October 2013 Book Reviews

Sadly, I only read three books this month. The first book I read this month was a lengthy one and I struggled to get through it. The last two were fun reads.  I am also continuing to read through all the books on my kindle or that I have around and haven't read yet. I've learned most of the books I pick up are pretty good reads, even if it takes me a few months to get to them. It's funny how my to read list always grows; it never shrinks! The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - This is a tough review for me to write because I didn't enjoy reading this book. However, I respect the author and the whole of this book. The Poisonwood Bible is the story of a family who moves to the Belgian Congo in 1959 led by the father, Nathan Price, who is an evangelical Baptist. I didn't enjoy the novel for a few reasons. The first half of the book was slow and I had a tough time with the portrayal of Nathan Price. I think he was a stereotype and gives readers a bad picture of Christianity. I did enjoy the last third or fourth of the book when the characters make it out of Africa and learning about how they deal with the rest of their lives. I also love how the authors' love for Africa shines throughout the book. Even though the book hit on some tough themes such post-colonialism and religion, it didn't make me turn the pages quickly. And because my interest wasn't completely there, I only give it 4 out of 7 stars.

The Homegoing by Michael Olin-Hitt - A friend of mine handed me a copy of this book a few months ago and I am glad I finally picked up the book and read it. The Homegoing is the story of a young woman named Ruthie who is returning home to Laurelville after a few semesters of college at Ohio State. She wants to figure out the mystery behind a death in her family, but along the way finds out more secrets than she ever imagined. I really enjoyed the characters, especially the dialogue. I also liked the faith aspect of the story. Great book! 6 out of 7 stars.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - Throne of Glass is another book that I bought on my kindle awhile ago and finally read. I really enjoyed reading this book especially since I love books with a strong female protagonist. The protagonist, Celeana is an assassin who is in a competition to win her way to freedom. Along the way, she encounters evil forces, makes a few friends, and falls in love. The book is predictable at times, but such fun to read. The competition and protagonist reminded me of hunger games, but in a fantasy world. I intend to pick up the sequel soon! 6 out of 7 stars.

September 2013 Book Reviews

After a month of reading Madeleine L'Engle, I returned to reading a variety of books. Although this month, I decided to it was time to catch up on the books on my kindle I downloaded and haven't read yet. I only have a few more left and probably will read a few more of those in October. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - With the release of Hosseini's new book, And the Mountains Echoed, I decided to read The Kite Runner again. The Kite Runner remains one of my favorite books, even though it is heartbreaking at times. I'm sure most people have read it by now (this was my third reading of the book) so let me share why I love it. The writing is clear, concise, and very easy to read with just the right amount of description and exposition. The backdrop of Afghanistan and it's history is fascinating. And finally, it's a story of redemption and forgiveness. Great book. 7 out of 7 stars.

The Beam: Episode 1 by Sean Platt & Johnny B. Truant - The Beam is a sci-fi serial set in the future. Episode 1 is setting up characters, setting, and plot. I like what the authors have written so far, the writing is solid, and I am intrigued. However, I am not sure if I am sold on the serial model yet. I still would rather read a full length novel, which I could have bought the whole first season to do that. But, I wanted to see if I liked it first since I'm not a huge science fiction reader. I will pick up the whole season soon and re-evaluate. 5 out of 7 stars.

Prophecy. An Arkane Thriller by Joanna Penn - Penn's second in her ARKANE series is another fast paced thriller with lots of action. For me, the best parts of the book were the mysterious relics and psychology. It's clear Penn did her research in those areas. Personally, I'm not a huge thriller fan - I'd rather read a mystery or a crime book then a thriller, but I was engaged throughout the book. The characters are developing nicely and I find myself liking Morgan Sierra more and more. Who doesn't love a kick-ass female protagonist? Solid book from indie author J.F. Penn. 5 out of 7 stars.

A Series of Unfortunate Events - Books 1-3 by Lemony Snicket - I picked up the first three books in the series on a kindle deal. Again, another popular series I never read as a kid. I really enjoyed these books. I love the little explanations of words laced throughout. They made me laugh. I also thought the stories were fun and different. It's easy to see why this series is such a popular children's book series. 6 out of 7 stars.

