Fortune's Daughter

By Alice Hoffman

Hoffman has a way of writing her novels that makes me feel like I'm reading a fairy tale...even though it's written in the present times and there are no princesses or evil queens. It's amazing how her style of writing includes descriptions that make me catch my breath and reread a passage I've already read twice. She usually does this at the very beginning of a novel to catch your eye and make you continue reading. Fortune's Daughter is no exception. I thought I'd read every Hoffman novel out there, but apparently, this one slipped through. I found it at our local library and what a find!

The main character's of this novel are two ladies who find themselves pulled together by forces outside of their control. Each is dealing with a loss in their own way and stumble across each other in their search for answers. As always, Hoffman weaves in flashbacks and vivid imagery to enhance the novel. Trust me, this is an oldie, but a goldie!!

Similar Novels: Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman and Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

Length: 272 Pages

Copyright: 1986

Change in Altitude

By Anita Shreve
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I think I've said it before, but I'll say it again...Anita Shreve is one of my most favorite authors!! Each one of her novels keeps me enthralled and waiting with ever fiber of my being for her next novel! This most recent novel is no exception. Shreve delivered a novel that not only pries into the very heart of a relationship but also deals with the power of love to overcome loss and desperation.

The story centers around a couple living in Africa who are new in their relationship and struggling to get used to their marriage. After befriending another couple, they decide to summit Mount Kenya together. When an unforeseeable accident occurs and a life is claimed, the couple is left to deal with the fallout. The rest of the novel centers around their struggle to maintain their marriage with feelings of betrayal and mistrust.

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Similar Novel: All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve
Length: 307 Pages
Copyright: May 2010

Matched

By Ally Condie
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Well, this book was written with 12-15 year olds in mind, but I absolutely loved it! Once again, it's my love of dystopian futures that made me enjoy this novel. It reminded me so much of one of my all time favorite novels "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. Go ahead and read both novels and tell me they don't have similar writing styles and story lines. However, Condie managed to keep the format, but tell the story in a new and unique way which kept me reading.

The story takes place in the future (not too far, but far enough) where the everyday aspects of people's lives are determined by numbers and percentages. Scientists have determined the best course of life for each person based on numbers and equations that will maximize their potential. People are sent to schools, matched with mates, and even told when they will die based on these numbers. It only takes one mistake during the main character's matching ceremony to interrupt the course of action determined for her life.

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Similar Novels: The Giver by Lois Lowry and Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brian
Length: 400 pages
Copyright: November 2010

Faithful Place

By Tana French

Here is the third installment of the Dublin murder squad mysteries by Tana French. Because I've read her first two novels I immediately ordered this third novel before it was even released. Let me tell you, I wasn't disappointed! French still has the ability to grab my attention right from the get go and not let go. She painted a picture of lower/middle class Ireland that made me feel like I'd visited the place before...even though technically I've never left the continental 48 states!

Like the first two novels before it, this story centers on a murder and a certain detective from the Dublin murder squad that is dead set (pardon the pun) on solving it. The main character in this novel is drawn back into a family setting he left behind years ago when an old girlfriend believed to have run away at 17 is found dead in an abandoned house. Family secrets are passed around and everyone is a suspect, including those closest to the detective. For anyone who enjoys a good detective novel, this is one for you!

Similar Novels: In the Woods and The Likeness by Tana French

Length: 666 pages (as an author...wouldn't you have typed up one more page to avoid this number???)
Copyright: July 2010

The Hunger Games

By Suzanne Collins

Sometimes it takes me a while to catch up with the rest of the literary world when it comes to bestsellers. I've been hearing positive things about this series, but for some reason I kept putting off starting this novel. I wasn't really thrilled with the previous literary craze (...Twilight) and I never even started the Harry Potter series until book four came out. I can now officially say that I love this series!! I'm going to join the masses and give this novel two thumbs up!

Once again, this novel take place in a post-apocalyptic United States of America. If you've followed this blog at all, you know that I'm a sucker for this type of novel. There is a lottery held that determines players in a game that is a fight to the death. I found it hard to put this novel down during some intense chapters and I'm already looking for friends who have the two sequels! Bottom line...BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Similar Novel: Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Length: 384 Pages

Copyright: October 2008

The Book Thief

By Markus Zusak

It took me forever to read this book, but not for the reason that immediately comes to mind. I got so into this book and wanted to never put it down. For that reason, I would only read this book when I had some serious time (which is hardly ever!!). With that being said, it is a seriously sad book so I want you all to grab a box of tissues before you read it. No, by saying that, I'm not giving away the ending, I'm just preparing you! The conclusion of this novel caught me by surprise and that rarely ever happens.

The book is told from death's point of view, which I must say was a pretty catching beginning to the novel. Death narrates that he rarely has time to pay attentions to the lives of his charges. When a small young girl crosses his path numerous times, he is captivated by her story and eventually her death. The book takes place during WWII in Germany so you can imagine death is fairly busy. Liesel (a.k.a. the book thief) stands out among the rest as she deals with loss, love, family, and eventually death.

Similar Novels: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Length: 257 Pages

Copyright: September 2007

The Alchemist

By Paulo Coelho

This was such a quick and easy read, I surprised myself by reading it in one sitting in just a few hours. It is nothing like my usual read so my review might sound a little off. Similar to C.S. Lewis, Coelho writes with heavy religious undertones and makes no apologies for his point of view. I found it rather non-denominational when referencing religion for a novel that takes place in Egypt. This novel is based around one man's dream and those who help him interpret the meaning that lies within.

Santiago is a young sheepherder in Spain who has a dream about a bounteous treasure that awaits him at the pyramids in Egypt. An old gypsy woman interprets his dream and he begins a quest to claim his treasure. During his journey, Santiago experiences many trials and tribulations as he decides what lengths he'll go to in order to obtain his treasure.

Similar Novel: The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Length: 287 Pages

Copyright: April 2006

The Passage

By Justin Cronin


Ummmmm...when is the sequal coming out for this novel and where can I get a pirated copy beforehand??? Seriously...this was the best novel I've probably read all year. It was a lengthy novel that I couldn't wait to finish. Then, they left it as a cliffhanger because it's the first in a trilogy. So...not...fair!! I would call this novel a cross between a military and a science fiction novel. It was captivating and unique all wrapped together.
The book started out as letters (or e-mails, I'm not quite sure which) between two co-workers who are civilians working with the military. They are searching for a lost tribe in South America who are rumored to live extended lives and have no illness. What they find is the basis for the rest of the novel as a war breaks out and few survive. The story is told from many points of view and leaves you salivating for the next in the series. Trust me...you WANT to read this book!!

Similar Novels: I Am Legend by Richard Matheson and Congo by Michael Crichton
Length: 766 Pages
Copyright: June 2010