Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo

Another good mystery that takes place in a coffeehouse.  It was rather subdued, but had some great twists and turns.  All Maggy wants to do is open up her coffeehouse.  On the first morning she finds one of her partners dead.  Maggy learns more about the people in town and her mind goes a little paranoid at times.  The twist at the end was not what I was expecting at all.  This is the first in a series and I have read the second one already.  Looking forward to finding more in the series.

Home by Julie Andrews

Subtitle: A Memoir of My Early Years-- I have always enjoyed Andrews and it was interesting to see how she got started.  It was not a very glamorous childhood and as she got older she was the primary bread winner.  She toured much of England and was loved by many.  It was hard for her to leave home and was very nervous about being so far away, but it had really been for the best and she had Sonera amazing experiences.  Overall it was an enjoyable read, though at times it felt very disjointed.  It was not smooth flowing, but you got the idea.  I need to see if she has continued on with her later years.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

This is a short work of fiction that speaks volumes.  Montag, a fireman, starts to feel he is not doing the right thing, that there is more to life.  This book follows his change, how it affects him and others.  The parallels I came across relating to today and society were quite eye opening.  Get out there, read a book and experience your environment, you never know when that 'freedom' may be taken away.

The Midwife's Here by Linda Fairly

Subtitle: The Enchanting True Story of Britain's Longest Serving Midwife-- This is a wonderful account of how Fairly got started in her life long career.  She learned so much about people and herself and was loved by many. Her joy and excitement of delivering babies never dulled.  It was an enchanting story and I am looking forward to further accounts of her life story.

The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini

I am not a quilter, I don't even like to sew, but my grandmother made quilts and my mom has also made some.  It is an amazing art.  In this novel Sarah and her husband, Matt, move to a small town.  Matt got a landscaping job and Sarah was trying to find work.  Sarah went to work with Matt one day and met Sylvia.  It was a bit of a rocky start, but when Sylvia hired Sarah on Sarah did not know what she was getting into.  She got to know a woman who was full of history and pain and joy.  She was also introduced into the world of quilting and fell in love.  As she became more familiar with the town she met more quilters and became part of a group on women who quilted together.  It was a wonderful story with many women from many different backgrounds who shared a love of quilting that tied them all together.  The is the first book in a very long series and I know I will be kept busy for a while.

Dear Cary by Dyan Cannon

Subtitle:  My life with Cary Grant -- I love Cary Grant.  I have seen many of his movies and he just makes me smile.  There is just an air about him that draws me in.  Well, it drew in Cannon and needless to say it was not all sweet and roses.  In the beginning Grant was the perfect gentleman, but the longer into the relationship the more controlling he became.  Cannon lost a sense of herself and her self esteem.  She fell very deep and had a long road to get back to where she was confidant with herself again.  We always have these ideas of what some famous people are like based on what we see on the screen, we forget they are people too, with lives and histories.  Cannon's sharing of her life with Grant and the difficulties will not change my love for Grant, but does put things in perspective.  There is a book out there by his daughter, Jennifer, and another biography that I want to get my hands on, and through those I hope to get a fuller picture of the man.

Snow Hunters by Paul Yoon

Yoon is a very descriptive author, yet simple.  You can smell the sea and feel the breeze and are totally aware of your surroundings.  Yohan, the main character of it all, is followed to Brazil after the war.  The novel chronicles his time before and after the war, the people he meets and the relationships he cultivates.