Jellicoe Road

Definitely a fast read that kept my attention, but not sure I really loved it. Some books are like this for me, I want to know what happens and so I keep reading, but I'm not thinking, "Wow. Best book ever." You know?

I think this one had a little too much teenage angst for me. Emma might like it--the main character was a bit like the girl from Croak.

La's Orchestra Saves the World

This was by the same author as The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. It sounded like a great story: English countryside during WWII. A woman starts up a little orchestra filled with soldiers from the nearby base and local citizens to boost morale. A little romance thrown in with a Polish refugee . . . Yep, not so much. It went on and on and the orchestra was minor to the rest. Nothing happened with the refugee, lots of spouses ran off (like 3 times) and it just felt like a huge let down from what I had hoped and imagined it could be. I don't recommend this one.

The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency

We read this one for book club and I really enjoyed it. It's the first of a many book series and I'd like to read a few more, but it doesn't leave you hanging at the end or anything like that, and I'm thinking you could probably even read them out of order and it wouldn't be a huge problem. The book takes place in Botswana, Africa and is the story of a woman who opens up her own private detective agency. There are several different cases in the book that work almost like short stories. It was at times funny, scary, mysterious, and touching. I liked the gentle tone the author uses. I'd definitely recommend this book--I'm planning to read some more in the series.

Oh, and Mom says it is also a show on HBO or something? I'd like to look it up and watch it.

Vampire Book

Emma and I listened to the vampire book. I've taken the CD back and I can't remember the name. It got pretty scandalous (say it with the Katie accent) as it went on. We did have fun wondering which book came first this or Bella and the Twilight series. Many similarities. Turns out this book is the basis for the HBO series True Blood (correct me if I got that wrong Emma). That explained the scandalous parts and why it is on HBO. Oh this came first. Emma says Twilight is the PG version of this series, I'd say the G version.
Keep those necks covered.

Unbroken

Just finished this. I listened to it. It is an amazing story but it is so brutal. I think it made me irritable and upset during the time I was listening to it. It was just so hard to hear of all the things that went on during WWII in the Japan prisoner of war camps. Great redemption at the end. I guess you needed all the brutality told so you could really see the depth of forgiveness.
I don't know that I can recommend it. I think it is better to go to you tube and watch Louis Zamerini talk or google him and read an article. He did lead an amazing life and Laura Hillenbrand lays it out very well but too much detail for me.

Dust Land Series

I haven't been reading much lately. I'm finding that reading has become a feast or famine thing for me as of late. I did just finish listening to an audio book that was the second in a series (I know, I know, another series--I'm rolling my eyes, too). It's another 3 book YA distopian series--my weakness. I LOVED the first book. It's called Blood Red Road and I would recommend it for sure. The writing style is great and unique. I read that one back in February and then waited around for this next one to come out and I was disappointed. I guess I'd give it a 3/5 star rating but 5/5 for the first one. The author is Moira Young.  I think I'd recommend this series more to Emma than Mom. Here are the dust jackets:

Blood Red Road (book one)
Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.
Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.


Rebel Heart (lame title that should have tipped me off)
It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.

What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion.

Everything we read?

Ladies,
Do we want to post a review of everything we read or just the books we recommend? Just seeking some clarification here. Muchas gracias.

Love,
Katie