So Many Books, So Little Time!

As anyone who has read me very long knows, I love to read. I rarely buy a book - the library and I have a very close relationship!

Mostly these days I read while I'm on the elliptical, the recumbent bike, and the treadmill at the gym. It's a great way to multitask. I decided to share a few of the books I've read lately.

I read a slew of Christmas books this year - really fun. They were by Debbie Macomber, Jennifer Chiaverini, and Donna Van Liere. I've caught up with the latest books from my favorite authors - Sue Grafton, Faye Kellerman, J.A. Jance.

The above book, Where Hope Begins, was disturbing, but good. I can't say enjoyable, but worth reading. I saw the family on Dr. Phil and wanted to know more about their story. I hadn't heard of the situation before the show - it is about the Wesson family - Marcus Wesson, the cultish leader of his very large family, the murders he committed against them, and the long journey to hope by the survivors as chronicled by the television journalist who invited them to live with her.

Beautiful Boy was equally difficult to read, but well written and important. David Sheff wrote about his son, Nick's, struggle with meth addiction. It is a subject near to my heart, and I always hope to read a success story. This one doesn't really qualify. But it is a good book.

Lynn Austin is a new favorite - she has written so many books that it'll take me a long time to get through them all. Though Waters Roar is her latest, and it is wonderful. She weaves a fantastic tale in each book, and this one begs for a sequel! It follows 3 generations of women who involve themselves in important social issues, with the 4th generation finally beginning to figure out what her life should be all about. I loved it, and hated to come to the last page.

I saw Josie's Story reviewed, probably in People Magazine, and it intrigued me. Sorrel King has made a huge contribution which came out of an incredibly sad family disaster. She took on the medical industry and its lack of communication, which led to the loss of Josie. Again, it is a sad, but very worthwhile, redemptive read.

If you've read Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, you know that anything he writes is worth your time. Have a Little Faith will not disappoint. Mitch had left his faith back in his childhood, but came face to face with both a rabbi and an evangelical in a book that will lift you and challenge you.



As promised, this is my 500th post and I want to offer another book - this is one of the five I bought at Women of Faith last fall. This one is written by Marilyn Meberg, a psychologist who has been a widow for a long time, and delights WOF crowds every year. What to Do When the Roof Caves In covers such subjects as "Money Cave-in," Infidelity Cave-in," "Pleasure, Addiction, and Our Roofs," "Death, the Ultimate Cave-in," "Heaven, No More Cave-ins," and several others.

Just leave a comment, indicating your interest, and I will draw the winner on Friday, the 12th.