WWW Wednesday – August 25, 2021 – #wwwwednesday #bookishmemes

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Welcome to another week of WWW Wednesday, a weekly meme where bloggers share their weekly progress and plans for their future reading adventures. This meme is hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. I did finally finish my two books last week, so I actually have progress to report! Yay for me! Here we go!

The Three W’s are:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What have you just finished reading?
  • What will you read next?

What am I currently reading?

I’ve just barely started my new hard copy read of The Comfort of Monsters by Willa C. Richards. I took it with me to Kansas City but literally didn’t read one page. So we trudged back to Ozark together and I still haven’t picked it up this week. I definitely plan on diving into it today as much as possible.

On audio, I’m listening to Balli Kaur Jaswal’s new novel, The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters. I first read her novel from 2017, Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows. I read the latter back in October and positively loved it. To read my review, click here: Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows. So far, this one isn’t near as enjoyable, as it lacks that endearing but slightly raunchy wit of the first, and I haven’t really grown to love the characters yet. Honestly, I find I really dislike two of the three sisters and am very “meh” about the third. Yikes. I hope that I’m able to develop some affection for them since I’m only about a quarter of the way in.

What Have I just finished reading?

I finished two books at the end of last week before I left on my trip. My review for Nine Perfect Strangers was posted earlier this week, and you can find it here. I also finished my audiobook version of The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, but I haven’t gotten a review posted yet. I really enjoyed revisiting the world Alka Joshi created with The Henna Artist. I don’t think I liked this sequel quite as well as the first, but it was still a really worth-while read and did justice to the characters I’d grown to love. I should get my review posted tomorrow.

What Will I read next?

Next I’m going to read a historical fiction book I picked up from the library, The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake. I think I stumbled upon this one on the library’s website and thought it looked interesting and girl power-ish. On audio, I’m going to do something I’ve planned to do for a long time. I’m going to reread Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone! It’s the version narrated by Jim Dale and I can’t wait!

That’s all for me this week! Until we see each other again, happy reading!

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Top Ten Tuesday – Books I Wish I Could Read Again For the First Time – August 24, 2021

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Welcome to another TTT! This is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is books I wish I could visit again for the first time. In other words, experiencing them for the first time was such a powerful experience I wish I could reclaim that feeling. Of course, I could read them again but it wouldn’t pack the punch of that of the first time. I apologize if some of these lists have become repetitive. I’m often talking about favorites here, and some books apply to all! Here we go!

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

I know. I’ve done this one before. But I just love it. This book was my introduction to what became one of my favorite authors, and I just can’t describe the depth of emotion and awe it inspired. I’ve thought of reading it again, but I’m not sure it would feel the same as that first time. One day I will, however.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

This book really floored me when I read it the first time. The end reveal was just super explosive and I hadn’t seen it coming. I really enjoyed experiencing that for the first time, and I realize it wouldn’t be nearly as powerful on a second run. But, wow, was it fabulous at the time!

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This book really gives me all the feels. There’s a reason it consistently tops reader-voted lists of greatest books of all time and has for years. It’s a timeless narrative with a delightfully charming cast of characters. And really, people who have read this book just turn out to be good people, am I right? That first read through is very special, and it would be nice to experience that again.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This is another book with such a powerful message and a wonderfully rich cast of characters. Reading it for the first time was an absolute delight and I know I could never experience that again, but it would be really nice.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Reading the first of the Harry Potter books was an almost religious experience for a lot of people. It was the start of a decades long love affair that would alter the course of millions of lives, and I’m not really overdramatizing. These are the books that really instilled a love of reading into a new generation, and no matter how you feel about J.K. Rowling and the controversies surrounding her today, she should at least be given credit for that. Reading HP for the first time was a real privilege.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

This book was really the first classic that I truly grew to love. I think I learned so much from Jane and from her humble but steadfast strength. I think I saw a lot of myself in her, perhaps. Usually overlooked but always underestimated. I don’t for a second believe I really rose to my own potential the way Jane managed to do, but I still believe maybe one day I can have a little taste of that thanks to Jane. Revisiting her story the same way I did when I read it for the first time would be fabulous for me.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

To be fair, I feel like this is a book best suited for the topic “I Need to Read it Again, because I loved it but I’m not sure I completely understood it.” Either way, reading it for the first time was an awe inspiring and riveting experience. I positively love Mitchell’s work, though I haven’t read all of his novels, but this one was one of my favorites from what I’ve read. I will revisit it again one day but I know it will be a different experience from the first time.

