Finding Me - Book Review

Book: Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed: A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings

Author: Michelle Knight, Michelle Burford

Genre: Memoir 

Publisher/Publish Date: Weinstein Books / May 6, 2014

Source: Public Library

Pages: 252

Rating: 3/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

Wow, this is a hard book to read.

Michelle Knight was one of the three woman who were kidnapped by Ariel Castro in Cleveland, and escaped in May, 2013. Their story made headlines, and though we were all fascinated by it, I'm sure it was shocking for them to escape and then be center of national news.

She bravely retells her horrific story of daily abuse, imprisonment.  Kidnapped in 2002, at the age of 21, she was the first of the three to be abducted and imprisoned. Coming from a tough childhood, she had her first child in high school, who was later put in to foster care. As she was walking miles to downtown Cleveland for a custody hearing, she stopped to ask for directions and was offered a ride by Castro. He tricked her into coming into his house, where he then chained her in the basement.

She shares what happened to her during the early years, including infrequent showers, filthy conditions, starvation, beatings, and multiple forced miscarriages. He went on to kidnap and imprison two more girls, Amanda Berry at age 16, and Gina DeJesus at age 14. Amanda was blond and Castro's preferred girl, and he treated her better and eventually had a daughter with her. Michelle and Gina were chained together, forced to stay together on the same filthy mattress, but found strength in each other to make it through this awful ordeal.

Shockingly he had people over to his house, even introduced people to his and Amanda's daughter, and though his other children found his secrecy and locks on the doors strange, no one ever was concerned enough to contact police. This man was insane, and luckily eventually convicted and imprisoned. One day Amanda's daughter went downstairs, as she often did since she was free to move around the house, and found that Castro hadn't locked the inner front door as he normally did. Along with her mom Amanda, they were able to call for help through a slit in the door and were rescued by neighbors. The house where this all took place was demolished in August 2013.

A challenging and sad book to read, especially knowing that there are more people that are out there in situations like this that we don't know about. Hopefully by sharing her story, Michelle can help bring awareness to the situation, and we can all do a better job of looking out for our neighbors and those less fortunate. 

The Rosie Project - Book Review

Book: The Rosie Project

Author: Graeme Simsion

Genre: Fiction 

Publisher/Publish Date: Simon & Schuster / May, 2013

Source: Public Library

Pages: 295

Rating: 4/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

A fun read and smartly written book. I had heard a bit about this book before I picked it up at the library, but didn't really know what is was about and was pleasantly surprised.

Don Tillman is a smart man, but not very smart about life and love. At 40 he has few friends, a structured life he's comfortable with, but is looking for love. Since dating doesn't work too well for him, he's ever been on a second date, he sets out to write the perfect survey to help him find the perfect woman for him, embarking on The Wife Project.

His search isn't working too well, but into his life stumbles Rosie, with a project of her own, finding her biological father. Tillman puts his project on hold to help with The Father Project, learning a lot about life and how sometimes the unexpected can lead to great things.

When I look at his author page on GoodReads, I found it humorous, and not surprising, that before writing fiction he was a information systems and wrote two books on data-modelling. Seems like his real life was inspiration for this novel.

Excited to see that Simsion is working on a sequel that will be out in September of 2014, The Rosie Effect.

Love Does - Book Review

Book: Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World

Author: Bob Goff

Genre: Christian, Non-Fiction 

Publisher/Publish Date: Thomas Nelson / January, 2012

Source: Public Library

Pages: 240

Rating: 4.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

I've put this book on the back burner for awhile, and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. It's inspiring and full of stories that made me smile.

It's a quick read, with lots of good content and I think most people would really enjoy this book. I liked that the chapters are short, most with a personal story and then what Bob learned from his experience.

While Bob is a Christian, and he does speak about spirituality, I think there is inspiration in this book for all people. He reminds us invest in other people, tell a good story with your life, and fight hard for things that are important to you.

Paddle Your Own Canoe - Book Review

Book: Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living

Author: Nick Offerman

Genre: Non-Fiction 

Publisher/Publish Date: Dutton Adult / October 1, 2013

Source: Public Library

Pages: 337

Rating: 3.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

I'm a huge fan of Nick Offerman's character on Parks & Rec, Ron Swanson, and knew enough about his personal life and woodworking background that I was pretty sure I was going to enjoy this books. I was right, though also pleasantly surprised by the depth and variety of this book.

A mix a narrative chapters about his life and instructional/topical essays, Offerman not only gives you a look into his life, and everything that lead him to his success in Hollywood, but also give great advice for aspiring actors and people in general.

The book is a bit racy in sections, just to warn you in case you plan to listen to this in audiobook form with your parents. Overall one of my favorite memoirs I've read in awhile.

Loved: the fun illustrations
Enjoyed: his tales of auditioning and working in Hollywood

what I've been reading....

Hi. It's nice to be back from my little break. Life got in the way of blogging and reading. It was all good stuff, but I have missed sharing here what I've been up to.

I was over on GoodReads.com the other day, listing some books I'd finished reading, and decided to check out how I was doing on my goal of reading 75 books this year. Well, the news was bad. While I've read 13 books, I'm 17 books behind... yikes! Not sure if I can catch up, or if I even care to try, but I want to get back on the horse and read more the second half of the year. I also have piles of books in my room to read:)

Books I've read since I last posted...

Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis, by Lauren F. Winner
I picked this up since I loved her first book Girl Meets God and this didn't disappoint. Winner honestly shares her struggles with God and Christianity, and where she sees her self in the Christian story.

Here I Go Again, by Jen Lancaster
A hard book to explain without giving too much away, Lissy Ryder returns to her high school for her 20th reunion to discover that her memories were a little rose-tinted, and she may not be as successful and beloved as she once thought.

The Bling Ring: How a Gang of Fame-Obsessed Teens Ripped Off Hollywood and Shocked the World, by Nancy Jo Sales
While not the most well written book, it's an interesting look at the headline catching story of six LA teens who burglarized celebrity homes including Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Orlando Bloom. This book attempts to discover the motivation behind the break-ins and what lead to their obsession with celebrity.

One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories, by B.J. Novak
Random, odd, funny, heart-touching. A mix of short stories, Novak does an amazing job of fabricating unique stories, characters and places.

Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell
I've heard about how great this book is, and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. It is definitely a young adult book, but is a beautiful story of two high school misfits finding love and seeing if they have what it takes to make it last.

Help Thanks Wow: Three Essential Prayers, by Anne Lamott
One of my favorite authors, Lamott shares the three prayers that get her through tough times, and shares personal stories that lead her to these three prayers.

The Knowledge of the Holy, by A.W. Tozer
I read this book with my church's small group. Tozer does an amazing job at identifying and expounding on God's attributes, such as wisdom, grace, mercy and justice. There was a lot of content that was new to me, and it's a dense book, elegantly written, and I probably re-read in a year or two.

Helter Skelter - Book Review

Book: Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders

Author: Vincent Bugliosi, Curt Gentry

Genre: True Crime 

Publisher/Publish Date: W. W. Norton & Company / 1974

Source: Public Library

Pages: 689

Rating: 4/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

This might possibly be some of the craziest 689 pages I've ever read. The story of the Manson Family and the Tate-Labianca murders is so twisted and outlandish that at times it's hard to believe the people who were part of The Family went along with all of Manson's requests.

I decided to pick this book up since while I had a rough idea of who Charles Manson was, I wasn't really sure what really happened, and what lead to his noteriety. Here's a little background care of Wikipedia...

"Charles Milles Manson is an American criminal and musician who led what became known as the Manson Family, a quasi-commune that arose in California in the late 1960s. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit the murders of seven people, actress Sharon Tate and four other people at Tate's home, and the next day, a married couple, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, all carried out by members of the group at his instruction."

The story though goes beyond that, with multiple other murders linked to The Family, and details the culture and life that Manson created in the desert. Written by the prosecutor, Vincent Bugliosi, he's able to give us in in-depth view of the whole story, starting with Manson's early childhood, and how his years in the correctional system lead to him not being able to function properly in society. Though the discovery of the Tate murders and how to police were lead to question and finally arrest Manson and others from his Family.

While the Wikipedia article gives a good overview of what happened, this book is a great look at the smaller details of the case and the life of Charles Manson.

Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Book Review

Book: Forever, Interrupted

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Fiction, Chick-Lit 

Publisher/Publish Date: Washington Square Press / July 9, 2013

Source: ARC courtesy of publisher

Pages: 352

Rating: 4/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

“Have you ever heard of supernovas? They shine brighter than anything else in the sky and then fade out really quickly, a short burst of extraordinary energy. I like to think you and Ben were like that . . . in that short time, you had more passion than some people have in a lifetime.”

On a rainy New Year's Day, Elsie Porter heads out to pick up a pizza, and meets the charming Ben Ross. Their instant chemistry leads to a date that week, and an elopement by May. Nine days later, when Ben heads out to get cereal for Elsie, he is hit by a truck and killed on impact. At the hospital she has an unfortunate first introduction with her new mother-in-law Susan, who had never heard of Elsie.

As Taylor Jenkins Reid's first novel, this is very impressive. She interweaves Ben and Elsie's relationship with Elsie and Susan's grieving and healing. It's a beautiful story of love and loss, and learning to open yourself up to what the world has brought you.

This book had been on my shelf for a few months and I am glad I finally decided to read it. It's emotional, heart touching, book, dealing with romanic and friend relationships. The main character, Elsie Porter is wonderfully writer and relatable. I took this book on a trip, and it was the perfect one to pass a few hours on a plane and on layover. I'm a fan of light-hearted, silly chick-lit, but enjoyed that this had more depth to it, but wasn't overly sad or depressing.

If you have reviewed this book, please leave a link to the review in the comments and I will add your review to the main post. All I ask is for you to do the same to mine — thanks! 

wow I read a lot of books this year

Discovering GoodReads at the end of 2012 changed my life! Well, maybe that's an over statement, but I love keeping track of books I want to read, what I've read, and that I can easily track how many books I read a year.

I made myself a goal to read 50 books this year. I've never counted before, and nearly a book a week seemed challenging but do able. I've always been a pretty active reader, and read every night before bed, but with this blog, and getting advanced reader copies to review, I've made it more of a priority.

With that being said, I was very happy to achieve and blow through my goal, reading 66 books in 2013!

2014 goal: 
   - read 75 books
   - read one or more Steven King books

Since there was a month or two this year in which I didn't read much, I'm upping my goal this next year, and fairly confident I can do it. Also, I've never read a Steven King book, and I've been wanting to lately, so why not make it a goal also. Anyone have a recommendation for a good book to start off with?

Wishing everyone a fabulous holiday season and a great 2014!

Mad About a Boy by Helen Fielding - Book Review

Book: Mad About the Boy (Bridget Jones #3)

Author: Helen Fielding

Genre: Fiction, Chick-Lit

Publisher/Publish Date: Knopf Canada / October 15, 2013

Source: Public Library

Pages: 336

Rating: 4/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

Thirteen years have passed, and at the age of 51 Bridget Jones is thrown back into the world of dating, though now as a widow with two young children. Bridget meets a man over Twitter who turns out to be 29, though a lot of fun. She must decided if he fits in her life as a single mother, and learns about herself him the process with the help of her hilarious and crazy friends.

I loved the first two Bridget Jones novels, as well as the movies, and was excited when I heard Helen Fielding wrote a third book in the series. It's a bit of a jump in time, so it was interesting to see a more grown up Bridget, though maybe only a little bit more mature than before. This book has a similar tone to the first time, and includes most of her friends who we have already been introduced to.

I am in my 30's and relate more to Bridget of the first two books, but even though she is in her 50's and they comment on it a lot, she's the same funny, neurotic, weight obsessed, self-help book reading character, but with a little more soul.

Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill - Book Review

Book: Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape

Author: Jenna Miscavige Hill, with Lisa Pulitzer

Genre: Non-Fiction / Memoir 

Publisher/Publish Date: William Morrow / January, 2013

Source: Public Library

Pages: 416

Rating: 3.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

Raised as a Scientologist, and the niece of the church's leader David Miscavige, Jenna Miscavige Hill decided to leave at the age of 21, breaking free of all she had ever known. Hill provides a unique, insider look at the secretive church. Her childhood was spent separated from her parents, days filled with labor and discipline, and forced to grow up at an early age.

