The Book Hacker July 2023
Summer is a great time to read a book.
Whether you’re lounging by the pool or sitting in a shady spot under a tree, reading is an engaging way to spend a couple of hours. I like to get lost in a good story – words take me to places I’ve never been and let me get to know people I’ll never meet (because they’re made up). 🙂
I’ve spent a lot of hours riding in Rigsby, my motor home. Putting on an audio book is the best way to watch the miles churn away.
My recommendations:
Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers
I hope I don’t raise the ire of all the Francine Rivers fans out there when I say this wasn’t my favorite. In fact, I didn’t finish listening to it. I got impatient with the main character, Lena. She seemed impossibly naive and super depressing. You’ll have to let me know what you think.
I give it a solid 2 stars.
Incurable Faith by Andrea Herzer
This little devotional book is a fabulous one for anyone suffering from an incurable illness or chronic pain. It is written by my good friend, Andrea Herzer, who has first-hand knowledge of both.
Each devo is short enough to digest in one sitting. Even if you don’t have lingering health issues, buy one and pass it on to a friend.
I give this one 5 stars!
Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Wow. This was so good. Can you imagine being a little kid, abandoned in the woods, and trying to survive? Hyde weaves his story in with Anne, the other main character. Here’s the tagline:
Out there is chaos, the collapse of society, and so much to be afraid of. All that matters is freedom.
This is another 5-star read. So much drama and great personal growth.
The Judge’s List by John Grisham
What in the world?? John Grisham usually writes gripping novels. This one – not so much. It felt like he was trying too hard to fill the empty space. In addition, the narrator was meh. I only finished it because we were on the road and I didn’t want to start a new Audible just yet.
2 stars
There are a lot of good books out there, and some not so good.
I love to find a new author to follow.
Who are some of your faves? I’m on a psychological thriller kick and reading every thing by Freida McFadden. I’ll give an update in next months column. Warning – these are dark and kinda scary. If that’s your thing, you’ll like her books.
Thanks for reading!
Jane S. Daly is the author of Because of Grace (2015) and The Caregiving Season (2016), The Girl in the Cardboard Box (2021), Broken (2022), and Broken Silence (2023)
Jane is addicted to coffee, purple pens, and her husband, not necessarily in that order. A self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoys the solitude of riding shotgun in Rigsby, her 37-foot motor home. But when they pull into a new campground, her favorite thing is to make new friends and find hangouts featuring local musicians. Her fantasy involves writing lyrics for country music songs and hearing them played on the radio. In the meantime, she’ll stick to writing novels. And seeing as much of the country as possible.
