Book Review: The Diviners

The Diviners by Libba Bray 

It’s 1926 and, after a wild night at a party, Evie O’Neill has been shipped off to New York City to live with her uncle, who owns a creepy museum and has an obsession with the occult. Evie is hoping to hide her strange power of being able to “read” objects (part of got her sent NYC in the first place), but when a girl is found murdered, Evie is able to help in the investigation - an investigation that will uncover something even more evil that has been awakened. 

 First of all, I LOVED this book! Second, it seriously creeped me the heck out! It may be considered YA, but don’t let that fool you. It’s well written, and scary, and takes place in one of my favorite eras- The Roaring 20’s. 

I give it an A-. 

Also by Libba Bray is A Great and Terrible Beauty. 

Book Review: Yes Please

Yes Please by Amy Poehler 

Yes Please is comedian, former Saturday Night Live star, and Golden Globe winning actress Amy Poehler’s memoir on growing up, touring the improve circuit, making it in Hollywood, motherhood, and other aspects of her life. 

This book is light, funny, and entertaining. It’s really not life-changing in any way, but I really enjoyed reading about Amy Poehler, who happens to be one of my favorite ladies of SNL. She writes honestly, and yet never bashes anyone (even giving nothing but high praise to her ex-husband), which I really appreciated. 

I give it a B-. 

If you liked this one, check out Bossypants by Tina Fey (who happens to be Amy Poehler’s BFF!). 

Book Review: Wild: From Lost to Found of the Pacific Crest Trail

Wild: From Lost to Found of the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

After her mother’s death, Cheryl Strayed goes into a downward spiral, which destroys her marriage, and sets her on a dangerous path. Feeling the need to find herself again, she embarks on a 3 month journey, with zero experience, to hike over a thousand miles from the Mojave Desert in California to Washington State on the Pacific Crest Trail.

After hearing rave reviews about this one, I was surprised at how hard it was for me to get into. I LOVED hearing about her experiences on the PCT, but the flashbacks to her multiple incidents of cheating on her husband and her flippant drug use almost made me put the book down. They were just hard to get through, at least for me. I am glad I stuck it out though, as there was a happy ending.

I give it a C+.

If you enjoy this style of book, check out Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. 

Also, check out the movie, starring Reese Witherspoon (who is nominated for an academy award for her portrayal of Cheryl Strayed), in theaters now. 

Book Review: Landline

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

When T.V. writer Georgie tells her husband Neal she won’t be able to make it to Christmas at his parents’ house in Oklahoma because she has to work, she didn’t expect him to pack up their daughters and fly off without her. Thinking she has ruined her marriage for good, she can’t face going home. While staying with her own parents, she finds a way to communicate with Neal. But it’s Neal from over a decade ago she’s talking to…

I really liked this book, for the most part. It’s a cute, quick read, great for when you want a little escape. And even if some of the ideas are a little farfetched, even for this time travel loving girl, there are parts of the story that are so relatable that I couldn't put it down.

I give it a B-.

Also try Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.

Book Review: Wedding Night

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

Lottie becomes the queen of bad decisions after any breakup, so when her boyfriend asks her on a business trip, instead of proposing like she thought, she gets mad, meets up with an old ex boyfriend, and they decide to get married right away. But Lottie’s sister, Fliss, has constructed a scheme to stop the wedding night before anything can happen, hoping to make Lottie see reason and annul the marriage.

I just love when a book is truly just an escape from everyday life, and this one is just that. Nothing I had to think too hard about. It’s just a fun, fluffy read that left me feeling refreshed and happy, and ready to take on the heavier stuff.

I give this one a B.

Sophie Kinsella is also the author of the Shopaholic books. The seventh book in that series, Shopaholic to the Stars, is now available. 

Book Review: Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

It’s 1986, and Eleanor, (Stereotypical “Red-Headed-Stepchild” who comes from an abusive home), is the new girl in school. Park (good  family, good grades, good life) is the only one who feels sorry enough for her to let her share his seat on the bus. Little does he know that when he does, his whole life will change. First love, man.

I read this book in about two days. It was sweet, and smart, and even cringeworthy and abrasive (Warning: LOTS of F-Bombs!) at times. It took me right back to high school, when I thought my clothes and taste in music were what defined me, but eventually realized it really is what’s inside you that truly makes you who you are. Also, if this book had a soundtrack, I’d totally buy it!

I give Eleanor & Park a B+.

Also by Rainbow Rowell:  Attachments, Fangirl, and Landline. 

Movie Review: Gone Girl

Holy. Moly.

David Fincher's film version of Gone Girl hit theaters this weekend, and since my book club read this book a few months ago (click here to see my review), we decided to go see it as a group.

And oh boy, did Fincher capture the book pretty much perfectly on film or what? There were some aspects that were even darker than the book (Desi's "offing" especially), and only a few differences and characters left out or downsized, probably because of time restraints (the movie is already over two and a half hours), but he pretty much got the twists and turn of the plot down pat. And, contrary to rumors that had been going around prior to release, the ending is pretty much the same as the book. I know many had their hearts set on a new conclusion... sorry guys.

The film stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, and Rosamund Pike as his wife Amy, who move from New York to Nick's home town in Missouri after losing their jobs during the recession, and when Nick's mother becomes ill. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing, and Nick is blamed for her disappearance and suspected murder.

Affleck was perfect as the sometimes (or more-than-sometimes) unlikeable Nick, and Pike's "Amazing Amy" was just that. Spot on. Oscar worthy even. And Trent Reznor's score was perfectly haunting.

This film is rightly rated R for very strong violence, language, adult and sexual situations, and nudity. I would definitely recommend it only for VERY mature high schoolers (we're talking the oldest of the senior class here), possibly even college-age and up.

I give this one an A-.