Teen/YA Review: Drag Teen

Last month, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to a new YA novel, Drag Teen, by Jeffrey Self, who is, according to the book’s blurb, “one of the gay icons of the YouTube generation” (who knew?). Self’s first novel is warm, funny, and highly entertaining.

JT Barnett is a gay high school senior living in Clearwater, Florida. He feels like a total misfit in his family, where his Dad runs the local gas station and his mom is completely obsessed with the Shopping Channel on TV and her creepy doll collection. JT ‘s life consists mostly of going to school, working at the gas station, and hanging out with his best friend, Heather, and his gorgeous boyfriend, Seth. JT dreams of an exciting, fabulous life somewhere amazing, but his family can’t afford college and he fears he will be stuck in Clearwater forever.

JT has already tried applying for all of the scholarships he can find, but none of them panned out. Now, Seth is making plans for college – possibly even somewhere far away – and JT feels like he is out of options. Then, Seth hears about a contest called Drag Teen in NYC, with a prize of a full four-year scholarship. It sounds amazing, but the one time before that JT tried drag in public was at his school’s talent show, and he got laughed off the stage.

Finally, Seth and Heather convince JT to give it a try, and the three lie to their parents about plans for spring break and head off on an epic road trip from Florida to NYC. Along the way, they meet some unique characters, encounter all kinds of challenges, and begin to learn more about each other and themselves. The pageant itself is like nothing JT has ever experienced, and his love of drag feels normal and accepted for the first time in his life, among his fellow contestants.

One of the great things about this novel is that JT and Seth’s being gay is not the central point or the obstacle encountered by the characters. Here’s how JT begins his story in Chapter 1:

“This isn’t one of those stories about a heartwarming journey toward accepting my cursed homosexual identity. No. First of all, being gay is far from a curse. It’s more like an extra order of fries at Wendy’s because the lady in the window isn’t paying attention when she fills your bag. It’s awesome.”

In fact, the characters are one of the best things about this novel (along with its excellent sense of humor) because they feel very real and authentic. Though JT is fine with being gay, he is very self-conscious about his body and the extra weight he carries. Heather is even heavier than he is and also struggles with self-esteem issues. Even perfect-seeming Seth is hiding a secret. These are real teens struggling with real problems, and that two of them are gay is simply a fact.

Right from the first page, JT’s story is funny and touching and a whole lot of fun. Readers quickly come to care for all three of the main characters and to root for JT to find a way out of his small town. Besides, I love a road trip story, and this one is a doozy! Along the way, the three friends meet some very interesting people. The ending is satisfying, even if it is a bit too perfect. This engrossing first novel kept me glued to my iPod – and laughing out loud – from beginning to end. I can’t wait to see what Jeffrey Self comes up with next.

Scholastic Audio

It's Monday 10/3! What Are You Reading?

I was absent from the blog for a week - my husband and I took our first Empty Nest week-long vacation together! We had planned to go to Vermont but changed out itinerary at the last minute (really, the very last minute!) because it was going to be too cold for camping up there. Instead, we headed south and stayed closer to home - going to Maryland's Eastern Shore, Assateague Island National Seashore, and our own Delaware beaches.

The start of the week was beautiful weather, and we enjoyed some amazing kayaking. Wednesday night - camping right on the ocean shore at Assateague - we experienced the worst storm we have ever been in! Steady winds of 35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mpg, and heavy rain for over 12 hours. It was really unbelievable. Our pop-up camper (with canvas sides) shook like crazy all night long, and everything was soaked by morning (it is usually quite water-tight). Fortunately, we escaped to the third part of our trip and spent a couple of nights in the lovely house at the beach that my friend generously shared with us. All in all, it was a good trip - certainly full of adventure!

Now, I have over 600 e-mails, plus all sorts of other catch-up. Re-entry is always tough after time away! We had a LOT of time for reading this past week. Here's what we've been reading the past two weeks:

