January Reads

1. An obvious great read: To the Rescue: biography of Thomas S Monson by Heidi S Swinton.

I think I have another 100+ pages to go, but this biography is extraordinary. I LOVE the chapters on Germany. Just fascinating due to the history aspect and inspiring due to his love for the people there. He has such a giving spirit and has rescued so many.

    2.  My recommended read (other than the biography above); The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.

I could start reading it again today. Brilliantly crafted plot. The story is about a little girl who is left on a boat with the message to "Wait here, I will be right back." No one returns for her and the boat sails away. A family finds her and takes her in as their own daughter. The family tells her the truth as she is 18 and engaged. The father feels that she should know the truth. She then knows that she does not belong to them, but what is her name, where is she from, and who are her parents. What she and her granddaughter then go on to discover is worth the 500 pages of reading. Thank you to Andrea for this incredible suggestion.

     3.  If you have extra time in your life: Before My Heart Stops by Paul Cardall

I am thrilled that you know he gets the heart transplant before you begin reading because that makes the story more readable. It is awful to be waiting with him as he becomes sicker and is hospitalized. It is written in journal form taken from the original posts on his blog. I really like his music and am thrilled with this true miracle story.

My please don't read choice of the month: Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans.

Um, I am trying to think of what words to describe this book...none are revealing themselves to me except "wacky." Lady down on her luck, cheating husband dies from cancer, daughter has celiac, mysterious guy from future comes along, reverse back to now and happy ending. The only problem is I was so unhappy for so many pages that I must say "Please don't read this."



There you have it. Pick up To the Rescue or The Forgotten Garden. Happy Reading!

Happy New Year

Well, here are some of my thoughts on recent books

1. In the Dark Street Shineth by David G McCullough This is a great Christmas read, but the message is timeless. Great book!
2. Secret Santa by Ann Osborn Poelman I absolutely love this book. It is set during the Depression and describes a family low on finances and the wonderful miracles that occur because of the love within their family.
3. Santa's Secret by Christy Hardman and Phil Porter. Okay, funny story. I went into a book store looking for book mentioned #2 only to find out it is out of print. An employee in the store overheard me and said that she could get it for me since she lived right by the author. What a miracle. So we exchange information and I get signed books of Santa's Secret. It was like a bonus to discover a new book to love while looking for something else. This story is about a man (Phil Porter) who plays Santa during the holidays for stores and family gatherings and parties. He tells what little children ask for like a bed or that their mom will stop hitting them. He then descibes what he does next acting like the real Santa. He tells of his secret service to others and the love he receives in return. Yup, you guessed it...get a tissue.
4. Seventeen Second Miracle by Jason F Wright This story begins with a tragedy and unfolds into the richness of others lives because of the tragedy. WOW. This would be an awesome book club book because there is certainly much to discuss. Can't say anymore...Read it!

Books I didn't like

1. Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Anne Kidd Taylor. I like a book that has drama and real sadness like Sarah's Key when the girl rushes through the door to find her brother(sobbing). This is more like a weird comic strip where the cloud comes in but never rains just lingers there. Am I allowed to describe a book by using the word melancholy? A mom and her daughter take a trip together and the chapters flip from mom to daughter and from present time to earlier memories. Yuck. If I was at book club I would simply say this isn't my type of story.
2. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella I got this one because she is such a popular author for her Shopaholic series. The story reads like an ABC Family movie (which really aren't made for families) which means it begins with an interesting plot. However, the dialogue isn't great and has unnecessary language which just drags the interesting plot down. No thanks.

Cookbooks

1. Lion House Christmas It has some wonderful ideas for the holidays. Too bad I had a day getting over food poisoning (no not my own cooking) and a week getting over a cold so I just read about cooking but not actually doing it. Not true, I did get up and try to make chicken for dinner only to overcook it. Horrible. Don't do that.
2. Worldwide Ward Chritmas cookbook. I wanted to make the Montana Morning breakfast for Eric from the book but didn't even do that. Good recipes from all around the world.
3. Nigella Express by Nigella Lawson This is a great book about how to bring wonderful meals to the table in less time. It is divided into really clever chapters depending on type of cuisine. She is quite a gourmet is some chapters which I skimmed over. I am excited to try some of her recipes now that I am on the mend.
4. One Big Table by Molly O'Neill This book is awesome. I saw her on Martha. She was talking with friends and someone made the comment that Americans don't cook anymore they just go out. She was suprised by this and set out to prove the comment false. She traveled the United Stated and found cooks everywhere. This book is HUGE. It has 600 recipes and is about 800+ pages FILLED with recipes, vintage American photos, and tons of personal stories. Fascinating. The detail is the recipes combined with the story is incredible. She compiled a cookbook masterpiece.

Okay now just some favs from last year

1. The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond. If you have not discovered all the wonderful things about this gal...do so immediately! Love her writing, her humor, her adoration for her husband and children, and of course her cooking. She has another book coming in Feb and if she comes to Salt Lake I am going to meet her.
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Just in case you weren't in on this book at the beginning of its craze...no worries, join the party now. What a great read!
3. Martha Stewart cupcakes. I had to write that one. I used it all year. I made a lot of cupcakes and also gave many cupcakes away.
4. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. Absolutely enjoyed myself in this novel. It is about an 11 year old girl named Flavia who loves chemistry, dislikes her sisters, names her bike Gladys, is well read, and also solves a murder all the while entertaining you with splendid language. I read the next one also. Loved it. The third is on its way and I am so excited. He is writing a book a year. Keep it up. I love Flavia.

There you have it: some recent reads, some likes, dislikes, and some favorites. Happy Reading!