1. Finding Jack (A Fairy Tale Flip #1)
Author: Melanie Jacobsen
Publisher: Four Petal Press, January 2019
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Pages: 493
Rating: 9
Clever dialogue that made me laugh out loud, great character development.
2. The Bride of Ivy Green (Tales from Ivy Hill Book 3)
Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House, December 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 448
Rating: 8
I think I would have enjoyed this third book in the series more if I had read the other two more recently. I had a hard time remembering who some of the supporting characters were. That said, I loved getting back to Ivy Hill.
3. Wedding Belles: A Novel in Four Parts
Author: Melanie Jacobson, Jenny Proctor, Becca Wilhite, Brittany Larsen
Publisher: Four Petal Press, October 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 356
Rating: Harper and Zak, 8.5; Janie and Emmett, 8.5; Lily and Deacon, 8.5; Sutton and Max, 8.
Four great novellas. I seem to always want more when I finish a novella, so it was fun to see the previous main characters in the succeeding stories.
4. Where We Belong
Author: Lynn Austin
Publisher: Bethany House, October 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction, Victorian
Pages:480
Rating:8
Not the fastest moving of Austin's books, but I grew to love each of the main characters as they searched their hearts and the world for God's will in the use of their talents and wealth. If only I weren't such a food coward, I would now feel compelled to travel widely and sample the world! Maybe I can bring a heavy supply of granola bars...
5. Skyward
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Delacourte Press, November 2018
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 528
Rating: 9
Sanderson does it again! Captivating new world, new magic system, new characters, new series. I might have waited if I had realized that I was setting myself up for another Sanderson waiting list, but this opener in a 4 book sequence wrapped up enough to make the wait bearable, while still leaving plenty to be explored in the followups. Book 2 is scheduled for a 2019 release with 3 and 4 a few years down the road.
6. A Bound Heart
Author: Laura Frantz
Publisher: Revell, January 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 416
Rating: 9
I found myself thinking about these characters days after I finished the book. Old World Scotland to New World Virginia and Jamaica, Frantz paints a compelling story with her words.
7. A Rogue About Town (London League #2)
Author: Rebecca Connelly
Publisher: Phase Publishing, August 2018
Genre: Regency
Pages: 286
Rating: 8.5
A mysterious young woman enlists Rogue to find her father. Read #1 first.
8. Healing Hearts
Author: Sarah Eden
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Genre: Historical Fiction, American West
Pages: 336
Rating: 8.5
I had great intentions of making this book last. And I totally succeeded/failed by finishing less than nine hours after it arrived on my doorstep. If there hadn't been children to take care of it would have been much less. Sequel to The Sherriffs of Savage Wells.
9. The Sea Before Us (Sunrise at Normandy #1)
Author: Sarah Sundin
Publisher: Revell, February 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 384
Rating: 9
I intentionally ignored this book when I finished my last Sundin trilogy because I knew the third in this series wouldn't be published until 2020... BUT. February was a crappy month, and I knew that Sundin would give me an awesome escape. She didn't disappoint in this depiction of the preparation, build up, and execution of D-Day from the perspective of American Navy gunner Wyatt Paxton and British "Wren" Dorothy Fairfax. Love these characters! Annnnnd, I went straight for Book 2. Read on.
10. The Sky Above Us (Sunrise at Normandy #2)
Author: Sarah Sundin
Publisher: Revell, February 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 384
Rating: 9
The family plot thickens. This installment follows Wyatt's brother, fighter pilot Adler Paxton, and American Red Cross worker Violet Lindstrom. I love how Sundin runs the timelines of #1 and #2 concurrently and gives the reader glimpses of previous and future characters. Can't wait for #3!!
11. Romancing Lord Ramsbury
Author: Ashtyn Newbold
Publisher: Amazon Digital, January 2019
Genre: Historical Christian Romance (Regency)
Pages: 215
Rating: 8
"A hasty bargain, a deceitful courtship, and a persistent proposal."
12. What the Doctor Ordered
Author: Sierra St. James
Publisher: Deseret Book, October 2010
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Pages: 286
Rating: 7.5
Nice, light, funny romcom. I want to hang out with Aunt Bertie.
13. No Time For Love
Author: Nancy Campbell Allen
Publisher: Covenant Communications, July 2011
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 229
Rating: 7.5
Sequel to Love Beyond Time (2018 Reviews #19), but no time travel element in this one. Liz (sister of Amber from first book) and Conner (descendant of Ian O'Brian) get mixed up in international intrigue and travel the globe trying to figure out the mystery before the bad guys find them.
14. Summer House Party (Timeless Regency Collection Book 4)
Author: Regina Scott, Donna Hatch, Sarah Eden
Genre: Regency
Pages: 331
Rating: An Engagement of Convenience, 8; A Perfect Match, 8; The Paupers' House Party, 7.5
Author: Daniel Defoe
Publisher: Amazon Digital, March 2011
Genre: Classical Literature
Pages: 200
Rating: 8.5
This was my second reading, and I loved it again--especially looking for the connections pointed out in The Moonstone that I read I few months ago! The original man alone on a desert island story. I listened to a little more than half of the book via Simon Vance's Audible recording, which made it come to life more than the reading.
16. Mail Order Bride Collection (Timeless Romance #4)
Author: Stacy Henrie, Kristin Holt, Annette Lyon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Sian Ann Bessey
Publisher: Mirror Press, 2016
Genre: Victorian Historical Romance/Western
Pages: 388
Rating: Written In Her Heart, 8; Wanted: Midwife Bride, 8; The Sound of Home, 8.5; For Better or for Worse, 8; The Inconvenient Bride, 8.5; The Price of Silver, 8.
I enjoyed every one of these! However, they might be even better if you don't binge read them all at once like I did...
17. Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia Owens
Publisher: Penguin Group, August 2018
Genre: Women's Fiction
Pages: 379
Rating: 8
***Language, content warnings! Scattered language, and four scenes that I skipped, so I'm not sure how bad they were, but bad enough I skipped ahead. That said, Owens' writing is beautiful in this coming of age story about a girl left in the marsh to fend for herself. (If you want the marsh without the content, read Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter.)
18. A True Gentleman (Regency Love #2)
Author: M.A. Nichols
Publisher: M.A. Nichols, October 2018
Genre: Regency
Pages: 308
Rating: 8
Maybe reformed rakes don't make the best husbands.
19. The Shameless Flirt
Author: M.A. Nichols
Publisher: M.A. Nichols, February 2019
Genre: Regency
Pages: 284
Rating: 8.5
Loved the growing relationship and the examination of the masks we all wear.
20. A Return of Devotion (Haven Manor #2)
Author: Kristi Ann Hunter
Publisher: Bethany House, February 2019
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Pages: 400
Rating: 8.5
Sequel to A Defense of Honor. The uninformed owner of the secret orphan refuge plans to take residence, but he's more surprising than any of them could have imagined when he shows up.
21. Abigail: A Novel
Author: Jess Heileman
Publisher: Vagabond, January 2019
Genre: Regency
Pages: 349
Rating: 7.5
Loved the plot of this debut novel by Heileman.
22. The Other Side of the Bridge
Author: Camron Wright
Publisher: Shadow Mountain, March 2018
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 304
Rating: 9
Another winner from Camron Wright. I love his writing style. "Two strangers, opposite coasts, and a bridge that silently beckons."
23. Lion of Babylon (audiobook by Paul Boehmer)
Author: Davis Bunn
Publisher: christianaudio.com
Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense
Time: 10 hours 40 minutes (386 pages printed)
Rating: 7
I enjoyed learning more about Iraqi culture in this action adventure. Probably would have given this a higher rating if I'd read it myself; I didn't love the narrator.
24. Falling for a Duke (Timeless Regency Collection Book 8)
Author: Rebecca Connelly, Nichole Van, Janelle Daniels
Publisher: Mirror Press, September 2017
Pages: 323
Genre: Regency
Rating: On the Duke's Errand, 8; Vingt-et-un/Twenty-one, 8.5; I Kissed a Duke, 8.5
25. That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon's Perspective on Faith & Family
Author: Tom Christofferson
Publisher: Deseret Book Company, October 2017
Genre: Nonfiction/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Pages: 176
Rating: 8
There is so much good in this book, whether you're looking to better understand LGBTQ issues or just to rediscover the love Heavenly Father has for ALL of His children.
26. Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
Author: Steve Sheinkin
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, January 2017
Genre: YA Biography/Sports
Pages: 289
Rating: 9
Great, true story of an exceptional group of young men battling and winning against all odds.
27. The Social Tutor (Branches of Love Book 1)
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Blue Water Books, February 2018
Genre: Regency
Pages: 225
Rating: 8.5
I love it when I discover a new favorite author! I totally binged all 6 books in this series in less than a week.
Christine needs someone to help her grow out of her social awkwardness, and Thomas seeks to save his family from financial ruin.
28. The Gentleman Physician (Branches of Love Book 2)
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Blue Water Books, April 2018
Genre: Regency
Pages: 225
Rating: 8.5
Book 2 explores the secrets of Julia's single, failed Season. I was looking forward to this storyline long before I finished book 1.
29. His Bluestocking Bride (Branches of Love Book 3)
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Blue Water Books, June 2018
Genre: Regency
Pages: 270
Rating: 9
And Book 3 was even better... Ellen agrees to a marriage of convenience to her childhood love.
30. The Earl and His Lady (Branches of Love Book 4)
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Blue Water Books, July 2018
Genre: Regency
Pages: 288
Rating: 8.5
A marriage of convenience between two grieving, virtual strangers.
31. Miss Devon's Choice (Branches of Love Book 5)
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Blue Water Books, October 2018
Genre: Regency
Pages: 338
Rating: 8.5
Rebecca's iron-willed father forces her into an arranged marriage with a mysterious viscount.
32. Courting the Vicar's Daughter (Branches of Love Book 6)
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Blue Water Books, March 2019
Genre: Regency
Pages: 231
Rating: 8.5
Finally free of his controlling father's influence, kind-hearted Harry finds himself without direction until he meets someone that inspires him to become the man he was meant to be.
33. The White Witch
Author: Janet Graber
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, April 2009
Genre: Children's Historical Fiction
Pages: 160
Rating: 8
I picked this up while wandering the library with my kids for the first time in too long. :)
Compelling story with an interesting perspective on the black plague and witchcraft, including an explanation of the different manifestations of the plague at the end.
34. Before We Were Yours
Author: Lisa Wingate
Publisher: Ballantine Books, June 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
Rating: 9
A fictional look at Georgia Tann's notorious Tennessee Children's Home adoptions. ***Some difficult abuse content here, but Wingate does a nice job of making events understood without getting graphic. Still, not a fluffy read.***
35. Sweet On You (Bradford Sisters #3)
Author: Becky Wade
Publisher: Bethany House, April 2019
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Pages: 385
Rating: 8
Finally, Britt and Zander's story! I loved getting to know them better and getting reacquainted with the other sisters.
36. Spinster and Spice (The Spinster Chronicles Book 3)
Author: Rebecca Connolly
Publisher: Phase Publishing, May 2019
Genre: Regency
Pages: 286
Rating: 8.5
No one should be a doormat! Love the character development.
37. Daisies and Devotion (Mayfield Family Book 2)
Author: Josie Kilpack
Publisher: Shadow Mountain, May 2019
Genre: Regency
Pages: 352
Rating: 9
Kilpack's writing is delightful. Can't wait for book 3.
38. A Monster Like Me
Author: Wendy Swore
Publisher:
Genre: Children's Fiction/Divorce/Children's Illness
Pages: 304
Rating: 8
Wow. Like Wonder, some of these scenes are so painful. Others, so beautiful. Reinforcement to my belief that everyone has a story.
39. The Governess of Penwythe Hall (The Cornwall Novels Book 1)
Author: Sarah E. Ladd
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, April 2019
Genre: Regency
Pages: 352
Rating: 8
Mmm....Cornwall, family secrets, smuggling, danger, romance.
40. The Journey of the Heroic Parent: Your Child's Struggle & the Road Home
Author: Brad M. Reedy, PhD
Publisher: Regan Arts, April 2015
Genre: Mental Illness/Children's Disorders
Pages: 258
Rating: 8.5
It's all about becoming a whole person. There's no such thing as a perfect parent.
41. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books, October 2016
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Pages: 272
Rating: 9
Read aloud to my 6 year old, while my 10 year old was reading book 6. The art is fantastic!
42. A World Undone: The Story of The Great War, 1914-1918 (audiobook, narrated by Robin Sachs)
Author: G.J. Meyer
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, May 2012
Genre: History, WWI
Length: 27 hours 58 min (print edition, 708 pages Delacorte Press 2006)
Rating: 8.5
I searched this out after reading Roseanna White's Shadows Over England series. They don't teach much WWI in school--at least, not the schools I went to. This was a fascinating introduction to the history--minus the US bias that liberally painted everything I did learn in school--with a great narrator. I'm already well into its sequel, The World Remade: America in World War I.
43. Rescuing Lord Inglewood (Inglewood Book 1)
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Blue Water Books, May 2019
Genre: Regency
Pages: 329
Rating: 8
Compromised lady, true gentleman.
44. Charlotte's Promise
Author: Jennifer Moore
Publisher: Covenant Communications, May 2019
Genre: Regency
Pages: 218
Rating: 8
What's better than romance at sea? But what if the heroine is masquerading as a swabbie?
45. The Heart of a Vicar
Author: Sarah M. Eden
Publisher: Covenant Communications, June 2019
Genre: Regency
Pages: 280
Rating: 9
This Eden pre-order arrived just in time to whisk me away from a really difficult week. I even managed to ration Holy Harry's story over several days!
46. The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self, 3rd Edition
Author: Alice Miller
Publisher: Basic Books, December 2008
Genre: Child Psychology
Pages: 144
Rating: ... still trying to decide ...
Written for therapists, Drama explores how early childhood development forms us and effects us throughout our lives, how we must face the traumas of our childhood if we are to put them to rest and move on. There are some great insights, also some things I'm still questioning, also some pretty vivid descriptions of awful abuse. Read with caution.
47. The Number of Love (The Codebreakers #1)
Author: Roseanna M. White
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers, June 2019
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
Pages: 367
Rating: 9
White has officially established herself as one of my favorite authors. This one starts three years into the Great War and follows Margot De Wilde--sister of Lukas from A Song Unheard. I love Margot's by-the-numbers brain.
48. Summer Wedding Collection (Timeless Romance Anthology Book 3)
Authors: Melanie Jacobson, Julie Wright, Rachael Anderson, Annette Lyon, Jennifer Moore, Sarah Eden
Publisher: Mirror Press, April 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 378
Rating: 8
49. Lies, Love, and Breakfast at Tiffany's
Author: Julie Wright
Publisher: Shadow Mountain, November 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 320
Rating: 9
Now I'll need to go find and watch every Audrey Hepburn movie ever made.
50. Kisses in the Rain
Author: Krista Lynne Jensen
Publisher: Covenant Communications, June 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 284
Rating: 9
Jensen did such a great job making the characters real and relatable. I loved how they progressed personally and in their relationship. It made me want to go back to the Northwest and the mist and the rain. I don't even like seafood, but this book made me wish I did so I could try some of the amazing things they were concocting. Most of all, I love how she was able to weave tough topics into a story that left me feeling positive and uplifted at a time when I needed a boost.
51. Falling For You
Author: Krista Lynne Jensen
Publisher: Covenant Communications, February 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 272
Rating: 8
Jetsetter fashionista meets Wyoming innkeeper. Another fun read from Jensen.
52. The Chemist
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, November 2016
Genre: Suspense
Pages: 523
Rating: 8
This taut story of an on-the-run former government interrogator kept me engaged from the first page to the last. That said, Meyer has always included a little TMI for my taste in romance. I skipped a few pages.
53. The World Remade: America in World War I (Audiobook narrated by Rob Shapiro)
Author: G. J. Meyer
Publisher: Random House Audio, March 2017
Genre: History
Pages: 672 (paperback), 24 hours 49 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Wow. Just wow. I'm appalled at how little I knew, even after reading the first book (A World Undone).
