What A Tangled Web We Weave - Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I predict that I'm going to be spending lot of time with Ms. Moriarty's books in 2015 because this is the second novel of hers that I've found to be funny and engaging. The first was What Alice Forgot, which I think resonated with me a bit more, but that really doesn't take anything away from my enjoyment of Big Little Lies.

Madeline is a spirited twice-married mother of three dealing with a teenager, an ex-husband, kindergarten politics, and keeping a bead on all the town happenings. Jane is a single mother: young, quiet, and new to town. Celeste is beautiful and married to a very wealthy man who loves to share their perfect life on Facebook. All are sending their kids to kindergarten at the same school.

They are living in a tangle of lies, misperceptions, and secrets, so when the early pages make it clear that a crime has taken place, I wasn't sure who the criminal and victim would turn out to be. The pacing of the novel was perfect, and the supporting characters, while occasionally one-note, were all fun and added to the mystery. The "blond bobs" are likely to be an image that stays with me throughout my children's schooling.

With a beach setting in Australia, this book becomes an even better winter read! Mystery, humor, and the beach...the perfect book for the long cold days.



View all my reviews

A Dimmer Star Than I Expected - The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



2.5 stars. This was better in the second half, so I'm glad I stuck with it but that first half was PLODDING. I frequently found myself skimming. I didn't care for the random style of writing, and I didn't care much for Hig. Thankfully, the supporting characters are more fleshed out and help the story along.

I love the dystopian genre and this isn't one I'd recommend. There wasn't much to add to familiar dystopian themes. My favorite part was the "Suggested Reading" list at the end...not a good sign!



View all my reviews

I Don't Want To Go Back! - Desire Lines by Christina Baker Kline

Desire Lines by Christina Baker Kline

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Oh man, this one was a struggle.

Who wants to revisit high school? Or even worse, revisit the years in which you lost your best friend? Rather than feeling tense this story felt all kind of AWKWARD. I had such a hard time maintaining interest in wishy-washy characters, arguments about high school drama long-past, and a totally predictable missing girl mystery. Even though most of us didn't have a friend tragically disappear in our senior year, most of us can still look back at high school and realize that we might not have really known our best friends at their core. We realize that we didn't know the core of ourselves. It's called being a teenager and having room to grow.

Kline can write, and since I read and loved Orphan Train this book won't derail me from reading more of her novels. I think this was an example of poor subject matter...I just didn't want to connect. Even while I'm discounting the characters/mystery, I could totally picture the town, the school, and the reunion. All the skills to set the stage are on fine display. I just didn't care once the curtain opened!



View all my reviews

10 Books That Have Stayed With Me- Facebook Challenge

Many of you may have participated in the recent "10 Books" challenge on Facebook (and if you haven't, consider this your invitation--everyone on your Facebook can benefit from your awesome taste!).  I thought it would be fun to share my list, and the rules in case you haven't seen this.

I challenge you to list 10 books that have stayed with you, then tag ten friends. Rules: They don't have to be the "right" books, just books that have had an effect on you. Don't take more than a few minutes. The answers should come quickly. 

My choices:

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
2. All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
3. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
4. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
5. You Are My I Love You by Maryann Cusimano Love
6. Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
7. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
8. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
9. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
10. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Happy Listing!

The One Who Lived - Queen's Gambit: A Novel of Katherine Parr by Elizabeth Fremantle

Queen's Gambit: A Novel of Katherine Parr by Elizabeth Fremantle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I won a copy of this novel through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways.

I enjoyed this lush account of Henry VIII's last wife, Katherine Parr. Life in Katherine's world was vividly described and the characters were well-developed. The plot kept moving, never leaving me feeling like I was moving through a history text.

Fans of Philippa Gregory would feel right at home with this novel and I would happily read more from Fremantle.

*Edited to add that I passed it on to a family member who also really enjoyed it, so this is a great book to add to your TBR pile!



View all my reviews

The maybes are worth it - Heft by Liz Moore

Sometime during the summer, I saw someone on staff at my local library recommend Heft via Facebook.  I don't know who wrote the post, I'd never heard of it before, but something in that tiny blurb caught my eye and I added it to my TBR list.  Last week, while helping my daughter find Reading Olympics books at the library, I picked it up...and really liked it!

 

Arthur Opp is an obese recluse, so saddened by losses in his past that food and solitude become his refuge.  Charlene is his former student and pen-pal, with a life spiraling into darkness.  Kel is Charlene's son, a rising baseball star commuting from a disadvantaged neighborhood to a top-notch high school, dealing with his mother's decline while finding his place in the world.  Moore brings their stories together with care and distinct presences, never making them caricatures of their issues.

I'm a sucker for a good character study, and even if I didn't particularly love Arthur Opp, Charlene, or Kel Keller, I felt that I understood their motivations.  I was moved by their struggle to connect with others and embrace the "maybes" in life.

Another example of social media word of mouth in action!  I'd never have picked up this book without seeing the library staff review.  This good read is a great reminder to always check out the library and bookstore staff recommendation shelves!

4 out of 5.

Are you a Booksomniac?

Are you a Booksomniac?  How many of the following statements apply to you?
                   

• I read past my bedtime.
• I don't understand anyone's comments about late-night TV.
• The number of times I hit snooze can be directly correlated to the number of chapters read the night before.
• If I finish a book, it's time to start a new one, no matter the hour.  Because, NEW BOOK NIGHT! 
• Most of my Goodreads shelf activity takes place after 10pm.

                                 

If you agree with three or more of these statements, you might be a Booksomniac like me!  But even if you're a morning reader, vacation reader, train reader, or occasional reader I hope that you will find a good recommendation here.  Welcome!