And the Mountains Echoed

Khaled Hosseini, the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations.

In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most.

Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.

*May Contain Spoilers*

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini opens with a fairy tale being told to two siblings, Pari and Abdullah. The fairy tale shares the story of a small Afghanistan town who is plagued by a monster. When the monster comes, he chooses one family who must sacrifice a child in order to save the town. No one knows what happens to the children after they're taken by the monster, but one father is determined to find out after his favorite son is chosen. He tracks the monster to a cave where he demands his child to be returned, but he finds out that his son doesn't remember him and is living a perfect life, blessed and well taken care of. The father decides to let him stay, knowing that he'll never give his son that kind of life. 

The fairy tale foreshadows the events that set the entire novel in motion. Saboor, the father of Pari and Abdullah, decides to sell his daughter in order to give her a better life. Separated, Pari forgets her brother as she grows and though Abdullah remembers her, they both feel a distinct absence in their lives. 

The novel is composed of a variety of characters that are all connected by the threads of Afghanistan culture. Spanning the 1940s to the present, And the Mountains Echoed offers readers a story so intricate, it's delicate nature is surprising, heartbreaking, hope-inspiring, and a bit magical. Each character has their positive and negative characteristics, as Hosseini outlines how they're all connected by their metaphorical mother, Afghanistan. 

The plot follows the separation of Abdullah and Pari, and everything that worked within the world to bring them back together. Though their reunion becomes bittersweet, haunted with memory loss and physical limitations. And the Mountains Echoed describes how Pari came to be sold to the Wahdati family, how Pari learns that she was adopted, and how she finds her brother Abdullah. I think Pari is the character most represented throughout the book and that readers will have a fairly easy time forming a connection with her. Other characters shift in and out of focus, making their connections less formidable. Although, there are a few characters which allow their histories to create emotional connections in the book. Thalia is one such character. Her story of being bitten by a dog, causing her face to become deformed, and how she grows to accept her tragedy as a part of herself to *not* be ashamed of is inspiring, brave, and a great demonstration of strength. Out of all the characters, Thalia was by far my favorite. Her strength and determination both commendable qualities. 

Though this book is not a completely happy one, I think it's main message is that life can be beautiful within the tragedies. Life never works out perfectly, but there are moments, like feathers, that can be held above the rest. Khaled Hosseini does a fantastic job in bringing readers into the culture of Afghani people, while spinning a believable story from the opening fairy tale. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Luckiest Girl Alive

HER PERFECT LIFE IS A PERFECT LIE.

As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve.

But Ani has a secret.

There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything.

With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears.

The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free?

*Contains Spoilers*

Jessica Knoll packs a lot of secrets and surprises between the covers of Luckiest Girl Alive. Tackling big issues including the pressure put on women to be thin and beautiful, bullying, murder, rape, and redemption, this book is a bomb that will undoubtedly strike a chord with readers.

On the outside, Ani FaNelli has the perfect life. She's a valuable writer to The Women's Magazine, has the wardrobe every hopeful New Yorker wants, and is engaged to the epitome of success. It's enough to make anyone jealous. And that's exactly what Ani wants. She wants to leave behind her trashy family name and remold herself into the perfect woman who has the perfect life. All because she wants to escape her past. Ani is a manipulative, sneering, smirking woman who says the right things, wears the right clothes, and follows all the rules of the truly rich and successful woman. All of this because her past has scarred her so deeply, Ani has no other choice but to reinvent herself. The Ani who is first introduced to the reader is not a likeable character. She's selfish, mean, and has a snobbish air. However, as Ani's past is revealed, readers will begin to understand that her persona is all a ruse, a facade, a safety barrier. One that is about to come crashing down. 

Ani was involved in a tragedy when she was in high school. A tragedy that follows her wherever she goes. Now, a team wants to make her story into a documentary and Ani believes this is her chance for people to see her side. Though her fiance isn't too keen on the idea, Ani agrees. The book has alternating chapters, switching back and forth between the present and what happened in high school. When the two stories converge, readers learn that Ani has been telling the story to the documentary manager, her words being recorded. Ani's story is full of such heartbreak and horror that it will shock readers. Ani's carefully crafted facade creates a woman that readers won't want to like, but then this story is unraveled, changing everything. The character is so weighed down with sadness, disbelief, terror, and scar tissue that readers will become sympathetic to Ani, understanding her plight even though it's difficult to agree with. 

The novel itself brings up controversial issues where the lines between right and wrong are so blurred that a concrete conclusion cannot be made. I think some readers will genuinely dislike this book because of the gray-scale of justice. I think others will enjoy the gruesome twists and suspenseful narrative. Though it definitely isn't a book for everyone. 

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

The Way We Fall

Maybe we shouldn’t have fallen so fast and so willingly.

Maybe we shouldn’t have moved in together before we went on our first date.

Maybe we should have given our wounds time to heal before we tore each other to shreds.

Maybe we should have never been together.

Houston has kept a devastating secret from Rory since the day he took her into his home. But the tragic circumstances that brought them together left wounds too deep to heal.

Five years after the breakup, Houston and Rory are thrust together by forces beyond their control. And all the resentments and passion return with more intensity than ever.

Once again, Houston is left with a choice between the truth and the only girl he’s ever loved.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Cassia Leo writes of dark, twisted love and life in her novel, The Way We Fall. When someone's world crashes, those surrounding will feel the blow and experience the chaos. It's just a matter of time until the ripple reaches them. For Rory and Houston, the suicide of a friend and sister destroyed them. And the only way they could move on was to be together, to keep each other from completely falling apart. 

Aurora, aka Rory, and Houston aren't the most likeable characters. They have real flaws, some that are so deep it's hard to see pass them. Rory has loved Houston since she was a little girl but she tried to ignore her feelings because his sister was her best friend. Rory has grown into a self-sufficient woman. She has a decent job with dreams of more, a dog, and her own apartment. She built a life after she and Houston broke up five years before. A life, in which, she is happy, at times. But when Houston comes back into her world unexpectedly, she stands to crumble once again. Rory seems a bit naive when it comes to trusting others. She still considers herself damaged, yet, she sets herself up for more heartache. 

While I grew to like Rory more and more as the story went on, I did not like Houston at all. To me, he's selfish, slightly rude, presumptuous, disloyal, obsessive, and distraught. Though he does have the right to be happy and leave his marriage if he isn't, he's bad news for Aurora. He's toxic to her. A hurricane that destroys everything she builds. Their relationship is an 'easier said than done' situation, but if Rory wants a chance at a truly happy life, she needs to steer clear of Houston. 

Houston raised a lot of questions for me. I understood parts of his character, but other traits and actions I was unable to wrap my head around. Mainly, they have to do with his wife. Yes, Houston is married and he is still going after Rory. I didn't understand why he ever thought Tessa would be enough for him if he was still in love with Aurora? If he always believed he would find his way back to Rory, then why even marry Tessa? Was he trying to feed her mental instability? Or was she supposed to be Houston's chance to save someone since he feels like he should have saved his sister? Sometimes his line of thought comes into view, but I can't make complete sense of it. 

The plot of the story is two-dimensional: the present and the past. In the present, Houston has his sister's suicide note that he never showed Rory and it's been five years since their break-up. Houston wants to leave his wife, but her mental instability creates issues for him. Meanwhile, Rory has never stopped loving Houston, but she meets sweet Liam and wonders if he's her future. But Houston won't let Rory go without telling her the truth of his sister's death and their relationship. In the past, Houston and Rory are slowly moving towards each other, falling in love, dreaming of a future. But as time moves forward so does Houston's sister's plans in ending her life which throws Houston and Rory together in to swirling chaos of loss, love, pain, and the desire to escape it all. Cassia Leo writes a very entertaining, twisted story of two people life has thrown together, fated to tragedy. The idea of a sequel to this madness intrigues me, but, honestly, I don't know if I want to know how this story ends.

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

Seeking the Star

One December night, in the sleepy Cotswold village of Chilton Crosse, a drifter named Ben collapses on George and Mary Cartwright’s snow-covered doorstep. As Christmas cheer spreads throughout the village with a Dickens-themed festival, Mary nurses Ben back to health, but she becomes curious about the secrets he seems to carry.

On Christmas Eve, one of Ben’s secrets accidentally comes to light, forcing him to confront the darkness of his past and to rediscover the faith he once knew.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Looking for a book to help you into the holiday spirit? Traci Borum introduces a new face to the Chilton Crosse community in her latest book, Seeking the Star. A man who has lost everything he ever wanted stumbles into the Chilton Crosse village and collapses on the doorstep of George and Mary Cartwright. They take him in, determined to save a young man's life, but they do so much more than that. 

