The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

I have tried and tried to get into this book, but can't make it beyond the first couple chapters. I'll give it another try after the book I'm reading now.

The Kindle

The last book I read, Letters of a Woman Homesteader, was read via my birthday present - the Kindle eReader. I love it! I have always adored the smell and feel of a good book and my home is filled with them, but the Kindle allows me much easier reading and is especially nice now that I'm growing older and sometimes have troubles like comfort and vision. The Kindle is easy to position while in sitting position or lying down. I read five books since the week before Thanksgiving. I'm won over!

Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt

After deciding that city life as a laundress wasn't for her, Elinore Pruitt, a young widowed mother, accepted an offer to assist with a ranch in Wyoming, work that she found exceedingly more rewarding. In this delightful collection of letters, she describes these experiences to her former employer, Mrs. Coney. Pruitt's charming descriptions of work, travels, neighbors, animals, land and sky have an authentic feel. The West comes alive, and everyday life becomes captivating. Her writing is clear, witty, and entertaining. The 26 letters are brief and tell about her life on the ranch in the early 1900s. On occasion, language reflects the racial prejudice of the time. Many times, Pruitt attempts to portray the culturally diverse characters she meets by writing their various dialects as they sound.

Troublesome Creek by Jan Watson

A charming historical novel set in the late 1800s. Born and raised in the hills of Kentucky, Laura "Copper" Grace loves the wilderness of her home in Troublesome Creek. But when her stepmother threatens to send her away to boarding school to become a lady, Copper faces the possibility of losing everything that is precious to her. Copper must come to terms with her family and discover the true meaning of home. Nothing can drag her off the mountain, until the day she realizes that God has other plans for her life.

Discussion Questions:

1. Troublesome Creek is a work of historical fiction. Do you often choose this genre? If so why? I enjoy historical works (even fiction), but have never read this genre per se, until recently. This is my second read from this time era. I think I have enjoyed reading them because it feels as though I am reading of my roots. Being from the deep south I feel a particular kinship to such stories. They are easy on my heart and mind to read and that's a nice change of pace.

2. Julie’s unwed pregnancy set the stage for her estrangement from her sister Grace. How are unmarried mothers viewed differently today? Sadly, it seems almost a popular fad to be not only single and pregnant, but a teenager and pregnant.

3. Granny believed in “signs.” How do you feel about foreshadowing? Is it scriptural? I am not a Christian as defined by most Christians. I do claim to believe in signs, but think it is more my making fun and light of uncanny coincidences. The signs that Granny believed in I account to as superstition and I do not give much energy to their attention.

4. Both Will and Grace blamed themselves for JulieÂ’s death. How were they at fault, if at all? Julie's death was not anyone's fault, she was merely a victim of unfortunate circumstances. Her path may have been different if her sister, Grace, hadn't been so cold to her when she became pregnant and perhaps her death 'may have' been prevented by Will taking the buckboard instead of the buggy, but her death isn't either of their faults.

5. Why was Grace so reserved? Why was she so hard on Copper?

6. How did her stepmotherÂ’s expectations help to shape the young woman Copper was to become?

7. Have you ever known a social outcast like Remy? Did this person make you uncomfortable? Did you befriend them?

8. The snake handling service was a pivotal point in Copper BrownÂ’s life. Do you believe God would cause a serpent to bite Daniel in order to answer GraceÂ’s prayer to get Laura Grace off the mountain? No, I do not. I do believe that if God had anything at all to do with the snake bite it was Daniel's lesson to be learned, not Laura Grace's.

9. What did you think of John Pelfrey? Should Copper have married him? I'm torn. It wouldn't have made for a hot love component as the wiley Simon, but John is solid and familiar and probably would have remained loyally by her side until the end of time. I don't think Simon will stand by her. I have the impression that Dr. Corbett will use Copper up until the novelty has worn off and then he will shelf her for another.

10. How would CopperÂ’s life be different if she had married her childhood friend?

11. Was it realistic that Will would leave the mountains to please his wife? Do you think Grace would finally be happy if they moved? No, I don't think a mountain man of that time period would have ever considered leaving his own holler must less crossing the country where he will be totally outclassed.

12. In this book the eastern Kentucky mountains becomes almost a central character. Have you ever loved a place as much as Copper loved her home? How did you feel if you had to leave it? No, not really. I have no attachment to places because when the north wind blows I usually hop upon my magick carpet and let the wind decide the next stop. I have no home other than where I am now.

13. Copper was very young to be married. Why was that so easily accepted in those times? Life expectancy wasn't that long back then. Mostly because women were hitting their prime child bearing years, able to work hard with consistency. Girls were married off early because they were one less mouth to feed.

14. How would your life be different if you lived in the 1880Â’s. Would you like to? What modern convenience would you most miss? Hot shower.

15. Do you look forward to the next book in this “Romance of Life” series?Absolutely!

Fireflies In December by Jennifer Erin Valent

“The summer I turned thirteen, I thought I killed a man.”

So begins the story of Jessilyn Lassiter, a young girl whose world is torn apart the summer of 1932. When Jessilyn’s best friend, Gemma, loses her parents in a tragic fire, Jessilyn’s father vows to care for her as his own, despite the fact that Gemma is black and prejudice is prevalent in their southern Virginia town.

It doesn’t take long for the Lassiters to attract the attention of a local band of Ku Klux Klan members, who make increasingly violent threats on Jessilyn and her family.

As she struggles to navigate a complex world of first crushes, loyalties, and betrayals, Jessilyn ultimately discovers what it takes to be a bright light in a dark world.

This story and the books in the series that follow were beautifully written and lovely stories. Time set in the times of Klu Klux Klan and racial biggotry.

In this the first of the series Jessilyn Lassiter introduces us to her best friend Gemma who comes to live with Jessie's family after her parents die tragically in a house fire started by lightning. Life becomes complicated when the town folks get wind of the living situation and the Lassisters wind up gaining the attention of the KKK.

Great character development and a story well expressed that keeps the reader turning the page.

Discussion Questions:
1) The townspeople seemed to have a problem with Jessilyn and Gemma’s friendship primarily after Gemma came to live with the Lassiters. What made the difference in their minds? Could you relate to Sadie’s mixed emotions about keeping Gemma? Blacks and whites did not cross relate back in those days without grief, especially in the deep south. On one level I can understand Sadie's need to be weary for her family's safety, but on another level I find it impossible to relate to Sadie. I wouldn't think twice before making the same call that Jessilyn's father did. If any child lost their only living relatives I would scoop them up and bring them in from that darkness in a moment; without hesitation - the rest of the community be damned if they will. What I find totally contrary is that our elders teach us to treat others as you would have them treat you. The Golden Rule have an addendum that states you should treat others as you would have them treat you 'if it is convenient or easy for you'. This is a prime example of the hypocracy that helped me decide the faith I was raised in wasn't the only way to come to know the Divine. Not because I didn't know love and faith that our Father exists, but that if His followers could be so self-righteous and hypocritical they were not my flock. This book touched a lot of sensitive areas and brought back a lot of painful memories.


2) Take a walk in Gemma’s shoes. How would you cope with her combination of loss, fear, and feeling out of place? There were several times in the book I cried for thinking of what Gemma must be going through. To lose your parents at such a young age and in such a tragic way is unimaginable, but to stand idle while watching the people who came to your rescue be persecuted on your account has to be the second most worst time in life. The author wrote Gemma beautifully though... with grace, humility, and so much inner strength.

3) Explore the sisterhood between Jessilyn and Gemma. In what ways did their tragedy make their bond stronger? When two people traverse trial and tribulation together it is bound to bring them closer together. Jessilyn and Gemma didn't know they were colored differently. They didn't see one another as those outside their heart did...

4) How do the Lassiters personify the title, and how can we do the same? Why is it so necessary in our day and time to stand up for what is right and true? If we each do not stand up to this type wrong in the world what is the world worth? There were so many people who witnessed the attrocities of our wrongful past, but who turned an idle ear and blind eye to the wrongfulness. If we do not stand up for what is right we will continue to traverse the same course - and that is unspeakable.

5) Despite the closeness of her family, Jessilyn feels alone in her guilt over Cy fuller and in her struggle with Walt Blevins. Why? In what way would a relationship with Jesus Christ have eased Jessilyn’s burden of loneliness? I respectfully decline to answer this discussion question.

6) How does Jessilyn’s persistent questioning of her faith point to God’s sense of timing and purpose in all things?

7) In what ways does Luke’s presence provide a stabilizing force for Jessilyn?

8) Do you think Jessilyn and Luke are drawn together by being the only non-believers in their tight little circle?

