Book Review - The Lens and the Looker (The Verona Trilogy #1) by Lory S. Kaufman

Title: The Lens and the Looker (The Verona Trilogy #1)   
Author: Lory S. Kaufman
Year: 2011
Page: 336
Genre: Fiction - Young Adult, Dystopian

FTC Disclosure: Tracee, PR Specialist and Virtual Book Tour Coordinator, from Pump Up Your Book contacted me to see if I was interested in reviewing this book for the author's virtual book tour. The author sent me a copy of the book. I was not paid for the unbiased review.

Summary (from goodreads.com):
It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

First Sentence:
One of Hansum's earliest memories was of his mother telling him he was just like his name sounded in the old English, handsome. 

My Thoughts:

Why this book?

• I enjoy reading YA dystopian. I also enjoy some time travel stories. I thought the concept of this book sounds promising since it seems to be a combination of both.

First thought:

• Not quite what I thought it'd be... I read about 1/3 of the book and gave up...

Cover Art:

• Not something I'd choose, but I am not really the target audience

Title:

•  Since I didn't finish the book, I couldn't really comment on it. Though it did make me wonder what it meant by The Lens and The Looker.

Writing:

• It was a bit choppy for me. Now that I think about it, most YA I read are written by female writers, so may be I am not used to male YA authors' style? I looked back at the books I'd read, I think this book is most similar to Miracle Myx by David Diotalevi (as opposed to say, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher). Miracle Myx didn't really work for me either. 

Plot:

• The book started off interesting, and I actually enjoyed reading it to find out what happened. That is, up until the part the three main characters got taken to a secondary place. Not a lot happened in 2347, but you got a glimpse of  what the perfect future world looked like (perhaps more will be about the future in the future books since this is a trilogy?). The idea of the History Camp ("learn the lessons so history won't repeat itself") was also quite fascinating, and we learned a bit about making glasses and shopping in the market. However, right after that when the scenery changed, it just didn't hold my interest anymore... to the point I couldn't concentrate on the different characters and such.

Characters:

• Of the 110+ pages or so I'd read, I didn't get to know the characters much. Sure, you got a sense of their attitude, but it only showed you what they were like "now", not how they came to be they way they were. Perhaps there were more character developments in the rest of the book? Can't say I really liked any of the main characters though until this point. In fact, both Hansum and Lincoln were rather annoying. Shamira was at least a bit more intriguing since it was harder to tell why she was sent to History Camp. 

• I am guessing the target audience for this book is teenage boys. I think they would identify with the characters more than I do - they way the think, they way they act, the way they talk etc. I don't have much contact with teenagers, so it is difficult for me to put myself into their mindset

Ending:

• Obviously I don't know...

Emotion:

• Ah, once again, I'm feeling old when reading this YA (even though I'm in my early-mid thirties... I'd like to think I'm not THAT old yet... though sometimes my body tells me otherwise ha!)

What I Learned:

• While I prefer plot-driven story than character-driven ones, I still need some good characters. I think the Hunger Games is a good example - the plot is exciting, but I care about the characters too.

PS:

• There are many good reviews out there about this book, so don't let my "did not finish" status deter you from reading it yourself! I mainly read adult books, with a few YA here and there, so I am probably not the best judge for YA books. I definitely read YA books from an adult's perspective, as opposed to say, I read YA books to see if it's suitable to put into the high school library, or evaluating its suitableness my (non-existent) teenage children.

Read this Author again?

• Depends... but won't be reading this trilogy.

Overall Rating:
0 Star. Did Not Finish. (Probably just me)

All reviews and posts are copyrighted by Christa @ Mental Foodie. Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

Updates

• Just finished 4 reviews!
  
