Review: Wedding Dogs

Summary: Wedding Dogs captures man’s best friend at 75 weddings—dogs as the best man, maid of honor, ring bearer, or another member of the wedding party! Decked out in little doggy tuxedos or sporting a wreath of roses around their necks, these pooches share in the wedding couple’s big day.

Each photograph is accompanied by a brief essay telling the dog’s (and the couple’s) story. A perfect wedding, bridal shower, or groom’s gift, Wedding Dogs shares the joy of the moment when dogs join in the celebration of their owners’ most special day. -- Quirk

I am not exactly what you'd call a huge dog lover! I like dogs well enough and I am always one of the first to fuss over a puppy, but I haven't had a dog since I was a kid; and we aren't really a family who would ever consider having a dog. Of course, I tell everyone that it's because my son and I are allergic to them, but in all honestly, I think I'm just not the type to deal with dog hair and other doggy things.

So it might come as a bit of a surprise that when I was offered the chance to take a look at WEDDING DOGS: A CELEBRATION OF HOLY MUTRIMONY by Kate Preston Toeffer and Sam Stall, I jumped at the chance. The idea of an entire book of couples who included their dogs as part of their wedding ceremonies made me grin. I just had to check it out!

Now I'm the first to admit that WEDDING DOGS will not appeal to everyone. In fact, I'm pretty sure that there's a big percentage of people out there (including my husband and grandparents) who would say that the premise of this entire book is crazy. However, there are also a huge amount of dog lovers out there who would totally "get" it. In fact, the New York Times reported that close to 5% of brides include a pet in their wedding party. That number probably doesn't even count those who do pre-wedding photos with their furry friends.

I thought WEDDING DOGS was cute and sweet, and I can certainly see the appeal for dog lovers. This book would be perfect sitting out on a coffee table because the color photographs were absolutely gorgeous. In addition, there are short essays about the couple's wedding day and the role their dog had in the festivities.

I admit that I was a sucker for all of the photos of the brides and grooms and especially their dogs, and I had to smile at the various ways the doggies were dressed for the wedding. The little tuxes, bow ties, boutonnieres, etc. were just precious! And don't even get me started on some of their expressions -- too cute!


WEDDING DOGS is certain to be a hit with the dog lovers in your life. It's also the perfect gift for showers and weddings!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

Giveaway: The Kite Runner (10th Anniversary)

Summary: The 10th anniversary edition of the New York Times bestseller and international classic loved by millions of readers.

The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies.

A sweeping story of family, love, and friendship told against the devastating backdrop of the history of Afghanistan over the last thirty years, The Kite Runner is an unusual and powerful novel that has become a beloved, one-of-a-kind classic. -- Riverhead

I mentioned a few weeks ago that Khaled Hosseini has a new novel coming out in May called AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED. I can hardly wait!!! I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a new release -- I'm doing my own little countdown!

All this talk of AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED has made me remember the first time I fell in love with Mr. Hosseini's writing. It's been almost ten years since I read THE KITE RUNNER. (You read that correctly -- ten years!) THE KITE RUNNER changed my world and I think that's a pretty good indication about the power of this book.

To celebrate the tenth year anniversary, the publisher has reissued THE KITE RUNNER in a special 10th Anniversary edition. If you are like me and want to read THE KITE RUNNER again (or maybe you've haven't had a chance to read this book yet?), here's your chance!

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Riverhead, I have a copy of the brand-spanking new THE KITE RUNNER (10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION) to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before March 20th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good Luck!

Review: Above All Things

Summary: Tell me the story of Everest,” she said, a fervent smile sweeping across her face, creasing the corners of her eyes. “Tell me about this mountain that’s stealing you away from me.” 

