by: John Boyne,

2006; 240 pages,

rating: 5

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is another book that my sister recommended that I read. Thankfully, I heeded her advice. She also recommended "To Kill a Mockingbird" to me. One thing about my sister, she's always right, but no one ever listens to her. I think I'll start listening to her from here on out.

As soon as I saw "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas", I knew I had to read it. It tells the story of a young boy growing up outside a concentration camp. The thing is, he doesn't know it. He's German, and doesn't understand why he is separated by a fence from the people who get to wear their pajamas all day.

The book is from Bruno's perspective. Bruno is 8 years old.

It is really interesting to read how Boyne interpreted life in a concentration camp. He said that he couldn't fathom it from any perspective other than a child.

You absolutely must read "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". It's a short book, and I highly recommend that you take time out of any day to read it.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the movie. Hopefully I'll get to do that soon.

By: Philippa Gregory,

2005; 416 pages,

Rating: 3

It turns out that there's a reason why "The Constant Princess" isn't as well known as "The Other Boleyn Girl".

The Constant Princess" is the story of Katerine of Aragon growing up. Gregory provided an interesting perspective on the daughter of the most famous of Spanish monarchs. But, I gotta say, I didn't love it.

And, since I read it over 8 months ago, it's hard to remember the details of why it wasn't my favorite.

by: Margaret Atwood,

1996; 468 pages,

rating: 3.5

My sister absolutely loves Margaret Atwood novels. That's probably why she picked this one for our sister's book club. It's true that I loved "The Handmaid's Tale" (so much so that when I started a book club of my own, I chose it as our first book). But, I can't say that I loved "Alias Grace".

When it takes me almost a month to read a book (and that's the only book I'm reading at the time), then I know that I'm not as engrossed as I could be.

And, "Alias Grace" by: Margaret Atwood is crazy long. I know that it doesn't look like it from page count (only 468 pages), but the print is small! So small. And there are very very few quotation marks and indicators of who is speaking when, so the paragraphs aren't even broken up.

I did not find "Alias Grace" a book I could pick up and read in fragments (a few paragraphs here and there) as I usually do. This is one chunkster that needs to be read for longer stretches of time.

And at the end, I still didn't know whodunit.

by: Sarah Dunant,

2009; 432 pages,

rating: 3.5

I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but isn't this one beautiful? That's not why I read it, I just had to say that I think it's really cool.

I actually received this as an advanced reader's copy long ago, and am just now getting around to reviewing it.

I thought that "Sacred Hearts" by: Sarah Dunant was actually decent. Nothing spectacular, but it was decent. The biggest trouble I had with it was that it felt like the pinnacle point of the book occurred less than half way through it.

"Sacred hearts" is the story of a woman who is forced to become a nun against her will. She does everything in her power to get out of it, but things don't quite turn out the way she dreams. Nevertheless, there is always someone fighting for her, and against her too.

I would have liked the ending of the book to be as exciting as the middle. Other than that, it's a good read. And, it really offered me a bit of insight into 16th century convent life.

by: Elizabeth Young,

2001; 408 pages,

rating: 3

In case you didn't already know, I'm a total nerd. I also really like chick flick movies. In fact, "The Wedding Date" is one of my favorites. That's why I decided to pick up "Asking for Trouble" since it was the book the movie was based on.

Now, I'd heard reports from those who had read the book first that the movie was absolute piss and the book was fantastic. But, I gotta say, I think it's an issue of whichever came first.

I didn't really care for the book very much. I thought the movie was fantastic and much much better than the book. I thought that the characters were far less developed in the book and that the story was a stretch.

It was a fun read, and it came after some pretty intense books, so it was nice to have a light-hearted read, but not one that is so amazing and fantastic that I think everyone should read it.

By: Elie Wiesel,

1955; 120 pages,

Rating: 5

I was at a bookstore one summer afternoon, and I saw that local high schools had their reading lists out. So, I grabbed the reading list for the AP Literature course for one of the top high schools in my area. I wanted to see what was on there that I hadn't read yet.

"Night" was at the top of their list. Then I noticed that it was on almost everyone's list.

It was then I knew that I'd somehow missed out on a great work of art.

Last summer, Jonathan and I had 11 weddings to go to. So, on one of our many long car trips, I snagged the audio book, and off we went.

I'm not going to lie to you. "Night" is one of the most intense books I've ever read. It tells the first hand account of a boy's life in Auschwitz.

Believe me, when 20 teachers of literature require that their students read a book, it should be one that you require of yourself as well.

By: Christopher Paolini,

2005; 1056 pages,

Rating: 4

Have a long car trip ahead of you? No? Just a daily commute? Well, if you have any time that you usually spend listening to bad talk radio, you really should give Christopher Paolini's series a listen. First came Eragon, then came Eldest.

Seriously, if you can, listen to these books. They're really very very good. And the audio is great.

I almost always find it easier to listen to novels of the fantasy genre than to sit down and read them. I don't know why that is, but it's been true ever since I picked up my first fantasy novel. (Thanks Dr. Tom Bredehoft and your senior seminar! It really opened up my reading.)

Dragons, Elves, Dwarves, War, and just a few humans thrown in the mix and you've got another great story.