Book Review: What if it’s Us {Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera}

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.

Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.

But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?

Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.

Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.

But what if they can’t quite nail a first date . . . or a second first date . . . or a third?

What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?

What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play?

But what if it is?

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

4.5 Stars

I absolutely loved this book. One of my favorite books that I’ve read so far in 2019!

From page 1 I was hooked. Everything about this book was awesome and REAL. The sheer amount of storylines and characters in this book was insane…but in a good way. I truly loved it all and simply couldn’t get enough of this book! It was funny, heartwarming, sad, uplifting…it was everything. I found myself smiling while reading though so many parts of this book.

I’m always so curious when books are co-written. Do the authors take on specific characters to write? Do they alternate chapters? Sections of the book? I had this thought in the back of my mind while reading and it was all written so smoothly that I truly have no idea how it was written by 2 people. Mind. Blown.

The only reasons I can’t give this gem 5 stars are because it was a bit predictable at times and the characters were VERY dramatic at times. I understand that they are teenagers and teenagers are dramatic…but whoa. Also, I felt that the conversations between them were spot on at times on how teenagers speak and not realistic at other times when they would become so reflective. I would be curious to hear others weigh in on this topic if you’ve read it.

I also think it’s worth noting that if you haven’t seen Hamilton and HATE reading about any spoilers of any kind as much as I do, you might not want to read this book until you do. There are A LOT of Hamilton references throughout this book and there is even a part where the basic story of Hamilton is told. When I saw Hamilton in Chicago last fall, I went in completely blind…I wanted to know absolutely nothing about the story, the songs, etc. I truly believe my Hamilton experience was better that way (everyone says to listen to the music first…I say do NOT)! I would have been super annoyed by all of the Hamilton references in this book if I was planning on seeing the play blindly. However, having already seen the play…I LOVED all of the Hamilton references! In fact, I am playing the Hamilton Pandora station as I’m typing this because after reading this book, I needed to hear these songs again STAT.

Please, please, please tell me there is a sequel to this book coming out eventually. I can’t say good-bye to these characters and storylines just yet! Everything about this book is just begging for a sequel.

This book would also make a fantastic movie…

Bottom Line:

LOVED. IT. SO. MUCH.

Did you read this book? What did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog. Also, please “like” my Facebook page , follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:30! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself! I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Judging Books By Their Covers

They say that you should “never judge a book by it’s cover” and I completely, 100 percent believe that to be true. Unfortunately, the cover of a book is what will initially make you want to pick it up, read the synopsis, and eventually determine if you will spend the time to read the book or not.

When I was a teacher and I would begin to read aloud a book with a torn (or lost) cover, my students were never as excited to hear it as they would have been if the cover were beautifully artistic. I used this “teachable moment” thousands of time in my 14 year career trying to instill in my students that just because something isn’t beautiful on the outside doesn’t mean that it’s not beautiful on the inside (and yes…I hope that lesson carried over into real life with them and not just books…)

Click the images below to order the books through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Here are a few examples of amazing books with not so amazing covers:

I hate when books ambiguously use real life people on the covers. Always messes up my image of what I think they should look like as I read. I feel like I then have to conform my mental images with the ones on the cover…fail.

This book is AWESOME. This cover is…pretty…but says absolutely nothing about the beautiful book inside? So misleading…

AMAZING book with a strange faceless woman on the cover. How old is she supposed to be here??? Says nothing about the book inside. You can read my review of this amazing book HERE.

Here is an example of a book where the gorgeous cover doesn’t quite match up with the words inside:

I was bored. You can read my review HERE.

Sometimes a book can easily be judged by it’s cover when the cover isn’t great and neither is the story inside:

The story itself was just ok…unforgettable. The cover? Not so unforgettable. In the history of the entire world, I truly don’t believe an uglier cover exists. Holy hell.

This book had so much possibility! The topic is FASCINATING….the cover (and the writing) is boring.

