elevenpages

Spring for Susannah - Catherine Richmond

2011-07-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Title:Spring for Susannah
Author: Catherine Richmond
Publication Date: June 14, 2011
Pages: 352
Source: Litfuse Publicity Group
Format:paperback
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "'Fourth Siding,' the conductor yelled as he trundled down the aisle. 'Your stop, miss.'"
Overall rating:

         When her parents die suddenly, and no suitors call, Susannah resigns herself to the only option available: becoming a mail-order bride. Agreeing to marry her pastor's brother, Jesse, Susannah leaves the only home she's ever known for the untamed frontier of the Dakota Territory.
          Her new husband is more loving and patient with her than she believes she deserves. Still, there is also a wilderness to him that mirrors the wilderness surrounding them. And Susannah finds herself constantly on edge. But Jesse's confidence in her - and his faith in God's perfect plan - slowly begin to chip away at the wall she hides behind.
          When she miscarries in the brutal Dakota winter, Susannah's fledgling faith in herself and in God begins to crumble. Still, Jesse's love is unwavering. Just when it seems like winter will never end, Susannah finally sees the first tentative evidence of spring. And with it, the realization that more than the landscape has changed.
           She looks to the future with a renewed heart. Yet in her wildest dreams, she couldn't predict all that awaits her.

            Spring for Susannah is a well written historical Christian romance novel. This is just the generalized genre, however, and I would say that this book breaks the mold and becomes much more than a standard Christian romance novel.
             Susannah is an enjoyable and relatable character, despite being a timid woman attempting to adjust from a comfortable life to being a mail-order bride in a shack on the desolate Dakota frontier. She is understandably shy much of the time but also strong in surprising ways. Jesse couldn't be a better husband to her and although it takes Susannah time to come out of her shell, it becomes clear that the two fit really well together. The two worked together to overcome what each was going through. The time period is fascinating and the author's research paid off.
             I found some pieces to be too cheesy for my taste, as it is with many romance novels. I also found that the transitions between events were rushed and often times confusing. Things would end and begin abruptly without much notice or explanation. This would make it so that it took me some time and flipping pages before I realized what was going on. The transitions over all, could have been more clear.
            The time Jesse spent missing was also confusing. I'm still not entirely sure what happened while he was away, even though there were accounts from his point of view.
            Overall, I would say that Spring for Susannah is a unique novel with components like time period and characters that work well together.

You can visit Catherine Richmond's website here.

Pearl - Jo Knowles

2011-06-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

Title: Pearl

Author: Jo Knowles
Publication Date: July 19, 2011
Pages: 224
Source: Banned Book Tours
Format: ARC
Publisher: Henry Holt
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "Henry and I get comfortable in our usual Days of Our Non Lives positions on his mother's scratchy plaid couch in their tiny living room."
Overall rating:

Bean (née Pearl) and Henry, misfits and best friends, have the strangest mothers in town. Henry’s mom Sally never leaves the house. Bean’s mom Lexie, if she is home, is likely nursing a hangover or venting to her friend Claire about Bean’s beloved grandfather Gus, the third member of their sunny household. Gus’s death unleashes a host of family secrets that brings them all together. And they threaten to change everything—including Bean’s relationship with Henry, her first friend, and who also might turn out to be her first love.

I absolutely love this book. The characters, the plot, the overall warm feeling I got from it.

Henry and Bean are such true to life fifteen-year-olds and I really felt for them and their situations. I thought Knowles did a fantastic job of portraying the various characters and although I was annoyed with Bean's mom and some of the others, I saw them as truly identifiable characters with really great detail.

The story was unique and interesting with a dramatic spin. The book made me want to be a teacher just so I could have my students read this book. I think it's a relatable story that students would appreciate.

This is a coming of age story about two fifteen-year-olds stuck in a small town with no dads and not very reliable moms. I see that this book has received some stigma for the controversial issues that it covers but I absolutely loved it. I thought it was real and something that needs to be covered in YA fiction. It's life.

Pearl made me want to run out and grab any and all of Jo Knowles' other books. I look forward to reading them because if Pearl is any indication, she is a great writer.

You can visit Jo Knowles' website here.

Dirty Blood - Heather Hildenbrand

2011-06-13T00:02:00.000-07:00

Title: Dirty Blood
Author: Heather Hildenbrand
Publication Date: April 7, 2011
Pages: 288
Source: Received from author for Indie Author Month
Format: ebook
Publisher: self-published
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "'C'mon Tara, you didn't even give tonight a fair chance,' George said."
Overall rating:

I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. That’s about the time I went into shock… And that was the moment he showed up.

Now, all I can do is accept the truths that are staring me in the face. One, Werewolves do exist. And Two, I was born to kill them.

Like most others, I really can't get too excited at the thought of reading another werewolf novel. This one, however, started out with a bang and ended up pleasantly surprising me as I moved forward. I felt like the details of the werewolf plot were unique enough to be more than just another werewolf novel. I enjoyed the concept behind 'The Cause' and Tara's role within it. That being said, there were also a few details on the other side of the spectrum that were a bit too close for comfort to other YA books out there. This can be a little weird but I managed to generally overlook the similar details. The book has both cliches and fresh plot details.

I liked Tara as a character as whole but some of the things she did ended up annoying me! She was newly exposed to this world and often got very angry that the others kept things from her and tried so hard to keep her safe. This often led to tantrums and Tara running off to do really dumb, dangerous things.This made me want to yell at her but the other characters were sometimes able to do that for me.

Wes, Tara's love interest, was a likable character and while their love storyline was alright, I would have enjoyed seeing a true connection. It seems too often that love stories in books are chemical or scientific bonds from the very first moment that the two meet. That almost seems like a cheap, easy way for the relationship to form.

I enjoyed the plot twists and the scenes in which Tara used her skills, and while the ending did leave me hanging, I realize that this is the first book in a series and a second book is on its way. If you're into werewolves, I would recommend Dirty Blood as a book with an interesting spin and an exciting plot.

You can visit Heather Hildenbrand's website here.

Visit the host of Indie Author Month - The YA Fairy.

Six Moon Summer - S.M. Reine

2011-06-05T01:46:00.000-07:00

Title: Six Moon Summer
Author: S.M. Reine
Publication Date: April 29, 2011
Pages:198
Source: Received from author for Indie Author Month
Format: ebook
Publisher: self-published
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "Empty buses idled in the parking lot at the bottom of Gray Mountain."
Overall rating:

Rylie's parents are going through a messy divorce. They send her to summer camp to get her out of the way of their fighting lawyers, but she's just as miserable at the girls' camp as she was at home-- there's nothing vegetarian for her to eat at the mess hall, she hates hiking and archery, and the other campers taunt Rylie mercilessly. One night, the bullying goes too far, and Rylie runs away. She doesn't get far. It's a full moon, and she isn't alone in the forest. A wild animal mauls her. She's certain she won't survive. Instead of dying, she wakes up unharmed in her cabin the next morning. The only sign that something has changed are the healed scars on her chest, her increasingly keen senses, and her sudden craving for raw, bloody meat. A boy from the other camp seems to know what's happening to her, but Rylie isn't sure if she can trust herself with Seth. Rylie soon learns that she only has until the end of summer before she becomes just like the monster that attacked her: a man-eating werewolf hungry for human flesh. Unless she can find a cure, she's only six moons away from transforming forever and losing her life to the hunger...

      Six Moon Summer is a pretty quick read about a girl named Rylie and her time spent at a summer camp. This is another story about a girl and some werewolves and the whole story line seems pretty overdone and played out. I did, however, find the ending to be the best part of the book so that is something to look forward to.
      I found the storyline to be fairly underdeveloped, as well as the characters. This is a very short book and I think it could be improved by it being fleshed out a bit so there could be more development. Things moved fast and many major plot occurrences were told in a single sentence or two. I thin more pages could have been devoted to certain parts, as there is definitely room for the novel to be longer.
       Rylie as a character improves throughout the novel, going from being highly unlikable towards the beginning, to much better by the end. The actions that she took really allowed me to like her character a lot better. Seth was a good addition to the story, if not just a little predictable.
       Overall, I would say that the plot is good. Underdeveloped, yes. And as a werewolf novel, a bit overplayed, yes. Despite these minor details that could be easily fixed in the writing process, I was interested in finding out what happened to Rylie and the storyline did keep me going.

You can visit S.M. Reine's website here.

Visit the host of Indie Author Month - The YA Fairy.

Indie Author Month Kick-Off

2011-05-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody, I'm back! The end of the semester and finals were killing me for a few weeks but now I am officially on summer vacation. This means I am able to devote the time necessary to Eleven Pages! I've still been reading when I can and checking my news feed so I'm still in the loop. I've just missed posting reviews and things! Eleven Pages is back in full swing.
This return will start with the beginning of Indie Author Month, an event hosted by The YA Fairy in which a few blogs will review the same four books by indie authors. There will be author interviews, contests and reviews - all that fun stuff. And I must say that these authors are amazing and their books have blown me away so far.

I'd like to give a warm welcome to the authors and books we'll be spotlighting throughout the month.

The authors are: Sara Reine, Heather Hildenbrand, Jennifer Sommersby and Lazette Gifford.

The books are:Six Moon Summer, Dirty Blood, Sleight and Silky.

