Defining the Wind
by Scott Huler-The history of Beuford Scale. I took a work shop from Scott at
the Tennessee Mountain Writer’s Workshop in 2014. He was a line editor and
found the Beuford Scale of wind in his dictionary and the poetical language in
it intrigued him. He began his search for the origin of the scale. Very
engaging.
Babes in the Woods
by Lillian O’Donnell-Flo is a fading dancer at 39. Still beautiful but knows
her career is fading. She meets Wally one night at her club. He woos and weds
her. Flo has drawn her own conclusions as to the state of Wally’s finances and
so is gravely disappointed when she realizes all the money they have is tied up
in a trust fund for his children. She knew about the kids. She buckles down to
her new life. The nine year old runs out in front of a car and is killed, the
seven yr old dies of heart failure after a round of pneumonia and the dying
continues. I got this book at a library sale and bought it because I remember
my mom and her sisters singing ‘Babes in the Woods’ when I was little. Well
written, my only beef was no one seemed too sad about the kids dying.
The War that Saved
My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley-10 yr old Ada had never left her apartment.
Her mother was too humiliated for anyone to see her crippled daughter with the
twisted foot. When Ada’s younger brother Jamie is going to be shipped out of
London because of the emanate threat of the German’s bombing Ada sneaks out to
go with him. Leaving the humiliation and terror she has lived with all her life.
Susan Smith is still grieving after three years for her dearest friend Becky so
doesn’t want to take any children in. Ada learns to ride a horse among other
things. This is a wonderful book about the horrors of war and the healing from
abuse. Loved it.
The Selection
by Kiera Cass-Think of it as a cross between the Twilight love triangle, Hunger
Games Dystopia (but milder) and the reality show, ‘The Bachelor’. It was a
light easy read but not engaging enough for me to read the other two in the
series.
Serephina
by Rachel Hartman-Seraphina lives in a world of humans and dragons but dragons
can take on the shape of humans. They have lived in peace for 40 years.
Seraphina has a secret that could put herself and those she loves in danger.
Nice world building, nicely written, there were sometimes where we got a lot of
information and not adequate explanation like all the Saints. But I enjoyed it
enough that I am looking forward to the sequel coming out in March.
Bratt Farrer
by Josephine Tey-Bratt is an orphan who bares a striking resemblance to Simon
Ashby whose twin brother and heir to the Ashby fortune disappeared when he was
13 yrs old. It was presumed he drowned himself after his parent’s death. Bratt
is schooled by a close family friend to enter the Ashby Family as the long lost
Patrick Ashby. Then old secrets start to emerge until the final culminating
reveal. Wonderful read, recommended by the same author (Ann Patchet) that
recommended some other mysteries.
The False Prince
by Jennifer A Nielsen-Sage is an orphan living on the streets to help provide
food for the orphanage he stays at. One day the head mistress sells him to a
noble of the royal court. He is joined by other boys about his same age and
basic looks. Sage discovers that they plan to train one of these boys to
impersonate the long lost prince. Really a fun read. There are two more books
in this series. We’ll see if I read them.
The Gifts of
Imperfection by Brene Brown-This is the book Joe gave me for Christmas.
It is a book about how to live wholeheartedly and secrets of those who do.
It’s a wonderful book.
Visitors
by Orson Scott Card-The final book in this trilogy starting with Pathfinder. I
listened to them all on Audible with voices of Kirby Heyborne, Emily Rankin(OSC
daughter) and Stefan Rudnski. I loved listening to it. It was a lot, a lot of
discussing the ramifications of time travel and causality. Still in all it was
an extremely satisfying conclusion.
And There Was
Light by Jacues Lusseyran-The story of a boy blinded at eight years old
who went on to become one of the leading French Resistance fighters in occupied
France during WWII. The end was very harrowing as he was finally captured and
spent 15 months in Buchenwald. How he found the light within himself to
overcome adversity and reach his full potential. (John and I read it together)
Mrs. Mike
by Benedict and Nancy Freedman-Wonderful classic story of a 16 yr old girl who
meets a Canadian Mounty while visiting
her uncle to recuperate from an illness. She falls in love with the Mounty and
travels up to one of the remotest post in Canada where she is the only white
woman. I loved it. Another similar book is called Tisha by Robert
Specht.
With This Ring
by Carla Kelly-Tender Regency. Lydia is over shadowed by her younger and much
more beautiful sister, Kitty. In fact she is verbally, emotionally and
physically abused by her mother. She comes into her own when she decides to
volunteer at a field hospital. That’s where she meets Major Sam Reed who won’t
leave his men to insure they are properly cared for.
