Category Archives: Book Review

The Absolutist [Audiobook Review]

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Title: The Absolutist
Author: John Boyne
Narrator: Michael Maloney
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 320
Audio: 8.6 hours
Year: 2012
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Source: Library
Book Rating: 4/5
Audio Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Tristan Sadler survived The Great War. In 1919, he visits the sister of one of his fellow soldiers who was not as “lucky,” and recounts their haunting story. When Tristan, then just a boy, meets Will at training camp, he finds much more than a friend. But when they head to France to fight, they find there are greater forces than the enemy to challenge them.

My Thoughts:

I seem to be reading a lot of WWI-era books lately. Am I alone or is this an actual trend in publishing? Is WWI suddenly “popular?” Despite the plethora of WWI books, I continue to learn things with each one. And The Absolutist is no exception (hint: I learned what an “absolutist” is).

This is a story of friendship, pushed to its limits. My heart broke a little at the conclusion of this one, and I am still thinking about it weeks later. It’s a novel that makes you examine your own moral compass a little more closely.

The Absolutist weaves its tale in a non-linear fashion, and even though you know the outcome, the journey there is captivating.

PS: I didn’t realize that Other Press published the print edition of this book until I began writing this review, but now it all makes sense. Other Press has yet to let me down.

Audiobook Thoughts:

Michael Maloney has an intimate, earnest voice that works well for Tristan and his intimate, earnest story.

The Tao of Pooh [Audiobook Review]

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Title: The Tao of Pooh
Author: Benjamin Hoff
Narrator: Simon Vance
Genre: Philosophy/Religion
Pages: 176
Audio: 2.8 hours
Year: 2012 (Original: 1983)
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Source: Library
Book Rating: 3/5
Audio Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Taoism, as embodied by Winnie the Pooh. Yep, that’s pretty much it.

My Thoughts:

Well I have had Winnie the Pooh on my brain, with Evan’s first birthday party coming up and the fact that we read Winnie the Pooh and The House on Pooh Corner as a family in the fall. So when The Tao of Pooh came up on my Armchair Audies list, it felt right.

I’d started this once before but, embarrassingly, didn’t finish the relatively tiny book. Enter, Simon Vance. I could probably listen to him read the phone book. Now, I’m not saying that the Tao of Pooh is boring. Except when it is. I really just liked the Pooh parts. The actual philosophical/religious parts I could take or leave. Just give me that cuddly old bear instead.

Audiobook Thoughts:

Like always, Vance does an excellent job. His voices for those beloved characters are spot on. This is an enjoyable listen.

Someday, Someday Maybe [Book Review]

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Title: Someday, Someday Maybe
Author: Lauren Graham
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pages: 352
Year: 2013
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Source: Review copy from publisher
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Frances Banks has given herself a deadline: three years to make it as an actress in New York or she’s moving home to marry her college sweetheart and be a teacher. There are only six months left and all she’s done is one commercial. She just needs a break. And an agent. But just when things are looking up, they inevitably come crashing back down.

My Thoughts:

As many of you know, I ADORE Gilmore Girls. So when I heard that Lauren Graham had a book coming out, I was instantly interested. And a little skeptical. I love Lauren Graham, the actress, but I didn’t know Lauren Graham, the writer.

Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised. After a slow start, I grew to love Franny and found myself invested in her story, cheering at her successes and sighing at her failures.

I found it somewhat predictable, like her choosing the wrong-for-her man while the right-for-her one waits in the wings. And some of her decisions frustrated me to no end. But Franny is finding herself so I guess that is par for the course (she even makes these same criticisms of a romantic comedy in the book…meta).

But overall, this was a fun, enjoyable read. Fellow Gilmore Girls fans, go right ahead and pick this one up.

The Life You’ve Imagined [Book Review]

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Title: The Life You’ve Imagined
Author: Kristina Riggle
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pages: 352
Year: 2010
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Source: Personal Collection
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary:

Anna and Cami are both returning to their small Michigan town of Haven. Anna, recovering from the death of a friend, returns to Maeve a loving mother with a secret. Cami, a gambling addict, is forced to live with her mean alcoholic father again. Their old friend, Amy, never left, but went through a big transformation herself. In one summer, all of their lives change.

My Thoughts:

The Life You’ve Imagined is told from the alternating viewpoints of the four women: Anna, Cami, Amy, and Maeve. Each character has her own struggles, and although they relate to each other a little, the book could almost be four novellas with a common conclusion.

