Book Review #58: "Mexico: Stories"

Hey Everyone,

     I am going to review the book "Mexico: Stories," by Josh Barkan. This book was published on January 24, 2017 by Hogarth: The Crown Publishing Group. This book is hot off the press so for those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE.  To read an excerpt from this book CLICK HERE. Josh Barkan is an experienced author whom his novels are based off of his experiences in living abroad in foreign countries and are shaped by his interests in politics, history and literature. He also is the author of the book "Blind Speed." 

     Overall I rated this book three and a half stars out of five. This book was a collection of twelve different stories taken place in Mexico (hence the title). In each of these stories crime and the Mexican drug cartel is the common thread tying these stories together. This was a well written book. Each story was similar yet unique. The stories were told in a way it brought humanity and culture together. Human pain and strength bonded these stories together. I will let you choose which is your favorite story. Mine is "The Prison Breakout." 

     I want to thank Netgalley, Josh Barkan, and Hogarth: Crown Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until the next page,

Jill

Book Review #57: "The Most Dangerous Place On Earth: A Novel"

Hey Everyone,

     I am going to review the book "The Most Dangerous Place On Earth: A Novel," by Lindsey Lee Johnson. This book is hot off the press as it is available today January 10, 2017, published by Random House Publishing Group. For those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE. This is Lindsey Lee Johnson's debut novel. This book is about teenagers growing up in a wealthy community attending high school. It brought together all the teenager crises, bullying, suicide, partying, drugs, gossip and drinking and driving in a wealthy high school. 

     Overall I gave this book three stars out of five. It was a decent debut novel. It was a fast read and it kept my attention throughout the book. The plot was interesting. I really liked how this book centered in on a real town and a real high school. This made the story seem more real to me. This book did have some problems. I felt it tried to cover too much in one book. It tried to cover too many issues, too many stories and too many characters that it negatively impacted the story. The characters in this novel, well most of them were unlikable. It was a good debut novel with much room for improvement, so I will be waiting to see what this author comes out with next.

     I would like to thank Netgalley, Lindsey Lee Johnson, and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until the next page,

Jill

Book Review #56: "The Bear and the Nightingale"

Hey Everyone,

     I am going to review the book "The Bear and the Nightingale: A Novel," by Katherine Arden.  This book was published by Random House Publishing Group: Ballantine. This book is hot off the press as it is published today January 10, 2017. To read an excerpt from this book CLICK HERE.  For those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE. This book is a Russian Fairy Tale.  I honestly do not want to tell you much about this book, because it is one of those books that is best to know as little as possible. It is old school, classic fairy tale. This book is similar to "Uprooted," by Naomi Novik. 

     Overall I rated this book four stars out of five. This book was so beautifully and magically told (no pun intended). This book has all the elements in it to make a perfect telling of a fairy tale. It has demons, magic, spirits, talking animals and best of all was the "Frost Demon." This book is best read in the Winter during a cold day wrapped up in blankets, sitting on your favorite chair in front of a fire. This book made Winter come alive. It played upon your imagination. This book is what I have been missing for a long time, and I am so thankful that the author made this story come to life. You just have to read it plain and simple. I do not want to sit here and dwell on this book because you will enjoy it so much more if I don't.

     I want to thank Netgalley, Katherine Arden, and Random House Publishing Group: Ballantine for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until the next page,

Jill

Book Review #55: "The Lost City Of The Monkey God"

Hey Everyone,

     I am going to review the book "The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story," by Douglas Preston. This book is hot off the press it was published today January 3, 2017 by Grand Central Publishing. For those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE. If you would like to read a free excerpt from this book CLICK HERE. This book is a a true story of the discovery of an ancient lost city found in the interior of Honduras.

     Overall I rated this book five stars out of five. This book was such an intriguing read that I added it to my favorites list. This book did start out slow, but that was probably due to my anticipation in finding out more about this lost city. It amazes me that with all the technology we have, and modernization of this earth that there are still places like this waiting to be discovered. I like the tone and narrative in how this story was told. It was personable and emotional, and the story was coming from the author's heart. It was a great book to read to put an end to the year 2016. 

     I would like to thank Goodreads Giveaways, Netgalley, Douglas Preston, and Grand Central Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until the next page,

Jill

Book Review #54: "The Girl in Green"

Hey Everyone,

     I am going to review the book "The Girl in Green," by Derek B. Miller. This book was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This book is hot off the press as it is just published today January 3, 2017. For those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE. This book is about two men who meet by chance over in Iraq in Desert Storm. Arwood Hobbes is a young military man standing guard at Checkpoint Zulu, and Thomas Benton a reporter chasing a story. They both come forth and are involved in witnessing a horrible tragedy of an anonymous young Iraqi woman being killed in front of both men. It is how this one tragic event shaped both of these men's future in trying to make amends for the past. 

     Overall I rated this book three stars out of five. The author did a great job in showcasing Iraq, ISIL and the events that have taken place there. He told this story in a very honest and unapologetic manner. Thus he was able to show the reader a very realistic description of how things work in the Middle East. I did like the way he presented how non-profit organizations work and the issues they face while trying to promote peace in the Middle East. The reason why I gave this book three stars was because of how disjointed this book felt in reading it. There were too many story lines coming into play. Some of them I felt it was unnecessary to add. And because of the amount of story lines that came into play it took away from the book instead of adding to it. The characters were a bit unlikable and most of the time I can deal with unlikable characters. As in real life you are always going to have to deal with unlikable people.  But taking in consideration the other issues of this book with the unlikable characters I found myself trying to race to finishing this book so I could read the next book. I do think this book had great potential of being an amazing book. I mean there are some books that just do not have potential at all but this book was not one of those. 

     I would like to thank Netgalley, Derek B. Miller, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until the next page,

Jill