Review: The Race for Paris

Summary: The New York Times bestselling author of The Wednesday Sisters returns with a moving and powerfully dynamic World War II novel about two American journalists and an Englishman, who together race the Allies to Occupied Paris for the scoop of their lives. Normandy, 1944. To cover the fighting in France, Jane, a reporter for the Nashville Banner, and Liv, an Associated Press photographer, have endured enormous danger and frustrating obstacles—including strict military regulations limiting what women correspondents can. Even so, Liv wants more. Encouraged by her husband, the editor of a New York newspaper, she’s determined to be the first photographer to reach Paris with the Allies, and capture its freedom from the Nazis.

However, her Commanding Officer has other ideas about the role of women in the press corps. To fulfill her ambitions, Liv must go AWOL. She persuades Jane to join her, and the two women find a guardian angel in Fletcher, a British military photographer who reluctantly agrees to escort them. As they race for Paris across the perilous French countryside, Liv, Jane, and Fletcher forge an indelible emotional bond that will transform them and reverberate long after the war is over. Based on daring, real-life female reporters on the front lines of history like Margaret Bourke-White, Lee Miller, and Martha Gellhorn—and with cameos by other famous faces of the time—The Race for Paris is an absorbing, atmospheric saga full of drama, adventure, and passion. Combining riveting storytelling with expert literary craftsmanship and thorough research, Meg Waite Clayton crafts a compelling, resonant read. -- Harper

I'm finally getting around to reading all of the books from BEA 2015! I attended a very cool presentation at Harper Collins, and one book I was extremely excited about was THE RACE FOR PARIS by Meg Waite Clayton. I read Ms. Clayton's THE WEDNESDAYS SISTERS a few years back, and I was anxious to see her approach to a World War II historical fiction story.

THE RACE FOR PARIS tells the story of two American female journalists who want to cover the liberation of Paris from the Nazis in 1944. Jane Tyler, a reporter for a Nashville paper, meets Liv Harper, a photographer with the AP, in a French field hospital. They become fast friends and decide that they aren't going to pay attention to the restrictions that are present for female journalists. Instead, the go AWOL and "race for Paris." These two strong women want to beat the Allies and become the first journalists in Paris to cover the story.

Along the way they meet Fletcher Roebuck, a British photojournalist, who agrees to help the women get to Paris. Their travels across the French countryside are fast-paced and very dangerous, and these three form a complicated bond that will forever change their lives.

I enjoyed THE RACE FOR PARIS quite a bit and I was very impressed with Ms. Clayton's writing. I knew she was a talented fiction writer, but I think her research of the time period and portrayal of these characters was excellent. I admit that it took me a little bit to get into THE RACE FOR PARIS; however, once I got to know the characters, the story really took off for me. I have a feeling that it was just me -- I must have picked up the book at the wrong time.

THE RACE FOR PARIS was a terrific example of what I expect from historical fiction. Granted, I love WWII time period, but I also found the story of female journalists covering the war to be fascinating. Ms. Clayton did a great job of incorporating real-life characters into her novel, and it was evident that she did a great deal of research of the subject matter.

In addition, the story and characters were so well developed. I loved Jane, Liv, and Fletcher. Each character brought something special to the story. And the relationship between the three of them was extremely interesting. There was definitely some exciting and dangerous moments, but they were offset by some very tender ones. I appreciated the complexities of their interactions, and the romance aspect was extremely well done.

Ms. Clayton's writing was just so good. I've already mentioned her character and plot development, as well as how thorough her research was. However, I think what really made this book so good was that I became so vested in the characters and their lives. I felt the ups and downs of their race for Paris, and I was laughed and cried with the characters along the way. What I really appreciated about this book, though, was that it taught me a few things and made me think. That's the sign of a great book!

I think THE RACE FOR PARIS would make an outstanding book club pick, especially if your group is interested in WWII stories or historical fiction. The story is intriguing, but the characters and their actions are also complex enough to provide some stimulating discussion. There is a reading guide available on the author's website as well as some additional information about the war and and female journalists. Some of the themes you might want to explore include friendship, love, the role of journalism during a war, gender and equality issues, censorship, trust, loss, grief, danger, courage, and humor. Trust me when I tell you that there is a great deal to discuss about this novel.

THE RACE FOR PARIS is historical fiction at its best. Highly recommended!

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

Review: Dr. Mutter's Marvels

Summary: A mesmerizing biography of the brilliant and eccentric medical innovator who revolutionized American surgery and founded the country’s most famous museum of medical oddities

Imagine undergoing an operation without anesthesia, performed by a surgeon who refuses to sterilize his tools—or even wash his hands. This was the world of medicine when Thomas Dent Mütter began his trailblazing career as a plastic surgeon in Philadelphia during the mid-nineteenth century.

Although he died at just forty-eight, Mütter was an audacious medical innovator who pioneered the use of ether as anesthesia, the sterilization of surgical tools, and a compassion-based vision for helping the severely deformed, which clashed spectacularly with the sentiments of his time. Brilliant, outspoken, and brazenly handsome, Mütter was flamboyant in every aspect of his life. He wore pink silk suits to perform surgery, added an umlaut to his last name just because he could, and amassed an immense collection of medical oddities that would later form the basis of Philadelphia’s renowned Mütter Museum.

Award-winning writer Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz vividly chronicles how Mütter’s efforts helped establish Philadelphia as a global mecca for medical innovation—despite intense resistance from his numerous rivals. (Foremost among them: Charles D. Meigs, an influential obstetrician who loathed Mütter’s “overly modern” medical opinions.) In the narrative spirit of The Devil in the White City, Dr. Mütter’s Marvels interweaves an eye-opening portrait of nineteenth-century medicine with the riveting biography of a man once described as the “[P. T.] Barnum of the surgery room.” -- Penguin/Avery

DR. MUTTER'S MARVELS: A TRUE TALE OF INTRIGUE AND INNOVATION AT THE DAWN OF MODERN MEDICINE by Christin O'Keefe Aptowicz received a lot of great press when it was first released in hardcover last year. I never got around to reading it then, but fortunately I had a second chance when it was released in paperback. It's not a book that I would normally pick up; however, the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia has always intrigued me and I wanted to learn more about this fascinating man.

DR. MUTTER'S MARVELS is the biography of Dr. Thomas Dent Mutter, an innovative doctor who changed the way surgeries are performed. He also was the founder of the Mutter Museum, a museum of medical oddities. He died at only 48 years old, but he made a huge difference in his life as a renowned teacher and surgeon. I guarantee there are quite a few things he discovered or worked on that I'm personally grateful for like anesthesia and better hygiene in hospitals.

There is no doubt that Mutter was a great doctor and teacher, but he was also quite a character. He was over-the-top on many fronts including his style of clothes, his collection of medical oddities, and his feud with other doctors. Needless to say, he led an amazing life and Aptowicz's portrayal of it in this book is nothing short of fascinating.

I thoroughly enjoyed DR. MUTTER'S MARVELS. It was a quick read for me and never dry which to be honest was a concern when I started reading the book. Dr. Mutter was an interesting man, both personally and professionally; and the time period in which is he lived was so exciting for the advancement of medicine. As difficult as portions of this book were for me to read (like the lack of anesthesia for major surgeries), it was fascinating to learn about medicine both before and after Dr. Mutter's contributions.

One of the most interesting parts of this book was Mutter's relationship with his rivals,  namely Dr. Charles D. Meigs. Dr. Meigs was very old school and didn't appreciate Mutter's innovative ideas. Dr. Meigs came across as almost a comical character, knowing what we know now about hygiene and medicine; and I found their rivalry to be very entertaining.

The book ends with Dr. Mutter realizing that his death was imminent despite his young age. He worked until the very end, trying his best to teach medical students about his findings. In addition, he made sure that his medical collection had a home. Today, visitors can see Dr. Mutter's medical oddities in the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia.

DR. MUTTER'S MARVELS was a fantastic biography about an interesting, and very important, many. Highly recommended to fans of biographies or readers interested in medicine.

Thanks to Wunderkind PR for providing a review copy of this book.

Review: Eileen

Summary: So here we are. My name was Eileen Dunlop. Now you know me. I was twenty-four years old then, and had a job that paid fifty-seven dollars a week as a kind of secretary at a private juvenile correctional facility for teenage boys. I think of it now as what it really was for all intents and purposes—a prison for boys. I will call it Moorehead. Delvin Moorehead was a terrible landlord I had years later, and so to use his name for such a place feels appropriate. In a week, I would run away from home and never go back.

