Almost Sisters

The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unique premise, quirky and memorable characters, engaging writing, flawed ending. Loved that the main character is a comic book writer because the details about her artwork helped propel the story forward, while also establishing Leia's character. The characterization and subtle details are a four. The plot is only a three star for me. Either way, this is my last completed book for 2018.

Happy reading and happy 2019!

The Book of Mormon...Again

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't typically write reviews for religious texts. In fact, if you go to my Goodreads account, I didn't write a review.  It doesn't feel right to label a text that has meant so much to so many people with a starred review. Still I want to see it alongside the other books that I've read in 2018. I've never read The Book of Mormon twice in one year, but a youth challenge from my ward during the summer and President Nelson's challenge from General Conference has spurred me on. I listened both times, and perhaps that's not the slow, methodical study that was intended, but this was a big jump start for me into making sure I started each day with the scriptures. I saw connections between scripture stories that I hadn't previously seen because I was reading huge sections at a time instead of isolated chapters or verses. Seth and I had regular conversations about our takeaways from our daily reading to the point that I felt like we were personally prepared for the transition to a more home centered Gospel study. We are so blessed to have the scriptures to guide us and help us in our quest to be faithful disciples of Christ.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Round Two

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

December 14, 2018
I am a rereader. I can't help but come back to visit stories that I love. I picked up this book again because of the movie that came out this past summer. The book is just as wonderful as my first time through. I love the characters, the island, the epistolary format. My hours reading this book were like getting a birds eye view of one of the Society's meetings. The book makes me want to write, to hug the people I love, and to live with more fervor. Absolutely worth a read if you haven't yet-

Happy reading and potato peel pie eating--

ps. If you haven't watched the movie yet, it's really well done. The story changes quite a bit, but the core is the same. Lily James and Michiel Huisman are perfect as Juliet and Dawsey, not to mention the rest of the cast.

December 25, 2008
This book about reading, writing, loving, losing, and finding hope after losing so much, surprised me both in its simplicity and ability to capture candid conversation. It's rare the books written as a series of letters make you feel like you are getting all the detail you want about the character, but "The Guernsey" succeeds. I know I gravitate towards WWII era fiction, but I think this book transcends traditional historical fiction. I hesitate to use the word "delightful" - but it's the only word that comes to mind. I picked this book up and was entranced immediately--

Harry Potter: A History of Magic

Harry Potter: A History of Magic by British Library
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a remarkable collection of backstories on many elements found in the Harry Potter series. It is a bit like a topical encyclopedia, so it's definitely not for the faint of heart or a casual Harry Potter fan. I actually think a great audience for this book would be middle grade age kids who love learning and the world J.K. Rowling created.

All in all, while the book felt a bit like homework, I am again struck with how amazing J.K. Rowling is. Her ability to combine so many historically significant legends and stories while also creating her own magical world is almost impossible to grasp. So many of her storylines are layered in folklore and real history, but it is done with such a deft hand, that I didn't even notice. I had no idea that a hippogriff wasn't something she created. More than that, I love that this book showed some of her drafting process. Every detail was included on purpose and drafted and redrafted. If I was still in a classroom, I would have been sharing how many drafts Rowling's beloved stories actually went through.

And until I can go to the British Library for this exhibit, I have had a fantastic taste of it.

Happy reading and imagining--

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Everyone knows the story found in "A Christmas Carol", but watching Mickey's version or even one of the spectacular stage versions is different than reading the full text Dickens penned so many years ago. I loved revisiting this book as an adult. The lessons Scrooge learns as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future visit him are ones we need in our lives today. And living as though it's Christmas every day - that's something I can fully get behind.

Happy reading and merry, merry Christmas!

The Deal of a Lifetime - Round Two

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This week I wanted to read books that were adult versions of Christmas stories - meaning stories you return to again and again each holiday season. This is one of those stories for me. It's powerful and well told, but not conventional. Told in a the sparse, direct way that only Backman can do, I found myself seeing this story so differently now that I am a parent. Definitely worth the read!

Happy reading and happy Christmas!