Recent Reads

I haven't written about the books I have been reading in a while, so I thought I would wrap the latest into one post. If you only read one of these, make it The Fault In Our Stars.  You won't regret it. 

Sliding Into Home

Sliding Into Home:  This book is Kendra Wilkinson's autobiography (hey, don't judge me).  I brought it with me to kill some time on the plane ride to Heathrow.  It looked like it would be interesting and have some juicy bits in it about her life as Hugh Hefner's girlfriend.  I didn't go in expecting much, but the book was an entertaining, quick read. 

Kendra writes in a very familiar style, as if you were girlfriends, and she was sitting next to you reading her prime diary entries.  She has had very interesting life that involved hanging out with the wrong crowd and experimenting with sex and drugs.  There is an especially juicy chapter that describes what her group sex life was like with Hef (although once you read it, it isn't something you can un-know.  You may wish you could).  

Still Missing

Still Missing:  A real estate agent is hosting an open house.  She starts closing down for the day, when one last house hunter comes to take a look.  However, this man is not as interested in the house as he is in her.  The terrible ordeal she faces while being held captive by this very demented man is only part of the story.  Once she discovers who was really behind her kidnapping, her whole world shifts.   

This book was disturbing at times, but so hard to put down.  I really wasn't expecting any kind of surprise ending, but it was strangely satisfying.  Don't read this one before you go to bed.  It gave me some crazy dreams.

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in our Stars:  In short, this is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.  The story is about two teenagers living with  with cancer, who meet in a support group.  They develop a sweet relationship, and a shared love for a book called An Imperial Affliction.  This book touched each of them in a meaningful way, and they decide that they want to meet the author to ask him questions that the book left open.  .  

The writing here is fantastic.  There were many, many quotable moments (see below).  The characters are likable, and even though you know from the very beginning that cancer is terminal, you are rooting for them to ride off into the sunset together.  By the time you are finished with this book, you will be in tears with a smile on your face. 

 This quote from the book most adequately sums up my feelings about The Fault In Our Stars:

“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book. And then there are books like An Imperial Affliction, which you can't tell people about, books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like betrayal” 
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

Next up, Before I Fall.  Read any good books lately?