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Book Review: Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson

Before I Go to SleepBefore I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson

As the book opens, we are introduced to the narrator, Christine Lucas, who has not quite been introduced to herself. Christine wakes up everyday, walks into the bathroom, and sees her reflection as it would be 25 years from now. She finds pictures tapped to the bathroom mirror to prove that yes, that reflection is her. She also finds pictures of her husband, Ben. Everyday she wakes and lives each day as a blank slate, until she starts a journal.

On the day that the book starts, Christine receives a call from a man who says that he is her doctor. He takes her out for coffee, explains her illness – amnesia that kills her short-term memory – and returns her journal to her. Christine takes the book home, opens the page and reads, in her writing, DO NOT TRUST BEN.

We then begin to read the journal along with Christine, and too are not sure whom to trust.

Watson does an amazing job of creating this character. Christine, who has no sense of self, is portrayed as a rich character. It was difficult to put this book down, I so wanted/needed to know what would happen next. The ending did not fit the story; however, that does not take away from the story.

I would recommend this book to readers who love a good mystery, if you enjoyed The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold I believe that you will enjoy Before I Go to Sleep.

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Book Review: Among Others by Jo Walton

Among OthersAmong Others by Jo Walton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such a strange story. How could I explain it?

The story is told through the diary of Morwenna Phelps. A 15 year-old girl who ran away from her mother's home, after her twin sister dies. Mor is placed in a Children's Home (child services type establishment), the home contacts her estranged father. Mor's father, Daniel, left their mother a few years after the twins were born. Daniel lives with his three sisters who own an estate which he manages. The sisters send Mor to a boarding school in England, and this is where the majority of the story takes place.

There is a magical aspect to this story; however, I would not tout this as a fantasy novel. Several times, while reading, I became unsure as to whether Mor was experiencing magic or experiencing psychopathy.

We leave Mor as abruptly as we joined her. Things are left unsaid, questions unanswered. However, the question of Mor is settled.

I would recommend this to ... lovers of books. No devourers of books. This is not a book that I would recommend to many people.

Favorite quote ... "That's what life is, and how I intend to live it."

Why did I love this book ... it's hard to say. I felt a kinship to Mor due to mutual family circumstances. I felt close to her through her love of books. I wanted her to find herself and was comforted by the end of the story. Also, I love this book, because I want to know more. I want to read the books that are mentioned and then I want to read Among Others again.

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Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar ChildrenMiss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I've had this book at the bottom of my night-stand to-read pile for half a year. The book intrigued me enough to keep it in the pile but not enough to actually read it, until now. I think the issue was that I had no clue what the book was about.

This is a wild tale which begins in Englewood, FL (near Sarasota). Our narrator is Jacob Portman, a barely 16 year boy. Jacob has a close relationship with his grandad who has told tales of a strange island of magical children and the Bird who cared for them and kept them safe from the monsters. As Jacob left childhood, he became angry at his grandfather for telling such tall tales.

Jacob receives a frantic call from his grandfather who claimed the monsters had found him. Jacob goes to check on his grandfather, but finds that he has arrived too late. The body of Grandpa Portman is found in the woods, with large gashes through is middle. As Jacob kneels over the body of his grandfather, he hears a noise from the woods. He quickly shines his flashlight and sees one of the monsters.

This is the starting point for an adventure of discovery, disbelief, the choices which we must make in life and the consequence of those choices.

I would suggest this book to both YA and adult readers who enjoy a bit of fantasy and mystery.


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Book Review: The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

The ApothecaryThe Apothecary by Maile Meloy

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was recommended to me for an 11-year old girl. I'm not comfortable extending that same recommendation. There are aspects of the book which I did not find appropriate for her age. Perhaps I would recommend this to a 13-14 year old, maybe a mature 12-13.


There are hints of His Dark Materials in the book, which enriched the book for me. The main character of the story is Janie Scott, a 14-year old girl who's family flees California to live in London. The story takes place in the 1950's, after the end of WWII. Janie's family leaves the States as they are under suspicion of being communist supporters.

Janie hates the idea of leaving California, her school, her friends. She finds herself not only as the new girl, she is the new American girl.

On her first day of school, there is a bomb drill, this is where she first sets eyes on Benjamin Burrows. The only student who refuses to hide under a table. The only student who stands up and asks to be treated as an adult.

The story surrounding Benjamin and Janie is filled with magic, mystery and adventure.

The illustrations at the beginning of every chapter make you want to read just one more before bed. Then another. Then another.

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Book Review: The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

The Last WerewolfThe Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“I don’t know how one should live — but I know that one should live, if one can possibly bear it.”

The Last Werewolf, by Glen Duncan, is the diary of Jacob Marlowe. At the beginning of the tale, Jake learns that he is the last werewolf on earth. The setting is in modern times, the world as described by Duncan could easily be our own. In this world, a secret organization known as the ”World Organization for the Control of Occult Phenomena (WOCOP),” has been hunting werewolves (as well as vampires and demons) for many years. They began as the Catholic Church then became a smaller sect with government funding. Jacob’s current diary begins in London, while he is visiting a long time friend and double-agent Harley. Harley works for the WOCOP and has been keeping Jake safe for as long as he could. Jake saved Harley’s life 50 years ago.

Jacob himself, is 200 years old. He has been journaling throughout his life. Those journals are kept in a safe deposit box. We, the reader, do not receive the full story. My only complaint regarding the writing is that at several points Duncan breaks down the 3rd wall and speaks directly to the reader. This is a bit jarring. I imagine someone saying, “hey, you, yes I’m talking to you.”

The WOCOP, also referred to as the Hunt, plan to kill Jake upon his next transformation. Jake is ready for this to happen. He complains that he has simply “had enough of life.”

This is not simply a fantasy story, this is a look into what keeps us going. What is it that makes us push forward in life when we feel there is no point? We watch Jake transform not only in a physical way but also in an emotional way.

I do not want to give any more away. I do not want this to be ruined for anyone. The story is dark, there is gore, and sex (vivid, descriptive sex). There are times when you hate Jake. Then there are times when you completely understand him and question yourself.

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