I'm not proud, but...

I had to abandon a book.  I tried with all my might, but no matter how much I read of Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, my Kindle seemed to stay stuck on "13 % read."  I tell you this to show that it truly is okay to just let something go occasionally!  I am a person who is typically stubborn and wants to follow through with anything I start, but I just couldn't do it this time.  When I read for pleasure and enjoyment, I don't want it to feel like a chore.  I want to get lost in the characters and the plot, and to feel like I'm watching a movie in my head as I'm making my way through the pages.  With Unbroken, I couldn't make that happen.  That being said, I would recommend this book to anyone who is a history buff and enjoys getting a new perspective on significant historical events. 

Because I still want to expand my reading repetoire, I chose my next book to keep with my desire to read more non-fiction.  It's not terribly "literary," but I am currently reading Orange is the New Black, by Piper Kerman.  Here is the summary from amazon.com: 

 With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before. But that past has caught up with her. Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424—one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman’s story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison—why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they’re there.   

I'm on page 35 of 295, and she just got to prison.  I have to admit that I'm enjoying it so far.  I've always being fascinated with the prison system as a whole (I took multiple Criminology classes in college and have a Sociology minor), so this book holds quite an appeal for me.  I'll keep you posted, but I think this is one book journey I should be able to complete! 

How about you?  Have you ever abandoned a book?  If so, why, and what was the book?  I'd love to know!

I'm trying...

I recently finished Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.  I read this book because it was one of the Alex award winners and was a summer reading option for students.  I mentioned in a previous post that I don't like reading sad books...and yet here I am again, reading another sad book.  The main plot line revolved around a young girl whose uncle had died of AIDS and her relationship with another man who was in the process of dying from it.  I wouldn't say I enjoyed reading this book the way I enjoyed reading, say, Harry Potter, because it was emotionally taxing.  However, I found myself very invested in the characters and their stories.  My favorite part of this book was that there were multiple subplots happening beyond the main plot line.  One of these was about the relationship between the two sisters.  The story was told from the viewpoint of the younger sister, and since I am the older sister in my family, I liked hearing a different perspective.  The sisters in this book struggle but their love for one another comes through strongly, and I can relate to that.   The symbolism of the painting recurred throughout the book, tying it all together, which was especially effective for me as a reader.  I would definitely recommend this book, but it's certainly not for the faint of heart or for someone who wants a lighthearted read. 

I have moved on to Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, and this is where the title of this blog comes in.  I have wanted to read this book for a long time, and while I am not usually a huge fan of non-fiction, I thought I would enjoy it.  And I'm trying.  And trying.  I'm 13 % of the way through it on my Kindle, and I'm having a hard time getting into it (and it's really, really long).  The writing is descriptive (maybe overly so at times), but there is so much historical context that for me, the storyline seems buried.  I'm making sure to carry on, though, because the book has gotten so many great reviews that I know there must be a reason for that! 

What do you think?  Would you prefer to read fiction or non-fiction?  Has anyone read either of these books?  I would love to know!