First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Amy         
Lynnie


women's fiction, magical realism

Amy first introduced me to the writing of Sarah Addison Allen after her first book, Garden Spells was released. Women's fiction isn't typically my favorite genre, but it was impossible not to fall in love with the story and characters she created. Full disclosure- I have read every book she's published and over the years Amy and I have been lucky enough to meet Sarah. Not only is she a wonderful writer, but she's also a terrific person who really appreciates her fans. First Frost is the first sequel she's published and it follows Garden Spells' Waverly sisters, several years after the events in Garden Spells.

Amy's Review

It was so nice to spend more time with the characters from Garden Spells. It was like visiting old friends while you passed through town. As with all of Sarah Addison Allen’s novels, First Frost was whimsical, cozy, tantalizing, and beautiful. I enjoyed getting to know the new characters that were introduced, especially the central “new” character Bay Waverly. What fun to see the person she’s growing up to be. She has a good head on her shoulders and embraces her magic. She’s a good kid and loves living in Bascom, NC. She’s quite different than her mother was at a similar age. But, that’s how it often goes. Her story was very engaging.

I was so happy to “visit” with Evanelle again. She is my favorite character in all of SAA’s books. How interesting, though, that her abilities are rubbing off on Fred. Can that happen with Tyler and Henry? That is a mystery never answered in this book.

I didn’t love Russell’s storyline and he never truly felt like he belonged in this novel. He was a tame villain who lacked confidence and was easily baffled. I enjoyed the mystery around him but he was more like a fly buzzing around while you’re trying to enjoy your lunch. You couldn’t quite ignore him and you wished he’d move on to someone else’s plate. But, he wasn’t going to ruin the meal.

I love the idea of celebrating the first frost of the year. What fun! I have printed out the recipe for Fig and Pepper Bread that SAA provided on her Facebook page (sadly, the recipe printed in the book was missing the pepper ingredient!) and might just attempt to bake it some day.

I would definitely recommend that Garden Spells be read prior to reading First Frost in order to get a more complete understanding of the characters. SAA does a good job of providing character backgrounds in First Frost, but it won’t compare to the depth of understanding if you read Garden Spells first. Plus, Garden Spells is just a fabulous book—one of my favorites! First Frost did not measure up to Garden Spells, but it was still an enjoyable read and a fun return of beloved characters.

Lynnie's Review

It was so much fun to spend more time with the cast of characters from Garden Spells. Sarah's books never fail to bring a smile to my face & I admit I read this one with patience, not really wanting it to end.

First Frost felt like running into an old friend; the kind of friend that no matter how much time has past, you're able to pick up right where you left off. We get to see how the Waverlys have changed and yet remained very much the same as the years have past. They are still two sisters trying to come to terms with their past abandonment issues, though they have both been able to move forward- getting married, having children, & advancing their careers. Watching them work their magic is a treat- slightly mysterious, but always grounded in reality.

The addition of Bay as a major character was truly the highlight for me. I loved seeing how she's grown and is confident in the person that she is, even when her actions send trouble in her direction.

If you enjoyed Garden Spells (or any of SAA's books), you won't be disappointed by this one. Like all of her books, this story was a delight from start to finish. 

- Lynnie  

The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth

Amy

women's fiction

I won 10 copies of the ARC of The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth for my book club members from Reading with Robin! The ladies were very happy to have the opportunity to read it before it is released. (Release date is 2/10/15).

I’ve read a few other books that featured midwives and, I must admit, that I hesitated to enter the contest to win these books for that reason alone. I certainly respect midwives and understand their passion as well as the desire for some women to choose them over physicians. But the books I’ve read about midwives felt anti-physician and anti-hospital delivery. Since my father and grandfather were both physicians and I had to have two C-sections myself, I don’t appreciate the negativity that is often radiated from the midwives in the books I've read. However, I do enjoy books about family and I enjoy books told from multiple points of view. Plus, the book was given good reviews by Liane Moriarty and Christina Baker Kline—two authors I really enjoy. Additionally, Robin said she really enjoyed it and I knew my book club would like the treat of some free books. So, I decided to give it a try.
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I liked it! The characters seemed real, the situations were believable, and I enjoyed the way the author unraveled the story. There were some interesting mysteries and revelations and I enjoyed the cast of characters and their secrets. 

