Review – Page 2 – Book Journey

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman narrated by George Newbern (Recommended by Bookies Book Club)

Published on April 19, 2016April 18, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Ove is the kind of man most tend to avoid. He is 59 years old and retired. He likes things the way he likes them and that is all. He is a rule follower. He doesn’t understand people who just can’t mind their own business and for Gods sake.. follow the basic rules. Most refer to him as a crabby old man and worth avoiding but Ove could care less. Is he supposed to plaster a stupid smile on his face and pretend that the local idiots are ok? Ove doesn’t think so.

Then one day new neighbors move in and in the princess of doing so they hit Ove’s mailbox because clearly they have no idea how to back up a U-Haul. Seriously? And they are chatty… this family of “The Pregnant One”, the “Lanky One” and their two little ones. What Ove does not expect is how much this family will turn his world around… in surprising ways for all involved.

A Man Called Ove was our book club pick for April. Having just come off a not-so-delightful read, A Man Called Ove sounded lighthearted and funny and who doesn’t like that? For myself, I listened to it on audio and enjoyed the narration of George Newbern, a narrator to keep an eye (or ear?) on as he has narrated several audio books I have thoroughly enjoyed. While I enjoyed this book, and occasionally smiled at the things that Ove would say or do, it was not the funny award-winning read that I had hoped for. This could be because I may not have been fully engaged when listening to the audio, or it may just not have lived up the hype that I was expecting and that in a nut shell is the problem with hype. 🙂 It may have been better not knowing any opinions on the book prior to listening.

My book club, The Bookies, all read the book version. There was great discussion over the different themes that flow through this book: depression, self-worth, relationships at all levels, the importance of community… listening to them share about the book I almost wish I would have read it just for the fact that I think that I may have not been in the right frame of mind for such an audio and missed some things by listening instead of reading in this particular case.

Over all the bookies rated this one in the high 4’s to 5 on our scale of 1-5 on book ratings. They enjoyed Ove very much and we all discussed the Ove’s we have in our own life. I actually came in at the lowest rating of a 3, which is not bad. I found it to be an average read, good but not over the top great. Perhaps this is one I need to someday read again.

If you read my morning post you seen all the delightful food we had centered around this book. We tried a few Swedish recipes. I made a sausage and potato hot dish as Ove liked to eat that dish every day. Oh… Ove. 🙂

Why A Man Called Ove makes for a good book club book:

The book lends itself to many topics that are discussion worthy…. relationships, generations, suicide, depression, aging…

As I mentioned, most of us know an “Ove”, someone set in their ways and see things as black and white and never gray. Talk about your “Ove”. How do you relate to this person? Do you see underneath the hard structure?

The Swedish background allows for some creative food to go with your discussion. There is a lot of food and drink mentioned within this book and experiencing this as a group is fun.

Several movies come to mind when you are discussing AMCO. Consider watching one of these movies with your book group… Grumpy Old Men, Gran Torino, About Schmidt, As Good As It Gets…

Listening Length: 9 hours and 9 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Audible.com Release Date: August 5, 2014

No One Knows by J T Ellison (Otherwise Known As Gone Boy ;) )

Published on April 18, 2016April 18, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

It has been five years since Aubrey’s husband disappeared. Five long years of wondering what happened that night at the bachelor party when Josh was going to meet Aubrey in the bar and never showed up. There were signs that pointed to the real possibility of Josh being murdered, but why? Josh was one of the good guys, working hard to provide a wonderful life for himself and Aubrey, always doing the right thing. Five years have gone by and the state of Tennessee has declared Josh officially dead. Aubrey can now move on.

Right?

Much like how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, what draws me to this kind of read the world (and I) may never know. I was at first drawn to the cover… seriously….look at it. It’s beautiful. Mysterious. I wanted to know more. Then the synopsis… what happened? How do you just disappear?