What did you read in September?

August 2013 Book Reviews

August is my Madeleine L'Engle month. In my quest to read good young adult novels, I decided to read some of L'Engle's works and decided to start from the beginning with the Austin series. In September, I am back to reading a better mix of books, so hang with me for this month! The Giver by Lois Lowry - Somewhere in my education, I missed reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. It's a classic dystopian young adult novel dealing with themes of freedom and choices verses safety and sameness. It's a good book, well-written, and a great book for a middle school or even early high school class to read together. Personally, I was a little disappointed with the ending, but perhaps I need to read the other three books in the series, although I realize the other books follow different characters. 5 out of 7 Stars.

The Austin Family Series by Madeleine L'Engle

Meet the Austins - Meet the Austins is one of the few Madeline L'Engle books I haven't read. The book introduces us to the Austin family. The family has to take in a young girl who is vaguely related to them when her father suddenly dies. This isn't the strongest in the Austin series, but a good book, nonetheless. I love how L'Engle weaves faith throughout her stories. And the descriptions are stunning. 4 out of 7 stars.

The Moon By Night - The second book in the Austin family series is a story of a cross country camping trip and how Vicky Austin matures during the trip. It's not my favorite L'Engle book, but it's good. I still love how faith is weaved throughout the story. I didn't like Zachary Grey at all in this book, so I'm interested to read A Ring of Endless Light again. 4 out of 7 stars.

The Young Unicorns - This book is a departure from the other Austin family series books. Although the Austin family is a big part of the book, the story follows Dave, a former gang member and a dangerous plot threatening New York City. After reading the first two Austin books, I enjoyed the change of pace with the suspense and mystery in this book. Again, the descriptions are wonderful. I also enjoyed the bit of sci-fi / futuristic piece of the book, as long as you keep in mind the book was written in 1968. So far, this is one of my favorites in the Austin series. 5 out of 7 stars.

Book of the Month

A Ring of Endless Light -  As one of my favorite books growing up, I was anxious to read A Ring of Endless Light as an adult. L'Engle drew me in once again to this story of life, love, and loss. Her writing is so precise and the descriptions are magnificent. The story tugs on your heart as Vicky copes with growing up and dealing with loss in her life with a backdrop of dolphins, but the story doesn't feel dated, simply timeless. L'Engle adds a bit of science fiction and fantasy, but it is perfect and adds depth to the story. A Ring of Endless Light is one of the best YA books I've read. 7 out of 7 stars.

Book Giveaway

If you would like to win a copy of A Ring of Endless Light, leave a comment below telling us a book you loved as a kid or teen which still holds up today! I will pick a winner in a week based on comments.

July 2013 Book Reviews

I read 3 books in July. The first was a dense and long book, taking 2 weeks to read while moving and traveling. The other two were young adult novels. I am reading more YA books than normal right now as I work on revisions of my own YA novel. Broken Harbor by Tana French - I can't decide how I feel about Tana French's Broken Harbor, so I will start with the basics. Detective Kennedy and his partner Richie are assigned to a case in Broken Harbor where a family was brutally attacked. The husband and two children were killed and the wife was left in critical condition. The plot follows the detectives search for the murderer and the motive. Tana French's writing is beautiful and I couldn't put the book down. But, the book's resolution is dark along with the themes throughout the book. So I think there is in my problem. I'd like a little bit of optimism in my reading. Maybe that's why I read YA. However, if you like psychological / crime books, this is worth the read. 5 out of 7 stars.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen - Sarah Dessen is a well known, popular contemporary YA author. In this story, the protagonist, McLean is dealing with her parent's divorce. She lives with her father who moves every few months due to his job. Of course, she meets a boy in the story too. This story moves along quietly through subtle scenes and mood shifts towards resolution without huge conflicts and tension. It's an enjoyable book, but not the best YA book I've ever read. 4 out of 7 stars.

