What I Read in 2010--Part 2

The rating scale, once again:

* (1 star) It was okay. If not my cup of tea, maybe it's yours.
** (2 stars) Good. One to borrow from a friend or the library.
*** (3 stars) Very good. Well-written. Definately worth your time.
**** (4 stars) Excellent. On all levels. One for your personal library.
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FICTION:

21. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen ** I really liked vast portions of this book, but a few dicey scenes left a bad taste in my mouth, hence the low rating. Overall, it educated me as to what life aboard a traveling circus during the Great Depression era might have been like, and was an engaging story.

22. ROOFTOPS OF TEHRAN by Mahbod Seraji *** If you liked THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini, you’ll like this one. Set in Iran instead of Afghanistan, it chronicles the friendship and life of two young men during the harsh reign of the shah in the 1970’s.

23. JUST JANE by Nancy Moser *** Thoroughly delightful! If you’re an Austen fan, pick this one up to get a glimpse of the world-according-to-Jane.

24. BAREFOOT by Elin Hilderbrand ** It was good chick lit…nothing strenuous.

25. BROOKLYN by Colm Toibin ** An interesting “coming to America” post-WWII story. Not stellar in my opinion, but okay.

26. HOUSE RULES by Jodi Picoult ** I love Picoult, but this one was such a let-down. If you don’t mind an ending you can see comin’ half way through the book, pick this one up. Otherwise, stick to the ones Picoult knocks out of the park: PLAIN TRUTH, NINETEEN MINUTES, and MY SISTER’S KEEPER.

27. MERCY by Jodi Picoult ** When I picked this one off the shelf at the library, I knew it dealt with euthanasia—and I figured I’d see how Picoult handled the topic. What I didn’t count on were the scenes of adultery. It was certainly an interesting way to juxtapose her “mercy killing” couple, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

28. FLOWER NET by Lisa See ** I L.O.V.E.D. See’s SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN and SHANGHAI GIRLS, but this one didn’t grip me like those did. It was shorter for one thing, but I also found it hard to identify with the main characters.

29. THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd *** I really enjoyed this one. What’s surprising is that the movie was pretty pleasing too. Not all film adaptations ring true to the book.

30. HER MOTHER’S HOPE by Francine Rivers ** Good, but for some reason I kept looking at all the pages that remained (it’s a thick one!) and wondering where the author was headed. It certainly was interesting, but not one that kept me up late at night because I couldn’t put it down.

31. HER DAUGHTER’S DREAM by Francine Rivers *** This sequel totally made up for any real or subjective deficiencies of the first book! It’s not uncommon for me to be moved by a book, but this one had me actually in tears a few times. You have to read both books to truly appreciate the sequel though.

32. THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett **** This was perhaps my favorite book of the year. It’s hard to actually pick just one though. I could not put this down. I think I read it in the span of 36 hours. Not enough sleep as a result, but so worth it!

33. VEILED FREEDOM by Jeanette Windle *** This was my introduction to Ms. Windle, and what a web she can weave. I really enjoyed this glimpse into the world of expat's, humanitarian aid, and war-zone workers, and was forced to think deeply about the complexities of war recovery. This book had a lot of acronyms that made things cumbersome at times, but it was still an enjoyable read.

34. CROSSFIRE by Jeanette Windle *** Another good book, though very long! At times I'd glance at all the pages that remained and wonder if maybe she could have cut out some parts. All in all, a good suspenseful read, with characters that really grow on you, and keep you reading to the end.

35. BETRAYED by Jeanette Windle ** I wish I could give this one 2 ½ stars, because it was thrilling, as far as Christian suspense goes, but so long I felt I was plodding through parts. I don’t like plodding. Having spent time in Guatemala and other parts of Latin America, I could readily picture, smell, and identify with the main character and her experiences, so that was a treat.

36. HIDDEN PLACES by Lynn Austin *** I really liked this one. I almost want to give it 4 stars, but there are 1-2 other books by this author that hold that rank in my mind, and this wasn't quite their equal. BUT, a great faith story, well-fleshed out characters, with real struggles and failings and a happy ending.

37. UNTIL WE REACH HOME by Lynn Austin ** Not my favorite of hers, but okay. An Ellis Island, coming-to-America story.

38. A PROPER PURSUIT by Lynn Austin ** Fun, light, Christian fiction. Nothing strenuous. A bit of a surprise ending which was nice. Set during the Chicago World’s Fair.

39. WHILE WE’RE FAR APART by Lynn Austin ** Another fun, light piece of fiction—this one based in New York City, during WWII.

40. THE WITNESS by Dee Henderson *** Good Christian suspense. However, if tightly wrapped up endings annoy you, consider yourself forewarned. Henderson always keeps me guessing as to how things will end, and I like that, but hindsight reveals little loose ends. Then again, sometimes I want a book like that.

41. EVERY NOW AND THEN by Karen Kingsbury ** A nice piece of Christian chick lit.

42. UNCLE TOM'S CABIN by Harriet Beecher Stowe *** I had never read this wonderful classic, sadly. I happened to pick it up during a season of constant interruptions. So that, coupled with getting used to the way the slave's speech was written, resulted in a long drawn-out affair. But definately a good one if you've never read it!

A few re-reads:
43. REKINDLED by Tamera Alexander *** Another one that I own that I like to read again and again.

44. REVEALED by Tamera Alexander *** The continuing story of REKINDLED, just focusing on different characters.

45. BEYOND TUESDAY MORNING by Karen Kingsbury *** Second book in her 9/11 series.

46. A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Houseini **** One of my favorites. Now that I own a copy I read it every year or so.

47. VIENNA PRELUDE **** and 48. PRAGUE COUNTERPOINT **** by Bodie Thoene
One of my favorite series, THE ZION COVENANT. I’m slowing working my way through a few of these again. I’m excited to try the Thoenes’ new series too, THE ZION DIARIES.

And finally, 2 very worthwhile devotional books:
49. KNOWING GOD BY THE THINGS HE KEEPS by Leigh DeMoss *** Chock full of “object lessons”--I really enjoyed this one!

50. A PRAYING LIFE by Paul E. Miller **** Just excellent! The ladies in my Care Group at church have been going through this together. I find myself reading and re-reading it.