Plain and Simple: A Woman's Journey to the Amish

By Sue Bender

Bender, a career driven wife and mother from Berkeley, sees an Amish quilt in a store.  She is taken with its simplicity, and becomes obsessed with finding a way to live with the people that create such timeless, uncomplicated designs.  It takes some effort, and a little luck, for Bender to find an Amish family willing to take her in for a few weeks.  During that time, she learns that there's nothing wrong with living day to day, finding joy in ordinary tasks.  While some modern conveniences are creeping in to Amish society,  community spirit and joy in just "being" may be more important than recognition and notoriety.

I don't think I could be friends with a person like the author and her friends -- their whole life is built around accomplishments and self-congratulation.  For example, even though she is An Artist, she creates for recognition, not the love of the craft.  Everything has to Mean Something, and every person has to Be Somebody.  She even struggles with how to introduce herself at a party, and whether to describe herself as a therapist, an artist, etc.  After she returns home, she wants to bake bread, quilt, and be domestic, but where she lives won't allow it -- no one has time.  When she scrubs her vacation home top to bottom, a friend mocks her for becoming too submissive and homey.  Sheesh people, it's not all about you!

Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Got Married

By Gary Chapman

Dr. Chapman takes couples through ordinary yet important matters to discuss before marriage.  Topics include dividing chores, spirituality, and handling money.  At the end of each section there are "Talking It Over" questions & suggestions to help couples discuss & problem solve.

This is a good book before marriage, but is even helpful after marriage.  Dr. Chapman even has examples from already-married couples who needed help solving issues before their marriage deteriorated completely.  This book really makes you think in far-reaching terms, not just the "but we're in love!" attitude that sometimes wipes out logic.

Silas Marner

By George Eliot

Silas Marner is a lonely and bitter country weaver.  He left his hometown after being falsely accused of theft, and losing his fiancee to the real thief.  Fifteen years later, he is robbed of his life savings.  Thankfully, an orphan comes into his life that saves him from absolute defeat.

It's a short story, which is good since the writing style is old-fashioned and difficult to read.  Still, it's a good story.  I felt so sorry for Silas.  He trusted his best friend, who repaid Silas by destroying his reputation and marrying his fiancee.  Then, when Silas became obsessed with counting his money, it was mysteriously stolen from him.  So when Eppie comes into his life, I was afraid someone would take her away and he would be alone again.  I was afraid he wouldn't be able to go on.  And I was afraid that I couldn't take it if he was knocked down again.

Stop The Wedding!

By Stephanie Bond

Annabelle is horrified to learn that her widowed mother, Belle, is about to marry a man she's only known for eight weeks -- Martin, a former movie actor who's already been married six times.  She rushes home to talk some sense into Belle, and meets Clay, Martin's son who is even more opposed to the wedding.

Don't read this book if you want anything more than a silly summer-read book.  It's one of those over the top romance novels, full of misunderstandings and goofiness... which is why I love these books :)

Insatiable

By Meg Cabot

There are two unusual things about Meena Harper: she writes for a soap opera, and she can see how people are going to die.  When her soap bosses want to create a vampire story line, Meena is frustrated, since she is sick of all the supernatural silliness.  Then she meets Lucien, a tall, dark, brooding stranger who is impossible for her to resist.  Of course, he's also a vampire.

This book couldn't decide whether to be sinister or silly, so it settled on uninspired.  Had the author stayed with Meena's odd gift of foretelling death, it would have been unique... instead she is the pawn of a vampire war.  Some characters were just too stupid for words.  How can a vampire be gossipy and chatty and stay alive for hundreds of years?  And don't get me started on how dopey Meena's brother Jon is --- not a surprise that he's unemployed and lazy.  Thank heavens for a determined vampire hunter, and some campy fight scenes.

The Power of Six

By Pittacus Lore

John Smith, aka Number Four, is still running from the Mogs, with the help of his best friend, Sam, and Number Six.  They are also accused of being terrorists after escaping the town of Paradise, Ohio, where the Mogs found them and the resulting battle destroyed the high school and killed 5 innocent people.

Meanwhile, Marina, or Number Seven, is in hiding in a small Spanish convent.  She knows about John and his friends from the internet, and is intent of finding them.  But she also has Mogs chasing her, and has no idea how to get to America, or how to use her "legacy" powers.

I really enjoyed the first book, I Am Number Four, so I was disappointed by this book.  John & his friends just move around randomly, living in abandoned houses and miraculously finding transportation without a lot of effort.  If they are so "wanted", why is it so easy for them to move around?  Also, the whole love triangle was awkward and kind of pointless.  The action towards the end was good... it felt like there was finally some plot line,  and I enjoyed the alternate story-lines between John and Marina.  The ending saved this book.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

By Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swensen finds the dairy man shot in the alley behind her bake shop, The Cookie Jar.  She can't resist helping her brother-in-law, who is hoping for a promotion in the sheriff's department, especially since the murder occurred right outside her shop.  In the meantime, her mother is determined to fix her up with every single male in town, despite Hannah's objections.

I almost liked this book, but the characters were too flaky and Hannah seemed slightly stupid for a successful business owner.  As always, she gives away so many free samples that it's amazing she isn't filing for bankruptcy.  She also spent more time than her brother-in-law tracking down suspects and following leads... at least he's likeable so I didn't mind that he earns a promotion based on her detective skills.

Wish You Were Here

By Rita Mae Brown

"Harry" Haristeen is the postmistress in Crozet, a small, cozy, nosy town in Virginia.  So when people begin receiving anonymous tombstone postcards saying "Wish You Were Here", then ending up dead, Harry realizes that people in Crozet must have a few secrets worth killing for -- and her pet corgi and cat are trying to help by ferreting out their own clues.

This book was not appealing at all.  Probably what bothered me the most, besides Harry's stupid, self-centered almost-ex husband, was the lame banter in between the pets in town.  I cannot figure out why people think these comments are cute & witty! And, of course, the bigoted stuck-up mayor's wife, the Bible-thumping know it all widow... the list of retreaded characters go on forever.  What a waste of my time...

A Little Princess

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

Classic story of Sara Crewe, a young girl sent off to school in London, while her widowed father stays behind in India.  When his fortune is lost, he dies, and Sara becomes a servant at her school.  All the while, she is determined to find the good in life, and behave as only a kind princess would, despite her poverty and hunger.

I read this book so long ago I couldn't remember the plot too well --- I only remembered Sara's father dying, and  her tyrannical schoolmistress taking away everything she owned except for an old black dress & a doll.  I'm glad I read it again as an adult, because the theme of treating people well whatever your own circumstance is a kick in the pants everyone needs.  If you like The Secret Garden, you will enjoy this book.

God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons For Life's Little Detours

By Regina Brett

When Regina Brett turned 50, the newspaper columnist decided to write about her most important 50 life lessons.  As a cancer survivor and a single mom, Brett's life has been full of challenges.  These tough times have helped her remember the gifts of gratitude, laughter, and God's love for His children.

Although Brett doesn't say a lot that's new, she does say it in a refreshing, thoughtful way.  Then again, as always, people need to be reminded of the basic blessings in our lives. Long Live Common Sense!

Some Like It Hawk

By Donna Andrews

Meg is in charge of a huge, loud, days long fundraising event for the town of Caerphilly.  Huge, because the former mayor mortgaged the town & embezzled the money. Loud, because the county clerk is burrowed in the courthouse basement, and they need to smuggle supplies through a creaky trap door.  Days long, to fend off the financial company that now "owns" the town & wants to develop the surrounding land with condos & a golf course.  So of course a financial executive is murdered right by the barricaded entrance to the basement, in order to frame the county clerk & get him out of there.  Meg is once again in the right place & at the right time to hear & see it all... and solve the case.

I enjoyed this book MUCH more than the previous one, if for no other reason than Meg was back to blacksmithing instead of napping.  Plus, I was tired of every story based around their overpopulated household.  Much nicer to have it take place during a fair, where she was surrounded by quirky people for a legitimate reason.  I'm a little sad, though, that her husband will probably not be a major character anymore... seems he's the one who takes over the child care while Meg solves murders.  At least she has the rest of the year to forge iron pokers & chase after their twins.

