books

Top Ten Underrated Books in the Romance Genre

/ caitlinemccann / Leave a comment

This week’s meme from the Broke and the Bookish focuses on ten authors or books in a genre of our choosing. So for this Top Ten Tuesday, I wanted to share some of my underrated picks from the romance genre. Romance novels have a stigma that I’ve never understood: sure there are some hellaciously bad ones but the same can be said of straight fiction and you don’t see me turning my nose up at an entire genre because of it.

Anyway, as I climb down off that soapbox, I’d love to tell you about some of my favorite underrated romance novels. I haven’t heard many people talking about these of late, possibly because they’re not super recent releases but these are all books I would recommend if you’re looking for a weekend romantic read.

*As usual, all links lead to Goodreads*

The Sheik

The first captor-captive romance novel.

1. The Sheik by E.M. Hull

I feel like I talk about this book a lot, though maybe not here. I found Hull’s infamous novel at a small bookstore that had it on display claiming it as one of the first romance novels ever. That combined with the fact that this novel inspired the Rudolph Valentino short film that cemented his career as a sex symbol made me pick up The Sheik. It’s not a perfect novel by any means but if you enjoyed Fifty Shades of Grey, then this novel is about fifty times better than that. And Diana, the heroine, is significantly more feisty and hates her love interest for a significant portion of the book so the emotional drama is more satisfying too.

 

Mona Lisa Awakening (Monère: Children of the Moon, #1)

2. Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny

This one gets its spot on this list because for so long I dismissed this book when I passed it on the shelves for one reason or another. When I actually read Mona Lisa Awakening I quite enjoyed it. Not my favorite series of all time but it was full of intriguing characters and concepts, so I’d happily return to the series. Compared to, say, The Merry Gentry series, this novel gets underrated but if that’s your kind of romance read, give this book a whirl.

Date Me, Baby, One More Time (Immortally Sexy, #1)

Britney Spears reference for the win!

3. Date Me, Baby, One More Time by Stephanie Rowe

I had forgotten how much I adored this novel until I went combing through my virtual shelves to write this post. A wonderful paranormal series with quirky humor and great character building. Kind of like a lighter version of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in book form. Same brooding romance. Same level of puns and pop culture references. Not enough love for this book and its three follow-ups. All are solid. Read them.

Crimson Kiss (Crimson, #1)

4. Crimson Kiss by Trisha Baker

This is another book I feel as though I talk about a lot. Baker straddles the line between romance and horror with the strange love affair of Meghann and Simon, because frankly Simon’s psychotic and you’re rooting for Maggie to kick his ass the whole time. It’s their journey through the series as a whole that becomes more about the romance. Baker is reportedly reissuing her novels–YAY–since they were out of print and is also adding to the series. So now is a good time to check out the Crimson books if you’re interested in a more horror-driven romance read.

Bond of Blood (Texas Vampires #1)

5. Bond of Blood by Diane Whiteside

Two words: vampire cowboys. Maybe not for everyone, but why not combine two of the most sexy romantic character tropes to great effect? Another solid series that just isn’t talked about enough for my liking. Whiteside does a great job of weaving the books’ stories and characters together in a way that feels fluid, which is always satisfying for a series reader.

Private Pleasures (The Channel #1)

6. Private Pleasures by Bertrice Small

One of Small’s only contemporary romance series, which is why I think it gets a bit overshadowed. Really interesting concept though: women can tune in to “the channel” which allows them to live out their sexual fantasies with no repercussions. Of course, there are real life heroes for the women to fall in love with, and there is a darker side to “the channel” that develops throughout the series, which is interesting.

The Demon's Daughter (Tale of the Demon World, #1)

7. The Demon’s Daughter by Emma Holly

I adore Emma Holly as a general rule, but my favorite of her series are the ones set in this demon world. The demons, or Yama, have futuristic technology but have a very Victorian class system in place. It’s a hard system to explain without going into depth or getting rather steamy, so I’ll leave it with when humans and Yama interact, good things happen.

Wilde Thing (Wilde Series, #1)

8. Wilde Thing by Janelle Denison

When I first started getting into romance novels, this was one of my first reads. And it still stays with me. Bad-boy P.I. helps feisty barista traverse the world of high-class escorts to find a missing cousin. I do realize how ridiculous that sounds all together, but, holy cow, is it so much better than that. There’s a whole Wilde series, but this first one is honestly the best of the bunch.

The Royal Treatment (Alaskan Royal Family, #1)

It’s like a raunchier Princess Diaries.

9. The Royal Treatment  by MaryJanice Davidson

Set in a world where everything is the same as ours, except for the fact that Alaska is its own country with a royal family. Imagine all the quirk and verve Mia Thermopolis would have as an adult and that is stranded American tourist Christina Krabbe, who gets handpicked by the King as a fit mate for Prince David. Laugh out loud funny and just the right amount of sexy.

