Natascha Kampusch: 3,096 Days

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In the beginning the storyline portraits young Natascha struggling between her mother and father and their broken marriage. She is portrated as a sheltered child who doesn't really care of other childrens company. 

For the first time she is let to walk to school all by herself. She is ten years old and is somehow aware of some national sexual abuse cases that other children of her age has encountered with. Little does she know that she is about to get kidnapped during her walk to the school. 

The kidnapper was a disturbed and extremely violent 35-year old man who, during these eight years that she was captived by him, made sure to her that no-one cared about her and her family were actually releaved that they have gotten rid of her. 

She had to spend almost all of her time in a tiny room with no window or other source of natural lighting.  Instead of those there was a "god" who controlled the time and her daily routines. It is almost unbeliavable that she truly got away and is able to live a normal life afterwards.

I'm very interested in these missing children-cases. I just wish all of the Amy Fitzpatricks and suchs would somehow, sometime have the same opporturnity to escape if they are put in these kind of similar situations.

Elbie Lötter: It's me, Anna

I think it's really hard to write a book review of this one because the story is so tragic and i kind of feel like i'm not allowed to say really anything about it. Overall the book is a true story about Anna, a young girl who gets both physically and sexually abused by her stepfather Danie while her mother just looks away and doesn't really believe in her. Maybe that part is the most grossing ever when a mother doesn't believe her own daughter and is willing to risk the life of their younger daughter as well.

I would have given 5 stars if the story wasn't coloured with a different ending.

Deborah Rodriguez: the Kabul beauty school

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At one point i really enjoyed reading all these sort of true story books where people live in countries i couldn't even ever imagine to live in. I'm not sure though i "enjoyed" reading this one.

It's about a beauty school the writer helps to build in Kabul, Afganistan and about the students. It's really nice to hear the stories of the students as well, but because it's titled "The Kabul Beauty School" i kind of wished it would have told lot more stories about the actual beauty school-part and the customers, the everyday life overall within the school.

I do realise the world is so different over there and maybe the writer believed that she has to tell every awful story behind every woman, but i don't know, would have been nice to read little more about the fun stuff that happens around the school, within the school walls. Maybe this is just result of reading too many awful stories about women in these sort of countries, that for once i just wished for to have a little different view on the subject - when for the fact the title really allures you to think so.

Gwen Cooper: Homer's Odyssey

When I was younger I used to read a lot of James Herriot-stories about cats and I seriously was in love and in awe although lot of the stories were sad in the beginning.

This story about Gwen and adopted blind cat Homer brought back all those memories and stories and makes me want to find all those other cat books as soon as possible again.

So anyone who looks for a good story about living with cats in general and living with disabled cat should most definitely read this one!

Lorna Byrne: Angels in my hair

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I know this story isn't meant to be scary, but honestly i couldn't even read the first chapter without imagining the "Grudge"-like little boys crawling into my apartment. I know that isn't how the writer has intended this book to be, but i can't help myself that i just find this scary.

Minna Kiistala: Minä en sitten muutu

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The book is telling a true story of a woman who becomes pregnant and finds it hard to adjust to the "most precious time you can ever have". The book is filled with witty comments about mothers and their children and how people kind of get lost in the family after having a child (ie. forgetting everything else). The book questions the motherly love and passion as well as supports it while her pregnancy goes further.

I really enjoyed the writers attitude, i'm not sure though that would a person with kids appreciate it as much as me - a person who doesn't have kids. The only minus (and withdrawal of one star) is that the last chapter kind of sums up all the feelings - and you are kind of left to wonder that is she really going to be one of those onlineforum-mothers whose only purpos in life is to live through her own child and put down upon people who don't believe in that. I hope she doesn't turn into that and i'll hope she'll have a good head on her shoulder even after her child is born. Maybe she should write a sequel?! ;)

Frances Mayes: Under the Tuscan sun

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I'm really enthusiastic about storylines similar to this book. The describing of the Italian surroundings are beautiful and if i'd like cooking i would definitely try out the recipes. The reason i'm only giving 3 stars is the disapointment i had reading this - i had seen the movie first and the movie had the best storyline. It was heartwarming and happy and you really got to know other people as well than just Francis.. The book is nothing like it and i know it's not the books fault because it was written first.. But.. if the book would have the same story as the movie, i'd give it 5 stars.

Elizabeth Gilbert: Eat, pray, love

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i'm not sure if my review is giving enough justice for this book. I read it during my "want to read anything about moving to a different country and settling in". The other books were from for example Frances Mayes - and you can't really compare these. This one was fine but i quite don't get it why people hype over it. To me it wasn't anything special. Maybe because of all the hippystuff, for me it wasn't that relatable..

Sarita Skagnes: Vain tytär (just a daughter)

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"Over half of the girls in India, die before age 15", "45% of the girls are physicaly abused at school, every other girl gets physicaly abused at home"...

Book is a self-biographical of the writers childhood in India and teenagelife in Norway after getting the chance to move over there and live with the rest of the family. Life in both India and Norway consists of hard work and violence from the familymembers. She doesn't want to approve the acts that are portraited towards her and she stoods up - what happens next?! Read and find out..

Kat Von D: High Voltage Tattoo

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Eventhough i don't have any tattoos of my own, and eventhough i don't even want to have - this book was amazing. All the different stories about each tattoo was as interesting as the story of Kat growing up to be a tattoo artist.