Pick Ups

Book Review: First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria by Eve Brown-Waite

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Ashley Lauren

First Comes Love, then Comes Malaria: How a Peace Corps Poster Boy Won My Heart and A Third World Adventure Changed My Life by Eve Brown-Waite

malaria
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Man. What a good title. It’s catchy, it’s nimble, and it’s accurate. Can’t ask for much more than that.

Brown-Waite knew what she was doing when she wrote this book. Her writing style just flows; her pacing is done exceptionally well. I’ve found that somewhere in a memoir things can start to drag and, while Brown-Waite is no exception, she knew how to keep the process moving. I found that pretty impressive considering how many years this spanned with really no large breaks in between.

It’s also nice to read a book where a young woman really goes somewhere with some adventure. Brown-Waite spends part of this book in Ecuador and another part in Uganda. She integrates the beauty and extreme poverty of the locations she experienced along with her own life. Sometimes I felt like she did a great job with this – sometimes she would tell a story that showed her own emotions right alongside with what life is like there.

However there were other times when Brown-Waite got in her own way of the storytelling. She relied heavily on self-deprecation for her humor which, while often funny, sometimes became redundant. She talked about her whining and inability to figure out how to cook, or really exist, in Uganda a lot. Believe me, I would have been terrible about it, too, but it wasn’t until the very end that I realized maybe she was more self-reliant than she led us to believe. I think I missed some of the parts where she is a woman who has the ability to live and make decision on her own… something I would have liked emphasized.

Still, overall it’s a quick read for its size and interesting to boot. Another good travel memoir to add to the list!

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Categories: Debuts, Pick Ups, Travel, Weekly Review | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

6 Books to Remind Us of Bigger Problems Than Bad Calls in Football

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Ashley Lauren

Last night, my Facebook news feed exploded. It was one in the morning and almost everyone I knew was up in arms – the most horrible thing had happened. They were tearing their hair out, cursing their lives, rolling in agony. The Wisconsin Badgers lost to Arizona State University on a terrible call – or lack of call as it may be.

Now, I am guilty of this behavior as well. I even woke up still angry about it. (Really, it was crap – the refs just walked off the field! I mean – well, never mind. You can read about/see the madness here. )

That being said, I felt a bit sheepish this morning.  How is it that football is the only thing about which we can jointly get overwhelmed?  Shouldn’t we be much more upset about the lack of world peace and starving children?  I’m no bleeding heart, but sometimes there are just bigger things in life.  To make up for my own shortcomings, I decided I would make a short list of books that have helped to give me a bit of perspective.

1) The Road of Lost Innocence: True Story of a Cambodian Heroine by Somaly Mam
www.somaly.org

   somalymam

Sometimes it’s not about the quality of the writing, or the style. Sometimes it’s just the purpose of the story, the reason for writing it. That alone makes this book worth reading. Mam’s ability to tell her story and the stories of others with a real, intricate, and critical eye just makes it that much better.  I don’t think I need to give you any more information about that – I think this book should be read in an effort to make people, especially those in the west, understand that human trafficking and forced prostitution is a huge and horrendous problem and there are people out there still living with it, and people like Mam, who are actively fighting against it.

2) Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan
http://www.nextgenerationnepal.org/


littleprinces

This book is unbelievable – it is SO good. If you can listen to the audio book version; do it. Conor Grennan narrates it himself. He’s fantastic at it and unbearably funny – something I did not expect to find in a book with such a serious and heartbreaking subject. It adds a great element to reading non-fiction like this and I really appreciate it. He had such an incredible experience and story. There are so many parts that will make your heart stop. Wonderfully done.

3) Wine to Water by Doc Hendley
http://winetowater.org/


winetowater

I saw Doc Hendley speak at a conference, prompting me to buy his book. Why did I buy it, you ask? Well, I’m a sucker for any memoir, particularly one where the individual goes off and does something pretty awesome. So I know I would like this book before I even read a single word. Doc Hendley is obviously an amazing person. I had the opportunity to speak with him briefly and sneak a picture with him. He’s a guy who decided to get passionate about helping the world. I’m both envious and guilty/thankful that I haven’t done the same.  It’s definitely hard work to go out there and do good.

To the point of the book itself, I do have to say he’s obviously not a writer. The book isn’t painful, and it’s really quite quick for how reasonable thick it is, but I didn’t find it completely drew me in like other books I have read that take place in the area. To me, the book seemed repetitive – certain stories and situations came up numerous times without a clear distinction of their difference. Plus – since I saw him speak – I had heard some of the stories before (obviously that won’t be most people’s problem but it still challenged my reading).

That aside it is worth reading the book just to understand how lame most of us are in comparison. It’s also worth reading the book to persuade you to donate; or volunteer somewhere yourself.

4) A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah


alongwaygone

Ishmael Beah told his story straight up – this is what happened and this is what he felt. This is one of those stories where I had to keep reminding myself, “This is a memoir, this is not fiction.” I honestly can’t say much about this other than that you should read it. It is one of those books that really means something. Great memoir.

5) Survival in Auschwitz by Primo Levi


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“If I was God, I would spit at Kuhn’s prayer.”

I found this to be one of the most powerful lines out of a book that, if you let yourself really see, always kept you gasping for air. This is a book that never should have been written, because it is a tragedy that never should have happen. But because it did, we must all read and never, ever understand.

5) We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families: Stories From Rwanda by Philip Gourevitch

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“Odette nodded at my notebook, where I was writing as she spoke. ‘Do the people in America really want to read this? People tell me to write these things down, but it’s written inside of me. I almost hope for the day when I can forget.'”

Mind numbing, mind boggling, and mind blowing. Gourevitch manages to write this book with clarity and depth and in a way that tells me all the brutal facts but without completely overwhelming me as a reader. I really appreciate that I felt he was able to really convey to me the horrors and emotions but didn’t do it in such a way that I had to put the book down for a while. Because this is kind of lengthy, I really value that aspect.  Well done and I think a great reminder that while this was published in 1999 there are still horrible things happening in that region.

Categories: Lists, Pick Ups, Weekly Review | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review(s): Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Ashley Lauren

outlander   Gabaldon-Dragonfly-in-Amber-220x332

I can’t help it, I love these darn books.

To be honest, I didn’t really want to – let’s just say I can be pretty snooty about books that do really well in the eyes of the general public. I tend to over criticize them and decide to dislike them just because I wouldn’t be original if I did like them. Still, despite my efforts, the Outlander books have me hooked.

In my opinion, what’s not to like? Suspense, history, romance, adventure, this book is exactly what it’s cracked up to be. Somehow even with the dense, incredible amount of words this book has I was with it all the way. I adore Gabaldon’s descriptions – she’s managed to create a word with such meaningful detail. She doesn’t just tell us about the dew reflecting the cool, low sun on the horizon in the Highlands just because she wants to create a setting, she does it because it’s part of the story. I’ve never felt like the descriptions of place and people to feel quite so natural as with Gabaldon’s writing.

Now, I can’t speak too much to reading the dialect in the dialogue, something which apparently some people have a challenge with, based on reviews I had read. I have enjoyed both of these books on audio book – and, though I am sure the real book is nice to – I highly recommend you listen to the story. The narrator is incredible. She has so many beautiful accents and excellent rhythm. I truly believe Jamie and Claire, the two main characters, have come alive not only because of Gabaldon’s writing, but because of Davina Porter’s excellent performance. Even the smallest character has their own feel and cadence. As much as I love to read, it’s not often I feel a deep connection with a character and am truly sad to see him/her go. I won’t say anything more about the story because there are many twists and I don’t want to give any spoilers.

kilt

If I weren’t already married to someone who is decidedly not Scottish…

Anyway, Outlander is great, and so is Dragonfly in Amber. This sequel to the first has just as much adventure, just as much love and sexy time, and one more added element to shake it all up – a realization of what the future truly is. It’s unnerving. In Outlander we didn’t know what the future would hold, truly. In Dragonfly we don’t know it all, but many, we know enough…

Okay, I won’t say any more. Chat with me if you want to gush – feel free to comment below. And If I said it once I’ll say it again -give this audiobook a try. It’s glorious.

PS – I started Voyager immediately after I finished this. Onward!

Categories: Pick Ups, Weekly Review | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Top Seven Books I Loved From the First Line to the End

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Ashley Lauren

Ever get two pages into a book and think, “Oh man, this is going to be good.”?   Expect that from these reads.