No One Knows gave me the happy vibes of Gone Girl, except in this case… it is Gone Boy. Josh is gone, and through a series of flash backs you learn a lot about both Josh and Aubrey as they grew up, what their lives were like, how they met, and what they were like as a couple. Carefully woven together with a whip smart pen, author J T Ellison creates mysteries woven within mysteries… a bread crumb trail of clues leading up to what really did happen the day that Josh was gone.

I listened to this on audio, narrated by Terri Schnaubelt and Nich Podehl who together, grasp the emotional wave of this book firmly and they do not let the listener go until the end. Well read.

I really enjoyed this listen. Nothing was predictable and I had moments of “Wait! WHAT?” as everything comes to a thrilling close…..

Listening Length: 12 hours and 9 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Audible.com Release Date: March 22, 2016

Fool Me Once By Harlan Coben Narrated by January Lavoy

Published on April 8, 2016April 8, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

As a one time Special Ops Pilot, Maya is doing the best she can since the brutal murder of her husband Joe two weeks prior. When a friend offers her a nanny cam disguised as a digital photo frame to keep an eye on her 2-year-old daughter to help Maya’s peace of mind, Maya feels it is unnecessary but accepts the gift. When Maya watches the recording on the cam one day she sees something that sends chills through her bones…. she sees her daughter playing and laughing with a man; but not just any man. She sees her daughter playing with her deceased husband.

I am a big fan of Harlan Coben and have read every book he has written. I was so excited to see Fool Me Once as I was scrolling through audio books to choose from. Harlan is always good for a thriller that is never over the top and has always left me waiting for the next one.

I enjoyed Fool Me Once, narrated by January Lavoy who I have enjoyed listening to before. Her amazing voice at moments made she smile, she has such a grasp on what the story is and takes such ownership in it you can hear the moments of panic, fear, and joy in the characters.

Once again I applaud Harlan Coben for creating a great thriller that had me guessing to the end, and still shocked me.

What’s next Harlan? What is next?

Listening Length: 10 hours and 5 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Audible.com Release Date: March 22, 2016

The Total Package by Stephanie Evanovich

Published on March 31, 2016March 31, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

Tyson Palmer has the world by the tail. He has a winning arm, a promising football career, and is on track for that Super Bowl ring. And then, with an addiction to alcohol and pain killers and a night that throws his marriage and career away…

Tyson is at rock bottom.

Then, the owner of the Austin Mavericks makes Tyson an offer he can not refuse, he will be sent to a private rehab, get cleaned up of all his addictions, then go to a personal trainer to get him back on his game and make the come back of a lifetime as a Maverick player bringing them to the Super Bowl. Tyson has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

When Tyson Palmer emerges back on his game, he is in the best shape of his life both mentally and physically. He is determined to make the best of what he has been given. Yet a blast from the past has the potential of derailing everything. Dani Carr is a top reporter and working her way into playing with the big boys. She also knows Tyson a little too well from a night of passion back in College where he left her without so much as a word before daybreak the next morning. Now forced to work together, Tyson has to admit Dani looks better than ever, and Dani has to keep her guard up and keep her eye on her journalistic goals.

I do enjoy a good Stephanie Evanovich read so I jumped at the chance to read this one. When I read the synopsis I was at first thinking it all sounded a little predictable, of course I thought, Tyson and Dani will wind up together and this book is just about the how. I was thrilled to discover there was more meat to this read than I had initially anticipated.

The Total Package, really was just that, the total package. Tyson is an interesting protagonist and I enjoyed the detailed process of his come back. I even may have learned a little about football. Dani was a bit back and forth and confused me when one thing was said and then it changed but honestly, Tyson was written so well that I can overlook that – and in the end…

well. You are just going to have to read it. Let me just say….. Winner Winner – chicken and brown rice dinner!

UPDATE: A little update to my post as I see comments are thinking that this author is the author of the Stephanie Plum books…. one for the money, etc…. Stephanie Evanovich is being mistaken for Janet Evanovich (the more well known of the Evanovich’s). Janet is actually Stephanie’s Aunt — as Janet is married to Stephanie’s father’s brother.

