Fall Reading Challenge: The Black Velvet Coat by Jill G Hall #FRC2015

This fall, members of the Vise Library are going back to school by participating in a Fall Reading Challenge. We have received copies of several books from publishers for honest reviews. We hope that you enjoy these reviews (and books)!

The book for our Exploratory Studies class is The Black Velvet Coat by Jill G Hall.

About the book:

Twenty-eight-year-old struggling San Francisco artist Anne McFarland is determined to get a one-woman show, even though no one, including herself, believes she can do it. But when she buys a coat at a thrift shop with a key in its pocket, strange, even magical, occurrences begin to unfold, and she is inspired to create her best work ever. Fifty years earlier, it’s 1963, and the coat’s original owner, young heiress Sylvia Van Dam, is headed toward a disastrous marriage with a scoundrel. In a split-second reaction she does the unimaginable, which propels her on a trip of self-discovery to nature-filled Northern Arizona. When Anne and Sylvia’s lives intersect, they are both forced to face their fears―and, in the process, realize their true potential.

The Black Velvet Coat is a story of struggles and overcoming those struggles.  There is a neat way the coat that connects artist Anne (the present) with heiress Slyvia (the past).  Anne is struggling big time.  She is feeling like a failure and having a hard time making ends meet.  Anne finds a coat that changes her life.  Anne tries to uncover the secret of Sylvia's life and what happened to Sylvia.  Even though these women seem like complete opposites of each other, you realize they are actually quite similar in some aspects.  I loved the connection between these two women and their stories.  It can be difficult to pull off multiple time periods, but this book does this flawlessly.  The Black Velvet Coat offers a glimpse into underlying issues through each woman's story.  This book was so hard to put down and I think we can expect big things from debut author Jill Hall.  

Buy the book:

·    Parnassus Books

·    Barnes and Noble

·        Amazon

About the author:

Jill G Hall's first novel, The Black Velvet Coat, will be released in October. She facilitates creativity groups for artists of all types and curates art shows at Inspirations Gallery, NTC at Liberty Station. Her poems have been published in A Year in Ink, City Works Press, Serving House Journal, and The Avocet. She resides in San Diego with her husband, Jerry and beagle-bassett, Lucy.

Connect with the author:

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·        Twitter

·       Website

Book Review: Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Members of the Vise Library were selected to review Passenger.  We received a copy of Alexandra Bracken's book for an honest review.

About the book:

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles, but years from home. And she's inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she's never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods-a powerful family in the Colonies-and the servitude he's known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can't escape and the family that won't let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, his passenger, can find. In order to protect her, Nick must ensure she brings it back to them-whether she wants to or not. 
Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods' grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are playing, treacherous forces threaten to separate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home forever.

This is one of my most anticipated books for 2016.  I was blown away to receive a copy of this book (THANK YOU DISNEY HYPERION, you seriously made my year!!)  But before I completely lose my mind over how much I enjoyed this book, let me give you a little background information about it.  Etta lives in present day New York.  For as long as she can remember, her mom (Rose) has traveled and always been distant towards Etta.  Etta feels  that shes doesn't really know anything about her mother.  Etta is a serious violin student and has thought that playing was always in her future.  One night when she is about to perform at a concert, Etta overhears Rose and Etta's violin teacher, Alice, fighting.  Etta thinks the argument is over something do with Etta playing the violin.  That couldn't be farther from the truth.  I won't give away too much of the story about what happens next, but Etta is forced through a time travel portal.  When she wakes, she is in the 18th Century and traveling on a ship.  On this ship, she meets Nicholas (who is from this time period).  Despite the difference between the centuries that they live in, they strike up a strong friendship.    Etta soon discovers that she comes from a family of time travelers and that there may be a reason that her mom kept the secret from her.  She also discovers that she was forced into this situation by a man named Cyrus Ironwood.  Etta's mom has hidden something from him and he is determined to use any means necessary to get it back.  He blackmails Etta and holds something over Nicholas' head that he has always wanted (not to mention that Nicholas must keep this a secret from Etta).  From this point, Etta and Nicholas go on a journey guided by clues Rose left for Etta through her childhood.  This adventure takes them through WWII London, 17th Century Cambodia, a wrong turn through 19th Century Paris and finally through the desert of Damascus.  Their journey also makes the bond between them grow stronger and the secret that Nicholas is keeping from Etta harder to keep.  

