Book Review: Fiction Ruined My Family

Let me just say it, I hate memoirs. I really truly do. I have read enough stories about how someone painted themselves green for a year and journaled about it, I have worked my way through stories about abusive families and drunken childhoods, I have found no interest in true tales of cooking one’s way through divorce. Overall, I am not the memoir type. It is for this reason that I have NO idea why I requested to read this book. When it arrived on my doorstep I took one look at it and thought “damn. another whiny memoir about a sucky childhood”. But let me say this: I WAS SO WRONG! Sure Jeanne Darst had an alcoholic mother, a distant father, and distraught siblings but her spin on her personal history is perfection. There is no whining, no complaining, and some actual levity. I haven’t laughed this much since “Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea” (and we all know how much I loved that book). My only complaint is that no one told me this was funny, so I was the most shocked when I started hysterically laughing on the subway. All I could do was lift up the book to my fellow passengers as a gesture of apology and endorsement.

Jeanne Darst is moved from her loving household with her parents, siblings, and grandmother in St. Louis, Missouri to the bustling city of New York. Everyone is unsure if this midwest family can make the transition to the city that never sleeps. Fotunately, or unfortunately, they fit right in. Darst’s father is a starving novelist who has never actually written a published book but has great ambitions and knows that his break is just around the corner. Darst’s mother is an alcoholic raised with an in-house horse trainer only to be shackled to four kids and a dreamer husband in her adulthood. To say that she is resentful is a grave understatement. Jeanne chronicles her father’s revolving door of jobs, her mother’s attempt at the workforce and the inevitable disintegration of their familial relationships. While the goal of most parents is to inspire their children to follow their dreams, Jeanne’s family history pushes her away from her ambitions of being a writer. In order to find herself, she must first follow in the footsteps of her parents and recover from their wrongdoings.

I know this sounds heavy...and it is. BUT it is also hilarious! Darst has a fantastic wit, an excellent handle on sarcasm, and an eye for the ridiculous. She clearly loves her family but she sees its flaws and isn’t afraid to reveal them to the world. Additionally, she is open about herself and her character flaws. In this way, she reminds me a great deal of Chelsea Handler who is able to poke fun at the one she loves but also at herself. However, unlike Handler, Darst is introspective and understands the reasoning behind her actions. I want to give this five stars, but I felt that it did lag towards the end and regress into some navel-gazing. Still, I think just about everyone would benefit from reading this book!

-DLP

Book Review: Those Across the River

I’m not usually a horror reader but every now and then I like to indulge in the macabre and spine chilling. So when I read about Those Across the River, I knew that I had to read it! Patricia Briggs describes it at a combination of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dean Koontz. Now if that isn’t enough of an endorsement...then I don’t know what is. In addition, the book is set in the South which (as I am sure all of you know) is one of my favorite settings. The language is beautiful and evokes memories of classic gothic literature. The first 275 pages were fantastic! Things got a little weird after that but I didn’t stop enjoying the read until page 300. Of course I finished the book but was disappointed in the ending. Sadly, an ending can taint the whole book. While this was not entirely the case, I don’t think I will reread it.

Frank Nichols and his wife Eudora move into Frank’s family house in Whitbrow, Georgia. They had been ostracized by their colleagues in Chicago and are excited to get away from Eudora’s ex-husband and start anew. Frank is plagued by his tragic experiences in World War I and hopes that Whitbrow will distract him from his overwhelming feelings of guilt. Luckily, the plantation owned by Frank’s ancestors is just across the river and waiting to be explored. Frank decides to write a book about his great uncle who owned the plantation and ruled it with an iron fist. When the people of Whitbrow hear of Frank’s intentions, they recoil in fear. For they know that it is not just the ruins of the plantation that remain across the river.

Though this book isn’t scary, per se, it very very eerie in the best possible way. The characters aren’t always likable, which makes them real and easy to relate to. The town is a character in itself and develops from a lazy quaint village into a war zone. The transformation of Frank and Eudora is fantastic. Buehlman originally crafts them as happy “newlyweds” who are enthralled with their love for each other and their sarcastic wit. The changes to their character are subtle but beautifully crafted. There is great emotion in this novel which makes it not your typical horror novel. However, I did find the ending lacking and was disappointed because the rest of the book was so powerful. Still, I would recommend this to any lover of the horror genre, sci-fi, or just a good story.

Book Review: Cape Cod Noir

This summer I am spending three months on the West coast...far away from my eastern roots. Though I haven’t been really homesick, when I saw “Cape Cod Noir” on a bookshelf I knew that I had to have it! Reading the stories chilled my spine while taking me back to the many summers I spent on the Cape. I think this is definitely a great book for those familiar with this locale though it might be lacking for outsiders.

As you may know, this collection is just one in the “noir” series which collects short stories in different cities around the country. Because the stories are noir, they are often eerie, have some violence, and might give you the chills. I have read other books in this series including “Mexico City Noir” and “New Orleans Noir” both of which I was unable to get into. While some of the stories were well written, I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters in any of the stories. I finally realized that I think my lack of connection with the locales made it hard for me to enjoy the stories.

It is for this reason that when I cracked the spine on the Cape Cod edition, I felt like I had come home. There is a map in the front of the book that shows where each story takes place so that people can orient themselves. This specific edition is broken into thee parts: Out of Season, Summer People, and End of the Line. Obviously, the first section contains stories about residents who are there year round and those in the area from September to May. The Summer People tells of just that, tales that take place during the summer usually involving vacationers. Some of the stories are written very well and have unique narratives. Such is the case with the story “Nineteen Snapshots of Dennisport” which is told in nineteen paragraphs that describe photographs that are not included. With each description, the tale gets creepier and creepier and the narrator begins to realize that her father may be in grave trouble. My favorite in this section is “Second Chance” which is about a school of boys on the Penikese Island. This school actually exists and the author of this story must have done some fantastic research because the descriptions match perfectly with the actual place. This school is for boys who are very troubled and are given one last chance. Stranded on the island away from electricity and modern conveniences, these boys live as if they are in the 1800s. But violence and fear are timeless and certainly find their way to the island in this tale. Part two has a great story called “Bad Night in Hyannisport” which is narrated by a dead man in the tradition of “Sunset Boulevard”. Sadly, I felt that the third section lagged and didn’t contain as many great stories as the first two parts.

While there were certainly some great stories in this collection, I felt that it got a bit redundant towards the final pages. These are not are par on the noir classics of the 1950s but they should not go unnoticed. I believe that some of the authors who contributed are so great that I look forward to reading their other works. Overall, even for a lover of Cape Cod, I would borrow it from the library instead of opening my wallet.

-DLP

Book Review: Saving Sea Turtles

My partner LOVES sea turtles. Seriously! We always have to visit the turtles in pet shops and go to every aquarium to find which one has the best sea turtle exhibit. When Sea World San Diego opened it’s Turtle Reef, we were there on one of the first days. So when I heard that a book was coming out about sea turtles, I knew I had to have it. I wanted to boost my knowledge of this interesting animal that had one my partner’s heart. I have to say, that after reading this book, I am a bigger fan of turtles. I no longer mind being dragged miles out of my way to see a movie on turtles and I will happily spend a weekend in North Carolina to see their hatchings. If nothing else, this book made me appreciate turtles all the more!

Author James Spotila has an excellent resume when it comes to turtles. Not only has be previously published on the topic, but he is regarded as being one of the “world’s leading sea turtle researchers and conservationists”. It is clear that his heart belongs to this shelled beauty. Upon reading his credentials, I was a bit nervous that this book would be too scholastic and over my head. This could not have been further from the truth. For those of us who do not know much about the history of poaching and the extinction of sea turtles, Spotila starts off his book by explaining where we stand today in regards to sea turtles. He tells of how global warming, poachers and developers are wiping out these 110 millions year old species. In order to help the reader understand how impressive sea turtles are, he then describes the growth of a sea turtle from the time they are in an egg to their eventual swim in the sea. He highlights the contemporary difficulties that sea turtles face today like being caught in fishing nets or being scared from the sands by bright house lights on the beach. Additionally, he recognizes the people who kill sea turtles for food, spot, or just by negligence. Of course he draws attention to the positive aspects of the contemporary sea turtle. The country of Costa Rica has taken great strides to protect these beauties and with the establishment of the Great Turtle Race, sea turtles are getting international coverage. In under 225 pages, Spotila gives the down and dirty on the history of these animals, their current state and their (hopefully) optimistic future.

