Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

() This work of non-fiction reads like a skillfully-fabricated novel. It's put together through various records and verbal accounts of a Muslim family who lived through the horror of Hurricane Katrina.

It's slow going as it builds up the characters, but soon news of the impending storm comes. Zeitoun, the father of the Muslim family, decides to stay in New Orleans and watch over their properties while his family evacuates. As is well known, the storm reaches unimagined levels, and all their possessions are destroyed. Still, Zeitoun decides to stay as he makes it his mission to help save anyone trapped or hurt in the city. He uses his canoe to travel through the flood waters.

However, the city is in chaos and Zeitoun eventually finds himself arrested and suspected of terrorism. He is of course innocent, but is held unjustly under uncivilized, disorganized, tortuous conditions. The book goes into a good amount of detail and further explains the effects on his family and friends.

It's an intriguing read that is also educational.

A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer

() This is one of the best books I've ever read. Not because it's jammed-packed with suspense and shock, though it is, but because it brings you into the eyes of a small, innocent, highly abused and traumatized child. And it's a true story written by the child as an adult! Do not pass down the opportunity to read this book.
As I said, it follows the life of a boy suffering at the cruel hand and evil mind of his mother. He is forced to do everything dehumanizing and horrendous that you can imagine, including eating feces and being the family's slave. He is also denied everything that keeps him living; this includes sleep, food, and basic hygiene.
With late intervention by an outsider, this boy just survives, and comes out of this struggle with larger-than-life battle scars. He turns his experience around for good, and writes this book to help educate others. Child abuse is real, prevalent, and very serious. There are warning signs, and it is not to be taken lightly. This book is a testimony to that fact.