Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher

Author: Carrie Fisher
Genre: Issue, drama
Rating: 8

It has been a while and a couple of books since I finished this one, so the review is going to be vague and brief. That's what the start to summer vacation does to you.

Overall this book was good. It is about an actress who is battling her drug addiction and some of the people she meets in the rehabilitation facility she is placed in. I reminded me a lot of "It's Kind of a Funny Story" but this book takes place more outside rehab than inside. At times the main character seemed very vague, but she was funny. Plus my lack of memory could be blamed on how long ago I read the book.

This was a fast read, and it gave a very cookie cutter idea of what a drug rehab facility is like, and gives a great inside the mind view into someone who is struggling with their addiction.

Emily & Einstien by Linda Francis Lee

Author: Linda Francis Lee
Genre: Drama, romance
Rating: 7

This is described as being a book about second chances. I think that is an accurate description. Most everyone in the book experiences a second chance--even characters who have little impact on the story are somehow given a second chance.

The book centers around Emily, a book editor who loses her husband in a freak car accident. When her husband dies, his soul is put into Einstein, a mangy white dog who lives in the shelter that Emily works at part time. When her husband dies, Emily's life is turned upside down, and she soon learns that her perception of her marriage was not the reality. 

The unique part of this book was the half of the book was written from Emily's perspective. The other half is written from Einstein's. Although this sounds unbelievable or stretched, that is not the case. Lee does a great job at developing both characters. Einstein is at the same time a human and a dog, with perceptions of how both creatures should act. He is critical, not very likable yet humorous at the same time.

I am currently teaching a unit on character development in most of my classes. My first thought when it comes to this book is how great this would be as an example of character development in a non-canon book.

Lee does a remarkable job at making what could have easily turned into a corny book something that was enjoyable to read.