This is in my top 5 list of favorite books this year ~ The insight
359410
This is in my top 5 list of favorite books this year ~ The insight, the tools and the teachings helped me to clear away old energy from my divorce and emerge into a life that is more guided and focused on "Me". Thank you Kerri for this amazing book :) Congratulations
3553281
I read this book when I was on a busy working vacation, and I really shouldn't have, because while I should've been being productive, I couldn't stop thinking about this story. Shazi is utterly compelling--strong, witty, and relatable. The writing itself is absolutely gorgeous and the romance? Thinking about it just now made my pulse quicken. It's richly imagined and beautiful and wrapped my heart up so hard that I had a hard time reading ANYTHING else for a while after. Highly, highly, highly recommend. One of my favorites I've read all year.
4110332
This book probably goes on my top 10 list of the most pivotal non-fiction books I have ever read.
3818251
To rate this book 5 stars would be an understatement. It is by far the best book Ive read this entire year and may very well be the best book Colleen Hoover has ever written. She outdid herself and with every book release she continues to remind me why I love her writing so much. Shes brilliant. She makes you feel, makes you cry, makes you angry, makes your heart break  practically guts you before there can even be a HEA. For some, the end of a book is usually the most dreaded part, because youve become a part of this world you cant describe yet you connect with these characters so well, you hurt with them, you love with them, you feel with them and when it comes to an end you just want more. When I read a Colleen Hoover book that expectation goes out the door. For me, the endings have become my favorite part because the journey her characters take to get there are some of the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful Ive ever experienced. You learn some valuable life lessons and by the end its a bittersweet goodbye that leaves you completely satiated. Colleen Hoover's books are an experience you will truly never ever forget.

Theres this process I go through on an annual basis where I try to pick the best book Ive read all year. I read, love and repeat this process over and over again often citing how this one is a favorite or that one is absolute poetry, but with every Colleen Hoover release this process becomes a battle because its like her books continuously try to outshine the previous release. They often do, but my thoughts range from OMG I love it, I have a new book boyfriend to what the heck does Colleen have in store for us next? In the past Ive said its too difficult to rank her books in order of my favorite to my least favorite because theyve all been favorites. Her books are truly gems, but November 9 just changed the game for me. I know without a doubt (and I mean no disrespect to any authors Ive read or will read from here on out, but) this will be the best book Ive read for all of 2015. The wait was grueling, but it was definitely worth it. Secondly, this is likely the best book Ive EVER read and I have only said that about a handful of books (which Ill sort through and list at a later date). Colleen Hoover deserves awards for this release. It is brilliant, chilling and poignant. I fell in love and was devastated with equal measure. I was in tears and on edge for about 30-40% of this book. She threw unexpected curves and shattered my heart and I swore shed never render it whole again.

Im not going to summarize the plot, the synopsis is wicked enough for that. Instead Ill tell you that November 9 is easily the best book you will ever read. It is a book that you will want to own and read over and over again. It will draw you in and make you wish you could find a love as epic as Fallon and Bens. This is a must read, must own, must be made into a film. fingers crossed on the last one there. It was the most beautiful story Ive ever read. Colleen Hoover never disappoints and with all the release dates and published books that alone speaks volumes. Shes opened a book store, started a monthly book subscription service with all proceeds going to charity, has a family and makes time to deliver us masterpiece after masterpiece. She is truly amazing and when you read a work like this, her brilliance and creativity shine through. I hope she continues to bring more great releases like this one. It is outstanding.
3075114
One of my absolute favorite books, I've read almost all of Stephen Kings work and it's in my top 5
3649964
What an amazing story. It has become one of my favorite books of the new year ( its the 4th I have read) but it is also in my top 20 of all time!
3581020
Where the Stars Still Shine is one of the most incredible books of this year. Callie's story is heartbreaking, but also hopeful; I was completely invested in it from start to finish. What makes this novel moving is how Doller skillfully tackles things that many of us might face in real life: shifting family dynamics, new friendships, and the promise of romance. Underneath all this, of course, is the heart of the book: Callie's journey towards making peace with her past, her present and her possible future.

Callie is someone I could have been friends with, mostly because we both love books. After living a non-traditional life for so many years, it's no surprise that she's capable, street smart and fiercely independent. Even so, readers will feel the need to hold her hand and protect her as she gets exposed to a different lifestyle - one where she has a stable home, job and set of people surrounding her. Callie's understandably confused and awkward, attempting to fit herself into a life that could have been hers if her mom hadn't taken her away. Yet somehow, the pieces start to slowly fall into place.

What makes her adjustment incredibly difficult is learning how to deal with her father, her new friend (and cousin) Kat, and a potential romance with Alex Kosta. These three are complete strangers in her life, and it's no surprise that she has no idea how to handle her relationships with each of them. How is she supposed to feel about this parent who is virtually a stranger and the family he brings into her life? Should she pursue this friendship with Kat, who is wonderfully bubbly and eager to be her friend? And what about the mysterious Alex, who's irresistible but also seems like a bad idea? Callie really goes through a lot as she learns what it means to have a dad, be a good friend and even truly fall in love with someone. She also develops a new dynamic with her mother, which is something that I thought was handled well. Even though it can be quite painful at times, Doller did a good job of bringing those various situations to life in an authentic way.

