The Body Electric by Beth Revis

The Body Electric has been sitting waiting for me to read for well over a year now but I just kept on shuffling it to the bottom of the deck. I finally decided it was time to pick it up and read it and I am glad that I did.

Beth Revis has a knack for Sci-Fi and easily entertains someone like me who isn't a huge fan of the genera. The story is cut into little chapters, which makes it a breeze to read and allows for excellent stopping points. The best thing is when you come back to the book, you easily slide back into it.

There is quite a bit of technological, futuristic devices but Revis doesn't hamper you down with details and explains them with ease. I was never left scratching my head or wishing the passage explaining
them was over.

Ella Shepard's mother has created the technology that allows for people to relive their memories when in a dream state. Her father was killed in the lab he was using to create technological advances. Ella's mother is dying and in an effort to help her mother she learns to insert herself into peoples dreams and memories.

Ella is approached by Jack, who gives her a warning to be careful. Jack who she has no memories of because they have been erased. Ella finds herself in a situation in which she is left with no choice but to trust Jack because she has no one else.

This book took a bit to get into and was fairly entertaining but not as good as Revis ""Across the Universe" series. I suspect it had to do with the fact that some of the elements from that series pops up in this one, which gives you an inkling of what is happening. The book is too predictable for my liking but I wouldn't rule out reading it based on that.

Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult

So -- I have read a few books between this post and the previous. I just can't post them for review yet as they are Advance Readers Copies and I have to wait until a certain date to post those reviews.

I do remember reading, "Perfect Match" and I  was able to recall the majority of the details. I was rather impressed by this.


 Perfect Match deals with the sensitive topic of sexual abuse of a child it is further complicated in that the accused abuser is a priest -- a person that many hold in high esteem. Nina Frost is an assistance district attorney who prosecutes child molesters and when her child become a victim she becomes unhinged.

She knows the law, knows the process and knows that most accusers are set free or serve very little time. Nina wants to make sure that justice is served and she takes matters into her own hands. She becomes the judge and jury and  her actions put her in the defendant seat.

Perfect Match has many narrators and is well written. JP pulls readers into her world. I didn't like Nina Frost but I've found that just because you don't like a character doesn't mean you won't like the book. I have to repeat that I LOVE the research JP puts into her novels and I usually rush off to learn more about topics she covers --- she educates and entertains her readers. Overall a good read.

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

I continue on my path to read and (re-read) Jodi Picoult's novels in the order they were published.

I remember reading Salem Falls and not being that impressed but mainly because books pertaining to magic don't hold my interest too long unless the underlying story is impressive.  I did enjoy this book more than in the past but I  can honestly say it is not one of my favorite Picoult novels.

This book centers around Jack St. Bride. Jack has been released from prison after serving time for a crime he didn't commit. He ends up in the sleepy town of Salem Falls. He keeps his past hidden and quickly finds a job at a dinner. Jack keeps to himself and forms a relationship with Addie the owner of the diner.

Jack's good looks catch the attention of Gillian Duncan, who's father owns half the town. Gillian gets what she wants and this time she wants Jack. She casts a spell in an attempt to get him. Gillian and her friends go out into the woods to perform some type of wiccan worshiping event. Gillian is assaulted in the woods on her way home and she points her finger at Jack.

Jack quickly becomes the towns villain and his case goes to trial. The court battle reveals many truths and lies.

Jack is a well developed character and his story is haunting. Addie is a wonderful character that you want to root for and become friends with. The teenage characters are the cast of mean girls but when one finds her strength you better watch out.

This is still overall an good read and entertaining.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult is no stranger when it comes to writing novels that deal with difficult subjects or subjects no one wants to discuss. "Small Great Things" deals with racism and the amount of research that went into this novel is evident. It is based on a true story and the title of the novel is taken directly from one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's. speeches. Racism is strong in American and it is only getting worse.

Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse with over 20 years of experience. She is good at her job, she loves her job but her life is about to change with the birth of one child, a child of a white supremacist.

Turk Bauer and his wife have just had their first child, a white male. Ruth enters into the room to do routine exams of a newborn and the atmosphere quickly changes, becomes tense. Ruth takes a mental  note but carries on as usual then Turk asks to speak with her supervisor. Shortly after a note is put on the newborn child's file that no one black is to handle him. Ruth is understandably upset as she is the only black nurse and the note is directly aimed at her.

A series of events puts her in a situation in which she is alone with the newborn and then he stops breathing. She jumps into action but it is futile and the baby is pronounced dead. Turk Bauer and his wife believe that Ruth willfully and with purpose murdered their son and a court battle begins.

This story is told in many voices. Ruth's, Turks and Kennedy's (Ruth's lawyer). Picoult does an excellent job of telling each characters life story. My only issue is that I felt the ending was abrupt and could have used another 20-80 pages. I was left wanting more.

Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

Truth be told, I don't pick up novels by Nicholas Sparks much. They usually induce a lot of eye rolling and dramatic sighs from me. They are usually unrealistic and farfetched but this novel --- was different from other books of his that I have read. It felt more real, more true to life.


Russell Green and Vivian are a young couple with an adorable daughter. Vivian was a stay at home mom until Russell ventured out and opened his own business. She felt the need to work and bring in some money but..... Vivian's new job is demanding and she is gone all the time.

Russell is left to struggle with getting his business off the ground and taking care of his daughter. He finds it difficult to do both and everything around him starts to slowly crumble. Things turn for the worst but love for his daughter helps him prevail.

Russ Green is a wonderful, flawed character. A character you want to win, win, win! It's easy to experience his highs and lows and his lowest low had me bawling my eyes out. Viviana is a character you love to hate. She is selfish, self absorbed, spoiled and not the type of person you would personally want as a friend.