Sophie’s Masterpiece by Eileen Spinelli, Illustrated by Jane Dyer

Ok, this one is a bit different. This is a children’s book I discovered while reading books to my daughter before bed. This one came in her monthly box from Literati, and I have to tell you this is one of the most beautiful and amazing children’s books I’ve ever read. Unfortunately, it really gives the feels and I found myself nearly sobbing while reading to my daughter, which could possibly be somewhat of a traumatic thing for a child to witness. I have since described this book to numerous people and I freaking cry every time I even talk about what it’s about! I don’t cry much so I find that very embarrassing, but this book really gets me. Seriously, go get a box of tissues and read this damn book even if you’re a grown ass adult with no children!!! *sniff sniff*

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

I realize John Irving isn’t for everyone, and I really get why. He’s just so… much! But this book touched me in ways I find hard to explain. I’m not sure reading it again would ever come close to capturing the essence of that first experience, but it was something special and heart wrenching. This is, by far, my favorite of his books.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

My first Backman. I laughed, I cried, I cried again, I laugh-cried. I can’t tell you how simultaneously enjoyable and painful my first reading of this was, but I would do it over again in a heartbeat, because I am a masochist. And I love Fredrik Backman. He can pummel my heart into a million pieces as often as he chooses and I will still come back for more.

That’s it for this edition of Top Ten Tuesday! I so enjoyed this one! I should have a review coming out tomorrow if I can get myself in gear long enough to sit down and get my thoughts typed up. Until then, happy reading!

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Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty – a Book Review

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Once again, I had an extremely busy weekend and was absent from both blogging and reading. I traveled to Kansas City for Planet Comic-Con with my sister, and it was so much fun! We stayed for three days and saw wonderful celebrity panels from a lot of our favorite shows, like Misha Collins and other cast members from Supernatural, Gaten Matarazzo from Stranger Things, William Zabka from Cobra Kai, and even Ariel and Pocahontas, Jodi Benson and Irene Bedard. We saw so many great cosplays both on the floor and at the contest on Saturday night. And the people in charge of the Con did a great job keeping people safe. Attendees were so gracious and respectful about masking and distancing to ensure we could all enjoy ourselves without worry. It was so nice to be able to get out and about again.

For one of my all-time favorite highlights with a celebrity guest, see this video. It was so cool to be there for this moment:

That was fun, wasn’t it? Now back to business! I’m back today with a review of one of the two books I finished before leaving town. What could I possibly say about Liane Moriarty? Honestly, she’s one of the few authors I believe hasn’t written a bad book. Some I liked more than others, but I didn’t dislike any of them. I was really excited for this book, but for some reason I just never really got around to it and then it sort of slipped off my radar. Now that I’ve finished it, I’ve completed all of the Moriarty library that’s already available to read!

Synopsis

Nine people, all seeking some sort of enlightenment, converge on the health resort called Tranquillum House for a 10 day rejuvenating getaway. There’s the aging romance novelist no longer in the prime of life or career, a retired footballer who no longer has the athletic physique, the single mum who was replaced by her husband with a newer model, the attorney addicted to health clubs who is avoiding difficult conversations with his spouse, the rich married couple with a gulf between them, and the family of three still reeling from devastating loss. They come looking to change their lives, but they never considered just what they could be walking into when they crossed the threshold at Tranquillum house.

Review

I notice a lot of other reviewers of Moriarty’s books, even those who are fans of her work, weren’t particularly enthused about this one. I looked on it much more kindly than most, I believe. But I feel like I understand what she was trying to do with this story. Some people think this book wasn’t about anything and had no real story. I disagree. Was it her best book? No, not even close.

