\n*The Rosie Project \/ by Graeme Simsion. For fun and light reading, but with an undercurrent of thoughtfulness, this is a great read. I especially like that it\u2019s an Australian author, so we get a perspective of life Down Under.
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<\/a><\/p>\n*Scarlett \/ by Alexandra Ripley. Here\u2019s the story on this one. Several years ago I found this book in a book sale. But I couldn\u2019t read it until I first read \u201cGone with the Wind\u201d (which is on my \u201cFavorite books of 103\u201d list). Having finally read (and loved) \u201cGone with the Wind\u201d I could now read \u201cScarlett,\u201d which is a sequel to Margaret Mitchell\u2019s classic book. Written over 50 years later, Alexandra Ripley picks up the tale, and wow, does she do a wonderful job carrying on the story of Scarlett. I loved it all the way through. Perfect book to read on a cross country train ride last March. *Lab Girl \/ by Hope Jahren. Recommended to me by LICL librarian Nancy Jordan, this book was a page turner, which says a lot about a non-fiction book about a scientist. Hope Jahren is not just any scientist, however \u2013 she is a fabulous writer, who shares her story with great humor and honesty. *The forgotten garden \/ by Kate Morton. For pure British novel escapism, this book which takes place in Australia, London, and Cornwall, is a really fun read. *When books went to war : the stories that helped us win World War II \/ by Molly Guptill Manning. This book made the list because of how it inspired me. My interest developed in the subject from my project to catalog our WWI pamphlets. When I found this book it inspired me to head to Bowdoin College Library Special Collections department to view their Armed Services Editions, which were small paperback books read by the soldiers during World War II. I ended up writing a blog for Bowdoin: http:\/\/community.bowdoin.edu\/news\/2017\/12\/with-books-in-their-pockets-armed-service-editions-at-special-collections<\/a>\/ *Angel and apostle \/ by Deborah Noyes. This tale picks up where \u201cThe Scarlett Letter\u201d leaves off, only by this creative author, Deborah Noyes. Her writing is so lyrical \u2013 I wasn\u2019t always sure what she was talking about but reading her novel about Pearl, the daughter of the main character in \u201cThe Scarlett Letter,\u201d was pure pleasure. *Christy \/ Catherine Marshall. Another classic, I reread this because I gave a copy to a friend, and then decided that I would like to reread it (about 40 years after the first reading). I loved it all over again \u2013 such a wonderful story based on a true story \u2013 of Christy Huddleston, a young woman who heads into the Appalachian Mountains in 1912 to teach at a mission school. *Dangerous territory : my misguided quest to save the world \/ by Amy Peterson. I serendipitously picked up this book from the Portland Public Library, and was immediately immersed into Amy\u2019s story, which can easily echo people I knew at her age. This well written and thoughtful book is so inspiring in many ways, because she doesn\u2019t end up saving the world, but she does find herself along the way (and her husband, too). *All creation waits : the Advent mystery of new beginnings \/ by Gayle Boss. This beautifully written and illustrated (with woodcuts) book will make you appreciate all the critters out in the woods and how they are marvelously created to withstand the cold. My sister-in-law in Vermont read it at the same time I did, so it was a shared Advent reading. What are some of your favorite books that you read last year?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" According to my Goodreads site, I read 52 books in 2017. Here are some of my favorites: *The Rosie Project \/ by Graeme Simsion. For fun and light reading, but with an undercurrent of thoughtfulness, this is a great read. I especially like that it\u2019s an Australian author, so we get a perspective of life … Continue reading Favorite books of 2017: a Top 10 List<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n