Icebound

I had read a preview about this book in a literary magazine.  It had intrigued me and thus I was quite happy when my book club chose to read this book in July.  I had started it much later than several members and they had indicated it was a dry read, kind of like reading a text book.  Needless to say, expectations were not high when I started it.  Turns out I liked it better than most.

I just focused on the story and didn't worry about keeping track of characters or the overall history of expeditions to the pole that the author frequently referred to.  This was one of the issues as the book was written from the captain's logs and would be telling a narrative when suddenly the author would switch to talk about other explorers at other periods of time.  Which while interesting facts, lead to a less flowing narrative.  

All in all I enjoyed the book and could find myself visualizing the landscape and the ocean as they were described in the book.  It wasn't written quite in the voice that reads like a novel such as when I read Bad Blood.  But if you enjoy history or travel this is a fascinating non fiction read about William Barents and his polar expeditions.     

Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World by Andrea Pitzer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting non fiction work

While there were times this NF work read like a research paper and took a bit to get into, I did like it. I read it like a story and didn’t try to keep all the names straight. It is a factual account of a historical event and as such there is not a lot of emotions expressed by people in the book. It is still possible to envision their possible emotions during their struggles but they are not explicitly written as the account is sourced from a captains log. If you like reading about risk takers and areas of the world that you haven’t visited this book will appeal to those interests


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #91
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes
3. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #20 genre you never/rarely read
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #98
5. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #112
6. Non Fiction Reader  #2021ReadNonFic  #6. Oceanography
7. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2021  #16 Set Before The 17th Century
8. Pick your Poison #16-4 A book with a map on the cover
9. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2021 July – Book Set On An Island
10. 52 books in 52 weeks  #26 mushing

The Malt in Our Stars

 

The Malt in Our Stars by Sarah Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exciting cozy set in a charming town in Vermont. Sadie is such a like able character with a nosy streak. She cannot help but investigate. When the assistant to the romance suspense author who came to speak at her literary themed pub falls to her death from a window at the Shady Creek Manor. The story is full of hidden passes and lots of suspects. The guilty party was a bit of a surprise
I look forward to reading more about Sadie and her friends

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #75
2. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021 Literary Pub #3
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #82
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #95
5. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
6. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #53
7. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #80
8. Craving for Cozies  Book #69
9. What's in a Name   #3 Reference to outer space
10. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2021  June – Book With A Beverage In The Title
11. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags
12. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 

Row 4

Hotel room

• Weapons
• Row 4
• Push or fall
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #37  Shot #3

The Henna Artist

 I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Alka Joshi.   It was principally set in Jaipur, India in the 1950s.  It is fascinating how Lakshmi had reinvented herself after fleeing her husband in a village.   She applied the knowledge her Saas (mother-in-law) taught her on how to use natural remedies for ailments. She also developed her artistic talents into masterful henna artistry and mandala designs.  Her business relationship with Samir Singh opened doors into his wife's social circle and allowed her to develop her business.  These relationships demonstrated the caste system at work as well as the different beliefs and professions deemed acceptable within each caste.  Lakshmi is from the Brahmin's which is one of the highest castes but her status as an estranged wife is a secret that keeps her from developing her relationships in society as fully as she would normally be able to do.

Joshi captures the tenuous relationship between Lakshmi and the wealthy ladies.   Also the story addresses the maneuverings of an arranged marriage between 2 prominent families that allows them both to improve their business and social standings.  It discusses the idea of marrying for love versus an arranged marriage.  It also talks a bit about dowries and the arrangements of marital residences relative to the parents.  

The book addresses unwanted pregnancies, infertility and the influence of spiritual  advisors that impacts the Maharaja, his family and familial decisions. Be advised there discussions/ plot lines having to do with termination of pregnancy through herbal concoctions so this may be disturbing to some readers.  The tradition of multiple wives and concubines are addressed briefly as well.   All in all it is a fascinating overview of the culture of India from 60 or so years  ago.

Additionally, their are relationship struggles between Lakshmi and her sister Radha as they become acquainted and settle into a sibling relationship while also being a custodial situation.   Radha experiences many of the typical teen adjustments but they are magnified by being an villager who finds herself a scholarship student at a prominent school.   This disparity only exacerbates her ability to fit in.  How she and Lakshmi handle the situation with the help of auntie Kanta is an interesting take on the timeless theme adolescent assimilation.  

