TIP: Great Books (January)

This month I read a couple of great books and was reminded of a book that I personally really enjoyed reading.  I decided I will update this blog monthly with (hopefully) three books that I have read and will recommend: 

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Can be purchased here

This book is about the survival of Louie Zamperini who had an incredible life as an Olympic athlete, an enlisted officer, a plane crash survivor, a prisoner of war, and the list goes on.  His story is simply told by Laura Hillenbrand and it is an absolutely incredible story -- you will not believe that it is true.  I really recommend reading this book -- it will make you realize how resilient we all are. 

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein 

Can be purchased here

This is a story about a family's love, loss, scandal and survival -- all told from their loyal dog's perspective.  The book is funny, sad and entirely entertaining.  Especially if you have a dog, this is a must read. 

Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl

Can be purchased here

This is a story of the New York food scene, told by the NYT food columnist.  The book is really funny and insightful because she wears different disguises and adopts different personas when going to the new hot spots in town.  Instead of getting the great treatment that you would expect for the reviewer, she is often treated with disdain and impatience when dressed as an elderly woman, an overweight woman, a homely woman.  It is really entertaining and I am sure it made restauranteurs blush.  Plus, she gives some of her favorite recipes!

TIP: Great Books

I love reading and being able to dive into a good book.  Lately I have been reading some GREAT books that I thought I would share here because, unfortunately, I have been reading them on my iPad (through the Apple app and Kindle app) so I can't share them otherwise.  


These are the top 3 that I have read in a long time -- these are the types of books (with the types of characters) that you completely miss when you are done.


Little Bee (by Chris Cleave)

 Can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Little-Bee-Novel-Chris-Cleave/dp/1416589635


This book is a story about a family in England and a refugee seeking asylum from Nigeria.  It is a great story told from the perspective of Little Bee (the refugee) and an English woman who lets Little Bee live with her.  The story spans from England to Nigeria and is incredible.  I had to look up the author when I was done to see what else he has written because I could not get enough of this book. 


The Help (by Katheryn Stockett)

Cover of The Help

Can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Help-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0399155341/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293748190&sr=1-1


This book is about the complicated relationships that existed during the civil rights era in the South between the "help" and the families who employed them.  The chapters are told by different characters with different dialects and perspectives on the social climate during this time period.  This book is so good I have read it twice & recommended it for book club - everybody else enjoyed it too!


The Forgotten Garden (by Kate Morton)

Can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Garden-Novel-Kate-Morton/dp/1416550550/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293748528&sr=1-1


This is a story I was almost reluctant to start because I had just finished Little Bee and that story was sticking with me.  I was also thinking I would not be able to enjoy a book after reading Little Bee so recently (which was excellent!).  I definitely was not disappointed with this book and had a tough time putting it down.  It is a story told during different eras that explains how a little girl from England ends up on a boat in 1913 heading towards Australia completely by herself.  She is found by a kind Australian family, but she spends her life trying to uncover her past, which is then a search taken up by her granddaughter.  This book is filled with strong characters and is a complete page turner.