The Way Back Book Review: Two Moons In August by Martha Brooks

There are many books that have influenced me over the years. Or touched me in a way only a book can when you're going through some difficult experiences, especially in your teen years. Which is why I've decided to do something different. I want to review those books, the ones that changed my life and view of the world forever. It's only fair. Why? Because they deserve recognition, and maybe through my reviews they'll find their way to someone else in need of their words.

My first Way Back Review is for Two Moons In August by Martha Brooks.

I first read this book the summer before my freshman year in high school. Things around the house were tense. I didn't notice it at first, maybe because I was too wrapped up in Sidonie's world. In a few months I would learn the cause of the tension, and it would change my life forever. After this life changing event I'll turn to this book on several occasions to make it through the uncomfortable realizations about my parents.

Here's the blurb for Two Moons:
A year after her mother’s death, 16-year-old Sidonie and her family are still dealing with their tragic loss in different ways. Sidonie spends sleepless nights playing cards with her cat, Bogie. During the day she lies around and reads under the nose of her 19-year-old sister, Roberta, who angrily scrubs floors that are already clean and cooks meals that are inedible. Their father, a doctor, comes home only when he is too exhausted to remain at work. Only the jazz piano-playing of Roberta’s new boyfriend, Phil, brings some relief to the long, hot summer. Then Kieran, a 16-year-old stranger, comes to their lakeside community. Sidonie discovers that Kieran isn’t easy to ignore, and in the weeks that follow, her growing attraction to him is accompanied by more frequent, powerful memories of her mother.

One reason I love this book so much is because of the family dynamics, whether between Sidonie and her sister or her dad or her sister and dad. There's a lot going on in this short book. To be honest, I did have a wee bit of a crush on the love interest of this book, Kieran. it may have been my first literary crush.

Brooks subtly wove in the town's reaction to Roberta and Phil's romance, without being blatant about the racism back in the 50s. Though it was an important aspect to the story, it didn't overpower the other story lines. Roberta and Sidonie have what you would assume most sisterly relationships are like. They love each other, but that doesn't mean they always like each other. Both are dealing with their mother's death in their own way, and that at times causes a rift between them. Then there's their dad, who is gone so often you have to wonder what he's running from. And of course Kieran has plenty of secrets and drama in his own life.

If you're looking for a story about overcoming grief, family dysfunctions, and first loves, this one is for you. Looking at my own stories now, I realize just how much this story has influenced my writing. It shaped certain of view of the world, and helped me deal with the issues taking place in my life. And for that I could never thank the author enough.

Jane Eyre

I just finished watching the new Jane Eyre movie starring Mia Wasikowska (wow that's a mouthful)and Michael Fassbender.I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books and I've seen pretty much every single movie version of it. The acting in this new 'remake' was phenomenal, not to mention Magneto from X-Men first class played Mr. Rochester.
I'll tell you why this story struck a chord, making me sad, angry, and hopeful at the best of times. The summer before my freshman year in high school was BORING. My older sister went to college early to get a couple extra courses in. It was just me, my little brother, and my parents,both of whom worked full-time,which made it impossible to see my friends since there was no car or chauffeur available to me. Earlier that year my mom had acquired a boatload of books from a friend who moved out of state. Jane Eyre was in that collection. One frightfully dull summer morning I decided to browse my mom's new library, hoping to find something that might appeal to me. Jane Eyre immediately caught my eye. I had heard of it, my sister had even read it in her English class and she had mentioned how much she liked it, so I picked it up and decided to give it a try, thinking nothing more of it.
That book changed me. I couldn't believe that this story of a 'simple' girl who is anything but could have such an impact on me, and that I actually understood the language ( I was smarter than I thought!) or that I liked something by a Bronte sister. You see I attempted reading Wuthering Heights the year before but could not get myself to care about Heathcliff or Catherine (sorry to all you Wuthering Heights fans) they were just too selfish for my liking. If I hadn't read Jane Eyre that summer who knows how long it would have taken me to get to all the other English classics.
I honestly believe that Jane Eyre deserves all the attention it has garnered throughout the years, because for me it paved the way for all those other books I might have found daunting later on in my life. Less than a year later I discovered Pride and Prejudice, and it's hard to think about what my world might be like without that beautiful story. I found my love for writing through those works. I now appreciate literature in all its forms, and I know that I can conquer any story, no matter how big or small. So Jane Eyre was the gateway into my reading future. I apologize to anyone who isn't as fond as I am of this story, this post is probably sucking it big time for you. And to anyone who hasn't read this classic tale of woe and love, take the time to do so, decide for yourself if it's all that I think it's cracked up to be.

Books,Books,Books

Every few months I get restless, because I run out of books to read. So I buy some more. My husband makes fun of me for it, but he doesn't understand the obsession that drives me to spend his hard earned money. Not that he would ever claim his paychecks as his, we share. Afterwards I get all giddy with excitement to read those purchased goodies, and usually I'm not disappointed with my selection. What is it about reading that makes me this way? I think everyone needs an escape every now and then, reading is mine. Here is a list of said goodies I got this time around:

Paranormalcy along with the sequel, Supernaturally- very enthused about these two because I've heard such wonderful things about Paranormalcy and I also discovered Kiersten White's blog and she seems like a really cool chick.

Incarceron and Sapphique by Catherine Fisher: I've been debating about this series for a while, I've read reviews but was still on the fence, but I decided to take a chance. The plot sounds unique and it's always nice to find a book that's a little different from the rest of the pile.

Anna and French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: Okay, I've heard many wonderful things about this book. I'm estatic to read it for myself.

Sirensong: This is the last book to the Faerie Walker series by Jenna Black. I own the previous two and really enjoyed them, I also got my sister into them. It's such a cool take on the whole fairy mythology which, i admit, I'm sort of obsessed with. I can't wait to see how it all ends.

Reckless: This is by Cornelia Funke, and I'm ashamed to say the first book I'll read by her. The reason I've stayed away is because I was intimidated by this great woman who is kind of a hero in the fantasy fiction realm. But I am over the fear and ready to finally read her printed word.

Gracling by Kristin Cashore: Another book that I've been putting off, but has kept popping up in my mind.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen: I have loved Sarah Dessen since high school, I enjoy all of her books and writing style. She is awesome. I encourage all who haven't read any of her work to get out there and pick up one of her books. She's so cool, and I read her blog religously and we both share a common addiction: television.

Haven by Kristi Cook: I think this one came out a relatively short amount of time ago, but it intrigued me. I don't know much about the author, and sometimes that's a good thing.

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff: This I bought from the recommendation of a favorite author of mine. Maggie Stiefvater, hope it doesn't disappoint. The whole changling mythology is also one that interests me.

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney: What can I say, I love me some some fey. I didn't mean for that to rhyme.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire: Another book with great buzz that I couldn't resist.

I also preordered 'You Against Me' by Jenny Downham and 'Vanish' The sequel to 'Firelight' by Sophie Jordan. A few months back I also ordered 'Bloodlines' by Richelle Mead which takes place in the same universe as the Vampire Academy books- I loved that series and have high hopes for this new one.

Okay, that's all...for now. I'll write about my impressions as I go along, if I remember to... I'm so excited to READ!