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April & Oliver by Tess Callahan

April & Oliver by Tess Callahan, 336 pages.

Best friends since childhood, the sexual tension between April and Oliver has always been palpable. Years after being completely inseparable, they become strangers, but the wildly different paths of their lives cross once again with the sudden death of April's brother. Oliver, the responsible, newly engaged law student finds himself drawn more than ever to the reckless, mystifying April - and cracks begin to appear in his carefully constructed life. Even as Oliver attempts to "save" his childhood friend from her grief, her menacing boyfriend and herself, it soon becomes apparent that Oliver has some secrets of his own--secrets he hasn't shared with anyone, even his fiancé. But April knows, and her reappearance in his life derails him. Is it really April's life that is unraveling, or is it his own? The answer awaits at the end of a downward spiral...towards salvation

When Oliver returns to Maine for a funeral he is forced to confront his feelings for his childhood best friend April. Their relationship is filled with tension, words unspoken, and secrets kept.  Each one tries to protect the other and while both characters can be infuriating in their stubborness, it is obvious both are broken and unsure how to carve out anything healthy between them.  I found the book description to be misleading in regards to the "sexual tension"  - I was pleased to find it wasn't full of steamy affairs. This story is completely character driven - April & Oliver are flawed and believable, and the supporting characters are used sparingly but to great effect. I was completely engrossed from beginning to end.

This was an unexpected gem and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

4.5 stars

The End.

author's website:  www.tesscallahan.com

The Lost Hours by Karen White

The Lost Hours by Karen White, 368 pages.

Since Piper's riding accident she's been a bit aimless, but after her Grandfather dies she remembers the box buried in the garden. What she uncovers is a decades old mystery involving pieces of a scrapbook, three friends, and a dead baby.

I didn't have any expectations - even though I'd heard of Karen White I had never read her previous books (The House on Tradd Street, The Memory of Water are a couple) - and found this to be a truly enjoyable read.   The combination of setting (Savannah), history (old friendships and race relations), and mystery (what happened to that baby?) was successful without being obvious, cheesy, or schmaltzy. Piper's journey to piece together the past also has implications for her future as she emotionally heals from her devastating accident and regains her confidence. The supporting characters were well placed and the shift between past and present was easy to follow. The story dealt with some pretty heavy themes while remaining a lighter read.

This would be a great summer/vacation read.

4 stars

The End.

Testimony by Anita Shreve

Testimony by Anita Shreve, 320 pages.

At a New England boarding school, a sex scandal is about to break. Even more shocking than the sexual acts themselves is the fact that they were caught on videotape. A Pandora's box of revelations, the tape triggers a chorus of voices--those of the men, women, teenagers, and parents involved in the scandal--that details the ways in which lives can be derailed or destroyed in one foolish moment.

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This reminded me of a Jodi Piccoult book (although the writing is better)with it's different point of view on a controversial topic - in this case, underage drinking and sex amidst a private school setting. It was definitely a page turner although the first chapter was a bit graphic, detailing the events on the videotape that causes all the trouble. (So if you are interested in skipping that particular part it shouldn't ruin the book for you.)  Each chapter was from the point of view (1st, 2nd and 3rd person) of various characters and interestingly was in both past and present tense. In spite of this style, I didn't find it hard to piece together what was happening - if anything the various voices helped get to know those characters since they were spread out in small bits.

I found this story both horrifying and sad. There were so many what ifs and bad decisions, lives ruined and choices made. I'm not sure if it's because I have sons or the way the story was written, but I couldn't help but feel bad for a couple of the boys. The "victim" wasn't portrayed very sympathetically, but constant references to her age remind the reader of her naivete and poor judgment.  This is a serious story, made easier to read by quick pacing. No one comes out winning, although it does end somewhat hopefully.

3.5 stars

This book was just released in paperback. It would make for a great book club discussion.

Thanks to Hatchette Books for the review copy. I'm giving it away - just leave a comment and you'll be entered.

Other reviews:

Bermuda Onion

Book Addiction

Booking Mama

The Book Lady's Blog

Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos

Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos, 540 pages.

Having just recently read her first book, Broken For You, I was anxious to read this one and grabbed it at my new favorite bookstore - A Likely Story. It's definitely a long one - makes me think I should have joined the Chunkster Challenge - but moves along fairly quickly.

Reminiscent of Haven Kimmel's The Used World with its small town and quirky characters, but not quite as skillfully done.  Sing Them Home is the story of 3 siblings shaped not only by their upbringing in Emlyn Springs, Nebraska but by the tornado that whisked their mother away in 1978. Kallos' ability to make this strange set of circumstances believable and compelling is to her credit. Unfortunately, I found two of the three siblings to be rather one-dimensional and never made it to rooting for them.  And in a book this long, it's nice to have some interest in the main characters, no? One of the highlights were the excerpts from their mother's journal as she chronicles her adjustment to small town living, pregnancies, and her battle with MS. 

Despite its length and a few cardboard characters, I liked it. If you were a fan of Broken For You, it has the same framework - the story begins and looks like it's headed in a totally different direction than you expect - which is unique.  So I recommend it even though it was just a like for me, I think some of you will really enjoy it.

3 stars

The End.

The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofano

The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofano, 241 pages

Melody Grace McCartney has been in the witness protection program since she was six. She has no idea what it would be like to go to college, fall in love, have a baby, live normally. The only thing she can "control" is crying wolf in order to change her surroundings. But this time is different when Jonathan Bovaro, from the mafia family she is hiding from, finds her and has unexpected plans.

Tight and sharp, the pace is quick and almost fools the reader, appearing as a lighter story. The themes of identity and self-awareness are definitely lurking here as it  alternately thrills, saddens, and triumphs. It would be easy to write Melody off as a whiny victim - she behaves foolishly at times, but is written sympathetically. I was moved to tears as I felt her pain and loss. She is truly stunted in some ways and who could blame her?

And David, I forgive your slight on good ole Columbia (aka where I live) - because you are right it is the epitome of suburbia.  I must admit it is great fun to read about places I recognize - with the Baltimore and East Coast setting. Regardless of your location this is a great first novel and an author to watch. 

I recommend it without reservation -one of my favorites of 2009.

4.5 stars

AVAILABLE NOW - Many thanks to Tanisha at Grand Central Publishing HBG.

The End.

www.davidcristofano.com

The Memorist by M.J. Rose

The Memorist by M.J. Rose, 464 pages.

M.J.Rose is an international bestselling author of nine novels and the coauthor of two nofiction books on marketing. She is a founding member and board memeber of International Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors AuthorBuzz.com. She runs two popular blogs Buzz, Balls & Hype and Backstory.

Please visit her at:

www.MJRose.com

-----------------------------taken from the book jacket---------------------------

My reading life has few surprises - I either research or get recommendations on every title I choose.  So I was a tiny bit heisitant to read this book as part of a TLC Book Tour, unsure if I was the right girl for the job. But I trust Lisa and Trish, and was honored they asked me to particpate. I began the book a month early "just in case", but finished in two days.

A gift or a curse? Meer Logan has been battling The Dreads since she was a child  - is she lapsing into a memory of a past life, or just experiencing bizarre daydreams? Her father and Dr. Samuels believe her to be reincarnated...she is looking for a more rational explanation. When her father comes into possession of a letter written by Beethoven which contains a valuable clue to Mozart's rumored magic flute, Meer heads to Vienna to see what other secrets the letter holds.  And she is quickly drawn into a dangerous search for the flute that involves deception and a terrorist plot.

I'm pleased to report The Memorist totally delivers on all counts. International thriller, historical mystery, woven amidst a tale of one man's revenge and another's desperation, this book is quite a ride.  I am in awe of the author's ability to juggle so many characters and complex storylines without confusing the reader. And the suspense continues to build in each chapter as the mystery of the flute begins to unravel. Since I don't believe in reincarnation, I wondered if that would be a hindrance - let me assure you, fellow skeptic, it was not.  All this to say, allow yourself to be surprised by a good book.

If you are an orderly type, there is a prequel - The Reincarnationist. Will there be a sequel? I hope so.

4 stars

The End.

Love and Other Natural Disasters by Holly Shumas

A few weeks ago one of the headlines on my homepage was regarding Brangelina. I'm not a gossip hound, but was intrigued his statement regarding the whole mess:

“Even then it doesn’t mean that there was some kind of dastardly affair. There wasn’t. I’m very proud of the way that it was handled. It was respectful.”

