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Looking forward to all the adventures that await!

Yippie!!! May it be a productive reading year for all of us :)

1. The Middle Moffat, by Eleanor Estes, 5/5 stars (01/03/16)

Here is to lots of fun reading!!

2. Have You Seen Tom Thumb?, by Mabel Leigh Hunt, 3/5 stars

3. Rocket Boys, by Homer Hickam, 5/5 stars (01/19/16).

I've heard good things about Rocket Boys. It looks like it lived up to expectations :)

Stacie wrote: "I've heard good things about Rocket Boys. It looks like it lived up to expectations :)"

Stacie, yes it did. Coincidentally, I happened to check the book out of the library at the same time that my husband checked out "October Sky", the movie that was based on the book. So, I got a double-dose. The movie was pretty true to the book, but of course the book had a lot more detail. Loved them both.

4. The Battle for Skandia, by John Flanagan, 4/5 stars (01/27/16)

My son turned my on to this series when he was 14 and I finally listened! (He's almost 16 now). I am thoroughly enjoying these books and plan to continue on to the next in the series.

5. Goose in the Pond, by Earlene Fowler, 4/5 stars.

I started this series a long time ago . . . hoping to know off quite a few in the series this year. I enjoy the author and the main character, Benni Harper.

6. The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul, by Adam Hamilton, 4/5 stars (02/07/16)

7. Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes, 3/5 stars

Off to a good start my friend!

Andrea wrote: "Off to a good start my friend!"

Yeah, life has kind of settled down so I'm enjoying being back on my more "normal" pace for reading. I'll take it!

8. The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, by Alexander McCall Smith, 5/5 stars

Really enjoy books from The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Am currently reading The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe, which is really good, also. Have had a hard time getting into his other book series. I think I can only handle so much philosophy. ;)

Carol wrote: "Really enjoy books from The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Am currently reading The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe, which is really good, also."

Carol, I've read the entire series up to this point and plan to continue on . . . I haven't tried any of McCall Smith's other series. Maybe I will some day, but it would be hard to beat this one.

9. The Sorcerer in the North, by John Flanagan, 3/5 stars

I would have given this book 4/5 stars if it had a satisfying ending. I strongly dislike cliffhangers . . . if any particular book in a series is good, I'll continue on in the series. I don't need to be dragged into it by the artificial use of suspense.

Karol wrote: "9. The Sorcerer in the North, by John Flanagan, 3/5 stars

I would have given this book 4/5 stars if it had a satisfying ending. I strongly dislike cliffhangers . . . ..."

Oh yes, I hated the "ending" of this one too! It was so unnecessary, like the book was literally just cut off.

10. The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, by Alexander McCall Smith, 5/5 stars

11. Basic Belief Studies for United Methodists: Discovery, by Sara L Anderson, 3/5 stars

12. Written in Stone: The Ten Commandments and Today's Moral Crisis, by Philip Graham Ryken, 5/5 stars

13. Dove in the Window, by Earlene Fowler, 4/5 stars

14. Rufus M., by Eleanor Estes, 5/5 stars.

Loved this cute story for children about the youngest member of the Moffat family. The author captured, I believe, the perspective of a child of his age perfectly. Rufus' antics and adventures were delightful and although this book was written a while back, I believe it would still hold the interest of a younger reader today.

15. Desert Heat, by J.A. Jance, 5/5 stars

The first in the Sheriff Joanna Brady series. I love the Bisbee, AZ setting, having been to that area several times while I lived in Phoenix. I really enjoy the main character, too. I started reading this series a while back when I discovered it, so I've read a few of the books that are quite a bit later. It was nice to be able to go back and read the first one so I could see where it all started.

16. Fog Magic, by Julia L. Sauer, 4/5 stars

17. These Happy Golden Years, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, 5/5 stars

18. The First Four Years, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, 3/5 stars

Karol wrote: "17. These Happy Golden Years, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, 5/5 stars

18. The First Four Years, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, 3/5 stars"

Karol, I noticed you read a lot of classic children's literature. Have you read From Little Houses to Little Women: Revisiting a Literary Childhood by Nancy McCabe? It is interesting. She talks about classic girl's literature and what it taught us. I am currently reading The Pink Motel by Carol Ryrie Brink. I had a hard time finding that book. I really notice a difference in dialogue between then and now. ~Carol

Carol wrote: "Karol, I noticed you read a lot of classic children's literature. Have you read From Little Houses to Little Women: Revisiting a Literary Childhood by Nancy McCabe? It is interesting."

..."

Hello, Carol!

I've not read the McCabe book but it sounds like I should! I read classic children's literature as a member of a Newberry club in another Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Group (Children's Books). We're working through the Newberry winners and honor books a year at a time. It has been a very enjoyable experience for me as I have revisited some books that I read as a young girl, and have found others brand new to me now that I wish I had read then.

I agree with you about the change in dialogue across the years. There are certain things I've read that seemed very innocent to me as a child that today would be totally politically incorrect. But on the whole the books are much more wholesome with richer relationships and more optimism. Or so it seems to me.

Thanks for sharing From Little Houses to Little Women: Revisiting a Literary Childhood - I am adding it to my To Read list!

