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Last month I told you that our reading group had chosen Mitch Albom’s HAVE A LITTLE FAITH for our May book, but we’ve decided to hold off on Mitch until September 2010.  Our book for May is TALLGRASS, a novel by Sandra Dallas.  I bought this book a year ago during one of my husband’s and my bookstore excursions.  I set it in my “to read” stack – which is actually 5 stacks, all tall enough to teeter.  During a meeting at my house, our book group was discussing future book choices, so I raided my stacks and brought down a few of my “can’t wait to reads”.  They decided TALLGRASS sounded interesting, so we chose it for our May book. 

Now that I have read it, I can give you my opinion:  5 huge stars!

It’s wonderful.  

TALLGRASS takes place in the little Colorado town of Ellis during World War II.  The main character, Rennie Stroud, is 13 years old.  Her family has been impacted by the war in many ways – her brother is a soldier – but Rennie’s life changes completely when the federal government opens a Japanese internment camp less than a mile from the Stroud farm.  After one of Rennie’s friends is murdered, the citizens of Ellis convince themselves that the murderer has to be one of the Japanese.   Rennie has a different idea… 

Author Sandra Dallas has a gift of seeing deep into human hearts, spinning suspense and weaving a touching story into a very satisfying conclusion.  

The back cover says it better than I can: “Part thriller, part historical novel, TALLGRASS is a riveting exploration of the darkest – and best – parts of the human heart.”

Blessings, Sue

I’m sorry to have been lax in posting this past week , but we’ve had a bout with a virus that is pretty wicked.  It seemed to go through our local school system in January and February.  I kept expecting my husband to come home with it.  Principals usually get introduced to viruses early in the season, but he managed to hold it off until just after spring break.  He was down for a weekend, but didn’t miss any work.  About a week later, my father-in-law started sneezing.  Two days after the first sniffle, he was running a temp of 101 degrees.  That’s bad for anybody, but especially if you’re 90.  After a week of rest and meds, he’s doing great, but now it’s my turn.  I’ve kept up with the caregiving and laundry and my writing but not the Blog. 

So now that I’m feeling almost human again, let’s talk about books.  Our Pickford Reading Group is meeting this week to discuss THE LOVELY BONES by Alice Sebold.  I’ve read the book before, but I delighted all over again in the poetry of the words and the very true-to-life voice of the 14-year-old protagonist Susie.  It’s one of those books that you just can’t stop thinking about.  Next month we’re reading HAVE A LITTLE FAITH by Mitch Albom.  I’ve not read this one, so am looking forward to the joy of something ”brand new” – at least to me! 

My reading stack also includes THE CONFESSOR by Daniel Silva. I really enjoy Silva’s books.  He writes elegant thrillers, and his characters are very real to life.  I’m also reading ELVIS IS DEAD AND I DON’T FEEL SO GOOD MYSELF by Lewis Grizzard.  Somehow I missed this one when it was published back in the 1980’s.  Last week, one of our Blue Grass group friends lent me a copy.  This book is hilarious, and laughter is great medicine!

Okay, I want to know what you’re reading – for joy, to your kids, in your reading group, for English class…   Love it, hate it – let us know!  

Blessings!  Sue

I’m a member of a book group, and our selection for February is WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen (Algonquin). It’s a great book. What are you reading? Any recommendations?

Blessings!  Sue