"Well done, sister suffragette!"

"Well done, sister suffragette!"

Jul 23, 2014

A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller

Release Date: January 23, 2014
Publisher: Penguin | Viking Juvenile
Pages: 448 pages
Source & Format: Gifted; Hardcover
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)

Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist - a nearly impossible dream for a girl.

After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art; her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse - or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?

Thoughts on A Mad, Wicked Folly

I love historical fiction, but I don't feel like I've read much of it in the young adult genre. So, I was really excited when A Mad, Wicked Folly got on my radar. It sounded exactly like the kind of book I would love! From art history to the suffragette movement, I had a good feeling about this book.

Victoria Darling is seventeen years old, and she wants nothing more than to be an artist. Unfortunately, it's an impossible dream for a girl - especially one from a wealthy family like hers. She's told to aspire to be nothing more than a wife and mother. Then, Vicky poses nude for an illicit art class. The daring act sends shock waves through her family and their friends when they find out what she's done. Her parents decide it's time for her to get married, but Vicky has other things in mind. Secretly, she applies to the Royal College of Art, starts participating in the suffragette movement... and finds that a working-class boy just might be her muse.

First of all, Vicky is my favorite kind of heroine. She's strong, sassy independent and so unconventional for the time period. Seeing the world through her eyes was such a delight! I love that she wanted to forge her own path but was also held back a little by her desire to remain in her parents' good graces. I thought her complicated relationship with her family was so realistic, and I really enjoyed that part of the book. It was interesting to compare her place in the family with that of her brother, and I thought Waller did a great job with that aspect.

I've never really been interested in art history personally, but I have read a number of books that involve the topic. When it's done right, it can be so fascinating! Thankfully, I felt like the role of art in A Mad, Wicked Folly was just perfect. I could feel Vicky's passion for it, and I was rooting for her to be able to follow her dreams. And her artistic muse? Helloooooooo, Will. I was a huge fan of him! He's adorable and charming - the perfect counterpoint to Vicky's brand-new fiancé, Edmund.

The romance really isn't the focus in this book, which I appreciated. I'm glad there was one, especially with a boy as wonderful as Will, but I liked that Vicky's story was about a lot more than just falling in love. Selfishly, I did want just a little more of the love story angle, but that's only because Waller made me fall so in love with these two characters. Y'all, it's a slow-burn romance, and we all know those are pretty much my favorite kind ever. It also helped that Will exemplified my favorite "type" of book boy, but I'll make you read it to find out out for yourself which one (or more) he was!

Aside from the art and romance, the suffragette movement was the other big aspect in this book. I could tell throughout the story just how much research went into A Mad, Wicked Folly, but I think this part is where I saw it most. My knowledge of the suffragette movement in London is basically limited to the "Sister Suffragette" song in the Mary Poppins movie, which my siblings and I love to belt at the top of our lungs. But seriously, can we take a moment to appreciate this line: "Though we adore men individually, we agree that as a group they're rather stupid." Ha!

Anyway, I loved learning more about the suffragette movement! It made me want to read even more about it, and I always consider it a success when historical fiction sends me scurrying off to learn more about something discussed in its pages. There is a section at the end that includes additional background and highlights some of the research Waller did, and I loved that it was in there! It was so fascinating to read about these brave and courageous women and what they went through in their fight for their voice to be heard.

Basically, I loved this book! It made my list of favorite books so far in 2014, and I suspect it will still be on there at the end of the year. A Mad, Wicked Folly had everything I love in a book: fabulous characters, an intriguing story and great writing. Honestly, I cannot wait for more from Waller. I did some snooping online and found that she's got an as-yet untitled book slated for publication in Winter 2016. AHHHH! HOW WILL I WAIT THAT LONG? Guess I'll just have to re-read this one to hold me over until then.

So Quotable

"No one had ever given me such a kind and thoughtful gift before. I pictured Will going into the shop, looking over the books, and then discovering the very one he knew I would love. I even pictured him watching as the clerk wrapped the volume in brown paper. I wondered if the clerk had tied the green bow on it or if Will had gone into a notion shop and chosen it himself. These were all small things, but kindness was built of small things."

