Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell was a book that I had placed on hold at the library months ago.  And after waiting all of those months, I gobbled this book up in no time.

Eleanor & Park is about two misfit 16-year-olds who have their first high school romance, but it’s not a romantic book.  It’s a book about life, trying to find yourself as a teen, and first love.

Did I mention it takes place in 1986 which means it has some awesome 80s references?

Honestly, all I can say about Eleanor & Park is that it’s a book that you have got to get your hands on.  It’s emotional, sad, uplifting, and beautiful all at the same time.

And it totally reminds me of The Fault in Our Stars, which I just reviewed last week!

Anyone have a good suggestion for another book on first love?

Interested in getting your own copy? Check it out on Amazon & Indiebound. I get a small percentage if you purchase from those links, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.

Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson

Photo Credit: Goodreads

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

When I received the pitch for Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson, I was ecstatic.  My mom had recently read this novel (having been coerced by a B&N employee to give it a chance) and raved about it.  I was glad to have the opportunity to read the book for myself.

And it didn’t disappoint.  I read this book in less than 24 hours, having picked it up one morning and finishing it the next.  I actually could not put this book down.  Once We Were Brothers was addicting!

Ben Solomon charges into a prestigious event in order to confront remarkable citizen Elliot Rosenzweig of being a Nazi named Otto Piatek.  The accusation is out of line, as Elliot has an Auschwitz tattoo and is a Holocaust survivor.

But as Ben’s attorney, Catherine, dives more deeply into Ben’s story, she realizes that things may not be as they seem.

Is Elliot Rosenzweig a former Nazi?  Is he really Otto Piatek?  And even if he is, can anyone prove it?

I love how Ben explains his story during the Holocaust without dumbing it down for the readers, while Catherine (the lawyer) plays the voice of the average person who knows little or a normal amount about the Holocaust.  She asks questions the readers might need the answers to, which is a good way to go about writing so that the readers (and the characters) are informed.

The only drawback to the story that I found was that as Ben is telling his story, he uses a LOT of direct quotes.  Can he REALLY remember everything that his family members and so on actually said?  Maybe he can, because he really does seem to, at times, be transferred back in time to the scene in question.  Either way, it didn’t detract from the story in the least, just gave me something to think about.

Once We Were Brothers is a moving tale about obtaining justice no matter how distant the crime.  It is a book that I highly recommend.

Do you think that war criminals have the right to live the remainder of their lives in peace, or should they have proper justice served?

 

Interested in getting your own copy?  Today’s the day the book is released!!!

Check it out on Amazon & IndieBound. I get a small percentage if you purchase from those links, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.

The Wedding Gift by Marlen Suyapa Bodden

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Photo Credit: Goodreads

I have just been loving dual narrative novels lately.  I can’t believe how many I have read, most in a row, and honestly, I seem to love each and every one of them.

The Wedding Gift by Marlen Suyapa Bodden is one of those dual narrative novels.

The Wedding Gift is the story of Sarah Campbell, a slave during the 1850s, whose father is the plantation owner.  Sarah is the playmate to and the maid of Clarissa, her half-sister.  Although this isn’t fully known to them at the time (but don’t worry, you find out soon enough, so it’s not giving anything away!).

The other narrative is told by Theodora Allen, the mistress of the plantation.

Sarah’s not happy as a slave.  But why should she be?  And Theodora seems to be a little too free-thinking as a mistress.

The Wedding Gift kept me hooked for most of the story.  At one point, maybe 3/4 of the way through, it lagged a little.  However, the ending twist was completely shocking and made up for the lag.

This would be a good novel for you to read if you’re a fan of The Help by Kathryn Stockett or The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom.

If my review doesn’t at least intrigue you, the positive feedback from authors like Tom Wolfe and Kathleen Grissom should at least pique your interest.

This book comes out today, so make sure you pick up your copy of the novel.

Are you a fan of the dual narrative novel?

 

Interested in getting your own copy? Check out The Wedding Gift on Amazon & IndieBound. I get a small percentage if you purchase from those links, and it doesn’t cost you any extra.