Come Away with Me Review & Giveaway

March 24, 20165 Comments

This emotional book made my top reads of 2015 list because months and months after finishing it, I still am thinking about it. It blew me away with the the storyline, especially considering it is a debut by a new author. I cannot wait to read her newest release this summer.

If you liked the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, think of this as a fictional version. Here is the Amazon synopsis:

An unexpected journey leads one woman to discover that life after loss is possible, if only you can find the courage to let go…

One minute, Tegan Lawson has everything she could hope for: an adoring husband, Gabe, and a baby on the way. The next, a patch of black ice causes a devastating accident that will change her life in ways she never could have imagined.

Tegan is consumed by grief—not to mention her anger toward Gabe, who was driving on the night of the crash. But just when she thinks she’s hit rock bottom, Gabe reminds her of their Jar of Spontaneity, a collection of their dream destinations and experiences, and so begins an adventure of a lifetime.

From the bustling markets of Thailand to the flavors of Italy to the ocean waves in Hawaii, Tegan and Gabe embark on a journey to escape the tragedy and search for forgiveness. But they soon learn that grief follows you no matter how far away you run, and that acceptance comes when you least expect it. Heartbreaking, hopeful and utterly transporting, Come Away with Me is an unforgettable debut and a luminous celebration of the strength of the human spirit.

If you do not experience complete wanderlust after finishing this book, you didn’t read it correctly. It’s obvious Karma writes from experience as she describes these amazing cities.

And because I don’t want to give away any spoilers, I don’t want to say much else. Just keep tissues handy and message me on my Facebook page when you finish because I can’t wait to hear what you think! Read it with a friend so you can chat about it together. Thanks to Book Sparks, I have one print copy to give away to one lucky winner. Click the link below to enter to win. Giveaway ends 3/28/16 at 12:00 am CST. Good luck!

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Losing the Light Review

March 17, 2016Leave a comment

A book about a wine-filled excursion to France? Sign me up. What I loved about this novel was that it doesn’t take place in the part of France we hear about so often, Paris, but rather the coastal town of Nantes with escapes to the glamorous Cap Ferrat. It was a completely new setting for me, one which satisfied my wanderlust every time I picked it up.

Losing the Light tells the story of two college students, Brooke and Sophie, who study abroad for a year. Brooke is sent away after an affair with a college professor her school needs to pretend didn’t happen, and Sophie is longing for a place where she isn’t just known as just the pretty girl. At a mixer when they arrive, Brooke meets Veronique, who soon introduces both girls to her handsome cousin Alex. And that’s where the trouble starts.

Dunlop easily portrays Brooke as an insecure and jealous woman who falls for Alex quickly and is seduced by his good looks and charm. Several get-togethers have the girls alone with Alex and while Brooke is pining for him, her friendship with Sophie is tested when her paranoia seems to take over. I just had a wish for more tension throughout, all to set the stage for what we learn in the opening chapter about how everything ends.

This book would be perfect to throw in your beach bag or grab for a quick read over spring break where you can get lost in a world countries away and think back on your 20s as a time you thoght the whole world was at your feet.

You can read more about Andrea here. Thank you to BookSparks for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Mapmaker’s Children Review

February 11, 2016Leave a comment

Lately I have been drawn to books that mix a storyline from the past along with one from the present, like Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline and What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman. Even better if there is a connection that ties the two together. In Sarah McCoy’s The Mapmaker’s Children, she does that beautifully.

The historical side tells the story of Sarah Brown, daughter of abolitionist John Brown, who was executed for aiding slaves through the Underground Railroad. Sarah’s artistic talent lends itself to the cause, as she’s able to create detailed maps to assist the slaves in finding freedom. Knowing she will forever be unable to bear children, she risks her life to fight for what she believes is right.

Fast-forward to the present where we meet Eden Anderson, a former PR executive who moves to New Charleston and discovers a porcelain doll head in her pantry. She becomes angry and bitter after struggling with infertility in a new town where she knows no one. That is, until her 11-year-old neighbor appears and helps become a detective as to why that doll is in her house.

Sarah McCoy truly has a way with words and as the chapters alternate between past and present, you oftentimes believe you are reading separate books because of how distinct the writing is. I learned so much about the Brown family and saw the Civil War through their eyes. It’s amazing how much we can take for granted now, just having a warm house in winter and food on our table, things that families had to fight for during hard times.

The newly released paperback version of this book is perfect for book clubs as it already has preprinted questions and a discussion with Sarah about her research into this story and music she listened to while writing. I am eager to go back and read the author’s first novel, The Baker’s Daughter, knowing how much I enjoyed this one. Be sure to check out Sarah’s bio on the Penguin Random House page.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. Thank you for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 Women Authors You Should Know

February 1, 2016January 31, 20163 Comments

Do you have a favorite author? One who whenever they release their newest work gets preordered online as soon as you hear the news? You’ve read everything they’ve written and have trouble waiting for more? That’s how I feel about the following four ladies. For each of them, I’d read their grocery lists if they published them. They can do no wrong in the writing world.

Amy Hatvany

With her sociology background, she really knows how to write women’s fiction and books that are relevant. Issues that you can imagine the everywoman going through. Start with Best Kept Secret about Cadence, a mother who tackles a drinking problem, and Safe With Me, about two women who meet under less-than-fortunate circumstances and form a bond that ends up saving them both.

Diane Chamberlain

Years ago I stumbled upon Diane’s books and haven’t been able to stop since. Her power lies in the ability to make all her characters come alive on the page. She is also known for throwing in a good twist just when you think the story is going in a different direction. Start with The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes about an infant that goes missing and if the truth will really set you free and an amazing historical fiction novel, Necessary Lies, about a new social worker who befriends a family of tobacco farmers and what role the government should play in their lives.

Sarah Jio

I think Sarah is the one author that I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite. She is known to alternate between stories set in the present and the past and sometimes has a mystery thrown in. Her books have me turning the pages and I can usually finish them in a day or two because you’re swept up in their stories. She is newer to the women’s fiction scene and trust me, she’s not going anywhere. Start with her first book, The Violets of March, about Emily, a divorced woman who finds a diary that helps her determine if her love life is over for good and The Bungalow, her second novel about an Army nurse who falls for a soldier and what they discover overseas.

Ellen Hopkins

Genius doesn’t begin to describe Ellen, who writes most of her novels in verse. While it may take some getting used to, I am in awe every time I pick up a new one. Her books are longer but they fly by because of her writing style. Just be warned: there is a lot of profanity, drug use, and sex in her books. She mostly writes YA but has just started venturing out into adult novels as well. And all her books tackle extremely prevalent issues going on today. Start with Crank, loosely based on her real-life daughter’s struggle with crystal meth (this is the first one in a trilogy) and Identical, about identical twins who are trying to find themselves and what really happened in car accident when they were younger.

Any must-read women I should add to my list? Would love to hear your favorites.

All the Winters After Review

January 21, 2016February 7, 2016Leave a comment

This beautiful and haunting novel has already secured a spot on my best books of the year list. It’s not just words written on paper, but a multilayered story of a family and their grief over time.

Kachemak Winkel lost his family 20 years earlier in a plane crash. His aunt Snag and grandmother Lettie are still living in Alaska while he fled the cruel winters to lose himself in Austin, Texas. When he returns home to check on the family’s homestead, he discovers a frightened woman who has been seeking shelter there for 10 years.

As Kache begins to untangle his family history, we learn that this woman’s background isn’t so simple, either.

The setting is chilling and the story is full of hope and promise. Thank you to Sourcebooks for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars.

