Epiphany by Paul McCusker
Fiction
I've read this before. It's a neat little story about a man who dies but still "sees" his kids as they come home for his funeral and learn life lessons.
More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell
Non-fiction
(book club selection)This is a good book which gives the evidence for Christ. Our pastor always says that Christianity is not "blind faith"; it is a very reasonable faith and this book backs that up. The historical facts, eye witness accounts and prophecies are layed out to prove that Christ is Messiah.
Book Club Book
The Heart of the Chronicles of Narnia: Knowing God Here by Finding Him There by Thomas Williams
Non-fiction
LOVED THIS BOOK!!
"...Williams approaches Narnia as a flower to be enjoyed more than a puzzle to be solved, informing our curious wonder by unfolding the deeper truths embedded within the stories. ...[this book] mines the riches of the series and dazzles your mind and imagination with gems of surprising truth"
"...Williams is a wise and gentle guide to Lewiw's enchanted land, deftly teasing out things hidden, playfully pointing out things so obvious you might have missed them. He brings a sleuth's cunning, a scholar's patience and a child's wonder to the task and leaves us pretty much as the Chronicles themselves do: enraptured by Narnia's magic and even more, by its Great King, Aslan."
Tara Road by Maeve Binchy
Fiction
"Tara Road, is the story of two women -- one Irish, one American, both struggling to overcome personal tragedies -- who agree to swap houses for the summer. Ria and her husband, Danny, live in a magnificent old house they have restored together. But her posh Dublin address loses much of its charm when Danny leaves her for his young, pregnant girlfriend. A chance phone call from grief-stricken Marilyn in New England provides both women with a welcome refuge from their shattered lives. But in exchanging houses, they also unwittingly take on aspects of each other's vastly different lives -- not always without new conflict."
February
This Year it Will Be Different by Maeve Binchy
Fiction
This is a collection of short Christmas stories. Characters, by choice or circumstances find their Christmas season to be changed--some for better, some worse. I am convinced that Maeve Binchy believes every husband to be a cheat. Probably 80% of these stories featured an unfaithful man.
Just Jane by Nancy Moser
Fictional Biography
Excellent novel on the life of Jane Austen. Much of Jane's life is documented through the letters she wrote, but in the gaps, the author uses her imagination to fill in the blanks. It works very well.
Home to Harmony by Phillip Gulley
Fiction
This is a very sweet, witty, quick read. Sam returns to his hometown to become pastor of the local Quaker church. It is a funny glimpse at small town life.
Book Club Book
Victoria's Daughters by Jerrold M. Packard
Biography
Well-researched biographies on the five princesses born to Queen Victoria. Their descendents ruled Europe and even currently sit in monarchies all over the world. Fascinating look into their lives, often full of tragedy. The intermarriages and tendency to re-use names had me constantly referencing the family tree included.
The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado
Fiction
I read this in about 2 hours. It was fairly predictable and not all that exciting. There was one twist in the story that helped it along. A 'light' - pardon the pun- Christmas read.
The Great Plague and Fire of London by Charles Shields
Non-fiction
Fairly informative and interesting. The author examines one horrific year in the city of London when over 80,000 people died of plague; and then following on the heels of that disaster, four-fifths of the city burned to the ground in a great fire.
This Year it Will Be Different by Maeve Binchy
Fiction
This is a collection of short Christmas stories. Characters, by choice or circumstances find their Christmas season to be changed--some for better, some worse. I am convinced that Maeve Binchy believes every husband to be a cheat. Probably 80% of these stories featured an unfaithful man.
Just Jane by Nancy Moser
Fictional Biography
Excellent novel on the life of Jane Austen. Much of Jane's life is documented through the letters she wrote, but in the gaps, the author uses her imagination to fill in the blanks. It works very well.
Home to Harmony by Phillip Gulley
Fiction
This is a very sweet, witty, quick read. Sam returns to his hometown to become pastor of the local Quaker church. It is a funny glimpse at small town life.
Book Club Book
Victoria's Daughters by Jerrold M. Packard
Biography
Well-researched biographies on the five princesses born to Queen Victoria. Their descendents ruled Europe and even currently sit in monarchies all over the world. Fascinating look into their lives, often full of tragedy. The intermarriages and tendency to re-use names had me constantly referencing the family tree included.
The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado
Fiction
I read this in about 2 hours. It was fairly predictable and not all that exciting. There was one twist in the story that helped it along. A 'light' - pardon the pun- Christmas read.
The Great Plague and Fire of London by Charles Shields
Non-fiction
Fairly informative and interesting. The author examines one horrific year in the city of London when over 80,000 people died of plague; and then following on the heels of that disaster, four-fifths of the city burned to the ground in a great fire.
March
Forever Christmas by Christine Lynxwiler
Fiction
Kristianna dearly loves her quirky little holiday-themed town, Jingle Bells, Ark. When progress threatens it she becomes the town's defender. Her attraction to the new lawyer who's causing her so much trouble, her overbearing parents and her conflicting feelings about a childhood friend complicate life greatly. A sweet, easy read.
Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis
Fiction
This story was fabulous but the intricate details of planetary topography/geography were lost on me. Spiritual themes pop up again, where we least expect them. Interestingly, the "silent planet" is Earth.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Fiction
This is sort of like a "bonus feature" to the last book. It is essentially brand new stories with morals, told in the style of Grimm's Fairy Tales. I thought it was creative and easy to read, although short. Even with these diverse short stories the author worked in some history, classic literature, alchemy and of course, a moral.
Lenten Lands: My Childhood with Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis by Douglas Gresham
Biography
Douglas Gresham grew up the step-son of the worlds most famous Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis. This biography tells the story of his early life with his parents, their divorce, and the beautiful but tragically short marriage of his mother and Lewis. The subject matter is fascinating; his writing style is just okay.
The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey
Non-Fiction
Fascinating look at how Jesus has been portrayed over the years and how that compares to the written record of the Gospels. Lots of great insights.
Book Club book
The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
Fiction
After elderly Jack and Laurel die in each other's arms one night, their three children come home to bury them. What they find in the home, however, will change their lives forever. Jack has spent nearly 40 years writing letters to Laurel, every single Wednesday. The letters reveal great complications and heartache, but even greater love. I found this novel to be sweet and easy to read, albeit somewhat contrived. The author used great license to wrap up loose ends, and a few of the events are hard to believe, even for a novel.
Also a Newberry Honor book.
