Sarah and the Lost Friendship by Margaret Epp

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but when I wanted to share this book with my niece, instead of just shipping it to her, I bought a copy. (It's out of print, but I found a used one in good condition.) I couldn't bear to part with it because I enjoyed it so much as a child.

This book has a lot in common with The Little House on the Prairie Series and Anne of Green Gables. (At some point, I have no doubt I'll be discussing them, but this is a book that didn't have the popularity and might have gone unnoticed.)

The story is about a ten year old girl in 1926 when people still had milk delivered and rode horse and buggies. The theme centers around a fight Sarah has with her best friend.  Sarah's sister marries her best friend's brother and now Sarah feels jealous.

I've always loved stories where the heroine has an injury or falls ill and that happens in this book. She feels sick to start but it gets worse as she is milking the cow. I think that's probably the reason I like Sarah and the Lost Friendship so much. Please note, the book does reference Christian beliefs and values, but the storyline is intact. If you have a young reader who enjoys the horse and buggy days, Sarah and the Lost Friendship is a great choice.

Until I Die Again by Jaime Rush/Tina Wainscott

(I'm actually reviewing On the Way to Heaven re-released as Until I Die Again by Jaime Rush/Tina Wainscott)

This is the single best romance that I have ever read.  And I’ve read A LOT!  This has every element of a successful love story with a beloved hero and heroine moving in different directions and lots of tension, but there is the added element of intrigue and danger, not to mention the touch of paranormal that makes this book soar into the stratosphere.

Tina Wainscott was ahead of her time with this release.  A Golden Heart Award winner, Wainscott should have hit New York Times bestseller list with On the Way to Heaven.  It’s just that good.

The book opens with the heroine Chris Copestakes driving across a bridge when a semi blocks her way, driving her off the road and plunging her down. She hears voices in the emergency room, blanks out again and then is drifting up and away.  She argues that she hasn’t done enough, that there are still things she wants to do. She is given a second chance, but her old body is broken.  The last thing the voice tells her is to ‘find his heart’.

The opening is powerful enough, but the rest of the story is a  rocket-ride to the finish. The story has enough emotional hooks that I have re-read it at least three times. (Tina Wainscott is another author that I will only read on weekends to preserve my sleep schedule.)

This is a ‘desert island’ book.  If I could only take one romance with me, this would be it.

Reviewer’s Note:

(I own the original version On the Way to Heaven and do not know the difference in the releases, having only read the original. I’ve read most of Wainscott/Rush’s books and trust the re-release to be just as good.)

 Ebook Version           Print Version

All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum

It's been almost two decades since All I Really Need to Know came out. For that upcoming generation who might have missed it (or those of you older folks who somehow managed to pass it by), All I Really Need to Know is a humorous look at life with all of its foibles and follies.

Sometimes editors and agents will talk about an author's 'voice' or style. I believe that Robert Fulghum's greatest gift is that voice. He draws you into his book with a storyteller's invitation and warms you in the laughter of his words.   His humor, sometimes self-deprecating, has a truth that seems to ring in a person's soul with clarity and conviction and of course, chuckling. 

I've picked up more than a few so-called funny books with authors who are ready to show the world their version of truth.  A few I found dark or crass and well, not terribly funny. Some just seemed to blather on without anything to say.  But Fulghum is funny and his humor is intelligent. When he ventures into dark places, he brings a nightlight and a teddy bear (or at least a singing bird), and he makes a person feel better for having read his work.

And that's really something.  So for those of you who missed it, I strongly recommend with my biggest blogger stamp of approval, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

How Much for Just the Planet? By John M. Ford

It’s almost embarrassing to admit, but somewhere in my dark history I was once a trekkie, and I have the books to prove it! There were some decent writers in the Trek universe back in the day (maybe still are, but I’ve moved on since).

I enjoyed The Great Starship Race by Diane Carey and may even write about that one in a few years when I’m ready to mention my 2nd favorite Star Trek book. But for now, let’s talk about the best. How Much for Just the Planet? What I love about this book is the humor. It’s just funny. It has a vaudeville tongue-in-cheek type of appeal that had me actually laughing. And let me tell you, there are only a few books that I’ve had that kind of reaction to, and I read a few books a week.

