As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Check out all my book reviews at www.myliterary2cents.blogspot.com

Plot Summary: In a little town called Madison in the Mojave desert, wishes come true. Each person in the town gets one wish on their 18th birthday as long as the wish doesn't affect anyone outside of the town or bring someone back to life. Eldon is a high school senior who is on the cusp of turning 18. He is having a very hard time trying to figure out what his wish should be. He spends almost a month interviewing people about their wishes and how it affected them. He finds out that everyone has regrets about their wish. At the same time that Eldon is trying to figure out his wish, he is also going through the devastation of practically losing his sister (she's brain dead) in a car accident, losing popularity with his peers and football teammates, and lots of girlfriend/best friend drama. In the end, Eldon, who for most of the book is seen as a very selfish and egocentric young man changes dramatically.

Notes about the author/writing style: I have really enjoyed the author's writing style in this book. It looks like she's only written one other book, and I might just have to read that one too. This book was written for young adults and I think she gets into the mind of a young adult very well. She doesn't ramble about things that are unimportant, all the characters are believable and well rounded.

What I loved about the book: This book has all the "feels". There are times when this book makes you laugh, sit on the edge of your seat, and even cry. There is also a really good moral in this book that will be very appropriate for teens and young adults. I think the resounding lesson here is be careful what you wish for and the grass is not greener on the other side.

What I disliked about the book: The only thing that disappointed me a little with this book was the language. I get that the main character is a typical 17 year old boy and some of the language is part of his character, I just would rather not read it.

Who should read this book? This is a great book for young adults and teens, but adults would enjoy it too. I certainly did!


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Dangerous Territory by Amy Peterson

Dangerous Territory: My Misguided Quest to Save the World by Amy Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC copy of this book.

I very much enjoyed Amy Peterson's account of her missionary experience. She gives a little of her background and why she was interested in missions. I can identify with this author, because I too have what she calls "wonderlust".

Each chapter begins with a famous (or maybe not so famous) missionary quote. Ms. Peterson goes on to tell us the beginning of her journey to China where she just wanted to teach English and be Jesus to the people around her. She tells many funny stories of misunderstandings due to culture and language.

She also shares her very conflicted feelings about her "calling" to be a missionary and really what that means.

I think this is a must-read book for any person (especially a woman) who is considering or has ever considered missions.

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Dr. Colbert's Keto Zone Diet by Don Colbert

Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Check out all my book reviews at www.myliterary2cents.blogspot.com

Dr. Colbert's Keto Zone Diet is a very informative book for anyone who is curious about the new Keto Zone diet phase.  It includes a lot of scientific information on why the diet is good for people, especially people who have inflammatory diseases and cancer.  The author even goes through the history of diet fads and shows why most Americans have a hard time embracing this "high fat" diet.

Notes about the author/writing style: I enjoyed Dr. Colbert's writing style.  Although he is obviously very knowledgeable about dieting and the science behind it, he didn't make his writing style too complicated for those who are not in the medical field.

What I loved about the book:   I walked away from this book with a better understanding of this diet that I have been hearing a lot about.  I feel like I will be better informed to tell others about this diet as well as making a decision on whether I would like to pursue this diet.

What I disliked about the book: There really wasn't anything that I disliked about this book.  It was a good combination of scientific facts, history, and practical ways (even menus and recipes) to incorporate this diet into a lifestyle.

Who should read this book? Anyone who is contemplating going on the Keto diet should read this book.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with cancer.  I had no idea that the typical high carb diet was very detrimental to anyone with cancer as opposed to a diet high in fat (low carbs) that would actually extend the lives of most people with cancer.

Every Word is a Bird We Teach to Sing by Daniel Tammet

Every Word Is a Bird We Teach to Sing: Encounters with the Mysteries and Meanings of Language by Daniel Tammet
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Check out all my book reviews at www.myliterary2cents.blogspot.com

Plot Summary: This is a narrative of the author's life. He is a high functioning autistic with some amazing, although unique, linguistic skills. He starts out telling about his life as a boy and his unique language of numbers. The chapters then go on to describe how he acquired more linguistic ability through travel. He explains series of tests he was put through in order to better understand his unique abilities. He explains numerous word origins that are pretty fascinating. He speaks of translations briefly in one chapter.