  • The Shepherd by Ethan Cross (3.5 Stars)
  • This Life Is in Your Hands: One Family, Sixty Acres, and a Family Undone by Melissa Coleman (3 Stars)
  • Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year by Anne Lamott (Did Not Finish)
  • Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua (4 Stars)
    
    
• Still VERY BEHIND with my other reviews

The Sugar Queen

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie 

The Girl Who Chased the Moon
 
Where She Went 

The Man with the Beautiful Voice: And More Stories from the Other Side of the Couch

These Things Hidden 

The Kitchen Daughter

A Long Way Down
(Did Not Finish)
 
 
• Reading: Just started reading The Lens and the Looker by Lory Kaufman (review on 5/8/11 as part of book tour) and still reading Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff with the husband. Have about 70 pages off so hopefully will finish soon! We got busy watching Bones Season 5 and The Social Network instead... still fascinating and can't wait to find out how it ends. It was just released a few days ago on 4/26/11.

• Am about to watch the last Stieg Larsson's movie - The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (haven't read the book). 

• Has anyone watched Water for Elephant? Is it better than the book? I don't know if I agree with the casting, but will reserve my judgment until I watch it (probably will wait for the DVD though - just like reading, I hardly re-watch movie, and I like that DVD has special features!) 

• Have you heard about the controversy about Three Cup of Tea? I am still trying to process the info (reading Three Cup of Deceits). I have to admit my initial reaction is disappointment... but I will wait to write about it until I can make up my mind. 

• Work is still keeping me busy... and it better warms up here soon! We had a couple of nice days with sun shining in April, but the rest of the month had been chilly (and snowed in one day?!) Makes such a difference when you wake up to a sunny day. It holds such promises. 

• Can't believe it's May already! So many books I want to read (just got a bunch of much anticipated books from the library, like 13 rue Therese, I am not a Serial Killer, Two Kisses for Maddy, The Weird Sisters and So Much Pretty - why do all the reserved books have to come in at the same time?) and so many other things I want to do (editing my personal photos from the last 5 years! cleaning up the house, decorate the house, going on day trips in small towns nearby when the weather is nicer...) and so many things I need to do (get 8 hours sleep, exercise, eat healthier and learn to cook so I can better control what we eat...) Okay I need to stop depressing myself! :)

Book Review - The Shepherd by Ethan Cross

Title: The Shepherd 
Author: Ethan Cross 
Year: 2011
Page: 326
Genre: Fiction - Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Suspense

FTC Disclosure:
Tracee, PR Specialist and Virtual Book Tour Coordinator, from Pump Up Your Book contacted me to see if I was interested in reviewing this book for the author's virtual book tour. The author sent me an autographed copy of the book. I was not paid for the unbiased review.

Summary (from goodreads.com):
Marcus Williams and Francis Ackerman Jr. both have a talent for hurting people. Marcus, a former New York City homicide detective, uses his abilities to protect others, while Ackerman uses his gifts to inflict pain and suffering. When both men become unwilling pawns in a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of our government, Marcus finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse trapped between a twisted psychopath and a vigilante with seemingly unlimited resources. Aided by a rogue FBI agent and the vigilante's beautiful daughter--a woman with whom he's quickly falling in love--Marcus must expose the deadly political conspiracy and confront his past while hunting down one of the most cunning and ruthless killers in the world.

First Sentence:
Jim Morgan watched as reflections of the patrol car's flashing lights danced across the front window of the remote gas station.

My Thoughts:

Why this book?

• The premise sounded like another book I had read - Edge by Jeffery Deaver which I really enjoyed. I wanted to see how this book would compare to Edge since I like cat-and-mouse psychological thrillers, and "shepherd" was a term used in Edge also.

First thought:

• Not bad for a first time author! Though the concept is really nothing like Edge.

Cover Art:

• It is too busy for my liking. I guess it conveyed that it is an action-packed book.

Title:

• Fitting

Writing:

• It is a pretty fast read, which I appreciate in a thriller

• The transition between chapters (or within the chapters sometime) could be a bit smoother, at times it was a little awkward. For example, a chapter may have ended "here", but the next chapter would start "10 minutes" before where the last chapter ended (well, okay maybe not exactly 10 minutes, but I hope it made sense).

