People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have had this book on my bookshelf for quite some time, but I have finally been able to read it. It is about recreating situations and lives that a special Jewish prayer book have touched. I liked the way the stories were all woven together and that tiny souvenirs from chosen time periods told such a remarkable story. My curiosity was aroused about the different time periods, especially the Inquisition, and the journeys that were taken. The parallel stories of the archivists were interesting as well. I'm glad I finally got to read this book. When I finished it, I prepared to swap it and, before I even got the post finished, someone wanted it. It is a very popular book.

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The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a lovely read. Lilly was an amazing girl with an incredible memory. She helps her father run his Apothecary shop even though that kind of thing was thought to be beyond "a mere woman." The story is about her life...she goes to London and spends a couple of seasons there, meets some eligible men, but has to return home because her father becomes ill. She helps put the store back together and faces charges for prescribing medicine since she, again, is only a woman and not permitted to be an apothecary even though she probably knows the remedies better than her father. This book held my interest and didn't seem like just another romantic story although there was romance involved. There were several threads woven throughout that were tied up in the end. An enjoyable book.

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A House to Let by Charles Dickens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this was a very interesting concept - to have 4 writers collaborate on one book. I had read Wilkie Collins before and, of course Dickens. The poet was also easy to spot. All the pieces fit so well and made for a lively story. I recommend it. And it's only 93 pages!

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All For You by Lynn Kurland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was another wonderful time-travel romance by Lynn Kurland. She is so entertaining and I love her characters. This one matched up Stephen dePiaget and Peaches Alexander making all 3 sisters marry "medieval" men. Stephen isn't from the Middle Ages, but he is a professor who specializes in them and he works out in this lists of Ian MacLeod who is definitely from the Middle Ages. I just love this series and the stories never get old for me. Can't wait for the next one.


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The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book and I was surprised by the depth of it. I felt really connected to the characters and hoped all the way through for a happy ending. I liked that the ending wasn't typical, but, in my opinion, real. It made me want to tear out the flower dictionary at the back of the book so I could keep it handy from now on and even though yellow roses have been a favorite if mine, now I never want to receive them again!

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Julia's Cats: Julia Child's Life in the Company of Cats by Patricia Barey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This little book was interesting and enjoyable. I knew Julia Child from the PBS cooking show, but I never knew she was a cat lover like me.

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Unladylike Pursuits by Alyssa Goodnight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked the premise, loved the heroine and the Viscount, but it took too many words to tell the story. Emily's independence and adventurous spirit had me rooting for her as soon as she fell off her horse. Her adventures were fun and interesting. I just think the story could have been told just as well using say 75 to 100 less pages.

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The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. The Scarlet Pimpernel was amazing. He could walk into a situation that was impossible to get out of and walk out as someone else. The book moved along quickly and it was never boring. There was always something happening and even to the end, you never knew what was going to happen next. He was so clever! I also loved it because I listened to the audiobook and, whenever a book is narrated by a British narrator, it's all the better. Apparently there are many more books about the Scarlet Pimpernel's adventures. I look forward to reading some of those as well.


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One Enchanted Evening by Lynn Kurland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an entertaining read. It is part of a series which pairs up each of the Wallflowers with her mate. The characters are fun and interesting. Reading this made me want to look into finding the other books in the series. Good fun.

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