The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

I have always been told that The Stepford Wives book was better than the movie. Truth be told I'm not so sure about that opinion now.

I'm a true fan of the movie version featuring Nicole Kidman and as I began to read Ira Levin's story I felt as though the plot was sticking rather well to the movie. But somewhere around the time when there was suddenly no details to the life within Stepford did I become increasingly lost. Yes, the daily grind that Joanna goes through is described along with the sudden fear in which she harbors, but this was not until the end.

The book felt empty compared to the movie. But more compounding was my utter confusion in the end. I understand based on the movie what happens, but there was no evidence of the robotic clones as evidence throughout the book. Do the women change? Yes, but without explanation, leaving the reader lost. The behaviors of these women just changed.

Could be drugs, hypnotism, or as in the movie computer chips. Could the missing pieces to allow for the reader to build their own story? What about the politics within the community? Maybe by watching the movie more times than I can count I found myself lost on this book.

Overall it's a good read, but I found so much to be missing that the ending was more confusing than it was fulfilling. I would have to say that the movie was better than the book this time around.

Trains & Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith

Have you ever needed something to just slap you in the face and make you wake up to reality? Relationships are hard, breakups are even harder. And sometimes we get stuck in this mind set that they will start over, even though you know in your heart it's really over.

I've been in that type of relationship. I've been the one hoping it will start over, but I've also been the one to cause the pain as well. So when I picked up Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith I truly didn't know what to expect.

I truthfully just really liked the cover. What I found was much more. I read the book from front to back in one night. I have never done this, never once in my life. The stories that Smith places between these four strangers on a train will propel you into the story of love and loneliness.

Would one divulge such intricate details to someone they don't know? Have you ever been stuck next to someone on a flight across the country and suddenly they know your whole story or you know theirs? What about the person on the train next to you? Everyone has a story of love and Smith shows us very eloquently how they intertwine into an amazing lesson.

Smith takes you on a ride through each characters story of love and how they question the existence of true love, whether with "the one" or family. Each character has a story, one that defines the position of their life, another a secret that must stay hidden, and two that leave each in a question of faith, trust and understanding.

While reading this book I found myself releasing my love and guilt from past relationships, understanding that paths cross, love is meant to bloom and fade, and that sometimes secrets are ok to be left hidden. The heart is a scary place, it can shatter into pieces instantly and take years to rebuild. But Smith does a great job of throwing the existence of an awkward situation and turning it into a true love story.

I thought that I would wind up reading about how to lonely passengers fall in love, but what I got was so much more. While this is a love story, it's not one in which the title portrays. I recommend this book with my whole heart. I have never fallen so deeply in love with a book or the stories behind it.

Death of a Mill Girl (Josiah Beede Mysteries) By Clyde Linsley

This book took me three tries to get into, however I'm so thankful I stuck it out. Clyde Linsley's, Death of a Mill Girl was tantalizing and a page turner in the end. I'm not a normal mystery or suspense genre fan, which is why I think this book took me so many tries to grasp my attention.

The finding of a dead girl in the middle of a field with no possible suspects seems deterring and agonizing as the girl in herself is a complete mystery. Josiah Beede takes on the case in hopes of finding the killer and soon harbors his main suspect at his farm as a means of watching him.

The beginning of the book is very dry, but as I pushed forward I found myself increasingly interested in finding out who the murder was. The problem with this book is that I truly don't remember much about the killer or the plot, what I remember the most is that the book dived into the historical concepts of mill workers and the deplorable situations they were required to work and live in. Linsley's book while was a suspenseful mystery I stayed interested because of the history in the end more than the plot line.

While this is not a read I would pick up again I'm still interested in Linsley's work for the sole fact of bringing history to life on the pages. If you like a mixture of history, mystery and fiction this would be a great read for your library.

The Orphan Sister by Gwendolen Gross

Growing up I've always wondered what it would have been like to be a twin or even a triplet. My fascination with multiples comes from a long family line of multiples, my dad being a twin himself.

