The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes- Reshelved Book

It's said that honesty is the best policy.  So, if we're being honest, I'm going to say that I was hesitant about reading this book at first.

I had no idea at the time that there is quite the controversy surrounding The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. I'm not going to into the controversy there, it's not my place.  It's something that you're able to google and find articles on.  In a nutshell, it's been said that there are striking similarities between The Giver of Stars and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek- paragraphs and characters and events are almost verbatim.  Which, if that's the case, is rather crumby... And I apologize to the author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek if there are great similarities because again, this is a crumby situation to be in. (and had I know this, I would have borrowed the book from the library and I wouldn't have gone out and bought a copy).

The first thing that I noticed about the book was it was very descriptive.  It was very easy to put Moyes' words into pictures.

Aside from noticing that the prologue was focused on Margery’s experience with Clem McCculough. I only mention this because a lot of the book focused on Alice Van Cleve’s character. Yes, Margery was a large character but I wouldn’t go on to say that she was much as a main character as Alice. The other women: Beth, Izzy, Sophia and Mrs. Brady, seemed to be all minor. (But I will say about half way through the book, the prologue makes sense)

Needless to say, I was hooked. I couldn’t put the book down for much. I found myself wishing I could past certain sections faster because I desperately wanted to know what was going to happen. Any book that makes the reader want to keep the page turning, is a good book to me.  (I was terrified for Margery. She became the character that I was hoping everything turned out well for).

On thing I didn’t like about this book was the ending! It was so goofy! I didn’t think that the futures of all the characters had to laid out. As much as I liked Sophia as a character, did I need to know how she lived out her life after the library? No. Did I know about Beth? No I didn’t (and this is a small spoiler: Beth’s future with who she ended up marrying, didn’t even make sense!). As I said to MB, it felt like the ending of the book and the body of the book were authored by two different people. That, or it felt like it was thrown together haphazardly. 

Even before that, once the trail ended; you could tell the ending was gonna take a much different approach. Even Fred’s character changes. He went from being a well mannered and minded guy, into someone who ultimately surprised me. Don’t get me wrong, I was rooting for Fred and Alice but the way that their relationship progressed. It could have been a little different? 

I have so much guilt toward this book! I really really enjoyed it. But for it to have been the works of something that was plagiarized?? Gah. 

If you’re interested in reading this book, I would definitely say to get your name on the list for it at your local library. I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it. Just because of the possibility behind it. (And that’s not far to the author of The Book Woman it Troublesome Creek, if true). 

I give The Giver of Stars 4 coffee beans out of 5. 

- Jillian

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - Reshelved Books

This book, you guys. 

I was debating for WEEKS if I should put myself on the hold list for it (on the list with my home library and the list at my work library.  See where I'd get it first) OR if I was going to go out and buy the book.  

MB can totally vouch for this.  We went to Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago, so he could get Howard Stern's new book, Howard Stern Comes Again (for those of you who may have been wondering). 

The hold list for this book is HUGE! Jess said it was a few hundred people deep within my hometown library system and it was just about as big within my work library system (about 240 patrons!!)! CRAZY.  I even went as far as asking Jessica if she got as an ARC. (Sadly, she didn't get an ARC)

While I was debating, I made a trip to Target.  Good ol' Target... The place where you go to buy three things and end up spending $100 on stuff you don't really need.

Went in for diapers and wipes for C and came out with not that but this book and some various other things including a pack of fancy fine tip pens. #officesupplylove

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is one book that you should get yourself on the hold list for at your local library.  Why, you ask? Because it was just that amazing. 

After finishing the book, Jess had asked me if it was worth the hype.  I would have to say that yes, yes I believe that it is. 

