Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

Dec 11

#29: The Bridge (Karen Kingsbury)

by kennithfreeman

Last week was insanely busy with finals at both Union and MSCC. Needless to say, I was doing a lot of driving to be everywhere I was needed. I decided it was time to grab an audio book and pass the time.

Though I’m not normally a fan of Kingsbury’s work, I found myself greatly enjoying the Christmas story contained in The Bridge. The book tells the story of 2 college students who fall in love as they spend time together in a quaint bookstore. Due to a misunderstanding, the two part ways and their lives move in opposite directions. Fate brings the young lovers together again when the bookstore’s owner faces struggles and the potential of losing his business. What transpires is nothing short of a Christmas miracle.

As I listened, I found myself laughing and crying with Kingsbury’s characters. My heart was grabbed by the purity of love presented and the human connection made over a common passion for books. It’s not something I would ever have expected to read….er, listen to……but I must admit that I’m glad I did.  If you are in the mood for a heartwarming Christmas story, I would consider spending a few hours with The Bridge.

audio Christian fiction

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May 3

#14: The Lost Years (Mary Higgins Clark)

by kennithfreeman

I actually listened to this book a few weeks ago and am just finding time to post it here.  Essentially, the story centers around a long-lost manuscript written by Christ to Joseph of Arimathea.  Whether the concept is based in fact or fiction, it was an interesting read to consider what people would do to obtain a “holy relic”….regardless of their personal faith at the moment.

audio fiction

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Mar 16

#9: Body of Lies (Iris Johansen)

by kennithfreeman

The latest installment in my audio book adventure was Body of Lies. The best thing I can say about this book: it passed the time while I was driving.  The plot was trite and felt as though I have read it in a million other works.  Admittedly, I am not terribly upset since this is the first unsatisfying audio book of the year. With a week of travel ahead of me, I’ll pick up a couple of books for the road and move right ahead.

audio fiction secular

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Mar 10

#7: Zero Day (David Baldacci)

by kennithfreeman

Lots of driving is letting me get through some fun books at the moment!  Yesterday, I finished Zero Day and had a ton of fun listening.

The novel features John Puller as its hero, a special agent in the army who is also the son of a retired general and brother to a soldier convicted of treason.  Puller finds himself ordered to investigate the murder of a military officer in rural West Virginia, but the situation quickly begins to spiral out of control.  Filled with unexplained deaths, a couple of swarmy residents in this dying burg, a somewhat incompetent police force, and charming characters, Zero Day is a fun read that will keep you entertained for several days.

The book jacket suggests that this is the first novel in a series featuring John Puller.  I can only hope!  I’m ready for another adventure already!

audio fiction

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Mar 10

#6: The Descendants (Kaui Hart Hemmings)

by kennithfreeman

With my busy schedule continuing, my fascination with audio books led me to The Descendants.  Recommended by a great friend from college who knows that I enjoy riveting family dramas and thought I would enjoy the Hawaiian setting, the novel had great possibilities.  After seeing the trailers for the George Clooney movie based on the book, however, I wasn’t sure that I would enjoy the read.

The Descendants follows a father and his two daughters as they come to terms with what life will be like without their loving mother in their life.  The plot is fairly simple, but kept interesting and engaging through the constant revelations made by the colorful characters as they prepare to say goodbye.

Despite learning that Mom was less than perfect in the months leading up to her boating accident, the reader is filled with sympathy as the end of life draws near.  Honestly, I had to pull off the road briefly to listen to some of the novel’s touching closing passages because my vision was distorted as my eyes welled up with tears.

Despite its depiction of marital infidelity, teen drug and alcohol abuse, and inappropriate sexuality, I found The Descendants to be a wonderful depiction of a modern family in crisis.  I look forward to reading additional works by Hemmings in the future as well.

audio fiction

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Feb 28

#5: The Litigators (John Grisham)

by kennithfreeman

On a recent trip with the family to Louisville, I picked up an audio recording of The Litigators. Since it was written by John Grisham, an author that I don’t gravitate to naturally, I expected a light read that would keep me awake on the drive but not demand too much of my attention. I like my audio books to be something that I can easily pull myself away from without thinking about when the chapter will end. The Litigators was not such a book, much to my (pleasant) surprise.

Centering on a law firm filled with humorous attorneys and beautifully written characters, the novel pulls you into issues of morality and justice while connecting you to the lives of the individuals inhabiting Grisham’s fictional world. A high-profile mass torte case against a pharmaceutical company, quickie divorces, legal services advertised on Bingo cards, and a fearful family of immigrants combine to create one of the most engrossing tales I have experienced in quite some time.

The question that now haunts my mind is whether I have been missing the pleasure and craftsmanship of Grisham’s writing or if the work was simply a perfect fit for my drive time. Either way, I plan to take a look at another of Grisham’s lesser known works in the future and have already begun listening to another audio book. I’ll let you know what I discover……

For now, I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the opening of the bookstore tomorrow morning in order to purchase my next exciting read: Jodi Picoult’s new novel! I can’t wait!

audio fiction

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