Pay it Forward

 Fiction by Catherine Ryan Hyde

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

This is THE Catherine Ryan Hyde book, the one she is famous for. I thought I had read it before, but it turns out I had just heard the concept or watched the movie or something, because if I had read THIS book before I would have remembered.

This is a lovely story.

I also read recently by this author: Seven Perfect Things

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

 Fiction by Robert Dugoni

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

This is the story of a boy born with ocular albinism, a condition that makes his eyes appear red. It should be just a minor thing, but Sam is growing up in the fifties/sixties in a Catholic school, prompting other kids to call him "Devil Boy" or "Sam Hell."

I enjoyed this book a lot; it was about a character overcoming obstacles and finding his purpose in life.

The Story of Arthur Truluv

Fiction by Elizabeth Berg


https://www.barnesandnoble.com

This is a sweet little story about an widowed elderly man.

It reminds me a bit of A Man Called Ove and  The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye,  in that they are also sweet stories about old guys. But Arthur is NOT a curmudgeon, or on the run from his emotions, so he's not really like Ove or Harold.

I liked this book a lot.


I also read recently by this author: Talk Before Sleep

A Man Called Ove

Fiction by Fredrik Backman.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

This was a lovely book, a heart-warming story that manages to be realistic and fun, not saccharine and forced. I definitely recommend it!



I also read by this author: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry.

Summer of Light

Fiction by W. Dale Cramer.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

In this book, a series of troublesome events forces Mick Brannigan to stay at home with his children. Although there are plenty of comic moments, this is not just a "Mr. Mom" story. It is also about finding a purpose in life.

It's a good book.

The Unlikely Pilgramage of Harold Frye

Fiction by Rachel Joyce.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Harold Fry is a man who sets out to mail a letter, and then decides to deliver it in person, walking across England to do so. The reason he does such an odd --and unlikely-- thing is the point of this story.

This was a pleasant book to read, not exciting per se, but definitely engaging.

As a side note, I liked the original cover art, with the rolling green hills, better than the current one above.

(alternate cover art image from goodreads.com)

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

Fiction by Mitch Albom.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

This was a nice story, following a young man who makes it big in late-fifties-style rock-n-roll and then loses it all. Will he make a comeback?


I also read recently by this author: The First Phone Call From Heaven, The Time Keeper