Susan's February Book Review

I read a very interesting book recently entitled Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart, True Things You Need to Know Now.  The author, Gordon Livingston, M.D. lost two sons, in the span of 13 months.  This is staggering to me and I fervently pray that I am never, ever tested in this manner.  To rise from the ashes of such a catastrophe is unimaginable to me and yet, Dr. Livingston has done so and has decided to help others as they circumvent the treacherous waters of life.  It's so true that none of us will end our lives unscathed by personal tragedy and it's a sad fact of life that we do lose the people we love and that the natural order of things is a wish, not a certainty.  You don't need to have lived through anything as catastrophic as the loss of a child to get something out of this book and I highly recommend it.  In fact, I think I'll read it again in a bit.

A dear friend bought me a copy of The Four Agreements, written by Don Miguel Ruiz.  This is another good book to read to train you out of self-limiting thoughts and mind sets.  The four agreements are:  Be impeccable with your word, Don't take anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions and Always do your best.  He expounds on each and gives great examples.  I've purchased the companion book and will work on that soon.

My best friend bought me a Janet Evanovich for Christmas.  It is a between the numbers book and her novels are always good for a fun romp with the ever gorgeous Morelli and Ranger.  If you are looking for a quick and I hate to say it, but mindless read, pick up Plum Spooky.  

I love a good mystery and I especially love a good English mystery.  Susan Hill has fast become one of my favorites. The Vows of Silence is excellent and is the 4th crime novel featuring Chief Superintendent Simon Serraille.  You will not be able to put this book down and Ms. Hill's writing style is very much like Elizabeth George.

I was very excited to find, and not one tiny bit disappointed to read John Lescroart's latest Dismas Hardy novel, A Plague of Secrets.  I absolutely love the Dismas Hardy character and Dismas is back again doing what he does best.  If you like courtroom mysteries, read John Lescroart.  He is a leader, in my opinion, on courtroom and police etiquette and procedures and it makes this book fast paced and interesting.  

Next novel up for me is The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak.  Set in Nazi Germany, it's the story of a young girl who steals to survive and discovers books.  She begins to steal books from Nazi book-burnings, etc. and shares her stolen loot with neighbors.  Because books have made such a huge difference in my life, I am eagerly looking forward to reading this story.

To look up these books, please go to www.goodreads.com.

So, what are you reading?