Before I Go To Sleep by S.J.Watson

FICTION
A thrilling, compelling narrative of an amnesiac who tries desperately to uncover the truth about her past, who she is and whom she can trust.  The book is written in the voice of a woman who loses her memory every night as she sleeps. Frightening, right?  The story has awesome twists, the writing is good and the suspense builds with each page.  Hard to put down. I look forward to more books by this author. I understand this one has been picked up for a movie.

 

My Rating : 4/5

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

FICTION
Disappointing! 
I only managed to get through the first 60 pages, where the author describes in painful detail the busy life of a suburban working mom, to the point that it is repetitive and boring.  At this point, the accident (turning point event for the narrator) has yet to happen, but I couldn't bear to go on, so this book was "left neglected" on my nightstand, until I returned it to the library. :-(

 

My Rating : 1/5

 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

FICTION
Fresh, inventive, artfully written debut novel.
The hero of the book, Christopher, is an autistic 15 year old who sets out to solve the murder of his neighbor's dog.  The story is a honest and convincing narration laid out through the eyes of Christopher.  I started out very pleased with this book and hurried to read a few pages every day in my free time, but towards the end, I couldn't wait to just be done with it.  It can drag on a bit once you get the general idea...

My Rating : 3/5

 

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

FICTION
Insightful book on the despair and struggle faced by a successful and intellectual patient, and her family, when she is diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease at fifty.  Compassionate story that sheds some light on how this disease can creep up on those genetically vulnerable to it.

My Rating: 3/5

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

FICTION
Compelling, witty, heartwarming!
This book is emotional, troubling, funny and romantic all rolled into one. Pat Peoples is an endearing Eagles fan who comes to terms with his mental illness and marital failure and finally builds his life with another damaged soul, Tiffany. This book is cleverly detailed, gracefully weaved, a must read!

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

FICTION
An evocative page turner, an eye opener on Asperger’s syndrome, thought-provoker on the subject of child immunizations, an emotional story of a family where one member is “different”. 

 

My Rating : 4/5

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

FICTION
I recently finished reading this novel.  I want to put it on this blog as my first post here, because I feel like I am still reeling in its residuum.   This novel is beautifully written, honest, simple and moving.   It is a story of two women of different ages and different backgrounds, a British magazine editor and a Nigerian refugee girl, and how their lives become intermingled, and how much impact this confluence has on each one.   As the reader is irrevocably drawn into the lattice of the story, the author’s subtle revelations on human nature will surprise and please.  Also striking is the backdrop of the story that draws attention to world politics and its operations.

I realize this is a highly generalized review for a book that I am encouraging you to read, but I don’t want to give anything away.  Let this seemingly ordinary story leave a memorable  print on your minds, and hearts.

 

My Rating :  4/5