Wrap-Up: 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge

Summer's officially over and that pretty much wraps up the 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge! I had a wonderful time and read some fantastic books. Hopefully, the list next year will be just as good and I'll be motivated to host this challenge again. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to read all 18 books; however, I think I did pretty good all the same. I ended up reading 10 books which put me at the Fish level.

MOCKINGJAY  (my review)
YOU LOST ME THERE (my review)
LUCY (my review)
RED HOOK ROAD (my review)
THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR (my review)
THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE (my review)
SO COLD THE RIVER (my review)
GIRL IN TRANSLATION  (my review)
HALF LIFE (my review)
THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE (my review)

If you wrote a wrap-up post, feel free to link here:

Review: Mockingjay

Summary: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year. -- Scholastic

Like the rest of the book blogging community (or was it the world?), I couldn't wait to read the last book in the Hunger Games series, MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins. I know I'm not alone in my adoration for this series; however, as excited as I was, I also found myself a little sad as I read this book because it's the end of a wonderful ride! 

I finished MOCKINGJAY almost a week ago and, like many of you, I couldn't put the book down. For some reason though, I haven't rushed to write my review. And I'm still not entirely sure that I can articulate my thoughts about this book in writing (although I have had a great time talking about this book with a friend.) While I definitely enjoyed MOCKINGJAY and I admit that the novel affected me a great deal, I think it's my least favorite of the entire series.  


Now, there are probably a number of reasons for my feelings that have nothing to do with the quality of MOCKINGJAY. The first being that I loved THE HUNGER GAMES so much because I thought it was such an original premise for a novel (my review.) Neither MOCKINGJAY or CATCHING FIRE (my review) were quite as good as the first book in my mind. I also think that the "letdown" of the series ending might have played another role. And, I set some my pretty unfair expectations for this novel because I got caught up in the excitement surrounding the book's release. So I guess what I'm saying is that I really liked this book at face value, but when I started to analyze it bit-by-bit, I found that I had a few issues with it. Lesson learned: sometimes it's possible to overthink a book!

Since there are already tons of wonderful reviews out there for MOCKINGJAY, I don't really feel that I have much more to add. So instead of a traditional review, I guess I'm just going to share a few of my thoughts:

• I love Suzanne Collins' writing style and storytelling abilities, and MOCKINGJAY didn't disappoint on those fronts.
• I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns as well as the many surprises that were thrown into the story.
• I think Ms. Collins' social commentary on war and power are brilliant!
•  I thought that having Prim become a casualty of war was perfect (even though it didn't come as a total shock for me.) The entire reason that Katniss entered into the Hunger Games and became caught up in all of the "games" was to protect her little sister. When Prim dies anyway, I felt as if it really hammered home the idea that so much of what Katniss did was in vain and that war affects so many innocent people.
• I appreciated that Katniss eventually found some sort of peace in her life, even though it took many years. I would even go so far as to say that ending showed me that Katniss was resilient and strong and realized that life must go on despite all of the tragedy. I even felt some glimmer of hope for Katniss!

Now here were some of my issues -- warning: there are a few spoilers!

• Katniss is one of my favorite female characters in any story and I just love her for her intelligence, loyalty and strength. What kind of bothered me in MOCKINGJAY is that I didn't feel like Katniss exhibited those traits in much of this book. I realize that Katniss had been to hell and back, but I really wanted to see more of the "old" Katniss.
• I loved both Peeta and Gale in the first two books and I had a hard time picking a favorite. In my mind, I guess I expected that Katniss wouldn't end up with either one of them. It's not that I wasn't happy that Katniss ended up with Peeta because I do think he truly loved her. I was just disappointed with how Gale was portrayed throughout the last quarter of the book.
• I felt as if there was a great deal of violence in the second half of this book. Of course, I realize that all of the books were violent to a degree, but this one seemed to affect me more than the others. At times, I became almost numb to all of it (maybe feeling a bit like Katniss?) and found myself not reading parts as closely as I should have.
• There were a few storylines that left me confused and I would have liked more of an explanation. I still don't think I understood Peeta's condition or his recovery. And I have no idea what caused Gale to have such a major personality change (or at least it was major to me!)

Overall, my experience with MOCKINGJAY was extremely positive and I hate that this "review" might seem like I didn't appreciate the novel. I really, really liked it!!! Anyway.... I highly recommend MOCKINGJAY

Review: You Lost Me There

Summary: A dazzling debut that is at once a lightly erudite novel of ideas and a darkly charming love story set on an island off the coast of Maine-the perfect sophisticated summer read.

By turns funny, charming, and tragic, Rosecrans Baldwin's debut novel takes us inside the heart and mind of Dr. Victor Aaron, a leading Alzheimer's researcher at the Soborg Institute on Mount Desert Island in Maine. Victor spends his days alternating between long hours in the sterile lab and running through memories of his late wife, Sara. He has preserved their marriage as a sort of perfect, if tumultuous, duet between two opposite but precisely compatible souls.

But one day, in the midst of organizing his already hyperorganized life, Victor discovers a series of index cards covered in Sara's handwriting. They chronicle the major "changes in direction" of their marriage, written as part of a brief fling with couples counseling. Sara's version of their great love story is markedly different from his own, which, for the eminent memory specialist, is a startling revelation. Victor is forced to reevaluate and relive each moment of their marriage, never knowing is the revisions will hurt or hearten. Meanwhile, as Victor's faith in memory itself unravels, so too does his precisely balanced support network, a group of strong women-from his lab assistant to Aunt Betsy, doddering doyenne of the island-that had, so far, allowed him to avoid grieving.

Rosecrans Baldwin shows himself here to be a young writer bursting with talent and imagination who deftly handles this aching love story with sensitivity and unexpected maturity. You Lost Me There is a treasure of a book filled with beautiful, intelligent prose, a book that wears its smarts lightly and probes its emotions deeply. -- Riverhead Books

I'm really excited to say that YOU LOST ME THERE by Rosecrans Baldwin is the 9th book that I've read for the 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge that I'm hosting. That actually puts me at the Minnow Level! I aim to read a few more before the end of the summer, so I can honestly say that I'm not embarrassed by my participation level in this challenge -- unlike a few other ones!

