Saints at the River

Fiction by Ron Rash.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

This was a good book, but I don't know if I'd give it "The Best Book of the Year" award.

I enjoyed the characters, but I didn't feel like I got to know them well enough.
This author is apparently known for brevity; the book is only 237 pages. That can be good or bad, I guess. I felt like he forgot something in keeping his prose so very very spare.

You'll Like it Here (Everybody Does)

Juvenile Fiction by Ruth White.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

This is a kids' book, and I got it for my daughters from the libarary, but no one seemed interested.

So I read it myself. It was really good.

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake

Fiction by Jenny Wingfield.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Excellent book. Really.

It reminds me of Fannie Flagg, of "Fried Green Tomatoes" fame.

I definitely recommend this one.

Reader's Digest

Yes, I read magazines too.

I used to read Reader's Digest in my grandparents' bathroom as a kid, and I still like it.

Especially the jokes. I mean, admit it, haven't YOU ever read a Reader's Digest joke aloud to someone?

You have too!

Sorry this image (from rd.com) is so tiny. I guess I get negative design points today.

Games People Play

Subtitled, "The Psychology of Human Relationships."
Nonfiction by Eric Berne.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com


My husband wanted me to read this. So I pretty much had to.

I mean, when I'm splashing it all over the internet that I read nine or ten books a month, I can't very well pull out the "I don't have time to read" excuse.

(And he'd probably just say I was playing a game, anyways.)

This was a good book, especially considering it's been around almost fifty years and still feels pretty current.

But it's definitely a specialized book; only read it if you are interested in psychology. I mean really interested.

Or your husband is...

The Snow Child

Fiction by Eowyn Ivey.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

This was a really good book.

It was original and well-written. I'm skeptical of fairy-tale adaptations, as it's a bit overdone these days, but this is a good one.

Home Front

Fiction by Kristin Hannah.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Very good book. I like Kristin Hannah.

She is a good writer, and her covers are always pretty too! (Not that I'm shallow enough to care about that....okay, I am.)

This one is about a military family, and I think she did her research properly, because it rings pretty true to me.

Definitely a thumbs-up.

For the Sake of Louise

Nonfiction by Lilia Lopez-Rahman.

http://www.amazon.com

I bought this book because the author came and spoke at our church. It is her personal story.

It is a good story about how she broke away from her abusive husband and how he kidnapped their child. The author is now a minister and an advocate for battered women.

However, I think it would have been better told in a different way. It didn't keep my attention as well as it should have, especially for a story such an exciting plot to begin with. So I think the problem was the writing style.

This may be just my anti-memoir prejucide working. I feel like it is often too difficult to be objective with your own story.

By Reason of Insanity

Fiction by Randy Singer.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Good legal thriller!

I was definitely surprsied at the end.

And since this is a Christian author it's minimum gore, for a murder mystery....

A Woman's Place

Fiction by Lynn Austin.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

This was a very good book. Which is why I chose it for my Book Club selection this month.

It's a World War Two story. Always an awesome time period.

I mean, who's cooler than Rosie the Riveter? I ask you!

I've read several books by this author, and they are all good. But I think I like this one the best.

Again, hence the Book Club pick. Definite recommend!