Saturday, October 13, 2007

My Solution

So, I have been in a reading funk the past couple of weeks. After reading 7 or 8 novels in September I've stalled and can't find anything interesting. But I think I've found a solution: young adult novels. It seems I only ever turn to the YA section when adult literature fails me. I checked out a couple of novels yesterday and put a few more on hold. Hopefully, they will cure my reading malaise.

Monday, October 1, 2007

Review: Songs Without Words by Ann Packer

I was very excited to get this novel because I loved Packer's first book, The Dive From Clausen's Pier. Sadly, I found Songs Without Words to be depressing, whiny and a waste of time. Set in the Bay Area it centers on two best friends Liz and Sarabeth. Both in their 40's, Liz is a yuppie mom of two while Sarabeth is a career-less single. When Liz's daughter Lauren tries to commit suicide, their worlds and their friendship falls apart. I read most of this on an afternoon off from work and finished feeling depressed, discouraged and sick to my stomach. Because of this, I can't recommend this book at all. I'm not asking for sunshine and roses, but this novel plunges the reader into a scary and dark place where, really, I feel no one needs to go