Complete Mystery Novel Collection of Agatha Christie Vol 1 (Special Edition) The bestselling author of all time Agatha Christie early works by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy reading Agatha Christie for fun/relaxation. I don't have to worry about the content, and since I've never taken the time to look up other mystery writers who may also be reliably appropriate, she's my old (and only) standby.

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Seven Men by Max Beerbohm
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 1/2 stars

Interesting short stories, very well written. I often find short stories to be a little odd and unsatisfying. I read this because of a reference to Oscar Wilde and others in that era. I really enjoyed "The Importance of Being Earnest" (the play and the movie were both good). So I thought I would give this a chance. I'm glad I did. These stories were a bit odd, but they were also satisfying, some more than others.

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Prophet's Prey: My Seven-Year Investigation into Warren Jeffs and the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints by Sam Brower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 1/2 stars

Very disturbing. It's sad that some people think this group is associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm glad to be more informed about the practices of this cult, which I can hardly call a church. It is shocking that law enforcement efforts are sometimes so lax or uncoordinated that the practices go on unchecked. Almost nobody in authority really wants to deal with this complex and difficult issue.

Despite the fact that Warren Jeffs is behind bars, almost nothing has changed in the day to day lives of the people who follow him (or whoever the next "prophet" will be), and other break-away groups of the same nature. So many lives have been devastated, and continue to be. Why is human sex trafficking openly tolerated in this country???

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Our Heritage: A Brief History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought this brief history of the church was very well done. Great to read for yourself, or offer to someone who wants a better understanding of the modern restoration of the gospel, and how the church has progressed to this point.

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It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita by Heather B. Armstrong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was intrigued by the unique title(!), and the fact that the author lives in Utah and was raised LDS, although is no longer participating in the church. She deals with emotional/chemical imbalance and chose to go off all medications during her pregnancy for the health of the baby. She openly shares the challenges of what I categorize as mental illness, but I can't remember if she actually uses that term. She's honest and humorous.

I found it worthwhile, partly because I have friends and family who deal with related issues, and also because when my children were babies and toddlers, I dealth with health problems that triggered depression. At a time when you have among the most demanding of situations you'll ever deal with, you may feel least capable of dealing with it well. It's a very important topic, with probably some sobering implications.

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EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches by Dave Ramsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really appreciate the principle-based approach to leadership, business, and money management, but it was also hard for me to read this book without hearing the annoying southern accent of the author in every word. Because of his radio show which happens to be on in the car occassionally, it's forever stuck in my head!! By the way, I like many southern accents, just not his. :)

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Christmas with the Prophets by Laura F. Willes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! There is a chapter on each modern prophet, and it was easy to read just one chapter at a time when I had a few minutes. The book itself is lovely, with glossy pages, paintings and/or photographs of each prophet (plus other photos), and interesting and personal stories relating to Christmastime and what it was like for each prophet at various times in their lives. Many of the stories reflected the hardships they experienced, and offered a window into history, showing some of the things that shaped the lives of these faithful men.

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Empty-Nest Parenting: Adjusting Your Stewardship As Your Children Leave Home by Linda Eyre
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. Just a few observations... There are lots of comments throughout the book from empty-nest parents, and from children who have left home, including some of the authors' children and "in-law" children. Many of these are insightful and helpful, but many of them are so extreme that I found them to be ridiculous, whether from over-involved parents, or totally hands-off parents. Also, some of the comments from the chilren (sometimes even the author's children) were suprisingly resentful. I felt like they used this public opportunity to punish parents for what they felt they had done that wasn't helpful. It just surprised me. Not that some of their resentments weren't justified, but it left me wanting them to go work things out and come back when the issues were resolved so we could get on with the book.

The authors' (mostly Richard Eyre's) approach isn't exactly my style, but the topics and comments gave me some things to think about, and a better awareness of how to prepare for this very important phase of parenthood.

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The Collaborative Habit: Life Lessons for Working Together by Twyla Tharp
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Quick,interesting read by a choreographer, who shares how her experiences in collaboration with individuals and institutions relate to successful life experiences for each of us.

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