Book of the Month

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - The Sky is Everywhere is a stunning YA debut by Jandy Nelson. The plot follows Lennie and her struggle to move forward after the sudden death of her older sister. In the midst of her grief, Lennie finds herself falling for one boy, but also connected closely with another boy, her sister's boyfriend. Each chapter starts with a poem written by Lennie and these poems add great substance to the book. The writing style is fun and clever and fits with the first person point of view. Here's an example that made me laugh - "Handfuls of bosom pouring out a minuscule black dress that I'm going to wear in broad daylight to band practice." More importantly, Nelson tackles grief and death, two tough subjects in a touching and realistic way. I absolutely loved this book. 7 out of 7 stars. 

I am looking for recommendations for my continuing quest to read solid young adult novels. I prefer to read contemporary YA right now (because of novel editing) so let me know your favorites! I am reading The Giver currently and might move on to some classic Madeline L'Engle after. As always, thanks for following along my journey. Remember The Adventures of Zelda releases Tuesday August 6th!

June 2013 Book Reviews

I only managed to read three books in June. It was a tough month in many ways and my reading time fell by the wayside. However, the three books I did read were excellent and I highly recommend picking up any or all of them!

Book of the Month

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - The Fault in Our Stars is an absolutely stunning contemporary young adult novel. The novel follows the story of Hazel, a teenager living with terminal stage cancer. She meets a boy Augustus who changes her life. Yes, the novel is sad at times, but the characters are smart and beautiful. Green grapples with issues of mortality, life, and love in a way that is meaningful and triumphant. I recommend this book to readers of all ages. 7 out of 7 stars. If you want a free copy (kindle or paperback), send me an email (kristenotte1 at gmail.com). The first email I get is the winner!

The Rest

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - As part of my quest to read more classic literature, I picked up The Great Gatsby this month, inspired by the new film out in theaters. I read The Great Gatsby in high school and college and remember it being one of my favorites I was "forced" to read. The Great Gatsby did not disappoint several years later. Fitzgerald writes in a simple, yet beautiful style. Not a word is wasted, yet the writing sets the scene perfectly. The novel is an allegory of the American Dream and the endless pursuit of money and power, a theme very relevant to today's readers. The Great Gatsby is indeed the great american novel. Another 7 out of 7 stars.

Dark Currents by Lindsay Buroker - Dark Currents is the second book in Buroker's Emperor's Edge series. (I read and reviewed the first book in March). I enjoyed Dark Currents even more than the first book. The book is part adventure, part mystery and fantasy, set in a steam punk era. Amaranthe and her team are on a hunt to figure out why the city water is tainted and how to stop it. Along the way, they encounter magical machines, green eyed animals, and mythical creatures. The character development is great and I love the humor, especially in the dialogue, laced throughout the book. I will definitely keep reading this series. 6 out of 7 stars.

Read anything good lately? Let us know in the comments!

May 2013 Book Reviews

Amidst transitioning away from one job and working two others, I managed to read 5 books this month. Reading is a way I escape stress and it was good to escape with a couple interesting books this month. Check out the book of the month and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of it! Night Bells by L.M. Sherwin - Night Bells is a fantasy young adult novel so the book is on par with my normal reading habits. The novel is a coming of age story about Lord Maslyn, a 12 year old boy who has been imprisoned in his own castle for 6 years. The pacing of the novel was good and the story was intriguing. (A talking pig!) My only complaint is I wish the story was darker; however, Night Bells is the first in the series, so maybe the themes become darker later in the series. Night Bells is another example of a great indie book! 5 out of 7 stars.

The Leopard by Jo Nesbo - The Leopard is another crime thriller in the Harry Hole series. (I reviewed The Snowman and The Redeemer in earlier book review posts.) I love the flawed character of Harry and his unconventional detective skills. Much like the others, this book keeps you guessing until the end. The Leopard isn't my favorite of the series, but it's definitely worth a read for crime and mystery readers! 5 out of 7 stars.

Unicorn Western by Johnny B. Truant and Sean Platt - I am a weekly listener of the Self Publishing Podcast hosted by Johnny and Sean (and Dave Wright). They mention this series often in their podcast, especially since Unicorn Western was born out of a joke. Unicorn Western is a serial and each installment is novella length. I read the first, although after reading Unicorn Western I, I picked up the whole saga (9 episodes total) for a sale price of only $4.99! Unicorn Western is laced with jokes (it is a western with unicorns), the storyline is fun, and the writing is crisp. I only gave it 4 out of 7 stars, but I imagine the rating will go up after I read the whole saga. 

