tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73384300900880955352018-02-15T22:02:45.125-08:00SJPL Reads!Find out what the St. Joseph Public Library staff are reading as they participate in the Missouri Book Challenge!Crystal Stucknoreply@blogger.comBlogger988125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-68223835940205856252018-02-15T08:24:00.000-08:002018-02-15T08:24:19.930-08:00A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, 462 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYSYsLOzV_U/WoWxcZDNyJI/AAAAAAAADz8/ID-FsUVjLNgC4xMLcde52p2sOLwS3VQbQCLcBGAs/s1600/Gentleman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYSYsLOzV_U/WoWxcZDNyJI/AAAAAAAADz8/ID-FsUVjLNgC4xMLcde52p2sOLwS3VQbQCLcBGAs/s200/Gentleman.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>This is one of my all-time favorite books.&nbsp; It is the story of a Russian aristocrat who, instead of being shot in 1922 is sentenced at the age of 33, to house arrest in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow.&nbsp; Count Alexander Rostov has already been in residence there four years but is moved from his swank suite of rooms to a small attic room.<br /><br />This is a story of love in many forms, kindness, friendship and even adventure.&nbsp; Almost all of it happening within the walls of the Metropol Hotel.&nbsp; I listened to the book and enjoyed every moment of Nicholas Guy Smith's fabulous voice.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Two sentences on the book jacket of the print book sum up this book perfectly for me. "He can't leave. You won't want to."&nbsp; <br /><br /><br />Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510383931374661945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-29254951777667250512018-02-14T17:31:00.000-08:002018-02-14T17:31:02.942-08:00Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton, 362 Pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLS1Sd0vrBY/WoThtQtxKZI/AAAAAAAAAFU/zkaNwmgcFT0h7qh_XBa9yNRQ9d4Dwt4iQCLcBGAs/s1600/Dead%2BWoman%2BWalking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLS1Sd0vrBY/WoThtQtxKZI/AAAAAAAAAFU/zkaNwmgcFT0h7qh_XBa9yNRQ9d4Dwt4iQCLcBGAs/s320/Dead%2BWoman%2BWalking.jpg" width="209" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This book was <i>almost</i>&nbsp;"too much" for me. By that, I mean that it was extremely close to having too many twists and changes in the story. It got to the point that it was hard for me to follow, but I'm glad I stuck with it because it ended up being a pretty good read.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">During a hot-air balloon ride, thirteen passengers witness a murder on the ground down below. Shortly after, the balloon ends up crashing, killing everyone on board except one woman. She saw and took photos of the killer, but the problem is... he also saw her. Now she is on the run, and he is after her, trying to make sure the only witness to his crime is not alive long enough to report it. She has no idea where is safe or who will help her.&nbsp;</span></div>Kelsey Weberhttps://plus.google.com/116584763935065715467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-82922778679004428202018-02-14T13:55:00.000-08:002018-02-14T13:55:43.211-08:00To The Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey, 417 pages<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4XwbcybVs2c/WoSuMI0k4OI/AAAAAAAAAM4/Sq5SRpDNJfcTa0TAsI2BZSHTh_ZtMzQmgCLcBGAs/s1600/To%2Bthe%2BBright%2BEdge%2Bof%2Bthe%2BWorld%2Bcover%2Bactual.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="430" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4XwbcybVs2c/WoSuMI0k4OI/AAAAAAAAAM4/Sq5SRpDNJfcTa0TAsI2BZSHTh_ZtMzQmgCLcBGAs/s320/To%2Bthe%2BBright%2BEdge%2Bof%2Bthe%2BWorld%2Bcover%2Bactual.JPG" width="216" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;This work of historical fiction is loosely based on real 1885 Alaska exploration under the command of senior U.S. Army Officer Henry Trueman Allen.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;The novel toggles between Colonel Allen Forrester and his young bride, Sophie. After being stationed near Vancouver, Colonel Forrester accepts the challenge of leading a small group of men into Alaska to explore territory unknown to the U.S. government, leaving Sophie behind in a wilderness outpost with military personnel and a few women.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; Also woven into the story is the development of a letter-writing relationship between a present-day descendant of Colonel Forrester and an Alaskan museum employee who lives near the area where Forrester explored.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;The words of this novel are a pleasure, vividly describing majestic scenes, abutting cultures, the light and dark and ins-and-outs of 19th Century photography, privation, emotions, and personalities. It includes adventure, monotony, survival, supernatural mystery, and important thoughts relevant for today.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;This is my first book (technically audio book) with an Alaskan setting. I enjoyed and recommend it.&nbsp;</div>Tammy Berglandhttps://plus.google.com/113176288688478198042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-646626668181062722018-02-13T14:32:00.001-08:002018-02-13T14:32:33.581-08:00Ban This Book by Alan Gratz 255 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DO3lS4pkOoc/WoNnLG7wEHI/AAAAAAAADHw/8N9eKPX3JeU-6R42pOC194HAsipFqo5MACLcBGAs/s1600/ban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DO3lS4pkOoc/WoNnLG7wEHI/AAAAAAAADHw/8N9eKPX3JeU-6R42pOC194HAsipFqo5MACLcBGAs/s320/ban.