I'm excited for this month and I hope you enjoy!

Chevy Stevens Event Going on Now!

2011-05-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Chevy Stevens, author of Still Missing, is currently having an online chat on BookTrib! Still Missing is a fantastic thriller and I cannot wait for Chevy's second book, Never Knowing to be released on July 5th. Head over to BookTrib and the chat is on their home page!

You can also find my review of Still Missing here

Book Blogger Hop 04/30

2011-04-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to elevenpages if this is your first time around here! I'm Jenna and I'm always looking for new blogs to follow. I've got a few really cool features and reviews coming within the next week, so keep an eye out and feel free to follow the blog!

"Summer is coming quickly - what 2011 summer release are you are most looking forward to?"

The Art of Forgetting by Camille Noe Pagan! I discovered this book through NetGalley and now cannot wait to read it. It will be released on June 9, 2011. The story sounds amazing and the cover is gorgeous.

A moving and insightful debut novel of great friendship interrupted. Can the relationship survive when the memories are gone?

Marissa Rogers never wanted to be an alpha; beta suited her just fine. Taking charge without taking credit had always paid off: vaulting her to senior editor at a glossy magazine; keeping the peace with her critical, weight-obsessed mother; and enjoying the benefits of being best friends with gorgeous, charismatic, absolutely alpha Julia Ferrar.

And then Julia gets hit by a cab. She survives with minor obvious injuries, but brain damage steals her memory and alters her personality, possibly forever. Suddenly, Marissa is thrown into the role of alpha friend. As Julia struggles to regain her memory- dredging up issues Marissa would rather forget, including the fact that Julia asked her to abandon the love of her life ten years ago- Marissa's own equilibrium is shaken.

With the help of a dozen girls, she reluctantly agrees to coach in an after-school running program. There, Marissa uncovers her inner confidence and finds the courage to reexamine her past and take control of her future.

The Art of Forgetting is a story about the power of friendship, the memories and myths that hold us back, and the delicate balance between forgiving and forgetting.

Amazon

Let me know which summer 2011 release you're most excited for!

E-Book Deal Alert

2011-04-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

Jenna Black's Glimmerglass is on sale in e-book format for only $2.99! This is a great deal for a very good young adult book, the first in the Faeriewalker series.

Amazon Barnes & Noble

Enjoy!

2011 Pulitzer Prize Winner in Fiction

2011-04-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

Pulitzer Prize winners have been announced! I love Pulitzers because they recognize both journalism and the arts - both of which I am very interested in! The 2011 winner in fiction is Jennifer Egan's A Visit From the Goon Squad.

Jennifer Egan's spellbinding interlocking narratives circle the lives of Bennie Salazar, an aging former punk rocker and record executive, and Sasha, the passionate, troubled young woman he employs. Although Bennie and Sasha never discover each other's pasts, the reader does, in intimate detail, along with the secret lives of a host of other characters whose paths intersect with theirs, over many years, in locales as varied as New York, San Francisco, Naples, and Africa.
We first meet Sasha in her mid-thirties, on her therapist's couch in New York City, confronting her long-standing compulsion to steal. Later, we learn the genesis of her turmoil when we see her as the child of a violent marriage, then as a runaway living in Naples, then as a college student trying to avert the suicidal impulses of her best friend. We plunge into the hidden yearnings and disappointments of her uncle, an art historian stuck in a dead marriage, who travels to Naples to extract Sasha from the city's demimonde and experiences an epiphany of his own while staring at a sculpture of Orpheus and Eurydice in the Museo Nazionale. We meet Bennie Salazar at the melancholy nadir of his adult life -- divorced, struggling to connect with his nine-year-old son, listening to a washed-up band in the basement of a suburban house -- and then revisit him in 1979, at the height of his youth, shy and tender, reveling in San Francisco's punk scene as he discovers his ardor for rock and roll and his gift for spotting talent. We learn what became of his high school gang -- who thrived and who faltered -- and we encounter Lou Kline, Bennie's catastrophically careless mentor, along with the lovers and children left behind in the wake of Lou's far-flung sexual conquests and meteoric rise and fall.
A Visit from the Goon Squad is a book about the interplay of time and music, about survival, about the stirrings and transformations set inexorably in motion by even the most passing conjunction of our fates. In a breathtaking array of styles and tones ranging from tragedy to satire to PowerPoint, Egan captures the undertow of self-destruction that we all must either master or succumb to; the basic human hunger for redemption; and the universal tendency to reach for both -- and escape the merciless progress of time -- in the transporting realms of art and music. Sly, startling, exhilarating work from one of our boldest writers.

Have any of you read this? It's been on my To Be Read list for a while now. Egan's got quite a few books out and I've heard good things about many of them. This makes me want to read A Visit From the Goon Squad even more!

Flavors - Emily Sue Harvey

2011-04-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

Title: Flavors
Author: Emily Sue Harvey
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Pages:120
Source: Received from publisher for review
Format: Paperback
Publisher: The Story Plant
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "Today, lounging here in my easy chair, eyes closed, with television tuned to Sirius 40s and 50s Pop Hits, I listen to a familiar old song by the Nat King Cole Trio."
Overall rating:

             Emily Sue Harvey’s first novel, Song of Renewal, was praised by New York Times bestselling author Jill Marie Landis as “an uplifting, heartwarming story,” by bestselling author Kay Allenbaugh as a work that will “linger in the memory long after readers put it aside,” and by Coffee Time Romance as “a must-read book for anyone doing a little soul searching.” New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry said, “It captures your attention, and whets your appetite for more,” while Peeking between the Pages called it “quite simply a beautiful book.”
           Now, in Flavors, this master storyteller of the human heart sweeps us along with twelve-year-old Sadie Ann Melton as she enters a life-altering season. The summer of 1950 will change everything for her. For in that summer, she will embark on an odyssey at once heartbreakingly tender and crushingly brutal. At times, she will experience more darkness than she has ever witnessed before. At others, she will thrill to lightness and joy she never imagined. By summer’s end, the Melton women in Sadie’s journey &ndash loving her, coaxing her, and commanding her &ndash will help shape her into the woman she becomes. And they will expose Sadie to all of the flavors of life as she savors the world that she brings into being.
          Filled with charm, wisdom, and the smorgasbord of emotions that comes with the first steps into adulthood, Flavors once again proves Emily Sue Harvey’s unique ability to touch our souls with her unforgettable stories.

      This novella was a breath of fresh air. Only a few pages over one hundred, Flavors provides a look back on a summer Sadie Ann spent on her grandparents' farm. Highlighting various milestones and memories from the summer in the 1950s in which she and her little brother had to spent their weeks at the farm, the story reads almost like a memoir.
       I loved the various flavors of the summer and how Harvey was able to tie those in very nicely. There was vivid imagery and I was able to see things as they happened through Sadie's twelve-year-old eyes. This is definitely a story of a coming-of-age and I especially liked how the prologue and epilogue worked to bring the reader in and out of the important summer. The epilogue shows a present-day Sadie with a much different life than the one she led as a twelve-year-old. It is very clear that the events from the summer shaped and molded her. Sadie had to see some things that are unfair but that is all apart of growing up, isn't it?
       The characters worked well together and even though her parents weren't in the story very often, it was clear that they were loving. I even felt for tough, old grandma. It did get difficult to distinguish between the twelve or so aunts and uncles of Sadie running around but it wasn't a big deal.
   This coming-of-age novella is just long enough to get its message across and leave you with a satisfied feeling.

You can visit Emily Sue Harvey's website here.

Follow Eleven Pages on Twitter

2011-04-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

It's official - Eleven Pages has just created a Twitter! Feel free to follow us and get updates regarding posts, reviews, publishing industry information, authors and books! Click the giant button above or the new Twitter feed button in the left side bar next to the GoodReads button.

PS: Bear with me and expect a new review either later today or tomorrow!

Kat, Incorrigible - Stephanie Burgis

2011-04-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

Title: Kat, Incorrigible
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Publication Date: April 5, 2011
Pages: 304
Source:Galley Grab
Format: ebook
Publisher: Atheneum
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "I was twelve years of age when I chopped off my hair, dressed as a boy and set off to save my family from impending ruin."
Overall rating:

Twelve-year-old Kat Stephenson may be the despair of her social-climbing Step-Mama, but she was born to be a magical Guardian and protector of Society--if she can ever find true acceptance in the secret Order that expelled her own mother. She’s ready to turn the hidebound Order of the Guardians inside-out, whether the older members like it or not. And in a society where magic is the greatest scandal of all, Kat is determined to use all her powers to help her three older siblings--saintly Elissa, practicing-witch Angeline, and hopelessly foolish Charles--find their own true loves, even if she has to turn highwayman, battle wild magic, and confront real ghosts along the way!

This book was adorable. A quick, light, fun read for middle-grade readers. The historical aspect was awesome - I love seeing that in books for younger audiences and considering I just read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the connection in time periods was great.