Hope that helps 🙂 While I have read both authors, I have not read Janet Evanovich’s books for years and Stephanie has a different writing style which I found that I personally prefer.

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (March 15, 2016)

Purchase Links: HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Author Links: Website and Facebook

I enjoyed going through rehab with Tyson thanks to TLC Book Tours!

Lucky Me by Saba Kapur

Published on March 29, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)5 Comments

Eighteen year old Gia Winters really could be defined as having it all. She lives in a beautiful Hollywood home, has a movie star father and an ex-playboy bunny for a mother. Her closet is stocked with high-end clothing and shoes and she will be graduating soon from her prestige High School.

Yet when Gia’s father receives a disturbing envelope in the mail everything changes. Suddenly Gia and her brother Mike have body guards to be by their side 24/7. And while Jake, Gia’s bodyguard is in his early 20’s and is definitely easy on the eyes, he puts a large cramp in Gia’s style. On top of it all, they have to keep the whole body-guard thing a secret, so Jake is introduced at school as a family friend who has come to stay with them; something that does not sit well at all with Gia’s boyfriend Branden.

Then Gia starts receiving the mysterious texts and eventually phone calls…. someones says they are watching her and they do seem to know a lot about who she is with and where she will be. When Gia is asked to be a host at the Golden Globes she is thrilled; but is she making herself an easy target for the creepy stalker who has said in not so many words that he will be at the Globes event and that he will be getting his revenge.

Revenge?

For what?

This is one of those books that I don’t think I would normally pick up. It’s a little YA meets Valley girl…. it’s lite and fun and about rich kids and their families….. but what sold me on this one is the witty dialogue that runs throughout this entire book. Saba Kapur writes in a way that makes me smile and she had me from the synopsis. And just the starting paragraph of this book let me know that I was in for something a little different, but I was pretty sure I was going to like it:

There comes a point in everyone’s life where you need to step back and consider the hand you have been dealt. I’m not going to lie to you; some people have it way easier. I am not going to sit back and tell you the world is fair, because truthfully, you’s laugh your head off and throw a drink in my face. I guess it probably won’t hep to mention that I’m someone who has it fairly good in the luck department. At least I suppose that is what you would call someone who’s been born and raised in a world of glitz and glamour. Lucky. So before you go and complain about how I’ve got it all, I’m going to let you in on a little secret.

This book seriously was a joy to read. Protagonist Gia is witty and funny. The dialogue is amazing in this book and I have to hand it to author Saba Kapur who has written this book at the age of twenty and is releasing this as her first novel. I enjoyed getting to know Gia very much. The playful banter between her and Jack is a lot of fun to read…. add Milo to the mix and well…. yeah. Even better. At moments I felt a few vibes from the movies Clueless and Legally Blonde…. but also a sense of a younger Janet Evanovich series…. (I think it is the whole Jake, Milo scenario…. it felt like rooting for Morelli or Ranger)

Admittedly there are several moments that I had to suspend belief while reading this book. There were times I though “that could not happen”, but all in all I really enjoyed reading this fun lite book and reality be dammed; I enjoyed it. I read this book in two days curious about what was going to happen. I had a hard time putting it down.

I recommend giving this book a try. I for one will be curious as to what this young author comes up with next. I would not mind seeing some of these characters revisited.

A little Author Q and A

What inspired you to write Lucky Me? Where were you when the idea came to you? When did you decide to write it?

The idea for Lucky Me actually came to me in the shower! I was in tenth grade, and had been spending a lot of time in the library. High school drama was at its peak, and I found my solace among books. I think that’s where most of my urge to write came from. This idea just popped into my head and I typed up a rough first chapter, and decided to continue from there. I never wrote it with the intention of having it published; it was initially just a hobby. The idea for the book developed from various places. I had noticed that, particularly among my generation, the focus on young celebrities was growing in Hollywood, which really intrigued me. I wanted to write something that was funny but also had an element of mystery, as those are my favorite kinds of books to read.

