4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie

This is the first Murder Mystery that I have read.  I love watching mysteries and I love trying to figure out who did it.  So I wasn't surprised that I really liked reading one.  Agatha Chrisitie is a great author.  She is descriptive and makes you think it could be anyone.  I of course was very surprised with the outcome of this book.  And now realize that I could never be a detective.  I read this book for our May book club and truly enjoyed reading it.

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

I have read a number of Jodi Picoult books.  They all have the same type of story line where there is some sort of family problem and in the end you are shocked. Well, this one followed that same line.  BUT throughout this story line family you learn about wolves. I enjoyed that.  I also liked the family plot where a broken family was brought back together and forced to remember what family was all about.  I really did like this read and would recommend it to anyone who likes Jodi Picoult.

The Musician's Daughter by Susanne Dunlap

A friend recommended this book to me.  It stated our as a suspense and I got into it real fast.  Then the plot slowed down, but it ended great.  I didn't love this book, but I did enjoy learning about life in the 1930's.  The story is of a young girl.  Her father dies and she tries to find out why.  In the end she learns a lot about her father that she never would have known. 

Standing for Something by Gordon B. Hinckely

This was our book club book for April.  I thought I had read it was then realized that I never had.  And I am so glad that Yvonne picked it for book club.  It is a wonderful.  First off.  It is written to the world.... not just Mormons.  President Hinckley talks about 10 virtues that will help our homes.  They are:  Love, Honesty, Morality, Civility, Learning, Mercy & Forgiveness, Thrift and Industry, Gratitude, Optimism, and Faith. Each of these was a great reminder of what I should be doing daily.  The book then goes on and talks about the importance of marriage and family.  Again, another great reminder of what I should be doing.  In the end, I was reminded of a lot of things, along with my love for our dear prophet Gordon B. Hinckley.

Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

If you are an Office love... you will love this book. I learned so many new facts about "The Office" It was fun to learn about how Mindy got the Office Job. Mindy is a lot like her character (Kelly). She is funny, doesn't care about what others think and is down to earth. But in real life she her biggest dream is to get married and have a family. She really is a good person. I enjoyed reading her book.

Falling Leaves by Adeline yesn Mah

I love memoirs and I am truly fascinated by the Chinese Culture. Therefore this book was everything I wanted and more. Adeline tells her story of growing in China (born in 1837) to a wealthy family. Her Step-Mother favored her own children and was a typical strik Chinese mother (showing no love). I really enjoyed reading about what happened during Mao's rule in the early 1850's. I grew to love Adeline and her desire to be loved.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Most interesting/controversy book I have read in a long time. This is a self-help book, which I hardly ever read. The Secret really isn't a secret. It is to think positively. But it is something that we don't always do and we all need reminders. This book is a great reminder of how positive thinking can get you almost anywhere. I loved the first 3 chapters. I learned I need more faith.

Rebeckah by Orson Scott Card

This is the second book in the series of 3. The first book was Sarah(which I LOVED). Rebekah was a slower read for me. A lot of parts dragged on and I even fell asleep reading a couple of times (that never happens with good books). But there isn't a lot said about Rebekah in the scriptures, so Card had to drag it on. I did gain a lot more respect for Rebekah. She was a righteous woman who God choose to marry the prophet, Isaac.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

A friend recommended this book to me, and I listened to it on tape. It is about Alice who gets Alzheimer's at an early age of 50. It is her and her families struggle with this disease. I really enjoyed learning about the stages of Alzheimer since I had a Grandfather that struggled with this same disease. I remember visiting my Grandfather and he didn't even know who I was.
Still Alice talks show the true stages of Alzheimer and how it feels.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

This is a book that was picked for March's Book Club. And I finished it in one week. It was that good. The story is about a Chinese mother who raises here 2 girls in America. It is about the differences between Western Mother's and Chinese Mothers. I now have a lot of idea of how I want to better raise my Children. #1 my children will play a instrument. #2 my children will play a sport. #3 But I will let them choose.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

My older sister reccomended this book to me, and I listened to it on tape. But I finished it in 4 days because it was that great. This story is written from Dina's (Leah's only daughter) point of view. I have always loved Rachel (because of my name). But this story make me love all 4 of Jacob's wives. They were all amazing woman who shared a life together. And the "Red Tent" is where they spent a week together each month. I learned a lot and have such a respect for Jacob and his wives (but not Simon and Livi).

Unprotected by Anonymous

My sister recommended this book to me. It is written by anonymous, who is a school psychologist on a collage campus. This psychiatrist wrote this book to open our eyes as to what school counselors and psychiatrist are "paid to say" and what they SHOULD be saying. Hearing all the stories of her different clients make me grateful for the gospel principles. I am so thankful that I grew up with parents who taught me right from wrong.