This is the story of how I disappeared.

The Christmas season offers little cheer for Eileen Dunlop, an unassuming yet disturbed young woman trapped between her role as her alcoholic father’s caretaker in a home whose squalor is the talk of the neighborhood and a day job as a secretary at the boys’ prison, filled with its own quotidian horrors. Consumed by resentment and self-loathing, Eileen tempers her dreary days with perverse fantasies and dreams of escaping to the big city. In the meantime, she fills her nights and weekends with shoplifting, stalking a buff prison guard named Randy, and cleaning up her increasingly deranged father’s messes. When the bright, beautiful, and cheery Rebecca Saint John arrives on the scene as the new counselor at Moorehead, Eileen is enchanted and proves unable to resist what appears at first to be a miraculously budding friendship. In a Hitchcockian twist, her affection for Rebecca ultimately pulls her into complicity in a crime that surpasses her wildest imaginings.

Played out against the snowy landscape of coastal New England in the days leading up to Christmas, young Eileen’s story is told from the gimlet-eyed perspective of the now much older narrator. Creepy, mesmerizing, and sublimely funny, in the tradition of Shirley Jackson and early Vladimir Nabokov, this powerful debut novel enthralls and shocks, and introduces one of the most original new voices in contemporary literature. -- Penguin Press

EILEEN by Ottessa Moshfegh was a book I kept hearing about at this year's BEA, but it wasn't until I attended the Book Group Speed Dating Session that I knew it was a must read for me. It sounded crazy strange, yet the writing was supposed to be amazing. I thought it would be perfect for Mystery Mondays.

EILEEN is indeed a strange book and Ms. Moshfegh's writing is nothing short of spectacular. I was extremely impressed with the author's writing style and the story was riveting, but I must say that I found this book to be disturbing. I mean that in the best way possible, of course! EILEEN was at times uncomfortable for me to read because the writing made Eileen's story so real, yet it was also a great mystery of sorts. Eileen tells the reader up front that this is the story of her disappearance, and the rest of the novel is about the events that led up to this event.

EILEEN is Eileen's own story about how she disappeared from her father's home and it's quite a ride. Eileen is a young adult and lives in a filthy home with her alcoholic father. She works at a local correctional institute for juvenile boys during the day and takes care of her father at night -- which basically means she supplies him with his alcohol. Eileen is miserable. She is insecure about how she looks and fantasizes about a certain prison guard who barely notices her; and as a result, her only hope is to leave all of this behind her and move to New York City.

When the beautiful Rebecca shows up at the prison as a new counselor at the prison, Eileen senses that her life is about to change. The two become fast friends despite their differences, and for the first time in her life, Eileen has a friend. Rebecca even invites Eileen to her home to spend some of the Christmas holidays with her; however, Eileen soon realizes that Rebecca's intentions aren't quite what they seem!

EILEEN is a fascinating book that definitely plays with the reader. Eileen is one of the most interesting (and twisted) characters that I've encountered in recent months, and she's sure to remain in my thoughts for sometimes. In many ways this book was a psychological thriller, but I also found it to be a bit of a mystery. At the beginning of the novel, Eileen sets up the reader by talking about how she "escaped" her home... and it sounds like it's quite a story, but it takes quite a few hours of reading to discover the specifics!

I enjoyed so many things about EILEEN and I was extremely impressed with Ms. Moshfegh's writing. Despite the twisted subject matter of the book, her prose was quite beautiful with vivid and brutally honest descriptions of Eileen's innermost thoughts. The relationships in Eileen's, albeit few, were incredibly complex and brought to life perfectly in this novel. The scenes from Eileen's past that were strategically dropped into the story were poignant and gave really insight into Eileen's motivations. And the pacing of the story was absolutely perfect as her story built to it's shocking conclusion.

I especially appreciated the scenes with Eileen and her father. Wow! I don't think I can convey the hopelessness of their lives. Eileen's father was an ex-cop who lost his wife and his job. He is an alcoholic in the worst sense of the word and is not only paranoid but truly can't function in the real world. Eileen is left to clean up after him which she does halfheartedly. I found it so interesting to think about Eileen's sense of responsibility along with her sense of guilt for her family situation.

