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February 1, 2019 - February 15, 2019

This contest period's winners were Leslie H., Linda S. and Paula P., who each received a copy of CONNECTIONS IN DEATH by J. D. Robb and THE SILENT PATIENT by Alex Michaelides.

 

Rosa
Late in the Day by Tessa Hadley

5
This is the story of two couples - Alex and Christine, Zachary and Lydia - who have been friends since they were students. The novel begins with the sudden death of Zachary and what the remaining three do to survive the immediate trauma. In alternating chapters set in the present and in the past, we learn about how the relationships among these four came to be. Though strong and long-lasting, the friendships are also delicate and fragile. Tessa Hadley's prose is also delicate yet strong; it is poetic and uplifting despite the subject matter. Worth savoring every word.

Jill
The Devil Aspect by Craig Russell

4
One of the most chilling Gothic thrillers I’ve read. It has historical mystery, psychological thriller, as well as myth, all in one book. Have never read this author before but will definitely read more by him. Haunts you long after you finish the book.

Nancy
The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney

4
If you liked GONE GIRL and THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, you'll like this book. It has a similar cast of characters who are difficult to like, which posed a problem for me. I find that if there's no character I can feel for, I often don't enjoy the book. However, I find one premise of this book -- how minimalism can impact your life -- fascinating. I watch the shows on tiny houses and wonder if I could really live in a place not big enough to hold my shoes and books. I'm leading the discussion on the book for my book club in a couple of weeks, and one topic we will cover is the questionnaire potential renters must answer. We're going to answer some of the questions - if you read the book, you should try, too.

Dorothy
The Age of Innonce by Edith Warton

5
A story of the super rich elite New Yorkers over a hundred years ago and what society thought was "proper" and the choice people made because of what society thought. A Pulitzer-winning novel. Good for a book club discussion.

JULIE
Apple of My Eye by Claire Allan

5
A suspenseful, twisty and well-written psychological thriller! The final twist is AMAZING! This is the second book I’ve ready by this author and she’s one I recommend. She has a wonderful way of pulling you into her stories. I was on the edge of my seat—my mind spinning as I tried to guess the next twist. The story is told by the POV of three very interesting characters: Eli (Eliana)—Seven months into a pregnancy that’s draining the life out of her. Exhausted and constantly nauseated, she doesn’t feel bonded to the baby growing inside her. Louise—She desperately wants a baby after several heart-wrenching miscarriages that have left her mentally unstable. Angela—Eli’s mother, who will do anything to protect her.

Laurie
Maid by Stephanie Land

5
An excellent, well-written memoir taking the readers into the challenging world of single parenting, raising difficult children/motherhood, poverty and survival as a housekeeper.

Sandra
Kellie's Diary #3 by Thomas Jenner and Angeline Perkins

5
More from Kellie, about their escape from the Zombies. Now, they are on a train. Zombies took over their original compound.

Sandra
The Jack Reacher Experiment by Jude Hardin

5
Awesome! This is Lee Child-approved, man is cloned from Reacher's DNA, as was another man. First man was killed and the second man is running for his life.

Judy
Witch Elm by Tana French

3
When you are a young man working for an art gallery who can talk you way out of almost everything, it is extremely painful to be the victim of a home invasion. Having great blanks in your memory as well as physical deficits make our main character a big mess! He goes to stay with his uncle at the family home where he enjoyed summers as a boy. During a Sunday family dinner, the current children of his cousin find a head in an old elm tree in the yard. This sets off the chase to find who, why, and when this happened. The twists and turns of this book will keep you reading.

Joanne
The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva

4
This is a re-read for me, as I have read the entire Gabriel Allon series, but decided to go back to the beginning. Gabriel is such a complex character, as are all of the characters in the series. If you love political intrigue, jump into Silva, but read this series in order. You won’t be sorry. Oh, I just found out that Silva was born in Michigan so I was able to use this book on my library’s bingo card slot for a “made in Michigan” author!

Linda
Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear

4
SWEET LITTLE LIES by Caz Frear was an engaging police procedural novel. It took me a little while to connect with the story; the second half of the book I found much more interesting than the first, and where it took me awhile to get to the halfway mark, the second half was a very quick read. Catrina Kinsella is keeping a secret, a secret that has shaped the course of her life and her relationships, one that could destroy her professionally and personally. Assigned to investigate the murder of a woman dumped on the streets of London, Cat’s secret is threatened to be revealed.

Patricia
Say Nothing by Brad Parks

4
A real page-turner. Judge Sampson and wife face the ultimate horror as their two children have been kidnapped and they are threatened to say nothing if they want to see them again.

Gerry
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My Year of Magical Reading by Nina Sankovitch

4
Read one book a day. A tempting project, and at the same time, one that seems utterly impossible. But that's what Nina Sankovitch set out to do, three years after the death of her beloved sister, as a way of healing and resetting her own life. Her memoir of that year is beautifully written and filled with quotations and comments on a wide variety of books in which she found comfort, laughter, enlightenment, escape, and so much more.

Gerry
Blindsided: The True Story of One Man's Crusade Against Chemical Giant DuPont for a Boy with No Eyes by James L. Ferraro

1
James L. Ferraro could take a lesson from Eric Larsen or Laura Hillenbrand or one of the many other current authors of engaging narrative nonfiction. His story of a legal battle against chemical giant DuPont over injury to a young boy who was exposed in utero to a dangerous chemical was quite the opposite of engaging, and came across instead as a self-congratulatory memoir with far too much ego and too little human interest. This one fills this year's challenge category for a book I would not recommend.

Gerry
You Will Not Have My Hate by Antoine Leiris

5
By profession, Antoine Leiris is a journalist, but in this, his first book, he writes with the soul of a poet. Three days after his wife was killed in the 11/13/15 terrorist attack at Paris's Bataclan Theater, Leiris's Facebook post to the killers, telling them "you will not have my hate" nor his son's, attracted international attention. His book was written in the days that followed, chronicling his feelings in the two weeks after the tragedy, as he endured his own pain and helped his 17-month-old son begin to understand that their family of three was now a team of two. His words are both beautiful and utterly heartbreaking, a testament to his love for his wife and son and his resilience in the face of horrific loss.

Gerry
Clock Dance by Anne Tyler

4
I’ve read at least half a dozen books by Anne Tyler, and have loved every one of them. Her main character is almost always a woman, usually a bit shy and reserved, traditional (some would say old-fashioned) in her values, and like Willa in CLOCK DANCE, dedicated to her family’s needs even as she ignores her own. I loved Willa’s connection to Cheryl, the child in this story who is not quite her granddaughter. The ending took me a bit by surprise, since I had just about concluded that it wasn’t going to happen, even though I wanted it to.

Christine
The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas

4
This is a YA novel about a girl who had an exorcism, but misses her demon, and wants to get it back. I really enjoyed this book, even though my young adult days are far, far, in the rear-view mirror! It is just as interesting as it sounds. The book kept me engrossed the entire time. It was spooky and a little scary at times, but I wouldn't consider it a horror story, more of a paranormal story.

Gerry
Snap by Belinda Bauer

3
3-1/2 stars for an enjoyable mystery with several "didn't see that coming" moments. A young boy is left in charge of his two younger sisters when their car breaks down and his mother goes to find help. But she never returns, and Jack is left to try to keep his family together and avoid going "into care". He turns to burglary to provide for food and other needs, but when he finds an item that may be a clue to his mother's disappearance, his life takes another unexpected turn as he tries to convince the police to re-open their investigation into his mother's death.

Gerry
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

5
I'm glad I read Baldwin's THE FIRE NEXT TIME, but have to say, it just can't compare with this novel. Fiction vs. nonfiction, I get it, there's certainly a difference. But BEALE STREET was so much more accessible and engaging, written in a style that draws the reader in right away. The story of Tish and Fonny is heartbreaking, but so realistic, and knowing that far too many young black people have faced similar challenges only makes it more poignant. Highly recommended.

Tessa
Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen

3
The abused wife of a New York City detective flees with their son to a new life in a new state with new identities. Quindlen gives the reader a reasonably suspenseful story arc, but I had some problems believing in the characters. I was interested in how it would play out, but I won’t remember this book for long.

Linda
The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish

5
Extremely informative and very readable. The juxtaposition of the 1600s and contemporary is most effective. Lots to absorb about interconnecting lives, Judaism, women's role -- but just a plain "good read".

Nancy
The Vengeance of Mothers by Jim Fergus

4
Very good.

Kathie
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

4
I fell into this story quickly and loved the journey! A book to get lost in this winter, thoroughly enjoyable!

Kathie
The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: (Tales from Alagaesia) by Christopher Paolini

3
While I absolutely loved the INHERITANCE CYCLE, this was just okay. It was hard to get back into the world. I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the series recently instead of years ago.

Kathie
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

4
Oh my goodness, I can't wait to read the next book in the series! I felt like I was playing two simultaneous games of the board game Clue! Well done! A who-done-it story from the past interwoven with a who-done-it in the present.

LaDonna
The Gown by Jennifer Robson

5
I loved the comparison of the royal wedding to the recent royal wedding.

Elizabeth
Varina by Charles Frazier

4
Historical fiction appeals to many people because they take for granted that it teaches them history, but in a novel (as opposed to history book) form. But what if a book, billed as historical fiction, deviates from the truth, not just a little but a lot? Is that okay because this is, after all, fiction? If a publisher/author adds the word “historical,” shouldn’t the reader expect a reconstruction of past events? That is my problem with VARINA by Charles Frazier. I’m not sure of its accuracy and don’t know if I can be without reading another book about Varina. Varina was the second wife of Jefferson Davis, the president of a nonexistent country during the American Civil War.

Dorothy
Turning Point by Danielle Steel

2
I didn't like it and usually enjoy her books.

Sharon
Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny

5
Ganache must deal with the potential risks he took when he let the most vicious ever drug loose in Montreal.

Kay
Faithful Place by Tana French

4
Another of French's thrillers from Dublin. Our book club always enjoys these books!

Izella
My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

5
Very long but very well written. Interesting reading.

Deborah
The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea

4
The story of an immigrant family told lyrically.

William
The Rule of Law by John Lescroart

4
One of my favorite characters, Dismas Hardy, is back along with most of the colleagues, friends, and family who regular readers of the series are familiar with. The focus in the book is Hardy’s longtime secretary, Phyllis, who is surprisingly arrested as an accomplice in a murder. A vendetta by the newly elected DA against Wes Farrell, former DA and Dismas’ new law partner leads to all sorts of mayhem in San Francisco’s law enforcement community. The author uses this book to tie up loose ends from earlier books in the series. I enjoyed each and every page.

Charlene
On the Floor by Aifric Campbell

3
I was going to give this novel a 3.5 for its use of creative language, but I got too upset at its conclusion. At first, I really liked Geri. I liked her personality (although it wouldn't work for me too long), her reminisces, her dog, and her life. She seemed to have it all going on but was pretty lax for the most part, which I didn't mind. Geri was fun and smart but continued to live in the past. The conflict in this book? Geri's inner monologue discusses her insecurities inside and out. I wouldn't mind that for a few pages. But the whole book? There are books that are whimsical and wander, but this wasn't one of them. This is a book made to make you laugh for a minute or two and then you're ready to move onto the next book.

Sheree
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

4
I enjoyed with book. It was suspenseful and entertaining. She ended the book in a way that you knew there will be a sequel. I didn't realize she was writing this book in reference to police brutality to the black culture. When reading it I didn't read it with cultures in mind.

Vickie
The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

5
This is absolutely the best feel-good book that I have read in years! Madeleine is a lawyer who inherits a bookshop along with the employees who have worked there with her aunt for years. Claire and Janet are women who are searching for a purpose in life, just as Madeleine is. Together, the three women of three different generations try to keep the bookshop afloat while at the same time figuring out their own personal lives and relationships. I loved the intricacies of the emotions and the details about the books and the patrons of the bookshop. I know that everything was imaginary, but the author made it all so real that I felt as if I were there, looking through the front window into the lives of these very intriguing women. Great!

Eva
Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly

5
Very suspenseful, cannot put book away until story is complete.

Lois,
The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout

3
Interesting concept of sibling discovery. A bit boring at times.

Barbara
The Witch Elm by Tana French

4
An engrossing murder mystery set in Dublin, with several red herrings. Takes a while to get going but the surprise find of a skull starts the actual mystery which goes very deep into character. We meet Toby, who is mysteriously assaulted in a break-in. We meet his girlfriend and two cousins, plus assorted other relatives, all of whom are involved, at great length. Their relationships and possible involvement in the murder, plus their motives and interrelationships, are all quite deliberately developed. All of which keeps the reader thinking ahead to who the culprit might have been. And why. This one will require a second reading, probably in October, for Halloween ghoulishness.

