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