The Halloween Party by Agatha Christie
This was such a fun read. This is a story of a 13 year old girl that was killed at a Halloween Party. The plot twists and turns to find the meaning of this murder. This was only my third Agatha Christie novel and I have enjoy her short mysteries, full of interesting characters, and evolving plot lines.
The Messenger by Lois Lowry
I cannot believe how much story Lois Lowry can fill a short young adult novel. So much to think about. This is the story of Matty, living in a town that embraces the disabled and imperfect, and looks for the strength and talents in each individual. But things are beginning to change and Matty must find a way to help this community heal. The characters are lovely and memorable. The story is engaging, magical, and mysterious.
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
I know so many loved this novel and I enjoyed it but felt I should be loving it more. As a dying preacher shares his life story with his son through written word, I found myself struggling to find a plot, and realizing after quite a few chapters that the story was a memoir of sorts. The writing is lovely and there are many lessons to be learned.
Longbourn by Jo Baker
This is a story of Sarah, a young servant girl in Longbourn, serving the Bennet family during the time that Jane and Elizabeth meet Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. This is an engaging read, full of the very unglamorous life of service in a poorer home. I loved Sarah's story and the hints of what is going on in the Bennet's life seen through Sarah's eyes is a delightful spin on the original tale.
Babe the Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith
This was such a fun book to read with my kids. What a sweet pig, with his mother the sheepdog, and his determination to do good things.
Little Britches by Ralph Moody
This has taken us so long to get through and we are finally finished! I loved this book! I'll describe it as the boy version of Little House on the Prairie. Ralph Moody writes about his childhood on a ranch in Colorado. It is fascinating to read what daily life was like and to explore the life lessons that this boy learned from his good father. There was some language that I had to edit out for my kids, so just a warning.
Next in line A Circle of Quiet, The Princess Bride, A Christmas Carol, and Emily of New Moon.
Find my 2014 Book List here.
Find my other Book Reports here.
I'm finally reading The Giver, and The Messenger looks to be a good one, too!
ReplyDeleteThey are both so good! I finished Gathering Blue, the second in the series, a couple months ago. The Messenger ties the first two books together.
DeleteCan I ask what sort of language Little Britches contained? We're thinking about getting it for our elementary school library, but have pretty stringent rules about language . . . Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is just the H and the D word, and the Lords name in vain. But not much, only between the adult ranchers and cattle hands. It is just a few words here and there, but there is one section close to the end where Ralph goes and works a summer on another ranch, and there are quite a few words. I just edited them out as I read aloud.
DeleteHi Callie, I know what you mean about "Gilead"; definitely not plot-focused, and very memoir-like. I'm assuming you haven't read "Home" or "Lila," the other 2 books Robinson's written about the same characters? (I say "I'm assuming" because "Gilead" was written first & most people read it first) -- I hope you'll give them both a try because when you put all 3 books together it's such a beautiful combination. I just finished "Lila" -- it was also very slow and quite sad but beautiful as well.
ReplyDeleteI will have to read those, they sound wonderful. Robinson's writing is beautiful. Once I realized iGilead was memoir, I enjoyed it so much more, it was just that first initial struggle.
Delete