Summer Blowout by Claire Cook

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Bella Shaughnessy’s life hasn’t been the easiest lately. After breaking up with her husband, she discovers her half-sister Sophia is the new woman in his life. It doesn’t help that she and Sophia, as well as basically everyone else in the family, work together in the family-owned beauty salon. Because of her recent problems in love, Bella decides that she will swear off men forever. She keeps that promise to herself until she meets Sean Ryan, an entrepreneur who not only helps Bella establish a new business opportunity, but also shows Bella how to move on with her life. Add to the mix a small dog that Bella happens to “receive” from a client and a cast of wacky characters and you get the best description of Bella’s life: complicated.

Summer Blowout is a light and fluffy fast read, one that would be perfect to read on the beach. It does have its moments of laugh out humor and quirky situations, some of which seem to be too unbelievable to be true. For example, the family dynamics creates some interesting situations. I felt the characters were a bit one-dimensional; you never really get to know any of them, except perhaps Bella. There were many beauty tips throughout the novel, including references to dozens of different colors and makeup companies.

I did enjoy reading the book. Like much chick lit, you don’t have to think about situations in the novel, except if you are trying to figure out how each family member fits into the Shaughnessy clan. Summer Blowout is a quick way to escape from reality…just be glad you don’t have Bella’s family!

Reviewed by Jessica

The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

In this nonfiction book, Eric Weiner is not a happy person. Despite the fact that he has several self-help titles on his bookshelf and has a successful career as a NPR correspondent, Weiner just does not feel happy. He ponders, where can one achieve happiness? Thus starts his global trek to countries known for their happy citizens and to countries known for their not so happy citizens. From Switzerland to Moldova, from India to the United States, Weiner's quest for happiness takes him to some unusual places and introduces some pretty happy people to the readers. Weiner's re-evaluation of his happiness at the end of the book will also make readers re-evaluate their own level of happiness.

I really enjoyed Weiner's sense of humor and adventure. Throughout the book, Weiner reveals a little bit about himself to the reader, including his strange obsession with bags (he apparently has a closet full of them at his home). However, what struck me the most about this book is the way everyone defines happiness differently. Weiner talks to some people who are living in poverty or are in poor health, thinking that their happiness levels compared to others in better circumstances would be lower, yet they are just as happy, if not happier. I wanted to read this book because it is a partial travelogue, and I love to travel vicariously through books; I was not disappointed with Weiner's adventures or with the message at the end of the book.

Reviewed by Jessica

A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horwitz

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Upon visiting Plymouth Rock, Horwitz begins to think about early American history, the history before the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims were not the first people to settle or visit what is now North America; most people do not know about the Spanish and Viking voyages prior to the early 1600s. So, Horwitz ventures on a self-imposed quest to tour the destinations of the conquistadors and early explorers to learn more about America's history. In this travelogue/American history lesson, Horwitz discovers myths and facts about the early explorers and ultimately looks at the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in a different way.

Full of adventure and unforgettable people, A Voyage Long and Strange is a fascinating book. I loved every page of it. He has a wonderful way of capturing the reader's attention, switching between historical accounts and his adventures in modern day settings. What a great way to travel without leaving your home!

If you enjoy A Voyage Long and Strange, I would recommend trying his Confederates in the Attic, another American history/travelogue that has Horwitz looking at how the aftermath of the Civil War still effects a few citizens and organizations. This too is a very interesting and entertaining read!

Reviewed by Jessica

Wake by Lisa McMann

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

 

Seventeen-year-old Janie lives with a secret, something that she can never tell anyone.  When you dream, you’re not really alone.  She gets sucked into dreams, watching, first hand, the falling dreams, sex-crazed dreams, and, unfortunately, nightmares.   

 

Janie believes that she’s cursed with this ability that she doesn’t want, and cannot control.  She hates it.  She lives on the fringe, keeping her secret from everyone.  But, someone notices that there’s something going on . . . and then Janie gets sucked into a twisted nightmare.  One that chills her to the bone because this time, rather than just watching, she’s also a participant.

 

I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this book.  I figured that this would be the usual sci-fi/fantasy-ish book, but it was so much more.  Janie is very real, very grounded.  I felt like she could have been someone that I went to school with, maybe someone who I passed in the halls and paid no attention to.  In this book, you are transported into her head.  You know her thoughts; you know how much she simply wants to be able to sleep at night without falling into dreams.  And you know how much she simply wants to graduate, go on to college, and make something of herself.

 

It may take awhile for you to get used to the sparseness of the writing style, and there are major twists in this book . . . some are more believable that others.  But the entire book leaves you wanting more, and it sets you up for more.  Will there be sequels?  I hope so.  I want to learn more about Janie and some of the other people that you meet in this novel.  I know you will too.

 

Reviewed by Sara.

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

 

Raquel whispered, “Don’t you ever feel like there’s something at this school that’s . . . evil?”  Her voice shook.  “Do you believe in real evil?”

 

Nobody had ever asked me that, but I knew the answer.  “Yeah.  I do.”

 

Evernight Academy is a secluded boarding school tucked away in the middle of no where.  To outsiders, it seems like just another elite boarding school for the rich.  However, it’s a place that has secrets – many secrets – and these secrets have been around since the school’s founding centuries ago.  

 

Bianca is a new student at Evernight Academy.  Both of her parents have just signed on as teachers at the school.  She’s not happy about having to move away from all of her friends to this new place, where she knows, she does not fit in.  She’s resigned herself to a lonely existence at her new school, but then she meets Lucas, another student who doesn’t fit the mold and she knows she has found a rare friend.  Unfortunately, there are forces conspiring against Bianca and Lucas.  Their newfound friendship and love seems doomed.

 

I absolutely loved this book!  The story is tightly written with many great details about both the school’s forbidding character and the relationship between Lucas and Bianca.  There is a major twist in the middle of this book which caught me completely unaware.  I thought I knew where the story was going, why Lucas and Bianca’s budding romance was probably not going to work out, and what the evil at the school really was.  I was caught by surprise, and so will you. 

 

Give Evernight a chance.  You won’t be sorry.

 

Reviewed by Sara.