"The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

One of my former co-workers and generally awesome person hosts a monthly book club.  While my advanced pregnancy rarely lets me stay awake late enough to attend the meetings, I almost always read the book.

I'm not generally a fan of the circus.  Clowns make me uncomfortable and I often feel like the bearded lady and I have a little too much in common.  These two things made me a little nervous to pick up "The Night Circus".  Would I really like a book about a circus?  What kind of story can the author tell that hasn't been told a thousand times already?  But pick it up I did...and here's what I thought:

Summary:  All is not what it seems at Le Cirque des Reves.  Open only at night, the Circus of Dreams rolls into town unannounced and seems to appear magically overnight.  The circus enthralls its guests with its back and white atmosphere, amazing acts and tents that seem to put even the most creative imagination to shame.

But all is not as it seems.  For deep within the circus, two illusionists are playing a game set into motion when they were children.  Neither player knows the what it will take to win nor just how high the stakes are.

What I Liked:

• I thought the premise of the book was quite interesting:  two young people are raised and trained to play in a game in which they do not know their opponent, what it takes to win, and what will happen if they loose.  Played out in the Circus, each opponent seems to be limited only by their creativity and abilities.
• The side characters and side stories were quite interesting  Usually filler, the supporting cast in The Night Circus added to the plot and helped move the story - which covered years - along in a way that was mostly reasonable.
• Magic.  There's something about magic in a story that transports me into another world so completely that I have no trouble accepting things that would normally cause me to side eye the story.  The magic scenes in The Night Circus were rich with detail and described in a way that was completely captivating.

What Drove Me Nuts:

• The story was a little slow in parts.  I felt like the plot took a tad to long too long to be told.
• The ending was a little unsatisfying.  I won't say too much for fear of giving anything away, but I rather expected the book to go out with a bang instead of sort of....fading away.
• The Circus was assumed to be amazing and magical and secondary characters consistently described the Circus in such a way, but upon further reflection I felt the author could have done more to show how the Circus and its players earned the status.

Rating:  Amid a fantastically imaginative setting with interesting characters and a plot that twists and turns unexpectedly, The Night Circus is a great book to read if you're looking for something that is fun and strange and just a little sad.

Also Read By:  Nothing yet, this is a debut novel by the author.

Reviewed By:  Tami

Fantastic Summer Reads for Young Readers

Somewhere out there is that one book that inspires a young mind to become a reader.

I didn't really start reading until I was in fourth grade.  The summer I turned nine my family moved to a new town to live with family for awhile and I had to start a new school, adjust to a new home and try to make new friends.  The fact that my younger brother and I were two of only four new kids in the entire school was an added bonus to the already challenging time.  Already much taller than the other kids and painfully self conscious and shy, I turned to books to help make the lonely days a little easier.

The first books I remember reading and loving was The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin.  Between the pages I found a group of uniquely different girls that loved kids, had adventures and were always there for their best friends.  I devoured them.

While I eventually grew older than Kristy, Claudia and the gang, I developed a fondness for loosing myself in a good story after a long day of school and homework.  A habit was born and since I fourth grade hardly a day has gone by that I haven't read a few chapters pages of a book.

Over the weekend I started thinking about what to get my nephew for his eighth birthday.  Legos came to mind.  As did a video game.  Or a water gun.  Or even a gift card to buy an app or two for his tablet.

But then it came to me:  a book.  A truly great chapter book that will inspire him to share one of my greatest passions...reading.  It's actually a really daunting task, trying to think of a book an active 8-year-old would like when there are so many other ways to spend his time an energy.  I did some research online and found some great lists, such as this one from NPR, but when it comes down to it, I want to give him a book that I loved as a kid in the hopes that if he doesn't love it this summer, he'll pick it up in a few years and discover something magical.  So I present to you:

[1]  Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling

The unwanted burden of his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, young Harry resigns himself to his cousins castoffs, daily bullying and the inevitability of a ho-hum life.  As his eleventh birthday nears Harry begins to notice strange things happening.  An awful haircut grows out overnight, a hideous sweater shrinks until he can no longer wear it and he has an actual conversation with a snake!  Then one day an owl delivers an old fashioned envelope addressed to Harry.  From that moment on, Harry's life turns into an amazing adventure in which he learns magic, finds the true meaning of family and friendship and sets out to save the wizarding world.  The Potter series isn't afraid to help kids explore fear, friendship, loss and the meaning between good and evil.

