The Voyage of Kristina by Wayne Carpenter

This was a wonderful travel narrative of a family starting in California, heading down the coast to go through the Panama Canal, over to Florida, up the coast to Nova Scotia and down to the Bahamas.  It was very well told and nice to see that some sailors that are even more seasoned than me freak out from time to time.  This was not their first adventure and it is sure to not be their last.  This was a great read and very well told, I felt like I was riding along with them at times.

Under the Banner of Heaven by John Krakauer

Subtitle: A Story of Violent Faith -- If you want an education on Mormonism, this is a really good start.  I really did not know much, and most of it was hear say, not actually reading it for myself.  When you are learning about different faiths there is always the 'rose colored glasses' view, but there is also much violence, disruption and change.  Krakauer was expounding on an event that happened in 1984 and the best way to even attempt to understand it was to delve into the history of the religion.  I had a hard time following everything because he did bounce around a lot from past to present.  I wish I could say that I would read it again to get a better grasp of it all, but it is just too much for me to take in.  Depending on what you know about Mormonism, you probably don't know as much as you think.

This Life is in Your Hands by Melissa Coleman

Subtitle: One Dream, Sixty Acres and a Family's Heartbreak -- This was a very good look at how people were trying to get back to the land in the late 60's and early 70's and how it did and did not work for people.  Everything starts with good intentions, but challenges come up that can strain people and families.  Add to that a tragic death and it can really form how the family functions.  It was very well written, I could feel the despair and joy and wonder of all that was happening to their family.  Well worth the read.

Seven Summits by Dick Bass, Frank Wells and Rick Ridgeway

If you like adventure and the art of getting it done you will enjoy this book.  Dick and Frank had a goal to climb the seven highest summits in the world in one year.  There were many trials and tribulations, much wheeling and dealing and a lot of personal growth..  This is not something that I would ever really want to do, but it does make me want to explore a bit more and see what I can accomplish.  The writing did not always have the best flow and rhythm, but it was very enjoyable.

The Red House Murder by A.A. Milne

Whenever I think of A.A. Milne I think of Winnie the Pooh.  So, when I came across this murder mystery I thought I would give it a try.  It was interesting and based very much on the formula of Sherlock Holmes.  There were eccentric people, strange situations and wild imaginations.  It is always interesting to see someone write in a different genre than what you are used to.  Milne did a fine job, but I will stick with Winnie the Pooh.

The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani

This starts in the late 20's.  Nella is excited because she is going to get to go to school in town.  It all starts well, but then her father is in an accident and she has to go to work.  She caught on well and made her way up through the ranks.  She had a love that left her and she did her best to move on from that.  She made the best of her life and felt it was very full.  When her husband died she looked at things a little differently and embraced life a bit more.  Very well crafted with the angst of growing up, family duty and love.

A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett

I really never tire of his books.  This takes place in the late 1700's and follows a woman that is fairly well off and a coal miner.  Their lives take interesting turns through Scotland, England and Virginia.  Follett's details with history and development of his characters makes it very hard to put his books down.  He has amazing talent and always leaves me wanting more.