Ben, George, and Mary are the three main characters of this novel. Ben Granger crawls into Chilton Crosse, barely hanging on to life. He couldn't guess the date or say when he ate his last meal. In fact, it's more like life is hanging on to him. All Ben knows is that there's a chance that if he never stops running, then maybe his memories won't catch up to him. He's wrong of course, but Ben is a man who has been beaten down and you can't blame someone for trying. He's at his lowest point. And for a very understandable reason, though I'll let Ben tell you himself after you get your hands on this book. Readers will be intrigued by the mystery surrounding Ben and it will form the initial connection. Once their curiosity is piqued, readers won't be able to stop until all hidden pasts have been revealed. I read this entire novel in less than a day. The emotional bond I felt with each of the main characters was substantial and I couldn't relax until I knew every detail. 

George and Mary form a different, yet similar connection with the reader. They're an elderly couple who have lived in Chilton Crosse for some time. Though they help and support Ben, they are living with their own tragedy, the loss of their son. Readers will sympathize with George and Mary while also feeling an overwhelming sense of pride and deep respect for them. Their struggle for happiness is a tough one, but they reach for it all the same. I can't imagine putting the pieces back together after the loss of a child, but George and Mary's story is that trial and, at times, that triumph. 

The plot of Seeking the Star is focused on the emotional journey of Ben, George, and Mary. Though it's obvious from the beginning that Ben needs the Cartwright's help, they come to need him too. The good qualities of each character make them all easy to like as readers witness their attempt at living life after tragedy. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

If I Stay

Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.

Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

*May Contain Spoilers*

By now, a lot of Gayle Forman fans have seen the movie adaptation of the book, If I Stay. I have to admit, I saw the movie in theaters when it first came out and have only just now finished the novel. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to read it; it is quite wonderful, poignant, heartwrenching, and more. However, since I had already seen the movie, I knew what Mia's choice was going to be. (Unless something happened like in My Sister's Keeper and the endings were totally different... but that isn't what transpired.) That being said, knowing the ending did not save me any emotional exploration or experience with Miss Mia. And wow, what a day we both had. 

The first twenty-four hours are critical for a patient in a coma. The readers experience this limited time frame with Mia as she realizes her grave condition, learns that the outcome is her choice, and finally makes a decision. Mia is a high school senior who loves the cello and a boy named Adam. She's modest, sophisticated, loving, generous, and knows exactly how blessed she is. Mia is open with the readers in her uncertainty and nervousness at living in a world without her family in it. Readers will completely understand how difficult her decision is. And either way, we accept that it's her choice to make. The terrible tragedy of her parents dying instantly at the beginning immediately forms a foundation with readers. The bond is solidified forever when Teddy, her little brother, passes. The hope of Adam and Mia's love story, the faith of Mia's grandparents, and the fierceness of her best friend give Mia a reason to fight, but is the loss too much to bear? 

If I Stay covers a little more than twenty-four hours of a random day in Oregon when a family of four went for a drive and tragedy struck. Inspired by true events, Gayle Forman explores the choice of life or death, struggle or peace. Readers will undoubtedly connect with Mia as she shares her life story while watching the consequences of her accident unfold. The honesty of Mia's indecision is both powerful and honorable. The writing style is clear and concise while sharing the most intimate details of Mia's short life. I am very interested in where Mia went after her decision and, though I am probably the last one, I cannot wait to read the next book. 

Rating: 4.5/5 Cups

Solitude of a Birdcage

Maxie Shannen and Savannah Trimmel are more than best friends. They're sisters, bound by a tragic past and an unbreakable bond. When Isaac, Savannah's boyfriend, falls victim to an act of violence that leaves him with no recollection of the prior eighteen months, both women tend to his recovery. For Savannah, it's simply an attempt to care for the man she loves.

For Maxie, it's a chance at redemption.

She tells Isaac nothing of the passionate secrets they'd been keeping from Savannah, nor of the unyielding feelings that nearly consumed them both.

But as the fragile wall obstructing Isaac's memory begins to crack, hidden truths slip through the fissures, and Maxie will once again be faced with an impossible choice-- her loyalty, or her heart.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Brielle Skye shares the story of three young adults living in New York, struggling to discover who they are, when tragedy strikes, sending their lives into an uproar of chaos and confusion. Though Maxie is the main character, Isaac and Van (Savannah) play major roles in the plot. 

Maxie is very secretive but she's trustworthy to the reader. If the story were told from Van's point of view, she would be the antagonist. She's the "other woman" which is often times the disliked character. Skye writes a strong case for Maxie, allowing readers to like her even though she's the character committing the unmoral act. 

Isaac, however, is difficult to trust. He continues dating Van in order to be closer to Maxie, which doesn't make a lot of sense. At certain points, he even uses Van to hurt Maxie's feelings. On the opposite side of the spectrum, he opens up to Maxie, revealing intimate details of his life, while also protecting her. He's a character that readers can't quite figure out. He appears to be in love with Maxie and wishes to come clean to Van so they can begin their life together, but he and Van seem to have secrets of their own. 

Van is written as a character to be disliked. She's a working model who only talks about herself. She is selfish, dependent, and egotistical. Though, she does have her loyal, caring moments. Van openly discusses her feelings, worries, and dreams. In her version of this book, she would be the protagonist: the girl readers want to see end up happily-ever-after. 

When Isaac is first introduced to the two friends, he's interested in Maxie, but soon begins dating Van. With a broken heart, Maxie watches as the man she has fallen in love with spends his days with her best friend. When she learns he's also developing feelings for Maxie, they begin a secret affair. Then Isaac is the victim of a break-in, leaving him with a head injury and no memory of the past year and a half. At this point, the story really begins as readers watch Maxie struggle between the desire to have her Isaac back and the option of moving forward to become a better person and friend.

Both Maxie and Isaac have haunted pasts which immediately forms a bond with the readers through empathy and sympathy. Maxie's mother committed suicide and her dad left shortly after, leaving her abandoned and alone at age fifteen. Isaac's father was abusive and murdered his mother before shooting himself when she tried to leave him. These are horrendous situations to experience, and I couldn't even imagine it, but this background information combined with other tragedies that strike the two characters quickly become too overwhelming. Suicide, murder, burglary, violence, attempted rape, molestation, and drug use. That's a lot of horror for one character's plate.

As the first book in the Forget Me Not series, Solitude of a Birdcage creates a soap opera like situation for the three characters. With so much going on, the novel struggles to be believable. Though the high amount of drama reels the reader in. The entertainment and intrigue that this book generates will leave readers wanting more even though the characters have definitely been put through the ringer time and time again. 

Rating: 3.5 /5 Cups

A Vision of Angels

A terrorist attack planned for Easter Sunday in Jerusalem sets off a chain of events that weave together the lives of an American journalist, Israeli war hero, Palestinian farmer, and Christian grocer.

Alerted to a suicide bomb plot, Major Jakov Levy orders the closure of the border with the Gaza Strip. Unable to get his produce to market, Amin Mousa dumps truckloads of tomatoes in a refugee camp. Paul Kessler, an American journalist, sees it on television and goes to Gaza for Amin's personal story.

Hamas militants plot to smuggle the bomb out in Paul’s car and retrieve it when he returns home, but he’s unexpectedly detoured on the way. Meanwhile, a Hamas member confesses to the plot, and the race is on to find Paul and retrieve the bomb before the terrorists can.

A Vision of Angels is a human drama set against the background of the Middle East conflict. Ultimately it’s a story of reconciliation and hope, but not before events as tragic as a modern passion play change the lives of four families forever.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Timothy Smith brings the war between and within countries to the frontlines with his novel, A Vision of Angels. It's dramatic, touching, heartbreaking, and real. I had never read anything like this before and the poetic fear that this novel creates astounded me. 

There are multiple characters in the novel that take center stage. It's hard to pinpoint one main character that readers will build a relationship with. The fact that the characters rotate makes it hard to build a firm connection but in that same light, the array of characters does allow for each reader to find one they feel more drawn to than the rest. 

For me, there were two characters that drew me in: Mishe and David. Mishe is a young man who demonstrates for peace while his father works in the government he hates. Smith takes readers into his life and shows how the war in the Middle East affects his relationships, his feelings, and his hope. David is a photographer from the United States who wants to share what the war is really like. His photos evoke various emotions, outrage and faith being two that stand out. I connected with Mishe because he stands strong behind his cause and I empathized with his troubled family relationship. David pulled me in because of his sincerity, creative eye, and helpful nature. 

The plot of A Vision of Angels revolves around the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Each day represents new tasks, new fights, new worries and new hopes for each character. Some characters get exactly what they deserve, while others face the horrors of living in a war-ridden country. Recommended for adult readers. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

A Vision of Angels