Plot:

• Full of plot twits and I liked that I didn't see the ending coming which is great! If you read this genre a lot, plots can get predictable. 

• As I was reading, I had some questions about the relationship between certain characters, and I am glad those were all answered except one. But the unanswered one was mentioned in a dialog between another two characters - I have a feeling that this is the first book of a series, so this question may be answered in a future story.

Characters:

• The two main protagonists are quite interesting with their inner struggle between good and evil. I wish Ackerman's past was elaborated a bit more as it was a fascinating concept. Perhaps another book?
   

• There were quite a lot of other characters which could get a bit confusing. I almost forgot whom one of the minor characters was when she/he appeared near the end since she/he first was introduced in the early chapter.

Ending:

• I liked how it ended, but it definitely set up for a second book. At least it wasn't a cliffhanger like the final episode of a TV series!

Emotion:

• Even though I thought this book would be similar to that of Edge, the two stories were not alike at all. Edge has more strategies which I really liked, it almost was a "step by step" to show how to catch the killer. This book explored more the concept of what made a person good or evil (but is not a character-driven book)

What I Learned:

•  I still like plots with lots of twists that I can't guess :)

PS:

• Perhaps it is not fair to compare a first time author to a veteran like Jeffery Deaver. I did like Edge a bit more because of the strategic development (I like the "technical" explanations Deaver usually has in his books). I gave Edge 4 Stars, so I will give this book 3.5 Stars (might be 3.75 if the chapter transition was a bit smoother). I am a critical scorer though - only a really life-changing book would get a 5 Stars and it is very rare. Even if it's just inspiring but not life-changing because I didn't take any action, it is still not 5 Stars for me.

Read this Author again?

• If there is a sequel, probably would read to find out what happens next.

Quote: x

Overall Rating:
3.5 Stars

All reviews and posts are copyrighted by Christa @ Mental Foodie. Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

Book Review - Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

Title: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother 
Author: Amy Chua
Year: 2011
Page: 237
Genre: Non-Fiction - Memoir, Family

FTC Disclosure: Borrowed from the library

Summary (from goodreads.com):
All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. What Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother reveals is that the Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that. Western parents try to respect their children's individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions and providing a nurturing environment. The Chinese believe that the best way to protect your children is by preparing them for the future and arming them with skills, strong work habits, and inner confidence. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother chronicles Chua's iron-willed decision to raise her daughters, Sophia and Lulu, her way-the Chinese way-and the remarkable results her choice inspires.

Here are some things Amy Chua would never allow her daughters to do:
• have a playdate
• be in a school play
• complain about not being in a school play
• not be the #1 student in every subject except gym and drama
• play any instrument other than the piano or violin
• not play the piano or violin

The truth is Lulu and Sophia would never have had time for a playdate. They were too busy practicing their instruments (two to three hours a day and double sessions on the weekend) and perfecting their Mandarin.

Of course no one is perfect, including Chua herself. Witness this scene:

"According to Sophia, here are three things I actually said to her at the piano as I supervised her practicing:

1. Oh my God, you're just getting worse and worse.
2. I'm going to count to three, then I want musicality.
3. If the next time's not PERFECT, I'm going to take all your stuffed animals and burn them!"

But Chua demands as much of herself as she does of her daughters. And in her sacrifices-the exacting attention spent studying her daughters' performances, the office hours lost shuttling the girls to lessons-the depth of her love for her children becomes clear. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is an eye-opening exploration of the differences in Eastern and Western parenting- and the lessons parents and children everywhere teach one another.

First Sentence:
A lot of people wonder how Chinese parents raise such stereotypically successful kids.

My Thoughts:

Why this book?

• Like most people, I first became aware of this book because of the Wall Street Journal article. I think one of my friends posted it on facebook. And then, my husband emailed me about it. I thought, hey it would be a great "read aloud" choice for us (I will read the book aloud to my husband since I prefer print and he prefers audio, even though I am no where near a professional reader). I was hoping there will be more understanding between us because I am Chinese, and he is not.

