Reading Wrap-Up/What Are You Reading?

Sheila at Book Journey hosts this weekly event where we celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week. I use this this weekly meme as a way to give short, concise thoughts on the books I've read.

Wow, the last few days of March!  We are still very chilly, but at least the sun shines more and more.  I am excited to be attending The Phantom of the Opera this weekend!

Thoughts on the Books I Read Last Week:

Lost and Found by Brooke Davis

Seven year old Millie is keeping a "Book of Dead Things" since she found her dog dead on the side of the road. Recently she has added her father to the book. Her mother takes her to the store tells her to "wait right here" by the rack of ladies underwear. Millie waits for two days and gets into a bit of trouble. She decides to go home and discovers where her mother went. With the help of Karl, whom she met at the store cafe and Agatha the neighbor across the street they set out for Adelaide, Australia before her mother leaves for the US. Both Karl and Agatha have lost their spouses. Their road trip is hilarious, touching, and redefines family. A wonderful, quirky debut. .

Boston Girl by Anita Diamant (audio)

Addie Baum tells her life story to her granddaughter when she is asked, "How did you become the woman you are today?". Addie was one of three daughters born to Jewish immigrants in 1900 in Boston. As Addie recites her life to her granddaughter you are pulled into her story and sit mesmerized by what she and her family survived, what she strives for, and accomplished. Narrated by Linda Lavin .

*Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for this review copy*

The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton (audio and print)

Fourteen year old Kevin and his mother travel from Indiana to a small town in Kentucky after suffering a devastating loss. He is glad to get away from the blame of his father, but isn't looking forward to a summer in this small coal mining town.  He hopes the time away with his Pops will help his mother heal. What he finds is not what he was expecting. He quickly makes friends with Buzzy Fink and has a great time in the woods.  He helps his grandfather with his vet business, comes to respect and love him in a way that changes his life. Amidst the outcry of what mining is doing to the environment, a tragic death happens, and what takes place afterwards has the pages turning with suspense, survival, shock and awe to it's satisfying, emotional conclusion.  Brilliantly narrated by Robert Petkoff, I could not stop listening to and reading this book.  I devoured this debut 466 page book/audio over a weekend. 

 *Thanks to Hachette Audio for this review copy*


Book Thoughts Posted:
Mistress Firebrand by Donna Thorland

Up Next:
The Alphabet House by Jussi Alder-Olsen
Evergreen by Susan May Warren
The Duke's Disaster by Grace Burrowes

Michigan State made it to the Final Four!  Woo Hoo!  Did one of your teams make it to the FF? Any special plans for Easter this weekend?