Welcome, to Floyd’s Book Club! Below you will find a list of the books I have read within the current month – complete with “Love,” “Weeping,” and “Donita” Factors. I even have links to the books on Amazon, for your viewing pleasure!
I sincerely hope that you find a book or two within this newsletter that catches your interest. Whether you pick one up at the library, a local bookstore, or on your E-reader – I wish you Happy Reading!
– Jana M. Floyd
*GUEST REVIEW*
by Donita Tovas
The Line Between by Tosca Lee
Two confessions before I begin. 1: I “read” the audible version of this book. It’s just what works best for me right now. (The person reading did a great job, which is important!) 2. I purchased it without knowing anything more than the author’s name. She has written with Ted Dekker, so she MUST be good, right?
That second confession is important because I never would have purposely read a book described as an apocalyptic thriller. EVER. So, I’m glad I didn’t know. The book follows Wynter Roth from a cult compound with the requisite charismatic leader, into the “real” world, and through a maze of circumstances resulting in mass death and mayhem that is far too plausible to be easily shrugged off and forgotten.
Lee is a master storyteller with an eye for detail and an ability to draw emotion from the reader, and further, to make them contemplate the possibility of similar events occurring in the not-so-distant future. I highly recommend this book . . . but not if you’re looking for a light, sunshine and roses read. As for me, I quickly bought and read the sequel.
Love Factor: 5 of 5 Hearts
Weeping Factor: 2 of 5 Tears (I didn’t actually cry, but it made my heart hurt.)
The Searchers by Alan Le May
I LOVE JOHN WAYNE. In fact, I may or may not have John Wayne coasters. So… as you can imagine, I have seen the film ‘The Searchers’ a few times, though never as an adult. There is a lovely tribute to John Wayne and his relation to this film at the beginning of the book.
Comanche stealthy attack a Texas homestead and steal away a small girl. Her kin, Martin Pauley and Amos Edwards, start on a stubborn and dramatic journey to find her.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Holy Cow. This was such an interesting read! Some very intense ideas in this one. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
What if the woman in the world suddenly developed the power to inflict pain and even death? What would change? What wouldn’t?
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
*Donita Factor: This factor will tell you if there are any steamy bits in the book. The scale will be measured by Teapots of Steam. 1 being just a little steam and 5 being… well…. you get the picture.
Infinity Blade: Awakening by Brandon Sanderson
This book is so great if you love video games. Or even if you just kind of like them. It’s a very witty read.
Based on a video game. You will follow Siris – the hero of the video game – as he goes about trying to have about having a life after killing The God King.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Infinity Blade: Redemption by Brandon Sanderson
The conclusion of the Infinity Blade books. Definitely ready Awakening (above) first.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
The Girl The Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young 
I think I read this book just because the cover is so epic.
Tova washed up on the shore of the Svell as a child and has lived as an outcast and prophet among them ever since. But she reads a fate that divides the Svell leaders and brings war. Caught up in a fight for her life, Tova’s life is changed forever.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Redemption Road by John Hart
Lots of twists and turns in this one. It was a good Mystery/Thriller.
A cop is released after a torturous 13 years in prison for a crime he still claims he didn’t commit. But more murders start occurring as soon as he is out. The cops, save one detective, are convinced it convicted cop is the killer.
This one will keep you on your toes.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
Still Life by Louise Penny
A murder has taken place in the sleepy Quebec town. Most of the locals assume it is a hunting accident, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache isn’t convinced. This was a great little cozy mystery.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
His Hideous Heart edited by Dahlia Adler
The subtitle of this gem is “13 of Edgar Allen Poe’s Most Unsettling Tales Re-imagined.” It’s the token Halloween read this year.
I would say it was about half and half in relation to measuring up to the original stories. For the record, Poe’s are still at the top of the mountain.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
The Dead Queens Club by Hannah Capin
Henry the VIII and his company of wives meets One Tree Hill. No, I’m not kidding. It was actually quite entertaining. But don’t read this one if you don’t like teenagers.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
Open Season by C.J. Box
Growing up in Northwest Montana gave me some ‘insider’ knowledge and perspective on this book. It almost felt like being home.
The newly anointed head game warden, Joe Pickett, starts out his new position with a bang when a dead man is found on his woodpile by his daughter. As Joe digs into the murder, things start to get out of control and ends up fighting for everything he holds dear.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Jana M Floyd 
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