September Book List

  85.  Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (****)  I'm not really sure what exactly I expected from the end of this trilogy.  But, it wasn't this.  But, that's ok.  I think this book and it's themes are deeper than the first two books and I wasn't prepared for it.  It's really brutal.  And even though it ended as well as anyone could hope after the experience the rest of the book puts you through... it's still so tragically bitterly sad.

86.  Murder at Hazelmoor by Agatha Christie (****)  It's always fun to read Christie's out of the common way mysteries.  By that I mean, a mystery not featuring Poirot or Marple or The Beresfords.  I love all of those detectives (especially the Beresfords) like I love my favorite foods (weird analogy?) but, regardless, something new is always refreshing and stretching.  All that to say that I did not see the end of this one coming at all.  I really didn't have the faintest notion.  Of any possibilities at all.  I was totally unprepared. 

87.  Enemy Brothers by Constance Savery (****)  I really like this book. 

88.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak  (****)  A very poignant story about family, war, death, beauty, grief and the value of literature.  I identify with Liesel, sometimes I'm angry at the words, too.  Sometimes they are too beautiful and too true. 

89.  Sabotaged by Margaret Peterson Haddix (***)  This is the third book in The Missing series.  I was looking forward to it, but ended up being sadly disappointed.  I'm not sure that I'd say it wasn't as good of quality as the first two books in the series.  I think I just wasn't in the same mood as I was when I read the other two. 

90.  Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (****)  Excellent.  Highly recommended. 

91.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (*****)  I can't believe I had never read this book before.   I loved it.  Rephrase that: LOVED it.  :)

92.  The Pearl by John Steinbeck (*****)  Also excellent.