Harper Collins

Somebody’s Baby Elaine Kagan Book Review

by Allison L

Picture this (I’m channeling my inner Sophia Petrillo from The Golden Girls here):

The year was 1959. Her name was Jenny Jaffe. She lived in a wealthy Jewish neighborhood in Kansas City where gentile boys were off limits. Especially a boy who has tattoos, was a mostly penniless drifter from California, had spent time in jail, and who would get in a fight with another man for looking at her the wrong way. But, the heart wants what the heart wants, right? Right. Before she even really knew what was happening to her, Jenny found herself falling in love with Will McDonald, and the two of them became inseparable in everyway. She didn’t care that her parents disapproved or that he didn’t really have two pennies to rub together. All she cared about was that he loved her in a way that no one had ever loved her before, and no one would ever love like that again. Of course, their love wasn’t easy, and before it even really got two feet firmly planted on the ground, it got even more complicated — Jenny was pregnant! They made a plan to run away together, and Jenny waited at the spot where Will was supposed to pick her up but, he never showed — and now her only option is to listen to her parents as they force her to give up her baby for adoption. What happens next is a story of true love that spans over three decades – between man and woman and between parent and child — a story filled with lies and betrayal, silence and sacrifice, and a passion and strength to uncover the truth.

Somebody's Baby

The story I’m describing is Somebody’s Baby by Elaine Kagan. The story is spilt into four sections each which intermingle with each other voicing each of the characters points of view of their situations. The first section is told from Jenny’s perspective which is filled with her desire to be with Will and her dislike of her parents, in particular her mother. The second section is told from Claudia’s perspective. Claudia is the baby that Jenny gave up for adoption – only she is no longer a baby. She is 35 years old now and is a parent herself which has forced her to question her own childhood and her desire to find out her true parentage. The third section is told from both Jenny and Claudia’s perspectives as they interact for the first time in so many years as mother and daughter. It also addresses the conflict that Claudia feels regarding wondering if she is betraying her adoptive parents by searching for her biological ones. Finally, the final section of the story is told from Will’s perspective as he meets his daughter, and wonders what it would be like to once again be able to reconnect with her mother. Do Jenny and Will ever reconnect? I guess you’ll have to read the story to find out!

Overall, I loved Somebody’s Baby. I found all the characters to be enjoyable, except for the ones that you were obviously supposed to dislike, and I found that I was able to empathize with all of them throughout the journey that they were going on. It was a really quick read for me because I wanted to know what happened to each of the characters and how the story was going to resolve itself. Personally, I feel that if you’re looking for a romance about love that lasts through years of separation and trial, you should pick up Somebody’s Baby and give it a shot. Or if you’re looking for a story about an adopted woman’s search for identity, you should pick up Somebody’s Baby and give it a shot. Honestly, I feel that you will find both of these stories intermingling within this same well written enjoyable novel, and hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I did!
Disclosure: Purchased at a library book sale

Other reviews of Somebody’s Baby by Elaine Kagan:

Haven’t found any on a cursory google search.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynee Jones Retro Friday Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Retro Friday Reviews are hosted by Angieville. Basically you review an older book on Fridays. It’s pretty cool, you should participate!! Check out my previous Retro Friday Reviews by clicking here.

Book Review: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

You know those books that pretty much anyone who is a fantasy fan has read? I’m slowly making my way through those books, with Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones at the top of my pile. Oh, friends, Diana Wynne Jones absolutely did not disappoint. We have a cranky old woman, a vain heartbreaker wizard, a fire demon, a witch and a fantastic storyline.

Howl's Moving Castle

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Wildwood by Colin Meloy Illustrated by Carson Ellis Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

In the vein of Chronicles Of Narnia comes Wildwood by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis (The Mysterious Benedict Society), a tale in which Prue’s baby brother Mac is abducted by a murder of crows and taken to the Impassable Wilderness, otherwise known as Wildwood. Joining Prue in her quest to save Mac is Curtis, a classmate who doesn’t quite fit in. Wildwood, like Narnia, is a vibrant world fit to bursting with an intriguing sociology and diverse residents. However, Wildwood does stand well on it’s own two feet.

