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I've been thinking a lot about what I want my posts to be about lately.  I am trying to find ways to connect with my readers in meaningful ways.  I thought today's post should be about books that I gave five stars to and were really surprised by.  I know that some people give YA novels a lot of grief.  Many people who don't read them write them off as trite and superficial.  But in my reading journey I have found such profound truths in YA stories that transcend age and experience and get at the heart of being human.  Here are three gems I read this year:

1.  OCD, The Dude, and Me by Lauren Roedy Vaughn:

I cannot stop singing the praises of this book!  I picked it up at the library based on the quirky title, but fell in love with this book.  I adored the format of letters, emails, and school papers used to tell this story.  It is about a high school senior trying to cope with the pressure of that last year of school.  She is dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety, but working mightily to act like everything is fine.  With humor, this book shows real problems and the ways teens often cope when things get to be too much for them.  You will be rooting for Danielle as she navigates the complicated social scene at her school.  This book gave me (happy) tears at the end.  It is a very special book that I hope more people will read.

2.  It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini:

 I wanted to read this after I saw an advertisement for the movie. I am a "gotta read the book first" kind of girl, so I bought it at B & N soon after.  I just thought this might be a book with some quirky characters but was set in a mental hospital.  But it is so much more than that.  I really enjoyed this because it shows that there is more to life than getting perfect grades.  There is so much pressure to create the perfect high school experience that will have colleges fighting over you.  The protagonist, Craig, gets in to a great high school, only to bomb spectacular.  Craig learns to relax, and see the bigger picture.  I hope that people read this and learn to stop contributing to setting unrealistic standards for teens.  To be fair, Craig did this to himself, but when you are fed with a steady diet of sky-high standards from society, it's no wonder we have a generation of kids cracking under the pressure.

3.  Wonder by R.J. Palacio:

If you haven't had a chance to read this amazing book, drop whatever it is your doing right now and get it.  This is a story of a boy who has a severely disfigured face and how the world reacts to him.  Told mostly by the kid himself, the book shows what it is like to be perceived as very different.  While he may look unusual, August Pullman is a very average, normal kid and he wants to be treated that way.  As he goes from the safety of home-schooling to a brick and mortar school, August must deal with peoples reactions ranging from utter disgust to pity to friendship.  Who are making fun of him behind his back?  How can he get people to see him as any other student?  While his situation is extreme, his struggles to be accepted are what kids deal with every day.  I works in school inclusion, and see first-hand how challenging it can be to just be a normal kid in a body that is different from everyone else.  And it's not just the students who are difficult to deal with, but the parents as well.  This book touched me deeply and reminded me of the need for normalcy when faced with unusual circumstances.


What books surprised you in 2015?  Let me know in the comments section.

This is the season of parties:  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa,  New Years Eve.  They are all occasions to talk to your friends about books!  Asking someone what they are currently reading is a great conversation starter and is sure to bring about a lively discussion.  It is also a great way to get recommendations for your TBR list.   I am constantly whipping out my phone to jot down a title of a book that everyone (but me) seems to know about.  Here are three books to read and recommend to your friends:


Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller:

This is a devastating memoir about one messed up childhood.  The author grew up on a farm in Africa in the 1970's, but that is not the reason her early years were so twisted.  She had a mother who turned to alcohol after a tragedy and the effects of this were neglect and chaos.  This time period also coincides with a time of upheaval in several African countries.  It seems that as one revolution occurs, the family moves to another political hot spot.  It's a wonder she survives to adulthood, given what happens to her.  When I meet another person who has read this book, we knowingly nod as though we experienced these things ourselves.  To those who haven't read it, I will talk it up incessantly.  It is SUCH a great book!


The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan:

This is the true story behind the Manhattan Project that built the first atomic weapon during WWII.  Usually, we hear about the male scientists who worked on the project.  But this book focuses on the women (and men) who were the support team working just as tirelessly to help end the war.  Most of the people involved never really knew what was being developed.  They only thought it would hasten the end of the war.  Since almost everyone had a family member in the military, there was a strong desire to do whatever it took to win the war and bring their guys home.  This was also a fantastic opportunity for women to enter the workforce for the first time.  This brought new freedom for women.  I like to recommend this book for it's unique perspective on an important time in American history.  It is a fascinating story that more people should know about.

 Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune by Bill Dedman:

This book has special meaning to me as one of the mansions is a home in Santa Barbara, California, where I spent my childhood.  We often wonder about the lives of the super-rich.  What must it be like to own a bunch of homes and just have them waiting for you to show up?  What would you collect if you had unlimited means?  How would you spend your millions? This is a story of one wealthy family and their attempts to deal with their good fortune.  At first, it would seem these people would have it made.  But what happens is that their vast wealth creates a barrier between them and  the rest of the world.  It would be difficult to trust anyone when you know that so many people want a piece of what you have.  Couple this with family squabbles, lawsuits, nannies, and con-artists, and you have a cautionary tale.  It is an intriguing read.

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Guess who's not feeling well this week?  Working with kids is fun, rewarding... and hazardous to your well-being!  This cold I have has come on so quickly and so strongly I just want to curl up in a ball and watch a few movies that will make me happy and comfort me while I am miserable!  Here are three of my favorites

Pride & Prejudice (2005):

 As far as I am concerned this is the most romantic movie of all time!  Everything about this production is perfect.  It boasts a cast of well-known actors as well as people who became bigger stars after this movie.  Keira Knightly and Rosamund Pike shine as two of the Bennet sisters. But the other three sisters are equally impressive and became bigger stars over the years.  Jena Malone as Lydia would later feature in The Hunger Games.  Talulah Riley plays the youngest sister, Mary, and grew up to be a beauty starring in such movies as Inception.  Carey Mulligan plays Kitty and grew up to be the star of movies like The Great Gatsby and An Education (and was nominated for an Oscar).

The movie is finely detailed and full of lovely cinematic choices such as the scene at the ball where Mr. Bingley follows Jane and plays with the ribbons trailing on her dress.  Or when Mr. Collins, normally played as a buffoon, is shown smelling flowers and tries to get up his courage to talk to Elizabeth.  One almost feels sorry for him.  I loved how sympathetic every character is and find new details to treasure each time I watch it!

Casablanca (1942):


The second greatest romantic movie of all time.  I love a movie where all the characters, even minor ones, get a chance to shine.  Besides the wonderful chemistry between Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, there is also a wonderful rapport between the characters of Rick (Bogart) and Inspector Renault (played by Claude Rains).  I love the minor characters such as Rick's boozy ex, Yvonne, who you can see is heading toward disaster as she dates a Nazi officer to get back at Rick.  Or the bartender Carl (played by veteran character actor S.Z. Sakall) who fidgets nervously whenever there is trouble, but then is one of the first to attend a resistance meeting.

For a studio film in the middle of WWII, the director was able to make use of shadows, fog, and a killer wardrobe for Ilsa, to make the movie into a glamorous delight.  I love being able to recite certain passages together with the players on-screen.  That, to me, is comforting when I am sick.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962):

Even with the seriousness of the subject matter, To Kill a Mockingbird is like a warm blanket:  comforting, cozy, and warm.  I think this is because the character of Atticus is the most ideal father figure.  He is strong but quiet, firm but gentle; pretty much what I would wish for when I want to be comforted.

The Black and White tones to the film give it a dream-like tone that is mesmerizing.  You know how some people have a certain quality to their voice that makes you want to listen to then all day?  That is the feeling I get when watching this movie.

Of course, the story itself is compelling (and somewhat disturbing).  The main portion of the film deals with the trial of Tom Robinson, falsely accused of raping a white girl.  But the movie also has many minor themes about growing up, friendships, kindness, the changing relationships we have with our parents as we get older, and so much more.  This is another movie that I get more out of the more I watch it.  It comforts me when I am feeling down.

It was a golden age of flappers, prohibition, and disillusionment.  The decade of the 1920's was a period of immense social change.  Following the end of WWI, soldiers streamed back into the U.S..  After seeing more of the world than they ever dreamed, many were discontented and unenthusiastic about going back to the farm.  Women, as well, shed social norms and let loose.  Who knew what tomorrow would bring?