White Collar Girl Review

January 13, 2016Leave a comment

There’s so much I liked about this novel and related to. It tells the fictional story of Jordan Walsh, a female reporter starting at the Chicago Tribune in the 1950s. All she wants is to be taken seriously as a reporter amidst all the men. She does whatever she can to report on the real news stories, not the society ones they assign to her. It was fascinating to see this perspective considering how different times are now with reporting. As a journalism major, I was intrigued to learn how it used to be in newsrooms where women had to fight just to be treated with respect. And growing up in Chicago, I also enjoyed the bits of history during that time period.

This is a must read novel for historical fiction fans and a great intro to the genre for those who enjoy women’s and contemporary fiction. If you need a suggestion for your book club, this will also prompt lots of discussion.

I look forward to reading Renee Rosen’s earlier novels. Thanks to Goodreads and Penguin Random House for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Shelter Review

January 11, 2016Leave a comment

[amazon text=&asin=1250075610]If there was ever a book with the lesson of “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” this is it. And no, I am not referring to this book’s cover, although I love it and think it’s a perfect representation of the story.

We have Kyung, a Korean-American professor, his Irish wife, Gillian, and their young son, Ethan. After spending beyond their means, they come to realize they can no longer afford their house. Meanwhile, in the wealthier section of their town lives Kyung’s parents, Jin and Mae. After a violent incident at Jin and Mae’s home, they have nowhere to go but Kyung’s home.

But as bits begin to unravel and secrets beg to be told, the reader realizes that one perfect young family and one wealthy family are not truly who they seem.

Is “shelter” truly a place to call home or just a structure with which to seek refuge? You’ll have to decide for yourself after finishing this compulsively readable book.

Thanks to Picador USA and Jung Yun for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Available for preorder now. Publishes March 15, 2016

Best Read-Aloud Picture Books

January 9, 2016Leave a comment

I think I’m still a kid at heart. There is some magical quality to picture books that entertains me along with my kids. Oftentimes I’m presented with the opportunity to read aloud to my children’s classes. If that’s the case for you, here’s a great list of picture books sure to be a hit. These are also perfect for bedtime reads or anytime you’re looking for a smile or laugh.

The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak: After reading this to my daughter’s kindergarten class, I was begged for an encore and her teacher told me she’s never had her class laugh so hard. If you haven’t discovered this laugh-out-loud read yet, you are missing out. It’s so clever having the reader say nonsense phrases which kids find hilarious.

Press Here by Herve Tullet: Even better for a younger crowd, this allows a group of children to each take a turn pressing on the page to see what magic they can create with their fingers. Imagine something interactive without electronics and you have this book. For those looking to take it a step further, they even have a coordinating board game.

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds: Imagine a child’s version of a psychological thriller and you have this picture book, complete with a twist. The pictures were worthy enough to be nominated for a Caldecott Medal but the story is the ultimate surprise. We are big fans.

The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt: I’m not sure if we like the original or its sequel more. These creative books had me laughing and my kids mesmerized. I sure hope there will be another in this series, written by a box of crayons to their user, Duncan, complete with grievances and complaints. You’ll completely change how you look at crayons.

Meet the Dullards by Sara Pennypacker: If you ever hear the words “I’m bored,” try reading this story of a boring family. I can guarantee their boredom is nothing like the kids in this book have to deal with. Adults also will get a kick out of the dull situations Pennypacker presents.

These are our favorites. I’d love to hear yours! And please let me know your thoughts if you get a chance to read these.

Best reads of 2015

January 4, 2016January 11, 2016Leave a comment

2015 was an incredible year for new releases. Some of the best books were published in 2015. I read so many outstanding ones that I couldn’t even narrow my list down to 10. I have books in all categories: fiction, nonfiction, thriller, historical fiction, even ones for your kids. So here are the top 12 books (in no particular order) I loved this year.

