Water for elephants - Sara Gruen

Stripped of everything after his parents' untimely death, twenty-three-year old Jacob Jankowski has failed to sit for his veterinary exams at Cornell, left with no home and no future, the country struggling through the Great Depression. Hopping a train that by chance belongs to The Flying Squadron of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, Jacob is hired on to care for the menagerie.

The story is related in the somber tones of the Depression, the hardscrabble and often unscrupulous business of a traveling circus and the heartless despots who make their fortunes on the backs of men who must do anything to survive. With his advanced training in veterinary medicine, Jacob does his best to protect the animals from their harsh existence, especially Rosie, an elephant purchased to replace star performer Marlena's lead horse. Jacob and Rosie share an affinity for one another, the huge creature at times almost human.

This novel had everything I look for in a great summer read - strong storyline featuring revenge, love, humour, twists, and there definitely isn't a shortage of colourful characters.

This book definitely goes in the pile that I will be able to read over and over again.

Hidden - Paul Jaskunas

In a rural Indiana farmhouse, Maggie Duke is living with the aftermath of a late-night assault that shattered her health, her peace of mind, and her marriage. Narrating in Maggie's somber, poetic voice, Jaskunas fills in the details slowly: Maggie is young, the match was ill-considered. Her husband, Nate Duke, was abusive. Maggie identified Nate as the man who came to the door with a rock in his hand. Nate was freed from prison after another man confessed to the crime, making Maggie doubt everything she believed. 

I found this book very slow moving and it just kept following the same patterns again and again, with no new revelations to make it interesting.

The characters were annoying to say the least - The husband was abusive and arrogant and Maggie came across as pathetic and weak. I found it irritating to read about their lives, especially once I realised  it wasn't even going to have a great ending to wrap it all up.

I wouldn't recommend reading this book, unless you're in the mood for a little self-pity.

The Brethren - John Grisham

The Brethren is in many respects John Grisham's most daring book yet.
The novel grows from two separate subplots. In the first, three imprisoned ex-judges (the "brethren" in the title), frustrated by their loss of power and influence, concoct an elaborate blackmail scheme that preys on wealthy, closeted gay men. The second story traces the rise of presidential candidate Aaron Lake, a puppet essentially created by CIA director Teddy Maynard to fulfill Maynard's plans for restoring the power of his beleaguered agency.

John Grisham has a proven track record of excellent writing and this novel is no exception. The story moves at a great pace - slow enough to keep you enthralled and quick enough to excite you.

The characters are believable which I think is an important factor if a book going to achieve 'can't put it down' status.

A spoiler alert for those who may want to read the book after reading this review - the ending is not your typical  action thriller to the end. It leads you on and keeps you thinking, but in a subtle way rather than a massive climatic event.

Either way I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a good read.