The third journal in my favorite series EVER

The Road to Grace: The Third Journal of the Walk Series

 By: Richard Paul Evans

Genre: fiction

Pages: 256

Published: 2012

Audiobook: 5 Cd’s (5 hours)

Read: July

5 out of 5 stars 

The third journal will not disappoint the readers that are continuing Alan’s self-discovery journey with him. Although similar to Miles to Go, it is also vastly unique.  Of course, he meets special friends that teach him the value of being alive and honoring his wife memory. As with the first two in the series, the cliff hanger will give you the desire to grab the third book immediately. This portion of journey includes the reappearance of several friends he knew before his journey began as well as a young woman, Kayla Mae, whose life is changed by Alan. This series, read once again by Richard Paul Evans, is definitely the top of my list for any series I have read.

A disappointing book club selection

The Paris Wife

By: Paula McLain

Genre: fiction

Pages: 314

Published: 2011

Read: June

2 out of 5 stars

I choose to read this book as a selection for the book club, in which I am the moderator. It is highly recommended by several women. It turned out to be one of my least favorite novels I have chosen in the last year and a half. The premise sounded very intriguing being an historical fiction about a love affair between Ernest Hemingway and a friend’s wife during his first marriage (he later married three more times).  The first 3/4^th of the story, I found extremely boring with not much happening.  Narrated by his wife, Hadley, she tells how Hemingway began his career as a successful prolific author.  Although I thought this would be a great storyline, it lasted to long and dragged on, plus only a very small description of the beginning of his success. The last third was when the climax and excitement occurred with the actual affair and deterioration of their marriage. Similar to Loving Frank by Nancy Horan this novel surfaces around a known famous historical presence in the world and then discredits his “nice guy” image.  Although I know several women who absolutely loved this novel, I would recommend Loving Frank and bypass The Paris Wife.

Surprisingly, I could not find a personal website for Paula McLain.

An exciting sequel to The Walk by Richard Paul Evans

Miles to Go: The Second Journal of the Walk Series

 By: Richard Paul Evans

Genre: fiction

Pages: 320

Published: 2011

Audiobook: 5 Cd’s (6 hours)

Read: June

5 out of 5 stars 

This is a great continuation of Alan Christoffersen’s journey to Key West, Florida.  Once again, Evans reads the audiobook himself and does a fantastic performance.  If you have any interest in reading this series, I cannot express enough that you should listen to the series.  Maybe while taking nightly walks. You may just rediscover yourself along with Alan.  As in The Walk, Alan meets several extraordinary individuals and friends including his “angel”.  This series has changed and enhanced my life as I am confident it will provide the same hope for you.

Self-Discovery Journey

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

By: Rachel Joyce

Genre: fiction

Pages: 320

Published: 2012

Read: June

2 out of 5 stars

A reader's perception of a novel is heavily weighed on their own mood at the time of the reading.  I may have enjoyed Harold Fry's journey more if I wasn't engrossed in other's self discovery quests so recently - Cheryl Strayed (Wild), Alan Christoffersen (The Walk Series by Richard Paul Evans), and Tom (The Way, 2010 movie).  All three of these stories touched me in ways that Harold's didn't even come close to obtaining.  They gave me the desire to leave my life and trek off on my very own journey. Harold's quest may provoke that desire in some, but it just wasn't me or at least not at this time.  I also felt that Joyce's voice switched point-of-view with no indication to the reader, therefore making it a harder story to follow.  I was able to "feel" the story about 3/4th of the way in, but I would highly recommend other self-discovering routes first.

This is Rachel Joyce's only novel and you can read more reviews at www.racheljoycebooks.com

Amish...A Simplier Life?

Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life  

By: Nancy Sleeth

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 272

Published: 2012

Read: June

3 out of 5 stars

I felt this book has a lot of great ideas; however I strongly dislike the author. First, how can she be "almost Amish" and state that she doesn't care about appearance, but the cover features a woman wearing nail polish, jewelry, and a very colorful skirt?  Several times she mentions ideas and methods to become "almost Amish" and then continues that she chooses not to follow them because the modern method is more convenient. I understand the novel is about becoming "almost Amish" and not "Amish", but I would expect her to follow the ideas she recommends. I know she may have been providing the readers thoughts to ponder, so the reader can decide what works for his/her lifestyle. However, the way she achieves it aggravated me.  I still gave the book a 3 star rating because she does suggest many easy and cheap changes a person/family can adopt to simplify their lives AND there is nothing wrong with that.


Nancy Sleeth is a Christian environmentalist, author, and Managing Director of the non-profit Blessed Earth. Her website is www.nancysleeth.com

A disappointing classic

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

By: Ken Kesey

Genre: Classic

Pages: 272

Published: 1962

Read: June

1 out of 5 stars

Although I know several people who love this book, I could not get into it and my mind wondered elsewhere constantly.  There were a few parts - McMurphy breaking the nurse's window and planning the fishing trip - that keep me interested. At those times, I would think "I am into it. It will be good." No such luck, I should have given up reading it. I did read in it's entirety and don't know if I would be able to tell you much of what happened throughout the story.  This is definitely one of the few books that I have to say I enjoyed the movie much better.

 

Kesey has written several other books and died in 2001. He doesn't have a website.

A great audiobook

The Walk

 By: Richard Paul Evans

Genre: fiction

Pages: 289

Published: 2010

Audiobook: 4 Cd’s (4 hours and 30 mins)

Read: June

5 out of 5 stars 

Read by the author, this audiobook is fantastic. The story of a man who lost everything – his wife, his house, his cars, and his business – he decides to walk from Seattle to Florida Keys. It is moving, happy and sad as he meets many people and learns about himself through his journey. If you have read and enjoyed the memoir by Cheryl Strayed, Wild, this is a must read. I listened to both novels on audiobook and was not disappointed. I am very excited about listening to Miles to Go, the sequel in the series. As with Wild and the movie, The Way, this novel inspires me to leave my life and have my own self-discovery journey.

Evans wrote several novels. Visit them all at www.richardpaulevans.com.