March 2024
- Katie Peterson
- Mar 1, 2024
- 12 min read
Something old: The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James
Something new: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Something steamy: Sunburn by Laura Lippman
Something true-ish: The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
Bonus read: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
Something for all ages: The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly DiTerlizzi and Tony Black
The Ratings:
Like plain, black coffee. Strong dislike.
A little cream, a little sugar. Not bad. Not great.
Add some flavor or syrup, it's getting good.
I liked this a latte!
Love! Refill please!
The Steam:
No peppers: Love/romance not a major part of this story
One pepper: Mild! Some love scenes; nothing risque on the page; fade to black
Two peppers: Moderate! Slightly descriptive romantic scenes may occur on page; some implied innuendos
Three peppers: Hot! Blushing while reading may occur; lots of spice
The Bullet Swallower
Elizabeth Gonzalez James
The Bullet Swallower has a true wild west feel (although it actually takes place in the south, along the Rio Grande where Mexico is separated from Texas), complete with gun-slinging, land-disputing, horse-stealing, train-robbing adventure from start to finish. If you have difficulty following similarly named characters and back and forth timelines-make yourself a 'key'...trust me! Ranging in time period from the early 1800's to the 1960's, we follow the lineage of the Sonoro family. A family that, if the family history book can be trusted, can be traced all the way back to Cain and Abel. As Jaime Sonoro, an esteemed Mexican actor and singer, researches his family history for an upcoming acting project, he's horrified to learn of the atrocious acts committed by his ancestors. A mysterious figure appears, gaining trust and access into the Sonoro home. As Jaime learns more and more about his past, he realizes that this figure may be the key to unlocking all the secrets about him and his family that have been long buried.
In the early 1800's, a ruthless Sonoro, emboldened by the promise of riches and power, expanded the family mining business at the exploitation and expense of many human lives. The decision he made to cover up his cruelty by burying men, women, and children alike in a horrific mass murder, ended up being the downfall of the Sonoro name. Once respected, wealthy, and lucky; now shunned, recluse, and cursed. At this time, Death set its sights on the Sonoros...but which of them should be made to pay the price? As you bounce back and forth between the family members, you'll find the subtle ways that Death has of checking in, biding time, and making decisions...and when Death comes knocking, you don't have the choice to not answer the door. An ultimatum is laid out: you can pay the price, or you can transfer the debt to a future family member. Will a Sonoro finally make a selfless decision, or will they once again put themselves first?
Although this book could qualify as a historical fiction (it's loosely based on the life of the author's great-grandfather) it was unlike any I've read before. I don't generally gravitate towards western style books where everything is solved with a gun and a horse...but I did enjoy this one and liked how the author brought it all together at the end. It also has a fantasy theme, with Death as a main character.
{One of my biggest book joys is my monthly email saying "it's time to pick your book of the month!" I have a membership to "Book of the Month Club" (if you're interested in joining or checking it out, click here) and each month am given the choice between 5-7 books of varying genres, lengths, topics, and authors. Once you make your choice, you sit back and wait for the box to show up on your doorstep. And that is how The Bullet Swallower came to land on my bookshelf. It was truly a book I never would have picked out at the store or library myself...so I was glad I took a chance on choosing it last month.}
Good to know before reading:
-Multiple timelines
-Multiple characters with really similar names: Alferez Antonio, Antonio, Juan Antonio...if you find things like this hard to keep track of-make notes for yourself of who belongs in which timeline.
My rating:
Black Cake
Charmaine Wilkerson
Black cake is a traditional Caribbean treat, made as much with heart as it is with ingredients. The recipe card that's passed from generation to generation contains smudges, fingerprints, and dried swipes of batter...but no quantities. The preparation and baking of black cake is as anticipated and enjoyed as the eating. And when their mother dies, it's a black cake that brings Benny and Byron back together. After several years of being estranged, the siblings find themselves together again, listening to a recorded message their mother left for them. Her final request: to eat the black cake that she left in the freezer together; they would know when the timing was right.
As they listen to the recording, both Benny and Byron find themselves questioning if they really knew their parents at all. To put together the broken pieces of their family now, they first have to go back to the beginning. To a time when their parents went by different names, had family members they've never heard of or met, and lived in places that they know nothing about. As their mom weaves the story of her life through her last message to them, they both wonder why she didn't share any of these long-held secrets with them when she was alive? Would knowing the full-story have changed the decisions they made along the way? Benny and Byron find themselves on a journey to fulfill their mother's deepest wish: that they find and meet someone she believed to be lost long ago. By the time the last black cake crumb is devoured, you'll have completed such a whirlwind of a story, with characters so deeply developed that you'll feel as if you too have become a part of the complicated fabric of their family and traditions.
Nothing says "something new" like reading the first novel an author writes. Charmaine Wilkerson's debut has all the ingredients of a fantastic book: multi-generational traditions, secrets and mystery, complicated and relatable characters, relevant content, and best of all, a handed down family recipe that has the power to bind even the most broken hearts.
Note: This author's second novel, Deluge, is out also. I haven't read it yet, but it's on my TBR (to be read) list! Let me know if you've read it and what you think!
