Breathe To Read

Breathe To Read

Friday, May 31, 2019

Read the World - Marshall Islands - Surviving Paradise

Books: Surviving Paradise
Author: Peter Rudiak-Gould
Pages: 256
Book takes place in the country: YES
Author is from the country: NO
I have visited: NO


There is my 71st read for the year.

I have read a few books now of people who were with Peace Corps or other organizations that are sent into these remote areas.  And their stories are always fascinating.  Do any of you have a story like that?  Where you went in with a full heart and full of hope and came out changed, but also disillusioned? 


This is the story of the author who moved to Ujae in the Marshall Isands in his early 20s.  He moved there with a World organization to teach English to the island children.  He spent a year there with the 450 inhabitants of the island, learned the Marshallese language, and taught school.

He went to a tropical island and was met with the harsh reality of the life of the people on Ujae.  He tells his whole story of what it was like to teach children who didn't want to learn (and lacked discipline at home that didn't involve physical abuse), live without modern conveniences (phone, car, store, even medical care) and no way to really communicate with the outside world.  He also talks about everything he learned about the people who lived there - that they were all one big family who shared everything - even with a stranger like him; who were steeped in traditions but also longed for Western convenineces as well.  He had a chance to stay on after a year, and chose not to.  But he has returned 3 times to the island for further study since.

I thought this was a great book.  First - it was very well written.  He tells a wonderful story about the people there, about his experiences, and what we should all learn about the state of our world and the remote parts that we very seldom see.  I am so glad I found this book, and I recommend you reading it.  It was really good.

Stars: 4 1/2





Thursday, May 30, 2019

Read The World - Kazakhstan - A Day In The Life of Ivan Denisovich

Book: A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Author: Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Pages: 208
Book takes place in the country: YES
Author is from the country: YES
I have visited: NO


This is my 70th read for the year. 

I have never been this far along with books at this point in any year.  I am moving at a good clip.  And that is good since there are a lot of countries to get through

I have read books from 87 different countries (Some countries I had already done before Jan. of this year).  There are 202 countries on the list, so, doing good!


During WWII, Ivan Denisovich is wrongly convicted of treason and sentenced to 10 years hard labor in a prison camp.  Most of the inmates are there on false charges (or ones that have been exaggerated).  The book talks about life in the prison and how the prisoners live.  The whole book takes place over just one day of his over 3650 day sentence. 

It was a pretty good book.  I listened to this one, and I think that might have been a mistake.  I say that only because the narrator of this book wasn't great, and I found my mind wondering during the story from time to time.  BUT - beyond that, the story was a good one.  This book covers just one day in an unjust imprisonment of one person during the war.  He will not let external forces defeat him.  Its underlying message is that we all must do what we need to do to get through each day - no matter what the challenges are.

Check this one out.  However - I recommend reading instead of listening.

Stars: 3 1/2


Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Read The World - Kyrgyzstan - Jamila

Book: Jamila
Author: Chingiz Aitmatov
Pages: 96 pages
Book takes place in the country: YES
Author is from the country: YES
I have visited: NO


This is my 69th read of the year.

One of my favorite things about this challenge (outside of the books of course) is finding all the country flags and locating all the countries on the map.  I have learned a lot more about our world just by reading.


This short novella is a love story.  It takes place during the Second World War.  The story is told by Seit  - the only son in his family that is not sent off to the war.  Jamilia is his sister in law, and her husband is off fighting in the war.  Seit is very protective of her (and later admits he was in love with her).  She is taken in by her in-law family while her husband is away, and she shows herself to be a hard worker.

One day, a crippled soldier named Daniyar arrives, and Jamilia is taken with him.  They work together, travel together, and Daniyar reveals that he has a singing voice that is magical.  Daniyar's songs open their eyes to the beauty around them.  Jamilia and Daniyar fall in love, and when it is discovered that Jamilia's husband is alive, but not really interested in seeing her again, she feels that she and Daniyar can be together.  The reaction of her family and towns people, though, leaves her viewed as a traitor.

This was a really good little book.  So very, very short, but at lot said and well said in those few pages.  It is very well written. Inside the book's cover is a quote that says "the most beautiful love story in the world".  It isn't just a love story between two people.  It is a love for tradition, and their homeland, for music, and life itself.  

