I finally started the Shades of Magic series, and it's one I think I will continue! It's been awhile since I read a fantasy novel that really grabbed me. The premise of the novels feels original and rife with possibilities: our protagonist, Kell, is only one of two surviving 'Antari' that can travel between the Londons (yes, plural) that exist in four separate universes. The world building is vivid and immersive, while the plot moves quickly and had me turning the pages. I do love the characters, but would love to get more backstory. I felt like I got a good handle on their motivations, but only snippets of their past when I really wanted MORE. Lila is awesome and looks to be on the cover of book two, so I have hope.
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The story of two people who fall in love on the day of the 9/11 attacks drew me in immediately. As someone who was of a similar age at the time, and became engaged within a couple weeks after that fateful day, I could easily identify with their emotions. But... as the love triangle emerges, I became rather infuriated with main character's poor decision making on MANY LEVELS. It was one I wanted to throw across the room at the end for it's utterly un-redemptive qualities (I refrained, because it was from my beloved library).
OK SPOILER:
If you are thinking about someone else STILL on the day you are to be married - you are not marrying the right person!! So that pissed me off that she selfishly went into her marriage. And OF COURSE she ends up cheating on him, which fine. It's not that I can't deal with cheating, flawed characters, but to then ROMANTICIZE it and make it this beautiful thing? NO. And then, she complicates one more persons life by bringing a baby into the mix. That was the ending and I wanted to chuck the book over the fence for all of her self absorbed ridiculousness. End rant :)
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This story of a girl navigating her mother's death, along with her father and troubled older sister, was equal parts melancholy and hilarity. Elvis Babbitt is one of the more endearing characters I've ever read and her twisted story of love, loss, family and coming of age (including a Guinness attempt of the most rabbit shaped cakes, escaped animals from the zoo, and cross-dressing for comfort) was wonderfully told. "Maybe a spirit evaporates like a vapor off the bag of frozen peas you steam in the microwave: the droplets go everywhere, settle wherever they land."
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This was a review copy I read provided by Little Brown as part of their ambassador program, and it was a lovely surprise. I was a little wary about what seemed like a lack of plot - yet I immediately identified with the protagonist Barbara, as she navigates life with her five children (one still in the womb) after the death of her husband. It reminded me a great deal of Commonwealth - just an engrossing, intimate portrait of a family and how seemingly small events, and our perceptions of events, have such a huge impact on generations to come. The point of view shifts between Barbara and her prodigal son Francis to give the full picture of the family as it evolves over a generation. There was a section in the middle of the book dedicated to Francis' journey that felt a bit long, especially since I loved Barbara the most. Overall though, the narrative moves quickly through time, sometimes jumping nearly a decade forward, and still feels well paced. I really enjoyed this one, and will be thinking of these vivid characters for some time.
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Not since Where'd You Go Bernadette have I enjoyed such uproarious satire! I have had some of Perotta's books on my TBR for years, and when Mrs. Fletcher appeared on the lucky day shelf at the library, I had to grab it. This story, told in alternating viewpoints of single mom Eve Fletcher and her son Brendan as he flees the nest for college and they both try to navigate their new normal, captures the zeitgeist perfectly.
"Young mothers in the schoolyard, on the sidelines at soccer games, at school plays and award ceremonies and graduations, a whole era of their lives - it had felt so permanent while it was happening - suddenly behind them. Just a chapter, and not the story itself."
I laughed out loud A LOT, while also cringing a lot. Both Eve and Brendan make some really questionable decisions and suspending my disbelief was challenging in some portions of the book, but it added to the urgency - oh my God, what will happen NEXT? I look forward to checking off more of his work from my TBR now.
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I had really high hopes for this one, given all the positive reviews and hype. Alas, it didn't work for me. It started off really strong, a story about culture, family, belonging, expectations amidst compelling viewpoints on arranged marriages within the Indian culture. I hope to read other work that might further explore this topic, because this book did not. Pretty quickly, it went from a fascinating situation and character development to formulaic boy meets girl/loses girl YA territory, with an added round of girl loses boy and dragging out storylines of peripheral characters. It became tedious and I just kind of wanted it to end. It held a great deal of promise, so I hope to see more from this author!
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I received a complimentary review copy of this book as part of the Little, Brown and Company ambassador program, and was dubious at first, despite loving Ivey's debut novel The Snow Child. It's a fictitious account of a late 1800s exploration into Alaska, told through letters and journal entries of Colonel Forrester and his pregnant wife left behind in Washington state, as well as present day letters between the great nephew who inherited these journals and the museum curator to whom he sent them. Before I knew it, I was entranced by the story in the same way the men in the present have become. It is stark, visceral and mysterious, while also being lyrical and otherworldly - much like The Snow Child. I highly recommend it, and give it a good 100 pages to get your bearings among the many pieces of the narrative.
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I was certainly taken in by the creepy atmosphere and mystery of this novel. I do have a soft spot for a good sci-fi yarn. But, usually, they are very plot driven stories. Once I finished, I still don't know what really even happened in this book! I honestly can't describe it, other than a band of scientists go into a secret government program to explore Area X (or do they?) to find out more about it? Maybe? I am VERY curious about how it will translate to the big screen later this month. On one hand, I wanted more plot and resolution in my reading experience. On the other, I think I'd be annoyed if they add it to the film and prefer integrity of the book in my viewing experience! It's not a novel I'll recommend widely, but it does make for great dinner table conversation with my husband - it'd be a great book club or buddy read pick, for sure. There is a lot to contemplate, and it will stay with me for a long time.
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I am heading off to Nashville next week and I thought it would be the perfect time to get in a new Patchett book, especially a collection of personal essays. State of Wonder is an all time favorite, I loved Commonwealth, and she has become one of my favorite authors. This was another excellent read, full of her pitch perfect writing on subjects close to her heart. My favorites were 'The Getaway Car' about becoming a writer, 'The Wall' which is her story about trying out for the LA Police Academy and scaling said wall. It is less about her physical prowess, although impressive, and more about her father - a longtime LAPD officer. And, the title story about the relationship with her husband and getting married after 11 years of dating. Oh, and, 'The Right to Read' - her convocation speech at Clemson University is a MUST. I just love her.
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I thought that I read Anne when I was young, maybe around age 10, but all that is left in my memory are images of the amazing TV adaptation starring Colleen Dewhurst as Marilla. This is one that I have been meaning to read/re-read for ages, and as part of my goals for the year, I'm making more of an effort to get to these books. And oh my goodness, I loved every minute of it! We all know Anne stands the test of time, and now I think it's not just because of the wonderful storytelling, but because the viewpoints of the adults are just as easy to connect with as the children's. Laughing and crying with Anne is just as much fun, maybe more fun, as an adult than it was to swoon with her as a child.
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