Monday, March 30, 2015

Girl in the Dark: A Memoir by Anna Lyndsey

Release Date: March 3, 2015
Publisher: Doubleday

Rating: 4 out 5 stars.


Synopsis:
Hard-working and fun-loving Anna Lyndsey spent her days working at a fast-paces, high-stressed job, but she loved every moment of it. That was until the moment she began to feel a fire simmering beneath her skin as she worked in front of her computer. As the burning intensified, it also spread from her face to her entire body, causing her to finally confine herself to a blackened room in the house of her boyfriend, Pete.

In her own words Anna recounted the downward spiral as light of any kind became her enemy. The various games, books and mental exercises used to keep her mind sharp fill the long hours when she was trapped inside her dark room during the long periods of time when the slightest bit of light set her entire body aflame. She explored various doctors, natural medicines and even outlandish advice to help ease her illness. Follow her journey through the darkness that has become her world.


Review:
I requested to read this book from the Nonfiction section at NetGalley for a couple of reasons. I was intrigued by the sudden onset of the author's symptoms and the radical changes she and those she loved had to make in order to accommodate her. However, the most important reason I felt intrigued was the simple fact that I felt I could relate with her adaptation to her chronic illness as I also have a chronic illness. Though the illness of the author was (and currently still is) much more extreme than my own, I was still able to empathize with the despair, the darkness inside the soul and the feeling of being a burden upon loved ones and friends.

The book was written in first person point-of-view so that the reader experienced the world through Anna's eyes. Her thoughts, feelings, and desires were written in honest, sometimes harsh, passages as she detailed being in different stages of her illness. A small group of people stayed at her side from the beginning of the illness to present day. Her mother and brother provided whatever was needed from groceries to moral support through spending time with her in the dark room. The main provider of all types of support was her boyfriend, Pete. These people didn't seem like one dimensional caricatures of real people in the author's life. Instead they were well-rounded, flawed and as human on the page as they truly are in person.

Each portion of the book was written in a vignette style. Almost like passages in a diary, the author chronicled her life before the illness, the progression of the illness and the impact that the illness had on her life up to date. Included in these passages are mental games and exercises that the author found which kept her mind from turning to mush, as she called it. Her adventures with Pete were both enduring and comical as they sought to take advantage of each moment in the least amount of life before the darkness needed to swallow her whole once again. Not a very large book, there seemed to be a lot packed into the short passages whether it was emotion, desire, fantasy or simply relaying how the darkness played with one's head.

Overall, I really liked this book. Not only did it seem like someone else out there understood how it felt to be limited in what you can and cannot do, but the people who made up her small circle rallied around her, adapting their lives to hers. Though the book didn't end the way I thought it would, I felt there was still a door or two left open. When dealing with a strange, chronic illness, one never knows exactly what the future holds. Sometimes, it's not the exact future of which one has always dreamed. More often than not, it's the best future possible under the strain of terrible circumstances. This book should be on your to-read list if you're intrigued by rare, interesting illnesses or admire those who persevere despite overwhelming odds.

Girl in the Dark: A Memoir by Anna Lyndsey is currently available online and some local retailers. It can be purchased in hardcover, Kindle and audio-book editions. The following link will take you to the book's page at Amazon.
Girl in the Dark: A Memoir by Anna Lyndsey      
 

Friday, March 27, 2015

She's Not Herself by Linda Appleman Shapiro

Release Date: September 2, 2014
Publisher: Dream of Things
Author Website: www.applemanshapiro.com/index.html

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
From the outside Linda Appleman Shapiro's life looked like the typical happy, loving childhood that many experienced after the end of WWII. Together with her parents and older brother, they lived in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn where a child could play on the beach for hours in the summer and never grow tired. Her father worked hard to provide everything they needed as her mother tended to the home and children. Simmering under the surface of their happy facade was a dark secret that no one spoke about in the home or otherwise.

Life during WWII was far more difficult for Linda's mother, Miriam, than she was able to reveal. Pushing her worries, feelings and disappointments deep down in order to keep the family running smoothly, Miriam held herself together until her strength faltered. Thus began her spiral into a deep depression which unleashed a number of hidden demons and other elements of mental illnesses. As Linda grew older and discovered her own road to healing, she sought to understand why her mother wasn't herself.

Review:
Every so often I go through the Nonfiction titles at NetGalley and discover a book or two which catch my eye. What I read in the description that made me download the book was the author's honesty about the good and bad she experienced as a child. The author didn't use this as an opportunity to besmirch her mother's memory or present the situation in biased light. I felt that she tried to give as much insight into the internal war that her mother was fighting while living through decades in which depression and mental illnesses weren't openly discussed or treated as they are now.

The book was told through Linda's experiences and recollections of her childhood, but other family members and friends added more information and possible reasons behind more than a few of the events that took place throughout the years. Her father and brother had a system in place to deal with Miriam's "episodes" before Linda was born. During this particular decade there wasn't much advancement in the area of mental illness and treatments. It was suggested by her own doctor that Miriam having another baby would help fill her days with enough tasks to keep her from not feeling well, their particular familial code for those times when the depression overwhelmed her. When seeking to alleviate the worst of the episodes, Linda would be sent to her friend's house until her father returned to tell her that Miriam was in the hospital. There the protocol for such illnesses included different medications and electroshock therapy. For awhile these things would work, but ultimately the cycle of good days giving away to bad would begin anew.

As Linda graduated high school and enrolled in college, she enacted strict rules for herself to keep from becoming like her mother. Much of her college years eased the heavy weight she'd felt as a child while living at home until her last year of college when she fell in love with someone who brought out the fears she'd buried. With encouragement from her brother and his wife, Linda sought treatment from several therapists until she found one that helped her to understand what she had been through in her life as well as the various episodes her mother endured. Understanding people was the driving force in Linda going back to school and making a positive mark on the world as well as being open about the stigma that mental illness left on people who endured them or the caretakers who attempted to ease the bad times.

Overall, this memoir was very eye-opening about how the author and her family cared for her mother during some of the worst episodes she remembered from her childhood. With both love and honesty, the author recounted both wonderful memories of her mother and the safe, loving environment that shaped her life and the uneasiness that seeped into their home when the restless nights and mumblings would signal another episode of her mother not feeling well. For a family dealing with these issues in decades and a part of society where talking about depression or mental illness wasn't well received, Linda, her brother and her father did as well as they could to keep their family unit together. It was interesting to see how Linda chose to fight her own depression after coming to terms with the help of therapists and newer, more effective types of treatments. It was easy to feel close to the author and her family while reading the highs and lows of their life, cheering them on during the good times and wanting to comfort them during the rougher moments. If you're an adult child of a parent with mental illness or simply want to know more about the topic, this is definitely a book to be on your need-to-read list.

She's Not Herself by Linda Appleman Shapiro is currently available at many online retailers and various local bookstores. It can be bought in either paperback or Kindle (digital) formats. The following link will provide you with the book's Amazon page.
She's Not Herself by Linda Appleman Shapiro
   

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Currently Reading

I feel that I need to apologize to all those expecting reviews from me over the past few weeks. Okay, since the beginning of the year. I have had one of the worst beginnings of the year and it's mainly due to my health. When I begin to recover from one illness or another, there seems to be a new bug going around that I ultimately catch. I push myself to finish as much as I can, but this also makes me feel weaker than before. It's been a horrible cycle that I haven't been able to break yet. My hope is that with warmer weather on the horizon, I'll be able to catch up with everything that I've had to set aside for the time being. At least, I'm praying that's the case.

It's taken me about two weeks to get a couple of books finished and their reviews typed. Neither has been the easy part when your eyes keep wandering where they shouldn't. Thankfully my hands were feeling generous and I was able to catch up on a lot of crochet work and some writing that I had neglected as well. One by one I will conquer these to-do lists! I'm very determined to get back into my regular routine and provide you with reviews on time.


On the list this week;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1) by Kate Perry
Prince Lestat by Anne Rice
Woods Runner: Massacre at Schenectady 1690 by Rejean Giguere
Girl in the Dark: A Memoir by Anna Lyndsey


Off the list this week;
Seeker (Seeker #1) by Arwen Elys Dayton
She's Not Herself by Linda Appleman Shapiro


Here's to making progress. Whether it's a small step or a huge leap, moving forward is always a cause for celebration in my book. Happy reading!

Until next time,
Kay B

Friday, March 13, 2015

Seeker (Seeker #1) by Arwen Elys Dayton

Release Date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Series: Seeker series, Book 1
Author Website:

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Quin spent her whole life training to become a Seeker, a noble occupation that only few in the world were granted access to do. She worked alongside her cousin and another apprentice to achieve the goal, but she found out too late that becoming a Seeker wasn't as glamorous as the old tales made it out to be. After a series of grueling assignments, Quin was left to wonder if her whole life was a lie or if there was even a way to right the wrongs.

Everything changed the night her homestead in Scotland was attacked. She and a few survivors escaped, at the cost of her memories of her former life. When people from her past came calling, she was forced to remember the painful things in order to protect those she loved and the world as she knew it. Will she be able to cope with the monstrous memories which hide behind the veil of amnesia? Can she keep the tools of her trade from falling into the wrong hands?

