All The Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr

PLOT

Marie Laure lives with her father in Paris within walking distance of the Museum of Natural History where he works as the master of the locks (there are thousands of locks in the museum). When she is six, she goes blind, and her father builds her a model of their neighborhood, every house, every manhole, so she can memorize it with her fingers and navigate the real streets with her feet and cane. When the Germans occupy Paris, father and daughter flee to Saint-Malo on the Brittany coast, where Marie-Laure's agoraphobic great uncle lives in a tall, narrow house by the sea wall.
In another world in Germany, an orphan boy, Werner, grows up with his younger sister, Jutta, both enchanted by a crude radio Werner finds. He becomes a master at building and fixing radios, a talent that wins him a place at an elite and brutal military academy and, ultimately, makes him a highly specialized tracker of the Resistance. Werner travels through the heart of Hitler Youth to the far-flung outskirts of Russia, and finally into Saint-Malo, where his path converges with Marie-Laure.
Doerr's gorgeous combination of soaring imagination with observation is electric. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, Doerr illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another. Ten years in the writing, All the Light We Cannot See is his most ambitious and dazzling work.

THOUGHTS

Every word was magic. And with the magic came the beautiful descriptions of science. I could lay in bed repeatedly reading each passage. It was just lovely. Sadly my copy was damaged and I haven’t had the pleasure of rereading it but if I could I would. (a books natural enemy- fluids) The words, plot, and character perspectives flowed so gracefully that I had to remind myself that I was reading a different point of view. It was like a movie playing in my head. Each image more vivid then the next. There was a strange but amazing realness to each character. I need to buy another copy soon because I would love to get lost in the tragically beautiful words again soon FOLLOW THE AUTHOR Anthony Doerr BUY THE BOOK Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble

The Graces - Laure Eve

PLOT

                                                   Everyone said the Graces were witches.

They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair. They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different. All I had to do was show them that person was me.

Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on?

THOUGHTS

Everyone knows I love anything Witches or better yet Magical Realism. So it wasn't surprising that the cover instantly caught my attention. The enchanting cover and title were tall tell signs what the plot would be leaning towards. Not to mention the authors name Laure Eve. It's so pretty and witchy. Her name sounds more like a character in a book then most book characters. (which is a compliment)

I'll admit I was apprehensive once I read the ages of the characters. Usually with teenage characters (in my experience) the story can turn cliche, which at times is okay, but I wanted something different for now. Ignoring my initial apprehension I decided to give it a try anyway. I learned long ago that books can surprise you. 

I was NOT disappointed. It started of as usual with the beautiful family and the odd power they held over others. It was obvious River would be like her peers and would vie for the Graces attention. It was almost pathetic and very much to be expected.

And yet like I had learned with other books the plot began to change. It became darker and less obvious. The only way I can explain it is the vibe of the book was very much like The 1996 Movie The Craft. (Which is an awesome movie by the way) With twists and turns and an unhealthy obsession the plot and characters were far from the cliches I assumed they would be.  

If you love magic, mystery, and dark forces then pick up The Graces and maybe afterwards watch The Craft. Most preferably during October. 

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR LAURE EVE

BUY THE BOOK  Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble

Holding Up The Universe - Jennifer Niven

PLOT

Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything. 

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.

THOUGHTS

I want a sequel. Not because we’re left with little to no answers but because I want more of Libby and Jack. I want to see where they go and how they handle it all. Libby was so funny! So amazing! So inspirational! So real! What I’ve found with characters with “heavy weight issues” is they ramble. A lot. Which could make the plot boring and the point lost in translation.  Like an annoying broken record. All words and no plot.  Not with Holding Up The Universe. No, it was the perfect amount of character musing and movement. The author never got stuck on one point for 10 chapters. Maybe it’s because Jack had his own problems in the novel. Either way there was balance and flow. Prosopagnosia (face blindness) is the inability to recognize faces. I never knew this existed. Never thought that this could be a real thing a person could struggle with. I remember being absolutely fascinated by this disorder. I immediately googled everything I could find on Prosopagnosia. I found study's, research centers, and even chat rooms. Chat rooms!  It was all so fascinating and harrowing. Face blindness is such a real thing for some that I felt almost upset with myself for not knowing about it. Which is why I am so grateful to Jennifer Niven for giving us such an authentic character to learn from.  I’m happy to have bought my own copy because this is definitely on my reread list. FOLLOW THE AUTHOR Jennifer Niven BUY THE BOOK Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, Amazon

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