Stephany Writes

Categories: Books

Monthly Book Review | March 2017

Settle in, folks. This book review post is going to be a long one. Somehow, I read 11 books in March. I didn’t even realize I had read so much until I took a look back at my March reads and added it all up. Holy cow! I am way ahead of my goal of reading 100 books in 2017. Who knows if I will sustain this pace throughout the year, though? Right now, I just have a lot of time to devote to reading and since I no longer have cable and rely on Netflix for TV, I find myself less and less inclined to turn my TV on, preferring to settle in with a book instead.

I read so many great books this month, but it is easy to name my favorite: This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. It made my heart explode.

Here’s what I read in March:

Quarterback Draw by Jaci Burton (★★★☆☆) – I’ve seen this mentioned in other reviews, but it really feels like Jaci Burton has run out of ideas when it comes to her Play-By-Play series (this is the ninth book in the series). The characters weren’t anything special, there was no angst or real conflict. It was a pleasant read, but I wanted more. I didn’t feel any connection with the characters and I wish this author would write about more real characters with real families. Everything is a bit too perfect and there’s nothing special about that. (library e-book)

Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham (★★★★☆) – I ended up enjoying this book way more than I thought I would. I’m not really a fan of Lena Dunham, but I’m also not not a fan? I am indifferent to her. I understand the criticism of her work and I understand why people love her. I listened to this on audiobook, which Dunham reads herself, and I found myself vastly enjoying her viewpoint. I think she’s someone I might get along with in real life because there was a lot I could agree with and understand. I don’t think I’ll be watching Girls anytime soon, but this was a good listen and gave me a different amount of respect for her. (library audiobook)

All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank (★★★☆☆) – I reviewed this novel earlier in March, and you can read my review here. Quick review: a sweet novel, but not one I’d be quick to recommend. (paperback)

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (★★★★★) – I have been waiting for this book to make its way to me in the postal book club, and I was so excited to get it in the mail in the latest round. It lived up to my every expectation and was so much fun to read. The novel takes place in the future – 2044 – and everyone basically lives in virtual reality. The novel begins with the creator of the virtual reality simulation dying, which launches this crazy game that has everyone fighting to solve puzzles so they can win the prize money. I’m not a gamer, nor am I a connoisseur of 80s pop trivia, but I could still thoroughly enjoy and appreciate this novel. It was incredible. (paperback)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling (★★★★★) – I have had this book on my nightstand since September, and I figured it was beyond time for me to finish my reread of this series and give the book back to my friend. There is truly nothing like these novels; they are a work of art. Also, I had forgotten so damn much about this series! It was amazing how much of it read like new information to me. I can’t wait to reread this series again. (hardcover)

Dare to Hold by Carly Phillips (★★★☆☆) – I read this book in one sitting on a Saturday, and it provided the perfect escape. I really loved the chemistry between the two main characters, and I think Carly Phillips really excels at making you feel their passion for one another. Fun and thrilling with some really excellent sex scenes. (e-book)

The Girls by Emma Cline (★★★☆☆) – What a creepy, disturbing book! We picked this for my work book club this month, and I was looking forward to reading it as it had been on my list for a while. I really love Cline’s writing style and found myself highlighting all the different passages. But the story itself disturbed and depressed me (it’s basically a fictional retelling of the Manson Family through the eyes of a girl who joined the cult right before all the murders happened). I never felt excited to pick up the book, but whenever I did, I got sucked into the story. (library hardcover)

When Lightning Strikes by Brenda Novak (★★☆☆☆) – This was a free Kindle book I snagged a while ago and read while at the gym. It was really not that good and the premise was rather silly, but it kept my attention enough that I kept reading. Meh. (e-book)

Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz (★★★★☆) – I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator was phenomenal. It’s so rare for me to love an audiobook narrator (which is why I’ve had such trouble with audiobooks), so listening to this novel was so enjoyable. It’s a sweet YA romance but delves into a very serious topic: immigration and deportation. High school senior Jasmine is awarded a scholarship that will allow her to attend any college she wants for free. In order to accept the scholarship, she has to show proof of citizenship. Her family moved to the USA when she was very young on work visas, but those expired and they never renewed them. Jasmine has to come to terms with being an illegal immigrant… and her new boyfriend’s father is a congressman who is fighting against the rights of immigrants. It’s truly an outstanding portrayal of what it is like for people who come to America searching for a better life, and how the system works against them time and again. I was super impressed with Melissa de la Cruz’s writing and how she tackled an incredibly serious and heartbreaking topic in a way that felt hopeful. (library audiobook)

