Had I Known by Joan Lunden

People of a certain age know this author well. She was co-host on Good Morning America for several years. The audience woke up each morning to her charming personality and beautiful smile. Indeed, I would venture to guess that she helped raise the popularity of this morning show during her stint. Although the audience was not privy to every aspect of her life, she was open to revealing her bout with breast cancer at a time when celebrities were not apt to publicly pronounce all that was wrong with their lives.

This is the story of her struggle and her survival and how it impacted her family, her friends and most importantly, herself. A beautifuly written memoir that invokes the reader to examine their own lives with a unique perspective. Ms. Lunden invites us all to understand her struggle and her strength. Not content with sharing her story in one book, Ms. Lunden has gone on to pen books about healthly lving, wellness and success. She continues to be a force against breast cancer and speaks all over the country in an effort to inform the public about the disease. She has created a website which offers visitors a wealth of information. In addition, she has an online t.v. channel which provides an additional resource for members of the breast cancer community.

For some of us it is not enough to go through a health struggle, it also becomes vital to offer encouragement, resources and empathy to those who come after. Ms. Lunden is one of those people. If you thought you knew her from her exposure on the popular morning show, read this memoir. She may become someone you admire, respect and appreciate.

Ladybookbug!

The Guilty by David Baldacci

It seems to me that authors come up with a plot and talk about it with other authors. Then they all create their own settings and characters and publish as if the book is a new idea. That's okay if the books are released in different years. However, as of late it seems that the books are all released at the same time which makes for boring reading. This new entry of Mr. Baldacci's was disappointing both in its plotline as well as the writing. I expect great things from this author based on some of his other titles, the best of which seem to me to be his stand-alones.

This title has an uncanny resemblence to Patterson's Cross Justice. Here we have a family member going to his hometown to defend a family member who has been charged with murder. Sound familiar? Anyway I just could not get into the story. While I have enjoyed reading about Robie's previous predicaments, this one just never gets off the ground. In all honesty I read about a quarter of the story. I just could not motivate myself to read further. However, I am not giving up on this author because the majority of his stories are filled with intrigue and plots which foster the reader to become immersed in the story.

I am looking forward with anticipation to the next book.

Ladybookbug!

The Christmas Light by Donna VanLiere

This is the story of how three different sets of people come together for an unusual church Nativity and in the process find strength, courage and hope for the future.

Jennifer and Ryan are single parents who struggle with the day-to-day problems that single parenthood entails. They make every effort to provide as normal a life as they can for their children. Kaylee, age 16 has just discovered that she is pregnant and struggles with all the emotions that the state of pregnancy entails. Lily and Stephen have been married for a number of years and are ready to start a family. Amidst all of their troubles and dispair, the characters retain the will to participate in a live Nativity, never realizing that it will change their lives.

A small book containing 212 pages and filled with all the promises of Christmas. At the beginning of every chapter is an inspiring quote which follows the theme of the story.

Ladybookbug!

Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich

This author's first novel in this series was entitled "One for the Money". It was a light mystery full of funny situations and anectdotes. In this 22nd book in the series the characters continue their adventurous escapades and this book still offers the occasional laugh.

Stephanie is in hot pursuit of a man whose nickname is Gobbles, She enlists the aid of her long time friend and paramour, Ranger who again loans her one of his vehicles fullly aware that it might not be returned in the same shape. Stephanie and Joe Morelli are not exactly a couple in this entry but he continues to hang around. Grandma and Lula offer up their familiar funny antics and round out the body of main characters.

The premise of the story is that Gobbles is up to no good. A room filled with acquariums and fleas turns out to be a monstrous plan to inflict pain and suffering to other people. Stephanie, along with Ranger and Morelli join forces to make sure that the plan is not executed.

If you are a fan of this series, you'll want to read this latest entry.
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Cross Justice by James Patterson

You will find several posts on this blog by this author. He is extremely prolific and often produces books with another author. I enjoy reading his books because the plots are interesting and the format of most of his work is such that the chapters are short and they motivate the reader through the storyline.

This title is one of his Alex Cross series books. The titles in this series are written by Mr. Patterson exclusively. I was looking forward to this title because I enjoy the Alex Cross character. In this entry, Alex returns to his hometown to help aid a cousin who has been charged with murder. While there, he encounters many memories from his past which are frightening to him.

I found this book to be slow going and I did not finish it. However, I will more than likely pick it up at a later date.
Ladybookbug!

The Christmas Letters by Lee Smith

This title was published in 1996. I came across it in a selection of Christmas books taken out of storage for the season. It is a story that can be read again and again, regardless of the year.

The story is comprised of three Christmas letters. The kind of letters that were very popular several years ago. They are often sent to family and friends who are not seen by the writers on a regular basis. They consist of bringing everyone up-to-date on what is happening in the family and encompass graduations, marriages, promotions and births.

The first letter was written in 1944 and the last letter was written in 1996. Recipes are scattered throughout the book including Carrott Cake, Boiled Custard and Orange Mint Sherbert to name a few.

A gentle story just in time for the holidays.

Ladybookbug!