Writers are told . . . well, writers are actually given lots of rules. But one thing we are told is that, when asked what our book is about we should be able to answer with one sentence that gives a clear idea of plot and character. I thought it might be interesting to see if I can do that with the books I read in 2009.
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. The author shares stories from her faith walk as she gropes her way to Christianity.
Love From Your Friend Hannah by Mindy Warshaw Skolsky. In this elementary level novel, Hannah’s story is told in letters to her grandmother, her pen pal and to President Franklin Roosevelt.
Church of the Dog by Kaya McLaren. A mysterious young girl enters the lives of an elderly farm couple to show them forgotten pleasures in their everyday existence.
The Shack, by William Paul Young. This is the story of a man who, after suffering a great loss, meets the Trinity personified in a way drastically uncharacteristic of the usual image of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
If You Can Talk You Can Write by Joel Saltzman. Techniques in free writing to help get the creative juices flowing.
Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen. In this middle school novel a young man inadvertently becomes an entrepreneur when his lawn mowing business takes off.
Heidi by Johanna Spyri. The adventures of a young orphan girl who goes to live with her grandfather in the Alps.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The author’s story of her recovery from the grief of a failed marriage as she travels to Italy, India and Bali.
Twisted Creek by Jodi Thomas. A mystery about a young woman who inherits a bed and breakfast in Texas and moves there to start over.
Grace (Eventually) Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott. Stories from the author’s spiritual walk and the insights she gained from the joys and sorrows she encountered along the way.
The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble. A group of English women who read a book each month and gather for discussion are surprised to realize how their choice of literature mirrors their lives.
Without a Map by Meredith Hall. The author’s story of her life of shame and shunning following her pregnancy at age seventeen.
To Dance With the White Dog by Terry Kay. A mysterious white dog comes to keep company with an old man suffering from grief after the loss of his wife.
Worth by A. LaFaye. A family takes in a child from the orphan train.
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. This book follows the life and loves of two young girls who, though from very different backgrounds, are best friends.
Second Glance by Jodi Picoult. Ghost hunter comes in contact and falls in love with a woman who died in 1933.
The Widows of Wichita County by Jodi Thomas. Four men are in an oilfield explosion and only one survives in this story of their wives’ reaction to the event.
delicious fatigue by Pat Laster. Chap book of delightful verse by Benton, AR poet and my BFF.
The Herring-Seller’s Apprentice by L.C.Tyler. A suspense story around the disappearance of a mystery writer’s wife.
The Last Time They Met by Anita Shreve. Story of two writers with plenty of history between them who meet again after twenty-six years.
Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman. Teen interactive mystery with clues sent every few chapters via logging into website.
No Bell Will Ring by Ruth Couch. Elementary school teacher meets the challenges of caring for an elderly parent while trying to have a life of her own.
Homer and Langley by E.L. Doctorow. A re-telling of the Collyer brothers story from the point of view of the younger Homer.
Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life by Charles Swindol. Moving through the year with devotional thoughts and exercises.