This One is Mine by Maria Semple
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Now she understood that there was a whole other dimension where love simply...was."

This is the second novel I've read by Maria Semple, and I have to say her books are very intriguing because they are, quite simply, different. Semple has a quirky, edgy vibe to her work that reads as raw, in-your-face, and real.

Violet Parry has the life everyone wants. She has a wealthy husband, a huge house, a beautiful daughter Dot, and everything her heart desires. There's just one big problem: She's not happy. Her marriage isn't quite what she thought it would be, and she finds herself bored with her life. When she meets Teddy, who is of a very different lifestyle than she is, Violet's world is turned upside down by the temptation of what she doesn't have.

In addition, this book follows Violet's sister-in-law as she also finds out what love means to her and what it doesn't mean. She tries to find herself and her identity through love.

I liked Violet as a character even though she makes horrible choices. There was something resonating about a woman who thought she knew what she wanted in life only to find out it isn't quite what she expected. We all have expectations of what will make us happy. Semple addresses the very difficult and sometimes taboo topic of: What do we do when what we thought would make us happy just doesn't? Violet is flighty, rash, and wanting things she doesn't have. I found her bad choices to be forgivable because Semple helps you understand where she is coming from. I didn't condone Violet's behavior and I am sure some readers actually hate her for what she did, but I just thought Semple was showing how life and especially love aren't these perfectly wrapped, boxed-in entities. People make bad choices. People get confused. People do things they aren't proud of. Violet is human in this book. I liked that.

I, however, found myself being harder on Sally. I found her to be very selfish, condescending, and frustrating. I did not really find her to redeem herself because of what she did. However, I think perhaps that is Semple's point as well. We are all willing to judge certain people for certain things, yet we can forgive others for equally wrong transgressions. Both females in this book have major, major flaws. It is interesting to see which, if any, character you are willing to forgive and why you are willing to do so.

This is what I like so much about Semple's works. They are complex, and their messages are winding. They make you think because it is clear they have depth, but it isn't always clear what that depth means. I found this book to be about identity and also how we judge others. I found this book to point out the idea you never truly know someone's life just by glancing from the outside viewpoint. I thought this book brought up interesting points about marriage, about love, and loyalty, and about drug abuse.

I did find the book to be very vulgar at points. Some of the dialogue was uncomfortable. For a portion of the book, I found it to be over-the-top, almost as if Semple was simply going for shock value. By the end, however, I could appreciate how the vulgarity contributed to character development and helped make the book raw and real. The real world isn't perfect and always comfortable. The real world has plenty of things that push us outside of our boxes. I can appreciate Semple's refusal to censor herself or her themes, even if they do push the envelope at times. Overall, I do not feel the vulgarity of some of the scenes detracts from the message. If anything, it adds to it.

I also appreciate that Semple's books are interesting. It's hard to explain what this means, but I find that her details are quirky and have an element of sophistication. From cultural references to tiny details, Semple's books definitely showcase her voice as a writer. I marvel at her ability to work in quirky details that truly make her a standout writer.

Overall, this is a good weekend read because it explores a less-rosy, much more complex view of love and marriage. I think sometimes it's good to read outside of the box and read books that challenge your views of different things. Even if you hate the characters' choices in this book, it makes you think about your own perspective of love, loyalty, and identity.

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Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Review

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Some books you read are entertaining, engaging, or page-turners. Some books are exciting, interesting, and fun. Although The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks has some of these qualities, there is one major quality that stands out from the rest: Importance. This book has great importance.

Henrietta Lacks is a woman who has impacted millions of lives and probably indirectly impacted your life--yet few people know her story. Before Skloot, few people even knew her real name. This book is important because it gives a face to the name that has been so influential in science. Moreover, it is important because it addresses so many deep and potentially controversial issues, from racial tension to medical ethics to scientific research. This is a book to make you think but also to help you celebrate the life of a woman who certainly deserves our accolades.

Henrietta Lacks died early in life from cervical cancer--but not before doctors at Johns Hopkins could take some of her cells for study. These cells proved immortal, leading to advances in tissue research and cell research. As the cells defied all odds of the time period and became immortal, they allowed for many scientific discoveries. The cells were used for everything from developing new medicines to searching for cures for cancer to testing nuclear radiation. Henrietta's cells quickly became the foundation worldwide for scientific study.

This sounds like a noble pursuit and a positive thing. There are just a few problems with the endeavor. 1.) Henrietta Lacks never gave permission for this study, and her family was never even informed about the studies until years later 2.) The cells of Henrietta became a multi-million dollar industry, of which Henrietta's family never saw a penny.

