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by Annie Proulx

I have mixed feelings about this book. There were times it seemed as if the author was making a list. The descriptions seemed broad at first, but eventually I could almost picture the main character. There was a certain Newfoundland feel to the book. Please don't ask me what I mean by that, because I haven't quite vocalized it to myself yet. I'm glad I listened to this book, but I'm not sure that I would recommend it to anyone else. I doubt I will ever reread it, though I will probably watch the movie.

The best part of my experience with this book was listening to it while driving in Newfoundland. Sharing this experience with my husband helped because I'm not sure I would have persevered without his encouragement. Discussing the book in view of our experiences and the sights of the island helped, too.

We talked with a nice man at the Bookworm Bookstore in Gander who didn't think highly of the book. He said Proulx didn't do her research and that there were too many things that didn't ring true of Newfoundland life. For one thing, no one eats squid burgers.

*Just a side note* We bought a copy of The Day the World Came to Town from Brad at the Bookworm. He regaled us with some wonderful, personal stories of that time when the 747 had to land in Gander due to the tragedy with the twin towers on 9-11. After he and I had talked for quite awhile I turned around and noticed another customer. I apologized and said someone should have told me I was talking too much. They said you'd never hear a Newfoundlander say anything like that. That's what they do best is talk! I shook hands with both men and we left the bookstore.

To Kill a Mockingbird

By Harper Lee
This is another book that I didn’t read when I was younger, but I did see and love the movie. Again, the book is even better, but I can’t wait to get home and watch the movie again. Candleman commented how delightful it was to listen to Scout just after reading about Anne. Both are such loveable characters; and so wise. They taught me so much. Of course, I’ve forgotten the specifics and only retain that feeling of innocence and wonder and gratitude.

I talked with a young man (senior in high school) I met on the ferry from St. John, New Brunswick to Digby, Nova Scotia. He had read To Kill A Mockingbird a couple of years ago. He didn’t feel like Gregory Peck fit the part of Atticus in the movie. I thought he was perfect. He said he had seen Moby Dick first and always associated Peck with Ahab. We had a good discussion of books. Later his parents joined us. Candleman and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with them. Also, they gave us some great book suggestions.

Anne of Green Gables

By Lucy Maude Montgomery

What can I say? This book was totally delightful. I can hardly wait to reread it and to read more in the series. This is my first time reading Anne, though I’ve seen the movie. Loved them both. As in most cases, the book is even better than the movie. Isn’t that girl adorable? Oh, I love her and her positive attitude. Her outlook on life and her use of such delectable words brought many a smile and several good laughs. It was fun listening to it with Candleman on our trip to PEI, where we are looking forward to seeing the musical.

Daddy's Girl

by Lisa Scottoline

Candleman and I listened to this book on our trip. It's a very good mystery with lots of woe heaped on the heroine. Scottoline knows how to build the suspense. Even though we saw some things coming, there were some good surprises. I think I would have enjoyed reading this one instead of listening, but there is just too many wonders to see out the windshield.

This is an independent novel - not part of the Rosario Law Team series. I hope she will again write about those women because I miss them.

"Natalie "Nat" Greco's law students just aren't that interested in the history of justice, and she can't seem to find a way to reach them. Then a new teaching opportunity develops that would take her out of the University of Pennsylvania and into a local prison classroom. She opts for the dramatic change of scenery and soon finds herself in the middle of a prison melee, attempting to save the life of an injured prisoner, who makes a dying declaration intended for his wife. In attempting to deliver the bewildering message, Nat nearly gets herself killed and winds up being framed for murder. Ever concerned with justice, Nat goes on the lam as she tries to uncover the mystery of the prisoner's final words. Scottoline mixes stand-alones and her Rosato and Associates series in fairly even proportions, so series fans have learned to expect the occasional interruption. This one finds the author in good form, combining suspense- and character-building effectively. Like her heroine, Scottoline has recently begun to teach at Penn." -Booklist