Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

     I just recently finished reading Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake, and I loved it!  The setting of the novel is a fictional island called Fennbirn.  Every generation, there are triplet girls born to the reigning queen.  Each of the girls possesses some type of magic.  When the triplet girls are born, they are taken from their mother to be raised in a community of people who posses the same magical powers as they do.  The community helps the girls to develop and strengthen their powers.  When the girls near the age of 16, they are put through a number of tests to demonstrate their powers and show everyone on the island their strengths.  The sisters are then forced to try to kill one another, as only one of them can be the true queen.
     The novel alternates between the newest queens and their communities.  It begins with Katherine, a poisoner, who is supposed to be able to ingest, touch, or consume poisons, as well as create them. The poisoners in her community have become the most powerful people on the island, as the last few queens have been poisoners.  However, Katherine isn't like the past poisoner queens.  She does not have a tolerance for poison.  She possesses no magical gift.  Like Katherine, her sister Arsinoe is also without powers.  She is a naturalist who is supposed to be able to control plants and animals, but she is not able to do any of this.  The only sister who possesses magical qualities is Mirabella, an elemental, who can spark flames and summon vicious storms at will.  As strong as she is, Mirabella refuses to kill her sisters.  She has sweet memories of them as children, and will not be made to cause them harm.
     In spite of the fact that it seems none of the girls are equipped to take over the throne, their community leaders are hungry for the power that comes along with raising the winning queen.  No matter what the sisters try to do, whether it be attempt to escape from the island or refuse to harm each other, they cannot seem to avoid the coming battle.
     This book is full of surprises and exciting scenes!  With two more books planned in the series, it should be a crowd pleaser for some time to come!

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

     If you are looking for a beautifully written World War II novel, this book is for you!  All the Light We Cannot See alternates between the story of Marie-Laure, a young French girl who is blind and Werner, a young German orphan.  Marie-Laure's story begins in Paris where she lives with her father, a master of locks at the Museum of Natural History.  To help Marie-Laure learn to be independent and navigate the streets of Paris, her father builds a miniature replica of their neighborhood.  Marie-Laure studies the model and counts her steps to find her way through town.  She and her father are forced to leave their home in Paris when the Nazis invade.  They move to the small sea-side town of Saint Malo to live with Marie-Laure's great uncle.  It is during her time here that Marie-Laure makes the dangerous decision to help the French resistance by transmitting messages to the allies through her great-uncle's hidden, illegal radio.
     Werner's story begins in a mining town in Germany.  Werner, along with his younger sister, lives in an orphanage.  He is an expert at fixing radios and is quickly noticed by Nazi leaders for his exceptional skills.  Werner joins the Hitler Youth and is tasked with tracking the resistance through radio activity.  This assignment eventually brings him to Saint Malo, where his story and Marie-Laure's intersect.  Though they are on opposite sides of the battle, they find they have much in common.  Both question themselves and struggle with their actions during the war.
     All the Light We Cannot See is a wonderful account of the people of both Germany and France during World War II.  Marie-Laure and Werner are unforgettable characters whose stories make the reader really think about the extraordinary circumstances people find themselves in during war.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

          The first book students in the high school book club chose to read this year was The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly.  This book is set during World War II and is about a young boy named David who is mourning the death of his mother.  Shortly after his mother's death, David's father remarries and together the couple welcome another son.  They move David from the only home he has ever known, and soon he begins to hear voices speaking to him.  The voices seem to be coming from the treasured fairy tale books his mother read to him.  The episodes begin to get worse, and David soon begins having "fits" where he passes out when the voices get too loud.  Over time, all the books in David's room begin to speak to him, and he worries that his father will send him away because of his "problems."
          One day, as David watches out his bedroom window, he sees a military plane falling from the sky.  David runs from the house and seeks refuge in the sunken garden outside his home.  Suddenly, David is swept into another world, where the characters in his books come alive!  The kingdom in this new world is ruled by a king, whose power is fading.  Unusual and dangerous creatures begin to take control of the kingdom.  David, in his quest to return home, decides to try to find the king and ask for his help.  Along the way, there is danger, a little laughter, and new formed friendships. David learns about family, love, sacrifice, bravery, and more.
          In recent years, many authors have taken fairy tales and their characters and have turned them into new plot lines and stories.  However, The Book of Lost Things is much more than that.  This book is not for the faint of heart.  It is dark and often violent, but its message and main character stay with you long after you read the last page!

