Review: THE PORCUPINE OF TRUTH, by Bill Konigsberg

Bill Konigsberg has done it again--he's drawn me in to a well-structured plot and characters so vivid I can feel them. I had trouble putting down THE PORCUPINE OF TRUTH from the start. I immediately fell in love with Carson and Aisha, and I wanted nothing more than to follow them on their journey, in whatever form it took (and what a journey it was!). As usual, Konigsberg did not hold back on the realism. He left me feeling satiated, even though he didn't wrap up the characters' stories with neat little far-fetched bows. He has a true gift for giving readers what they don't want, but satisfying them in a way they couldn't imagine. I look forward to reading all of this author's future books.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: A must-read for anyone who loves contemporaries mixed with a bit of mystery. Though aimed at a YA audience, this book also contains a lot for adults to enjoy.

Review: THE CHOCOLATE WAR, by Robert Cormier

I can't honestly say that THE CHOCOLATE WAR was impossible to put down from the start; in fact, I thought about giving up on it near the beginning. But my patience was rewarded as the book progressed. The novel certainly has an unexplainable 70s feel to it, far from the type of writing you'll find in new releases. The characters are bold and distinguishable, each motivated by different forces that pull them in various directions. The plot to this story is one that most authors would crash and burn with--but somehow, Robert Cormier manages to make it enticing, exhilarating, and intense. What's more is that the author in no way had to exaggerate the realism to increase the drama. He has a gift for conforming a potentially petty reality into a stark commentary on social structures.

Stars: 4/5
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy classics and social commentaries

Review: LIES MY GIRLFRIEND TOLD ME, by Julie Anne Peters

LIES MY GIRLFRIEND TOLD ME was enjoyable in spurts. There was always something lingering in the background that made me think the story would take a dark turn, but that assumption was only partially fulfilled. Yes, Julie Anne Peters gives her readers a few surprises, and those surprises were great, but I was hoping for more. The climax seemed to emerge around the middle of the story, while the rest mostly fizzled out. That being said, I liked the growth of Alix's character, and I liked the realistic portrayal of how everyone deals with death in their own way.

Stars: 3/5

Recommended for: Those who enjoy light young adult LGBT stories

Review: THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, by Douglas Adams

The first word that comes to mind for THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY is: Clever. I'll qualify that with: Super Clever. That being said, though, it didn't keep my interest from start to finish, and I found myself tuning out more than once. It's enjoyable, yes. It's also funny and well planned. However, this just isn't the type of book for me. I'm glad I read it because of the laugh-out-loud moments, the silly plot twists, and the unique setting, but I will not pursue the other books in the series.

Stars: 3/5
Recommended for: lovers of science fiction and humor

Review: THE 19TH WIFE, by David Ebershoff

If I had known THE 19TH WIFE would be so fascinating, I wouldn't have put off starting it for as long as I did. David Ebershoff paints a vivid picture of 19th- and 21st-century polygamy, detailing both its origins and those origins' present-day effects. But this isn't just a fact-finding mission; it's also a well-told narrative that left me on the edge of my seat. The mystery and intrigue behind both main stories (centered around two families in two different generations) kept me flipping the pages with no care for how long the book is. One factor that makes THE 19TH WIFE particularly entertaining is its variety of literary formats, including first-person narratives, letters, diaries, newspaper articles, and even a poem. Do not underestimate the power of David Ebershoff's creativity and storytelling!

Stars: 4/5
Recommended for: anyone interested in historical fiction, church history, cults, or LGBT stories--the author covers all of these themes with a seemingly effortless panache.

Review: GO SET A WATCHMAN, by Harper Lee

Due to the circumstances behind this book's emergence and publication, it's hard to remain objective in its rating and review. Is GO SET A WATCHMAN as good as TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? Of course not. The writing and characters are less developed, and the story lacks intrigue and build-up. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it. What a pleasure to see how Scout and Atticus evolved in their later years; what an honor to see how Harper Lee further envisioned Maycomb. GO SET A WATCHMAN is a great companion novel to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I would not recommend it as a stand-alone, as readers might find it lacking context and substance.

