Book Review – April

 “THE MAN WHO DOES NOT READ GOOD BOOKS HAS NO ADVANTAGE OVER THE MAN WHO CAN’T READ THEM.”

– MARK TWAIN, ATTRIBUTED.

My OH and I were able to make a day trip up to Portland to see family/friends this past weekend – so much fun but so tired from it! ha. I splurged the next day and got a soy milk (even though I normally avoid it) chai tea. YUM. I forgot how much I love those. This weekend also marked the end of a ‘diet’ that I’ve been on this past month. The Fast Metabolism Diet. Whew. It was harder to get through than I thought it would be…. but more on that later.

And now, for our book review for the month of April!  . ( I know, I know, it’s May now but I know you’ll forgive me for being a day late!) I did a bit more reading this past month (yay!) and also more varied (another yay!) books too.

Frederic Wentworth – None but You by Susan Kaye –loved this book! I am saddened because the library doesn’t have its sequel. continues in his perspective, how he sees anne and the others around him. Brings in new friends that you quickly learn to love.   if you want to read my review on this – check out last months’ review —- https://thestartofagoodlife.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/book-review-march-2014/

The Fast Metabolism Diet by Haylie Pomeroy – My naturopath/acupuncturist suggested I try this diet to help with all my crazy health issues. Thank goodness my mom went on this diet with me and it helped so much. I broke down and bought the book brand new – I think the last time  I paid full price for a book was when I was in culinary school. Ouch. But it is full of good advice and I love the ‘voice’ of Haylie. It is designed to speed up your metabolism, heal your thyroid and if there’s weight to lose, that too! It is a strict 28- day program where you cut out wheat, dairy, corn, sugar and basically anything else that might be processed, from your diet. With how fast I burn through food, I struggled a lot, having to eat every 2 hours! Now, while I love food and am used to eating frequently, this was a lot more frustrating for me being so hungry all the time. What I did gain from it, is that my digestion is better – not where it should be, but there’s a definite improvement. Which is nice. I also got corn out of my diet, which is something I have been wondering if I have an allergy to for quite a while now. So, while it didn’t help the migraine pain, I am glad I did it.  I am debating trying it for a week sometime this coming – or next – month to continue healing my digestion.

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis – loved it  -I read this in three days! A delightful story of another adventure in Narnia. Eustace Scrubb gets back to Narnia with friend Jill Pole and go on a journey to find Prince Rilian, son of King Caspian the Tenth. Rilian has been kept captive by the Emerald Witch in an underground kingdom. Meetings with owls, giants and earthmen bring new characters into this series that is very imaginative.

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis -loved it loved it! In this wonderful end to the Narnia series, the threat comes from inside the kindgom. From lies and treason, the King and a small band of followers must prevent the destruction of everything that they hold dear.

The Yeast Connection by William G. Crook, M.D. – pretty good. very informative book on the health problems  that can be tracked to sensitivity to the ‘yeast germ candida albicans’, of people of all ages and sexes.

The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson –  this is another novel I randomly picked up years ago at a second-hand bookstore. This is my second time reading it and I enjoyed it even more this time. It is set in the historical time during the War of the Roses. We follow Dick Shelton as he must rescue his lady, Joanna Sedley. Through it all, he must join forces with the outlaws known as the black arrows in order to gain revenge against his guardian, Sir Daniel Brackley, who murdered his father. While it is full of old english words, that is part of its’ charm, I am continuously reaching for my phone (i.e. dictionary) to look up a word. This is a must read!!!

Rudin by Ivan Turgenev  – unexpected new favorite! I knew nothing about this book when I picked it up and found it delightful. Turgenev is a famous Russian author, and this was his first novel. It is based on the life of Rudin, a man with dreams and big words but is superfluous. Apparently this type of character whose inability to act was a staple of Turgenev’s.

True Devotion by Dee Henderson – favorite for years. Book one of the Uncommon Heroes series.  Kelly Jacobs has already loved and lost one Navy Seal, Joe ‘Bear’ Baker can’t ask her to risk going through that pain again.  But when the man responsible for Kelly’s husbands’ death is back , and closer than either of them realizes, Bear has to get there in time to save her. Now, this little explanation of this book does nothing for how wonderful it is!!! You simply must read this. I love Henderson’s stories. A little bit of suspense, mystery and faith makes this military romance novel a fun read.

I already have some of what I’m reading for May picked out – including the rest of the Dee Henderson series!  I’ve picked up a bible study titled the Heartache No One Sees by Sheila Walsh that I’m eager to start.

Well, I think I’m going to go take advantage of the summer-like weather and go walk the dog. Hope you enjoyed this list of worth-reading books!

Happy reading – and please, share what you’re reading right now in the comments below! I’d love to add some new books to my list !

~Laura