I certainly learned a great deal from this book and can say that I truly appreciate this species as well as those who help to save it. However, I was a bit disappointed that Spotila didn’t give more case studies. The byline for the book reads “extraordinary stories from the battle against extinction”; it is for this reason that I thought he would include stories by himself and others about their trials and tribulations in this field. While there were a couple brief examples, it only made up about a quarter of the book. Though I am happy I can now explain how turtle eggs breath under the sand, I would have liked some more “stories” and a little less science. Still, for the turtle aficionado, this is a must.

-DLP

Book Review: The Legacy

I love stories about long kept family secrets and family trees with branches that seem to sprout from nowhere. Of course these kinds of novels are a dime a dozen, but I still take my chances that soon I’ll stumble upon the next “Rebecca” or “The Sound and the Fury”. It is for this reason that I picked up a copy of Katherine Webb’s “The Legacy”. While it is not the next “Rebecca”, it certainly has enough intrigue to keep readers interested for over 300 pages.

Webb begins by telling two stories. One is set between 1902 and 1905 and focuses on a young woman named Caroline who comes from money and society. When she meets a dashing young man at a party in NYC, she is instantly swept off her feet. The fact that he lives out west on a ranch, does not phase her in the least. That is until she is brought to the wild west to live and keep house. It is here that she lessons some of life’s hardest lessons. The second story takes place on a grand estate in modern day England where two sisters are brought together to go through their grandmother’s belongings after her death. They have not been to the mansion in years, since their cousin disappeared from the grounds and was never found. When they come upon a neighbor from their childhood, they must face the demons that have plagued them for decades. Both women hope that their time at the family estate will bring them solace and direction to their lives.

The characters are well developed, with the exception of Erica, and intriguing. I definitely felt drawn into the story and cared about their situation. The storyline that centered around Caroline was extremely interesting and reminded me a great deal of “Gap Creek” or some of Willa Cather’s works. I was less interested in the modern day characters though I still found them compelling at times. Perhaps it is the fact that I have read many of novels in this genre, but I could definitely see the big reveal coming and became frustrated when the characters kept circling around it. The biggest disappointment was Erica (one of the two sisters) who I thought to be childish, immature, and at times very dense. Still, as a first novel I think that Webb did a great job and I look forward to her future pieces.

-DLP

Book Review: Wickett's Remedy

I am all for books with funky narrators and interesting narrative styles. Though I’m still unsure about postmodernism, I love novels that push the limits on our expectations for genre. When I picked up “Wickett’s Remedy”, I thought that I was just in for an interesting story on the Spanish influenza. Oh boy, how wrong I was! What I wound up with was a great novel about South Boston during WWI, but written in a style that includes voices from those who had already past. Additionally, the author uses a bit of a scrapbook technique that includes letters, newsletters, and newspaper clippings. All of these forms are beautifully woven into the story in a way that gives it many dimensions and a great story.

Lydia is an Irish girl from South Boston who yearns to live and work on Washington Avenue. While all of her neighbors are going about their lives in Southie, Lydia lands a job working at a famous department store on her dream street. It is there that she meets her future husband who is studying to be a doctor. However, he abandons that path when he and Lydia marry and instead decides to produce a remedy tonic. When the Spanish Influenza strikes, Lydia’s (along with the rest of the country’s) life is completely turned upside down. Her story is interspersed with newsletters regarding the world famous QD soda. These stories are masterfully braided together to reveal the full extent of Lydia’s life and losses.

