Tackling Mount TBR - Summer Edition

Reading is one of my favorite things to do during the hot and lazy days of summer! More daylight hours means more natural light to read by. With so many great books being released lately, it has never been more easy to increase the size of my TBR pile. This summer I'm hoping to put a sizable dent in the mountain of books I've amassed. I'm not imposing any book buying bans on myself (because I know I would fail miserably), but I would like to pay special attention to all the potentially wonderful books currently residing on my shelves. So, without further ado I present:

TEN BOOKS AT THE TOP OF MY SUMMER TBR

The Darlings by Cristina Alger - After reading Greg's review over at The New Dork Review of Books, I knew I had to read this one soon. Books set in NYC always hold a special place on my shelves, but add in a wealthy dysfunctional family going through a scandal, and you've hooked me.

The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons - I've heard this one would be great for fans of "Downton Abbey." Many books like to tie themselves to famous works but don't actually have much in common, so we shall see if the comparison is accurate. Based on all the positive reviews, this sounds like a great atmospheric novel to lose myself in. 

When She Awoke by Hillary Jordan - Borrowing from Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Jordan erases the line between church and state in a very powerful and dystopian way. I'm really interested in seeing what kind of reaction I will have while reading about such stigmatization of women. 

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami - Talk about major intimidation! I signed up for Dolce Bellizza's Japanese Literature Challenge as a way to push myself to tackle this Murakami which has been sitting on my shelf for years. 

The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont - Another addition to the TBR pile based on a book blogger recommendation. Ti at Book Chatter says, "The Starboard Sea is a book that reads easy, yet gives you plenty to think about." I also love books that center around prep schools.

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton - No summer is complete without throwing in a classic novel. I adore Wharton and consider her the queen of dramatic irony. While there wasn't as rigid a class structure in the US as in other countries at that time, Wharton manages to subtly remind us that they did exist and explores them with such nuanced writing. I have no doubt the this one will not disappoint.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain - The title alone speaks volumes to my introverted heart. Succeeding in today's world often feels like a contest to see who can talk the most and/or the loudest. I'm not saying one way or the other is right, but I'd love to see a little more respect for those of use who are "quiet."

The Submission by Amy Waldman - Another novel centering around a controversial topic. The jacket copy promises a "debate about the claims of grief, the ambiguities of art, and the meaning of Islam." Hopefully this one will be presented in a way that gets me thinking and questioning. I love a good philosophical debate. 

Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee - In an effort to add more non-fiction to my reading  repertoire I've decided to dive into this Pulitzer winner. Cancer has always been mystifying and, in all honesty, quite a scary disease, so I'm hoping to find a little more insight in this "biography." If nothing else I'm sure I'll take away some interesting anecdotes with which to pepper my conversations. 

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer - Armchair travel alert! Hungary, Paris, and Budapest all in one book. I've had my sights set on these cities as vacation destinations for a while, but until I have unlimited funds, I will have to settle for a journey through the written word. Plus, this satisfies my need for a chunkster clocking in at around 750 pages. 

             What one book are you hoping to tackle this summer? 

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is brought to you by the lovely folks at The Broke and the Bookish. Be sure to check out what others are listing as their must-reads this summer. Who knows what new titles you'll find!

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

Title: The Sugar Queen
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Pages: 276
Genre: Southern Fiction
Release Date: May 20th, 2008
Publisher: Bantam
Source: Personal Copy

What's it about? In The Sugar Queen, Allen's second published novel, we are introduced to Josie Cirrini. Being the daughter of the man who single-handedly revitalized Bald Slope, the late Marco Cirrini, has placed her in a spotlight that she would rather not grace. As a child Josie was less than pleasant to her family, friends or people in the town, and even though she changed her ways after the death of her father she still is unable to shed such a negative public persona especially, it seems, with her own mother.

