Gena/Finn

Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson is a book I read solely because of the title. Written entirely in blog posts, texts, emails, messaging, and journal entries, its a modern take on friendship in the digital age.

Two fangirls, Gena and Finn, short for Stephanie, meet online while writing about their favorite show, whose characters are more real to them than people they actually know. What starts out as a funny book, becomes surprisingly heavy as these girls get to know each other, develop a deep bond and share intimate secrets.

I was quickly pulled in and read it in one sitting. Surprisingly entertaining and touching.

After Alice

After Alice by, Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, tells the story of Ada, a friend of Alice's who's briefly mentioned in the original work. Ada goes in search of Alice and finds herself tumbling down into Wonderland and into her own adventure.

Alice's sister Lydia, meanwhile is above ground and not too worried that Alice has disappeared while in her care. Its a wonderful and inventive new take on a familiar story with some added characters and new twists and turns.

Maguire is known for rewriting fairy tales with his own unique and offbeat take on them; fans of his or of Alice will enjoy this new work.

The High Mountains of Portugal

The High Mountains of Portugal is the new novel by Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi. It is told in three parts. Starting at the turn of the 20th century a young man grieving for his wife and son sets forth in one of Europe's first cars on a quest into the mountains of Portugal. Forty years later, a Portuguese pathologist, and devotee of Agatha Christie mysteries, finds himself drawn into his own mystery. Another fifty years on we meet a Canadian Senator, also grieving for his wife who relocates with his newly acquired pet ape to the small mountain town in Portugal where his parents were born,

All three stories are fascinating in their own way and intersect by the end. Although I greatly enjoy Martel's writing I felt very disappointed by the end of the book. It just didn't all come together for me.

Loving Eleanor

Loving Eleanor, The Intimate Friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, by Susan Wittig Albert is historical fiction based on the lives of these two extraordinary women and their decades long relationship, hidden because of the times and because of Eleanor's position as First Lady.

Researching over 3000 letters written back and forth between the two, Albert has written a beautiful book illuminating the lives of these very fascinating women, and full of historic details of the times. A worthwhile read for fans of Eleanor Roosevelt.

Secrets of the Talking Jaguar

Secrets of the Talking Jaguar, Memoirs from the Living Heart of a Mayan Village by Martin Prechtel is a memoir of Prechtel's time in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala where he was initiated as a Shaman.

The book is at times fascinating and at other times tiring and hard to follow because of Prechtel's writing style.

However, the Mayan language is rich and poetic and informs their way of life; if you are interested in Mayan culture it is a worthwhile read.

At the Water's Edge

At the Water's Edge is the new novel by Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants. This book is set in Scotland during WWII where a privileged young American man who cannot serve in the war drags his new wife and best friend to hunt down the mysterious Loch Ness monster.

Gruen weaves an intricate story, where nothing is as it seems to be at the beginning. As we watch all the characters develop and grow before our eyes, the reader is drawn into another world and another time. Part historical fiction, part fantasy romance; this is a great read.