I usually judge the worth of a book if I cry at the end. It's stupid, really, but I'm being honest. After I finished The Book Thief, I sobbed. For hours. It was THAT good. In fact, that book caused JD to create a category system for my Book Cries and as I sniffled my way through dinner, my cry fest was a solid category five. Mass emotional destruction.

The books I've read lately haven't caused me to cry, but they're still solid and in case you're looking for a few Good Reads, check them out…

The Submission by Amy Waldman
This story chronicles the behind the scenes frustration, drama, and heart-ache in choosing the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. One of the things I loved best about the book is that it made me question underlying prejudices Americans may harbor and what's “right” when taking politics, culture, and emotion into consideration. The story is about what's right and fair…and all the blurry lines in between. A very good read.

We Have Always Live in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
This novella was written so, so well. The subject matter could be slightly dark (the protagonist's sister was tried for murdering her entire family), but the story itself highlights the after-effects of ostracizing a family and the ramifications of community bullying. Two young women are left to care for their handicapped uncle in a house on the outside of town, and their lives change when the community is forced to deal with their prejudice. I enjoyed it more for the way the story was written than the story itself, but it was an easy and pleasant read nevertheless.

The Cove by Ron Rash
Apparently Rash is widely known for his book, Serena, but seeing how I never read it, I was simply reading The Cove for the sake of reading the book. The story itself was straight-forward, I was drawn into the characters' lives, and I was hooked through the entire read, but at the end, I don't think it'll be a book that sticks with me. It was pleasant and I made my way through, but that the end of the day, it's simple a love story gone awry, largely based on being community outcasts.

WHOA, I just noticed a pattern in the books I read this month…prejudice and outcasts. I need to go read some books filled with explosions of glitter.

Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard
I'm primarily a lover of fiction, but when this book was recommended by way, I took and chance…and enjoyed it! This book chronicled the life of President James Garfield and the role Alexander Graham Bell played in his assasination. Didn't know he played a role? Me either! Bell played a role in the President's attempted recovery and not in the murder, but the layers to this story are insane. That's what made this book so good. The way Millard weaves history into a compelling story is art in it and of itself, but her ability to personalize each story within the story is what makes her a genius in my mind. If history is your thing, you won't be let down with this book.

Happy Monday!