Wednesday, July 08, 2009
[Book Review] SWEETHEARTS by Sara Zarr
Fiction/Young AdultAndrea King reviews SWEETHEARTS by Sara Zarr (Little, Brown and Company, 2008)
This book evoked a lot of emotions from me. There were some laugh-out-loud moments, as well as times that I cried. I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike.
Sweethearts is the endearing story of Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick. The two were social outcasts and each other’s only friends in elementary school. The pair always took up for each other when school bullies picked on Jennifer or when Cameron’s dad abused him. Knowing the other was always there made life a little bit more bearable. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes, and Cameron disappears. Being told that he died, part of Jennifer herself fades away, as well.
Fast forward eight years. Jennifer has lost her “baby fat” and loser image and gained a new image and popularity as Jenna Vaughn. Jennifer Harris is no longer in the picture, just like Cameron Quick isn’t. But, Jenna’s world is turned upside down on her seventeenth birthday when she gets a letter from Cameron himself.
He’s back! No, this is not some supernatural thriller novel. Cameron and his family just had to move out of state to escape his abusive father. Jenna’s emotions are rightfully muddled, as she tries to make sure Cameron doesn’t reveal anything about her past while trying to include him in her new life. It is difficult and strained, but honest. This book is about second chances and friendship and what we as individuals decide to do with both.
Monday, July 06, 2009
[Book Review] RUNNING HOT by Jayne Ann Krentz
FictionBeth reviews RUNNING HOT by Jayne Ann Krentz (Putnam, 2008)
I really enjoy books with a supernatural theme. This one had a bonus! The heroine is a librarian! Grace Renquist is a librarian who is able to see auras and dark flashes that show violence or evil. In this novel she is paired with ex-cop Luther Malone to do a psychic investigation for Jones & Jones. Luther, acting as Grace’s bodyguard, can use his psychic abilities to alter people’s moods through their auras.
Grace and Luther are sent to Hawaii, acting as honeymooners, to find a killer. Things quickly heat up between the two. Unfortunately, things also heat up as they contend with the bad guys. The deadly drug created by the Arcane Society’s founder has been recreated and is causing chaos within the supernatural community. Can Grace and Luther hold off the trouble until back-up arrives? Will they survive the lethal psychic La Sirene, who, like a siren of ancient myth, kills with her singing voice?
Things are a bit far-fetched at times but who doesn’t love a great mystery with romance and the supernatural thrown in?
Beth, Highland Branch Library
Labels: Fantasy, Reviews by Beth, Romance
Thursday, July 02, 2009
[Book Review] CRAZY LOVE by Leslie Morgan Steiner
Nonfiction/MemoirAndrea King reviews CRAZY LOVE: A Memoir by Leslie Morgan Steiner (St. Martin’s Press, 2009)
This is a story about a successful, 22-year-old woman who seemed like she had everything going for her. Working at Seventeen magazine and living in downtown New York City after graduating from Harvard, Leslie had the world at her feet. Meeting the attractive and funny Conor was the proverbial “cherry on top.”
Unfortunately, Leslie had a secret. A secret that millions of others shared with her.
Conor, although he seemed to adore Leslie outwardly, was beating her regularly. Leslie always had excuses for his behavior and a simple reason for putting up with his violence: she loved him. Don’t scoff- in our society many battered women feel this way.
Fortunately, Leslie got to the point where she had enough. After Conor relocated them time and time again to keep her isolated from friends and family so he could keep her “all to himself,” Leslie realized she had to get away from him. She concluded that the strength and power to escape Conor was within her. Not to spoil the ending but I am pleased to report Leslie did escape Conor and is now living out the fairy tale with her second husband and children.
This is a harsh, unsettling memoir that tells the first person account of a relationship that went from a fairy tale to its most extreme opposite. It is also a story of hope and having a second chance in life. Most importantly, the author shows readers how to live after just surviving. This to me is the most important lesson of all.
Andrea King,
Poplar-White Station Branch Library
Labels: Memoir, Nonfiction, Reviews by Andrea King