1) The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

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This book is powerful. If you enjoy WWII literature at all – this is totally worth your while. Even if you don’t, you should read it. Andras Levi, the protagonist, is a great character. He’s one of those central focus characters that is almost perfect in nature – kind, intelligent, thoughtful – who provides a fantastic window to see the other characters and the rest of the world. I miss his mind already and I’ve only been out of it for a day.

The writing itself is spectacular, Orringer is overwhelmingly good. She describes settings that make me feel, even more than see.

Beautiful beginning, middle, and end.

2) In Arabian Nights by Tahir Shah

inarabiannights

This is the only book I have ever finished and immediately wanted to re-read. I originally read this on my nook and have now bought a paper copy as well.  This is one of those books that I want to scribble on, highlight phrases that jumped out at me and somehow said everything I never knew I wanted to express. Maybe my significant attachment came because I was reading this while I was living and traveling alone in Spain, knowing that a visitation to Morocco was on the horizon.  Regardless, it’s excellent.

So why? Why am I so ga-ga over this book? One of my greatest loves in life is traveling and this book just oozes with the emotions of a traveler. Shah is an individual who is restless, who is curious, who judges people with an eye of disbelief AND understanding, who takes people as what they are and, while human beings are unable to completely ever fill another’s shoes, he incorporates what he can. It’s incredible – I stopped multiple times while reading to ponder or scribble down a sentence. Shah’s words described my own emotions: it’s so wonderful to feel understood.

This book is both memoir and story – it’s a mixture of tales, events, meaningful and not. His ability to tie in everything makes me believe he’s led not only a great life but also a fascinating one – I believe this book is filled with both truths and fibs and it works beautifully into one tapestry.

3) Fanny: Being the True History of the Adventures of Fanny Hackabout-Jones by Erica Jong

fanny

This book was pretty astounding and probably the least expected to be on the list. Very rarely have I reacted to a book with as much gusto – and I’m not talking about tears and laughter here, I’m talking about flat out shock. In terms of fiction, I’ve never had a book startle me as much as this one did and I loved it all the more for it.

Erica Jong wrote this in such a manner that I truly believed she was Fanny Hackabout-Jones. She said in the beginning that she would keep no modesty, and she kept true to her word. The events in this book had ways of simultaneously disgusting and arousing me but ultimately making me truly care for, and hate, the same ones that Fanny did. Fanny wanted to teach Belinda, her daughter, all the things she had learned in the world.

At the very least, I think she succeeded in teaching me.

4) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

waterforelephants

I have read this book a number of times and, yep, still love it.  This is one of those books that every time I see a used copy for sale somewhere, I still want to buy it.  As it is I’ve bought two copies for myself, mostly just because I love to lend it.

Maybe it’s because I grew up in Baraboo, Wisconsin – a small town where the Ringling Bros museum and winter headquarters are – but this novel is like gold to me. Circus stuff fascinates me and Gruen puts together all the deeper, darker parts to make this a story completely for adults.

The images are brilliant without being overwhelming. It’s told from the eyes of an old man named Jacob looking back on his life as a young man. Because of this, I feel like we see things precisely the way humans remember them. I noticed Jacob’s feelings: his anger, frustration, confusion, compassion, and helplessness the most throughout the book. It thrilled me throughout.

5) Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

wildwood dancing

Ho-ly cow, this is good. This is good good. This is really good good.

I don’t know what I really expected when I began this. I had briefly read some reviews, heard it was a fairy tale and decided to pick it up. When they say fairy tale they mean it in the Grimm sense of the term – man, this is DARK. I was spooked and concerned far more than I was laughing.

The characters are fascinating. We see the world through the eyes of Jena; second oldest of five. She’s the most sensible, mildly attractive, easy to relate to. She and her sisters have been visiting the ‘Other Kingdom’ every full moon for dancing, relating with other world creatures, etc. Right from the beginning we learn that, while her sisters seem at ease, Jena has always had some trepidation about the whole experience. That feeling of unease only grows through the book. It’s extremely high powered.

Probably my best praise of this book is how Marillier puts it together. Let’s see if I can explain this properly: This story is full of twists and turns, however nothing quite took me by “surprise” – I managed to at least kind of guess each new and exciting part to the story. However, I don’t believe that was at all my intuition. I think that Marillier does a fantastic job with foreshadowing – she kept me in the dark for as long as SHE wanted to keep me there. Very well executed.

6) City of Thieves by David Benioff

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This book was recommended to me by my history professor – and for good reason. It’s fantastic. It’s everything I want in a WWII setting novel. It had the history, the imagery, but it also had a story that was independent of it all. It was nice to have that fresh piece in there, something many other WWII related novels are missing. The events are so horrific – death, starvation, siege – and yet it’s so contrasted by the vibrant characters. I never thought I would have loved a character like Kolya so much. I seriously wanted to marry him by the time the book was half over. Exceptional story for a little history, a little fiction, and a great story

7) The Help by Kathryn Stockett

thehelp

Holy cow. What a phenomenal book. I read this book at the height of it’s popularity – before the movie and when you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing about it. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into – all I knew was that it was a supposedly good book and that it was that month’s read for my book club. I can’t even begin to say how happy I am to have read it.

And, what’s funny is, my favorite part is technically not part of the book. It’s the very end, where Stockett takes a moment to say why this book exists and how she felt, being a white woman who grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, writing it. For me, this helped solve all the questions I had, and the mixed emotions I felt, throughout the book. This is the kind of book that even though some might not agree or might not think she had a right to write it… I’m glad she did.

Categories: Lists, Pick Ups, Weekly Review | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five YA Books To Read Cover to Cover on a Beautiful Day

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Ashley Lauren

Sometimes it’s not about the politics, the strategy, the mechanical prowess.  Sometimes it’s about a book that keeps you propelled forward, flipping pages, and giggling incessantly.  This Labor Day I found myself without a care in the world and a beautiful sun in the sky.  All I want is to sit down and read something light, fluffy, and a little wonderful out in the mild summer sun.  Just in case you want to join me, here are five books I’ve read in one big gulp.

1) Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

perfectchemistry

I’ve seen this popping up in bookstores lately, so I thought I would highlight it. This is a girl’s throw away wonderful summer read at it’s best.  It’s classic high school angst.  Alex, the main man, is Cutie McCute.  The dialogue made me laugh aloud, groan, and lunch-room-with-my-girlfriends-giggle.  The best friend, Paco, is freaking hilarious.

Probably the best part is that mixed up with all this traditional young adult goodness is a healthy dose of racial tension. Don’t read this book to bust some stereotypes, that’s for sure. But that’s not why we like it, is it? Read this in one go and you’ll love it.  Then maybe immediately pick up the sequel. I know I did.

2) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

annaandthefrenchkiss

If you’re a YA fan and haven’t heard of/read this book yet, you’ve probably been living under a rock.  There’s a lot of hype over this and while I don’t think it’s all deserving, I really enjoyed the read all the same. It was cute and I ate it up.  It has everything you could want in a quick YA novel – cute boy, cute girl, no parent supervision, and Paris.  Done and done.  You get to read about the main character dealing with the typical areas of boy trouble in Paris, boy trouble at home, Daddy issues, but you also get some neat dynamics of culture shock, of growing up away from your best friend, and how that can change everything without you even realizing it.

Sure, there are some parts that are a little hard to swallow -making friends instantly, flawless men with a jealous streak, lack of communication between friends – but that’s why this book is so good read quickly.  The faster you read this, the better it is.  The problems, especially with their families, are real and heartwarming. The characters are graciously mature and immature.  It’s perfect for a summer day.

3) The Tightrope Walker by Dorothy GIlman

thetightropewalker

This isn’t the kind of book most people would think to put on this kind of list, but it works perfectly. This is a story about a young woman finding herself just as much as it is a mystery novel. This is one of those books that’s a blast to devour. The protagonist is amazing. She’s so incredibly believable and interesting in of herself; she comes across as a real human being that you want to learn more about. But Gilman doesn’t overload you with personality, she intricately intertwines the story, the mystery, and the characters effortlessly for one truly exceptional read.

