Where'd You Go, Bernadette- Maria Semple

Where’d You Go, Bernadette is quite possibly my favorite book of 2013. And I think that says something, considering I’ve already had a string of major successes that would be my favorite in any other year. Silver Linings Playbook, Language of Flowers, Pillars of the Earth, all were current favorites, and now WYGB has surpassed all of them.

Told in the voice of a 13 year old girl, WYGB is almost entirely unique. It’s honestly like nothing I’ve ever read before. It has bits and pieces of narrative style that I’ve seen done in other ways, but here, it’s taken to a new level. Agoraphobic Bernadette Fox, mother to Bee, has disappeared. For the first half of the book, we are treated to emails, reports, notes, etc compiled to describe the events leading up to Bernadette’s disappearance, interspersed with Bee’s commentary, which is one of the most clever and fun ways of telling a story I’ve ever seen. Then Bernadette disappears. Where did she go? Bee will find out. And the answer is entirely unpredictable, as is every revelation we’re given throughout the book.

Comedy, mystery, emails, technology, architecture, scathing commentary on busybodies and Seattle = one fantastic book, which seemingly has it all.

I really can’t stress enough how much I loved this book. I loved it so much that within weeks of finishing the hard copy I listened to it on audiobook (also awesome, if you’re interested in those kinds of things). It’s a keeper, and one worth reading over and over. 5/5

Language of Flowers- Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Our March book club book was a pretty fantastic pick. Language of Flowers is a book that will stay with me for awhile. It’s told in alternating perspectives: Victoria as a foster child, and Victoria in the current day, beginning with her emancipation into the world at large, and follows her throughout her life, so the reader can see how she got where she starts the book from, to finding her way through life and its struggles.

I don’t want to say much about the plot of this book, as I really enjoyed discovering the facets of Victoria’s life without knowing what was coming. I admit that I’m somewhat of a sucker for books told this way: alternating perspectives or characters, etc, so likely that was part of my gratification with the book. The pacing of the book was perfect, giving away just enough of the mysteries of Victoria’s young life to keep you interested, but simultaneously explaining why she is the way she is in the current day. We had some conversations at our book club meeting about the way it portrays the foster system, Victoria herself, and her choices that, if possible, added to my enjoyment of the book.

Highly recommended. Go read it now. And if you’re looking for a book club pick, start with this one! 5/5.

The Pillars of the Earth- Ken Follett

It’s been almost four months since I finished the last available Song of Ice and Fire book, and I have to admit that I have been feeling the absence. Pillars of the Earth, while not completely replacing my interest in getting another book about the people of Westros as soon as humanly possible, definitely has given me a new author to enjoy while I wait. 

Similar to the Song of Ice and Fire series, Pillars of the Earth is told through multiple viewpoints of various characters affected by events that affect the national landscape, as well as in smaller, more personal ways. Spanning nearly forty years in England, where battles between the church and the crown are commonplace, we meet Tom, Ellen, Phillip, Aliena, Jack, William, and a host of other characters, from immediately likable to downright vile. We witness the trials and tribulations of building a cathedral, weathering politics driven by corrupt people, and war.

What struck me the most about this book is how well the characters are written. As opposed to the Martin series, Follett’s Pillars of the Earth has clear protagonists and antagonists, to the point that I’m not sure I’ve been so infuriated by characters and their actions against other, inherently good characters in a long time. At the same time, the protagonists are still imperfect, and you root for them despite their flaws. It’s fantastic writing.

This is definitely a 5. It took me almost a month to read, but it was totally worth it, and don’t let the length deter you, 700+ pages still doesn’t seem like enough. I’ll definitely be reading some of Ken Follett’s other offerings while I wait for George RR Martin to finish The Winds of Winter.

Silver Linings Playbook- Matthew Quick

It’s not often that I see and love a movie, look up the book it was based on, and love that equally as much, if not more. Silver Linings Playbook is the only one, come to think of it. Frequently I have the issue that whatever I see or read first is what I like the most. No, that's not quite right... the book is always better, but I usually have some amount of trouble getting into a book when I know what’s going to happen after having seen the movie. It’s the main reason I’ve never been able to get into the lord of the rings books. 