The Ghostway

By Tony Hillerman

Jim Chee keeps finding, and losing, the granddaughter of a missing man.  She is also wanted by a heartless killer, who wants her dead because of a missing photograph.  Meanwhile, Chee has to decide whether to abandon his heritage in order to stay with Mary Landon, the white schoolteacher in Shiprock.

Not much to this story.  The storyline was sketchy, and never did make a whole lot of sense.  It seemed like it was just a reason for Chee to drive long distances, reliving conversations with his girlfriend.

Mary seems like a shallow white woman who thinks that the Navajo Way is nothing but meaningless rituals.  Chee wants to help his people, and Mary thinks the only way to do that is to civilize them.  All of the old traditions are being lost, and Chee is dedicated enough to want to keep it alive.  But of course he has to forget that & join the FBI to keep Mary happy.  Why is this even an issue?  It just makes her look like a selfish witch... dump her already.

Stork Raving Mad

By Donna Andrews

Meg Lanslow is 8 and 1/2 months pregnant with twins, and is trying to get some rest amid a house full of dispossessed students, various relatives, computer programmers, a Spanish playwright... and a dead body.  Dr. Wright has been poisoned and knocked on the head, and there is no end of suspects.

I wanted to enjoy this book, but things kept popping into my mind: Why does her mother wait until it's total chaos & Meg's due date to redecorate the nursery?  Why can't her mother back off already?  Why is it okay for a heavily pregnant woman to have so much constant commotion that she can't even take a nap? I can't believe that Meg didn't snap & start killing people herself!  And instead of her husband trying to help make things easier, he's practically non-existent... he shows up occasionally to ask someone to find her a chair.  I know Meg's family is supposed to add quirkiness and comic relief, but it's old.  I don't know why I keep reading these books.

Why Him? Why Her? Finding Real Love By Understanding Your Personality Type

By Helen Fisher

Why do we fall in love with certain people?  Why do we stay in love? What drives others away?  Our personality, along with our mate's personality, can determine how & why we are attracted to each other.

Fisher seems to be a very thorough and intelligent person.  She is an anthropologist, not a psychologist, and therefore takes a scientific view of relationships.  However, she says nothing new.  She even admits that her personality test is a modification of the Myers Briggs Test first created in the early 1960's... all she did was change the names to Explorer, Builder, Director, and Negotiator.

In the end, this just seemed like a Match.com ad, especially since they hired her to come up with a compatibility test.  Right there, I lost a little respect for the formula.  If Fisher had included more real life examples, it would have been more interesting.  Instead,  the book rehashes the same traits over & over.  Okay, we get it -- Explorers should stay clear of other Explorers, because someone has to stay home.  Negotiators should be wary of Directors, because they might lose their fun-loving spirit.  At the same time, Fisher never discourages any match... anyone can fall in love!  Then what's the point in reading this book?

The Innocent

By David Baldacci

Will Robie, a government assassin, has been set up.  Fourteen-year-old Julie has just witnessed her parent's murders.  Together, they narrowly escape a blown-up bus, and grudgingly work together to see if somehow their problems are related.

I haven't read a book like this in a long time.  I had a boyfriend in college who got me hooked on Ludlum & Cussler, but that was another lifetime.  My book club chose this story, because one of the members loves this author...  this book reminded me of why I enjoyed those books.  I was a little disappointed in how Robie was occasionally clueless, especially when it came to random women in his building.  For someone who supposedly lived by his wits, his inner alarm was turned off most of the time.  And although I figured out the bad guys about halfway through the story, I still wanted to see how it played out -- that is the sign of a good author.  Just don't expect the plot to be anything than entertainment.

The Child Buyer

By John Hersey

Businessman Wissey Jones comes to town with one aim in mind; to buy ten-year-old Barry Rudd, take him away, and use Barry's remarkable intelligence for the greater good.  The story is written as a senatorial transcript, interviewing the people involved in Barry's life.

I have read other books by Hersey and loved them, but the transcript writing style really hampered the characters.  No action could take place, just testimonies.  Plus, a story about how many people sell their souls for material goods and ambition repulsed me.  I have to admit I finished reading at least 5 other books while trying to slog through this one.

