Book Review - Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was beautifully written and utterly heartbreaking. You will not walk away from this book feeling happy. However, I promise you will feel so much more appreciative of every single aspect of your life.

It is a work of fiction, but it was also a reality for hundreds of thousands of people. And it is horrifying.

I read this one in a couple of days. I just didn't want to put it down. Not only was I desperate to know what was going to become of the main character, but I wanted to know what was going to become of every single person I was introduced to.

It is short and it is a fast read. But every single word of it is worth reading. The images and the stories of each person and family are going to haunt me for years to come.

This is the kind of book everyone should read.

Be warned though. I cried. A lot.

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Book Review - Matched

Matched by Ally Condie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story is somewhat interesting. The universe it is set in is very reminiscent of The Giver. Although it doesn't compare to it because The Giver is a much, much better book. And if you haven't read that one yet, please skip this one and read that one.

However, Matched is certainly a fast, easy, fun, and relatively mindless read. As straight up fluff, I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of young adult romances set in a dystopian future.

That said, the writing isn't terribly great. Decent story, not so decent execution. I think the author is somewhat limited by deciding to write from the main character's point of view only. But that still doesn't excuse some of the bad writing.

The most annoying thing about this book to me was how often characters names are used. Granted Cassia, the main character, is naturally often thinking of Ky (one of the males in the "love triangle"). Or with Ky. Or talking about Ky. Or talking to Ky. But it is okay to occasionally use the word him. Or his. I randomly flipped to page and counted how many times "Ky" appeared on it. 7 times. I have been known to write gay fiction, where the two characters are both males, and I still manage to not have to write one of their names in every single sentence without confusing the reader. Aside from this, think about when you are thinking in your own head about someone else, do you constantly refer to them by name in your head? No, you do not. Perhaps the author just believed her target audience (teen girls) are too unintelligent to remember from one sentence to the next about whom the author is referring to. But I'd give them a bit more credit.

Additionally, many of the characters fall very flat for me. Including the main one. The characterization is very lacking. I know a bit about what she looks like and her interests and obviously every thought that drifts through her head. But I don't know anything about her mannerisms or the way she speaks. And this is true of most of the characters. They feel very one dimensional.

All of that said, still an enjoyable bit of fluff that is quick and easy.

There will be two more books. The second is out in hardcover. But I think I can wait for the paperback for this one. Not worth the cost of a hardcover.




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The Chanticleer Guest House - Door County, WI

The Chanticleer Guest House near Sturgeon Bay in Door County, WI is a gay-owned and operated Bed and Breakfast.  But it has so much more to offer than your typical B&B.  Aside from several beautiful rooms in the guest house and guest barn, the Chanticleer also offers the option of 4 private cottages.

The cottages are large, yet cozy and inviting.  We stayed at the Tamarck on our visit and could barely find a thing to complain about.  Complete privacy was the biggest perk of all.  Although the vegetarian friendly breakfasts were a close second.

The cabin had a beautiful and comfortable king-sized bed, fireplace, whirlpool tub for two, full kitchen, tv w/cable and dvd player, grill, porch with a swing and table and chairs, an amazing view, and the kind of deep comfortable couch you want to curl up on with a good book or movie and stay for the rest of the day.

The breakfasts were some of the most delicious I've ever had.  As someone who eats very little meat the vegetarian fare was perfect for me.   My wife, on the other hand, is definitely a carnivore, yet even she raved about the food.  Her favorite meal was a flavorful egg dish and a side of strawberries and cream.  Mine was the cinnamon-apple stuffed french toast with bananas and cream.  Other days included peaches and cream served with a loaf of blueberry bread, or mixed fruit and yogurt with freshly baked muffins, warm from the oven.  Although you do have to pick up breakfast at the inn if you are staying in one of the cabins, they are smartly packed in adorable picnic baskets that you can take back to your cabin.  Starting every day with an exquisitely prepared breakfast outside on my private porch is a luxury I could certainly get used to.

The grounds were gorgeous.  Our cabin was surrounded by trees and looked down to small pond.  There are great paths around the property for some easy to mild hiking.  It was fun to see the sheep out in the pasture.  The pool was nice, with pretty gardens.  The inn keepers were friendly, helpful and instantly put this shy girl at ease.

The location is a bit out of the way, but everything in upper Door County was less than an hour drive away.  WiFi was not yet enabled in the cabins.  Although the inn keepers indicated it would be in the near future.  However we were able to access it from the sitting room where you check in, as well by the pool.

I would love to say that we will be going back to The Chanticleer on a regular basis, but the cost is a bit prohibitive, at least for the cabins.  The inn rooms are quite a bit less and appeared nearly as nice.  The next time we visit we will likely stay in the inn, and probably keep our visits to the cabins limited to very special occasions.   That said, it is worth every penny.