The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

4 Stars

"On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein bites into her mother's homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother's emotions in the slice..." (Taken from RandomHouse.)

So, I keep vacillating on how to rate this book. The story line that follows Rose and her journey through coping with the unusual ability to read people through the food they make is interesting and poignant. And Aimee Bender's writing emphasizes Rose's solitude and internal struggles, making it much more meaningful as she gains each small triumph. HOWEVER, the story takes a huge (not to mention really bizarre) turn with Rose's older brother. (He can turn into a chair. Okay, that's an over-simplification as well as a spoiler, but it's more or less the gist.) I really, really enjoyed most of the book, but I felt like Bender pushes the suspended disbelief way too far, and that was so distracting that it ruined the book for me. Her writing was intriguing, though, so I would consider trying a different book.

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

8 Stars (-2 for mild language and one pretty racy scene)

"When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to Brooklyn squalor, she quickly begins a secret double life: exceptional schoolgirl during the day, Chinatown sweatshop worker in the evenings. Disguising the more difficult truths of her life--the staggering degree of her poverty, the weight of her family's future resting on her shoulders, her secret love for a factory boy who shares none of her talent or ambition--Kimberly learns to constantly translate not just her language but herself, back and forth, between the worlds she straddles." (Taken from Jean Kwok's web site.)

I found this book fascinating. I think it translates well (no pun intended) to any person emigrating to somewhere new. The cultural difference that Kimberly faces is often met with misunderstanding and even beligerence. But I love Kwok's ability to make a reader unfamiliar with Chinese culture feel companionship and sympathy for the two women's plight as well as inspired by their courage and integrity. There are so many great things about this book, but the content (though not excessive) is still enough of an issue that I couldn't recommend it to everyone. It was definitely a thought-provoking and well-written read.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

3 Stars (-2 for language and sex)

"If Naomi had picked tails, ... she wouldn't have had to go back for the yearbook camera, and she wouldn't have hit her head on the steps. She wouldn't have woken up in an ambulance with amnesia. She certainly would have remembered her boyfriend, Ace. She might even have remembered why she fell in love with him in the first place. ... She'd know about her mom's new family. She'd know about her dad's fiancée. She never would have met James ... and she'd understand why her best friend, Will, keeps calling her 'Chief'. But Naomi picked heads."

Yeah. This could have been a fascinating read about a girl with no memory of her immediate past, who gets a second chance to redefine herself and be who she wants to be; who has better relationships with those around her, and comes to understand and appreciate all the good in her life. I know, it SOUNDS like an interesting book, right? Sadly, wrong. It was NOT interesting. It was driveling. There were a very few bright points in Zevin's writing (she obviously has some talent--wish she'd kept at it until the rest of it came up to par!), and it was a predictably sappy teen novella. Boo. Don't bother. And based on this book, I would be hesitant to pick up anything else by this author, as well.

Chalice by Robin McKinley

8 Stars

"As the newly appointed Chalice, Mirasol is the most important member of the Master’s Circle. It is her duty to bind the Circle, the land, and its people together with their new Master. But the new Master of Willowlands is a Priest of Fire, only drawn back into the human world by the sudden death of his brother. No one knows if it is even possible for him to live amongst his people. Mirasol wants the Master to have his chance, but her only training is as a beekeeper. How can she help settle their demesne during these troubled times and bind it to a Priest of Fire, the touch of whose hand can burn human flesh to the bone?" (Taken from this site.)

This is probably the best new fantasy I have read in a LONG time. It is imaginative, thought-provoking, and heartfelt. It is also full of McKinley's organically lyrical writing and avid descriptions. I would happily live in this world she's created, and can readily identify with several of the characters, though we have few life experiences in common. The only reason I gave it 8 instead of 9 stars is because there is no direct timeline, so it's a little confusing to get into at first. Eventually, I appreciated the flow this gave the book, but I recognize it could be off-putting to readers. And, as with all of McKinley's books, I felt it just the tiniest bit lacking in the "ending" department; but I would readily read it again, and only hope that the somewhat open-ending will encourage her to write more in this setting!

