You might well know, that I love to read. I didn’t make my goal of 52 books this year, but…well, 2020 took a toll. I have read 39 to date, did I say that I love books? I get excited when I read a great book and enjoy sharing them with others. Here are some of my favorites this year.
Fiction
My second Lucy Foley read. If you love suspense, with well written believable characters you’ll not want to put it down. My first Lucy Foley, The Hunting Party, I would also recommend. Excellent!
Yes, there is a mystery. Obviously, by the title, there is family ‘drama’. Who’s the ‘bad’ guy here…family function/dysfunction. The ‘good’ guys learn and grow…and the mother-in-law????
One of the best written books I have ever read. The characters are true to life before and after a tragic plane wreck. I highly recommend it for you and buy one for a friend.
So far, I’ve bought 3 copies of this book, one each for THE Grand daughter, Mr. T and donated a copy to my library at school. Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code) surprised me to no end. Do yourself a delightful favor and click on the link above or darn it just click here. The free App that was developed with the book, the music and the animals…this is just one wonderful treat!
Non-Fiction
I learned so much about Pakistan history. Amazing family as they stood up to the Taliban in favor of education for girls. I listened to the book on Audible and I highly recommend ‘reading’ it this way.
In my effort this summer to read many different voices, I found ‘Don’t Burn This Book’. I also listened to it on Audible. Dave Rubin, a gay white man, professed ‘libertarian’ and part time comic. To understand different voices, we must be willing to hear their stories.
Children’s Classic
Not my first go around with this book. It is over 70 years old. My 3rd grade teacher read it to me and I have just finished reading it to four 3rd grade books much to their delight and my own. A classic is forever!! A wonderful read-a-loud and I treasured reading it to THE Grands as their first chapter book.
So, go or call your local bookstore and buy and give some of my favorite page turners….
and you will be blessed!
Ellen, I love your blog. You have such a gift of writing. I hope we can meet some day (I am a friend of your cousin’s Sue, Gary, Candy and Rob). I liked your book recommendations and was intrigued with the Wild Symphony so got myself a copy. It is amazing! I never knew that Dan Brown was also a musician/composer. I have gifted the Wild Symphony 5 times so far. Please keep the fun stories and pictures coming to us of your farm life. Merry Christmas!
Oh, Judy, you’ll never know how much I needed your kind words tonight. One of the alpacas is not well…but more about that later. I just love that you’ve found so many people to share Wild Symphony with. All of it is so well done, the pictures, the music, the hidden letters…
And I will tell my Seattle cousins, that when we can visit again and we go west, to invite you over!
Merry Christmas
Hi Ellen! I told our friend Judy a long, long time ago about your blog. And she has followed it, and loved it, ever since!! We don’t see each other very often, but when we do, we always talk about your latest stories. Gary and I are way overdue to visit you and Pat, and I told Judy that we should go over for a visit, and she could come along too. She has told me more than once, that she would love to meet you! Obviously it’ll be a while before we can do that. But it’s something we can look forward to! Merry Christmas!
P.S. So glad to hear that Benny is improving!
We ARE long over due for a nice visit, darn Covid!! It will be even sweeter when we can again. I would love to meet Judy. I am so glad she commented, it is like I have a new friend.
Merry Christmas, Cousin and to Gary as well.
Thank you for sharing your list. I’m always looking for suggestions. I just finished Dear Edward and I loved it also. Miss you dear friend!
Miss you soooo much! As soon as it is ‘allowed’ we will get together. I’d highly recommend the Wild Symphony for your grandsons. You can get it at Jerrold’s it is such a fun and wonderful book, great pictures, wonderful music and intro to all the sounds of a Symphony!
Thank you for these suggestions, Ellen. I listen to a lot of books on Libby, the library app. Great!
Love the library, greatest thing since sliced bread! Hugs and happy reading to you friend.
I was just talking to my small group tonight about the book you gave me to read when I visited in January. I can’t recall the title. It is about a boy that wants to climb Mt. Rainier. I loved it! What is the title? I have had many good reads because of you. I will be checking these out!
The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart. One of the best books for 10-12 year old boys (and girls), I just have more boys around. Thank you! Miss you so very much!