Month: October 2013

Review: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

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6065182Sarah Waters is known primarily for her erotic Victorian era fiction, however, she takes a detour in her latest (well, latest being 2009) offering. Waters employs the classic first person narrative in the form of Dr Faraday – the ever so sensible and stiff upper lipped family doctor – and this lures the reader into a sense of trust and comfort whilst they get ready to “listen” to the story.

Set in 1947, two years after the war has ended, and a time in which the country was in the midst of economic recovery and social reform, The Little Strangers tells the tale of a grand house that was once the epicenter of social royalty in the early 1900’s.   Throughout the years, the house and indeed the owners, have crumbled into financial despair.  Without giving too much away, let’s just say things aren’t necessarily what they seem at Hundreds Hall.

As mentioned previously, Waters is known and celebrated for her Victorian era erotic fiction.  As shown in this novel, Waters has proved she is not just a one trick pony; the characters are what drive this novel, and Waters is exceptional at bringing them to life.  A great percentage of the novel is devoted to build up, and making the reader care for the characters.  It takes a bit of getting used to as readers are used to instant gratification in most of today’s novels.  Waters has stylized her writing and pace to match those of Henry James, Wilkie Collins and Emily Bronte.  Through this choice in style, it allows the reader to better imagine the world of 1947.  In fact, Waters is so accurate, that I believe this is the first book that I’ve read, since Enid Blyton, that doesn’t have any swearing, violence, or sex.   It is a good old fashioned ghost story, told in a way that will feel authentic, and yet ageless.

At over 500 pages in length, this is not a quick Halloween night read.  This novel is to be savoured and devoured.  The Little Stranger is an intelligent, scary, atmospheric, and slow (in a good way) read.  Well worth the read if you are looking for something different this Halloween!   Just try not to scream too loudly if you hear a floorboard creak!

Buy it here:

The Little Stranger

Review: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb

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20131016-195916.jpgHow do you define courage? It can be exemplified in many different ways. A firefighter rushing in to a burning building. A shy student standing up in front of the class to give a speech. A child riding a bicycle without training wheels for the first time. Malala’s story gives a whole new meaning to the word. If by some chance you haven’t heard of Malala, that’s even more of a reason to read this book.

The prologue takes us back to the day that Malala was shot as we are given a brief overview of that fateful moment. We then get a glimpse into the childhood of Malala’s parents. This backstory provides us with the knowledge of what exactly a woman’s role was and still is in many parts of Pakistan and the Middle East. Having this background knowledge made me even more appreciative of the strength and courage shown by not only Malala but her entire family. I also felt a huge amount of respect for her father for following his heart and not bowing down to traditional roles he disagreed with. As the leader of this family, he truly set the stage for all the good things that followed.

We are next taken through her childhood and witness tragic events such as 9/11 and the Taliban’s invasion of Pakistan through her eyes, those of a young girl. Malala’s story made my heart weep at the tragedy she faced but more importantly at the bravery of this young girl who wanted nothing more than to simply go to school. Such a simple thing but yet one that most children in more industrialized countries take for granted. We are reminded of the harsh lives that children around the world face.

In Malala’s words, looking the other way is not an option when thirty-two million girls around the world are not in school. She’s not asking for anything special, just the right to go to school. Most people would withdraw from the public eye after coming so close to death for simply standing up for their beliefs. Not this young woman. Although her family has not returned to Pakistan, she continues to speak out for all children.

I eagerly anticipated the release of this book and was not disappointed. It was everything I expected and more. I had to keep reminding myself that this horrible tragedy happened to a fifteen-year-old girl. I am simply in awe of this young lady and can’t wait to see what else she accomplishes in her life. My favorite quote from this book also happens to be the last one:

I am Malala. My world has changed but I have not.

~Thalia

Buy it now I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

Review: Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

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13539044 Although this book had been made into a movie and one of my favorite actresses even won an Oscar for her portrayal in it, I still had no idea what this was about or if it was a good book. So I picked up the audiobook completely blind to what this was about, which I much prefer to seeing the movie and then reading the book.

Pat is just getting out of a psychiatric hospital and he’s back living in his parents home. He is unclear on exactly what has transpired to land him in the psych ward, how much time he spent there or what has happened out in the real world since he’s been gone. All Pat knows is that he wants “apart time” from his wife, Nikki, to be over now. He doesn’t get along well with his father, his mother is protecting him from reality and when Pat meets Tiffany, a troubled woman just like himself, he doesn’t know what to make of this new life.

During the first few chapters of this book I was confused as to what exactly was reality and what was not. But as I read on that seemed to be the point of the book – to be as confused as Pat was and to not be able to discern what was past or present. Pat struggles to maintain his grip on what is happening in the present and comes to realize that he has been away for closer to 4 years. He wants to see his wife Nikki more than anything and can’t understand why that isn’t happening. He becomes friends with Tiffany and as that friendship grows, she helps him in ways that he can’t quite grasp, coming to grips with everything that’s happened.

