The Diamond Escape: Characters and Details Overload (2 Stars)

Several months ago, I won The Diamond Escape by Sheila Bitts in a Goodreads Giveaway. Earlier this month, I finished reading it. This book has a lot of characters and is confusing in places. Do We Really Need to Know the Characters’ Heights? The idea of this book sounded good, but it just really didn’t…… Continue reading The Diamond Escape: Characters and Details Overload (2 Stars)

Scripture Study Hints: Study with a Question in Mind

I think we all have lessons or talks that stick with us more than others. For me, one of these lessons happened in December 2011. In a Relief Society lesson, the teacher encouraged us to write down a question as part of our scripture study. She encouraged us to make a chart where we recorded…… Continue reading Scripture Study Hints: Study with a Question in Mind

The Slow March of Light: Divided Germany (4.5 Stars)

If you’re interested in Germany post-WW II, you may want to read The Slow March of Light by Heather B. Moore. This book begins in Utah in December 1959. Our main character, Bob, is drafted into the army. After basic training, he heads to West Germany. Germany Post World War II This was a well-written…… Continue reading The Slow March of Light: Divided Germany (4.5 Stars)

Is It Really Success Disguised as Failure?

I talked recently about how I’ve started taking an Emotional Resilience class in my ward. Each week, we set five goals to work on for that week. The following week, we individually rate how we did with each goal. You can pick “very little effort,” “some effort,” or “significant effort.” The first two weeks, I…… Continue reading Is It Really Success Disguised as Failure?

My New General Conference Commitment

This last weekend was stake conference for me. One of the members of the stake presidency talked about how he’s listened to the general conference talks multiple times already. That, of course, made me feel a bit guilty. I’m usually good about reading the general conference talks once the “Liahona” comes out. I have started…… Continue reading My New General Conference Commitment

Fact-checking, Defending the Truth, and Other Social Media Issues

Last week, I saw a post on Facebook where someone was comparing a popular reality TV personality to a woman who had done some pretty cool things in the world of science. The person encouraged people to admire this woman rather than the reality TV star. The claim was that most people probably haven’t even…… Continue reading Fact-checking, Defending the Truth, and Other Social Media Issues

Scarlet at Crystal River: Ghosts of Children (3.5 Stars)

I recently finished reading Scarlet at Crystal River by Randy Overbeck. I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway late last year. It is part of a series. Our main character, Darrell, sees ghosts. They reach out to him so he can solve their murders. In this book, Darrell has just gotten married. He’s honeymooning…… Continue reading Scarlet at Crystal River: Ghosts of Children (3.5 Stars)

Why Is Omni Important to Us?

A few weeks ago, we read Omni as part of our “Come Follow Me” reading. Since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about Omni, both the man himself and the book as a whole. Despite this being a short book with only 30 verses, there are several lessons we can get from it. Omni The…… Continue reading Why Is Omni Important to Us?

One Tuesday, Early: Confusing, Odd Alternating Chapters (3 Stars)

I recently read an ARC of One Tuesday, Early by Annalisa Crawford. This book, which comes out on May 14, was odd and confusing at times. If you like paranormal books, you may like it, though. What You Should Know This story is told in alternating chapters. Lexi wakes up one Tuesday, and everyone has…… Continue reading One Tuesday, Early: Confusing, Odd Alternating Chapters (3 Stars)

Sisters by the Sea: Liberal Amish Novellas (3.5 Stars)

Recently, I finished reading Sisters by the Sea, a collection of four novellas each by a different author. While there are Amish characters, they seem to come from a less strict Amish upbringing than is generally presented in books or other media. The Seashell Cake (3.5 Stars) This story was cute. I liked our two…… Continue reading Sisters by the Sea: Liberal Amish Novellas (3.5 Stars)