Nerd in Shining Armor (Nerds, #1)

10. Nerd in Shining Armor by Vicki Lewis Thompson

If you have one last beach weekend, take this book with you. The premise is somewhat ludicrous but the writing and the characters make up for it 100%. Genevieve has a crush on her sexy boss and it seems like a dream come true when he invites her to Maui for the weekend. But then the plane crashes, her boss mysteriously disappears, and Genevieve is left stranded on an island with the firm’s IT guy, Jack. Sparks fly and suddenly being stranded isn’t such a bad thing. Really cute little book that doesn’t get talked about often enough.

Have you read any of these? What do you think? Underrated or overrated?

Book Review: Live and Let Die

/ caitlinemccann / 1 Comment

One of the best parts of moving is getting a new library card. Or at least for me that’s one of the best parts. On my inaugrual visit to my local library I wandered around the shelves and discovered an “in the movies” display, that held, among other things, about ten Ian Fleming books.

These James Bond novels were recently (c. 2008) rebound for Fleming’s 100th birthday and the covers have this great retro, ’60’s vibe to them. Having never read any of the 007 novels, I decided to give them a shot. Unfortunately, the first in the series, Casino Royale, was checked out by another. So I went with the second book, Live and Let Die.

IMG_2445

Bond is just as suave and debonair in print as he is on the screen. Reading this novel, you can really see why this series has been such fertile material for film. It’s a slim, trim book at just 229 pages. But those pages are full of well paced action and adventure. Well-paced gets used often in book or movie reviews, and in this case I mean it does a good job of giving you breathers between covert operations while still giving you salient information.

One of the great things about this series constantly being revamped on film is that it gives you more freedom to imagine Bond however you’d like because so many men have already filled the 007 shoes. For whatever reason I kept picturing Cary Grant as Bond, even though he has never played Bond. The way that Fleming writes Bond’s dialogue and thought process just reminds me of Grant in North By Northwest, although certainly more effective at the spy game. But I digress.

There isn’t a great deal of surprise with this book–you know Bond will be put in multiple life-and-death situations, you know Bond will survive, you know Bond will get the girl–but Fleming still keeps your attention. I didn’t find my mind wandering at all while reading this novel. Except for this one thing…

Holy Racism, Batman (wait, wrong action hero)! I realize that this book was originally published in 1954, over a decade before the major civil rights movement in 1965-1969, but whoa. Sometimes as a reader when you’re faced with writing from previous decades or centuries,  you end up struggling with accepting things like blatant racism or sexism as just another part of the story. It’ll catch you off guard and hit you right in the gut. When this happens you can either stop reading the book altogether or you can chalk it up to the context of time when the book was written.  I opted for the latter.

Still, there were moments when I felt my eyes widen in surprise at the level of casual racism. For instance, there is a scene in a nightclub where Bond listens to a conversation between a black couple that’s written in a dialect style. This conversation is irrelevant to the larger plot; it does nothing for our understanding of character or events. It goes on for two pages and it’s horrible on so many levels.

And all of the villains are black. The only two redeemable characters who are black, Fleming takes the time to mention that they look to be of mixed race. These were the moments when I struggled with this novel the most.

Vodoo is also a central to the plot, and it’s interesting in how superstitious the portrayal of that religion comes off. And it still is shown that way in many mediums. But the use of Vodoo didn’t bother me as much because the villain, Mr. Big (take that Carrie Bradshaw!), utilizes the superstitions as how he controls his power base, which fit within his character.

I could have used a bit more of Mr. Big in this novel. He’s always in the background as the looming threat but he was a complex bit of evil that I would have liked more info on.

Also this novel amped up my fear of deep water. I appreciated that Bond was likewise concerned about sharks and barracudas because the man has to have a chink in his armor somewhere. Some of the most poetic writing from Fleming came from the scenes where he discusses the great unknown of the ocean, which was beautiful and terrifying to read. I’m not a large body of water person, so I felt on the edge of my seat whenever Bond had to use rudimentary scuba gear.

One of the things I liked most about this book and this character was when Bond talks to himself about “his stars.” Bond considers his stars a guide and a powerful force in his life. I myself am rather star obsessed. I have two tattoos that have to do with stars, so I connected with that part of Bond’s character.

Overall, I liked Live and Let Die and Fleming’s sense of character. I did struggle with the social context of the novel, particularly considering what has been happening lately in the US with Ferguson. But I would be interested in reading other Bond novels in the future.

The Baby Name Game

/ caitlinemccann / 2 Comments

This week I’m doing a throwback to one of the Broke and the Bookish’s long-ago post topics, which is characters and literary figures that I would name my hypothetical children after. This Top Ten Tuesday and I were meant to be. I thoroughly enjoy playing the baby name game any old time, but bookish themed ones are just the cherry on top of my sundae.

Fun fact: according to my mother, I was named after a supporting character in a romance novel. I’d like to think this says a lot about me.

