Giveaway: An Uncommon Education

Summary: Afraid of losing her parents at a young age, Naomi Feinstein prepares single-mindedly for a prestigious future as a doctor. But when her only friend and confidant abruptly departs from her life, Naomi isn't sure she will ever recover, even after a long-awaited acceptance letter to Wellesley arrives. 

Yet Naomi soon learns that college isn't the bastion of solidarity and security she had imagined. Amid hundreds of other young women, she is consumed by loneliness—until the day she sees a girl fall into the freezing waters of a lake. 

The event marks Naomi's introduction to Wellesley's oldest honor society, the mysterious Shakespeare Society, defined by secret rituals and filled with unconventional, passionate students. As Naomi immerses herself in this exciting and liberating world, her happiness is soon compromised by a scandal that brings devastating consequences. Naomi has always tried to save the ones she loves, but sometimes saving others is a matter of saving yourself. 

An Uncommon Education is a compelling portrait of a quest for greatness and the grace of human limitations. Poignant and wise, it artfully captures the complicated ties of family, the bittersweet inevitability of loss, and the importance of learning to let go. -- Harper Perennial

Last year, I had the pleasure of reading AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION by Elizabeth Percer. I thoroughly enjoyed this coming-of-age story about Naomi Feinstein, a young girl whose life is full of struggles because she is always trying to save those she loves. The novel was beautifully written by an award-winning author, and I think it's perfect for book clubs who enjoy discussing literary fiction.

Thanks to the publisher, I have a copy of the newly released trade paperback edition of AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION to share with one lucky reader. To enter, fill out the form below before January 21st 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. Good luck!

Review: Kinsey and Me

Summary: In 1982, Sue Grafton introduced us to Kinsey Millhone. Thirty years later, Kinsey is an established international icon and Sue, a number-one bestselling author. To mark this anniversary year, Sue has given us stories that reveal Kinsey’s origins and Sue’s past.

“I've come to believe that Grafton is not only the most talented woman writing crime fiction today but also that, regardless of gender, her Millhone books are among the five or six best series any American has ever written.”—Patrick Anderson, The Washington Post

Kinsey and Me has two parts: The nine Kinsey stories (1986-93), each a gem of detection; and the And Me stories, written in the decade after Grafton's mother died. Together, they show just how much of Kinsey is a distillation of her creator’s past even as they reveal a child who, free of parental interventions, read everything and roamed everywhere. But the dark side of such freedom was that very parental distance.

The same feisty voice and witty apercus readers fell in love with in A Is for Alibi permeate the Kinsey stories. Those in the And Me section trace a remarkable voyage, from anger to understanding, from pain to forgiveness. They take us into a troubled family, dysfunctional as most families are, each in their own way, but Grafton’s telling is sensitive, delicate, and ultimately, loving. Enriching the way we see Kinsey and know Sue, these stories are deeply affecting. -- Marion Wood Books/Putnam

When I read the description for KINSEY AND ME STORIES by Sue Grafton , I was shocked to learn that this series is thirty years old! I started reading these books from the beginning and I can't possibly be that old! But all kidding aside, I have always had a deep appreciation for Ms. Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series. And when I read her latest two novels last year, I was reminded of her talents. She not only weaves a fantastic mystery, but she's also created one heck of a memorable sleuth.

It was absolutely a given that I wanted to read her new book called KINSEY AND ME which is actually a collection of short stories and somewhat different from her previous novels. KINSEY AND ME is made up of nine stories starring her amateur sleuth Kinsey Millhone and thirteen shorter stories featuring a character called Kit Blue. Naturally, the Kinsey ones are mysteries and have the look and feel of Ms. Grafton's best-selling series; however, the Kit stories are much darker and were written in the decade following the author's loss of her mother. Ms. Grafton states in this book that writing these stories were her way of handling her grief.

Overall, I though KINSEY AND ME was fabulous. I absolutely love Kinsey so it wasn't a surprise that I found the short story mysteries to be fantastic. Ms. Grafton did an outstanding job of converting her typical novel format of storytelling to a much shorter format. She still created intriguing crimes with interesting characters, and she even managed to keep her trademark humor in these stories.

