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writerrhiannon's Reviews (1.1k)
Let me say first off that this book is the perfect example of why you should not judge a book by its cover! The cover would lead a reader to believe the story is a paranormal thriller or horror story when it is a story of an artist literally starving for her art. I also think this is a perfect example of why the genre of women's fiction is so broad. While most generally think chick lit is synonymous with women's fiction, it is refreshing to read a perfect example of non-chick lit women's fiction. Barbara Froman created characters that are relatable and real. These women are psychiatrists and artists dealing with familial guilt and personal addictions. While producing a documentary on homelessness, Ida chooses to embrace the lifestyle of her subjects, including minimal eating, which leads to her passing out in a grocery store. Waking up in a hospital under the care of a psychiatrist, Ida begins to share her past demons as well as her encounters with her deceased mother.
Read my entire review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/11/shadows-and-ghosts.html
Read my entire review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/11/shadows-and-ghosts.html
I will be posting my review closer to the December release date.
I requested this novel because I'm always interested in women's midlife crises. I like that most of these types of novels focus on how the woman has "had enough" and is now "going to put herself first." This novel alternates between Lena discovering her sexuality at camp and having a sexual re-awakening when she steals away for the weekend to a cabin in Maine. Not a comfy, cozy cabin but a cabin with no heat and no toilet. Not exactly condusive to wild romance. As Lena confides her memories of being a camp counselor, there is an undercurrent of fear. Missing soldiers, scared children, and aliens, (yes, aliens) pepper the stories she tells Ben. The climax is expected to be startling and shocking but instead is just a series of sad twists and false memories.
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-scent-of-pine.html
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-scent-of-pine.html
I like a good amnesia story and Lucie's was different from most I'd read before. While a lot of the stories focus on the trauma that caused the amnesia, I really liked the focus on Lucie's emotional journey of self-(re)discovery. She held her feelings in for so long and controlled her emotions through her search for perfectionism. The pre-amnesia Lucie is recognizable in millions of women trying to succeed in their career, deny themselves any culinary indulgences in order to maintain a slim physique, and obssessing over their youth by shopping for clothing, make-up and cosmetic procedures. The laid-back Lucie represents the true inner happiness so many women are searching for by trying for more, more, more, when in fact if we let go of materialism, our search for perfectionism, and make peace with our feelings, we can become our most authentic selves. As for Grady, I alternated feeling sorry for him and wanting to kick him to tell him to open up to Lucie. Then I thought "Could you imagine?" I mean women are complicated in general and now he's given this situation? Poor guy, I guess the best thing he could do was to keep quiet!
I liked this book for how it made me daydream and think what I would do if I suddenly didn't remember anything....
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/love-water-memory.html
I liked this book for how it made me daydream and think what I would do if I suddenly didn't remember anything....
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/love-water-memory.html
The Smart Girl's Guide to Going Vegetarian: How to Look Great, Feel Fabulous, and Be a Better You
While this book is geared toward young women, I found it very insightful and will suggest it to other demographics. I've tried to "go vegetarian" several times in my life but felt like I "failed" if I eventually ate meat. This book describes vegetarianism as a spectrum and helps you find where you currently are in your eating habits and gives advice for getting to where you want to be. I've read and seen documentaries where you are shocked, scared, or grossed out to the point that I have changed my eating habits but this book eliminates the theatrics and focuses on positive aspects. Warren dissects myths and provides information for the long list of questions that comes with eliminating / reducing meat in diets.
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/title-smart-girls-guide-to-going.html
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/title-smart-girls-guide-to-going.html
First of all, this book is gorgeous. It is a hardback, 400-plus page book that is fit for a coffee table. Filled with tons of pictures, recipes, and interesting facts, it allows readers to take a trip across the United States and visit 100 different restaurants. My restaurant visits are restricted to a radius of a few miles near my home, with an occasional trip further into the city. Rick Browne traveled for the readers like me, bringing an insider's view and gossip. Statistically restaurants only have a 50% success rate, but each of the restaurants featured have succeeded for 100-200 years! It's reasonable to say that any establishment in business for such an extended amount of time will have its own full history. Each restaurant indeed has a story (or two,) some are shocking and some are hilarious.
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-century-of-restaurants.html
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-century-of-restaurants.html
My Review: I was interested in reading this release ever since I first heard Lauren Graham mention she had a book coming out. I was a super fan of Gilmore Girls, and now watch Parenthood. I wasn't able to score an ARC last year of Someday, Someday, Maybe so I put it on my future TBR list. Like so many others in the TBR, it was passed over quite often, so when I spied the CD version at my library, I snatched it up. I like to listen to books on CD in my car and this is the exact type I prefer: light and funny. Franny Banks is struggling to be an actress in NYC. Her misadventures at casting calls and on stage are awkwardly hilarious and comparable to Bridget Jones. Graham's narration lends an additional edge for the listener as she delivers each scene in her signature style. This novel is a great choice if you are looking for a silly read.
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/02/someday-someday-maybe.html
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/02/someday-someday-maybe.html
My suburban neighborhood had a string of break-ins last autumn where the burglars were knocking on front doors and when no one answered they would break into the house from a back door or window (often unlocked,) open garage from inside the house, pull car into garage and load their vehicle with whatever they wanted. So when I read the description, my interest was piqued. Add to the shock of the middle of the day burglaries finger pointing and underlying racism of a community in transition and you are set for a combustible mix. What We've Lost is Nothing is a great novel for character studies. Snyder flushes out the suspicions that lie just below the surface among neighbors. This book would be a good book club choice and I'd like to hear from anyone else who has read it because I have a couple questions myself but won't post here for fear of spoilers.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Read my entire review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-weve-lost-is-nothing.html
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Read my entire review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-weve-lost-is-nothing.html