Cherish by Gary L. Thomas

 My Rating: 4.8

“Most marriages survive by gritting teeth and holding on. But marriages can and will not only survive but thrive when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another.” Thomas shows that although there are a countless number of marriages consisting of two people just going through the motions, there are real ways this pattern can be reversed: when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another in proven, loving, and everyday actions and words.

This had a lot of good 'nuggets' in the authors sharing of various stories that were worth the read and have changed my outlook and hopefully I how I handle situations.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

 My Rating: 5.0

Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force. Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.

Wow! This should be mandatory reading for every high school. The sense of suspense, despair and mistrust is palpable. Beautiful writing that captures so much of the human desperation. Highly recommend!

I have read two other books by this author, Between Shades of Grey and Salt To The Sea. I look forward to reading more by her as she only gets better and better!

Five Decembers by James Kestrel

My Rating: 5.0

In this novel of World War II, an American police detective is trapped while trailing a killer overseas and struggles to survive with only the help of a total stranger and his daughter, who risk their lives to protect him. December 1941. America teeters on the brink of war, and in Honolulu, Hawaii, police detective Joe McGrady is assigned to investigate a homicide that will change his life forever. Because the trail of murder he uncovers will lead him across the Pacific, far from home and the woman he loves; and though the U.S. doesn't know it yet, a Japanese fleet is already steaming toward Pearl Harbor.

This opens with a grizzly double murder that Joe has been assigned to investigate. Throughout the book, there is a strange mixture of suspense and peace. Joe is very seasoned and handles things so well. This book feels so real and immerses you with Joe in the unfolding of the murders, tracking the killer as well as WWII. I don't generally care for 'detective' genre but this was absolutely stunning. 

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris

 My Rating: 4.8

1940's in Los Angeles and Maddie is set to become a professional violinist. She falls in love with her brother's best friend since childhood, Lane Moritomo. The day after they elope, Pearl Harbor breaks out. War, relocation camps, MIA and trying to bridge the gap between her family and Lane's are all captured.

This didn't have a lot of history that I wasn't already familiar with but, it reinforces how we must learn from our mistakes and not continue to repeat them. This did capture so many different points of view towards the Japanese and the war. 

These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

 My Rating: 4.8

For eight years, Cooper and his young daughter, Finch, have lived in isolation in a remote cabin in the northern Appalachian woods. The only people who know they exist are a mysterious local hermit named Scotland, and Cooper's old friend, Jake, who visits each winter to bring them food and supplies. 

Cooper wrestles with his past and his conscience. Finch wrestles against the confines of being hidden out in isolation while wanting to be part of the world. This had such a feeling of suspense and foreboding that I couldn't wait to continue reading. Definitely recommend the audio book.

Mouth To Mouth by Antoine Wilson

 My Rating: 3.5

In a first-class lounge at JFK airport, our narrator listens as Jeff Cook, a former classmate he only vaguely remembers, shares the uncanny story of his adult life—a life that changed course years before, the moment he resuscitated a drowning man.

This is a confessional thriller that, although well told, it wasn't near as captivating as The Kind Worth Killing. It felt overly drawn out without any real suspense. 

The Well Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles

 My Rating: 4.7

If you feel overwhelmed and unable to flourish, this book is for you. Using Scripture and her own personal story of surrender, Gretchen offers spiritually hungry women tangible tools to not only know Jesus more but to live a life that thoroughly enjoys Him, seeks Him, and follows Him into freedom.

I enjoyed all of the analogies to plants and gardening. This had such a variety of things from feeling so tired and exhausted to why when times are good, we need to memorize scripture. This has something for everyone. 

The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad

 My Rating: 4.9

Inspired by fascinating, true, yet little-known events during World War II, The Long Flight Home is a testament to the power of courage in our darkest hours—a moving, masterfully written story of love and sacrifice.

Susan and her grandfather Bertie raise homing pigeons. Thousands of miles away in Maine there is a young crop duster named Ollie. Their three lives intersect in the most interesting of ways.

I love Historical Fiction. Even more, I love when I can learn something about history. This book had both of those elements. It was wholesome while still capturing the brutality and difficulties of the war. I even loved the ending. Fabulous and definite recommend.

