The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

My rating: 4.8

Wow.  I just finished this book.  Do NOT read too much about it as I there are a lot of spoilers out there. This is an easy read that you will devour.

This is about a girl who is kidnapped. Each chapter is told either by her mother, the detective or her kidnapper. It is mildly reminiscent of Gone Girl in that each chapter is told by a different person, and that it flashes back and forth to "before" and "after" her kidnapping.  

Absolutely stunning that this is her debut novel.

The Paying Guests by Sarah

My rating: 1

I really tried to give this a fair chance but it just droned on and on and on. When I read other reviews saying that it got worse that clinched it and I have moved on to other enjoyable books.  

Let me know if you think I made the wrong decision and should give this another chance.

Euphoria by Lily King

My rating: 3.8

Three anthropologists in New Guinea.  After two years of working with a tribe, Andrew Bankson is very lonely.  Enter Nell and Fen. Despite trying to keep his distance, Andrew soon falls for Nell. Depending on your perspective, this fictionalized version of Margaret Mead's life is either dragging and overly long or fascinating in it's discovery of the ways of the Aboriginal people. I found it a bit of both.

The Long Narrow Road To The Deep North by Richard Flanagan

My rating: 4.8

I was torn on how to rate this.  On one hand, the story of Dorrigo Evan's time with a group of Australian POWs during WWII was told in absolutely stunning vignettes.  On the other hand, it was so stunning that it still troubles me.  It is graphic, dark and has left me haunted.  

This is more intense and bleak stuff than Cormac McCarthy and, unlike McCarthy's apocalyptic projections it is based on history.  I do not recommend this if you are at all prone to depression or in a dark mood as it will only pull you deeper down into the abyss.  I also do not recommend it if you are squeamish. Still, an absolutely gorgeous piece of writing and I can see why it won the Man Booker Prize.

The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg

My rating: 4.8

Everyone knows the horrific story of WWII and the Concentration Camps. This story made me think....what would I do?  When would I be willing to leave my job, abandon my life and flee my country?  If I left it too late by being in denial then, how would I survive in Auschwitz?  Rosenberg brought the atrocities to life for me and this book will haunt me for a long time.  A definite worthwhile read.

The one criticism of this book is some feel that the author has a 'Christian agenda'.  While there are definitely characters with strong religious convictions I felt that it fit in with the horrific sufferings and their faith is what got them through.