The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
After completing The Shadow of the Wind all I can say is, WOW! I loved this book - I loved it from the very first sentence.
Carlos Ruiz Zafon has created an intense, intriguing story with amazing, strong and deep characters using rich and dynamic language - this book is like a dream. One you wander through and immerse in completely.
A story within a story, The Shadow of the Wind follows Daniel, a bookshop owner’s son, as he tries to find the author of a book he read and loved. Throughout the journey readers will experience horror, mystery, intrigue, even tragic love - this novel has EVERYTHING. Readers are transported into the streets and lives of Barcelona with occasional trips to Paris - one will feel the mist, see the sky, and smell the water.
I never wanted this story to end, but I devoured it because I had to know what happened - I had to stop and re-read on several occasions because I caught myself reading so fast I knew I had missed things.
Romeo & Juliet meets Mission Impossible mixed with Phantom of the Opera - seriously this is a MUST READ for all.
*I feel there is so much more I should write, but I am honestly speechless at the awesomeness that is this book. I have no idea how I’ve missed it up to this point (thanks to a friend for pointing me in its direction - I honestly can’t imagine being a reader who had never read this wonderful story).
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Raising Abel by Carolyn Nash
Raising Abel by Carolyn Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is by far one of the most moving, heart-breaking, and painful novels I’ve ever read. At the same time it is also very hopeful.
Carolyn Nash has provided a very raw look at her experience as a foster turned adoptive parent. Raising Abel is a well-written book. Chapters are short and concise. She doesn’t add unnecessary detail or overload with more than needed background/descriptive information. That bares mentioning here because I think it would be easy for an author with this type of content to do so.
Nash hasn’t sugar coated anything either. Readers see into her past as well as Abel’s, and I’m not honestly sure how one could read this book and not get attached to them both (among other supporting roles). Abel and Carolyn are two of the most lovable people - courageous, loving, supportive, special.
I honestly think I’d put this book in the hands of anyone considering foster care or adoption. I think I’d put this book in the hands of ANY parent. I read passages with which I could relate and others I couldn’t, but every single one was helpful and insightful.
Carolyn and Abel couldn’t have been matched more perfectly - finding each other was nothing short of a miracle and a God-sent blessing.
During this book I experienced frustration, anger, heart break, insight, happiness, fear, tears, laughter, similarity, and above all hope.
Reblog if you’re waiting around for a man who loves you…
As much as Romeo loved Juliet.
As much as Snape loved Lily
As much as Mr Darcy loved Elizabeth.
As much as Marius loved Cosette.
As much as Fiyero loved Elphaba
As much as Dexter loved Emma.
As much as Quasimodo loved Esmeralda
As much as Benedick loved Beatrice
As much as Pip loved Estella
As much as Akkarin loved Sonea
As much as Peeta loved Katniss
As much as Edward loved Bella
As much as Henry loved Anne
As much as Emmett loved Elle
As much as Rhett loved Scarlett :)
As much as Gatsby loved Daisy
And as much as Oliver loved Jenny *sob*