Now, twenty-eight year old Josie lives at home and tends to her mother as a personal assistant shuttling her to hair appointments, luncheons and town errands in a never-ending quest to receive the forgiveness that she so desperately seeks. In the meantime, Josie fills the void with candy and junk food, travel magazines and trashy romance novels, which she keeps hidden behind a secret panel in the back of her closet, instead of living her own life outside her childhood home. Then one day everything changes with the arrival of Della Lee. Josie wakes one morning to find her hiding out in her closet, and, unsure of what to do, goes back and forth on whether to tell anyone. Della Lee is someone to talk to other than her mother and a part of Josie wants to help this poor woman from whatever she is hiding from.

As the days pass on, the woman hiding in the closet helps Josie on her road to find herself, and gives her the push she needs to spread her wings starting with Chloe, a young woman tormented by books that keep appearing out of thin air, who works at the local sandwich shop. Add in Adam, a local mailman and town transplant who quickly captures Josie's affections, and you've got the playful, heartwarming and at times difficult tale of a young woman on the verge of becoming comfortable in her own skin.

What did I think? Finally, I have done it. I have completed all of Sarah Addison Allen's novels. Ever since reading and thoroughly enjoying The Girl Who Chased the Moon last year I have been intent of reading everything she has written. Her playful stories always include a touch of magic but not in an obtrusive or integral way to the narrative. Kinda like a little cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. The treat would still be great without it, but the addition seems to complete everything. Plus, the quote below is an awesome justification for me to have shelves and shelves of books!

Books can be possessive, can't they? You're walking around in a bookstore and a certain one will jump out at you, like it had moved there on its own, just to get your attention. Sometimes what's inside will change your life, but sometimes you don't even have to read it. Sometimes it's a comfort just to have books around. Many of these books haven't even had their spines cracked. 'Why do you buy books you don't even read?' our daughter asks us. That's like asking someone who lives alone why they bought a cat. For company, of course.

I will say that The Sugar Queen was my least favorite of her novels. I wasn't as enchanted with the characters like I have been in others, and throughout a lot of the story I felt a disconnect. The cynic in me doesn't believe the almost instantaneous bond that formed between Josie and Chloe. Friendships are so much harder to cultivate and blossom than just ordering a sandwich a few times. Eventually Josie, Chloe, Della Lee and the rest of the gang did grow on me, and much of that I attribute to the multiple POVs. Each character gets a chance to tell his or her story, adding another layer of understanding for the reader. The narrative was predictable but in a good way. I don't think many people read SAA's work for crazy plot twists.

In the end, The Sugar Queen was a feel-good novel just this shy of sentimental. A young woman trapped in her house by an unforgiving mother yearning for friends and romance. The heroine is given the Rapunzel fairy tale treatment on her way to love and self discovery. Even though I'm the same age, watching Josie take those first steps toward freedom made me feel like a proud mother. In many ways I can relate to her character so watching her succeed felt like a win for all of us shy and socially awkward ladies out there. This whimsical tale made me tingle with warm and happy feelings, and I devoured it in about a day.

Recommend? Yes - if you are in the mood to indulge in an exceptionally sugary treat or if you are already a fan of Sarah Addison Allen's work.

The Unseen by Katherine Webb

Title: The Unseen
Author: Katherine Webb
Pages: 464
Genre: Historical Thriller
Release Date: May 22nd, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Source: Copy provided by publisher for TLC Book Tours

What's it about? It's 1911 in a rural hamlet in England. The Vicar and his wife, Alfred and Hester Canning, live a simple life. Alfred prepares for Sunday sermons and visits parishioners during the week, and Hester finds entertainment with the ladies of the town playing Bridge and participating in seances. The biggest worry naive Hester faces is wondering why Alfred has yet to touch her in the ways of husband and wife after over a year of marriage.

As summer descends, two new arrivals bring the promise of change to the small community. Cat Morley, a feisty young woman with a complicated past, is sent from London to work as house maid for the Cannings. Although quick to settle into her duties, Cat still yearns for the freedom denied her because of her "station" in life. Meanwhile, Alfred's new found interest in fairies and spiritual elements in nature has brought the arrival of Robin Durrant, a theosophist excited to investigate the claims of such sightings nearby. Alternating between the past and the present, The Unseen offers a summer filled with discomfort, tension and jealousy that slowly come to a head in an tragic and unforgettable way.

