Book Review | An Italian Wife by Ann Hood

An Italian Wife by Ann Hood
Published by W. W. Norton & Company on September 2, 2014
Genres: Adult, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Format: ARC
Source: Goodreads Giveaway
Goodreads: ★★★★

An Italian Wife is the extraordinary story of Josephine Rimaldi—her joys, sorrows, and passions, spanning more than seven decades. The novel begins in turn-of-the-century Italy, when fourteen-year-old Josephine, sheltered and naive, is forced into an arranged marriage to a man she doesn't know or love who is about to depart for America, where she later joins him. Bound by tradition, Josephine gives birth to seven children. The last, Valentina, is conceived in passion, born in secret, and given up for adoption.

Josephine spends the rest of her life searching for her lost child, keeping her secret even as her other children go off to war, get married, and make their own mistakes. Her son suffers in World War I. One daughter struggles to assimilate in the new world of the 1950s American suburbs, while another, stranded in England, grieves for a lover lost in World War II. Her granddaughters experiment with the sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll in the 1970s. Poignant, sensual, and deeply felt, An Italian Wife is a sweeping and evocative portrait of a family bound by love and heartbreak.

REVIEW

I was extremely excited when I won An Italian Wife from Goodreads. I'm half Italian, and grew up surrounded by Italian culture. My grandma is one of fourteen children, so I'm familiar with the food and traditions that come with being an Italian-American. I could thus relate to the characters in An Italian Wife, and I think that is one reason why I found this story so emotionally beautiful. 

Hood is an amazing storyteller. Her writing is compelling, her characters are well-crafted, and her settings are pristinely described. I found An Italian Wife to be so interesting because of the dramatic events inside each chapter. I felt every emotion while reading this book – shock, sadness, happiness, relief, heartbreak, and so on. There is no denying that An Italian Wife is a great story, and one that I would definitely read again.

That being said, I did have a few problems with the organization of the book. The story is told in the third person, with the book being broken down into three parts, each based on a generation of Josephine Rimaldi's family.  In the first part, readers follow Josephine as she is married off as a teenager and moved to America where she begins her family. This first section is dedicated to Josephine, and then her children. Time flies by quite quickly, and I had to try to calculate the years in my head. 

Next, the second and third parts of An Italian Wife follow Josephine's grandchildren and great-grandchildren respectively. Each chapter will focus on a different character. We hear that person's story and learn about his or her life before moving onto the next family member. On the one hand, I really enjoyed this style of writing because I got to meet each of Josephine's family members on an individual basis. On the other, it was frustrating to become attached to a character only to have that person's story end on a cliffhanger and never find out what becomes of him or her. Overall, this organizational structure was quite difficult to get used to, but I did come to like it in the end. 

In addition, I was often confused by the characters in the book, and had to keep referencing the family tree in the front of the novel. This is because many characters have a nickname that is used interchangeably with his or her real name. Hood also assumes that readers will understand that "Mama Jo" is "Josephine" later on in the book without any explanation. I definitely would have appreciated, if not less characters, less nicknames. 

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed An Italian Wife despite my problems with the novel's organization and confusing cast of characters. The story is just beautifully laid out, and I found it extremely touching. This is a book I would love to see adapted as a television program, as it would last several seasons thanks to the decades it spands and the great characters it follows. Producers take note!

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Book Review | The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Published by Houghton Mifflin in 1993
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Classic, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 225
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Goodreads: ★★★★ ½

The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lois Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.

 REVIEW

Growing up I remember seeing the cover of The Giver hanging on the walls in Barnes & Noble. I used to think that it was an older classic, so I was surprised to learn that The Giver was, in fact, first published during my lifetime in 1993. While The Giver was never at the top of my "to read" list, I was compelled to purchase the book when I heard a film adaptation was being released. I was also excited to hear this is a dystopian novel, as that is one of my favorite genres. 

Besides knowing that one of the characters in the book was an old man called The Giver, I knew nothing about the story whatsoever. I enjoyed discovering the new world inside the pages as I read. One of my issues with the story, however, was the world building. The Giver takes place in a future that is quite different than ours, and Lowry slowly reveals the makeup of that fictional world. While I appreciated the gradual development of the setting, I found that as I finished the book I still had a number of questions about the world. Thus, I docked half a star from my rating due to the lack of detail surrounding the book's setting.

Putting that critique aside, I greatly enjoyed the remainder of The Giver. The story follows twelve-year-old Jonas as he receives his Assignment, or the job he is to perform for the rest of his life. Jonas lives in a world of Sameness, a concept that is discussed throughout the book, and one that I found quite thought-provoking. What first might seem as a happy, organized, and simplistic life may actually be a life devoid of true feeling. Jonas begins to understand the truth about his community after receiving his special job, and he must decide what he can do, if anything, to change the future for himself and his family. 

I finished The Giver in one day, not simply due to its short length, but to its fast-paced and flowing language. I constantly wanted to know what would happen next for Jonas, and I craved to discover the secrets of his community. The ending of this novel came upon me quite quickly, and is one filled with emotion and a bit ambiguous. I closed the cover thinking "what just happened?," which gave me some time to digest this deep and meaningful story. I now understand why The Giver is a loved book, and if you have not yet read it I highly recommend doing so. Please share your thoughts on The Giver in the comments! 