While I expected a story of friendship, what I found was more a story of individual awakening and reinvention. And as sometimes happens with multiple viewpoints, I had a favorite. While I could relate to others, I really loved Cami and I would have gladly read a book of her own.

Personally, I loved the Michigan setting. I can picture the fictional town on Lake Michigan clearly, and for me there is magic in a Michigan summer. This connection is what drew me to Kristina Riggle on twitter in the first place, and I now know I should have read her long ago.

The Elite [Audiobook Review]

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The Elite is the second book in a series. This review assumes you’ve read The Selection.

Title: The Elite
Author: Kiera Cass
Narrator: Amy Rubinate
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian
Pages: 336
Audio: 7.7 hours
Year: 2013
Publisher: Harper Audio
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
Book Rating: 4/5
Audio Rating: 4/5

(I’m not usually a big cover connoisseur, but aren’t these covers just gorgeous?)

Summary:

There are only 6 girls remaining in the Selection. Six girls competing for Prince Maxon. America is still torn before her feelings for Maxon and Aspen, her present and her past. While America is put to the test as a potential princess, the rebel attacks are growing more frequent and intense. There is never a dull moment for the Elite.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed The Selection and I was very much looking forward to The Elite, and Cass delivered with more of the back story as I hoped. We learn about the creation of the caste system, the implementation of the monarchy, and the origins of the Selection.

The Elite is a little darker and more serious. America struggles to figure out where she belongs (and with whom). I would have liked a little less he-loves-me/he-loves-me-not from America and a little more progress in the actual Selection itself, but overall I am still enjoying this series.

Audiobook Thoughts:

Amy Rubinate continues to handle a tough gig (first person YA). Definitely check out the audiobook for this one.

The Burgess Boys [Book Review]

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“He had no memory of life without Jim being the brightness of its center.”

Title: The Burgess Boys
Author: Elizabeth Strout
Genre: Literary Fiction
Pages: 336
Year: 2013
Publisher: Random House
Source: Review copy from publisher
Rating: 2.5/5

Summary:

The Burgess Boys, Jim and Bob, have long since left their sister, Susan, in Maine for bigger and better things in New York City. Jim married a wealthy woman, raised three kids, and became famous from an OJ-like trial, while Bob – always in Jim’s shadow – is divorced, childless, and works at Legal Aid. When Susan’s son, Zach, throws a pigs head into a Mosque during Ramadan, the brothers must return to Maine. A family who has long since stopped being a family is forced together once more.

My Thoughts:

Oh, I have rather sad news today, readers. I did not love The Burgess Boys.

I am actually really bothered by the fact that I didn’t care too much for this one. Like in a breakup, I want to say, “it’s not you, dear book, it’s me. I didn’t spend enough time with you or focus on your needs.” And this is definitely at least part of it.  Because the last few weeks have been so busy, it took me a long time to read this book. And at some point finishing this book became a chore. But it wasn’t all me.

I went into The Burgess Boys expecting sadness, heartbreak, and struggles, which I got. But I also expected excellent writing, Elizabeth Strout set the bar VERY high for me with Olive Kitteridge. This one, apart from a few gems (see above and below) just didn’t live up to those expectations for me. I also had a hard time connecting with any of the characters   By the time Bob became someone relatable and likeable, I’d already given up finding a connection with anyone. Finally, I found the book lacked that interesting “thing” that pulls me into a story.

So, readers, I tried, and maybe I didn’t try hard enough, but I think, like a REAL breakup, the fault lies with both The Burgess Boys and myself.

As a counterpoint, I urge you to read Jen’s review over at Devourer of Books – she loved the book.

“And it was too late. No one wants to believe something is too late, but it is always becoming too late, and the it is.”

The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet [Audiobook Review]

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Title: The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet
Author: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Narrator: Mirron Willis
Genre: Nonfiction; Science
Pages: 224 pages
Audio: 4.4 hours
Year: 2009
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Source: Library
Book Rating: 3.5/5
Audio Rating: 2.5/5

Summary:

Well, this one is pretty self-explanatory. Neil deGrasse Tyson walks us through the history of Pluto, from its discovery to its demotion to dwarf status.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book I’ve read on Pluto in the past year and I enjoyed this one much more than How I Killed Pluto. Neil deGrasse Tyson is always entertaining and informative. He has a unique way of boiling things down without dumbing them down.

Audiobook Thoughts:

Eh, Willis isn’t my favorite narrator. Something about his narration seemed forced.

***

Well, this turned into a mini-review. Short and sweet, just like the book.

