Book Reviews

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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Author: Irin Carmon

Genre: Biography/Memoir

Publisher: Dey Street Books

Pages: 240

 

First takeaway from this book: RBG is a badass! She is feminism done right. She was a pioneer in pushing for equality, and is still doing so from the highest court in our country, and I love her for that. She is the embodiment of the Shakespearian quote “Though she be but little, she is fierce”. She is a tough woman, but this book allowed me to see her softer side, which was lovely.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a very millennial take on a biography/memoir and not something that I would recommend using if you were looking for something to use for a research project. If, however, you are looking for a fun read that will give you a glimpse in to the life of one of the most influential women of our time, this is a good place to look. I will say that the writing style/layout of the book was a bit disjointed, or “clunky”, for lack of a better term. It jumps around throughout the timeline of her life and career a lot, and it is easy to lose exactly where you are in her life or career if you aren’t paying attention to what you are reading. Aside from that, the book is a lot of fun, and has some great humor and heartwarming parts in it. The additional material (pictures, annotated dissents, documents, etc) jut make it all the more enjoyable. It’s definitely a worthy read. I have long admired this remarkable woman, and this just made me admire her all the more.

For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds

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Author: Rick Riordan 

Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

Genre: Fantasy/Mythology

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages: 156

 This was a fun little companion book to Uncle Rick’s Magnus Chase series! It was a really quick & easy read, to kind of ease my way back in while recovering from the never ending migraine, since I didn’t really have to think too much about it. It’s also good to have if you’re reading this series & have no foundation at all in Norse mythology. It gives you a little glimpse, so you have some idea while reading the series. 

Teacher Misery

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Teacher Misery cover

Author: Jane Morris

Genre: Humor

Publisher: Truth Be Told Publishing

Pages: 244

 

Teacher Misery is a hilarious collection of stories, essays, emails, and interactions between this teacher and her students, parents, and faculty. It tells, in a perfect humorous way, just how ridiculous and somewhat miserable the field of teaching has become. What was once one of the most respectable fields to be in, has become a battleground for teachers who just want to help kids. I swear the stories in this book just got more hilarious and ridiculous as the book continued. Read it! It will make you want to find a teacher and hug them!

667 Ways to F*ck Up My Life

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Author: Lucy Woodhull

Genre: Humor

Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing

Pages: 298

 

Dag was the quintessential good girl. The type of girl that everyone loves and loves to hate, because she is so perfect. One day, her world comes crashing down around her ears. She won’t put out, so she gets fired. She goes home, only to find out that her boyfriend is moving away without her. Her dad takes a Hawaiian vacation with her sister, but doesn’t invite her. Dag decides to do a complete 180, and go bad girl to see how that works out for her. She schemes many ways to f*ck up her life, and puts it all in blog form. She goes all in, and does it in spectacular form…and it works. Things start turning around for her, when she turns it all around.

This book was entertaining, and really pretty funny. It had a relatable main character, and definitely a point of view that most can relate to, even if not to the extreme that Dag experienced it. We’ve all had one of those days that everything seems to be against us. There was just something that stopped me from going all in with this one. I can’t really say what it was, though. Maybe it was just that I wanted more depth, where there wasn’t meant to be any. Anyway, I will say that it is a worthwhile read, especially if you’re looking for a laugh.

Forgiving My Daughter’s Killer: A True Story of Loss, Faith, and Unexpected Grace

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Forgiving My Daughter's Killer cover

Author: Kate Grosmaire

Genre: Memoir

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 240

 

Kate Grosmaire received the worst news that a parent can imagine: Her daughter, Ann, had been murdered. To make matters worse, her killer was her boyfriend, Conor. Conor had been considered a part of their family, and had even lived with them. This compounded the devastation that the family was already feeling at the loss of their nineteen-year-old daughter. The book centers on the decision that Kate and Andy made, which seems incomprehensible to many people: They decided to forgive Conor for the murder of Ann. They knew Conor, and believed that this one, momentary act should not define who he was as a person. Forgiveness remains the central theme of this memoir, as Kate details their journey to forgiving Conor. She explains how forgiveness is not an instantaneous decision that one makes, but it is a choice that must be made over and over again. She also gives the reader some insight in to her past story, so that the reader is able to connect with her on a different level. I liked this, as it made it feel as though I could understand where she was coming from a bit better.

I did enjoy this book, as I have been on a bit of a memoir/biography kick for a little while, and I do enjoy true crime. I had trouble understanding how someone could have the capacity to truly forgive the person who murdered their child, but there was a quote that made me understand why they made the decision: She said that if they had not chosen to forgive Conor, they would be in prison with him. That really took me aback a bit, and made me consider their choice a bit deeper. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy memoirs and true crime, but I will warn you that faith plays a lot in to the central theme of this memoir. If that is not something that you would be ok reading about, then I would steer clear. Overall, though, I think that it is a pick.

Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient

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Anatomy of an Illness cover

Author: Norman Cousins

Genre: Memoir/Medical

Publisher: Open Road Media

Pages: 192

 

When Cousins was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he decided to take himself out of the hospital, and attempt to treat his disease at home. He and his doctor came up with a regimen of laughter, vitamin C, and rest. The treatment, surprisingly, worked! This proved his hypothesis that the patient’s attitude towards their health was a very large part of the battle against diseases. He used this same attitude to combat heart disease at a later time. This book, which tells of Cousins’ account of using these methods to combat disease, was revolutionary in the area of holistic medicine and gives patients hope to this day that they can have a large hand in their own medical treatment.