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Book Review | Artistotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Published by Simon & Schuster Books on February 21, 2012
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction
Pages: 370
Format: Kindle
Source: Purchased
Goodreads: ★★★★★

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. 

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. 

But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

REVIEW

I've heard amazing things about Aristotle and Dante for months now, and decided to pick up the Kindle book when it was the Teen Daily Deal a few months back. I knew nothing about the story going into it, besides the fact that Ari and Dante were best friends. I am so glad I picked up this beautiful book, and highly recommend you do the same! 

Aristotle and Dante is told from the first person in Ari's point of view and takes place over the course of two years beginning in 1987. Readers follow Ari as he meets Dante for the first time, and how their unique friendship blossoms as the two teens experience the trials and times of growing up. Ari is a unique narrator, with an easy-to-read voice that has an air of mystery. Just as Ari and Dante are trying to discover the secrets of the universe, I was seeking the secrets surrounding Ari and Dante. 

Sáenz does an extraordinary job in this book when it comes to revealing secrets to the reader. Very early on in the book I had a theory about the ending that turned out the be correct. Yet despite the predictability of the story, I find that the end was not the most important message. Instead, Ari and Dante's journey to the end is extremely meaningful, and I know it will help young readers grapple with their own coming of age. 

As I mentioned above, I entered Aristotle and Dante blind, and I think that is a wonderful way to experience this story. I am purposefully vague in this review, but know that I think this is an amazing book, and I can't think of one thing to criticize. If you're looking for a great, young adult contemporary to pick up, this is the perfect choice.

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Broadway | Honeymoon in Vegas

Honeymoon in Vegas starring Tony Danza officially opened on Broadway this month, so I wanted to share my thoughts on the show with all of you. I attended a preview performance of this musical on the second day of previews, so keep in mind that the show may have changed a little, and I'm sure it will be more polished now that the actors are familiar with it. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed Honeymoon in Vegas and am highly recommending it!

Honeymoon in Vegas is a musical comedy centering on Jack and Betsy, a young couple living in New York. They've been dating for a while, and despite wanting to tie the knot, Jack is haunted by a curse put on him by his late mother telling him never to get married. In an effort to save his relationship, Jack decides that he and Betsy should travel to Vegas to finally become husband and wife. Of course, things go wrong along the way, and casino owner Tommy Korman, played by Tony Danza, tries to steal Betsy away from Jack. Despite this somewhat-complicated plot, Honeymoon in Vegas is downright hilarious. It has surprise elements, and always kept me wanting more.

My only disappointment with the show is that the vocals are not very strong. As I mentioned before, I saw Honeymoon in Vegas on the second day of previews, but several of the lead actors were struggling to hit their notes in many of the songs. I hope this improved at the time of opening, but even though the vocals were a bit lacking, I still had a great time during the performance.

I also want to mention that Honeymoon in Vegas is playing at the Nederlander Theatre. My friend and I rushed the show, and got tickets in the Front Mezzanine for $32.00. The seating is extremely squished, with no leg room whatsoever. I was uncomfortable during the show, but this is an old theatre and unfortunately bound to happen more often than not when attending a Broadway performance. I point it out because if you need space or have a bad back, you will want to contact the box office to see if they can accommodate you.

Finally, if you want to rush Honeymoon in Vegas, I recommend getting there about an hour before the box office opens. We were there an hour and half early, and no one else showed up until closer to opening time. However, that may have changed now that the show is officially open! Rush tickets are cash only, so run to the ATM before getting in line.

In the end, if you are looking for a super fun musical to attend on Broadway, I think Honeymoon in Vegas is a perfect choice. It's great for families or date night, as it includes elements that everyone will love. You can visit the show's official website HERE for more information. As always, if you've seen this show please let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Snapshot Sunday | Book Stack Edition

I'm back with a new Snapshot Sunday after being away for a few weeks on winter break! This week I'm showcasing my current TBR ("to be read") pile instead of a city snapshot since I'm spending my weekend in my apartment and not the frozen tundra that is Manhattan. I've already finished The Giver and have moved on to An Italian Wife. It's so great to be reading in the New Year! Tell me what you're currently reading in the comments! 

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Book Review | When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez

When I saw the cover of When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez on NetGalley I immediately hit the "Request" button. Okay, so maybe I looked at the synopsis first to make sure it was something I was interested in, and when the first line read that it was 13 Reasons Why meets the poetry of Emily Dickinson, I was intrigued to say the least. I sat down to read When Reason Breaks on a chilly Saturday and finished it that day.

When Reason Breaks follows two sixteen-year-old girls as they begin their sophomore year of high school. The story opens with a chilling suicide scene that takes place in March. The cryptic scene is a startling yet captivating way to begin the book, as the next chapter jumps back eight months so the reader can come to understand the backstory.