The Art Forger [Audiobook Review]

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Title: The Art Forger
Author: Barbara Shapiro
Narrator: Xe Sands
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 368
Audio: 10 hours
Year: 2012
Publisher: Highbridge Audio
Source: Personal Collection
Book Rating: 4/5
Audio Rating: 5/5

Summary:

In 1990, 13 pieces of art were stolen from the Gardiner Museum in Boston. The crime remains unsolved.

After her involvement in a scandal that left her blacklisted in the art world, Claire Roth makes her living creating reproductions of famous paintings.

When Aiden Markel pays her a visit, she discovers that he is in possession of one of the stolen paintings, Degas’ After the Bath. And Aiden wants her to reproduce it. But as she works on the forgery, she begins to suspect that the stolen painting may be a forgery itself.

My Thoughts:

Stolen paintings, forged artwork, love affairs, and deceit. The Art Forger is a compelling story and one that I only reluctantly put down.

The book alternates between three timelines: the present – where Claire is forging the stolen Degas, the past – where Isabella Gardiner corresponds with her niece about her interactions with Edgar Degas, and the more recent past – where Claire scandalizes the art world.

I was instantly drawn to Claire, and I really felt the injustice of her situation, even as she makes decisions that may not be in her best interest.

I immediately recommended this to my husband and he enjoyed it nearly as much as I did. I think this one will appeal to a wide range of readers.

Audiobook Thoughts:

My first experience with Xe Sands was sadly with a book I didn’t care much for, but I like her so much on Twitter, I desperately wanted to love her as a narrator. Well, she was fantastic in The Art Forger. This is definitely a book to listen to.

Parlor Games [Audiobook Review]

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Title: Parlor Games
Author: Maryka Biaggio
Narrator: Leslie Carroll
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
Audio: 13.7 hours
Year: 2013
Publisher: Random House Audio
Source: Jen
Book Rating: 4/5
Audio Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Through the use of two story lines – her trial in 1917 and her life story beginning in the 1880s – May Dugas takes us from her hometown in the upper penninsula of Michigan to Chicago, Shanghai, London, Denmark, Monte Carlo, and Mexico. Is May a con artist? Is she just a woman looking for love and success? Parlor Games lets you be her judge.

My Thoughts:

This book has a great opening. I was drawn in immediately and needed to know just what made May the “Most Dangerous Woman….”

May is an unreliable narrator, but aren’t those the best kind? For anyone with wanderlust and a desire to elevate their place in the world, Parlor Games will be a delightful journey and May will steal your heart, whether she deserves it or not.For anyone with wanderlust and a desire to elevate their place in the world, Parlor Games will be a delightful journey and May will steal your heart, whether she deserves it or not.

Random thought while reading this book: What happened to train travel in the U.S. since the early 19th Century? May zips around the country by train. I want to do that. So let’s make this happen, ok?

Audiobook Thoughts:

I really enjoyed Carroll’s narration. It took me about half the book to figure out who the voice reminded me of – Susan Lucci. And Susan Lucci could TOTALLY play May Dugas.

For Darkness Shows the Stars [Book Review]

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Title: For Darkness Shows the Stars
Author: Diana Peterfreund
Genre: Dystopian YA
Pages: 416
Year: 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Personal Collection
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Mankind’s attempt to control nature, led to an outbreak (the Reduction) of people born without the ability to speak, the Reduced. Elliot runs her family’s estate. As a Luddite, spared from the Reduction, her low-tech farm is home to many Reduced and those born to Reduced with the ability to speak (Posts).

When Elliot’s long-lost friend, Kai, returns to the estate, Elliot must face her decision not to run away with him four years earlier and her future in a world which is starting to change once more.

My Thoughts:

There is A LOT going on in this book (which is why my summary is somewhat lacking). Class conflict, relationship woes, friendships challenged, debates of philosophical/ethical/religious natures, power struggles, family drama, and atonement for past transgressions. Whew.

The complicated interactions between Elliot and Kai certainly parallel those of their inspirations, Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth, leaving the reader both exasperated and exceedingly interested in their relationship. Anne, while showing great leadership to her workers and standing up to her father, shows her unease and self-doubt when it comes to Kai. She’s both relatable and impressive.

I had a few issues with the novel. Some of the elements essential to the conflict and resolution are introduced rather late in the novel. The storyline with Benedict, for example, and the social structure outside of the North/Grove/Boatright estates. I also felt like things are wrapped up rather conveniently – I wasn’t expecting such an easy resolution.

That said, I really enjoyed it. Fans of Persuasion will not be disappointed, as there are many similarities. In fact, I think I need to go re-read Persuasion right now. Excuse me.