Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

  Memoirs of a Geisha sends you back in time to early twentieth century Japan, where Chiyo, our main character, and her sister have just been taken from their home, their father, and their very sick mother. Chiyo is sent to an okiya, a lodging house for young girls as they prepare for their future career as geishas. There she meets Pumpkin, Mother, Auntie, Granny, and the not-so-very lovable Hatsumomo.
  Studies and history have given us a very small sneak peek at what exactly lies in store for the life of a geisha, but I promise you, after you read this novel, you will come out of it knowing more about the life of a geisha than you'd ever imagine. In fact, you may come out of this reading experience knowing more than you'd like to know. Not only does this book teach you the beauty about Japanese life inside of a geisha's mind, but it shows you the painful truths of it as well.
  Believe me, there were parts of this book that made me cringe! This is not a fault of the author's, whatsoever, nor is it any reflection on the book itself. But some of the "blemishes" on the face of the geisha world made me shiver (and not in a good way). Although, I think that that was part of Arthur Golden's point. He wanted to show his readers the good and bad side of Chiyo/Sayuri's (whose name changed once she became a geisha in training) world, and he did a pretty dang good job of it.
  I loved this book. It left such of a huge impression on me, I couldn't stop thinking about it days after I had finished it. (I'll just skip over the fact that a certain favorite character of mine had a less-than-happy happily ever after...)
  Arthur Golden's writing was so magnificent, I felt myself being transported back in time to Japan each and every time I picked up my copy of the book. Memoirs of a Geisha is truly a treasure to behold (and I recommend it to every literary lover out there). I can't imagine anyone going through their book-loving life without reading this book.
  Even if you read Memoirs of a Geisha and dislike it, I guarantee that you will walk away from your reading experience with more knowledge of life than before. I truly believe that this is the kind of book that will help mold who you become as a person.
  It's just that good.

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Meeting Anita Diamant at Newtonville Books/Review for The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

Meeting Anita Diamant at Newtonville Books

  I fear that if I were to write everything positive and memorable about my experience meeting Anita Diamant at Newtonville Books, and reading her exceptional novel The Boston Girl, I would run out of space using up all of my emoticons and exclamation points for the day. (I try to stay professional, and rarely resort to text-speak on The Literary Connoisseur. I leave that mostly to my personal profile on Facebook. But sometimes an experience I have is just too good not to use exclamation points and emoticons.)

  I digress...

  When I moved from Florida up the coast to New England, my heart broke knowing that I had to leave my local Indie bookstore (and my bookstore family), the Vero Beach Book Center. I knew that my heart would long to be back with them, to see its bubble-gum pink paint, and to smell its rows and rows of new and used books. I knew that when I would come up to New England, I would feel the pull of being so far away from a book store I grew so fond of.

  But times change, and I had to start a new chapter of my life up north. (Although that won't stop me from visiting, so you haven't shaken me off yet, Vero Beach!)

  I'm not entirely sure how exactly I saw that Anita Diamant was on tour for her latest novel's release, The Boston Girl. But it must have been fate because where else was she coming to, but New England just an hour away from where I now live?

  A few clicks on my phone later, I discovered that Anita Diamant was coming to a bookstore in Massachusetts called Newtonville Books. I looked up the store, called them, reserved a spot, and played the waiting game.

  I thought, "Is it possible I'll be able to attend a book signing so soon after I move to a new town in a new state, and have the absolute time of my life that will ease the blow of leaving my favorite bookstore in Florida?" 

  While I can't say that exploring new bookstores in New England took away the pain of leaving the Vero Beach Book Center completely, I can say that in finding Newtonville Books, I now know that Indie bookstores all over legitimately hold the same magic that I cherished back in Florida. 

  The moment I walked into the store, I knew I was home. The employees welcomed me and my family with open arms, the store itself had the very essence of a safe haven which provided a comforting warmth that encircled my chilled bones, and of course, Newtonville Books smelled as it should; like books, security, and happiness. 

  I shopped, I explored, and I took lots of pictures of stunning Newtonville Books. The moment I stepped inside, I knew I would be back--many times. 

  Before we knew it, it was time for Anita to start her intro, her talk about her writing and her latest book The Boston Girl, and her Q&A with the audience. 