• I finished a review book, They Are Trying to Break Your Heart by David Savill, a British import that will soon be published in the U.S. It's a complex story with threads related to the Bosnian War in the 1990's, the tsunami in Thailand in 2004, and people involved in both, looking back from 2005. I enjoyed this gripping story about a man accused of possible war crimes who disappeared, and the people who still look for him.
• Next, I squeezed in a classic before the end of the month! I re-read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, which I hadn't read since 10th grade. I liked it in high school and enjoyed it again now. It's a story of unrequited love and lifelong revenge. With its dark tone and glimpses of ghosts, it was a perfect fit for the R.I.P. Challenge!
• Now, I am almost finished with Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel, one of this spring's hottest new releases. All the rave reviews were right on target - it's SO good!! It's a sci fi novel about the discovery of a giant metal hand in the ground and the investigation that follows to figure out what it is and where it came from. Highly recommended!
• I started - and finished - listening to a middle-grade audio book, Swing Sideways by Nanci Turner Steveson. It's about a young girl with an eating disorder and a controlling mom who spends the summer of her dreams running wild on a nearby farm with her new friend, California. Little by little, secrets are revealed that make this a deeply moving and thoughtful story of friendship and growth.
• On our trip, my husband and I started a new audio together, The Swimmer by Joakim Zander, a spy thriller. We didn't get very far into it, since we were only driving a couple of hours instead of all day to VT and back! It's interesting so far, with multiple points of view and suspense beginning to build.
• My husband. Ken, finished The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry, a thriller and free book I picked up for him from our library's summer reading program. It's the first Berry novel either of us have read, and he enjoyed it.
• Now, Ken is reading The Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett, a very old paperback we had here at the house (I was surprised he'd never read it before!). It's a classic spy thriller - Follett is an excellent writer.
• Last I heard, Jamie, 22, was reading book 3 in the Scott Lynch series Gentleman Bastards, The Republic of Thieves, which he bought this summer. He loves this series (so does my husband) and says it is about con men in Medieval times. He's still asleep, so I'm not sure if he finished it yet!

 Blog posts from the past two weeks:

TV Tuesday: Freaks and Geeks why did it take me so long to find this amazing show??

Fiction Review: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, fascinating story of a woman locked in an asylum for over 60 years

2016 R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (R.I.P) Challenge - enjoy the season with creepy reading!

Cookbook Review: Curtis Stone: What's for Dinner? - one of my favorite cookbooks - simple meals with fresh ingredients & lots of flavor!

What are you and your family reading this week?    

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, so head over and check out her blog and join the Monday fun! You can also participate in a kid/teen/YA version hosted by Unleashing Readers.

More vacation photos coming on Saturday Snapshot, but here is a glimpse of a gorgeous sunset over the Chesapeake Bay:

 
 

Cookbook Review: Curtis Stone - What's For Dinner?

I used to love to watch chef Curtis Stone on his TLC show, Take Home Chef. Besides his rugged good looks (who wouldn't want this handsome Aussie to find them in the grocery store and ask to come home with them?), I loved his approach to cooking. Even back then (before it was trendy), he focused on whole, fresh foods simply prepared.

So, I was thrilled when my son gave me one of Curtis Stone's cookbooks for Christmas last year: What's for Dinner?: Delicious Recipes for a Busy Life I was determined to make immediate use of it - often I flag dozens of recipes in cookbooks or magazines but never get around to trying them!

What's for Dinner? has turned out to be one of my favorite recipe sources. All of its recipes are simple, fresh and full of flavor. My son and I eat a mostly Paleo diet for medical reasons (it's supposed to be best for  people with immune disorders), but even with those restrictions, there were plenty of recipes in here that I could use because of Curtis' focus on fresh, whole foods.

Since this cookbook is meant for busy everyday cooks, he has divided into daily sections:

• Motivating Mondays
• Time-Saving Tuesdays
• One-Pot Wednesdays
• Thrifty Thursdays
• Five-Ingredient Fridays
• Dinner Party Saturdays
• Family Supper Sundays
• Something Sweet

Most of the recipes we've tried so far have been in the first two sections (I don't know why - maybe just because there is so much to choose from, I haven't made it further into the book). The photo below shows how the cookbook is laid out - with easy-to-follow, simple recipes on one side and gorgeous, full-color photos on the other side that make you want to make every dish immediately!

Here are some of the dishes we've tried so far:

Grilled Chicken with Arugula and Zucchini Salad with Lemon-Caper Vinaigrette - a simple and delicious summer dinner that was very quick to prepare. My husband isn't fond of arugula, so I mixed in some fresh lettuce from our local farm CSA.

Fennel-Roasted Chicken and Winter Squash with Endive-Apple Salad - another dinner salad but filled with fall flavors! The first recipe we tried - we both loved it (I left out the fennel - not a fan). In fact, I just got some apples and acorn squash from the farm, so I think it's time to make this one again.

Poached Salmon with Green and Yellow Bean Salad - perfect for summer (I never know what to do with all the radishes we get from our CSA!) and good, though not as flavorful as some of his other recipes. I might add something extra next time, like capers or olives for a bit of zing.

Cauliflower and Spinach Dal - OK, funny story behind this one. I was dying to try it because my husband and I love Indian food. I couldn''t find the yellow split peas called for anywhere, so I used red lentils instead. The finished dish was delicious, with wonderful spices. We both loved it...but our stomachs both exploded in the hours after dinner! Might try it again if I can find the yellow split peas...if we dare!

Korean Steak Tacos - hands-down, our favorite recipe in the book so far! It's very simple, but his marinade for the steak is just blow-your-mind fabulous. Wow. Our picky son even loved this one.

Grilled Steak and Broccolini with Parmesan Tomatoes - I think I subbed either broccoli or asparagus for the broccolini. This was tasty but not as amazing as some of the others. My husband and son were just so-so on this one, though I enjoyed it.

Steak and Green Bean Stir-Fry with Ginger and Garlic - delicious and simple weeknight dinner, with great flavor.

Grilled Pork Chops and Vegetable Gratin with Caper-Parsley Vinaigrette - I made this for a Sunday dinner with everyone home, and it was well-liked by all. His vinaigrette adds amazing flavor to simple grilled pork chops.

Halibut and Spinach with Orange-Pine Nut Vinaigrette - I think I subbed mahi-mahi, but the mix of flavors was delicious (and the preparation very easy).

Chicken Cassoulet with Fennel and Bacon - Cassoulet is one of my favorite dishes, but the traditional recipe takes hours to prepare. This is a quicker, easier version but still full of flavor. I left out the fennel (it's the only produce I don't pick up when available at our CSA!). Our family loved it - the only complaint was that Curtis' recipe didn't make quite enough for our four hungry appetites!

NOTE: You can see photos and/or recipes of many of the above recipes when you click on the "Look Inside" feature at the Amazon link below.

That's what we've tried so far, but looking through the cookbook just now made me realize how many more great recipes are left that I still want to make! And how did I miss the whole dessert section?

This cookbook is well-worth the purchase price and one of the few I've made room for on my crowded kitchen shelf.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Purchases from these links provide a small commission to me (pennies per purchase), to help offset the time I spend writing for this blog, at no extra cost to you.

 

Click here to use Amazon's "Look Inside" feature or to buy from Amazon.

 

 

Or you can order What's for Dinner? from Book Depository, with free shipping worldwide.

R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril XI Reading Challenge

I love to read spooky, creepy, suspenseful books in the fall for seasonal fun, so I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (R.I.P) Challenge last year and am joining the fun again this year, hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings!

I have some reading obligations getting in the way - review books and book group selections - but I hope to mostly read creepy stuff through October 31 - now that my kids are grown and out of the house, this puts some fun back into Halloween season again!

Here are some of the books I've set aside for the R.I.P. Challenge this year:

I've also got The Swimmer by Joakim Zander on audio for an upcoming trip with my husband and will comb through my other audio titles for something creepy in October!

I am signing up for Peril the First, aiming to read four books in these categories before the end of October. I've already got a good start (just finished They Are Trying to Break Your Heart and now reading the Gothic classic Wuthering Heights), and I should have a lot of reading time during a week-long vacation.

I will also participate in Peril on the Screen since much of what we watch on TV and movies anyway is suspenseful or thriller-ish, so watch for some R.I.P.-related Movie Mondays & TV Tuesdays here this next month!

So, join the fun! Stop by the R.I.P. Challenge page and sign up - there is a level for just reading 1 book before October 31 and another for just spooky, creepy short stories, so there is something for everyone!

Fiction Review: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

Way back in 2007, I added The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell to my TBR (to be read) list after reading many rave reviews of the novel. Several years ago, I added it to my Kindle, and I finally got to read it this month when my book group chose it (one of my suggestions – I now suggest only books already on my shelves!). It was worth the wait – an intriguing, compelling novel that everyone in my book group enjoyed (a rarity!).

The novel opens with scenes from the childhood of a young girl named Esme, part of a British family living in India. Esme is a bright, energetic, and enthusiastic little girl, always curious and full of life. Her mother sees things differently. She just wants Esme to behave and act like a young lady. One of Esme’s earliest memories is of being tied to a chair with her mother’s scarf, to keep her seated through the meal.

The next we see of Esme, she is an older woman, in her 70’s, looking through the bars of her room at a psychiatric hospital. Esme is confused by the unusual activity in the residential facility; it is being closed down, and most of its residents are being released. Esme has spent more than 60 years of her life locked away here.

Meanwhile, down the road from the hospital, we are introduced to Iris, a lively woman who owns a second-hand shop in the Scottish town. She is having lunch with her stepbrother, Alex, and enjoying a spirited conversation. Iris has never married, and is happy being a single woman, running her business, and not letting her affairs with men (the current one married) ever get too serious.

These two very different worlds collide when Iris receives a phone call from the psychiatric facility, asking her to come pick up her great-aunt Esme. Iris never even knew she had a great-aunt; her grandmother always said she was an only child. The facility is quite insistent that Iris come there, so she finds herself face-to-face with the great-aunt she’s never known, taking her home with her when the “care home” she was placed in turns out to be unfit.