First and foremost, Liane Moriarty has a particular gift that is difficult to match among other writers in her genre. She completely and truly understands her characters. She knows who they are, deep down within their souls, and she knows exactly how to bring them to readers in a way that facilitates our complete understanding of those characters. By the end of her novels, we feel as close to them as to members of our own family. Even in a book with a fairly sizable cast of characters, we’re never at risk of getting them mixed up because each is unique and special in their own super defined way. They are so flawlessly imperfect they feel like real flesh and blood humans versus the creative imaginings of a brilliant human.

My favorite of all these characters is Frances, the romance novelist who is reeling from heartbreak and humiliation in both her personal and professional lives. Though naive, Frances is infinitely lovable and funny. She’s the kind of character who manages to charm you despite all her flaws. Frankly, all of the characters in this book one could say that about. Even Masha, who is at times positively detestable, is characterized by such an intense vulnerability that you can’t help but feel for her. And once we learn her backstory, we are much more capable of understanding how she came to be the complicated tragic figure she is. She’s also proof that there’s so much more to the concept of “wellness” than we humans believe. Smoothies, spa treatments, and micro-dosing with weird shit can only lead to so much enlightenment if we haven’t really faced our inner demons.

True enlightenment comes from human connection built upon making ourselves vulnerable and accessible to one another, as well as an understanding that we all share something infinitely more powerful than any external meditative force. In today’s world of social media and much more shallow and tenuous relationships, we all tend to put on a front. We show the world what we think the world wants to see versus what we really have to offer. In doing so, we hide the greatest parts of ourselves. That’s really such a shame, because we’re all so truly beautiful without all the artifice.

Moriarty’s books, this one being no exception, also has something else I like. They are always very humorous. I find myself smiling and laughing a lot throughout the whole thing. At the same time, she doesn’t shy away from really difficult topics. Her books are real life. They are laughter and tears mixed about in a big vat of reality. No one goes untouched by difficulties of some sort. We are all the sum of a variety of different experiences, the bad and the good. I love that, and it makes her books infinitely more powerful.

There’s a tiny bit of mystery to this book. Occasionally there are some shocking moments that keep readers in suspense. But, overall, it’s a very human story about people who are all searching for the sense of place that they have lost over the years and finding it with each other. I think other readers wanted the intense read of a Liane Moriarty thriller. This isn’t really that type of book, which disappointed some of her ardent fans. I, however, have always felt Moriarty’s books are much more human-centered. Beneath the excitement and intrigue, there’s human fallibility. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to Moriarty’s next release, Apples Never Fall, coming in September! 4 Stars from me!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Published November 6, 2018 by Flatiron Books. ISBN 1250069823. 453 pages.

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Shelf Control: Episode 1 – August 18, 2021

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

I’m introducing a new Wednesday meme since I really haven’t had much book review progress this week! This one is called Shelf Control, and it’s hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. The concept is to pick a book that you’ve had on your shelf for a while but haven’t read and do a little feature on it. I have sooooo many books at home that I’ve set aside for a rainy day. If you’re like me, you keep patronizing the library and have a constant stream of new reads, so you completely neglect the books you have at home. For the last few months of this year, I’m absolutely determined to tackle some of these dusty, lonely books. For my first episode today, I have the perfect one to feature!

Today’s shelf control pick is:

The Master by Colm Toibin

Synopsis: “‘Colm Tóibín’s beautiful, subtle illumination of Henry James’s inner life’ (The New York Times) captures the loneliness and hope of a master of psychological subtlety whose forays into intimacy inevitably fail those he tried to love.

Beautiful and profoundly moving, The Master tells the story of Henry James, a man born into one of America’s first intellectual families who leaves his country in the late nineteenth century to live in Paris, Rome, Venice, and London among privileged artists and writers. With stunningly resonant prose, ‘The Master is unquestionably the work of a first-rate novelist: artful, moving, and very beautiful’ (The New York Times Book Review). The emotional intensity of this portrait is riveting.”

Why I chose it: I chose The Master because it’s been on my shelf for a really long time. It’s a book published in 2004, and this version is a 2005 edition, and it’s probably been on my shelf for that long. It’s moved in boxes to a couple of different houses with me. I have it on my list to pick up ASAP, and I’d already decided on it for my reading challenge pick of “A book you own but haven’t read.”

