THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SANTA CLAUS by Jeff Guinn

This is the story of Saint Nicholas (his real name) as told to the author.  It begins with his birth in the Middle Eastern country of Lycia to rich parents who died when he was very young.  It continues up to the present, taking us through some significant historical events.

THE SUNNE IN SPLENDOUR by Sharon Kay Penman

I am currently reading The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman.  This is a historical novel about King Richard III of medieval England.

THE SCHOOL OF NIGHT by Louis Bayard

I just finished The School of Night by Louis Bayard.  I had not read one of his previous novels, but this one was very good--a blend of historican fiction and thriller.

THE EMPEROR'S TOMB by Steve Berry

I am currently reading The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry.  I always enjoy reading his books.

Holliman

My name is Carol Nan (Bobo) Rushing.  My mother was Zula (Holliman) Bobo, daughter of William  Green Holliman, who was the son of Elijah Holliman who was the brother of  Warren Holliman.  Elijah and Warren served in the same unit in the Civil War.  Elijah is buried at Spring Hill Cemetery near Millport, AL.  He was born on July 12,  1839 and died on May 11, 1937.  Also, his wife Malinda Jane is buried at Spring Hill, although I have been told he had at least two previous wives, and I do not know their names or where they are burried.  Elijah had William Green Holliman (my grandfather) and Minnie Holliman (Clemens).  They each had eight children, and my mother was Green's youngest.  She died this past June and the age of 99.  Vonceil Bonner Duckworth was at the funeral home for the visitation and told me about all the research into the Holliman family, and about the meeting on October 5 in Fayette, AL.

THE GREATER JOURNEY by David McCullough

In the 1830s. when many Americans were moving west in their covered wagons, many were going eastward to Paris--artists, writers, medical students, politicians, architects, and many others who had high aspirations. The book covers the period of history from the 1830s to the beginning of the 1900s. 

The Fourth Estate by Jeffrey Archer

I am currently reading The Fourth Estate by Jeffrey Archer.  Archer is one of my favorite authors.  This is the story of two rival business tycoons, one a Jew from a small town on the Czech-Romanian-Polish border, the other an Oxford-educated son of a millionaire newspaper owner, who takes over his family's business in Australia.

THE LAST CHILD by John Hart

Another well-written novel by John Hart.  Very fast-paced with lots of unexpected twists.

Down River by John Hart

I just finished Down River by John Hart.  These are all very well written crime novels--I look forward to many more from him.

Iron House by John Hart

Another legal thriller by John Hart.  It starts with two brothers who live in a very rustic home for boys where they are constantly tormented by some of the other boys.  The younger one finally kills his main tormentor, and the older one takes the blame.  The older one runs away  and ends up in New York where he becomes involved in street gangs.  The younger on is adopted by a very wealthy senator and his wife.  Twenty years later they are reunited under very terrible circumstances.

The King of Lies by John Hart

I have just discovered John Hart--this is his debut novel and I can't wait to read his others (so far he has only written four).  This is a very fast moving legal thriller, set in North Carolina.

Pearl of China by Anchee Min

This is a story of Pearl Buck's life in China.   It gives insight into the life of women in China.  We get to know Pearl throught her best friend Willow.  It covers the Boxer rebellion, China's Civil War, and Mao's rule. 

One Summer by David Baldacci

This is completely different from all of Baldacci's other novels.  This is a very emotional story about a family and their tragedies. 

The Sixth Man by David Baldacci

I got my new David Baldacci book and realized I still had'nt read the last one. This is a thriller involving the CIA, FBI, NSA, and lots of other government organizations.  Really a page turner.

The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

This is the story of twins who were separated at birth--one grew up with  the grandmother, and the other was placed in an orphanage.  They are reunited at the age of sixteen, when they are both being terrorized.  I have enjoyed all of Zafon's books, although they have some creepy characters.

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

The Snowman is a very well-written crime story--very fast-paced and full of suspense.  It also has a number of twists;  just when you think you have it figured out, you find that there are more complications than you suspected.

nanrusjomg: Fall On Your Knees, by Ann-Marie MacDonald

nanrusjomg: Fall On Your Knees, by Ann-Marie MacDonald: "I am currently reading Fall On Your Knees. This is set on an island off Nova Scotia, at the beginning of World War I. "

Fall On Your Knees, by Ann-Marie MacDonald

I am currently reading Fall On Your Knees.  This is set on an island off Nova Scotia, at the beginning of World War I. 

The Tiger's Wife

I finished The Tiger's Wife.  A beautiful and very creative story set in a Balkan Country, involving a small village with their superstitions, war, and lack of knowledge of the outside world. 



The Shelters of Stone, by Jean M. Auel

I am still reading The Shelters of Stone.  It is a very good book and I have followed Ayla and Jondalar from the beginning of the series.  I feel like they are part of my family.



The Bronze Horseman, by Paullina Simons

To Read List



The Last Child, by John Hart

To Read List

The Weird Sisters, by Eleanor Brown

I also plan to read this one.

The Tiger's Wife, by Tea Obreht

I plan to read this book next.  I have read several great reviews.



Under the Dome, by Stephen King

Stephen King at his best.  This is a very good, fast-moving story about a small town that is suddenly cut off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field.  The characters are very credible people, and each has different reactions to the situation--some who were community leaders before the dome came down, and others who were merely leading their everyday lives.  It is interesting to see who copes with the situation and tries to find a way out, and who simply cannot cope.



The Shelters of Stone, by Jean M. Auel

I am currently reading The Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel.  This is the fifth book in the continuing series of Ayla and Jondalar.  In the last story, they completed their trek across Europe to Jondalar's home.  Now they have arrived and Ayla is in awe of their clothes, customs, language, and even their homes.

Heartstone, by C. J. Sansom

I finished reading Heartstone, the latest in the continuing saga of Matthew Shardlake, the 15th century attorney, who undertakes a case given to him by Queen Catherine Parr, one of Henry VIII's wives.  All the action takes place while the French Armada is crossing the Channel to attack England.  These are very complex, fast-paced historical novels--very enjoyable reading.

Emily Hudson, by Melissa Jones

 Emily Hudson, by Melissa Jones: "I just finished reading Emily Hudson by Melissa Jones, a story inspired by an episode in the life of Henry James about an independent young ..."

T.S. Eliot's Parisian Year, by Nancy Duvall Hargrove

After finishing Stephen King's LONG book Under the Dome, I took a few days off.  But now I am ready to start again--My next will be Nancy Hargrove's Book about T.S. Elion in Paris.  Nancy is in our book discussion group and we are all excited about reading her book and discussing it with her.

Reading

I am currently reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.  It is a very fascinating book about twins who were born in Ethiopia to an Indian mother and a British father.  The book is very moving and introduces the reader to the everyday life of the people who live in Ethiopia.

Before this, I read The Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett.  After reading Ken Follett's newest book, Fall of Giants, I decided to go back and read some of his older ones.  This book is full of adventure and suspense.

I also read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.  This was about a little girl who solves a very big mystery--almost a Nancy Drew-type story. 

Silent Victim by C. E. Lawrence is a very fast moving, murder mystery with NYPD profiler Lee Campbell at his best.

The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer is a very gripping story that takes place in the National Archives where secrets are being passed to and from the President. 

The Lost Books of the Odyssey is a series of short stories of adventures that Odysseus experienced on his way home to Ithica from Troy.  The writer has a very vivid imagination. The stories are filled with adventure and some humor.