A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith

This one was a reread of one of my all time favorites, inspired by my friend Jenny Lee (the book is also one of her faves).
Once again, I love a heroine with some steel to her. And I love how Francie notices things and appreciates them, especially seemingly unimportant or irrelevant things.
I think I'll read this for a fourth, fifth, even sixth time someday! It's a lovely one to cycle through every once in a while.

World Without End, Ken Follet

This was an interesting an engaging read. This story follows the lives of several characters in England in the Middle Ages, and goes into great detail about their personal lives, the politics of church life and the feudal system.
The author has an interesting writing style, his sentences seem very to the point, almost clipped. Somehow he still writes in great detail and his descriptions are very vivid.
I love one of the central characters, Caris, she is a strong and independent woman who finds a way to live her dream despite all the obstacles that simply being a woman presents.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Diana Gabaldon

This one held my interest more than The Fiery Cross, although there are so many side stories and it goes on for nearly 1,000 pages, which does seem a bit rambling. Overall good, although the earlier books in the series are better.