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>This book is a love letter to librarians.&nbsp; When a parent railroads the school board into removing several titles, including her very favorite book, <i>From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler</i>, from her school library's shelves, Amy Anne decides she needs to stand up for what she knows is right.&nbsp; The problem is that standing up and speaking up about anything at all are not what Amy Anne ever does.&nbsp; What's a girl to do?&nbsp; How about get the banned titles and make them available to all her schoolmates through her undercover locker library?&nbsp; The reason I say this is a love letter to librarians is that you have kids getting fired up over reading, over their right to read the books they want to read.&nbsp; The best part is that all the titles mentioned in this book have been challenged or banned from US libraries at some point in the last 30 years.&nbsp; Seeing the titles in the story, reading about other kids clamoring to get their hands on them to find out why they would be banned, is likely going to reignite interest in some of my favorite books of all time.&nbsp; I love this book so much!&nbsp; I will definitely recommend it to kids reading at a 3rd grade level and up, students of children's literature, teachers, other librarians, parents...basically anyone who will sit still long enough for me to gush about it.&nbsp;Wildhaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14775180703535370968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-78623835664884619842018-02-13T11:56:00.000-08:002018-02-14T13:56:25.683-08:00The Wicked Day by Mary Stewart, 417 pages<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-piPhgkUh-Ig/WoM_sWnJ2_I/AAAAAAAAAMc/ZS7ect-N5EY3SlVY5iW8gEfPrEbWKV8nwCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BWicked%2BDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-piPhgkUh-Ig/WoM_sWnJ2_I/AAAAAAAAAMc/ZS7ect-N5EY3SlVY5iW8gEfPrEbWKV8nwCLcBGAs/s320/The%2BWicked%2BDay.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; The life of Mordred (King Arthur’s son by his half-sister) is the main focus of this last book in <a href="https://sjplreads.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-crystal-cave-by-mary-stewart-494.html" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">MaryStewart’s Arthurian series</span></i></b></a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;King Arthur’s legendary reign weakens as does Merlin’s power. Unlike in other versions of the Arthurian legend, Mordred is quite a likable character here, and we get to know him from early childhood. I wanted all to work out well for Mordred just as much as I wanted Arthur and the kingdom to enter a new age with hope.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;This book considers, through story, if we can change our fate or if we simply must do what is ordained by powers beyond the mortal realm. The characters are challenged to have hope and patience beyond their lifespans, to believe that, ultimately, the goal of difficult and even evil days can be to produce a greater, future good.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; While I was content to end the series with <a href="https://sjplreads.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-last-enchantment-by-mary-stewart.html" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">book three</span></i></b></a> at the height of the Arthurian kingdom, this last book was more than just an encore after the series should have ended. The story-telling was just as compelling as in the rest of the books.<br />&nbsp; Sigh. I've reached the end of the entire tale . . . again. It was time, but, still. Sigh.</div>Tammy Berglandhttps://plus.google.com/113176288688478198042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-10038526019644054102018-02-12T09:09:00.001-08:002018-02-12T09:09:27.663-08:00The Rubber Band: A Nero Wolfe Mystery by Rex Stout 189 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLNi7Nxc6PQ/VHzfSpuxOdI/AAAAAAAAAa4/_uoSmx-kyvE45ovtLx-Lm9pjryuJAf0VwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/rb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="319" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLNi7Nxc6PQ/VHzfSpuxOdI/AAAAAAAAAa4/_uoSmx-kyvE45ovtLx-Lm9pjryuJAf0VwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/rb.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>Third in the series, this book in the Nero Wolf mystery series is a really fun one. &nbsp;I think it has some of the best banter between Archie and Nero of any of them. &nbsp;Clara Fox has a problem. &nbsp;A very interesting problem. &nbsp;40+ years ago, her father, along with several other men in a Nevada mining town, helped a man escape a hanging. &nbsp;They did this with the understanding that this man would make them rich when he got home to England. &nbsp;The real tricky part was that two of the main players were using aliases or nicknames and not many of the original group were still around. &nbsp;Clara's father was killed in the war, but wrote all the details down in a letter to his wife, telling her that he hopes she can collect on the debt and help support herself and their daughter. &nbsp;Now, Clara's mother has died and passed the letter on to her. &nbsp;Clara is convinced that Nero Wolf is the only man who could possibly untangle this mystery and get her father's due. &nbsp;As soon as he starts investigating, though, another of the original group is murdered...a few blocks