Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson

 

5 Stars | Kirby Larson | Historical Fiction | 2013 | Grade 6 and Up | 240 pages | 4.6 reading level | 6 hours listening time

When Hattie Big Sky came out in 2006 I loved it. I even listened to it on audio and loved it just as much. I never picked up the sequel when it came out seven years later. But, on a recent car trip, I listened to the audio of Hattie Ever After and I loved it.  Why did I wait so long? 

If you have never read Hattie Big Sky, then I recommend starting with this title. It is the story of an orphaned teenager from Iowa who gets the chance to take over her deceased uncle's homestead in Montana.  I really admired her spunk and determination. This book was imagined from the author's own family history.  

Kirby Larson didn't plan on a sequel, but so many people asked her about Hattie that she decided to tell the rest of her story.  Hattie Ever After takes her to San Francisco where she dreams of being a reporter in the 1920's. She also solves a mystery along the way.  

I listened to this book and it was so charming and well done. Even though this book is aimed at the young adult audience, I will recommend it to adults too.  It is a great read!  5 Stars!

June Book Club: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

 

5 Stars | Matt Haig | 2020 | Fantasy Fiction | 304 pages | 9 Hours Audio 

I was not sure if I was going to like this book but it turned out to be a very encouraging story for me. I might even say it was therapeutic. 

It starts with our main character, Nora, feeling like her life is on a track to nowhere and so she takes matters into her own hands to end her life. When she awakes she finds herself in a library full of green books. The librarian in charge turns out to be the same one from her school days. She tells her that all of the books are different versions of Nora's life and she has the opportunity to try them out and pick the best one. The story continues as you explore all of the different life possibilities. 

This is a quick read and but even though it sounds like it could be sad, it is really an uplifting read. There were some lessons that Nora learned that were things that I needed to hear as well. Maybe we all need to be reminded that even though the choices we have are infinite in life, we are where we are supposed to be.  I enjoyed it a lot and give it 5 stars!

Weekend Binge Reads! - Christian Fiction

I got a few new books from a recent Christian Book haul from christianbooks.com and I binge read the following over the weekend.  I loved them..let me tell you about them. 

5 Stars | Cynthia Ruchti | 2021 | Christian Fiction | 320 pages | 10 Hours Audio 

I really enjoy Cynthia Ruchti books. She always writes stand-alone books with unique characters, settings, and issues.  They usually are very character and plot rich which is my favorite type of book.  In Facing the Dawn, you will read about friendship, family, and grief and probably will need a box of tissues too.  This book will move you. 

Mara is struggling to raise her three teenagers in Wisconsin while her husband is doing humanitarian work in Uganda.  He has been away for three years and it is taking a toll on the family. That is about all I can tell you without spoiling things. Don't read any reviews or summaries. Just dive in on this one. I read it in a day and loved it. I rate it a 5!

4 Stars | Melody Carlson | 2020 | Christian Fiction | 352 pages | 8 1/2 Hours Audio  

If you want a happy and light-hearted read then read The Happy Camper. This is how it goes... Dillon has quit her job and moves back to Oregon to live with her grandfather and mother.  Quarters get tight, so when her grandfather gives her a vintage trailer, Dillon falls in love with refurbishing her camper into a perfect home for herself.  Of course, she spends time reacquainting herself with her hometown and finds the local hardware store owner very attractive. 

This book is exactly like a movie on the Hallmark channel.  I was just happy reading about Dillon's work on fixing up her trailer and learning how to take care of it. It is a cozy read with some humor and lots of sweetness. I read it in a day and enjoyed it. I rate it a 4.