Has this ever happened to you? You're reading a book and you know it's something special, but you're not exactly sure that you were "getting" all of it. Well, that's kind of how I felt about YOU LOST ME THERE. I really liked the book and I think Mr. Baldwin's writing style and storytelling abilities are wonderful, but I feel like some parts of this novel were way over my head. That's not to say that I didn't really like this novel, but I'm just not so sure that I am intellectual enough to appreciate it for all its worth. (I'm sure some of you are thinking about the title and a certain pun, but I'm not going to go there...)

I don't want that last paragraph to deter you from reading YOU LOST ME THERE because it is a very good book (and you might "get" more of the subtleties that I did.) I think Rosecrans Baldwin is a remarkably gifted writer, and I'm almost just amazed by his skills in this, his debut, novel. He captures so many relevant and thought-provoking themes about everyday lives; and his perceptions about love, marriage, memory, and grief are truly astute. I guarantee that YOU LOST ME THERE will cause you think on many different levels. And that's one of the reasons that I do recommend this book -- it's rare that a book can cause you think about your "reality" like this one does.

The basic premise behind YOU LOST ME THERE is that Victor, a doctor who studies memory and researches Alzheimer's disease, discovers some note cards that were written by his late wife. When he begins reading these cards, he realizes that his wife had very different ideas about the state of their marriage and their love than he remembered. Naturally, Victor is shocked by her perspective and his life begins to turn upside-down. He is suddently forced to go back into his memory and painfully rethink their entire relationship.

As you can imagine, this book delves deeply into the topic of memory. As I read this novel, I not only began to question the characters' memories, but I actually began to question my own memories and perspectives of events in my past. I mean... I think I know what happened, but do we ever really know for sure? Would my version be the same as my husband's? Do I "choose" to remember things a certain way? Needless to say, this book really made me question the entire concept of memory. And, I have to tell you... I love that it made me think this much!

There were other themes explored in this novel which I also really appreciated. One of those themes was grief. I thought the author did a remarkable job of showing how Victor grieved after his wife died. On top of that, I also think this book explored a different type of grief for Victor when he discovered that his perceptions of their love life were very different from his wife's. I truly think YOU LOST ME THERE was a very special novel, in its own right, for how honestly it captured a character's grief.

By now, you are probably thinking that this novel was a huge downer. And, I have to be honest when I say that there were parts of this book that were rather depressing. But what I found so surprising about this story is that there still was so much humor -- I definitely wasn't expecting that from this book. I think it's truly a testament to Mr. Baldwin's writing style that he was able to write with so much wit and actually make me laugh while at the same time causing me to reflect so deeply on my own life.

I do think YOU LOST ME THERE would make a wonderful book club pick. As you can clearly see from my review, there are many thought-provoking topics to discuss. I also think with a book like this, a reader could only benefit from discussing it with others. Some of the topics you might want to discuss include loss, grief, therapy, marriage, relationships, friendships, responsibility, starting over, and of course memory.

If you are looking for a beautifully written novel that will also cause you to think (and remember), then I highly recommend YOU LOST ME THERE.

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

Review: Lucy

Summary: Laurence Gonzales’s electrifying adventure opens in the jungles of the Congo. Jenny Lowe, a primatologist studying chimpanzees—the bonobos—is running for her life.

A civil war has exploded and Jenny is trapped in its crosshairs . . . She runs to the camp of a fellow primatologist.

The rebels have already been there.

Everyone is dead except a young girl, the daughter of Jenny’s brutally murdered fellow scientist—and competitor.

Jenny and the child flee, Jenny grabbing the notebooks of the primatologist who’s been killed. She brings the girl to Chicago to await the discovery of her relatives. The girl is fifteen and lovely—her name is Lucy.

Realizing that the child has no living relatives, Jenny begins to care for her as her own. When she reads the notebooks written by Lucy’s father, she discovers that the adorable, lovely, magical Lucy is the result of an experiment.

She is part human, part ape—a hybrid human being . . .

Laurence Gonzales’s novel grabs you from its opening pages and you stay with it, mesmerized by the shy but fierce, wonderfully winning Lucy. -- Knopf

In keeping with attempt to read many of the books for the 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge, I decided to give LUCY by Laurence Gonzales a try. You might already know that I love books about apes, and LUCY is yet another book which references bonobos (that makes three that I've recently read if you're counting.) And Entertainment Weekly Magazine, one of my favorite sources for book recommendations, gave LUCY a raving review -- an A! I had pretty high expectations for this sci-fi novel.

I don't want to say that I was disappointed with LUCY because I did enjoy it; however, I wasn't as "wowed" by this novel as I had hoped -- darn EW! I should probably mention that I'm not a huge fan of science fiction books (except for the occasional Michael Crichton one) so maybe I'm not the best judge of this genre. What I will say is that I absolutely loved the concept of this book and I was very impressed with how the author told this story. I'm not sure why I didn't adore this book, though, because it had all the "makings" of a great read.

Having said that, I flew through this novel and couldn't put it down. Don't get me wrong -- I definitely appreciated this book and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to friends. The story was intriguing and action-packed which should definitely appeal to sci-fi fans, and at the same time, I thought the character of Lucy was pretty well-developed (I absolutely loved her!) so there is a draw for readers who enjoy mainstream fiction. I think what I enjoyed the most about this book was that it made some very insightful commentaries on society and actually made me sit back and think!

I thought the premise was just fantastic! Lucy appears to be a normal 15 year old; however, she is actually a hybrid human -- part human/part bonobo. After escaping from the civil war in the Congo with a female primalologist, she arrives in Chicago and moves in with this virtual stranger. Much of the book is about Lucy's attempts to acclimate herself in the United States as well as with humans. However, the book really begins to get interesting when Lucy's secret is about to be revealed.

Some of my favorite parts of this novel were when Lucy was acclimating to the human world. I thought many of the scenes when she was "discovering" our culture and norms were spot -on. Her reactions to television, in particular, were very funny and actually quite insightful. I also laughed at her interpretation of high school wrestling! I thought Lucy was a remarkably mature (and very intelligent) young woman, and I grew to really like her throughout the story. My only issue with Lucy (and it's a slight one) was her relationship with her best friend. I'm not sure that felt that their interactions reflected a typical teen friendship (although you could say that Lucy wasn't exactly a typical teen.)

