Domina

Domina by Barbara Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this historical move fictionalizing what it would have been like to be a female doctor in the late 1800s. A bit of a soap opera, but super entertaining.

Star of the East

Star of the East by Tasha Alexander
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Short, sweet, and fun to see these characters in a different setting.

Secrets of a Charmed Life

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The storyline and themes are super engaging, and I read it in just over a day. But, the writing left something to be desired--it was too Americanized and sometimes pedestrian. It really needed a better (and British) editor.

Inside Out & Back Again

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Semi-autobiographical free verse novel about a refugee from the Vietnam War. Very timely and very good.

Love's Fortune

Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars. I continue to adore this series. The audiobook narrator was fantastic.

Crocodile on the Sandbank

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Super fun! Reminded me some of the Lady Emily mysteries.

The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first part of this book was achingly slow, and the writing tended to be a little clumsy and melodramatic. However, I did enjoy the last 1/3 and the portrayals of strong female characters.

A Promise to Love

A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. Good historical Christian romance. My first by this author. The pacing was uneven but it was ultimately a cute, entertaining story.

Love's Awakening

Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adore this series. I liked this one even better than the first.

Leaving Everything Most Loved

Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A little long-winded, but a solid installment. I love Maisie and find this series to be both interesting and relaxing. This was my first time listening to these on audiobook, and I thought the narrator was great.

Love's Reckoning

Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really good Christian romance/historical fiction. It wasn't completely predictable, and I felt really invested in the characters.

A Door in the Wall

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a book I studied with my two younger kids this year. It wasn't my favorite, but they liked the medieval stuff and we're rooting for Robin. I do think it helped my kids understand the use of symbols much better.

A Long Walk to Water

A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The audiobook was fantastic. I loved that we got to hear the voice of the real Salva at the end. This book is a tough read at times, but so important. I was very ignorant about the history of Sudan before, and this has really opened my eyes.

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.

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.

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 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 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.