Although Iris is determined to find a new care home for Esme, the older woman and her great-niece get to know each other while spending the weekend together. Esme doesn’t seem crazy to Iris, and Iris wants to know all about her history. The two of them are actually alike in many ways, and have similar free-spirited ways of thinking.

The novel continues, alternating between Iris and Esme getting to know each other in the present day and flashbacks to both their childhoods. Esme’s story in particular is only gradually revealed, including how she ended up in the psychiatric hospital and the events leading up to that fateful day. The modern and past stories intertwine, revealing long-held family secrets and lies. The story is augmented by disjointed, random memories from Kitty, Esme’s sister, who has advanced Alzheimer’s and is living in a nursing home.

All of the members of my book group universally enjoyed this intricate, fascinating story, and it sparked some interesting discussions. In fact, it got one of our highest ratings, an average of 7.7 out of 10. This novel delves into issues of women’s rights and the role of women through the decades (let’s just say we were all glad we were born when we were!), while also exploring the complexities of family relationships. It’s an engaging and unique story that moves along at a rapid pace and easily kept my attention, as I was eager to learn all of Esme’s secrets. Now I want to read other novels by Maggie O’Farrell.

245 pages, Mariner Books/Harcourt

TV Tuesday: Freaks and Geeks

I was looking for a new show to watch on those rare occasions when I have some time to myself (very rare lately - both college sons have come home sick a lot!). I decided to finally try a 1999 show that I have heard rave reviews of from so many people: the one-season wonder Freaks and Geeks.

Why did I wait so long to watch this amazing show?? I absolutely love it!

Freaks and Geeks takes place in a Midwestern high school in 1980. It features loads of teen actors and actresses who went on to become big stars as adults. And it perfectly captures high school in 1980. I should know - I was there!

It's definitely an ensemble cast, but one of the main characters is Lindsay, played by Linda Cardellini (who was on ER, played Velma on the live-action Scooby Doo, and much more). Lindsay is really smart, but she's sick of being an outcast at school and definitely does not want to be a mathlete any more. She starts wearing her dad's old Army jacket every day and hanging out with a rougher crowd, known in her school as the freaks. Her new crowd includes cute guy Dan, played by a young James Franco, nice guy Nick, played by Jason Segel (of How I Met Your Mother fame & many movies), and tough girl Kim, played by Busy Philipps (another ER alum who also starred in Cougartown). Seth Rogan as Ken rounds out their group.

In the same school, Lindsay's little brother, Sam, played by John Francis Daley (as an adult, one of our favorites as Dr. Sweets on Bones), is a freshman and hangs out with his best friends, Neal, played by Samm Levine, and Bill, played by Martin Starr. Unfortunately, the three are referred to as geeks by their classmates. They get picked on a lot and strive to find a way to fit in (while also still loving the things that make them geeks). This was 1980 - long before being a geek was cool.

The action mostly takes place in and around school, with the two main groups at the center of things but with lots of supporting roles. Two of the very few adults in the show are Lindsay and Sam's parents, played perfectly by Becky Ann Baker and Joe Flaherty. The show deals with all of the typical high school issues among the main characters: bullying, crushes, trying to fit in, figuring out who you are, and peer pressure.

What's unique here is how well it's all done. As you can see from their later resumes, the actors and actresses, though only teens at the time in most cases, were first-rate. The writing is excellent, and the sets are absolutely perfect. You know how Glee was always over-the-top and kind of campy (among its charms, for sure)? Well, Freaks and Geeks is super-realistic. In fact, this was MY high school (and I was very much like Lindsay!). Seriously - they pegged it perfectly, every last detail. I hate when TV shows or movies set in the 80's feature crazy clothing styles - all the girls dressed like Madonna or everyone in neon. This show is exactly what it was really like in high school in the 80's. I keep seeing Lindsay or another character wearing clothes that I had, shirts that my classmates wore - they have recreated 1980.

They also perfectly recreated the atmosphere in school. There's the long-haired guidance counselor who wants to be "your friend" and thinks he is cool (and is anything but). The burly gym teacher enthusiastically announcing "a day off for something fun," and then starting a dodgeball game, with the smaller kids cowering against the wall while the tough guys belt them with red playground balls (yeah, I'm just 5'1" now - guess where I was in those terrifying dodgeball games?). The school dance in the gym with everyone looking awkward and nervous. No glamorous micro dresses and 5" heels back then!

So, what if you didn't go to school in the early 80's? You will still love this show. It's wonderfully executed, dealing with real topics but with a sense of humor (Judd Apatow was Executive Producer). My 22-year old son enjoys it. And it is so much fun to see these now-famous actors and actresses as unknown kids! In fact, it won an Emmy for Outstanding Casting in a Comedy Series in 2000. You can see the long list of other awards and nominations it racked up in its single season.

