'Down From Cascom Mountain' by Ann Joslin Williams

She looked up again, up toward the mountain to the cliff, and up into the sky above to see where he'd come from, where he'd come down. She saw how far it was, the span from up there to where she stood.  All this time there had been her voice calling his name, and then it changed when she saw that distance. His name was in her mouth, but now it was a different sound, like a howl. 


(from Down From Cascom Mountain, page 35 in the ARC; finished version may be different)
 
Teaser Synopsis: 
Set in rugged New Hampshire in the aftermath of a fatal accident, this assured debut novel wrestles with grief and desire as a young woman finds her way over the course of one summer. 
Click here for more detailed synopsis

First thoughts after closing this book: I just want to stay here in this moment and think about these characters because I'm not quite ready to say goodbye...I'm still a bit worried for a few of them, but I know they'll be fine.

This book really impacted me and I have to say that I was surprised by how much I cared for the characters in this story. Without even realizing it, Ann Joslin Williams, drew me into their lives and weaved this web from which I could find no way out out. The mountain and the surrounding area that makes up a central part of this book came alive for me. I love the wildness of untouched forests and being one with nature. If you enjoy that type of book this one will sing loudly for you to read it. At first glance you really don't think any of the characters have a single thing in common, but after sitting back and letting myself absorb what I read,  I realized that no matter what age, sex, or life experience, grief can be a constant companion for any lost and hurting soul.

Mt. Washington, highest peak in NH

Recommendations before reading this book: Take a few minutes and look at some photos of the mountains and terrain in New Hampshire. Make sure that the sun is shining and that you can carve out a big chunk of time to read this book in one sitting. Trust me, once you get into it, you forget where you are and become totally immersed in the rugged beauty of New Hampshire and absolutely involved with the characters lives.


Recommend? Resounding yes! I loved this story...I was drawn into this one and didn't want to put it down until the last page had been turned. I really believe that Williams has a brilliant future in literary fiction!!

Rating: 9/10

Ann Joslin Williams grew up in New Hampshire. She earned her MFA in fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and was a Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. She is the author of The Woman in the Woods, a collection of linked stories, which won the 2005 Spokane Prize for Short Fiction, and her work has appeared in StoryQuarterly, the Iowa Review, the Missouri Review,Ploughshares, and elsewhere. She was the winner of an NEA grant for her work on Down from Cascom Mountain. Williams is an assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire.
Visit Ann Joslin William’s website at www.annjoslinwilliams.com.

Author: Ann Joslin Williams

Published: June 7, 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 325

Genre: Brilliant Literary Fiction

ISBN:  9781608193066

* uncorrected ARC was provided for review

 

Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'Skyward' by Mary Alice Monroe

Teaser Synopsis:
Mary Alice Monroe returns to the captivating and mystical South Carolina Lowcountry, a place of wild beauty and untamed hearts, to tell the moving story of healing, hope and new beginnings....Something magical begins to happen: the timeless beauty of the South Carolina coast and the majestic grace of the wild birds weave a healing spell on the injured hearts at the sanctuary. But a troubled mother's unexpected return will test the fragile bonds of trust and new love, and reveal the inherent risks and exhilarating beauty of flying free.


First thoughts after finishing this book:   I want to work in a birds of prey sanctuary!

What I liked about the book:

• The birds of prey aspect...about eight years ago I was on this big kick of becoming a falconer and training a Peregrine Falcon. I read up on the birds and all that went with training one. It is very extensive and not just a passing hobby. My husband talked me out of it due to our lifestyle and if you want to go on vacation there's no way you can with a falcon depending on you for hunting and its basic needs.
• Each chapter ended with a descriptions and definitions that pertained to a certain bird of prey. I loved reading this and actually learned a lot from it. The other great factor was those snippets foretold of events in the next chapter.
• The characters....they felt like friends to me. The author did a great job of making them come to life, most especially Lijah. This character was inspired by the Gullah culture and he was such a wise, gentle soul..I loved him from the moment I met him. 
• The setting- South Carolina Lowcountry! I want to visit this area and soon. The author made me feel as if I were there walking in the forests watching the birds in their natural habitat. Gorgeous and descriptive writing!
  

