Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish by John Hargrove and Howard Chua-Eoan

Beneath the Surface gives an insiders look into the life of, Orcas in captivity. Sea World to be exact.

John Hargrove always wanted to work with, Orcas. When, he was given the opportunity, he jumped at it  and found that working with them wasn't as glamorous as he was lead to believe. These beautiful, social majestic creatures where/are in turmoil, physically and emotionally. They suffer a great deal to entertain the masses. His book chronicles his time at Sea World, the love and bond between him and the Orcas and the secrets behind closed doors.

These behind the scenes gives you an understanding of why these lovely animals, act up or kill. Their health and minds suffer. They are torn apart from their families, and put into situations with other Orcas who don't "speak" the same language they do. They are forced into doing "tricks" or go hungry and worst of all --- they are not given adequate space.The suffer from a variety of ailments, many not seen in the wild. This include but are not limited to, sunburns, dorsal fin collapse, wearing down of the teeth and a variety of skin issues.

This book is well written and educational. This will make you think twice before considering a trip to, Sea World.

Grade: A+

These Few Precious Days: The Final Year of Jack with Jackie by Christopher Andersen

Christopher Andersen knows how to captivate his audience and deliver information. Many new facts (or at least to me, they are new) have been added. His book covers life before, during and after the assassination of JFK.

The stories are gripping and emotional, very little about the actual presidency is covered it is more about the personal relationship between the, Kennedy's. It's a very intimate read that will make you fall in love with the Kennedy's over and over again. Some of my favorite passages had to do with the relationship between JFK and his children.

If your a JFK fan or just want to know more about the era, this is a quick, easy entertaining read.

Grade: A-

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

 “Terrible things can happen in this life but being in love changes everything. It gives you something to hold on to.” ― Judy Blume, In the Unlikely Event

 In the Unlikely Event is a historical fiction novel. It takes place during a three month span in the years 1951-1952. The small town of, Elizabeth, New Jersey experiences not one, not two but three unfathomable plane crashes within a three month period.

The city is in turmoil and residents have their own theories on why the crashes haven taken place. Everyone is on edge and understandably anxious but amongst the tragedy friendships, love and unity is forged and strengthened.

The story is told from several different perspectives, each giving their own unique insight and drawing the reader in. The characters are believable and Blume pulls you into her novel. This is a page turner and will be sure to keep you entertained.

It also took me on a research mission to find out the facts of what really happened in those three months and how it impacted those who experienced the tragedy.

Grade: A

The Life and Death of Sophie Stark by Anna North

 "Sometimes the sickest part of me just seems like the truest part.”  ― Anna North, The Life and Death of Sophie Stark

Sophie Stark is a film maker. Each of her films focuses on the tragic events of other peoples lives. Sophie tells other people's stories and now six individuals from her life have stepped up to tell their version of, Sophie.

Sophie is a walking oxymoron. She is strong yet weak. She is both love and hated. You get to learn about, Sophie Stark from others, she, like many of us, gives each person a different view of herself.

This book is interesting yet long winded. I am still not quite sure if, I liked this book or not. It isn't one that I would re-read.

Grade: C+

Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer

Sixteen year old Jam, has been sent to a therapeutic school in, Vermont. She is in the process of recovering from a traumatic event. She quickly finds herself part of an elusive class taught by Mrs. Quenelle.

The students in this class each have their own, harrowing life changing event in which they must overcome or come to peace with. 

Mrs. Quenelle gives each student in the class a journal to write in, to record their thoughts and feelings. They quickly find out that these journals are special and serve a purpose. They are transported to a world called, Belzhar. 

As the pages in their journals fill up they realize that they time they have in, Belzhar is limited. They will be forced to make some difficult choices. 

Each character's event is unveiled in their own voice and touching. Wolitzer gives each character their own voice and writes a story that will keep you memorized.

Grade: A

After (Nineteen Stories of Apocalypse and Dystopia) by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

I wanted to love, "After" but it's a mixed bag of nuts. Some you love, some you wish you hadn't bitten into.

After,  is an anthology, of 19 post apocalyptic and dystopian stories, written by a variety of authors, some more well known then others.