As usual, the Federation needs dilithium crystals. And an abundance is found on a tiny out-of-the-way planet which, surprise, the Klingons have found as well. Now the fun begins. Because the two groups are ready to compete for the lucre. What they don’t realize is that the people of Direidi are full of pranks and will lead them all on a merry chase.

It’s true that only a Trek fan will really understand the nuances, but if you’ve ever loved Star Trek and missed this book, it’s well-worth the read. (Even if the show looks totally cheesy in retrospect…and I’m sorry to say it does.)

The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon

Several years back a friend told me about this book urgently suggesting I read it.  I'm easily turned off by strange words in both titles and first paragraphs and while I wrote down the title, I didn't jump all over finding it.  Well, I was lucky my friend was persistent (with the urgency of a Firefly fan) because I eventually picked it up at the library.  And then, I loved it so much, I bought my own copy. And then for good measure, I bought a couple copies for family members.

What makes The Deed of Paksenarrion so great?  In my opinion, it is the ONLY novel to ever give J.R.R. Tolkien a run for his money in the fantasy genre.  It doesn't have the "Bestseller" moniker printed across the cover, so I can only assume that people saw the title and said 'meh'. Don't let the title fool you, it is an epic fantasy so vivid and detailed and huge in scope that it is truly worthy to be compared to the master of fantasy himself.

The novel follows the story of a young woman, Paks who is betrothed to a pig farmer. She has other ideas and runs away from home to join a mercenary company. But her longing is to be greater than a mercenary and to fight for good the way the heroes of her grandfather's time did takes her down a path no one would expect.

What begins as a soldier's story quickly evolves into an epic tale of good and evil, right and wrong, as Paks leaves the mercenary company and shows gifts that may indicate she has been chosen by the gods for some purpose. As with all great books, Elizabeth Moon gives Paks some crushing defeats and major disappointments. Those painful moments define her character and make the moments of victory so much the sweeter.

Moon deftly weaves the story of Paks and brings a rich tapestry of event and emotion to the story.  The story seems larger than its genre to me. I believe that it would be enjoyable to some who don't regularly read fantasy in the same way that The Lord of the Rings is.

You'll hear me say on this blog. "This is a book I've re-read."  When I say that  it shows a truly special story because with the thousands of books left to read, I only revisit the very best, the ones that have tugged on my heart or my imagination. So far, I'm up to at least four readings of The Deed of Paksenarrion. I consider it a top ten in favorite books.





 

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Free on Kindle)

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic that stands on its own in terms of entertainment value and thought.  I hadn't actually read the book until a group of fellow writers got together and we started talking about books.   When we had finished, I had a list of thirty books with this classic on the list. And it is a wonderful book. 

The novel follows an aristocratic fellow whose name is Dorian Gray.  He is a vibrant, youthful fellow who exudes charm and grace.   After his portrait is painted, we follow Dorian's path through life.  He debauches himself and lives only for personal pleasure.  No matter what excesses he indulges in, he remains the same beautiful person he always had been, charming and youthful.

But his picture changes.  As time passes, the painting begins to reflect the evils he has committed, showing Dorian's true nature on the canvas. 

While The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic, it is an interesting read and well worth picking up.  I noticed that there is a free Kindle version available...


****Free Kindle Version**** (at time of blog posting)
Paperback version

The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

Some of the books in McCaffrey’s Pern novels are hit or miss. I absolutely love the second and third in the series, Dragonquest and The White Dragon.  Let me give you a warning up front.  DO NOT START WITH THE PROLOGUE.  Yes, it’s at the front of the book, but quite frankly, it’s boring and unnecessary and enough to drive a reader far far from the books.  Just read the whole series and skip to the first chapter of each book when you see the words “Prologue”.  And if you’re browsing the “Look inside This Book” part of Amazon, let me tell you, the first chapter is MUCH better than the summary, so just go there to get a sample.

The Dragon books (and there are a lot) are centered around a planet called Pern where parasitic thread falls from the sky and where it touches, it burrows into the ground destroying everything in its path.  The dragons chew firestone and destroy the thread with flame. They are telepathically bonded to their riders and if a rider loses a dragon, it’s like losing a part of himself.

The premise is interesting and the story-telling exquisite.  My favorite characters, Jaxom and Ruth, start a very interesting storyline in Dragonquest, when Jaxom is on the hatching grounds and sees an egg that isn’t cracking.  Everyone else is leaving and ignoring the hatchling as a lost cause. Against all rules of conduct and expectation, Jaxom jumps into the pit and breaks the egg so the little dragon can come out.

