Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Definitely dark and entertaining - this is how I describe Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.  This book is a fusion of the movies X-men, Big Fish, The Vampire's Assistant, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. This young adult fiction novel by Ransom Riggs combines horror and fantasy elements which makes the book an awesome reading experience.

The story starts with the mysterious murder of Jacob's grandfather. This event motivated Jacob to know more about his grandfather's strange request before he passed away. He went to the island where his grandfather grew up, and there he discovered the truth behind his identity.

This book needs extended sitting time because it is a page-turner. It was one of the scariest books that I have ever read, alongside Coraline, and The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman. The graphic novel contains pictures that may disturb younger readers. Keep this book out of reach of children as it may give them nightmares when they sleep.

The Fifth Mountain

The Fifth Mountain is the story of Elijah, and how amidst the trials in his life, overcame, and found his true calling along the way.

This inspirational book of Paolo Coelho reminds us that we should continue to persevere even if there are many obstacles in our lives. These challenges are meant to help us find our true purpose and to transform us into someone whom we never thought we are capable of.

There are times in our lives when we start to question of our existence, when we become faithless, and when we become hopeless. The story of The Fifth Mountain will help us realize that these feelings of hopelessness and despair are normal, however, we should never cling on to the past but allow ourselves to live for the moment.

This book of Paolo Coelho is a must read for people who are in need of inspiration and motivation to continue with life. The Fifth Mountain is a success story of perseverance to complete one's destiny.

Favorite excerpt:

A child can always teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.