This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (★★★★★) – This might be the best book I’ve ever read, no lie. The writing is incredible and I truly never wanted the book to end. I took my time reading the novel because I just wanted to soak in every single moment with this family. This novel is about Claude and his family. It’s about how Claude wants to be a girl when he grows up. It’s about a family that wants Claude to be whomever he wants to be… but aren’t sure how to share Claude with the world. It’s about a wife and a husband who are trying to raise five kids. It’s about siblings and how powerful that bond can be. It’s a truly sensational piece of writing that everyone needs to read. (library hardcover)

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart by Sarah MacLean (★★★★☆) – Oh, gosh, am I glad I found Sarah MacLean. Her Regency romances are everything. They feature smart, feisty female protagonists and sexy, charming male protagonists, and engaging plots that seem to be completely different than everything else I’ve read in this subgenre. Her books are just so much fun to read, leaving me with only happy sighs. (library e-book)

What was the best book you read in March?

Categories: Books

Books I’m Embarrassed I Didn’t Like

I was listening to an episode of the What Should I Read Next? podcast, and the guest that week said something that made my ears perk up.

During each episode, Anne, the podcast host, brings on one guest to talk about three books they loved and one book they hated, so that Anne can give recommendations for what they should read next.

In the episode I listened to, the guest didn’t tell Anne the book she hated. She told her about the book she was embarrassed for not liking. As in, a book that seems universally loved, but just didn’t do it for her.

It made me think, are there any books I’m embarrassed about not liking?

I already know that, if I were ever on Anne’s podcast, my “hated” book would be Code Name Verity. (Which has been mentioned as a “love,” as well as recommended by Anne on the What Should I Read Next? podcast.) I still don’t understand what I missed in that book that everyone else raved about. I found it boring and a little over my head at times (there’s the embarrassment). What’s even more crazy is that it’s the one book my entire book club was unanimous in our distaste. Most of them didn’t finish the book. So, what are we all missing? I still don’t understand why that book is so widely loved.

I also get embarrassed when I try to read a business or science book, and it goes over my head. I couldn’t make it through Switch by Chip Heath or Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss. I managed to finish Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes, but the majority of the book was difficult for me and tainted my review. Twice, I tried to read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and the science parts were just so dense that I abandoned it. Maybe I’ll just watch the movie instead.

I tried Reading Lolita in Tehran, but only made it past the first few chapters before abandoning it. I feel a bit embarrassed about that, as that’s a book I really want to read, but I think I just tried to read it at the wrong time.

And then there are the award winners. These are the books I’m not even going to attempt to read, and that can be a little embarrassing. Like The Goldfinch. Nope, I cannot see myself settling in for a nearly 800-page book that doesn’t seem to pay off (at least from the reviews I’ve read). I’ve also been hesitant to read All the Light We Cannot See, simply because it won the Pulitzer in 2015. I’m weirdly intimidated by books that have won awards.

I also don’t read the classics. I read Pride and Prejudice for a high school project, but had to keep a thesaurus nearby while I was reading and, after spending a month barely getting through the first 100 pages, I just grabbed the CliffNotes version so I could finish the project. I’m going to attempt another Jane Austen novel this year, so maybe I’ll be more adept at reading such a classic novel now that I’m a little more “well read.” Or maybe I’ll still hate it and the entire novel will go over my head.

Of course, the term “embarrassment” should be taken as hyperbole. I’m not literally embarrassed. I don’t feel any guilt about abandoning The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or Reading Lolita in Tehran or Salt Sugar Fat. I don’t care about reading award-winning books or the classics. I read what I like. I abandon when I want to. I read purely for pleasure, not to make myself appear literary or to impress people with the breadth of novels I read.

It’s just interesting to look back on the books I hated or couldn’t get through, especially when the books are universally loved, and try to piece through why they just didn’t do it for me.

I guess that’s just what reading is. We’re not all going to love the same books. A good example of that for me is The Nest. Most people abhor that book, but I ended up really loving it and it was even one of my top 10 books of 2016. That’s the beauty of reading – we get to decide how we feel about the books we read, and what feels like a satisfying emotional journey to one person can feel like a waste of time to another person.

Are there any books you’re “embarrassed” about not liking or abandoning? Or, put another way, any books that are universally loved that you hated?

