Review: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Berlin 1942

When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance.

But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.

Paperback, 224 pages

Published May 31st 2007 by Oxford University Press
Genre: Historical Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

This book has been sitting on my daughter's bookshelf for many years. Both of my children have read it and I always intended to but never quite found the time for it. It wasn't until recently when I stumbled across a list of the top books about WWII of the decade in which this book was listed that I finally picked it up and read it. I have a fascination for historical fiction and WWII.

The Boy In the Striped Pajamas was narrated from the perspective of nine year old Bruno. It told the story of his father's promotion and the move from their five story house in Berlin to a house in the middle of nowhere in "Out-with." As the reader you learn how he felt about the soldiers that were constantly coming and going out of his house and the strange camp behind the giant fence that he could seen from his bedroom window. Next, the unusual friendship he developed with the boy on the other side of the fence.

This book is very short so I won't divulge any more of the plot but I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading a story about such a horrible time and awful place from the naivety and innocence of a young child. It really made me stop and think. It goes to show that behaviour is learned and not something you are born with. I don't know how to describe the way this story made me feel but I can say that it was powerful in its delivery and its message.

One sitting is all that is needed to get through this gem of a book. Once you start reading you won't want to stop and I guarantee you will still be thinking about it long after the last page has turned.

About the Author

John Boyne (born 30 April 1971 in Dublin) is an Irish novelist.

He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, where he won the Curtis Brown prize. In 2015, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by UEA.

John Boyne is the author of ten novels for adults and five for young readers, as well as a collection of short stories.

His novels are published in over 50 languages.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which to date has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide, is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and a film adaptation was released in September 2008. Boyne resides in Dublin. He is represented by the literary agent Simon Trewin at WME in London, United Kingdom.

His most recent publication is the novel 'The Heart's Invisible Furies', published in the UK in February 2017. It will be published in the USA in August.

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Review: Stripped by Zoey Castile

Skilled, sculpted, and sexy, the men of adult entertainment are the kind of guys a woman reserves for her fantasies, not her reality. But is there more to these professional hotties than meets the eye?…

The day Robyn Flores meets Zac Fallon is one of those days. You know, when you’re already late for work. Mostly because you haven’t really slept since your best friend abandoned you for her fiancé and her exponentially better life. The kind of day you drag yourself to the cleaners to pick up your laundry, only to discover you’ve got the wrong bag—Star Spangled sequined thong, anyone? So Robyn is definitely not ready for the ridiculously gorgeous guy at her front door, except that they have each other’s clothes. But then, is any woman ever ready to meet the love of her life?

There’s just one problem: Zac Fallon is not the love of Robyn’s life. Zac knows, despite the all-too-intimate dinner they share, he doesn’t have a shot at her. Because the next time Zac sees Robyn, he’s front and center of the male revue headlining her best friend’s bachelorette party. So much for wooing the pretty schoolteacher, much less impressing her old-fashioned family, with his upstanding lifestyle. Now he’s only got one way to win his dream girl. It’s gonna be the steamiest, most irresistible seduction she’s ever seen. And this time it will be no act…

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: August 28th 2018 by Kensington

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Kensington in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

I have to be honest here.  I am sometimes guilty of judging a book by its cover.  I have a tendency to skip the books that have half naked, chiseled, do this perfection really exist in real life, sexy kind of  men on the cover.  I don't know why I do as I enjoy the genre however it has been the case up until now. I'm glad I chose this story to break my pattern.

This was a super light and easy read for me.  The instant chemistry between Robyn and Fallon hooked me in from the beginning and kept me reading to see where it would lead.  I fell in love with Fallon right away and it didn't take long after to enjoy the character of Robyn.  The only thing I could not understand about Robyn was her constant tardiness.  I absolutely hate being late for anything even if it is something I am not looking forward to.  Once my OCD could see past this I quite enjoyed her character.

Fans of this genre shouldn't hesitate to pick this up.  It has the connection between characters, the steam factor and some simply enjoyable characters.  It looks like this is going to be a series and I will be keeping an eye to find out what happens next.

About the Author

Zoey Castile was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, New York. She started writing in her teens and pursued that love in her studies at Hunter College and the University of Montana. For nearly a decade, she worked as a bartender, hostess, and manager in New York City's nightlife.

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Review: When the Emperor was Devine by Julie Otsuka

On a sunny day in Berkeley, California, in 1942, a woman sees a sign in a post office window, returns to her home, and matter-of-factly begins to pack her family's possessions. Like thousands of other Japanese Americans they have been reclassified, virtually overnight, as enemy aliens and are about to be uprooted from their home and sent to a dusty internment camp in the Utah desert.