Sojourn by
RA Salvatore-the final book in the Drizzt D’Urden series. He is a self exiled
dark elf of the Under Dark Menzobarenzah.( I just love saying the names of the
characters and places.) Now he must find a place for himself on the surface.
Salvatore is the master of the action adventure. I really enjoyed these.
Listened to them all on Audible.
White Cat
by Holly Black-Cassell lives in a family of curse workers which is extremely
illegal. Anything from doing physical harm with just a touch, to the ability
change or erase memory and even cause death. They are also a family of
con-artists and thieves. Then Cassell starts sleep walking and dreaming of a
white cat. Shannon Hale and Mette Ivie
Harrison both recommended this book.
The Boy on the
Wooden Box by Leon Leyson w/ Mardyn V. Harrison and Elizabeth B
Leyson-Leb Lejzon is one of the survivors on Schindler’s List. This is a
harrowing story of being a Polish Jew through WWII and how Leib’s family
survived because of Oskar Schindler. It was amazing how Schindler convinced the
German’s that Leib’s family were all master machinists even though Leib had to
stand on a wooden box to reach the machine. Heart wrenching.
The Peculiar
by Stefan Bachman-A cataclysm has opened a door between the real world and
faerie. Children born of the mix of these two races are immediately hung if
found in public. Now their bodies are being found floating in the river as just
hallowed out husks. Bartholomew must find a way to save he and his sister with
the help of unlikely hero Mr. Jelliby.
Hopscotch
by Brian Garfield-Kendig is bored from his retirement with the Agency. It is
the end of an era, the espionage business is changing and Kendig is from the
old school. So he decides to go out with a bang. Match is skills and wit with
the up and coming. John and I loved the edited version of this movie. The book
was wonderful.
Secret Keeper
by Kate Morgan-Laurel returns home for her mother’s 90th birthday.
Now 60 with a successful acting career Laurel wants to unravel the mystery of
why her mother plunged a knife into a strange man’s chest in their back yard
while Laurel looked on from the tree house where she had been napping. I love
her stories.
Old Testament-This
was my first time to read it all the way straight through every word. I found
wonderful treasures of knowledge and prophesy of the coming of Christ and the
second coming of Christ. I also learned more about the great prophets like Moses,
Joseph, Abraham, Jacob and Daniel.
Wolf Brother
by Michelle Paver-I read this book before but I loved listening to it. Ian
McKellon (Gandolf) reads it and it’s just like sitting in the Shire and
listening to Gandolf fill the heads of all Hobbiton with stories. It was
magical.
The Black Angel
by Cornell Woolrich-A panic stricken young wife races against time to prove
that her convicted husband did not kill his mistress. She makes a journey
through the darker side of life. It’s wonderful and very suspenseful.
The Scavenger’s
Daughters by Kay Bratt-Benfu survived torture and imprisonment during
China’s Cultural Revolution. He escapes with help and ends up behind the home
of Calla Lily. They marry and he supports his family by scavenging through
trash and then reselling it. One of the things that the Chinese discard is less
desirable girl babies. Their lives are dedicated to raising these discarded
girls but now they are old. What will become of their still large family if
Benfu can no longer provide for them? Wonderful, wonderful story!!
Dad is Fat
by Jim Gaffigan-Audible, I love his stand up. This wasn’t quite as funny
but it was interesting to hear how he
raises his kids in a five story walk apartment in NYC and their life when he is
on the road.
Prisoner’s Base
by Rex Stout-A Nero Wolf Mystery. Nero Wolf is an eccentric who solves murders
through deduction with the help of his delightful side-kick Archie Goodwin.
My Father’s Dragon
by Ruth Stiles Gannet-A very cute nonsense tale. An island of animals has captured
a baby dragon and now is using it as a ferry across the river. A boy sets out
to rescue the baby dragon.
The Sweetness at
the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley-Flavia is an eleven year old
chemist who specializes in poisons. Set in 1950 England. Her mother disappeared
during an expedition 10 years ago. Her Father has kind of checked out. All he
thinks about is his stamps. Then Flavia finds a man dying in the cucumber patch
in the middle of the night.
They Came to
Bagdad by Agatha Christie-This was on a must read book list. It was
full of international intrigue. One of Christie’s best. Lots of plot twists.
Their Eyes Were
Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston-Beautiful piece of prose. At one
point I struggled through the dialogue which was written in the vernacular, but
the story telling was very strong and it was lovely to watch Jamie finally find
true love and herself with Tea Cake. Zora wrote this in seven weeks on a visit
to Haiti in 1937. It is a classic in the truest form.
Maisie Dobbs
by Jacueline Windspear- A wonderful debut novel set in post WWI England. Maisie
Dobbs has a brilliant and insatiably curious mind. Through a mentor she gets to
go to good schools and eventually to Cambridge. WWI hits and she becomes a
field nurse. Now the war is over and she becomes a private detective. Wonderful
Book. Looking forward to whole series.
American Sniper
by Chris Kyle-John and I read this together. I did some heavy editing because
of language while I was reading. Chris Kyle attended Midlothian High School and
would come back and speak to the graduating class each year he was state side.
Cristin got to hear him the year before he was killed.
Birds of a Feather
by Jacqueline Windspeare-The second Maisie Dobbs book. Maisie is hired by a
wealthy business man to find his 32 yr old daughter who has run away from home.
This seemingly simple assignment becomes meshed in with the murder of three
young women. Every enjoyable.
Silver in the
Blood by Jessica Day George-love the author kind of luke warm about
this book.
The Snow Child
by Eowyn Ivey-Based on the Russian Fairy Tale by the same name. Eowyn sets her
tale in the Alaskan wilderness in the 1920’s. Jack and Mabel have fled their
life in Pennsylvania because Mabel is 50 and though she has miscarried she has
never had a child of her own. The beginning is very grim, as the two of them
wallow in their grief in their own way. Then they build a girl out of snow.
Beautifully told.
The Alchemist
by Michael Scott-First in his series. Wonderful fantasy novel.
Beekeeper’s Apprentice
by Laurie R King-Mary Russell meets a seemingly retired Sherlock Holmes and
this 14 yr old is as quick witted as the 50 yr old Holmes. Thus begins a life
long partnership. This is the first in a series of 13 or more books pairing
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. Utterly delightful.
Lark Rise to
Candleford by Elizabeth Gaskell-Audible, It was beautifully narrated by
the actress who played Laura in the BBC series. So beautifully descriptive of a
life time long gone, a simple time. I loved listening to this.
The Magician
by Michael Scott-More adventures for Sophie and her brother Josh with Nicholas
Flamel. Sophie is coming into her powers and Josh is feeling left out. It is
his turned to have his powers awakened.
The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstein-A magical duel set in a mystical Night Circus by two old
wizards who have been setting their prodigies against each other in a duel to
the death for years. But Celia and Marcus fall in love before they discover the
terrible secret that only one of them will come out of this duel alive. Quite
lovely.
Witherwood
by Obert Skye(Robert Smith)-Two naughty children are dropped off at the gates
of Witherwood Reform School to teach them a lesson. Their father has an
accident before he can turn around to come get them. Witherwood has a secret.
The Lark and the
Sparrow by Janette Okie-Two sisters, the oldest lives under the shadow
of the younger sister’s beauty and good nature. The older sister is determined
to be the antithesis of her younger sister. She dresses severely and is cold and meticulous. But love finds
her in the end.
Far Far Away
by Tom McNeal-Jeremy Johnson Johnson can hear voices but specifically one
voice, the ghost of Jacob Grimm the co-author of the Grimm Fairy Tales.
Suddenly Jacob is living one of his own fairy tales as an observer and things
do get rather Grimm. Dark but delightful.
A Long Fatal Love
Chase by Louisa May Alcott-A Gothic romance published posthumously. The
title kind gives the ending away. It was a wonderful page turner and her
writing is amazing as always.
The Light Between
Oceans by ML Stedman-Tom loves the peace and routine of being a
lighthouse keeper after surviving the Western Front. He meets Isabel on one of
his leaves and they marry. After losing several babies one washes up on the
shore of their little island in a row boat with a dead man. Their joy has a
terrible cost. Very heart wrenching.
The Cater Street
Hangman by Ann Perry- I love Ann Perry’s Mysteries. This was her first
in the Thomas Pitt and Charlotte Ellison series. Someone is garroting young
women in a proper Victorian neighborhood.
Crescendo
by Becca Fitzpatrick-2nd book in the Hush, Hush (Fallen Angels)
series. Patch and Nora.
New Testament-So
my goal was to read the whole Bible in two years and I achieved my goal. I have
read the NT several times but this was my first time to read the whole (every
word)thing. One of the thoughts I had as
I read the New Testament is how little we have of the Saviors life. How
precious are those things we do have. It was brought home to me again that
Jesus brother James wrote those famous words that lead to the restoration of
the gospel. James 1:5
An Astronauts
Guide to Life on Earth: “What going to space taught me about ingenuity,
determination and being prepared for anything” by Chris Hadfield-Chris Hadfield
sprinkles his journey to becoming the first Canadian Astronaut to get accepted
into the NASA program and his time in space liberally with life lessons. It was
a wonderful book. I love it so much I gave a copy to all my kids for Christmas.
The Haunting of
Lamb House by Joan Aiken-A ghost story of sorts.
I read about 78 books this year. I didn't post all of them.