Silver Linings Playbook is, in both of its formats, absolutely phenomenal. The movie was up for multiple Oscars, for good reason, and Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are fantastic. It’s possible I’m biased about both of them, however if you’ve seen this movie, I’m sure you’ll agree. But I’m pretty sure that this is a website for books, so I’ll get back on point…

The book is different from the movie, yes. Not quite as perfect and clear cut, but compelling in a completely different way. I am utterly impressed with Quick’s storytelling and writing abilities and probably will check out his other books. The premise is the same: Pat is in a mental facility for reasons unknown at the beginning, when he is released into the care of his mother and Philadelphia Eagles crazy father. Tiffany is a widow dealing with her own demons. The two are good for each other, and both end up on the road to recovery despite some bumps along the way.

I can’t give enough compliments for how well the book is written. Told from Pat’s point of view, it’s engrossing and interesting. At one point Pat skips through a period of several months with a movie montage of him getting stronger and better, telling you along the way to imagine his theme song playing over it. And that is only one of Quick’s storytelling devices, multiple more in the same vein are utilized to great effect. Just incredible. It’s not often that I see something so novel that works so well.

Definite 5- one of the best books I have read this short year, and I’ll be purchasing it to read again soon. Love, love, loved it.

Quick Hits from November, December, and January

Long time, no blog entries. Mostly, this is because I haven't read anything that I've really loved in the last few months. But that's not entirely true, because I have entries written for a few books that I've had an opinion on, and haven't posted anything because I feel like I can't go out of order, and just ignore the 15 or so books that I've read in between ones that I want to talk about.  Another problem is that I read a LOT of sequels, which I always have problems talking about, because I don't want to spoil anything. 

So in order to fix this, I've decided I'm going to just write down some quick thoughts for books I don't have anything huge to say about. Here goes. 

Read 9/25/12- 11th Hour by James Patterson- Exactly what you'd expect for the 11th book in the Women's Murder Club series. As usual I am disappointed with James Patterson and haven't really loved one of these books in awhile. I read them because I care about the characters, but he's even starting to ruin that. Please see reviews for 10, 9, 8... etc. 3/5

Read 10/28/12- Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand- Good, not great. Interesting but not engrossing. I was hoping for more from this book since I loved Unbroken so much. Read this one for book club in October and really only finished it out of obligation. 3/5

Read 11/4/12- Dances with Dragons by George RR Martin- I actually have a lot of opinions on this one, but feel uncomfortable voicing them, as they're spoilers. Still loving this series and anxiously await book #6! 4/5 (only because I still liked the first three more than this one)

Read 11/24/12- Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor- Really enjoyed this sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Crazy and an incredible fantasy book, but not as good as the first one. Will re-read for sure though!! 4/5

Listened to 11/26/12- The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore- Wanted this to be better because I really enjoyed the first two in the series. But still good. 3/5

Read 12/11/12- The Black Echo by Michael Connelly- Expected more out of this because I'm a big Connelly fan, but it was kind of boring and predictable. I hope they get better. I'll keep reading, but not if they're all like this one. I wonder if back when this was written the ending was more novel and all kinds of thrillers weren't writing "twists" like this one. 3/5

Read 12/16/12- Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich- What can I say? I like Evanovich's writing even if her books are simple, girly, and let's face it, kind of pointless. Liked this one though. Currently, I'm liking this series more than Stephanie Plum books. 3/5

Read 12/21/12- Where We Belong by Emily Giffin- LOVED this chick book. Very cute and very much meets the standard that Emily Giffin's past books have set. The problem is that I just don't have a lot to say about it. It's very similar to her other books. 5/5

Read 12/24/12- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens- I think I read this back in grade school but I didn't remember much about it. And tis the season right? Dickens is one of the few "classic" authors that I enjoy. May be returning to some of his other books in the future. Really liked A Christmas Carol. 4/5

Read 1/2/13- Graceling by Kristin Cashore- Very much enjoyed this book. Another YA Fantasy series that has been popular recently. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series. 4/5

Read 1/3/13- One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp- Different kind of book for me. Not a novel, but more of a book for reflection and finding happiness in every day life. Her writing is a bit flowery and overly detailed, but I liked this so much. 4/5

Listened to 1/3/13- Redshirts by John Scalzi- Really liked this book, it got me through my driving to and from home over Christmas break. Different and crazy, but once I bought into the completely unrealistic premise, it was interesting and I really enjoyed it.  4/5

Read 1/11/13- Defending Jacob by William Landay- Very well written, but upsetting book. Fairly dark and twisted, but engrossing nonetheless. Highly recommended if you like Grisham, lawyer books, or thrillers. 4/5

WHEW. 

The Casual Vacancy- JK Rowling

Out of sheer loyalty and goodwill to the author of my favorite series of all time, the woman who created so many of my favorite literature moments, and characters I love like my own friends, I am determined to like this book, and therefore at least my first comment has to be positive. And here it is- JK Rowling knows how to write characters. I was thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. Wondering what would happen with the people involved.

She is a damn good writer. I will read anything she writes, even after finding this book an extremely depressing look at life and definitely a downer. But she did it in a way that was interesting. In a way that makes you think a little bit more about your every day interactions. With events. How you react to things and take personal responsibility. This book, while mainly a character study based around events that don't really end up all that resolved, does succeed at that.

The biggest problem is, in this character study, every one of the characters were unlikable or pitiable.

I literally cannot believe this book was written by the same person who wrote Harry Potter. Good triumphs over evil? I suppose the characters in this book were mostly terrible and have mostly terrible lives. Faith? It's difficult to see here. Friendship, loyalty, and love? I'm not sure that was present at all.

Clearly my overwhelming feeling after finishing the book is depression. And certainly I am a tiny bit disappointed that my unrealistic expectations for grown up Harry Potter went unfulfilled. But I think after letting some of it set in and thinking a lot about what she was trying to accomplish with this book, I am overall ok with what she's done here.

Sure, it wasn't at all what I thought it would be, but I think that was my biggest problem. First, I was somehow under the impression that the book was a thriller based around a small English town politician's death. Nope. Political and small town gossip based around a death. Second, my hopes were sky high and comparisons to HP were inevitable, which does not lend itself well to a book like this. And third, reading a book about the unpleasant side of humanity while also being aware that this is the same woman whom I idolized for creating characters and a story that spanned nearly 15 years of my life, is extremely unsettling.

That being said, I stayed up late to finish it, I read 500 pages in less than a week, and at 1130 at night on a Tuesday I was writing down my thoughts and trying to define how I feel about it. Which I think is kind of the point, and yet another reason that I think Rowling is one of the smartest writers of our time. Despite the depressing forage into adult books.

Bottom line: I can't say I liked this book because of the depressing subject matter. I can admit that if this was another writer I'm not sure I'd be putting such a spin on it or giving the author so much credit. But I like what it's doing. I like where she's gone with it. I like the writing. And I like JK Rowling. End of story. If that isn't a muddled review, I don't know what is. I didn't even know what rating to give it. In the end, I went with 4, because I think I'll eventually read it again, even though it was pretty unpleasant.

All I can say is don't expect Potter.

Middlesex- Jeffrey Eugenides

Middlesex is a book told from the point of view of a transgendered man (formerly woman) that brings the reader on a journey. Documenting every step in lives that lead to him, from grandparents and onward, Cal tells us how he was made, and how he became that way. Incest, broken engagements, sexual confusion, and multiple distressing doctors appointments lead the reader to the man he is today.

Initially I decided I wanted to read this book (technially I listened to it via audiobook) based only on the author. Jeffrey Eugenides wrote The Marriage Plot, which I enjoyed back in January, and Middlesex is his first novel, written to great acclaim. I don’t really think I knew what I was getting myself into. On the one hand, the writing style was excellent, with the narrator speaking as if he was directing a movie, showing instead of telling the story of his life and his ancestors. On the other, portions of the book were alternately discomforting and boring. Not to mention the parts that were so explicit that I felt that I needed to turn it off. I was very uncomfortable for probably half of the book, but I also think that’s sort of the point.

In the end I’m giving it a 3, if only for Eugenides’ writing. He truly is fantastic, even if the subject matter was not exactly something I want to read at length about.

Brave New World- Aldous Huxley

August’s book club pick, Brave New World is a bit of a different pick for us. Rather than going for a pure entertainment standpoint with lots to talk about, this one was one of the first that we chose that is most likely read in high schools everywhere. Certainly a step up in the intellectually challenging department.

Brave New World is a book about a dystopic future where people drug themselves to happiness, don’t fall in love, don’t feel any major emotions. People are manufactured and conditioned to be in certain social castes, literature is banned, entertainment is only in the form of the “feelies” which are movies that engage all senses. It’s a distressing story of what the human race could eventually become. After documenting the society and its control throughout the first half of the book, Huxley switches things up a bit, and adds a character that resembles humans in society today, who is of course appalled by what he sees. Discussion of art, individuality, and true humanity ensues.

Even a month after finishing, I can’t decide what I think about this book. It was definitely weird, and certainly made me think. It’s unsettling and bizarre, but says a lot about humanity, and the fact that it was written in the 30s says a lot for Huxley’s imagination/perception of the future.

4, I would read it again... I think.

Age of Miracles- Karen Thompson Walker

Well, hello anyone who still might read posts on this blog! (hi mom!) It’s been awhile. I kind of lost track of things and stopped writing reviews. Full reviews that is. I had lots of things to say about the books I’ve read in the last two months, but I admit, I’ve been stuck. This book is nearly singlehandedly to blame. Chronologically, it was the book I read after Attachments, so it had to come next. Right? Well, I’m giving up on that. Honestly, I have no idea what to say about it, and a month away from it hasn’t helped things. So. Without further ado, something a little different. Five things about this book and a short summary:

Age of Miracles is about a girl growing up in what is referenced as the end of the world. But it’s not. Something has caused Earth to spin more slowly on its axis, making days and nights longer and time essentially slowing. Intriguing, right? Five things.

1.Lots of wasted potential. Really interesting idea, no follow through at all, no sense of urgency. Basically it’s a story about people living their lives in unusual circumstances. But the unusual circumstances don’t ultimately affect them all that much.
2. So depressing, which I didn’t expect.
3. Excellent writing. Despite the way the review sounds, I did care about the characters. Ultimately this is a story about a teenage girl, and what 26 year old female can’t relate to that?
4. Could have been so much better. See #1.
5. Overall, I don’t think I can recommend this one. Amazon let me down here, which doesn’t happen often. I couldn’t believe this was one of their best books of the year (so far).

3. Overwhelmingly meh.

Baking Cakes in Kigali- Gaile Parkin

June’s book club selection, Baking Cakes in Kigali, is essentially a collection of short stories about a baker, Angel Tungaraza, in Rwanda, Africa, in the wake of the horrifying genocide. Through several celebrations, momentous occasions, and trials and tribulations, we get to know Angel, her family, and the people living near and with her in the compound where she lives.

Angel has had a difficult life, marred by disease and tragedy, but it’s really quite touching to see the way that the character lives despite all of that. She has a hand in most of the things that happen around her, and steers other people to live their lives to the fullest, to be content. She keeps an open mind, is kind, and believes in balance.

Honestly there’s not a lot to say about this book, it was a cute one about life and making your way past tragedy to see the good in things, but also had its occasional dark side. It was a good book club pick for discussion, and overall I’m definitely glad that I read it, and I would read it again. Solid 4.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close- Jonathan Safran Foer

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close… I’m almost not sure what to say about this one. I was afraid to read it for awhile, because all I knew about it was that it was a book about a boy who lost his father in the attacks on September 11th. But I’m glad I did. I think it might have been my favorite book of the month (if not for Ready Player One). Bear with me on this review, it’s going to be different, just like the book.

It’s clear from the beginning that the narrator for most of the book, a young boy named Oskar Schell, has some kind of mental issue. Maybe it’s autism, maybe it’s OCD or ADD, maybe it’s just depression or a coping mechanism. Something’s going on. But you go with it, because it’s interesting and unexpected. The writing style is fast paced and close to a stream of consciousness with his sections, which are interspersed with letters from people you don’t make a connection with until about the middle of the book. The way this story is told is unlike anything I’ve ever read, and about 75 pages into it I was hooked. It’s purposely cryptic and draws you in. It keeps you involved, but it’s also obnoxious because you constantly feel like you’re missing something.

Oskar’s dad died in 9/11, and after his death, Oskar finds a key hidden away, and makes it his mission to find what it goes to. It's sad and upsetting, but not in the way you'd think. I’m still very conflicted about it. It's a story of recovering from loss. A story of hope. A story of enduring. A story about love and loss. About family and friendship. About life.