All in all I enjoyed this book and can recommend it to those interested in reading historic fiction based in India.     

    

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fascinating story full of culture and growth

This story was layered with characters and relationships that were both frustrating and wonderful. It was amazing to see Lakshmi develop her relationship with he sister Radha and Malik. The book showed some aspects of the caste system and socioeconomic differences specific to India but global as well. The growth of the characters and their realization of what is important is well written and powerful. I found myself hoping for happiness for the good people and forgiveness for those who need it

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #62
2. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #48 bought it for the cover
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #68
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #81
5. Historic Fiction  #histficreadingchallenge   Book #10
6. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #43. The book on your TBR list with the prettiest cover
7. Around the Year in 52 Books #7 A book that fits a prompt suggestion that didn't make the final list -- A book where the protagonist adheres to a religion that is not your own
8. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2021   #44 Includes A Garden
9. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #21. BOUGHT BASED ON COVER
10. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2021  May – Book Set In India
11. Book Voyage  #bookvoyagechallenge  Yes Southern Asia
12. Unruly Reader Bingo  #3 eye catching

Flamenco, Flan and Fatalities

 This is the 2nd book in the Happy Hoofer series by Mary McHugh.  I did not enjoy this one quite as much as the first book, Chorus Lines, Caviar and Corpses.  I think the narrator just didn't appeal to me as much in this book as it did in the first.  

McHugh has taken a creative approach to her narration that in principle I like, each of the books in the series is narrated by a different member of the dance troupe.  Conceptually a great idea, but I just didn't care for this narrator, Gini.  I guess one aspect could be that different readers might relate better to different characters, and thus make the series as a whole more appealing to a broader range of readers.  McHugh even comments in both books about how each member of the dance troupe has different personalities and traits that they love and dislike about each other.  Which is probably very realistic of most friendship groups.

Gini is a strong personality, just as Tina, the narrator of book 1 was.  I just found her too abrupt and butting in too much.  She bordered on rude at some points.  She seemed very dismissive of those who didn't share her beliefs on certain topics.  In many ways I just wanted to story to end so I didn't have to "listen" to her anymore. 

The mystery itself was a well written one although there were a few editing errors, they kept saying they were on a cruise (book 1 setting) when they were aboard a train.  The setting in Spain was very alluring and very descriptive.  I like the balance of landscape and scenery description with the other cultural features that are included in the stories.  I have several more installments in the series and will continue to read them as I enjoy this aspect of the series a lot even if the characters might be a bit annoying.  Hopefully the next narrator's perspective and personality will be more appealing.

Flamenco, Flan, and Fatalities by Mary McHugh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While I enjoyed this book it didn’t engage me quite as well as the first book in the series. I think I didn’t really care for the narrator in this book. I like how the author is varying the narrator between different Happy Hoofers in each of her books but I just didn’t care for Gini very much. I did enjoy the descriptions of the Green Spain area of northern Spain. I liked McHugh’s ability to mix descriptions of the scenery and culture in with the storyline. I will continue to read the series to see how I like the next narrator

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes   Spain
2. Mount TBR   #MountTBR2021  Book #8
3. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #57
4. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
5. Cruisin thru Cozies  free choice 19
6. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #41
7. Craving for Cozies  Book #35
8. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2021  Book Set On A Train
9. Medical Examiner Challenge  2 Toe Tags
10. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 3
• Train or subway
• Weapons
• Row 1 
• Poison, poisoned food
• Detectives- Gini
• Victims- Shamblees, Steve
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #53  Shot #2

The Lost Apothecary

 This debut novel by Sarah Penner is a wonderful mix of historical fiction with a touch of fantasy.  I original discovered this book while reading the Book Pages magazine from my library.  The book sounding interesting so I placed a hold on it prior to its release at the beginning of March.   I am glad I did.  

The author did a wonderful job of interweaving a historic "mystery" with a modern investigator.  Caroline and Nella are both women who were betrayed by men they loved, only 300 years apart.  It is a timeless tale that is  captured in contrasts between the options available to  women of the 18th century versus the modern era.  Both are strong women who found their way to move forward in the face of adversity.  Each found a new purpose and quest.  

