Angela's Ashes and 'Tis - Frank McCourt

one sentence summary
The live of a boy growing up in a depressed Ireland. folowed by 'Tis The story of that boy immigrating to New York City at 19
Review
These are well written, horribly depressing novels. McCourt paints such a vivid image of a terrible, neglected childhood that you will want to pull him out of and put him in foster care. He follows it up with a horrid young adult life that will make you glad you aren't as misfortunate as he is. That said they are also really funny, in a dark and twisted sort of way. I found the religion reflected in them a little on the extreme side of things and a bit off putting. That said if you enjoy reading family dramas I would recommend these to you.
6/10

Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay

One Sentence Summary:

In 1942 a Jewish girl hides her brother in the cupboard when the police take her away thinking she will be right back, in 2002 a reported uncovers the story of the girl.

Review:

I really enjoyed this story though the writing was a bit jilted with abrupt scenee changes from time to time, especially in the 2002 parts of the novel. De Rosnay's historical fiction is her strongest point, and I would like  to read more historical work from her. I am not sold on her modern era writing but it is still a solid story. Some of the characters were a bit weak, seemingly thrown in for no reason other than that De Rosnay thinks they should exist, they really didn't do much to move the story along. There were also rushed segments. But if you like WW2 fiction I recommend this as it has all the elements of a great war story.   

8/10

If you enjoyed this I recommend:
Winter Garden - Kristin Hannah
Day After Night - Anita Diamant
The Secret Daughter - Shilpi Somaya Gowda

An Amish Love - Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long

one sentence summary:
1) A white lie ends in a forced marriage
2) A blind girl finds love
3) A man who left the community returns and has to regain his wife's trust
Review:
These three stories are all really good reads, Amish romances are one of my "guilty" pleasures. I enjoy the immersion into an "alien culture" that is more alien to me than most sci-fi "aliens'. these stories are all page turners and the stories all have happy endings. I highly recommend these stories to anyone who enjoys romances or is interested in Amish culture.
6/10
8/10

If you enjoyed this check out books on this list 

The Indian in the Cupboard - Lynne Reid Banks

one sentence summary:
A boy's toys begin to come to life.
Review:
This is a wonderful whimsical book that I recommend to all early readers, it is written to about a grade 4 level. I really enjoy the story,the plot is quick and highly entertaining (I do not recommend the movie... it isn't particularly good). The vocabulary is remarkably extensive for a book written to this level. The characters are all really well written as well.
10/10

If you enjoyed this check out E B White and Edith Nesbitt

The Colour Purple - Alice Walker

one sentence summary
Celie has a terrible terrible life.
review
Let me preface this by saying, even as an atheist I understand why the letters are addressed to God (though I don't believe a specific religion is ever touted or pushed) and did not let that colour my opinion of this novel. I enjoyed it but it is not for everyone, it is a terrible story, well told in a jilting letter format. Occasionally at the end of a letter I could hear myself saying what horrible thing can possibly happen next, only to continue on the terrible life of the protagonist. This novel made me very glad I live the life I live in the era I live it in.  You will cry and you will be angry but about half way through the main character has a totally new outlook on life and suddenly you are rooting for her. I recommend this book to anyone who doesn't mind reading a terrible story, well written but horribly depressing.
6/10

if you enjoyed this read:
Maya Angelou
Toni Morrison

Kathryn Stockett
Margaret Atwood

Amy Tan

Fall of Giants - Ken Follett

one sentence summary:
1911 - 1924 this is the way the world worked.
review:
A lot of characters and a lot of places are covered in this novel, thorough historical research made this a more than pleasant read. Many details to keep track of though, with the characters stories crisscrossing across a decade and many countries. I would really have preferred the book be in a few separately bound volumes but that said it is well worth hunkering down and reading. Follett's writing puts function above beauty and that works really well for his elaborate story lines. I recommend this to everyone interested in the early twentieth century.
8/10

If you enjoyed this I recommend Edward Rutherford

The Blood Gospel - James Rollins

one sentence summary:
it is up to one trio to keep the world from ending in hell-fire and brimstone.
Review
A solid start to a new brainless action adventure historical mystery series (think Dan Brown et al). Told in Rollins typical fly by the seat of your pants action packed adventure that keeps you flipping pages with what I am guessing is the historical and female perspective of new comer Rebecca Cantrell this lives up to Rollins usual (not all that high) standards of writing. I recommend this for anyone who wants to read a Catholicism meets vampire meets Indiana Jones adventure.
6/10

If you enjoyed this check out books by:
Douglas Preston, Steve Berry, Dan Brown, Matthew Riley, and anyone else labelled "treasure hunter action adventure novel"