Defending Jacob by William Landay

         I finally have some time to catch up on my blog!  This summer, I read several great books, but the one that stuck with me the most was the novel Defending Jacob by William Landay.  The topic of the book is one that shook me, but the ending!  Wow.  I didn't see it coming!
         Defending Jacob is a story about a small town lawyer and the murder of a teenage boy. When the body of the murdered teenager is found, Andy Barber, the town's assistant district attorney, goes to the scene to work with investigators.  He quickly discovers that the murdered boy went to school with his son, Jacob.  This revelation spurs Andy to work even more quickly to find the killer and protect the children in his town.
         During his investigation, Andy learns that the murdered boy had bullied his son over the past months.  He also discovers that Jacob made disturbing remarks about the boy's death.  As the weeks go on, the evidence leads police to Andy's door.  Authorities arrest Jacob for the crime.
Determined to prove his son's innocence and find the real killer, Andy enlists the help of his father who is a convicted murderer himself.  While visiting his father in prison, Andy begins to worry about his family history.  Not only was his father convicted of murder, but so was his grandfather.  Could there be a murder gene in his family?  Could it have been passed on to Jacob?  In spite of his family history, Andy refuses to believe Jacob could commit such a crime.  However, his wife isn't so sure.  After learning about Andy's father and grandfather, she starts to doubt her son's innocence.
         The book takes readers from the discovery of the body to events that occur after Jacob's trial is over.  After finishing the book, I couldn't get it out of my mind!  It raises questions about how well we really know our loved ones and to what lengths we would go to protect them.  It makes the reader think about behavior and genetics, as well as mental illness.  This book has so many layers to it.  It is a fast-moving novel that is not for the faint of heart!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

     The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a wonderful piece of historical fiction set in France during World War II.  The novel tells the stories of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, in alternating chapters. When the story begins, Vianne, a married mother of one, is a teacher in the french countryside, while Isabelle is a student at a boarding school.  The two couldn't be more different!  Vianne is quiet and reserved, while Isabelle is bold and daring.  Just before the Nazis invade France, Vianne's husband is called to serve in the French military.  Isabelle is kicked out of yet another boarding school and comes to stay with Vianne and her daughter.  This is where the tension begins.
     Nazi soldiers invade and begin to force their way into the homes of the french citizens.  Vianne is forced to house and feed Nazi Captain Beck.  Isabelle is outraged and finds it difficult to hold her tongue.  She often makes negative comments about the Nazis and ignores Captain Beck's orders. This angers and frightens Vianne, as she believes it is endangering her daughter and teaching her to disobey the dangerous Nazis.  Yet, Isabelle cannot just sit by and do nothing while the Nazis destroy her home and kill innocent people.  She begins working with the French resistance, smuggling information in letters and packages to others throughout France.  Eventually, the tension between the two sisters grows, and Isabelle leaves for Paris, where she can be of more assistance to the resistance.
     After Isabelle leaves, things worsen for Vianne.  Though Captain Beck does not treat her badly, he requires information from her.  She is forced to share the names of Jewish friends, neighbors, and colleagues, and they are forced into labor camps because of this. As a result, Vianne is riddled with guilt and decides she will try to fight back against the Nazis in her own way.  When her best friend is killed by the Nazis, Vianne takes her Jewish son into her home and disguises him as her adopted son in order to save him.  As more and more Jewish people are taken away, Vianne begins to sneak their children to a local catholic church, where, in an effort to hide them from the Nazis, they are given new identities.  Vianne even takes on a role as a teacher for these children. Though she is risking her life and her daughter's life to save the children, she knows it is the only choice.
    While Vianne is helping to save children in the French countryside, Isabelle's role with the resistance grows even more dangerous.  She volunteers to help British and American airmen who have crash landed in France. To do this, she must guide them over the mountains and into Spain.  The journey is long, difficult, and dangerous, yet she does it many times.  She becomes well-known in the French resistance and is given the code name "The Nightingale."  Isabelle's actions come to the attention of the Nazis, and they begin to aggressively hunt the "Nightingale".
     This is such a gripping story of love and tragedy.  Each of the women, both Isabelle and Vianne, are forced to do things they never thought they would do.  They are faced with impossible choices, and do what they must to survive.  The Nightingale is a wonderful story for fans of historical fiction and for those looking for a powerful read!  I absolutely loved it!

