just off the bookshelf
>> Thursday, March 3, 2011 –
book review
well it's that time of the month again.... time to talk books!!
i've been told over and over again how good these books are...
so i finally ordered them on amazon and gave them a try!
These Is My Words
by Nancy E. Turner
These Is My Words uses the love of learning as a major plot element in a story inspired by her great-grandmother, Sarah Prine. It is set during a time in Territorial Arizona when life was hard and tenuous. The story is a portrait of the courage and perseverance of one woman, and a love affair that will never be forgotten.
this book deserves a 4.5 star rating!
everyone was right. such a great read.
now if i was to just come across this book at the store i would probably walk right past it.
the cover is not pretty... the title is weird... and i'm not really into western type books.
BUT
i loved the story.
and i loved getting to know Sarah Agnes Prine (and Captain Jack Elliott) !
i also read the second book in the series...
Sarah's Quilt
by Nancy E. Turner
The long-awaited sequel to These Is My Words returns to Sarah's family in 1906 after three years of drought have devastated her ranch. Caught between the choice to save her land and the love of a good man, Sarah faces dark challenges of territorial life where everything hangs in the balance. It is a saga of love, connection, and the gift of family.
this book gets 4 gold stars!
i loved it almost as much as these is my words.
both of these stories have some tear-jerking moments.
and how embarrassing that i just happened to be reading at my son's basketball practice when i came across one of them.
well that wasn't pretty! haha.
oh.. and one other thing about these books. they are about as clean as they come.
so that was a nice plus for me.
SO.... have you read them??
i want to hear your opinion about them!
and next on the reading list for me is:
The Star Garden
by Nancy E. Turner
(the third and final book)
and
Sarah's Key
by Tatiana de Rosnay
(a lot of you recommended this book. i'm excited to read it!)
and how embarrassing that i just happened to be reading at my son's basketball practice when i came across one of them.
well that wasn't pretty! haha.
oh.. and one other thing about these books. they are about as clean as they come.
so that was a nice plus for me.
SO.... have you read them??
i want to hear your opinion about them!
and next on the reading list for me is:
The Star Garden
by Nancy E. Turner
(the third and final book)
and
Sarah's Key
by Tatiana de Rosnay
(a lot of you recommended this book. i'm excited to read it!)
Wow! Now I really want to read these too!
I so love those books! Sarah's Key is on my list as well. But almost nothing matches up to These is My Words. I didn't like the sequels quite as much, but I did still like them. How can you not love Sarah Agnes Prine?
Also, are you on goodreads? It's a fab website for logging and rating books. You can also see what other people have read. I love it.
Sarah's Key is so sad! But a great look at history that's been overlooked.
One Thousand White Women is another great, western book in a journal like format like These Is My Words. I really enjoyed it.
I'm also reading the third book in the Princess trilogy. The first book is called Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia. There are two books after that. Great reads!
I LOVE These Is My Words! Such a great strong female character. I'll have to pick up the sequels, too. I have Sarah's Key sitting on my nightstand as well!
i've never read either of these, but they both look great! i LOVED sarah's key, but get ready for a heart wrencher!!
I just read both of these the last couple weeks. I had read These is my Words before, but read them both this time and LOVED the first again, and just liked the second, but still good:).
I just added all these books to my "Need to Read" list! They all sound so good. Thanks!
I needed knew books to download to my kindle. Thank you!
Loved These is My Words. Will have to read Sarah's quilt soon.
I finished These is My Words two days ago. I loved it too! It was a good read. I was just thinking this morning, "Man, I hope she does another book review soon, I need something to read!" So, thanks.
i enjoyed These is My Words. I haven't read the sequel yet. I really liked Sarah's Key. I just bought a couple b/c I had to give back the one I borrowed. Right now I'm reading Cutting for Stone and it's really good so far.
I am such a reader, that was what my last post on my blog was about too. I am going to add these two books to my to read pile.
I am also on goodreads and love that site.
