Ever read a book and felt duped by the cover, the synopsis on the back, or rave reviews? Me too! But by the same token, I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by some books as well. And that is quite a treat. So today, I’m calling out the tricksters and giving a shout out to the treats!
The Tooth Fairy by Graham Joyce
Published December 1998 by Tom Doherty Associates
Description from Goodreads.com:
“Sam and his friends are like any normal gang of normal young boys. Roaming wild around the outskirts of their car-factory town. Daring adults to challenge their freedom.
Until the day Sam wakes to find the Tooth Fairy sitting on the edge of his bed. Not the benign figure of childhood myth, but an enigmatic presence that both torments and seduces him, changing his life forever.”
Why I was tricked!
I don’t know what I expected from this book, but it wasn’t what I got. This is another book I picked up from the counter in the dining area at work. The back cover description was sufficiently intriguing and the cover sufficiently creepy that I decided to give it a try. Dan Porter wrote in his review on Goodreads.com that the feeling he came away with was not happiness, satisfaction, nor despair. He writes, “Somewhere between those points is some combination of recognition, remembrance, anticipation, and a sense of loss that make up the un-nameable feeling with which I connected with this book.” That is a good summation of how I felt about the book. Dan gave the book four stars, but I don’t know how I would’ve rated it. I read it prior to my reviewing days. I do remember speaking with another woman at work who had read the book and she simply said, “There are no words.” Ditto.
The Host by Stephanie Meyer
Published May2008 by Little, Brown and Company
Description from Goodreads.com:
“Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.
When Melanie, one of the few remaining “wild” humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading “soul” who has been given Melanie’s body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn’t expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Wanderer probes Melanie’s thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer’s mind with visions of the man Melanie loves – Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body’s desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.”
Why this book was such a treat!
I LOVED this book. Now, I read the Twilight series but only after I had seen the first movie. Admittedly, the books were much more enjoyable, and I fell in love with the Edward in the book (not so much the Edward in the movie). Now, back to The Host. I read an article about Stephanie Meyer and wanted to read something else she had done, so I picked up The Host. What a treat! The premise of two people inhabiting the same body but not in a demonic way was very intriguing. I fell in love with the characters and fought with myself about which way I wanted the story to end. Wonderful!
She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb
Published June 1998 by Pocket
Description from Goodreads.com:
“In this extraordinary coming-of-age odyssey, Wally Lamb invites us to hitch a wild ride on a journey of love, pain, and renewal with the most heartbreakingly comical heroine to come along in years.
Meet Dolores Price. She’s 13, wise-mouthed but wounded, having bid her childhood goodbye. Stranded in front of her bedroom TV, she spends the next few years nourishing herself with the Mallomars, potato chips, and Pepsi her anxious mother supplies. When she finally orbits into young womanhood at 257 pounds, Dolores is no stronger and life is no kinder. But this time she’s determined to rise to the occasion and give herself one more chance before she really goes under.”
Why this book was such a treat!
Okay. So Wally Lamb is brilliant. Throughout the better part of this book I couldn’t stand the protagonist, Dolores Price. I felt like everything that happened to her she brought on herself. And although I did not like her, I still felt compelled to know her story. That in and of itself is worthy of praise—to engage a reader so thoroughly that they continue to read about a character they can’t stand. But even more laudable is that at the end of the book, I actually felt very happy for Dolores. And that surprised the heck out of me. Kudos to Wally Lamb for this one.
The Possibilities of Amy by Jaye Frances
Published March 2012 by Redstone Press
Description from Goodreads.com:
“Amy is the ultimate trophy girl—gorgeous face, killer body, and a vivacious personality. But there’s something else about her, something that makes her even more special. Amy is new. A transfer student from out of state, she’s starting her senior year without knowing a soul. And that means she’s up for grabs, available.
Infatuated from the moment he sees her, David is determined to meet Amy, and if the fates are willing, to spend the rest of his life with her. But his shyness prevents him from approaching her—until his friends devise a contest to determine who will be the first to prove their manhood by seducing her.
This coming-of-age story about high school dating and relationships contains mature language and situations, and is best suited for a Mature/Adult reader.”
Why this book was such a treat!
I just read and reviewed this novelette very recently. It earned a four-star rating from me. Jaye Frances did a phenomenal job with this story—so much is packed into so few pages. This was most definitely a treat! I invite you to read my review.
The Ruins by Scott B. Smith
Published July 2006 by Alfred A. Knopf
Description from Goodreads.com:
“Trapped in the Mexican jungle, a group of friends stumble upon a creeping horror unlike anything they could ever imagine.Two young couples are on a lazy Mexican vacation–sun-drenched days, drunken nights, making friends with fellow tourists. When the brother of one of those friends disappears, they decide to venture into the jungle to look for him. What started out as a fun day-trip slowly spirals into a nightmare when they find an ancient ruins site . . . and the terrifying presence that lurks there.”
Why I was tricked!
Ugh! I think this was another book acquired from the counter in the dining area at work. It sounded good—like it would be really scary. When I brought it home, my step-daughter said it was a movie and it was really creepy. That buoyed my expectations even further. If ONLY it lived up to them! (Groan) I was so disappointed with this book. It probably made a much better movie with today’s special effects. But I found the book to be a bit dull. Definitely tricked into reading it.
