Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks



This book is quintessential cute. As we read we are introduced to life as April Grace sees and lives it. There is nothing super deep or life changing, but it is real. There is a story line, but it isn't a complex plot, as such, but more of a "day in the life of" (or months in . . ) type story. April Grace is completely likable because she is innocent and naive enough to be a little sister type, and hasn't quite become with the teenage angst that seems to pervade so many young adult novels.

Overall, I enjoyed it immensely. I found it a fun and easy read, and I'm sure younger teens, or tweens, would also enjoy it. As I read it, the main character and story style reminded me of the Junie B. Jones series that younger children seem to enjoy.

If you are looking for deep philosophical truths, or life changing revelations for you or a younger reader, this book probably isn't it. However, if you are looking for a fun, easy read, and a chuckle, definitely give this a try.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

It Could Have Been Me

Life, In Spite of Me
by Kristen Jane Anderson

This is the story of a young girl, hopeless and despondent, unsure of the future, and carrying a load of grief and anxiety that decides on a cold and chilly night to end it all. She survives the suicide attempt, and this story is the story of her struggle to come to grips with what happened, and what God had in plan for her.

Through this book, we have a clear glimpse of what it is like to be depressed to the point of wanting to end it all. We can have a better understanding of what the teenagers of today may be thinking and really feeling behind their responses of, "whatever." and how to get to them before it is too late.

This book, to me, was especially poignant, because it could have been me when I was 21. Also similar was the struggle to overcome depression and learn to lean on God rather than myself, and a struggle it was.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a teenager or works with teenagers. Also, I would recommend it for anyone that has never suffered from depression, but perhaps is close to someone who is. Until you have been in that vast ocean with a tiny boat and a single oar, it is almost incomprehensible to know how far away hope seems.

An easy read with a great message.


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Monday, January 09, 2012

The Seraph Seal



An apocalyptic story that reminds me strongly of the DaVinci Code book and movie. The book begins in the present with the "doomsday" date of December 21, 2012 then jumps 30 some odd years to the future. From there the reader is introduced to a barrage of characters and events that try to develop and build to the end.

I often felt, as I was reading, that the authors were contriving the story to meet a certain event, rather than letting the plot develop on its own. In other words, they knew the ending and had to write backwards to get it all to fit. As a result, it "fits" but it is jumpy in places and leaves the reader going, "Where did THAT come from?" Also, some of the events that were obviously "supernatural" left me wanting at least *some* explanation. There were times when the symbolism seemed obvious enough to be foreshadowing, but was "non sequitur" enough to make it just seem downright odd.

Overall, it is well written (the dialogue is natural, the breaks in paragraphs are logical, etc.), but it just seemed that the authors were trying too hard to make it feel like non-fiction instead of writing a good fiction story. I suspect a great many people will like this book, especially those that like to focus on the end of times, but for me, I just couldn't get into it and was glad to move on to another book.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I Didn't Want to Like it, but. . .

Restless in Carolina
by Tamara Leigh

When I got this book, I thought it might or might not be interesting, because I figured it would be "fluffy."

Well, it *was* fluffy, but it was a very enjoyable fluffy, and an easy read.

Admittedly, reading about the characters going to Asheville, and naming landmarks in and around the town (like Mellow Mushroom -- YUM) was fun for me because they were all "local" and it made it a little easier to "see" what was going on in the story.

Everyone loves a happy ending, and this was no exception. The author did manage to throw in a couple of surprises, and that was nice, but all of the characters were likeable and it was a fun read.

Overall, it is a pleasant book, but not very deep. If you are looking for quick, vacation reading this will be an excellent choice. Likewise, if your reading time is made up of short intervals, scattered around your day, this book is good because it is easy to pick back up on the action and keep going.

I would give it 4 out of 5 stars because it was enjoyable, but not very deep.


(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review)