At the end of every year, I have a strong desire to look back at all of the books I read that year, reread my reviews, choose my favorites in fiction and non-fiction, and write a post about it.
2024
Books
Non-Fiction
1. Crying at H Mart by Michelle Zauner 4 stars
This is a
memoir of a famous Indie Pop singer. I
had never heard of her. I don’t really
even know what Indie pop music is. But I
loved this book. Michelle Zauner is a
fabulous writer. She knows how to
capture the feelings of grief and guilt and all the feelings that surround the
passing of a loved one. My mother also
passed away from cancer. I could relate
so well with the experiences shared. I
also loved being immersed in the Korean culture. It made me want to try the delicious Korean
foods described.
2. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy 2 stars
This is a
hard one to review. I literally pray for
Jennette since reading this emotional book.
Her mother appeared loving and supportive and caring, but was
narcissistic, demanding, manipulative, abusive, and everything a mother should
not be. The book is raw, graphic,
painful to read, and, at the end, full of terrible language. I really cannot
recommend it because of all that. I hope
Jennette can find peace in her life and find her way back to what she knows to
be true.
3. All the Beauty in World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley 4 stars
Mr. Bringley
experienced deep loss and grief in his loss as his brother died of cancer. He gave up his more lucrative desk job and
hired on as a guard in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he would be
surrounded by beauty and art and peace.
As he described the paintings and other works of art, I googled them and
studied them as he beautifully described what he saw and felt. When I finished the book, I felt that I had
completed a Humanities 101 course. This
man has incredible talent as a writer. I
thoroughly enjoyed this book. Now if you
will excuse me, I need to go book my tickets to New York where I can visit this
fabulous art museum.
4. A Compilation of Documents Deemed
Scripture by Jennett
Labrum
Years ago, my friend Jennett gave me a book she had
compiled of documents that Bruce R McConkie said should be considered
scripture. From the Preface of her book: "In the summer of 1984,
Elder Bruce R. McConkie addressed a large symposium of Church educators.
The title of his talk was "The Bible- a Sealed Book." During
this address he said,
"Also, by the way of having all
things in perspective, we should be aware that there are approved and inspired
writings that are not in the standard works. These, also are true and
should be used along with the scriptures- themselves in learning and teaching
the gospel.
Elder McConkie then announced that five of the greatest
documents outside the scriptures were:
1) The Wentworth Letter
2)The Father and the Son: A doctrinal exposition by the
First Presidency and the Twelve
3) The King Follett Discourse and the nearly identical
address The Sermon in the Grove
4) The Origin of Man by the First Presidency of the Church
5) The Lectures on Faith.
Some of these documents are difficult to
locate. Jennett found them and transcribed them and put them in a
book. I recently reread and studied these illuminating documents. I
so appreciate Jennett compiling these in one place to be easily referenced.
5. The Law of Love by Steve Young 3 stars
The first half of the book, Steve is presenting his theory on love. It is philosophy and semantics. The last half presents examples of this
philosophy from his and others’ lives. I
really enjoyed the last half. Basically,
serving out of love is what life is all about.
It is the basis of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
6. Barbara Bush: a Memoir by Barbara Bush
5 stars
My criteria for rating a
book 5 stars is that is a page turner and that it inspires me to be a better
person. This was not a page turner for
me, but I always enjoyed reading it when I picked it up. But I was inspired constantly
throughout. Barbara Bush is
inspiring! So much so, that I am giving
it a 5-star rating. The book’s downside
was that she obviously loves people and wanted to include EVERYONE in her
memoir. So, there was name after name in
it. Those were mostly meaningless to
me. It would have been a better read
without all of those names- but her book; her way!
How I wish that we could
have a president now that had the values of faith, family, and country
exhibited by the Bush’s.
7. Pam and Roger by Pam and Roger Stratford
Pam and Roger gave us
their beautiful book, telling their life story through picture and words from
their wedding to 1985. For months, they sat side by side at the
computer and worked on this gorgeous book. They gave a copy to each of their
posterity and their siblings.
