Swing Low: A Life by Miriam Toews

About book:

Reverberating with the emotional power, authenticity, and insight of works by Susan Cheever, Gail Caldwell, Mary Karr, and Alexandra Styron, Swing Low is Miriam Toews' daring and deeply affecting memoir of her father's struggle with manic depression.  Toews recounts her father's life as she imagines he would have told it, in his own voice, right up to the day he took his own life.  A gracefully written and compassionate recounting of a man's battle with depression in a small Mennonite community, Swing Low is a moving meditation on family, illness, faith and love.

My thoughts:

This is the story of a man named Mel Toews: a husband, a father, a teacher and a member of the Mennonite community.  During his life, Mel battled with manic depression so severe that it eventually led him to commit suicide.   In an attempt to understand her father's illness and death, Miriam Toews has written Swing Low.  Told entirely from her father's perspective, Miriam is able to recreate the downward spiral Mel's mental state of mind took him through.  She is able to get inside of his head and share with us the somewhat confusing and meandering manner his thoughts tended to take as he would dwell on the past.  You can't help but get caught up in Mel's life and wonder how trying it must have been for him and his family to deal with his frequent bouts of despair and silence.  At school, Mel shone as a teacher and was considered to be quite outgoing.  However, once at home, he would just shutdown completely and deprive his family of himself .  Imagine how hard it must have been for his children to see him at school laughing with their classmates, while at home a cloud of sadness seemed to surround him.  I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been for Miriam Toews to write this book about her father.  All I know is that it is a true testament to her love for her family and her talent with writing, that she was able to produce such a moving and heartbreaking piece of work.  Swing Low is an honest portrayal of a man consumed by his disease.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in nonfiction, memoirs and books about manic depression.  It is an interesting and compelling book to read.  You will not be disappointed. 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book!

Scout Books: American Shorts

About Scout Books and their American Shorts:

Scout Books is a small Portland, OR-based publisher, and they have just launched a new imprint: Good Ink.  The first series to come out of Good Ink will be titled, American Shorts. This series will pair ten classic American short stories with ten really great contemporary cartoonists and illustrators (including Vanessa Davis, Tom Neely, Aaron Renier, and Gemma Correll).  What a great way to add a fresh and modern take on some of American's most unforgettable classics!  Plus, it'll bring attention to ten amazing short stories!

Here are some the American Shorts I read:

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce 

Illustrated by Francois Vigneault

This story is about a man named Peyton Farquhar who has been condemned to death by hanging.  As he stands over the edge of the bridge contemplating his life and family, we read about the events that have brought Peyton to this death sentence.  We learn about the plan for sabotage and how Peyton wound up set up in a trap.  However, the hanging commences and as Peyton falls, the rope breaks and he is soon fleeing from death.  Strange things seem to happen to Peyton as he makes his way home, when suddenly...well, I don't want to give away the ending.  Suffice it to say, there is a twist and its a good one! 

What a gripping short story! Loved the writing and found that I could not wait to see what happened to Peyton next.  As for the illustrations, they were great!  Definitely provided a clear picture of what Peyton must have been feeling as he stood over the bridge with sweat dripping down his face - fear, regret and sadness. 

A Horseman in the Sky by Ambrose Bierce

Illustrated by Francois Vigneault

(included with An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge)

This story is set in Virginia and is about a young man named Carter Druse.  His loyalties are divided and tested.  Fighting for the North, Carter finds himself responsible for the death of a spy, who turns out to be someone from Carter's past.  Let me just say, I was pretty shocked by who Carter shot - it just seemed unreal and so beyond wrong.  Definitely a short story that stuns.  And the illustration of the horseman was excellent - definitely fit what I had imagined in my head. 

Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving

Illustrated by Bwana Spoons

Reading this short story was great fun.  I had never read it before - I'd only heard about the tale as a kid.  Suffice it to say I wound up laughing at the craziness of it all - how this lazy man wanted to escape his nagging wife and wound up falling asleep for twenty years. Talk about avoidance issues - ha ha ha!  This was definitely a treat to read.  And I enjoyed all the illustrations by Spoons - they were whimsical and fun - a perfect fit for RipVan Winkle. 

I really enjoyed these two pocket sized books of short stories and just wanted to say thanks to Scout Books for providing me with copies of the books. 

By the way, if you are interested in learning more about what other short stories will be released with illustrations, just check out Scout Books.  I know I'll be heading over to that website ASAP!

