The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

My latest read is by the same author who wrote Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair (I've read both books but never reviewed those...huh).  I was on the fence between 4 and 4.5 stars but went with the 4.5 because of the amount of thinking this book made me do. And by the way - though the book is fiction, the characters were real people, living during this time period...famous people who fought for women's rights and abolitionists.

The synopsis: In 1803, Sarah Grimke,  turned 11 years old and the gift she receives from her mother is ownership of her own slave, Hetty "Handful".  She is disgusted by the gift because she is disgusted by slavery but due to the rigid Southern way of life, she has no ability (at 11) to change anything (in fact, South Carolina law prevented it).  The rest of the novel follows Sarah and Handful as they plod through their lives and the challenges they are forced to muddle through (slavery, being a woman in the 1800s with no rights).

This novel was so upsetting in so many ways (the torture/punishments meted out were horrible) but what really got to me were some of the things that went through my head while reading. For example, at one point Handful was doing something that went against the "rules" (taking a bath in the bathtub meant for Sarah).  I was reading and thinking, "Oh God, get out, get out...you're going to get caught! Why are you doing this!?" And then I thought, "My God! What am I thinking?! Why can't she take a bath?! Why should she fear getting whipped just because she takes a bath!?"  Sad, scary.

At times, reading this book, I got frustrated because it felt like Sarah was constantly reinventing herself (her beliefs, what was important to her, who and what she wanted to be) but after finishing the novel, it made sense.  This was a woman who was striving to find a purpose throughout her life but every time she found something that she wanted to do, a door would slam in her face. And I realized, it wasn't flightiness or indecision that kept her turning in a new direction.  It was society and the rules that were forced on women.  I can't imagine having to live during that time.  Strong women were shunned and ostracized and never given a chance to have the life they wanted.  And though there is NO comparison between what women went through at that time and the plight that the slaves were forced to endure, there is still a parallel...it's quite interesting and worth the read, for sure!

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

I love this author.  If you've never read her, you must.  She takes subjects (autism, Alzheimer's, brain damage) and gives such a knowledgeable voice to them...it boggles the mind. 

In Love Anthony, one of our two main characters is Beth who is going through a devastating time in her life when her husband of 14 years cheats on her.  As a way of coping, she starts writing a novel about a boy with autism, told through the boys voice.  Our second main character is Olivia, a woman running from the memories of her autistic son who has recently passed after suffering a seizure.  The paths of these two women unexpectedly cross at a time when they both are at a turning point - one which will make or break them. 

I read this book in 2 days.  It was amazing.  It gives such an amazing voice to autism that you wonder if Lisa Genova has some sort of insight into the minds of these kids.  For anyone who works with kids who have autism, parents with kids who have autism or truly anyone who has ever come across someone with autism, you MUST read this.  It is amazing.  (And read the other books by this author as well...you won't be disappointed.)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My latest read is a book that's been on my shelves for a few years.  I originally got it with the thought of reading it with the kids at school. Additionally it's on a subject that fascinates me:  The Holocaust.  This one, however, is a bit against the norm.

In The Book Thief, the narrator is Death.  Not the devil; not someone/something evil but the collectors of souls.  The story takes place in Germany during World War II.  Our main character is Liesel Meminger, who, at the age of nine, has already lost everything she holds dear.  She never knew her father; her mother, was a communist and so hunted by the Nazi's, and is forced to give Leisel away with the hope of giving her a life; Leisel's brother died en route to their new parents.  Leisel arrives in the blue-collar neighborhood of Molching.  Her new "mother" is a tough-talking, name-calling woman who loves in her own way, though it takes Leisel a long time to realize this.  Her new "father" is what, at first, gets Leisel through the toughest time in her short life.  With his assistance, Liesel learns how to read and learns how to cope with her nightmares. And as the war picks up speed and things (luxuries like books) are hard to come by, Leisel starts stealing to feed her new love of reading.  With each new book collected, Leisel's life changes.

This was such a different book told in such a unique way.  I took my time reading this because it was a tough subject with a lot of heartache but well worth the read.  Often when I read books about the Holocaust I wonder how a whole German society could let what happened during WWII happen.  This book showed me that most likely, people didn't just sit back and let things happen.  In their own ways they rebelled and did what they could to thumb their noses at Hitler.  Realistically, however, those living in such an upside down society were most focused on surviving.  After reading The Book Thief, I get that. 

