Other Birds

 

Other Birds

By: Sarah Addison Allen

Genre: Fiction

Summary:

A group of people all living in the same condo complex have more than their living arrangements in common. All of them have had their lives blessed by a loving person who changed their lives for the better. And all of them have lost that source of love, but have forged on. Here is the story of how unconditional love can come from anywhere, change your life and heart, and stay with you long after it has physically left your life.

Let me just say that I am so happy Sarah Addison Allen has brought another book to the world of readers who have missed her work. It's been a handful of years since her last book and I, for one, have missed her storytelling. She has been a beloved author to me ever since she captivated the world with Garden Spells. Welcome back! You have been missed. 

Other Birds is all about grief and the different ways it can present itself. The characters within this story have all experienced sad, lonely and heartbreaking pasts. And they were all touched by someone who came into their lives with the unconditional love they never knew they needed. And they've all lost that said love one. However, several of them still have lingering traces of them in their lives.

Zoe has recently graduated high school and is waiting to start college. She has moved into her mother's old condominium after leaving her father's house. Within his house, she always felt like an intrusion and as if they were ready for her to leave. Always the outsider to the life he now has with his wife and her children. She was lonely and her world was tiny. Just her and Pigeon, her pet bird that is invisible to everyone- but her. 

Lisbeth is the neighbor haunted by the compulsion of her mental illness. As the book unfolds, you get her perspective and you see her world through it's distorted lens. The day after Zoey moves in, Lisbeth is found dead. It doesn't take long for you to get a glimpse into her world of saving any and every piece of paper with writing on it. Boxes upon boxes are stacked in her apartment. Her compulsion had run unchecked. As the story progresses you get her perspective on how her life ended up so isolated.

Mac wasn't always the talented chef her is now. In fact, he came from nothing. He was the poorest of the poor in his neighborhood. Until an elderly neighbor takes him in and gives him the love and life he never knew could exist. She teaches him how to cook and he goes on to make a name for himself with her favorite ingredient as his inspiration: cornmeal. Now, every morning, he wakes up covered in cornmeal.

Charlotte is running from her past. After losing her best friend to an illness that was never treated, she leaves the cult her family had been in. However, she takes something with her that always has her looking over her shoulder and never staying in one place too long. Until now. Loving her life as a Henna artist, Charlotte doesn't want to leave. 

Lucy is Lisbeth's sister. You learn about their dynamic and the heartbreak both sisters endured. You'll read how both lives were forever haunted by their pasts. 

Lastly, you have the condo manager, Frasier. The man overseeing the complex and the residents. He knows them all and has a few surprises up his sleeve as to how he knows some of them. 

I have to say, I had a hard time getting into this story. I wasn't enraptured with this book as I was with her previous ones. However, I think that's mostly because I wasn't able to relate to the characters. This book is aimed for those who are mourning someone they dearly loved. While I've lost loved ones, I've been able to accept the loss and carry them with me. I've been able to let them go. Other Birds is a love story to those people who love a lost soul so much that they change the person for the better. It's an ode to the people you love dearly, but had to say goodbye to- ready or not. 

This book was beautiful, but heavy in ways I wasn't expecting. Sarah still tells a mystical, whimsical story, but it wasn't a feel good one. I wasn't charmed by the story like I thought I would be. But, maybe that wasn't the point of the book. Love and loss aren't always done in the ways we're ok with. Some readers are going to relate to everything within this story. Others may not. There are plot twists I didn't see coming. While I didn't love this book, I'm glad I read it.  

My Dark Academia Reading List!

September is right around the corner. Fall is on it's way! Kids are going back to school, so what better time to dedicate the month of September to a Dark Academia reading list?! September just seems like the perfect time to curl up with a comfy blanket and cup of hot chocolate while I get lost in a story involving schools. 

So, I've compiled a list of books I would like to read during September. I don't know if I'll get to them all, but we'll do what we can. I don't read suspense/thriller books very often- I'm the biggest chicken. But, these sounded intriguing and have caught my attention, so we're gonna give them a try.

