The Giver of Stars

I actually had an opportunity to listen the the author, Jojo Moyes speak about this book at the North Richland Hills Library a couple of years ago.

At the time I had not read any of her works, but I always enjoy listening to author talks, so I wasn’t disappointed.

I knew I would enjoy this book because it had to do with books, and people who love books. It takes place in 1937 during the depression when President and Mrs. Roosevelt’s commitment to getting books into the hands of ordinary people results in creating the Pack Horse Library. 

Through funding from the WPA a small town in Kentucky hires a group of women to travel by horse and mule up into the mountains to deliver books to some willing and some unwilling mountain folk. 

I think what I loved most about this book were the characters who kept drawing me back to the story. I also enjoyed the love stories of the two main characters as they each search for a partner to share their life with. 

I highly recommend this book, and will definitely be checking out some of her other books. 

The Handwriting on the Wall

I actually began the week reading a different book, about an Irish girl who is kidnapped and taken to Barbados as an indentured servant. However, because of her young age they were allowed to keep her in bondage well beyond the normal seven years, until she was twenty one. 

The subject was interesting and informative, but the writing style was pretty laborious to read.

 I’ve decided if I’m not really enjoying the book I will move on if there is still time to finish another book that week. 

I had already begun The Handwriting on the Wall by Dr. David Jeremiah, so I decided to finish it. I had been wanting to study the book of Daniel more in depth, and found this book while searching online. 

I have recently begun watching Dr. Jeremiah, and have enjoyed his teaching style. Reading this book along with the Book of Daniel really increased my comprehension, and peaked my interest to continue learning more about this prophetic and relevant book. 

I plan on studying the book of Revelation also this year. 

I highly recommend this book as a starting point if you are curious to learn more about Daniel’s amazing story. 

Killing Patton

This book by Bill O’Reilly which actually belonged to my Dad. I had kept it thinking Chuck might read it one day since he enjoys military history. 

After reading about France during World War II in The Nightingale, I was interested in learning more about that time period. 

I really enjoyed reading this book, although the subject matter was hard to read. I think everyone studying history in school needs to read a book like this. For me World War II was more about dates and names, and I don’t think I really grasped the extent of the carnage. 

After reading more about this time period it made me realize how blessed I was to have been born when I was, and how easy my life has been compared to those who have gone before me. 

I have several other WWII works of fiction on my bookshelf, but will be spreading them out throughout the year. 

I don’t think I would have ever picked this book up, but am so glad I did.