The story had a very little bit of fantasy/supernatural that was presented in both times in the dual timeline.  It is up to the reader to decide whether there were other magical forces at work or just the coincidence of the universe.   Either way the tale that is woven is very engaging and a great combination of timelines and multiple points of view of 3 very different women.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This debut novel does a wonderful job of mastering a dual timeline and 3 female points of view. I appreciated the contrasts of how similar misfortunes for women are represented in the 2 timeframes. Women in 1790s had very little recourse if their marriages were destroyed versus 2020. I enjoyed how the themes of betrayal and self definition was presented in both Caroline and Nella. The innocence of Eliza is such a wonderful contrast but her wiseness beyond her years was also well developed. I enjoyed the ending and how you weren't sure if there was supernatural elements at play in both the 18th and 21st centuries. This book was an unexpected pleasure and I am glad I discovered it in a book publication previewing it before its release.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #35
2. Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge  "P"
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #43
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #48
5. Historic Fiction  #histficreadingchallenge   Book #5
6. BooklistQueen   # 22. A Highly Anticipated Book
7. A Pretty Mess Challenge # 14. A book everyone is talking about
8. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #3. GOLD ON COVER
9. Magic in the Books Book 5 #1 Read a fantasy novel 
10. Pick your Poison #17-3 A book with a shape on the cover that reminds you of a Rorschach test
11. Bloggers Bookshelf   #bloggersbookshelf #7 with foiling on the cover
12. Monthly Keyword #MonthlyKeyWordGXO-  "Lost"
13. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2021  Historical Fiction Novel Featuring Inspiring Women
14. Diversify your reading #DYRC21  Historical Fiction 
15. Medical Examiner Challenge  3 Toe Tags
16. Unruly Reader Bingo  #3 eye catching

Ms. Marvel Vol 2

 This is the 2nd installment of the G. Willow Wilson Graphic Novels I have read.   Last year for my graphic novel selection I picked Vol 1 of the series.   See my review here.    I decided to pick the next one in the series for this year as well since it covered several of my topics for different challenges.   

I continue to realize I am not the best audience for graphic novels, even though I do enjoy the Marvel movies.  I think I just have trouble following the flow of the story line.  This plot was a bit confusing for me at times but I also think so of that relates to the fact this is a compilation of several issues of comic books.   I do like that there is a strong young female as the lead in the story.  The dynamics are especially complex as she is a Muslim teen trying to balance her religious beliefs and constricts with being a typical American teen.  I appreciated that she sought the advice of her church leader in this book and came to realize the applicability of his advice.  

The target audience is YA for this series and the messages at the end were a bit too "woke" and preachy for my taste at times.  I truly hope not all fiction geared toward YA is so pessimistic and fatalistic.   I think this is often the message given to them in school as well and I worry about their outlook for their futures. There are many positive aspects of life today versus the past.  We have progressed while realizing we can still grow as a nation.  This might also explain the popularity of dystopian tomes with that generation as well.   I suspect much of it is just this generation's cause and as they take on responsibilities their outlooks may change some and balance the extremes with the possibilities.  

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 2: Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

great story with a strong teenage girl in the lead character role. I appreciate watching her growth as a person/superhero while enjoying the action. I did find the storyline hard to follow at times, not always certain who was talking but the general idea was readily able to be followed.

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #12
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes NJ
3. Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge  "G"
4. 2021TBR  #2021ReadingChallenge #13 ya book
5. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #16
6. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #19
7. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #24. A book by a Muslim American author
8. Around the Year in 52 Books #17. A book with a Muslim character or author
9. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2021  #26  An Author Of Color
10. The Unofficial Magnus Archives Challenge  #TMARC21  #26. Titan: a graphic novel
11. BooklistQueen   #8. An Author Who Uses Initials
12. A Pretty Mess Challenge #6. YA book by author of color 
13. NJM Book Challenge  #NJMBookChallenge2021  #14 with images
14. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #11. RELEASED IN APRIL
15. Bookworm  #47.) Read a book with the main character  of a different ethnicity than you 
16. Magic in the Books  Book 4 #4 Includes a shapeshifter
17. Spells and Spaceships Monster Badge
18. Pick your Poison #27-3 A comic book 
19. Bloggers Bookshelf   #bloggersbookshelf #1 an unusual format 
20. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2021 Contemporary Black Author
21. 52 books in 52 weeks  #19 robot