Wildwood

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Book Review: My Dear I Wanted To Tell You: A Novel by Louisa Young

by April (Books&Wine)

Book Review: My Dear I Wanted To Tell You by Louisa Young

My Dear I Wanted To Tell You

My Dear I wanted To Tell You: A Novel by Louisa Young is set in England during the World War One era. It opens with a young working class boy, Riley Purefoy, main character, befriending an upper class artist family, the Waveneys. Out of generosity, the Waveney family provide Riley with upper class schooling as they recognize his potential. However, that generosity does not extend to Nadine, the daughter whom Riley falls for. After posing for a Waveney family friend, Riley engages in sexual activity with a male, thus setting off the chain of events upon which My Dear I Wanted To Tell You is based, as Riley feels compelled to join the army to prove his masculinity.
The story then intertwines with that of Riley’s commanding officer Peter Locke who is a mess due to the horrors of the Great War and his wife Julia, who isn’t good for much except being arm candy.

The writing style is literary with a stream of consciousness flavor. I imagine if you enjoy the writing style of Virginia Woolf, you might enjoy Young’s writing. I felt this book was an engaging and quick read.

I found that Nadine was a much more appealing character than the rest. She represented strength and fortitude, which were characteristics I found lacking especially in Peter and Julia.
There is an interesting contrast between the two relationships tested by war. I think this contrast marks the backbone of the book. Peter and Julia are from similar classes, yet their relationship lacks the spark and oompf of Nadine and Riley’s relationship. Nadine and Riley, however, are like magnets repelling and attracting each other at the same time.

If you are in the mood to read a literary novel about World War I with just a flavor of romance, I highly recommend Louisa Young’s My Dear, I Wanted To Tell You.

Disclosure: Received for review via Amazon Vine.

Other Reviews:

Curious Book Fans
Killin’ Time Reading

Purchase My Dear I Wanted To Tell You by Louisa Young here.

So you thought your high school experience was full of the angst? Ha!

by April (Books&Wine)

Audiobook Review: Go, Mutants by Larry Doyle

I feel like I need to watch more B movies, beyond the realm of those featured on MST3K. (FYI if you have never seen MST3K fix your life and go see this wicked awesome show now — I recommend Hobgoblins). Go, Mutants! by Larry Doyle takes on the creatures from these science fiction films and puts them in high school, I think during the 1950s.

Go, Mutants!

So you thought your high school experience was full of the angst? Ha! J!m, main character of Go, Mutants! has to contend with being blue, having a large head, oh and his father is public enemy number one. Of course because he deviates from the norm he is bullied. Add in that his mother is a cocktail dancer, and yeah J!m’s life kind of sucks.

Yet, he is not alone. With a stellar group of friends J!m navigates the harrowing world of high school. We got Jelly who is clearly the son of the Blob and awesome. He’s always talking about food and rolling around and that makes me laugh. Then there is Johnny who is a quintessential badass. He’s the son of King Kong and one of the blonde girls that Kong steals. Also Johnny rides a motorcycle and is pretty much do or die.

Ya’ll I do enjoy seeing male groups of friends. If I had actually seen the Hangover, I would say I am down for a good wolf pack, but I haven’t, however, you get the point. The interactions between J!m and his friends are poignant, yet funny. It makes me glad to see this sort of loyalty.

Of course, there is also a girl. Marie. She’s human, but seeks to get the mutants rights and is not cool with how they are treated. However, Marie has her own set of problems. You see, her mom’s head is just chilling in a jar and I think her father is kind of a mad scientist. Also, um, Marie and J!m don’t exactly have compatible parts for doing it. So, you can imagine those of us who are less classy wondering how that works.