It is a gem.  You should definitely check it out.

Stars: 4 1/2


Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Top Ten Tuesdays - Favorite Books Released in the Last 10 Years (one each year)

The Artsy Reader started these Top Ten Tuesday list, and they are a lot of fun!  Visit her blog to see what list are coming up next

Favorite Books Released in the Last 10 Years (one for each year).  Here we go:

1) Hunger Games - 2009

        - I did love this series.  I actually cannot believe it has been 10 years since it came out.  All three of my children have read the books as well and we have all seen the movies. 

         - "The Help" was also published in 2009, and that could just as easily be at the top of my list.



2) Matched - 2010

         - I think I have mentioned on here that Dystopian novels are my favorite genre.  I had branched out and started reading other things about 6 years ago, but before that - it was dystopian all the time.  Matched was one of my favorite books then, and I still like that trilogy today.  I wish they would have made a movie - I would be interested to see it on the big screen.

           - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks also came out in 2010, and that is a well written, true story that I think everyone should read.  Amazing story.



3) The Night Circus - 2011

         - I know this book has mixed reviews, but I loved it.  I still think about it often and think someday I would like to re-read it.  It is a bit of a creepy, "out there" kind of novel, but intriguing none the less.

           - I could put Game of Thrones on this list because the last book he has written in the series thus far came out this year.  BUT - I did not read that book series back then, so you are welcome.



4) The Martian - 2012

       - whew - this year is FULL of books I could put up at the top.  But I will stick with the Martian.  It still remains one of my favorite books and I recommend it to everyone.  It is smart and clever, and funny.  Great book.

        - others that topped the list for me that year was "The Fault in our Stars", "Me Before You", "Cinder", "A Man Called Ove", "The Light Between Oceans"....goodness!  So many good books.



5) Orphan Train - 2013

       - I am pretty sure this was my favorite book this year.  My husband's aunt had recommended it to me and I just loved it.  Such an amazing story.

       - Another at the top of the list that year for me was "The Goldfinch".  That is going to be a movie this year and I am so looking forward to seeing it on the big screen.



6) All The Light We Cannot See - 2014

         - This book was one of the best.  Again - I know it gets mixed reviews, but I really liked it.  I have a blind daughter, and this was soon after she was diagnosed with retinal degenerative disease, and reading about strong, blind characters was something I did often - to remind myself about how great she will be no matter what.



       
7) The Nightingale - 2015

           - This was my first Kristin Hannah book, and after that - I was hooked on this author.  This was a GREAT book, and one I share with all of my friends.


8) It Ends With Us - 2016

          - this is one of those books that I read the first chapter and thought I was going to hate it.  I didn't like where it was going, but I decided to give the book a chance and see what happened after a few more chapters.  The book did a complete 180 for me and I ended up loving it.  It is a great story, and I am so glad I stuck with it.



9) Beneath A Scarlet Sky - 2017

           - this book was incredible.  It is based on a true story, takes place in Italy, and was a different take on WWII than I had previously read.  The story is powerful and how a young man did what he did?  Amazing.



10) Becoming - 2018

            - There is no doubt, for me, that Michelle Obama is one of the most influential women of recent times.  She is brilliant, inspirational, kind, and fierce.  Such an inspriation for our daughters.  This book was very very well written, and there was so much I learned about her as a person and as a First Lady.




So that is the list!  2019 hasn't been around long enough for me to pick a favorite book, but I do have a few in mind.  Those will have to be saved for my year in review in December.

What were some of your favorite books?


Monday, May 27, 2019

Read The World - Guinea-Bissau - The Ultimate Tragedy

Book: The Ultimate Tragedy
Author: Abdulai Sila
Pages: 188
Book takes place in the country: YES
Author is from the country: YES
I have visited: NO


This is my 68th read for the year

I realized that I have read quite a few books in a row.  I did pick quite a few shorter books in a row.  I am going to pay for that later because I see I have quite a few in my backlog that are over 500 pages.  


This book takes place during the Portugese rule of Guinea-Bissau.  It starts with a young girl named Ndani who is looking for work as a maid.  She is going house to house until a couple finally decides to take her in.  The head of the house- Dona Deolinda - thinks Ndani's soul needs saving through religious intervention.  She treats Ndani more like a slave than a house maid.

