July Reads
The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth 7/6/2013
Good - Non-fiction 564 pages Print Large print version
Memoirs of Jennifer Worth who was a National Health nurse-midwife in 1950's East End London. Basis for the PBS series Call the Midwife.
I loved loved loved the TV show although it wrung me out emotionally every week. When I realized the midwife had written her memoirs, I wanted to read them! The writing style was a bit awkward, but the stories were entertaining and emotional. Good read!
The Love Affair of an English Lord by Jillian Hunter 7/7/2013
Fair Romance 361 pages Print
Chloe Boscastle has been sent to her uncle's country house to learn some decorum, but finding an injured man hiding in her boudoir doesn't help her goal at all. Turns out it's the recently deceased (but not quite dead) neighboring lord, Viscount Stratfield, who has survived a murder attempt and wishes everyone to think him dead until he can bring his attacker to justice.
Needed something light and fluffy and this fit the bill. Fairly interesting and rather smutty. :-)
How to Use a Runaway Truck Ramp by Maile Smucker and Shawn Smucker 7/16/2013
Excellent Non-fiction 268 pages Kindle
Adapted from the Smuckers' blogs, this book tells the story of their 4 month RV odyssey around the United States with their 4 children ages 2-9. Structured in short, inspirational chapters, we meet the people the Smuckers met and follow as they learn spiritual truths.
I learned about the Smuckers' blogs from a writer friend and I am always interested in people who have taken their lives on the road. The book follows their itinerary and points out life truths that Maile and Shawn learned through their travels and parenting their four children.
Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates 7/16/2013
Poor Fiction 279 pages Print
One of the most depressing books I have ever read. 5yo Robbie is abucted from a mall parking lot and his mother is gravely injured during the abuction. Robbie is held prisoner for years by a sexual deviant/serial murderer.
I don't often wish a book unread, but this one I do. There was nothing redemptive at all about this story. Don't read it.
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon 7/24/2013
Excellent Historical Fiction 979 pages Audio
Re-read - #5 in Outlander series. Jamie and Claire live on Fraser's Ridge, with Brianna and Roger. The American Revolution is brewing, a secret is uncovered at River Run, and Stephen Bonnet turns up again.
On my third trip "through the Stones," so to speak. I adore the Outlander series and am re-reading in preparation for Book 8 which should be published in Spring 2014.
The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare 7/25/2013
Good Classic 108 pages Audio
Two upstanding faithful wives decide to teach Falstaff a lesson.
This is our book club selection and we will go see it performed in the park! Short, light Shakespeare comedy.
One Night with a Rock Star by Chana Keefer 7/25/2013
Good Inspirational 412 pages Kindle
Esther meets her idol, rock star Sky, and falls for him. Seems like he fell for her too, but then he leaves and Esther is left to wonder.
Kindle freebie. Fairly predictable Christian romance, but not pedantic. Enjoyable read, if only for the "Mary-Sue" value.
Family Pictures by Jane Green 7/29/2013
Excellent Fiction 344 Print
Two women living on opposite coasts of US find they have a shocking connection.
One of the most suspenseful and heart-wrenching books I've read recently. Read it in less than a day. Can't even hint at the plot though or it will give away the secret.
Titanic Affair by Amanda Grange 7/31/2013
Fair Romance 253 pages Kindle
Emilia is given a ticket on the Titanic and uses it to escape from an unwanted suitor, but finds more danger on board than she anticipated.
I love Amanda Grange's Austen hero diaries; they are some of my favorite books! This is a reprint of one of her older romances. Since I am a fan of anything Titanic-related, I enjoyed it. The story itself was predictable and in many ways it seemed almost a rip-off of the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, except their roles were somewhat reversed. The ending was different though, thankfully! Romance novels are not allowed to end tragically.
9 books this month!
Good - Non-fiction 564 pages Print Large print version
Memoirs of Jennifer Worth who was a National Health nurse-midwife in 1950's East End London. Basis for the PBS series Call the Midwife.
I loved loved loved the TV show although it wrung me out emotionally every week. When I realized the midwife had written her memoirs, I wanted to read them! The writing style was a bit awkward, but the stories were entertaining and emotional. Good read!
The Love Affair of an English Lord by Jillian Hunter 7/7/2013
Fair Romance 361 pages Print
Chloe Boscastle has been sent to her uncle's country house to learn some decorum, but finding an injured man hiding in her boudoir doesn't help her goal at all. Turns out it's the recently deceased (but not quite dead) neighboring lord, Viscount Stratfield, who has survived a murder attempt and wishes everyone to think him dead until he can bring his attacker to justice.
Needed something light and fluffy and this fit the bill. Fairly interesting and rather smutty. :-)
How to Use a Runaway Truck Ramp by Maile Smucker and Shawn Smucker 7/16/2013
Excellent Non-fiction 268 pages Kindle
Adapted from the Smuckers' blogs, this book tells the story of their 4 month RV odyssey around the United States with their 4 children ages 2-9. Structured in short, inspirational chapters, we meet the people the Smuckers met and follow as they learn spiritual truths.
I learned about the Smuckers' blogs from a writer friend and I am always interested in people who have taken their lives on the road. The book follows their itinerary and points out life truths that Maile and Shawn learned through their travels and parenting their four children.
Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates 7/16/2013
Poor Fiction 279 pages Print
One of the most depressing books I have ever read. 5yo Robbie is abucted from a mall parking lot and his mother is gravely injured during the abuction. Robbie is held prisoner for years by a sexual deviant/serial murderer.
I don't often wish a book unread, but this one I do. There was nothing redemptive at all about this story. Don't read it.
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon 7/24/2013
Excellent Historical Fiction 979 pages Audio
Re-read - #5 in Outlander series. Jamie and Claire live on Fraser's Ridge, with Brianna and Roger. The American Revolution is brewing, a secret is uncovered at River Run, and Stephen Bonnet turns up again.
On my third trip "through the Stones," so to speak. I adore the Outlander series and am re-reading in preparation for Book 8 which should be published in Spring 2014.
The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare 7/25/2013
Good Classic 108 pages Audio
Two upstanding faithful wives decide to teach Falstaff a lesson.
This is our book club selection and we will go see it performed in the park! Short, light Shakespeare comedy.
One Night with a Rock Star by Chana Keefer 7/25/2013
Good Inspirational 412 pages Kindle
Esther meets her idol, rock star Sky, and falls for him. Seems like he fell for her too, but then he leaves and Esther is left to wonder.
Kindle freebie. Fairly predictable Christian romance, but not pedantic. Enjoyable read, if only for the "Mary-Sue" value.
Family Pictures by Jane Green 7/29/2013
Excellent Fiction 344 Print
Two women living on opposite coasts of US find they have a shocking connection.
One of the most suspenseful and heart-wrenching books I've read recently. Read it in less than a day. Can't even hint at the plot though or it will give away the secret.
Titanic Affair by Amanda Grange 7/31/2013
Fair Romance 253 pages Kindle
Emilia is given a ticket on the Titanic and uses it to escape from an unwanted suitor, but finds more danger on board than she anticipated.
I love Amanda Grange's Austen hero diaries; they are some of my favorite books! This is a reprint of one of her older romances. Since I am a fan of anything Titanic-related, I enjoyed it. The story itself was predictable and in many ways it seemed almost a rip-off of the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, except their roles were somewhat reversed. The ending was different though, thankfully! Romance novels are not allowed to end tragically.
9 books this month!
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