The Wedding

Oh, how Nicholas Sparks does it again!!!

I loved The Notebook, the romance of Noah and Allie. And here we see Noah again, still very much in love with his wife who had died several years earlier. But this book is not about them, not entirely. It is the love story of their oldest daughter Kate and her husband of 30 years, Wilson.

It really was a wonderful read. I had it done in less than a day. I just couldn't put it down. And the third best part? No tragedy! Although I did have a few tears in by the second page, they only came as a result of a writer who knows how to spell out in words the deep love a husband has for his wife...even after 30 years.

Loved it!

Splitting Harriet

The preachers kid, who rebelled against everything her father taught and believed, was rescued. Eight years later, as she works at the church, lives in a mobile home retirement community, is a part time waitress and hangs around with people 40 years and older than her, Harri won't let go of who the bad girl was and where she would take her if she got out of the cage. So, she lives her life safe and predictable until a church consultant begins messing with her ministry, mind and heart.

This was a good book and forgiveness and what it means to actually let yourself be forgiven and live in that forgiveness. I think I like author Tamara Leigh.

On The Banks Of Plum Creek

As I go through the Little House series I am reminded of how easy I have it here in my life. No fires to make, bread to bake, curtains to sew and yet I am drawn into the lives of this family and wish that I could give my children the opportunities of life that the Ingalls had...even though it is hard and sometimes heart breaking.

The family has moved to Plum Creek from Indian Territory and are making their home on the vast prairie. They work hard through a hard winter and then watch their crops be eaten by grasshoppers, yet their faith and determination never falters. It'll be better next year, Caroline.

This is the book where readers are introduced to Nelly and Willy, to school with Mrs. Beetle and an adventure that seems to never end. And yet it is all told within a couple of years.

I am enjoying this series with my daughter.

Because of Winn Dixie

This story about India Opal and her first summer in a new place is wonderful. From the moment when she declares that Winn Dixie is her dog to when she and the preacher go searching for him, I could not put the book down. I love the story and the characters. Otis and his music, Amanda and pinched face and Ms. Franny Block and her books and stories make this book a must read!

I love this book by Kate DiCamillo. This is the third time I have read it. The first time by myself, the second with my then seven year old and now I have finished it with my five year old and I look forward to reading this one again. It is on the list of children's books that every adult should read.

Faking Grace

I loved the character, Grace, that Tarama Leigh gives in this delightful story about a woman struggling to build a career and do the right thing and then having to choose between the two. It is a dilemma that many people have to go through and I really did feel her being stretched between the two desires. The author did a fantastic job describing everything Grace felt while working in the soup kitchen and gave a picture of what a person feels when they are caught between faith and just letting go of what could be.

I liked this book so much that I picked up another one from this author - Splitting Harriet - and so far I am loving it!

Through Another Lens: My Years with Edward Weston by Charis Wilson

This is officially one of my favorite books. I learned early in life that I enjoy biographies, but then I discovered autobiographies and memoirs, which are much better. This memoir was written by Charis Wilson, the second wife of photographer Edward Weston.

I have read this book 2 times before, but I am now reading it with my husband who is a photographer. One of the things that I love about this book is that it can interest both me and my husband. The photography aspect interests him, while the writing really draws me into their story.

This story chronicles the approximately 11 years that Edward and Charis spent together. It not only tells their story of falling in love, sharing their lives, and eventually their growth apart that eventually led to their separation, but also gives insight into their photographic travels and the collaboration they shared. A good portion of the book details their Guggenheim trips, the first of which resulted in their book, California and the West (another book I would recommend.)

Charis Wilson is a wonderful story-teller who shares her innermost thoughts and feelings in this book. I highly recommend this book.