from Wolf's residence and only a few minutes after receiving a phone call there. &nbsp;Wolf's genius is certainly needed for this one, but it will be Archie's quick wit and sparkling comebacks that keep you laughing till the end. &nbsp;I listened to this one again read by Michael Prichard...the best Nero Wolf audiobook reader.Wildhaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14775180703535370968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-73668279591487152392018-02-10T10:18:00.000-08:002018-02-10T10:49:09.148-08:00The Last Enchantment by Mary Stewart, 513 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P-kqr7EqLeQ/Wn83FL3DMhI/AAAAAAAAAME/nHz9kFGpW8gC0kbJqLbql_vtdp4n4abnACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2Blast%2Benchantment%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P-kqr7EqLeQ/Wn83FL3DMhI/AAAAAAAAAME/nHz9kFGpW8gC0kbJqLbql_vtdp4n4abnACLcBGAs/s320/The%2Blast%2Benchantment%2Bcover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; In this third book of <a href="https://sjplreads.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-crystal-cave-by-mary-stewart-494.html" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mary Stewart’s four-book Arthurian series</span></i></b></a>, Arthur is the strong and admirable King Arthur of Legend. Battles rage. Alliances are made. Camelot and the round hall are built. Gwynevere joins Arthur as his queen, and knights join with him as brave and respected friends. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;Merlin is needed differently by King Arthur than he was by Arthur the boy, so he is able to turn his attention to the borne-in-magic threat posed by Arthur’s half-sister, Margause. Merlin longs for an apprentice of his own, finds love, and caused this reader’s heart beat quickly with concern throughout his adventures.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;Even if you’ve read, watched, or heard other versions of King Arthur, I encourage you to read Stewart’s unique rendition.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; The book comes to a satisfactory close, and I would have been content if the series ended with book three. Good news for those of us not quite ready to let the characters and legend go yet, satisfactory close or not: one more book awaits before the full tale reaches its end!<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Tammy Berglandhttps://plus.google.com/113176288688478198042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-27665370136330068452018-02-09T14:34:00.001-08:002018-02-09T14:34:20.575-08:00The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris 253 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LGRuSTqggLU/Wn4hU5RvlYI/AAAAAAAABiw/6IxkQRYwOgwhb-b4XI_ojPcm3rR3JIHEgCLcBGAs/s1600/magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LGRuSTqggLU/Wn4hU5RvlYI/AAAAAAAABiw/6IxkQRYwOgwhb-b4XI_ojPcm3rR3JIHEgCLcBGAs/s320/magic.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>Okay, I admit that I read this simply because I love Neil Patrick Harris.&nbsp; That being said, it was well worth it!&nbsp; It was never too heavy, had lots of heart, celebrated diversity and threw in some magic trick how-to's just for fun!&nbsp; The story follows a boy, Carter, who is excellent at sleight of hand, but has been raised by a less-than-honorable uncle who wants him to use his skills to relieve others of their belongings.&nbsp; The whole experience has made Carter quite certain that there is no such thing as real magic.&nbsp; When he runs away, he runs into a group of people who love magic tricks as much as he does.&nbsp; He will have to decide whether he can trust anyone when it comes to magic, facing off with more bad guys in the process. Do not pass this one up, it's a great story with lots of heart and humor!Wildhaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14775180703535370968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-75430138317598853922018-02-09T14:29:00.003-08:002018-02-09T14:29:54.645-08:00The League of Frightened Men: a Nero Wolfe Mystery by Rex Stout 302 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p6-I7Ydovl8/Wn4gs2JOFYI/AAAAAAAABio/3qLNNMqzThsmqmkO8rq5-JmX2pjXQdYoQCLcBGAs/s1600/The-League-of-Frightened-Men-946267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p6-I7Ydovl8/Wn4gs2JOFYI/AAAAAAAABio/3qLNNMqzThsmqmkO8rq5-JmX2pjXQdYoQCLcBGAs/s1600/The-League-of-Frightened-Men-946267.jpg" /></a></div>I've decided to listen to all the Nero Wolfe mysteries again, this time in order which I've never done before.&nbsp; I love the characters so much, but I've always bounced around to whichever book was available.&nbsp; I think it might be fascinating to see their development as a natural progression.&nbsp; That being said, this is the second book in the series.&nbsp; A group of friends is sure that one among them, one that they wronged back in college with lasting effects, is picking them off one by one.&nbsp; They hire Wolfe to remove him as a threat or source of concern.&nbsp; Wolfe always picks up on things no one else does and the solution to this one caught me by surprise.&nbsp; The ever-so-rotund genius will earn his fee whether people like it or not!&nbsp; Read by Michael Prichard, this was a pleasure to listen to again.Wildhaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14775180703535370968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-13720156610437404842018-02-09T14:23:00.000-08:002018-02-09T14:23:03.158-08:00Fer-de-Lance: a Nero Wolfe Mystery by Rex Stout 285 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JD_BJZMVioM/Uppfv6bSZ7I/AAAAAAAAALg/NA4pO4b1nScteDndSyugPAn2VhdPpsnRwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/ferdelance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="285" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JD_BJZMVioM/Uppfv6bSZ7I/AAAAAAAAALg/NA4pO4b1nScteDndSyugPAn2VhdPpsnRwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/ferdelance.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>I just listened to this one again and I think everything I said before still holds true.&nbsp; This is the first book in the Nero Wolfe series. &nbsp;It's a great introduction to the characters and is a really spectacular mystery, too. &nbsp;We get to meet Wolfe, Archie and Fritz, not to mention Saul, Orrie and Fred in one of the most confusing mysteries Wolfe ever had to tackle. &nbsp;When a young woman hires Wolfe to find her brother, no one can see the connection between the death of this "nobody" and the death of a major player on the social scene. &nbsp;No one, except Wolfe, of course. &nbsp;I'm not going to give anything away in this one, the twists and turns are too good to miss. &nbsp;Archie's voice was already well-tuned, even though this was the first ride with him and Wolfe.<br /><br />This is read by Michael Prichard (who would want to listen to Nero Wolfe books read by anyone else?) and is a really great story.Wildhaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14775180703535370968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-24859502469100962202018-02-09T14:12:00.000-08:002018-02-09T14:12:15.426-08:00John Dies at the End by David Wong 384 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5wLVEOXV7U/Wn4clUf-exI/AAAAAAAABiU/vzRFSx-YzGIR_s7kt_kWQuXbv63zxmYxQCLcBGAs/s1600/john%2Bdies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5wLVEOXV7U/Wn4clUf-exI/AAAAAAAABiU/vzRFSx-YzGIR_s7kt_kWQuXbv63zxmYxQCLcBGAs/s320/john%2Bdies.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>I decided to listen to this book, because the sequel titles cracked me up and I remember really liking the movie.&nbsp; The book is insane!&nbsp; I mean, it's hilarious and awful and twisted and...oh, you wouldn't believe me if I tried to explain...&nbsp; If you read it or listen to it, don't get distracted and miss even a paragraph, you'll be hopelessly lost in the story.&nbsp; That much happens in a very short time!&nbsp; This mix of horror, sci-fi and wacky humor was really fun.&nbsp; I will say that some outdated and non-P.C. is used frequently, so if that stuff really upsets you, give this one a pass.&nbsp; If you can skim that over and just roll with the story, I think it's worth the effort, especially if you like roller coasters that move in more than just our 3 dimensions.&nbsp;Wildhaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14775180703535370968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-35728704793320988462018-02-08T13:34:00.001-08:002018-02-08T13:35:13.319-08:00The Library Book by Tom Chapin, Michael Mark and Chuck Groenink, 40 pages<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rz-ge5zZkk8/WnzB6Ht2PeI/AAAAAAAAHrs/a8VQglB9eVkMSbcuxCi0JxsnB1f23UXWQCLcBGAs/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="600" height="294" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rz-ge5zZkk8/WnzB6Ht2PeI/AAAAAAAAHrs/a8VQglB9eVkMSbcuxCi0JxsnB1f23UXWQCLcBGAs/s320/cover.jpg" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;This book is easily&nbsp;one of the cutest picture books of 2017. I had never heard the song it's based on. You can watch the video on YouTube. The text in the book is slightly different than the song. As a librarian I see the day to day happenings of the library. I had a friend read it and her first comment was "She walks to the library alone?!?!?!?". If I had a dollar for every kid that came in the library alone I'd be rich. The artwork is adorable. Of course I love the story line about the library. I think anyone that picks this up will enjoy it. Jenny E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10044395000898413561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-81174565985800243742018-02-06T11:36:00.000-08:002018-02-06T11:51:31.293-08:00Alcoholics Anonymous by Alcoholics Anonymous, 575 pages<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7NKR4DBuKI/WnoBeA7454I/AAAAAAAAALs/dCeLDuLbtiU3Tzy95A3kjZRX4SK43lQHwCLcBGAs/s1600/alcoholics%2Banonymous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7NKR4DBuKI/WnoBeA7454I/AAAAAAAAALs/dCeLDuLbtiU3Tzy95A3kjZRX4SK43lQHwCLcBGAs/s320/alcoholics%2Banonymous.jpg" width="209" /></a>&nbsp; I read the fourth and latest edition of the Big Book.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</o:p>If you struggle with any substance abuse or addiction or care about someone who does, this is a valuable read. It could be considered "Self Help" inasmuch as reading it could help you take a step away from life-destroying addiction and toward a 12-step group.</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</o:p>This blue book is a primary piece of literature for Alcoholics Anonymous, aimed to be a tool to help those in recovery guide each other and those seeking sobriety through meetings and personal contact. The first section of the book describes how the program came about and how it is designed to work, along with notes to family members and employers of alcoholics. The majority of the book consists of personal stories written by individuals in recovery, each one sharing his/her own struggle and path to sobriety. The appendices are also much-used tools.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</o:p>The book retains the Foreword from each of the previous editions that, when viewed back to back, are awe inspiring. In 1939, the Foreword identifies Alcoholics Anonymous as “nearly one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.” In 1955, the group had “mushroomed into nearly 6,000 groups whose membership is far above 150,000 recovered alcoholics” in the all 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, all the Canadian provinces, plus communities in six other countries. The 1976 edition conservatively estimated more than one million recovered alcoholics among their ranks belonging to 28,000 groups in more than 90 countries. The 2001 edition celebrates more than two million recovered alcoholics finding sober lives through Alcoholics Anonymous via more than 100,800 groups in approximately 150 countries. Impressive life changes across the globe stem from this book!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div>Tammy Berglandhttps://plus.google.com/113176288688478198042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-87436276012403017142018-02-03T08:08:00.000-08:002018-02-03T08:08:12.774-08:00The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn, 432 Pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MaANHHYROro/WnXWmuLzOQI/AAAAAAAAAFE/Lxk-mQapZf0sIuwWxRCf1MbSVs_TQDrBQCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BWoman%2Bin%2Bthe%2BWindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MaANHHYROro/WnXWmuLzOQI/AAAAAAAAAFE/Lxk-mQapZf0sIuwWxRCf1MbSVs_TQDrBQCLcBGAs/s320/The%2BWoman%2Bin%2Bthe%2BWindow.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been waiting months to read this book, and it <b>did not</b>&nbsp;disappoint. I felt like it definitely had a slow start, but once it took off, I couldn't put it down. I can't recommend this enough.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anna lives alone in her multi-million dollar home, in New York City. In fact, she's a prisoner to her home. She was diagnosed with agoraphobia, (the fear of going outside,) 10 months ago after a horrific accident caused her family to fall apart. She spends her time playing online chess, mixing wine with her multiple medications, watching black-and-white movies, and spying on her neighbors. When the Russell's&nbsp;move in across the way, Anna spends a lot of time watching them, trying to figure them out. While watching them one night, she witnesses something she shouldn't, and it quickly takes over her life. The problem is, most of the people around her know that she isn't in the right state of mind, so no one believes her. Secrets come to the surface and everyone is wondering what is fabricated, what actually happened, and are people in danger?</span></div>Kelsey Weberhttps://plus.google.com/116584763935065715467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-58732821981766869852018-02-02T14:16:00.000-08:002018-02-10T10:47:56.067-08:00The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart, 475 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qnrLB91sNl4/WnTitQQunZI/AAAAAAAAALY/oqnhvP6c0KE_ULhvYzTLNi9-0mEJCpTYACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BHollow%2BHills%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qnrLB91sNl4/WnTitQQunZI/AAAAAAAAALY/oqnhvP6c0KE_ULhvYzTLNi9-0mEJCpTYACLcBGAs/s320/The%2BHollow%2BHills%2BCover.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; This is the second book in Stewart’s Arthurian series. It picks up right where<i><u><b><span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://sjplreads.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-crystal-cave-by-mary-stewart-494.html" target="_blank">The Crystal Cave</a></span></b></u></i> leaves off and continues on with Merlin’s life, now with the addition of Arthur, the boy who will be king, as part of the story line.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;Merlin is in the prime of his life and has become a man who understands himself, his purpose, and powers and how to use them as much he ever will. He accepts that his cousin, Arthur, who has not yet been born when the book begins, will become the king the land’s people need and that his own role will be to protect, train, and guide.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; &nbsp;I love that I got to adventure to other lands with Merlin during the lightest years of his life. I also love that Arthur’s life is without burdens that will come once the weight of a kingdom is transferred to his authority. Arthur goes through childhood as a child, protected, while growing into who he is to be without the knowledge of who he is thanks to Merlin. This portion of the series is magical and exciting and builds to the last page in such a way that you’d better have the next book,<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="https://sjplreads.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-last-enchantment-by-mary-stewart.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>TheLast Enchantment</b></i></span></a></span>, ready to read immediately.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;When I’m extra enthusiastic about a book, my husband sometimes feels compelled to pick it up when I’m not looking and then stay up reading it while I sleep to reach the end before I do. That happened with this series. Luckily, I’d read it all before, so technically I still reached the end before he did. Right?</div>Tammy Berglandhttps://plus.google.com/113176288688478198042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-64885415365141927672018-02-01T08:46:00.000-08:002018-02-01T08:46:10.680-08:00Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks, 405 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvmtKd_4QxQ/WnNCe-WG6ZI/AAAAAAAADzQ/MzBvmlZFjok-0EWnD2E8SDaM1i2Lej1vQCLcBGAs/s1600/Type.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvmtKd_4QxQ/WnNCe-WG6ZI/AAAAAAAADzQ/MzBvmlZFjok-0EWnD2E8SDaM1i2Lej1vQCLcBGAs/s200/Type.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>Loved. this. book.&nbsp; I listened to it, read by the author, who also happens to be Tom Hanks, the actor.&nbsp;<br /><br />It's a collection of short stories, hence the title.&nbsp; A handful of the stories feature typewriters, there are a couple sci-fi stories and the last story is more like a radio play production, with actor friends reading the parts.&nbsp; Remember Peter Scolari from Hank's "Bosom Buddies" days?&nbsp;&nbsp; Woe unto the reader who doesn't get to hear that one.<br /><br />Hope, friendship, love and good people are featured throughout the stories.&nbsp;&nbsp; What a treat!Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510383931374661945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-47285274702702262132018-01-27T13:58:00.000-08:002018-02-14T11:32:39.763-08:00The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart, 494 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_AVPk7B_YI/Wmz094IPKgI/AAAAAAAAALA/OCvI7nV54EEQZoqy0eFyKOOBhUfP0dNhACLcBGAs/s1600/TheCrystalCave%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_AVPk7B_YI/Wmz094IPKgI/AAAAAAAAALA/OCvI7nV54EEQZoqy0eFyKOOBhUfP0dNhACLcBGAs/s320/TheCrystalCave%2Bcover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; I first read and liked this book as a high school student, and the time finally presented itself for me to reread Mary Stewart’s Arthurian saga. Hooray! The <i>Crystal Cave</i> is book one of four (followed by <b><i><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://sjplreads.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-hollow-hills-by-mary-stewart-475.html" target="_blank">The&nbsp;Hollow Hills</a></span></u></i></b>,<i><b><u> <a href="https://sjplreads.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-last-enchantment-by-mary-stewart.html" target="_blank">The Last Enchantment</a></u></b></i>, and <i><a href="https://sjplreads.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-wicked-day-by-mary-stewart-417-pages.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Wicked Day</span></b></a></i>).</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;Thirty extra years of my own life between readings of the series brought me a deeper appreciation for the story, so it was worth the reread.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;As an old man, Merlin reflects on his life, narrating his own story beginning when he was six-years-old. <i>The Crystal Cave</i> is about Merlin himself, how he comes to understand who and what he is and what his role in the kingdom will be. The story is full of mystery and great story telling &nbsp;with not as much magic as one might expect.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; Book one ends with Arthur’s conception, which, of course, means the story has barely begun. Even as a re-read, I can’t stop here. Onto the next book I go!</div>Tammy Berglandhttps://plus.google.com/113176288688478198042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-72789023377845123612018-01-25T18:39:00.001-08:002018-01-25T18:39:18.391-08:00All The Missing Girls by Megan Miranda, 368 Pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PR4Cbyich3A/WmqRNa46hpI/AAAAAAAAAE0/R1CBQyPDVSQGih5OxwdnC_2xpebYUHlWQCLcBGAs/s1600/All%2BThe%2BMissing%2BGirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PR4Cbyich3A/WmqRNa46hpI/AAAAAAAAAE0/R1CBQyPDVSQGih5OxwdnC_2xpebYUHlWQCLcBGAs/s320/All%2BThe%2BMissing%2BGirls.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had to read All The Missing Girls by Megan Miranda after recently reading The Perfect Stranger, also written by Miranda,&nbsp; last week. I had high expectations because I enjoyed her other novel, and every review I read said that it wasn't even close to being as good as All The Missing Girls. This book did not disappoint. It had me on the edge of my seat, and I actually stayed up last night just so I could finish this one. This is also unique, because the story is told in reverse, so it gets you hooked from the very beginning.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nic has returned home to help her brother, Daniel, fix up their childhood home. Their father is in a nursing home, suffering from dementia, so they are forced to put the house they grew up in on the market to pay for his care. Nic left her hometown and started a new life for herself after her best friend, Corinne, went missing when they were in high school and basically everyone around her was a suspect. Shortly after returning to Cooley Ridge, another girl goes missing in very similar circumstances, and Nic finds herself not only caught up in the current investigation, but also trying to cover up secrets from her past.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kelsey Weberhttps://plus.google.com/116584763935065715467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-44985840831339556202018-01-25T08:58:00.003-08:002018-02-01T08:51:17.692-08:00A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, 203 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCRC0708PPY/WmoKDCIa30I/AAAAAAAADy8/4QY4SK5W1ocIU7IsCqVkjWkZt4tRtD8DgCLcBGAs/s1600/Wrinkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCRC0708PPY/WmoKDCIa30I/AAAAAAAADy8/4QY4SK5W1ocIU7IsCqVkjWkZt4tRtD8DgCLcBGAs/s200/Wrinkle.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>I saw a movie preview for "A Wrinkle in Time" and thought I better read this classic children's book that I missed reading when I was actually a child.<br /><br />The book begins with the cliche, "It was a dark and stormy night" which made me giggle.&nbsp; I missed out on a lot of great books when I was a kid because I didn't think I liked science fiction and fantasy.&nbsp; You live, you learn.<br /><br />This is book one in a five volume series.&nbsp; Kids, adventure, space travel and a little magic.&nbsp; Great fun!Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510383931374661945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-34888763931909792962018-01-24T16:30:00.000-08:002018-01-24T16:40:34.031-08:00An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and Ministry Formation by David A. DeSilva, 975 pages<div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; Yes, I read reference and text books when I can make it happen. Do you? If so, you'll probably be happy as I am to explore the library reference shelves.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tI6WZjr_34/WmkjrnIuiaI/AAAAAAAAAKo/7LIpBUhx0xQUWBYzUWOX3ytA1XmRj2ozwCLcBGAs/s1600/New%2BTestament%2BIntro%2Bby%2BDeSilva%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tI6WZjr_34/WmkjrnIuiaI/AAAAAAAAAKo/7LIpBUhx0xQUWBYzUWOX3ytA1XmRj2ozwCLcBGAs/s320/New%2BTestament%2BIntro%2Bby%2BDeSilva%2Bcover.jpg" width="211" /></span></a>&nbsp; This text was written as a resource for Christian pastoral preparation and was used heavily in a seminary class I took. It took me five years or so, but I finally finished reading it in full, hand in hand with simultaneously rereading each book of the New Testament as needed to best understand the content.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;As with other similar handbooks, this resource examines each New Testament book separately. DeSilva uses the socio-rhetorical interpretation model of exegesis aiming to explore how the words and texts spoke within and to their original contexts. Four chapters precede the examination of each New Testament writing: the New Testament as Pastoral Response; The Environment of Early Christianity-Essential Landmarks; The Cultural and Social World of the Early Church-Purity, Honor, Patronage, and Kinship; and The Four Gospels and the One Jesus-Critical Issues in the Study of the Gospels. Each chapter focusing on a book of the New Testament ends with a section relating the New Testament book to ministry formation. Photos, maps, footnotes, and four indices all add value to this learning resource.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;This textbook has already been and will likely continue to be one solid resource from which I draw as I continue to learn, teach, and serve in various aspects of ministry.</div>Tammy Berglandhttps://plus.google.com/113176288688478198042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-16499298331066580082018-01-23T12:16:00.001-08:002018-01-24T15:35:31.080-08:00The Greenlanders by Jane Smiley, 558 pages<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3CfzqCUPVww/WmeXtV1--HI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/H1lGJKQlluksd-PYnrHaHGf791MlKm2qgCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BGreenlanders%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3CfzqCUPVww/WmeXtV1--HI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/H1lGJKQlluksd-PYnrHaHGf791MlKm2qgCLcBGAs/s320/The%2BGreenlanders%2Bcover.jpg" width="202" /></a>&nbsp; Until I read this book, I wasn’t even aware that I had never spent any time wondering anything at all about Greenland. Now I have.</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes, the book contains ice, snow, details about the geography of Greenland, and hardship. It also contains tales about ships with people visiting from the European continent, bringing goods to trade and news from their world. But mostly, the book kept me engrossed in the drama between rival families over the course of a few generations, the escapades of Roman Catholic priests in all their imperfect humanity being transplanted to a foreign land, and the story of a woman who earned a life-sentence of exile because she followed her heart rather than custom.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I enjoyed the adventure of reading about people living in 14<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Century Greenland. The personalities and actions of Asgeir Gunnarsson and his family and the Catholic priests in-residence were memorable and have come to mind every now and then for the last four months or so since I reached the end of this story.</div>Tammy Berglandhttps://plus.google.com/113176288688478198042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-40400418577583828472018-01-22T16:15:00.000-08:002018-01-22T16:16:09.127-08:00The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani, 256 Pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDOXVa6Evmk/WmZwyydkF3I/AAAAAAAAAEk/8om1tNWgJB06uA7oZTGncsumR75noAvcQCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BPerfect%2BNanny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDOXVa6Evmk/WmZwyydkF3I/AAAAAAAAAEk/8om1tNWgJB06uA7oZTGncsumR75noAvcQCLcBGAs/s320/The%2BPerfect%2BNanny.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">There was SO much talk around this book, so I was extremely anxious to read it... and then extremely disappointed after reading it. This one just didn't do it for me. All of the excitement happens in the first chapter, and then the rest of it is just very dull suspense, without any twists or shocking moments.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Myriam is a mother of two, who finds her life at home with her children very boring. When the opportunity arises for her to go back to work as a lawyer, she jumps at it, even though her husband isn't 100% on board. They decide against daycare, and start searching for a nanny. They are absolutely thrilled when they hire on Louise; the kids love her and she goes above and beyond for the family. But, they quickly realize that there's just something off about Louise. She loves this family so much and desperately wants them to accept her as one of their own, but also seems to harbor lots of jealousy and hatred toward them. A shocking event verifies the family's worst fears about Louise.&nbsp;</span></div>Kelsey Weberhttps://plus.google.com/116584763935065715467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-41933834905687104212018-01-19T11:49:00.003-08:002018-01-19T11:53:35.750-08:00Blacks by Gwendolyn Brooks, 512 pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2OoikVsSec/WmJLVmKqpzI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/htDeS_jUtzAEhEiLUwbYJfVXRcD_46LiACLcBGAs/s1600/Blacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2OoikVsSec/WmJLVmKqpzI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/htDeS_jUtzAEhEiLUwbYJfVXRcD_46LiACLcBGAs/s320/Blacks.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; After hearing Gwendolyn Brooks read her poetry in person aloud once in her 72<sup>nd</sup> year of life, I learned to listen for her voice as I read her poems. Blacks contains a large selection of her work from 1945-1971, poems vividly depicting particular black people with lots of interesting, individual characters in particular settings doing particular things characteristic of themselves . . . like word video portraits. I own this volume and return to it now and then . . . always glad to spend a little time with a former Poet Laureate of my home state of Illinois. Gwendolyn Brooks was an admirable woman of words and remains so beyond her lifetime thanks to her poetry.</div>Tammy Berglandhttps://plus.google.com/113176288688478198042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-82477282268183052232018-01-18T15:54:00.001-08:002018-01-18T16:20:17.108-08:00The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda, 337 Pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pcY2q7JA_Ng/WmExrFZu0II/AAAAAAAAAEU/2fzuAf5Fp64j6kXinbElEIkqA_tGooOEgCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BPerfect%2BStranger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pcY2q7JA_Ng/WmExrFZu0II/AAAAAAAAAEU/2fzuAf5Fp64j6kXinbElEIkqA_tGooOEgCLcBGAs/s320/The%2BPerfect%2BStranger.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">The Perfect Stranger was the first book I've ever read by Megan Miranda, and I wasn't disappointed. This was one that I didn't know what the outcome was going to be until the very end, which I really enjoy, because I read so many books in this genre that I've gotten pretty good at guessing what is going to happen next.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Leah Stevens was a journalist in Boston, when a story that she published blows up in her face. Restraining orders and potential lawsuits ensue, and she is forced to leave the place she calls home. She runs into an old roommate, Emmy, whom she hasn't seen in over 8 years. Emmy suggests that they relocate together, and they quickly find themselves in a small town in Pennsylvania. Leah is settling into her job at a local high school, when a woman is found on the verge of death by the lake near Leah's house. On top of this, Leah's roommate, Emmy, is missing. As everyone in town tries to figure out what happened, Leah tries to find Emmy, and she begins to question who she was living with.&nbsp;</span></div>Kelsey Weberhttps://plus.google.com/116584763935065715467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338430090088095535.post-18011583518506494902018-01-16T18:58:00.001-08:002018-01-18T16:20:40.959-08:00Into The Water by Paula Hawkins, 386 Pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14S5nsg_zWs/Wl67qyI55QI/AAAAAAAAAEE/77HSeMOjLWUxv0vlTf88X5wCB56gQ1kMgCLcBGAs/s1600/into%2Bthe%2Bwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14S5nsg_zWs/Wl67qyI55QI/AAAAAAAAAEE/77HSeMOjLWUxv0vlTf88X5wCB56gQ1kMgCLcBGAs/s320/into%2Bthe%2Bwater.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm torn on how I felt about this one, honestly. I really loved The Girl on the Train, so I had extremely high expectations.. and unfortunately, this just fell flat. I think what bothered me so much about it was that it had so many different characters, and the story flips back and forth between each one, so it was hard for me to follow and keep track of who is who.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nel Abbot was found dead in the river near her home, which has been the setting of similar deaths, including that of her daughter's best friend, Katie. Nel grew up obsessed over the information about these deaths that took place in this body of water, referred to as the "Drowning Pool". Nel leaves behind a teen-aged daughter and a sister, whom she hadn't spoke to in years. Secrets start to unravel, and everyone realizes that there may be more to these deaths than what was originally seen.&nbsp;</div>Kelsey Weberhttps://plus.google.com/116584763935065715467noreply@blogger.com0
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