This is the second book in Austin's Chronicles of the Kings series. It's a very readable, informative historical fiction series about the kings of Judah. I've already started book three!

I have to agree with Paul Maraiani's statement that this is Shaw's "strongest book of poems yet."

It is books like this one, which expose the confusion and tragedy of life, that reveal the beauty and fragility of sharing one's story with the world regardless of the end result. Even though Plath's life ended in hopelessness, I call Sylvia courageous for abandoning fear long enough to write her literary legacy.

I'm more than glad to live a fictional, vicarious experience of being trapped in an elevator during a hurricane!

I did enjoy this book--Olsson's second after Astrid and Veronika--but it wasn't as structurally sound. The book starts in New Zealand then goes to Krakow, Poland and finally to an island in Sweden. It was somewhat difficult to follow the geographical jumps earlier in the book. Another challenge was point of view. A female author writing from a male perspective is very difficult. Olsson does do an excellent job. However, in the latter part of the book, Olsson shifts to first person point of view of the primary character's former lover and the mother of his daughter. While her point of view is relevant, it made for a complicated shift. Olsson makes an effective bridge because the book is separated into sections. But, it is a somewhat tenuous one. What I loved about the book was the historical significance and the journeys the main characters take to find identity and peace with their pasts. It is obvious that Olsson worked painstakingly on her research. Personally, I found it interesting that I recently finished reading Silence by Shusaku Endo, and this book's working title was The Consequence of Silence. This made the book all the more relevant to me even though the books do not share similar plots or time periods. Yet, both do show how silence plays a part in our lives. I do recommend reading Sonata for Miriam.

This was a challenging read. Mostly because I was trying to read it while on vacation with kids running around me. (As the curator of the resort pointed out, a mother reading a book titled "Silence" is quite the oxymoron!) Because my reading was rather stop and go, I don't think I experienced the full essence of this one. But, it is a very powerful, though-provoking fictional (albeit realistic) account of Catholic missionaries in Japan in the 1600s. Even though it takes time to read, it is time well spent!

This is the first book in the A-Z Mysteries. I read it with my youngest. Really fun mysteries for kids. I'm sure we'll read all the way to Z!

The second book in the Caroline Ingalls Quiner series. Just as good as the first!

I wasn't sure my middle son would be interested in this series. I've been a fan of Little House my whole life. And I guess he's been forced to be one, too. But, his immediate reaction was postive. I was intrigued because this series features Caroline, Laura's mother. I found the first book very true to the original series in tone, style, and historical integrity. Not to mention it kept not only my middle son interested as well as my youngest while they worked on their spelling and handwriting. Now that's a recommendation!

I had a very hard time putting this one down! Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn have written a story everyone should read. A modern, fictional version of the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8, this book reveals the stones we bear in our hearts, throw at one another, and ultimately need to bury. You will not walk away from this read unchanged!