Title: We Need to Talk About Kevin Author: Lionel Shriver Review: Through a series of letters written from Eva to her husband Franklin, author Lionel Shriver takes you through the brutally honest hauntings of a parents’ worst nightmare. While reading this book I was disgusted with Eva. How could she possibly think and feel this way towards her own son? The more I read, the less disgusted I became. I found myself even sympathizing with her, which surprised me. Having finished this novel last night, I’m still disturbed by it today. This novel is thought-provoking not only for the reader … Continue reading →

Title: The Magic Strand Author: Diana Wilcox Layman Review: Open this book and step into a new imaginary world with Glymps, magic and mystery. When Aurora is transported from her world to the human world she’s not quite sure where she belongs. It’s not long before she meets friends who help her on her secret mission: to discover what is happening to the disappearing Glymps. Aimed at tweens and early teens this book offers so much food for thought as well as entertainment. The themes of change, friendship, family, global awareness and the effects of media on our thoughts and … Continue reading →

Title: Dork Diaries 3: Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star Author: Rachel Renee Russell Review: It’s time to put on that retainer, slip into your über-dorky pj’s and find your bookmark. The third Dork Diaries is like, here. J!! This book, like the others is read as if you just picked up Nikki’s personal diary and began reading it. While at first it feels like you’re being a little intrusive, it’s more than easy to lay back and absorb yourself in the story that unfolds. It’s Nikki’s 3rd month in her new school and evil, beautiful Mackenzie and the CCP’s are … Continue reading →

Title: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Author: Ransom Riggs Review: “I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was.” Sixteen year old Jacob lived an ordinary life until there was a “Before” and an “After”. Before he was aware, before his eyes were opened and after. Jacob and his grandfather are quite close. His grandfather loved to tell him stories about the people in his spooky photographs. Suddenly, his grandfather is killed and nothing is the same anymore. His journey begins and the … Continue reading →

Title: Water for Elephants Author: Sara Gruen Review: Jacob Jankowski, a 90 or 93 year old man, living in a retirement residence drifts between dreams and daydreams of a time in his youth when he was working and living with a travelling circus. Wrenched from his “ordinary” life with mom and dad to a life where every day is an unpredictable chaos, Jacob manages to find friends, himself, and the love of his life. Some readers may find it a little difficult to find that in one chapter, Jacob wakes up in his retirement residence and the next he’s back … Continue reading →

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Author: Stieg Larsson Review: I’ve been holding back reading this trilogy for 2 reasons: I’ve been attached to another series recently and I didn’t understand what the big deal was. After I heard a few reviews from people who have read the trilogy I became curious. What on earth could compel such a large group of readers to be so passionate about these books? What makes them so special? Wandering through my mother’s house a week ago, I came across the first book in the highly-acclaimed international bestseller The Girl with the Dragon … Continue reading →

It’s summer! Time for flip-flops, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats and your favorite summer reads. For those of us lucky enough to have a little time to read, we tend to like the lighter reads for the summer months, chick-lit, if you will. One of my favorite summer reads is the Confessions of a Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. Even if you aren’t a self-proclaimed shopaholic, you would still get a lot of enjoyment from them and will find yourself able to relate in other ways. They’re light, easy reads, full of lough-out-loud moments, a little drama, and with a heart-felt fuzziness … Continue reading →