The RAHM Report for 10/2/17

A lot of my normal responsibilities are on hiatus right now in preparation for the baby, who is due in two weeks, so I had some extra time to read this week and made good use of it. I finished 7 books and started an additional four. Here's the list.

Finished Reading:

• If Not For You by Debbie Macomber
  This was a quick read, and I enjoyed the slow development of the romance between the main hero, Sam and heroine, Beth. I wasn't as crazy about the side plot involving Beth's aunt, Sunshine, and her long-lost first love, but it was still one of the better Macomber novels I've read. It was the third in a series, but it didn't matter that I hadn't read the others, and I probably don't need to. 
• Where the Lilies Bloom by Vera and Bill Cleaver
  As I mentioned last week, my husband and I watched the movie based on this book, so then I felt I had to read it in order to evaluate it and the film fairly. There were some big differences between the two versions of the story, and I'm still trying to decide which I prefer. I plan to eventually review this book, but maybe not until November.
• The Crow and the Castle by Keith Robertson
  My husband found this for me on OpenLibrary when I was looking for more mysteries to read for this month's Old School Kidlit theme. It's by the author of the Henry Reed books and pretty much impossible to buy anywhere, but it was so good! I wish the whole series had stayed in print, as I think the writing is much better than in the Hardy Boys books. My review is coming in a few weeks. 
• Shag: Last of the Plains Buffalo by Robert M. McClung
  I've been reading this book aloud to Little Miss Muffet (age 3 years 10 months). It got a little heavy-handed in its message near the end, and there were a lot of dead buffalo in the story, but she still said she enjoyed it. This author has other books that are not quite as wordy; we may try one of those next.
• The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
  I finished reading this aloud at lunchtime on Friday. I tried to keep my composure but found myself getting choked up at the end anyway. The girls seemed unfazed. I figure we'll keep reading it every couple of years until they are mature enough to cry at the end, too! 
• The Minnow Leads to Treasure by Philippa Pearce
  I wanted to like this more than I did. My review will be up near the end of the month. 
• A Penny's Worth of Character by Jesse Stuart
  My husband read this aloud to the girls at the dinner table this week, and I listened in. It was a good moral tale about telling the truth and owning up to mistakes that definitely resonated with Miss Muffet but went over the head of two-year-old Bo Peep.  

Currently Reading:

• W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton
  I'm finding this a little slow-going so far, and I'm not 100% convinced that I will finish before the baby comes. If I don't, chances are it will be abandoned for now and picked up again in another 6 months to a year. But for the next week or so, I'll see what progress I can make. 
• Life Under Compulsion: Ten Ways to Destroy the Humanity of Your Child by Anthony Esolen
  I am loving everything about this book. Esolen uses many lovely quotations from famous works of literature to illustrate his points, and he makes great arguments about the problems in our current society as seen from a conservative/Christian perspective. It's not as much about raising children as the title suggests, but it is a really compelling and quick read. 
• Squashed by Joan Bauer
  I enjoy Joan Bauer and wanted a quick fall read to enjoy. There isn't much to the plot, but I like the writing style and the focus on a pumpkin-growing competition. 
• A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
  After finishing Still Life  last week, I felt that I could not wait to continue this series, but when I went to borrow the ebook of this second book, there were dozens of holds on practically every copy! One library had just one copy with one person on hold, so I put myself on that list, figuring it would still be a month before my turn came up.  I was thrilled when just a few days later, I got the email that the book had been checked out to me. Honestly, if I don't finish W is for Wasted before the baby is born, this book will be the reason. I am just so excited to read it, and I don't want to end up having to go back to the end of the holds list.  

I'll be linking up today with Unleashing Readers/Teach Mentor Texts and Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?