“YOU KNOW YOU’VE READ A GOOD BOOK WHEN YOU TURN THE LAST PAGE AND FEEL A LITTLE AS IF YOU HAVE LOST A FRIEND” – PAUL SWEENEY
Introducing the AOTR Book Club! Rather than publishing my top 10 books twice a year, I’ve decided to take on the challenge and review 4 books every month. I’ll give each book a short summary (without spoilers), my personal star rating, and will finish each post with a list of the books I plan to review the following month. I hope you can read along with me!
THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS
M.L. Stedman
***.5
If you’re not into emotionally intense novels – this book isn’t for you. The Light Between Oceans is an incredibly moving novel that felt the entire way through like there was no chance for a happy ending.
Based in 1920’s Australia, this story is a heartbreaking exploration of right and wrong told beautifully through Stedman’s descriptive and encapsulating work. I found as I was reading that I would keep asking myself, “what would I do if it happened to me?”. Sure we’d all like to think we’d do the ‘right’ thing, but unless you’re in the situation would you?
If you have it in you after reading the book to watch the movie, it is definitely worth watching – just make sure you keep the tissues close by – there won’t be any dry eyes for this one!
CONFESS
Colleen Hoover
****
Colleen Hoover is a genius. I have read all of her books, and I recommend them all to anyone who doesn’t mind an occasional love story with a twist every now and again.
There is a lot more to this story than what is written in the blurb, it’s not a cheesy, shallow or overdone love story; it is emotional, realistic and it’s impossible to put down!
I can’t say much about the plot without giving too much away – so just trust me that this one is worth the read.
THE KITE RUNNER
Khaled Hosseini
***.5
Yet another beautiful novel by Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner really puts into perspective how blessed most of us are to live in countries where we aren’t exposed to such brutality and terror. It’s not the kind of book you’ll want to read over and over again., but you will be glad you read it.
Without wanting to give too much away, the story is based around a Muslim boy in Afghanistan who struggles to find his place in the world following a series of heart wrenching and traumatic childhood events. As their home is slowly ravaged by war, him and his father flee Afghanistan to start a new life in the United States, but unable to bury his past, the Muslim boy, now a grown man, must return home to face his demons.
It is a story of a man’s journey to redemption and how the relationships in our lives shape us to be the people we become. It’s both a wonderful and moving novel that will leave a mark on your heart after you turn the final page.
INTO THE WATER
Paula Hawkins
****
I was a huge fan of “Girl on the Train” so I was both excited and anxious to get my hands on “Into the Water”. What I can say with certainty is that “Girl on the Train” was no fluke. Paula Hawkins is an incredible author and she had a huge amount of pressure on her to produce a book that was going to live up to the expectations of her debut novel – and it did!
The book does start off slow as characters are introduced and the story builds, but it doesn’t take long to become totally immersed in this small town mystery. You think you know all the answers but in true Hawkins style, she throws a spanner in the works and it changes everything. I refuse to believe anyone who says they saw the final ending coming! A very well written mystery/thriller that I believe has the potential to be equally if not more successful than “Girl on the Train”.
NEXT MONTH:
I’ll be reviewing:
- 13 Reasons Why: Jay Asher
- Eat Pray Love: Elizabeth Gilbert
- Carve The Mark: Veronica Roth
- Luckiest Girl Alive: Jessica Knoll
If you happen to have read or are planning to read one or more of these, please link me if you’ve reviewed them, and I will share your link in my post next month!
As always, would love recommendations!
ADVENTURESS ON THE RUN 
I still haven’t read The Girl on the Train – looks like I’ve got some catching up to do when I return to the UK! I’d be interested to know what 13 Reasons Why is like, as I started the series but didn’t particularly like it even though I thought the concept behind it was interesting.
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Ohh sounds like you have some great reading ahead of you! 🙂 I haven’t seen the series, one of those firm believers that the book is always better 😛 I haven’t watched Game of Thrones for that reason either! Though I’m sure one day I’ll cave – just to see what all the fuss is about!
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Always in pursuit of another good read! Where adaptations are concerned, I usually prefer the book – except in the case of Bridget Jones. I remember starting Game of Thrones (the series) years ago, but I never got into it and it was so awkward to stream at the time! I’ve not tried the books, though they look enormous!
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I bought to GOT series and you’re right, they are big and with tiny writing! So I have yet to commit to reading the entire series because I know it will take me a longggg time! haha 🙂
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Best read amongst other things then for a bit of variety! I’ve seen the French translations for sale over here and just baulked at the size of them!
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I’ll get there one day! haha
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I loved The Light Between the Oceans so much! It was so heart-breaking and intense at the same time, I really couldn’t put it down.
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Definitely agree with you! Was quite an emotionally intense novel – I needed a happy pick-me-up following that one. But I loved it all the same. Such a captivating story! I felt the movie did the book justice as well 🙂
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I’m yet to watch the movie! Will make a note to do so. 🙂
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Have tissues close by 😉
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I just finished Light Between Oceans and loved it. Also read the Kite Runner last year and thought it was fabulous – definitely the best of his books so far. From your list for June, I thought 13 Reasons was really well written (can’t say I liked it…that just doesn’t seem like the right thing to say for this book). Carve the Mark I was really disappointed in, so I’ll be interested to see what you think.
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Oh no! I was looking forward to Carve the Mark, it’s the next one in my to-read pile. Stay tuned for my review in July ;). Sounds like you have good taste considering we have read the same books!
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As a traveler who loves to read, I love seeing other people’s posts like this! I think it was to do with our crazy curiosity.
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I’m so glad Brittany! A few people tried to deter me from starting a book club, but as a traveler, I know I don’t spend every waking minute sightseeing, I want down time – and reading is the best way to do it! ESPECIALLY if the weather is awful (it can’t all be sunshine and rainbows!). It’s good to escape just for an hour or two. It definitely helps to de-stress! I tend to read quickly, so I love having ebooks stored and ready to go on my tablet so i’m not lugging around the extra weight (though nothing beats reading a paperback). 🙂
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I love book clubs. And it has to be said, one of my favorite things to do while traveling is to find a cafe and just sit and drink coffee for two hours. Travel can look like anything you want it to look like. It doesn’t have to be racing to all the major sites that everyone tells you not to miss. I don’t know about you, but when I travel, it’s ‘me’ time and that always includes books! 🙂
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Could not agree with you more! Great minds 😉
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