The red tent

by Anita Diamant

A fictional re-telling of the biblical story of Jacob and his sons from his daughter Dinah's point of view. Note: This is not a Christian book.

Reshaping it all

by Candace Cameron Bure

Candace shares lessons learned throughout her life that have helped with her spiritual growth as well as with her health and fitness. She includes a recipe at the end of each chapter. It is a good book.

Modern Vintage Style

by Emily Chalmers

This book is about how to use vintage pieces and combine them with modern things in an up-to-date way. I think this was an OK book, but quite long and wordy, considering the subject.

For young women only

by Shaunti Feldhahn

Shaunti explains the results of her surveys on how guys feel about girls on topics including respect, modesty, sex and more with advice for girls that will help them understand how all this information affects them. This is a good book.

Thunder Dog

The true story of a blind man, his guide dog & the triumph of trust at Ground Zero. 

by Michael Hingson

A blind man and his guide dog escaped Tower 1 of the World Trade Center after the plane crash on September 11, 2001. This is the story of what happened to them that day as well as the background story of how they came to be there. Michael tells how he became blind and what it was like for him growing up. He explains how he was matched up with his first guide dog and how they learned to work together. On 9/11, Michael's dog, Roselle, behaved as she had been trained to and was able to keep both of them safe in a situation no one could have foreseen.

This is a great book and it captured my interest from the first page. Although most people have heard what happened on 9/11, the story of each person who was there is unique and I found Mr. Hingson's perspective particularly interesting. Thunder Dog is mostly an autobiographical book, so if someone is expecting it to be full of details about Ground Zero, they may be disappointed. I enjoyed learning about how blind people find ways to do everything sighted people can do as well as the specific events that Roselle and Michael encountered on 9/11. Highly recommended.

Disclaimer: The publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of this book to review through BookSneeze®.

organic housekeeping

in which the Nontoxic Avenger shows you how to improve your health and that of your family while you save time, money, and, perhaps, your sanity

by Ellen Sandbeck

How to look after your home and property in less time without resorting to toxic substances. This book is worth reading, but it's quite long.

Little Daughter

by Zoya Phan

The fascinating autobiography of a young woman from the Karen people of Burma who fled the Burmese army and became a refugee in the U.K. She is now an activist for the rights of minorities in Burma.

Easy Green Living

The ultimate guide to simple, eco-friendly choices for you and your home

By Renee Loux

This very informative book tells about the dangers of chemicals that are found in things we use every day. It describes specific chemicals and the specific problems (such as cancer, birth defects or pollution) they cause. It also lists green alternatives and where to find them.

I liked this book but it's quite long.

Against all odds

by Irene Hannon

In this romantic suspense novel, FBI agents Coop and Mark must protect Monica from terrorists. Her father, a diplomat in Afghanistan, has received a threat against her in connection with a hostage situation that he is working on. Coop is determined not to let his emotions become involved, but he can't deny his attraction to Monica.

This was a great suspense story, a lot like Dee Henderson's style only more exciting. I had to stay up late and finish it in one evening.

How to sew a button

and other nifty things your grandmother knew

by Erin Bried

Erin gives step-by-step instructions for doing over 100 housewifely things, arranged in 10 categories. Some examples are: "How to make a bed", "How to light a fire", "How to give yourself a manicure", "How to barter". I liked her humorous style and recommend this as a useful and entertaining book.

Love finds you in Lahaina, Hawaii

by Bodie Thoene

The story of Kaiulani, Hawaii's last princess, and the end of the kingdom in 1897; and of Sandi in 1973 who wonders if her husband, missing in action in Viet Nam, will come home.

I enjoyed learning some of Hawaii's history, but this was not the page-turner I had come to expect from Bodie Thoene. That might be because it was written for the Love Finds You Christian romance series (which is not really my thing), but there wasn't really a lot of romance in it.