Tag Archives: 21st Century

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

American Literature

Synopsis: When her wealthy college roommate invites her for an idyllic summer at her family’s rustic compound, shy Mabel fears that the secret she’s hiding will destroy all her hopes for a lifetime of happiness and security. Review: Bittersweet was a thoroughly engrossing read and it just swept me away. The descriptive passages were so well done that I wanted to visit Winloch myself. I loved the depth and intricacy of the relationships between the characters, especially as communicated through Mabel’s limited point of view.…

Read More »

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

American Literature 2 Comments

Synopsis: Bernadette doesn’t fit in with the other private school moms, but when her life falls apart while planning a family trip to Antarctica, her daughter learns that her mom is basically a mad genius, and hopefully it’s not too late to save her from herself. Review: Where’d You Go Bernadette is the next book you want to read, especially if you’re looking to get your book club out of a rut or if you’re tapping your fingernails on the table waiting for the Gone…

Read More »

Panic by Lauren Oliver

American Literature

Synopsis: A girl whose mom is an abusive alcoholic joins a dangerous game in order to win the money to escape with her younger sister, only to find herself caught in an even tighter prison of fear that may be deadly. Review: Panic has an irresistible hook–every year small town teens play a dangerous Survivor-style game that left one girl paralyzed–and breathless execution. Her intricate characterizations and willingness to linger on small moments between people, combined with her inventive plotting (tigers!) make this book yet…

Read More »

Girl at the End of the World by Elizabeth Esther

American Literature

Synopsis: Subtitled: “My Escape from Fundamentalism in Search of Faith with a Future.” Review: I have long been a fan of Elizabeth Esther’s blog (especially her previous tagline: “I use my words.”) I did not grow up in fundamentalism (thankfully) but did grow up with some of the premillenial dispensationalism that had me scared that I’d be Left Behind. When I joined a church that was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America denomination, I was so relieved to find out that I no longer…

Read More »

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

American Literature

Synopsis: After living on the road with her truck driver father, Hayley is hoping to graduate from high school, but her father’s bouts with post-traumatic stress disorder after his time in Afghanistan are getting worse and threatening both of their lives. Review: I knew The Impossible Knife of Memory would be brilliant, thought-provoking, and poignant, like every other wonderful book by Laurie Halse Anderson, but I wasn’t prepared for how hopeful and romantic it would be. The love story between Hayley and Finn is one…

Read More »

You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz

American Literature

Synopsis: On the eve of the publication of her relationship advice book, a marriage therapist discovers that her husband has a secret life. Review: I think I only finished You Should Have Known because the last 5 books I started were so bad that I gave up on them, and I’m also halfway through three different 1200-page epic fantasies, none of which I like enough to get over the doldrums enough to finish them. In short, I feel a lot like Gracie. I put myself…

Read More »

A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante

American Literature

Synopsis: A man is dead, but it turns out he has not one grieving wife, but three–and the detective investigating his murder finds herself affected by his apparent passion for love, and how it shows the defects in her own relationship. Review: A Circle of Wives surprised me with its emotional complexity. If only I could say the same about the plotting. I really couldn’t believe the sloppiness of the ending in an otherwise well-written book.

Read More »

Starter House by Sonja Condit

American Literature

Synopsis: When pregnant Lacey and her husband Eric move into their dream home, a little boy named Drew starts bothering Lacey–and she realizes that only she can see him. Review: I loved the depth of characterization in Starter House. I really felt like the author put a lot of work into fleshing out their back stories, like making Lacey’s mom more than just an aging hippie. She’s also a vegan dog psychic and you really get the sense that she has a life outside the…

Read More »

Practice to Deceive by Ann Rule

American Literature

Synopsis: When a man is found murdered in a secluded neighborhood on an island, the investigation lasts decades and uncovers a treasure trove of family secrets and craziness. Review: I am a bit of an Ann Rule junkie, but Practice to Deceive just didn’t do it for me–so much so that when I was interrupted with only 15 pages to go, not only did I set the book aside but I forgot to come back to it. That’s how little suspense was created in the…

Read More »

Room by Emma Donoghue

Canadian Literature

Synopsis: Jack has never left Room, where he has lived with his mother since the day he was born 5 years ago, but now it might be time for them to attempt an escape into a world that Jack can’t even imagine. Review: I’m late in the game reading Room, and I confess I resisted it for a long time because the quotes I read seemed just too precious. What finally piqued my curiosity was learning that the novel depicted extended breastfeeding from the child’s…

Read More »