Once Was Lost...Just Okay

I am a big fan of Sara Zarr's work.  Having read her first two books, I could not wait to read Once Was Lost.  This book was a quick read but it was just average in terms of storyline and character.  It did not draw me in or have any elements that made me want to keep reading.  I would say the one redeeming quality is that it asks some big questions about God that most teens ask, such as "does God really care," and "why does God allow bad things to happen."  It also does a good job of showing teens that it is okay to question God and faith as a part of establishing a personal belief system.  The main character, Samara, struggles to understand her mom's alcoholism and her dad, the town pastor's, response.  I could easily feel her frustration but I thought Zarr could have developed the main character with more personality and depth.  Her father, who never seems to have the right words for Sam, comes across as shallow and a little self-righteous, but again, his character is not fully developed.  I wanted more emotion and substance from each of the characters in this book.  I also felt the plot was weak and predictable and I knew how the book was going to end half way into it.

And I may have found my favorite book of 2010...already!

A few months ago, I started reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I got about five pages in and decided that I hated it.  I didn't like the incorrect grammar (I am an English major!) and I thought I would hate reading a book about maids.  When the list of the best books of 2009 came out, and this book was on it, I decided that I better give the book another chance.  I am so glad I picked this book up again because it will likely be one of my favorite books of 2010.  I am so impressed that this is the first book by this author and I she writes another soon.  There is so much to like about this book.  The book is written from the perspective of different women which gives it a depth and allows the reader to connect to each of the character's.  This book also has an intense story that deals with how African American maids deal with their relationships to their bosses during the Civil Rights Movement.  However, this intensity is artfully balanced with humorous moments and characters that are just downright funny.  I found myself experiencing a huge range of emotions while reading this book, which is quite an accomplishment for the author!  Another feat of this author is how well she makes the book come to life.  The descriptions of the characters and setting enabled me to create a clear picture in my head.  It made the book even harder to  put down because I felt like a part of the story.  One reason I especially loved this book is that it subtly teaches deep lessons to the reader that hold true today.  I came away from the book remembering that there are no "lines" and that people are just people, regardless of race, class, or color.  I have heard rumors that the book is being considered for a movie and I know I will go see it.

Waiting to Surface...a book to read!

It has been a long time since I read a book that I could not stop reading.  If you follow my book reviews, you will see that I am a tough customer to please!  I was so impressed with Waiting to Surface by Emily Listfield.  This book had me so captivated that I would take it with me in the car and hope for a traffic jam so that I could read.  I was that crazy lady in the car next to you reading at all the red lights.  From the beginning, this book draws the reader in with a phone call that informs Sarah that her husband has disappeared.  He was visiting a woman "friend" in Florida and either drowned, intentionally or unintentionally, or just decided to vanish.  Although separated, Sarah has to cope with the unanswered questions that her husband leaves behind.  It is impossible not to be drawn into this story, especially when you know it is based on a true story.  It literally haunted me and had me up at night wondering what happened to the husband and coming up with my own theories.  The characters in this book are so real and deep and their pain is something the reader can feel.  It will make any married woman question how well she really knows her husband and whether he has any hidden secrets.  I was truly sad to finish this book and plan on reading more by this author.

A new year, a new book, and resolutions!!

I apologize for my long absence!  It has been a little crazy around here with the holidays and my two boys!  As one of my New Year's Resolutions, I have resolved to do better with my little blog here!  I am going to blog at least once a week, even if it is not a book review.  I really want to try to build some readers to my site so I have to provide content to make that happen!  If you have stuck with me in my absence, please share my address so I can get some more readers!  I hope you all had as blessed a holiday as my household did!  Did anyone else make a resolution?  Please feel free to share it here.  You have to let the world know what your resolution is to make it real, right?  That way, you have some accountability!  Over the last two months, I read every Sara Dessen novel written!  If you have not read her books, you must check them out!  My favorites were Lock and Key, and Just Listen.  Her books are very quick reads!  I also began and did not finish Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty. I liked her other books but I just could not get into this one.  I felt like she was trying to hard to be funny and it came off as just cheesy.  It had very little plot from the beginning and I guess I could have given it more of a chance, but I have to many other books waiting!  I am about to start reading Waiting to Surface, by Emily Listfield.  I hope it's a good read!  Please check back for a review in a few days..I promise! Thanks for sticking with me and I will do better with my posts in the new year!