To have a built in best friend from the time of conception seems like a bond unfounded. But sometimes this concept makes a turn for the worst and instead of best friends you feel like the third wheel without direction.

In The Orphan Sister, by Gwendolen Gross, Clementine Lord is the third daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Lord and the third of a set of triplets. Clementine however is nothing like her sisters, for one she is the only one not identical within the set of three, unmarried and without a passion for healing humans. Her life has all been about being the odd one out.

Clementine is swept into family drama as her father suddenly disappears without notice and her family is in denial of the tragedy at hand. As the story moves forward Clementine faces the ideas that she never measured up to his standards or that of her sisters and mother. Her rebellion and love are torn to pieces one tragedy at a time all of which help piece her back together with her sisters in the end.

Clementine's story is refreshingly new and different. Gross is an author that is staying on my radar for the future. I highly recommend this novel as the obstetrical faced by each member of the family is one that reunites the bond that is formed from day one between the sisters.

Snow by Maxence Fermine

Falling in love is one of the easiest and hardest things to do with life. Whether it's the love of an animal, child or your soul mate, there are boundaries that have to be crossed to allow hearts to collide.

Maxence Fermine writes a poetically beautiful novel about finding love in Snow: A Novel. This is a very quick read, with only 112 pages, but it is one that will take you on a journey of a young man coming into manhood in 1884, Japan.

Yuko Akita lives in Japan where his father informs him that it is time to find an occupation. Yuko, only 17 at the time, explains to his father his love for a poetry and has determined to turn this into a career. Yuko's father resist his son's wishes in the beginning, but as his son shows him his love of snow and the color white through his poems his father soon wants to help his son flourish to fame within the imperial court.

Yuko learns that while he can portray snow and white in elegant vibrancy, he has no color to his poetry. Afraid of failure in his love of poetry Yuko seeks out on an adventure through the snowy mountains of Japan in search for Soseki, who will teach him the missing pieces of art to complete Yuko's snow white poems.

What Yuko learns is the lesson in love is not one color and builds deeply even at the end of time on earth.

This was an extremely easy read, flowing through the pages very quickly I found myself falling in love with Yuko and his journey. A page turner for sure and I'm now on the hunt for more of Fermine's work.

Emerson's Attic: The Blue Velvet by Kathleen Andrews Davis

I had the privilege of meeting Kathleen Andrews Davis while at a writing conference a few months ago where she handed me a copy of her book series Emerson's Attic.

This review is of the first book in the series Emerson's Attic called The Blue Velvet. This book captivated me within the first few pages. As a middle grade book (my first review for this age group) I found myself wanting more. As Emerson is reeled back into time I'm reminded of the TV show Downton Abby and the staff that make the house and show a great success. 

Emerson is your typical teenager with technology being a staple in her life. When she is punished for an argument and forced to clean the hot, dirty attic Emerson finds herself rummaging through items that where once the objects of enjoyment to older generations. 

In her process of cleaning she finds a trunk that houses a blue velvet hat. Out of curiosity and glamour Emerson places the hat on her head and admires the old fashion style. Next thing you know she's taken off into a world in which she doesn't know or understand. But Emerson has little problems adjusting to this new world. 

With Lizzy's help, Emerson is able to navigate enough through the strange world without too many "slip ups" of the 21st century mindset she holds. Emerson travels for a reason, but to understand the reason she must understand and grow with the story. 

Davis does a great job of incorporating the young, old, new and historic together in this story line. I found that changing my mind set back to being a young kid helped me understand the writing style more than anything. As an adult the mystery of the book felt empty with extreme detail missing, however for a tween these details most likely would mean nothing to the reader. Adult books feel much more in depth vs. middle grade, but then again I can barely remember actually loving books at that age. 

This is a great book that dives the reader into many different genres; mystery, suspense, and time travel; a way to build the young readers interest on numerous levels and having them want more.

At the end of the book I wanted to know more about Emerson and her adventures; it's a good thing too because Davis has a second book to the Emerson's Attic series Smoke & Mirrors available now.

