One Chapter

Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce

5 stars Historical Fiction

Emmy was flying high when she read the ad in the paper, for she felt that this was the perfect job for her. She would be a part-time junior secretary at The Evening Chronicle. Emmy wanted to be a journalist and this being a part-time position, would fit perfectly as her nights were busy, volunteering at the local fire station answering calls for the Fire Brigade. It was only after she landed the job, that she realized, what she would actually be responsible for.

Emmy discovered that she would be working for Mrs. Bird. Mrs. Bird had a weekly advice column in a women’s magazine and now, Emmy would be responsible for writing up Mrs. Bird’s responses. Emmy would also have to read Mrs. Bird’s advice column mail and present to her only those which were “pleasant” and discard the rest. The “unpleasant” topics were at the discretion of Mrs. Bird and she had provided Emmy an alphabetized list of them.

As the letters began trickling in, Emmy separated the mail: pleasant and unpleasant. She couldn’t believe that Mrs. Bird could disregard all these “unpleasant” pleads for help. Emmy began to assess Mrs. Bird’s advice column to other popular publication columns. Emmy was having a hard time dealing with the tasks that she was assigned to do as her own opinions and feelings kept rising to the surface. Emmy first thought of this job as an opportunity for advancement within the company but I think now, Emmy heart is telling her differently. These “unpleasant” letters need someone and Emmy feels that she can help them.

As she writes some of them, I was laughing and yet some of them, she was sincere and sweet. There was this mix of emotions for me during this time as I was happy that Emmy had jumped on board yet comprehensive about what lied around the corner and nervous about Emmy and Mrs. Bird’s relationship. It’s that time where I found myself reading fast and then, it slowed down as my reading speed followed my emotions.

I liked how Emmy made the best of the situation she was put in. She didn’t care for Mrs. Bird’s attitude so she worked around it. Sometimes she didn’t know how to respond to certain letters that touched her and instead of just ignoring them or making something up, she tried to find some good advice for that person. Emmy is a fighter and she give of herself. You could see that before she got the job when she is volunteering at the fire station at night and how she was perceived. Her relationship with Bunty was fun and sweet and I could visually see the two girls talking and walking down the street. It was a novel that never let up. A fabulous story that I really enjoyed.

Heroine by Mindy McGinnis

5 stars YA

I can’t believe I haven’t written this review yet. This book pulled me in and swallowed me whole! It had that spiral effect and as I saw Mickey spiraling down and down, I wanted to just cry. As I flipped the pages, I found myself yelling, cursing, and shaking my head at her because she was sinking and going under fast. Someone had to save her, didn’t they?

They were both great students and softball players. Carolina was the team’s pitcher and Mickey was the catcher, they made a great duo. Then suddenly, it happened. A car accident leaves both girls in the hospital, one teen more injured than the other.

Carolina’s injury to her arm should be healed by the beginning of softball season but Mickey’s leg injury is more serious. With weeks of therapy ahead of her Mickey is determined to be ready, even if it about kills her.

With the best therapists beside her, Mickey begins pushing herself and her body. The lies begin rolling off her lips because there is nothing that can come between Mickey and her softball. Mickey discovers that the doctor’s prescription of Oxy helps with more than just pain and her bottle drains too quickly. It isn’t too long before Mickey realizes that she is becoming, “one of those people” but she feels that her pain is just too much to bear without her meds.

It’s all the justifications that Mickey offers in this novel that makes this novel stand out. How she rationales her continued drug use, the persistent lies, her bold behavior, and her future. It’s a never-ending cycle, one that just escalates, if you really paying attention.

This novel is a horrible look at addiction but also shows a very realistic side of it. Surrounded by friends, Mickey begins to find another world to walk in as she finds her current world too difficult. She needs to find a place that will accept the new Mickey and she can be herself. It’s sad how quickly she becomes a part of her new community.

I really liked this novel as it showed the effects of drugs on a person and their life. For the most part, I thought it portrayed an accurate picture (although I have never gone through it myself). I am surprised that her family and friends didn’t play a more active role in her life during this time as they knew she was recovering from her accident. One of my favorite reads so far this year, dealing with this subject matter.