Barbara
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

3
A rather silly though lengthy updated version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Sittenfeld extends Austen's original plot and characters, even names, to tag current topics, such as in vitro fertilization, women's liberation, racism, homosexuality, etc. The story is at its silliest with turning Bingley into a TV reality show star, then taking the characters into that same venue. But never fear, the shallowness of all those Bennet females, excepting Liz and Jane, of course, are all there. And Darcy has become a brain surgeon! Mr. Bennet's nonplussed reactions continue. To top it off, the early 1800s of England become the 2013 of Cincinnati. What a stretch. Lots of similarities to note but some head-scratching differences. Long read.

Connie
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

4
A coming-of-age story with some mysteries to it. Kept me captivated.

Patricia
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

5
Hedy Lamarr's story left me wondering how many lives might have been saved had the War Department not been intimidated by a woman with a brain. Marie Benedict brings Hedy's story to us. When only 18 years old, a Czech director abused her youthful trust when she was in his movie that tainted her life afterwards. At 19, she married an older arms manufacturer who treated her with disdain and abuse. In her early 20s she escaped from her home in Austria as Hitler came to power, and then made her way to Hollywood where she was further exploited. That is a lot of life experience for a young woman. Brave, brilliant, and beautiful Hedy Lamarr- a fascinating story. Thank you Carol and staff for the copy I won in your contest.

Becky
The Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis

3
The last 50 pages are heart-thumping exciting. The rest of the book, not so much. I had high hopes for an interesting and illuminating story, but it was hard to get past the often jarring word usage. This book needed a good editor.

Jan
Last Ragged Breath by Julia Keller

4
Bell (Belfa, Bel) is the county prosecutor in a backwoods, poor, West Virginia town. She grew up there, went away to get a law degree, made lots of money in D.C., and then quit to come back to the mountains to help the poo One of the great things about this series is the fantastic physical descriptions of the mountains. Keller grew up here and can transport the reader to this poor area where the coal mining has stopped and drugs have taken over. Since the county is so poor, Bell often helps the sheriff gather info, interview witnesses and accused to better decide who, if anyone, should be charged with a crime. There is always a dead body. A quiet, simple man is charged with murder since all the evidence is against him. Great read.

Nancy
Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

5
This book was well written and the authors developed the characters which brought them fully to life for me. Because I knew before reading it that it was a true story, it made it even more amazing for me, and it kept my interest from beginning to end.

Jud
The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman

4
Number 23 in the Chee/Leaphorn series, the story finds Leaphorn and Manuelito conducting what turn out to be parallel investigations, one concerning theft, the other murder.

Debbie
When the Music's Over by Peter Robinson

4
This novel by Peter Robinson surprised me, as the story captured my interest immediately. The story deals with teenage girls and the problems these girls encounter. These young girls are solicited by older men and groomed for the illegal sex market. The girls are controlled by drugs and presents until they are doomed to a cloudy existence. Peter Robinson casually shows the mentality of these girls in a world devoid of love and caring as they plummet into a hellhole. I find myself amazed at the lack of parental supervision - where have Ozzie and Harriet gone? Are parents too wrapped in their own private misery to observe their children and guide these children to a deserving life?

Betty
Forget You Know Me by Jessica Strawser

3
There are lots of secrets – plenty for everyone. The friendship between Liza and Molly will be tested, as will Molly and Daniel’s marriage. The characters learn there are serious consequences to their bad choices. For some reason that I can’t put my finger on, I just could not connect with the story or the characters. While there are two incidents that would lead to you to believe this is a thriller, it isn’t.

ILene
Towards Zero by Agatha Christie

5
I couldn’t figure out how it would end. Starts with an elderly lawyer Mr. Treves telling of an early murder when two children are playing with a bow and arrow, then we come to a story about a man hospitalized after an attempted suicide attempt. Now present day, it is September and we have a house party gathering at the seaside home of an elderly widow Lady Tressilian. The guests are Nevile Strange, newly married to his second wife Kay, but it just so happens Audrey Strange, Nevile’s first wife and Lady Tressilian’s favorite, is coming for her normal September visit. Nevile thinking now we can all be friends. We have an assortment of other interesting guests. Scenes of jealously, anger and then a murder. What a page-turner.

Gil
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui

3
Pival is a wealthy widow from India who is on a guided tour of America. Her guide is Satya from Bangladesh who is doing this for the first time. Rebecca, an out of work actress, is assigned by the touring company to be Pival's companion. Aside from seeing the famous sites, Pival wants eventually to get to Los Angeles, to find out how her son Rahi had died. Rahi had been banished from the family because of his lifestyle and had been living in Los Angeles. Despite their different backgrounds, Pival, Satya, and Rebecca formed a strong bond, and through their association with each other, found out more about themselves. They acknowledged how they got to this point in life, and what changes they were going to make.

Carol
The Gown by Jennifer Robson

5
Loved it. Author did a wonderful job bringing a WWII story to life.

shelly
The Forgiving Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter

4
Book 2 in the series, Sara Murray is finally reunited with her Amish grandparents which she knew nothing about. Once her mom died and she connected with them she is anxious to finally meet them and find out about the missing family she might have. Michelle did something almost unforgivable by taking Sara's name and pretending to be her and staying with her grandparents the Lapps. Sara is all excited as now she is going to spend Thanksgiving with them and also meet the other members of the Lapp family. What she did not expect is to find Michelle still living with them. Michelle ran away cowardly when she finds out Sara will be arriving. With the help of Ezekiel visiting her, she returns and confess and explains why she disappeared.

Sandra
100 Tiny Tales by K. Kris Loomis

5
Fantastic! Like a short story, these pack a punch. Very enjoyable, diverse subject matter. They are not what you think they are.

Sandra
Deuce Mora Mystery Series, Vol. 1-3 by Jean Heller

5
First time reader, but not last. This is a great series. A newspaper reporter, in Chicago, gets actively involved in her stories. I especially liked the reference to Dwight Clark. I went to high school with him.

