Ostrich by Matt Greene

Genres : Coming-off-age, Young adult, contemporary, satire, fiction 
Formats: Paperback( 336 pages), Kindle, Nook, 
Publishing date: August 27th 2013 by Ballantine Books 
ISBN 0345545214 (ISBN13: 9780345545213) 
Edition language: English 
Purchase links: Amazon , Barnes & Noble 

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Amazon Book Blurp: 
Alex has a story to tell. He just doesn't know what kind it is yet.

He's got a lot of the same concerns most of us do growing up (exams, puberty and, in his case, a punctuation obsession plus a little quantum mechanics) but lately, ever since his brain surgery, everyone in his life is behaving more than a little mysteriously.

Maybe it's adjusting to life after epilepsy or maybe it's the pressure of his pending scholarship application, but Alex is starting to see the world through different eyes. He's certain there's something rotten at the heart of his parents' marriage, and when his beloved hamster Jaws 2 starts acting up as well he decides it's time to investigate.

So begins the journey that takes him to the limits of his understanding, the edge of his endurance, the threshold of manhood, and the country music aisle in Virgin Megastore. And eventually, on the eve of his English Composition exam, to the door of his mother's home-made dark room. But will Alex have the courage to expose the terrible secret that lies beyond? Or would it be better for everyone if he buried his head in the sand?

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REVIEW: 

"I already know what it's like to feel ostrichized, which is a better word for excluded (because ostriches can't fly, so they often feel left out).

Alex's epistemological view on life, on everything, would have me in stitches, even at five in the morning with the first cup of coffee in hand. His scientific approach to pornography had my laughter sound like a 1948-Fordson tractor with locked bearings - combustion inhibited by gaseous protests!

Talking about gas. "I attribute Mum's insomnia to her concerns about The State of Her Marriage. It can be helpful to use the word state when describing a marriage because it makes you think of the people involved as particles. Right now Mum and Dad's marriage is a gas."

I am sure he would have made Einstein proud as well (not only P.G.Wodehouse & Co).

Einstein : "How does it happen that a properly endowed natural scientist comes to concern himself with epistemology? Is there not some more valuable work to be done in his specialty? That's what I hear many of my colleagues ask, and I sense it from many more. But I cannot share this sentiment. When I think about the ablest students whom I have encountered in my teaching — that is, those who distinguish themselves by their independence of judgment and not just their quick-wittedness — I can affirm that they had a vigorous interest in epistemology. They happily began discussions about the goals and methods of science, and they showed unequivocally, through tenacious defense of their views, that the subject seemed important to them."

The wit and humor influences of P.G.Wodehouse, Woody Allen and alike is evident everywhere in this tragicomedy.

With everything the courageous young Alex went through, he never lost his sense of reason and his urge to dissect even the minced meat in his school lunch with a paint brush he borrowed from the Art department!

Mr. Sinclair: "Try and imagine your brain as an orchestra." ( I try, but it's difficult, because my brain is already a circuit board, a dog kennel, a water park, and a hostage negotiation.)"

Did Einstein fatally compromise himself? I think not. Not at all. And Einstein was also ostrichized by an educational system and society which could not accommodate his genius!

Before I venture too deeply into the epistomology about this book I should stop. Laughter can be deadly too, you know! If dissected, it becomes really a scary phenomenon! I'm sure Alex will agree with me!

Those staff members who taught Alex comment that his record of work was consistently good. They spoke to the keen interest and intellectual curiosity that he brought to the classroom. His written work was described as imaginative, fiercely logical, strongly argued, lucid, and unwaveringly grammatical. His command of concepts was confident and advanced."

That is what Alex and this book is all about. A skilfully crafted plot, a masterful tying together of all the detailed elements of the story line. It must have been quite a challenging novel to write. Thought-provoking - YES! Compassionate - YES!

BRILLIANT first novel. I am a fan forever!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Matt Greene was born in Watford in 1985 and studied English language at the University of Sussex. OSTRICH is his first novel.

Influences include: Kurt Vonnegut, Anne Tyler, Joseph Heller, P.G. Wodehouse, J.D. Salinger, John Swartzwelder, David Foster Wallace, Richard Yates, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Lorrie Moore, John Kennedy Toole, and, of course, the Jewish Holy Trinity: Philip Roth, Woody Allen and Larry David.

