Jenn\'s Bookshelves

Review: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Jenn

Hardcover: 382 pages
Publisher: Harper (April 2, 2013)
ISBN-10: 006222543X
Source: Publisher

Kate is a single mother working long hours as a partner at a law firm. Her teen daughter, Amelia has a bright future ahead of her, a well-respected student at the local prep high school. When Kate receives a phone call from Amelia’s school one day, she’s shocked to learn that Amelia has been suspended. Unable to get any details over the phone, she rushes through traffic to Amelia’s school. When she gets there over an hour later, she is too late. Upon arriving at the school, she sees rescue vehicles parked in front. Within minutes of her arrival she learns that Amelia is dead, allegedly killed after jumping off the roof of the school.

In the weeks that pass, Kate must get used to being alone again. Although she worked long hours, she always made time on the weekend to spend with Amelia. Just as she starts to get back to her usual routine, she receives a text from a blocked number: Amelia didn’t jump. This text is the first of many she receives from this number. Desperate to learn more she contacts the police who had, based on the medical examiner’s report, had written Amelia’s death off as a suicide. When new evidence is uncovered, Kate learns that Amelia’s death was in fact a homicide. With the aid of a Lieutenant from the local police, Kate begins going through Amelia’s email, Facebook posts and more trying to recreate the last days of her life. Riddled by guilt, Kate soon realizes there was a lot she didn’t know about her teen daughter. To make matters worse, secrets Kate kept about the identity of Amelia’s father have surfaced. Is it possible that she is partially to blame for the cruelty her daughter experienced in the last days of her life?

Reconstructing Amelia is a heartbreaking examination of teen life and the lengths that youth will go through to be accepted. Told with haunting insight on the mysterious life of teens. From hazing to sexuality, drugs, and first secret loves, McCreight reveals a truly chilling plot that, unfortunately, isn’t far from reality. Her characterization is above par, using alternating chapters and points of view the author builds truly dynamic characters. Kate is a hard-working single mother, trying to do best for her daughter. Amelia is a teen, struggling with her own sexuality and identity amidst a world governed by social media. In addition to this shift of point of view, flashbacks to the past and unique formatting really aid in the overall flow and pacing of the novel.

As the mother of a teen myself, I wasn’t necessarily shocked but chilled to read about the cruelty displayed by those in the “in crowd.” The role of social media in the lives of teens plays a key role, reminding me just how many ways youth can be bullied in current society. This novel is a good reminder about the importance of open communication and support between parent and child, no matter how busy or complex life may get. I was stunned to learn that this is McCreight’s debut novel because her writing displays talents that typically only come with years of experience. This is a novel that will haunt me, but remind me to never take for granted the relationship we have with our son, no matter how challenging and difficult may get. Highly recommended, specifically for young adults or parents with teen children.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me the opportunity to review this title. Please be certain to check out the other stops along the way; I guarantee this is a book that will generate a great deal of discussion!

Find out more about the author at her website, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Posted in General Fiction, Harper Books, Mystery/Suspense, Review | Tagged bullying, homosexuality, mother-daughter relationships, social media | 4 Comments

Review: And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Jenn

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (April 9, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0312610769
Source: Publisher

Kate Vaughan has a successful life: a caring family, a wonderfully devoted boyfriend and a thriving boutique. Yet when she imagines her life before her, she can’t help but remiss to the life she had before with her first love, Jack. Jack was the man she thought she would spend her life with yet in her indecisive youth, Jack moved on and married another woman.

In order to pursue her future with Rowan, her boyfriend, Kate feels she must visit Jack once more. The two share a secret that changed their lives, a secret only shared by their two families. A secret that she must share with Rowan if they are to have a happy life together. She knows that her life will never be happy if she does not confront her past, and the love she shared with Jack. Once she transports herself back to her past, and her relationship with Jack, feelings she thought banished once again appear. The secret they shared becomes real, preventing them from continuing on with their separate lives without dealing with the life they brought into this world together.

Inspired by a true story, And Then I Found You touches on a number of issues, including young love, pregnancy, and adoption. Since it was based on fact, this element adds a dimension of believability to the story, creating a bond with the author almost instantaneously. The characters she creates in Kate and Jack are truly genuine, well-rounded and incredibly flawed.

While I wholeheartedly enjoyed reading the story of Kate and Jack’s relationship, and of the child they chose to put up for adoption, I couldn’t dismiss the irritation I felt with Kate’s character. An indecisive youth is something I can deal with, but Kate continues with this characteristic well into her adulthood. She loves Rowan and looks forward to spending her life with him, yet she can’t abandon or admit to the love she still has for Jack. There were several instances in this novel in which I found myself yelling at Katie for her behavior and the way she treated both Jack and Rowan. She seemed genuinely shocked at Rowan’s behavior at times when his response to her actions was wholeheartedly valid.

