Bookworm: I Just Finished... A Spark of Light, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Where the Crawdads Sing, and P.S. I Still Love You... (October/ November 2018)

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

For those familiar with Picoult’s novels, A Spark of Light is everything she does best. It tackles a controversial subject. In this case, the setting is an abortion clinic where a gunman has taken several hostages, each with a differing viewpoint on the situation at hand as well as pregnancy termination in general. As always, the characters were distinct and added richness to the theme. As a hostage negotiator tries to diffuse the situation, he learns his daughter is inside the clinic. This is just one of the many storylines that unravels over the course of several hours. The plot is laid out hour by hour in reverse. I’m not going to lie; I found this annoying at first, but it grew on me. I’d recommend A Spark of Light to Picoult fans and those who enjoy women’s fiction.

To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han

After more “intense” reads, I tend to crave something a little bit lighter. When that happens, I look to my students for book suggestions. My girls recommended the author, Jenny Han. Particularly, they talked about her novel To All The Boys I Loved Before, which was just turned into a movie on Netflix (shocking they’d be into it lol). I had a hard time getting into it at first. It’s nothing I can pinpoint, but there was a certain quirkiness I just wasn’t jiving with. As I read on, though, I really started to become engrossed in the story. Lara Jean Song, the middle of 3 sisters being raised by their widowed father, has a habit of writing love letters to the boys she has been smitten with, five in all. When the letters are accidentally mailed, a super cute romantic comedy ensues. I look forward to reading the sequel, and I’d recommend this one to my ladies who enjoy YA fiction with a rom-com vibe.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

I definitely enjoy true crime, and my favorite recommendations in the genre come from my friend and coworker, Ryan. As teachers, we each post our current reads outside our classroom doors. I noticed the cover of this one outside Ryan’s classroom. I was initially drawn to the fact that it was a new true crime title, and then immediately noticed that two of my favorites, Gillian Flynn and Patton Oswalt, wrote the foreword and the afterword. Focusing on the criminology of the Golden State Killer, a prolific serial rapist turned murderer that terrorized California in the mid seventies to mid eighties, McNamara chronologizes the individual crimes while also expressing her own obsession with the cold case. I was super impressed by the mix of fact and articulate prose. It should be mentioned that McNamara died while writing this book of an accidental overdose. This fact adds just another interesting dimension to the best true crime title I’ve read in awhile. I’d highly recommend this title to any of my friends who love true crime, ID Discovery, nonfiction, or criminology.

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and Maira Kalman

After reading about a serial killer, a lighter tone was in order. Whenever I’m looking for a new YA read, and I’m not going off the opinions of my students, I check out the Printz award winners. Why We Broke Up, a Printz award recipient is a story about a first love lost. Min, short for Minerva, is a film enthusiast who finds herself in an all consuming relationship with basketball star, Ed. While this sounds super cheesy, the way the book was structured was unique. Each chapter was titled with a drawing. Each drawing represented something in the box Min is delivering to Ed post-break up. Each artifact unfurls the story of their short-lived romance and alludes to the reason the relationship ended. I loved the creativity of this book and the raw honesty of Min’s emotions. She didn’t come across as cheesy in the slightest. I did, however, tire of the stream of consciousness storytelling at times. It felt breathless, which, to the writers’ credit, perfectly sums up the emotions the book is trying to capture, but I guess it was proof that I’m not a teenager anymore. Wah!  I’d recommend Why We Broke Up to YA fans, especially those who enjoy books about relationships with unique artistic value.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

If ever a novel provided a sense of place, it’s this one. A Reese Witherspoon book club pick (who doesn’t love Reese?), Where the Crawdads Sing is set between the 1950s and early 1970s in the marshland of North Carolina. Kya, known to the townsfolk as The Marsh Girl, is no stranger to abandonment. Growing up alone in the marsh and isolated from society, Kya struggles to form relationships with the few people she comes across. Her story intertwines with the criminal investigation of the death of local hero, Chase Andrews, as she finds herself on trial for his murder. It is evident that the author is a naturalist. The setting of the marsh is unique and beautifully described. I am not outdoorsy by any means, and I was captivated. I enjoyed this novel from start to finish. It had suspense, romance, and everything you would want from a page turner, yet the quality of the writing has strong literary merit. I’d recommend to anybody who enjoys fiction, particularly women, and also those who enjoy getting lost in a different place and time.

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Even though it’s slightly cheesy, there was something about these characters that made me want to read the sequel. In this installment, Lara Jean begins a relationship with Peter (her fake boyfriend in the first book). They are, as in all cliche teen romances, polar opposites. Conflicts arise surrounding these differences, past relationships, and former friendships. The result is an, in my opinion, entertaining teenage rom-com that, even though it’s not my favorite book ever, was good enough to make me want to read the final installment of the trilogy.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... The Woman in the Window, All We Ever Wanted, Before We Were Yours, This is Where it Ends, The Hate U Give, The Handmaid's Tale, and Wild (Back to School 2018)

The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn

Going into this one, I was expecting to be entertained in that typical mystery/thriller sort of way. I wasn’t wrong, but The Woman in the Window proved to be a little bit more than that. First off, it upped the quirk factor with an agoraphobic main character who spends her time online and spying on the neighbors. Her husband and daughter have left her. Stewing in her loneliness, she turns her attention to the neighbors and witnesses a murder. I enjoyed the suspense created by having an unreliable narrator. I’d recommend to anybody who enjoys fiction.

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

Probably my favorite thing about Emily Giffin is her ability to write “chick lit” that’s also smart. She never shies away from tough topics, and this novel is no exception. All We Ever Wanted centers around a private school scandal, in which a photo of a semi nude female student was posted alongside a racist caption. Alternating in perspectives from all angles of the #metoo movement, Giffin does what she does best in entertaining and educating without overwhelming. I’d recommend this book to all my female fiction loving friends.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Alternating between the then and now, I wasn’t sure I could get past the first modern day chapter of this book. I was immediately drawn to the past--life aboard a river shanty, no strings, but nothing to cling to. It didn’t take long for me to appreciate sticking with this one. The historical aspect is horrific, yet fascinating. My heart broke over and over, but I couldn’t put this one down. I’d recommend Before We Were Yours to pretty much anybody.

This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

A young adult novel focused around a school shooting, This is Where it Ends was jarring at times. Deepening the emotion, the novel alternates in perspective between several sets of siblings as they move through the minutes of this massacre. This one felt real without being gratuitous, and I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys YA lit or trending fiction.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I’ve really enjoyed all of my recent reads, but The Hate U Give is a stand out. Centered around Starr, a teen who witnesses her childhood friend being shot by the police, this novel explores gang violence, race relations, police brutality, socioeconomic structure, and family dynamics. I loved how real it felt. Starr’s voice was so strong and authentic, I was sad to let her go at the end. I would highly recommend The Hate U Give to just about everybody. It’s a dose of perspective without feeling preachy.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

I’ve been anxious to watch the series on Hulu, but it’s always my policy to read the book first. The Handmaid’s Tale is a disturbing look at the future. Women are forbidden to read and write, and once a month, Offred must lay down and attempt to become impregnated by the Commander. She is only valuable if she can reproduce. Definitely a cautionary tale, The Handmaid’s Tale is full of riveting imagery, and I loved how it made me think. Even though I’d highly recommend it, I’m not sure everybody would love this one. It will most likely appeal to fans of women’s fiction, dystopian tales, and those who like to be part of the literary fiction “conversation.”

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

I’ve wanted to read this one for a while, but then I saw most of the movie. I enjoyed it, so then I wondered if I really needed to read the book. I knew I did, but I put it off. And, I’m honestly sorry I waited so long. Even though I enjoy memoirs, I believe, in some ways, they are the toughest genre to write. It’s hard to edit your own story. It’s also hard to tell your own tale and keep listeners/readers engaged without sensationalizing. Cheryl, a young woman fresh off the loss of a mother, a battle with addiction, and the end of her marriage, seeks clarity on the Pacific Crest Trail. While I enjoy geography, I am by no means outdoorsy. Still, I fell into Wild. I loved
Cheryl’s honesty about her past. Specifically, the infidelities in her marriage and her anger at her mom’s passing tugged at me. This, contrasted against the challenges and beauty of the PCT and the characters she meets along the way, make for a truly satisfying memoir. I’d recommend it to pretty much anybody who enjoys nonfiction, especially those with a particular interest in the outdoors and self-discovery.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... One of Us is Lying, A Place for Us, Everything I Never Told You, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Summer Reading 2018)

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Oddly enough, I seem to read less in the summer. I wanted to change that this year, so I decided to start off with a trending YA title. I figured it would be entertaining and easy to read with shorter chapters—perfect for the countless interruptions that come with staying home with the boys. This book had a Breakfast Club gone bad vibe. Five seemingly random high school students are serving detentions. When one of them winds up dead, a circus ensues. Alternating in point of view between the four surviving detainees, One of Us is Lying was just the right read to help me fight the summer slump. I’d recommend it to anybody who enjoys young adult fiction and mystery/suspense.

A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

Similar in title and organization to the television series This Is Us, A Place For Us intermixes scenes of a  Muslim family, gathering in present time for the wedding of eldest child, Hadia, with formative scenes in the clan’s history. These memories are not told through flashbacks, but an ever shifting present tense that also swaps points of view. This format caused me to take a while to get engaged in the novel, but by its closing pages, I felt completely connected to the family. It’s hard to discuss the plot of this one without giving too much away, but it deals with child estrangement, racism, religion, family dynamics, love, addiction, and so many other important motifs. One of the most powerful things I took from this book, albeit fiction, was how the issues listed above are prevalent in a myriad of cultures. They don’t discriminate. Despite the slow start, I would recommend this book to all my fiction loving friends.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Reading Everything I Never Told You was a perfect progression from A Place For Us. Both examine families dealing with tragedy; in this case, the drowning of eldest daughter, Lydia, in the lake near their home. This one also shifts back and forth in time and perspective as it delves into the dynamics of the Chinese-American Lee family both before and after the death of a child. This book was beautifully written, well-paced, and engaging. I would definitely recommend it.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne

I knew going into Cursed Child that, because it’s a play, it would be a different sort of read than the rest of the Harry Potter series. Still, I can’t deny the excitement I felt to be reconnected with so many of my favorite characters. Beginning, literally, where we left them on platform 9 and three quarters nineteen years after Voldemort was defeated at the Battle of Hogwarts, this tale focuses on Harry’s youngest son, Albus, who has been sorted into Slytherin house alongside his fast friend, Scorpius Malfoy. The two embark on a dangerous journey back in time to try to save Cedric Diggory from his unfair death in the Triwizard Tournament. I really enjoyed reading about Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and Draco as they try to navigate parenting whilst showing that they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. I’d love to see this performed live, and I’d recommend to any Harry Potter enthusiasts.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Harry Potter 4-7, The Woman in Cabin 10, The Great Alone, Dead Letters, and You (June 2018)

Harry Potter 4-7 by JK Rowling

Honestly, I could go on and on and on, and, for those of you who I see of a regular basis, you have experienced this first hand. I was a total skeptic, but I freaking love this series. The characters age one year per book, so as they get more mature and complex, so do their story lines.

My feelings about each title are basically the same. They explore so many themes and teach so many lessons. So, in regard for brevity, here’s my two sentence reaction to each:

HP4: The Goblet of Fire

The Triwizard tournament was super suspenseful. This book contained the first major death— a turning point for sure.

HP5: The Order of the Phoenix

I loved everything about Dumbledore’s Army. I just might hate Professor Umbridge more than Voldemort.

HP6: The Half-Blood Prince

Things really start to get more complex in this book. And, there’s some serious heartache.

HP7: The Deathly Hallows

So much happened in this book. I alternated between gasping and crying—a perfect finale.

Seriously, read the first one. If you find it cute, keep going. They get better and better.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise, but I’m second guessing it after this book. Kidding; I still want to set sail. But, I’ll definitely keep my guard up. Lo, a young travel writer, fresh off the trauma of a home invasion, embarks on a work assignment aboard a boutique luxury cruise liner aka mega yacht. Once at sea, she inadvertently finds herself in the middle of some serious shit. I don’t want to give anything away. Was this novel life-changing? No. But, I would highly recommend it for a summer beach read. I couldn’t put it down.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I don’t even know where to start with this one, so I’ll just say... wow! I could not stop reading. The characters were amazing, and I was completely absorbed by the setting and time period. This book follows the life of a young girl, Leni, and her parents beginning in the early 1970s. Leni’s father is a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD and fits of violent rage. Her mother, the uppity girl gone wild, bears the brunt of this. When her father inherits a cabin and piece of land from an old war buddy, Leni’s family uproots to the Alaskan bush. Needless to say, they are hopelessly unprepared, but what follows is some amazing storytelling. This was one of those novels where, when I finished reading, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  I’d highly recommend The Great Alone to anybody who enjoys fiction.