1776 by David McCullough

 My Rating: 4.9

The intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence - when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper. 

Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is a powerful drama written with extraordinary narrative vitality. It is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color, farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the King's men, the British commander, William Howe, an his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known.

I don't typically like non-fiction or history. I wanted a book that would interest my husband and we could listen to on our weekly commute to/from our vacation home. My husband isn't big on audio books so, I picked on that I hoped he would enjoy. It wasn't long after we pulled out of the driveway before he was asking if I was going to put on the book. What surprised me is how much I enjoyed it - and how much I learned. 

Little Princes by Conor Grennan

 My Rating: 4.8

The story of the authors fight to save the lost children of Nepal. 

I typically do not like non-fiction but, I LOVED this. I highly recommend the audio version where the author had me laughing out loud at many points during the book. So heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. 

The Mountain Shadows by Gregory David Roberts

 My Rating: 4.4

Lin, an Australian fugitive, working as a passport forger for a branch of the Bombay mafia. Lin must find his way in a Bombay run by a different generation of mafia dons, playing by a different set of rules.

This sequel to Shantaram continues Lin's story along with Karla and several other characters from Shantaram. You don't need to have read Shantaram to enjoy this book but, it helps. I loved how it brings India and the people to life. I vacillated between wanting to immerse myself in Robert's incredibly beautiful and descriptive writing and skimming over a lot of the parts that felt trite including the time on the mountain with the spiritual philosopher. I absolutely loved Shantaram but don't know how I would feel if I re-read it. I guess Gregory David Roberts and I are both in different places than we were when he wrote the first book. This wouldn't be a "Best of" for me but I enjoyed it if for no other reason than sentimentality over how I felt for the beautiful love story of Shantaram. 

Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge

 My Rating: 3.6

Coming of age as a free-born Black girl in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson was all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, had a vision for their future together: Libertie would go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother’s choices and is hungry for something else—is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her mother, who can pass, Libertie has skin that is too dark.

I wanted to love this novel but, by about 60% of the way in, I was so tired of Libertie. Her character had nothing that was likable. The novel dragged and I was so happy to be done with it.

For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn

 My Rating: 4.7

The man in your life carries important feelings so deep inside he barely knows they’re there, much less how to talk about them. Yet your man genuinely wants you to “get” him—to understand his inner life, to know his fears and needs, to hear what he wishes he could tell you.

While this has some wonderful thoughts, there wasn't a lot that was new to me. That being said, it is always valuable to get a 'refresh' to keep things optimized in my mind. Definite recommend for anyone who isn't as familiar with what is important to men.

The Husband Encouragement by Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth

 My Rating: 4.9

Through the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, you'll utilize a powerful tool in your relationship with your husband -- encouragement. Whether your marriage is going great or you're experiencing some struggles, this challenge can help you breathe new life into your relationship. Watch what happens when you commit to spending 30 days intentionally building your husband up. Daily readings include reflection questions and activities to help make the day's thought practical. As you choose to encourage your husband (and avoid any critical speech), be prepared for God to work in your relationship...and in your own heart. So, get ready! Get set! Encourage!

Wow! I feel that I am person who encourages, notices positive qualities and lifts others up. That being said, I did a lot of self-examination thanks to this book. I did this as a daily discussion with my Christian girlfriends and that really helped me to dig deeper and be held accountable. I strongly encourage every woman to read this book. I also would encourage you to purchase it direct through Revive Our Hearts website: https://www.reviveourhearts.com/resource-library/30-day-challenges/30-day-husband/ 

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi

.My Rating: 4.8

1969 Lashmi directs the Healing Garden of Shimla. Her young charge, Malik has just met a young widow, Nimmi, when he leaves to apprentice at the Jaipur Royal Palace to work on their latest architectural project, the state-of-the-art cinema. The book starts with opening night of the Cinema and a horrific tragedy of the balcony collapsing and killing and injury many people. Malik tries to understand what has happened to cause this unexpected tragedy.

I loved The Henna Artist - which you don't have to read first but it does tie in beautifully to this book. Joshi brings the characters of Lashmi and her husband Dr. Jay, Nimmi and her two children as well as young Malik and all the people, India and the politics of the Royal Palace. So well done.