Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Elsewhere is a book I like to revisit for time to time. I pulled it out every few years and find that I each time I enjoy it more than the previous year. I used to embarrassed that I like this little book so much but I no longer am.

Elsewhere is were you end up after death. Liz is only 15 years old when she finds herself on a ship on the way to Elsewhere. She arrives to Elsewhere to be greeted by her grandmother. In Elsewhere one ages backwards until it's time to be released. 

Liz has a bit of trouble adjusting to life in Elsewhere. She is angry (understandably) and spends a lot of time on the observation decks looking at her family and friends back home. Eventually she stops going to the decks and finds a way to live. 

I love the relationships, Liz builds and even her teen angst. My most favorite moments are the animals in Elsewhere . The lead to many emotional moments.  This book is a perfect little gem and a memorable read. 

A Father's Dream: My Family's Journey in Music by Abraham Quintanilla

 I have never been a huge fan of Abraham Quintanilla. I always found him to be egotistical as a result of that I didn't purchase this book. I borrowed it. In fact, I never would have read this book if it hadn't been for the podcast Anything for Selena in which he grants Maria Garcia an interview. 

A Father's Dream: My Family's Journey in Music is gives Selena fans a look into some private family moments and a look into the love a father had for this daughter. The memories of Selena flow off the pages with love and tenderness. The funny moments give shine to a star who is gone. The trial portion provides information I wasn't aware of  making me angry. The family grief fills the pages and those passages make the book seem physically heavier. 

The last portion of the book is filled with memories from Selena's siblings and mother. Abraham hardly mentions Chris Perez once again proving that he has no love or respect for Chris. The man his daughter loved. Moments through the book paint him in an ugly light which wasn't surprising to me at all. There is way too much religious content for my liking. 

I dislike him more after reading this but I also respect the love he has for Selena. He expresses his grief and shares it with Selena fans. If you are interested in this book check it out from the library or borrow if from a friend. It's not worth the $26.44 price. 

The Family Next Door by John Glatt

 I've listened to several podcast episodes on the Turpin Siblings and watched Youtube videos but the book filled in a lot of gaps and questions, I had. 

The book is well written and well documented. It really goes into depth. This is the story of the Turpin siblings and the horror's they endured at the hands of their people who were supposed to protect and love them. 

The 13 siblings lived in unhealthy, deplorable conditions and had very little to eat. Their parents Louise and David abused them, only let them bathe once a year or on special occasions, they deprived them on an education, food and sunlight. They were forced to sleep during daylight hours and be up at night. This went on for years until one night, Jordan Turpin a teen girl escaped and called 911. 

This is a difficult book to read. It gives details of what the Turpin children went through. It discusses the trial. Be prepared to experience a lot of emotions. The book has quite a bit of repetitive portions but it is worth the read.