I'm sure you can tell by my gushing descriptions that I am absolutely loving this show. I've only watched 4 episodes so far and am already dreading the end! Freaks and Geeks was famously cancelled after just one season, originally, just 10 episodes, but 18 had been made, and fans screamed loud and long to get the other 8 on air.

You can now watch all 18 episodes of Freaks and Geeks on Netflix. It is available through Amazon on DVD only.

Have you seen this modern classic yet? What's your favorite high school show?

It's Monday 9/19! What Are You Reading?

I was just re-reading last Monday's post where I said everything was back to normal, and my son was  back to school. Ha! I was so naive. The nest is still not empty yet! That son woke up later that day with bronchitis (a recurring problem for he and I due to our immune disorder) and spent two more days at home. Then, his younger brother (the healthy one!) called me on Thursday to say his throat hurt really badly and one of his friends (plus his brother) had strep throat! I'm not going to jinx myself this week and say everything is back to normal, but I think everyone is healthy for the moment, and I am hoping for a day or two to myself this week to get caught up!

As always, books are a comfort to us, no matter what is going on! Here's what we've been reading:

• I finished The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell for my book group discussion last week and thoroughly enjoyed it (as did everyone else in book group!). It's an intriguing story about a young woman named Esme who was locked away in an asylum for over 60 years (for not being compliant enough!). The story focuses on both Esme and her great-niece, who didn't even know that her grandmother had a sister. It led to some great discussions for us (and we all agreed we are glad we weren't around back then).
• Now I am reading a review book, They Are Trying to Break Your Heart by David Savill, a British import that will soon be published in the U.S. It's a complex story with threads related to the Bosnian War in the 1990's, the tsunami in Thailand in 2004, and people involved in both, looking back from 2005. I am well into it now, and it's a gripping story about a man accused of possible war crimes who disappeared, and the people who still look for him.
• I finished listening to Drag Teen by Jeffrey Self on audio. This is a fun teen/YA novel about a gay teen in Florida who feels like he doesn't fit in and desperately wants to go away to college. His boyfriend and best friend convince him to compete in a Drag Teen competition that has a full scholarship as its prize. They take a road trip to NYC for the contest, meet lots of interesting people along the way, and learn plenty of life lessons. I really enjoyed this audio book, filled with warmth and humor.
• My husband. Ken, is reading The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry, a free book I picked up for him from our library's summer reading program. It's the first Berry novel either of us have read, and he says it's good so far.
• Jamie, 22, finished re-reading Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch just before we arrived back home from a train trip to NYC on Friday (nothing exciting - just a doctor visit). Now, he is finally reading book 3 in that series (Gentleman Bastards), The Republic of Thieves, which he bought this summer. He loves this series (so does my husband) and says it is about con men in Medieval times.

Last week's blog posts:

Movie Monday: American Ultra, a fun, action-packed, funny movie

TV Tuesday: Love (on Netflix), a non-traditional romcom

Teen/YA Review: Unbecoming by Jenny Downham, an intricate, thoughtful story of 3 generations of women with secrets

Summary of Books Read in August - a good reading month with 2 Big Books!

Saturday Snapshot: Sylvan Lake - Black Hills, SD (the last of my SD pics)

What are you and your family reading this week?    

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, so head over and check out her blog and join the Monday fun! You can also participate in a kid/teen/YA version hosted by Unleashing Readers.

The Big Book Summer Reading Challenge has ended for this year, but you can still post your Big Book reviews and/or wrap-ups on the challenge page until the end of the month.

Saturday Snapshot 9/17: Sylvan Lake - Black Hills, SD

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

One last batch of photos from our trip to South Dakota in August. Our favorite place among so many amazing places in the beautiful Black Hills area: Sylvan Lake. Have you ever seen the movie National Treasure 2, starring Nicolas Cage?  That one scene, where Cage's character sticks his hand in the rocks and opens up a secret chamber, takes place here at Sylvan Lake, on top of these amazing rocks we love to climb on!

Beautiful Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake from the rocks

Our family - we have 5 photos from other years of this shot!

Tallest rocks around Sylvan Lake - see those tiny dots on top?

Yup, those dots way up there are our sons!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Books Read in August

August was a great reading month, including two 400+ page books for my Big Book Summer Challenge!

Here's what I read:

• Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, a classic (Congo)
• Dreamology by Lucy Keating, teen/YA audiobook (MA)
• Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, fiction (NZ, Belgium, HI, UK, Korea)

• Unbecoming by Jenny Downham, teen/YA audiobook (UK)
• The Marvels by Brian Selznick, middle-grade fiction (UK)

So, a total of 5 books, but two of them were over 500 pages! It was an all-fiction month for me, with 2 adult novels, 2 teen/YA novels, and 1 middle-grade/teen novel - a nice variety, with 2 of them on audio. My favorite? Easy - Cloud Atlas, one of the most unique novels I have ever read and in my Top 10 Books of all-time! You have to check out this original, creative novel for yourself!