To say I couldn’t put this book down is a grave understatement. This novel had come to my attention a couple of times before I finally picked it up. Even once I did, I was a bit startled by the fact that there is the complete text in the center of the page with a couple of lines of subscript in the margins of each page. It took a bit of time to figure out how to handle this but it soon became natural to read the standard text and then glance over at the marginal notes. The notes are written in the first person plural and seem to be from the viewpoint of those who have passed on. Typically, they are used as a way for secondary characters to voice how they viewed a certain situation. This is incredibly interesting because it shows the shortcomings of the overall narrator while calling into question our personal memories and their accuracy. Each chapter is constructed a bit like a scrapbook. The majority of the pages focus on the overall plot with the marginal notes supplementing it. Towards the end of each chapter, the author throws in some news clippings, letters, and various kinds of dialog. It’s a little bit of a game to try to figure out what it all means but as it comes together it’s clear that the whole book is a beautiful tapestry of narrative techniques.

As a history buff, I was extremely impressed by the amount of meticulous research the author performed. Most historical fiction focuses on a historical event but than manipulates it to fit the author’s characters and views. This is not true of “Wickett’s Remedy”. The history is not only accurate but vital to the characters and the story. The plot is not merely dropped into a certain time period but instead is about that time and the people in it. This adds a realness to the characters that is often lacking in fiction. Overall, I think that this is a fantastic book both for its story and its technique. I have no qualms recommending it to book groups, friends, family, enemies, and strangers.

-DLP

Book Reivew: Brandwashed

For years, I have tried to find a book that made me gasp as many times as Freaknomics did. I remember thinking about that book years after I read it...I’m still thinking about it now. I tried Super Freakanomics and other books that people thought were comparable but none of them made me gasp and do a triple take. None of them until “Brandwashing”. This book does for marketing and advertising what Freaknomics did for economics and Fast Food Nation did for food. It made my brain hurt in a way far surpassing the brain freeze of milkshakes and Slurpees. In fact, it has taken me over a week to even sit down to write this review because I have been too busy telling all of my friends to pre-order their copies!

Author Martin Lindstorm is a veteran advertising agents with clients that range from McDonald’s to Microsoft. It say that Lindstorm knows that ins-and-outs of marketing is to say that Steve Jobs can use a computer. Here he takes us behind the scenes to show the reader how companies use MRIs to figure out the areas in the brain that they want their marketing to hit. He tells of how advertising can affect use before we are even born; how smells that our mothers experienced when pregnant with us can condition us to buy certain detergents and eat certain foods. He explains why panic and fear sells more than happiness and peace. Lindstrom gives credence to the idea that people can be addicted to their smartphones and lip balm. Tactics of using nostalgia to buy a certain brand of soda or candy bar are explored. What does Justin Bieber and the British royal family have in common? They’re both brands that dictate our tastes and purchases. In his final chapter, Lindstrom carries through with an experiment like that in the movie “Jones” in which he has a family peddle certain items to their friends in an effort to see how keeping up with the Jones’ really works. Spoiler: it works!

I could go on for pages and pages about this book but at about 275 pages, this book can stand for itself. It reads like a thriller that you won’t be able to put down. Sadly, the horrors that are inflicted in the “story” are on us...the consumers. Just in case the reader doesn’t believe his theories, he backs them up with copious case studies. Once I finished this book, I immediately ran out and bought his other book (which I now know is a marketing ploy). I know people will be talking about this book for years to come. I know I will!

-DLP

Book Review: The Unconquered

After finishing this book, I tried to read other reviews in hopes of finding some kindred spirits but found none. So I read the book again (which was really tough) and came to the same conclusion...this is a 512 page book that could easily be whittled down to a seven page article. Which is why I was not surprised to find out that before the book’s publication, it actually was an article in National Geographic. I am a huge fan of nonfiction that chronicles trips into the Amazon. When “The Lost City of Z” came out, I was the first in line to get my copy; I devoured “Turn Right at Macchu Picchu” in two sittings. It is for this reason that I was so disappointed to find this book filled with egotistical musings and, by comparison, very little information on the actual Arrow People.

Writer Scott Wallace, was asked by National Geographic to follow the Indian activist Sydney Possuelo on his mission to find out information on the Arrow People. This community is made up of about 4,000 Indians who have remained “unconquered” despite the settling of Europeans and development over the past centuries. With the constant war on the environment that we seem to be waging, there is a risk that these Arrow People will be found by man and their environment will be destroyed. In an effort to save them and their way of life, Possuelo sets out to get as close as possible without contacting the tribe. He hopes to use the information that he gleans from this adventure to protect these indigenous people. Wallace goes along for the ride chronicling Possuelo and his 75+ team members. He fights the mud, bugs, boats, hunger, and his own physical and emotional strength for over three months. Thus making this one of his hardest, yet most rewarding assignments.

While Wallace clearly set out to write a tell-all that would help raise awareness of the Arrow People’s threatened situation, what he has actually done is chronicle his own plights. Within the first five pages, he has already bombarded the reader with his personal problems and great successes that would make him perfect for this assignment. This irked me from the start. I picked up this book to learn about the Arrow People and not about Wallace’s family troubles and great writing skills. Though he clearly respects Possuelo, Wallace spends a decent amount of time complaining about Possuelo’s “dictator-like” way of running the expedition. I felt that Possuelo’s zeal was inspiring and not nearly as annoying as Wallace. Additionally, Wallace is a whiner. Obviously, the Amazon is threatening and is home to many dangerous animals and insects. However, I felt as if Wallace spends too much time complaining about these circumstances and not enough time discussing the actual Arrow People. He seems to want a big pat on the back for enduring this charitable mission. While I believe that he deserves some kudos, I hoped that he would focus less on himself and more on “the Amazon’s last uncontacted tribe”.

-DLP

Book Review: Best American Short Stories 2011

I usually don’t pick up this anthology because it can be so hit or miss that I would rather not spend the money. This year I saw that Geraldine Brooks was the editor and I knew that I had to grab it. While I don’t always love her novels, I think that she’s a fantastic writer and I hoped that she had excellent taste. Unfortunately, this anthology was still hit or miss and more often than not it missed. I thought that the introduction by Brooks was mildly offensive and many of the stories had interesting narratives but lacked any interest or uniqueness.

With that said, there are certainly some stories that everyone needs to read! The first being “Ceiling” (it also happens to be the first in the collection) which depicts a man who has chosen to become a member of the elite class in Lagos even though it meant giving up his true love and happiness. “A Bridge Under Water” made me smile even though it described the failings of a new marriage and the role of religion in our society and relationships. Elizabeth McCracken’s “Property” is a heartbreaking story about a man who loses his wife and relocates to Maine where he rents out a dilapidated house with a pesky landlord who isn’t quite who he thinks she is.

The two best stories are those that don’t exactly fit into a genre and might easily have been overlooked before their inclusion in this anthology. Steven Millhauser’s “Phantoms” reads a lot like a report or dissertation written about ghosts in a small town and their affect on the town’s citizens. Complete with case studies, explanations and analysis, this “story” is fantastic not only because of its narrative style but also because of the writing. Caitlin Horrocks’ “The Sleep” is by far one of the best short stories I have read in a long time. She tells of a town that is so poor it decides to hibernate during the winter. Of course this attracts a great amount of attention from outsiders and the media who admonish, and at times berate, the residents. It becomes far more than just a story about sleeping.

Clearly, there are some gems in this collection that should be savored. However, the majority of stories left a lot to be desired. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this book was the foreword by the series editor and the introduction by Brooks. Both pieces focused on the do’s and don’t’s of writing. While I think this advice may be helpful to some, I didn’t feel like this collection was the place for it. Additionally, I am always leery of authors giving out writing advice as there are many kinds of “good” writing and one shoe does not fit all. That said, while I would recommend certain stories in this collection, I would not recommend this book to others.

-DLP

Book Review: The Best American Comics 2011

I have to be honest that I'm not a great lover of comic anthologies. While I can read excerpts from novels or long essays, I have a hard time getting absorbed into a sample of a comic that is only a few panels long. At the same time, I love graphic novels. Last year I devoured about 15 if not more...I lost track. However, this year I have been lacking in the graphic novel department. It is for this reason that I thought reading this collection would point me towards some of the best comics from this year. While I thought the anthology was a mixed bag, I certainly found some favorites that I need to read before the year is out.

Being that this collection is called "The BEST American Comics", I thought that I would make superlatives of my own in this review.

- Most heartbreaking is Joe Sacoo's two part series on the Israeli killings of Palestinians in 1956. Just when the content seems too much to handle, Sacco throws in an interesting twist in which he questions people's memory and the validity of their remembrances.