Book mail

I love it when my mail includes a package! Thank you St. Martin Press and Katherine for this gorgeous novel. As I read the title, I realized my “things” have changed over the years. I can’t wait to see what Katherine has written. # thingsyousavebook

Mysteries in the Mail

I received some great new mysteries in the mail this week. Charlie Donlea is a new author for me and I love mysteries. Thank you Kensington Publishing Corp.for bringing Charlie to my house. (I think, my Charlie wanted in on the action) #SomeChooseDarkness

The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die – audio

3 star mystery YA

I’m not so sure about the nail-biting aspect of this thriller as I didn’t feel this way about it as I listened to it on audio but perhaps, I would feel differently had I actually read the novel instead. I thought the novel moved quickly and I was intrigued as to what was actually transpiring but it wasn’t a suspenseful read for me.

The novel begins with the main character waking up on the floor of a cabin. She doesn’t remember anything about her situation as she slowly awakens to the voices of two men discussing her fate. With death in her immediate future, she eventually makes her way outside and yet again, she has no idea where she should go. She has this, “damned if I do and damned if I don’t” thought process running through her head as she contemplates putting the pieces of her life back together. It’s like a huge mystery and all the pieces of her puzzle are blank.

I liked how she figured things out one step-at-a-time and how she didn’t go all crazy and stupid in the process. I liked how things moved along quickly and she didn’t get all wrapped up in the moment. The novel doesn’t go deep and it’s a novel where you can just listen and enjoy it. It was an enjoyable novel to just take in, to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Celebrate You! by Sherri Duskey Rinker

5 stars Children’s picture book

I like this cute, rhyming book as it’s filled with positive, high energy that would make any person feel good. It’s a book to share with someone that you’re proud of, that you love, or you’re happy to be with because it speaks to anyone who is admired and appreciated.

The story’s illustrations are centered around a sweet, little penguin yet they never mention the word penguin in the script. The script uses the word “you” when mentioning the penguin throughout the text, so that the book can be related to any individual who is reading this beautiful book.

It mentions the struggles and the challenges that were faced. The dreams that desired. It talks about how strong and committed you were along the way and how we feel about you as you “aim for the sky!”

The illustrations were lively and full of love and I liked all the positive vibes I got off the book. There were lots of great adjectives in the book. A wonderful book.

Good Dad Diego by Brenna Maloney

5 stars Children’s picture book

Yes, dad’s wear many hats. Diego, the pug, is here to show you some of the many hats that he wears, as Diego wants to be a good daddy to his puppies. You will love this children’s book as Diego, gives you some fatherly advice that will have you smiling and laughing at his animal antics.

Yes, Diego thinks he is the king of his castle but he also has to police his puppies, cook for his puppies, be a nurse for his puppies, and a wear a whole bunch of other hats for his puppies. With each hat that Diego places on his head or talks about in this book, Diego talks about what he does and there is also a quoted remark from Diego, that is usually pretty funny.

There is a lot to love about this book. I loved the simple text, the photographs of Diego and the arrangements that he was in and I loved the quotes that accompanied each photograph. What a fun book. Would make an excellent Father’s Day gift or a gift to a new Father.

“What do you mean you don’t like it?

It’s meat. It’s casserole.”

“No pooping on the floor!”

Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat by Johnny Marciano

5 stars Children’s/ Middle School

With a flash of light, he was gone, teleported to the horrible, ravaged planet Earth! I had a wonderful, hilarious time reading this children’s book. It wasn’t just my love of cats that made this book entertaining, it was Klawde and his witty descriptions that stole the show. As Klawde described living amongst us carnivorous ogres, he couldn’t believe that Raj didn’t realize Klawde was the greatest feline warlord to walk the universe.

Raj had problems of his own. They had just moved to Oregon and Raj didn’t know a soul. When the wet cat showed up on his doorstep, his parents told Raj that he could keep him, if he went to Nature Camp. Little did Raj know that Klawde was a talking warlord that had big plans which would involve him and that this “Nature Camp” was actually a survival camp.

It was Klawde, the warlord and his supreme view that cracked me up throughout the novel. When gifted with a scratching post, Klawde wondered if it was a sculpture. What was up with the fake, fluffy animals that they tried to get Klawde to attack and kill, was this their idea of military training or just cat toys? What about the human who tried to spear Klawde in the neck? Klawde wants to return home to his planet and seek revenge on those who teleported him to Earth but first, he must find a way to get there.