I was immediately disgusted. Hello...  if you fall in love with someone while you are married to someone else, regardless of physical contact, you are having an AFFAIR.  And frankly, there is no argument to convince me otherwise. And giving yourself a pat on the back for your imagined restraint and self control is delusional and laughable. (Can you tell I'm irritated?)

This is the premise of the new book by Holly Shumas and when asked to review it (just a few days later), I jumped at the chance. Knowing my already strongish opinions on the matter, I was curious to see how the situation would be handled over 300 pages. I was not disappointed.

From the first chapter, you are thrown into the discovery by pregnant Eve that her husband Jonathan is involved (via emails and phone calls) with someone from work.  The rest of the story deals with Eve's reaction and back & forth over how to handle life and her future; complicating matters are the reactions of those close to her, and Jon's    attempts to get his family back and rationalize his behavior.   Shumas does a masterful job of not making Eve a whiny victim and with each decision Eve makes and responses she has, the situation gets fuzzier instead of clearer.

This would make for a feisty and spirited book discussion. Which is why I'm choosing it for my February online bookclub pick. Yes, during the month of love I'm asking you to read it and be ready to chat on February 28.

3.5+ stars

The End.

Other reviews:

Booking Mama - at the end of her review, she has a long list of more.

 

Pomegranate Soup: A Novel by Marsha Mehran

Pomegranate Soup: A Novel by Marsha Mehran, 240 pages

This book lingered on my to-read shelf far too long. And I didn't grab it until both JoAnn and Tara recommended it - Tara put it on her best of 2008 list. Sometimes a sure thing is just what I need, and it was a perfect choice to jumpstart my 2009 year of reading.

The story of the three Aminpour sisters who come to a small Irish town and open a restaurant. Not just any restaurant - the Babylon Cafe enchants most of the town with it's fragrant offerings and the mysterious women behind the mouthwatering Persian cuisine. They are not welcomed by everyone, and this opposition combined with each sister's memories of their escape from Iran offer dramatic tension in an otherwise light story. Reminiscent of Chocolat and Like Water for Chocolate the descriptions of food are magical and passionate. For me, a simple story of a struggling restaurant would be enough, but the Iranian backstory gives it depth without being too heavy.

I highly recommend this, an extremely likeable book. And I guarantee you'll be hungry while reading it.

4 stars.

The End.

PS - I heard a peep say the sequel isn't so good, so read at your own risk.

Other reviews:

Books and Cooks

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates, 368 pages.

It seemed right with the movie coming out to read the much acclaimed book and I moved it up the list. Revolutionary Road has been cited by Joshua Henkin, David Sedaris, and Stewart O'Nan as a modern classic by an underappreciated author.

Filtered through the diastrous community theatre performance - the failed dreams of the Wheelers come into view.  April was trying to make it as an actress when she met Frank the armchair philosopher, when April got pregnant they married, and now find themselves in the 'burbs. But of course they don't belong there, amongst all the simpletons, so they make plans to move to France.

This story has a way of feeling both dated and modern at the same time (published in 1961). Dated particularly when set at Frank's job (which I imagined similar to the show "Mad Men"), and during the frequent cocktail hours that ended each work day.  The idea that there's gotta be somethin' more than pushing paper (Frank) and housework (April) may have seemed radical at the time, but not so much today.

About the Wheelers - rarely have I been able to positively review a book where I disliked the characters so much. I am not sure if you are supposed to feel sympathy for their supposed suburban plight, but I found the Wheelers too self-absorbed and delusional to feel pity. April reminded me of Esther Greenwood (The Bell Jar) married with children, and you know that can't be good.

This novel is so magnificently crafted it would be a shame not to read it - intense, realistic, painful, and sarcastic. It is a fascinating character study (supporting characters too) and would make an excellent book club discussion.  But it is not an enjoyable story, so be prepared. And if you can read it without picturing Kate and Leo as the Wheelers, you are one tough cookie.

Anyone seen the movie? Planning to?

4 stars

The End.

Other reviews:

Everyday I Write the Book

The Book Lady's Blog

She is Too Fond of Books

Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan

Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan

Why I'm a fan of Mr. O'Nan:  his ability to capture real-life, everyday moments makes him one of my quiet, dependable favorites. I have been struggling with how to relay my thoughts on his latest book, but after reading the review in BookWorld said "YES! Exactly." (out loud, really) and figured I'd just post the real deal.

The Industry of Hope and Grief

Enjoy.

The End.