DIXFIELD – The Ludden Memorial Library Adult Reading Group met Aug. 2 in the Reading Corner of the downstairs Community Room. The group gathered at 11 a.m. and had coffee along with their book discussion.

The first book discussed was “The Parson’s Daughter” by Catherine Cookson. Cookson sets her writing in old England. The heroine of the story, the parson’s daughter, is feisty and chafes at the restrictions placed on her. Members were told it is a wonderful read, and has a happy ending.

“The Black Velvet Gown,” also by Catherine Cookson, is set during the 1820s. A widow takes work at the house of an eccentric master. She takes her children with her and runs into conflict as the master of the house doesn’t want to have anything to do with the children. He later does something that is unheard of during this time period: he decides that he wants to educate the children. The book was also enjoyed. Both are available at the library

“March” by Geraldine Brooks was discussed. Mr. March is the father of the March family in “Little Women.” It is a wonderful story, along the same line as “Little Women,’ which is being read by a member.

“Secret Language” by Monica Wood was next on the list. Two sisters have parents who are in show business and leave the girls much of the time. The parents are in summer stock in Maine and that is their main interest. After the girls grew up and their parents died, they found out that they had a half sister that they didn’t know about. The reader said it is a warm story filled with dynamic family situations.

“Apocalypse Dawn” by Mel Odem is based on the “Left Behind” series, only with a military background to give it a different slant. The book is also found at the library.

“Plain Truth” by Jodi Picoult was read again by another member of the group. It has been a popular book, as are all of Picoult’s books. It is set in Amish country and is a story filled with conflicting family dynamics. As with all of Picoult’s stories, there is a surprise ending.

“Led Astray” by Sandra Brown is new to the large-print section of new arrivals. Brown writes suspense and romance novels. Her style of romance novel resembles a little of Nora Roberts and a little of Danielle Steel.

In the story, Hal Hendron is a man committed to a religious cause in Central America. As he prepares to leave on the venture to accomplish his goal, Jenny Fletcher, his fiance, is distraught. She sets out to seduce him before he leaves, knowing that he will be gone for several months. Their plan is to marry when he returns. It is a quick read with many twists and turns.

“Sugar Camp Quilt” by Jennifer Chiaverini is a new arrivals and was thought to be a warm and wonderful read by a member. The story centers around quilters and quilting. It tells the story of run-away slaves from South America who are going to Canada. It depicts people being hunted with dogs. There is a quilt being worked on for a specific reason. Her books can be found at the library.

“Unexpected Blessings,” a new novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford, is a continuation of the Hart family saga. There is some danger and suspense, but it is a story of family trials and how they grow and succeed. It can be found at the library.

“One Man’s Wilderness,” a nonfiction book by Richard Proenneke, is about a man who goes to Alaska to live by himself without any communication. He refuses to take even a radio. The only communication he has is when someone comes in to check on him occasionally.

He builds a home and makes a comfortable surrounding, which is preserved to this day. He is now in his 80s and still lives in Alaska, but not on that site. It is a wonderful story and, being a small book, it is a quick read, members said.

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 6. All adults are welcome.