[2]  The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

Orphaned Harry Crewe travels to the Homeland's remote desert outpost of Daria to live with her brother Richard. Shortly after her arrival, Corlath, King of the desert people arrives at the fort to warn the Homelanders of a terrible threat.  The Homelanders ignore Corlath's warning and he leaves in anger.  Later that evening,

seemingly out of the blue Corlath returns to the fort and kidnaps Harry.  What at first seems like a terrifying and confusing event turns into a series of self discoveries that helps Harry find her purpose in life and strength in herself.  The Blue Sword is an easy to read story with a strong female lead that shows that girls can do whatever they set their mind to, even if everyone else is telling them they can't.

[3]  The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura lives with her Pa, Ma, Mary, and her beloved dog Jack on the frontier of America in the mid 1800s.  Little House in the Big Woods describes what life was like for five-year-old Laura and the Ingalls family as they traded labor with friends and family deep in the woods of Wisconsin in order to  prepare for the upcoming winter months.  Told in an engagingly endearing way, no topic is taboo as Laura recalls what it was like to help slaughter pigs for meat, farm the land for daily food and the ups and downs of living in a one room log cabin far from neighbors and family.  This series gives a fascinating look at what life was like 150 years ago, long before indoor pluming and grocery stores.

[4]  Matilda by Roald Dahl

Young Matilda Wormwood is extraordinary in a very ordinary family.  An avid reader and intelligent beyond her years, Matilda is a bit of a prankster who uses her amazing sense of concentration to play pranks on people she feels deserve to learn a lesson---mainly her dishonest parents and cruel teachers.  One day Matilda connects with a young teacher who recognizes Matilda's brightness.  Miss Honey mentors Matilda's unique mind and opens her up to a whole new world of books and learning.  Full of mischief and magic and discovery, Matilda is a fun read for kids and parents alike.

[5]  The Giver by Lois Lowry

Jonas lives in a Utopian society that has elected for "sameness" in order to eradicate fear, anger, hunger and war.  Each family is created for compatibility, citizens are assigned jobs that are suited for their skills, and all needs are met equally.  During their twelfth year, each young person is assigned to the job he or she will have for the rest of their lives as an adult. During the assignment ceremony, Jonas is assigned to become the next Receiver of Memory.  As he learns what it means to receive the memories the public lost in their quest for sameness, Jonas learns the depth of what humanity has given up.  Will he be able to live within society now that he knows what is missing?


While these five books made the largest impression on me in my youth, I feel like there are a few others that deserve honorable mentions:

• "Dealing with Dragons" by Patricia C. Wrede
• "Watership Down" by Richard Adams
• "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. DuBois
• "Night of the Twisters"  by Ivy Ruckman

"Summon the Keeper" by Tanya Huff

Moment of honesty:  My Aunt lent me this book back in 2010 and I hesitated to read it because one of the main characters was a cat.  That talks.  I'm not sure why this prevented me from giving the book a shot---especially since my Aunt is usually spot on with suggestions---but it did.  What's more ridiculous is that I've read books full of magic or vampires or talking horses.  I guess it was just something about the cat.  Four years later when I moved into my new house with my husband, I came across a box of books that had been loaned to me and that I intended to read "someday".  I picked this one off the top of the pile and sped through it in a few days.

Summary:  When a Keeper feels a Summoning, she must follow the command.  That's how Claire Hansen finds herself checking into Elysian Fields Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast on a blustery Canadian evening.   When Claire wakes up the next morning, she finds herself not only the new owner of the Guesthouse, but with a note warning her to stay out of room six.  And also a hole to hell in the basement.

