Brighter Than the Sun by Daniel Aleman

5 stars YA

What had once been an opportunity had now turned into an obligation as the situation changed. It had felt like privilege to cross into the U.S to attend school but now, as the family situation changed, Sol felt that attending school would have to go on the back burner as the family’s restaurant needed her attention. Trying to juggle school and work just wasn’t cutting it, perhaps she should just work as the family needed her financial help now before it was too late.

What a heavy burden for a 16-year-old to carry. Being the only individual in her family born in the U.S., Sol had the ability to travel back-and-forth freely between the U.S. and Mexico which was a tremendous benefit for their family. Sol and her family lived in Mexico and they owned a restaurant there. Her mother had just recently passed away and this restaurant was her passion. Since her death, this restaurant has struggled to stay afloat and unfortunately so has her family. Her mother was a huge part of their family and they all miss her badly. Sol has traveled to the U.S. to attend school for a few years with her father being her driver to the border. I can just imagine this ride as the two of them sit in the car twice a day. Sol proud that she is able to get a better education and her father proud and reserved, his daughter the person he could never be. As the restaurant struggles, Sol takes a job after school to help the family financially. With the long hours, Sol decides to stay with her best friend in the U.S. during the week and return to her family in Mexico on the weekends. I was having mixed feelings as I know that some sixteen-year-olds can handle this separation and for some, it’s a breaking point.

The first couple weeks went good as Sol tried to get into a routine. She was embraced by her new weekday family and when she returned to Mexico, she crammed as much as she could into those few days. Needing more money, she worked more hours and her time away from Mexico stretched. The more money that she brought it, it didn’t seem to be enough. Losing the restaurant would mean losing another piece of her mother, she couldn’t let that happen. As she fought with her emotions, I could feel the tension and her hope fading. When is enough……enough.

I really enjoyed this book. The cover of the book and the synopsis is what hooked me on this one. The book starts off rather sad as Sol talks about her name. Born on the day of the Feast of Our Lady of Solitude. Soledad feels the loneliness follows her wherever she goes. She had even tried to give herself a couple nicknames to get away from her name but nothing took. So, she was stuck with Sol. She has high expectations for herself which she has a hard time lowering throughout the book. Her best friend, who she stays with in the U.S. tries to talk to her about this. Ari tells her that she needs to let go and that she doesn’t need to control everything all the time and Sol listens but its hard to apply this information when you life is spinning out of control. The more that Sol spends in the U.S., Sol realizes that she’s different than when she’s at home. I love it when she makes this light-bulb moment yet what can Sol do with it. A great read that worth picking up. 5 stars

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest

4 stars YA

She lied in shadows and allowed everyone, the ability to “do” for her. She had a voice, she was capable to do things, she just didn’t. It was now her senior year in high school and this was it. Her friends would be going off to different colleges next year and Effie, she hoped to go off to college too. A college in New York City if she had her choice but that would mean she’d have to speak up.

As Effie enters her senior year, she discovers that she no longer has her second locker at school. Not a problem with most students but Effie has cerebral palsy and she needs the two strategically-placed lockers, to help maneuver sufficiently during the day. Mom decides that Effie needs to figure this issue out on her own so she relinquishes the control button and Effie is on her own to acquire and acquire back her second locker. I had to wonder how many times Effie was allowed to take control of her own matters and who decided when she could? Effie was now a senior and this was the kind of tasks that she was responsible for: a locker. How is she even going to make it in college, on her own, if these are the types of decisions she is only allowed to make?

Effie makes small steps in this book and with each step, you have to cheer her on. When she starts to a relationship with Wilder, I cringed as I didn’t want Effie to get hurt. I thought the worse of Wilder. I thought Wilder was using her. I thought Effie was a part of one of Wilder’s dares or schemes. I didn’t want Effie to fall for Wilder and have him laughing behind her back. She was an innocent and wholesome individual and I didn’t want her to be walked on. Would she be able to find her voice, if she needed it? When her high school opened up lunch period to the seniors, I cringed when she started to accept their explanation and excuses. She voiced her concern but she wasn’t loud enough. She wasn’t being heard. As they talk about college visits, Effie hesitates about mentioning the college in N.Y.C. She’s thought about the obstacles she’ll have to face in the big city, she thought about the travel time, heck……Effie has thought through this decision so many times yet she needs to go and do a college visit to see for herself what it would actually be like.

