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writerrhiannon's Reviews (1.1k)
Too often the word "simple" is used in a negative context. In today's hustle and bustle world the line between consumerism and over-consumption is constantly challenged. But every trend has a tipping point and we now see a rise in sustainable agriculture (how things were done for years prior to demands of spot free apples and overplump chicken breasts.) We see an uptick in organic farming versus GMOs and mass production of inferior crops and animals. Angela Correll incorporates this "new" trend into her her novel by demonstrating that these practices are how family farms were run for generations. She juxtaposes Jake's passion of returning to "simple" agricultural practices with Annie's desire to travel the world working as a flight attendant based in New York.
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/grounded.html
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/grounded.html
Hanya Yanagihara's descriptions of Norton Perina's journey to an isolated island mirrors Barbara Kingsolver's description of the Price family's journey to the Congo. Both authors transport you to a lush and uncharted world with mystery and danger around every turn. Perina learns of an island rumored to be inhabited by people living many decades longer than the average human due to eating a particular type of turtle. He journeys to this island with two fellow scientists (a male, which pleases him and a female, which does not.) As his journey begins, memories of Norton's childhood and interest in becoming a scientist unfold. Upon arrival on the island, they learn of strange fruits and the separation of the villagers from the Dreamers. When tribe members reach the age of sixty they are allowed to eat some of the sacred turtle meat and their lives are extended. However, they are turned away from the settlement and are sent to live in the wilds of the island. The customs of the tribe are viewed and recorded by the scientists. While these rituals are shocking to the reader, it raises the topic of post-colonialism and the conversion of multitudes throughout history to "acceptable" behaviors.
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-people-in-trees.html
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-people-in-trees.html
Max gets the phone call that every parent dreads--you're daughter's been in an accident. Rushing to her daughter Merry's side and to support her, her husband and her children, Max leaves her life in New York City behind. What she believes will be a short stay becomes extended when her daughter's recovery doesn't go as planned. Merry is eventually allowed to go home but she is "different." Max stays on to help to family, but as the days pass, Max recognizes that something is terribly wrong with her daughter. Merry is withdrawn, taking multiple medications, drinking, and becoming obsessed with plastic surgery. Behind her downward spiral is a doctor with a motive. Under his (psychologically creepy) spell, Merry changes more dramatically in behavior and physical appearance. Mary's husband Whip hides in his work, leaving the children in Max's care until Max confronts him, pointing out that she will not be able to stay forver and that he needs to see what is really happening to his family. Finally reaching a breaking point when reviewing their destroyed finances,Whip demands a divorce, causing Merry and her doctor to act even more irrationally.
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/mad-max-unintended-consequences.html
*** I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***
The quaint Appalachian town of Mount Penn is having some not so charming occurences. Drugs, dead bodies, and dirty police cause local busy body Lillie Mae Harris to channel her inner Angela Lansbury and get to the bottom of the crimes. Her sounding board and support system are her Thursday morning breakfast ladies. The close knit group of friends keep each other abreast of all the activities in the community. Or do they? What secrets do some of Lillie Mae's closest friends keep?
Read my full review here:
http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/thursday-morning-breakfast-and-murder.html
I rarely find a male author who possesses a writing style I enjoy. I have had male authors request that I review their work and either their work doesn't fit my review criteria or they are trying to write in a female voice and the results are painful. So when I first saw the title/author combo of "Rain on Your Wedding Day" and "Curtis Edmonds" in a review request, I was initially skeptical. Reading further into the query, I found Edmonds writing humorous and likeable, making me less apprehensive. Upon reaching the summary I was sold on the story. I'm pretty sure that "a modern Southern Gothic novel (set in Blue Ridge, Georgia and Atlanta) about the need for forgiveness, redemption, and Coca-Cola" describes a perfect example of the type of book I love.
Read my full review here:
http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/rain-on-your-wedding-day.html
This short e-novella jumps back and forth between a couple of timelines but isn't confusing. The jumps give insight into Ruth's surgery-laden youth, her work relationship that almost became something more, and her hope of success with a newly pitched television series. Since this is not essentially a stand alone piece, a summary and analysis are not exactly appropriate. As an introductory teaser to give a glimpse into the larger story it is successful. Most e-books allow you to read a first chapter but a release like this gives insight to the author's style as well as additonal depth that a first chapter may not supply. I personally like the concept and would be more likely to purchase a book after reading a free e-novella teaser.
http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/swim.html
http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/swim.html
I was so excited to get my hands on this and so thankful to be given an e-ARC from NetGalley. I loved Diane Setterfield's previous novel, The Thirteenth Tale, and had high expectations for Bellman & Black. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. The foreshadowing of William Bellman killing the rook drew me in and I expected great consequences. While death touches everyone around him, Bellman is oblivious to his personal robust health. Throwing himself into the mill's success as well as his other business ventures, the majority of the story focuses on Bellman's hard work and financial rise.
read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/11/bellman-black.html
read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/11/bellman-black.html
Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York
Liza Monroy, Marie Myung-Ok Lee, Rebecca Wolff, Emily Carter Roiphe, Lauren Elkin, Dana Kinstler, Rayhane Sanders, Emily St. John Mandel, Eva Tenuto, Elisa Albert, Karen E. Bender, Janet Steen, Valerie Eagle, Ann Hood, Hope Edelman, Melissa Febos, Roxane Gay, Chloé Caldwell, Marcy Dermansky, Cheryl Strayed, Maggie Estep, Sari Botton, Ruth Curry, Mira Ptacin, Dani Shapiro, Meghan Daum, Emma Straub, Emily Gould