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

     I put off reading this book for quite a while because I just couldn't see myself getting into a book about cyborgs.  It sounded a little too Star Trekish for me.  However, once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down!
     The story is set in the future and revolves around Cinder, a cyborg who lives in New Beijing.  In this futuristic society, cyborgs are considered to be second class citizens.  They have very few rights and are treated as slaves.  Cinder lives with her stepmother and stepsisters, and, like in the story of Cinderella, she is abused and mistreated by her family. Early on in the novel, Cinder and Prince Kai meet, and their lives become intertwined.
     It isn't long before readers learn that Cinder has a mysterious past.  She was involved in a terrible accident that required much of her body to be replaced with mechanical parts.  This is how she became a cyborg.  In addition to her mysterious past, readers also learn of a dangerous species called Lunars who appear to be human but who have powers that could destroy all humanity and earth as we know it.  The leader of the Lunars,  Queen Levana, plans to force Prince Kai into marrying her.  If he refuses, the Lunars will attack earth and kill millions.
     The twists and revelations that pop up at the end of the novel are great, and the subtle parallels to the story of Cinderella are intriguing.  Cinder is the first book in the Lunar Chronicles series.  The story of Cinder and the Lunars continues in the sequels. The second book in the series is Scarlet (a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood), followed by Cress ( a retelling of Rapunzel), and Winter (a retelling of Snow White).

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

     An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir is an amazing book!  It has been on my reading list for quite a while, but it was always one I pushed aside based on the length.  I just thought I wouldn't have time for it.  I was wrong!!!  This book is so fast paced, I read it in a weekend (and a busy weekend, at that).  I couldn't put it down and found myself missing the characters when the book ended.  That is when I know the book was a good one!
     This fictional book is based on two main characters, Elias and Laia, and is told from their alternating points of view. In their society, the Martial Empire controls all aspects of life.  Elias is a high born Mask in training.  Masks help maintain order in the empire with their weapons and brutality.  Laia and her family were once Scholars (independent and intelligent people) who were conquered and enslaved by the Empire.
     When Laia's brother is captured and imprisoned by the Empire for treason, Laia goes undercover to work in the Mask school.  She must gather information for the rebellion in order to receive their help in rescuing her brother.  Elias wants no part in the Mask school or their brutal tactics.  In fact, he plots an escape but is forced to stay and complete his training.  It is in the Mask school where the lives of Laia and Elias become intwined.  Elias saves Laia's life and attempts to protect her from his mother's cruel hand.
      This book is amazing!  It has been a while since I read a book and immediately wanted to share it with others.  If you are looking for a fast-paced, well-developed story to read, this is it!  The sequel comes out this summer, and I will definitely be picking it up!

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

     When I first heard that Harper Lee had written another book with the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, I was equally shocked and excited.  To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorite books!  So, needless to say, as soon as Go Set a Watchman was released, I rushed out to buy my copy.

     Before beginning the book, I read some of the comments posted online by people who had already finished it.  I was so disappointed and upset to read those comments.  Many people felt the book didn't live up to its expectations.  I disagree.

