It's Monday, What are you Reading?

We are still in the thick of moving in and settling in the new house.  I have used my uber organized skills and created spreadsheets of each room and the to do lists are growing, but after having purchased a pantry cabinet and getting closets organized, I am feeling a little more moved in.  

Now to get my library complete!

This is two weeks worth of reading, since last Sunday, I was in the thick of painting in the library, that this post was completely forgotten.

A meme hosted by Sheila at BookJourney. 

Finished this past week:

If You Were Here by Alafair Burke
Is This Tomorrow by Caroline Leavitt
The Registry by Shannon Stoker
The Roots of the Olive Tree by Courtney Miller Santo
The Execution of Noa P. Singleton by Elizabeth L. Silver
The Newcomer by Robyn Carr

Currently Reading:

And She Was Good by Laura Lippman

Next on the TBR pile:
The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier

Review: The Smart One by Jennifer Close

The Smart One by Jennifer Close

Publisher: Knopf 

Pages: 352 

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Weezy Coffey’s parents had always told her she was the smart one, while her sister was the pretty one. “Maureen will marry well,” their mother said, but instead it was Weezy who married well, to a kind man and good father. Weezy often wonders if she did this on purpose—thwarting expectations just to prove her parents wrong.

As the Coffey children’s various missteps drive them back to their childhood home, Weezy suddenly finds her empty nest crowded and her children in full-scale regression. Martha is moping like a teenager, Claire is stumbling home drunk in the wee hours, and Max and Cleo are skulking around the basement, guarding a secret of their own. With radiant style and a generous spirit, The Smart One is a story about the ways in which we never really grow up, and the place where we return when things go drastically awry: home.


Kritters Thoughts:  If you have a sibling, have you ever been compared or compared yourself to them?  I don't know if there is a soul out there that doesn't feel a little sibling rivalry.  The Smart One by Jennifer Close has two generations of sibling rivalry and what can happen when a family of adult children are all brought back home for an extended amount of time.

This book hit very close to home for me because even though my sister and I are 4.5 half years apart in age and although we were never in the same school, I think my sister had issues following me in our small town to the small high school where I had definitely left a mark (a good mark!).  There have been a few moments in life where she did things first and being a first born, there may have been a moment of jealousy on my part, but in the end we are both excited for each other and would help each other out in a heartbeat.  

This is the second book by Jennifer Close and I definitely liked this one.  The characters felt real and the issues that they were each dealing with were real.  I related to a few of the characters at different times, so I cared where they all ended up and what conclusions they would all find.  I think readers of all ages would love this book.

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2013 Challenge: 28 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweiss.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Follow Her Home by Steph Cha

Follow Her Home by Steph Cha

Publisher: Minotaur Books 

Pages: 288 

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Juniper Song knows secrets–how to keep them and how to search them out.  As a girl, noir fiction was her favorite escape, and Philip Marlowe has always been her literary idol. So when her friend Luke asks her to investigate a possible affair between his father and a young employee, Juniper (or "Song" as her friends call her) finds an opportunity to play detective. Driving through L.A.'s side streets, following leads, tailing suspects-it all appeals to Song's romantic ideal of the noir hero. 

But when she's knocked out while investigating a mysterious car and finds a body in her own trunk, Song lurches back to the real L.A., becoming embroiled in a crime that goes far beyond role play. What's more, this isn't the first time Song has stuck her nose in other people's business. As she fights to discover the truth about her friend's family, Song reveals one of her own deeply hidden secrets, something dark and damaging, urging her to see the current mystery through, to rectify the mistakes of her past life.


Kritters Thoughts:  A who dun it thriller that sweeps you away from the beginning as a young Asian woman, Juniper Song is leaving a party and is swept into the makings of the crime novels that she loves to read.  Juniper is sent to find out if a young lady has been seducing one of her friend's fathers and while in the midst of finding the details she is knocked over the head and left in her car to find more than just her automobile.

There was an extra story line that paralleled the main plot line that involves Juniper and her sister Iris; as the main story is unfolding there are elements that remind Juniper of events from the past and she must deal with them at the same time as she uncovers clues to the real mystery.  I think these two stories paralleled a little, but I felt like the could have a little more, it was a little too loose in the comparison that I would have liked.

As a reader, I loved the reminders of Juniper's fascination with a particular writer of thrillers and as she compares her current experiences to the stories that she loves to read.  That element added a little extra that I definitely loved.

I would almost categorize this is a YA thriller - there were moments that maybe should be censored, but with the character being a little younger and the drama being just over PG 13, I think readers of the YA genre may like this who dun it.


Rating:  definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2013 Challenge: 34 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A Little Doorstop and A Lot of Ramble!

So 2 days ago it was my bloggiversary and with the crazy of the house and keeping of the blog schedule, it just didn't happen, so I decided to celebrate today!!  

Here is a video that is more than just a doorstop.  It is a first glimpse at the room that will become my library, it may take a bit, but I am excited to share the process.  So here is the definite befores of the room and I will share the in process and excitedly the afters!

For Review:
Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich  (Goodreads  Amazon)
A Case of Redemption by Adam Mitzner  (Goodreads  Amazon)
Equal of the Sun by Anita Amirrezvani  (Goodreads  Amazon)
A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard  (Goodreads  Amazon)
Cooking up a Storm by Sue Welfare  (Goodreads  Amazon)
The Lake House by Marci Nault  (Goodreads  Amazon)
Lost by S.J. Bolton  (Goodreads  Amazon)
And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman  (Goodreads  Amazon)
Loyalty by Ingrid Thoft  (Goodreads  Amazon)
A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White  (Goodreads  Amazon)
Better to Wish by Ann M. Martin  (Goodreads  Amazon)
Out With It by Katherine Preston (Goodreads  Amazon)

Swap Sites:
The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross (Goodreads  Amazon)
Traveling Light by Katrina Kittle  (Goodreads  Amazon)
The Baby Planner by Josie Brown  (Goodreads  Amazon)

From mom:
One Summer by David Baldacci  (Goodreads  Amazon)

Review: Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende

Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende

Publisher: Harper 

Pages: 400 

Format: ARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon  

Goodreads:   Set in the present day (a new departure for the author), tells the story of a 19-year-old American girl who finds refuge on a remote island off the coast of Chile after falling into a life of drugs, crime, and prostitution. There, in the company of a torture survivor, a lame dog, and other unforgettable characters, Maya Vidal writes her story, which includes pursuit by a gang of assassins, the police, the FBI, and Interpol. In the process, she unveils a terrible family secret, comes to understand the meaning of love and loyalty, and initiates the greatest adventure of her life: the journey into her own soul.


Kritters Thoughts:  An interesting trip through the present day and the past of this young girl who through unfortunate events was caught in the crossfires of the authorities and the con men of Las Vegas.  Maya is a young girl who with the death of her grandfather started spiraling out of control and as the book jumps from past to present with ease.  The reader is taking the journey through the past to find out why Maya is in the current place she is in.

Maya is a character that was easy to fall in love with, but at the same moment you wanted to snap her into shape.  The other character that I absolutely loved reading was Manuel, her guardian in Chile who was really there for her and with a twist for him, I loved where the book ended with him.  Finally, when I thought that all the clues had been divulged there were even more things that were revealed and they kept taking the book up a notch and another.

My only qualm about the book was that I would get hooked on the story whether the present or the past and then it would change to the other.  Although it was a qualm, it kept me reading because I wanted to know the whole story.  For fans of mysteries that have characters woven in and out, this would be a perfect read.

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

 The tour schedule: 

Wednesday, April 24th: Twisting the Lens

Thursday, April 25th: 5 Minutes For Books

Monday, April 29th: A Dream Within a Dream

Tuesday, April 30th: Tiffany’s Bookshelf

Wednesday, May 1st: Peppermint PhD

Thursday, May 2nd: A Bookish Affair

Monday, May 6th: Jenn’s Bookshelves

Tuesday, May 7th: Drey’s Library

Wednesday, May 8th: A Bookworm’s World

Thursday, May 9th: Speaking of Books

Monday, May 13th: Olduvai Reads

Tuesday, May 14th: Kritters Ramblings

Wednesday, May 15th: Savvy Verse & Wit

Thursday, May 16th: What She Read … - joint review

Monday, May 20th: Book Club Classics!

Tuesday, May 21st: Man of La Book

Wednesday, May 22nd: From the TBR Pile

Thursday, May 23rd: Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World

Author Interview: Jon Harrison

Thank you to Jon Harrison for allowing me to read and review The Banks of Certain Rivers and send some questions his way.  Here are his answers:

1.  What do you find yourself rambling about?

I read a lot of non-fiction, so I tend to go on-and-on about whatever it is I'm reading about at the time to whomever happens to be nearby.  For instance, after finishing Jon Gertner's The Idea Factory last year, I could not stop talking about it.  Who knew the story around the invention of the transistor could be not only fascinating, but heartbreaking too?

2.  What has been the greatest thing to happen since your first book was released?

The launch party for my first book was a blast.

3.  If you could put your book into any one person's hands, who would that be?

Anyone who loves reading would be perfect.

4.  What part of the writing process did you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the revising most.  But finishing is pretty great too.

5. What is next on your plate?

I'm taking an extended break from writing, and I plan to run a lot this summer.

Thank you to Jon Harrison for answering my questions!

Review: The Banks of Certain Rivers by Jon Harrison

The Banks of Certain Rivers 

by Jon Harrison

Pages: 400 

Format: ebook 

Buy the Book: Amazon  

Goodreads:  Neil Kazenzakis is barely holding his life together: ever since an accident left his wife profoundly disabled, he's been doing his best as a single dad and popular high school teacher. He's also been dealing with Lauren Downey, his sort-of girlfriend of the past two years who's pushing for a commitment—and for Neil to finally tell his son Christopher about their secret relationship.

Neil's carefully balanced world begins to fall apart when some questionable footage of him is anonymously posted to YouTube...just as Chris learns about Lauren in the worst possible way. Doubting his own recollection of the events in the online video and threatened with the loss of his job and the ability to care for his wife, Neil must find a way to prove the truth to his family, his community, and himself as he struggles to regain the splintered trust of his son.


Kritters Thoughts:  A book that centers around a man, Neil, who from the beginning is dealt with a major life tragedy, the loss of a spouse, but this is just the tip of the iceberg for this book as his life takes major hits, but reading his story was enlightening.  I rarely read a book that not only centers around a male character, but is written by a male, and now I just may look for more of them!

I fell in love with Neil and his family and wanted to read on and on to find out how they were coping through it all.  From the blurb, I knew something would happen that would jeopardize his job, but my guess was so wrong and I was so glad!  How this event unfolded and ended was just great to read.

I will definitely be keeping this author on my radar, with hopes of more books to come!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2013 Challenge: 30 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Lela Davidson books

Blacklisted From the PTA

Who Peed on my Yoga Mat

by Lela Davidson

Publisher: Jupiter Press 

Pages: 248

Pages: 200 

Format: book 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Blacklisted from the PTA - Goodreads:  

Blacklisted by the PTA is an irreverent look at motherhood and the modern family. From the high chair to a vinyl restaurant booth on date night, Lela Davidson has captured life on the cul-de-sac with a husband, two kids, and the occasional pet. Whether failing at cloth diaper origami or smug in knowledge that her children have never consumed a PopTart, Lela assures parents they are not alone, and that it's okay to laugh—at yourself, and at your kids. These are the stories of every parent—even if we don't always tell them out loud. Each of these 62 essays can be read in under five minutes for a quick laugh—either with or at the author.

As a CPA on the mommy track, all Lela wanted to do was sit on the driveway and drink wine out of a box with the neighbors. Luckily, she started writing down her stories instead. Whether tackling PTA meetings, neighborhood politics, or inflation-by-Tooth Fairy, Lela exposes the humor in every awkward moment and maternal meltdown. From a trendy Seattle condo, to a tidy Arkansas subdivision, Lela shares the comic side of family life. She takes you to Mexican bars, the hockey rinks of St. Louis, ski slopes near Santa Fe, shopping in Dallas, and even introduces you to a few strippers—the novices on the playgrounds of New York City, and the pros in Vegas. Lela says what the rest of us are thinking. Her hilarious observations and subtle satire are always spot on. She's not afraid to reveal her screw-ups, along with fleeting delusional moments of wherein she honestly believes she is the best mom ever.

Kritters Thoughts:  In honor of Mother's Day tomorrow - 

Have you ever heard of mommy humor?  Well I believe it could be a whole genre of its own and even though I may not entire the realm of motherhood, I still absolutely love this genre - it makes me giggle out loud all of the time.  

Lela Davidson takes the reader into her home as a mom and the different things she encounters due to motherhood.  I think she did it perfectly without oversharing about her children; they can't be too embarrassed by the things she shared.  Moms and mom to bes and just fans of this humor should pick up her two books, you will laugh from beginning to end.  I also think she wrote these books with moms in mind because the stories are short simple and sweet - with only a few pages to each story.  I know because of my sister that she doesn't have limitless time to read each day, so short stories allow her to enjoy a book, but also to put it down and be easily picked back up again at another time.

If you need a chuckle and some comrade in your battle of motherhood, grab Lela Davidson's book as armor or a companion - she is the friend that will encourage you to take the low road, not the high road!!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Repeat Year by Andrea Lochen

The Repeat Year by Andrea Lochen

Publisher: Berkley Trade 

Pages: 400 

Format: ARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon  

Goodreads:  Everyone has days, weeks, even months they wish they could do over—but what about an entire year? After living through the worst twelve months of her life, intensive care nurse Olive Watson is given a second chance to relive her past and attempt to discover where she went wrong… After a year of hardships, including a messy breakup with her longtime boyfriend Phil, the prospect of her mother’s remarriage, and heartbreaking patient losses at the hospital, Olive is ready to start fresh. But when she wakes up in her ex-boyfriend’s bed on New Year’s Day 2011—a day she has already lived—Olive’s world is turned upside down. Shouldering a year of memories that no one else can recall, even Olive begins to question herself—until she discovers that she is not alone. Upon crossing paths with Sherry Witan, an experienced “repeater,” Olive learns that she has the chance to rewrite her future. Given the opportunity of a lifetime, Olive has to decide what she really wants. Should she make different choices, or accept her life as she knows it, flaws and all?


Kritters Thoughts:  Have you ever wanted to repeat a year and change a few things to see how it would end differently?  Olive wakes up in 2011 again and has the opportunity to relive the year and make some changes.  The biggest question she faces is what to change and what to leave the same - it was great to see where she decides to intervene and make changes.

The biggest thing I took away from the book was how my actions completely affect others and if anyone were to stop and think about how what they do affects others, maybe we would make more conscious decisions.  I appreciated the combination of a chick lit light story combined with a life lesson story.  It made me wonder which year I would love to relive and maybe one or two, I would rather not redo!

This was a great page turner, that although had quite a few pages, I read it in two sittings!  I would recommend this to readers who love a book that makes you reflect on your life, it would be a great read right before a new year were to begin!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Booksparks PR.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.