There are a lot more characters in the novel and my most favorite being Russ's sister. This is an overall easy, entertaining read.

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult

Keeping Faith is about so much more than a little Jewish girl who gets stigmata.

It is about the relationships we have with people. It's about mothers and daughters. Husbands and wives and the relationship we have with ourselves.

Mariah and seven year old Faith catch Collin having an affair. It isn't the first time and this time he is leaving. Mariah is in deep despair and then her daughter starts talking to her '"guard" and providing religions information that she would have no knowledge of as religion is neither practiced or discussed in the home.

Collin is convinced that Mariah is having a set back (she was institutionalized seven years prior when he had another affair) and he starts legal proceeding to gain full custody of Faith.

The media gets a hold of information regarding a little girl who has stigmata and Ian Fletcher a self proclaimed atheist and television personality make it his mission to show that these miracles and stigmata are a farce.

The stories weave together and the characters teach readers about forgiveness and kindness.

This book is not heavy on religion which is a good thing or I would have given up rather quickly. It took a bit to get into the book but once I did it was worth it. I remember liking it a lot more the first time I read it but I felt as though I had a better understanding of the characters and what they were going through. The title, "Keeping Faith" means so many things and this time around I was able to see that and explore it. Be prepare to dislike characters and struggle at times with the story.

Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing by Jennifer Weiner

Jennifer Weiner memoir is beautiful, honest and bold. I laughed, I cried and I related to her on so many levels.

I use to like Jennifer Weiner and now I love her and want her to be my best friend ( if I believed in best friends that is). Weiner is honest and opens herself up to her audience especially in terms of private life affairs. She took a risk sharing her life with readers and this book starts with her childhood and catches up to current day.

Jennifer discuses topics such as an absentee father, struggling with weight, self esteem, divorce, pregnancy, love and her some of her books.

Jennifer is a champion for women and after reading her memoir I hear more of her "voice" in her fictional novels.

If you are a fan, pick up this book and read it today.

Secrets of Foxworth by V.C. Andrews

V.C. Andrews books are my "dirty" little secret. I am embarrassed that I read them and find them entertaining but they draw me in like a bug to light.

Secrets of Foxworth introduces new characters in the Dollanganger series (Flowers in the Attic in case you are wondering). Through a series of events the secret diary of Christopher lands in the hands of a third cousin of the Foxworths. Kristen becomes immersed in the diary and the story unravels.

Kristen knows very little of the true story and discovers through reading Chris's dairies that there is much truth to the rumor mill. The story is mainly told after the time spent in the attic. There isn't really anything new that readers will learn about, not even some of the darkest secrets that we've learned in other novels in this series makes its way into this book. Perhaps it will in the following ones?

I have mixed feelings and am not sure if I enjoyed this book or not but I do know I will be reading the following books in the series.

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

I read "The Pact" when it first came out and am rereading it again. It is amazing what you remember and how your opinion on things change.

I would have once called this a love story but now it is a story of emotional abuse and selfishness.  Two teenagers fall in love. One loves the either by leaps and bounds, the other feels trapped. One teen preys on the love of the other --- and uses that to help him take her life to form a suicide pact - damning the consequences he will be faced with.

Chris & Emily have known each other since infancy and have fallen in love. Their story is told in alternating chapters each having their own voice despite one being dead. They are tied together as schoolmates, friends, lovers and neighbors. Their love story is one that their parents wished for but it all ends tragically with an early morning phone call, one child dead, the other charged with murder.

Suicide is a difficult and sensitive subject to tackle and Picoult takes it on with finesse. The characters are well developed and the story will leaving you angry, frustrated and sad. An excellent read that will keep you turning the pages.

H2O by Virginia Bergin

The book starts of interesting and then makes a steady decline but not enough of one to make me chuck the book.

Those of use who have access to clean water take it for granted. Turning on the tap to wash your hands, cook food, cleaning clothing and drink water are habits we turn to routinely. We don't give it a second thought to stick our hands outside the window on a rainy day or stand under a steady stream of water but one seemingly normal rainfall changes these habits for the characters of H20.

A rain falls infecting and killing millions of people. The human race is doomed and the apocalypse is in full force. Ruby a teen girl is the central character and like most teens she is self centered, impulsive and naive.

The rain falls and those caught in or (or drinking water exposed to it) leave a person scratching incessantly at their skin, drawing blood and if I remember correctly chickenpox like lesions appear followed by death.

 As with the majority of apocalyptic novels survivors band together. Good vs. Evil crops up and survival of the fitness (or wise) becomes central. Ruby teams up with a odd cast of characters as they try to avoid rain and survive.

I can't give this novel a strong recommendation because I went in expecting so much more but am interested in seeing what continues to happen to this misfit character.

Mercy by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult is no novice when it comes to tackling controversial subjects and this one deals with euthanasia. This is my second time reading this book and I enjoyed it more than the first time around.


Imagine for one moment, that your loved one (spouse, parent, sibling, partner) is young but ill. They have suffered greatly and will remain suffering until their time to pass comes to be. You see them struggling everyday as cancer eats them alive. They ask you to take their life to end it all.

You decided to take them up on their request and now you are awaiting your trial. You have been arrested by your cousin, Cameron and the small sleepy town you are in is torn apart and divides the marriage between Cameron and his wife.

Cameron and his wife, Allie's marriage is tested and their story unravels. The real story in this novel is about marriage and the trial/euthanasia is in the background.

The only character I ended up really liking is Jamie -- the man on trial. Initially I despised everyone but then I came to the realization that all of the characters are "real" and flawed just like you and me and maybe the reasons I didn't like them was because I saw pieces of myself and loved ones in the characters.

An overall good read but gives you an emotional punch to the gut.