I learned so much about elephants in this book. The story is about a young girl, Jenna, who is searching for her mother. She does not know if her mom is dead or alive. If she is alive, she wants to know why she has not looked for her. Jenna's mom, Alice, was a scientist who studies elephants. Alice lived in Africa, where she was working on post-doctoral work in the field. Alice meets Thomas, another scientist, and they fall for each other. Jenna is a lost soul looking for her mom and cannot seem to find answers. She solicits the help of a washed up psychic and a has been detective, who turns to private investigations. It is a strange journey, but worth the read. You will learn to appreciate elephants, if you do not already. Their relationships are similar to many human ones. Apparently, elephants really never do forget.Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
I learned so much about elephants in this book. The story is about a young girl, Jenna, who is searching for her mother. She does not know if her mom is dead or alive. If she is alive, she wants to know why she has not looked for her. Jenna's mom, Alice, was a scientist who studies elephants. Alice lived in Africa, where she was working on post-doctoral work in the field. Alice meets Thomas, another scientist, and they fall for each other. Jenna is a lost soul looking for her mom and cannot seem to find answers. She solicits the help of a washed up psychic and a has been detective, who turns to private investigations. It is a strange journey, but worth the read. You will learn to appreciate elephants, if you do not already. Their relationships are similar to many human ones. Apparently, elephants really never do forget.
I learned so much about elephants in this book. The story is about a young girl, Jenna, who is searching for her mother. She does not know if her mom is dead or alive. If she is alive, she wants to know why she has not looked for her. Jenna's mom, Alice, was a scientist who studies elephants. Alice lived in Africa, where she was working on post-doctoral work in the field. Alice meets Thomas, another scientist, and they fall for each other. Jenna is a lost soul looking for her mom and cannot seem to find answers. She solicits the help of a washed up psychic and a has been detective, who turns to private investigations. It is a strange journey, but worth the read. You will learn to appreciate elephants, if you do not already. Their relationships are similar to many human ones. Apparently, elephants really never do forget.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Panic by Lauren Oliver
Panic by Lauren Oliver
As a parent and educator this book gave me chills. It's about a game that teenagers pay after graduation. They take risks that made me jump in my seat while reading. They jump off cliffs, cross highways blindfolded, and take various daring challenges in order to win a great deal of money. Well, teenagers will make some poor choices when given this opportunity. I highly recommend this book.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
This is a story similar to A Fault in Our Stars. Julie Murphy brings to life a girl with cancer who is angry. In order to face the fact that she will die, Alice decides to create a list of things she must do before she dies. A type of bucket list you might think, but she is kind of mean. Alice takes revenge against people she has had issues with. Alice enlists her longtime, best friend, Harvey, whom she has drifted apart from to help her fulfill her list. Harvey is in love with Alice, which sort of complicates his life.
This is a story similar to A Fault in Our Stars. Julie Murphy brings to life a girl with cancer who is angry. In order to face the fact that she will die, Alice decides to create a list of things she must do before she dies. A type of bucket list you might think, but she is kind of mean. Alice takes revenge against people she has had issues with. Alice enlists her longtime, best friend, Harvey, whom she has drifted apart from to help her fulfill her list. Harvey is in love with Alice, which sort of complicates his life.
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
I had said I would not read any more Jodi Picoult books, as I read a few that were pretty depressing. Well, I take that back. Picoult's story is beautiful. It is another World War II era type book. I told you I was stuck on WWII. Anyway, this is a current day account of a young, troubled woman, Sage Singer, who is struggling with the loss of her mother, her poor relationship with her sisters,her guilt of her mother's death, her disfigurement from an accident, and her inability to move past things and make friends. While in a grief group she meets an old man who tells her he wants her help. This favor ultimately changes Sage's life. She learns about a past she knew little about and really had not wanted to know about. The story tells of an imaginary tale, that parallels real lives. It is beautifully written and reveals a great story.
I had said I would not read any more Jodi Picoult books, as I read a few that were pretty depressing. Well, I take that back. Picoult's story is beautiful. It is another World War II era type book. I told you I was stuck on WWII. Anyway, this is a current day account of a young, troubled woman, Sage Singer, who is struggling with the loss of her mother, her poor relationship with her sisters,her guilt of her mother's death, her disfigurement from an accident, and her inability to move past things and make friends. While in a grief group she meets an old man who tells her he wants her help. This favor ultimately changes Sage's life. She learns about a past she knew little about and really had not wanted to know about. The story tells of an imaginary tale, that parallels real lives. It is beautifully written and reveals a great story.
Gray Mountain by John Grisham
Gray Mountain by John Grisham
I have always enjoyed John Grisham's books. Gray Mountain is a story about a young, ambitious lawyer, Samantha Kofer a prestigious New York law firm, who ends up in rural Virginia. She has been furloughed from her job and must work in a legal aid position for no pay for an entire year, and then she may get her job back. Virginia's way of life is very different than her busy, important job in New York. Samantha finds more than she bargained for in Virginia. Someone is murdered, the people of the area are being bullied by the coal companies, and she could really make a difference there.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Unbroken is another true story from World War II. The main character, Louis Santorini, was an Olympic athlete. Louis had a very strong will and that may have been to his detriment. This is a story of bravery, friendship, family, and the ugly side of being a prisoner of war. I read the book, so I felt compelled to go see the movie. The movie was great, but not near as good as the book. Read this first, then see the movie!!!
Flyboys by James Bradley
I started on a World War II kick and this book is one of many I have read. Flyboys is a true story of the flyers that were part of our World War II air attacks over the Pacific. I had never really read much about the Japanese side of the war, so this was a real eye opener. It is a tragic story with real heroes. The respect you gain from reading this story for the men who put their lives on the line was incredible. This is a must read and when the movie comes out I am sure I will see it, but will probably be disappointed, as the movie hardly ever hits the same mark as a great book.
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