Review:
One of the best perks in being a member of NetGalley were the emails alerting me to interesting, new books that I may not read otherwise. This book was among several that I received in the past few months. The idea of being the "Seeker" intrigued me. Being the first book in a series, the author did a good job setting the foundation for both the world in which the characters lived and describing the many responsibilities that the Seeker has. According to the history learned throughout the book in bits and pieces, there were once many Seekers who kept the balance of good and evil within the world. Each Seeker came from a particular family which was assigned an animal to represent them in documents or tools. Some of these tools were more important than others, important enough to kill to obtain.

Right away three young apprentices were introduced right before the Seeker's initiation ceremony. Quin, Shinobu, and John held hopes that they would join the noble class of Seekers. Tension between the three initiates and their instructors was obvious from the beginning. The three of them were each main characters as the chapters denoted which point of view was being followed at the time. Being young adolescents their interactions with one another, as well as others, were pretty close to real life. The added pressure of their Seeker responsibilities also hampered some of their reactions and decision-making abilities. Add to all of this another character named Maud and you've got quite a soup of emotions, beliefs and actions pushing the story forward.

Though the first few chapters began with a touch of action, there were some moments when the story dragged along until the next bit of action prevailed. Once the first of many showdowns happened, the pacing picked up quite a bit. Each chapter pushed the characters closer and closer to another showdowns. The interesting thing about much of the story was how some of the characters would act outside their usual boundaries. Especially in Quin's case due to circumstances beyond her control, many decisions impacted which path was taken or whether another lived or died. A number of unanswered questions lingered after reading the end of the book, so I'm glad that this was simply the first book in a planned series.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. There were many wonderful descriptions of beautiful landscapes within Scotland and the busy, decorative streets in Hong Kong. Not only were the settings used to create mood, they were at times characters themselves as they impacted the action by their restrictions and/or climate. While there were times when I had to push myself to finish the book, I'm glad to have done so. The many secrets kept by Quin's family and the hunt in which John has been trapped were all interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. I was also very happy to see that Shinobu found a purpose for his life other than to simply waste it. What part he'll play in the grand scheme of things, I'm not entirely sure, but it will be interesting to find out. If you're a lover of YA Fantasy series or simply enjoy catching something slightly outside the norm from its beginning, then this book is the one for your TBR list.

Seeker (Seeker #1) by Arwen Elys Dayton is currently available in hardcover, Kindle or audiobook formats at many online retailers and local bookstores. The link below will take you to the book's Amazon page for purchase.
Seeker (Seeker #1) by Arwen Elys Dayton

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Currently Reading

Ah! The smell of Spring within the air outside coupled with the smell of books inside makes for a happy Kay. It's been wonderful to step back into reading mode. I know I'm way behind in my reading and reviewing, but the blue skies and promise of warmer temps help to drive me deeper into these pages before me. The list I have below keeps growing though I try to restrain it. I'm going to buckle down and get these printed books knocked off soon - if the digital versions can release their hold on me for a little while.

While I was down with the flu (for the umpteenth time), I worked on quite a few of my crochet projects. I kept trying to read, but the words swam in front of me. Reading the same paragraph over and over and still not understanding made me feel worse. I had to set it aside until I was nearly well. Now those pages don't stand a chance!



Holding onto these books at the moment;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1) by Kate Perry
Prince Lestat by Anne Rice
She's Not Herself by Linda Appleman Shapiro
Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton
Woods Runner: Massacre at Schenectady 1690 by Rejean Giguere


Letting these books go onto better places (actually my shelf);
Heaven (The Afterlife Series #1) by Mur Lafferty



I'm really looking forward to that bottom section being longer than one book at a time. Not only will it make me feel accomplished, but it will help my poor Kindle feel worthwhile. Are you all excited for the seasons to change? Hope it brings new adventures wherever you are!

Until next time,
Kay B

Monday, March 9, 2015

Heaven (The Afterlife Series #1) by Mur Lafferty

Release Date: April 27, 2011
Publisher: Restless Brain Media
Series: The Afterlife Series, Book 1
Author Website: 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Kate and Daniel were best friends, sharing everything from intimate details of their lives to most of their secrets. When their lives reached the end of the line, it came as no surprise that they went together. Each of them found their versions of Heaven, enjoying everything that was offered until questions began to scrape away the glitz and glamor.

Kate and Daniel decided to strike out on their own journey, to see everything that Heaven had to offer those who made it through the gates. Along the way, they discovered that nothing was really what it seemed and something wrong bubbled beneath the surface of happiness and joy. Their adventure began a series of changes throughout the other versions of Heaven and left them rushing off into unknown lands. Can they discover the truth behind the changes before it's too late? Will they be lost forever in the vast open road around Heaven?