Ndani leaves the service of this house when she becomes the wife of a village chief.  He is wealthy and he built a mansion and a school to impressed the Portugese administrators.  The village chief leaves Ndani when he finds out she isn't a virgin, and she falls in love with one of the teachers at the school.  What happens next is a series of problems that happen only because of the teacher's skin color.  

This is a good book. It is short, but I felt that it had enough time for character developement.  There is definitely a lot of political and racial undertones in the book that ALMOST overshadow the story.  But I do think they were necessary to reflect the feelings of the people in this area during the time the Portugese were there.

I definitely recommend giving it a read.  I am glad I found this one.

Stars: 4




Friday, May 24, 2019

Read The World - Nigeria - Half of a Yellow Sun

Book: Half of a Yellow Sun
Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Pages: 543
Book takes place in the country: YES
Author is from the country: YES
I have visited: NO


This is my 67th book for the year

I did listen to this book.  Passed the time on the tram and while I did my groceries, and while I worked in the yard......  It is nice to get in another book off my very extensive list when otherwise I wouldn't be able to read.


This book takes place in southern Nigeria in the 1960s.  There are 5 main characters: Ugwu - a house boy who works for Odenigbo (a professor).  His life changes when Olana,  Odenigbo's mistress, moves in.  Ugwu is very loyal to his employers.  Olanna has a twin sister, Kainene who runs their father's company.  She falls in love with Richard, who is an Englishman that came to Nigeria to explore Igbo-Ukwu Art.

4 years pass, and trouble starts between the Hausa and Igbo people and hundreds of people die, including Ilanna and Kainene's aunt and uncle.  A new republic, called Biafra, is created by the Igbo.  Olanna, Odenigbo and their infant daughter (whom they only ever call "baby") are forced to flee and end up in a refugee town called Umuahia where they suffer from lack of food, and air raids.  Baby's hair starts to fall out and she develops the tale tell signs of starvation.  

In a flash back we find out that the baby was not Olanna's daughter, but the daughter of Odenigbo's mistress.  Odenigbo slept with a village girl named Alana and she got pregnant.  Olanna is furious, but in the end, forgives Odenigbo.  Alana doesn't want to keep the baby, so Olanna agrees to take her in.

As the war goes on, Olanna, Odenigbo, the baby, an Ugwu end up living with Richard and Kainene (who are running the refugee camp).  The situation becomes dire and Kainene decides to cross enemy lines to trade, but she doesn't return.  The book ends with us not knowif if Kainene is alive or dea.

This was a good book.  I liked all of the characters and I thought that their enterwining flowed really well.  You learn a lot about the history of the area and what it was like during the war.  It covers a wide variety of subjects: genocide, war, relationships, infidelity, identity, loyalty, struggle between classes, etc.  

Check this book out.  You won't be disappointed.  And there is a movie as well!

Stars: 4 1/2


Thursday, May 23, 2019

Read The World - Angola - The Book of Chameleons

Book: The Book of Chemeleons
Author: Jose Eduardo Agualusa
Pages: 180
Book takes place in the country: YES
Author is from the country: YES
I have visited: NO


This is my 66th book of the year


This short little novella is told from varying view points, and one of them a lizard who, in another life, was a human.  It is a murder mystery involving the chameleon, an albino, a woman, and a mysterious foreigner.  Interwoven in the story is memories, fantasies, and realities.  The chameleon is central to the story and witnesses all the characters and their interactions with each other.

This is a cute little book.  It was a quick read - and like most novellas, it isn't long enough for me to get invested in the characters.  But it is well written and easy to follow and I enjoyed it.

Stars: 4




Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Read The World - Iran - Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Book: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Author: Marjane Satrapi
Pages: 160
Book takes place in the country: YES
Author is from the country: YES
I have visited: NO


This is my 65th read for the year.

Leaving the hospital with my daughter today, so we are very glad!  It has been a long 5 days, but I did get a lot of reading done.


In this graphic novel, the author tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages 6-14 where she saw the overthrow of the Shah's regime.  She lived through the Iran war.  The whole story is her view as a child of what happened in Iran.  She learns a lot about the revolution and how her own family was involved.  Through stories and first hand accounts, she walks us through the human cost of war.