I positively love Henry James. The Turn of the Screw has long been one of my favorite psychological horror novels. My son is named Henry, partly after Henry James. But if you ask my husband it’s because of Superman. Please don’t tell him the truth and blow my cover.

There you have it! That’s my shelf control pick for this week. What’s one book on your shelf that you’ve been really wanting to finally get to. Which one calls to you from it’s place late at night when your brain is fighting sleep? Feel free to share in the comments.

HAPPY READING!

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WWW Wednesday – August 18, 2021 – #wwwwednesday #bookishmemes

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Welcome to another week of WWW Wednesday, a weekly meme where bloggers share their weekly progress and plans for their future reading adventures. This meme is hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. Sadly, I do not have much to report this week. I went on a girls’ trip this weekend, which was super fun but I didn’t get any reading time at all. The rest of the week has been fairly busy with school being about to start up again next week. Consequently, this will be a very short post.

The Three W’s are:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What have you just finished reading?
  • What will you read next?

What am I currently reading?

Positively no news. I’m still reading The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and Nine Perfect Strangers. Both are extremely good, and I have made progress. I was honestly hoping to finish both of them by this morning, but I didn’t quite make it. By the end of the day, I should have them both finished.

What have I just finished reading?

Errr…. I finished reading the instructions for setting up my new coffee maker. Does that count???

What will I read next?

Nothing really new here to report either. I will pick up The Comfort of Monsters by Willa C. Richards in hardback. And I’m still planning to start A Promised Land by Barack Obama even though my friend who is reading it now mentioned the audiobook is almost 30 hours long. *gulp* I usually shy away from audiobooks that long and opt for the hardback book, so keep me in your thoughts. I just really want to hear this one in Obama’s own voice. Maybe I’ll break it up and have a second shorter audiobook going so that I don’t get fatigued. We shall see.

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Top Ten Tuesday – Favorite Places to Read

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Welcome to another Top Ten Tuesday. This series is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and features a new topic each week, chosen by the host. This week’s topic is Top Ten Favorite Places to Read. What are your favorite places to get some reading time? Here are mine:

  1. Bed: This is one of my most common reading places. I’ve recently gotten back into the habit of getting a few chapters in before I turn in at night.
  2. Car: Honestly, I get a very huge chunk of my reading done during my commute. And no, I’m not one of those annoying drivers who puts a book on the steering wheel and threatens to kill people. I do a lot of audiobooks! If it weren’t for audio, I wouldn’t have near as much reading time as I do.
  3. My library (working): I spend a lot of time shelving legal books and pocket parts, which can be a pretty monotonous task, so I generally have an audiobook going while I work. It’s definitely a way to be personally productive while also being professionally productive.
  4. My back deck: I love to sit outside on nice days on the back deck with a good book. It’s been way too hot lately, but in the Spring I did a fair amount of this when I could, though my opportunities are very limited.
  5. Comfy chair: I do a fair amount of reading in my rocking chair in the living room or curled up on the couch. If I’m home and not in bed, that’s typically where I am.
  6. Coffee shop or cafe: If I’m out to lunch or just have some time to kill, I’ll generally take myself to a coffee shop for some reading time.
  7. Poolside: Let’s face it, this doesn’t really happen very often. If I’m at a pool, I’m with my kids in the water with them or constantly being disrupted by them calling for my attention. But, if the opportunity comes, I enjoy it.
  8. Park or other scenic spot: Another thing that I don’t do nearly enough. I enjoy going out to a park or a lakeside and finding a cozy spot, maybe with a blanket and reading in the quiet while soaking in the fresh air.
  9. At the gym: This is another audiobook spot. I have trouble exercising when I have nothing to do, so I often take that opportunity to tune into my audiobooks. I’ll bring an actual book sometimes, but it can be hard to focus depending on what I’m doing, so audio generally works best.
  10. While doing housework: I’ll often turn an audiobook on my phone while I’m moving about the house doing dishes, laundry, or other housework. It makes an enjoyable task somewhat enjoyable and gives me some reading progress as an added bonus.

There you have it! Those are my favorite reading spots. What about you? What’s your favorite place to curl up with a book? Feel free to share in the comments.

Happy Reading!

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TBR Thursday: Episode 10 – August 12, 2021

Posted on August 12, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Today I begin my TBR adventure at 499 books. Here we go!

22

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Synopsis: “The plot centers round Mary Lennox, a young English girl who returns to England from India, having suffered the immense trauma by losing both her parents in a cholera epidemic. However, her memories of her parents are not pleasant, as they were a selfish, neglectful and pleasure-seeking couple. Mary is given to the care of her uncle Archibald Craven, whom she has never met. She travels to his home, Misselthwaite Manor located in the gloomy Yorkshire, a vast change from the sunny and warm climate she was used to. When she arrives, she is a rude, stubborn and given to stormy temper tantrums. However, her nature undergoes a gradual transformation when she learns of the tragedies that have befallen her strict and disciplinarian uncle whom she earlier feared and despised. Once when he’s away from home, Mary discovers a charming walled garden which is always kept locked. The mystery deepens when she hears sounds of sobbing from somewhere within her uncle’s vast mansion. The kindly servants ignore her queries or pretend they haven’t heard, spiking Mary’s curiosity.”

Verdict: This is one of those classics I’ve always had on my list to read. I’m definitely keeping it on here.

KEEP

145

Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer

Synopsis: “In the summer of 1957, Frances and Bernard meet at an artists’ colony. She finds him faintly ridiculous, but talented. He sees her as aloof, but intriguing. Afterward, he writes her a letter. Soon they are immersed in the kind of fast, deep friendship that can take over—and change the course of—our lives.

From points afar, they find their way to New York and, for a few whirling years, each other. The city is a wonderland for young people with dreams: cramped West Village kitchens, rowdy cocktail parties stocked with the sharp-witted and glamorous, taxis that can take you anywhere at all, long talks along the Hudson River as the lights of the Empire State Building blink on above.”

Verdict: I do not remember adding this one at all. It would appear this is an epistolary novel that was inspired by the real life correspondence between the writers Flannery O’Connor and Robert Lowell. That, alone, is intriguing. Based on the reviews, though the average isn’t really that great at 3.68, it would appear maybe it’s one that I would like. I’m going to tentatively keep it for now.

KEEP

467

Song of All Songs by Donna Dechen Birdwell (Earthcycles #1)

Synopsis: “Long after the apocalypse, Earth has repeopled itself. Twice.

Despised by her mother’s people and demeaned by her absent father’s legacy, Meridia has one friend—Damon, an eccentric photologist. When Damon shows Meridia a stone he discovered in an old photo bag purchased from a vagrant peddler, she is transfixed. There’s a woman, she says, a dancing woman. And a song. Can a song contain worlds? Oblivious of mounting political turmoil, the two set out to find the old peddler, to find out what he knows about the stone, the woman, and the song. But marauding zealots attack and take Damon captive. Meridia is alone. Desolate. Terrified. Yet determined to carry on, to pursue the stone’s extraordinary song, even as it lures her into a journey that will transform her world.”

Verdict: There are very few reviews, but they are very good. One review, alone, made me decide this book is probably for me. I’m going to keep it and hope I can get a hold of it at some point.

KEEP

54

The Art of Steampunk by Art Donovan, et al.

Synopsis: “The Art of Steampunk seeks to celebrate the world of Steampunk: a world filled with beauty and innovation.  A world in which steam power and technology intertwine to create machines that are not only functional and practical, but unique and striking.  

 Inside, you will find the fantastical and stunning artwork of Steampunk artists from around the world.  The 17 artists featured on these pages, among the frontrunners of the Steampunk genre, have had their work displayed at an exhibition at The Museum of History of Science at the University of Oxford, UK and have attracted the media attention of BoingBoing, one of the world’s largest blogs.  Their artwork consists of everything from clocks and watches to light fixtures and jewelry, but every piece demonstrates hours of painstaking work and devotion from its creator.  You will find that the artists themselves are just as unique and colorful as their masterpieces.  Fully embracing Steampunk ideology, many have adopted a Victorian alter ego—a mad scientist persona to match the complicated intricacies of their artwork.”