In 1924 George Mallory departs on his third expedition to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Left behind in Cambridge, George’s young wife, Ruth, along with the rest of a war-ravaged England, anticipates news they hope will reclaim some of the empire’s faded glory. Through alternating narratives, what emerges is a beautifully rendered story of love torn apart by obsession and the need for redemption. -- Amy Einhorn

This is going to sound awful, but I picked up ABOVE ALL THINGS by Tanis Rideout not exactly expecting to like it. This novel was being billed as "THE PARIS WIFE meets INTO THIN AIR," and while I enjoyed both of those books, I just didn't think this story was for me. I couldn't have been more wrong -- I absolutely loved ABOVE ALL THINGS and devoured the novel in less than a day!

Of course, I should have known that this was a special book since it's from the Amy Einhorn imprint! Most of the Amy Einhorn books that I've read have been consistently good, and ABOVE ALL THINGS will go down as one of my favorites to date. This novel is based on the life of George Mallory and his wife Ruth, and his 1924 attempt to climb Mount Everest. Mallory has tried twice before to reach the summit only to turn back because of unfavorable weather conditions. Naturally, his wife Ruth doesn't want him to leave her and their children given the dangers he's faced in the past, but Mallory assures her that this will be the last time... and he will be successful. Ruth realizes that she can't compete with Mallory's love affair with Everest and, with reluctance, she watches him as he heads out on this dangerous mission.

When I love a book as passionately as I do ABOVE ALL THINGS, it's sometimes hard for me to articulate the reasons why. That is certainly the case with this review. My initial reaction is to say, "This book is fantastic! Go read it!" and leave it at that. However, I know some of you will want to know why this book was so very special to me. So I will attempt to explain it although I'm certain I will do one of two things -- raise expectations too high or not do the book justice!

First and foremost, ABOVE ALL THINGS is just a darn good story. It's part love story, part action/adventure story; and it truly is riveting. While I knew right away that I was extremely interested in the relationship between George and Ruth (how could a man basically put climbing a mountain ahead of his wife and children?), I was pretty sure that I wouldn't appreciate all of the scenes about the expedition on Everest. That was so not the case! The author went back and forth in alternating chapters between George's story (which was truly incredible!) and Ruth's story (which was so heartfelt and touching). I loved how she juxtaposed the events in their lives, and she did an equally good job in making both stories compelling.

Another wonderful thing about ABOVE ALL THINGS was the beauty of the author's writing. I honestly can't believe that this is Ms. Rideout's first novel because it was so polished. I found all of the scenes about the expedition to be fascinating, and at the same time so real (she totally did her research!); and I loved how the author managed to make me actually "see" and "feel" the events that transpired on the mountain. I swear I was so cold that I needed a blanket while reading this novel.

In addition, I thought the characters, namely George and Ruth, were incredibly well drawn as was their relationship. Ms. Rideout managed to make me understand George's obsession with conquering Everest as well as his feelings towards his wife. I so wanted to be mad at him for sacrificing his family for his own passion; however, I found that he was a believable (and not altogether unlikable) character. Furthermore, I loved how real Ruth was to me -- how she was able to sacrifice because of her love for her husband. I could totally understand her feelings of resentment and guilt, and I felt her frustration and pain when she didn't hear from George in a timely manner.

Naturally, it will come as no surprise to you that I highly recommend ABOVE ALL THINGS for book clubs. It truly is a perfect story to discuss! There is a reading guide available with fourteen thought-provoking questions. Some of the topics you might want to explore include the author's presentation of the various stories and George's motivations for wanting to climb Everest. In addition, there are some themes which warrant a further look including grief, sacrifice, selfishness, love, honesty, pride, death, class structure, and obsession.

Trust me on this one -- ABOVE ALL THINGS is a must-read novel!

Make sure you check out my latest Book Club Exchange post which features an essay by Ms. Rideout. Not only is it a great guest post, but there is also a fantastic giveaway for copies of ABOVE ALL THINGS for your entire book club!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: All the Lonely People

Summary: WANTED: a whole new family to share holidays with. Please have a good heart and be a thoughtful, polite person. No sociopaths, no pedophiles, no fans of the Kardashians. We're not weirdos, I promise. I love old Steve Martin movies, new Steve Martin banjo tunes, Indian food, and reruns of Bob Ross painting happy little trees. So if you're looking for something other than the typical family dysfunction this Christmas, drop us a line.

After losing her beloved mother to cancer, 37-year-old Jaime Collins must confront the ugly fact that she and her siblings don't actually like one another. At all. Fueled by grief and an epic argument at Thanksgiving dinner, Jaime decides to divorce her siblings and posts an ad on Craigslist for a new family with whom to share Christmas dinner.

What happens next is a heartwarming, funny, and surprising journey to forgiveness and healing. Is blood really thicker than water? What makes a family? And how far do we have to go to find our way back home again?

Dedicated to anyone who has ever wanted to unfriend a relative on Facebook, All the Lonely People is about family: those you make ... and those you make peace with.

Quite a few years ago (when I was still a relatively new blogger), I reviewed a wonderful novel called DRIVING SIDEWAYS by Jess Riley. Some of you might remember Ms. Riley as a a contributor for The Debutante Ball. I always think of her as an extremely insightful and, at the same time, funny writer. So it didn't come as any surprise to me that her debut novel DRIVING SIDEWAYS was a very funny story that also managed to touch my heart.

It's been a couple of years, but Ms. Riley has released a new novel called ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE. I usually don't accept self-published books, but I gladly accepted a copy of this book because I consider myself a fan of the author's. I have to say that I did enjoy ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE and it definitely reminded me of why I like Ms. Riley's smart and witty writing style. However, I'm not sure I liked it quite as much as DRIVING SIDEWAYS.

In ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE, Jaime Collins is still reeling from the death of her mother. To make things worse, she doesn't exactly have the best relationship with her siblings. After a Thanksgiving dinner where tempers exploded, Jaime decides that she wants a new family. So what does she do? She advertises for one on Craig's List. That's right, she figures there must be other lonely people out there who want to spend Christmas dinner with a family.. even if it's a made-up one.

And guess what? Jaime was right! She finds an interesting crew of people (some might say misfits) with whom to spend Christmas, and their friendships start evolving from there. Along the way, Jaime discovers some valuable things about the relationships in her life including the ones with her husband and siblings; and she even learns some important life lessons that help her to be a happier and more content individual.

I liked ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I loved it. I was hoping that it would be an entertaining story because of its unique premise, and I was pretty sure that it would be funny... especially when it came to all of the quirky characters. For the most part, my expectations were met. I appreciated the variety of characters and I liked seeing how Jaime progressed (i.e. matured) throughout the story. I also really thought there were a lot of funny things about this novel and I liked Jaime's snarky, yet smart, outlook on her family, husband, and life in general.

ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE definitely started out strong for me; however, I'm not sure I felt the same way for the entire story. I found the ending of the novel to be pretty predictable, which isn't altogether bad given the way I wanted the story to end; and the many of the characters and the relationships between them were a bit stereotypical. I also found that Jaime's insights began sounding a little bit like a stand-up routine. That's not to say that they weren't spot on and quite funny. They just started to sound more like a character would say on a television show or movie than in a book.

In fact, that brings me to my next point -- ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE would make a really cute movie (or perhaps even a television show.) Most of the book was really funny, but there were also a few serious issues covered like grief, infertility, and dysfunctional families that made it a touching too. In addition, the characters were almost larger-than-life and extremely entertaining with all of the quirks and foibles. I have no doubt that they would translate well to the screen!

Overall, I liked ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE and it was definitely good for a few laughs. Recommended to fans of women's fiction and books about dysfunctional families.

Thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: The House Girl

Summary: Two remarkable women, separated by more than a century, whose lives unexpectedly intertwine . . . 

2004: Lina Sparrow is an ambitious young lawyer working on a historic class-action lawsuit seeking reparations for the descendants of American slaves.

1852: Josephine is a seventeen-year-old house slave who tends to the mistress of a Virginia tobacco farm—an aspiring artist named Lu Anne Bell. 

It is through her father, renowned artist Oscar Sparrow, that Lina discovers a controversy rocking the art world: art historians now suspect that the revered paintings of Lu Anne Bell, an antebellum artist known for her humanizing portraits of the slaves who worked her Virginia tobacco farm, were actually the work of her house slave, Josephine. 

A descendant of Josephine's would be the perfect face for the lawsuit—if Lina can find one. But nothing is known about Josephine's fate following Lu Anne Bell's death in 1852. In piecing together Josephine's story, Lina embarks on a journey that will lead her to question her own life, including the full story of her mother's mysterious death twenty years before. 

Alternating between antebellum Virginia and modern-day New York, this searing tale of art and history, love and secrets explores what it means to repair a wrong, and asks whether truth can be more important than justice. -- William Morrow

When I first read the description for THE HOUSE GIRL by Tara Conklin , I thought it sounded fantastic. I love books that go back and forth between the present and the past, and I've always been fascinated with novels about slavery and the South. My expectations for this book were pretty high... maybe unfairly so.

THE HOUSE GIRL tells the story of two women -- Lina, a young lawyer who is working on a class action lawsuit seeking reparations for descendants of slaves and Josephine, a house slave who tended to aspiring artist Lu Anne Belle. Their two stories come together when Lina was trying to find the "perfect face" for her lawsuit. Lina learned that art historians suspect that Lu Anne Bell's portraits were actually painted by Josephine, and who better than to represent her class action suit than a descendant of Josephine's?

Little is known about Josephine and virtually nothing is recorded about her life after Lu Anne's death. Lina sets out to discover the truth about Josephine; and while conducting her research, she also begins to unlock the mysteries about her own past.

Needless to say, THE HOUSE GIRL isn't a traditional mystery, and I debated whether it was appropriate to feature as part of Mystery Mondays. However, I decided that there were enough elements of mystery in this story that I could count it as a mystery. (The Cleveland Plain Dealer review convinced me!) Both Lina and Josephine's stories had unknowns that were eventually revealed to the reader (heck, Josephine's entire life was a mystery), and I can definitely say that I was kept guessing about a few of the story lines.

With THE HOUSE GIRL getting such rave reviews, I expected to absolutely love it. The truth is that I liked it okay, but I certainly didn't love it. I am the first to admit that I was expecting a lot from this novel, but it just didn't totally work for me. Initially, I struggled to get into the novel and Lina's character didn't resonate with me at all. And then, once I felt as if I got to understand and even like Lina, her personal story took some drastic turns, and I'm not sure all of the plot lines were fully explored.

Having said that, there were many positive things about THE HOUSE GIRL, and I'm afraid that my review sounds too critical. I thought the premise of the novel was brilliant and had major potential to be a wonderful story. In addition, I loved the Josephine chapters and I found her story to extremely intriguing -- I have nothing negative to say about any of these parts of the novel. I also thought the author did a terrific job of researching the subject matter and blending fact with fiction. It was apparent to me that she did her research on both slavery and the South and her expertise as a lawyer came through in Lina's character.

However, I think the author just tried to do too much in one novel. I don't want to give too much away, but Lina's personal issues with her mother's death and her current relationship with her father were extremely complicated and I'm not sure they were explored as much as they could have (or should have) been. As she began to uncover the secrets about her mom, the pace of the novel definitely picked up... but maybe it was a little too fast?

There is no doubt given my feelings about the story lines and the presentation that THE HOUSE GIRL would make an interesting book club selection. There is a reading guide available with twelve thought-provoking questions. Some of the themes you might want to explore are the symbolism of the title, slavery, freedom, obligation, family dynamics, secrets, forgiveness, friendship, betrayal, and atonement. I also think it would be interesting to compare and contrast Lina and Josephine's characters.

