Challenge: 50 Books discussion
Finish Line 2015
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LindaD's 2015 50-Book Challenge
2. The Butcher's Boy, by Thomas Perry ****As suspense/thrillers go, this one was top shelf. Although first published in 1982, it has held up well 30+ years later, and in my opinion it is well deserving of the Edgar Award it received. The plot revolves around an unnamed professional hit man who is, not surprisingly, connected to the Vegas underworld, and a young, inexperienced-in-the-field Justice Dept. analyst, Elizabeth Waring, who realizes that there is a serial killer on the loose. The two characters act and carry on separately throughout the novel, with the Feds trying to figure out what's going on, and why, and with the killer trying to tie up loose ends without also being killed himself in the process. It's really clever plotting, and it kept me reading late into the night.
3. Hawaii for Dummies, by Cheryl Farr Leas ****My friend and I are planning to travel to Hawaii this spring, she for the first time, whereas I actually lived on Oahu nearly 40 years ago, thereby making me the "expert" between the two of us. That being said, I quickly realized that things nowadays are undoubtedly VERY different from the way they were back then, so some updated research was in order for our trip to be successful. This book was an excellent place to start. It is chock full of good information, including general and specific travel tips, suggestions of what to see and what to not waste your time on, recommendations about transportation, lodging, entertainment and dining, when to rent a car for sightseeing versus relying instead on commercial tour companies, plus general cultural information that will come in handy throughout our trip to the islands. I took lots of notes and plan to contact many of the suggested business entities as our planning process proceeds. There are no photos in this book, just text and maps, but that's exactly what I needed -- the pretty pictures will be in "tour guides," which this is not. If I need to see what a certain place looks like, I can Google it. This is intended to get you started planning your trip from the ground up, and I appreciated that. What I came away from this was more than a skeleton of an itinerary, which is what we needed to get started. Aloha!
4. The Jane Austen Book Club, by Karen Joy Fowler ***In spite of the frequent drubbing this book has received here on GR, I'll admit that I enjoyed it. It's not high lit, and your world won't be shaken by having read it, but it was a pleasant diversion for a cold winter's day. Truth be told, I was a bit envious of the complex discussions that took place within the book group meetings, for one thing. But one problem I had was identifying who was narrating the individual chapters, because the the characters' personalities and tones didn't differ much as the stories were being told. But other than that, it was a fun, light read. Fans of the genre will probably enjoy comparing some of the goings-on there to their favorite Austen plots.
5. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed *****Cheryl Strayed truly touched my soul with her story. Her journey, not only in a physical sense, but also spiritual and emotional, was monumental. Having her share her innermost thoughts, struggles and challenges along the way felt like she was truly confiding to her readers as if we were her friends. I LOVED this book. I rarely rate anything five stars, but Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail has earned it in my mind.
6. Watchers of Time, by Charles Todd ****Excellent addition to the Inspector Rutledge series. It's a fairly complicated plot, set in the marshy Norfolk area of England, with a dark and gloomy atmosphere. I liked it a lot and stayed interested throughout, wondering how in the world Rutledge would figure it all out with just a minimum amount of help from the local constabulary, who already thought they had it solved. But as always, with the ghost of Hamish behind him, Rutledge prevailed.
7. Hiroshima, by John Hersey *****Although I've justifiably rated this book 5 stars, I can't find it in my heart to add it to my "favorites" list -- it would somehow minimize the effect it had on me. The word "favorite" somehow denotes enjoyment, whereas the story of Hiroshima was horrifying, tragic, incredibly sad, anything but enjoyable. Reading about how the six featured people -- all of them real people -- experienced the decimation of their world and were among the few "lucky" ones to survive, nearly broke my heart. Hershey's journalistic approach to writing their stories, without added drama or subjectivity in his writing, was brilliant.
Most people I know read this book decades ago while in high school; I didn't. Perhaps reading it 80 years after the actual event happened, with the benefit of further knowledge of politics and nuclear weaponry, enhanced my appreciation of the book now. What I do hope is that if ever, in the future, a country again considers a nuclear attack, the decision makers will re-read this book before pressing the button.