Now, for the gushing over this book.  IT WAS FANTASTIC! This is the first time traveling book that I have truly enjoyed.  It was smart and very well thought out.  I love books that are entertaining, but at the same time have messages within them.  For instance, Nicholas is not Caucasian.  He is constantly held back because of his skin color and no matter the century he is in: it is always a factor.  The whole premise of how these people are able to travel is so wonderfully planned, that it almost seems possible.  Traveling is not easy to do and there are stipulations that make the story more complex.  It isn't as easy as saying "Hey, let's travel to WWII London today!"  Instead there is almost a science to it and the characters have to go to one place to get to the others!  Some books are good in the fact that they make you empathize with the characters (like with Nicholas), but you can just feel like an outsider watching these characters.  Passenger makes you feel like you are there with them traveling through all of these wonderful places.  Bracken does an amazing job of describing all of the events and landscapes surrounding Nicholas and Etta.  Nothing about this book is predictable - I loved that!  For instance, Nicholas eventually tells Etta his secret and the secret doesn't tear them apart the way that you think it would.  I was cheering for these characters as they escaped danger or when certain things happened between them (the turning point when they spend he night in underground London may be one of my favorite scenes from a book - ever).  I also was devastated at the end of the book over something major that happens.  

You seriously need to get your hands on this book!  Also Alexandra Bracken will be visiting Parnassus Books in January, so make sure you keep your eyes out for that event (I know I will be there!).  If you can't make the signing, make sure you look out for this book to be added to our collection when the book releases (Jan. 5)! I could go on and on about how much I loved this book and how I can't wait for the sequel (seriously, the only bad thing about getting a book you have anticipated for awhile is waiting even longer for the sequel!).  So instead of rambling on and on about my Etta+Nicholas feels I will leave you with my favorite quote from the book.  This quote hit home to me because sometimes I feel like I am just trying to worry about next thing on my list instead of enjoying my time, at this moment.  Sooooooo, here you go:

 "...they had forgotten the most crucial part of life -- that it wasn't meant to be lived for the past, or even the future, but for each present moment." 

Buy the book:

     Amazon

       Barnes and Noble
      Parnassus Books

About the author:

Alexandra Bracken was born and raised in Arizona, but moved east to study at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. She recently relocated to New York City, where she lives in a charming apartment overflowing with books. You can visit her online at www.alexandrabracken.com or on Twitter (@alexbracken).

Connect with the author:

Facebook

   Twitter

   Website

Book Review: Anything for You by Kristan Higgins

Members of the Vise Library were selected to review Anything for You.  We received a copy of Kristan Higgins's book for an honest review.

About the book:

Before you get down on bended knee… 

…you should be pretty darn sure the answer will be yes. For ten years, Connor O'Rourke has been waiting for Jessica Dunn to take their on-again, off-again relationship public, and he thinks the time has come. His restaurant is thriving, she's got her dream job at Blue Heron Vineyard—it's the perfect time to get married.  

When he pops the question, however, her answer is a fond but firm no. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Jess has her hands full with her younger brother, who's now living with her full-time, and a great career after years of waitressing. What she and Connor have is perfect: friends with an excellent benefits package. Besides, with her difficult past (and reputation), she's positive married life isn't for her. 

But this time, Connor says it's all or nothing. If she doesn't want to marry him, he'll find someone who does. Easier said than done, given that he's never loved anyone but her. And maybe Jessica isn't quite as sure as she thinks…

