Happy March everyone! I love the start of a new month, especially one that means spring will be on its way. I have started setting goals at the start of each month and I decided to do the same for my reading goals. I have an ambitious list of books that I want to read this month and I mixed it up with some genres out of my typical ordinary, I'm looking at you dystopia! I also was finally approved for a few ARC (advanced reader copies) on Net Galley {www.netgalley.com} and I am excited to read those and give honest reviews.
I finished The Great Alone by Kirstin Hannah and I am still reeling. Kristin Hannah's writing is amazing and evokes so many emotions. Reading her books reminds me why I love reading. I was swept away in this story and so emotionally invested in the characters. I laughed. I cried. I laughed and cried some more. I enjoy how she writes about Alaska and the environment. It really makes you feel like you are there. While I read, I felt like I could picture the gorgeous blue tones of Alaska's bright daylight summers and dark, vapid winters.
The Great Alone told the story of Leni, a young girl who moves to Alaska from Seattle with her parents. Her parents are madly in love, but co-dependent to a fault. Her father is a POW from Vietnam and has never been the same since he returned. They move to a remote area of Alaska to escape the ever changing world and live off the land. Leni meets Matthew, the only other kid her age in the area and they quickly become friends. What started as a childhood friendship, blossoms into young love.
Leni and her mother, Cora, learn quickly that they must adapt to the harsh environment if they want to survive Alaska. Not only do they have to battle with the long cold winter, hours of darkness, and wild animals, but Leni’s father, Ernt, is unstable, angry, and abusive towards Cora. They have to battle the terrors outside and inside their home.
No spoilers- but this story covers so many different topics, domestic abuse, wilderness survival, solitude, young love, parenthood, the legal system, and it is so thought provoking. I loved every page. I love Kristin Hannah and this book is the perfect example of why. Hands down, five stars. Out of all the books I have read so far this year, this one is at the top with Where the Crawdads Sing. Both are a similar genre and style.
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