Additionally, I did feel that the ending was pretty predictable but I feel that it did suit the overall tone of the novel. Going in, the reader understands that Kate will get whatever she desires, whether that be Jack or Rowan.

A character I truly adored was Luna/Emily, Jack and Kate’s daughter. Her adoption was never kept a secret and her family willingly permitted her to research her birth parents. Additionally, I feel that the emotions displayed by her adoptive mother were incredibly genuine and valid, given the circumstances.

Also, I could see why Kate felt such strong feelings for Jack. He was a wonderful man, devoted to her for most of his life. It was only when Kate could not commit and settle down that he moved on to pursue his own happiness. To me, Jack is the knight in shining armor that we all dream to find (and some of us are lucky to have caught.)

All in all, despite my issues with Kate’s character, I did enjoy this truly heartwarming and moving read. I definitely see it being discussed in book clubs or with close friends. Recommended.

I read this title as part of my involvement with the SheReads blog network. Interested in discussing this title? Be sure to tune in later this month for the official discussion.

Read the story behind this novel.
Find Patti on Twitter (@pcalhenry) and on Facebook.

Posted in Review, St. Martin's Press, Women's Fiction | Leave a comment

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week?

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Jenn

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week? This is a weekly event to list the books completed last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finish this week. It is hosted by Sheila from One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books so stop by and join in!

Books Completed Last Week

Children of the Underground: The Children of Paranoia Series by Trevor Shane (review)
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (audio)
Life after Life by Kate Atkinson
The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones
And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry

Currently Reading

Extinction Machine by Jonathan Maberry (audio)
Reconstructing Ameliaby Kimberly McCreight
Tuesday’s Gone by Nicci French

Books to Complete This Week

The Movement of Stars by Amy Brill
Lifetime by Liza Marklund
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

What are you reading this week?

Posted in It's Monday What Are you Reading This Week | 3 Comments

Frightful Friday: Children of the Underground: The Children of Paranoia Series by Trevor Shane

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Jenn

Frightful Friday is a weekly meme in which I feature a particularly scary or chilling book that I’ve read that week.

This week’s featured title is Children of the Underground by Trevor Shane:

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade; 1 edition (April 2, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0451239296
Source: Publisher

In this follow up to Children of Paranoia, eighteen-year-old Maria has just witnessed the brutal killing of Joseph, her lover and the father of their infant son, Christopher. The killer, Joseph’s best friend, Jared, claimed he did it for “the cause.” After killing Joseph, Jared tears Christopher from Maria’s grasp. Maria is now on a mission to locate her son, now nearly a year old. She attempted to contact others like Joseph, those fighting in this nameless war, but they shunned her, told her to forget she had a son and to get on with her life. Unable to do so, Maria tracks down Michael, another of Joseph’s friends involved in the cause, as well as a group known as the Underground, dedicated to “cleaning” the lives of those no longer interested in participating in the war. Together, they must carefully cross the lines waged by war, risking their lives in order to track down young Christopher.

Interspersed throughout the story are journal entries, reminiscent of the entries from the previous novel, that fast forward in time to Christopher’s youth and adulthood. Readers get a glimpse of the life Christopher led, immersed in a war that continues to have unknown causes and no indication of ending. Shane has crafted a truly terrific and chilling concept: a silent war rages, millions of citizens clueless to what is going on around them. Those involved in the war don’t have clear enemies or allies. It is rare to find someone you trust.

This sophomore book has absolutely no inklings or hints of a sophomore slump. As a matter of fact, I think this novel is more intense than the previous. Perhaps, because I am a mother myself, I found it easier to connect with Maria’s character than Joseph’s in the previous novel. Although she is still a teen in age, Maria has been forced to endure a lifetime worth of loss and pain. One wants to feel sympathy for her character, but Maria’s strong will and emotion will not allow it.

The character of Michael was an incredibly unique one as well. Despite being scarred by the war he reenlists, fighting for a cause he does not believe in because he knows it is the only way Maria can get her son back. A killer by trade, on the surface he appears cold and emotionless yet his dedication to finding Christopher shows a softer side.

As mentioned, this is the second book in a series. While Shane does provide a bit of back-story and history of the characters, I do believe it is best to start this series from the beginning. It is imperative to see the progression of the characters and their motives, to truly comprehend the depth of the battle they are fighting.

Fans of a wide range of genres would appreciate this series, from action and adventure to thriller. I see great things ahead for this truly talented writer. Highly highly recommended.