I listened to the audio version narrated by Robert Petkoff which lasts 7 hours and 51 minutes. Guys, I actually enjoyed this audio book. Although it did take me awhile to get into. There’s definitely a bit of worldbuilding to get used to and it is a bit jarring to enter Doyle’s world. However, I think Petkoff is the perfect voice for Go, Mutants! He varies his voice for all the characters, never goes staccato or monotone and has this flavor of seriousness which is perfect for the satirical undertones of Go, Mutants! I think if you do read this book, audio is definitely the way to go.

Disclosure: Received for review.

Other Reviews:

The Book Smugglers
Grasping For The Wind

Purchase Go, Mutants! by Larry Doyle here. *FYI I receive a small commission if you buy things from Amazon after clicking link. Proceeds used for upkeep of site.

Book Review: Graveminder by Melissa Marr

by April (Books&Wine)

Book Review: Graveminder by Melissa Marr

Graveminder

Rebekkah Barrow doesn’t like to be tied down. She moves from place to place and never gets involved in romantic entanglements. It would seem she is fated to live the life of a nomad. However, Rebekkah is called back to the one town, Claysville, that feels like home for her when stepgrandmother Maylene is brutally murdered. Waiting for Rebekkah is old flame, Byron Montgomery.However, Claysville is hiding a secret and it is up to Byron and Rebekkah to take on roles of Undertaker and Graveminder and set things to rights.
Ya’ll this book is completely absorbing. I find myself utterly engaged by southern Gothic novels, and Graveminder is no different. I love the small town feel. I love reading about places where people take care of their own. I loved the dark paranormal elements and the way they were woven in, so the elements felt natural and real. I felt the idea of a caretaker for the graves, the Graveminder was totally plausible. You give the dead what they need to pass on, and they don’t come back. Just a bit of food, drink and words. Plus when you stir in the tempestuous relationship between Rebekkah and Byron, you have got a winner. Although, if I was Byron I would probably have dumped Rebekkah because she’s one of those girls who will hook up with you, but then drop you as soon as she gets the morning regrets. Not cool, bro, not cool.
The chapters are brief, with only a handful of pages. I found that made Graveminder easy to set down before sleeping and easy to pick up with my morning coffee. Graveminder is Marr’s debut for adults and it is chilling. This book flows in the same way YA does, as it never gets bogged down in navel gazing, but continues with action.

I highly recommend Graveminder if you are a YA fan looking for an adult read maybe because if you have to read about one more teenager you’ll tear your hair out, or if you’ve grown tired of navel gazing and especially for those of us who love a good down home read served with a side of paranormal mystery.

Disclosure: Received for review via Amazon vine.

Other Reviews:

Makeshift Bookmark

Bookalicio.us

Purchase Graveminder by Melissa Marr here.

Book Review: How Shakespeare Changed Everything by Stephen Marche

by April (Books&Wine)

How Shakespeare Changed Everything

How Shakespeare Changed Everything by Stephen Marche is a tiny, pretty (well, I like the cover and color) non-fiction book on the impact Shakespeare has had on culture and society. I found this to be fascinating. Old Shakes has changed everything from starlings in America to words in our lexicon.

As a Shakespeare novice – I’ve only read one play all the way through, Romeo And Juliet, although I did watch Julius Caesar and sparknoted Hamlet- I found this book easy to follow. There are short chapters on different aspects of culture which Willy S. left his imprint on. Never did I feel like I needed to be a Shakespeare expert to get this book. The writing was straight and to the point, but conversational. The best way I can describe it is that it is like having a beer with a college professor, you aren’t in lecture hall, but the conversation is on an intellectual plane, rather than the let’s pound this drink plane.

However, it’s not all roses. Some parts I definitely disagreed with. For example, there is a chapter on how Shakespeare changed sex. Apparently people only have crazy uninhibited sex because Shakes wrote about it? I’m pretty sure that statement is a stretch. Hello, what about the Kama Sutra? Also, from my sex in the middle ages class, we learned that a prevalent belief was that both people had to um, spill seed and stuff, to conceive. I just didn’t buy into that chapter at all.

