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 Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
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Short Summary:
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human … until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human–or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.
My Review:
I wish I could say that this book blew me out of the water. I’ve heard so much positive hype about the story and, honestly, I love the cover so much I almost purchased my copy instead of waiting for the library copy – I’m glad I didn’t now.
I rolled my eyes a few times during the story and I struggled because, in spite of being easy to read, it felt like there was no actual real plot. I mean… was the plot supposed to be just a love story between Grace and Sam? Or was the plot supposed to be curing werewolves as a whole? I felt like I was just meandering through this really sappy love story (the whole composing song lyrics/poetry thing made me really feel my age, except I didn’t really go for that sort of thing in a guy as a teenager).
There were a few things I enjoyed – I don’t want to make this seem all negative because I know I am in the minority here when it comes to liking this book. I enjoyed the switching back and forth between Grace and Sam. I liked the take on werewolves and the temperatures having a direct affect. I appreciated the role of parents in the book (even though, while active generally speaking, they really sucked. Seriously – never checking in on your daughter when you get home?)
Overall my feeling is .. meh. It was okay. I’ll read Linger because I have it checked out and I’m hoping there’s more of a story there but otherwise I feel like I did after reading Twilight. That girls will go swoony over poetic Sam and envy Grace and I’ll just be left wanting a plot that is a little more than teenage angst with some fantasy thrown in.
 Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
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Short Summary:
In Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past…and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves…and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love–the light and the dark, the warm and the cold–in a way you will never forget.
My Review:
I give up. I just don’t get it. I read this book start to finish and I still don’t know what the plot is supposed to be (aside from being .. basically.. a repeat of Shiver maybe?)
So LINGER was much more confusing to me because of the multiple points of view. I liked it in Shiver – I thought it was one of the best parts of the book but the switch mid-chapters and looking at the story from four points of view was a bit much for me … especially when it seemed to be all tragic teenager emotions.
And.. instead of just one singer we now have two with the addition of Cole.
So I don’t get it. I wanted to like these books because I’ve heard such fantastic things about them but instead I feel like I’ve just gone on a long, meandering walk and ended up right back where I started out having seen a bit of pretty scenery along the way.
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 Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
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Short Summary:
Sixty years after REBECCA was first published, Daphne du Maurier’s unsurpassed masterpiece continues to enthrall readers with romance and suspense, as the second Mrs. de Winter narrates the haunting events surrounding her marriage to Maxim de Winter and her growing obsession with his first wife, the beautiful, now dead Rebecca. Includes excerpts from the author’s personal notes and essays, exclusive to this edition.
My Review:
This has been an interesting month for me – between reading Wilkie Collins’ masterpiece, THE WOMAN IN WHITE and now REBECCA.
Daphne du Maurier takes us inside the life of the second Mrs. de Winter; like Collins’ main protaganist, Marian, the second Mrs. de Winter is a plain woman although she lacks the backbone shown by Marian. From there on out the similarities end.
I don’t recall ever being told the name of Mrs. de Winter but I think that was the point of the story. I found myself caught up in the dark, gothic-feeling descriptions of Manderley and its grounds and could even hear the sound of the sea in portions of the book.
Being unfamiliar with the story I had hoped that I would be shocked or taken by surprise at the ending, but unfortunately, it was one I guessed. Still I enjoyed the unfolding of the twists and turns and the storytelling very much.
The characters in this book were exquisitely written; Mr. de Winter a brooding, dark and handsome man and the second Mrs. de Winter an innocent, pure and naive creature. They make this story – but not alone.
Although we never actually get to meet Rebecca it’s fascinating to see her character develop through the words of Mrs. Danvers, Beatrice and through Mrs. de Winter’s own imagination.
As I read this book I couldn’t help but think … what would it be like to step into the shoes, the home, the life of a beautiful, vivacious woman? Would I survive it?
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 Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
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Short Summary:
The Land family enjoy and idyllic existence until the oldest son, Davy, is arrested for a double manslaughter. But when Davy breaks out of jail and flees into the bleak Dakota Badlands, his father Jeremiah must gather his younger children and pursue the outlaw into the wilderness. Their epic journey leads them all to a place from which there is no return: a place that will test them almost beyond endurance and stretch the ties that bind them to their absolute limit…
My Review:
If anyone were to ask me what “faith” means; what it looks like, feels like and reads like, one of the first things I would do is recommend this book.
11 year old Reuben Land was saved from a 12 minute death by what can only be described as Gods Hand. He goes on to narrate a story that is so heart-breakingly beautiful that I had to pause several times to catch my breath before diving back in.
There is a section toward the beginning of this book where Rube talks about miracles; about how we are so quick to label every day delights under the label of “miracle” when a miracle is something that should make us sit up and be disturbed, because a miracle disrupts the normal, every day things we are accustomed to.
So what is Rube’s purpose as a narrator? It’s to be an 11 year old brother bearing witness to one of the most miraculous things that could happen. It’s to take us by the hand and lead us through a journey that’s filled with tragedy, loyalty, love and the immeasurable faith of a father who loves his Father.
There are characters in this book that I adored – Swede, the 8 year old sister with a knack for poetry that sent shivers down my arms. Roxanne, the miracle sent to Rube and his family in a time of desperate need. And Rube’s father, a man who turns to God for the answers to every problem, be it big or small.
I’m so jaded when it comes to Christian literature; most of what I’ve been exposed to in the last several months has been filled with cliches and happily ever after endings. This book is a portrait of what life in faith is like; filled with all of the doubts and human responses and the ultimate redeeming sacrifice a father has for his child in what can only be described as a miracle.
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To Enter the Giveaway please read the bold text at the end of this post.
 Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell
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Short Summary:
Spring 1938. After nearly two years in prison for the crime of stealing his own grain, Ukrainian immigrant Teodor Mykolayenko is a free man. While he was gone, his wife, Maria; their five children; and his sister, Anna, struggled to survive on the harsh northern Canadian prairie, but now Teodor—a man who has overcome drought, starvation, and Stalin’s purges—is determined to make a better life for them. As he tirelessly clears the untamed land, Teodor begins to heal himself and his children. But the family’s hopes and newfound happiness are short-lived. Anna’s rogue husband, the arrogant and scheming Stefan, unexpectedly returns, stirring up rancor and discord that will end in violence and tragedy.
My Review:
The story begins with the description of a black-and-white photograph. A man, a woman and five children. The date on the photograph is 1933, the place Willow Creek, Alberta.
There are times when I pick up an old photograph of my grandparents or my parents and I spend time thinking about the history behind the faces. What were their desires? What heartbreak did they experience? What hopes and dreams did they have and were those fulfilled or abandoned? Why?
Shandi Mitchell addresses these questions by taking her readers through a period of time in which life was very hard. She introduces us to a family of immigrants, their origin Ukraine. They struggle with learning language and dealing with foreign laws, laws which prevent them from even being able to provide their children with food.
UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY studies the relationship between a brother and a sister and their families. It paints a heart-breaking picture in graphic, real strokes. My heart broke and broke again as I felt each families struggle, felt myself grow angry at the injustice of the actions of both the law and the members of the families. I could feel the tension building with each pounding on the door I read about and every howl of the coyotes in the night air.
Recently I read a book that dealt with the struggle of the immigration process in a more recent time period. That book followed the path of a young Chinese girl and her experience in the sweat shops in New York. UNDER THIS UNBROKEN SKY gave me a more historical perspective and reminded me that although we may say we have come a long way – even in recent times there are people living in the hardships described in this story.
This book tore at my heart and should be a “must read” for anyone interested in historical literature.
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About the Author
Shandi Mitchell is an author and filmmaker. She graduated from Dalhousie University with a degree in English and Theatre. Her award-winning short films have been featured at festivals across North America. In 2008, she was awarded the Canada Council’s Victor Martin-Lynch Staunton Endowment in Media Arts.
Her debut novel Under This Unbroken Sky was simultaneously published by Penguin Canada, Weidenfeld & Nicolson (UK) and Harper Collins (US) in August 2009. It has sold in nine countries, including translation rights for Chinese, Hebrew, Dutch and Italian. Under This Unbroken Sky won the 2010 Commonwealth regional Prize for First Book(Canada/Caribbean), the Thomas Head Raddall Fiction Award, and the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award.
Raised on the prairies, Shandi now makes her home on the east coast of Canada, very close to the water, where she lives with her husband, Alan, and their dog, Annie.
To learn more please visit Shandi Mitchell’s Website.
For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from TLC Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Thanks to the publisher I have one copy of this book to give away.
To enter this giveaway simply respond to this review with a response to the following question:
“Are you the child, grandchild or great-grandchild of immigrants? If so .. tell us a little about them.”
(Contest open to USA and Canada only – Ends September 10, 2010)
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Sheila from One Person’s Journey through a World of Books hosts this meme and I love to participate in it! Head on over and check out her blog and the great participants there.
While you are here, be sure to check out the new tab up there at the top titled Entwife Read-Alongs! Our September book has been chosen and a page set up dedicated to it (along with a summary of our August book!).
Gwen from Chew & Digest Books gave us a yummy, fantastic non-fiction book for this months Cross-Bloggination feature.
And.. you might have noticed but I have a new blog design! Savvy, a friend of mine, is a fantastic artist and graciously consented to do a header and button for me (and more is in the works). If you are looking for original, beautiful, hand-drawn artwork please let me know and I will get you contact information for her!
Also… check back in the morning for a fantastic giveaway – I’m so excited about this one and I’m sure you will be too!
Books I’ve Read this Week (Links to reviews):
- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
- Vanishing and Other Stories by Deborah Willis
- Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
- Shiver by Maggie Steifvater
- Linger by Maggie Steifvater
- The Constellation Chronicles: The Lost Civilization of Aries by Vincent Lowry
- The Bells by Richard Harvell
- Under this Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell
- Piers Desire by Marianne Ackerman
Book reviews put up this week:
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
- The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
- Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine
- Faithful Place by Tana French
Books to read this week:
The Day the Flowers Died by Ami Rebecca Blackwelder
(Buy on {indie}pendent Books with the link above!)
The Remains by Vincent Zandri
The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giordano
Nightshade by Ronie Kondig
(This is my Crazy Book Swap book!)
The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter
The Wake of Forgiveness by Bruce Machart
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Warning: This is a review site and from time-to-time (although I try to avoid it)
there may be some spoiler information in my reviews.
 Faithful Place by Tana French
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Short Summary:
The course of Frank Mackey’s life was set by one defining moment when he was nineteen. The moment his girlfriend, Rosie Daly, failed to turn up for their rendezvous in Faithful Place, failed to run away with him to London as they had planned. Frank never heard from her again. Twenty years on, Frank is still in Dublin, working as an undercover cop. He’s cut all ties with his dysfunctional family. Until his sister calls to say that Rosie’s suitcase has been found. Frank embarks on a journey into his past that demands he reevaluate everything he believes to be true.
My Review:
I used to be a big fan of the big name suspense/mystery writers. I’d anxiously wait for the next Patterson or Stuart Woods book and then gobble it up as soon as I walked in the door with it.
But I’ve fallen out a love a bit with the genre and, were it not for Tana French, could quite possibly be happy without reading it much at all.
Then I discovered IN THE WOODS about a year ago – and it angered me as much as captured me – the strange ending, the weird twists and turns. I picked up THE LIKENESS and all anger I’d still felt just melted away and, once again, I was sucked into a story that was absolutely amazing.
FAITHFUL PLACE was no different. We visit Frank Mackey from IN THE WOODS fame and discover more about him, his divorce, his daughter and his hugely dysfunctional family.
This book put the mystery second place though, I think. It was the first time I was actually able to figure out “who done it” and I kept expecting another twist. Instead what I got was some really gritty, very real looks at the hardships caused by class difference and family background.
For the first time in a Tana French novel I put the book down and felt a spark of hope for the main character which was strange because, out of the three, this one was probably the darkest.
Tana’s writing is improving, her storytelling ability is gripping and I will anxiously be awaiting her next book with the same enthusiasm I’ve had in the past for authors who just can’t compare anymore.
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Danielle at There’s a Book has started up this fun Saturday Me(me) and .. surprise surprise I’m actually getting this post up today.
So the question this week is:
Who is your favorite female character,
in a book or on a TV show/movie? Why?
You can’t get much more kick-butt than Samantha Carter. I admit it – I’m a pretty big sci-fi geek when it comes to movies and TV shows. I fell in love with Stargate SG-1 about 7 years ago and have been addicted ever since. Now.. with the upcoming DragonCon here in Atlanta I get to revel in my geeky-ness and see many of the stars in person – unfortunately Amanda Tapping will not be one of them.