The Book of Deacon by Joseph Lallo - I picked up this book at some point from a recommendation. I enjoyed the first half of the novel, but struggled through the second half. The plot completely shifted to a new world and set of challenges, unrelated to the first. I imagine it will all tie together since it's a trilogy, but I needed more integration in this book. Also, Lallo does not use chapters in this book which I do not like and the writing is weak at times. I think the book is a good start for Lallo, but needed a little more work before publishing.  3 out of 7 stars.

Book of the Month

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - The Light Between Oceans is a novel which stirs up every emotion. Tom and Isabel are married and live on Janus Rock, a solitary small island off the coast of Australia. Tom's responsibility is to man the lighthouse. Isabel is a young woman eager to have children, but suffers two miscarriages and a stillbirth. After the stillbirth, a boat washes on shore with a dead man and a living baby. They decide to keep the baby and raise the child as their own amidst doubts and possible future consequences. The ensuing story is beautiful, yet tragic. Stedman's sentences are carefully constructed and I couldn't stop reading the last 100 pages, despite the sad story. The Light Between Oceans is a great novel. 6 out of 7 stars.

If you want a chance to win a copy of The Light Between Oceans, simply leave a comment below about a good book you have read recently.

April 2013 Book Reviews

I can't believe it's the end of April already. This month flew by. I've decided to incorporate ratings into my book reviews based on a 7 star system. A 7 star book is the best, but anything 4 or above is a good pick. I had a hard time picking a book of the month for April, so I have a special giveaway in its place. Read to the bottom for more information! The Dog Stars by Peter Heller - The Dog Stars is the story of one man's life in a post apocalyptic world. We quickly learn this world is a vicious fight for survival, not only against disease, but against other people. But, in the middle of this tough environment, we watch Hig, the protoganist, search for meaning and eventually find it through relationships. The writing style takes some getting used to because Heller doesn't use dialogue in a traditional manner. I enjoyed the book greatly as a portrait into our humanity. 5 out of 7 stars.

Z 2134 by Sean Platt & David Wright - Z 2134 is one of Sean Platt and David Wright's many serials. Platt and Wright arrange the content into episodes (roughly novella length) which are released weekly. I read the first four episodes which compose season one and ended up a little disappointed. The description clearly states it's a combination of the Hunger Games, Walking Dead and 1984, and I wish they didn't stick so true to that statement. On the upside, Z 2134 is well written and the plot is engaging. I finished episode 4 wanting more and for many questions to be answered so I think despite it all, I'm hooked. I'm looking forward to trying out more serials from Platt and Wright. 4 out of 7 stars.

Jesus Is by Judah Smith - I enjoyed reading Judah Smith's book. There wasn't anything revolutionary in the book, but it was a good reminder of how following Jesus guides my faith as a Christian. I'd recommend this book to a new christian. However, if you are looking for a book with deep theology, this isn't the book to read. 4 out of 7 stars.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel - I bought Life of Pi over a year ago for my kindle when it was a daily deal. I have many books on my kindle through those deals and it takes me way too long to get to them. However, I am glad I finally read Life of Pi. The novel starts a bit slow, but once Pi is on the lifeboat I was sucked into the story. Themes of faith, imagination, story and reality are intertwined throughout the book. The writing is clear and concise with beautiful and sometimes disturbing imagery. This is a book I can read many times and I look forward to watching the film now. 6 out of 7 stars.

Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty - I wasn't sure if this book belongs in the book review post, yet it does deserve a mention. The book is targeted for nonfiction writing, cover letters, and business writing; however, this book is a great resource for all writers. She covers basic grammar, word usage, and punctuation rules. Her website and free podcast are also helpful.

Book Giveaway

I couldn't decide on a book of the month for April, so the giveaway is a little different. One lucky winner will win a copy of any book in my monthly books reviews of 2013. Simply leave a comment of what book you would like to win and a short reason why. The links to my past monthly book reviews are below. Happy Commenting! I will pick a winner in a week.