READ POST

When to Hold On & When to Let Go

When to Hold On & When to Let Go

Jul 21, 2014

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Release Date: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Penguin | Dial
Pages: 416 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Hardcover
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)

From the author of My Life Next Door comes a swoony summertime romance full of expectation and regret, humor and hard questions.

Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

Brief Thoughts on What I Thought Was True

Hmm... I read My Life Next Door last year, and I had somewhat mixed feelings about it. I loved the romance, and I adored the Garrett family dynamics. Things were going great for the first 3/4 of the book, and then there's this BIG EVENT that just threw me off. Everything was ultimately resolved, but it made the pacing uneven (leisurely for the better part of the book and then suddenly racing to resolution at the end).

So, it was with a bit of trepidation that I picked up What I Thought Was True. I'd seen some really amazing reviews for it, as well as some lukewarm ones (just like I'd noticed with My Life Next Door). The writing was just what I would expect from Fitzpatrick - there's something so special about the way she tells a story. I loved the descriptions of the setting, and I felt that she set the mood really well. Family plays a big role in this story, too, which I loved. I often feel like family relationships are way too absent from YA, so I'm always pleased to find a great example of a character whose family plays an active role in their life.

Unfortunately, however, I had some big issues with the actual story. I felt like nothing happened for a majority of the book. Some of the drama with Gwen and Cass takes a while to be revealed, so it's not entirely clear why they have a complicated history. And again, the last quarter or so of the book just really frustrated me. So much finally happens, and a lot of it felt like unnecessary drama to me that ended up being resolved rather quickly. It is a character-driven story, which I do appreciate since I pay particular attention to characters when I'm reading, but I had a hard time really connecting to anything that was happening. I don't know if there were too many storylines or if certain elements just weren't quite developed enough for me. I 'm not really sure, and I certainly didn't hate this book. Fitzpatrick had me hooked because I enjoy her writing style, but I the story fell flat for me overall.

So Quotable

“That what you’ve always had doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll always get. That what you’ve always wanted isn’t what you’ll always want.”

READ POST

Turn Their Mourning Into Joy

Turn Their Mourning Into Joy

Jul 18, 2014

In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar

Release Date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Moody | River North
Pages: 304 pages
Source & Format: Publisher @ BEA; Paperback
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)

Ruth leaves her home with a barren womb and an empty future, after losing her husband. She forsakes her abusive parents and follows the woman she has grown to love as a true parent, her husband's mother, Naomi.

Ruth arrives in Israel with nothing to recommend her but Naomi's, love. She is destitute, grief-stricken, and unwanted by the people of God. Her loftiest hope is to provide enough food to save Naomi and herself from starvation. She is reduced to gathering leftovers once the harvesters have finished collecting grain from the field. A job only for the lowest of the low.

But God has other plans for her life.

While everyone considers Ruth an unworthy outsider, Ruth is shocked to find the owner of the field-one of the wealthiest and most honored men of Judah-is showing her favor.  Long since a widower and determined to stay that way, Boaz finds himself irresistibly drawn to the foreign woman with the dark, haunted eyes. He tells himself he is only being kind to his Cousin Naomi's chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from harm, but his heart knows better.

Thoughts on In the Field of Grace

I spotted In the Field of Grace on Goodreads a few months ago, and I immediately wanted to read it based on the summary. So, I was really excited when I was able to pick up this book at BEA! I'd read another book by Afshar before, but my real interest in this book came from my love for the story of Ruth in the Bible.

Growing up, Ruth was always one of my favorite Biblical women, but her story took on new meaning for me after going through a Ruth Bible Study in college. It was one of those moments where the timing was just perfect. There was so much to learn from Ruth's story that I'd never noticed before, and the lessons were so applicable to my life at that point in time. Ever since then, it's been had a special place in my heart.

I wasn't sure what to expect with In the Field of Grace. It's not a retelling - it expands upon the story introduced in the Bible and "fills in the gaps." It's obviously fiction, and the author takes creative license with the characters and their conversations, but the main details of the story match up to what happens in Ruth.

