Summer Fun 2004
The summer was WAY too short, but I did manage to squeeze in a quick trip to Piccolo Spoleto, a week-long family trip to the beach, culminating in nephew Jonathan's wedding, a new puppy, a reunion of families at my great-grandfather's farm, a conference, helping son move into new house, a camping trip to Hunting Island, the usual honey-do list around the house, and some curriculum work to do for fall math classes. And I read lots of fun books (which is a BIG priority to me)! I’ve listed them below my credo (quoting Richard Peck) about the value of reading in one’s life.
"I read because one life isn't enough, and in the page of a book I can be anybody;
I read because the words that build the story become mine, to build my life;
I read not for happy endings but for new beginnings; I'm just beginning myself, and I wouldn't mind a map;
I read because I have friends who don't, and young though they are, they're beginning to run out of material;
I read because every journey begins at the library, and it's time for me to start packing;
I read because one of these days I'm going to get out of this town, and I'm going to go everywhere and meet everybody, and I want to be ready." - Richard Peck
Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts. It's a good thing I finished this third in the trilogy. Classes are about to resume and the time for fun reading is coming to a screeching halt (sigh).
Rising Tides by Nora Roberts.
Sea Swept by Nora Roberts - the first in a trilogy set near Chesapeake Bay.
Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith - the third in the wonderful series about a lady detective in Botswana.
Island of Bones by P J Parrish. This was my choice of reading on Hunting Island beach trip, and I was not disappointed.
Portrait in Death by J D Robb.
Purity in Death by J D Robb.
Divided in Death by J D Robb.
Let's Roll by Lisa Beamer - the story of the heroic struggle of Todd Beamer and others aboard United Flight 93 over Pennsylvania on September 11.
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts. The beginning of the Three Sisters Island trilogy, which I read out of order. A fun read.
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith. The second in this excellent series. I'm hooked!
Heaven and Earth by Nora Roberts. I don't usually read about witches, but I picked up this paperback and found it interesting and easy. Oh dear, it's the second in a trilogy!
The Lord of the Silent by Elizabeth Peters. The second in this series, another excellent read.
He Shall Thunder in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters. Uh-oh, my sister loaned me a book from yet ANOTHER mystery series, set in England in early 20th century involving a strong female character - and I love it!
Sacred Sins by Nora Roberts (on audiotape).
A Year Down Under by Richard Peck. I like to read good juvenile lit to recommend to my nieces and nephews, and Peck is always a fave of mine. This one is set in southern Illinois during the Depression.
Final Curtain by Ngaio Marsh. This is the third novel I've read by this author, a contemporary of several of my other faves. Good detective work in early 20th century England.
Jabez by Thom Lemmons (on audiotape). A good read. Fictional, obviously, since the Bible has so little to say about the man who prayed such a powerful prayer.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - quite a good book, set in SC in summer of 1964.
The Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks - another GREAT read by a wonderful regional writer. This might be my favorite Sparks book, after The Notebook, that is!
Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs
Judas my Brother by Frank Yerby. This is billed as historical fiction, the story of the thirteenth disciple. The writer attempts to explain away the miracles of Jesus, including His virgin birth. Interesting fictional read.
Sherlock Holmes and the Rune Stone Mystery by Larry Millett: the third of his pastiches set in Minnesota. I've read the other two also.
Eden Burning by Elizabeth Lowell (on audiotape): Hiwaiian setting of romance and adventures of volcanologists.
The Reef by Nora Roberts (on audiotape): obviously an ocean setting dealing with modern-day deepsea treasure hunters and marine archealogists.
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks (on audiotape): set a little bit at the beach, a typically great Sparks story, albeit somewhat darker than most.
The Beach House by Georgia Bockoven: a great beach read - a romance set in Santa Cruz.
The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
I sneaked in a fun read during the last few weeks of classes, and it was great! Uh-oh, it's the first of a SERIES, a lady detective in Botswana! What a delightful combination.
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