Christmastide in Emerald Falls: Inspired by “It’s a Wonderful Life (4.5 Stars)

If It’s a Wonderful Life is one of your favorite Christmas classics, you may want to check out the book Christmastide in Emerald Falls by Angela E. Johnson. It’s newly published, having come out yesterday. Unlike most stories that take inspiration from older stories, this book goes back in time to the Regency Era, rather…… Continue reading Christmastide in Emerald Falls: Inspired by “It’s a Wonderful Life (4.5 Stars)

The Spy Coast: Just Five Old CIA Agents (4.5 Stars)

If a spy novel with slightly older characters sounds like your kind of book, you may want to check out The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen. This book includes five former CIA operatives who have all retired to the same Maine community. Basic Plot Maggie Bird is a retired CIA spy. She’s moved to a…… Continue reading The Spy Coast: Just Five Old CIA Agents (4.5 Stars)

A Different Kind of Gone: Right or Wrong? (4.5 Stars)

Recently, I finished reading A Different Kind of Gone by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This novel presents several related scenarios where there are questions of what’s right and what’s wrong. Intro to the Story In this book, Norma is a woman in her late 50s. She lives in a small rural community along the Utah-Arizona border.…… Continue reading A Different Kind of Gone: Right or Wrong? (4.5 Stars)

Alpha Bette: One Day, Multiple Points of View (3.5 Stars)

Alpha Bette by Jennifer Manocherian was an interesting read told from multiple points of view. I won this last year in a Goodreads Giveaway. What You Should Know This book takes place in one day. A lot is going on. The story is told from multiple points of view. There’s Bette, Bette’s daughter, Bette’s great-granddaughter,…… Continue reading Alpha Bette: One Day, Multiple Points of View (3.5 Stars)

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

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?

Holding On To Hope: Southern Meets Wyoming (5 Stars)

I won Holding On To Hope by Janet W. Ferguson in a Goodreads Giveaway last year. I finally read it this week, and it was an enjoyable story. The story starts in Alabama but takes place mostly in Wyoming, in and around Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone. Heading Out to Wyoming This book is…… Continue reading Holding On To Hope: Southern Meets Wyoming (5 Stars)

Just a Temporary Change or a Lasting Improvement?

This last weekend was general conference. I felt like there were three themes: temple attendance, focusing on our covenants, and working on our relationship with Jesus Christ. As is always the case just after general conference, I think we all felt a desire to make improvements in our lives. Yet, it’s important that these changes…… Continue reading Just a Temporary Change or a Lasting Improvement?

The Seven Last Statements of Christ’s Life

While the Easter season is coming to an end, it’s never too late to focus on Christ’s sacrifice, especially with today being Easter Monday in some cultures. Last week, I was encouraged to study the last seven statements that Jesus said while on the cross. Different people might get different messages out of these statements,…… Continue reading The Seven Last Statements of Christ’s Life