Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann is book of multi-layered stories, each with it's own characters that make sense on their own and together as the book comes to a close. It's a harsh but beautiful book that digs into life honestly without shying away from the ugliness that exists, but also embracing the feelings and love accompanying it as well.

It seems to me this story could only be told in this way by an Irishman. It's wrought with gritty realism from beginning to end, with life lessons learned the hard way. The book begins in 1974 and characters include Irish brothers currently living in America, prostitutes, artists, grandmothers, mothers, sons, daughters, caretakers and the true account of Philippe Petit who walked a tightrope strung between the World Trade Center Twin Towers.

I can't fathom how an author creates a book filled with such gorgeous overlapping life which is saturated in every emotion you can imagine. The details of the time and people are amazing. The honest actions and reactions of all seem so true to form, McCann is even able to connect with his female characters accurately. I was blown away by this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read and get sucked in by words woven together by a master storyteller.

To get your own copy of People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, please buy from your local independent bookseller:
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781400063734

The World in Half by Cristina Henriquez

The World in Half by Cristina Henriquez is a bittersweet story about a young college student, Miraflores, who is growing up fast. She is an intelligent and quiet young woman with a mysterious past and mother who is quickly succumbing to Alzheimer's. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest in Panama to find her father, who has been absent her whole life; there she meets some wonderful characters who help her discover her self.

I read this book in just a few days, because I found it to be such a lovely yet heart wrenching story. Miraflores is easy to fall in love with as her journey to discover her father, learn about herself and understand her mother's illness all merge together at once. I felt a common bond with Miraflores during her trip to a foreign country, alone and not sure where to begin. I did this myself in my 20's and it helped me to grow in unimaginable ways. She is brave, despite her fears, smart and thoughtful along the way with regard to herself and her family. I understood Miraflores' plight as she watches her mother grow older and copes with a terrible disease that slowly strips her memory. We all go through watching our parents age and I have seen Alzheimers claim several family friends over the years - never easy, never.

I love the reality in this story and honesty in which it views difficult issues many people face each day. I recommend this book to any person who enjoys a good love story or with an open view on life and the world around us.

To get your own copy of People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, please buy from your local independent bookseller:
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781594488559

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks was a wonderful story that crossed continents, religions, history and personalities. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, I had mixed emotions about whether to choose this or one of the 40 other books I have waiting to be read. Something kept bringing me back to this title and now I know why.

I just finished the story of Hannah Heath and her search for truth about the rare Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the earliest Jewish religious volumes to be illuminated with images, which survived centuries of purges and wars thanks to people of all faiths who risked their lives to safeguard it. Geraldine Brooks did her research and must have enjoyed every moment of the fact finding, interviews and storytelling that went into completing this book. The characters are beautifully developed and the details of life through different times in history is rich with emotion and passion.

"Hanna Heath, an impassioned rare-book expert restoring the manuscript in 1996 Sarajevo, it yields clues to its guardians and whereabouts: an insect wing, a wine stain, salt crystals, and a white hair. While readers experience crucial moments in the book's history through a series of fascinating, fleshed-out short stories, Hanna pursues its secrets scientifically, and finds that some interests will still risk everything in the name of protecting this treasure. A complex love story, thrilling mystery, vivid history lesson, and celebration of the enduring power of ideas." --Mari Malcolm

Personally, I adored every aspect of this book and could strongly identify with Hannah Heath in both her journeys and relationships. I am a lover of art, art history and religion - this book brought all of that together for me in a stunning story that I highly recommend.

To get your own copy of People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, please buy from your local independent bookseller:
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780143115007