In a valiant attempt to keep this list at a firm ten, I am breaking it up into Top 5 girl names and Top 5 boy names. Here we go!

The Wee Ladies

1. Alanna: I have had this one on lock since I first read Tamora Pierce’s Lioness series when I was twelve. That is some serious consistency in a top choice considering that I am now twenty-four. Alanna is strong and carves her own path through life, so I feel like that is an excellent namesake.

2. Luna: I wouldn’t saddle my child with Hermione (fine name for a witch, not so much for a muggle) but I could see myself naming my daughter Luna. She’s quirky and smart and quite honestly one of my favorite HP characters.

3. Blake: This one would be kind of double whammy. 1) One of my favorite poets is William Blake and 2) One of my favorite characters is Anita Blake from the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton. Plus I like the idea of having a slightly masculine or at least gender neutral name on the list.

4. Arya: I’m a Song of Ice and Fire junkie. I stopped myself from adding Daenerys or Khaleesi because I don’t want my hypothetical children to be brutally teased in the school yard. I mean, it will happen anyway, because kids can be cruel and they’ll find something else to pick on, but I’d rather not have it be my name choice that does the deed. Anyway, the name Arya just sounds so nice. And I can still nerd out over it.

5. Skye: This child might turn out to be a major hippy, but I’d feel proud to name her after Skye O’Malley from Bertrice Small’s epic saga. Yes, I would name my child after a character in a romance novel. Based on my opening fun fact this seems completely legitimate to me.

And the Wee Gents

1. Liam: This name is also from the Lioness series, but I would have to make a serious choice over Liam and Alanna because in the book they become lovers for a while and I will not name siblings after characters that have sex. There’s just too much weirdness for that. It will literally be whichever gender comes first that gets dibs on my top name choice.

2. Rowling: This one just occurred to me as I was making this list, but I like the name Rowling for a little boy. It’s a great way to pay homage to a favorite author while being a little unique. I like this plan and it just might stick.

3. Austen: I quite like that I’d name a little girl after a male poet and would name a little boy after a female author (or two). Jane Austen is one of my all time favorites and she writes some swoon worthy male characters, but I’m not forcing the life of Darcy on a little boy, nor do I want to be as obvious as William. Oh! Bennett would be a good one though. Can you tell I’m a Pride and Prejudice fan?

4. Owen: John Irving’s A Prayer For Owen Meany is one of my all time favorite books. Not that I would want my child to be extremely short or have a Christ-complex, but I adore the name and think it would be a subtle tribute.

5. Burke: This would be another whichever gender came first scenario. Niall Burke is one of Skye O’Malley’s principle love interests and I am enamored with how either Niall or Burke sounds as a name for a boy. Again, wouldn’t name my girl Skye and my boy Burke because that would be too much name incest, but apart they’re solid name choices in my book.

Phew! Choosing literary names was harder than I thought. What literary legacy would you label your child with?

Really? Must I Read These?

/ caitlinemccann / 4 Comments

This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme centers around the books that you get recommended the most often but haven’t yet read. Despite my slightly snarky post title, I appreciate recommendations from friends and fellow readers. It’s led me to some amazing reads over the years i.e. The Shadows of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon or A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. So these are the books that I’ve been told I MUST read but haven’t gotten around to reading yet for one reason or another.

*All links and pictures lead to Goodreads.com*

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus

1. Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus by Dr. John Gray

I remember being told from the time that I was a teenager that as a woman I needed to read this book. That reading this book would change my life and the way I look at relationships. It’s just always seemed a tad cliché. And it was definitely a book that revolutionized dating in the 1990’s. At this very moment I am trying to make headway on this book. I’m about thirty pages in and it’s like pulling teeth. Gray’s vision of what makes men and women tick seems a tad dated. I still plan to push through but so far I remain unconvinced that this is a book I need to read.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

2. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

So many people have recommended Mary Roach to me. Not just Stiff but some of her other works as well: Bonk, Gulp, or Spook. She’s a reputedly amazing non-fiction writer who turns her well-researched interests into fascinating reads. I definitely want to tackle at least one of Roach’s books but other things always seem to slip past her on the TBR list.

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

3. World War Z by Max Brooks

I know for a fact that this novel has appeared in at least one of my TBR posts for Top Ten Tuesday in the past two years. And I genuinely mean to read the darn thing! It always seems like the time is never right. I have a painfully vivid imagination and I had to stop watching “The Walking Dead” because it was giving me nightmares. So I anticipate another round of that with World War Z. Tons of friends have read and loved this book, so I want to give it a chance. I’m just scared.

Divergent (Divergent, #1)

4. Divergent by Veronica Roth

I’m not a YA snob, per se, I’m just very picky about what I read in the YA genre. Mostly because there are so many adult fiction pieces that I’m dying to read that the YA gets put off till that ever-present “later.” That being said, there are too many of my friends who tell me I must read this book for me to be squirmy about it for much longer.