Irma Voth: A Novel by Miriam Toews

About book:

Nineteen-year-old Irma lives in a rural Mennonite community in Mexico.  She has already been cast out of her family for marrying a young Mexican ne'er-do-well she barely knows, although she remains close to her rebellious younger sister and yearns for the lost intimacy with her mother.  With a husband who proves elusive and often absent, a punishing father, and a faith in God damaged beyond repair, Irma appears trapped in an untenable and desperate situation.  When a celebrated Mexican filmmaker and his crew arrive from Mexico City to make a movie about the insular community in which she was raised, Irma is immediately drawn to the outsiders and is hired as a translator on the set.  But her father, intractable and domineering, is determined to destroy the film and get rid of the interlopers.  His action sets Irma on an irrevocable path toward something that feels like freedom.

My Thoughts:

When I first started to read this book I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with it.  I just could not get my head around Irma's narration - it was a bit off putting for me, because I didn't know what to make of her.  However, I'm truly happy I kept reading, because Irma Voth has to be one of the most odd and interesting characters I've read in quite some time.  She's nineteen, married and a Mennonite living in Mexico.  Her husband, Jorge, has left her and now she is truly alone.  She lives in the house next door to her parents' home - a house that was given to her and Jorge on the condition that they work for free for her father.  Irma's dad, Julius, is unhappy with her, because she married a Mexican.  She is no longer a part of their Mennonite community.  In fact, Irma can't speak to her mother or little brothers or even her younger sister, Aggie.  Luckily, Aggie likes to sneak away from home and visit Irma - she is always begging to come and live with Irma. 

Life doesn't seem to be moving along happily for Irma, when suddenly a film crew arrives at the house next door (also owned by her father).  They are setting up shop, because they are making a film about the Mennonite community.  In need of a translator they hire Irma, who also agrees to cook and clean for them.  She needs the money and needs people to talk with. Soon enough, Irma is enmeshed in this strange world of movie-making and is dealing with depressed actors, uncooperative weather conditions and budget cuts.  She befriends Marijke the female lead and Wilson, whose confessed to her that he is dying.  Things seem to take a turn when Irma's dad shows up and demands that Aggie return home or he will shut down production on the film - Aggie has been hanging around Irma and the crew much to the dismay of her father.  However, after witnessing what happened to Aggie last time she went home, Irma decides to take things into her own hands.  Deals are made, trucks are borrowed and flights are arranged.  Irma, Aggie, and Ximena (or X as they call her) are on their way to Mexico City.  Did I mention that X is Irma and Aggie's baby sister - she was just born and their mother begged Irma to take her with them when they left.  What does that tell you about their family? 

Now, I'm not going to write any more about what happens, because so much does happen in the book, before and after Mexico City.  Its a story you need to read for yourself.  Irma Voth is a character that will break your heart and make you smile at the underlying courage that glows from within her.  She may be a bit off putting at first, but soon enough you will become so enraptured with her story that you wont' be able to put the book down.  Miriam Toews has written an amazing book that is lyrical in tone and strong in plot points.  Her characters are intriguing and strange.  You will not be disappointed!

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book.

Death of the Mantis: A Detective Kubu Mystery by Michael Stanley

About book:

In the southern Kalahari area of Botswana - an arid landscape of legends that speak of lost cities, hidden wealth, and ancient gods - a fractious ranger named Monzo is found dying from a severe head wound in a dry ravine.  Three Bushmen surround the doomed man, but are they his killers or there to help?  Detective David "Kubu" Bengu is on the case, an investigation that his old school friend Khumanego claims is motivated by racist antagonism on the part of the local police.  But when a second bizarre murder, and then a third, seem to point also to the nomadic tribe, the intrepid Kubu must journey into the depths of the Kalahari to uncover the truth.  What he discovers there will test all his powers of detection...and his ability to remain alive.

My Thoughts:

Alright, so I'm going to be honest and admit that I signed up for this tour, because I wanted to read a book that I thought would be similar to one of my all time favorite series, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.  Let me just say, I didn't get what I wished for.  Instead of being carried away by the engaging voice of a lovable character like Mma. Ramotswe, I was introduced to Kubu.  He's the detective trying to solve the murder of Monzo, a ranger whose body was found surrounded by three Bushmen.  Kubu is a likable enough character, but he doesn't have the appeal to draw me in to the story.  I found myself rushing through the book to finish it - I wanted to be done.

The writing is solid, but not as captivating as I would have hoped for in a mystery.  As for the mystery itself, the big reveal was not a big surprise for me - I had already figured it out.  The characters were the most interesting part of the book, but they alone couldn't turn the book into a great read for me.  And the setting of Botswana was nice - its always been one of my favorite characters in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.  All in all, this is not a series I will be continuing with.  However, just because I didn't appreciate Death of the Mantis doesn't mean you won't.  I've read some wonderful reviews of this book and the series itself, so I'm sure many people would enjoy reading all about Kubu as he solves mysteries in beautiful Botswana.  I say check out the series if you are a fan of detective stories or books set in Botswana. 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book.

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY!!! Bedbugs: A Novel by Ben H. Winters

About book:

SLEEP TIGHT.

