Author Review

Us & One Day by David Nicholls. (photo credit: Francine Ramos)

David Nicholls is one of the best modern day writers. I have read two of his books and both I name among my favorites list and both occupy my top shelf, which is the biggest indicator that I absolutely love the book. Top shelf/Bookshelf worthy!

David Nicholls currently lives in North London with his partner Hannah and two children. He has the most amazing take on love and relationships and writes with charm and precision. If you do not know of him or have not yet read one of his wonderful novels, I encourage you to do so. To find out more about David go to www.davidnichollswriter.com

He is, like myself, a fan of Richard Yates which I find interesting. I enjoy knowing that I have something in common with such a great writer. His last novel, "One Day" was made into a motion picture featuring Anne Hathaway. Although I enjoyed the movie, nothing compares to the book. It is truly among the greatest love stories ever told.

Nicholls newest novel, "Us" is to be released in the United States  October 28th. It is a wonderful novel that tells the story of a family falling apart and embarking on a month long holiday with hopes to rebuild their relationships and save their marriage. I highly recommend it.

Finding new authors is always something I am in search of. If you have any recommendations please feel free to contact me.

By Francine

Hagerty's Debut Novel!!!

 

Sara Hagerty's memoir Every Bitter Thing is Sweet is set to be released October 7, 2014.

 

Pre-order your copy now. Check out Anthem's Review under the tab "Christian".

 

 

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Zondervan

Release date: (October 7, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310339944

 

Happy Reading!

by Francine

Wanna read along...

Happy Sunday everyone! 

Yesterday I strolled down to Barnes & Noble looking for a new book, an actual book and not an ebook.  I am given ebooks from different publishing houses in exchange for my review. I appreciate this and also I am not rich, so financially, I love it.

Still there is nothing I love more than holding a book. I love bookstores.  I love being surrounded by books.  This setting makes me happy.

 

Yesterday while there at the mothership :-) I came across so many great books that I have added to my reading list.

 

I was looking for one book in particular titled Snow in May by Russian writer, Kseniya Melnik. I was saddened when the Barnes & Noble woman said they did not have it in stock. I enjoy reading literature from other countries and Russian literature has always been one of my favorites. I love the classics from that country and hope to find some contemporary writers and a new favorite. Remember if you have any recommendations be sure to let me know. I'd love to hear what current Russian writers you prefer.

 

I ended up getting "We The Animals" by Justin Torres. I am hooked.  I read one hundred pages last night and did not want to stop. Turns out he is a graduate from the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop which is like the cherry on a sundae; no other school compares.Torres is an amazing writer, each chapter ends with a punch.  His sentences are so well written that they are like fire warming cold bones. Absolutely amazing.

 

Stay tuned for this review as well as a teen book review of Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper from contributing writer Freddy Ramos. And please feel free and grab a copy of your own and read along with us!

 

Have a great Sunday!

Anthem Book Review

By Francine

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