Connor and Jessica have one of those on-again-off-again relationships that has lasted over a decade.  Connor wants the relationship to go further (marriage) and Jessica doesn't (no marriage).  Jessica thinks she has her reasons: special needs brother (Davey) who isn't a fan of Connor, difficult past, wants to do things on her own and a secret guilt about Davey that she has been holding on to since she was a child.  Connor isn't buying those reasons and they are at an impasse.  While all of this is happening, Jessica's recovering alcoholic of a father shows up and now wants to help Jessica take care of Davey (is it too little too late?).  Jessica feels like her work life is going well until Blue Heron Winery hires someone that conveniently always has similar ideas to Jessica's.  She is also on the verge of being the first person in her family to purchase her own home.  Something major happens with Davey that Jessica blames Connor for and that is the turning point in their relationship.  Suddenly Jessica finds out all the things that she has always wanted may not be all they are cracked up to be.  You will laugh at the relationship between Connor and his twin sister, Colleen (seriously, their dialogue was my favorite thing about this book) and enjoy Jessica's big heart where her brother is concerned.  Can she let go of her past and let someone like Connor be part of her future? You will have to wait and find out when this book comes out in December!  I always enjoy Higgin's books because they have a lot of depth and great characters to go along with them.  This book is in the Blue Heron series, but do not worry if you haven't read any of the other books (you will not be lost).  However, if you have read them you will get to enjoy some familiar faces.  Our copy will be available for checkout when this book releases; so keep your eye out for it!  

Buy the book:

     Amazon

       Barnes and Noble
      Parnassus Books

About the author:

Kristan Higgins is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of more than a dozen novels and a two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA Award. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages and received numerous starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, Kirkus and Romantic Times. She is a four-time nominee for The Kirkus Prize for best work of fiction.

Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, National Public Radio, Library Journal, iBooks and Amazon have named Kristan's books to their best books of the year numerous times. The author is a popular speaker at schools, writers conferences, bookstores and book festivals.

Before she was a writer, Kristan worked in advertising and public relations. She waited tables and nannied while in high school and college, cleaned houses as a young mother, and is the proud descendant of a laundress and a butcher.

The author loves animals, children (even teenagers), the New York Yankees and dessert.

Along with her heroic and tolerant firefighter husband and two snarky and entertaining children, Kristan lives in her hometown in Connecticut.

Connect with the author:

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   Website

Fall Reading Challenge: The Good Neighbor by AJ Banner #FRC2015

This fall, members of the Vise Library are going back to school by participating in a Fall Reading Challenge. We have received copies of several books from publishers for honest reviews. We hope that you enjoy these reviews (and books)!

The book for our Bad Behavioral Studies class is The Good Neighbor by AJ Banner.

About the book:

From a phenomenal new voice in suspense fiction comes a book that will forever change the way you look at the people closest to you…

Shadow Cove, Washington, is the kind of town everyone dreams about—quaint streets, lush forests, good neighbors. That’s what Sarah thinks as she settles into life with her new husband, Dr. Johnny McDonald. But all too soon she discovers an undercurrent of deception. And one October evening when Johnny is away, sudden tragedy destroys Sarah’s happiness.

Dazed and stricken with grief, she and Johnny begin to rebuild their shattered lives. As she picks up the pieces of her broken home, Sarah discovers a shocking secret that forces her to doubt everything she thought was true—about her neighbors, her friends, and even her marriage. With each stunning revelation, Sarah must ask herself, Can we ever really know the ones we love?

The Good Neighbor is a very quick read that will keep you guessing through its 200 or so pages.  Sarah and her husband, Johnny, are living the "perfect" life in the perfect neighborhood.  However, one evening when Johnny is away, the house next to their house burns down.  This fire also damages Sarah and Johnny's house and Sarah is injured from it.  The couple moves away to move on, but there is something not quite right about the way Johnny is acting about the fire. From this point you are taken on a psychological ride through Sarah's paranoia.  Does she have a reason to be paranoid?  Or is this paranoia a figure of her imagination?  You will have to read this book to find out!  If you enjoy books that have a surprise twist at the end, then give this one a try!

Buy the book:

·    Parnassus Books

·    Barnes and Noble

·        Amazon

About the author:

A. J. Banner grew up reading Agatha Christie, Daphne du Maurier, and other masters of love and mystery. She enjoyed sneaking thrillers from her parents' library, which gave her excellent fodder for her first novel of psychological suspense, The Good Neighbor. Born in India and raised in North America, she always dreamed of writing gripping stories in which nothing is what it seems. She's hard at work on her next novel in her home office overlooking a Pacific Northwest forest.

Connect with the author:

·        Facebook

·        Twitter

·       Website

Fall Reading Challenege: The Admissions by Meg Mitchell Moore #FRC2015

This fall, members of the Vise Library are going back to school by participating in a Fall Reading Challenge. We have received copies of several books from publishers for honest reviews. We hope that you enjoy these reviews (and books)!

The book for our Sociology 101 class is The Admissions by Meg Mitchell Moore.

About the book:

The Admissions brilliantly captures the frazzled pressure cooker of modern life as a seemingly perfect family comes undone by a few desperate measures, long-buried secrets—and college applications!

The Hawthorne family has it all. Great jobs, a beautiful house in one of the most affluent areas of northern California, and three charming kids with perfectly straight teeth. And then comes their eldest daughter's senior year of high school . . .
     Firstborn Angela Hawthorne is a straight-A student and star athlete, with extracurricular activities coming out of her ears and a college application that's not going to write itself. She's set her sights on Harvard, her father's alma mater, and like a dog with a chew toy, Angela won't let up until she's basking in crimson-colored glory. Except her class rank as valedictorian is under attack, she's suddenly losing her edge at cross-country, and she can't help but daydream about the cute baseball player in English class. Of course Angela knows the time put into her schoolgirl crush would be better spent coming up with a subject for her term paper—which, along with her college essay and community service hours has a rapidly approaching deadline. 
     Angela's mother, Nora, is similarly stretched to the limit, juggling parent-teacher meetings, carpool, and a real-estate career where she caters to the mega rich and super-picky buyers and sellers of the Bay Area. The youngest daughter, Maya, still can't read at the age of eight; the middle-child, Cecily, is no longer the happy-go-lucky kid she once was; and the dad, Gabe, seems oblivious to the mounting pressures at home because a devastating secret of his own might be exposed. A few ill-advised moves put the Hawthorne family on a heedless collision course that's equal parts achingly real and delightfully screwball.
     Sharp and topical, The Admissions shows that if you pull at a loose thread, even the sturdiest of lives start to unravel at the seams of high achievement.

The Hawthorne family appears good on paper, but everyone is juggling multiple things.  The whole family (individually) is also harboring a secret.  Each family member is under so much pressure and they are each fearful of that one mistake that can cost them a job, the right school or more.  When you read The Admissions you will feel like you are related to this family and feel their stresses with them.  Each member of this family is wondering if they are enough and  everyone has probably struggled with this notion at some point in their lives (unless you are Donald Trump). Often times in life we are not aware of other people's problems (even people we love and care about) until the time has passed where it is too late.  We instead focus on our own issues without asking for help or asking if others need help from us.  It is all about the game of control and how we try to hold on to situations that aren't able to be controlled.  Not only does this book cover realistic scenarios, but it also gives you a great dose of humor to even the stressful stuff out.  This book is very realistic to our patrons and you should definitely give this book a try!  You will enjoy this story and Moore's writing to the point that you will want to check out her other books. 

Buy the book:

·    Parnassus Books

·    Barnes and Noble

·        Amazon

About the author:

Meg Mitchell Moore began writing as soon as she figured out how the cursive 'T' and 'F' were different and hasn't stopped since. Her debut novel, The Arrivals, was published in 2011 by Reagan Arthur Books, then an imprint of Little, Brown. Her second novel, So Far Away, was published in 2012 and was named one of the year's best adult novels for young adults by Booklist. Her third novel, The Admissions, is due out in August 2015 from Doubleday. Before turning to fiction Meg worked as a freelance journalist for a variety of business and consumer magazines, where she often managed to pitch stories involving dogs. Before that she worked on the staff of a family of technology magazines. (Despite all of her time there, she is still trying to figure out what a server is.) Meg received a B.A. from Providence College and a master's degree in English Literature from New York University. The daughter of a Naval officer, Meg moved around every few years as a child, including a move her senior year of high school, which she is totally and completely over. Totally and completely: no scars. In 2012 Meg, her husband, their three children and a beloved border collie moved from Massachusetts to northern California.Despite California's many charms (including the settings that inspired much of The Admissions), they lasted exactly one year and returned to the beautiful coastal town of Newburyport, Massachusetts, where they now live with a new puppy, a lot of laundry and a good amount of laughs. The characters in The Admissions have many juicy secrets, but Meg's own secrets are not so newsworthy. (Or are they?)

Connect with the author:

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·        Twitter

·       Website