Review: Some Assembly Required

Summary: In Some Assembly Required, Anne Lamott enters a new and unexpected chapter of her own life: grandmotherhood. 

Stunned to learn that her son, Sam, is about to become a father at nineteen, Lamott begins a journal about the first year of her grandson Jax's life. 

In careful and often hilarious detail, Lamott and Sam-about whom she first wrote so movingly in Operating Instructions-struggle to balance their changing roles with the demands of college and work, as they both forge new relationships with Jax's mother, who has her own ideas about how to raise a child. Lamott writes about the complex feelings that Jax fosters in her, recalling her own experiences with Sam when she was a single mother. Over the course of the year, the rhythms of life, death, family, and friends unfold in surprising and joyful ways. 

By turns poignant and funny, honest and touching, Some Assembly Required is the true story of how the birth of a baby changes a family-as this book will change everyone who reads it. -- Riverhead

I wouldn't consider myself a fan of Anne Lamott's, but I have read one or two of her books, and I enjoyed them. So when I heard she had a new book out called SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: A JOURNAL OF MY SON'S FIRST SON that she wrote with her son Sam Lamott, I thought I'd give it a shot. This book told the story of her grandson's first year from the point of view of Ms. Lamott's journal entries and her interviews with her son.

If I'm being entirely honest, I didn't love SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED; or at least, not like I had hoped. Maybe it's because I'm far enough away from the newborn years, and (hopefully) very far away from the grandmother years, but this book didn't really resonate with me. Ms. Lamott's son Sam was only 19 years old when he became a father to Jax and he was still a student, so his life as a parent was very different than mine. In addition, there seemed to be a lot of tension between him and Jax's mother. I was 30 when I had my first child and had been married for six years; and we welcomed a pregnancy. 

And when it came to Ms. Lamott's feelings about being a grandmother, I similarly had a hard time relating to her. While there is no doubt that she positively adored Jax, she seemed to have a lot of issues with her role as a grandmother. It's possible that she was conflicted because her son was so young to be a father, but her worries about Jax seemed to be rather extreme. (Having said that, I've been known to go a little crazy about my kids and their welfare, so who am I to talk?) I also found many of her feelings to be of a jealous nature. On one hand, I was impressed with her honestly and openness; but on the other hand, I thought it was strange by just how jealous she seemed of Jax's mother.

In the past, I've enjoyed reading about Ms. Lamott's faith and her struggles in life, and I saw some signs of this in SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED. However, it just seemed like Ms. Lamott was miserable for much of this book. Her feelings of insecurity were overwhelming and I admit that my heart did go out to her, but I also got tired of reading about how bad everything was. I am far from a glass half full kind of person, but Ms. Lamott seemed to focus on the negatives so much of the time.

That's not to say that there weren't parts of this book where Ms. Lamott spoke of her spirituality and the blessings she's been given, and those were probably what I enjoyed the most about this book. She is a beautiful writer and her insight can be very powerful and thought-provoking. But the negative feelings almost overpowered those special parts to me. What I did find myself really enjoying, though, were the scenes where she contacted some of her friends. I absolutely loved the advice they gave her and I found myself re-reading some of their words of wisdom because they rang true to me. I felt as if I could apply so much of what they said about faith, spirituality, and life in general.

Overall, SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED won't go down an one of my favorite Anne Lamott books. I think grandmothers might appreciate SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED more than I did, and it's possible that I just might not be the target audience for this book. Having said that, I did discover some beautiful ideas that made me think about my life and my role as a mother and wife.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

Review: So Pretty It Hurts

Summary: At long last, the New York Times bestselling author of The Sixes and the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan brings back the sassy crime writer turned amateur sleuth Bailey Weggins in an addictive story involving the mysterious death of a supermodel. 

Bailey Weggins, the Manhattan-based thirtysomething true-crime journalist, is in a good place. She's enjoying her regular gig at Buzz, a leading celebrity magazine, getting freelance work, and hoping her first book will garner attention. In the love department, she's finally back in the game with her recently-turned-exclusive boyfriend, Beau Regan. When Beau heads out of town one early December weekend, Bailey accepts an invitation from her office friend Jessie to a music mogul's house in the country, hoping for a fun, relaxing getaway. But a weird tension settles over the houseguests—a glamorous crowd that includes the famously thin supermodel Devon Barr. An impending snowstorm only adds to the unease. So when Devon's lifeless body is found in her bed, Bailey immediately suspects foul play: she can't stop thinking of the day before, when a frightened Devon shivered in the woods and pleaded, "I have to get out of here. . . . It's not safe for me." When Bailey starts to nose around, she finds herself a moving target—running closer to the truth and straight into danger. With her trademark irreverent wit, Bailey is a heroine who keeps us laughing while on the edge of our seats. New and longtime fans alike will devour this eagerly awaited mystery. -- Harper

