June | 2017 | Scribbles & Wanderlust

Monthly Archives: June 2017
- Mini Reviews
  
  Posted at 4:10 am by Laura, on June 28, 2017
  
  Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn
  
  Publisher: Ace
  Published: October 2010
  Genre: fantasy
  Rating: ★★★
  Summary: Zoe Ardelay receives astonishing and unwelcome news: she has been chosen to become the king’s fifth wife. Forced to go to the royal city, she manages to slip away and hide on the shores of the mighty river. It’s there that Zoe realizes she is a coru prime ruled by the elemental sign of water. She must return to the palace, not as an unwilling bride for the king, but a woman with power in her own right. But as Zoe unlocks more of the mysteries of her blood—and the secrets of the royal family—she must decide how to use her great power to rise above the deceptions and intrigue of the royal court.
  
  Mini Review: So many people have praised Shinn’s writing, and I have to agree. She’s created a brilliant fantasy world, one that feels wholly unique and full and developed. The use of elemental magic isn’t all that original in magical worlds, but the way Shinn used elemental magic for specific individuals in certain families (primes), and others with the spirit of certain elements (like personality descriptors), was really neat. Though I found the court scenes in the second half of the book to be a little dull, I can’t blame Shinn on that — I’m generally not a fan of royal politics. I’m in love with the world enough that I fully plan to read the next book in this series!
  
  This qualifies as book 8 of 5 library books in 2017.
  
  Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
  
  Publisher: William Morrow
  Published: April 2013
  Genre: historical fiction
  Rating: ★★★.5
  Summary: Nearly eighteen, Molly Ayer knows she has one last chance. Just months from “aging out” of the child welfare system, and close to being kicked out of her foster home, a community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping her out of juvie. Vivian Daly has lived a quiet life on the coast of Maine. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past. As Molly helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, she discovers that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.
  
  Mini Review: I was far more invested in Vivian’s narrative than Molly’s, probably because the book’s historical focus was so fascinating. I’m not as familiar with this moment in American history. How often do we get to read about the Great Depression outside of the major cities? What’s going on in the Midwest, in the heart of the country, with ordinary people? Not only that, but I had no idea the orphan trains began as early as the 1850s. Watching the development of the American foster care system (and adoption system) and seeing how it hasn’t exactly changed too much — more paperwork and regulations does not necessarily mean a better experience — was certainly eye-opening. The story ties up nicely, but truly, I found the historically-set narrative far more engaging. Kline knows how to keep the pages turning!
  
  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, genre: historical fiction, mini review, review
- Book Review: “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn
  
  Posted at 3:15 am by Laura, on June 22, 2017
  
  The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
  
  Publisher: William Morrow
  Published: June 2017
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780062654199
  Rating: ★★★★★
  
  1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She’s also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie’s parents banish her to Europe to have her “little problem” taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.
  
  1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she’s recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she’s trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the “Queen of Spies”, who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy’s nose.
  
  Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn’t heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth …no matter where it leads.
  
  Eve Gardiner’s stutter has held her back for ages. Everyone assumes she’s a half-wit — except for one man who can tell she’s sharp, cunning, and intelligent. She’s recruited to work as a spy in a restaurant run by a collaborator in France, and trained alongside Lili, who manages an entire network of secret agents. Thirty years later, Charlie St. Clair is on a mission to find her missing cousin, and runs away from her mother and their travel plans to get rid of her Little Problem in Switzerland. Recruiting Eve’s assistance, Eve and Charlie work together to find Charlie’s cousin, come to the truth of the disbanding of the Alice Network, and seek revenge on the man who brought these ladies together across the years.
  
  All the stars. All the awards. I haven’t read historical fiction like this in a long time. The voice, the plot, the structure, the characters…oh my goodness.
  
  Quinn’s novel is written in parallel narratives across two timelines and in two perspectives. That, I think, is what kept the pages turning and the investment in the characters so deep. There are several parallels between the two wars already, so writing Eve’s storyline in third person and Charlie’s in first person helped differentiate the stories. Eve was also such a firecracker, and Charlie was breaking out of her socialite shell and into who she really is. These women were ahead of their time, and all it took was support and confidence from another encouraging person to help them become their true selves.
  
