White Chrysanthemum

A friend gave me a large box full of books to read and return. White Chrysanthemum was the first one I pulled out of the box. I hesitated when I read the description since I do not tend to like stories that deal with two different people in two different time periods.

Hana loves her life as a haenyeo and the freedom it provides her. All that changes when a Japanese solider shows up on the beach. In order to protect her younger sister, Emi, Hana distracts the solider and is taken thus saving Emi. The journey of Hana as she is sent to be a "comfort woman" for the Japanese soldiers is powerful but sad.

Emi saved by her elder sister struggles with accepting that and blames herself for Hana's capture. Now an elderly lady she continues her quest of finding her sister even after all these years. 

I was surprised this was a debut novel since it was so well written, I see seasoned authors struggle to write with the flow and grace Bracht demonstrated. I was highly interested in the story and learning the history of these tormented women. I cannot wait to see what other treasures are in the box of books.

Baking is Murder

Baking is Murder was a free book I had downloaded at one time on my Nook. I randomly choose it because I was in the mood for cozy mystery. The story was short with no real filler which was nice.

Jessie is recently divorced and between jobs, not sure what to do she decides to head to her Aunt Bee hoping to work at her bakery for awhile. Quickly hired she is enjoying the small town when a murder suddenly occurs. Determined to help Jessie works at finding clues to help her figure out who the real murder is.

The story was corny but I expect that in a cozy mystery. Very little character development just a clear cut story line, short, and a fast read. I am still in the mood for a cozy but since I have a stack of library books that will have to wait for a bit.

Alice + Freda Forever

I have wanted to read Alice + Freda Forever ever since I read a sample several years ago. Sadly it was a huge let down.

The story of a young woman who is obsessed with another young woman so much that she kills to make sure her love does not end up with someone else. The making of a thrilling story that had a lot of potential sadly the writing was choppy and it read more like part of an essay hurriedly thrown together. Not much was done to develop a story line at all it was just facts written in a dry manner. The story was also super short, lots of the book was referencing sources which is good for making it historically accurate but not for reading for pleasure.

Year One

Year One has been on my radar for awhile, I have read more serious stories about disease ravishing civilization but never one by a well known author or one that killed off so many people. The story switches between many points of view and I did have problems keeping up with genders and who was who at times. It does seems that Lana is the main character though.

Lana is a sous chef and loves her job. She cannot believe it when the news starts reporting about the Doom and how it is killing people with no cute. The Doom is mutating as fast as the remaining people can study it. Worried for their safety due to people ravishing New York city Lana and her significant other Max decide to get out of the city while they still can.

I had several problems with Year One beyond the aforementioned. The tone of the overall story could not seem to decide what it was doing, it started out in a foreign country with someone seeming to have a cold. Going on a plane and spreading the cold. Getting home and going to bed next thing they are in the hospital and a bit later deceased. It never really goes into the Doom or scientists studying it. Instead people just run from it and the world falls apart as the story jumps to people suddenly doing magik. I am not sure if the Doom woke this up in people or if people could already do this. Despite the downfalls I do wish to read Of Blood and Bone and am already on the library's waiting list. 

The Good Neighbor

The Good Neighbor the Life and Work of Fred Rogers has been on my radar since I saw it in the bookstore. While I never recall watching Mr. Roger's Neighborhood as a child I was interested in the aspect of Rogers pioneering a new type of television geared towards young children.

I started out enjoying the story it felt like it would go from start to finish of Fred's life highlighting the key points and skimming over the smaller parts. Sadly it did not keep that pace. I soon grew bored with the story and just wanted it to end.

The reading was tedious, repetitive, and whole chapters were not about Fred. The words did not flow off the page and I do not feel like I really learned much about how Fred pioneered children's television which is a huge disappointment. It will be a long time before I am ready to try another biography since this one totally burned me out.

What Janie Found

What Janie Found is the fourth book in the Janie Johnson series. Due to moving recently and in between jobs for the time I have a lot of free time. Well until the new apartment renovations are done then I won't have to sit here all day with the maintenance men and be able to feel out some job locations.

Janie is under stress and struggling to help her parents as best she can. Having had a stroke Mr. Johnson is incapacitated in the hospital. To take the burden off her mother Janie agrees to keep track of the bills along with some household chores. Horrified at finding a folder marked H.J. in the file cabinet with the bills Janie struggles to figure out what to do. Thankfully for Janie Brian her younger brother and Reeve are close by to give her continuous support. 

I was disappointed in What Janie Found. The whole feel of the story was building up this huge reveal and moving towards one thing but it just felt like the story stopped. No real closure or anything. I was under the belief this was the last story in the series but I just saw a novella and another novel listed on Goodreads. I have come this far so I will continue the series.