54. The Beekeeper's Apprentice
Author: Laurie R. King
Publisher: Picador, October 2007
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 384
Rating: 9.5
First book in King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, and one of my all-time favorites.
55. The Nobleman's Daughter / Johnson
Author: Jen Geigle Johnson
Publisher: Covenant Communications, November 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 272
Rating: 8
Fictionalized account of the British underclasses' quest for parliamentary reform. Remember St. Peter's Field!
56. The Lady and the Highwayman (Proper Romance)
Author: Sarah M. Eden
Publisher: Shadow Mountain, September 2019
Genre: Victorian Romance
Pages: 384
Rating: 8
"It's upper-class against working-class, and reputations and romance are all on the line in this cat-and-mouse proper romance!"
57-59. Refiner's Fire Series
Author: Lynn Austin
Publisher: Bethany House, 2002-2004
Genre: Historial Fiction, US Civil War
Pages: 436, 430, 466
Rating: Candle in the Darkness, 9; Fire By Night, 9.5; A Light to My Path, 9
Book 1 is the story of an abolitionist Southern belle, Book 2 tells the journey of a Northern nurse, and Book 3 is from the perspective of two slaves. They are interconnected somewhat, but I read them out of order the first time. Book 2 is my favorite.
60. The Gem Thief
Author: Sian Ann Bessey
Publisher: Covenant Communications, November 2018
Genre: Mystery/Romance
Pages: 280
Rating: 7.5
Jewelry designer Gracie Miller is enlisted to help recover one of her stolen designs.
61. More Than Words Can Say (Patchwork Family Book 2)
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Publisher: Bethany House, June 2019
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction/Western
Pages: 362
Rating: 8
Zach Hamilton is finally free from family responsibility; but his favorite baker, Abigail Kemp, needs a man in order to keep her business.
62. The Book of Mormon
Translated by Joseph Smith, Jr.
Publisher: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Genre: Scripture
Pages: 351
Rating: 10
My sister challenged me to finish this before October General Conference. I was only on page 177, so I had a lot of reading to do to finish in just over two weeks! I'm glad I accepted. Immersing myself in these words brought a sense of peace that had been missing in my less dedicated reading. I love this book and the hope and love I feel when I read it.
63. Mistaken Reality
Author: Traci Abramson
Publisher: Covenant Communications, October 2019
Genre: Suspense
Pages: 312
Rating: 8.5
Another page-turner from Abramson! A public breakup and a narrow escape from a bomb turn an elementary school teacher's life upside down.
64. A Lady's Maid
Author: Jen Geigle Johnson
Publisher: Covenant Communications, August 2019
Genre: Regency, Women's Fiction
Pages: 304
Rating: 7.5
Sequel to A Nobleman's Daughter (2019 #55). This follows several women as they tackle women's suffrage, child labor, and a Manchester slum lord.
65. Dreams of a Great Small Nation: The Mutinous Army that Threatened a Revolution, Destroyed an Empire, Founded a Republic, and Remade the Map of Europe
Author: Kevin J. McNamara
Genre: History/WWI/Czechoslovakia
Publisher: PublicAffairs, March 2016
Pages: 418
Rating: 7.5
Great follow-up to my WWI readings! This tells the history of the formation of Czechoslovakia and the rogue army that made it all possible.
66. Roxy's Song
Author: Raneé S. Clark
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Publisher: Sweetly Us, September 2019
Pages: 133
Rating: 9
Fun, short read about a country singer and his childhood crush.
67. My Fair Spinster (Spinster Chronicles Book 4)
Author: Rebecca Connolly
Genre: Regency
Publisher:
Pages:
Rating: 8.5
No one can understand why beautiful, accomplished Grace is still a spinster--least of all her domineering father. I did need a little review of who's who from the other three books before I read this one.
68. Red Queen
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: HarperTeen, February 2015
Pages: 398
Rating: 8
Two of my kids were reading this at the same time, so I thought I'd better see what it was about. "A sweeping tale of power, intrigue, and betrayal, perfect for fans of George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones series." I haven't watched Game of Thrones, but it was reminiscent of The Hunger Games for me.
69. All Hearts Come Home for Christmas (A Regency Christmas Collection)
Authors: Sarah M. Eden, Anita Stansfield, Esther Hatch, Joanna Barker
Genre: Regency
Publisher: Covenant Communications, September 2019
Pages: 304
Rating: Christmas at Falstone Castle, 9; The Heart of Christmas, 7.5; 'Tis the Season to Be Daring, 8; The Christmas Dress, 8.
Fun reads, all. I saved the Eden for last, and she did not disappoint. The Duke of Kielder is one of my favorite Eden characters.
70. Falling to Pieces (Harvest Valley Romance Book 1)
Author: Annette Lyon
Genre: Wholesome Romance
Publisher: Blue Ginger Books, 2 edition September 2013
Pages: 273
Rating: 8.5
Loved the story. Lyon tackles some tough issues, beautifully.
71. Lost Without You
Author: Annette Lyon
Genre: Wholesome Romance
Publisher: Blue Ginger Books, 3 edition July 2010
Pages: 253
Rating: 9
Delightful and suspenseful.
72. To Suit A Suitor
Author: Paula Kremser
Genre: Regency
Publisher: Cedar Fort, November 2016
Pages: 256
Rating: 8.5
Ah the importance of being oneself!
73. The Billion Dollar Spy
Author: David E. Hoffman (audiobook, narrated by Dan Woren)
Genre: History/Cold War
Publisher: Random House Audio
Length: 11 hours 54 minutes (432 pages in paperback)
Rating: 8.5
I lived through this time period, people. Fascinating look at the cold war from inside the CIA and deep in the heart of Moscow. Makes me wonder what kinds of things are possible now that I haven't even imaged yet... except that gets really uncomfortable, so stop! I loved Woren's reading--especially the Russian accents.
74. Homecoming
Author: Carolyne Aarsen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Misty Ridge Publishing, November 2017
Pages: 252
Rating: 8
Found this for free one day on Amazon and took a risk on an author I'd never heard of. Really enjoyed this story of love and forgiveness.
75. Louisiana's Way Home
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Genre: Children's Historical Fiction
Publisher: Candlewick, October 2018
Pages: 240
Rating: 8
Grab some kleenex. I love DiCamillo's writing style.
76. To Kill A Curse
Author: Jen Jenkins
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Publisher: Flying Unicorn Press, October 2019
Pages: 279
Rating: 8
High adventure, curses, witches, pirates, romance... If you enjoyed her Nameless series, you'll love this one too!
77. Catherine's Intrigue
Author: Paige Edwards
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Covenant Communications, March 2019
Pages: 240
Rating: 8.5
Catherine finds much more than she's looking for when she travels to England in search of her mother's elusive family line.
78. The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz
Author: Jack Fairweather (Audiobook, narrated by David Rintoul)
Genre: History/World War II/Auschwitz
Publisher: HarperAudio, June 2019
Length: 9 hours 44 minutes (528 pages in paperback)
Rating: 8
I've read quite a bit of WWII, but I'd never heard of anyone volunteering for Auschwitz. This is the true story of Witold Pilecki's mission to sabotage the camp from within and alert the outside world to the unthinkable atrocities taking place there. As with any account of Auschwitz, it's not an easy read, but well worth the time.
79. The Warning
Author: James Patterson and Robison Wells
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, August 2019
Pages: 320
Rating: 8
This reads like a great YA dystopian adventure, except for the language. Quite a few F bombs laced throughout. Other than that, I really enjoyed it.
80. The Redgrave Murders
Author: A. L. Sowards
Genre: Historical Mystery
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Pages: 272
Rating: 8
Post WWII mystery. "When her father is murdered, Evie must prove her boyfriend innocent and find the real criminal before he kills again."
81. A Door In the Woods (Jimmy Fincher Saga Book 1)
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Publisher: Cedar Fort, April 2012
Pages: 164
Rating: 7.5
Great start to an intriguing fantasy series for middle graders.
