State of Fear (Michael Crichton) ***

An excellent book with much social commentary on topics including environmentalists, politics, and universities. Crichton wraps some story on what is basically a critique of the envrionmentalist movement -- specifically about global warming and the greenhouse effect. He did a lot of research for this book, and it shows. I even spent time reading the authors notes and annotated bibliography at the end. Highly recommended if for nothing more than to give you food for thought. For sensitive readers, probably rated R for language and adult situations.

Christmas Jars (Jason F. Wright) ***

Very quick read. It's a nice, short, seasonal book, about a family tradition of collecting pocket change throughout the year and giving it to someone in need on Christmas. The book describes how the tradition spreads and the kind of effect it has on people. We're reading it in our Book Group.

The Wednesday Letters (Jason F. Wright) ***

Good book, easy ready. It's about a couple in which the husband wrote a letter to his wife every Wednesday of their marriage, and they are discovered by their children after the couple dies. Uplifting, sentimental, kind of mushy in places, but enjoyable. New York Times bestseller.

Eclipse (Stephenie Meyer) ***

This is the last in the vampire series I read. Twilight was probably my favorite, then Eclipse, then New Moon. It's definitely geared toward young women. But it's an easy read and I enjoyed them.