Shadows of Lancaster County

Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark is a book I have been waiting a long time to read. I had it checked out from the library in the spring and my book club members said that I should wait and then we could all read it together when it was my turn to choose the book. (We had read Whispers of the Bayou by Clark a year ago.) I started it a couple of days ago and yesterday after 8:30 P.M. When I picked it up I thought that I might read a couple hours and then go to bed. I finished it at 1 o'clock in the morning. The story is about Anna Bailey, who is living in California, having left Lancaster County to get away from a troubled past. She gets a call from her sister-in-law telling her that Bobby, her only brother, is missing. Anna chooses to return to Pennsylvania to try and figure out what is going on. This story is full of twists and turns that made me wonder what else was going to happen in the story. After finishing, it made me realize how the absence of truth can really affect many people's lives in ways that are harmful. Our book club should have plenty discuss about this novel when we meet next week. Has anyone else read this?

Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World

Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World by Jill Rigby is for parents and other caregivers that care about what kind of adults those children become. Rigby challenges parents to teach children to have self-respect, not self-esteem.
The book is easy to read and use. Most chapters have practical ideas that you can use to help build a child's character, sometimes split into groups based on age. There are also stories to illustrate some of her points. Not only for parents, this book is for anyone that wants to be proactive in guiding the children they see on a regular basis. If you have a child under the age of 18, it is worthwhile reading.

Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin

Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills is a great board book to read to preschoolers. I was at my sister's house last week and she had checked this out from the library for her son. I read it to my nephew about a half dozen times while I was there and he enjoyed it because he could participate by saying a word or two on most pages. It is a book I didn't mind reading over and over because it was short, simple, and the pictures are well done. If I needed a gift for a two or three year old, I would think about going out and buying a copy of this book to give as a gift.

Julie and Julia

I went to see Julie and Julia at the theater on Sunday afternoon. If you are a blogger, a fan of either Julia Child or Meryl Streep, or interested in cooking, you would probably enjoy the show. One part made me laugh so much I started crying. I wish I had been able to go with my sister Amanda, since she is so much more into blogging than me or my other sister. When it comes out as a DVD I will probably watch it again. Anyone else see it?

First Day Jitters

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg is a great book about the first day at a new school. I would recommend everyone read this book, especially teachers. The story is of Sarah, who is anxious about her first day of school. Although some people think reading picture books is only for young children, I would say this one is really for any one of school age...maybe even up to middle school. I read it to my niece and nephews last weekend and hope to read it to some students the first day of school.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

This afternoon I finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. When I started reading it, I knew that I would enjoy the story and didn't want to read through it too quickly...good books are meant to be savored. The story is told through a series of letters written by Juliet, Sidney, and as the story progresses, a wide variety of residents of the island of Guernsey. It is set in Europe in 1946, so the story includes many references to World War II. As I read it made me wish that more people wrote letters and that I had traveled to Europe this summer. It was a well told story with believable characters. As it progressed, I was surprised at the direction of the book, but not disappointed. If my book club wasn't so adamant about reading books that no one has yet read, I would take it as a suggestion for our next book choice.

The link to the book is also currently having an essay contest regarding your favorite book, and if you win, you will recieve a copy of the book.