It’s a good book about finding your voice, about stepping outside the box and testing the waters. Effie could go about life and take the easy path, the safe path or Effie can speak up and make a difference for herself and other. 4 stars

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

Too many flashbacks, that’s what I say. I may be the oddball out but I think this book could have been written differently had you wanted to put ALL and I say ALL with capital letters, all those Egyptian rules and information in there. Don’t get me wrong, I like reading a book and getting educated at the same time but don’t present it in the way you did here by having the reader jump back and forth through time periods. I did like the two separate stories but let’s keep them separate and then, converge them together.

It was a story of what if. What if you’d taken a different path instead of the path you had chosen? That’s the question Dawn had on her mind and one she needed answers to. Was her husband Bryan a good choice or should she had stayed in Egypt with Wyatt?

While studying to be an Egyptologist, Dawn meets Wyatt who ends up being her friend and later, they have a relationship. Dawn learns one day that her mother is dying and she returns to the states. While visiting her mom, she meets Bryan who is also visiting a relative. They begin as friends but it leads into a relationship, then a pregnancy, and eventually, they get married. They have a stable life, they’re content, but does she still love him? One day at her job as a death doula, Dawn gets a request from one of her patients. Can she do this for her patient – the patient’s dying wish? This wish gets Dawn thinking about her own past and about her relationship with Wyatt.

With her stable life at home, Dawn feels compelled to return to Egypt to see Wyatt. Dropping everything, she’s off! I felt for Bryan as he’s at home while his wife is off in Egypt seeing if there’s still some fire in her old relationship. With tons of information about Egyptian ruins and mummies I felt overwhelmed at times on whether I was there to learn about Dawn’s relationship or about historical facts. The facts were interesting but they felt heavy as I made through this book. Would I need to know these interesting facts later and would they come into play later in the book? I sure hope not as there were just too many of them. Dawn was getting on my nerves as it felt as if she was playing now in Egypt while the rest of the team was trying to work and make some amazing new discoveries. They needed funding; each minute meant money to them yet Dawn just needed to know if she had made the right choice when she didn’t return years ago. Quit talking about the wrappings and the mummies, let them get some work done.

This didn’t read like some of the other books I have read by Jodi. I liked the stories; it was the presentation of the stories and all the nonfiction information that threw me off. If you’re able to block out distractions while reading, this might be a good book for you but it wasn’t a good book for me. 3 stars #TheBookofTwoWays #NetGalley

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group in exchange for an honest opinion. Thank you for letting me review this copy.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

Do you want to hear a great story?! I read this; I really did! I won’t give too much of the story away in case you want to read it but it’s super good and it’s crazy! So……anyways! Here goes…….

This couple has been saving up for this trip for a long, long time and finally, they’ve saved enough money to go. They book their trip, the money is there, they took the time off work, they’re all set. They’re both super excited to go and then, yep…..you got it. Something happened!! One of them can’t go. The boyfriend is a surgical resident at the hospital and he has to work. Now what?

He insists that she go without him. She shouldn’t have the miss the trip because he has to work. She doesn’t want to go without him but the trip is nonrefundable, it’s all paid for and she has the time off. Whatcha’ think? Should she go? Would you? He’s insisting that she go, so she goes.

So, what you thinking? A romantic story? Not really.

Let me finish this, there’s only a small boat to get to the island where they were going to stay. As the boat pulls up to the island, she’s informed that the boat is headed back to the mainland and this will be the last boat for quite some time. The island is shutting down. Think fast! Stay on the island or stay on the boat and go back to the mainland. She’s come this far and she’s not turning back.

I would have done the same thing. Probably not the best decision but how do you know? She’s now on this fantastic, planned vacation complete with her booked hotel that is now closed, all eating and tourist sites closed and she doesn’t speak the countries language. This is supposed to be a fantastic vacation?! She tries to make the best of it, she really does and I loved it! As the community opens up to her, I just couldn’t get enough of this book. It’s like she’d finally discovered life’s meaning, she’s becoming a part of something bigger. Yet, somehow, her boyfriend is connecting with her which is tugging at her heart pulling her back to him. Keeping this rope tied to him while on the island, she’s learning to fly.

