Savannah

Savannah by Eugenia Price

On the library shelves: Adult fiction
Series: Book 1 of 4 (Savannah Quartet)

My rating:  3 of 5 stars

I decided to read another chunkster this summer. Clocking in at nearly 600 pages, Savannah certainly fit the bill. This sweeping novel is set in the early 19th century and tells the story of young Mark Browning who has renounced his fortune in Philadelphia and has decided to make his own way in the town of his mother's birth. On his voyage to Savannah he meets Robert Mackay, a wealthy merchant, who takes Mark into his home and makes him one of his family.

Mark has a bit of growing up to do in his adopted city. His intentions are good but sometimes his energies are a bit misguided. He falls in love with two women, unearths buried family secrets, and discovers his true passions. He still retains a bit of his naivete, but he is certainly a charming man.

I enjoyed this novel, but it went on a little long for me. There wasn't as much substance to the characters as I would have liked and I felt like some points were rehashed far too many times. It was an entertaining read though and, despite some anachronisms, I did enjoy the historical elements. Many of the characters were real people and the events of the time such as the Marquis de Lafayette visit and the War of 1812 figured into the novel.

Also reviewed by: Becky's Book Reviews ~ Your link here?
Source: BookMooch

Milkweed

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

On the library shelves: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 3.6
Awards: Booklist Editors' Choice; Parent's Guide Book Award/ Honor Book; Golden Kite Award/Honor Book

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This novel is set in Warsaw during World War II. It features a homeless boy who has no past and doesn't even know his own name. He is befriended by an older boy named Uri and given the name of Misha. Uri invents a past for Misha and tells him he is a gypsy. Even though being a gypsy in Nazi-occupied territory is bad, being a Jew like Uri is worse. 

Eventually Misha and the other street boys are moved into the Jewish ghetto. There they experience the horrors of hunger, sickness, filthy living conditions and torturous rule by the Nazis. Eventually many are sent to the concentration camps, but Misha escapes.

I normally love Jerry Spinelli but I was so disappointed this was the one required summer reading book for my rising 7th grader. This book is very unlike his other novels and I felt that he was going for shock value instead of literary value. I read the book in one sitting because I just wanted to be done with it as quickly as possible. I failed to connect with the characters and the book felt vague, dark, and hopeless.

Also reviewed by: Diary of an Eccentric ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith

On the library stacks: Adult fiction
Series: No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency #13

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mma Ramotswe has two big problems. 1) Mma Potokwane has been fired as head of the orphan farm and 2) One of the apprentices at Speedy Motors has been wrongly accused of a crime. Add into that Grace Makutsi's adjustment to married life and a stranger who shows up out of the blue (I didn't know he was coming, but I almost cried) and you have a recipe for an absolute winner in this 13th installment.

There really isn't much more gushing I do about this series that I haven't already done in the past. It amazes me that I can still give 5 star ratings to a series that has been going on so long. Somehow McCall Smith gets right to the heart of human nature in such a gentle manner that it takes my breath away. I love my yearly visits to Botswana.

Also reviewed by: A Reader's Journal ~ Your link here?
Source: Library

A Lesson in Secrets

A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear

On the library stacks: Adult mystery fiction
Series: Maisie Dobbs #8

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this 8th installment of this wonderful series, it is 1932 and Maisie finds herself working for the British Secret Service. Posing as a philosophy lecturer, she is able to infiltrate a college in Cambridge where there are suspicious political activities. When the school's founder is murdered, Maisie is able to solve the crime while investigating the disturbing rise of fascism in her own country.

Once again, I just adore Maisie. She's smart and witty, but also feminine and sensitive. I loved the further exploration of her personal life as well as that of her assistant, Billy Beale. I enjoyed the various settings and locations the novel depicted as Maisie traveled back and forth between Cambridge, London, and Kent. I also love how the author integrates historical fiction with her mysteries.

I can't believe this series is soon to be 10 years old! I recommend starting at the beginning if you are a new reader.

Also reviewed by: Savvy Verse & Wit ~ Lesley's Book Nook ~ A Work in Progress ~ Diary of an Eccentric ~ Your link here?
Source: Library

Born to Run

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
 
On the library shelves: Adult Non-fiction
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Christopher McDougall liked to run, but he kept sustaining injuries. After visits to numerous doctors, he went on a quest of sorts to Mexico where he met the Tarahumara Indians. He was shocked to discover the tribe runs for days on end, for FUN. They are a peace-loving people with incredible stamina who run wearing sandals made from tires.

McDougall went on to research the world of ultramarathoners, learning about the personalities and drive of those who are drawn to the sport. He also investigated the science behind human running and put forward the notion that we evolved to run.

McDougall formed a special bond with an American man known as Caballo Blanco who lived among the Tarahumara. The book culminates with a race Caballo organized between some of the best ultramarathoners and the Tarahumara. Caballo Blanco died recently, making this a timely book to read and consider. Check out this article from the New York Times.

I am not a runner. Reading this book did not make me want to take up running, but I found it fascinating nonetheless. I think the science aspect was a little one-sided and I would have liked the author to have presented more about the alternative points of view. But my book club found lots of topics related to this book to discuss including physical and mental health and consumerism. I personally really enjoyed this book--part science, part memoir, part biography--and came away with lots of interesting things to think about.

Also reviewed by: I Am A Reader, Not A Writer ~ Your link here?
Source: Library

Watch Christopher McDougall speak at TED here:

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
 
On the library shelves: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 5.5
Award:  VOYA: The Perfect Tens
Recommended for: Age 15+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hazel is a 16-year old from Indiana who is terminally ill with cancer. At the request of her mother, she attends a support group to help her get out and make friends. One day Augustus Waters shows up to support group with his friend Isaac. Augustus is missing part of a leg resulting from his own fight with cancer, but Augustus is fortunately in remission now. Augustus and Hazel become friends, but Hazel is reluctant to let the relationship to progress further in an effort to spare Augustus the pain of watching her die.

