The Hangman's Daughter

By Oliver Potzsch
As far as gruesome, somewhat gross and otherwise disturbing books go...
I liked this one! It wasn't so gross that I couldn't read it, but it is about a Hangman after all. this book takes place in the mid 1600's. It was a time when anyone could be accused of being a witch. However, this time it is the midwife of all his children's births that is accused. The Hangman, being the big ol softy he is, becomes something of a detective in a quest to prove her innocence. I love the characters in this book. It does talk about witches, torture, death and a host of other somewhat adult topics. It has some language and references to sex. So, I would say it is an adult read. I couldn't put this one down.
One quote I loved:
"If you want to know who is responsible for anything, ask who benefits from it."

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I forgot how much I LOVE this book!! One of my all time favorites for sure.

It takes place in the 1940's and is a book of letters. At first it is hard to adjust to the style, but certainly worth hanging in there for. It is witty and full of humor. It is very clean and I would recommend it to anyone, however young readers may be bored by it.

So, the main character, an author named Juliet, has a little writers block when she gets a letter from man on the island of Guernsey that was captured by the Germans during the occupation. The island, now liberated, is home to a delightful bunch that send letters to Juliet as well. It's a story of finding yourself and making friends in unlikely places.

So cute. I will read it again and again.

In starting with a new tradition, here is a quote or 2:

"That's what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It's geometrically progressive- all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment."

"I much prefer whining to counting my blessings"

Oh, you have to read this book! So good!

Matched

OK people. Here is a good read that combines all the good stuff of "Hunger Games" and "The Giver." I liked it. No loved, but liked. This is a local (SLC) author and I am pretty sure this is her first book. There is a waiting list at the library for it and I guess it was worth the time. I am fairly certain that this is the first book of a series as it leaves you totally hanging.
This is another futuristic America book where we have managed to destroy our world. So this book takes place in a "Society" where everything is decided for you, (because we were to dumb to do it the first time around.) You don't choose your meals, your career or even your spouse in the Society. Problem? (Cause every good book has one?) The girl in this book isn't sure of the match they make for her. YIKES! DRAMA! OK so it is a young adult read obviously. So no sex, language or anything else that would keep me from recommending it to the young women.
I have got to quit reading this type of book however. They freak me out. the whole government control thing hits a little close to home sometimes. It seems they always think they know how we should live and aren't afraid to impose rules and laws to make sure we do. So, yes, these books are a little creepy that way. Warn me if you intend to recommend on to me.
I need a good old fashioned, can't pull my nose out of, my poor kids are starving kind of book!