8. The Homesman, by Glendon Swarthout ****For fans of Lonesome Dove, this similar in some ways (albeit much shorter), western themed novel should appeal to you, too. It's the story of an unlikely duo, a True-Grit type woman and a claim-jumper lout of a man, who pair up to transport four women, who have lost their minds living on the frontier, back home to be reclaimed and cared for by their families. The characters and plot are really compelling, even for readers who won't usually gravitate toward westerns. Just do yourself a favor and refrain from reading any of the reviews containing spoilers ahead of time.
Many thanks to my dear friend and reading buddy, Alex, for recommending this one!
9. Oh, What Is the Time? by J. Mitchell Kent *****I just loved this wonderful children's book! I received my copy as a gift from the author, and it was a total joy to read. In it, he is teaching kids to tell time by associating each hour with the activities taking place in their lives, accompanied by charming illustrations. Can't wait to show it to our 1st grade grandson, who will definitely love it, too.
Radiantflux wrote: "Some great books on this list!"Thanks! No rhyme or reason for what I choose next -- the books just leap into my hands. And the stacks keep growing!
10. The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert ****Interesting book; well written. It's the 19th century life story of Alma Whittaker, a poor-little-rich girl/ugly duckling/self-trained botanist, and her search for love and an understanding of the natural world. It is enthralling in places, plodding and a bit strange in others, and full of information and insight about the study of plants during the pre-Darwin era. Will provide much fodder for book club discussions, I think.
11. The Smart Traveler's Passport, by Erik Torkells ***I picked this up while planning a couple of upcoming vacations, one abroad, one domestic, just to see if there were any useful tips and advice that I could use, and there actually are a lot of helpful things there, even for the seasoned traveler. The tips were submitted by readers of Budget Travel Magazine, so you can guess that much of the content concerns ways to save money, but there are many other helpful tips, too. Like multiple uses for Ziplock bags, for instance (ex.: bringing along a jumbo one to use for washing clothes!). Lots of websites are listed, too, for various purposes. It's not that this book is essential; it was just fun reading ideas gleaned from fellow travelers.
12. Riders of the Purple Sage, by Zane Grey ***As western novels go, this one will probably drive modern readers crazy. It's not that it's bad, it's just terribly old-fashioned in writing style, and as several other reviewers have mentioned, the redundancy of phrasing is crazy. I wish I had a nickel for every time "purple sage" was mentioned -- I'd be a rich woman. That being said, I can see why it's considered a classic of the genre, and I didn't consider chucking it without finishing it. And now, if I'm ever in a conversation where western novels are mentioned, I can claim to have read one by Zane Grey.
12. Riders of the Purple Sage, by Zane Grey ***As western novels go, this one will probably drive modern readers crazy. It's not that it's bad, it's just terribly old-fashioned in writing style, and as several other reviewers have mentioned, the redundancy of phrasing is crazy. I wish I had a nickel for every time "purple sage" was mentioned -- I'd be a rich woman. That being said, I can see why it's considered a classic of the genre, and I didn't consider chucking it without finishing it. And now, if I'm ever in a conversation where western novels are mentioned, I can claim to have read one by Zane Grey.
13. Don't Stop the Carnival, by Herman Wouk ****I brought this 1960s-era novel along to read on our recent vacation, and it ended up being a really good choice. In it, native New Yorker Norman Paperman chucks his stressful show-biz/theatre life in the city to buy a run-down hotel on a small Caribbean island, and what ensues -- the constant hotel disasters, the quirky new friends he meets, his naïveté about island politics and work ethics, etc. -- makes for really funny and entertaining reading. It was so easy to imagine the hilarious missteps and misunderstandings that he experienced really happening on some of the islands we visited, especially on those that aren't overly sophisticated about tourism. Author Herman Wouk is usually considered a serious writer (at least he is to me), but this was a wonderful departure into humor by him. It was an easy, enjoyable book, and I would recommend it as a fun vacation read.
14. The Winter People, by Jennifer McMahon ***1/2An above-average, spooky mystery, told alternately between the year 1908 and the present, and centering around an old diary (with, of course, missing pages), an old lady's curse, several violent deaths, and ghostly appearances of a long-dead child. Kind of Stephen King-ish, but not quite as terrifying.
15. An Embarrassment of Mangoes, by Ann Vanderhoof ****Ann and Steve Vanderhoof won't need to look back someday and regret not living out their dreams. Twenty years ago, approaching middle age, they took a two-year hiatus from their busy, stress-filled lives in Toronto, packed up some essentials and sailed their 42-foot sailboat to the Caribbean and back, lingering among the islands as the spirit moved them, making friends among the islanders and other cruisers along the way, and otherwise immersing themselves in the tropical culture and life. They had a marvelous, life-changing time, and while their tale isn't filled with calamities and high drama, Ann manages to enthrall the reader with her travelogue, making us feel like we are sailing right along with them and living a less complicated life, too. I had brought this book along with me on a cruise last month but didn't get around to reading it until returning home. Coincidentally, we visited several of the same less-frequented islands that the Vanderhoofs did (Grenada, St. Lucia, Mayreau, Bequia), and reading about their experiences allowed me to relive the brief time we spent there again, which was wonderful. Many of Ann's favorite memories are of a culinary nature -- learning to adapt to and cook unfamiliar foods, based on what's available in each port, and gleaning recipes from the locals -- so she shared dozens of those with us, adding a different dimension to the story. All in all, this is a great book for arm-chair travelers. I enjoyed every page.
16. Boy, Snow, Bird, by Helen Oyeyemi ***Sorry, just not my cup of tea. Even reading some reviews beforehand alluding to the fairy-tale plot parallels didn't help. Guess my tastes run more to the traditional.
17. The Girl You Left Behind, by JoJo Moyes ****My expectations were very high for this novel after reading and loving Me Before You by this author, but it's very hard to compare the two, because they are so different. This story is split between the WWI era and 2001, and is about a lost/stolen painting. It's romantic and sad, like the other book, but to me it wasn't quite as riveting. Enjoyed it, though.
18. I Pity the Poor Immigrant, by Zachary Lazar ***This is a difficult novel to review. One one hand, it was for the most part well written, with moments of brilliance. On the other hand, it frenetically jumped around between three different times, places and various characters, which frequently made me lose interest, put it down, and then have to later re-read several pages to remind me where I was and what point the author was trying to make. I'm not Jewish; perhaps if I was, it would have held a deeper meaning for me, since it deals primarily with Jewish identity in all its forms. If so, I apologize for not being more knowledgable in order to better appreciate this book.
I received this novel in ARC form from a First Reads giveaway.
19. All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr *****What I loved about this book: the plot, the characters, the beautiful writing, EVERYTHING! Like many other reviewers, I hated to see it end. It's the touching story, told in alternating chapters, of a blind French girl and a brilliant German boy, neither of whom knew the other, and how their separate lives unfolded during WWII. It's so very well done -- be sure and read it.
20. The Martian, by Andy Weir *****I LOVED this book, sci-fi be darned! Entertaining, suspenseful, great protagonist, well balanced on all fronts. Note to self: going on a mission to Mars will NOT be on my bucket list!
20. The Martian, by Andy Weir *****I LOVED this book, sci-fi be darned! Entertaining, suspenseful, great protagonist, well balanced on all fronts. Note to self: going on a mission to Mars will NOT be on my bucket list!
21. Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty ****An enjoyable, couldn't-put-it-down, who's-dead-and-who-done-it novel, focussing on a bunch of Australian folks with elementary aged kids, and a big, tragic mess that occurs on School Trivia Night. The plot centers on three main characters, Jane, Madeline and Celeste, and their children, starting shortly after Jane and her son Ziggy arrive in town, with the drama beginning to unfold from the git-go, with lots of secrets, lies, gossip, betrayals, bullying and crazy behavior permeating everywhere and everyone. This one kept me up reading all night -- I had to find out the ending! I've become a big Liane Moriarty fan.
22. Son of the Rough South, by Karl Fleming ****The late Karl Fleming certainly led an interesting life. It started out rough, when his impoverished mother placed him and his sister in a North Carolina orphanage when she wasn't able to support them. But as an adult, he discovered his calling as a newspaperman and later as a writer for Newsweek, and he eventually ended up right in the thick of things during the Civil Rights era, where his relationships with the key players made for a compelling story. He was certainly no angel, which he freely admitted, but the incredible things that he witnessed firsthand, and how he managed to get to that point, kept me interested until the end.
