The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Guilty Pleasure
2018 A to Z Challenge - February Mini Challenge - Second Chances Love Story

I again rolled my eyes at a "love story" challenge and turned to Goodread's Lists to see if there was possibly a book on my non-romance bookshelves that could meet this challenge.  And there it was, the book that has been on my end-table TBR (not to be confused with my bedside table TBR, my bookshelves TBR, my monthly book box TBR, my stack-on-the floor TBR). 

A friend loaned this book to me so I looked at it often, wanting to read it so I could return it and quit feeling guilty (as she has borrowed and return many of my books in the time period that I've had this book), but I knew enough about it that I knew I had to be in a "this book will rip your heart out" mood to read it.

Nothing like a challenge to get you to steel yourself for an emotional read!  I did make sure that as I got closer to the end that I would be at home and not in public for the inevitable ugly cry that would ensue.  Yet, I did not find myself sobbing uncontrollably, albeit I did have to have a box of tissues and I had to put the book down as I could not see through the tears.  Now, I'm not totally heartless (you should see the tears I've been shedding during these Winter Olympics - winners, losers, you name it I'm crying), but I think the humor that was throughout this book prevented me from wallowing in the sorrow of it, even though I was taken by surprise - No Spoilers for those who have not read it.

While my life has not been touched by childhood cancer, I thought Green did an amazing job of writing for so many perspectives of those affected by the non-discriminating illness and the struggle of teenagers and parents of teenagers who are faced with an already trying time layered with the complexities of mortality.

Quotes: "It took me a sleeve of Girl Scout Thin Mints and forty minutes to get over that boy."

"And in freedom, mot people find sin."

"You have a choice in this world, I believe, about how to tell sad stores, and we made the funny choice"

"I thought being an adult meant knowing what you believe, but that has not been my experience."

#atozminiChallenge

                  The Woman in the Window
                            A. J. Finn

               2018 A-Z Challenge ------- "W"

Oh Anna!!!!! You showed me so much about being an agoraphobic, maybe too much in the first half of the book.!!  What a debilitating disorder!!!

Anna has been unable to leave her house for 11 months, she is estranged from her husband and daughter, but they talk almost every day and she entertains herself by watching her neighbors, playing online chess and belonging to an agoraphobia's website.

She also takes her prescribed meds with her too many glasses of wine.   (Confession:::  I drank more wine than I normally do while reading this book).   So when she sees something happen at one of her neighbors, two things happen: 1. She is unable to help because she can"t leave her house and  2. No one believes her because she is on too many meds and drinks way too much.

While the first half of this book gets bogged down with Anna's daily (and yes, boring) routine, be prepared for a much-better second half. Some of your questions (or a least mine were), will be answered in the second half.  Some twists I did not see coming and a couple that I did, but over all a fairly good thriller.

                                                               #2018A-ZChallenge

The Life She Was Given - Ellen Marie Wiseman

Historical Fiction
2018 A to Z Challenge - February Mini Challenge - Red Cover/Red on the Cover

As a kid I loved circuses and then I grew up and discovered the horrible realities of circuses and circus life.  This book brought back the joy and the horrors of circus life for both human and animal entertainers.  While a "freak" such as Lilly may find love among her circus family, it is a horrible testament to not only what human beings can do to one another but what humans consider entertainment.

Wiseman's novel goes back and forth between Lilly's and Julie's stories, both originating from the Blackwood Manor.  The reader tries to puzzle together the connection between the two damaged but strong girls.

While the story does not focus on a particular historical event or character, the author has based it on research and stories about circus life, circus sideshows and tragedies of the circus.  Heartwarming and heartbreaking it is a story that will stick with you.  Stories like this are why I applauded Ringling Brothers retiring their elephant acts and why I will no longer go to a traditional circus, but prefer to be awed by the aerobatic spectacular shows such as Cirque du Soleil.

#atozminiChallenge

              Dreaming spies
               Laurie R. King
                      Series   
    2018-A-to-Z-Challenge --------------"D"                   
Well,  thanks to Laurie R. King,  I have gone on another great adventure with Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

 In the 14th book of the series,  Mary & Sherlock  boarded a cruise ship and traveled to Japan. While on the luxury liner, Holmes sees a man he is sure is a blackmailer. So the adventure begins!!!

Once Mary and Holmes are in Japan, they are approached by a small Japanese woman, who they met on the ship.  She has been sent to asked them to help the Prince Regent (the son of the Emperor) to help get an item back from a blackmailer.  Ah Ha,  the plot thickens.

The wonderful think about Ms King's writing is that she paints such a wonderful picture of places and events that she puts you right there with the characters. 
If you are intrigued to go on an adventure with Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes but have not done so yet,  I would suggest you start at the beginning with "The Beekeeper's Apprentice". 

Ms.King does a excellent job of character development!!

                                  #2018AtoZChallenge

        The  Last Ballad by Wiley Cash
     
          Historical Fiction

When we think of civil rights, we usually think of the 1960's. Right?
Well , in 1929 at a North Carolina mill, several people put their lives and their jobs on the line for basic rights for all workers.

Meet Ella May,  the only white woman to work along side the black men and women at the mill. They were all poor , worked 12 hours shifts, and lived in run-down shanties.  Then the flyers for the unions started to appear and Ella May was asked to join the union. So with hopes of making a better life for herself, her children and her friends who worked as hard , suffered as much as she did, she joins the movement for equal rights for women workers and black workers. What a struggle!!!!

This was an interesting read showing just how long the working class has been struggling. 

                                      #AtoZChallenge

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

"K" Author
2018 A to Z Challenge - February Mini Challenge - Unconventional Love Story

Since I'm not a big romance reader I didn't think I would be able to find a book on my shelf to fit the "love story" mini challenges, but thanks to the Goodreads Listopia, I found The Good Girl on the list (and on my bookshelves) and voila! challenge accepted.

Since this is billed as a mystery/suspense/thriller I will avoid any spoilers.  I didn't find this to be as "addictively suspenseful" or "tautly written" as one reviewer did, but I did enjoy the chapters set up not only as various points of views of the characters, but also jumping in time from "before" and "after" the abduction that the book is centered around.  So the reader knows some things that the other characters have yet to discover, but of course we do not know all.   So if you are looking for an exciting page-turner that will keep you up all night, I wouldn't say this would be it, BUT it is a quick, easy read.

#atozminiChallenge

                     2018 A - Z Challenge  -------------------"C"

                       The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
                                  Phaedra Patrick
                                       Debut


On the anniversary of his wife's death,  Arthur Pepper finds a charm bracelet he has never seen before. By calling a phone number that he finds on one of the charms, Arthur begins a journey into his wife's past,  one that he never knew about. He learns a lot about the woman he had loved for more that 40 years and he learns a lot about himself along the way.  It is not always important to know someone's past,  but to love them for who they are in the present. 

 A nice sentimental read.

                                #2018AtoZChallenge