false 27 63 50 true 5643947 read 2 true 1349451 currently-reading 11 true 1349450 to-read 32 false 2675389 fiction 28 false 1899714 lds-author 26 false 2675392 non-fiction 10 false 1575758 home-and-family 10 false 1349473 business 8 false 1575781 inspirational 7 false 1899729 juvenile 6 false 2551899 fantasy 5 false 1575782 history 4 false 1899709 romance 3 false 1575791 wealth-building 2 false 3566415 action 2 false 1899704 classics 2 false 3566471 science-fiction 2 false 1575785 biography 2 false 1899710 suspense 1 false 1575788 lifestyle <![CDATA[Sara added 'Wish You Well']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54311940 Wish You Well (Paperback) by David Baldacci
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> <![CDATA[Sara is on page 77 of Wish You Well ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54311940 Sara is on page 77 of 432 of Wish You Well ]]> <![CDATA[Sara added 'A Train to Potevka']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/28915354 to: A Train to Potevka (Paperback) by Mike Ramsdell
bookshelves: fiction, history, lds-author
Mike Ramsdell, ex-Military Intelligence operative, chose to classify this as fiction. However, it reads more like his memoirs with quite a bit of the history of modern Russian-American relations thrown in. Following a failed and aborted operation at the end of the Cold War, Mike must make a perilous journey from Siberia to safety. The plot is often sidetracked by political commentary, which is distracting although it's sometimes interesting. I'd like to see a second edition of this book after a good editor has an opportunity to cut liberally. With that said, the story of Mike Ramsdell is the story of tenacity, faith, miracles and resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. I found it inspiring. ]]> <![CDATA[Sara added 'The Holy Secret']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54302915 to: The Holy Secret (Hardcover) by James L. Ferrell
bookshelves: fiction, inspirational, lds-author
The author uses fiction simply as a device to get his doctrinal messages across, so don't expect an amazing plot. However, the doctrine IS amazing and provides a ton of food for thought. This is one that I think I'll buy and revisit periodically; the reader has a wonderful opportunity to ask himself or herself this key question: "do I love what is holy?" If I really do want to live with God again and that's a priority for me, then do my attitudes and actions surrounding the holy scriptures, the holy sabbath and the holy temple reflect that? ]]> <![CDATA[Sara added 'The Great and Terrible Vol. 1 - Prologue: The Brothers']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54300809 to: The Great and Terrible Vol. 1 - Prologue: The Brothers (Hardcover) by Chris Stewart
bookshelves: fiction, inspirational, lds-author
The Brothers was an interesting, albeit speculative, look at the premortal existence. It portrays some of Lucifer's most cunning lies and strategies, and for that reason alone I found it worth reading. ]]> <![CDATA[Sara added 'The Last Lecture']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54296770 to: The Last Lecture (Hardcover) by Randy Pausch
bookshelves: business, non-fiction
Randy Pausch's attitude and approach to his cancer was truly inspiring. I wasn't sure what the book would have to offer that the video of The Last Lecture held, but because Randy shares much more in the book, it's worth picking up. It's a great collection of lessons learned from a life well lived. ]]> <![CDATA[Sara added 'The Christ Commission']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54297507 to: The Christ Commission (Mass Market Paperback) by Og Mandino
bookshelves: fiction, history, inspirational
If this weren't a book club selection, I probably would never have thought to read this book. I think it's a real gem from the author of The Greatest Salesman in the World. The premise of the book is that a famous suspense author has been working on a book that would prove that Christ actually was resurrected, but he hasn't been able to finish it because he becomes convinced that he actually wasn't. Until he gets the chance to go back in time and interview Christ's disciples and other eyewitnesses. In spite of some theological points on which I disagree with the author, I found it really intriguing and inspiring. ]]> <![CDATA[Sara added 'Eclipse']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23729954 to: Eclipse (Twilight, #3) by Stephenie Meyer
bookshelves: fantasy, fiction, juvenile, lds-author, romance
So, do guys like this series? Just curious.

I liked Eclipse the most of the three current books in the series. The love triangle was well-fleshed out and the action was tasty. I like Bella more than I did in the first two. How she seems to attract potential catastrophes of superhuman magnitude, I'm not quite sure, but it sure makes for a good novel!

Update: I've got to add to my review, as I want to just indicate that reading this book as a mom of daughters makes me quite uncomfortable. For adults, this is fairly enjoyable escape literature. For kids, there's too much sexuality and questionable messages. And after reading a spoiler review of Breaking Dawn, I will NOT be reading it. I hope that parents read these books before thinking they are harmless for their young kids to read. I have heard of girls as young as age nine reading these, and I think that's pretty irresponsible parenting. *rant off* ]]> <![CDATA[Sara added 'Empire']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23730169 to: Empire (Mass Market Paperback) by Orson Scott Card
bookshelves: action, fiction, lds-author
This was a decent book - the most interesting thing about it was the premise. Based in an alternate reality, terrorists kill the president and the vice-president at the same time, sparking a civil war in the United States between conservative and liberal factions. Empire provided an interesting look at the US military, as most of the main characters are military personnel. LDS readers may find it interesting that the first LDS President of the United States is a senator from Idaho, the Speaker of the House who becomes the President after the initial tragedy.

Orson Scott Card has spoken against partisan politics in the past, and the book's warning against fanaticism on the right and the left is pretty clear. In case you miss it in the book, he includes a little essay at the end.

Empire includes quite a bit of profanity and violence. ]]>