It's shocking to hear what her parents allow to happen to her, and how different her childhood is from the average American. Her isolation from the rest of the world keeps her from knowing what is "normal" and keeps the rest of us from knowing the pain that these children are going through.

This book is a good companion to Going Clear, since this is a look at Scientology from the inside. A look at what the rules of the religion really look like when played out upon a family and the secrets and lies that the church is rooted in. The book is mostly about Hill's personal experiences, but give you a broad idea of the culture and inner workings of the church.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn - Book Review

Book: Sharp Objects

Author: Gillian Flynn

Genre: Fiction 

Publisher/Publish Date: Shaye Areheart Books / September, 2006

Source: Public Library

Pages: 272

Rating: 3.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

An earlier novel by the author of Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects follows a Chicago reporter as she heads back to her home town to report on the murders of two young girls. She returns to her childhood home, staying with a mom that never knew how to be a good mom, and a much younger half-sister she barely knows and doesn't recognize at first. This novel is full of deep, interesting characters, who we discover as we move closer to learning who is behind the murders.

I loved Gone Girl, and was exciting to read more by Gillian Flynn. I was taking a little off guard with this book, but may have understood it better if I head read the synopsis before hand and had known what I was getting into. While I really liked the book, it takes a little while before you have all the clues to really understand the main character and her relationship with her family, which is at the core of the novel. This was the perfect book for a vacation, and helped me get through a few plane rides without getting too bored. The book moves fast and was riveting till the end.

The Whale Warriors by Peter Heller - Book Review

Book: The Whale Warriors: The Battle at the Bottom of the World to Save the Planet's Largest Mammals

Author: Peter Heller

Genre: Non-Fiction 

Publisher/Publish Date: Free Press / September, 2007

Source: Public Library

Pages: 288

Rating: 3.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

At the bottom of the globe near Antarctica, there is a battle going on between Japanese whalers and activists (eco-pirates) who are trying to save the wales. The Farley, captained by Paul Watson who runs the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, is out to stop whaling for good, by any means necessary. While whaling is mostly illegal, the Japanese get around the laws by saying they are doing it for research.

Fighting to stop whaling is part waiting (it can take weeks to find the ships), and part high action. Watson has previously sunk eight whaling ships and the Farley is outfitted with a seven-foot blade on the bow, bottles of smelly acid to throw aboard whaling vessels, and water cannons.

Peter Heller joined the crew on season and experienced first hand the joyous and dangerous parts of being part of Sea Shepherd. He does a great job at presenting the story without strongly taking sides. It's a great book if you are interested in what's happening with whaling without someone preaching to you.

I originally head about the Sea Shepherd on Animal Planet's reality show, Whale Wars, which has been following them now for five seasons. It's a fascinating show, and while I may not agree with all of their tactics I find their tenacity and idealism fascinating to watch.

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty - Book Review

Book: The Husband's Secret

Author: Liane Moriarty

Genre: Fiction 

Publisher/Publish Date: Penguin Books / April, 2013

Source: ARC from publisher

Pages: 416

Rating: 4/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

I was first introduced to Liane Moriarty when I read her book What Alice Forgot, and was happy when I realized this ARC sitting on my bookshelf was also by Moriarty. I've always been a big fan of chick-lit authors like Marian Keyes, but I enjoy that Moriarty's novels are just a little more serious. I'd call it light-hearted drama.

The Husband's Secret follows the lives of three women. Cecilia, the main character, discovered a letter written by her husband labeled "read if I die." Upon learning that it was found, the husband rushes home from his work trip, making Cecilia even more curious that secrets lie in the letter. As the novel continues, the three women's lives start to entwine in some startling ways.

I won't say much more, since I don't want to give the "secret" away, but I will say the pay off it worth it. While Moriarty provides clues, it's hard to guess what the secret is before it's revealed. At least for me it was. The novel is told from three different point of views, which makes it a little confusing at times, but I think this was the best way to tell each women's story in a personal way.

Loved this book, and look forward to reading more by Liane Moriarty.

If you have reviewed this book, please leave a link to the review in the comments and I will add your review to the main post. All I ask is for you to do the same to mine — thanks!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but it in no way effects my review of the book. Please note that we receive affiliate income from any books purchased at Amazon.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl - Book Review

Book: Night Film: A Novel

Author: Marisha Pessl

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Publisher/Publish Date: Milkweed Editions / September 3, 2013

Source: ARC courtesy of publisher

Pages: 256

Rating: 3.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

(This post may be a bit spoilery, sorry.)