The 1920's was also a golden age of literature.  There were many memorable books of that era, but these three really encompass the social upheaval of the times.

1.  The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton:

This book concerns itself with the gilded age of America and takes place in the 1870's.  The story centers around the impending marriage of young gentleman Newland Archer.  He is about to be married to the picture perfect May Welland.  But after meeting her cousin, Ellen, he begins to question many of the assumptions he has been taught about marriage.  Written in 1920, it's commentary on marriage and society and is an indictment on the social conventions that young people were beginning to question following the end of WWI.  With this book, Edith Wharton became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize.  

2.  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:


Often mandatory reading in high school, everyone should read it again (and again) as they get older.  It epitomizes of the decadence of the times:  the extravagant parties, the gaudy mansions, the garishness of folks suddenly flush with money from bootlegging and a skyrocketing stock market.  The story concerns Jay Gatsby, the poor young soldier who vows to become rich and win the hand of his first love Daisy.  But Daisy is already married to the boorish Tom Buchanan.  Can Jay recapture the sweetness of a long lost love?  Or is it too late to go back?  It is amazing that, although it was written in 1925, the book seems to foretell the looming disaster of the Great Depression.  I re-read this every few years to remind me of the fleeting nature of wealth and infatuation.

3.  The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway:  


Written in 1926, this book initiated the term "The Lost Generation" to describe the disillusionment of young people who went into WWI thinking war would be heroic only to discover the terrible human cost of battle.  In the book, a group of expats living in Paris seem to stumble from place to place drinking and looking for the next amusement.  Jake Barnes is a journalist who works in Paris and is in love with Lady Brett Ashely.  Due to a war injury Jake is impotent, so Brett seeks out various other lovers.  His group of friends all seem to have unconventional relationships and behave in a shallow way.  I think this is a book that would give one insight into a time period of great social flux throughout the world.  The book The Paris Wife by Paula McLain,  chronicles what was happening in Hemingway's life as he was writing this book and how the people he knew at that time populated his masterpiece.

Over the last few weeks, I have been on a rather morbid streak of Death and Scariness.  Now I am ready to laugh.  There are many books that have a lot of humor, but these three abound in it.  Try them out for a light-hearted reading experience.


1.  Where'd You Go, Bernadette? By Maria Semple:


This is such a fun book!  In this sendup of suburban life in an exclusive Seattle neighborhood,  multi-tasking supermoms populate the landscape.  Bernadette seems to be a master at running the lives of her little family with flair.  But is she actually getting lots of help behind the scenes?  Is her life really so perfect, or are anxiety, secrets, and infidelity lurking in the shadows?  All is not what it seems in the perfect life of the main characters.  There was so much I could personally relate to in this book, particularly the scenes about the seriousness of school fundraisers.  These situations may seem outrageous,  but if you live in certain privileged areas, the craziness abounds when it comes to raising money for your kid's school.  I loved how Bernadette takes outsourcing to new heights.  This social satire will have you laughing and crying all at once.

2.  The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion:

I loved this book for it's wit and fun premise:  a socially awkward scientist sets out to find a wife.  With the aid of an hilariously inappropriate questionnaire,  the main character, Don, attempts to weed out incompatible potential mates.  It is implied in the book that Don has Aspergers, so when he meets the quirky and unpredictable Rosie he immediately writes her off as a possible mate.  Rosie is looking for her biological father.  Being that Don is a geneticist, he takes on the task of helping Rosie gather DNA to weed out who could be her dad (it is not at all because she is attractive, no).  As Don gets to know Rosie, he begins to let go of some of the order in his life, and let in spontaneity, fun, and love.  This is a book full of laughs, but also empathy for Aspergers people.  It is close to my heart.

