Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Book club decided to read this book. It was a little creepy, but worth the read. Set at a college in New Hampshire, the story revolves around a few high school students that are taking summer classes at a New Hampshire College Prep School. Crazy things start happening as the students explore areas that are off limits. The school used to be an asylum, so you can only imagine what I mean by crazy things happening.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galazy by Douglas Adams

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Book club decided to read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I had never read it and several teachers and students said it was really good. Well, honestly it is pretty silly. But once I resigned myself to getting into the mindset of silly, I started to enjoy the book. I usually like more serious books and this one is definitely on the ridiculous side of things. Space travel is definitely an adventure. If you like absurd, then this is a book for you.

Calico Joe by John Grisham

After reading this book, I so wanted Joe to be a real person. This is a wonderful fictional story about baseball, entwined in a beautiful story. I usually love John Grisham books and this one did not disappoint. A pretty quick read that left me wanting to find out more about Joe. I had hoped he was a real baseball player. I definitely recommend this book!

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

This memoir is becoming a movie. Before you see the movie, read this book. It is the autobiography of a U.S.Navy Seal sniper during Iraqi wars. Once again, I am drawn to historical books. It helps me to understand the events of our past. Kyle tells of his experiences during his military service, but he also includes how it effected his family. I cannot tell you this was a beautiful story, as it is about war and killing, but it is tells of events that I believe we need to know about.

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

I have previously said that I would not read another Jodi Picoult book, as they are too depressing, but I read this one anyway. It is a strange story about a woman, whose life is torn apart by tragedy. Therefore, I should have put it down, but I could not. June Nealon's husband dies in a car accident and she is left raising her daughter alone. She ends up marrying one of the police officers who came and told her about the accident.

Shay Bourne is a man on death row. Shay is a strange human being, but he wants to save a child. Picoult tells of Shay's life in the prison, but also paints a vivid picture of what his life was like before he ended up in prison. Shay's life is not a happy one.

The story is about vengeance, redemption, justice, and love. Jodi Picoult has won me over. I guess I will have to start reading her books again.

The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett

Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett

This is the third book in The Century Trilogy. Following the characters through the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the sixties, nuclear armament and disarmament, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. I definitely enjoy historical fiction, as I feel like I am relearning our history through stories that could have happened. Of course, knowing that atrocities are going to happen, makes me want to yell at the pages and tell the characters to not do certain things. I get wrapped up in the stories. I love the way Follett delves into the past and brings it alive. I recommend any of these books, but you should really read them in order to fully appreciate them.

Winter of the World by Ken Follett

This is the second book in The Century Trilogy. It follows the same characters since the end of World War I through the end of World War II. It is a little amazing how these characters lives are so entwined, but their stories having you rooting for most of them throughout the book. I look forward to reading the third book in the series. I'll take a break for a short time, but probably won't be long before I pick that one up.

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Once again, I am drawn to historical fiction. Follett seems to tell the story of our past in such a way that I love reading his stories. This one tells the account from varying perspectives. It begins before World War I in Great Britain, Germany, Russia, and the United States. There are many different accounts of the events that led up to the war, during the war, and the effects of the war. The personal stories are well told and give varying perspectives of social and economic levels. I will have to finish this trilogy.

My Summer of 2014 Readings...

World Without End  by Ken Follett

Native Tongue by Carl Hiassen

The One and Only by Emily Giffin

The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Currently have read, but not posted:

Spring 2014 Readings...

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer Smith

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

Under the Dome by Stephen King

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Reboot by Amy Tintera

Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiassen

Alex Cross Run by James Patterson

Sick Puppy by Carl Hiassen

Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci

The Ghost Writer by Robert Norris

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly 

 If you like stories of lawyers defending murderers, you will like this one. This Lincoln lawyer usually defends low lifes, but he is hired to defend a rich Beverly Hills client, who is accused of a brutal murder. You will ask yourself is this guy guilty or innocent? You will be enveloped into the story and worry for a variety of characters. I don't want to give much away, so you need to read this one!

 

 

 



The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

 

Zusak does an incredible job of telling the story of a young German girl, Liesel, who has to be given to a foster family during WWII. Liesel struggles with being given up and being accepted into another family. Her foster mother comes across as a harsh German woman, but her foster father is a loving man.

