A Very Typical Family
by Sierra Godfrey

Natalie, Lynn and Jake are siblings who have become estranged after an incident that changed their young lives. Natalie goes off to college, moves to Boston and makes a life of her own. Lynn and Jake end up going in a totally different direction and in time they both must overcome what had happened. This book is about family dynamics which include loss of family, hope that someday they will find a way to become a family again and how their lives are without each other. This book was part of the 2023 Big Library Read and I am glad I took the time to read this great book.
 
 

Deliver Us from Evil
by David Baldacci

I supposedly read this book about 10 years ago. I don’t remember it at all. Over all it had some good parts and after a slow start it kept me entertained.
 
 

The Blood Gospel
by James Rollins

This is apparently the first in a series. Overall it was decent. The beginning was a little slow but as it went along it got better.
 
 

In A Dark, Dark Wood
by Ruth Ware

Leonora Shaw went by several nicknames throughout her life but as an adult she preferred Nora. Nora loses touch with her friends when she moves away. Years pass by and out of the blue Nora is invited to her old friend Clare's hen party. Nora doesn't know why she's being invited since she hasn't been invited to the wedding. Nora doesn't even know who Clare is marrying. Even though Nora doesn't want to go Nina convinces her to go to the hen party together. This book jumps back and forth but, it's not hard to follow and you don't want to put it down.
 
 

Throw Out Fifty Things
by Gail Blanke

A Marie Kondo type book which encourages you to sell, donate, or throw out things you don’t need, use or want. Part of the book addresses getting rid of mental baggage as well, as it was written by a life coach.
 
 

Silver Nitrate
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Horror isn't my favorite genre, but Silvia Moreno-Garcia really excels at it.
 
 

Shiloh
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

My favorite book as a young girl. Shared again with my son, age 7. Now, I’m reading again and taking notes as a teacher to read to my students this year. Great book on love, determination and how children should treat animals.
 
 

Wrong Place Wrong Time
by Gillian McAllister

Found parts of this book slow but the ending made up for it. When I thought it was predictable, McAllister threw in a curveball. So, while I struggled to get through it sometimes, as a whole it really worked. I also enjoyed how much of a character piece it is and McAllister's attention to detail to make this a lovely story about love and family.
 
 

The Virginian
by Owen Wister

Old classic book about a cowboy on a Wyoming cattle ranch written in 1902. It is believed by many to be the first true Western written.
 
 

Open And Shut
by David Rosenfelt

Andy Carpenter is a defense attorney who seems to end up with the most impossible cases to defend. It's been a rough year for Andy. He ends up getting divorced from Nicole and just before his father passes away he asks Andy to file an appeal and represent Willie Miller. Andy is really confused by this request since his father was the prosecutor on the case. The evidence is stacked against Willie and no evidence has been produced. This doesn't deter Andy though. This book was great to listen to and had some pretty funny moments.