Tag: Gen Lit

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasumussen

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasumussen

I won a copy of The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen thanks to a Goodreads giveaway.

I had heard lots of good things about this book on Twitter and read lots of awesome reviews on Goodreads about this book and I must say in this case the book lives up to its hype….it was GREAT :).

The story follows the lives of two sisters who couldn’t be more opposite–Twiss and Milly. The sisters are spinsters who live in the same house that they grew up in and are now in their 70’s. We get a little background on them in the beginning of the story and then the story shifts and goes back to one summer that changed their lives forever when they were young girls.

The sisters parents are clearly having marital problems, Twiss struggles with some gender/identify issues and Milly with the uncertainty of a first love, and then as if that isn’t enough their older cousin Bett comes to stay with them for the summer which more or less causes all hell to break loose in their ‘perfect’ worlds. I don’t want to give too much about the story away but having Bett there causes both girls to lose their last bit of innocents and faith. The book is more or less about coming of age and innocents lost but it is also about forgiveness.  Continue reading “Review: The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasumussen” →

Book Challenges, Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading, Reading Challenges

Review: Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami (Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge)

by The Lit Bitch4 Comments on Review: Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami (Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge)

I just finished reading Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami as part of the Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge hosted by Murakamichallenge.blogspot.com.

I will admit, I knew absolutely nothing about this author and I am NOT a huge fan of Asian literature except for the more popular/mainstream Asian fiction books like Memoirs of a Geisha and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

When I saw this reading challenge I decided to join because the author sounded intriguing and from what I read, his books sounded like something that would be right up my alley. I am a huge film/literary noir, hardboiled, and avant-garde fan and from what I read about Haruki Murakami (HM), his books have many of these themes. HM’s books focus on surreal, mystical, post modern ideals of loneliness and isolation.

When I decided to join the challenge I went with the list of options–reading one book by HM as I was not sure what to expect and I’ll be honest I have to be in a ‘mood’ to read some of the darker, heavier books and most of HM’s books seemed heavy.

I choose Sputnik Sweetheart for the challenge because it sounded like I could relate to the main character the most out of all his other books. While the story WAS far from light, it was very beautiful–the language was very lyrical and poetic which helped relieve some of the heavy content. The story follows protagonist Sumire, a young aspiring writer who falls in love with her older friend Miu. Though much of the book is based on this love story, it is more about self discovery, isolation, and loneliness. Continue reading “Review: Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami (Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge)” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace

What is better than getting presents on your birthday….getting unexpected gifts on your birthday :).

I had seen the book Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace listed as a free advanced copy giveaway on the Goodreads website.

There were many others I could have entered but I was immediately drawn to this one. Without reading the description I knew I would instantly fall in love with the book as I simply love the subject of the book (Impressionist art) without question, one of my favorites being Van Vogh himself.

I was thrilled to get the email that I had won the book on my birthday!

I started the book Friday night and finished it Saturday night, needless to say it was an engrossing tale!

Regardless of the reviews and expectations that I had seen about the book, nothing could prepare me for how this book draws you in and you instantly become part of the energy while reading the tale. I became drawn to the book, sucked in if you will, by the romanticism and the overall tragedy of the characters and story…..so tragic but so familiar in many ways.

I have been a Van Gogh fan for years. Though there are other Impressionist painters that I like better than Van Gogh (Manet, Degas, Monet, and Renior are a couple of my favs)–there is no one like Van Gogh. No one can match how he views people…he really gets into your mind and the result is rather unsettling.

I will thrilled that the book was able to really grasp the essence of these paintings and show the reader how troubled the artist was. It was rich and colorful….ironically like a painting. The story is written from the perspective of  Dr Paul Gachet, Van Vogh’s personal physician in the months before his death. Continue reading “Review: Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Reading

Review: The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

I had seen the book The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart at bookstores and was intrigued by both the title and the book cover, so simple by catching nevertheless.

The summary sounded interesting and above all, it sounded funny–finally light reading! At long last I finally picked up the book, welcoming the change in literary matter.

I did not read this book for any challenge, I simply just needed a break and to read something random, new, and relaxing and I was not disappointed. Not many books really make me laugh out loud but there were many parts of this book where I found myself in hear hysterics…especially at the beginning.

I had read mixed reviews about the book and was a little hesitant to start it, fearing it would not meet expectations but it was truly entertaining. One of the things I liked best about the book was the absurd characters and plot…..not to mention the voice/tone of the novel–very dry, witty, and intelligent humor….characteristically British!  Continue reading “Review: The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart” →

Book Challenges, Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading, Reading Challenges

Review: Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

by The Lit Bitch5 Comments on Review: Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

I chose to read Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay for the Jewish Literature Reading Challenge. I initially picked the book out at a bookstore because I really liked the cover (The Luxembourg Gardens was one of my favorite places in Paris so of COURSE the cover grabbed my attention!).

The summary sounded intriguing and moving so I added it to my TBR list.

Lots of Jewish Literature focuses on Holocaust remembrance and Sarah’s Key is no different. The book initially takes place in occupied France during 1942 where we meet 10 year old Sarah Starzynski, a little Jewish girl who’s family is seized during the Vel’d’Hiv’ Round up–which took place in Paris and involved the French police (working for the Germans) who arrested and carted off to Auschwitz concentration camp.

When the police come, Sarah hides her brother in a secret cabinet in their apartment to keep him safe from the police and promises to return to him shortly and free him. She leaves him with some water, snacks, and a book as she assumes she will be returning in the morning. It goes without saying that the Vel’d’Hiv’ Round up is considered one of the darkest hours in France’s history.

The book alternates between Sarah’s story and that of modern day American writer Julia who is living in Paris. Julia is writing a story for a Paris magazine about the Vel’s’Hiv anniversary and since she doesn’t know much about it, she starts researching the event and discovers many things about the round up including the story of little Sarah which has a direct influence on her life and family.

Here is the official summery from Shelfari: Continue reading “Review: Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay” →