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The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon







Recently Read:

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: I've wanted to read this book for a while, ever since seeing it appear over and over again in the rom-com Serendipity.  Marquez writes this story of an unrequited love spanning over 50 years with such rich, detailed and vibrant language that you'll feel like you're actually watching from the streets of Colombia.  Florentino Ariza falls madly in love with Fermina Daza while a teenager.  When she chooses to marry a wealthy doctor instead, he spends the rest of his life waiting for his chance to win her back.  Fifty-one years, nine months and four days, to be exact.  Definitely devote some time to reading this heart-breaking story whenever you get a chance. 


Caught by Harlan Coben: Once again, prepare to devote a large amount of time to reading this book, as you won't be able to put it down once you start.  Perfect "girl-next-door" type Haley disappears from her bedroom one night, around the same time that social worker Dan is hit with false accusations by a sex crimes show.  As in all of Coben's books, the two seemingly unrelated cases come crashing together, with twists and turns every step of the way.  By now I've accepted the fact that I'll never be disappointed by a Harlan Coben book, and Caught is no exception to that rule.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult: As always, Jodi Picoult's newest novel will capture your attention and your heart with every turn of the page.  Jacob, an 18 year-old with Aspergers and a passionate interest in forensics, becomes the main suspect in the murder of his tutor. Somehow, Picoult manages to take you deep within the mind of a person with Aspergers as if she's been there herself.  Told from different points of view, House Rules will have you second guessing your own instincts from start to finish, and by the end you'll be dying to know what really happened.   

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon:  I mentioned this series in one of my recent posts.  Outlander is the story of Claire Randall, who accidentally travels back in time to Scotland in the 1700's and falls in love with (the most ideal male character ever created) Jamie Fraser.  It's like The Time Traveler's Wife meets Braveheart, but so much better.  I just finished book four and even though each book is about a thousand pages, I just can't get enough of this insanely romantic and epic story.  So if you like historical fiction and romance, do yourself a favor and go pick up the first book.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  And I dare you not to fall in love with Jamie Fraser. 

Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus: Sequel to The Nanny Diaries, which was made into an okay movie starring Scarlett Johansson and an always amazing Laura Linney.  In the sequel, set 10 years later, a now 16 year-old Grayer returns wanting to know why Nanny abandoned him all those years ago.  Nan once again finds herself back in the world of the Xs and the Upper East Side.  It's been so long since I read the first one that I can't say for sure whether this one is better, but I enjoyed it!

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson: The sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, this one is even better than the first.  Lisbeth Salander is of the most unique characters you'll ever meet, and you learn even more about her past in this book. They recently made The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo into a movie in Sweden, and you can watch the trailer here.  I would definitely recommend this series and already can't wait to find out what happens next in The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, which will be released in May.  Let's hope it ends nicely, as the author passed away before all three were published.