Books Review: Where'd you go, Bernadette?

One of the main reasons I don't like leaving the house is because I might find myself face to face with a Canadian.

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I had heard a lot of hype about this book from just about every place on the internet. Usually, I'm not one for the super main stream (call me a hipster) so I was a bit hesitant to follow the crowd, but, as is normal, the crowd was right- it's an amazing book. 

I read this book on our trip through the Northwest which made it even better since it takes place in Seattle- everywhere we went I would say, "Oh, Bernadette hates that place." My family thought I was crazy, but the thing is- YOU WILL LOVE BERNADETTE. She will become your sassy, eccentric, fashionable, amazing best friend and Bee will become your sidekick. (As a side note, since I'm such a fan of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I'm automatically a fan of girls named Bee).   Maria Semple pulls you into Bee's diligent discovery to find her mother and you are constantly cheering for her. I was quite literally fist pumping for Bee at the end of the novel, I was that into the story. 

Semple creates a world of sass and sarcasm that is perfect for any body who needs a bit of humor in their life. She moves the story along quickly without making it feel like you don't know enough about the characters- trust me, you will know plenty about Bernadette by the end. I especially loved how she chose to narrate the story through Bee's sleuthing around- it was fresh and interesting and a lovely new perspective. I was at first actually kinda leery of the new narration, but ended up really loving it! Plus, when Bee does actually speak, she's full of sass just like her mother (just another reason why you'll love her). 

So, I suggest you all hop on the bandwagon and read this book. It's a seriously funny story that will make you want to find another book like it (which I haven't found yet). 

Love always,

Ems

Book Review: Son

He is evil, and like all evil, he has enormous power. He tempts. He taunts. And he takes. 

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I can't remember when I first read Lois Lowry's The Giver, but I know that it has remained one of my favorite books throughout the years. I read all three books in the series (Gathering Blue, and The Messenger being the remaining two) and loved them all equally as much. So, when I found out that the final installment of the series was out, I had to get myself a copy. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. 

I read Son in one sitting. I opened it up and couldn't put it down. It was enthralling and engaging and reminded me that Lois Lowry is such a talented author. Son follows the story of Claire, a girl born and raised in the same utopian community as Jonah, the main character of The Giver. I was immediately transported back to that strange world where life is lackluster and odd. It didn't take me long to remember small things about the previous novels even though I haven't read them in years because Lowry is so consistent in her world and incredibly descriptive. Claire is a birthmother but has what seems to be a c-section that leads her to find out who her son is and puts her on a journey to find, love, and be a part of her child's life even though he was taken from her without her so much as touching him. 

The story is divided into 3 parts: before, between, and beyond. I will admit that it was a bit of a struggle to get through the between section, but once I did, beyond did not disappoint. The wonderful thing about Son is that all four books finally collide and you have closure to all the other characters that you love so much from the rest of the series. The only reason that the middle section was a struggle was that I was so anxious to figure out the ending that I just wanted between to be over; that said, I did feel that between was a bit too long, but don't be discouraged by it.

My only complaint with the book is that I feel like the end did not fully conclude Claire's own story. The ending is satisfying for the series, but there are characters who are introduced and incredibly important in Claire's journey that once you are through the between section, you never hear of again. 

Overall, I really loved the book and felt that it was a good conclusion to the series that I will pass on to my own children. I felt that Lowry did an incredible job of showing the importance of love and emotion in life and portrayed pride, vanity, and foolish desire in an incredibly scary and awful light. Essentially, the books regurgitates the storyline of good conquering evil, but it also shows us that evil is not always just bad people, but perhaps the darkness inside of the human spirit. 

As a side note, I'm ridiculously excited that The Giver is being made into a movie. 

Love always,

Ems

Book Review: An Abundance of Katherines

"Nothing was happening, really, but the moment was thick with mattering."

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I must admit that An Abundance of Katherines was probably my favorite John Green book only second TFIOS. Probably because it wasn't nearly as heart-breaking as his others, and also because I'm a sucker for a real nerd, which Colin is. 