My early fears were unfounded because this book addresses the typical midwife negativity towards physicians but allows for fair consideration of different medical and emotional needs of the patient. It was an easy read and I would recommend it for those who enjoy women’s fiction. It’s a story about family, delivery of babies, and love.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Amy    
Lynnie 

young adult, fiction

First published in 1967, The Outsiders was written by S.E. Hinton when she was 16-years old. Both beloved and frequently banned, the story of two rival gangs divided by their economic status has stood the test of time and is still being assigned by middle school teachers almost 50 years later.


Lynnie's Review

I first read this book in 7th grade and have read it many times since.  I've always had a soft spot for Ponyboy (my first literary boyfriend!). The conflict between the Greasers and Socs and how it shaped the life of all the characters in the novel is engaging from beginning to end.  This is the first book I remember reading that felt like I was reading about real life- it's the first book I remember sobbing over when bad things happened to my favorite characters. 

The best thing about The Outsiders is the characters. Every one of them, even the secondary characters, are beautifully drawn and each of them feels genuine. There is a sense of family among the main characters (the Greasers), that makes sense in the world they live in; they support each other and believe in each other no matter the consequences.  The circumstances of their lives may not be ideal, but they do the best they can with what they have and what they know, which I think is a theme that is a relevant today as it was when this book was written.


Amy's Review
 
Believe it or not, I've never read this book until now. It was never assigned reading for me. Despite my love for young adult novels and the fact that this is one of my sister's favorite novels, it just never happened. I never even saw the movie.

So, I'm very happy to report that I really loved this novel. It was real and raw and genuine. Ponyboy led a very unfortunate life yet he was surrounded by love and caring young men who managed to understand the importance of "family" despite their rough edges. The boys did not make wise decisions most of the time, but they were loyal and smart enough to have dreams and hopes for their youngest. They did the best they could and didn't hold it against each other when those bad decisions got in the way of their best intentions. It was a fascinating story. I'm glad I finally read it!

Leave a comment and let us know what you thought about The Outsiders.


--Lynnie 

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

Amy

psychological thriller, mystery

WOW! What a ride. Before I Go to Sleep was a gripping story. The premise was almost unbelievable--surely this scenario would be riddled with horror for any family. It was a frightening first-person account of Christine who would forget herself, her life, and her surroundings every night. Each morning was a blank slate.  She had to not only be reintroduced to her husband every morning but reintroduced to the fact that she was married!  She had to trust others (whom she didn’t remember ever meeting before) and accept modern advances and changes that had been made beyond her memory. Chris had no choice but to let her life play out in order to discover its secrets.  She had no real control over her life since she would essentially start over every morning.

S.J. Watson was successful at alternately scaring me and easing my mind. I felt outrage during much of the story but, like Chris, I realized there wasn't anywhere/anyone to fight. My suspicions and hunches would change as the tale was told. It was a very interesting read and I couldn’t put it down near the ending. I'm sure the movie is thrilling and suspenseful.  I agree that this story seems like it would work on the big screen.

I read this for my book club and I'm looking forward to our discussion.

 

The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett

Amy

Historical fiction, contemporary fiction, mystery

Mystery is not my favorite genre but The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett was a book club selection. This story was told via 3 separate time periods: 1500s-1800s, 1980s, and 1990s. It was effective except the sections were so incredibly short that I got whiplash trying to keep up with the speed at which the author was moving the reader. I would literally just get my mind settled into the current setting and then the section would end and we'd jump to a new timeline. It really bugged me. I threw up my hands a few times. I didn't WANT to move to a different time period yet. It was stressful! I'd have preferred that his sections were at least two times longer.

I appreciated the author's passion for antiquarian books yet I never did grow to share it. The details he provided were probably fascinating to other antiquarian book lovers, but not to me. The main storyline that interested me was finding out how Peter's wife had died. Their love story was sweet and unusual. I found several of the characters' actions in the 1990s nonsensical but I cannot elaborate without spoilers. Suffice it to say, that's part of the reason I usually dislike mysteries. They are too staged and unbelievable to me, generally.

I will summarize by saying that if you like antiquarian books and mysteries and the debate around the existence of Shakespeare, you'll probably enjoy this novel a lot.

The Humans by Matt Haig

Lynnie 

sci-fi, fantasty, humor

I suspect I'm the only one of the two of us who will read this book, so I'll be reviewing this one on my own.