All in all, I don't know how I feel about it. I thought I wanted to see the movie but now I'm not so sure. I'm upset but ok. I gave this a four because I like the writing style and the book. I didn’t give it a five because I was unsatisfied with the ending, although there’s something to be said about how he did that as well. 

How’s that for cryptic?

Where She Went- Gayle Forman

Where She Went, the sequel to If I Stay, is my typical type of audio book. Not complex by any means, but a good and engaging story, something that I had no problem listening and paying attention to. Spoilers ahead for If I Stay, which is a YA book that I read several years ago.

Where She Went continues the story of If I Stay, picking up several years after the tragic accident that left Mia without an immediate family. This book is told from the point of view of Mia’s high school boyfriend, Adam, who, we discover fairly quickly, is not with Mia anymore, but is still pining away for her. He has made it big with his band, Shooting Star, but is unrecognizable as the character from If I Stay. Throughout the book, we find that he has become a shell of his former self without Mia, and has very little joy in life, until a chance encounter with her brings him back.

I liked this book, but it was really nothing special. It was interesting to see the fallout from the accident, of course, and to see the way that the characters of If I Stay were affected. It was a good amount of closure for the first book. Solid 3.

A Million Little Pieces- James Frey

Anybody who hasn’t heard of this book has probably been living under a rock. I’ve been avoiding it the past few years because of the controversy around it (marketed as a memoir, embellished to the point that it’s not), but after a lot of discussion with a few of my friends, I finally decided it was time to read it.

And I have to say, I’m glad I did. A Million Little Pieces is a pretty unique book. The writing style is weird but intriguing, most of it is plausible enough to have been true, and it’s an incredibly blunt, somewhat amazing look at a 23 year old man going through withdrawal and rehab.

I don’t know what I can say that hasn’t already been said. When I finished I went immediately on the internet to look up what was true and what wasn’t, the infamous Oprah interview with the author, and general reaction. I would think that’s a pretty reasonable reaction. But even putting aside the things in the book that weren’t true, this is an incredible account of life within a rehab center, and it was worth the read.

4- I can see myself reading this again, and I liked the style enough that I want to check out the next book from Frey- My Friend Leonard.

Girls in White Dresses- Jennifer Close

Girls in White Dresses is, at its core, a story about growing up, a story about a group of friends who have graduated from college and have no idea what to do with themselves when faced with the real world. I think that, essentially, is why I liked it so very much.

I admit that when I started this book I was expecting something entirely different. Something like J. Courtney Sullivan’s Commencement, which was about four college roommates and their lives during and after school. This has the same pretense, but is even more identifiable. It’s more of a collection of short stories like The Imperfectionists, but it revolves around the same group of friends, who are all adjusting to life after college. I would have liked slightly more cohesiveness, because I couldn’t entirely keep up with how each girl was related to the other ones. But that is a pretty minor complaint, and once I stopped trying to figure out their relationships, I had completely given into the book and was loving it.

I constantly found myself nodding along or completely identifying with the characters. The kindle version of the book is highlighted right and left with sentences that sound like me, or sound like something that I have thought in the past.

5- I highly recommend this to any woman in her 20s trying to figure out what to do with her life after college. I still can’t really believe how many parts of this book were so perfect. When I finished this I wanted to buy it in hard copy so I could keep it on a bookshelf forever and read it whenever I feel lost and like I have no idea what I’m doing with my life. If only so I know that I’m not the only person who has ever felt that way.

The Imperfectionists- Tom Rachman

The Imperfectionists is a book about an English language newspaper in Rome. Told as a collection of short stories about the employees interwoven with the origin of the newspaper itself, it was a really well done book that was entertaining and highly enjoyable.

This book was put on my radar after I read A Visit from the Goon Squad, and I can completely understand where that recommendation comes from. This one is 100% more my style. Instead of skipping around in time and in character, we only skip through different characters, all of whom overlap, as those in Goon Squad did.  I really liked Rachman’s writing. Each chapter starts out with a headline from whichever character you are about to read about, a headline that is usually written as a direct result of the story, which was a genius idea. 

My biggest complaint about Goon Squad was that just as I was getting invested in the characters, Jennifer Egan switched things up on me. That is still a complaint here, but at least with this book’s storytelling you end up with some closure for each of them. And the overlap between characters still produces people who are recognizable as those you’ve already read about, rather than identifying them as some random person in the past lives of whoever you’re currently visiting.

