Book Reviews

I have been fortunate enough to have read three really good books recently. Here are some quick reviews to whet your appetite.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls - another excellent book by the author of The Glass Castle. This time she tells the story of her maternal grandmother, Lily, who was without a doubt a woman ahead of her time. Lily admired Scarlett O'Hara because "[s]he was tough, she was sassy, she knew what she wanted, and she never let anything or anyone get in her way." The same could be said of Lily herself. 'Nough said!
4/5 stars - I really liked it.

Room by Emma Donaghue - this is the first book in recent memory that I couldn't wait to get back to every time I had to put it down. Room tells the story of a 29 year old unnamed woman who is kidnapped at age 22 and kept hostage in a hidden room. In time she gives birth to a little boy, Jack, who has only a rudimentary knowledge of the world "Outside". The story is told from 5 year old Jack's perspective and it is absolutely fascinating. 4/5 stars - I really liked it.

Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda - Secret Daughter tells the story of Kavita a poor Indian woman who secretly gives up her baby daughter for adoption to avoid the infant's death. At the same time Somer, an American woman and her Indian husband decide to adopt a child from India after learning the devastating news that Somer is infertile. Gowda deftly intertwines the stories of Kavita, Somer and the child that binds them together while presenting the story from the perspective of all three women.
4/5 stars - I really liked it.

All three of these books were good reads and any one of them would make an excellent book club selection. Happy reading!