If you haven't read Ruth, it starts with a woman (Naomi), her husband and their two sons moving to the country of Moab because there's a famine in Bethlehem. While there, her husband dies and her sons both marry Moabite women (Ruth and Orpah). Then, sadly, the sons die. Having lost everyone she loves, Naomi decides to return to Israel after she hears that the harvest is plenty. Ruth and Orpah plan to go with her, but Orpah turns back. Out of love for her mother-in-law, Ruth continues on. She is a foreigner in a strange land with no husband and no children, but there are big things in store for her.

For the most part, I really enjoyed In the Field of Grace. The conversations felt a bit modern at times, but I imagine it's hard to strike a balance when you're telling a story like this one. Because it's based on a book of the Bible, most readers will likely have some familiarity with the story but the author likely wants to breathe more life and detail into the world. I appreciated that Afshar didn't really change any of the important details of the story, and I found most of the scenes she created to be enjoyable.

Afshar also portrays Ruth's impact on King David and his son, Solomon, in the book's epilogue. I thought it was a really interesting idea! She makes it clear in the notes at the end that the details she added there were purely from her own imagination, but I liked the thought behind that story.

My favorite thing about books like this one is that they often make the Bible come alive for me in a whole new way. It becomes easier to picture Ruth's grief at the death of her husband, her loneliness when she's rejected by people in Israel, her loyalty and love for her mother-in-law... Afshar certainly made me connect to the story in a new way in that regard!

If I had one main complaint about the book, it's just that Ruth and Boaz seem a little too perfect. One of my favorite things about the Bible is that it clearly depicts that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). I don't mean in a depressing way. It's just that there is something so comforting about reading about the people God uses to fulfill His purposes and seeing that they don't always do the right thing.

While In the Field of Grace highlights how God often works through the most seemingly unlikely people, it paints Ruth and Boaz in a near-perfect light. Ruth never thinks or says a negative thing, even when she's brought to her lowest. She seems to have an endless supply of patience, love and humility.I don't doubt that those characteristics are true, but I would have liked if I was able to relate to her more. Boaz, too, is depicted as though he's almost perfect. I think it made me a little less invested in them because I didn't feel they were quite complex enough.

Overall, I really liked this book! It wasn't necessarily the favorite I hoped it would become, but I appreciated the way it brought the book of Ruth to life. It was a quick read, and it reminded me of why this is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I think it remained true to the message of the book it's based upon while adding creative details that expanded upon the story and offered a new perspective on it. If you like this type of read, I would recommend it!

So Quotable

"So what shall I do? Drown in my longing for what I cannot have or anchor my feet to the joy that I do have?"

*I received a copy of this book from Moody in exchange for review consideration. I was not compensated in any way for my review.

READ POST

2014 Resolutions Check-In

2014 Resolutions Check-In

Jul 17, 2014

1. Read 125 books.

I'm definitely going to accomplish this resolution! I've already read 107 books this year. I've been on a reading binge, and I keep expecting a slump to hit. So far, it doesn't seem like I'll be slowing down anytime soon!

2. Read one non-fiction book per month.

I've actually read 12 non-fiction books so far this year, so I've technically accomplished this goal completely. Regardless, I'm going to continue to aim for one a month because I still own so many that are unread.

3. Finish seven series.

YAY! I've actually completed this resolution, too. Five were series that I started prior to 2014, and two were series that I read in their entirety this year. I love series, so I'm not really surprised that I've already finished seven. But I'll be continuing on with this resolution there are so many other series I want to read.

4. Request no more than two review books per month.

I'm doing pretty good with this one. There have been three months where I've requested just one book, and there were three months where I've requested 3-5 books. I have requested 14 books in total from NetGalley in the last six months - so only two books more than I should have if I'd totally stuck to this goal. Not too bad! 

However, I have accepted additional books for review and went to BEA. Both of those have left me feeling more than a little overwhelmed by books, so I don't see myself requesting books over the next few months. 

5. Read at least five debut novels.

I definitely should have shot a little higher on this goal because I'd actually completed this one by the end of January. One thing I learned? I read a lot more debuts than I ever realized. I'm so happy that I've found so many new authors to love! A few of these books have been my favorites of the year, too.

6. Participate in one reading challenge.

FAIL. So, I signed up for the 2014 Prequel & Sequel Challenge, but I haven't been participating at all. I've read a lot of books in a series, so I am technically accomplishing some of those reading goals. But I haven't linked anything up or followed along with the challenge! This is the one big "Incomplete" on my report card.

