There has never been a more difficult to explain or review book by Jodi Picoult than The Storyteller, because it’s so amazing that it simply defies explanation. In even trying to talk to people about this book, I can’t explain it, beyond saying that it’s incredible, devastating, amazing, and haunting.

This is a book that will make you question morality, good and evil, and a little bit of everything. I’m still going over and over it in my mind a couple days after reading it, and every time I think about it, I want to go back and read the book.

This isn’t an easy book to read, although I didn’t want to put it down (I know, it doesn’t make sense), but I cannot recommend it enough. I was stunned, horrified, and intrigued by the entire book, and I’ll definitely be making everyone I can find read it.

In this stunning memoir, Domenica Ruta describes in humorous but compelling detail the life she shared with her unusual family, including her remarried father, addict mother, and generally boisterous but dysfunctional extended family. Growing up as a social misfit, with the family to match, Domenica struggled to stay afloat, and eventually fell into the patterns demonstrated throughout her life. But over time, she becomes able to withdraw from those patterns and forge a better life for herself.

This memoir reads like a novel, and it’s incredibly beautifully written but astonishing to remember that it’s actually a memoir based on real events. I cannot imagine growing up in the conditions described and not ending up hating my entire family, and I admire the honesty and humor found within these pages. This book will not be for everyone, but should definitely appeal to those who are interested in family stories, including overcoming difficult family situations.

You guys, I have been super excited for this book ever since I saw this creepy cover and saw the synopsis, and trust me, I was not disappointed at all!

It’s been six months since Sophie’s sister, Nell, escaped from the “behavioral hospital” with an orderly and ended up dead in Jerome, Arizona. Sophie’s mother is practically comatose from drinking, her aunt is focused on her mom, leaving Sophie to try to make it through high school after her sisters’ apparent suicide. But Sophie knows that Nell wouldn’t take her own life, and ever since her death, she’s been seeing and hearing the same things Nell was. Sophie is determined to piece together what happened to her sister, no matter what she has to do.

This book ended up being so much creepier than I ever could have imagined, and I loved every single minute of it. Sophie is a compelling character, surrounded by mystery and psychological chills that keep you turning pages to figure out what the heck is going on. And the reality is far more stunning than I could ever have predicted. This is an incredible psychological mystery with a hint of paranormal – you definitely need to get your hands on it!