World Book Day

Did you know March is officially National Reading Month? I didn't until I read this. Furthermore, yesterday apparently was World Book Day. Clearly I missed that one, just like I missed my son's doctor appointment on the same day. (Do not be alarmed. It was only a check-up.) I've really been on a roll. The day before that, as I was driving a minivan full of children, I missed the exit for the birthday party and made half the guests late.  #MissedIt was definitely trending in my life this week. Books, however, are also trending here! Here's my current #amreading pile. Each book cover is linked to the book's Goodreads page. #AmReading Daughter of Liberty (American Patriot series, #1) by J.M. Hochstetler Historical fiction: Revolutionary War This one grabbed me from the first sentence. I adore Revolutionary War era, and Hochstetler is one of the best authors I've ever read. She deserves way more attention than she's gotten. (If American Revolution isn't your thing, check out her book Northkill.) [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1158", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2833 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"200", "height":"300", "alt":"daughterofliberty"}}]] Under the Silk Hibiscus by Alice J. Wisler Historical fiction: World War 2 Important novel highlighting the plight of Japanese Americans in internment camps. Wisler is such a versatile author. She writes nonfiction and fiction, both historical and contemporary. Her novel Still Life in Shadows, inspired by an ex-Amish man who assisted others fleeing their Amish communities, remains one of my favorite contemporary fiction books. [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1159", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2834", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"200", "height":"313", "alt":"perf6.000x9.000.indd"}}]] In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar Historical fiction: Biblical In the Field of Grace is a story of Ruth and Boaz--but begins before Ruth was even wed to her first husband, Naomi's son. Afshar is a Christy Award winner, and basically a rockstar of biblical fiction. [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1160", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2835", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"200", "height":"309", "alt":"FieldofGrace"}}]] By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder Biographical novel: 1800s This is our family's current read-aloud book. We're working through this series, and loving it, especially since we were able to visit the Ingalls homestead outside De Smet, South Dakota, last summer. [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1161", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2836 size-full", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"200", "height":"296", "alt":"bytheshores"}}]] Everyday Graces: A Child's Book of Good Manners edited by Karen Santorum Not sure exactly which genre this fits into. Parenting? It's probably the best book we own to teach our kids manners, virtues, etc. Based on the idea that stories convey morals better than a list of rules, Karen Santorum has put together a collection of short stories, poems, and chapters from classic children's literature to show the importance of things like patience, self-control, kindness, etc. What's not to love? [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1162", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2837", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"200", "height":"275", "alt":"everydaygraces"}}]] *Not pictured: stack of research books for a potential new novel series, plus various and sundry library books for the kids. Books on Tap My list of books to-read is really long. But here are a few I'd love to get to this month: Boom: Oil, Money, Cowboys, Strippers, and the Energy Rush that Could Change America Forever by Tony Horwitz Nonfiction I love Tony Horwitz's work. My favorite of his is Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War. I also really enjoyed his A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World. Boom looks like a shorter read at 117 pages, and it was only $2.99 for Kindle. [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1163", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2842 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"194", "height":"300", "alt":"boom"}}]] Call the Nurse: True Stories of a Country Nurse on a Scottish Isle by Mary J. MacLeod Nonfiction I hadn't heard of this one until my mother loaned it to me recently, but I see that it's the #1 book on nursing on Amazon. And you know I love nursing stories. :) [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1164", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2843 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"198", "height":"300", "alt":"callthenurse"}}]] Miranda Warning by Heather Day Gilbert Contemporary fiction I read and loved God's Daughter by the same author, and look forward to seeing how this West Virginia mystery unfolds! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1165", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2844 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"194", "height":"300", "alt":"mirandawarning"}}]] Kept by Sally Bradley Contemporary fiction I've never read this author before, but I keep hearing great things about this novel. I tend toward historical fiction, quite obviously, but it's good for me to read outside my preferrred genre. [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1166", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2845 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"199", "height":"300", "alt":"kept"}}]] Sword of Forgiveness by Debbie Lynne Costello Historical fiction: medieval Yes, back to historicals! :) I've known Debbie Lynne for years, and this is her debut novel. You all know I love the Civil War era, but I'm also fascinated by the medieval era. I studied literature in England for a while during my college years, which is where and when my interest really took flight. [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1167", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2846 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"200", "height":"300", "alt":"swordofforgiveness"}}]] How about you? What are you reading this month? GIVE-AWAY Speaking of reading, if you haven't gotten your copy of Spy of Richmond yet, enter for a chance to win a free copy at the blogs of Amelia Rhodes and Lena Nelson Dooley! While you're there, look around. Both Amelia and Lena are wonderful authors themselves!   [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1168", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2724 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"194", "height":"300", "alt":"Spy high-res"}}]]