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

By Gary Chapman

The author explains how different people respond positively to different kinds of love expressions : words, actions, gifts, affection, and time.  We usually try to give what we want, instead of what our mate wants, which causes all sorts of misunderstandings and hurt.  If we focus on our partner, and communicate in a positive way, marriages can succeed beautifully.

When written down, the love languages seem so obvious.  How could this not fail?  Well, it can easily fail when people are selfish, and always waiting for the other person to take the first step.  Marriage is hard work.  In fact, most of the negative reviews were about the simplicity of Chapman's advice, along with his spirituality.  To me, this was the strength of the book.

The one problem I wondered about early on is "What if your partner doesn't want to change?",  or "What if you have problems even telling your mate that you're unhappy?"  Towards the end, the author has an example of a wife wanting to change, her husband being a creep, and her friends telling her to walk away.  But Chapman knows that she wants to give it one last try, and creates monthly goals FOR HER to make a change in her marriage.  He doesn't try to force the husband on board.  That hit me hard.  I can't expect my marriage to improve if I'm not willing to change myself.  I really needed this wake up call, and am going to try with all my heart and soul to get on track.

Six Geese A-Slaying

By Donna Andrews

Meg volunteers to head up this winter's Holiday Parade, mainly to help her husband gain points with the other professors where he teaches drama.  The main event is organized at their farmhouse, so of course that's where someone murders Santa just before the parade begins. And, of course, she can't let the sheriff get on his job, which places Meg square in the murderer's sights.

She says that she's tired of being in charge, but I think she would go stir crazy if she sat back & watched someone else take over. Meg is curious, smart, and nosy.  Even if  murders weren't constantly happening literally in her back yard, she'd be right in the middle of things.  That said, she's also getting more likeable than the last few books.  Meg is finally accepting her family for what they are, which in turn makes her much less cranky.

The Weird Sisters

By Eleanor Brown

What an awful book!  Three sisters who despise each other, a mother dying of cancer, and a father who can only carry on a conversation by quoting Shakespeare. UGH

The Dark Wind

By Tony Hillerman

Sgt. Jim Chee is still a newcomer to the Navajo Tribal Police. So when a corpse is found with skinned hands and feet, and a windmill is continuously damaged, the locals are too distrustful to help.  Then a plane transporting drugs crashes, and although Chee is warned away, he can't help himself from wondering what really happened.

Despite the fact that I figured out all the villains early in the story, I still wanted to see how Chee would tie it all up.  Hillerman has a tendency to quick endings, but even his lesser characters are well-drawn and interesting.  Good, easy mystery.

Under the Dog Star

By Sandra Parshall

Crazy happenings in Mason County, Virginia yet again.  Pet dogs disappearing, rumors of a dog fighting operation, and wild, abandoned dogs roaming the country side in search of livestock.  It all comes to a head when Dr Gordon Hall is killed outside of his home, his throat torn out.  Sheriff's Department investigator Tom Bridger believes that someone was waiting for Hall, and used an attack dog to murder him. Veterinarian Rachel Goddard, meanwhile, is desperately trying to capture and rehabilitate the wild dogs before the locals shoot them.

I like these stories as long as I try to imagine them separately.  Otherwise, it's a crippling blow to rural Virginia tourism, since every story makes you wonder how anyone is still alive.  Thank goodness I like the characters, and I love animals.

Into Thin Air

By Jon Krakauer

The author describes his 1996 Everest climb, in which eight climbers died.  A series of bad weather and small errors could have killed the entire expedition, especially since some of the climbers were not as fit for the climb as they maybe should have been.  The story also includes a rough history of why Everest is still known as "the ultimate climb".

Not really my first choice for reading material, but I was sucked into the humanity of the story.  However, the author is one of the few to survive, so he doesn't have a lot of people around to contradict him.  While it's true that the story demonstrates all the little mistakes that lead to huge consequences, which is typical of real life, I have trouble with him placing all of the blame on one person.  Climbing Everest has turned into a part of people's bucket list, and is not taken as seriously.  Plus, the weather turned bad without warning, so it seems flippant to blame the guides for every mistake.  I've read other books by Krakauer, and while I enjoyed them, I still don't believe everything he writes --- in fact, I rarely agree with his opinions.