"The Maze Runner by James Dashner

"Sometimes you don't look very hard for things you don't believe will or can happen."
- James Dashner, The Maze Runner

Yet again, I read a book thinking it was a stand alone, and it was the beginning of a series. There is only one thing wrong with that: I get to the end...and it's NOT the end! I have no closure whatsoever, and I'm shocked beyond all belief. Upon finishing the book, I literally threw my hands into the air and screamed, "NNNOOOOOOOO!!!" I desperately was longing for more information, but that will come in the following books.

I honestly had never heard of this book until I saw the trailer for it in theaters. At the end of the trailer the words "Based on the novel by James Dashner" appeared. I knew the movie was being released very soon, so I thought "challenge accepted." I finished the book in the parking lot minutes before the film started, so I'd say that's a success.

Thomas was scared. He woke up in a box surrounded by other boys about his age staring at him. He was in a place that seemed vaguely familiar, but he wasn't quite sure about it. In fact, he wasn't sure about anything. He had no memory of anything before that moment. The boys around him told him he was in The Glade, whatever that meant. They had been living there for 2 years, but none of them remembered anything before arriving at The Glade either. How did they all get here? Even more important, how do they get out?

The number one rule in The Glade was to not go beyond the walls. So how do you find a way to escape if you don't try to leave? Turns out, there is a maze beyond the walls of The Glade. Only certain boys, called Runners, were allowed into the maze. They ran through the maze, studied it, mapped it, memorized it, trying to find one thing to get them out. Something inside of Thomas was telling him that he wanted to be a Runner. More than anything.

Soon after Thomas started to understand the ways of The Glade, things began to change. Everything was always consistent in The Glade, so why are things changing? Why now? Why does Thomas start to feel like things are familiar to him? Why does everyone think things are Thomas's fault? Is it? All Thomas knows is that he wants to find a way out and find a way back home, wherever that was.

Read The Maze Runner to find out if Thomas and the rest of the boys escape The Glade.

If you read my reviews regularly, you know that I'm a sucker for good vocabulary. James Dashner had an incredible way with words, and that is one of the things that drew me to his story so quickly. The plot of the story was very interesting, and his attention to detail was fascinating. He would never leave out a single detail.

The Maze Runner was a gripping, action-packed novel that I would suggest for any age. The content was not tainted in any way, and language was very minimal, if there was language at all.

As I mentioned earlier, I watched the movie immediately after finishing the book. Although I felt that key points of the book were omitted from the production, it was still an entertaining and well-made film.

The film has more language than the book, but I still think it is appropriate for most ages. There is violence and tons of action, just like the book, but it is something the entire family can enjoy.

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"The Giver" - Lois Lowry

“It’s just that, without the memories…it’s all meaningless.”

Lois Lowry – The Giver

 

Several readers were demanding that I read this. So, hey…. I read it! I appreciate your suggestions and you all made a very good one! It was especially refreshing after the last book I read!

I understand that the movie released several weeks ago, but I have not seen it just yet. I will probably be going to see it soon, and I will let you know how it compares. Just by watching the trailer, I can tell it's been altered tremendously.

Jonas was a young boy in his community, not unlike all of the other young boys. That was “normal,” though – to be the same as everyone else. It’s how the community functioned. It’s how the community survived.

There was, however, one thing that set Jonas apart from all of the other kids. His eyes were lighter than everyone else’s. He didn’t think about it much because he hardly ever looked in the mirror, but he was aware that everyone else saw that when they looked at him.

December was approaching, meaning he was about to be assigned a career. He would become a Twelve, along with the rest of his classmates, and that is when everyone receives their career assignments. For the first 11 years of their lives, they were observed, and by these observations, their careers would be determined.

It was obvious what some kids would be assigned to because it was clear that they were passionate about one thing. Jonas wasn’t so sure what his assignment would be. He had volunteered in almost every career, and never had a special interest in any of them. To Jonas’s surprise, and the entire communities, Jonas would receive the one assignment that he would have never even guessed.

When I started this book, I was surprised how similar it was to Divergent by Veronica Roth. I never read this book, but I saw the movie. The movie was extraordinary, so I’m sure the book was ten times better. Anyway, the community situations were extremely similar.

I went into this book expecting it to be spectacular, because I’ve only heard incredible things about this book. Several people that have told me about this book read the book several times.

I agree with them! It was a great book; however, I won’t lie – I absolutely HATED the ending! I despised it! I want to shut a book with a sense of closure. I want to be sure of where all of the characters stand, and I want a clear sense of what is going on. When I shut the back cover of The Giver I had no idea what just happened. I didn’t know what to think or what to feel. I just simply... didn’t know.

The book is not a stand-alone. It is the first in a series of four books. That could be the reason that the book does not come to a solid close.

Considering that the book is a young adult novel, it was very insightful and shows that we take a lot of things in our lives for granted. The writing is very simple, but – here again – it IS written for a younger audience.

There really is no age restriction for this book. It really just depends on a child’s reading level.

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"The Man With the Golden Torc" by Simon R. Green

"If we could all see the world as it truly is, all the time, we couldn't bear to live in it...Ignorance can be bliss."
- Simon R. Green, The Man With the Golden Torc

I realize that I read a lot of girly books, so I decided to read a book for all the manly nerds out there. My friend suggested this book to me because he reads a lot, and this book series was one of his favorites. My friend is a total nerd (which I love); however, when the term "elf lord" was used on page 2, I should have realized I was crossing over to the dork side -- hardcore.

To the average world, he was Shaman Bond, but in reality, he was Eddie Drood. Eddie fought all of the things that we think aren't real: ghosts, demons, witches, magic, etc. There is a whole other world that the average eye cannot see, and Eddie, along with the entire Drood family intend to keep it that way.

Eddie has been trained his whole life to do as the family said: protect the world and fight for good. Or so he thought. Suddenly, Eddie was declared as rogue, and he didn't know why. He had done everything the family said. Sure, he did it in a different way than the family would typically do things, but he always did what they wanted him to do. So why were they shutting him out, saying he was a threat, and trying to kill him? With all of the training Eddie has had, he knew he could stay alive, at least long enough to figure out what was going on.

The plot was incredibly interesting, and it intrigued me from the start. Simon Green's imagination shines on each page. There are countless characters, gadgets, spells, magic, and action throughout the entire story. Green added humor in odd places, which made for some good laughs. A lot of the humor was sexual, which I didn't particularly appreciate, because it was unnecessary and irrelevant in most cases. I guess since this is technically a dude book, the sexual humor works for that demographic.

As much as I enjoyed the plot as a whole, I really had to force myself to read the book. I think the plot could have been twisted and turned a little more. Nothing kept me guessing. Some events were random and just really out there. I found myself setting the book down in the middle of a chapter, just to take a break from the "whaaaaaa???" I was constantly thinking.

Because the book is mainly targeting a male audience there isn't much romance, but there is just enough of a hint of a love story to to keep things interesting. There is, however, a lot of fighting and action, so there's that.