LUCY is the first novel that I've read by Laurence Gonzales, and I'd be willing to try some of his other books. I was extremely impressed with Mr. Gonzales writing style which I have to say was a pleasant surprise -- I'm not sure I was expecting such good writing from this type of book. He definitely has a talent for explaining the science in this book in clear, concise terms; however, he also does a fantastic job with character development and his prose is very good. What actually impressed me the most about this author is how believable he made this story -- from Lucy's character, to her adjustment to society, to people's reactions to her. I could just about buy all of it!

LUCY is not exactly many book clubs' typical read (including my own), but I don't see why book clubs shouldn't consider this novel. As I mentioned before, the story is very interesting; and there are tons of things to discuss. There are huge ethical and moral implications in the science aspects of this novel, but there are also many thought-provoking issues about love, family, friendship, loyalty, race, prejudice, and compassion. It's one of those books that not only causes you to look at society as a whole, but also to look inward at yourself.

If you are a fan of science fiction books, adventure stories, or even novels that ask some interesting philosophical questions, then I'm pretty sure that you will enjoy LUCY.

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

Review: Red Hook Road

Summary: Set on the coast of Maine over the course of four summers, Red Hook Road tells the story of two families, the Tetherlys and the Copakens, and of the ways in which their lives are unraveled and stitched together by misfortune, by good intentions and failure, and by love and calamity.

A marriage collapses under the strain of a daughter’s death; two bereaved siblings find comfort in one another; and an adopted young girl breathes new life into her family with her prodigious talent for the violin. As she writes with obvious affection for these unforgettable characters, Ayelet Waldman skillfully interweaves life’s finer pleasures—music and literature—with the more mundane joys of living. Within these resonant pages, a vase filled with wildflowers or a cold beer on a hot summer day serve as constant reminders that it’s often the little things that make life so precious. -- Doubleday

Can I just share how much I love EW's Summer Book recommendations? I am so glad that I decided to take the plunge and host the 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge (even though I really don't have the best track record with challenges) because their list of books is fantastic. The latest book that they recommended and which I absolutely adored is RED HOOK ROAD by Ayelet Waldman. I don't think I can rave enough about this book -- I just loved it! It might just be my favorite one so far!

I actually read RED HOOK ROAD while on my vacation at the shore. I have been dying to read it, so I thought it would be the perfect time. I have to say that RED HOOK ROAD wasn't exactly my typical beach read. While it was a beautifully written novel, it wasn't a light (or fun) book. This novel explored the aftermath of a horrific tragedy on two families. It was, at times, almost difficult to read and digest; but this book was just so good and it was well worth reading!

I don't want to go into much detail about the various characters and how this tragedy forever changed their lives because I want you to experience this book like I did -- knowing almost nothing about it. However, I can say that every single character in this story, especially the parents and siblings, managed their loss in a different way. What was so wonderful was that each person's handling of their grief was very believable and very honest and very much in keeping with their character. There is no doubt that each family member had some issues prior to the tragedy (whose life is perfect?), but when faced with such a life-changing event, their complexities and flaws were definitely illuminated.

Another part of RED HOOK ROAD that really stood out for me was how Ms. Waldman told this story. She began with a prelude which described the tragedy in a tone that was almost distant and very factual. Then she told the story in four separate sections which took place over the course of four summers. She ended the novel with a coda in the same vein as the prelude. I loved seeing not only the immediate effects of the accident on the families, but seeing how each character evolved (or attempted to grieve) over the next three years. I thought it was an extremely effective way to tell their stories.

I seem to read a fair amount of books that deal with the processes of loss, but few have affected me like RED HOOK ROAD. My heart went out to each and every characters, and I found myself sympathizing with characters that I might not have otherwise really related to. I have to give a tremendous amount of credit to Ms. Waldman for truly capturing the feelings of loss and grief in this novel. In addition, she did an outstanding job of showing the many different ways that each person attempts to deal with grief while also showing the resilience of the human spirit. You can't help but be touched by this novel.

I have read books by Ayelet Waldman in the past and enjoyed them, but RED HOOK ROAD really stood out for me as a very special book. Ms. Waldman's prose is just perfect and I can't rave enough about how beautiful her writing was in this novel. She managed to bring to life the community of East Red Hook with her vivid descriptions. However, she also created some extremely memorable characters and captured the essence of the pain that they were experiencing.

After I finished RED HOOK ROAD, I turned to my husband and said that this novel is truly the perfect book club pick. I just wanted to discuss the characters and their motivations with someone! Fortunately, there is a reader's guide available which delves into many of the same topics that I wanted to talk about. Some of the themes your group might want to explore include grief, resentment, guilt, the definition of family, traditions, loss and new beginnings. I can honestly tell you that there are hours of potential talking points in RED HOOK ROAD.

As you can clearly see, I just loved this novel -- I hope my review wasn't too over the top. It was a difficult review to write because I want to share my excitement about this book, but at the same time, I don't want to set your expectations so high that you might be disappointed if you don't love RED HOOK ROAD the way I did.

Maybe I just should have said -- "READ THIS BOOK!" and left it at that.

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

Review: The Cookbook Collector

Summary: Heralded as “a modern day Jane Austen” by USA Today, National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Allegra Goodman has compelled and delighted hundreds of thousands of readers. Now, in her most ambitious work yet, Goodman weaves together the worlds of Silicon Valley and rare book collecting in a delicious novel about appetite, temptation, and fulfillment.

Emily and Jessamine Bach are opposites in every way: Twenty-eight-year-old Emily is the CEO of Veritech, twenty-three-year-old Jess is an environmental activist and graduate student in philosophy. Pragmatic Emily is making a fortune in Silicon Valley, romantic Jess works in an antiquarian bookstore. Emily is rational and driven, while Jess is dreamy and whimsical. Emily’s boyfriend, Jonathan, is fantastically successful. Jess’s boyfriends, not so much—as her employer George points out in what he hopes is a completely disinterested way.

Bicoastal, surprising, rich in ideas and characters, The Cookbook Collector is a novel about getting and spending, and about the substitutions we make when we can’t find what we’re looking for: reading cookbooks instead of cooking, speculating instead of creating, collecting instead of living. But above all it is about holding on to what is real in a virtual world: love that stays. -- The Dial Press

I recently read (and enjoyed) another book that counts for the 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge that I'm hosting. This time it was THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR by Allegra Goodman. This novel has received so much lavish praise and it has gathered its fair share of starred reviews from none other than Booklist, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus. It was actually one of the novels that EW recommended that I was most looking forward to reading this summer.

