Since We Last Spoke by Brenda Ruffener, 287 pages

This was a hard book to read subject wise but you know that's a possibility by the blurb on the back.  I kept putting the book down but then almost instantly picking it back up because I had to know what happened. I didn't cry until the end of the book at which point I started sobbing. It's the type of book that I hope everyone will read. It brings to light things people don't always want to talk about but should. Grief should never be bottled up. Teen readers and adults readers will both get a lot from this book.

Educated: a memoir by Tara Westover 334 pages

I struggle with how I want to describe this book.  It was riveting, but so unsettling.  This autobiography was remarkable in that the author got out and away from her upbringing as well adjusted as she did.  Don't get me wrong, I'll bet she's going to be struggling for the rest of her life to undo the damage growing up the way she did caused.  However, the fact that she was able to break away from her family and all their psychological problems and abuse is really impressive.  Her story is never really presented in a woe-is-me way, it is presented in a very matter of fact way that is almost more unsettling.  I love biographies and this is one that I will probably never forget. 

Mother, Mother by Koren Zailckas 363 pages

Josephine Hurst lives in the perfect house with her perfect family at least in her own mind even though her husband Doug is an alcoholic, oldest daughter Rose has vanished with her boyfriend, younger daughter Violet has just been committed to an insane asylum, and son William is a socially inept, home schooler recently diagnosed with Aspergers and Epilepsy. But then with a controlling, narcissist for a wife and mother what can you expect? When a family argument turns to violence it sends events into motion that reveal the lies, secrets and illusions that the Hursts have been forced to live under. Well written, fast paced and I think true to the symptoms and consequences of narcissism, Mother, Mother is a compelling read that’s hard to put down even though there were times I felt browbeat by Josephine’s endless machinations and schemes.