Overall, I can say that I liked many things about THE HOUSE GIRL, but I think I just wanted something more from this story and the characters. However, I am definitely in the minority given all of the wonderful reviews out there!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.


Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Kid Konnection: Out of the Easy

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you an extremely entertaining novel about a teen girl finding her way in 1950s New Orleans.

Summary: It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny. -- Philomel

It's hard to believe that it's been almost two years since I reviewed BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys because I still remember so much about that novel. I loved the characters, the story, and the writing; and I couldn't wait to see what Ms. Sepetys would come up with next. Well, the wait is over! Her new novel is called OUT OF THE EASY, and I am thrilled to say that it didn't disappoint.

OUT OF THE EASY takes place in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1950 and is seventeen year old Josie Moraine's story about growing up as the daughter of a prostitute. Josie works at a bookstore and cleans the brothel, hoping to make enough money to one day go to college; however, when a suspicious murder occurs, Josie finds herself caught up in the middle of the investigation.

I hesitate to tell you much more about OUT OF THE EASY because I do think it's best to experience Josie's story on your own. What I can say is that the novel is chock full of intriguing characters and plenty of surprises. While I absolutely adored Josie's character (for so many reasons), I have to say that the plot of the novel was equally terrific. Truly, this book had it all -- great characters, suspense, an element of mystery, and even some romance.

OUT OF THE EASY is one of those books that I couldn't put down. In fact, I started it late one afternoon and didn't come up for air until I finished it. It was that good! As an adult, I found many wonderful things about this story including the story's valuable messages, but I truly can say that I think the appeal for teen girls will be huge. Josie is a fantastic character and I do think girls will relate to her!

It's hard to read OUT OF THE EASY and not fall in love with Josie. Even though my heart broke for her because of her lack of parental support (among other things), I found that she was one of the strongest young characters that I've ever come across. She was smart and resourceful -- no surprise given the life she led, yet she also had a sense of naivete about her that made her so real to me. I honestly cared about Josie and felt her joys and pain!

There were also some great secondary characters in this story. Josie's mother was a prostitute and such a lost soul. Having said that, she was extremely selfish and I felt little, if any, sympathy towards her... but she was interesting! In addition, there was Josie's male friends/love interests as well as the bookstore owner who was experiencing dementia. And probably my favorite character (outside of Josie of course!) was Willie, the madam of the brothel where Josie and her mother worked. Willie was tough and had some street smarts for sure, but she served as Josie's surrogate mother and she actually showed Josie more love and guidance than her real mother.

In addition to all of the interesting characters, the plot of OUT OF THE EASY was extremely intriguing. I cared about Josie and her plight to get into an elite college, but it was her involvement with the murder that really captured my interest. When Josie learns that a man she met earlier in the day was murdered in a French Quarter bar, she begins her own investigation of sorts and finds herself caught up in the middle of a police investigation. To make things even more interesting, she is suddenly associating with mobsters and debts. I was hooked on this part of the story and loved all of the action and suspense!

OUT OF THE EASY would make a great book club selection for adult or teen book clubs! The book is extremely readable, but it also touches upon some serious issues and has some valuable messages. Some of the themes you might want to explore include love, parent/child relationships, mental illness, first love, secrets, obligations, and dreams. In addition, you might want to discuss how choices play an important role in our lives.

I loved OUT OF THE EASY and highly recommend it! Fantastic book!!!

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!  

Review: The Love Song of Jonny Valentine

Summary: Jonathan Franzen wrote in The Daily Beast that “no other writer, as far as I know, has invented such a funny and compelling voice and story for [this type of character.]” Now, in The Love Song of Jonny Valentine, Wayne turns his sharp wit, flawless narrative ventriloquism, and humane sensibility to our monstrous obsession with fame.