Ruby's Diary By Ruby Gettinger

I was formally a fat girl. I admit it, heck I have the pictures to prove it. So when I started watching Ruby on the Style Network years ago I instantly connected with her. No I wasn't 400 lbs, heck I didn't even realize I was close to 300 lbs.

She understood my journey and gave me courage to hit the gym. I owe many of my first completed workouts to her, I watched her TV show over and over again on my Ipod will sweating it out. I didn't feel alone or like the only fat girl in the room.

So obviously I was excited when she released her book Ruby's Diary.

The book lets you go past the TV screen and dive into her thoughts about her life. The memories and tone of the book will keep you in stitches for hours while reading it. Even after putting the book down I was still laughing.

But laughter is not the only thing you can pull away from Ruby's story. There is so much more to the reasoning behind Ruby's journey. Gaining a glimpse into Ruby's life through her Diary allows the reader to understand that weight isn't always about the food we put into our mouths. We all have a past, one that can either push us or hinder us, towards the future. In Ruby's case she can't remember a certain period of her life, on that is full of trauma. Her mind is protecting her from reliving the pain over again. But Ruby understands that these missing pieces to the puzzle are ones that are also holding the weight left on her body.

While comical in a southern sweet voice, Ruby expresses her desires of needing to know what happened to her so she can move forward with her life. With the help of her two best friends, Jeff and Georgia, she explores the journey of natural weight loss, the emotional roller coaster of finding out the missing pieces and loving life to the fullest.

Ruby's journey is inspirational even to those who only need to lose 10 lbs or those with a traumatic past. Her struggles are real and happening everyday throughout the world. Obesity is not just about too much food and Ruby does a great job of allowing the reader and watcher into the life of someone struggling with the psychological aspect of obesity.

I recommend this book for not only the laughs, but to gain an insight into the struggle of so many American's (particularly) dealing with the scars that have caused their obesity. It's a roller coaster ride and I'm "hacky" (Rubyisms as it's called) to share this with my followers as one of the best non-fiction books I've read.

The Murder's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers

Lulu and Merry are orphaned sisters with the nightmare tale leaving their mother dead and their father imprisoned. Lulu blames her father not only for the death of their mother, but for stealing their innocents and future.

The sisters grow up complete opposites, one successful while the other is lost in the trauma of their past. Throughout the story you gain a great insight to the drifting relationships and angst towards their father.

Does time served really out rule the heartache of killing? The question that Lulu and Merry are plagued with when their father reveals that he is seeking parole after serving years for their mothers death. In his journey however, he also seeks the forgiveness of his daughters.

Meyers portray of each woman's thoughts and feelings of their situation is very well detailed and drawn out for the reader. Everyone responds differently to traumatic events, children especially when all they knew was that the person who hurt them was the one that was suppose to take care of them.

Lulu and Merry's stories are real in the context that they happen every day throughout the world. While it may not be murder, it could be death, rape, or illness, children use different coping mechanisms. Lulu spent years escaping what her father had done to her by burying her nose in a book while Merry's trust in men dwindles into loveless, sexually driven relationships.

The question is how would you handle living through a traumatic experience like theirs?  Knowing that the one person you used to trust hurt you the most? Would you want to keep them in your life? Is blood really thicker?

All of these are ones that Lulu and Merry faced constantly. Their minds and concepts of the situation grew drastically different as they grew up. Lulu refused to admit that her father was a murder while Merry finds comfort in giving her own attacker company at the prison. Forgiveness on his acts however, are not handed over easily. They are riddled with contempt and anger that will give both woman lessons of themselves that not even they could expect.

The book itself rest on emotions that are very rarely brought to the forefront of American literature as the main focus. Hope, redemption, forgiveness and fear; all make up the world of The Murderer's Daughters. 

Nickel Plated by Aric Davis

As a writer and lover of the written word I'm always on the hunt for something new. Yes I have my favorite genre, women's contemporary fiction, but dipping into something new is always fun and usually rewarding.