From Reverence to Rape: The Treatment of Women in the Movies

5. From Reverence to Rape by Molly Haskell

This book has been mentioned in every film course I took in graduate school. I NEED to read this book. For my academic life and because it sounds really interesting.

The Dream of Scipio

6. The Dream of Scipio by Iain Pears

My friend, Clara, handed this to me at our library’s annual book sale and said I needed to read this. Everything was $1.00, so I didn’t question her. It’s sitting on my shelf right now taunting me.

Lunch Poems

7. Lunch Poems by Frank O’Hara

One of my favorite professors in college loved Frank O’Hara. Not a class would go by without him telling us that we all needed to read Frank O’Hara. My apologies, Dr. Babbitt, but I still need to read Frank O’Hara.

The Poisonwood Bible

8. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

This is probably the only book on my list that I have no interest in reading but that everyone seems to recommend. I’ve picked it up at the library dozens of times but the synopsis always turns me off. People can tell me I need to read this book all they like, I don’t WANT to read it.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

9. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

It seems like all the writers I know swear by this book, or at least respect it. Bird by Bird has served as many a muse and validation for my writer friends, and who doesn’t want a little bit of that in their life? I just haven’t gotten around to picking it up for myself.

The Catcher in the Rye

10. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Somehow I escaped reading this in high school and college. Not a clue how I managed that, but it seems to shock most people that I was never required to read any Salinger. Then these same people tell me I need to read it because it was really quite good. Honestly, I’d like to read it because I think I’ll understand more allusions to things in pop culture. Sometimes that’s reason enough.

 

So who has read what? Tell me in the comments below. Your words might just be the ones that push me over the edge on reading one of these bad boys!

Archetype Almost Breaks the Mold

/ caitlinemccann / 3 Comments

When I first picked this novel up it was all about the cover. I was at LAX and the bright blue and red color blocking just called to me. And the back jacket did it’s job of intriguing me with story.  A few weeks later I picked up the book to actually read it and not just be a pretty face on my book shelf.

Archetype: A Novel (Archetype, #1)

Image respectfully borrowed from Goodreads

So after some frantic page turning and late nights here is my review of M.D. Waters’ Archetype.

Emma has lost her memory in some kind of freak accident. All she knows is that she wants to please her husband, Declan, and that she has an inner voice that tells her everything is not what it seems. Guided by that pesky inner voice–who seems separate from herself–Emma begins to remember fragments of an extremely different life with an extremely different man, the angry and enigmatic Noah. Set in a future where fertile women are a commodity, Emma must figure out which future she wants to live out–her present as an adoring wife or her past as a member of the rebellion.

That is an abbreviated summary to say the least, but I’m trying not to spoil everything in this review. Part of the fun of reading this novel is figuring out the details with Emma. I’ll get into some major spoilers down below, but I also wanted there to be enough info for you if you were trying to avoid the spoilers.

The book’s back cover quote references Archetype as a kind of heir to The Handmaid’s Tale, and while I can see the parallels I don’t necessarily agree. They’re in the same genre, certainly. But Archetype is more Alias-esque than Ofred-esque. Which is still a great middle ground for the novel to occupy.

If you’re a fan of TV shows such as “Alias” or “Orphan Black” then I would definitely recommend Archetype. The pace of the novel is light and quick without lacking in substance. Episodic style chapters make the read easy but it’s also great for finding a stopping place if you want to draw out the reading experience. This would be such a great book for traveling. It’s not too long and you can devour it on the plane or at the beach.

If you’re looking for deep philosophical meaning in your sci-fi, this is not the book for you. Waters doesn’t explain the science and implications on humanity enough for that kind of reader to be satisfied. But if you’re looking for an enjoyable weekend read, give this book a shot.

 

*Spoiler Alert*
**Seriously, I’m about to discuss the ending right now**

 

My favorite thing about this novel is that we have a female character who falls in love and then leaves the guy(s) in the end for HER well being and happiness. For that reason alone I would recommend Archetype.It’s just something you don’t see that often in NA. Not that Emma doesn’t love Noah (or Declan). There is definitely a love story there, but Emma leaves because she realizes how unhealthy staying is.

That said, I would be shocked if the second book, Prototype, wasn’t about Emma struggling to get back to Noah and prove to him that she’s still the same woman he married in spite of being a clone. And I’d still like to read that story. But I am thrilled that Waters did not wrap her novel up in a prepackaged bow.

I’m not going to do Emma Wade the disservice of labeling her a strong female character because that phrase gets thrown around far too much for it to have meaning. Emma has moments of weakness and willfully lives in denial for a large chunk of the book, but these flaws take the story to some really interesting places. Her denial also makes Emma more realistic as a character.