January 2013 Book Reviews

February 2013 Book Reviews

March 2013 Book Reviews

March 2013 Book Reviews

This was a fun month of reading. I read some great books and due to my surgery, I spent lots of time reading. I read five books this month including one indie book and one literary classic! Check them out below and leave a comment if you want to win a copy of the book of the month! The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness - The Knife of Never Letting Go is the first in another young adult dystopian trilogy. If you haven't noticed yet, I like this genre. Todd is a thirteen year old boy who lives in a town of all men in the New World. In the New World, all the men can hear each others' thoughts which is called "Noise." Todd quickly learns the history he was taught isn't true and he forced to run away from his home for his life. Ness does interesting things with language and fonts in this book which I enjoyed. I liked the story, but was a little disappointed with the cliffhanger ending. It's a solid read, but not in the same category as the Hunger Games or Veronica Roth's Divergent series.

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller - Keller's short book examines the familiar parable of the prodigal son. Keller reminds us the story is about two sons, not just the "lost" son and the implications for our faith when we look at the story of both sons. Keller is a great pastor and theologian and this book is a great read to remind us of God's grace.

The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker - I picked up The Emperor's Edge as my indie book for March and it was a great pick (especially since it's free in the kindle store). The Emperor's Edge is a mix of fantasy, steampunk and the thriller genres. Amaranthe Lokdon is a strong female lead who puts together a team of criminals to save the emperor from an assassination scheme. Buroker laces humor through her characters and I found myself chuckling often. The story moves along well and the novel is very well written. I can't wait to read Dark Currents, Book 2 in the series!

Dracula by Bram Stoker - I'm ashamed to say this was the first time I've read Bram Stoker's Dracula. With the popularity of vampires in pop culture, I wanted to go back to a classic vampire tale. And this book is a classic. I loved the narration of this story- through letters and journals from the main characters. The story is frightening in the best way. If you missed this book somewhere along the way, pick it up.

Book of the Month

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton - Kate Morton is one of my favorite authors these days and I absolutely loved this book. The story revolves around Laurel Nicholson's investigation into her mother's past to solve a murder her mother covered up when Laurel was a teenager. Morton switches point of view and time period throughout the book in an effortless manner. The characters are well-developed, the language is beautiful and the intrique is high as the story dives into themes of family, relationships, loss and love. This is a well deserved 5 star book.

Giveaway

Every month I give away a free copy of the book of month to one lucky comment. Leave me a comment about any of the books above, or a book you've enjoyed recently for a chance to win! Zelda will pick the winner in a week or so.

February 2013 Book Reviews

This was a tough month of reading for me, but I plowed through 4 books. March will be a bigger reading month, especially since I'll be sidelined for a couple weeks due to my hand surgery. Here are the reviews for this month! Remember, the first to comment on this post wins a copy of the book of the month! The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - After seeing the first Hobbit movie, I finally picked up Tolkien's Hobbit. I have no idea why it took me so long to read this book. The Hobbit is a fun adventure story. Tolkien mixes the perfect amount of description and exposition. I loved the book and look forward to picking up the LOTR trilogy again in the near future.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - I'm trying to read one "literary classic" a month and I decided to start with Pride and Prejudice which was one of my favorites in high school. It's been several years since I've read it, so in some ways I felt like I was reading it for the first time since I'm well into my adult years now. I was quickly reminded that I couldn't blow through this book quickly like I do for many books I read due to the language and depth. But, I was also reminded why it was one of my favorites. I love the dialogue and how Austen forces us to carefully think about our actions, words, and stereotypes.

Fat Vampire by Johnny B. Truant - Fat Vampire follows the story of Reginald, an overweight man who is turned into a vampire and therefore, stuck as an overweight man for eternity. Fat Vampire is a quick read due to the succinct storytelling and its short length. (It's more of a novella). But, the concept is fun, the book made me laugh and I enjoyed the quirky main characters. This is the first in the series and I'll probably pick up the others in the future. Quick note, there is adult language in this book.