Sarah by Orson Scott Card

LOVED... LOVED.... LOVED.... LOVED this book !! Orson Scott Card does a great job of telling the story of Abraham and Sarah through Sarah's eyes. Sarah endured much. She had a lot of faith and truly supported her husband. I loved learning about everyday life for these Genesis Woman. I gained a deeper respect and love for Sarah, Hagar, Lot, Abraham, and all these relatives.

Believing Christ by Steven Robenson

I have read this book before, but was needing a boost in my spiritual life, so I brought it down off the shelves. Believing Christ is just that. This books helps build your testimony of Christ. After reading you will have a better understanding of the atonement and Christ's Love.

Shift by Jennifer Brandbury

This book is a juvenile book and therefore a very quick read. Yet, the moral is great for anyone. It is a story of 2 boys who bike across the United States together. They see and experience much. Yet, in the end it is what they learn. I recommend this book if you want a quick, fun read.

Bringing Elizabeth Home by Ed & Lois Smart

After reading A Stolen Life, I was interested in kidnapping and therefore read, "Bringing Elizabeth Home". This does not talk about Elizabeth's experiences as a kidnapped child. It talks about what her parents endured. Mr. and Mrs. Smart are the authors, and explain their side of the story. Again my eyes were open to the pain and horror of kidnappings. The Smarts were LDS and therefore God becomes a huge part in her homecoming.

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

This is a true story about Jaycee Dugard who was kidnapped at age 14 on her way to school. She spent the next 18 years living in the backyard of her kidnappe'rs home. Jaycee never left the backyard & bore 2 children. She endured much. I can only imagine how hard it was for her to write her story. My eyes were opened to this horrible crime. And my eyes watered along with Jaycee.

The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood

I read of this book on the best-sellers list for 2011. I hardly ever read murder mysteries. But I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. There is a love story connected to the mystery and it had a twist. It is very descriptive in places, so don't read it if you are sensitive to language or sex.

The Preachers Bride by jody Hedlund

This was one of our Book Club books. It is labeled a romance story. But I would have called it history. It is the story of a Puritan woman, named Elizabeth, living in England in the 1650's. She meets a preacher (John), and becomes his housekeeper. John was a real preacher and is the author of Pilgrim's Progress. I enjoyed reading about Puritan life in the 1600's. They were hard workers who really loved God. This book was another story that made me thankful for what I have.

The Guernsey literary and Potato Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

This book is nothing like I have ever read. The content of the book is letters. Between these letters you learn of a Book Club (Literacy and Potato Pie Society) on a Island off England after the II world war. Even though you are reading letters from one character to another, you really get to know the members and what life was like living during the war. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. Plus there is a small love story within the letters.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

I loved loved loved this biography. It is a story of a man named Louis Zamperini. He experienced everything from being in the 1940 Olympics, becoming a lieutenant, being a POW and more. It is amazing how much one person came overcome. Louis had an experience of a lifetime. I truly loved reading his story and seeing him overcome the challenges placed upon him. After reading the book I thought about it for days. He made me improve my way of thinking.

How to be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway

I listened to this book on tape, truly enjoying it due to the accents of the speakers. This book is about a Japanese Woman trying to fit into America after WWII. She then has a daughter and tries to raise her girl in American yet with Japanese traditions. She works hard and ties her best, but America isn't Japan. An interesting connection of America and Japan.

A tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

I heard about this book from a dear friend. It is divided into 5 parts. The first section is where you meet 11-year-old Francie Nolan living in Brooklyn in 1912 (this was my least favorite section and I almost stopped reading). The next 4 sections got so so so much better. Part 2 you are introduced to Francie's parents in 1900. And section 3-5 is their family growing up together as a family in downtown Brooklyn, trying to survive. I really enjoyed this book. I liked reading about life in the earily 1900's. Again, this book made me greatful for what I have today.

Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall

Stolen Innocence is a true story of a young girl named Elissa. Elissa belongs to the FLDS church where the church practices polygamy and Jeff Warren in their Prophet. All members must completely comply with the teaching/revelations of Jeff Warren. Elissa is therefore forced (by revaluation) to marry her first cousin at the age of 14 years old. She tells of growing up in the FLDS religion as a child, as a 14 year old bride and of trying to get out. I got hooked on this book and couldn't put it down. It make me appreciate my agency and our living Prophet.

The following are books I read before moving to Florida, and have made a huge impact on me. These are books I would recommend to anyone, and read again. Most of the following are books based on true events, and ones that make you feel good.