PAGE TURNERS- 2023
We have read so many great books this year, so far:
BLINDNESS by Jose Saramago
A city is hit by an epidemic of "white blindness" that spares no one. Authorities confine the blind to an empty mental hospital, but there the criminal element holds everyone captive, stealing food rations, and assaulting women. There is one eyewitness to this nightmare who guides her charges—among them a boy with no mother, a girl with dark glasses, a dog of tears—through the barren streets, and their procession becomes as uncanny as the surroundings are harrowing. As Blindness reclaims the age-old story of a plague, it evokes the vivid and trembling horrors of the twentieth century, leaving readers with a powerful vision of the human spirit that's bound both by weakness and exhilarating strength (Goodreads).
Page Turners' Thoughts:
We had mixed feelings about this novel. The writing style is very different. It's a stream-of-conciousness approach, so it was sometimes hard to follow and/or confusing-almost no punctuation!!. In addition, it can be very graphic and rather disturbing
The characters are interesting and intriguing, and definitely kept us guessing.
The main positive for this novel is it invoked discussion. We debated and talked about so many aspects of this story. I think we would cautiously recommend this novel, but be prepared for something unlike anything you've ever read before- and not always in a good way (weird). I would challenge anyone to read it though. It is nothing if not thought provoking.
THE INHERITANCE GAMES by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch -- and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a conwoman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive (Goodreads).
Page Turners' Thoughts:
We all started out quite enjoying this novel. It is an intriguing concept for a story, and we were all eager to dive in. The story is fun in that, it is full of codes and riddles, and some of us loved the romance factor, (not me). However, I would recommend this series as I think teen readers will enjoy all the mystery, and of course, the romance. In fact, we enjoyed it so much we read the second book in the series as our next choice.
THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Thanks to a DNA test, Avery knows that she's not a Hawthorne by blood, but clues pile up hinting at a deeper connection to the family than she had ever imagined. As the mystery grows and the plot thickens, Grayson and Jameson, the enigmatic and magnetic Hawthorne grandsons, continue to pull Avery in different directions. And there are threats lurking around every corner, as adversaries emerge who will stop at nothing to see Avery out of the picture - by any means necessary (Goodreads).
Page Turners' Thoughts:
While we didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book in the series, I still stand by my original thought which is that teens will enjoy this series, and for that reason, I recommend it!
THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways (Goodreads).
We LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this novel1 From the old Hollywood glam to all the the love and relationships, to the intrigue and excellent story telling- this was one of the best books I've read in a long time. If you love Hollywood, and romance and complex, interesting relationships with an LGBTQ+ vibe, you will be swept away by this incredible story. Bring on the movie!!!!!
We love the first book by TJR so much, we decided to read another:
MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid
At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.
Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?
In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate? (Goodreads).
Page Turners' Thoughts:
While we all definitely enjoyed this novel, it just was not as enjoyable and completely awesome as Evelyn Hugo. It's a cool story with a fun plot though. I think we would all recommend anything by TJR. I know Daisy Jones and the Six is currently showing on Netflix, and that speaks volumes about the popularity of Reid's novles. Both of the novels by TJR are available in the library and I would be curious to know which one you preferred.
THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADIE LARUE by V.E. Schwab
Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.
But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name (Goodreads).
Page Turners' Thoughts:
GO. READ. THIS. BOOK. With the exception of a couple students, we all adored this novel. I think it's one of the best books I've ever read. We just loved the history, and the character of Addie, so incredibly much. She is mysterious, intelligent, cool and complex, and then there's the writing. Oh, the writing!! It is beautiful, ethereal, artistic, magical. Give this one a whirl- it will be imprinted on your heart. Trust us.
Current Read:
THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett
Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins (Goodreads).
Page Turners' Thoughts:
So far, we are enjoying it. More to come...stay tuned!!