2. How did your love for fashion influence the characters and story?
Fashion is something that I’ve always been interested in, and because of the setting of the novel, it was easy to incorporate it throughout the book. There is no singular definition of fashion, and I love that it’s so subjective and fluid, because it allows you so much opportunity for fun and creativity. I tried to integrate this sentiment into Gia’s personality, but of course tailored (no pun intended) to suit her lifestyle. The importance of looking good is extremely influential among my generation, especially with young celebrities as role models. I felt that Gia would be incomplete or inauthentic without including her love for fashion

3. Did you base Gia’s character off of anyone in particular?
Gia is a product of many influences. I tried to develop her as a combination of some of real-life celebrities and my favorite female characters, taking a few personality traits from each one. Gia definitely has elements of Cher Horowtiz (from one of my favorite movies, Clueless) with her love for fashion, and Blair Waldorf (from the books and TV show, Gossip Girl) who I spent most of high school pretending to be! In reality, Gia is really a heightened depiction of my own personality. We are different in so many ways (namely, I don’t make as many poor life choices and do not own a single pair of Louboutins). But we are very similar through our sarcastic and witty personalities. Gia also shares my love for Audrey Hepburn, who I have idolized ever since watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s, in seventh grade.

4. What authors do you look up to and why?
This may sound a little clichéd, but I try to learn something from every book I read. If there’s a particular writing style I like, I try to incorporate it into my own writing. I have such respect for so many authors, particularly those who write in my preferred genre, such as Meg Cabot, Janet Evanovich and Sophie Kinsella. They have completely mastered the art of mystery, humor and romance.

5. What are your favorite books? In what ways have they influenced your writing?
It’s a little ironic that I couldn’t even get through a novel without giving up out of boredom, until about sixth grade. I truly owe J.K. Rowling a lot, as Harry Potter was probably the first series of books that I decided were just too good to give up on. Janet Evanovich, Meg Cabot and Sophie Kinsella are the authors who have had most influence over shaping my writing style. Every time I read one of their novels, it really motivates me to make my writing as endearing as theirs. That being said, my favorite book of all time is The Godfather, by Mario Puzo. It’s my father’s favorite book, so it’s extra special to me that we can share our appreciation for the story.

Paperback: 446 pages
Publisher: Amberjack Publishing (April 5, 2016)

Shopaholic To The Rescue by Sophie Kinsella Narrated by Clare Corbett

Published on March 27, 2016March 25, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

When Becky’s father disappeared one day without a trace, the family goes a little nutty. Not only is her father gone, but it looks like the he took the husband of her best friend Suze with him as well. Becky’s mom is beside herself with a mixture of worry and anger, Suze is distraught and Becky knows she must pull herself together and figure out what is going on for the sake of her family.

When it is found out that Becky’s father and Suze’s husband are working together on some sort of secret mission in Las Vegas… the answer is obvious…. they must all go to Vegas to figure out what is going on and bring the men back home.

Viva Las Vegas!

I am not a big follower of the Shopaholic books but once in a while, I like to check in on Becky as the books keep coming! Not a lot has changed in Becky’s life except I see now she has been working hard on curbing her spending habits. The audio was a delicious break from reality of just fun listening. Narrator Clare Corbett worked the narrative well with her accent. Without spoiling anything I have to say I loved the Ocean’s 11 references…. it gave me ideas. 🙂

Listening Length: 9 hours and 27 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Random House Audio; Unabridged edition (November 10, 2015)

We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach

Published on March 24, 2016March 23, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

Peter the star basketball player for his High School works hard to keep his grades up and keep his high maintenance girlfriend happy. He is not sure if it is love, but she is the cutest girl in the school and any guy would love to be in his shoes…. but is he doing what he wants, or what everyone expects of him?

