Review of Kara Thomas's The Cheerleaders

One sentence plot summary:

A high school student attempts to connect three seemingly disconnected events after five cheerleaders, one her older sister, die within a month's time.

A mystery about a bunch of high school cheerleaders, you say?

I'm glad for what this book was missing: stereotypical, cliched cheerleader tropes. There were no snotty, two faced girls manipulating their friends, stealing boyfriends, or bullying the unchosen. There was barely even a nod to the existence of a high school hierarchy, which was refreshing and, anecdotally, a lot more in line with what high school's today look like (not that there aren't still the elite and the lower caste, just that they aren't as rigid and predictable as they once were). The cheerleaders were, for the most part, normal teen girls who exhibited typical insecurities and issues. Incidentally, the cheerleaders aren't even shown that much because . . . (non-spoiler spoiler) most of them are dead.

The new focus is on the dance team. Monica, the little sister of Dead Cheerleader Jen, is a member of the team, but she's losing her focus as she becomes more and more obsessed with the death of her sister. Better do some super sleuthing!

And sleuth Monica does, along with her new pal, Ginny (Jen? Ginny? Does the similarity in names hint at a connection? No). While she's not exactly Veronica Mars level, she does okay. With some fiddling on social media and less than stellar social graces, Monica stumbles her way to the answer. The question, then, is will she be happy with what she finds?

I'm not going to lie. Monica made the book pretty annoying in a lot of places, even though I really, really enjoyed it overall. She was boring, dim-witted, horrible at speaking to people, and super reactive. She made snap judgements without even half the facts. She was not a great heroine.  Ginny was likable enough to make up for it, though, as a much more down to earth, thoughtful sort.

Characters are not the books strong point and at a certain point I felt like they were all interchangeable composite teens, BUT don't let that put you off because what the book lacks in character development, it makes up in plot. It's a well-plotted book. Themes unwind and play off each other, moments, tiny moments, end up being relevant, and all the threads tie together in a pretty bow. And it's readable! Super readable. I'm not going to say it was a complete page turner because I wasn't alway dying to know what would happen next, but I was never bored.

This was a good one.

4/5

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC I was provided in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Review of Zoje Stage's Baby Teeth

first, big thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

One sentence plot summary: Hanna, the seven year old daughter of Alex and Suzette, is not as sweet as she appears.

I don't even know how I feel about this one.

On one hand, it was not boring, which is a huge plus. I don't like it when I have to force myself to read something or when I feel like it's lagging in a pretty major way, and that didn't really happen in Baby Teeth. It was horrifying and kept me turning the pages most of the time (the only piece of the plot that did kind of slow the read down was Suzette's struggle with Crohns Disease; I totally get that it was supposed to serve as character development because it showed how the neglect from her mother intensified some of her selfish tendencies. I get it. It just didn't always work and it felt like the replay of the whole fistula situation and the repetitive shit oozing from the stomach commentary were both a little dull at a certain point).

On the other hand, the characters often sucked. And I don't mean I didn't like them as people and didn't want to be friends with them--in the debate on whether fictional characters should be likable, I fall strongly on Mohsin Hamid's side of the argument (and if you don't know what argument I'm talking about, I encourage you to read this: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/books/review/are-we-too-concerned-that-characters-be-likable.html). I'm not auditioning a new best friend when I read fiction.

No, what I mean is that the characters just don't strike me as completely believable, especially Suzette and Hanna.

With Hanna, aka this chick:

it's  hard to describe the way I view her character because I'm so ambivalent about Stage's creation of this tormented little soul. In one way, she's done very well. She is complicated. Her inner monologue is incredibly insightful at times and incredibly innocent at other times. This works for me as a reader because I think most young kids share this combination of behavior. Sometimes, though, it felt forced. One specific instance was when Hanna watches her parents having sex and her inner monologue is supposed to be very childlike and confused (referring to genitalia as a "thing," for example, which I doubt she would do; these parents DEFINITELY seem like the proper names for parts type of parents), but then the metaphors used to describe the sexual acts, while in Hanna's perspective, are metaphors commonly used by adults. I won't get into specifics here, but think riding, thrusting language in a seven year old's voice. Yeesh. Similarly, when Hanna tries to terrify her mother by simulating a sex act and she talks about the Devil having sex with her, the language does not sound realistic coming from a sheltered, homeschooled seven year old.

Another issue I have with this book is that it's a little problematic. Yeah, yeah, don't hate me for using Millenial speak, I'm just not sure we need another gay character described as speaking with a lilting voice or non-Neurotypical Kid in a red helmet that hits his head against the wall. Not that it doesn't happen with certain special needs, but come on. It's a bit played out.