I absolutely hated everything about this book. Including it’s ugly cover.

And HERE we have the perfect combination of beautiful covers which also just happen to contain beautiful stories inside:

Bottom Line:

Just like people…some books are prettier on the inside then they are on the outside but you have to read them to find out 🙂

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Can you think of other books with beautiful (or not so beautiful) covers? Do you allow a book cover to determine if you want to read the book inside?

Still Breathing Giveaway Winner:

Congratulations, Loredana (I’d love to visit Paris, I wish this since Inwas 18 years old, wanted to go there with my best friend after we finished high school, but didn’t make it so far :(. I’m Internationally, also I’m subscribed to your blog. Hugs and kisses from Romania!)

Please email me (bookcoffeehappy@gmail.com) and I will make sure your copy of this lovely book gets sent to you!

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A-Z Book Tag {AKA Random Facts About Myself as a Reader}

Would you like to learn random facts about myself as a reader? As soon as I saw this book tag on Feed the Crime I knew I wanted to participate. This one was so much fun! Thank you to The Perpetual Page Turner for creating it!

*This post contains affiliate links. When you click on these links to buy the book, I receive a tiny commission. Thanks so much for your support, XO!*

Author you’ve read the most books from:

Ann M. Martin! The Babysitters Club series were hands down my FAVORITE books while growing up. And I’m not talking about the current graphic novels…I’m talking the old school novels. Claudia and Stacey were always my favorites. I can’t WAIT for my daughter to read these one day!

Best Sequel Ever:

The Wedding
I’ve told this story on my blog before but I’ll tell it again…I read this on an airplane years ago. As soon as I pulled it out of my carry on bag, the lady sitting next to me handed me a tissue! She told me that I would be needing it. Sure enough by the end of the flight…I was SOBBING. Like…weeping. Make up everywhere. Hiccups. The lady just looked at me, nodded once, and said, “Told you.” If you loved The Notebook (who didn’t?!) you will love it’s sequel. Just make sure you have plenty of Kleenex.

Currently Reading:

On The Come Up

Drink of Choice While Reading:

COFFEE. All day, every day. Hot, never iced.

E-reader or Physical Book?

Physical book 100% of the time. I’ve never read anything on an e-reader and I’ve never listened to an audiobook.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Olly from this wonderful book. Read my review here!

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Light Between Oceans Oh how I LOVED this book…once I was able to get past the extremely boring beginning. Read more on this and my full review here!

Hidden Gem Book:

Young Jane Young! How is this book not more popular?!? It’s fantastic! Read my full review here.

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

As I was reading Becoming, I was struck with the realization that I just don’t enjoy reading memoirs. Watch my YouTube video to hear me discuss this further!

Just Finished:

Somebody’s Daughter. Loved it. You can read my review here.

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

Anything with a topic that truly doesn’t interest me. There are too many wonderful books out there…why waste time reading one that I don’t find interesting?

Longest Book You’ve Read:

No clue…but maybe the hardcover versions of either Small Great Things or Becoming? I didn’t love either one so maybe they just FELT like the longest books I’ve ever read? You can read my reviews of these here and here.

Major book hangover because of:

House of Sand and Fog. I still think about this book and I read it 16 years ago! Read my review here.

Number of Bookcases You Own:

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Shanghai Girls. It’s so amazing. The sequel Dreams of Joy? Not so amazing. Read my review of both books here!

Preferred Place To Read:

With a sleeping child on my chest, coffee next to me, and rain (or snow) falling outside. Literally my version of heaven.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“You could jump so much higher when you had somewhere safe to fall” -Liane Moriarty (Truly Madly Guilty) I hated the book but loved this quote!

Reading Regret:

Even starting The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I hated it so much that I threw it across the room. You can read more about that here 🙂

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

Harry Potter ! I read the first one and loved it. I was halfway through the second…and then I got engaged 🙂 I immediately traded in poor Harry for wedding planning books and never once looked back. I really should go back and read them. Maybe one day with my daughter?