The UK edition

          Kat is an unruly 12 year old for the Regency period and is often getting into trouble and causing mayhem. She's an endearing character and so are her sisters, Elissa and Angeline. The slew of characters are all really great additions to the novel. I especially enjoyed Frederick Carlyle as he provided a lot of amusement. All of the sisters were unique and had their own signature quirks and traits.
         I did feel some parts of the book moved too quickly and that some key ideas were passed over without much explanation or though. Kat's brother is mentioned a few times as the reason her family is in danger of being in debt but other than that, he is not seen in any scenes or involved at all. It seems as if he is used solely as a financial handicap for the family, without ever being a part of anything.
        The magical aspect of the book was also very cute but was definitely not explained well enough. Considering the book is the first in a three book series, there is room for more later explanation but this first book lacked in information. Some things about the Order and Kat's powers were touched upon very briefly and I had many questions that went unanswered. I also felt the ending was very abrupt, which tons of things happening within the last couple pages.
         Overall, I think middle-grade readers will love Kat and the story. It's adventurous and magical - exactly what middle-grade readers are looking for.

You can visit Stephanie Burgis' website here.

Spreading the word about books.

2011-03-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

       There has been a lot of talk throughout the book blogging community about book blogs in general. People have been discussing what their purpose is, if they're helpful and what is in it for the bloggers.

       This has inspired me to write my post about why I, individually, blog about books. There are hundreds of book blogs, some good and some bad, and sifting through them and seeing many that are around for the wrong reasons, can be frustrating.
      I blog for one huge, important reason: to spread the word about books. If I read a book and love it, I want other people to know about it. There is nothing I love more than reading a comment that says that I influenced an opinion of a book or made someone go out and buy it. I promote reading. I mainly review books that I own, meaning I rarely review new releases. I have recently seen an increase in books received for review and I absolutely love and appreciate it. The fact that authors and publicists want their books reviewed on my blog is incredible. I am willing to review just about anything I can - especially if I see a real potential in the book.
I also do occasionally post reviews that are not-so-sparkling if the book is not-so-sparkling. I don't believe in not posting a review just because I personally didn't really enjoy the book. Reviews are opinion-based and people can take my negative reviews as just that - opinion. If a review is negative, it's an honest opinion of a reader shared with others. If a review is positive, it definitely can be a great way to promote a book. But like I said, I overall promote reading. Secondly, I promote books that I really enjoyed. I also keep my negative reviews as professional as possible and am sure to emphasize the opinion aspect in these situations.
       The next topic is giveaways. I love giveaways. I hope to host my own in the very near future. I am also unafraid to admit that I do enter contests on blogs that I follow. I see no harm in that because they do a great job of spreading the word about books and the blogs hosting them.
        I really enjoy the book blogging community and hope to see more good things to come from it.

Damage - Josephine Hart

2011-03-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

Title: Damage
Author: Josephine Hart
Publication Date: March 1991
Pages:180
Source: Netgalley
Format: ebook
Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media LLC
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "There is an internal landscape,a geography of the soul; we search for all its outlines all our lives."
Overall rating:

An astonishing debut novel--dark and shocking--that tells the story of a fatal, erotic obsession. Hart tells the story of a wealthly, successful man who falls in love with his son's fiance, a woman who wields a dangerous power over him. As the son's marriage grows imminent, the father falls deeper and deeper into the abyss of his obsession, plunging toward unfathomable tragedy.

This is a well-written, intriguing story. The blurb really got my interest and the writing style

of the first few pages of the book really drew me in. Hart writes in an urgent voice that made me want to keep reading. I would almost describe this as a sort of thriller because of the way it was written.The narrator of the story remains unnamed through out the entire book, adding a mysterious sort of element to the plot.

The story is a unique one and the way the author goes about telling it is as well. The story moves quickly and while the book is relatively short, it provides lots of story. The book delves deeper than the storyline of a man in love with his son's fiance and explores elements such as obsession. It is interesting to see into the mind of a man who, on the surface, has everything he could want but finds himself in an uncontrollable, obsessive state of mind.

The supporting characters do exactly what they're supposed to - which is play the roles surrounding the narrator. Anna is especially interesting because of her mysterious personality and almost eery way about her. Of course, the narrator's family earns sympathy but the narrator himself earns a different sort of sympathy, most closely related to pity. One thing is for sure, this book is powerful.

Reading Damage is witnessing scandal cause the demise of an upstanding, successful man and not knowing whether to look away or sit and watch with wide eyes.

This novel is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary! Published in 1991 and a film adaptation produced in 1992, Damage remains a fascinating story to this day. In this video, Jeremy Irons, who stars in the 1992 film, discusses the movie and the book.

A big thanks to Laura at Open Road Integrated Media!

You can visit Josephine Hart's website here.

Enter to win Beth Revis' Breathless Contest!

2011-03-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

Beth is giving everyone in the US a chance to win signed hardcover copies of all books featured on the Breathless Reads tour! GO for it - it's an incredible contest!

After the Leaves Fall - Nicole Baart

2011-03-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

Title: After the Leaves Fall
Author: Nicole Baart
Publication Date: September 19, 2007
Pages: 368
Source: Kindle ebook edition bought for FREE from Amazon on January 30, 2011
Format: ebook
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "Waiting is a complicated longing."
Overall rating:

Julia DeSmit can't wait for her life to begin. After her mother leaves when Julia is nine years old, she's raised by an unassuming, gentle father and a saintly, matriarchal grandmother until her father dies just as Julia is becoming a young adult.
On the cusp of womanhood, Julia feels jaded by her circumstances and longs for a new identity. College seems like the perfect place to start over. But when Julia makes a mistake that will change her life forever, she returns to her grandmother's farm, defeated and convinced of her own worthlessness. Only through the gentle prodding of her loving grandmother does Julia begin to accept the imprint her childhood has left on her life and look for hope in a loving God who longs to make all things new.

I really, truly loved this book. I went into the novel not knowing much about it and didn't realize it was Christian fiction until much later into the book. I don't read much of this genre, considering I am relatively indifferent regarding religion but I enjoyed this book so much that the religious aspect was not even very noticeable. The messages were subtle and didn't take away from the story at all. I think the book flowed wonderfully and all aspects worked well together.
Baart writes beautifully. She has an incredible way of scene-setting that is so visual and appealing to a reader. Much of her writing was very poetic and I found this to be a real highlight of the book. I think most people are able to really appreciate beautiful writing and Baart puts hers on display in a strong story. After the Leaves Fall includes a solid storyline and impressive writing.
I found myself able to relate to the main character, Julia, in really interesting ways. This is a coming-of-age story about a girl that has lost her way after some very traumatic life experiences. I felt for her and although the novel can be considered dark, I found it endearing and hopeful. I also really love the title of the novel. I think it is a great representation of the story and like much of Baart's writing, flows in a pleasing way.
I was very happy to hear that this is the first book in a three-book series. The second book is called Summer Snow and the third Beneath the Night Tree. I definitely look forward to reading more from Nicole Baart.

You can visit Nicole Baart's website here.

Women's History Month

2011-03-12T01:32:00.000-08:00

"Each time a girl opens a book and reads a womanless history, she learns she is worth less."
– Myra Pollack Sadker

Hi everybody!

I wanted to take some time to recognize and celebrate Women's History Month. This is a month to take notice of the tremendous influence women have had throughout history and into the present. Huge strides have been been made over the years to recognize women as a strong and equal force.

This holiday is especially relevant to Eleven Pages and book communities everywhere because of the many influential female authors over time. Many of my absolute favorite authors are women and it is good to know that the times in which it was recommended that women writers use male pseudonyms in order to be taken seriously are over. The Brontë sisters, for example, wrote a book of poetry called Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. It was believed that if they wrote with their true names, their work would be judged more critically. Lucky for them, their best and most popular work (and now classics) were written under their true, female names Present day women authors do sometimes still write under male pseudonyms but when their secrets are discovered, audiences widely don't mind the difference.

I have a video from Open Road Media that I would like to share with everyone. This video highlights the women in history that inspire authors Susan Minot, Lisa Alther, Josephine Hart, and Ruth Gruber. The video works to show the correspondence between women writers and the women that inspire them.

Who inspires you?

Book Blogger Hop 03/11

2011-03-11T02:19:00.000-08:00

"If I gave you £50 (or $80) and sent you into a bookshop right now, what would be in your basket when you finally staggered to the till?"

This is a really great question because I'm genuinely interested in the responses. It's clear that the majority of us don't have the funds to fully support our book-buying habits so a lot of purchases have to be put on hold for a while. If I had $80 to spend solely on books, I would buy (in no particular order):

The Imperfectionists - Tom Rachman

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - William Kamkwamba

April and Oliver - Tess Callahan

Looking For Alaska - John Green

Summer Snow - Nicole Baart

Bright Young Things - Anna Godbersen

The Iron King - Julie Kagawa

I've heard wonderful things about all of these books. Summer Snow is the second book in a series by Nicole Baart and I absolutely loved the first book. John Green is supposedly an amazing author and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is the Book in Common in my town and at my university. I do have to get around to the Iron Fey trilogy someday.

What would you buy?

Austenland - Shannon Hale

2011-03-11T02:02:00.000-08:00

Title: Austenland
Author: Shannon Hale
Publication Date: May 29, 2007
Pages: 208
Source: Bought
Format: ebook
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a thirty-something woman in possession of a satisfying career and fabulous hairdo must be in want of very little, and Jane Hayes, pretty enough and clever enough, was certainly thought to have little to distress her."
Overall rating:

Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

This is a standard chic-lit novel for fans of Jane Austen. The references made will be best understood by those that have read at least one of her novels. I was assigned this book in my Women Writers course, once we finished Pride and Prejudice. Austenland follows the theme of Pride and Prejudice and adds a modern twist with a Darcy/Colin Firth-obsessed protagonist.

