Groundbreaking Reads Book Reviews, Weeks 3 & 4

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnet     4 STARS
A great classic.  A wonderful story about what  you think you can do. Watch what you think. A great story of the goal of a person they can conquer anything.
-- Reviewed by AM







The Practical Homestead by Paul Heiney
The Practical Homestead  is an excellent introduction to becoming more self-reliant. Being a "DK" book, it is filled with truly excellent illustrations and photos.  This book covers topics as varied as churning butter, rotating crops, and making cheese. Each chapter is devoted to some significant area of homesteading, leading the reader through each step along the way.  Highly recommended!
-- Reviewed by JC

SEAL Team 666 by Weston Ochse
Seal Team 666 is a great combination of military action and horror. Jack Walker is a cadet about to finish his SEAL training when he is recruited into a top secret military outfit.  This organization, the titular SEAL Team 666, is tasked with handling all manner of paranormal threats to the United States. In this book, the team goes up against a truly world-class threat. At times alternately humorous and thrilling, this book would appeal to fans of the X-Files as well as Tom Clancy.
--Reviewed by JC



Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah     5 STARS
This book was a great story about friendship through life's different stages.  The book did a great job capturing the fears and joy of friendship.
--Reviewed by AM

Family Affair by Debbie Macomber     3 STARS
A woman who's been hurt by a divorce meets a man in her apartment building whom she does not trust.  Their initial meeting started with their cats.  I liked how it was entertaining, but I disliked that some of it seemed unreal.
--Reviewed by LJ






Calico Joe by John Grisham     4 STARS
I am more of a mystery/suspense reader, and this book didn't have it.  It was a good story about a father and son.  The father was a pro baseball player who intentionally hit another player in the head.  The story is about the son getting his father to apologize.  I was surprised in the end that the father did apologize.
--Reviewed by MG



Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt     3 STARS
It's about a boy who's born in American and moves at a young age to Ireland. He's Catholic, and extremely poor because of his alcoholic father. It takes place in the 1940's.  It was interesting to read about his life, but also depressing because of the extent of the poverty he endures.
--Reviewed by LJ





The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks  
I enjoyed this book, although not as mush as some of Sparks's other books. The characters, Logan and Beth, are very likable and it is easy to root for them to get together.  The deputy is harder to figure out -- just when you are hating him, the author throws in something to try and make you like him.  A good read that is hard to put down.
--Reviewed by MD


Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren     5 STARS
A very different book on evangelism,written for the lay person.  I've never read anything about or heard about this approach.  It is so very simple, requires little money, and brings great results!  "Showing God's love in a practical way . . ." this book makes evangelism easier, nothing to be afraid of.  It's practical, fun to read, and the new way (to do evangelism) is refreshing.  I'm going to give it to the evangelism committee at the church I attend.
--Reviewed by JD

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks     5 STARS
The book is about "The Haggadah," a Jewish book about the Passover feast. The author takes the reader to the different moments of history in which the book survived violence and religious intolerance.  It was an excellent book because the writing style made the topic fascinating and moving.  The changes of times and narrative styles highlighted how, through violent times, there are people who are willing to protect other's religions and artifacts.
--Reviewed by ML




Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley     4 STARS
This was a fun, easy read.  It's an interesting read as the author tells the story from the viewpoint of various characters.  The characters are very believable and it's easy to root for Bella.  A happy ending where the "bad guys" get what they deserve.
--Reviewed by MD