The Lucky One

The Lucky One (2008)
Sparks, Nicholas
(Romantic) Fiction

Rating: 7/10
Warning(s): This book is indeed like all the rest that Nicholas Sparks has written. It is a romantic comedy and there are a few parts that get a little "PG-13." Also there is some language in this book but no f-bombs.
*I haven't seen the movie yet, so I don't know which one is better but I do highly recommend reading books before seeing movies. :)

When Logan Thibault, a U.S Marine, finds a photograph of a young, smiling woman half buried in the dirt while on his third tour of duty in Iraq, his first instinct is to toss it aside. Instead, he takes it back to base and puts it on the news board for someone to claim but when no one ever comes, Logan finds himself carrying the photo in his pocket every where he goes. Soon enough Logan starts experiencing a sudden streak of luck- winning bets, poker games, and even finding himself protected in deadly combat that ends up killing two of his good friends. Only Victor, Logan's best friends, seems to have an explanation for such luck and when Logan goes back home he can't stop thinking about the photo...and the smiling woman in it. Wanting to believe Victor and see if this really is his "destiny," Logan sets out on his journey by foot, from Colorado to Hampton, North Carolina to find out why this picture has become his "lucky charm."
Back in North Carolina, Beth is a divorced mother of 10 year old Ben, as well as a school teacher and a helper at her grandmother's dog training center. She can't seem to get a guy for more than one date and is starting to come to the unbearable conclusion that she might remain single for the rest of her life. When he gets to Hampton and finds Beth, he is caught off guard by his luck and her beauty and ends up keeping the story of the photograph a secret.
As the book goes on, Beth and Logan start falling in love but when the truth comes out...things start to change and the story begins to unwind.

In this story, Beth and Logan show what true love is and what things can end up tearing it apart if secrets are kept. They are both passionate about each other and only want the best. They show how love is hard, but worth it and together they ride the roller-coaster of falling hard for someone you might not know everything about. They show dedication and perseverance and they show that sometimes you just might get a little "lucky!"

Nicholas Sparks is a very descriptive and dedicated writer. You can tell that he puts his heart and soul into everything he writes and he shows his passions through his characters and words. Each story of his shows love and its long journey. He gives so much detail and really makes you feel like you know the characters on a personal level. Nicholas Sparks keeps his books very similar and yet different in little ways. He changes the story line but keeps his basic lesson of prevailing love. The only thing I would warn a reader about Nicholas Sparks writing, is the fact that he likes to detail the romantic scenes in ways that are usually unnecessary for young adult readers....so read at your own risk! Other than that, his books are easy reads and the stories keep the pages turning!

Like all of his books, I would say the appropriate reading age would be Young Adult. In every book of his that I have read, I have had to at least skip one page due to sexual content. Everyone is different and for some people, it won't matter. He is descriptive and that's why I would personally recommend his books to more mature readers and people that enjoy romance. Some of his chapters can get a little PG-13 but when people that are old enough read it, they can decide whether or not to skip those parts. On the plus side, his books are like chick flicks so to add to my young adult, I would also say that this book is especially for girls.

I would recommend reading this book ONLY if you enjoy romantic novels. It has good lessons in it and is fun to read what the characters "think." I mainly recommend it to Young Adult girls because I think they would appreciate the story line a lot more than most men would.

~ROMANTIC, SUSPENSEFUL AND ULTIMATELY HARD TO PUT DOWN~ -Buggy


"This book grabbed me from the first chapter, clearly written and intriguing characters and, even though I had a pretty good idea of where the plot was going and didn't really have any surprises, I still really enjoyed the story and how it was told." -Kari on GOODREADS

The Help

The Help (2009)
*Movie entitled The Help and based after this book came out in 2011*
Stockett, Kathryn
Historical Fiction

10/10
Warning: This is a long book and is also written with Southern slang as well as containing racial discrimination between characters and society. There is a nude scene and several scenes of violence due to the circumstances of that time.

Note to reader: I would suggest that you read the book and then see the movie. Each is different in there own way, but they are both outstanding!

"Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step."This novel, by Kathryn Stockett, is about Black maids in the early 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi. Reeta Skeeter is a single young woman still living with her parents and trying to live up to her mothers expectations. She goes to bridge club with all the other ladies when she would much rather be writing. She ends up getting a job writing the Miss Myrna column for the Jackson Journal and comes to realize that she needs help. Skeeter grew up with a maid of her own and comes to the conclusion that the best way to get help is through the maids that HELP. Because Skeeters maid is no longer with her family, Skeeter turns to the help of her friend Elizabeth's maid.
 Elizabeth's maid is Aibileen, a hard-working black woman that raises Elizabeth's children and does all the work around the house. Even though Aibileen is busy and works hard, none of it keeps her distracted from the recent loss of her 22 year old son. Aibileen is fighting to stay alive as the recent loss keeps her depressed and worried for the decline in society. Blacks are not being treated like the rest and every day things are getting worse. When Skeeter approaches Aibileen, at first, Aibileen does not want to help Skeeter in fear of the way she might be treated. Skeeter is definitely crossing the line when she begins to listen to more than just advice from Aibileen. As the two become more comfortable with each other, they start to open up. That's when the idea, of writing a book in the perspective of The Help, pops into Skeeters mind.
Because of all the segregation, Skeeter and Aibileen are forced to do sessions of writing in secret. Aibileen's good friend, Minny, also ends up helping after much convincing. The idea of two maids stories turns into a book of over twelve different maids and each of their personalized stories as well. Through the whole process, Skeeter is rejected by her white friends, but at the same time, becomes so close to both Aibileen and Minny. The risk they took was life-threatening but paid off when the book was anonymously published. With names changed and the town titled Niceville, the book is a huge hit and deamed a big success. Through all of the long nights, secret meetings, and hard work, Skeeter got to see the true perspective of all the women, just like her own maid, and came to more fully understand their hard lives. Skeeter came to find out, through all of this, her maids story and all that was kept from her.
 In the end, it is a secret about Hilly that Minny reveals in Skeeter's book that silences Hilly. The book becomes a powerful force in giving a voice to the black maids and causes the community of Jackson to reconsider the carefully drawn lines between white and black. There isn't a sudden change and things don't automatically become easy but for Skeeter, her whole lifestyle is altered and her voice is being heard.

This book helps readers to understand all the different points of view back in the 1960's between the black and white segregation. It shows trial through discrimination and triumph through hard work. It really puts things into perspective and makes the reader think, what would I do? It proves that no matter what, there is a way to let your voices be heard. It also reflects the ability to be friends with anyone no matter their differences.

I love the way that Kathryn wrote this book. She splits it up between three characters and each one talks in first person. The chapters alter between Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny. Each one tells what is going on in their life and explains their interactions with everyone else as well. It was so interesting and brilliant that Kathryn wrote the story this way because it lets the reader place themselves in "the characters shoes." She is very intelligent about what she is writing and how she writes it. When she "talks" as Skeeter you can picture a white girl and when she "talks" like Aibileen and Minny, it is just how you would imagine them speaking to you in person. She writes in her own unique way and I loved her immense detail and her characters individualized personalities. Truly remarkable and thought provoking!

The audience for The Help would for sure be (Young) Adult Fiction. The content is very mature and could be difficult to understand as a young reader. There were even times for me, as a high school student, that I would have to re-read a passage in order to stand the slang and language being used. Adults would also appreciate the subject context more and would be more interested in the story. However, I would recommend the movie to any and all that are allowed to view PG-13 ratings. It has such a spectacular message and powerful meaning. It is easier to understand the movie, but I recommend for those old enough, to read the book first. Saying (Young) Adult Fiction, I would include high school age and up. Thematic wise, the book would not be appropriate for anyone younger than that, in my opinion.

I 100% recommend this book! I loved every page of it and felt as though every chapter gave me something to think about and ideas to sit and digest. It made me think a lot and get lost in deep thought. I loved the characters and the overall story. I loved the different views it showed and the honest struggle it portrayed. It wasn't one of those books where everything is happy-go-lucky. Instead, it was honest and true, and I really enjoyed that. It helped open my eyes and I believe that is what Kathryn truly wanted for all her readers! I hope you find time to pick it up and read it and watch the movie after because it will be worth your time!

"Stockett’s richly accomplished debut novel inventively explores the unspoken ways in which the nascent civil rights and feminist movements threatened the southern status quo. Look for the forthcoming movie to generate keen interest in Stockett’s luminous portrait of friendship, loyalty, courage, and redemption."
— Carol Haggas

The Lithuanian struggle for life.......