Strangely, the part I didn’t like was the story of how the paper was founded, and the politics between the originating journalists. I say strangely, because I expected that I would like something that’s more like a typical novel, as it started at the beginning and ended in present time. But instead I was always eager to get back to the current staff of the paper, and didn’t care much about those who had already taken part in it.

The end was a bit depressing, but I suppose I should have seen that coming. I wish he had mixed up the stories a little bit though because the last two were probably my least favorite. But I’m glad at least that we got closure.

All in all, this was an excellent book, and one I would definitely read again. 4.

The Marriage Plot- Jeffrey Eugenides

The Marriage Plot is a book that’s been on the best seller list for awhile now, and was the first book chosen (ok, I chose it) for a newly formed book club. On the one hand, it was perfect for it, because we had a lot to talk about, but on the other, I think I was the one that liked it the most, and I was really just ok with it.

Madeline Hanna is the female protagonist in this book, caught between two men: emotionally unstable and manic depressive Leonard, and friendly, lost, Mitchell. The book follows her through college and the years after, including her relationships with both men. She and Mitchell, with one memorable chapter from Leonard, narrate the book as we watch them try to identify who they are and who they are becoming. That’s really the entire premise: Just a few years in the life of three characters.

I say I was ok with the book. Honestly I think the more that I think about it, the less I liked it. Nearly every character met within the pages was unlikable, with Madeline chief among them. It’s hard to like a book when you can’t identify with or even much care about the characters, but for some reason I couldn’t stop reading. I liked it against all odds, and it was only after finishing it and talking it through with the book club that I realized that it was really not that likable.

But I also think that was sort of the point. Everyone sucks, but everyone is also captivating in their own way. Basically I have no idea what I think of this book anymore, and I’m not sure I would recommend it. At the very least it had a lot of stuff in it to talk about, which made it a good book club pick, but I’m not sure I’m going to read it again. 3.

State of Wonder- Ann Patchett

State of Wonder is, by its description, the kind of book I thought I would get involved in. Essentially, a pharmacologist is sent to the jungle to investigate both the recent death of a colleague and the progress of a study being done on fertility for her company. It seemed incredibly intriguing: ethical predicaments, pharmacology, research in the wild, what’s not to like?

However, I was slightly disappointed. Three quarters of the novel was slow, plodding, and not entirely relevant to the parts of the book I was most interested in. The main character, Marina, was weak and marginally pathetic. I could tell that Patchett wanted me to love and identify with her being put into such a mess, but all I could think of was how sad she seemed, and how easily she could get out of it, if only she wanted to. Most of the first half of the book was getting Marina to the jungle and Dr. Swenson, her former teacher and the conductor of the fertility study, and it was boring. After they arrived at the site, things picked up slightly, but I was still largely unimpressed.

But then I realized something with about 100 pages to go- the book had me. I cared and was thinking about the ethical dilemmas it wanted me to think about. I cared about the characters. Hateful Dr. Swenson, boring and tedious Marina, horrifying Dr. Fox (Marina’s boss). The only perfect character in the book is Easter, a native child from the jungle, who I (like Marina) liked from the beginning. I was pretty surprised to realize that I was disappointed to stop reading. I wanted to finish it, to see how things were resolved.

That remains the book’s saving grace. I think it was worth it to slog through the first 250 pages to get to the last 100. Solid 3. I’m not going to read it again, the majority of it was too boring to warrant that, but the ending made me glad that I spent the time and picked it up.

I can’t decide if I’d actually recommend the book to anyone though. I am glad I finished it, and didn’t give up halfway through like I considered doing, but I have mixed feelings on both the way we were brought into the final conflict and the conflict itself. To explain further would be to give too much away.

Maine- J. Courtney Sullivan

After having read both of J. Courtney Sullivan’s novels within the last six months, I have to say that I am incredibly impressed. And also slightly baffled that I'd never heard of her before this past summer. She is a rare type of author: someone you might label as a chick-lit writer at first, but upon reading further, find that her books are not exactly what they seem.

I think what I like the most about her writing is that her characters are so imperfect. Not in spectacular ways like you see in some books, but in subtle, incredibly relatable ways. Commencement was a nostalgia-fest for college, while Maine was not quite as instantly relatable, but certainly reminded me in a few small ways of my own large Catholic family. I also like how she slips in teases of what’s to come instead of just spilling an entire backstory in one go. It keeps you interested.