I found this book to be both honest, and at times, laugh out loud funny. It really gives you inspiration, and hope that you can truly take hold of your personal health and have a hand in your own treatment. I recommend this book to anyone interested in healthcare, battling an illness, or who has a loved one battling an illness. It may truly change your way of thinking about your health.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for this review copy.

Ink and Bone (The Great Library, Book 1)

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Author: Rachel Caine

Series: The Great Library

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 368

 

The extraordinarily powerful Great Library now controls all of the information in the world. They use alchemy to deliver the content of books to “blanks”, but no one is allowed to own physical copies of these books. Jess’ family thrives on the black market trade of illegal books. While he believes in the library, he has been forced in to his family’s trade from a young age, while soaking up all of the knowledge that he can from their illegal cache. He obtains a prestigious place with The Great Library, where he is testing to be in their employ. He has a secret, though: his family’s. He was sent there to be a spy, and help in his family’s trade. This is a position that Jess has always wanted, and as he undergoes his training and testing, his loyalties are tested. His friend, with his unknowing advice and help, creates a machine that could put the Library out of business, and Jess finds out just how ruthless the Library can be when it is challenged.

Guys! I could not put this book down, once I finally got around to reading it! I wish that I had moved it higher on my tbr! It has great characters, who all have some depth to them. I can’t wait to see where Caine takes them in the next book! The world building was fantastic. It really felt like I could visualize where they were, and what they were doing. This series has a wonderful plot, and it feels like it is building up to something even greater. I have the next book in the series on my shelf, and it will be coming up soon!

Si-renity: How I Stay Calm and Keep the Faith

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Sirenity cover

Author: Si Robertson

Genre: Memoir

Publisher: Howard Books

Pages: 224

 

This memoir is a follow up to Robertson’s previously published Si-cology 1. Written in much the same format, and definitely the same voice, Si-renty includes hilarious and heartwarming tales of Si’s upbringing, family, and time on the road after Duck Dynasty became a hit. It also tells of how his and the whole Robertsons’ faith in God and family have seen them through hard times before the popularity of their show, and problems that have arisen since. It tells of his compassion for everyone, and especially of his soft spot for children and veterans and active duty military. He speaks about his involvement in different programs/charities, and the joy that it brings him to be able to help those who are less fortunate than he, and to be able to share the Good News with those whose paths he crosses, thanks to the blessings that he has received. Having read Si-cology 1, I feel that this book is a bit more deep, personal, and emotional than the former. While it was still just as funny (it is Si, after all), I liked that it spoke more to his faith and heart. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of Duck Dynasty, or are just looking for a good, easy to read memoir, I recommend this one.

This book will release on September 27, 2016.

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Howard books for the opportunity to review this book.

Louisiana Longshot (Miss Fortune, Book 1)

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Author: Jana DeLeon

Series: Miss Fortune Mystery

Genre: Mystery

Publisher: Jana DeLeon

Pages: 248

 

Fortune Redding is a CIA assassin. Unfortunately for her, her name has been leaked, and now she is on a hit list. In order to keep her out of sight of those looking to claim the bounty on her, her boss sends her to Sinful, LA to pose as his niece who was supposed to go there to take care of a family estate. This situation puts Fortune well out of her element, but she does what she has to do. She finds herself posing as her complete opposite: a former southern belle beauty queen, who is now a librarian. She is barely starting to try to settle in, when the dog that came with the house digs up a human bone. This leads to her having to work with not only the hot, nosy local deputy, but the crazy old ladies that run the town (the Geritol Mafia), in order to solve the mystery.

This was a really fun read! It was especially enjoyable, for me, as I am originally from a small town in Louisiana, so I can see some of the things that are described in the book. Honestly, though, it would be fun for anyone looking for a quick, fun read with many laugh out loud moments. I would compare the feel and humor of this book to the Stephanie Plum or Diesel and Lizzy series’ by Janet Evanovich. If you are a fan of those, then you should really enjoy this.

20th Century Ghosts

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Author: Joe Hill

Genre: Horror/Speculative Fiction

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 316

 

This collection of short stories, from the wonderful yet creepy mind of Joe Hill, includes stories with everything from a ghost that won’t leave a theater to an inflatable boy to a human turned locust. It really does include something for every horror/creepy read fan. As I always mention, short stories are my thing! I absolutely love them, and Hill did an amazing job at reminding me exactly why I do. These stories were packed with great characters and easily visualized places (thanks to his descriptive writing). The book read very quickly, but was intensely satisfying. It’s hard to say which of these tales was my favorite, but I’m leaning toward “Best New Horror”, which was a very interesting tale of an editor looking for something fresh…oh, he finds it! It could very well be “Voluntary Committal”, though, as I do love anything having to do with psych wards! The stories in this collection will not only leave you a little disturbed after read them, but they may just provide some unexpected self-reflection, as well. They will make you think about who you are, where you came from, and what “ghosts” you may have buried within yourself. I have been a huge fan of Joe Hill since I read NOS4A2, and he hasn’t disappointed me yet! I 100% recommend this, if you are looking for an amazing book of spec fiction short stories… or to just be disturbed a bit!