I am a fellow Sarah Agnes Prine lover. It's not very often that I even hear these books mentioned, so I was so excited to see your post! I recommend These is My Words whenever someone asks what she should read. :)
I enjoyed Sarah's Key as well, though it was so heartbreaking.
I love your blog just for the craftiness, but the book monthly suggestions has become my new fave. Thanks for the info and I'm already reading it on my kindle and it's awesome.
lisa
these is my words is a great book and thanks for telling me about the sequel! can't wait to read it!
Sarah's Key was really good. I would also recommend Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and The Pianist by Wladyslaw Szpilman.
Trudy
i loved sarah's key. as stated above, it's VERY sad. i had wet red eyes the entire read. (but it was excellent! i hope you like it.)
Thanks SO much for your book recommendations! I have enjoyed the books you recommended earlier and will definitely check these out. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Love both of these books so good! Read them a few years ago! So good!
I read These Is My Words a few years ago in my book club. By far the best book I have read in book club, if not my all time favorite. I would like to read the next two.
I haven't yet heard of them...but will have to check them out! You made them sound very good!!
Sarah's Key will leave you sobbing... def. not one for a BB game.
I just finished "My enemy's Cradle" another great book. I second the goodreads suggestion- great site!
I have read all 3 of this series and loved stepping into her life. It's so refreshing to read of a woman of courage, integrity and real character. It helps you appreciate your blessings too! I just finished reading, Half the Sky. It won the Pulitzer. It's the kind of book that will change your life. But it's probably not one to read at the BB game either ;)
Both sound sooo interesting. Are they true life based fiction or pure fiction. Just curious.
The Star Garden is the best of the 3 books. Loved them all.
Sarah's Key is OK. kinda sad. Don't read at BB.
Your blog is just THE BEST! Thank you for all of the fantastic inspiration -- L.O.V.E. it!
Krista
www.thehomemaderenegade.com
Everyone I know has read "These Is My Words"....and they all loved it! I keep forgetting to pick that one up. Thanks for reminding me.
A word of advice...add to your list the book "Matched" by Ally Condie.
"These Is My Words" is one of my very favorites, didn't enjoy the sequels AS much, but still like them quite a bit. Going to put "Sarah's Key" on hold at the library right now!!
I also enjoyed them and passed them on to my mom and grandma. Who doesn't love a western? :)
I agree on the recommendation of One Thousand White Women too.
Loved These is My Words, one of my top 10 favorite books ever. I haven't read Sarah's Quilt but I should.
I didn't love Sarah's Key. The story really disturbed me!
Thanks for all the recommendations. I just finished "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. It was amazing and I wish every American could read it. It gave me an appreciation for our freedom unlike anything else. Highly encouraged. Also loved "Chasing Fireflies" by Charles Martin.
Great review of These is my Words - it is one of all-time favorites. Also, thank you for the review of Sarah's Quilt - I have added it to my list.
I am currently reading Sarah's Key and just finished The Happiness Project and Same Kind of Different as Me.
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Today is March 8, women wish the whole world happy holidays, always beautiful!
besides,thanks for your sharing!
It was an amazing book. I can't imagine living during that time and how hard...makes me think twice when I am whining. But I like to think I have some of Sarah in me.
Can't wait to see what Easter ideas you have up your sleeves...I was a hit last year with those PEEPS...thanks for sharing!
I bought the book this past weekend. It is GREAT! Thanks for the recommendation. The first night I started reading I was up until 2 in the morning! Made the next morning a little difficult but i just couldn't seem to fidn a good stopping place.
A lot of my friends have read Sarah's Key and I just don't think I can do it. My mom said it was really, really sad. I don't mind crying so much as long as I get to laugh a little too.
I put up book reviews on my blog too (I don't have your fancy schmancy rating system though :)).
www.marthahasminions.blogspot.com
I loved These Is My Words also. I liked Sarah's Key but didn't particularly find the modern day characters to be memorable or have that many redeemable characteristics.
Rob&Michelle - I just finished Sarah's Key and felt the same about the modern-day characters.