Books I read in 2015

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 90^th 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-2^nd 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.