The Dream-Web Diary of Gwenevere Stoker by Laura Stoddard

5 Stars

Gwenevere Stoker is a lonely young girl, haunted by an accident that changed her life two years before. Every night she escapes into her dreams, grateful for the break from her miserable reality. Until she discovers that someone is infiltrating her Dream-Web (the place where all her dreams reside) and stealing her Dream Orbs. She must find out who is wreaking havoc on her dreams, while learning to face her past.

This was an interesting read. The author is very imaginative, and her descriptions of the dreams have just the right balance of reality and bizarreness that they feel very much like real dreams. However, I found the book a little too graphic for younger readers (Gwen is supposed to be 12, so I assume the book is geared to that age-group; I think it would be too much for anyone younger than that), and not well-written enough to appeal to a much older audience. I also found it somewhat heavy-handed in the handling of some of the more mature themes, and was a little put off by the apparently unconsidered ramifications of the actions of a couple of characters. If you are interested in dreams as a topic, you will find it an intriguing read, but I wouldn't otherwise recommend it.

Favorite Tales from Grimm by Mercer Mayer

7 Stars

Wow. I feel like I've been giving lots of sevens lately... Maybe I need to vary up my reading lists a little. :?

If you like the Grimm fairy tales, I can safely recommend this collection. It includes many of the better-known ones (like The Sleeping Beauty), but even the ones that were lesser known were good picks: readable, likable, and just a little bit, well, grim. ;D There is no author credited, so I assume they are just basic translations, but the telling is concise without being abrupt and lyrical without being overly flowery. It's also a little more "kid-friendly", shall we say, as the most gruesome parts have been toned down a touch; but it still holds it's medieval/archaic brutality to a certain degree. And, of course, the book is sprinkled with Mayer's lovely watercolor paintings. In their subtle browns and otherworldliness they fit the feel of the tales to a tee.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond

7 Stars

So, surprisingly, I read this entire cookbook cover to cover. I can't say as that has ever been something I'd expect me to do, but Ree Drummond's outrageous sense of humor (not to mention her gorgeous photography of her rural home) kept me interested even through lists of ingredients. Drummond started out as a blogger and found such a positive response for her recipes listed there that she created this book. It isn't a book I could recommend to everyone as a COOKbook, as she has pretty much only "hearty" fair (read, meat and potatoes or lots of sugar and butter), but there were several recipes I'd like to try, and of the ones I DID try, all were keepers. It would be a GREAT cookbook for beginners, not only because it keeps the process interesting, but because Drummond photographs and explains EVERY step, making it very easy to follow even the more complex recipes. And, come on, any author that begins her acknowledgments page with, "I loved writing this cookbook. It made me happy. And chubby." is worth the read. Check it out! (Oh, and in case you are wondering, her cinnamon rolls are to DIE FOR. As in, even non-diabetics may be sent into a sugar coma by eating just one. But, YUM.)

Austenland by Shannon Hale

7 Stars

"When her great-aunt bequeaths her a trip to a role-playing resort called Austenland, Jane must discover whether playing dress-up in Regency clothes can cure her of her [Mr. Darcy] obsession and help her find real love, once and for all." (Synopsis taken from the Superfast Reader.)

This was a GREAT book for anyone who loves chick lit. It's clean, it's funny, the heroine is quirky and likable, and it's a quick, fun read. There are a couple of "awkward" moments that some might not enjoy (*ahem, Ashley* ;D ), but it was still pretty recommend-able. The best part about it, to me, is that Hale actually manages to keep you on your toes about how it's all going to end. Ultimate moral of the story: Hale writes better youth-oriented books, BUT I'll continue seeking her out.

Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography by Daniel Handler

6 Stars

"Lemony Snicket here becomes the subject of a fictional autobiography, with an introduction from a fictionalized version of Daniel Handler. Snicket is a harried, troubled writer and researcher falsely accused of felonies and continuously hunted by the police and his enemies. As a child, he was kidnapped and inducted as a "neophyte" into V.F.D. where he was trained in rhetoric and sent on seemingly pointless missions while all connections to his former life were severed." This autobiography gives the reader insight into all of Snicket's notes on the Baudelaire orphans, as well as collections of photographs, and resources concerning the ever-elusive V.F.D. (Taken partially from Wikipedia.)