Book of the Month

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo - I'm making my way through Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole crime series and the Snowman is my favorite so far. If you haven't read any in the series, you can pick up the Snowman and not miss too much. The story follows alcoholic detective Harry Hole in his search to find a serial killer nicknamed the Snowman. Nesbo's writing puts you into the action and the descriptions are vivid, yet horrifying at times. About halfway through, you think the plot is wrapping up, but you know better since there are 200 pages left. Nesbo does an excellent job of giving you hints of what's to come, yet keeps the twists and turns coming throughout the novel. This is a great read!

If you want a chance to win The Snowman, leave a comment below. The first to respond wins!

January 2013 Book Reviews

I skipped the usual monthly book review post in December in favor of My 12 Favorite Books of 2012 so this month I am posting the reviews of books I read in December and January. I read 6 great books the past two months, one of which was extremely long. This post also includes my first pick for a new book of the month series. Each month, I will pick a book of the month from those I read and give a copy away! But, first here are the books I read from the past two months.

The Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans - I featured this book as one of my favorites in 2012, but here's the synopsis if you missed it. I followed Rachel Held Evans on and off for the past few years through her blog. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. Her story of living biblically is laced with humor as she attempts activities outside her comfort zone. But, behind the humor and funny stories, Rachel Held Evans tells the stories of women in the Bible, celebrates women of all types, and finds truth in her year of biblical womanhood.

Pentecost by J.F. Penn- I try to read about one self-published book a month and Pentecost was my pick for December. I enjoyed Pentecost, the first in the Arkane series by Joanna Penn. The thriller is in the realm of Dan Brown's work, mixing history with religion in a fictional manner. I thought the book was well written, but a little too predictable. I also thought the two main characters, Morgan and Jake needed to be developed more, but I anticipate that will happen in Prophecy, the second in the series. If you are looking for a fun thriller, it's a great ebook for under $5.00.

A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin- Compared to the first book in this series, A Game of Thrones, this second book in the series was a letdown for me. I really enjoyed the first in the series, but I was lost in the family names, kings and length during the second. Furthermore, there was little forward progress for the plot and story lines in the first half of the book. However, I did enjoy the Tyrion chapters. His character shines again in this book. I hope A Storm of Swords will take the action of the last 100 pages and continue to move forward. If so, it will be a great book.

Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield- Turning Pro is a short book for creatives who are looking to make it- to become a professional writer, artist, musician, etc. Turning Pro is essentially a follow up to Pressfield's The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles. The War of Art focuses on Resistance - or what stops us from pursuing our call to write. In this book, he revisits the resistance theme and takes it further, listing qualities and attributes of a professional. The last 1/3 of the book is worth reading over and over if you are looking to become a professional in a creative field.

City of the Falling Sky by Joseph Evans- City of the Falling Sky was an enjoyable young adult book and a great effort by Evans for his first book. This was my indie pick for January. On the positive side, I loved the main character, the setting and the science fiction aspect. I read through the book quickly which is a testament to a good storyline. On the negative side, I felt at times the story fit together a little too conveniently and the book lacked something to tie it all together, but I can't quite pin down what that something is from the first read. But, I definitely will look for the next in the series and continue reading. Evans is an author with great potential!

Book of the Month

Running the Rift by Naomi Benaronis January's book of the month. This book has been on my to-read list for a long time and I'm so glad I finally read it! Running the Rift is a story of a boy chasing his dream to become an Olympic runner within the horrifying backdrop of the Rwandan genocide in the early 1990's. The story follows Jean Patrick, the protagonist, from his childhood into his young adult years. Benaron gives this character a great voice and provides a great picture into Rwanda leading up to the horrors of the genocide. At times the story was predictable, but I was so invested in the characters, I didn't care. I've seen a little bit of criticism for this book because of its simplicity in writing style, but I don't see that as a negative quality. Benaraon wrote a beautiful and tragic story which also educates us about a terrible point in history for Rwanda and the world.

The Giveaway

If you would like a copy of Running the Rift, simply leave a comment on this post or send me an email telling me your favorite winter activity. I will pick a winner form the responses in the next week and send them a kindle version of Running the Rift. Happy Commenting!