Book Report: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Two words.... THRILL RIDE!!!! This book is better than any amusement park ride or haunted house you will ever find!! I promise... it’s THAT GOOD!!! So if you are an adrenaline junkie, hurry and read this book ASAP!! Seriously... do not hesitate like I did!!!!!! I’ve started reading this book numerous times in the past year or so but never got past the first chapter. And then so many times in the past couple months, I’ve heard “you have got to read these books”! So after my sister, Sheena, read them... I thought it was about time I got started. SO “thrilled” I did! In all honesty, it’s a pretty morbid storyline, especially for a YA (young adult) series, and I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to indulge in this kind of adventure.... I'm so glad I didn't not read it based on that reason.

The story takes place in a futuristic North America now called Panem, where the country is in ruins after a war of sorts and is now separated into 12 poverty-stricken districts plus the lush capitol. As part of a punishment and agreement for the 12 district’s survival, the capitol requires one teen boy and one teen girl to fight in the annual Hunger Games. Twenty-four participate in these games and fight to their death ultimately leaving only one survivor and winner of The Hunger Games. (For a fabulous review and synopsis of the book, please visit my sweet friend and fellow blogger, Susan’s blog.)

And if reading this book wasn't exciting enough.... the book has been made into a movie and will be released March 23, 2012! EXCITED doesn't even begin to explain how I feel about this!!!!! Oh to see the action......

Book Report: Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

This beauty took me over three weeks to read, and it wasn’t because I didn’t want to read and read and read! With work, school and life, it’s taking me longer than normal to read books lately. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah was one I’ve had my list of books to read for a long time. It was not, however, one that I had at the top of my list because someone had told me it was “just okay”. Then, my sweet friend Pam read it in a day! She absolutely LOVED and adored this book so I knew I had to read it right away as we have very similar tastes in what we read.

Firefly Lane is a book about two friends and everything they go through in life together… and apart. The story expands over three decades and so much happens. This is a sweet, special story about love and hope and forgiveness. Kate and Tully were two characters that I could really relate with. I have a BFF… My Lynn will forever and always be my BFF. We met in 7th grade and became friends the moment we met…. And have been ever since. Kate and Tully were the same way. And although my Lynn still lives in Minnesota and I live in Michigan, and we don’t see each other or talk as much as we’d like, she’ll always be my BFF and I know that her and I have a love that will last forever just like Kate and Tully! I really loved this book…. Probably one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Kristin Hannah is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors… Right up there with Diane Chamberlain and Jodi Picoult.

(My BFF Lynn and I in High School.)
Lesson learned: A book that someone else thinks is “just okay” may just be one that I think is amazing. Read it myself (and sooner) to find out! Now, I completely understand that not everyone will think this book is amazing… you might even think it’s “just okay”, but you’ll never know if you don’t read it so hurry and do so!

SPOILER (kinda) ALERT: Don’t read any further if you don’t want to know too much about the story, but following is some great information. I think this book would make a fabulous Lifetime-type movie (ooo.... maybe Lynn and I can play Kate and Tully!). Not only because of the dynamics of Kate and Tully’s friendship but because the author covers a very important topic – inflammatory breast cancer. Obviously you can guess that one of the characters ends up with this horrible disease. But the thing that really tugged at me was that I had never heard of this! We all know about self-examinations, mammograms and breast lumps in the typical breast cancer, but I was ignorant to the fact that redness, tenderness, swelling and skin-puckering can be an indicator of breast cancer as well, just a different kind. I don’t believe the awareness is as high for this type of breast cancer which is unfortunate because it’s just as life-threatening and can be misdiagnosed as a breast infection which can lead to deadly consequences. I think it’s important that the awareness is raised for inflammatory breast cancer so I wanted to share a great informational article that the Mayo Clinic has published. Please take the time to read this and share it with women you love.

Is this even allowed???? Something strange is going on....

So I was browsing through some books and came across a book called "Every Time We Say Goodbye" by Jamie Zeppa. The book sounds like it would be a great read. According to Amazon, it was released this past March but it's not for sale on Amazon, except for through sellers....and at the bargain price of $32.95-$36.93? And there are no reviews. Wierd.

As if all of that isn't wierd enough, I read a fabulous book last summer called "Shelter Me" by Juliette Fay.... and I always adored the cover of this book. I admit it, I totally judge books by their covers.... and the only reason this book actually grabbed my attention in the first place is because of the cover. I'm glad it did, because it was an absolutely fabulous read. But, you wanna see something fascinating and interesting?????

How is this even possible? Is this even allowed? Or maybe the book isn't for sale any longer is because of this conspiracy! :) Maybe they are involved in some ginormous lawsuit and the author had to pull her book from the shelves??? I think I shall consult my best friend Google to see if I can find anything. :)

Third Sentence Thursday (#1) - Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Third Sentence Thursday is a weekly meme which likes to wander around in the forest!

1) Take the book you are reading now and post the third sentence
2) Review this sentence anyway you want (funny and silly reviews encouraged)
3) Post a link to your sentence here (in the comments) or if you don't have a blog, just post it in the comments!


"In the past week (unquestionably the worst seven days of her life), she'd lost the ability to distance herself from the memories."

Wow, I'd sure like to make this a funny or silly review but man, that is a heavy, heavy sentence. I am only on chapter five and going back to read this sentence makes me wonder just what happens with the two characters in this book. I think I'll head to bed to read now.... :)

Book Reports (Sort-of): Night Road by Kristin Hannah & The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain

I am a blogging failure lately!! I just realized that I didn't do book reports on two books I read earlier this year.... both of which I rated 4 out of 5 and I definitely recommend reading! Two of my favorite authors, Kristin Hannah and Diane Chamberlain. For lack of memory on what I would say about these books, I am just going to share the marvelous covers (I totally judge a book by it's cover) and the synopses from Barnes and Noble.

For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows — her twins, Mia and Zach, are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close-knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.

Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm’s way. It has always been easy — until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time Mia and Zach leave the house, she worries about them.

On a hot summer’s night her worst fears are realized. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget... or the courage to forgive.

Vivid, universal, and emotionally complex, Night Road raises profound questions about motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness. It is a luminous, heartbreaking novel that captures both the exquisite pain of loss and the stunning power of hope. This is Kristin Hannah at her very best, telling an unforgettable story about the longing for family, the resilience of the human heart, and the courage it takes to forgive the people we love.

Dear Anna,
What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear, and I'm so sorry…

The unfinished letter is the only clue Tara and Emerson have to the reason behind their close friend Noelle's suicide. Everything they knew about Noelle—her calling as a midwife, her passion for causes, her love for her friends and family—described a woman who embraced life.

Yet there was so much they didn't know.

With the discovery of the letter and its heartbreaking secret, Noelle's friends begin to uncover the truth about this complex woman who touched each of their lives—and the life of a desperate stranger—with love and betrayal, compassion and deceit.

Ooo.... now as I am reading these synopses, I remember just how much I loved these books! Both were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.... so hurry and go read them! :)

Book Report: A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

(Image from Barnes and Noble)
I sit here thinking about this book that I just read in less than 2 days and my heart aches. Jaycee Lee Dugard went through so much in the 18 years she was held captive by a sex offender and his wife. But what strikes me most is that she is such a courageous woman, so full of strength and hope and even peace about her future. She chooses not to focus on the past and lives for the future…. which is part of the reason she chose to write the book. She didn’t want to keep her captors secrets anymore. What happened to her during those years was awful… and very hard to read but I am glad I did because her story has blessed me more than I imagined. I love that she shared one of her favorite quotes with her readers… “I said to my soul be still, and wait without hope; for hope would be hope for the wrong thing.” – T.S. Eliot. She shares in the book that her hope was in the wrong people during her captivity, but nonetheless, it was hope. A couple other quotes she shared was “What will happen will happen. There is time for miracles until there is no more time, but time has no end.” And “Hope, love, and faith are all in the waiting.” –both by Dean Koontz. She also shares in her book that in one of her journal entries she writes that one of things she wants to do someday is write a bestselling book. At that time, I don’t think she had any idea it would be about her life, maybe more fiction as she loves imagery. On the first day her book was released, 175,000 copies were sold which made a record for her publisher Simon and Schuester. You go girl, Jaycee!

It’s hard to rate this book. How do you say you “like” a book or rate it when the topic is such an unfathomable one? I chose to rate this book a 4. While the book was very all over the place, grammatically not the greatest and a tough (but easy) read, I think it is definitely worth a 4. (I reserve 5’s for my favorite books ever.) The reason I give this a 4 is for Jaycee’s courage and strength and the will to share her story and move on and heal. Jaycee deserves it for everything she’s been through.

Jaycee is an amazing woman. I really do recommend reading this book, but know that the content is tough. Jaycee also did an excellent special with Diane Sawyer that worth watching. She’s too cute and sweet….. I just know she is going to have a beautiful life!

Book Report: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

(image from Barnes and Noble)
My sister, Sheena, read this book before me and when I asked her to explain what it was like, she said it was too hard to put into words! I definitely have to agree…. In fact, I wonder how I am going to write a review! I’ll try…. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is…. well, very peculiar. The author, Ransom Riggs, couldn’t have used a better word in the title! This book is unlike anything I typically read in the way it is very dreamy, fairytale-like. The characters remind me almost of cartoon characters, or ones out of a horror flick… levitating girls, invisible boys. The story was very fun… I completely enjoyed this fun fantasy world these peculiar children live in. Because I have absolutely no idea how to explain what the book is about, I’ll let you watch the trailer which I found to be very fun!!! Actually, having watched the trailer, I think this book would make a phenomenal movie!!!


I think my very favorite part of this book was that the author incorporated vintage photos into his story. Or maybe it was the other way around. Maybe he used the photos to create this story. (Guess I’ll have to research that.) It was super fun to have pictures throughout the book to give you a visual of different people and places throughout the story. When I went on YouTube to watch the book trailer, I found that the author is a collector of vintage photos and that he is in the midst of composing a book of these photos. You must watch the video, “Talking Pictures”… it’s amazing!


With my love of photography, and vintage cameras, the collecting of vintage photographs was something that totally spoke to me. In fact, already, I love going to antique shops and flea markets. So I got all giddy excited and emailed Sheena and told her this was something I must do and she had the exact same idea after watching “Talking Pictures”!!! I am super thrilled that both she and I have decided to start collecting vintage photos! I can’t wait to see where this newfound hobby brings us! The very cool and unique thing is that a photograph can speak differently to people in different ways. I could pick up a photo that is completely boring to me, but Sheena may absolutely fall in love with it. Even though we are going to share the same hobby of collecting vintage photos, our collections will surely end up dramatically different! And this is going to be a blast! My plan is to share the vintage photos I find on my blog along with my thoughts and feelings about the photo, so please stay tuned!

For now, I’ll share with you a vintage photo that I found…. I fell in love with it and knew immediately that I wanted Sheena to have it (even though I badly wanted to keep it myself). When I look at this photograph, I see two sisters and that they love to read and love books, just like Sheena and I. In reality, maybe these two aren’t sister and maybe are teachers…. But this is the fun thing. I get to use my imagination. My imagination tells me these two women are sisters (after all, they do look similar) and they love books and reading!

Book Report: Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Winter Garden…. Wow. I cannot stop thinking about this book. I have had Kristin Hannah books on my to-be-read list for quite some time but never read one. On the recommendation of several people, I finally picked up Winter Garden. My only disappointment is that I didn’t read it earlier. While I kind-of felt the book started off slowly, I soon realized that all the detail and establishing family dynamics and characters was absolutely necessary. After about 100 pages or so, I found myself not able to put the book down and by the end, I was absolutely captivated. Last Saturday night, I laid reading in my bed and knew that I wouldn’t be going to sleep until I finished. At midnight, I laid there with tears streaming down my face, soaking my pillow on both sides of my head, while I finished this unforgettable story. It was probably at least another hour or so before I was able to fall asleep because I could not stop thinking about the story and the characters.

I am hugely fascinated and do a ton of reading on WWII and the holocaust but not once have I read anything from the Russian perspective. I found the history and siege on Leningrad heart-wrenching but absolutely amazing. During this time, men were required to leave their families to fight in the war which left behind the women and children. What these women and children went through was absolutely devastating. They lived on little food, cold winter conditions…. Many didn’t survive. This story is about a lady named Anya who grew up in Leningrad during this awful time. She now lives in America with her husband, Evan, and two daughters, Meredith and Nina. Anya, a very cold and almost rude lady, has been telling her daughters a fairy tale, which essentially is an abbreviated, watered-down version of her true life story. Anya spends a lot of time in her winter garden where it is frigid cold, which doesn’t seem to phase Anya. When Evan falls ill, he makes a dying wish and makes Nina promise to get Anya to tell them the entire fairytale…. all the way to the end. The book goes back and forth between modern day and Anya’s life back in Leningrad…… all the way to the end of the stories.

Although you may have to push through the first part of the book, you won’t be disappointed to read this, especially if you are a fan of WWII and/or historical-focused fiction. Lately, I have been reading some great books….. and it takes a lot for me to rate high enough to be a favorite, but this book is definitely made that list.

View all my reviews

Book Report: Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finished Jodi Picoult’s newest book last week but I’ve been struggling with writing my review, but here’s my attempt. I am a huge fan of her writing style and really, her books are always great reads. Her books flow so wonderfully and she has the knack for tackling some very difficult and interesting topics. You really can’t go wrong picking one of her books out of the zillions out there. She goes to great lengths to research the topics she writes about which makes her books so believable. Her books are just really enjoyable, like watching a great drama-filled movie. I’m a fan.

Essentially, this book is about a woman named Zoe who suffers from infertility. After many attempts at in vitro fertilization, miscarriages and ultimately a stillbirth, Zoe’s husband Max has had enough of the marriage and trying to conceive so he files for divorce. Zoe then becomes close friends with Vanessa. The two women end up falling in love, get married (in a state that allows same-sex marriages) and Vanessa offers to become pregnant with Zoe and Max’s leftover embryos so that Zoe’s dream of being a mother can be fulfilled. In the meantime, Max becomes a born-again Christian and doesn’t approve for Zoe’s new lifestyle nor does he want to have his “children” raised by lesbians. Further, he wants to give the embryos to his brother and sister-in-law so that the “children” can be raised in a “good” Christian home. What comes next is one of Picoult’s amazing courtroom scenes. Seriously, Picoult could be an attorney herself… she is THAT good at writing courtroom drama! I’ll stop with the synopsis right here for fear I’ll give away some big parts of the story.

I rated this book 4 out of 5 because I really did enjoy this book and felt she did a great job developing the characters and storyline. Her writing is incredible. This book, in my opinion, is probably her most controversial yet – the topic of homosexual relationships and marriage. I found myself wondering what Picoult’s personal beliefs are. The reason I say this is because I really felt like she portrayed Christians in such a one-sided way. Picoult seemed to paint a picture that ALL Christians are these radical, picketing, Bible-thumping, preaching, crazy people. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a “born-again Christian” and while I am sure there are some radical “Christian’s” out there, I have never met anyone like the “Christian’s” Picoult portrays in this book. The Christians I know are loving and caring people. Christian’s are not perfect, but are also broken and sinful just like Zoe. Just like Max and Liddy. And just like the “Christians” in this book. After all, no one is perfect except for Jesus Christ himself. The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is sin. Then again, sin is sin…. whether you are partaking in a homosexual lifestyle, you are stealing, cheating, lying or committing murder. The church in this book was portrayed to be very hateful which is also sinful. Thankfully, Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of ALL sins if/when we repent of them. Anyways, that’s my little tidbit of information. I go into this because the book seems to make Zoe out to be the “angel” and the Christian’s out to be the “villains”… and really neither is better than the other… in real life, or the book. Anyways, I wished Picoult would have done the Christian part differently… but, I realize this is fiction and that is what I’ll treat it as that.
View all my reviews

Reading Challenge

I've joined the 2011 Goodreads Reading Challenge!!!

In 2009, I read 26 books.
In 2010, I read 29 books.

My goal for 2011 is.......
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40 books!!!!!

Think I can do it???? :)

Book Report: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

(Image from Barnes and Noble)
I cannot believe it!!! Two books in a row made it into my top favorite books ever!!! THE KITCHEN HOUSE by Kathleen Grissom was absolutely phenomenal! I’ve had it on my “to read” list for quite awhile but a friend of mind recommended I read it ASAP after she read it and THE HELP. She liked THE KITCHEN HOUSE even better than THE HELP! Honestly, I didn’t think anything could top THE HELP when it pertains to the subject of black slaves working for white masters. I can’t decide which I like best, because I think I like them equally. While THE KITCHEN HOUSE is about black slaves like THE HELP, they are two very different books with two very different storylines. If I were to be quite honest, I would say that THE HELP is very fluffy compared to THE KITCHEN HOUSES’ deep and detailed content. Actually, this book’s main character is a white indentured servant who works WITH the black slaves working FOR the white masters which really gives it a totally different twist.

The author wrote this book so amazingly that I had everything vividly pictured in my mind! My attention was grabbed with the first chapter… and hasn’t ended even though I am done reading the book. The characters are extremely captivating, the storyline so believable and detailed you almost think you are truly experiencing all of your five senses. The book is fast moving and ever changing and definitely was not predictable at all. There are a lot of characters in this book… so many, that I had to go back and re-read spots in the first couple chapters to make sure I had everyone straight, but as you go through the book, each character is absolutely necessary and you will enjoy them all in different ways.

**
Per a Q&A on Amazon.com, Kathleen Grissom shared that every time one of the slaves, Belle, would bake molasses cake in the kitchen house, she would crave it. Using old recipes as a baseline, the author and her duaghter came up with the following recipe which she has shared with her readers. I am definitely going to try it!!

Simple Molasses Cake
½ cup butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
½ cup milk
1 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 dashes ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inchsquare baking pan. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg. In a separate bowl, combine the milk and the molasses. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Add each of these alternately to the butter mixture, beating well between additions. Spoon batter into the prepared pan. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

**
My bookclub picked THE HELP and THE KITCHEN HOUSE for our next meeting. We will be comparing and contrasting these two books. They are sure to bring us a lot of conversation. Can’t wait! In fact, I think I am going to make the molasses cake for the meeting.

I highly recommend this book. I had to wait a few days to write a review because I was speechless at first. This is a book that I’ll be thinking about for a long, long time. Lawd, I don’t need to say anything more except HURRY UP AND READ THIS BOOK (and THE HELP too)!!

Book Report: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

(Image from Barnes and Noble)

Good Law, I have to say this was one of thee BEST books I have EVER read! So much so that it earned the a place in my top favorite books. To date, only six books have made into that spot... THE HELP joins REDEEMING LOVE by Francine Rivers, SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA by Arthur Golden, THE GIVER by Lois Lowry and THOSE WHO SAVE US by Jenna Blum. Stiff competition, in my opinion!

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett was recommended to me over a year ago and I finally read it last month! Seriously, I don't know why I waited so long!!!! I even had it on my book shelf, loaned it to a few friends... and still hadn't read it. Maybe it's because the cover didn't appeal to me. I admit it, I totally judge books by their covers. And to be quite honest, even though I read the synopsis, I didn't realize what THE HELP meant. Oh, how ignorant I was....

Speaking of ignorance.... it is prevalent throughout this book. It's set back in the 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi when black women worked for white families... cooking, cleaning, raising white babies. The title simply signifies these amazing women.... they are THE HELP. Everything they(and blacks in general) went through, how they were treated is upsetting.... reality, upsetting reality. It baffles me how ignorant the white folk were back in the day... and it wasn't even that long ago. Thank God, the world has come a long way since then.

You will fall in love with the characters. You will love their stories! You will love the chances that they take. And you will love the hope that is created for these amazing people in the decades to come! I know it's fiction... but I can't help but believe this very story occurred over and over and over.... which is so disheartening.

I also want to share with you that I read this book in print. But a friend shared with me that she actually "read" it via audiobook. I decided to reserve it from the library and am now "re-reading" it. Wow... what a treat!!! The publisher did a great job choosing four different readers. "Hearing" the accents brings the characters even more to life. And I am excited to go through this journey again.... won't you take the journey too?

Book Report: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

(image from bn.com)
I wanted to badly to like this book.... but I can't go on. The writing style is not for me, it's incredibly boring and drawn out. I am actually extremely surprised this has received such high ratings! I really enjoy reading WWII/holocaust books but this one didn't do anything for me. Part of me wanted to push on because I've had two people tell me how amazing it is, but when I asked another friend if I should waste my time finishing, she said "I wouldn't". There was my answer.

Overdue book report!

I'm pretty sure I'd get a failing grade because I've been so bad about blogging! :) Actually, I've done very little reading in the last few months because of the college course I was taking, but since that's been done... I've been able to read a couple and start some more! I actually have quite a few books going right now! Eeek!!!

A few weeks ago, Jeff and I had conferences for both Michael and Grace on the same night!! This was both a blessing and a pain! They are both in middle school this year so that meant we had to tackle seeing 12 teachers... but it was mighty nice to get them all done in one evening. Jeff and I met at the school after work which was the most PERFECT idea... this allowed me to visit the Scholastic book fair while he went home (he doesn't care to sit and look at bookshelves for long periods of time)! :) This is such a great place to get books for a great price all the while helping with fundraising for the school! I left with 6 books... yikes! Kinda fun though... I've been really interested in Young Adult fiction lately. I love the great storylines and the easy reading factor is a bonus!

(Photo from Barnes and Noble)
I just finished one that was really good!!! It's called Ruined: A Ghost Story by Paula Morris. It's a story based in New Orleans! I LOVE all things New Orleans and cannot wait to visit there some day!! This book was great at making me visualize everything... from the Mardi Gras floats, the above-ground tombs in Lafayette Cemetery and the gorgeous mansions in the Garden District! I even felt like I could smell that damp New Orleans fragrance. The storyline was super fun! Here's the synopsis from Publisher's Weekly:

With this haunting love letter to New Orleans, Morris makes her YA debut, telling the story of 15-year-old Rebecca Brown, a proud New Yorker sent to live with a family friend while her father travels overseas. Ostracized as an outsider, Rebecca struggles to fit in and cope with her new surroundings. When she befriends Lisette, a ghost who has haunted the cemetery ever since her mysterious death 155 years earlier, Rebecca is drawn into an eerie story of betrayal, loss, old curses and family secrets. As Mardi Gras approaches, so does the culmination of something dark and angry that has been brewing for decades. This moody tale thoroughly embraces the rich history, occult lore and complex issues of race, ethnicity, class and culture that have defined New Orleans for centuries, turning the city into a character in its own right. Rather than shy away from the shameful or tragic moments of the past, Morris uses them to capture the city's essence. From Mardi Gras rituals to voodoo spells, Hurricane Katrina to jazz, this is a story that could only be told in New Orleans.
I've read a few other books that are worth mentioning, so check them out!
(Photos from Barnes and Noble)

Book Report: The Diary by Eileen Goudge

(Book Image from Barnes and Noble)

I was so excited when this book arrived from PaperBack Swap because each time I'd go to a bookstore, I'd eye it up! THE DIARY ended up being just as good as I hoped it would be!

The story is about two sisters who find their mother's diary while cleaning out her house as she lay dying in a nursing home. In the pages of the diary, they discover that their mother's true love was not Bob, their father who passed away the previous year, but some boy named AJ and the sister's can't understand how this could possibly be because their parents seemed so happy and genuinely in love! There are plenty of twists and turns in this book and keeps your attention completely the whole way through. Is everything always as it seems to be? Are people who we really think they are? The author did a great job of describing the settings and characters without overdoing it. The ending was an amazing with a surprising twist that made this book all the more exciting!!!

Even though this gem of a book is a short and easy read, it didn't lack anything at all. I'll definitely be adding some more of Eileen Goudge's books to my list. I highly recommend THE DIARY (and I think it would make a great movie)! Grab a blanket and some coffee and enjoy!!