Audiobook review: Unsheltered, by Barbara Kingsolver

Unsheltered left me with mixed feelings. The story wasn't much, but the writing, well, if you've never read Kingsolver you won't understand how enamored I am with her writing.

So, yes, I'll always pick up a book written by Kingsolver. Unsheltered follows two timelines of people who live in the same house. The first point-of-view is Willa in 2016. She lives in an old Victorian house with her husband and adult daughter. The house is literally falling down, and as the story progresses, they are confined to less and less space.

Willa is trying to get the house designated as historic, so she can get some grants to help fix it up. There is much soul searching, as she reflects on the past and how hard they have worked and still don't even have enough money to make basic repairs to the house. The stories of her two children are integral to the plot as well. Her daughter is appalled at the damage that our civilization has done, and continues to do, to the earth. Her son is mourning the loss of his wife and has left his newborn son with Willa.

As Willa is researching the historical significance of the house, she discovers (eventually) that Thatcher Greenwood, a local science teacher, may have lived in her house in the1870s. Part of the reason he is significant is because of his relationship with a renowned woman scientist, Mary Treat, who lived next door. Thatcher's house is also in disrepair, and he also doesn't have enough money to fix it. It is just as well, because his desire to teach about Darwin's theories will most likely be the end of his employment by the local conservative school.

Kingsovler does a good job switching the narration and building a connection between these two eras. Her command of prose just mesmerized me. She narrates Unsheltered herself and this is the second book I've listened to that she has narrated. I wouldn't say she's a great narrator. She's not very good at male voices--some of them just sound drunk. But I appreciate her doing it. I feel like the author alone knows the proper emphasis and emotion she wants to convey. A couple of times I think she got a little choked up.

All in all, Unsheltered is my least favorite of her offerings. I could recommend just about any other of her books before this one, but if you are a Kingsolver fan, be sure to include this in your list.

Published by Harper, 2018
Audiobook obtained from libro.fm
480 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

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Book Review: Skink No Surrender, by Carl Hiaasen

Carl Hiaasen just has a unique style that I find very appealing. Skink No Surrender is no exception and contains another mystery to solve.

There is always an environmental issue that is addressed in Hiaasen's books, but this time it isn't the central theme and several issues are touched on. The story is told by Richard, whose cousin and best friend, Malley, has run off with a guy she met online, and now Richard can tell from her communications that she is in trouble.

Richard has become acquainted with a very unusual character who is known as Skink. Richard found him buried in the sand in a fake turtle nest on the beach. Skink has been trying to catch people stealing the turtle eggs, which is illegal. Skink is old, dirty, and turns out he used to be the governor. He supposedly died a few years ago.

When Skink finds out about Richard's cousin, he decides to find her. He and Richard go on an adventure through the Florida swamps, meeting alligators, lots of road kill, extinct birds, stinky fishermen, and eventually Malley and her captor.

It's always lighthearted, even when guns are being pointed. There is danger and suspense, but you never doubt that justice will prevail no matter how unlikely it seems. You have to be prepared for some eye rolling, but it's all in good fun.

Apparently Skink has been in six novels, but this is the first I've been introduced to him. Skink No Surrender is short and action packed, making it an excellent choice for reluctant readers. There is violence, but it's not detailed, and because of the flippant attitudes, I think Skink No Surrender could be enjoyed by younger teens.

Skink No Surrender has been longlisted for the 2014 National Book Award.

Published by Knopf BFYR, September 23, 2014
ARC obtained from Library Media Connection Magazine
288 pages (qualifies for my Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge!)

Rating: 4.5/5

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Book Review: The Elephant of Surprise, by Brent Hartinger

Even though I haven't read the first three books in the series, The Elephant of Surprise was an entertaining story about some realistic teens.

At the beginning of The Elephant of Surprise Hartinger gives the reader a quick summary of the characters and what happened to them, relationship-wise, in the first three books. This made it very easy for me to jump right in to the story with some understanding.

Russel is the narrator, and he's having relationship trouble which is understandable, given that his boyfriend lives 800 miles away.  Min and Gunner are Russel's best friends, and Min is worried that her girlfriend is hiding something.

These three meet Wade dumpster diving outside the school and discover a whole new organization of people called "freegans" who are people that live off what others throw away. Russel becomes enamored with this group, and especially Wade, who is very hot and is flirting with Russel.

The trio finds out that some things aren't what they seem, and they have some adventures to keep the plot moving. Let me just say that I don't like books that are "about" being gay. I've read books before that are LGBT romances and nothing else. They are boring. If the story was about a heterosexual relationship, no one would read it, and the fact that the two people in love are the same sex just isn't enough to make it exciting. The Elephant of Surprise isn't like this. Of course, these teens (whether LGBT or not) are always thinking about their relationships -- it's a hormone thing -- but there are other aspects to the plot that add to the romance and make it a real story with substance.

 I could relate to the teens in The Elephant of Surprise. They have their struggles and insecurities. They do stupid and sometimes dangerous things. And they are always learning and growing. The title, The Elephant of Surprise, refers to a combination of "The Element of Surprise" and "The Elephant in the Room." The kids come up with this phrase to describe the things that happen that are totally unexpected and kind of throw you for a loop. Several of these things happen in The Elephant of Surprise.

The Elephant of Surprise is short and easy to read. I would recommend it to my teens who are interested in a light contemporary with some humor, romance, and a little danger.

Published by Buddha Kitty Books, January 10, 2013
eARC obtained from the author
226 pages, qualifies for my Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge!

Rating: 4/5

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