Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Fiction - 4 stars
This first venture into the Agatha Christie novels proved to be a quick, satifying read full of well-crafted suspense. Before it was published as a novel, Murder on the Orient Express was published as a serial in the Saturday Evening Post, from July 1 to September 30, 1933. I can only imagine the wait for the next chapter in those days to find out who the culprit was in this quiet, provocative thriller. I can see why Christie published more than 130 novels, and why Hercule Poirot is such a classic literary figure. With his analytical skills and his obvious sense of morality, Poirot is the classic detective hero.  Great summer read!

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Fiction - 4 stars

I loved this book! It is the story of the Price family, a Georgia family who moves to the African Congo on a mission trip in the early 1960s on the brink of modern Zaire's "independence" from Belgian control. Told from the perspectives of the female Prices, each chapter gives a different perspective on the same historical events, and this makes for a fantstic read. You truly get to know the characters as they remain consistent throughout the book. Kingsolver describes life in rural Africa with raw, vivid, and heartbreaking detail.  It spans two + decades, and is a truly satisfying tale. I am so glad Zachary is reading this for school as it gave me the chance to borrow it for a little while.

Yea, Megan!

Megan finished reading all of her books for the Borders Summer Reading Book Chart, and we went to Borders last night for her free book. She got The Witch of Blackbird Pond. It was a hard decision, as there were some good books to choose from. But, after reading the back of all of them, she made her choice, and I think she'll enjoy it. I am so proud of her!

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Historical Fiction - 3 stars
This could have been such a great book. The story was wonderful, the characterization was wonderful, and  the history was mostly accurate. I absolutely loved the transition within the book from pre-WWI England to late 20s England, and the vast cultural changes that happened in a span of 13 years. However, I could not get over the author's annoying over-use of blatant foreshadowing. I even said out loud, a few times, "Just tell the story already!" It is worth the read, but just be patient.