82. The Hourglass Door (Hourglass Door Trilogy Book 1)
Author: Lisa Mangum
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Shadow Mountain, May 2009
Pages: 432
Rating: 8
"His past. Her future. Can love bring them together in time?" Nice, clean read for teens. In the vein of Twilight, but no vampires (yay!).
83. Twelve Years a Slave
Author: Solomon Northup (Audiobook, read by Sean Crisden)
Genre: Autobiography
Publisher: Tantor Audio, April 2012
Length: 7 hours 16 minutes (130 pages in paperback)
Rating: 8
Difficult but important read. There is also an audiobook by Louis Gossett, Jr.
"Northup, a black man who was born free in New York, details his kidnapping in Washington, D.C., and subsequent sale into slavery."
84. Seeking Persephone
Author: Sarah M. Eden
Genre: Regency
Publisher: Covenant Communications, September 2011
Pages: 288
Rating: 9
Aaaannnnd... I'll follow the dark stuff with rereading some Sarah Eden. Meet the Dangerous Duke of Kielder and his bride Persephone. Love these characters.
85. Of Grace and Chocolate
Author: Krista Lynn Jensen
Genre: Romance/Suspense
Publisher: Covenant Communications, January 2012
Pages: 195
Rating: 8.5
I love how Jensen tackles tough subjects (alcoholism, drug abuse, family issues) and grows her characters through their trials.
86. Goodwill for the Gentleman
Author: Martha Keyes
Genre: Regency
Publisher: Martha Keyes
Pages: 164
Rating: 8.5
"He jilted her sister. She will never forgive him for it. Can her anger survive a snowing in and a Christmas truce?" This is book 2 in the Belles of Christmas collection, but it stands alone just fine. I really enjoyed Keyes' writing.
87. Scars Like Wings
Author: Erin Stewart
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Delacorte Press, October 2019
Pages: 379
Rating: 9
Heartbreakingly beautiful. Stewart's writing is amazing. Sixteen-year-old burn survivor Ava Lee goes back to high school one year after the fire that took everything. Some vulgarity in the dialogue, but they are teenagers...
88. Discovering Grace: A Regency Romance (Inglewood Book 2)
Author: Sally Britton
Genre: Regency
Publisher: Blue Water Books, August 2019
Pages: 222
Rating: 8.5
"To avoid being sent across an ocean, Grace switches places with her sister. The only man aware of their deception? A dear friend, and her secret love."
89. Starsight (Skyward Book 2)
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Delacorte Press, November 2019
Pages: 480
Rating: 9
Delightful! Be ready for the cliffhanger--it's higher than the first one.
90-92. The Thief, The Queen of Atollia, The King of Attolia
Author: Megan Whalen Turner (audiobooks, read by Steve West)
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: HarperAudio, May 2017
Duration: 7:41 (320 pages paperback) for The Thief
Rating: 9
Loved these audio performances by Steve West for some of my all-time favorite books! The stories just get better every time I read them.
93. The Kitchen House
Author: Kathleen Grissom
Genre: Historical Fiction/Slavery
Publisher: Atria Books, January 2010
Pages: 385
Rating: 8.5
Hard to read, but so well written. Grissom does a beautiful job of telling the story without getting gory or gruesome. Plenty of tough topics.
94. Secrets and Suitors
Author: Johanna Barker
Genre: Regency
Publisher: Covenant Communications, October 2019
Pages: 256
Rating: 8
Lovely friends-to-lovers romance.
95. On Writing
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Memoir/Fiction Writing Reference
Publisher: Scribner, July 2010 (anniversary edition)
Pages: 288
Rating: 8
Great instructional and motivational book on how Stephen King writes fiction. Definitely some language.
96. The Spice King (Hope and Glory, Book 1)
Author: Elizabeth Camden
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers, September 2019
Pages: 352
Rating: 7.5
Loyalty to heart or country? Interesting look at the beginnings of the FDA and what prompted its formation.
97. God Rest Ye merry Spinster (Spinster Chronicles, Book 5)
Author: Rebecca Connelly
Genre: Regency
Publisher: Phase Publishing, December 2019
Pages: 144
Rating: 8
Reformed rogue Hugh Sterling returns from self-imposed exile, only to be trapped in the home of the woman who hates him most.
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