Broken Harbor by Tana French

I've said from the first novel of Tana's that I ever read (In the Woods, rated 4 smiles and wink in June of 2013) that her novels are brilliant.  Ms. French has a knack for giving us murder mysteries that don't read like typical murder mysteries.  The novels move at a different pace than other mystery authors, but the intrigue is still alive.  The detectives don't get everything right the first time, and you can't predict it all.  You don't get all your answers when the book ends, but enough to be satisfied.

This particular novel follows Mike Kennedy (anyone who read Faithful Place will know him as Scorcher Kennedy) as he attempts to find out who killed 3 people in a family of 4 and left the 4th to die.  Mike is also training a rookie, Richie Curran, who adds another level of depth to the novel.

I continue to be a fan of Tana French.  Her characters come alive for me.  I enjoy that she takes a minor character from the previous book and makes them the focus of the next.  As a reader you often wonder "what's their story?" when a minor character is introduced.  With Tana French, you have a chance of finding out later!

Note: This book is NOT a sequel to any of Tana's earlier books.

Highly recommended.  5 smiles and a wink

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins

Book 2: The Underland Chronicles

This book is targeted for younger readers (I'd suggest grades 4-8).

I previously read (and apparently neglected to review) Gregor the Overlander, Book 1 in the Series.  Had I remembered to review it, the reviews for the two books would be very similar.

Suzanne Collins, author of the Hunger Games, penned this series of a fantasy world below New York.  Gregor and his adorable sister, Boots, accidentally stumble upon this world in book 1.  How, you ask?  Think Alice in Wonderland...although there aren't many rabbit holes in New York city, especially in a laundry room.  In book 2 Gregor returns to the Underland, this time because of the Prophecy of Bane.

As with the first book this one is packed with action.  There are sad moments, but they are some kids would understand with a little conversation.  The book is fast-paced and keeps you interested.  The characters are believable and often explain their actions, making it perfect for children.  Most of the characters are honorable, which I love, and the theme was easy enough to find.  There's an added bonus of a prophecy to figure out and a twist in the ending.

I recommend this one to read with your kiddos for sure!

4 smiles and a wink

Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick

This whodunit novel is set in London circa 1900.  When I first glanced the cover (a woman in a wedding dress brandishing an interesting looking fan) I expected a romance.  Although there is romance (enough to make me decide I could use a new smiley-one that depicts the scenes which are descriptive enough to raise a blush to your cheeks) it was not what I was expecting at all.

The story follows Amity Doncaster, a woman who travels alone in order to write articles about globetrotting.  I absolutely adored Amity.  She is before-her-time independent and strong.  Had I lived during the 1900s I imagine I would've had to live like Amity, and I enjoyed reading about her.

Amity has a rather scary meeting with a serial killer, which brings her into the case.  I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it.  I enjoyed the small romance.  I enjoyed this book.

4 smiles, a wink, and a blush (the new one)

Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

This review encompasses all three novels in the face-paced series; Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant.

Through this series, Ms. Roth creates a dystopian society that you can tell began with utopian roots.  Similar to other fictional societies, this one has undertones of revolution right from the beginning.  However, this society divides itself into five factions and allows individuals to choose their faction.  This change is important, and it makes the story unique from others like it.

At it's heart, this is a story about knowing what makes people happy.  Everyone is different, we all have different desires.  The people in this world choose the faction they believe will make them happy.  The contrast between factions, for me, illuminates how different humans are from each other. What makes one person happy often makes another miserable.  "I have never been carried around by a large boy, or laughed until my stomach hurt at the dinner table, or listened to the clamor of a hundred people talking all at once. Peace is restrained; this is free."

I felt this series opened up amazing conversations and thoughts about what society needs.  These are good conversations to have with each other.  What does a healthy government look like?  I was intrigued from book 1.  Each sequel picks up where the other left off, leaving only subtle reminders for people not reading them back-to-back.

