Book Nook Club: Reviewed by Lisa

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May 20, 2012

TIME's Disasters That Shook the World

Reviewing Disasters That Shook the World is an interesting experience. I think humans have a fascination with disasters and while you can't really "enjoy" reading about them, this publication by Time made the learning about them interesting albiet brief.

As a history teacher, I know how important it is to talk about accomplishments and failures. History is made of mistakes and, really, we should be glad for them as these disasters shaped future safety measures and awareness. The subjects include Disasters at Sea, Disasters in the Air, and Fire Disasters amoung others.

The articles include many pictures and are a general overview. Of course there is more to each of these stories but as far as a 'magazine-esque' book goes, I was pleased. If anything it made me go further and look up some more about some of the stories.

I recommend this for anyone intersted in history and anyone looking for a quick interesting read.

4 Stars.
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January 23, 2012

American Idol by S.C. Hayden

Meet Gus and Desmond aka Zoltar and Orbitron. They have a scheme to make millions. Want money? Fame? Talent? A better video game score? There's an Idol for that! The American Idol Company guarantees their idols will help you achieve all your goals and more! Throw in some bad behavior by the founders for publicity and you've got yourself a good ol' American fad. Are you starting to see the plot?

This is a religious satire in all its glory. There is a virgin mother stripper, a Skinhead gay-lover, and oh so many more wonderful supporting characters. The comedy is dark but truly funny. And the commentary on modern culture and our obsession with stuff and more stuff is poignant and not always subtle. S.C. Hayden tricks you into eating a sugar cube he's filled with stinky self-truth. Don't believe me? What was the latest fad you fell victim too? Beanie babies? Bell-bottoms? Sudoku? Is it that hard to believe an "American Idol" company is that far fetched?

The plot twists and turns but makes sure you're riding along with it. The ending is unexpected but totally one of the best parts. And I laughed out loud. A lot.

Fair warning, however, nothing is off limits in Hayden's world, and if you prefer entertainment without an occasional slap this may not be the book for you.
5 Stars. Recommended for Adults - with reservations.

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December 8, 2011

Farsighted by Emlyn Chand

I was skeptical about Farsighted before I began reading it. The main character, Alex, is blind. The MAIN character is BLIND! Imagine all the scenery and setting and sensory images you gain from a character's sight while reading! It concerned me. But I was sorely mistaken! Farsighted gains depth and dimension from Alex's blindness. Alex gives us sensory experience through smell, touch, and hearing that are so deep and so real I honestly even forgot he was blind for quite a while.

What makes Alex even more special is that he can see the future. And what makes Alex completley normal and totally relatable? He's bullied. He's bullied without mercy. His parents are openly flawed. The adults around him are odd. He is an average teen with an extrodinary talent. I really appreciated the realness that permeates the story, even through the supernatural 'farsight'.

When Alex sees a bad premonition of his friend Simmi, he is determined to stop it, and so begins the mystery part of the book. And I will openly admit, I was floored by the outcome - I totally guessed wrong and was shocked (in a good way) by where Alex's story ends up and I can't wait to read more!

This is one of the best YA books I have read in a very long time. I was hooked. I was enthralled. I was so engrossed I am still thinking about it everyday! Read this. You won't be dissapointed.

5 Stars! Recommended for teens and adults.
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October 30, 2011

The Lost Hours by Karen White

I picked this up because I had a few minutes before an appointment and it was the only book nearby. I started it thinking well I'll read some of it now and finish it some other time. I ended up being so engrossed that I was late for my appointment! And I finished it in the next 24 hours.

The Lost Hours begins with Piper Mills, a once world renowned equestrian, who is dealing the with recent death of her grandfather. Her parents died when she was six and Piper moved in with her grandparents. Her grandmother developed Alzheimer's and at the time of her grandfathers death, is living in a nursing home. Her grandfather's lawyer stops by after the funeral and hands Piper something he's been holding at the request of her grandparents - an angel charm and an old key. He also has a message, her grandmother has a story that Piper needs to learn.

The book is a tribute to mothers, to daughters, to best friends, and to women in general. I found myself thinking of the things and stories I have to tell my own daughters and how important it is that we give our histories to the next generation. There were some situations in the book that were almost too perfect-fit but the mystery and the interrelational dynamics are so engrossing it's completley forgivable.

