Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

Miracle Creek is the story of an immigrant Korean family. They open up an alternative clinic that provides hyperbaric oxygenation. It is used as an alternative method to help those with autism, infertility, cerebral palsy, etc. 

A small group of clients use the chamber and another group protest the clinic's methods. On a fateful day a series of events take place that result in a fire and death. The mother of one of the children who used the chamber is accused of setting the fire as a means to kill her child. A trial takes place and secrets are revealed.

This is Angie Kim's debut novel and she doesn't disappoint. Courtroom trails are either hit or miss with most writers but Kim has it down to a science. Everything is revealed systematically. The characters are imperfect (which I love) and aren't all likable (nor should they be).  The story flows and ebbs but keeps you entertained. Everyone is essentially a suspect. This is the quintessentially who done it book.

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

Mrs. Everything

Publication Date 6/11/2019

I have always been a huge fan of Jennifer Weiner. I can't express my excitement and having an opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of her newest novel, "Mrs. Everything". This book is a bit different from her usual novels but don't like that sway you because it's an outstanding read!

This book spans four generations yet  it is essentially about the lives of two sisters from the 1950s to present day. We meet Bethie and Jo during childhood and  follow them through adolescence and adulthood. They are as different as two sisters could be but each have their own internal demons to face as they navigate their lives. Neither issue is more important than the other but they both "heavy".

It's important to note that this novel deals with some hard hitting emotional issues such as rape, homophobia, sexual abuse, eating disorders, etc. Weiner has created some strong characters and that are well developed and has proved that she is more than just a "chick-lit" writer.


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

A Woman Is No Man: A Novel by Etaf Rum

A Woman is No Man follows three generations of Palestinian women living in America. 

Fareeda, Isra and Deya. Their story moves back and forth seamlessly between their point of views. Each character has a very unique and distinct voice. 

Fareeda immigrated to American from Palestine. She is completely enmeshed in the patriarchal ways of her culture. Her son, Adam marries Isra and brings her to the United States. The marriage is arranged and problematic at best. The marriage results in the birth of 4 children, one of them being Deya. 

Deya is now of "marrying" age and is being pushed into marriage  by her Grandmother Fareeda. This book chronicles that story along with the life that Isra and Fareeda had in the past. 

This book is haunting and a difficult emotional read. My review is rather vague in that I don't want to give much away but this is perhaps one of the most moving book I've read in years. 

Between the Lines Kindle by Jodi Picou

I first read  Between the Lines in July of 2012. You can find that review HERE.
What I found the most interesting is that  this time around I ended up enjoying this book.
In fact I loved it! It's interesting how time can change your perception on things.

Between the Lines is a sweet and charming fairy tale that takes place both inside and outside of a book. I know that sounds confusing but bear with me. There is the main character Delilah who is a teen girl that has a fondness for a fairy tale book called, "Between the Lines".  This book is about a Prince who saves a Princess, gets married and has a happily ever after. What is interesting is that when this book isn't being read the characters come to "life" and live their lives within the pages of the book until it's time to resume their spot when the book is  opened to be read.

 Delilah reads this book  over and over again and then one day she notices a change in the book and then .. suddenly the main character in the fairy tale, Prince Oliver starts talking to her.

Oliver and Delilah find peace and comfort in one another and then attraction. Oliver wants nothing more than to live outside of the book and in Delilah's world. Together Delilah and Oliver attempt to find a way to pull Oliver out of the book and into her world.

The rest of the cast of character's are fascinating, in particular the ones in the book (Oliver and his cast). The voice of Delilah and Oliver are delightful, refreshing and reminiscent of young love and youth. This is an engaging and fun book.

Journey To Territory U (Extinction Of All Children, Book 3) L.J. Epps

Journey to Territory U is the final installment in the Extinction of All Children trilogy.

Emma and her friends are given 10 days by President Ester to get a petition signed in Territory U to see if people want the walls torn down so that all territories can move freely between one another.

They quickly discover that something sinister is a foot in Territory U and that President Ester is hiding secrets that could change everything! 

The Rich are not nearly as happy as other territories have believed them to be. Earthquakes are putting people and the city in danger and the solution is sinister. President Ester controls the city with an iron fist and her tricks make the stakes high for all those she rules.

This final installment wraps up plots, has twists and turns that are intriguing. This was defiantly a satisfactory ending to the trilogy as questions are answered. This is an easy read and one can easily knock this trilogy out in a matter of days.

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

Journey To Territory M by M L.J. Epps

Journey To Territory M is the second installment in the Extinction of All Children Trilogy. 

It picks up where the first book ended. Emma has escaped from Territory L and is hiding out with friends in Territory M. Emma is trying to find out where and what has happened to her niece. 

She also wants to tear down the walls between the territories but her ideas have once again gotten her in trouble and this time she's taking friends down with her.

Emma and her friends are also on the hunt to discover the leader of Territory M but when discovered more questions than answers arise.

Emma and her friends now have to head into Territory U but will their questions be answered or are some better left unknown.

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

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.