      Go Set a Watchman is not To Kill a Mockingbird.  However, it wasn't meant to be.  It was written before the classic, and it gives readers a deeper insight into the characters we grew to love.  As I was reading this book, I felt like I was reconnecting with old friends.  Scout, Atticus, Aunt Alexandra . . . they are all there.  Harper Lee gives us more information about the main characters, and it helps us to understand them better.

     In this book, Jean Louise is a grown woman living in New York City.  She returns to Maycomb to visit Atticus, whose health is failing.  There are glimpses into Scout's childhood (memories that include Jem and Dill), and we learn more about the Finch family, as does Jean Louise.  In fact, during her visit, she learns some things about her family and her town that make her question what she has always believed to be true.    

     I loved this book!  Fans of To Kill a Mockingbird owe it to themselves to read it!  It is fascinating to follow Harper Lee's growth as a writer and to see the development of her characters; to connect what is revealed in this book back to the classic.  I am thankful Harper Lee agreed to publish this book.  We still have much to learn from her and the characters in her stories!

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

     Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is an awesome read!  This story is set in a world composed of Reds and Silvers. The Silvers are born with magical powers.  They can read people's minds, manipulate metal, and control water and fire.  The lowly Reds can only obey and serve the Silvers in control of their society.
     Mare Barrow, a poor peasant girl and lowly Red, struggles to earn enough money to support her family.  Her older brothers have been sent off to fight a war started by the Silvers, and she is left to provide for her younger sister and parents.
     When Mare is brought to the palace to serve the royal family, an accident occurs, and it is discovered that Mare has supernatural powers that have in the past only belonged to Silvers.  Though she is red-blooded, Mare possesses Silver abilities.  In order to avoid a rebellion and upset what everyone has always known to be true, the king tells his people that Mare is the long-lost daughter of a deceased Silver war hero.  He tells the people that though Mare was raised as a Red, she is truly a Silver.  The royals are puzzled and threatened by the idea of a red-blooded girl possessing powers like them.  The truth of Mare's powers could ruin everything.  If Reds learn the truth, it could add fire to the rebellion that has been gaining strength.  Reds are tired of being second class citizens, and Mare's abilities prove they are not inferior.  What if there were more like her?
     Both the Silvers and the Reds want Mare to help in their cause, but which side will she choose?  Though Red by birth, she begins to have feelings for both Silver princes at the palace.  She begins to see that they are more than their titles and powers.  But how can she betray her family and the Reds back home?
     This book is full of exciting confrontations and twisted plot lines!  It is a fun and fast read for those who enjoyed Graceling and The Selection novels.  If you pick up a copy of  Red Queen, you won't be disappointed!

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

     We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is a perfect summer read.  The story centers around the wealthy Sinclair family, which consists of two grandparents, their three daughters, and their many grandchildren.  Cadence Sinclair Eastman is the main character in the novel.  She spends her summers with her mother, aunts, and cousins on her grandparents' private island off the east coast.  Throughout the book, Cadence recalls the memories of these summers.
     One summer, however, is difficult for her to recall.  It was the summer of her 15th year.  During this summer, Cadence suffered an accident that caused her tremendous pain and headaches for two years.  To make it worse, Cadence can't remember what happened to her.  Two years after the accident, Cadence returns to the island to reconnect with her family and to try to piece together the story of what happened to her.  When Cadence asks about the accident, no one seems to want to share any information with her, so it is up to her to retrace her steps, visit familiar places, and try to recall the memories of that summer.  As Cadence begins to remember the events leading up to her accident, readers start to uncover the truth of what happened, and the ending is quite a surprise!
     The adult characters in this book are broken and selfish.  They fight over money and inheritances, and they put their children in the middle of their battles. The teens in the book try to avoid being dragged into their parents' fights, and they vow to try to make a difference in the world.  Along with these interesting characters, E. Lockhart's style of writing is beautiful.  It is full of imagery and metaphors, and literally pulls the reader right in.
     If you enjoy a book that explores family relationships, has a bit of mystery to it, and is beautifully written, you will definitely want to pick up a copy of We Were Liars.