As I read EILEEN, I couldn't stop analyzing Eileen. She's is very strange (even unlikable) and made me feel uncomfortable with many of her thoughts. The story takes place in the mid 1960s when women were on the cusp of major change, and Eileen's feelings definitely mirrored the times. (I found the juxtaposition of what was going on in Eileen's world and the real world to be so well done!) In addition, I appreciated how the events leading to Eileen's escape from her pitiful life also drastically changed Eileen. In many ways, this was a coming-of-age story for Eileen, and it was interesting to see how she became her own woman and even showed signs of being her own person. Eileen realized she did have some power and ability to make choices!

EILEEN is really a special book with beautiful writing and strong character development. Highly recommended to fans of dark psychological thrillers.

Thanks to the publisher for providing 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. 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: Swan

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 gorgeous picture book about famous dancer.

Summary: One night, young Anna’s mother takes her to the ballet, and everything is changed. So begins the journey of a girl who will one day grow up to be the most famous prima ballerina of all time, inspiring legions of dancers after her: the brave, the generous, the transcendently gifted Anna Pavlova. Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova is a heartbreakingly beautiful picture book biography perfect for aspiring ballerinas of all ages. -- Chronicle

SWAN: THE LIFE AND DANCE OF ANNA PAVLOVA by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Julie Morstad is a very special biography about a very important woman. Anna Pavlova is arguably the most famous ballerina of all times, and this beautifully illustrated picture book brings her to life through beautiful prose.

SWAN tells the story of Anna, a young girl living in Russia in the late 1800s. She grew up very poor but her life was forever changed when her mom took her to see a ballet one evening. Anna fell in love with the art of dance, despite not having the body or feet for ballet. She worked extra hard to become a ballerina, and she captured the world with her dance.

I absolutely loved SWAN. Both the words and the pictures are just beautiful, and little ballerinas are going to love this book. This picture book not only celebrates Anna Pavlova's life but also the history of ballet. It's just stunning.

I knew very little about Anna Pavlova, so I definitely appreciated that this poetic story featured her life. After finishing this book, I wanted to know more about her. Fortunately, the author included a brief bio in the back of the book that answered many of my questions. I had no idea that Anna reinforced her ballet shoes because her feet were arched... and her "invention" led to modern day pointe shoes. I also was surprised to learn that she died very young because of pneumonia or pleurisy. In addition, I loved learning that Anna brought ballet to the masses!

SWAN is a beautiful picture book but also one that teaches children about a very special woman. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this 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!

Review: The Signature of All Things

Summary: In The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction, inserting her inimitable voice into an enthralling story of love, adventure and discovery. Spanning much of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the novel follows the fortunes of the extraordinary Whittaker family as led by the enterprising Henry Whittaker—a poor-born Englishman who makes a great fortune in the South American quinine trade, eventually becoming the richest man in Philadelphia. Born in 1800, Henry’s brilliant daughter, Alma (who inherits both her father’s money and his mind), ultimately becomes a botanist of considerable gifts herself. As Alma’s research takes her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, she falls in love with a man named Ambrose Pike who makes incomparable paintings of orchids and who draws her in the exact opposite direction—into the realm of the spiritual, the divine, and the magical. Alma is a clear-minded scientist; Ambrose a utopian artist—but what unites this unlikely couple is a desperate need to understand the workings of this world and the mechanisms behind all life.

Exquisitely researched and told at a galloping pace, The Signature of All Things soars across the globe—from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam, and beyond. Along the way, the story is peopled with unforgettable characters: missionaries, abolitionists, adventurers, astronomers, sea captains, geniuses, and the quite mad. But most memorable of all, it is the story of Alma Whittaker, who—born in the Age of Enlightenment, but living well into the Industrial Revolution—bears witness to that extraordinary moment in human history when all the old assumptions about science, religion, commerce, and class were exploding into dangerous new ideas. Written in the bold, questing spirit of that singular time, Gilbert’s wise, deep, and spellbinding tale is certain to capture the hearts and minds of readers. -- Viking

Despite reading tons of great reviews about THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS by Elizabeth Gilbert, I still wasn't thrilled when my book club decided to read it for June. Had I known that I would be at the beach and miss the meeting, I admit that I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I didn't consider myself a fan of Ms. Gilberts after trying to read EAT, PRAY, LOVE; and truth be told, this book didn't appeal to me in the slightest based on the description. However, I gave it a shot and actually ending up really appreciating it. You could even say I liked it... a lot.

THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS takes place during the 18th and 19th centuries and tells the story of the Whittaker family. Henry Whittaker was born in England and grew up very poor; however, he made a fortune in the quinine trade and became one of the richest men in Philadelphia. His daughter, Alma, would like to follow in his footsteps so she decides to becomes a botanist.

Alma has few friends -- really just her beautiful sister and one other girl, and she's pretty much decided that she's going to be a spinster. She focuses mainly on her science instead of relationships... which eventually allows her to examine the concept of evolution. However, when she meets Ambrose Pike, her life is turned upside down. He is an artist who paints gorgeous orchids, and he introduces Alma to the world of the spiritual.

Through her relationship with Ambrose, Alma begins to took at all of life and question how it works. Her initial impressions about science are also called into question and she becomes one of the brightest minds in evolution theory. Through Alma's life, THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS takes readers all over the world and vividly demonstrates the amount of change taking place during this exciting time.

It's been quite awhile since I've finished THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS but I still remember this book vividly. I think that's a testament to how powerful of a story this is and just how well written it was. I'm not sure what I was expecting when I picked up this novel, but it certainly delivered more than I had hoped. It was well researched, well written, and very literary. Count me impressed with Ms. Gilbert as a historical fiction author!

THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS is an epic story about one family, and especially one woman, that was both smart and interesting. No one was more surprised than I to discover that I actually was interested in Alma's life and even botany and evolution. I enjoyed seeing the world through the pages of this book, and I was really impressed with how she wove Alma's life story into what was really going on during this transitional time in world history.

Alma, like her father, was a fascinating character. I can't say that I liked her all that much, but in this novel, that totally didn't matter. She was an odd duck to say the least, and Ms. Gilbert created her so well that she seemed like a real person. I loved how she balanced the science and intelligence aspects of Alma with her desire to be loved. And I found Alma's ideas about life to be incredibly interesting... especially for a woman during that time period.

THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS is a big book -- I read it in hardcover and it weighs a ton. It's not a quick read, and yet the story does move at a steady pace. I never found myself getting bored with the story (which quite honestly shocked me), and that's probably because this book accomplishes so much. I was so impressed with how "tight" the story was. Alma's professional and personal live blended perfectly with what was going on in the world, the characters were all extremely intriguing. Overall, it was just an enjoyable and educational read.

And that brings me to my next point, and probably what I liked the most about THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS. This novel taught me a thing or two about history and science, and it made me think. I loved that this book questioned the status quo and it made me rethink my opinions on certain things about life. At the very least, it allowed me to consider the role of religion and the spiritual on our world today.

I am sorry that I missed our meeting for THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS. I'm pretty sure it was a great meeting because this book has so much to discuss. There is a reading guide available with fourteen questions. Some of the themes you might want to explore include the role of women, science, religion, class structure, friendship, love, parent/child relationships, evolution, curiosity, and sexuality.

I was pleasantly surprised by THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS. It thought it would be too long, too boring, etc.; and yet, I ended up really enjoying it. Highly recommended to fans of historical fiction.

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

Review: The Last Pilot

Summary: Jim Harrison is a test pilot in the United States Air Force, one of the exalted few. He spends his days cheating death in the skies above the Mojave Desert and his nights at his friend Pancho's bar, often with his wife, Grace. She and Harrison are secretly desperate for a child-and when, against all odds, Grace learns that she is pregnant, the two are overcome with joy.

While America becomes swept up in the fervor of the Space Race, Harrison turns his attention home, passing up the chance to become an astronaut to welcome his daughter, Florence, into the world. Together, he and Grace confront the thrills and challenges of raising a child head-on. Fatherhood is different than flying planes-less controlled, more anxious-however the pleasures of watching Florence grow are incomparable. But when his family is faced with a sudden and inexplicable tragedy, Harrison's instincts as a father and a pilot are put to test. As a pilot, he feels compelled to lead them through it-and as a father, he fears that he has fallen short.