Jane' story is a cute one and follows the chic-lit formula to a science. The writing was light and easy to read, considering the book is relatively short. In my class, we discussed the ways in which Austenland can be compared and contrasted from Pride and Prejudice but I won't do that here because I'm sure it's boring if you haven't read the latter. The character of Jane is one that is meant to show growth because her main problem is her fixation on finding a man just like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Once I finished the book, I was disappointed with the growth in Jane. I felt like the author was trying to have her cake and eat it too. It was clear that she had wanted to show growth, but in the end, the chic-lit formula won instead.

This is a fresh and funny take on Pride and Prejudice with a really great plot twist in the end. I was entirely shocked. I think the entire concept of Austenland as a place really made the book. If you expect an overall moral from a book, I would say that Austenland is lacking in that respect. It is, however, a light, fun chic-lit novel with a unique spin on Jane Austen. Fans will enjoy if they're willing to step outside of the authentic Regency period and go along with the 21st century character's experience.

You can visit Shannon Hale's website here.

Ex Libris - Anne Fadiman

2011-03-06T23:14:00.001-08:00

Title: Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader
Author: Anne Fadiman
Publication Date: November 25, 2000
Pages:162
Source: Library
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "I began to write Ex Libris when it occurred to me how curious it was that books are so often written about as if they were toasters."
Overall rating:

A wise and funny essayist reflects on reading, language, and her life among books. Writing with remarkable grace, Fadiman revives the tradition of the well-crafted personal essay, moving easily from anecdotes about Coleridge and Orwell to tales of her own pathologically literal family.

This is a non-fiction book about reading and books. While not my regular genre, I've been wanting to read this for a long time and finally found it at my school library. The book consisted of eighteen essays written by Fadiman about various aspects of book such as buying them secondhand, the merging of her library with her husbands and growing up in a very literary family.
The book consistently made me smile. I loved the personal stories told about books, editing and other related things, such as pens and personalizations written in books by authors and friends. It was a quick, enjoyable read with each essay being only a few pages long. While this type of book may not be for everyone, I found it enjoyable and interesting. It's not exactly informative but instead does provide an inside look into the life of a woman surrounded by all things literary. I was able to appreciate many of her references and found the book to be a good experience.

In My Mailbox 03/06

2011-03-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It gives bloggers a chance to share the books that they've received, bought and borrowed for the week! I'm Jenna and I try to review a wide range of book genres. This week I bought a quite a few books, borrowed two, and received a couple for either for review or from a contest.

Recieved:

The Girl Who Became a Beatle - Greg Taylor (release date: February 15, 2011)

Ironside - Holly Black

The Goddess Test - (release date: April 19, 2011)

Library:

Freedom - Jonathan Franzen
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader - Anne Fadiman

Bought:

-Delirium - Lauren Oliver

-Leftovers - Laura Wiess

-Impossible - Nancy Wertin

-A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray

-All the Sad Young Literary Men - Keith Gessen

-More Than It Hurts You - Darin Strauss

What came in your mailbox this week? Have you read anything that I got?

Need - Carrie Jones

2011-02-16T22:11:00.000-08:00

Title: Need
Author: Carrie Jones
Publication Date: December 23, 2008
Pages: 320
Source: Borrowed
Format: ebook
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "Everybody has fears, right?"
Overall rating:

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

I'm generally pretty iffy about paranormal YA novels. I've just never gotten into the whole craziness surrounding them and am never too thrilled when werewolves and pixies are concerned. However, I read Need in its entirety and found myself really interested to see what came next. The storyline was intriguing and kept my attention throughout.

I don't think any review of this book could be written without the mentioning of Twilight. Yes, there are many parallels between the two, with a few swaps in creatures. Zara and Bella essentially play the same role in both. I have only read the first book in the Twilight series but I know enough to see the resemblance.

Depth was lacking and many questions were left unanswered. I was expecting a major action battle but the ending was less than thrilling. My reaction was kind of like, "....oh. That's it? That's all they had to do?" Also, all of the characters were really quick to believe the paranormal aspects which I understand may be necessary to keep the novel moving, but a lot just seemed very unrealistic. And this is not including the paranormal aspect. Of course I don't expect that to be realistic, but the characters found out that there were paranormal things at the same time as the reader and they took all of five seconds before basically saying, "Oh, okay cool."

I really did like the love story piece of this book. Of course, in many YA novels, the two usually fall in love way too quickly and often without any real conversation at all. Need isn't too different from that but I swooned over Nick just like Zara and I especially loved his outdoorsy trait. He was absolutely perfect, of course. Zara was a likable character -a teen that is aware of worldwide problems and a love for Amnesty International. Both she and Nick have the same desire to save the world, which may be one of the reasons they work so well.

Despite the things I didn't like about the book, it does gain that extra half a star because I am willing to read the sequel! That in itself says something about the book and the storyline.

You can visit Carrie Jones' website here.

Valentine's Day.

2011-02-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, readers! Celebrate by sitting down with a good book.

Expect a review from me by the end of this week! <3

The Running Dream - Wendelin Van Draanen

2011-02-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

Title: The Running Dream
Author: Wendelin Van Draanen
Publication Date: January 11, 2011
Pages: 352
Source: Banned Book Tours
Format: Paperback ARC
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "My right leg has no foot."
Overall rating:

Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She's not comforted by the news that she'll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run?
As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her.
With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that's not enough for her now. She doesn't just want to cross finish lines herself—she wants to take Rosa with her.

I want people to read this book. As a runner myself, this book hit close to home and was really eye-opening. It was a quick read with very short chapters that kept me interested. I think the short chapters did a great job of keeping the reader's attention and not allowing me to stray. Ironically enough, I read most of this book while running on a treadmill at the gym.
Many aspects of this book are heartbreaking. From Jessica losing her leg, to another girl on her track team, Lucy, losing her life. The character of Rosa also plays a major role, a girl with cerebral palsy. The book really does a great job of raising awareness of incidents like this and acceptance is a huge theme. I think everyone can read this book and learn from it. The message is incredibly heart-warming and I found myself smiling through many scenes in which Jessica's friends show how much they care for her.
The book is about pushing your own limits and believing in yourself and others. I love the messages of the book and the inside look into prosthetic legs and life after losing a limb. The process Jessica went through is shown in a great way. We get into her brain and see the depression she faces early on and then get to watch her learn and build strength.
The characters were all very supportive to both Jessica and Rosa, showing the good in people. While the book ends happily, the author was sure to not sugarcoat the story. The Running Dream makes readers thankful for everything they have and teaches that nothing is impossible. Inspiring.

You can visit Wendelin Van Draanen's website here.

Alone in the Company of Others - Kelly Huddleston

2011-01-30T12:16:00.000-08:00

Title: Alone in the Company of Others
Author: Kelly Huddleston
Publication Date: January 25, 2009
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Format: E-book (only format available)
Publisher: Open Books
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "At first there were six, all of whom were related, but none of whom knew one another intimately; a man of plurality; his wife Wanda; his two sons Russell and Wilsie; his sister Connie; and me, his niece Camille."
Overall rating:

"Camille's mother Connie collects people. After Connie's brother Wilson has 'the accident' (a single shot to the abdomen; the blood in the snow beside the flagpole; the siren and the ambulance), they move into an abandoned ski resort in Colorado with Wilson's widow Wanda, an agoraphobic veterinarian, and her two sons, Russell, who only wants to be normal, and Wilsie, who is anything but normal. Determined never to use his voice, Wilsie communicates on a blackboard and records other people's conversations on a Fisher Price tape recorder.

Camille's mother Connie makes sure there are many voices to record: Teresa, an ex opera singer; Helen, Stacey, and Winnie, three Certified Veterinary Technicians; Margie, a lonely, suicidal librarian; Finn Green, a PR man; and a group of disillusioned hitchhikers no one will pick up.

Wilsie records the progress of their lives, a world of sex, death, and white noise, but when Wilsie is finally forced to use his voice Camille is left with over four hundred cassette tapes documenting the rise and fall of a micro society with one unmistakable message: we are all alone, even in the company of others."

This book was interesting. There were good aspects and not so good aspects. For a long time in the book I couldn't figure out where it was going or what the point was. Eventually, it panned out. The ending was satisfying and left with a well-rounded feeling. It was just a little tough to get there.

I was able to appreciate the book though. Even though there were many, many characters, the ones that stood out were very colorful and well-written. I loved Wilsie, the boy who writes on a chalkboard to communicate and uses a Fisher Price recorder to document their lives. He was very entertaining, often being the voice of reason in the house. I also enjoyed Camille and Russell's relationship, as bizarre as it was.

The story often flipped between present and future before doubling back to the present and sometimes even back to the past. This gave me some trouble and I found myself having to retrace my steps and figure a few things out.

This book is definitely not for some people. It is quirky and far from an average book. Some pieces I just didn't get it. Flew right over my head. Which made it confusing and a little frustrating at times. Some pieces could have been completely cut all together. But I despite all of this, I appreciated the story and the writing. I liked the concept of 'alone in the company of others' and it fit really well. Overall, two and a half stars.