Review:
Thanks to Podiobooks I discovered this series and other writings by the author many years ago. To be honest, it was one of the few audiobooks that I really wanted to see in print. When I came across the Kindle version on Amazon, it took less than a minute of debating before I purchased the series. It was interesting to read the words on the page and still hear the author's voice in my head. Even after a number of years, the book still captivated me as I delved deeper into the adventures of Kate and Daniel in the afterlife.

Much of the book focused on Kate and Daniel after their untimely deaths. Seen through Kate's eyes, Heaven was very much a place determined by the person's ideas, wants and how he or she saw the afterlife.  Kate's personality, quirks and beliefs stayed the same after she awoke in Heaven, as did many of her likes and dislikes. The same occurred for Daniel, although they didn't share the same vision of Heaven. The fact that their relationship carried over into the afterlife made it easy for me to keep up with the various changes around them as they journeyed through different times, places and even some versions of paradise that I wouldn't have imagined. Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Demi-gods from a wide spectrum of belief systems made appearances in the story. They did more than simply stand around while the Travelers went about their adventure. These Supreme Beings also impacted the duo's thinking and actions, causing all kinds of chaos for everyone.

Because both Kate and Daniel were early twenty-somethings at the time of their deaths, it was easy to relate to their thoughts and feelings. The dialogue was current, brash and honest at times. I liked the descriptions the author used to relay the differences between the different versions of Heaven that they encountered. The way the people dressed, the food they ate, how the religion of that particular section affected the daily life - all were written in a such a way that the reader could understand even if the reader had little or no knowledge about that particular religion. The action came quickly and propelled the story forward. At a steady pace, the story led from one idealized version of Heaven through various others. Each time the two of them left for another, there were consequences. Sometimes a lot of the consequences weren't always on the good side of things.

Overall, I really liked this book. I actually noticed a few things about their time in Greece and Dog Heaven that I didn't catch when listening to the audiobook. Having the Kindle format allowed me to zero in on these additions and it added a hint of comedy to the book. There's so much more going on with the story, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Between the changes Kate and Daniel brought to the afterlife and the awkwardness of the love triangle developing, I can't wait to see what happens. If you're looking for a different take on what happens when one leaves their mortal life behind or a wondrous new adventure filled with gods, goddesses and more, then this book is something you need to have on your shelf.

Heaven (The Afterlife Series #1) by Mur Lafferty is currently available at many online retailers in digital format. The following link will bring up the book's page at Amazon.
Heaven (The Afterlife Series #1) by Mur Lafferty

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Currently Reading

I think I'm going to change 2015's name. It shall be The Year of Disruptions. Nearly every time I've been able to sit down and work my way through bits of the books on my list, something distracts me from that goal. Because I am so behind, I feel so bad because it's like I'm letting these authors down for not being able to review their work. As a young writer myself, feedback is pretty much a lifeline and can help to make things better.

So, I am dedicating the rest of the week solely to reading and reviewing. I am halfway through two different books with three more on the starting block. All the banging and clanging from the furnace being replaced in the basement won't detour my progress. Well, it won't affect it much. I can read through anything if I put my mind to it.


Page by page, I'm devouring this;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1) by Kate Perry
Prince Lestat by Anne Rice
She's Not Herself by Linda Appleman Shapiro
Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton


Finished and sated by the following;
None - yet!


The winter weather has waited until the end of the season to pack quite a few punches. Subzero temperatures, snow and freezing rain filled the past week. Yesterday and today has been warm enough for rain to fall. Now the weatherman says that we could get half a foot or more of snow over the next couple of nights. I am so ready for Spring. Right now anything would be better than Winter. What season is your favorite?

Until next time,
Kay B

Monday, March 2, 2015

Blog Post - Update

The last couple of weeks have been particularly trying here in my neighborhood. The weather's been a roller coaster of highs and lows that keep the weatherman guessing. Not only has the weather increased the amount of cabin fever we've felt, but now it seems as though sore throats and coughing are the norm as well.

Along with all the possible sickness to fight, last week brought a broken furnace. We attempted to get a replacement before the end of the weekend, but no one had the one we needed in stock. The company ordered the necessary parts, put them on expedited or rush shipping, and delivery time was still Monday. Subzero temperatures nearly froze us Friday and Saturday. I was thankful to wake up Sunday morning and see possible 50F temps for Monday or Tuesday.

This mini-vacation from my books and the blog has left me restless and out of place. Now I'm back in my favorite reading spot. My Kindle is fired up and ready to give me a dose of another world. Maybe it's some place warm with wonderful ocean breezes to lull me to sleep later tonight. Or a grand adventure to keep me from thinking about that white stuff on the ground now.

Many thanks to all those who have continued to stop by the blog as well as those who checked on me the past couple of weeks. It means a lot to me that you all care! Now, I hope this means we can get back to the schedule this week. I better get reading!

Until next time,
Kay B