Stars: 3/5

Recommended for: Anyone who loved TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Review: EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU, by Celeste Ng

EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU is a subtle thrill ride that will have you on the edge of your seat. It follows the story of five family members, four of which are reacting to the death of the fifth. Each character is unique and compelling, each adding their own haunting background to the mix. The prose is simply beautiful, the story simply powerful. Celeste Ng manages to put her readers in the shoes of five different people, creating five different perspectives of the same event. It would be impossible for me to choose one perspective that I liked most, as all of them were given their justified spotlight. My only drawback with this book was how often the perspective shifted, which was oftentimes within the same paragraph; the constant back-and-forth could at times make me lose my bearings.

Stars: 4/5
Recommended for: general fiction readers who enjoy the exploration of family dynamics

Review: THE ONE, by Kiera Cass

After reading THE SELECTION and THE ELITE, THE ONE was an overall disappointment. I didn't think it was possible for America to become an even weaker character, but this book proved me wrong. I saw no growth for her throughout the entire series, and oftentimes I considered giving up on reading because I was so frustrated with her. America changed from a strong-willed girl with conviction (in Book #1) to a wishy washy, flimsy girl in Book #3. When I started the first book, I never expected to hate the main character as much as I did by the end of the third.

As for the plot, it was quiet and predictable (with the exception of a slight surge near the end). The direction of each character's destiny--America, Aspen, Lucy, the king, etc.--was easy to see from a mile away, which was another reason I was constantly tempted to stop reading. There was a great buildup about the rebels (northern and southern) and the history of the country, but most of that fizzled out by the end of the story. Was any of that buildup necessary? I would have appreciated more about how the various rebel groups affected the palace, aside from the random explosion near the end that focused on America more than necessary and went generally unexplained.

Stars: 2.5/5
Recommended for: Anyone who enjoyed the first two books in the series. However, be warned that it might not live up to your expectations.

Review: LIAR, by Justine Larbalestier

Justine Larbalestier's LIAR had me guessing from beginning to end and beyond. Even after setting this book down, my mind is racing with questions. The author makes her audience read between the lines and use their imaginations in unexpected ways. LIAR has a great build-up, giving the reader just enough information at a time (while artfully retracting other details). LIAR is a thrill ride I wish hadn't ended!

Stars: 4/5

Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys unreliable narrators and dark secrets.

Review: FAR FROM XANADU, by Julie Anne Peters

FAR FROM XANADU is well-written with realistic, relatable characters. It provides a fantastic glimpse at small-town life and mentalities, touching on subjects that are bound to make you uncomfortable but draw you in anyway. The "relationship" presented in this story is doomed from the start, but it's a pleasure to watch it unfold, and to see how the characters handle what life throws at them. I look forward to reading other books by Julie Anne Peters!

Stars: 4/5

Recommended for: Lovers of small town fiction

Review: THE TIME MACHINE, by H.G. Wells

THE TIME MACHINE is a good book for its time, but it's probably not something that would be published by today's standards. The build-up is slow, and the climax lacks intensity. The second-to-last chapter (the future of the future) was almost entirely unnecessary. I do love how Darwinian Wells's vision of the future is, though the racism and sexism that accompanies that Darwinism are cringe-worthy. I enjoyed the creativity of this story, and, even more so, I loved the "what-if" questions that THE TIME MACHINE provokes. I gave this book three stars because of my constant internal debate about whether the book as a whole was good or bad.

Stars: 3/5
Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys classic literature

Review: CARRY ON, by Rainbow Rowell

Wow!! Leave it to Rainbow Rowell to come up with a story like this. If you haven't read FANGIRL, you might have trouble getting into this at the beginning, because it contains a lot of "backstory" that pretends to exist in other books but doesn't. Some lines might feel unnecessarily confusing and under-explained for anyone that doesn't understand that this book stemmed from the fanfiction in FANGIRL. However, that doesn't mean that only readers of FANGIRL can understand CARRY ON. Rainbow Rowell, as always, has created a world that sucks her readers in without regret. This book is part parody, part love story, part action-packed fantasy, and part fanfiction. Some of the writing isn't good (too many parentheses, anyone?), but it seems to not be good on purpose, and, quite honestly, it's bad in a good way; this is supposed to be a fake fanfiction, after all.

What I love most about this book--and the reason I devour all of Rainbow Rowell's books--is the buildup. Rowell is THE QUEEN of building up tension. She never pushes her characters together too soon. Only after the reader has been sitting on the edge of their seat for two hours, yelling "Just tell him you love him!" and "Just kiss already!" does she finally indulge. And oh, how the wait is worth it!

Stars: 4.75/5
Recommended for: This is the perfect book for fans of fantasy stories, and especially for anyone who loves a good twist on LGBT fiction.

Review: MISSOULA: RAPE AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN A COLLEGE TOWN, by Jon Krakauer

Jon Krakauer blew me away with this intensely brutal look at rape and the justice system. He did a great job of pulling evidence from many corners, and laying everything out in way that helps the reader along without spoon-feeding them. It's powerful, haunting, and engaging.

Stars: 4/5
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to educate themselves about the aftereffects of rape on its victims and the accused

Review: EVERY DAY, by David Levithan

EVERY DAY had me hooked from the start. I love how David Levithan takes a concept we've seen before (QUANTUM LEAP, anyone?), then flips it on its head. The book has beautiful writing, well-developed characters, and an intriguing plot. Throughout the entire story, I couldn't help but imagine myself in A's situation, constantly wondering "What if...?" I'm giving this book 4 1/2 stars instead of 5 because, frankly, I wasn't a fan of the ending.

Stars: 4.5/5 
Recommended for: If you're looking for an escape read, pick up this book! 

Review: THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, by Ray Bradbury

I read this book about 10 years ago, and had been meaning to read it again. I'm so glad I did, because the re-read reminded me why I fell in love with it in the first place. This book is AMAZING--and I don't say that lightly. Ray Bradbury has created one of the most compelling, unique worlds I have ever encountered. I am constantly amazed by his incorporation of social commentary into this fictional arena. Each chapter is better than the last.

Stars: 5/5 
Recommended for: Well worth the read for anyone interested in science fiction, and even anyone who isn't. If you enjoy classics and social commentary via fiction, this book is for you.

Review: IF I STAY, by Gayle Forman

I had trouble getting into IF I STAY, but not because it wasn't good. The story and plot were fine, but I couldn't connect to the story itself. I thought the story would take a dark turn because of the nature of the book, but it never happened. On the whole, I found IF I STAY uninteresting. However, I appreciate its uniqueness. I doubt I will get around to reading the next story in the series.

Stars: 3/5 
Recommended for: Readers who appreciate "what-if" scenarios

Review: THE SELECTION, by Kiera Cass

I admit that I chose to read this book because of its pretty cover, but I was quickly drawn in with the world Kiera Cass created. Yes, it's an odd mix of THE HUNGER GAMES and THE BACHELOR--but what a great mix that is! I love the originality of this book, and I'll never get enough of the twists. The writing itself is nothing to rave about, as sometimes it feels rudimentary and basic. The story is what's fascinating, and I can't wait to read on to find out what happens next!

Stars: 4/5 
Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys immersing themselves in unique worlds

Review: TAKING THE STAND, by Juliann Rich

What an amazing wrap-up to the Caught in the Crossfire Trilogy! Juliann Rich continues to blow me away with her spot-on writing and relatable characters. It has been a pleasure to follow Jonathan on his journey from a shy boy trying to figure himself out, to an outspoken young man who understands what he wants and isn't afraid to take risks. Rich does a great job wrapping up all the loose ends, even if those loose ends aren't tied in a pretty bow. I appreciate this author's portrayals of reality, and the way her build-up of tension entices me to continue reading. I look forward to reading all of her future books.

Stars: 4.5/5 
Recommended for: Lovers of LGBTQ YA fiction and realistic stories (and, of course, anyone who has read the first two books in the series)

Review: THE STRANGER'S CHILD, by Alan Hollinghurst

I had high hopes for this book, to the point that I dropped everything to read it. The premise was intriguing, and the beginning had me hooked. Alan Hollinghurst's writing has a great flow, making the characters and situations feel realistic and sound. The story itself set up many unanswered questions, so I plowed through the book in anticipation of an amazing plot twist or revelation. But none of these great things outweigh what I see as the book's biggest flaw: there doesn't seem to be a point. Many loose ends remain untied, leading the reader on an unfulfilled goose chase. And though well written, quite a few of the characters fail to add significance to the story; many characters could have been removed altogether. The length of the book could have been chopped in half, saving the reader wasted effort without compromising the plot.