4 stars! Recommended for adults.
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September 24, 2011

Evermore by Alyson Noel

I picked Evermore up for four dollars at my local Hastings simply because I have seen many people reading it and wondered what all the fuss was about. This is the first in an ongoing series and I'm pretty sure there are currently seven books in this series and a spin off series featuring one of the characters.

Where to begin? This novel is definitely YA - not that it's a bad thing but the writing is simple, the story is simple, the action sequences are simple - well you get the picture.

Sixteen-year old Ever is the only survivor of a horrible car crash that kills her family. She moves from Oregon to LA to live with an estranged aunt. She is an outcast at her new school and turns inward, ignoring everyone else. That is until, Damen shows up. He's the new, incredibly gorgeous, very mysterious guy who miraculously shows an interest in Ever. But Ever knows there is something weird about him but she can't put her finger on it. He's too beautiful, moves too fast, seems to be able to read her mind, and pulls red tulips out of thin air. As she gets to know Damen, she is thrust into a world where immortals are real and she's deeply involved - although not in the way you expect.

So here's the gist. Good story, lots of potential - especially when you get to the explanations at the end of the book - but while reading this, I seriously thought I was reading a different version of Twilight. It's so similar Stephanie Meyer could probably sue Noel and win. It's not until the end that you get a differing plot line. I have high hopes for the next books in this series but if it continues to be a Twilight doppelganger I will move on.

Overall, decent read. 3 stars. Read for a quick fantasy YA or if you love Twilight. Adults and Teens.

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September 9, 2011

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

I have read a lot of YA fantasy. A lot. Some of it is exceptional and I can't wait to get someone else to read it and others are extremely mediocre and dull. Where does The Warrior Heir fall? Somewhere in the middle. Was it OMG awesome? No. Did I read it in two sittings? Yes. Will I read more from this author and most likely finish the series? When I think about it.

The story follows Jack, a 16 year old from Ohio. He's nothing special and the only thing odd about him is that he has to take a pill everyday for a heart surgery he had as a baby. One day Jack doesn't take his medicine and he feels stronger, more aggressive, more confident, and all around better. But, he loses control and almost kills another student at soccer practice. Enter Jack's odd Aunt Linda, who bares news about Jack - he's Weirlind; part of a magical people. He's the center of The Game, the war platform for the two sects of wizards. The Game pits two Warriors against each other in a gladiator like battle - winner takes control of all the Weirlind. And guess who is the very last warrior? That's right - Jack.

Overall, this was a fun, simple read without any huge themes or difficult subject matter. It is straight YA popcorn (light, fluffy, eaten by the handful). If it sounds interesting to you, go for it! You'll enjoy it but it probably won't rock your world. It did have some interesting aspects and I think if she ever wanted to expand the story fully it could be a fantastic adult fantasy.

I would recommend this for teens and preteens. Adults - it's something fun to read that's quick, entertaining, and with little depth.

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September 1, 2011

Midnight Never Come by Marie Brennan

I discovered this novel by chance on goodreads.com. I was already reading Brennan's other novel Warrior and have enjoyed it so far so I thought, Hey - what the heck? I'll try this one too. Wow, I'm glad I did!

Midnight Never Come is a novel of Fae and Human entanglements but the story was different than anything else I had read before. It takes place during Queen Elizabeth I reign in England so there is a historical aspect but the novel is more about the story than the history. The novel begins with an imprisoned young Elizabeth being visited by an ambitious usurper named Invidiana. Elizabeth strikes a deal with the fairy who has promised her the throne.

Both women become Queens and political intrigue becomes a well known part of their rule. Lune, a Fae courtier who has fallen out of favor with the Queen tries everything in her power to be in Invidiana's good graces again - including becoming involved in Elizabeth's affairs. Michael Deven, a newly appointed Gentlemen Pensioner for Elizabeth, knows there is something unknown dictating Elizabeth's affairs but he can't figure it out. How these two become involved and the paths they take - one against and one for - is one of the best story lines I think I have read in a long time. The story twists and turns and what you think will happen doesn't and the ending you think you have figured out isn't true.

There are couple of things that did keep me from giving this 5 stars, however. First, the writing, although engaging, has a couple of weird and rather repetitive quirks. I was able to overlook them in favor of the story but they did annoy me at the time and annoy me still. And second, there are certain parts of the book that are presented without explanation and with too little description. Again, I was able to overlook them, but the story would have been superb if these had been given the time they deserved.