Creepy. Gripping. Insightful. Gritty.

After a wrong turn in an investigation into the mysterious life of cult-horror-film director Cordova leaves him disgraced, Journalist Scott McGrath hoped he has left that story behind for good. But the suicide of his daughter Ashley draws him back into his investigation. His search leads him to meet two witnesses, that become part of his team, and the story leads him on a journey through belief and unbelife. McGrath risks a lot in search of the truth, which in turn he may never be able to find.

I was attracted to this book because of it's use of images, and screen shots of web pages, and other "interactive" elements. They never came off as gimmicky, but actually enhance the story. (see the reviews on GoodReads for photos of the inside pages). Though I wasn't expecting the novel to be so dark, including satanic rituals, mysterious bridges, and lots of twisted characters.

I'm still a little uncertain about how I feel about this book. I was enraptured by it, finishing the 580 page novel in just a few days. And though the book tried to have a clear take away, I'm not sure if I got that personally from reading the book.

I felt that while the tone of the book wavered from comical (i.e. buddy cop) to way intense and creepy, plot plows a consistent path that never wavers. But maybe this is more like life. There are funny moments, and there are scary moments.

My favorite part was the first 2/3rds of the novel. I just wasn't satisfied with the ending. I didn't feel like much was truly answered.

I'm really interested in reading her other book Special Topics in Calamity Physics. Anyone read that? What did you think? Anyone else think this could make a really great movie?

Now I'm off to go read a fun and light-hearted book to cleans my palette (and mind).

What did you think of Night Film?

Let Him Go, by Larry Watson - Book Review

Book: Let Him Go: A Novel

Author: Larry Watson

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Publisher/Publish Date: Milkweed Editions / September 3, 2013

Source: ARC courtesy of publisher

Pages: 256

Rating: 3.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

This book is a lot more serious, and slow moving than I usually read, but I got a free copy of it and figured I'd give it a chance.

Set in North Dakota in the fall of 1951, two grandparents go on a search to find their grandson. After the death of their son, his wife remarried, and they are concerned for the boys well-being in the care of his new father. As they travel through the bleakness of North Dakota that meet some helpful folks, though also run into some tough situations.

As plot carries you through the book, you sense the impending climax from the beginning. The author, Larry Watson, molds realistic and relatable characters, and it feels like you are sampling reading someone's life story. Beautifully told, though a little narratively dry for my taste.

What Alice Forgot, by Liane Moriarty - Book Review

Book: What Alice Forgot

Author: Liane Moriarty

Genre: Fiction 

Publisher/Publish Date: PanMacmillan Australia / January 2009

Source: Local Library

Pages: 487

Rating: 4/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

At twenty-nine, Alice is married to a wonderful husband, looking forward to the birth of her first child.

But after falling and hitting her head during a spin class she wakes up to learn it's ten years in the future and she's lost ten years of memories. Now with three kids, a sister that seems really distance, and a mom that's been remarried, Alice has a lot to learn about her life at 39.

What Alice Forgot is a fun novel, with a lot of heart. We get to experience the funny parts of losing her memory, along with the heartbreak. As Alice reconstructs the past decade, she discovers some dark sides to herself, and has to decide if she wants to take the risk to change the bad decisions.

I'd compare this book to Bridget Jones Diary, with a little less absurdity and a little more reality thrown in.

With books like these I think about how I would feel in her shoes? How different would my life look? How crazy would it be to wake up and have a 9 year old calling you mom, and you have no memory of having a child? 

Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink - Book Review

Book: Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital

Author: Sheri Fink

Genre: Non-Fiction

Publisher/Publish Date: Crown / September 10, 2013

Source: ARC courtesy of publisher, NetGalley

Pages: 560

Rating: 4.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but it in no way effects my review of the book.

This is a dark and upsetting book about the events that took place at New Orlean's Memorial Hospital during and after Hurricane Katrina. The doctor's and staff had to make tough decisions in a stressful situation which I think none of us can really understand.

