The Son by Jo Nesbø
Translated from Norwegian by Charlotte Barslund
Publisher: Knopf
Release Date: May 13, 2014
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
Sonny Lofthus is a strangely charismatic and complacent young man. Sonny’s been in prison for a dozen years, nearly half his life. The inmates who seek out his uncanny abilities to soothe leave his cell feeling absolved. They don’t know or care that Sonny has a serious heroin habit—or where or how he gets his uninterrupted supply of the drug. Or that he’s serving time for other peoples’ crimes.
Sonny took the first steps toward addiction when his father took his own life rather than face exposure as a corrupt cop. Now Sonny is the seemingly malleable center of a whole infrastructure of corruption: prison staff, police, lawyers, a desperate priest—all of them focused on keeping him high and in jail. And all of them under the thumb of the Twin, Oslo’s crime overlord. As long as Sonny gets his dope, he’s happy to play the criminal and the prison’s in-house savior.
But when he learns a stunning, long-hidden secret concerning his father, he makes a brilliantly executed escape from prison—and from the person he’d let himself become—and begins hunting down those responsible for the crimes against him . . . The darkly looming question is: Who will get to him first—the criminals or the cops?
Jo NesbØ is a Norwegian author best known for his Harry Hole crime novels. However, The Son is a stand-alone novel and the first of his I’ve read. I became aware of NesbØ because one of my friends has been a huge fan of his for a long time. After reading this book, I can see why.
The Son is different from a typical mystery or crime novel in that the killer is known from the beginning and his motives are as well. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of suspense. As Sonny takes revenge on those who have wronged him, a greater mystery having to do with a mole in the police department unravels with plenty of twists and turns.
Another thing that made this different from the crime novels I’ve read is that Sonny, ostensibly the villain, is such a likeable guy. I was actually rooting for him most of the time. His personality was so unique. All of the characters in The Son are well-drawn. I also really liked the relationship between Simon Kefas, the detective pursuing Sonny, and Simon’s wife, Else.
Now that I’ve had a taste of NesbØ , I want to read the Harry Hole novels as well. I highly recommend this book to not just fans of Nordic crime novels but fans of any type of crime novel.
(I received this book courtesy of the Amazon Vine program.)
June 3rd, 2014 in
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The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Release Date: May 29, 2014
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is the perfect summer read. And by that, I don’t mean that it’s fluffy or mindless. I mean that it’s so utterly absorbing that you won’t be able to put it down. You’ll finish it off in an afternoon by the pool easily and be basking in the afterglow on the way home. Is that too gushy? This book deserves it!
The Vacationers could have easily been a standard “family forced to go on vacation together” beach read – either the kind with zany, madcap humor or the kind with so.much.drama. However, Emma Straub’s novel is neither. In the beginning, the characters seem like stock characters, both to the reader and even to each other – the petulant teenager, the controlling mother with high hopes for family bonding on the trip, the clueless dad, the gay best friends, etc. As the story progresses, more and more layers are revealed for each character. Even the oldest son’s girlfriend, who could have easily been a throw away character used simply to show what an ass the oldest son is, is richly developed.
I loved the way the events that happened before the vacation were revealed in little bits and pieces, intertwined with the narrative of was actually happening on the vacation. I wouldn’t call this book a comedy but there was dry wit was in abundance. Franny and Sylvia’s inner thoughts were especially funny. Remarkably, I liked every character, even though some had some major flaws. And the ending was perfection – I don’t know if I’ve ever been more satisfied at the end of a novel.
Even though summer has just started, I know that The Vacationers will be THE book I recommend to people who ask me for summer reading suggestions.
Also written by Emma Straub and reviewed by me:
Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures
(I received The Vacationers courtesy of the publisher.)
