MUST READ for a book lovers!!!

The End of Your Life Book Club 

By: Will Schwalbe

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 336

Published: 2012 

Read: April 

4.5 out of 5 stars 

This memoir is Tuesdays With Morrie, but with a  "novel" twist.  The conversations, or book club meetings, held between Will and his mom not only discuss the books, but also their lives.  Mother and son already had a close nurturing  relationship, but the 2 years of book club meetings deepened it considerably.  Even though the book title gives away the ending; its the way his mother would have wanted it  - She always read the last chapter of every book first.  Will's memoir is about family, relationships, hope, reconnecting, and love more than the loss id family experiences.  This heartwarming, touching book is a MUST read for all book lovers.  Their discussion of the novels you have already read will deepen your insight of them  and the ones you haven't read will be added to you To-Be-Read shelf quickly.  I loved the fact that Will included a bibliography of all the books discussed at the end - what a great added bonus!

Schwalbe doesn't have a personal website, but the book does - www.theendofyourlifebookclub.com
 

An Agatha Christie Mystery

Endless Night

By: Agatha Christie

Genre: Classic

Pages: 303

Published: 1968

Read: April

3 out of 5 stars

I have to be honest and say I would never have chosen to read an Agatha Christie book on my own. I read one only because my book club is reading Agatha Christie is month because we have an Agatha Christie “Mystery of Living” presenter coming to next meeting.  I opted to allow the members to read any Agatha Christie novel they wanted to.  I will say I was very pleasantly surprised with Endless Night.  Although it wasn’t “edge of your seat” suspense, I rather enjoyed the little mystery and writing style. I am entertained by books written from the point of view in which the narrator is actually writing the story then and there. I was able to figure out one of the mysteries; however there was a shocking element to the ending that was an interesting twist.  I was surprised that the “actual” mystery didn’t happen until the last third of the book, especially considering that when you read the summary for the novel you know a death occurs. I wonder if this is Christie’s typical fashion and will be asking Christie about this next week.

Read more about Agatha Christie at www.agathachristie.com

A novel from my favorite mystery author

Caught

By: Harlan Coben

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 388

Published: 2011

Audio book: 9 CD’s (10 hours 50 mins)

Read: April

4 out of 5 stars

Harlan Coben is my all-time favorite mystery writer, but I haven’t read anything by him in a long time. Caught has more twists and turns than an old country road. You will think you figured out the end and then there is another roller coaster. You think you solved the mystery and WHEEE a hill. Filled with suspense, sorrow, and a true thrill ride this story of some college kids, a high school girl, and a news reporter will keep you guessing until the last sentence. I love that there was both a male and female narrator for this audiobook.  I feel this embraces the voices of the characters.  This is a must read for all fans of mystery novels.

To read up on my favorite mystery author, check out www.harlancoben.com! My favorite novel of his is Tell No One.

 

 

The sequel to The Language of Sand by Ellen Block

The Definition of Wind

By: Ellen Block

Genre: fiction

Series: Abgail Harker #2

Pages: 288

Published: 2011

Read: April

4 out of 5 stars

The sequel of The Language of Sand will not disappoint you. This series will touch every woman’s soul. The continuation of Abgail’s personal growth and process of becoming accustomed to life on Chapel Isle is enlightening, yet with enough suspense you cannot pick the book down until the end. The language in which Block writes intertwines beautifully with Abby’s career as a lexicographer. Block’s novels are quick, easy and very enjoyable reads. Great for lying on a beach and reading – I read in April, but I can wish! The only negative aspect for me was that Block weaved throughout a lot of background information from the first novel; which is great unless you recently read it as I have. It was very repetitive for me.  Although you could read this novel as a stand-alone, I would highly recommend reading The Language of Sand first.   These are her only two novels, although she wrote The Lightning Rule under the Brett Ellen Block.