What did I think? Seeing as how I finished this one at the beach, I can authoritatively say that this is an excellent beach read for this summer! Katherine Webb creates quite an engaging and thrilling story. The writing quickly drew me in and kept me turning the pages. I will say that the present day story of journalist Leah searching for the identity of a dead soldier found in Belgium was slightly lacking, but was woven in at, what I felt, were appropriate moments. There was definitely a modern vs old-fashioned woman theme swirling throughout, especially with Cat being contrasted with prim, naive and unquestioning Hester.

Of all the characters, Cat was by far my favorite. It takes a lot of talent to get me to cheer for such a harsh, cold, angry (although justifiably so) character, but I did wholeheartedly. Webb manages to touch on a lot of subjects, especially those concerned with women's rights, such as voting and overall freedom, and gender/class relations. This was a deeper novel on some levels than I was expecting.

The Unseen met my checklist for great summer book. Mystery and intrigue with a bit of the occult that I just couldn't stop reading. It took a lot for me to put the book down and fall asleep after reading into the wee hours. There were just too many questions floating in my head, and I just wanted to see how the pieces would fall together. After such a positive experience I will be seeking out Webb's previous novel The Legacy which was released last year. From what I hear it won't disappoint either!

Want to know what others are saying? Visit the next stops on the tour or check out the reviews on  Goodreads

Thanks again to TLC Book Tours for having me on the tour. I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

Title: The Devotion of Suspect X

Author: Keigo Higashino
Pages: 298
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Release Date: February 1st, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Personal Copy

What's it about? Yasuko Hanaoke has finally reached a good place in her life. Left behind are her days as a waitress in a nightclub as well as her abusive ex-husband, Togashi, who she divorced 5 years ago. Working a steady job at Benten-tei, a local lunch shop, she provides a decent home for her teenage daughter Misato. Everything seems to be working until one day Togashi shows up at her job demanding money. Not wanting the situation to become worse, Yasuki agrees in an attempt to keep her daughter safe until events intensify and suddenly turn deadly. Now Togashi's dead body lies in the middle of her apartment, and a stunned Yasuki has no idea what to do until her neighbor Ishigami, a high school teacher and mathematics genius, knocks on her door with a plan to dispose of the body and cover up the murder.

A few days later, Detective Kusanagi is called to a scene where a dead body has been discovered. After an initial inquiry, Yasuki's name is quickly drawn to the forefront of the investigation. While she has an airtight alibi, something in Kusanagi's gut tells him that there is more to the story than meets the eye. Unable to find a way to disprove her innocence, he calls on his friend Professor Yukawa, an astrophysicist at the local university, to help him find a hole in the story. Now the battle of wits has begun as Yukawa searches for answers to a seemingly unsolvable case, and Ishigami does everything in his power to protect Yasuki and her daughter.

What did I think? The Devotion of Suspect X is my first read for the Japanese Literature Challenge. I chose this one mainly because the plot was intriguing, and I wanted my first foray into this fascinating culture's literature to reflect modern day society. Keigo Higashino is one of Japan's bestselling mystery writers, so I figured this would be a great place to start. One thing this book conveys quite well is a sense of the mundane day-to-day life in Japan. There was definitely a relative philosophy angle integrated into the story making the overall tone of the book more highbrow instead of using violence and gore. The author creates a pretty captivating puzzle that kept me guessing until the end. Many of the twists and turns really did come as a surprise, which is a big deal in my book. Writing an adequate review is difficult because much explanation would completely spoil the story.

However, there were some negatives that kept me from falling completely for the novel. I was not a fan of the translation. The prose felt flat, and the dialogue was a little formal for my tastes. The sense of urgency that I expected from both sides didn't appear, and the characters just seemed to be going through the motions. Maybe this was due to, what I felt, was a slight lack of character development . All the requisite biographical facts were laid out, but I didn't really get a sense of how these people felt on an emotional level.