 

Oliver has been released from prison after serving 10 years. He's finally ready to tell his story and the person who put him in prison is there waiting to hear him tell it. What happened 10 years ago between Oliver and his 4 friends/classmates? 

I've heard how great this book is. Other readers have called it their favorite book of the year they read it. It's gotten tons of 5 star reviews. It's caught my eye and I'm wanting to find out Oliver's story.

Four strangers are sitting at the same table in a library when a murder occurs. The police keep everyone where they are while they figure out what happened- and which of the four is the murderer.

People have said this reminds them of and Agatha Christie book, and I loved the books of hers I've read. Plus, it's set in a library!! This just sounds like an intriguing story. 

Another story with a school setting. This time you have a charming, handsome teacher. You have a group of female students. Someone dies and someone is convinced the teacher did it. Did he?

Once again, the school setting has me intrigued. I have no clue what I'm on for since I haven't read Alex Michaelides debut book The Silent Patient. The idea of a secret society/fan club for a teacher just seems like the recipe for trouble. For reasons I can't explain, I'm curious enough to read it.

Six friends reunite at their college reunion. One of their friends is murdered while they were in school. Someone is as determined to reveal what happened as the friends are to keep their secrets.

Another book getting rave reviews. I love the idea of a reunion where old secrets turn out not be buried as previously thought. What have the friends been hiding?! I don't know, but I hope to find out.

5 years ago, Andie was a high school senior when she was killed by her boyfriend in a murder/suicide. Now, Pip's a senior and her for her final project she's going to dig into the case. She's always felt there was more to the story and now's her chance to find out if there is.

I'm fascinated with the idea that a senior in high school digging into an old case. This is a unique angle that I haven't come across before, so I look forward to learning what she finds out. 

Four friends at a boarding school have made up a game. They lie to students and faculty alike. However, years later, they learn a long buried secret may not be buried like they thought.

I had started this book several years ago, but never finished it. I don't remember why, but I did remember liking what I had read. I'm hoping to read the whole book, thus getting the whole story. I've heard mixed reviews on Ruth Ware, so I'm wondering where I'll fall. 

Thrillers/suspense books aren't really my normal reads of choice, but we're going to break out of our comfort zone in September. All of these books sound intriguing to me and I'm excited to read them. I have no clue if I'll get to all of them, but I'm hoping to. I'm hoping I love them as much as other people did. Mostly, I'm looking forward to good stories read as the weather cools down. 

James Patterson By James Patterson

 

James Patterson

By: James Patterson

Summary:

The famous and beloved writer gives you glimpses into his life- before, during and after becoming one of the best selling writers of our time. 

I have to admit to not knowing much about James Patterson before reading this book. It's really why I was so drawn to it. I've read several of his books- like millions of others. I've read an interview of his, but I didn't know his story. And let me tell you, there was far more to it than I ever thought there was. 

Within these pages, you will learn about the raw deal he got in school. He takes you through his high school years and how he, and numerous other fellow students, were manipulated into changing their college plans. 

Another thing I had no clue about was Patterson's highly successful career in advertising- before his successful writing career. He even tells you some of the campaigns he worked on that you may have heard of. 

While he's giving you the tour of his past, he opens up about a devastating loss. He introduces you to his first love and walks you through what it was like losing her, and the blow it was when it finally happened. It really brought out a side of him I wasn't expecting, but really enjoyed reading about. Some of my favorite books of his aren't his crime/thrillers, but the fiction ones. I was able to see where those beautiful stories came from. 

Patterson's humor is found throughout the entire book, which I loved. he didn't take anything too seriously and wasn't above poking fun at himself. I loved how he introduced you to his favorite cowriters. 

Fans of Patterson will enjoy hearing his story from his perspective. Those who only know him from his books will have the opportunity to get to know him. Long standing fans will get the feeling of hanging out with him over lunch while he talks about himself. You may not get the most detailed story of his life, but you enjoy what you do get.