Since I had to wait a few weeks for my turn at the library, I think my anticipation got the best of me. That's not to say that I didn't like this novel because I really did. In fact, I felt extremely satisfied when I finished this novel. I'm just saying that I wasn't always sure that I was going to appreciate THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR. It actually took me awhile to "get into" this novel. I know that it wasn't because of the characters or the author's writing style, but rather because I felt that parts of the book were bogged down with detailed information about technology start-ups and IPOs -- lots of techno jargon. You'd think as a Finance major I'd like to read about those things, but I have to admit that they just don't interest me all that much.

Despite my slight issue, I ended up really enjoying THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR. This might sound odd, but I was pleasantly surprised by everything the author was able to accomplish with this book. By that I mean, THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR had so many wonderful elements that I love to see in fiction. There were interesting (and complex) characters, love and romance, lots of drama, and some deception. And, Ms. Goodman was also able to capture the essence of a fascinating time period -- the late 1990s and the early 2000s -- with her descriptions of IT start-ups and the rise and fall of the companies' net worth. However, what I think I appreciated the most about this novel was how it demonstrated so much about human nature. The characters (along with their quirks) were extremely honest, and parts of this novel were so astute that they seemed almost like very smart social commentaries about life and people's behavior.

THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR was the first novel that I've ever read by Allegra Goodman, but I'm certain that it won't be my last. I loved her writing style! She is without a doubt a fantastic storyteller, but she offers readers so much more than that. I thought her prose was eloquent, and some of her descriptions (like the one where Jessamine eats a peach) are positively beautiful. But I also liked how she incorporated so much humor into the story, especially with the back-and-forth exchanges between many of the characters. In addition, I just loved how her novel evoked all sorts of feelings in me like anger, sadness, disappointment, happiness, and most importantly hope.

I also appreciated how Ms. Goodman juxtaposed the two very different sisters, their lives and their choices. Emily appeared to have it all with a successful job, a great fiance, and tons of money. While Jessamine seemed a little lost with her "hippy" life and string of boyfriends. I think the contrast between their personalities demonstrated each character's strengths and weaknesses in a stronger light. What's so ironic is that while I definitely related more to Emily, I ended up falling in love with Jess!

After I finished THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR, I was dying to discuss it with someone. When that happens, I always think that's an indication of a terrific book club read. The characters and their motivations are fascinating, but there are also some major themes about life in general that would be wonderful to analyze. Some of the topics that I thought were discussion worthy include sisterly relationships, love, passion, environmental causes, grief, dishonesty, competition, values, and ultimately happiness. I also think the entire theme of truly living life versus just kind of standing back and watching (as referenced in the book's title THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR) is an extremely important part of this novel which will definitely cause you to think.

If you are a fan of women's fiction or literary fiction, then I highly recommend THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR. It is a beautiful novel that is also extremely smart, and I'm sure you will appreciate it as much as I did.

Review: The Invisible Bridge

Summary: Julie Orringer’s astonishing first novel, eagerly awaited since the publication of her heralded best-selling short-story collection, How to Breathe Underwater (“fiercely beautiful”—The New York Times; “unbelievably good”—Monica Ali), is a grand love story set against the backdrop of Budapest and Paris, an epic tale of three brothers whose lives are ravaged by war, and the chronicle of one family’s struggle against the forces that threaten to annihilate it.

Paris, 1937. Andras Lévi, a Hungarian-Jewish architecture student, arrives from Budapest with a scholarship, a single suitcase, and a mysterious letter he has promised to deliver to C. Morgenstern on the rue de Sévigné. As he falls into a complicated relationship with the letter’s recipient, he becomes privy to a secret history that will alter the course of his own life. Meanwhile, as his elder brother takes up medical studies in Modena and their younger brother leaves school for the stage, Europe’s unfolding tragedy sends each of their lives into terrifying uncertainty. At the end of Andras’s second summer in Paris, all of Europe erupts in a cataclysm of war.

From the small Hungarian town of Konyár to the grand opera houses of Budapest and Paris, from the lonely chill of Andras’s room on the rue des Écoles to the deep and enduring connection he discovers on the rue de Sévigné, from the despair of Carpathian winter to an unimaginable life in forced labor camps and beyond, The Invisible Bridge tells the story of a love tested by disaster, of brothers whose bonds cannot be broken, of a family shattered and remade in history’s darkest hour, and of the dangerous power of art in a time of war.

Expertly crafted, magnificently written, emotionally haunting, and impossible to put down, The Invisible Bridge resoundingly confirms Julie Orringer’s place as one of today’s most vital and commanding young literary talents. -- Knopf

WOW! I hardly know where to begin with THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE by Julie Orringer. I picked up this book because it was listed as one of Entertainment Weekly's 18 Books We Can't Wait to Read This Summer (I'm hosting the challenge - you can still sign-up) and I had read a few very promising reviews. I have to say that this novel did not disappoint. I absolutely loved THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE, and I'd go so far as to say that this novel blew me away!

There is no way that I can write a review that does this book justice. Part of me doesn't even want to try; however, I do think that everyone should read this amazing novel. So I'm going to try to share with you some of the things that really captured my attention and made this novel extra-special.

Probably the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about the reasons why this book is so good is the actual story itself. There is no doubt that the novel is an ambitious undertaking because it covers the years leading up to World War II as well as the events that occurred during the war. It takes place in many European countries including Hungary and France; however, it's also a coming-of age story and a love story. It deals with the war, discrimination, poverty, criminal activity; and it's full of twists and turns. Needless to say, THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE is pretty grand in scope. But what I found I appreciated the most about the story was how it showed some incredible details about the war and the effects it had on countries and the Jewish people. What really affected me, though, was how it showed the horrific effects that the war had on individuals and their families. While I did love reading THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE, there is no doubt that parts of it were extremely difficult to read.

I also truly appreciated the wide range of characters that appeared in this story. Of course, I fell in love with Andras and his family, but I also really enjoyed that they were extremely complex characters with a wide range of emotions. I also liked the secondary characters, even the ones that appeared as types of villains, because they, too, were multi-dimensional. That's not to say that I sympathized with them or excused their behavior, but I do think they were very interesting to analyze. There is no doubt that the characters will get under your skin and cause you to reflect on your own life and your relationships with others.

