Review: The Sound of Gravel

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, this book was upsetting.

I have a sickness for reading sad books, heart-wrenching sagas that make you appreciate your normal, mostly boring life. Most of the polygamist stories I have read have made me want to hug my kids, jump in the car, and start capturing the kids living in Colorado City. This book triggered that for me. Ruth's family was not the worst, by far, but that isn't saying much. Her step dad was awful, her mother was awful, and I wanted to cry, but I didn't, because I was in public.

This is a time for half stars, and I give this one 3.5. Ruth, glad to see you made it out the other side. You deserve happiness.

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Review: If You Find Me

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok, I'm a huge baby. This book made me cry. I think it's the mom in me. I need a tissue now.

This book wasn't quite what I expected. I knew it was about a girl who had been kidnapped, but that was about it. I actually liked how it was laid out with the rescue at the beginning and the flashback interwoven into the story afterwards. More of a mystery that way, dropping in the puzzle pieces. My nitpick: it didn't seem like the girls went to therapy or had any professional help outside of the social worker helping test them for school. Really? Maybe I missed a throwaway line or something, but no one on one sessions? No family / group therapy? Kids are resilient, but that missed the mark for me.

I've had this book on my list for a while now. Glad I finally got to it. 3.5 stars, but rounding up because it was a tear-jerker, and I love those kind of books.

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Review: Master of Rosewood

Master of Rosewood by Karl Tunberg
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This is quite possibly the worst book every written. A real WTF from start to finish.

I can't even explain why I kept reading this trash, except I couldn't believe my eyes. Good lord, it is ridiculous. The best thing I can say about this book is it seems to be out of print. Just stay away. This book is offensive and terribly written. Plantation porn at its worst.

Zero stars for this one.

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Review: Room

Room by Emma Donoghue

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Imagine you are five-years-old. Imagine you have never left the room your were born in. You have limited knowledge of the outside world, because you don't realize there IS an outside world. Welcome to Room.

I really enjoyed this one--I found the concept unique and the voice of Jack didn't seem off to me, like I read in a few reviews. And as gripping as I found the first half of the book, I found the second half to be even more interesting. I listened to this on audio, and I think it added to the story. Definitely recommend.



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Review: Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

What a miserable collection of terrible people. Just simply the worst. Rarely am I so glad to get to the end of a book. I need at least one redeemable character, so I slogged on until the end, to be left wanting.

Glad to cross this classic off my list and move on to happier things! Well written but not enjoyable. 2 stars for longevity. No stars awarded for entertainment value.

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Review: Wolf Hall (Thomas Cromwell #1)

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Divorced, Beheaded, Died. Divorced, Beheaded, Survived. Thus went the wives of Henry VIII. Join me on a journey of Court intrigue with Thomas Cromwell as he works his way to chief minister to the King. Twisted relationships, archaic gender roles, and general historical treachery is headed your way. Hang on to your hats, because it's going to be a long, wild ride.

I enjoyed the history and the different perspective into Thomas Cromwell. The writing was strong, however I had to subtract a star because this book was not made for audio. I kept finding myself pausing to think, "Which Thomas is this? Cromwell, Wolsey, More? Or possibly Howard or Boleyn? Are we talking about King Henry or Henry Percy?" And don't get me started on Mary and Anne. I realize it's history and yes, everyone was named Thomas, Henry, Anne and Mary, but it made the audio experience especially hard to keep straight.

It was interesting to look at the decisions made because of the deeply entrenched patriarchal society. Would Henry have remained with Catherine in a different time? Was his fickleness driven by his need to retain a legitimate male heir, religion, or mere vanity? Would Henry have been a different ruler in a different time? The world will never know, but it's fun to speculate. Read this, then watch the excellent Wolf Hall on PBS. I enjoyed them both.

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Love Water Memory

Love Water Memory by Jennie Shortridge

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Amnesia. The power of memory. Love. Family. I'm going to be thinking about this book for a while. I really enjoyed it.

Lucie loses her memories. All of them. I can't even imagine. This book explores what might happen to your life if you had the slate wiped clean. Would you have the same interests? Mannerisms? Values? Would you love who you loved before? Such an interesting concept. Great book--I definitely recommend.



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Crushed (Fredrickson Winery #2)

Crushed by Barbara Ellen Brink

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Good lord, this book was terrible. The characters were shallow and underdeveloped. The drama was ridiculous. The romance was trite and the dialogue eye-rollingly bad. However, I can put up with a lot, and what loses me faster than anything is poor editing. Tons of typos / errors that a professional editor would catch, for example, the line "too large for any small boy to swallow hole". No. Just no.

I found nothing redeeming about this book except that it finally ended. I would rather read a stack of Barbara Cartland romances than this book. Dame Barbara, please don't go. I take back every bad thing I've ever said about your silly heroines and overly masculine men. Love you always and forever now.



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Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


My sister recommended this book to me, and I really ended up enjoying it. It was part mystery, part chick-lit, and a voyeuristic dive into the characters' private lives. We follow various families all tied together through their children's elementary school, and it examines the lies we tell others and ourselves, both big and small. The subject matter hit really close to home with a couple of characters' story lines. It makes you think about your life, your friends' lives, and how things aren't always what they seem.

I really didn't guess at the ending and it really kept me engaged throughout. Good stuff and not my typical read. I will read others by her.



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Nine Minutes

Nine Minutes by Beth Flynn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Holy Stockholm Syndrome, Batman! My mind is reeling. I have never read a book like this. I still don't know what to think. I'm conflicted on my rating, so for now it's getting 3 stars.

Fifteen-year-old Ginny is abducted by a motorcycle gang member and "given" to the leader, Grizz. What follows is a twisted, dark story of violence, love, betrayal, and loyalty. I don't want to give too much away because what happens is interesting. It's written from Ginny's point of view, but you get some other perspectives as well as the book unfolds. I've seriously not ever read anything like this book. I'm sure there are other books out there like this, but since it's not my typical genre my head is spinning a little.

The writing was decent but not perfect and I had to suspend disbelief quite a few times--seriously, if someone kidnapped me I would do anything to escape rather than just shrug my shoulders and give up--but the story was interesting. 3 stars for now.



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