I am a big fan of Matt Haig's The Radleys so I was eager to read The Humans, his take on an alien among us.  For the first half of this book, I was not disappointed. I loved reading about "Andrew Martin's" view of our very human world and seeing how he navigated a life that was unknown to him (how do you step into the body & life of someone with only a basic knowledge of their past?). His revelations on humanity were often sharp & humorous.

At the midpoint though, the story took a strange turn and became somewhat of a philosophical journey as our alien begins to learn and appreciate the power of love. There was page after page of his rationalizing his behavior (oh how human he has become!) & philosophizing on the beauty of connection. Blah, blah, blah...

In the end, the story came around to make sense and finish strong but getting through the middle of the book was a chore.

- Lynnie

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Amy  

Lynnie

Young adult, fantasy, sci-fi

Lynnie had read Cinder by Marissa Meyer back in April 2014 but I just got around to it.  It is a novel based on Cinderella’s story but takes place in a future Asian nation at a time when there is a population living on the moon and after four World Wars have taken place.  Cinder is a cyborg—part human and part machine—which makes her a second-class citizen in her society.  She not only does chores in her step-family’s apartment but also pays all the bills by being a mechanic.  And it is in this capacity that she meets the prince and the story begins.

Amy’s Review

It was a cute interpretation of a future-day Cinderella story. I liked that Cinder was very self-empowering. I enjoyed the creativity of the author in her changes and updates to the fairy tale. The characters were interesting. The pacing was good. 

What I did not like was the point at which the novel ended. It's more of the "sequel syndrome" which drives me nuts.  It bothers me when the book ends but the story does not.  But, of course, I'll read the next one.  I’m glad the next two sequels are already published.  I tend to forget a lot of the story (and most of the characters) if a year passes between sequels.  And, unless it’s Harry Potter, it’s rarely worth my time to reread a story in advance of a sequel release just to refresh my memory.  I’d much rather be reading new books when there are so many great options out there.  I mean, I have 100 books on my “To Read” list!  And that list never seems to get smaller!

Lynnie’s Review

Fast paced & interesting, but somewhat predictable because... Cinderella, right?

So- Cinderella, evil stepmother, the prince, there's an evil Queen for good measure & a Ball- there's always a ball & guess who can't go? Right. So there's lots of churn about the prince wanting Cinder to go to the ball & she can't because, well that's how the story goes. But you know she's gonna go, right? Because also- yeah, that's how the story goes.

There's also cyborgs, the plague (who doesn't love a good plague?), & a colony on the moon- of course there is. Honestly, it was a fun read, but there was lots of silliness in this book. And, since someone told me there are 10 books in the series I'm not sure I can hang in there for 10 books- that's a lot of commitment to silliness. Not to mention, how many times can a girl run from her prince before he (& we) get bored?


Please add a comment below and let us know what you thought of this book if you've read it.

--Amy

Book Deal

Hi all!  

A friend pointed out to me this morning that one of the books that both Amy and I included on our Best of 2014 lists is currently on sale for Kindle.  

Rick Yancey's THE FIFTH WAVE is currently available for $1.99 on Amazon and we recommend you run, don't walk, to your device of choice and download it now if you haven't read it yet.

When I read it, I wrote, "there were times when I was really engrossed in what was happening & didn't want to put the book down because I was so eager to find out everyone's next move...overall, the characters were engaging & the story held my interest until the end."

Amy's wrote, "Terrifying but excellent. I couldn’t put it down. This book takes you into survival mode when an intelligent, patient, evil alien population has plans to cleanse Earth of humans in (at least) five phases of death... I still enjoyed the suspense and action in this novel. It’s told in a few different points of view which is very effective. The writer really hits home with the characters’ thoughts and actions and allows you to visualize everything very clearly." 

Not to spoil anything but the sequel, THE INFINITE SEA, is even better in my opinion.  Read the book now before the movie comes out later this year.  

- Lynnie

A couple of interesting reading suggestions for 2015

Today, I saw two interesting "challenges" related to reading for 2015 and would like to share them with you.

First, I saw this fun reading challenge from PopSugar.
I don't plan to meet the full challenge but have decided to keep a printout of this list handy and check off any applicable items as I read throughout the year.  I suppose that I might use this list to steer me toward ideas if I'm looking for some.  Meanwhile, I've completed one book so far this year and I can already check off 5 items.  I realize each item on the list is intended to apply to a unique book, but I choose to play differently.  :) 

Then, I saw this article tonight about a new book club called A Year of Books that Mark Zuckerberg has created for 2015. I have Liked the Facebook group.  It might be fun to read along and discuss whenever Zuckerberg selects a book that interests me.