I was caught up in the characters and their plights from the first few pages. And even though this book was around 600 pages long, it never let me go. As I was reading this book, I kept telling myself that it had to be based on a true story. I realize the book is classified as fiction, but the story and the characters just seemed to real for me to believe that it was entirely fabricated. It's apparent that the author, Julie Orringer, did a huge amount of research to write a novel of this proportion. However, I also discovered that Ms. Orringer based much of the book on her own grandfather and his experiences during World War II. Check out this fantastic author interview to learn more about the inspiration for this novel.

A huge part of my love for this novel was because of Ms. Orringer's writing. Not only was the story captivating, but she created some very complex and memorable characters. But I think it was her actual prose that really took this book to the next level. She is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful storytellers that I've ever read. I found myself pausing and reflecting on her words many, many times throughout this novel. And even though huge parts of this story were utterly tragic, Ms. Orringer managed to infuse such a feeling of hope and resilience into this story that I actually finished it with a good feeling in my heart.

Of course, you're probably not surprised that I recommend THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE for book clubs. It is a long book that isn't always easy to read because of the subject matter, but it is so worth reading. There is a reader's guide available which brings up some very heavy subjects, but I believe that individuals will want to address these topics in further detail. Some of themes you might want to discuss include family, loyalty, love, choices, fate/chance, war, hatred, perseverance, and finally hope. That list is really just the tip of the iceberg -- this book is so ripe for discussion.

I think I'm done gushing about THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE, but I could go on.... This book is absolutely amazing, and I just want to end my review with two words -- "Read It!"

Giveaway: 2010 EW Summer Book -- You Lost Me There

Guess what!!! I have two copies of YOU LOST ME THERE by Rosecrans Baldwin to share with two lucky participants in the 2010 EW Summer Books Reading Challenge. I haven't had a chance yet to review this novel yet, but you can expect my review in early August -- right before this book is published. I can't wait to read it.

Summary: By turns funny, charming, and tragic, Rosecrans Baldwin's debut novel takes us inside the heart and mind of Dr. Victor Aaron, a leading Alzheimer's researcher at the Soborg Institute on Mount Desert Island in Maine. Victor spends his days alternating between long hours in the sterile lab and running through memories of his late wife, Sara. He has preserved their marriage as a sort of perfect, if tumultuous, duet between two opposite but precisely compatible souls.

But one day, in the midst of organizing his already hyperorganized life, Victor discovers a series of index cards covered in Sara's handwriting. They chronicle the major "changes in direction" of their marriage, written as part of a brief fling with couples counseling. Sara's version of their great love story is markedly different from his own, which, for the eminent memory specialist, is a startling revelation. Victor is forced to reevaluate and relive each moment of their marriage, never knowing is the revisions will hurt or hearten. Meanwhile, as Victor's faith in memory itself unravels, so too does his precisely balanced support network, a group of strong women-from his lab assistant to Aunt Betsy, doddering doyenne of the island-that had, so far, allowed him to avoid grieving.

Rosecrans Baldwin shows himself here to be a young writer bursting with talent and imagination who deftly handles this aching love story with sensitivity and unexpected maturity. You Lost Me There is a treasure of a book filled with beautiful, intelligent prose, a book that wears its smarts lightly and probes its emotions deeply. -- Riverhead Books

To qualify, you must be signed-up for the 2010 EW Summer Books Reading Challenge. You will receive an entry for just being signed up plus an extra two entries for every review that you have written -- so make sure your review links are here. If you aren't signed up for the challenge, it isn't too late! I will be randomly selecting the winners on July 12th! This contest is open to those of you in the United States and Canada only. Good luck!

Thanks to the fine folks at Riverhead Books for sponsoring this giveaway!

Giveaway: 2010 EW Summer Book -- The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

Surprise!!! I have a brand-new copy of THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE by Aimee Bender to share with one lucky participant in the 2010 EW Summer Books Reading Challenge. I recently read and reviewed this beautiful novel, and it's on almost every summer book/reading list that I've seen!

Summary: On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein, a girl at the periphery of schoolyard games and her distracted parents’ attention, bites into her mother’s homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother’s emotions in the cake. She discovers this gift to her horror, for her mother—her cheerful, good-with-crafts, can-do mother—tastes of despair and desperation. Suddenly, and for the rest of her life, food becomes a peril and a threat to Rose. The curse her gift has bestowed is the secret knowledge all families keep hidden—her mother’s life outside the home, her father’s detachment, her brother’s clash with the world. Yet as Rose grows up she learns to harness her gift and becomes aware that there are secrets even her taste buds cannot discern. -- Doubleday

To qualify, you must be signed-up for the 2010 EW Summer Books Reading Challenge. You will receive an entry for just being signed up plus an extra two entries for every review that you have written -- so make sure your review links are here. If you aren't signed up for the challenge, it isn't too late! I will be randomly selecting the winner on July 1st! This contest is open to those of you in the United States and Canada only. Good luck!

Review So Cold the River & Giveaway

Summary: It started with a documentary. The beautiful Alyssa Bradford approaches Eric Shaw to unearth the life story of her father-in-law, Campbell Bradford, a 95-year-old billionaire whose childhood is wrapped in mystery. Eric grabs the job, even though the only clues to Bradford's past are his hometown and an antique water bottle he's kept his entire life.

In Bradford's hometown, Eric discovers an extraordinary past--a glorious domed hotel where movie stars, presidents, athletes, and mobsters once intermingled. Long derelict, the hotel has just been restored to its former grandeur.

But something else has been restored too--a long-forgotten evil that will stop at nothing to settle a decades-old score. And with every move, Eric inches closer to the center of the building storm. -- Little, Brown

If you are a frequent visitor to my blog, then you know that I recently had the opportunity to meet Michael Koryta, author of SO COLD THE RIVER, at a recent Borders Event. I was extremely excited because there has been so much hype surrounding his latest novel. SO COLD THE RIVER is one of EW's 18 Books We Can't Wait to Read This Summer, and you know I'm trying to read as many from that list as I can for the challenge I'm hosting!

Mr. Koryta looks so young that it's hard to believe that he's already had six novels published, and he's pretty cute and funny too! I enjoyed hearing him read an excerpt from SO COLD THE RIVER (even though I think he was scrambling to find one because it was kind of thrown on him last minute.) And I was pretty giddy that Kathy and I actually got our books autographed by Mr. Koryta before they were even released -- thanks Miriam!