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

     One of my favorite books of the summer was The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.  The story takes place in two different time periods.  In the present, Laurel Nicholson is dealing with her elderly mother's failing health.  Her mother, Dorothy, is on her deathbed, and Laurel is desperate to find answers to deep family secret.
     When Laurel was a teenager, she is a witness to a murder, and it wasn't just any murder.  Laurel's mother killed a man at their home.  Laurel watched as the man walked up to her mother, said hello, and her mother quickly stabbed the man in the chest.  As the investigation unfolded, Laurel's mother claimed that the man attacked her and that she stabbed him in self defense. Laurel goes along with the story, all along feeling that something wasn't quite right.
     Laurel thinks back to her childhood trying to uncover any clue that might help her solve the mystery.  She also investigates leads and clues to her mother's past.  As she begins to discover more information about her mother, she learns about the life she led before meeting Laurel's father.  Dorothy's friends Vivien and a man named Jimmy become important characters in the mystery, and Laurel finally learns the truth about her mother and the murder.
     This book was fascinating!  It kept me reading into the very late hours, and there were TWO HUGE twists at the end of the book that I never saw coming!  If you like mysteries and suspense, you have to pick up The Secret Keeper!  You won't be disappointed!

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

     I am sooooo excited about this book!  It has been around for quite a long time and was a Rosie nominated book in 1996.  However, it has recently come back into the spotlight thanks to the upcoming movie release in November!
    Ender's Game is set in the future.  The human race is at risk of extinction because of attacks by an alien species.  The aliens, or "Buggers" as they are called,  and humans have engaged in two major wars.  In preparation for a third attack, the humans have resorted to a very different approach.  Because adults have experienced war and have preconcieved notions of battles and battle tactics, they decide to turn to children for ideas.  Children have no prior experience in battle and are therefore not limited in their ideas and tactics.  So, military leaders establish a Battle School where children train in preparation for the third invasion.  The adults are looking for a child who will lead them against the Buggers and who will win a final victory for Earth. Military leaders observe children on Earth to select the best and the brightest for Battle School.
     The book's protagonist, Ender Wiggin, is only six years old when he is selected as one of the children to be transported into space to attend school.  In Battle School, the children participate in battle simulations conducted in zero gravity.  Each child is placed on a team, and the teams compete for the highest scores. Ender soon emerges as the best of the best and is sent on to Command School, skipping several levels of education. At Command School, students are selected as Commanders who fight in simulated battles against the Buggers.
     Going into much more detail would ruin the experience for you, so I will end by saying that this book is such a wonderful read!  The ending has a twist that I never saw coming!  Make sure you pick up a copy of this book, and then take a trip to the local theater to catch the movie version!