The Voice on the Radio

The Voice on the Radio is the third book in the Janie Johnson series. I feel that The Voice on the Radio has been the weakest story line in the series so far. It made sense for a follow up with how things went with Janie meeting her biological parents but I sort of had closure, things ended up going well for Janie.

Janie has decided she needs to live with the Johnsons but keep in touch with the Springs. Life is going perfectly for her until Reeve leaves for college. Missing Reeves Janie becomes closer to her biological siblings as she slowly adjusts to dodging the media and trying to figure out her life.

Reeve is struggling at college, having never cared much about academics he looks for a way to fit in and finds that through the college radio station. As a newbie he is given a one hour time slot at 2am in the morning until he starts to tell stories about Janie or as he calls them "Janies." Totally engrossed in filling the time slot Reeve talks and talks without any care in the world. Things get better when he moved to a prime time and given two days a week to tell more "Janies."

The writing stayed consistent as more characters point of views were added in. The story line just felt weak this time and did not seem to focus on Janie much. It felt like more was about Stephen and Jodie dealing with their demons.

Whatever Happened to Janie?

Whatever Happened to Janie is the second book in the Janie Johnson series. With the cliffhanger ending of The Face on the Milk Carton I could not wait to start Whatever Happened to Janie. I was reading while in the chaos of moving and I almost every night I fell asleep with my Nook in my hands.

Janie or Jennie as she is now being called is living with her biological family and trying to adjust to suddenly having four siblings and a new set of parents. Missing all that she knows Janie tries to immerse herself into the role and life of Jennie to make her new family happy. Things do not go well though and Janie struggles between the two identities as her siblings expect her to suddenly become their long lost sister overnight. 

I do not have any siblings so in a way I could understand Janie being suddenly overwhelmed by having several children wanting her to just suddenly become one of the family. Janie's biological parents were bit more understanding with how things were going and willing to give her time. However with the tensions high and everyone wanting something different Janie is struggling to adjust and embrace her new identity. 

While I did not enjoy Whatever Happened to Janie as much as the Face on the Milk Carton I am going to continue on with the series since I want to know if Janie will end up embracing both her sets of parents.

Big Little Lies

I have had Big Little Lies on my radar for awhile. When my old boss said she read it and I would not like it I knew I just had to read it. Happily she was incorrect and I enjoyed the unique writing style.

It did take me a bit to figure out how the writing flowed since the story just jumps right into the police investigation. I do like how small hints and testimony was given throughout each chapter. It was like two stories were being told at once.

Madeline was a fun character with lots of personality. She had no problem saying what was on her mind no matter the consequences and clearly cared deeply for anyone she considered a friend. Unfortunately for Madeline her ex-husband has to be front and center with his new wife rubbing in that he is a better father now making Madeline bitter.

Celeste reminds me of a wall flower, quiet and beautiful. While seemingly having the perfect life she struggles to appear to be happy and composed. Determined to maintain the facade of a everything going well Celeste plays a dangerous game that risks her perfect life.

Jane is young and inexperienced as a mother but she is determined to give her son a fresh start that will lead to a happily ever after for the two of them. However this goes seriously array when her little boy is accused of being a bully. 

These three women seemingly have nothing in common yet everything in common as they deal with life's issues. The writing was fresh and never boring despite talking about mundane things at times. While I did enjoy Big Little Lies and would not mind reading more of Liane Moriarty's work I do need to be in the mood to enjoy this genre.

A Map of Days

A Map of Days was a lucky find. I hurt my back a few days and have been icing it a lot which gives me ample time to read. As I was browsing the elibrary I saw A Map of Days was available for check out. I like the story of the Peculiar Children but I had forgotten the series was to continue on past Library of Souls so it was a nice surprise.

With things calming down after the loop collapsed Jacob has more time to ponder his Grandfather and his mysterious past. Determined to learn why his Grandfather kept the fact he was a peculiar secret Jacob sets out on a journey to find clues to a question he may not want to know the answer to. I really like Jacob his heart is always in the right place and he has clearly learned a lot about the Peculiar world while still being able to inhabit a normal world. I see the struggles Jacob goes through as believable and real.

My one complaint about A Map of Days is the pictures. I love how Mr Riggs took peculiar pictures and wrote a whole world about them. In A Map of Days some of the pictures seemed lacking and none seemed as peculiar as the ones in previous books. I want to see the unexplained photos fit into the story, sure some were wacky and all of them fit the story but they just did not have the same awe factor as before.

Mr. Riggs clearly takes his time writing out a well rounded plot line with strong characters. Each character has their own quirks and personalities. I am eager to read the next story but know it will most likely take another couple years if Mr. Riggs book releases continue in the same way.