The Art of Standing Still by Penny Culliford

This book reminded me of some of the funny shows from the BBC that you watch on public television.  It takes place in England and involves a vicar and a newspaper reporter.  The vicar, Ruth, wants to put on some mystery plays that are over 600 years old that she has transcribed into modern language so people can understand it.  Jemma, the reporter, is struggling with her job and is forced to try out for the play.  The whole town gets involved and the more Jemma sees the more things seem to go wrong.  There is much discovery of self and of disappointment.  It was an easy book to put down, but overall was enjoyable and really picked up in the end.

Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr

I love her books.  This is the third book in the Virgin River series.  A lot is going on, but Carr makes everything flow smoothly.  There are babies being born, young girls being taken advantage of, a rape, death and new love.  Everyone grows and becomes closer together, people also realize how much stronger they really are.  Carr weaves all of the stories together and you feel much a part of everyone's lives and the town. You laugh and cry and know that all will be well in the end.  Gotta love a little good romantic fiction!!

Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham

I had high hopes for this book.  Wickham's pen name is Sophie Kinsella.  I love the 'Shopaholic' books.  This book fell a little flat for me.  It was about two families who were taking a vacation at a villa that a friend was letting them use.  Unfortunately they were booked at the same time.  Some very unpleasant and uncomfortable things happen and it is not a good trip for either family.  Near the end you get to experience some climax to the story and the point.  It was a book that was too easy to set down.  I will try another one, as she has many, and can only hope that they are better.

Flower Net by Lisa See

This novel was very different from the others I have read by her.  It was still historical fiction taking place in China but See went the darker route in this novel.  It dealt with murder and gangs and revenge.  We got to see more of the darker history of this country.  Another level that was added with the murders was a working relationship with the United States in trying to solve them.  See's story line and character development did not disappoint and the depth and complexities within the layers of this book were amazing.  There are two more books to follow this one and I am interested to see where she will be taking it.

The Birthing House by Ami McKay

A wonderful novel that takes place in Nova Scotia.  It starts pre-World War I and ends after World War II. It deals with the conflict that starts to arise between the midwives and science.  In the little town of Scots Bay there has been a midwife that has taken care of them for years and years and who is in the process of turning all of her knowledge to a young woman in the town.  All of a sudden a doctor comes to the next town and sets up a maternity center and totes that he knows what is best for women and can give them much better care.  Some women choose to go to him, but many stay with the midwife or come back to her.  All of the little potions and stories that go along with being a midwife at that time are fascinating.  All of the superstitions, too.  This historical fiction novel did a great job in putting you in that time period, giving you depth in the characters and a story line that made it very hard for me to put down the book.

As Luck Would Have It by Joshua Piven

Subtitle: Incredible stories, from Lottery Wins to Lightening Strikes -- An interesting compilation of stories about things that have happened to people that for some may have been bad luck, but for them was good luck.  The question that was asked throughout the book was... what is good luck?  It truly varies for everyone, thought one thing did remain pretty constant with everyone.  Your frame of mind and how you choose  to tackle things will really affect the outcome.  It was a quick read and it does make you think about how to look at things, how you want your life to be and to accept what comes your way.

Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle

I read the first book in this series a few years ago.  It has taken me a while to find the next one and it was just as good.  People are dying who were customers of her coffee shop.  At first it was thought to be suicide, but then manifested into murders.  Clare, the owner of the shop, thinks she has figured it out.  But, in the end there is quite a twist that I did not even expect.  Some of the things that I really liked about this book was that there was not a lot of review from the last one and you really did not feel like you were missing anything if you had not read the first one.  It will probably take me a while to find the next one, as the library does not carry her books!!!  I will be looking because they are a very fun read!

chomp by Carl Hiaasen

He comes up with some of the greatest ideas.  This is a young adult book that anyone would enjoy and takes  place in the Everglades.  Involved in this twisted tale are some animal wranglers, a wanna-be reality TV guy, a dad who has no right to be one and two kids who keep their heads on straight and come through this adventure smiling and all the stronger for it.  Nature needs to be respected and a hold on reality is needed.  Both of these things are what get these kids, and us, through life and Hiaasen has nailed another great book for kids!!

It's All Relative by Wade Rouse

Subtitle: Two families, Three dogs, 34 Holidays, and 50 Boxes of Wine....A Memoir -- Interesting to say the least.  I do like how he broke the book up into months so you could experience the progression of holidays. He would relate some from his youth and some from adulthood.  Some recollections were hilarious and others gave you some depth and you could see how it changed Rouse.  He and his partner are a very funny couple and I would love to be a fly on the wall at one of their gatherings.  The book was well written, but I am not sure if I would seek him out again.  A book that was good to pass the time. (NOOK)

Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien

Subtitle: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl -- I loved this book!!  O'Brien, who is a biologist, started caring for Wesley when he was just a few days old.  It made her life very interesting and fuller for knowing, learning and taking care of him.  Wesley is a Barn Owl and has an amazing personality.  I loved learning more about owls and have a far greater appreciation for them and how they live.  This is a book you just should not pass up.