Plain Secrets: An Outsider Among the Amish by Joe Mackall
The author and his family live across the road from an Amish family and in the course of time he develops a close friendship with them--as close as a non-Amisher is allowed. The family he befriends are of a very strict order and his friendship with them starts when he gives the husband a ride to a funeral. Through the years of interacting with this family, and through his own research, he has discovered a lot about Amish life which he shares along with his stories about how these things play out in real life. He also talks about a young man he knows who left the Amish order and much of a struggle it was for him to establish himself in the modern world. The result is an utterly fascinating look into another world, told in a real and heartfelt way as the author also discusses his own reactions to the ways of his neighbors.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good non-fiction read. 

Scaramouche a Romance of the French Revolution by Rafael Sabatini
I didn't think I would like this at first, I've never been much interested in the French revolution and I thought the language would be challenging. But the language wasn't too much of a problem and I got caught up in the drama of the story. The man character's best friend is killed--murdered, really--in an unfair duel and Scaramouche vows to avenge his death and continue to speak out for his cause. The rest of the book deals with his struggles to survive and carry out his pledge, which isn't easy since the guy who killed his friend is a rich and powerful man. Along the way he has many adventures, romances, and encounters interesting characters. Fans of historical fiction and rollicking adventure should highly enjoy it.

Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God by David Jeremiah
In this devotional book the author expands on the way God captures us with His grace using the lives of Paul from the bible and John Newton who wrote "Amazing Grace". I found the details about Newton's life particularly interesting. The author also includes practical suggestions for how to meditate on and incorporate the lessons used in the reader's own life at the end of each chapter. It was a very easy read, harder to actually live out but it's alway good to be challenged to live a better life.

 
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
An encounter with a girl at a lemonade stand starts the main character, Reese, on a journey out of his self-imposed isolation. Reese was once more than a man who likes to restore boats and pal around with his brother-in-law. And the secret to who he once was may be just what Annie--who has a terminal illness--needs.
This is a heart-felt story, if you are prone to cry be sure to have plenty of kleenex on hand as you read it. Out of tragedy comes hope and a chance for redemption and a brighter future. This is a good story to savor and the characters will stick in your memory for a long time.  I definitely recommend it.