The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Teen

Carmen and her best friends, Lena, Tibby, and Bridget, are going to be spending their summer apart for the first time ever. Just before they all leave to go their separate ways, Carmen buys a pair of used jeans and everyone tries them on. These jeans are magic pants, as everyone looks amazing in them. They agree to pass the jeans along to each other over the summer so they each have a chance to experience the magic from the jeans. Rules are written and the girls go their separate ways.

Lena has them first, as she travels to Greece to visit her grandparents. Her grandmother tries to set her up with a Greek boy roughly her age, but Lena isn't having any of that. The jeans are then passed on next to Tibby, who is staying at home during the summer working at Wallman's. Tibby meets a 12 year old girl when the deoderant display knocks her over. The two of them become friends and start making a documentary. The pants are then passed to Carmen, who is living with her divorced father in South Carolina. The only problem is that when she arrives, Carmen finds out that her dad is getting married again in the summer to a mother of two and that her dad has essentially found himself a new family. The final one to get the pants is Bridget, who is at a soccer camp in Baja and is falling in love with one of the counselors.

This is a cute book with regular teen problems that you would see: boys, work, friends, and sex. I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I thought it was just going to be another teen book but the friendships are very real and the problems of each character aren't exaggerated. I will be looking to read the next in the series because it was fun. Who knows, I may even watch the movie! Though I hear it doesn't follow the book too well.

First Line: "Once upon a time there was a pair of pants."

Rating:
(4/5)

Songs of the Humpback Whale

Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult
Fiction/Literature

Jane Jones is a speech pathologist living in California with her famous husband, Oliver. Oliver researches songs of the humpback whale and find repetitions and when they sing. He has become world renown. Oliver has become so immersed in his research, he has little time to devote to his family.

When Jane gets into another one of their arguments, she actually hits Oliver this time. Horrified because she had an abusive father, she runs away. Her daughter, Rebecca , age 15, accompanies her.

Jane contacts her brother, Joley and wants to visit him. He gives her directions day by day driving her across the country and making her see points of interest. One of the points of interest is in Iowa where Rebecca survived an airplane crash when Jane had left Oliver another time and put Rebecca on the plane to return to Oliver alone.

Finally Jane and Rebecca arrive at the apple orchard in Massachusetts. Joley is working there alongside the owner, Sam and his assistant, Hadley, both 25. Jane falls in love with Sam and Rebecca with Hadley.

This novel was written in 5 voices. But the time frames are different as some are forwards and Rebecca is backwards. Although I did enjoy the book, it was not as good as some of Picoult's other books. There were some glaring problems. Hadley being so much older than Rebecca puts his actions in the realm of statutory rape, yet no one seems to worry about this aspect. The trip across the country is the most chaotic trip ever, with backtracking and sometimes it felt like it was the most indirect route available that was taken. The ending was hurried and as far as I was concerned not at all either satisfying or explained.

First Line: "In the upper right hand corner of the photo is a miniature airplane that looks as if it is flying right into my forehead."

Rating:
(3.5/5)

Garden of Venus by Eva Stachniak

Garden of Venus by Eva Strachniak
Genre of book

Sophie Potocka grew up in late 1700s Turkey as a Greek Christian, who married a Pole and eventually moved to Russia. For most of her life, it's just her and her mother, who manipulates to get her way. At a young age she loses her virginity to a cousin, which enrages her father so they move and he dies from illness. Due to her beauty, Sophie becomes the mistress to high ranking people where she has to fake her virginity multiple times. We learn about her romantic life as she grows up, but also learn about her life as it's coming to an end. The other side of the story is Sophie on her death bed, being treated for her illness by a French doctor and her young nurse Rosalia. Sophie recounts her past as she gets weaker and weaker.

The start of this book is quite confusing because it's hard to get a good handle on where the story is taking place. Greece, Turkey, Poland, Russia, France, and Germany are all mentioned within the first few pages, causing the confusion. Honestly, I got about 250 pages in and couldn't take it anymore. The book was bland, not well written, and just not worth continuing so I gave up. Not a read I would recommend.

First Line: "In the end, it fell to Rosalia to make sure that the imminent departure of Countess Sophie Potocka (accompanied by her daughter, Countess Olga Potocka, and companion Mademoiselle Rosalia Romanowicz) via Paris to the town of Spa for her prescribed water cure - had been announced three times in the Petersburg Gazette."

Rating:
(1.5/5)

The Three Fates of Henrik Nordmark by Christopher Meades

The Three Fates of Henrik Nordmark by Christopher Meades
Fiction/Literature

Henrik Nordmark is a completely unremarkable man. He's middle-aged and works as a security guard, with no romantic prospects and no real excitement in his life. When Henrik walks in to store to buy plums, his life changes though he doesn't yet realize it. A chain of events is set off that involve three elderly assassins trying to kill him due to mistaken identity, a couple named Bonnie and Clyde who have been trying to kill each other for months, and Roland who thinks he has just won the lottery and instantly quits his job and dumps his girlfriend.

This book is a clever and quirky novel that weaves a tale around these characters where they are constantly bumping in to each other and affecting each other, knowingly or unknowingly. It kind of reminded me of movies like Burn After Reading where you start with a bunch of characters and their stories all interweave because of one little thing that happens.

The Three Fates of Henrik Nordmark is a short book but it hooks you on the first page and you cannot put it down. A fun, light read! I was impressed with Meades' debut novel.

First Line: "Until that fateful day, Henrik Nordmark had always been and entirely unremarkable fellow."

Rating:
(4.5/5)

Room by Emma Donoghue
Fiction/ Literature

This story is written from the point of view of a 5 year old named Jack. His mother had been kidnapped at the age of nineteen and Jack and Ma live in an 11X11 room. The kidnapper brings them subsistence type food and on Sundays they get to request a 'treat'.

It is hard at first to understand Jack's language as it is defined as what is in the room or TV, what is seen on TV and what Jack thinks as imaginary. All objects are called by proper nouns: Bed, Wardrobe. This emphasizes the pitifulness of their situation and how a child might process that environment.

Ma comes up with a plan for their escape and has to work with Jack to convince him to try this and then to execute the plan. I simply could not put down the book at this point.

What happens therafter is again a fascinating excerpt on how a cloistered child might see the big scary world.

I found this book fantastic. Well thought out and well written.

First Line: "Today I'm five."

Rating:
(4.5/5)

The Reunion by Sue Walker

The Reunion by Sue Walker
Mystery

Twenty-six years ago, Innes Haldane and a bunch of other teenagers spent a year together at "The Unit" in Edinburgh, an experimental treatment centre for dysfunctional teens. Innes has tried to put her past behind her and become a successful person, when she gets a call from Abby, another Unit member, who sounds like she's in a panic. Innes soon learns that Abby has committed suicide. As Innes starts to investigate this, she finds out that two of her fellow Unit patients are dead by suicide, one is dead by drug overdose, and one is in a catatonic state after her house and family burning to death. Innes wonders if this behaviour was programmed in to them or if there is something else going on. As she investigates further, she learns that something very troubling happened twenty-six years ago. Something that the others rather not have her learn about.

This novel gives you the perspective from many of the different characters; past and present. You would think that because of this it would be a lot more confusing, but it wasn't too bad to determine who was speaking and what time frame they were in. The story was developed quite well and there was definite tension about what had happened to the Unit patients in the past and what was happening to them in the present. My largest complaint of the book was that not enough was given away throughout the book. I was getting tired of being kept in suspense without hardly any clues given throughout the book. Other than this, it was a good, twisted mystery!

First Line: "Well, here we are again."

Rating:
(4/5)

gone with a handsomer man

gone with a handsomer man by Michael Lee West
Mystery

Teeny is an out-of-work pastry chef who is affianced to Bing. He has given her a present of some cake decorating lessons but when Teeny arrives home because of a canceled lesson, she finds Bing playing naked badminton with 2 also naked women. Teeny being a woman of heated passions climbs a peach tree and begins lobbing peaches. Teeny is arrested and given a restraining order.

The setting is Charleston. Teeny moves into one of the historic homes downtown courtesy of Bing's aunt Dora whom he dislikes. One of Bing's girlfriends is selling the historic house and Teeny needs to both find a job and find new accommodation.

When Bing is found dead, Teeny is the prime suspect for all sorts of reasons. A chance encounter leads to Teeny meeting an old flame who dumped her 10 years ago. He also happens to be a lawyer and is more than willing to help Teeny and find out who the real killer is.

