Pure
"To say that Pure is 'atmospheric' seems like a bit of a weak and over-used description, but it is- in the finest sense of the word."See full review at:http://wp.me/p2aMr6-5l
Half-Blood Blues
"Edugyan creates melodic prose worthy of Langston Hughes, and when she's describing her characters music sessions and love of Jazz, even someone like me can hear the wailing trumpets and rhythmic beat of the drums."See full review at:http://wp.me/p2aMr6-5l
The Sisters Brothers
"Eli's narration is remarkable in that he is so far removed from your typical gun-for-hire. While most of the story he tells is blood-soaked murder... the story actually is a calm and easy read told from his point of view."See full review at:http://wp.me/p2aMr6-5l
Northanger Abbey
"It is a joy to see the novel that Austen sets out to write- a sort of loving send up of the gothic romaces she read as a young woman (which were terribly popular at the time) but with a more realistic, modern, British twist; as well as compared to what the book becomes- the germ of the type of novels she will become known for."See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/may-classics/
Franny and Zooey
"It was a treat to be introduced to the eccentric brother and sister: Franny and Zooey. Franny is the idealist and is in the middle of a nervous breakdown- a sort of extreme ennui, Hamlet times ten... you get the picture. In the first story bearing her name we see her on a date with her beau right before she has the breakdown, and in the second story, "Zooey" we are introduced to her older brother and later see his attempts at explaining to Franny our role in this crazy mixed up world, a sort of answer to "What's it all about?".See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/may-classics/
Tender Is the Night
"Bearing in mind that the story is largely autobiographical- Tender is the Night is amazingly unemotional and detached- as so many books from this generation of writers are. This might be something you like (especially if you are a guy- sorry about the sexism) but is not really my cup of tea."See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/may-classics/
The Kissing List
"This debut effort, while being evocative of the works of Miranda July, or Sloane Crossley (and, yes, Lena Dunham) stands alone as a unique and eloquent voice, and one we will hopefully hear more from."See full review at: http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/galley-way-the-kissing-list/
The Red Book
"While obviously penned by a competent and eloquent (perhaps at time overly-so, if that’s a thing) writer, the story falls completely flat."See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/galley-way-the-red-book/
Lexapros and Cons
"Lexapros and Cons is like a reader's version of movies like Superbad- that at times have cringe-worthy moments, but most importantly have charcters that are truly kind-hearted and endearing."See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/april-ya-books/
The Silver Blade
"With The Silver Blade like The Red Necklace and I, Coriander before it, Gardner deftly weaves historical fiction and magical realism in a way that is particularly suited for teen audiences while also not talking down with them."See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/april-ya-books/
Chopsticks
"The "novel" does succeed in that it is very aesthetically pleasing with interesting photographs. It also has an interesting hook at the beginning, and clever twist at the end. But ultimately the story fell a little flat for me." See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/april-ya-books/
Throne of Glass
"Our heroine, Celaena, is not your typical damsel-in-distress, she's a highly trained assassin who, when we first encounter her, has just spent a year mining salt in a labor camp. She's an outlaw and an unrepentant killer." See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/april-ya-books/
A Wrinkle in Time
"With A Wrinkle in Time we have the gold standard for the Newbery award as well as Science Fiction for children. Meg is a frumpy girl, out of step with the rest of the kids her age, yet she finds herself embarking on an adventure with her younger brother and a cute boy in tow (what more could a girl want?!)"See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/march-newbery-winners/
 - Madeleine L'Engle)
The Tale of Despereaux
"DiCamillo tenderly captures a whole range of this human emotion: longing (and perhaps, as the title suggests, desperation) in a simple and true way- perfect for her young audience."See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/march-newbery-winners/
Moon Over Manifest
"Now here is a beautiful story about a girl finding a place to belong in the world, and learning about her beloved, yet mysterious and rambling father."See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/march-newbery-winners/
Restoration
"Restoration weaves together the stories of Alice- a British Ex-pat in Italy during WWII, and Kristin- a talented art student that mysteriously arrives at Alice’s country villa one afternoon. Both women are beautifuly and realistically rendered by Olafsson. Each has her own flaws yet still remains sympathetic. Remarkably, Olafsson is able to tell a very original WWII era story (quite a well-worn topic for historical ficiton)- not hurt in the least by an Icelandic main character, Kristin (Not enough Icelanders in literature, I say!)."See full review at:http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=264&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
