Water for Elephants was actually recommended to me by my husband. He doesn't read much but he's read this book TWICE! I saw the movie when it came out in theaters many years ago but remembered very little from it. I'm looking forward to watching the film again now that I've read the book. 
 The story centers around Jacob who's parents die in a tragic accident at the very beginning of the story. Feeling incredibly lost, Jacob hops a train one evening not knowing that this train carried The Benzini Brothers' Most Spectacular Show on Earth circus troupe. He is able to secure a position on the circus as the veterinarian even though he left school before final exams. The rest involves a girl, a jealous husband and what else? An elephant! 
 I really really loved this book. I did hear that you would cry your eyes out reading it if you were an animal lover. I adore animals but the book did not make me cry. The elephant was treated very horribly but it made me angry not weepy! 
 I highly recommend Water for Elephants! It kept me on the edge of my seat for sure!