I felt she was really breathing, on the island though. When she reconnected to the mainland, her breath was labored and stressed. There were numerous times I found myself talking/yelling out-loud to her as I listened to this book, advising her cut the strings from the mainland and move to the island. How could she not continue on with this great path that she had found? So, what happened? That’s all I’m telling you but this is just the start of her story, my friend. It is just the start.

What a fantastic story! The author threw me for some loops in this book and I fell for them. I had to pick my jaw off the floor for a few of them and I had to tell my husband every last detail of this book whether he wanted to hear it or not as I was super excited about this one. I can see why this one has been so popular. 5 stars for sure!!

Victor and Nora: a Gotham Love Story by Lauren Myracle

The cover got me on this one as I was at the library volunteering. I’m not one for romance but the Gotham in the title swayed me and I liked the illustrations. After reading this graphic novel, I couldn’t believe this was actually, the one and only Mr. Freeze. I was floored! No way! This story was actually about Mr. Freeze and his future wife. I think that there’s a great story inside this book but the way that the story is delivered could have been better. The writing felt choppy and the story felt awkward as the characters cope with what life has given them and they find that perhaps there is more to life. The illustrations were fantastic and they saved the book for me.

When we meet Victor, he’s visiting his younger brother again, like he does every year, at the cemetery. Victor is proving to be quite the successful cryogenics cold tech and his work on perfecting his Accela-Freeze compound is coming along. Oh, what that compound could do, if he could just get everything perfect. Victor is proud of his accomplishments and he conveys everything to his brother as if his brother could actually hear him from beyond. Nora interrupts Victor’s talk when he spots her in the distance. She’s also at the cemetery, visiting her mother’s grave, a surprise since Victor normally sees no one.

Nora. This girl got on my nerves. She was a total flake. Between her words and her actions, I didn’t know what to think of her. The words that came out of her mouth were all over the place. “So, come here often?” yep, that’s what you say to someone that you meet at the cemetery. It doesn’t get better than this for a while and then, she starts to get all romantic with Victor. What’s wrong with her? I knew that she had a disease but I doubted that caused her to act like that. Victor is hesitant at first (and he should be) yet he continues to hang around Nora when he should be running for the hills. Nora does look amazing with her flowing hair, her spaghetti-strapped shirt, and her spunky attitude but is he really listening to her? He needs to take off his glasses and really see her. The illustrations are great! With attention to detail, the illustrator has created some wonderful text boxes that showcase the story. I appreciated his attention to detail and the colors that were used, provided the atmosphere that I expected for this story. These fantastic illustrations make this a good book for me but I felt that the writing alone didn’t work for me. 3 stars

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Saenz

And this is why I wait. When I first read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, I thought it was an okay read but reading it a second time was a different experience for me. Whether this was because I was in a different place in my life, or my mood at the time, or perhaps I was just more ready for it, I found this first book in this series had become more enjoyable and encompassing. After discussing it in book club, instead of gazing into my crystal ball and envisioning the future of the characters, I picked up the new sequel. I couldn’t believe that it had taken this long for it to finally come out. At least now, I would have some solid answers.

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World begins right where Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe left off, so I’d read the first book before diving into this one. Since the two boys have finally come to terms with their feelings towards each other in the first book, now it’s time to address the rest of the world. We knew the struggle would be difficult as the boys’ deal with their peers and with the family dramatics but they also are looking at their future together. Will this love last?

Take Me With You When You Go by David Levithan & Jennifer Niven

“We thought we had a wall around our story. But what if there were windows?”

I really enjoyed this story. Told through email exchanges, this story built upon itself exposing issues that had been hidden for years. Ezra awakens one morning to find his sister Bea gone. There had been no warning/signs and no note had been written. Bea’s boyfriend Terrence claims he knew nothing and with Bea’s personal effects still at home, her disappearance is a mystery.

Ezra receives a confidential email from Bea which comforts him but he knows he must face the facts. Bea left him, she escaped and now, he has to face Darren alone. Sure, his mother lives with them but she has done nothing to stop her current husband from abusing her children. Why would she start now? As Ezra and Bea correspond via email, Ezra discovers what finally pushed Bea out the door and I feel that the two of them are growing closer as they’re opening up about a variety of issues. When Ezra talks to their mother about Bea’s disappearance, her reaction made me want to scream. As this story unfolds, there were turns and twists that I didn’t see coming and mysteries that were revealed that I didn’t expect.

