Handle With Care – Jodi Picoult
Synopsis: Willow O'Keefe is born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, which means she will suffer hundreds of broken bones as she grows, and a lifetime of pain. As the family struggles to cover medical expenses, her mother Charlotte decides to file a wrongful birth lawsuit against her obstetrician for the compensation which might ensure a lifetime of care for Willow.
But it means that Charlotte has to say in a court of law that she would have terminated the pregnancy if she'd known about the disability in advance. And the obstetrician she's suing isn't just her physician - she's her best friend…

Jodi Picoult is an amazing writing talent and this book is no exception. I conclude every book of hers truly astounded at how she can capture a story, pull the reader in and write from so many character’s perspectives with sensitivity and clarity. Some people have said this book was formulaic and disappointing but I found it an addictive read and was hooked from the very beginning. I have to admit feeling let down by the end, but I still don’t regret the read – even if it was harrowing!

This was an interesting book to read as the mother character Charlotte is bound to divide people. I won’t go into detail, but I ended up having text sessions with a girlfriend who was reading this at the same time and we got into great discussion from a ‘mother’s perspective’ and a ‘non mother’s perspective’.

Gloss Rating: 4 out of 5
RRP: $39.99
Published by: Allen and Unwin



Dead Until Dark – Charlaine Harris
Synopsis: Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out....Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.

I have to admit I have not read Twilight, and apparently these books are very similar. However, considering this book is a little on the saucy side I would say it makes it suitable for an older audience. The book is humorous and fun – a crisp, easy to read novel with well crafted characters. Really enjoyable. Note: this is the book that inspired the new series True Blood starring Anna Paquin.

Gloss Rating: 4 out of 5
RRP: $ 27.99
Published by: Hachette


The Forest of Hands and Teeth – Carrie Ryan
Synopsis: In Mary's world, there are simple truths.

The Sisterhood always knows best.

The Guardians will protect and serve.

The Unconsecrated will never relent.

And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village. The fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power. And, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.

Now she must choose between her village and her future, between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded by so much death?
 

I loved, loved, loved this book. I was glued to it – and anything else that was going on in my life was frankly an interrupting pain in the you-know-what between me and the pages of this book. I loved the unique take on the ‘zombie story’ and the love story made the plot even more page-turning because by gosh you want everyone to survive!
I devoured this book in no time and I so look forward to more from Carrie Ryan. 

Gloss Rating: 5 out of 5

Published by: Hachette