Overall, 4 stars. Recommended for teens and adults .

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August 20, 2011

Trees Cry for Rain by Jeri Fink

I began Trees Cry for Rain thinking it would be another time shifting historical fiction novel. That it would be good, but not awesome. Wow - I was wrong. From the very opening pages, I was gripped. The story begins with a family in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. They are Jews who are desperately pretending to be Christians. They are betrayed, the parents are sent to prison, and the children have to flee. The story switches gears after that and we meet modern day New Yorkers who are connected somehow - to each other, and to the horrible persecutions of the past. It's difficult to say more than that without divulging too much but believe me - this is one powerful book.

The transitions between time periods and characters are seamless. The scene descriptions and background inclusions are beautiful and always a positive. The characters are deep and reach out from the pages to grab your heart. The sheer amount of research that had to happen for this novel blows my mind. I followed the characters on their journey and found it all to easy to see their surroundings, to feel their emotions, and to worry for their fates. This novel has all of the components of an epic success - strong characters, engrossing plot, and gripping themes. I look forward to future works from Ms. Fink!

5 Stars!

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August 15, 2011

The Paladin by Ken Newman

Wowee! The Paladin is a ride. Not only is it a humorous and fun read but it's very original. This book follows the mission of one Maggie Black, paladin extrodinare, on her quest to stop a devoted husband from lifiting a curse put on his wife that has kept her entrapped for hundreds of years. Oh - did I mention the wife is a supernatural demon who has the power to destroy the world? Or that her husband uses witches and shape-shifters to stop Maggie? And how about the fact that Maggie works for an angel named Larry and owns a sword that's really a demon? And the fun just starts there. Wait until you meet the hypocritical town preacher or Silas Cole, the once-thought murderer who is actually the worlds savior?

The Paladin is pure entertainment. Nothing really deep. My only critiques would be the cover art (not a good representation of the book) and the characters are slightly shallow (but I was so excited to read the next page that it didn't bother me one bit). Read this book for the pure joy of reading or for a laugh. It's easily picked up, put down, and picked up again. If you like fantasy set in the real world, stories featuring a strong female lead, characters that span the range of human personality, even action set to an intriguing background, try The Paladin.

Recommended for older teens and adults. 4.5 stars!

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July 12, 2011

The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles Book One) by Rick Riordan

First I must admit that I have been a longtime fan of Rick Riordan and his Heroes of Olympus series is fantastic. I was excited to read his new series and had very high expectations. And Mr. Riordan - you did not disappoint!

I love Egypt and have ever since I was a kid. I think the whole civilization is fascinating and went into this book hoping I would get a healthy does of Egyptian lore and myths. Oh I did - and it was awesome.

The book follows the quest of Sadie and Carter Kane to rescue their father from a very angry Egyptian god. They have to navigate new magical abilities, commune with other gods, and fight demons of all kinds. There are twists and turns and shockers galore all cramed in with great action sequences and terrific dialouge. The only part of the book I have any negative comment on - and its not even really negative - is that the chapters switch back and forth between the two kids and in the beginning was slightly confusing. Once I got used to the characters, though, it was a lot easier to follow and I truly began enjoying the different viewpoints and sibling banter.

This is a fantasic addition to the YA genre and a great read for adventure lovers of all ages. 5 stars!

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July 6, 2011

The 39 Clues by Various Authors (Books 1-10)

I just finished reading (well listening to as they were audiobooks) numbers 1-10 of The 39 Clues series. There are more coming (book 11 - Vespers Rising - came out in April) but book 10 ends at a very good stopping point before starting the next phase of the story. The books follow the quest of the 11 year old Dan and 14 year old Amy Cahill around the world as they try to piece together the clues that form the basis of their families power. What power? Well, in the books, the Cahills are an extremely influencial family that has four branches. Famous people like Benjamin Franklin, Mozart, Shakespeare, and others are all included in the families geneology. Dan and Amy must follow clues and hints left behind througout the generations to find the ultimate prize - the power to rule the world.

These books are extremely well written. Each book features a new author - including big YA names like Riordan, Korman, and Haddix. And while that may seem like it would make the series choppy and disconnected, it doesn't. Rather, it gives an exciting and ever-changing quality to the books that fits in nicely with Dan and Amy's constant traveling and hunting. The characters are extremely well developed and I grew to care about Dan and Amy and their plight more and more with every book. The series has well thought out plot twists and the historical aspects are really engaging and highly believeable.

