Recent Reads

13. The English Girl
This is book #13 in the Gabriel Allon series.

A beautiful (naturally!) young British woman vanishes on the island of Corsica, and the next thing you know Gabriel Allon (Mossad assassin and art restorer) on is on the case.

This is a fun page turner of a read. Lots of action, murder, mayhem and intrigue, though I did guess what was going on fairly early in the book and was waiting for the great reveal. At this point in the series, the Allon books are like a reunion with old friends involving whirlwind travel and lots of wine. Sure people die, but what's a vacation with friends in wonderful villas without a murder or two? Rating: 3 stars.

14. Collage Unleashed
I dip into art and craft books regularly to keep priming the well. This one is okay. Some interesting book binding ideas, but overall not my style of art. Rating: 2 stars.

15. Looking for Alaska
If you like young adult books set in a boarding school, you'll probably like this one too. The story is set in Alabama, and is told from the point of view of a nerdy sixteen year old boy who is obsessed with people's last words. There is all the usual teenage drama one would expect - love triangles, cool kids versus non-cool kids, getting wasted, pranks, etc. And in case you were wondering, this is not a road trip to Alaska story. Alaska is the name of a girl.

Things I thought the author did well include:
1. The book structure. The story is divided into two parts - days before and days after. Brilliant device. While reading you know something that the characters do not: there is a life changing event on the horizon. What is it? That question pulls you the reader along.

2. I liked that the kids are all readers and/or smart in some way. Loved the busting of the stereotype that kids who smoke, drink and are sexual are also losers who fail classes and drop out of school.

3.The exploration of religion and philosophy was deftly done, and I can see how that might blow the mind of a young person.

4. That blow job scene? Brilliant.

So why not a higher rating? I do think that being older than the target high school age group played a big part. While the author does not write in a condescending manner at all, it felt like it was written for kids. Also, I believe this is his first book, and it shows. You can see the potential though, and his newer work is what made me a fan in the first place. Rating: 3 stars.