Verdict: While this does look interesting, and I do enjoy steampunk, I mainly like it for the fiction. This it the type of book I’d probably pick up in a bookstore and peruse to see the images, but I don’t really feel the need to keep it on here to seek it out. I’ll remove it.

REMOVE

91

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Synopsis: “Twelve-year-old CeeCee is in trouble. For years she’s been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille— the crown-wearing, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town. Though it’s 1967 and they live in Ohio, Camille believes it’s 1951 and she’s just been crowned the Vidalia Onion Queen of Georgia.

The day CeeCee discovers Camille in the front yard wearing a tattered prom dress and tiara as she blows kisses to passing motorists, she knows her mother has completely flipped. When tragedy strikes, Tootie Caldwell, a previously unknown great-aunt comes to CeeCee’s rescue and whisks her away to Savannah. Within hours of her arrival, CeeCee is catapulted into a perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricities—a world that appears to be run entirely by women.”

Verdict: For some reason, I’m not really feeling this one at the moment. I’m not really in the mood for sugary sweet. I think I’ll remove it.

REMOVE

Well, there you have it! I kept three reads and removed two leaving me with a total of 497 heading into next week. Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading !

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WWW Wednesday – August 11, 2021 – #wwwwednesday #bookishmemes

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Welcome to another week of WWW Wednesday, a weekly meme where bloggers share their weekly progress and plans for their future reading adventures. This meme is hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. Sam has been taking a brief hiatus from her postings as a new mama adjusting, so swing by her page and tell her congrats!

The Three Ws are:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What have you just finished reading?
  • What will you read next?

What am I currently reading?

I’m currently reading the last book (that’s already published) in the Liane Moriarty library. I’ve loved all her other books, and so far I’m really enjoying Nine Perfect Strangers as well. I should finish it by this Friday, more than likely. On audio, I’m getting to revisit Lakshmi and crew from Alka Joshi’s The Henna Artist with the sequel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur. I hadn’t realized how much I missed these characters, and I’m really enjoying this followup book.

What have I just finished reading?

This week I posted reviews for The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin and Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi. I was pleasantly surprised, though a little confused, by Peaces. But Nature of Witches left me very underwhelmed and disappointed. You can click on their titles to read my reviews.

What will I read next?

Next, I’m going to pick up a book I got from the library called The Comfort of Monsters by Willa C. Richards. I’m not really sure what I’ll pick up on audio, but I’m considering going ahead and doing A Promised Land by Barack Obama on Audible. I’ve been on hold for it for a really long time through the library, and I want to use it as my Nonfiction bestseller for my reading challenge. If I’m still really far down on the list, I’ll use a credit for it.

There you have it for this week! What have you been reading? And what’s next for you? Feel free to share your posts. Until next time, happy reading!

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The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin – a Book Review

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

I had such high hopes for this book. First of all, the cover had me entranced. It’s quite lovely and really sparks curiosity. Sadly, upon reading it I found it didn’t live up to my expectations and didn’t live up to the hype. Also… warning to you, but this review gets very snarky. I promise you I’m not a mean person.

Synopsis

In the Universe of The Nature of Witches, witches have lived alongside non-magic humans, called shaders, for centuries. Witches have controlled the climate using power from the sun, and each single witch’s power peaks during the season in which they are born. Clara is an Everwitch, a witch of immense power whose power has no peak but who can control the weather in all seasons. The problem? Clara’s power targets those she loves the most with disastrous consequences. Living a solitary existence, Clara wishes her power away, despite knowing that her power is vital to saving humanity as the climate becomes more erratic due to the shaders’ past irresponsible behaviors. When Clara falls in love with a fellow student visiting from another school, she will have a choice to make. Will she allow her power to be stripped, saving the boy she loves and allowing herself to be with him, or will she further isolate herself in order to hone her powers and save humanity?

Review

In the essence of being totally fair, I first want to talk about what worked for me, because this novel has a lot of positive aspects. Firstly, it’s a unique take on the popular witch tale that blends together the classic themes of witching with a naturalist approach, pulling in current events with the climate change tie-in. It’s true that our ecosystems have their own systems of checks and balances, and human behaviors do a lot of damage to these systems when we disrupt the natural order. Using witches and their powers as natural guardians for the planet is quite clever, and that’s one of the things that most excited me about this book.

