Cindy’s Comments (group member since Jan 28, 2009)

Cindy’s comments from the Challenge: 50 Books group.

9) The End of Wasp Season by Denise Mina - new author for me - great find

Getting a little closer to target of 5 per month
7) A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
8) Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

January 2012
1) Christmas Wedding by James Patterson
2) Garner Files - by James Garner
3) The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

February 2012
4) Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
5) Cutwork by Monica Ferris
6) In the Garden of the Beasts by Erik Larson

Looks like I'm behind schedule!

I haven't posted in this group in a couple of years, but hope to make the 50 this year. I joined another book group this fall making three total face to face book clubs.

This book The Language of Flowers was recommended by one of the women in the Library's Afternoon Book group. Honestly it was a little stressful to read as a mother when the main character was having more than a little difficulty dealing with her new baby. But I ended up really liking the book, and will definitely read more by this author given the opportunity.The Language Of Flowers: A Novel

39.Hand of Evil by J.A. Jance
This is the first Jance I've read, and I will go back to read the first two in this series. The book was fine without having done the earlier pieces, but there were numerous references to earlier adventures with Ali and Dave. These references did not destroy the story though.

38.In the Wee Small Hours by Gil McNeil
A good quick read, but I preferred her Beach Street Knitting ...

37. Gone to Green by Julie Christie
I got this as an Advanced Reader this year at tbe Book Expo. If you like Jan Karon - you'll enjoy this. I understand this is her first novel, and I will be looking forward to more. A good story - definitely a Christian fiction, but not overly sweet or preachy.

36. A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg
Molly Wizenberg is the true heir to Ruth Reichl. Weaving her love of food with her ability to write is such a beautiful manner about her family and life - I can't wait to see what she does next!

35.The Man who Smiled by Henning Mankell
This is the story that introduces ann Brit and gives us more background on Kurt's troubled past.

34.Ghost War by Alex Berenson
If you have been looking for a new author with the appeal of Robert Ludlum, Frederick Forsyth and Tom Clancy [without the exhausting mountains of detail:] then try Alex Berenson. This is the second book for his John Wells character. The work is so current, interesting and very fast moving

33. The Man Who Smiled by Henning Mankell.
This is the fourth of the Kurt Wallander series. It gives us more information about Kurt's past and introduces the character Ann Brit.

32. Firewall by Henning Mankell
yet another dark but terrific Wallander.

31 Sidetracked by Henning Mankell
Another dark but terrific Wallander book

30. Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor\This memoir is a terrific book for anyone who has ever questioned faith. Barbara Brown Taylor's faith journey from a child to an Episcopal priest to college professor is a thought provoking read, and to me a call to continue to examine my own faith walk.

29. The Lost Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini
Another interesting story, but I missed learning more about the modern day quilters. Interesting back story of the runaway quilter

28. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

27 A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters
by Julian Barnes
A little like Jonathan Swift initially. First I've read of this author, some of the essays - chapters I liked others not so much. I will read something else by him.

26, Swim to Me by Betsy Carter
A New York transplant to the Gulf Coast of Florida. I can't wait till my next visit to the Tampa area to discover Weeki Wachi and the Aqua Zoo. Did this really exist - is it still there? How fun - to aspire to be a mermaid! quick read.

25, The 19th Wife: A Novel by David Ebershoff

Interesting but a little too long, we heard the same events from several characters over and over again it seemed. Interweaving the diaries and transcripts adds to the historical interest, but perhaps too redundant. Also the modern day story could have held up on its' own and gets lost with all the back stories. Yet I'll try this author again. Doesn't any one write linear stories anymore?

24. Flory: Survival in the Valley of Death by Flory A. Van Beek
Interesting story, I've been to the town she lived in and hid in during the war. Having been an exchange student in Holland, I have met a number of Dutch families that either were in the Resistance Movement or hid Jewish families during WWII. Because I'd been to her town this book was of particular interest.