A few years ago, I picked up Emma Donoghue's ROOM, not knowing anything about it. The best-selling novel was told in the voice of a five-year old boy who has been locked in a room with his mother all his life. It was an amazing, charming, funny literary tour de force. I've been looking forward to … [Read more...]
What I’m Reading: “We Were Liars”
It's simple enough to pinpoint when reading Young Adult fiction became socially acceptable. "The Hunger Games" trilogy, marketed originally to the teen set in Scholastic fliers, spread like wildfire to the adult population. The caliber of the writing and the quality storyline meant mass appeal and … [Read more...]
Reading Rainbow (Rowell)
Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park was, last year, a phenomenon, and for very good reason. I loved it. Loved it so. hard. So I was super excited to read her new one not long ago. Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell St. Martin's Griffin, ISBN: 978 1 250 03095 5 Cath is upset and a bit adrift when her … [Read more...]
What I’m Reading: “All The Broken Things”
I think I fell in love with this book the first time I saw it. Throwing the old saying out the window, you really can judge this book by the cover. Kathryn Kuitenbower's All the Broken Things lives up to the beautiful, captivating artwork on the paperback. Set in Toronto in 1983, Bo is a … [Read more...]
Building a Bully
What makes a bully? A set of instructions is interspersed with writings of the victim in this unusual book on a hot topic. The Bully Book, by Eric Kahn Gale Harper, ISBN: 978 0 062 12513 2 Designed as a found notebook with two sets of pages intermingled, The Bully Book tells the story of a … [Read more...]
Living Vicariously through Crazy Rich Asians
The summer months offered a few moments of indulgences. One in the form of reading! One of books I picked up before heading for a quick getaway was Kevin Kwan's debut novel, CRAZY RICH ASIANS. As soon as that sparkly gold hardcover hit the shelves it quickly positioned itself onto the bestsellers … [Read more...]
Storm Trooper
This kid has good reason to be terrified of storms, but learns to be brave and wise by the end of the book. What a trooper... Jolted, by Arthur Slade HarperCollins, ISBN: 978 0 00 639571 3 Newton Starker is the last of his line except for his shrewish great-grandmother. The rest of his … [Read more...]
Novel Girl Reviews: The List
An intense look at the rules of high school attraction, and the price that's paid for them.It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is … [Read more...]
Grownup Time: Little Children
I haven't been as religious about attending book club this fall as usual, because working the same night has put a crimp in things, so last month, I stayed home. I was so happy to go back this month and spend the evening with my crew of book loving, wine-sipping, chat-all-nighting good friends. This … [Read more...]