Pam is my oldest
sibling. I have always loved and admired
her, but reading about her and Roger made me realize what remarkable people
they are. I loved reading and seeing
pictures of so much of their history.
This book is truly a work of art.
I loved every page! Thank you,
Pam and Roger, for sharing your life with us through your book!
8. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson 4 stars
A winner of many
prestigious awards, this book is powerful.
Bryan Stevenson writes of his experiences overturning convictions of
innocent black inmates on death row.
Though he certainly never claims so himself, Mr. Stevenson is a
modern-day hero. Against all odds, he
commits his life to serving the abandoned, down-trodden, and innocent. I won’t be forgetting this one any time soon!
9. The Day the World Came to
Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim Defede 5 stars
I loved this well-written
and well-narrated book about that horrible day.
No planes could fly in USA air space.
Most coming from Europe were diverted to Canadian airports, including
the little town of Gander, Newfoundland.
The people of Gander and surrounding little towns welcomed thousands of
people and worked tirelessly to meet the needs of the unexpected guests. The stories were heartwarming and a beautiful
reminder of the goodness of most people on this earth. I highly recommend this one. The audio version was very well done.
10. The Best of Sterling W
Sill by Sterling W. Sill 4 stars
Sterling W Sill is one of
my heroes. He memorized so many
scriptures and poems that in his later life, when he was blind, he could speak
for a long time with no notes, quoting one after the other. This book is a collection of short lectures
on various subjects. There is a lot of food for thought and new ways of looking
at things. What a brilliant man!
11. Manhunt: The
Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson 3 stars
A fascinating, well-
researched account of the assassination of Lincoln and the search for his
killer. Though I have visited the
Lincoln Museum that has relics and tells the story of his assassination, I
really learned a lot that I didn’t know before about this horrible event and
its aftermath. I didn’t know that the
original plot was to kidnap Lincoln or that others were supposed to be
assassinated that night as well. Anyone
interested in American history would like this well-written book.
12.My Story: The Hurricane
North Ward Softball Team of 1962 by Jim Hinton
This is a terrible picture of a wonderful
book. Written by Ken's oldest brother, Jim, it is the story of a ragtag
team of softball players from the tiny town of Hurricane, Utah who win 2nd
place in the biggest softball tournament in the world in the summer of
1962. At that time, the church hosted an annual softball
tournament. Jim was a member of that team. Jim has written several
books, but I think this might be his best. He is an amazing writer.
I am an avid reader, but rarely does a book capture my attention and keep it as
this book did. In my opinion, it should be widely published. I
think everyone would enjoy it. 5 plus stars from me!
13.Same Kind of Different as
Me by Ron Hall and Denver
Moore 4 stars
Non Fiction. I loved this true story of two men from very
different worlds forming a lasting friendship.
One was a wealthy art dealer, the other a homeless, black man. The story was uncomfortable, but I learned so
much and felt so much. I think my
favorite part was when Ron, the wealthy man asks Denver if they can be friends. After thinking about it, Denver says he has
heard that when white men fish, they catch and release. He doesn’t want to be a catch and release
friend. If they are to be friends, it
will be forever. I love the change that
comes in both men as they become friends and learn to love.
14.Will the Circle Be
Unbroken? By Sean Dietrich 5 stars
I really like this
author. This is his poignant and most
memorable autobiography. It is story of
love, loss, and forgiveness. It is read in
the audio version by the author- Sean of the South. It is his story and you feel his emotion. 5
stars from me.
15. A Night to Remember by Walter Lord 4 stars
This book is an accounting
of the night the Titanic sank. It was
published in 1955 and contains first person interviews of over 60 people that
were involved in that tragedy. The
author takes us through that fateful night in a minute-by-minute account, using
quotes from those survivors. It is a sad
story, but for some reason, I am so interested in it. I have been to Titanic museums in Belfast,
Ireland and Halifax, Nova Scotia and read, I think, three books about it. This one tells about the rescue of the
survivors and the aftermath of the tragedy, which I hadn’t learned much about
before. It is a terrible tragedy in the world’s history.
16. The Book of Mormon
5 stars
Still true!
17. Back to Our
Roots by Patty Mickelsen 5 stars for sure!