May 29th, 2014 in
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A couple of weeks ago, I took my boys to see Dav Pilkey, author/illustrator of the Captain Underpants series, and Dan Santat, author/illustrator of several children’s books and creator of the Disney animated series, The Replacements. The event was sponsored by local children’s book store, Reading Reptile, and The Kansas City Public Library. They were promoting the reissue of Pilkey’s Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot series with all new illustrations done by Santat.
Santat spoke first and talked about how he became a great artist by practicing, practicing, practicing. He showed pictures he drew from his childhood and adolescence, showing how he started out copying the other’s work, including an amazing drawing of Garfield he did when he was seven. It looked like the real thing! Then he moved into having his own ideas and creating his own work. He went through the evolution of his interpretation of the robot in the Ricky Ricotta books. It was interesting to see how much the final image changed from what he started with.
Then it was Pilkey’s turn. He spoke about how he had ADHD and anxiety in elementary school and was always getting into trouble. His teacher was mean to him because she didn’t understand how to deal with him. He wrote and illustrated his first book in elementary school using characters he still draws today and his teacher THREW IT AWAY! Can you imagine what that would be worth today?? Ugh. His message was that even if you don’t do well in school, that doesn’t mean that you can’t grow up to be a successful person.
At the end, they played a fun game where they each drew a picture blindfolded. The kids in the audience were rolling with laughter watching them. Both pictures actually turned out really good. After that they took questions from the audience. West, my seven year-old, asked Santat if he could draw a gear. (Why? Who knows?) First he drew a gear shift, teasing West because he knew he wanted the other kind of gear. West loved it. A lady sitting next to me suggest that I ask Santat if we could keep the drawing.
When were in line waiting to get our books signed, West told the woman herding people (who I think was either the editor or the publicist) that he was going to ask if he could keep the drawing. This lady was aghast. No, no, no – there was no way he could keep the drawing. He could get his picture taken with it and that was it. That was fine with me; I figured it was a long shot anyway. When we got up to the table, West asked went ahead and asked if he could keep the drawing. Santat couldn’t resist his sweet face (I’m assuming) and said of course he could keep the drawing. Then Pilkey said that if we were taking it, Santat should sign it. So he did! West was one happy little boy!
The boys and I both had so much fun at this event. Both authors had great messages for the kids, which they imparted in a funny way that the kids could understand without feeling like they were listening to a lecture. They also included a few jokes for the parents that probably went over most kids heads. If you ever have the chance to see either one of these authors, I suggest you jump at it!
May 20th, 2014 in
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You may have noticed it’s been quiet here at Chaos Is a Friend of Mine lately. That’s because I’ve been sucked into the Game of Thrones series and holy moly, the books are long! I’m almost done with the first one and I feel like I’ve been reading it half my life. I love it though. Another factor cutting into my reading is that I’ve started running in the mornings again, which means an earlier bedtime. Reading before bed is when I do most of my reading. I’m going to have to figure out how to read more during the day. Those pesky kids are always after me for food, clean laundry and whatnot.
Don’t worry, I’ll be taking breaks while I’m reading this series to read and review other books. Time just got away from me this week!
And I’m still posting on my Facebook page pretty regularly about various bookish things. Click on the button to the right and follow me!
May 16th, 2014 in
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The Confabulist: A Novel by Steven Galloway
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Release Date: May 6, 2014
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
The Confabulist is the story of Martin Strauss and Harry Houdini. In the first pages of the book, Martin reveals that he killed Harry Houdini, not once but twice. The rest of the book follows the separate lives of Martin and Houdini until the mystery of how their lives intersect is revealed. Martin is a purely fictional character and while basic outline Houdini’s life is accurate, much of it is made up, which author Steven Galloway, freely admits in his Author’s Note. He also states that he makes no claim of veracity for his descriptions of the methods behind magic.
Galloway’s made up story of Houdini’s life is intriguing and compelling. Even though it’s not true, it’s definitely realistic.