I had to skip two stories, one because it was impossible to read, due to the way the author choose to write  (the character didn't know how to write and it was written without prose) and the other because to put it simply it was boring. There were only two stories that I loved and that was because it held true to the authors characters in their full length novels.

Time has become precious to me, as I am working more then ever and I wish I had skipped over this book and read something else. If you don't have much time to spare or don't want your opinion on some of your loved characters to diminish, skip this book and pick up something else.

Grade: D+

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Luckiest Girl starts off a bit weak and you question why you're reading it -- then you find yourself completely absorbed in this brilliant and gripping novel.

This is "Mean Girls" to the  max.  Topics such as ddepression, anxiety, eating disorders, bullying and sexual assault are covered. This is a dark and intriguing read.

This is Jessica Knoll's debut novel and it is character driven, which allows you to get to know the main character, Tifani.

Tifani's story is told in a flashback pattern, flipping back and forth, from present time to the past. Readers get to know both the adult and teen version of, Tifani. When, Tifani was a young girl she became a victim of a devastating event, that has left her traumatized. This book explores the impact it has had on her throughout her entire life and a secret she has carried with her that when revealed will be explosive.

The most interesting and compelling chapters are the ones that take place during, Tifani's teen years. Adult, Tifani just isn't as entertaining but that doesn't mean that, the  novel isn't thought provoking or haunting. 

Expect sharp writing and a plot twist you don't exactly see coming.  

Grade: A

I Take You by Eliza Kennedy

Lily Wilder is smart, sassy and funny. Will is boring and she is about to marry him in six days! She's an attorney, he is an archaeologist.

They are as different as two people can get. Her family is crazy and complicated.  His is a much tamer and she has yet to meet his parents!

To make matters worst -- she just can't stop cheating on him.

The relationships between all the characters are fantastic and intriguing. I love the friendships, the conversations and the subplot makes this book worth the read!

So -- sit back, kick up your feet and sink your teeth into this book. You won't regret it.

Grade: A+

The Blondes by Emily Schultz

This book had so much potential! The premise was intriguing and I was initially fascinated but then I quickly lost interest but keep chugging along in hopes that things would improve, sadly they did not.

A disease, a virus, an epidemic of sorts has spread and it only targets blonde, females. This includes blonde's who dye their hair blonde --- so you don't have be a genetic blonde to succumb to this disease. It turns them into crazy, rapid killers!

The book opens up with a character named, Hazel who is heavily pregnant and sequestered in a cabin. She narrates the story, which entails her affair with her professor, her relationship with the professors wife and the epidemic spread.

Hazel isn't really a likable character and the outbreak is centered around her rather then the epidemic itself. I personally wanted to know about the epidemic and how it impacted society. I really didn't care about, Hazel's personal life story. I was rather disappointed with the story but I could see how some people would like the premise is fairly unique.

Grade: C-

Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish by Abigail Pogrebin

Pogerbin, writes an uplifting and enlightening look into Judaism. Judaism as a culture and as a religion.

He interviewed 60 different Jewish individuals, each having their own story to tell. Some of the interviewees are well known such as Stephen Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman. There are lesser known yet equally important people who also share what is like to be Jewish and what being Jewish means to them.

Stars of David really makes you think, analyze and make critical distinctions between Judaism as a religion and a culture. Both are breathtakingly beautiful. This gem of book is impossible to put down, each story is poignant and personal.


Pick up your copy today.

Grade: A+

Every Fifteen Minutes By Scottoline, Lisa

Every Fifteen Minute starts off strong, slows down and then speeds right back up.  The plot is intriguing but many parts are hard to believe.

This book is basically about the life of Dr. Parrish, one of his clients who goes on a rampage and a trap set to bring him down professionally. A lot of different things are going on but it is written in such a way that you don't confuse events or characters.

I wish things had move a bit faster in the middle of the book purely for entertainment purposes. It did take me longer then usual to read this book and I'm not sure if it was because the middle portion dragged or because I've been working so much that I'm way past exhausted to stay up and read.

This isn't the best or worst book written by, Scottoline but if you are anxious to read another book on your pile, skip this one and pick up the other.

Grade: C