Green is English, so his flare of writing is refreshing and colorful. The way he described the world and the situations surrounding the characters is different from the books I am accustomed to reading. It's a great read for the style of writing.

So, for all the male nerds that may stumble across this review,  you may enjoy this type of book. If that is you, there are several more that remain in the series. If you are a special type of female nerd that stumbles across this review, go for it: read the book. But if you typically agree with my reviews: just say no.

For the brave souls that decide to delve into the world of The Man With the Golden Torc, I would say that this book is for anyone 13 and older. There isn't much profanity, and the sexual humor isn't too extreme, but it's not something that anyone under 13 needs to read. I would imagine the book is targeted for those 18 and older, but a younger audience may enjoy it, as well.

Overall, the book gave me mixed feelings, as you can tell. I did the best I could, guys. Maybe some of you can tell me your thoughts on this. Happy reading, folks..maybe..

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"Bel Canto" by Ann Patchett

"It makes you wonder, all the brilliant things we might have done with our lives if only we suspected we knew how."
- Ann Patchett, Bel Canto

This book was not one that was on my "to read" list, but one of my closest friends suggested it for me, so I went for it. I'm always up for suggestions, and I love reading what interests those around me.

For starters, I am not up to par on my music knowledge, and the front cover clearly indicates that music is going to be a major element in the story. I didn't want to ruin the book for myself, so I did not look up the meaning of "bel canto," thinking it would be explained within the story. When it never even mentioned the words, I looked up "bel canto" (Italian) to literally translate to "fine song."

The story begins with a birthday party. There were no clowns or balloons or anything like that. This was a fancy, upscale part for a Japanese businessman, Katsumi Hosokawa. He was the chairman of the largest electronics corporation in Japan, so his party was top notch. Mr. Hosokawa was a huge fan of the opera, particularly a woman named Roxane Coss. She was invited to sing at the party, and for a hefty sum, she did.

As soon as one of her songs ended, the lights went out, and the chaos began. Soldiers were taking over the party, looking for the president of the small Latin American country that was hosting the party. To their surprise, the president was not in attendance, even though he said he would be there. Instead, they took everyone hostage until the government would negotiate with them properly.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. The story tells of all that goes on during their captivity and how so many things changed during those months. Lives changed. Loves changed. Most of the characters discovered things about themselves that they would have never known if they weren't held hostage for all that time. Almost everything changed for the people within the walls of that party.

I won't lie, this book did not make it to my favorites list. I wasn't a big fan. I remember thinking, "Oh, this is finally getting interesting" when I reached page 251. I prefer to be hooked long before I hit that point in a book, especially when that is so close to the end.

The plot had incredible potential, but it just moved slowly. Ann Patchett is an incredible writer. I loved the way she wrote; her language was very fluid, smooth, and lyrical, which is appropriate for the context of the story. I just think more could have been done with the storyline.

Many people disagree with my view on this book, because I saw many reviews where people just ADORED this book. To each his own, of course, but this is not a book that I would typically recommend. Especially because I was so frustrated with the way it ended. I literally had to force myself to sit down and read the book, because I felt like I needed to get it over with. It never sucked me back in, and I never actually WANTED to continue to read it.

As negative as that sounds, I don't necessarily regret reading it, it's just not my cup of tea. Some parts were enjoyable, but I like to read a book that pushes me to turn the page, that I hate to put down. "Bel Canto" was very easy for me to put down.

If you've read this book, I would love to know your thoughts. My friend that gave it to me said it was her favorite book. So, I'd like to know what you guys have to say!

I'd say the content is appropriate for all ages. Anything sexual that is mentioned is understood and left to the imagination. Patchett didn't take anything too far. Minimal profanity is used. I only recall it being used twice, and unfortunately it was the f-word, but I've seen MUCH worse. The reading level is definitely not fit for anyone under 13 I would say, because the vocabulary and writing style is more complicated than a young adult novel.

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"Stripped" by Jud Wilhite

"Too often we mistake grace for weakness, forgiveness for giving in. We see strength only in pointing out sin and stomping on it until it's dead. But in Jesus we find someone who has no paience for those more concerned with enforcing the rules than helping others."

- Jud Wilhite, Stripped

 

This book isn't what you expect when you look at the cover. When you first look at the book, you see the Las Vegas sign, and the title, Stripped. Well, with those togetheAr, I'm sure you're thinking of the stereotypes that define Sin City. The book is about that, but it's about how people are overcoming those sins and finding Jesus.

Jud Wilhite is a pastor at a church in Las Vegas. God called him to move out there, and Stripped tells the accounts of different people he has encountered and the stories they have told him. Of course, since these stories are real and personal, some names have been changed, and some dialogue was fabricated to help tell the stories.

These stories range from adult performers, drug addicts, police officers, and more. Every page reveals God's grace and the power of his forgiveness. It was completely amazing to see how God molded the lives of so many people in this area.

"It is a revolution. And by reaching out to God, you can be part of it...even now. Through God's power and grace, you can become the person He desires you to be. If it can happen in Vegas, it can happen anywhere!"
- Jud Wilhite, Stripped

Stripped is a book that is good for any Christian to read. Many Christians are far too comfortable in their faith, and they seem to forget that we need to reach out to those that we may be scared to reach out to. But if we don't, who will?

It is also a great book for those who are not believers. It shows so much truth of God's promises that He made in Scripture. The entire book is about how non-believers discovered God's love and grace.

God is moving in a mighty way in Las Vegas, a city that most people believe to be consumed in sin. Let's open our eyes: our world is consumed in sin, but that is no match for our Heavenly Father. Like Wilhite said, "If it can happen in Vegas, it can happen anywhere!" 

Stripped is a story that anyone can read, and I strongly encourage everyone to read it!

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What is God doing in your life? Do you have a story of your own? Comment below, if you'd like to share!

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"Maybe Someday" by Colleen Hoover

"My entire body is battling itself. My left brain is telling me this is somehow wrong, my right brain is wanting to hear her sing again, my stomach is nowhere to be found, and my heart is punching itself i the face with one arm and hugging itself with the other."
- Colleen Hoover, Maybe Someday

I waited so long to read this book. Those two months felt like an eternity! Colleen Hoover's Maybe Someday was released in March, but I told myself I could not download it until my semester ended. Therefore, on the first day of my summer, I downloaded it and proceeded to finish the book within two days. Because, honestly, how can you start reading anything by Hoover and actually put it down? I can't, anyway!

Sydney is sitting on her suitcase, in the rain, outside of the apartment that used to be hers (until today), crying. Guess her best friend and her boyfriend were closer than she realized. Oh, did I mention it was her birthday? She turned 22 today. Well, so far, 22 sucks. Her cab finally pulls up, for her to find that she left her purse inside of the apartment where the two people that she really doesn't want to see still are. Great. Now she really can't go anywhere. Crying harder now.

Just as Sydney was about to talk herself into going to get her purse from that dreadful apartment, a girl in a Hooters uniform appears. Weird, what is going on today? The Hooters girl tells her to hurry and get up because she is late for work and she is getting wet. Shocked, confused, and really out of other options, she follows the girl into an apartment just like the one she left, only it had four bedrooms instead of two. The Hooters girl leaves Sydney dripping wet in the living room. A boy comes out of one of the bedrooms, and she is suddenly aware of how see-through her shirt is and how pathetic she must look right now. He brings a blanket and a pillow to the couch for her.

