Book Review: The Silent Patient: Alex Michaelides

This book needs to be gripped with two hands - it is quite the ride!

Prologue: Alicia Berenson's Diary - July 14th 
Here we learn about Alicia's love for her husband, Gabriel. She talks about enjoying watching him cook, how he is "elegant, balletic, organized". So opposite of Alicia herself. She also shares how she is struggling, how she feels that she is wading through mud, how Gabriel gave her this journal to help her get her feelings out. And how she plans to use it as a place to write "positive, happy, normal thoughts."

And then the first chapter begins with, "Alicia Berenson was thirty-three years old when she killed her husband."
Boom - and we are off into this psychological thriller.

This book is so very much about human nature with some therapy tossed in, a whole lot of  mystery, and plot twists and turns that will surprise you.  Pick this book up if the inner workings of the human mind interests you.

I accessed this book through my SORA account which is linked to Nashua Public Library.

 

Book Review: Closer to Nowhere / Ellen Hopkins

 

Let me start by sharing that this story targets middle school students, the protagonists are twelve years old. Then let me say that this doesn't matter a bit, this is a story that needs to be told, a story written from Ellen Hopkins's family story - about addiction and violence - about children born into families which have a rough time supporting them both emotionally and physically. And about the healing that can take place afterwards given the right supports.

Cal's father is in prison, his mother died of leukemia. He lives with his aunt (an identical twin of his mother) and her family including Hannah, his cousin - also twelve. Cal's life until now has been about surviving hardship and he is learning how to adapt to living in a safe environment with food on the table and a bed. Hannah is learning how to live with Cal and his struggles with learning how to adapt to a life that is no longer chaotic. The truth is - this is hard for everyone.

This story speaks to the trauma that people go through when their lives are chaotic. It also speaks to the truths of incorporating a hurting child into one's family. And it speaks to love, addiction, hope, therapy, adapting, inner strengths, compassion, and learning more about what lies behind the faces that we put forth. This is a story about what is under the surface. 

If you are planning on becoming a teacher, a counselor, a nurse, a doctor, a social worker - just about anyone in a "helping profession" - read this book. It is a great opportunity to walk in the shoes of someone who is learning how to live a life which doesn't have chaos as a foundation. It is also a story that reminds us that what we see in people is only what lies on the surface. We are all more than what we appear at first glance.

Book Review: Anxious People by Fredrik Bachman

 

Read this book. Seriously, read this book.

Backman will make you laugh and cry. This is a mystery and a love story. 

"Flesher, you found a romance novel that you like?", you ask. (Romance novels - ick!)

This is so much more than a romance novel. This is a LOVE STORY. The story of love in all of its colors. Love: between spouses, among friends, for children. This is so much bigger than a romance novel. 

OK - here is a quick plot summary: A bunch of people are looking at an apartment that is for sale. Simultaneously, the bank across the street is held up at gun point with the bank robber narrowly escaping. And the perpetrator ends up in the apartment and it all turns into a hostage situation. Throw in a couple of police officers who need to solve the crime and you have Anxious People. 

I borrowed this book through SORA which I connected to the NH State Library. I had to put it on hold and wait a while but the wait was totally worth it. I went and bought a copy because I want to read it again. 

Book Review: Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Fifth grade Raina becomes afraid of vomiting and it spirals out of control. Whenever she gets nervous her stomach hurts and then she becomes afraid of getting sick. She begins therapy and that also becomes a big secret.

Telgemeier wrote Sisters and Smile - books that will "transport" many students back to their earlier years when they read these books and others. This story is about themes that we all deal with - fear, friends, maybe even the fear of throwing up. Enjoy this "throw back" novel through Libby via the Nashua Public Library.