"The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson -- This is a true story of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. It is true crime and history which reads like a novel. I was fascinated with the story of the Fair from inception to conclusion; and horrified at the crimes being committed at the same time. I was also amazed at the people who attended, the products introduced there and the far-reaching implications of the Fair. This is a great read.
"Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruene -- This is a poignant tale of life with a train circus during the Depression years told by 93-year-old Jacob who was a vet with the circus. You will be entertained, appalled, educated, and treated to a feel-good ending. I definitely recommend this read.
"Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett -- this was a re-read for me; I read it when it first came out in 1989 and proclaimed then that it was the best book I'd ever read. I just learned that Follett was coming out with a sequel so I decided to read this one again so I would be up to speed with the characters when I read the sequel. I still think it's the best book I've every read.
"Do You Want To Know a Secret?" by Mary Jane Clark -- I picked this up accidently (thinking I was picking up a Mary Higgins Clark) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a page-turner and I absolutely was shocked at the ending!
Words I'm Trying to Live By . .
"This world's gone crazy and it's hard to believe thattomorrow will be better than today;Believe it anyway."
-- Martina McBride from her new single, Anyway
"Differentiate between facts and fear." -- fortune inside fortune cookie
"Bloom where you are planted." -- unknown
"Live well; love much; laugh often" -- unknown