Ape House by Sara Gruen

Ape House is a nice quick read about six bonobo apes at a facility where scientists are studying their language and communication abilities. These apes are the best characters in the book- their personalities seem to be better developed than those of the human characters; though the book is mainly narrated by their loving caretaker, Isabel Duncan and a news reporter, John Thigpen. It focuses less on animal and more on the personal lives of the humans.

I'm not sure if this book was really written to its full potential- it seems like because Water for Elephants was so popular they assumed they didn't have to try as hard on this book...it is a little shallow. While it's not life changing or epic, the book is probably worth your time since it probably won't take too much of it. (**If you are squeamish about sexual references beware- reference,though not explicit, is often made to the bonobos' frequent natural behaviors.)

The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman

The Story Sisters is about three sisters who live in their own world and speak a secret language created by the oldest, Elv, after she endures a traumatic event. Over time Elv begins to change her story and the sisters eventually grow apart through a series of twists and turns. The author's storyline is riveting and unpredictable. There was a little bit in the middle where it seemed to slow down, but immediately something happens that changes the course of their lives entirely.

I'm not sure if I'm ok with the ending or not, it's a little hard to explain. Most of Hoffman's endings are different than you'd expect with something a little off about them; you have to learn to accept what happened. This ending was different because is a little bit more tied-up and complete.

Alice is one of my favorite authors, she is always good for some modern fairy-tale goodness. She reminds me of Brothers Grimm in a way since her stuff always has a darker (but not too-dark) whimsical vibe. There is always romance too...but not too much of that either.

All in all this book was one of the best I've read in a long time- refreshing and exciting compared to the "blah" I've been mucking through lately.

The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier

Ella Turner's life changes when she and her architect husband are transferred from California to Toulouse, France and she discovers she has a rich family history there. Her husband is always working and she feels isolated in this new and foreign life. In order to deal with her culture shock, she begins researching her family and soon becomes engrossed in a centuries-old mystery, so much that it seems to occupy every waking moment, and soon even her dreams. In the search for her family she also finds herself and nothing is as she had anticipated...

The Virgin Blue was my first Chevalier read, and let me tell you, so far it's her best in my opinion! Amazon's synopsis labels it "clunky" but I loved the structure of the story and wholeheartedly disagree. (Though I have to confess I haven't read Girl With A Pearl Earring yet.) It has all of my favorite elements-la FRANCE, romance, scandal, parallels, mystery, and maybe even a little of the supernatural...

The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley

Ok, this is not exactly a fiction read like our previous reviews, but I just have to share this one, The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Elizabeth Pantley is so awesome.
Lately I have had a lot of friends going through the same bedtime struggles that I experienced with my oldest just a couple of years ago. I ALWAYS, always, ALWAYS, recommend this book!

Making the transition from crib to bed was the hardest for us- figuring out how to get Kaden to stay in bed was driving us bonkers! So I picked up this book and followed its recommendations and he (well ALL of us) were sleeping peacefully within weeks. I have followed the guidelines with my subsequent children and so far we have not had any major problems!

Every parent has their own views and ideas on sleep training- some methods are more controversial than others- but this book takes a nice and gentle approach, and gives advice you can actually use. It is so practical and easy to follow; it is a cinch to just look up the problem you're having in the index and flip right to the point- thought it's not a bad read cover to cover either.
It deals with virtually every problem you could encounter from bed-wetting to nightmares or 3rd wheels (i.e. when you're sweet baby is NOT a baby anymore and WON'T stay out of your bed and your poor husband just wants a little action...yes I just said that, it's true!)

I really enjoy this author and will probably look into her other books on discipline and potty training and let you know how they are...

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Skeeter is a young woman in 1960's Jackson, Mississippi. She’s a college graduate and NOT a housewife- which distresses her proper southern mother very much. Her girlfriends are housewives and society ladies…the perfect quintessential picture of how it ‘should be.’ Yet upon her return home from college, a smarter, more worldly Skeeter starts to notice things are not as perfect as they seem…not for the humble, hardworking black women who raised them.

This novel is mostly about relationships- between "the help" of Jackson Mississippi and their employers, the children who love them, and the rest of the country as a whole. While in the North integration is making great strides, Jackson is resistant to say the least.

Spurred by a desire to find out the truth about the beloved nanny of her youth, Skeeter sets out to expose Jackson’s darkest secrets, to tell the story of the women of Jackson- black and white, and finds there to be a lot of hate, alongside a lot more love than she had ever imagined.

I just couldn’t put The Help down- the story was so moving. It is a little over 400 pages and I read it in 2 days (with 3 kids! It is that good.). It was well-written from three interesting points of view- a white woman and two black maids. (I love this style of narration- it keeps me interested!) It is funny at times as well as heartbreaking- it really gets you involved emotionally. It is always intriguing to get a peek into the personal lives of others and this book does just that- but with and important message that can be summed up in this quote from the story, "Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought." I can’t do this book justice here, you’ll just have to read it to know what I mean- it is worth the wait at the library, or I’d even purchase it- it’s one you’ll want to pass on to friends/family!