I absolutely love animal stories but am usually let down when the animal content represents only a smidge of the actual story. Not so in this case. Sophie the elephant’s story is given as much space as Natalie’s story (the human main character). Both Natalie and Sophie have experienced heart-wrenching trauma, and the way they heal together made me laugh, cry, feel humbled by the healing potential of animal-human bonds, and take heart in the resilience of animal and human spirits.
Natalie DeAngelo lost everything the day her two young sons were killed in a school shooting. Desperate to find relief from her unspeakable loss, she volunteers as a veterinarian on an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, but soon realizes she may be in over her head. Battling the memories that torment her day and night, Natalie must find a way to heal an angry, injured elephant named Sophie. Through love, acceptance, and gentle care, Natalie and Sophie heal together, finding new ways to enjoy life again.
I love books that transcend genre and suck you in simply because they are great stories. I don’t read a lot of historical fiction and murder mysteries, but The Frozen River wraps those elements into a cleverly plotted and beautifully written tale. Martha Ballard, the 18th-century midwife at the heart of the story, is a hero for the ages and I loved spending time with her.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • GMA BOOK CLUB PICK • AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR • From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history.
"Fans of Outlander’s Claire Fraser will enjoy Lawhon’s Martha, who is brave and outspoken when it comes to protecting the innocent. . . impressive."—The Washington Post
"Once again, Lawhon works storytelling magic with a real-life heroine." —People Magazine
I picked up Dracula in my desire to read more classics. I was not prepared for what a page-turner it is! The first chapter will send chills up your spine and the pace never slows. I especially love how Stoker employes multiple narrators and narrative devices (letters, journal entries, etc.) to tell the story of the evil and mysterious Count Dracula. Happy to say that the original Dracula story is also the best.
28
authors picked
Dracula
as one of their favorite books, and they share
why you should read it.
This book is for kids age
17.
What is this book about?
'The very best story of diablerie which I have read for many years' Arthur Conan Doyle
A masterpiece of the horror genre, Dracula also probes identity, sanity and the dark corners of Victorian sexuality and desire. It begins when Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase a London house, and makes horrifying discoveries in his client's castle. Soon afterwards, disturbing incidents unfold in England - an unmanned ship is wrecked; strange puncture marks appear on a young woman's neck; a lunatic asylum inmate raves about the imminent arrival of his 'Master' - and a determined group of adversaries…
Beautiful and Terrible Things reminds us that friendship has the power to validate, destroy, transform, and save lives.
Charley Byrne isn’t really living. At age 29, she hunkers down in her apartment above the bookstore she manages, afraid of a 7-year curse. Then quirky activist Xander Wallace lures her out of social exile with the prospect of friendship and romance. Charley joins Xander’s circle of friends diverse in their heritage, race, gender and sexual orientation. She thrives, even leaving her comfort zone to join protests in a city struggling with social justice ills.
But the new friendships bring back-to-back betrayals that threaten the bookstore—Charley’s haven—and propel her into a dangerous depression. Can her friends save the store? And Charley?
