Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I finally realized why I read so many books about young women during World War II. My grandmother grew up in Nürnberg during this time and she has never spoken about her childhood. From what my father has told me about her experiences, I wouldn’t talk about it either. I read so many books because… Continue reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Verity #2 I may need to reread Rose Under Fire - when I first read it, I was "broken" on World War II novels - I'd read so many, I didn't really "feel" anything when I read them anymore. There are things that happen in Rose Under Fire that are absolutely horrific and I just kept… Continue reading Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

The Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper

A Brief History of Montmaray, The FitzOsbornes in Exile, The FitzOsbornes at War My sister told me I absolutely had to read these books, and while being told to read something is not usually a good incentive, this time I am so happy that she introduced me to these books. These are three of my… Continue reading The Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper

Book Club, Classics, Fiction, Mystery

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Hercule Poirot #10 Just like A Study in Scarlet, Murder on the Orient Express was one of the Modern Readers' Magical Mystery Tour books from last summer. Every since I saw The Mousetrap, one of Agatha Christie's plays, and watched the Doctor Who episode that includes Agatha as part of the storyline, I've wanted to read one of her famed… Continue reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Fiction, Science Fiction

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #1 Good old Hitchhiker's... this is a book that has been recommended to me by just about everyone I know. It definitely takes some getting used to if you are not used to humorous sci-fi, but it is definitely a favorite!  Synopsis Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way… Continue reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Fantasy, Fiction

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Prachett

My now husband picked this book out to read shortly after we started dating, and when we were looking for a book to listen to while driving from Pennsylvania to South Carolina, he recommended it. It has been one of my favorite books ever since. Synopsis According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes… Continue reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Prachett

Fantasy, Fiction

The Magicians trilogy by Lev Grossman

The Magicians, The Magician King, The Magician's Land Happy Halloween! Since I don't read a lot of horror, I figured a fantasy series was the next best pick for Halloween. The Magicians Synopsis Intellectually precocious high school senior Quentin Coldwater escapes the boredom of his daily life by reading and rereading a series of beloved… Continue reading The Magicians trilogy by Lev Grossman

Book Club, Graphic Novel, Memoir/Autobiography, Nonfiction

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Persepolis had been on my TBR list for a very long time, probably since I first saw the trailer for the film adaptation (which I still haven't seen) at an art theater in the town I grew up in. When Emma Watson, one of my personal heroes, decided to make it a selection for her Goodreads'… Continue reading Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing I first read A Great and Terrible Beauty shortly after it was first released many moons ago... in 2003 when I was a freshman in high school. I loved it from the very beginning - it was one of the first young adult fantasy books that… Continue reading Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray

Book Club, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Salt to the Sea first came into my hands as an ARC (advanced reader copy) shortly after I was introduced to Ruta Sepetys' writing when I picked up a copy of Between Shades of Gray at a not-so-little hidden gem of a used book store in center city Philadelphia. When I met Ruta at Winter Institute in 2016,… Continue reading Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys