The Spirit of Covington

This week I finished The Spirit of Covington by Joan Medlicott. This is the fourth installment of the Ladies of Covington series. (Have I been reading a lot of series lately, or what?) I love this series. I read the first one a number of years ago. The story is about 3 ladies in their late 60's & 70's widowed and alone who move in together in the small town of Covington and basically begin another life. They've all experienced heartache but they have so much life and love left to give. In this book their beloved farmhouse burns to the ground and while they are rebuilding they discover how much they need one another and the simple life they've built. Along the way we've met many other characters in this small North Carolina community. I grew up in a small town myself so I can relate to so much of this series. I have the next installment on my bookshelf waiting for me. The reading is light but refreshing and inspirational. I've read several books in a row that I would prefer to as 'light'. They provide sufficient entertainment but do not challenge the reader cognitively. It's time to delve into a more series mystery next.

Dakota Born

I finished the first book of the Dakota Trilogy by Debbie Macomber, Dakota Born. This book was first published a number of years ago and it does not have the same polish as Macomber's later novels. My favorite series by this author is the Cedar Cove Series. Dakota Born has a typical formula. The heroine, Lindsay, moves to the remote town of Buffalo Valley, North Dakota. She meets a man and they spend the entire book trying not to fall in love. The ending is predictable. That is not to say that it was not enjoyable. I will probably read through the rest of the trilogy. The story introduces a lot of characters and leaves you wondering how their lives turn out. Another series I've enjoyed by Debbie Macomber is the Blossom Street series.

gods in Alabama

I finished gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. Although it was short, it was a surprisingly good read. It is a first novel by this author and came filled with praise by other authors. It is hard to describe the genre of this story. It is partly a Going Home tale, part mystery, part comedy. Being from Alabama myself I am very sensitive to stories about the Deep South. Often the people here are misrepresented. But Jackson did a good job capturing the spirit of the small rural town (fictional) society. I love the opening line of this book: "There are Gods in Alabama: Jack Daniel's, high school quarterbacks, trucks, big tits, and also Jesus." I really enjoyed this story and will pass it on to others.

I had only one small problem with the book and it has worried me until I must talk about it here. Usually I overlook small editorial type errors but this was too much. The heroine, Arlene, is at her former home in the small town of Possett, Alabama. She gets out her boyfriend's laptop and logs on to the Internet to do a little research. Just like that. Is the author expecting us to believe that her Aunt and Uncle (who raised her) have wireless Internet way out in the sticks of Lower Alabama? It seems unlikely. But if you can overlook this small infraction, it is a great story.

The Winding Ways Quilt

I finished the Winding Ways Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. This is #12 in the Elm Creek Quilts Series. It is a light, short read. It was just what I needed - upbeat and refreshing. I've enjoyed this series immensely. It has made me want to learn to quilt, actually. Chiaverini has done a good job finding original ideas to continue the series without growing stagnant. This latest novel gives us a lot of background on some of the original characters which was previously unknown. It may be predictable sweet with a satisfying ending but sometimes it nice to have that without too much complication.

Stone Heart

I finished Stone Heart by Luanne Rice. When I purchased this book it looked like a new book by Rice but in fact within a few pages I realized I had already read it. I think it is a re-publish. It is clear from the reading that this is one of Rice's earlier works. Her writing style has evolved a lot since this novel. The novel addresses domestic abuse and is set in Connecticut like many of her novels. I thought it somewhat splotchy - the plot not as well developed as it could have been. Their is a lot of character development for the main character but the secondary characters are left somewhat one dimensional. The conclusion is also a little sketchy only implying the details which you long to read. If you plan to read every book Rice has written then certainly you shouldn't miss this one. But she has written so many other much better books. Among them I recommend: Dream Country, Dance with Me, Summer's Child and Beach Girls.

The Magician's Assistant

I just finished a delightful book, The Magician's Assitant by Ann Patchett. I'm not sure where I got this one. I found it on my bookshelf and it seemed to interesting. I started reading it waiting it in carline on Thursday afternoon. I finished it this afternoon. It is a compelling story of love and loss. Well, you can read the reviews yourself at the link above. The general plot though is of a woman discovering, after the death of her spouse, that he had a whole past life she never knew about. In this past and the family she discovers a way to handle her grief and move on with her life. It was a page turner. If I hadn't had to work all weekend I probably could of read it in one day. It reminded me pleasantly of The Time Traveler's Wife. The beginning was very depressing, I must warn you. But I couldn't put it down and the book does end happily if not very satisfactorily. (I didn't want it to end.)