Book Review: Lincoln In The Bardo, George Saunders

To be entirely honest with everyone, I have mixed feelings about this book.

On the one hand, I can appreciate a piece of literature that is unique and so profoundly creative that I have to give credit to the author for its invention.

On the other, I found the format and narration of this novel to be so incredibly confusing that it detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book.

So while I can appreciate that this book is absolutely worthy of critical acclaim - I cannot wholly say that I enjoyed it. George Saunders is an excellent writer, and I have not read anything like this before, but I'll tell you this, Lincoln in the Bardo is the type of book that you will love or greatly dislike.

BookSparks Pop Up Blog Tour: Fitness Junkie by Lucy Sykes & Jo Piazza

Thank you Booksparks for sending me a copy of this fun book to review! 

Janey Sweet has three months to lose thirty pounds - or she's going to lose her job as CEO of one of the most exclusive bridal dress design companies in the world.
When her best friend and partner in the business tells her that she's gotten chubby and no longer is a good representation of their brand (the largest dress size they have is a 4) he gives her an ultimatum to lose weight or take a hike.

Thus begins her journey to becoming a fitter, healthier, better version of herself.
Three months of juice cleanses, topless yoga and health retreats to exotic islands should earn her the results she's looking for. Right?

Fitness Junkie by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza is a smart, sassy satire about the ways health and fitness fads are taken to the extreme. I found it to be refreshing, relatable and hilarious.

The Dream Keeper's Daughter by Emily Colin

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this amazing book!

Emily Colin's newest novel, The Dream Keeper's Daughter, is out now and if you're a fan of time travel and romance with elements of paranormal - you are going to love this book.

Eight years ago Isabel Griffin lost the love of her life. Now, she's doing the best she can to move on. She's an archaeologist - both well liked and respected by her peers - and a loving mother to her daughter, Finn. Isabel has persevered and worked hard to make a life for herself without Max; slowly burying the pain of losing him. All it takes to shatter everything Isabel believed to be true is one phone call.

Max Adair vanished with out a trace - leaving behind his pregnant girlfriend and family when he slips through time. Landing in 1816 Barbados at the estate of his ancestors, Max finds himself caught up in the turmoil of an impending slave rebellion that history shows caused mass destruction to the island and his family's sugar cane plantation.

BookSparks Pop Up Blog Tour: Lying to Children by Alex Shahla

Thank you to Booksparks for sending me a copy of this book to review as part of your #popupblog tour! 

Some books make you laugh, some make you cry.
Some hit your heart so hard and true they make you do both.

Alex Shahla's book, Lying to Children, will bring you to tears and it will make you laugh out loud. Written as a compilation of essays from a father to his grown children, it's a novel that is especially relatable to if you're a parent. Funnily enough, though, I don't think you need to be a parent to appreciate this book. It really reads as an open letter, unapologetic, poignant and deeply felt, from a father to his children. As I read it - I felt as if I could be that child and this book could be to me from my father (obviously his stories would be different and my father doesn't write books), but the emotions were felt keenly and this book spoke to me as a daughter.

Countering this - I am a mother and I found so many aspects of this book to be relatable, the love a parent feels for their child is powerful, exhausting and all consuming at times and Shahla conveys this with humor and honesty that settles into your heart. I loved the "lies" to the children; I felt that this perfectly captured the ways we as parents try to teach our children, keep them safe, and keep our sanity at the same time.

Easy to consume, this book reads quickly and in many ways reminded me of a show called, How I Met Your Mother, maybe you've heard of it? How coincidental then, is it that the show is actually referred to in this book? It's not entirely like the show, but the narration style and voice had me feeling those vibes - is there an audio version of this book? Because if there isn't, there should be and I would like to nominate Bob Saget to narrate. Or Chevy Chase - because there are some definite Clark Griswold moments here. At least I thought so.

If humorous, family based comedies are your thing - you will love this. If you are a parent - you will love this. If you're a child who has flown the coop and embarked on a life all your own - you will love this.

Buy It

Amazon