Book Review: Family in Six Tones

It's FRIDAY!!! Thank goodness too because I'm over this week. I've really been in a weird funk/fog the whole week and I really don't know why that is. I started a book for the weekend, the kids are going to see their grandparents so it will be just Matt and I. I'm hoping to basically do nothing but read and sleep. It's kind of hilarious that those are my goals at this point in my life. 

Family in Six Tones  

Lan Cao & Harlan Margaret Van Cao

After more than forty years in the United States, Lan Cao still feels tentative about her place in her adoptive country, one which she came to as a thirteen-year old refugee. And after sixteen years of being a mother, she still ventures through motherhood as if it is a foreign landscape. In this lyrical memoir, Lan explores these two defining experiences of her life with the help of her fierce, independently-minded daughter, Harlan Margaret Van Cao.

In chapters that both reflect and refract her mother's narrative, Harlan describes the rites of passage of childhood and adolescence, as they are filtered through the aftereffects of her family's history of war, tragedy, and migration. Lan responds in turn, trying to understand her American daughter through the lens of her own battles with culture clash and bullying. In this unique format of alternating storytelling, their complicated mother-daughter relationship begins to crystallize. Lan's struggles with the traumatic aftermath of war--punctuated by emotional, detailed flashbacks to her childhood--become operatic and fantastical interludes as told by her daughter. Harlan's struggle to make friends in high school challenges her mother to step back and let her daughter find her own way.

If you are looking for a timely non-fiction, this is what you need to pick up. I am always interested in books centered around immigrants simply because I can't speak to it at all and I think the value of listening to someone else's story is that we can learn...and hopefully do better as humans. I was really immersed in this one and I think you'll find this fascinating. 

In Family in Six Tones we have two very different stories of the same experience, which is what makes this book magical. We have alternating chapters as we move through the story and I love that because you can almost hear the differences in their voices as you go, it makes you feel you're sitting in their living room hearing this. 

Interestingly, there was a part where Lan talks about the challenges she faced in school and not fitting in because the culture was just such an immense challenge. She came to America in the Vietnam War era, so tensions are already high so she's facing extreme racism and bullying, and now she's just trying to get lunch. Nowhere near the level of her situation, but I remember being around 9 or 10 and we had moved from Florida to Minnesota. You wouldn't think that would be an issue but kids made fun of my accent or make me say words so they could laugh, and take away my things until I said them. I had no idea what hot lunch or cold lunch meant so for days I had no lunch because I didn't know what to do. The milk used to come in these bags and I had no idea what to do and nobody would show me. Children are particularly cruel and I know some parents laugh and say "kids will be kids" but they forget how even those type of things stick with a person their whole life. So Lan has that kind of thing in addition to the horrors and trauma she endured in her birth country. 

She goes on to be successful and have a child, Harlan. It is HARD to parent a child when you have trauma and PTSD that you haven't dealt with. It's hard to do it while you're in the middle of dealing with it. It isn't like you can hit a pause button on being a mom, so we make mistakes and just hope they weren't bit ones. Harlan struggles between wanting to be a normal American teenager and her mom, and all of her experiences that get in the way of their relationship. Lan's childhood and memories of that have made her...  kind of paranoid, worrying of every scenario possible. The likelihood of those experiences having in suburbia America is slim to none, but Lan is so worried and it affects Harlan. 

I won't go into anymore of this but I found myself understanding Lan as a mom but I also understand Harlan because I have a teenager and between hormones and adjusting to teenager life and I'm having to loosen the reigns a bit. It's hard under the best circumstances, I can't imagine what it was like for these two. I absolutely loved this, I feel like we could all get so much for this. Even if all you get is a sneak peek at the process of coming to America, I'll take it. I hope you walk away with seeing the racial and cultural disparities immigrants and even American citizens face when they aren't cookie-cutter white. It's heartbreaking and it shows how far we have to go. I also think this would make an interesting read for upper high school or even college students as part of a curriculum, so many great conversations could be centered around this. 

I have to say thank you to FSB Associates for having me on this tour and sending me a complimentary copy for review. 

Book Review: Christmas Ever After

It's not that I'm trying to rush us through 2020, I'm just trying to rush us through 2020. Christmas is my favorite holiday but I hate that I'm not super excited about it. If you follow me on Instagram you'll see I'm starting to get my card list organized but I think it is really just because I know I'm going to move at snail speed doing anything this year so I may as well start early so I don't get overwhelmed. A great way to get started early? Read a Christmas book of course!

Christmas Ever After - Karen Schaler

While promoting her next novel, a Christmas love story, author Riley Reynolds is caught off guard when she’s asked during a live national television interview how she can write about romance when she still hasn’t found “the one” herself. Scrambling for an answer, she quickly answers that she has had great love in her past and that love inspired her novels. Little does she know that this one offhanded remark will turn her world upside down. Three of her ex-boyfriends see the interview, and each, believing she’s talking about him, shows up for her Christmas Camp book event at the Christmas Lake Lodge, determined to rewrite his happily-ever-after with her! Over the festive weekend, Riley’s old boyfriends compete to win her heart, pulling out all the stops while planning the most romantic Christmas dates on the planet. Despite herself, Riley starts falling for each guy- again-but for different reasons. As Riley revisits each relationship and discovers more about herself, she embraces the magic of Christmas and finally finds true love and her own Christmas ever after…

Bonus Content: Christmas Ever After includes delicious original Christmas recipes and fun holiday crafts and activities.

I will just start and tell you that this is a solid 4.5 stars for me but I also want it to be turned into a Hallmark movie. If anyone from Hallmark is reading this, you need to scoop this up for a movie because this was fun from the start all the way to the finish. I could not put this down, I found myself smiling throughout and laughing quite a bit. 

If you are a fan of Christmas, THIS IS YOUR BOOK, because I don't know that the author could have included anymore Christmas into it. We have Christmas Camp on Christmas Lake, Santa is everywhere, and I absolutely mean everywhere, and everyone is literally bursting with Christmas cheer is a bizarrely comical way. Completely ironic for Riley, who isn't a fan of the holiday after her dad passed away and took her Christmas cheer with him. Riley is clearly having the worst luck and after a TV appearance gone wrong, she feels a lot of pressure for this camp to go well and above expectations and to put out her next novel about a Christmas romance that blows away her last book failure. 

Easily the best part? Sure, the romance is fun and I liked it, but this is like Scrooge but with romance. She is visited by her ex-boyfriends and learns about what went wrong but also how she can do better. I loved Luke though, he's the down-to-Earth guy charged with running this camp and working with Riley, but he doesn't get a great first impression of her. He definitely has a sense of humor throughout and that's what keeps his character moving forward for me. 

Overall, I really liked this one. I would definitely read more from this author and I am so glad this was my first Christmas book of the season! The best part? The author is donating a portion of each book sold towards support libraries and independent bookstores! Of course, your local bookstore should be the first place to look for this gem, but in a pinch Target, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon carry it as well. A huge thank you to TLC Book Tours and Karen Schaler for having me on this tour (and the sweet note in my book, Karen)! 

Book Review: The Silent House

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty good but went by far too fast. I feel like we are at the point of year that I really just need to sleep. Maybe I was supposed to be a bear because the idea of eating voraciously all summer and sleeping through the entire winter sounds like a dream, to be honest. 

The Silent House - Nell Pattison

But the Hunter family are deaf, and don’t hear a thing when a shocking crime takes place in the middle of the night. Instead, they wake up to their worst nightmare: the murder of their daughter.

The police call Paige Northwood to the scene to interpret for the witnesses. They’re in shock, but Paige senses the Hunters are hiding something.

One by one, people from Paige’s community start to fall under suspicion. But who would kill a little girl?

Was it an intruder?

Or was the murderer closer to home?

I don't have to tell you the entire premise of this book made me jump at it. If you don't know me in real life, you don't know how much of a wuss I am. I can't do scary movies, scary costumes, you will never see me in a haunted anything, and I don't like scary books. I've passed this trait down to my children, but Olivia is the worst because she obsessively is locking windows and doors because the idea of someone being in our house at night puts her and I on edge. I think of the plan I would have should that happen, like what if they've killed Matt and I have to somehow get as many kids as I can and get out? What if I have to hide in the house to call 911, where would I do this? 

I'm in therapy, you guys, so I'm working through this. 

But. 

I really felt like this book was calling to me. Like fate was calling my name and waving this in front of me, so I had to do it. You know I had to. 

What. A. Ride. Seriously. If you are a fan of the Crime Junkie podcast or just solving murders and stuff, this is the book for you. We have a family who are all deaf. They wake up, a little girl is dead- bludgeoned to death and it is awful, with it all taking place in the middle of the night. 

Now imagine someone being in your home, while you sleep, murdering someone, and YOU HEAR NOTHING. 

That thought alone freaked me out. Anyways, the police need help communicating with the family so they call in an interpreter, Paige, to assist. The deaf community is rather small so she knows the family but doesn't know them, until she realizes the little girl murdered has a connection to her sister. The entire book is Paige trying to unwind this mystery herself because all of the family look good for it, there is circumstantial evidence, and the police have to really solve this because people in the community want answers. The only problem is Paige just knows something doesn't add up. 

I will tell you I thought I had this figured out around the middle/last quarterish of the book but NOPE. Not even stinking close and good gravy. It is bananas and people are deranged, lets put it that way. I absolutely loved this one, and it has made me do more checks on windows and doors, no joke. If I had to give a critique I would say it reads a little slow. I would have liked the pace to go a little faster, because once I thought I figured it out I was going to set it aside. I'm glad I didn't because I was totally and completely wrong, obviously, but I'm telling you to keep with it. 

Thank you to HarperCollins360 for sending me a copy to review, I'm a lucky duck and they rock my socks for sure. 

Book Review: A Curse of Gold

Listen, this week has been nuts and this weekend is going to be just as crazy. I was starting to get worried I wouldn't finish this book but then I started and HOLY MOLY, I finished it in a day. One day, you guys. 

A Curse of Gold - Annie Sullivan

Curses and queens. Pirates and kings. Gods and magic. The final saga of a cursed queen, a vengeful Greek god, and a dazzling kingdom in the balance.

After barely surviving thieving, bloodthirsty pirates and a harrowing quest at sea to retrieve her stolen treasure, Kora finds readjusting to palace life just as deadly. Kora’s people openly turn against her, threatening to overthrow her as heir to the throne—a cursed queen who has angered Dionysus. When Dionysus puts out a challenge to kill the girl with the golden touch and burn down her kingdom, it’s not just her future on the throne in danger. Kora’s life and entire kingdom are now on contract.

As bold and brave as ever, Kora sets out to find Dionysus, the very person who is trying to kill her, on the mysterious disappearing island of Jipper. Kora has no other choice. If she wants to save her kingdom and have any chance at reversing her father’s curse, she will have to enter into a deadly game with Dionysus, the greatest trickster the world, or the underworld, has ever seen. 

If you have been around for awhile, you might remember that I reviewed A Touch of Gold way back in 2018. I loved it and I had been hoping for a part two, so when I saw a part two come out, I JUMPED at it. I didn't know how much I needed this book until I read it. It was worth the wait! 

*Disclaimer, you HAVE to read the first book before you read this. I know, sadsies, but I promise you it is worth it.*

To be honest, I didn't really have any idea what the storyline was going to be in this one but we find out right away the plan is to find Dionysus and lift the curse on her and her father (Midas), who is basically wilting away. We have Royce by her side, but the journey isn't just about this, she has to prove herself as a real leader that can rule Lagonia. 

Just like the first book, this one is FULL of crazy plot twists! The author gives us wonderful characters (I love Lenny), we get a series of odd riddles on the way to the Oracle, we have Triton in this one (!!!), Poseidon, and of course, we have Dionysus. So much more. Kora is the strong female character we need right now. I love that Royce is by her side and never doubting her, completely supporting and encouraging her. I did have to remind myself that this is a young adult book so it is aimed for that audience, but man- this would make a great adult book with some tweaks. 

I love how nothing was as it seemed, just when you thought you had something nailed down, you are so completely wrong. I wouldn't even say I'm someone who likes fantasy, but I just loved this. I really hope this turns into a trilogy, and I want more of Hettie and Rhat. I really need more or them, just saying. 

Overall? I'm giving this one 5 stars, just like A Touch of Gold, because I want more. Any book I want more of has to be 5, right? I'm such a fan of BlinkYA Publishing, so I'm so thankful they sent me a copy for review, and for TLC Book Tours for having me on this tour! If you are looking for a great couple of books to have your teen read, they will like these, it'll keep them turning those pages! 

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Book Review: Almanac 2021

I'm having such a junk week and it's only Wednesday. I basically just want to crawl into bed and stay there. That's a totally adult thing to do, right? 