There are quite a few moments in Where the Stars Still Shine that I'd want to return to time and again, because they're written so wonderfully. The whole novel really transports the reader into Callie's life, allowing us to feel like we're experiencing everything alongside her. While I can't guarantee you won't be frustrated with certain parts or characters, I can say, wholeheartedly, that it's fairly simple to fall in love with Doller's writing, Callie's story and even Alex Kosta. This novel is such a beautiful contemporary read, and definitely one of my favorites for 2013.
4273985
I bought this book way back, so far back that I don't remember exactly when. I was going through a rough time, and after seeing Sophy Burnham being interviewed by Oprah, and being mesmerised, I bought the book. It is #2 on my favourite book list of all time. #1 being The Prophet by Khalil Gibran. I treasure my copy and it never ceases to bring me up from a free fall when I am having troubles and which thank God is rarely. But I still love reading it, and do so over and over. Highly, highly, recommended.
3032979
This is the most beautiful book Ive read in a long time. I fell in love with the three siblings right away and found myself completely invested in their storylines. I tend to rush through books that I enjoy except in the rare instances when I don't want to leave that particular literary world. This book fits into the latter. I wanted to savor this book. When I turned that last page I found myself daydreaming about the characters, eager for more. This will likely be my top read of 2018.
3614962
I am not sure how can I adequately tell you how much I love this book. I have a big smile in my face just to think about.
If you love reading you'll enjoy many stories but this was the kind of story that stays with you long after the final words are read.
Just...perfection
This is a beautiful book, just beautiful storytelling, adding to my must read list this year.
Do yourself a favor, buy this book, lock yourself away and don't come out until you are done!!
Kudos to you ML
620413
This has been one of my absolute favorite books this year. I read it on KU, then loved it so much I bought the ebook version,  and now I have added the paperback to my Christmas wishlist. Everything about this book is amazing. I love the characters and their story the book sucks you in and gives you an epic book hangover. If you are not already a fan you will be after reading it.
1801061
I wrote my review then deleted it. I'm trying to come up with the best wording. But in fact, this was the best book. The best I've read this year. It'll probably be the best of all year. It was mature. It was captivating. It was sensual. It was romantic. I cried.

I loved the downfalls. I loved the rock bottom. I loved the reemergence. It was heartfelt. It was heartwarming. It was wonderful. It had plenty of drama. I loved the necklace. It made me cry. I loved the speedo. It made me cry. I loved the mantra and quotes. They made me cry.

I loved the Physio Room. I actually had to read it twice. It was awesome. I wasn't too sure of the rugby parts. I'm not familiar with it. But it worked. It wasn't too much.

I can't say enough about this book. It was sincerely one of the best book I've ever had the pleasure to read. I wish I could give more than 5 Stars. It was so worth it.

I'd HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
2209008
This has definitely been one of my favorite books of 2012 - if not THE favorite.  I finished it in June and have neglected to review it because I didn't think that I would be able to do it justice - but here goes.
Maddie and T.J. are still dealing with the loss of their mother in a terrible car crash, followed by their father retreating into his own world as he can't deal with this loss.  That leaves T.J. to try to fill in for them in protecting/raising Maddie - who at 19 doesn't feel her brother needs to know everything about her life.  So when Lane, her brother's best friend, and Maddie fall in love - her brother is the last person they feel they can tell.
Inter-racial couples are looked down on during this time and in many states it is illegal to marry, so T.J. is not the only one that they are keeping their relationship secret from.  Lane's family is busy arranging for a bride to come over from Japan for Lane - and when he finds this out, he knows that he and Maddie must act soon - so they run off to Seattle to elope.  Only to awaken the next morning to a world torn apart by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Lane returns to his family and Maddie to hers - both of which learn what they have done and are incredibly hurt by what they see as a betrayal.
Before Lane and Maddie can even be a family, the Moritomo's father is arrested and the rest of the family shipped off to an internment camp.  It isn't long before Maddie finds out where they have gone, and finagles her way in to be with Lane.  Where Lane isn't trusted outside the camp, Maddie isn't trusted within it - and her and Lane have to share a room with Lane's mother -- who hasn't liked Maddie from the start.  They are both struggling to figure out how they can adapt to their new reality.
This is only the first half of the book though - I don't want to give too much more away, but it will definitely keep you turning the pages.  I finished reading this on a flight from Las Vegas and as I don't like to fly, this was a perfect book as it drew me in and before I knew it we were landing and the flight was over.
There are reading group questions in the back and I think this would be an absolutely great book for a book club.  There are so many issues here with the whole interracial couple especially set against the back drop of WWII.  She also deals with issues of family, loyalty, forgiveness, loss.  Once again - I loved this book and highly recommend it!

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4050609
This may be my most favorite read of the year. It makes me proud of my town; I knew there was a lot going on in the garden community around here, but having it all collected in one place, with such excellent photography, is exciting and very inspiring. Besides reading it, I've also flipped through it multiple times just to look at the pictures. What a great book. My only regret is that my recent schedule has not allowed me to attend any of the events centering around the book in the community since its release. I can't wait until spring to take another shot at my own garden!

A fantastic collection of information, interviews, and anecdotes from gardeners, activists, and regular folks -- kids included -- who have gotten swept up in the magic of growing real food. I can't recommend this book more for fans of this kind of thing.
4792156
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. It is such a moving, must read, feel all the feels stories and instantly shot onto my top 10 favorite books ever! Do yourself a favor and read this book NOW!
4640198
This one is right up there, tied for my favorite read of 2013. I just love the Andrews' world building skills. Their ability to put me in the world they create is amazing and a month later I'm still seeing the story in my mind. I loved the Inn and the kick butt Innkeeper, whose skills I want to have. Fantastic read. I just loved everything about this book.
3436064
i read alot and this was up there as being one of the best book this year.  i laughed, i cried, i sighed.  i felt like i was with the characters and the author didn't rush or labour on any parts of the story.

wonderful read which i highly recomend.