How to Knit a Heart Back Home by Rachael Herron

Loved to read about the crazy knitting world. Change in your life is inevitable, and the harder you fight it the more you lose. -Pam B.

Borden Chantry by Louis L'amour

A story about a broke cattleman trying to provide for his family with the thankless job of a small-town marshal. The marshal has to uncover a murderer, relying upon his wits and instincts. -Klayne S.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

This was the 1st book of a series that was great and definitely made me want to read the next book in the series. It was about a girls school that secretly trains spies. -Tonya H.

Bright Skies by Emilie Loring

This is my style of book. Some suspense, romance, and struggle between "good guys" and "bad guys." There was no offensive language or sexual situations. I am happy to find this author and plan to read more of her books. At times the dialogue became confusing as to who was talking. Also, I felt it started out a bit slow. Overall though, I really enjoyed reading this book. -Laurie S.

Her Sister's Shadow by Katharine Britton

Family secrets that weren't as secret as the main character thought. Honesty reunites sisters. -April W.

Crispin - At the Edge of the World by Avi

This is a continuation of the book Crispin and the Cross of Lead. The adventures of Crispin and Bear continue as they search for a place to live where they can be free. A new character is introduced --a young girl. I enjoyed this book just as much as the first. -Rena G.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This book is a classic story that I have always wanted to read. I have seen the BBC series several times, but the book is even better! Mr. Darcy's prejudice and Elizabeth's pride keep them apart, but in the end their love wins. The Bennet family is so entertaining! This book is a great portrayal of the Victorian society where women were a burden in a family until they were married, and where everyone had their "proper place" in society. -Laura R.

This is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

This was a super quick read, mostly because I couldn't put it down! It gave me a better understanding of what life would have been like just a little over 100 years ago. I love the main character, Sarah. She simply did what she had to do to survive, but she showed such courage and determination. The things she faced could have made her harsh and calloused, but she remained caring and loving. -Mashell L.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

This is one of the most amazing finds I have yet discovered. The story as a whole is fantastic, but as you zoom into every connecting life-like situation and connect each trial as a dot it only grows in its superb teaching. This book enlightens you as it is all portrayed in such dark places of individual trials. You feel like you are there, yearning for things to go right. Jene Val-Jane is truly someone to be proud of and aspire to. I absolutely love the realness of this book. -Diana S.

Killer Move by Michael Marshall

As a confusing and condemning sequence of events tilts realtor Bill Moore's carefully planned life into a downward and destructive spiral, he tries to make sense of it. As he tries to undo the troubling traces of apparent missteps, more disreputable and damning misdeeds threaten his livelihood, his marriage, and eventually his life. It's as if he has fallen down Alice in Wonderland's rabbit hole, and cannot regain his footing.

The author overlays apparent reality on Bill Moore's actual life, and forces him to deal with it in the rapid and extreme confines of his now warped and unrecognizable life. It is to the author's credit that the reader follows the plot from commonplace to thriller, believing. -Micki K.

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Great read in the Sookie Stackhouse collection. Now Sookie is introduced to elfs. She also has an old enemy out for justice. Love this series. -Davalyn M.

Kathy Carter Wants a Hero by Ruth Safeiton

Kathy Carter is a young woman with a seemingly perfect life. When you look closer, you realize she has a very controlling fiancee. This book was really funny. Kathy gets herself in a lot of hilarious quandries. Good, light, summer reading.
-Davalyn M.

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

I loved this book. It was very descriptive and charming. I loved the description of the elegant, over-the-top parties that were given. -Davalyn M.

Finding Emilie by Laurel Corona

This book was set in the 1800's. It follows the life of two girls from girlhood to adulthood. It was interesting because of the history, the young ladies being presented to the queen. Lilli is finding more about her deceased mother as she gets older. There's a few good twists. Fun read. -Davalyn M.

Paper Doll by Janet Woods

I liked this book set in the 20's, Julie is the daughter of a toy manufacturer. The characters didn't seem to have a lot of depth to them though. -Davalyn M.

Lady's Maid by Margaret Forster

This book is roughly based on the life of Elizabeth Barrett Browning through the eyes of her maid Wilson. This was a fun read, the relationship betweeen lady and maid is seemingly extremely close unless its not convenient for Mrs. Browning who sometimes seems downright cruel to her maid. -Dava M.

The Runaway Jury by John Grisham

This nonfiction book gives an unprecedented view of the internal workings of a jury and legal system staged in a multi-billion dollar tabaccco litigation. The story is one of suspense, calculated moves and personal motives. A "must read". -Amy V.

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

This is an amazing historically accurate novel place in the early 1800's. The story of Lillian Haswell is emotionally charged. You want to devour the book. The substantial foreshadowing plots twisting and turning as the pages turn. -Amy V.

Hour of the Hunter by J.A. Jance

"Hour of the Hunter" is Judith Jance's first book in her Brardon Walker series. In this story, the past and present lives of an Anglo family and a Native American family, along with Indian legends that were desruptive to the flow are all intertwined, making it a difficult read. The Pima County, homocide detective is involved with both sets of murders and works to solve the case and correct past ways. Although not one of my favorites, Jance does create good characters. -Beverly N.

The Best Way to Lose by Janet Daily

Pilar Santee has just lost her husband of five years. She decides to stay in Natchez even though most of her family lives in Virginia. She keeps busy with an antique shop and various things.

Then, Trace Santee, the son of her former husband, decides to follow his attraction to Pilar. Known for his hell-raising ways, Pilar must decide if he's changed neough to fit into her life. -Marla F.

The Bretheren by Beverly Lewis

This is the third book of a trilogy "Annie's People". It follows six characters primarily, as they travel life's journey in and out of the Amish Community. It also illustrates giving something up can result in getting even more through obedience to God. -Marla F.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

This was an adorable coming-of-age romance. It's a sensitively written story about an off-beat family unit, sisterly bonds, and our heroine's first love triangle.
-Cameo M.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This book submerges you into the lives of three women during times of segregation. Two of these women are black maids who love the white children they raise. The author writes a number of characters you can't help but fall in love with. -Cameo M.

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

I was excited to read this book because it's the second book in this trilogy, but without some of the characters that were in the first book, this book lost some of the interest I used to have in the series. Still, its a very creative story. -Cameo M.

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren. Suma

Pros: The author had great voice that pulled me in immediately.

Cons: I have never read a book that left so many loose ends.

-Cameo M.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells

A very enjoyable read with enchanting characters and telling a charming tale set in the south. The protagonist is easy to care about as we watch her journey from childhood, maturing into a lovely young woman. Loved exploring her philosophies and insights, and her Southern charm, delightful, watching her handle life's up and downs, and an unforgettable ending. -Marcia F.

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

The Gathering adds a lot of new mystery and added fantasy to the world of Armstrong's Darkest Powers series and her adult series of Women of the Underworld. I love the development of the characters through the series. I am looking forward to the next book. -Sarah W.

The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline

A delicious, recipe-filled account of 33-year old Angela, a New Yorker with a stimulating, high-pressure job and a yearning for more emotional fulfillment. Her strongest bond is with her Italian immigrant grandmother, with whom she shares a love of and talent for cooking, thanks to Nonna's tutelage in the kitchen Angela's entire life.

Despite the fiery termination of her New York job, certain her life is falling into place with an online dating connection, Angela packs her car and heads for Maine to visit her soul mate. How she deals with what life in Maine throws at her, and what comes to mean to her, is the story of life itself in an imperfect world. Her love of cooking, nurtured by her grandmother, opens doors to new kinds of emotional fulfillment and a strong sense of community.

I can't wat to read other books by this author. -Micki K.

The Human Blend by Alan Dean Foster

Wispr and an accomplice steal a thread storage device. The thread is more valuable than they could imagine and they pursue relentlesly. Jiminy is killed and Wispr finds help from a doctor. Together they escape the persuit, and learn more about the thread. But not much and the pursuit catches up. They escape and the story will be continued. -Mark N.

Kiss of the Bees by J.A. Jance

"Kiss of the Bees" is the second installment of Judith Jance's Brardon Walker series. In this book, the tale continues with the same slate of characters (with a few additions) after the passage of twenty some years. Sheriff Walker has been voted out by voters and another corrupt sheriff has taken over. Walker has been married to Diana Ladd, the victim from the first book for most of that time, and they have adopted an Indian daughter, who is victimized by the villain of the last book and his protoge from prison. Although he is dead, his protoge works through their plan to destroy Sheriff Wlaker, Diana, and the whole family. Naturally, Sheriff Walker and friends capture the crooks.
-Beverely N.

Chancy by Louis L'amour

A poor orphan boy grows up in the tough western land. As he tries to make his mark, he wades through gun-battles, fist-fights, run-ins with indians, and bringing those who hung his pa to justice... and then gets the girl. -Klayne S.

Cotton by Louis L'amour

A great story of two boyhood friends who end up on opposite sides of the law and how the one's choices made a showdown inevitable. Lots of action and adventure and a splash of romance. -Klayne S.

Elixir by Davis Bunn

This is an enjoyable book to read. I enjoy watching the spiritual growth of the main character. It was also interesting to watch him learn what love is. I am not a surfing fan, so it was a little bit hard to get into the book. However, I was hopeful that the author would deliver an exciting story, which he did. -Laurie S.

The Cherokee Trail by Louis L'amour

A widow and her daughter try to make a fresh start out west after her husband is murdered by guerrillas and their Virginia Plantation is burned to the ground. As a station manager, she faces the challenges of the West.

-Klayne S.

Fair Tomorrow by Emilie Loving

Overall it was an enjoyable book. However, I was frustrated that the main character wouldn't set boundaries in her relationship with her father. As is typical of romances of this era, the main characters are oblivious that the other loves them. Thus, they continue to misunderstand each other until there is a sweet "reveal" at the end. -Laurie S.