  Anita Diamant is so inspiring. I, and everyone else who attended, was entirely captivated by her words. But of course, if you read her books, you can tell just by reading them what an inspirational person she is. 

  After she did her discussion, it was time for her to sign books! 

  Needless to say, my first book signing up north, my first book signing with Anita Diamant, and my first book signing with Newtonvile Books was an event to cherish for the rest of my life. I cannot thank Ms Diamant and Newtonville Books enough for making that experience an exceptional one. (In fact, that event went so well that it gave me the courage to attend more since, so thank you!) 

  If you're in the New England area, please make a trip to darling Newtonville Books. You won't regret it! (Although your bank account might, because there are some treasures there you are going to want to splurge on.) 

The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant:

  This is the story of Addie Baum, also known as The Boston Girl. Addie is a Jewish girl growing up in early 20th century Boston after her family emigrates there (somewhat unwillingly). Her parents are skeptical of America, but Addie and her sisters see it as the land of opportunity. 

  The Boston Girl is told by an eighty-five year old Addie, who is being interviewed by her grandchild about how life was for her and her family. A new land, a new culture, tragedies, lifelong friendships, explorations, adventures, and, against Addie's expectations, love. 

  Grab a cup of tea, find somewhere comfy to sit, and relax, as Addie tells her tale of The Boston Girl. 

  When I first read Anita Diamant's The Red Tent, I automatically assumed that nothing could possibly get better than that book. The Red Tent was so stunningly beautiful and breath-taking, it left an enormous impact on me that has only gotten bigger and better with age. (I think Anita Diamant's books just do that to you.) 

  Little did I know that The Boston Girl was going to have an even larger effect on me. 

  When someone asks me what they should read during their reading lull, I will say, "The Boston Girl." When someone asks me what the latest life-changing book I've read is, I'll say, "The Boston Girl." When someone asks what some of my favorite books in the entire world are, I'll tell them, "The Harry Potter series, The Fault in Our Stars, anything by Susanna Kearsley, Outlander, The Red Tent, and oh yeah, THE BOSTON GIRL." 

  If I could, I would buy an endless amount of copies of this book to hand out to everyone I know who loves to read. (And non-readers as well, for I could see this book getting people hooked on reading.) 

  When I finished The Boston Girl, I wanted to cry because it was over. It was such a beautiful story, and it was told so eloquently, I would be entirely satisfied with reading nothing but The Boston Girl for the rest of my life. 

  If what I've written so far doesn't convince you to read this book, maybe this will:

  Read this book. For the love of all of the books in the world, pick up this book and read it. If you want to know *my* kind of book, read this book. It's stunning, exceptional, addictive, wonderful, sad, funny, sweet, and it will fill you with warm fuzzy feelings by the end of it. 

  I will suggest The Boston Girl to anyone and everyone I know (and then some). 

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The Dead Room by Stephanie Erickson

  322 years after the apocalypse, life as we knew it is demolished. Everything we've ever known, and everyone we've ever loved is gone. In fact, anything beyond the island is a mystery. Who knows what lurks on the mainland? Is it possible whatever wiped out humanity is still there, waiting for new victims to annihilate? Is there still a lingering virus that threatens to latch itself onto any living life form? Are there enormous beasts that rule the mainland and attack anyone who steps foot on their land?
  No one knows. All we know is that the island--our island is safe, and no one dares to leave it.
  No one, except Ashley and Mason.
  Ashley has stumbled across a secret of the island that will cause her more harm than good, because this secret shines a different light on the island's blessed elders...and not a positive light.
  Mason has been sentenced to death after being accused of murdering Ashley's ex-husband. After some thought, the elders figure that sending Mason off the island in search of a better life on the mainland may be a quicker way of sentencing him to his own death.
  Together, Ashley and Mason head off into the unknown in search of life, but what they find may be worse than they ever imagined...
  This book was incredible. Here I am, putting huge emphasis on the word incredible, because this book absolutely blew my mind. The Dead Room by Stephanie Erickson took me no more than two days to read, but I honestly would have given anything to have it last longer. The moment I finished it, I longed for more. (The only comfort I have that made this pain easier to take was knowing that there's a second book coming out next year.)
  The Dead Room had me gripping its pages so intensely, I'm almost positive I have permanent creases on the edge of my book from holding it too tightly.
  As of now, I have read everything Ms Erickson has published, and after a full examination of each book (obsessively reading and ignoring the world around me so I can delve deeper into her stories), I can honestly say that I think Stephanie Erickson's writing and stories are getting better.
  Her writing is like a fine wine; it only gets better with age. The more she writes, and the more of her stories you read, the more you fall in love with her work.
  Ms Erickson's books are indescribable. Her plots are so extraordinarily unique because she writes books that readers like me are dying to read. She has discovered a new corner of literature like an explorer coming across a cave full of diamonds.
  If you have not yet read a book by Stephanie Erickson, you are most certainly missing out.

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Insignificant (Anything But #3) by Lindy Zart

  In this final installment of Lindy Zart's Anything But series, the stakes are high, our favorite characters are in danger, and anything is possible.
  In Insignificant, we follow our heroes Honor, Ryder, Nealon, and Christian, and our villain, August, in hopes of finally finding out the secret behind the UDs, and the UDKs. (The undead, and the keepers of the undead.)
  I was contacted by Lindy a few weeks ago, and she asked me to read and leave an honest review for the final book in her Anything But series. Of course, being such a huge fan of this series (and Lindy's books in general), I was more than ecstatic to sink my teeth into this book. Did I say ecstatic? I meant "hopping up and down on the couch when I received the email containing my ARC from Lindy."
  Lindy did NOT disappoint. In fact, I would have to say that- after my most recent reread- book three is my favorite of the trilogy.
  The way Lindy wrapped up her Anything But series was so graceful and fitting for the end of the series, I could not imagine it ending any other way.
  I stand by the words I said when I first reviewed Ordinary (Anything But #1); with some polish, Lindy Zart's Ordinary, Unremarkable, and Insignificant can easily make their way to the New York Times Bestseller list.
  Actually, now that I think about it, these books would make some pretty stunning movies. (Come on, Hollywood! Don't be slow on the uptake.)
  In conclusion, I love this series. Always have, always will. I want to thank Lindy Zart for giving my favorite characters the ending they deserve, and for wrapping up the Anything But series in a completely satisfying way.
  That being said, I look forward to more adventures in the UD/UDK/UDD world...there have to be more stories out there other than Honor's, right?

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The Rancher's Lullaby by Leigh Duncan

  As a lover of Leigh Duncan's Glades County Cowboys books, I, of course, had a favorite cowboy who was a secondary character in all of the other books, and whose story needed to be written. Garrett Judd needed a book of his own.
  So, you can imagine my immense delight when Ms Duncan herself contacted me, and told me that her latest Harlequin American Romance was in fact going to be Garrett Judd's story, called The Rancher's Lullaby. I was THRILLED! I practically hopped up and down in the post office when I saw that my very own copy of the book had arrived for me to devour.
  Although, all of this excitement was only leading up to the moment when I would actually crack open the book's spine, breathe in that first scent of freshly-published book, and begin Leigh Duncan's story about my favorite Glades County Cowboy...
  Ms Duncan did NOT disappoint!
  Garrett Judd is in an automaton-like state of existence. Ever since he tragically lost the love of his life while she was giving birth to his son, he's been numb. Nothing can heal that wound that brutally ripped open his chest and stole his heart those many months ago. He can't even hold his own child without seeing her face. Nothing can heal that wound...at least, that's what Garrett thinks.
  Lisa is healing her own wounds when she enters this story. Lisa is hoping that opening her own store and devoting all of her time to her work will mend those broken pieces that fell apart when she caught her husband cheating on her. Business is slow for Lisa, and she fears that if it doesn't pick up soon, she may just lose all hope once and for all.
  Will music bring these two together and mend their broken hearts?
  Only The Rancher's Lullaby holds the key.
  And what a satisfying key that was (at least for me, because I don't want to spoil anything...but oh my gosh, I loved it so much)!
  Once again, Leigh Duncan has stolen my heart with her books. I am and always will be a life-long fan of her work. The Rancher's Lullaby was incredible, of course, and I cannot thank Ms Duncan enough for giving my favorite Glades County Cowboy such a wonderful story.

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A View from Forever by Charles Sheehan-Miles

  For readers who have not yet had the pleasure of reading Charles Sheehan-Miles' Thompson Sisters series, this book, A View from Forever, is just a sweet, romantic story of two young adults who find themselves meeting while on a trip to Israel and falling in love.
  For fans of Charles', who have already had the honor of reading his Thomson Sisters series, A View from Forever is just what we've all been waiting for...
  Alex and Dylan's story, pre-Just Remember to Breathe.
  Of course, if you're a fan of the books, you already know the story. You already know the story, but you've always wanted to know more about what happened on that life-changing journey to Israel. What made the two of them make the choices they made in order to form the mind-bending plot that is Just Remember to Breathe. What really happened?
  For fans of Charles Sheehan-Miles' Thompson Sisters series, this is *the book* you've been waiting for. (And yes, if you think I'm over using the author's name and book titles with the hope that if I say it enough, your curiosity will get the better of you and you'll download it--well done, you're right!)
  After finishing Charles' Girl of Vengeance (book three in the Rachel's Peril trilogy, the sixth book you read in the series if you were to read them in chronological order), I positively jumped at the chance to read another one of his books. Even though I have only gone a few months without a Charles Sheehan-Miles book to read, I felt myself feeling deprived of his work already. (Republic and Insurgent are next, Charles!)
  A View from Forever was just what I needed. Even though it took me less than a day to read (I think this is due to the fact that I was just eager to be back with Alex and Dylan...and also because this book is novella-ish), it satisfied my Thompson Sisters craving. It satisfied my Thompson Sisters craving in addition to making me fall in love with Alex and Dylan all over again, and opening my eyes to epic (EPIC) foreshadowing that you'll only truly get after reading all six books (plus Charles' other novella).
  Charles Sheehan-Miles is a remarkable author. If you're looking for a series of books to bring out your emotions, open your heart, give you a new outlook on life, and renew your faith in humanity, pick up Charles' books. I guarantee they'll affect you like no other books have.

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Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears by Cindy Brandner

  Have you ever gone through a reading drought where nothing can satisfy that escapism emptiness you need filled? Nothing is quite scratching that itch; the itch that can only be satisfied when you read something truly remarkable? Remarkable to the point where you feel as if you won't be completely sated until you convert all of your friends into avid readers of this particular story?
  I was lucky enough to find that recently. Not only did I read a truly remarkable book, I read a truly remarkable series, by a truly remarkable author.
  Cindy Brandner's Exit Unicorns series scratched my itch.
  I read Exit Unicorns (book one in the Exit Unicorns series) quite a while ago, and it actually took me a bit of time to pick up the second book in her series, Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears. I predict that this was due to my sub-conscious preventing me from coming to the inevitable and heart-breaking end (for now) to the series, as there are only three books currently out.
  Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears (Mermaid for short) follows Exit Unicorns' four major key characters, Casey and Pamela, who are husband and wife, Patrick, Casey's brother, and Jamie (a very big favorite of Ms Brandner's readers) and Pamela's best friend. We follow these three as they face the ugliness and the beauty of Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s.
  At this point in time, I have finished all of Cindy Brandner's Exit Unicorns books, and I would have to say that Mermaid is my favorite book of hers, followed closely by Flights of Angels, book three.
  Mermaid hooked me instantly. Even though I hadn't picked up a Brandner book in quite some time previous to this, I felt as if no time had gone by whatsoever and I was catching up with old friends, as soon as my eyes hit the very first word on the very first page.
  I'm going to go out on a limb here and tell you that Cindy Brandner's writing has only improved and blossomed over time. It seems that the more words she writes, the more they flow and become perfection.
  Cindy Brandner is a natural born storyteller. Readers of her work will find themselves easily captivated with the world she has created, and will find themselves sucked into her stories while losing track of time in every day life.
  That is the key indicator of an amazing piece of literature, and Cindy Brandner has created it. She has raised a bar for my taste in books, and I don't plan on seeing it lowered any time soon.

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