Book List

Many of the books I've read in the past few years were because of recommendations from friends. Here are a few that I really liked:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
1962, Jackson Mississippi. A well-written story from three women's points of view. Deals with black maids and segregation. Enough mystery and engagement pulled me right along to the end.

These is my words by Nancy E Turner
Hooray for one strong girl's path to literacy and womanhood. The romance was just right. I also cried reading this book, which I love. I read the second and third in the series but didn't like them quite as much.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
A story is told through correspondence among several unique characters. A quick read. Very endearing and heartwarming.

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
As one who spent much time playing and imagining in the woods, I was drawn to this book upon mention of a friend. I'm probably only a sixth of the way into it, but it makes good points about the mental and spiritual health achieved by having a relationship with nature. A health that is waning among today's kids.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Just a quick little book with an ending that I loved.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
This was kind of a sci-fi, post-apocalyptic young adult novel, which I normally don't dig, but I liked this one. I don't plan to read the second, third, or fourth though.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of food Life by Barbara Kingsolver with Steven L Hopp and Camille Kingsolver
This author and her family spent a year eating, growing, and buying only local food. Rich description and feeling. Has some good perspective and recipes. A friend shared this with me and then I passed it back for her perusal.