So with all of the excitement and pre-release hype surrounding SO COLD THE RIVER, you're probably wondering what I thought of the actual book (and not just meeting Mr. Koryta!) I have to say that SO COLD THE RIVER is not my usual book fare, but I LOVED IT! I think I read this book (which is over 500 pages) in less than 24 hours! I didn't want put it down, and there actually came a time when I couldn't put it down.

I said that SO COLD THE RIVER isn't a book that I would normally pick up, but that's not entirely true. I do love a good suspense/thriller book, and SO COLD THE RIVER has all of the elements that I've come to expect from good books in this genre. What set it apart for me, though, was that it actually had some supernatural aspects; and I'm a little leery of books that are kind of "out there." I find that books like this have to be extremely well done for me to "buy" the supernatural premise, and Mr. Koryta definitely delivered in SO COLD THE RIVER! In fact, not only didn't I mind the parts of the story, but I became caught up in them, kind of believed them, and actually enjoyed them a great deal.

I have not read Mr. Koryta's other books, but I definitely intend to now. I loved his writing style! While the book was kind of long, it read as a much shorter book -- does that even make sense? What I'm trying to say is that the story was gripping and the writing was so smooth that I didn't even notice how many pages I was reading. I thought the premise of the story was extremely creative, and I definitely felt how important the setting of the novel was to the author. Mr. Koryta actually brought these small towns in Indiana to life, and after reading this novel, I will forever think of French Lick as more than just Larry Byrd's hometown! In addition, I really liked how well the author developed the characters, and the dialogue between the characters seemed very authentic.

One thing that really stood out for me in this novel was how Mr. Koryta incorporated the symbolism of storms into this story. I usually don't expect symbolism out of suspense novels, but I have to say I really liked it! I appreciated how the author wove the theme of a big storm throughout this novel through various characters, events, and descriptions. As I read SO COLD THE RIVER, I felt it was inevitable that a big storm would arrive. This is going to sound strange, but I actually felt the tension building in the story just like storm clouds build before a storm (although that probably had something to do with Mr. Koryta's excellent descriptions of the weather!) So when storm finally arrived, I actually felt as if a I were caught up in a storm along with the characters. The book's pace increased drastically as did the tension of the characters; and as a reader, I loved how this all came together and how it made me feel!

As far as I'm concerned, if you are a fan of suspense/thriller novels or even books with a supernatural aspect, then SO COLD THE RIVER is a must-read this summer! I have to say so far, EW's summer book recommendations have not let me down!

If you are interested in learning more about SO COLD THE RIVER or Michael Koryta, then you really need to check out the BlogTalk Radio show hosted by Miriam that took place a few days ago! As always, I enjoyed the show and have an even better appreciation of the novel.

And since I enjoyed this book so much and think all of you should read it, I'm going to giveaway my un-read ARC of SO COLD THE RIVER. To enter, just leave a comment with a valid email address telling me why you want to read this novel. This contest will be open until Saturday, June 26th at 11:59 p.m. ET, and I will notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. Good Luck!

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel.

Review: Girl in Translation

Summary: When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to Brooklyn squalor, she quickly begins a secret double life: exceptional schoolgirl during the day, Chinatown sweatshop worker in the evenings. Disguising the more difficult truths of her life-like the staggering degree of her poverty, the weight of her family's future resting on her shoulders, or her secret love for a factory boy who shares none of her talent or ambition-Kimberly learns to constantly translate not just her language but herself back and forth between the worlds she straddles.

Through Kimberly's story, author Jean Kwok, who also emigrated from Hong Kong as a young girl, brings to the page the lives of countless immigrants who are caught between the pressure to succeed in America, their duty to their family, and their own personal desires, exposing a world that we rarely hear about. Written in an indelible voice that dramatizes the tensions of an immigrant girl growing up between two cultures, surrounded by a language and world only half understood, Girl in Translation is an unforgettable and classic novel of an American immigrant-a moving tale of hardship and triumph, heartbreak and love, and all that gets lost in translation. -- Riverhead

Part of the reason I decided to host the 2010 Summer EW Book Challenge is because I am addicted to Entertainment Weekly magazine. It's one of my go-to sources for book reviews, and I have to tell you that they rarely lead me wrong. And in the case of GIRL IN TRANSLATION by Jean Kwok, they definitely recommended a wonderful book. I absolutely adored this story from the very first page to the last, and I'm pretty sure it's going to be one of my summer favorites!

I can't really say that I was surprised by how much I liked this novel. I love books about other cultures, especially Chinese; and I adore coming-of-age stories. So I pretty much expected to like this novel. But what did surprise me is how touched I was by Kimberly's (and her mother's) story. I guess I realized that it would be difficult to come to a new country and learn a new language and a new culture; however, this book really demonstrated to me how incredibly difficult it would be as well as how strong the individuals are who make the transition. I honestly was blown away by Kimberly's story and how much it affected me. GIRL IN TRANSLATION is really one of those books that makes you think (and think and think...) -- and that's always a sign to me of a very special book. I would even go so far as to say that this novel changed the way I see myself and my place in the world -- i.e. what it means to be an American. Reading GIRL IN TRANSLATION was that powerful of an experience for me!

Without a doubt what caused me to love this book the most was the character of Kimberly. The novel was written in her first person voice and she was such a wonderful character. I loved seeing how much Kimberly changed throughout the novel. She really went from being a scared little girl who didn't know the language to an intelligent, strong woman who demonstrated what it takes to be a true survivor. To her credit, she overcame the odds and proved that with hard work, determination, skill, and lots of hope, she still could turn her and her mother's life around.

I also really loved Kimberly's mother, and I really appreciated their relationship. It was evident that both loved each other deeply, and they continually made sacrifices and tried to protect the other one. Kimberly's mother never really did manage to learn the language and as a result, she wasn't able to fully integrate into the American culture. However, Kimberly did her best to help her mother in so many ways. I especially liked how the author demonstrated that they each had to depend on each other for survival, and how they both had assume the "grown-up" role at different times.

