The Girl Who Fell from the SkyThe Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky is a tragically beautiful book. The author alternates points of view and uses flashback to tell the story of a young girl of mixed race who is struggling with questions of identity after a family tragedy. Some of the story is disturbing and the lives of the characters are filled with tragedy and abuse, but it ends on a note of hope. I learned something about life and racial identity. I had a new experience through this book. It wasn’t always a pleasant experience, but it was an enlightening one.


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The Chocolate Diaries: Secrets for a Sweeter Journey on the Rocky Road of LifeThe Chocolate Diaries: Secrets for a Sweeter Journey on the Rocky Road of Life by Karen Linamen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Chocolate Diaries was a light uplifting read although I didn’t really learn any “secrets.” The recommendations for a sweeter journey were what you would expect: pray, read the Bible, spend time with friends, listen to music, cry when you need to, laugh whenever you can, and of course, eat chocolate. But the stories that some of the women shared were very inspiring, and the book itself is a good pick-me-up. The author also inserted a great deal of humor. I would give this book as a gift, maybe as part of a basket with indulgences like bubble bath and chocolate truffles. Though I didn’t learn anything new, I felt encouraged after reading it. I also liked the collection of recipes that were scattered throughout the book. I don’t cook, but for many of the recipes there was no cooking required. Overall, The Chocolate Diaries is a feel-good read featuring godly women that have endured much but have learned to live lives of joy and peace despite great hardship and trial.

In compliance with FTC guidelines, please note that I received this book for free from Kregel Publications.

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The Golden Spiral (Hourglass Door, #2)The Golden Spiral by Lisa Mangum

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m really enjoying this trilogy, and I’m looking forward to reading the finale. I’ve recommended that our collection development librarian purchase this trilogy for all the branches. I believe the teens will gravitate toward it. Romance, time-travel, good friends, good vs. evil….what’s not to like?


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The HelpThe Help by Kathryn Stockett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pitch perfect! It struck just the right balance between storytelling and message. Stockett doesn’t sugarcoat the racism of the time period in Jackson, Mississippi, but in The Help she finds a way to address it without creating a depressing book. In fact, she stirs in just the right amount of humor, drama, friendship, and hope. Change is often slow in coming, but it can come when people take a stand and face their fears. Skeeter, Minny, and Aibileen make an unlikely trio of heroines, but they take a big chance and help to bring some positive changes to their community and to their own lives. This book touched on all of my emotions at various times. Sometimes I laughed out loud; other times I wanted to cry. There were things that happened that made me furious and other things that gave me hope. Basically, it was awesome storytelling with a compelling message, and it doesn’t get much better than that. I hope the movie does it justice.
(I downloaded this from the library and read it on my NOOK. Awesome!)


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