Review: His First, Her Last by Jonathan Sturak

His First, Her Last by Jonathan Sturak, NF or AF ?, 2013, 266p, Rating=1
Source: ebook copy provided by author for an honest review

Engaged couple Jason and Hazel travel across the world to meet her family in this true story of love and adventure. The moment Jason steps off the plane in the Philippines, an exotic island caught between the East and the West, the past and the present, grabs hold of this naive American and seduces him with its beauty, its places, and its people. Temptation looms as the best friend of Hazel tests their relationship and touches their souls. A deeply personal account of the conflict of culture between American excess and Philippine poverty, His First, Her Last explores the ability of love to transcend two worlds apart. But after an accident spills blood on the streets of a remote village, the lives of this couple flash before their eyes. Will he escape? Will she survive? Will his first trip be her last?

I am utterly insulted! This character, Jason, was self-absorbed, tactless, and downright disrespectful. His observation of the Philippine culture was stereotypical and deficient (< ten day trip would make one an expert, right? –sarcasm--). Even if some of the remarks were true, his attitude in its presentation was offensive to the Philippine people. The straw that broke the camel's back for me was when he was desperate to get out of the Philippine hospital because he felt that he would not get the proper treatment. He was in a rush to contact the U.S. Embassy (sound Hollywood, anyone?) to get him out of the horror of such primitive amenities. Sure the technology in the U.S. would be better but please show some respect to your host country. Don't be so rude and flaunt your hand sanitizer and remarks of disgust.

The character of the main protagonist was not the only flaw in this book. The entire plot of the book was questionable. From the title and blurb, it would have one believe that there would be a story of romance. I didn't feel any romance between Jason and Hazel. No depth in the relationship was conveyed. The descriptions were one dimensional and vain. Even with the "lives of this couple flash before their eyes" accident or "I almost died when I was five" incident, the events were mechanically recounted. If anything, I felt their relationship was twisted (Jason flirted with Hazel's best friend and Hazel was ignorant to Jason's true character). Instead, the storyline was mainly about pointing out a skewed image of third world countries, in this case, the Philippines; as dirty, dumb, and behind the times.

The author is a good writer. This book was well written in applied terms. The grammar was good. The breaks were at the correct places. Smooth technical reading. The flaw was in the content of the story and the flamboyance to the telling. Take away the insults and have more of the caring Jason (like his tenderness with his soon–to-be nephew, Tony). Moreover, I believe that the author thinks he is doing a service by writing this book. Absolutely not! The tips at the end for travelers might be sound but again an example of disrespect.

I have never felt more passionate about not recommending a book than this one.  This book is definitely a "don't bother"! Please, don’t bother. I already bothered for all of us.

By the way, this book was based on the author's true account of his trip to the Philippines, so this would be a memoir, hence a non-fiction. Yet, his character name was different. So would that make this fiction? Oh, the flaws are endless.

   

Brief Review: Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber, AF, 2013, Playaway digital audio, 5.5hrs, Rating=1
Source: borrowed from library

’Tis the season for romance, second chances, and Christmas cheer with this new novel from Debbie Macomber.
Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge: She can cover any topic she wants, but only if she first scores the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.
Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a mega-bestselling memoir about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone in the press, and no one even knows exactly where he lives.
Digging deep into Finn’s past, Carrie develops a theory on his whereabouts. It is the holidays, but her career is at stake, so she forsakes her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she even expected. And soon she is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.
Filled with all the comforts and joys of Christmastime, Starry Night is a delightful novel of finding happiness in the most surprising places.

The quick romance between Carrie and Finn was unbelievable. I just didn't fall for it so it was a struggle to get through the book. I considered not finishing it but I chugged along hoping something would turn it around. No such luck. The storyline was full of romantic clichés. The setting didn't even feel Chritmassy at all. There was just an overall cheesy feel to the read. Simply too trite for my taste.

Review: The Hero by Robyn Carr

The Hero (Thunder Point, Book #3) by Robyn Carr, AF, 2013, 384p, Rating=1
Source: ebook copy provided by publicist through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need.

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind…just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it…and sometimes, you find a hero.

I was excited to read this final installment (I think it's the final?) and had high hopes that it would take me back to the wonderful world of book one (book two, The Newcomer, was not so great).  Oh, I was sorely disappointed.  I can see the attempt to bring out the lesson of trust but it just did not work.  I didn't feel enough substance in Devon and Spencer's relationship to care about the trust issues.  They were poor examples to carry this message.  I could see a better potential for Devon and the doctor (Scott). 

You might ask, "Jinky, how about the lesson of heroism as the book title alludes to?".  Like in book two, this title did not fit.  The hero was inconclusive to me (btw, I was incorrect to assume who the hero would be as I stated in book two's review, here).  Reading between the lines, any of the characters that overcame their personal struggles was a hero because they saved themselves.  That's an awesome sentiment but I was looking for a clear hero.  I'm fickle that way.

What I did like in this book was Rawley.  His page time brought heart to the story and I enjoyed his contribution.  But as great as his role was in this installment, he could not carry the book alone.  Devon and Spencer's characters were too intrusive.  They carried a very heavy dullness that weighed the read.  However, I was pleased to see the main characters I adored from book one.  But unfortunately, they too could not save the book.  Bummer.

Stick to book one, The Wanderer. That was very good.

"The Christmas Wedding"

by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo, AF, 2011, audio CDs, 4hrs 42min, rating=1

The tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, and the packages are wrapped, but the biggest celebration this Christmas is Gaby Summerhill's wedding. Since her husband died five years ago, Gaby's children have drifted apart, each one preoccupied by the turbulence in their own lives. They haven't celebrated Christmas together since their father's death, but when Gaby announces that she's getting married-and that the groom will remain a secret until the wedding day—she may finally be able to bring them home for the holidays.
But the wedding isn't Gaby's only surprise—she has one more gift for her children, and it could change all their lives forever. With deeply affecting characters and the emotional twists of a James Patterson thriller, The Christmas Wedding is a fresh look at family and the magic of the season. (Goodreads)

Beautiful cover, disappointing content.

I liked Alex Cross's Trial so I was looking forward to reading another from this duo.  This Christmas themed one sounded promising.  But off the bat the swearing put me off.  It hurt my ears and more likely the reason I didn't listen carefully.  Yet from what I did grasp, there was really not enough character development.  The story was too brisk.  The turbulent life stories of the adult children showed promise but lacked depth.  And don't get me started on Gabby!  I could not connect with that woman.  She didn't seem to respect marriage ...and the three potential grooms for that matter.  I know, this is fiction ..but still.

I know James Patterson can write and I will continue to read his books but this one just didn't work for me.  No fuzzy Christmas feeling felt from my end.  :(

"Sundays at Tiffany's"

by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet, AF, 2008, 308p, rating=1

As a little girl, Jane has no one. Her mother Vivienne Margaux, the powerful head of a major New York theater company has no time for her. But she does have one friend--Michael--and no one can see him but her. But Michael can't stay with Jane forever, and on her eighth birthday, her imaginary friend must leave her.
When Jane is in her thirties, working for her mother's company, she is just as alone as she was as a child. Her boyfriend hardly knows she's there and is more interested in what Vivienne can do for his career. Her mother practically treats her as a slave in the office, despite the great success of Jane's first play, "Thank Heaven." Then she finds Michael--handsome, and just the same as she remembers him, only now he's not imaginary. For once in her life, Jane is happy--and has someone who loves her back. But not even Michael knows the reason behind why they've really been reunited. (Goodreads)

The movie version of this book aired on TV (LMN) several days ago and I absolutely loved it so I practically ran to my library to check out the book that it was based on.  A day later I started the book and I wasn't liking it.  I was going to drop it but I persevered hoping it would get better.  Haha, I should have dropped it!!  It was awful.  Practically nothing like the movie and I'm not exaggerating!  I can't believe the movie still named it after the book.  Ugh, such a misrepresentation of what I was hoping to find in the novel ..actually anticipating that reading the story would have been better.  I was so disappointed.

I'm speechless.  I want to tell you to read the book and watch the film so you'd understand what I mean (it's a quick read) but that might be mean and selfish on my part in order to make a point.  Please, just watch the movie and ditch the book.  The movie makes more sense and lovelier.

Brief Reviews: Deadly Deals; The Bell Jar

Deadly Deals (Sisterhood #16) by Fern Michaels, AF, p2009, 2010 Playaway audio, 7hrs, rating=1

Jumping into the sixteenth installment of this series without reading the first fifteen showed to be a big mistake.  Perhaps with more background this book might have been a better feel.  However, as a stand alone ... well, I didn't care for it. 

The story ... a couple having fertility problems gets a surrogate, gets twins, surrogate wants babies back, lawyer turns out to be a crook, so what now?  Well, the 'Sisterhood' to the rescue of course ... and that's pretty much where it went wrong.  The vigilante-cattiness of these ladies was not pleasant to read.  Such an awful portrayal of women.  Not my cup of tea!  However, this will not be the last I'll read from this author.  I'm sure there's at least one I'd like.  I'll just have to be choosy and hope for the best.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, AF, c1971, 1996, 311p, rating=3

Interesting and appropriate title for this autobiographical novel since the character, Esther Greenwood, turned out to be a fragile young woman needing the metaphorical bell jar to incase her or could very well be that Esther felt sucked in and trapped in her own world.  Perhaps she felt not part of or want to get away from the world she was in ... or or or.  That's part of the beauty of this book ... it can be insightful and confusing!

A sharp young lady about to seize the world turns out to suffer from depression.  Yet the portrayal of this depression wasn't depressing per se.  Esther's quirkiness and personal battle was challenging and provocative enough to try for the reader's empathy.  The supporting characters helped with the intrigue as well.  However, this was overall too heavy for me ..in subject and it's poetic suggestion.

Brief reviews: Delirium; The Lace Reader

Delirium by Lauren Oliver, narrated by Sara Drew, YA, 2011, audio CD, 11.5hrs, rating=2

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love. (Goodreads)

This is awful to say but the voice of the narrator helped to kill this for me!  I'm not sure how to describe her voice.  It was appropriately young but almost shrill to me and the change in intonation for drama was equally annoying.  But I endured the 11.5hrs.  Sorry, Ms Drew, it's just my ear ...nothing personal on you. 

Anyway, this book was just so-so for me.  Another dystopian world story, but this time taking out love in the equation.  That was an interesting lure.  Unfortunately, it lacked.  The Giver is my kind of dystopia.  However, there were evidence of excellent writing.  And, whoa, that ending!!

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry, narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan, AF, 2006/2008, audio Playaway, 11.75hrs, rating=1 (couldn't find actual cover image, so I picked a pretty one :) )

Every gift has a price . . . Every piece of lace has a secret . . .

My name is Towner Whitney. No, That's not exactly true. My real first name is Sophya. Never believe me. I lie all the time . . .

Towner Whitney, the self-confessed unreliable narrator of The Lace Reader, hails from a family of Salem women who can read the future in the patterns in lace, and who have guarded a history of secrets going back generations, but the disappearance of two women brings Towner home to Salem and the truth about the death of her twin sister to light. The Lace Reader is a mesmerizing tale that spirals into a world of secrets, confused identities, lies, and half-truths in which the reader quickly finds it's nearly impossible to separate fact from fiction, but as Towner Whitney points out early on in the novel, "There are no accidents." (Goodreads)

Lots of things were going on in this book ... clairvoyance, abuse, psychosis, suspense, mind games, and a dash of romance.  The craziness of the characters and storyline got me wiggy in the head as well.  So many unanswered questions and mess!  Some foul language didn't serve well in my ears too.  Anyway, I understand that this has a "Fight Club" tone, so if you like that movie this might be the book for you.  I personally haven't seen the movie so I can't tell you which parts were similar.  ~On a good note, Ms Bresnahan did a great job narrating.

Brief reviews

I'm not completely back from my sabbatical, but the books I've read are piling up so I thought I would at least give a brief review of them.  ~Wouldn't you know it.  It seems like I can go through more books by not giving full reviews.   Hmmm, will talk more about it later.  ~Take great care.  *waves*

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Foer, AF, 2005, audio CD, 11hrs, rating=4
read:  10/2/10

A precocious nine year old on an adventure; letter-full of historic tragedy of his grandparents; I think this is one instance that reading the book might be better because as I understand it, the bound book has graphics ... I'll have to check it out some day.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, NF, 2000, audio cassettes, 5hrs, rating=1
read: 10/1/10

I don't know, I just didn't like this one.  I only got through a quarter of book and just gave up.  Maybe it got better later on but I wasn't interested in finding out.

Speak by Laurie Anderson, YA, 1999, 198p, rating=4
read:  10/2/10

A story of a high school girl who finally figures out that keeping it all bottled in wasn't a great concept after all.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, AF,1985, audio cassettes, 4.5hrs, rating=4
read:  10/4/10

I think I enjoyed this because I pictured Robert Redford as I was listening and what can I say, the young Redford was a hottie!  Anyway, a simple lesson on socialites and superficiality.

 The Bridges of Madison County by Robert Waller, AF, 1992, audio cassettes, 3hrs, rating=1
read:  10/7/10

If you can stomach reading about a consummated adulterous temptation then you might find this to be a beautiful love story.  But I couldn't so hence the poor rating. 

I'd rather read a book rooted in fidelity over one that is rooted in adultery, hands down!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, YR, 2007, 217p, rating=2
read:  10/4/10

A good kid's book.  My 7yo enjoyed it, but too many antics for me.

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison, YA, 2009, 264p, rating=4
read:  10/8/10

What I call a 'teenie-bopper' kind of story but this one has a surprising depth.

Strung Out by Sara Paretsky, Mystery, 1997, audio cassettes, 80min, rating=2
read:  10/5/10

One of several 'one that can stand alone' kind of mystery series.  This one just didn't grab me.

"The Secret"

by Rhonda Byrne, 2006, 198p, rating=1

"The Secret has been passed down through the ages... coveted, hidden, lost, stolen, bought for vast sums of money, and known by some of the most exceptional people who ever lived: Plato, Galileo, Da Vinci, Beethoven, Edison, and Einstein, to name but a few.

The Secret book reveals how you can change every aspect of your life. You can turn any weakness or suffering into strength, power, unlimited abundance, health and joy.

Everything is possible, nothing is impossible. There are no limits. Whatever you can dream of can be yours, when you use The Secret." (book's website)

An inviting looking book... pretty paper, fancy pen-to-ink kind of font, and a neat small book.  The promise of revealing the secret was also alluring.  The temptation worked.  I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar!  I acquired the book and read it. 

Oh my, a potential life changing kind of theory but with a hidden cult feel to it.  I'm for the basic premise of positive thoughts bring positive karma.  I can run with that, but to say that your thoughts summoned all your negative circumstances is a stretch.  So the malnourished children of the world sent out negative vibes to keep food away from them?  Your child had so many negative thoughts that he brought leukemia upon himself?  You asked to be raped?  Then, it looks like money does grow on trees and cars, houses, jobs, spouses, etc. fall from the sky.  All you have to do is order what you want from the Universe, pretend you already have it, and then it will magically come to you.

Much of the statements found in this book out of context is sound and plausible.  These statements from past great minds and modern gurus independently are words of inspiration to improve your life.  Like, be grateful for what you have now, love yourself and everyone, and there is power in positive thinking.  So there are some truth in the book to make it appear that the whole theory must then be on the ball.  But it's a gimmick.  I don't see a bio on the author.  The gurus and past great minds have one spelled out to prove credibility but all we know of the author is that she stumbled into the secret and generously compiled a thesis of it for us.  This could be interpreted that she's a businesswoman out to make a buck and laughing her way to the bank.  Yet, I really don't know that and perhaps she is sincere in her invitation to help us better ourselves.  Except that there are flaws in her overall hypothesis so just be careful how far you follow The Secret.

"The Melting Season"

by Jami Attenberg, 2010, 289p, rating=1

It was a chore to read this book.  I thought about giving up but then I pushed forward hoping it'd come together by the end.  Nope, not really!  The mysterious and "not feeling" protagonist (Catherine) stayed pretty much that way ...okay, maybe there was an implication that growth had taken place but I felt that it was one of those imagery endings that did not work here.  Don't get me wrong, I don't need the ending to be neat and explained ... remember, I liked Murakami's Kafka on the Shore, ... but I was not satisfied with the character development here.  A couple of the supporting characters (Valka and Prince impersonator) were promising but there too I craved more.  Plus, I didn't care for how the adult context was presented.  It wasn't necessarily the prudish side of me, I can handle sensuality.  I just felt that it was not done right for my taste.  Consequently, this is an equivalent of the movie rating of "rated R" ...and a bad one at that.  Sorry Ms. Attenberg and Attenberg fans.  Please don't shoot me (or the like).