I loved, loved, loved this book. Twenty-five years ago, my sister Patty and
Hal and John and Cindy went to Sweden and Norway to meet John’s daughter Ami as
she finished her mission in Sweden. They
then, using our great-grandfather’s journal as a guide found his homes in
Sweden and then the places where he served his mission in Norway. Patty created a book about that trip back
then.
In 2023, our whole family repeated
that wonderful trip together. We went a
2-week cruise of the fjords of Norway, then got off the ship and rented cars in
Copenhagen and traveled through Sweden and Norway, finding our roots. We felt the spirit guiding us and helping us
along the way.
When we got home, Patty documented
this second trip and in August we helped put those books together, creating a
treasured document of our beloved pilgrimage.
I am so grateful for ancestors who found the gospel of Jesus Christ and
sacrificed so much so that I could have all the blessings I do now. I will forever treasure this precious
book. Thank you, Patty!
Fiction
1. The Joy and Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith 3 stars
What a
delightful book to read to start the new year.
The theme of this book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency was “stay in
your lane.” It is best to do what you do
best. I enjoyed this 22nd
book in the series.
2.
Still Life by
Louise Penny 3 stars
I didn’t
know what a cozy mystery was, but now I know.
There are lots of tv series that would qualify for that title. But this may not be my favorite genre. The setting made me want to go to that
charming village and the Inspector was wise and gallant. But I felt the book to be too wordy and the
plot hard to follow. The ending was
surprising. It wasn’t a bad book, but
just may not be my cup of tea.
3.
Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus 3 stars
I loved A
Place to Hang the Moon, so was excited to read (listen to) this second book of
this fine author. It was of similar
theme- three siblings against the world- but this one was set during WWII in
New York City. I didn’t like this one as
well. It didn’t seem as well written and
I wasn’t as fond of the children. But it
was still a good story and immersed the reader in New York City and what it was
like there during the war. I didn’t care
for the reader’s voice in the audio version- especially the voice of the
youngest child. 3 stars from me.
4.
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reed 3 stars
Whoa! Language!
Fascinating story. Excellent
writing. But the language! The story immerses you in the world of
professional tennis and the dedication it takes to succeed. I was inspired by Carrie’s self-discipline,
determination, and courage. The ending
was surprising. I am glad she found true
love in the end. 5 stars taken down to 3
stars for language. Yes, a whole two
stars. It was that bad.
5.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reed 2 stars
Excellent
writing, but morally objectional material.
If you are conservative, as I am, don’t read this one.
6.
Me Before You
by Jojo Moyes 4 stars
I have a new
author to add to my favorites list. This was a very emotional and well-written
novel. I would rate it 5 stars, but it
has some bad language.
7.
Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham 4 stars
This is a
fun, romantic story. Penelope is like
Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: perky, positive, and very smart and capable. She
borders on being over the top, but you just can’t help but like her. It is the second in the series and I enjoyed
both of them. It is fun to read (listen to) a cheerful, clean book. My only complaint was the voice for the
little girl on the audio version. It
made me cringe.
8.
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes 4 ½ stars
This
certainly was a well-written novel, based on truth. It was about courageous women who risked much
to get books into the hands of children and the uneducated in the mountain
country of Kentucky. I loved the
friendships they developed and the stronger characters they grew as they served
others and each other. I guess I am “the
giver of stars” now and I give it 4 ½ stars.
9.
The Slow Lane Walker’s Club by Rosa Temple 3 stars
This novel
isn’t going to win any literary awards, but it was an enjoyable read. It was a story of a friendship between a
30-year-old man and an octogenarian woman.
Hazel (the 80-something year old) helps Daniel sort out his feelings and
his romance issues. He helps her with
her grief and physical challenges. I
loved the setting- a small village in Cornwall.
It is a cute story of friendship, family, grief, and romance.
10.Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence -Ash 5 stars
All while I
was reading, or actually listening to, this historical fiction novel, I kept
hoping it would be my first 5-star rated book of the year. It certainly was a page-turner which is my
first qualification to get a 5-star rating from me. The other qualification is that it needs to
make me want to be a better person. It
took me longer to find this quality in this story. But when I found it, it shouted at me. It taught so profoundly that we need to
cherish each day with our loved ones.
Life is tenuous and short. We
don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
Cling to and love our families with all our hearts. That’s a pretty profound take away. So here you have it: my first 5-star rating
of 2024.
11.The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins 3 stars
Oh my! I have just read my first thriller. At least that what goodreads calls it. It was a page-turner for sure. I may have found a new genre to get my heart
going. I hope the next one I read
doesn’t involve so much alcohol. If
nothing else, this book should be a deterrent to drinking! It is an exciting story with so many twists
few would be able to anticipate the ending!
Rachel did so many dumb things, it’s amazing she didn’t end up
dead. I see that it has been made into a
movie. I can see why. What a plot!
Language warning!
12. Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger 3+
stars
I grew up in
the era of the setting of this novel.
The author did an amazing job of creating the atmosphere of life
then. It is quite a contrast to life for
children now. We were free to run and
roam and ride without fear.
The setting
was the summer of 1961 in small town Minnesota.
For the Drum family, this was a very difficult and sad summer. The reader lives through it all with them.
The story
was well-written and created an atmosphere that lingers long after you finish
reading. Because it is sad, I give it
only 3 1//2 stars.
13.The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zeldis McDonough 4 stars
This was a
sweet story of a boy who helped in the resistance in France during WWII. It was told from his perspective. You live through the scary and difficult and
the fun parts with him. The audio version was only about four hours and was well-read. We will discuss this in our upcoming book
club. It is a good one.
14.Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah 3 stars
I’m
conservative, so some of the content of this book was more than I wanted to
read. But it was a good story and
well-written. I know someone very much
like Tully- very self-focused and hungry for the spotlight and fame. I felt the author must know her, too as it
seemed she based the character on her.
It is a story of friendship between two girls that maintain that
friendship through adulthood. But to me,
there were two other highlights to the book:
1) Kate’s mom. Despite Tully’s troubled life, she took Tully
in and loved her as a daughter. She is a
literary hero.
2) Johnny and his strong and unending
love for Kate.
Those two
people made this book worth reading for me.
15.The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson 3 stars
This
historical fiction novel powerfully illustrates what it would have been like to
be black (or Negro as they preferred then) and the deplorable way unwed
pregnant girls were treated (regardless of how they got that way.) It has haunted me since finishing the
book. The story was well written and
gave voice to both of the protagonists of the story. The story is moving and thought-provoking,
but sad.
16.One Good Thing by Alexandra Potter 4 stars
At first,
Liv, the main character, drove me crazy as she made one “bad” decision after
another. But, in the end, the bad
decisions were made good. This was a
delightful book about starting over and developing new friendships in a new
environment. I really enjoyed it.
17.The Library by Bella Osbourne 5 stars
I really
enjoyed this sweet story about an unexpected friendship between a teenage boy
and a spunky older lady who meet at the local library. Tom really needs a friend and finds just what
he needs in Maggie, who takes him in and provides stability and love in his
difficult time. Maggie and Tom, along
with many others in their little village, work together to save their local
library. They also work through personal
difficulties together. I could picture
the setting in the beautiful English countryside.
18. Olivetti by Allie Millington
This sweet
novel utilizes a writing technique that I love.
I first was introduced to this technique when I read “Hitty, Her First
Hundred Years” years ago. It was a story
told by a chair. I loved the idea that a
chair could tell all she hears and sees through the years. Using personification, an object tells the
story. Olivetti is a typewriter. She, and Ernest (a boy in the family) takes
turns telling the story from their perspective.
It is cleverly written with interesting characters who, together, solve
a mystery and mend their family with great help from Olivetti who they discover
can communicate with them. Who knew a
typewriter has feelings? Anyone who has
read this book does!
19.Let the Willows Weep by Sherry Parnell 4 stars
A
beautifully written story of an emotionally abused girl growing up in the
south. That little girl grows up to do
the same to her own daughter. It is very
sad. But it is so well written that it
is worth reading. I think this would
make an excellent book club read as there would be so much to discuss.
