"Songs of the Humpback Whale" by Jodi Picoult

A uniquely written story. I, for one, have never read anything quite like it.

This book tells a story about a family and two friends. There are five people in all. Each person's view is told throughout the book. Yes, as things happen, a person tells his/her view and another person who experienced the same thing tells his/her view. As different people speak, the font is changed so you can  can hear them talking. It makes you sit and listen. It makes you hear what the person is talking about.

To give you an idea, there is a family of three who live in San Diego. The father studies humpback whales, the mother works with special needs children in a school and the daughter is 14 years old. You will read about how the family acted/reacted to the happenings in their lives. Just imagine, reading a book where the daughter is speaking and you can feel her thoughts. Growing up, we never spoke up or shared our ideas. This is a book that shows you how it can work for you.

In life, we each see, feel and hear things differently. We're unique. That is the basis of this line of storytelling. Jodi did a great job in telling the story.

This is a book that will hold your attention from the beginning. One that will keep you wondering. It also has a bit of a surprise in it. It's a book filled with feelings.

Thank you, Jodi!

"Leaving Time" by Jodi Picoult

Alice is a scientist studying elephants in South Africa. The African plains come before your eyes with the elephants, lions and other animals that live there in the wild. Alice knows the elephants by name just by looking at their ears or other body markings. Each elephant has a personality and they have beautiful interactions within the herd. Hear the sounds the elephants make. See the way the mother takes care of her infant. To me, it's a sight to behold.

This is a story that makes your emotions go wild. You learn about elephants. You learn about human nature and the need for certain individuals to do more than just observe.

This is a story about a little girl who is searching for her mom who left her after an accident when she was just a young child.

"Leaving Time" is about how love and hope help you go on until you find what you are looking for.

Hold onto your tissues. I cried and had to take time to embrace the story. What a GREAT book! Pick up a copy today!

"The Storyteller" moved me beyond words. I was captivated by the book. I was engrossed to the point where I couldn't wait to pick it back up again when I had time to read. This is a book that I HAVE to keep on my bookshelf as a reminder of what a good book is. Maybe, someday, I will pick it back up again. For now, I look at the book and smile at what it brought me. Normally, I see books as something to enjoy and then pass along to a friend who passes along to a friend. Not this one.

Thank you, Jodi, for writing such a moving book. My grandparents left Russia before the Holocaust but I have been reading about it for many years. Your book portrays it like none other. 

I LOVED this book! One of the best written books I have read to date.

Pick this book up if you want to be engrossed and moved.

"The Story of the Trapp Family Singers"

For those who loved the movie: The Sound of Music

50 years ago,  I saw "The Sound of Music" in a group of friends and, yes, our others. I was quite young. However, I remember the movie and the moments in the theater as if it was yesterday. The movie made me sing inside with joy. My emotions took a ride. At the end, we walked out with our heads high and our hearts light, singing.

Over the years, I have found myself singing a variety of the songs from the wonderful movie. Even now, as I write, I can hear "The Sound of Music" in my mind. 

This book is beautifully written. To learn what the Trapp family actually did during WWII, is moving. Yet, one thinks back to the film and wonders why the writers didn't depict the true story. Instead, the terror of Hitler stole the show. Running. Scared. Will they survive? None of that is true. Read the book and learn the AMAZING things they did. Learn how to survive and thrive.

One of my favorite things.......

Lisa Scottoline's Work is INCREDIBLE!

I just finished "Running from the Law" by Lisa Scottoline. How many authors have you read where you are entertained until the last period? Lisa is one such author. This book is SO much fun to read. You are on the tips of your chair wondering.

I've read seven of her books so far. Each one is fabulous. Each one keeps you wondering until the last period and you are shocked at how it ends. Each time. I'm not kidding.

The books I've read by Lisa that you should read are: "Don't Go", "Courting Trouble", "Accused", "Betrayed", "Lady Killer", and "Daddy's Girl". I am now moving on to "Rough Justice". 

Like a GREAT mystery? Pick up a book by Lisa Scottoline. She's THE best!

"The Oldest Living Things in the World" by Rachel Sussman

What a beautiful book! Rachel traveled the world to find and photograph the world's oldest things. She found some of the most amazing trees I have ever seen. The world we live in is closing in on some of the most beautiful things in the world. Beautiful LIVING things. Each time a tree is cut down because someone needs to build a new home, the air and the life around where the tree were is changed forever. No birds can sit and sing on a branch. Nobody can sit under the tree's shade and enjoy a good book. I could go on, but you get the picture.

Look around you and enjoy what there is. Appreciate what you have and think twice before you need something new that would have an impact on the world we live in. We are the ones causing destruction to our planet. We can do something about it.

Rachel does a terrific job in telling us all about the oldest things she finds. She also is a photographer and has beautiful photos of her findings. It's a magnificent book.

Treat yourself to a copy. Put it on your coffee table and read through it over and over again. You will be amazed at what she has documented.

May your day shine knowing that you CAN make a difference.

Sometimes a mystery hits the spot. Have you read Janet Evanovich? If not, I HIGHLY recommend you do. Yes, there are numerous books in the Stephanie Plum series but, if there weren't, you wouldn't have another to look forward to! What happens next? Is Grandma okay? I look forward to reading each and every book in the series. Keep 'em coming, Janet!

Living with chronic nerve pain is living hell. Reading Janet's work gives me a way to escape and get a few laughs in each day. Yes, her books are humorous. They are brilliantly written and SO much fun to read!

If a grade was to be given for character development, Janet would get an A+. 

Pick up her books and escape into the humor and wonder of the mystery of it all.