This book stirs so many emotions. First, I think this book stirs great sympathy. To read about Henrietta's immense suffering at the clutches of cancer is very sad. To hear about her families struggles afterward also really grips the reader. Skloot does an excellent job at portraying the human side of Lacks' story when no one else really did. Most only remember Henrietta as HeLa cells. They see her as a scientific commodity. Skloot puts emotion to the story and paints a picture of a strong woman dealt some difficult hands in life. I appreciated the honor and tribute Skloot paid to Henrietta in making her personal story known.

The book also incited a lot of questioning and even anger within me. This story raises crucial questions about bioethics and how far science should go in the sake of discovery. The concept of medical testing and experimentation being done without consent was, quite frankly, frightening. It raises the question of ethics and what elements of the individual and privacy should be sacrificed in the name of science, a question that Skloot clearly emphasizes as a murky question. Although Henrietta's cells certainly lead to groundbreaking discoveries, the idea that this was done behind the family's back is angering. Perhaps the most frustrating part is the commercialism of the endeavor. The fact that these cells were sold for large amounts of money calls into question the motives of some of the scientists involved. The fact that the Lacks family struggled with poverty while scientists selling Henrietta's cells were making millions seems completely unjust.

Finally, Skloot sheds light on racial tensions of Henrietta's time period. To learn about medical treatment--and the lack thereof--of African Americans during Henrietta's time period really opened my eyes. This is an issue not heavily discussed, but to hear about the lack of treatment or the sub par treatments afforded to certain races during this time period is angering. Skloot highlights how medical treatment and science aren't always a cut and dry issue. Politics, social values, and money all play a role in who gets treated and how.

Some critics of this book find Skloot to paint herself as a hero. I did not find this to be the case. While she is inserted into the narrative throughout, it is to discuss her research endeavors. I believe this highlighted the depth and complexity of Henrietta's story. It showed just how much work it took for Skloot to find the truth. It showed how layered the truth was and how much mystery surrounded a woman who is still regarded as having the most important cells in science. I admire Skloot for all of the work she did to find the story and to tell the real truth about Henrietta Lacks. I do believe that paints her as someone to be admired. I did not feel like she wrote the book in a way that focused on that. I truly felt that her focus was on shedding light on Henrietta the woman instead of HeLa, the scientific entity. I believe she paid tribute to a difficult and sometimes controversial subject in the most sensitive, respectful way she could without sugarcoating the hard truths surrounding the story.

This book should be read by everyone because of the importance of Henrietta's cells and how much they have contributed to science. I think we owe it to Henrietta to learn her personal story and to put a face, emotions, and personality to the cells talked about in scientific terms in so many contexts. I also think it is crucial that we explore the issues presented in this book such as tissue ownership, bioethics, and the motives of science in medicine in order to be prepared for the future. Henrietta's story is a cautionary tale in many ways. It cautions us to live life to the fullest, but it also cautions us that medicine is not always a cut and dry subject. Furthermore, it forces us to explore a human, controversial question about how much we are willing to sacrifice in terms of individual privacy and well-being for scientific exploration.

Skloot's book does a beautiful job at weaving together these questions in bioethics with the personal tale of a woman I now feel like I know. She sheds light on a story often overlooked in history. Most of all, she puts a story to the woman, hands on hips, who appears in so many textbooks. Skloot has ensured that the world now knows her real name and much, much more.

Thank you, Rebecca Skloot, for telling the story of a woman almost forgotten by science, by history, and by the world

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Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Liane Moriarty is one of my absolute favorite female writers. I love how complex her works and how real they are with a touch of wicked humor. She isn't afraid to tell it like it is, and she isn't afraid to have bold female characters who are hilarious.

Thus, when I picked up Truly, Madly, Guilty, I was happy to find a sense of tension and mystery from the beginning. The book is told in both present times and as a flashback to the night of the infamous barbecue. You learn early on that the barbecue was a changing moment in the life of three couples, and they are all haunted by the mysterious events. Moriarty keeps the details of the event a secret right up until the end. I found this to be intriguing at first. I kept wanting to read to figure out what could be so wrong with the barbecue. However, by the middle of the book, I felt like the plot was running a little thin. I felt like nothing that could have happened at the barbecue could warrant such a lengthy book. It felt like it dragged on a bit, and I did not finish this book as quickly as I usually do a Moriarty book.

I did like some of the big messages the book dealt with. I like that it dealt with infertility and hoarding, two diverse but important topics many people deal with in real life. I liked how real the characters were. All of them are flawed in ways that you can relate to. Their dynamic development was superb.

There were a few humorous moments, but nothing that made me laugh out loud like I usually do. I much prefer the humor and style of What Alice Forgot. For me, this lacked Moriarty's signature sense of comedy. I was also a little bit disappointed by the ending. I felt like what was meant to be poignant fell a bit flat.

All in all, this book is a good read because of its character development and its twisting plot. However, I think it is a bit lengthy for the plot line and lacks the typical Moriarty spark/charisma.

