Books : Water for Elephants: A Novel

Rating: - Loved this book
When I read the synopsis of this book I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. What a wonderful peek inside depression era circus life. I very much enjoyed this author's style of writing.

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Rating: - Delightful!
This was a delightful summer read. Everything about this book was good. You could really identify and feel passionate (good or bad) about the characters, including the animals. All the loose ends are wrapped up. It makes me feel nostalgic and she has a way of transporting you back in time without being too wordy. The book is well written and entertaining. This was pretty much the best book I read all summer. I even cried a little at the end. :) I really hope they make this book into a movie. It would be such a great movie if it was done correctley. Everyone should read this book.

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Rating: - You'll want to run away and join the circus, too!
90-ish Jacob Jankowski narrates his story in flashbacks from a nursing home. His days with the circus feel more real and alive to him than his current reality.

After his parents are killed in a car accident, Jacob runs out on his vet school exams and joins the circus. Circus life is not always easy, but Jacob has experiences with humans and animals that change his life forever.

Gruen brings the Depression-era circus vividly to life, along with its many colorful characters. If Rosie the elephant and Bobo the orangutan don't touch your heart, it's made of stone!

Highly recommended!

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Rating: - Book Club Read
Excellent read. It has been a long time since I picked up a book that I could not put down. The author is a wonderful story teller. He was able to include many thought provoking social issues into what might be considered a light read.

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Rating: - A new book for my favorites shelf
I accidentally stumbled upon this book at the book store in an airport. I began reading it during my lay over and it was hard to put down during a very important and busy trip. I finished it within days after returning home (once again filling my airport/plane time with reading).

I loved the combination of mystery, passion, action, humor, tears, humans and animals Sara Gruen has put in this book. It is the kind of book that leaves you speechless when you finish it and you wonder if you should just continue to read it over and over again because the next few books won't even come close to being as wonderful. It was a bittersweetness to read the last few pages as it meant it was the end.

I haven't found anything since that captured me the way "Water for Elephants" did. "Water for Elephants" is going to remain on the favorites shelf for a long, long time.