My rating:
As I was reading, I wanted to know what a black cake looked like. Just in case you want to know too:
Photo by: David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews
Click HERE for the recipe. Warning: estimated time needed is 14 hours.
Sunburn
Laura Lippman
Polly (Pauline, Polly-Anna) is a head-turner on the run. She has a past and a lot of secrets, both of which she's good at hiding. Leaving her car, home, and family behind, she needs to find a place she can stay while she determines her next steps. She finds her way to small-town Delaware and gets a job at a local bar, earning some money and killing time until she can make her move. Adam is a private investigator hired to find out one particular secret from Polly's past. He lands in the same small-town Delaware under the pretense of car trouble, getting a job at the local bar to help pay for the repairs, all the while keeping an eye on his subject.
Both Polly and Adam are street smart and savvy. Both of them know that the other isn't exactly who they say they are. Neither is willing to fully trust the other with honesty about their whole story. But they still inexplicably find themselves drawn together like magnets. A steamy summer affair ensues with deeper feelings developing all the time. Their hearts are pulling them together, but their heads are telling them to stay far apart. He knows she has a dark, dangerous past. She knows there's more to him than he says. As the narrator view shifts back and forth between Polly and Adam, we get glimpses and pieces of the truth. As their romance progresses, the stakes build. Will their sizzling attraction reach a burning crescendo, or will it all fizz out? And when the smoke clears, will they both be around to dust off the ashes...or will one of them go up in flames?
If you like a fast paced, not sure who to trust, try to put all the pieces together as you go kind of read, this might be for you! In terms of the "steamy" pick for the month, it really wasn't. Although the sex was alluded to, it all happened off page.
Good to know before reading:
-multiple narrators
My rating:
Steam rating:
(All actual love scenes were either alluded to or implied-nothing on page...I would say this one is more "thriller/mystery" than romance)
So far my "steamy" picks have been more on the mild side. What type of romances do you like to read?
Hot! Blush factor activated!
Moderate! Some romantic scenes; nothing overpowering!
Mild! Implied romance that happens off the page!
None! I'd rather not have romance mixed in with the story!
The Other Einstein
Marie Benedict
Marie Benedict is a magical storyteller, in that she can take the smallest detail or mention of a person from history, and weave it into the most intricate and comprehensive telling of their story. She often uses more well-known historical figures as background characters, rather than the main character they are often known as. And when choosing which people to research, she often chooses the 'path less traveled'...the ones with more questions than answers. She herself says she takes liberties with filling in the blanks, but attempts to fill gaps with options that not only are plausible, but could very likely be the truth or close to it. Her author notes about the research that goes into each book are fascinating and I encourage you to read them either before, or after, reading.
The Other Einstein is an enchanting, yet frustrating, look into the life of Mileva Maric, a highly intelligent woman with many strikes against her desire to pursue a future in academics. Born with uneven hips, her limp makes her stand out as "deformed" and unmarriageable. Her understanding of difficult concepts makes her a scapegoat for children and teachers alike. In the volatile time of misunderstandings and conceptions leading up to world wars, her Serbian background makes her an outsider in most circles. But, with the encouragement of her dad and a few fellow like-minded females, Mileva perseveres and gains a revered spot as a physics student in Switzerland. On her own for the first time, she finds herself gaining confidence in her ability to prove her worth as a scientist and mathematician. As one of only six people in her course of study, she stands out as being able to look at problems with a new perspective, which is what initially draws the attention of a fellow classmate, Albert Einstein.
What begins as purely platonic friendship, built on discussing complex academic theories and research, begins to make Mileva question the path she has carved so carefully for herself. Marriage, although once thought out of the question, now holds an air of joy and wonder. Used to always working alone when solving problems, she finds that working in a partnership is actually quite enjoyable. Embarking on a quiet, yet adventurous, love affair feels exciting and right. Why can't she experience both personal contentment and academic esteem? But does Albert truly see her as a worthy, equal partner? As they work through new discoveries together in the scientific realm, Mileva makes discoveries about both Albert and herself, which make her rethink everything.
Note: If you've read and enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry, you should give this one a try! Although set in an earlier time period, it has a really similar feel (really quite frustrating to think women were (are?) still fighting the same fight so many years after).
Other books by Marie Benedict I've read and enjoyed:
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
My rating:
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
Bryn Greenwood
Whew. What a whirlwind. I finished this book last night and I'm still processing. In fact, today I asked several of my friends & coworkers if they've read this book because I just needed to decompress and discuss with someone! Prior to reading this book, I felt like the title was so vague and uninformative to me as a potential reader. After reading, I don't think any other title could have done the justice this one did in it's perfect representation of the book and it's contents. Was it wonderful? Yes. So much yes. Wonderfully written, pulling you in and making you deeply care about the characters and their fates. Was it ugly? Absolutely. The content. The feelings. The all-encompassing thoughts that run through your mind long after you've put the book down. And yet, somehow, Bryn Greenwood brings it all together in this beautiful, horrible, gut-wrenching...love story. Every part, every page is building towards a crescendo...an ending that you find yourself simultaneously hoping for and dreading.