Best reads of 2015

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes: If you’ve ever seen an episode of 24, you’ll know what I mean when I say “edge of your seat.” This debut was like an episode of 24 … on speed. It is a roller coaster ride that spans decades and continents. The author is a screenwriter, and they’re talking movie, so make sure you read this ahead of time. It’s long but I guarantee you won’t notice as you’re flipping pages at a breakneck speed.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: Ever deserving of its multiple awards, this post-apocalyptic story is more about the characters than the setting. This book jumps back and forth in time as it introduces a Hollywood actor and a band of traveling actors, some of who we meet prior to the flu apocalypse that wipes out civilization and some who we meet after. Its originality and writing is like nothing I’ve ever read.

What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman: If you’re a fan of Orphan Train, then make sure to add this one to your list. It’s similar in structure but with a historical story I found hard to put down. Our main character, Clara, is institutionalized in the 1920s because her society parents disapprove of her new love. As she’s fighting to prove her sanity and escape, we learn there’s more to the mystery. You’ll be racing to find out what happens as you’re left hanging after so many chapters.

Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Behind Blackfish by John Hargrove: Once I saw the documentary Blackfish, I knew I had to read this first-hand account by one of the trainers featured. John spends time discussing his life as a trainer and what the whales are subject to. I appreciated that this “whistleblower” story doesn’t spend all its time knocking down SeaWorld, but rather presents the information in a way that reads like fiction. This is both a fascinating and devastating read that explores the true behavior and history of orcas.

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler: Please go into this novel knowing that it isn’t plot heavy. Instead, it is a beautiful portrayal of family dynamics told through multiple generations and viewpoints. The way it was set up reminded me a lot of one of my favorite southern authors, Pat Conroy. I hear this might be Tyler’s last book, which saddens me, but I know if it is she went out with a bang.

The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson: I can’t believe that this book was not an instant bestseller. It has so many tricks up its sleeves that it’s perfect for anyone who likes a good psychological thriller. You’ll go through all the emotions (shock, anger, surprise) as you are constantly teased about who is playing who in this cat-and-mouse read. I look forward to many more by this author.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate: If you’re an adult, you can easily read this book in a few hours. A beautiful middle grade book told from the perspective of Ivan, a gorilla, that performs in a mall with a few other animals. I appreciated all his insight on human behaviors and laughed out loud several times. The Newberry Medal award winner will leave you with complete faith in humanity.

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan: This book is a completely fascinating (and very freaky) account of a young journalist experiencing seizures, psychosis, and madness when she had been completely healthy days before. It took weeks in the hospital to determine the cause and she became the 217th known case of her disease. The book is written so well that it has you turning the pages. If you have any interest in science, medicine, or psychology, you will be absorbed in this memoir. And movie fans — they just cast Chloe Grace Moretz for the film!

Come Away with Me by Karma Brown: I’m still thinking about this novel, even months after finishing it. If you liked Eat, Pray, Love, think of this as a fictionalized version. After a terrible accident, Tegan is overcome with grief and doesn’t know how to get back to feeling like herself. When her husband suggests a worldwide adventure, she learns how to forgive. This debut will have you feeling all the emotions, and I shed many tears.

The Admissions by Meg Mitchell Moore: While I don’t have any children old enough to be applying to college, I can definitely relate to the “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality, especially coming from a real estate background. I loved how the viewpoints kept changing throughout but still managed to propel the story forward. It was hard to stop reading about this family as bit by bit they started unraveling at the seams. Author Elin Hilderbrand even offered a money-back guarantee on its merits.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin: This is a truly poignant middle grade novel about a young girl dealing with the grief of losing her best friend. I love how the science was sprinkled throughout but was never technical. Definitely worthy of its National Book Award nomination and a must read for ages 10-adult.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: It’s no wonder Kristin Hannah is an instant bestseller. Just when I thought she had it all wrapped up in women’s fiction, she surprised me with this historical fiction novel of WWII told through the viewpoints of two sisters. The amount of 5 star reviews on this heartbreaking and profound novel is just incredible. With scenes hard to read at times, I wouldn’t want her to erase any word. This book will resonate with me for a long time.

I can’t wait to hear your reviews of any of these books and what your favorites were this year. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!