Sandra
Dear Jane by Marina DelVecchio

5
Interesting read. Young Greek girl has a horrid life. Her bio mom is violent and a prostitute. Eventually, the girl is sent to America and adopted. She and her new mom never really got along. Kathryn, as she was renamed, found her solace in books.

Sandra
Sideshow by Samie Sands

5
Great stories. Two about the circus. One talked about the freak show and got revenge on those who hurt them. The other about a two-headed lady in a circus. Another story about a deformed child. Mom signed a contract, took over son's deformities. Other good ones, too!

Mary
Inheritance by Dani Shapiro

4
INHERITANCE is a memoir that will not only inform you about the author's most unlikely genealogical mystery, but also have you wondering about the ethical ramifications of donor insemination, IVF, and issues surrounding DNA testing. More importantly, it caused me to think about where identity comes from, and who we ultimately call "family".

Patricia
The Last Woman in the Forest by Diane Les Becquets

5
Berkley Marketing sent me an ARC of this unique thriller about a young woman conservation worker who studies population, migration, and feeding habits of wilderness animals. It starts with her spreading her late boyfriend's ashes while tormented by thoughts and doubts as to whether he was connected with the murders of some young women. Preconceived ideas of what makes a psychopath tick and what makes us victims will be altered by this mystery. Book groups will find a lot to talk about.

Jo
The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

3
Plenty of twists and turns. Looking forward to her next book.

Jud
The Break Line by James Brabazon

4
Hopefully this will be just the first of a long series featuring Max McClean as a black ops British agent.

Jud
The Emerald Cave by James B. McPike

4
THE EMERALD CAVE by James B. McPike is the third entry in the Vince Ramsey series. While a lightweight series by most measures, McPike’s series is still worth reading, as it has well-developed characters and a fast-moving plot which keeps the reader engaged. I will definitely be going back to read the prior two novels.

Sandra
Flash by Tim Tigner

5
Fantastic read. Two people wake up in a police car. One in the trunk, the other in the car interior. They had been injected with a formula that can wipe out your memories. As the two team up to find out what happened to them, they come across a conspiracy.

Sandra
The Killing of Train-Man Brown by Will Bevis

5
Great short read. This is about the days when the mail was delivered by trains. Mr. Brown rode the rails to make sure the mail got delivered. He died after he could not do that anymore.

Holly
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

4
A thrilling suspense book taking place in Alaska that kept me up at night. The plot slows in a few spots but that allowed my heart rate to slow down. Fascinating description of the flora and fauna in all seasons. The characterization was spot-on with the quirky people moving to Alaska for many different reasons.

Becky
The Reckoning by John Grisham

5
Grisham is back to writing mysteries instead of “magical realism” and I am happy. When the town’s celebrated hero walks into church and kills his best friend, there has to be a story...and there is. Why did Pete kill Dexter? Why won’t he talk? How can he be defended? The court room drama takes us from the Jim Crow south to the jungles of WWII to an insane asylum and back to the court room. This is vintage Grisham and an exciting read.

Sandy
The Soldier's Wife by Joanna Trollope

4
Dan Riley is a major in the British Army. After a six month tour of duty in Afghanistan, he is coming home to the wife and young daughters he adores. He's up for promotion and his ex-Army grandfather and father couldn't be prouder. The Rileys are united in support of Dan's passion for his career. But are they really? This story revolves around the marriage of Dan and Alexa and the problems they face. Very good reading once you get into it.

Patrica A
Run Away by Harlan Coben

5
The basic plot is that the "run away" in question is the drug-addicted daughter of a very respectable family. When her father happens upon her in a park, there is a violent altercation with her dealer that sets in motion the complicated and convoluted paths to the series of events that follow. More and more characters fall into the mix with dubious connections that leave you wondering how they can ever be reconciled, and unaware of the shocking secrets they hold.

Phyllis
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

5
Had trouble keeping the many characters straight and the confusing backward timeline. However, Jodi has done her research and did a good job of presenting the case from all sides. I loved Wren and her father's relationship. Also liked the scientific and biblical explanation of the title. I am anxious to see what topic she tackles next.

Jan
Bathed in Prayer by Jan Karon

1
This was a strange book for me. I have read all of the Mitford series and I expected this to be much like earlier compilations, like Father Tim's quotes. It is not. It is selected bits and pieces from the various books. I understood all of them. They are in no order. I do not think someone new to Mitford books will understand much from this. We get a bit of Dooley, then Sadie, then Dooley's family, then their wedding. It is just a hodge-podge. I read it, enjoying memories of the books but I can not see how an unfamiliar reader could get anything from this. A lot of the prayer that never fails; a lot from the Book of Common Prayer. Just a jumble. I cannot recommend it to anyone. I do not know the purpose of this book.

Francisca
The Cider House Rules by John Irving

4
I love Irving’s writing, and don’t know why this one languished on my TBR list for so long. What I really like about the novel is how the characters are portrayed. The reader gets a clear idea of how Dr. Larch came to his decision. The reader also clearly understands why Homer makes a different decision, how he struggles to love this man who is like a father to him, once he makes that decision. And the reader watches the painful separation that all parents face when they send their offspring out into the world to make their own way. How a parent’s hopes and dreams may not always be embraced by that child.

Lori
The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan

5
As a big fan of THE CHILBURY LADIES' CHOIR, I was delighted to be able to read an advance copy of Ryan's latest book, THE SPIES OF SHILLING LANE. The book did not disappoint. Like CHILBURY, this book is largely about the home front in England during WWII, although it was not confined to village life this time. Although I found some of the spying parts of the book far-fetched, it did not distract from my enjoyment of the story. There are great characters who have touching transformations over the course of the book. The author does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life as well as giving the reader greater understanding of life during the blitz. I highly recommend this book.

Lori
Promise by Minrose Gwin

5
This is my favorite book so far for 2019. Once I could keep track of the characters, I got completely absorbed in the book and couldn't put it down. This was a fascinating look at a terrible tornado in Mississippi in 1936 and how the town of Tupelo was impacted. The novel tells the story of the experiences of both a black washwoman and her family as well as a white teenager and her dysfunctional family. It paints a great picture of life during this event and the racism of the time. This would make an excellent selection for books groups. I highly recommend this book.

Sandra
Insects by John Koloen

5
First of a series. Scientists and students go on a search for an undiscovered species of bug, similar to a roach, except it has knife-like legs and kills anything it encounters.

Sandra
The Boy Who Danced With Monkeys by P. L. Klein

5
Good read. Affuent young boy had his parents and grandfather murdered. The boy saw his mom and her friend murdered. The doctor, who was to help the boy, gave him drugs to make him hallucinate.

Sandra
The Doll by J. C. Martin

5
Great short read. American tourists go to another country. They go to The Island of Dolls. Little girl takes one of the dolls home.

Jo
Saving Meghan by D. J. Palmer

4
I received this ARC from St Martin's Press. A sickly girl is at the center. The question is who, if anyone, is making her sick? Her helicopter mom, her aloof dad or is she truly ill? This book has a medical backdrop mixed in with suspense.

Liz
In the Blink of an Eye by Jesse Blackadder

3
The Brennan family has just moved from Tasmania to New South Wales because of a job opportunity for Bridget. It seems they have an idyllic life, beautiful home, two wonderful children, Finn has the chance to go forward with his artistic career. For one brief moment Bridget leave two year old Toby alone and he wanders outside to the pool where they unthinkable happens. There is a police investigation and their world seems to begin to fall apart. The story itself was very heartbreaking, but I found the writing to be a bit confusing and had to keep going back and rereading pages.

Esther
Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano

5
This is the first book I've read by Jen Turano, but I intend to read (many) more! It was a wonderful story, romantic, wholesome and funny. The characters, both the main ones and the secondary ones, were well-drawn and believable and the story kept me reading. I enjoyed that it was set in New York City in the late 1800s -- the author did a wonderful job of painting a literary picture of what life was like during that time.

Anita
The Girl I Used To Be by Mary Torjussen

5
Gemma is a married woman who has a three-year-old son. She owns a real estate agency in England. While away at a business meeting she bumps into David, a prospective client who was in her office the month before looking for a home. He invites her to dinner and they have an enjoyable meal, and drink plenty of wine. Gemma is a bit tipsy, and David walks her to her room, and kisses her at the door. That is all Gemma remembers until she wakes up with a hangover the next morning. About a month later she starts receiving pictures of herself. One is of her kissing David, the others are of her lying in the bed at the hotel, one naked. She has no idea who took them, or why they are sending them to her. This was a very good thriller.

Bonnie
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

4
This novel puts the "psycho" in psychological thriller. It'll keep you guessing to the end.

Jud
The American (Leone Scamarcio #2) by Nadia Dalbuono

4
Excellent Italian crime novel featuring a stellar main character.

Jud
The Liberal Redneck Manifesto: Draggin' Dixie Outta the Dark by Trae Crowder, Drew Morgan and Corey Ryan Forrester

5
Surprisingly insightful book about how and why Southerners are viewed the way they are.

lee
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

4
Have read all her books and I think this one in her new series is the best. Takes place in St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands) About the "invisible man" and his secretive business deals. It's a love story as well as a mystery. Can't wait for the next in the series.

Ilene
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5
WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING is a wonderful coming-of-age first novel by Delia Owens. It is about 6-year old Kya Clark, left by herself to grow up in a marsh in North Carolina after her abusive father runs her mother off and one sibling after another leaves. The drunken father finally leaves leaving Kya alone. What a lonely life not being able to trust people. She goes to school for one day and they make fun of her and call her swamp girl. She finally gets a friend who teaches her to read and discover all the wonders of the swamp so that you really feel all the nature that Kya experiences. Now she can read and write about all the wonders she sees, believe it or not, she becomes a brilliant book author and writes many books.

Elizabeth
Tear Me Apart by J. T. Ellison

4
I liked TEAR ME APART; I didn’t love it. That makes it a three-star book. Yet it’s better than many other books I’ve rated with three stars. So this one gets four. This book is mystery upon mystery upon mystery, etc. Maybe the biggest mystery throughout: who is really who.

ROSEMARIE
Saving Meghan by D. J. Palmer

5
I was lucky enough to score an ARC of this great thrilller...in the past I was a fan of the late Michael Palmer whose novels were medical thrillers. D.J. Palmer is a chip off the block, following in his fathers footsteps. He has written a novel that will keep you enthralled from page one. Meghan and her Mom have a special bond, but is her Mom the reason for her mysterious illness? Is this a case of Munchausen Syndrome or is she suffering from some illness not yet discovered? I read this book every chance I had - carried it everywhere with me, hardly stopped to get dinner on the table. I think you will find it extremely well done and totally entertaining. It hits the shelves on April 9th so mark your calendars or pre-order now!

Tessa
The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe by Alexander McCall Smith

3
Book # 15 in the popular No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series has the ladies investigating a case of amnesia. In the meantime, Mma Grace Makutsi has decided to open a new restaurant. I love this series. The cases the agency works on are less important in this series than the relationships between the characters. I feel like I’m spending time with old friends when I open one of these books and become immersed in their lives. They are my reading comfort food.

Barbara
No Exit by Taylor Adams

4
On the way to visit her dying mother, Darby Thorne gets stranded at a highway rest stop during a snow storm. While trying to get cell service, she notices something horrifying, a caged child in the back of a van. Who among the four other stranded is the kidnapper? This page-turner starts out with bang and never lets up. There are quite a few surprises along the way. Very frightening with graphic violence. If you're into twisty thrillers, this is the book for you.

barbara
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

5
Powerful investigation of a young woman’s life in pre-Castro and Castro life in Cuba, and the daughter’s experiences in Havana when she goes to release her mother’s ashes.

Marjorie
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

4
Diane usually writes reflections on flora and fauna, so I was pleasantly surprised to see this nonfiction book centered on a family amidst historical atrocities. Plot driven with suspenseful backgrounds, I read the book in one sitting. Now I can rent the movie.

David
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5
I did not want this beautiful book to end. It is haunting and unforgettable. A brilliant first novel to enjoy thoroughly.

Betty
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

5
Loved Eleanor! She’s quirky and awkward but sadly lonely. When she meets Raymond and Sammy and their families, she learns that if you make an effort people can respond with kindness. Poignant but laugh-out-loud funny, this was a favorite of my book club members, too.

Shelly
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

5
In AN ANONYMOUS GIRL the authors have a way of building the suspense and questions. From the very beginning you're intrigued and by the end needing to know the answers. The storytelling is very well done and you'll want to never put the book down. If you're a fan of their first book, THE WIFE BETWEEN US (you should be) then you won't want to miss this one either.

