The Mighty Queens of Freeville, by Amy Dickinson

It's books like this that keep me reading memoirs.  

This was, by far, one of my most favorite books to read.  As soon as I was done, I wanted to turn back to the beginning and start all over, again! It was so enjoyable and funny and just fun!

I love reading about people; it makes me feel like I've met them and sat with them while they recounted life stories, just for me.  I feel like if I were to meet Amy Dickinson, someday, I'd know her.  I know her heart, her daughter, her life.  I'd ask her, "How's your mother?".  I'd want to get a recount of her relationship with Bruno and find myself really hoping it worked out for her.  I'd want to hug her and say, thank you for your story - for sharing it.  Then I'd ask if I could have lunch with her and her family the following Wednesday, simply to soak in the love and the ongoing conversation.  

I loved so many parts of this book, it was all I could do to not jot down every quote I thought funny, fitting or just good.  It touched my soul, this book did, and those are the best kinds to read.

It was a wonderful experience I hope to have, again, in the future.  I'd buy this book.  :)

You should read it.  

The Road to Grace, by Richard Paul Evans

This one's been a long time coming... it was released LAST YEAR - almost a whole year ago! I'm almost ashamed to admit this, but I didn't even buy it until last week.  *gasp* I know... I usually buy them before they're even released! 

Anyway, it was definitely worth the wait, and good timing really - he's due to release the next one in The Walk series quite soon, so I won't have forgotten anything.

NOT THAT I COULD, mind you! This one was really good! The ending was a shocker! I have to wonder if it'll change the whole dynamic of the story line, now...

This one was full of profundities, invoking tears numerous times throughout.  It was a marvelous read and I'm better because of it.  I love books that touch my life in a very personal way, that promote healing and growth in my own trials and situations.  I don't know where he gets it, but I'm so very grateful that RPE shares his wisdom with the masses.  I'm sincerely looking forward to the next edition to the series.  :)

I'm Half-Sick of Shadows, by Alan Bradley

I was sad to finish this book... it was another really good one.

I feel like I know the characters as real people, now.  It was so enjoyable getting to know Flavia more.  I especially love her budding relationship with her father and her strong bond with Dogger.  There was a hint of love exchanged between her and her sisters, this time, too.  

I loved this story! At first, I thought it was going to be one of my lesser favorites, but once I reached a certain point in the book, it was all I could do to put it down! I'm labeling these purchase-worthy because I want to read them over and over, again! I'm so glad there's another one coming out in March! 

I don't know where Mr. Bradley gets his genius, but I'm certainly so glad he's chosen to share it with the world.  :)

A Red Herring Without Mustard, by Alan Bradley

I got so wrapped up in beginning the fourth Flavia de Luce book, that I almost forgot to log the third one!

I think this one is my favorite of the three I've read, so far.  The ending was just nice.

This one still stays true to form with the mystery, humor, and enjoyability.  

If you haven't read these, and you enjoy a good book that's clean and charming, these should be on your list of to-reads, for sure! :)

Now to finish the last one... boo.  Although, I've been told there's another coming out in March, so - YAY! 

The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, By Alan Bradley

I cannot get enough of these books! I've already started the third one!!

Flavia de Luce is my new favorite person.  I love her precociousness! Alan Bradley writes her like a pro! Her wit and humor and attitude and cleverness are neatly packaged inside this eleven year old girl, and I only wish she were real so I could meet her! 

One thing I love about Mr. Bradley's books, is he gives clues throughout, but one can never solve the mystery on those alone -- he leaves out the important ones till the end when Flavia's solving yet another crime for her friend, Inspector Hewitt.  

I almost hope this girl never grows up so her stories can keep being produced! They're full of British lingo, which I love, and the number of times they'll have you smiling or laughing out loud or even "Ah-ha-ing" will keep you coming back for more! I certainly am! 

They're clean, humorous, charming, and entertaining... I highly recommend them!

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley

Enjoyable... Fun... Delightful...

These are words I would use to describe this book! It was such a pleasure to read! 

It's a fiction mystery and the main character is Flavia de Luce.  

The plot is enough to keep the pages turning.  But, if that wasn't enough, the way it's written and the character's personalities will draw you right in.  It had me laughing out loud at times and trying to puzzle the clues together, at others.  I haven't enjoyed a book this well in a long time!

I'm just glad there are three more! :)

Wait Till Helen Comes, by Mary Downing Hahn

I read this when I was in 5th grade and it terrified me! I've been trying to get my kids to read it, for a while, now and they finally did.  Well, my daughter did.  She's in 4th grade and you know what she said about it? 

"That wasn't scary, Mom."

*sigh* 

Well, whatever.  hahaha

I read it, again, to see if I remembered it correctly.  It did seem to be more of a mystery, now, than a scary story.  It still scared me when I was younger, nonetheless.  ;)

If your kids are into suspenseful books, this would be a good one for them to read.  See if they think it's scary! ;)

A Winter Dream, by Richard Paul Evans

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, valuable, but small. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don’t really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So goodnight, dear void."

Not a quote from this book, but from one of my all-time favorite movies, "You've Got Mail".  This is the quote I think of when I realize I haven't read a good book in a long time.

I make exceptions for RPE books, though... I can devour his in less than 24 hours - all while momming, wifing, housekeeping, cheffing, etc.  That's how good they are!

This one was awesome, of course.  It's a modern day Joseph and the coat of many colors story.  Very cool.  It was well-written, and just plain good.

I'd highly recommend it! :)

My Lie: A True Story of False Memory, by Meredith Maran

 

I attempted to read this.  I got almost half-way through when I decided it really was just too disturbing to read.  Not so much the fact that she somehow convinced herself that her father molested her when she was a child, then realized it wasn't true, but all of the case studies and articles printed and evidence and theories and whatever she cited on child sexual abuse. 

 

It's just sick.  That's what it is.  I couldn't stomach it.  So, I closed it, returned it, and now I hope to never have to think about it, again. 

 

If you're curious, now, it's about this woman who, like I said, comes up with the false memory of her father molesting her.  She confronts him, which makes things horrible between her and her family, then she's like, whoa... that's not true, after all.  So, this is her story.  It talks about how she was lead to come to this conclusion in the first place.  Apparently, it wasn't uncommon for women (mostly) and children to come to this conclusion in the late 80's, early 90's.  It's just wrong.  That it happened for real and that people made it so others merely thought it happened, is just wrong.  The whole thing was just so hard to read, but if you're the type who can detach from your book, then by all means... go for it.  I can't, so I didn't.  ;) 

Don't get me wrong; it was very well-written, well-researched and was probably somewhat difficult to not only face, but face publicly.  I hope this woman can find happiness and forgiveness and all she seeks in writing this book. 

 

Happy reading!

The Second Empress, by Michelle Moran

True to form, this book rocked! MM really knows her stuff when it comes to writing historical fiction.  One is prone to forget that it's fiction... or historical, for that matter.

It was so well-written and educational - I learned a lot about Napoleon that I hadn't known, which was actually quite a bit.  (Yeah, I don't like that guy.)

Even with my busy life, these days, I found myself reading whenever I could - late at night, in the car, during meals.... it was so good! I highly recommend reading this one, and any of her others if you haven't already.