#29: THe Husband's Secret

I had heard really good things about the The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty.  I read her other book, Big Little Lies, and really liked that one.  This one was finally available at the library, so I was excited to read it.

Let me just start by saying that these are the only 2 books by Moriarty that I have read, but they were just too similar.  She definitely has themes in these 2 books that make them seem almost too clique (twins, unsolved murders, food, sex).  They just all felt too similar.

I will say that I was hooked at the book at first.  I didn't want to put it down, but then I could start to guess everything that was going to happen.  Cecelia finds a letter from her husband saying to open it after he dies.  She debates whether to open it and when she asks him about it he starts to act weird.  Once Cecelia learns his secret, she has to decide whether to help him hide it or tell.  After I learned more about the secret I kind of just wanted the book to be over.  And then the hot cross buns talk, I wanted to gouge my eyes out.

I think if I hadn't read the other book recently, I maybe would have liked this one more.

Up Next:  Run by Ann Patchett

#28: The Magician's Assistant

I just finished The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett.  This was the story of Sabine.  She was the assistant and wife to a magician named Parsifal.  Parsifal was gay and in love with a man named Phan who died.  Parsifal married Sabine, who was like a best friend to him.  At the beginning of the book, we find out that Parsifal died of an anuerysm.  When the will is opened by the lawyer, Sabine learns some secrets about Parsifal's past.  The biggest secret is that his mother and sister is alive while he told Sabine he had no family alive.  Sabine learns more about Parsifal's secrets while meeting his family and having dreams at night containing Phan and Parsifal.

I was really hooked on this story at the beginning.  I couldn't wait to find out the big secret of Parsifal's past.  Once I heard the secret I was very sad.  There was so much struggle for Parsifal's family.  I enjoyed meeting all the characters.  I also liked that Sabine was able to be so comfortable around the family she never knew existed.  I found the end to be a little predictible, but it was a very good story.

Up Next:  The Husband's Secret

#27: State of Wonder

State of Wonder was the first book I read by Ann Patchett.  This author was recommended to me by Lindsey, who has a pretty similar taste in books to me.

State of Wonder is the story of Dr. Marina Singh.  Marina's co-worker, Anders Eckman, was on a work trip to the Amazon jungle.  After a few months in the jungle, Marina and her boss receive news that Anders has died.  They have to break the news to Anders' wife and she wants someone to go back and find his possessions and body.  Marina is volunteered as the new person to head to the jungle.  She is to find out more about Anders' death and to find out how the research is going that her college professor, Dr. Swenson, has been working on for years.

In the jungle, the doctors are faced with many troubles: lack of supplies, no communication, no transportation. etc.  They also encounter scary snakes, insects, cannibals, and more.  In addition to all these troubles and fears, Marina also learns the true story behind Dr. Swenson's research.

This was a very interesting story.  I can safely say I am terrified to visit the Amazon jungle now.  I am looking forward to reading more books from Patchett.

Up Next:  The Magician's Assistant

#26: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

I saw Lindsey give this book lots of praise, so when I saw it for sale at the Book Shoppe in town, I had to buy it.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews is the story of Greg Gaines, a high school senior.  Greg is just trying to get through his life and high school without being noticed.  He doesn't really have any good friends except Earl, who he likes to make films with.  The story is written in a screen play type of way, which makes it kind of unique.

Greg's senior year is off to a good start until his mom makes him befriend a girl he went to Hebrew school with who gets cancer.  Greg and Earl befriend Rachel and even share their movies with her.

The story, which should be super sad based on subject matter, is actually funny in some parts.  We see the life of a high school boy just trying to fit in (by not fitting in).  We see him use humor to be himself.  We also see how doing something good for someone else, doesn't always make your life immediately better.

As Greg points out, this is not some cancer love story.  I don't want to spoil the story for you, so I just recommend you read it.

Currently Reading: State of Wonder

#25: Unbroken

I've got some book blog to catch up on due to vacation.

Before leaving for vacation, I started reading Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.  This is the WWII story of Louis Zamperini.  This was a book that I had heard great things about and really wanted to see the movie.  In the beginning we learnined about Louie's childhood and his racing career.  I found all his troubles and how he got into running very interesting.

Then Louie had to go to war.  I knew this book was about war, but I found the beginning of the war stories very boring.  It was really hard for me to stay interested in the book.  I've heard people say that if you can't get into a book the first 100 pages, you should give up.  This is what I wanted to do at some points, but then Louie and 2 other crew members crashed over the Pacific Ocean and found them selves on an inflatable life raft.  This was the turning point for me where things started getting interesting again.

We learn how they survived on the raft with stories of food, sharks, storms, hunger, thirst, etc.  So many emotions were also shown for the men during this time.  I also found the rest of the story very interesting.  Louie suffered so much during the war and after, but was still able to inspire others.  A truly remarkable story that I am glad I finished reading.