This is a funny cozy mystery. There are a bunch of inconsistencies and just plain unbelievable plot lines but the story grabs you and the humour fuels the need to keep turning those pages. Teeny is so naive but has the southern charm necessary for a great character. I loved reading about one of my favourite places, Charleston. The recipes included sound delicious but I will watch what ingredients I use.

The last sentence just shouts there will be a sequel and I for one will wait with baited breath.

First Line: "All I ever wanted in life was true love, a set of copper cookware, and the perfect recipe for red velvet cake."

Buy this Book

Rating:
(4.0/5)

Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson

Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson
Teen Lit

Ellie is just about to go in to Year 9 with her two best friends Nadine and Madga. While on her last summer vacation with her parents, she meets nerdy Dan, a funny but way too smart 12 year old (a whole year younger than Ellie) who wants to write Ellie even though they live far away.

When Ellie reunites with her friends on the first day of classes, one of them has a boyfriend and Ellie pretends that Dan is her boyfriend as well, even though she finds him too young and geeky for her tastes. She feels guilty and wants to take it back but can't get past her jealousy.

This is a cute British book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the Georgia Nicolson series by Louise Rennison. This is listed as #98 on the BBC Top 100 and I cannot understand why. The book is nothing special, though I can understand why teenage girls might like it.

First Line: "The first day back at school."

Rating:
(3/5)

Earthly Joys by Philippa Gregory

Earthly Joys by Philippa Gregory
Historical Fiction

John Tradescant is an excellent gardener in 1600s England. He serves under a famous Lord who has the King's ear and learns a lot about politics and can do as he wishes in the garden. When his Lord is moved to a new house, Tradescant follows and with his new wages marries his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth always feels like second fiddle to her husband's master as he serves his master first, and his family second. They soon have a boy, J, and Elizabeth gets even more upset at John serving his master first.

After his Lord dies, John is put under the service of the Duke of Buckingham who is a beautiful man and a favourite to the King and Prince. John follows every order from Buckingham, including when he is sent away from home to do his bidding and find new plants. Buckingham calls for John more and more often, and John adores him more each time he is called. Elizabeth wants this to end but John can't put her before his master.

This is the first Philippa Gregory book I've read and I really enjoyed it. She perfectly brings to life that time frame and gives characters that weren't necessarily historical figures a life of their own. John Tradescant really was a gardener to the Duke, and through Gregory's eyes and some small facts known about him, he is brought to life, which makes for a page turning read. There's a sequel to this book which I'm looking forward to reading!

First Line: "The daffodils would be fit for a king."

Rating:
(4.5/5)

Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult

Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult
Literature/Fiction

Jane Jones grew up with an abusive father. Her dad would hit and verbally abuse both her and her mother. Jane managed to protect her younger brother, Joley, from the abuse which made Joley have a very deep and strong love for his sister.

Jane falls in love with and marries Oliver, a well-recognized expert on humpback whales, her life changes. She has to move to the other side of the country and finds herself at home alone more and more because Oliver leaves on expeditions to watch the whales. She soon has a daughter Rebecca and when she turns three, Oliver and Jane get into such a fight that Oliver slaps Jane and she takes off to Boston with Rebecca. When Oliver threatens to send the FBI to get back his daughter, she sends Rebecca back on a plane that ends up crashing and killing everyone but Rebecca and a couple of other people. Jane goes back to Oliver.

It's now 12 years later and the two get in another fight that results in Jane hitting Oliver. Afraid that she's going to become like her father, Jane sets out again on a cross country trip to see Joley. This time, with Rebecca and in the car because she's too afraid to fly. Joley gives them directions day by day, taking them on an odd route to see places he thinks would be therapeutic. We learn that the relationship between Jane and Rebecca is a bit strained. Layers to their relationship are peeled away as they get closer and closer to their destination.

This story is told from the perspective of five different people. Rebecca tells the story from the end to the beginning, which is interesting, however I feel that it detracts a bit from the story because there isn't much of a climax at the end. Infact, the overall tone of this book is rather flat. Everything goes in a circle and there isn't much resolution at the end. This is my least favourite Jodi Picoult book.

First Line: "In the upper right hand corner of the photo is a miniature airplane that looks as if it is flying right into my forehead."

Rating:
(3/5)