Acting on Recommendations

Brooklyn  by Colm Toibin

Brooklyn is the story of a young Irish woman who leaves her home to come to the United States. It is

the story of her journey and experiences adapting to her new country. Eilis (pronounced Eye Lish) cannot find work in Ireland so her sister and mother arrange for her to emigrate to the States.  The experiences challenge Eilis but she is up for them.  While the first half of the book is a story of the immigrant experience, the second half of the book offers romance and the need for Eilis to decide where she truly belongs.

I have been wanting to read Brooklyn for a few months.  Ms. Ryan had recommended it to me in the fall and then it had been getting a lot of Oscar attention in recent months; so, for this choice,  I decided it was time for me to read it.  I really liked the book (and the movie which I appropriately watched on St. Patrick's Day!)  Eilis is a strong central character who is both believable and inspirational.  Her competence and character allow her to persevere and thrive.

Brooklyn should appeal to a wide range of readers.  I know that Adam in 1-2 thought the movie was depressing but I didn't find it depressing- there are problems and obstacles for Eilis but for the most part I found the book to offer a positive and inspiring account of a young woman's life and the choices she was forced to make. Readers of romance should enjoy the book, but those who like historical fiction will also appreciate reading about the experience of immigrating to the United States in the 1950s.  The book is similar to three other books I have read recently: Fever, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Angela's Ashes.  All of the books travel back in time and describe the struggles of immigrants in the United States who have come to this country for a better life.  All prove insights into the life in New York city tenements and cultural enclaves.   Brooklyn gets a high recommendation from me--  Thumbs Up!


Everything Everything  by Nicola Yoon

Maddy is allergic to Everything.  Practically her entire life has been spent within the confines of her house.  She loves to read and she has a devote mother and a devoted nurse.  Not until new neighbors move in next door does she realize how incomplete her life is.  Meeting and falling in love with Ollie changes everything for Maddy.

Everything Everything was one of the books that was promoted during our book talk with the librarian from the West Caldwell Library.  What piqued my interest was the idea of a story with a twist.  I always enjoy a mystery and Ms. Turjel read it and recommended it to me so I thought I might give it a look to see if it was a book that student might like.  We can also ask Dominic in 15-16 since he is reading the book too.  As for me,  I enjoyed the book and would describe it as a light and enjoyable read.

Anyone who liked a Fault in Our Stars or Eleanor and Park should enjoy reading this book.  The main character is a reader and a trusting soul, but meeting her first love changes her life.  Like Eilis in Brooklyn, Maddy finds that she must search within herself to find answers and the strength to act upon her choices.  Her coming of age comes with a twist.  This book also gets a Thumbs Up rating from me.