Closing the Books on Fall into Reading 2008

Since today is the first day of winter, then that means fall is gone, so the Fall into Reading 2008 Challenge, hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days, has come to an end. And although I started a bit late, I'm going to end on time! I enjoyed participating in this just as I did the one in the spring. This fall was so bizarre and stressful in many ways, and there were times it really helped to lose myself in a book. And of course there are always piano lessons and car pick-up lines, which are some of my favorite reading spots!

Here's my list and wrap-up. I got all the ones read that I planned with the exception of one, plus I read a bunch more - some because they caught my eye and some for CFBA or other book tours.

Original List:

• The Face by Angela Hunt - read it, loved it, reviewed it here! I could not put it down.
• Healing Waters by Nancy Rue - cannot say enough good things about this book. I featured this 2009 Women of Faith novel here. The story is gripping, the characters tugged at my heart. I can't wait for the next novel in the Sullivan Crisp series!
• Dreamers by Angela Hunt - I usually avoid fictionalized stories of Bible characters, but I know Angie Hunt's writing enough to know she would keep the Bible story intact and do incredible research. I was not disappointed. This was a wonderful book, as all of hers are.
• Where the River Ends by Charles Martin - the only one I didn't get read. I started reading it when my mom was in the hospital and because of all that was going on with her, I just couldn't concentrate on it. Then in all the craziness later it got put under something and I forgot about it.
• Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman - excellent book by a first-time author who I discovered lived a street over from me and graduated from my high school the year after I did. I reviewed it here.
• Lying on Sunday by Sharon K. Souza - I picked this one up because I liked Every Good & Perfect Gift by this author. This was also a great book of a woman trying to deal with heartache.
• The Cure by Harry M. Kraus MD - outstanding and convicting book. I featured it here and I've lost count of how many copies I've bought to give as gifts.
• let them eat fruitcake by Melody Carson - I had reviewed i heart bloomberg, the first book of the 86 Bloomberg Place series, and had to find out how the roommates were progressing! This is a great series.
• Whirlwind by Cathy Marie Hake - I enjoyed the first two books in this series set in Texas in the late 1800s (although they each stand alone and can be read independently). This one was a pleasure to read as well.
• The Rogue's Redemption by Ruth Axtell Morten - I have liked every one of this author's books that I have read. They are heartwarming, historical fiction with romance that isn't sappy and overly emphasized.
• 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney - I featured this book here. It is a must-read for anyone with a daughter who falls in the age range of birth to college-age.
• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - this was the first time I had read this classic; the Spring Reading Challenge was the first time I had read her
• Pride & Prejudice. I enjoyed this book, but P&P is my favorite of the two.
• Solemnly Swear by Nancy Moser - I have found myself drawn to Nancy Moser's books ever since I read Washington's Lady for a review. This was a gripping story of a jury deliberating over a manslaughter case. A beautiful story of doing the right thing, even when it is difficult or goes against the flow. And it's never too late to make things right.

Extra Books (read because they caught my eye!):

• A Lady of Secret Devoton by Tracie Peterson - historical fiction by one of the best
  
• An Unexpected Love by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller - the second in the Broadmoor Legacy series about 3 cousins in the South; these authors have teamed up several times and write great stories.
  
• The Reliance by M.L. Tyndall - I enjoyed her book The Falcon and the Sparrow and this one was a great historical adventure as well.
  
• The Christmas Kite by Gail Gaymer Martin - a re-release of an earlier book, this is a touching and well-written story of a single mom whose autistic son's fascination with the kites made by a reclusive neighbor help them all to let go of their past and soar into the future.
  
• The Island of Heavenly Daze by Lori Copeland & Angela Hunt - I had never read this charming series and I won it on another blog.
  
• Grace in Autumn by Lori Copeland & Angela Hunt - Book #2 in the Heavenly Daze series

Books read & reviewed for blog tours during the Challenge, with the title linked to my review post:

• Where Do I Go? by Neta Jackson
  
• Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn
  
• When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall
  
• Quills and Promises by Amber Miller
  
• Dark Pursuit by Brandilynn Collins
  
• The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips by Stephen Baldwin
  
• One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling
  
• Beloved Captive by Kathleen Y'Barbo
  
• My Mother's Wish by Jerry Camery-Hoggatt
  
• White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter
  
• One Holy Night by J.M. Hochstetler
  
• Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin
  
• Out of Her Hands by Megan DiMaria
  
• Dangerous Heart by Tracey Bateman

So there you have it. I'm not going to pick a favorite among those - that would be like asking me to pick my favorite child!

And in response to Katrina's question. . . .yes, I'm absolutely up for doing this again in the spring! Thanks for hosting this!

If you want to see what other folks have been reading this fall, click here to go to the post we've all linked up to!