Books Tackling Tough Issues

Each of these books tackles a tough issue, whether it's dealing with a loss of a loved one or infidelity in a relationship. Be sure to check out The Broke and the Bookish to see which books other boggers selected for this list.

1. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer -This novel tells the story of how a family deals with losing a loved one during 9/11.

2. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls -This is a haunting memoir beautifully written with fervent emotion. Jeannette has been through many things that many of us can only imagine. Her family lived so poorly, she "aspired to be white trash." Her parents wer afflicted with many faults and vices, and she and her siblings had to fend for themselves as a result. This is an account of how a young girl conquered poverty, hunger, and abuse.

3. A Time to Kill by John Grisham -Grisham's first work tackles the controversial topic of racial discrimination in the court systems, specifically with white-on-black crimes and vice versa. This novel will have you wondering whether there really is a time to kill.

4. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay -This novel told the story of a family that was victim to Vel d'Hiv -Paris' dirty little secret. This is where French, not Nazi, soldiers rounded up Jewish families in Paris and sent them to different concentration camps. Read my review here.

5. The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham -This is Grisham's first non-fiction work. It chronicles the journey of a man wrongly convicted of a crime, and how he fought to prove his innocence. I don't believe the issue of wrongful convictions receives the attention and support it deserves.

6. Mathilda Savitch by Victor Lodato -I can't tell you too much about which "tough issue" this book is about without giving a lot away. More vaguely, it's about a girl that deals with the loss of a sibling.

7. Something Blue by Emily Giffin -I know what you're thinking -since when did chick lit deal with tough issues? Really though, this book deals with infidelity in a unique way. It really shows you that relationships and are less black and white than we may make them out to be without completely condoning betrayal and deception.

I didn't quite get to 10, but each of these books wonderfully addresses topics that are hard for most of us to think about in our mundane, everyday lives. Sometimes reading about how fictional characters deal with tough issues can help someone that is going through the same thing. Which "tough issues" book would you recommend?

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

It's Monday -What are You Reading? 7/25

This is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey. 

Read last week:

One Day by David Nicholls

One Day was a good read. I hear the movie with Anne Hathaway is very true to the book. Can't wait!

Reading Now:

Freakonomics by Levitt & Dubner

I'm currently enjoying Freakonomics. I usually alternate between fiction and non-fiction. I think this book is very accessible, whether or not you have background in economics or statistics. 

Up Next:

Room by Emma Donoghue

I've heard lots about this book, both good and bad. I'm going to see for myself soon as I finish Freakonomics.

My To-Read list is already incredibly long, but I'm always taking recommendations. I often change my mind about which book to read at the last minute because of a friend's review or recommendation. So tell me, is there something else I should read next?

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

I was originally drawn to this book by its cover. The cover photo is haunting and filled with intrigue. After reading the synopsis on Amazon, it really seemed like my kind of story, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I found myself really enjoying the book, but it left me wanting more. I think Riggs had a great concept with this story, but instead of running with it he sort of cut it short. When I consider the goals he had with the photographs, I can understand why the story was not as epic as it could have been. Riggs had photos from several photograph collectors, and wrote the story around each of these photos. I think the integration of photographs from various collections into a unified concept was brilliant. However, the story really was the star to me. I wish the characters had been developed more, and the plot had much more promise than the resulting product.

Overall, it's a great summer read with an interesting concept. The photographs add an intriguing and fresh element that will appeal to many. I was willing to invest much more in it than it required. I believe it had potential to become a series, but also stands alone well.

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

I'm Back! Book Blogger Hop

After a month-long hiatus, I'm back with another post. What better way to return than Book Blogger Hop? This weekly meme is hosted by Crazy for Books, so be sure to check her out.

This past month has been filled with moving to a new home, busy days at work, and grad school midterms. I can't wait to get you guys all caught up with what books I've been enjoying. Keep an eye out for those posts during the week. Now on to the hop:

How/Where do you get your books? Do you buy them or go to the library? Is there a certain website you use like paperbackswap?

