Every year after Christmas, I look forward to snuggling in for the winter months with some good books. I received several books for Christmas from my ongoing wishlist and got a Barnes & Noble gift card from my son, Hugh. When January 1st arrived, I was well prepared. The following is a little personal review of what I thought of each book I read this past month. Each title is a link so that you can find the books on Amazon.
1)
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin - This book caught my attention on the first page when it stated that the story begins in 1994. That was the year I graduated from high school so I already felt I could connect in some ways to the main character, April, who is a teenager. I could at least imagine what school might be like for her but couldn't relate to the fact that she was living in a motorless motorhome that her father won in a poker game. Her father, however, is never around having left her on her own while he began a new life with another woman in a real house. After a fight with her dad she "borrows" her dad's girlfriend's car and leaves on an adventure all her own with not much more than her guitar. The story continues with the challenges she faces, the people she meets, and the connections she makes along the way. It is a sad story but inspiring as well as April's fierce independence and determination leads her to many new people who each play a part in her life. It was a good story.
2) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - I kept seeing this book pop up on "Gotta Read" type of lists and ads. As I write this, it has over 48,000 reviews on Amazon with 4.5/5 stars and #4 this week on the Amazon Charts. It's a popular one!
I was expecting a story about a glamorous, maybe manipulative, woman who had 7 husbands. Judging a book by it's cover, I expected she went through so many husbands because she was a gold digger but I was off on my prediction. The main character, that glamorous lady in the emerald green dress on the cover, did indeed go through husbands one right after another but for very, VERY different reasons than I was expecting. It was heartbreaking but uplifting as well. I LOVE the way the story unfolded as the woman is telling her life's story to a writer, the only writer she will allow to hear her story, Monique Grant. The book jumps back and forth from Evelyn's life in the past to Monique's life in the present. The story implies there is some connection between Evelyn and Monique but the connection is not revealed until near the end and it is quite a surprise! This book reveals the stresses of keeping up appearances living in the spotlight. I have never been famous so I have no idea if the depiction of it all was accurate or not but it did make me think. And it made me feel sorry for those living under the close eye of adoring fans, paparazzi and critics too. Between the first page and the last, I felt sorry for Evelyn, hated her, loved her, hated her again and then ended with a "oh, I feel so sorry for her.." feeling. It was a good read.
3) The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel - Oh, my goodness, I LOVED this historical fiction story! I couldn't put the book down. I read that it is inspired by a true story. It takes place during World War II and is about a woman who takes part in a secret library system to keep track of children who were separated from their parents during this tragic time. This book is so clever and heartbreaking and exciting and tragic and romantic.... all of it. Surprise ending. Melt my heart. All the feels! LOVED it!
4) It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover - this book was recommended to me by a friend. As I write this, it is #2 in the Amazon Charts this week and has over 58,000 reviews and 4.5/5 stars.
It was super good. I immediately found it to be an easy read, a fast read, a book I couldn't put down. I felt so proud of Lily, the main character, and so sad for her too. I was frustrated with her at times and empathized with her at others. It was good, and I know it will really resonate with some readers in a very specific way. This book made me go in search of other books written by this bestselling author. Good stuff!
5) The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon - Oh, my good gracious! THIS BOOK!! It is a suspense thriller which is not usually my favorite genre but this caught my attention. So here is me reading it....a few pages in...."Umm, maybe I shouldn't be reading this. Am I going to end up having bad dreams?....I'll just read a few more pages...." Then I couldn't put it down. ADDICTED! So then a little further in, I would be like....."Ugh....is this good for my mental wellness? Is this too scary? Too creepy? Too psychologically disturbing? Too ghostly and thrilling? But then again, I kind of like ghostly and thrilling..."and then I'd keep reading and again, couldn't put it down. It is spooky and heartbreaking and scary and exciting and dark. I'm not going to say I loved it because it is so tragic and stressful that it is hard for me to "love" any part of it but I was for sure hooked on it. If you like psychological thrillers, you will enjoy this one for sure!
6) Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper - This is an Amazon "Teacher's Pick" young adult novel with over 9,000 five star reviews and a repeat New York Times Bestseller!
One of my 6th grade girls mentioned it to me as a book she enjoyed. In an effort to connect with her, I immediately grabbed the book from our school library and read it in under 24 hours. The Denver Post said of this book, "If there's one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it." I have to agree. The story is about Melody, an 11 year old child with cerebral palsy. Melody is incredibly smart but is unable to talk, walk, or move much at all and is therefore, unable to communicate well with anyone - her family included - and she is "stuck" in her head basically just observing life around her but unable to express her own thoughts. I felt such intense frustration for Melody because, of course, I, as a reader, could see what was in her mind and I SO wanted her mother, teachers and classmates to understand. There is an incredible change that allows her to "get out of her mind" as the story evolves and I felt like cheering right out loud! I can see why my 6th grade student recommended this book and I'm glad she did. And that leads me to the last book, Out of My Heart which is the sequel to Out of My Mind.
7) Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper - When I looked up the book my student had recommended I found that there was a book 2! My student didn't know this! I ordered it and read it before giving it to her. I hope she has been reading it during our snow days this week.
This middle school novel was very good too! In the sequel to Out of My Mind, Melody has the opportunity to attend a summer camp meant for children with disabilities. She makes new friends, finds some independence, learns a lot about herself and discovers personal strengths she didn't know existed. I love a good summer camp story but I admit, I liked Out of My Mind better. I can't wait to discuss these books with my 6th grade student.
Anyone else use the website, Goodreads? I kept coning across books that had Goodreads recommendations or that stated they were on the Goodreads Choice Awards List. I was curious so I hopped on over to goodreads.com and checked it out. It's fun! You can keep an ongoing list of books you want to read, books you've read, books you are currently reading, etc. You can set a reading goal for yourself and it tracks your progress. You can do your own reviews and even post those reviews to a blog or social media.
It is February 4th and I have finished two novels this month, so far. Thank you, Mother Nature, for the snowstorm! What are you currently reading?
AN