I was scanning the shelves of Amazon looking for something particular one day and found an article about this new breakout author, named Aric Davis. I read the story and thought to myself "if he can do it, then I can too someday." I became curious about the book being featured in the article, Nickel Plated. 

It was completely out of my normal realm of fiction, having a contemporary male heroine of the story. I downloaded the sample and within a few pages of reading I wanted to know more about this character. 

Nickel has a back story that pushes him to do the deeds he does. He's not your average preteen; living along, selling drugs and investigating pedophiles. However, his intentions are always for the good. Nickel is soon sequestered to help look into the abduction of a missing girl. Through his journey you step into the world of boy who is out to get back at those who hurt him by protecting others. 

Nickel's adventures are intertwined with a teenage mindset that allows the reader to empathize with him as he lives a adult lifestyle. His mind set is straight forward on his work; he knows what needs to be done and he's willing to do anything in his power to achieve the answer, including blowing property up. But when it comes to his emotional side, you feel his yearning for love and company even under his stubborn demeanor.

Nickel proves everyone wrong as he hunts for the little girl, even himself at some points. His actions show that even the most unexpected person can be the hero. 

I highly recommend Nickel Plated, although its marked as a young adult story, the context and story between the lines can fulfill any readers need for mystery, joy and a little bit of love. 

What a year can bring

This past year of reading has been one full of achievements and disappointments. I have found that I can't set limits on myself. Life can get in the way cause many setbacks. Planning ahead is great, giving me goals to reach towards, but I have learned to accept the moment of failure.

I haven't failed in my goal of reading more, I've failed in achieving the goal of reading all the books I promised myself I would. I have read numerous books throughout the year, many that I just haven't had time to review, but plan on.

I also failed miserably on not buying books. I have acquired over 25 new books this year alone. Either through my kindle or actual books.

So what does this mean for the future? I means I keep reading, I keep reviewing and stop challenging my goals. I wanted to read more and I achieved that. I can't complain about anything more. Life got in the way with unexpected twist and turns. Our lives are stories waiting to be told, just as a great book would have, the unexpected is right around the corner.

My future holds many things. I will keep reviewing books, mainstream or indie it doesn't matter to me. I have no time limit on finishing my library because I know it will forever grow.

Therefore I decided to change the name of my blog. Road to Review or roadtobookreview.com for address purposes. 

This challenge has allowed me to dive deep into my likes, loves and distaste for books. I've read books that don't seem to spark a fire in me while others I wish never ended. But more than anything, I've learned that books are my passion. I have spent years hidden behind a keyboard writing. Whether is be in a blog, short story, novel or what not. I love to write and I honestly can't wait to find my own book on the shelves of the local book store someday.

I have started the process of finally getting my writings published and I can't wait! From editing, talking to publishers and agents; my mind swims with joy everyday on this crazy insane process. 

For now I am working on setting up my own website where my readers can join me in the many different adventures I experience. It's a hub for all my writings. In a sense it's my portfolio. Once the website is complete I will have a launch! I am excited about this adventure and finally heading on the right path with my career. 

I don't know what will happen next, but all I can say is keep reading. You never know where your next adventure will lead you!

Hiding in the Spotlight by Greg Dawson

What would you do if you are forced out of your home, told you are worthless, and sentenced to death for doing nothing, but living life all because you have a different religion? Would you fight? Would you hide? Would you be submissive and do everything you are told?

In Greg Dawson's Hiding in the Spotlight you follow the story Zhanna Arshanskaya and her sister Frina as they escape the Nazi's in a death march and find themselves hidding in plain sight from the Nazi's with the use of their musical talents.