An emotional story about connections and family that’ll have you wrapped up inside this book till you turn the very last page. 4.5 stars

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I got lost inside this book, in a good way. I found myself caught up with all the drama that happened within this family. I could see why everyone wanted to be around the famous Rivas, as their lives were full. Each of the family members were a little bit different and they each brought something to the family when they all got together. The annual Riva Party was the event, the social event that you didn’t want to miss but this year was going to be epic.

I listened to this book on audio and I highly recommend that you go this route. I feel that the narration brings an additional element to this book. Although I enjoy adding my own emotions and attitudes to characters in books that I read, I enjoyed these characters immensely. I didn’t care for all the characters in this book, oh no! But I thought that their voices and attitudes were spot on. I like to listen to books while I do other busy work and I found myself paying more attention to this book than anything else. The anticipation of a few of the scenes made me stop what I was doing until I could breathe again. Although this book consisted of only one day, flashing back into their lives, the story covered a lot of ground. I thought about not reading this book but I’m so glad that I did as I really enjoyed it. 4.5 stars

Between Heaven and Texas by Marie Bostwick

This is my first book by Marie Bostwick and I enjoyed it much more than I originally anticipated. I don’t think I would have selected this book to read on my own, which is why book clubs are so beneficial. With this book completed, I would love to continue on with the series, to see what the future held for a few of the characters.

Settling down into Too Much, Texas with the Templeton family, I followed a few younger sisters as they matured and became adults. Since the family unit is a huge and important part of being a Templeton, I ended up getting to know quite a few of the girl’s friends and family members. Leading an eventful life, I found that the story moved quickly with an engaging storyline that pulled me in quickly.

As the girl’s become adults, they began to get serious about the men in their lives and unfortunately, they started to drift apart. This begins a “muddy” period for them and their family. They can’t see what the future holds for them so right now, things look great and they’re excited to get their adult lives started. Oh, does it get exciting. Perhaps not the excitement that they were expecting, but it’s exciting! For it’s one thing-on-top-of-another and it-just-will-not-stop.

This book has almost a little bit of everything. I liked that the family ranch is passed down to the women in the family and how they take this responsibility seriously. There are parts in this book that are funny while it also has its serious moments. The family does have its differences and I like that they show this in the book without a lot of negative drama. There is a little bit of religion in the book but nothing preachy and there’s also romance in the book. I’m not one that’s into a lot of romanace but this was just enough for me. I enjoyed this book and Iwould like to read more of this series in the future.

“You wait and see if I’m not right. This boy is going to be something. One of a kind. Aren’t you, Howard?”

Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman

This was not the story that I had expected to read when I picked up this book. I was expecting the story to be more humorous and reckless but it wasn’t. The story didn’t make light of the situations that these individuals were in, these characters were realistic and natural. I found myself enjoying this book more than I thought I would.

They call themselves the Core Four. From college graduation, to attending each other weddings, to moving out to the suburbs together, these four individuals have been together through it all. It’s like one big extended family, as all the spouses and kids all get along. It seems like a perfect world for these individuals until one of the couples decides that their marriage is over. The “d” word has shattered this image.

This news shakes the group and I immediately start thinking, “the grass always looks greener on the other side.” I know that others in their group will start to follow them soon but many questions run through my head. Will they all divorce? Will they turn on one another? They’ve been together a long time as a group, will they stay together? What if “the grass is not greener?” What is dating like now? They won’t start dating each other, will they?

It wasn’t long before, three out of the four couples divorced or had started the process of divorcing and only one couple remained with their wedding rings still on. Whew! One couple made it!! But wait, it’s not over yet. The couple has started contemplating their position now. Do they really want to be married? Do they really love each other? Divorce is such an extreme option but what other choice do they have?

This book was a reality check. I liked how the group stayed together and how they tried to help each other when events in their life changed. Being unmarried and single seemed like a great idea, yet they didn’t really see the whole picture. As they projected their positive image to others, what was really going on inside? The options available to them as an uncommitted adult looked wonderful and exciting, until they lived it. The married couple and the choice that they made; I kept wondering how long it was going to last. I could feel this couple’s emotions as they tried to carry through with their plans but there were other things they were contending with.

I really enjoyed how realistic this book felt. Nothing was over-the-top and the characters each had their own identity. I laughed and smiled as the characters moved through their life, trying to make the best of their choices and their situations. A great story with interesting characters.