Shadows in the Asylum: The Case Files of Dr. Charles Marsh

Dr. Marsh is new at the Kriegmoor Psychiatric Institute. Following a recent trial in Texas, Marsh escapes to the remote quiet of northern Wisconsin to once again pursue his career. Following a regular group of patients, Marsh becomes particularly fascinated with Kari Hansen, otherwise known as patient # HA-09. Kari, 20 years old, was forced to drop out of college and became a patient at Kriegmoor when she became obsessed with shadow-like-creatures that were coming for her, threatening to emotionally torment and physically hurt her. Kari becomes a top priority for Marsh, especially after unexplained cuts, bruises, and markings appear on Kari's skin. Marsh begins to delve deeper into Kari's history, attempting to find any explanation and perhaps some resolve to the issues at hand. However, what Marsh discovers has startling effects on not only Kari, but his other patients as well as himself.

Addicting. This book reads like a case file, rather than a novel. The pages are composed of articles, patient records, historical documents, and scribbled-writings of Dr. Marsh himself. Here is the link to amazon, where you can look at some examples. Right from the very beginning I was hooked. If you are one for horror/suspense/psychological thrillers, this is a book that is not to be missed! Pssst...here is the website for the book, if you are interested.

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

In the second book of the Uglies triology, Tally has finally taken the plunge and become a pretty. She recalls bits and pieces of her former life, but mainly focuses on partying and joining a clique known as the "crims". This highly regarded clique is composed of other pretties who played a lot pranks or at least got in a decent amount of trouble back in their ugly days. Through this clique, Tally meets Zane. Together they fight to remember the past and restore their future. All of the characters are back and they have a plan to turn pretty town inside out and re-align themselves with the "smokies", a reclusive community of people who live in the wild outside of the authoritative restrictions of the "pretty" community. As with anything, no plan is perfect.

I immensely enjoyed Pretties. Much more-so than Uglies. While Uglies was interesting and necessary to set the tone for the entire series, it was very predictable. After Westerfeld set acclimated readers to the ugly/pretty world, he was able to dive deeper and create a story with a deeper plot as well as throw in some unexpected turns. Again, it's not the great American novel, but it's a good story. One in which I was able to get quickly wrapped up in.

Uglies be Scott Westerfeld

Tally Youngblood can not wait to turn sixteen. It's the age you get the operation...to become a pretty, to look like everyone else. Shortly before Tally turns sixteen, she meets Shay. Shay isn't interested in becoming pretty. Instead, Shay wants to stay exactly as she is. Therefore, she runs into the wilderness to find "the smoke," a society where people can live just as they are, without an operation. The society in which Tally lives in does not approve of such societies. In attempt to snuff out "the smoke," officials tell Tally that she can either find and reveal the secret location, or she can stay ugly for life. Choosing to become pretty, Tally journies into the unknown to find The Smoke, and she does. However, the utopian socitey is quite different than she anticipated, and Tally finds herself with a much tougher choice than she thought possible.

A fun, quick read, which I needed as life has been majorly stressful lately. I look forward to the rest of the triology...Pretties and Specials. Uglies definitely had faster-and-slower-paced portions. I have started Pretties and it definitely has a faster pace to it so far. Anyways, it's a good read if you are looking for something entertaining.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

A timeless tale indeed. The story takes place during the depression era. After his parents die in a tragic accident, Jacob Jankowski, 23, is left to live out the rest of his life penniless and alone. Abandoning his final exams for veterinary school, Jacob hops aboard a circus train, uncertain of what he seeks. What he stumbles into is the Benzini Brothers Greatest Show On Earth. Though the circus is second-rate at best, it offers Jacob the chance to meet a variety of new people and live a completely different life, unlike any he has ever known.


I really don't want to give too much away. This is by far the BEST book I have read all year. The Benzini Brothers Circus offers a variety of multidimensional, colorful characters, some you will love and others you will hate. The journey Jacob takes throughout the novel is amazing. Gruen definitely did her research on the era and the circus. I read several rave reviews on this book a while back when it first came out, and never really gave it chance, not being interested in the circus and whatnot. I wish I would have picked it up sooner. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to get lost in a truly amazing story.

Also, if you can get a hold of Water for Elephants on audio book, I would recommend to digest the story that way best. Though the reader still goes on the same journey, the audio book offers, what I think, is a better idea of the type of characters Gruen wanted to portray. I read the book half-and-half, half in the car on audio and half in the novel itself. I was completely absorbed in it. Whichever form you chose, don't miss out. I will definitely read this book again.

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

I have heard a lot of negative buzz in regards to Breaking Dawn. Honestly, it was my favorite book in the Twilight Saga. I had to ration the last half of the book to make it last as long as possible. I really enjoyed the entire series. I wasn't even through the first chapter of Twilight before I became completely wrapped up in the Cullen's world. I believe that people have heavily criticized the series because they were looking for a great literary masterpiece. The fact of the matter is this is just a good story. There is nothing precisely remarkable about the series, except that it's a good story. So if elegant prose or symbolism are what you seek, look further. For those willing to get immersed into an imaginative and magical world, I highly recommend Breaking Dawn as well as the entire Twilight Saga.