Stars: 2.5/5 
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy flowery writing and "soft" plots

Review: SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA, by Becky Albertalli

I'm kicking off my "Short and Sweet Book Reviews" series with my most recent read: SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA, by Becky Albertalli

A perfect take on modern-day teens and coming out. This book does a great job of incorporating humor and heartbreak, while sticking to a realistic portrayal of what it means to be a gay teenager today. However, one doesn't have to be gay to enjoy this great book, as it will appeal to a wide audience. The only drawback for me what its slight predictability; I loved the ongoing mystery of who Blue might turn out to be, but the options for the true identity were rather limited. I kept turning the page to find out who Blue was, but I must admit I wasn't surprised when it was revealed.

Stars: 4/5 
Recommended for: Anyone interested in young adult contemporaries with a touch of mystery

Short and Sweet Book Reviews

Welcome! It seems like ages have passed since I last posted. I could give a million excuses for my absence, but I'll leave the list at this: I've been writing/editing my latest novel, buried in my critique partners' awesome manuscripts, and juggling work with raising a child.

But do you know what I've also been doing? Reading. A LOT. Whether it's listening to audio books during my commute or kicking my feet up after the baby goes to bed, I've been plowing through books like it's my job (and wouldn't that be nice if it were!). I've made it a point to write a small review of every book I've read, as a way to help me understand why I liked or disliked it. I've posted these reviews on Goodreads, and occasionally Amazon, and now I'd like to share them here.

So stay tuned for what I like to call "Short and Sweet Book Reviews": a quick and easy guide to whether books I read are awesome, mediocre, or worthy of throwing out the window.

What I Learned in My First Month of Motherhood

I generally use this blog for posts about writing. Well, I put my writing on hold for a little while because I’ve had a welcome distraction—a baby! Writing with a newborn in the house has had its own challenges, but it’s not impossible. After a month-long hiatus from hacking away at character development and story-building, I’m finally back in the swing of things. Being responsible for a baby means I’m not writing as often as I used to, but I’m grateful that I’m at least writing. I’m about 13,000 words into my latest work-in-progress, and I couldn’t be more excited about the direction it’s taking.

During my month of not writing, I was trying to learn how to be a mother. What a change that’s been! While the first month of motherhood didn’t contribute greatly to writing novels, it did give me some perspective about raising a child. And what’s a writer to do but write about her experiences? So without further ado, here’s what I learned in my first month of being a mom:

• Keeping a baby entertained while he's awake is extremely difficult when he has the attention span of a goldfish and can only see 12 inches in front of his face.
• If I could kick as much as my newborn, I'd have the strongest stomach muscles in the world. (I've tried. It's impossible.)
• Sometimes babies only calm down if you confuse them. If that means throwing them into the air or crying back into their face, then so be it.
• A baby fist is almost impossible to unclench, especially at bath time and when he has a handful of your hair. This makes baby fists a storage space for lint balls.
• Burp cloths are the best gift known to man. Regardless of how much they protect my clothes, the amount of laundry that needs to be done increases dramatically after a baby is born.
• Baby acne is a totally real thing and makes an infant look like a mix between an awkward teenager and Frankenstein (but don’t tell him I said that!).
• Your partner will be utterly disappointed when he realizes he can't calm the baby as well as you simply because he doesn't have boobs.
• My baby's life goal is to eat, and he will headbang relentlessly against anything and everything until that happens.
• He will pee on you the second you uncover his penis, no matter what tricks you think you have up your sleeve.
• People LOVE to give blankets as baby gifts, but there are only so many blankets you can use.
• When people say they want to come over to help with the baby, it really means they want to cuddle with him and hand him back to you at the first sign of trouble.
• I am uncomfortable admitting how often my boobs are hanging out when I'm sitting around at home. That being said, power-feeding throughout the day is the key to getting a decent-night's sleep.
• An eating baby is one of the most innocent things you will ever see.
• And, most importantly: Generic baby wipes are a waste of money.