Rosalie
The Poppy Field by Deborah Carr

5
Very interesting book about “the war to end all wars". Their friends did not come home from the war. These three girls are going to Flanders Field to find the graves or some proof their friends are dead.

Joelle
Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield

4
Wonderful fable with magical realism elements - rich with symbolism and so well written!

Gina
Lies by T. M. Logan

5
I love mysteries and this one had me engrossed at page one. Bookreporter.com gave it a rave review and it is well deserved. A man may have killed another man, police are closing in. Twist at the end that I did not see coming. This is a debut novel but remember the name T. M. Logan because he is very talented.

Sally-Jo
The Universal Harvester by John Darnielle

2
A disjointed story. I found it challenging to follow the dialog and had to keep rereading parts. Not my usual preferred reading.

Laurie
Annelies by David R. Gillham

5
Amazing coming-of-age novel featuring the life and survivorship of Anne Frank. Very well researched.

Jan
Force of Nature by Jane Harper

5
A wonderful cold winter afternoon page-turner. Well-written suspense novel that kept you involved through the last page, and left you hoping for a sequel.

Sheree
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

5
I can understand why this book won The Michael L. Printz award! It was written in poetry form and was so descriptive in the telling of the story. It is a coming-of-age novel about boys, school, mother-daughter relationships and just the whole teenager experience. Very well done!

Susan
The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay

5
I loved this book because its characters were so fully developed that in the end I was sad and angry and shiny - as though betrayed by the people I thought I knew. Shalini is a dissolute twenty-something living in her childhood home, having just lost her job. Through chapter flashbacks we learn about her mercurial mother, her quiet, wealthy father, and a mysterious man from Kashmir, a troubled area in northern India. After her mother’s death, Shalini goes in search of the man who so impacted her life and her mother’s. And she soon learns that the world is a complex and scary place once she is away from the comfort of her upscale life in Bangalore. It’s a long book, the better to draw you in. I couldn’t put it down.

sharon
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

5
Suspenseful and so well written.

Kate
The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey

5
I cannot even stress how great of a story this is. It's easily my favorite historical fiction book to date. The girls and the soldiers are forever embedded in my list of favorite casts of book characters. The story is at times terrifying and heartbreaking, but also so much fun as the girls are so easily lovable. The writing is fresh and enticing, and I devoured every word and wish there were more! Bravo Jane Healey! I'd kept asking if I was getting sick. Oh, the sniffles! I NEVER cry at books! What is happening to me! Oh, AND...my all time most favorite thing on the planet: food trucks! Yes, my friends, World War II food truck!

Susan
The Last Girls by Lee Smith

4
I started to really like this book but got bogged down near the end. The characters were interesting but maybe it jumped around to much. It is a discussion group book so I will see what the others think of it.

Susan
The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin

4
I enjoyed THE LAST ROMANTICS by Tara Conklin. I enjoy reading about family drama and thought Conklin did an excellent job of describing the conflicts/drama and emotion of siblings. It is an excellent novel.

Donna
Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny

5
One of my favorite series. Louise Penny continues to find new new plots and ways for her characters to grow. I don’t think I will ever get tired of reading about Three Pines.

Betty
The Dry by Jane Harper

5
This was the first book by Jane Harper I had ever read and it won't be the last. She conveys the sense of the Australian outback vividly that it almost becomes a character in the story. Pick this book up -- you won't regret it.

Becky
Someday We Will Fly by Rachel DeWoskin

5
Performers in the Warsaw Circus must flee for their lives from the Nazis. As they flee to Shanghai, Lillia’s mother is lost. She and father left with no choice, continue to Shanghai where Jews are being offered safety, but not an easy life. As the Japanese draw ever nearer, life becomes more tenuous and scary. Well written and researched, this YA novel is also a wonderful read for adults. The Jewish experience in wartime China has been little known. This book attempts to rectify that omission and succeeds. Lillia, her father and those she comes in contact with are fully-developed characters. The plot is engrossing.

Thomas
Judgment by Joseph Finder

5
An excellent book.

Kathy
The Infinite Blacktop by Sara Gran

5
A statisfying third in the Claire DeWitt series about the best detective in the world, who juggles three plots in three time periods, and winds everything up satisfactorily and suprisingly.

Paula
The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain

5
I adored this book. This is a time travel story as well as a story about famiy love and devotion. It flowed so gently that you didnt even know how much you had read. Great book for discussion!

Nancy
The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney

4
THE GIRL BEFORE is right up there with GONE GIRL, THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN and THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW. In this case, a woman rents a minimalistic apartment for which she has to fill out a strange survey -- Would you save Michaelangelo's David or a starving street child? -- and live by insane rules -- no books, pillows or wastepaper basket. When she discovers that the tenant before her died, she sets out to learn how and why. We've discussed the book in two book clubs -- not so much for the storyline, but for the list of questions on the rental application. It makes for a fascinating and sometimes argumentative discussion, starting with "please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life." And the answer is...

Linda
The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

4
I'm reading each historical novel of Gregory's series of all King Henry VIII's wives. This one is the story of Queen Katherine, his first wife. Very interesting but reads like a romance novel sometimes.

CAROL
The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg

5
I loved this book! Was it sentimental? Oh yes! Unrealistic? Perhaps - but I don't care. It made me smile and it made me cry but most of all it made me feel. It made me remember the older people in my life who I have lost. I wish I knew all their stories from their youth. I loved the concept of the book - using the address book as a vehicle for the stories about various people in Doris's life. I love it that the author, though not Jenny, had a "Doris" in her life who had a red address book. It was perfect way to write a novel about a woman's life. The writing is excellent and shows so well how older people have so many fascinating stories in their memory. This is a book that will stay in my memory.

Beth
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

4
A remarkable story of courage, bravery and unspeakable loss. I would love to talk to Pino Lella and find out how much of it is true!

Dana
The Dutch Wife by Ellen Keith

3
This is a World War II story that takes place in Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany. Marijke and her husband, Theo, are arrested for helping to hide Jews and for being involved in the resistance. The story deals mainly with her determination to survive and the SS officer who makes her his favorite. The story of Luciano in 1977 during the Argentine Dirty War is interwoven throughout the book. It all comes together in the end as a tale of survival and justice.

Donna
Clock Dance by Anne Tyler

3
Willa is a 60-ish woman counting off the highlights of her life. She is so passive and dependent on others, but a young child helps her discover herself. Interesting story.

Linda
Nobody But You by Jill Shalvis

4
After losing his best friend to a roadside bomb, Jacob Kincaid is home on leave. Renting a cabin on the lake, he’s looking forward to peace and restfulness but this is disrupted when he finds a boat tied up at his private dock. He tells the sexy redhead that she can’t moor her boat there and Sophie Marren has had enough. Her ex took everything from her and she has no money to pay docking fees elsewhere. She and Jacob lock eyes and sparks fly.

Linda
He's So Fine by Jill Shalvis

5
Olivia Bentley is a former child star who grew out of her role. When the show was cancelled, all of the people who worked with her left. She was abandoned, acted out her anger, and left the bright lights of Hollywood for the serene back water of Lucky Harbor. She arrived with a new name and opened a vintage store. She met Cole Donovan, one of the owners of a charter boat, when she jumped in the bay to save him thinking he was drowning. He ended up saving her, not only from the freezing water but from her sense of not being good enough. He had found the woman for him and was not letting her go.

Linda
Still the One by Jill Shalvis

4
As the child of diplomats, Darcy Stone was shuttled away to boarding schools and grew up feeling that she didn’t deserve anyone’s love. She certainly didn’t have her parents’ love. After a horrendous car wreck, she is in Sunshine, Idaho undergoing physical therapy. Since her siblings live here, she finally has some sort of home life. Darcy has a love/hate relationship with her therapist AJ Colton who puts her through some rough therapy. She accompanies him to meet a potential donor to help fund treatments for trauma patients after their insurance ceases. At the hotel, they act on their mutual attraction. She feels it is temporary because no one stays with her. AJ has fallen in love with Darcy and doesn’t want temporary.

Linda
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner

5
Rainie Conner is one of two police officers in a small town when she gets the call of shooting at the local elementary school. She goes to secure the scene and clear the rooms when she comes to the computer lab and sees Sheriff Sheb O’Grady being held at gunpoint by his thirteen-year-old son. She has known Danny all of his life and never thought he would ever do anything like this. She sees a teacher and two girls lying dead in the hallway. She receives help from Abe Sanders, state homicide detective, and Pierce Quincy, FBI profiler. They later all agree that there was another shooter present but why won’t Danny tell them what happened? Who was the shooter?

Linda
On Target by Mark Greaney

5
Court Gentry (the Gray Man) is working for a Russian mobster and has been sent to Sudan to take out President Abboud. Court is contacted by his former boss at the CIA. They want him to kidnap Abboud so the United States can hand him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes against his people. If Court does this, the shoot-on-sight order will be rescinded. He has no choice and has to work with the CIA but a deadly fight breaks out and Court is told to kill Abboud. If he does this, war will break out between China and Russia and many people in Sudan will die. Court tells the CIA no. Now he is being hunted again.

Linda
The Boy by Tami Hoag

5
Detectives Nick Fourcade and Annie Broussard are investigating the stabbing death of a seven-year-old boy. Investigation takes them to the chaotic home of Nora Florette, the twelve-year-old babysitter, only to find that she is now missing. Townspeople are wondering if a child predator is in the area and demanding answers. Annie talks to the girl’s friends but no leads. As she talks to one of the boys who was seen with Annie, she gets vibes of abuse. The boy will soon be the sheriff’s stepson but Annie feels he is being abused. There is nothing she and Nick can do about it now. They have a murder to solve.

Linda
Tempting the Laird by Julia London

5
Catriona Mackenzie is the youngest Mackenzie and carries on the work done by her recently deceased aunt. Providing a place to stay for women who have no other place to go was her aunt’s life work. Hearing that the property will be forfeited to the Crown, Cat travels to her uncle Knox Armstrong in hopes that he can meet with proper officials to get the order overturned. She meets a handsome man who turns out to be Hamlin Graham, the Duke of Montrose, and Armstrong’s neighbor. His wife has disappeared and rumors abound that he did away with her. The more Cat is around Hamlin, she knows this is untrue. She has fallen in love with him even though her uncle warned her away from the duke. She is stubborn and will not listen.

Linda
Seduced by a Scot by Julia London

5
Nichol Bain is known as a “fixer” of problems encountered by his aristocratic clients. He agrees to help a client by finding him a wife. He knows another client who wants his ward removed from his home as her beauty is distracting from his daughter’s plainness. Nichol thinks he has the perfect solution. But he did not count on the attraction he and Maura Darby had for each other. He doesn’t think he has anything to offer her. He is told that if he lets her go, he will regret it for the rest of his life. In his heart, he knows this is true.

Linda
You Don't Own Me by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

5
Laurie Moran is contacted by the parents of Dr. Martin Bell to take a look at the cold case and try to find their son’s killer. Laurie produces the television show Under Suspicion which focuses on unsolved cases and uses their investigative skills to solve them. The parents are convinced that their son’s wife Kendra had him murdered. She says he was having an affair and wanted a divorce. Would this be grounds for her to have him killed? Laurie thinks Kendra is guilty until she starts investigating and what she finds ends as a shock to everyone.

JANICE
Becoming by Michelle Obama

5
This memoir of the former first lady was a wonderful and inspiring read. It was a very insightful read into the life of Michell as a daughter, sister and wife, in addition to a mother. I especially liked learning about her decision to give up her law practice and find something she truly loved to do and she succeeded.

Katherine
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

4
Fascinating story of the life of Hedy Lamarr and her contribution to technology. I previously had heard of her only as a movie star, but her life as the wife of an arms dealer and her escape from that life provided an inspirational tale of success.

Kathryn
The Gown by Jennifer Robson

5
A wonderful historical novel about two women who were among the embroiderers for Princess Elizabeth's (the current Queen) wedding dress and train in 1947 - and a granddaughter who travels from Canada to London following her grandmother's death in 2016 searching for the unknown story of her grandmother's life before she arrived in Canada.

Traci
Terminal by John Leifer

5
I really enjoyed this book. It's the first one I've read from John Leifer and it kept me interested from beginning to end. It really makes you think would could happen if we were at viral war with another country. Great read! Can't wait to start the next book in the series.

