Green Fields by Bob Cowser, Jr

I was pacing a local book fair brimming with authors where my eyes kept drifting to a book below the nameplate of Bob Cowser, Jr. The brief summary on the cover sealed my purchase because I'm a bit of a true crime junkie. There's an element of intrigue with getting a "behind the scenes" view of an event that seems too unbelievable to have occurred in the first place.

Green Fields dissects the murder of an 11-year-old girl named Cary Ann Medlin. If her part of the story isn't disturbing enough, the back story of the man accused was worthy of spewing bile. Though I believe that's what ultimately draws people to books like this. A need to reassure themselves that murderers don't randomly lurk around every corner. That they don't evolve by chance but are instead created from a childhood of nightmarish circumstances. This is an important security because it gives us hope that there are standard warning signs of a killer in the making. If we can understand what leads a person to murder then we can better protect the welfare of ourselves and those we love.

Part two of the story leads us to a debate and history of capital punishment since a vital component is the execution of Glen Coe. I'm not an advocate of capital punishment and this book further strengthened my dislike for the act. More so when I finished the book still wondering if they had punished the right guy.

I found it difficult to review a book like this. It's a catalog of facts about someone who lost their life. There is no like or dislike in that. It's a double edged sword for the families involved and I finished the book feeling an equal sadness for both sides. The irregularities of evidence and his insistence of innocence to the end will continue to make me question if justice sank or swam in this situation.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

"If your face is swollen from the severe beatings of life, smile and pretend to be a fat man." - Nigerian Proverb

This quote evoked a thought that sparked an emotion that changed my mind.

I picked Little Bee as the first novel up for discussion in my newly formed book club. It was a book I'd never heard of by an author I wasn't familiar with but I was instantly attracted to it. Until Little Bee, I'd never been drawn to a book based solely on the cover design but I can appreciatively say that this book not only has massive curb appeal but is packed with the substance to back it up.

The story is told by two narrators, Little Bee being the stronger voice. Throughout the story, she is constantly searching for ways to kill herself in every situation she encounters. I naively thought this to be a weakness at first but I soon realized how it was a necessary means of survival for her. After hearing her sister's torture and eventual death at the hands of "the men" Little Bee vowed to maintain control of her own death. To choose when and how it would occur.

Little Bee is a fighter. Without complaint she reacts. She made decisions to ensure her own survival. And at the end, she takes a stand to protect the two people who saved her because she is finally free from the burden of saving herself.

I took a few days rest after reading this book to give my tears time to dry up. I impatiently await the next Chris Cleave release.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks' books are like a box of chocolates...

His novels hit on all points of the spectrum. From love story extraordinaire in The Notebook to disappointing dud in The Choice. Though I credit him with more hits than misses.

Safe Haven straddles the fence of decent read and read before.

SPOILER ALERT!

Ever seen Sleeping With The Enemy? The similarities are obvious and distracting.

If an author is asking me to revisit a used storyline, then I'm requesting at least the courtesy of a twist on the original. An alternate outcome. A new perspective. Some shred of creativity to cling to.

On the whole, I respect Nicholas and praise the majority of his novels but with stories like Safe Haven, I fear his ideas are being fueled by mass production with quality and originality an afterthought.

My advice: Slow down. It's substance over quantity. We don't need another James Patterson.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Who's to blame when you decide to take your own life? Friends? Family? Bullies? Yourself?

Thirteen Reasons Why details the events that led to the demise of Hannah Baker and the actions of those she pinpointed as having played a role in her suicide.

Hannah's "woe is me" approach makes her story more a pity party instead of sparking sympathy for her struggles. It made her an unlikeable character. I'm sold on the fact that people have the ability to affect and influence the thoughts and actions of others, but eventually you have to claim ownership of the decisions you make for your own life.

Throughout, Hannah continuously highlights all the suicidal signs missed by her family and friends. Frankly, I found Hannah's cries for help to be subtle at best. Things I could have easily overlooked. The constant flow of misplaced guilt solidified my annoyance and lack of compassion for her.

This book serves as a reminder to always be aware of how we treat one another but it fell short on substance with the abundance of scapegoating. It hit just shy of being an okay read.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

I battled myself for months on whether or not to buy this book. I was never fully convinced that I'd find it appealing. I did finally buy it, but only because it was on sale and I paid with a gift card I got for Christmas. That way, if it was boring, I wouldn't be out any money.

Turns out I was a complete idiot for not buying it sooner. A book written entirely as corresponding letters between friends was an exciting concept for me. The story had a lot of charm. It offered up many different elements.

For instance:

• Inspiration - Elizabeth is the backbone of the story. She's strong, smart and willing to put up her own safety to preserve another.
• Tragedy - The details offered about the German's reign of torture and abuse during WWII were, at times, hard to stomach.
• Love - I can't say who falls in love but when it happens, it's sweet, funny and plays out beautifully.
• Endurance - The bonds of friendship, and appreciation of books, between the members of the literary society survived despair, hunger, German control and an eventual heartache.

In addition to this being a memorable story, I also learned two interesting things. I have now heard the term "Jerry-bag" and I now know that Oscar Wilde's full name is Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde.

I had a lot of fun reading this book. It was full of surprises that made me laugh and it gave me a much needed vacation upon the resilient and delightful shores of Guernsey.

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