Posted in Frightful Friday, NAL, Penguin, Review, Thriller | 3 Comments

Review: No Way Back by Andrew Gross

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Jenn

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (April 2, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0061655988
Source: Publisher

Wendy Gould is an ex-cop turned suburban mom. One night, she meets an attractive man and ends up in his hotel room. She puts an end to their intense make-out session before it goes to far and, embarrassed, runs into the bathroom to pull herself back together. When she walks out, she finds herself in the middle of an altercation between two men: the man she nearly slept with and an unknown, armed man. She witnesses a murder and as the shooter escapes, she realizes she is the only witness. The shooter, a rogue federal agent, knows her identity and Wendy fears for her life as well as her freedom. She goes home, confessing everything to her husband. Before they are able to flee authorities end up on her doorstep, the first in a series of life-altering events. She is now being hunted, believed to be the killer. Her family doesn’t believe in her innocence and so Wendy is not only running for her life but also to prove her innocence.

Lauritzia Velez is a nanny who cherishes the children put into her care. When they narrowly escape a shooting, Lauritzia realizes that she is the intended victim and her past has come back to haunt her. Years ago Lauritzia fled to United States, illegally, to escape from a Mexican crime boss named Cano. His men have now found her and she must once again run from their murderous grasp.

These two women, leading completely different lives, are bought together bound by the fate dealt to them. Together, they must seek answers for crimes committed across the border in Mexico, crimes that, unsolved, will prevent the women from leading any semblance of a normal life.

In typical Gross style, the author portrays an incredibly riveting and intense thriller. While the reader is unaware of the connection between the two women, nor the cause of the actions of the rogue federal agent on their trail, until nearly halfway through the book, the storyline Gross delivers is captivating enough to carry the reader along.

What I particularly enjoyed about this particular thriller were the main characters: both were incredibly strong women who would put their own lives at risk in the name of justice. With nearly no one else to trust, they must rely on one another for their safety. While the author’s novels tend to follow a formula in their execution, it is a formula that works quite well, engaging me as a long-time fan! Gross has once again proven to be a true talent in the suspense/thriller genre. Highly recommended.

Posted in Review, Thriller, William Morrow | 2 Comments

Review: There Was an Old Woman by Hallie Ephron

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Jenn

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (April 2, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0062117602
Source: Publisher

Evie isn’t all together surprised when she receives a call from her sister, Ginger, indicating their mother has been hospitalized. Sandra, an alcoholic, has frequent health “issues” as a result of her drinking and her daughters assume this incident is the same. Evie reluctantly agrees to go to Sandra’s house and get to the bottom of the problem. The condition of the house is absolutely horrid; covered with graffiti and filled with overflowing bags of empty vodka bottles. As she attempts to clean up the ruin, she is reunited with their elderly neighbor, Mina. Their relationship rekindles, much to the dismay of Mina’s nephew who is struggling to get Mina to agree to move to a nursing home.

Mina has her own host of issues. Her mental health appears to be deteriorating; she often forgets where she’s placed items, forgets food cooking on the stove, etc. Not helping the situation is her persistent and deceptive nephew. She’s drawn to Evie, who works as a curator at the Five-Boroughs Historical Society, because of their shared interest in preserving history.

As Evie becomes more involved in the goings on of her childhood neighborhood, she realizes at once that something is amiss. Homes that stood during her childhood are now being demolished. Her mother, barely getting by on her father’s pension, is now receiving packages full of bundled cash. Is it a coincidence that two of the few remaining individuals who own property on this incredibly historic (and valuable) land are so ill and unstable? It becomes Evie’s mission to get to the bottom of what is transpiring, putting her life at risk in order to save childhood memories that are slowly being destroyed.

Alternating between the viewpoints of Evie and Mina, Ephron develops an genuinely suspenseful read. The development of these characters, so rich and descriptive, is so pristine and genuine. Readers, myself included, will have a difficult time determining just who can be trusted. Are Evie and Sandra elderly women, far beyond their prime, unable mentally and physically to continue living on their own or is there something far darker (and deadly) amiss?

The pacing of this novel is relatively slow, building up in intensity with time. What starts off as a novel with a quiet neighborhood as its setting ultimately is revealed as community rich with corruption and greed. While this novel isn’t as dark and suspenseful as many of Ephron’s other works, the author instead draws you in with an engrossing storyline and incredibly sympathetic characters. Additionally, in executing this fine piece of suspense, Eprhon touches on a number of social issues including ageism and alcoholism. There Was an Old Woman is guaranteed to intrigue and captivate readers of all genres. Highly, highly recommended.

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review, William Morrow | 2 Comments