Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Elsewhere is a book I like to revisit for time to time. I pulled it out every few years and find that I each time I enjoy it more than the previous year. I used to embarrassed that I like this little book so much but I no longer am.

Elsewhere is were you end up after death. Liz is only 15 years old when she finds herself on a ship on the way to Elsewhere. She arrives to Elsewhere to be greeted by her grandmother. In Elsewhere one ages backwards until it's time to be released. 

Liz has a bit of trouble adjusting to life in Elsewhere. She is angry (understandably) and spends a lot of time on the observation decks looking at her family and friends back home. Eventually she stops going to the decks and finds a way to live. 

I love the relationships, Liz builds and even her teen angst. My most favorite moments are the animals in Elsewhere . The lead to many emotional moments.  This book is a perfect little gem and a memorable read. 

A Father's Dream: My Family's Journey in Music by Abraham Quintanilla

 I have never been a huge fan of Abraham Quintanilla. I always found him to be egotistical as a result of that I didn't purchase this book. I borrowed it. In fact, I never would have read this book if it hadn't been for the podcast Anything for Selena in which he grants Maria Garcia an interview. 

A Father's Dream: My Family's Journey in Music is gives Selena fans a look into some private family moments and a look into the love a father had for this daughter. The memories of Selena flow off the pages with love and tenderness. The funny moments give shine to a star who is gone. The trial portion provides information I wasn't aware of  making me angry. The family grief fills the pages and those passages make the book seem physically heavier. 

The last portion of the book is filled with memories from Selena's siblings and mother. Abraham hardly mentions Chris Perez once again proving that he has no love or respect for Chris. The man his daughter loved. Moments through the book paint him in an ugly light which wasn't surprising to me at all. There is way too much religious content for my liking. 

I dislike him more after reading this but I also respect the love he has for Selena. He expresses his grief and shares it with Selena fans. If you are interested in this book check it out from the library or borrow if from a friend. It's not worth the $26.44 price. 

The Family Next Door by John Glatt

 I've listened to several podcast episodes on the Turpin Siblings and watched Youtube videos but the book filled in a lot of gaps and questions, I had. 

The book is well written and well documented. It really goes into depth. This is the story of the Turpin siblings and the horror's they endured at the hands of their people who were supposed to protect and love them. 

The 13 siblings lived in unhealthy, deplorable conditions and had very little to eat. Their parents Louise and David abused them, only let them bathe once a year or on special occasions, they deprived them on an education, food and sunlight. They were forced to sleep during daylight hours and be up at night. This went on for years until one night, Jordan Turpin a teen girl escaped and called 911. 

This is a difficult book to read. It gives details of what the Turpin children went through. It discusses the trial. Be prepared to experience a lot of emotions. The book has quite a bit of repetitive portions but it is worth the read. 

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

 I wanted to love, The Four Winds. I would have settled for liking it and I tried. I really really did. I pushed myself to finish it because the start was strong and I hoped to recapture that energy but it never happened.

The Four Winds takes place in Texas in the 1930s. Stocks crash, winds blow dust all over creating the Dust bowl, the stock market crashes, life is hell. People abandon farms and head out west to find jobs and to find a way to live.

The story centers around one family and a woman named Elsa. The first quarter of the book is great and then it falls apart and become dreary, repetitive and with the exception of moments boring. This just wasn't the book for me despite it being well researched. 

Into Every Generation a Slayer Is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts by Mr. Evan Ross Katz

 

I am a huge BTVS fan. I have been looking forward to reading this book. Katz discusses the series by going through each season. He interviews cast and crew members and gets their insights and views on BTVS. Katz even convers the controversy surrounding Joss Whedon and allegations of sexual abuse and mistreatment. 

The book is also part memoir as Katz gives his own narrative. The book is engaging enough but I felt as though something was missing but it could just be me missing BTVS. It's a good read for any Buffy fan. 

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks

 Marissa and Mathew Bishop are the quintessential golden couple until Marissa reveals her infidelity. In an effort to save their marriage they seek the help of Avery Chambers. Avery Chambers is a controversial therapist  who lost her license due to the way she practices therapy.

 Avery implements her 10-session method and while the couple works on their sessions, Avery investigates them herself. She follows them, snoops on them, looks at their social media and digs into their lives. 

