Reader recommendation: Water for Elephants Email More Monitor readers share their favorite book picks. By Charles Neiman, Beaverton, Ore. April 22, 2011 At first it's hard to get into Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. But then it prevails as a heart-wrenching story that leads you slowly in. I find I cannot put the book down any longer. Recommended: Could you pass a US citizenship test?