Between Shades of Gray (2011)
Sepetys, Ruta
Historical Fiction


Rating: 10/10
Warning(s): Very emotional, real, and sometimes graphic. Some harsh language, no f-bombs.
(Counting as 1/7 books)


"Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brothers was worth a pocket watch." At the age of 15, young Lina is imagining the upcoming dates, art school, long visits with her best friend/cousin, and all that summer has to offer. But one night, Soviet police violently barge into her families home, deporting Lina, her younger brother, and their mother. At first, everything is a shock and confusion fills the air along with cries and agony. They are being taken away! Where to, they do not know, but as everyone is gathered, house by house, the small vehicles begin to over flow with wailing children, weeping mothers, and protective fathers. No one has time to grab all they love but Lina's mom has already prepared somewhat. With jewels and fine items sewn into her mothers jacket, they cram into the Soviets truck and off they go not knowing where they are being taken. Among all the commotion, Lina and her mother and little brother, are separated from their father and don't know what is happening to him back at home. 
Things start to get worse as the passengers, including Lina and her family, begin to realize that this is not a 2 day journey, but instead much longer. People begin to become sick from the poor conditions and lack of sanitation. Soviet police become more strict and demanding and all of the sudden, life as Lina knew it, is gone. Just like that, it has turned around and every hour holds mystery and lack of hope thereof. Slowly they come to find out where they are going and what will be required of them. Lina believes that all of this is happening because of Stalin and his new-found power. For Lina, Hitler starts looking like "the good guy" while Stalin, everyday becomes worse and worse......at least that's what Lina thinks. 


So commonly throughout this book and many others like it, the main theme shows the everyday struggle to survive and the last bit of hope the people hold on and cling to. This shows how life is turned upside down with one knock on the door and how much that knock will cost. It portrays the fight for life of a young girl and her small family, her will to live and her hope that she will find her father. It shows courage yet doubt, faith yet fear, and love mixed with hate. There is no other story EXACTLY like this one! It is a roller coaster of emotion and truly shows the Lithuanians struggle for life.

I absolutely love Ruta, she has the ability to get a message across with exactness and strength. She makes you feel as you read and understand as you listen to the characters. Her words make sense and her writing stays consistent. She does a great job in making it seem like a journal and it really catches and enthralls the reader. She has the ability to write such a difficult story because she can truly relate. As the daughter of a refugee, Ruta more fully understands the difficulty and heart throb behind this ,most often, untold story. She really GETS it and has the talent to SHARE it in a way that brings respect for the story itself and understanding and attention to the historical meaning. Although this is her first novel, she writes it with experience and meaning. Truly lovely, well written,historically based and definitely a favorite. 

I now understand why this book made it on so many TOP 10 lists and BOOKS TO READ lists because it is truly amazing. Everyone should read this! My recommendation is to all, but because of mature content, I would suggest (in my opinion) that young adults and adults read this. That is originally who it was intended for and I completely agree with the suggestion. There were parts where I wanted to faint and their were parts that even in my mind, were hard to picture because of such detail and gruesome things that without being subjected to, we don't fully understand.  I would say that even Junior High age is too young for this book UNLESS extreme maturity and caution are used while reading such a historically based book. These kinds of books and stories are not for people to laugh at or go "It wasn't that bad." These stories are dear to many hearts and not to be taken lightly. When reading such a book, the detail in it is for the readers benefit, and I feel that Young Adults/Adults, starting with High School kids, are more ready and will be more appreciative of Ruta's "masterpiece."

As I recommend this book, people need to know that it may be a hard theme or subject to "really get in to." For me, I love learning about the historical things that have shaped my life and continue in shaping the world. The matter and content in this book is intended for people to gain a better knowledge of what the trials a lot of these people faced. We don't realize that these are ancestors and heroes in a way. I give this book my highest recommendation and in doing so, I also recommend that for the authors benefit and the readers, that all respect is taken while reading and digesting its words.


"This superlative first novel by Ruta Sepetys demonstrates the strength of its unembellished language. A hefty emotional punch." -New York Times


"Brave Lina is a heroine young and old readers can believe in."- Entertainment Weekly

I couldn't say it better than The Los Angeles Times:

                   "Heart-wrenching... A story of hardship as well as human triumph, "Between Shades of Gray" is an eye-opening re-imagination of a very real tragedy written with grace and heart."

True story with true meaning

One Eye Laughing, The Other Weeping (2000)
Denenberg, Barry
Diary 
Warnings: Graphic, violent scenes. 


9/10











This two part diary is told from the perspective of  15 year old Julie Weiss,  as she recounts the invasion of Nazi soldiers into Vienna Austria. Life before Hitler's reign was spectacular. Living in a wealthy Jewish home, Julie has one older brother and two loving parents. Her dad is a well known doctor while her mother is an extravagant hostess of beautiful parties and big group gatherings. The kind, talented family lives in an upscale apartment with in-house maids, cooks, chauffeurs, etc. However, the Weiss families lifestyle starts taking a turn for the worst as Hitler becomes an increasingly popular political figure in Germany and Austria. The Jews of Vienna don't realize at first the potential threat of Hitler rising to power and his desire to exterminate the Jewish population to create an Aryan race. Little by little as they begin realizing the dangers of the present, it is too late. The armies have started invading and everyday one Jew after another is dying. Julie begins to feel as though she is standing alone. In a community where everyone is becoming susceptible to Hitlers ways, Julie and her family are faced with challenging circumstances and life threatening situations all around them. Julies parents want to protect Julie from the uprising evils and they have to choose if keeping the family together is more important than keeping their family safe, but apart. As you journey with Julie through her new life, part two describes Julies new beginning after almost everything she has, has been taken away from her.


There is so much for all of us to learn from this diary. Not only is it something so dear and personal to Julie Weiss, but it sheds a light on the tragedies we all know and hopefully have learned about. This is Julie's PERSONAL story of a fight for life and her longing for things to return back to normal. Her journey is tragic and there are SO many others that had to suffer through nearly the same things. It is eye opening to hear as Julie and her family were so rudely and unjustly accused and literally forced away from each other as a consequence of their beliefs. This is a theme with so much significance and historical meaning, it is one that everyone should read and learn from. World War II was a real event and this story shows just how hard it was to be a Jew. Whether young or old, the Jews lived not knowing what tomorrow would bring and just hoping that the future held something more. 


One eye laughing, the other weeping, is a very captivating and flowing diary of young Julie Weiss. Life for Julie is an adventure and everything seems to be going well until Hitler comes into the picture. The author, Barry, does an amazing job in re-telling Julie's story and literally pushing you to read on and discover what Julie's future holds. As the story progresses, every page leaves you hanging on with hope for Julie and her family. The work that Barry did to produce this book and make it the most accurate he could, is phenomenal. He truly does a splendid job and I believe that if I were to meet Julie someday, she would tell this story exactly the same. For of course, it is her story and Barry does a splendid job re-counting it to his readers. It's hard for me to say what style Barry is as an author because he is telling a true story. He is historically accurate and able to make his readers feel as if I was reading Julie's real journal. (which this story came from) As I read I felt as though I was listening to Julie myself day by day as she tells the little details of her everyday life with all its new struggles and challenges. Bary writes with, what I believe, an accurate "voice" of this young Jewish girl. "Although he sounded crude, there is something about the way he speaks that makes you listen. It was like when I'm on the Ferris wheel at the Prater and I look down even though I know I'm scared." He truly makes you understand and literally feel Julie's emotions and fear, as well as her hope and longing for a better circumstance and future. The author Bary himself says, "I wrote Julie Weiss's diary with Anne Frank's diary near me at all times so I wouldn't forget, truly, what I was doing. It was a constant source of inspiration." Bary also says that, "When I was twelve, I read Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Every year I re-read it, along with more current books and documentaries. The true beauty of Anne Franks diary is that she sounds so incredibly real. Her diary makes the Holocaust personal, not political;individual, not anonymous." I think that Bary also does this with Julie's diary. What an incredible writer!


 The audience that this book requires needs to be understanding and very mature. It has some mild, graphic detail about some of the ways the Jews were treated and it is a subject, that in my opinion, should NOT be taken lightly or in a joking manner. These are real people with real feelings and therefore those who choose to read this book need to understand that this really did occur and complete respect needs to be used as this book is read. Not only respect to Julie Weiss for sharing her story, but also for the author that so graciously repeats it. I would suggest that this be read by a young adult audiences as well as adults. I would definitely suggest that kids high school age read this especially if they like history and are taking a class relating to it. All adults would hopefully enjoy this book as well because it will open everyone's eyes to the possibility of such a tragic event. It is very insightful and with that being said I would recommend it to anyone 15 and older.


As I have said previously, I give my highest recommendation to all appropriate aged readers for this book. It was such an easy read but not because it was short, it was simply just enticing and a quick, well-written story. I found myself wanting to read until it ended! I even got it taken away in one of my classes because I wanted to find out the end so badly that I started reading in class. Julie is a very cute and chic character and it was so interesting to read her actual thoughts. I love reading and learning about World War II and the Holocaust so this book is surely at the top of my list! The way that Julie tells her story is so easy, gives just the right amount of detail, and is very well written to a personable level. "The world I knew is collapsing all around me, and I can only stand by and look on in helpless horror and mute disbelief. There is nothing I can do." Some of her entries were long and some were very short. I felt as though the whole time I was reading, I could tell what her surroundings were like, it was as if she was writing in a rushed manner at times and at other times she was slow and detailed. Every bit of this book touched my heart as I read and constantly made me question..what would I do? "There was a note on the dining room table but it hardly said anything. All it said was that he was going where he belonged. By that he means Palestine. I think Max didn't say more because he was afraid of who might read it." It is a truly meaningful book with words that are pure and thoughts that are straight from the heart. You can feel every emotion and every page is worth reading.

So good it became a Major Motion Picture?

Dear John (2006)
Sparks,Nicholas
Fiction
9/10

Warnings: It is a romance novel and does have some mild sexual content. Other than that, all you need is a fuzzy blanket and a box of extra soft tissues! 







Like all love stories, there has to be a beginning. Growing up as an only child, to a single father,  John Tyree is an angry rebel and has enlisted in the army right after high school, not knowing what life holds for him. During a visit home John meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah Curtis. Summer is so much more than John ever hoped for. With Savannah by his side, as proof of love at first sight, John feels like he's in "heaven." Endless nights arm in arm and fun filled days at the sandy beach, John is literally falling in love. The mutual attraction was quick and nearly too good to be true, but John and Savannah were committed to making love work.  By the end of summer John still has to leave and finish his tour of duty but Savannah vows to wait for him and write as often as she can. You can't help but feel sorry for the couples separation. It makes you long for their return. Leaving your loved one can't be easy especially when your only contact is letters. Being apart for Savannah is so hard but their love seems so strong that nothing can break it apart,or so they think. That's when 9/11 changes it all. John is now faced with the hardest decision, returning to love or fighting for his country. Truly heart-wrenching!

This story shows the longing for love and the fight to keep it alive. It has twists and turns that are unexpected and definitely heart-breaking. You gain a longing for John and Savannah to keep their new love strong and to receive their Happily Ever After. It shows that love truly is sacrifice and doesn't always happen the way we want.

Dear John is a romantic love story with twists and turns that make it unique. Bringing a new perspective, Nicholas Sparks shows that every love story has its very own ending. Sparks writes with wit and love but also provides feelings of sadness and longing. He truly makes it easy to turn every page and feel every word. 


Dear John is intended to be a young adult book for those that are chick-flick loving movie watchers and romance reading enthusiasts. I would recommend this mainly for girls that enjoy those sappy-feeling love stories and don't mind reading with a box of tissues. Also, for those that would want to see the movie (yes, Channing Tatum is in it!) I would suggest that they read the book first. It is actually very different from the movie and comparing the two almost lets you decide the ending for yourself. It is fun to read a book that helps you feel what the character feels and to see what they see. It provides a perspective that is almost realistic and a plot that "overcomes" you with the desire to turn the page.

I would absolutely recommend this, but not to everyone. It's one of those books that is "A Heart-breaker." and tear jerking. Not everyone enjoys that type of literature and for some it may be too much. I love how it is described by Good Housekeeping, "Bittersweet....a testimony to love." I couldn't say it better, as I read this book I was stuck in a love-hate relationship with the ending. It seemed so sweet and yet bitter all at the same time. However, I think it really is a story worth reading! I usually love Nicholas Sparks books and this is one of them that I would read again!