The Midnight Line

By Lee Child

This may be my favorite Reacher to date. Reason? Lee Child dedicates The Midnight Line to those recipients of the Purple Heart and then precedes to show us the duty, heroism, and costs that lie behind the honor. Never one to lay down "simple morals" (Reacher has his own moral code), Lee Child makes the reader grapple with the unintended consequences of war and the scars both physical and psychological, they leave. Not simple. Entertaining in the Lee Child/Jack Reacher way, this volume seems to me to be the most mature Reacher (he is aging) with respect to life and what it's all about.

Turning Points

By Mark A. Noll

Mark Noll provides a splendid overview of the decisive moments in the history of Christianity. Get ready for a fascinating (yet dizzying) list of key characters, dates, and events. Those used to looking at the history of Christianity through Western eyes are will appreciate the way he broadens their understanding of God's work throughout the world, yet the way he frames that work through key moments is a great contextual and historical aid.

Leadership Secrets from the Executive Office

By George Hathaway

George Hathaway provides practical, doable compendium of suggestions/principles for improving one's leadership. The quotes are worth the price of the book (though I wish they were sourced). My suggestion is to take one of his suggestions each day, reflect on it, and then work to apply it in one's work context. I liked this: "Be a leader--demand good answers. Your staff will grow accustomed to preparing answers to the difficult questions, and this will only help make everyone more productive." Page 138.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

By Kate DiCamillo

A delightful tale about Mercy the pig and the interesting cast of characters who surround her: Mr. & Mrs. Watson (love is blind); Eugenia and Baby (aging spinsters who have conflicting opinions about Mercy); and Lorenzo and Ned (firefighters determined to do their job to their bestest). The illustrations by Chris Van Dusen are outstanding and help bring Kate DiCamillo's entertaining story to life. I read this to my granddaughter and it kept her delightfully wonderfully engaged the entire time.

What Do You Do with a Problem?

By Kobi Yamada

A companion volume to What Do You Do With An Idea and equally effective. I love the way the author and illustrator urge the reader to face the problem rather than run from, fret over, or just talk about the specific challenge. Outstanding illustrations.

What Do You Do with an Idea?

By Kobi Yamada

Exceptionally good book to help children (and adults) pursue their ideas no matter what others may think . . . and WHY this is important. Simple, powerful, and wonderfully illustrated.

Indomitable Will

By Mark K. Updegrove

I have read a lot of LBJ. Mark Updegrove's Indomitable Will: LBJ in the Presidency has fast become one of my favorites. What sets this book apart is the Updegrove's generous use of the voices of LBJ's contemporaries. In this sense, the author gives us his interpretation but he welcomes many more people into his conversation. I loved that feature as I did his book. Fair. Fascinating. Fast Paced. After Caro, I'd read Indomitable Will . . . maybe I'd even read it first.

Fall of Giants

By Ken Follett

Follet's Fall of Giants is a towering novel, a tour de force of the events leading up to WWI and its conclusion. This is entertainment and education. Follett masterfully intersects the lives of five families, painting his characters with such realistic strokes, while informing the reader this critical juncture in world history. The author had me rooting for and against his characters. I'm in awe of Follet's scope of history and ability to "bring it to life" through such a gripping story.