I liked this book but my personal rating system has been revolving around whether or not I would physically keep the book. Storage in my life right now is at such a premium. The potential to re-read is also a strong factor. So I enjoyed Archetype and would love to read its sequel, but I think this one may get passed on to a friend or the local used bookstore. The only thing that might sway me is the cover. I might keep this book for the cover because I love the graphics so much.

Anyone else read Archetype? Tell me what you think in the comments!

Cover Love, Cover Hate

/ caitlinemccann / 14 Comments

This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme is about the top ten cover trends that I love and/or hate. So for my Top Ten Tuesday post I’m going to talk about the top five cover trends I adore and the top five cover trends I wish would go away. Cover art is so important when it comes to selling books. Shelf appeal can make or break my wallet when wandering around Barnes and Noble. A good cover can snag my attention, while a bad cover can make me pass by a potentially brilliant read.

*As usual all the lovely pictures were respectfully borrowed from Goodreads.com*

 

Eye Catching Covers

Memoirs of a Geisha      Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1)

1. Movie Covers. You’ll notice this item appears twice on my list for two very different reasons. When movie covers are done well, they’re stunning. My favorites are the ones that don’t immediately clue you in to the fact that it’s a movie cover. I think what I mean by this is that the good movie covers don’t look like movie posters. They’re tie-ins, but don’t dominate the book’s identity. These two covers are striking but don’t feel like they’re trying to over sell the movie. So when a movie cover strikes that balance of tying in to the film without dominating the book, I’m all for it.

Dear Girls Above Me: Inspired by a True Story           The Partly Cloudy Patriot

2. Toy Vignettes. This may be a weirdly specific cover trend but it always catches my eye and makes me want to read the back jacket. I didn’t quite know how to label this cover style, but I love it when these old school style dolls/toys get used in a creative manner. It’s just different enough that it really stands out.

The Chronicles of Narnia      Jurassic Park / The Lost World

3. Fancy bound, gilded, raised glories. Who doesn’t love these kinds of books? These two are from Barnes & Noble’s collection, and I realize they’re kind of pricey but I love books with the gilded edges and embossed details. They’re beautiful and right now they’re relegated to classics only because publisher want to have proven numbers before they put something this hefty on the market. I wish it were a bit more commonplace though. If they released Harry Potter with these gorgeous embossed, gilded, leather-bound editions I would shell out for sure.

Crush    Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

4. Black and White Photography. Original black and white photography covers are so stunning. They feel like a piece of modern art on your book cover. Richard Siken’s Crush (above, left) is not only one of my favorite poetry collections but it is maybe one of my favorite covers because it is so evocative of what you’re getting into when you read his work. I haven’t read Zelda yet but the cover is quite pretty. I think it’s also key that the shots are original. Though I don’t mention it below in my bad cover trends, using pieces of classic art sometimes feels like a cop-out and doesn’t tell me anything about the book’s content. So I enjoy the originality as much as the graphic nature.

The Fault in Our Stars      The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, #1)

5. Blatantly Unusual Typeface. With a bundle of standard looking typefaces gracing covers left and right, I’m really enjoying the trend of having script or type that looks like handwriting. There are other kinds of unusual typefaces that I also gravitate toward. I think it’s just a matter of looking different from other books. And the pseudo handwriting also adds the illusion of a personal touch. Even if it’s an illusion, I like that element. Though I haven’t had a chance to read The Fault in Our Stars, this cover is lovely. The graphic clouds and the chalk-like script is an excellent combo.

Eye Sore Cover Art

The Great Gatsby      The Other Boleyn Girl

1. Movie Covers. The two covers above illustrate what I was talking about earlier about movie covers just using the existing movie poster rather than trying to do something new. There’s nothing here to enhance the book experience it’s just a blatant ploy for the movie. It doesn’t help that these two specific books had really iconic covers to begin with. And if the movie bombs then the movie-book cover discourages readers. So clearly movie covers for books are a bit of a double-edged sword.

Sahara (Dirk Pitt, #11)      Lord of Ice (Knight Miscellany, #3)

2. Vague Design. And yes, I realize my description is a little vague. But these covers tell me nothing. Sahara is an action adventure with twists and turns. Its cover is a sand dune, which while accurate to the location of the book is utterly boring. Lord of Ice is one of Gaelen Foley’s best historical romance novels, but this cover doesn’t hint at any of the intrigue, sensuality, and drama of her book. It’s a palatial estate, which again is the location but doesn’t help me with enticement as a reader. Locations aren’t enough. They usually end up being incredibly nondescript, which is vague design.

The Darkest Seduction (Lords of the Underworld, #9)

3. Mismatched Humanity. Nothing will piss me off faster than when the people on the cover of the book do not match the character description. DID SOMEONE AT THE PUBLISHING HOUSE NOT READ THE BOOK? We live in the era of Photoshop, people. If the model doesn’t specifically match in eye color or hair then it’s a quick freaking fix. I feel like the worst offenders are romance novels in this regard. What’s truly horrifying is when a book cover features a white woman or man when the main character is supposed to be a person of color. And I can tell you it has happened. Bad publishing houses! Bad!

