Wonder by R.J. Palacio

From the book jacket:

"August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school-until now. He's about to enter fifth 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?"

"Here's what I think: the only reason I'm not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way."

 Wonder has an unforgettable cast of characters. It's told mostly from Auggie's viewpoint but other characters narrate too. I liked having the inside track to how Auggie was feeling. I also loved seeing how the other characters saw Auggie. I started this book while eating breakfast, good thing it was a Saturday, I didn't leave my seat until I finished. I felt every up and every down on this funny, sad, magnificent journey with Auggie. He burrowed into my soul very early into the story, and he's still here. This is a book I expect to stay with me, that will be read again and again. It was difficult to chose just one quote from this book. It is full of beautiful snippets of wisdom, that shouldn't need to be said, but unfortunately, they do need to be said, and so I leave you with just one more quote:

"Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed."

I think this book has something to offer everyone regardless of age. I believe it's meant for a younger audience but I never let that stop me.

I Am That Girl: How to speak your truth, discover your purpose and #bethatgirl by Alexis Jones

From the back of the book: 

"Does your mind go blank when someone asks you, 'What do you really want in life?' Alexis Jones has built a career listening to and inspiring girls (ages 8 to 80 years old) all around the world to figure out those questions in order to help them create the most awesome life imaginable. For the first time, Jones has compiled what she's learned into one complete guide to being That Girl, the best version of you."

"I witness a sea of daily distractions that hold us down like shackles to our feet when we should be flying. Our narrow definition of beauty requires girls to pluck, dye, brush, shave, cut, bleach, wax, diet, shop, and endlessly compare; all of which leave very little time for us to really shine. What we haven't noticed is that we are forced into a lifelong beauty contest that we will never win, and didn't ask to enter in the first place."

I don't read much self-help and I admit I was skeptical. Sophia Bush wrote the foreward, which is how I first discovered this book. Then I saw it pop up on my Goodreads feed. I decided to check it out for myself. What an empowering book! Every girl should read this.
   Alexis walks us through the steps needed to become the best version of ourselves. She tells us in nearly every chapter that we're perfect the way we are, redefining the word "perfection." She invites us to discover our passion and helps us find out exactly what that might be, then encourages us to pursue it in whatever way possible. Many women share their personal experiences with us throughout the book, helping to reinforce the concept of  'never give up,' life throws you curve balls for a reason. It's a "call to arms" for girls everywhere, challenging us to change the perception of beauty, to get out of this race we never signed up for, to be that girl.

Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer

From the back of the book:
"What does it mean to be normal? This is the story of two odd children who grew up and fell in love, the way they fit and the way they fell apart, how he became an astronaut lost in space, and she became the perfect wife whose 'perfect' wasn't real.
      A debut of singular power and intelligence, Shine Shine Shine is an adventure between worlds, and a stunning novel of love, death, and what it means to be human."

"Sometimes it comes that that desperate state, when you have to cling to each other and be alone. When no one else can truly matter. She thought, Ours is one of the epic loves of our generation. Possibly of all time. Who cares if no one sees it, walking by? This story is a love song. Who cares if history won't remember?"

I've read this book twice and I love it. I'm not sure why it isn't more popular. I felt for the characters almost immediately. Told mostly from Sunny's viewpoint with the occasional snippet from Maxon in space, it did take a few chapters to get used to the writing but after that the story flowed well. It fills you in on the present, then jumps back to Sunny's birth. From there it's back in forth in time. As time progresses in the present I came to care more for Sunny and Maxon through their past.
     The story itself is captivating, add to it the ultimate lessons, a mother's love, being who you are vs. who you think you should be, friendship, and more, this book is magnificent.

You might like this book if you enjoyed The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky or Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.

Shine Shine Shine on Amazon