Elizabeth
River's End by Nora Roberts

5
An older Nora Roberts book that makes me want to read more of her books. A young actress is murdered and her daughter, Olivia, is found hiding by the cop on the scene who ends up getting the husband put away. The daughter is raised by her grandparents. As the years go by, the cop and his family again cross paths with Olivia. I couldn't put the book down. There are a lot of twists in the plot as well as romance. The ending was quite shocking. One of the better books I've read recently.

Leslie
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

5
I loved the writing, the story, the characters. My kind of book! Read it in one day.

Patricia
Leverage in Death by J. D. Robb

5
I have read about all of her books in the "In death" series. I love reading them.

Jud
Minos by Marcos M. Villatoro

4
Great book in what is a new series for me. Fans of European crime novels will become avid fans of Det. Leone Scamarcio of Rome.

Jud
Assumed Dead by Eleanor Sullivan

4
Enjoyable read featuring amateur sleuth Nurse Monika Everhardt.

Jud
The American by Nadia Dalbuono

4
Second in the Leone Scamarcio series, a great read.

Margo
The Gown by Jennifer Robson

4
Loved this book. Great read.

Sandra
The Doll by J. C. Martin

5
Great short read. American tourists go to another country. They go to The Island of Dolls. Little girl takes one of the dolls home.

Susan
Everybody's Son by Thrity Umrigar

5
The excitement at the end of the book didn't let me put it down. When you have been adopted, who do you owe your allegiance to?

Shelly
Turning Point by Danielle Steel

5
Four of San Francisco's brightest trauma doctors are chosen to go to Paris and meet with four of their special doctors from trauma units and compare ideas and strategies. The group from San Francisco does not really know each other and will learn about their private lives and how to deal with emergency situations while in Paris. Once they arrive they will meet with four Paris doctors and together the group of eight will train for a month in Paris and then will return after a two-week break and visit the San Francisco area. When a horrible event occurs in Paris it has all of the doctors thinking and realizing just how precious life is. Romance and friendships become emotional and the people rethink if they are living the way they want to.

Francisca
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

5
This is actually the third time I’ve read this book and I love just as much now as I did the first time. Flagg does a marvelous job of developing these characters, and the reader feels the love between them. I was hooked from the beginning and engaged throughout.

Jill
Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay

4
Book #7 in the Library Lover's Mystery series, this book continues the story of main character, librarian Lindsey Norris, and the town of Briar Creek. In this installment, the library has held an amnesty day for the return of books and the library staff are competing to see who checks in the book that has been checked out the longest. When they check a returned copy of, CATCHER IN THE RYE, they see that it was checked out 20 years ago to a local teacher who was murdered the very day the book was checked out. Lindsay gets deeply involved in solving the mystery of the murder, bringing along her fellow library staff members and friends to help. A delightful installment of this fun mystery series.

LouAnn
A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

4
Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors and I always enjoy her books. This one is set in New York City and coastal Rhode Island between 1931 and 1938. It gives us a sense of the lives of the wealthy during that time period. The two main characters, Lilli and Budgie, grew up together living in Manhattan and spending summers together in Seaview. The story begins with the girls in college and touches on their families, their loves and of course there are a few twists which will keep you guessing until the end.

Ruth
The Tears of Dark Water by Corban Addison

5
Exciting novel of piracy - I learned so much about the laws governing the act. The characters were amazing.

Ivy
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

5
Admittedly, the title threw me off as I was unsure which sister was the killer. Anyway, these two are total opposites - one willing and careful to do anything to save her sister, the other one carefree and careless. A short read. It left me at the edge of the cliff.

Bonnie
Maid by Stephanie Land

4
Interesting memoir of Land's time spent working as a cleaning lady, raising a child as a single mom, and trying desperately to make ends meet.

Helen
The Library Book by Susan Orlean

4
A riveting story of the 1986 fire at the Los Angles Library.

Joyce
Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro

4
Fascinating nonfiction. Presents critical present day issues that were never thought of before. Lots to discuss.

Dorothy
The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian

5
This book kept my attention and I could not put it down. It’s about what a flight attendant does and goes through. This one happened to be a drunk and a lush. Very interesting.

Barbara
The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib

4
A novel, both heartbreaking and encouraging, about a young woman with an eating disorder. Through Anna's experience at an in-patient treatment facility, the book painfully and realistically describes the challenges of living with, suffering from and working to overcoming anorexia. If you know anyone who has suffered from an eating disorder, you'll appreciate this novel. It's beautifully and sensitively written.

Kathie
Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

5
Beautiful story! During the first 40 pages I was finding it hard to become invested in the story, but then the story wove together to me into something very special. I am still thinking about this book weeks later - it has made a lasting impression.

Ruth
At the Wolf's Table by Rosella Postorino

5
Amazing novel about the women who were selected to eat the food prepared for Adolf Hitler before the same food was served to him. Interesting friendships between these women who were so isolated from others.

Linda
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

3
This book covers the life of Jayber Crow, the town barber in Port William, Kentucky from 1937 to 1969, and Jayber is reflecting back on his life. Jayber has regular customers and many are his friends, and the book focuses on these people, their stories, and their families. I enjoy books with descriptive prose, especially those about nature, and Berry is good at these types of descriptions. But I wanted fewer descriptions and more plot development. This is a rambling account of Jayber's life and the people of Port William. I am happy to finish this one, and I am not interested in other books by this author.

Elizabeth
Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian

5
I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful SECRETS OF EDEN is. Every sentence is so well written and the story is arranged so well. This is mesmerizing and one fine literary thriller.

pat
A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler

5
Historical fiction featuring the amazing life of Alva Vanderbilt Belmont.

Lynnette
A House Among the Trees by Julia Glass

3
Very little plot but nice characterizations.

Dianna
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

4
A great inspirational story. “I would never tell you that the life you wanted couldn’t have been exactly as great as you planned. But you have to live the life you have. You have to find inspiration in the struggle, and pull joy out of hardship." A quick easy read, but worth it. Thank you, girlfriend!

Tessa B C
How To Fall In Love With a Man Who Lives In a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson

3
Julia is a Swede living in Austria where she teaches English at Berlitz. One day, while waiting on a park bench, she meets a smelly, dirty homeless man, Ben. This was a quick, fast read and mildly entertaining. I shook my head at the chances Julia took, but recognized what she saw in Ben. He was clearly intelligent, caring, giving and willing to work at the relationship. She, on the other hand, was pretty closed off to any change in routine, and visibly embarrassed by him. All told it’s a decent chick-lit, new-adult romance.