20.Horse by Geraldine Brooks 4 stars
This was a
well-written and researched historical fiction novel. It is based on the true story of one of the
best race horses that ever lived. I enjoyed reading it and have thought a lot
about it and the issue of slavery and more modern-day racism since reading
it. I give it 4 stars.
21. The Last Mile Home by Di Morrisey 5 stars
This was a
lovely book of family and love and consequences. I really enjoyed it and was uplifted by it.
22.Normal People by Sally Rooney DNF
On a scale
of yuck to mediocre, this novel tends toward yuck. It was very morally objectional to me. I didn’t get very far into it before I
abandoned it. I could not finish
it. Nope, this one was not for me. 1
generous star from me only because you can’t give 0 stars.
23.Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro 3 stars
Shocking.
Disturbing. Sad. Disorienting, Imaginative.
These are some of the words I would use to describe this dystopian
science fiction story. I guess a lot of
stories in this genre would use those same descriptive words. It is not my favorite genre. I especially found the ending
disturbing. I thought there were a lot
of inconsistencies in the story. For
instance: Wouldn’t a highly intelligent robot know that the sun doesn’t set in
a barn? It was okay, but I’m not sure I
would recommend it. A generous 3 stars.
24.Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin 3 stars
I listened
to the audio version of this novel. It
was a translation of a novel written in French.
It was a bit dark and sad, but a good story. It was a little difficult to follow because
it frequently, without warning, switched back and forth between two
stories. It did so especially frequently
toward the end. 2 ½ - 3 stars from me.
25. Little Fires Everywhere by Celste Ng 4 stars
This book is
such a powerful study of social structure and judging. The characters were so real. It was so well
written and I can’t stop thinking about it.
I think it’s lessons will linger long.
I am adding Mia to my list of literary heroes, though if she was real,
she would never expect to be there. It
would be a definite 5 star read except for some language and sex.
26. The Exchange by John Grisham 3 stars
I always
love a good John Grisham law novel, and this did not disappoint. It was supposed to be a sequel to The Firm,
but you certainly don’t need to have read The Firm to follow this one. It certainly wasn’t his best, but it kept me
turning pages. 3 stars.
27. The Lightkeeper’s Daughters by Jean
E. Penziwol 4 stars
I would
highly recommend this book to anyone EXCEPT for the language that Morgan, one
of the main characters, uses. Darn. It ruins a really good book! This novel is beautifully written and tells
such a haunting, amazing story. I sure
wish I was in a book club and could discuss it with someone. Even after reading it, I’m not really sure
who Morgan was! I listened to it. Maybe I need to get the book and read
it. Anyway, it’s a good one. If you read it, tell me what you think.
28.Barra Creek by Di Morrissey 3 ½ stars
This novel
immerses the reader in the exciting adventures of living on a ranch in
Australia’s outback. Sally, a young
woman, accepts a position as a governess to three boys, sons of the ranch
owner, and spends a year with the family.
It is fun to watch the changes in a young, immature, impulsive,
rebellious, entitled girl as she lives
and grows in the wild with this family.
The story takes her through that exciting year, and then on through her
adult life. 3 ½ stars from me.
29. The Summer that Changed Us by Cathy Bramley 3
stars
I enjoyed
reading this light, summer novel about friendship and supporting one another
through hard times. I loved the
setting. There were a few editing
mistakes.
30.East of Eden by John Steinbeck 4 stars
This is a
book I would very much like to discuss in a book club setting. It is a powerful and memorable work. Truly a
classic; who am I to review it? As I
have pondered it, I think the theme of the book is that everyone needs a
mother. Cathy or Kate was evil- pure and
simple. Her rejection of her twins
caused them to have problems all of their lives. In their longing for a mother’s love, they
made poor decisions and lacked the ability to function normally in this
world. Lee tried to compensate for their
lack of a mother, and really a father for most of their lives, but no one can
replace a mother.
I found
myself fearing to pick up this book and read.
I was afraid of Kate and didn’t like to be in her presence. The other characters were real and, as real
people do, had both good and bad. This
is a story of the battle that is as old as the world between good and evil.
