A Voice in the Wind, by Francine Rivers

This author is a Christian writer, and this book's main character is a Christian right after the time of Christ's death. Most of the characters are promiscuous, which is disconcerting, but there were never any sordid details. It does have a lot of parallels between modern day ideals and the Roman civilization near its downfall. It is the typical soap-opera style of problem solving (which is basically non-existant), I usually avoid this style of story telling, but I'm sucked in now. I am happy that most of the characters have flaws, including the heroine. I enjoyed this and am reading the follow up in the series, Echo in the Darkness.

The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold

This book came highly recommended by a friend but it took me forever to get around to reading it. My sister started it before me and called to tell me how great it was. She says she cried through the first 20 pages or so. I didn't have quite the same reaction. It was good, but not enough to make it to my favorites list. The writing style is a bit dreamy and flowing, but maybe a bit too dreamy. It does have sex scenes, but without details, somewhere between PG and PG13. I did keep reading just because I wanted so desperately to see what happened to the bad guy (I was a bit disappointed at how he was handled). There were some very poignant thoughts about grief and healing, if there ever can be after losing a loved-one.

Percy Jackson Series, by Rick Riordan

These books were great! They were silly, adventurous and totally clean. I will be very excited to read these again with my sons in just a few years. They are perfect for 8+year old boys.
All five were quick reads and entertaining for adults too. My brother-in-law and I had a race of sorts to see who could finish these first, he won.
I'm pretty sure I will buy these to keep and a set for my nephews (which is saying a lot since I do not buy books).

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Can you believe that this is the first time I've ever read this book? Not even in school! Amazing, I know.

I liked it. I can see why it is a classic. And it's easy to read and understand. I will definitely read this again when my children have to in school.

100% appropriate for everyone over the age of 12!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I really liked this book. I would give it 4 1/2 stars for sure! I thought I wouldn't enjoy it since it is written in a series of letters from one character to the next, so I wasn't sure how I would be able to see the whole picture. But it works beautifully.

It's a story of a journalist in London just after WWII, and how she meets up with a book club who lives in the Channel Islands, which had previously been occupied by the Germans. It's funny and romantic, and it has you routing for all the right people.

It does have some mention of one of the supporting characters being homosexual, it was not at all distastefully done, however.

Very, very good. Will probably read it again at some future date.

Enna Burning, by Shannon Hale

I really like Shannon Hale. I did read this series a bit out of order. It is supposed to go: Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and River Secret. I read River Secret first, but having done that, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of these books.

As is in the style that Hale uses, it's very clean, a little romantic, and has a good deal of adventure. I would certainly let any of my children read it when they are older, and do not hesitate to recommend it to friends.

Persian Pickle Club, by Sandra Dallas

Very good, light book. I think it would be great for book club, a lot of fun things to discusss.

It was a fast read, only took about 2 days of sporadic reading, and I enjoyed it. It had 3 or 4 swear words, and attempted rape, so it would probably rate PG if it were a movie. It explores the relationships of women in small town dust-bowl-era Kansas. They belong to a quilting club and it's fun to see the different personalities of the characters. It's a bit of a who-done-it, and I like those.

4 Stars.