I have a love/hate relationship with John Green. Fortunately, this book leaned more towards love. The prose and wit is fantastic, even if it was a little pretentious for teenagers. I felt totally invested in all of the characters, including the colorful and quirky supporting cast. Some of the life observations were moving and yet realistic in a way I really appreciated. Yes, this book is sad, but it's also uplifting and funny.

Just a word about the audiobook: I thought the reader sounded too old to be Hazel which I had a hard time getting past. I also thought her Dutch accent was horrible.

Also reviewed by: In the Pages... ~ Piling on the Books ~ Capricious Reader ~ Book Addiction ~ Ticket to Anywhere ~ Bart's Bookshelf ~ The Bluestocking Society ~ Becky's Book Reviews ~ Book Nut ~ It's All About Books ~ The Avid Reader's Musings ~ things mean a lot ~ 1morechapter.com ~ Steph the Bookworm ~ Your link here?

Source: Library Audiobook

A Woman of Substance

A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford

On the library stacks: Adult Fiction
Series: 1 of 7 (Emma Harte Saga)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emma Harte is a young girl who lives in a Yorkshire village with her family. Her dad and brothers work at the local mill and Emma works at the Fairley Hall estate nearby. Emma hopes that one day through her own hard work and intuition, she will lift herself and her family out of poverty. When she is cruelly treated by the Fairley family, her resolution turns into a deep-seeded desire for revenge. Emma eventually makes it to Leeds where she begins to amass her fortune by a series of shrewd business deals and relationships.

This book is a chunkster. While some of the language was way too flowery and overly descriptive, I wouldn't have read 900 pages if I wasn't enjoying it. The book spans over 60 years of Emma's life and her character is very well developed. I really liked that this book was set in the same location and during the same time period as Downton Abbey.

Even though BTB wrote this book in the 1979, it didn't feel overly dated. While historical events certainly play a role in this novel, I could almost imagine a similar book being written in modern times. In fact, BTB penned the 7th book in this series just 3 years ago. I probably won't read anymore in the series, but I really enjoyed my time with this one and it works well as a stand-alone novel.

Source: BookMooch

Kissing the Bee

Kissing the Bee by Kathe Koja

On the library shelves: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 5.4
Award:  Parent's Choice Award/Honor Book
Recommended for: Grades 9+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dana and Avra are seniors in high school planning their senior prom. They're best friends, but they have very different plans for their lives. Dana is planning on going to college, but Avra plans on escaping the night of the prom with her boyfriend Emil. Dana has had a secret crush on Emil, but when she starts to see cracks in Avra's and Emil's relationship, she wonders if the feelings might be reciprocated and if Emil will really go along with Avra's plans.

The bee analogy is woven into this novel appropriately and meaningfully. I detest the cover, but don't let that turn you off from reading a real gem. While I certainly enjoyed the love triangle aspect of the book, what really stuck out to me was the exploration of the friendship between Dana and Avra. I could relate to Dana's feelings about Queen Bee "Avra" in her life, and reading this really brought some emotions to the surface and made me reflective. This short novel is beautifully written and well worth the time.

Also reviewed by: The Book Nest ~ Your link here?
Source: Library

Seedfolks

Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman

On the library stacks: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 4.3
Awards: NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts; Jane Addams Book Award/Honor Books; SLJ Best Book; Golden Kite Award/Honor Book
Appropriate for: Grades 6+

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Seedfolks is the story of a patch of land between buildings in a rundown section of Cleveland. One day a young girl decides to plant beans there. Eventually others notice, the lot is cleaned up, and a community garden blooms. So many people from all ages and races are drawn to the garden, each person creating something important and unique to them. Together they create beauty out of ugliness.

This book is told in 13 different voices, each with their own chapter. It's a slim novel easily read in an hour or so. It's a book that I think would work well in a classroom setting as there are some early teen-appropriate issues to discuss.

I thought this was a nice book, but I wasn't wowed like I was hoping. I know it wasn't the author's point, but I think I wanted more depth and perhaps resolution for the characters. However, I especially enjoyed reading the end of the book where Fleischman discusses his inspiration for the novel.

Also reviewed by: Capricious Reader ~ Becky's Book Reviews
Source: Library

Heaven Is Here

Heaven Is Here: An Incredible Story of Hope, Triumph, and Everyday Joy by Stephanie Nielson

On the library stacks: Adult Biography
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I should say up front that I know Stephanie and her sweet family. We lived in the same area in New Jersey for a couple of years and we went to church together. In August 2008, Stephanie (a popular blogger), her husband Christian, and their friend and flight instructor Doug were in an airplane crash. Doug passed away after a short time, Christian broke his back and has burns on 30% of his body, and Stephanie has burns on nearly 80% of her body.

This book starts out talking some about the crash. Then it goes back in time to Stephanie's upbringing, her love story with Christian, and then chronicles their life together until the time of the crash. After the crash, Stephanie discusses how hard it was to accept her new self, to connect with her children again after being in a coma for months, and to move forward in a different life to the one she had planned.

I think the highest recommendation I can give this book is that I can hear Stephanie's voice throughout the book. Not only is it well-written, but the sentiments are authentic and genuine. I read the book in one sitting, both laughing and crying as I read. I think this would make a great book club pick and a great gift. I've already purchased one for a friend.

Source: Library