Just started KILLER HEART by Brenda Novak, a suspense thriller.

I just finished the best novel I've read in a long time. Chatty if you've not read "The Art of Racing in the Rain," you would love it as would anyone who loves dogs and enjoys books. It's written from the perspective of Enzo, the dog.

Also finished "Water for Elephants" a fair read with a lot of graphic action-probably a movie soon.

Now reading "Peace Like a River," a little better than Elephants, but kind of depressing so far.

I'm working on reading Joyce Meyer's "Power Thoughts"; IMO it's much like Norman Vincent Peal's, Power of Positive Thinking.
Both beliefs walk along the same lines.

Cool, Jabber! I've not heard of that author or book, but I just wrote about several of NVP's points in my NABBW New Year's message, which ought to finally get published later today. Anyone who espouses those sorts of thoughts would definitely be worth reading. I will have to check her(I'm assuming) out ASAP...

Hi Smilinize, I agree, "The Art of Racing in the Rain" is a fantastic book. I loved Enzo...

I am ordering that book today Janis. If you and Anne both loved it, then it must be my kind of book... Thanks!!!

Anne,
Yes, she, Joyce Meyer, has a world outreach ministry. I've been listening to her TV Program "Enjoying Everyday Life," and reading her books for years now. She's a boomer, with "down to earth" and "where the rubber meets the road" sort of teaching. She's an everyday housewife [with a high school education only] from Fenton, Missouri, whose teachings reach millions upon millions of folks with Bible based ideals.

P.S. After I read your news letter, I, too, thought it a coincidence we both mentioned Norman V. Peale at the same time!

just re read for the umpteeth time, The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy. The basis of the movie Conrack. That man can spin a phrase into sheer poetry. I love the lowcountry of GA/SC this is a keeper

wISHING TO KNOW: how many of you are irritated and bereft at the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn rewrite to take out the offensive N word, despite that Mark Twain wrote that so long ago and it was the missive of a much more simpler and adventurous time? I know that Twain wrote that from his own experiences, and I am so ANNOYED they are trying to make it PC. when we were taught that in HS and College, it was rejoinded by the N word, which is Never A good thing or pleasant. But seriously, it was written in that timeframe....and it should not be decimated by the pc of today. Think of ALL the books we were taught in the BEST teachers' literature clases...Franny and Zooey, Catcher in the Rye...All the Shakespeare would be suspect...and Fareheit 451. I was benefited by having an awesome literature and creative writing teacher that did not stand to public comment, she understood the treasure of the written word....all I can think now is yes, Farenheit 451, all books decimated...e readers, then none on the shelves...and in the mind of pc and public consciousness...no books at all... banninng literature is bad enough, but to CHANGE the words, that is just ludicrous. Shame on them and shame on us to allow such to happen, Long live the literature that enlightens us all, and the music, and the arts, and everything that keeps us HUMAN! We all strive and desire that bit of life that is in keeping with our spirit...

Hi Judy,

I hadn't heard of that happening, but I did want to share that anyone interested in Mark Twain might want to pick up his newly published autobiography...

Volume One, which is a hefty (weighs in at over 3.5 pounds and features over 700 pages) treat, was just recently published and I gave a copy of it to my SIL for Christmas. He was delighted.

It REALLY is his autobiography, but apparently he left word that it not be published until 100 years after his death, so as not to offend anyone...

Which is why I thought of it, when you mentioned the recent editing of Huck Finn.