Review: Eleanor Courtown by Lucy E.M. Black

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When her dear cousin Lily sets sail from the Irish shore where the two grew up as sisters, Eleanor is determined to follow suit in order for them to be together. As an unmarried woman of high birth, she manages her travels only by deceiving her family and withdrawing in secret to Canada. Upon arriving, she is distraught to find her cousin both widowed and, in desperate haste, remarried to a crude and cryptic stranger. Certain that something is amiss, she attempts to pry her cousin and newborn niece homeward, but Lily is unhappily resolved to her new lot in life and the girls’ former relationship seems all but severed. Nonetheless, Eleanor is determined to carry out her familial duty and protect her cousin, even from a distance, at all costs. Alone and in a new country, she attempts to establish a life for herself as she learns to stand on such unfamiliar ground.

Lucy E.M. Black has proved herself a novelist to be noted with the spellbinding narrative which unfolds throughout “Eleanor Courtown”. The epistolary style and impressive dialogue are captivating from the onset. Such skill allows you to slip seamlessly into the prose of the past, whether the backdrop be a richly furnished Irish manor, a humble Canadian homestead, or the convivial parlor of a pair of simple but winsome Innkeepers. The cast of characters are the most charming I’ve crossed in a long while, each with personality as well as a rich past. In addition to being an absorbing drama, the story acted as an interesting, and at times distressing, historical portrait. At its core, “Eleanor Courtown” is a story of love; it tells of its endless facets, both sacrificial and enduring, found in the deeds of strangers and of one’s own flesh and blood alike. There is a comfort to be had in reading this novel, particularly in the person of each character. I wrapped myself up in this book like a warm shawl and enjoyed every minute. It is in all aspects engaging and endearing from the first page to the very last.

Review: The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to the Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific by David Bianculli

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I was deeply engrossed into this book. I found it to be interesting and I didn’t want to stop reading. The Platinum Age of Television provides a well-researched tale of the evolution of television. The book begins with children’s programs and spends time discussing westerns, sitcoms, and legal dramas and so many other genres.  

The book also includes interviews with prominent television figures such as David E. Kelley, Judd Apatow, and Aaron Sorkin. It was interesting to see what television shows they were influenced by and why they developed the shows that they did.  To prevent overexposure of the individuals rather than the television shows, the author carefully alternated between the two.

There were several individuals and shows that I was not familiar with. For example, Perry Mason or The Shield. I’ve never heard of those shows. However, my lack of knowledge for the shows did not discourage me from reading. The author did a good job of providing a quick summary of what each show was about.

The Platinum Age of Television feels like a textbook. There is a lot of important information within the pages. But unlike some textbooks, it is entertaining. And it also has a clear narration. Everything felt cohesive and correlated.

The book is broken into sections: children’s programs, animation, variety/sketch, soap operas, crime, legal, family sitcoms, workplace sitcoms, splitcoms, single working women sitcoms, sci-fi/fantasy/horror, westerns, spies, general drama, war, miniseries, and topical comedy. It’s a lot of television shows mentioned.

And although there are several topics discussed, never once did I feel overwhelmed with the abundance of information. I actually wanted to go conduct my own research and watch the shows that I was less familiar with.

It would be interesting to see David Bianculli write a follow-up. This book was written in 2016, and already there have been so many new groundbreaking televisions shows that are changing the game.

Final Analysis

The Platinum Age of Television provides an in-depth, entertaining view into the most popular mass medium- television.

Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

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Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Every once in a while, you find a book that completely change your life. It’s groundbreaking, and after reading, you feel like a completely different person. Somehow better than you were before you had picked up the book. It’s a hard feeling to describe, but I definitely felt that after finished The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

This is truly a groundbreaking book, and it is a privilege that our world was blessed with this glorious gift. I may sound overdramatic, but I’m being honest. This book changed my life. I’ve heard several rave about this book and after reading I completely get the hype. It was a great book.

The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr Carter and an unfortunate event that forever changes her life. Her childhood best friend, Khalil is tragically killed.

It’s an important and timely story that doesn’t stray away from the tough topics. This is an emotional book, and there were several times were I wanted to cry. It hit me hard in the feels. And really made me stop and take a moment to think about what I just read.