Three of your All-Time Favourite Books:

The Catcher in the Rye

The Help

The Hate U Give

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Mary Kubica 🙂 I just love her writing so much!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica. Netflix already bought the rights to it to turn the book into a feature film! Can’t wait to read it first!

Worst Bookish Habit:

This. Yikes.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

The Language of Flowers. If you haven’t yet read this book, you must. Today.

Your latest book purchase:

Groovy Joe: Dance Party Countdown (Groovy Joe 2) Both of my children LOVE Groovy Joe! We were all excited to see this new Groovy Joe title at my daughter’s school book fair 🙂

Readers, I would love to hear your answers to some of these (or all of these!) in the comments below!

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Book Review: Somebody’s Daughter {Rochelle B. Weinstein}

I absolutely love weekends. Jon is home from work and we try to fill our family time with all kinds of fun family adventures. My kids have sleepovers in each other’s rooms every Friday and Saturday night. Nobody loves going out for breakfast more than I do and we usually try to squeeze that in at least once each weekend. I always get a bit sad when Sunday night rolls around knowing that it will be another week until the 4 of us can have another weekend together filled with fun.

All of this to say that it makes me even more sad that I have been sick for the past 2 weekends and have not left my house once either weekend. Last weekend, I was convinced that I had food poisoning only to realize a few days later when my daughter got it…and then my husband got it…that it was something a bit more dramatic than food poisoning. Throughout it all, my son had a miserable cold…which BOTH my husband and I caught over this past weekend. We were miserable! At one point he was laying on one couch, I was laying on the other, and we had a box of Kleenex on the table in between us. I think this was the first time we have been sick like that at the exact same time since we have become parents and it was HARD! Omg.

I am usually a very happy and optimistic person (I chose the word “happy” as part of my blog domain afterall!) but this winter has been BRUTAL for our family. Between breaking my elbow, our house being damaged from the polar vortex, and the overall amount of sickness we have had…I am so ready for spring. Winter is my all time favorite season but this one has been ROUGH. I’m already looking forward to next winter so that we can have a do over.

My Instagram post from yesterday:

At least I’ve been reading (I’m loving On The Come Up so far)! Also, our family has been enjoying marathons of children’s baking competitions and America’s Got Talent. Reality TV is my absolute favorite and I’ll take it in any format that I can, although I really wish my children were old enough to watch The Bachelor with me 🙂

Next weekend the 4 of us WILL go out for breakfast. And we will be healthy. And it will be lovely.

Today’s book review is a book I finished last week in between our weekends of sickness doom. It was a wonderful book, one which I highly recommend.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Emma and Bobby Ross enjoy a charmed life on the shores of Miami Beach. They are a model family with a successful business, an uncomplicated marriage, and two blessedly typical twin daughters, Zoe and Lily. They are established members of a tight-knit community.

Then, on the night of the girls’ fifteenth birthday party, they learn of Zoe’s heartbreaking mistake—a private and humiliating indiscretion that goes viral and thrusts her and her family into the center of a shocking public scandal.

As the family’s core is shattered by disgrace, judgment, and retribution, the fallout takes its toll. But for Emma, the shame runs deeper. Her daughter’s reckless behavior has stirred memories of her own secrets that could break a marriage, a family, and friendships forever.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

Every parent should read this book. It doesn’t matter how old your children are, the hard truths that are discussed in this book are ones that every parent needs to be made aware of. This book absolutely terrified me…because it was so REAL. What happened to this family can happen to any family, anywhere at anytime. Beyond frightening.

This book made me THINK. It made me cry. It made me smile. It made me want to hug my daughter over and over. Although I didn’t necessarily agree with all of the choices that these parents made, I can recognize and appreciate that everything they did was out of unconditional love for their family. Beautiful.

Bottom Line:

I truly think there are certain books which should be required reading for all parents. This book would be high on the syllabus.