The aftermath will haunt the Harrisons and strain their marriage as Jim struggles under the weight of his decisions. Beginning when the dust of the Second World War has only just begun to settle and rushing onward into the Sixties, Benjamin Johncock traces the path of this young couple as they are uprooted by events much larger than themselves. The turns the Harrisons take together are at once astonishing and recognizable; their journey, both frightening and full of hope. Set against the backdrop of one of the most emotionally charged periods in American history, The Last Pilot is a mesmerizing debut novel of loss and finding courage in the face of it from an extraordinary new talent. -- Picador

I've mentioned more than a few times lately that I am very behind in writing reviews. One book that I feel horrible about waiting to write my review for is THE LAST PILOT by Benjamin Johncock. I admit that I have actually procrastinated a bit on this one because I was blown away by this story... and it's been difficult for me to convey my feelings. Rather that sitting right down and forming my thoughts about this novel, I've waited entirely too long and that's probably a disservice to the book and the author.

THE LAST PILOT tells the story of Jim Harrison, a test pilot in the US Air Force, and his wife Grace during the 1940s. Being a pilot defines Jim and both his and Grace's lives revolve around that. Their friends are fellow pilots and their wives, and they hang out most nights with them at Pancho's, the local bar owned by Jim's good friend Pancho Barnes (a real-life character). Jim and Grace have unsuccessfully tried to have a baby for years, so when they learn Grace is finally pregnant, they are thrilled.

Jim decides to pull back on his dangerous career, forgoing a chance to be an astronaut and stay close to his daughter Florence. However when a tragedy occurs in their family, Jim finds that all of his talents as a pilot won't translate into saving their daughter. Instead of mourning the loss with Grace, Jim decides to sign up to be an astronaut and move to Houston. Once Jim relocates, he becomes fully involved in the Space Race... even if that means pulling away from his wife and never really dealing with their loss.

THE LAST PILOT is the debut novel by Benjamin Johncock and I have to say that he's an incredible writer. I honestly don't have the words to express just how talented he is. The prose was absolutely stunning, and the story and characters were equally compelling. All in all, this novel is very, very powerful (and unique) and one that I can't recommend enough!

When I read the description for this novel, I wasn't sure that it really appealed to me. I'm not that interested in pilots or astronauts for that matter, and I still have flashbacks to visiting NASA all of the time as a kid. But after reading a few reviews (and a few emails from the publicist), I decided to give it a shot... and thank goodness I did because this book is one of my favorites for 2015!

I probably won't be able to describe just how unique this author's writing style is. His prose is sparse with many of the sentences just being a few words -- truly like no other author I remember reading; and his dialogue is really good -- but with no quotation marks. In fact, if you skim through the book, I think you'll be surprised by just how unusual the dialogue and sentences look. His style could easily have been choppy and disjointed, and yet, it's not. It's perfect! I don't know how he managed to pull it off and make it appear effortless.

I absolutely loved the characters in this novel. Jim and Grace, and their relationship, were fascinating.  The dynamics between them were so real and many times very painful. I also loved how the author used the Space Race as the backdrop to their story. The juxtaposition of what was going on in the characters' lives and what was going on in the "real world" was especially powerful.

And finally, I actually did enjoy learning about pilots and astronauts despite having my doubts. The author did a great job of researching this time period and bringing it to life for the reader. I was truly amazed by what these pilots and their wives did for their country. The technology was primitive by today's standards and they were really risking their lives each and every time they took flight. I also appreciated how the author incorporated real life pilots like Chuck Yeager and Gus Grissom into Jim's story.

THE LAST PILOT would make an outstanding book club selection. There truly is so much to discuss about the characters and the changes that were occurring in our country. There is a reading guide available with sixteen questions. Some of the themes you might want to explore include family, parenting, sacrifice, love, grief, guilt, loss, the role of women, commitment, coping mechanisms, and hope.

THE LAST PILOT is an incredible debut novel by a promising author. My review certainly doesn't come close to showing just how special this book really is. Highly recommended!

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

Review: The Middle of Somewhere & Giveaway

Summary: With her thirtieth birthday looming, Liz Kroft is heading for the hills—literally. Her emotional baggage weighs her down more than her backpack, but a three-week trek promises the solitude she craves—at least until her boyfriend, Dante, decides to tag along. His broad moral streak makes the prospect of confessing her sins more difficult, but as much as she fears his judgment, she fears losing him more. Maybe.

They set off together alone under blue skies, but it’s not long before storms threaten and two strange brothers appear along the trail. Amid the jagged, towering peaks, Liz must decide whether to admit her mistakes and confront her fears, or face the trail, the brothers and her future alone. -- NAL

When I received a copy of THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE by Sonja Yoerg, I was extremely excited. This novel was one that I heard about at the BEA Book Group Speed Dating Session and wrote down as must-read for this fall. In addition, I enjoyed the author's previous novel HOUSE BROKEN -- you can read my review here.

THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE tells the story of Liz Kroft, an almost 30 year old who decides to take a three week hike along the John Muir Trail. Liz is definitely dealing with some pretty heavy issues from her past, and she is looking forward to having some time to herself to work through her pain. However, her boyfriend Dante decides to come with her... even though he's not exactly the hiking type!

On one hand, Liz knows that she should tell her secrets to Dante, but Dante has strong feelings about what's right and wrong and she's afraid she might lose him. On the other, she's not sure she even wants to continue her relationship with him. Wracked with guilt, Liz and Dante begin their journey.

There experience many ups and downs (both literally and figuratively) as they travel the trail. However, when serious storms and two very odd brothers appear, Liz realizes that this adventure has turned very dangerous. Liz is forced to decide if she wants to continue with Dante and if she can face admitting the regrets from her past.

I enjoyed THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE but I didn't like it quite as much as HOUSE UNBROKEN. I think I'm probably alone with these feelings based on other reviews out there. It's not that I don't think this book is very well written. Rather I just couldn't relate to Liz; and for much of the novel, I didn't really care for her. I admit that I had a few issues with her past decisions, and I had a hard time feeling an affinity with her. It probably didn't help that I'm just not the outdoorsy type and didn't fully appreciate the descriptions of hiking and the trail.

One thing I can definitely say about THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE is that Liz was a well-developed character. Even though I had some issues with her, I appreciated how complex she was. The guilt she had been carrying for years was weighing her down so much that she couldn't fully engage in a relationship with Dante. Her inability to share her innermost thoughts with him didn't help matters either.

As the story progressed, more information became available about Liz's past; and I'll admit that I did begin to like her a bit more. Once I realized the extent of her pain, I felt bad for her and I definitely was rooting for her to come to terms with her past and forgive herself. Even though Liz did bring some of her pain onto herself, she blamed herself for everything... even those things which were out of her control. I can't imagine how miserable she was and how much she needed to work through things while challenging herself to such a rigorous hike.

Another thing that I appreciated about THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE were the author's descriptions of the trail. It's apparent that she traveled these paths quite a bit and she definitely brought them to life with her prose. As I mentioned before, I'm not one who enjoys hiking so this trip sounded like hell to me, but I did like that I got an idea of what a three week trip on the John Muir Trail would entail. In addition, I thought Ms. Yoerg's descriptions of the setting were outstanding. I could almost picture the beauty of the trail with her vivid details about the majestic mountains.

And finally, I really enjoyed how Ms. Yoerg used Liz's journey on the trail as an allegory to her journey in life. As Liz was trying to deal with a huge amount of guilt and grief, she was also taking on a mammoth effort to hike for three weeks in a variety of elements. The ups and downs of her path to self-discovery were linked closed to what she experienced on the trail. Her decisions to tackle things alone or with Dante mirrored some of the decisions she was trying to work through in her personal life. I don't want to give too much more away about how these things were so closely related, but suffice it to say that I liked how well the author linked the two journeys.

THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE would make an outstanding book club selection and there's even a discussion guide in the back of the book. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a copy of it on-line. Some of the themes you might want to explore include secrets, guilt, grief, religion, hope, lies, perseverance, courage, and forgiveness. In addition, you might want to discuss some of the allegories in the story including the actual journey itself and how evil and good was represented.

THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE has a little bit of something for everyone. It's a beautifully written story that also tackles some serious issues. Recommended to fans of women's fiction and book clubs.

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

Giveaway alert: I have a copy of THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE to share with one lucky reader courtesy of the publisher. To enter, just fill out the form below before September 14th at 11:59 p.m. EST. 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!