What I didn't like:

• I knew how the story would end...but that was okay... 

Personal Thoughts: 
About eight years ago my son and I found a Kestrel in our yard with a broken wing. It took us about an hour to finally catch the little guy and we safely transported him to a veterinarian that rehabilitated injured wildlife. Since then I've been fascinated with these birds and the larger birds of prey.

Favorite passage:
   ""Lijah, do you not have any place to stay?"
  "No, no. I'm staying with friends--just down the road a piece. But getting back and forth to see Santee every day got to be troublesome. See, I need to be close. I need to sit with my bird a while to see her through this. I reckon like you did for your child back when she was in the hospital."
Harris felt a strong sympathy for the man's situation. Lijah loved that bird as any father loved a child.
[Locations 961-69 Kindle]

Recommend? Absolutely! For those that are bird lovers I think you would appreciate a book that had these awesome creatures as the main characters in the story. The added bonus is the Lowcountry of South Carolina!!

Rating: 8.5/10

Read an excerpt here

Author: Mary Alice Monroe

Published: March 2009 eBook

Publisher: Mira

Genre: Naturalist Heaven!

Source: NetGalley

ISNB: 9781426833328

 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday....What are you reading?

Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and reviewed last week:

The Girl Who Would Speak For the Dead- very creepy...great read!
Wish You Were Here- fun, steamy beach read!
Love On Assignment- cute story but a bit heavy handed with the preaching

Reviews for this week:

Skyward- Tuesday
Down From Cascom Mountain-Wed (TLC Tour Stop)
Mothers and Daughters- Thursday
The Twisted Thread- Friday

** Got a late start so I didn't have time to add my mailbox goodies...and the question mark below still stands as I've been grabbing whatever appeals to me right now!!

On my nightstand:

 © 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Happy that I read it...a good read.
2 of Hearts- Just O.K but nothing to write home about.
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)

Love on Assignment (Ladies of Summerhill #2) (click on title for synopsis)
Source: review copy from NetGalley
Genre: Christian Fiction
Pages: 336
Published: January 11, 2011 Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781595546807






My Thoughts: I love my gentle reads and I am a SUCKER for a great cover....so with those two criteria in mind I downloaded this book to my Kindle from NetGalley. For the most part I enjoyed the story...set in the 1900's with a feisty main character and a cute romance how could I resist? The downside was that there was a bit too much "religious zeal" on the pages for my taste. I don't mind reading Christian fiction but I don't want to be clobbered over the head with it either. I will read her other book that I downloaded for free on my Kindle, Love On a Dime, but this time I know what I'm in for. But tell me could you resist that cover?????
Rating:

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.
 © 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'Wish You Were Here' by Phillipa Ashley

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Jack Thornfield, new CEO, is shocked to see his long lost love, Beth Allen's resume come across his desk. After 8 years apart they have a second chance at happiness in this romantic story about love and secrets.
First thoughts after finishing this book:   What a fun romantic read....

What I liked about the book:

• the characters...I liked them and could even see myself being friends with Beth!
• Location- I love books that take place in England. One of my biggest dreams is to one day visit there so for now I escape through my books.
• Fun, romantic, and a story with a bit of a twist. This was one that you could just really get into...not a lot of fluff but just right!
  

What I didn't like:

• I enjoyed all of it.

Recommend? This is perfect for the summer and would make a great beach read. It would also be a wonderful book for those in-between moments...call it a palate cleanser if you will. I think Phillipa Ashley writes a great story and I have yet to be let down!

Rating: 7/10

Author: Phillipa Ashley

Published: June 2011

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Genre: Smart Brit-Chick Lit

Source: Sourcebooks-Beth Pehlke

ISNB: 9780399157172
* ARC 

 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Waiting on Wednesday Pick

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event,

hosted at Breaking the Spine,

that spotlights upcoming releases

that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

Release date November 15, 2011

The students at my middle school will be driving me crazy about this one!!!