 

She begins stealing with her best friend, Rudy, the boy who lives next door. At first, she steals a book after her brother has died at the gravesite. Then Rudy and Liesel steal small pieces of food. Liesel is drawn to books and begins stealing them from one of her foster mother's clients. Liesel learns to read and is able to share these stories with her neighbors while they are in bomb shelters.

 

This is a story of love, relationships, grieving, war, and tenderness. Markus Zusak is a fabulous story teller.



Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

This plot twister thriller kept me on my toes. I loved and hated the characters of this book. Flynn did a great job of drawing me into the story and getting deeply involved my feelings for the characters.

Nick and Amy seemed happily married until they both lost their jobs as writers in New York City and moved to Carthage, Missouri to help take care of Nick's dying mother. Well, the change in scenario and jobs does not help their relationship and things change. Amy disappears on their 5th wedding anniversary and Nick is the prime suspect in what appears to be a murder.

I definitely recommend this one!


A Dangerous Fortune by Ken Follett

Ken Follett's A Dangerous Fortune has treachery, deceit, love, and a little mystery in it. Historical novels always intrigue me and this one does not fail in that department. It begins at a boarding school in 1866 England with a drowning. Following the lives of several of the characters that were present or involved, the drowning has a great impact on the lives of these boys. You will absolutely love to hate a few of the characters. Follett does a great job of allowing you to travel back in time and get emotionally wrapped up in the characters lives.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Like all Nicholas Sparks books, I really enjoyed this book. The story is about a woman, Erin, who is married to a very controlling man who beats her. She tries to run away a couple of times, but has to come back, as she has no money. Finally, Erin steals enough money from her husband and gets far away. At first she is constantly looking over her shoulder and keeps her distance from everyone, but of course, like all Sparks' books, she falls for someone. The story is a bit predictable, but very enjoyable. If you are a Sparks fan you should read this one.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

An abundance of katherines by John Green

SUMMARY

An Abundance of Katherines is about a prodigy teen, named Colin, that has only dated girls named Katherine. Upon graduation, Katherine XIX dumps him. He is a misfit because of his intelligence and he has a Muslim friend, Hassan, that is also a bit strange. They decide to go on a roadtrip to heal Leo's heart. They fall upon a small town in Tennessee and wind up staying awhile and working there. While there, they both learn a lot about themselves, love, and life.

MY THOUGHTS...

Although this book deals with kids who do not necessarily feel they fit in, it does so in a humorous way. I honestly laughed out loud during many parts of the book. John Green took a child that is working on trying to be the next genius and made it into a comical story. He does go into detail that at times seems a little much, but it helps to give depth to his prodigy character, Colin. I believe high school students would enjoy this book and probably relate to many of the issues Leo and Hassan deal with.

Postcards from No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers

 

If you are a lover of historical fiction, you will enjoy this one. Postcards is a story that flips back and forth from the happenings during World War II in the Netherlands and present day Amsterdam. The story is about a young woman,  Geertrui, whose family lives in the Netherlands during the German occupation, along with the English invasion. Geertrui helps to care for an injured English soldier and falls in love with him.

Jacob is the grandson of that English soldier, who goes to Amsterdam to visit his grandfather's grave. The story evolves and incorporates Geertrui and Jacob's connection, where Geertrui's grandson Daan and Jacob become friends.
This is a beautiful story of love, friendship, and finding out about oneselve.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 

This book was recommended to me by a colleague. I had expected this to be a happy book, but ended up balling. It was a lovely story about personal growth for one of the main characters.

Lou Clark loses her job and ends up taking care of a man who is angry because he had an accident and is now a quadrapeligic. Once an active man,Will was full of adventure, is now confined to a wheelchair. Lou's job is to brighten Will's days, but this is an almost impossible job. Lou planned adventures to bring joy to Will's life. Lou learned a lot about herself in this story. You may shed a tear, but the lessons learned are important for us all to read.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

John Green's The Fault in Our Stars

What can I say? John Green seems to always hit a home run. The Fault in Our Stars is a wonderful story. Its main character has cancer. Her mom makes her go to a cancer group, where she meets others who have cancer. I know it sounds crazy that I thought this was  a great story, but Hazel's story is heartwarming. Most of us have someone in our lives who have been affected by cancer. This story will make you laugh and cry. I was moved by the lives of the characters and you will be too.