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

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

On the library stacks: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 3.7
Companion to: Anna and the French Kiss
Recommended for: Grades 9+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's the summer before her Junior year in high school. Lola lives with her two dads in a cool Victorian house in San Francisco. She likes to dress in costume and she's incredibly creative. She's already getting her Winter Formal outfit ready--a Marie Antoinette number with combat boots.  Lola thinks she's in love with her rocker boyfriend, Max. He's 22 and her parents are none too pleased about her seeing him.

But then Cricket Bell moves back next door. Cricket had broken her heart a few years before and now Lola's not sure how Cricket is going to fit back into her life, or if he even should at all. But since their bedroom windows face each other, she doesn't really have a choice.

Lola is delightfully quirky. It was fun seeing characters from Anna and the French Kiss woven into the plot, although they were certainly background to Lola, Max and Cricket. I probably liked Anna a teensy bit more, but this book was just super cute, upbeat and romantic. I would recommend it for older teens because of some mature content.

Also reviewed by: I Am A Reader, Not A Writer ~ It's All About Books ~ One Literature Nut ~ Book Nut ~ Ticket to Anywhere ~ write meg!
Source: Library Audiobook - I thought the reader was good.

Out of Sight, Out of Time

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

On the library stacks: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 4.7
Series: Book #5 of 6 (Gallagher Girls)
Recommended for: Grades 6+

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think this series is adorable. My 6th grader is currently inhaling them like candy. However, I must admit that this 5th installment is my least favorite of the series so far.

Cammie Morgan has woken up in a convent in Europe. Shockingly, she doesn't know how she got there. On top of that, she can't believe the date. The summer is entirely over and she doesn't remember any of it.

Back home at Gallagher Academy, a spy school for girls, Cammie is desperate to find out what she was doing all summer. Her friends at school, although distant at first, have come around and are trying to help Cammie solve the mystery and to keep her safe from the evil Circle of Cavan.

This book felt a little frantic. It seemed to jump from one thing to the next making it feel choppy and rushed. There was certainly a lot going on, but I felt a little more rattled than entertained. Don't get me wrong, I liked it. I just didn't think the writing was as strong as the others in the series. However, I do think Carter is setting up the series for a great conclusion that I'm definitely looking forward to.

Also reviewed by: Girl Who Loves to Read ~ Becky's Book Reviews ~ Emily's Reading Room ~ Ms. Yingling Reads ~ Your link here?
Source: Gift

Pandemonium

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

On the library stacks: Young Adult Fiction
AR Reading Level: 5.4
Series: Book 2 of 3 (Delirium)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't really want to delve too much into the plot of this second book in the Delirium trilogy. If you have read Delirium but it has been awhile, I suggest giving yourself a refresher before starting this one. I was a little lost at first. And if you haven't read Delirium, I highly recommend you do!

I actually liked this book even better than Delirium.  That's pretty shocking since it's the second book in the series and I have found that rarely happens to me. It was a book I did not want to put down. It was fast-paced and I liked how it alternated between the past and the present. I liked the love interest and the cliffhanger ending is sure to simultaneously shock, irritate and delight fans of this dystopian series.

Also reviewed by: Becky's Book Reviews ~ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer ~ Book Addiction ~ A Bookworm's World ~ Bart's Bookshelf
Source: Library

The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

On the library stacks: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 5.5
Awards: Kirkus Editors Choice; Publishers Weekly Best Book; Michael Printz Honor Book; SLJ Best Book
Recommended for: Ages 13+

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Puck Connolly loves her island home of Thisby. She can't understand why her brother Gabe wants to leave the land she loves. So she signs up as the first woman ever to run in the annual Scorpio Races in the hopes that Gabe will stay and change his mind. Dangerous carnivorous water horses come up out of the sea each year on Thisby. Some are captured and tamed enough to ride in The Scorpio Races. Puck doesn't have a water horse, but that won't stop her.

Sean Kendrick, who has won the race four times trains water horses at the Malvern yards. Mr. Malvern is the richest man on the island has agreed to sell Sean is beloved horse named Corr if he wins. Sean feels drawn to help Puck train, even if they both can't win the race.

This book is told in the first person and alternates between Puck and Sean. I listened to the audiobook and the readers who played Puck and Sean were fabulous. The readers had British accents, so I was bothered just a little that Stiefvater used the word "pants" quite often instead of "trousers." But it's a minor quibble. Well, that and for the life of me I could not understand why anyone would want to live on an island with man-eating horses, let alone ride one. But, I was drawn into this world and I ultimately had to find jobs to do around the house that would allow me to finish listening quicker. Highly recommended.

Also reviewed by: I Am A Reader, Not A Writer ~ Not Enough Bookshelves ~ Emily's Reading Room ~ Silly Little Mischief ~ Book Nut ~ Your link here?
Source: Library Audiobook

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil by John Berendt

On the library stacks: Adult Non-fiction
AR Reading Level: 6.2

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the 1980s John Berendt spent 8 years splitting his time between New York City and Savannah, Georgia. While this book is partly a memoir of Berendt's time in Savannah, it's also the true crime story of an antique dealer and preservationist named Jim Williams who was tried for the same murder four times.

Savannah is one of my favorite cities. While this book is a little dated, the essence of Savannah that Berendt depicts is exactly the same today as it was 30 years ago. I love the homage the author pays to the city's history, architecture, culture, and natural beauty.

Berendt also gets himself hooked up with some of the more interesting characters in town. There's the high class party house where no one ever pays rent and utilities are obtained illegally. There's Lady Chablis, the exotic dancer who is really a he. There's a voodoo witch doctor. And of course, the story of Jim Williams who shot and killed Danny Hansford, a troubled young man who had worked for him and whom he had tried to help, even bailing him out of jail.

This book hooked me from the beginning, and was a really quick read. The only thing that kind of bothered me is at the end the author's note says that he did take some "storytelling liberties, particularly having to do with the timing of events." I did do some research online and most everything checks out. Like the movie (which I didn't see), the book is definitely rated R. But if you like true crime stories or you want to know more about Savannah, I would recommend it.

Also reviewed by: eclectic/eccentric ~ Open Mind, Insert Book
Source: Purchased

Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

AR Reading Level: 4.3
On the library stacks: Children's Fiction
Award: NAACP Outstanding Literary Work
Appropriate for: Grades 4+

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

I'll just say up front that my feelings about this book are certainly in the minority. I LOVED the concept of this book. But I had problems with the execution.

Melody is a 5th grader with cerebral palsy. She is unable to talk and she is confined to a wheelchair. While some doctors and teachers had considered her severely mentally disabled, Melody is very smart and soaks in everything she hears in school and on TV. With the help of an amazing next door neighbor, a teacher's aide and a new speaking device, Melody is able to prove to others that she has a great mind and she eventually makes the school's quiz bowl team.

Although I really liked the premise, at times I felt the book was unrealistic and melodramatic. I had some issues with the writing--mixed tenses, dated slang and definitely some language that didn't sound like a 5th grader to me (I have a 4th and 6th grader). I felt like Melody came off as more snarky than spunky and I didn't really like how Melody and her mom chose to fight their battles with the one-dimensional mean doctors, teachers and school bullies.

This was my book club's pick for this month. We all agreed this book was good for raising awareness and helping us think about how we interact with adults and kids with disabilities.

Also reviewed by: Confessions of a Book Habitue ~ Book Nut ~ Becky's Book Reviews ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased