The Dividing Sky

I read The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew for book club. The book description says, "In 2364, eighteen-year-old Liv Newman dreams of a future beyond her lower-class life in the Metro. As a Proxy, she uses the neurochip in her brain to sell memories to wealthy clients. Maybe a few illegally, but money equals freedom. So when a customer offers her a ludicrous sum to go on an assignment in no-man's-land, Liv accepts. Now she just has to survive. Rookie Forceman Adrian Rao believes in order over all. After discovering that a renegade Proxy's shady dealings are messing with citizens' brain chemistry, he vows to extinguish the threat. But when he tracks Liv down, there's one problem: her memories are gone. Can Adrian bring himself to condemn her for crimes she doesn't remember? As Liv and Adrian navigate the world beyond the Metro and their growing feelings for one another, they grapple with who they are, who they could be, and whether another way of living is possible."

It's been awhile since I read a dystopian type book, so this took me a little bit to make sure I was following the story and the new world correctly. But once I got into the story, I was invested and enjoyed following it to see what happened to the characters and how things worked out. It was a fun premise, and again, I probably would have had more to say if I'd written this review right after finishing.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Seeking Persephone

I read Seeking Persephone by Sarah Eden for book club. The book description says, "When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses—and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he’s offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger. Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke’s castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke’s steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke’s armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without."

This was a fun read. I was interested in the story and enjoyed the characters. Some parts made me roll my eyes a little bit, but I enjoyed the book, and it made me laugh. I wish I had written this review right after I read the book and then I'd probably have more to say, but alas.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Haven

I read Haven: A Small Cat's Big Adventure by Megan Wagner Lloyd for consideration for Ollie's school Every Lion, One Book program in the future and then ended up selecting it for my kids' book club--so read it a second time aloud to Ollie. The book description says, "A warm, cozy lap. The toasty smell of baking bread. Tasty food served in a bright-blue bowl. These make Haven’s life as an indoor pet heaven. All thanks to her beloved human and rescuer, Ma Millie. But when Ma Millie becomes too sick to care for her, the cat’s cozy life is turned upside down, and Haven decides she must seek out another human for help. Anything for Ma Millie! Her vow pulls her out of her safe nest into the shadowy forest and down unfamiliar and dangerous roads. When her first plan fails, Haven meets a wilderness-savvy fox who volunteers as an ally, and their perilous journey together brings some victories. But Haven finds herself pitted against creatures far wilder than she ever could be, testing her strength and spirit to their limits. Will her loyalty to Ma Millie—and her newfound confidence in herself—be enough to help Haven see the quest through to its conclusion? Can she stand up against the fierce predator that is tracking her every move?"

This is a really sweet book. When I read it to Ollie, I ended up pretty much bawling near the end and it was hard to get through it. But I thought this was just a beautiful read with an engaging story for kids. I liked it the first time I read it earlier in the month but probably liked it even more reading it with Ollie. The book was well written and exciting with likable characters.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Nickel Boys

I read The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead for book club. The book description says, "When Elwood Curtis, a black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee, is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, he finds himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors. Elwood’s only salvation is his friendship with fellow 'delinquent' Turner, which deepens despite Turner’s conviction that Elwood is hopelessly naive, that the world is crooked, and that the only way to survive is to scheme and avoid trouble. As life at the Academy becomes ever more perilous, the tension between Elwood’s ideals and Turner’s skepticism leads to a decision whose repercussions will echo down the decades."

This was a really engaging read. It actually read kind of like a nonfiction book, so I had to keep reminding myself it was fictional (even though it was based on real events). The book really highlighted the unfair things that happened to the boys that went to the school this book was based on. I really liked all the references to Martin Luther King Jr speeches and the lines that inspired Elwood.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)