Here is what I read in November
First up, a true story. Yes, I am totally drawn to these. I can't help it. Reality is....well....most times more incredible than fiction.
A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa is the true story of one man's escape from North Korea. I consider myself fairly well exposed and knowledgeable, but this book showed me how little I really knew about North Korea. You know how you know this book is a true story? Because you can't make this stuff up. A young boy relocates to North Korea with his family with the promise of a charmed life full of plenty. You won't believe all that transpires as he grows up there. Not an easy read but totally worth it. Y'all we have so much to be thankful for and shame on us for complaining about anything.
And the trend continued when I read
Educated by Tara Westover is another great memoir. What can I say- real life....you just can't predict it. This is the story of a girl who grows up in a family who fears the government and spends most of their time preparing for battle. They don't believe in public education, doctors or pretty much anything that they have to leave their land for. If you have ever looked back on your childhood and thought how am I not dead......you know from just doing stupid things....well pull up a chair to this family. Every chapter I kept thinking how are these people still alive. I can't even explain it. The fact that this girl not only survives this upbringing but thrives afterward is A-MAZ-ING. Read this book. Although it is a tragic story there are some funny parts including the part when the mom is kicking the daughter out of the house and telling the daughter she was married at her age. The daughter says - you were married at 16? To which the mom replies - aren't you at least 20? The mom has no idea how old her own daughter is. When the daughter explains she just turned 16, the mom says - well never mind then you can stay......WHAT?!!! Please read this one. It is unbelievable and super good.
Then I went to fiction and oh my total fiction
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. Ok, this book is all about a little boy born with red eyes. While it is interesting it was really so far fetched that I had a hard time enjoying it. I feel like if you are going to give a character such a major trait, you should do some research and make it realistic. The story is a lot about bullying, discrimination and the general nastiness of people which are all important messages. I just didn't think it was very well written.
And one last fiction
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I think a lot of people wrote books this year about struggling women. Well this is another one of those stories of a poor family, who abadons their kids to raise themselves and of course they live in a run down little shack in the middle of absolutely no where. It is well written and kept me interested throughout. It even has a few little unexpected twists which are always a treat. Just a good basic read. I would recommend it.
So that was it for November - a good reading month. If you missed any book reviews, you can see them all for this year by clicking here.
Now please be sure and come back on Wednesday. I am going to reveal my top 3 books of 2018 and give you a chance to win the one of your choice.
See you then!
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