"An Irish Country Doctor" by Patrick Taylor

Ballybucklebo, a quaint town in Ireland and home of Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly and a myriad of other fascinating characters. Dr. Barry Laverty answers an ad about becoming an assistant to Dr. O'Reilly and his world changes. Laverty soon learns that being a doctor is more than just doing paperwork and using big words. But, is O'Reilly's bedside manner correct? Is this really where Laverty wants to work and live?

This book was a real joy to read and will make you feel good about others. I found myself engrossed from the start with the setting and the characters. I would love to really meet them! It is an easy read and one I will pick up again.

"The Blue Handbag" by Fiona Robyn

What would happen if you suddenly found your life full of mystery? What if that mystery involved your deceased spouse, someone you loved more than life itself? Three years after the death of this wife, Leonard has that happen to him when he finds a blue handbag with a mystery ticket inside. Why did Rose have a ticket to Didcot, a place he didn't know she visited? At first Leonard puts it out of his mind but then Lily appears and he finds there is so much about Rose that he didn't know. Together they embark on an investigation to figure out the missing pieces of Rose's story. At times Leonard is confused, at times amazed, and at times he wants to stop; but he needs to know the truth.

Thank you, Fiona, for a wonderful book. I was captivated with this book and its characters. They were easy to get to know and like. I found it difficult to put the book down because I wanted to help solve the mystery. Once you pick up this book, you will want to help Leonard too!

Notes From the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson

What a wonderful ride! This book explores God as Creator, Artist, and Voice. Through ordinary examples (ants, clouds, skunks, thunderstorms, etc.), N.D. Wilson shows us the Master Artist and how He speaks constantly. It will be harder to take things for granted or to ignore them altogether after reading these words. The book takes the reader on a wild ride from topic to topic, always returning to the main point. What may at first glance appear to be rabbit trails are instead found as facts to be pondered, relationships to be explored, things to be noticed.

I really enjoyed this book and found many profound thoughts and statements inside. Two of my favorites are: "You have been born into a narrative, you have been given freedom. Act, and act well until you reach your final scene." pg. 108-109 and "Change this world. Use your body like a tool meant to be used up, discarded, and replaced. Better every life you touch." pg. 154 There are also wonderful scenes with his wife and children that leave the reader wanting to meet them, to share their laughter and sorrow.

Come on! Take a ride on the tilt-a-whirl and rediscover the Artist and his Masterpiece. Come, hear His voice in the common, everyday things and be changed.