This book was surprisingly funny and touching. There was an awful lot of sports references and as one who really hates sports I thought that would bother me but instead I saw it as what it was – the bonding between men when there is no other ways to bond.

4 stars

~ Clio

Buy it Now The Silver Linings Playbook: A Novel

Price Drops on Some Favorites!

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Waking up on the weekend to price drops on books by a favorite author … sigh … It can only be beat by a lovely cup of coffee. 🙂

Julie Carobini writes sweet, charming beach reads. I’ll be picking up a few more today for $0.99!

Enjoy!

-Calliope

20131019-073717.jpg Buy it now Chocolate Beach

20131019-073726.jpg Buy it now Truffles by the Sea

20131019-073737.jpg Buy it now Sweet Waters

20131019-073747.jpg Buy it now Fade to Blue

20131019-073755.jpg Buy it now The Spa at Winter Beach

Review: Where the Mountains are Thieves by David Marion Wilkinson

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20131018-100349.jpg This dramatic novel set in the deserts of west Texas is about a man trying to find the best life for himself, his wife, their marriage, and their son. The problem is, he doesn’t have a whole lot of ambition, and his myopic focus sabotages his efforts.

The first two-thirds of the book is description. The narrator/protagonist describes his failures, marriage, travels, new home and feelings about the new home, desire to be a good husband and father, and finally, his baseball team. Well, the baseball team he helps coach.

I struggled through this descriptive section. It was rambly, depressing, and sloooooowwwwww. I almost quit reading. But since I was interested in whether this guy was going to get a life — and how his wife and son would fare — I trudged on.

The last third of the book is full of action: A dalliance, an accident, a success, a failure, another move. I was on the edge of my seat, wiping tears from my eyes and giving the protagonist a stern talking-to. Wilkinson made the book come alive, and thank goodness he did.

I was about to give this novel 2 stars — but the last part of it is worthy of 4. So if you think you have the patience for 300 pages of 2 star material, you will be treated to some excellent writing and dramatic action in the last 150 pages.

If only the publisher demanded the first 300 pages be edited down to half that, Wilkinson would have a 4-star novel on his hands… reminiscent of a Pat Conroy read.

I’m glad I read Where the Mountains are Thieves. Just wished it didn’t take so long to get to the good stuff. 🙂

-Calliope

Buy it now Where the Mountains are Thieves

Review: Stripped, by Jasinda Wilder

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What can I say, the premise of this book intrigued me. A virgin stripper and a movie playboy. Doesn’t that intrigue you?

Grey grew up in a very sheltered household. I mean, VERY sheltered. I could relate to that part, the most. I was completely clueless all through high school, but never to this extent. This was downright scary, how she could do nothing remotely worldly, according to her father. All she wants to do is dance and make movies. Both are of the devil, so her pastor father doesn’t allow this kind of activities.

“You must break free, in yourself.”

But when her life is completely turned upside down, she makes the decision to leave and do what she needs to do to follow her dreams. Even if that entails becoming a stripper, just to get through college.

This is the hardest thing she’s ever had to do. She is barely making it and the dancing is taking a piece of her away, every time.

But then she sees him. Dawson Kellor. Super sexy movie star is watching her dance. She can’t turn away. He can’t turn away. She knows something is happening.

…I’ll never return from this place, for I know the taste of temptation. I’ve sinned; I’ve fallen.

He wants her. She wants him, but she doesn’t want to want him. He is famous and can have anyone. Why would he want a stripper?

“I’ve always been entitled, you know? I’m that horribly obnoxious kind of person who’s always had everything and owns the fucking world, okay? But I’m not entitled to you. I have to earn you.”

The torment she goes through, while trying to figure out how to survive, is gut wrenching. She was not meant for this world. But he won’t let her go. No matter what she does, there is no escaping this man. He is her jail.

“His arms are like prison bars, but it’s a cell I have no desire of escaping.”

Throughout the entire book, you see what this super sheltered life has done to her. She can barely function. She struggles with what she believes is wrong and evil, but her heart doesn’t doesn’t give up. She breaks through those barriers and you rejoice with her.

“I don’t know what to believe.”

“Believe in me.”

This is the second book I’ve read by Jasinda Wilder, and I like her style. I can’t wait to see what’s next on her agenda.

~Melpomene

Buy it now Stripped

Review: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

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Never Let Me Go, is one of those books that doesn’t fall into a neat little genre.  It’s like life; it isn’t perfect, not everyone is going to like it along the way, but boy, it is fascinating! Now, I realize that this has been sitting on the shelves since 2005, however, I believe that it is nice to pick up an older book now and then and rediscover, or, indeed discover, the epitome of a multi-faceted work of genius.

Like I said above, Ishiguro’s novel cannot be defined in one genre; romance, dystopian, drama, all play their respective hands throughout. I think this is why I loved it so much.  I tend to not be a fan of romance or dystopia, but in little bits, they definitely work, and even complement one another.  With merging these genres, Ishiguro actually presents an almost deconstructed version of each one:  In a typical (and I say typical because I’m aware it’s not always the case) dystopian novel, the reader is presented with a world that is at its knees; it is often harsh, grey, and survival instincts are at an all-time high.  In Ishiguro’s novel, the reader is presented with a dystopian world in the form of an upper middle class British boarding school.  Now, we all know that there must be some kind of untowardness when the Brits are involved (after all, this isn’t a Sophie Kinsella novel, or a Merchant-Ivory production!), and the assumption would be correct.  I won’t spoil the surprise of what makes this novel have its dystopian theme, but suffice to say, Ishiguro was writing ahead of his time, as we are ever so slowly seeing this topic become ever more prevalent.

It could be argued that the romance aspect to the novel is slightly more conventional.  We are presented with a classic love triangle, where boy loves girl (or girl loves boy) boy/girl can’t verbalise said feelings and ends up seeing another person as a rebound.  However, those of you that know me, KNOW that I wouldn’t read a book with such a simple theme.  Ishiguro presents this theme and turns it on its head by making the reader love and hate each individual character.  Not one of them can claim the moral high ground all throughout the novel.

Overall, this is a novel that will infuriate you, make you smile, make you think, make you gasp, and may even make you cry.  It’s an unflinching look at a controversial topic, whilst employing classic themes and presenting them in a unique way.  Even if you don’t like it, Never Let Me Go, is worth picking up simply for the above mentioned points.  Take a leap of faith and have your opinions and comfort zone challenged.

Pegasus.

Buy it now – Never Let Me Go

Review: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

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12813630 Tana wakes up the day after a party in a bathtub, afraid to find out how embarrassed she should be about the previous night. She makes her way out to the front room only to discover a bloodbath in the living room. Immediately Tana knew without a doubt what killed all of her friends. Vampires.

She finds Aidan, her ex, tied to a bed with a vampire in chains in the room as well. Before she knows what she’s doing, she finds herself rescuing them both. Aidan has been bitten and as Tana escapes she gets grazed by a tooth of one of the vampires in the house. This means they have the potential to go “cold” and have an 88 day time period where the symptoms can get worse. Tana has personal experience with this from an awful time at a very young age. They head to the closest Coldtown – towns that are cordoned off, vampires rule and regular people go there in search of eternal youth.

This book was outstanding. The very first chapter grabs on and does not let you go at all. It was bloody and creepy but not overwhelmingly so. The world building in this book was dreary and hopeless, yet also integrated the technological world that we know so well. Coldtown is filled with bloggers and attracts people who are coming there to connect with their “people”. This part of the world felt very real to me and was something that I could easily imagine to happen in this kind of situation.

On top of the technological and present world the author did a great job of building her own mythology of vampires into this world. Gavriel is an old vampire who is integral to the plot. These vampires are gritty, bloody, and creepy, just how I like my vampires.

I loved this world. I loved this book. I would highly recommend, it had been way too long since I had read a good vampire book!

5 stars

~Clio

Buy it Now The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Review: Holding Out for a Hero by Amy Andrews

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20131014-151939.jpg Ella remembered her school years with tears and a hard heart. Her mother was an outcast and she was treated like one too.

Jake had similar bad memories – a drunk, neglectful father gave kids fodder to tease Jake – and a reason for Jake to be sullen and rebellious.

Fast forward 20 years when Ella is the principal for a low income school, and former rugby player Jake is a philanthropist under the guise of the local pub owner. Ella needs Jake’s help to save the school … and while they’re working that out, they’re also working out some romantic tension.

I loved that Jake was a humble, honest guy who felt protective of Ella and her brother. He was an appealing alpha hero who stood up to idiots who disrespected women.

Ella might appear as somewhat of a crybaby to some readers, but I saw her as a strong woman who had shouldered so much in her life, accomplished so much, and finally felt safe enough with someone (Jake) to grieve for her childhood and her mother.

The truly beautiful thing about this book was the exploration of appealing subplots: Rosie the goth chick dates Simon the straight laced politician. Rosie’s aunts try to save their house from developer’s greed. Rosie and Ella celebrate their friendship on a daily basis.

The facets of Holding Out felt real. I felt like I was Ella, crying my eyes out to my man one minute, trying to straighten out a teenager the next, having a cocktail with my best friend later on, and finally looking for solace with my aunties across the table.

Holding Out for a Hero is a romance, but it’s also a commentary on friendship, staying true to yourself, and not letting your perception of the past color your future. Amy Andrews gives us all that, plus a hot rugby player hero and a happily ever after.

–Calliope

Buy it now Holding Out For a Hero