Falling by T.J. Newman

Captain Bill Hoffman is in charge of flight 416. It is headed to New York everything seems typical until he receives a photo of his wife. She and their children are being held hostage and her capture and his given him a choice -- Crash the plane and save your family or refuse to crash the plane and lose your family. Bill refuses both options. He is determined to save his family without having to crash the plane. 

The story unfolds in a thrilling fast paced manner and full of important well developed characters. Its a roller coaster ride. I hope to this on the big screen. I think it would make an excellent movie. 

Vladimir by Julia May Jonas

 

Vladimir is a dreadful book. It came so highly recommended that I forced myself to finish reading it.  It's about a professor and her husband (who is also a professor). Their marriage is a wreck, they both are terrible people. The husband is facing allegations of sexual misconduct and the college they teach at while our narrator is has set her eyes on Vladimir. He is a much younger colleague and she is rather obsessed with him. She wants to conquer him.

This book is like one long exceedingly boring monologue. I am not exactly sure why people like but they do.

Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman

Maus II, is the second volume of Vladek Spiegelman experience at  Auschwitz. We get a deeper look into his life at Auschwitz and his life after. It is darker, bleaker and more devastating then Maus I. 

The lack of humanity is detailed and heartache is more painful. We learn how Vladek survived and we see how Art is dealing with his father aging. 

The conclusion is powerful and a must read. 

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman

 

Vladek Spielgeman is a Holocaust survivor. This is his story. His son, Art Spiegelman is the author and illustrator of this graphic novel. This story is about Vladek's experience during WW II and the relationship Art has with this father. 

Art interviews his father and learns about how he managed to survive and how others perished. The characters depending upon their race are depicted as different animals which makes the story move forward and puts an strong importance on the story of  this dark time in history. 

This is Pulitzer Prize winner and it's easy to see why. I can't recommend this enough especially since it tells an important story. The graphic novel method will hopefully make it appealing to readers who are not traditional so that they to can read a personal account of the Holocaust. 

I'll See You Again by Jackie Hance

If you are familiar with the documentary, There's Something Wrong With Aunt Diane or the crash that took place on the Taconic Parkway than you know that three little girls, all sisters lives were taken in the crash. 

Jackie Hance is the mother of these three little girls and this is her memoir. It is powerful, emotional and completely devastating. Jackie provides an honest view into her grief and how she unleashes it on others, her husband, her family and friends. She shuts people out and has bursts of anger. We all experience grief differently and losing a loved one changes us. 

This isn't a book that gives a look at how the accident happens or answers to it because their really aren't any answers. It's about a mothers grief and her road to healing.

Forever by Judy Blume

 I remember this book being touted as controversial. This would normally arouse my interest but somewhere along the way I forgot about it or would put off reading it and pick something else up.

The book is a simple read that deals with young love, relationships, discovering ones and others bodies and sex. Our main characters are Kath and Michael. The are seventeen years old when they met at a party. They form a relationship and the feelings and confusion surrounding relationships and sex is explored. The book also talks about birth control and STIs. There is no slut shaming or shame regarding sex. I don't find this book controversial at all and think it's a great  book for teens to read so that they can recognize  a lot of what they feel is normal. 

Are You There God is it me Margaret? By Judy Blume

It's been decades since I've read this book. Time has played with my memory because I didn't remember most of it but I still found myself enjoying the read and wondering if today's teens read it. 

Margaret our main character is almost 12 years old. Her family has just moved from NY to NJ. She quickly makes friends with a group of girls who from a secret club in which they can talk about boys, growing up and their changing bodies. 

Margaret also explores religion. Her parents don't practice and she is trying to find her place and relationship with G*d since her friends and family practice different religions. The religion aspect doesn't push religion which is a huge relief. 

I was never in a hurry or anxious to get my period or wear a bra so I found the group of girls in this book who were so anxious to for it to happen to them rather interesting. 

This book isn't about religion so if you are a crazy religious nut pass on this book or it will trigger you. The is a coming of age book and the things that come with it such as curiosity about the human body and trying to understand the changes and feelings that go with it. 

Family of Liars by E. Lockhart

Family of Liars in the Prequel to We Were Liars. I strongly recommend that you read We Were Liars first or the book will be spoiled for you. 

Family of Liars is about the previous Sinclair generation. It takes place during the 1980s when they are teenagers.  We learn how their past shaped the future generations. We learn about the Sinclair sisters and get a better understanding of who they are as people. 

There are lots of secrets and lots of drama. This is a super fast, entertaining read.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

 We Were Liars is a well crafted novel.  I went into it blind like so many people suggested. I had no idea what was going on, what was going to happen or what the book was about! I don't want to give anything away but I will say that there are a lot of secrets, the narrator is unreliable and you won't see the twist!

I am still digesting the read.  I was most definitely surprised by this book and can't wait to dig my nails into the second installment. 

This is a book about friendship, secrets, love and family.  

Confess by Colleen Hoover

 Auburn runs across a help wanted sign in the window of an artist shop. Owen, the owner and artists convinces her to take the job. It's just supposed to be a job for a few hours but electricity is in the air and Owen and Auburn find themselves attracted to one another.

The both have secrets and those secrets may or may not break them. Owen and Auburn as as different as night and day but they have sparks. I dare not give anymore away in fear of spoiling the story. I will just say that I enjoyed this book and read it in under 24 hours. It's a super fast read. 

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.