It's All Relative: Adventures Up and Down the World’s Family Tree by A.J. Jacobs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

AJ Jacobs is always good for an entertaining read, and this latest book is no exception. If you've listened to AJ's podcast Twice Removed you'll already have an idea of what you will get in this book. (And if you haven't listened be sure to check it out. It was a short lived podcast, but kind of fun.) AJ is on a quest to show that everyone is all part of one big family.

There is a light narrative through the book in which AJ is organizing a (hopefully) record breaking family reunion. It seems like a disaster at every turn, but it's interesting to see his big plans unfold. Most of the rest of the book are a variety of genealogical stories. Who are AJ's ancestors? How does one go about researching a family tree? How exactly are we all related?

There are lots of laugh out loud moments in this book. AJ isn't afraid to share his embarrassing moments, struggles, and feuds (great and small). Lots of research has gone into this book, and it's appreciated by this reader. There are several current hot-button social issues hit upon in this book. I'm open to hearing those discussions (in moderation) but it wasn't what I was looking for in a light read about genealogy.

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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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Dear Fahrenheit 451: A Librarian's Love Letters and Break-Up Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Annie Spence is my new favorite librarian. She’s funny, helpful, and can hold my attention with stories about working in the library. This is the perfect book for bookworms.

For half of the book Annie provides letters written to books. They are witty and gratifying to read. Each letter is fairly brief so readers don’t have to get stuck on books they’ve never heard of or don’t want to read about. There are a lot of recommendations packed into her endearing letters. The second half of the book is more bookish goodies for readers. Recommendations for getting your spouse to read, excuses to give friends and family when you just want to stay home and read, and a variety of other type of recommendations fill the rest of the book. True crime? Got it. Romance? Yep. Biographies? It’s all in here. Must read for readers.

Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.

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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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My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues by Pamela Paul
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This newest book by Pamela Paul started of strong and fizzled a bit for this reader. Paul has kept a journal of sorts during the last almost 30 years. This Book of Books (or Bob) tells of her reading life which also happens to tell the story of her actual life.

There was a podcast from Book Riot a couple of years ago called Reading Lives. Host Jeff O'Neal spent about an hour with each guest asking about the books they read when they were young, how they came by books, what books they feel are underappreciated, etc. This book starts off with a similar style as Paul shares with readers what it was like growing up as a dedicated reader. (Can anyone contact Jeff O'Neal and ask him to start this podcast back up? I LOVED it and miss it completely.)

Towards the middle of the book a lot of the memoir focuses on travels abroad and early relationships. The books she read along the way are woven in, but I had hoped for more about the books à la the Reading Lives podcast and less about her world travels.

Paul's writing is engaging and though my TBR list didn't grow the way I had anticipated before I cracked this book's spine, I will be happy to seek out her book reviews in the future.

What made you become a reader? 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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Excavation: A Memoir by Wendy C. Ortiz
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was tough for me to read. Wendy is 13 years old when she first meets Mr. Ivers, her English teacher. He's more than twice her age. And it doesn't take long for them to begin a relationship. An unhealthy relationship.

Wendy was a wild child growing up during the late 80s. Her parents divorced, her mom drank, and it would seem she was able to take any risk that could possibly be presented to a young person. I'm certain my preteen years were sheltered compared to Wendy's which may not make me the best reader for this memoir. This entire book (view spoiler)[ (sex with a teacher, drugs, drunken driving, cheating, lies, verbally abusive relationship) (hide spoiler)] was far from informative, enjoyable, or halfway pleasant to read.

It seems Wendy Ortiz is a talented writing. Unfortunately I didn't care much for her subject matter. A relationship, particularly one that isn't very loving, is often only interesting for the two people in the relationship. I had trouble finding any interest in the relationship that was presented in these pages.

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

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