Write Stuff: July 2018

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

After Reading: SECRETS IN TRANSLATION by Margo Sorenson

In this celebration of Italian life and culture, seventeen-year-old Alessandra returns for the summer to Italy, where she grew up. Pressured by her parents into babysitting a rebellious twelve year old—ruining holiday plans with new found American friends—Alessandra resigns herself to a tedious summer in Positano.

Her babysitting gig, however, turns out to be anything but boring! Not only does Alessandra fall for the handsome son of the Bertolucci family, renowned for their limoncello production, but when a body mysteriously turns up on the beach, the influence of organized crime in Positano becomes frighteningly real. As Alessandra is drawn further into an elaborate conspiracy, she must risk everything to protect herself, her family, and those she loves, and in the process finds herself—and her Italian heart. (Goodreads)

Oh, my, I've been remiss on blogging, haven't I?? So sorry about that--the summer has been a busy one, and I've lost track of things. I'll get better once things get back on track with the school year starting :) But, that hasn't meant I haven't been reading! I've enjoyed a lot of books this summer, and this one has been one of my favorites, soothing my wanderlust!

I adore reading books that take me to new places and show me different ways of life around the world. It's always so interesting, and when I can't visit in person, a great way to tame my wanderlust! Secrets was perfect for that. Sorenson has created a great picture of a summer in Italy, complete with a bratty tween under Alessandra's care, and the narrow, twisting streets of Positano. I desperately wanted to step through the pages and relax by the sea or eat some of the incredible food! And maybe enjoy some limoncello while I was at it ;) I also really enjoyed reading about Alessandra/Alex's struggle with finding the balance between her upbringing in Italy and her current life in Sonoma, California. The juxtaposition of the two was spot-on and heart wrenching at first, but she manages to find her place, which left me cheering. It doesn't hurt to have an Italian hottie to help out a little! Overall, this was a great read that will leave you wanting to book a trip to Italy!

After Reading: ALL THE CROOKED SAINTS by Maggie Stiefvater

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

From bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater, a gripping tale of darkness, miracles, and family. Saints. Miracles. Family. Romance. Death. Redemption. (Goodreads)

It's been really far too long since I picked up a magical realism novel. I somehow forget how much I deeply enjoy them once I've started. I love their wandering pace, the little details, the magic that is just a normal part of everyday life, and the cultural tones that are often from the Hispanic world that reminds me so much of home. I love them. Steifvater has pulled this sort of magic into her realm in this novel, and made it her own, with all the same notes that I generally love in a good magical realism novel (Like Water for Chocolate, or 100 Years of Solitude, were both in mind as I read). The characters were definitely classic Stiefvater--real and able to jump off the page at a whim. The world was a new one, and I enjoyed the way that she played with it, giving it breath and life, and for me a deep longing for places I miss. The story was a good one, it wandered and told fun little side stories, and honestly anyone who has read a Esquivel novel will totally feel the same themes and tones. It was a delicious read for me, and one I'd recommend to those who have a deep hankering for a throughly classic magical realism novel.

Do you have a favorite magical realism book?

After Reading: CITY OF DARK MAGIC Series by Magnus Flyte

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Once a city of enormous wealth and culture, Prague was home to emperors, alchemists, astronomers, and, as it’s whispered, hell portals. When music student Sarah Weston lands a summer job at Prague Castle cataloging Beethoven’s manuscripts, she has no idea how dangerous her life is about to become. Prague is a threshold, Sarah is warned, and it is steeped in blood.

Soon after Sarah arrives, strange things begin to happen. She learns that her mentor, who was working at the castle, may not have committed suicide after all. Could his cryptic notes be warnings? As Sarah parses his clues about Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved,” she manages to get arrested, to have tantric sex in a public fountain, and to discover a time-warping drug. She also catches the attention of a four-hundred-year-old dwarf, the handsome Prince Max, and a powerful U.S. senator with secrets she will do anything to hide.

***

In this action-packed sequel to City of Dark Magic, we find musicologist Sarah Weston in Vienna in search of a cure for her friend Pollina, who is now gravely ill and who may not have much time left. Meanwhile, Nicolas Pertusato, in London in search of an ancient alchemical cure for the girl, discovers an old enemy is one step ahead of him. In Prague, Prince Max tries to unravel the strange reappearance of a long dead saint while being pursued by a seductive red-headed historian with dark motives of her own.

In the city of Beethoven, Mozart, and Freud, Sarah becomes the target in a deadly web of intrigue that involves a scientist on the run, stolen art, seductive pastries, a few surprises from long-dead alchemists, a distractingly attractive horseman who’s more than a little bloodthirsty, and a trail of secrets and lies. But nothing will be more dangerous than the brilliant and vindictive villain who seeks to bend time itself. Sarah must travel deep into an ancient mystery to save the people she loves. (Goodreads)

Dang have I been bad about blogging this summer. I wish I had a good excuse, but I really don't. Just been busy, and struggling to find the time, or energy. Well, focus on the latter, really. Anyhow, I have still been reading :)

This series is pretty dang fun! I ran across them randomly at one of my favorite local used book shops and am glad I snagged them. There's all sorts of lovely intrigue and strange happenings, and wonderful cities that I loved visiting, even if just on the page. Sarah was an interesting character--one whom I could identify with on certain things (especially on the academic side of things), but there were a few one-offs that I struggled with. Her background was portrayed as very humble, but it didn't seem to play out well in her character, and I did wonder a few times at some of her...exploits. Maybe I'm a prude, but I kinda went 'uhhh, okay...?' at a few encounters that seemed a little over-the-top ;) Anyhow, I did enjoy learning more about Beethoven and Prague, as well as Vienna. I always love a little fun information. The science in the book itself was...sketchy at best, but done in a way that I was at least able to ignore the parts that were more silly that science. Anyhow, overall, a good book series that I really enjoyed. Honestly, if there were another in the series I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat!