Books We All Love!

We at The Velveteen Rabbit are quite voracious readers, and we all have different interests. However, there are always certain books that we come to a complete consensus on! Here are just a few books that more than one of us claims as a "pick!"


The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Who loves it? Beth and Marie
Why? The Book Thief is not only boasts near-perfect writing, but its storyline is absolutely enthralling. It is the most uniquely written Holocaust book (perhaps even most uniquely-written book ever--after all, it is narrated by Death) and combines every element of a good story. Don't let its placement in the young adult section fool you--this is a great book for adults, too!
Rabbit Trivia: Beth has given this book to nearly everyone she knows.




The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Who loves it? Clare, Grace, and Beth
Why? We all have a love for dystopian novels, and The Hunger Games certainly fits the bill. It also is exciting to read about a strong female protagonist. The action is non-stop, the characters are enchanting, and Collins is a fantastic storyteller--the rest of the series is equally wonderful!
Rabbit Trivia: The Hunger Games is based loosely on ancient mythology--specifically, the myth of Theseus and the minotaur.






The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Who loves it? Marie and Beth
Why? The Help is a breathtakingly beautiful portrait of 1960's Jackson, Mississippi--the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's wonderful to read a book that reminds us how far we've come in the last forty-plus years--not to mention that the characters (Aibelene and Minnie especially) are absolutely unforgettable.
Rabbit Trivia: The Help is currently being made into a movie, starring Zombieland's Emma Stone and Bryce Howard Dallas.




I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming
Who loves it? Grace and Marie
Why? Julia Spencer-Fleming weaves fantastic mysteries that are centered around two lovable characters: Russ Van Alystne and Clare Fergusson.
Rabbit Trivia: We've had Julia Spencer-Fleming for two author signings, and she is just as lovable as her books!

"In the Woods" by Tana French

This debut novel by Tana French will capture you from the first page, and shake you until you're dizzy. One summer day in Ireland, three children disappeared into the vast, wild woods near their suburban home. All that the police found was one of the children, terrified and clutching a tree, covered in blood. This boy had no memory of what happened or how he'd escaped his friends' fate.

Years later, the bodies of the other children never found, that little boy has evolved into Detective Rob Ryan. He and his charismatic partner Cassie Maddox are called back to the woods to solve a murder--and to put together the pieces of Ryan's own mystery.

I'm not really a mystery fan--nor am I particularly interested in reading about police officers. Yet French has such a unique, vibrant voice that she could write literally anything, and it would be impossible to put down. The characters (especially Ryan, who narrates the story, and his best friend Cassie) are impeccably drawn and dynamic. The haunting, original mystery has such strong psychological threads that I was tempted to skip ahead, something that I never, ever do. But the real compelling part of this story is its setting: Dublin, Ireland. Who can resist the Irish flare to French's writing?

I must warn that the conclusion itself didn't satisfy me; but the journey to the conclusion was so innovative and compelling that I am eager to read more of French's work.

Beth gives it four out of five carrots!
Click here to order your copy at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins -- WHAT WE THINK!

Clare says: After breaking out of the Quarter Quell Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen has a lot on her mind. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol, a war is raging throughout the districts, plus she is expected by rebel leaders to be their Mockingjay. As she struggles to make sense of it all, Katniss knows that making the right decision will be harder than ever. Mockingjay, I think, was an amazing ending to the Hunger Games trilogy. Everything I predicted about Mockingjay turned out to be exactly the opposite! This fact made every turn of a page that much more exciting! I consider Mockingjay a must read, along with the rest of the series, because it is so unique and leaves you with a feeling of awe every time you look at it. Clare gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Grace says: Collins did a great job of developing her characters even further in The Hunger Games finale and the plot was fast-paced and exciting. I could barely put the book down to eat or sleep!

Beth says: Mockingjay is a psychological and philosophical foray into war and destruction that will leave readers shell-shocked, yet hungering for more. It certainly leaves a lot to think about, and is a great book for teens and adults to discuss!

Click here to purchase your copy of Mockingjay at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Murder at the Vicarage" by Agatha Christie

Challenged by an article I read in the New Yorker Magazine, in which the author states that it is almost impossible to guess who the murderer is in Agatha Christie's famous mysteries, I decided to try out my detective skills and see if I could solve the mystery before the last page. My conclusion is...I'm not quite cut out to be a sleuth, but I'm more than happy to continue reading Christie's novels.

"Murder at the Vicarage" is the first of the Miss Marple mysteries. When Colonel Protheroe, a rather disliked man in the small town of St. Mary Mead, is murdered in the Vicar's study, gossip abounds. The book is narrated by the Vicar, who along with Miss Marple, the town's most accomplished amateur detective and snoop, attempts to uncover the truth. After many twists, Miss Marple finally cracks the case...but is the murderer who you thought it was going to be?

Click here to order "Murder at the Vicarage" from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

Kerry gives it five out of five carrots!

"Saint Training" by Elizabeth Fixmer

Clare's thoughts: Saint Training is about a devoted 11-year-old Catholic Mary Clare O'Brian. Determined to be a saint Mary Clare is especially careful about keeping her sins to a minimum (because saints almost never sin) and making sure all of her prayers count. But during this financially difficult time for her family of 13, she starts to wonder why God hasn't been answering her prayers.

This realistic fiction book, by Fort Atkinson author Elizabeth Fixmer, is about how a religion can be really important and mean a lot in a young girl's life. I really enjoyed this book because until reading Saint Training, I didn't realize what crazy things a very pious girl would do. I'd recommend this book for any girl 5th grade and up.

Kerry's thoughts: Even though I'm going to be at school in St. Paul, Minnesota, I'm seriously considering driving home for the weekend to be at the author signing for this marvelous book. Mary Clare is an adorable, realistic character with crazy curls and her own opinions. As a non-Catholic, I enjoyed learning about Catholicism through the eyes of a girl who is figuring out what she believes in a time of turmoil. Fixmer also provides a rare perspective on the war in Vietnam, exposing Mary Clare to the differing beliefs within her family and the Catholic Church. Along with being extraordinarily cute (especially in Mary Clare's letters to the Reverend Mother), this book is, simply put, delightful.

PS. The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop is hosting an author signing and Q&A session for Saint Training on Saturday, September 18, from 10am to noon. We'll hope to see you there!

Clare and Kerry give it 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to order your copy at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Girl in Translation" by Jean Kwok

"It's never easy being the new kid, and harder still when you are poor and you don't speak the language. From a comfortable life in Hong Kong to a gritty sweatshop in New York, we follow Kimberly Change in this smartly told story that illuminates the struggles of adolescence against a backdrop of poverty and cultural conflicts and reveals that, even in the land of opportunity, sometimes you have to fight for what you want and let go of what you love."
--Carol Mark, Books on the Common, Ridgefield, CT

I couldn't have put it any better myself. Told from an interesting and uncommon perspective, this story centers around strong, intelligent Kimberly, an inspiring and refreshing character to read about. She struggles to reach her dream of practicing medicine, facing down all obstacles, even love, and yet her priorities never waver. This book is perfect for any young woman, and though it is definitely more oriented towards females, it is certainly a great read for everyone else as well.

Kerry gives it four out of five carrots!

Click here to order Girl in Translation from the Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer

Though I first read this addicting, suspenseful sci-fi six years ago, it has withstood all other challengers to keep it's title as my all-time favorite. It is a great introduction into the fantasy/sci-fi genre and is a book that you will remember long after you've read it. Matt, the main character, is seen by most other characters in the novel as a beast, not the boy that he is. The book follows him through his childhood, as he begins to become aware of exactly how he came to exist and why.

As the book deals with cloning, drug lords and some very creepy people, it is more appropriate for teens and up. I was introduced to The House of the Scorpion as part of a book group, and it was definitely easy to discuss. With new technology constantly advancing, it's just realistic enough to freak you out (in a good way!).

Click here to buy The House of the Scorpion at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

Kerry gives it five out of five carrots!

"Diamond Ruby" by Joseph Wallace

I couldn't tell you what an inning or a fly ball is to save my life, but there's something I found absolutely enchanting about Diamond Ruby, a story of baseball, family, and the tumultuous time that was the 1920's. The Spanish Influenza Epidemic struck when Ruby herself was still just a child, and she was left to take care of her two young nieces. She used her freakishly long arms to throw rocks at squirrels, just so her family could eat. But when her alcoholic older brother loses yet another job, she needed to find a source of income for her family: being a sideshow at a circus, where men would pay money to try and throw a baseball faster than her.

But no man could. And thus, Diamond Ruby went on to become the first woman pitcher in a baseball league.

Ruby is a remarkable character; her strong will resonates throughout the book in every action she takes. Her life is anything but charmed: she is constantly surrounded by shady characters who have no respect for women, let alone a "freak" who can pitch 90 mph. Yet as Ruby meets real historical figures like Babe Ruth and Jack Dempsey, Diamond Ruby becomes an interesting journey through the 1920's, complete with rumrunning, the Great Bambino and more.

This would be a fabulous book to discuss in a reading group or book club!

Beth gives it four out of five carrots!

Click here to buy this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Waiting for Normal" by Leslie Connor

Waiting for Normal is one of the most normally written books I've ever read. It seems strange to compliment a book for being average, but in reality it makes the book believable and ties everything together. For the book's main character, twelve-year-old Addison Schneeter, nothing that is preciously normal should be taken for granted. After years of living through "all-or-nothing", see-sawing between an empty pantry and Thanksgiving feasts (in July), normal is all Addie wants.

This book is a realistic, heartfelt tale of courage and character, uniquely shown through the day-to-day trials, however odd, of a troubled sixth grader. Addie’s journey from her family of “twists and turns” to the esteemed and long awaited “normal” is not one to be missed. Though written more towards an audience of middle grades, it is a book that any reader can appreciate and learn from.

I originally read this book when it was first published as an advanced copy. Now that I've picked it up again, two years later, I'm remembering why I recommended it so highly in the first place.

“Normal..is when you know what is gonna happen. Not exactly what, because probably nobody gets that. But normal is being able to count on things…just because they belong that way.”

Kerry gives it five out of five carrots!

Click here to order your copy at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"The Thieves of Manhattan" by Adam Langer

If you've been following any of my earlier posts, you may notice a trend in the genres I generally read: dystopia and teen fiction. Well, I'm switching it up a bit with this new release from Adam Langer, author of Crossing California and The Washington Story. The Thieves of Manhattan is a literary thriller with a new twist and turn on every page!

The story follows an aspiring writer trying to make ends meet with a minimum-wage coffee shop job while also attempting to write something worth publishing. Enraged by another writer's best-selling fake memoir and his girlfriend’s seemingly instantaneous literary success, Ian becomes entangled in a painstakingly intricate scheme to pass off a false memoir of his own and expose the publishing industry's corruptness to the world. He very quickly realizes that things get dangerous when fact and fiction begin to unexpectedly intertwine!

My favorite review of this book comes from Carl Hiaasen (author of Hoot): "The Thieves of Manhattan is a sly and cutting riff on the book-publishing world that is quite funny unless you happen to be an author, in which case the novel will make you consider a more sensible profession—like being a rodeo clown, for example, or a crab-fisherman in the Bering Sea."

With a winning combination of exciting characters, mind-blowing plot twists, and a satisfyingly snarky commentary, this fast-paced novel pokes and prods at the publishing world making the reader think twice about the books they pull off the shelf!

Grace gives it five out of five carrots!

Click here to order The Thieves of Manhattan from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
(Available in July)

"Essential Neruda" by Pablo Neruda

Pablo Neruda is my favorite poet, along with being one of the more influential poets of the 20th century. He writes with great variety, ranging from lamenting stanzas to fast-moving free verses and covering topics from love to political unrest. But even in that variety, he keeps his same irrevocably passionate voice that makes it completely recognizable as his. This collection of his poems, a compilation of his many published books, mixes and matches his most well-known works.

This anthology is also wonderful because it keeps both the original Spanish verses and their translation into English side by side -- Spanish on the left page, English on the right. If you're keeping up with your Spanish like me, or you just want to try reading these poems in their original (and very romantic) language, this version is perfect, as well as beautifully translated.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly. It's perfect for a summer beach read but is also fully capable of much more depth, as each poem has a history and a story to it. You will find your new favorite poem within this book's 199 carefully scripted pages (Hint: mine is on page 8/9).

Kerry gives it five out of five carrots!

Click here to order Essential Neruda: Selected Poems from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"My Name is Memory" by Ann Brashares

Although nothing less could be expected, Ann Brashares again delivers an imaginative and inspired novel about a love that truly withstands the test of time. Daniel has the ability to remember all of his previous lives and recognize the souls he met during them, including his soul mate, Sophia. This is both a gift and a curse, because for all the times he and Sophia have managed to connect throughout the centuries, they’ve also been wrenched apart by fate. Readers are transported through time as they follow these two souls and their journeys to find one another.

I especially appreciated how Brashares would intertwine both Daniel's and Sophia's past lives and the present day. It really kept the reader captivated and the plot flowing. I also have to grudgingly admit that as much as I was upset by the ending of the novel (don't worry, I won't spoil it), it was the best fit for the story. As a fan of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books I was very pleased with Brashares' latest novel and apparently so were other readers because it's featured as a June Indie Next List Pick!

Grace gives it four and a half out of five carrots!

Click here to order My Name is Memory at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Elliot Allagosh" by Simon Rich

Author Simon Rich is basically your prototypical author for an angsty, tongue-in-cheek book about high school. He's young, talented, and one of the snarky writers on Saturday Night Live. Naturally, Elliot Allagosh would resonate with anyone from a sixteen-year-old video game nerd to a reminiscing adult.

Seymour Herson opens his narration with a bleak glimpse into his life as an eighth grader at a NYC private school. He's chubby, a social outcast, and has recently been dubbed with the unflattering nickname "Chunk-Style." However, this somewhat cliched portrait of middle school angst is quickly interrupted by the arrival of the impossibly rich, incredibly eccentric (especially for a 13-year-old!) boy named Elliot Allagosh.

Elliot loves a challenge, and transforming the school pariah into the class president seems like a great way to pass his time. What ensues could have been a Cinderella-type story with a touch of after-school special, but Rich keeps the story funny and wonderfully fresh. My favorite parts were stories told by Elliot's father, who has never worked a day in his life and loves to find creative ways to use the billions of dollars in his bank account.

The story does, however, have a great deal of heart: Seymour learns the inevitable (popularity through lying, cheating, etc. does not guarantee happiness) and, during his senior year of high school, gets a much-needed waking up call. Elliot is a delightful con man, intriguingly neurotic and complex--you'll be reminded of a puppeteer crazed with boredom, tugging at the strings of his marionettes.

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!

Click here to buy this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls by Rachel Simmons

This is kind of a retroactive blog post, but with bullying in the news so much these days, this book has not left my mind. Odd Girl Out is a meticulously researched book, packed with interviews with real preteen and teenage girls. Oftentimes, parents don't realize the true extent of their daughters' struggles in school--girls can be especially adept at hiding that pain. This book focuses on the notion that, while boys take out their aggression in physical ways (i.e., a fight), girls fight a psychological battle that can last years. Girls can be shunned, teased, and publicly humiliated with horrible rumors. You'll be amazed at the cruelty Simmons has uncovered through her interviews. Simmons' dappling in social psychology manages to be informative while not overbearing, making this book accessible for all ages.

Simmons pairs this look into the world of bullying with realistic advice for both young girls and their parents. (Yes, despite what the quote on the cover says, dads can benefit from reading this too.) A book like this is especially crucial in this day and age, where constant texting, Facebook, Myspace and Twitter make "cyber bullying" a hot-button issue.

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!
Click here to order this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop.

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

I'm probably not the only one writing a bad review of this sad, sad excuse for a novel--after all, Bushnell has given her readers plenty of cause to hate this book. First of all, it is a young adult novel based on the life of fictional flirt Carrie Bradshaw, whom you may know from Sex and the City. In that way, this book serves as a sort of gateway into the television show, which is less than appropriate for a twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl (young adult books are usually geared to ages 12-17).

Secondly, I have never--EVER--read a book with a character so devoid of life. The young Carrie in this book isn't witty or interesting--I'd rather read the story of her pet rock than read another droning page of boyfriend woes, complaining about friends, etc. Seventeen-year-olds are wonderfully over-dramatic and vivacious! Carrie Bradshaw is like a sad dead thing. What happened to the Carrie who playfully sports a tutu on the streets of New York? What happened to the word-playing, savvy writer who women all over the world wanted to emulate? Bushnell had a prime opportunity to write a sprightly coming of age novel, but her writing prowess fell short. Way short. The ingredients list on the back of Carrie Bradshaw's neon pink nail polish is far more interesting than this drivel.

The best thing about writing a bad review is that it allows you the opportunity to recommend BETTER books, and I have plenty:

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty is the journal of the loveable Jessica Darling, a hyper-observant, cynical, brainiac high school girl who makes even the most mundane of days humorous. The love story is also much more realistic to high school and much more enviable than Carrie Bradshaw's lackluster relationships.

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison is one I've mentioned before, but it bears repeating: Georgia Nicholson's life will have you laughing out loud on every single page. That sounds like a cliche, but I promise you--it's so true.

What's your favorite young adult book? Feel free to comment, and further save people from the travesty of The Carrie Diaries!

Beth gives this book one out of five carrots.

Click here to buy The Carrie Diaries at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Mennonite in a Little Black Dress", by Rhoda Janzen

Not a regular memoir reader, I was apprehensive about picking this book up. But from the first paragraph, I was hooked. I absolutely adore this book. Rhoda Janzen masterfully combines a multitude of emotions into this perspective-packed window of her life -- a life she portrays with humor, intelligence and grace despite the misfortunes that lead her to return to and reflect on her Mennonite roots. It is remarkable how easy to be drawn into not only the book, but Janzen's likeable, laughable personality. A difficult book to put down and one you can refer back to again and again, you will most certainly find something you can relate to and take wisdom from. This book is perfect for individual reflection or reading group material!

“Poet Rhoda Janzen has an intriguingly honest and witty way with language, and a personality and unique story to match. This insightful memoir is simultaneously humorous and touching -- a rare combination you certainly don't want to miss.”—Kerry Hartwick, The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop, Indie Bound Newsletter Nov. 2009

Click here to buy Mennonite in a Little Black Dress at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

Kerry gives it five out of five carrots!

"Ella Minnow Pea" by Mark Dunn

Every now and then, there is a book written specifically and unequivocally for book lovers--for those who relish in language, who love the twists and turns that words can create. Ella Minnow Pea is the quintessential example of this. From its delightful title right down to its last page, you'll be awestruck and enamored with how Dunn masterfully plays with language. Ella Minnow Pea lives in the country of Nollop, a tiny island off of South Carolina that was the birthplace of the first pangram: The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. The townspeople of Nollop revere this sentence more than anything and even have a sculpture in town honoring this sentence, which uses every letter of the alphabet. However, trouble strikes with the letters begin falling off the sculpture, and the tyrannical City Council declares that once a letter falls, it can no longer be used. It can't be spoken. It can't be written. Nothing--and the punishment for using a fallen grapheme is banishment. The story is told in letters between the townspeople, and as the novel progresses, the people of Nollop must use increasingly inventive language to avoid the forbidden letters. A crazy, linguistically brilliant completely original love letter to the English language, Ella Minnow Pea: A Progressively Lipogrammatic Epistolary Fable is delightful beyond words. Read with a dictionary in hand!

Click here to buy Ella Minnow Pea at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!

"Shades of Grey" by Jasper Fforde

For those who were enthralled by Lois Lowry's The Giver, Jasper Fforde has produced a new dystopia novel sure to get you thinking! This Indie Next List book from the author of Thursday Next kept me hooked to the very last page.
Welcome to Chromotacia, where society is ruled by a Colortocracy and you are what you can see. Eddie Russett has no real ambition to be anything other than a loyal drone of the Collective. His above-average red perception would allow him to marry well, inherit the string works, maybe even make prefect. Eddie's life looks colorful until he moves with his father to East Carmince. There, he falls for a Grey named Jane who reveals the painful truth about his seemingly perfect society. Curiosity grabs hold of Eddie, who begins to question the Collective. Black-and-white certainties are reduced to shades of grey as Eddie, along with Jane, begins to dig up answers. Dystopia junkies (myself included) will most definitely enjoy this thought-provoking novel to the very last page!
Keep on the lookout for the second book in this series coming in April 2010!

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to buy this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop and Guest House!

"The Best Ever Casserole Cookbook" by Beatrice Ojakangas

I was once a foolish novice chef who thought casseroles were campy concoctions that grandmas and soccer moms whipped up using the staple ingredients: cream of mushroom soup, chicken breasts, etc. Nothing against those recipes--I love the convenience of canned soup as much as the next person--but Beatrice Ojakanga's Best Casserole Cookbook Ever blows them right out of the water. Who would have ever thought that a succulent Havarti-Stuffed Chicken Breast, breaded and doused in white wine, would be in a casserole cookbook? Or Beer-Baked Irish Beef? Or Hot Ricotta Dip with Garlic and Herbs? Granted, Beatrice includes the classics--even helpful hints and quick recipes to make your own cream of mushroom soup. The difference is that this cookbook contains innovative, almost gourmet-quality new ideas that, for the most part, can be assembled ahead of time and popped into the oven. It's great for entertaining and contains everything from appetizers to brunch to dinner to dessert--each recipe more delicious than the last. Quite honestly, this is the most delicious, best, and most unique cookbook I own. Don't let the relative lack of pictures fool you; each of the 500+ dishes turns out beautifully. What can I say but buy this cookbook--your family and your stomach will both thank you.

Beth gives this five out of five carrots!
Click here to buy this cookbook at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Have a Little Faith: A True Story" by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom's latest is an inspiring true story of the power of faith. Nearly every paragraph has pearls of wisdom and different ideas to think about, making it a great book for reading groups or for people to discuss. I could read this profound, meaningful book again and again--it really touched my heart.

Marie gives this book five out of five carrots!
Click here to buy this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop and Guest House!

Cowboys and Wills: A Love Story by Monica Holloway

Anybody who has ever owned a dog knows that they possess a certain, magical ability to know what we require of them. If you're sick, a dog knows to nuzzle you sweetly and serve as the world's best heat source. If you're sad, a dog knows that a quick lick on the face will usually do the trick. In this heartwarming book, the author discovers that her loveable son, Wills, has autism spectrum disorder. Wills begs and begs for a puppy and finally, on his sixth birthday, Cowboy Carol Lawrence becomes a part of their family.

Cowboy, a rambunctious golden retriever, opens Wills' world and his heart. Wills moves from being shy and overly cautious to sharing stories about his new "sister", Cowboy. This is a touching story of family and unconditional love that everyone, especially pet lovers, will enjoy.

Joanne gives this five out of five carrots!

Click here to buy this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie Apocalypse by Max Brooks

Zombies may not be as in vogue as the ever-so-popular vampires are at the moment, but that doesn't make this book any less awesome. Fans of horror will be intrigued by this unique way of describing a crisis--through hundreds of brief, vastly unique oral interviews. Dallas Morning News compared this novel to Orson Welle's War of the Worlds--and rightly so! It's unique to see how people in all walks of life--from the politicians dealing with the zombie outbreak, to the families of newly infected, to farmers living in the remote jungles of South America--cope with the looming apocalypse. This book never fails to be interesting and thrilling, with just the right amount of gore that horror fans just eat up (bad zombie pun intended). If you're a zombie extremist, you can try Brooks' other book, The Zombie Survival Guide, or the abundance of other undead-related tomes this author has concocted in recent years. But World War Z is a compelling, if not improbable, account that is enjoyable through and through. It would also be a great book for any guy who seemingly prefers his Xbox 360 over reading, because Brooks' nonintimidating, yet sometimes horrifying, writing style is just about as "awesome!!!" as your son's zombie shooting game.
Beth gives it four out of five carrots!
Click here to order this book at the velveteenrabbitbookshop.com!