A Book Review

The Lost Book of Salem (UK) or The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane (USA) by Katherine Howe
N.B. THE LOST BOOK OF SALEM is published in the US under the title THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE. While clearing out her grandmother's’s cottage for sale, Connie Goodwin finds a parchment inscribed with the name Deliverance Dane. And so begins the hunt to uncover the woman behind the name, a hunt that takes her back to Salem in 1692 . . . and the infamous witchcraft trials. But nothing is entirely as it seems and when Connie unearths the existence of Deliverance’s spell book, the Physick Book, the situation takes on a menacing edge as interested parties reveal their desperation to find this precious artifact at any cost. What secrets does the Physick Book contain? What magic is scrawled across its parchment pages? Connie must race to answer these questions– and reveal the truth about Salem’s women– before an ancient family curse once more fulfils its dark and devastating prophecy . . .

This was one of those glaringly obvious books. I felt like screaming at the main character "LIKE DUH!?!?" The mystery wasn't much of a mystery. I love all sorts of super natural stuff and history so once again this book caught my attention.

Connie is suppose to be a history major or something at an ivy league university (please excuse me it's been a little while since I read the book) and she misses some of the most obvious clues. I thought she was suppose to be smart? and a good researcher? But she's neither when it comes to finding out who Deliverance Dane was. I thought the author dumbing down her leading lady was insulting to the reader.

It was for the most part an enjoyable read and would only recommend picking it up if you have absolutely nothing else to read and only if you borrow it. (I have it!) ;0) Don't waste money on it.

December book of the month Discussion

Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances By John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
The weather outside is frightful, but these stories are delightful! When a huge blizzard (that doesn’t show signs of stopping) hits, Gracetown is completely snowed in. But even though it’s cold outside, things are heating up inside, proving that the holiday season is magical when it comes to love. In three wonderfully (and hilariously!) interconnected tales, YA stars John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson create a must-have collection that captures all the spirit of the holiday season

Wordless Wednesday or Whatcha' Readin'?

A Book Review

The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff:

Willie Cooper arrives on the doorstep of her ancestral home in Templeton, New York in the wake of a disastrous affair with her much older, married archaeology professor. That same day, the discovery of a prehistoric monster in the lake brings a media frenzy to the quiet, picture-perfect town her ancestors founded. Smarting from a broken heart, Willie then learns that the story her mother had always told her about her father has all been a lie. He wasn't the one - night stand Vi had led her to imagine, but someone else entirely. As Willie puts her archaeological skills to work digging for the truth about her lineage, a chorus of voices from the town's past rise up around her to tell their sides of the story. Dark secrets come to light, past and present blur, old mysteries are finally put to rest, and the surprising truth about more than one monster is revealed.

I loved this story. It started out a little slow where I could put it down after a chapter, but as I got into I couldn't put it down! This was another title I picked up at the Border's closing down sale. I wish I had had more time to scour through the shelves!!

I love books that have the past affect/effect present day. That sounds stupid because of course the past effects today. What I mean is that the book is almost 2 stories. The first story is of Willie and the second of her ancestors. I have always been a sucker for time period novels or novels that go back and forth, but it is rare to find an author who does it well. [Dreadful Sorry by Kathryn Reiss (teen fiction) was a favorite when I was younger. It would be interesting to re-read it today to see if I still thought it was as good as I did then!]

I liked how the author gave you more information then what Willie had with chapters that tell the story of characters that helped shape her world. Although I did have a guess early on who her father might be and I was right! I didn't think I was right all the way the through the book, just had an inkling. Comes from reading too many books and watching too many movies!

I liked all the characters in the book. I also liked the relationships in the book, not just the romantic ones, they just seemed more real and not so fairytale like. I also liked how there was a little fantasy/sci-fi stuff going on.

Over all I really enjoyed this read and recommend it to everyone. It is Lauren Groff's first novel. I will await her next impatiently!!

A Book Review

Babyville by Jane Green

Julia and Mark are stuck in a loveless relationship. Julia thinks a baby will help, but perhaps that isn't the answer to her problems. Maeve is totally allergic to commitment - she breaks out in a rash whenever she passes a buggy. A one-night-stand results in an unwanted pregnancy. But just how unwanted is it? Samantha is besotted with her new-born baby. But how is husband Chris coping with his suddenly unavailable wife, and is Samantha's obsession as healthy as it seems?

Borders in England has closed all it's stores nationwide!! I made it to the sale late one night, but I had a 2 year old with me so I had to quickly scan the already pretty bare shelves of books. All 50% off!! The cover is what grabbed my attention in the first place but after reading the back I did have a bit of curiosity. It reads almost as 3 different stories with entwined characters.

The first story was about Julia trying desperately for a baby in hopes it would fill the hole in her relationship. I didn't personally relate to her because I don't think I'm the type of person who would assume that a baby was the answer to problems in a relationship. Julia and Mark had been living together for 4 years or something and had never talked about marriage, but they were willing to have a baby? Finally they "take a break" with Julia going off to New York to visit a friend. Then it moves on to...

Maeve, her story is sort of clique and has been told before. Has anyone ever seen that movie with Diane Keaton Baby Boom? Career driven women besotted with a baby. Enough said.

Sam, last but not least, was the most realistic. She had the "perfect" relationship. Her and her husband were best friends with an awesome sex life. Yet, it all got lost once they had a baby. Which realistically happens to some. She was desperate to be the perfect mom and would one minute tell him he never helped her and when he tried to help she would then yell at him because he was doing it wrong. The odd thing about Sam's story is how she gets out of her baby blue funk is having a crush on another married man almost to the point of scary obsession. I would have preferred her re-falling in love with her husband in a different way.

It's funny because after I read the book my thoughts were more like that was a nice easier read about women's experiences with having a baby in the modern world. But when I sat down to write this something completely different came out.

So, on a last note a pretty mindless read that if you had a hard time adjusting to parenthood you might want to read to make you feel you were/are not alone. Or if you are thinking of having a baby to restore you failing relationship read this to see how better your life will turn out if you just move on and wait to have a baby. But if you got knocked up after a one night stand I would suggest not reading this book because I doubt it would turn out as "pretty" for you in real life.

Wordless Wednesday - What'cha reading?

December's Book of the Month

(US Cover)

The weather outside is frightful, but these stories are delightful! When a huge blizzard (that doesn’t show signs of stopping) hits, Gracetown is completely snowed in. But even though it’s cold outside, things are heating up inside, proving that the holiday season is magical when it comes to love. In three wonderfully (and hilariously!) interconnected tales, YA stars John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson create a must-have collection that captures all the spirit of the holiday season.

(UK Cover)

• Maureen Johnson -- Jubilee Express,
• John Green -- A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle
• Lauren Myracle -- Patron Saint of Pigs

These are Teen Fiction writers and so I expect this book to be a fun Christmas read. Nothing that should get in the way of the Holidays!! I hope all of you have a wonderful Holiday Season! Keep Reading!!