The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

This title was published in 2012 and was a recommendation by a fellow librarian.  I started it and had to read the whole thing in one sitting.

It is the story of a man named Harold who embarks on the trip of a lifetime.  An old friend has written him a note to advise him that she is dying.  Harold decides to walk the over 500 mile distance to see her.  He believes that as long as he keeps walking, she'll remain alive.

Over the course of the trip he meets some interesting people.  Some he likes, some join him in his walk and some he could do without.  Harold is a gentle soul at heart and finds it difficult to put anyone off, even if they are annoying.

What starts out as a simple pilgrimage ends up being a travesty of which Harold wants no part but he goes along with it all anyway.  The walk is not just a walk but rather an opportunity for Harold to delve deeply into his own psyche to find out what his issues are.  The walk also gives his wife Maureen pause for reflection on their life together.

A well-written novel which I think you'll enjoy.  If you like it, you'll be pleased to know she has another one coming out this year.

Ladybookbug!

Your Life Calling by Jane Pauley

I heard about this title in an interview with the author on one of the local talk shows.  I must admit the content intrigued me and I wanted to read more about it.

This book offered real insight into what to do with the rest of your life.  It is a collection of short essays by people who decided to head in a different direction after loosing a job, retiring or just making the choice to live their lives differently.

From Paul Giannone who loved to cook and decides to open a pizza place to Patty Sutherland who buys a farm in Tuscany and opens a cooking school.  The stories are varied and interesting and they just might give you the impetus to head in a new direction.  My advice is to explore your passions and find out what you do well and what you like to do.  This book should inspire you.

Ladybookbug!

River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz

One of our more prolific romance writers, this author also pens under the pseudonyms of Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick.

Her newest novel is about the adventures of Lucy Sheridan.  After being away for thirteen years, Lucy returns to the town of Summer River upon the untimely death of her Aunt in a tragic automobile accident.

She reconnects with old friends including Mason Fletcher who saved her from becoming a victim when she was just a teenager.  Lucy is unaware of the behind-the-scenes story until Mason and Jillian enlighten her.

Lucy, as the beneficiary of her Aunts estate, decides to upgrade the interior of her Aunt's home to make it more marketable on the real estate market.  She enlists the aid of Mason to help in the renovation process. While Mason is taking the tiles off the fireplace he and Lucy make a gruesome discovery.  They become embroiled in a mystery.

As Ms. Krentz is noted for her "steamy" romance novels, this entry is no exception.  If you're not into that sort of writing, skip over it.  The mystery is intriguing and worth the read.   Light reading for a snowy winter day.

Ladybookbug!