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A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Some dogs just want to be free to wander, because they don't have a boy who loves them."

Told in first-person point of view from a dog's perspective, this book is an emotional journey. It follows a dog through several lives as he tries to find his purpose. This book also chronicles the humans he lives with through a dog's perspective.

This book is such a powerful read. It makes you think about the priorities in your own life and your own relationship with your dog. I loved seeing the journey and growth of the people and the dog in this book. I finished it within a few days because I was so absorbed in the story.

While many dog books make me sad, this one was beautiful in the way it portrayed the unending connection between a boy and his dog. I loved this unique perspective and read. I will definitely be looking for the sequel.

This book is perfect for any animal lover who wants a new perspective on life, on dogs, and on the relationship we have with our pets.

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The Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was hooked on this book from the very beginning. Weir's writing style, a mix of serious drama and suspense along with humor, is captivating. I loved how easily I connected with Watney and his predicament. His position is truly unimaginable, yet Weir manages to make it imaginable. The science and accuracy behind this book is astounding.

At times, I was lost because of all of the "space speak." It was a heavy read as far as the intellectual capacity required to comprehend what was happening. Still, Weird managed to show the human, emotional side of the science through Watney's struggles and humorous outlook. I enjoyed the overall format of the book. Although at the end I felt inundated with science and wanted it to move faster, I felt like Weird did a good job at capturing the tale with an attention to detail rarely found in fiction.

This book reminds us to have faith in humanity's capabilities and to never give up hope. This is truly an amazing first novel by an author with an amazing career ahead of him.

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It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Life is a funny thing. We only get so many years to live it, so we have to do everything we can to make sure those years are as full as they can be."

It Ends With Us is the first book by Colleen Hoover I've read...and it won't be the last. She is truly an amazing storyteller, weaving masterful webs of emotions from words on a page. This book made me feel every single emotion known to humanity--I felt sorrow, love, anxiety, fear, anger, and happiness in the span of the pages.

I really can't tell you a lot about the plot without spoiling it. There are so many twists and turns in this book, which kept me flipping the pages. I love the main character, Lily. I really felt connected to her and loved the fact she wasn't a perfect character. She made flawed choices, which made me frustrated sometimes. But it also made me see her as a real human being. None of us are perfect, especially when it comes to love.

I loved details in Hoover's writing. She did an amazing job at tying everything together and creating some really beautiful symbols throughout the book.

This book is in some ways a love story, but it's also about so much more. It's about finding what you want in life, about moving on, and about figuring out the right answers in this crazy thing called life. Most of all, it's about making decisions that will affect you for life.

I loved the depth of this book, the beauty, and the raw emotion it stirred. Hoover did a beautiful job at portraying a side of major issues that few get a chance to understand.

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Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"To have endured all the horrors he did, to have seen the worst of humanity and have your life made unrecognizable by it, to come out of all that the honorable and good and brave person I knew him to be--that was magical."

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is probably best described by one word: peculiar. I mean that in the best sense of the word. Ransom Riggs' novel is stunning in its perfect melding of pictures and text into a creepy, memorable, oddly believable story.

Jacob's grandfather's death sparks an adventure that will forever change what he believes to be true. He's always heard stories from his grandfather about peculiar things...but when Jacob starts to research his grandfather's past, he begins to realize even the most unbelievable stories can turn out to be true. He also learns that what he believes is an ordinary life is anything but. As he begins to explore Miss Peregrine and her peculiar ward, he starts to question if he is made for something more.

I liked Ransom Riggs' interesting writing style. He has an eclectic mix of flowing and straightforward descriptions. The vocabulary, the analogies, and the dialogue worked seamlessly to truly create a new world. I loved how he also incorporated WWII into the book, making the book feel more believable. Riggs did a great job at suspending disbelief and really immersing the reader into a believable, logical, yet wonderfully peculiar place. Riggs also did a great job at building the imperfections of the seemingly perfect world created by Peregrine. I like the lack of perfection because it kept it interesting.

I also adored the incorporation of actual vintage photographs with the story. It is eerie how the pictures seem to have been made for the story. I found myself reading more than I planned because I wanted to get to the next picture every time I sat down with this book. It was innovative and something I've never seen in a book of this caliber.

I do think the first hundred pages of the book are a bit slow moving. It took me about a hundred pages to really get absorbed in the book. I understand there was some necessary background that needed to be told, but I wanted Jacob to meet the peculiar children earlier.

Riggs has a talent for storytelling that shines through in this novel. I definitely recommend this book because it opens your mind up to new possibilities while forcing you to explore the question: What does ordinary actually mean?

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The Underside of Joy by Seré Prince Halverson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"My fingertip steered the hour hand backward, back to that morning, when this time I felt Joe stretching awake, kissed the soft hair on his chest, grabbed his warm shoulder, said, 'Stay. Don't go. Stay here with us.'"