Playing with the Enemy

     I recently finished reading the nonfiction book, Playing with the Enemy, and I absolutely loved it!  If you are not a fan of nonfiction, I strongly suggest you read this book.  It will change the way you feel about the genre.  This book has a little of everything for readers. . . great baseball scenes, World War II facts, strong and inspirational people, conflict, heartbreak, and joy.  It is a nonfiction book that reads like fiction!
     The book begins with information about the author and his family, especially his father, Gene Moore.  Gene was from a small town in Illinois.  His family owned and ran a farm, but what Gene really wanted to do was play baseball.  He was good at it.  In fact, he was GREAT at it.  No one in the small town he lived in had ever seen anyone as good.  When Gene was only 15 years old, a big league scout came to watch him play in one of the town's baseball games.  Needless to say, he was impressed.  This scout not only noticed the baseball abilities Gene possessed, but he also saw Gene's incredible leadership qualities and charisma. People seemed to want to follow him.
     In spite of the fact that Gene was only fifteen years old, the scout convinced the owners of the Brooklyn Dodgers to sign him.  They wanted to have him play in an industrial league until he was old enough to play in the minor leagues and eventually the major league. His talent was too good to wait.  Someone else could come along and steal him.  So, Gene packed up and headed to St. Louis to play ball!  Even though he was much younger than most of the players on the team, Gene soon rose to the top.  He was the best catcher anyone had ever seen, and he could hit the ball like no other. He had a promising baseball career ahead of him.
     Then, fate intervened.  World War II broke out, and American boys were sent off to fight.  The Dodgers didn't want to risk the lives of their future players, so they struck a deal with the armed forces.  The Dodger recruits would play exhibition baseball to entertain the troops.  So, as soon as he was old enough, Gene enlisted in the Navy and was sent to North Africa.
     While in North Africa, Gene succeeded once again on the baseball field.  He quickly earned the respect of his teammates, coaches, and fellow players.  Even though he was not on the battlefield, Gene was often in danger.  The fighting came very close to him on multiple occasions.  Eventually, Gene found himself and his teammates back in the United States guarding German prisoners of war.  It was here that Gene came up with the idea to teach the prisoners how to play American baseball and to play exhibition games for the enjoyment of the community and American soldiers.  What resulted was far more than a game.  The events that followed would forever change Gene's life . . . as well as the lives of many others.
     Read Playing with the Enemy to find out what happens to Gene, his teammates, and his dream.  You won't be sorry!

Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore

     I just finished reading Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, and it was a fun read!  This novel is about a young man named Clay Jannon who finds himself out of work.  To make a little money, Clay applies for a job at Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore.  He soon finds out this is no ordinary store!   
     In addition to being open 24 hours a day, this bookstore has volumes of old, dusty books full of code.  Strange and unique people visit the store in the middle of the night and borrow these code books for extended periods of time.  Clay's job is to not only run the register at the store but to also record in great detail the people who visit the store, their names, their physical appearance, their demeanor, and the books they return or check out.
     While working at the store, Clay uncovers some interesting and unusual information that leads him to believe that Mr. Penumbra is part of a strange cult.  These people are searching for the clue to an age old mystery and the code books are the key to everything.
     Along with being a fun mystery, this book takes a look at how books and technology intersect and their places in the world.  Clay meets some interesting characters while trying to solve the mystery and makes friendships that last forever. 
     If you are looking for a fun, entertaining read, check this book out.  The characters will make you chuckle out loud and you will be engrossed in figuring out the mystery behind Mr. Penumbra's bookstore.

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

     The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is both a fascinating and frightening look at Chicago in the late 1800's.  At this time in history, the city of Chicago was growing rapidly.  In fact, it was America's second largest city.  After months of deliberation, Chicago was chosen as the city to hold the next World's Fair in 1893.  This was an enormous opportunity and responsibility.  The fair would bring thousands of people into Chicago, some for the very first time, and the city didn't have a sterling reputation.  It was known primarily for its hog slaughtering, filth, and crime.  The leaders of the city hoped to change that image by building a beautiful city within the city, White City along Lake Michigan.  The White City would be home to the  World's fair.
     In the book, Larkin describes the difficulties that arose while trying to prepare for the fair.  Ground had to be prepared, architects selected, buildings erected, transportation arranged, and much more.  They were literally building a city over the course of just two short years.
     In addition to describing the events that lead to the creation of the White City, Larkin also describes something very disturbing.  A serial killer, Dr. Herman W. Mudgett,  takes up residency in Chicago, right at the edge of the White City's borders.  Through cons and scheming, he gets his hands on enough money to build what he calls a "hotel" to lure people into his clutches.  Mudgett, who eventually goes by the alias H.H. Holmes, constructs a building with a basement and vaults to hide his murderous crimes.  Because the fair created many job opportunities, the city was flooded with newcomers, and that set up a perfect environment for Holmes to prey on his victims.  It is believed that Holmes was responsible for the deaths of nearly 200 people; however, he was only tried and convicted of committing nine murders because of lack of evidence.
     Larkin wrote the book in alternating chapters, each describing the events in the lives of either Daniel Burnham (the lead developer of the fair) or H.H. Holmes.  It is shoking that such an evil man as Holmes could get away with such terrible crimes right under the noses of construction crews and tourists!
   