Colin Singleton has dated 19 Katherines, and after the 19th Kathreine dumps him, his best friend, Hassan, decides it's time to take an impromptu trip to get over the latest break-up. Colin, defeated by his break-up and his slow realization that he will never accomplish anything incredibly grand, has a hard time adjusting, until he realizes that there are greater things than becoming famous for something. When Colin and Hassan meet Lindsey Lee Wells in Gunshot, Tennessee, both of their lives become forever changed. 

An Abundance of Katherines is witty, intelligent, and entertaining. There are moments of sadness (but not heart break- thank you, John Green), utter happiness, anger, and confusion. Like all of John's books, I found myself gasping out loud, texting lines of the book to my friends, and laughing at the utter nonsense of Colin. I probably related to Colin so much because he seemed exactly like all of the boys I hung out with in high school- ridiculously smart, full of random knowledge, and a bit socially awkward (what's not to love?!). Lindsey, like any other girl in John Green's novels, is exciting, fun, and essentially the kind of person I want to be in life. She's spunky, but incredibly kind, witty, but totally sympathetic. Hassan adds another degree of lovability to the novel as the self-proclaimed "fat-kid" who doesn't do much more than watch Judge Judy. Together, the three of them make quite a team. 

Another excellent read from our favorite, John Green. 

Love always,

Ems

Book Review: Looking for Alaska

"We had to forgive to survive this labyrinth. There were so many of us who would have to live with things done and things undone that day.... but we can't know better until knowing better is useless."

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John Green, regardless of how many times he enjoys ripping out the hearts of his readers, leaving them totally immobile on the floor because of something his characters do in his novel, is by far one of my favorite modern authors. 1. I love that you can tell it's John Green the moment you start reading. 2. I love that he and his brother Hank make Vlog Brothers 3. I love that he loves to use lists in all of his stories and 4. I just want to be his friend. 

I went into Looking for Alaska not really knowing what to expect. I had read The Fault in our Stars (which if you haven't read that, stop reading this and go pick it up and start reading-seriously- go) and loved it. Well, my dad was sending me to Kingman for two days and he got me there by bribing me with books. So I finished off my John Green collection #bestideadever and thus, I began Looking for Alaska. I was about half-way done before I even left for Kingman and finished it on the first day there. Once again, John sucked me in on a whirl-wind adventure that I couldn't put the breaks on. 

John Green, as a male, somehow writes about girls amazingly well. Every heroine he creates, I want to be. They are fierce, clever, beautiful (always curvy), and your best friend. Alaska Young is no different. You instantly want to be her best friend and join in all her crazy plans. She is one reckless child, but who doesn't love a little bit of recklessness, right? The story follows as Pudge moves to a boarding school and becomes part of Alaska's group of friends- the misfits of the school. They enjoy epic pranks, smoking, and essentially, breaking any rules they can. They act like they're in college when they're only in high school, and it's great. In the end, tragedy strikes, and they must all reevaluate their lives and what they've learned together. This book, like all of John Green's novels, will make you laugh out loud, cringe, and bawl your eyes out before throwing the book across the room and cursing John Green for breaking your heart (not kidding). 

I will forewarn any of my more tender-hearted readers: cursing is abundant in this novel, as is sex, drug use, and drinking. Regardless, I loved it. Just letting you know. 

Love always,

Ems

Book Review: 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny

“The main reason I became a teacher is that I like being the first one to introduce kids to words and music and people and numbers and concepts and idea that they have never heard about or thought about before. I like being the first one to tell them about Long John Silver and negative numbers and Beethoven and alliteration and "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" and similes and right angles and Ebenezer Scrooge. . . Just think about what you know today. You read. You write. You work with numbers. You solve problems. We take all these things for granted. But of course you haven't always read. You haven't always known how to write. You weren't born knowing how to subtract 199 from 600. Someone showed you. There was a moment when you moved from not knowing to knowing, from not understanding to understanding. That's why I became a teacher.” 

