Finding

I was recently given the book Dear Mr. Knightley by BookSneeze, for review. For me, the amount of time it takes me to read a book is quite telling. This book I read within a few a days, meaning I enjoyed it and it engaged me.
Katherine Reay's first novel lays out the experiences and feelings of a young woman through letters she writes to a pseudonym attached to the foundation that pays for her Master's education at a prestigious journalism school.
The letters allow Sam to withdraw herself from her books and into the world around her, to be separate from her favorite characters and become herself. Throughout the book, she is faced with challenges to escape the fear, anger and other scars from the past that caused her to hide in the first place and enter a new chapter of life, a life with love and hope.
I appreciate the range of issues the book touches on: foster care, education, career choices, anger, fear, love, hope, God, and others.
I would recommend this book to others, especially those who appreciate reading and/or writing.

A Bleak Future

Jonathan Friesen paints a bleak picture of the future, with the central problem being a lack of fresh water on the earth, in his book Aquifer. Those still alive, are held in constant fear of running out of water. Their only hope is the deliverer, who makes an annual exchange with the creatures who have control of the water source underground. Only the deliverer knows the winding path to reach the "rats" with the light sticks to exchange for another year of fresh water.
Luca, the deliverer's son, faces his future as he matures into adulthood feeling like he has no place in the world, being separate from everybody around him. Growing up, he has little knowledge of his past or the truth about the present. He doesn't even know much about his own father, but a turn of events thrusts him into an adventure during which he learns much about his family and the world and grows into a brave, young man as he searches for hope and a place to fit in.
I really enjoyed the book, not only for the story told but also for the symbolism presented. It is both an entertaining and thought-provoking book.
I appreciate BookSneeze for giving it to me for review.