Mary and O'Neil

Justin Cronin

I'm just not sure what the point of this book was.  It told the story of a family, but it was kind of a sad story with not a whole lot of point.  I wish it was a really unique story, but I am not sure that even that is true.  Unfortunately a lot of people suffer loss, but it was nice to see that O'Neil moved on from that loss and didn't let it ruin his life.  I'm not sure why but this one just left me a little cold, I guess I wasn't pulled in to the story as much as I would have liked.

The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise: A Novel

Julia Stuart

I thought this was a good book.  I wouldn't call it a page turner by any stretch, but she kept you interested enough that you wanted to make sure everything turned out how it should.  I really enjoyed the setting.  I loved our tour of the Tower of London and meeting the beefeaters when we had the opportunity to go to London, but I bet it isn't the most fun place to live.  The characters were lovable, too!

Bed Rest

Rachel Bilston

Easy, cheesy something to read while you pass the time.  Not much else to say (besides do NOT cheat when you are on bed rest, it is amazing the difference even ONE day can make!)

Cutting for Stone

Abraham Verghese

I really enjoyed this book.  It was long, but well worth it.  There were times that it would probably be a bit wordy and descriptive in the medical parts, but I of course liked those parts.  I thought it was well written throughout the various stages of the main character's life.  I think that must be hard to do, it seems like usually the childhood will be really well done, but not the adulthood or vice versa.  This was a great read, very worth the time a longer book requires.

My Name is Mary Sutter

Robin Oliveira

Yay!  Another really great read.  I am so glad to be coming up from The Angel's Game funk!!!  I thought this was a great book.  I never would have picked historical fiction, I kind of forget about it, but I loved it.  I am sure it helped that the main character is a midwife wanting to become a doctor, but I actually enjoyed the historical perspective as well.  I am sad to say I didn't retain much from history and always had a more "southern" view point.  I thought we deserved to lose for being awful enough to think we should own people.  But, it was a hard fought war for everyone.  A good, interesting read.  I am continually thankful for people who sacrificed more than I can imagine to make our country what it is, and for those who continue to do so today.  And boy am I glad for modern medicine!!!

When Crickets Cry

Charles Martin

I am so glad to get off my grouchy rant.  I loved this book!  It was a great story.  I am so impressed that is was Christian fiction.  I will be the first to admit that some most of Christian fiction is a whippin and I have to be in the mood for it.  But, this author did a great job of weaving Christianity into the story without being overly preachy.  I really, really liked this and was so grateful for an enjoyable book!  I am sure it didn't hurt that the setting was a lake and involved lots of medical stuff, too.

The Angel's Game

Carlos Ruis Zafron, Lucia Graves

Alright, I know it is grouchy to post 3 less than happy reviews, but.  YUCK!!!!  I did NOT like this book.  It was a beating to get through.  It was long and indulgent, with way too many characters and not that great of a plot.  You made a deal with the devil and it didn't go well, shocking!  I hate that I make myself finish books I do not like, but I felt obligated for book club and the 18 years of "finish what you started" training by my parents.  I wasted a lot of time reading this one.