Megastar Jonny Valentine, eleven-year-old icon of bubblegum pop, knows that the fans don’t love him for who he is. The talented singer’s image, voice, and even hairdo have been relentlessly packaged—by his L.A. label and his hard-partying manager-mother, Jane—into bite-size pabulum. But within the marketing machine, somewhere, Jonny is still a vulnerable little boy, perplexed by his budding sexuality and his heartthrob status, dependent on Jane, and endlessly searching for his absent father in Internet fan sites, lonely emails, and the crowds of faceless fans.

Poignant, brilliant, and viciously funny, told through the eyes of one of the most unforgettable child narrators, this literary masterpiece explores with devastating insight and empathy the underbelly of success in 21st-century America. The Love Song of Jonny Valentine is a tour de force by a standout voice of his generation -- Free Press

Every once in awhile, I stumble across a book that manages to take me by surprise. I rarely pick up books that I don't think I'll like, but THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE by Teddy Wayne really entertained me and captured my heart... much more so that I ever expected.

THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE tells the story of an eleven year old mega pop star. While this young boy does have talent, his record label and his mom (who also happens to be his manager) have worked and reworked his image so that he can sell records and all the other products associated with tween superstars. Sounds a little like Justin Bieber, right?

For most tweens, being an eleven years old is a time of huge change and most experience feelings of insecurity. It's no different for Jonny who is facing confusion about his new found sexuality and his desire to find his father. However, Jonny also has the pressure of selling more records and concert tickets and being in the spotlight 24/7. In addition, he doesn't want to disappoint his mother or anyone else dependent on him. THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE is a unique coming of age story about one tween boy's attempt to find himself while also navigating fame and the trappings that come with it.

I absolutely adored THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE. It is such a smart and funny novel that also managed to tear at my heart. I pretty much loved everything about this novel -- from Jonny's character development, to his authentic voice, to the portrayal of music industry, to the social commentary on society and fame; and I especially think Mr. Wayne's prose was brilliant.

You can't help but read THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE and not fall in love with Jonny. The story is told in his voice and I have to say that Mr. Wayne managed to bring to life a real eleven year old pop star. He is one of the most original and refreshing narrators (or characters for that matter) that I've come across in recent memory. He is at the age when boys waver between being little kids at one moment and full fledged teens (with hormones!) the next; and I thought the portrayal of him was pitch perfect.

Maybe it's because I'm a mother of a young boy, but my heart just broke for Jonny. Because Jonny was so real to me, I felt sick that he he had so much pressure on him to be a success (or at least what his mom and record label considered a success.) He was still a young boy and I'm not sure that anyone thought of him as one. Rather, everyone wanted something from Jonny for themselves. And then there was the whole unknown father part of the story. It was all just so sad!

However, I do not want to give the idea that this book was a depressing one because it most certainly was not.THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE was also one of the funniest books I've read this year. Despite wanting to cry for Jonny at times, there were probably more times during this story that I just laughed out loud. There were some very funny situations that Jonny found himself in, but I also found myself cracking up because Jonny's insights and perceptions about life and people were just spot on.

I really can't rave enough about Mr. Wayne's writing style. He is that good! THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE is the first novel that I've read by Mr. Wayne, but it won't be the last. I was extremely impressed with is prose and dialogue, as well as his portrayal of Jonny; however, I also thought his social commentary on the music industry, pop culture and our society as a whole was fantastic. Trust me when I say that this book was as smart and witty as it was entertaining!

I can't help but recommend THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE for book clubs. I was thrilled to see that there is a reading guide available with fourteen terrific questions. In addition, there are some unique ideas to enhance your book club meeting. Some of the topics you might want to discuss include parent/child relationships, fame, success, insecurities, secrets, pressure, and identity. In addition, it might be fun to talk about how Jonny's video game is a metaphor for his life!

I can't rave enough about THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE. As far as I'm concerned, it's a must-read novel!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.