There is dark feeling throughout, but there are glimmers of light, too. I am glad I read it.
31.Anna by Amanda Prowse 3 stars
I maybe
should wait to write my review of this book until I finish “Theo,” Anna’s
companion book, which I am listening to now.
But I will go ahead and do my best.
I can already see how the book Theo completes Anna and answers so many
questions. It is a great illustration of
the old phrase, “There are two sides to every story.”
I like
Anna. I like her positive attitude in
the midst of so many hardships. I like
her determination and wisdom. But by the
end of her story, emotions take control and she is less understanding and less
likable. I truly hope that will sort
itself out in Theo. I want a happily
ever after ending. Stay tuned for my
review of Theo.
32.A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith 4 stars
This is the
23rd book in this series and I have read them all. I think this is the first one that I have
rated with 4 stars. I enjoy these
books. They are relaxing and
comfortable, but not particularly life changing. But this one was a bit more for me.
At the first
of the book Mma Makutsi was SO irritating and rude that I thought, ”Okay I’m
done with these books. I am so sick of
Mma Makutsi.” She ordered a mug that
said, “Boss.” And she had a carpenter come and measure for extensions on her
desk so that hers could be bigger than Mma. Ramatswa’s. She continually promotes herself in the
business, giving herself bigger and grander titles. Mma Ramatswa just tolerates it. I figured I’d had enough.
But that
evening, Mma Ramatswa and her husband, Mr. J L B Matekoni sit out on their
verandah, as they are wont to do, and Mma Ramatswa tells him about it. Rather than be incensed and speak rudely of
their friend, they talk about why she must promote herself in this way. They analyze her background and her
insecurities. They think of ways to help
her.
This was
such a lesson for me. Don’t we all have
to deal with irritating people and situations?
Can we learn from these good people how to deal with it?
Can you see
why I love these books and keep reading them?
They help me slow down, relax, and become a better person.
33. Theo by Amanda Prowse 3 stars
The “other
side of the story” to the book Anna.
This is the story of Theo’s loveless and emotionally stark
upbringing. It helps fill in the holes
and give understanding for why people react the way they do. It is a lesson in judging others. I am now listening to the third book which is
about Kitty- another character in these books.
34.Night Road by Kristin Hannah 4 stars
Let’s say a
person is holding a full glass of water.
Someone comes along and jostles her arm.
What will spill out of the glass?
Water, of course. Why doesn’t
juice spill out? Because only water is
in the glass. Jude, the helicopter
mother in this story, gets jostled big time.
And what spills out of her is anger, grief, depression, selfishness,
meanness, and an inability to forgive.
All of us will be jostled in our lives. Trials and hardships are part of
being human. Unlike Jude, I hope we will be full of goodness, so that is what
comes out of our glasses when those hardships come.
This is a
page-turning, emotional novel. It is
full of sadness. But it is
thought-provoking and has some very lovable characters. I give it 4 stars. Language is an issue.
35. How to Fall in Love Again (Kitty) by Amanda Prowse 3 stars
First of
all, I want to say that I didn’t like the title of this book. I think she should have names it simply
“Kitty” as it is the third book in the series preceded by “Anna” and “Theo.”
But I did
enjoy reading the story. It is well
written and finishes the three stories.
Amanda Prowse is a good author.
36. The Incredible Winston Browne by Sean Dietrich
5 stars
I loved this
book. I add another literary hero to my
growing list: Winston Browne. This is a
great story with wonderful characters that will soon become your friends. The audio version is so well done. 5 bright stars from me.
37. Why the Sky is Blue by Susan Meisner 2 ½ stars
I have read
several of Susan Meisner books and really enjoyed them. But I didn’t enjoy this one as much. I thought it was a bit over dramatic. Her other books have Christian undertones,
but this one was a bit too much for me.
I felt the characters, other than Claire to be inconsistent and kind of
unreal. But it I did like that it was
clean and was an engaging and thought-provoking story.
38.Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin 4 stars
Though I
swore I would never read another book with the word “Hitler” in it, I did. And I’m glad.
