Standing in the Rainbow

I really liked the first Fannie Flagg book that I read (Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.) So, I decided to read this book by her as well; and I really liked it. I thought that it was really a cute story about Elmwood Springs, a small town in Missouri. It follows the characters from the 1940's until 2000. I just thought that it was a really sweet story. It was a fun read!

The Forgotten Garden

I really liked this book. It is the ultimate family history search. It's about a lady, Nell, in search of who she is after she is told that she was (adopted?) if you can call it that. Through three different story lines: the Authoress, a writer of fairy tales in early 1900; Nell, an antique dealer in Australia; and Cassandra, Nell's grand-daughter the reader finds out who Nell is and where she comes from. I thought that it was a really sweet story and it kept me interested all along.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

I have waited a LONG time to read this book and it did not fail me. I thought that it was such a sweet story! As many of you know, it's about a boy that befriends a boy (in striped pajamas) who ends up being in a concentration camp. It's a great way to discuss this terrible time in a different way and through a child's eyes. I look forward to seeing the movie (I've waited to see it until I could read the book first.) Everyone should read this one!

I am The Messenger

This is the second book that I've read by this author. (The first being The Book Thief.) I really liked this book as well. It has a little bit of risque (?) stuff in it for a young adult book. I thought that it was really interesting and entertaining! It really has a message that is important and a little inspirational I thought. I would recommend it.

Becoming Jane Eyre

I just finished Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler. It is a fictional account of what may have been the circumstances of Charlotte Bronte surrounding the writing of Jane Eyre. It is based somewhat in fact, but the author suggests what may have been Charlotte's thoughts and feelings when writing the book. I thought that it was a really interesting book. Since Jane Eyre is my favorite book of all time, I was really interested in reading this (possible) story about her life.

The Book of Lost Things

This book was recommended to me by a coworker. It was interesting. By journeying through another land, a young boy finds out what is really important to him. In order to return home, David has to go to the king and find The Book of Lost Things. On his quest, he meets a knight, fights loups (A wolf-man type of thing), runs into seven dwarfs and the grouchy lady that bosses them around, as well as many other characters (including the crooked man). It fuses fairy-tale with coming-of-age. It was pretty clever in that way.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I know, it's been a while, but I've been in a bit of a reading "slump." Although I really liked this book, it took me a little while to get through it. This is the type of "coming of age" story that I really like. It tells about a period in Francie Nolan's life, but like many "coming of agers" (I just made that word up), it doesn't get weird and Francie accomplishes great things. It's really a sweet and inspiring story.