Room by Emma Donoghue

This is a great book. The story is intriguing and keeps you on edge. It's an A+ story but the manner it is told in brings it down to a B and that is being generous.

The story is told through the "words" of a 5 year old. It's almost a struggle to figure out what he is saying and it takes quite some time to get the "language" down but once you do -- it's worth it.

I don't want to give much away --- but I will say that this little boy and his ma live together in seclusion, in a tiny room.  Jack was born in that room and knows nothing else but his Ma and the space they share. It is his "world"' but his Ma dreams of different one, the one she use to know.
She makes life as bearable as possible and fun for young Jack.

I really trudged through the first part of the story, not because it wasn't interesting (it was) but because of how it was told and then .. I just flew through the last half and I suspect you will too.

Grade: B

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

In a Dark, Dark Wood was interesting enough -- but I didn't really "root" for anyone character or relate to any of them.

I was much more interesting in the life of the characters before, then current day. Basically what happens is that a group of friends get together in a cabin in the middle on nowhere for a bachelorette party. A long ago friend, who has become a recluse of sorts is unexpectedly invited, she hesitantly accepts the invitation to join her long lost group of friends.
  
The group gathers together and some peculiar things begin to occur,  Nora, Lee whatever her name is --- wakes up in the hospital with memory loss and injuries. Lenora needs to uncover what happened in order to clear her name. The story jumps back and forth here from current day, to the days of the bachelorett party to the days of 16 year old, Lenora.

The stories of the past and all the characters are so much more interesting then what is going on in current day. I hope, Ware does a prequel! 

Overall the read is enjoyable and uncovering the mystery is fun! An easy read!

Grade: B

A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy by Thomas Buergenthal and Elie Wiesel

Thomas Buergentha, 11 years old have already lived his short life inside of two ghettos and a working camp. He had been separated from his parents and was left, "alone", in Auschwitz. This is his life, his story.

I wouldn't call his survival luck because what happened to Thomas Buergentha wasn't lucky -- had luck truly been on his side, he would never have ended up in  Auschwitz, ghettos or working camps. What Thomas had was nothing short of a miracle. He was a survivor and there are very few left to tell their stories of survival. Each story should be read so that this horrible atrocity is not repeated.

Thomas's story is about hope and resilience. His is an example of forgivness, dignity and compassion.
He has made it his life mission to be an advocate for human right and has served as a specialist in international law and human rights law and  judge on the International Court of Justice -- but those are only a few of the things he has accomplished. To understand his passion one must read what happened to him as a young child.

- Never Forget

A Thousand Miles to Freedom: My Escape from North Korea by Eunsun Kim and Sébastien Falletti

Every now and then you read a book that gives you some perspective. This is one of those books.

Eunsun Kim, her mother and sister embark on a harrowing escape of leaving oppressive, North Korea.  Eunsun was only 11 years old when her mother decided that in order for them to live, they must leave North Korea. They were all alone in the world, had sold most of their belongings are were near starvation. It was essentially stay in North Korea and die to take the risk of punishment and death in order to survive.

The plan is to cross the Tumen River into China and live their lives there are illegal aliens. This proves be be difficult but not without fruition. This is a testament of the will to survive, love and sacrifice. This would be an excellent read for a book club.

Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

To be honest --- I wasn't sure if, I would even like "Off the Page" but since Jodi Picoult's name was on it, I had to read it. I devour everything she puts out. I was more than pleasantly surprised.
I ended up loving this gem of a novel. It is so much fun and super cute with a fairy tale spin on it.

Delilah has a major crush on Prince Oliver (a fictional character from this book Between the Lines) and it would be more then fair to say the feelings are mutual. Prince Oliver finds a way out of the book and manages to join the "real world". Chaos ensues in both "real life" and Prince Oliver's book, in which all the characters run-a-muk.

The best part of the book is you get the view of three characters adding another fun and interesting element to story. I have one complaint and it's because it broke my heart...but I won't tell you what it is because I don't want to give it away!

A lot more fun and interesting things happen, you will have to pick up the book to find out. I promise it is much, much better then "Between the Lines", which has been my least favorite book of hers.

Grade: A

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Audrey is 14 years old and suffers from Anxiety and Sophie Kinsella captures what anxiety sufferers go through perfectly. It was as though she was telling my story, my life (although I suffer from a different type of anxiety). I use to have debilitating anxiety attacks and could relate perfectly to  Audrey despite more than a decade of age difference.

I could easily say that this is, Kinsella's strongest book to date. It deals with mental health issues in a serious yet charming and funny manner because sometime you just have to laugh at yourself. I like that she doesn't address what triggered her anxiety because there isn't necessarily a trigger it just happens or at least that was the case for myself.

Audrey's anxiety doesn't allow for her to leave the house and having people visit is a trigger and makes things worst. Her brother is a social butterfly and gamer and when his friend, Linus comes over to play games with her brother, he slowly but surly wiggles his way into her life. He helps to pull her out of her anxiety filled angst and "teach" her that sometimes you have to get over hurdles in life to get to the good stuff.

My only issue with this book is the "love" cures theme but it's a fun, easy, heartwarming read.

Grade: A-

Academy Girls by Nora Carroll

I loved reading the, Academy Girls and you will too!

Jane Milton and her son have returned to her Alma mater. Burdened by debt and divorce she has no choice but to return and teach at the school of her youth. Long hidden secrets will find there way to the surface and there is no escaping them.

A lot happened at Grove Academy and when the future and past mingle together things get complicated. The timeline makes it's way into the present and past chapters and the mystery surrounding this book will keep you guessing.

It's rare when I can't figure it out and this one was a challenge for me.

Grade: A

Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner

Rachel and Andy met when they were only 8 years old. They were both in the hospital and became fast friends in one night. They exchanged life stories (as much as you can have when you are 8 years old), Rachel is sent to bed and their paths don't cross again for decades

Their stories are told over a 30 year span.  Be prepared for some heartache and laughs, it's a crazy ride. The stories are told in an alternating fashion, flipping between Andy and Rachel in a flawless manner.

This is a perfect, lazy day read.

Grade: A-

The Job: True Tales from the Life of a New York City Cop by Steve Osborne

"How ya doin?" 

This book is a collection of personal essays about what life was like for, Steve Osborne as a NYC cop.

Steve Osborne is a storyteller. I very .... opinionated one at that. When, I was able to look past (or attempt to) his negative references to liberals, I was able to absorb myself into his life stories. I do have to admit, I had to take breaks from in between the essays and pick up other things because they can be a bit redundant. Don't let that sway you because the stories are worth reading.

Expect one story to break your heart (hint: it involves a dog). The first half of the book is is much less personal then the second half, where, Osborne touches on more personal subjects such as 9/11, the death of a family member and retirement.

Many thanks to NPR, without their coverage on this book, I never would  have picked it up!

Grade: B - 

The Knockoff by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza

The Knockoff starts of a bit slow but builds up rather quickly and leaves you in stitches.
I think we all have a little bit of both of the main characters inside us, making it easy to relate to certain aspects of their personalities.

The Knockoff is basically, "The Devil Wears Prada" vs "Mean Girls". It about being and becoming tech-savy in order to survive in a technological race to produce the better product.

Imogene editor-n-chief of her glossy has returned after a 6 month medical leave to find that her, former assistant Eve has taken over. Everything is topsy- turvy. Eve's app had taken over and if Imogene doesn't get with it or find a way to take back what's her's she just might lose it all!

Sit back, relax and enjoy this read.

Grade: A

 

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Violet and Theodore have forged an unlikely friendship. Their paths crossed on the edge of a bell tower on the day the both wanted to end it all.

Theodore, is able to talk, Violet down, sealing their friendship for life.  A friendship based on love, happiness,grief, heartache, loneliness, compassion, understanding and trust.

Theodore is the break out character. He is passionate about life and death, often spewing his knowledge on famous people who have committed suicide.

They embark on a school project together taking them to visit various parts of their home state, forging a deep friendship between them. You get to experience life with them and all the ups and downs that comes with it.

I do not want to give much more away other then to say.. read the book and ignore the reviews  calling it The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park..... 

Go in with no expectations, lean back and read this book. 

Grade: A