You can visit Kelly Huddleston's website here.

Book Blogger Hop 01/27

2011-01-27T21:53:00.000-08:00

It's that time again!

The Book Blogger Hop is a feature hosted by Crazy for Books! It allows bloggers to all post their links in one, easy to reach place each week so we can all discover new blogs to read.

This week's question:

What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?

At thirty-four Sara Gallagher is finally happy. Her antique furniture restoration business is taking off and she’s engaged to a wonderful man. But there’s one big question that still haunts her — who are her birth parents? Sara is finally ready to find out.

Some questions are better left unanswered.

Sara’s birth mother rejects her—again. Then she discovers her biological father is an infamous killer who’s been hunting women every summer for over thirty years. Sara tries to come to terms with her horrifying parentage — and her fears that she’s inherited more than his looks — with her therapist, Nadine, who we first met in Still Missing. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out your father is a killer is him finding out about you.

What if murder is in your blood?

Never knowing is a complex and compelling portrayal of one woman’s quest to understand where she comes from. That is, if she can survive…

This was a pretty tough question for me. As of right now, having just read and reviewed Still Missing by Chevy Stevens not too long ago, I will have to say that her next novel Never Knowing is my most anticipated book of 2011. It will be released on July 5, 2011. I'm so looking forward to it simply because I really loved reading Still Missing, her debut novel, and am very excited to see what she's done now.

Some required reading.

2011-01-27T18:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody! I just finished the first week of my Spring semester of my sophomore year in college! So things have been a bit hectic on my end - trying to get situated with all of my new classes. Everything's going pretty well and I wanted to share with you guys the fact that I'm taking a class called Women Writers for my English minor. I'm really excited for it because I get to read some classics that I've been meaning to get to forever. I'm also trying my very best to keep up with my reviews so expect a new one some time soon! Here are the books I'll be reading for my English class:

Frederica - Georgette Heyer

Emma - Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Austenland - Shannon Hale

As you can see, the class is very Austen-ish, which I am happy about. Sadly, I have started Pride and Prejudice two or three times without every actually getting through the whole thing. Now this is my chance!

Have you read any of these books? How do you feel about classics?

Still Missing - Chevy Stevens

2011-01-22T22:32:00.000-08:00

Title: Still Missing
Author: Chevy Stevens
Publication Date: July 6, 2010
Pages: 352
Source: Borrowed
Format: E-book
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "You know, Doc, you're not the first shrink I've seen since I got back."
Overall rating:

"On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals — sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all. Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape — her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor."

This is my first five-star review! I consider myself a pretty tough critique, so I mean it when I say that this book is phenomenal. It is graphic and honestly scary but it grips its reader and holds on tight. I tore through this book really quickly because I just couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

Annie's character is real and raw and I loved the transitions made between her personality during the sessions with her therapist and during the time she spent in the cabin with her abductor. The author shows everything that Andie is feeling incredibly well, making it a real experience reading about the abduction. The writing makes it very clear that the author did her research regarding these types of things. I found myself wanting to speed through the therapist sessions to get back to the time spent with 'The Freak' as she calls him. The story was thrilling but be warned that it can get to be disturbing in some of the descriptions of the ordeals Annie went through.

The end of this book unfolded really well and I loved the surprise ending. It ends as you would never suspect and I felt that the author did it in a way that seemed believable. The book is not only about the time while Annie was abducted but the effect it had on her life afterward. The very last sentence of the book gave me chills, just proving even further how well-rounded and good this book really is. While reading it, I wanted to tell everyone around me about it. I recommend this to anyone.

You can visit Chevy Stevens' website here.

Publisher Spotlight - Chronicle Books

2011-01-21T01:00:00.000-08:00

I wanted to take some time this week to shine some light on one of my absolute favorite publishers, Chronicle Books. They're based in San Francisco, California, which is where I'm from! They are an independent publishing company with a mission statement that reads, "Inspired by the enduring magic and importance of books, our objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that's instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value. This objective also informs our business relationships and endeavors, be they with customers, authors, vendors, or colleagues."

They produce all kinds of really fun books including genres ranging from art and design to literature, to food, to travel, to pop culture.

They have three stores all located in San Francisco, but also have an online store where you can order any of their products. Their best-sellers include the ever popular recipe book, Cake Pops by Bakerella and the Young Adult novel The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams.

This is a really fun, funky publisher and I am obsessed with them - it's true. Be sure to check out their website: Chronicle Books, as well as their Chronicle Books Blog.

(I am in no way affiliated with Chronicle Books and they are unaware of this blog post. I am not receiving any compensation from them for this. I just want to spread the word about this great publisher!)

Under the Mercy Trees - Heather Newton

2011-01-17T19:35:00.000-08:00

Title: Under the Mercy Tree
Author: Heather Newton
Publication Date: January 18, 2011
Pages: 352
Source: Netgalley
Format: E-book
Publisher: HarperCollins
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "That last night at Rendezvous Falls, the Ford Sunliner seemed to drive itself, the engine so powerful it felt as if some force were pulling them up the mountain."
Overall rating:

"Martin Owenby has lost his way in life. Thirty years ago, he left his hometown of Solace Fork in Western North Carolina to come to New York City, with dreams of becoming a famous writer and leaving the pain and shame of his turbulent past behind him. Now he barely scrapes by editing technical manuals, and his existence revolves around cheap Scotch and weekend flings with equally damaged men.

When Martin receives word that his older brother, Leon, has gone missing from the Owenby's farm, he must return to Solace Fork to help his family in their search. But going back means facing his past-a past filled with regrets, a past that includes Liza Barnard, the girl whose heart he broke; his family, who never understood him; and his best friend, who has faithfully kept the home fires burning in case Martin ever decided to return.

As the mystery surrounding Leon's disappearance deepens, so too do the weight and guilt of three decades' worth of unresolved differences and unspoken feelings. Martin will learn the hard way that home isn't a bad place to be. Under the Mercy Trees is a novel at once devastating and tender, and the Owenby's tale of family, love, and redemption is as soul-warming as it is sorrowful."

This book was beautifully written. I went into this without really knowing much about the author or the book but I am so glad that I read it. This piece of literature is about an extended family living in a rural area in the 1980s dealing with the disappearance of one of the brothers and what this means for all of them. The chapters were each told by a different family member, while focusing on Martin, the brother who had escaped his life at home for New York City. Martin struggles with being back and dealing with all of the people that he left behind.

I especially enjoyed the characters in this book because I really got to know each of them and I was able to feel for them. I found the character development to be really well done, especially for Martin. I was also interested in the character of Martin because the author, being female, took on the task of writing from the point of view of a gay man. Most of the characters have their own story lines to unfold, although none of them ask for too much attention and don't draw from the overall message of the book. I think all of the stories really enhanced the book. There are many characters and towards the beginning of the book I had to keep notes in order to keep track of them all, but about half way through I was able to remember and know them all individually. I recommend taking note of the characters in the beginning.

The tone of the book definitely settled at somber, with nearly all of the characters seeming extremely unhappy. However, their learning and experiences showed them coming to terms with a lot of things. I especially appreciated the cover art and title of the book. I find 'Under the Mercy Trees' to be an incredibly fitting title with the story. It also fits in with the beautiful language used in this book. This is a novel for anyone who has ever gone home to their roots and found something there.

One of the many noteworthy quotes I found in this book: "She saw that time had folded the corners of his eyes as well, but a man doesn't disappear when sun creases his face or his hair grays or thins. As deep as his hurt went, it couldn't touch what she herself had lost."

You can visit Heather Newton's website here.

The Happiest Place on Earth

2011-01-12T01:27:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! I just wanted to let you all know that I'll be on vacation for the next few days - only Wednesday the 12th through Friday the 14th. My boyfriend is taking me to Disneyland! It was my Christmas present and I think I'm pretty lucky. :) I am so incredibly excited!

I'll be back to posting once I'm home!

Maybe This Time - Jennifer Crusie

2011-01-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

Title: Maybe This Time
Author: Jennifer Crusie
Publication Date: August 21, 2010
Pages:352
Source: Borrowed
Format: E-book
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "Andie Miller sat in the reception room of her ex-husband's law office, holding on to ten years of uncashed alimony checks and a lot of unresolved rage."
Overall rating:

"When Andie Miller goes to see her ex-husband, North Archer, to return ten years of uncashed alimony checks, he asks for one final favor: A distant cousin has died and left him guardian of two orphans who have driven out three nannies already; will she take the job? Bribed with money and a need for closure, Andie says yes, packs her bags, and heads for Southern Ohio.
But when she meets the two children she realizes things are much worse than she feared. The children aren’t any run-of-the-mill delinquents, the creepy old house where they live is being run by the worst housekeeper since Mrs. Danvers, and something strange is happening at night. Plus, Andie’s fiance thinks it’s a plan by North to get Andie back, and since Andie’s been dreaming about North since she arrived at the house, she’s not sure he isn’t right.
Then her ex-brother-in-law arrives with a duplicitous journalist and a self-doubting parapsychologist, closely followed by an annoyed medium, Andie’s tarot card–reading mother, her avenging ex-mother-in-law, and her jealous fiancé. Just when Andie’s sure things couldn’t get more complicated, North arrives to make her wonder if maybe this time things could be different…."

