Dangerous When Wet by Jamie Brickhouse | Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

As a note, this novel was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for a honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Dangerous When Wet is a laugh out loud, side splitting, piece of humour in literature that was desperately needed. The voice projected in the narration is both dark, real and humorous -- in all the right ways. Jamie Brickhouse's memoir rings true and unique in the way he tells his story. It's honest, it's hilarious, it's the way many people need to approach their past and future, even if it's not of the lightest quality. Jamie's thoughts, his narration of memories, are so fun to read that I'm willing to bet that even people who aren't all that fond of memoirs will find themselves enjoying this one.

As we read his thoughtful and hilarious looks into his downward spiral, we root for him and cringe when he makes decisions that are unfortunate. I saw quite a lot of one of my best friends in Jamie, and I'm willing to bet that you will too -- his struggles are very, very real and it's a remarkable thing that he's able to tell us his story now.

We see a larger than life woman -- his mother Mama Jean and she's an intriguing addition to his memoir. There's something about her that is a swirl of a lot of things -- all I can say, really, is intense.

A Fifty Year Silence by Miranda Richmond Mouillot| Rating: ★★★☆☆

“The point of a fairy tale is never in the details. The point is that it's easy to remember, to carry, to tell. We'll continue telling until the stones fall down, and then we'll rebuild and start again.”

As a note, this novel was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for a review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

A Fifty Year Silence is an excellently written piece of literature that will captivate its audience as they uncover truth in author Miranda Richmond Mouillot's estranged grandparents story. This is the next memoir you should pick up. Miranda takes a path that will never completely bore her audience and make them feel included in her journey of discovering the history of her family. She has the perfect balance between her grandmother's and grandfathers, and it's easy to see how fascinated she was in telling this tale/discovering more.

Inclusion, the readers will certainly feel included in the pages. You feel as though you're right beside her in her discoveries and although there are times which come across as muddled and confusing, there is a certain sense of knowledge in the pages that pass. Miranda, you should note, is a phenomenal writer -- her style cannot be described as anything except fresh and to the point.

Frankly, it feels as though she could write out a grocery list and make it sound good. I'm not even kidding -- her writing is just wonderful. And warm. And informative. And... lovely. Although the story dragged on at times and left me with many questions by the end of her research, the way she tells the story is what will keep you thoroughly engaged and will leave you with several quotable passages. Miranda's writing is pure poetry and a delight to read.