Category: Literary

All I Love And Know

July 22, 2014 DoingDewey Fiction, Literary 21

Title: All I Love And Known
Author: Judith Frank
Source: from publisher for a TLC Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Summary: This book rocked my world with it’s unbelievably moving portrayal of flawed, believable characters fighting through a tough situation.

Matt Greene and Daniel Rosen have overcome many challenges to be with one another, including their differences from one another and Daniel’s parents’ belief that Matt isn’t good enough for their son. However, nothing they’ve faced previously prepares them for the events set in motion when Daniel’s twin brother and his wife are killed in a bombing in Jerusalem. Even though Daniel’s brother and his wife wanted Matt and Daniel to raise their children, they face strong opposition from their family. As they fight for custody, Daniel also struggles to grieve while Matt tries to be their for Daniel, even as Daniel shuts him out. Read more »

Elizabeth Is Missing

June 12, 2014 DoingDewey Fiction, Literary, Thriller, Women's Fiction 28

Title: Elizabeth Is Missing
Author: Emma Healey
Source: from publisher via TLC Book Tours
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review Summary: As promised by the book jacket, parts of this book were darkly humorous, but mostly it was a poignant, emotional story about family and growing old.

“Despite Maud’s growing anxiety about Elizabeth’s welfare, no one takes her concerns seriously—not her frustrated daughter, not her caretakers, not the police, and especially not Elizabeth’s mercurial son—because Maud suffers from dementia. But even as her memory disintegrates and she becomes increasingly dependent on the trail of handwritten notes she leaves for herself in her pockets and around her house, Maud cannot forget her best friend. Armed with only an overwhelming feeling that Elizabeth needs her help, Maud resolves to discover the truth—no matter what it takes.” (Source) Read more »

The Orphans of Race Point

May 21, 2014 DoingDewey Fiction, Literary, Romance, Thriller 22

Title: The Orphans of Race Point
Author: Patry Francis
Source: from publisher for TLC book tour
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Summary: Although I found the way some characters’ stories played out a bit disappointing, this book was so poignant and emotionally moving that I was swept away by it anyway.

From the moment Gus Silva’s mother dies, Hallie Costa feels strangely connected to him. Although he refuses to speak for months after, it’s Hallie who finally helps him start to return to normalcy. When a terrible tragedy befalls them at their senior prom, Hallie is willing to stay by Gus’s side. And when years later Gus is accused of murder, Hallie wants more than anything to believe he didn’t do it. However, it will take Milla, the daughter of a woman Gus was counseling, to help Gus escape the shadow of his past. Read more »

All That Is Solid Melts Into Air

May 6, 2014 DoingDewey Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary, Uncategorized 12

Title: All That is Solid Melts Into Air
Author: Darragh McKeon
Source: from publisher for review
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary: Despite being a bit dark and depressing, this book swept me off my feet with fantastic writing and a fascinating setting.

Signs of the impending collapse of the Soviet Union are everywhere, but fear of the regime is equally widespread. Piano playing prodigy Yevgeni faces violence daily as he travels the city. His aunt and mother struggle to make ends meet while staying under the radar. Everyone knows something has gone terribly wrong, from farm boy Artyom who notices that the cows’ ears are bleeding to Grigory, a doctor who sees how peoples’ lives are valued less than keeping up appearances. All of these characters will struggle to not only survive, but to make a difference. Read more »

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

April 30, 2014 DoingDewey Literary, Romance 27

Title: The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Source: from publisher for She Reads Book Club
Rating: ★★★★★
Summary: I am on a roll with wonderful books that make me cry. This book was beautifully written with well-rounded, believable character and a very enjoyable focus on books.

A. J. Fikry, owner of Island Books, has become something of a loner. After his wife’s death, his bookstore is doing poorly and he’s doing his best to push away help from friends and family. However, as A. J. deals with a mysterious package which appears in his store, he slowly realizes that he needs help. Beginning to reach out to others, he begins to change his life and the lives of those around him for the better. Read more »

The Word Exchange

April 24, 2014 DoingDewey Fiction, Literary 16

Title: The Word Exchange
Author: Alena Graedon
Source: from publisher for review
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Summary: This book uses words in the most fantastic and beautiful of ways. It made me think, it made me work, and it completely won me over. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book crafted with more attention to detail and it was a joy to read.

In the future, even definitions can be bought and sold. Books have essentially become obsolete. Technology has advanced to the point where people can relive memories, create art with no talent or training, and access any information they like without knowing anything. Anana’s father is one of the last anti-technology hold outs and is also responsible for publishing what will almost certainly be the last print dictionary. Right before publication Anana’s father disappears, leaving only a cryptic clue suggesting that he’s in grave danger. As Anana tries to find out what happened to him, she stumbles onto a conspiracy larger than she ever could have imagined. She’ll find herself in danger too as a mysterious word flu spreads, because language is power and some people will do whatever it takes to control that power themselves. Read more »

Coincidence

March 11, 2014 DoingDewey Fiction, Literary 24

Title: Coincidence
Author: J. W. Ironmonger
Source: from publisher for TLC Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Summary: This was one of those books where the writing was so perfect and the plot was so engaging, I had a hard time stopping reading long enough to take notes.

Azalea Lewis believes that everything happens for a reason. Given the astonishing coincidences that have shaped her life, perhaps this should come as no surprise. However, it does make her relationship with Professor Thomas Post rather difficult, since he’s made a career of rationalizing away people’s belief in meaningful coincidences. When Azalea’s study of her past leads her to believe that she will die on Midsummer’s Day, Thomas begins to fear that her belief in coincidences will be proved right if he doesn’t do something to save her. Read more »