  Eve is intelligent and cunning, and utilized her stutter in such a brilliant way as she spied on the German patrons of her creepy boss’s restaurant. The things she went through to pass on messages to Lili and Uncle Edward (the code names of her spy network’s superiors) is just…remarkable. And frightening. To know that so many women in history were spies and did these things and experienced this is just mind-boggling. I cried. Quite often.
  
  Charlie is a brilliant mathematician, but no one will take her seriously as a single woman. She’s constantly thwarted in her efforts without a husband by her side. After meeting Eve and working alongside her in her mission to find her beloved cousin, Charlie musters up the courage to forge her own path in life, consequences, leaps of faith, and all.
  
  What struck me most about this novel was the power of female bonds. So many fierce women are in here, and while they do not all get along with one another, they understand how difficult it is (especially in this time in history) to simply live life as a woman. The consequences of speaking one’s mind or standing up for oneself, dealing with abuse or torture or pregnancy, and being used or abandoned are some of the issues all women faced. Women, in history and now, understand this unspoken bond of sisterhood through adversity. It was powerful. This novel made it all the more moving.
  
  If you love WWI and WWII stories about fierce women facing all sorts of hardship and adversity and rising above it all, this is for you.
  
  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: historical fiction, review
- Book Review: “This Adventure Ends” by Emma Mills
  
  Posted at 4:45 am by Laura, on June 19, 2017
  
  This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills
  
  Publisher: Henry Holt BFYR
  Published: October 2016
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  ISBN: 9781627799355
  Rating: ★★★★
  
  Sloane isn’t expecting to fall in with a group of friends when she moves from New York to Florida—especially not a group of friends so intense, so in love, so all-consuming. Yet that’s exactly what happens.
  
  Sloane becomes closest to Vera, a social-media star who lights up any room, and Gabe, Vera’s twin brother and the most serious person Sloane’s ever met. When a beloved painting by the twins’ late mother goes missing, Sloane takes on the responsibility of tracking it down, a journey that takes her across state lines—and ever deeper into the twins’ lives.
  
  Sloane was something of an outsider in New York, and she liked it just fine. But she attracts the attention of Vera, a smart and glamorous social media star, and her twin brother Gabe, a rather broody and sarcastic boy. Soon enough she’s enveloped into their friend group, one with code words and intimate social gatherings and intense loyalty to one another. When Sloane finds out about the twins’ mother’s death and the importance of her artwork, she takes it upon herself to find the most important painting of her collection and return it to the twins’ home.
  
  Emma Mills never fails to make me laugh with all the self-deprecating humor and sarcasm, and she never fails to make me think more deeply. Her characters are smart and well-written, and I thoroughly enjoyed this friendship story. The emotional drama in the story was valid in their appearance, development, and resolution, and the strong bonds of unconditional love and respect was deeply moving. It’s not all hunky-dory for this cast of characters, but it’s never too woe-is-me and never too happy-go-lucky. It’s just right.
  
  Though we’re by Sloane throughout the novel, I was invested in all of the characters. Vera’s energy is such a pull, a light in Sloane’s life as she adjusts to Florida life. Gabe may be serious and grouchy-looking most of the time, but he’s immensely loyal to his friends and will do anything for them and their happiness. Remy is an honest and heartfelt guy, deeply emotional and unwavering in his faith. Aubrey is standoffish at first, but she’s not in any way bitchy (which I greatly appreciated) — and you know exactly why she acts this way around Sloane. Even Sloane’s father, a Nicholas Sparks-type author of women’s romance, is hilarious and supportive and has the best — the best — obsession with a werewolf TV show and dives deep into the fandom and fanfiction world.
  
  If contemporary character-driven stories are your thing, Emma Mills is definitely the author to read and follow. And, if you haven’t already, you should read her Jane Austen-inspired debut First & Then as well! Friendship, loyalty, art, and weekend adventures abound in this novel, and I cannot wait to read more from Mills!
  
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  This qualifies as book 9 of 12 in the Rock My TBR challenge.
  
