A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great read. A man named Ove pronounced ooova, is widowed. Six months after his wife died, he was made redundant at his job and he decided that life was not worth living without his wife and his job.

On the surface he is a very grumpy old man, but when a new family moves in next door with two young girls, a lack luster husband and a pregnant wife, things gradually begin to change.

A thoroughly enjoyable book, highly recommended.

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Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I will be honest and say that I did not like the book. The way it was written is my first complaint and secondly, writers seem to have a "new way" of writing. They will start at the end, move to the beginning, go somewhere in the middle and keep hinting at things. That can be ok for awhile, but when it continues throughout the book, it becomes a chore to read.

The reason I read books (generally) is that I become attached to the characters. I couldn't find any redeeming features in any character in this book.

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Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada

Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well my goodness, this will be a hard review to write. I had not heard of this writer previously, although I did have his book, Little Man, What Now? on my tbr list and not sure why.

The story itself is so real. It is hard to find the proper words to describe this day to day life in Berlin before and during WWII. A simple couple whose only son, a soldier, was killed, feel so helpless to do anything about the problem in Germany that the only thing they can think of is to write propaganda post cards and let them drop where others would find them.

The story takes us deep into the German people's everyday lives and what they were suffering.

The book is written from start to finish. What I mean by that is that there are no author "tricks" in making you think that you missed something, and books starting in the middle, going to the end and back to the beginning and hinting at things all the time. It is written in an honest and straightforward manner, which in most opinions, is the best way to write a story.

This is not a story though, its a true account with documents to prove it.

An excellent read and also something to open the mind and heart.

The author himself lost his own struggle before the book was published.

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Hell by Jeffrey Archer (Prison Diary #1)

Hell by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a wonderful diary of Mr. Archer's first few weeks in Belmarsh Prison in England. He has learned so much, much more than you can learn from your armchair and he has become very sympathetic to his fellow inmates. He was put in the "lifers" section with the belief that life prisoners just want a quiet life and will protect the more vulnerable.

I am looking forward to reading the second Prison Diary "Purgatory".

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No Safe House by Linwood Barclay

No Safe House by Linwood Barclay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grace, a 14 year old girl is dating a waste of space named Stuart who comes from a crime family. One night he wanted to impress her he convinced her to break into a house of wealthy people in order to take a joy ride in the home owner's expensive car.

While they are sneaking around, Stuart handed Grace a gun and asks her to hold it for a minute while he does something. Just then a person rushes past and a gun goes off, apparently hitting Stuart.

Grace leaves as quickly as she can and calls a trusted friend before calling her father to help. This juvenile act sets off a series of events that even your wildest imagination would have problems coming up with.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.


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In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a true account of a multiple murder in the late 1950's and the consequences. It was the first Capote book that I have read and I thought it was wonderfully done. Mr. Capote's research was thorough and it was quite a ride being able to get into the criminals' minds.

A good read.

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Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a wonderfully written book. The surface story is about a group of parents of first year kindergarten children and how their lives intertwine. The underlying story of domestic violence is so well researched and written that it hits the nail on the head.

As a survivor of domestic abuse myself, I love how this book is the truth, but without preaching and making people believe they are wrong or that they should make moves that they are not ready to make. Its a lesson, and a story that needed to be told as well as an entertaining who done it.

Top marks for this book.

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