Joyfully Retired

In March I loved all but one of the books I read (The Art of Racing in the Rain). Reading can’t get much better than that. In January and February, half the books I read were non-fiction. I tried to slow that down in March. I only read two:

If the Church Were Christian by Phillip Gulley

Best Food Writing 2009 edited by Holly Hughes

What made March so great was some very impressive writing.

I started off with Nora Roberts (Vision In White). She has given so many hours of pleasure over the years and it was enjoyable to spend time with her new characters.

And then I met Joseph Monniger with Eternal on the Water. If you haven’t read any of his work, I’d recommend starting with this one. His writing touched all of my senses.

Phillip Gulley (If the Church Were Christian) was a new writer to me as well. This man touched both my brain and my spirit. I have more of his books on order. He made me think and then think some more. I like that. I’m still talking about what he said.

I know I read that really great spiritual book – but – I have to confess my favorite writer this month was Michael Connelly. I loved the character of Mickey Haller, the defense attorney who seems like a shyster but deep down he has an ethical heart. I’m looking forward to spending more time with him. (Lincoln Lawyer)

What’s up for April? Oh, there are so many books I’m looking forward to. Here’s three:

First is a TLC book tour for The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees. It’s a fictional account of a time in Alcott’s life as imagined by McNees. I’ve only treated myself to a few pages but I’m raring to get going.

My book group is reading City of Thieves by David Benioff. It’s a story set in Leningrad during World War II. Looks very good.

I’m also going to join an online book club, the Classic Reads Book Club, and read A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. The club members will be reading and discussing it over the next three months. I read this book over fifty years ago but I still remember Francie and those Brooklyn streets. Visit the website if you feel like joining in on this read-a-long. I think it’s going to be great fun chatting about this one.

The big event in April is the Read-A-Thon. It’s next weekend. I’m working on my strategy for that day. I hope you’re planning to join in.

I trust you’ve also had a good reading month and that you have a nice big stack for next month.