This book is ridiculously amusing (a phrase which here means both humorous and very silly). If you haven't read any of The Series of Unfortunate Events, you may have to prepare yourself before reading this. But, it won't make any more sense if you do. This biography does give one opportunity to wonder if maybe the whole series wasn't thought up along the ride, after all, though...frightening and perplexing thought. I could readily recommend this to anyone who enjoys Snicket's bizarre humor.

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

6 Stars (-1 for VERY mild language, and suggestive material)

"Mormon housewife Becky Jack is seven months pregnant with her fourth child when she meets celebrity heartthrob Felix Callahan. A few hours, one elevator ride, and one alcohol-free dinner later something has happened, though nothing has happened...It isn't sexual. It isn't even quite love. But soon Felix shows up in Salt Lake City to visit and before they know what's hit them, Felix and Becky are best friends... Becky's loving and devoted husband, Mike, is mostly unconcerned. Her children roll their eyes. Her large extended family and neighbors gossip endlessly. But Felix and Becky have something special, something unusual, something that seems...completely impossible to sustain." (Taken from the inside cover.)

This was one of the strangest books I've ever read because it's interesting, it talks about some things that are deeply important, it made me laugh out loud, and it made me cry at the tender moments--and I still could not tell you if I really ENJOYED it. Madeleine L'Engle indicated (in "A Circle of Quiet") that art should teach us some things about ourselves and our world and help us to better understand. If that is the true test, then I could say that reading this book WAS beneficial. On the other hand, there were several places where the writing was less than stellar (not up to Hale's usual par), and also lots of moments that were downright uncomfortable to read. Her characters feel very real (perhaps that explains some of the situational discomfort), and I can relate to a lot of their experiences and apparent emotional reactions to those experiences. But it's still not a book I'd recommend to just anyone.

Letters from the Corrugated Castle by Joan W Blos

4 Stars

"The year is 1850, and orphaned Eldora with her "Aunt" and "Uncle" have exchanged their quiet lives in New Bedford Massachusetts, for new ones in San Francisco,, the rapidly growing city that is the heart of the California Gold Rush. Shortly after their arrival, they receive a letter from an unknown woman who believes she is Eldora's mother, and is eager to meet her long-lost daughter. As Eldora deals with her conflicting feelings about this news, she must also adjust to the challenges--and dangers--of living in a brash and growing city."

Though this book had great potential for interest (how many of us might wonder about a child's perspective of that unique and bizarre moment in history?), I feel it ultimately fell flat. Told through letters from several of the characters back and forth, it just wasn't very intriguing. There are inconsistencies in the timing of events, the characters don't ring true, and all the mystery is handled in a way that sucks all the interest out. The same author has apparently received a Newberry for one of her other books (along the same lines--historical fiction, written through "letters"), but after the bore this one presented, I have to say, it would take a pretty high recommendation to get me to bother with it.

A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L'Engle

9 Stars

"Every so often I need out--away from all these people I love most in the world--in order to regain a sense of proportion. My special place is a small brook in a green glade, a circle of quiet from which there is no visible sign of human beings. . . . [there] I move slowly into a kind of peace that is indeed marvelous, annihilating all that's made to a green thought in a green shade." (Taken from the text.)

I have a hard time classifying this as a biography--it is a series of sketches from Madeleine L'Engle's life. But, she explores so much more than her own life here that "biography" just doesn't quite cut it. She weaves in stories from all ages in a seemingly random pattern and then ties them all in to a gorgeous tapestry of words. A consummate author giving guidance and advice from her own world to the budding writer, the artist within. This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time.

Warning: "A Circle of Quiet" is not for the faint of heart. Though the cover looks placid, L'Engle runs through some fairly deep and turbulent topics. She writes about things that are not easy to talk and think about--things that often don't have cut and dry answers. And, while she covers all these topics with the same practical, everyday wisdom, they are only easy to bear reading about because you can feel the strength of her own humanity with you on your trip through them.

Violet Eyes by Debbie Viguié

6 Stars

A retelling of the story of the Princess and the Pea of the same ilk as the others in this series. (Yes, that is the only synopsis you get.)

Okay, so I know I swore you all off of Debbie Viguié's books for eternity but I take it back! A little. IF you are going to read any of the books in the "Once Upon a Time" series not written by Cameron Dokey, I highly recommend this one! There is still a lot of the "we're in love, though no one can really tell why" issue she seems to have in all of hers, but the way she follows the actual tale of the Princess and the Pea without making it horribly shallow is actually quite clever. She's added some depth to the tale so it doesn't fall so completely strange. Anyway. Won't blame you if you never read it, just thought you should know.

Rebecca by Daphne duMaurier

8 Stars

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again..." 'With these words, the reader is ushered into an isolated gray stone mansion on the windswept Cornish coast, as the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter recalls the chilling events that transpired as she began her new life as the young bride of a husband she barely knew. ... With an eerie presentiment of evil tightening her heart, the second Mrs. de Winter walked in the shadow of her mysterious predecessor, determined to uncover the darkest secrets and shattering truths about Maxim's first wife--the late and hauntingly beautiful Rebecca.' (Taken from the back cover.)

This book is a classic read for a reason--and who knew there was a Gothic fiction out there I'd actually enjoy!? It is stunningly written, and the whole premise definitely draws you in. The main character is insecure throughout much of the book, and so she's not a comfortable person to follow; but I felt she was realistically insecure for her age and position. And that lack of confidence does drive the story a great deal. The only reason the book does not rank higher for me (and, in fact, I even considered giving it 7 Stars for this reason) is that there are lots of situations in the book that would have been frustratingly easy for the characters to resolve if they had only shown some common sense, initiative, or (not surprisingly) confidence. As I said, I think it was realistically written, but that doesn't make those "Dang it! --almost!" moments more enjoyable. Still a very worthy read that I would recommend to most!

Verdigris Deep by Frances Hardinge

7 Stars

"When Ryan and his friends are caught stranded and penniless late one evening, they steal some coins from a well for their bus far home. Soon after, strange things begin to happen. Peculiar marks tingle on Ryan's knuckles, light bulbs mysteriously explode and a terrified Chelle starts speaking words that aren't her own. Then the well witch appears, with her fountains for eyes and gargled demands. From now on, the friends must serve her--and the wishes that lie rotting at the bottom of her well." (Taken from the inside cover.)

Well-written (as to be expected with one of my favorite children's book authors) and eerie, I think the biggest downside to this book is just that I hoped to like it more. It isn't as scary as I worried it might be, but it's still creepy enough that I wouldn't recommend it for very young children (or even the very squeamish adult, to be truthful). Hardinge's writing is lyrical, but not as solid as it was on Fly by Night or Gullstruck Island, I thought. Though, perhaps, some of that could be attributed to the more modern setting. It does draw you in, though, until you wonder how the three children can possibly solve this situation they find themselves in and get out of their debt. (And, in case you are wondering,"Verdigris Deep" is actually the British release title. The American release is titled "Well-Witched", but I didn't feel that the English-isms were extreme enough to deter anyone who's a little familiar with word differences between the two countries. I.e. she uses the term "trolley" where we would probably use "shopping cart." Just a heads up in case you have a preference.)

Scarlet Moon by Debbie Viguié

5 Stars

Ruth is attacked by a wolf as a child, and ever after has a fear of entering the woods near her home. When her brother leaves to join the Holy Wars, her father is left without help in the blacksmith shop and so Ruth takes over her brothers duties. She is comfortable in her role as blacksmith, and continues to brave her fear in order to visit her grandmother in the woods, who's been cast out of the village for accusations of witchcraft. "Amidst these dark days, a new man enters Ruth's life. William is a noble with a hot temper and a bad name, and he makes her shiver. But the young man is prey to his heritage, a curse placed on his family ages ago, and each male of the family has strange blood running in his veins. Now Ruth must come face-to-face with his destiny at Grandma's house..." (Taken partially from the back cover.)

Okay. Yes, this really is a rewrite of the story of Little Red Riding Hood. And, yes, if I had bothered to really read the back cover first, I might not have read it, either. Another in the "Once Upon a Time..." series, I hoped that this book would live up to the potential it had. Because, truthfully, "Little Red Riding Hood" has always been a pretty creepy tale. So adding werewolves (sorry for the spoiler as I'm sure you were all going to rush out and read this...) to the mix is actually not a large stretch for me. The concept could have been kind of cool. Unfortunately, the writing is as cheesy as the back cover makes it sound, coming across as trite and contrived. The moral of this review? Read every single one of Cameron Dokey's books in this series--but maybe don't bother with any of the other authors.

