Book Review of The French Chef In America: Julia Child's Second Act by Alex Prud'Homme

In The French Chef In America: Julia Child's Second Act, Alex Prud'Homme (fully qualified to write on the subject because of his relationship to Child as the grandson of her husband's brother) captures her essence. For those who read and loved My Life In France, which he authored with Child herself, Prud'Homme considers this a sequel, of sorts. ...and, like the subject herself, it is delightful.

Readers will notice certain differences between this and the standard biography right from the start; it has a more lively conversational tone, entertaining pictures are interspersed throughout the book instead of grouped together in one middle section, and Prud'Homme's own familial relationship with Child adds a level of personal warmth and friendly regard not usually lavished upon most biographical subjects. These traits combine to make reading The French Chef In America a tasty morsel, worthy of Child's own kitchen.

For those with an interest in Julia Child, the American historical and political landscape of the 1970s, and Child's most meaningful personal relationships, including her marriage to Paul Child, her friendship with editor Judith Jones, and her unoffical sisterhood with her co-author Simca Beck, this book will serve to delight and inform. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Blogging For Books for providing this free review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review of The Last Of August by Brittany Cavallaro

The Last Of August, Brittany Cavallaro's second book in the Charlotte Holmes trilogy, was the 2017 release I most anticipated reading, and it exceeded my expectations soundly. Though I had no doubt that Cavallaro would do the traditions of Homes and Watson justice in this refreshing new incarnation (she is a devoted Sherlockian, to be sure), I wondered how she would managed to amp up the already palpable tension twixt the two. Fear not, fellow readers who have preordered the book and are poised to run to the mailbox and check for your copy: The Last Of August will leave you with just one lingering question--how will the trilogy's last volume close this amazing relationship arc? But, let's just fangirl about the artful cover for a second, okay?

...I really love how it shows vignettes from the mystery, and somehow seems to convey the motion even though it uses still images. They come alive! Oh, and speaking of that mystery? It takes the reader to fascinating locales. There are no shortage of plot twists along the way. And, as usual, Watson's hunger to solve the case and prove himself to Holmes is predictably endearing.

On a more serious note, I'd been wondering how the Holmes/Watson relationship dynamic would move forward, given Charlotte's obvious PTSD. I trusted the author not to gloss over emotional/psychological fallout from the events of A Study In Charlotte, and I was curious to see how these two vastly different characters would each deal with this issue when attempting to relate to one another in the midst of solving a second mystery together. Without giving any spoilers, I loved that things did not go perfectly, and I also appreciated that the struggle to connect after trauma was portrayed in a very realistic and sensitive way. Cavallaro really knows her characters and subject matter.

I wasn't lucky to snag an ARC of this on my own, but I WAS lucky enough that a kind lady by the name of Brianna shared hers with me. So, Brianna, thanks for letting me borrow your ARC, thus enabling me to write this review! You are full of awesome. If I get an ARC of book 3, I've got your back.

The Last Of August comes out on February 14th, so it isn't too late to preorder a copy. I wouldn't hesitate! I'm already looking forward to reading this book again.

Book Review of Girl In Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

I loved Girl, Interrupted. I also really enjoyed Everything, Everything, whose author, Nicola Yoon, has great things to say about this book. So, I thought there was a good chance I'd really enjoy Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow, and I requested a free review copy from Blogging for Books. However, that was not the case.

My dislike began with the cover design. I don't care for pink, but this shade is muted enough that it didn't sway me one way or another. However, I feel like the red lines clash rather painfully with it. Additionally, I'd be most interested to see a font (which is obviously supposed to mimic handwriting) that looks like a teenage girl, such as Charlotte, the protagonist of Girl In Pieces, might actually use. The handwriting used in the cover design, however, is more akin to that of a middle-aged male who works in science or engineering... which would be apropos if there was such a character documenting Charlotte's trials in the book, but there isn't.

As for the actual story, the narrative moves slowly, and in a frustratingly disjointed fashion. There are details which either aren't clarified enough to make sense, or simply don't line up at all, such as the fact that it says Charlotte was left somewhere naked, wrapped in a sheet, but then a scene is described where those who found her are cutting her clothes off of her in order to treat her medically. These confusing inconsistencies piled up until they overtook the character and her story, making it impossible for me to invest in either.

If you're looking for a YA novel about mental illness, I'd encourage you to read this article and check out any of the books recommended therein: I've read most of them, and enjoyed all of those. 

Book Review of The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson

I heard about The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderonfrom literary agent Eric Smith's Twitter feed several months ago and have only now worked my way up the hold list at the local library. I'm glad I stuck with it because it really lived up to Eric Smith's blurb, which reads "This is the kind of book that would get lost with you in a comic-book shop. It would stay up late with you for a midnight-release movie. It would let you practice your movies in a fighting game before things got started. Basically, this book is the geeky best friend you've always wanted." It also says some more things, but you get the idea.

The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You is a YA Geekmance, and the stuff that dreams are made of. The cover, however, is not. I thought the cover design left much to be desired, and I would've preferred to see comic book versions of the main characters, instead of the photo.

In addition to the glowing comments of Eric Smith, whose opinion I greatly respect, I was particularly excited to read this book because I really enjoy good YA geekmance, and it is scarce. (I did have another good find in that subgenre recently, however. Review of Geekerella to come shortly.) I also like YA versions of Shakespeare plays, and this was an especially nice retelling of Much Ado About Nothing. Also, the nerdy cultural references were completely on point. From Sarah Vowell to Firefly, and Harry Potter to high-pressure academics, I was nodding in recognition for most of the book.

Well done, Lily Anderson! I'm going to purchase a copy of this gem to live on my bookshelf right next to Dramacon and The Summer I Became a Nerd. I suggest the rest of you do the same!

Book Review of Mamaleh Knows Best: What Jewish Mothers Do to Raise Successful, Creative, Empathetic, Independent Children By Marjorie Ingall

I had my doubts when I first requested a free copy of Mamaleh Knows Best for review from Blogging For Books. I've read a few different books on the topic of Jewish mothers, and found them to range from sorely lacking (at best) to completely offensive and wildly off-base (at worst). So, to be honest, I was expecting the worst, but my fears were far from realized. I did not, however, love the cover design.

But, as I began reading, I was immediately impressed by Marjorie Ingall's cultural and aesthetic literacy, her breadth of knowledge about topics ranging from Jews in the context of World History to Yiddish, and the Talmud to jokes on sitcoms. Not only did I want to hear what she had to say about being raised by a Jewish mother and being one herself, but I enjoyed her take on pretty much everything from pop culture to the nosy motorcycle mechanic across the street. In fact, not only have I already made a mental note to seek out Ingall's other writing, what with a new subscription to Tablet Magazine becoming the late addition to my Hanukkah wishlist, but I also found myself wishing Marjorie had been in my Hebrew School class. ...and my cabin at Jewish sleepaway camp.

While many readers may pick up Mamaleh Knows Best because they are interested in parenting advice, it is worth noting that I fully enjoyed the book, and I don't have kids. It can also be read as an entertaining and informative look at Jewish history and culture, and it has certainly earned its place in my permanent collection!

Highly recommended.