Eliza just wants to graduate and escape. Her mom left a long time ago, her father is slowly dying and she is tired of it all. Escape is the answer. Escape this town, these people, and her reputation.

Anita is the perfectly put together straight-laced student. She doesn’t party and she is on the fast track to Princeton, She has dreams but her parents have done what they can to squash them.

Andy lives to skateboard, drink, and smoke it up. He doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about planning for the future by knowing what he wants to do with his life. He has years to decide.

Or does he?

A blue star seems to have ripped its way into the atmosphere. Experts say it is an asteroid on a collision course with the earth that will have the effect of a million nuclear bombs. As the time ticks down to the asteroids arrival, for these seniors as well as the rest of the world, suddenly everything that was once important… grades, futures, statistics, college…. none of it really means anything at all. So what, when it comes down to it is really important?

This book had me from the cover.

I was in a book store looking for a different title when this one called to me. I loved that mysterious cover. What are they looking at? And I loved the title. The synopsis, a “Breakfast Club” type grouping of misfits int here own way, and an end of the world scenario. SOLD.

There was much to love about We All Looked Up. I loved that Peter is a jock with a heart and a conscience, I loved Eliza’s black and white look at the world…. nothing gray. Anita with her hidden passion, Andy who goes along with the wrong crowd even when he knows he should choose better for himself. Underneath it all… these kids have heart.

As much as I want to gush over this book…. I admit I might have been a bit started for a good sort of YA potential dystopian read. AND there was much I did love about it. Unfortunately there was so much put into this book so much happening in such a short time frame that I have to admit I don’t think it was fully flushed out. This could easily have been broke down into a three book series and dealt with the many loose ends to keep the reader engaged all throughout the countdown.

I did pass this book on to a friend and I am curious as to what she will think. I still love the book…(there are great literary references!)I just feel there could have been more to it. In the end I had questions about many things unanswered in the book. The book was still a win for me, I am just a little disappointed that it had all the makings of a home run read and I feel left between second and third base.

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (March 24, 2015)

The Dorito Effect by Mark Schatzker and Narrated by Chris Patton

Published on March 23, 2016March 23, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

In a world of fad diets, carb and calorie counting, and food programs like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig… we still seem to be heading the wrong direction. Record numbers of obesity and diabetes pop up every year.

So what are we doing wrong?

Author Mark Schatzker tells us how since the 1940’s we have slowly been losing the flavor in our foods. Through faster growing procedures, making our fruits, vegetables, and meat larger faster, we have taken away the main thing that makes food satisfying…

Flavor.

Foods that once were considered healthy are now more like junk food having been zapped of the needed nutrition built into the growth process that causes foods to contain what our bodies need to feel full, healthy, and satisfied.

Chris Patton’s narration in The Dorito Effect was engaging and thought provoking. He held a tone that kept me fully engaged in this book.

I found this book to be filled with interesting facts that I had not really thought of. Being a consumer, not a grower, I had not given much thought to the taste of the large visually appealing tomatoes I find in my local super market, or the lack of taste in the grilled chicken breasts I prepare for dinner after I marinate them or cover them in herbs and spices to make them into a tasty meal. When presented with the facts in this book, it was an eye opener when they spoke of chicken that our grandparents would prepare with the yellow fat…

I had forgotten all about the yellow fat.

And as I listened to this book on audio with the well spoken narrator Chris Patton, I became more and more aware of what they were saying was true. Food has lost its flavor. That tomato I buy at the store does not have that delicious taste of the ones I grew up with. While our produce may look larger and more colorful than any in history, they have lost what is important…. the flavor and the nutrients that make us feel full and satisfied. As our food has become blander, flavor technology has stepped up to replace the natural flavor with artificial ones.