Did you read this book? What did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog. Also, please “like” my Facebook page , follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

“Unknown” Books Can be Gems and a Book Review: Deliver Her {Patricia Perry Donovan}

Thank you all so much for your kind words and messages from my last post. My kids and I are all feeling much better…aaaaaand now my husband is sick. When it rains it pours, right? Ridiculous. He’s much better today but the past 2 days have been bad! The silver lining in all of this is that I no longer blame my beloved Chinese restaurant and I can now officially say that I can’t wait to go back! PHEW.

On a side note…today officially marks 1 week since we have have Chinese food in this house. I truly think this must be some type of record for Jon and I! Even when we go on vacation, we usually end of finding a local Chinese restaurant at some point on our trip, lol. This is just madness. Must rectify this issue with some pot stickers STAT.

Book Review:

Today’s book is a perfect reminder that there are BILLIONS of wonderful books out there. It’s easy to forget this when so much of what we tend to read comes from recommendations, best sellers, etc. Sometimes the little unknown books are the gems!

I randomly found this book on a shelf as I was walking through the library. I had never heard of it, never heard of the author, but it sounded interesting to me so I gave it a shot. I’m so glad that I did!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

On the night of Alex Carmody’s sixteenth birthday, she and her best friend, Cass, are victims of a terrible car accident. Alex survives; Cass doesn’t. Consumed by grief, Alex starts cutting school and partying, growing increasingly detached. The future she’d planned with her friend is now meaningless to her.

Meg Carmody is heartbroken for her daughter, even as she’s desperate to get Alex’s life back on track. The Birches, a boarding school in New Hampshire, promises to do just that, yet Alex refuses to go. But when Meg finds a bag of pills hidden in the house, she makes a fateful call to a transporter whose company specializes in shuttling troubled teens to places like The Birches, under strict supervision. Meg knows Alex will feel betrayed—as will her estranged husband, who knows nothing of Meg’s plans for their daughter.

When the transport goes wrong—and Alex goes missing—Meg must face the consequences of her decision and her deception. But the hunt for Alex reveals that Meg is not the only one keeping secrets.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

4 Stars

This book was GREAT. I absolutely truly couldn’t put it down! I remember reading it one night while my husband was out with one of his friends for dinner. I was literally glued to my couch all night reading this!

My heart was truly pounding while reading parts of this…love when that happens! There was cliffhanger after cliffhanger…so many different stories, so many different perspectives, so many reasons I couldn’t stop reading.

I really loved this book and highly recommend it! It was a quick read…I read it over the course of a few days. It completely held my interest from page 1 with it’s intense story lines and interesting characters. EXCELLENT book.

Bottom Line:

Give the unknown books a shot…you might just be pleasantly surprised.

Do you ever read “unknown” books or do you only read books based on recommendations, best sellers, etc.?

Did you read this book? What did you think?

What’s an example of an “unknown” book that you have read and loved?

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog. Also, please “like” my Facebook page , follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:45! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself! I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Book Review: The Other Woman {Sandie Jones}

Oh do I have a great book for you today! AND…another VLOG!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Emily thinks Adam’s perfect; the man she thought she’d never meet. But lurking in the shadows is a rival; a woman who shares a deep bond with the man she loves.

Emily chose Adam, but she didn’t choose his mother Pammie. There’s nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her son, and now Emily is about to find out just how far Pammie will go to get what she wants: Emily gone forever.

The Other Woman is an addictive, fast-paced psychological thriller about the destructive relationship between Emily, her boyfriend Adam, and his manipulative mother Pammie.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

I. LOVED. IT.

I had been waiting for months to read this book and it did not disappoint! I FLEW through this book. Short chapters always make me want to keep reading. Combine them with a fantastic storyline and I was hooked! This book was AWESOME. Quick, easy to read, and wonderful. All in all, it was great and I would absolutely recommend it.

