The Outside of August by Joanna Hershon

"For as long as Alice Green can remember, her elusive mother, Charlotte, has moved in and out of family life—disappearing relentlessly and often without explanation. Despite the exotic clutter of souvenirs that detail Charlotte’s international travels, the Green’s home becomes progressively hollow, as nothing but Charlotte can fill the empty spaces.
...
When, years later, her unfettered brother becomes strangely remote, Alice journeys to find him in an isolated beach town. It is there that a deeply buried secret will have to unravel in order for Alice to come to terms with her fractured family and her place within it—and learn to let go of a mother she perhaps never really knew."


I couldn't get into this one at all. It dragged on for me, and it just lacked...something. I dont' really know what made me so turned off to this book, but I just struggled through it. You couldn't really identify with the characters.

1/5

Ask Again Later by Jill A. Davis

This one was a very quick read, but I will admit that I had to push myself to do the reading. The characters didn't really do it for me. Not only was it confusing to keep them all straight, but they were introduced in such a way that they were very forgettable.

The idea of the book was a good try, and it had a bit of good humor, but all and all, I wouldn't read it again. Give it a try, though, and see what you think...

2/5