The Jester by James Patterson and Andrew Gross

This is an historical novel taking place during the crusades.  I think that it had good potential, but it fell a little flat.  It was very simply written and not really catching from a history standpoint.  I kept reading because I wanted to see how things would unfold.  When you have the underdogs trying to take over the rulers, you want to see how it ends.  It wasn't terrible, but it was not Ken Follett.

The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman

An interesting novel about life, death and lightening.  One woman, who suffered tragedy when she was young, was struck by lightening and was always cold.  Her brother studying the affects of lightening on survivors and encouraged her to join the study.  Through that study she meets someone who, after surviving a strike, is always hot.  His touch will burn you.  It was a very strange and cerebral story.  Coming to terms with your past, choices you have made and what to do with your future.  

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Subtitle: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing --  She takes a pretty hard line when it comes to tidying, much more that I really think I am into doing, but has some great ideas that I am looking forward to try.  One of her big things when you start to get rid of things is to hold every item and ask yourself if it brings you joy.  She has a great way of looking at things and helping you really make life changes that you can maintain.You can always move things around and re-organize, but if you don't really look at what you have and are honest with what you need and love, you will always have clutter.

Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman

A very enjoyable account of a man who hiked the Appalachian Trail shortly after his wife had died.  It was something he had wanted to do this for a long time, so he took this time to explore this trail and figure out what to do next.  He was a bit more religious that what I usually read, but his account of the trail was what I was interested in and it did not disappoint.  Wonderful descriptions that made you laugh and smile, and difficulties that made you feel his pain.  If you want an account of the trail this is a really good sample of what it is like.

The Guest House by Nancy Thayer

A very enjoyable, light read.  Sophie and Trevor needed a get away for the summer and due to cousins that don't communicate well ended up booking both of them in the same Nantucket house.  They did not know each other and it was not what they had planned on for the summer.  In the end, everyone benefited greatly, came to terms with some of their own ghosts and became stronger families because of it all.  Nothing was contrived, everything was easy to identify with that had a fairly predictable ending, but a nice read all the same.  I'm very interested in reading some of her other books.

All the President'sMenus by Julie Hyzy

Such an awesome author.  All seems calm in the White House Kitchen, but give it time.  Chef Paras always ends up with some trouble and this time it is with foreign guests in her kitchen.  Other staff members have 'put up' with her ideas, but more people are embracing her gut feelings.  In following her gut she saved many again, albeit without a few bumps and bruises.  This has been a great series and I just found out Hyzy has written another!  I'm so excited!!

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Wow!  A very long book that is very well written.  I really enjoy his writing and he is so good at totally submersing you in the story.  Starting in 1911 and finishing up in 1924 he follows five families with their struggles and triumphs during this difficult time.  There is war, hunger, love, coming of age and the frustrating truths of how the world works.  Reading about these times, people from different classes and upbringings, it all comes back to the human race and how we choose to work with or against other humans.  A wonderful novel in which I am looking forward to the next installment to see how things progress.  Just amazing writing!

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

I needed an 'E' book for my alphabet challenge and Terry said this was a good one.  I had passed it by over the years, so now was a good time to see what it was about.  It is truly a book set in New England, the characters demeanor and stalwartness rang true through the whole story.  Ethan Frome did not have an easy life and things that he cared about and wanted to do had to be set aside, he was not dealt the best hand and it was such a twist of fate in the end you felt sorry for the guy.