  Posted in books, Reviews 2017, Rock My TBR | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, review, rock my TBR
- If We Were Having Coffee…*
  
  Posted at 6:52 pm by Laura, on June 7, 2017
  
  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American, even if I am an Anglophile.
  
  Lately I’ve posted book reviews and left it at that, so it seemed like it was time for another one of these posts! And because it’s approaching summer (oh god), I’m gonna use tea gifs! Sound good? Good.
  
  If we were having coffee…I would tell you how I’ve read so many books for fun this year so far, but seem to fall behind on writing reviews for them now. Not that reviewing isn’t fun, or that blogging is a chore. Neither of those things! I’m just…reading more than usual? Both as an agent and as a reader. It’s a great feeling finally going through my TBR, checking out books from the library, and setting out little monthly goals on Instagram. The pressure to read the hottest ARC seems to have fallen away, and I’ve become more selective on ARCs in general, too.
  
  If we were having coffee…I’d strongly suggest you watch Band of Brothers. It’s an HBO one-season series set in WWII about the 101st Airborne, and it came out in the early ’00s. The Beau strongly suggested we watch it together sometime, and I was a little wary. As much as I love war books, the movies can get intense. And yet, as intense as Band could be, the writing and cinematography and deep character development really grabbed my attention and I couldn’t stop watching. Have you seen this show? It’s so good!
  
  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you how I sold a manuscript and acquired a new client all within the same month and it made me so happy. My other clients are also working on new projects that I’m super stoked to share with the world. Keep sending good vibes to the Team Laura sector of #TeamTriada. Going out on submission with new material is super exciting for all involved!
  
  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about my trip to NYC. The excuse was Book Expo — bought a badge and everything — but I was rarely at Javits (and only received one galley from the floor. All the other galleys that came home with me were directly from editors’ desks to my hands, and that feels far more meaningful). I spent the majority of my time traveling all over Manhattan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner meetings, mid-morning and afternoon imprint-wide meetings, and agency meals. It was so neat to put voices and faces to names, to see and meet the editors in person after years of exchanging emails and phone calls. All in all, this trip was far more fun and productive than previous NYC visits. This was also the first time the agency was all together, in person, in one room. Isn’t that nuts? I loved every second of it.
  
  Though I’m not a fan of the city itself (cities in general, let’s be honest — they stress me out), I was happy to be with enthusiastic bookish bookworms gushing over the latest novel, our cats, the news, dream travel destinations, and the delicious food in front of us. (That’s one thing cities have going for them: the variety of restaurants and cafes!) PLUS I was reunited with Lindsey @ Bring My Books and ran into Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books a few times. Oh, and flailed about Outlander and Sam Heughan with Sasha Alsberg when she was on her way to see her publisher. Haha!
  
  If we were having coffee…I’d show you what a complete nerd I am by whipping out my phone, opening up the Forge of Empires app, and gushing about the game. Guys, I just reached the High Middle Ages (nearly there to the Late Middle Ages) and I’m so poor now because I’ve purchased so many homes, production buildings, and supply buildings. Time to crank up the supplies!
  
  If we were having coffee…I’d grumble about my lack of self control when it comes to chips and queso. Oh my god. It’s just bad. Really bad. Like, I crave salt (and cheese) all the time. It’s my baseline. And I love sugar, too, so I’m all sorts of messed up in cravings. But chips and queso is my vice, my sin, my guilty pleasure. About a year ago I tried giving it up and doing more yoga instead but THAT DIDN’T WORK BAHAHA. Help me.
  
  If we were having coffee…I’d ramble on and on about this trip to Greece I’m going on next summer. I’ve been to cooler climates in Europe, so heading to the Mediterranean in the summer will certainly be something new to experience. Scenes from Mama Mia! and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants keep dancing in mind. Blue skies, white buildings, lots of water, great culture…Have you been to Greece? Any tidbits, advice, or fun facts?
  
  Short, quick, and something to break up all the reviews. Anything new in your life? Have you seen Band of Brothers? Did you go to Book Expo or Book Con (and if so, what’d you snag)? Are you into any particular app game? Comment below!
  
  If we were having coffee, what would we talk about? Let’s chat!
  
  Posted in Update Post | 7 Comments | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal
- Hello, I’m Laura!
  
  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!
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