Almanac 2021 - National Geographic

The essential annual for the 21st century, this high-energy almanac is packed with facts, photos, infographics, time lines, and maps--the perfect stocking stuffer and book to browse all year long. A guide to the world like no other, this vivid and comprehensive book offers the best of National Geographic and more: science, nature, history, world cultures, geography, and the environment, illustrated with amazing photography, fascinating infographics, and maps created by expert cartographers. Highlights this year include the James Webb telescope, launching in 2021; a brand-new wildflower guide; a guided tour of the moons of our solar system; a beautiful infographic on jellyfish; and a feature on lithium, central to the work of recent Nobel prize-winning chemistry. Divided into lively chapters including Exploration & Adventure, Life on Earth, and The Science of Us, this year's almanac features top photos from National Geographic's celebrated Instagram account and geniuses past and present including Jane Goodall, Amelia Earhart, and acclaimed conservationist Kris Tompkins, dedicated to preserving much of Patagonia. With new discoveries on every page, this cutting-edge book--called a "category buster" by Booklist--brings you, as Publishers Weekly puts it, "all the things that National Geographic does best." 

I am a SUCKER for a National Geographic book or documentary, but almanacs? GIVE IT TO ME. Admittedly, this edition feels a little heavy because of the topics mentioned, but maybe that's what we need to initiate change. Climate change, coronavirus, and the future of the planet are kind of bleak, not going to lie. If you are looking for science, this is your jam. 

One of my favorite sections is the one on Reading the Clouds (page 100) because I like storms and how storms form and happen, but I also really like clouds. I've seen some strange clouds before, and I've seen some really scary clouds, so this has been interesting to try to match what I see in the sky. Also, on page 160 there is a section about wildflowers, and if you've followed me on Instagram you'll know I've taken up gardening since quarantine and I'm trying to keep them alive but also plant weird things not everyone has. I have two on the list, not including dandelion because who doesn't have that?! I also love the information about Monarch butterfly migration! My kids and I are VERY into butterflies and we have planted milkweed for next year, we nurture tons of little caterpillars into butterflies, but my kids and I totally enjoyed reading about this. (Also, we drove on the section of Hwy 35 that butterflies fly over and saw SO MANY on our way to Missouri in 2019!)

Also, shout out to NatGeo for including information about religious holidays! My children are going to be learning about each of those as we go through them. Interestingly, did you know there are only 12 days of celebrated holidays for Christianity, but Hinduism has 39 days per year? Also, it seems fitting with the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg that I really enjoyed the Woman Sufferage section. 

Overall I loved this. The best part of Almanac 2021 is that you can page through this at your leisure. You likely aren't going to sit down and read this start to finish, but you can kill some time and learn something while you're waiting for dinner to cook (or be delivered). If you need something extra, and not on the computer, for your homeschool/virtual journey, this would be AMAZING. It covers social studies, science, math, and even some English. We are already using it for discussions and learning so much. 

A huge thank you to TLC Book Tours to National Geographic for having me on this tour! I highly recommend this, but also anything National Geographic gives us, because you will learn so much. (Also the photography is always stunning so even if you aren't going to read words, the photos will get you.)

This post contains affiliate links. 

Book Reviews: Perfect Wreckage

Happy Monday! What is on your calendar for this week? I have a LOT going on: I have an appointment with pain management I'm not thrilled about, the dog needs a hair cut (badly), Olivia starts physical therapy for her knees, and I'm actually participating in an online conference that I'm nervous but excited for. 

Perfect Wreckage - Catherine Cowles

My past taught me to play it safe.

To stay far away from handsome men who promised it all.

My life was good without them. Stable, secure, predictable.

But one kiss showed me that I’d been playing it safe for far too long.

One night, and all I wanted was more of his wildfire.

One challenge and my carefully constructed walls tumbled down.

Amidst the rubble, I realized there was more to this man than I ever dreamed.

When everything fell apart, he showed me what it meant to stay.

How to truly live.

But when my demons return, that life might end up shorter than either of us expected…

You might recognize this author from other reviews I've done both for Reckless Memories and Beautiful Broken Control. I loved both of those so when I saw that Perfect Wreckage was up for review, I absolutely jumped at it. Imagine my squeal when I actually got on the tour and received the book. 

I scared the dog, you guys. 

I am a sucker for a romance with two people who are basically messes but they get better together. Just know going into this that it is going to hook you and you will not put it down. 

In this one we have Kenna, the product of basically a loser mom, but fortunate enough to be taken on by Harriet. In her teen years, her first love is Grant (Harriet's grandson) and he turns out to be an absolute douchebag, and her world is turned upside down. Months later she would be devastated again and it would change the course of her life and close her off. She believes everyone will eventually leave her, so she doesn't let anyone in and she doesn't make plans with people, and she's convinced this is the best way to lead her life. Once Harriet dies (calm down, its not a spoiler, you know she's old and sick almost right away), that puts her into a tailspin. Her housing is in limbo but Grant comes back to town. She clearly has no desire to have anything to do with him but he (and his family) are a threat to the life she has built herself. They promise to make her life hell and she's absolutely positive that everything is going to be ruined because she's the daughter of a town drunk, surely she can't be better than that. 