The second half (although a much shorter half!) of KINSEY AND ME was made up of some pretty dark stories about Kit. These stories delved into Kit's relationship with her alcoholic parents as well as the dysfunction she experienced as a child. In addition, the stories showcased the various emotions that Kit (which I took to mean Ms. Grafton) experienced through her mother's various illnesses and eventual death. The character went through stages of anger, grief, sadness, acceptance and eventually forgiveness, and I found these stories to be very honest, heartfelt and emotional.

One thing that made this book extra special to me were the sections that Ms. Grafton wrote directly to the reader. She explained the challenges she faced in writing short stories -- having to create a mystery, introduce a few viable suspects, and solve it in just a few pages while also making the stories "feel" like her series. She also gave a great deal of background on the art of writing mysteries.

However, it was her honesty in discussing the last part of the book, the stories she wrote after the death of her mother, that really affected me. There is absolutely no doubt that we are defined by many of our childhood experiences, and Ms. Grafton is no different. Living with dysfunctional parents most likely created a lot of bitterness and resentment; however, through the years, Ms. Grafton was able to come to terms with the relationship she had with her parents. I have a feeling that these stories were extremely therapeutic for Ms. Grafton to write, but I also suspect that others might find comfort in her words.

While I definitely liked KINSEY AND ME a great deal, I have to say that I most "enjoyed" the Kinsey stories. I adore Kinsey and mysteries and these nine stories were a treat. Having said that, I think I most "appreciated" the Kit stories. I knew Ms. Grafton was a skilled author, but I had no idea that she could write like this! The writing of these stories was excellent and they most definitely packed a powerful punch.

KINSEY AND ME is a unique collection of Ms. Grafton's short stories combined in one book. It's honestly like nothing I've ever read and I highly recommend it!

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

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.

Kid Konnection: Gingersnap

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 share with you a very sweet middle grade book by a two-time Newbery Honor-winning author.

Summary: It's 1944, W.W. II is raging. Jayna's big brother Rob is her only family. When Rob is called to duty on a destroyer, Jayna is left in their small town in upstate New York with their cranky landlady. But right before he leaves, Rob tells Jayna a secret: they may have a grandmother in Brooklyn. Rob found a little blue recipe book with her name and an address for a bakery. When Jayna learns that Rob is missing in action, she's devastated. Along with her turtle Theresa, the recipe book, and an encouraging, ghostly voice as her guide, Jayna sets out for Brooklyn in hopes of finding the family she so desperately needs. -- Wendy Lamb Books

When I received a copy of GINGERSNAP by Patricia Reilly Giff in the mail, I was immediately drawn to the cover. This picture of the young girl walking by the row houses gave me the impression that this book took place in the past, and I found myself scrambling to learn more about the story. Turns out that GINGERSNAP is a historical fiction middle grade novel. It takes place during the last year of World War II and tells the story of an orphaned young girl named Jayna whose brother is called to serve on a destroyer in the Pacific.
 

The fears surrounding the war are a constant force in the novel; however, most of the story is really Jayna's. Right before her brother leaves, he reveals that they might have a grandmother who lives in Brooklyn. When Jayna learns that her brother is missing in action, she goes looking for a recipe book that he had mentioned in hopes of learning more about her grandmother. She discovers that the book is full of French recipes, but it also mentions her nickname and a bakery address in Brooklyn. Feeling that she has nothing to lose, Jayna ventures out on her own to Brooklyn to locate her grandmother.

Despite some mishaps along the way, Jayna is able to locate the bakery; however, she learns that things aren't always what they seem. More importantly, she realizes some very important lessons about love, friendship, and family.

I thought GINGERSNAP was a delightful middle grade book. Jayna was truly sweet and I loved her courage and determination. As a mother, my heart went out to her not only for losing her parents, but then losing her brother too. She was forced to live with a virtual stranger (who was a bit different) and she didn't seem to have a lot of friends besides her pet turtle. I especially liked that Jayna was such a master soup chef. The author even included a variety of Jayna's soup recipes with her personal notes!