Book's synopsis:

"Catherine Madison is headed West with a suitcase full of cash.  She's just left the only home she's ever known, a small town in Nebraska, after things fell apart with the only man she has ever known, her husband, Thomas.  She's also left behind her deepest, most shameful secrets--among them a dysfunctional family she's never quite been able to escape and a marriage whose most intimate moments have plagued her with self doubt.  On the road, she's going to become a new person.  Or so she thinks.  But leaving everything behind isn't as easy as she had hoped.  When she reaches Las Vegas, Catherine meets the beautiful but damaged Valka, a single woman struggling with her own painful history.  Against a backdrop of casino lights and celebrity-impersonator shows, the two women forge an unexpected friendship, and as their bond deepens, Catherine is compelled to reveal what she has never told anyone before.  With Valka's help, Catherine realizes that if she is ever to overcome her past, she must finally uncover the truth about her family, come to understand what destroyed her marriage, and prevent her troubled younger sister from repeating her mistakes."

My quote-ables:

"...you should have more respect for your insides.  The fact that you can conceive, that your body works in that way.  You should not be careless about your power.  There are people who would kill to have that power.  You should appreciate it.  It's your body.  You do what you want with it.  But you respect it." --Valka, pg 271-272

"after the moment"

by Garret Freymann-Weyr, 2009, 328p, rating=1

This book didn't click for me.  I didn't really by into the teen love story ... perhaps it was missing vampires and wolves... haha!  It was basically missing everything.  Too many characters that didn't have substance.  The story line was too busy and slow.  I'm sorry but I just didn't like this one.  I don't know what else to say!  :(

Book's synopsis:

Maia Morland is pretty, only not pretty-pretty.  She's smart.  She's brave.  She's also a self-proclaimed train wreck.  Leigh Hunter is smart, popular, and extremely polite.  He's also completely and forever in love with Maia Morland.  Their young love starts off like a romance novel--full of hope, strength, and passion.  But life is not a romance novel and theirs will never become a true romance.  For when Maia needs him the most, Leigh betrays both her trust and her love.  Told with compassion and true understanding.  After the Moment is about what happens when a young man discovers that sometimes love fails us, and that, quite often, we fail love.

"Admission"

by Travis Thrasher, 2006, 284p, rating=1

What a disappointment.  It started out mysteriously enough to keep the pages turning but after awhile the see-sawing from 1994 to 2005 got irritating.  Tell me what happened on that bloody night already!!  I kept turning the pages because eventually it would tell me and hoped it was a good one.  Nope! 

No real depth to the characters and what's with the title?  Yes, it was set in a university but really no link to what the author wanted to signify "admission" to in the book. 

Here's the book's trailer:

"Jake River has it all.  One last semester of college. A close-knit group of friends.  The love of his life he's nearly won over.  A promising future almost here.  Until something unspeakable happens and his life, and the lives of his friends, are changed forever.  Eleven years later, Jake is finally given a chance to renew friendships, to rekindle a lost love, and to come to grips with the dark legacy of his college career."

"Short Girls"

by Bich Minh Nguyen, 2009, 292p, rating=1

The title caught my eye because, well, I'm short! I wanted to see what the author had to say. Well, I was disappointed! It was incredibly slow!! It felt like I was reading for hours and getting no where. There were too many details and going off tangents that didn't really help me appreciate the story line. I was close to giving up but I thought maybe the end would make up for the dragging read. It didn't really; even though I liked that it had a peaceful ending for the two "short" sisters, Van and Linny.

What an awful portrait of marriage! There were hints that the sisters' father (Dinh Luong) had an affair (the very least a troubled marriage since the father slept in the basement), Linny knowingly having an affair with a married man, and Van finding out that her husband was seeing another woman and the marriage ending in a divorce. True, this happens in real life but reading about it here didn't work for me! Plus, I didn't buy into the "Luong Arm" invention metaphor. I think it wasn't original and it was a stretch (pardon the pun) at making the title work. Just too many messages/morals that the author wanted to come across but failed to cohesively tell. It wasn't incredibly bad (towards the end was alright) enough to say that I want my several hours back because I have saved yours!

"Soledad"

by Angie Cruz, 2001, 237p, rating=1

I just couldn't finish this book! There was too much foul language so it was a big turn off. I kept reading thinking I could get passed it, but the story line wasn't grabbing me either so I decided to move on to another book.