed and hysteria and heartbreak, she becomes a hero, a folk legend, a madwoman and a traitor to the American cause. Laird Hunt's dazzling new novel throws a light on the adventurous women who chose to fight instead of stay behind. It is also a mystery story: why did Ash leave and her husband stay? Why can she not return? What will she have to go through to make it back home? In gorgeous prose, Hunt's rebellious young heroine fights her way through history, and back home to her husband, and finally into our hearts.
Dear Reader, Neverhome is a fascinating tale about a woman who sheds her female skin (and life) to leave her farm and husband and disguise herself as a man to fight in the Civil War. This was another book I picked up at Book Expo this year and to be honest, this was one I was searching for and heard a little about before the event. With so many Civil War stories out there, this is a refreshing change. I have yet to read a book that features a female impersonating a male in order to fight in the war. At first this story didn't grip me, it might have been because I was so excited for it. You know when you have something in your mind but it can disappoint you because it's really something else? Well at first, Neverhome did that for me... but then I got over it and went along for the ride that Hunt sends us along. After surrendering to the story, I felt myself starting to connect with Ash (her made-up male name)and got a glimpse into what the Author was trying to convey. Ash (or "Gallant Ash" as her comrades call her - a nickname given early on in the story) is a strong and brave woman with human characteristics that show in her faults. She is quick to rise amongst the ranks with her sharp shooting skills and fearlessness. She is almost meant for this role and we see this during flashbacks of discussions with her husband (why she has to go and how she feels this urge). As admirable as Ash may be, the Author also shows us that she is flawed which brings her closer to someone a reader can relate to. The rest of the cast in the book comes and goes, some important while others make a small appearance. The real grit lies within Ash and her wandering thoughts of home, war and longing for purpose. Around halfway through the book, I realized what the Author was trying to say... and I felt like a dolt for not getting it sooner. This book isn't just about a woman making her way through the war in an unconventional way. That only touches the huge iceberg the Author has set this ship on. We all know the hardships and horrible things that have happened during the Civil War through History class or the books/movies we read/watch. But what about the lack of respect women got back in those days. How about the fact that women were oppressed so much that they didn't have much of a voice. The Author must have done research and felt the need for this story to be told. A handful of women back in that time decided to fake their anatomy and fight in the war. The sad part is that if they got caught, they had absolutely no respect from anyone. No war badges or trophies, instead they got jail cells or insane asylums. This war was all about equality and human rights... yet, even the side fighting for those things showed quite a hypocritical view when it came to women. No voting, no fighting, just stay at home and be with the family. Such a sorry, sad and empty feeling but knowing that so many women back then tried to break those barriers, THAT soothes my soul. Neverhome is a new kind of story, a different perspective of the Civil War, but one that should be told and read. I would recommend this to pretty much everyone. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Left: Hardcover - Right: E-Book (unavailable to pre-order at this time)

Sweetness #9

Sweetness #9 Stephan Eirik Clark 4 / 5	Published August 19, 2014 First Sentence "When I say it all began with monkeys, I don't mean to issue another rallying cry in the ongoing Culture Wars."
Publisher's Description: Fast Food Nation meets The Corrections in the brilliant literary debut T.C. Boyle calls "funny and moving." David Leveraux is an Apprentice Flavor Chemist at one of the world's leading flavor production houses. While testing Sweetness #9, he notices that the artificial sweetener causes unsettling side-effects in laboratory rats and monkeys. But with his career and family at risk, David keeps his suspicions to himself. Years later, Sweetness #9 is America's most popular sweetener--and David's family is changing. His wife is gaining weight, his daughter is depressed, and his son has stopped using verbs. Is Sweetness #9 to blame, along with David's failure to stop it? Or are these just symptoms of the American condition? An exciting literary debut, SWEETNESS #9 is a darkly comic, wildly imaginative investigation of whether what we eat makes us who we are.
Dear Reader, This book was REALLY interesting. The concept was great! And the jacket description was, surprisingly, pretty spot-on: it did feel a bit like a combination of Fast Food Nation and The Corrections! I really ended up liking the novel, but I understand why AmberBug felt she couldn't quite get into it. I think it took a certain frame of mind, and for some reason I was there while reading this - although it DID take me an abnormally long time to get through. In any case, I would classify this hands down as a black comedy, which is right up my alley. I loved the book's close examination of the "American dream," with its cautionary tale about how trying to live up to expectations isn't always a good thing. David is an interesting character: a top student in the field of flavor science, who is initially glutted with job offers upon graduation. However, the job he takes is ultimately the one he abandons shortly after starting, due to concerns he has regarding the animal test subjects' reactions to the product he is testing, Sweetness #9. (Not ethically; he isn't worried about their welfare so much as how fat/thin/depressed/etc. they have become after consuming the artificial sweetener.) After serving a stint in a mental hospital (where he begins to question whether he actually saw what he saw), David is approached by another flavor house, this one established by a German expat who is said to have served Hitler his last meal. David settles into work (and a prosperous life) and everything seems to be smooth sailing through the American Dream ... until things start getting weird. I don't want to give everything away, though, so I'll let you read the book! I loved the historical perspective that this book lent the reader, not only on the WWII front, but also in that David's parents had been killed during the University of Texas clock tower massacre of 1966, which I thought was a very interesting bit to throw into the story. It's something I would never have thought to do as a writer, so I appreciated it immensely from Clark. Otherwise, this book is a great American Satire dream which spans the 1970s to the turn of the century, and I was especially fascinated because David's children were born around the same time I was, so it made everything much more easy to identify with. The characters in the book were all very vivid and distinct, ones I won't forget anytime soon. I would recommend this to those who enjoy black humor and a good, solid critique of the American industrial complex. Yours, Arianna

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Little Man

Little Man Elizabeth Mann 4 / 5	Published May 16, 2014 First Sentence "At first, the hollering seemed like part of his dream."
Publisher's Description: A light-hearted tale of a boy who gains self-confidence with the help of some timely mentoring. Albert is short -- very short -- and he hates it. His older brothers are tall like his father, but he takes after his petite mother. He wears too-large hand-me-down clothes from his bigger brothers. And worst of all, his very best friend moved away to Brooklyn during the school break. It was all so unfair. Albert is beginning Middle School on Little Scrub, the small Caribbean Island where he lives. As he steps on the bus, and sees the older kids, he feels smaller than ever. They take one look at him and howl with laughter, chanting "Little Man, Little Man, you so small, didn't hardly see you at all." Things go downhill from there, and would've stayed down if it wasn't for an encounter with Peachy, the leader of a troupe of stiltwalkers. The stiltwalkers do a lot more than walk: they dance and leap across the sand on spindly eight-foot high wooden stilts, their brilliantly colored costumes shimmering in the moonlight. Peachy invites Albert to join the high school students he teaches to stiltwalk. It's not an easy decision for Albert. Would they laugh at him even harder than the Middle School kids? And he is queasy about heights. The thought of wobbling around on those skinny wooden sticks makes him woozy with fear. But Albert is won over by the thought that one day he might actually be up there, tall as a palm tree, dancing around without fear or hesitation. Besides, desperate times call for desperate measures and nobody was more desperate than Albert. Slowly, as his stiltwalking improves, Albert finds his self-confidence grows. He becomes less of a target for teasing at school and he makes some new friends.
Dear Reader, We were lucky enough to briefly meet this author during the Blogger Conference this year in New York this past May.  She seemed really enthusiastic about her new book, and I can understand why: this is her first real "baby."  All of Mann's (don't you love her aptonym for this book?!) other works were non-fiction titles about various landmarks of history.  This is her first novel, and how much she cares about her characters - particularly Albert - really shines through. It's strange, though, because we received this is a bound galley (aka an ARC) and for some reason I had been under the impression that this book wouldn't be released until August 19.  However, it turns out that it went on sale May 16, so unfortunately this is not a "preview" review for y'all.  It's just a normal one. :) It was such a great pre-teen book, though.  I can't wait until my nephew is old enough to pass it along to him; I intend to hold onto it until then.  I think it was great in the way it could appeal to young boys: there wasn't a ton of romance in it (although there was a sidebar crush), and it was a wonderful story about family, friendship, and learning how to make the best of what you've been given.  Little Man, better known as Albert, is a young Caribbean boy whose friend recently moved to New York (his father went there to teach Caribbean Studies in the United States).  So he's lost his best friend at the same time that he is about to start middle school, and is unusually short for his grade (he's also skipped a grade, which is always difficult at that age and that point of development).  He feels puny and insignificant compared to his peers around him, and that translates into unhappiness as he begins (what I believe is the equivalent of) the seventh grade.  However, he soon meets this great group of high schoolers who perform as stiltwalkers, which helps Albert to both feel like part of a community and also earn some "stature" (in more ways than one), which he feels is vital to someone who feels as short as he always does. I loved this book because of the wonderful characters that Mann creates, as well as the vivid storytelling that goes along with them.  Albert's family is made up of a solid father character, a caring mother, and two older brothers who love him despite their teasing.  The stiltwalkers (known as Moko Jumbies) according to the book, are a tradition that stretches back centuries, through Trinidad and originally Africa.  So the tradition combined with the modern take in the book blend well together.  I especially like seeing everything through the eyes of a young boy who sees it all as very exciting and feels all the potential of learning something new.  This didn't feel contrived or as if it were trying too hard; it felt like a real, believable story of a young boy trying to figure out his place in the world.  While it's not a book I would have normally sought out, I enjoyed the storytelling and the setting, and I would certainly recommend it, especially to a young boy struggling to define himself. Yours, Arianna

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