Night Games      Blue Moon (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #8)

4. Torsos. In order to avoid number three on this list, I feel as though plenty of publishers just use faceless torsos to hawk their books. I find it very weird and uncomfortable. I get that usually these are romance novels and that sex is involved, but you’re making a person faceless and are only validating their bodies. It’s literal dismemberment. Above and beyond my qualms about personhood, you see so many faceless torsos on bookshelves that they’re kind of ubiquitous. They just don’t stand out or grab any one’s attention because half the cover out there have headless, ripped humans.

Surrender      The Scarlet Letter

5. Flowers. Oh, is it a book for women? Let’s slap a flower on it and call it a day! I’d say at least a quarter of the bookstore looks like an ode to horticulture. Romance novels are prone to this but so is anything remotely in the realm of chick lit. This edition of The Scarlet Letter makes little sense to me. The flower isn’t even red. I blame New Moon: that bloody white rose on a black background was striking and kind of inventive. Now flowers are way overdone. And I do not care if flowers are supposed to evoke vaginas and female sexuality. Putting a blooming rose or orchid on the cover tells me nothing about the book. If I wanted to ogle some flowers, I’d go to a garden.

So those are my loves and loathes about cover art in modern literature. What are your best finds and worst offenders from this list?

Orange Is the New Black Book Review

/ caitlinemccann / Leave a comment

It’s time to talk about the true story behind the hit TV series  Orange is the New Black. I’ve never seen the show, but it’s definitely on my watch list. As for the book, Orange is the New Black was a Christmas present from my cousin’s lovely girlfriend, Kelsey. This book was languishing on my Goodreads want to read list until Kelsey gifted it to me and got me to read the darn thing. I cannot thank her enough for the motivation because Orange is the New Black has been one of the most satisfying reads thus far in 2014.

Orange Is the New Black

Image above borrowed from Goodreads

Sometimes the buzz around shows and movies bring to light books that I would never have picked up if left to my own devices. What I loved about the memoir was its approach to its serious content. Author Piper Kerman is not asking to be taken as a victim. She takes responsibility for her actions and uses the opportunity to point out the injustices within the justice system that make her purview more about others’ experience than strictly her own. Each chapter has a smaller level theme that builds to illustrate the flaws in the system of women’s prisons.

These pockets of stories reveal a larger narrative that keep you reading late into the night. Or at least I did. I got sucked into this book and finished it over a weekend. It’s really perfect for a trip or even a beach day. Plus I always feel super intelligent reading nonfiction in public, so it’s an ego perk.

You occasionally hear the media or maybe some political friends talking about how easy prisoners have it these days. Piper’s every page shows how inaccurate that is. For example, it is said multiple times in the book that the worst thing you can be in prison is sick because the health care is minimal.  Or how the prison provided inadequate rehabilitation services for inmates being sent back out into the “real world.” But there are also touching stories about how people connect with one another when they need it most. You’ll laugh. You’ll cringe. And you’ll find yourself involved with this memoir.

I’ve heard that many viewers find Piper to be whiny in the TV series, but in the book Piper doesn’t come off as whiny. She’s hyper aware of the privileges she has in life that made prison easier (being white, gainfully employed, and well off with a well-appointed lawyer), but she also learned a lot about others in a way that molded the woman who decided to take pen to paper. Since leaving the hands of the criminal justice system, she has become better informed and an activist for changes in the way the system runs. Every once in a while she gets up on her soapbox to illustrate how foolish some of the legislation is or how unjust the treatment is for women with minor offenses. It’s an informative narrative but it is not lecturing at you, which is an important balance for me as a reader.

This memoir is such a specific experience, but I wish she would write another book. Piper is such a compelling writer and conveys character so well. Short of another stint in prison, I cannot really see Piper writing again. But I really hope I’m wrong. In any event, Orange is the New Black is worth your reading time and not just your screen time.

Books in My Beach Bag

/ caitlinemccann / 4 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, but I love a good TBR list so I couldn’t resist. This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme is about the top ten books that will wind up in your beach bag. As I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to read this summer, I’ve realized that most of these do not come off as typical beach reads. But that’s what makes these lists fun.

All pictures and links are from/lead to Goodreads.com

 

7677

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton: One of my best friends, Brittany, is obsessed with this series and it was a bone of contention in our friendship that I had never read the original text, though I was acceptable friend material for having seen and loved the movies. Well, girlfriend, I am finally reading the book. She is stoked. I haven’t taken this one to the beach yet, but I’m definitely enjoying the read thus far. Above and beyond the fun films, Crichton has such a cinematic language that it’s easy to see why his books so often get adapted for the screen.

40440

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield: I picked this one up at my library recently and still need to start it. But it seems like a perfect beach read with the mystery of unveiling another person’s life story. It’s been out for a bit now, but I just never got around to reading it. Now is the time! Have any of you read The Thirteenth Tale? Is it any good?

The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1)

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon: This is another friend recommendation. My friend Clara told me that the premise was right up my alley and that the translation was beautiful. Now her description of the plot differs somewhat from what Goodreads is telling me. From an amalgamation of both descriptions, it seems like a story about a boy who chooses a forgotten book from a bookstore and when he falls in love with the author’s writing, the boy tries to find more of the author’s work. Mystery unfolds as the boy discovers that someone is destroying all the copies of the author’s work. I’m intrigued and am looking forward to this one for sure.

The Film Club: A True Story of a Father and Son

The Film Club by David Gilmour: I’m pretty sure that I’ve had this book on TBR lists in the past and I still haven’t managed to read the darn book. I fell in love with the book at a Barnes & Noble after doing the first page test and suddenly finding myself plopped on the ground and on page ten. Despite that initial draw, this poor book has languished on my shelves ever since. It’s a nonfiction memoir about a father struggling to reach his rebellious son. The son doesn’t want to go to school anymore and at his wit’s end, Gilmour agrees that the kid doesn’t have to go anymore if and only if he sits down and watches movies with his old man three times a week. The memoir covers the three-year span that he and his son go through this “film club.” Gilmour is a highly humorous and emotive writer, so his stories really captivate.

6625220

Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters: This anthology of poetry is about the residents of a small town–Spoon River–who tell their stories in verse from beyond the grave. The personality of the town and its inhabitants is supposed then is elaborated through these afterlife reflections. It’s such a compelling concept for a collection and I can’t wait to dive in. Poetry in general is a great beach read because it’s so easy to consume.

13497

A Feast For Crows by George R.R. Martin: I have been waiting till the summer months to dive into book four of The Song of Ice and Fire Series. These books are so time-consuming and huge that I like being able to dedicate solid reading time to them before I begin. Because if I don’t dedicate time to Martin’s books, they tend to take my time anyway. I can’t tell you how many nights I have lost to Martin and this series compelling me to just read one more chapter. So very worth it though!

46190

Love is a Mix Tape By Rob Sheffield: Another memoir that already sounds heartrending. It is about love lost and how Sheffield deals with his grief through music and mix tapes. As a former Rolling Stone journalist, the man knows his music but it goes beyond esoteric knowledge and reaches out to anyone who uses music for catharsis. I probably need to have the right mindset to read this book because it could emotionally destroy me. But is sounds so good. I’ll risk reading it in public anyway.

7629972

The Genius of the System by Thomas Schatz: Technically this one would be a re-read. This was one of my textbooks for a class on American Film History and I really enjoyed the chapters we read, so I’d like to go back and read the whole thing. Schatz is extremely well researched and has a way of making non-fiction read like a narrative tapestry. I’ll read this one with my pencil and post-its next to me.

5139

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger: This is another one of those books that has been on my shelf for too long. I think summer is probably the perfect time for some frivolous chick lit. Who knows, maybe I’ll like the movie better? I’m just such a fan of the Anne Hathaway/Meryl Streep  combo. That’s who I’ll be picturing for sure.

15931

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks: What makes this the perfect beach read is how thin the book actually is. You could easily get lost in this little book and read it all day in the sunshine. It may be another one of those books that requires a certain frame of mind or else a willingness to weep in public. But I’m finally going to commit to reading this tear-jerker.

These are the books I’m hoping to tackle this summer. And maybe they won’t make it to the beach, but they’re definitely at the top of my TBR list.  Enjoy!

Characters That I Relate To a Little Too Well

/ caitlinemccann / Leave a comment

This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme is all about Characters that I [fill in the blank]. So I chose to take on the idea of characters that I relate to in ways that are sometimes not the best. Good literature is like looking in a mirror; your reactions to characters both good and bad can allow you to see something deeper about your self. In no particular order, here are the characters I connect to in some way, shape, or form.

