No Dark Valley by Jamie Langston Turner – I’m rereading her books in the order they were published, and this is number five.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner – My library only has this in audiobook, so I’m trying to listen to it. We’ll see how it goes.
What I Recently Finished:
A Garden to Keep by Jamie Langston Turner – Her fourth book, this is an extremely thought-provoking story.
What I’ve Added to my TBR list:
The Lending Library by Aliza Fogelson – This was one of the Amazon Prime First Reads for June, and it sounded good.
The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel – I know I said I didn’t like books set in WWII, but this one just sounded interesting and I thought I would give it a try.
If you’re on Goodreads, feel free to add me as a friend. I’m always looking for new recommendations!
A Garden to Keep by Jamie Langston Turner – I’m rereading her books in the order they were published, and this is book four.
What I Recently Finished:
The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan – Book 2 in the Ranger’s Apprentice series. I am enjoying this series. It’s not totally realistic because the 15 year olds save the day on more than one occasion, but they are still a lot of fun to read.
The Icebound Land by John Flanagan – Book 3 in the Ranger’s Apprentice series. Another good book, although the way it shifted between the two storylines every other chapter was disconcerting. I would just be getting into it and the chapter would end, and I would have to switch gears to the other characters.
Someone Like You by Karen Kingsbury – This novel is part of her Baxter Family series. It was a sweet story and a quick afternoon read.
By the Light of a Thousand Stars by Jamie Langston Turner – I’m rereading her books in the order they were published, and this is her third one. I got so engrossed in it that I finished it in one day.
What I’ve Added to my TBR list:
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner – A few weeks ago, I shared a blog post about things that make me not want to read a book, and one of those things was a WWII setting. Well, this book is set just after WWII plus it’s about one of my favorite authors, so I am going to take a chance on it. My library only has it available as an audiobook. I have enjoyed audiobooks in the past, so I think that will be okay.
The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan – Book 2 in the Ranger’s Apprentice series I started a couple of weeks ago.
What I Recently Finished:
Some Wildflower in My Heart by Jamie Langston Turner – I’m rereading her books in the order they were published, and this is her second book. I have read this one several times, so I knew the story details pretty well, but I still enjoyed the writing and the characters.
What I’ve Added to my TBR list:
I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott – A memoir in essay form, this was recommended by Nick & Hanna True from Mapped Out Money. They read sections from the book on a recent podcast, and I was intrigued to read more of it.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins – Just released prequel to The Hunger Games series. The wait on my library app is more than 6 months, so it will be a while before I get to read this one!
Added to DNF list:
The Truth About Us by Brant Hansen – Fairly recent arrival by the author of Blessed Are the Misfits, which I enjoyed. The book has a good message and prompted me to recognize times I think I am better than other people in some way. I enjoyed the social science aspect of it as well as how he integrates Biblical wisdom on the topic of self-righteousness, but I just felt like he made his point pretty early on and was just restating it in different ways, so I didn’t finish this one.
If you’re on Goodreads, feel free to add me as a friend. I’m always looking for new recommendations!
Some Wildflower in My Heart by Jamie Langston Turner – I’m rereading her books in the order they were published, and this is her second book. See below for the first one.
What I Recently Finished:
Star of Persia by Jill Eileen Smith – I have read many fictionalized accounts of Esther but am still drawn to them. It’s such a fascinating story, and this one does not disappoint. Smith weaves the Biblical account and other historical documentation together to form an intriguing story.
Daughter of Cana by Angela Elwell Hunt – This is book one in the Jerusalem Road series. It was not as good as the other two Biblical fiction novels I have read recently, but I would still say I enjoyed it somewhat.
Suncatchers by Jamie Langston Turner – I wrote about this author last week and ordered several of her books that I didn’t have on my bookshelf. This one arrived on Saturday and I reread it the same day. So good!
What I’ve Added to my TBR list:
The Shepherd’s Wife by Angela Elwell Hunt – Book two in the Jerusalem Road series
If you’re on Goodreads, feel free to add me as a friend. I’m always looking for new recommendations!
Jamie Langston Turner is hands down my favorite contemporary writer. The first time I read one of her books, I started out very unsure of whether I would like it. It seemed quite unassuming and even slow at times, plus some of the characters were decidedly quirky. But I was quickly drawn into the rich storylines and unexpectedly deep characters, and she soon became one of my favorite writers.
The books are not really a series, but they are all set in the same fictional area of South Carolina. There are also several minor characters that are in many of the books, which lends an air of familiarity even as you are meeting a new main character.
I can’t really name a favorite, as each one holds a special place in my heart. Her way of expressing relationships and faith is simply amazing. According to the newsletter on her website, she is currently working on her ninth book. Here is a list of the eight books Turner has published so far:
I have decluttered a lot of books over the years, but I will never get rid of hers. I don’t own them all yet, but I hope to finish out my collection this year.
Have you read any of her books? What did you think?
Star of Persia by Jill Eileen Smith – I have read many fictionalized accounts of Esther but am still drawn to them. It’s such a fascinating story.
What I Recently Finished:
Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar – This was such a good book. I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author. This one is the fictional account of Priscilla and Aquila from the New Testament. I usually like stories like this, so it wasn’t a big stretch for me to pick this one up, and I’m glad I did.
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan – Recommended by my DM, this is a YA fantasy book that is first in a series called Ranger’s Apprentice. The writing was engaging and the characters were well-developed. I am looking forward to reading more of the series.
If You Must Know by Jamie Beck – This was my pick from the Amazon Prime First Reads list for May. It was a good book with a satisfying ending. I would recommend it.
What I’ve Added to my TBR list:
The Truth About Us by Brant Hansen – I have previously read his Blessed Are the Misfits, which was a great book about following God when you don’t fit in with the norm. This book is about embracing humility rather than self-righteousness.
The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan – Book 2 in the Ranger’s Apprentice series.
If you’re on Goodreads, feel free to add me as a friend. I’m always looking for new recommendations!
Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar – started reading on Sunday and am really enjoying it
What I Recently Finished:
The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson – cute Christian romance, read in one afternoon and enjoyed it
Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney – focuses on conceptual thinking about retirement rather than specific planning guidelines, interesting take on the topic
In So Many Words 