Author: cieraraeoldham

My Favorite Pick-up Lines

Recently, while scrolling Bookstagram, I came across this question – “How do you typically decide which book you are going to buy next?” Whether the cover catches my eye or the bookstore has recommendations worked into the book display – I always open to the first page and read. 

I want to get a sense of the author’s writing style and the narrator’s voice. If I were more in favor of making informed decisions, I might read the whole first chapter, but in all honesty I read the first few lines and that’s where I make my decision. Think of it as the author’s chance to “pick me up” using their best one-liner. 

Sometimes this steers me wrong, but rarely. 

Below I’ve listed my favorite opening lines of novels. I recommend each of these six books as a “must read” because the excitement doesn’t stop at the first line. Enjoy!

“The first sentence of a novel is the most important, except maybe the last, which can stay with you after you’ve shut the book, the way the echoing of a closing door follows you down the hall.”

The Serialist by David Gordon

“Fuck you,”

Savages by Don Winslow

“Ayoola summons me with these words – Korede, I killed him.”

My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

“People are afraid to merge on freeways in Los Angeles.”

Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis

“For eight years I dreamed of fire.”

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

“If you’re going to read this, don’t bother.”

Choke by Chuck Palahniuk

Do you have a favorite opening line of a novel I didn’t list above? Let me know in the comments!

Posted on by cieraraeoldham 0

Book Review – Betty by Tiffany McDaniel

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 5 / 5

Note: There are NO spoilers in this review. When discussing in the comments, please provide a spoiler warning if needed. 

A simple review wasn’t enough for this one. Betty needs her own playlist, which you can find here on my Spotify. 

Reading the novel Betty by Tiffany McDaniel is akin to undergoing a spiritual and emotional awakening. The stories woven into these pages are mythical and terrifying but somehow also beautiful and uplifting. You watch a young girl “come of age against the knife” but somehow instead of being broken into pieces, she’s built stronger with each turned page. 

Every time I was pulled away from reading Betty’s story, I could not stop thinking about her in our moments apart. Even now, after finishing the novel, I think about where she is now, how did the rest of her life play out? I want to know her. I want to surround myself with people like her. But, most of all, I want to be more like her. 

“What it boiled down to was a frenzied hope that there was more to life than the reality around us. Only then could we claim a destiny we did not believe was our own.”

Betty by Tiffany McDaniel, page 133

This journey captures the feminine experience, being at the disposal of the men and the world around you, with lyrical and heart wrenching prose. However, it still allows space for men who lift women up. The balancing act between true evil and goodness, and everything in between, is so spectacularly done when describing the various men (and women) Betty encounters; I’m not sure any author could begin to compare. I felt Betty’s pain. I felt her mother’s pain. I felt her sisters’ pain. And I wanted to hold them, and tell them everything would be okay. In them, I saw my friends, sisters, mom, and every woman I have had the pleasure of knowing who have experienced pain throughout their lives. 

Tiffany McDaniel does not stray away from the violence inflicted on women throughout our lives from family members and friends and men in positions of power. She shows that it’s not the color of your skin or the money you make or the profession you have chosen – at the end of the day you are either good or evil and there is no inbetween. You either have a soul nestled in the bridge of your nose or you don’t have one at all. 

I cannot recommend this novel enough. Go, now, to your closest (local) bookstore and pick this one up. Clear your schedule and grab a box of tissues. You have not read poetry until you have experienced the words written on these pages and the stories they tell. 

Buy Betty here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

Have you read Betty? Let’s talk about it. Leave a comment or send me a message letting me know what you thought of the novel.

Posted on by cieraraeoldham 4

The Foundation

A good friend of mine made a recommendation that a good way to start this blog would be to let you know what my favorite novels are – a way to share what has inspired me the most.

The books below shaped my viewpoints of the world, myself, and everyone around me and provided such beautiful storytelling that I’ve been unable to forget. There is no clear algorithm for what type of book will resonate with me. Sometimes it’s the gorgeous prose, other times it’s just a unique and interesting story, and often it’s that I’ve fallen deeply in love with a character and cannot let go or move on.

I urge you to come at this with an open mind. Some are controversial novels, so take them for what they are. I will also warn that some have violent, graphic, and disturbing content, so please read through the description before buying. 

Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis

Seems appropriate to begin this list with the book that inspired the name of my blog – Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis. I read this book in college (and all of the Bret Easton Ellis books) at the recommendation of a friend. That friend will always hold a special place in my heart for introducing me to my favorite author. This book imprinted on my soul and the Ciera who finished the book (in about a day) was not the same girl who first opened the cover – mainly centered around my now steadfast principle of wearing nothing but Wayfarers. 

I followed the main character, Clay, through what can only be described as one hell of a journey you would never expect and can absolutely predict. I couldn’t help but embrace the world of juvenile drugs, parties, and unfulfilling personal connection. As Clay moved through his visit back home to California, I felt his sadness, loneliness, and despair as he realized nothing around him would stay the same. You will walk away from this novel with a different viewpoint of the world around you.

Over the years, this book has remained at the top of my “favorites” list and it’s not going anywhere. The phrases “people are afraid to merge on freeways in Los Angeles” and “Disappear Here” will have entirely new meanings once you’ve made it through this novel. 

Buy Less Than Zero here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon

You will not find another book or story like The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. Situated during the time of Hilter’s rise in Europe, this book dives into the life of two boys who change the (fictional) world. This story had me laughing, crying, and falling in love from beginning to end, and really is a no brainer for my Foundations list. It’s a bit longer than most on this list, but it won’t feel that way when you’re reading. You will be begging for more once you’ve read the last page. (Luckily, there’s enough Chabon titles out there to go around.) 

Buy The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

You may struggle at the beginning to keep up with the unique style of writing in A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. But, by the end, you will feel a mix of love and hate toward the main character, Alex, and find yourself easily moving through the pages. The flow of the ideas throughout this novel will lead you to question the institutions imposed on us, especially the institutions meant to tame the “criminals” among us. You will be itching for a trip to the milk bar and adorning a bowler hat by the time you turn the last page. 

Every time I read this one I learn something new, experience something unique. It’s worth every moment I’ve spent absorbed in the words of this novel (and the movie is pretty spectacular, as well). 

Buy A Clockwork Orange here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

Another Bullshit Night in Suck City (AKA Being Flynn) by Nick Flynn

Another Bullshit Night in Suck City // Being Flynn by Nick Flynn is another book that left a lasting mark in my life. Having also grown up without my biological father present, I relate on a personal level to the author’s struggle to reconnect with his father. This is the only non-fiction novel on the list, and that’s likely why. The desire to rekindle a lost connection is something I can empathize with and have danced with the idea myself. A child’s desire (no matter how old they are) to be loved by their mother and father will never completely fade. We all do, hopefully, reach the age where understanding the reality will overshadow the childish need for connection, but it’s still a very real feeling we all struggle with in some form or another. This experience is displayed perfectly in Nick Flynn’s biography. 

I’m not sure if this novel will impact others in such an intimate way, but regardless it’s a gorgeous story of second chances. 

Buy Being Flynn here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

At this point I’m probably really racking up on the “banned books” theme, and I won’t stop here. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov effected me in a different way. For full disclosure, this is a story, at the heart, about child molestation, but as you read through you see that it is so much more. At times, it can be difficult to stomach what the flowery language is describing, but the cadence is captivating. I often find myself reading passages from Lolita out loud to really hear how the words sound. Like most of the books on this list, I read this while in college. I’m beginning to think I did most of my impactful reading while walking the halls of UNC Charlotte. 

Definitely one of the more (but definitely not most) controversial books on this list, the writing is beautiful, the story is heart wrenching. A good follow-on read is The Real Lolita: The Kidnapping of Sally Horner and the Novel That Scandalized the World by Sarah Weinman. It provides a historical and in-depth look into the creation of the novel. If you enjoy Lolita, you’ll find this one interesting, as well. 

Buy Lolita here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

Rant: The Oral Biography of Buster Casey by Chuck Palahniuk

I’m going to be completely honest with you, after reading two or three times I’m still not sure I completely understand Rant. Chuck Palahniuk builds a completely overwhelming and insane story that is somehow also logical and systematic, the writing like silk flowing from one outrageous scene to the next. The switching of narrators does get confusing at the beginning, but as you learn each person’s tone and voice it starts to flow easier. 

This book is on the list, not because of any emotional connection, but because what Palahniuk accomplishes in creating this one-of-a-kind world and story is something I think every reader should experience. I will also make a plug for all Palahniuk novels – I have yet to read one I didn’t enjoy. 

Buy Rant: The Oral Biography of Buster Casey here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

I know, I know, (Bret Easton Ellis again). This book is vile and terrible and how could I POSSIBLY have it on my list of favorite novels!?! My answer – only Bret Easton Ellis could write a story like American Psycho in such a confusingly engaging way. This story is horror literature at it’s finest, and I’m not even sure if that is how Ellis would categorize it. I could not sleep after reading this novel, and I still only revisit if the sky outside is bright and sunny. Written as a satire against male-ego driven society, it points out very real and terrifying possibilities.

I will say the largest change I saw in my life after reading this one is being more aware of how 95 percent of the time, the person you are talking to is not listening. Patrick Bateman and his colleagues personify what a sociopath and/or psychopath really looks like. And they remind you … they are among us. The scariest people are likely the ones who seem perfectly normal and successful.  

The underlying story here, the satire and humor (although very dark) is all consuming. The few times I’ve read this one, it’s been a cover to cover event. Full disclosure – there are two specific chapters I now skip every time I read because they haunt my nightmares – no, I will not tell you which ones. I have experienced them once and that is plenty for a lifetime. I will say, that is a testament to Ellis’s writing and how real his stories feel. 

Because of this novel, and Less Than Zero, I will read everything written and published by Ellis, no questions asked. 

Buy American Psycho here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

P.S. – If you are a fan of Bret Easton Ellis and want to hear more about the “making of” his novels and life, read his most recent book White. 

The House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristen Cast

There are 12 books in the House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristin Cast – the first being Marked. These are the epitome of young adult fantasy literature. If you love teenage drama, mixed with vampires and the end of the world – this series is absolutely for you. 

I’m currently reading the whole series for the second time. It’s a different experience as a 30-year-old woman than it was as a high school teenager, but it’s still a fun read. It’s also easy flowing and nice to read if you don’t have a lot of time or brain power (shoutout to my fellow parents). This series also provides a unique take on the vampire myth, which I always find entertaining. 

Buy the first book in the series, Marked, here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Probably one of the most “classic” on the list, I first read The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury on recommendation of Georgia Hardstark of the My Favorite Murder Podcast. It did not disappoint. Unfortunately, there are a lot of parallels in today’s world with this science fiction masterpiece, which definitely impacted my perspective a good bit. There is no humor here, only destruction and heartbreak, but it’s gorgeous. This novel – or collection of interconnected stories – will change how you interact with the people and world around you. It will bring to light the terrible effect we have on this world, and likely in the future, other worlds as well. 

Buy the Martian Chronicles here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

No list of my favorites would be complete without The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. As you can imagine, reading this series as a kid changed my life. I had a safe place to hide in these books. I remember reading through each book in one sitting, waiting up until midnight on book release nights, and, of course, all of the midnight premieres of the movies. I often find myself wishing I could be the girl dressed in her best Gryffindor attire as she waits for the midnight reveal of Prisoners of Azkaban. That girl was happy and present and did not have a single care or stress in the world. That’s what these novels do for me. 

I know most of you have read these at this point, but if you haven’t it really is a journey worth taking. 

Posted on by cieraraeoldham 0

Spooky Szn Recommendations – True Crime Edition

**TRIGGER WARNING**

All books discussed below contain stories and descriptions of murder, violence, sexual assault, among other disturbing material. Please be kind to yourself and your experiences before deciding to dive into anything listed below. 

All Hallow’s Eve is upon us, and while I’m not a reader of horror, I do have another … obsession … that may suffice. True Crime, in my opinion, is more effective than it’s fiction counterparts because no matter how surreal it seems, it’s all true. The monsters in these stories aren’t the creation of an author’s imagination. 

In the spirit of Halloween, I’ve decided to share two of the scariest novels I have ever delved into. These are just a fraction of all the great true crime books out there. Every true crime novel will break your heart and sear itself into your memory. The moment you begin to forget about the stories you’ve read, they will reappear, reminding you how vulnerable you really are.  

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

This book will forever remain at the top of my list for true crime recommendations. The late Michelle McNamara didn’t just dedicate her life to learning more about the Golden State Killer or his victims. She gave a platform to his victims and shared their stories, whether they are still with us or not. In this novel she takes a truly horrific story and focuses on those hurt by Joseph DeAngelo. 

A lot of true crime novels, podcasts, and more focus on the perpetrator. I’ve read novels centered on the lives and acts of serial killers, focusing only on the victims in the lens of victim and rarely taking a deep look at their humanity. In this novel you absorb the impact, the heartbreak, and the lasting pain DeAngelo left in his wake. 

And not only did she do hero’s work in sharing these stories, her inquisitiveness and inability to leave this story untold ultimately led to the identification and arrest of the Golden State Killer. His last act was committed in 1986, and police had no leads. Following Michelle McNamara and Paul Holes, among others, non-stop focus, he was ultimately identified using familial DNA. Now the victims of his 13 murders, more than 50 rapes, and more than 150 burglaries can rest well knowing the monster that haunts their nightmares is no longer walking the streets. This brings a different element, or emotion, to the mix as you read this novel. My heart was constantly aching and crying out for justice, it helps reading this story and knowing it has been served.

This book will change your life and you will be amazed at the dedication Michelle McNamara and her team had when it came to tracking down a killer. 

Buy I’ll Be Gone in the Dark here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry

At the heart of this story, the true horror is subtle. It’s one man’s ability to completely manipulate and control all of those around him. Written by the prosecutor who tried and ultimately convicted Charles Manson, this novel is a detailed account of every aspect of the trial and everything leading up to it. Often these true crime novels are filled with pain and suffering followed by no real closure, no resolution. Thanks to Vincent Bugliosi, we have solace in knowing that the man responsible for so much death is now behind bars. 

This book will put the Manson Murders in a new light and really bring a different perspective to the entire Manson Clan and the acts they committed. There is little speculation or “he said, she said.” The author was there, he lived it, he looked Charles Manson in the eye and had conversations with him. Take advantage of this opportunity to really see who was behind these murders. 

Other than the first-hand account, the thing that stands out to me is Charles Manson’s ability to control anyone and everyone around him. His hands were not bloody, but it was not because he wasn’t responsible. Throughout this novel you see how Manson slowly worked up to full and complete control of those in his cult, up to the point where they would commit brutal and horrific murder without a second thought. This element of the story is still something I have never been able to comprehend. 

But be warned – It took me weeks to read again after this one. It completely and fully rocked my existence to the point where I was able to think about little else for quite some time. 

Buy Helter Skelter here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

Have any other true crime recommendations? Let me know in the comments or by sending a message via the Contact Page. I’m always looking for new book recommendations!

Posted on by cieraraeoldham 0

Book Review – Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Young Adult; Fantasy

Rating: 4 / 5 

SPOILER ALERT!

If you have somehow made it through the past 15 years without reading or watching anything Twilight-related, there are spoilers below. 

I need to be honest up front – I am an OBSESSIVE Twilight fan and I go very hard for Team Edward. It’s been more than a decade since I first met Bella, and I still watch the movies regularly. In fact, I just reread Twilight a few months ago. I tell you this because it’s important to know going into my book review of Midnight Sun. I have been waiting for Edward’s point-of-view for a while (like I said, over a decade). If you aren’t a Twi-hard, like me, you may not enjoy this one as much as I did, but here we go.

Much like the 50 Shades of Grey series from Christian’s perspective, this shift of in vantage point to let you hear, see, and experience everything from the other side. The preconceptions I had about what Edward was thinking were shattered as I finally got a look beyond Bella. Stephenie Meyer did an excellent job of weaving people’s thoughts with their verbal dialogue. It was easy to read and engaging. From the scene where the boys at school line up to ask Bella out to Edward’s complicated relationships with each of his family members – it gives a new light to the story. 

I was hoping we may learn more than we didn’t previously know, which didn’t happen. We had a glimpse of Edward’s “birth” and his early days, but it wasn’t more than what we previously knew. This is likely because Bella and Edward are together for a majority of the story and they are very open with each other. I think this will improve in the future books since the couple does spend some time apart. 

We also get a better understanding of Edward’s individual relationships with each member of his family. My favorite, which I won’t get into in hopes of not spoiling anything, is Jasper. He’s much more than we ever imagined. The love permeating off of Esme is also something to behold. I hope to be half of the mom she is.

However, there are some things we learn throughout this story that weren’t present in the first novels. First is about how Bella and Alice became such good friends. I don’t remember Twilight getting into the details of how Alice helped Bella recover from the fight with James, but Edward does give us some additional details that help explain the strong connection. 

Overall, I’ll just say this was a fun read. I was unable to put the book down and read it cover-to-cover in less than a week. I love this series and this just gave me another avenue to learn more about some of my favorite characters on a journey we started together long ago. If you are a Twilight fan, I highly recommend it. If you have yet to read any of the Twilight books, start with the original series and wrap it up with Midnight Sun. The original series is still at the top of my list. Even Edward Cullen can’t compare with that. 

Buy Midnight Sun here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

Have you read Midnight Sun? Share your comments below!

Posted on by cieraraeoldham 1

Book Review – The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

Genre: Young Adult; Sci-Fi; Fantasy

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Note: There are NO spoilers in this review. When discussing in the comments, please provide a spoiler warning if needed.

I consume a lot of fantasy and sci-fi literature, movies, television shows, and video games. While I love a good sappy sparkly vampire story, it’s rare that a world, story, or universe created by an author feels real and like home. The older I’ve gotten the less I’ve been able to completely disappear into the depths of Mordor or the halls of Hogwarts. They are wonderful stories, but I don’t find myself pulled to them in dreams like I did when I was a child. 

This novel did just that. Lisa Maxwell builds a beautiful new take on magic in this mixed Fantasy/Sci-Fi world. If you are a lover of young adult or fantasy literature, I highly recommend this book. When I wasn’t sneaking a few pages into my day whenever I could (yay motherhood!) I was walking the streets of New York City in my dreams. I was alongside Esta and the other Mageus, shying away from the Brink and plotting to take down the Order. 

Ultimately, this is a story about a young girl, Esta, eager to prove herself while trying to figure out who she is and what she really wants. (Like young girls do) she struggles between her personal desires and how she was raised. It was refreshing to have a strong female character whose struggle wasn’t centered around being a woman. So often stories are told because there is a woman and she is strong and she’s doing something only a strong woman could do, but I find it frustrating that it’s “special” when a woman conquers a challenging obstacle. 

I never felt like this story was only important because a woman was at the center. This is such an intangible element to attempt to describe, but this made me hopeful for the future of literature and storytelling. I am so tired of feeling like it’s a novelty to have a powerful female lead. Women are just extraordinary, everyday. It’s not a novelty, it’s just reality. 

Esta’s choices lead us on a journey with many twists and turns, but they happen organically. Lisa Maxwell was never forcing an Ah-Ha moment on us just for the shock factor. The story flows and feels genuine.

Like most novels that shift between narrators, it took me a few chapters to find the flow. But the narrators have unique voices and, when you meet each character, the transition between becomes seamless. I found myself eager to hear from the different points of view in the scene. The impact helps to round out the picture and build tension, which remains from the first page through the last.

The push-and-pull of tension (sexual and otherwise) throughout the novel created a sexiness without any real “sexy” scenes. Don’t get me wrong, I am a sucker for an erotic novel (hello Christian Grey), but, thankfully, Lisa Maxwell didn’t try to force it into the story. The tension is ever-present and not always romantic. It pushes the story along and makes you want to keep reading more.

The last note I have is related to the time travel this novel is centered around. Generally, time travel as a plot device makes me uneasy. There is always something that doesn’t sit right with me, a loophole not discussed or explored, or the move back into the past erasing the entire story you just read (looking at you School for Psychics Book 2). However, in The Last Magician, it works. There isn’t a lot of digging into the science and there are no multiple timelines. Do something – the future is impacted. The story keeps it simple, which I appreciate, but doesn’t ignore the impact of changing the past.

If you are looking for a novel (and potentially series – stay tuned) to pull you in from front to back, this is the one. The Last Magician is a beautiful story and a new take on magic. The sights, sounds, and people feel familiar but with a unique flavor. This book will remain on my “recommend-to-a-friend” list.

Buy The Last Magician here on Amazon (or at your local bookstore)!

Have you read The Last Magician? Let’s talk about it. Leave a comment or send me a message letting me know what you thought of the novel.

Posted on by cieraraeoldham 4