That being said, I do have some criticism. It’s impossible to talk about what I didn’t love without giving anything away! I try REALLY hard to keep spoilers off my blog (more on why I do this HERE). So…I made a video on my new YouTube channel openly discussing my thoughts including spoilers! Enjoy 🙂

*WHY OH WHY does YouTube keep thinking that these are lovely screenshots of me?!?!?*

Bottom Line:

Read it. Enjoy it. Devour it.

Did you read this book? What did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog. Also, please “like” my Facebook page , follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

My First VLOG! Book Review: Becoming {Michelle Obama}

Book Coffee Happy now has a YouTube channel! Check out my very first vlog (review of Michelle Obama’s Becoming):

I’m so happy that YouTube chose to showcase the most beautiful screenshot of me, lol (eyeroll)…

Enjoy!

Did you read this book? What did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog. Also, please “like” my Facebook page , follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Valentine Reflections, Facebook Giveaway, and a Book Review: Convenience Store Woman {Sayaka Murata}

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine’s Day! Mine was spent at my daughter’s classroom party (so cute) during the day. The kids did crafts, played games, ate yummy food, and had a blast. I love being able to experience these fun days with her and her friends and I never take for granted that I am able to do so. 🙂

Last night, we couldn’t find a babysitter so Jon and my romantic dinner was turned into a family event, lol. My daughter and I were each handed a rose from the hostess as we walked into the restaurant (my daughter LOVED that and it made her feel so fancy). The only kids in the entire restaurant belonged to us and although I wouldn’t say that dinner was romantic (Jon and I don’t typically have rock, paper, scissors tournaments when we dine alone), I would say it was definitely fun. 🙂

Our kids received giant Hershey Kisses and poop emoji stuffed toys (clearly Jon was the parent who bought the childrens’ gifts for this holiday…???)

And I received a gift card for a 90 minute massage and all I could say when I opened the envelope was “YESSSSSSSSS”. Do you get massages? I got my first one 2 years ago when Jon and I were in Cabo and I’ve never looked back. Since returning home from our trip, I’ve enjoyed quite a few 🙂 THE. BEST. I’ve only had 60 minute massages, this 90 minute one will be such a treat! Perfection.

I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday filled with lots of love…and books 🙂

Thank you to everyone who entered the Ben’s Adventures: A Day at the Beach giveaway! Congratulations Julie and Claire F.!

Ladies, please email me at bookcoffeehappy@gmail.com with your mailing addresses and I’ll pass them along to the author to get your books sent out ASAP.

Facebook Giveaway:

Would you like another chance to win an autographed and dedicated copy of Ben’s Adventures: A Day at the Beach?

I have 2 MORE copies to give away…this time exclusively on Facebook! Head over there for your chance to enter, it will be up within minutes of me publishing this post. Good luck!

My First Vlog

I filmed a vlog with my review of Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming. I had too many thoughts to type. 🙂 I’m hoping to get that video posted on Monday! Make sure you check back…

And now, a book review! Oh do I have a great one for you today…

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Keiko Furukura had always been considered a strange child, and her parents always worried how she would get on in the real world, so when she takes on a job in a convenience store while at university, they are delighted for her. For her part, in the convenience store she finds a predictable world mandated by the store manual, which dictates how the workers should act and what they should say, and she copies her coworkers’ style of dress and speech patterns so she can play the part of a normal person. However, eighteen years later, at age 36, she is still in the same job, has never had a boyfriend, and has only few friends. She feels comfortable in her life but is aware that she is not living up to society’s expectations and causing her family to worry about her. When a similarly alienated but cynical and bitter young man comes to work in the store, he will upset Keiko’s contented stasis–but will it be for the better?

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

5 Stars

I’ve read so many book reviews on this one and it’s been on my radar for months. I finally picked it up at the library this week and I’m so glad that I did!