Ruth, a male dragon, becomes bonded to Jaxom, but he is unique, half the size of a normal dragon and white. The dragon is not expected to survive.  The plot is complex enough that this telling is just one tiny piece of the book.  I also love the character Brekke and her part in Dragonquest.  

If you’re looking for a master of fantasy and somehow missed the Pern series, The Dragonriders of Pern are a great read!

The Bedwyn Saga by Mary Balogh

I love historical romance, specifically the regency period. This is a series of books all related to the Bedwyn family. Slightly Married, Slightly Wicked, Slightly Scandalous, Slightly Tempted, Slightly Sinful and Slightly Dangerous.

What I love about Mary Balogh is that when she writes a romance, the characters come alive. I was doing a reading blitz of my library's historical romances last spring and many of the stories faded within a day or so of reading them. The Slightly series was the best that I had read in an incredibly long string of regency romances. 

The series spans the romances of all of the Bedwyn family brothers and sisters. The plots of each are unique, although true to romance, there are always the angsty separations, etc.  My favorite character is Wulf Bedwyn, a man who came early into his inheritance and must act as patriarch to the family, approving his sibling's partners. Throughout the series he comes across as cold and gruff with glimmers of emotion at poignant moments. I read through the books and realized that I REALLY wanted to hear his story.

Although it was the book I most looked forward to reading, my actual favorites were with Alleyne, Slighty Sinful and Aidan, Slightly Married, Wulf's two brothers.

I heartily recommend reading these books in order. While most romances are truly stand alone, the characters intertwine.  I read the first book out of order, but I'm really glad that I read Wulf's story last because after so long watching a fellow who seems set apart and even lonely in his ivory tower, it was great getting to that moment.

Hello from Heaven by Bill and Judy Guggenheim

Hello from Heaven is an inspirational book that records stories from families who have seen loved ones after death. What I like about the stories is that the authors weed out situations where the family contacted a medium. These are just stories of visitations or events that naturally occurred and seemed to point to contact from beyond.

The chapters are separated by the type of contact. Fragrances, dreams, full appearances, etc. The people in these stories come from all walks of life and every age.

Here's an excerpt...  

The night my father died, I was lying in bed and lo and behold, I sensed his presence. He said, "Hi, honey." I said, "Daddy, you're okay!" He said, "Honey, there is nothing to it. Dying is as easy as falling off a log." I was so overcome I really didn't know what to say.

Hello from Heaven is full of first person stories just like the excerpted paragraph above.  I found it a very interesting book.

Under the Dome by Stephen King (PG for gore, etc)

Stephen King is a prolific writer. It’s easy to get lost in the reading list of Stephen King novels. Which is the best? Which one should I pick up? At a certain point, maybe you thought, “Well, I've read Carrie, Christine, & Cujo, so I’ve got the best ones covered.”

Let me recommend a book called Under the Dome. Under the Dome is a chilling look at human behavior, a Lord of the Flies for adults. The town wakes up on a typical morning. But life will take a unique and unexpected turn for these people. An invisible dome is placed over the small Maine town. From the beginning this creates all kinds of problems, some disastrous and graphic, others stemming from what would be expected of this kind of situation such as people panicking over food, water, and energy shortages.

True to King’s imagination, the novel has some truly horrific moments and the body count is high. I haven’t always liked Stephen King’s protagonists, and I haven't liked all of his books. Sometimes it almost seems like he appreciates the anti-hero more than a hero. But Under the Dome has some truly likeable characters interspersed with the heinous, evil, and sometimes bumbling and the story itself is very compelling.

King has a way of ratcheting up the tension. Things go from bad to worse and a few of the townsfolk turn out to be sociopathic in nature (no surprise in a King book), which of course adds some great twists and turns to the story. Amidst the tragedy and fear, greed and corruption, are some heroes who struggle to keep the town going. If you’re looking for a complex story and want some people to root for, let me recommend Under the Dome.

The Long Road Home by Mary Alice Monroe

I'm not typically a mainstream literary fiction reader.  I like dragons or werewolves, ghosts or spooks, a historical period piece, or a mystery with enough of a puzzle that makes me wonder where the author is going. In short The Long Road Home is not my normal read.  But I picked it up and found from beginning to end that I truly enjoyed the book.

The story opens with a widow whose husband committed suicide while in desperate financial straits. His widow, Nora, fights to save a piece of property on a Vermont mountainside. Everyone thinks she's not the type to work a farm and don't expect much from her. She's out to prove them wrong. She has to. She has no where else to go.

Nora gets help from a farm-hand working the neighbor's farm. He agrees to help, repairing her house before winter sets in and teaching her the care of animals. They slowly fall in love.  Of course, love is never a straightforward and easy thing in a book, but some surprises should be opened by the reader. Suffice it to say, that Mary Alice Monroe knows how to keep a reader's attention. The Long Road Home is worth a look.

  

Readers Digest Illustrated Reverse Dictionary

I can hear the groans from miles away! A review on a dictionary? What is this girl thinking? Well, I sometimes need to know things but I'm not exactly sure where to start. Granted, the Reverse Dictionary was way cooler before the advent of the internet. But even now, it's still very handy.

For example, if I'm trying to think of a ballet term, a type of cake, parts of a castle, or types of fabric, it's all in there. There's even a picture of an internal combustion engine complete with associated parts labeled. In short, it's a writer's dream.I've got the 1990 version, so it's old, but most of what I'm looking up isn't dated. I used it once to look for all of the types of pastries.

There's a two page side-bar on clothes. If I need a worsted trench coat, I can use the word Burberry. A monk's sleeveless cloak is called a scapular. Now, I may never need to know these things, but then again, maybe one day I'll be looking for a very specific word. And when I do, this is where I'll look.

I'm very fond of this dictionary. The Oxford does a fine dictionary and I know I've got a Webster's around here and they're great for spelling or figuring out the exact definition of a word, but the Reverse Dictionary is more than a dictionary. And if you need to find the perfect word to describe a color or clothing or architecture, then this is the book for you.
 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Let me invite you to step away from your preferred genre, whether it be romance or a good mystery, a well-written mainstream literary novel or a thriller. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut, reading the same genre over and over. And when we do that, we miss some really fantastic books.

Now those who read in the science fiction genre already know about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Why? Because it's one of the best books written and perhaps the best sci-fi novel ever. The movies and television shows don't even come close to the real experience of reading this book. First of all, Douglas Adams is funny. And not just a little bit. With sarcastic wit and off-the-wall characters (and situations), he manages to capture humanity and the foibles of life effortlessly. This is another favorite that I can read again and again.

The book starts with Arthur Dent who is trying to stop his house from being destroyed by workers who want to build a highway through it. Little does he realize that in space, a group of ships is ready to destroy the Earth for the same reason. Fortunately, his friend Ford Prefect has stopped in and together they hitch a ride off the planet. I can't do the plot justice because there is humor laced throughout.

All you readers out there who have missed out on The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, let me urge you to go check it out at the library and find out what you're missing. (And you might look for The Restaurant at the End of the Universe while you're there.

Archangel by Sharon Shinn

I picked this book up at the library and started reading it at night, thinking to go a few chapters. At 5:00 the next morning, I was finished. First, let me say that this is not a Christian book, although there is a strong connection with borrowing of Christian names and themes, nor is it truly a science fiction book, although the setting follows science fiction rules. This is a romance with a fantasy backdrop. And it's a good one.

Gabriel is destined to be an Archangel and leader of the people. Some of his choices are made by an oracle, including the most important one. He tells Gabriel who to marry. Given her name and a general place to find her, Gabriel will know her from an embedded crystal (tracking chip) that will react when in her presence, but he has to find her within six months before singing the Gloria, a song both the archangel-elect and his angelica must sing together.

Not happy about having a farmer's daughter selected for him, Gabriel sets out to find her. Although he has six months, his first lead takes him to a destroyed village. Finding her is hard enough, but he then has to convince her to be his wife.

Gabriel and is bride-to-be don't get along. The angels are at the top of society and Rachel is close to the bottom. And the Archangel currently in power isn't ready to give it up, which makes for an exciting read all the way to the finish. The novel is complex with many layers to the world and relationships. But the truest description is that it is a love story.

The Tao of Watercolor by Jeanne Carbonetti

If there is a single watercolor painter I admire more than any other, it's Jeanne Carbonetti. Her paintings are both detailed and playful and she uses the watercolor form to the fullest.

 The Tao of Watercolor is a unique approach to the watercolor medium. There are a dozen books out there demonstrating heavily inked lines and a tightly controlled painting style.  Jeanne Carbonetti takes the opposite end of the spectrum using splattering, washes, and technique to the fullest while maintaining an impressionist and detailed feel that proves her mastery in the medium.

The book as titled, combines painting with spiritual lessons. Carbonetti says, "The meaning of the Tao, to me, is the essence of life. It is the meaning behind all meanings, and the One Truth that is the ground of our being." Chapters in the book are Introduction: Beginner's Mind, Centering, Balance, Deliberateness, Playfulness, Flow, The Tao of Tools, Effortless Effort, and Conclusion: The Practice of Painting.

Although the cover art drew me to the book, in flipping through pages, I discovered a wealth of knowledge packaged in an interesting format.  The reading is in a conversational style that I find easy to read.  Many technique books are somewhat wooden and boring, but Carbonetti is able to instill curiosity and interest in a subject difficult to cover while presenting a unique style of painting that is a lot of fun.

For those of you who are watercolorists, this is a must-read. 


(Links will take you off-site.)



Student Grade
(Professional grade watercolors typically have more pigment.)

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

I am very finicky about urban fantasy.  I've started a few only to find the characters a bit too snotty for my taste and the sequences didn't always make sense. I've put down at least two authors in the genre without finishing their books.  I don't mind a tough, kick-butt heroine, but I'd like her to have some feeling or emotion other than anger and cocky self-assurance.

In this genre, there are a few authors that stand out like beacons on a hillside.  Patricia Briggs outshines them all.  Moon Called  is the first in a series about Mercy Thompson, a skinwalker (of the good sort) who turns into a coyote.  Her neighbors are a pack of werewolves, and she rather enjoys tormenting their pack leader, even if it is hazardous to her health.

What I love about Moon Called (and the subsequent books in the series) is that first and foremost, I love Mercy Thompson.  She has some fun quirks.  Instead of wearing a cross into a meeting with vampires, she wears a little lamb. Why?  Because the cross is a symbol of death while the lamb is a symbol of life. A small thing, but it adds depth.

She is a kick-butt heroine, but she also gets scared and cares about people, which gets her into lots of trouble with vampires, fae, and other troublesome monsters. Usually when Mercy is in danger, she put herself there to protect someone else.   Now that's someone I can root for.

I would caution that while Mooncalled is PG, this series is PG-13.  The book Iron Kissed, third in the series, deals with incredibly heavy issues that have been handled very adeptly but are not suitable for the younger ones. It is part of what gives this series such power.

Better start this series on a weekend or you'll be losing sleep!

(These links will take you off site for purchase)

A Revisit to Louisa May Alcott: Eight Cousins

If I were to mention Louisa May Alcott's name, the reading world would say Little Women. Somewhere along the way the gem Eight Cousins has been lost.

Eight Cousins is a great story for young teens.  With a gentler reading experience than Little Women, the book has a similar feel to Anne of Green Gables, the Little House books, and The Secret Princess.  

Eight Cousins follows a young teenage girl in her adventures.  Orphaned and brought to live with her uncle and several aunts, Rose is a pale, shy girl who is living in the age of bustles and corsets.  It was a time when girls weren't allowed to play.

Her uncle has decidedly different views on how a child should be treated.  He makes a deal with the aunts that they will do things his way for a period of time and review later. He is convinced his Rose will be healthier and happier for the changes. Things go great for a while, but his plans go awry and he finds himself worried that he made a mistake.

Rose is gentle and sweet with a strong compassion for others.  Her cousins are all boys and their antics make for an interesting read. Two of the cousins become ill.  (I don't want to ruin the story by giving too much away.), but the story has plenty to keep it going.

Eight Cousins is one of Alcott's finest and in my opinion as worthy a read as Little Women.


Here are a couple of links...(They will take you off the blog.)

Introduction and Privacy Policy

There are thousands and thousands of books out there in the world.  I've read a lot of them, but there are so many more to read.  Bookish Souls is intended to be a review blog with a daily book or series of books featured.

The content will be eclectic and not given to 'latest' but to 'favorite'.  It seems that the book reviewing industry only cares about new and upcoming books.  As more and more books enter the publishing stream, old favorites can be lost.

So, I don't care when a book came out, be in 1800 or 1940. If it's something to my taste, I will write a review. From fantasy to physics, I'm planning to feature the most beloved books.

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