3.  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams:

This is a classic and one of my teen's favorite books.  Arthur Dent starts out the day squabbling with the government about demolishing his home to make way for a highway bypass, and ends the day on an alien space ship!  How can he even wrap his head around this new reality?  He can begin to read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, coincidentally written by his friend, Ford Prefect (an alien passing as a human).  This novel is full of British-style humor (which I adore).  As Arthur tries to navigate through his new reality, he meets strange species such as the Vogons, and tries not to get killed!  This is the start of a fun series.  I think all of my kids went through a British humor phase and this fed their addiction.  Silly fun!

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It's that time of year where everyone enjoys getting a little creeped out!  When I think of scary books, these three easily come to mind.  Each author creates a sense of dread that forms an eerie mood for the reader.  I hope you will read at least one to get you into the Halloween spirit.

1.  We Were Liars by E. Lockhart:

This is a strange story that seems to start off as a coming of age tale but turns out to be extremely creepy!  It is narrated by Cadence, a privileged teen who spends her summers on a private island with the many members of her extended family.  Something is off as Cadence can't seem to remember any of the details of an accident she has and no one will talk to her about it.  What happened?  Why have some of the buildings on the island been rebuilt?  Will Cadence ever remember what happened or does she want to forget all about it?  This is a sharply crafted book that will make you want to reread it to see if you can pick up on the subtle clues that lead up to the stunning conclusion.



2.  Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman:

This was the first Neil Gaiman book I read and I instantly loved how he created the shadowy world of underground London and the seedy floating market.  A rather bland office worker, Richard, takes pity on a homeless girl and his life turns upside down as he becomes entangled in the lives and problems of the girl (named Door).  She is being pursued by assassins and needs the help of the Marquis de Carabas.  After Richard finds the Marquis, the two disappear, leaving Richard to wonder what happened.  Things turn even more strange when Richard seems to become invisible and no one interacts or acknowledges he exists.  Richard needs to find Door and the Marquis again to understand what has happened to him and try and get his life back.  This becomes a quest-type of story as Richard, and Door seek out who is behind the assassination attempts and the pair must navigate a strange world of monsters to find the truth.

3.  The Cemetery Boys by Zak (formerly Heather) Brewer:

I listened to this as an audiobook but I think I would have liked the printed book even better.  When Stephen's dad loses his job, they need to move to a small town to live with with Stephen's Grandmother.  Stephen meets a beautiful girl named Cara and is instantly smitten.  He also meets Cara's wild brother Devon.  Devon heads a group of boys who like to hang out and party at the local cemetery.  Stephen begins to hear all sorts of strange stories of horrible tragedies that have befallen the town.  There is talk that the only way to get rid of the "bad" luck is to sacrifice a human in order to appease a strange raven-like creature.  Is this real or an elaborate hoax intended to make Stephen look foolish?  How far would Devon go to protect the town?  Would Devon really kill someone to change the town's luck? And what will happen when protective Devon finds out that Stephen and Cara are secretly dating?  Will Stephen be targeted to be the sacrifice?

It's October.  While it's a time to relieve stress by testing our bravery against scary things, it is also a time to reflect on one of the more serious aspects of life:  Death.

Here are three books that have death as a central theme in their book.  Each book uses the theme of death in different ways, but all are thought provoking and (oddly) entertaining.

1.  This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper


Judd's life is a mess:  His wife has left him for a Shock-Jock radio host, he's out of a job (working for the Shock-Jock), and his father has died.  Life couldn't possibly get much worse right?  Wrong!  Judd must now sit Shiva with his very dysfunctional family to honor his father.  This entails everyone staying in the family home for seven days and receiving guests who come to pay their respects.  Can Judd and his siblings manage to get along with each other for a full week?  Will they drive each other crazy or grow closer?  This is an entertaining read full of colorful family situations.  It's like the longest Thanksgiving Dinner in history!  But it is also a touching look at a family that has grown apart and tries to reestablish the bonds that supported them long ago.

2.  A long Way Down by Nick Hornby


Nick Hornby is one of my favorite authors.  With each book, he manages to bring to life groups of people who are both interesting and, often, pathetic.  But it is always done in a way that is entertaining and not a bit depressing.  A Long Way Down follows four people who shouldn't have anything in common:  a disgraced talk show host, a party girl who's father is a politician, a failed musician, and an overwhelmed mother of a severely-disabled young man.  All try to end their lives on New Year's Eve by jumping from the roof of the same building.  After their encounter, they decide to make a pact to stay alive at least until Valentine's Day.  We learn the backstory of why each person was on the roof that night.  I started to care deeply about the characters and hope that each would make it past Valentine's Day.  This is a wonderful book.  It has also been made into a movie (you can see it on Netflix) that I found quite enjoyable, too.

3.  The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe


This is a true story of a mother and her adult son who create an even closer bond through their love of books.  Mary Anne has cancer and while she waits for her many appointments, she reads.  As her son starts to accompany her to the doctor, they start to discuss what she is reading.  Soon both Mary Anne and her son, Will, start to give each other recommendations and a "book club" (of sorts) is formed.  This is a very emotional book for me, as my mother died of cancer and was also an avid reader.  The journey they experience together is profound.  Will learns to see his Mother as a compete person, not just his Mom.  This struggle to have our parent-child relationships morph into adult interactions is one every person goes through.  This is a very moving book.


What are some of your favorite end-of-life themed books?  Leave a comment below and share.

Fantasy books are some of my favorites because they can envelope you in worlds that will never exist.  There is a certain feel of adventure (as if you were traveling) that I get when I start to read these books.  The fun for me is learning all the elements of the worlds in which the book exists.  Is there magic, creatures, superpowers?  The stranger the better, i feel.  Here are three series that helped me to love the genre.

1.  The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare:
Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess

These books cover the backstory of the Mortal Instruments books and I think are a better series.  I know that City of Bones is popular.  There will even be a T.V. show coming in January to ABC Family called Shadow Hunters.   I think I just like the time period better.  Set in the late 1800's, the story follows Will Herondale and his Parabatai James (Jem) Carstairs, shadow hunters in London.  When they meet Tessa Gray their world becomes even more complicated.  This is a fun mystery along with a touching romance.  We see characters that will pop up again later in the Mortal Instruments series and get information that will be relevant later on.  I liked the love triangle and found it to be lovely and bittersweet.  They characters shared common interests and were not simply hot for each another.

2.  The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Lani Taylor:
Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Days of Blood & Starlight, Dreams of Gods & Monsters

An orphan is taken in by demons and earns her keep as a messenger.  Most of the time Karou is a normal high school student in Prague: dating, hanging out with her friends, trying to get her homework done. But then she also has a secret life as a messenger for a demon.  She doesn't question how this came to be, as she is so grateful to not be alone.  Then, one day, her world is shattered when she is cut off from her demon friends.  And is that an angel watching her from afar?  I loved this series as it is nothing like anything I have read before.  Identities and views change quickly.  Worlds are revealed, lost loves found, fantastical creatures are created.  All of it combines to a complex universe that kept me involved up to the amazing conclusion.  There are demons and Angels, but who are actually the good guys?  You'll change your views back and forth throughout the series.

3.  The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo:
Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising

This is another series that I loved due to it's unique settings and powerful characters.  Set in the mythical world of Ravka (which looks a lot like Russia), children are tested to see if they have certain abilities.  These might include manipulating the elements such as fire, or wind.  Or they might be able to heal...or stop a heart without touching the victim.  If they are, they are taken away from home and trained by The Darkling to serve the King.  Hiding her abilities, Alina tries to blend in to stay close to her childhood friend, Mal (who she is secretly in love with).  But Alina's gift is the most sought after of them all: the ability to summon light.  Once The Darkling finds her, he won't stop until he possesses her completely.  The Darkling is at once charming and monstrous.  This leaves Alina confused as she fights her attraction to him and struggles to understand her own worth.  This dynamic has so many parables to real-life abusive relationships that I found fascinating.  There are many other wonderful characters as well such as Mal, Prince Nikolai, and Genya that round out the story and make this series a truly rich experience.

Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genre.  I love reading about a different time and often imagine how I would get along during historical events.  During WWII, my grandparents were in their early 20's.  It amazes me how my grandmother managed feeding three kids while being limited by food ration tickets.  She would tell me stories about the entire neighborhood getting together to swap kids shoes and clothes, and ration tickets for sugar and oil.  Their resilience is inspiring.  Perhaps due to this, I am fascinated by novels set during WWII.  Here are three wonderful books set during that time.


1.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:  


The Book Thief tells the story of a German family struggling through WWII.  Liesel is taken in by a family who seem, at first, to be uncaring.  But it soon becomes apparent that there is more to the parents than meets the eye.  Throughout the book, Liesel develops a love of reading and a sympathy for her fellow neighbors.  When the family hides a Jewish man in their basement, Liesel who befriends the man and begins to understand the enormity of the events enveloping Germany.  Through hunger, cold, and bombings, Liesel finds small ways to be defiant in the face of oppression.  This is a beautiful book.  With unique narration, this is both heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.


2.  Lisette's List by Susan Vreeland: 


Susan Vreeland shows us the effects of WWII on a small village in Provence, France through the eyes of Parisian, Lisette, who moves there with her husband.  Instead of the life she had planned on, (becoming involved in the art scene in Paris) history and fate step in to create a life she must accept and find a way to shape her own happiness.  This book shows the hardships and loss of war, but also shows how a small village bands together to fight oppression in their own way.  The characters had depth and changed over the course of the book. This is a story of one woman’s personal struggle to honor what she has lost, but also to move forward.  I think this is really a universal issue. Life NEVER turns out the way we plan it. We can either be swept away by forces beyond our control, or take charge and create what we want out of life. I found the list of goals Lisette kept inspiring, and it made me want to create my own list of goals to find a meaningful life.

3. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr:

All the Light We Cannot See tells several intertwining stories of French and Germans during WWII.  While the plot doesn’t shirk from showing us the gritty existence of those living through a war, it also puts a human face on all the characters, making us empathetic towards even the most despicable ones.  I was fascinated by the main character, Marie-Laure, a blind girl trying to understand, and survive, a world in upheaval.  Another character is German soldier Werner. The book chronicles how he starts as an orphan bound for a life in the mines to being picked to study at an elite academy for Hitler's brightest (and blondest) youth. Their paths will cross one day, but how remains a mystery for most of the book. The relentless Sergeant Major von Rumpel seeks a legendary diamond that was hidden by Marie-Laure's father. His character seems to be a homage to the character of Inspector Javert from Victor Hugo's Les Miserables in his tenacity that seems beyond reason. The author’s use of light as a metaphor for knowledge was multi-layered and a pleasure to read.

I read a variety of books each month.  I mostly enjoy fantasy novels, but I like to change things around by reading memoirs.  Usually, it is by someone famous that I admire or think will write an interesting book (like a comedian).  But some of the best memoirs I've read have been by non-famous people.  It's said that everyone has a story to tell.  These three books prove that adage.

1.  Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

This is the memoir that the Netflix Show is based on.  Piper Kerman doesn't know what to do with her life. After graduating from an Ivy league college, she is up for adventure and seems attracted to reckless people.  This gets her involved with the drug scene.  She is caught and is sentenced to a year in federal prison.  I found this to be a fascinating book.  One of the reasons I enjoy reading is to experience situations I will never encounter in real life.  I certainly hope I never go to prison because I would not last long.  Piper learns the unwritten rules of life behind bars and finds empathy towards her fellow inmates.  One of the aspects I appreciated about this book is that it does not sensationalize her experience.  She writes honestly about how she began to take a serious look at her life and think about how she got herself into this mess.  I could see how truly life-changing a year in prison could be.

2.  Hunting with Barracudas:  My life in Hollywood with the Legendary Iris Burton by Chris Snyder

Chris Snyder writes a wicked book about his experiences as a hollywood agent.  He sees first-hand how the system works, how agents calm down nervous stage mothers and studio heads alike.  Chris finds himself under the tutelage of legendary agent Iris Burton.  Her ego rivals this biggest stars and much of his job is to keep her on track as she wheels and deals with casting directors.  I loved reading all the inside stories about her young stars.  One of her biggest clients was River Phoenix.  There are many anecdotes about him (and his brother Joaquin) that I have never heard.  When River dies of a drug overdose, Iris is among the many devastated by his early demise.  Although the setting is Hollywood, the story of a young person entering the world of business is really universal.  All the strange requests, overtime, unwavering commitment that is demanded of a new employee is something most young people have experienced across diverse industries.  This book is a great backstage pass.

3.  Let's Not Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller

Alternating between humorous and heartbreaking, this memoir of a woman's life growing up in Rhodesia and other African countries during the 70's and 80's will amaze you.  Young Alexandra must navigate the harsh landscape of her parent's farm, and her mother's wild mood swings.   With revolutions, snakes, illnesses, and boozy parents, it's a wonder she made it to adulthood.   The author and I are roughly the same age and it hit me that while I was watching Saturday morning cartoons and riding my bike to school, she was learning how to avoid terrorist attacks and how to administer life-saving first aid in the backcountry of Rhodesia.  Our lives couldn't have been more different.  Yet her story of neglectful parents spans continents and rings true.  I was deeply moved by her book.

For those who venture to settle in a new country, it is often a struggle to assimilate into a new culture.  Languages, traditions, food: it's all different.  I have experienced this myself when I moved to Japan for three years.  Luckily, I was met with open arms by the local Japanese people.  Of course, this is not always the case.  Here are three books about the immigrant experience.  I hope you read at least one of them as they all put a human face on an issue that can be polarizing in the U.S., and in Europe.

1.  The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais

The Story of Hassan and his family immigrating to England, and then France, is one of searching for hope.  Hassan's mother is killed in India during a riot and the family decides it is too dangerous to remain.  They first venture to England, but find it bleak.  Then, as they cross through France, their car breaks down and they decide to stay and open an Indian restaurant.  As Hassan proves to be a gifted chef, will he embrace French haute cuisine or honor the cooking of his childhood?  Will his father accept his choice? This story highlights some of the tensions going on due to immigrants coming to Europe.  Issues of assimilation versus cultural heritage are similar to concerns in the U.S.   I enjoyed the behind the scene restaurant setting and dilemma of Hassan.

2.  The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

This book has several intertwining stories of various immigrants from Latin America and their experiences in a small Connecticut town.  As expats tend to stick together ( I know from my own experience living in other countries), all of the characters live in the same apartment building.   I like this book because it shows a whole spectrum of people.   Each character has a unique reason for moving to America. Some are fleeing violence, while others are seeking specialized treatment for an injured child.  All are acutely aware of the sacrifices they must make to leave their homeland to create a better life.   As the main characters arrive in the U.S., they are lost trying to figure out how to get the basic necessities.  Nothing is familiar.   I felt similarly lost when I first moved to Japan; I clearly remember feeling overwhelmed on my first day, trying to figure out how to find the grocery store, where to change my dollars to Yen, etc.  If you want to understand what it is like to move to a new country, this book will give you a sense of it.

3.  Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea

Nayeli is a nineteen year old living in her small village in Mexico.  As she is hanging out with her friends, it dawns on her that all the men of the village are gone.  Over the past several years they have all left to go the the U.S. to find work.  Who is she supposed to build a life with if all the men are gone?  Nayeli watches The Magnificent Seven and gets a wild idea:  go north to America and recruit seven men to come home to rebuild their population.  This book speaks so well to the mixed emotions of immigrants coming from Mexico to the U.S.: The fears on both sides of the fence, and the longing to feel at home. My grandparents came from Mexico as children and it was both heartbreaking and powerful to experience a boarder crossing through the characters in this book. I look forward to reading everything the author writes in the future.

Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres.  When I read these stories, I like to imagine how I could live in that time period.  I also think about how I would react to the different historical events and times presented in the book.  Here are three of my favorite Historical Fiction novels:

1.  The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin

When I first read this novel, I didn't realize it was based on real people. Some of the characters seemed over the top.  But as the story progressed, I realized many of the plot points were based on historical events.  I believe some of the dates are off, but the story of the Empress of Austria and English Captain Bay Middleton is captivating.  It has some parallels to the saga of Princess Diana.   Sisi, the Empress, was considered the most fashionable and beautiful woman in Europe.  While her husband ruled the Hapsburg empire, Sisi sought excitement through Horses, and handsome men.  She may be royalty, but she is also a prisoner to etiquette and tradition.  When he captures her attention, Bay Middleton is excited, flattered, and also terrified that he will lose the respect of his peers.  He does not want to be a royal plaything, but can't resist Sisi's allure.  This book has many strong female characters besides Sisi, which make for a satisfying story.

2.  The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

I really liked the powerful women characters in this book.  Again, I didn't realize the story was based on real people until after I finished reading.  This book is about two sisters, living in the south before the civil war.  One of the girls receives a slave named Handful as a "gift" for her 11th birthday.   The other sister becomes a Quaker and a headstrong abolitionist.  The lives of the two sisters and Handful are fraught with difficult choices as they seek to live in a way that is true to their beliefs .  Handful finds ways to quietly rebel against her oppressors, while the sisters must overcome not only their family's disapproval, but also society's strict codes dictating ladies behavior.  
This book shows how the abolitionist campaign sowed the seeds of the early women's rights movement.  It shows women of that time making meaningful contributions to the greatest issues of the day through countless small acts of bravery.

3.  The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

This book takes place in the early 1920's and follows the young Louise Brooks and her chaperone Cora Carlisle, as they spend the summer in New York, far away from their Kansas home.  From her uninhibited ways, one can see how Louise will soon become one of the most iconic celebrities of the flapper era.  But for now, she is a rebellious teen, trying to ditch her chaperone at every turn.  Cora finds Louise's behavior alarming, yet is quietly rebelling in her own way, seeking to find her own origins in New York.  These two women are only a generation apart, yet one seeks out change while the other is confused by it.  This book reflects the rapidly changing American society of the post WWI era.  It shows the beginnings of the cultural obsession with youth and celebrity that have defined the 20th century.
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I am starting a new feature on my blog:  Three 4 Thursday.  Each week I will spotlight three books with a common theme in the hope that it might inspire you to start reading one (or all) of them over the next weekend.  I am relatively new to blogging.  This is my original idea and I have not seen this feature on other blogs.  However, since there are no new ideas and I haven't seen too many other blogs, there could easily be other Three 4 Thursdays out there.  If so, please politely contact me and I will be happy to spread the word about your awesome blog.  But I am not actively trying to copy anyone.  Three 4 Thursday just sounds like a catchy phrase to me.  Now on to some good things that come in threes...



1.  Yes, Please by Amy Poehler:


I've always admired Amy Poehler's achievements and confidence.  In her audiobook version of Yes, Please, Amy's positive message of empowerment is enhanced by celebrity voices such as Carol Burnett, Kathleen Turner, Patrick Stewart, and her SNL news partner Seth Myers.  This really brings the stories to life and creates a truly special listening experience.  Amy works hard but you can see (or in this case, hear) how all the connections she has made with others has led to such a successful career.




2.  Not my Father's Son by Alan Cumming:

Alan Cumming's memoir is a searing account of his turbulent childhood and how it shaped the man he is today.  With his Scottish accent setting the scene, we hear the terror of growing up with a violent father and feel the anguish of the aftermath it causes in Alan Cumming's life.  The book follows Alan Cumming's appearance on the BBC television show, Who Do You Think You Are?, the show that researches the ancestry of each episode's guest.   A family mystery begins to transpire as the show moves forward with it's search for Alan's paternal grandfather.  This is a thoughtful, and at times, difficult book to listen to.  I was very touched by how he got past such trauma and learned to move beyond it.


3.  Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari:

When I first downloaded this from the library, I thought this book would be an another amusing comedian's memoir.  But it is actually a real scientific study that Aziz Ansari (with the help of a sociologist) designed to try and understand how romance has changed in the digital age.  It was fascinating listening to him explain why, and how, people use technology to find their soul-mate.  And it was so entertaining, from the very first minute of the book.  This is a great example of how an audiobook can enhance the user experience.  Through music and asides, Aziz Ansari makes us so grateful we were "too lazy to read the book."