9) How did Miss Cleta’s courage inspire the girls? How did it inspire you?


10) In what way do you feel that Otis Tinker’s belief in his “cause” enabled him to lead a double life? How are we capable of letting this sort of double life creep into our own lives?

11) How do the “band of angels” bringing help to the devastated Lassiter farm show that even the smallest acts of selflessness can make a strong impact?




12) How did the Lord use the tragedy and fear of that summer to teach Jessilyn and to bring the characters together?

I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flag

When the story begins, we meet Maggie Fortenberry, the still beautiful ex-Miss Alabama and former model, who has returned to her home town of Birmingham and is now selling real estate in the high-end market of Mountain Brook. On the outside, Maggie may appear to others to be cool, calm, and collected, but all is not what it seems. For years, Maggie has been living with a painful and secret past, and now that the bottom has suddenly fallen out of the real estate market, her future is not looking all that great either. Maggie finds herself with a dilemma that many baby booomers are facing these days: “Too young to retire, and too old to start a new profession.” Now what?

After months of long, sleepless nights, Maggie finally comes up with what she thinks is “the perfect plan” for what to do with the rest of her life. But as we all know, plans don’t always turn out the way we want. Anyhow, while Maggie is busy trying to put her perfect plan into action, something unexpected happens and she finds herself embroiled in the middle of a mystery that might even baffle Nancy Drew!

There were several times I wondered why I continued reading this story because Maggie's drive to end it all did not set well within me. There was, however, a place in the story where I took pause and considered my own plight and how if I never had my daughter and my parents had moved onto the next realm, if I, too, would not have considered the same path. Mostly because I have lost my path at times in life and claimed my daughter's existence as my Saving Grace. As I grow older I grow to know that I have a strong faith that life is like the pendulum swing in that it swings just as far into the dark as it does into the light.

Discussion Questions:
1. Maggie’s life hasn’t turned out the way she’d hoped, and at the beginning of the book she makes her big decision to fix it once and for all. Why do you think she feels this way, and what makes her decide that the time has come to put her plan into action? Have you ever felt the way Maggie does, and if so, what did you do to solve it?
Maggie had all sorts of dreams that were based on her winning the Miss USA pageant, but when she did not win she came home feeling as though she let everyone, including herself, down. She compared her life with those around her - those she deemed happy or successes at life. She had no children, no husband and her parents were gone. He greatest friend in the world had just passed and with it fears of their business spinning into the drain. She lost hope, but worse, she lost faith. Why this particular time? She had no one left to object or to whom she felt responsible. Or maybe she felt as though she had no one left who needed her.

I have definitely gone through a few dark patches on my journey and no doubt I will again. The difference with the times I experience now and the earlier ones in my life is that I now understand the pendulum swing and have faith in the Universe that I will not be given more than I can handle. I know that there are learning opportunities and silver linings to all challenging times - I just have to find the patience and keep faith alive.

2. Maggie’s decision comes at the end of a perfectly ordinary day, with no bells and whistles or dramatic events. In your opinion, is this typical of the way big changes happen in real life? Can you think of examples in your own life where a major event happened on an otherwise ordinary-feeling day?
No, not really. The times I have experienced the want to just move on and end this trip through the living realm have been when I am going through rough and rocky roads. I always feel the need to depart this world during depressive, dark, times.

3. What are Maggie’s “16 perfectly good reasons to jump in the river”? If you were making the list, what would you put in your “pros” and “cons” columns? Cons: I would miss the next swing of the pendulum into the light, my daughter, my parents and other family members. I may not have a spouse, or a thriving business and financial security, but I do have the opportunity to become better, to learn new lessons of faith and understanding, to perhaps share something with another in need that helps them along their journey. I am nothing more than a tool of the universe. This body is borrowed, my soul a at times a tool, at times a sponge... My life has purpose even if I do not know exactly what its purpose is at every moment. I have faith and I believe in the Great Mystery to shine the light on the path I am to take.

4. When Charles proposed to Maggie years before, she turned him down. Why did she do this? Do you think she made the right decision, given the circumstances at the time? In hindsight, should she have made a different decision? What would you have done?
I cannot remember the exact reasons she gave Charles as to her answer. I do remember that her reason had something to do with holding him back from knowing true happiness. I am not much on martyrdom and try always to make decisions based on my truths. If it were going to hold me back from being of further use to the Universal needs I may turn down a proposal. I always ask myself, "Who am I that I should know what is best for you and your path?" I can't answer for Maggie's hindsight but she seemed to have learned a great lesson. We as mere humans can rarely answer our own riddles, or know what's best for our own lives; how can it be that she could know what's best for Charles' future and sojourne?

