City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

I just finished this novel yesterday and couldn't wait to share it. I loved every page!

This is the fascinating story of Vivian Morris. In 1940, she is kicked out of Vassar for poor performance, which doesn't faze the nineteen year old who wasn't interested in the studies of, or people who attend, Vassar.

Her privileged and affluent family is appalled and send Vivian to New York city to live with her aunt Peg.  Vivian barely knows her aunt, who lives in a giant forlorn building that houses the "Lily Playhouse", but discovers, to her delight, that her aunt is nothing like anyone she has ever known.

The spirited but innocent Vivian is introduced to the work of showgirls, writers, actors, musicians, and dancers and discovers that her talent for sewing allows her to become part of the many small productions as their costume designer. During this time she meets many fascinating characters, explores her own new found freedoms and is delighted in her unconventional lifestyle.

The story follows Vivian through a world war, scandals, loves and losses, heartbreaks and triumphs to the 1970's... and all of the lessons that she learned along the way.

I highly recommend this one!

"Life is both fleeting and dangerous, and there is no point in denying yourself pleasure, or being anything other than what you are." - City of Girls

I do. Always.

The Myth of Perpetual Summer by Susan Crandall

An absorbing, well crafted novel.

Tallulah, a young girl, has parents with an extreme volatile relationship. Her father suffers from severe manic depression, and her mother doesn't really want to be a mother... but has four children.

At a young age, Tallulah takes the responsibility of protecting her family’s reputation and raising her younger siblings, her only assistance is her older brother and her very Southern "old school" grandmother. 

In her teens she escapes to the promise of California, only to discover that even with great distance, the dysfunction of her childhood is still very much a part of her life.

When the disaster of her siblings upbringing causes one of her brothers to commit a terrible crime, Tallulah must return home to try to piece her family back together again.  

Katy No-Pocket by Emmy Payne

Another childhood favorite!

Katy, a kangaroo, is sad because she doesn't have a pocket to carry her little joey in like all of the other mother kangaroos do.

She decides to ask all of the other animal mothers how they carry their babies to see if one might work for her. None seem to be able to help until ash speaks to an owl who tells her to try going to the city to see if she could buy a pocket.

In the city, she encounters a kindly construction worker who is wearing an apron with a BUNCH of POCKETS! This kindly man, upon hearing of Katy's troubles, instantly dumps the tools from his apron and gives it to Katy. 

She is no longer "Katy no pocket". She has more pockets than any other Kangaroo mother in the world!

A sweet story.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

I savored every page of this novel. Loved it and highly recommend it.

This is the story of Kya. The book begins when she is seven and lives in a ramshackle cabin with her abusive father, mother and siblings in the marshes and swamps of North Carolina.  One day her mother leaves... and never returns.  Shortly thereafter, her siblings leave as well, leaving Kya alone with her father. Over the years her angry father spends less and less time at the cabin, and Kya realizes one day, that he was also gone forever.

Kya has, by necessity, grown fiercely independent, living off what the land provides, studying the animals and plants, and occasionally trading goods with the friendly man at a small local shop.

When she is 14, she meets a boy named Tate who becomes her first friend. Tate teaches her to read and helps her to discover books about the nature and animals that she so loves, that have surrounded her for all of her life, and kept her alive. She falls in love with Tate, and he with her.

However, after several years, he leaves for college, vowing to return... but he too never comes back.

Feeling abandoned by everyone in her life, she makes a new friend of a local boy named Chase who is a member of a prominent local family. She is once again in love and happy, at least until Chase's body is found, and then her life is changed forever.

Part coming of age story, largely a love letter to nature and animals, with just a bit of murder mystery thrown in... I couldn't get enough of this book. Fabulous!

The perfect (or purrrfect) bookmark.

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

This is the story of the perfect couple. Jack and Grace are beautiful, charming, wealthy and have the perfect marriage. They are the envy of everyone.

Unless you look closer. If you stop to notice, you'll realize that you never see Grace alone, Jack is always there. She doesn't work, but is always too busy to get together with friends... unless Jack is invited as well.

Something seems off, not quite right.   That, it turns out. is a massive understatement.

An exciting edge-of-your-seat, stay up late for just one more chapter, thriller of a novel.  

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson.

First published in 1955, this little book is still fun today.

Harold is a 4 year old who discovers that he can alter his world with a purple crayon. He uses his crayon to create things in his mind, leading him on adventures with a dragon, a sailboat on the ocean, a hot air balloon... and more!

The focus on imagination is important, especially in today's world where children seem to use their imaginations less and less.

Verity by Colleen Hoove

This is the 1st book that I've seen with an actual warning "Due to graphic scenes and mature content, this book is recommended for readers 18+". 
Intriguing! 

It DOES have some disturbing content and it DOES have quite a few rather graphic sex scenes, but it was a good thriller nonetheless. 

Lowen is a writer who, after a publishing one successful novel, finds herself financially strapped. 

She accepts a job from Jeremy, the husband of the bestselling author Verity Crawford. Lowen is to complete Verity's series, as Verity is unable to. While researching Verity's notes, Lowen discovers Verity's secret autobiography full of terrible and horrifying admissions. 

Chilling, but a good story and fun distraction from reality. I don't know about specific ages, but I would agree that it is intended for mature readers. 

Reward yourself.

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

This is one the best series of all time. It appeals to EVERYONE, children, teens, adults... all love Harry Potter!

Unless you've lived under a rock, I'm assuming you have heard the story line of the young boy who discovers that his parents were both powerful wizards. He is taken from the home of his mean uncle and aunt to Hogwarts to live. Hogwarts is a magical, wonderful boarding school (more like a castle) for Wizards. Here Harry discovers not only his own magical gifts, but a whole new world of magic.

I read the first few of these with my young children before they decided to read the rest on their own. I went back and read the entire series myself, and was so glad that I did.

I highly recommend all seven books in the series this to anyone and everyone between the ages of 8 and 108.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

Another children's book today. This was one of my favorites as a child. Bright wonderful illustrations and a sweet story.

This is a story of a little house built on a hill in the country.  The man who built it know that if he built it well, it would last for generations. 

The little house was happy as she watched the world around her, the animals and children through all of the seasons.  Over the years, she notices little changes. The roads, other houses being built around her. Then lots of traffic followed by gas stations. Then a subway and buildings so tall she could barley see the stars or even what season it was. The little changes had happened so slowly, but had become so big!

The little house grew sad. Would the little house ever be happy again?