This was pretty good.  It was very short, and because it is a graphic novel, I read it within about 2 hours.  It is the author's own take on her own struggles and what she learned from her own family.  It is thought provoking and head shaking, and unbelievable that this happens to people in some of these countries under dictator regime.

I suggest to give it a read.  It is a two part story (there is a second book) and I think I will read it as well.  This book is showing up on summer reading list all over the US, and I think that is a great idea.

Stars: 4




Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Read The World - Trinidad and Tobago - A House for Mr. Biswas

Book: A House for Mr. Biswas
Author: V.S. Naipaul
Pages: 576
Book takes place in the country: YES
Author is from the country: YES
I have visited: NO


This is my 64th read of the year

My eldest daughter has been in the hospital for the last 4 days due to a dog bite that got severly infected, so I have had a lot of time to read.  What I DIDN'T have until today was my computer.  So now it is time to catch up on the books I have been reading.


This is the story of Mohun Biswas (for most of the time he is called Mr. Biswas) who spent all 46 years of his life feeling inadequate.  The story begins when he is a child and his father drowns.  Things just seem to go downhill from there.  He spends his whole life looking for a home where he can settle and stay.  He marries into the Tulsi family who treats him terribly for the rest of his life.  His life and his 4 children never really care for him.  He bounces around from house to house, never settling, never having enough money to break away from the Tulsi family, and in the end, his life is cut short.  He spent his whole life looking for autonomy and never finding it.

This book was.....strange.  It is supposed to be a dark comedy, and I guess it was.....to a point.  I did chuckle from time to time.  And don't get me wrong, the writing was good.  It was well written and the story was easy to follow.  But the story in general I just couldn't get in to.  I did not like any of the characters in the book.  They are all awful.  Even Mr. Biswas.  He was constantly an "Eeyore" in this whole book - woe is me at every turn.  This book never took an upswing, and that made it a big painful to tacklet.

Eh.

Stars: 3




Thursday, May 16, 2019

Read The World - New Zealand - The Whale Rider

Book: The Whale Rider
Author: Witi Ihimaera
Pages: 160
Book takes place in the country: YES
Author is from the country: YES
I have visited: NO


This is my 63rd book of the year.

I am on FIRE!  Truth be told, I have read a few short ones in a row, and then finished up a book with my kids and a "off list" book I was reading, so it is really just timing.


This is a story about Kahu, a girl born into the Maori tribe.  She breaks the lineage of a first born boy, which upsets her great grandfather.  He now thinks that the tribe will die out unless he finds a male heir to take over when it is time.

The rejection does not bother Kahu, and she grows up a happy girl surrounded by a large family.  She is doted on especially by her great grandmother and her uncle Rawiri (who is the narrator of the story) who watch her grow into a strong, capable girl who proves her worth to her tribe.  She develops the ability to communicate with whales - and becomes like the ancient whale rider whom she was named after.

This is a mythical novella that finds a balance between tradition and the path forward, with strong female characters and a good message.  

I enjoyed this book.  I read it in the corse of one day and got swept up in the story about a little girl who just wanted the love of her great grandfather.  She pined after it, even when he wanted nothing to do with her because she was not a boy.  It is a well written little book with an engaging story about the Maori legend.  I have never actually seen the movie, but I think I will try it now.

Stars: 4







Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Extra Book: The Last

Book: The Last
Author: Hanna Jameson
Pages: 352


This was my 62nd book of the year.

I have decided to read 25 pages of a book that is not on my Read The World challenge list every night before bed.  I read my challenge book during the day, but right before bed, I decided I wanted to read something on my extrensive TBR list.  In my eyes it is a win/win to work my way through this challenge, which I am really enjoying, but get to read books that seem to keep popping up that I also want to read.


There has been a nucelar attack.  John is at a conference in Switzerland when it happens.  He is stuck in a hotel in a small town in the middle of nowhere.  The internet and contact with the outside world quickly disappears, and people start to panic.  Soon, most of the people staying in the hotel leave - hoping to make it to the city and to airports.  But the news is that most of the major cities have been evaporated and there is nowhere to run to.

Jon and a handful of other people decide to stay behind at the hotel and wait it out.  They have food, and some power, but there has been no sun, no rain, and the people are getting worried.  One day, the water pressure disappears and Jon and some of the hotel personel go to see what is wrong with the water tanks and discover a body of a little girl.  Jon is sure this little girl didn't get into the tank on her own, and now there is new panic about a murderer being in the hotel.

Jon becomes obsessed with the murder and starts to search room by room for clues.  In the meantime, supplies are running low and teams are being sent out to try and find what they can.  After a few months isolated and no leads on the murder, the team decides it is time to go for help.  They won't survive the winter if they don't get more supplies.

Now it is time for a decision.  Do they just venture a small way away from the hotel and come back?  Do they all leave and head toward the city and not return?  No one knows what is out there, so is it a risk they are willing to take?

This was a pretty good book.  It is quite new - just came out in April.  It was on a list of dystopian novels to read this year, so I took a chance.  The ending wasn't great.  I know books are hard to end, and this one failed.  I kind of liked where it headed, but it left a lot of questions.  Things I don't want to mention here because it will give too much away.  But it was disjointed.  It is too bad because overall, the book held my attention and made me want to keep reading to see where it was going.

Hmmmmmm - to recommend?  Maybe.  I mean - I could be alone with this line of thinking.  I just think it could have been better.

Stars: 3



Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: Page To Screen Freebie

Top Ten Tuesday!  Brought to you by "The Artsy Reader".

This weeks is Page to Screen Freebie:  Books that became books/TV shows, movies that became books, great adaptations, bad ones, books you need to read before you see the movie/TV shows, movies you love based on books you hated or visa versa, books you want to read because you saw the movie or vica versa.

Wow.  This list could be much deeper than Ten, so I will narrow it down the best I can

Now I know you are ALL going to eye roll because this first book series makes my Top Ten List a lot.  But what can you do?  It fits a lot of categories.  So tough.

1) Game of Thrones
 
       So this is a book that became a TV show on HBO.  I will tell you that my husband is the one that got me hooked on this series, but it was through the TV show first - not the books.  When we first started watching it, I was immediately lost.  There are 1 zillion characters, a lot of killing and a lot of sex.  (you have been warned).  I actually got to the point where I stopped really watching it - doing other things while it was on.  Then I found out there were books.  I saw the first one and its near 1000 pages and.....decided I would try the show again first.

I started the show over.  Watched the first two seasons and then felt ready to tackle the first book.  And I was blown away.  The writing is superb.  The story flowed well for me BECAUSE I had watched the show.  I could picture a lot of what I was reading from what I saw.  However - the books far surpased the show, and they continued to do so.  And now.....George quit on me.  The show is wrapping up and it is flailing all over the place and as a big R.R. Martin fan, I am PISSED.  I want to know the REAL ending.  Hurry.up.George.



2) Harry Potter

        I know.  Girl - branch out.  But when something is true, its true.  With Harry Potter, I started the books first.  My husband and I decided to start the series by listening to the audiobooks on our cross country move from Baltimore, Maryland to San Diego, California.  A friend had recommended it to me as a good way to pass the time and she was right.  We loved listening to those books.  I THINK, if I remember correctly, there were only 3 books out at the time.  It was 2001. 

After that, my husband and I kept up the tradition of reading these books together.  I know - how cute are we.  Every time one would come out, we would take turns reading out loud to each other.  (are you throwing up yet?)  We did this for all seven books.

     Now, I know not everyone would agree with me, but I felt that the movies were about as good as the books.  Books are ALWAYS better, in my opinion, but this was a pretty close race.  I have now read the book series to all three of my children and seen the movies multiple times, and I never tire of either. 

    Personally, I would read the books first in this series and then watch the movies.



3) The Martian
 
       One of my favorite stand alone books of all time!  Andy Weir is a genius.  This book is smart, and funny, and clever, and I tell everyone I know they should read it.  Especially if you are a science fiction fan.  This one is amazing.  My husband is the one who got me to read this one.  I normally don't take a lot of his suggestions when it comes to books (not TV) because he reads some really weird, deep, science fiction stuff.  But this was a great one.

        And then the movie came out and I was thrilled.  The movie is amazing!!  Mat Damon is the perfect actor to play Mark Watney.  It is a great film, which I suggest seeing AFTER you read the book.  I have watched the movie many times.  Never gets old.