Categories: Books

Book Review: All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank

I’ll be the first to admit it: when I received this book in the mail and read the synopsis, I was confused as to why I’d requested to review it. It didn’t seem to be the type of book I would normally read, and I was rather reluctant to read it.

But I had promised an honest review, so I settled in and started reading it.

The book starts off slowly and the main character, Olivia, is super unlikeable at first. I really cannot relate to people who are so concerned with making sure other people perceive them as rich and successful, and this seemed to be Olivia’s number-one worry. She was driving me crazy! The book starts with Olivia and her husband, Nick, beginning their big move from NYC to Charleston. Olivia had always known that when Nick retired from being a college professor, he wanted to move to Charleston, but even so, she wasn’t thrilled about moving south. Currently, her interior decorating business is in a slump and she worries about what moving away from a city like NYC will do for her business. Will it even survive?

Instead of confiding in her husband, she keeps everything a secret and buys the most outlandish house she can find in Charleston. The house is too big and too expensive for them, but Olivia has to make a statement, right? She can’t have her clients thinking she’s poor.

Generally, though, as I continued to read, I realized this novel wasn’t about Olivia and her money woes at all. It was about relationships. Olivia is a woman in her fifties, her husband a bit older than her. They are entering a different stage of their relationship, as her husband retires and she finds her work slowing down (albeit not by choice). They were also a childless couple, and I really love that the author didn’t make too many references to that. It wasn’t this big “thing” to them; it’s just what is. They didn’t feel the need to defend their choices or feel bad about being in this stage without kids and grandkids to spoil. There was something so refreshing about that.

What was also refreshing was Olivia and Nick’s relationship. Usually, when a married couple features prominently in a novel, there’s something wrong with the marriage. Someone is cheating, someone is hiding a huge secret, they are about to get divorced, etc. What I loved about Olivia and Nick is that they were just a normal couple, enjoying normal day-to-day life. There’s a scene in the novel where Nick makes a tomato sandwich for her, and she’s so delighted by it, and it was just the sweetest thing ever. It just goes to show that you can still be surprised by your partner, even decades into a marriage. It’s so rare to read about a couple after the happily ever after, when they are still enjoying their happily ever after. No strife, no secrets (aside from Olivia keeping the fact that they were in financial trouble, which was addressed, but they fought and moved on within a few pages, just like any normal couple!).

This novel didn’t follow any sort of typical structure, and there was very little plot to follow. That can be good or bad, and in this case, I didn’t mind it. In fact, I think I liked that it was more character-driven because it allowed me to completely fall in love with Olivia and Nick without worrying about their fate.

I do feel the need to mention this really weird twist near the end of the book that didn’t add anything to the story or alter the plot at all. It just served as emotional manipulation, and I hated it so much that I dropped my rating from 4 stars to 3 stars. Why do authors have to do that? Sigh.

All Summer Long was a fun, quick read. It would be a great beach read, for those looking for something light-hearted to dig into on an upcoming vacation.

Goodreads synopsis:

Filled with her trademark wit, poignant themes, and rich characters, the perennial New York Times bestselling author returns with a sensational novel that follows the travels of one couple though a tumultuous summer.

Dorothea Benton Frank’s magical stories take us deep into the heart of her beloved Carolina Lowcountry. In her novels, this lush landscape comes alive in all its vibrancy and color. She ignites all of our senses with her vivid descriptions of landscape and atmosphere. In her novels you hear the ocean washing the shore on different islands so profoundly that you can nearly hear the sea gulls squawking, too.

This is a story of people whose lives are changing—a southern gentleman returning home to lead a more peaceful life and his talented New York wife who is not quite sure she is ready to make the transition. They are moving north to south, fast pace versus slow pace, downsizing. And while they are doing this, they are getting glimpses into other people’s lives over the course of a summer, holidays that will amuse, shock and transform them.

This irresistible story is home to captivating characters as funny, complicated, and real as our best friends—husbands and wives, mothers and daughters, friends and family who wrestle with the complexities, pain, and joys familiar to us all.

Finally, we’ll come to recognize the face of love, the kind that deepens and endures but only because one woman makes a tremendous leap of faith. That leap changes them all.

You can connect with Dorothea Benton Frank on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Her book is available to buy from Amazon, HarperCollins, and Barnes & Noble. 

Click here to add this book to Goodreads!

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.

No affiliate links were used in this post.

Categories: Books

Monthly Book Review | February 2017

February was another solid month of reading for me, as I finished 8 books and I am on track to read 100 books this year. Wahoo! Like I mentioned last month, I’m not going to go crazy to meet this goal, but it’s nice to see that it is obtainable. This month, I gave a lot of books five stars, but I think my favorite book was The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s just one of those books everyone needs to read, and it was never one I was assigned in high school or college, so I’m glad I finally got around to it this month. I think my least favorite book was Truth or Beard; it really didn’t live up to my expectations and was a little too sweet for my liking.

Here are my reviews of what I read last month:

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty (★★★★☆) – I think my friend put it best when she said “first 200 pages, 3 stars; last 100 pages, 5 stars.” The first part of the book was a slog. We’re introduced to a mystery (something happened at a barbecue, something that had lasting repercussions…), but we don’t know what it is and Moriarty slowly takes us through the hours leading up to the barbecue and then the event itself. It could be frustrating at times, but Moriarty writes in such a way that I didn’t mind it. But, boy, once everything is revealed, the plot moves along at warp speed and I couldn’t put the book down! I’d probably recommend Big Little Lies and The Husband’s Secret before this one, but still highly enjoyable and such a unique exploration of love and relationships. (library hardcover)

Take No Prisoners by Cindy Gerard (★★★★☆) – This was a reread and it was just so lovely. I love the way Gerard writes romantic suspense. This novel follows Sam and Abbie. Sam played a small role in some of the other books in Gerard’s backlist, and I’ve always been drawn to his character, so I enjoyed reading his love story. Abbie was incredibly likable and fun to read, and I loved the way she and Sam did the typical dating thing for the first few chapters of the book. You never see that in these types of books! It was so cute. Highly recommend it for those who enjoy a good thriller with lots of romance. (library e-book)

How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran (★★★★★) – I listened to this book on audio and it was such an enjoyable experience. I think memoirs read by the author are the best kinds of audiobooks to listen to, honestly. I’ve never been a huge audiobook fan, mostly because I can read a book much more quickly than I can listen to one. But I wanted to listen to more audiobooks this year, especially because my library has an extensive collection and usually little to no waits. This book was about feminism through Caitlin Moran’s lens, and I thought it was such a great primer for what feminism is and why it’s so important. It was funny in parts, especially because of the way the author read the book, but mostly very heartfelt and engaging. It’s worth giving a listen, if only for Moran’s beautiful British accent. (library audiobook)

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner (★★★★★) – This book was the February selection for my local book club, and we all gave it 5 stars, which is a record for us! It was such an incredible memoir, about a girl who grew up in a polygamist cult in Mexico. Her (polygamist) father died when she was very young and her mother remarried to another polygamist. Her family lived in poverty, her mom collecting welfare and her stepfather doing a terrible job at providing for his three families. As Ruth grows up, she starts questioning the polygamist life and whether or not it’s the right one for her. At times, it’s hard to stomach the pain and difficulty that Ruth went through in her life – but how she found a way to break away from the cult and build a life of her own was so inspiring. Ruth’s writing is engaging and I felt like I was truly there with her every step of the way. She writes vividly and candidly about her life, and in such a raw way that I have to believe the experience of writing the memoir was a heartbreaking and difficult one. Ruth’s resiliency is admirable, and it’s a reminder that we can handle so much more than we ever thought we could. (library hardcover)

Truth or Beard by Penny Reid (★★★☆☆) – I learned about this romance author through another blogger who is a romance evangelist, and when this book was free on Amazon one day, I snapped it up. I went into it with high expectations because of the recommendation, but it fell a little flat for me. For one thing, the protagonist was super young at 22, when most romance protagonists are in their late twenties/early thirties. It was hard to connect with her because of that. And for another, the story was a little too fluffy and sweet for me. I like a little more complexity to my romance novels. It was good enough that I’m going to give another one of her books a try, but I’m still on the fence about the author as of right now. (e-book)

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon (★★★★★) – This book was perfection in every way. It was just a sweet YA romance, but unlike Truth or Beard, there was a lot of complexity and nuance. It was about a girl named Madeline who has a rare disease that keeps her from going outside. Her entire life has been spent inside her sealed home. And then, one day, a boy named Olly moves in next door and upends her world. I just loved everything about this book and these two characters and I cannot wait for the movie adaptation this spring. Just watching the trailer gave me all the feels! (e-book)

