Sutton by J.R. Moehringer

TITLE:  Sutton
AUTHOR:  Moehringer, J.R.
GENRE:  Historical Fiction

DATES READ:  3/5/2014 - 3/30/2014

MY RATING:  4/5

This book was a birthday present from my mom this past year!  And I found out, throughout reading, that it's about a bank robber I heard of during my tour of Eastern State Penitentiary last year.  That made it even more fascinating for me!!!

It was a little difficult to get into the story because it constantly switches back and forth between past and "present" (a.k.a. late in the 1960's).  But once you get used to that, the story speeds along quite nicely.  I adore historical fiction and this book was a treat.  It made me more curious about Willie "the Actor" Sutton's life story, and how he got to his bank robber royalty status.  I loved the setting and the time period, and the characters were so fleshed out and real.

This is definitely a must for any historical fiction buff.

Will read and write soon!

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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

TITLE:  The Book Thief
AUTHOR:  Zusak, Markus
GENRE:  Historical Fiction

DATES READ:  2/5/2014 - 3/5/2014

MY RATING:  4/5

This book was a Christmas surprise from my mom.  The bigger surprise was that I had the same book waiting for her, all wrapped up under the tree (you would be amazed at how often we have done this).

Within The Book Thief, Zusak takes a difficult subject matter and molds it into something brilliant.  He presents it in a manner that is poetic and grimly beautiful; through the eyes of an innocent young girl, and through the eyes of someone who has much more experience with loss.  Very few books make me cry, and this one did.  I will forever adore the character of Hans Hubermann.

This book was truly touching.  I hope my mom reads it soon!

Will read and write soon!

Book Cover Source