Strauss suffers from a medical condition in which he conjures false memories and thinks they are true. Thus, he is an unreliable narrator. Just how unreliable isn’t revealed until the end in a surprise twist ending.
I enjoyed this book for just for being a great book. Even if there was no real-life Houdini and Galloway had invented the character all together, this is a fantastic mystery full of suspense. After I finished the book, I felt like I was in as much of a fog as Martin is in his old age, not sure of what’s real and what’s not. Usually, I prefer a straight forward, everything wrapped up in a nice little package with a bow type of ending but Galloway managed to satisfy me with the ending he wrote. That’s high praise from me. Both mystery and historical fiction fans will enjoy this book.The Confabulist comes out today!
(I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher.)
May 6th, 2014 in
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My last post about Stitch Fix was so popular, I thought I would start posting about my Fixes as they come – a little break from book reviews.
I received my last box from Stitch Fix while I was in the hospital with pneumonia. I’m sure that Stitch Fix would have extended the three-day window to send my box back, as they did when the weather was really bad this winter and my box came late. However, I couldn’t wait to see what I was in my box so I had my husband bring my Fix to me. Because I was in the hospital, I didn’t have a bra, hair products or makeup handy so these pictures look a little rough.
Rizzo Skinny Ponte Pants
Kierly Dot Print Short Sleeve Blouse
The shirt was too shapeless for me. If it had just a little bit of a waist to it, I would have liked it a lot more. I was thrilled to get these pants – I don’t know if you can tell from the photo but they are black jeggings. When you schedule a Fix, they always ask if you have any requests for your Fix. I requested black jeggings and I got them! They fit perfectly and are so comfy. Here’s the back view:
Back view of Rizzo Skinny Ponte Pants
Front and back of Alessandra Striped & Colorblocked Blouse
You can’t tell from the photo but this top was bell-shaped which made it look like a maternity top on me. Even though I’m thin, I have a tummy pooch so my tops need to fit in such a way that strangers don’t ask me when I’m due. You laugh, but it’s happened more than once!
Selfridge Cowl Neck Long Sleeve Top
The fit of this top is perfect. And I love that it has a built-in cami so I don’t have to worry about what to wear under it.
Wrenn V-Neck Jersey Top
Another great fit. I love how this top is narrow at the waist and then has a slight flare at the hips
This was a great Fix. I kept the jeans, the cowl neck top and the v-neck top. The fact that I kept three out of five items shows that my stylist is getting to know me better with each Fix. And my fabulous husband worked some magic with his budgeting spreadsheet and told me that I can up my shipments from once a quarter to once every two months! Coincidentally, Stitch Fix now has an automatic shipping option for once every two months as well as the once a month option that they had before. And you can still just schedule your Fixes randomly as well.
Another neat thing about Stitch Fix is that when your friends sign up using your referral link, you get a nice referral fee. If you decide to sign up after reading this post, please use my referral link. Thanks so much!
May 1st, 2014 in
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Cash, tonight at dinner: “These chick-peas look like little butts.”
*****
Neve knows three things about Jesus:
1. He’s a silly man.
2. He thinks carrots are yummy.
3. He is coming back in 5 years.
5 years people! You had better get your shit together.
*****
Cash, you’re a hooker.
What’s a hooker, West?
I don’t know. What’s a hooker , Mommy?
*****
Shake Your Booty by KC & the Sunshine band comes on the radio.
Neve: Mommy, shake your booty is in-a-ppro-pr-iate.
April 26th, 2014 in
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A Journey to the Heart of Nameless Unspeakable Evil by Jane Bussmann
Publisher: Nortia Press
April 22, 2014
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It’s hard to sum up in a few words what this book is all about. I think the best characterization is a real-life Bridget Jones turns activist.
When the book opens, Jane Bussman is an English entertainment journalist working in Hollywood. Her encounters with Ashton Kutcher and other celebrities are hilarious. Her whole take on the American entertainment industry is cynical and sarcastic in the best way. One day, she’s had enough of interviewing vapid celebrities and decides she wants to become one of the Useful People. She comes across John human rights activist John Prendergast’s photo in a magazine. He’s very attractive so she decides that getting an interview with him would serve a double purpose – writing an article about a Useful Person and getting to meet a hot guy.
She gets so wrapped up in trying to engineer ways to spend more time with John, that she ends up in Uganda. She comes there very ignorant of the political situation and starts out as a fairly spoiled foreigner. The longer she’s there, the more she uncovers about the corruption in the Ugandan government and the United States’ role in it. She maintains her British wit throughout though and it helps the reader stomach the atrocities that are going on in that county, like kidnapping children and turning them into soldiers and using rape as a weapon of war.
I thought this was a unique concept for a book. On its face, it seems contradictory – how can a memoir about time in a country that has child soldiers and uses rape as a weapon for war be humorous as well? In this case it works. And while Jane is self-deprecating and funny, she takes the situation in Uganda very seriously and is just as shocked as the reader by the goings on. Because she starts her journey with such little knowledge, her explanations are very easy to understand. I learned a lot about Uganda from reading this book and was thoroughly entertained as well.
(I received this book courtesy of the publisher.)
April 23rd, 2014 in
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Cash: “In the olden days, did you have to type in the https when you were typing in a web address?”
*****
Cash, after Travis popped the cork on the champagne, “Whoa, do people use champagne as guns sometimes?”
*****
West: We don’t know yet if Monday will be a snow day. I hope it is.
Me: Wouldn’t you rather have more days off in the summer when we can play outside, go swimming, ride roller coasters and stuff like that?
West: I can do all that on Minecraft.
*****
We may need move to Utah. Neve jtold me she married everyone in her class.
*****
West told me he wants to be an adjudicator when he grows up.
Three Little Words by Sarah N. Harvey
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Release Date: October 1, 2012
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
Sixteen-year-old Sid barely remembers his birth mother and has no idea who his father was. Raised on an idyllic island by loving foster parents, Sid would be content to stay there forever, drawing, riding his bike, hanging out with his friend Chloe and helping out with Fariza, a newly arrived foster child. But when a stranger named Phil arrives on the island with disturbing news about his birth family—including a troubled younger brother—Sid leaves all that is familiar to help find the sibling he didn’t know existed.
What he discovers is a family fractured by mental illness, but also united by strong bonds of love and compassion. As Sid searches for his brother, gets to know his grandmother, and worries about meeting his biological mother, he realizes that there will never be a simple answer to the question, Am I my brother’s keeper?
As a foster parent myself, I am always intrigued with books about foster care, both fiction and non-fiction, which was the reason I chose this book. Three Little Words is set in Canada which is great because I know nothing about the Canadian foster care system. I could fully enjoy the book without analyzing whether or not that’s how things are really done like I do when I read an American novel about foster care.
I liked that this book shows the positive side of foster care. Sid has been in foster care since he was two years old and it has definitely been the best place for him. His foster parents, Megan and Caleb, are wonderful, yet not perfect ,like a lot of foster parents I know. At the same time, the grief and loss inherent in foster care is addressed as well. Sid hasn’t forgotten about his biological family and when his parents take in a new placement, Fariza, she definitely has issues adjusting.
I struggled with the beginning of Sid’s journey. Why would his grandma think he could find his brother, Wain, when Sid has never even met him? Sid asks that question as well but I don’t think a realistic motivation for the grandma was offered. I think there could have been a better way to start off Sid’s relationship with his brother. Once I let that go, I liked reading about their evolving relationship and Wain’s personal evolution as well.
This book is intended for young adult readers ages 12 and up. it does have some swearing in it but I didn’t think it was anything that an average teenager hasn’t heard or said themselves. I enjoyed this book and think that it will appeal to both teens and adults.
(I received this book courtesy of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.)
April 16th, 2014 in
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