Dead Letters by Caite Dolan-Leach

Another page turner, Dead Letters was a recommendation from my friend, Sharon. It’s got a mysterious vibe; following Ava, a twenty-something living in Paris, as she returns home to her family’s struggling vineyard in New York state after her twin sister, Zelda, is presumed dead in a fire. Ava is skeptical right off the bat as to whether or not her free spirited sister is really deceased. Once she starts receiving messages from Zelda, the plot intensifies. In addition to the suspense, I appreciated this novel’s strong characterization and sense of place. I’d recommend it to anybody who likes a little mystery and is looking for a solid summer read.

You by Caroline Kepnes

Holy creepy! You, which my colleague, Ryan, and author, Stephen King, have both endorsed was one of the most unique books I’ve read in a while. Written in a second person perspective from inside the mind of a book salesman/stalker/psychopath, the novel follows Joe Goldberg as he zeroes in on his latest obsession, Guinevere Beck. It’s not often that authors let unreliable narrators tell the story; and, in this case, it was ultra intriguing. It started with getting Beck’s name off the credit card she used to make a purchase from his shop. With this basic information, Joe was able to obtain enough intel to fully insert himself into her world. Trust me when I say he will stop at nothing to hold his place. The story gripped me instantly. It also caused more than a few weird dreams. Still, I appreciated the rare look into the mind of a sociopath and the suspense it created. I learned there is a sequel, Hidden Bodies, and  definitely plan on checking it out. I’d recommend You to anybody who enjoys suspense and is ready to take a journey into an unstable psyche.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... The Perfect Stranger and Harry Potter books 1-3 (March 2018)

The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda

I snagged this book from the Scholastic book fair at work, and I’m glad I did. Although I enjoyed All The Missing Girls, also by Miranda, I liked The Perfect Stranger even more. Leah Stevens, a former journalist has relocated to a remote western Pennsylvania town after a scandal sent her into hiding. There, she lives with her roommate, Emmy, a free spirit who goes missing at the same time a local woman is found bludgeoned to near death in the woods behind their house. Leah must battle her past demons while trying to make sense of the present situation. Where is Emmy? Who attacked the woman in the woods? What really happened back in Boston? This book had the perfect mix of suspense, vivid characters, and a fast moving plot that kept me turning the pages. I’d recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a quick-paced mystery.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling

I’m not into fantasy, but I’d be lying if I said there were not exceptions to that rule. I have taught middle school for 13 years, so it was about freaking time that I read the Harry Potter series. If you can get through the first fifty pages of background, Hogwarts will captivate you. Hogwarts, of course, being the wizard school Harry Potter has been recruited by. Harry’s parents were famous in the magical realm, and, especially, at Hogwarts. After being tragically destroyed by the evil Lord Voldemort, the Potters left behind one son. Harry, only a year old when his parents were killed, managed to escape the ordeal brandishing a scar on his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt. Because of his ability to ward off Voldemort at such a young age, Harry is respected amongst his peers and teachers at Hogwarts. I was a skeptic for sure, and, while I’m still not a fantasy nut, I’d recommend Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to all my friends. Honestly, I couldn’t put it down.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

The second installment of Harry Potter was just as enjoyable as the first. I didn’t love the ending (it felt slightly anticlimactic), but the novel as a whole was really well done. The characterization was solid, the messages about morality were strong, and I was not disappointed. I’d recommend the Harry Potter series to anybody who likes magic and fantasy and is ready to fall in love with some incredible characters.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

After completing the third book in the series, I’m really starting to understand why Harry Potter has such a cult following. My bestie Marissa is a huge fan, and when she was over the other day, we couldn’t help but talk about which house we would be in if we were to attend Hogwarts and which classes we would enjoy most (potions for me; charms for Marissa). I think that’s my favorite thing about this series. Not only is it well-written and appealing to those, like myself, who aren’t always drawn to the fantasy genre, but it makes you think. While reading, I have found myself comparing my traits to those of the characters. I have wondered what I would do in some of Harry’s predicaments. I have had some deep dialogue with truly amazing people of all ages about the moral dilemmas presented in the novels. Harry Potter, so far,  has entertained me and sparked me to connect with a variety of people over our love of these books. What more can you ask for really? I’d recommend this series to anybody who’s ready to join the conversation and see what all the hype is about.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... All American Murder and Murder on the Orient Express (February 2018)

All American Murder by James Patterson and Alexander Abramovich

The only book I can remember being advertised via television commercial, All American Murder tells the story of Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots’ tight end turned convicted murderer. While I enjoy watching sports, there are two primary reasons I wanted to read this one. First, I love a good true crime story, and, while I did somewhat follow this case via the news, I never knew all the details. Second, I respect James Patterson, a fellow Manhattan alum, and his reputation as a writer. Suffice to say, I was not disappointed. I read the entirety over the course of a few days as I was constantly gripped by the fast paced account of what propelled Hernandez to the top of his game and what caused his sudden demise. I loved that even though it was obvious this book was well-researched, it still read like a narrative. Patterson didn’t paint Hernandez as a hero by any means, detailing his less than stellar track record at the University of Florida and unsavory influences from his home turf of Bristol, CT. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Hernandez when his father (and #1 role model/fan) passed away suddenly. Aaron also appeared to suffer from an intense paranoia, constantly forcing him to question his surroundings and likely a cause for his abuse of drugs. I would highly recommend this book to any Patriots fan or any fan of true crime stories. I knew I would find this title interesting, but I was shocked at how I could not put it down.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

I’ve enjoyed reading to solve the crime ever since Nancy Drew and Fear Street. That being said, it was about time that I read a novel by the ultimate mystery writer, Agatha Christie. Murder on the Orient Express recently came out as a motion picture. I was extremely intrigued by the ensemble cast, but I knew I would be disappointed in myself if I didn’t read it first. I am a firm believer that if you have any interest at all in the print version, you start there. It is almost impossible to go in the reverse and read a novel after seeing the movie (at least for me). In the book, detective Poirot finds himself aboard a train where a passenger has been stabbed to death. The train has been delayed by a snowstorm allowing the suspense to increase as the other passengers are more closely inspected as suspects. Sure, the language is old school and slightly European, but I really got into the way the story was organized. It made the narrative slightly choppy, but I thought the whole concept of compiling evidence one character at a time and then drawing conclusions was so “good old-fashioned mystery” in the best way possible. I wasn’t blown away by the ending (or the novel in general), but I would still recommend it to mystery lovers and those looking to check some of the classics of their lists.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... The Couple Next Door and The Timekeeper (January 2018)

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

My coworker, Sharon, left this book on my desk. Knowing she had been reading another novel just days earlier, I assumed it must be a pretty solid read for her to have finished it so quickly. The Couple Next Door is easily the most fast-paced story I’ve read in awhile. Centering around Anne and Marco Conti, a young couple who leave their infant daughter asleep in their crib while they head to the rowhouse next door for a birthday party (checking on her routinely and carrying the baby monitor with them) only to return home to an empty crib. As the couple begins to process the events of the evening, the detectives begin their search for answers. What is revealed is edgy, shocking, and super entertaining. I predicted a couple of the twists, but it didn’t stop me from frantically turning the pages. I’d recommend The Couple Next Door to any of my fiction loving friends.

The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom

I’ve never read a Mitch Albom book that I didn’t like, and I liked this one. Still, I don’t know if it’s just me being moody or not, but, although I enjoyed The Timekeeper, it was not my favorite. Following the stories of a teenage girl and an elderly man with Father Time as the third perspective, the plot moved along quickly, and it was engaging. Yet, I still found myself wanting to rush through the Father Time sections to get back to the other two stories. I definitely appreciated the reminder that time is always fleeting and every moment should be cherished, but I found myself rolling my eyes at moments. Reading this over, it sounds like I did not enjoy the book, and I did; I just didn’t love it. I’d recommend The Timekeeper to Mitch Albom fans and to those who don’t mind a little bit of cheesiness.