I like Maine more than I liked Commencement, which I didn’t think was possible. My only complaint about Commencement was that one of the storylines went completely off the rails near the end, while this one is realistic throughout. Maine tells the story of four women in four different viewpoints, three different generations of the same family (one married in, and three daughters/mothers), all of whom are dealing with their own individual struggles while also attempting to relate with each other, and all of whom eventually come together in the family summer house in Maine. Most intriguing to me was the way that each of the characters viewed each other and themselves, which certainly makes me think of the way that I represent myself in my daily life.

I’m a little put off by the ending though. It seemed abrupt and didn’t provide a lot of closure after spending so much time developing the story and the characters. I’d like a sequel, or at least to see what happens through the end of the summer. I feel invested and now I want to know how things continue in their lives. Technically, I suppose everything was resolved, but it didn’t feel very satisfying. Maybe it’s because all along all I wanted was a chick lit ending, when I should have known that this author wouldn’t give me one just to make everything nice.

Overall, it’s another book somewhere between a 4 and a 5. I think I’d like to own it, so by my self-defined ranking system, I'll call it a 5. Regardless, I look forward to what Sullivan has in store for me next.

A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khaled Hosseini

After reading Kite Runner, and being told over and over again for probably the last year that it was the better one and I had to read it (hi Lynn!), I finally picked up A Thousand Splendid Suns. She certainly has a point. A Thousand Splendid Suns was very moving and, while upsetting like its predecessor, was an incredible book.

As opposed to Kite Runner, which was about a privileged boy from Afghanistan and his relationships, A Thousand Splendid Suns focuses on the women of Afghanistan throughout the wars and political upheaval. I can certainly attest that the writing is realistic. It’s gritty, gloomy, and brutal. It’s as upsetting as the author’s first book, but perhaps even more so because of the sheer unfairness of nearly every situation. It’s the unfairness that strikes me the most. And I think this one was more upsetting because it’s slightly more relatable. Not that relatable though, because never have I appreciated the privileges of living in America more.

I suppose the realism and relatability are the book’s greatest strengths. I was significantly more invested in the plights of Laila and Mariam than Amir in the first book. Both are equally as jarring, however, in the Kite Runner, Amir had significantly more control over the events that were happening to him.

The power of A Thousand Splendid Suns would be diminished if everything had been tied up in a neat little happy bow, so I can appreciate the way that the author goes about writing the book’s events, but parts of it made me want to be sick. This is certainly a book out of my typical wheelhouse, I liked it all the same, but I think that I’m going to need some light reading for my next one. The one two punch of Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns was almost overwhelming.

I can’t decide whether this book is a 4 or a 5. It’s one that I would like to revisit in the future, but the upsetting nature of most of the plot makes it unlikely that I’ll be reading it over and over like I do with other books. For the purposes of rating and tagging, I’m giving it a 4, but know that it’s very close to a 5!

The Kite Runner- Khaled Hosseini

What is there to say about this book that hasn’t already been said? It’s an international bestseller, and I am behind the times on reading it. Very unlike me. What is like me is to shy away from a book with a subject matter like this, but I’m glad that I finally got around to this one. Despite the horrifying images in the book, the subject matter is very well written.

The Kite Runner is the story of Amir, the son of a rich man in Afghanistan, and immigrant to the United States. We follow his life as a young boy, running kites with his best friend, their servant’s son, Hassan, through his flight from Afghanistan, his life in America, and his eventual return to his home country.

This book was very upsetting but extremely good. It’s riveting, it’s stressful, and it’s moving. I only seem to be able to come up with short bursts of descriptions, which hardly do the book justice, but trust me when I say that it’s worth a read. Ultimately this was a tale of love, life, guilt, and friendship. And it absolutely forces you to think about the things you take for granted living in the United States.

In general I feel like I’m not saying enough to do justice to the book. I’m not sure anything I can say will. So let’s leave this one short and sweet: This is definitely worth a read if you’re like me and have been hesitating.

4- I’m glad I finally read this. And I’m going to read Hosseini’s next book, A Thousand Splendid Suns next. In fact, I’ve already started it.