I love a good book. In 2013 I read 21 of them. They ranged from best-selling novels to business books to motivational books and biographies. I also read the classic Pride & Prejudice -- one of my all-time favorites -- for the third time. Some of my first time reads were more impactful than others. Those books shown above with a green star were my favorites. For those of you who also love a good read, I thought I'd share a little review of a few of them with you.
The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein
I love this story. I love that it was written by a 93 year-old-man about his experience growing up in WWI England as a Jewish boy. The story of his family and neighborhood was more-often-than-not heart-wrenching and all the more so since it really happened. Such a well written word picture that really drew me in.
The Dream: A Memoir by Harry Bernstein
This book is a sequel to The Invisible Wall. This memoir covers the portion of Harry's life in which he travels to America, lives through the Great Depression and meets his wife. I loved it just as much as his first book and am completely blown away that he wrote it at the age of 98. Amazing. I also read the third book in this series, The Golden Willow, and although it wasn't as good as his earlier two, I couldn't help but read and enjoy it since by then I had fallen in love with the author and wanted to know how his story continued. This author is a true gem.
Fearless: The Heroic Story of One Navy SEAL's Sacrifice in the Hunt for Osama Bin Laden and the Unwavering Devotion of the Woman Who Loved Him by Eric Blehm
This book is everything you want in a book rolled into one. And the best thing is -- it's a true story. It is at once fascinating, inspiring, and heart-wrenching. I found the content about Navy SEAL training fascinating, Adam's life-journey and faith transformation inspiring, and his ultimate sacrifice heart-wrenching. The author does a masterful job of painting a hero -- not as perfect, but as real. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Adam.
As a person who has never lost a loved one in the line of duty, or really had anyone I am close to serve in the military (other than grandparents), those who have served and died for our country have remained an abstraction to me. But this book made them real and brought them close. And I blubbered like a baby at the end. What a powerful story and a well-written account!
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Such a great read. This story follows the journey of a 5th grade boy who has a facial deformity through his school year. It's heart-breaking, eye-opening and hopeful. Although this book is for "young readers," I can't imagine all adults not enjoying it as well. At numerous points while reading it, I thought it would be the perfect book for every parent to read with their 3rd-5th graders. Maybe this story could transform the culture of our Junior High schools if every child (and parent) were exposed to it before attending.
"Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary."
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
This is one of the best books on autism I've read for insight into what a person with autism experiences. It was written by a 13-year-old boy with autism who used an alphabet pad to painstakingly select letters for each word. The format is a simple question/answer format where he answers questions relating to why he does the things he does or how he feels in certain instances. It is SO enlightening and I would highly recommend it to anyone trying to better understand the way people with autism experience the world.
If you're interested in seeing how I rated some of the other books I read or reading my reviews of them, look me up on Goodreads! And if you have any good recommendations of your own, feel free to share them in the comments! Just no books with any dogs dying, please :).
The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein
I love this story. I love that it was written by a 93 year-old-man about his experience growing up in WWI England as a Jewish boy. The story of his family and neighborhood was more-often-than-not heart-wrenching and all the more so since it really happened. Such a well written word picture that really drew me in.
The Dream: A Memoir by Harry Bernstein
This book is a sequel to The Invisible Wall. This memoir covers the portion of Harry's life in which he travels to America, lives through the Great Depression and meets his wife. I loved it just as much as his first book and am completely blown away that he wrote it at the age of 98. Amazing. I also read the third book in this series, The Golden Willow, and although it wasn't as good as his earlier two, I couldn't help but read and enjoy it since by then I had fallen in love with the author and wanted to know how his story continued. This author is a true gem.
Fearless: The Heroic Story of One Navy SEAL's Sacrifice in the Hunt for Osama Bin Laden and the Unwavering Devotion of the Woman Who Loved Him by Eric Blehm
This book is everything you want in a book rolled into one. And the best thing is -- it's a true story. It is at once fascinating, inspiring, and heart-wrenching. I found the content about Navy SEAL training fascinating, Adam's life-journey and faith transformation inspiring, and his ultimate sacrifice heart-wrenching. The author does a masterful job of painting a hero -- not as perfect, but as real. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Adam.
As a person who has never lost a loved one in the line of duty, or really had anyone I am close to serve in the military (other than grandparents), those who have served and died for our country have remained an abstraction to me. But this book made them real and brought them close. And I blubbered like a baby at the end. What a powerful story and a well-written account!
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Such a great read. This story follows the journey of a 5th grade boy who has a facial deformity through his school year. It's heart-breaking, eye-opening and hopeful. Although this book is for "young readers," I can't imagine all adults not enjoying it as well. At numerous points while reading it, I thought it would be the perfect book for every parent to read with their 3rd-5th graders. Maybe this story could transform the culture of our Junior High schools if every child (and parent) were exposed to it before attending.
"Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary."
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
This is one of the best books on autism I've read for insight into what a person with autism experiences. It was written by a 13-year-old boy with autism who used an alphabet pad to painstakingly select letters for each word. The format is a simple question/answer format where he answers questions relating to why he does the things he does or how he feels in certain instances. It is SO enlightening and I would highly recommend it to anyone trying to better understand the way people with autism experience the world.
If you're interested in seeing how I rated some of the other books I read or reading my reviews of them, look me up on Goodreads! And if you have any good recommendations of your own, feel free to share them in the comments! Just no books with any dogs dying, please :).
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