First thought:

• I think the title of the WSJ article is a bit misleading, but it definitely attracted a lot of attention (what, almost 8800 comments on that article alone, let along elsewhere online!)

Cover Art:

• The red square looked like a Chinese Stone Chop / Stamp (see examples on google) so I think it is fitting. At least they didn't try to dry a tiger with the author's face on it or something

Title:

• The "Tiger Mother" part is catchy (though I keep forgetting the "Battle Hymn" part when I mentioned this book). The downside is, if I now do anything remotely like the tiger mum (being strict and stick to the principles or things, or that "the Chinese way is better"), my husband would call me tiger wife instead... sigh.

Writing:

• The writing is engaging. Even though it takes me longer to read the book out loud than I would have just read it silently, we finished the book in 3 settings.

• Her writing is not perfect, and she used "for example... firstly... secondly..." a lot throughout the book. I didn't know if it's because I read it aloud that I became more aware of word choices, but she seemed to used some words repeatedly like infuriate, exasperation and virtuous. 

Plot:

• The books is full of different examples. The stories flowed smoothly

• While the chapters about the author's younger sister were touching, but I wasn't sure how they fitted into the book exactly? It is almost as though she included them just to pay tribute to her sister. If she wanted to show that her own parents brought up their 4 daughters the Chinese way just fine, then why not included more about the other two sisters

Characters:

• Let's just say I am glad I am not the author's daughter :) While I don't agree with a lot of what she did, I don't hate her. At times I wonder if what she chose to do is really in her daughters' best interest, or for her own pride. But I guess since I am Chinese, I can see where she is coming from. While my Chinese parents aren't anywhere near as strict (my dad more so than my mum), there are definitely some similar parenting elements. If that was the way the author was brought up, and being a perfectionist that she seems to be, it is easy to see why she continues this parenting style to the extreme. 

• I really would like to hear what her husband had to say. Too bad that they took out the parts about him (I think he asked to have the parts removed)

• I definitely identified with Sophia, but I wish I could be more like Lulu! Interesting, Sophia wrote an article about her mum, after all the controversies arose. I wonder what Lulu had to say. It would be interesting to see what parenting style Sophia and Lulu would choose if they have children in the future

• The author reminded me somewhat of Andre Agassi's dad (as mentioned in his memoir, Open)

• Sometimes I wonder, why the author didn't learn to play the piano or the violin herself? :)

Ending:

• I liked how it ended. I don't want to give spoilers, but it tied up a few loose ends.

Emotion:

• I started learning the piano when I was about 4 or 5. Made me wonder if I could have been a better pianist if my parents had pushed me harder. But I remember not liking practicing and wishing my parents wouldn't push so hard already (even though they weren't anywhere as strict as the author). I guess it is true that sometimes it is not until you are older, you start to see why your parents did what they did. 

What I Learned:

• My parents really aren't that strict :) Well, not for everything anyway! 

• I think since I'd been living in a western country since I was a teenager, I could see the best and bad sides of both cultures. I guess if I ever become a parent, I just have to choose the best practice :)

PS:

• I think it helped my husband understood where I am coming from sometimes. Though I I did tell him if I ever become like the author (that extreme), stop me! The book definitely sparked some interesting conversations between us, so that's a bonus.

Read this Author again?

• Yes

Quote:

"Be modest, be humble, be simple," my mother used to chide. "The last shall come first." What she really meant of course was, "Make sure you come in first so that you have something to be humble about." (p24)

What Chinese parents understand is the nothing is fun until you're good at it. To get good at anything you have to work, and children on their own never want to work, which is why it is crucial to override their preferences. . . . Once a child starts to excel at something... he or she gets praise, admiration, and satisfaction. This builds confidence and makes the once not-fun activity fun. (p29)

My goal as a parent is to prepare you for the future -- not to make you like me. (p49)

But as a parent, one of the worst things you can do for your child's self-esteem is to let them give up. On the flip side, there's nothing better for building confidence than learning you can do something you thought you couldn't. (p62)

Western parents try to respect their children's individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions, supporting their choices, and providing positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment. By contrast, the Chinese believe that the best way to protect their children is by preparing them for the future, letting them see what they're capable of, and arming them with skills, work habits, and inner confidence that no one can ever take away. (p63)

Overall Rating:
4 Stars.

