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. 

Blogaversary

         

                       I couldn’t let the day go by without wishing my blog a Happy 7th Blogaversary!

Seven years ago with trepidation I hit the publish button of my first posting. 

I really had no idea what direction the blog would take, but I felt compelled to post my thoughts out into the world. 

What I have enjoyed most about the blog is that it is a record of the last seven years. Sometimes when I think it may be time to quit, I can’t quite do it. This year I am committing to posting at least once a month. 

However, if January is an indication of the rest of the year it looks like I’ll be posting weekly about the books I am reading this year. 

Spidy

I got a call the other day from my daughter and middle grandson. He’s four now, and is quite pleased with the Spider-Man haul he got for his birthday. 

Unbeknownst to him he still has a few more gifts remaining due to his party being postponed because of family illness. 

In the call he was asking or reminding me about a Spider-Man Golden Book we had seen online. He was curious if I had gotten it yet. 

Know I don’t know about you, but when you get a FaceTime call from your four year old grandson asking about a book you had mentioned you might keep an eye out for, you get right on Amazon as soon as you hang up to order it. 

One of the other gifts he had received from two brothers who are friends of him was a really cool Spider-Man hooded towel. 

When I was babysitting the other day he requested that I take a picture of him wearing it. I must say it was really cool!

Inferno

This actually was a bonus book for me. Inferno by Dan Brown is a book that I started months ago before we moved. 

I enjoyed it, but was struggling to stay focused while reading it at first. Since I had a few days left in the week I decided to go ahead and finish it. 

It’s a fascinating story that was published in 2013, but is extremely timely today. I’m not sure I would have felt the same way about it if I had read it when it was first published. 

If you like Dan Brown books this one won’t disappoint. Along with nonstop action you will feel like you just took a trip to Italy. 

The Nightingale

This book by Kristin Hannah has become one of my all time favorites.

I LOVED this book!

I’ve never read anything by her before, but I’m looking forward to reading more of her work. Brittany gave me a copy of Firefly Lane  which I intend on reading later in the year. 

This book takes place during WWII in occupied France, and is the story of two very different sisters, and their place in the war. 

Although, complete opposites they both are equally courageous in their own way. I learned so much about the history of France during the war, and the struggles endured by all. 

This book brought a tear to my eye several times, and although it was almost six hundred pages in length it was hard to put down, and easy to read. 

My interest in this war has led me to read a book belonging to my father, Killing Patton, which to be honest I doubt I would ever have picked up. It’s held my interest so far, and I’ll report on it when I finished. 

I highly recommend this wonderful story.