--Amy

Lynnie's Favorite Books of 2014

So, here we are with another year of reading behind us and lots of great books (and probably some stinkers) ahead in 2015.  I read a mere 50 books in 2014- with three that I couldn't bear to finish- and am happy to report that the majority of the books I read were books I enjoyed (3 stars or higher on Goodreads).  It was a good year to be a reader.  More than a fifth of the books I read last year got 4 or 5 star reviews- not too shabby! 

My favorites were easy to pick though and without further ado, here they are (in no particular order):

ME BEFORE YOU by JoJo Moyes- it looks like a chick book but don't be fooled by the cover. I loved this book and all the characters in it (even the ones you weren't supposed to love). They touched my heart and I found myself thinking about them, even after the book ended. The story of who they were- before and after they came together was really just... wonderful. It's a book about family, trust, love, and being true to yourself, even when you are afraid of who that might be. 

THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J.FIKRY by Gabrielle Zevin- I adored this quirky story about a finicky bookseller, his charming bookstore and the folks of Alice Island. This book can get a bit snobbish at times, I admit, filled with literary references which you will love or hate (I loved them), but the characters will steal your heart. While this is a book about a bookstore, it's also a book about family, friendship, and the messiness of life & love. 

BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarty- great fun from beginning to end! I don't usually enjoy a "whodunnit" but this one was irresistible. This book has drama, conflict, secrets, betrayal, & yet there's also humor, camaraderie, true friendship- everything you expect in Primary School! The personality of Moriarty's characters jump off the page at you making you want to learn more and more about them with each turn of the page. 

THE FIFTH WAVE and THE INFINITE SEA by Rick Yancey- (soon to be a movie- read the book first!). I read both books in this series in 2014 and admit to enjoying the sequel more than the original book, though both were page-turners from beginning to end.  If you like an action-filled YA series, this is the one to read now. Aliens, teenagers, bad guys- OH MY!

REBOOT & REBEL by Amy Tintera- a very interesting YA series; a virus infects people so that they "reboot" after they die and become super-soldiers. Trust me, it works, and it's awesome! The fast pace of the story kept me wanting to know more and the characters are absolutely wonderful. I really enjoyed the interplay between them- the bad guys were bad, the good guys were great and the action was nonstop. 

Honorable Mention:

ATTACHMENTS by Rainbow Rowell-  I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to.  The characters are so wonderful- you just want to spend more time with them. There were several times I laughed out loud reading this book. What a great summer read- one of my friends called it a "confection" of a book and she was right- it's a real treat. (less)

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green- It's tough to consider John Green an honorable mention because I love his writing so much, but I read this book at an odd time.  That said, it's touching, tragic and beautiful- you know where this book is going, just now how it's going to get there. It is, after all, a book about kids with cancer- but Hazel and Augustus (and Isaac) are really wonderful characters, which is why the book affects so many people the way it does. Green gives his characters dignity and hope in a hopeless situation.

Happy 2015!  Many happy reading adventures ahead!

Amy's Favorite Books Read During 2014

I read 57 books in 2014 (excluding the three I decided not to finish) and am once again posting my favorites.  (These are not all books that were released during 2014.)  I enjoy good stories that pull me in, interesting characters, action, and author creativity.  My preference is for the characters to go on some sort of adventure--either mentally or physically or both.  I like to escape the real world when I read.  This year, I read so many books that I loved, I've had a hard time narrowing it down.  I did decide to list more than ten books since a few of the books listed below are sequels to books I've listed in prior years and I didn't want to leave out the new novels.  It should also be noted that this is the first time my Top 5 does not include any from the young adult genre!  (Although, the main characters are young adults in two of them.)  It is also surprising that four of my Top 5 novels are historical fiction!  My favorites, in order, this year were:

1.  Written in my Own Heart's Blood (Outlander #8) by Diana Gabaldon (historical fiction, fantasy)

2.  The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker (fantasy, historical fiction)

3.  Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (contemporary fiction)

4.  Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (historical fiction, contemporary fiction)

5.  All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (historical fiction)

6.  The Fifth Wave (and its sequel The Infinite Sea) by Rick Yancey (young adult, sci-fi, action/suspense)

7.  Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (contemporary fiction, mystery)

8.  Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi (young adult, sci-fi, fantasy, action/suspense)