For the most part, I do recommend reading The Devotion of Suspect X, especially if you are new to Japanese literature. Yes, there are some issues, but overall I think Higashino creates a marvelous puzzle that fans of psychological thrillers will love. The characters are smart, and at times I found it hard to pick a side to root for as I read. Professor Yukawa was definitely an interesting character and appears in more books under the "Professor Galileo" series. It took me a while to get used to the unfamiliar name and place pronunciations, but I loved that this book took me out of my comfort zone. My success and enjoyment of Higashino's novel has me even more excited to tackle a Murakami in the upcoming months!

I've Accepted the Challenge!

I've officially joined my first reading challenge...ever! Big news, right? I've been blogging for over a year without participating in a challenge, but this one was just too good to pass up. Like a lot of readers, I find that many of my book choices unintentionally fall into very homogeneous territory regarding both author and story. This is my attempt to rectify that just a little bit.

Hosted by Bellezza over at Dolce Bellezza, the Japanese Literature Challenge 6 is an exciting way to expand my reading horizons. Running from June 1st, 2012 to January 30th, 2013, the goal is to read one or more books by Japanese authors. Of course, mine will be translations, but it would be awesome to be able to read the original texts. Head on over to her site for some great recommendations to jump start your reading. Also, I must point out (if you hadn't already been awed) that the badge for this years challenge is absolutely gorgeous!

In all honesty, the fact that I'm currently reading The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino is what prompted me to join in the first place. I mean, I'd almost completed the challenge without even knowing it, so why not make it official? However, I then realized that I've had Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore sitting on my shelf for ages. This challenge gives me the motivation to finally get one of this widely read author's books under my belt.

So, my goal for the sixth annual Japanese Literature Challenge will be 2 books. Hopefully reading these will be such positive experiences that I'll want to seek out a few more, but for now I'll leave the goal small.

Have any of you signed up for this challenge or participated in years past? Whether you have or not, I'd love to hear your Japanese literature recommendations!

Long Gone by Alafair Burke

Title: Long Gone
Author: Alafair Burke
Pages: 368
Genre: Suspense Fiction
Release Date: June 21st, 2011
Publisher: Harper
Source: Copy provided by publisher for TLC Book Tours

What's It About?: Things are starting to turn around for Alice Humphrey. At 37 she is unemployed, single, and struggling to get out from the shadow of her father, a famous movie director. It's been eight months since being laid off from her job at the Met, and Alice begins to question many of the choices in her life including her decision to get an MFA. Then one night at a local art show, she meets handsome and mysterious Drew Campbell who offers her a job managing the art gallery he is to open that will showcase the work of unknown Hans Schuler, an artist who's works are edgy, modern, and quite disturbing. Wondering if the offer is too-good-to-be-true, Alice's initial skepticism gives way to her desperation to not only find a job but to land her dream job.

Soon, Alice finds her rhythm again and enjoys the structure that managing the gallery has given to her days. While opening night may not have been packed, online orders for Schuler's work begin pouring in until one afternoon Alice finds a group of protesters marching outside the gallery alleging that some of the models in the photographs are underage. Unsure of what to do, she calls Drew for help and agrees to meet him at the gallery the next morning. However, when she arrives the gallery has been stripped of all art and a dead body lays on the ground. As the police begin their investigation, one that becomes entangled with a case involving a missing New Jersey teenager, Alice quickly finds herself as the prime suspect. Now she must do everything in her power to find out the truth, even if it means revealing some secrets long hidden by her estranged family.

What Did I Think?: Long Gone is Alafair Burke's first standalone novel and, from what I've read, departs from her usual detective based fare. I can't say if this is better than her previous works, but the story was quite suspenseful and riveting. Much of the book was consumed in large chunks as I couldn't stop turning the pages. An NYC setting, an underground criminal enterprise, hidden secrets, an on-again off-again boyfriend, an estranged brother, and a missing girl are just some of the elements that really made Long Gone come alive. This well-crafted tale employs many twists and turns along the way.