There were also some lovely passages and lovely scenes. I especially liked the way Sang and Clara left messages for one another with the flowers during a period where Clara felt the need to distance herself from him for his safety. Both understanding the symbolism behind each plant, they were able to communicate without actually meeting. This was a beautiful concept, and it made me feel like I was misjudging Clara, because it’s the one time I felt like I was really seeing an important part of who she was. But for the rest of the book I basically couldn’t stand her.

That brings me to what I didn’t like, and it was typically wrapped up in Clara’s character. She was a snotty little brat most of the time who sat around feeling sorry for herself. Sure, she acted as if she was doing it to protect other people, but she never tried to figure out what to actually do about it without hurting other people mentally and emotionally. And, seriously, you basically know that the fate of the entire world rests on your shoulders and you’re the only one who can save the entire planet, and you would even consider stripping yourself of that power just so you can have a boyfriend? Truly, how selfish and irrational can one person be? If this seemed to be just a momentary phase in this book, I may have overlooked it. But it just so happened to be the main conflict, which slowed the pace and made the whole thing seem monotonous and infuriating. Consequently, I never really grew to like Clara at all, and I tended to celebrate when one of the other characters called her out for her ridiculous behavior. Both Sang and Paige were much more compelling characters, and they both deserved better than Clara if I’m being honest. I didn’t actually feel a connection between Clara and anyone, including Sang. I realize this all comes across as a little harsh, because I do understand that Clara had been through some devastating losses in her life for which she felt responsible. And I do realize this was her reckoning with her past and her future, figuring out her place. But there were simply things I couldn’t overlook.

Speaking of monotonous, the love story. Perhaps I am over the whole YA romance genre in general. Maybe I just don’t remember what it was like to be young and “in love” and over the moon with someone for the first time. I am, after all, a 37 year old woman and I’ve just passed my 15th year of marriage, so perhaps I’m jaded. I understand that’s a powerful feeling and young people have a hard time setting that aside to focus on, I don’t know… the coming apocalypse or something trivial like that. But if you are facing the coming apocalypse and can’t stop getting distracted by the fire in your loins, get out of the way and let someone else take over the hero stuff, because you’re going to get me killed. And I don’t like that. Don’t get me wrong, I realize a lot of people like this concept in fiction and find it swoon worthy. That’s just not me. I’m way too cynical and get annoyed easily with the mushy stuff when it distracts from the plot. I was told she was head over heels in love with Sang, but for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why. They didn’t have much chemistry. I could kind of see why she liked him, but I couldn’t see what attracted him to her. She was kind of a jerk for more than half the book.

Ok, now I have to touch on my biggest problem of the whole book, and in doing that I have to give away the end. I’m so sorry, but I found the ending so laughable I couldn’t contain myself. So here’s your warning…

I’M ABOUT TO COMPLETELY SPOIL THIS BOOK!!!!! STOP READING IF YOU MUST RIGHT HERE!!!

I’m sorry, but once I realized this, I could not stop finding it funny. Clara had to reset herself and then everything was fixed. Just like that. The eclipse drained other witches of their power completely, but Clara was the only exception to the rule. In her case, there was a bug in her software and she needed to reboot. And she was way too willing to try this despite the fact it was barely a theory (which she had just read for the first time about 30 minutes before), and if it didn’t work everyone on Earth was screwed. Alas, all was fine and everyone got what they wanted, the world was saved, and Clara hopefully gets to satiate that sexual frustration before she winds up blowing up the world herself with the sheer force of her explosive desire. Oh, Happy day! It was all just terribly convenient for me, and I had trouble buying it.

I also consider myself a very environmentally conscious person, and I thought Sang’s little project of finding a way to murder weeds without causing them the pain of pulling them was utterly ridiculous. A very petty issue, but it made me do a fair amount of rolling my eyes. I love the Earth, but WEEDS??? Again… harsh, I know.

Anyway, I know my reaction isn’t typical. I know this book is getting rave reviews among readers, making me the exception rather than the rule, but this just wasn’t the book for me.

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Published June 1, 2021 by Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 1728229421. 384 pages.

