Left to Tell (Immaculee Ilibagiza)***

This is a quick read (200 pgs) about a woman's survival through the Rwandan holocast and her experiences during that time. You'll be hooked by page 1. :)

Mistborn Trilogy (Brandon Sanderson)***

These books are so good that I'm annoyed I'm at work because I just want to go home and read more! They are set in a world of brown and black that is cursed by 'mists' that drift across the land (this is fantasy, in case the last sentence didn't make that apparent). There are people who have special gifts to influence the mists and this is the story of their effort to reclaim the world from the mists. Books one and two are out, book three due out in October.

The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini) ***

A novel about a boy named Amir who grows up in Afghanistan with his best friend/servant Hassan. It follows his life, his "escape" to America, his mistakes, how those mistakes catch up with him throughout life, and how he redeems himself. Very enjoyable.

Three Cups of Tea (Greg Mortenson, David Relin)***

Deborah recommended this one to me, and our book group decided to read it. I loved it. About a guy (Greg Mortenson) who built schools in Pakistan, and the challenges and successes he experienced. Motivating.

Gift from the Sea (Anne Morrow Lindbergh) *

The author writes about lessons she learned about life from a vacation on the beach, and uses shells to draw different analogies. Insightful, but kind of fluffy.

Red Badge of Courage (Stephen Crane) *

This is told through the eyes of a young boy and his experience through one battle of the Civil War. He goes through a range of emotions from fear, shame, pride, courage, embarrassment, etc. I'm not a war buff so I had to push through it, even though it's pretty short.

Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling (Richard Lyman Bushman) ***

It took me 2 years to read this book, but I'm glad I read it. I'm sure most of you have heard of it, and maybe already read it. The book is written by a Columbia history professor who is LDS and goes into lots of details on the life of Joseph Smith. Several parts are eyebrow raising, but I liked learning about Joseph Smith's strengths and weaknesses. Joseph Smith was an ordinary person with challenges like any of us, but who did some extraordinary things, all the time completely believing in the cause. Overall I'd say it strengthened my faith in his prophetic calling. I particularly liked the historic parts of the book. Sometimes the author's commentary on the doctrine could be a little long-winded -- hence the 2 years it took me to finish.