May's Pick - The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

  I can't believe it's been three months since I last posted. Rest assured, it hasn't been three months since I read. For some reason, I am really enjoying YA romance novels. "Slow Dance In Purgatory," by Amy Harmon, was especially good.

  

  

  Most of us have read this month's selection in high school, studied it's symbolism and metaphors. I'm picking The Great Gatsby to reread, this time just for fun. And, of course, to compare to the movie. I encourage everyone to read, watch, then comment below. What did you think of this movie version compared to the classic novel? Good adaptation? Or maybe it doesn't matter with Leonardo DiCaprio starring. 

February's Pick - Death Comes to Pemberly, by P.D. James

I am curious.

Can you do a sequel to one of the most beloved Jane Austin books successfully? I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed the movies even more. But a sequel? Death Comes to Pemberly has been on the New York Times bestseller list for weeks, so there are quite of few fans out there that say, yes! I can't wait to read about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, their lives, their children, however, I reserve my vote till I finish the book. I'll let you know and I'd love to hear your opinion.

Amazon Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2011

A rare meeting of literary genius: P. D. James, long among the most admired mystery writers of our time, draws the characters of Jane Austen’s beloved novel Pride and Prejudice into a tale of murder and emotional mayhem.

It is 1803, six years since Elizabeth and Darcy embarked on their life together at Pemberley, Darcy’s magnificent estate. Their peaceful, orderly world seems almost unassailable. Elizabeth has found her footing as the chatelaine of the great house. They have two fine sons, Fitzwilliam and Charles. Elizabeth’s sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live nearby; her father visits often; there is optimistic talk about the prospects of marriage for Darcy’s sister Georgiana. And preparations are under way for their much-anticipated annual autumn ball.

Then, on the eve of the ball, the patrician idyll is shattered. A coach careens up the drive carrying Lydia, Elizabeth’s disgraced sister, who with her husband, the very dubious Wickham, has been banned from Pemberley. She stumbles out of the carriage, hysterical, shrieking that Wickham has been murdered. With shocking suddenness, Pemberley is plunged into a frightening mystery.

Inspired by a lifelong passion for Austen, P. D. James masterfully re-creates the world of Pride and Prejudice, electrifying it with the excitement and suspense of a brilliantly crafted crime story, as only she can write it.

January's Pick- The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green

What drew me too this story was the the bravery of the protagonist to rise above her circumstances to forge a life of her own, not dictated by her medical condition. Whether it's a child with cancer or a teen managing diabetes, I am amazed by the courage of our kids. Do you know any of these inspiring youth? I'd love to hear about them.

Amazon Book Review:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012!

“The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent  merican fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.” —Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine

November's Pick - House of Mercy by Erin Healy

I am soo excited to read House of Mercy this month. First, because I won a copy of the book in drawing, and second, because I am huge Erin Healy fan. 

I first discovered Erin when she co-authored the book Kiss, with Ted Dekker. It was one of the best books I had read that year. Since then, I have read several of her books and each time she takes the reader on a suspenseful journey. 

Join me as I escape into a world of horses and valleys and cattle ranches. 

Book Description:

When Beth’s world falls apart, can she ever be whole again?

Beth has a gift of healing—which is why she wants to become a vet and help her family run their fifth-generation cattle ranch. Her father’s dream of helping men in trouble and giving them a second chance is her dream too. But it only takes one foolish decision for Beth to destroy it all.

Beth scrambles to redeem her mistake, pleading with God for help, even as a mystery complicates her life. The repercussions grow more unbearable—a lawsuit, a death, a divided family, and the looming loss of everything she cares about. Beth’s only hope is to find the grandfather she never knew and beg for his help. Confused, grieving, and determined to make amends, she embarks on a horseback journey across the mountains, guided by a wild, unpredictable wolf who may or may not be real.

Set in the stunningly rugged terrain of Southern Colorado, House of Mercy follows Beth through the valley of the shadow of death into the unfathomable miracles of God’s goodness and mercy. 

“Healy has proven she has what it takes to write a fast paced supernatural thriller guaranteed to keep you hooked right until the last page, and beyond.” —TitleTrakk.com

October's Pick - The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien

With the long anticipated movie coming out in December, I thought it would be great to read (or in some cases reread) this classic.  I read it early in my teen years and look forward to catching up with the characters and plot twists. J.R.R. Tolkien is a master at building a fantastical world, populated with curses and creatures and one incredible quest. Whether you are a plot driven, character driven or even literary driven reader, you will enjoy the adventure.

Overview

A great modern classic and the prelude to THE LORD OF THE RINGS.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

"A glorious account of a magnificent adventure, filled with suspense and seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible…All those, young or old, who love a fine adventurous tale, beautifully told, will take The Hobbit to their hearts."—New York Times Book Review

September's Pick - Jimmy, by Robert Whitlow

Earlier this year I read "To Kill A Mockingbird" for the first time and loved it. The story was nothing like I've read lately, and as a writer, broke most of the rules I've been taught to follow. While looking for a book club selection for this month, I came across this one by Robert Whitlow. Some of the reviews compare it to the emotional styling of "To Kill A Mockingbird." I was intrigued.

I am looking forward to reading Jimmy. A unique style in an unique genre. I welcome comments and opinion from fellow readers.

From Booklist

Jimmy, a mildly retarded child, sees "Watchers," or angels, and in his innocence, he's very nearly an angel himself. His parents wonder if he'll ever be able to take care of himself and gently move him toward independence. He responds admirably. In fact, it's Jimmy's highly developed sense of responsibility that eventually gets him in trouble, but his angels are there, and whatever happens, apparently, is God's will. For some readers, Jimmy will seem sentimental. For others, it will summon gratifying tears. John Mort

August's Pick - Last Light by Terri Blackstock

From the first page, Last Light takes you into a world that we can hardly imagine. A world in which one day all electronics go dead. But worse than no electricity, airplanes can't fly, watches don't run, cell phones and land lines have no signals.  It is a worldwide phenomenon and scientist are unable to reverse it.

We follow the average American family as they try to deal with this permanent power outage and the chaos it brings. As Christians, they are faced with a choice - to hoard all their possessions, like all of their neighbors, or to do what Christ has called us to do and "give freely, to everyone who asks."

I wondered how would I handle the situations that Doug and Kaye and their four children were dealing with?  I began questioning if my family and kids were too spoiled, with our steady stream of cyber entertainment diet.

Would we be able to have utter and complete faith in God for EVERY one of our physical needs on a daily, or every moment, basis.

But mostly, I wonder if it's too late to learn how to garden!