The story is told in alternating perspectives from the point of view of Avery and Marissa. There is a lot to unwrap and a lot going on. Marissa has a secret she hasn't revealed and this secret could break the already fragile constrains of a cracked relationship. 

Each character has a unique voice and it has loads of twist and turns making for an interesting and exciting read. 

The Choice: Embrace the Possible - Dr. Edith Eger

 In 1944, Edith Eger was only sixteen-years-old when her along with her parents and grandparents were sent to Auschwitz. Her parents and grandparents were sent to the gas chamber. She was forced to waltz, "The Blue Danube" shortly after her family was murdered. Orders to dance for Mengele become common place for her. Her little ballerina body danced and danced and experience horrors upon horrors. 

When the camp was liberated her body breathing body was pulled from a pile of bones. She had survived. Her book details her accounts before, during and after the holocaust. It is an emotional read and a reminder of we must never forget.

Things I Should Have Said by Jamie Lynn Spears

 There has been so much controversy and talk regarding this book that I felt compelled to read it. Jamie Lynn Spears is the little sister of Britney Spears. This is her story, her experience. She opens up about her family and the things that have shaped her life. 

There has been a lot of negative reviews of this book but I think it's likely because people haven't read it. They are making judgment calls. The book is about Jamie not Britney. Britney makes appearances because she is Jamie's big sister. Most of it is positive with a bit of negativity mixed in but that is to be expected as they are siblings. 

Jamie's book talks about personal details in her life such as relationships she has with others including romantic ones, her time of  Zoey 101 and  her daughter's near death. She is vulnerable and her book makes me think that all the Spears children are victims of their parent and are dealing with it in a variety of ways.  I believe both Spears women have their own truths and this is Jamie's.

Saving Stacy: The Untold Story of the Moody Massacre Book by Rob St. Clair

 

Bellefontaine, Ohio is a small little town and everyone knows everyone. Logon County has a bit of a problem with some officers in their police force. Corruption seems to be high. On, May 25, 2005, a massacre  occurred leaving six dead and one sole survivor. Stacy was shot in the face twice and let to die but she survived. Her brother, Scott was quickly and without much investigation named the murderer and the case was considered a murder/suicide case. 

When fifteen-year-old, Stacy wakes up her memory of the incident doesn't line up with what the police are saying. She is adamant it wasn't her brother and that it was an older
man with gray hair, wearing a blue shirt. Evidence doesn't match up that, people are being tight lipped. No one wants to talk. There is underage sex, drugs and corruption and so many questions. Is Scott innocent, if he a victim and did someone else commit the murders?

There is a lot of information in this book that leads me to believe Scott did not commit the massacre or suicide. I think they police department knows this but they are either protecting their own or don't want to admit they made an incorrect judgment. The list of inconsistencies is long, the way Stacy is interviewed and treated is unethical. 

The reading can can dry at times just because there are a lot of details and things can be repetitive but I find this to be quite common in these types of books. If you are a True Crime fan and haven't heard of this case, I strongly recommend this book. 

Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin

 Ashen Winter is the second installation in the Ashfall series. It has been six long months since Yellowstone's super volcano has erupted. Alex and Darla are living with his relatives.  Life is hard and the fallout from the eruption is in full affect. Alex has been waiting for his parents to return  but can no longer wait and decides go look for them. 

The journey proves to be difficult and unsafe but this book can't met up to the energy of the first novel, Ashfall. It's tedious, long and boring. I felt like I was trudging thru ashfall in order to finish this book. I don't know if I will read the conclusion despite the cliffhanger. 

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

 

Yellowstone's super volcano erupts and chaos ensues. Initially, Alex and other's don't know the volcano has erupted making this my favorite part of the book. Mike Mullen quickly captures your attention as he describes the noise and fallout of the eruption. 

Alex lives over 900 miles away from Yellowstone and can hear the eruption for days, ash covers everything, animals and people die. Crops, homes and many other structures are destroyed. 15 year old, Alex wants to be with his parents and sibling who are visiting his aunt and uncle. He snaps on some ski and starts his trek. It's a harrowing journey, he meets a girl and together they work together to survive and make their way. 

The read was fast paced and shows the realties of the harsh and unpredictable struggle to survive.