Another winter passtime, reading by the fire or snuggled up in bed. Keep a stack of books on the nightstand for these long cold winter days and nights.
Not sure if it is a phase, but looking over this list, I seem to be reading feel-good stories instead of my usual mysteries and crime dramas. And that's okay!
The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
Their parents died in each other's arms. When the three grown children arrive to arrange the funeral, they discover boxes and boxes full of love letters that their father wrote to their mother on every single Wednesday. Reading the letters, the children discover a great love, interesting adventures, origins of some family stories, and the biggest surprise of all, the shocking truth about their past. The book is described as "reminiscent of The Notebook", but it reminded me of the Bridges of Madison County - well, the part about the kids finding letters anyway. A great story, quick read, I recommend it! This book got us to thinking - what if we left some well-crafted letters around for our kids to find? Wouldn't that be fun?
Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright
Glass jars filled with coins and bills anonymously given to people in need, at Christmas time. Hence the name. But when one was left on the doorstep of newspaper reporter, Hope Jensen, she couldn't just accept it, she had to know where it came from. After much research she discovers much more than she bargained for, the loving family who started the tradition, the far-reaching chain reaction of the simple act, and a surprising revelation about her own life. After reading The Wednesday Letters by the same author, I went looking for this one, Christmas Jars, his first book. A good story, well worth the short time to read it. Now on to do something about all that loose change lying around the house, does anyone have a big jar?
Oystercatchers by Susan Fletcher
Sixteen-year-old Amy lies in a coma. Her elder sister, Moira, sits beside her in the evenings and tells this story seeking forgiveness and retribution. She tells of her own life--her secrets, her shameful actions, and her link to the accident that has brought her sister to this bed.
The description said, "A lyrical novel about the bond between two sisters." Intrigued, I checked it out at the library. The writing was certainly lyrical, I was often caught up in the choice of words and the picture they painted. I was also curious about the accident, but had to wait til almost the end to find out. I was surprised that I enjoyed this book so much, not my usual genre.
Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alan Alda
After the success of his memoir, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed (which I am still waiting on at the library), Alan Alda wrote this entertaining recollection of all the things he has overheard, has said, has meant to say. He has been asked to speak at many occasions, from college graduations to funerals, and many of the speeches are included in this book. My favorite was for his daughter's college graduation, comparing the occasion to a doorway in their relationship:
We linger with our hand on the knob, searching for words, but the best things said slip out unheralded and often preceded by the words, Oh, by the way... Doorways are where the truth is told.
A very good read, funny, entertaining, an insight into the much loved actor.
An Innocent Man by John Grisham “A gritty, harrowing, true-crime story.”
I started this one, being a long time Grisham fan, but it was just too much like the news...
What counts, in the long run, is not what you read; it is what you sift through your own mind; it is the ideas and impressions that are aroused in you by your reading. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison
Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. ~P.J. O'Rourke
Not sure if it is a phase, but looking over this list, I seem to be reading feel-good stories instead of my usual mysteries and crime dramas. And that's okay!
The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. WrightTheir parents died in each other's arms. When the three grown children arrive to arrange the funeral, they discover boxes and boxes full of love letters that their father wrote to their mother on every single Wednesday. Reading the letters, the children discover a great love, interesting adventures, origins of some family stories, and the biggest surprise of all, the shocking truth about their past. The book is described as "reminiscent of The Notebook", but it reminded me of the Bridges of Madison County - well, the part about the kids finding letters anyway. A great story, quick read, I recommend it! This book got us to thinking - what if we left some well-crafted letters around for our kids to find? Wouldn't that be fun?
Christmas Jars by Jason F. WrightGlass jars filled with coins and bills anonymously given to people in need, at Christmas time. Hence the name. But when one was left on the doorstep of newspaper reporter, Hope Jensen, she couldn't just accept it, she had to know where it came from. After much research she discovers much more than she bargained for, the loving family who started the tradition, the far-reaching chain reaction of the simple act, and a surprising revelation about her own life. After reading The Wednesday Letters by the same author, I went looking for this one, Christmas Jars, his first book. A good story, well worth the short time to read it. Now on to do something about all that loose change lying around the house, does anyone have a big jar?
Oystercatchers by Susan Fletcher Sixteen-year-old Amy lies in a coma. Her elder sister, Moira, sits beside her in the evenings and tells this story seeking forgiveness and retribution. She tells of her own life--her secrets, her shameful actions, and her link to the accident that has brought her sister to this bed.
The description said, "A lyrical novel about the bond between two sisters." Intrigued, I checked it out at the library. The writing was certainly lyrical, I was often caught up in the choice of words and the picture they painted. I was also curious about the accident, but had to wait til almost the end to find out. I was surprised that I enjoyed this book so much, not my usual genre.
Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alan AldaAfter the success of his memoir, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed (which I am still waiting on at the library), Alan Alda wrote this entertaining recollection of all the things he has overheard, has said, has meant to say. He has been asked to speak at many occasions, from college graduations to funerals, and many of the speeches are included in this book. My favorite was for his daughter's college graduation, comparing the occasion to a doorway in their relationship:
We linger with our hand on the knob, searching for words, but the best things said slip out unheralded and often preceded by the words, Oh, by the way... Doorways are where the truth is told.
A very good read, funny, entertaining, an insight into the much loved actor.
An Innocent Man by John Grisham “A gritty, harrowing, true-crime story.”
I started this one, being a long time Grisham fan, but it was just too much like the news...
What counts, in the long run, is not what you read; it is what you sift through your own mind; it is the ideas and impressions that are aroused in you by your reading. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison
Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. ~P.J. O'Rourke