5. Both Brenda and Maggie each think that the other’s life is easier and happier. Brenda is envious of Maggie’s good looks and constant cheerfulness and charm, while Maggie wishes she had Brenda’s practicality and the comfort of her big family. Why do you think they believe this—is the grass simply always greener on the other side of the fence? If you had to choose between Brenda’s and Maggie’s, which kind of life would you prefer?
In my life I have had both. I grew up in a huge family with strong family ties, yet I chose a life of solitude 3000 miles away. I'm an odd one indeed, because I do not do well carrying a burden of other's expectations of me, especially when those people are people I care most about. If I were to return to Brenda's life I would surely disappoint so many of the people I love the most. Now that I live Maggie's life I do get lonely quite often, but enjoy the quiet and peace of no expectations.

6. Edwina Crocker-Sperry spent her life protecting a huge secret, one that both gave her tremendous freedom and tightly curtailed her world. What do you think that life was like for her? Would you like to have been Edwina, or to have lived a life like hers? What do you think would have happened if her secret had been discovered?
I have read quite a few stories about times during the mid to late 1800's and how boys were preferred over girls, and each time it turns my stomach to think of how girls were treated just because their father's were not given male heirs. Poor Edwina. How she must have felt knowing her father could not accept her for who she was. Poor family in that the community belief that a woman could not be heir to a busineses. Do I wish I could live a double life? Uhm, no. I have enough of a hard time living my single one in good measure and keeping. It did make me happy to read that Edwina found a way to live and disclose her true womanly self it is just too bad that she could not do so in her own home with her family.

7. Everyone who meets Hazel Whisenknott falls in love with her, with her energy and enthusiasm and optimism. Even five years after she is gone, she still brightens the lives of all her friends and employees. Do you know anyone like Hazel?

8. Hazel refused to let anything get in the way of her dreams. What lessons could we all learn from Hazel’s story? What about Maggie’s?

9. At one point, Maggie meets a schoolmate who is surprised to hear that Maggie never became Miss America—the friend has been bragging about knowing Miss America for years. When Maggie tells her she was just the second runner-up, she laughs, “Honey, it’s like the Oscars; after so many years, nobody ever remembers who won, just who was nominated.” How does this change Maggie’s perspective? Do you think the observation is true, or not? Can you think of examples?

10. One effect of Maggie’s decision, she realizes, is that she no longer has to worry about the consequences of her actions. She stops going to the gym and watching the news, and starts having a lot more fun. She even speaks her mind to Babs Bingington! If you didn’t have to worry about the long-term consequences of your actions, what would you do differently? Is there anything on your list you might want to do anyway? Is there anything you might want to give up, despite the consequences?

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, twenty-eight-year-old Justin Halpern found himself living at home with his seventy-three-year-old dad. Sam Halpern, who is "like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair," has never minced words, and when Justin moved back home, he began to record all the ridiculous things his dad said to him:

"That woman was sexy. . . . Out of your league? Son, let women figure out why they won't screw you. Don't do it for them."

"Do people your age know how to comb their hair? It looks like two squirrels crawled on their heads and started fucking."

"The worst thing you can be is a liar. . . . Okay, fine, yes, the worst thing you can be is a Nazi, but then number two is liar. Nazi one, liar two."

More than a million people now follow Mr. Halpern's philosophical musings on Twitter, and in this book, his son weaves a brilliantly funny, touching coming-of-age memoir around the best of his quotes. An all-American story that unfolds on the Little League field, in Denny's, during excruciating family road trips, and, most frequently, in the Halperns' kitchen over bowls of Grape-Nuts, Sh*t My Dad Says is a chaotic, hilarious, true portrait of a father-son relationship from a major new comic voice.


I literally could not read this book without cracking up. I began reading it on the flight to visit my family for the holidays. Just before we exited the plan the gentleman behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "You have to tell me the name of the book you are reading." He said that because I fought back over the top, from the gut laughter, so badly my eyes stayed watery.

Definitely not a read for those who are easily offended by foul language and politically incorrectness.