Two By Two by Nicholas Sparks

★★★★ 1/2

This is the first book by Nicholas Sparks that I have read in years and I really enjoyed it.  Russ's relationship with his six-year-old daughter completely won me over from the very beginning and I loved the realistic humor.  An easy read and great story about love, loss, and family.

The Forgotten Room by Karen White, etc.

★★★★ 1/2

"My mother once told me that a lifetime of good enough was a fair price to pay for a single moment of pure happiness.  This is my moment.  Don' take that away from me."

A wonderfully written historical fiction novel telling the story of three generations of women filled with history, family, love, and suspense.  This was a very unique novel in that it was written by three different authors.  The stories flowed well together and kept my interest until the very last page!

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

★★★★ 1/2

"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way."

Another page-turner from Jodi Picoult.  I really enjoyed the characterization and writing in this one.  No matter how many books of hers I read, the author still manages to surprise me!

The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro

★★★★ 1/2

I really enjoyed this book!  It had an interesting storyline and I was very intrigued by the artistic and historical details of the novel - especially those involving different techniques used in forging paintings.  

Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George

★★★★

This book wasn't really what I expected, but it was interesting nonetheless (even though it too me forever to get through it!!)  A very different comparison of modern Christianity to Jesus and his teachings and his relationship with those around him.

Emily of New Moon

★★★★

A different series from the author of "Anne of Green Gables."  Emily is very much like Anne and has a love of writing.  Isabelle and I listened to this when she was 2 years old.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

★★★★

"I would rather die tomorrow in the forest than to live a hundred years of the life appointed to me."

This was such a unique book - and an interested take on the fairly tale.  I got a little lost towards the end, but the writing was wonderful and I really enjoyed all of the description of the time period.  The author really brought that characters and the harsh reality of winters in Russia to life!