These is my Words by Nancy E. Turner

These is my Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 is a fictional journal of the author's actual ancestor who worked to survive in Arizona Territory. There are stories about Indians, cattle, family, heartache and love all told from Sarah's voice. She is an uneducated pioneer with a desire to learn and endure, which helps her through most of the situations in her life. My sister in-law introduced me to this book when I first moved to Arizona. I of course couldn't put it down, and for a few days I lived in an Arizona that was 100 years younger. It really is an incredible portrayal of the American West. There is also a sequel, Sarah's Quilt, if you are interested in more of her story. It was good, but I didn't like it as much as These is my Words.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

If you have never read Steinbeck I can only feel very sad for you.  If you have only read Steinbeck as a school assignment and not out of appreciation for the man's genius or out of sheer enjoyment I am afraid I can only pity you.  Steinbeck is one of my all time favorite authors.  That man is a word magician and the best story teller I've encountered.  I love all of his novels, and when I was first married I think I read almost every one of his novels.  I can't pick a favorite, but East of Eden was absolutely amazing.  It is the modern tale of Cain and Able.  Eden, as in all Steinbeck novels, is California.  It is an amazing story, wonderfully written, and completely absorbing.

Crossing To Safety and Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Again, I have read these books several times, but the last time was ages ago and so I don't remember all the details.  But I do remember Crossing To Safety being a very interesting and thought provoking story about the lifelong friendship between two couples.  Wallace Stegner is one of my favorite authors and is such an amazing author.  Another one of his that I love is The Angle of Repose, which I recommend just as highly.  The angle of repose is the angle at which rocks will no longer slide down but remain in place on a slope.  This is a book about a poorly suited couple who spend years finding the angle of repose in their marriage, and also one of their descendents finding the angle of repose in his life. These, in my opinion, are must read books.  They are incredibly well written, and provide some very interesting discussion material.  Be sure to pick them up.

Seraph On The Suwanee by Zora Neale Hurston

I have read this book a couple of times because I love how it is written, and I love the authors message.  It is the story (I hope I don't mess this up.  I haven't picked it up in a few years) of a "cracker" couple.  Cracker for those not from the Jim Crow South is a White Trash white couple.  The husband falls in love with his wife and works hard to provide her with the life he feels she deserves.  They end up living in a beautiful home, and have two beautiful children (that represent the husband) and one child that has mental and physical disabilities that the wife identifies herself with.  Anyway, after a life time of the husband trying to prove his love to his wife, she still can't shake her insecurity.  She simply can't believe that her husband could love her, until he finally forces her to understand.  It is a great story and the message is relevant and important.  I also read Hurston's famous Their Eyes Were Watching God, but Seraph really is my favorite.  Zora Neale Hurston has an interesting history as well.  If you read the book take the time to learn a little about her.

Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose

I read this book too many years ago to give a good summary so I am stealing from Amazon:

"A biography of Meriwether Lewis that relies heavily on the journals of both Lewis and Clark, this book is also backed up by the author's personal travels along Lewis and Clark's route to the Pacific. Ambrose is not content to simply chronicle the events of the "Corps of Discovery" as the explorers called their ventures. He often pauses to assess the military leadership of Lewis and Clark, how they negotiated with various native peoples and what they reported to Jefferson. Though the expedition failed to find Jefferson's hoped for water route to the Pacific, it fired interest among fur traders and other Americans, changing the face of the West forever."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The story is captivating and truly an adventure. I am a big fan of Stephen Ambrose.

Peter and the Starcatchers By Dave Barry and Riddly Pearson

Peter was the leader of the orphan boys because he was the oldest – or so he claimed. And because he could spit the farthest. Not that it did him much good, shipped off aboard a leaky old bilge bucket to be the servant of a tyrant king.But Peter and his mates aren't the only ones on the Never Land...Why is a trunk holding "the greatest treasure on earth" aboard the stinking, worm-ridden ship? Does it contain gold, jewels – or something far more mysterious and dangerous? And what is Molly, the beautiful daughter of a rich diplomat, hiding from Peter? (this is a summery from someone else but I forgot who and can't find it again. I will keep trying)

I really liked this book it was a fun quick read and is the first in a series of three. It is the story of how Peter becomes Peter Pan and Neverland becomes what it is. I have not read the others yet so if someone who has wants to post about them that would be great!