This is, by far, one of the most introspective, emotional, moving novels I've read. The overall story line is heartbreaking, and the message it sends about life, family, love, and forgiveness are messages that will forever change you.

Ella has found a perfect life for herself in Elbow with Joe and his two children. For three years, she loves Annie and Zach as if they are her own children; they are her children, in every way that counts. When Joe tragically dies, however, Ella is left wallowing in sadness, in the shadow of her life left behind. However, her life is upturned even more drastically when Paige, the children's biological mother, steps back into the picture. Ella is left trying to recover from the loss of her true love while also fighting the biggest battle of her life--the battle for her children.

I am not a mother, but Halverson paints this tragedy with such depth, I felt every ounce of Ella's pain. The writing itself is stunning, perfect imagery flowing to paint the setting. I love that the setting is a huge part of this book, and that family history also comes into play.

Ella is a strong character, not only because she is able to survive the horrors thrown in front of her, but because she does it with honesty, humanity, and eventually, grace. I admired her because she makes choices that are right, not easy. She does things most of us would not be strong enough to do.

This book also brought up the topic of mental illness. I like how it twisted my opinion about Paige, giving me more information to eventually understand her on a deeper level.

Halverson's book is one of my all-time favorites. I am so glad a friend recommended this book to me because it is one of those books that will stay with you for years and years to come due to its writing and overall impact.

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Summer Secrets by Jane Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Weaving my way out of the room, one sober and sobering thought makes its way into my head: Nothing is as perfect as it seems."

I'm a fan of Jane Green because she covers women's issues in a realistic way--but infuses her writing with a sense of humor. This book was no exception.

The book follows Cat throughout her life as she struggles with more issues than most of us could ever dream of. Alcoholism is one major focus in the book as Cat feels the pull of the booze haunting her best years of life. I liked that Jane Green covered the issue in a realistic, eye-opening way without going over the top. She shows you that alcohol can sabotage your life even if you never end up in jail or doing something truly horrific. I found Cat's struggles to be genuine, honest, and probably very true to what many women face.

Cat also deals with secrets, as you could guess from the title. One major secret leaves Cat spiraling, trying to grasp her new identity. She also struggles with being honest with herself throughout the book, something she works on and overcomes.

I liked how Cat develops as a character throughout the book. Even though she makes so many mistakes, I was rooting for her the whole book. She really tries to do the right thing, to be a better person. I think we can all relate with her struggle; so many of us want to be a better version of ourselves but don't know where to start.

The writing style was also perfect. It's descriptive and poetic at times, but humorous and quirky at other times. I like how she makes light of things all women can relate to, from skinny jeans to muffin tops.

The book covers a huge span of time. Initially, I felt like the book had too fast of a pace. Some aspects seemed skipped over quickly. By the end, however, I realized the book wasn't really focused on what I thought it would be at the beginning--there was so much more to the story. I came to realize the pace was just right.

This book was never dull or boring. The plot is complex, and there are so many twists and turns, true to real life. Jane Green does a great job at developing real characters who are flawed but lovable. This book is a fabulous summer read, beach read, or weekend read.

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Wild Abandon by Jeannine Colette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Love is like wine. You can't add sugar and mask the flavor, pretending it's something it's not. Love is like that. When you meet the right person, you'll know. And you won't be able to let it go."

Wild Abandon by Jeannine Colette is about identity, love, and life's hardships. This book's plot is fabulous. It kept me wanting to read on and on the entire book. I love that romance isn't the only theme of the book; there are so many facets to Crystal's story. The setting is also purely magical, and the characters are really enjoyable.

Jeannine's strength as a writer is her ability to create characters we can relate to. First person narration helps, but it is Jeannine's ability to tap into the emotions of a character that makes her stand out as a writer. As a reader, you will laugh with Crystal, cry with her, and get frustrated with her. The secondary characters are just as well developed, a true sign of writing talent.

Jeannine's writing style is also noteworthy. She has a perfect balance of flowery, poetic descriptions and in-your-face, blunt sentences. Her writing style is easy to read but something you want to languish in because it is just so beautiful!

I love, too, that Jeannine isn't afraid to tackle tough issues. This is not your typical romance where everything is perfect, where love happens at first sight, and where fairy dust makes everything okay. She digs into the raw, gritty emotions of love. She digs into the hard times, the character flaws, and events that make this book so reflective and true to real life. Her romances feel genuine as a result, and the couples she writes about are couples you will remember. I love Nate and Crystal together. I love that they're imperfect but somehow perfect together, too.

I've also read Pure Abandon and Reckless Abandon. I adore that Jeannine has similar threads and characters running through the three books, but all three feel so different from each other. Her books are, quite simply, pure magic. Do yourself a favor and grab all three in the Abandon collection.

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