Review: The Hour I First Believed

The Hour I First Believed is the first fiction novel that I have read by Wally Lamb. The tragedy at Columbine is at the center of this spiralling novel. Caelum Quirk and his wife Maureen both work at Columbine High School. While Caelum is at home in Connecticut dealing with a family emergency, Maureen is trapped, hidden in a cupboard in the library during the Columbine shooting. What I found intriguing about Wally Lamb’s approach to the tragedy is that he showed the reader the raw emotions of a survivor of the Columbine tragedy and those very close to the survivors. It was a unique perspective for me.  

However, The Hour I First Believed was so much more than just a survivor’s tale; it took the reader on a journey in Caelum’s family history when the Quirk’s move back to his family farm in Connecticut. I will confess that this part of the story was not my favourite as it went back through journals and diaries to delve into the secrets in Caelum’s family history.

The Hour I First Believed was a book I enjoyed for it gave me a perspective that I had not considered before. Unfortunately, I found that there were many storylines to follow and a few that I could have done without. 

Review: Mackenzie Blue ARC

Tina Wells has created a spunky and lovable character in Mackenzie Blue, aka Zee. In the first book of the Mackenzie Blue series, Zee is going in to seventh grade and things are not looking good. Her best friend has moved away, she is supposed to be helping Jasper who just moved from England, she desperately wants to win the Teen Sing competition, a new Music teacher and somehow her diary has gone missing. However, while these events were definitely speed bumps, Zee, with a true sense of self, finds her way.

What I really liked about this book is that Zee made mistakes and owned them. She is not perfect, but she is real. I loved the images, drawings, lists and texts. The book was fun with true messages through out. I even found myself laughing out loud at times. I immediately passed it along to some tween readers who also enjoyed the book immensely!

Disclosure: This book was sent to me as part of the First Look program with HarperCollins Canada

Review: Daniel X: A Graphic Novel

Daniel’s parents were murdered when a powerful alien in pursuit of The Book which ranks aliens by their power and abilities mercilessly attacks his family home. Orphaned at the age of three, with mystical powers that he must begin to udnerstand and learn to control Daniel eventually becomes an alien hunter who will seek revenge on the alien who murdered his family. He systematically begins killing the notorious aliens one by one. In this segment, Daniel is hunting Number 7, Ergent Seth. With his band of make believe friends and his supernatural abilities, Daniel faces and attempts to conquer evil.
My first graphic novel ever and I must admit I am a new convert to the graphic novel genre. I was pulled in right away and loved it! I couldn't put it down. Daniel is an alien hunter and for someone who isn’t a huge fan of Science Fiction, the format of a graphic novel works really well because I had some context to help me understand. James Patterson has found an excellent way to engage our reluctant readers.

Review: The Girls

The Girls by Lori Lansens is the story of 29 year-old conjoined twins Rose and Ruby Darlen. As they approach the milestone of being the longest living craniopagus twins (conjoined at the head) Rose decides to begin her autobiography. The story is told mostly by Rose, but Ruby also sporadically writes her point of view on significant events in their lives as well.

The reader finds themselves immersed in the fascinating lives of the conjoined twins living in a small Ontario town with their adoptive parents. The retellings are amusing and at times horrifying.

What I liked about The Girls is how their story was told from each of their perspectives. While Rose was the dominate narrator it was nice to read of Ruby's impressions. The Girls was a novel that truly took me into someone's life that I could never imagine. Ruby and Rose were quirky and endearing characters who will stick with me for a long time.

Review: The Friday Night Knitting Club

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacob's was our Book Caucus' first selection to read together.

Georgia Walker is the single mother of Dakota who opened Walker and Daughter, a knitting shop, to help support them. Walker and Daughter becomes the setting that gathers a very eclectic group of women together week after week to share the many challenges and celebrations in life. The characters create the true story, from Anita, the spunky widower who encouraged Georgia to sell her knitting and eventually open the yarn shop, to James the father who left many years ago but is back to make amends, to Kat the best friend who over time drifted away from the friendship and herself, to Dakota a determined child who is on the brink of adulthood and the cast of many other women who cross the Walker and Daughter doorstep.

Kate Jacobs has created a cast of characters who are endearing and while they have their own personal crises, help Georgina find a way through hers. The Friday Night Knitting Club is a nice read that reinforces that everyone comes into our lives for a purpose. While I enjoyed the story, I found that I longed for the characters to be more developed. There were so many people with great stories that I wanted to know more about them.

As our first book club selection The Friday Night Knitting Club garnered some discussion, but many of us wanted more character development. I would like to read the next one to see what happens to Dakota, Anita, James and Kat.