Shout Her Lovely Name by Natalie Serber

DISCLOSURE: This book was won via the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program. The following is my honest review and opinion of the book.

This compilation of short stories shared a theme about the relationships between mothers and their daughters. The first story was written as if you are reading the thoughts of a mother going through the discovery of her daughter’s anorexia and the ongoing battle to save her from herself. Several of the stories revolved around the lives of Ruby Hargrove and her daughter Nora. Ruby is an unwed mother with an eccentric personality and a self centered style. Her daughter Nora is raised in Ruby’s world of several affairs, drinking to excess and moving from place to place. Nora grows up only to make many of the same poor choices that her mother had made and the viscous cycle continues . Another story is about 47 year old Cassie who has weekly meetings with her therapist Seth. She is a woman with too much time on her hands, as her kids are growing up and don’t need or want the attention they once did. She seems to create problems in her own mind. Her strongly voiced opinions tend to put her at odds with everyone, especially her 14 year old daughter, Edith. It was difficult to find a connection with the characters and I felt that they were not developed as well as I hoped they would be. The language was quite obscene in some parts of the book and I believe, unnecessarily so. It seemed like more of a shock factor to make up for the lacking story line. This book had such a great title and the cover was lovely. Sadly, these were the best parts of the book.

Hardcover, 240 pages
Published June 26th 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN 0547634528

Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell

This book seemed to be written in a language all its own. The dark and gritty story unfolds in the poverty stricken Ozarks and revolves around 16 year old Ree and the family burdens that she alone carries. Her unwavering will and determination are tested to the limits. Ancestors had made their livelihood brewing moonshine, but that has now been replaced with the cooking of meth-amphetamines and Ree’s father had a reputation of being quite skilled at it. Ree is forced into finding her missing father in order to save the family's home. Breaking the family code, she asks the questions that nobody wants to hear and barely survives the violent consequences that follow. The author depicts the impoverished lives of the rough and unsavory characters in a unique style that I found refreshing. While this is in no way a 'feel good' book, it somehow has a haunting beauty to it that captured me and wouldn't let go. Looking forward to reading more from this talented author!

Paperback, 224 pages
Published June 1st 2010 by Little, Brown and Company (first published August 7th 2006)
ISBN  031613161X

Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

DISCLOSURE: This was won via the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program. The following is my honest review and opinion of the book.

This moving novel took me into the emotional world of fourteen year old June Elbus. Set in the late 80‘s, June is struggling with the news that her beloved Uncle Finn (a highly acclaimed artist) is dying of AIDS. Adding to her misery, her sixteen year old sister Greta - whom she had always been close with - has become distant and remote. Finn decides that he must paint one more painting before he dies. It will be a portrait of June and Greta. The completed painting sparks a mystery and holds an unknown secret. The gradual introduction of Uncle Finn’s boyfriend Toby and the unlikely friendship that follows adds an interesting plot twist to the story. A roller-coaster of emotions including love, hate, denial, acceptance and finally forgiveness are woven within the pages. The poignant final revelations created a simply beautiful ending. With a talented hand, the author has written a compelling story about complex relationships and the strong emotions that kept them tied together in the end. 

Paperback, 355 pages
Published June 2012 by PanMacmillan
ISBN  1447202139

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I love finding a book that draws me in and doesn't let go. This was one of those books. It is simply a beautiful novel using a creative writing style that mixes southern dialect with a light sprinkling of humor. The setting takes place in a 1960’s Mississippi in the midst of segregation. The chapters unfold through the words of three different woman - Skeeter, Aibileen and Minnie. Skeeter is a southern white woman with aspirations of becoming a writer. Best friends, Aibileen and Minnie are black maids dealing with the ugly face of prejudice. Aibileen is nurturing and kind hearted and carries the soul of a writer within. Minnie is unyielding and has a tendency to speak her mind making her life struggles all the more difficult. It is this unlikely trio that connect and begin to secretly write about the true stories of the black women working for white families. The eventual publishing of their book exposes the injustices and discrimination that exists within their lives. The author shares a painful time in our history, but also how simple human kindness plays such an important role in the healing process. A wonderful and compelling read that I highly recommend!

Hardcover, 451 pages
Published February 10th 2009 by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam (first published January 1st 2009)
ISBN 0399155341

PS - I saw the movie after reading the book and enjoyed it as well, but I wished they had shown a few missing scenes from the book.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I read this over the course of a few days in June of 2011. It started as a simple recommendation by my daughter, but ended up awakening my forgotten love of reading. It seems only fitting to have it be the first review on this blog. 


The first chapter had me grinning from ear to ear and I knew immediately that this was going to be a really good book. The story is told from the perspective of Jacob Jankowski and jumps back and forth from his younger years to the present day with Jacob in his 90's. The elderly narrative depicts his dismal life in a nursing home waiting for the occasional visit from a family member and the constant struggle to maintain his mind and dignity.  His younger years are set in the midst of the Great Depression. Jacob's well thought out plans of becoming a veterinarian and joining his fathers practice are shattered due to a tragic accident. Desperate and alone, Jacob runs away and joins the circus. His innocent upbringing is immediately challenged with the rough and tumble lifestyle of the traveling circus.  The carnival setting and characters are depicted with such vivid details that you feel as though you are living side by side within their world.   Some parts of the book were difficult to read (namely the abuse of animals), but were perhaps a necessary evil to accurately portray a realistic view of the  harsh and seedy circus life.  A love triangle, a murder mystery and a madman's mania intertwine within the pages. This book filled me with a range of emotions, that only a truly well written book can do. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to reading 'Sara Gruen' again. 

Paperback, 335 Pages

Published May 1st 2007 by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill (first published January 1st 2006)

ISBN  1565125606

PS - I saw the movie after reading the book and enjoyed it as well.

Welcome!

I have recently reacquainted myself with an old lost friend - that friend being 'reading'. It's funny how life takes over and the little things that once brought us so much joy get pushed onto the back burner and forgotten about. I have started this blog to keep a journal of my reading adventures and would love to have you follow along.


So many books, so little time...


Choosing which book to read next can be a challenge at times. Perusing book reviews is one of my preferred methods in selecting a new title. I am hoping that my blog entries will help others to do the same.