Wool by Hugh Howey

My rating:  4.8

I kept hearing about this very short (<50 pages) story.  It is a dystopian sci-fi so I didn't think it would appeal to me.  I was wrong.  This was a fabulous novel.  I can see why Amazon is giving it away for free as they want to hook you to buy the rest of the books!  <grin>   Well, it worked.  I have to find out what happens so, I bought the Omnibus Series which is books 1 to 5 of the 9 book series.  Do not read too much about this book as it is better to just let it unfold.  Very enjoyable little read.

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

My rating:  5.0

War-torn Chechnya, 4 families and their intertwined lives and the most gifted author.  Read it.  That is all you need to know.

This book unfolds in the most amazing poetic and beautiful way.  From the very first pages, you will know that you are in the hands of a gifted writer.  This novel is told in flashbacks so PAY ATTENTION TO THE DATES that, on the kindle, are in teeny tiny letters at the beginning of each chapter.

I believe this is the best book I have ever read.  Yes, ever. I will reread it again to be sure it is as amazing as I think it is....maybe I will have to reread it two or three time just to be absolutely sure.  Anthony Marra I want to know, when is your next book coming out? No pressure but, I eagerly anticipate it and will be waiting with baited breath.

Here are the characters in their households/groupings
Akhmed -a failed physician
Ula - his bed-ridden wife

Dokka - Father of Havaa.  Finger-less arborist.
Havaa - Eight year old daughter

Khassan - Father, writer.
Ramzan - Informant son

Sonja - Doctor and sister of Natasha
Natasha - Sister to Sonja
Deshi - Nurse and sister to Maali
Maali - Nurse and sister to Deshi

A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

My Rating:  3.2

This is the story of 16 yo Nao who is the victim of bullying, a loving but dysfunctional home and is the great granddaughter of a very cool 104 year old Buddhist Nun.  On a British Columbia island is Ruth, who finds Nao's diary which pulls Ruth into the past and interesting plays on time.

There were so many things to love about this book...great writing, a unique storyland, settings in Japan and Vancouver Island (both of which have been my stomping grounds and it felt like she NAILED both places way of life) and playing with Nao/Now....or even "now!"

On one hand, Ozeki's novel is full of multi-faceted layers upon layers that were very compelling (loved the play on Nao/now).  She is a gifted writer and she had an extremely unique story line that came so close to grabbing me but, in the end, it was a miss.  It felt overly long and I didn't like Nao for the greater portion of the book and the time play was implausible (maybe I am too practical and only believe in the here and now).  I have great admiration for Ozeki and will definitely be checking out more of her brilliant writings and storylines as this one still is being turned over in my mind so, that says something.

The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messue

My rating:  3.7

This is the story of Nora, an elementary school teacher, and her relationship with her new student Reeza and his parents Sirena and Skandar. It is also about friendship, art, growing old, your purpose and outlook on life.

I started off completely dazzled by this book - both the story line and the prose....then it waned. The ending pulled me back in a bit. This felt like a short story stretched out to be a novel. Messud is an extremely talented writer with great character development and delicious prose but the pacing of this book needed some work.

The Dance of Fear by Harriet Lerner

My rating:  5.0

Harriet Lerner really is one of the best in her field.  So calm, rational and clear.  Her books are easy to digest and really resonate.  I always learn something from her books no matter how many times I reread them.....they are gold.

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

My rating:  5.0

This is about how the choices we make echo through many generations.  Each section switched voices and it took me a while to place how the new character(s) intersected with the previous character(s).  I also missed the voice from each section until I got wrapped up in the new voice, only to have it happen again and again - the sign of a great storyteller.  This beautiful book held so much and I am still reflecting on it.  I want to reread it again, this time keeping track of the characters.  IMO, this is his best book yet.

Ask Me Why I Hurt by Randy Christensen

My rating:  3.6

Dr Randy Christensen and his 38 ft Winnebago go around the streets of Phoenix to provide medical care to the homeless youth.  I am in awe of his energy and passion to not only pursue this dream but, to do it day after day, week after week and year after year.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell

My rating:  4.4

Iris gets a call that she has a great Aunt, Esme, that she never knew about who is about to be released from the asylum.  Iris visits her Alzheimer inflicted grandmother, Kitty, to ask her about her never before mentioned sister.  O'Farrell spins a wonderful tale told by Iris, Esme and Kitty.  Kitty and Esme's portions are told in unfinished thoughts/sentences that capture their befuddled metal states so well and, in the process, reveal history in dribs and drabs until you piece together what happened.  A very enjoyable read.

Books.....

I loved this.

The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud

My rating:  3.8

This is the story of Nora, an elementary school teacher, and her relationship with her new student Reeza and his parents Sirena and Skandar.  It is also about friendship, art, growing old, your purpose and outlook on life.

I started of completely dazzled by this book - both the story line and the prose....then it waned.  The ending pulled me back in a bit.  This felt like a short story stretched out to be a novel.  Messud is an extremely talented writer with great character development and delicious prose but the pacing of this book needed some work.

Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne

My rating:  4.7

If Gwynne had been my history teacher, I would have loved history!  At the center of the story is the kidnapping of 9 yo Cynthia Ann Parker by the Comanches but Gwynne masterfully weaves together a variety of diverse events about the Americans and the Comanches in the 1800's.

 This shows that the Comanches were the most powerful tribe in American history, due to their equestrian skills that they gained from observing the Spaniards, and details the harrowing violence of their attacks.  I highly recommend the audio version as the narration added so much to this book for me. This felt like an impartial telling with the strengths and flaws of both sides laid out in the telling of this fascinating piece of history.

We The Animals by Justin Torres

My rating:  2.5

This is about three Puerto Rican boys coming of age - or more aptly, about poverty, sex and violence which felt very stereotypical.  I felt that the story was weak with overly melodramatic moments and it was a struggle to get through this book.

Celestial Navigation by Anne Tyler

My rating:  3.4

Jeremy lives with his mother.  Jeremy has never left home.  Jeremy's mother dies.  This is about Jeremy and his social phobias and his take on the world.  At times, I felt like his sister Amanda and wanted to hit Jeremy to break him out of his passive daze but, true to form, Tyler got me to feel compassion for someone so different from me.

This is uncomfortable and awkward and a journey into the struggles that were taking place inside the characters as they tried to define their lives in terms of social relationships and artistic vision.

The Love Song of Jonny Valentine by Teddy Wayne

My Rating:  4.1

This was a light enjoyable read that definitely smacked of Justin Bieber's life.  I felt the prose hit the perfect note between being very sophisticated when it came to the music world when he talked about his target demographic and re-branding and ratings, but still had the realism of an eleven year old boy.  So sad the responsibility so many child stars have on their shoulders but I felt the author did a fabulous job of blending his complete world of also being a child with the video game.

Lost Memory of Skin by Russell Banks

My rating:  2.8

Interesting speculation on the impact of our actions vs. intentions but felt like the plot line failed to deliver.