Recent Reads

Hi everyone! Sorry for not posting yesterday, but my actual job and real life have been a bit hectic, and I didn't want to throw up a post just for the sake of having one. I know you all understand, so I'll just move on to today's post!

I'm joining in a bit late on a summer reading challenge with the Blonder Side of Life!  One of my main goals this year has been to read more, and thanks to my Kindle I have been a reading addict!  Today I'll be sharing the books that I read in July along with a mini review.  I hope you enjoy, and let me know what you've been reading! Make sure you also check out the Thinking Out Loud linkup!

 

Running for My Life by Lopez Lomong

10/10 Stars 

Simply put, this story is life-changing.  Lomong details his horrific childhood, in which he was kidnapped by Sudan rebels, then later escaped with older boys and ran for three days across the savannah to Kenya.  He eventually became an American citizen and Olympic athlete, even getting the opportunity to hold the American flag in the 2008 Olympics.  His story is inspiring, amazing, heartbreaking and full of hope.  This passage is my favorite from the book, which demonstrates his attitude the entire book:

I knew some who chose to feel sorry for themselves, who complained constantly about their lot in life.  What is the point of such complaining?  After all the whining and complaining is over, you still live in a refugee camp.  All the complaining in the world will not make your life any better.  Instead, you must choose to make the best of whatever the situation in which you find yourself, even in a place like Kakuma. 

Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!  It's a really easy read, and portions of the proceeds from the book go to Lomong's foundation, 4 South Sudan. 

It's In His Heart by Shelly Alexander

6/10 Stars

If you're looking for an easy read for the summer and like romance novels, this is a decent pick.  I finished it really quickly and enjoyed the story line and the characters.  It had the typical young-adult romance twists and turns, so it wasn't anything particularly special or interesting.

A Dark Lure by Loreth Anne White

8/10 Stars

I loved this book, which combined thriller and romance (my favorite!).  The main character is a woman who was abducted and tortured, then eventually escaped.  She changed her identity and ended up working at a remote ranch in Canada, where her kidnapper finds her years later.  The book is an easy read with lots of action, and isn't overly graphic like some books in this genre can be (hello, Gone Girl!).   Highly recommend!

Wreckage by Emily Bleeker

9/10 stars

I just finished this book, and could not put it down!  The story is told from two points of view and follows two timelines.  One takes place in the past, when the two main characters survived a plane crash in the South Pacific.  The second timeline is present day, when they are each being interviewed about their life stranded on an island.  It was a great read with lots of twists, turns, heartbreak and a surprise ending. 



What books have you read recently?
Has any book ever affected your outlook on life?