I started my job at the beginning of July in Boston. I have about an hour commute every day and I take the train. This has opened up a wonderful opportunity for me to start reading, as I didn’t feel like I had the time to do so before. Subsequently, my boyfriend’s mother bought me (and herself) an iPad Mini, which has totally transformed my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but seriously. It is a great tool to have on the train, while traveling, sitting on the beach… you name it.

My boss is a big reader, so we often discuss books we enjoy and how we come to find them. We both like to scour the cheaper and/or on-sale books to find hidden gems. It’s incredible how many books are written every day, now that there is the whole new way to present them to the world. “Self-publishing” has become a thing, In fact, Amazon just revealed that 25% of all books sold on the Kindle are what they call indie publishers. It’s pretty incredible.

Anyway, I came across a book on sale for $3.99 called The Husband’s Secret, by Liane Moriarty. I have to admit, my expectations weren’t too high at the time but after reading the reviews, it seemed like a great no-frills book. It was easy to read, the characters were all very well developed, and the plot was a page-turner. I fell in love and was so sad when the book ended. I get so emotionally invested in characters sometimes… I think I read the book in three days. I immediately jumped back into the iBooks and searched for her other novels. Each one had fantastic reviews. I was slightly giddy at this point. I could read this woman’s books all day every day, so I ordered another one right away called The Last Anniversary. OMG! I flew through this one as well for the very same reasons as the other one. To say I was obsessed is an understatement.

Her writing style is just what I needed. Each book sets out introducing a cast of characters, who’s lives all intersect in some way. Throughout each story, you begin to pick up connections and ultimately, a giant mystery is solved. With that being said, I wouldn’t categorize these novels in the “mystery” genre. They are just contemporary fiction. Really enjoyable fiction.

My next choice was What Alice Forgot, which has been my favorite of them all so far, and one that has left me speechless. I haven’t picked up another book yet since finishing this one earlier this week. I’m filled with all sorts of emotions.

The story revolves around a woman named Alice, who hits her head at the gym and when she comes to, she is 10 years older. She literally has no recollection of the last 10 years of her life. One second, she’s 29, brand-new homeowner with her brand-new husband, and a baby on the way. The perfect life. All of a sudden, she’s 39 with 3 children, and in the middle of a bitter divorce with a man she once loved. She has no idea why. With each page, she learns more and more about her forgotten life.

The reason this book resonated with me so much is that you can have the best intentions in life, you can think everything is perfect and always will be, but little things can get in the way. It really forces you to look at your life in a different perspective and to recognize with even the best intentions, things can go wrong. A simple argument over something petty can lead to future resentment. Family can drift apart due to the rush of life. Friendships can slowly start to deteroriate and cause you to burn bridges. Such little events could have grander consequences. I found myself asking the same questions as Alice. Why has her marriage gone so bad? Why is her oldest daughter so distant and rebellious? Why is she so distanced from her sister, who was her best friend growing up? And with each question, the answers are simple. It all started with a small change.

It really is true that communication is key to any lasting relationship. Once that begins to break down, it will slowly take its toll until it is too late. When it’s too late, you will have a hard time pinpointing the exact moment that any trouble began. It could be a number of things but the root of it all is communication. Somewhere along the way, there was a fight that wasn’t resolved, an insult that wasn’t apologized for. It is an eye-opening way to look at your life.

Alice does eventually get her memory back. She eventually learns the truths of what happened to form her into the person that she had become. 10 years of living caused her to turn from a free-spirit barely making ends meet to a rich, slightly vain woman who was too busy to reach out to her family. It was heartbreaking to read because it seems like a very common thing that happens.

I will read Three Wishes next, but I need a break first. I was so emotionally involved in this book that it was too difficult to think about or discuss once I finished it. I have had a few days to clear my mind and assess how I feel. It is one of my favorite books that I have ever read. It was raw, truthful, and frightening. It really forces you to take a hard look at your choices.

But isn’t that the best kind of book?