Susan and Alex Wendt are the perfect couple in search of the perfect brownstone - and they find their dream house in the heart of Brooklyn Heights.  Sure, the landlady is eccentric, and the handyman drops cryptic remarks about the previous tenants.  But the rent is so low, it's too good to pass up.

Big mistake: Susan soon discovers the brownstone is crawling with bedbugs - or is it?  She awakens every morning with fresh bites, but neither Alex nor their daughter Emma has a single welt.  An exterminator searches the property and turns up nothing.  The landlady insists the building is clean.  Susan fears she's going mad - until a more sinister explanation presents itself:  She may literally be confronting the bedbug problem from hell.

By the way here's a link to Quirk Books' awesome book trailer for Bedbugs:  
http://www.quirkbooks.com/bedbugs

My Thoughts:

Reading this book gave me the creeps. I felt like bedbugs were crawling all over me - YUCK!! So, it really was the perfect way to kick off Carl's, R.I.P. VI Challenge.  There was a bit of the supernatural mixed in with some crazy people and tons of creepy crawly blood suckers swarming about to make you itch and gasp in surprise. 

Bedbugs tells the story of the Wendts - Susan (wife), Alex (husband), and Emma (daughter) - a small family looking for a dream home in a better neighborhood.  Susan wants space to set up an art studio where she can paint and Alex wants a kitchen big enough so that he can cook up gourmet meals for his family.  All they want is a good school for their daughter and parks nearby where she can run and play.  Oh, and a monthly rental payment that will still leave them with money to spare.  Talk about pipe dreams, right? Especially considering that they live in NYC, where rent is anything but cheap. 

Well, consider Alex, Susan, and Emma extremely lucky, because thanks to the internet, it looks like they have struck gold - a brownstone apartment in Brooklyn Heights for under $4000 a month ( aka DREAM HOME).  After checking out the place and talking with the landlady, Alex and Susan decide to go for it and are soon faxing over a signed copy of the lease.  The topic of bedbugs does come up, but only as an afterthought.  Soon boxes are being moved and excitement fills the air. 

Life for the Wendts appears to be good.  They are adjusting to their new digs and the surrounding area nicely.  Alex is working crazy hours, Susan has set up an art studio and Emma has made friends in the park - everything is moving along smoothly.  Until a tiny speck of blood appears on Susan's pillowcase one morning.  Bedbugs! The thought crosses her mind rather fleetingly, but she pushes it away and chalks up the stain to paint.  However, strange things begin to happen that start to make Susan think that maybe her house isn't as bug-free as she had thought.  As the story progresses, bites are discovered, exterminators are called, accusations are thrown and a family is torn apart.  Oh, and some pretty creepy stuff begins to happen that makes you wonder if the house is haunted or if Susan is possessed and doesn't even know it.  You even start to wonder about the old handyman who takes care of the property and the dotty old landlady, whose moods shift at the drop of a hat.  Now, I'm not going to provide any more details, except to say that the ending will definitely leave you SURPRISED - and feeling itchy all over. 

Bedbugs was a good, fun, and creepy read.  The writing was solid, the storyline current and the characters were caricatures of people you probably know in real life (so they were interesting to read about) - overall a good book to have on a rainy fall day.   You will not be disappointed! 

GIVEAWAY INFO:  

Thanks to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this bug-ilicous book to read and to give away!! Yes, I'll be giving one lucky reader a copy of Bedbugs courtesy of Quirk Books.  Open to US residents! All you have to do is leave a comment and include your email address and you'll be entered in the giveaway.  I'll use the random number generator to select a winner. Contest will end September 15, 2011! Good luck!!

Oh, and this book will definitely count towards my R.I.P. VI Challenge goal of reading four books - YAY!   I always try to read at least two for this challenge, but this year I'm going for four.  And now I'm off to pick up my next spooky read!

Salvage the Bones: A Novel by Jesmyn Ward (Review and Giveaway!!)

About book:

A hurricane is building over the Gulf of Mexico, threatening the coastal town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi, and Esch's father is growing concerned.  A hard drinker, largely absent, he doesn't show concern for much else.  Esch and her three brothers are stocking food, but there isn't much to save.  Lately, Esch can't keep down what food she gets; she's fourteen and pregnant.  Her brother Skeetah is sneaking scraps for his prized pitbull's new litter, dying one by one in the dirt.  Meanwhile, brothers Randall and Junior try to stake their claim in a family long on child's play and short on parenting.

As the twelve days that make up the novel's framework yield to their dramatic conclusion, this unforgettable family - motherless children sacrificing for one another as they can, protecting and nurturing where love is scarce - pulls itself up to face another day.  A big-hearted novel about familial love and community against all odds, and a wrenching look at the lonesome, brutal, and restrictive realities of rural poverty, Salvage the Bones is muscled with poetry, revelatory, and real.

My Thoughts:

Read this book - you will not be disappointed!  The writing is excellent and the characters truly are unforgettable.  Your heart will break reading about Esch and her family and the extreme poverty they live in; plus, you won't be able to put the book down once Hurricane Katrina makes her way to their home and starts wreaking all sorts of havoc.  Consisting of twelve chapters, each one representing a day in the life of the Batiste family, Salvage the Bones, tells the gripping story of four siblings and their drunken father, all of whom are trying to make do with the various situations they find themselves involved in.  We have a pregnant fourteen year old named, Esch, who is trying to work up the courage to tell Manny (her crush and brother's best friend) that he is about to be a father, all the while hiding her baby bump behind baggy clothing.  An older brother nicknamed, Skeetah, who is obsessed with making sure his one true love, China, is mending well after giving birth to her first litter of pups.  And then their is Randall, who is trying to figure out how to get himself to basketball camp, and Junior, the baby brother who always seems to be in the way.  Rounding out the story is Claude, the patriarch of the Batiste family; he's busy drinking and talking about hurricanes, that he has no idea what his children are really up to.  Throw in a hurricane of epic proportions and you got yourself a story so mesmerizing that you won't be able to take your nose out of your book.   I haven't felt so emotionally engaged with a book in so long, that reading Salvage the Bones was a great reminder of how fantastically riveting literature can be.  This book focuses on family, tragedy, abandonment, and poverty in such an honest way, that you can't help but become consumed by the Batiste's dramas and livelihood.  You want nothing but the best for these four forgotten children who have had to grow up too fast too soon.

On a personal note, having experienced a hurricane as devastating as Katrina firsthand (mine was Hurricane Andrew), I can definitely attest to the realistic portrayal of the flooding, howling winds,
and destructive aftermath of trees bent in half, roofs torn off buildings, cars overturned, and houses reduced to piles of rubble.  Reading all about the preparations of boarding windows, gathering supplies, filling the sinks and tubs with water and hearing about evacuation instructions made me think back to my own experience.  I could remember the feelings of uncertainty, fear and disbelief at not only witnessing the destructive storm, but also upon seeing the complete destruction of my home and the town I grew up in.  It was as if Ward had taken a peek at my memories about a storm I had long forgotten about and brought them out for me to revisit.  My heart was racing as I read about the Batiste's house flooding through and how they struggled to find shelter from the storm - I felt like I was getting pelted with water.  And if a book can touch you on a variety levels, just like this one did for me, then it is definitely a book worth reading.  I would recommend Jesmyn Ward's, Salvage the Bones to everyone - it is a must read!!  You will love it!!

GIVEAWAY INFO: 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book to read and a copy to give away.  Yes, you can win a copy of this awesome book!  Just leave a comment and include your email address so that I can contact you if you win.  I'll choose a winner by using the random number generator.  Oh, and this giveaway is only open to those in the US/Canada.  Good luck!!!

Indie Lit Awards - Nominations now Open!!!

September is here and you know what that means - its time to nominate books for the 2011 Indie Lit Awards!! 

What are the Indie Lit Awards?

The Independent Literary Awards are book awards given by literary bloggers. Lit bloggers write about books and literary related items. They are the fastest growing form of publicity in the literary world, though most are still independently run and do not receive compensation for their reviews or recommendations.

The Independent Literary Awards is currently in its second year and will be presenting the winners for the 2011 calendar year in March of 2012. The genres that will be represented and receiving awards for 2011 are:

Biography/Memoir
GLBTQ
Literary Fiction
Mystery
Non-Fiction
Poetry
Speculative Fiction

Now lets get to talking about nominations.  All readers not just book bloggers, will be eligible to nominate books for this year’s Indie Lit Awards! That means YOU!!  Let us know which books were your favorite by heading over to the ILA website and nominating them.  Just find the genre (s) you want to add a title to for nomination and go for it!  We can't wait to see which books have made the cut this year!

And as far as the awards process goes, here are the details:

1. Titles are collected via nominations in each of the above listed categories. To see the nomination lists or to add a title to them, please see the specific genre page.(Nominations are open September through December.)
2. Nominated titles will be tallied and the top 5 nominated titles from each category will be placed on a Short List.
3. Short List titles will be read and voted on by the Director and Voting Members of each category.
4. The top 2 titles from the Short List will be considered Finalists.
5. The winners from each category will be chosen by the Director and Voting Members of each category from the Finalist titles.

So, lets get to nominating!

Oh, and if you have any more questions, just head on over to Indie Lit Awards or contact Wallace, she's the brains behind the ILA (Indie Lit Awards), and can be found here (her book blog, Unputdownables) and here (ILA website).

Have fun!!