Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was charmed by Lillian Boxfish. I couldn't put the book down. One of the best books I've read in a while.

Lillian begins her walk in New York at age 85 on New Year's Eve of 1984. She guides readers through the streets of New York, a city I'm not familiar with. The setting may appeal more to readers who have been to, or lived in, New York. On her walk she reflects on her life.

Lillian is sharp, witty, and brave. A memorable character. A history of New York and Lillian wrapped up in one good book.

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Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was hysterical! Do yourself a favor and get a copy of the audio book of Furiously Happy.

The subtitle tells readers exactly what this book is - a funny book about horrible things. In this memoir Jenny Lawson holds nothing back about her daily struggles with a myriad of mental health problems. I laughed out loud and would enjoy reading anything else Jenny writes.

There are some scenes in this book that are heartbreaking to read through. Some readers may be sensitive to this story but most will find something to love about it.

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Killer Choice by Tom Hunt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for providing an advanced copy of this book to review. Below is my honest opinion.

Gary and Beth Foster are a happy couple. They've been married for several years and are now expecting their first baby. Gary has recently opened a retail store with his brother, and life is good. That is until Beth unexpectedly collapses one day. After numerous tests it's discovered that Beth has a life threatening brain tumor. An experimental drug trial is available to them but will cost $200,000 - money they don't have. Gary is contacted by a dubious stranger who offers him the money they desperately need but with a condition. Gary must kill a man.

This debut thriller by Tom Hunt will have you flipping pages into the late hours of the night. The edge of your seat will become worn as you're following Gary in his quest to save his wife's life. There are twists and turns and things I didn't see coming in this book that kept it all exciting. I gasped out loud a couple of times, and my heart was pounding as I read through these pages..

One of my favorite parts about this book is that it asks the uncomfortable question - what would you be willing to do (or not willing to do) in order to have a chance of saving someone you love? Gary is a reasonable, moral guy and he's suddenly forced into a desperate situation. I'm glad this is fiction because I don't know that I could handle the pressure!

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The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book! I've been sitting on my review for days because I want to gush about this book but I also don't want to give anything away. Let's start with this - the dedication page is for John Irving. I knew at that point that this was going to be a great read.

This book is about Cyril Avery. It opens with the day his sixteen year-old, unwed mother is cast away from her church and home in 1940's Ireland. His birth is eventful and he finds his way into the home of the Avery's, his adoptive parents. His life story is told in these pages. What may seem like a long book becomes pressed for pages as readers will want to know more and more about Cyril's life. He struggles during his life to be true to himself while his friends, family, and country expect something quite different from him. His struggles are heartbreaking but certainly not all that unique.

The writing in this book is so funny. I loved the witty dialogue between characters. Cyril is a weak man at times, but he is a strong protagonist. It will be a long time before I forget him. His adoptive parents (the real Avery's), his friends, eventual co-workers, and everyone else Cyril encounters was a pleasure to read about. There were some parts that brought tears to my eyes, but mostly I found honesty in Cyril's story. There were some graphic(ish) scenes in this book and may not be a great choice for young or sensitive readers.

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Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing for sending over a copy of this book for me to read.

If you've read and enjoyed Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand then you're going to love Beneath a Scarlet Sky. Both are stories of men who went through some incredible things during World War II. These books are both hard to put down!

Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the story of Pino Lella. He's a young, Italian teenager toward the end of World War II when his home in Milan is destroyed. Soon after Pino begins helping Jews escape to the safety of Switzerland by leading them through the difficult terrain of the Alps. And just as he turns 18 he is forced to enlist in the German military, becoming one of the Nazis he despises. When Pino receives an opportunity to become the personal driver for General Layers (Hitler's left hand in Italy) Pino suddenly becomes a spy for the Allies.

There is so much in this story - bravery, suspense, love, espionage, loss - and a really likable hero at the center of it all. So much of this story was unbelievable, though as a reader who has never experienced war, I think much of the hell that war brings about is unbelievable. I had trouble tearing myself from these pages because I just needed to know more.

Pino's story is epic, not always happy, and one that should be read widely. The book is written simply so those of us who aren't history buffs can still easily follow along. Highly recommended!

What's your favorite WWII book? Comment below!

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The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love to read just about anything Lisa See writes. This book is no different. I couldn't put it down.

The book focuses on the life of Li-yan. She grows up in a remote area of China and is an ethnic minority, an Akah. See writes a beautiful story but also educates readers on cultures they may not be familiar with otherwise. The story takes place from the late 1980s to present day. It was extra interesting to me since the main character is near my age though her life is completely different from my own.

Recommended for Lisa See fans, anyone looking for a book about a little known culture, or someone looking for a good story to get lost in.



What is your favorite Lisa See book? Comment below!

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My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chick lit is not always my first choice, but I always (nearly always) get such enjoyment out of Sophie Kinsella's books. This was a really fun book to read.

Each of her characters are goofy, big-hearted, and easy to root for. In this book Katie Brenner has left the country and moved to London. She's got a glamorous life and works in branding. Well - she wants a glamorous life anyway. What she's got is a really long commute, a tiny apartment, and a tight budget. Still, she has a positive attitude as things at work begin to go a little off course.

Kinsella's writing had me laughing out loud. Katie finds herself in more than one Lucy and Ethel type of moment. This is a great book if you're looking for something light and fun. A perfect book to take to the beach this summer!

What's your favorite Sophie Kinsella book? Comment below!

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Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great book! The story is so good it should be fiction, but it's not. Louie is really an inspiring character and his story is one that will stay with me for a long time.

Louie Zamperini was a great athlete whose Olympic potential was halted by WWII. After suffering a crash he endures a long stay on a life boat with almost no provisions. This part of his story, the bravery and ability to overcome, was incredible. However, the story doesn't end there. Louie is final rescued from the life boat, only to be held as a POW in Japan. The terrible abuse he suffered there will make readers cringe, but his positive attitude and resilience is unbelievable.

There are so many other stories included in this wonderful book, the stories of other men who served in the military with Louie. There are some happy endings along with some tragic ones. This story left nothing to the imagination and even describes the terrible suffering Louie goes through after the completion of the war.

This is a must read! I watched the movie after finishing the book, and it stayed very true to the story, though it did leave out some details. Great movie to follow a book that I had trouble putting down.

Have you seen the movie or read the book? What did you think? Leave your comments below!

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I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. I knew I'd get hooked as soon as I read the first line.

I found the perfect wife for my husband.

It turns out that Maddy has died, and she is now able to watch over her husband, Brady, and teenage daughter, Eve, who are grief-stricken after her sudden death and unexplained suicide. The point of view switches among each of the family members, and readers will watch each person deal with death in their own way.

The characters are all ones to root for. The different perspectives made me believe the author is quite empathetic. Eve is full of anger and guilt. Brady is starting to realize that he was an absent husband and father. Maddy is searching for a replacement wife and mother for her family. There's a little mystery in these pages, as well as an unpredictable and fitting ending.

Since Maddy's point of view is "from beyond" I worried about this being cheesy or too unbelievable. It wasn't. It'd be a great book for anyone needing a little help coping with their grief. This was a debut novel, and I'm excited to read more by this author in the future.

What did you think of this book? Add your comment below!

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