Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

This book was a recommended to me by my managers and supervisors at the bookstore. I enjoyed the narrative style, the time period and the mystery surounding Manderly. I found it interesting that the main character and narrator never reveals her name, but she mentions Rebecca, the former lady of Manderly, and constantly feels compared to and judged by the people of Manderly. The heroine tries to discover what happened to Rebecca, and why the people at Manderly tell her she can never compare to her. This novel was similar to Jane Eyre, but I found it much more creepy and sinister. It was the perfect read for a rainy week, and a wonderfuly told narrative that captures your attention from the first famous sentence. I don't want to reveal too much of the story, because it would spoil the people who haven't read it, but I will say that the story expertly twists and turns. Characters surprise you and the truth behind the mystery of Manderly is revealed. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, gothic novels and eighteenth century literature (and especially fans of Downton Abbey).

Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Distant Hours by Kate Morton

This book was a wonderful tribute to gothic novels, and is written in a way to draw you in from the first page. If I could have read this book in one sitting, I would have. Edie's voice through out the story is easily relatable, and reminds me of Jane Eyre's narrative. Jane Eyre, Frankenstien and Wuthering Heights are mentioned throughout the book, and the clues are expertly trailed to keep the reader guessing until the final part of the story. Milderhurst has many secrets, and it's up to Edie to discover them. With her mother unwilling to face the past, and the history of Raymond Blythe's Mud Man calling to be discovered, Edie goes to London. She meets the Blythe sisters, Juniper, Persephone and Seraphina. During her visit, Edie becomes determined to set history straight, and solve the mystery haunting her mother's past.

I recommend this novel to fans of Bronte, Shelley and Austen. 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This novel was fun and creative. I enjoyed the snippets of Simon Snow novels and Cath's fanfiction. Cath's writing and the way she lives her life are tied in the fandom of Simon Snow, and the fanfiction that she posts online every week. She takes her writing very seriously, she doesn't like parties and she is the complete opposite of her outgoing and at times impulsive twin, Wren. So when Cath and Wren start their first semester at college, Cath is surprised that her sister doesn't want to room with her. Thrown into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable, Cath becomes roommates with Regan, an intimidating and high strung upper class-man with a boyfriend/friend Levi who always hangs around her. With nothing familiar and everything overwhelming, Cath tries to retreat to her familar circle of internet friends and avoid contact with people whenever possible. Levi, intrigued by Cath from the beginning, is constantly inviting her to parties, and asks her more questions than Cath is comfortable answering. Once she realizes he will always be around, Cath decides to befriend him, and allows him to get to know her, even her bizarre obsession with Simon Snow. The results of this risk are quite surprising and Cath begins to understand how to create comfort in the uncomfortable.

I enjoyed this book, especially since I was in college not too long ago. It brought me back to the craziness of campus, the routine of classes, and the social situations of roommates. Aside from a fanfiction obsession, I could relate to Cath and her desire to be comfortable, on time and in a routine. maybe if I had taken a risk like she did, my story would be similar, but this book was a wonderful slice of life and a fun, cute romance. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves YA lit, and especially those who have a hard time getting out of their shell. You might be surprised what happens when you decide to take a risk. 

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

This book was made for book lovers! It has a little bit of everything, from mystery to history, to fantasy at times. Daniel is a wonderful narrator, and his job as a bookseller in Barcelona is more than it seems. As a preserver of stories, Daniel goes through the right of passage: to pick a book that seems to have been waiting for him to read it. The book he chooses is The Shadow of the Wind, written by Julian Carax. With his fascination of the story, Daniel decides to discover the truth behind the author's mysterious disapperance, and the person who buys Carax's books only to burn them. As Daniel learns pieces of Julian Carax's story, he lives a story of his own, with many twists and turns in what he believes to be his path to destiny. His story and the story of Julian Carax blend together in the novel and are told beautifully. The language in this novel is amazing. It is the storyteller tone that pulls you in and makes you feel as if you're there, sitting across from the narrator in this amazing bookshop listening to his story, and the story of Julian Carax. A powerful example of good first person writing and a beautifully woven mystery. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those that love books, book shops, mysteries and reading a well told tale. 

Book Challenge Day 14: A Book from your favorite writer

Heart's Blood by Julliet Marillier
http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-14-book-from-your.html

Book Challenge Day 13: Favorite Writer

Juliet Marillier

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-13-favorite-writer.html

Book Challenge Day 12: A book you loved but don't anymore

Eragon or The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-12-book-you-used-to.html

Book Challenge Day 11: A book you hated

Pamela or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-11-book-you-hated.html

In honor of Read a Book Day

I'm sharing my pinterest board Book Love ^_^

http://www.pinterest.com/sarahbelle624/book-love/

Book Challenge Day 10: Favorite classic book

1001 Arabian Nights

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-10-favorite-classic.html

Book Challenge Day 9: A book you didn't think you'd like but ended up loving

Snow-walker by Catherine Fisher

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-9-book-you-thought.html

Book Challenge Day 8: Most overrated book

The Notebook by Nicolas Sparks

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-8-most-overrated-book.html

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

I can describe this YA novel in three words: real, unique and powerful. I decided to read it because it sounded interesting, and it had a recommendation from John Green. 

I found it a little strange that the book was told in third person but went back and forth between Park and Eleanor's thoughts. Now that I've finished the novel, I've realized that the story wouldn't work in any other format. The reader needs both sides of this story to get the full understanding of Park and Eleanor's fears, thoughts and emotions. This is actually a very difficult book review to write. I liked the story, and the characters, but I was confused with the ending. But at the same time, I can understand why people say it ended perfectly. 

This story is about High School, adversity, people and life. It's powerful and real with intelligent and mature characters who are just trying to get by in the complicated and sometimes cruel world called life. 

It's a good read, and yes I recommend it, especially to fans of John Green.