The Weight of Silence

The Weight of Silence is a hauntingly moving story of a dysfunctional family in the middle of a crisis. After witnessing a tragedy in the family, young Calli becomes a selective mute. She refuses to speak, yet she builds a strong friendship with a girl without using words. They seem to have an otherworldly connection in which Petra, her friend, can feel what Calli wants or needs. The book centers around the search for Calli and Petra who both went missing early one morning. It is told from each family member's perspective; it picks up with a different family member each chapter. The book becomes sort of a puzzle, putting together each piece of the story as you read and try to figure out what caused the girls to disappear. I highly suggest this book; it is great for a quick little weekend read.

What is the weight of silence? The weight of silence in this book is the heavy load that burdens the girl who will not speak. She has secrets to tell, but she cannot fathom opening her mouth until she has to speak up in order to try and save her friend. She does not speak up for herself, but rather for the life of someone else. Then she begins to tell her story. Have you ever had a secret you couldn't tell? Did it weigh you down in mind, body, and spirit? That is the weight of silence.

Don't be silent.

A Great and Terrible Beauty...

was anything but terrible. This book is captivating. It sweeps you off your feet and transports you to a time where, for girls, modesty ruled and scandal followed every little move. Gemma Doyle, the heroine, is thrust into a magical world where the line between reality and make believe become blurred. She discovers this world after being sent to an all-girls school per her late mother's request. It is at this school that she learns who she truly is and what she may become.

I absolutely loved this book. This is the first in a series, and it is the kind of book that made me want to curl up under the covers and escape into this 19th century world. I think what I enjoyed most was the element of forbidden romance. She develops, not by choice, a releationship with an Indian boy who is not from her social class. This dynamic really makes the book surge with romantic energy. I loved it.

Way too long...

I have gone way to long without posting. I started teaching last fall, and I just didn't have as much time to devote to reading. However, I have read quite a few books since my last post. I'll write an entry everyday until I get caught up. I'll start with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I read this over the summer, and I absolutely fell in love with the characters. Lisbeth Salander is someone to really root for. I actually hated the book at first; I couldn't understand what all the hype was about. Although, about 100 pages in I started singing a different tune. The pace really begins to pick up, and the pieces all start coming together in this thriller. I could not put it down. I immediately wanted to jump into the sequel, but I'll save my thoughts on that book for a later post.