Extinction Of All Children L.J. Epps

Emma Whisperer was born in 2080 and is the last child allowed to live in her territory. The territories are broken down into three sections separated by class, the rich, the working class and the poor. 

All children born in Emmas territory after here are killed. The President doesn't believe that the poor should be allowed to have children.  The President has announced that a party will be thrown for Emma on her 18th birthday to honor the last child born in her territory, Territory L. This unexpected event results in an array of troubles for Emma, who do

esn't agree with the president.

Emma takes a stand and this results in her being jailed however rather than tame her it results in her becoming more of a rebel resulting in some dangerous choices.

Emma is a strong character and the story line is reminiscent of the Divergent and Hunger Games Trilogy's. This in an excellent start to a new trilogy series and am looking forward to seeing what Emma will do.

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The Road is a much better read the second time around. The first time I struggled with the writing style, sentence structure and dialogue. I recall being frustrated and struggling to finish it. It's been over 10 year since I read it and decided it was time to revisit it. I pulled it out of my collection, put it on my nightstand where it say for month.  I eventually picked it up and was more than surprised how much more enjoyable the read was this time around.

The Road is a post apocalyptic novel in which a father and his young son travel on foot through the burned out and ravaged lands of America in hopes to find a safe place to live. The world is dark, bleak and full of danger. Survival is the way of life and everyone is suspicious. Food is scarce, shoes are rare, the snow falls gray, the weather is cold and rain falls heavy.

The book is depressing, misanthropic but the young boy gives you visions of hope, trust and love.  The novel is bleak but shows the power of love and the will to survive.

Newtown: An American Tragedy by Matthew Lysiak

December 14, 2012, 20 children and 6 educators were killed during a school shooting in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. The lives of so many beautiful children cut short and the hands of a murdered (I refuse to name the killer),

Mathew Lysiak unlike many other books about school shooting focuses on the children and not the killer. That is not say that he doesn't discuss him because he does but his main focus is on the lives of these precious children that were loss. You get to know them on a personal level and they become more than just a picture. 

The subject matter is treated with kindness and compassion. The accounts of that tragic day are horrific and Lysiak treats it with respect while educating the reader on what happened.

The read is powerful and heartbreaking, It also cleared up a lot of details for me that I had believe facts based on misinformation the media had put out that day and in the following days. 

Expect to become emotionally involved and shed some tears. 

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is more than the first lady. She is an inspiration to women. She is intelligent, educated and passionate.

Becoming is a compelling and insightful read. Michelle Obama comes from humble beginnings and through preservation, hard work and using education as a tool she made her own way. She was born into a lower-middle class family and had many challenges growing up. Her determination and hard work got her into Princeton, Harvard Law and then a prestigious law firm in Chicago, where she met Barack.

Michelle's honesty is eye-opening regarding her feelings about Barrack going into politics and running for President. She struggled with his political ambition and the cost (not just financially) of being the spouse of the person running for President. It's a long, difficult, emotionally exhausting journey.

Michelle Obama discuses her time at the White House and  her work as First Lady. She's clever and an inspiration to all women (even those who can't seem to get past her being a Democrat).
She is also humble. She broke many barriers in which she was the first black woman to achieve something and is matter of fact about it. There is no bragging, she minimize her accomplishments.

Becoming gives you an insight into the person and not the political figure or public figure. I learned a lot about the Obamas as individuals and their drive to better others, their community and the US. There is no bashing of Republican Party.

Becoming focuses on her life with Barrack, campaigning, life in the White House and the fight for gun control, healthcare and improving public schools.

I knew very little about Michelle until I read her this memoir. She is hard working, funny, an overachiever and someone I could easily found myself being friends with. This is a book I will keep in my collection and reread in the future.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Everyone once in a while you read a book that haunts you. The characters even the most minor of them break your heart. Sarah's Key  is beautifully written and tugs at your heart strings.

The story is told in two parts with decades spanning the time.  The location is Paris and the years are 1942 and 2002. Sarah is only 10 years old and the French Police collaborate with the Nazi's in rounding up Jews in France. A loud knocking awakes the family and Sarah hides her little brother in a the families cupboard, locking it and taking the key with her - little does she know that she will not be returning to her home any time soon. She along with her mother and many other Jewish families are taken to Véledrome d’Hiver and from there transferred to Auschwitz.

Julia is an American journalist living in Paris and on the 60th anniversary of Véledrome d’Hiver  she is asked to write an article. As she delves into this dark history of Paris she comes across a family secret that has a connection to Sarah. The further she investigates the more she questions her marriage and her life in France.

I enjoy when a novel teaches me something and puts me on a path of further discovery. The transitions from time periods are seamless. I feel that the author struggled with the ending but it doesn't take away from the horror of this dark time in history.