The Knight's Tales, Books 1 and 2 by Gerald Morris

6 Stars

Many years ago, the storytellers say, the great King Arthur brought justice to England with the help of his gallant Knights of the Round Table. Of these worthy knights, there was never one so fearless, so chivalrous, so honorable, so...shiny as the dashing Sir Lancelot. And there were others: Sir Kay the Loyal, Sir Bedivere the Just, and young Givret, who was known for being...well, short. Behold the very exciting and comical adventures of the Knights of the Round Table, as only the acclaimed Arthurian author Gerald Morris can tell them. (Taken in part from the inside cover.)

These books, while funny, are definitely written for a younger audience than Morris' much more involved "The Squire's Tales" series. They read like short story collections in a way, but the brief anecdotes all come together at points, drawing the story together. They were a fun read, but, as I said, not nearly as enjoyable as Morris' other collection (the best of which are the first couple of books). Younger audiences (8-12, maybe?) would probably love the humor and outright silliness in these books.

Ugly by Donna Jo Napoli

7 Stars

Based on Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale of "The Ugly Duckling", this book tells of a young bird who just doesn't fit in with those around him. Set in Tasmania and written for a young audience, Ugly introduces the reader to both the classic tale and a realistic view of wildlife in an unusual setting.

This was a surprisingly good read. As I started it, I was a little afraid that it would be so over-simplistic that it would come across as inane. But, actually, Donna Jo Napoli does an excellent job of getting down the rhythm of the animals she's writing for and about. They all use a simpler thought process--more direct, anyway--but surprisingly large vocabulary. She's obviously put a great deal of thought into how animals would realistically interact with their own kind and other species, as well as the things they would have deeper knowledge about. They are simple, not stupid. This would be a great read for younger children interested in animals, and I could happily recommend it to anyone that likes the original tale, as well.

Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey

8 Stars

"The Princess Aurore has had an unusual childhood. Cursed at birth, Aurore is fated to prick her finger at age sixteen and sleep for one hundred years--until a prince awakens her with a kiss. ... On her sixteenth birthday, Aurore learns that the impending curse will harm not only her, but the entire kingdom as well. Unwilling to cause suffering, she will embark on a quest to end the evil magic. The princess's bravery will be rewarded as she finds adventure, enchantment, a handsome prince, and ultimately, her destiny." (Taken from the back cover.)

Okay, so as you can tell, this is a retelling of the fairy tale "The Sleeping Beauty." I know several of you have already read this book (and many of Cameron Dokey's other fairy tale re-tellings), but thought I'd throw this one up here as I just re-read it. This book is probably not my favorite of Dokey's fairy tale books, but I can say it is a great version of Sleeping Beauty. One of my favorites. I am impressed at Dokey's ability to take the predictability out of a well-known tale while still leaving the bones intact. She follows the story and sticks to it, but you are somehow still left in suspense about the ending. And, while her writing is not EXCELLENT, it is good and she has some really beautiful and poetic moments. In this book in particular, I also enjoy her ability to take a princess that in many versions of the tale really doesn't do much, and turn into someone that has heart, bravery, and intelligence. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is a romantic or who likes the tale of "The Sleeping Beauty."

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

7 Stars

"Where do dreams come from? What stealthy nighttime messengers are the guardians of our most deeply hidden hopes and our half-forgotten fears? Drawing on her rich imagination, two-time Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry confronts these questions and explores the conflicts between the gentle bits and pieces of the past that come to life in dream and the darker horrors that find their form in nightmare. In a haunting story that tiptoes between reality and imagination, two people--a lonely, sensitive woman and a damaged, angry boy--face their own histories and discover what they can be to each other, renewed by the strength that comes from a tiny, caring creature they will never see." (Taken from inside cover.)

This was a very imaginative, if very brief, read. The concept of tiny fairy-like people bestowing dreams--as well as their awful, sweating and snorting counterparts, the Sinisteeds, who inflict nightmares--was very unique. And Lowry's treatment of it, if a tad over-simplistic, is interesting. This is a book that I would feel comfortable recommending to a fairly young audience (as young as 8, I think), though there are some intense references to a physically abusive husband/father. It is a simple book, but I have to admit that I totally cried in a couple of spots.