I better order 3 copies!!!!!

 

 

'The Girl Who Would Speak For the Dead' by Paul Elwork

 
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Emily Stewart is the girl who claims to stand between the living and the dead. During the quiet summer of 1925, she and her brother, Michael, are thirteen-year-old twins-privileged, precocious, wandering aimlessly around their family's estate. One day, Emily discovers that she can secretly crack her ankle in such a way that a sound appears to burst through the stillness of midair. Emily and Michael gather the neighborhood children to fool them with these "spirit knockings."
Soon, however, this game of contacting the dead creeps into a world of adults still reeling from World War I. When the twins find themselves dabbling in the uncertain territory of human grief and family secrets- knock, knock-everything spins wildly out of control.

First thoughts after finishing this book:   Hmmm....that was interesting and creepy.

What I liked about the book:

• the author really created a sinister, dark atmosphere. So if you're looking for that type of read this one is it.
• I couldn't decide if I liked Michael or not. Part of me kept thinking he was an evil, twisted child!
• Emily- she was born a wise, old soul. It was interesting to watch how she internalized and really thought about how her so-called "spiritual readings" were affecting the people that were involved. She's a very sensitive and inquisitive child and one that I grew attached to while reading the story.
• The main thread of grief that was woven throughout the story and how people go through that process differently and how the thought of contacting your loved one will make you believe in just about anything!

What I didn't like:

• the story started out a bit slow for me, but I never wanted to jump ship. 

Personal thoughts:

• After my mom's mother passed away, my mom was obsessed with contacting her through some sort of medium. No one in the family would really talk to her about it except for me. I was more than willing to take my mom to see John Edward, but she never did get the courage up to buy the tickets. I'm sure plenty of people told her that it was all fake and what not, but much like the characters in this story, my mom NEEDED closure and ACHED for just one more minute with her beloved mother. I wanted that for her more than anything...even if it came from a charlatan. 

Recommend? This book has me sitting on the fence a bit because you sort of have to be in the right mood for this one. It's a well-written story and that's what kept me turning the pages. I stayed connected to Emily and it was my need to know how her story turned out that worked for me. If you're a fan of Amy Einhorn books then you will indeed enjoy this one. I think she publishes quality stories and this one is no exception.

Rating: 8/10

Author: Paul Elwork

Published: March 2011

Publisher: Amy Einhorn/Putnam

Genre: Atmospheric Literary Fiction

Source: Shelf Awareness

ISNB: 9780399157172
* ARC 

 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday...What Are You Reading?

Mailbox Monday

is a gathering place for readers to

share the books that came into their house last week 

and explore great book blogs. 

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Hosted this month by

The Bluestocking Guide 

 

Tassy Morgan's Bluff- unsolicited copy from Plume

Insatiable- review copy from Morrow Paperbacks/HarperColliins

The Sweetness of Tears- review copy from Morrow Paperbacks/HarperCollins

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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

 

 

Read and reviewed last week:

The Apothecary's Daughter- great Regency historical fiction
Nerd Do Well- guest post by my son Marc who did a great job!!!!!!!!!

Reviews for this week:

The Girl Who Would Speak for the Dead- Tuesday

Wish You Were Here- Thursday

Skyward- Friday

Six Sentence Saturday- Love On Assignment

On my nightstand:

 

 

Saturday Snapshot- Sushi rolls

Saturday Snapshot 

is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. 

It’s easy to participate – just post a picture

that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member and add your link on Alyce’s site. 

Last night I had to go into town to pick up a few things. So because my hubby was working nights and Marc was away at football camp, I decided to eat at the Chinese buffet. This was my first time having a stir fry done and while standing in line I noticed the sushi bar. My oldest, Mitchell, loves this stuff. So I thought I would try to make a connection with him and put these two on my plate. The back one was pretty good...not sure what was all in it but I liked it just fine. The front one...EGADS!! I almost lost my dinner!!! But I've been told by my daughter-in-law to be that I should not judge sushi by a Chinese restaurant and that I must go with them to their favorite Japanese Sushi place.....wish me luck!!!!

