Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, edited by Nancy Guthrie
19/60 | Started 02.18.26 • Finished 04.07.26 | 4 stars
For whatever reason I did not find this as poignant as my last time reading through it. I would lose track of what the author was saying or find the language difficult. But these meditations on the Christ's passion and the cross are worth your time, just make sure your brain is up to the task.
A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles
18/60 | Started 03.11.26 • Finished 04.04.26 | 5 stars
I finished this a bit ago and forgot to write a review right away... I loved this book about a Russian gentleman who is confined to the grounds of a Moscow hotel called the Metropol. The story takes us through his years as a resident there, the various people he encounters and roles he holds. The central relationship is with his adopted daughter Sofia, full of love and good fun. It's a long book, but well worth the time and no detail is wasted. All comes to light in the end. Highly recommend!
Frindle, by Andrew Clements
17/60 | Started 03.23.26 • Finished 04.03.26 | 5 stars
"This book is about a boy named Nick. He had an amazing imagination. One day, when he was in a new teacher's class, he all of a sudden invented a new word for 'pen': 'frindle.' Mrs. Granger pretended to be mad, but when Nick was 21, she showed him that she actually liked the new word. She sent him a maroon fountain pen, or frindle, her favorite. And then Nick sent her a present: a gold fountain pen and a letter. My favorite part was the ending."
Carolyn, age 9