Shogun by James Clavell

I read this as a favor to my husband--it's his favorite book. Honestly, I didn't expect much. I was so surprised by how much I loved it. It kept me glued to it's pages until the very last sentence! Few books remain in my memory for long but this one has moments that will stick for many, many years.

This was my introduction to Japanese culture and history. An intricate story with beautiful detail. Shogun tells a story about an English sailor who gets shipwrecked in Japan around 1598 when christian values were just being introduced via missionaries into the enchanted samurai culture of that time.

Action, adventure, suspense, and an amazing love story to boot! This book delivers.

Holes by Louis Sachar

Stanley Yelnats is unjustly sent to Camp Green Lake where he and other boys are sentenced to dig holes to build character. Stanley learns the warden has them digging holes for something else- but what?
It has been a while since I saw the movie so I can't remember how they compare. The book itself is a funny, clever, quirky and entertaining. If you need an amusing, easy read (category: ages 9-12), this is it.

Bridget Jones Diary and Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

Okay, first I need to say, do not judge these books based on the movies.  I absolutely loved these books ( The Edge of Reason was one of the worst movies of all time in my opinion, they absolutely slaughtered the book).  

Why do I love them so much?

First Bridget is a wonderful, quirky character.  I love her.  I love her friends.  I love how they are muddling through life as best they can.  I love her funny parents and their friends who are also just muddling through the best they can.  Just like we all are.  I love the style of writing.  I love the way she keeps track of her alcohol units, weight, calories, and cigarrettes.  I love it.  I love it. I love it.  I laughed so hard  as I read these books.

Also as a huge fan of Jane Austen, I loved these books. Helen Fielding is also an Austen fan.  Bridget Jones Diary is a modern take on Pride and Prejudice and Edge of Reason is a modern take on Persuasion.  

I have read and re-read these books.  Very entertaining and I love them.

Warning: they do contain language and some "adult themes".

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

If you want to immerse yourself in a complex and mysterious culture, read Arthur Golden's first novel, "Memoirs of a Geisha". Steven Speilberg just bought the rights to this novel, a wise move since the story is full of vivid images and brisk action.
The story follows the life of a young Japanese girl, Chiyo, as she is sold into slavery during the Great Depression. It begins in a small fishing village as the 9-year-old's father sells her and her sister, Satsu, to a local businessman. Because of her unusual grey eyes, Chiyo is then sold to an okiya, a geisha house, while Satsu is sold into prostitution.
It is amazing that Golden, an American male, has so eloquently portrayed the life of a Japanese geisha. He captures the emotions of his characters perfectly while describing Japanese life.
Chiyo initially rebels. But when she learns that her sister has escaped without her and her parents have died she accepts her fate. She struggles to find independence within the strict world of the geisha and climbs to the top of geisha society, only to crash during World War II. She then starts over and finds independence through her patrons.
Golden fills the book with vivid images and subtle descriptions of the nuances of Japanese culture, and is absolutely brilliant in his description of the customs and rituals of the geisha. Through the meticulous detail the reader can fully understand the politics, rivalries, and traditions of the Japan geisha society.
But while Golden captures your attention with information, this is also the book's minor downside. With so much detail you almost get bogged down by the numerous definitions of Japanese terms. But if you hang in, the action picks up and you will start to cheer for Chiyo as she continues her struggle. Golden explores the concept of freedom within a slavelike society as Chiyo uses her brains more than her beauty to make an independent life for herself.

Review by Ann Hastings

I Loved this book. I thought it was an interesting and well told story.

Escape by Carolyn Jessop

This is the story of Carolyn Jessop who at 19 was married off to 54 year old Meril Jessop. She was his 4th wife. This is an amazing look into the FLDS church. She tells about her childhood and her absolute faith in her prophet and it follows her as she loses her faith and the changes that occur in her life. I started reading at 2:00 PM and finished by 11:45 PM. I could not put it down. It is an amzing tale that seems like it is fiction but it is the real life story of her struggle to keep herself and her eight children safe.