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

     Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, is the amazing biography of Olympic athlete and World War II veteran, Louis Zamperini.  Though this book chronicles Louie's life story, it reads like fiction.  The people who come into Louie's life and the events that unfold are realistic and gripping.
     As a young boy, Louie was always on the lookout for an adventure or challenge.  He was known around town as a troublemaker because he was often seen stealing, fighting, or pulling elaborate pranks.  Unlike Louie, his older brother Pete was popular and well-liked.  He was a good student and an excellent athlete.  In fact, it was because of Pete that Louie finally found the right path in life.
     When Louie was in high school, Pete convinced the principal to allow Louie to join the track team (in spite of all of his behavior problems).  With lots of pressure from Pete, Louie trained hard.  He would run for miles and train for hours.  Soon, Louie became one of the best young runners in the country.  In fact, he was the fastest high school miler in American history!  Louie and Pete set a goal for the Olympics.  Although Louie's times were amazing, they weren't quite fast enough to make the Olympic team.  Louie was devastated, but Pete had an idea.  Louie could compete in the Olympic 5000.  However, in order to do so, Louie would have only weeks to qualify for the Olympic trials.  In spite of everything, Louie was able to qualify for the trials and made the 1936 Olympic team!
     At the Olympics in Berlin, it was clear that war was looming.  Though Germany tried to put on a nice face for the Olympic crowd, it was clear that Hitler and the Nazis were stirring up trouble.  Soon, World War II erupted, and Louie joined the American Army Air Forces as a bombardier.
     Louie and his crew mates flew many dangerous missions that nearly resulted in death.  Life as a Army Airman in World War II wasn't an easy one.  The planes were large, easy targets for the Japanese.  They were also quite unreliable.  Louie's first plane was destroyed in a Japanese attack, and his second plane crashed in the middle of the ocean.  After his plane crashed, Louie and his closest friend, Phil, spent over forty days on a life raft at sea with no food or water to speak of.  They lived off of rain water and whatever fish or birds they could capture. After losing nearly half their body weight and being shot at by Japanese planes, the men were finally captured by the enemy and taken to a Japanese POW camp where they continued to endure inhumane treatment.
      Louie's story is one of survival, determination, and the will to live.  It is an amazing story that I would highly recommend. . . especially if you are looking for an outstanding nonfiction read!
   

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

     Ashfall by Mike Mullin is an action-packed story of a cataclysmic natural disaster and its aftermath.  The supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park erupts and blankets the U.S.A. in several feet of poisonous ash.  Prior to the eruption, a teenager named Alex is left home alone as his family travels several hours away to visit with relatives.  When the eruption occurs, a molten piece of rock lands on Alex's house, setting fire to it.  Alex narrowly escapes and finds shelter in a neighbor's home.  What Alex doesn't know is that his normally safe neighborhood is going to turn into a playground for murderers and looters.  After a deadly encounter with two of those looters, Alex decides to leave his home town to find his family.
     On his journey, Alex must deal with hunger, thirst, severe coughing fits from the ash, heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.  He meets several friendly and gracious people who share what little food, water, and supplies they have with him.  However, he also meets vicious criminals who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive the disaster.  At one point, one of those vicious criminals attacks Alex, and he ends up with life-threatening injuries.  He is able to survive only with the help of complete strangers.  The story takes place over the course of several months.  Just when it seems things cannot get worse for Alex, they do.  There are challenges around every corner, but Alex never gives up. 
     Mike Mullin has definitely crafted a page turner in this novel!  His efforts to study the possible effects of a supervolcano eruption in the United States show throughout the story. The events are believable and terrifying!  In a world where humanity seems to be replaced with desperate animal-like acts of survival, Alex is a character that represents the good that remains. This book is the first in a trilogy that continues the story of Alex, his family, and his friends.