In this lean and devastatingly evocative first novel, Julie Otsuka tells their story from five flawlessly realized points of view and conveys the exact emotional texture of their experience: the thin-walled barracks and barbed-wire fences, the omnipresent fear and loneliness, the unheralded feats of heroism. When the Emperor Was Divine is a work of enormous power that makes a shameful episode of our history as immediate as today's headlines.

Kindle Edition, 148 pages

Published December 18th 2007 by Anchor (first published 2002)  

Genre: HIstorical Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoy reading World War II historical fiction. I came across a list of the most popular World War II fiction of the past decade and had a look at it. Many of the titles were familiar ones that I have enjoyed but there were also quite a few that I was not familiar with. When the Emperor was Devine was one of them. I decided that I needed to change that.

I have to say that I was blown away by this book. It followed a nameless Japanese American family from the moment they found out they were being sent away to an interment camp to after they were released from the camp. It was delivered from five different points of view to tell the story of what happened to them. What I really liked about it while reading each point of view was the honesty in which it was portrayed. Instead of trying to tug at the readers heart string with the atrocious and unbelievable living conditions (which would be easy to do) the author dove into the brain of each nameless character to reveal the simple and honest thoughts of who the speaker was. The thoughts were thoughts of a little boy or a pre-teen girl and were not just about what was happening to them. I found it to be very powerful and thought provoking.

This book has been reviewed thousands of times so I will keep my thoughts on it brief. When the Emperor was Devine was an easy to read book that can be read in a single sitting. It was very cleverly written about a dark time is U.S history and will be sure to stay with you long after the last page is turned.

About the Author

Julie Otsuka was born and raised in California. After studying art as an undergraduate at Yale University she pursued a career as a painter for several years before turning to fiction writing at age 30. She received her MFA from Columbia. She is a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Asian American Literary Award, and the American Library Association Alex Award.

Connect with Julie

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Review: Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

From New York Times bestselling author Kristina McMorris comes another unforgettable novel inspired by a stunning piece of history.2 CHILDREN FOR SALE

The sign is a last resort. It sits on a farmhouse porch in 1931, but could be found anywhere in an era of breadlines, bank runs, and broken dreams. It could have been written by any mother facing impossible choices.

For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when it leads to his big break, the consequences are more devastating than he ever imagined.

At the paper, Lillian Palmer is haunted by her role in all that happened. She is far too familiar with the heartbreak of children deemed unwanted. As the bonds of motherhood are tested, she and Ellis must decide how much they are willing to risk to mend a fractured family.

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: August 28th 2018 by Sourcebooks Landmark

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

I have long been a fan of Kristina McMorris and was over the moon to have the chance to preview this book.  While all of her books have been very different, they have all been captivating and easy to read.  This book was no different.

This story starts slow and builds to an almost feverish pitch as the story goes on.  The reader is given the opportunity to learn about both Ellis and Lillian before the plot really takes off.  This allows them to understand where they come from and what motivates their actions.

I struggled to really identify with Lilly and her obsessive need to meddle in Ellis quest to find out about the children.  Yes I said meddle, others may think otherwise.  Just because she was a mother, it didn't mean it gave her the right to go against everyone's wishes and take actions of her own because she felt it was the right thing to do.  Even if she was right about some of her instincts, her blatant disregard of direction really irked me.  Ellis on the other hand I could see where he was coming from the whole way through the story.

This story also brings forth the question of what is right and wrong in this scenario when a mother gives up her children.  While it is pretty clear at the outcome of this story, in general my opinion would be the exact opposite.  It is definitely and issue that could be debated at length and I love when a story tackles a moral issue, even if there is no right or wrong answer.

As usual McMorris entertained me with her story.  She has never let me down and I will continue to follow her work as long as she keeps telling stories.

About the Author

Happy Friday!

Review: Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

From New York Times bestselling author Kristina McMorris comes another unforgettable novel inspired by a stunning piece of history.

2 CHILDREN FOR SALE

The scrawled sign, peddling young siblings on a farmhouse porch, captures the desperation sweeping the country in 1931. It’s an era of breadlines, bank runs, and impossible choices.

For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when the image leads to his big break, the consequences are devastating in ways he never imagined.

Haunted by secrets of her own, secretary Lillian Palmer sees more in the picture than a good story and is soon drawn into the fray. Together, the two set out to right a wrongdoing and mend a fractured family, at the risk of everything they value.

Inspired by an actual newspaper photo that stunned readers across the nation, this touching novel explores the tale within the frame and behind the lens—a journey of ambition, love, and the far-reaching effects of our actions.

ARC Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication: August 28th 2018 by Sourcebooks Landmark 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from Sourcebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

Kristina McMorris is not a new author to me so when the opportunity to get my hands on an advanced copy of Sold on a Monday arose I jumped at it. Although I read and enjoy all different genres, historical fiction always seems to capture me in a way I can't describe. Partly I think it is because it is hard to imagine living through the many difficult times and struggles of our past. It seems so foreign and tragic. Whatever the reason, McMorris managed once again to capture me with her story that came from a real life picture.

