John 3:16

John 3:16
by Nancy Moser

I picked this book up on the fly at the library. I figured that it was written by a Christian author (with a title like that) and I was looking for something uplifting. It turned out to be very good. I will find more books by this author.

The story brings together multiple story lines--people who are about to be affected by a John 3:16 sign at a football game. Again, this story is told from multiple points of view and I am finding that I really like that approach. A woman going through the anguish of infertility, a father whose life is completely wrapped around his son's football abilities, the son whose life has been deeply affected by God and a woman who gave up a baby for adoption twenty years ago. Really well written--although it does get slightly preachy every now and again. The story lines are nicely intertwined with one or two very unexpected surprises. Has a very realistic ending--rather than the "happily ever after" thing that you may be expecting.

The Alibi

The Alibi
By Sandra Brown

Sandra Brown is one of my favorite authors. She started out writing historical romance novels, but grew into contemporary mystery/romance. She does a great job of building suspense and creating interesting plot twists. Of course, there is still the romance part. I'd say the plot is about 80% mystery and about 20% romance.

This story is told from multiple points of view, which was slightly confusing at first, but I really enjoyed it by the end. Assistant DA (County Solicitor in South Carolina) Hammond Cross finds himself deeply involved in the murder of a local bigwig. His personal and professional integrity is stretched to the breaking point. The woman is a psychiatrist, and the main suspect in the murder. There are three or four different subplots going on, lots of characterization which I love. The author does a fantastic job of capturing the culture of South.

There are several passages of graphic "romance novel" sex. I tend to just skip over those parts, but be forewarned. I really enjoyed this book.

Undiscovered Country

Undiscovered Country

by: Lin Enger

I just found this book, no recommendation. Then I read the back: "Unaware that his life is about to change in ways he can't imagine, seventeen-year-old Jesse Matson ventures into the northern Minnesota woods with his father on a cold November afternoon....a muffled crack of a gunshot rings out...he races through the trees to find his dad dead of a rifle wound, apparently self-inflicted."

That really intrigued me! Why? It is kind of dark and mysterious, but I figured I would try it. And....I REALLY enjoyed it. The writing was great; a different style. The author never used quotation marks! It is written in first person, from Jesse's perspective. It seems like it would be a dark and sad tale, but to me it was an intriguing mystery. I enjoyed being inside that 17 year old's head.

It was a good mystery, written well. The author tells a good story, interesting characters.

The Heartbreak Pill

The Heartbreak Pill

by: Anjanette Delgado

Here is the story on this book: I like to go to the mall to the big book store and see all their very exciting and tantalizing books. I always have paper and pen and I write all the books down that I would like to buy. Then I go to the library and look for those books. THIS book looked very funny and interesting. The "blurb" on the back is something like, "wouldn't it be nice to take a pill to get over your heartache instead of going through it? Erica has made this pill!" It seemed funny. Sadly, I couldn't find the book at my library! I decided to ask the library to get it. I asked and a few weeks later the library called and said they would buy it!

Happily, I got the book. My expectations were too high. I thought it was good, but the story was different than I thought. It was a bit more crass than I thought.

I thought the story would be about her taking the pill, feeling better, dating, etc. It was about her horrible divorce, her horrible sadness, her deciding to do something about it - she is a scientist at a medical lab that makes a migraine medication. The author is a Latina and she speaks a LOT of Spanish. I felt like I really needed to finish the story because I requested the library buy the book. I hope others at the library like it better than I did. Read the book below this instead, So Brave, Young and Handsome. It was way better.

I am still grateful that the library got it for me. That was very nice.

So Brave, Young, and Handsome

So Brave, Young, and Handsome

by: Leif Enger

This book is by the same author as Peace Like a River.

I REALLY enjoyed this book. I loved how it was written, such great words. I enjoyed the story. It is NOT an action packed book, it is more about how the author writes that I enjoyed.

This book takes place around the turn of the century, I think. There is a little family in Minnesota, husband, wife and little boy. The husband wrote a fabulous book that sold well. He tries to write another book and just can't. He feels frustrated. They meet a man who is living down the way from them and this man takes them all on quite an adventure.

It is about love, respect, forgiveness, choices, and being true to yourself.

Please someone read it, I really want to talk about the title!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by: Mary Ann Shaffer and
Annie Barrows

I loved this book! It is charming and written the the form of letters being sent to many different people. You see the story unfold as you read these letters.

There is an Island, in the Channel Islands by England that is called Guernsey. This Island was occupied by the German troops for 5 years. This was an interesting part of history to learn about. The people on the island were cut off from all news of the war. The book takes place after the war is over, and one person, Juliet is contacted by someone on the island asking about a book. That starts many, many inquisitive letters.

Here is a quote from the end of the book from one of the authors:
from Mary Ann Shaffer
"I hope that my book will illuminate my belief that love of art - be it poetry, storytelling, painting, sculpture, or music - enables people to transcend any barrier man has yet devised."

Read it. It is worth it. It will make you want to be a letter writer!

Silks

Silks

by: Dick Francis

Not his best effort. Was readable, filled the void, VERY Dick Francis.

It was a fine story of a lawyer, sees things he shouldn't, people beat him up, should he now cower, or do what is right.

Very Dick Francis, right?

If you are a Dick Francis fan, you should read this, but don't buy it!

Belong To Me

Belong To Me
by: Marisa de los Santos


I quite enjoyed the beginning, some of the middle and the end. I did not enjoy the real middle of the book. It goes down such a sad path! Who wants to read a sad book. Ok, a woman dies of cancer. It is sad. I don't want to read about it for 100 pages!

This is a story of a neighborhood in (possibly) PA. Very suburb, folksy neighborhood. The story goes into every body's life, how they think and react to each other. Corniliea and her husband Teo just moved there. She is not working. They just moved from New York, he is an oncologist. They are very much in love. Piper is the neighbor Queen Bee. She acts her part very well. Elizabeth has cancer, a bit unhappy in her marriage. Lake is a single mother, hard worker, smart, a waitress.

I loved the writing of this book. The words were great. I usually do NOT like description, but this author did it amazingly. You want to read parts aloud. How the women interact seems very real. The author is a woman, she gets it right.

The story ebbs and flows. I did not enjoy reading about Elizabeth dieing. But I did enjoy see the lesson play out, "don't judge a book by it's cover". Another lesson, a person may act a certain way, but give them a chance and you may see the real person (better) buried deep inside.

Ok, there is the good and the bad, you decide if you want to read this book.

Dumping Billy

Dumping Billy

by: Olivia Goldsmith

Not so good, just fill dirt. I needed something to read, I was hoping this was good, it was so predictable.

Woman has several failed relationships. Meets a great looking guy, they don't like each other; she more than him. 2/3 through she starts dating him, finds he is great, they have a fight, break-up. The last page, oh, he asks to marry her, she says yes.

There, I saved you.

Chasing Darkness

Chasing Darkness

by: Robert Crais

This is a good author. He has several different characters he writes about. This book is about Elvis Cole (? I think, I suddenly can't remember!) He is a detective.

I like his writing. Good story. Not too violent or scary. I like the main character. Good read.

I need another book by this author!

Hey, did you know there is another/new Dick Francis out there! Kerry is reading it, when he is done, I will read it!