I'm Not Missing by Carrie Fountain

It isn't every day someone you went to school with gets published especially when you both are from the same little town of Las Cruces. When, I found it it took place in Las Cruces, I had to get my hands on it to see if she captured the essence of the city. For most readers it's going to be about the storyline and not the city itself but for me it was a mix of both with a large focus on the city.

The main character in the novel is Miranda. Miranda and her best friend are seniors in High School. They have been friends forever, have bonded over lost mothers and when Syd runs away from home without telling Miranda or responding to her calls/text, she is left to navigate her senior year without her best friend.

Miranda is left with unanswered questions and as she delves into Syd's life the discoveries she make leave her unprepared for the truth. Miranda finds solace in the most unlikely of sources, turing this novel into another direction that puts us on the path to some answers.

This book is an easy read but the outcomes were predictable and the conclusion was not satisfactory. It felt rushed and left me scratching my head.

Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks

Hope Anderson and Tru Walls are strangers who meet on the beaches of North Carolina. They are as different as two people can be and from different parts of the world. Hope is in a rocky relationship with her boyfriend and Tru is a single man who is visiting the states from Africa to meet his father.

They connect by chance through Hope's dog (who is super cute sounding, btw) and the connection in instant and passionate. The term, "love at first sight" applies to them. Their romance is a whirlwind and as the time for them to  part ways come to a close they both have some difficult choices to make.

Will they chose each other and make sacrifices or will they take the safe and familiar route and lead a live of regret?

Sparks book is interesting enough but not my cup of tea however take that with a grain of salt as I don't often get hooked into romance novels. It is worthy to note that I did connect with Hope and found her character to be true. This will be a perfect read for a rainy day or a hot summer day.

My Love Story by Tina Turner

Tina Turner is an inspiration. Her newest memoir is incredibly candid. She reflects on her past as a young child and her time with Ike. Most importantly she revisits her relationship with her husband and how it blossomed to what it is today. 

I found the background information regarding her music incredibly intriguing and was surprised to find out that initially she didn't' care for one of her hit songs. She covers her heath issues, her wedding (finally!) and her last tour.

Her optimis jumps off the pages and her tenacity for life is what has made it possible for her to overcome all her hurdles in life.

If you pick up one book on Tina Turner let it be this one. She proves that achieving your dreams can be possible. This is a well written fast paced book. There are no "boring" or slow moments. I was and am just an average fan and this novel made me see who she is and like her as a person and not just an entertainer. 

My only hope is that when I am 79, I have the same energy and zeal for life.

Slayer by Kiersten White

Nina and Artemis are twins sisters who not only live but grew up in The Watcher's Academy. The Watcher's Academy is a boarding school in which teens are trained as guides for slayers (Watchers).
Nina's mother is on the Watcher's Council and her father a, Watcher died protecting the infamous Buffy The Vampire  Slayer.

Nina is more of a healer than a watcher  and the school's medic. She is  fairly happy with her course in life until one day - everything changes. She becomes "chosen" and the last vampire slayer EVER.
She has to keep it a secret and train. Secrets unravel along the way and Nina is forced to make some difficult choices.

White is well versed in Buffy lore and you must know Buffy to understand and love this book. I was excited to read this and can't wait until the next on comes out.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Willowdean Dickson is a self proclaimed "fat girl". Her mother is a former beauty queen and runs the Miss Clover City beauty pageant. Willowdean loves Dolly Parton and lives in Texas. Willowdean is mourning the death of her beloved Aunt and in her memory decides to enter the beauty pageant.

The beauty pageant turns out to be a lot more work and energy than she anticipated. Friendships and relationships are explored and laughs are a plenty. Willowdean is a quirky, fun character who I could have easily been friends with High School.

This is a super fast easy read that teaches courage and confidence.

The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson

Charlotte Gorman is a librarian, a "nerd" and enjoys being casual and comfy. Her twin sister, Ginny is an famous instagram contestant pageant. 

Ginny ways has her glam on and  has spent years on the pageant road.  It's  her last opportunity to win the title, "Miss American Treasure" and nothing is going to stop her. Charlotte joins, Ginny  for support but then everything goes horribly wrong.

Ginny ends up having a horrific allergic reaction that alters her looks significantly. She begs and pleads with Charlotte to help her and pretend to be her. Charlotte is hesitant but finally agrees to the old twin switcharoo. Charlotte quickly finds out that being a pageant contestant requires a lot of work and rules.

The storyline and characters are predictable but that doesn't mean it isn't a fun worthy read because it is. My favorite character is the French Bulldog.  I could have done without the excessive Harry Potter references but don't let that sway you from this fun read that will easily get you laughing and smiling.


* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.