3.31.2013

3.29.2013

In Darkness: Review Haiku

I tried, I swear -- I
just couldn't finish. Wrong book,
wrong time, wrong reader.

In Darkness by Nick Lake. Bloomsbury, 2012, 368 pages.

3.27.2013

Just One Day: Review Haiku

So cringingly true
to late-teenage wander/lust,
I almost lost it.

Just One Day by Gayle Foreman. Dutton, 2012, 320 pages.

3.25.2013

Wonder Show: Review Haiku

Intriguing debut
from first Boston Lib. Writer-in-Res.
(Plus, CARNIES.)

Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby. HMH, 2012, 288 pages.

3.22.2013

3.20.2013

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe: Review Haiku

Beautiful story,
but the "gay OK" vibe for
the time frame rang false.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. S&S, 2012, 368 pages.

3.18.2013

The Year of Learning Dangerously: Review Haiku

Down-to-earth take on
homeschooling that almost sounds
doable. (But not.)

The Year of Learning Dangerously: Adventures in Homeschooling by Quinn Cummings. Perigree, 2012, 240 pages.

3.15.2013

The Testament of Mary: Review Haiku

How Lenten to ponder
Jesus' mother saying,
"It wasn't worth it."

The Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin. Scribner, 2012, 96 pages.

3.13.2013

The Cursing Mommy's Book of Days: Review Haiku

Not as funny as
I'd hoped, alas -- although the
jean-patch bit was great.

The Cursing Mommy's Book of Days by Ian Frazier. Macmillan, 2012, 256 pages.

3.11.2013

Listening for Madeleine: Review Haiku

Not exactly warts-
and-all, but nuanced look at
great, faithful lady.

Listening for Madeleine: A Portrait of Madeleine L'Engle in Many Voices by Leonard Marcus. FSG, 2013, 384 pages.

3.08.2013

Piper Reed, Forever Friend: Review Haiku

I adore these books:
such a tricky genre to
do well -- and she does.

Piper Reed, Forever Friend by Kimberly Willis Holt. Square Fish, 2013, 176 pages.

3.06.2013

Notorious Nineteen: Review Haiku

That's more like it, Stephanie --
less slapstick absurdity,
more donuts.

Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. Bantam, 2012, 320 pages.

3.04.2013

Hilda and the Midnight Giant: Review Haiku

I tried, I tried, but
I just couldn't figure out
what was going on.

Hilda and the Midnight Giant by Luke Pearson. Nobrow, 2012, 40 pages.

3.01.2013

Darkroom: Review Haiku

Unique perspective
on race relations in
Jim Crow-era 'Bama.

Darkroom: A Memoir in Black and White by Lila Quintero Weaver. University of Alabama Press, 2012, 264 pages.