These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine 1881-1901 : Arizona Territories by Nancy E. Turner (1999, Paperback)

This is a book I had never heard of that was chosen for our book club. I LOVED it and read it as fast as possible. Everyone in the club liked it also, which is unusual. It gives a first hand view of what life was like in the Arizona Territories in the late 1800's and I think anyone would find it interesting, but the love story that runs through it would also make it a good "woman's" book although it is far from a romance novel per se. I bought it because I prefer to own my books and pass them on to family and friends.

I read incessantly. This book captivated me and I have read the sequel to it Sarah's Quilt and found it equally well written and a real 'interest holder'. I then went back and reread These is My Words and found it more interesting the second time through. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to escape from the formula novels that we find ourselves swimming in these days and the endless sequels.
A story set in the late 1800s of life on the frontier from the perspective of a young adult girl, the trials that came to her in the process of just living her daily life and of her fierce independence and competence which was the side benefit she acquired. I am a man and found this book one of my all time favorites.

I love this book. I have read it twice and think it is a great historical novel. Sarah is such a strong character. She stands up for what she believes is right and she protects her family at all costs. If I lived up in the time period she did, I would hope that I could be as strong as her. She deserves Captain Elliot. He is the only constant in her life, and although the ending isn't "happily ever after" I still love it. The characters in the novel are strong and believable.

I am reading this book for my Arizona based book club. It tells the story of a woman's development during the period of the Arizona Territory. It describes a whole gamit of real life emotions, tragedies, celebrations and adventures. Although it is slow reading at times, it was a wonderful journey to read and participate in. I would strongly recommend it for any book club whether from the southwest or not.
It has a limited publication at this time, so I was delighted that it was still available through Ebay.

This is such a great book. Based on a real woman and her diaries of settling the Arizona territories, Indians, hardships and love. Full of adventure and hard working pioneers. Truly worth reading, I loved every second!