I was giddy with anticipation about The Book of Longings from the moment its publication date was announced. And, I'm thrilled to report that author Sue Monk Kidd did not disappoint with her newest novel. What's The Book of Longings about? It's long been debated whether Jesus (yep, as in "Christ Superstar") had a female partner. (Hello, The Da Vinci Code.) The Book of Longings takes this controversial idea and runs with...
I devoured The Whisper Man by Alex North in one weekend. I started on a Friday night, and then I just didn't want to stop. When I finally did, I had to take several deep breaths, then shake my head to clear away the intense, mesmerizing world I'd gladly lost myself in for hours on end. The Whisper Man eff'd me up Every cliché you hear about a good thriller should be applied to The Whisper Man-- because it actually deserves these...
I feel like Blanky is a cautionary tale about trusting people who can't spell. I mean, would you buy something from a shopkeeper advertising "BABY CLOSE" (i.e., "clothes") for sale? Nope. I sure as hell wouldn't. If for no other reason than on the principle of being a proud (and snobbish) English major who mastered second grade spelling. Unfortunately, main character Steve and his wife weren't as bothered about this obvious portent of...
I didn't think I was spooked by The Graveyard Apartment. I really didn’t. Then I had a dream that I was trying to herd my Japanese family (which I don't have) out of our high-rise apartment building (which I don't live in) that's teeming with ghosts. THAT'S when I knew this intensely creepy, Japanese horror story had really gotten to me. What's The Graveyard Apartment about? The premise of The Graveyard Apartment is admittedly...
Jerusalem Maiden by Talia Carner is going to piss off the feminists among us. Apart from that, though, this is a really good book! What's Jerusalem Maiden about? The main character in Jerusalem Maiden is Esther, an early 1900s woman from an ultra-Orthodox sect of Judaism called Haredi. So, to say that Esther has limited freedom is putting it mildly. Esther exemplifies all that a "Jerusalem Maiden" goes through in order to...
If you've ever wondered what sex between Bill and Hillary Clinton may be like -- because, of course you have! -- well, wonder no further, readers. Just pick up a copy of Rodham. Images of Hill and Bill, albeit younger versions of them, in every sexual position imaginable now occupy more space in my brain than I once thought possible. Thanks for that, Curtis Sittenfeld. What's Rodham about? Despite the fact that I had to poke...
It's not often I yell out "Holy Crap!" while reading historical fiction. But that's exactly what I did smack in the middle of The Exiles. Let's just say the story took a very unexpected turn. Bravo, Christina Baker Kline, for such a bold move. What's The Exiles about? The Exiles follows three resourceful young women. There’s Evangeline and Hazel, the English prisoners, and Mathinna, a native inhabitant of Australia. Each...
I'm just going to jump right into it: Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center is one of the best books I've read all year. What's Things You Save in a Fire about? Things You Save in a Fire follows main character Cassie to a new fire station when she moves to take care of her ailing, estranged mother. There's a lot of firehouse banter, jokes, camaraderie, and training, which was all thoroughly entertaining, especially...
I'm starting off this book review with a shout-out to to my blogger friend An Historian About Town, who recommended The Finishing Touches in one of her wonderful blog posts. The Historian and I share an affinity for British chick lit (which, I agree, is usually slightly superior to American chick lit), and this charming, sweet, and funny novel by Hester Browne did not disappoint! So, Historian, thanks for the rec! Consider us even for when I...
Let's get right to it, shall we? I never wanted Ruth Ware's The Turn of the Key to end. I was reading full speed ahead for two days straight, and then I did what I usually do when I absolutely love a book – I refused to read the last 40 or so pages because I didn’t want the experience to be over. In fact, I actually got into a lil’ depressed funk when I knew I couldn’t put it off anymore and had to finish reading the story. If...
