Review: Get in the Car, Jupiter by Fisher Amelie

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I was immediately draw to this book by its gorgeous cover. But after examining it, it can be determined that the head dress feels a little inappropriate. It is not mentioned in the story, and it’s not a part of the character’s culture.

This story was definitely colorful.  I think it might have tried a little too hard to be funny and almost crossed into eye rolling territory. I downloaded the sample first and felt a need to read this book because of the writing. It felt like the main character was directly talking to the reader. So I purchased it. Unfortunately, the writing got a tiring and old. Everything felt like it was going superfast and as a reader I couldn’t catch a break.

There were times when the story felt a too cheesy and an unbelievable. Also, I would have liked to see a more aspect of the road trip. What I mean is that we did not get to see many moments of the characters bonding in the car which eliminated many chances of the characters relationship developing. Those moments were shorter in comparison to the crazy events that happened on this road trip.

It is worth mentioning, that I enjoyed the several mentions of the title. Usually when authors name drop the title, it feels a little forced. With this book, it felt natural.

Characters

All of the characters were likable. Jupiter was a very quirky main character, and I couldn’t help but love her. It was an added bonus that her internal monologue matched perfectly to the character.

Her parents were interesting because of their disapproval of her going to college and their decision to live in a UFO. I would have loved if their dynamic was explored more and got some backstory. Altogether, the parents seemed to be a little absent. They were physically present only a handful of time.

Ezra did not really shine in this novel. He was the typically brooding YA love interest. He had such a tragic past that could have showcased some interesting character motives and development. Also, although I enjoyed their relationship, I felt cheated because there was so little time with them actually together. It would have been nice to see that development.

Review: Steering the Stars by Autumn Doughton & Erica Cope

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This wasn’t a bad book. And it does attempt to portray an honest and raw friendship. However, there were a few elements missing. For instance, this book dragged on, and it took forever for something big to happen. There were tiny sprinkles of drama.

They are not able to carry the book alone. Those tiny bits produced little or none character development and felt a little unnecessary. They mostly came from lack of communication. Before I go any further, I would like to discuss the plot a little bit more.

The book is told in alternating POVs- Hannah and Caroline. They are best friends and very inseparable. Hannah, the aspiring writer, has been accepted into a prestigious writing program in London. Caroline is the straight-A student, who is stuck in Oklahoma without her best friend for a year. Hannah faces many challenges while away in London and could potentially fail. And Caroline, who is used to being invisible, is suddenly front and center and on a stage.

The friendship between Caroline and Hannah was advertised to be the main focus. And surprisingly, at times most of the book dealt with boy issues. More focus should have been on the friendship, and the romance should have taken a back seat.  

Another issue, is that the main conflict felt like a letdown. Readers spent the majority of the book waiting for an exciting thing to happen, and when it does it falls flat and delivers a weak outcome. The characters did not really grow from the conflict, and there were some things still left unclear. Also, the authors introduced characters (for example Ava) and subplot and then completely dropped them to focus more attention on the romance.

The book does end on a happy note. The only problem is that the future of the characters are unclear. The readers are left to wonder what happens next.

Characters

The “before London” friendship between Hannah and Caroline was never shown. We didn’t see what they were like before Hannah left the country. Instead, the book immediately picks with Hannah landing in London, and the readers are told what great friends Hannah and Caroline are. The majority of the conversations between Hannah and Caroline take place by emails, so the interactions between them are limited. And even then the friendship begins to be filled with lies and half-truths.

It is believable that Hannah and Caroline are friends, but the friendship does not seem as spectacular without the before London.

It appeared as if Hannah actively wanted to avoid London. Instead of accepting the new location, she seemed to always complain that there were never American things around. Also, she moved to London to go to this prestigious writing program, but writing seemed to be pushed into the background. She was apparently very talented; however, it seemed more like something told than shown.

Caroline was more likable than Hannah. And I think that she demonstrated more character development than Hannah. It was interesting to see how she reacted to being pushed outside her comfort zone.

It is worth mentioning that it was unrealistic that she automatically got the lead role in the play. And although her relationship with her father would have brought an extra kick to the book, it is hardly explored.

Final Analysis

Steering the Stars promises a heartfelt story about fate and the magic of friendship; however, it does not deliver. Romance dominates the plot, and the unnecessary lies begin to bloom within the friendship which creates a weak conflict.

Review: Murder in The Delta: The Emmett Till Story by Michael Joseph Miller

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Words can't express how I feel at the conclusion of a book like this. There are so many emotions that are going through my mind and a million thoughts colliding in my brain as I read this book. You have to be someone without a pulse to not feel something whether it is anger or compassion for a time that I am so grateful doesn't exist today. I'm not going to be naive and say that racism and some sort of segregation doesn't exist today but this definitely opens a dialogue considering the various incidents where people have lost their lives. Coincidentally reading this book, the young man who died, his coffin just got exhibited on display at a museum in DC. This really puts things in perspective, hard to grasp but really puts you in a different place that opens your mind to what if.

There were many moments that I wanted to put this book down. It wasn't because it was bad or it didn't meet my expectations, it took too much of myself and the experiences crippled my consciousness and I was unable to let go of the uncontrollable depth of despair and hopelessness of everything because of the experiences. This book takes you to a place that is difficult but it is a welcomed intrusion on our comfort out of the status quo of existence of our cultural norms today. Told through the meticulous research and interviews, Michael Joseph Miller captures one of the most important events that shaped the civil rights movement thought a book that not only puts you there in that time but give you an insight from a perspective that rarely gets captured. 

This book gives you a whole different perspective that fills in the blanks of the history pages that we've been told over the years through education and the curiosity of documentaries and alike. I'm not going to lie, there were moments that made it unbearable to get through because I can't imagine what it would be like to go through this. Having to read the experiences and seeing the photos was tough at moments, but this narrative was real and puts in perspective the reality of an unthinkable existence that once was. The book was enlightening and an inspiration of hope that can be a catalyst for social change and inspire national dialogue in our current social climate. We have come a long way as a nation and thankfully more tolerant and accepting of others than in the past.

Review: Chasing Down Forever by Nikki Godwin

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The premise of this book is that Haley meets this mystery guy at a party that her parents made her attend. They snuck out of the party and spend the night together going to a concert and talking. The mystery guy disappears, and she later finds that he has been dead for two years. This leads Haley and her friend, Linzi, on a scavenger hunt/road trip to try and figure out the truth. The two end up in Crescent Cove, and encounter “Bodyguards”, professional surfers, and drama.

There are few words to describe how I feel about this book. It was slow. This is a mystery so it’s important that there is enough substance to keep the reader wanting more; however, with this one because everything was slow it felt overly long and boring. I stopped caring about the mystery midway through the book. And I grew frustrated with Haley not finding the mystery guy and lack of exciting things happening.

She does eventually find him at the end; however, it felt a little disappointing and all for nothing. If this book was going to be about soul searching, there should have been major instances where we see the character turning into a new person and developing a new outlook on life. Because when that character finally has that “Ah-ha” moment, readers are going to be slightly confused and wondering where that journey started.

Another problem I had is that there were many chunky paragraphs with some much details. The dialogue was hidden between them. It became a little intimidating and confusing. What I mean is, I felt like the author took time to describe everything and I was confused about the situation that was taking place. It made me want to skim and skip over pages which in turn made it easy for important conversations to get lost.

Characters

There were so many characters. Their personalities began to run together, and character names begin to get mixed up. It made it really hard to connect with characters because they were not really three dimensional and are not really memorable. We never got that heart to heart moment with characters or that moment that would show us who they really were. I didn’t really know them or know what to expect out of them.  

Haley’s reason for searching for this mystery guy was a little unrealistic and impulsive. Instead of her searching for him because of the mystery of it all, it was because she felt drawn and in love with him. She knew him for one night and there was little connection between them, so the idea that she would drop everything and go searching for him was a little odd.

Final Analysis

Chasing Down Forever was not my cup of tea; however, many loved this book.

Review: Insecurity Detox: A Breakout Plan to Rejuvenate Your Body, Mind, and Spirit by Trish Blackwell

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About the Book

What if you could experience a unique detoxification that would rid you of insecurity, self-doubt, worry, fear, anxiety, and more—and all those “impurities” could be replaced with confidence, purpose, joy, and better relationships? That’s what Insecurity Detox is all about.

In this book you will find thirty very doable detoxes that will help you get rid of the toxic mindsets and behaviors that pull you away from God’s truths and your best self, and replace them with a new way of thinking and acting.

This progressive detoxification journey can be done in thirty days, thirty weeks, or whatever works best for you and your busy schedule. Each detox builds on the ones before, and as you journey through this unique 3-fold approach, you’ll find healing for your body, mind, and spirit. With healthy eating tips, ways to reprogram your thinking process, and meaningful principles for your spiritual life, the whole direction of your life can change.

Each of the thirty chapters has three detoxes—for body, mind, and spirit—that will teach you new thought strategies and practical applications that will empower you to live with a positive perspective, grounded in God’s love and purpose for you. What we tell ourselves about ourselves either steals the joy of life from us or infuses us with ever-growing life. In this book, you will discover a new life for yourself where dreams really do come true.

Review

You can never read enough books that empower better for your life. Insecurity Detox had plenty of great substance to inspire and give you some great insight that you can takeaway but there was also some elements that really left me conflicted overall.