4) The Stand
 
           This is my favorite Stephen King novel.  I did see the TV show before I read the book because the movie and book came out so long ago.  I watched the show before I was a really big reader, and the size of this novel would have made me immediately put it back on the shelf at the time.  It is a mini series and I watched it on TV.  And then every once in awhile I would catch bits of it on TV during re runs and would watch it again.  And then I got it on DVD so I could watch it whenever I wanted.

        So - after watching the show many times, I decided to tackle the book.  And the book is fantastic.  The book filled in some of the gaps that the TV show could not possibly add, and that sealed it for me as my favorite.  I have read all of Stephen King's books, but I still come back to this one as my top recommendation every time.



5) The Kite Runner

         There is no doubt that the author of the Kite Runner is a genius.  His writing is superb, and his stories magnificent.  I have recently just picked up his latest short story picture book Hosseini wrote "The Sea Prayer".  I have read all of his books, but Kite Runner is my favorite. 

         I was excited to find out there was a movie about this book.  I did read the book first, and I will say the book is better.   However, the movie is worth seeing to kind of put pictures to the story.  I do read a lot of books that come out as shows and movies because it is nice to see a story come alive.  Or not.  You know.....if the movie is bad.



6) The Help

         I read the book first for the Help.  I was blown away about how good it was.  The story was fantastic, clever, and strong.  I actually read it twice.  And then gave it to my eldest daughter to read.  It is not one you should skip. 

         Imagine my excitement when they came out with the movie.  And it included some amazing actors.  I was thrilled.  And the movie was good.  REALLY good.  I would say I enjoyed the movie as much as I enjoyed the book.



7) A Man Called Ove

         I know there is two camps for this book.  Which, honestly, I find surprising, but everyone has their own taste.  Backman is an incredible writer.  I have read all of his books.  Has he had some misses?  Yes.  Beartown - eh.  But for the most part, I love his books.  A Man Called Ove remains my favorite, and it is one of my favorite books I have ever read.  I dream of having that kind of writing talent.

         As I was reading the book and devouring its amazingness, I looked to see if it was a movie and it was!!  Truth - it was in Swedish, but it has subtitles.  The gentleman they had play Ove - he was perfect.  Exactly how I pictured the character.

        The movie was excellent.  I really enjoyed it.  And from what I understand is that an updated version with Tom Hanks is possibly coming out?  That has been talk for about a year, and I am not sure it will amount to anything, but it would be great if it did!



8) The Green Mile

        Speaking of Tom Hanks in movies, The Green Mile was a favorite.  This is one where I watched the movie first.  I have watched it several times because it is an incredible film.  It is well told and thought provoking, and worth your time to watch it.

         So, a few years after I saw the movie I knew I needed to read the book.  I was getting more into reading and Stephen King novels were something I read every summer (I figure why not - long books, long summer?)  so one summer it was this one.  And the book was amazing.  I liked it about the same amount as I liked the movie.  It was definitely worth the read, so check it out.



9) Wayward Pines

       This is one where I watched the show first, but wished I would have started with the books.  There is a big twist near the start of the show that would have been amazing to find out about in a book!  I love twist.  Especially when I don't see them coming.   The book and the show pulled this twist off well.

       With this series, I did like the books better than I liked the show, but not by much.  I watched just the first season of the show before I read all the books, so I knew what was coming (sort of) with the show.




10) Schindler's List

        I read this book years ago.  It has always stuck with me.  I read the book first and then I saw the movie.  I found that movie just as moving as the book.  It really brought the story full circle for me.

        This story is incredible.  The book is incredible.  And sad.  And devestating.  And one that needs to be read by everyone.  And then watch the movie because it was also incredible.



That is the list!  I have read so.many.books that were made into movies.  I went through my good reads list and I could go on and on.  Hunger Games should have made the list because I do love those books and movies, but I feel like I needed to branch out a little further. 

So instead, below are more I could review and recommend to read and maybe then take in the movie and TV show. 

What would you put on the list?

Hunger Games
Big Fish
Big Little Lies
Horns
Into Thin Air
Life of Pie
The Leftovers
The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe
The Lovely Bones
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Marley and Me
Lemony Snicket
Me Before You
My Sister's Keeper
The Neverending Story
Orange is the New Black
Ready Player One
Sarah's Key
Me Before You
The Shining
Still Alice
Water for Elephants
Watership Down
Wonder
If I Stay