I don't know that I'd say I'm a big fan of Kate White's, but I have enjoyed a few of her mysteries. Over the past few years, I've read her standalone novels, but when I heard that she had a new Bailey Weggins mystery
SO PRETTY IT HURTS, I thought it might be fun. This is the sixth (?) book in this series and I know I haven't read all of them, but I have read and enjoyed a few of them.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Bailey Weggins' books, Bailey is a crime writer who also solves murder mysteries in her free time. In SO PRETTY IT HURTS, Bailey is still working at Buzz, a celebrity magazine where she features celebrity crimes. She also is trying to figure out her love life since Bailey tends to have some issues with commitment. When Bailey goes away with her friend Jessie for a supposedly relaxing weekend at a music producer's house, she finds herself caught up in some major tension between the guests; and eventually a high profile model ends up dead.

SO PRETTY IT HURTS wasn't my favorite Kate White mystery, or even my favorite Bailey Weggins' book for that matter. I eventually enjoyed the mystery, but the first part of the novel (when Bailey was at the home in the country) didn't thrill me. I realized that the characters were all quirky and potential suspects, but their interactions with each other just seemed to border on the ridiculous. Maybe much of it was tongue-in-cheek, but I was glad when Bailey returned to New York City and the story became more of what I've come to like about this series.

Once Bailey decided that the model's eating disorder wasn't entirely to blame for her death, she became very determined to solve the murder. Bailey's like a pit bull when it comes to uncovering the truth and she found herself revisiting all of the individuals who were present at that disastrous weekend. She also discovered that the more she dug into the events surrounding the murder, the more her own life was at risk. To add even more complications to Bailey's life, she was also trying to come to terms with her feelings about her current boyfriend... and a past one.

I am definitely a fan of Bailey Weggins and her crime-solving abilities. She is smart and spunky, but she's also pretty funny with her snarky thoughts and comments. I appreciated that SO PRETTY IT HURTS not only focused on a well-developed mystery with some exciting twists, but that it also included a little of Bailey's personal life, and by that I mean her love life. I was entertained by the mystery, but I have to admit that I wasn't entirely surprised by who was responsible for the murder. What did surprise me, though, was the background story and the motive for the crime.

In addition to liking Bailey and the mystery, I appreciated that this book gave readers an inside view into the magazine industry (the author, Kate White is the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and no doubt knows her stuff!), as well as some interesting insight into eating disorders. And last, but certainly not least, I appreciated the humor in this novel. I found myself laughing quite a bit at Bailey and the situations she finds herself in.

Overall, I have to say that I liked SO PRETTY IT HURTS, but I didn't love it. Having said that, I think fans of the Bailey Weggins' series won't want to miss this installment. 

Thanks to the publisher for sending a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Giveaway: The Descendants Book and DVD

Remember a few days ago when I shared with you some information about The Descendants Book to Movie Study guide, and I hinted that I might have a giveaway that would give you a very good reason to make use of this tool?

Since I shared with you a little about the book in my last post, I thought I'd give you some information about the Blu-Ray/DVD:

TAKE GEORGE CLOONEY HOME

IN ONE OF THE YEAR’S MOST CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILMS

Experience the Heartbreak and Humor When the Academy Award® and Golden Globe® Winner Comes to Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD March 13

From director Alexander Payne creator of the Oscar® winning Sideways comes one of the Best Pictures of the year, THE DESCENDANTS, featuring a stunning cast including Best Actor nominee George Clooney (Ides of March) and Shailene Woodley (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) in her Golden Globe nominated and Independent Spirit Award winning role. Take home this wonderfully warm and witty film and go behind the scenes of THE DESCENDANTS with all-new exclusive content on Blu-ray Disc Combo Pack and DVD March 13 from Fox Searchlight and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Based on the best-selling novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings and set in Hawaii, THE DESCENDANTS is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King (George Clooney) an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki. The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family’s land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.

Nominated for five Academy Awards® and winner for Best Adapted Screenplay, THE DESCENDANTS is a must-have on Blu-ray and DVD. The release is packed with must-see deleted scenes, behind the scenes extras and exclusive featurettes to bring you even further into the story.