Wool Omnibus Edition

     Oh my goodness!  I finished reading Wool Omnibus Edition over the weekend, and I cannot say enough great things about it.  It is an awesome read!  The book is written by Hugh Howey, and it is fantastic!  You won't see it in most stores because the author self-published, and it is printed on demand.  Don't let that fool you!  This book has received over 2,000 ratings on Amazon and has earned five star status.  It was originally written as a series of short stories, but has since been combined into one complete story.
     This book is set in the future after a global calamity.  The characters live in an underground silo to protect them from the elements outside.  No one is allowed to even speak of the outside world.  Anyone who dares talk about it is given exactly what they want.  They are put outside.  The story is told from the viewpoints of different characters and follows them as they discover terrible secrets about their home, their leaders, and the reason they are living where they are.
     This book is part science fiction, part mystery, part suspense.  I literally could not put it down!  The characters are intruiging, and the plot keeps you guessing.  I would HIGHLY recommend this book . .  .especially to fans of dystopian literature, science fiction, and mystery.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing

     This book is a difficult one to read.  It follows the life of Octavian, the son of a former African princess, who lives at a compound surrounded by philosophers and scientists.  Octavian and his mother receive education and musical training, but their lives are not their own.  Set at the time of the American Revolution, Octavian and his mother are often treated as test subjects.  The scientists living at the compound study everything from their intellectual aptitude to their bodily functions in an attempt to see if people of African descent are equal to whites.
     With tensions rising between colonists and the British, the owner of the compound becomes concerned.  There are rumors of the British promising freedom to slaves of American patriots if they betray their owners.  Wealthy American patriots become concerned, and a group of them get together and move to an isolated area in the country.  There, the owner of the compound intentionally infects the group with small pox in an attempt to inoculate them against the disease.  Many of the people infected die, including Octavian's mother.
     The turning point in the story comes when Octavian walks in on the autopsy of his mother.  It is then he finally realizes that he and his mother were nothing more than lab rats to those in charge.  Octavian escapes the compound, and he eventually joins the colonial army.  During his time with the army, he is promised freedom when America gains her independence.  However, things do not turn out the way Octavian expects.  The sequel to this book, The Kingdom on the Waves, continues Octavian's story.
     There were many parts in this novel that made me sick to my stomach.  Octavian and his mother at times are treated as animals, and Octavian's innocence and reactions to his treatment are heartbreaking.  Although it was difficult to read at times, this novel is very powerful!

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

     Unwind is a 2009 Rosie winner by Neal Shusterman, who also wrote Full Tilt, The Shadow Club, Everlost, and many other great titles.  Although it is a fast read, there are really big things happening in this book.
     In a futuristic and distrubing alternate America, parents can have their children "unwound" at the age of thirteen.  To be unwound basically means to be killed.  A teenager who is unwound is put to sleep and his or her body parts are harvested to be used by people who need transplants.  So a healthy thirteen year old's body could be used for transplants to multiple people . . . people who need a lung, a kidney, a new left arm.
     The book follows the story of three teenagers who have been identified as "unwinds".  Two of the three teens, Connor and Risa, decide they must escape and save their own lives.  They run into a third teen, Lev, who thinks otherwise.  He believes it is his duty to be unwound.  His parents have raised him to believe that the reason he was born was to save others with his organs. The three teenagers find themselves on the run, hiding from government authorities who plan to capture and kill them.  Along the way, the teens rescue a baby, run into other teens on the run, and discover an underground movement to rescue "unwinds."  There is even an unbelievable twist at the end of the novel that will surely surprise readers! 
     Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the three teens.  These alternating perspectives really add to the story, which is intriguing and action packed from the very beginning!  The long-awaited sequel to the book, UnWholly, was just released, and it looks like there will be a movie made from the book as well.  Producers and directors are currently working on development of the film.
     Since my first readings of the Shusterman books, The Shadow Club and The Schwa was Here, I have enjoyed his work.  Likewise, I found that Unwind was also a fast and entertaining book!