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

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

China Dolls - Lisa See

PLOT

In 1938, Ruby, Helen and Grace, three girls from very different backgrounds, find themselves competing at the same audition for showgirl roles at San Francisco's exclusive "Oriental" nightclub, the Forbidden City. Grace, an American-born Chinese girl has fled the Midwest and an abusive father. Helen is from a Chinese family who have deep roots in San Francisco's Chinatown. And, as both her friends know, Ruby is Japanese passing as Chinese. At times their differences are pronounced, but the girls grow to depend on one another in order to fulfill their individual dreams. Then, everything changes in a heartbeat with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Suddenly the government is sending innocent Japanese to internment camps under suspicion, and Ruby is one of them. But which of her friends betrayed her?

THOUGHTS

I am obsessed with Lisa See, she could easily be my favorite author. Every book is a stab to the heart (in a weird good way haha!) Every book she has ever written has brought me to tears, which is why I usually try my best to mentally prepare myself before starting any book written by her. (It doesn't work but I still try.) 
Now here's the thing, just because you have loved an authors other work does not mean you will love every single one. I had actually started this book and simultaneously gave up on it half way through (gasp!). 
Now listen Lisa See  has a way of not only bringing out your emotions but making you feel them ten fold. China Dolls brought out my anger and I couldn't handle it. I needed a break from these characters. It wasn't until five months later - I know that's a while, but I needed time until I built up the courage - before I could pick the book back up. 
The characters didn't feel like friends, more like co-dependent enemies. They were too much for me and I was relieved to finally finish so that I could move on to another book. 
BUT HOLD ON A MINUTE. Just because I had an issue with the characters, their relationship, and their personalities did not mean I didn't enjoy everything else.
The book is set in the 1930's - 1940's of San Francisco! How amazing is that!? We are given a vivid glimpse into the old world of China town. The food, the people, the fashions, the talent, the history! It was amazing. I live an hour away from San Francisco, and I'm ashamed to say I have never been to China Town. (Ugh I know! I'm terrible!) 
If you think you can handle the three divas in the novel then China Dolls is the book to read when you need to experience San Francisco's China Town in the most glamorous time in our history. 




FOLLOW THE AUTHOR LISA SEE
BUY THE BOOK AMAZON /  BARNES & NOBLE /  BOOK DEPOSITORY

Photography

I might like my legs way too much haha!

The Debt of Tamar - Nicole Dweck

PLOT

In 2002, thirty-two-year-old Selim Osman, the last descendant of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, flees Istanbul for New York. In a twist of fate he meets Hannah, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and an artist striving to understand a father she barely knows. Unaware the connection they share goes back centuries, the two feel an immediate pull to one another. But as their story intertwines with that of their ancestors, the heroic but ultimately tragic decision that bound two families centuries ago ripples into the future, threatening to tear Hannah and Selim apart.

From a 16th-century harem to a seaside village in the Holy Land, from Nazi-occupied Paris to modern-day Manhattan, Nicole Dweck's The Debt of Tamar weaves a spellbinding tapestry of love, history, and fate that will enchant readers from the very first page.

THOUGHTS

I'm a huge fan of Historical Fiction, mix that in with intertwining fates, a mysterious family heirloom and I'm in awe. You always wonder if your ancestors choices and lives still somehow have an impact on you and if your life will still impact your own lineage hundreds of years from now. Our stories sometimes become lost within history, so why is it hard for us to believe that maybe our great-great-great grandmother choosing one man over another has no effect on our life. 

It's an amazing idea and Nicole Dweck has executed it beautifully in her debut novel The Debt of Tamar. There were some characters I couldn't agree with. How easily their bad decisions effected their descendants. But I guess there wouldn't be much of a story if we always made the best decisions. 

The writing was impeccable, Dweck changed stories and times so flawlessly I barely noticed. You felt yourself transcend through time and into the next story so easily that for a moment you forget about the previous character.  I hope I don't sound too dorky when I say that, but IT'S TRUE! I enjoyed every page of this beautiful book. 

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR NICOLE DWECK

BUY THE BOOK AMAZON /  BARNES & NOBLE / BOOK DEPOSITORY

Photography

Witch Child - Celia Rees

PLOT

Enter the world of young Mary Newbury, a world where simply being different can cost a person her life. Hidden until now in the pages of her diary, Mary's startling story begins in 1659, the year her beloved grandmother is hanged in the public square as a witch. Mary narrowly escapes a similar fate, only to face intolerance and new danger among the Puritans in the New World. How long can she hide her true identity? Will she ever find a place where her healing powers will not be feared? 

THOUGHTS

I am all about magical realism. Some people find it far fetch, cheesy, predictable but I don't. I guess a small part of me wishes magic could exist in our world. Which is ridiculous for me to think since I'm not a religious person, so I guess wishing for magical realism feels like I'm being a hypocrite. I don't know, maybe I am maybe I'm not. Either way it gives me hope.

A high school teacher actually gave me this copy (I have since gifted it to a young family member) and I loved it. It is in a way a Young Adult type of genre since the Main Character is in her teens but keep in mind so was I. I could relate to someone her age then. 

Mary was a very quiet character, her movements and thoughts were always precise and mysterious. I could have chalked it up to having to do with her trying to be conspicuous (for her survival), but no. I think it was just a part of her personality. The ending drove me crazy until I found out there was a second installment. I remember for an hour after finishing I kept thinking "That can't be the ending! That is not how it was supposed to end! I'm going to write a very mad letter to the author demanding for a version with a rewritten ending!" 
When I got to school the next day to give my teacher a piece of my mind she promptly handed me the second book and said I could keep them. I was over the moon. Haha!

The Historical Fiction was my favorite part. Even as a teenager I had an appreciation for reading about the past. I always admired authors who took their time researching everything so that their novels were as accurate as possible. From a settlers village to the woods where the natives lived. Celia Rees will make you believe in magic in 1659 and have you wondering if maybe a girl like Mary Newbury could really have existed. 

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR CELIA REES
BUY THE BOOK AMAZON / BARNES&NOBLE / BOOK DEPOSITORY

Eleanor And Park - Rainbow Rowell

PLOT

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.
Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

THOUGHTS

This is my little sisters copy. She's not much of a reader, but this book had her in a blubbering ugly crying mess. I had already read every Rainbow Rowell book but for some reason I put this one off. I'm not sure if it's because it may be her best seller or that I'm not a YA person. There's nothing wrong with YA! So please don't be offended if you do enjoy it. I just relate better to characters who are 24 and up. 

Alas I watched my sister ugly cry and profess her love for a book (she hasn't read any other book since) and I was intrigued.

I enjoyed it. It was very different from every other YA I had tried. There were complexities to both main characters that weren't far fetch. This story could easily be a reality for someone out there. Which breaks my heart because Eleanor's life was a hard life. She and her siblings deserved a lot better. So it was hard not to judge her mom. Park was all kinds of adorable. My sister fell head over heels for him. Before reading it I promised her that Park was all hers haha! 

The plot explored a lot of the Main characters family dynamics. From living as a product of an interracial couple to dealing with an abusive step-parent. I felt those details were very much an important part to the characters relationship and the plot build up. They weren't just background noise you usually experience with a novel.

Rainbow Rowell did it again. Making us all fall in love with her humor, her characters, her story telling, and HER. 

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR RAINBOW ROWELL

BUY THE BOOK AMAZON / BARNES&NOBLE / BOOK DEPOSITORY