9.  Wool Omnibus (series of 5 novellas) by Hugh Howey (dystopian, sci-fi, action/suspense)

10.  The Winter King by C.L. Wilson (romance, fantasy, action/suspense)

11.  The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (contemporary fiction)

12.  Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (contemporary magical realism)

13.  Rebel (Reboot #2) by Amy Tintera (young adult, action/suspense, fantasy)

 

Here are some details about the books above (listed alphabetically):

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – I read this for Book Club.  I found it to be fascinating.  It tells the stories of a young, blind French girl and young, tech-savvy German orphan as they navigate life before, during, and after WWII.  I always dread reading WWII novels because I know they'll be depressing.  This was a special one and more eye-opening than depressing.  The way the author crafted the story was ingenious--beautifully done.  I enjoyed watching the two separate lives play out and intersect (in multiple ways).  I could truly picture the environments described.  I knew the main characters intimately.  The writing was clear and purposeful. The story was surprising as it unraveled.  Even the secondary characters were wonderful.  The theme of the title rang throughout. I really enjoyed this one!

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – After reading Moriarty’s The Husband’s Secret for Book Club (I gave it 4 stars but decided not to take up two spots by the same author on this list and Big Little Lies was the better of the two), I wanted to read this newer novel by the same author and I won an Advanced Reader Copy in a giveaway!  Both novels suck you in and give you multiple female points of view about unusual family life in Australia. Big Little Lies was very cleverly constructed and seamlessly woven together as you are pulled into the mystery and the twists of someone’s (you don’t know whose) murder and the community gossip surrounding the suspects.  The quirky characters are interesting and engaging (and remind you of people you know). The storyline keeps a good pace. I also enjoyed the story resolutions.

The Fifth Wave (and its sequel the Infinite Sea) by Rick Yancey – This is currently being made into a movie starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Liev Schreiber.  It was terrifying but excellent. I couldn’t put it down. This book takes you into survival mode when an intelligent, patient, evil, alien population has plans to cleanse Earth of humans in (at least) five phases of death. Even though the designs of the fifth wave were obvious to me (and should have been to the characters), I still enjoyed the suspense and action in this novel. It’s told from a few different points of view which is very effective. The writer really hits home with the characters’ thoughts and actions and allows you to visualize everything very clearly. His story is set in the present time which is the really terrifying part. I can’t wait for the next installment to be released.

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker – I adored this book.  It tells the story of the Golem (a creature made of clay, brought to life by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic) and the Jinni (a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian desert who was trapped in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard centuries ago).  I was charmed by the characters and the way the Golem and the Jinni were new immigrants of a sort themselves.  The only part I didn't love was Joseph's "history" which is revealed near the end.  (I can't say more without spoiling.) But, if I'm willing to accept the existence of the Golem and the Jinni, I most certainly have to accept his history as well.  The pace was a little slow at times but never lost me.  I enjoyed the adventures, the character interactions, and the author's descriptions of New York in the late 1800s.  I also found the resolution satisfying.

Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi – This was a wonderful ending to a very fun trilogy which takes place in a future world devastated by atmospheric changes.  While the third installment was exciting and satisfying, it was a little slower than the other books (until the last half).  I still loved the characters and the series as a whole and will happily recommend it to everyone.  It is full of adventures and tricky situations.  The final showdown seemed a bit too easy, perhaps.  But, it was fun!  (The first two books in the series made my 2012 and 2013 lists.) 

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen – This is the story of a recently widowed mother and her “escape” to a memorable childhood sanctuary.  SAA is able to pull you into a place and time (actually, several places and times) with characters who are quirky, yet believable.  I loved the main setting in southern Georgia with which she was able to warm me when I was actually experiencing frigid January weather.  The warmth of the story somehow made the individual tragedies that unfolded seem  more gentle.  It was a light, breezy read.  I love everything she has written.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - This was another book I read for Book Club and it had me in its grips from the beginning. What a story and what a cast of characters! A newly unemployed young woman takes a job, out of desperation, caring for an ornery, wealthy paraplegic man.  Both people are changed by each other and the book takes you through a journey of feelings and opinions.  Sometimes, admittedly, I did want to shake some sense in Louisa, but I suppose that was part of the point. This book is full of heart. When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book. And, I continued to think about it long after. The ending was perfect. Loved this one!

