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.