Teaching Students to Become Life-Long Readers

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

This book is one I read for professional development over the summer this year.  I found it to be helpful in learning how to teach kids to LOVE reading.  Donalyn shares her theory and practice in an easy to digest format, sprinkled with many student quotes and examples.

What I took away from this book:  allow students to read books of their own choosing, share your love of reading with students, and give them time in school to read.  If I were a middle school reading teacher, there would be even more ideas to use.

If you love reading and want your students to be life-long readers, this book will set you on the right path.

Essays on Life

Confessions of an American Mystic by River Jordan

River Jordan describes herself as a mystic as “someone who desires to live and breathe and move in the presence of the divine.”  She shares a series of short essays on a variety of topics from her life experiences ranging from death, to steering wheel prayers and living with her aging mother.  Her style is very conversational and casual.  It felt as though I were chatting with a friend over coffee.  Her style is reminiscent of Anne Lamott, and I am sure the two of them would have quite an interesting conversation that I would consider myself fortunate to overhear.

Even though I am not sure that River and I would agree on much theologically, we would be able to agree that life is often messy, challenging and beautiful, and it takes Jesus to get us through, which I think is the point of her book. We can agree to disagree and still converse.  There are so many ways that we as people are alike, despite our many differences.

I enjoyed this book like a conversation with a good friend.  I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

Great new suspense by Carrie Stuart Parks

Fragments of Fear by Carrie Stuart Parks

I loved this book!  It had some of my very favorite things in a book:  a twisting plot, a character who isn’t what you think, a quirky but strong female main character and a satisfying conclusion.  Throw in some missing art, a strained mother-daughter relationship, an unusual dog and non-stop action and you get an excellent read!

Carrie Stuart Parks is one of my favorite authors.  I loved her previous series’ main character, Gwen Marcy, and Tavish is just as relatable and likeable.  I hope to meet her again in the next book by Parks.

If you like a good suspense with a dash of romance, this is the book for you!  I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.  Read it! 

Romantic Suspense by Kelly Irvin Set in Southwest

Over the Line by Kelly Irvin

Gabriella is an assistant prosecutor turned chef who has some past mistakes she is trying to leave in the past—mainly her ex-fiancé, Eli, a cop.  When her brother, an agent with ATF, disappears, she and her sister jump in and try to find him.  Eli, who still loves Gabby, won’t let her fight this battle alone, because even though she can’t forgive him, he still loves her.

This book has many twists and turns.  The plot development and the author’s development of the characters keep the reader engaged.

The characters are likeable, very human, and interesting but struggling with forgiveness and starting over.  I especially liked Natalie and Deacon’s relationship.

The author addresses wider themes of immigration and the problems of drug cartels and drug-running along the border between Mexico and the United States. She presents the question of how to solve these problems, but gives no obvious solutions.

I enjoyed this book and received a complimentary copy.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

New Romantic Suspense

Secrets at Cedar Cabin by Colleen Coble

Bailey Fleming is desperate to escape after her mother’s murder.  She flees to the only place she can think of—a remote dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides.  There she finds more questions and few answers to her mother’s death.  Can the cabin’s secret link with a dangerous ring of human traffickers shed any light on her past?

And can Lance Phoenix, FBI agent, manage to find his missing sister? Just what connections does Bailey have with the human traffickers that Lance seeks?

Coble’s signature blend of romance and suspense are threaded through this novel.  The characters are likeable, the plot moves quickly and the resolution is satisfying.  The only criticism I have was that I wasn’t sure at times how realistic the actions of the FBI agents were.  But if you are looking for a fast-moving romantic suspense book, you will enjoy this one!

Lovely and Thoughtful Book on Placemaking

Placemaker by Christie Purifoy

God invites us to live as placemakers, Christie Purifoy contends.  In this autobiographical book, she explores what that involves and questions if we make places or if they make us.

From her life in different places, she derives meaning in the daily settings in which we find ourselves and the trees, plants and gardens that we cultivate there.

Although this is outside the scope of my usual reading diet, I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful book.  Christie’s prose is lyrical and yet honest.  She details the beauty in God’s created order and appreciates the history behind both her places and plants.

If you have a love of people, places, and living things, you will enjoy this lovely book.  I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and this is my honest review. 

Romantic Suspense by Kelly Irwin

Tell Her No Lies by Kelly Irwin

Nina Fischer bears deep scars from life.  Because of that, she trusts no one. Her mother abandoned her and her sister years ago.  Having been adopted by her wealthy, respected uncle, she is shocked when he is found murdered in his study.  Using her investigative journalist skills, she searches for his killer, but is considered a prime suspect by police.  As people around her are murdered, she struggles to know who she can trust and why her father would be murdered.  The answers are surprising.

Tell Her No Lies has interesting characters who aren’t always what they seem.  By the end of the book, they have been revealed for themselves.  The author delivers some surprises along the way.

The plot moves along quickly.  It has some unexpected twists that catch the reader off guard.  It also highlights an issue important to the main character—homelessness.

Kelly Irwin, the author, was new to me.  She has written Amish romances, which I have not read.  She has seamlessly transitioned to romantic suspense.  I would say she is in the same league with Colleen Coble and Carrie Stuart Parks.  Readers of romantic suspense will enjoy this book.  I received a copy in return for this, my honest review.