Notes about the author/writing style: This writer is obviously very brilliant. This is definitely not a "beach read", but is very interesting. Given the uniqueness of how this author learns, all educators should read at least one book of his.

What I loved about the book: I loved learning about the author's unique "math language". Every word had a number attached to it. That blows my mathematical brain!

What I disliked about the book: There were parts a little too technical and detailed for me.

Who should read this book? Anyone who loves words and learning!


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Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was only given a free sample of the book. I can't wait to read the rest of it! Check out all my book reviews at www.myliterary2cents.blogspot.com

Plot Summary: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is a touching story about a little girl who obviously cannot read. I only got to read the first 4-5 chapters of this book since it was just a sample of the book, not the whole work. Ally is a very talented, strong-willed little girl who tries to hide the fact that she cannot read from everyone. She constantly gets in trouble at school and is often told to try harder. Her response is if you wanted a fish to climb a tree, would you tell him to try harder? She does not get along well with her teacher. She accidentally gave her a sympathy card when she has a baby shower at school. She gave her the card because she couldn't read it, she just liked the pictures. Of course everyone else thought she was just being mean. The end of the story where my copy leaves off is when her teacher takes maternity leave and she gets a new "man" teacher. He is trying very hard to encourage her... I can't wait to read the full copy!

Notes about the author/writing style: I have never read any other books by Lynda Hunt, but I enjoy her style. She doesn't write words just to be writing them, she values the readers time and gets to the point of the action. I love stories that are told from the point of view of a child, and I would love to know how this author is able to get into the mind of a dyslexic child so well.

What I loved about the book: As a teacher who works with struggling kids, I really sympathize with Ally. I always enjoy books that are told from a child's perspective. I love the way the author goes into detail about how Ally feels and what she sees when she tries to read.

What I disliked about the book: I honestly have not found anything that I dislike about this book.

Who should read this book? All teachers and anyone who has worked with struggling children. This would also be a wonderful story for someone to read who has gone through the torture of reading difficulties (and came out on the other side of course).


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The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Lying Game is an account of 4 women who were good friends in high school who participated in what they called "the lying game". The story is told by one of the friends, Isa. All the women are grown now with lives of their own, but they can't escape the past. There was something that the girls did as a result of the lying game that came back to haunt them. Kate, who owns her dad's estate near a body of water in England, sends each friend a text telling them it is time to come back. The book's plot goes back and forth between what happened with the girls as teenagers and present day.

I liked the general theme of the book, that "your sins will find you out" and "whatever you sow, you'll reap." I really wanted to like this book, but I couldn't quite get into it. It seemed that there were many parts of it that were too drawn out. I have read Ruth Ware's Woman in Cabin 10 and really enjoyed it. I thought I would enjoy this one as much, but I didn't.




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Goat Castle: A True Story of Murder, Race, and the Gothic South

Goat Castle: A True Story of Murder, Race, and the Gothic South by Karen L Cox
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Goat Castle was narrated from the author's point of view in a somewhat drawn out "newspaper like" article. The author told the story of the tragic case of the "Goat Castle" murder in Natchez, Mississippi. It is a non fiction book which was researched very carefully. I have never read any other books from the author, Karen Cox. However, I can tell that this author does her research!

The author gives much background about Miss Merrill (the victim) and everyone surrounding her murder. After quite a bit of background about each individual, the author tells the strange story of a old maid - Jennie Merrill and her feuding neighbours who were nicknamed "wild man" and the "goat woman".

I did not particularly care for this book. I found the story interesting enough, but I felt like I had to wade through lots of details that I didn't particularly care about in order to read the actual story. I had never heard about this crime. I think that if I had previously heard about the crime, I may have been more interesting in reading more of the details of each person involved. I personally thought there was too much extraneous details.

I would encourage others who already know about this story and are interested in learning specific details to read this book.


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