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (★★★★★) – I was never assigned this book back in high school or college, so it’s been one of those books that I want to read, but am not sure I would have ever gotten around to if not for my work book club. We chose this for our February read and I decided to actually buy the paperback rather than getting it from the library. I had a feeling it would be a book I’d want to keep on my shelves and I was right. This will easily make my Top 10 list for the year, probably in the top spot. (And maybe in my favorites of all time?) The premise is so terrifying, as it takes place in a world where women have no rights (they aren’t even allowed to read!). Many of them have become Handmaids where they serve a Commander and are forced to have sex with him to become pregnant. The Handmaid’s job is to deliver a healthy baby. These Handmaids were wives and mothers and sisters and daughters before they were ripped from their families due to a totalitarian theocracy that suspends the Constitution. Suspends! The Constitution! Fuck that is frightening. If you’re feeling scared about the state of U.S. politics right now, it’s probably not going to help your emotions, but you still might consider giving it a read. It’s a reminder to remain vigilant, to resist what feels wrong, and to recognize that we are not living in normal times and we cannot be silent about that. (paperback)

Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman (★★★☆☆) – I reviewed this book for TLC Book Tours, and you can find my review here. (paperback)

What was the best book you read in February?

Categories: Books

Book Review: Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman

“When my brother was eighteen, he broke his arm in an accident that ended in another young man’s death.”

This is how Wilde Lake begins, setting the scene for the novel and drawing me into the story immediately. In the first chapter, we learn the details surrounding this introductory sentence, but those details are given to us through the lens of the narrator, Lu, who was ten years old at the time of the accident. And, as readers soon find out, the truth is often a lot more complex than we ever believe.

Wilde Lake is told in alternating chapters of present-day Luisa “Lu” Brant and Lu as a child. Present-day Lu is now in her forties and has just been elected as the state’s attorney for Howard County. The chapters from Lu as a child are told from her ten-year-old perspective, dating back to before she was born (obviously, from the information she gleaned from her father and brother) right up until the accident. Readers soon learn that Lu’s mother died a week after her birth and her father never remarried, content in his job as state’s attorney and being a single father of two.

When the present-day story begins, Lu is given her first case: trying a homeless man who is suspected of beating a woman to death in her home. She’s looking to make a statement and let people know she means business. After all, she’s a woman, she ousted a man for the job, and she has the legacy of her father behind her. She has to get this right.

As she works the case, the memories of the night of her brother’s accident are dredged up and she begins to wonder if the accident happened in the way she remembered it. And then weird coincidences begin creeping up involving her current case and the accident of the past, and Lu is desperate to find out what really happened.

This is a book about how our memories cannot always be trusted, about family and turning to the ones you love when you need them, and about the truth and how it may not always set you free. I found that the story dragged a bit in the beginning, but that was simply because Lippman was setting the scene for an incredible plot twist about 70% of the way into the book – a plot twist I never saw coming. I love when an author surprises me like that.

My favorite quote from this novel was on page 160: “Besides, what is the whole truth and nothing but the truth? The truth is not a finite commodity that can be contained within identifiable borders. The truth is messy, riotous, overruning everything. You can never know the whole truth of anything.”

Goodreads synopsis:

The bestselling author of the acclaimed standalones After I’m Gone, I’d Know You Anywhere, and What the Dead Know, challenges our notions of memory, loyalty, responsibility, and justice in this evocative and psychologically complex story about a long-ago death that still haunts a family.

Luisa “Lu” Brant is the newly elected—and first female—state’s attorney of Howard County, Maryland, a job in which her widower father famously served. Fiercely intelligent and ambitious, she sees an opportunity to make her name by trying a mentally disturbed drifter accused of beating a woman to death in her home. It’s not the kind of case that makes headlines, but peaceful Howard county doesn’t see many homicides.

As Lu prepares for the trial, the case dredges up painful memories, reminding her small but tight-knit family of the night when her brother, AJ, saved his best friend at the cost of another man’s life. Only eighteen, AJ was cleared by a grand jury. Now, Lu wonders if the events of 1980 happened as she remembers them. What details might have been withheld from her when she was a child?

The more she learns about the case, the more questions arise. What does it mean to be a man or woman of one’s times? Why do we ask our heroes of the past to conform to the present’s standards? Is that fair? Is it right? Propelled into the past, she discovers that the legal system, the bedrock of her entire life, does not have all the answers. Lu realizes that even if she could learn the whole truth, she probably wouldn’t want to.

You can connect with Laura Lippman on her website, Facebook, and Twitter. Her book is available to buy from Amazon, HarperCollins, and Barnes & Noble. 

Click here to add this book to Goodreads!

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.

No affiliate links were used in this post.