The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

Kasey from Beautiful Mess told me about this book and since I was on a polygamy kick earlier this summer, why not continue it with this one?

It's a novel that has two story lines. The first is of the 19th wife of Brigham Young back in the 1800's, and the second is of a current day wife of a polygamist. I found that the second story line of the current day sister wife was lacking. I really just wanted to skip over that story and continue with the wife of Brigham Young. I really don't understand why he even had that second story line, I think it took away from the book rather than added entertaining fiction.

The is a novel so it does not claim to be non-fiction but it does tell of a true story and includes journals and other non-fictional writings. It was very interesting to read especially because it spoke of real life events that happened right where I live and I could actually visit the places spoken of in the book.

I'd be curious to hear of a Mormon's opinion of the book and if they think it correctly depicted the Mormon religion.

In Plain Sight by Tom Smart & Lee Benson

I loved this book. The author is Elizabeth Smart's Uncle who reveals everything that went on behind the scenes in the Elizabeth Smart investigation. How the police did not investigate important leads because they just wanted to close the case. Their suspect was dead and they just wanted to wrap it up.

It was so interesting to learn about how the media influenced the investigation. I remember the day they found her because I was at work and she was found just down the street from my building! I love true stories and this one obviously hits close to home for me.

No Man Knows My History by Fawn M. Brodie

This is my second time reading this book but I thought it'd be a good end (hopefully) to my little polygamy kick. It's a pretty controversial book about Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church. Believe you me I've got a lot to say about the Mormon church but because most of my family is Mormon, I will keep my opinions to myself.


At least for now.

Stolen Innocence

After reading Escape, I guess I'm on some sort of polygamy kick. I was so appalled by Escape that when I found Stolen Innocence, I just couldn't stop myself.



Update 7/7/09:

I just finished the book last night and it was a good read. At first I felt the author repeated herself a lot while telling about her childhood, and at times did not pay attention to chronological order, but in part II it really got better.

This is a nonfictional book and the content was truly shocking about the FLDS culture. Unlike Escape, this book goes into the trial against Warren Jeffs which happened right here in Utah so that was interesting hearing it from the witness's perspective.

Overall I loved the book, definitely worth a read!

Escape by Carolyn Jessop

I love reading Non-Fiction and haven't done so in a while. This one is about a woman who grew up in a Polygamist FLDS community and how she was able to escape.

I seriously cannot believe that these people live like this! I just can't fathom how they can believe that what they are doing and the way they are living is what God wants them to do!

Makes me sick. This book was such a good book, kept me reading right through to the end. This woman's story is incredible you've gotta read it!