  1. Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale: She’s trapped by her society and caught in her past. Offred’s way of  handling these external and internal forces isn’t always wise. Atwood’s novel is a terrifying glimpse into a future that doesn’t seem as impossible as we would like, and I appreciate that she didn’t populate her narrative with any gradient of perfect people. Offred fights depression and a sense of hopelessness with raw emotion and aggressive rebellion. Who the heck hasn’t done that?
  2. Susie Salmon in The Lovely Bones: It feels a tad strange to say that I relate so well to a twelve-year-old girl who views the world from her perch in Heaven. But she seeks the best in situations that are absolutely dismal; it doesn’t always work for her but I certainly appreciate the effort. When I first read this book in the seventh grade I felt so connected to Susie’s disconnection. It’s all about that first read when it comes to relating to characters.
  3. Esther Greenwood in The Bell Jar: Within reading the first five pages of Plath’s infamously autobiographical novel, I felt a kinship with Esther. And then my next thought was, “Well, crap, that can’t be healthy!” There’s just something in Plath’s tone and language that feels like her words could be mine too. Dealing with issues of stability and sexuality is something plenty of readers can connect with, regardless of your current state of mental health.
  4. Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre: Any girl (or hey, any guy) who has connected with Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when they treat her like poo on the bottom of their shoes in the boutique can connect with Jane Eyre. It’s the same general principle of feeling alienated and being made to be a lesser for their perceived station in life, only more darkly Romantic. Jane has more of a vengeful streak than Julia though, which I think makes her more interesting.
  5. Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones’s Diary: My inner frantic nutbag connects with Bridget. That is all.
  6. Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Gurrrrrrrrl, I have been there. In your most passionately desperate moments–in the throes of love or even lust–you know you have pulled a Helena. I read her dialogue and simultaneously wince and nod in sisterly understanding. Such is life, I suppose.
  7. Briseis in Daughter of Troy: Oi. Briseis is selfish, haughty, and just this side of vain. But she is also strong, empowered, and captivating. One of my favorite books of all time as well as one of my favorite characters.
  8. Danny Saunders in The Chosen: Danny can be abrasive and unyielding in his opinions. His push-pull with tradition and family is something I could truly connect with though. I’ve got a lot of love for this character.
  9. Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities: Such a bad man! I love him more than any other character in the book. Who needs Lucie? I was so compelled by Sydney and felt like he was the person I was most interested in following along with.
  10. Gene in A Separate Peace: Given the ending, I feel a tad guilty about connecting with Gene. His introvert characteristics and wicked streak of jealousy are avenues I’ve been down myself.

None of these characters are “bad people”. They’re complex and potentially brooding and there is something relatable in all of them. It’s all in how you connect as a reader, and our darker sides connect with characters just as readily as our lighter sides.

Hope you enjoyed my Top Ten Tuesday post. Happy Reading!

Making My Way From A-Z

/ caitlinemccann / Leave a comment

It dawned on me recently that I have not done a legitimate book post in a while outside of my occasional Top Ten Tuesday ramblings. Reading has always been a passion of mine and a tried and true method of relaxation. I usually read a little bit every night before bed, which can backfire on me when the book is too good and I cannot make myself stop turning the pages.

As many of you know, I’m a big fan of Goodreads.com because it allows me to keep track of what I’ve read and what I want to read. About a year ago I joined one of the many online book clubs on Goodreads in order to get more current/trendy recommendations. The name of the group is called Bookworm Bitches (ladies only if you couldn’t tell) and I love that it allows me the freedom to interact with other readers without making it a requirement. The minute something becomes required, it becomes somewhat tedious for me. A weird quirk of mine, I know. A great example of this oddity was when I read Jane Eyre on my own and enjoyed it more because I read it for myself and not in a classroom. I’m just stubborn that way.

One of my favorite things that Bookworm Bitches does is host challenges for group members to participate in. There’s no real prize, except for self-satisfaction. This year I decided to participate in one of the timed challenges; the A-Z Title Challenge. The rules are pretty straight forward…

  • You have until the end of 2014 to complete your challenge
  • Include the date you completed the book next to your entry
  • Books can be fiction or nonfiction
  • Articles like “A” or “The” can be ignored when placing entries to easier get the right letters
  • The only exception is the letter X: a book with x anywhere in the title can count

So far I have completed eleven of my entries. I’ve really enjoyed completing parts of this challenge and am now constantly aware of what letters have yet to be filled in. Here is where I am right now. I’m also going to rate the books I’ve read thus far with one to five hearts to give you a sense of how I felt about my selections.

A The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin (3/2) ♥♥
B Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon (2/16) ♥♥♥
C Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (1/15) ♥♥♥♥
D 
E Eleanor, Eleanor, Not Your Real Name by Kathryn Cowles (3/9) ♥♥♥
F Freakonomics Revised and Expanded by Steven D. Levitt (2/8) ♥♥♥
G Gods Like Us: On Movie Stardom and Modern Fame by Ty Burr (3/28) ♥♥♥♥
H 
I 
J 
K 
L 
M 
N 
O Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman Currently Reading 
P 
Q 
R 
S Skin Trade by Laurell K Hamilton (1/08) ♥♥♥
T The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas Currently Reading 
U 
V The Vampire’s Bride by Gena Showalter (3/16) ♥♥♥
W Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple (1/28) ♥♥♥
X 
Y The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon (4/7) ♥♥♥♥
Z Zinnia by Jayne Castle (3/8) ♥

It’s such a fun challenge that I couldn’t help but share. And  I think my list reflects my reading habits rather honestly: a mix of romance, nonfiction, and lit. Obviously, I’m not near completion yet but it feels good to see the spots filled in. For all my readers out there this is a challenge I would encourage you to take on!

Any suggestions for what I should read for the missing letters?