THE DESCENDANTS Blu-ray Features:

· Deleted Scenes with introductions by the director
· Everybody Loves George
· Working with Alexander
· The Real Descendants
· Hawaiian Style
· Casting
· Working with Water
· Music Videos
o “Will I Ever See You Again”
o Postcards from Paradise
o “Honolulu’s Whisper
· Waiting for the Light
· The World Parade – Hawaii (Silent Film)
· A Conversation with George Clooney and Alexander Payne
· Digital Copy of the Film

THE DESCENDANTS DVD Features:

Everybody Loves George
Working with Alexander
Hawaiian Style

I am so excited that I have not only a copy of the novel THE DESCENDANTS by Kaui Hart Hemmings, but also a copy of the DVD! This is an ideal giveaway for those of you who haven't had a chance to read the book and see the movie yet, or for those of you who already have and just want to own them for your personal libraries. Also, I'm thinking that fans of Mr. Clooney wouldn't be too disappointed to win these either!

To enter, just fill out the form below before Saturday, March 24th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada addresses only -- no p.o. boxes please. Good luck!

Kid Konnection: Kali's Song

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to review a newly released picture book with some powerful and relevant messages.

Summary: Renowned picture book author and illustrator Jeanette Winter brings us the enchanting story of a boy named Kali who lived thousands and thousands of years ago. Kali must learn to hunt, like the rest of the men in his tribe. But when Kali plucks the string on his bow, he forgets about shooting arrows, and makes music long into the night. Even the stars come close to listen.

This lovely story, celebrating the uniqueness in all of us, the beauty of the natural world, and showing the power of music and art over violence, will be cherished by children everywhere. -- Schwartz & Wade

KALI'S SONG by Jeanette Winter is just a beautiful children's book. KALI'S SONG tells the story of Kali, a young boy who uses his hunting bow as a musical instrument instead of a weapon. The story is based on an actual cave painting of a young boy who is surrounded by mammoths as he plays music with his bow.

As a mom, I just treasured this book and its powerful messages. At the end of the story, after Kali charms everyone, including the mammoth, with his bow, he become a revered figure in his tribe. People looked to Kali for guidance and to heal the sick. I so appreciated how this book shows that the power of art and music... and especially how these gifts can solve more problems than violence. I think most children will easily pick up this idea from the story, but there was another powerful message too. KALI'S SONG demonstrates that children have special gifts and it encourages them to discover their own gift.

Not only was this a beautiful story with wonderful messages, but I loved the pictures too. The text of a story can be amazing, but if it doesn't have illustrations that draw children in, then that wonderful message can be lost. In KALI'S SONG, the pictures are a perfect complement to the story. Each page has a folk art feel and the hand-cut paper artwork is rather simple. Ms. Winter is an award winning children's illustrator, so it should come as no surprise that the images are gorgeous.

I highly recommend KALI'S SONG. It is an entertaining story about a young boy, but it's also so much more than that. I love that this book can give adults and children alike the opportunity to discuss the power of music over violence as well as the gifts that each of us has.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this picture book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

March 2012 Book Club Meeting

Summary: Cadence didn't sit down one night and decide that downing two bottles of wine was a brilliant idea.

Her drinking snuck up on her - as a way to sleep, to help her relax after a long day, to relieve some of the stress of the painful divorce that's left her struggling to make ends meet with her five-year old son, Charlie.

It wasn't always like this. Just a few years ago, Cadence seemed to have it all—a successful husband, an adorable son, and a promising career as a freelance journalist. But with the demise of her marriage, her carefully constructed life begins to spiral out of control. Suddenly she is all alone trying to juggle the demands of work and motherhood.

Logically, Cadence knows that she is drinking too much, and every day begins with renewed promises to herself that she will stop. But within a few hours, driven by something she doesn't understand, she is reaching for the bottle - even when it means not playing with her son because she is too tired, or dropping him off at preschool late, again. And even when one calamitous night it means leaving him alone to pick up more wine at the grocery store. It's only when her ex-husband shows up at her door to take Charlie away that Cadence realizes her best kept secret has been discovered….