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline – This is the story of two very different women who build an unexpected friendship:  a 91-year-old woman with a hidden past as an orphan train rider and the teenage girl whose own troubled adolescence leads her to seek answers to questions no one has ever thought to ask.  I loved the story-telling from two different time periods. I found both stories engaging. The way the two stories crossed wasn't forced and seemed perfectly managed. (Although, I thought that Molly's crime was a bit silly--would that really result in the punishment she received? I accepted it and moved on.) The length was ideal, the pacing was just right, and I enjoyed the two main characters who were cut from the same cloth. It was simply a wonderful read.

Rebel (Reboot #2) by Amy Tintera – If you love non-stop adventure, this series is for you. The same characters from Reboot have returned right where they left off in the future world where kids who get a virus are reborn with superpowers.  The group of superhumans who survived the deadly virus are fighting for their lives against the system that has enslaved them and taken away their freedom.  (The first book in the series made my 2013 list.)

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin - The novel was full of quirky characters and brimming with literary references--most of which went over my head since I'm not well read enough.  It centers around a bookstore owner on a small island and how he navigates after his wife's death and several bizarre occurrences.  I was very engaged with this silly bunch of folks and their tiny town and was touched by the goodness in the characters.  I was happy watching the mild mysteries unravel.

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson – This is heavy on the romance and full of adventures and vivid details and enjoyable characters.  It takes place in a fantasy world where regional leaders employ magical skills and control over the weather.  I had a great time reading this novel and am impressed by Wilson's creativity with languages and cultures. Summer was a great time to read this novel set in such a frosty setting that it provided me with cooling thoughts.

Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey – Interesting. Intriguing. Exciting. Shocking. Outstanding.  This is such a brutal, yet satisfying series of novellas.  It takes place in an underground silo where a community lives out their lives--generation after generation--due to toxic conditions outside.  It was a really gripping story full of twists and suspense with a lot of heart.  It's definitely a difficult story at times, but it is so well-constructed and commands that you keep reading to find out what happens.  I couldn't put it down.

Written in my Own Heart’s Blood (Outlander #8) by Diana Gabaldon - I think this was my favorite novel that Diana Gabaldon has written. I'm not completely positive that my state of bliss at the end of this novel wasn’t partially from being able to spend time with these characters again after such a long break. I love them so. But, since I have had a major gripe about every single novel DG has written, and really have no major gripes about this one--I enjoyed it thoroughly—it’s my favorite. It took DG a long time but she finally wrote a nearly perfect novel. I've always adored her characters, though, and they all returned and filled me up.  Seeing all the cliffhangers from the last novel resolved was extremely satisfying. Not having ridiculous cliffhangers at the end of this one was extremely satisfying. She didn't bog us down with too much history. She didn't needlessly abuse lovable characters. She didn't include far-fetched segments.  But, if you’ve read the first 7 in the series you probably don’t need me to convince you to read this one anyway.

 --Amy

 

Welcome to our new blog!

My sister, Lynnie, and I have decided to start a new adventure--blogging our book reviews!  We are both heavy readers although we approached this point via different avenues.
 
Lynnie was always a voracious reader.  When she wasn't outside or involved with sports, she was reading.  Amy never understood why she would rather stay curled up in her bed reading when she could be out with friends instead.  Lynnie loved reading so much she majored in communications at college.  She can be found with a book in her hand (or propped up) whenever there's a spare moment while stirring dinner, folding laundry, or waiting at a drawbridge to go down.  There is always time to fit in a few paragraphs!

Amy, on the other hand, only read when she had to do so for school.  And she rarely enjoyed any of those required books.  She did experience the joy of reading for a couple years during her adolescence when she discovered Judy Blume. But, once she had read all of Blume's books (including the spicy Forever!), she fell off the wagon until she had graduated from college (where she had been a math major).  She then read mostly Dean Koontz for a few years.  She had almost completed his entire repertoire when she realized reading mostly one author was getting boring and she took another break from reading.  Thankfully, Lynnie insisted that she read Harry Potter (this was back before The Prisoner of Azkaban was released) and Amy, once again, fell in love with reading.  She now participates in three book clubs because she loves discussing books!

While we do not normally make a habit of reading the same book at the same time (except when there is a new release about which we are both excited), we often get around to reading many of the same books because we have similar tastes.  In our blog, we hope to write about any books that we have both read.  We will also blog about books that we individually love when the other sister is not likely to read it in the near future.  Our readers will get the benefit of two reviews in one place and Lynnie and I will have fun working on a project together.  We hope you enjoy!

--Amy