Room by Emma Donoghue

Jack and Ma have been living in Room for 5 years now.  It's his 5th birthday and there are no candles.       They can't have a birthday party because nobody else is allowed in Room.  Just Jack and Ma.  They make a cake and pretend to blow out the candles and play with the limited toys they have as well as use their imaginations.  Once it's time for bed, Jack goes to sleep in Wardrobe while mom sleeps in Bed and waits for Old Nick to come.  Old Nick never stays the whole night so is never there when Jack wakes up the next morning.  Jack knows when he arrives though.  He hears the beep beep of Door, Old Nick's footsteps, and counts how many creeks the bed makes until he falls asleep.  Jack hasn't seen Old Jack's face yet and is glad.  Ma also never likes to talk about him.  The only time they ever talk about him is for Sunday Treats when they make a list of things like toilet paper, food, medicine, etc for him to bring them.  

Turning 5 ends up being much more challenging than Jack ever imagined.  Ma thinks he is old enough to learn the truth.  The truth is, Ma was kidnapped from college and taken to Room by Old Nick.  She was 21 at the time, then had Jack two years later.  She tells Jack of the outside world and all it entails. Jack's poor head is spinning.  All he ever knew was Room.  The outside is literally outer space to him.  All the things they watch on TV have always been make believe to him, but now Ma is telling him some things they see on TV are real life.  Ma also tells him that they need to get out of Room and Jack is going to help her.  This is more than Jack can comprehend.  Why do they have to leave?  Room is fun, Room is safe, and Room is all Jack knows.  He tells Ma they can try when he's 6, but Ma has other plans.

The question is, will their plans work?  Plan A didn't, so then Plan B where they make it seem that Jack is dead and hope that Old Nick will drive his body somewhere (upon which Jack escapes and finds help).  It's risky, but at this point, Ma will try anything.  

You see, Room isn't a room at all.  It's a shed in Nick's backward with a fence underground, soundproof structure, and one single skylight on the top.  Ma has done her best to teach Jack about the world such  as hygiene, physical fitness, nutrition, and facts that she can remember, but he needs more and she will do whatever it takes to free her son.  Even if only he makes it out.  They have to try.

This book is a true depiction of the lengths parents go to save their children.  It was is a chilling tale of what takes place when the bad guys get away with the plan and the innocent are taken to darker places.  The bravery and courageousness this woman goes through to keep herself sane in this life altering situation is astonishing and keeps you turning each page to see what she will do next.  It also captures how when one has never lived in the world truly, it can be a scary place.  Imagine if all you knew were confined to four small walls and all it contained......  

I recommend this but also need you to know it is not all roses.  I tend to be a sensitive person who can't handle extremely dark tales, but couldn't stop  and will never regret, reading this book.  The human spirit is a beautiful thing and with a little faith, can get through the impossible.  

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Will was a smart, successful, handsome twenty something limited by nothing.  He was a man who got exactly what he wanted, whether it be in business, travels, and even girlfriends.  That all changed after a brutal accident that gave him a new vision of life, through the eyes of a quadriplegic.  His whole world had changed in a matter of seconds and he coped the only way he knew how, by secluding himself into a state of depression.  That is......until he met her.

Louisa is perfectly content with her life.  She works at the local coffee shop, has a steady boyfriend, and a close family.  What more could she need?  Her perfect bubble begins to burst when she is let go from her job and forced to look elsewhere.  Her qualifications are lack luster as she was not college bound like her sister.  No, too much has happened since before the "incident" which changed her course of life and setting her on a safer route.  Now she's left with no job, still living with her parents, and beginning to feel like she'll never get out of this rut.  That all changed when she met him.

You see, Louisa did find a job and ended up serving as a care giver to Will.  This was not a love at  first sight greeting.  Will was at his lowest point and did everything he could to shut others out.  In fact, Louisa was pretty much certain Will hated her.  As time went on, and many hours spent together, Louisa and Will developed something.  Neither noticed it as it was happening, but it was real and it was growing moment by moment.  Then Louisa discoveries Will's secret.  He plans to attend an assisted suicide center in 6 months.  That's all he promised his parents was 6 months more of his life, until he just could't do it anymore.

After recovering from her devastation from the news of Will's plan, Louisa is determined to give him purpose again.  She goes into full plan mode and creates a list of adventures for Will to go on.  At first he begrudginly participates, not knowing the real reason behind all this, and eventually really begins to enjoy himself.  But will this be enough?  Will Louisa be able to make him want to continue his life here, or will he continue with his plan?  Most importantly, will their love for one another make him want to stay?

I can't count how many times I laughed and cried while reading this book.  It's definitely a good love story, but so much more than that.  It shows just how much we all take for granted and makes you wonder how would you go on if it was all taken away.  The more you learn about each character, the more enthralled you become while reading.  Will isn't the only one evolving.  Louisa went through something horrendous before meeting Will and learns from him how to grow from the pain, and continue truly living.  My female friends, this is a true must read.