Pet Sematary

    By Stephen King

        I read this classic tale of horror when I was younger, but couldn’t remember most of the story details. This book was written at the zenith of King’s horror period, and this story certainly lived up to my expectations.
       The story involves a typical American family; a mother and father with a son and daughter and cat. The Creed family has moved from Chicago to Ludlow, Maine where Louis is going to be the doctor for a small university. The family moves into a nice home, on a very busy road. They are quickly welcomed into the community by Judd, their neighbor across the street. Everything is wonderful with the family, as they begin to settle in to their new home. However, Louis’s first day at the university is a sign of what is to come. A college student is brought in to the medical center after being struck by a car. The incident resonates with Louis’s daughter, Ellie, as it is her first introduction to death. More importantly, the horrific death resonates with Mrs. Creed. Rachel Creed was exposed to death at a very young age, when her sister contracted and slowly died from spinal meningitis. Rachel was traumatized by the death, and becomes very cross with Louis when he decides to have a frank conversation about death with their daughter. Ellie’s cat is then killed by an Orinco truck on the busy road in front of their house. Judd decides to take Louis to the pet sematary, and to the Indian burial ground which holds a forbidden secret. Soon Louis is struggling with a bigger problem than his daughter’s dead cat. 
         I found this book to be a very interesting read. While the story was sufficiently interesting, what impressed me the most was how relatable the characters were. The emotions and conflicts are so well described that it is easy to put yourself in their shoes. The action wasn’t fast-paced, but the thrill was in the anticipation on what was going to happen next. I would definitely recommend this book; it is a great example of what people think of when they think “Stephen King.” 


Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Bunsen Burners 


Up Next: The Camel Club by David Baldacci

Safe Haven

by Nicholas Sparks

Katie Feldman is a young woman seeking refuge and anonymity in a small new town. She moves to Southport, North Carolina into a cabin for a fresh start. She takes a job at a local restaurant to try and make some money. Katie quickly starts a friendship with her neighbor Jo who lives next door. No one would suspect that she is hiding from an abusive husband and a life she was desperate to escape.

Trusting people is obviously something that Katie is wary of given her past. Soon after moving to Southport, Katie meets Alex, a store owner, and feels drawn to him and his two children. Katie starts to let her guard down and a relationship begins to form. Both of these unsuspecting characters have no idea what is about to rock their finally stable world.

Nicholas Sparks is known for his romances. Some of his books have even been made in to successful motion pictures. Safe Haven will not disappoint Spark's fans - it's a quick and easy read, a love story, and a general feel good book. For me this book was a fast read that I had a hard time putting down. It is full of several twists and turns. Some you see coming, some are unpredictable. This book is part romance, part mystery, part thriller. What is not to love?

My few critiques are that the book could have ended a few pages earlier and I would have been satisfied. The final twist was unnecessary in my opinion and I could have done without it. Having said that, I still thought it was a great book and I would recommend it to any Nicholas Sparks fan. Or anyone looking for a good beach read this summer!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Up Next: Christian the Lion by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall

 

A Cup of Tea

by Amy Ephron

       It is 1917 in New York during World War I when a prominent woman, Rosemary Fell, walks down the street and sees a woman under a lamp post, shivering against the elements.  The woman is obviously penniless and Rosemary, on a whim, decides to invite the young woman home for a cup of tea.  Rosemary clothes the girl and gives her something to eat.  While at Rosemary's house, her fiance Phillip comes in to visit her and he looks a little too longingly at the homeless young woman.  The woman returns this gaze.  Sensing something is going on, Rosemary quickly pushes the woman out of her life as fast as she came in, but little does Rosemary realize, the damage is already done.  Soon Rosemary's high society world is crumbling at her fingertips all because she took a chance to try and help a woman.

        This book is a very short book, so as to not give too much away, the review will mirror this.  This book has a very interesting concept.  Not many books have a plot with the main character giving a helping hand and it ends up hurting their lives forever.  This book has many twists and turns which keeps readers hooked.  Each chapter is only a few pages long so this read will not take many of you very long.  Take a chance on this short story and enjoy!


Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Up Next: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks