The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

From Goodreads.com:
   It is 1968. Lynnie, a young white woman with a developmental disability, and Homan, an African American deaf man, are locked away in an institution, the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded, and have been left to languish, forgotten. Deeply in love, they escape, and find refuge in the farmhouse of Martha, a retired schoolteacher and widow. But the couple is not alone-Lynnie has just given birth to a baby girl. When the authorities catch up to them that same night, Homan escapes into the darkness, and Lynnie is caught. But before she is forced back into the institution, she whispers two words to Martha: "Hide her." And so begins the 40-year epic journey of Lynnie, Homan, Martha, and baby Julia-lives divided by seemingly insurmountable obstacles, yet drawn together by a secret pact and extraordinary love.

  It took a few chapters for me to become immersed but The Story of Beautiful Girl is marvelous. This is a pleasantly written novel exploring love and faith. The summary from Goodreads sums it up very well but there are a few things it doesn't tell you. Lynnie is not stupid just a little slow. She decided to quit talking when she realized that talking could get you into trouble at the School. Homan is only deaf, he has no way to communicate with others. He uses hand signs but no one cares enough to try to learn what he has to say, until Lynnie. They make a plan to run away and are successful for three days during which Lynnie gives birth.
   The story is told from a few different perspectives which is necessary given the many different paths characters follow over this 43-year journey. One of my favorite characters in this book is Kate, an attendant at the School who takes a special interest in Lynnie. She has private meetings with Lynnie encouraging her to draw pictures after noticing her mopping in swirls. She even has Homan join them sometimes after noticing their fondness for each other.
   I liked the uncommon characters created in this novel. I haven't discovered many books with main characters that are developmentally flawed. I thought that the perspectives presented were true enough to people who have similar disabilities. If you like to read something a little different I'd recommend this.

Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

From Goodreads.com
1987. There's only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that's her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn's company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June's world is turned upside down. But Finn's death brings a surprise acquaintance into June's life - someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and
even her own heart.
   At Finn's funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn's apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she's not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

   Tell the Wolves I'm Home is one of the most beautifully sad books I've read. When it starts, you know June's heart is going to be broken by her uncle's death. Oh, how I felt for June. It's hard when someone you love passes and everyone else sort of makes it seem like it's just another day, when you feel like you're the only one who misses your loved one and no one else seems to want to talk about it. June feels so alone when she gets the teapot and letter from Toby, who her family hates, and so begins their tenuous "clandestine" friendship. It's a tale of healing and those that help you along the way.
  This novel is about June's personal journey, but her older sister, Greta, is having her own crisis as well. The sisters' relationship is a big point in this book. They used to be best friends, now Greta is mean to June, she's the 'perfect' one; popular, talented, smart. June is...I don't want to say weird, but really she's in her own renaissance world, she spends her days dreaming of another time and has no friends. Their parents are accountants and this takes place during tax season, while they are present, their absence is what matters.
   This book is a tearjerker, I wanted to cry within the first few chapters, June's sense of loss is just so immense. I recommend Tell the Wolves I'm Home to fans of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

From the paperback:
   Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the East Coast to the farmlands of the Midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose fates would be determined by pure luck. Would they be adopted by a kind and loving family, or would they face a childhood and adolescence of hard labor and servitude?
   As a young Irish immigrant, Vivian Daly was one such child, sent by rail from New York City to an uncertain future a world away. Returning east later in life, Vivian leads a quiet, peaceful existence on the coast of Maine, the memories of her upbringing rendered a hazy blur. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past.
   Seventeen-year-old Molly Ayer knows that a community-service position helping an elderly widow clean out her attic is the only thing keeping her out of juvenile hall. But as Molly helps Vivian sort through her keepsakes and possessions, she discovers that she and Vivian aren't as different as they appear. A Penobscot Indian who has spent her youth in and out of foster homes, Molly is also an outsider being raised by strangers, and she, too, has unanswered questions about the past.
   Moving between contemporary Maine and Depression-era Minnesota, Orphan Train is a powerful tale of upheaval and resilience, second chances, and unexpected friendship.

   First, how did I have no idea orphan trains ever existed?! I wonder how this is a part of American history that seems to be completely forgotten or at least overlooked. At the back of the book there is a small section titled A Short History of the Real Orphan Trains. It contains a very brief history and a few pictures with descriptions. I recommend taking a look at this section before reading the book. It contains no spoilers but for someone  completely unfamiliar with this I think it would be helpful before delving into the book.
  There isn't a whole lot to say about Orphan Train that isn't said in the description on the paperback. If you're a reader who is discouraged by jumps in time (I know you're out there,) have no fear! This book clearly states at the beginning of each chapter which time you're reading about and also what city/town you're in.
   I did love this book. It is just under 300 pages but reads much quicker than that. The story flows very nicely and the language is beautiful yet simple. The main characters are easy to sympathize with and there are a few characters you will hate. It's got a little bit of everything really, plus a look into a time that is nearly forgotten.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

From Goodreads.com:
"Days before his release from prison, Shadow's wife, Laura, dies in a mysterious car crash. Numbly, he makes his way back home. On the plane, he encounters the enigmatic Mr Wednesday, who claims to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America.
  Together they embark on a profoundly strange journey across the heart of the USA, whilst all around them a storm of preternatural and epic proportions threatens to break.
  Scary, gripping and deeply unsettling, American Gods takes a long, hard look into the soul of America. You'll be surprised by what and who it finds there..."

"Gods die. And when they truly die they are unmourned and unremembered. Ideas are more difficult to kill than people, but they can be killed, in the end."

This is the first book by Neil Gaiman I ever read. I must admit I became an instant fan. American Gods is said to be a road trip for Shadow after three years in prison. It is that, however it is so much more. It's a tale of gods; old gods, new gods, and many forgotten gods, totems, legends and idols. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it had my full attention immediately. The synopsis did not prepare me for the book that followed. I was thrown into a world that I had no idea existed, where places of power are tourist attractions. I got brief glimpses of gods and idols I have never heard of.
  I'd give this book a chance if you like Stephen King and have yet to discover Neil Gaiman.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

From the hardcover:
Cath is a Simon Snow fan.
Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan.... But for Cath, being a fan is her life - and she's really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving.
   Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.
   Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to.
   Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend; a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world; a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words...and she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.
   For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Fangirl is one of the cutest books I've read in a while. Even though I'm not really into fanfiction I still loved this book. It's hard when you're an introvert and entirely out of your comfort zone. We've all been there, absolutely no fun. Almost this whole book is a testament to that. I felt for Cath like I have for so many other introverted characters. The paragraph I chose for a quote sums it up pretty well I think. 

   Fanfiction was a huge part of this book with excerpts from Cath's writings. There were also small snaps from the Simon Snow books. I was slightly annoyed by these. The shorter entries weren't a problem, but at times Cath was reading large portions, and I almost skipped them. I was so anxious to find out more of the book's story, but I just couldn't skip them. I was too worried there would be relevant information in the fanfic. Annoying they may have been, but it in no way effected my overall adoration of this book. 

   This book made me laugh out loud multiple times. Busting out a laugh while reading earned me quite a few confusing looks from my lovely dog. Having a goofy grin on my face like a smitten kid was less noticeable, but I am glad I was not reading this in public. That's the kind of book this is. Whether you're an introvert or not this book will make you laugh and "awe!" And if you're not an introvert it may just offer a little look into the anxieties your introverted friend probably has.