Heartbreaking, haunting, and ultimately life-affirming, Best Kept Secret is more than just the story of Cadence—it's a story of how the secrets we hold closest are the ones that can most tear us apart. -- Washington Square Press

A few nights ago, my book club met to discuss BEST KEPT SECRET by Amy Hatvany. I absolutely loved this novel and I thought it was a perfect book club pick. I couldn't wait to hear everyone's reaction to this story of an alcoholic mother. Unfortunately, I was the only one who felt this way (and maybe one other woman.) The others thought the book was just okay and it didn't really resonate with them. (Does that make me sound like an alcoholic or a potential one?)

Because we were all on different pages about this novel, it did make for an interesting discussion. In fact, I'm glad that everyone didn't love it like I did because I don't know that we would have had as much to talk about. I'm still sticking to my initial thoughts that BEST KEPT SECRET is a great pick for book clubs... and especially ones filled with mothers.

Next month we will be reading HOME FRONT by Kristin Hannah. It's another selection that I've already read  -- you can read my review here; and I think this one will be popular with my group. Some of the women have already read HOME FRONT and they were deeply affected by the story. It's hard not to be!

Summary: In her bestselling novels Kristin Hannah has plumbed the depths of friendship, the loyalty of sisters, and the secrets mothers keep. Now, in her most emotionally powerful story yet, she explores the intimate landscape of a troubled marriage with this provocative and timely portrait of a husband and wife, in love and at war.

All marriages have a breaking point. All families have wounds. All wars have a cost. . . .

Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face the pressures of everyday life---children, careers, bills, chores---even as their twelve-year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm’s way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home, unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As a mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a solider she has always understood the true meaning of duty. In her letters home, she paints a rose-colored version of her life on the front lines, shielding her family from the truth. But war will change Jolene in ways that none of them could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his darkest fear and fight a battle of his own---for everything that matters to his family.

At once a profoundly honest look at modern marriage and a dramatic exploration of the toll war takes on an ordinary American family, Home Front is a story of love, loss, heroism, honor, and ultimately, hope.  -- St. Martin's Press

The Descendents Study Guide & Teaser

The Oscar-winning film THE DESCENDANTS starring George Clooney has been on everyone's mind in recent weeks. My husband and I rarely get to the theater to see movies, but this is one that has been on our radar for some time. Fortunately, The DESCENDANTS became available on Blue-Ray and DVD this week, so it's entirely possible that my husband and I might actually get around to seeing it!

However, I hesitate to see a film prior to read the book that it was based on, and THE DESCENDANTS by Kaui Hart Hemmings is supposed to be a great novel. I understand that the movie stays pretty true to the book and that makes me even more exited to both read the book and see the movie. Here's a brief summary from the publisher:

Fortunes have changed for the King family, descendants of Hawaiian royalty and one of the state’s largest landowners. Matthew King’s daughters—Scottie, a feisty ten-year-old, and Alex, a seventeen-year-old recovering drug addict—are out of control, and their charismatic, thrill-seeking mother, Joanie, lies in a coma after a boat-racing accident. She will soon be taken off life support. As Matt gathers his wife’s friends and family to say their final goodbyes, a difficult situation is made worse by the sudden discovery that there’s one person who hasn’t been told: the man with whom Joanie had been having an affair. Forced to examine what they owe not only to the living but to the dead, Matt, Scottie, and Alex take to the road to find Joanie’s lover, on a memorable journey that leads to unforeseen humor, growth, and profound revelations. -- Random House

I recently learned that there is The Descendants Book to Film Study Guide which is available for book lovers, film watchers and anyone else. It’s a terrific tool for those who read Kaui Hart Hemmings’ book on which the Academy Award-winning screenplay is based and I plan to use it in the very near future. You can click on the study guide below to enlarge it.

For those of you who have already read the novel, you might be interested to know that there is a Goodreads Featured Author Group with Kaui Hart Hemmings that started just a few days ago. 

Make sure you stop by again on Sunday because I will be hosting a very special giveaway that will give you a fantastic reason to use this study guide!

Review: The Gods of Gotham

Summary: 1845. New York City forms its first police force. The great potato famine hits Ireland. These two seemingly disparate events will change New York City. Forever. 

Timothy Wilde tends bar near the Exchange, fantasizing about the day he has enough money to win the girl of his dreams. But when his dreams literally incinerate in a fire devastating downtown Manhattan, he finds himself disfigured, unemployed, and homeless. His older brother obtains Timothy a job in the newly minted NYPD, but he is highly skeptical of this new "police force." And he is less than thrilled that his new beat is the notoriously down-and-out Sixth Ward-at the border of Five Points, the world's most notorious slum. 