I’ve re-read this book multiple times and it just keeps getting better. I honestly don’t think there’s a better heroine out there than Amelia Jones. Take this outside with you to the backyard with a lounge chair and don’t forget your sunscreen – you’ll need to re-apply because you won’t want to come inside until you’ve finished this book.

4) The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen 

truthaboutforever

Sometimes you just need some straight up young adult chick lit to read. When that’s the case, go ahead and pick this one up, because it’s darn good.

I’ve always struggled with these kinds of stories – you already know it, basically. You have a girl, she’s pretty (but doesn’t think she is) and all around good, super easy to relate to. She meets a boy that is, of course, gorgeous, one that every other girl is ga-ga for, but somehow, someway, he’s interested in the main star. You know what’s going to happen a mile away… but it’s still worth the read.

Why?

Well, first off, Macy, the main character, while she has all those predictable aspects, she’s also refreshingly clever. The conflicts that arise in this book aren’t just a result of teenage angst. It’s genuine and believable and as a reader decidedly older than the “young adult” category myself, still very helpful in putting life into some perspective.

Also, the supporting cast is fun and funny and heart-breakingly sweet.  It’s a perfect page turner that will leave you feeling great with some good memories to boot.

5) Summer in the City by Robyn Sisman

summerinthecity

This is a stretch to consider this book “Young Adult” but it has the fun, flirty feel we’re looking for in a read. My only qualm with the book was that I wasn’t ready for it to end. This book took me completely by surprise. I bought it because the back described it as being lighthearted and funny and, frankly, it has a gorgeous cover. I couldn’t be more pleased with my purchase. Sisman has a great wit and I understood the characters instantly. They were dynamic – as the characters interacted with each other, they grew, changed. Even though the plot line was predictable, it was still unique and well developed. Obviously, if you are looking for the the next great American novel you’re not going to find it here, but if you want well-written entertainment I highly recommend Summer in the City. I found myself unwilling to put it down; this novel was truly engaging and the perfect summer read.

Categories: Lists, Pick Ups, Young Adult | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Reviewing a Classic: Dracula by Bram Stoker

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ashley Lauren

dracula

 

Let me be honest – I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. Even as someone who makes it a point to read a classic every once in a while, I still thought this one would be a struggle but… it wasn’t. Would you believe that this is truly a kick-butt story? I thought I knew the plot going in, but I really didn’t. When it comes to an exciting, suspenseful, heart-stopping thriller, this book has it all.

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First off, the story starts where I always assumed it ended. Jonathan, a man just trying to do his job, finds himself trying to sell a bit of London real estate while in a gigantic castle in the middle of nowhere with its creepy owner. At first Jonathan thinks the man is just eccentric, who wouldn’t be, after all, living in Transylvania alone? But the longer Jonathan is there, the more he starts to see just how unnatural the Count is. By the time he realizes that Count Dracula is something truly unnatural, he also realizes he’s trapped there. I won’t reveal what happens next, but it’s some pretty harrowing stuff, I want you to find out on your own.

Next thing we know, we’re in London with a whole new set of characters. They’re new and interesting and they’re just about the best set of entirely pure people you could ever find. I’ve never read about a goody-two-shoes so darn like-able. Each person against Count Dracula is so wholesome, so always willing to do what’s write that it should be boring but instead it’s endearing, it’s exciting, and it makes you really root for them.

Because, the thing is, when I was about 100 pages in, I realized I had already read everything I ever knew about Dracula. My extremely slight understanding of what this book is just didn’t do it justice. That 1931 movie made destroyed so much of the essence, the coy plot, the sweet trouble and suspense that I never even knew the book, the true book was so good.

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Sorry, I’m getting pretty excited about this. I’m astounded by how much I liked it and just how interesting it really was. It’s so cheap to get a copy of this now – I think it even came free to me on my nook – I highly recommend giving it a try.

My rating: 4/5 stars

Categories: Pick Ups, Weekly Review | Tags: , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

8 Books to Read Now, Before Hollywood Steals Your Characters

Posted on August 24, 2013 by Ashley Lauren

I’m all for book being made into movies, if it makes people more aware of a great story, bring it on.  Even when the movie doesn’t exactly match the book, I don’t always mind.  For me a movie is a different entertainment medium and sometimes things are altered – so long as the movie is good and done well, more power to them.