I must say also that the audiobooks, narrated by David Pittu, are some of the best recordings I have ever heard. He gives unique and distinctive voices to all of the characters. Check it out.

I would recommend these for all ages. 5 stars!

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July 5, 2011

God and Stephen Hawking: Whose Design is it Anyway? by John C. Lennox

I was interested in this book for a number of reasons - the main one being that I have read a few things from Stephen Hawking and while I found his writing engaging and informative, I have always wondered - Where's God? All kinds of scientific theories are put out into the world but God seems to still be a very taboo subject for scientists and academics. This book may provide an interesting perspective for students attending online Christian colleges. So it was interesting to read something that responded to a very openly atheist scientific work from a Christian point of view.

Lennox does a great job of making some rather complicated ideas understandable. It is a short book but definatly full of thought-provoking questions. The beginning of God and Stephen Hawking opens with an argument against Hawking's controversial statement that "Philosophy is dead". Lennox asks if the questions Hawing debates in his book - Where did we come from? How did we get here? - are not themselves philosophical questions. The book follows this same pattern of taking an argument, disecting it, and refuting each point.

Overall, I learned a few things and have kept it in my personal library for future reference. Worth a read if for nothing else than it makes you think about your personal views and where the current scientific trends fit into them.

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April 8, 2011

In the Woods by Tana French

In The Woods by Tana French is a slow paced but engrossing book. The story begins with a mystery around three children in small town Ireland. Two disappear and are never seen again. The third is found with blood pooled inside his shoes, giant scratches down his back, hugging a tree - with no recollection what happened. This boy becomes a detective and is called back to those woods when a little girl is found dead.

I began reading this book purely because the story sounded interesting. I finished the book because the characters are so deep, so totally involved, and so completely real I felt I was intimatley involved in their lives. The plot was interesting but this book, for me, was all about the people and their interactions. The murdered girls family has visible but atypical secrets. The detectives aren't perfect and the case twists in on itself but once explained makes perfect sense.

I must also give props to the author simply for her style. The writing is beautiful. And although the book felt slightly long and, in my personal opinion, the ending was not completely satisfactory (I would love others opinons), I am glad I read the book.

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March 31, 2011

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark is a gripping story that examines relationships in all their glory and complexity. Marriages, friendships, families, religious groups, and class systems (just to name a few) are intertwined throughout the novel creating characters and experiences that have true depth. Evie Mitchell is a wife and mother in 1947. When her husband travels to India to document the end of British rule, Evie and their young son accompany him. Her marriage is severely strained because her husband has severe PTSD from WWII and India is on the brink of war over the partition dividing Hindus and Muslims throughout India. Soon she finds a pack of letters written between two Englishwomen in 1857 hidden inside her bungalow. The letters begin a search into a deep friendship between two women and the events that shaped their lives also bring insight into her own situations.

The Sandalwood Tree drew me in from the beginning and stayed on my mind even when I was not reading it. The book flashes between 1857 and 1947 without seeming choppy at all and I was interested in the main storyline and all of the side storylines equally. The story contains twists and turns that are entirely believable but not expected. I must admit that in certain parts of the book I cried openly! (particularly towards the end) I must also say that I know nothing about India or its history but that did not hinder my enjoyment of the story. Ms. Newmark makes the inclusion of Indian culture seamless and relevant. The best part about the book, however, is the message of love and togetherness. For example, “If I must choose between joy and caution, I choose joy” is one of my favorite quotes from the novel and stuck with me even after I finished reading.

This book is definitely worth reading. Get your favorite blanket, a tasty cup of tea, and settle in for a great read. Five stars!

Oh, and if you are interested, check out www.ellenewmark.com. She writes a blog, provides book club aides, and there is also a great Q&A section.

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May 20, 2012

TIME's Disasters That Shook the World

January 23, 2012

American Idol by S.C. Hayden

December 8, 2011

Farsighted by Emlyn Chand

October 30, 2011

The Lost Hours by Karen White

September 24, 2011

Evermore by Alyson Noel

September 9, 2011

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

September 1, 2011

Midnight Never Come by Marie Brennan

August 20, 2011

Trees Cry for Rain by Jeri Fink

August 15, 2011

The Paladin by Ken Newman

July 12, 2011

July 6, 2011

July 5, 2011

April 8, 2011

In the Woods by Tana French

March 31, 2011

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark

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