We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

My rating: 4.8

This book is a series of very direct letters written by the mother of Kevin, a teenage boy who open fired on his classmates,to her husband and Kevin’s father. These letters deal candidly with her career, marriage, motherhood and family.

I had heard about this book for many years. I postponed reading it as I thought that since I knew Kevin had killed his classmates, that I knew what the book would be about.  I had no idea.  I enjoyed the unfolding and the way the author really got you to understand the relationship of Eva and Kevin, and also with Franklin. So many layers in all of their relationships and they wrapped me up in every one and pulled me in. This book was extremely well written and will haunt me for quite a while.

The Absolutist by John Boyne

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is about the destructive powers of a painful secret, standing up for what you believe in, love, betrayal, the horrors of war and so much more. Tristan Sadler goes to visit the sister of Will Bancroft, a man who he fought alongside with in WWI and was killed. In the very beginning of the book, I felt I “knew” what the secret was and it irritated me how Boyne kept hinting at it. Once that secret was revealed, I had gotten to the point where I was absorbed – in the stories and the characters. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was a powerful story, told by a powerful story-teller. I sat back and let it wash over me, and absorbed it all in. This is an extraordinary book that I highly recommend.

The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! Finally, a book that had me lying in bed, thinking of getting a book light so I could read just a few more pages. When I woke up and in those first few moments of thinking of my day, I am instantly thinking of when I can get back to this book. I chuckled, I laughed, I cried. I want more. Yes, it is reminiscent of The Road by Cormac McCarthy in that it is in a post apocalyptic world and has beautiful sparse prose that takes a bit to get used to but, for me, The Dog Stars is so much more. It is sad but it was also funny. The characters have wonderfully complex layers (yes, I even loved Bangley). Hig with his heart and compassion (don’t even get me started on Jasper!). It made me feel the deprivation and want to go out and hug a tree and breathe it in deep. I loved that the ending didn’t have a neat bow on it. The only fault I have with this book is that it is over. I didn’t want it to end…..ever.

Peter Heller, where have you been all my life. I am so happy to have discovered you and that you have other novels waiting for me to lose myself in. Although I don’t generally like to reread books, I suspect that I will come back to this novel again one day to lose myself and fall in love all over again.

The Prince of Tides: A Novel by Pat Conroy

My rating:  4.9 out of 5

This beautiful epic novel took my breath away.  It is the story of three kids, Luke, Tom and Savanaah Wingo, being raised in South Carolina in a dysfunctional abusive family.  It is told through the eyes of Tom Wingo, with his wit and sarcasm and heavily infused with his belief that South Carolina is one of the most beautiful and nurturing places on earth.

This book is told in combination of present day with the kids as adults and flashbacks to their childhood which is captured as both idyllic and extremely dysfunctional.  It is awe inspiring in the images that it paints of both their shrimping life in the Carolinas as well as that of New York City.  It goes from these beautiful images to capturing some horrid scenes of carnage – all in vivid detail.  This is definitely among my top rated books.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

My rating: 4.8 of 5 stars

This is an extremely creative dystopian novel that takes place in 2045. Cline describes the world of high school student, Wade Watts, and the virtual reality world of OASIS in an easy way to make it reality for anyone (not just gamers). This is a sci-fantasy/treasure hunt that pulls you into the simulated world of OASIS where the creator of OASIS has recently died and left his entire fortune to the first person who is able to find the easter egg. I don’t like sci-fi, I am not a gaming addict and am not a child of the 80’s and yet I found this book extremely entertaining and intelligent and the characters real and likeable. Wade is a great protagonist and I laughed out loud frequently at Aech. Yes, there were times when this got a bit geeky and far-fetched for me but, you just have to go with it. I loved all the 80’s references (books, movies, music, tv shows). In the hands of a great producer (Spielberg or Lucas) I could easily see this becoming a cult classic movie. My hats off to Cline for such an original piece of work. Amazing that this is his first novel. I can’t wait for his next book!

