Elizabeth I by Margaret George

I cannot possibly praise this book enough. The biography is written in first person through the eyes of two people, the Virgin Queen herself, and the woman she hated most, her cousin Lettice. Unlike most books about Elizabeth, this one focuses on her later years as she faces some of her greatest challenges.

Very well written. I found it difficult to put down. So much could be said but your time would be better spent finding yourself a copy of this book.

My First Ladies by Nancy Clarke

This is an inside view of the White House from the perspective of the head florist from Carters through Obamas. And while it doesn't seem like the florist would have much to do with White House happenings, apparently fresh flowers and table displays-- from public areas to the first family's living quarters to large events--are a daily concern in this world removed from our own daily experiences.

The glimpse through Nancy's eyes makes for a very peaceful read, with many interesting facts about the daily lives of these first ladies.

Cragbridge Hall, Book 1: The Inventor's Secret

by Chad Morris

Shortly after the grandchildren of the brilliant inventor Oscar Cragbridge begin attending the school designed around his amazing technology, they learn that their grandfather and parents have all disappeared. Now they must work together to follow the highly unusual clues their grandfather left behind and try to save their family, and the history of the world.

The inventions in the book are so much fun to read about, creating an exciting adventure along the lines of Fablehaven (minus the fairy tale creatures).

A Gentleman of Courage

by James Oliver Curwood

This is an old (1924) book my daughter picked up for me at a thrift shop. It was a fun change of pace. And I always love reading a book with a frayed old style binding, imagining all the other people who read it before me.

The book is set in the Canadian wilderness. Unknown to Peter, his father had committed a crime several years earlier in defense of Peter's mother. Now the law is tracking him down, and for Peter's sake, his father manages to evade the officers while sneaking Peter to a friend's home in a tiny mill town before disappearing for good. Heartbroken, Peter is determined to slip away and find his father, until he is distracted by a beautiful orphan girl named Mona. His honor and his heart demand that he stay and protect Mona from the brutal Aleck Curry.

I love the old-fashioned portrayal of relationships of all kinds. People are affectionate, spouses are fiercely loyal and devoted to each other. The story seems a little unlikely by today's standards, but it is entertaining all the same.

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been reading all along. I'm going back a little now to update the blog with some of my favorites.

This one was given to me as a birthday present from my sister-in-law who also happens to be my co-author. She thought I would love it, and she was right!

Clay, the main character, finds a job in a one-of-a-kind bookstore where he meets some strange people. But it is his unique resourcefulness and unusual friends that make it possible for him to delve into the mystery that goes much deeper than the store and its customers. If you love books and the wonders of technology, you'll have a great time following this adventure.

The Book Thief

by Mark Zusak

I can't say I really enjoyed this book. Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, this is not one of your feel-good, purity of heart triumphs over evil books. The narrator of the story is Death, and the author does an exceptional job of making the narration feel brittle and dry like you would expect Death to talk, and it is a perfect tone for the craziness of the time and place, but unfortunately I feel this distances the reader from the characters. Without the connection, the story drags a little long and ends with no resolution. After all, Death may not care, but we humans like some sort of closure, like an idea of how the events of the story impact the main character.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

by Muriel Barbery

This is an interesting book to review. It was not a page turner, which I was glad for because I had my own writing and other projects to do, but it did keep my interest. While I could identify with the main characters' love of art and learning, they had cocooned themselves in their minds and their own self-importance (in a backwards way, they thought everyone else was more condescending). I kept wanting to shake them and say, "You are missing the point of life, the beauty is in the connections with other people, as feeble as we all may be." But it was a relief to read the ending; tragic as it was, they got it.

So if you want a slower paced book, give this one a chance.