The Pick and Flower of England by David MW Pickup

Ray's parents sent this book to us so we can read it in preparation for our trip to England in August. We will be touring various places, and included will be some LDS church history sites. This book gives the history of LDS missionaries in England during Victorian times.

It was interesting. Some of the information I knew already but there were a lot of new things I learned too. It will definitely enhance our trip.

O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King

This is the fifth book in the Mary Russell - Sherlock Holmes mystery series.

I liked it, and have the next one on my nightstand ready to read after my next book.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

I loved this book.

I zipped right through it, captured from the very first.

It was especially fun for me because it takes place in Seattle and she captured the area and its residents so well.

I laughed out loud in parts. I was enthralled with the book the whole time.

It's about a mom who disappears, and how they go about trying to find her. Sort of. It's about people and self awareness too.

Warning: there are about a dozen f-bombs in the book, in case that makes a difference to you. While I personally never condone the use of that word (it's hard for me to think of a word that is more offensive), these did not seem gratuitous.

A Wilder Rose by Susan Witting Albert

I have been reading Susan Wittig Albert's books for years. In particular I really enjoy her China Bayles mystery series.

This book is not a mystery. It is a fiction book, strongly based on fact, about Rose Wilder Lane. I found it very interesting and disconcerting at the same time.

Rose Wilder Lane is the daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I have been in love with the Little House books since I could read. I've read them countless times. We all know that the Little House books are the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder's life. Wilder basically wrote the first draft of each of the books. However, Rose Wilder Lane is the one that edited them and made them the books that they are. That was the disconcerting information for me.

I had to completely rethink how I felt about the Little House series. At first I felt betrayed that what I've thought all along isn't really the truth. How many times does that happen in our lives? It might seem silly but the stories and author were all tied up together for me. I finally came to the conclusion that I love the books no matter what. And they are still Laura Ingalls Wilder's story. If her daughter helped make them even better, okay.

I thought this book gave good insight into the whole situation. It's really told from Rose's side of the story and didn't start out very sympathetic to Laura. By the end of the book I felt like we had a better picture of both of them, and that it was not so one-sided as it seemed at the beginning.

I liked it, and felt like it was well worth reading.

Grace Takes Off by Julie Hyzy

Another Julie Hyzy book. This is the latest in her Manor House Mystery series. I used to like the White House Chef series a little better, but now I like this one just as well, or perhaps even a little better. Perhaps.

If you like light mysteries, these are for you.

My Name Used to Be Muhammed by Tito Momen

I busted my tail to finish this book for book group, then completely forgot to attend! That's how my life has been lately.

This is the story of a man who was raised as a Muslim. He eventually converted to Christianity (Mormon, as a matter of fact), and was persecuted because of it. It is simply written, and I enjoyed reading about his life.

Home of the Braised by Julie Hyzy

This book is the latest in Julie Hyzy's White House Chef mysteries. It's very fun, and I liked it as well as the others.

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

This is the third of Kate Morton's books that I've read. The other two were The Forgotten Garden, and The Distant Hours. I liked this one better than both of those.

I've had this book on my Kindle for quite a while. I finally read it when we went to Hawaii. I think I've started it before because I seemed to remember the first couple of chapters. I don't know why I didn't finish it then. Perhaps I needed to get a book group book finished or something.

I really liked this book. I felt like it unfolded well, and kept me wondering how in the world it would resolve. I liked how she tied it up and made it work. It made me constantly rethink the characters as more of their lives were revealed. It's a good one.