-Most heartwarming is Eric Orner's "Weekends Abroad" which is a beautiful story about a Hebrew school drop out who finds himself working in Israel for two years without knowing Hebrew. The characters are endearing and I know I will be looking to this author for his other works.

-Most stunning illustrations goes to "Flower Mecha" by Angie Wang. The story is basically about a superwoman who can defeat pollen from interfering with her picnics and outdoor plans. Though it seems a bit thin, the graphics are gorgeous and her use of color is beautiful. It reminded me a great deal of the graphic novel "Skim".

- Most bizarre comic is "Queen" by Michael Deforge which depicts a woman (I think...?) made out of brightly colored mucus. There is no text and while I sometimes like that technique, I don't think it suited this comic because I had not idea what was going on. The female mucus dresses herself up for makeshift lipstick, a tube top, and plenty of cleavage. It might be a commentary on beauty and society...but I didn't get it.

-Most humorous goes to "The Ultimate Graphic Novel (in six panels)" which is just what its title states. These six panels are the cliff notes to almost every graphic novel: boy meets girl, there's a way, boy has daddy issues, boy is misunderstood by his family, boy fights in war in which there are casualties, boy never gets the girl but they remain friends. It pokes fun at graphic novels in a very endearing way and makes for the perfect conclusion to the collection as every comic in the collection falls into one of the 6 categories described.

-Best story is John Pham's comic about his classmates from high school. The illustrations are beautiful and he uses a very unique arrangement that I found to benefit both his graphics and his story. Though it is short, it is tender, funny, and heartbreaking.

-Best overall comic is "Little House in the Big City" which is downright fantastic!! The illustrations are like political cartoons. The author basically tells the story of the different buildings in NYC from the 1920s to the height of suburbia and how the differing/changing buildings changed the entire city. She also discusses Jane Jacobs and the problems with urban renewal. There is certainly a history lesson in this story, but you would never know it because it is so good!

With Alison Bechdel as the featured editor and writer of the introduction, you know that you're in good hands. While there are a certain amount of duds, I would definitely spring of a copy because there are some comics in here that should not be missed!!

-DLP

Book Review: Evelyn Evelyn

This graphic novel is exceptional! It is dark with some really dark humor, which is right up my alley. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and like something I have never seen before in a graphic novel. The story is sad but beautiful. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart but those who have a macabre side will relish this kind of story.

The story follows a pair of twins who are inseparable, literally. They are conjoined twins that share “three legs, two arms, two hearts, three lungs and a single liver”. Their mother was in so much pain during childbirth that she was brought to the nearest doctor who was not actually a doctor at all. When the twins were born, the “doctor” saw that they were joined and grabbed a a chainsaw to cut them. In mid swing, the doctor was shot by the local sheriff and died immediately. Unfortunately, the chainsaw flew out of his hand and killed the twins’ father. And so begins the twins’ journey through various homes ranging from a chicken farm to a whore house to the circus. Sadly, they are never accepted and are forever met with anger, fear, and violence. Still, they always have each other and their dream that they will one day find their way.

I can’t express how much I enjoyed this book. The story is certainly sad but this should not deter readers because there is beauty in the tale. The art is absolutely fantastic and riveting. The author also makes from interesting and at times humorous comments on today’s society and pop culture. It is for this reason that the novel has some levity and I did not come away from it feeling depressed. I will certainly reread it over and over again and drop not so subtle hints to my friends that they must get themselves a copy!!

-DLP

Book Review: I Love You Beth Cooper

I picked up this book at a Border’s liquidation sale. I have seen it on various bookshelves and DVD racks for a couple of years now and thought that I should take a stab at it. I usually don’t like fictional humor or chick lit, but I know I need to try new things. I have to say that though it wasn’t my kind of book, I wasn’t disappointed and I did enjoy reading it.

Denis Cooverman isn’t exactly a nerd, but he is far from being part of the popular crowd.  During his graduation speech, he decides to tell members of the student body how he actually feels about them. The crowd is aghast when he calls out one of his classmates as being a snob and tells everyone that his best friend is gay. Yet the greatest shocker is when he declares his love for the popular Beth Cooper. When he finally speaks to her after the ceremony, he asks her to come to his house that night for a party. Of course, Denis has never thrown a party before and when Beth and her two friends arrive it is only Denis and his supposedly gay best friend in attendance. Yet that doesn’t stop the drama from blasting through his front door in the form of Beth’s military boyfriend. As Beth’s BF chases the whole gang around town, Beth and Denis begin to form a bond that could be just what Denis was looking for.

My favorite part of the novel were the illustrations that opened each chapter showing Denis and his downward spiral throughout the night. There were definitely times when I chuckled at the circumstances that the group found themselves in. I thought that the antics between Denis and his best friend were really cute. Most of all, I enjoyed the ending because I thought it was tender but real. Overall, I wasn’t that impressed but I did have a good time which was worth the $8.

-DLP

Book Review: Calli

Every now and then I love to lose myself in a good young adult novel. I feel like it keeps me in tune to what teens are worrying about these days and it also brings me back to those high school years. While most everyone disliked high school, it is fun to read about other people’s fictional struggles. It is for this reason that I picked up a copy of Calli. I enjoyed the read even if it was a bit boring and stilted at times.

Calli is a high school student who has a perfect life, from the outside. She has a fun best friend, an adoring boyfriend, and parents who think that she’s the greatest daughter. However, her life is far from ideal. In reality, her parents are lesbians one of whom suffers from lupus; her adoring boyfriend just made out with her foster sister in front of the whole school; and her best friend couldn’t care less about any of the problems in Calli’s life. Calli tries her hardest to keep peace in her house, but one night her emotions get the best of her and she acts out in a way that has startling repercussions.

I did enjoy Calli’s character. I found her to be very real. Perhaps that is the reason I was a bit bored by the story because Calli was TOO real. Most readers pick up books to experience a life that they don’t have. This is especially true of young adult readers. While many may pick up books in which they identify with the characters, we still hope that those in the novel make decisions that maybe we are not bold enough to make in our nonfiction world. I felt that Calli was a bit too predictable. Even in her outbursts, she was kind of restrained and repentant. Furthermore, I did think that she had a bit of a charmed life for a typical teenager. The most interesting aspect of the story was Calli’s relationship with her parent, Liz. While this was a substantial part of the book, I still found myself putting the book down more often than I would have liked. I think that there is an audience for this book, I’m just not it.

-DLP

Book Review: An Elegy for Amelia Johnson

It is no surprise to anyone here that I love graphic novels. Whenever a new one comes out, I can’t wait to devour it. Of course I try to be discerning about what I read, but when it comes to graphic novels...I gobble them all up! I picked up An Elegy for Amelia Johnson, basically, because it was on the shelf. I typically don’t like road trip stories but I thought I would take a chance on it because the illustrations looked interesting and it looked like it covered a lot of ground in under 125 pages. This novel met my expectations but, sadly, did not succeed them.

Amelia Johnson is ding of cancer when she contacts her two best friends, Henry and Jillian. Henry and Jillian have never met before but they’re about to get to know each other really well as Amelia sends them on a cross-country journey together. Henry has known Amelia almost all of his life but fell out of touch with her when she moved to New York City to go to college. This is when she befriended Jillian who was her roommate at Columbia University. The two women forged a bond that took them through some tumultuous times. However, they both emerged relatively unscathed. It is Amelia’s deathbed request that these two friends travel together across the country delivering DVDs on which Amelia has recorded her last words. Once on the road, Henry and Jillian realize that Amelia may have had ulterior motives when she chose them both to do this task. They also start to question if either of them ever knew Amelia.

This graphic novel has lofty goals. Any plot that involves deathbed requests AND a cross-country journey is striving a bit too hard to be sentimental and philosophical. I felt that the storyline was highly unrealistic and all of the characters were unlikeable. The emotional scavenger hunt to deliver Amelia’s last words did move the characters around but it didn’t help their development. It was clear from the synopsis on the back of the book what would happen in the end but even I was surprised by the amount of melodrama and cliches that were used. Overall, I think the illustrations were nice even if the story was weak. I think the author has room to grow and I look forward to reading his future works...but I may borrow them from the library instead of buying them.

-DLP