"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

I love reading about women who were erased by time. The magnitude of Henrietta Lacks--her life, her death, her cells--has impacted almost every facet of genetic science since the 1950's. She has opened the doors for a crop of new cures, allowed new and exciting research to be done, and caused a generation of people to question the ethical practices in modern medicine. Perhaps most impressive, Henrietta Lacks did all this after she died--and without her knowledge or permission.

Henrietta suffered through a rare and extremely volatile case of cervical cancer. While being treated, doctors collected samples of her tissue for medical tests. They never asked permission; they never informed her family. Little did they know her cells were capable of reproducing indefinitely, becoming the first "immortal" cell. These "HeLa" cells (taken from the first two letters of Henrietta's first and last names) were soon distributed world-wide for use by scientists. Skloot not only unearths the lost story of Henrietta's life--for years, scientists believed the source of their cells was a "Helen Lane"--she also delves deeply into the impoverished, superstitious, and often-jilted Lacks family. A heartfelt story of a family's struggle to understand their mother and her impressive legacy is woven into Skloot's impeccable journalism and scientific descriptions.

Beth gives this book five out of five carrots!

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“Wisdom’s Kiss” by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

 I have never been more confused  by the first 15 pages of a book as I was by the latest novel from the author of the Dairy Queen series.  Of course, if I had read the back cover of the book more carefully,  I would have realized the brilliance of the narrative from the first page.  What makes this book truly unique is the way Murdock seamlessly links diary entries,  letters, encyclopedia excerpts, a self-published family history, and a play to give this fantastic fairytale a unique sense of realism.  Once I figured out how to piece the story together from  the different sources,  I was able to fully enjoy the magic, adventure, and romance that fill the pages.

The story follows the adventures of Princess Wisdom, from the female-led kingdom of Montagne; Trudy, an orphaned kitchen maid; and Tips, a soldier and the object of Trudy’s affections.  Duchess Wilhelmina of Farina wants to absorb the smaller kingdom of Montagne and has set her master plan in motion to do just that.  Now the three heroes of this tale must save their empire from ruin – that is, if they can tolerate each other long enough to form a plan!  They are assisted, as well as hindered, by a thoroughly entertaining cast of characters including Sir Felis el Gato (a master swordsman with an ego longer than his sword), the Queen Mother Benevolence (an attentive and caring chaperone of Princess Wisdom), and her cat, Escoffier.  

As I’ve already mentioned, the unique narrative is what keeps the storyline fresh and exciting for the reader. Although it does take some getting used to, stringing the story together from the several sources of narration becomes a fun sort of game that propels the reader forward until the end of the book. If you’re looking for an entertaining read, Wisdom’s Kiss will not disappoint.

Grace gives this book four and a half out of five carrots!

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"All These Things I've Done" by Gabrielle Zevin

Author of Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac and Elsewhere, Gabrielle Zevin totally and completely ensnares the reader in her latest teen novel. All These Things I've Done is the first book in the Birthright series which promises to be an exciting dystopian thrill-ride!
The year is 2083. Chocolate and caffeine are controlled substances, water is carefully rationed, and books are scarce. Anya Balanchine is the daughter of New York City's most notorious (and dead) crime boss and a member of one of the great chocolate families in the world, though she distances herself from them as much as possible. With a dying grandmother, a brain-damaged older brother, and a genius little sister to look after, Anya becomes the head of her immediate family. And when she falls for Win Delacroix, the new assistant DA's son, she knows the match is doomed from the start. Things become even more complicated when her bully of an ex-boyfriend is almost fatally poisoned by a bar of Balanchine chocolate and Anya is briefly thrown into prison.

I was completely caught up in the paranoia that surrounds Anya's everyday life through her association with her mafiya-esque extended family. Just when I though I had the whole thing figured out, another twist in the plot completely threw me for a loop. Anya is a strong character who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means the ultimate self-sacrifice. Plus, the love story is as sweet as it is forbidden. I think the Publisher's Weekly review says it best about this story: "Offering the excitement of a crime drama and the allure of forbidden romance, this introduction to a reluctant Godfather-in-the-making will pique the interest of dystopia-hungry readers."

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

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"Fixing Delilah" by Sarah Ockler

Delilah's life has a habit of falling apart. Her once good grades have slumped, her boyfriend is more of a non-boyfriend, and her mother won't discuss the huge fight that divided her family eight years ago. But when her mother receives a phone call late one night saying that Delilah's grandmother has passed away, Delilah's summer starts off in a new direction. Now Delilah and her mother must return to her grandmother's house; a place they have not visited since the big family fall-out. Filled with new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test an already complex bond between mother and daughter, Delilah's summer forces her to face her family's painful history.

Having read Sarah Ockler's other young adult novel (a 2010 Kids' Indie Next List pick), Twenty Boy Summer, I was more than delighted when a copy of Fixing Delilah fell in my lap. Ockler creates such realistic characters with whom readers can instantly connect and Delilah is no exception. She's reckless and impulsive, but in a way that endears her to the reading audience. The supporting cast of characters help to create a small-town feel complete in all its hometown quirks. And although I will admit to reading the entire Twilight saga (and enjoying them), I found it refreshing to read a young adult novel that doesn't involve paranormal or supernatural beings having forbidden love affairs with mortals. But don't worry! The romance found in this story is both charming and intense enough to satisfy even the most sentimental readers.

Grace gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

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"A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess

I tried. I really tried. I just could not force myself to finish "A Clockwork Orange". I flinched my way though the opening chapters, squinting just long enough through the horrible scene in which the title is explained. At this point, I was thoroughly disgusted enough to promptly slam the book shut and push it away from me.

Granted, Burgess is portraying a dystopian world, in which droogs run amuk, drinking vellocet-laced milk and violating devotchas. It is supposed to be horrible. For my taste, it accomplishes this goal a little too intensely, but I'd imagine if you could stomach the violence easily enough it would be a good read. The book is quite creatively written in an inventive Russian-inspired slang, which at times is rather difficult to decipher but without which the emotive character of the book would be lost. For this sake of this interesting writing, I'll give the novel a second chance once the aftertaste has left me--though that might end up being quite some time.

However, don't let this scare you away from dystopia-inspired novels. "1984", by George Orwell, is one of my all-time favorites. Though for me personally, "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley doesn't hold a candle to "1984", I enjoyed reading it and know many friends have liked it just as much if not more than my beloved Orwell.

Kerry gives it 3 out of 5 carrots!

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"Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov

Maybe I'm just too head over heels for any and all Russian writers. However, it seems to me that even a Russian novel would have to be extremely captivating to keep me up, reading all 336 pages in the wee hours of the night. Nobody writes like this anymore. This quality cannot be found in any modern romance; it's almost a lost art. I suppose I'm being a bit melodramatic...but this unique story worth getting all worked up over.

The characters are more than well-rounded and complete; they are fascinating. Throughout the book, you're never quite sure of whose side you're supposed to be taking, or who exactly is "the good guy". Refreshing and frustrating, it keeps you from hating the narrator Humbert Humbert, though he would normally be representative of a clearly evil character, a pedophile, and kidnaps a young "nymphet", Lolita. Nabokov spins their story, however, so that everything is seen in shades of gray rather than a distinct good and bad. It is still a love story, albeit a strange situation--but above all else, Humbert does love Lolita. And since when is love ever black and white?

Philosophy notwithstanding, the book is a classic for a reason. The first page will capture you completely, just as Lolita did Humbert. "Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta."

Kerry gives "Lolita" five out of five carrots!

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"Press Here" by Herve Tullet

Tullet's whimsical, imaginative book is absolutely ADORABLE. Engaging and surprising, funny and clever, you automatically end up obeying and interacting this darling book without a second thought--from pressing the yellow dots, counting and clapping--and are quite pleased and/or dismayed by the results that occur from the actions with every page turn! It's cheerful encouragement is a delight, and it sneakily includes practicing colors, counting and more into its simple but effective sentences.

Just out this March, this is definitely a fantastic addition to any family's bookshelf. This little book has been raved over in every review I've read, from the basic praise "Simple in appearance, genius in execution" to being credited with proving that books need not lose out to "electronic wizardry", as they can be just as engaging. It WILL get you to smile while you're reading...and perhaps even squeak out a chuckle or too. Perfect for young children, this book is still entertaining for child-like adults (myself included!). You can't help but feel accomplished when you turn the last page; this is one to reread over and over again. To quote the book: "Bravo!"

Kerry gives "Press Here" 5 out of 5 carrots! (and it's also one of Clare's picks!)

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