Enlightenment for Idiots by Anne Cushman

Everyone needs a little chic lit from time to time.  The main character in this book is believably dumb.  You watch her go from one bad decision to the next, all the time hoping she pulls her act together.  The book was actually longer than I expected, and in true chic-lit form has a happy ending.  It is the perfect “lounging by the pool on a hot afternoon” kind of read. 

The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans

Hot fire fighters, a love triangle, and Montana.  I’ve never read a book with quite this mix before, but it worked in it’s own way.  Even though some parts seemed a bit far fetched, I couldn’t stop reading.  If there was a “made for TV” genre of books, this would fit right in. 

The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

Just like the first book in this series, Flavia de Luce embarks on an adventure to solve a mystery.  Everything about her delights me.  I think it has to do with her being a little sneaky while still maintaining her goody-girl image.  The mystery in this story unfolds at a good pace, keeping you interested till the end. 

I'm Back!

My goal for today is to catch up on reviews for the books I've read since getting to the island.  My appetite for reading hasn't slowed down, but I've spent more energy on my Priceless Adventure blog than this one recently.  I'm looking to link up my two blogs and merge the Priceless empire once and for all!

Every Sunday by Peter Pezzelli

A lot of life changing things have happened since my last post, nearly two months ago.  Sadly, I have only finished one book in that whole time.  It seems backwards that moving to a Caribbean island would have slowed down my reading pace, but boy has it!  Not to worry, my appetite for books is coming back and I have the time to indulge myself.   

Review:

I always love books that are original.  The main character’s dead father narrates this sweet little story about an Italian family who puts their lives back together after his death.  Not exactly chic lit, Every Sunday is more of a rainy day feel good read than anything else.  This was the perfect book to help me get over jet lag and heat laziness.  

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

If you liked The Time Traveler's Wife, read this book. Although more reincarnation than time travel, the story is written with the same transitions between past and present. A little confusing at the get go, the story unfolds in a beautiful way that makes you want more of the past and more the present at the same time. I love how the author switches between first person and third person when changing times. This is a love story between Daniel who has ability to remember past lives and his soul mate who does not. The ending felt a bit unfinished, but I wouldn't want to ruin it for you. Overall, My Name is Memory was an enjoyable read with an original story that left me wishing for more chapters.

The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

I ordered this book from Scholastic for my classroom.  After reading it, I realize that it is more suited for Jr. High or High School students than 4th graders.  Although I think that younger students  benefit from learning about the Holocaust, I think books more like Number the Stars are more age appropriate for 9 and 10 year olds.  being sent to a concentration camp.  The story told has a magical element of time travel, that she had a hard time selling to me.  However, the purpose and story is there.