Even though I haven't read any Jennifer Crusie novels in the past, I could still tell by reading Maybe This Time that she is an experienced author. This book has the chick-lit formula down very well, although it does steer away from the romance factor for most of the time. I was glad to see that the paranormal aspect was the focus because the romance between Andie and North didn't do much for me. It seemed forced and I didn't really care if they ended up together or not. North was pretty one-dimensional and while the character he was supposed to be was obvious, he didn't really play the part.

The book being more of a ghost story than a romance was a good thing. I enjoyed the ghosts and story behind them being in the house. The ghosts were dark and hollow and they brought a fresh aspect to the book. The kids played a big part in this and I liked how they were all intertwined.

The children in the book, Alice and Carter, were my favorite characters. They really did a lot for the story and I loved their personalities, even though they were troubled. The relationship that Andie forms with the kids was very personal and touching, making Andie a more likable main character. Others, however, seemed completely useless. I understood Andie's quirky mother and the various red herrings, but North's brother, Southie, was underdeveloped and I felt that I didn't know anything about him at all. He was briefly described but it seemed like his only purpose was to keep the plot moving by bringing a TV reporter to the haunted house.

No doubt, Crusie can write formulaic fiction. She was able to keep my attention and my interest. I would say that this book was okay with a couple really good pieces involving the ghosts mixed in.

You can visit Jennifer Crusie's website here.

In My Mailbox 01/09

2011-01-09T03:47:00.000-08:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren in which bloggers post the books that they have most recently received, bought and borrowed for review.

Received:

Under the Mercy Trees - Heather Newton
"Thirty years ago, Martin Owenby came to New York City with dreams of becoming a writer. Now his existence revolves around cheap Scotch and weekend flings with equally damaged men. When he learns that his older brother, Leon, has gone missing, he must return to the Owenby farm in Solace Fork, North Carolina, to assist in the search. But that means facing a past filled with regrets, the family that never understood him, the girl whose heart he broke, and the best friend who has faithfully kept the home fires burning. As the mystery surrounding Leon's disappearance deepens, so too does the weight of decades-long unresolved differences and unspoken feelings—forcing Martin to deal with the hardest lessons about home, duty, and love."

The Debutante's Dilemma - Elyse Mady
"Miss Cecilia Hastings has achieved what every young lady hopes for during her first London season...in duplicate! She's caught the eye of not one but two of England's most eligible bachelors. Both Jeremy Battersley, Earl of Henley, and Richard Huxley, Duke of Wexford, are handsome, wealthy and kind, the epitome of proper gentlemen. But Cecilia doesn't want proper, she wants passion. So she issues a challenge to her suitors: a kiss, so that she may choose between them."

The Vespertine - Saundra Mitchell

"It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him. When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause."

Alone in the Company of Others - Kelly Huddleston
"With a cast of eccentrics that rivals “The Royal Tenenbaums”, ALONE IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS is about people and their treasured possessions—a running tape recorder, a collection of diplomas, an attic full of disfigured mannequins, or shelves and shelves of books in an all but abandoned public library—and the distinctive role that each of us plays as part of a group dynamic. The book questions where each of us essentially exists—within the singular, the plural, or both."

Borrowed:

Bought:

Book Blogger Hop 01/07

2011-01-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome to elevenpages if this is your first time around here! I'm Jenna and I'm always looking for new blogs to follow. I've got a few more reviews coming within the next week, so keep an eye out and feel free to follow the blog!

"What book influenced or changed your life? How did it influence/change you?"

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This may be a cliche answer for whatever reason but I truly did love this book when I first read it sometime in high school. It's just relatable and a very good coming-of-age story. I loved Charlie's character, all introverted and trying to figure out what the hell is going on. He thinks about things in a raw, real way that makes the reader think. I really appreciated that aspect of the book because I like when an author is able to make me think about things in a way I normally wouldn't have. I haven't read this in quite a while but this question has inspired to me to dig around for my copy, at least just to flip through it again because it's such a great one. I believe the movie version of this is coming out sometime later this year and I'm nervous for it because I'll be really disappointed if they screw it up. Either way, it's a really good book. It influenced me in a way that can only be done in a book about a kid in high school with real problems and real feelings.

A quote from The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Chelsea Handler - My Horizontal Life

2011-01-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

Title: My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands
Author: Chelsea Handler
Publication Date: May 12, 2005
Pages: 213
Source: Borrowed
Format: E-book
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Buy: Amazon
First sentence: "I was seven years old when my sister told me she'd give me five dollars to run upstairs into my parents' room while they were having sex and take a picture."
Overall rating:

"In this raucous collection of true-life stories, actress and comedian Chelsea Handler recounts her time spent in the social trenches with that wild, strange, irresistible, and often gratifying beast: the one-night stand.

You've either done it or know someone who has: the one-night stand, the familiar outcome of a night spent at a bar, sometimes the sole payoff for your friend's irritating wedding, or the only relief from a disastrous vacation. Often embarrassing and uncomfortable, occasionally outlandish, but most times just a necessary and irresistible evil, the one-night stand is a social rite as old as sex itself and as common as a bar stool.

Enter Chelsea Handler. Gorgeous, sharp, and anything but shy, Chelsea loves men and lots of them. My Horizontal Life chronicles her romp through the different bedrooms of a variety of suitors, a no-holds-barred account of what can happen between a man and a sometimes very intoxicated, outgoing woman during one night of passion. From her short fling with a Vegas stripper to her even shorter dalliance with a well-endowed little person, from her uncomfortable tryst with a cruise ship performer to her misguided rebound with a man who likes to play leather dress-up, Chelsea recalls the highs and lows of her one-night stands with hilarious honesty. Encouraged by her motley collection of friends (aka: her partners in crime) but challenged by her family members (who at times find themselves a surprise part of the encounter), Chelsea hits bottom and bounces back, unafraid to share the gritty details. My Horizontal Life is one guilty pleasure you won't be ashamed to talk about in the morning."

This was my first real exposure to Chelsea Handler and I read the book in close to one sitting. After the book sitting on my virtual "To Be Read" shelf on Goodreads for quite a while, I was lucky enough to find someone willing to lend it to my on Kindle. Now before I get into how hilarious this book was, I must state that if you consider yourself easily offended, Chelsea Handler is probably not your cup of tea. This book isn't really one to be discussed with your parents.

I, on the other hand, am not offended by much and really enjoyed this book. My Horizontal Life starts with Chelsea at seven years old and works its way through her adulthood and notes upon all the sexual experiences and details along the way. Each chapter served as a mini story, making it easy for the reader to read a little here and there, while not getting confused. The author has no shame in admitting to her exploits, most of which involve heavy amounts of alcohol. Male strippers, midgets and 19-year-olds are also sometimes involved.

The book was a quick read and was very easy to follow. I found myself highlighting tons of passages and jokes that I really enjoyed. I could just imagine Chelsea saying some of the same ones in a stand-up act. As a memoir, the book focuses exclusively on the experiences she has had with various men. Her friends are also mentioned throughout as the women that help her land the men she wants. Handler's family members are quirky and add to the humor, especially her father.

It may be questionable whether everything in the book is true fact, but who really cares? It's all crazy and highly entertaining and I will definitely be recommending to my college roommates.

The Boyfriend of the Month Club - Maria Geraci

2011-01-04T00:13:00.000-08:00

Title:The Boyfriend of the Month Club
Author: Maria Geraci
Publication Date: December 7, 2010
Pages:384
Source: Borrowed from The Book Vixen
Format: E-book
Publisher: Penguin Publishing
Buy: Amazon
Overall Rating:

"This sexy, funny new novel asks: Can a woman find a modern-day Mr. Darcy in Daytona Beach?

At thirty, Grace O'Bryan has dated every loser in Daytona Beach. After the ultimate date-from-hell, Grace decides to turn her dwindling book club into a Boyfriend of the Month Club, where women can discuss the eligible men in their community. Where are the real life twenty-first century versions of literary heroes such as Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy?

Could it be successful and handsome Brandon Farrell, who is willing to overlook his disastrous first date with Grace and offers financial help for her parents' failing Florida gift shop? Or maybe sexy dentist Joe Rosenblum, who's great with a smile but not so great at commitment? Unfortunately, like books, men cannot always be judged by their covers..."

This is a good chick-lit novel. There were various parts that I really enjoyed, including many of the characters and the fact that a lot of the story felt realistic. Grace is an average chick-lit heroine, with everyday problems involving her family, love life and friends.

Most of the main characters seemed well-developed. Grace was very relatable and it was easy to sympathize for her. The whole "Boyfriend Club" was annoying but of course, that was the goal and it was what lead to all other events in the story. Grace's three best friends Penny, Sarah and Ellen served their purpose as supporting characters and helped to develop Grace more thoroughly. Then there were the men in Grace's life, some good, some bad, and some questionable until the very end. Grace's family, made up of her mother, father, grandmother and brother, were definitely a highlight to the story and served as both entertainment and support.

I found myself rolling my eyes at many of the corny, cheesy jokes and events towards the beginning of the book. It seemed too - well, fluffy. Almost as though it was written for people without brains. In other words, it's an easy read that takes very little thought. Because of this, I did not have high expectations for the rest of the read. However, it went quickly and as I read on, I enjoyed the book more and more. More began happening and I found myself always wanting to see what happened next. The chapters were short and always ended with good cliffhangers or surprising events that got me hooked.