Their journey is unlike any other's you may read or hear about from the Holocaust. While it starts off similar with Ghetto's, exterminations, bombings, etc. it doesn't have the same fight for survival. Zhanna explains in depth how she escapes the death march as her father bribes the Nazi guard and she slips out of line, without a word of goodbye and watches her family march to their death. She holds no hope in seeing them again, only holding onto the words "I don't care what you do - just live!" - Dmitri Arshanskaya

What Zhanna didn't know was that Frina would also find away to escape that same exact march. However, the details of her escape stayed silent with Frina, her way of coping with the tragedy of the situation. Respectfully this is understandable and away for many to deal with traumatic events in their lives, but leaves numerous questions for the many generations to come after them. 

As Zhanna found refuge for herself and Frina, her itch to play music, the love put into her by her father, was starting to take over. When she found a piano that itch was suddenly able to be scratched and the story of survival became one that would seem easy and successful, but one that would also be stressful and daring.

But was it betrayal to entertain those who killed her family to survive? A question of ethics and loyalty that plagued Zhanna as she clutched the idea of traveling as a musician to entertain the Nazis. However, she never betrays her family, she becomes a supporting piece of survival for so many victims just like her, who were forced from their homes and lives, but to get there she had to do the unthinkable and entertain those who demoralized and dehumanized her people. This was not betrayal, this was survival in the only way she saw fit for her situation. 

Overall this book can be a little confusing to read, with the timeline being slightly confusing in the beginning. However, once the timeline is sorted out it is easy to follow and the reader can follow through to the end. I love reading about survival, specifically holocaust stories, and found this book intriguingly different. The story was different, she didn't hide in a cellar, or a wall. She hide in plain sight where at any second her looks could be questioned based on Hitler's Aryan race criteria, but yet there was little to no questioning and her talents sealed her fate. 

Those who risked their lives for Zhanna and Frina where pivotal in their survival, including their father who bribed the guards on the fateful death march to Drobitsky Yar. Without these selfless acts during a trying time saved to amazing girls and their talents for the future to hold. 

They cage the animals at night by by Jennings Michael Burch

Exploring the meaning of love and family is an adventure we all take in our lives. Some have a harder time learning while others find it very easily. For Jennings his journey was one of unraveling agony.

They cage the animals at night was nothing of what I expected when choosing this book. I thought it would be a journey of over coming abuse and abandonment, what it turned into was the journey of finding the meaning of love, acceptance and confidence. However, to find that Jennings had to endure some of the worst experiences an adult, let alone a little boy, should ever have to experience.

From the beginning you learn that Jennings life is one of difficulty when his mom leaves him at his first orphanage. The back story of Jennings mother isn't fully disclosed which I found annoying, besides the accident that removes her from his life at the end of the book, her story is never explained or explored. Why did she need to "rest" so many times? Which just brings up many back stories left for exploration in Jennings story.

His brothers, father, and many of those who walked through his life had stories that played out to why things where happening and yet they where never explained, leaving the reader with a million questions on why did this happen, why didn't they care, etc. Thankfully he put an epilogue in to give a small detail into the lives of what happened to many of those main characters in Jennings life.

With all the abandonment and discourage put in front of Jennings I found that this was a page turner, always wanting to learn where he would end up. The raw emotions of a boy learning the rules of the homes and the abuse he suffers throughout his life really brings you into the mind set of a inquisitive little boy.

His story has a happy ending as he learns what it's like to be loved, accepted and seen for who he really is, just a little boy trying to understand life, love and the roles he has been given. The abuse he suffers is deplorable and still seen everyday within our country, where many people turn a blind eye to it everyday. However, stories like Jennings help pull this part of society out from under the rug in a sense. Exposing the abuse many suffer through "the system."

Overall this was a good book, while it left me with many questions in the end I would still recommend. If anything to open your eyes into the workings of the system. While this took place in the 50's many things still say the same, I'm not saying abuse is found in orphanages, but I'm not withholding the idea either.

These children live with the idea that they are not worth anything, in which many will take advantage of the vulnerability of the innocent. Just as they did to the children in many of the homes Jennings experienced.

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Have you ever thought about your own demise? What you wish you can accomplish before the end? What if you only have 6 months to live, are you ready? Have you gotten to experience all you have wanted out of life?

The imperial bucket list is brought to life in so many different conversations that it seems as though a passing phase, but in reality it's our lives. A bucket list is our experiences, our accomplishments, hopes and dreams rolled out into a list of wants and needs. Everyone's list is different; some may have fall in love while others may have find true happiness or climb Mount Everest. Our list are uniquely the same as they are what we want for fulfillment in life. They don't have to be written down, but can be carried in our hearts where it can be re-read every moment of everyday.

In Before I Die by Jenny Downham you follow the story of Tessa who only has a few months to live out her bucket list. At 16 she faces many turbulent experiences that many grown adults may never even fathom facing anytime in their lives. Her list is full of innocents and experimentation, her adolescent and young adulthood rolled into just a few months. How could anyone choose just one or even ten things to accomplish in such a sort of time when you have barely gotten to live in general?

Downham does a great job of rolling together Tessa's  innocents and maturity into one as she faces the end of her short life. Looking into the world of someone ill, their family, the relationships gained and lost all while trying to understand and coup within herself that she's not meant to last forever.

This book will bring you to your knee's in a sense, it gives you a new outlook on the idea of life and your wants out of it. What is truly important at the end of the day to you and how you can start to reach for them are all things you can start to see at a new perspective. When we haven't lived with the idea of death we never really can live as if tomorrow is our last day, but gaining a small perspective can change you in even the smallest ways. Maybe it's telling your family you love them every night instead of every now and then or confronting you fears head on.

The grammar difference can mislead or distract the reader, but over all it was a good read. I walked away with an understanding of finding ones self, if not for the long haul, but just for the moment of time. This was a great bargain book and worth the confusion of English vs. American if you read between the lines of the story.

Does Tessa come across as a snobby brat, yes. But once you learn her story and see the larger picture you can understand her rebellion. It's not just as a teen, but as a human being losing what is her future.

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

Girl in translation by Jean Kwok is a coming of age story with a twist. Kimberly is transported from her life in China to the American Dream of Brooklyn. However, the story isn't all fun and games for this young girl.

She has to learn how to live in a world where she knows very little of the culture and language while helping her mother navigate the workings of sweatshop to help pay rent. Her life is full of inconveniences and chances, all of which help transform her into a thoughtful and courageous woman.

Her story allows the reader to dive into the idea of what many believe to be a dream, but is truly a reality for many immigrants. You start on the bottom, you aren't handed anything and just when you think life gives you an open door there are about ten million reasons not to take it. However, through all of it you come out a better person and the struggles faced seem as nothing at the end.

There were a few translation issues in the grammar of  this book, but once you move past them the story line is one seen in so many different cultures. It's not just exclusive to Asians, Mexicans or anyone who wants something better. It's a story of struggle and survival even in an era of technology and advancements.

I found myself flipping pages and yearning to know how her story ends. However, the endings twist really put the mother/daughter bond at the forefront of the story. While Kimberly did everything to help her mother survive through the struggles of the new world, she learned that her mother is ultimately the one who saves her from ever having to face those same struggles herself as an adult.

This is a great read that I recommend for all women and girls. It gives the reader an eye into the perspective of other female relationships within different cultures.

Rena's Promise

Rena's Promise by Rena Kornreich Gelissen and Heather Dune Macadam is truly one of my favorite memoirs of all times. I have always been interested in the Holocaust and the many stories of survival. So when I decided to take a course in college about the history of the Holocaust I knew that I would be required to write a report on a memoir.

The requirements where nothing more than the story of a survivor, whether an officer, witness or victim of the horrors. As I scanned the many books available I chose numerous books that could be of good choice, however after talking with a few of my classmates I learned all the individuals being reported on were male. I wanted something different, I wanted something to stand out, thus I stumbled upon Rena's Promise.

What I walked away with was a love and passion for survival stories, particularly those of the holocaust.

Rena's story is one of love, dedication, and triumph in the most difficult situation. Through Rena's eyes you learn about the in's and out's of the work labor camps. How one had to lie, cheat and steal for survival with death being a constant threat. I had a hard time putting this book down and found many nights where I barely slept because I was in need of knowing what would happen next.

The book is as informative as possible with the given information and memories available from Rena. Many individuals may question the accuracy of some of the officers or events mentioned, but you must remember, this is Rena's memory, I don't exactly remember the name of everyone whom I have encountered in my life and I was never in true survival mood while doing so.

Therefore I say with some of the names and information take it with a grain of salt because it's all just a memory, this book was not written to be a history lesson, it was written as a humanitarian lesson. A reminder of those who have suffered, lost and triumphed in the most difficult moment of history.

Conversations with the Fat Girl by Liza Palmer

As a fat girl myself I thought this book would give me some inspiration and understanding of my own story. I've been on a weight loss journey for years, accomplishing the 100+ lbs. down marker last year. So I figured, "oh a book that will understand me."

But this book left me empty. There are some great characters in this book, however the main character Maggie made me feel as though she was a self loathing individual who had little pride in herself.

I understood her point of view, I've been there, but as someone who has been on the journey to lose weight I felt her incessant whining dull and annoying. Have I been there, the moment when you fear a chair breaking or hiding your stomach, yes every day ,but it didn't completely consume my life, like it did with Maggie.

This book was extremely hard to finish and while I think Palmer has a great start on the characters and story line, I felt drained at the end of the book with no hope for any of the characters. I don't like giving bad reviews, therefore I think if you have never had the chance to be in the "Fat Girl" mind set then this is a great look into our brains.

Bearded Lady by Mara Altman (Kindle Single)

I don't normally talk about the books I read, especially to my co-workers. However, this book I found hilarious and something that a lot of woman could totally relate too.

Bearded Lady by Mara Altman is exactly that kind of book. This is a short available on Amazon for the Kindle but can be read on a PC.

When I found this single I was looking for something quick and easy, what I got was the realization that I'm not alone. As a white female aging brings the dreaded hair, that dark hair just on the corner of your mouth or on your chin that you swear wasn't there yesterday.

I have had many "water cooler" conversations finding out what works best for who. From plucking, shaving, waxing, bleaching and the crazy ideas many women have stated, everyone has their own remedy. I didn't feel alone in this ugly battle, however society depicts women as being hairless in which many of us feel we should conform.

In Altman's single she too divulges the depths women go through to hide this plague. She talks about her adventures of finding the perfect remedy to her hair, the fear that her man would learn of the unwanted hair and the path to accepting that it's all just a part of life. The single is truly a letter to her future husband, which I found a little odd, but acceptable.

I laughed through the majority of the book, shaking my head with every new step in her adventure in understanding. I laughed so much I had to pass it on.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Sarah's Key intertwines the past with the present. When Julia, an American living in France, is required to write an article about Frances history, what she learns dives her into the horrid past of Sarah and a dark day in Frances history.

de Rosnay does a great job of twisting and turning both Julia and Sarah's lives together. The journey of Sarah's lost youth and the path she takes to get back to her brother is full of horror that one can't fully fathom.

Sarah thought she was protecting her brother, letting him hide, thinking she would be back in a few minutes. In that horrid moment Sarah locked her brothers fate and what took place after was the idea that only a child could believe. As an adult we know and understand that without food and water we only have days to survive, in Sarah's mind all she could picture was the idea of saving her brother from the hidden space in the wall.

Julia who is assigned to write an article for the 60th anniversary of Vel’ d’Hiv, once a skating ring in France, that held a dark past related to Nazi Germany and the extermination of Jews. During her research she found a path that intertwined her present day life with the past, Sarah's life and a family secret hidden for many generations.

The story of both Sarah and Julia shows the many endurance's one can go through for a family member.

Over all the book was a great read and I was very glad it was turned into a movie.  I had finished the book just as the movie hit screens and got the privilege to compare the two. I rarely find many movie scripts that stick to the books plot line, but Gilles Paquet-Brenner (director) did a great job of this. I felt satisfied with the transition from book to movie as very little was changed with the transition.

I found that the story brought more knowledge of WWII that I myself did not know. This part of history, the French participation during WWII, is very rarely talked about. Once I completed the book I decided to research more information of Vel' D'Hiv, wondering if this was just a piece of full fiction. To my surprise Vel D'Hiv was true with a very disturbing past as described in de Rosnay's book.

I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

Have you ever read a book that left you questioning everything about your life? Why you choose to do something or what you would have done in that persons shoes?

I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced did just that for me.

Nujood lives in the Yemen, a place I have heard of but know very little about. Her story is compelling; coming home one day to learn that your father had decided it was time you be married off. She went from being a bubbly, curious little girl to a woman and wife in the blink of an eye.

While there were promises made, that were bound to be broken. Nujood found herself in one of the scariest situations in which a girl could find herself, without her family, in a strangers home with someone she now must call her husband and no escape. While her marriage is short, it is full of brutality with many enablers and no allies.

All Nujood knew was she wanted out, she never wanted to feel the pain her husband inflicted on her again, in which with the help of her second mother, who was married to her father, she devised a plan to escape. She knew after months of pleading and begging the only person who could help her was herself.

With all the courage she could muster took off towards a local bakery one morning as planned but instead veered off into a direction that would ultimately change her life. She found her way to the local courthouse and stood in front of a judge in which she exclaimed "I want a divorce."

These four words would forever change her life and those of so many Yemen girls futures. For a child to contest their marriage and ask for a divorce was unheard of, they are brought up as second class citizens, never to question the decisions of men. By Nujood taking the courage to speak up and the help of the many judicial officials the laws are slowly changing on the legalized age of marriage and Nujood was granted her divorce.

This is where first world citizens may start to question Nujoods next steps. After the divorce is final she decided to move back home, to live with the father who once moved her into marriage without her consent.

While there are no homes or orphanages for girls like Nujood there was a chance for her to move into a boarding school. Instead she opted for protecting her younger sister from a similar fate and moved back home.

I do not doubt her father has learned his lesson, but I do not understand why one would move back in with the man who gave her away with no protection other than a few words of a promise. However, we are talking about a 10 year old little girl who knows nothing else and still loves her father deeply.

As I finished this book I was left asking myself what would I have done? Would I have had the courage like Nujood? Or would I have given in and accepted my fate?

Being female, growing up in America we are taught that we are equal as men. But in under developed countries, such as Yemen, girls are not taught this. So I could not fully answer these questions, as I do not know what it's like to be less than something. I can only conclude that with my spirit I would likely find the similar courage as Nujood.

Overall this book was relatively easy to read. I had some difficulty with pronouncing city names and Arabic words but then again I don't know this language so I don't hold it against the book. (That's more of a user defect!) I feel that all women within first world countries should take a day or two to read this book, to gain an insight to how others are treated around the world and the idea of how different our lives would be if we were not equal.

The proceeds of the book go towards helping Nujood with school and someday becoming a lawyer along with paying for food and rent for her family. And while I don't agree with the part of helping out the man who her in this situation, I know the love of a father and that this is a little girl we are talking about. Therefore, I look past this discomfort and hope that Nujood achieves her goals someday with the help of the proceeds from her memoir.

Holiday Rewind

I hope everyone had a great holiday! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other holiday I hope it was full of friends, family, and lots of memories.

As many of my readers know part of this challenge is to not buy books with my own money. Therefore the plethora of gift cards I have received this holiday season have gone to great use.

I was talking with a friend before the holiday about this challenge I have set in place and told her I have no idea what I'll do with empty bookshelves after I'm done. Well no fear there, I have bought approximately 10 books with gift cards from this holiday season alone.

One of the books I'm excited to read is I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced. I truly love reading memoirs especially about different life changing events, not just the every day biography about a persons life.

Among my many new books I also bought War Brides, Why the caged bird sings, The Night Circus and many more.

What books did you receive, buy or read this holiday season?