The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

PLOT

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

THOUGHTS

Do you ever just sit down after reading a heartbreaking book and begin to examine your life and the choices you've made? The Book Thief  is so wonderfully written. At first I was having a bit of a rough time understanding who the Narrator was. Keep in mind I had not watched the movie nor looked at any social media forums that could give away any details to the plot. I absolutely loathe spoilers. I will go above and beyond to steer clear of spoilers. It's quite impressive if I'll be honest. Excessive but impressive.

I came upon this edition at my many happy trips to Costco. Yes, Costco. The land of bulk size, grocery buying, vacation packages, and they'er impressive collection of books. I will forever and always run to the book section to see what deals I will most definitely be participating in.
A little put off by the pristine white cover and base I was very close to putting the book down when I had a thought. "If I don't take this book now I will most likely lie to myself and claim to buy a different copy another time. When really I'll either forget or become distracted by another book." So with fear of ruining the book with the tiniest dirt mark I took it home. (Honestly? How do people not fear wearing white pants?)

Leisel's fascination with books trumped my own. I enjoyed the build up of her relationship with books. Each significant moment in her life was tied to a book in some way. From tragedy to love. Being a Book Thief became a part of her identity, but it also gave her an escape from the horrors she not only witnessed but experienced. She read a gravediggers handbook for heavens sake! She treasured the words and the art of books. It made her more enchanting. You had to understand Death's own fascination with her.
Leisel's relationship with her Papa was so beautiful. Each moment they shared made me want to protect them at all costs. He was everything she needed and was her definition of what love was.

I'm not even upset with the author for making me cry. Each tear was worth it. This beautifully written book was worth every tear.





FIND THE AUTHOR MARKUS ZUSAK
BUY THE BOOK AMAZON / BARNES&NOBLE / BOOK DEPOSITORY

First Book Signing Event

                                         If you have been following my Reviews as much as I hope you have then you will see a consistency of Lisa See Novels sprinkling happily on my page. Ever since I picked up a copy of  Snow Flower and The Secret Fan (which I haven't reviewed yet) I have been obsessed with getting my hands on every book she has ever written. Her writing style is a mixture of First person narratives, casual and informal writing. I have always loved her ability to pace her stories. Her books are never set in a timeline of just a few month but of a lifetime. We meet her characters during their young ages and sometimes say goodbye in their old. With her consistent themes of Mother love and the difficult relationships between sisters I have found a familiarity with each character.

Which is why I was over the moon when my husband surprised me with the gift of my very first Book Signing! It was everything and more of what I have ever imagined. My mother watched my sons while we made the hour and a half trip to Pleasanton CA. The book signing was being held at Inklings Coffe&Tea (their coffee and atmosphere was amazing!) and the event was being run by Towne Center Books. Check out their websites when you get a chance!

                                       Upon arriving we had trouble finding a good spot to park. We ended up having to park a block away from the event which surprisingly wasn't all that bad. The neighborhood was so quaint and beautiful that the walk was welcomed. It gave me a chance to calm my nerves and explore the many different shops and restaurants Pleasanton had to offer. At the entrance we were required to sign in and had the option of purchasing Lisa See's latest novel The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. (I purchased mine three days before and already finished the book)
I was a ball of nerves! Having not purchased a seat we were forced to stand in the back with the other unprepared readers. I was shocked to find others who loved Lisa See's novels as much as I did. With an awkward start I became temporary friends with them. (They had already attended her other book signings ) With a quick scan of the room we noticed my husband to be the only male who wasn't an employee. He didn't mind and we had a good laugh about it later. If anything he was just as excited about the experience as I was.

Before the event started Lisa See herself did a quick walk around the room where I was fortunate to say hello and introduce myself to her. I was all but star-strucked.
Listening to her talk about what her inspiration, and all the research she did for her latest book I found myself liking her even more. She was funny, witty, and comfortable in her environment. She was happy to tell us everything. It was her way of bringing herself closer to her readers and giving us a chance to see her for who she was. I loved every moment of it.

Once it was time for my turn to have my book signed I shyly handed her my copy of Snow Flower and The Secret Fan. With my copy not being the newest she laughingly noted " how well loved" it was. Once I told her that this was my first book signing she became humble and hoped that I enjoyed the experience. I told her I very much did and would surely return to all of her book signings in the future.
I left that event with a big smile and my freshly signed books pressed closely to my chest.

FEATURED LINKS TO CHECK OUT
AUTHOR LISA SEE
BOOK THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE
COFFEE SHOP INKLINGS COFFEE & TEA
BOOKSTORE TOWNE CENTER BOOKS

Snow Flower and The Secret Fan - Lisa See

PLOT

In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, “old same,” in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by sending Lily a silk fan on which she’s painted a poem in nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men.

As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on fans, compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. Together, they endure the agony of foot-binding, and reflect upon their arranged marriages, shared loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their deep friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.

THOUGHTS

The amount of love and beauty that filled this novel was incredible. Lily was in every way a dutiful Chinese daughter and an obedient wife. In my favorite Lisa See fashion we follow Lily through her childhood and into old age. (Which I absolutely adore about her novels.) 
Reading about a characters lifetime brings the readers closer to the characters. We relate with them and if we can't relate then we feel with them. It's an ingenuous writing idea. Nu shu is an ancient way of texting. (if that makes any sense) and like texting nu shu could be misinterpreted. The nineteenth-century didn't have emoji's to help the reader interpret the message, ergo tragedy. In a time when marriage wasn't meant for love a laotong relationship gave the women involved all the benefits of an emotional relationship. 

A husband was your master, but your laotong was your life long partner. Imagine losing that. Imagine that pain. Now imagine having the opportunity of watching it grow. Snow Flower and The Secret Fan will give you that chance.

Reading books like this gives me the idea that I'm reading about another persons life.
(Yes I know these are fiction books but Lisa See does her research so accurately that it might as well be someones life.)
Think about it! Thousands and thousands of people around the world have lived full lives in every century. Many becoming forgotten through the years. These authors in a way give a voice to the lives forgotten, giving us the chance to experience their regrets, love, loss, and lessons. 



FOLLOW THE AUTHOR LISA SEE
BUY THE BOOK AMAZON, BOOK DEPOSITORY, BARNES AND NOBLE

Landline - Rainbow Rowell

PLOT

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble; it has been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems beside the point now. Maybe that was always beside the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything. That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts...

Is that what she’s supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

THOUGHTS

What's amazing about Rainbow Rowell's books is the ingenious of her plots. I'll admit they seem like simple plots as you read her descriptions, but that's the beauty of it. They'er the cute romantic comedies you watch in your pj's while munching on pizza or popcorn. They'er fun, cute, and quirky BUT not easily predicted.  The plot may seem straight forward at first but as you read you aren't sure what direction the characters will end up in.

Where will their thoughts lead them? Will their actions do what their mind has said to do? Think about all the times you've given yourself advice but totally disregard it the moment the opportunity presents itself. ( I am constantly guilty of this by the way)

I had hope for Georgie I really did. But I began to worry about her once her thoughts began going in all kinds of different directions. Which I understood. I'd do a lot of rationalizing myself if I was given a magic phone.
I love Rowell's quirky style. From the cool names, to the hilarious dialog (we can always depend on in her books), and the direction of her plots.

I appreciated Rowell for giving us a book about love in a marriage. First love is great and all, but what about after? What happens to love after ten to fifteen years?
With Landline you're given that opportunity to dive deeper into those questions. So ask yourself what would you have said if you were Georgie?

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR RAINBOW ROWELL

BUY THE BOOK AMAZON / BOOK DEPOSITORY / BARNES & NOBLE

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

 Plot

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

Thoughts

Do you understand the hell I went through looking for this book!? The days searching every Target and Barnes and Noble near my house was like torture. I wanted this book badly. I saw it everywhere. On my Twitter and Instagram feed, even Goodreads was torturing me by letting me know that my friends had already bought a copy and rated it. I felt alone in the world (pity me). 

You're probably thinking "well why didn't you just order it like a sane person would have?" 

It wasn't like the idea didn't come to mind I just get frustrated with ordering books online. Don't get me wrong it's great and all I just hate sitting and waiting 5-10 business days for my books to finally arrive. 

That's another form of torture for me. It's like counting down the days of your due date so that you can finally hold your baby only to find out your baby won't come till seven days past it's due date. 

(my youngest did that to me, it was awful)

Well anyways a quick run for diapers I finally found a freshly shelved copy at Target.

I must say it was definitely worth the wait and torture. Lou was adorable, the plot meaningful, and the lesson important. I related to Lou so much. While she was quirky, sweet, and clumsy she was also comfortable, cautious, and a bit naive. I had issues with the rich paraplegic wanting to end his life when he had more resources than most in his situation. But I had to remember that I couldn't begin to understand his situation. How could I judge someone so harshly without knowing their mind? We all deserve to make our own choices and to be heard. 

Me Before You is exactly the type of book every twenty-something needs. It's not about finding love or a coming of age story. It's a book with a lesson not to underestimate yourself. To live the life you want, to better yourself, to make choices for you. It's lovely, and definitely something we need to be reminded of sometimes.

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR JOJO MOYES
BUY THE BOOK AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / BOOK DEPOSITORY

The Garden of Letters - Alyson Richman

Plot

Portofino, Italy, 1943. A young woman steps off a boat in a scenic coastal village. Although she knows how to disappear in a crowd, Elodie is too terrified to slip by the German officers while carrying her poorly forged identity papers. She is frozen until a man she’s never met before claims to know her. In desperate need of shelter, Elodie follows him back to his home on the cliffs of Portofino.

Only months before, Elodie Bertolotti was a cello prodigy in Verona, unconcerned with world events. But when Mussolini’s Fascist regime strikes her family, Elodie is drawn into the burgeoning resistance movement by Luca, a young and impassioned bookseller. As the occupation looms, she discovers that her unique musical talents, and her courage, have the power to save lives.

In Portofino, young doctor Angelo Rosselli gives the frightened and exhausted girl sanctuary. He is a man with painful secrets of his own, haunted by guilt and remorse. But Elodie’s arrival has the power to awaken a sense of hope and joy that Angelo thought was lost to him forever.

Thoughts

I have been stuck in Italy lately. Not just Italy, but the 1930's - 1940's Italy. Have you ever just loved a place you haven't been to before? It's an odd kind of love. I know that one day I will be able to travel there, but until then, I'm only able to experience Italy through books.

The Garden of Letters is by far my favorite novel based in Italy. Alyson Richman's writing was so captivating. The way she explained music and food enchanted me. Every passage of Elodie playing her cello broke me to tears. It was as if I could hear her playing. I'm not sure how to explain it because it wasn't really me hearing music it was more me seeing the colors and emotions of her playing. It was beautiful. Elodie was just the type of character you wish you knew, because then you'd have the honor of hearing talent in person.

Between the beautiful descriptions of the food, scenery, love, books, and music I couldn't pick a favorite part in The Garden of Letters. 

Reading about Angelo and Elodies lives before meeting was so incredibly heart breaking. The writing may have been beautiful but Richman's characters and story was what brought the novel depth. I wanted happiness for both of these characters. Whenever they experienced heartbreak or pain I experienced it with them. I was so engrossed into the story it physically hurt me to put it down between reading.

So I guess when the time comes for me to finally travel I will definitely be visiting Portofino, Italy. 

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR ALYSON RICHMAN

BUY THE BOOK AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / BOOK DEPOSITORY

Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen

PLOT

The women of the Waverley family -- whether they like it or not -- are heirs to an unusual legacy, one that grows in a fenced plot behind their Queen Anne home on Pendland Street in Bascom, North Carolina. There, an apple tree bearing fruit of magical properties looms over a garden filled with herbs and edible flowers that possess the power to affect in curious ways anyone who eats them. 

For nearly a decade, 34-year-old Claire Waverley, at peace with her family inheritance, has lived in the house alone, embracing the spirit of the grandmother who raised her, ruing her mother's unfortunate destiny and seemingly unconcerned about the fate of her rebellious sister, Sydney, who freed herself long ago from their small town's constraints. Using her grandmother's mystical culinary traditions, Claire has built a successful catering business -- and a carefully controlled, utterly predictable life -- upon the family's peculiar gift for making life-altering delicacies: lilac jelly to engender humility, for instance, or rose geranium wine to call up fond memories. Garden Spells reveals what happens when Sydney returns to Bascom with her young daughter, turning Claire's routine existence upside down. With Sydney's homecoming, the magic that the quiet caterer has measured into recipes to shape the thoughts and moods of others begins to influence Claire's own emotions in terrifying and delightful ways. 

As the sisters reconnect and learn to support one another, each finds romance where she least expects it, while Sydney's child, Bay, discovers both the safe home she has longed for and her own surprising gifts. With the help of their elderly cousin Evanelle, endowed with her own uncanny skills, the Waverley women redeem the past, embrace the present, and take a joyful leap into the future. 

THOUGHTS

Magical Realism is a fiction genre in which magical elements blend to create a realistic atmosphere that accesses a deeper understanding of reality.

Magical Realism is my favorite genre. With these types of books we are given clever ways on how magic (and things that the world of science tells us shouldn't exist) exists in our world. It's amazing! Garden Spells gives us not only a family of women but a whole town, who are convinced they all have their own "family given gifts". The strongest men in one family, the seductress women in another, and the Waverleys who were a family of strangely gifted women. The entire novel is magic! There's romance, enchanting recipes, and sister bonding. This is literally everything I could ever want in a book! (If I seem overly excited with all my exclamation points I'm sorry. I just love this book!) 
The characters may have magical talents, but they are still so relatable. Think Practical Magic, with a family of Witches, a lovable aunt, a handsome stranger, and two sisters who have their differences, but also love each other. 
If you know me you'd know that I have a twin sister who means the world to me. We may only be 26 but we've had our fair share of petty differences and had to find our way back to each other on numerous occasions. So any book about sisters has always held a soft place in my heart. 
Please read this, each page is magic.




FOLLOW THE AUTHOR SARAH ADDISON ALLEN
BUY THE BOOK AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / BOOK DEPOSITORY