Even though predictable at times, I still fell into Alice's story quickly. While some of her choices came across as naive, especially for a 37 year old woman, they weren't outlandish. I chalk a lot up to the desparation created by being unemployed. As the investigation continues, Alice begins to grow and become more confident in herself instead of crumbling or relying on someone else. Yay for a strong heroine! Unfortunately, I felt that the male counterparts were a little lacking in development and came across as slightly stereotypical but not in an overt way that would bring the book down.

The prose flows well with both dialogue and detail complementing each other. For me, the beginning chapters introduced a lot of different characters and subplots and seemed a little choppy, but as I continued I realized that Burke's talent lies in taking these multiple story threads and weaving them together by the end of the book. Sure some of the subplots weren't as well developed or wraped up, but this didn't really affect my level of enjoyment.

While Long Gone may not appeal to some readers, I think most fans of psychological and suspense thrillers will enjoy it immensley. I like how Burke raised many of the questions surrounding social media today from online message boards to illegal photography to Facebook. This was my first Alafair Burke novel, but it certainly won't be my last!

Want to know what others  are saying? Visit the next stops on the tour or check out Alafair Burke's website, Facebook page, and Twitter account for more information

Thanks again to TLC Book Tours for having me on the tour. I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff

Title: Lost in Shangri-La
Author: Mitchell Zuckoff
Pages: 384
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction
Release Date: April 26th, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Copy provided by publisher for TLC Book Tours

Using diaries, letters, newspapers, declassified military documents, and many other sources, Mitchell Zuckoff explains what happened to the twenty-four men and women aboard the Gremlin Special, an Army Air Force plane intended to transport passengers on an aerial tour of uncharted parts of New Guinea. Almost at the end of World War II, this flight was intended to be a recreational trip to the remote area nicknamed "Shangri-La" in an attempt to see the lush jungle, remote villages, and natives' unusual lifestyle.

Unfortunately, the flight didn't go as planned, resulting in a spectacular crash killing most of those on board. Badly injured, the only three survivors, Margaret Hastings, John McCollom, and Kenneth Decker maintain hope of being rescued soon and decide to fight for their lives. In a courageous attempt at self preservation, these three must cross amazingly difficult terrain including harrowing rock climbs, sliding down waterfalls, and crawling through the thick and treacherous vines and brush covering the jungle floor. What follows is the intense adventure full of superstitious and potentially hostile natives, a group of paratroopers who risk their lives in a daring rescue attempt, and the trials and tribulations of the brave trio.

Hands down Zuckoff's writing makes Lost in Shangri-La. The readability, especially for non-fiction, was excellent, and I never felt overwhelmed or bored with the information presented. There is no doubt that this is one meticulously researched book, but the translation into a simple yet thrilling narrative is what kept me turning the pages. I also enjoyed the integration of anecdotes and historical facts within the narrative. This added a layer that helped me understand certain aspects surrounding the incident as well as kept the tension high. I just wanted to keep reading to see what was happening to the main trio!

So many parts of this narrative were engrossing. I loved reading a woman's perspective on being stranded around only men. The physical, emotional, and material needs are quite different. Seeing Margaret navigate such a difficult situation without any feminine products, much less female companionship, was interesting. Also, reading about the initial meetings between the village natives and the military as well as subsequent interactions appeased the part of me that is fascinated with social anthropology.

I can't think of a single group that couldn't find at least some part of the story intriguing. To put this in perspective, I not much of a non-fiction reader, so that cannot be used as an excuse. Besides, I'm not the only one who believes this book is a must-read. Lost in Shangri-La won the non-fiction category in the 2011 Indie Lit Awards. Okay, enough with the gushing. On to the commands - GO READ THIS BOOK!

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Thanks again to TLC Book Tours for having me on the tour. I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

Be sure to check out the next few stops on the tour to see what others are saying!

Thursday, May 17th: Book Him Dano!  
Wednesday, May 23rd: Doing Dewey  
Monday, May 28th: Little Bit of Wonderful
Thursday, June 7th: Book Reviews, Fiction Reflections, ‘n More!                                          

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