Book Review: Constanly Constance

I read this book because I went to high school with the author. It's based on Constance's blog that details her dating life.

Constantly Constance  

Constance takes you along as she braves a move from Texas to New England. As she sets up life in her new town she encounters many potential suitors and many awkward dates follow. The message of carpe diem resonates through out this book. The author is quick witted and has a wicked (New England term) sense of humor. The story is really just a snap shot of Constance's life. I would like to hear from someone who has read the book but is not from Austin. The book made me nostalgic for my hometown and I wonder if someone who isn't familiar with Austin would enjoy it as much. It's a short book so I say if you like Sex and the City and/or Girls, read this book. I suggest putting it on your summer reading list and reading it poolside with a pina colada!

Rating: B

Book Review: A Handmaid's Tale

I read this book when we first moved to McAllen this summer. 

 

The Handmaid's Tale

Offred is a woman living in a incredibly strict society where the slightest indiscretion is likely to get you killed. She has to watch everything she says, everything she does, and even her body language. Her station in this cold society is a handmaid, who have only one purpose to fulfill, and her time is running out. The question of who she can trust in this impersonal, cold world, is vital to her survival. I could not put this book down! I loved the descriptions of her day to day life, the flash backs to her old life, it all pulled me into her world. The society in this book is reminiscent of the one in 1984 by George Orwell (one of my favorites). As the pages flew by and I was sure this book was going to end up on my favorites list too, then I got to last quarter of the book. There were several plot twists and events that felt too easy, too convenient. To me, it felt as if the author had become bored with the story and was ready to be done with it. In the end, I felt dissatisfied with the end, that is why I'm not giving the book an A. Although, be sure to read the "Historical Notes" at the end of the book, they add to the story!



Rating: B+

Book Review: The Cuckoo's Calling

I have to admit, I read this book because I heard that J.K. Rowling wrote it under a Pseudonym (which is true).

The Cuckoo's Calling 

A down on his luck P.I., Cormoran Strike, reluctantly agrees to investigate the death of a supermodel. At first glance, the case seems straightforward, like a completed puzzle, but soon the detective notices something amiss, some of the pieces don't fit flush. To help sift through the clues of the case, he begrudgingly accepts the help of his new office temp. From there, the story pulls you in, the questions build, suspects seem more and more suspicious, and soon you're trying to decipher every movement they make. J.K. Rowling does an excellent job of creating a life and world you can enter (we already knew she could do this from the Harry Potter Series). There are several plot twists: some were surprising, some were predictable. The ending, which can make or break a mystery, was good.  But that's it, just good. The main character arrived at some conclusions and I couldn't quite see how he had. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book. Rumor has it that this is the first in a series, and we all know what kind of luck J.K. Rowling has had with those.

Rating: B+