When I was younger, I got books from libraries, whether it was the school's, the county's, or a friend's personal collection. Recently, I've been buying my books a lot. I know I should take advantage of the library more, but the experience of owning my books is quite new to me. I buy my books at Barnes & Noble, used bookstores, garage sales, libraries sale, etc. If I can wait to read a book, I like to order it from Barnes & Noble online. I get free shipping with my membership and I save a lot on the books themselves.

I also have a Kindle, so I buy eBooks a lot. It really depends on the cheapest form that I can get my hands on.

Where do you find your reads?

Love and (a book) light,

Dorothy

Book Blogger Hop & Follow Friday -My TR List and My Favorite Genre

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy for Books. It's a great way to meet other bloggers and learn more about the ones you already follow.



This week's question is:

“How many books are currently in your To-Be-Read (TBR) Pile?”

According to my Goodreads profile, I currently have 59 books on my To Read list. I try to keep it somewhat realistic and only include the books that I plan on reading in the near future.  There are many books that I know I will read eventually, such as some classics, but I don't include those on there.

How long is your TR pile?

Another weekly meme that I participate in regularly is Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee.

 

This week's question is:

 

Genre Wars! What's your favorite genre and which book in that genre made it your favorite?

I read books of all genres, but my favorite has always been mystery. It all started with The Nancy Drew Series when I was younger, and I eventually started reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and some Raymond Chandler.

What's your favorite genre? Any other mystery authors I should know about?
Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

Here's to Dads and Books about Them

With Father's Day just around the corner, here are some books that remind us of what we love (and hate) about our dads. This year, Father's Day falls right around what would have been my Dad's birthday. Here's to you, Dad! I love and miss you.

The List:

The Road by Cormac McCarthy -So I haven't actually read this (cheating? It's my list, so I say no), but it's on my to-read list. It's a post-apocalyptic book about a father and son that journey through the Earth's ruins with the goal of making it to the coast. What they find we'lll have to read to find out.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls -This books was gut-wrenching and heart-breaking, and some parts uplifting. It goes to show that no matter who your dad is, you can't help but love him. I just finished this, so expect a review soon (or what's called here at The Kindled Scholar, a "reflection").

Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl -Blue van Meer and her father have a very special relationship. Har father, Gareth van Meer is what you wished your dad would be, only cooler. He is intelligent, charming, a bit dramatic, and the ladies love him.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech -This is a YA novel that I read for an adolescent literature class in college. This beautiful coming of age story rightfully earned a Newbery Medal. Salamanca is dealing with her mother leaving Sal and her father. He goes through his grief while trying to help Sal cope with hers. This story culminates in a wonderful ending, and is a great read whether or not you love YA literature.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - I love stories told from the perspective of a Daddy's girl. That's what Susie Salmon was, and seeing how her death affected her father was difficult. I loved their relationship and the closeness they felt, even after Susie was gone.


What are some other books about dads out there? Do share!

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

Book Blogger Hop -The Author I Want to Meet

It's time for Book Blogger Hop! This weekly meme is a great way to meet other bloggers and make new friends. It is usually hosted by Crazy for Books, but this week the host is Lori from Lori's Reading Corner.

This week's questions is:

Who is the ONE author that you are DYING to meet?

My tastes in books are definitely more diverse now than they were 3 years ago. Back then, all I read were books by John Grisham, the king of legal thrillers. I am such a huge fan and I would love to meet him! All his books are great, and he seems like a genuinely nice person. Though I love his legal thrillers, my favorite of his books is his non-fiction work, The Innocent Man. It tells the story of a wrongly convicted man who spent a lot of time in prison for a crime he didn't commit. He never gave up hope and was eventually released, but there are many more stories like his. Head over to The Innocence Project to learn more and see how you can help.

Any other die-hard Grisham fans out there?

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy