April Reads
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien 4/1/2015
Good - Fantasy - 448 pages, Audio 16 hrs and 40 mins
The 9 members of the Fellowship are divided and the quest to destroy the Ring is continued.
Re-read for my book club. I think I've read this 5 times in my life now.
Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard by Laura Bates 4/4/2015
Excellent - Non-fiction - 304 pages Kindle
From breaking out to breaking through, that’s what reading Shakespeare did for Indiana federal prison inmate Larry Newton, who was locked in solitary confinement for more than 10 years. His story is recounted by English professor Bates, who taught the “Shakespeare in Shackles” class that gave Newton, convicted of murder as a teenager, his new lease on life. (Booklist summary)
Wow! This was a wonderfully inspiring read. I love seeing what happens when people pour into the lives of others.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins 4/13/2015
Good - Fiction - 336 pages Print
“Rachel takes the same train into London every day, daydreaming about the lives of the occupants in the homes she passes. But when she sees something unsettling from her window one morning, it sets in motion a chilling series of events that make her question whom she can really trust.”—Woman’s Day
It was entertaining. The way the story was told took a lot of attention to follow.
Don't Give Up, Don't Give In: Lessons from an Extraordinary Life by Louis Zamperini and David Rensin 4/14/2015
Good - Memoir - 272 pages Kindle
American hero Louis Zamperini shares his wisdom, values, lessons, secrets, and other insights gleaned from his remarkable experiences in this powerful and inspiring book. (Amazon summary)
Before Unbroken, Zamperini sat down with Rensin a few times to discuss what he'd learned throughout his life.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant 4/17/2015
Excellent - Fiction - 352 pages Audio 11:50:55
Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that tell of her father, Jacob, and his twelve sons. It begins with the story of the mothers--Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah--the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that sustain her through childhood, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. (Amazon summary)
I've read this before and remembered it as a great read. This was a re-read for book club and I was surprised at finding so much R-rated material that I didn't recall. The discussion at book club was one of the best we've ever had though! I am always fascinated with the life of Joseph and since he was Dinah's brother, he figures in to this story (which is probably why I liked it so much the first time).
Good - Fantasy - 448 pages, Audio 16 hrs and 40 mins
The 9 members of the Fellowship are divided and the quest to destroy the Ring is continued.
Re-read for my book club. I think I've read this 5 times in my life now.
Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard by Laura Bates 4/4/2015
Excellent - Non-fiction - 304 pages Kindle
From breaking out to breaking through, that’s what reading Shakespeare did for Indiana federal prison inmate Larry Newton, who was locked in solitary confinement for more than 10 years. His story is recounted by English professor Bates, who taught the “Shakespeare in Shackles” class that gave Newton, convicted of murder as a teenager, his new lease on life. (Booklist summary)
Wow! This was a wonderfully inspiring read. I love seeing what happens when people pour into the lives of others.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins 4/13/2015
Good - Fiction - 336 pages Print
“Rachel takes the same train into London every day, daydreaming about the lives of the occupants in the homes she passes. But when she sees something unsettling from her window one morning, it sets in motion a chilling series of events that make her question whom she can really trust.”—Woman’s Day
It was entertaining. The way the story was told took a lot of attention to follow.
Don't Give Up, Don't Give In: Lessons from an Extraordinary Life by Louis Zamperini and David Rensin 4/14/2015
Good - Memoir - 272 pages Kindle
American hero Louis Zamperini shares his wisdom, values, lessons, secrets, and other insights gleaned from his remarkable experiences in this powerful and inspiring book. (Amazon summary)
Before Unbroken, Zamperini sat down with Rensin a few times to discuss what he'd learned throughout his life.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant 4/17/2015
Excellent - Fiction - 352 pages Audio 11:50:55
Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that tell of her father, Jacob, and his twelve sons. It begins with the story of the mothers--Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah--the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that sustain her through childhood, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. (Amazon summary)
I've read this before and remembered it as a great read. This was a re-read for book club and I was surprised at finding so much R-rated material that I didn't recall. The discussion at book club was one of the best we've ever had though! I am always fascinated with the life of Joseph and since he was Dinah's brother, he figures in to this story (which is probably why I liked it so much the first time).
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