Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir

The whole title is Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Prison. This a true story told by the eldest daughter of the Oufkir family. Malika grew up around royalty. Her father was a general and highly favored advisor to the King of Morroco. Malika was adopted by the king at the age of five and lived in the palace until she was fifteen as a playmate for the king's daughter. Meanwhile she had five other syblings at home. A new king was in place once she went home and two years later her father led a coup te tat to remove the king, which failed and he was killed. The whole family was then put into prison. The youngest child being only three years old. They lived in the most rotten conditions for fifteen years eating little and soon seperation. The eldest boy in one cell, Malika and her sisters in another and their mother and the youngest son in another. There was a period of eight years where they didn't see those in the other cells for eight years. Then they had five years of confinement under house arrest before they were finally released.

This story was a little difficult to get through as it was very fact based writing and didn't really have a flow to it. It was hard to get any emotion out of it even though I was reading about horrible things. Also, there was no suspense buildup. Oufkir always gave anything that was about to happen. The story is amazing and the things that they had to go through was terrible. I had to keep reminding myself that they were getting older as I read because their maturation pretty much just stopped once they were in prison. Even though she almost forty by the time they were released, the way she talked sounded like a young girl telling the story. Their final release was just in 1993 so it's amazing that things like this still happen around the world. I'm glad I read it. It was very eye opening although not the most enjoyable read.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

The classic tale of tragic love and loss. The story is based around Heathcliff and Katherine. The two grew up together and were extremely selfish creatures. Heathcliff was sort of adopted into the family and Katherine's older brother treated him like an animal. Heathcliff and Katherine were best friends up until the Linton's were introduced into their lives. Edgar fell in love with Katherine over the years and though she wasn't necessarily in love with him she knew that he would be able to provide for her handsomely. She hoped she would still be able to keep Heathcliff as a friend but he was extremely hurt by her choice that he left the country. Three years later he returns wealthy and proceeds to reek havoc on everyone who ever made life difficult for him. He steals visits with Katherine much to the chagrin of her husband. His whole plan in life is to make life hell for everyone else. The funny thing is that seems to be all out of love for Katherine.

I listened to this book on c.d. and I think I may want to actually read it sometime. I liked this book for it's quality of writing. I think it's interesting how it explores the selfish, dark side of love. Heathcliff will use anything or anyone to get what he wants. Katherine only feels for her own suffering and though she loves Heathcliff she ultimately wants everyone to love her. The story has a sort of happy ending but it takes a lot of heartache and deaths for this to come about. This probably isn't one of my favorites because there are only a few likeable characters and they all seem to be towed under by the others. But the writing style is very good and the story very well played out.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

This is the third installment in the Twilight series. Again it was a page turner and very frustrating. Do not read on if you haven't already read the book and plan to as storylines will be given away. Bella and Edward are back together again (thank goodness, the second book was not as good for lack of Edward). Bella finds it increasingly difficult to maintain her friendship with Jacob while pursuing a relationship with Edward as they are natural enemies. Edward is overprotective but wants to make Bella happy and is willing to accept the friendship however Jacob is not as understanding, especially since he wants Bella for himself. While this love triangle is going on, Bella is still trying to convince Edward to make her a vampire however some new conditions have arisen and Victoria is back and still out for Bella's blood.

So many emotions flying througout this book. I've never been a fan of Jacob. I feel he is a very manipulating character, but maybe I just don't understand him. I read on Meyer's website a short summary of Twilight and New Moon as from Jacob's perspective to see if I would like him any better. It helped only a little. I am just so on Edward's side and want the two to be together that anyone who gets in the way is wrong.

Now I have to wait a whole year for the fourth book. Will the torture never end?