This story is told in five parts, with multiple narrators throughout each part. Sometimes the narrator is in the story for a moment, and we never hear from them again. Some of them are so entwined in the unfolding that we hear from them over and over. All of the narrations revolve around the telling of the life of Wavonna Quinn, and the ripples she leaves wherever she's been. Wavonna comes to stay with her cousins when she's five, after both of her parents end up in jail. We don't know exactly what's happened in those five years but we can imagine it hasn't been the most quality upbringing. She is shipped back and forth between family members, finally ending back with her parents. Somewhere along the way a sibling arrives, and Wavonna does everything she can to ensure his safety and well-being. Unfortunately, she's just a child. Also unfortunately, no one is doing the same for her. Until Kellen comes along.
Kellen christens her Wavy, and finally she has someone who cares about her. In between doing drug runs for her dad's operation, Kellen ensures that Wavy and her brother are taken care of. Buys groceries. Gets them registered for school. Cleans the house. Changes diapers. Kellen didn't have the best upbringing himself, but he knows when things aren't right. He becomes as much a parent figure as either of them have ever had. But somewhere between diaper changes and teaching them to swim, the kids grow up. Wavy becomes a teenager. And when you've only ever had one person show any love and affection towards you, when you start to have feelings you've never experienced before, is there any question of where you'll go to explore these changes? What ensues is a relationship between two people who have never had any examples of what normal, healthy love looks like. As they grapple with the challenges of others' perceptions, their own desires, and societal law, the consequences are dire at best. It's easy to judge...but harder to take the time to try to understand. Kellen's the reason Wavy survived. Thrived even. Made it to college. Overcame a traumatic, horrific childhood. At the end of the day, does anyone aside from her truly have a right to decide what's best for her?
This is a high recommend from me. But do your research prior. It's definitely not for everyone.
Good to know before reading: Trigger warning for: suicide/murder, child abuse & neglect, drug/substance abuse, eating disorders, domestic violence, sexual relations with a minor. This is a heavy read.
My rating:
Steam rating:
Definitely some explicit content. Not in a steamy "this is romantic" way...but be prepared for some descriptive scenes. Sometimes between a minor and an adult, or between two adults with a minor present.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Holly DiTerlizzi and Tony Black
When looking for our next read aloud, I searched "best books for upper elementary students" and of the hundreds of results that popped up, I chose to click on the page "Must Read" Read Alouds for 6-10 Year Olds by There's a Book For That . While perusing the list, I came across a book that looked like it would fit right up my kids' alley: The Spiderwick Chronicles. Creepy old house, fantasy fiction, action/adventure...perfect! A fun bonus: it's a series with multiple books...we love diving into those here! My local library had the set, so we got started on the first one right away.
The first book has a great hook. A family moves into an old, decrepit house that's falling into disrepair. The three children: Mallory, Jared, and Simon waste no time in exploring their new home, having no idea what they're about to discover. After finding an old dumbwaiter hidden in the walls, the children uncover a secret, hidden room within the house. In this room, they are exposed to secret messages, strange noises, and mysterious objects. One of these objects is a hand-written guide by someone named Arthur Spiderwick. After some sleuthing, the children find out they're descendants of Arthur. What makes it even more interesting is the content of the guide. The entire thing tells of fantastical creatures such as faeries, boggarts, trolls, and goblins. But the kids all know these things don't exist...do they?
Follow along as Mallory, Jared, and Simon unearth more secrets within the Spiderwick Estate in their unforgettable adventures. Using the guide to help them, they go head to head with a herd of goblins, save a griffin from certain death, and build trust (can you ever really trust a talking animal?) with the brownie living in their walls. In addition to the excitement, there are some real-life feelings and good lessons. The kids' parents recently went through a divorce and all three children deal with this change in different ways. Jared has problems controlling his anger at school. All of them struggle with the move to a new town and strange home. These little doses of "real" mixed in with the fantasy help keep the conversations flowing and comfortable, and can be great "starters" for questions/comments about similar events in your kids' lives. Worried about your kids getting into the story? Don't be! As soon as we finished the first book, my kids instantly asked if I'd also checked out the second one! The books are pretty short: right around 100 pages, so they're really doable for getting through, even if you don't have a lot of time to read each day.
Good to know before reading: There are 5 books in the original The Spiderwick Chronicles series. Recommended age listed on the cover of the book is 6-10.
My rating:
Good hook. Fun, exciting story. Quick-ish read that still gives that "chapter book" feeling of success.
*Edit to Add: Since writing this, we have made it through all 5 books in the original series and my kids are wanting to start the follow-up series "Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles" next! High recommends from them!
Read Along with me in April:
Something old | The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni |
Something new | The Resort by Sara Ochs |
Something steamy | Ready or Not by Cara Bastone |
Something true-ish | The Gown by Jennifer Robson |
Bonus (if time!) | The Woman in Me by Britney Spears |
Something for all ages | The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank |
*My May picks are all from YOUR recommendations...and I desperately need a"Something Steamy" pick. Hit me with your best rec! (Any level of steaminess--no judgements here! ;) ) sosnssst@gmail.com
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