'Nerd Do Well' by Simon Pegg (TLC Book Stop) + Giveaway- reviewed by my son Marc

Pegg offers a hilarious look at the journey to becoming an international superstar, dotted with a cast of memorable characters, and you’re rooting for him all the way.










Review courtesy of my son Marc:


A few reasons really come to mind when I'm asked the question why I wished to read the novel Nerd Do Well written by Simon Pegg. The most prominent one is the amazing similarities between us. Simon and I are both extremely smart, witty, handsome and undeniably charming. Our bodies are also hot enough to fry eggs on. All joking aside, I jumped at the chance to read this novel because of the simple fact that Simon Pegg has been one of my all time favorite actors since I caught a clip of the trailer to the cult classic film Shaun of the Dead. All it took were a few scenes and a touching glimpse of matricide to solidify his place in my heart as not only a great comedic actor, but one with control of many of the spectrum's of emotion. After watching other films he stars in such as Hot Fuzz and Run, Fat Boy, Run, I knew that soon more research would be needed. Nerd Do Well is not exactly an easy book to read as the vocabulary is actually quite impressive in this book, but any faithful fan would find it more than entertaining enough to continue reading from chapter to chapter. Along with the serious sections of the book and I use the term serious lightly, there are short stories of Simon as a superhero who is much like his actual self...fantastic. Along with his faithful robotic butler and sidekick Canterbury, Simon goes on an adventure that includes references to movies such as The Shawshank Redemption and the entire Star Wars trilogy, which ends in a tragic showdown with the villainous mastermind Lord Black. Simply put, Nerd Do Well is a terrific novel which follows the life of Simon Pegg from his time as the little class clown to the blossoming and booming actor that he now is. The book delivers everything that you could ever ask from a story, evoking laughs, groans, tears and often a peek around to make sure no one sees what perverted line your eyes have just read and re-read.  Although I wouldn't advise this book to anyone looking for a light read, I would definitely advise anyone who considers themselves a film buff or in an ideal situation, someone who is a fan of redheaded, cheeky, and otherwise brilliant actors, this book should be added to your reading list. oh, and Mr. Pegg?....hi....just wanted to say hello. Have a great day.

Rating: 8.5/10

Author: Simon Pegg

Published: November 2010

Publisher: Century

Pages: 384

Genre: Autobiography

ISBN:  9781846058110

 

 Win a copy of this book!!

If you would like the opportunity to win

a copy of this book please leave me your email address

in the comment box. Open to U.S. residents only. 

Comments will close on June 21st at midnight. 

WINNER

Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. Marc was not compensated for his review. Marc's thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are his personal reflections based solely on HIS experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'The Apothecary's Daughter' by Julie Klassen

She pushed open the shop door, barely hearing the familiar bell. The usual rush of voices and aromas greeted her. Treasures from distant lands and nearby meadows, dried, crushed, and distilled filled the air with powerful, exotic appeal.
[location 140-43 Kindle]






 Brief Synopsis:
While working in her father’s apothecary shop in the small village of Bedsley Priors, Lilly Haswell dreams of one day traveling the world, perhaps even finding her mother, who had left her family three years before and has never been heard from since. When the chance to live with her maternal aunt and uncle is unexpectedly offered to her, Lilly sees the opportunity for a new life. Once in London, she indulges in a bit of romantic flirtation with several different men while also learning more about her mother’s mysterious disappearance. Then, when a crisis forces Lilly to return to Bedsley Priors, she faces the difficult challenge of giving up her fabulous independent life in order to help out the family she has always loved.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book about the role apothecaries had in Regency England during the mid 1800's. It was also very enlightening to know that women weren't allowed to dispense medicine. I loved Lilly, the main character. The reader gets to see her grow from a young teen to a woman. She has worked in her father's shop since she can remember and knows the mixtures without ever having to look anything up. She's resourceful and smart, probably why I liked her so much. One of my favorite parts of the book was trying to figure out who she would end up with romantically. Just when I thought I had it all figured out the author would take me in another direction. And I was totally blind sighted at the end of the book...never saw a shocking development coming until it smacked me in the face!! I love when that happens!!

Recommend? Absolutely, especially for those that enjoy historical fiction that takes place in England. My favorite part of the book was learning about the roles of the apothecary and how instrumental and crucial they were to the townspeople. Many of the villagers trusted these men more than their local doctors. And with the haughty demeanor of doctors I could totally understand why a person would take the advice of their apothecary over the doctor any day.

Rating: 8/10

Author: Julie Klassen

Published: January 2009

Publisher: Bethany House

Genre: Gentle Reads Historical Fiction

Source: Kindle ebook (free download via Amazon.com)

ASIN: B001LDJIQM 

 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

 

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday....What are you reading?

Mailbox Monday

is a gathering place for readers to

share the books that came into their house last week 

and explore great book blogs. 

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Hosted this month by

The Bluestocking Guide

A Pug's Tale- review copy from Penguin Group

Catriona- review copy from Sourcebooks- I'm not wild about that cover but the story sounds good.

Megan's Way- review copy from author Melissa Foster

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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

Read and reviewed last week:

The Violets of March- loved it!! You should read it!

The Gin Closet- beautiful writing but dark story

The Art of Forgetting- I loved Marissa...great characterization!

Reviews for this week:

The Apothecary's Daughter- Tuesday

Nerd Do Well- Wednesday Guest Blogger my son Marc (TLC Tour Book)

The Girl Who Would Speak for the Dead- Friday

Six Sentence Saturday- Love On Assignment

On my nightstand:

'The Art of Forgetting' by Camille Noe Pagan + Giveaway

Teaser Synopsis: When Julia calls to me, I immediately think of Dr. Bauer's warning:  She may not be the same person you knew two days ago. [p.14] * Uncorrected ARC
Click here for a full synopsis.

First thoughts after finishing this book: Yes, this was the way it was supposed to turn out!!

I really liked Marissa and was so happy that she finally learned to stand on her own two feet!! This was a great book that centers around Marissa and her insecurities. It isn't until her best friend Julia suffers a traumatic head injury that she realizes she's lived her life for Julia and not for herself. I can't imagine how hard it would be to have someone close to you change their personality over night due to something totally out of their control. One day Julia seems herself and then the next she's wearing clothes that look like they might have came from a thrift store. Marissa has to learn how to manage her life without Julia dictating her every move. She also learns to feel good about herself and embrace that lovely woman inside.

Recommend? Yes, this is a good book about life changing events and decisions, how far would you push the boundaries of your friendship, second chances, body image, and eventually believing in yourself.

Would I change anything? The ending...it was just a tad too abrupt for me. Other than that I was totally engaged in the story and felt that Marissa and I would've been great friends!!

Rating: 7.5/10

Author: Camille Noe Pagan

Published: June 2011

Publisher: Dutton

Pages: 290

Genre: Women's Fiction

ISBN:  9780525952190

 

 Win a copy of this book!!

If you would like the opportunity to win

a copy of this book please leave me your email address

in the comment box. Open to U.S. residents only. 

Comments close Sunday at 9:00 p.m. 

Winner is

Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

'The Gin Closet' by Leslie Jamison

Brief Synopsis from author's website:
In the late 1960’s, Tilly Rudolph abandons her middle-class home in the suburbs and flees to the seedy underworld of Reno.  She stays away for decades, working as a prostitute, nursing various addictions, and eventually drinking herself to the brink of death in a dusty trailer park.  One day, after nearly thirty years without a family, her niece Stella shows up on her doorstop from New York City and changes both their lives forever.



First thoughts after finishing:  There are so many damaged people in this world. Many keep the damage to themselves while others have absolutely no problem dragging everyone else in their life down with them. This wasn't a lighthearted read by any means and it wasn't even one that I particularly enjoyed. But there was something about the way the author crafted the characters that made me care about them and made me want to hear their story.....as twisted as it was.

Recommend? Yes and No. Yes, if you enjoy reading about the inner demons of women and the destructive ways that they punish their bodies as if that will somehow make their life right again. No, if you don't enjoy reading about dysfunction. I do want to add that I thought the author's voice was exquisite and that the story flowed beautifully. The subject material was depressing and made me sad. The book elicited emotions from me and that counts for something.

Rating: 7.5/10

The Gin Closet by Leslie Jamison
 Source: review copy from author/Simon & Shuster
Genre: Literary Fiction
Pages: 288
Published: May 3, 2011
ISBN: 9781439153239


Disclaimer:Thank you to Leslie Jamison and Simon & Shuster for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.
 © 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Pick My Next Read

Hello Friends!!

I would like you, my fellow bloggers and friends to pick the next book I will read after I finish The Art of Forgetting. So below I have listed 4 titles....leave me a comment with your choice. I will close out the comments Thursday at 6:00 pm EST. I would put it out to later but I can't wait that long!!!

'The Violets of March' by Sarah Jio

* If you have time watch the Trailer Video for the book first,then read my review!!


Teaser Synopsis: (click here for longer synopsis)A heartbroken woman stumbled upon a diary and steps into the life of its anonymous author. 


 

"What is it, sweetie?" she said.
  "Well," I whispered, 'today I found a red velvet journal, a diary, in the bedside table in the room where I'm staying. It's really old-dated 1943, I think. I couldn't resist reading the first page, and I was fascinated."
[p.53]

 Reaction after finishing this book:  That last sentence sums up my reading experience perfectly. I couldn't resist reading the first page, and after that I was truly fascinated. When I finished the final page, I sat there for a few moments to just soak in everything that I had read and said out loud, "I loved this book! I thought this author did such an excellent job with weaving the past into the present day and really keeping me on the edge of my seat as to how the story in the diary would end. But most importantly, I felt this urgent NEED to know how the events from 1943 would impact Emily's life. Jio really made Bainbridge Island vivid in my imagination and after finishing the story I know this is one place that is now on my map to visit. The characters seem like friends and I believed in their stories and to me that's what it takes to make a great book!

Recommend? Oh yes...this is one not to be missed. Every family has deep hidden secrets and I would love to find a diary of a past relative. A diary where nothing is left out so that you could really understand and connect with that person. The use of the diary was magnificent and is the catalyst behind Emily's journey to a more satisfying and meaningful life.

Rating: 9/10




The Violets of March by Sarah Jio
Source: review copy from author/Penguin(Plume)
Genre: Literary Fiction
Pages: 296
Published: May, 2011
ISBN: 9780452297036
*Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahjio
*Web home and personal blog: www.sarahjio.com
*My Glamour.com health & fitness blog, Vitamin G: www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g

Disclaimer:Thank you to Sarah Jio and Penguin (Plume) for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.
 © 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday....What are you reading?

Mailbox Monday

is a gathering place for readers to

share the books that came into their house last week 

and explore great book blogs. 

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Hosted this month by

The Bluestocking Guide

This stack all came from Sourcebooks (one of my favorite publishing companies)-
In the Heat of the Bite (Regency Vampyre Trilogy Book #2)- July review
Whispers in the Sand- July Review
A Wife for Mr. Darcy- July review
Midnight on Julia Street- August review

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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

 

 

Read and reviewed last week:

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter- fantastic southern mystery with a dark edge!

Review for this week:

The Violets of March- Tuesday

The Gin Closet- Thursday

The Art of Forgetting-Friday TLC Tour Stop

Six Sentence Saturday- Love on Assignment

On my nightstand:

Come back Wednesday where I let you pick my next book!