I especially appreciated the fact that I had no idea who Grace would end up with until the very end of the book. Other relationships in the story were easy to detect early on but Grace's was always sort of a mystery and I was glad. I also enjoyed the role Grace's family played in the book. The ending was the best part of the book, in which many pieces unfolded and got interesting. Overall, the story exceeded my expectations and ended up being pretty good.

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

2011-01-03T15:32:00.000-08:00

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
hosted by The Book Vixen

Details:

Runs January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011(books read prior to 1/1/11 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. You can sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2011 than you did in 2010. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine.
You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. It is not required that you review the books you read for this challenge but feel free to do so.
Post this reading challenge on your blog so you can keep a list of the books you’ve read for this challenge. Please include a link back to this post so readers can join the challenge too.
You do not have to be a book blogger to participate. You can keep tabs on books you’ve read for this challenge on Goodreads or LibraryThing if you’d like (maybe make a shelf for “Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge”). If you are not on either of those sites then you can list the books you read for this challenge in the comments on my wrap-up post, which will be up at the end of 2011.

Levels:
     Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
     Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
     Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
     I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

Last year I read a little over 20 books, which I know is pretty wimpy. I plan on outdoing myself and aim to reach the 'Breaking a Sweat' level.

1. Dirty Blood - Heather Hildenbrand - June 12, 2011
2. Pearl - Jo Knowles- June 15, 2011
3. Spring for Susannah - June 30, 2011
4. Inevitable - Kate Bennett - July 7, 2011
5. Haunted - Debra Glass - July 26, 2011

2011 E-Book Challenge

2011-01-03T15:10:00.000-08:00

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.

-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

4. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

I read 75% of my books on my Kindle, so this one shouldn't be a problem. I'm going for Obsessed!

1. The Boyfriend of the Month Club - Maria Geraci - January 2, 2011
2. My Horizontal Life - Chelsea Handler - January 5, 2011
3. Maybe This Time - Jennifer Crusie - January 9, 2011
4. Under the Mercy Trees - Heather Newton - January 17, 2011
5. Still Missing - Chevy Stevens - January 20, 2011
6. Alone in the Company of Others - Kelly Huddleston - January 28, 2011
7. The Plague - Albert Camus - February 5, 2011
8. Need - Carrie Jones - February 15, 2011
9. Glimmerglass - Jenna Black - February 24, 2011
10. Austenland - Shannon Hale - March 6, 2011
11. After the Leaves Fall - Nicole Baart - March 8, 2011
12. Damage - Josephine Hart - March 14, 2011
13. Kat, Incorrigible - Stephanie Burgis - April 4, 2011
14. Frederica - Georgette Heyer - May 11, 2011
15. Sleight - Jennifer Sommersby - May 26, 2011
16. Six Moon Summer - S.M. Reine - June 1, 2011
17. Dirty Blood - Heather Hildenbrand - June 12, 2011
18. Inevitable - Kate Bennett - July 7, 2011
19. Haunted - Debra Glass - July 26, 2011

Show Me The FREE Reading Challenge

2011-01-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

Here is how it works:

Should you choose to participate in this challenge, your goal is to read at least twelve (12) legally obtained e-books which you got for FREE for your e-reading device. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit.
Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States.
Any E-Reader will work for this challenge, including: iPad, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, enTourage.
Please Note: If you don't have an e-reading device, you can still join in with Amazon's Free Kindle Reading Apps which you can download for your iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Blackberry and more.
The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. You can join at anytime.
e-books in ANY genre count for this challenge as long as it was FREE at the time that you downloaded it.
Every month in 2011, I will make a post for the Show Me The Free Reading Challenge so you can link your reviews.
Those that link their reviews will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a different prize each month, such as an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card, a bookmark, or a GelaSkins for your E-Reader. Winners will be announced at the end of each month.

Challenge Guidelines:

If you blog, create a post announcing your participation in the challenge. Please include a link back to this post.
Non blogger must publish reviews on some type of public domain such as Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble to enter the monthly giveaway.
When you post your book review, you MUST say how you obtained the free read. Please make your source clear.
You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them.
Crossovers to other reading challenges is acceptable, but galley e-books DO NOT count. Again, this is a Reading Challenge to read as many of the FREE e-books legally offered for your e-reader. To get started, check out the Top 100 Free books on Amazon, or the Free e-books on Barnes & Noble.
Any linked reviews that do not meet the guidelines will not be entered into the monthly drawing for the prize of the month.

Levels:
Coupon Clipper: 12 Books
Penny Pincher: 24 Books
Super Saver: 30+ Books

I'm excited for this challenge because I currently have a list of 50+ books on my Kindle that I've gotten for free. I love the variety Kindle has for free books! I'm planning on reaching the Coupon Clipper level right now.

1. After the Leaves Fall - Nicole Baart

Books Read in 2011

2011-01-01T23:03:00.000-08:00

Here's my official 2011 list of books read! I'm hoping to beat my record.

1. The Boyfriend of the Month Club - Maria Geraci - January 2, 2011
2. My Horizontal Life - Chelsea Handler - January 5, 2011
3. Maybe This Time - Jennifer Crusie - January 9, 2011
4. Under the Mercy Trees - Heather Newton - January 17, 2011
5. Still Missing - Chevy Stevens - January 20, 2011
6. Alone in the Company of Others - January 28, 2011
7. The Plague - Albert Camus - February 5, 2011
8. The Running Dream - Wendelin Van Draanen - February 6, 2011
9. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen - February 15, 2011
10. Need - Carrie Jones - February 15, 2011
11. Glimmerglass - Jenna Black - February 24, 2011
12. Ex Libris - Anne Fadiman - March 6, 2011
13. Austenland - Shannon Hale - March 6, 2011
14. After the Leaves Fall - Nicole Baart - March 8, 2011
15. Damage - Josephine Hart - March 14, 2011
16. Kat, Incorrigible - April 4, 2011
17. Emma - Jane Austen - April 6, 2011
18. Flavors - Emily Sue Harvey - April 18, 2011
19. Frederica - Georgette Heyer - May 11, 2011
20. Sleight - Jennifer Sommersby - May 26, 2011
21. Six Moon Summer - S.M. Reine - June 1, 2011
22. Dirty Blood - Heather Hildenbrand - June 12, 2011
23. Pearl - Jo Knowles - June 15, 2011
24. Spring for Susannah - Catherine Richmond - June 30, 2011
25. Inevitable - Kate Bennett - July 7, 2011
26. Haunted - Debra Glass - July 26, 2011

Pinstripes - John Frazier

2010-08-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

Title: Pinstripes
Author: John Frazier
Publication Date: September 21, 2009
Pages: 268
Source: GoodReads First Reads Program
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing, LLC
Buy: Amazon
Overall Rating:

"Twelve-year-old Derek Moody lives at The Greasy Spoon, a struggling roadside mart and garage. Over three days he learns that the man he calls 'Dad' is not his father, and he meets Kelly Williams, the cute niece of a big customer. When the two are later caught behaving as curious adolescents, the Moodys lose the Williams business and Derek loses his new best friend.
For anyone who's grinned at a nicely-painted car (and everyone who remembers their first sweetheart), Pinstripes: The Unknown Story of the World's Best Pinstriper is a contemporary tale about trust and duplicity, faith and despair, cherry Chapstick and cherry-flavored pancake syrup. And the fine lines that separate all of them."

This book really surprised me because it was nothing that I thought it would be. Based on the cover and description, I basically assumed it was a boy's coming-of-age Young Adult novel. It was definitely not a book for young adults so if you're looking for that, I'd say look somewhere else.

I enjoyed the main character, Derek Moody and was right in thinking that this is a coming-of-age novel. The chapters flip between him being about 13 years old to him in his twenties. I suppose I'm not used to books told from a teenage boy's point of view, but this book included a lot of sexual references that I found a bit over excessive and even unnecessary some of the time. Although, I do realize that a book about a young teenage boy is bound to include that sort of thing.

The overall story was interesting and was able to teach me something about pinstriping, which I knew nothing about. Derek Moody discovers his gift for pinstriping cars at a young age, while finding a best friend and love in a girl named Kelly Williams. He also discovers secrets involving his parents and everything he had ever known gets a bit confusing for him. I found the story unique but not extraordinary. It was an easy, quick read but I didn't find myself dying to find out what happened next. I did appreciate Derek's character growth throughout though.

Waiting on Wednesday: Mini Shopaholic

2010-08-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella is the latest of the Shopaholic series. I've read them all and they are my favorite example of chick lit! Rebecca Bloomwood is a great character. Although it's been a while since I've read the series, the newest installment is greatly anticipated. It is being released on September 21st!

From Publishers Weekly:

In the latest installment to the wildly popular Shopaholic series (Shopaholic and Baby; etc.), Rebecca Brandon returns with willful two-year-old Minnie, who has taken after her mother in her fierce determination and her addiction to luxury brands. When the financial crisis finally hits the Brandon family, Rebecca vows to stop shopping until she's worn everything in her closet at least three times; Luke scrambles for new business directions; and Minnie remains exceptionally difficult. Still, Rebecca wants to throw Luke a surprise birthday bash, but planning it behind his back and on a budget proves almost impossible. As in all previous Shopaholic books, Rebecca is loud and proud about her luxury-brand obsession and equally at ease being a flighty, sometimes annoying lead, though her well-meaning secret birthday mission scores her much-needed points in the sympathy department. Series fans know what to expect and will get it by the Birkin-load.

