The Innocent Man by John Grisham
I read this book for fun when I was in high school, and I have recommended it to so many people since then. This is one of those books I wish everyone was required to read. It discusses a topic that can be controversial for many: the death penalty. Whatever your stance is, you should still read this book. It’s about a couple of murders that occurred in small town Ada, Oklahoma, and the innocent individuals who were convicted of these murders. The crimes were atrocious. My heart ached for the families of the victims. The whole criminal justice process for these cases was horrifying. My emotions were all over the place for the guys who were being questioned and, eventually, convicted. This book is one that I couldn’t put down since the moment I started it. There’s even a Netflix original documentary that follows the same story as the book. The book is more informative, but I recommend both.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
This book started off slow and took me a while to get into, but I loved it in the end. It was well worth the read. The book is a memoir based on the author’s life. The stories she tells will send you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It will have you laughing and crying all throughout. She grew up in a poverty ridden family with parents who didn’t take their responsibilities quite so seriously. Her mother wanted to be an artist. Her father was basically a con artist. She and her siblings were just trying to get by as best as they could. She tells so many heartbreaking stories from her childhood, but she does it in a manner that keeps you from being able to stop reading. This book will open your eyes in so many ways and make you appreciate what you do have. The resilience of the author is evident throughout the book, and it offers a fresh perspective on the conditions some children grow up in. In addition, there is now a film adaptation of the book. I love reading books that I can then watch the movie adaptation of. If you’re like me, this book is for you!
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
This book is about psychiatrist, Julia Cates, who, after having her reputation destroyed by a previous case, begins working with a little girl who was found living in the woods. The little girl knew nothing. She didn’t know her name or where she came from. She couldn’t speak because she didn’t know how. The state wants to lock the girl away in an institution; the media describes her as a wild child. Julia makes it her mission to help this girl and save her. She works tirelessly to help the girl build skills and to learn more about her. The media follow the case closely, waiting on Julia to mess up. She is put under a lot of pressure with a seemingly impossible task. This book is all about hope and love. Kristin Hannah knows how to write a captivating story unlike any other. This story is unique and interesting from beginning to end. It’s not one of those books that you can predict an ending for.