Still, I liked reading it. It was really interesting, kept me engaged, made it hard for me to go to sleep because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. Overall, it's one to read, but I don't know that it would be on the top of my list, especially with all the really stellar stuff out there right now.

3/5

Review of Calypso by David Sedaris

One sentence summary: Calypso is a collection of humorous essays by David Sedaris, covering topics ranging from relationships to tumors.

Not surprisingly, I loved this book. I have no criticisms of it. It was funny, the essays unfolded in a way that developed consistent themes (specifically aging), and while it left me thinking, it wasn't heavy. It was a snack, but, like, a healthy snack. Maybe apple slices and peanut butter.

While the whole collection was solidly good, some essays were especially strong: "Stepping Out," which chronicles the obsession Sedaris has with his Fitbit, was one I was already familiar with and have always loved. It's strong in two distinct ways: in one, it really shows how easy it is for humans to get fixated and lose any sense of moderation. We are all guilty of it, right? Just not necessarily with Fitbits. I, for instance, have a hard time being moderate about chocolate. To each his own. The other thing I love about "Stepping Out" is that the details in it are just so brilliantly funny! When Sedaris writes about his friends witnessing his odd walk-time behavior (picking up dead animals, etc.) and reporting back to his boyfriend, I about lost it picturing the scenario.

Another strong point in the collection was the story arc concerning the snapping turtle that Sedaris enjoys because of the turtle's tumor. There is just something about the way the whole story unfolds that kept me cackling.

Still, even though the humor is consistent and on point, there is a real poignancy to these essays. Sedaris is ultimately examining his own aging alongside the aging of his father, while also making sense of the losses that come along with that aging. Again, he's never too heavy handed, but even in the humor, there's a real familiarity to his struggle with his father: how do you deal with watching as your parents become the ones who start to lose their independence? How do you deal with the shifting dynamic when suddenly you are the one trying to encourage a change in behaviors for the sake of the other person?

Overall, this was an easily read and enjoyed book that was relatable and authentic. Don't miss it.

5/5.

Review of Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood

Slight trigger warning. Sexual violence mentioned, but certainly not explicitly.

One sentence plot summary: Based on real events, this is the story of Florence “Sally” Horner, a thirteen year old girl whose kidnapping and assault served as part of the inspiration for Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita.


Wow.

There is a lot I want to say about Rust & Stardust, but I think I have to focus on Greenwood’s ability to create a character. With the slightly overused (in my opinion) shifting perspectives form, Greenwood alternates between the perspectives of Florence “Sally” Horner, her mother, Ella, her sister, Susan, Ruth, a neighbor who nurtures Sally during her hellish experience, and several other connected characters. I won’t lie; I didn’t love this at first. There’s something about taking on the voice of someone who really lived, who actually walked through these experiences, without a nod to the fact that you are trying the voice on. I guess it’s certainly not the first time, but something about it, especially with the voice of a thirteen year old girl who was kidnapped and raped over nearly two years, seemed gimmicky and disrespectful. Even a bit exploitative. I now believe that, in this case, my gut was totally wrong.

Greenwood paints Sally Horner as a vibrant, curious, flickering flame that begins to be extinguished by trauma. The character could not have been handled more sensitively, more authentically, more deeply. Greenwood has a real gift with character, in general. Perhaps even more so than Sally, Ella really propelled the story. Her battle with loss, with her bitterness, with her resentment, created complication and depth to what could have potentially been just another crime story. Ella is poised to be a sympathetic character from the start. She’s a mother who is facing a situation that could only be described as hell for any mother: her daughter has been kidnapped and isn’t found for nearly two years. How can you not empathize with her story? How can you not imagine the longing, the declining hope, the imaginings and fixations of a mother without her child? Should be a pretty simple character, right?

Not so much. Ella, instead, is multi-layered; she resents the world around her for taking Sally, but at times she resents Sally herself; she says horrible things that victim blame her daughter; she is cold and distant when her daughter returns. But even as we hate Ella’s behaviors, we always understand the force working behind the behavior in a way that keeps her sympathetic.

As I read, of course the plot kept me fascinated. It’s a compelling story. I longed for Sally to be taken home, to escape, and felt true grief each time her hopes were dashed. I rooted for her. It was a good plot and it was written with beautiful language. It won’t be plot or language that keeps your pages turning, though: it will be the connection you build to these deeply human characters that keeps you moving forward.

5/5. Beautiful, haunting work.

Thank you to Net Galley and publishers for the ARC of this brilliant book.

