Catherine The Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K Massie

The reason behind my mini-hiatus was that i simply couldn't finish a book (an issue that is completely new to me). Do you ever feel like you just cant find that "right" book to read? Like there are plenty of good options but none really "stick"?

Well i finally defeated my opposition. I just finished reading Catherine The Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K Massie. I know that this may be just me (history major tendencies kicking in) but I cannot not get enough of Russian History. There is something about the mystique and unknown that makes me itch to learn more and more.

For those who are less aware of Russian history, Catherine was the longest ruling Empress of Russia. Her reign was from 1762 until 1796 at the time of her death. I know that this may be a little less interesting for many, as historical nonfiction comes with own set of obstacles for a reader to overcome (language barriers, confusing references, etc). All I can say to this is to simply give it a try!

If nothing else read this book for a beautifully written account of a strong, tenacious and at times devious woman who literally worked her way to the top. She may have been born royalty of a small German state, but Catherine outwitted and outlasted her peers and her family, earning herself a rightful place into the history books.

The real prize in this biography is that it plays out as more than a simply relaying of events. It takes time to search into the motive and emotion as each extraordinary encounter occurs. The biography is rather long, sometimes you may have to walk away and take a break from the book, but I guarantee you will come back for more!

Lunch in Paris: A Love Story With Recipes by Elizabeth Bard

If you are looking for a charming, quick read this would be the one for you. It intertwines one woman's new life in Paris with the recipes she encounters during her journeys. I probably got less from this book than many people would due to my inability to master the art of cooking (I have gotten really good at hamburger helper in the last year however!). But I can imagine myself creating some of the enchanting desserts and warm soups that are folded beetween the the pages of Elizabeth Bard's trip to self discovery.

With this book, you will most definitely begin to crave not only the mouth watering food but the adventure that lay in front of Bard as she wittingly records her memiors from her new European home. She is constantly stuck between a new world that is actually old and traditional and her old world (the United States) that is fast paced and optitmistic.

I suggest reading this book as a long weekend type thing; It wont take long and it wont hurt your brain to read. Take the time to relax and take in the imagery that Bard lays out so wonderfully. Maybe try a recipe or two?

When Heaven and Earth Changed Places by Le Ly Hayslip

So about once every 3 years throughout my schooling, I come across a book that was assigned by a teacher that I simply fall in love with. I spent the last week stressing about reading one book to review online and finishing an assigned book for a test today. In a moment of pure genious, I remembered that not everyone has a professor to force them to take a step outside of their comfort zone and read something different.

This book is very different from the previous ones if reviewed. First, It is non-fiction, a memior. Second, it was published 20 years ago. It takes place in Vietnam as a woman revisits her past through sometimes excrutiatingly truthful memories as she returns to her home land for the first time since escaping from the destroyed country. Le Ly, the main character, is accosted by memories and regrets of her past as she sees what she left behind in her war-ravaged homeland.

In the end, this is a story of survival, One woman's attempt to "get through" the devestation she faced. As a reader I was struck by Hayslip's humility, she was consistently admiting her mistakes and shortcomings but never gloated about the heroism and strength she portrayed consistently through out the whole peice. She faced more adversity and challenges in ten years of her young life then most will face in lifetime, but comes back to help others.

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of Le Ly and her story is knowing what has become of her. Since writing the book during her first return trip to Vietnam, She has founded not one, but two charitable organizations. After reading the book I was moved when discovering the length that Le Ly continues to go to in order to help those who are stuck in the ashes she rose from those many years ago.

If you decide to read this book ( which I think you should, trust me, it is a rewarding experience to finish a book of such depth, ingeniuty and character), take the time to browse through the foundation websites that were started by Le Ly...

http://www.eastmeetswest.org/

http://www.globalvillagefoundation.org/

Sometimes it is important to read books such as this one to remove yourself from modern times, become once more grounded in the blessings in your life, and learn to recognize strength in others.

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks might be an acquired taste (even though i really believe it should be an "everybody's taste" type thing). But really, who doesn't need a good heart wrenching read every once in a while?

Sparks' newest novel, "The Best of Me" was recommended to me by a co-worker. I originally pushed it aside onto the "ill read it when they make it into a movie with a teenie-bopper actress/singer/model starring in it shelf", But in a reading- rut I decided a light hearted love novel might be just what I needed.

Let me just say... Yes, it is a Sparks' novel, so there is obviously a love story, a woman scorned and more than a few teary moments. But i didn't expect to read about a long withstanding family feud, a forbidden romance, drugs, violence and much, much more! It was like Nicholas Sparks earlier novels but put into a time machine and thrown right into 2012.

There were a few predictable moments, which is to be expected from the king of non-trashy romance novels, but that does not mean I cried any less during them. I can only manage the smallest plot-summary for fear of spoiling it, but the gist of the story revolves around a man, Dawson, and a woman, Amanda, who fell in love at a young age then never saw each other again. One goes on to become a felon, while the other leads a normal (at least from the outside looking in) life. They meet back up when they both are in their forties, a time of questions, remembrance and regret for both characters. The story follows them both back as they question choices made earlier life and wonder how different life would have been if they had been making those decisions together. The novel questions society, class, violence and rash decisions. Of course, there is the emotional and heart-wrenching end to the story that is Sparks-esque.

This book is great for a quick read. I wish I would have read it curled up on a rainy saturday with a large cup of coffee to get the full affect... but I guess between classes will have to do.

I recommend the book to readers who enjoyed ...

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

The Violets of March: A Novel by Sarah Jio

Are you looking for an escapist book? One that allows you to leave whatever time and place you currently feel stuck in?

Sarah Jio's novel is the perfect blend of strong feminist characters and an endearing love story. It is in no way a classic fairytale, with many twists and turns (albeit predictable at times) and heartbreak at every corner.

The main character, Emily Wilson, leaves for an old family hideaway on a secluded island. She goes with the original intent of escaping her old life, but comes to realize that her life was shaped much more by the past than she ever knew.

Switching between a secret love affair from 1943 to present day love's lost, Emily comes to realize that history has a funny way of repeating itself.

Yes-- This book has its "downer" moments. Jio knows how to play the readers emotions and she does it well (and often)

Yes-- This book will make you want to find lost loves, discover your own family's lost history, and DEFINITELY escape to your family's historical mansion that awaits on an island with beautiful beaches, small town mentalities, and a cornucopia of intriguing and mysterious characters.

This is a five star book for readers who enjoyed novels such as ...

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Wildflower Hill by Kimberly Freeman