Double-Stacked Bookshelves

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that allows bloggers to highlight releases they are eagerly awaiting. Here's what I've got my eye on: Title:  Lucky Us Author:  Amy Bloom Publication Date:  July 29, 2014 Page Count:  256 Summary via Goodreads "My father's wife died. My mother said we should drive down to his place and see what might be in it for us." So begins this remarkable novel by Amy Bloom, whose critically acclaimed Away was called "a literary triumph" by The New York Times. Brilliantly written, deeply moving, fantastically funny, Lucky Us introduces us to Eva and Iris. Disappointed by their families, Iris, the hopeful star, and Eva, the sidekick, journey across 1940s America in search of fame and fortune. Iris's ambitions take them from small-town Ohio to an unexpected and sensuous Hollywood, across the America of Reinvention in a stolen station wagon, to the jazz clubs and golden ma...

Week one has come to a close and we're rounding it out with the letter E.  Today's authors of choice are:  Leif Enger and Janet Evanovich. Leif Enger (1961-) I first encountered Leif Enger in 2006 when I moved to Austria.  Before leaving, I popped into a bookstore to grab something for the flight and picked up Peace Like a River .  Needless to say I fell in love with the book, mainly because of Swede (she reminds me of Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird ), and recommend it to a lot of people.  Even though it's infused with religious references, which isn't necessarily something I gravitate toward, this is a great book.  I wasn't as impressed with his second novel, So Brave, Young, and Handsome , but it's still a decent read. *Recommendation:  Peace Like a River Janet Evanovich (1943-) Another great author to read when you want something that doesn't take a lot of effort (or braincells), Janet Evanovich is fairly prolific.  I stil...

“The key to change is letting go of the fear.” I've been waiting for Pittacus Lore's The Power of Six to come out since I finished I am Number Four a few months ago.  And boy was the wait worth it!  Personally, the second installation to the Lorien Legacies was so much better than the first in the series.  The book starts by introducing a new member of the Garde, Marina.  Marina has been living in an orphanage in Spain with her Cepan, Adelina, for several years.  The two of them are at odds because of Adelina's attitude toward the role they have been destined to play since being shipped off of Lorien.  Because of this, Marina has constant questions about her legacies and the other members of the Garde and feels like she is completely alone in the fight to save her home planet.  Adelina has done nothing to assuage these fears and questions. The reader is also taken back to where I am Number Four left off.  We see the journey of Six, John, an...

Once again, this blog I follow has brought forth another great idea.  I've decided that, in addition to my book reviews, I'm going to participate (you can too!) in her "Why I Love...Wednesdays" (I'm also going to do her "Teaser Tuesday," but I forgot yesterday...whoops).  Not only will this give my blog a little bit more to offer the two of you who read it (haha), but it will force me to post a bit more often.  It's like killing two birds with one stone (or post).  I like this idea.  So, to get started, I've taken the past "Why I Loves" from the Bookaholic and have decided to start working my way through the weekly growing list.  Needless to say, I'm a little behind.  My first selection is:  Favorite Childhood Friend . This honor goes, undoubtably, to Charlotte Doyle.  I remember picking up Avi's The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle when I was in elementary school; I don't recall exactly when, but it was definitely in...