New Contributing Writer!

Anthem Book Review is proud to announce its new contributing writer, Mr. Freddy Ramos.

Freddy will be contributing book reviews on everything from teen to young adult  and whatever other genre he is compelled to pen.

Freddy is a junior at Edison High School. He plays Basketball at Edison and has since his freshman year.  He also is a student athletic trainer for the football team and can be found every Friday on the sidelines ready and willing to help any player in distress. Freddy plans to attend University and major in Sports Medicine and minor in English.

Regardless of his athletic ability and love of sports, literature has always been a priority to Freddy. He lives by the same motto as Anthem Book Review which is…because smart people read.

 

So welcome him aboard as he joins Anthem Book Review bringing with him a youthful, vibrant voice. If you have any book recommendations for our new contributor email him @ anthemwritingservice and in the message subject attention it-Freddy Ramos.

Thank you for following Anthem Writing Service. Remember to follow us on twitter @anthemwriting and on Instagram @anthemwriting.

 

Anthem Book Review

because smart people read

 

Happy Ready

 

Francine

Anthem Book Review on Social Media!

For all you Instagram and Twitter media stars, you can now follow Anthem Book Review on both.

for Twitter my twitter handle is: @anthemwriting
for Instagram it is also: @anthemwriting

Check it out & stay updated on all reading & literary book reviews & happenings!

Because smart people read...

Happy Reading!

by Francine

I'm back with books in tow!

I have had a whirlwind of unfortunate events occur since my last posting in August. Thankfully, the worst is behind me. In this time I have continued reading because reading is truly my lifesaver. Above are a few of the books and I will be posting reviews soon. The first book I read was Matthew Thomas's brilliant book We Are Not Ourselves, Anny Donewald's amazing and informative story on strip dancing and the sex industry in- Dancing for the Devil and lastly, a book by Beth Moore titled- Goodbye Insecurity.

I am currently in a bible study class for women and Moore's book is the book of the month. This is not usually a book I would pick to read and review, but figured since I am reading it for the study group I might as well review it.

As always, I will be posting reviews as I complete a book. Thank you all for continuing to follow Anthem Book Review. Now back to business.....

Happy Reading!

~Francine

Small Blessings is NOW Available!

Martha Woodroof's first novel is set to be released tomorrow. Don't forget to pick up a copy at your local bookstore or order it from Amazon.com and read it on your handheld device. However, you choose to read it, just be sure you READ IT!

                                                                          

            ISBN-13: 9781250040527                       

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication date: 8/12/2014

Edition description: First Edition

Pages: 320

Middle-aged Tom Putman had resigned himself to a life of teaching, caring for his emotionally absent wife Marjorie and living a rather passionless life. All that changes when Rose Callahan an intriguing wallflower of a woman begins work at the university bookstore. She revives a complacent Tom at first sight. The very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly to your service.  Yet, it was not only Professor Tom Putman that felt an immediate connection toward Rose but also his wife Marjorie. Up to the moment Rose Callahan came into their lives, Marjory lived a painful existence, complete with weekly visits to a therapist and cutting and pasting an array of photographs from magazines to help deal with her issues. Tom’s infidelity nearly ten years prior only added more tragedy to the already mentally and emotionally frail Marjory.  With this realization the character of Tom is made; he is loyal, longsuffering, a man with integrity and convictions, committed to stand by his wife for better or worse and this natural disposition of Tom’s being is what initially draws Rose to him.                                  

                                         First time novelist Martha Woodroof writes a compelling intelligent tale of life in academia, complete with characters so real they at times irked me, intrigued me and made me smile with their real-life character flaws. Russell Jacobs a fellow professor and friend of Tom Putman is the least likable character. Russell is conniving, entitled and has no saving grace about him other than the fact that he is Tom’s friend. Tom the ever kind tolerant man is only lifted more into sainthood as he continually stands by his friend as he unravels and then slowly helps him regain his dignity.  

                                           There is another train wreck of a woman by the name of Iris. I loved her. Her character in all her pushy glory, and messing demeanor made me smile. She was so flawed and destructive yet her quirkiness carried redeeming qualities. Again, as with Tom and Russ, Rose’s blossoming friendship with Iris during Iris’s battle with alcoholism highlights the great soul that Rose Callahan is. Woodroof really shocked me in some areas. Just when I figured, okay, I see where this is going- kaboom, change of scenery, a death  occurs, then the appearance of Tom Putman’s son from his affair, and we are off on a new path. Woodroof’s unpredictable scenes kept me in deep anticipation at the turning of each page. It is just a delightful read, it is heartwarming, it creates real life scenarios,  I am sure of it, of addiction and illness and then delicately woven in the seams of academic life is an emerging love between Tom, Rose and ten-year old Henry that makes one appreciate life’s Small Blessings.

Note: I received an advance copy of this book, for my honest review! 

Happy Reading!

By Francine

I see Stars in the future

I have decided that I will now rate what I read with a star system. I have been fortunate enough to now receive books prior to publication. I want to honor you readers with more informative views on what the book is about. I aim to only get better.

I believe that art is really subjective and what may not be my preferred cup of tea, may in fact be yours. So do not pass up a novel based solely on my judgment, buy the book find out for yourself if it is good or not.

I have such respect for writers that put themselves out there, toiling, writing away, pouring their hearts on paper and then placing it out for the world to read and critique. As a writer myself, I know the pain of rejection all to well and of acceptance. We all hope for the latter. Nevertheless, as writers, we do not write for others. We write for ourselves because creativity burns within us, because a warm, sunny day and a bus stop or the movement of one's mouth as he or she chomps down on food,(or however your stories originate) evoke memories that allow our minds to tell stories and sometimes they start from the simplicity of small moments as these.

I have never started a book, whether I liked it or not, that I did not finish. I plan to continue this tradition. I am currently reading three books right now. Reviews coming soon.

So I hope you all keep writing and I will keep writing, reading and reviewing because to do without would be detrimental. So get out there, create, live, and take it all in-whether it be one star or five!


So here is my star rating system. A little thing I put together.

Anthem Book Review– Star Rating
5: Gold: Phenomenal. In a class by itself. Top shelf! 
4: Compelling. Wonderful. Bookshelf worthy!
3: Enjoyable. Pleasant. A must read!
2: Good. You might like it.
1: Ya, I read it.

 

 

 

Happy Reading!

 

by Francine

 

Free Kindle Books

Yes, you read correctly. Kindle does offer free e-books.  I have a few. But have I read them all yet, no; I have not. I just clicked on the free downlaod because, well they were free. One of the e-books is called "How to make iced coffee drinks- 25 best iced coffee recipes to enjoy" and although I have yet to read it I look forward to testing out a recipe or two very soon.

I have read two books from the under $5 bucks section that I purchased. Purchasing anything for under five dollars is like a big deal to me. I love a good deal.

The first book I purchased was "Bill and Hedda-The story of a mother and her son" by Jim Davidson. Hedda was married to Wolfie Hopper who was a lot older than Hedda and together they had a son named William. The Hopper's were and are a prominent Hollywood family, think Dennis Hopper.

The book is about the turbulent relationship of a famous mother and son. It was okay. I enjoy reading relationship books between children and mothers. This relationship can be at times complicated but the love that connects mother and child is a treasure and no matter what the problem, it is this same priceless jewel of love that always keeps them united.

The second book I read was Natalie Martin's "together apart". This book is a relationship book about a couple from London. Well... it was such a familiar tale of silly love. The cliche I love you but I gotta secret and if I tell you, you might run away and leave me forever but in reality- love story-fantasy world you instead find the secret out and only love me all the more for my extreme bravery-the end-happily ever after-the end.

On a happy note; I also grabbed a few great ebook versions of the Iliad and Dorian Gray. I mean they were free. How exciting,  right? Book V. of the Iliad I can read over and over, best fight scenes ever. So poetically gorgeous it makes fighting an act of love.

There are a ton of other books that are free or under five bucks that are worth looking into.  I just downloaded "Mother-Daughter Memories:Love Revealed" edited by Dana Clayton. I have not yet finished it but do read a story here or there and I have found it truly heartwarming.

I really have been tainted by the last book I read by Tim Winton. I mean that book is so perfect from the characters to the plot that everything I have and continue to read falls short. Winton is a master writer and I miss his words.  But I will carry on reading anything and everything because literature is life.

Happy Reading!

FRANCINE

Summer Reading List

What will you be reading this summer? I have a list of books I am aiming to read this month and am expecting a nice little package of books from Amazon.com as well as a few publishing houses that send me books to review, but I will keep those books a secret since they have not been released yet, but I am so amped up to read them (smiles).

For now I will share with you the books I plan to read this month.  If you would like to read along I welcome it. I will be reading the classic "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Marquez passed away this year and I am honored to be able to finally read this book. I have never read this, but have heard great things about it. My mentor and friend Mr. Markovitz adds this book amongst his favorites.

 

My second choice is Daniel Chacon's "Unending Rooms". Chacon is a Fresno Native and I say this proudly.

The book I am currently reading is Tim Winton's "Eyrie". Let me say I have never read a book by an Australian author before and am surprised by how much I love this book. I started reading it a few days ago and struggled through the first chapter, I don't want to give to much away but will say this, last night I stayed up reading this book to 3:58am. I did not want to put it down. It grabbed me and refused to let me go, as I refused, fighting off sleep and my own exhaustion just to keep reading. It is wonderful. I am so looking forward to getting home tonight just to read and finish this book.

 If you are interested in reading the above books along with me email me and lets share our thoughts. If you have your own set of Summer July reads share your picks with me. Let's talk books!

Happy Reading !

by Francine