Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea by Morgan Callan Rogers

Posted on January 28, 2012
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Reason for Reading:
  • The title – such an interesting one!

I recommend:

  • Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson

Summary from GoodReads:

A captivating debut, introducing a spirited young heroine coming of age in coastal Maine during the early 1960s.

When her mother disappears during a weekend trip, Florine Gilham’s idyllic childhood is turned upside down. Until then she’d been blissfully insulated by the rhythms of family life in small town Maine; watching from the granite cliffs above the sea for her father’s lobster boat to come into port, making bread with her grandmother, and infiltrating the summer tourist camps with her friends. But with her mother gone, the heart falls out of Florine’s life and she and her father are isolated as they struggle to manage their loss. Both sustained and challenged by the advice and expectations of her family and neighbors, Florine grows up with her spirit intact. And when her father’s past comes to call, she must accept that life won’t ever be the same while keeping her mother vivid in her memories. With Fannie Flagg’s humor and Elizabeth Stroud’s sense of place, this debut is an extraordinary snapshot of a bygone America through the eyes of an inspiring girl blazing her own path to womanhood.

My Review:

This book charmed the heck outta me.  Right away, while reading a description of a time long past, a coast I’d never seen, and a girl and her mother making a spontaneous trip, I fell in love.  Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea is the perfect coming-of-age story for an older generation of women, and for the younger generation as well so they can get a glimpse of what life was like.

Here’s what I love the most about this captivating little story.  There are no neat endings, no tidy wrap-ups, and no cliches.  Instead there is heartfelt emotion, and it’s raw.. and it hurts, and I wanted to rage right along with Florine at the unfairness of life – but bravo to Rogers for making life unfair, because that’s what made this book real.  It was so real I could smell the salty air, and I could see the hot tears on Florine’s face, and feel her rage as she acts out against the adults in her life, you know – the adults who actually stuck around for her.

When I first finished this book, I sat it down and I looked at it and I thought.. that was okay, but .. do I want more?  And now that I’ve had time to sit back and think, to let the story settle, I am really, really appreciating this story for being the gem it is.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

Chicks Dig Books

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Revealing Eden by Victoria Foyt

Posted on January 27, 2012
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Reason for Reading:
  • The cover looked interesting.

I recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

Eden Newman must mate before her 18th birthday in six months or she’ll be left outside to die in a burning world. But who will pick up her mate-option when she’s cursed with white skin and a tragically low mate-rate of 15%? In a post-apocalyptic, totalitarian, underground world where class and beauty are defined by resistance to an overheated environment, Eden’s coloring brands her as a member of the lowest class, a weak and ugly Pearl. If only she can mate with a dark-skinned Coal from the ruling class, she’ll be safe. Just maybe one Coal sees the Real Eden and will be her salvation her co-worker Jamal has begun secretly dating her. But when Eden unwittingly compromises her father’s secret biological experiment, she finds herself in the eye of a storm and thrown into the last area of rainforest, a strange and dangerous land. Eden must fight to save her father, who may be humanity’s last hope, while standing up to a powerful beast-man she believes is her enemy, despite her overwhelming attraction. Eden must change to survive but only if she can redefine her ideas of beauty and of love, along with a little help from her “adopted aunt” Emily Dickinson.

My Review:

I don’t do pure negative reviews very often – usually there’s some sort of saving grace in a book, a storyline I like, a character I admired, something I can pull from the book, but I can’t do it here.

Let’s look at the list of things that got to me:

1. Reverse racism.  Foyt tried an experiment and, in my opinion, failed.  Something that is a basic cornerstone of good writing is show, don’t tell.  Don’t include a word and then reference it as being a “racist” term, in those exact words!  There’s no need to turn history around to prove a point either.  White-face bands?  Reverse slavery/abuse?  The whole idea just rubbed me the wrong way – especially since the idea for her earth was actually a good one, and so much could have been done with it that was fresh and new.

2. Beastiality.  Have we gotten to the point that we’re angel/demon/vampire/werewolf/witch/mermaid/fairy -’d out?  Do we really need to turn to beastial creatures to get that hot, romance-y, steam fix?  I cannot tell you how much times “tail” was mentioned that seemed to get Eden all hot and bothered, and oh my goodness, it gave me the heebie-jeebies.

3. Plot.  I couldn’t really find one.  I mean, I could find a spoiled brat of a girl, but .. was the plot her intention to actually get away? or was it that she protests too much? or was it that.. you know, I don’t know.  If you read this book, and like it, please tell me what the plot was?  75% in, I was talking about this book to a friend, and she asked what the plot was and it blew me away that I couldn’t articulate it.

