Book 19: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by

Book 18: Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver

Just returned from the Grand Canyon and Prescott AZ and read a fine book to match the trip. I love Barbara Kingsolver...great storyteller and artful wordcrafter. This book is rich in the sensual experiences that only time in the desert supplies. A wonderful summer read!

Book 17: Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana by Anne Rice

A very small, compelling work by Anne Rice about the entry of Jesus into His ministry woven between her talent of storytelling and the accounts given to us through the Gospels. The second volume in her planned trilogy exploring His life and ministry, the story covers His baptism, wilderness experience and encounter with Satan and His first series miracles which culminate with changing water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. Simply and elegantly written. I believe I will read it again because it is a wonderfully presented version of a timeless, satisfying story.

Book 16: The Vintage Caper by Peter Mayle

A fun frolic through the wine chateaus of Bordeaux and the towns and countryside of Provence in search of 3 million dollars of stolen wine. A light read for wine lovers wanting to know more about old Bordeaux red wines, the rich folks that collect such treasures and the lengths to which they will go to get their hands on reputably great vintages of particular wines. One of a series of detective-type books on French wines.Meant to be enjoyed with a good meal and glass of vino! I will most likely be reading the other books in this series.

Book 15: A Short History of Myth by Karen Armstrong

There are books that sit on your bookshelf for years that you know you should read but put off because.....there are a hundred reasons for not reading a book. I picked up this book because it was short....I could get through 150 pages in three days with ease! Turns out it only took two days and will be a "visit again" book. Armstrong makes a compelling argument for modern society to stop and really understand how, in our rush to be rational thinkers, we have abandoned our foundations for compassion and respect for the sacredness of all life when we abandon our need for myths. There is still much to be contemplated in this small, powerful book!

Book 14: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Wonderful book about a very sad time in our history - an enduring love story of two youngsters set against the conflict of immigrant Chinese with immigrant Japanese communities over wars in their mother counties and the beginning of the Pacific War of WWII which led to the decision to carry out the internment of the Japanese/Japanese-Americans in a temporary camp - Camp Harmony - outside of Seattle to the relocation of the families to desolate centers in Idaho, Nevada and California. It made me cry and made me cheer. One reviewer felt it was a trite, young adult's story - not as interesting as Snow Falling on Cedar (it does have a Hallmark movie feel at the end) - but I found it touching, compelling and uplifting.

Book 13: Eleven Minutes : A Novel by Paulo Coelho

A frank, stark, provocative look at sex in western culture in juxtaposition to the idea of sacred sex. Different from most of Coelho's books, but not really. You have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy this book - I had started it several years ago and put it aside for many reasons. It seemed much better this time but maybe it's just the season for the search for love in it's purest sense. I enjoyed it this time.