Located in the downtown area, the hospital's buildings were not effected much by the hurricane, but the resulting floods lead to power outages and flooded some of the generators. The staff felt abandoned by the city and state government and wasn't getting a fast response from their parent company. This left them in a city that was supposedly under marshal law, trying to make the best decision for their patients as well as themselves. They had no clue how long it would take to get evacuated, what was happening outside of the four walls of the hospital, and how safe they were in the building. There was little sense of who was in charge and decisions had to be made on the fly.

This book is packed with information and Fink did an amazing job of interviewing and weaving together what happened during those five days after the hurricane. While we may never have answers to some of the larger questions of why certain decisions were made, this book doesn't take sides.

Not knowing a ton of what happened during Katrina, I found this very fascinating and eye opening. It's a compelling story, and one that I am glad is now being told in detail.

*Please note that we receive affiliate income from any books purchased at Amazon.

If you have reviewed this book, please leave a link to the review in the comments and I will add your review to the main post. All I ask is for you to do the same to mine — thanks! 

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - Book Review

Book: Ender's Game

Author: Orson Scott Card

Genre: YA, Sci-Fi 

Publisher/Publish Date: Tor Science Fiction / 1985

Source: Public Library

Pages: 324

Rating: 3.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

I have been hearing so much about this book lately, probably since there is a movie of it coming out this year, I decided I better see what all the fuss about.

If you have been living in the woods like me, here is the premise of the story: Ender is the third child in a world that usually only allows two per family. After surviving two wars with "bugs," the world's focus is on creating an army that can defeat them for good, allowing humans to live in peace. All kids are monitored from birth to see if they have what it takes to go to battle school, and Ender is special and is chosen to go. 

Most of the book focuses on the tests and knowledge he learns at school. Orson Scott Card created a word that is twisted and focused on violence, and describes technology that isn't too far off than some of what we have today.

I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, but I really enjoyed this, and maybe in this century some of what he writes doesn't seem so out of this world. This is a young adult book, and the characters are really young, but I think the topics are great for discussion and consideration for all ages.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - Book Review

Book: We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Author: Shirley Jackson

Genre: Fiction

Publisher/Publish Date: Penguin Classics / 1962

Source: Public Library

Pages: 146

Rating: 4/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

Dark, melodic and poetic, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, tells the story of two sisters and their wheelchair bound uncle who live together in the house where the rest of their family died. I don't want to give too much away, but fairly early in the book you learn that one of the sisters was accused and tried for poisoning 4 family members. They live on a large peice of property that they have closed off to the world, and only one of them ever leaves, to pick up groceries on her bi-weekly. They have a couple family friends who visit them, but other than that, they have closed themselves off to a world they find hostel.

I wasn't familiar with Jackson's writing but was recommended it, and was glad I picked it up to read. The copy that I got not only have a pretty awesome cover by Thomas Ott (see above), but also a great introduction by Jonathan Lethem that informed my about Jackson as an author. Lethem explains that parts of Jackson's personality highly influences these characters, helping me appreciate the story better.

Jackson is best known for her short story, The Lottery, so if you are curious, that would be a good start into reading this author. I highly recommend this book, and it's short, so doesn't take too long to read.

The Cuckoo's Calling by J.K. Rowling - Book Review

Book: The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike #1)

Author:  Robert Galbraith (Pseudonym), J.K. Rowling

Genre: Mystery

Publisher/Publish Date: Mulholland Books / April 30, 2013

Source: Local Library

Pages: 455

Rating: 4.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

I requested this book from the library as soon as it was revealed that J.K. Rowling was the offer. It was a good thing I was so fast, a week later there were 600+ holds on the book.

While I don't read too many crime novels, I do enjoy crime shows, and found this book hard to put down. Rowling did a great job of creating a complex mystery and I didn't even have a clue who was guilty until it was revealed.

The main character, Detective Cormoran Strike, hires a temp assistant, Robin, who I am assuming will be a character throughout the series (more books are planned). But I felt she lacked any development, there were just hints at her life outside the office, so I am looking forward to her being a large part of the story in subsequent novels.

Overall the novel is fairly light though touches on deeper issues, and I'm really looking forward to reading more about Strikes detective agency and seeing what other mysteries he solve.