Book Review: The Museum of Extraordinary Things

A turn of the century Coney Island Freak show with two headed animals, a giant tortoise, a girl with no arms, sword swallowers, a man covered in hair: such is the setting of Alice Hoffman's macabre historical fiction The Museum of Extraordinary Things.

This highly enjoyable, yet unconventional love story explores the darker side of early 20th Century New York City as well as the darker side of man.

Book Review: The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden

Jonas Jonasson has done it again. The author of the hilarious The 100 year old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared has created yet another unbelievable funny, witty, and bizarre piece of historical fiction in The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden. If you love history, rich characters, and absolute absurdity than you're really going to love this book.

Book Review: All The Light We Cannot See

Do me a favor. Open a new tab in your browser. I will forgive you from taking a break from reading this review. Type in "Amazon" or "Barnes and Nobles" or however you acquire the books that you read. Buy this book. I promise I am not leading you astray. I had the PLEASURE of reading and reviewing "All The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr this week, and I am so very glad that I did. 

Book Review: The House Girl

Mister hit Josephine with the palm of his hand across her left cheek and it was then she knew she would run. 

That is the first line of the book. I was in for the long haul immediately. 

The House Girl by Tara Conklin is half historical fiction and half modern family drama. The two genres flow together almost seamlessly. And despite a few imperfections, it is a moving tale of two women whose separate stories help each other more than either of them could have ever known.

Book Review: Moonshine

I have a soft spot for urban fantasy. I also loved Alaya Dawn Johnson's young adult novel The Summer Prince. So when I found out she wrote an urban fantasy novel about vampires set in the Roaring Twenties, well, I knew what would happen next.

I was going to read it, of course.

Zephyr Hollis has developed a reputation as a regular do-gooder, standing up for the rights of the lower class, immigrants, and even America's not-so-human citizens. When she finds a recently turned vampire child lying unconscious in the street, a mysterious dark-skinned man comes to her aid. He takes the boy, but in exchange he asks Zephyr to help him find a notorious gangster, who he suspects is really a vampire. Zephyr accepts the job, as well as a hefty cash advance, and soon finds herself tangled up in a supernatural mystery on the snowy streets of Prohibition-era Manhattan. 

Book Review: The Signature of All Things

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert is not an easy read. It is slow and rambling, depressing and difficult. With endless references to science, facts, and people that a liberal arts education does not provide knowledge of, it's a challenge. 

But if you're willing to put in the work, you will read a beautifully written and honest book that takes a look at life through a pair of brilliant eyes.

Book Review: Life After Life

I stumbled upon Life After Life by Kate Atkinson at the top of the Kindle Best Books of the Month list. With an interesting and unique premise and raving reviews, I had to go for it.

And I'm glad I did, but I'm also on the lookout for anyone else who did too. Life After Life is a book that must be discussed for, it is is a book that will affect everyone a different way.

Book Review: Beautiful Ruins

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, is a beautiful book. With the story taking place within the world of Hollywood movie-making, the book almost feels like an old classic film. And for anyone who loves movies, the story will remind you exactly what about them made you fall in love.

But I was a little disappointed that this beautiful feeling didn't last throughout the whole book.

Book Review: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

Yes, that's really the title. And the book is as unique as its title. But in a really good way.

Written by Swedish author Jonas Jonasson, the book is literally about a centenarian, Allan, who climbs out of his window at the nursing home (because he dislikes the head nurse and could really use a drink) and disappears on an adventure. This unbelievable adventure includes stealing a suitcase full of cash, a disorganized crime organization, an elephant, misprinted bibles, and plenty of alcohol.

But it is also about his one-hundred years of life leading up to this new adventure. And the reader is in for quite a surprise as to what Allan has been up to for the past 100 years.