Along with a sassy cat, an innocent hunk and an amorous French Canadian host, Claire must find a way to seal the hole to hell and deal with the problem in room six before she finds herself stuck to the site forever.

What I Liked:

• The dialog in this story is hilarious.  From Claire to the Cat to Hell itself, everyone has snarky comment to make.  I found myself laughing out loud more than once.
• While the plot followed traditional fantasy story lines, the twists and turns it took were new (to me) and very cleverly thought out.  The author didn't make any mistakes and there weren't any gaping plot holes to be found.
• The author is just a good writer.  She introduced the rules of her world slowly and in a way that made sense to me as the reader.  It was fun to stumble across new concepts as the book progressed.
• The guests that popped in and out of the guesthouse kept the story moving and brought moments of hilarity and absurdity to the plot.  A sexy musician vampire?  Werewolves?  A hideously annoying elderly neighbor?  Yes please!
• Overall, this book was just fun.  And fine.  I liked the talking cat.

What Drove Me Nuts:

• There wasn't much I disliked about the book, once I got over the thought of  talking cat.
• The book was written in 1998, so the technology references may make some readers guffaw.
• Don't get me started about the fashion.  It's just so.....Canadian.....

Rating:  Fantasy lovers, add this to your must read list!

Reviewed By:  Tami

"Snow Crash" By Neal Stephenson

I picked up this book at a used bookstore because a friend of mine has quoted little bits of it for the last several years. I saw it and thought, "Well, let's see what this is all about".

Summary: It is modern day, but certain trends have reached an extreme. The government has become a near-irrelevant entity as laws dissolved under the weight of corporate might. The US president is an obscure figure, unrecognizable to the masses. All valuable real estate has been claimed and developed by various corporations who have built up their franchises. There are franchises for roads, restaurants, neighborhoods, jails, police, schools, deliveries, you name it. People are citizens of their franchise, and register their vehicles that way. Messengers have dozens of barcode/visas that get scanned as they enter each different zone. Crime is suppressed by private security, the mafia run around with the word blazoned on their jackets and fear no one. Areas that are not profitable are franchise ghettos, where the poor are left to suffer in the worst possible conditions. This is also a world of high technology. Vehicles go faster, computers are more powerful, virtual reality is everywhere, tires adapt to the ground, cyber animals guard buildings and everything is being scanned by everyone.

In this world Hiro is a master hacker and swordsman, delivering pizza. He meets up with Y.T. a RadiKS Kourier who delivers high value packages by magnetically harpooning vehicles and trailing behind them on a skateboard. Hiro and Y.T. meet quite randomly on the job and soon get sucked into a high-stakes investigation. Hiro learns that one man has been spending the last several years preparing to take control of the whole world using an obscure idea he discovered in Sumarian texts.

This book explores the ancient and futuristic, solid reality and the virtual Metaverse, the common good and selfishness. It is really a perfect book for this era of human civilization as it is a commentary on where we are and where we might go while telling a really exciting story.

What I Liked: This is a very fast-paced book with a lot of action and investigation. The tech is fun to think about, since we are on the edge of making a lot of it. Hiro is a very compelling protagonist, as he is both highly-capable, and totally laid-back. There are a lot of cool ideas about how the brain could work like a computer that fuel the main story.

What I Didn't Like: [This area intentionally left blank]

Rating: Must read.

Also Read by this Author:  Nothing yet.

Reviewed by: Nick

"50 Shades of Grey" by E. L. James

I asked my then boyfriend (now husband) for "50 Shades of Grey" for my birthday when it first came out in 2011. Originally a Twilight fanfic, the book was the talk of my workplace and I was super eager to see what all the buzz was about.  I started reading it the night I got it.  And I finished it almost three years later.

Summary:  To help out her roommate, college senior Anastasia Steele finds herself interviewing the extraordinarily handsome and elusive CEO Christian Grey for her college newspaper.  Armed with a list of prepared questions, Ana stutters her way through the interview and doesn't give Mr. Grey another thought....until he propositions her in a way that both excites and terrifies her.  Will the innocent Ana take Mr. Grey up on his outrageous offer to change her entire life with the signing of a contract?

A Like/Loathe Response:  I had a really hard time looking past the terrible writing style for the first half of this book.  The dialogue was awkward (and I don't think it was intentional), the grammar sketchy and the overuse of commas drove me totally nuts...which is slightly shocking as I LOVE commas.  In fact, the writing was so bad I put the book down half way through and didn't pick it up for another three years.  But then three years rolled by and when I did pick it up, I was able to begin where I left off---right around the time Ana first pondered the (preposterous) contract Christian Grey proposed.  (Can we stop here for a second and recognize that the sole point of the contact was shock value for the reader?  It would have been much more interesting to find out the naughty details of Christian's sex life via dialogue or even action.  The contract was a cop-out by the author...an easy way to make the reader gasp and blush by the sheer volume of words.)

I found the second half of the book much more appealing than the first.  The characters had been established and I no longer had to read the boring and somewhat clumsy sections of the book that served no other purpose than to get the reader to the second half.  The second half of "50 Shades of Grey" had moments of honest to goodness humor, followed by dramatic but interesting emotional interludes, followed by scandalous sex scenes that aren't all that scandalous to anyone who's watched Cinemax after 10 pm or gone to a public school.  The characters personalities developed for better or worse, Ana learned some new tricks, and the book was much more fast paced.

What I Liked:  I thought the best parts of the book were the funny and flirty e-mails shared between Ana and Christian.  The emails felt like the most natural dialog in the book and showed the more interesting sides of both characters.

What Drove Me Nuts:  SO MUCH DRAMA.  It was exhausting and totally unnecessary.  Also, the writing.  And also some of the "sexy" scenes weren't all that sexy.

"Twilight" vs. "50 Shades":  My favorite part of reading "50 Shades of Grey" was comparing it to "Twilight."  Overall, I feel that "50 Shades of Grey" and "Twilight" are relatively equally matched, even though "Twilight" is much better written.  Although there were really only two, I thought the main characters in "50 Shades of Grey" were much more interesting than those in "Twilight" and the author didn't hide the fact that the entire point of the book was to find out whether Ana submits to Christian or not - there were no random action scenes thrown in at the end to give a plot to the book outside of the main characters' relationship.

Ana vs. Bella:  While both Anastasia Steele and Bella Swan are both naive and annoying in an almost dangerous way, I found that Ana actually had a personality that made me want to root for her.  Sure Ana doesn't always seem to know who she is, but at least she has a little self esteem.  She understands that she has some worth and treats Christian like an equal outside the bedroom.  It took four books for Bella to understand that she was worth something outside of her relationship to Edward (and I'm still convinced I didn't just make that up to make myself feel better reading the series.)  E. L. James gave her heroine a bit of backbone and that made her much more appealing to me, reading as an adult woman.

Now, this doesn't mean that I'm a member of the Bella-hater fan club.  I fully recognize that as a high school student with raging hormones and an unstable home life, it makes perfect sense for Bella to latch onto the steady and overwhelming feelings she has for Edward.  I even think Stephanie Meyer crafted Bella in an incredibly clever way in which teen girls and young women can easily imagine themselves in Bella's shoes. I'm just saying that as an adult, it makes me less irritated to read about an adult woman acting stupid than a teenager.  At least the adult understands that her actions will have life altering consequences.

Rating:  I'd give this book a chance, but I'd borrow it from a friend.  If you go into it with lower expectations and an open mind, you might not find yourself as let down as I initially was.

Will I Watch the Movie?:  Yes, when it's on Netflix instant, in the privacy of my own home, possibly with some franzia to help get me through it.

Also Read By This Author:  Nothing, but I'll borrow the next segment from my sister to see what happens next.

Reviewed By:  Tami

"LIVE For Your Listening Pleasure" By David Sedaris

We selected this audiobook because of our success with "Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls". 