This is a very good book set in Paris during the time the Germans
occupied France and then America entered the war. It is a sweet love story between two
Americans living in Paris, both aiding the resistance in their own way. It is exciting, intense, and clean. I like clean.
4 stars.
39. I Found You by Lisa Jewell 2 stars
Fiction:
Thriller
I find I’m
not that good at guessing what will happen in a plot and this one kept me
guessing. It is a creative and complex
story. It is a love story, and I liked
that part. It is a 5-star book for plot and characters. But it’s a 2-star book for the disturbing
violent scenes. I wouldn’t mind reading
a quiet, happily ever after sequel for I liked the characters and want them to
be happy.
40. The Song of Bernadette by Franz Werfel 4 stars
This story
has interested me for years. It is the
story of Saint Bernadette. Bernadette was a young, poor girl living in Lourdes,
France. She was not particularly smart
or gifted and suffered from severe asthma.
When she was fourteen years old, she had a vision/visitation from who
was later to believed to be the virgin Mary.
These visitations continued daily for fourteen days, and then
occasionally thereafter. The visitor’s
messages included instructions to eat nearby herbs and drink from a spring (which
seemed to have healing powers) have a processional, and build a cathedral. Years later, Bernadette became a Catholic nun
and shortly after her death was granted sainthood by the Catholic church.
I am a
member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I can’t help but compare Joseph Smith’s
story. He was fourteen years old when
visited by God, the Father and the Son.
He too was given a message, but, unlike Bernadette’s, his message was
world changing. He, like Bernadette was
doubted and persecuted, but, in almost the same words, both said they had seen
a vision and they knew God knew it and they could not deny it.
I know that
Joseph’s story is true. I don’t know the
truth of Bernadette’s story, but it was so interesting to read and think
about. It is a beautiful book. There is a movie of the same title that I
would like to see.
41.Go As a River by Shelley Read 3 stars
This is a
beautifully written story. It is mostly
a sad story. It is a story of a
courageous young girl, turned woman who had great sadness to bear all of her
life. I felt the ending was abrupt and
unsatisfying.
42. The Capricorn Stone by Madeline Brent 4 stars
I really
liked this novel. It was exciting and
kept me guessing throughout. And bonus-
it was free of bad language and immorality.
The book may not win literary awards, but I really liked it. It kept me turning pages. I will seek out other books by this author.
43. The Alchemist by Paulo Coehol 3 stars
This is a
book I’ve heard of for quite some time.
It is an allegory. I never really
understand allegories very well, and this was no exception. I’m glad I read it, but I didn’t love
it. I do like the theme that our
treasure is where our heart is.
44.My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult 3 stars
A novel that
was thought-provoking and page-turning.
The ending was sad, disappointing, and unrealistic to me.
45.The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 3 stars
Wow! What a great, well-written mystery
thriller. The plot was so well thought
out and the writing, superior. But and
this is a big but, the f-bomb was all over in it. It was a 5-star book for me, taken down to 3
stars for those stupid words. It is my
observation that English books use that word a LOT. Culturally, it most not be as offensive there
as it is here. I scribbled out the word
whenever it appeared in my copy, so I could feel comfortable putting it into a
Little Free Library. I hope whoever gets
it will appreciate that.
46.Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt 5-star
I loved this
book. I loved the very real voice of the
protagonist and the style of writing. I
loved the story. I hated the dad. He was so abusive and selfish. This was an excellent young adult fiction
novel. I plan to read other books by
this author.
47. The Memory Library by Kate Storey 3 stars
This is a
gentle story of love, forgiveness, judgment, healing friendship, community,
aging, and, of course, the power of books. It wasn’t exactly a page-turner, but
an enjoyable read.
48. The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt 4 stars
Another good
book from Gary Schmidt. You can’t help
but love the main character and his teacher.
I have to wonder if Mr. Schmidt had an abusive father? Both of the books I’ve read of his have had
terrible fathers. This father was not
physically abusive, but was really a terrible father. He was ambitious in his business and nothing
else mattered. He had his ladder leaning
against the wrong wall. His mother was
milk-toast. But his teacher was
wonderful. I loved the weaving of
Shakespeare throughout the story.
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