Girl in a Blue Dress -Gaynor Arnold

Because I thrived on reading Charles Dickens in my younger days, this book was wonderful! It is a perspective of the marriage of Charles Dickens and his first wife Catherine of whom he spent the last ten years of his life estranged from. I couldn't put this book down all weekend and will hate having to return it to the library.

Through Thick and Thin- Alison Pace and Knit Two -Kate Jacobs

Two fun reads for back-to-school week. I think I've now read all of Alison Pace's books. I had read the pre-quel to "Knit Two", but had put off reading this as I didn't really like the way the first one ended. The were both fun reads. From Alison, I learned the concept of doggie-yoga. I don't think I will try it, but it was fun to read about. Kate Jacobs picks up five years after the first book left off. I enjoyed it alot more than I thought I would.

The Fortune Quilt -Lani Diane Rich & If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend -Alison Pace

These two books were my airplane reads for a recent trip. They were both wonderful. I had never read anything by Lani Diane Rich so it was a lucky library pick. I loved the title and the story holds up to it. Brandy builds quilts from inspirations and Carly's quilt was made 12 years before Brandy and Carly meet. Carly is a bit freaked out by the weird way of fortune telling, but comes to live more by intuition than thought.

www.lanidianerich.com

I had read other books by Alison Pace so this one I searched for at the library. Again I loved it! Each chapter starts with a Warhol quote and it's a love story built around the art world.

www.alisonpace.com

Labyrinth -Kate Mosse

Finally, I found a book worth blogging about. I loved this book. I have read quite a few bad ones lately so it was a relief. This book reminds me a little of The Book of Love with the labyrinth taking center stage with much historical insight into France during the early 1200's. The story switches back in forth from modern days to the 1200's between two female characters. The Chartres Labyrinth takes less of a part in this book, but it is also mentioned. Very intriguing historical fiction.

www.labyrinthbook.net

Looking for Alibrandi -Melina Marchetta & The Perks of Being a Wallflower -Stephen Chbosky

I have read eight books this month and am having a hard time keeping up with the blogging. Between torential rains and getting my daughter ready for summer camp, blogging has fallen aside. These two books, however, have brought me back. The Chbosky book was on my daughter's reading list last summer as a comparison to The Catcher in the Rye. I'm not sure where she heard about the Marchetta book, but it too is reminiscent of The Catcher in the Rye. Both books were published in the 90's Looking for Alibrandi is already a movie. As a parent, my reading has grown with my children. I believe that The Catcher in the Rye will stand the test of time and deserves to be on every reading list. I am not sure that the Chbosky book deserves this status. Once again as the parent of two daughters, I find the reading lists at the school biased toward male authors. I loved the Marchetta book. True writing, great quotes and a great story. I found very little to like or appreciate about the Chbosky book.

Riding Lessons -Sara Gruen

I found this book at a yard sale for two quarters. I was reluctant as I didn't really care for "Water for Elephants" another title by the same author. I've learned over and over to give authors another chance, I really enjoyed "Riding Lessons". It is about a daughter coming home to her dying father's horse farm after a riding accident has kept her away from horses for 20 years. A horse comes to her attention that has been abused and has remarkable ties to her own past. It was an enjoyable story.

http://www.saragruen.com/

My Life in Pink & Green -Lisa Greenwald

I picked this book up at the library with my sixth-grader in mind. The main character is 12 year old Lucy Desberg who sets out to save the family drugstore. I loved Lucy's spunk and faith in her talents. I often find myself reading "junior fiction" because it is quick and gives me perspective on my own children. I loved the scene in the book where Lucy gets new sneakers and she says, "I know they're just sneakers, but a new beginning is a new beginning, even if it's just a new beginning for your feet." A very enjoyable book.

My daughter posing with the book!