Shutter Island

To be honest, this is not usually the type of story that I enjoy reading. However, there was something about it that seemed appealing and I found myself coming back to this book over and over. Finally, I determined to read it.

It was one of those books that I just couldn't put down. It was absolutely riveting. I lived and breathed it, felt every twist and turn. It was emotionally exhausting but one of the most amazing suspense books that I have ever read - a true masterpiece of the genre. I loved it!

Lady Audley's Secret

This was acutally a book club selection. I was irritated with this choice, at first. When I read the synopsis of the book, I thought I had it all figured out. It was so obvious, after all. Then, I started reading. The writers craft was so beautiful it was almost lyrical. The descriptions were moving, like painting a picture with words. The descriptions reminded me of the descriptions of the Manderly estate in Rebecca, by Dauphne du Maurier (if you haven't read Rebecca, it's a MUST!).
Even though the plot seemed obvious, the story reels you in. I find myself caring about the characters, especially Robert, almost in spite of myself. In the end, this book managed to surprise me, several times in fact and I found myself pleasantly surprised. It's a little slow, at first, but if you give it a few chapters to develop, the story is well worth it!

Matched

For those of you who enjoyed the Hunger Games, this is a great book. It isn't as violent in the real sense of the word, but it makes you think about the direction we are going and who really makes the choices in our lives, and more importantly who should be.

This is the story of a young girl. She lives in a future society that selects your "match" based on your genenic makeup to ensure citizens who are both smart and healthy. Sounds like a perfect society where they have eradicated disease right? But then why do all the older people all die on their 80th birthday? Why are the relics from the past civilization taken? And who gets to decide what works of art should be preserved or not?

Cassia's "match" turns out differently than she expects that it will, and this causes her to question everything she was raised to believe. Which would you choose - the society who tells you it only wants what is best for you, or the freedom to make your own choice? It's a great book.