She knows this boy. Ridge is the boy that plays the guitar on his balcony every night at 8 o'clock. She knew he was attractive from across the courtyard, but from across the living room -- WOW. His music is gorgeous, and she could listen to it every day. Okay, she DID listen to it every day. She pretended to go out onto her own balcony to do her homework, but she was actually just going out there to listen to him. She apparently was not good at hiding the fact that she was listening. He caught her, held up a piece of paper with his phone number, made her text him, and they've been talking about music for a couple of weeks now. She has been sharing the lyrics she wrote to his music while listening to him all those nights.  She speaks first, but he says nothing. Okay? Awkward? She speaks again, when she hears her phone. She has a text message. It's from Ridge? Why won't he just talk to me? She opens the message: Ridge is deaf.

Sydney is shocked. She can't believe that this boy is deaf when he creates such incredible music. This just makes him all the more intriguing to her. Maybe someday she will understand the way he hears the music.

Readers, I can't begin to describe to you how perfect this book is! The fact that Hoover chose to make one of the main characters deaf really brings color into the plot, and it's just the twist this love story needs. We can't always be with the one we long for, and Maybe Someday envelopes all of the emotions that comes along with that. While reading this, I noticed that a lot of Hoover's words were things I have thought before, but never knew how to say. She said them with a lyrical beauty, and touched every emotion within me as she did it.

Something unique about this book is that there is a soundtrack that includes all of the songs that the characters wrote together. Ridge and Sydney write songs together throughout the book, as mentioned in my teaser for the story.  Colleen Hoover, along with Griffin Peterson, composed the songs so that the readers could know and feel the songs that characters wrote together. I've listened to the songs, and it really took the book to the next level because hearing the songs makes it more personal than just reading the lyrics. Therefore, I suggest purchasing the soundtrack with the book so that you may hear the songs as they are written throughout the book. Also, it's good music, so it's good to listen to at anytime!

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"Trapped" by Irene Hannon

"He always listens to us, no matter how long it's been since we last spoe iwth him. It's just that we don't always get the answer we want."
-Irene Hannon, Trapped

Laura and her 16-year-old little sister, Darcy, had problems, but what sisters don't?  Darcy moved in with Laura after some family issues, and Darcy wasn't exactly thrilled about it. After giving it a try, Darcy decided to do Laura a favor, and just leave and live with a friend back home. Laura came home from her job at the library to find Darcy's room clean (unusual), and she found a note on the bed, saying that Darcy had run away. Panicked, Laura began to make phone calls while she silently prayed for her sister.

A few days pass with no luck, so Laura decided to hire a private investigator. Laura is aware of the dangers of runaway teens, and the snow storm made her worry for Darcy even more. James Devlin (Dev) was the best PI around, and he would do everything he could to help Laura find Darcy. First, he had to do everything he could to get his mind off of Laura. An agent should not date his client! The sooner he found Darcy, the better; not to mention, he could ask Laura out once the investigation was over.

Laura was completely aware of how attractive Dev was, but she kicked herself for even thinking things like that with her little sister missing! Whatever Laura had to do to find her sister, she would do it. Hopefully, it wouldn't take too long, especially after Dev told her all that could go wrong for Darcy. They had to move quickly.

The snow storm ended up being on Laura and Dev's side. It detained Darcy from leaving the city, so Darcy ended up in a shelter with a girl she met at the bus station. The girl seemed to know the street life, so Darcy trusted her. When the girl was ready to leave the shelter to hit the streets again, Darcy hesitated, not knowing what she should do. She was more comfortable having a friend, but she wasn't sure about leaving the warm shelter. One of the volunteers spoke with her, noticing that she didn't seem to belong with this crowd. He offered to let her stay at his place for a night or two until the storm passed, and he even offered to let her friend join, too.

What does Darcy decide? Do Laura and Dev find her soon? Find out in this romantic suspense novel!

I have to admit, when I heard "romantic suspense," I thought that there was no way that would make sense. I had never heard that combination before, but I was extremely surprised and pleased. This book had me running through pages. I read this book in NO time! I was so into this book, that I would tell my dad about everything that was happening, especially when one of those moments happened where I would gasp aloud. Halfway through the book, I thought that he was getting annoyed, but he came up to me while I was reading and asked me what happened next. He was into it, and he wasn't even reading it! And if my dad is interested, that means it's REALLY good. He is a picky one!

The book alternates points of view frequently, allowing the reader to see every angle of the story, without giving too much away. Even though you see all the sides, you still are on the edge of your seat until the very end. The romance is refreshing and not overbearing. Because it is a Christian novel, the romance side of the book is genuine, fresh, and there are no scenes that make you wish you could cover your eyes. I work in a Christian bookstore, and a lot of the fiction books we sell usually are the same, and I hate to say it, but they are dull. Hannon definitely stands out among Christian authors, creating a story that is truly gripping.

If you aren't a Christian, don't think you should stray from this book. There are times where God is discussed and they pray for Darcy's safety, but Hannon in no way tries to bash the Bible over your head as you read. She uses a gentle touch of grace to show God's love and care in a way that is not overbearing to her readers that are not believers.

Her writing style as a Christian author was not only inspiring, but it was very intelligent. Trust me, you won't want to miss this book!

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"The Fault In Our Stars" by John Green

"I'm a grenade, and at some point I'm going to blow up and I would like to minimize the casualties, okay?"
-John Green, The Fault In Our Stars

John Green again, yes. But, come on, you can't read a book by John Green and NOT read The Fault In Our Stars! It's what all the cool book nerds are raving about, so I knew I needed to add it to my site. Fun fact: the movie comes to theaters on June 6, 2014, according to IMDB.

Most of us don't know what it's like to be sick. Sure, we've all had the cold, a virus, or some weird infection now and again, but those things go away. Cancer doesn't go away. Some cancer does, but not the kind that Hazel Grace Lancaster has. Her cancer affects her lungs to where they fill up with liquid and she has to get them drained periodically just so she can sort of breathe. Without her cannula, the tubes always resting in her nostrils, she wouldn't be able to breathe efficiently. Her oxygen tank is always with her in a cart she has to roll with her anywhere she goes. Hazel gets out of breath when she walks up a flight of stairs because her lungs fail to work the proper way. Most of us don't know what this feels like.

There ARE people who know this pain of having a sickness that takes a lot of life's joy from them. Hazel met these people in a support group. Hazel HATED going to the support group, but her mom wanted her to go so she could make friends. Ugh, okay mom. She went, just to please her, but she did end up making friends there, like Isaac. He lost one of his eyes to a cancer and wears an eye patch. Isaac is really Hazel's only hint of sanity in the group.

Isaac brought a friend once, and Hazel would have noticed him even if she was the one with only one eye. The weird part about it was that this boy was noticing her. What is there to notice about a skinny sick girl who didn't care about her appearance at these meetings. Why was he looking at her? She noticed he only had one leg, so she knew he had been sick at some point. Soon enough, she learned his name and his story.


Augustus Waters was the air her lungs could never let her breathe. He was real, he was handsome, and for some reason, he liked her. And she was determined to find out why. Hazel was afraid to like him because she knew any day could be her last, and she didn't want to hurt anyone she didn't have to. It's bad enough seeing the pain in her parents' eyes every day. But there was something about him that she couldn't shake.

The quote I chose was not one that I had originally planned on using. This one continued to stick in my mind because it was a constant struggle for Hazel, and I think it's something that a lot of us can relate to in many ways, even if we aren't sick. For those of you who have already read it, leave your favorite quotes in the comment box below!


To steal from the people creating the movie, it is "one sick love story." I love the play on words there, and it fits this book perfectly. This is a story you won't want to miss. It's not a mushy love story or anything like that. It's actually very moving. The way they deal with their sickness is comedic relief in their lives. It shows how both healthy and sick people should appreciate every second, because (healthy or not) no one knows when the last day is.


Read The Fault In Our Stars, and I guarantee you'll fall in love with this book. It's a book for both genders! I love books with humor, and this book is PACKED with it! I laughed so much while reading it! Although you would expect it to be a sad book, I actually closed the book with a warmth that surprised me.


I know many of you have already read this, and I would love for you to add your thoughts and comments below so that my other readers and I can see your opinions!

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"Looking For Alaska" by John Green

"You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you'll escape it one day, and how awesome it will be, and imagining that future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to escape the present." - John Green, Looking for Alaska

I never would have even picked up this book if it wasn't for my friend, Cameron. So, Cameron, I owe you big time, because this book was definitely something I needed!

Miles is about to be a junior in high school, but public school just isn't doing it for him. He is ready to discover the "Great Perhaps" and he hopes it lies within the campus of Culver Creek Boarding School, in Alabama (whoop whoop). Currently living in Florida, Miles hopes that, at least, a change of scenery will jump start his new journey.

Miles moved into his dorm to meet his new roommate (and soon-to-be best friend), Chip. No one called
 him Chip, he goes by "The Colonel." He is a short stocky guy, just the opposite of Miles' tall, lanky, scrawny self. Demonstrating his nickname, The Colonel basically took charge and began to tell Miles how to survive at Culver Creek, and also told him who to be friends with, and vice versa. He even gave Miles a nickname of his own, "Pudge," because he was just the opposite. The Colonel introduced him to all of his friends, including Alaska, the hottest and most beautiful girl Miles had ever laid eyes on.

This group of friends was just the kind of people that parents always tell their kids to not hand around: "Don't smoke, don't drink, don't cuss, etc." The Colonel, Alaska and the gang did all of this and lived by it. Even though they did all of these things, they were the best friends Pudge could have ever asked for. And some of the smartest people. Alaska's room is literally filled with books stacked upon books stacked upon more books. The Colonel memorizes capitals for countries all over the world. Pudge learns things from them that he could never learn sitting in a desk within the barriers of a classroom.

Between hanging out with his new friends and pulling pranks and having fun, Pudge actually had to go to his classes and study. His religion class was a class he particularly enjoyed, and it made his mind stretch and mold more than any other. Pudge wasn't exactly religious, but the class made him look within himself to unfold his "Great Perhaps" among his struggles, fears, and failures.

The book is divided into two sections: BEFORE and AFTER. Before what? After what? That's for you to discover. You never actually know until POOF it happens. Which is a lot like life, usually. Between all of the shenanigans they partake in and the pranks they pull, Pudge and his friends learn a lot about what's important in life all within one short year.

I finished it last night, and I still can't get over how incredible this book was. Not only were the plot and characters so perfect, the words used throughout the book blew me away. John Green writes in such an elegant way. It's not over your head at all, but it really seeps inside you, and stays. This IS a sad book though, but the sad that makes it an outstanding book. Just make sure you keep tissues nearby.

AGE RESTRICTIONS: I do not recommend this book for anyone under 16. Some of the content is mature, especially the event that the BEFORE and AFTER describes. I don't know that I would have wanted to read about something like that before I was 16, but that's just me. The mature content includes drinking, smoking, profanity, and sexual content.

Read it for yourself to see if Pudge finds his "Great Perhaps" and what event makes the BEFORE and AFTER. You might just find out something about your own labyrinth..

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"Dangerous Passage" by Lisa Harris

"I've found that when you pray a lot, then fill your life with people you love and things you believe in, there's often more room inside your heart that you realize. Say no to what you have to, but do what you were called to do. Follow God. Love family. Pursue justice. And maybe in the middle of all of that you'll find that there's some unexpected room for someone else in your life."
- Lisa Harris, Dangerous Passage

It's been a while since I have read a GOOD mystery novel, and I was excited when I was assigned to read this for the radio station! That's right! This is the first book I reviewed for WTBF-AM/FM in Troy, Ala. I wrote a shorter version of my review for the radio to cover a three minute spot! Am I famous? No, not by a long shot, but it sure feel like it, so I'll take it!

*Clears throat* Okay, now on to the book..

Detective Avery North has just embarked on her next case: two Jane Does are dead. At first it seemed like two different murder cases until Avery noticed that they had something in common. They both had a tattoo of a magnolia on their shoulder. Instantly, Avery began to think that she was now dealing with a serial killer. She had to move quickly to track this guy down, figure out his plot, and stop him from killing any girls like this.

Avery was very sensitive to these cases. She has a daughter; what if it had been her? Those thoughts are the very drive she needs to stop these criminals from continuing their actions. She realizes how much of a risk her job is, and after losing her husband, Ethan, she knows that she needs to be extra careful because her daughter doesn't need to lose another parent. Especially after Micheal's death. Micheal was Avery's brother, and died on the job. Although the job is dangerous, it's worth it to Avery to stop the evil in the world one case at a time.

Since Ethan's death, Avery hasn't even thought about beginning another relationship. Well, not until she partnered with Jackson Bryant, a medical examiner, for this case. It was just so easy with him, she couldn't NOT think about him! Somehow every date they tried to go on would get interrupted by the case they were working on, but that didn't make any of the time they spent together any less special. Every new day, Avery fell for Jackson more and more. Even though she tried to put it in the back of her mind, it would always push its way back to the forefront.

Eventually Avery and  Jackson solved the case and their relationship. I won't give away the ending, you know I never do! Don't worry!

This book was a great read! If I wasn't completely buried in school work, I would have finished it much faster! I would laugh out loud and some parts, and others I would be wiping my tears away. The mystery in the book was really good, as well! There were times I would be reading, my heart pounding, and I would jump at the sound of the ice maker in my kitchen! Silly, right? I was just so into the book!

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This book deals with the topic of human trafficking, which is something that the Lord has given me a passion for here recently.  Did you know that there are more slaves in the world today than ever before? Did you know that the sex trafficking industry is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world? This book is set in Atlanta, Georgia which is a hotspot of sex trafficking in the United States. YES, it happens right here in America, and not just in Atlanta. 

I am on the leadership team for Troy's Stella's Voice on Campus. Stella's Voice is an organization that prevents sex trafficking.While Stella's Voice focuses mostly on the country of Moldova, sex trafficking is a serious issue all over the world. Stella's Voice has created houses for boys and girls that have been trafficked. There is an incredible number of orphans in Moldova. When these orphans turn 16, they are tossed on the street with nothing more than a bus ticket and $30. This gets these kids nowhere. Most of them are abducted and sold into sex slavery, with no one missing them or looking for them. They simply disappear.

It's up to us to stop this. For more information on Stella's Voice, visit www.stellasvoice.org to see how you can begin a chapter in your area or give a donation. You can also contact me if you have any questions as well.

I'm so glad that Lisa Harris incorporated this into her novel so that people may realize how serious this issue is! This book is not only a great story, it has truth in it. Book 2 of the Southern Crime series, Fatal Exchange, releases in May, and is available for pre-order NOW!

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"Being Sam, No Matter What" by Marta Tandori

"I didn't think I looked any different than my friends."
-Marta Tandori, Being Sam, No Matter What

I don't usually read young adult novels, but I always promise read and review a book by any author that follows me on Twitter. Marta Tandori followed me on Twitter a while ago, and I finally was able to read one of her books. The book I chose was Being Sam, No Matter What. She was a knew author to me, so I really just chose the book at random.

Sam Pacepa started her seventh grade year just a few weeks ago, but Sam isn't the average seventh grader. Sam and her family are immigrants that moved to Canada when Sam was very young. Her parents have very strict rules for her and her siblings. While most of her friends get to have sleepovers and wear jeans, Sam doesn't.

Her homeroom teacher announces that the class would be taking an overnight trip to Niagara Falls. Sam knows that she won't be able to go, not with her parents' rules. Her friends really want her to go, but how will she convince her parents?

To be honest, the book didn't grab my attention in the beginning. It was a little slow, but I had to remember that it was a young adult novel. Towards the end, however, there were several plot twists that spiced things up a bit. I just wish they didn't happen all at once.

There was one thing that stood out to me, that I just couldn't get over. I understand that at the age of 12, a girl starting her period is a big deal. That can be revealed in a novel, sure, but not with onomatopoeia. The word, "plop" has probably scarred me for life. I really don't think it was supposed to be a big deal, but I couldn't get passed it.

It really wasn't a terrible book, but it's not something that sparks my interest. If you are a very young reader, I would suggest it. It's an easy read with struggles that a lot of young girls go through. I just don't think it's a book that someone 15 or older would enjoy.

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Readers in Troy, my book reviews are coming soon to the radio station, WTBF, so make sure to tune in for the Book Bit!!

"Losing Hope" by Colleen Hoover

" Moments like these with people like her are what make all the suffering worth it."
-Colleen Hoover, Losing Hope

Okay, Okay. I know. I'm completely OBSESSED and ADDICTED to everything written by Colleen Hoover. She's the best. Period. Done. Over. If you are reading this review and still haven't read any of her books, HELLO??? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? Get off your tookus, purchase a copy of any of her books and get going!!!

As I've mentioned in a previous review, Losing Hope is the companion to Hopeless. Instead, the book is written from Holder's point of view. Hopeless was written from Sky's point of view. No, I won't give you the spill of the main plot again because I did that in my first review. To see the review on Hopeless, CLICK HERE!

The plot is the same of course, but everything is still different! I found out so many new details that changed the story completely! Leave it to Colleen to take a story that she's already written and add a twist that blow's the reader's mind. It sure blew mine away! Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still couldn't read fast enough to get to each new page of the story. Either I was super in love with the book, or I just couldn't get enough time with my book boyfriend, Holder. Either way, I just couldn't get enough of it!

Congratulations to Colleen on selling the rights for her books to be made into MOVIES!!! I understand it will be several years from now before it hits the big screen, but I. AM. SO. THERE!!!

This review was a little more freak out-ish than normal, so I apologize for my outrageous excitement! That just shows how much I loved and adored this book!

This is not a young adult novel. I would reserve this book for readers 18 years old and up. Because it is from a male point of view, there is much more language than the first book. Also, there is sexual content that is not suitable for young readers.

BIG shout out to Griffin Peterson for posing as Holder on the cover! He definitely gave me a visual of what my book boyfriend looks like! While we're talking about Griffin, he also has a new single on iTunes! To download his new single CLICK HERE!

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"The Mortal Instruments Book I: City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare

"Where there is love, there is often also hate. They can exist side by side."
- Cassandra Clare

One of my best friends wouldn't stop bugging me about this book all semester last spring. She wasn't going to let me get away with not reading it because the movie is coming out in August, so she said she didn't care when I read it, just as long as I did it before the premiere. Boy, am I glad that she pushed me to read this! I am head-over-heels in love with this series, and I cannot wait to continue reading! I read it on the beach, and I would literally scream and gasp and laugh out loud. I was THAT into it!

Clary, fifteen, and her friend Simon go to Pandemonium, a club in New York City one night. She's not really into the "club scene," but she loves to watch the people around her. As she and Simon are dancing, she notices an attractive boy. Her eyes follow him as he walks to the other side of the club and enters a closet with an exquisitely beautiful girl (of course). Little does the boy know, two other guys are following close behind. Clary notices that they have weapons, and she can tell they are after him. She hurries to the closet to try to stop them, if she can. When she gets there, she witness the boys with weapons murder the handsome boy. Only, this was no ordinary murder. His blood was thick and black, and his body vanished into thin air. Clary stands frozen in her place as these murderous people approach her.

They are confused as to why Clary can see them, but Clary doesn't understand why she WOULDN'T be able to see someone! One of the boys, Jace, explains that they are Shadowhunters, and that they did not just kill a human, that boy was a demon. In the middle of their discussion, Simon shows up at the door, and asks Clary where the guys with weapons went. So, Simon cannot see them even as they stand by Clary's side. Soon enough a demon enters Clary's home and tries to attack her! Jace shows up again, and she is instantly part of an entire new world! Why can Clary see them when no one else can? What does this mean for Clary? How will her life change? Find out in The Mortal Instruments Book I: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

Not only was the storyline over-the-top outrageous, her writing style was gorgeous! I know that's such a journalist thing to say, but I am what I am! She had incredible imagery and some of the best similes! The words she used to describe this story were simply beautiful. It's hard to beat that kind of writing!

I wish I could just tell you everything that happens! I went to the beach with a friend, and she was reading the same book at the same time, I was just roughly 100 pages ahead of her. I would freak out about something exciting, or some new twist that Clare threw in the story, but I couldn't talk about it! It was torture! This feels the same way! I want to tell you just how amazing this story is, but there is no possible way to do it without telling you everything! I CAN tell you that there is so much passion in this book, and I can't even tell you how much I laughed! The book is truly hilarious! The humor is flawless!

The movie premiers on August 21st, so make sure you read the book before then! Just from watching several different trailers for this film, I can tell it will be slightly different from the book. That's always expected; however, the movie looks incredible, as it should be! With a plot this extravagant, it would be hard to make a bad movie.

I believe that any age group would enjoy this book. I wouldn't go younger than a teen though. Some content may not be suitable. There is slight profanity and sexual humor. Not enough to say that I would limit it to adults, because it was written for a younger audience, but I believe that adults will love it, too!

SPOILER ALERT: THE TRAILER REVEALS THINGS THAT YOU MAY NOT WANT TO KNOW BEFORE READING THE BOOK!

So whether you choose to read the book, watch the movie, or both (I STRONGLY encourage both), I know that you will fall in love with it, just as I did! This is a six-book series. Five books have been released so far, with the six not too far behind. Don't worry, I will still be reading books for the blog, I will just be reading these on the side. I'm seriously addicted!

Clare also wrote a series called The Infernal Devices. It's a three-book series that serves as a prequel to The Mortal Instruments. I would suggest reading The Mortal Instruments first, THEN The Infernal Devices. Check out Cassandra Clare's site for more information! CLICK HERE

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"Posed for Murder" by Meredith Cole

"The only thing that could possibly be worse than having her friend murdered was the knowledge that another friend could be twisted and evil enough to have done it."
- Meredith Cole, Posed for Murder

I'm not one to read mysteries, simply because I get so sucked in to that mushy, girly, lovey-dovey type storyline. I'm a 21-year-old girl. I can't help it! Anyway, I realized I really wasn't appealing to a male audience, so I asked a few guys what they would prefer to read. Every single one of them said a mystery novel. So, with that, I went to the library, went to the mystery section, and literally picked up a random book to check out. I'd never heard of Meredith Cole before, but the inside flap seemed interesting, and I was excited to discover a new author!

Lydia McKenzie is a photographer trying to get discovered. Her current project is re-creating actual death scenes of girls that were never identified. She had read about them in a book and wanted the girls to have some sort of recognition. The night Lydia had been waiting for had finally come: opening night of her very own show at a gallery. She is beyond nervous before the show even begins, but when two detectives come inside to question her, her nerves go through the roof.

Apparantly, someone was so fond of her photographs that he/she decided to re-create them again. For real. Someone murdered a girl and posed her just like in Lydia's photograph. She was dressed almost the same and it was even in the same location. How can this be? The detectives are shocked to hear that Lydia took her photo over a year and a half ago. The body was found tonight. To add to Lydia's horror, the girl that was murdered was the actual girl that modeled for Lydia's photograph. Not only was she the model, but she was Lydia's friend. Who would do this and why would they try to frame Lydia?

I really enjoyed reading this mystery! It makes me want to read more mystery books! I loved how Cole would leave me hanging at the end of every chapter so I HAD to keep reading! It was fun being on edge with every page turn. There is a great twist at the end! The book is a quick read and very enjoyable! Typically, I like books to go deeper and last a little longer, but I still really liked this novel!

Is the killer after Lydia, or just her friend? Will he/she kill more of her models/friends? What does he/she want? What will happen to Lydia? Find out in Meredith Cole's Posed for Murder. Also, check out her follow-up novel about Lydia, Dead in the Water.

Other than the mention of some characters drinking a beer here and there, I don't think there is any material that is not suitable for young readers!

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"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

“The rest of the journey passed uneventfully, if you consider it uneventful to ride fifteen miles on horseback through rough country at night, frequently without benefit of roads, in company with kilted men armed to the teeth, and sharing a horse with a wounded man. At least we were not set upon by highwaymen, we encountered no wild beasts, and it didn't rain. By the standards I was becoming used to, it was quite dull.”
-Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

One of my readers suggested this book to me, and I was happy for the suggestion! Before she told me about it, I had never once heard of Outlander. When I was searching the books at the library, I finally found it. Whoa. It's huge. The cover looked old and, quite honestly, boring! My first thought: "Great. This book looks dreadful." Reluctantly, I checked it out and took it home.

Boy, was I wrong! Outlander completely took me by surprise! I know the common saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but everyone does. Everyone. I'm glad my reader suggested it though, because this was a refreshing new book (to me, anyway) that I loved! The plot was incredibly unique, and I've never come across anything quite like this book before.

Claire Beauchamp Randall and her husband, Frank, are on holiday in Scotland in 1945. She was a British combat nurse, so they had been separated for a long time due to the war. After exploring the lands, quite a bit, they come across an ancient stone circle. Upon touching the circle, Claire is thrown back in time two hundred years! The world has changed immensely in two hundred years, so Claire takes notice to things such as (or the lack of) electricity and simple medications. Not knowing how to return to her time and her husband, Claire has to make the best of the life being put in front of her in a land that existed before her time.

Because of her peculiar knowledge of the lands, the locals keep their eye on her, accuse her of being a spy, a witch, and other things. She tries her best to make a good name for herself by healing the wounded and the sick with her skills in nursing.

Proving that she is not a spy or witch is no task in comparison to controlling her growing attraction to Jamie Fraser. She just can't help it! The fact that she and he are forced to marry for her own protection does not make the matter any easier! Can she lose herself in her growing love for Jamie, or does she hold out for her husband Frank that she may never see again?

You will never believe all that lies within this book! Well, if you've seen the actual book, you can imagine it has quite a bit since it has over 600 pages, but I was completely entranced by it! It's just so different from anything else I've ever read! I've never read of such pure love and adoration between two people!

Outlander is full of adventure, and great humor, as well! The quote I chose at the beginning demonstrates that briefly. I often found myself laughing aloud or gasping in shock while reading this book! Also, since the book takes places in the 1700s and in Scotland, the humor is quite different than it is today. Diana Gabaldon stayed true to the Scottish accents as well as the culture throughout the entire book, which made everything fall perfectly into place. It's also historically accurate, as well! This book is greatly detailed, but it's necessary to understand the time period, the culture, and the events that are taking place.

Reading this book made me feel like I had traveled back in time myself. Things were simpler, but still more complicated, if that even makes sense. Yes, it's quite a hefty read, but it's worth the time and patience! Outlander is actually the first book in a series of eight books. The final book was released early this year. Reading the first book really makes me want to finish the series, especially after what I found out on the last page!

Some parts of the book are not fit for young readers. There are very mature scenes, as well as very graphic scenes dealing with torture and punishment (remember the time period). Some of the details even made ME cringe! (But that's great writing)! Also, due to the complexity of the novel, it may even be confusing to young readers.

Please let me know if you have read or are planning to read this book! Definitely consider reading Outlander! It really will surprise you! I'm interested to hear what you think about this one! I would really love to hear from someone who has finished the entire series!

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I loved that one of my readers introduced this book to me! She wanted to know what I thought before she started it. Got any books that you are curious about? Leave your suggestions on my Facebook page, and I will review a book for you!

"This Lullaby" by Sarah Dessen

"Love is needing someone. Love is putting up with someone's bad qualities because they somehow complete you.
- Sarah Dessen, This Lullaby

Remy was like most high school graduates: ready to get OUT! After going through about five or so step dads, she was tired of dealing with her mother's life. She was just ready to move out and worry about herself for a change. She could move across the country, go to school, focus on her future, and not have to babysit her mother any longer.

Because of what she had seen in her mother, Remy's thoughts on love were a bit skewed. She didn't believe that love could last. In Remy's mind, love only led hurt and pain. No commitment ever lasted. As soon as Remy ever got close to a guy, she bolted. It was usually around two months. After two months, she would find some excuse to end it. That is, if it even lasted that long.

While planning her mother's NEXT wedding, Remy's steady summer full of work and plans got interrupted by a clumsy, lanky boy. He literally bumped into her at the car dealership where her mother's fiance worked.

From that first day, Dexter annoyed Remy like no other boy she had ever met. Why was it that he was showing up EVERYWHERE. Seriously: everywhere. Dexter, on the other hand, was determined that he and Remy had chemistry and that they were meant to be together.

He was persistent. He was definitely not going to give up, but Remy had her rules. Dexter was in a band, and Remy didn't date musicians. Dexter didn't care about Remy's rules. He knew they were supposed to be together.

Does Remy hold true to her rules, or does she give Dexter a try? Find out in Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby.

This book can be read by younger readers. It seemed as though that was the target audience. I really enjoyed reading this book. My friend DEMANDED that I read a book by Dessen, and that is the book she loaned me. It was a little slow in some places, but overall the book was a great story. It really shows the importance of taking chances with love and relationships.

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"Thin White Line" by J.A. Templeton

"Don't ever let anyone determine who you should be. You're the only one who can do that."
-J.A. Templeton, Thin White Line

The last time I wrote about a book by J.A. Templeton, it was a young adult novel. Although it was written for a younger audience, I still loved The MacKinnon Series! (See my review HERE). Thin White Line, however, is an adult novel, so I do not suggest this book for younger audiences because there is very mature content.

I was completely stoked when I heard that she released a new novel. After reading her other books, It was impressive to see how she brought a completely different feel to this new book. Granted, she was writing for a different audience, but she did an excellent job of making that transition.

Kenzie was halfway through her junior year of high school when she had to move states because her parents were getting divorced. Her father was having an affair. With a girl about 20 years younger than him. What a creep. Anyway, Kenzie's mother wanted to move to the same town and work with Kenzie's aunt, so her whole life was about to change.

Brooke, Kenzie's cousin, was basically forced to befriend Kenzie and show her around the high school. Even though it seemed forced at the beginning, Kenzie and Brooke became best friends, just like they were when they were younger. Brooke is in a band, and BOY were her band mates ATTRACTIVE! Muscles, tattoos, great hair, and the smiles to melt any girl's heart. Oh, yeah, Kenzie was going to like hanging out with Brooke.

The only problem with hanging out with quite possibly the two hottest guys she's ever met, they both seem to be fighting for her attention. Ryder, her age, has first period with her, and gets to her first. She immediately is attracted to him, but Brooke warns her that he is basically a hit and run type of guy. Then, there's Deklan, older, Ryder's best friend (and basically his brother) is also in the band and just as attractive (if not more so) than Ryder. Oh, goodness! If only all of us girls had this problem, right?

The first time Kenzie goes to a band practice, she follows her cousin and her friends into a separate room. Brooke pulls out a small block and begins to chop it up. WHAT?? Is this seriously happening? Kenzie knows what drugs do to a person's body, and she wants no part in that. Then, Ryder walks in, waiting for his turn. They hand a line of coke to Kenzie, and wait for her response. Does she snort it, or walk away? Is this what she has to do for Ryder to accept her and for Brooke to include her with her friends? Her entire life here may be determined by that thin white line.

Read Thin White Line to see what Kenzie decides, and to see which guy she chooses! I couldn't put this one down! I read the entire book in a day! Again, I don't suggest this book to readers under 16. It's a very mature book.

In no way does Templeton encourage the use of drugs. This book shows the dangers and terror that drugs can bring, and I believe that she wrote it so that her readers will stay away from drugs. The things that happen within the pages of this book can easily happen to anyone, and I think that is the point that Templeton is trying to get across. Temptation for drugs and alcohol is way more intense than teachers at school make it sound when they tell you to "just say no." It's not always that simple, but it's always the right choice to turn it away.

Thin White Line can be an eye opener to all high school and college students about the realities of drug and alcohol use. No, that is not the entire plot of the story, there is a love triangle, friendships built and broken, grief over the divorce, and there is a great deal of humor, as well! Templeton wrote an extraordinary story with an incredible message behind it all! Don't stop at reading Thin White Line, make sure you read her other books, as well! THIN WHITE LINE IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR KINDLE FOR .99 CENTS ON AMAZON.COM!!

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"Hopeless" by Colleen Hoover

"Not everyone gets a happily ever after. Life is real and sometimes its ugly and you just have to learn to cope."
- Colleen Hoover, Hopeless

Okay, so I've fallen in love with Colleen Hoover because of the Slammed series, so when I discovered Hopeless, I jumped on it. So, sorry for the lack of variety, but I WILL be reading and writing about her again soon. I know my readers must love her, too! So, that's okay!

Hoover doesn't write the typical predictable love stories. That's what I love the most. In Hopeless, Sky finally talks her adopted mother into letting her attend public school for her senior year. She figured it couldn't be as bad as her books make it sound. Well, it turns out that, for the most part, her books were right. Everyone already created a reputation for Sky before she even got there. Luckily, she found a friend the first day that would help her through school, since her best friend was across the world in a foreign exchange program.

After the first day, Sky needed to do some grocery shopping. While at the store, she saw a guy that instantly got her heart racing and her stomach turning. What?! She never got this way over guys. Never once had she ever had any feelings to a guy. She always just felt numb around them. She wasn't sure why this guy did this to her, but it made her nervous. Trying to leave as fast as she could, he approached her in the parking lot. Still terrified, she turned to talk to him anyway. He asked for her name because she looked familiar to him, but she knew she had never met him. Soon enough they parted ways.

Shortly after her trip to the grocery store, she went out for her run. Typically, she runs in the morning, but she didn't today because it was the first day of school. During her run, she saw the guy from the store. He was running, too. Shirtless. If she wasn't getting faint from the heat before, she definitely was now!

He ended up in her first period class the next day. She just counld't get away from this guy! Sky really didn't know if she wanted to get away from him though. They end up being running partners, and she started to really like Holder. Well, Dean Holder, but everyone calls him Holder. They hit it off so well. They talk like they've never been strangers. Holder acts like he has Sky figured out so well, but she needs to figure him out..

Think you know how this story goes? Think again! Just when you think the story is going to go the way you imagine, Hoover takes you for a loop. Go ahead: think of the best twist that could possibly be in this story. You lost, Hoover has you beat, and she will shock you! Read Hopeless to see just how this story spins and why it is hopeless.

Make sure to share your thoughts, favorite part, favorite quotes, or anything in a comment at the bottom of the post!

After you fall in love with Sky and Holder in Hopeless, make sure you stay on the lookout for Losing Hope! It is the follow-up book for Hopeless. It will be Holder's story instead of Sky's.

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"The Pianist" by Władysław Szpilman

“And now I was lonelier, I supposed, than anyone else in the world. Even Defoe's creation, Robinson Crusoe, the prototype of the ideal solitary, could hope to meet another human being. Crusoe cheered himself by thinking that such a thing could happen any day, and it kept him going. But if any of the people now around me came near I would need to run for it and hide in mortal terror. I had to be alone, entirely alone, if I wanted to live.”
-Władysław Szpilman, The Pianist

I've studied The Holocaust every year in history class since middle school. I even studied it a little in my college history courses. I've read and watched The Diary of Anne Frank. I've seen documentaries about it. It's one of those things that just seems like history. It pains me to learn about it because of how brutal and horrible it was and how many people were murdered. But like so many other things, it just seems like an event in history, and that's it. Because I was never truly affected by it, it doesn't sink in.

Now, don't get me wrong: I believe that it happened. The Holocaust, in fact, was a real occurrence. I'm not one of those people that somehow deny that it ever happened. Oh no, I know of its harsh reality. Reading The Pianist gave me an inside view to what happened during that time. Similar to Zeitoun, The Pianist told the journey of a survivor; however, this book was written by the survivor, not an outside source.

Władysław Szpilman told his story of what he personally went through during The Holocaust. When I started the book, I expected to read about a Jew that had been captured and put into a concentration camp. I expected to read about the different torturous things that he suffered. This book is actually about a Jew that was constantly in hiding and on the run. There were many encounters that just mentioning that he played the piano saved his life. Incredible.

At first he was with his family. Eventually his family was taken to a concentration camp, but Szpilman escaped. Over time he hid in numerous places. Some people graciously let him in, but after a while, no one would take him, so he had to hide anywhere he could find. At times he would almost starve to death, but he always found food just in time.

His story is devastating, but I learned so much. The things he witnessed and survived: unfathomable. There is also a movie! More people know about the movie, and here I am, being such a bookworm, I didn't even know about the movie until I started reading the book.

 

The ending is what I really didn't expect. I would have never expected him to have been saved the way he was. Maybe in a fiction book, but not in reality. I would tell you, but I don't want to spoil it for you!

Overall, it was not the best book to just sit down and read. The writing did not just keep pulling me to reading it, but that is simply because I'm a fiction fan, and this was factual. It was still a good read, and very informative. Upon finishing the book, I'm extremely glad that I read it.

Find out how Władysław Szpilman survived the Holocaust in The Pianist.

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"Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

"So many little things could have been done. So many people let it happen. So many looked away. And it only takes one person, one small act of stepping from the dark to the light."
-Dave Eggers, Zeitoun

I am completely and utterly stunned. Either I am just ignorant, or people really don't know about some of the terrible things that go on in our country. Reading this book, in 2013, was the first time I had heard of the horrific events following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Abdulrahman Zeitoun is a carpenter, from New Orleans, La., but he is originally from Syria. Everyone addressed him by his last name, because of the fact that his first name is pretty hard for Americans (especially in the South) to pronounce. His wife, Kathy, helps with the business. When the hurricane was approaching, the Zeitouns didn't think much of it. They heard these kinds of warning all the time, so this was all the same. Over the next few days, Kathy grew more worried, and wanted to evacuate. Zeitoun declined. Eventually, he told his wife that she could take the children out of the city, but he would stay and watch the house. After all, he had numerous properties he wanted to look after.

And so, that's what she did. She left to go stay with her family, while he stayed in the house and watched the water rise. After the flood came and Zeitoun had saved as much furniture and valuables as possible, he set sail! Well, he took his canoe out into the water to view the town. On his ride, he found many dogs that were trapped in the second floor of different houses, so he made the effort to bring them food and water. He did this every day. Also, he took his canoe and found people that were trapped, as well. He saved a few, and did his best to find help for the ones he couldn't save. He checked on his properties, and joined a few friends along the way.

Time passed, and he developed a routine. But the city began to change. The standing water began to gather filth, disease, sewage, and bodies. Crime started to break out, and rumors of murder, rape, and other horrible things filtered through the media. Kathy began to worry, and begged Zeitoun to come home. Still, he declined. He felt he had a purpose and a mission to uphold.

Eventually, the crime caught up with him. While in one of the houses he rents to to others, people that looked like they were from the National Guard came and arrested Zeitoun, along with the men that were there with him. They accused him of looting. Zeitoun said he owned the house they were in, but nothing he said would change their minds. He got in their boat and it drove them to the bus station.

There as a makeshift prison at the Greyhound bus station that was never there before. Zeitoun noticed the structure, and knew what hard work it would take to build these new outdoor cages. The plans to build this were made before the storm even hit. Prisoners from other surrounding prisons were brought in to build this prison two days after Katrina hit the city. They had ready-to-eat meals for the guards and the prisoners while there will people stranded and hungry in their own homes all over the city.

Zeitoun was called "terrorist" multiple times before he was tossed into one of the cages. He never got a phone call, his rights were never read to him, and the America he always knew no longer existed. Neither did he.

Kathy went almost 2 weeks without hearing for her husband, so she thought he was dead. She couldn't accept that, though. She just couldn't. She would call him on the phone at that rental house he checked on, but it just rang and rang with no answer. Everyday she called, but never did she receive a call back. Finally, one day, the phone rang. It was a missionary telling her that he saw her husband in a prison. She asked him where it was, but he said he couldn't tell her anything else because he shouldn't be telling her anything.

Eventually Kathy and Zeitoun were reunited, and they began the process of starting their lives over. When they went back to the prison to retrieve his wallet, they did not want to give it to him. They said they needed it as evidence, although his charges were dropped. After Kathy finally talked them into giving it back, it was missing the cash and credit cards that were in there when he was arrested.

Overtime, the pain of it all began to die down, but they will always be affected by Katrina. They rebuilt their home, and Zeitoun began helping rebuild homes all over the city. Nothing will make them forget, but they can still grow from the experience.

 CLICK HERE to watch a YouTube video of Zeitoun showing important location mentioned throughout the book.

Of course, that is just a brief description of what Zeitoun and his family went through during Hurricane Katrina. Read the entire book to know the whole story! It's well worth the read. It's horrible that more people don't know about this.

Watch this video about what people know about Hurricane Katrina (click here).

I've never been so disappointed about our country.This hurt me to read about what happened to Zeitoun. How can people be treated this way and the rest of the country not know. This was the main news story at that time, but yet I don't remember hearing of anything like this. Granted, I was young, but I was old enough to know what was going on. I never heard of such treatment.

One of the things that hit me the hardest, was when Zeitoun paddled up to men in uniform (soldier, National Guard, Navy, I'm not sure), asked for help, and they told them they couldn't help him or even call someone else to help him. WHY NOT??? Isn't that why they went there?

Eggers did an outstanding job at getting this truth out. Usually I am not drawn to non-fiction work, but this was not written in a informative, drawn out way. It was almost written like a fiction story, but everything was very real.

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What do you remember from Hurricane Katrina? Were you aware of the what was REALLY going on?

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