As far as non-fiction goes, How Shakespeare Changed Everything is completely engaging. I never found the words dry. Nor did I find myself wanting to be reading something else. I enjoyed my brief time with this book. Also, I feel slightly more knowledgeable about Shakespeare, and thus more interesting.

Disclosure: Received for review.

Other Reviews:

Jenny’s Books

Purchase How Shakespeare Changed Everything here.

Book Review: The White Devil by Justin Evans

by April (Books&Wine)

Methinks my brain has been sanitized by YA, because whenever a penis pops up in an adult books, I’m all WHAT IS THIS?! Boys have more than just kissy-lips? Oh hell naw. Clearly, my brain is awesome. ANYWAYS, I recently read The White Devil by Justin Evans and am a bit unsure of what I think about it. Obviously, I enjoyed it. However, certain elements were hard for me to get used to, like penis in various states of erection. (how many times can I use the word penis in this review?) Also, complex characters. And this tinge of depression.

Right. So. This guy, Andrew Taylor is 18. He pretty much failed his senior year in American private schools, so his antebellum wanna be father sends Andrew to Harrow school in England to re-do his senior year. Harrow is an all boys school. Plenty of allusions are made to gay relationships taking place, but it’s not homophobic or anything. Just a statement that some people are gay. However, we do see homophobic characters, but not in a positive homophobia is awesome light, because it’s not. Anyways Andrew is having a hard time fitting in, and it gets even worse when popular guy Theo Ryder dies and people blame Andrew because of drugs. Also, there is a ghost. And a girl, the headmaster’s daughter Persephone Vine. She’s pretty hot, but kind of a floozy according to the secondary characters. OH and Andrew’s Head of House, is this poet named Piers Fawkes whom I sort of pictured as being a phoenix and not a person, because Harry Potter has ruined my brain. Fawkes is writing this play all about Lord Byron who is pretty much Andrew’s twin brother, they look so much alike.

Plenty of interesting events happen, like diseases. I know, I know. Most people don’t get excited about disease, but holy crap guys, I love a good plague. Also, there’s what I think is a handjob that happens, but I can’t be sure, as you know, that doesn’t happen in the sorts of books I read. Yeah, guys. SEX! (I feel like a 12 year old boy right now). ALSO there are gay underthemes and that is awesome because I don’t read enough books with gay subplots. I’m not going to outline the whole subplot though, because that is a special surprise for you, when you go out and read this book.

Honestly, while reading The White Devil, a lot of the time I was thinking, I bet older YA kids would enjoy this, especially males who are 16 or older. Mainly because, there’s sex, violence, and ghosts. Also, this is obviously an adult book, but with a teenaged main character. I know when I was 16-17, I read everything I could get my hands on, but heavily slanted towards adult books. There was YA when I was in high school, but I guess, I just thought I was a bit too grown up for it.

Justin Evans, he brings the goosebumps. Not quite like R.L. Stine, but he’s good. I mean, when the air would go cold, I would be all, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? Because that is what you say when scary things happen: WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? Or at least that’s what I would say. And I mean, this isn’t scary like oh my boyfriend is a vampire who sparkles, but scary in oh there’s a ghost running around killing people.

In all, I enjoyed The White Devil. It was a variation on what I normally read, and I think it’s good to stretch your mind from time to time and try new things.

Disclosure: Received for review.

Other Reviews of The White Devil by Justin Evans:

Jenny’s Books
The Zen Leaf
Killin’ Time Reading
Beneath Shining Stars, I Read

Retro Friday Review: Stopping For A Spell by Diana Wynne Jones

by April (Books&Wine)

Retro Friday Reviews is a weekly meme hosted by Angie of Angieville. It’s EXACTLY how it sounds, you review an older book on Friday.

Stopping For A Spell

Stopping For A Spell by Diana Wynne Jones was one of my later Dewey 24 Hour Readathon books, I read it around 2 a.m. so please be forgiving of my fuzzy detail recall, as I don’t have a copy of Stopping For A Spell sitting in front of me as I write this review.

Stopping For A Spell was my first Diana Wynne Jones book and I am certain it won’t be my last. I am also positive that it isn’t the best of her work, but by no means is it bad or terrible. The book is divided by three short stories, each featuring magic in ordinary settings. No wizards or witches, just strange things coming to life and happening.

In the first story, Chair Person, the most irritating aunt ever comes to visit. She pretty much forces the entire family to run the charity sale while she does nothing but ‘supervise’. One charity item backfires, when it spills magic fluid on a chair, and the chair comes to life. Chair Person is exceedingly annoying. He overstays his welcome, eats and drinks all the food and threatens to eat people. Simon and Marcia, the two children of the family have to figure out how to make Chair Person turn back into a chair, so they can take him to the dump. It’s actually quite funny. Plus, I’m pretty sure we all have someone like that aunt in our lives, who are so well-intentioned, but really sort of hypocritical.

The second story is Four Grannies. In this story, Erg and Emily’s parents are going on a trip. Unfortunately they can’t find anyone to watch the children, and have tried contacting all four grannies who said no. However, each granny ends up feeling bad and goes to babysit Erg and Emily. Hilarity ensues when Erg makes a wish machine and it actually works. I love reading about mean old elderly people. So yay Four Grannies!

The very last story in Stopping For A Spell is Who Got Rid of Angus Flint. Okay, so basically Angus Flint is a douchebag who was kicked out by his wife. Being a douche, he takes advantage of his college friend’s hospitality and stays there for a long time. While staying at his friend’s house he is mean and rude. He kicks the dog. He hits the children. He complains about everything. He also refuses to leave. Now, in real life you get the police to get the guy out. However, in Diana Wynne Jones‘ world, there is a bit of poetic justice as something magical happens to get this dude out.

So, this is a fairly brief book, but not terrible as far as short stories go. I would recommend it to younger children. Or people who have to read everything Jones has ever written.

Disclosure: Purchased copy at library book sale.

Other Reviews:

Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog

Purchase Stopping For A Spell here.

*This counts as part of the Once Upon A Time V Challenge

Audiobook Review: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

by April (Books&Wine)

Audiobook Review: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

When I think of Afghanistan, I think of a giant mess and bombs and war and kites and the Taliban and unhappy people. I don’t often think of extraordinary acts of courage. I don’t think of women being brave. However, The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon (the title IS a mouthfull) definitely has changed my perceptions of Afghan women.

The whole book revolves around the Sidiqi, and most especially the Sidiqi girls. You see, Kamila Sidiqi and her sisters face almost certain poverty after the Taliban come to power, as women are not allowed to leave the house without a male relative escort. Women can’t work outside the home, go to school or attend university. It is a scary time, full of terrifying prospects. I mean, because of the Taliban nutjobs there has pretty much been an economyFAIL. However, instead of giving up, Kamila exhibits great courage and learns to provide for herself and her family.

Spoiler: She becomes a seamstress. I know, you are in shock since clearly you didn’t read the title of the book. Anyhoo, I thought this was a brief but excellent reminder of what the human spirit is capable of. It is not always with the welding of a weapon or violence that we show our strength, but with a refusal to be cowed into despair or to lose hope.

I think The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe is a great read for those of us interested in stories of women who are strong in real life. I audio-ed this entirely in my car. The audiobook is only 6 hours and 16 minutes long. I thought it was perfect for the rainy weather I’ve been experiencing lately. I got lost in Kamila’s story. The narrator, Sarah Zimmerman was fabulous. Her voice was gentle and soothing and very feminine. I thought it was well suited to The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe.

Disclosure: Audiobook received for review.

Other Reviews:

Debbie’s World Of Books

S. Krishna’s Books

A Patchwork Of Books

Purchase The Dressmaker of Khair Khana here.