"I have to find out what could possibly be important enough for the Abnegation to die for-and the Erudite to kill for."

"The truth has a way of changing a person's plans."

Among the story line of action that pulls these books forward at a lightning pace is the romance.  Our main characters have a love between them that feels very real throughout their challenges.  Unlike many classified young adult books (don't get me started on that again) it doesn't feel fake, new, or forced.  "...when he touches me like he can't bear to take his hand away, I don't wish I was any different."  The romance unfolds throughout the series differently than I was expecting and pulls at your inner romantic.

I have always adored books with strong female lead characters and men that aren't afraid of that.  This series delivers.  Tris grows ever stronger throughout the series and I love her for it.  The decisions she makes are calculated, but hard, and they force me to drop the book and catch my breath frequently.

In the final book of the series, unlike the first two, the story is delivered alternately between Tris' and Tobias' points of view.  The change is refreshing.  The reader is given a more complete picture of the story taking place.  I also believe it keeps the story from feeling stale, as you have another voice coming through.  It is in this third book that everyone, regardless of how you felt before, will fall in love with Tobias.

This is a work-of-art.  An amazing tale of a society that will begin to feel real to you by the second chapter.  A group of people who will make you feel every emotion on the spectrum.  A series that will keep you turning pages so fast you'll marvel at how soon you've concluded the 1,500 page tale.  HIGHLY recommended.

5 smiles and a wink for each book
A tear for Allegiant, which not only brought the salty drops to my eye but actually made them fall down my cheeks (readers of the blog will know how rare this is)

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

"This is a story about the meaning of time..."
"Man alone measures time."

This is a fantastic story full of lessons about appreciating the days we are given.  Mitch Albom, arguably one of the best authors for inspirational tales, brings us the story of Father Time.  With it we meet two people suffering, as we all do, with the idea of time.  More of it, less of it, hurry it up, slow it down.

The story also brings us a lesson about changing your destiny or your fate.  It is subtle, but the message resonated.

I highly enjoyed this quick read.

4 smiles.

Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Michael Bennett, Book 6

I previously rated the 5th book in this series only 3 smiles for a few holes in the story (check out my review from January).

This was faster-paced than "I, Michael Bennett".  The military are brought in on a raid and set up some of my favorite scenes.  I felt too many similarites to "Cross my Heart" which I would normally adore, had it not been for the fact that they are the same author and shouldn't be similar.  I also noticed that when I read Michael Bennett books I am never truly afraid of anything happening to him or his family.  Despite the fact that this man constantly puts himself into dangerous situations and keeps telling the readers that his family is in danger, I just don't think James Patterson has the heart to seriously hurt any of them.  He certainly doesn't have the heart to kill one of them.  Once you learn that, the heart-wrenching twists aren't so heart-wrenching.  They actually felt a little weak.

Overall, two smiles.  (Sorry James)

Young Adult Books

Note: This is not a book review.  THIS is a rant.  You've been warned.

I recently read an article where someone claimed you should be embarrassed if, as an adult, you read YA (young adult) novels.  Bleh.

Here is my simple answer.  That is crap.  Never...EVER be embarrassed about a single thing you pick up and read.  What is wrong with our society?  First we begin to accept "I'm not a reader" or "I don't read" as excuses.  Now we believe it's our right to make others feel small for what they read?  Excuse my language but fuck that.

Read.  Read everything.  Read all genres.  BAN NOTHING.  Open up a book you've heard good things about and read it-no matter the age it was "intended" for.  Open up a book you've heard bad things about and read it-form your own opinions.  Then, read some more.  Talk about books.  Argue about books.  READ BOOKS!

NEVER be embarrassed for reading.  NEVER.

Thank you!

P.S. I have noticed a HUGE upswing in the number of people blogging or writing articles in response to this very same article.  Speak out people-and thank you for reading just one more!

Here's that original article, if you're so inclined.