Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

This book was a pleasant surprise. The book begins by the audience knowing that Glory, a piano prodigy, now teenager has disappeared.  The books show the events that happened before she disappeared. The most important event is when Frank moves next door. By this time Glory is nearing a meltdown … and that pretty much happen.

Without going too detailed into the book, what you should know about this book is it is told through photos, letters, postcards and instant messages. What was great was the random playlists that were in the book.

The authors seemed to have a real connection to the character because there was more than the regular teenage desperation to be together. It wasn’t just a  broken home, messed up friends. It seemed real and really believable. The ending caught me by surprised. Just how everything played it made it a good read.

I give this book a 8 out of 10. I would read it again.

This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz is probably the most honest book I have read in a long time. A collection of short stories, Diaz goes through the emotional roller coaster about love, heartbreak and most importantly cheaters and cheating. The biggest and reoccurring story in this book is about a boy growing into a man named Yunior and love and loses.

He was a bit annoying to me because he was really doing it to himself. What I love about the book is the honestly. I was surprised by it; it really through me for a loop and I had to pause. The first short story kicked me in the chest because it really hit close to home as if he (Diaz) knew my story. Although it was in a male perspective it was deep.

The book did stale a bit. I got bored with the story and Yunior. He was getting annoying because all he did was complain; never did anything different.

Over all the book gets a 8 out 10. I thought it was great and would recommend everyone; men and women to read it.

Chronicles of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez

OH MY GOODNESS. This book is not short of perfect. It gets a 10 out of 10 even before I begin to tell you what the author did to completely bug me out (in a good way). 

Without giving too much away, a man comes back to his home town in order to solve a murder everyone knew that was going to happen 27 years before. All I am going to tell you is that a wedding takes place and then a murder right after.

That is all I’m going to say because I feel it is going to take away from the story. Marquez is an amazing author. The story is extremely detailed down to the creak in the door. This can be a little dragging but as the book progresses on its perfect. He creates some very simple characters but what they do gets the ball rolling and OH MY GOODNESS I would read this book again.

The obvious answers are not the correct answers. Just keep that in mind. 

The Wild Things by Dave Eggers

Where the Wild Things written by Maurice Sendak is a beloved classic children’s story.  When the movie was released in 2009 directed by Spike Jonze, a movie adaptation was released and it was wonderful.

Max is a young boy who is unable to control his emotions. With his father gone, his sister no longer wanting to play with him and his mom interested in another man, Max is all over the place.

One night Max crosses the line and his mother snaps, chasing him around the house and on impulse Max runs out the door, through the woods and on a boat at the bay.

If you loved the movie, you will love the book. It is almost a spitting image of the movie. The characters are exactly how they are in the movie, however Carol is much more angry and jealous. The emotions of the characters are much more detailed and Max is really all over the place. But then again he is 8. 

I give the book a 10 out of 10. 

What a lovely surprise!

I found this book shopping at my local independent bookstore (thumbs up!) and it was just sticking out the shelf. There was nothing too spectacular about the cover or even the summary of the book. But something said buy and I am so glad I did.

Clare, a student in London who just finished her exams to get accepted into college, moves with her mom to Ravensmere, an historic English estate. At Ravensmere, Clare is compelled to do things such as midnight walks and she is drawn to a man named Mark who is considered the badass in town.

The book was bit slow in the beginning but it got really good once you get past the first 2 chapters. Clare’s mother I didn’t like *Kanye Shrug*It felt like she was being a jerk for no reason. I mean there is a reason but by time they are a second day living at Ravensmere her fights were just pointless.

I loved the book so it gets a 9 out of 10. Quick read, love the detail, love the setting. I completely recommend it.

Happy Birthday William Shakespeare!

You have inspired tons of people with your old English words and you will forever be remember thanks to them. In honor of your birthday I will post my favorite quote:

And oftentimes excusing of a fault doth make the fault the worse by the excuse.