My Favorite Books

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

There are few books that I can say really stick with me. This is one of the books that I could not stop dreaming and thinking about. I read this to my 7, 8, and 9 year old and we all absolutely loved it. The book is written in many different perspectives. It allows the reader to see that a very sad condition doesn't just affect the boy. It affects everyone around him. This is a wonderful book that shows the mean-heartedness in people, but more importantly, the kind heartedness of all the helpers.

Fifty Shades of Grey

Beautifully written! Had me hooked into a world of fantasy from the first chapter. I love how it brings out every emotion that a woman has when entering a relationshp: fear, excitement, pain, confusion, anger, joy, & love. This book ingnited a spark in me! My relationships got better & I also got more excited about life. I even started performing better in my athletics. It also allowed me insight into the world of sexual domination, which I have never been able to understand, and I now have a completely different view of D&s. This book, more than any other book, related to my own life, in so many ways. Many people feel like this book is very demeaning for women but I felt the opposite. The woman had complete control over the man in this book, in my opinion.

Wild

I really related to the character in this story. There were times when I felt like she was writing my story. Anyone who has spent lots of time on the trails can relate to many of the things that Cheryl has encountered, from running out of water, seeing snakes and bears, feeling lonely and wanting to be alone, making friends with strangers, massive blisters, getting rubbed raw from backpacks, etc. The reason for her leaving on such a daring adventure makes complete sense to me. When we are hurting emotionally, we want to escape. The wilderness can be a spiritual escape and can be almost more affective than therapy. It can also make a person realize what is most important in their lives. I have also pushed the people away that loved me the most and sometimes leaving them can make you realize how good your life was with them. I love how completely honest and open Cheryl was and how she connected to the reader. I have had a very similar childhood and similar issues with men and this book was able to affect me in a very special way.

The One and Only Ivan

I read this to my 6, 8, and 9 year old. They understood everything that was happening in the story and we learned so much about gorillas and elephants. I have always felt bad for animals in captivity and it was really sad and hard to read at first. But, the story definitely has a happy ending. I shed lots of tears. It is also a bonus that parts of this story are based on a true story of Ivan the Gorilla.

The Help

Amazing book! It made me laugh, cry, get nervous, get excited…I couldn't put it down. These women had so much to deal with in their lives. It made me feel like my life is a piece of cake. Everyone had their own reality of what was going on. I even found myself feeling sorry for the villians. This is also a great history novel to read

The Hunger Games

A book that gets you hooked in the first chapter. I will have finished this book in less than a week. It shows great determination to live & wonderful relationships between people.

Divergent

I read the majority of this book in one day (today). So suspenseful that I couldn't put it down. Now, I can't wait to see the movie!

Ol' Clip Clop

This story actually kept my kids up after reading it. It has amazing illustrations, but is so real that my kids got really scared

Two Hours

I learned a lot about marathon training from this book. It covers the training of Kenyan athletes, from shoes to sleep to Fartleks to mental training. Very well written!

The Host

This book caused my crazy dreams but it was very creative & entertaining to read.

Catching Fire

Absolutely loved it! I couldn't put it down. It was very suspenseful & I loved the characters. Very brilliantly written

Ecstacy

The 1st romance novel that I really loved. It is full of suspense and passion.

Mockingjay

Loved it! Did not expect the end. There were lots of twists & it kept me wanting to read more.

Fifty Shades Darker

Wow! This book really affected me emotionally. Not as many juicy sex scenes as the first book but more love scenes. Made me laugh & cry. I love this series!

Water for Elephants

Wonderful! One of the best books I have read, by far!

Born to Run

This book is awesome! It gives a new view to the world of running. All humans are built to run & we don't need fancy foods or expensive supplements to be good at it.

Unbroken

This book changed how I view my life. Sometimes, we think that we have it bad. But, when you read about someone who has truly been through hell, your life doesn't seem so bad.