Sharp Objects

Don't expect another Gone Girl. It's a mystery filled with abuse, but not quite a thriller like GG. A female reporter who lives in the big city and was a cutter for reasons you will discover when you watch/read is sent to her hometown by her editor to get a story and maybe heal the wounds between her and her mother. This small town is filled with a lot of crazy shit - it's a hog killing town which is disturbing enough. The stuff the main character has done is chilling and disturbing - she a high functioning alcoholic too. She is a complex character. I guessed the mom's secret and the half-sisters secret with the first 60 pages or so. Once I started I had to finish. It is disturbing and if violence against kids bothers you stay away!!!! All in all, I say: SKIP IT  unless you want to watch the series on HBO and like to read stuff first.

In the Shadow of the Sun

A father who works with a non-profit to help provide North Korea with food takes his two kids on vacation to North Korea. He is falsely accused of something and arrested while they are in the middle of a bus tour in the countryside. His two kids are able to hide and get away. The book is the two of them a blond haired American teenage boy, and his South Korean adopted younger sister. It's about their relationship with each and with their parents. They make their way to the border to escape. Woven in every couple chapters is short - three page - look at the life of a North Korean each in a different position who sort of interacts with the Americans. It goes into some of the cultural and political traits of North Korea, but it ended up being more about siblings and fitting in. All in all, I say: READ IT but I'm not buying it for my students - not enough there.

Little Fires Everywhere

I don't like crap like this - people trying to figure each other out and trying to find themselves and everyone hurting everyone else for no reason if only they would talk. It's exhausting - too much drama. It doesn't even resolve itself - everyone has secrets and people get hurt, but nothing is finalized in the book. It leaves you just hanging there. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

No Choirboy

Each chapter is a different male inmate each of whom was accused of a crime and tried as adults even though they were all minors. They all have either been found innocent or admit they were guilty. Each spent time on death row which is appalling. It is so interesting to hear about prison from their point of view. It's really kind of sad. It's predictable - a poor upbringing and poor role modeled led to bad decisions. All in all, I say: READ IT

Bone Music

Book one of a series written by the son of "Vampire" writer Anne Rice. A woman raised by serial killers finds herself deep into an unauthorized medical trial that gives her a strength she never felt she would ever have. It sets up everyone's background and prepares the reader for more books. The writing is ok - I've read better and worse. I don't really like serial killer stuff - I think in future books they might go into more of that. It was different that's for sure. All in all, I say; READ IT if you like science fiction.

Lie To Me

Wife leaves a note and then leaves...or does she. Everyone starts to think that he husband has done her in. A new detective in the small town thinks it's all too neat. We read from husband and wife point of view. I guessed the killer around chapter 2 or 3. It boils down to the fact that they didn't communicate - they kept secrets. I don't like books that do that or movies - communicate people you are married! Drives me nuts. It was a quick read. All in all, I say: BEACH BOOK

Quess Who's Coming to Dinner

Sidney Poitier (To Sir With Love) plays a doctor who lost his first wife and child, and after a few years meets a young woman full of life and falls in love. It's 1967 and society isn't as accepting of a mixed race couple. They decide to get married and move to Europe of a job he has decided to accept. She wants her parents - whom she believes are very liberal - to meet him. Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn (both from Woman of the Year) are her parents. Turns out her dad isn't as accepting as she thought. His parents are also wary. There are some great debates and monologues in this., Everyone has superb acting - It raises a lot of issues from the civil rights movement that a lot of people then and now don't really talk about. Excellent. All in all, I say: SEE IT

In 2005, it was remade with a twist and more of a comedy. Ashton Kutcher (The Ranch is the boy) and Zoe Saldana (Avatar) are the young couple trying to convince her dad in particular to accept them getting married, Bernie Mac (comedian) plays the dad - there are several fun scenes with the 2 guys and Nascar. All in all, I say: SEE IT