I read this entire book over 2 days. I haven’t done that in such a long time! Full disclosure: this book is TINY. Like, itty bitty. Only 163 pages and the actual book itself is about 1/2 the length of a normal book…but being able to read ANY book over 2 days when you’re a mom is a total win in my book so I’m feeling great 🙂

This book sucked me in from page 1. It’s a bit…different…but in a good way! It’s been translated (It was originally written in Japanese). I was a bit nervous because the last book that I read which had been translated CLEARLY lost something in translation and was absolutely awful. Not at all the case with this book, it was great!

In my opinion, the main character in this one clearly falls somewhere on the autism spectrum and reminded me of the main characters from this book and from this book. The biggest difference between the 3 books is that I absolutely LOATHED the other 2 books and I absolutely LOVED this one! Man, did I hate those other 2 books (you can read my review of one of them here).

The deeper message in this story is about society and living up to the expectations that others have set for you. It’s an interesting and thought provoking read all around. And QUICK! You could truly sit and read this entire book in one sitting.

Bottom Line:

This is a little, teeny tiny gem of a book! And…if you read it, you will never look at a convenience store in the same way ever again (in a good way).

Did you read this book? What did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Have a great weekend! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway on Facebook!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog. Also, please “like” my Facebook page , follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Author Spotlight: Kahled Hosseini {The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, And The Mountains Echoed}

Kahled Hosseini, you are one an amazing author.

The plots, characters, and settings in your 1st 2 books are truly works of art and some of the best I’ve read.

You should have stopped writing while you were ahead.

kiterunner3

Synopsis from Goodreads:

“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime.”

Amir is the son of a wealthy Kabul merchant, a member of the ruling caste of Pashtuns. Hassan, his servant and constant companion, is a Hazara, a despised and impoverished caste. Their uncommon bond is torn by Amir’s choice to abandon his friend amidst the increasing ethnic, religious, and political tensions of the dying years of the Afghan monarchy, wrenching them far apart. But so strong is the bond between the two boys that Amir journeys back to a distant world, to try to right past wrongs against the only true friend he ever had.

The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies.

A sweeping story of family, love, and friendship told against the devastating backdrop of the history of Afghanistan over the last thirty years, The Kite Runner is an unusual and powerful novel that has become a beloved, one-of-a-kind classic.

My Thoughts:

I read this many, many years ago and the details are a bit fuzzy to me….but I do remember absolutely LOVING this book. It’s one of the few books that my husband and I have both read and both loved. It’s an AMAZING story written by an AMAZING author, I just can’t quite remember enough details to give you a full and detailed review.

athousandsplendidsons2

Synopsis from Goodreads:

“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime.”

My Thoughts:

I started reading this the same day I finished reading The Kite Runner. After just reading that one book, I was immediately drawn to this wonderful author. This book did not disappoint! I remember loving it just as much as I loved The Kite Runner (how rare to love 2 books in a row so equally). This beautiful story was so incredibly well written. Again, the details here are a bit fuzzy for me….but I do remember absolutely LOVING everything about it.

Aaaaaaand then…..

This book. Ugh.

andthemountainsechoed

Synopsis from Goodreads:

So, then. You want a story and I will tell you one…Afghanistan, 1952. Abdullah and his sister Pari live with their father and stepmother in the small village of Shadbagh. Their father, Saboor, is constantly in search of work and they struggle together through poverty and brutal winters. To Abdullah, Pari – as beautiful and sweet-natured as the fairy for which she was named – is everything. More like a parent than a brother, Abdullah will do anything for her, even trading his only pair of shoes for a feather for her treasured collection. Each night they sleep together in their cot, their heads touching, their limbs tangled. One day the siblings journey across the desert to Kabul with their father. Pari and Abdullah have no sense of the fate that awaits them there, for the event which unfolds will tear their lives apart; sometimes a finger must be cut to save the hand. Crossing generations and continents, moving from Kabul, to Paris, to San Francisco, to the Greek island of Tinos, with profound wisdom, depth, insight and compassion, Khaled Hosseini writes about the bonds that define us and shape our lives, the ways in which we help our loved ones in need, how the choices we make resonate through history and how we are often surprised by the people closest to us.