I love dystopia books, I love science fiction, I love a good story with racial tension in it, it gets my mind working (Go read Tankborn by Karen Sandler).  But, other than a spark of what could have been, I just didn’t find much of anything to like in this story.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

Books Glorious Books

The Aussie Zombie

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The Devil’s Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis

Posted on January 26, 2012
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Reason for Reading:
  • I promised myself I’d branch out and read some books about Queens I haven’t read much of.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

Confidante of Nostradamus, scheming mother-in-law to Mary, Queen of Scots, and architect of the bloody St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, Catherine de Medici is one of the most maligned monarchs in history. In her latest historical fiction, Jeanne Kalogridis tells Catherine’s story—that of a tender young girl, destined to be a pawn in Machiavellian games.

Born into one of Florence’s most powerful families, Catherine was soon left a fabulously rich heiress by the early deaths of her parents. Violent conflict rent the city state and she found herself imprisoned and threatened by her family’s enemies before finally being released and married off to the handsome Prince Henry of France.

Overshadowed by her husband’s mistress, the gorgeous, conniving Diane de Poitiers, and unable to bear children, Catherine resorted to the dark arts of sorcery to win Henry’s love and enhance her fertility—for which she would pay a price. Against the lavish and decadent backdrop of the French court, and Catherine’s blood-soaked visions of the future, Kalogridis reveals the great love and desire Catherine bore for her husband, Henry, and her stark determination to keep her sons on the throne.

My Review:

So the first thing that caught my eye in the summary of this book was Mary, Queen of Scots.  I’m ashamed to admit right now that whenever I hear that name I immediately think of Jen Pringle and Anne Shirley from those indulgent PBS movies.  So, once I put that hurdle behind me I was able to give Catherine her due.

I love books about strong women.  I think, to be a pawn like these women were, and make a place for yourself would have been so difficult, especially when faced with the idea that a warm bath just isn’t what it is today, and there’s no Facebook to blow off steam after a big argument.  While The Devil’s Queen delved a little too much into the fantastic side for me (there is so much witchcraft and sorcery in this book, it was disconcerting), I really, really enjoyed getting to know Catherine, especially as I didn’t have much information on her before reading this.

If Jeanne Kalogridis’s research is true, Catherine was one scheming woman – but in a good sense.  She knew which battles to pick, and how to manipulate her husband just so.  She was a good mother, anxious to see her sons and daughters succeed in life, and she loved them fiercely.

One thing I was educated on through this book (and having listened to some music centered around it last semester, found myself saying OH! so that’s what happened) is the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.  Y’all, that was a bloody battle, and if you don’t know anything about it I suggest you go look it up.  Like, right now.

This is an historical book that, despite its bulk, seems to make time fly.  I was thoroughly engrossed by the story, and the skill with which Jeanne tells it – I just wish it’d focused a little more on the historical accuracy and less on the fantastical aspect.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

A Journey in Reading

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The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton

Posted on January 25, 2012
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Reason for Reading:
  • This book has been on my TBR for years – I wanted to get to it this year!

I recommend:

  • The Turquoise by Anya Seton

Summary from GoodReads:

First published in 1958 and set in the early 17th century, this bestselling novel—and follow-up to Katherine—follows Elizabeth Winthrop, a courageous Puritan woman who finds herself at odds with her heritage and surroundings. A real historical figure, Elizabeth married into the family of Governor John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In those times of hardship, famine, and Indian attacks, many believed that the only way to prosper was through the strong, bigoted, and theocratic government that John Winthrop favored. Defying the government and her family, Elizabeth befriends famous heretic Anne Hutchinson, challenges an army captain, and dares to love as her heart commanded. Through Elizabeth’s three marriages, struggles with her passionate beliefs, and countless rebellions, a powerful tale of fortitude, humiliation, and ultimate triumph shines through.

My Review:

This could, quite possibly, be one of the most depressing books I’ll read this year.  Seriously, poor Elizabeth cannot catch a break here.

The first part of this quite hefty novel is set in England – we meet Elizabeth as a child, hopelessly infatuated with her cousin, struggling against the disapproval of her uncle, and trying to contain her strong will.  All the while, as I was reading this book, I was reminded that there was a whole lot of research done (and it’s visible in the writing) and that Elizabeth was a real person – not just a character made up and given a hard life.  This woman lived through the prejudices, the horrors of poor life – and I do mean poor in a sense that no one today could possibly understand.

I also had been under the impression that the Puritans were unjustly persecuted – but from the portrayal of them in this book… I don’t know if I could have lived as a Puritan.  Y’all, they were some whacked folks. Rules, regulations, restrictions – this was the life they led.  Elizabeth was handed over and over a really hard portion of life, but she handled it with grace that was admirable.

This was a seriously long book – and I’d only recommend it if you are really interested in learning about Puritan life and the establishment of families in New England.  Overall, most of the history in this book was filled with new facts for me, so I consider that a win, but it’s definitely not a book I’d read for pleasure.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

The Literate Housewife

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The Turquoise by Anya Seton

Posted on January 24, 2012
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Reason for Reading:
  • I’ve had this on my TBR for two years, figured it was time to get around to it.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

It is the story of a beautiful, gifted woman who leaves the magic mountains of her native New Mexico for the piratical, opulent, gaslit New York of the 1870s—only to end her search for happiness back in the high, thin air of Santa Fe.

Santa Fe Cameron, named for the place of her birth, was the child of a Spanish mother and a Scotch father and inherited from both a high degree of psychic perceptivity. Natanay, an American Indian, saw this and gave the little orphan a turquoise amulet as a keepsake; this turquoise, the Indian symbol of the spirit, dominates her life.

For Santa Fe Cameron, life is made up of violent contrasts: the rough wagon of the gay young Irish medicine vendor who brings her East and the scented hansom cabs and carriages waiting before her own Fifth Avenue mansion; the glittering world of the Astors and a dreary cell in the Tombs.

My Review:

Have you heard of Anya Seton?  I sure hadn’t.  I’m not sure what possessed me to put this book on my TBR list back in 2009, but THANK GOODNESS I did.  Because y’all, this book was magnificent.

It was published first in 1946, and the copy I got from the library was bound in one of those old style books – unassuming, no pictures, gold lettering on top of an orange cover.  I looked at that book and thought.. what was I thinking?  And then I started to read… and I read more and more and next thing I know I’m waking up at 6am so I can pick up where I left off.

This is an epic story.  Santa Fe Cameron was born to a dying mother, and her father dies when she reaches the mere age of 7.  She is taken in and raised by a local family – but is always considered to be different, due to the Scottish features of pale skin and gray eyes.  Early in the story, she is told she will have to make one of two choices, and … you, the reader, can decide if she made the right choice.

Santa Fe’s trip through this story is a rough one.  It’s filled with love and heartbreak, gain and loss, and some of the most intelligent, strong, female characters I’ve ever read in a book of this age.  I adored this story, and like I said earlier, I am so glad I put it on my list.  This one is highly, highly recommended by me – and I cannot wait to get to the other Seton book I have here sitting on my desk.

Check out these reviews!

Book Group of One

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It’s Monday, what are you reading?

Posted on January 22, 2012
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This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

You’ll notice that there is a lot of.. interesting titles being read this week – there’s a reason for that.  You see, I read a LOT for school, and why shouldn’t that count?  If I’m reading Blake and Twain and Hoffman, I should record that – there’s no reason not to?  So.. I am!

While you are here, be sure to check out the information on my 2012 Western Genre Challenge - have some great prizes happening there!  Spread the news, I’d be so grateful!

Books I’ve read this past week (Links to reviews):

  1. The Sandman by E.T.A. Hoffman
  2. Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake
  3. The Shining by Stephen King
  4. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
  5. The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak
In Progress:
  1. Ragnarok by A.S. Byatt
Books reviewed this past week:
  1. Nocturnes by Kazuo Ishiguro
  2. No Way Home by Carlos Acosta
  3. Crown Duel & Court Duel by Sherwood Smith
  4. Faith by Jennifer Haigh

Books to read this week:

Heft by Liz Moore 

New Girl by Paige Harbison

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Ode: Intimations of Immortality from

Recollections of Early Childhood by William Wordsworth


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Nocturnes by Kazuo Ishiguro

Posted on January 21, 2012
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Reason for Reading:
  • I’ve been trying to delve more into short stories, and this one just caught my interest.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

In this sublime story cycle, Kazuo Ishiguro explores love, music and the passage of time. This quintet ranges from Italian piazzas to the Malvern Hills, a London flat to the “hush-hush floor” of an exclusive Hollywood hotel. Along the way we meet young dreamers, café musicians and faded stars, all at some moment of reckoning.

Gentle, intimate and witty, Nocturnes is underscored by a haunting theme: the struggle to restoke life’s romance, even as relationships flounder and youthful hopes recede.

My Review:

I generally have a really hard time with how authors portray musicians in books – especially classical musicians.  I set aside my trepidation, because I’d had previous experience with Ishiguro’s work, and I figured if anyone could do this right, he could.

Folks, he knocked it out of the ballpark.

This selection of short stories has one thing wrong with it.  It’s too short.  Every single story had me wrapped up, so intent on what was happening that I didn’t want to put the book down.  I greedily devoured stories of street musicians, homely musicians, and even fake musicians.  At the end of each story I eagerly jumped into the next, ready to be whisked away again.  It wasn’t until recently that I began to appreciate the power that the short story has, and between Daphne du Maurier and now Kazuo Ishiguro, I think it’s going to be very hard to find other collections that can measure up.