I found the Dorito Effect to be very interesting. I had thought for a while now about having a garden like the one I grew up with and after listening to this book, I am even more sure that this spring I want to do just that. As a reader or a listener, I think you will find The Dorito Effect to give you your own “aha” moment when it comes to our food choices and why. I enjoyed the narration of Chris Patton very much, he had an engaging tone that made this an easy listen.

Narrator Chris Patton has been nominated by the APA for the 2016 Audie Awards for this non fiction book.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 8 hours and 17 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Audible.com Release Date: May 5, 2015

The EX by Alafair Burke

Published on March 13, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

Jack Harris has avoided even thinking about dating ever since his wife Molly was shot and killed by a teenage boy three years ago. Yet, one early morning while jogging he comes across a bare foot beautiful woman wearing a party dress sitting in the grass drinking champagne right out of the bottle and reading a book. She holds the bottle up in a cheers motion, as he jogs by. Unable to get the image out of his head, Jack shares this experience with his best friend who posts about it on-line hoping someone would be able to know who this woman is and connect her to Jack. Days later, the mysterious woman responds to the on-line post, and a meet up with Jack is planned.

Olivia Randall is a Defense Lawyer. When she hears that her former fiance Jack Harris has been arrested for triple murder she knows there is no way that Jack could be guilty of such a crime. Clearly Jack has been set up. But by who? And why?

Olivia chooses to represent Jack to make up for the way things had ended between them so many years ago. Yet as the evidence comes out, there is more and more that looks like Jack may have committed this crime. Is Olivia able to defend Jack if she is starting to have her doubts? And if he did do it, did she ever really know him at all?

The EX was full of surprises for me. I liked the synopsis and the set up of the mystery woman in a party dress in the early morning hours. The book held my interest as it reveals the history between him and Olivia and what had happened three years before when his wife was killed. For myself, I honestly did not have a clue how it was going to end or who was the murderer. The story line was fast paced and for me, time well spent.

I recommend The EX. It was a good book to sink into. An excellent legal thriller.

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Harper (January 26, 2016)

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer Narrated by Philip Franklin

Published on March 8, 2016March 9, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments

In 1996, Jon Krakauer along with a team of climbers including two company climbing leaders and their team, set out to climb Mount Everest. For Jon, this was going to be a first hand story of the appeal to climb for the magazine he worked for at the time, Outside Magazine. Rob Hall was the Guide for Krakauer’s group and knew what a positive story about the climb would do for his business.

On average, from 1920 when groups started climbing Everest, one climber would die for every four who gave the mountain a try. There were no promises made of your success to the top, or even coming back. At the time of Krakauer’s climb, the cost for this experience was a whopping $65,000 per person.

Unfortunately, this climb would become the deadliest in history. After a storm hits on May 10th, 8 of this groups will die on the mountain….

Into Thin Air, is the story of this fateful trip.

Recently, my husband and I rented and watched the movie Everest. It was, fantastic. While watching the details of this event, the name Jon Krakauer kept ringing a bell. I told my husband, I think he is an author. Crazily enough, I had forgotten that Jon Krakauer was not only an author, but the author of Into Thin Air, the book about this event and this movie we were currently watching. I had completely forgotten that this author was actually on this guided climb that took the lives of many.

I know at some point I had read Into Thin Air. Looking through this site, I discovered it was prior to my blogging days. Suddenly I wanted to listen to it on audio, knowing the first time around I had read the book. I am so glad I did.

Obviously the whole story in remarkable and sad. Narrated by Philip Franklin, he was as impressive as a narrator as those I find my favorites for non fiction listens. Fully engrossing, his voice steadily unfolded the story.

While the movie Everest is the loosely inspired by this book, it has its differences and a few that have upset author Jon Krakauer. I wont give anything away, I encourage you to see the movie and of course read or listen to this amazing book.

What drives a person to spend that amount of money? What is within some that makes a goal of reaching the top of a mountain known to take the lives of many so appealing?

Highly recommended – the audio is fantastic and so is the book.