7. Write one discussion post per month.

I'm so glad that I decided to make this a priority last year and continue it this year. Without fail, these are my favorite posts to write and get the comments that are the most fun to read. So far this year, I've written:

• On What I Want More & Less of in 2014
• On Getting Goodreads Organized
• On My Issues with Recommendations
• On Buying Books: Admiring & Acquiring
• On My New Commenting System
• On Thinking Before Tweeting
• On Creating a Blog Post Planner
• On Going to Book Expo America
• On Updating My Monthly Recap Format
• On Ditching Feedburner

8. Leave 5 comments per week on other blogs.

I've done okay with this resolution. There are some weeks I don't leave any comments, but there are other weeks where I'll leave a ton of comments on the blogs I follow. Overall, I think it probably averages out. I haven't felt stressed at all about commenting though, so I count that as a success since that was really the purpose of this resolution.

9. Respond to comments that ask a question or provoke a discussion within one week.

Womp, womp. There were one or two months where I actually replied to every comment, and then there's all the other times... where I barely reply to any. I do frequently turn to email or Twitter when I want to respond to a comment, so it's not like I'm totally ignoring conversations that people start. This is one area I'd love to improve but really struggle to prioritize. 

10. Start a new feature on my blog.

Check! Not long after writing my resolutions post, I got the idea for my Series Speed Date feature. I've only posted two so far (and have a third scheduled to publish), but it's turned into one of my favorite features to write. When I binge read a series, it's a nice way to "review" them all and take a high-level look at the series.

READ POST

Adrift But Not Alone

Adrift But Not Alone

Jul 16, 2014

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Release Date: December 10, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 374 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Hardcover
Series: Starbound #1
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they're worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other's arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder — would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won't be the same people who landed on it.

Thoughts on These Broken Stars

I fell in love with this cover before I even knew what the book was about! Isn't it so gorgeous? I don't always love covers with real people on them where you can clearly see the "characters," this is an example of how it can be done really well. So, I rarely read science fiction or anything set in space, but I was definitely intrigued by the summary. The positive reviews started rolling in, and I knew I was going to give this one a shot.

These Broken Stars opens with a disaster: a "massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet." Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen, two people from opposite social classes. Lilac is wealthy and famous, but Tarver has just started to make a name for himself. When the two survive the crash, they have only each other to rely on.

Oh man, I loved this book! Lilac and Tarver are complicated and frustrating characters in the very best way. They argue and bicker, getting on one another's nerves constantly, which is basically the premise of every single one of my favorite love stories. SOLD. Despite their flaws, I really did enjoy getting to know both of them.

I loved that this was really more of a survival story than anything else. While I get the science fiction aspect, it wasn't an intimidating aspect. There's a romance that I loved, and lots of action/adventure as these two try to find their way back to civilization. The science fiction element does come into play at one point, and it contributes to one of the big reveals in the book. Some people may not love that part, but I liked it because it was so different. There's a sort of creepy feeling because they're stranded in a place filled with so many unknowns, and it set the tone perfectly for some of what was to come.

Each chapter opens with a portion of dialogue between Tarver and an unknown character, which I thought was a nice touch. You see Tarver's attitude, and it was really just perfect. There is a lot of humor in this book, even in the moments where it's dark or things are tense. Additionally, the pacing worked really well for me. Plus, there's a great moment where your jaw drops and the story suddenly ramps up to a whole different level. It really was just such a fun read, even when it was putting my emotions through the ringer!

This was such a fabulous read, and I was so glad I gave it a chance. I love that the story was completely resolved by the end of the book and that it's a series of companion novels. I had some lingering questions about the world, and that was probably my only complaint about the book. I couldn't fully picture everything that was described and there were a few things that didn't really make sense to me. I have a feeling that those will be likely be addressed in the books to come, and I can't wait to meet new characters and spend more time in this world!

So Quotable

"For a moment the image before us is frozen: our world, our lives, reduced to a handful of broken stars half lost in uncharted space. Then it’s gone, the view swallowed by the hyperspace winds streaming past, blue-green auroras wiping the afterimages away. Until all that’s left is us."

READ POST