Raj has always wanted a cat yet I don’t think he was ready for Klawde. Raj becomes part of Klawde’s mission and tries to help him accomplish his task which of course, is funny. He thought he had a cool cat once he learns Klawde can talk but will he talk for anyone else? Raj has some issues at camp and talks to Klawde about them but unfortunately, Klawde behaves like a cat most of the time, when Raj wants any kind of a response.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked Klawde’s imagination, his wit, and I liked his determination. I liked the friendship the two of them had. I liked how the author alternated the views from Klawde to Raj, on each chapter, as I believe that it allowed the reader to see both sides of the story and made the book wittier and amusing. I liked this book so much I picked up book 2 from the library last night. It was a fun and entertaining.

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

4 stars Realistic Fiction

Jende has heard and seen (from television) that America is the best place to be. So, he finds his way to America, as Jende feels America has everything his family will need to be successful. As Jende works, he saves his money and eventually, his wife and son have the means to join him, in this land of golden opportunity.

As they settle into Harlem, Neni begins her career in home health care and studies to be a pharmacist. Jende applies for a chauffeur’s position with a Mr. Edwards which would be a major step-up from driving a taxi. America is living up to Jende expectations as he lands the position with Clark Edwards and the money starts rolling in.

Jende doesn’t understand how complicated American life really is until he’s thrown into it and now, he’s getting a taste of it. It’s not like television, Jende. There’s also the issue of immigration that he has to deal with which casts a gray cloud over his head and becomes even worse since Jende is an honest man. Neni is now expecting their second child which will now be born on American soil, so they need to get their green cards to stay in the U.S.

They are living the American dream but things get better when an opportunity arises for Neni. Asked to help out Clark’s family, Neni accepts the position and enjoys many of the benefits plus many extras. She soon discovers though that the American dream is complicated as issues come to light. As Neni gets involved, the story gets entertaining as Neni becomes a part of Cindy’s life and the children from both households meet.

I thought this was a very engaging novel. I enjoyed both families and the excitement that they brought to the novel. I enjoyed Neni and how she changed throughout the novel. When she first arrived from West Africa, she was a quiet individual but as she started to have more influence and statue, she became a powerful figure in the novel. I think each family could have learned more from each other had they been more accepting of each other. I was surprised of the ending; it wasn’t how I expected things to play out.

I did wonder: since some of the notions they got about America came from watching old television shows, do you think they would have the same feeling about America if they watched our television shows today? This was just something that I thought about ……

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

4.5 stars Historical Fiction

Nestled in the backwoods of Kentucky, in the year 1936, there was a glow coming from a courting candle which had been burning quite a while. Pa had made a promise to his wife and thus far, no one came forward to make the commitment and douse the flame, claiming their daughter for his wife.

Nineteen-year-old Cussy (Bluet) had been harassed and tormented for being “blue” and she knew that her chances for someone courting her were slim-to-none. Being the last of her kin in Kentucky, her skin had the blue color of her ancestors and Bluet now held the position of being the last ‘Blue” female in the state of Kentucky.

Pa’s job at the mine held its own uncertainties so to help out, Bluet found herself a job working with the Pack Horse Library Project. With her mule Junia, she traveled the back hills of Kentucky delivering books to folks who looked forward to her visits. These individuals became like a family to her as she stopped each week dropping off a book and checking in on them. The other librarians also became great friends to Bluet as they grew closer each week.

I loved the excitement and the love she felt as she traveled to each of her different drop-off sites each week. The days were long but she felt needed, loved and important as she made these trips. To think that she spent all day doing this and then when she returned home, she had to tend to her mule and fix her father supper so he could go to work, made me tired. To travel by mule and not by horse, took even longer but Junia was a special mule and seemed to be able to read Bluet. She had a special friendship with a girl named Queenie and I enjoyed the time they spent together.

The novel started out a bit slow for me but then when things picked-up, I couldn’t put it down till I was finished. I enjoyed how Bluet grew as a person and I cringed when her family got involved with the doctor. I was scared and concerned for Bluet as she just wanted to be accepted by everyone but the price to do seemed so costly. It was hard reading the novel as Bluet tried to be brave because as she puts forth her best, it worried me what the outcome might be.

I enjoy reading about the Appalachian Mountains and I felt that this novel was a perfect fit for me. It opened my eyes to the library project as I had never heard of it before. I highly recommend this novel.

Thank you to Bookish First for providing a copy to me in exchange for my honest review.