Summary: It turns out this is not so much an audiobook as it is a 1-disc collection of recordings from live events in which Sedaris reads to an audience. At least two of the stories were published in other works, and I suspect that the others have as well. It's clear this was not published for the purpose of distributing new content to the world. Instead it is a repackaging of old content. There is some novelty in the live audience bit, but I am just as satisfied with the traditional audiobook, especially if it is read by the author.

What I Liked: This is David Sedaris telling stories. They are always engaging and funny.

What I Didn't Like: It was really short and we recognized some of it from "Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls"

Rating: Honestly, I recommend you go for one of Sedaris' full books.

Also Read by this Author: Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls, Me Talk Pretty One Day.

Reviewed by: Nick

"Storm Front" by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files has been on my to-read list since it was first suggested to me back in 2008.  Actually, I don't know if it was really 2008, but you get my point....it was a long time ago.  I'm not sure why I put off reading a series that was suggested by so many different people.  Maybe in my heart of hearts I thought I could only love one wizard named Harry and that honor was already spoken for.  Anyway, I've noticed that I've been in a reading slump lately (nothing sounds good and the books I start aren't keeping my attention) so I thought I'd finally see what this series was all about.

Summary:  Need a wizard?  Call Harry Dresden - he's in the phone book.  Please no children's parties or love spells.

Based in Chicago, Harry Dresden is a smart-ass wizard PI who barely makes ends meet taking freelance jobs and occasionally consulting with the Chicago PD.  That's why he jumps at the chance to work two jobs at once; one searching for a missing husband who's taken a recent interest in magic and another consulting on a double a murder that looks to have been done by magical means.  But what at first appears to be a routine missing persons case takes a turn for the ugly when Dresden begins to suspect that the two cases may have more in common than he first thought.

What I Liked:  I liked this book.  That's right, I said it!  I liked this book and it actually surprised me.  I came into the story skeptical that it would be interesting or well written, and it was both and more:

• The Harry Dresden character starts off as rather straight-forward, almost simple, then rapidly evolves into something much more complex as the story unfolds.  While he tries to do the right thing, he's certainly not perfect.  While he can figure out what he needs to do, he's not necessarily an expert.  (This is doubly true when it comes to women.)  I really enjoyed how Harry's character developed throughout the book and how the facets of his personality changed as he encountered new people and situations.
• The story was fast paced and interesting.  While the entire book covered just a few days, the action was well paced, the plot line interesting and dialog witty.
• The world building dynamic was creative and fresh.  The author was able to build his story in the modern world with a magical twist, and he did it by showing instead of telling.  It was refreshing to jump into the story and accept that magic was a part of the world without having to spend half of a book with back story.
• The side characters! I am genuinely interested to read more about them!

What Drove Me Nuts:

• Oh Dresden.  He is the ultimate nerd hero.  While I find that endearing for obvious reasons, at times his dedication to doing the right thing even if it doesn't really make sense drove me absolutely nuts.  I definitely feel that Dresden is the ideal nerd/gamer archetype, and with that comes an inflated sense of chivalry and a bit of prissiness.
• I was able to figure out the plot of the book about half way through.  Humblebrag:  this isn't rare for me, but I was hoping for more a of a twist at the end.

Rating:  If you're open to the fantasy genre and are looking for a more adult take on the supernatural, check this book out.  If you are a self-proclaimed nerd, what are you waiting for?

Also Read By This Author:  Nothing yet, but I've already got the second book on reserve at the library.

Reviewed By:  Tami

"Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" by David Sedaris

I selected this audiobook because I am familiar with the author. He has contributed countless times to various public radio shows, and so I've heard him read stories on the radio growing up. This audiobook is read by the author, so the experience is very similar.

Summary: Sedaris has put together another collection of short stories. Each story is a self-contained tale from his life, using real people as the characters. For the most part it is true, with the mis-rememberings and exaggerations of time. He talks about his time in England, France, America and other counties. He talks about travelling for work and leisure. He spends a lot of time reflecting on his father and what it was like growing up with that sort of parent. And it is all presented in Sedaris' calm and relaxing voice. The comedy is dry and all the better for it. He tells you his inner monologue and lets you know you're not the only crazy person in the world.

