Read with us! Our book club choice is When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi.
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Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Madeline has never been outside her home. Her mother and her nurse Carla are her only companions. She is sick with a rare disease that leaves her immune system compromised. If she has any contact with the outside world, she will become deathly ill. So, Madeline goes to school online. Her only social time is game night with her mother, and her sole confidant is her nurse Carla. Her seventeen year old world is controlled and so very small; until the new neighbors move in. Olly and his family arrive under Madeline’s watchful eye from her second story window, in her encapsulated chamber of germ free air. Late night email’s become Madeline’s gateway to her first real friend. Olly and Madeline find solace in each other. However, their friendship and budding romance are met with enormous obstacles. This is a coming of age story with a plot twist I did not see coming. Everything, Everything exceeded my expectations; I was impressed with Nicola Yoon’s debut novel. Her husband did the cover art and graphics throughout the book, which are beautiful and add to the story. It is a fast read, yet thought provoking; a good choice for book clubs.
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I Love You More by Jennifer Murphy
A man with a closet full of secrets can only keep them hidden so long. Sooner or later your wife finds out a secret, discovers things don’t add up, and your house of cards comes falling down piece by piece. Unless you don’t let it fall. In this fast paced, story we first meet Diane, beautiful and put together, mother of a daughter named Picasso. She is married to Oliver, desperately in love, yet desperately unhappy. You cannot quite figure out what is going in her marriage, and either can Diane. The story is told from the perspective of Diane, Picasso, and a small town detective. If you liked Gone Girl you will love the twists and turns and psychological layers. However, I thought this book far surpassed Gone Girl in writing, character development, and depth. The writing is fresh, beautiful, and creative. The pacing and plot are impeccable. The story is told by different characters, the reader gains the perspective of the story from many different angles. This is the best murder mystery I have read in a long time, I could not walk away from it until it was over. It is haunting, masterful, and a stunning success.
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Best Reads of 2015
Best Fiction: Wonder by R.J. Palacio– Everyone should read this book, it is well written, an important story, and deeply moving. A boy with a severe facial deformity goes to school for the first time. You will travel through every emotion as this boy traverses through the joys and pains of life. I loved it.
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Best Serious Non-Fiction: Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar– The story of the trapped Chilean miners, their suffering, and their miraculous rescue. It was informative, and I was moved by the story of their survival.
To order from Amazon, click here:Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free
Best Light Non-Fiction: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari– Personally, I adore Mr. Aziz and his sense of humor. This book is sweet and light, but explains the crazy changes the inter-webs have made in our dating lives. Well researched, informative, and jovial.
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Best Love Story: The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough- This book stole my heart from the first page. There were so many elements and layers to love. Set in 1930’s Seattle, yet it traveled the globe through historical events. The writing is brilliant, historical facts are woven into the story with impeccable and fascinating detail. I didn’t want it to end.
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Best Book About a Long Walk: Etta and Otto and Russel and James by Emma Hooper– A most peculiar, charming little book. Etta decides to walk across Canada to see the Ocean; her husband is left at home to ponder life, their courtship, and learn to cook. Read it for yourself, especially if you want something out of the ordinary.
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Best Historical Fiction: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah– This book has been given many accolades, and they are well deserved. An exceptional, well told tale of living in Nazi occupied France.
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Best Children’s Book Adults Need to Read: Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan– The lives of three children in different parts of the world in World War II are woven together as the reader follows the path of a magical harmonica. I devoured this book and reveled in the language, the plot, and the touching stories of children living through war times. A must read.
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Best Mystery Novel: I Love You More by Jennifer Murphy– I am a wimp when it comes to mysteries, I can’t handle anything slightly scarier than a Law and Order episode, but this book was remarkable. Three women figure out their husband has secret families and entire lives they never knew about, and the plot gets thicker and thicker. Perfect if you want suspense and a psychological thriller.
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The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel– If you liked Water for Elephants, read this. A trains first journey through the deep mountains, filled with bandits and robbers chasing after the good guys. It was gripping from the first page to the last.
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Best Book by a Movie Star: Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling– This may sound shocking, but most movie stars are terrible writers. However, Mindy Kaling wrote a lot of The Office, and she was pretty darn good. This was light, cheery, and uplifting. It felt like talking with your best friend. Reading it made me happy; I hope it makes you happy too.
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Best Beginning Chapter Book: Princess in Black by Shannon Hale– If you have a child transitioning into chapter books, Shannon Hale is perfect to feed your book worms. If you have a boy, do not be afraid, it is funny and appealing to all children. Shannon Hale has done some great writing about, “there are not such things as boy books and girl books.” I agree! This book has funny monsters, an adventurous princess, and it is simply delightful. Read it with your kids, by yourself, or have your kids read to you. Just read it.
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Best Short Stories: The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan– Sadly, Marina passed away before she saw her short stories and essays published. They are moving, honest, edgy, and full of passionate ideals. She is a brilliant writer gone before her career could start. I am glad I took the time to read her work.
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The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brokenbrough
The Game of Love and Death melds history, philosophy, and love seamlessly. In the forefront are the two main characters, Henry and Flora. They have both known the dulling pain of death in their young lives. Henry copes through hard work, following the rules, and playing beautiful music. Flora copes as she sings her heart out in the jazz clubs. When she is not singing she flies away over Seattle with dreams of following the path of Amelia Earhart. Their lives intersect as children and again as teenagers. In the background, Love and Death are brought to life as people, as opponents in the ultimate game, to shape the destiny of Flora and Henry.
The story envelopes the reader, historical events are paired with the fictional story of Henry and Flora in 1930’s Seattle. The jazz scene is huge, segregation is a harsh reality, and aviation is in its inception. Life is simple, yet incredibly complicated. The author captures the 1930’s without flaw, from the clothing, to the jazz clubs; the essence of the era is felt in every turn of the page.
I loved the story, but moreover the deeper questions it asks. It delves into race relations, social status, the definition of family, and defying one’s chosen path. It is a beautiful love story, endearing, tender, and dazzling. Read it with your high school class to exemplify the injustice of segregation, the excitement of early aviation, and the uniqueness of the Seattle jazz scene. Read it if you love Seattle history, read it if you need a love story to make your heart sing.
You will hear the music, fly with Flora, play bass with Henry, and long to know how it all ends. I consider it a must read of 2015.
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Beginnings and Book Ends 