Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen

Here's the official:

As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the Great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

I know many of you have already seen the movie with Reese Witherspoon and Rob Pattinson (swoon). I've yet to see the movie, but the book was incredible. Never have I read a more believable character. Jacob Jankowski captured my heart as a young man alone in the world, unsure of his future. And he captured my heart even more as partial narrator of the story at ninety years old.

He's believable, and lovable, and so utterly sad.

I was angry for him, I hurt for him, and I literally laughed out loud at his triumphs.

I recommend this book to anyone (over the age of 15...) and know you'll love it as much as I do.

Stay tuned for more book reviews soon!