Little Island by Katharine Britton

Genres: Family, contemporary, women's fiction 
Formats: Paperback(320 pages), Nook 
Published: September 3rd 2013 by Berkley Trade 
ISBN 0425266354 (ISBN13: 9780425266359) 
Edition language: English 
Purchase links: Amazon , Barnes  & Noble 

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BOOK BLURP(GOODREADS) 
These are Joy’s grandmother’s last words—left behind on a note. A note that Joy’s mother, Grace, has interpreted as instructions for her memorial service. And so, the far-flung clan will gather at their inn on Little Island, Maine, to honor her.

Joy can’t help dreading the weekend. Twenty years ago, a tragedy nearly destroyed the family—and still defines them. Joy, Grace, her father Gar, and twins Roger and Tamar all have their parts to play. And now Joy, facing an empty nest and a nebulous future, feels more vulnerable than ever to the dangerous currents running through her family.

But this time, Joy will discover that there is more than pain and heartbreak that binds them together, when a few simple words lift the fog and reveal what truly matters

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REVIEW 

"When you build a house, one wrong measurement can send the whole thing slightly off. It will stand okay, but doorjambs and walls aren't even, so doors don't stay shut, and pictures never hang straight."

There was so much blood the day of the accident in which Abigail and Bonnie died. Enough of it to flow for years in the memories of everyone who wanted to be loved, accepted and protected in the Little family. The accident impacted tragically on everyone's life. The shocking secrets would slowly drain the life out of them until only emotional apathy and expressionless, lifeless souls would remain.

The misunderstandings and hurt flowing from the secrets would leave every member of the family stranded on their own emotional islands. Lonely, uninhabited places. Some would feel trapped, others would feel protected and safe. It all depended on how each member was able to process the truth.

Every first weekend after Labor Day, this event would be commemorated. However, this year, the twentieth anniversary, would be different. It would also be the memorial service of grandma Joan. Her last note to her daughter stated : "Grace, flowers, by the water, have fun!"

The true meaning of those words would only become clear when the family gathered at their family Inn on Little island, Maine for the weekend. Nobody was looking forward to spend time together. They all dreaded each other's company.

"Grace's children were like boxers, she thought, dancing around the ring, taking swings, dodging, tantalizing the crowd. Eventually someone would land a blow. Grace wanted peace tonight, harmony, fun!"

"Grace felt the familiar pressure building inside her little family, but, just as when she heard a storm warning, she could gather candles and kerosene, lanterns, fill jugs and bathtubs with water, secure windows and lawn furniture. She could do nothing to prevent the coming storm."

The story had me hooked from the beginning. It did not take long to witness the skill the author used to link the past to the present and build the future in the same narrative through different voices without confusing the living daylights out of the reader. All the different types of mothers in the family were introduced and highlighted. The relationship between fathers and sons would be dissected to the bare bones. The siblings, Joy, Tamar and Roger(twins), would finally acknowledge the person they see in their own mirrors.

Isn't it true that we all determine the fate of our children by what we do, not by what we say? However, It would take two unknown aunts to finally explain to Grace and her family, what Joan meant by her last note. But a thunderstorm first had to unleash itself over the family before the true meaning of family, honor, love, protection and commitment could be revealed. The events are fast-moving. Every single word in the book plays a pivotal role in leading up to the dramatic conclusion.

The book resonated so deeply in my own life, it is difficult to compact the impact into a few words on paper. At times it was difficult to continue reading. I was emotionally ripped apart.

The plot was brilliantly constructed. The message strong. Their own little islands would be forced to release them through the final events. One by one they would find their way back to the only sanctuary they ever loved. Little island will once again become home. The family finally could burst out in laughter when a bear, a table filled with food, drenched guests on overturned chairs, and a thunderstorm, splashed grand finale all over the lonely memories of the accident, as well as honor grandmother Jane's legacy of 'Grace, flowers, by the water, have fun!". The laughter brought the healing.

I absolutely and highly recommend this book to everyone. Excellent in every literary way possible! It is not a gut-destroying, dark book at all. It is also not a book to be easily forgotten.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR (Goodreads profile) 

Katharine's second novel LITTLE ISLAND was published on September 3, 2013.

She has a Master's degree in Creative Writing from Dartmouth College and has taught at The Institute for Lifelong Education at Dartmouth and at Colby Sawyer College. Her screenplay, Goodbye Don't Mean Gone, was a Moondance Film Festival winner and a finalist in the New England Women in Film and Television contest. Katharine is a member of the League of Vermont Writers and The New Hampshire Writer's Project.

When not at her desk, Katharine can often be found in her Norwich garden, waging a non-toxic war against the slugs, snails, deer, woodchucks, chipmunks, moles, voles, and beetles with whom she shares her yard. Katharine's defense consists mainly of hand-wringing, after-the-fact.