2014 Books

• 52. Henrietta Sees It Through
• 51. The Bronze Bow
• 50. My True Love Gave to Me
• 49. The Snow Child
• 48. As the Waltz Was Ending
• 47. Strength in What Remains
• 46. Dark Triumph
• 45. Making Faces
• 44. Twenty and Ten
• 43. The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
• 42. Never Look Away
• 41. The Secret Garden
• 40. Julius Caesar
• 39. The Girl With All the Gifts
• 38. The Rent Collector
• 37. Candy Bomber
• 36. Flat-Out Love
• 35. Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip
• 34. Defending Jacob
• 33. Replay
• 32. What Alice Forgot
• 31. Under the Never Sky
• 30. The Martian
• 29. The Distance Between Us
• 28. Attachments
• 27. Split Second
• 26. The Golem and the Jinni
• 25. The Aviator's Wife
• 24. The Hundred Dresses
• 23. The Parenting Breakthrough
• 22. The Book of Mormon
• 21. The One
• 20. The Elite
• 19. The Selection
• 18. What Happened to Goodbye
• 17. And Then There Were None
• 16. The Boys in the Boat
• 15. Wonder
• 14. Shatter Me
• 13. The Book of Mormon
• 12. The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
• 11. The Color of Light
• 10. Isaac's Storm
• 9. The Rosie Project
• 8. Where'd You Go, Bernadette
• 7. Seeking Persephone
• 6. Daughter of Smoke and Bone
• 5. The Girl of Fire and Thorns
• 4. Pivot Point
• 3. Requiem
• 2. Shadow and Bone
• 1. Grave Mercy

Henrietta Sees It Through

Henrietta Sees It Through: More News from the Home Front 1942-1945 by Joyce Dennys

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore Henrietta. These two epistolary wartime novels are just a treat.
Book 1: Henrietta's War

The Bronze Bow

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic literature complement to our history units. Interesting focus on the Roman occupation of Israel during the time of Christ. My kids (ages 8-12) all enjoyed it. The characters are YA age, but younger kids will like it too.

My True Love Gave to Me

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 I disliked, 4 I really liked. The rest were OK. My favorites were from Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins, Gayle Forman, and Kiersten White.

The Snow Child

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good wintertime read. I loved the beautifully descriptive writing, but it's not a plot-based book at all. There is a small fantasy element, but I like how it keeps you guessing.

As the Waltz Was Ending

As the Waltz Was Ending by Emma Macalik Butterworth

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Incredible true story of a young ballerina in Vienna during WWII. The writing wasn't fantastic, but the story was raw and engaging. Worth tracking down a copy.

Strength in What Remains

Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness by Tracy Kidder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It wasn't an easy read, but I found it inspiring and I know it will stick with me. It is also a good book club book. There is lots to discuss.

Dark Triumph

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wish I hadn't waiting so long to read this second one. Such a great series. A little historical fiction with lady assassins and an element of fantasy. How could it not be good?

Making Faces

Making Faces by Amy Harmon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Worth reading in one sitting and staying up too late to finish. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Twenty and Ten

Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Listened to the fantastic audio version with my kids. Based on a true story, this is a great way to introduce WW2 to a younger audience and older kids will really engage with it too. My kids were sad when it was time to stop listening each day.

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We missed Rosalind in this one, but loved the vacation in Maine. Our family adores the Penderwicks and Jeffrey.

Never Look Away

Never Look Away by Linwood Barclay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Solid thriller. Lots of rough language. The storyline reminded me a little bit of Gone Girl.

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved listening to this with my kids on a road trip. I had never read it before and was surprised by how it appealed to all ages. We were all anxious to keep listening and see how things ended up.

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Really enjoyed reading this aloud with my kids for homeschool. I hadn't read it before and I was surprised, once again, by how much Shakespeare influences our modern day idioms and literature, e.g. The Fault in Our Stars. Also, despite the fact that it's a tragedy, parts of it are downright funny.

The Girl With All the Gifts

The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very different from what I normally read, but pretty good, especially for this time of year. Parts of it really reminded me of Plants vs. Zombies.

The Rent Collector

The Rent Collector by Camron Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Touching novel about second chances and seeing the beauty in life. Everyone in my book club really liked it. (And it's infinitely better than Wright's Letters for Emily.)

Candy Bomber

Candy Bomber by Michael O. Tunnell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great true story of a real hero, Gail Halvorsen, who is currently featured in Meet the Mormons. Loved the pictures and letters included.

Flat-Out Love

Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Super cute! Read it in two days. I liked everything but the very end.

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip by Jordan Sonnenblick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not my favorite by this author. A good story with complex characters, but the innuendo jokes really bothered me.

Defending Jacob

Defending Jacob by William Landay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good courtroom thriller. But really quite sad to read.

Replay

Replay by Ken Grimwood

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Interesting idea. A little dated. Unnecessary sex and language.

What Alice Forgot

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great summer read--fun but intelligent. Interesting premise and a good book for discussion too.

Under the Never Sky

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2.5 stars.

I'm in the minority on this one. I liked it fine, but not enough to continue the series.

The Martian

The Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this. It's smart, funny, and reads like a thriller. It lost a star for the pages of scientific explanations that went over my head...and watch out if you are sensitive to language.

The Distance Between Us

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Perfect beach read. Cute and laugh-out-loud funny. Read it in one sitting.

Attachments

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Seriously adorable and genuinely funny.

Split Second

Split Second by Kasie West
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. I thought the first 1/2 was slow, but the second 1/2 made it worth the read.

The Golem and the Jinni

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's well written, as good literature should be, but also engrossing enough for a beach read. Fantastic book.

The Aviator's Wife

The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars. This is a book I will easily recommend. Not perfect, but fascinating, interesting, and entertaining. I really enjoyed it.

The Hundred Dresses

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved this book when I was a kid. I just re-read it with my 2nd grader. It's sweet and teaches a good lesson, but it's dated and the ending felt flat.

The Parenting Breakthrough

The Parenting Breakthrough: Real-Life Plan to Teach Your Kids to Work, Save Money, and Be Truly Independent by Merrilee Browne Boyack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this author at a homeschool conference. The first 2/3 of the book has some great practical advice about teaching kids to work and manage money. I skimmed the rest. Will definitely be implementing some of her ideas.

The One

The One by Kiera Cass
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My enthusiasm kind of petered out getting through this one. Completely predictable and made me feel like the series could have been done in two books. Still, an all-around cute series.

The Elite

The Elite by Kiera Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not as good as the first, but really decent for a second book. I liked the new elements.

The Selection

The Selection by Kiera Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is kind of a dystopian version of The Bachelor. I thought it was darling.

What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3 stars for the book, an extra for the audiobook narrator. She made it quite enjoyable.

And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So very clever. I enjoyed this murder mystery immensely.

(A little tip: Don't look at the last page for any reason.)

The Boys in the Boat

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Uplifting true account about how hard work and perseverance pay off. I enjoyed learning about rowing, and I also liked the subtle spiritual analogies.

Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this aloud to my whole family. We all loved it, from the oldest to the youngest.

Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I really like the premise and the characters, but there's a lot of filler here. I'm on the fence about whether or not to carry on with this series.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

LeVar Burton does an incredible job narrating this wonderful book. I listened with my 12-year old son on a road trip and we both loved it.

The Color of Light

The Color of Light by Karen White
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

I was entertained and I love her book settings, but this one was predictable and I didn't really like the main characters.

Isaac's Storm

Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes I felt like I couldn't breathe reading this. Larson does a great job giving the reader a sense of the devastation, but bringing it to a personal level. Also, this book made me want to buy a barometer.

The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Utterly delightful. I think I read this entire book with a smile on my face. (Maybe because Don reminded me of Sherlock.)

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Funny, fast-paced, and unique. I loved the different voices. It kind of made me want to check out Seattle.

Seeking Persephone

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was cute, but I'm kind of bored with a plot based purely on misunderstandings that would easily be resolved if the characters would actually speak to each other.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've read a few books like this lately, but the intensity of this one made it worthy of the 5th star. Loved it.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked the protagonist, but I thought the plot was really uneven. Everyone says the second one is better, so I will give it a try.

Pivot Point

Pivot Point by Kasie West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The structure of this was similar to the movie Sliding Doors, which I really liked. I also liked that although this is a series (and I plan to read more), I was happy enough with the ending that it could stand alone.

Requiem

Requiem by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Definitely the weakest of the series. I was entertained, but the ending was a major letdown.

Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked the bad guy better than the good guy. And I'm hooked.

Grave Mercy

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Had some similarities to Poison Study, which I loved. Compelling world. Look forward to more in this series.