Emma's Bookish Lifestyle

The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have read many books on the holocaust and it's survivors but apart from Anne Frank they have mainly been from the perspective of male survivors. What I regarded so highly in this book was both Edith Egers writing style and was astounded by her ability even all these years on to not only face the horror head on but use it for the benefit of others. She admits early on that "I am happiest when I am alone, when I can retreat into my inner world...". Something that is constantly referred to is the choices she has had to make and that have been such an integral part of her life and whether focus should in fact be on those things we lose or to the things we do have in our life. One quote from her mother has stuck with me even now "No one can take away from you what you've put in your mind". I still find it awe inspiring the inner strength and determination to kindl...

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks My rating: 3 of 5 stars This is a thriller in the veign of Gone Girl, and although I can agree to some extent I do feel that authors should not be compared as it can be the kiss of death to a premise. In this case I really did enjoy this book, I read it during a stay in hospital and found it light heartedly drawing me in however, not as intense in the suspense or so I thought.....making it easy to read for hours on end. The story begins with Vanessa and her husband Richard and their married life together, until he begins an affair with his secretary at work (cliche I know but stick with it!). When it falls apart so does Vanessa's life and she immerses herself in the pain of her failed relationship and where it went wrong. Vanessa however is far from blameless and when Richard becomes engaged to Nellie and provides her with the love and security she craves, as her wedding looms ever closer she feels that she is not alone...

Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss My rating: 5 of 5 stars This darkly poignant and compelling novella draws you in from the first pages and holds you to the very end. The tale of Sylvie and her summer's experience with her family and small group of university student's opens her not only to the experience of iron age living but to the devastating climax of her time living as an iron age villager. There are trigger warnings for violence in this book however, these are delicately handled and Sarah Moss had an almost lyrical way of writing that both draws you in to the surroundings and it's modern connection to times now past. At times Sylvie is portrayed as just a teenager desperately seeking normality and yet at times darkly mirrors the demise of an iron age sacrifice. This book is so far one of the best books of my year and I cannot recommend it highly enough. View all my reviews