Snowdrops by A.D. Miller

My rating: 4.7 of 5 stars

This was a strong 4.7 stars. If you want to "go to Russia" then read this book. I was in Phoenix in August and felt cold from reading this book. This book is about an English lawyer, Nick, in contemporary Russia who's moral compass get's tilted off kilter. In his retelling of how things came about, you can feel for how it happened so gradually with the condoned Russian corruption pushing him along the slippery slope. None of the characters were likable, but I loved them all. It is easy to see why this was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. It is beautifully written with phrases that you want to read and reread and yet you can't wait to turn the page to have the story unfold. An amazing debut and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 4.8 of 5 stars

On Nick & Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing. Don’t read too much more about this book or it will spoil it for you. Suffice it to say that Gone Girl is a wickedly witty and fun psychological mind bender. Like watching a car accident – you will be a voyeur on their marriage. Just when you think you have it figured out, it will twist and turn…along with your emotions and who you favor. It may not be for everyone but, if this is your cup of tea, it is thoroughly enjoyable. Not only is the writing witty and edgy but, the whole plot will keep you licking every page for the next crumb of the story. I will definitely be reading more by Flynn.

Heft by Liz Moore

My rating: 4.8 of 5 stars

I do understand how some reviewers say this book was maudlin but for me, I fell in love with it. This story is told through the voices of 58 yo Arthur Opp, who is 500 lbs and hasn’t left his Brooklyn home in 10+years, and 17 yo Kel Keller who has reluctantly just made the difficult switch from a school in Yonkers to attend elite Pells Landing. The tie between these dissimilar characters is Charlene – Kel’s mother and Arthur’s former student and penpal. The common thread is that all of these characters have is a lot of dysfunction – sad, lonely and in desperate need of help - and yet, instead of feeling revulsion or even depression, the author makes you feel so much empathy for each of them. These characters are complex and complete.

I listened to the audio version and the narrators are wonderful. I quickly fell under the spell of the intellectual voice of Arthur Opp. So much so, that it was hard for me to make the transition to the introduction of Kel’s voice (always a sign that I have subtly been drawn in to the previous character much deeper than I realized, until I miss them). Soon, I had almost as much enjoyment, or at least compassion, for Kel. Both characters have many flaws but, somehow, Moore does an impeccable job of making you empathize with their plights/choices. She captures the characters flaws and insecurities and makes you cheer for them and want more. If that wasn’t enough, I loved the peripheral character of Yolanda (“I’m pregnant you asshole!” LOL!)

I love an ending that doesn’t wrap everything up in a too perfect bow and Moore didn’t disappoint.

A quote from People magazine “The single word of the title is obviously a reference to Arthur’s morbid obesity, but it also alludes to the weight of true feelings and the courage needed to confront them. Heft leads to hope.”

Canada by Richard Ford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The opening lines of the book are "First, I'll tell about the robbery our parents committed. Then about the murders, which happened later." I didn't have to read too far beyond this to instantly sense that, despite it being dark, this was going to be on my "Best of 2012" list.

15 year old Dell, narrates dramatic, life-changing events that happened to him and his twin sister, Berner, in a very sparse but powerful tone to capture this coming of age story. This is not an 'action' book but all through this book, I had a sense of foreboding.

The prose is reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy's The Road and Yates (if you didn't like Revolutionary Road, I doubt you would enjoy this). It is obvious that Ford was taught by Oakley Hall and E.L. Doctorow. I love his phrasing and nuance of language. I will be seeking out his other works. This is the best book I have read in a while. Perfection.

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This is a quirky original Western story of two brothers, Eli and Charlie Sisters. The Sisters Brothers are employed as hired guns by the Commodore. They are hired to go to California to kill a prospector who has wronged the Commodore. I loved the way this dark comedy unfolded and I particularly loved the soft teddy-bear character of Eli.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Don't confuse this book with the other "Shades of Grey" book.

It is 1941 and fifteen year old Lina, her young brother and mother get separated from her father when Soviet officers barge into their house and force them into a crowded dirty train car to begin a horrid journey to a work camp. This book is reminiscent of The Book Thief. It does an amazing job or capturing this horrific period in history

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. I just finished this book and am feeling the ripple effects of the words, phrasing and plot. This will be one that I turn over and over in my mind.  I can see why this won the 2011 Man Booker Prize.

This is one of those books where, the less you know about it the better so, I won’t reveal too much here. This book is told by Tony, one of a group of three friend in high school. Their group is joined by a fourth, Adrian. The telling varies between their high school years and a middle aged Tony. I am in awe of Julian Barnes. His writing is amazing. It seems deceptively simple and yet captures so much. I have never found someone explain the elusiveness of memory….the remembering and forgetting, and reinterpreting the past…so clearly. This book was a wonderful journey. When Tony reread his letter, I felt like I needed a shot of whiskey as I was reeling with shock. There were so many times along the way I thought I saw what was coming when, in fact, Barnes allowed my smugness on the smallest of scales while the core secret didn’t unfold until the last pages. Don’t read anything more about this book or it will spoil it. Go quickly and devour this book for yourself.

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great character development and story line. I loved Bel Canto and this book was also wonderful leading me to ask, why I haven't read more by Ann Patchett? Definitely recommend!

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The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a slow, magically beautiful book. Everything from the character development to the author's ability to capture the haunting dramatic breathtaking wilderness and lifestyle. It is hard to believe this is the author's first book....and hopefully not her last. I can not do justice to this book other than to simply say, you must read it.

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This epic novel follows the fates of five interrelated families-American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh-as they move through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women's suffrage. Follett seamlessly intertwines the characters lives with the facts of history and makes a riveting story. If only my history teacher made history half as interesting. I can't wait for the 2nd book of this trilogy to be released.

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Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a sweeping, emotionally riveting novel that follows the family from Africa to America. Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers growing up in a mission hospital in Addis Ababa. Orphaned by their mother’s death in childbirth and their father’s disappearance, they are raised by Gosh and Hema. This book masterfully weaves in medicine as well as the story of the Ethiopian revolution. Even more enjoyable for reading this a second time. Loved it!

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The Story of a Marriage

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book tremendously. The author does a wonderful job of not only capturing marriage but also of how we live our lives with others, never seeing those people for who they truly are, all along being misunderstood ourselves. It also beautifully captures the atmosphere of draft-time and war. Don't read anything about this book as there are twists that are better enjoyed as the book unfolds.

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Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Frankl's descriptions of his experiences and thoughts during the Holocaust were memorizing. To hear him express his professional thoughts alongside his memories so detached made it all the more powerful.

 When a man talks about having a purpose and meaning for living while he is inside of a concentration camp, it can inspire the rest of us to live a meaningful life. The second part of the book is very heavy on psychiatry but was still interesting. Overall, this is a great book that I would recommend.

Sword Song - 4th in the Saxon Series by Bernard Cornwell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The adventures of Uhtred and Alfred continue with events that shape England’s future. This is the most incredible series that I am enjoying so much but, definitely not for the squeamish!

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My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Le Cirque des Rêves comes to town with no warning. It is only open at night. Inside each of the black-and-white striped canvas tents is a breathtaking unique experience.

I just finished this book and my brain is still swirling. I can see why this is a love it or hate it book. Some reasons that people may hate it are:

• The timeline jumps around from the early 1890's, to 1895, to 1893, back to 1898, up to 1901, back to 1899, etc. It was very struggling to read; she be in 1895 for a chapter, jump around through years for 5 or more chapters, then go back to 1985

• There are a lot of 'main' characters (15 in all!).

• Each chapter is told from a different characters perspective, and if that isn't enough, some chapters are written as if you are the one walking into a tent.

All of this being said, I am definitely in the 'loved it' camp. It takes a skilled author to be able to pull all of this off.  The writing is gorgeous. Don't worry too much about keeping track of everything. Read it and get lost in the magical beauty of the book and the circus.

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