Mini reviews (just to catch up)

Nonfiction

*A Stolen Life (Jaycee Dugard)-- B-

Jaycee is undeniably an amazing and resilient person. Her story of survival is inspiring. The book would have benefited from a more active editor (and greater organization), but it's still worth reading, for those who are not deterred by the fairly graphic accounts of abuse.

*Finding Angela Shelton (Angela Shelton)-- B

In this true story, filmmaker Angela Shelton takes off on a road trip across the US to meet other Angela Sheltons. Along the way, she discovers the extent of abuse and domestic violence facing women, and also gains inspiration to continue her own healing journey. This is not an easy book to read, but I'd still recommend it. I will probably do a full blog post just about this book.

*In Cold Blood (Truman Capote)-- B

I read this since it is included on some "classics" lists as the first of the modern "true crime" genre. It's interesting, but ultimately, very sad as the loss of life seems so pointless.

*Poser: My Life in Twenty-three Yoga Poses (Claire Dederer)-- A

This is the most enjoyable memoir I've read in a couple of years! Humorous, well-written and reflective, I highly recommend this book to perfectionists, yoga enthusiasts, parents of small children, writers, residents of the Pacific Northwest (or any hipster-infused city) and anyone whose life isn't turning out exactly as planned. The Cliffs notes version of the book? Here it is, on p. 307: "Get over yourself! You're gonna f--- up! And it'll be OK." But really? Read the book.

*The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa's Worst Human Rights Crimes (John Prendergast, Don Cheadle)-- A

Highly recommended!

*Churched: One Kid's Journey Towards God Despite a Holy Mess (Matthew Paul Turner)-- C

The title is a good summary.

*Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis (Lisa Sanders)-- B

The author is a doctor and a technical adviser to the show House, M.D.


Fiction

*The Lover's Dictionary (David Levithan)-- B

I love the creativity of this quirky, nonlinear novel (really, a novella) told entirely through the definition of words. It's a charming read that can easily be finished in a couple of hours.

*Out of the Silent Planet (C.S. Lewis)-- B

I love C.S. Lewis. I recently had an epiphany-- this guy wrote a whole lot of books, and I haven't read all of them yet! I set about to rectify this situation and decided to start with the Space Trilogy. Being more of a fantasy fan (as opposed to sci-fi fan), I did not like Out of the Silent Planet as much as any of the Chronicles of Narnia. Still, it was creative, interesting, and of course, thought-provoking. Next up-- Perelandra.

*Saving CeeCee Honeycutt (Beth Hoffman)-- C+

This was a pleasant book-- nothing especially profound, but after some of my recent reading, I just wanted a book with a happy ending. I got it.

*The Help (Kathryn Stockett)-- A

Loved it! I view it as a story about a group of women who found their voice.

*Second Glance (Jodi Picoult)-- D-

The author seemed to want to write at least three stories here and would have been better off sticking with one. This book is a chaotic mess, which is unfortunate, because at least one of the stories does seem to be worth reading. Not recommended.

*The Forgotten Garden (Kate Morton)-- B+

Absorbing, suspenseful....and sometimes a little confusing with multiple time periods and shifting points of view. Still, I found it to be a satisfying read. Recommended.

*Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)-- B+

The beginning and the ending require significant "willful suspension of disbelief," but the middle is an enjoyable story that really does transport the reader to a different time period. Recommended. (I still don't like circuses.) I watched about twenty minutes of the movie and couldn't tolerate any more.

*Those Who Save Us (Jenna Blum)-- A+

*Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)-- A

I loved the moody atmosphere of this Gothic romance. It's a great story for slipping into a different time period.

*Life Sentences (Laura Lippman)-- C-

This is a passable beach read but nothing more.

*Sarah's Key (Tatiana de Rosnay)-- B

This book tells two intertwining stories-- the story of Sarah, a 10-year-old Parisian girl who is arrested with her family in the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup, and the story of Julia, a contemporary American journalist living in Paris who begins to research these arrests. My aunt passed this on to me after she read it with her book group, and I'm glad she did!

*Dracula (Bram Stoker)-- B

There's a reason this is a classic. Told entirely through correspondence and journal entries, Stoker creates slow-building tension and suspense. Lots of fun! (No sparkling vampires in this book!

*The Pact (Jodi Picoult)-- C+

In some ways, I think this is one of Picoult's better books, but there are aspects of the story that make it impossible for me to give it a higher rating.

*I'd Know You Anywhere (Laura Lippman)-- C

This is a psychological suspense novel, and as a "C" rating denotes, it's thoroughly average.

*House Rules (Jodi Picoult)-- C-

Is there anyone who did not see that ending coming from miles away?

*Year of Wonders (Geraldine Brooks)-- B+

In the 1600s, a small English town is struck by the bubonic plague and quarantines itself to avoid spreading the disease. The novel shows how different characters react to the tragedy, hardship and fear.

*What the Dead Know (Laura Lippman)-- C-

Again, average.

*Salem Falls (Jodi Picoult)-- C

Average.

*To the Power of Three (Laura Lippman)-- C+

Average in most regards but the ending was a surprise.

*Sisterchicks on the Loose (Robin Jones Gunn)-- C-

Average Christian fiction.