The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.

A philosophical read. There are so few people who are true to themselves. I think we all to a degree pretend to be something we are not in order to fit the role we think we must fill. Somewhere in all the day-to-day necessities, we have to learn to find the beauty of the moment. This book takes two characters, one young and one old, through this journey.

caution: I had to get the dictionary, but learned new vocabulary words.

*** adult

Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin

This was a hard book for me to read. Hard in the way it jumped around from past and present and didn't provide complete information. Hard in all the awful things that happened to the characters in this book. When someone makes bad choices, all the people around them end up suffering.

caution: swearing, violence, and difficult situations

** adult

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

My favorite fantasy writer. Original ideas, complex characters, intrigue, romance, humor, and action. If you like fantasy you must read it.

Caution: violence


***** high school and up