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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Blue Asylum by Kathy Hepinstall

Title: Blue Asylum
Author: Kathy Hepinstall
Pages: 288
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: April 10th, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Source: Copy provided by publisher for TLC Book Tours

Blue Asylum opens with a young woman on board a ship headed to Sanibel Asylum off the coast of Florida. Wondering how everything escalated from a simple life on her parents' farm to having her mental health quickly declared by a judge to be lacking, she must endure the journey to the small island while surrounded by the sound and smell of cattle. Daring to free slaves and lead them to freedom, Iris Dunleavy has been sent to the asylum in the hopes that she can be rehabilitated to a proper southern wife after standing up to her wealthy plantation owning husband in Virginia.

After arriving at Sanibel, Iris is quickly put under the care of the supervising doctor Henry Cowell whose methods are considered the best throughout the country. One of the more "modern" techniques of the facility is the harsh and debilitating water treatment used to reign in those who become out of control. In addition to caring for his patients, Dr. Cowell must also look after his troubled twelve-year-old son Wendell and his wife Mary who he keeps subdued with laudanum and trinkets.

Over the weeks Iris meets many of the other unusual tenants of the asylum including a woman who believes her dead husband is still alive and right beside her, a man who thinks his feet are impossibly heavy, and a lady who swallows anything she can get her hands on. Among those who are visibly ill, she spots Ambrose Weller playing checkers in the common area. Ambrose is a Confederate soldier who relies on the color blue to help combat the frightening memories of his past. The two form a bond of love, and Iris begins to plot an escape from the island. Blue Asylum offers a very emotional and gripping tale that puts into question the definitions of both insanity and freedom.

Kathy Hepinstall has created quite a deep, meaningful story especially considering the novel's shorter length. I must admit that I was surprised at how quickly I became enthralled with the writing. She manages to include those little details that really build up a story without drowning the narrative in exposition. I'm very impressed that in approximately 280 pages Hepinstall does what takes a lot of authors double that page count to achieve. It is this clear and precise prose that helps create such an intense atmosphere. A luxury mental hospital surrounded by swaying palm trees and crashing waves quickly gives way to an eerie environment filled with swamps, alligators, and questionable patients that make the reader constantly assess Iris' safety.

In terms of characterization, I give Blue Asylum a solid A. Iris and Ambrose are both developed slowly through the revelation of the events that led to their imprisonment, which I thought was done with appropriate pacing. The many secondary characters definitely help make the hospital lively. Each has an intriguing story of their own, but Hepinstall makes sure to never let them weigh down the narrative. However, it was Dr. Cowell who stole the show for me. This man truly believes he is helping those around him with his theories and practices. He devotes his life to restoring people to becoming functional members of society again at the expense of his own family. His story offers up so many questions. Can mental illness be "cured?" What defines those who are classified as insane? Is a doctor just as mad as the patients he treats?

The combination of the Civil War time period and the elements of an insane asylum meld together nicely, and I found this representation of modern psychiatry's early implementation fascinating. Blue Asylum explores the lengths to which a person's mind will go in the name of self preservation and blurs the lines between what is real and imagined. This historical fiction offers many different ideas to explore including women's rights and slavery, making this an excellent choice for book clubs. There is so much to discuss regarding mental illness and the treatment of those considered "crazy" as well as delving into the definition of freedom. Kathy Hepinstall has created an absorbing novel that I just couldn't put down!

About Kathy Hepinstall

Kathy Hepinstall is the author of three previous novels, The House of Gentle Men (a Los Angeles Times bestseller), The Absence of Nectar (a national bestseller), and The Prince of Lost Places. She is an award-winning creative director and advertising writer, whose clients have included top brands in American business. She grew up in Texas.

Visit Kathy at her website, read her blog and view the book trailer for Blue Asylum!