All reviews and posts are copyrighted by Christa @ Mental Foodie. Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

Book Review - Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year by Anne Lamott

Title: Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year 
Author: Anne Lamott 
Year: 2005
Page: 251
Genre: Non-Fiction - Memoir, Family

FTC Disclosure: Borrowed from the library

Summary (from goodreads.com):
It’s not like she’s the only woman to ever have a baby. At thirty-five. On her own. But Anne Lamott makes it all fresh in her now-classic account of how she and her son and numerous friends and neighbors and some strangers survived and thrived in that all important first year. From finding out that her baby is a boy (and getting used to the idea) to finding out that her best friend and greatest supporter Pam will die of cancer (and not getting used to that idea), with a generous amount of wit and faith (but very little piousness), Lamott narrates the great and small events that make up a woman’s life.

First Sentence:
I woke up with a start at 4:00 one morning and realized that I was very, very pregnant.

My Thoughts:

Why this book?

• I read Caroline Bookbinder's review and thought it sounded fantastic. Some of you might remember we don't have any children. We're still deciding whether we want any. I thought I'd read some motherhood books to learn more - it is probably the biggest decision one has to make and I want to make sure we make an informed decision (the last thing I'd want is to bring a child into this world and find out I hate being a mum or that I am unfitted to be one)

First thought:

• Fast read, but I can't finish it!

Cover Art:

• Could have been cuter (the design, not the photos)

Title:

• Clear enough what it is about

Writing:

• It is a small book, and before I knew it, I was about half way through. BUT the writing didn't engage me and even though it probably wouldn't take me long to finish, I just was not interested enough to finish it (stopped at p131)

• It wasn't until afterward I realized that she also wrote Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (okay, on the cover of this book it did say Bird by Bird on it, but somehow I failed to see it). I read that a few years back before blogging days. And guess what? I couldn't finish that one either. That was just something about the voice that I didn't like. And I think the same could be said about this book. Her books have A LOT of good reviews, but I guess her writing voice and my reading style just don't mash. I gave her a second chance unknowingly, and so I think I am not biased.

Plot:

• The book started off interesting enough, but then it got too whiny, it talked more about hating a certain political party (and I am apolitical so it is not like she's offending my political party), lack of a husband...
   
• Even though human have a tendency to get nosy about other people's life (we probably all have a degree of voyeurism - hey that's what gossips are for right? And look at all the reality TV shows!), and I like books in diary format, I just don't care about what happened in this book

Characters:

• I don't remember much about her son at all and the author just came off as bitter

• Some reviews said the author is funny, but I guess we have different sense of humor (though I always thought I have a weird sense of humor so it's probably just me) 

Ending:

• Since I didn't finish it I can't tell you!

Emotion:

• Isn't it ironic, I am whinging about not liking a whiny book

What I Learned:

• Despite A LOT of people enjoy this author's work (this book or others), I just don't like what I don't like

PS:

• I have to say, the quote I mentioned below, is something I'd said similarly about our youngest cat Sesame. If he isn't so cute, it's hard to get over all the naught stuff he does (yeah I know, it sounds so superficial but it's the truth. Hard to stay mad at him when he crooks his head to the side and looks down as though he is apologetic)

Read this Author again?

• I doubt it.

Quote:

I've decided the reason Sam's so gorgeous is that God know that I wouldn't have been able to fall in love with this shitting and colicky little bundle if he looked like one of those ET/Don Rickles babies. p20

Overall Rating:
0 Star. Did Not Finish

All reviews and posts are copyrighted by Christa @ Mental Foodie. Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

Book Review - This Life Is in Your Hands: One Family, Sixty Acres, and a Family Undone by Melissa Coleman

Title: This Life Is in Your Hands: One Family, Sixty Acres, and a Family Undone 
Author: Melissa Coleman
Year: 2011
Page: 352
Genre: Non-Fiction - Memoir

FTC Disclosure: ARC from HarperCollins

Summary (from goodreads.com):

In a work of power and beauty reminiscent of Tobias Wolff, Jeannette Walls, and Dave Eggers, Melissa Coleman delivers a luminous, evocative childhood memoir exploring the hope and struggle behind her family's search for a sustainable lifestyle. With echoes of The Liars’ Club and Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, Coleman’s searing chronicle tells the true story of her upbringing on communes and sustainable farms along the rugged Maine coastline in the 1970’s, embedded within a moving, personal quest for truth that her experiences produced. 

First Sentence:
We must have asked our neighbor Helen to read our hands that day.

My Thoughts:

Why this book?

• This book was compared to Jeanette Walls' The Class Castle, which happened to be one of my favorite memoirs. So how could I not resist, even though I am not really interested in the self-sustaining/farming/homestead lifestyle (I kill even cacti.) 

First thought:

• I wish I didn't read the jacket copy because I think it revealed too much, and kinda ruined the surprises (I made sure the description above doesn't have it.) Even the prologue might be giving away too much

Cover Art:

• I think it's goes with the book very well, especially the green! And look at the happy child with the big plants!

Title:

• I guess fitting though not as catchy as some others. I kept thinking it's called This Life is in MY hands (as opposed to yours)

Writing:

• Some described her writing style as lyrical, so it's a little too flowery for my taste. I enjoyed the first half of the book better, and the second half seemed to have a slower pace and I got a bit bored and inpatient 

Plot:

• I enjoyed reading about how the author's parents chose this lifestyle, and what it meant for their children. I definitely can't imagine myself living like so - I like my modern technology or even just a flushing toilet too much!

• The story jumped between past and present a bit and it got a little confusing - I didn't keep track, but it didn't seem like all the past events mentioned were in chronological order. That could also be due to the fact that there were more characters mentioned in the book

• The book ended a bit abruptly and I wish the author included an epilogue to explain why she decided to continue or not continue that lifestyle 

Characters:

• The author was honest with her account - she didn't try to hide the facts that might make the readers think her parents and their friends (particularly the Nearings) were a little hypocritical in some of the choices they made - I don't want to include spoilers, but for those who read the book, you might remember the boy goats, the oranges, the winter trips, and so forth)

• There were also lots of "interns" who lived with her family or nearby each summer, and I lost track of who they were even if they made repeated apperance

• I don't know how I feel about her parents - I could understand why they chose this lifestyle and they seemed like loving parents, but is this lifestyle really best for kids? I also wish the author explored a little more on her parents' relationship in the later years about some of the decisions they made

Ending:

• Okay, there WAS an epilogue in the book, but I think it could go into a bit more depth about the author's own adult lifestyle choice, and what she thought of her parents' decision. She seemed like a happy child, but what did she think of her childhood now that she's an adult and have her own children?

Emotion:

• I think it would have more impact on me if I didn't know about the significant event that happened, and since I knew about it, I kept waiting and waiting and waiting for it to happen...

What I Learned:

• I didn't know a lot about how hard it was to live a self-sustaining lifestyle, and why people would willing choose to do so - don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong to try to grow as much vegetables as you can, make you own this-and-that, but I guess the bigger question is where do you draw the line?

PS:

• I am glad I read this, but I prefer Jeanette Walls' writing style which really engaged me. It took me 6 days to finish this book (reading "part time" only since I work full time) which is longer than my usual 2-3 days. 

• I think a challenge in reviewing memoir is staying focus on how the authors deliver their stories, and not judge the choices or action they (or their family) made.

• The author's parents' mentors, the Nearings, believed in spending 3 hours of doing each of these activities each day: HEAD (intellectual like reading), HAND (working like farming) and HEART (society like helping friends). While it sounds good in theory, I wish I only have to work 3 hours a day :) 

Read this Author again?

