The Price of Life by Nigel Brennan, Nicky Bonney and Kellie Brennan

About a year ago I read the book A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett. It is the true story of Amanda's abduction and 15-month captivity in Somalia. Taken alongside Amanda was Nigel Brennan, an Australian photogropher with whom she had previously been romantically involved. The Price of Life is Nigel's account of their experiences.

Amanda's story talked about what she dealt with during their time in captivity. As a woman, Amanda was treated horribly and was abused in every imaginable way. It was clear from her account that Nigel's experience was different so I was interested to read his version of the events as well. It has taken me this full year to get the book from the library.

Nigel's story is co-authored by his sister and sister-in-law, who tell what it was like for them back in Australia during the time of Nigel's kidnapping and everything the family had to do (while working with Amanda's family in Canada, and both country's governments) to try to get them free. One review I read before I read this book said the reader hated that part of the story and skipped over it, but it was my favourite part of the book. Imagine having a family member captured in a dangerous part of the world. Wouldn't you do everything you could to get them free? I found it a bit difficult to follow because there were so many people involved in getting Nigel and Amanda released (no spoiler alert, we already know they've been released because they're writing their books) but on the whole their accounts gave a great perspective to the story.

Nigel gives an honest account of all that happened and you really feel the toll it took on him emotionally and physically. Amanda's story told a bit of her PTSD after she returned home but Nigel's didn't really get into that. I would also like to hear what the transition home was like for him and how he dealt with his return to day-to-day life.

So if you've read A House in the Sky I do recommend this one as a good follow up to get the whole story. But get in line at the library because the wait is long. As this is an Australian book it isn't widely available in print copies in North America, but digital copies are for sale. A heavy, upsetting read, but very interesting.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

My book club has decided to take a light approach to December, and this was our selection. It is a children's book so I read it this afternoon while my car was being rustproofed. It's only 79 pages so it is a fast, fun read. It was just a delightful little book. I can't wait for Darcy to read it too.

It tells the story of a small town preparing for their annual Christmas pageant. Every year it's the same thing. The same wise men, the same shepherds, the same Mary and Joseph. Until the Herdman family hears that you get free refreshments at Sunday School and decide to show up. The Herdman children usually spend their time smoking cigars and setting things on fire, so a Christmas pageant is very out of character for them. But when the 6 Herdman children are given leading roles in this year's pageant, things suddenly look very different from other years.

This book is hilarious and poignant. It made me laugh and once or twice brought a little tear to my eye. If you're looking for a great Christmas read, I can't recommend this one highly enough. If you have read Wally Lamb's Wishin' and Hopin', this is a very similar read, and now they are two of my favourites to read at Christmas.

Mightier Than the Sword by Jeffrey Archer

I have enjoyed reading Jeffrey Archer's books since I accidentally stumbled across First Among Equals as a teenager. This is book is the fifth in his current series, The Clifton Chronicles. I always like to finish a series once I start it, but after book four I was getting bored with this series. I wasn't sure if I was going to read this book or not, but I'm glad I did as it seems to have recaptured the excitement that I first enjoyed with this series.

The series follows the life of Harry Clifton who is now around 50 years old, a successful author and a loving husband and father. His wife Emma, son Sebastian, brother-in-law Giles are some of the other main characters with a few recurring villains as well.

In this book Emma is facing challenges as the Chairman of the Board of her family's shipping company, Harry is campaigning for the release of a Russian author who was imprisoned for writing a biography of Stalin which the Russian government doesn't want reaching the hands of the public. Archer takes us from London to Russia, to the US, to East Berlin as the family faces each difficulty.

It's not going to be an award-winning book, but it was a fun, light read and had compelling plot lines. Jeffrey Archer has a great way of telling a story. I love the way he leaks little clues as the stories move along and the fun ways he has of revealing surprises, often in a court room or board room. The "bad guys" are usually brought to justice with a surprising twist. It is a bit formulaic, but still fun. I do recommend the series. Book four was a bit weak, as I said before, but on the whole the series will give you what Jeffrey Archer is known for: a fun page-turner with lots of surprises.

Side note: My all time favourite Jeffrey Archer story is a short story which appeared in his book 12 Red Herrings. The first story in the book is entitled Trial and Error. I loved it!