Emily and Emily Elizabeth (known as Elizabeth in the story) are the two protagonists. When Reason Breaks is told in the third person, and for the first 40 or so pages I was extremely confused because I didn't realize the book was following two characters. It wasn't until Elizabeth flicks off Emily on the school bus that it finally clicked. This was a bit frustrating to me, as in hindsight I understand why the author chose for the girls to have such similar names, but for me as a reader it was not a great way to start the book.

Nonetheless, I did enjoy much of When Reason Breaks. Throughout the book, readers can never be 100% sure what exactly is going on in both Emily and Elizabeth's lives. The third person narrative helps to keep the mystery surrounding their stories alive, and I kept turning pages to find out which details would be revealed next. For instance, Emily seems to have it all together – she's perfect and popular, has great friends and a caring boyfriend, but something is lurking beneath that haunts her. Elizabeth, on the other hand, is the stereotypical "bad girl" who is always getting into trouble. It's only logical that their English teacher Ms. Diaz pairs the two together for a project, and that they slowly start opening up to one another.

On the other hand, there were several things in When Reason Breaks that led me to give the book a 3 out of 5 star rating on Goodreads. First, the author incorporates the Spanish language into the story, as Emily is Latina. I thought it was great to include some diversity in the book, but unfortunately the phrases used were not translated, and it was not easy to detect their meanings from the surrounding language. I say this because I do speak Spanish, and while I could understand the phrases she used, I know that non-Spanish speakers would have trouble with those sections. Furthermore, some of the Spanish grammar was incorrect, which very much surprised me. Thus, the lack of translations and incorrect usage detracted from the overall story for me.

In the same way, Rodriguez mentions geographic location only passively in When Reason Breaks. I know that the story must take place in New England, because Emily's brother Austin attends Amherst College and Ms. Diaz notes that Emily Dickinson lived nearby. However, it is never stated exactly where the high school is located, and that was annoying to me. I'm assuming that the book is set in Connecticut, as there was a Red Sox–Yankees split between characters, and because Rodriguez herself is from Connecticut. However, the book would be much stronger with a written setting, as it wouldn't leave the reader wondering exactly where the characters are.

My last main criticism of the story deals with the issue of suicide. I think it is great that When Reason Breaks sheds light on a controversial issue that affects too many teenagers each year. Mental illness and suicide are so stigmatized that the more literature about it the better. However, I think Rodriguez did not take the issue far enough. What I mean is, it was not clear in the story why the character was suicidal. We don't get to see what's going on in her head, and we don't get to read her journal (that we know exists). It would be extremely helpful to know more about what the character was going through in order to help spot the signs of suicide, and so readers can begin to recognize these signs in real life. Suicide is a very serious topic, and When Reason Breaks only scratched the surface of it.

In the end, I am glad I read When Reason Breaks. It is a good young adult contemporary, and a promising debut for Rodriguez. I thought the incorporation of Emily Dickinson's work and life into the story was quite interesting, and made for something unique. I do recommend this book for contemporary lovers, but want to mention this is on the younger side of young adult. When Reason Breaks is available for pre-order on Amazon HERE and will be released on February 10, 2015.

I received this book in exchange for my unbiased review. I use Amazon Affiliate links so you can find the books I mention easily. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Soulprint by Megan Miranda

I've always been interested in the idea of reincarnation, so when I discovered Soulprint by Megan Miranda on NetGalley I knew I had to request this title for review! Plus, check out how awesome this cover is! If that doesn't scream intriguing I don't know what does.

Soulprint is a young adult science fiction book that follows main character Alina Chase who has lived her seventeen years on an island. This island is not a tropical paradise, but a prison. Alina is confined because of her soul, which belonged to notorious criminal June Calahan. New technology has allowed scientists to track the life of souls from one person to another, and it is believed that personality traits transfer with souls. Thus, Alina lives a solitary life to ensure she can't continue what June started before her.

Yet Alina has been planning to escape her island for seven months ever since she received a secret message in her science homework. As the day arrives, she wonders who will help her get out, and if they will be successful. Soulprint follows Alina as she gets off the island and attempts to clear her soul's name before she is captured by authorities.

I thought Soulprint's premise was really interesting. I've never read a book in which the concept focused on the reincarnation of the soul, so I wanted to see how Miranda would develop the story. I thought the book had excellent pacing, as there was enough detail in each scene to fully play out the story but at the same time I was compelled to keep turning pages at a fast rate.

However, there were a few things that fell totally flat for me. First, there is a huge plot hole in the early half of the book that really takes a lot of creditability out of the story. In one scene, a car is pushed into the water so that it cannot be found. Yet later the characters retrieve the vehicle, which is miraculously out of the water. This seems to be an editing mistake. Second, there is major insta-love in Soulprint. In fact, I've never read a book with such instantaneous insta-love before, and it really annoyed me. Finally, the ending to the book was not believable at all. Thus, these three factors together led me to give the book a 3 out of 5 on Goodreads.

All in all, Soulprint is a fun read that I think is really unique. I do wish Miranda focused more on the main plot of discovering June's past life and left the romance behind, but I would recommend this book if you enjoy science fiction or if you're interested in exploring reincarnation in fiction. Soulprint will be released on February 3, 2015 and is available for preorder on Amazon HERE.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I use Amazon Affiliate links so you can find the books I mention easily. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.