The Fates Will Find Their Way

The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard

I was disappointed in this one. The story is vague and seemingly without a plot. I barely made it through.

Any differing opinions?

Villette

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Who doesn’t love a book by one of the Bronte sisters? This is one of my favorites. Angry, witty and honest, this is an amazing example of feminist literature. Lucy Snow is in the role of a 19^th century woman, repressed and irrelevant to society. Bronte writes of her adventures in life. This book is reported to be somewhat autobiographical.  I wonder how I would have felt in these shoes. It had to be so frustrating to be a woman during this time in history.

A beautifully crafted story with a complex character. Not to be missed!

Before I Fall

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

This is a strange book. What if you only had one day to live? What would you do in that day? What if you could change fate and save your own life? This book asks those questions through the life of a teenage girl. She lives the last day of her life seven days in a row. In reliving the same day she is given the opportunity to appreciate her blessings, find value in her life and a reason for her death.

I was torn between really liking this book and being annoyed by it. A great concept, not sure how well that concept comes across. Honestly, it’s pretty depressing.

Back Roads

Back Roads by Susan Crandall

Any Susan Crandall fans out there? This is Crandall’s first book. In my opinion, it is not the best one, but I did like it. It is a sweet romance. I like Crandall's writing style.

Ape House

Ape House by Sara Gruen

This book follows a woman who has pledged her life to the study and care of chimpanzees. She runs a lab, teaching chimpanzees how to communicate with humans. How far will she go to protect those animals? How strong can a human/animal bond be?

As an animal lover, I enjoyed the theme of this book. I wasn’t crazy about Gruen’s execution, but thought it was a decent read. I wish she had stuck more to the relationship between the humans/chimps, instead of veering off in several directions, sometimes directions that didn't make much sense.

However, this definitely had me thinking about how animals are used and abused in our society.

Manhunting

Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie

So far, I have read several books by Crusie and have enjoyed each one. This one is just adorable. Kate is a successful woman with a plan. After numerous failed engagements, she believes she knows just the type of man she needs. Enter Jake…the country cowboy she meets on a trip to an exclusive resort, while hunting for a husband. Jake is not in the plan…but Kate comes away with a new plan and gets to know herself in the process.

Crusie is talented at writing the perfect blend of romance and comedy.

Don't Cry

Don’t Cry by Beverly Barton

This is a good read for the thriller enthusiast. And, as a bonus, there is a small bit of romance built in :)

A serial killer is on the loose, as bodies turn up with long-dead baby skeletons in their arms. Relationships are built and relationships fall apart.

I enjoyed the twists in this one and plan to read more by Barton.