Reading list #5 2021

1. The Harp and the Rose by Jean Grainger 1920 Ireland’s fight for independence 
2. Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve  Binchy always a good story 
3. Lassoing the Sun by Mark Woods about history and future of our National Parks, also environmental impacts and about the authors mother who introduced him to the parks and nature. For book club very good
4. Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah wonderful story about sisters, growing up, forgiving, and healing.
5. Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini a very long book about the horrors happening in Germany in the years before the United States entered WW2 very good but tough to read. I gave it a break and read a couple books in between.
6. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah for book club I read this earlier in the year very good depression era of 1930’s.  These last two books take place in the same time frame it was an eye opener about what was happening in the world.
7. Who is Santa Claus?  The true story behind a living legend.  by Robin Crichton published 1987 the history and evolution of Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus. Did you know Clement Moores Twas the Night Before Christmas was written 199 years ago? Next year is his big bicentennial.
8. Still Me by JoJo Moyes book three of Me Before You series very good 
9. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate post civil war story about Texas and a contemporary story about a young woman teaching in a poverty stricken school. She has her students research the local history.
10. Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher great story about a girl growing up in Cornwall England prior to WW2. She attends a private girls school while her mother and younger sister return to Ceylon where her father is in the shipping business and soon to be transferred to Singapore. The family of a school friend becomes a surrogate family to her. WW2 starts rather than join her family in Singapore she learns shorthand and typing and joins the Wrens.  Over 900 pages but a very good story.
11. The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank a variation of the Christmas Carol a South Carolina elderly (90+) woman realizes how dysfunctional and lacking in Christmas spirit  her family has become. Her cook is called away on a family emergency the replacement cook turns out to be Pearl, the cook from her childhood who taught her everything. Everyone made nice with some spiritual and Gullah magic help. It was all too easy I just about quit reading the book fortunately it was a very short book.
12. In This Grave Hour by Jacqueline Winspear more adventures of Maisie Dobbs. Book #13

So many books to look forward to reading in 2022.  Happy New Year!!  --Ann--