23. Mission to Paris, by Alan Furst ***Decent pre-WWII spy thriller, with a famous Hollywood actor trying to outsmart the Nazis while filming a movie in Paris and Hungary.
24. East of the Mountains, by David Guterson *** 1/2Well written but melancholic novel about an elderly surgeon afflicted with colon cancer, who decides to commit suicide rather than suffer until the end. The journey he takes, both literally and figuratively, is very slow moving, sometime even sleep inducing to the reader, but in the end it was worth reading.
Love your book choices and reviews! Keep reading (and writing!).
25. The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion *****Funny, charming, quirky, lovely. Don and Rosie were wonderful characters, to the degree that once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Can't wait for book club, to talk about it. Seems like everyone else read this book ages ago -- I'm happy to have finally joined them!
Thanks, Laura. My tastes run all over the place, so I never know what'll be next in line outside of book club selections. Reading is so fulfilling!
26. In the Woods, by Tana French ****I liked this book a lot. Set in Dublin and a nearby town, the story is told by a Murder Squad detective, who is psychologically damaged from a childhood tragedy himself, about his and his partner's investigation into the murder of a young girl near an archeological dig. There are lots of interesting characters and subplots, and I didn't guess the ending until it slapped me in the face. Am looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.
27. Poor Richard, by Charles Vella ***I received this novel in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. It was entertaining, but rather disjointed, and it is clearly intended for a male audience, with spies, murder, CIA, a military coup, that sort of thing. The protagonist kept changing, which to me indicated a lack of focus, and I never felt connected to any of the characters. Sorry.
28. The Girls of Mischief Bay, by Susan Mallery ***My friend and I listened to this book in my car while driving to and from the beach last week, and while there were a few interesting plot developments, we both agreed that this book wasn't our cup of tea. To begin with, it took until almost halfway through it (CD #4 out of 9) for anything at all dramatic to happen. We were bored silly up until then. And with the exception of just one of the character's reactions to a personal tragedy, which seemed to ring true, neither of the other plot lines seemed realistic. It helped us pass the time during our journey, but that's about all I can say about it. Maybe reading it, instead of listening to it, would've made a difference in our level of enjoyment, but I somehow doubt it.
29. I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You, by Courtney Maum *** 1/2. In spite of the plethora of negative reviews, I enjoyed this book. Sure, it featured a sentimental, sappy, weak-chinned, cheating protagonist, but the story was all about family, regrets, redemption and true love. And Paris! What's not to like about that, I ask you? So in spite of its flaws, I'm happy to have read this novel.
30. The Book of Unknown Americans, by Cristina Henríquez ***An engrossing but simplistic view of a cross-section of Hispanic immigrants who are neighbors in an apartment complex in Delaware. The author successfully addresses some of the problems such families might encounter while trying to assimilate in a new country, but aside from the sympathy I felt over the hardships they experienced, the characters just never felt real to me. The subject matter is certainly relevant at this time, though.
31. Legacy of the Dead (#4 in the Ian Rutledge Mystery Series), by Charles Todd**** I really enjoy the Inspector Rutledge mysteries, this one being no exception. Dark, atmospheric, complicated, oh-so-British seeming (although authored by Yanks, I'm told), and featuring such compelling lead characters. Just plain great.
32. Go Set a Watchman, by Harper Lee ****Let's face it: there is no way a person can read Go Set a Watchman without comparing it to To Kill a Mockingbird. Impossible. But I found it fascinating to see where Harper Lee's head was at before writing her beloved classic. Apparently, when her editor first read Go Set a Watchman, TKAM's predecessor, he astutely encouraged the author to delve back further into Scout's childhood. In doing so, she produced a much more dramatic and complete story in Mockingbird than in this one here. But GSAW is also a powerful book, where an adult Jean Louise Finch returns home to Maycomb, Alabama, from her new life in New York City, and faces some unpleasant truths about her hometown and her dear father, things she hadn't realized until she moved away and then later returned with a fresh perspective and adult awareness. There are no real heroes here, unlike in Mockingbird, and the mid-50s South is on full display, warts and all. But it was interesting to see how Miss Lee depicted the painful changes taking place in the country back then, when the U.S. was first trying to slowly creep toward equality between the races. Miss Lee's writing here will feel so familiar, like visiting an old friend. I was happy to see that now, once and for all, the controversy about who actually wrote TKAM can finally be put to rest: it was obviously Harper Lee who wrote both books. And although GSAW is nothing close to the perfection of Mockingbird, I am glad to have read it.