Regardless of how much I support movies, though, there is one thing I will always hate.  It doesn’t matter how much you try not to – your image of those characters will be forever altered.  That actor, actress, set, whatever, will forever be in your mind as portrayed in the movie and however you imagined it before is taken away from you.  It’s, easily, the move depressing part of movies from books I can come up with. I can still vaguely remember my version of Hermoine and, no offense Emma Watson, I miss my Hermoine like crazy.

Therefore, here is my life of movies soon-to-hit-theatres you should read before it’s too late to create the magical world yourself.

1) The Book Thief
Release Date: November 15, 2013

The_Book_Thief_by_Markus_Zusak_book_cover

You don’t have much time as this is scheduled to come out in November.  As it’s a long book, too, I suggest getting started on it right away.  I always recommend books be read before the movie is seen but I super emphasize it with The Book Thief.  If you are going to read this book, I highly suggest doing it in audio book format. The narrator is phenomenal – I imagine that is exactly what death sounds like. I truly think hearing it read aloud made the experience for me; some of the other reviews I have heard indicated the story can drag a little, but in the audiobook format that flowery, somewhat backwards and fascinating imagery (my favorite kind of imagery) really came alive.

I like this book for so many reasons – it’s a genre I read a lot, it’s a perspective that’s new, and, while I’m not entirely thrilled with death as a narrator, I appreciate the newness of it. Liesel as a protagonist was amazingly real. Her personality was one of the most… well… authentic I’ve read in a long time.

My rating: 4/5 stars

2) Ender’s Game
Release Date: November 1, 2013

enders

This is another one you have to get to soon – also set to release in November.  It’s a little shorter, and faster, of a read than The Book Thief, so I have faith you can do both.

Any book that makes me stay up until the wee hours of the morning is a good book; so, by the transitive property…

This is one of those books that I dove into with zero background. I didn’t even read the back cover. I’ve just noticed that a lot of people love it and when I asked the husband what to read next, he put it in my hands, and I started reading. And overall, I liked it. Unique, interesting, involving… but not quite five stars. I found the sibling relationships so… off-kilter and the ending didn’t hold a whole lot for me. But pick it up and give it a try – you won’t regret it.

My rating: 4/5 stars

3) Gone Girl
Release Date: 2015?

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I’m mostly interested in seeing this movie because I’m curious if they can pull it off on film.  The reader’s facts are entirely based on one character’s thoughts, and translating that to film is going to be tricky business.

This book is too long and dense to complete in just one evening – which is unfortunate because you’ll spend the time not reading it thinking about it.

In this book, Nick Dunne’s wife goes missing.

And I think that’s just about everything can say. Anything else would be a spoiler.

My rating: 4/5 stars

4) The Night Circus
Release Date: 2014

night circus

I don’t often get excited about a book being turned into a movie – at most I’m interested.  But this movie, if they do it right, it could be phenomenal.  The images… I mean, they could do so many fantastic scenes!  I’m positively giddy about seeing a visual representation of this circus and, to be honest, it might make me feel better about the book. I found myself getting confused at time and the sequencing of a movie could probably help a lot.

While many people find this hard to get through on paper or e-reader, I myself had a hard time connecting with the characters, I think it would be great coupled with the visuals of Hollywood.

My rating: 3.5/5 stars

5) Suite Francaise
Release Date: 2014

suite

This is an example of a book being made into a movie that makes me sigh in relief.  Even if the movie isn’t perfect, it might get more people to read the book, and this is a story everyone should make a part of them.

When I first picked it up, I was only so-so involved. I was confused by the characters, and, to be honest, alarmed by how small the font size was. But the more I read the more entranced I became. What a fantastic writer, and even more, what a fantastic story. This if the kind of novel I would love to write – a myriad of characters, loosely connected in passing but wholly connected by the horrors of war.

My rating: 4/5 stars

6) The Fault in Our Stars
Release Date: 2014

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For me, this is a book you need to read now because I could really easily see the movie not being able to capture the true essence of the book.  Within two minutes of turning on this book (yes, I read it in audio book) I knew two things – it was going to be good, and it wasn’t going to end happy.

First off, unless you live under a rock and somehow this book ended up on your doorstep, you probably already know that this book has amazing reviews. So amazing that I wasn’t even cynical about it. I started this book because I knew enjoying it would be a done deal. Sometimes it’s nice to have the confidence.

Second, you know immediately that the main character has cancer. This main character is a teenage girl. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that sad things happen in this book.

When you get this combo, I think it’s easy to do it wrong, to mess it up.  Green did a great job writing this to make the perfect balance.  It’s going to take that same balance on the screen to get it right.  Read first and see if you agree!

My rating: 4/5 stars.

7) Angelfall
Release Date: ??

angelfall

It looks like the movie adaptation of this might be a long way off.  That makes sense, considering the rest of the books of this series aren’t even published yet.  Regardless, I can definitely see the movie potential to this.  It’s young adult, it’s fast, it’s a unique world.

I personally liked this book more for the world – the fallen angel theme, while not entirely unique, certainly is well done on this book.  For me the characters weren’t always the most interesting, nor did they react the way I thought they should all the time, but their world and interactions were exciting.  I read this book in no time at all, it’s definitely a page turner. This will likely be really great on film.

My rating: 3.5/5

8) Unbroken
Release Date: End of 2014

Unbroken

I positively gush about this book. This was one of the most incredible books I’ve read. I was even lucky enough to enjoy it in beautiful audiobook format, which I would highly recommend. There are parts to this book where I know, reading on paper, I would have skimmed in an effort to learn what would happen next – the audiobook made me listen to each and every detail, and I’m thankful for it.

This book is a perfect example where ignorance is bliss. While I have savored many WWII memoirs and stories, I’d mostly stuck to Holocaust areas and that created the entirety of my understanding of the war. I learned next to nothing in school (hooray, US public school history classes) and was completely unaware that someone names Louis Zamperini ever existed. That, coupled by my purchase of this book without even reading the blurb, led me to a tumultuous read that sent my emotions through the roof.

Hillenbrand is a magician of factual, interesting details. The amount of research that went into this story is incredible, and so worth it. The descriptions told from the eyes and memories of those who lived it – for how many people we learned about – it was all so moving, so overwhelming. It’s a book I truly felt. I wanted at every moment to gush over what I had just learned to everyone I knew, but resisted, because I didn’t want to ruin anything for the people I plan I harassing until they read it.

Now, stop reading this, and read the book.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Categories: Lists, Pick Ups | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Weekly Review: Create Your Writer Platform by Chuck Sambuchino

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Ashley Lauren

Platform-Cover

There are a lot of books out there with a “call to action.” They want us to work harder or better, to be stronger, thinner, nicer, to learn how to cook vegan, under 500 calories, etc. This book says if you want to get published, you need to make a platform.

My idea of a good call to action book is, when I’m done with the book – even better when I’m in the midst of the book – I actually do something!

Sambuchino’s got it. Maybe it’s all the blogging under his belt but he knew how to write a book without a big fuss. This book has a distinctive feel to it. It seems to say, “Hey, I’m an expert, but not because I’m better than you, it’s because I jumped on the bandwagon before you. Let me give you a hand.”

That’s truly what I felt about Sambuchino’s style. He wanted to help me – which was great, because I need some help.

Let me get to the pick ups/put downs.

Pick it up for:
– The darn good sense
– Easy, understandable writing style
– Quick and informative read
– Unique ideas
– Multiple opinions giving support to the claims

Put it down if:
– you already have a platform
– you’re only planning on writing fiction

I’d say the Pick Ups are self explanatory. It’s a good book with expert opinions from agents and author interviews. I can’t argue with the logic they present – and I don’t think I should, either!

The Put Downs are really just time savers. I think anyone interested in writing should at least skim this – if only to get some motivation to plug out some more posts. As a fiction writer myself, I found the emphasis on non-fiction a bit tiresome. There’s a lot of talk of niche and in-depth topic research, which is very smart, but as an author who will cross many genres, I know I’ll need a different approach. It made parts of the book irrelevant for me. Also, I found it helpful because I currently have no platform to call my own. But if you already are pretty savvy in the traditional areas of Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging, you’ll probably find Sambuchino more of a cheerleader for you than a guru.

Overall rating: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: Pick it up!

Categories: Pick Ups, Weekly Review | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

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