Sounds Like Me by Sara Bareilles

Subtitle: My Life (so far) in Song -- I enjoy her music.  It can be upbeat or melancholy.  She writes in a way that many can relate.  This is a series of essays she wrote through her songs.  She is like many artists that struggle with personAl demons, but is able to have a creative vent that not only can help to move them out of their funk, but touch others in ways that makes them change for the better too.  She is very straight forward and it was easy to get pulled into her story and watch her evolve.

The Motion of the Ocean by Janna Cawrse Esarey

Subtitle:1 Small boat, 2 Average Lovers and a Woman's Search for the Meaning of Wife -- I did not pick up this book, I had passed it over.  Terry went back to get it.  He enjoyed it so I thought that I would give it a try.  It was a good book.  There were definitely some whiny parts, but there is bound to be when you leave the comforts of home and travel across the Pacific Ocean.  There was much I could identify with also.  Her husband going into great detail for what you feel is a yes or no question.  Entering into unknown territory and conquering it.  Only having your partner to talk to when you really need someone else who will just listen and not try yo fix it all.  The book made me laugh and cry and see that I am not alone in this crazy sailing world with all the same feelings.  It was easy to get through with some great take aways.

Narrow Escape by Marie Browne

This chronicles a year she and her family are on their narrow boat in England.  It was a rough year and there were many ups and downs and crazy situations.  Some of them I could truly identify with, others just made me laugh out loud.  Some of the things that occur may seem far fetched but are things that people who live aboard have to deal with on a daily basis.  I have enjoyed all of her books.  She is funny, truthful and real.  Her books are pretty fast reads and very worth your time.

The Wedding Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

A good story about Sarah's daughter getting married.  There were a lot of remembrances from years past that got everyone to where they were today.  All of the trails and tribulations that made the relationships even stronger.  This book is part of a big series and I have only read a few.  They are just nice, wholesome books that draw you into the family and all those that touch their lives.

Starlight on Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

Faith needs to find a job.  She is going to be evicted and she and her children need a home.  A job came up and it was in the town where she was, so it was good for her kids.

After a rough start with the interview things begin to smooth out.  She has a difficult patient but manages to work with her and get her to do things she wouldn't do before.

Faith needs to enlist her patients son to become more involved, which he does begrudgingly.

Many secrets are revealed and much growing and realization of who each person really is develops throughout the book.  Wiggs does a great job developing the characters and growing to feel all of the hurts and joys.

Night Over Water by Ken Follett

I listened to this book and it took me the better part of the summer to get through it.  Follett does not disappoint.  This is about an airliner, the Pan Am clipper that flies back and forth between England and the United States.  In this adventure one of the crewmen finds out that his wife has been kidnapped and he needs to force land the plan so people can come aboard and hijack a passenger.  There are several story lines through out the novel.  There is an English family fleeing to America, a movie star heading home, lovers going to start a new life and others coming to terms of how their life is going.  An intense book at times, but also some laugh out loud spots.  Really enjoyable, and I can't wait to move onto another one of his books!

The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice

A story taking place on the coast of Rhode Island.  A place where a love of nature and a strong hold on its history brings people together and tears people apart.  A young girl finally sees a snowy owl and also learns of the fate of a sunken submarine.  She wants to save it all and learns much about the ways of the world around her.  Other characters are dealing with their past and working on a stronger future.  Rice is always good at weaving story lines together and really giving you a good feel for everyone involved.  A good book worth the time.