Ellen Block’s website is www.ellenblock.net

Another YA banned novel

The Chocolate War

By: Robert Cormier

Genre: YA

Pages: 267

Published: 1974

Read: April

3.5 out of 5 stars

Jerry, a high school freshman, challenges a secret school club by refusing to sell chocolates - the school fundraiser.  Not too exciting of a premise you think, but this defiant act starts an all-out war at the school.  We believe deep down that there is good in people, and that people are generally not driven by cruelty and greed.  This is the true premise of this banned young adult novel. Very well written this banned novel shows why people should NOT bully, torment and be cruel to others versus the opposite as the supporters of banned books believe.  I feel this book would be an excellent novel to be taught and analyzed in high schools.

 

Robert Cormier does not have a personal website.

 

Young Adult - LGBTQ novel

Geography Club

By: Brent Hartinger

Genre: YA - LGBTQ

Pages: 226
 
Published: 2004

Read: April

3.5 out of 5 stars

I believe it is great that authors publish novels about gay teens for the young adults.  Although not factual, per se, they would definitely shed light on what teens feel when discovering they are gay or coming out in high school. Geography Club is no exception. Being written by a gay man, I also believe a lot of the “feelings” that Russel had are probably factual.  Even though the beginning is a little unbelievably, how quickly and easily Russel discovers other gay teens in his high school, the rest of the story is an eye-opening, believable and sometimes funny novel.   The teens start the “Geography Club”, hoping it sounds boring enough that it doesn’t attract other peers.  The events that unfold back this book a quick enjoyable read. This book is on the Banned Book list, which is why I read it in the first place.

Read more about Brent Hartinger at www.brenthartinger.com

A Disappointing Novel

State of Wonder

By: Ann Patchett

Genre: fiction

Pages: 353

Published: 2011

Read: April

1 out of 5 stars

Taking place in the Amazon, this novel starts out very intriguing and gave me the sense it was going to be a great novel. Not even one-third of the way into the book it became dull and very drawn out.  The entire middle section drags on and made it very difficult for me to continue. The few twists and turns that Patchett adds to the storyline were so predictable, it actually hinders the book rather than make it enticing. Then near the end there are two characters that have sex and shouldn’t have, plus the aspect added nothing to the plot. My disappointment in this scene encouraged my dislike for the novel even more. I feel the only readers that may enjoy the novel are those very interested in the Amazon or biology, otherwise don’t bother.

Ann Patchett’s website is www.annpatchett.com

The Language of Sand

By: Ellen Block

Genre: fiction

Series: Abgail Harker #1

Pages: 288

Published: 2010

Read: March

4 out of 5 stars

This true-to-life book has the reader engrossed in the story immediately.  While it involves a very sad tragic event, this story is realistic and very well written.  Abigail moves to an island that her late husband visited in his childhood.  She needs a change and an escape from her life circumstances.  She doesn’t create a new identity, but her name changes unintentionally to Abby and she grows to be a new person as she deals with her loss and gains new friends.  Block draws the reader into Abby’s life and encourages you to become friends with Abby, which you can’t help but comply.  Another aspect I enjoyed was that Block doesn’t necessarily close the book in a “happy ever after” fashion.  Abby is still overcoming her loss, learning who she is, and growing into her new life. There is a sequel, The Definition of Wind, which I will be reading soon.

Ellen's website is  www.ellenblock.net

YA Audio Book Review

3 Willow: The Sisterhood Grows

By: Ann Brashares

Genre: young adult

 Pages: 318

Published: 2009

Audio book: 7 CD’s (7 hours 49 mins)

 

Read: March

2 out of 5 stars

I have been reading a lot of YA novels over the last few years. I tend to enjoy them even with the protagonists are young than me. I can either relate by remembering my younger years or the novel is dystopian genre, which makes it interesting. This story is neither and it may be that characters are quite young at 12 and 13 years old or that I listened to it on audiobook.  There were three main girls, Polly, Jo, and Ama and the story was told by each of them. I found that the story switched characters without making the change clear. It was confusing at times. I did like that it took place in the town of the girls from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and those played a small part, but without overpowering the story.  

 

Visit Ann's website at http://annbrashares.com/