The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Reading Challenge: A Book that takes place in your hometown
Rating: 4/5

While searching for a book for this category, I was excited when I came across The Lovely Bones which of course took place in Philadelphia....my hometown.

Yes I had seen the movie and most times I try to read the book before seeing the film but this is one of those instance where I did the reverse. Either way, I'm glad I took the time to read this book.

This book is sooo full of emotions and from so many people. I like that the author not only focused on Susie's character, who of course was the main character but those surrounding her and I'm not talking just about her family. We see the emotions of everyone, from her family to the first boy to kiss her, her friend, her teachers, a friend of a friend, heck even the dog. I'm also glad that this story went beyond the girl's death. I'm talking years later, when everyone has grown up and many in the neighborhood have moved on. 

This story truly shows the meeting of not letting go when you lose someone and it makes you wonder if those you have lost are really watching you or can hear you or are right there next to you. This book will make you cry if not at least tear up. I wanted more, I wanted the family to have that piece of mind but deep down in my opinion, it never came and it wouldn't if you are left wondering why, how or what if?


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All The Lights We Cannot See Anthony Doerr

Can you guess why I chose this book for my reading challenge? No? Believe it or not, it was:

Reading Challenge: A book based on its cover
Rating: 4/5

Of course this picture does it no justice but seriously I was drawn to this book from the beginning. I think it also has to do with the fact that I had purchased another book, that reminded me of it and that was The Light Between Oceans. I don't know if it was the words, the blue color but it definitely drew me into it.

Now let's talk about how wonderful was this book. I read somewhere and don't quote me but I believe they said it took the author 10 years to write this and it's perfection shows how much dedication he put into it. The details of this story will captivate you.

A blind girl and her father flee when the Nazi's take over Paris. Her father, a creative gentle man makes sure that his daughter's blindness does not interfere with their daily living and this helps her when she can not longer count on him to lead the way.

A young man, orphaned yet extremely talented joins a Hitler youth academy where it's do or die.

This story leads us to the battles they both must face, a battle of fear, a loss of innocence and the consumption of death.  Their paths cross even if only for a few moments, it last  a lifetime.

You will find that this book does not end up how you want it. At least for me it didn't. I was hopeful when they finally came together but all that quickly changes. This book is about their journey, not so much about how or if they come together but just the journey they took, what they were forced to see, their emotions and in particular their courage as children to survive when hate is all around them.


     Nfinite Pages