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Jacob recommended this book to me who knows how long ago and when I started my summer reading list, I decided, well, why not. I've always had this small desire in me to teach and someday, I will probably (hope to, at least)  teach- middle school English would be my dream. That said, this book is not just for aspiring teachers. It is for everyone. Why? Because we have all been through elementary school and all people (unless you're heatless) appreciate the humor that is found abundantly in children.

Phillip Done crafts a wonderful telling of his experiences teaching third grade, and he does it with humor and enthusiasm that will have you turning pages endlessly. His stories are hilarious accounts of children telling the class less-than-favorable things about their parents, procedures for the "emergencies" that arise in a third grader's life, and a love that is palpable. Maybe I just have a habit of crying when it comes to sweet things that kids do, but I definitely teared up a few times throughout the book. Done reaches out to the innocence that you forgot was inside of you in third grade; his novel is very well and simply written written as well as an easy read. 

Love always,

Ems

Book Review: Wonder

"I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives."

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The instant I finished this book, no, before I had even finished the book, I texted everyone I knew who had time for summer reading and told them they HAD to read this book. 

The second I closed it, I knew that this would be like The Fault in Our Stars-a book I would come back to over and over. 

Wonder tells the story of Auggie, a little boy with a face that is different than the normal fifth grader's. However, he's taking a big leap and attending public school this year. It turns out to be a difficult but rewarding year filled with new friends, bullies (aren't there always those bullies in life?), and lots of growing. The story is narrated through various perspective and it really adds to the way in which you connect to the story- it makes each character vulnerable and everyone equal. Even people you don't think you'll like, you end up loving and wanting to hug. 

R.J. Palacio has a gift for writing narration. I felt as though each of her characters were my friends, people I felt for, people I wanted to hug, people I wanted to stand next to, people I wanted to cheer for. Indeed, that's what I felt like the entire time, a cheerleader: "You can do it, Auggie!" "You're the kindest person alive, Summer!" "Don't give up, Via! We know you care about Auggie!!". I cheered, I laughed, I cried sobbed. I read as quickly as I read the 7th book of Harry Potter. I closed the book determined to love everyone a little bit more and be a little bit kinder to everyone I meet. Palacio definitely crafted a masterpiece of young adult literature that everyone needs to read. 

Add it to your summer reading NOW. I promise you will not regret it. 

Love always, 

Ems

Book Review: The Sky Beneath my Feet

Recently, I became a part of this fabulous group called booksneeze.com where bloggers get free books to review. Note, I am not being paid to write a good review for this book, I am just reviewing it unbiasedly for the group. Find out more here.

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"They're all here, the people I love and the people I want to love. There are no robes, no halos, not that the eye can see, but there are souls, plenty of those."

Summer reading is officially moving forward, and the first book of the summer for me was Lisa Samson's The Sky Beneath My Feet. I had no idea what I was getting into when I began the book- normally, I'm not one for Christian fiction, but I found myself rather intrigued by this novel. The narrator was fun, down-to-earth, relatable, and struggling through life like the rest of us; a relatable narrator alway gets me and drags me in, and Beth was no exception.

Beth's struggles include a preacher husband who's apparently going crazy (or so we all think), children she just doesn't seem to relate to, and beliefs she's trying to remember why she believes. I felt that her story was believable on every level- emotional, physical, and spiritual. We've all had days that seem like nothing more could go wrong, and that seems to be almost everyday for Beth. However, as the novel winds up, Beth, her husband, and children find peace and happiness in remembering the basics of christianity that their artist-neighbor Deedee teaches them- we are all souls and children of God who are struggling but working to be a little bit better.

Lisa Samson crafts a beautiful narrative that is a quick, enjoyable read. I felt that her characters were well rounded (Beth's husband is even so obnoxious at the beginning that I was sure I would never like him, but it turns out I liked him towards the end). Samson points to the simple story of  life that everyone can relate to and illuminates the ways in which we can all come closer to our families, our society, and our God.

If you're interested at all, I would definitely give this book a quick read.

Love always,
Ems