He also has a special treat at the end of this book where he writes a series of short monologues explicitly for the purpose of providing content for forensics competitions. These essays are not true stories, but funny speeches Sedaris wants high school and college students to recite for audiences. I don't know if any student has used them, but I sure hope they do!

What I Liked: This is a very funny easy-going book. Basically, he is telling you stories. What could be better?

What I Didn't Like: Could have been longer with more stories, I suppose.

Rating: Very funny. Highly recommended, especially the audiobook.

Also Read by this Author:  Me Talk Pretty One Day.

Reviewed by: Nick

"Lost Lake" by Sarah Addison Allen

In the summer I usually look for more lighthearted material to read.  It's summer, it's hot, and I want something I can pick up and put down in between all summer has to offer.  I read a synopsis of this book online and it seemed to fit the bill, so I picked it up at my local library.

Image via goodreads

Summary:  Kate lost her husband in a tragic accident and spent the following year numb with grief.  She stopped living a 'normal' life and even left the day-to-day care of her eccentric daughter Devin to her overbearing and appearance conscious mother-in-law.  The day Kate and her daughter are scheduled to move in with her mother-in-law, Devin finds an old post card for Lost Lake, Georgia in an old family trunk.  That post card inspires Kate to visit a resort from her childhood to look for healing in the place she spent her best last summer.

What I Liked:

• The book was fast paced and easy to read---perfect for picking up and putting down when I needed a break from working around the house.
• The cast of characters was interesting and very entertaining.  Bulahdeen and Selma were entertaining and unique while Lissette's story was quite tragic.
• The setting captivated my imagination.  It was very easy for me to put myself at Lost Lake and imagine what I would do if I was there.
• Upon further reflection, I'd love to read a book based on Selma's life.

What Drove Me Nuts:

• The story was a little lighter than I anticipated.  I felt the author could have delved more deeply into the characters.  They were all so interesting that I wish she has spent more time on their back stories and what brought them all to Lost Lake.
• I didn't care for Kate's love interest.  He had very little personality and I found the basis of their attraction odd.

Rating:  This would be a good book to bring along to the pool or camping.  It's easy to put down and pick back up without skipping a beat.  This is also a book that won't easily offend anyone, so would be a good book to pick up and pass along to Grandma.

Reviewed By:  Tami

Also Read By:  "The Girl Who Chased the Moon"

"William Shakespeare's Star Wars" by Ian Doescher

My best friend received this book as a Christmas gift and after reading it lent it to me. 

Summary: Honestly, this is the story of Star Wars, Episode 4: A New Hope. That's it. 

Well, there are some differences. Like how the whole thing is written in the style of William Shakespeare. Many of the speeches are adaptations of famous Shakespearean soliloquies or turns of phrase. I have not read many of his plays, but even I recognized a lot of bits here and there that were space-age adaptations of the Bard, like "Once more unto the trench, dear friends, once more!" for example. It was also interesting to imagine this as a stage production with actors reading these lines to a live audience. The play includes stage directions explaining where the actors should go and what they should be doing. The space battle even envisions pilots arranged on the stage to attack the Deathstar. 

Many times the characters have wonderful soliloquies where they explain their thoughts to the reader in a way that is never done in the movie. R2-D2 finally gets to say some things, but only to we readers. There are also a few illustrations that are inspired by the Renaissance era, but depict the high tech world. All around this is a perfect book for that nerd who loves sci-fi movies and Renaissance festivals!

What I Liked: This is a very funny book because this combines two things that don't necessarily go together. They pair up awkwardly which is fun to read. Since this is a retelling of a popular story, it also is a commentary on the story. We get to see what Doescher thinks about the inner minds and motivations of the characters.

What I Didn't Like: Shakespearean writing is always a bit frustrating for me.

Rating: AMAZING. If you like Star Wars (which, of course you do) then you will find this book very entertaining.

Also Read by this Author:  This is his first book, but I will be reading the next two in the trilogy.

Reviewed by: Nick