What attracted me to this book was intent of the content. There are so many people out there that battle daily with the imprisonment of not feeling good enough. I loved how it was based on the author’s own experience which really enables the reader to share her journey but also relate and connect. Insecurities are so detrimental to people lives so any sort of book that offers any possible remedy to overcome is a great thing. The intent of the book stemmed from her wanting to “detox from the insecurity that had been part of her daily life.” She takes the reader through 30 detoxes explored with subsets that are furthered expanded through insight on rejuvenating your mind, body and spirit. 

So, here’s where I feel conflicted about my thoughts with a certain aspect of the book. The overall commentary in the book was very good and had so much to offer but what I feel conflicted about is her spirituality elements portion of the book. I’m a person whose faith is deeply rooted and appreciate anyone who is inspired or it becomes the catalyst for something great in their life but I’m not sure about the scripture and the prayer elements that were part of this section in the book. The reason I say that is within these sections, the commentary that she relates spirituality to that particular detox was wonderful but then the scriptures and the prayers take something away from that section. 

What I thought was amazing that could’ve complimented these sections better was the review guide in the end of each detox. I really wish that was part of each section rather than be at the end of the book because that would’ve been more subtle but still have the impact of implementing faith into spirituality. Even though I thought overall her insight was wonderful, and feel conflicted about the spirituality portion of the book, I think it was a positive, engaging read.  

Review: Save My Place by Oliva deBelle Byrd

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About the Book

Blessed with an innate optimism and a magical childhood, Elisabeth Belle Sterling discovers that the path to happily-ever-after love is not as easily obtained as she had always imagined. 

The Camelot-like love she longs for seems like only a dream until she meets the handsome Kincaid Patterson, a West Point graduate who carries a dark secret from his past. 

Theirs is a passionate and unconditional love that has to confront a painful past, heart-searing separation, and the greatest of all tragedies. But the biggest obstacle is the loss of faith that threatens to undermine all that they have. 

Set in the South during the 1960s and 70s against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, Save My Place is a beautifully written love story of two people who search deep within their souls to save each other.

Review

Rarely do I get the chance to fall in love with a story under 200 pages that completely takes my breath away. Nostalgic, beautiful with such an engagement setting, Oliva deBelle Byrd's Save My Place, fulfilled beyond my initial expectations for a book of this length. This was my first book read by her and applaud her composition of such beautiful storytelling. She truly gives readers a page turner that you can fall in love with and really can appreciate the depth and richness of the characters story being told.

The book's setting in the South is in the late 60s and 70s with the backdrop of the Vietnam War. We are introduced to Elisabeth Belle Sterling. She had the ideal background with both loving and supportive parents. The book chronicles her journey, at times through reflection, to the current in which she is a loving school teacher. Everything has gone well in her life excerpt in the love area. Despite having that everlasting hope of Prince Charming, her real life has dealt her another reality. After a couple of bad experiences, she gave up all hope of ever finding the perfect guy until Kincaid Patterson comes into her life and as they say “the rest is history.” 

Kincaid Patterson, a Westpoint graduate, whom not only is easy on the eyes but has something special that connects him with Elisabeth that undeniably puts him in the soulmate category. Despite their unconditional love and growing attraction, no matter how much he tried to suppress his past, it had crippled his spirit and the core of his soul. It isn't until one day he is gets confronted by his past and is forced to deal with something that he'd rather forget. Not understanding that not dealing with this has had a big impact on his ability to open his heart until he met Elisabeth. Not a stranger to tragedy, something unexpected happens in their lives that tests the elasticity of love, faith, and hope.

What I love about the evolution of their relationship is their imperfections literally define opposites attract. Experiencing the highs and the lows of the reality of two separate worlds coming together to find their way was truly a beautiful experience through the book. You have Elisabeth, who had the ideal life and Kincaid who really experienced overwhelming heartbreaking experiences. The kind of experiences that really have a heavy impact on a person. What both lacked, each other complimented and truly embodied the cliché, “you complete me.” Destiny and fate were truly on their side and to see them through their relationship, was such a beautiful journey.

One thing that stands out in the book that I absolutely loved were the letters that Elisabeth writes to her husband while he is deployed. For those gals out there in this situation where your husband is away and/or when you read about Kincaid's experience, you will definitely be able to connect with her. I know on the surface you might think, this gal has a great life but beyond this, what can she bring as a female character that would make her stand out differently than the predictable? Well, when people look at a couple and see rainbows and sunshine, they don't see the inside downpour. These letters shared everything that make you appreciate her faith and strength to keep going even when things where too much to bare. 

Overall, this was such a great book. I'm telling you ahead of time to get ready for the Kleenex for a tearjerker ending. It was just refreshing to read a clean, nice love story that just was so fulfilling. I will definitely check out her other work and look forward to see what she has in the future. What she did in such a small book was beautiful. If you get a chance, please add this one to your TBR list, you will  love it.