A Time to Dance - Karen Kingsbury

Thinking back, I do believe this is the first Karen Kingsbury book I ever read. Not positive, but pretty sure. She has rereleased this book and its sequel, A Time to Embrace, with new covers (they look nice).


This novel tells the story of John and Abby Reynolds. She loved him since she was 10…it took him a bit longer. However, theirs is a story filled with love, romance, and God’s design. Everyone looks upon their relationship as an example of what marriage should be. But no one sees the truth. The slow drifting apart of hearts that has led to a point of crises and decision.

What I love about Karen’s books is that God really does use her stories to get your attention and speak into your life with cautions or reminders or encouragement. This one reminded me (again) to not get so caught up in the kids’ schedules and activities, work, the cooking and cleaning, etc. but to keep Jeff a priority even if that means all those other things have to fall to the wayside. Focus on him, my marriage, and continuing to build that relationship so that it will see us through the many tests life will throw our way.

Akin to Anne - L.M. Montgomery

Yep, still on a L.M. Montgomery kick. This is a collection of her short stories, or boilerplates. The stories, of course, all had more than happy endings and fantastic resolutions. But I enjoyed it as some light reading anyway. It was nice to read something other than her novels (which I enjoy as well).

How to Become a Rainmaker - Jeffrey J. Fox

This book was recommended to me by one of my mentors in my Premier Designs Jewelry business.


Jeffrey J. Fox has a lot of good information in this little book that requires more unpacking than I gave it in my cursory read. So it’s going on the list as one I want to own and reread again and again.

Each chapter discloses one small nugget to getting and keeping customers and clients. Not all of the advice can I apply to my business (seeing as how jewelry is a want not a need and corporations won’t save money through buying it – although my customers might as it will expand a basic wardrobe) but most of it I could.

The First Days of School - Harry K. & Rosemary T. Wong

This is the book I always turn to when beginning a new teaching position. And since (WooHoo!) I was recently hired to teach 7th & 8th grade Language Arts – grammar and writing – at a local junior high, it was time to pull this book off of the shelve and peruse once again.


Side Note: It is also one of the very few “reading through my bookshelves in 2010” books that I’ve read recently. I’m not doing real great on that goal.

This book is chock-full of both pedagogy and practicality. I made pages and pages of things to do, procedures to put in place, and questions I need answers to. Now I just have to put all of that to good use so that I’m ready for the start of school in less than a month.

The Wongs also discuss the “why” behind what they recommend doing.

Great book for beginning teachers, teachers who are moving to a different position, or veteran teachers who just want to improve their effectiveness.

The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella

Samantha Sweeting is an up-and-coming lawyer at a prestigious London law firm. She is, while not enjoying life, at least accomplishing her goals and is set to be named partner any day. Until…she makes a huge mistake.


Unable to cope with her perceived failure, Samantha wanders onto a train heading anywhere. And the story that ensues is an entertaining mix of misunderstandings, romance, and discovering herself.

This is the second time I’ve read this book. Had to read it again this month for this book club. My original assessment of “entertaining but predictable” still holds true. It truly is an enjoyable read…you just have to ignore the language.

Emily's Quest - L.M. Montgomery

I do have to say when I am about halfway through the second book of Montgomery’s, I am starting to get over the details and word choice that so enchanted me to start. By the third book, I’m skipping large portions of description and detail. 


Also, this book covered 6-8 years of her life in one fell swoop. It seemed like a lot of ground was covered and so there gaps in the story (although the gaps *could* be due to my skimming at times).

There was a lot more character development of Emily in this book though. She had some hard rows to sew and some great successes. I would have liked to have learned more about how Teddy spent his time during those years. But I guess that’s why it’s “Emily’s Quest” instead of “Teddy’s.”

Emily Climbs - L.M. Montgomery

The second in Montgomery’s Emily trilogy covers Emily’s years at Shrewsbury High school and staying in the home of her great Aunt Ruth.


Emily has many scrapes and adventures – some inadvertently and some with intent. Her character didn’t grow much in this novel, I don’t believe. So that was somewhat of a disappointment. I still enjoyed it though.