Progress on 2016 Reading Challenges:
This is my favorite part of my monthly summary - updating my Reading Challenges! I read 3 more TBR books in August for my Read Your Own Damn Books Challenge - that's a total of 13 so far this year. For the Monthly Motif Reading Challenge, August was Genre Jumble month - I was supposed to read a genre I don't normally read. It's a bit of a stretch, but I did finally read a classic - only the 2nd one I've read in the past year or so. I added no new nonfiction books to my 2016 Nonfiction Reading Challenge, and finally another classic for the 2016 Classics Challenge - I'm up to 2 now! For my Travel the World in Books Reading Challenge, I read books set in Congo, New Zealand, UK, Belgium, and Korea (4 of those were all in the same book!).  I am also tracking the states my books are set in, even though there is no Where Are You Reading challenge this year, and I added 1 new state - Hawaii -  this month.

Finally, I filled 18 spaces on my monthly Bookish Bingo hosted by Chapter Break - my best month yet! (you can join the fun any month without officially joining a challenge). Here's my Bingo card for August:

My books filled these spaces:

Heart of Darkness - shelf-love (TBR) book, adventure
Dreamology - pets, romance, best friends, family, free, set on a school campus
Cloud Atlas - park, helpers profession, dystopia, historical, artist/writer, from the boy's POV, murder, band/musician
Unbecoming - diversity
The Marvels - running
(after reading Cloud Atlas, there were no spaces left for my last two books to fill! You MUST read this remarkable book)
Free space

Believe it or not, this is one of THREE book bingo games I played this summer - kind of confusing!

What was your favorite book read in August? 

Teen/YA Review: Unbecoming

At the end of August, I listened to teen/YA novel Unbecoming by Jenny Downham on audio, and I was glued to my iPod! I enjoyed every moment of this thoughtful, intricate story about three generations of women in a British family.

Red-haired teen Katie feels like her life is falling apart. Her best friend isn’t speaking to her, everyone at school thinks she’s a freak, and her mother tries to control every aspect of Katie’s life. Her mom, Caroline, is a single mother because her dad recently moved out. To make matters worse, Katie’s brother, Chris has special needs (perhaps Asperger’s?), so Katie is often left in charge of him while her mother works.

Now, into this already complicated life comes Mary, Katie’s grandmother. Katie never knew she even had a grandmother because Caroline hasn’t spoken to her mother in many years. When Mary’s partner, Jack, dies unexpectedly, the hospital calls Caroline because her number had been listed as the emergency contact. The bigger problem is that Mary clearly has fairly advanced dementia and can’t be sent home alone. The hospital insists that Caroline bring her home with her, though Caroline vows to find her a place in a nursing home as soon as possible.

With Mary in their lives, things are very different. She can’t really can’t take care of herself or remember recent details about her life – she even has trouble remembering who Caroline, Katie, and Chris are – and she has a tendency to wander out of the house and around town if not watched carefully. So now, during summer break, Katie is expected to watch both Chris and Mary while her mother works. And her best friend still won’t return her texts.

Mary can, however, sometimes remember stories from her past, and Katie starts a memory notebook for her, where she writes down the family stories that Mary tells her. Little by little, as Mary remembers and Katie writes, long-buried secrets come to light that are shocking to Katie…and help her begin to understand why her mother is the way she is. Meanwhile, Katie is hiding a secret of her own and struggling with her own identity. The secrets and lies reverberate through the generations.

The way that this novel gradually reveals their family history, in bits and pieces, is absolutely captivating. Chapters alternate between the perspectives of Katie and Mary (who thinks of Katie as The Girl). Besides seeing their secrets gradually spool out, it is wonderful to watch the warm relationship that grows between grandmother and granddaughter as they spend time together and get to know each other.

There are so many intricate layers to this engrossing novel: Katie’s internal struggles in figuring out who she is, Mary’s dementia (which is depicted in very real and intimate detail), the two mother-daughter relationships, and even women’s roles through the years. It also delves into matters of love, friendship, and identity. I loved these characters, and I was pulled right into their story, never wanting to leave them (yet wanting everything to work out for them in the end). This compelling story feels honest and real, heartwarming, yet also at times heartbreaking, and wholly immersive. I loved spending time in their world.

Scholastic Audio

P.S. I also loved the cover on this book!

You can listen to an audio sample at the Amazon link below:

TV Tuesday: Love

Back in the spring, I spent my lunchtimes (my "me" time!) watching a Netflix series called Love. I wasn't sure how much I liked it as first, but it grew on me, and I ended up enjoying the 10-episode first season. Love is basically a romantic comedy set in L.A., but it breaks from convention in every way possible.