As much as I loved GIRL IN TRANSLATION (and I really did love it!), I think my appreciation of the novel increased even more after I visited Jean Kwok's website. The entire time I was reading this book, I felt as if the story could be a true one. When I discovered that much of Kimberly's story was taken from the pages of Ms. Kwok's own life, it literally took my breath away. To overcome so much hardship like Kimberly (and Ms. Kwok) did is amazing, and I loved the message of survival and hope that resonated in this novel. Ms. Kwok is not only a very gifted writer, but she is also an incredible woman on so many levels.

GIRL IN TRANSLATION is absolutely perfect for book clubs! The story is interesting, the writing is fantastic, and the characters are very complex -- all ideal things for a book club discussion. There is a reading guide available which could help supplement your discussion, but I'm not sure you'd even need one! There is also a wonderful Q&A with the author that enhanced my enjoyment of the book. Some of the topics you can further explore include love, dedication, sacrifice, perseverance, first love, abuse, secrets, new beginnings, mother/daughter relationships, growing up, and staying true to one's self.

If you are interested in multi-cultural books or coming-of age stories, then GIRL IN TRANSLATION is a must-read! It is one of those books that will not only entertain you, but if you are anything like me, it will also deeply touch your heart.

By the way, I've read two very good books so far for the 2010 Summer EW Book Challenge and I just started another winner. These 18 books seem like they are all special in their own way, and I guarantee that you will find quite a few that tempt you. It's not too late to sign-up for this no pressure challenge -- minimum requirement is one book!

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

Review: Half Life

Summary: On the morning that changes everything, Aruna Ahmed Jones walks out of her ground-floor Victorian apartment in London wearing only jeans and a t-shirt, carrying nothing more substantial than a handbag, and keeps on walking. Leaving behind the handsome Dr. Patrick Jones, her husband of less than a year, Aruna heads to Heathrow, where she boards a plane bound for Singapore and her old life. Educated and beautiful, Aruna has a desperate need to risk it all. But why? Waiting for her is a messy past and a perfect past lover she had once abandoned without even saying goodbye – a story left unfinished – until now.

Aruna is not running away from home, she is running back to the home she always had, before it became impossible for her to stay. Before her father, the only family she’d ever known, passed away. Before she tried, and failed, to create a life and a family with her best friend and lover, Jazz. Before her doctor delivered a complicated psychological diagnosis she’d rather forget. After years of fleeing the ghosts that continue to haunt her, Aruna is about to discover that running away is really the easy part; it is coming home—making peace with her past, with Jazz and those they have loved—that is hard. Spanning the world from London to Singapore to India and back again, Half Life is a richly layered tale of love and conflict, friendship and sacrifice, the luminous story of a young woman who risks everything in order to find where she truly belongs. -- St. Martin's Press

I was extremely excited to see that HALF LIFE by Roopa Farooki was included on the EW's 18 Books We Can't Wait to Read This Summer. I have heard some wonderful things about the author's debut novel BITTER SWEETS -- in fact, she was nominated for the Orange Award for New Writers; and I was so looking forward to reading this novel about a young woman who drops everything and returns to her childhood homeland. I really have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this touching novel.

I'm not sure why I was so surprised by this novel (and I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to be able to express my feelings in this review), but I couldn't put this book down. It was a relatively short novel (only about 250 pages) but it was engrossing and it packed a very powerful punch for me. I quickly became caught up in the characters' lives and was desperate to find out how everything connected.

When I read the first chapter, I kind of thought this novel would be about a confused woman who needed some time to discover herself -- not really chick-lit per se, but smart woman's fiction. And this novel certainly was about Aruna and her state-of-mind; however, I found this book to be so much more than that. HALF LIFE wasn't a light read for me, but rather one that involved me in the characters' stories and touched me deeply. I absolutely love that this novel took me by surprise, made me pause and gave me a great deal to think about.

While I did enjoy the story in HALF LIFE, I think the real beauty of the novel was in the character development. While Aruna was a very complex and flawed character, I loved how the author portrayed her. Once I got to know her and understand her past, my heart really went out to her. But I also thought her childhood friend/boyfriend Jazz and his father Hassan were extremely well developed as well. I thought Ms. Farooki did a great job showing the many layers that existed in each of the characters as well as their complicated feelings for each other.

I was extremely impressed with Ms. Farooki's writing style. In fact, I loved the way she told this story. The novel was told in third person narrative, yet each chapter alternated between the three main characters -- Aruna, Jazz and Hassan. I thought this presentation was extremely effective, and I actually liked seeing the characters and their actions through an "outsider's view." I also enjoyed how well the author moved back and forth between the present and the past -- it was seamless. In addition, I thought Ms. Farooki's storytelling abilities were wonderful and I love how the characters evolved and their secrets unfolded.

HALF LIFE would be a terrific pick for book clubs, especially during the summer months since it is a pretty short read. There is reading guide available which delves into some of the same things I thought about while reading this novel. Some of the topics for discussion include the meaning of home, family dynamics, love, loss, cultural issues, mental illness, sacrifice, and friendship.

I highly recommend HALF LIFE! And if you are considering reading it this summer, then you should also check out my latest challenge -- the 2010 Entertainment Weekly Summer Books Challenge!

Review: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

Summary: On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein, a girl at the periphery of schoolyard games and her distracted parents’ attention, bites into her mother’s homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother’s emotions in the cake. She discovers this gift to her horror, for her mother—her cheerful, good-with-crafts, can-do mother—tastes of despair and desperation. Suddenly, and for the rest of her life, food becomes a peril and a threat to Rose. The curse her gift has bestowed is the secret knowledge all families keep hidden—her mother’s life outside the home, her father’s detachment, her brother’s clash with the world. Yet as Rose grows up she learns to harness her gift and becomes aware that there are secrets even her taste buds cannot discern. -- Doubleday

I have heard so many wonderful things about Aimee Bender, but I had never experienced one of her novels. So when I decided to host the 2010 EW Summer Books Reading Challenge, I started with Ms. Bender's latest novel THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE. I can certainly see what all of the buzz was about -- Ms. Bender is a very gifted writer.

I'm not sure that I would go so far as to say that I loved THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE, but I did appreciate it -- especially the writing. I think the cover and title might have thrown me for a loop because I was expecting a lighter read. But this novel definitely didn't classify as a light read (or at least it didn't for me.) It was a beautifully written novel that touched my heart and really caused me to think.

One of the things that I most appreciated about this novel was the story line itself. I loved the idea that a young girl named Rose discovers that she has a gift -- she can tell the emotions of the person who prepared her food. At first, I thought it sounded like a wonderful and fun gift to have, but it actually ended up being quite a burden for poor little Rose. Rose ended up finding out heartbreaking secrets about her family, and then she had to learn how to cope with knowing these things.

I really enjoyed how the author incorporated some magical elements into this story, and I think it was very well done (and believable.) I love that how Ms. Bender showed how much a "gift" can affect our lives, and how we sometimes get "gifts" that we don't want. I loved her use of symbolism in this novel, and I thought Rose's path demonstrated the challenges we all face with knowing too much about our loved ones. This might sound strange but as I'm writing this review, I'm realizing that I maybe I did like this book more than I first realized!

In some ways, I considered THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE to be a coming-of-age story for Rose; but it was actually so much more than that. Rose was at an age in this story (nine years old) where a child starts seeing their parents and their life in a new light. However with the on-set of her "gift", Rose is forced into these realizations as well as the need to cope with them instantly. Throughout the novel, Rose not only has to learn to live with her knowledge, but she also has to learn how to accept and forgive her loved ones. It's a lesson that is true for all of us -- Rose's life just demonstrated it in a more drastic way.

There is no doubt that Ms. Bender can write! I am actually very interested in pursuing some of her other novels. I loved how she brought Rose to life and I thought she did a wonderful job of capturing her voice. Many of the passages in this novel were beautifully written and reading her prose was certainly a treat. I just know that every character, every scene and probably every word were in this novel to invoke a particular meaning.

THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE would make an excellent discussion book for book clubs. There is a reading guide available which will definitely help making sure you get the most our of your meeting. I suggest taking a look at the questions, so you can have an idea how how much this book encompasses because I don't think I did a very good job of showing this in my review. Some of the topics you might want to discuss include loss of innocence, acceptance, forgiveness, coping mechanisms, honestly, and family dynamics to name a few. If your group enjoys discussing literary novels, than I highly suggest taking a look at this one.

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

2010 EW Summer Book Challenge Reviews

Welcome to the 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge -- this is where you can post your review links. I am looking forward to reading all of your reviews!

If you don't have a blog, no worries! You can leave your review on a public site (amazon.com, LibraryThing, GoodReads, etc.) and link to that review. Or you can leave your review in the comments of this post. (If you hover over the date/time of the comment, that is the direct link to the comment. You can then use that as your link in the Mr. Linky.)

Please leave your link in the following format: Name (Book Title) – e.g. Booking Mama (The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake).

Announcing the 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge

I am a huge fan of the magazine Entertainment Weekly, and I especially enjoy their write-ups on books. When I receive my copy every Friday, the first thing I do flip to their book recommendations and see what they have to say about the new releases. I won't say that I agree with them 100% of the time, but I definitely find myself agreeing more often than not.

So a few days ago (thanks to a few fellow book bloggers), I saw their on-line slide show of EW's 18 Books We Can't Wait to Read This Summer. Of course, I immediately wanted to read many (if not most) of them. And then I thought "why not see who else wants to read some of them over the summer?" One thing led to another, and I decided to set up a very informal challenge!

I'm probably one of the worst people to be starting another challenge because I'm not doing a great job with the ones I've currently signed up for. And, I pretty much know that I'm not going to read all 18 of the books, but.....I just couldn't help myself.

Here's EW's list of the summer's must-reads:

THIS BODY OF DEATH by Elizabeth George (April 20)

HALF LIFE by Roopa Farooki (April 27)

GIRL IN TRANSLATION by Jean Kwok (April 29)

THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE by Julie Orringer (May 4)

THE LAST STAND by Nathaniel Philbrick (May 4)

SLOW LOVE: HOW I LOST MY JOB, PUT ON MY PAJAMAS AND FOUND HAPPINESS by Dominique Browning (May 9)

WAR by Sebastian Junger (May 11)

THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST by Stieg Larsson (May 25)

THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE by Aimee Bender (June 1)

THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER by Stephenie Meyer (June 5)

THE PASSAGE by Justin Cronin (June 8)

SO COLD THE RIVER by Michael Koryta (June 9)

THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR by Allegra Goodman (July 6)

LUCY by Laurence Gonzales (July 13)

RED HOOK ROAD by Ayelet Waldman (July 13)

I CURSE THE RIVER OF TIME by Per Pettersson (August 3)

YOU LOST ME THERE by Rosecrans Baldwin (August 12)

MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins (August 24)

Since I want this to be fun and stress-free (just like a summer vacation!), I've decided to include lots of levels, and the first one only challenges you to read one book -- how easy is that? (And I know almost every one of you will be reading MOCKINGJAY before the summer ends.) The names of levels might look familiar to you. Remember those swimming lessons you took at the YMCA when you were a kid?

Levels:

1-3 Books: Polliwog
4-6 Books: Guppy
7-9 Books: Minnow
10-12 Books: Fish
13-15 Books: Flying Fish
16-18 Books: Shark

Details:

The 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge will run from May 1, 2010 through September 6, 2010 (Labor Day). I know summer doesn't officially start until June, but I figure it's always a good idea to get a jump-start on the fun! To join me in this challenge, all you need to do pick your level of participation (you can always go up levels, but not down.) Then after you read a book, just write a review to share your thoughts with others!

Sign Up:

You can join this challenge at any time during this summer. All you have to do is grab the challenge button at the top of this page and write a post announcing your participation in the challenge -- remember you don't need to pick the specific books, just your level. Once you have posted your 2010 EW Summer Books challenge post, come back to this post and click on Mr. Linky. Please leave your name and link directly to your introductory post (not just to your blog’s home page.) If you don’t have a blog, no worries -- you can just leave a comment on this post telling me you want to participate.

On May 1st, 2010 I will place a 2010 EW Summer Books Challenge button in the upper right hand corner of my blog. When you click on this button, you will see a post where all the participants are listed as well as the links to the reviews.

I haven't worked out all of the prize details yet, but I promise that there will be some prizes. I do know that your chances of winning will increase with each review you write. In other words, your name will be thrown in the hat each time you post a review.

I'm asking you to check out the list of books and see if a few don't interest you. Then, I'm really hoping that you'll decide to join me for some fun summer reading!

And remember how I said that I'm not doing so well on a lot of my challenges? I'm only going to sign up for the Guppy Level -- 4-6 books -- I'd hate to not complete my own challenge!