Suggested Reading: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

This is an amazing book.  It is not a historical novel but it will enlighten you about the heart-wrenching act that took place in Nazi-occupied Paris on July, 16, 1942. I wasn't even aware of the role the French played in the heinous act until reading this book. Four thousand French Jewish children were murdered during the Vel’ d’ Hiv roundup, along with thousands of adults. You will definitely shed tears. The Holocaust can NEVER be forgotten.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I looked forward to reading this book because I heard great reviews about it.  I am sorry I purchased it without skimming through it first at B&N.  It was depressing and I don't think I will be going to a circus in the near future.  Animals and circus workers are treated so badly in this story, which I am sure is the truth about the state of the circus during the depression .  I kept reading it because I spent good money on it and I was hoping that it would get better. Maybe the love story was suppose to be the author's main story plot for this book as the older man tells his life story, but I just couldn't get past the abuse. My heart weeped for Rosie the elephant and I wanted to extend some abuse to a few of the characters!

There is some happiness toward the end of the book. Rosie's life does improve. For me the good was too late coming in the book. 

The aging process of the story teller also is enough to make you want to pull the covers over your head and stay in bed. She is being brutally honest but it is too much reality for me.

I do not recommend this book nor am I keeping it.