Review of Her Name was Rose by Claire Allan

2/5 stars

One sentence plot summary: After witnessing the death of a woman named Rose, the protagonist, who is so bland I’ve momentarily forgotten her name, tries to replace her in a desperate bid for happiness.

I’m not even going to look up her name. I’m just going to see if it ever comes to me or if she’s so forgettable that I literally cannot come up with her name three minutes after finishing this book.


As you can probably tell, I did not like this one. Yes, it had it’s compelling moments. The ending, for example, was very strong. For most of the book, though, it was like reading a less well written version of The Girl on the Train. Speaking of which, that triggered the memory for me: the main character of this book is Emily, which is, coincedentally, the name of the actress who plays the main character in The Girl on the Train. At this point, you’ve probably caught on to the fact that I think this book was way too similar to GOtT and let me just say, I’m not suggesting this book was plagiarism or anything like that, just that it wasn’t original. It relies way too heavily on tropes that are super overused lately: unreliable narrator. Scorned woman desperate for the attentions of another woman’s fella. Potential mental illness. Substance abuse that perpetuates the narrator’s unreliability. Just too much of the same and not done nearly as well.

In additition, the pacing was god awful. There was way too much love and lining over the abusive husband, Cian. Almost kissing. Hands on the arm. Ugh, it wasn’t even fast paced as smut, but for a mystery/thriller book, stuff just wasn’t happening fast enough.

Look, I’m not saying this book was the worst. I’ve read worse. I’m just saying if you’ve read five mysteries this year, skip this one because it’s just a composite of what you’ve read.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC I was provided in exchange for a fair and honest review.

One-sentence plot summary: A Spark of Light is about the interconnected lives of a group of people being held hostage in a women's reproductive clinic by a shooter.

First and foremost--and I almost never comment on this--the cover of Jodi Picoult's A Spark of Light is gorgeous. Can we just take a moment to enjoy the swirling, cloudlike wisps of pastels? Sigh. As my thirteen year old, beauty blog obsessed daughter would say: it's so aesthetic. 

Now to the book itself: I got an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for a review and I was thrilled. Picoult has a tendency to write very warm feeling books on controversial topics; she has the ability to make you really think, but ultimately walk away in a pretty positive headspace. That's really no easy feat and, frankly, it's a real plus in today's climate where half the books I read make me want to hide away for a week or so.

In addition to the relatively good vibes, A Spark of Light is a pageturner. It has several threads happening at once and finding out how all the characters are related is really compelling. The best part of this aspect, to me, is that the connections are subtle but meaningful. They are enough of a connection that you wonder how things would be different in character A's life if character B had done something different, but it's not handled in a dramatic or overwrought way. Also, the characters are really well developed. Picoult does a beautiful job of creating authentic voices that explore the deeper influences that lead characters to their actions. I especially love Wren, a teen girl who is at the clinic with her "aunt" to get birth control pills. I like that she is mature and realistic without that overly precocious, obnoxiously smart teen voice that some writers seem to prize.

Okay, now for the negative. There's only one, but sometimes it was a big one for me. 

Heads up: I’m a liberal. Like a big one. I’m so far left that.... I don’t even know where to go with that, but you get my point. I’m telling you this only so that you see this isn’t bias speaking.

I didn’t like how heavy-handed Picoult was with the pro-choice rhetoric in this one, not because I, personally, don’t agree 100%, but because sometimes the character’s internal dialogue sounded like it was a script of slogans from some sort of campaign poster. It took me out of the moment and those bits didn’t feel authentic. The good news: they were pretty rare. As I mentioned before, the character voices, overall, were stunningly well done.

This is a beautiful read that sucked me in from the first line. You will really be missing out if you don't put this on your "to-read" list. 

Latest Read: Pulp by Robin Talley

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC of Robin Talley's Pulp in exchange for a fair and honest review.

First, let me just say that I really enjoy Robin Talley. She is incredibly good at writing authentic YA characters. That was the biggest strength in this book: the characters were not always likable (something I fully support), but they acted like teenagers who were genuinely struggling to navigate the struggles of becoming adults.

First, a short summary: Abby lives in the present in a relatively average imploding family. Her parents are increasingly more absent and no longer get along and her brother acts out. In the midst of all this, she's trying to puzzle out her relationship with Linh, her ex-girlfriend. Janet is a teenager in the fifties. She has recently come to terms with her sexuality, but is struggling with the reality of McCarthyism, family pressure, and the desire to protect those she loves.

PROS:

Like I said, both protagonists are incredibly authentic. They have ideas about love that completely line up with everything we've all seen: they believe love should be able to make miracles, that first loves should be forever, and, of course, that real love always lasts forever. Abby often copes with her problems by delving into her phone, but it's not exaggerated or dumbed down. She dives into an obsession with a literary genre rather than being lumped in with this sort of composite teen who breathes social media. Janet is making her own path, but often finds it really hard to assert herself. Neither girl can find the words for their emotions because they don't know everything. They fumble and it's an amazing thing to read.

This book portrays the struggles of being queer in the 50s in a way that I've never witnessed. Talley's research was on point and she makes the 50s come alive. Not only was it fascinating to digress into my own google searches on Lesbian Pul Fiction while reading, but the sub-plot of Marie's struggles at work really showed a struggle that just hasn't been handled in depth.

The message is so good: love changes and that's okay because we change, too. Life is about developing, changing, and growing, and even if it hurts in the moment, it's often better than you could have imagined.Even with this great message and the focus on being social aware and all the positivity, there was never a moment when I felt like I was being preached at. It was never heavy handed, but totally natural and illustrated by the actions of the book's characters.

The characters were well developed. Yes, ultimately a large part of this book was a love story, but there was so much going on besides romance. Both Janet and Abby were working to become writers. They were both struggling with finding out what they wanted versus what they thought they wanted. They were politically active, aware, and plugged into the world around them.

CONs:

There were some typos and formatting issues, but I assume those will be handled before the release. That's literally it. This book is amazing.

5/5: Must read.

Who Are You and Why Should I Care What You Think About Books?

Hello!

Welcome to my book blog, Bibliophile with a Blog. My blog is a simple one: I’ll be reviewing the books I read so that I can give anyone who’s interested some idea of whether or not a book is for them. For the record, while there are some books I’ll recommend, the purpose of this blog will never be to discourage anyone from reading any book because, let’s face it, some of the most poorly reviewed books on this blog will probably be your favorites and some books I love will be ones you find boring/crazy/ridiculous.

Why Read My Blog?

The thing that I think is good about my blog is I read a lot, so I’m pretty good at knowing why a book works for me and why it doesn’t. I will be specific, straightforward, and, hopefully, conversational in tone. Hopefully that style will make it easy for you to read my review and use it to determine if a book is for you.

Something else that I think makes me a great reviewer is that I'm practically a book matchmaker. It almost never happens that I recommend a book to someone and they don't like it (although it happens all the time that I recommend a book and can't get the person to try it!). While I can't individually match person to book in a digital setting, I'm going to be playing with a "if you like X, you'll probably like Y" approach as of March 2019. Maybe that will make it easier for my readers to decide if a certain book is for them. 

What Kind of Books will I Review?

Anything I read is fair game. That means I will review some contemporary books (like Calypso, which is on its way to me through the mail) and some books that are much older. I read many genres, however it is unlikely you’ll ever find a review of a romance novel on here. I’m not against romance, I’m just not interested in it as a book genre.

So, without anymore words on this post, please read and enjoy! Thanks for dropping by!

Review of Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery

This week, I received an ARC of Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery by Mary Amato (thanks Net Galley and publishers!). It is going to be the first book I review for my book blog, so I am super psyched to talk about it, which works out really well because I have a lot to say about this one. 

PROS:

1. This book had super charming characters. Very likable and easy to get invested in.
2. Really cool, quirky idea that was pretty darn unique.
3. Easy to read and quick to get through.
4. Good moral lessons and an overall positive theme.
5. It incorporated a lot of poetry and song lyrics, which was really fun because it's always cool when a book plays with genre and form.  

CONs:

1. The poetry and song lyrics were awful. They were overly sentimental, cliched, and trite. Before anyone says anything, I know poetry doesn't have to (and often shouldn't) rhyme, but these poems did and the rhyme schemes were awkward. They didn't match up. It was unpleasant to read and often lasted for several pages which annoyed me enough to take me out of the reading experience.
2. Similarly, at times the life lessons were just really didactic and felt like they were being force fed to the reader. I get that it's written for young adults and, therefore, can't be quite as nuanced because of the assumption that if it's too subtle, teens won't pick up on it (which, not to totally digress, but that's kind of crap: if teens read, they learn how to be careful readers and don't need a heavy handed moral in their lit), but it was too much. No, we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. Yes, it's important to get to know people. 'K. We have it.
3. The ending was not good. It was over the top, gimmicky, and reminiscent of the TV show Lost (which is the closest thing to a spoiler I'll give you).

Overall, this book was definitely worth reading. I'm not going to go overboard with praise because there were some seriously annoying things about it, but it was very cute and pleasant and it had appearances by a deceased Edgar Allen Poe, so what else do you need to know?  

Three Stars, would recommend.