Kate Spade - Book of the Month Clutch

2010-08-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

Kate Spade has the right idea with these clutch bags -- they're inspired by classic books! I love that items like these exist because the idea is just fantastic. What better way to show off your love for The Great Gatsby than to carry around this "book bag" filled with your necessities? While I think that this concept is big, the price tag of $325 is even bigger. While I will never own one of these, (with a price tag like that, I won't even consider) I still can't stress enough how much I love that people are still showing interest in books.

Check out more information on these clutches at Vanity Fair.

In My Mailbox 08/03

2010-08-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here is my weekly In My Mailbox post. This is a meme started by The Story Siren. I'm really excited for all of these books that I've received this week so let's go!

First book:

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynne Vincent. I received this book from Book Sneeze, a website that provides copies of books for reviewers. The majority of the books fall into the Christian genre, which I don't generally follow but this one should be pretty good.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I bought this one myself for $1. I haven't read the book and I refuse to see the movie until I do so. I really want to get around to both! Trying to fit this one into my To Be Read pile.

The Madonnas of Echo Park by Brando Skyhorse. This was just released on June 1st by Free Press and I love new releases. I received this book from Oprah! I entered a contest she had called Books of Summer and I didn't know I won until I got this in the mail! Very cool.

My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira. I also won this book from Oprah, along with The Madonnas of Echo Park. I was very excited to receive this book because I've been wanting to read it since its release on May 13. I don't know what my fascination with it is, since I haven't even begun reading it yet. Maybe because of what I learned about Mary Sutter in my Temporal Concepts class last semester? I also love the cover.

And lastly, The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams. I was pleasantly surprised to learn I won this from Oh Hey, What's Up? Chronicle Books is one of my all time favorite publishers and hearing that they came out with a YA novel made my day. I've heard great things about this book and come on -- how cool is that cover?? I've never seen anything like it. Definitely one of my favorites of all time.

What books did you guys receive this week?

I Dreamt Of Sausage - Corinna Borden

2010-07-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Title: I Dreamt of Sausage

Author: Corinna Borden
Publication Date: December 30, 2009
Pages: 270
Source: LibraryThing Member Giveaway
Publisher: Corinna Borden Hill Parker
Buy: Amazon
Overall Rating:

"With humor and insight, we follow Corinna from MD Anderson to Tijuana, Mexico as she navigates the world of cancer treatment, allowing us into her thoughts as she learns to surrender to the present moment."

The concept of I Dreamt of Sausage is a good one. Being self-published, it is not a bad book. The story line is one that is relatable to all people in some way or another. Corinna tells of her struggles through Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment and of how she learned to control her negative thoughts. Being in cancer treatment, one can only imagine how easily it is to become negative.

Corinna's character is full of life, complete with trials and tug of wars with herself. She gives a very personal display of all of her feelings throughout the process - from the odd pain, to the diagnosis, to the many various treatments she tries.

The author has a nice start to a career with a book topic that is incredibly close to home. She could use a good editor to clean up her writing style. There were numerous typos and grammatical errors that I just couldn't ignore - but those are minor issues. She may need improvement with her dialogue, as it can be stiff and unnatural. Her parents in the book seem to only ever say the phrases, "We love you," and "We care about you," making them pretty much cardboard characters lacking depth.

The storyline is what gives this book three stars. It is very eye-opening to alternative medicine and concepts like fear and hope. The story is there - it is inspiring and entirely honest. All Corinna needs is someone to tighten some loose screws in her writing.

Book Blogger Hop 07/30

2010-07-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! I've been busy reading and my review of I Dreamt of Sausage by Corinna Borden should be up today! I've been receiving a lot of great books lately and I'm especially excited for this week's In My Mailbox meme coming up because I've got good stuff to share with you guys. Please bear with me and my slow posts - I've got a lot going on with moving up to my college apartment, getting ready for the school year, my social life and my two internships! On top of this blog! But I can do it all. :)

Who is your favorite new-to-you author so far this year?

So I'm cheating a little bit with my answer because I haven't actually read this author's book yet - but I just received it and really can not wait to get to it. I've been interested in it since its release and was very happy to see the package on my porch yesterday. My favorite new-to-me author is Robin Oliveira. Her new historical novel:

My Name Is Mary Sutter: A Novel

It has been getting great reviews and takes a look at a midwife trying to become a doctor during the Civil War. I really can't wait to read it.

So who is your favorite new-to-you author so far this year?

Book Review Wednesdays

2010-07-21T12:19:00.001-07:00

Join Book Review Wednesdays at Cym Lowell's blog. It's a great way to find reviews,blogs and new books to read! Joining in also enters you to win a $15 Amazon giftcard! Not bad! My review of Admission is featured.

Teaser Tuesday 07/20

2010-07-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesday was created by Should Be Reading.

This week's teaser is from I Dreamt of Sausage by Corinna Borden. It's a funny memoir about her real life journey through cancer treatment. Well, as funny as a book about cancer can be.

"Last night I dreamt of sausage after eating macrobiotic apple pie. I stood amidst booths at a fair, surrounded by people wearing shiny aprons glowing with grease stains."

I used this quote because I wanted it to reflect the title and show the humor of the book a little bit. So far so good!

Here is how Teaser Tuesday works:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2 or 3) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Remember to show the title & author, too, so that others can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

In My Mailbox 07/19

2010-07-20T00:59:00.000-07:00

Here I am -- now participating in The Story Siren's In My Mailbox meme! Check out more about it by clicking that link!

In My Mailbox is a post in which I share the books that I've acquired this week. Here we go!

First book:

Pinstripes by John Frazier. I won this book from one of GoodReads' giveaways. It will be my third book review overall. Keep an eye out for it!

The next is Citizen Girl by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. I bought this on my own from my local Half Price Books - for a dollar! I've heard good things about it and can't wait to read it. So many books, so little time.

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Book Blogger Hop 07/18

2010-07-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

I've been working on getting my blog out to a few more people so I thought that participating in the Book Blog Hop at Crazy For Books would be a good idea!

This is a great way to find new blogs and gain new followers. I've already started following a handful of blogs from the list. I can't wait to get circulating and talking with other bloggers about books.

This week's Book Blog Hop Question:

Right this instance, what book are you dying to get your hands on (past, present, or future)?

Considering my To Be Read list on Shelfari contains over 200 books, I'd like to get my hands on any of them! I don't focus so much on brand new releases as I do on books that I feel I really should have read by now. For example, I've really been wanting a copy of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I can't believe I haven't read this yet, after all the good things I've been hearing about it! And this is definitely no where near being a new release. I suppose I'll get to it one day!

Admission - Jean Hanff Korelitz

2010-07-18T01:59:00.000-07:00

Title: Admission
Author: Jean Hanff Korelitz
Publication Date: April 13, 2009
Pages: 449
Source: Purchased myself
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Buy: Amazon

Overall Rating:

For years, thirty-eight-year-old Portia Nathan has hidden behind her busy--and sometimes punishing--career as a Princeton University admissions officer and her less than passionate relationship. Then suddenly, the piece of her past that she has tried so hard to bury resurfaces, catapulting her on an extraordinary journey from the heart that challenges everything she ever thought she believed. Soon, just as Portia must deice on the fates of thousands of bright students regarding their admission to Princeton, so too must she confront the life-altering decision she made long ago.

I feel as though this book tries to please everyone. A good half of it is almost desperately defending admissions officers, to show that they are not heartless people that enjoy denying applicants. The author snuck these bits in and sometimes went on for pages, while I sat wondering how she got onto such a tangent. The other half of the book involved a good plot and character, which I did enjoy. I suppose the informational half had to go hand in hand with the fiction half, but I found myself enjoying the story much more and getting a bit annoyed at how often the author got into heavy detail of the admission process.

This book could be for someone looking to gain a better idea of how admissions works at an ivy league school. Since Hanff Korelitz did spend time as a part-time reader for Princeton's Office of Admission in 2006 and 2007, she is credible enough. I did find the main character, Portia, a little pushy on the subject. She is a bit unlikable. Whenever anyone mentioned her work, she immediately went on for usually a few pages about how much pressure she is under and how difficult it is. If one message could be learned from the novel about the admissions process at ivy league schools, it's that although they can only accept the extraordinarily brilliant and not the ordinarily brilliant, no one is any less deserving.

I felt that the novel was too long and could have conveyed the same message in much fewer pages. I liked the book much more in the last one hundred pages than the first hundred. This being said, the real plot didn't really unfold until those last hundred pages. I'm guessing this was done for effect but it mostly made it feel dragged out.

Overall, I gave it three stars because I found the story lopsided, with the last quarter much better than the rest. And although some parts did seem a bit too coincidental for my liking, the ending was extremely satisfying for me. Portia's growth was shown and while things ended not entirely cheery and sparkly, they ended in a way that I found to be very good, as far as development goes. The whole thing was really well written!