A winner and a loser: Book Reviews

First, the winner.

On the way to the beach I finished a book my sister-in-law had recommended, Orphan Train. It was a page turner, so well written, and very interesting. I highly recommend it.

I'm terrible at paraphrasing so here's a wonderful summary from Amazon:

     Orphan Train is a gripping story of friendship and second chances from Christina Baker Kline, author of Bird in Hand and The Way Life Should Be.

Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to “aging out” out of the foster care system. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse...

As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.

Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life – answers that will ultimately free them both.

Rich in detail and epic in scope, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are.

And the loser, a book from a favorite author that I did not enjoy.

I am a fan of Emily Giffin's books and was eagerly awaiting The One and Only. I did not enjoy reading this though, so bummed! I felt the writing was weak, the character development was weak, and I just couldn't relate to or empathize with any of the characters. Disappointing.

Currently reading...

This book has been on my 'to read' list for a while and I've been putting it off because it's about Alzheimer's disease and hits a personal note (my grandfather was diagnosed with both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's). But I feel compelled to read it--I'll let you know what I think;)

Do share any summer 'must reads'!