Books that surprised me from the very beginning.

A Man Called Ove | Fredrik Backman

Summary: Ove is a recently widowed grumpy old man who doesn’t feel the need to keep on living. This is his story of why he feels this way and the road he takes and the people and animals he lets into his world that he so desperately wants to escape.

Recommendation: I started laughing within the first 2 pages of this book but wanted to cry after the first few chapters. It’s sharp dialogue and smooth transition from past to present is a page turner. We all probably know an Ove and wonder why they act the way they do. Without any expectations or knowledge of the subject matter I was thoroughly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book.

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The Awakening | Nora Roberts

Summary: This is the first book of a 3 book series The Dragon Heart Legacy set in fantasy Ireland. It follows twenty six year old Breen Kelly’s adventure from mousy school teacher to savior of a fantasy land called Talamh. It’s full of romance, fighting and deception with strong characters and dialogue. It’s center on witches but also includes fairies, elfs, dwarfs and were-creatures. 

Recommendation: It starts out in ordinary reality but quickly moves to magical fantasy. The characters are full and interesting and you start routing for them from the very beginning. It takes you on a beautiful journey of Ireland with its many castles and cliffs then drops you into a fantasy Ireland with wonderful creatures and cruel villains. This is also done beautifully as an audiobook. 

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