alltheradreads's Reviews (1.9k)

This book... wow. I’ve never read a book by Picoult that wasn’t convicting and relevant and powerful, and this one, about the Holocaust and its survivors and forgiveness, was no different. Goodness, it blew me away and broke my heart and just was incredibly moving. So many tough themes here, some really intense and hard to read parts, some descriptive violence, and a handful of different characters and storylines weaving together, but it all works to make this one an incredibly good read.

Annie, you have done it again. Shot straight to the heart with such honesty and realness, in such love, with such grace. Man, this book is good. And it reads like a great coffee shop story swap date with a BFF, and every single chapter will make you want to be more brave, and it’s a beautiful thing. I’m fired up! So, so good.

This one fell a little flat for me this Christmas season (but maybe that’s because I’m reading two other incredible Advent/Christmas books?) — it felt too simplistic, cliche, and overdone to me. It wasn’t awful, but just wasn’t the style and depth I prefer, especially when it comes to this time of year and wanting a fresh perspective on this season.

I was at a Christmas party recently where the conversation turned to our favorite books, authors, and poets. (MY KIND OF PARTY.) One girl said Billy Collins was her favorite, and she read several of her favorite poems out loud to us all. (A DREAM, I TELL YOU.) I promptly ordered two of his books and couldn’t wait to dive in! His poetry is fresh, simplistic yet profound, witty and humorous and real, and it was a delight to read this collection. Can’t wait to start the second!

I loved everything about this book. It hooked me and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it, and I loved every twist and turn and heartbreak and reunion and power move and tear jerking moment. This is fiction done SO RIGHT.

I was SO pleasantly surprised by this book. The plot was so well crafted, and the story was so engrossing and well written. I have loved reading fiction books like this one throughout this year that clearly address current events and hot topics in America right now without beating you over the head with it-- it was subtle yet incredibly powerful. Addressing racism, segregation, education, relationships, marriage, adoption, and all the aspects of family and community life in such an artful was is incredibly impressive, and this book did it VERY well. The varying characters in this story all won me over and I connected with them easily, despite them being very different. The struggles in the plot felt real and believable as well as relatable even though my own life looks different. I really, really enjoyed this one and didn't want to put it down! I can't wait to read more from this author.

THE DEETS: Thanks to Blogging for Books for sending me this one! (Releases April 2018!)

Such a great read about talking with God through prayer— not dense or overwhelming, but so relatable, relevant, and engaging. If you’re looking for a way to connect with God in every day without making prayer some huge and complicated ordeal, this is a great book to read!