19. Mountain Born, by Elizabeth Yates, 5/5 stars

20. The Siege of Macindaw, by John Flanagan, 5/5 stars

21. The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café, by Alexander McCall Smith, 5/5 stars

22. The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, by Robert M. Edsel, 5/5 stars

Karol wrote: "21. The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, by Robert M. Edsel, 5/5 stars"

I could not get into this. Maybe I'll try the audiobook. I liked the movie!

Karol wrote: "15. Desert Heat, by J.A. Jance, 5/5 stars

The first in the Sheriff Joanna Brady series. I love the Bisbee, AZ setting, having been to that area several times while ..."

I also read several of this series some years back and really enjoyed them. Can't remember where I left off and I definitely want to reread them again sometime. I'd really love to find the audio versions of them.
It helps when I'm feeling homesick--I'm from Tucson, currently living in exile in the frozen Northeast.

Rachel Joy wrote: "I also read several of this series some years back and really enjoyed them. Can't remember where I left off and I definitely want to reread them again sometime. I'd really love to find the audio versions of them.
It helps when I'm feeling homesick--I'm from Tucson, currently living in exile in the frozen Northeast"

Rachel, I grew up in the midwest where I live again now. But I lived in the Phoenix area for six years, from 1992 - 1998. I transferred to Phoenix and then back to the midwest with the company I worked for.

I loved the Phoenix area and visited Tucson a few times, as well as Bisbee and the area near the Mexican border at the Coronado National Monument. It was a lot more safe in those years than it is right now. I miss the southwest a lot. I have many good memories from those times.

23. Tombstone Courage, by J.A. Jance, 5/5 stars

24. Mariner's Compass, by Earlene Fowler, 5/5 stars

25. The Witch Doctor's Wife, by Tamar Myers, 4/5 stars

26. Rabbit Hill, by Robert Lawson, 4/5 stars

27. Erak's Ransom, by John Flanagan, 5/5 stars

Karol wrote: "22. The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, by Robert M. Edsel, 5/5 stars"

Karol, I have this one waiting for me in my TBR pile. Glad to see you enjoyed it!

Karol wrote: "27. Erak's Ransom, by John Flanagan, 5/5 stars"

Glad you're enjoying this series! :)

Annie wrote: "Karol wrote: "22. The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, by Robert M. Edsel, 5/5 stars"

Karol, I have this one waiting in my TBR pile. Glad to see you enjoyed it!..."

I really did, Annie. There were a few places where it moved slowly - but it is such a fascinating story. War sucks. But the passion the men and women involved in trying to save important art was uplifting to read about. You definitely see a contrast to the darkness of Hitler and his followers.

Elyse wrote: "Karol wrote: "27. Erak's Ransom, by John Flanagan, 5/5 stars"

Glad you're enjoying this series! :)"

Elyse, I've probably mentioned that my son turned me on to the series. I started reading it because he was, and it gave us a point of connection - something to talk about. But after my initial introduction to Will, Halt, Horace, "Evanlynn" and Alyss I am reading the series purely because I like it so much! Flanagan is a first rate story teller.

28. Dear Mr. Knightley, by Katherine Reay, 5/5 stars

29. Michigan Day Trips by Theme, by Mike Link, 4/5 stars

30. Shoot Don't Shoot, by J.A. Jance, 4/5 stars

Karol wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Karol wrote: "27. Erak's Ransom, by John Flanagan, 5/5 stars"

Glad you're enjoying this series! :)"

Elyse, I've probably mentioned that my son turned m..."

Karol, did you and your son ever read the Ender's Game series? My son recommended that. I really enjoyed it. I liked the fact that the series split into two series, but am very sad that I finished it.

Karol wrote: "Elyse, I've probably mentioned that my son turned me on to the series. I started reading it because he was, and it gave us a point of connection..."

Right? It's a very enjoyable series! I'm looking forward to more and I'm glad that even in his spin-offs, he still ties in our favorite characters!

Carol wrote: "Karol wrote: "Karol, did you and your son ever read the Ender's Game series? My son recommended that. I really enjoyed it. I liked the fact that the series split into two series, but am very sad that I finished it."

Carol, no we have not read that series. I will definitely look into it! Thanks for the recommendation.

31. The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate, 5/5 stars

32. The Kings of Clonmel, by John Flanagan, 4/5 stars

Karol, finally we are both having a fairly good year with reading :)

33. The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, 3/5 stars

34. Seven Sisters, by Earlene Fowler, 4/5 stars

35. Dead to Rights, by J.A. Jance, 4/5 stars

36. The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes, 4/5 stars

37. The Pines: 100 Years Of Herbert H. And Grace A. Dow Homestead, Orchards, And Gardens, by Tawny Ryan Nelb, 4/5 stars

Definitely a local interest book. I live in Midland, work for The Dow Chemical Company, and often visit Dow Gardens. I always seem to find a measure of peace in those beautiful surroundings. This book gave the history of Herbert Dow's home, which still stands in the garden area, and of the gardens themselves. It was fascinating to me, but might not be of as much interest to folks who've not been in the area.

38. While We're Far Apart, by Lynn Austin, 3/5 stars (06/10/16)

you are moving right along! lots of good books