All the Bright Places

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book did not go as I thought it would go...
but what an amazing touching story, that will break your heart in the process.

The story of a unique boy, Finch, who everyone sees as odd & strange & dubbed a freak.
Violet, the popular girl at school who lost her sister in a car accident & is struggled to get back into life.

When the two of them meet on a ledge on a bell tower, they are forever connected. Who saves who - that's really the ultimate story.

The two of them start their "Wanderings" around Indiana & learn so much about each other, themselves.

I don't want to give any spoilers away but I heard this was labeled as The Fault in our Stars mixed with Eleanor & Park... that's a good way to look at it.
& I also saw this was becoming a movie. Glad I read it when I did! I cant wait to see it now.

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One Plus One

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just really loved this book. The story of a single mom with a daughter & a step son she has taken responsibility for, Tanzie & Nicky. LIving a hard life. Kids getting bullied & beat up. Mom trying to make ends meet working a few jobs. Can't ever seem to get ahead. But always keeps a positive attitude that things will work out.
& when her daughter, who is a math genius, has a chance to win enough money to get her in a good school, they are off on an adventure. All in thanks to the man they meet that offers to give them a ride.
Jess & Ed are from 2 different worlds & the ride is a little rough. But as they hit snag after snag, they learn to depend on each other as everything wrong seems to happen on this trip.
Ed isn't without his own issues with a charge of insider trading & loosing everything he owns, & with a father who is sick & a sister who is giving it to him every chance she can get.
... & let's not forget the family dog, Norman, who is along for the ride the whole way.
I love seeing how Jess & Ed interact together & how the kids come to rely on him as well.
I was just so into where this story was going to go & how things would be handled & if things really would work out.
I will say, there is one point of the story that I was so angry about... like, I was thinking I wouldnt even finish... but I'm so glad I did.
I honestly just loved the story. I really loved Me Before You from Jojo Moyes, so now that I've read 2 of her books, I'm totally going to have to check out more of her stuff.
**Lots of language

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The Gift for All People

The Gift for All People: Thoughts on God's Great Grace by Max Lucado
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I dont think I have ever given Max Lucado's books any thing less than 5 stars.
This one - such a quick little read. & full of such inspiring stories & words.
I think this would be perfect for a devotional. I think there are around 33 little stories in it so it would be perfect to do in a month.
Each one going through the life of Jesus & the gifts he gives us... short, fast, but all powerful & moving.
As always, Lucado has just a simple way of putting things, but still beautiful & to the heart.

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What Alice Forgot

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

what would you do if 10 years of your memory was gone?
I have read 2 other Moriarty books & this is by far my favorite!
The story of Alice, who passes out at spin class, hitting her head & waking up to what she thought was 10 years previous. All the things that 10 years can hold - now a mystery.
It was such a fun read on learning the mystery of how Alice's life turned out... & makes you think how much you change over the span of 10 years.
I love the relationships in the past & how they developed - with her sister, her husband & kids (who she doesn't even remember)
I really loved the story of Elisabeth, her sister, who struggles with Infertility - that was a bonus story for me.
I honestly couldn't stop reading this book & then didn't want it to end. Totally a favorite.

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Down the Rabbit Hole

Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny by Holly Madison
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I always loved the show Girls Next Door & just always was intrigued by Holly - the girl who wanted a story book life & loved Disney Princesses... but always confused how she thought she could get her Happily Ever After with a man who had to have multiple girlfriends.

I'm also a big fan of hearing people's stories so I was interested to read her story & see behind the scenes of her life.

While I thought the book was interesting at points, it got kind of old of hearing how frustrated she was with the other girls (what did you expect?) & it just seemed a lot of misery & whining & complaining & making you feel like she was stuck in some sort of prison sentence

There's nothing earth shattering being revealed - just really a sad story about a girl who really ended up just wanted to be loved & really couldn't find much love in her life. I'm glad in the end, Holly did get her Happily Ever After with a husband & a baby.

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The Julian Chapter

The Julian Chapter by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so love this world of Auggie.
& so loved to hear the other side of the 'bully' Julian.
There's always 2 sides to every story - & there's always lessons to be learned in life.
Love this quick read that shows us more of the story & the beautiful lesson we learn about Julian.

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Jesus > Religion

Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough by Jefferson Bethke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always love Jefferson Bethke's videos & how real he says everything. This book goes with exactly the same person he is in the videos.
This book looks at the difference between "religion" & Jesus.
I so appreciate this book because I just have a hard time when people use the word "Religious" ... like if someone were to say, "are you religious?"... I am a follower of Jesus. A big difference to me.
& this book, Jefferson digs a little deeper into that thinking. With today's things that are hot topic issues & Jefferson's honesty in his own life & short comings & all the way to simple mercy & grace. I really love that the last chapter is called "Why Jesus loves the church (& you should too)" ... because again, people have the idea of "church" & use it as Jesus.
Its just a great reminder that Jesus is over it all! GREATER THAN it all.
A really good & fast read.

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