The Banks of Certain Rivers by Jon Harrison

The Banks of Certain Rivers starts off slow and then builds up into a story worth reading, however the ending is a bit too tidy for my liking.

A freak accident has left, Neil's wife, Wendy in a permanent, vegetative state and he is left to raise their son on his own. His mother-in-law is descending into dementia and he has secretly been seeing her caregiver for the past two years and then .... an unexpected development throws yet, another curve ball, Neils way. Neil has a lot on his plate, more than he ever bargained for.

If things weren't bad enough, Neil abuses alcohol as a means to cope, a secret he thinks his son knows nothing about. 

This is a character driven novel. The emotions are real and raw. The relationship and scenes between Neil and his son, Chris are by far my favorite and the most moving. A major theme in this book is the relationships between sons and fathers. This is a story about love, loss and family. I look forward to more books by, Harrison.

Grade: B-

Joss Whedon: The Biography by Amy Pascale and Nathan Fillion

This long, entertaining biography is jam packed with information, giving you tidbits of Joss Whedon's life before and after BTVS (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) the series not the movie. It is my opinion that BTVS is his best work.  The whendonverse is in its prime, the pop culture is superb and the story lines are fantastic.

This biography details both his success and failures. His works on BTVS, Angel,  Serenity, Firefly and Dollhouse are examined, much of the attention give to BTVS. His movies such as the original BTVS and Cabin in the Woods are also explored.

This "behind the scenes" look into, Whedon's life is well written and thoroughly researched, however some parts of the book didn't hold my interest and I found myself skimming pages. Joss Whedon is a master storyteller and this is a great read for his fans.

Grade: B+

The Last Breath by Kimberly Belle

The Last Breathe will be released, September 20, 2014

Gia Andrews has reluctantly returned home to care for her ailing father who has been released from prison to die at home. It has been sixteen years since he was tried and convicted of brutally murdering his wife. He has been adamant about his innocence and Gia and her siblings are forced to be face to face with the man whom they believe killed their step-mother. A man they have abandoned and no longer trust.

His arrival will test family bonds and the town will be divided. In an effort to prove her father's innocence, Gia begins an investigation that will reveal long ago buried secrets.When, Jake the town bartender and Gia's love interest enters the picture, life becomes a bit more bearable and complicated. Everyone has their own secrets and as they are revealed a major shake down will occur changing the lives of everyone.

Belle switches back and forth effortlessly in past and present time to tell her story. It's a story of intrigue and suspense. Nothing is as it seems. This is an emotionally charged read, full of well developed characters. The book starts off with a bang and slows down but I promise once you plow through those slower parts and the story unravels you will be happy you took the time to  read it.

Grade: A-

Always Watching by Chevy Stevens

Always Watching is perhaps the weakest novel written by, Chevy Stevens. I didn't find it as engaging as her previous books and found myself struggling to read it. The subject matter was interesting and the character's were well written but their wasn't an emotional driving force.

Stevens tends to write fast moving, intense psychological thrillers and this one -- was slow paced and predictable. 

Nadine Lavoie is the main focus of this novel. She is an attending psychiatrist at then Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit in Victoria, British Columbia. A patient named, Heather Simoen is put in her care after attempting suicide. Heather and her husband were members of a cult run by a man from her past. A cult that she, along with her mother and brother lived with for 8 months.

Memories from, Nadine's past start flowing and she can't connect the dots. She knows that opening the doors to her long ago buried past might cause more harm than good but it's a a chance she is willing to take, in order to heal herself and prevent harm to others. The investigation she partakes on becomes treacherous and preposterous and the final resolution may be more than she bargained for.

Grade: C-

If this is your first novel by, Stevens, skip it and pick up another one. Reviews of her other books can be found here:  STILL MISSING
                         NEVER KNOWING
                         THAT NIGHT

Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

 Crocus's are know to be resilient little flowers that can often be seen blooming in the coldest of climates. Their bloom last long even after it's been cut down, just like the characters of, Ibrahim's book.

 Yellow Crocus is  moving, historical fiction novel set in the mid 1800's in Virginia. Mattie is a young slave and when her mistress gives birth, she is forced to leave behind her 3 month old son. She moves into the "big" house so that she can care for and nurse, Lisabeth.

Lisabeth and Mattie for an unbreakable bond . As, Lisabeth grows she is forced to learn her place in society and with comes the awareness of inequality. Inequality between slaves and their owners. Inequality between women and men.

Lisabeth grows into a lovely young women, who is expected to marry for prestige, money and upward mobility rather than love. An, unprecedented event takes place, putting her on a different path in life.

This is an emotional read, covering a array of subjects matters such as, attachment parenting, slavery, abuse, longing and love. The character's are well written and the plot is captivating.

Grade: A

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Looking for Alaska has been on my bookshelf since it first came out in hardback. I'd been putting other books before it but I finally decided to take the plunge and read it.  I was neither terribly impressed or disappointed in it.  It was just another run of the mill novel.

Looking for Alaska takes place at Culver Creek Boarding School. Miles or Pudge as he is later nicked named is the main character. Pudge is a new student as Culver Creek and quickly makes friends with his roommate 'The Colonel" and a quirky girl named, Alaska. They form a strong intense friendship, very reminiscent of youth and teen years.

Then a tragedy takes place that changes the lives of characters. The emotions the characters display are the saving grace of this novel. They are realistic and grief fueled. It is the most believable part of the story. The book is split into "before" and "after". Before gives clues and is clearly an important part of the book but you won't realize it until you get to the after.  This book was clearly well planned out well written but it didn't hold up to all the hype.

Grade: B-

Enders (Starters) by Lissa Price

Enders is the sequel to Starters and from what I understand it also the conclusion to this short lived series that had to much to offer! Starters is perhaps one of the best dystopian novel's I've read and I was hoping that Lissa Price would expand on the series. You absolutely must read, Starters first or you will be completely lost.  My Review of Starters, can be found HERE.

 Callie, Tyler and Michael are finally free from, Prime Destinations and are living as normal of a life as possible until ... Another, Starter blows up in front of Callie and she starts hearing the Old Man's voice in her head.

This does not bode well for Callie and other Starters, like her. This means they can still be controlled by the chips buried deep inside their brains. Callie wants hers removed but her chip is special and has been altered, making her a valuable commodity to the "Old Man".

The "Old Man" is watching and waiting, His plans are diabolical and Callie has plans to extinguish them but can the voice of a man claiming to be her father who died in the spore wars.....deter her?

Enders has some excellent plot twists, with a high creep factor but it fails to sizzle the way, Starters did. The ending felt a bit  anti-climatic. I'm also annoyed that, Price didn't expand further on the, Spore Wars. What was it?  How did it get started? When did it end? Was it a war? Was it a disease? I needed more information on an event that was so pivotal it changed the world. If you have read and loved Starters, I suggest that you take the time to read Enders but if you haven't ....be forewarned that the this sequel is slightly disappointing.

Grade: C+

Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

Four is a collection of novellas based on, Veronica Roth's carefully construced, Divergent Trilogy. The are titled, The Transfer,  The Initiate, The Son and The Traitor. These short stories are told from, Four's perspective. Four is perhaps the most interesting character in the entire trilogy and if you want to know more about him, pick up this book.

The Transfer is about, who, Four was when he was in abnegation and why he chose to transfer into, Dauntless. It centers around the choosing ceremony. This one is perhaps the most powerful of the novellas since it deals with the abuse, Four, endured at the hands of his father.

The Initiate is all about Tobias' (a.k.a Four) initiation into the, Dauntless faction. It expands the story on how he got his tattoo and name.This is the story of how Tobias became Four.

The Son deals with, Fours struggle to find himself amongst the Dauntless leadership. In this novella, Four trains to become a leader and you will find out why he chooses not to become one.

The Traitor conicides with the first novel, Divergent. It is Four's point of view on things rather than, Tris'. 

This is an excellent companion novel. I wasn't planning on reading it but I'm glad I did. It was interesting to see Tobias become Four. I also enjoyed getting some background information on minor characters.

Grade: A-

Fury: Book One of the Cure (Omnibus Edition) by Charlotte McConaghy

Imagine a world in which anger ceased to exist due to a mandated governmental vaccine.  A world in which you have not been cured but everyone else around you has. This is, Josephine's life, her world however her life is further complicated because once a year, she wakes up covered in blood and with little to no memory of what she has done.

Luke enters, Josephine's life and they form an intense relationship that slowly builds into more. Luke is desperate to help, Josephine. He wants to find out what happens to her on the same day every year. Luke also harbors a deep secret that could unravel the relationship, he has built with Josephine.

Josephine is in an institution and her therapist is convinced that, Luke is a figment of her imagination. He also doesn't believe that she becomes someone or something else once a year. She is desperate to prove that she needs to be isolated before she kills others and that Luke is real. In order to do so, she tells him her story and it is quite interesting.

The character's are well developed and the book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving you anxious for the next installation.

Grade: B+

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

A conversation brought up the term "Tiger Mother."  It wasn't something, I was familiar with and since the conversation was of a serious nature, I didn't want to interrupt and ask for an explanation. This sent me on a quest to find out what this term was. What it meant. As a result of this, I came across, Amy Chua's novel, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother."

Amy Chua is a self proclaimed, "Tiger Mother." She wants nothing but the very best for her two daughters and will sacrifice anything to make it happen. She has a list of rules, that must be followed, no exceptions. She expects dedication and hard work. She pushes her daughters to practice harder, study more and be the very best

Chua's parenting style is at times extreme. She yells and demands perfection, she makes her children practice their instruments for hours, even while on vacation! They aren't allowed to go on play dates, sleepovers or participate in school activities, such as plays. Amy pushes her daughters to excel, sometimes to the extreme, yet someone how she has managed to form strong bonds and put them on the path to success.

Amy Chua is brutally honest and casts herself as the villain. She is intelligent and at times humorous. Her book is well written and easy to read. I don't necessarily agree with many of her parenting styles but I think a lot of western parents could learn from some of her techniques. You don't need to be Chinese or a parent to appreciate this memoir.

Grade: A 

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

The Longest Ride is told in alternating points of view. It is a story about love. Two love stories, one that spans decades.

The story of Ira and Ruth is by far the sweetest of the two. Ira is nearing the end of his life and a car crash has left him isolated and buried in snow. As he awaits rescue or eventual death he slips back into time. He revisits moments in his life. Memories and visitations from his late wife tell their sweet story of love, life and death.

Luke and Sophia are young and as different as two people can be. A chance encounter brings them together. Sophia is a college student at a nearby university and Luke is a farmer and professional bull rider. Their story builds and while sweet it simply doesn't compare to the beauty of, Ira and Ruth's.

As, the story reach's its conclusion, it becomes predictable. Despite this the read is fun and entertaining. A perfect summer read.



Grade: B