I highly recommend this book.  I don't know that I could read it with my kids at school because it is very confusing and would boggle them but anyone else should read it.  (And there's a movie now too).

The Time of My Life by Cecelia Ahern

My latest listen was a completely enjoyable book that I didn't want to end.  The narrator did a great job and I can't wait to listen to another novel by Cecelia Ahern.

The Time of My Life is about Lucy Silchester whose actual life has gotten away from her.  She's living a completely underwhelming existence in a job she hates (that she got under false pretenses), with a family that makes no effort in hiding their disappointment in her and the friends she has no longer know her because she's been telling them lie after lie for nearly three years. Along comes "her life" in the form of a middle-aged businessman who is bent on helping Lucy regain a happier existence; one where she no longer needs to pretend.

I loved this book, like I said, and would imagine that the written word would be just as entertaining as the spoken.  Read this...an easy and utterly enjoyable book. 

Dust by Patricia Cornwell

My latest is another from the Kay Scarpetta series.  This one takes place just after the Sandyhook massacre and Kay has just returned to Boston after working in assisting with the autopsies of the children.  She is spent, exhausted and sick but alas, another seemingly impossible murder lands on her doorstep.  Compound all that with the fact that the murder is pointing towards another serial kill, and her work is cut out for her and her team.

I have to say - I do love Patricia Cornwell but I'm wondering if she isn't getting to rote, too quick in producing her novels.  She certainly is thorough in her knowledge but is it reasonable that the events that take place, do so in a matter of hours?  I'm not so sure that's realistic...even for a work of fiction.  That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and would continue to recommend the series to anyone who likes a who-done-it. 

We Are Water by Wally Lamb

My latest is the 4th novel I've read of Wally Lamb's.  (He's had non-fiction I've read as well). As usual - he doesn't fail to amaze in his writing.

We Are Water is a novel that centers around Annie Oh and the life-changing decisions she's made at a time when most people are settling in to middle age.  A time when most people are starting to take a breath after the hard work it sometimes takes to get to middle age.  Instead, Annie has decided, after 27 years of marriage, to leave her husband and marry Viveca, her wealthy, Manhattan art dealer.  A woman.  The lead up to their wedding follows Annie's uncertainty as her past seems to be catching up to her...as secrets start to chase her. There are many side stories in We Are Water and all of them keep you turning the pages.  It's a beautiful account of one woman's attempt to bury a painful past and the futility and harm that can result.

Once again, Wally Lamb doesn't fail to impress and his writing is beautiful.  There are a handful of writers out there (in my humble opinion) who make words sing and dance across a page and make me so enamored of their talent.  Wally Lamb is high on that list. (Pat Conroy, John Steinbeck are some others). Read this and if you 've not read him before - pick up all his books...you'll want to read them again and again.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

You know, I say I'm not a sci-fi fan but then I loved the Hunger Games trilogy and enjoy me some sci-fi films so, when I found a website that listed the "must reads before you see the movie" Ender's game (as well as Divergent and the City of Bones) were on the list.  I remember dating Bob in the 1990s and he raved about this book but of course, back then, being the "English Major" that I was, I was too good for sci-fi...God I was such a righteous ass back then.  Anyway: the premise:

Ender Wiggin is a brilliant 6-year old...the youngest (a "third) in a family of geniuses. Future Earth, has survived two attacks by an alien race called Buggers.  It is well-known, however, that a third invasion is coming and the results of this one will either be complete triumph or total defeat. The government is scrambling to make sure this never happens by training the next set of star fleet commanders from childhood.  Based on Ender's accomplishments and his keen mind, he is chosen for Battle School.  Here he learns military strategy and how to be a leader.  The cost, however, is the loss of his childhood, seclusion and loneliness.  The question:  Is Ender the one?  Can he be the savior for all humankind?  And what's real and what is the Game?

I LOVED this book...and again...sci-fi has apparently never been my thing.  I know I may be a 43-year old woman (God, am I really that old?  I still feel like I'm 25!  Except for the aches and pains in my hips sometimes and the fact that I can't sit Indian-style for very long anymore) but there's nothing quite like the complete escape from a world that doesn't seem possible.  Even if you think sci-fi isn't your thing, try this book out...I guarantee you will like it!