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Top Ten Tuesday – Secondary Character Edition

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Amy @ A Librarian and Her Books

Welcome to another Top Ten Tuesday. This meme is hosted by Jana, otherwise known as That Artsy Reader Girl. Today’s topic surrounds side characters in books who didn’t get enough air time and deserve their own book. Wow, this one is a bit challenging, but I’m looking forward to revisiting some of my past reads.

Brutus Howell, The Green Mile by Stephen King

Admittedly, this one really has much more to do with the movie than it does the book. The adaptation for The Green Mile was hands down one of the best I’ve ever seen, and it really goes down to the casting across the board. Michael Clarke Duncan was just perfection as John Coffey. But there was something about the way David Morse played Brutus that simply made me love him. Maybe it’s the kindness of his face, but when I finally got around to reading the book, it was, of course, Morse I pictured even though he’s not particularly what’s described as the character in the book, though his demeanor matches quite well.

Uncle Willy “Unc” from Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin

To be fair, this book is very much about Uncle Willy, but we don’t really get his perspective except for his brief “Willyisms” that are so full of wisdom. Maybe it’s better to see his character through the eyes of someone else, as Uncle Willy is extremely humble, but that also means there’s so much more going on in his head. His story is so incredibly heartbreaking, but we don’t really get to immerse ourselves in the true depth of his emotion.

Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Ok, I couldn’t NOT do this one. For some reason, I always had much more of an affinity for Neville than any other character. He’s just so wonderful, quirky, and authentic. I think it would be great to get something from Neville’s point of view.

Mogget from The Abhorsen series (Old Kingdom) by Garth Nix

I positively adored Mogget. In the books, he mostly appears as a snarky white cat, an extremely powerful being trapped in the body of a small furry companion. I listened to this whole series, which is expertly narrated by Tim Curry, and his voicing for Mogget was literally the most spectacular thing about the books. I would trek across the universe for something from his perspective.

Rosie from Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

As you can see, I’m fond of the animal’s perspective. This would be a very different kind of book seeing things from the perspective of Rosie. Rosie was the elephant, and if you’ve read this book, you know she plays an incredibly pivotal role in the novel. How fascinating it would be to see things through the eyes of such a remarkable and intelligent creature who sees all and isn’t able to truly communicate her feelings.

Rocky from Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

If you haven’t read this book, I don’t want to spoil anything. But Rocky was my favorite character and I positively loved him. I think things would be fascinating from his perspective. Also, if you haven’t read this, go read it right now!

Deborah from The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

This is a rather interesting one. Deborah is a bit of an absent character in the novel. She’s the dead mother of Lily Owens, and the novel follows Lily’s quest to find out what really happened to her mother. I think it would be interesting to read a prequel from Deborah’s perspective, but I think this could also work from T. Ray’s perspective, Lily’s father. Either way, you have a character whose depth we haven’t really fully explored.

Margo from Paper Towns by John Green

Ok, now this one isn’t for the reason you think. While I liked this novel, I did NOT like Margo. But I think this really comes down to the fact that I didn’t really understand her. Perhaps seeing things a little bit from her perspective would help with this issue, so she is still one who comes to mind. Perhaps I wouldn’t feel so detached from her and wouldn’t judge her so harshly for her selfishness.

Lou Carmody from NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

I really liked Lou in this book. I thought he was somewhat of a moral center, from what I can remember. It’s been a while. Though he wasn’t perfect, he was someone Vic could actually count on. I think his perspective would be unique and endearing, though maybe not quite right for a horror novel, because he’s just too timid and good natured.

Richie from The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

This is a great opportunity for O’Leary to do a companion book. Richie’s story is so full of things that we just get a periphery glance at. And, sure, we do get the finalization of his story, so to read a book about him we would be going into it knowing what inevitably happens, but it would be really great to get the context and the in-between stuff, and it would be great to get to know Richie in a way that isn’t just phone calls and letters and a brief part at the end of The Flatshare. He’s a great character who is enigmatic, and we could see both where he goes after the novel and all the stuff that happened before to land him in prison.

And that’s it! Those are my choices for secondary characters who need a story of their own. Hope you enjoyed, and I look forward to hearing your choices as well. Happy Reading!

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