(I couldn't find an article on Owen's inspiration for the book but I did find several video interviews on her inspiration.  I just didn't get the chance to sit down and watch any of them at the time of this review :(  )
The book starts in 1952, Kya is 6 years old and she is watching her mother leave.  Afraid and unsure from what's going on, Kya's older brother Jodie, tells her that her mother will come back; a mother fox doesn't leave her young behind because they won't survive without her.  Unfortunately, Jodie's words don't hold any truth to them and her mother doesn't come back.  
Soon after her mother leaves, Jodie has to leave.  The reader learns early on that Kya's father is abusive, over time he becomes increasing difficult to deal with.  Once Jodie and her mother leave, Kya (who is still 6) steps up to the plate. 

Owens flips between the past and then 10 years ahead.  10 years into the future, the reader sees that a local young man has fallen to death off of the fire tower.  There is an investigation into his death and Kya is looked at as the number 1 suspect.  Owens then tells the story of Kya raising herself alone in the marsh of North Carolina and the murder investigation of Chase Andrews. 

We learn of the few relationships that Kya has.  Growing up alone and living in the marsh is very much a taboo.  No one wants to associate with her much less speak with her.  She finds friends in Jumpin, his wife Mabel and a teenaged boy named Tate.  Tate actually helps bring Kya home after she takes her father's boat out when he left home for several days.  Tate is also the one who teaches Kya to read.  As time goes on, Kya becomes one with the marsh and all of it's living creatures.  She begins to know the water that surrounds her as well. 

The ending of this book is what got me.  I was rooting for Kya the entire time, I wanted to see her prevail and to show everyone wrong! 
Those last few chapters though, they knocked the wind outta me.  I was very much satisfied with the ending and I wouldn't have wished that it ended any other way. 

Owens wrote a powerful book that is as much beautiful as it is haunting. 

I give Where the Crawdads Sing 10 coffee beans out of 5. But seeing as how we like to stay on the side of realism here; I will give it 5 coffee beans out of 5. 

After Jess reads this book, maybe we'll bring back our Battle of the Book.  Comment down below on what you guys think about that. 

ALSO go visit our instagram! If you click on the picture up to the left of the one that's in this post, you will find a comment from Delia Owens herself! We love it when authors comment back!

~ Jillian

One Day in December by Josie Silver- Reshelved Books

Back before I requested an INSANE amount of galleys from Netgalley and making myself so incredibly sick of reading and stripping away all of the enjoyment I found in reading- because I was BURIED under book after book after book; I found this book as an arc.  I thought of how cute it sounded and how I would very much like to review it.

Fast forward to the end of 2018.  That was months ago.  The book made Reese Witherspoon's Book Club.  I purchased One Day in December by Josie Silver to read it. 

Here we are in the beginnings of 2019 and I'm giving you the review!

Yes, my picture has tiny ornaments. Yes, the title says "December".  In my defense, the book does span 10 years and in that time, Laurie is always opening that new year with a list of her New Year's Resolutions.  Fact.

As noted by the red double Decker bus on the cover of this bus, we are yet again jumping across the pond! (If you can't tell, I would loooove to visit England.  Especially at Christmas time.  I think that it would be truly spectacular and beautiful)


I really really liked this book! It was a pleasure to read.  I didn't fit it to be dull or lukewarm (unlike my review from New Year's Day)

Laurie is riding the bus home from work, miserable.  When she finds that she has caught her eye on a mysterious man.  It was an instant connection! But like any good love story, the bus pulls away and Laurie spends the next year looking for this fellow. 

Again, like any other good love story, Sarah who is Laurie's best friend happens to be dating the guy from the bus- who has a name now.  He is Jack!

Obviously Laurie can't tell Sarah that Jack is the guy from the bus - that wouldn't be cool. Especially because of how happy Sarah and Jack make each other. 

There are a few moments that Jack and Laurie share; there are some major life events that Laurie goes through.  Jack even has a life altering experience himself but they're there for each other as friends. 

Over the course of the book, the reader does get to see how the dynamics of these relationships change.  I found that the book was realistic and relatable. (It was a love story that wasn't far fetched)

Silver wrote a story that left you rooting for Laurie and Jack, whatever their paths may have been.

My rating?  This book is an easy 4 coffee beans out of 5!

~ Jillian