One night while making his rounds, Wilde literally runs into a little slip of a girl-a girl not more than ten years old-dashing through the dark in her nightshift . . . covered head to toe in blood. 

Timothy knows he should take the girl to the House of Refuge, yet he can't bring himself to abandon her. Instead, he takes her home, where she spins wild stories, claiming that dozens of bodies are buried in the forest north of 23rd Street. Timothy isn't sure whether to believe her or not, but, as the truth unfolds, the reluctant copper star finds himself engaged in a battle for justice that nearly costs him his brother, his romantic obsession, and his own life. -- Amy Einhorn

I debated whether I should save this review for THE GODS OF GOTHAM by Lindsay Faye
for a Mystery Monday post, but I was so impressed with this novel that I felt it was more appropriate to feature it on its release date. I was prepared to enjoy THE GODS OF GOTHAM because it is an Amy Einhorn book and that usually means it's going to be a special book. However, I was even surprised by how much I appreciated this historical thriller.

THE GODS OF GOTHAM is an outstanding example of well-crafted mystery as well as a fascinating historical novel. It really is the best of both worlds. The story takes place in New York City in 1845 at a critical juncture in the city's history -- when the great potato famine hits Ireland and a formal police force is formed in New York City. The author brings together these seemingly separate events, along with the discovery of dozens of children's remains, and weaves an intriguing tale of murder and deception.

I could go on and on and the uniqueness of THE GODS OF GOTHAM, and honestly, I'm impressed with so many aspects of this novel that I don't know what I liked the most about story. The writing, the historical details, the character development, and the mystery were all so well done; and all of this is a huge credit to Ms. Faye. Quite honestly, I was blown away by Ms. Faye's storytelling abilities. She created a complex mystery with dynamic characters; and at the same time, provided an insightful look at New York City in the mid 1840s.

One of the things that I most loved about THE GODS OF GOTHAM was the character of Timothy. I adored him! He survived not one, but two serious accidents, yet he was deeply affected psychologically as well as as physically. After he loses his job, his home, and his life savings, his politically connected brother gets him a job as a copper star on the newly formed police force; and Timothy finds himself involved in solving a gruesome murder (or should I say murders?) after he runs into a bloodied little girl. Timothy was initially reluctant to take a job as a policeman but his sense of justice and fairness prevailed.

The story is told in Timothy's voice and he is a wonderfully complex character. I loved how he went about solving these crimes, but also how he came to terms with his past. Timothy wasn't perfect, but he was an extremely likable character; and he even managed to infuse some humor into a pretty dark story. I appreciated how the author delved into his psyche and showed how conflicted he was about his brother and their relationship. My heart broke for him numerous times in the story, and I couldn't help but root for him to have something go right in his life.

Another fantastic element of this story was the mystery itself -- it was so good and had so many layers. Like Timothy, I didn't know who to trust and the events surrounding the murders didn't seem to make much sense. There were so many twists and turns in this novel that I wasn't quite sure where it was going. Suffice it to say that I thought I had the mystery figured out a few times, but I was wrong. When I actually did start seeing things fall into place, I still wasn't entirely correct about the motives. I love it when I can be surprised (over and over again!) in a book like this.

And finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention just how much I loved all of the historical elements. Ms. Faye did a wonderful job of bringing 1845 New York City to life. I can't hardly begin to imagine the amount of research she conducted prior to writing this story. She delved into many of the issues of that time including the poverty, the racial tensions, and the religious tensions; and at the same time, she infused some actual events and characters into this novel. I can't rave enough about how realistic the setting was for me.

There is one additional piece of information about THE GODS OF GOTHAM which makes me extremely happy. It is the first book in a series of crime novels! Ms. Faye has created a very special  hero in Timothy, along with a rich setting; and I can't wait to read more about his adventures.

Needless to say, when I like a book as much as THE GODS OF GOTHAM, I recommend it to book clubs. This novel is not only entertaining, but it has a great deal of issues to discuss. There is a reading guide available with thirteen questions (not too shabby for a mystery, right?) and it asks some thought-provoking questions. I think many of you will be surprised by the depth and scope of this guide. Some of the topics you might want to explore include morals/ethics, family dynamics, justice, grief, the role of women in that time period, racial tensions, religious discrimination, fears, religion/spirituality, and much more.

Fans of historical fiction and thrillers won't want to miss THE GODS OF GOTHAM. Highly recommended!

I picked up an ARC of this novel when I visited Aaron's Books a few weeks ago.