Room.

I love to read (have you checked out my shelf, over there? -->). I didn't really like it when I was in school, I freely admit. Something about HAVING to read makes you less likely to read recreationally. Have you noticed? It's like, "Read? I just had to stomach 50 pages of Economics in the Global Marketplace. I'm taking a nap."

Anyway, I've realized I enjoy books about people escaping captivity. I find it fascinating how the characters (either real or fictional) survive their captor's oppression and manage to flee to freedom.

I just finished a compelling page-turner and I am writing to gush about it:

My friend Jae recommended it and I decided to give it a whirl. Very glad I did.

(For the record, I'm rarely disappointed by others' book suggestions. So if you have any good ones, feel free to lay 'em on me.)

Here's the gist: A woman is kidnapped as a young adult. While in captivity, she has a son. His name is Jack. When the story starts, he is 5 years old. He is the one telling the story.

I know, I know -- "Ugh, I don't want to read a story from some KID'S perspective. I'll pass."

But trust me. It. Is. Amazing. I laughed. I cried. I gasped in horror. I bit my nails off (all of them). I read it in approximately two days. I could not put it down.

Remember how much I loved The Help? I said (and I quote), "I think everyone in America should read it." Well, that's how I feel about Room. It will change you.

So, if you haven't read it, go to the library and put yourself on the waiting list (there probably is one) or heck -- just go buy it because you won't regret it. I promise.