My Thoughts:

I was beyond excited when this book was finally released. Finally! I had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new Hosseini book for years! I remember going to the bookstore on the day of it’s release to buy my copy. Such a great day!

As I sat down to read, I prepared myself to feel all of the emotions I felt while reading the other 2 books. It was obvious from the very beginning that this book was going to be quite different.

It was so LONG and SO BORING…I felt like I was reading a textbook.

I never wanted to sit down and read this book and was so unmotivated to read more than a few pages at a time when I did read. I eventually did finish it…but…wow did it take me forever.

Here’s a fun fact about me: this book took me longer to finish reading than any other book that I’ve ever read in my life. MONTHS. To read ONE book. One very long and very boring book. Months of my life that I will never get back. When I think of all of the amazing books I could have read over those months, my bookloving heart hurts…

Clearly this book was NOTHING at all like the other 2 books he had written. How does this happen?!

When authors develop a fan base, their readers expect their work to be of a certain quality. I couldn’t believe how dramatically different this book was in terms of quality from the previous 2. Absolutely nothing about this story drew me in. I was incredibly disappointed. Still am.

My Bottom Line on Khaled Hosseini:

The Kite Runner: READ IT NOW.

A Thousand Splendid Suns: READ IT NEXT.

And The Mountains Echoed: SEND ME A THANK YOU NOTE FOR SAVING YOU FROM READING THIS BOOK.

*Khaled Hosseini released a short story in 2018 called Sea Prayer. Have any of you read it? I have not. I’m still recovering from And the Mountains Echoed.*

Xo,

Jenny

Have you read these books? What did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why {Jay Asher}

Our kitchen is leaking, our family room is leaking, our garbage disposal is thankfully back to normal although our dishwasher still isn’t working and hasn’t worked in 3 days all because of a frozen pipeline.

Polar Vortex 2019, I loathe you.

BUT the 4 of us went to the grocery store last night and it felt great just to be out of the house! This has been such an insane week and our poor house just couldn’t handle it. I’m driving my daughter to and from school again today because the thought of putting her on a bus in this weather doesn’t sit well with me. It’s better out there….but still freezing!

You know it’s been a bit chilly when you check your weather app, it says it’s currently 3 degrees, and you immediately think it’s warming up! Omg.

Today I have a review of a book I read a while back and still think about. It’s message was well written, powerful, and important.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

You can’t stop the future.
You can’t rewind the past.
The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker–his classmate and crush–who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah’s voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out why.

Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah’s pain, and as he follows Hannah’s recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

4 Stars

Couldn’t. Put. It. Down.

This book was interesting, heartbreaking, fascinating, and memorable. I read it over the course of just a few days and would sneak in pages whenever I had a free moment. I had to know what was going to happen next!

The entire premise of this book is piecing together the pieces of the puzzle to create the entire picture. As more and more details begin to unfold, the reader is introduced to new characters, new situations, and new revelations. I loved the writing style and how the author told the entire story in such a unique way and through so many different perspectives.

If you enjoy YA (young adult fiction), this is absolutely a book that you should read.

There is a Netflix series based upon this book. I haven’t seen any of the episodes…Have you?

Bottom Line:

Loved it. Disturbing topic but so well written.

Stay warm, everyone!

Xo,

Jenny

Did you read this book? Have you seen the Netflix series? What did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog. Also, please “like” my Facebook page , follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Play Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:45! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself! I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

*I’ll be running a special weekend storytime this Sunday at 4:00! It’s Whimsy Play Cafe’s 1 month anniversary and I will be doing a “whimsical” Dr. Seuss themed storytime! I would love to see you and your little book lovers there!*

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