In the very first episode, we meet Gus (played by Paul Rust), a nerdy but nice guy - maybe in his 30's? - who seems to have a very dull relationship with an overbearing girlfriend named Natalie. That doesn't last long, though, as Gus soon finds out that Natalie cheated on him and leaves her. Gus is at loose ends and seriously lacking in self-confidence. He works as an on-set math tutor for a spoiled child star on a corny TV show about witches in suburbia. He dreams of becoming a screenwriter and writing a script for the show himself.

In that first episode, Gus meets Mickey (played by Gillian Jacobs) at a convenience store, when Mickey realizes she forgot her wallet at home, and Gus offers to pay for her coffee and cigarettes. Mickey is Gus' opposite in every way - brash and outspoken, constantly swearing, and reckless. However, she is also in-between relationships (her drug-addicted on-again, off-again boyfriend has recently joined a cult) and feeling like her life is stalled. Mickey works as program manager at a satellite radio station, where her boss keeps flirting with her. In the second episode, Mickey finds a roommate to share her house: perky, sweet British Bertie (played adorably by Claudia O'Doherty).

Little by little, Gus and Mickey get to know each other and sort of - kind of - begin to date. This is not your typical romcom with a predictable chronology but a rocky, realistic story where neither of the main characters is quite sure where things are going. Sometimes, they seem to get along well and sometimes it seems like there is no way they will end up together.

The show was created by Judd Apatow, and although I'm not all that familiar with his work (Knocked Up, This is 40), from what I have heard, this show perfectly fits his typical style. It's somewhere between a drama and a comedy - it has plenty of amusing moments, but it is certainly not a sitcom. The characters really grew on me. I didn't like Mickey much at first - she is abrasive and often self-destructive. And I just wanted to shake Gus at times and tell him to stand up for himself. But over the course of the 10 episodes, as I got to know them, I liked them both more and more and was rooting for them to get their lives together. Of course, that hasn't happened yet, but I am looking forward to season 2.

Love is a Netflix original series so it is available exclusively on Netflix.

This trailer will give you a good idea of the tone and "feel" of the show:

Movie Monday: American Ultra

A few weeks ago, my husband and I had a rare weekend evening to ourselves, so we chose a movie - big occasion! We watched - and enjoyed - American Ultra, an action-filled movie with plenty of humor.

As the movie opens, Mike, played by Jesse Eisenberg, is living with his girlfriend, Phoebe, played by Kristen Stewart. Mike is clearly a stoner, working at the local convenience store in their small West Virginia town and getting stoned in his spare time (and sometimes at work, too). He seems to have some issues with anxiety, but Phoebe is supportive and Mike wants to ask her to marry him.

Their quiet, limited life changes in an instant when a woman comes into the convenience store where Mike is working and says some strange words to him. They make no sense to him (possibly because he is high again), and she leaves. Moments later, Mike goes out to the parking lot and sees two men planting a bomb under his car. They attack him, and his stoned lethargy drops in an instant as he easily kills both of them. He is left stunned, having no idea how he did that or what just happened.

It turns out (this is still early in the movie so no spoiler) that Mike is a sleeper agent for the CIA who has just been activated. Mayhem and hilarity ensue as two different factions race to get to Mike first, some of them bent on destroying him. Mike's CIA training is in conflict with his normal anxiety-ridden, stoned demeanor, as skills he didn't know he had kick into play.

This movie is just plain fun. The two lead actors (who were also together as a couple n Adventureland - a great movie) work very well together, and the supporting cast is very good, including Topher Grace and John Leguizamo. There are all kinds of secrets and surprises in store, both for the characters and for the viewers, so there is plenty of suspense to keep things moving. This is an action-packed movie which is not always my favorite thing, but in this case, it is paired beautifully with humor. So, yes, there is a LOT of gunfire, things blowing up, and other violent stuff here but set against Mike's typically chilled demeanor, there are also plenty of laughs and some warm moments, too. My husband and I both enjoyed this unique and fun rollercoaster ride of a movie.

We watched American Ultra on Amazon Prime, where it is currently free. It is also available on Netflix DVD (but not streaming). And it is on DVD.

The trailer kind of gives away a lot of the movie's best moments...but it is pretty funny, if you want to check it out:

It's Monday 9/12! What Are You Reading?

Life is slowly, gradually returning to normal here (or as close to normal as we ever get!). Our older son finally recovered from strep throat (a tough one given his immune disorder) and returned to school, though he did spend some time here this weekend resting. My husband is also mostly recovered from his nasty virus, though he still has some lingering symptoms, and is away on a business trip. And I am trying to get back into my normal routine & get caught up on writing and blogs.

Lots of great books this past week - here's what we've been reading:

• I finished my 5th Big Book of the Summer, The Many Lives of John Stone by Linda Buckley-Archer. This is a teen/YA novel with an intriguing concept. A modern-day British teen named Stella (but called Spark) gets a strange summer job, cataloging old journals going back to the days of Louis XIV in France. Her employer, John Stone, is an odd man who lives in a remote house with two other people. As Spark begins to unravel Stone's mysteries, she also begins to learn more about herself. It's an immersive and compelling mix of historical fiction and modern fiction, and I thoroughly enjoyed it (perfect for last weekend's readathon!)
• Next, I squeezed in a quick re-read of The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes, winner of the Man Booker Prize. I enjoyed it just as much the second time (review at the link), though I wasn't feeling well enough to go to the book discussion about it last week - very disappointing, as this is a very thoughtful book that just begs to be discussed!
• Now, I am reading another book group book, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell (my pick!), for my neighborhood book group this week. I am loving this intriguing book about a young woman who was locked away in an asylum for over 60 years. The novel slowly unravels her story while also looking at the life of her great-niece. It's been excellent so far.
• I finished listening to The Summer Guest by Alison Anderson, an adult novel on audio. Part of the story is told through an old diary, of a summer in 1888 in the Ukraine, when a family rents a cottage to the Chekhov family for the summer. The middle son, Anton, develops a strong friendship with Zinaida, one of the daughters on the estate who has recently become blind due to illness. In modern day London, Katya hopes that the diary will save her and her husband's struggling small publishing house. They hire Ana, a translator in France, to translate the diary, and Ana soon becomes engrossed in Zinaida's story and the implications that Anton Chekhov, known for his short stories and plays, might have written a novel. I was completely pulled into this story of another place and time and loved every minute of it.
• I am now listening to Drag Teen by Jeffrey Self (apparently, a "gay icon of the YouTube generation" - who knew?). It's a warm and funny story about a gay teen in Florida who feels like he doesn't fit in and desperately wants to go away to college. His boyfriend convinces him to enter a Drag Teen pageant in NYC that has a full 4-year scholarship as a prize. It's wonderful so far, with a great voice in its narrator, J.T. I am already rooting for him!
• My husband, Ken, finished Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel, a Father's Day gift from me that I want to read, too! It's about the discovery of a giant metal hand found buried in South Dakota, and the investigation that follows to determine its origins and meaning. This was one of the hottest new releases of the spring. He says it was very good, and he can't wait to read the next book in the series!
• Jamie, 22, has been re-reading a favorite series. He just bought Book 3 of the Gentleman Bastards series, The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch. So, of course, he went back to re-read book 1, The Lies of Locke Lamora, which is one of his favorite books of all time, and is now in the middle of book 2, Red Seas Under Red Skies. Now that he is feeling better and is back in school, his time for fun reading will probably decrease greatly.

Blog posts last week:

Movie Monday: Fall 2016 Movies Based on Books - so many to look forward to!

Middle-Grade/Teen Review: The Marvels by Brian Selznick - another amazing book by the award-winning author/illustrator!

Teen/YA Review: The Many Lives of John Stone by Linda Buckley-Archer - intriguing & original

2016 Big Book Summer Wrap-Up - what I read for the challenge this summer

What are you and your family reading this week?    

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, so head over and check out her blog and join the Monday fun! You can also participate in a kid/teen/YA version hosted by Unleashing Readers.

Remember if you participated in the Big Book Summer Reading Challenge, you have until the end of September to post your Big Book reviews and/or a challenge wrap-up on the challenge page! 

2016 Big Book Summer Wrap-Up

The 2016 Big Book Summer Challenge officially closed on Monday, Labor Day, but I needed to write a couple more reviews before I could write this wrap-up post.

I had a slow start this year, with far more reading obligations (book groups & paid reviews) getting in the way of reading my Big Books than usual. But I read like crazy in August - two long days of air travel and a 4-day readathon Labor Day weekend helped!

In the end, I finished 5 Big Books this summer, which I feel good about. All were from my TBR shelves (some that had languished there for years), so that makes me happy, too.

As a reminder, here are the 6 books I planned/hoped to read for the Big Book Challenge this summer:

I only got through four of these (the bottom four) but ended up reading an extra Big Book for a book group, so here is what I read for the 2016 Big Book Summer Challenge (reviews at the links):

• The Marvels by Brian Selznick, 665 pages (middle-grade)
• Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, 507 pages
• The Many Lives of John Stone by Linda Buckley-Archer, 444 pages (YA)
• The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater, 438 pages (YA)
• Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson, 460 pages

As always, the challenge was a lot of fun, and I was thrilled to finally get to some of these Big Books that have been collecting dust on my shelves!

What did YOU read this summer?

If you didn't join the Big Book Summer Challenge this year, I hope you will consider joining the fun next summer!