Ellis was a struggling reporter who happened upon two young boys playing outside their farm house and a sign that said 2 CHILDREN FOR SALE. He snapped a picture which unintentionally lead to the break he was looking for with his career. With a little guidance from Lily, the newspaper secretary, he wrote an article that was sure to garnish attention. When the photo got damaged he needed to get another one but when he went back to the farmhouse to recreate it the boys and family were gone. The sign remained. In a bit of a desperate state, he asked the neighbouring girl and boy's mother if he could take their picture with the sign thinking nobody would know the difference. Little did he know the chain of events that would unfold because of it that would lead him and Lily to chase after a mistake in order to right an unintentional wrong.

The best way to describe this book is like a roller coaster. It started out slow and steady and began its sleepy climb up to the peak where it catapulted down in a maze of twists and turns until the inevitable end. At first I have to admit that I wasn't exactly sure what the story was going to be about because it spent a lot of time in the news room and not much of anywhere else. However, in hindsight, I can see the importance of that setting and how it was effective in the character development of both Ellis and Lily. By the time the story started to take flight, I was fully invested in the characters and I cared about their outcome.

McMorris managed to take me back in time to when so many families were struggling. I found myself thinking about how bad a situation must have been in order to sell ones children. Could I have done it? How desperate would I need to be? The desperation and heartbreak these families went through was gut whrenching and unimaginable. This day and age we think nothing of women having children out of wedlock so it is hard to imagine Lily's plight and the shame and secrecy that went with it. These are all things that I appreciate about historical fiction. Although fiction, I learn about a different time and place.

I thoroughly enjoyed the journey that this book took me on. After the slow climb it kept me on the edge of my seat, I couldn't wait to find out how it all played out. Once again, Kristina McMorris did not disappoint!

About the Author

KRISTINA MCMORRIS is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her novels have garnered more than two dozen literary awards and nominations, including the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, RWA’s RITA® Award, and a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction. Inspired by true personal and historical accounts, her works of fiction have been published by Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Kensington Books. Her forthcoming novel, Sold on a Monday (Sourcebooks Landmark, 8-28-18), follows her widely praised The Edge of Lost, The Pieces We Keep, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves, and Letters from Home. Additionally, her novellas are featured in the anthologies A Winter Wonderland and Grand Central. Prior to her writing career, Kristina hosted weekly TV shows since age nine, including an Emmy® Award-winning program, and has been named one of Portland's "40 Under 40" by The Business Journal. She lives with her husband and two sons in the Pacific Northwest, where she is working on her next novel.

Connect with Kristina

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Review: Be Mine, Sweetheart (Something Borrowed) by Codi Gary

RULE #3: DON’T MIX BUSINESS WITH MIXED DRINKS

Kelly Barrow, the founder of Something Borrowed, didn’t get the happily ever after she counted on, but she considers herself fortunate anyway. After all, she has a thriving business and a loving family and friends. Yet ten years after her heartbreak, surrounded by couples in love, she knows it’s time to move on—and the gorgeous actor who hires her for his sister’s wedding seems like the perfect opportunity. There’s just one problem. Her best friend and legal counsel, Christian Ryan, keeps getting in her way . . .

Chris has been a shoulder to lean on since they were kids, and Kelly never expected him to interfere in her dating life. She doesn’t realize that over the years, Chris’s feelings have grown beyond friendship. The timing just never seemed right—until now. And as the two of them work through the wedding’s inevitable surprises and disasters, Kelly begins to wonder if she’s been looking for love in the exact wrong place . . .

ebook, 304 pages

Expected publication: August 14th 2018 by Lyrical Press

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review.  Thank you!

This was the third in the Something Borrowed series and I have had the pleasure to have read all of them.  If you are picking this up without reading the first two, you will probably be ok however I believe it would be enjoyed more if it was read in order as there are characters throughout who were in the first two stories.

I got exactly what I expected from this story.  It was a read that flowed nicely and kept me properly entertained.  In fact I got through this book rather quickly.  You have to love a best friends story that turns in to more.  It is always heartwarming.

For the most part the characters were likable however I have to admit that Kelly got on my nerves from time to time.  She did have a tendency to overreact and misinterpret words a little too often and I just wanted to scream "use you listening skills"!  Perhaps it just felt a little too much like my job in those moments.  Aside from that I couldn't wait for both Kelly and Chris to wake up and smell the coffee.

Codi Gary never disappoints me and I look forward to reading more of her work.  I'm not sure if there will be more with this series or perhaps a new one, regardless I will keep my eyes open.

  

About the Author

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