I Beat The Odds: From Homelessness to the The Blind Side and Beyond by Michael Oher

For all those fans of the movie the Blind Side with Sandra Bullock in her Oscar winning role as the adoptive mother and the book by the same name, it is worth reading the book by Michael Oher. I saw the movie, but kept wondering about a deeper examination of Michael. Well, the book is just what everyone needs to read.
While there is a great deal of tragedy in Michael's and his family's lives, it is so inspirational to see how far he has come. His triumph is what makes the difference. In spite of the tough times, family has always been and remains important to Michael.  

Somewhere Inside: One Sister's Captivity in North Korea and the Other's Fight to Bring Her Home by Laura and Lisa Ling

This book title is a long one, but describes aptly the process that Lisa and the rest of her family had to endure to make the homecoming  a reality. I remember watching the homecoming on television. From the day the journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling were taken hostage on March 17, 2009 until 5 months later upon their release, the book shares intimate details. The chapters of the book alternate between the voices of Lisa and Laura. Thus, the pain, the frustration, the anger, the weariness that both endured as each fought various battles is painted clearly. This is a book that everyone who is a student of world history, journalism, human rights, politics or just an everyday citizen needs to read. As I was reading this book, I felt the emotion of each sister.