The Giver by Lois Lowry is about a way of life that is protected from the harsh ways of life. There is no color, no choices, no dilemmas; everyone is structured an controlled, except for the giver. This is a dramatic and intense novel that makes you appreciate our world even though there are hardships.
Racing In the Rain by Garth Stein is and amazing book, told from a dogs perspective you escape into the life of an average family. It is about the struggles and challenges that face us all; love, children, marriage, death.
Although I read this book a long time ago, Mira, Mira by Mette Harrison still sticks in my mind. The novel tells the tale of a girl and her sister living long ago in enchanted woods when one of the sisters turns evil. It is all about the love and sacrifice and the amazing coincidences of life.
The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux is about 3 girls who meet when they are 20 and beautiful and then have a 40 year old reunion when they are all unhappy with the choices they have made. They get the chance to go back and do it all again through them the book shows the dilemma of life's choices and the what ifs.
As I grew up in the South I was very familiar with the concepts in The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It is a great read and it brings up the memories of my childhood as well as some sad revelations about our world.
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