Like mentioned before, The Hate U Give deals with a sensitive and controversial topic. It warrants a conversation that needs to be had. The author handles the subject well. And her writing is incredibly beautiful. It felt real and honest. Almost conversational- like the main character was talking directly to the reader.

Characters

I loved Starr as a main character. I related to her drive and her desire to find the truth. She’s been through a lot and her strength was inspiring. There were several times when she could have stopped, but something inside of her kept her going. It amazing how much this character grew as the book continued.

I also loved Starr and her relationship to her family and friends. It was such a great dynamic that strengthened the book. 

Final Analysis

The Hate U Give is a heartbreaking and emotional book about a serious topic. It’s a wonderful book, and one that everyone should read.

Review: Hotel on Shadow Lake by Daniela Tully

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Daniela Tully’s novel, The Hotel on Shadow Lake, was a stunning debut novel that intricately weaves the past and the present in a romantic thriller that will leave the reader unable to turn the pages quick enough. Taking us from the mid 1930s Germany blending the present, we are taken away in a story that is filled with tragedy, heartbreak and the consequences of the times. 

Whenever I read a book that deals with Germany during that time, it always pulls at me a little. It was such a tough time politically and I couldn’t image living where you couldn’t have a voice. The book centered on unanswered questions about the disappearance of Martha Weisberg. When her body is discovered 27 years later, the world of Maya Weisberg flipped upside down. Not understanding how her grandmother ended up in the US, she decides to go on her own to seek answers where she was found. Her journey leads her down a road of buried secrets that unearth the past and bring many answers to light and bring closure to the present.

Overall, this was a really good book especially when you get to read good female characters. The progression of the plot of the book really was a page turner. The balance of the past and the present as the details got revealed really fit together well. You get swept up with the characters of the book and for me there wasn’t a moment that I felt I wanted to put it down. It’s always books like this where the character is driven by a purpose when you can experience it with them well that makes it such a good read. I’m definitely looking forward to see what this author has next. I’m recommending add this one to your TBR!

Review: Let Me Be Like Water by S.K. Perry

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Let Me Be Like Water, was a beautiful debut that delve into the innermost sadness of someone dealing with finding functionality in the grieving process. The book has a rhythmic flow that allows the voice of the protaganist to weigh heavy but overtime we experience along side her lightening that burden as she is able to find her way.

If you have ever been in the grieving process, Holly is a character that you will find solace in. If you are lucky to live by a beach, than you know there is nothing more calming and cathartic as the ocean absolving your pain away. The beach paying an integral part in her healing process and being surrounded by friends who have experienced loss as well and who love her and support her, allow her to go through the currents of guilt and sadness to find her joy.

Overall, this book has a different appeal. Before I knew the author was a poet, I had this simple, fluid experience as the words and emotions just glided though every page turn. When you are introduced to Holly, there is a different type of connection that doesn’t allow you to not be connected to her. This book captures many emotions but there is this sentimentality that pulls out towards you that attaches you to the moment. This was such a refreshing, unique experience that I know you will enjoy.

Review: The House at Saltwater Point by Colleen Coble

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The House at Saltwater Point is the second book in the Lavender Tides series. This can be read as a standalone but just for continuity with the series, go back and read book one. Just in case you’re wandering, there are tidbits from book one but it’s not where you’re missing information that will allow you to grasp the book. 

Honestly, I’m on the fence with my feelings on the book. The overall plot was really interesting. For me with this second book, I didn’t feel the connection to the characters early on as I did with the first book. There was something about Ellie and the storyline that just didn’t connect with me earlier on. I will say midway when the plot took off, it became more interesting for me to follow.

I don’t know why I couldn’t take to her as I’d hope but I did like her storyline with Grayson. I also enjoyed Grayson and the developing storyline between his discovery and his thereafter relationship with Shauna and Zach. The plot twist in their journey, I would love to see how it plays in another book. 

It would’ve been nice to have gotten more in the plot on Mac’s life turning over. I think that would’ve made me anticipate more wanting to know why. For example, right before she disappeared the events that happened, if that was told to the reader before Ellie discovered she was missing. That would’ve amped up the book for me at an earlier point. 

Overall, I’m satisfied with where the book led. Like the previous book, the mild suspense was the appeal to the storyline which once it took off it was fun to see it played out. Not sure where the next book will take us but I will continue on with the series. Even though you can read this alone, I’m going to tell you to read the first book first. When you check that one out, then read this one as well.