• Perhaps, depends on what it is

Quote:

Looking down at his hands, he realized that they were his most valuable tool in this quest (p47)


"Most important for making this homesteading experience work, is having needs precede wants," Mama wrote in her journal that evening. (p104)

Overall Rating:
3 Stars. I kept trying to decide whether this would be a 3 or 3.5 Stars for me. I decided that it would be 3.5 if the writing was a little less flowery, if the second half of the book was a bit more fast-paced, and if the prologue didn't give away too much (not sure if the author wrote the jacket copy or not, and that gave away even more than the prologue).

All reviews and posts are copyrighted by Christa @ Mental Foodie. Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

Book Review - Still Life by Joy Fielding

Title: Still Life 
Author: Joy Fielding
Year: 2009
Page: 384
Genre: Fiction - Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Suspense 

FTC Disclosure: Borrowed from the library

Summary (from goodreads.com):
Beautiful, happily married, and the owner of a successful interior design business, Casey Marshall couldn't be more content with her life, until a car slams into her at almost fifty miles an hour, breaking nearly every bone in her body and plunging her into a coma. Lying in her hospital bed, Casey realizes that although she is unable to see or communicate, she can hear everything. She quickly discovers that her friends aren't necessarily the people she thought them to be - and that her accident might not have been an accident at all. As she struggles to break free from her living death, she begins to wonder if what lies ahead could be even worse.

First Sentence:

Less than an hour before the car slammed into her at a speed of almost fifty miles an hour, throwing her ten feet into the air, breaking nearly every bone in her body and cracking her head against the hard concrete, Casey Marshall was sitting in the elegant, narrowing dining room of Southwark, one of South Philadelphia's more popular white-tablecloth restaurants, finish lunch with her two closest friends and stealing glances at the beautiful secluded courtyard behind their heads.

My Thoughts:

Why this book?

• I found this while browsing the library shelves. The premise sounded interesting. I have heard of the author's name somewhere but haven't read her books before, so I thought I'd give this new author (to me) a try as I LOVE discovering new authors (to me) Once I found a new author, I usually go and read more of their books!

First thought:

• A bit predictable, but kept me engaged!

Cover Art:

• I liked that it is a bit mysterious

Title:

•  Fitting to the story

Writing:

•  I read the first half of the book in one setting, and would have kept reading if I didn't have to go to work the next day. So yeah, I'd say quite engaging for me. Note though, I am NOT into literature or "beautiful prose" or lyrical / flowery language.

Plot:

• Even though I was able to guess some of the twists, it still kept me reading. Though if remember right, when I read some of the reviews BEFORE I read the book (to see if this book was worth reading), one review included spoilers without disclosing it! So I found out one MAJOR twist before I started :( So that probably ruined it a bit... I don't mind reviewers including spoilers in their reviews -- in fact, sometimes I intentionally searched for reviews with spoilers - especially if it is a book I am not interested in reading but want to find out what happened, e.g. Twilight Book 2-4 -- but I appreciate the spoiler warning when I DON'T want spoilers! 

• The book also jumped between past and present - but instead of having alternate chapters, the past and present intertwined in the same chapter, or the same paragraphs sometime. So you had to pay close attention or it could get a bit confusing

Characters:

• They were okay, maybe a bit too stereotypical, so none of them really stood out to me so I think the premise of the book won me over rather than its characters

Ending:

• Since I read this over a month ago, I couldn't quite remember how it ended but I must have thought it ended okay or I would have made a note if it was a really outstanding ending or a very disappointing ending.

Emotion:

• As I read, I kept thinking how I would have reacted if I was in a coma and was able to hear everything... how would I try to communicate with the others? It must have been quite frustrating if your brain and body are not in sync

What I Learned:

• If I ever write a story that alternates between past and present - make it clear!

PS:

• Despite the negative points I mentioned, I actually like this book more than I thought I would

Read this Author again?

• I probably would if I find another premise that interests me

Overall Rating:
3 Stars. Not bad.

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