My Stack of Books: February 2016

I'm linking up with Anne again.  Here's what I've been reading this last month:

 



Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart
Elizabeth Gilbert is quoted on the cover as loving every page of this "smart, romping, hilarious novel."  I didn't feel as strongly as she did.  This story moved slowly at first, but picked up as I got into it.  I wouldn't call it a romp, or hilarious, really.  Based on a true story.

Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People by Nadia Bolz-Weber
The title says it all--over and over, Bolz-Weber finds God revealed to her in the most unlikely of people.  I find it encouraging that a pastor keeps having to re-learn this lesson--it means there's hope for me.  I don't love all the colorful language, but if she cleaned it up, I guess it wouldn't be her authentic voice.  But still...

Life and Other Near-Death Experiences by Camille Pagan
The book I finished in a day.  I recommend.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The book I should have read in school.  I will post a longer review of this in my reading challenge post.  Glad I read it.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Wow.  Such a gifted writer.  His intellect is staggering, and his humility and compassion are so touching.  I know there are people out there who don't like cancer memoirs, but this is spectacular.  I will revisit this one often.

A Room With a View by E.M. Forster
This month's edX.org book club book.  I read this many years ago--think early 90's.  That was also the last time I saw the movie (the Helena Bonham Carter version).  Young lady travels to Italy, and a whole new world begins to open up to her.  Makes me want to go to Italy.

Still Life by Louise Penny
I started this book last summer, but I didn't get past the first couple of chapters.  It just wasn't the right time for me to start this series. But Anne has just raved about this series that I purchased the first three novels in a boxed set back in December when Amazon had a $10.00 coupon code.  So--what did I think the second time around?  Very good.  This novel centers on Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.  He's based in Montreal, but he is assigned to a murder in a tiny village near the U.S. border.  The village and its residents are beautifully described.  There are a few false leads, and it leads to an exciting conclusion that I don't think I saw coming.  I do hope that the next book or two will include the character Yvette Nichol.  It seems that the author spent a lot of time putting her into the story--she clearly has some sort of issues that haven't been identified yet, so I hope she will be fleshed out more fully.  I guess I'll find out soon--I have the next two books waiting for me!