Brilliantly written, simple yet complicated, and a collection that deserves a place on the most critical of bookshelves – I highly recommend you pick this one up soon.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

Medieval Bookworm

Yat-Yee Chong

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No Way Home by Carlos Acosta

Posted on January 20, 2012
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Reason for Reading:
  • I’ve been reading stories about ballet dancers since I was a little girl.  I couldn’t resist another one.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

Carlos Acosta, the Cuban dancer considered to be one of the world’s greatest performers, fearlessly depicts his journey from adolescent troublemaker to international superstar in his captivating memoir, No Way Home.

Carlos was just another kid from the slums of Havana; the youngest son of a truck driver and a housewife, he ditched school with his friends and dreamed of becoming Cuba’s best soccer player. Exasperated by his son’s delinquent behavior, Carlos’s father enrolled him in ballet school, subjecting him to grueling days that started at five thirty in the morning and ended long after sunset.

The path from student to star was not an easy one. Even as he won dance competitions and wowed critics around the world, Carlos was homesick for Cuba, crippled by loneliness and self-doubt. As he traveled the world, Carlos struggled to overcome popular stereotypes and misconceptions; to maintain a relationship with his family; and, most of all, to find a place he could call home.

My Review:

I’ve always had a thing for the underdog.  I mean, honestly, who hasn’t at one point or another in their lives?  I put this book on my TBR list a few years ago, and only recently did the notification pop up that it was available in my library (granted, I wasn’t looking too hard when I was in GA, but I digress…).

I’m really torn on this book, because I really, desperately, want to admire what Carlos Acosta, and his family, sacrificed for him to achieve his status in the world today.  I think what makes it hard to fully admire this is because the hard work is so downplayed in this memoir, and instead, the delinquency, the disrespect for his parents, the disregard for the world of ballet is brought to the forefront, cheapening the effect of what could have been a very, very powerful story.

So, rather than focus on the work, on detailing the hours of sweat, speaking of the performances and the struggles within the world of ballet, Carlos Acosta instead, focuses solely on the struggles in his outer world.  Now, granted, they were struggles no one should have to deal with.  His family frequently was in need of food, and Cuba is definitely not a paradise on earth.  His descriptions of his hometown, and the nature surrounding it were lush and I felt like I could envision what he was trying to paint for me … but then he would move back to these, semi-dramatic moments that just distracted from the story.

The other issue I had with the story is the massive rise of ego – from virtually nothing at the beginning until I felt like I was being choked with it at the end.  That could be his youth (he was only 25 at the time of this memoir), but it left me with a distaste for the person he’d become.

I’d only recommend this book if you are a fan, or a ballet enthusiast.  Otherwise, pass this memoir by and go read his Wikipedia entry.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

Book Addiction

Nomad Reader

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Double Feature – Crown Duel and Court Duel by Sherwood Smith

Posted on January 19, 2012
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Reason for Reading:
  • I’ve had this on my TBR for two years, figured it was time to get around to it.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

A deathbed promise to their father sends a daring girl and her brother off to war. Filled with intrigue, romance, and magic, this spellbinding novel is a dramatic coming-of-age story about a girl who rises from impoverished beginnings to take command of her own fate.

My Review:

Sherwood Smith, why oh why are your covers so horrifically bad?  Because girl… you can write oh so good.  Seriously, as I read this fantastic gem of a young adult fantasy duo I felt like pumping my fist and shouting GIRL POWER quite happily.  Because this girl, this Meliara, she knocked my socks off.

So basically this story starts with an impoverished member of the court and his two kids, a boy and a girl.  The girl has been left to her own devices, she’s run wild, and she does not have a good impression of the finery and snobbery of the court off in the distance.  But now.. her father is dying and the duchy is left to both girl and boy.  And to make matters worse – it appears they are going to war.

Meliara is gutsy in a very good way.  She doesn’t have magical powers that allow her to pick up a sword and kick some butt, she’s too petite for that, and Sherwood realistically portrays that weakness.  Instead, she sneaks, she spies, and she does what she firmly believes to be best.  From captures to escapes, double-crossings and alliances, and then to the scene at court and the flirtations, parties and secrets, this story moves quickly and had me flipping pages and very grateful that the edition I read had both books combined.

This is a satisfying, little gem of a fantasy that is the perfect solution for those of you out there who are tired of cliffhangers and want to read a good, solid story that will have you cheering and maybe even tearing up a little bit at the conclusion.

Check out these reviews!

Steph Su Reads

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Stop SOPA/PIPA

Posted on January 18, 2012
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This site has gone dark today in protest of the U.S. Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT-IP Act (PIPA). The U.S. Congress is about to censor the Internet, even though the vast majority of Americans are opposed. We need to kill these bills to protect our rights to free speech, privacy, and prosperity. Learn more at AmericanCensorship.org

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