 

I also loved how the author incorporated so much World War II history in this story. As someone who enjoys getting my history lessons from novels, I love that there are quality books out there for kids who feel the same way! In addition to all of the information about the war in the Pacific, I appreciated how the author brought 1940s Brooklyn to life. I loved the descriptions of the streets, the people, and the shops, and I especially liked the details about the bakery -- how they had to make due without butter and eggs.

One element of the story that I was a bit surprised that I liked as much as I did had to do with a ghost. I'm not usually one for supernatural elements thrown into a story, but I think in the case of GINGERSNAP, this ghostly voice really worked. I have my own ideas about this "presence," but I'd be very curious to talk to some late elementary age children to get their impressions.

 

GINGERSNAP actually would be a wonderful book for mother/daughter book clubs or even classroom discussions. The book does introduce some important aspects of our history, but it also has some wonderful lessons. Some of the themes you might want to further explore include war, love, family, sacrifice, respect, longing, and hope.

 

In conclusion, I adored GINGERSNAP for many reasons, but especially for the messages that the novel conveyed. 

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

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! 

Review: This Cake Is for the Party

Summary: Shortlisted for the acclaimed 2010 Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Frank O’Connor Short Story Award, and the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize Best First Book Award, This Cake Is for the Party has received consistent rave reviews praising debut writer Sarah Selecky.  

In these ten stories, linked frequently by the sharing of food, Sarah Selecky reaffirms the life of everyday situations with startling significance. For upmarket women’s fiction readers that love stories which reflect the joys and pitfalls of marriage, fidelity, fertility, and relationship woes, this collection is a conversation starter. This Cake Is for the Party reminds us that the best parts of our lives are often the least flashy. Reminiscent of early Margaret Atwood, with echoes of Lisa Moore and Ali Smith, these absorbing stories are about love and longing, that touch us in a myriad of subtle and affecting ways.

With more than 10,000 copies sold in Canada, where she was named the CBC Book Award's Best New Writer, Sarah Selecky proves she is an exciting new voice with a promising future. -- Thomas Dunne Books
 
In the past, I would preface this review for THIS CAKE IS FOR THE PARTY by Sarah Selecky by saying that I don't enjoy short stories. However over the past few years (and after adoring OLIVE KITTERIDGE), I've come to realize that I do appreciate some short story collections. THIS CAKE IS FOR THE PARTY is one of them. I thought this literary book about the ups and downs of everyday life was extremely well-written.

It's hard for me to summarize THIS CAKE IS FOR THE PARTY. It is a collection of ten stories, many of which have a common theme of food (although I think it's misleading to think this is a foodie novel.) Rather, this book deals with some of the complex issues of early adult life including marriage, adultery, friendship, and parenting. Many of the stories have a common thread of longing, surprise, and even disappointment.

What I can definitely say about this collection is that the characters and their actions are extremely real and many of these stories will resonate with readers. I think that's a huge testament to the author, Ms. Selecky. Her prose is gorgeous and her descriptions are so precise. I found the actual writing in this book to be even more interesting that the stories themselves. (Not that the stories and the characters weren't interesting, but the writing is exquisite!)

As is the case any time I read a collection of short stories, there are some that work better for me than others. I can honestly say that all of the stories were quite good, but the last story called One Thousand Wax Buddhas really impressed me. It is the story of a woman named Robin who basically sees the world through a different lens than the rest of us. It is apparent from the beginning that this story will not end happily -- there is a great deal of foreshadowing. What I enjoyed was how the tension in the story built and how the story was paced. It was extremely well executed.

THIS CAKE IS FOR THE PARTY would make a fantastic book club selection for groups who enjoy literary fiction or short stories. The characters and their actions are thought-provoking and most people will find a lot to discuss. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a readers guide, but I'm fairly confident that most clubs will find plenty to talk about on their own.

Overall, I enjoyed THIS CAKE IS FOR THE PARTY. It's a beautifully written collection of short stories that is sure to resonate with readers because of the realism of the characters.

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

Review: Me Before You

Summary: They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has never been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

A Love Story for this generation, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart? -- Pamela Dorman Books

It's rare that you'll find me reading a love story, but I made an exception for ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes. First of all, it's a Pamela Dorman Book -- enough said. Second, this novel was a big-time word-of-mouth success in the UK so I figured it must be pretty good, right? And finally, I had read another book by Ms. Moyes called THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER, and I really liked it (my review.) I figured, if nothing else, I could handle a love story right around the holidays.