33. The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, by Rachel Joyce ****Sweet, melancholy, but also at times funny, this companion book to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, which I loved, charmed me from beginning to end. Queenie and her fellow hospice friends were wonderful characters, and although the outcome was inevitable, the journey there was very touching and redemptive. Keeping in mind that the stories in the two books completely overlap (the first is from Harold's perspective, the latter from Queenie's), I would advise leaving some time between reading each of them, so that the plots don't feel repetitive. Recommended for readers who enjoy tender, poignant tales.
34. Eventide, by Kent Haruf ***This is the second book in Kent Haruf's chronicle of small-town Colorado life (Plainsong, Eventide, Benediction), and it's a good one, particularly if character driven, small-moment, poignant but not very exciting plots are your thing. The main focus continues to be the McPheron brothers and the young woman and baby who they've taken care of, but there are several other families whose lives are followed, too. The overriding mood/atmosphere is mostly one of quiet desperation and sadness, but there are occasional moments of happiness and love, which somewhat ease the tension. I can easily imagine that this slice of life represents the way things really play out in many small towns and for families who live there, but the lack of any instances of real joy or excitement was rather depressing. Very good writing, but be forewarned that this is not a feel-good, lighthearted novel.
35. The Bat, by Jo Nesbø, ***1/2Wow, that was exciting! After hearing that it's best to read Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole series in order, I began with this one, #1, and it didn't disappoint. Harry is an emotionally damaged, alcoholic, Norwegian police detective, who in this first novel is on assignment from Oslo to Australia, helping to solve the murder of a young Norwegian woman. Between aborigines, strippers and prostitutes, a guillotine, man-eating fish and reptiles, professional fighters, a serial killer, skydiving and general mayhem, this book has it all -- even a bit of romance thrown in for good measure. I liked it!
36. Return to Christmas, by Kathi Macias ***I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Although I am a Christian, reading religious-themed books is not my usual cup of tea. That being said, Return to Christmas, by Kathi Macias, was well done. The story centers on a young couple and their small circle of friends, and the internal struggle the husband, Chet, has because of PTSD following his military service in Afghanistan, including his loss of faith and inability to fit into his former civilian life. The couple's young son is often the ray of light and hope that keeps the couple together, as well as the wife's strong and enduring faith in God, and eventually, through many poignant, emotional episodes and much soul searching, progress is made. I was touched by the story, and realize that this situation may be more widespread than we might realize among veterans. So I applaud Kathi Macias for addressing the issue in this book in an easily read manner, where readers who may be experiencing this same situation might find support and possible answers. But as a side note, anyone who is bothered by constant references to God, prayer and church-related activities might be put off by this one.
37. Birds of Prey, by J.A. Jance ***This audio book was our choice for whiling away the hours during a long car ride, and my husband and I both enjoyed it. It's #15 in the J.P. Beaumont mystery series, and takes place on an Alaskan cruise. Fun, diverting, a tad predictable.
38. The Teachings of Shirelle: Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead, by Douglas Green ****I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
...and I'm glad I did, because if you're a dog lover, which I am, it's a goody. Doug, the author, was blessed to have the love of his life, his dog Shirelle, share his life with him for over a decade -- what a lucky man. She was a handful at times, but also a constant source of joy and enlightenment to him. This book could've been subtitled, "Zen and the Art of Learning to Fully Live Life, as Taught by Your Pet." Less a straightforward story about Shirelle, and more about how Doug's life was changed by Shirelle's sharing it with him, it is told chronologically, but there are many side stories to illustrate his points. It was as if Shirelle was his life coach in many ways. The reader will laugh, cry, smile frequently, and most of all wish for a pet like this sweet and feisty pound pup, unless you already are fortunate enough to have one -- in which case, looking into its eyes from now on might take on a whole new depth of meaning for you. Well done.
39. A Week in Winter, by Maeve Binchy ***I feel a little guilty not loving this book as much as everyone else did, but although it was gentle, cozy and sweet, it wasn't anything to rave about. The first half follows the main character, Chicky, who returns to her Irish homeland from New York and opens a small rural hotel that specializes in providing winter getaways for its guests. The second half tells the stories of the individual guests who visit there during the hotel's opening week, with each guest given his or her own chapter. For loyal fans of the late Maeve Binchy, I'm sure this is right up their alley; for everyone else, it's a bit too predictable.
40. The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins ****Filled with lots of twists and turns, this psychological thriller is a real goodie. It starts slowly, gathering momentum as each chapter passes, until the exciting conclusion comes at you like an oncoming train. Once I got into the meat of it, all household tasks were put aside until I finished. Yes, I can see the comparisons to Gone Girl. If you like the one, you will undoubtedly enjoy the other. I sure did! Stylistically, I thought that using all three of the main female characters as unreliable narrators was a great way to set up the story.
41. My Sister's Grave (Tracy Crosswhite's #1), by Robert Dugoni ****In this exciting police procedural/thriller, the body of Seattle PD detective Tracy Crosswhite's sister, who had disappeared and was presumed murdered 20 years ago, had finally been discovered. Tracy was convinced that the man convicted of the brutal crime wasn't guilty, so with the help of her childhood friend Dan, now an attorney, she had the case reopened. What ensued was more than anyone bargained for. Along with the mayhem that one would expect in this type of novel, Tracy also learned some hard truths about her family and friends, and saw that things are often not what they seem at first glance.
I throughly enjoyed this book, which pulled me in from the first page. The main characters, Tracy and Dan, were well developed, and it was an easy but gripping read. Recommended for all fans of this genre.
Note: I received this book from Netgalley in exchanged for an honest review.
42. After the Circus, by Patrick Modiano ****The city of Paris, rife with mystery, is definitely the star of this short novel. Anyone who has visited there will feel like they're back again, walking the familiar streets, eating in cafés. The two main characters, teen-aged Jean and his new, slightly older paramour, Gisele, are immersed in intrigue and deceit as soon as they meet, and they spend most of their time wandering almost randomly around the city during the few days that the story encompasses. During that time, as they become better acquainted and while encountering one shady character after another, many more questions are asked than answered. But that's okay; Nobel Prize winner Mondiano expertly sets the stage, pulls his readers into the story, and leaves us filling in the possible explanations ourselves. Although it takes place in the '60s, it almost had a WWII feel to it, or it did to me. I liked it! For once, not having things neatly wrapped up at the end was fine. It has kept me thinking about the story long after the final page.
Note: I received this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
43. A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines *****This is a profound, deeply moving story about a poor, young black man in '40s-era Louisiana, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to die, and the plantation schoolteacher who was given the task of mentally preparing the young man for his execution, and to help him die with dignity. My heart just ached for these characters and what their lives were like back then, but even now, over 70 years later, this novel is relevant. It really packed a wallop with me.
44. The Ginseng Hunter, by Jeff Talarigo ***1/2Although this story takes place in the 1990s, it feels in its simplicity like the characters exist in a much older time. It tells of a traditional Chinese ginseng hunter who lives along a remote stretch of the the river separating China from North Korea, and his observances of and ultimate involvement with several Koreans who are escaping from the starvation and cruelty in their country into his. It is written in a spare, simple style that lacks emotion, but which in this case seems appropriate, since the horrors and cruelty exhibited require a certain amount of detachment. There are few if any happy tales coming from modern day North Korea, although this one is by no means the most horrific of the lot, since our protagonist's exposure is so limited. Interestingly, none of the characters are named, which accentuates the anonymity and detachment.
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Watchers of Time (other topics)Hawaii For Dummies, 4th Edition (other topics)
This is a powerful, disturbing book, not for the faint of heart, that tells the true story of Amanda Lindhout's 2008 kidnapping by Somali terrorists, and how she survived the 460 days of brutal treatment during captivity while awaiting a rescue that almost didn't come. The first 100 pages tell of her wanderlust and exotic travels all over the world, but when she rejects common sense and chases danger in war-torn Somalia, all bets are off for her and her traveling companion, Nigel, who is also captured and held for ransom. This story will stay with you long after you finish reading about it.