Dark Matter

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Published by Random House Audio on Jul. 26, 2016 Genre(s): Fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Format: Audiobook / Kindle Time: 10:18:00 Goodreads synopsis:  “Are you happy with your life?” Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.” In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible. Is...

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Leaving Time

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult Published by Ballantine Books on Oct. 14, 2014 Genre(s): Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery Format: Audiobook / Paperback Pages: 398 Goodreads synopsis:  For over a decade, Jenna Metcalf obsesses on her vanished mom Alice. Jenna searches online, rereads journals of the scientist who studied grief among elephants. Two unlikely allies are Serenity Jones, psychic for missing people who doubts her gift, and Virgil Stanhope, jaded PI who originally investigated cases of Alice and her colleague. Hard questions and answers. The first book I ever read by Picoult was My Sister's Keeper. I liked the book, but I remember having trouble getting through it. i could chalk it up to my young age, inexperience reading long and dense novels, or...

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Wonder

Wonder by R. J. Palacio Published by Knopf on Feb. 14, 2012 Genre(s): Fiction, Young Adult, Family, Contemporary Format: Kindle / Audiobook Pages: 316 Goodreads synopsis:  I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances? R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping...

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The Alchemist

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Published by Harper Torch in 1988 Genre(s): Fiction, Classics, Fantasy, Philosophy Format: Kindle/Audiobook Pages: 197 Goodreads synopsis:  Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey...

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milk and honey

milk and honey by Rupi Kaur Published by Create Space on Nov. 4, 2014 Genre(s): Nonfiction, Poetry, Feminism Format: Paperback Pages: 204 Goodreads synopsis:  milk and honey is a collection of poetry and prose about survival. It is about the experience of violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity. It is split into four chapters, and each chapter serves a different purpose, deals with a different pain, heals a different heartache. milk and honey takes readers through a journey of the most bitter moments in life and finds sweetness in them because there is sweetness everywhere if you are just willing to look. I read some of the reviews on goodreads and felt disappointed that people would dismiss this woman's work so quickly because they didn't personally...

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Kitchens of the Great Midwest

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal Published by Viking on July 28, 2015 Genre(s): Fiction, Food, Adult, Contemporary Format: Paperback Pages: 310 Goodreads synopsis:  When Lars Thorvald's wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine--and a dashing sommelier--he's left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own. He's determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter--starting with puréed pork shoulder. As Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. From Scandinavian lutefisk to hydroponic chocolate habaneros, each ingredient represents one part of Eva's journey as she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that's a testament to...

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