"One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies" by Sonya Sones

Poetry novels, a growing trend in recent years, have really hit their stride. An excellent example is this clever book by Sonya Sones. Yes, the book is told in poems and yes, the mother is dead. Like most of the good poetry novels, I found myself sucked in from the beginning, as our lead character Ruby begins her huge transition to a very different life. Ruby’s voice is that of a really interesting and witty young woman. The writing isn’t overly deep, but it is engaging, and the characters feel real (a nicely unexpected turn, given the Hollywood setting). A clean and simple story, the details really “make it”. Page graphics start as planes and become palm trees, showing the transition for Ruby, and the subtle notes are the ones that make you smile as you read this. The surprises are interesting but expected – I knew two of them long before they happened, but it is the warm and fuzzy feeling I got with this book that makes it one of the more enjoyable I’ve read of late.