Saturday, September 30, 2017

September // What I Read


The Nightingale 
by Kristin Hannah 

Hands down, my favorite read this year. Paris, World War II, and the story of two very different sisters...what could be better? I adored the characters of this book and I experienced sheer joy and heartache to see their stories unfold. 

The Nightingale tells the story of Vianne and Isabelle, two completely different women but interestingly enough, I found myself relating to them both in different ways. I haven't connected with characters in a novel so deeply in a very long time. 

Kristin Hannah based her story on real people and true events. In a time where men were praised for their sacrifice and service in the War, women were often overlooked for their incredible bravery and unrelenting devotion to their families and their country. This book showcases the hardships that women suffered while men were at war. It revealed to me things that actually happened that I wasn't aware of before. 

By the end of this book, I was bawling my eyes out. My husband came into the room and was worried that something horrible had happened. This story gave me all of the feels. It left me on the edge of my seat until I discovered the fate of every single character. It made me appreciate family more...and reminded me that love makes a family. This book is a treasure that I am very proud to display on my shelf. 


Animal Farm 
by George Orwell 

I can appreciate allegories, but I reckon they aren't quite my cup of tea. This book has been on my to read list for awhile and so I finally dusted it off and sat down to discover what all the fuss was about. 

This book is about a downtrodden society of over-worked, mistreated animals, and their quest to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. I can admire Orwell's political satire but honestly, found this read a bit boring for my taste. I apologize to my classic literature friends. Please don't hate me. Although this read didn't thrill me, I still am looking forward to reading his 1984


Just Being Audrey
by Margaret Cardillo and Illustrated by Julia Denos 

Oh my heart. This book. I had spotted it on the shelves of Anthropologie but had never snagged me a copy until recently. This book is completely and utterly adorable. Being an avid Audrey Hepburn fan, I knew I had to add this one to my collection. 

For a children's book, I was super impressed with the detailed story-telling. The author covers Audrey's role in the Resistance during World War II, her charitable work with UNICEF, and everything in between. The illustrations are simply beautiful and this little book just made me so happy reading it. I can't wait to maybe have a little girl one day so we can share Audrey's adventures together! 


Of Mice and Men 
by John Steinbeck 

This novel set during the Great Depression tells the story of two drifters in search of work. George and Lennie have nothing in the world except each other and a dream -- a dream that one day they will have some land of their own. George is not just a friend but a kind of care-taker for his simple-minded companion, Lennie. Finding work proves even more difficult for the two of them being that disaster seems to follow them wherever they go. 

This was an interesting read albeit sad and a bit dark. I must say that I was very disappointed in the crass and highly unnecessary language throughout. I found it unbelievable that about every character would use God's name in such a derogatory way. Come on, Steinbeck, use a little more imagination. That being said, it surprises me that books of this nature with the religious profanities and racial slurs are labeled as "required school reading". I'll climb down off my soap box now. 

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