Enter Crosby. Crosby and Kenna have chemistry and while they've got a little something going on, Crosby is also her lawyer and the one to defend her against Grant and his family. He doesn't know anything about her past and doesn't know why she is the way she is, but he knows he's interested. Well, just for casual fun, he's got his own crappy past and he's certain he isn't down for long term relationships or having a family of his own, but he's not really telling all of the details of why to Kenna either. 

OK, so I'm not going to be able to give you a lot more without ruining some key plot points, but I LOVED THIS BOOK. Catherine Cowles has cemented herself onto my list of favorite authors. I couldn't put this book down, and I loved Crosby so much. My heart broke for Kenna at the beginning and I could understand her need for absolute control, but I will say.... the fact that she wouldn't rely on Bell and Caelyn (her best friends) was confusing to me. Bell and Caelyn have been there for her for YEARS so you'd think that alone would reassure her that they could be trusted and she could let them in.. so that bothered me a bit. Also, she doesn't want people to make assumptions about her based on information they heard, but she's willing to do just that with Crosby, and that hypocritical bit rubbed me wrong. 

I loved Crosby, have I mentioned that?! His persistence on taking Kenna on adventures and trying so hard to help her expand her horizons, but also how he is a rock for her when she needs it. He doesn't question why she needs something, he just is there, he just does. 

*Swoon*

I really loved this book and I have to tell you, I CANNOT WAIT for Caelyn's story in Wrecked Palace, because this trilogy is everything for me. I will read anything Catherine Cowles gives me, that's where I'm at. Absolutely 5 stars, I was legit disappointed when this one was finished. Sadsies. I am so grateful Social Butterfly PR and Catherine Cowles had me on this tour and sent me an ARC for review! I wish I had recorded the dog's response when I squealed and scared him, but there's always next time, right!? 

Book Review: Everyone Dies Famous

I'm in a depressive slump and I feel like I'm dropping the ball all over the place. I was supposed to share this with you on Friday, but here we are. I'm trying to get it together. 

Everyone Dies Famous - Len Joy

As a tornado threatens their town, a stubborn old man who has lost his son teams up with a troubled young soldier to deliver a jukebox to the wealthy developer having an affair with the soldier's wife.

It's July 2003 and the small town of Maple Springs, Missouri is suffering through a month-long drought. Dancer Stonemason, a long-forgotten hometown hero still grieving over the death of his oldest son, is moving into town to live with his more dependable younger son. He hires Wayne Mesirow, an Iraq war veteran, to help him liquidate his late son's business.

The heat wave breaks and the skies darken. Dancer tries to settle an old score while Wayne discovers the true cost of his wife's indifference and turns his thoughts to revenge. When the tornado hits Maple Springs, only one of the men will make it out alive.

Are you a fan of Humans of New York? Currently there is a 32 part story about an elderly woman that had a really tragic, but completely compelling story, and I can't stop checking for updates. 

This book kind of reminded me of that. 

I wasn't really sure what to expect with this, and the cover doesn't necessarily pull me in. The description is accurate but.. it felt lacking something. When I read the book, I could NOT put this down. The story, the narrative never relented, I didn't feel like it slowed down, I really couldn't stop reading this. (That's really saying something too, because in a depressive slump like I'm in now, I have a hard time sticking with things, but I was with this the entire time.) I loved the ending of this, though my heart broke a little because anytime you read a story like this, you just connect with characters. We know from the description only one makes it but STILL. Plus having this entire story happening with the threat of this tornado lurking just adds another layer that makes you want people to get a move on, and each delay or change makes you feel just like the characters do and I appreciated that a lot. Also, if you are a sucker for a story featuring veterans, or even one about redemption, you will like this. 

Overall? I'm giving this one a 4.5 stars, I just wanted.. a little bit more, maybe even just an epilogue would have made this a 5 for me. I really wanted to know where the characters were a year later, or even six months down the road. By the end of this book I felt invested into everyone and all of the stories of each person, so I think you'll get hooked, too. 

A huge thank you to FSB Associates and Len Joy for having me on this tour and providing a copy of the book for review. I don't know this is one I would have picked up at a bookstore, but I'm really glad I read it.