Huntington Public Library Adult Reading Challenge

  This is the third book in The Walk series. After losing his wife and company, Alan Christoffersen sets out on a walking journey from Seattle to Key West. In this book he will let some fascinating people like the polish man who shares a story Alan will never forget. A Step of Faith and Walking on Water are the last 2 books in this series.

  I read (listened to) the 25th Anniversary Edition of this heartwarming true story about a professor ("coach" Morrie) and his student (Mitch) reunited after 16 years post graduation. The professor has been diagnosed with the fatal disease ALS. As their relationship resumes, Mitch visits Morrie every Tuesday and they talk about anything and everything as Mitch bears witness to Morrie's steady decline. Morrie prefers to view his story as one about life, not death, and their bond and love grows deeper with every visit. I'm not sure how or why I missed this on it's first run but I am glad to have read it now.

  At a family reunion on the central coast, Uncle Patrick calls the Mahoney family together to discuss California seceding from the USA. But Lori, a former senator, thinks it impossible and crazy. Like the other stories in his Forgetters series, Eggers bring humor and heart to this story about people seeking hope in a country's darkest time.

  A woman hiding out from her ex husband in a cheap motel room outside Oklahoma City meets a young man who believes he is being followed by the government. When they become "infested" with bugs, the line between sanity and conspiracy is lost.

  This was better than I was expecting. I like a book that spans decades or centuries. This book is told from the perspective of the protagonist Jordan as she navigates love in college with her two male friends and the decisions they make at the end of college that set them on different paths for the rest of their lives. I did not expect the time jump, but it was a pleasant surprise. The book is short, but the characters are beautifully complex and the story is moving. Also, this book a prequel and sequel to the author's other book "Writers and Lovers" which I will now have to read.

  This autobiography by Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller follows his life from a theatre obsessed kid on the wrong side of the tracks, to producing mega hits like RENT and Hamilton. If you enjoy theatre and a Broadway show, you’ll love this book.

  How apropos was reading this at this particular time when the 40th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger just passed. Both a love story and a story about several very different women pursuing what are their respective but also very different goals in life. This author's style of switching back and forth between past and present works well in this story as it has in other books she has written. The story unfolds at a good pace and is both dramatic and suspenseful. The characters are very well developed and believable. This is a very good read.

  Ferryman Nils Vik takes us into his life among the fjords of Norway, on this the last day of his life. He seems carved out of this landscape, along with his boat, breathing in the water, wind, fog, snow, sky, sun, dark and light. He has stoically transported people across these waters, since he was a boy, in all weather as a quiet, astute observer and a caring, trustworthy neighbor. His loves the people here, most especially his wife Marta, who awaits him. A short and beautifully written deep dive into the heart and soul of a life well-lived.

  This was the third book in the Jane Smith thriller series. Again, fast reading and many plot twists. Just when you think you have it figured out and who the guilty party is, someone dies! I expect there will be more to come in this series.