…but I can still envy her right? I mean.. she did get to kiss “McGyver“! Seriously though – her character on the Stargates is one of strength, refusal to bow down to what she knows is wrong and perseverance in protecting others – even those not of her own species! By far one of my favorite characters in shows (I only wish Sanctuary did her justice).
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 Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine
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Short Summary:
Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin has defeated her longtime enemy and saved the world—again. But at what cost? Standing at the ground zero for the last attack, Joanne, the Djinn David, and the Earth herself have been poisoned by a substance that is destroying the magic that keeps the world alive.
My Review:
Technically there was nothing really wrong with TOTAL ECLIPSE, the latest installment of Joanne/David/Lewis. True to form Rachel Caine gives us high-speed chases, upheaving earth and crazy, take-your-breath-away situations.
I actually felt like I was reading the first several books over again because, at this point, there’s really not much more that can happen to Joanne that hasn’t already happened to her.
The ending of the book redeemed the book for me, however- and I don’t want to spoil it but I would like to say… as much as I love Joanne, please.. let this be her peaceful rest.
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Last night, thanks to a really loud thunderstorm, I was up for several hours more than I’d originally intended. The result? Well.. here’s what I’ve completed so far:
Next up – The Bells by Richard Harvell!
Here are the books still on my list for the weekend!
For my daytime reading I have some library books I need to get read.. but these books I’ll only be reading between 8pm-8am!
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I need to first take the time to thank Lydia for this whole Cross-Bloggination idea and for hosting me today. This is the second month and I have to tell you, it is really fun to be looking out for just the right book to share with new readers every month. It is like my books are in a competition to be featured and many of them scream, “Pick me, pick me!”
On to the fun, if you have ever had the chance to peruse Chew & Digest Books, you will surely know that I dig reading about American History and Immigration. What you probably don’t know is that in the last few years I have been trying hard to foster a love of cooking. Canning, baking, stewing, heavens, I even bought a food processor! This from a girl that lived on nothing but Raman and Mac & Cheese even after college.
What I didn’t know until this month was that there was a book out there that covered all of those subjects. 97 Orchard by Jane Ziegelman is that book and the subtitle pretty much says it all. “An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement Apartment.” Have you ever endeavored on an edible history?
You can click on the book above for the actual review, but want I want to share with you was one of the fine recipes in this book. A few weeks ago, thank to the kindness of strangers, I found my self with a wind fall of Zucchinis. It was in the chapter on the Baldizzi family that I found a solution.
Zucchini Fritatta
4 large or 6 small zucchini
1 small onion sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
5 eggs
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
1/3 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper
Rinse and grate zucchini using a food processor or mandolin. Place grated zucchini in a colander over the sink. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt, toss, and let sit for 15 minutes or longer until the zucchini begins to “weep”. Squeeze out extra moisture and set aside.
Saute the onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until lightly golden. (If you like to add a bit more bulk, thrown in some shredded potatoes in at this point like I did) Add zucchini and cook until the zucchini until it has browned in spots and the excess moisture has cooked away. Season with salt and pepper. and remove from stove.
Meanwhile, beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add the warm zucchini mixture along with the cheese and the bread crumbs. Let it sit for a minute. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan and let it get hot. Add the egg mixture, turn the burner down to low and cook until the fritatta starts to set around the edges.
Then place pan under a hot broiler to finish cooking the top. Slide onto a platter and garnish with something like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole and serve.
Easy Peasy and not only does it look like a dream on the table, it tastes like heaven. See all of the wonderful things that you can get into by simply picking up a nonfiction book? You are looked a bit peeked, what are you waiting for? Go check out 97 Orchard by Jane Ziegelman, grab your apron, and you will find yourself cooking history.
Thanks again for playing along and remember Books don’t just feed your soul or brain, they can feed your belly too!
Be sure you stop by Chew & Digest Books to see what Danielle for There’s a Book is sharing with my readers today. Thanks Lydia!
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Thank you so much for providing us with a fantastic look at this book, Gwen! For those interested, please feel free to hop on over to There’s a Book and Chew & Digest Books to view the other cross-bloggination books!
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