MIRACLE IN THE ANDES

Author:  Nando Parrado

Genre:  Memoir, Standalone

Published:  2007

Personal Rating:  5/5 (absolutely outstanding)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Josh Davis

Yearly Count:  46

A survivor of the 1972 Andes plane crash recounts his experience of life and death in the mountains.

Absolutely outstanding.  I was touched in so many ways by Nando's story from beginning to end.  He made me feel what he was feeling, made me see what he was seeing and simply . . . made me feel like I was there.  Truly a remarkable book of survival.  I love Nando.  :)

Thoughts of Joy

THE HOMECOMING OF SAMUEL LAKE

Author:  Jenny Wingfield

Genre:  Fiction, Standalone

Published:  2011

Personal Rating:  5/5
(absolutely outstanding)

Format:  eBook

Yearly Count:  76

From NetGalley:

Every first Sunday in June, members of the Moses clan gather for an annual reunion at "the old home place," a sprawling hundred-acre farm in Arkansas. And every year, Samuel Lake, a vibrant and committed young preacher, brings his beloved wife, Willadee Moses, and their three children back for the festivities. The children embrace the reunion as a welcome escape from the prying eyes of their father's congregation; for Willadee it's a precious opportunity to spend time with her mother and father, Calla and John. But just as the reunion is getting under way, tragedy strikes, jolting the family to their core: John's untimely death and, soon after, the loss of Samuel's parish, which set the stage for a summer of crisis and profound change.

In the midst of it all, Samuel and Willadee's outspoken eleven-year-old daughter, Swan, is a bright light. Her high spirits and fearlessness have alternately seduced and bedeviled three generations of the family. But it is Blade Ballenger, a traumatized eight-year-old neighbor, who soon captures Swan's undivided attention. Full of righteous anger, and innocent of the peril facing her and those she loves, Swan makes it her mission to keep the boy safe from his terrifying father.

With characters who spring to life as vividly as if they were members of one's own family, and with the clear-eyed wisdom that illuminates the most tragic-and triumphant-aspects of human nature, Jenny Wingfield emerges as one of the most vital, engaging storytellers writing today. In The Homecoming of Samuel Lake she has created a memorable and lasting work of fiction.

Just finished and just amazed.  I loved this book.  Being that I was reading this eBook on my iPad (bedtime read = little spurts), I wasn't making a lot of progress - until I got to about 1/3 of the way through.  I, then, decided that I simply wanted to read more and zoomed through the remaining 2/3 during the day.  I just couldn't stop.  

The book has so much to offer.  It is filled with a family of terrific characters that in one way or another touch your heart.  You just can't help but let them in.  There is also tension, a bit of quiet mystery, and of course, daily life that is hard to turn away from.  Simply stated:  The Homecoming of Samuel Lake was never dull.  There was continual action of one sort or another, and I had a hard time moving my eyes from my iPad back to the big screen football games.  Now that's impressive!  (Not the Michigan game, though!  All eyes on Michigan!!!  Go Blue!)  This "best read" is now on my list of "must purchase" so I can add it to my personal bookshelves.

My thanks go to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for sending me this eGalley.


My Random Question:  For those of you that have read this book and The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Bradley), what are your thoughts about Swan vs Flavia?  I LOVED Swan and did not care for Flavia at all.  Do you see similarities or are there glaring differences?  Just curious.

LITTLE PRINCES

Author:  Conor Grennan

Genre:  Memoir, Standalone

Published:  2011

Personal Ratings:  5/5

(absolutely outstanding)

Format:  Audiobook

Yearly Count:  62

Conor Grennan, 29, throws himself into a year-long trip around the world.  His first stop is to volunteer in Nepal at an orphanage called Little Princes.  Despite being unprepared for the culture shock and conditions of the worn-torn country, Conor's heart is filled with the love of the children.  His realization of the true reasons why they are living in the orphanage drives him to seek out their relatives. Once back in the USA, he develops a non-profit organization called Next Generation Nepal to support his efforts to reunite families.

I felt so many emotions while listening to this book.  The joy in "Conor-Brother's" success was the most inspiring, but the way in which Conor shares his story was delightful.  He had a sense of humor that made me giggle often, and yet, he also had a very serious side that made me choke up with sadness when he described some of his experiences with the children and locals.  

The audiobook version was absolutely awesome!  I loved the accents and cadence of the reader, which just so happened to be the author himself.  Well done.

BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY

Author:  Ruta Sepetys

Genre:  YA Historical Fiction, Standalone

Published:  2011

Personal Rating:  5/5
(absolutely outstanding)

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  29

From Ruta Sepetys' Website:

Between 1940 - 1953, the Soviets imprisoned and deported over 300,000 Lithuanians.  They were shipped via cattle car across Europe into Asia to die in the forests of Siberia.  My family members were among them.  In total, Lithuania lost over a third of its population doing the Soviet reign of terror.

* * * * * * *

Fifteen-year-old Lina Vilkas is arrested by the Soviet secret police and deported to Siberia with her mother and younger brother.  Her father is sentenced to death in a Soviet prison camp.  Lina fights for her life, vowing that if she survives, she will honor her family, and the thousands like her, by burying her complete story in a jar on Lithuanian soil.  Lina's writings chronicle her experience, her struggle to accept help from a kind Soviet guard she's supposed to hate, and retain her dignity without losing all faith in mankind.

I've been pondering the YA label.  I'm glad that having that label makes it more readily available to teens, but at the same time I'm concerned it may turn some adults away.  It's too good to be only in the hands of teens, so I hope that word gets out that this is a valuable read to teens and adults alike.

Between Shades of Gray grabbed me right from the start, and I never wanted to put it down.  There were so many lines that choked me up or brought me to tears, and others that I felt deeply just because I was so engrossed in the story.  It was compelling. I have no doubt that Lina and her family will remain in my thoughts for quite some time to come.  

After reading the book, I watched the video clip of Ruta on Amazon and was amazed once again at the story she has shared.

Outstanding.  Absolutely outstanding.  

My thanks go to Philomel Books (a division of Penguin Young Readers Group) and Shelf Awareness for sending me this ARC.

SPIRIT WHISPERERS

Author: Chick Moorman

Genre: Non-Fiction, Standalone

Published: 2001

Personal Rating: 5/5 (absolutely outstanding)

Yearly Count: 71

Subtitled: Teachers Who Nourish a Child's Spirit

Educators are encouraged to become "spirit whisperers." Spirit whisperers are people that gently, but purposefully help students blossom into responsible adults through the most minute to major situations. Through their specific guiding and teaching, students learn to make their own decisions and accept their consequences.

I love this book (reread). It has a wealth of wise advice and reasons to back it - every educator should be required to read it. Not everybody will "buy into it," but it would be very difficult to not take something positive from it.

MANHUNT

Author: James L. Swanson

Genre: Historical True Crime, Standalone

Published: 2006

Personal Rating: 5/5

Yearly Count: 54

This is the historical account of the John Wilkes Booth chase after he assassinated President Lincoln. The 12 days it took to apprehend him are told in detail, along with the events that led up to the assassination and following his capture.

I thought this was absolutely excellent! The rich components make it a complete and fascinating story from beginning to end. There are many characters in the book and each are very purposefully explained in terms of how they fit into the plot, so I did not experience any confusion. Also, it is told with fluidity and suspense, even though we know the outcome. I now feel well-versed on the assassination of President Lincoln and have already shared unknown details with family and friends. :) Great book.

MAUS II: A SURVIVOR'S TALE - And Here My Troubles Began

Author: Art Spiegelman

Genre: YA NF Graphic Novel

Published: 1992

Personal Rating: 5/5

Yearly Count: 87

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale - My Father Bleeds History

Not a beat was missed between Maus I and Maus II. The heart-wrenching tale continues with Art recording the details of his father's Holocaust experience.

Wow. This was an outstanding account of Vladek during the horror of Hitler. The story was told in cartoon pictures and the sentences were in choppy English, but that only enhanced my experience. Even with the animals representing people, I was able to engage and feel the story. This was without a doubt an extremely powerful and enlightening book. I was completely immersed and learned many new things about the Holocaust and the legacy it has left behind.

A CHILD CALLED "IT"

Dave Pelzer

Genre: Memoir

Published: 1995

Personal Rating: 5/5

Yearly Count: 3

I was mesmerized by the contents in this book that I couldn't stop listening, yet was totally appalled at what I was hearing. It contained horrific, unthinkable acts of child abuse that just broke my heart. The resilience and determination of this little boy was remarkable - a true survivor! I HAVE to read the remaining books in the trilogy: The Lost Boy and A Man Named Dave.

HEART SICK

Chelsea Cain

Personal Rating: 5/5

Yearly Count: 88

I'm bummed that this thrill is over, but I am elated with the results. This recently released debut thriller was quite a find! The bad news is that it is another graphically gruesome story of a serial killer. But, that's not all; there are very realistic relationships that draw you into their peculiar world that don't let you go.

Residing in Portland, Oregon is Archie Sheridan - a damaged detective, Gretchen Lowell - a beautiful serial killer, Susan Ward - a Herald reporter, and amongst many other characters . . . another serial killer. The author immerses the reader into the psychological core of these characters in a very profound way. As we root for Archie and his task force to catch the new serial killer, we embark on important aspects of several characters' lives that take us deeper still. It was very difficult to put the book down.

I only knew that this book was about a serial killer before I picked it up. Since then I have read the book jacket and have visited *Chelsea Cain's website. In my opinion, there is just waaaaaay too much information given. So, my suggestion would be to pick the book up and let the story unfold before your very own eyes and visit her very informative and interesting website when you are finished. It's definitely worth a peek; she even takes you to the crime scenes in her video clip.

*I provided the quick link to Cain's website, because I know many of you won't be able to hold back; although, I did it begrudgingly. I know that it's pure preference, but I don't want anything to be spoiled for you as you read this terrific thriller.

THE FACE OF DEATH

Cody McFadyen

Personal Rating: 5/5!

Yearly Count: 61

I have a problem with me thinking that this was absolutely excellent. Here's why:

"Be as careful of the books you read, as of the company you keep; for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as by the latter."

~ Paxton Hood ~

This is not good. I truly believe in that quote. It means that I must really be bad off now.

The Face of Death is the second in the Special Agent Smoky Barrett series. While this thriller brings much of the same as the first (Shadow Man) regarding graphic violence, it also delivers much more depth in the characters, an incredible crime thriller plot and evokes emotions from despair to delight.

Cody's writing ability is outstanding. He is able to grab you and keep you. What I find baffling is that this creative talent he shares with us is very disturbing. Who has this stuff in their mind? And worse yet ... why do I want to read it? Another outstanding, yet questionable skill is that he has an uncanny ability to portray female characters with incredible accuracy. How does he do that?

I will not be intentionally seeking out more authors that describe horrific murders or that contain child abuse, so maybe my character will remain intact. However, I can't wait for Smoky's next case. I miss the gang already!

Non-Fiction Five Challenge

THE ONLY ROAD NORTH
Erik Mirandette

Personal Rating: 5/5

Yearly Count: 41

Wow. What an incredible story. I am in awe of this young man's courage and determination. This is real. As real, as real can get.

Here's an except from the back of the book:

Deserts and jungles, rebels and missionaries, bullets and acts of bravery, heaven and hell on earth--these are all part of a young man's remarkable, true journey through thirteen African countries with his brother and two best friends.

...The Only Road North takes readers to corners of the world and depths of the human heart they will never forget.

Erik's story is about life, love, survival, adventure, passion and much, much more. My heart is one that has been touched. Read it and yours will be too.

"F" Author-Based A ~ Z Reads

HELL AT THE BREECH
Tom Franklin
Personal Rating: 5/5




Wow! My mind is still whirling from this extraordinary book. My "thanks" go out to Suziqoregon from Blogging My Books who gave me the recommendation and now I pass the recommendation on to you.

I am not one to venture too far from home and expect to enjoy the ride, but on this trip I was transported to Alabama, 1897 and loved every minute of it. I find it very awkward to say that I "loved" this book when it was filled with brutality and raw emotions, but it was a fascinating read, one that I wouldn't have thought could draw me in.

Here's an excerpt from the jacket:

Based on incidents that occurred a few miles from the author's childhood home, HELL AT THE BREECH chronicles the dark events of dark days, events that lead the people involved to discover their capacity for good, for evil, or for both. It is a mesmerizing and unforgettable display of talent by a writer of immeasurable gifts.

I agree wholeheartedly! Wow!