Dust Bowl Girls by Lydia Reeder

     Girls basketball in the '30s. A good-hearted coach and determined girls win the national championship against all odds. How America has changed, sports and our view of womanhood.

Mourn not Your Dead by Deborah Crombie

 (read aloud)

    Will Duncan and Gemma make up and solve their dilemma? Who killed the police supervisor? There are plenty of suspects. Well-drawn characters and sparkling writing make up for a dense, slowly-evolving plot. But we are in no hurry as we enjoy a kind local policeman and a clairvoyant witch.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre by B. Traven

     Salty tale of prospecting, mistrust, and betrayal. Several detours into other stories and solid philosophy about wealth and avarice. Writing style reads like polished antique wood. A grim, earthy book that captures its time and place.

Mossad by Michael Bar-Zohar

     The Mossad will do whatever it takes to meet their objectives. There are almost no boundaries. If you are in their sights, there is no escape. Exciting stories, but troubling.

Murder at the Washington Tribune by Margaret Truman

     Fairly good writing. The ending was a little trite, but story was suspenseful and characters were good. An ethical journalist makes a big ethical mistake.

Waiting on the Word by Malcolm Guite

(read aloud for Advent)

     A poem a day for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. A remarkable book with wonderful poems, unfolded by the author; some written by the author. Very well done, illuminating, and bright and dark like Advent.

The Exchange by John Grisham

(read aloud)

       Sequel, well done, good characters and suspenseful. Plot has many side threads, many of which aren't resolved or even explored at the end. But otherwise a good read. Helpful to have watched the old Firm movie but book covers the past events well.