I’ll admit that my reading choices for the month of April involve some serious topics. This month’s book picks cover WWII, a plane crash, and child abuse/neglect. I promise next month to include more light-hearted recommendations but these are really good books! If you don’t have the mindset to read them right now maybe put them on your “to-read” list. Instead, select a happier book from my favorite book reviews from last year.

   

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Dear Edward

Dear Edward tells the story of a boy who is the sole survivor of a plane crash. Throughout the book, small backgrounds of a handful of passengers on the flight are given as well as some dialogue about what happens during the flight are intermingled with the story of Edward’s life after the crash.

Edward ends up living with his childless aunt and uncle. He becomes friends with the girl next door. She helps him when a lot of people put pressure on Edward to fulfill the dreams of the passengers who died.

This book was interesting. It was nice to read a story from a male perspective for a change. It was good but not a page-turner.

   

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

This book tells the true story of a Slovak Jew who became the prisoner to tattoo the numbers on all incomers to the concentration camps. He ends up surviving through luck, with the help of friends, and ultimately his determination to make it out alive.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an important book to keep reminding us of the atrocities humans have done to our own species. There are a number of graphic parts in this book so if you have a weak stomach this might not be the book for you. I’ve read a lot of WWII books. Though this wasn’t my favorite I did like the fact that it was a true story and I enjoyed learning about his life after the concentration camp.

   

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things took me a bit by surprise and by the end I couldn’t put it down.  This book makes you question yourself. Are you really rooting for a super inappropriate relationship? 

The premise is a young girl has drug addicts and dealers for parents and ends up solely taking care of both herself and younger brother. Then one night an accident brings one of her dad’s employees into her life as a steadying force. This man becomes her family and then eventually more. 

Warning: Topics of child abuse and neglect, drug abuse, sex, violence, and food disorders are all prevalent in the book. 

   

The Princess Bride

I never really loved the movie (it’s okay) but The Princess Bride in book form is so good it makes me want to watch the movie again and I think I will appreciate it more. 

A beautiful woman finds her one true love but he has to go off and become wealthy to support her. When she hears of his death she agrees to marry a neighboring prince but her true love isn’t actually dead and must save her from marrying the prince. Giants, magic, mythical forests, torture chambers, and more make this book fun to read.

I love how the author interweaves his voice into the narrative. The writing style is unique and interesting.  Because the story is an abridgment (though it’s really not) the author explains throughout the book why he has “cut” certain parts.

This version also includes some of “Buttercup’s Baby” the next book which describes what happens after the end of the first novel. From a girl who doesn’t love fantasy but found this particular book surprisingly witty, you should consider giving it a shot (even if you don’t like the movie!).

   

Need more book recommendations? Take a look at my March book reviews and recommendations.