Overall, I have to say that I really enjoyed ME BEFORE YOU - maybe even loved it a little bit. And if I'm being entirely honest, that surprised me since it is pretty much a love story. However, ME BEFORE YOU is anything but a traditional, sappy, love story. Rather, it's a beautiful story about two unlikely people who fall in love with each other despite a very difficult situation. It's smart and witty, yet also extremely touching -- don't even ask me how many times I cried; and the ending was entirely unexpected, but perfect!

ME BEFORE YOU tells the story of Louisa and Will. Louisa is a young girl who hasn't experienced much beyond the limits of her small village. She still lives with her parents, her sister, and her nephew in a small house, and Louisa is forced to live in a very small bedroom -- not much larger than a closet. Without many options, Louisa takes a job as Will's caretaker.

A few years back, Will had a wonderful life. He had success in his career and his relationships, and he loved taking risks. Unfortunately, he was in a horrible accident that took away the use of his arms and his legs. Needless to say, Will was miserable and not sure that he wanted to life out the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

So when Louisa enters the picture as Will's companion, Will is less than thrilled. He's bitter, sarcastic, and even mean to Louisa; however, she doesn't take his crap. She considers leaving, but then realizes that she has feelings towards Will that might not be exactly appropriate for a caretaker. When Louisa realizes that Will has his own ideas about his future, she decides that she can prove to Will that he still can have a fulfilling life... despite having to experience it as a paralyzed man.

ME BEFORE YOU is a beautiful story about the true meaning of love. At the surface, Louisa and Will's story proved that opposites do attract. However, it also showed the sacrifices that people are willing to make for those they love. In many ways, this novel broke my heart, yet it also demonstrated the magic of love and how it can bring the best out in people.

While I did love the story and the characters, there were some other really good things about ME BEFORE YOU. First and foremost, I appreciated Ms. Moyes' writing. This is the second book by her that has blown me away, and I've found that she's a wonderful storyteller. I also loved the pace of the novel -- from the introduction of the characters, to the building of their relationship, to the ending; and I didn't want the story to end. Furthermore, I liked how she explored life in a small village as well as the differences in the class structure of the characters. And I even thought the portrayal of family life was very honest.

I normally wouldn't recommend a love story as a fantastic book club selection, but as I mentioned before, ME BEFORE YOU isn't a typical love story. Because this novel was so smart and did such a wonderful job of exploring all types of loving relationships, I think it would be a perfect book club pick. There is a reading guide available with twelve intriguing questions. Some of the topics you might want to explore include family dynamics, love, sacrifice, sibling relationships, secrets, second chances, and even a few ethical dilemmas. There is also a great book club kit here.

I adored ME BEFORE YOU and I highly recommend it to fans of women's fiction!

I received a copy of ME BEFORE YOU at the 2012 BEA.

Giveaway: Come In and Cover Me

Summary: When Ren was twelve years old, she lost her older brother to a car accident. For twenty-five years he’s been a presence in her life, appearing with a song or a reflection in the moonlight. Her connection to the ghosts around her has made her especially sensitive as an archaeologist, understanding the bare outline of our ancestors, recreating lives and stories, and breathing life into those who occupied this world long before us. On the cusp of the most important find of her career, it is the ghosts who are guiding her way. But what they have to tell Ren about herself, and her developing relationship with the first man to really know her since her brother’s death, is unexpected—a discovery about the relationship between the past and the future, and the importance of living in the moment. -- Riverhead

Last January, I reviewed a very interesting novel called COME IN AND COVER ME by Gin Phillips. I am not usually a big fan of ghost stories, but I found the description of this book to be so unique that I decided to pick it up. I'm not sure that I fell in love with the story or all of the characters, but overall, this novel was extremely well written and sure to impress many readers. You can read more about my opinion here.

Thanks to the publisher, I have a copy of the newly released paperback of COME IN AND COVER ME to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before Tuesday, January 15th 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. addresses only. Good luck!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope 2013 is the best year yet for you and your loved ones!