Girl, Wash your Face

 This self help book by Rachel Hollis was well written.  She hits upon many insecurities that many women suffer through.  Her format is to pose it as lies we have come to believe.   Each chapter is about a different lie we allow ourselves to believe in over our lives, such as being a working mom, not being organized enough, being a bad mother and many more.  She's brutally honest about how she fell into believing them herself and ways to work through them,  She speaks as someone who has gone through the self doubt of each of them herself.  Rachel works through them and points out how the self talk can be destructive and make us feel as though we are the only ones who feel that way.  Her experiences make it clear we are not alone and no matter how successful someone may seem, it doesn't mean they don't share many of the same feelings everyday women do.  

I found it easy to relate to many of the issues she discussed and found her suggestions of how she dealt with them (and continues to) relatable.   The book is written much like a conversation with a close girlfriend who can commiserate with your concerns.  The advice given is applicable to anyone, not just someone who's successful and can hire help to overcome situations.  

This book felt as though any woman could gleam some advice and suggestions to help them sleep easier each night.   Not every suggestion or topic is for everyone but I think you will find some you relate to and can take advice from.  

Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

This was a very relatable book with advice on how to deal with the self doubting talk that many women suffer from today. The format of a chapter per lie we tell ourselves makes it an easy read to break up into small chunks and focus on a little bit at a time. The advice she gives is readily able to be applied to anyone's lives and not just to someone who has the wealth to pay for assistance. I recommend the book if you are looking to make some straightforward changes to your attitude and approach to life 

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. AtoZ   #2021AtoZReadingChallenge  #AlphabetSoupChallenge  "G"
2. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #40 black and white
3. Mount TBR   #MountTBR2021  Book #3
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #14
5. Memoir  #9 Written by a woman  
6. Non Fiction Reader  #2021ReadNonFic  #3 Self Help
7. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #19. A book that discusses body positivity
8. Around the Year in 52 Books #47. A non-fiction book other than biography, autobiography or memoir
9. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2021  #33 Featuring Adoption
10. The Unofficial Magnus Archives Challenge  #TMARC21  #24 I Do Not Know You: by an author you’ve never read
11. BooklistQueen   # 38. Nonfiction New York Times Bestseller
12. A Pretty Mess Challenge # 23. Famous author you've never read
13. NJM Book Challenge  #NJMBookChallenge2021  #2 non fiction book
14. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #41. BODY PART IN TITLE
15. Bookworm  #6.) Read a book that was recommended to you 
16. Magic in the Books 
• Book 1 #3 Non Fiction
17. Pick your Poison #15-4 A self help book 
18. Bloggers Bookshelf   #bloggersbookshelf #12 with a face on the cover 
19. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2021 Truth Bomb Nonfiction Book 

Uncorked Librarian

 Uncorked Librarian Challenge

Another new challenge for 2021 hosted at Uncorked Librarian  It consists of 12 monthly prompts to read book selections for.

Uncorked Reading Challenge 2021 Monthly Themes

Below, find each month’s theme for our reading challenge.

January 2021 – Truth Bomb Nonfiction Book 

READ:  Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis 

• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/6/21

February – Book By A Contemporary Black Author 

READ:  Ms. Marvel, Vol 2   Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson

• Blog Post and Good  Reads Review 2/12/21 

March – Historical Fiction Novel Featuring Inspiring Women 

READ:  Olive Bright Pigeoneer by Stephanie Graves

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/7/21

READ:  The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/24/21 

April – Book Set On A Train 

READ: Flamenco, Flan and Fatalities by Mary McHugh

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/10/21

May – Book Set In India 

READ: The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/26/21

June – Book With A Beverage In The Title

READ:  The Malt in Our Stars by Sarah Fox

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 6/24/21

July – Book Set On An Island

 IDEA: The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline; The Cousins by Karen McManus

READ: Icebound by Andrea Pitzer 

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 7/21/21

August – Book Translated From Spanish 

IDEA: City of the Beasts by Isabelle Allende

September – Banned Book From The 21st Century 

IDEA: Revenge of the Living Dummy by R.L. Stine

October – True Crime Novel 

IDEA: Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

November – Book Inspired By Norse Mythology

 IDEA: The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, #1) by Rick Riordan

December – Multicultural Rom-Com

IDEA: The Office Party by Whitney G.