I will confess that I am one of Wally Lamb’s biggest fans. I adored his first books and eagerly awaited his next…for years…and years. Admittedly, I read She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much is True in my 20s when life was decidedly different than it is now, but still. So, I was excited to see what We Are Water was going to bring. But, I heard from a friend who is an avid reader and Wally Lamb fan, that it wasn’t as good and that she was disappointed in it. So, it has sat on my Kindle for a while, getting buried by newer books.

It took until more than halfway through We Are Water for me to stop thinking I would abandon ship. I didn’t like the characters or the story and it was SO SLOW. But, through the back half, I started cruising and began to really enjoy the book much more. The pedophilia was hard to take – very hard to take – but, it was integral to everything that happened in the story. And, as everything played out, it all began to make sense. Still, though, I found the book to be not as enjoyable as I remember his earliest books to be. Perhaps if my expectations had not been so high, I would have been happier with it. It was a gripping story and I would recommend it. But if you really want to read a great Wally Lamb book, choose She’s Come Undone.

I had been steadily steaming through my “Want to Read” list until two days ago when the library notified me that a book I had put on hold was available. So, I took a pause to read a book I have had on my list for a few years, The Virgin Cure, by Ami McKay. What a treat. While the topic is depressing, it was a fascinating historical novel set in the late nineteenth century. What I loved most about this novel, I didn’t find out until the end – it was based on the author’s great-great-grandmother’s life. Moth (a crazy name for the unusual main character) rises from the dimmest of beginnings in this story – you are sure she will find a way to prevail. However, I could not have predicted how things would go for her. It was a quick read, easily consumed over the past two snow days and absolutely worth a read.

This book had a unique premise – to have the character continually die and then be reborn on the following page with a changed fate and plan. It was inventive and interesting, for sure, but for most of it, not my cup of tea. I had to keep going back to look at the date at the beginning of the chapter to see where and when we were which made it very disjointed, particularly on the Kindle. It might have been more pleasurable in print since you could flip around more easily and keep track of the dates. That being said, I did want to find out what happened to Ursula and her family and I can see why this is a hot read and on lots of “Best of 2013” lists. For me, however, it wasn’t a top choice.

This is another book that sucks you in right away. The story begins with the two main characters being held at gunpoint in a Circle-K. You feel compelled to find out what happens to them. In addition, with Shandi’s miracle genius child and the surrounding mystery, as well as the general disfunction afoot, this is a grand story which is a very fast read. I became disillusioned close to the end of the book and felt like the characters weren’t well-developed enough, but then the plot took off in ways I could have never predicted and I scampered toward the end. I loved the surprises along the way and I liked the premise. It was a great, fast-paced, and enjoyable read.

This novel sucks you right in. It’s the stuff of headlines: High School Teacher Has Affair with Student. You must know more. And the author deftly brings in the perspectives of all constituents. But, who is to be believed? I began to doubt Megan’s veracity about 60% in. But rather than spoil the ending (which is not entirely unpredictable, but still…), I will just encourage you to read the book. It’s a page-turner and definitely worth a look.

I had really high hopes for this one – I was ready for a great read. The fanciful side of this story, however, was not to my liking. It reminded me of Alice Hoffman, who I generally like, but who I have tired of recently. I feel a little guilty saying that since I have not read her latest two. But, I don’t really enjoy magical realism. If I am going to read fantasy, I want it to be fantasy. Otherwise, I prefer realistic fiction. That being said, this was quite a quick read and not unpleasant. It picked up in the middle during the section with Ursula Monkton, but that was about it for me. I really only continued reading to find the resolution and because I had abandoned the last book I started. I would give it two stars.

I gave The First Rule of Swimming a good try – 25% on the Kindle – and just couldn’t get into it. None of the characters were compelling to me and the storyline lagged even in the first quarter. Ah well, life’s too short and there are too many books. I am moving on. I received two great choices for Christmas (thanks, mom!) and will start The Ocean at the End of the Lane later today after wading through the Barbies and Legos. 🙂

This was a quick read and the perfect antidote to my heavier reads of late. The book maintained an overtone of suspicion and kept me reading to discover the resolution. I couldn’t be sure, as I read, where this sinister hint came from, but it certainly worked for the plot. One can tell from the cover that something violent will happen, but I could not have quite predicted the ending. I don’t want to spoil it, but since I really disliked Todd, I was pleased with the conclusion.

I recommend this one. While it has deeper moments, it doesn’t require much in the way of concentration or effort – it would be a good beach read.