The Leper by Steve Thayer

When I was a teenager I checked out a book called Miracle at Carville. It was the true story of a young woman who is on the brink of living a wonderful life with a great guy. Everything ended when she was diagnosed with leprosy. When I started working at the library and found out about inter-library loans, I decided to see if I could find a copy of it. I found it, ordered it and reread it. That was about six years ago. Yesterday at work I was covering books and, as I always do, read the jacket cover. I was hooked right away. This novel is very well written and is fascinating. You don't hear about leprosy today. For one reason they only refer to it by the more politically correct name of Hansen's disease. There are now drugs that can handle it. Leprosy is not a very contagious disease. It earned its reputation from the Bible and from some of the repulsive physical changes that occur in some of its victims. To be diagnosed in the last century meant a ride in a confined cattle car. No air, little food, little water and a bucket for calls of nature. The end of the line was a hellhole in Louisiana. Most victims went by aliases so that they could protect their families. This is the fictionalized story of one man's journey through life as a leper. It is very similar in tone and content to the non-fiction book I read. I think I'm going on a little bit too long and have turned this blog into a lecture - so I'll quit! I highly recommend this book!

A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick

The last two books I read were a little heavy. This one read quickly. I love doing needlework, so I always enjoy the books that have that as a theme. This one is based on quilting. Like all warm and fuzzy quilting stories it is about a group of women who all have troubles. They make it through with the help of their quilting friends (new and old). It wasn't a deep book - but it is the holiday season, so maybe that is why I enjoyed reading a book that I knew would have a happy ending.

Echoes from the Dead by Johan Theorin

This is a first novel which became a bestseller in Sweden. Center to the story is a crime that happened twenty years ago. A young child disappeared. He may have drowned but no one knows for sure. His mother, Julia, has never recovered fully from the tragedy. She moved away from the Island but was never able to move on. Her relationship with her father has been strained for years. One day Julia's father calls to tell her he received a package in the mail - a sandal that was old and was made for a child. The description sounds like it fits the sandals that Jens was wearing the last time she saw him. So begins a trip back to the Island and a trip to the past. Eventually she finds out what happened - and so do we. Not a fast-paced book but it held my interest.

Gone Tomorrow by P.F. Kluge

This is the novel of George Canaris, who at the pinnacle of his success decides to accept a chair from a small college in Ohio. He will be given a light teaching load which will afford him the time necessary to work on his next great novel, affectionately called The Beast. He intends to stay for a year. Three decades later he is finally pushed into retirement and The Beast has become a joke - no one has seen a word of it. When George is killed by a hit-and-run driver, Mark May finds that he has been named the literary executor. Mark, a young English professor, barely knew George and is puzzled why he was chosen for this role. We learn in bits and pieces what went on in George's life. An intriguing book with great characters.

Against Medical Advice by James Patterson and Hal Friedman

This is a non-fiction book written in the voice of Cory Friedman. Cory was a normal child until the age of five. One day he woke up and had an uncontrollable urge to shake his head. He was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome and later with OCD. The story covers thirteen years of his life (and his family's). I cannot imagine surviving what this child went through. Drug after drug was tried, many with terrible side effects. School was a living hell for him. This would have been a fascinating story told from any point of view - but Cory makes it so personal and really pulls you in to his reality.

Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien 598.97

I am a real animal lover. Because of that I am always a bit hesitant to read non-fiction books about animals - they are never written if the animal is still alive and well! Stacey O'Brien makes me look like an animal-hater. She spent 19 years with a barn owl who was rescued at the age of four days because he had wing damage and would never be able to survive on his own. Early on Wesley thinks Stacey is his mother. That seems reasonable. But later he thinks of her as his mate and that's a bit over-the-top! Wesley never had an owl parent to teach him how to kill mice (the only diet that these owls can live on), so Stacey bought and killed mice for him - for nineteen years!!!! I learned a lot about owls. The love and communication possible between humans and animals - I never doubted it for a second.
You can only read this if you love animals - otherwise you won't believe it is non-fiction!

Crossroads by Belva Plain

I have always been a great fan of Belva Plain's. I think this will probably be her last book since she is getting up there in age and it took several years for this one to be published. This is the story of two young women, Jewel and Gwen, who come from different ends of the social spectrum. They are each jealous of what the other possesses. There lives become entangled through the years with lots of drama - the usual stuff! It was not my favorite book of Plain's - mostly because I just didn't care for either of the main characters. That said, I would still have read it because she has written many great books over the decades and I like to be loyal! A nice gentle read.

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs

If you haven't read the first book, A Friday Night Knitting Club, do so. This is the sequel and it is every bit as good as the first one. You can certainly read this book independently but I think it would be more enjoyable after meeting the characters in the first book. Five years have passed and things have changed during those years. The one thing that remains is the close-knit (pun intended) group of friends who range from college-aged to late seventies. I think she does a terrific job of writing and pulling the reader into the lives of these characters - and most of all she makes me care about them. I started the book yesterday and finished it today - I haven't done that for a while but it was that good.

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

This probably isn't a book for the holidays! It is rather depressing but it is interesting if you like historical novels. Anna has stayed mum on her experiences living in Germany during World War II. Her daughter, Trudy, is a professor of German History at a University. She was three when she came to the U.S. The book goes back and forth between Anna's story during the War and Trudy's story in the 90's. I believe this is Jenna's first novel. That is difficult to believe because it is so well-written. That era of history is filled with decisions that could be called moral or immoral - depending on your situation. This is a story of what a mother did for her daughter.

My Stroke of Insight by Jill Taylor 362.196

Jill Taylor is studying the brain. She was trained at Harvard and is 37 years old. Most people would be caught unaware by a stroke, but Jill is almost fascinated when it happens to her. Because of her background, she is able to summon help before it's too late.
There are a few chapters I skipped over - too much scientific information! But the rest of the book is fascinating. Her descriptions are a wake-up call for anyone involved with stroke patients. She hopes to change attitudes toward people who are brain-injured. The awareness of how we respond to emotions has made a change in how Jill lives her life - and it can be a wake-up call to all of us.

Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan

Kim was 18 and getting ready to go to college in a month. Even though she was tempted to stay at the river with her boyfriend and her friends, she reluctantly left at the same time as her friend Nina. They both worked at the Conoco station and Kim had never missed work. They drove off to their respective homes to change clothes - but Kim never made it to work. This book is really not about Kim herself. It is about those around her - her sister, her parents and her friends. The initial reaction and investigation turns into a new way of life for all of those people.
It was a well-written story that brings you into the lives of those people.

The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval (658.4 Kap)

I am not a huge fan of non-fiction, but this book reads easily. The authors head up their own advertising agency--The Kaplan Thaler Group--and so use their own experiences with their business and their clients to add detail and examples to this short book. The language is to the point and easy to follow.

The authors point out the ways and reasons to be nice in the business world, and back up their advice with tried and true examples from their own lives. Each chapter also comes with exercises to try to become a "nicer" person, and to practice being nice at home, work, and to strangers on the street. Each chapter is well organized into shorter sections, making it easy to read and find places to stop and absorb. A powerful book for something so small and simple to read.

Testimony by Anita Shreve

Shreve is one of my favorite authors and she's done it again with a well-written novel. It begins at Avery Academy, a boarding school, in New England. The head-master has just come into possession of a tape showing some of his under-age students involved in sexual acts. The intriguing part of this book is how she has woven together the voices of the many people whose lives are touched by the incident and the choices made in how to handle it. The ripple effect is always wide-spread, but we don't always think about it before we act. The book keeps some of its secrets until the very end. I highly recommend this!

Red Fire by Deidre Knight

Red Fire is not your typical historical fantasy romance. Sure, the legendary heroes from Sparta (all featured in the recent movie 300) are there, but there are some subtle twists to the story.

For instance, this historical romance actually takes place in present day. The figures from history have moved forward in time, having become immortal after their death. And oh yeah, they can shape-shift.

As the first book in the "Gods of Midnight" series, Ajax Petrakos, Spartan warrior, is given a test to end all tests. He is pitted against an ancient foe, one who destroyed his family. And Ajax, who had been promised his soul mate by the elusive Oracle, must once again go out in battle to save what little humanity he has left. Until he finds Shay is his soul mate, and the target of his ancient foe's deadly game. It is up to him, and him alone, to save her and the world without losing his own soul in the process.

If you're a fan of Christina Dodd, Laurell Hamilton, Sherrilyn Kenyon, or Kim Harrison, you will love this novel!

Upside Down, Inside Out by Monica McInerney (Fiction)

Eva, unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend, travels to Australia to visit her oldest friend. There, she and Lainey come up with a different life and identity and she is introduced as famous Irish sculptor and singer Niamph. She meets and falls in love with Joseph, who is also not telling telling the whole truth about his life. Will they ever confess the truth about their lives to each other? Will they forgive each other for the lies that have been told? Do fish swim?

OK, that might be a little bit sarcastic, I'll admit. I liked the characters and the Australian setting but must admit that the "drama" of when Eva would tell Joseph the truth got to be a little bit too drawn out. I found that I didn't really care too much after awhile! Still, it was a fun read.

Royal Affairs by Leslie Carroll

As the subtitle implies, this book is, "A Lusty Romp through the extramarital Adventures that Rocked the British Monarchy." What a fun read! The book spans the entire history of the British monarchy from 1154 with Henry II and Rosamond de Clifford to present day with Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles. I'm a sucker for historical romance and this book has just the right amount of historical fact and juicy gossip. Even if you're not a big history buff this book is full of strong, successful (in a matter of speaking) woman who will definitely leave an impression on you, after all they all caught the eye of a King! So from scheming villainesses to international spies to politicians and actresses, these women will entertain!

Boom by Tom Brokaw

I am a baby boomer. I grew up in the sixties and graduated from college in 1970. As I was reading (actually I was listening to it) the book, I was constantly hearing songs in my head (as the titles were mentioned) and pictures in my mind of long-ago newscasts of assassinations, moon walks and body bags. Yeah, that's right - I remember all of that. It is what was actually happening that eluded my memory - well that isn't exactly right. I lived out the sixties in Indianola - race riots, anti-war demonstrations and bra burning ceremonies were not being held on our campus or in Buxton Park. So this book brought me up-to-date on how influential that decade was and what changes came about because of those times. Brokaw does a magnificent job of connecting the past to the present and telling the stories of many people - most of whom you will recognize. It was very well done and kept my interest. It also made me realize how fortunate I as to have been in the middle of Iowa - where I was kept naive but happy.

Of Men and Their Mothers by Mameve Medwed

After the last book I read, this one was fluffy and a fast read. There are many humorous parts in it but it is not one of my favorites. Maisie Grey is the main character. She is living with her teen-aged son, Tommy, after divorcing her husband. The husband was easy to get rid of compared to her MIL (mother-in-law). Her life is further complicated with the end of a relationship and the beginning of a new one (who is still living in his late mother's house). She is saddled with a new employee who is fighting for custody of her child. Tommy brings home his girlfriend who is on the outs with her mother. Lots and lots of mothers! Good for a laugh and to pass a few hours.

Exit Music by Ian Rankin (Mystery)

A Russian ex-patriate poet is killed violently. A random act of violence? It's hard to tell, especially when a witness is also murdered. There are a lot of Russian business men in Scotland - is there a connection? It's up to Detective Inspector Rebus to figure it all out and he only has a few days before his mandatory retirement kicks in. Will he make it? Will he survive it all? It's a long book but moves quickly, full of the flavor of Edinburgh.

I like Rebus and am sorry to see this series end. Or will it?

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Ms. Morton is a young Australian writer. I often refer to a book as an 'easy read'. This was not. It is close to 500 pages long but it was worth the read. The book moves back and forth between the 1920's and 1999. The main character is Grace. She is well into her nineties and living out her days in a nursing home. She is approached by a young film director who is making a film about Riverton House and what happened there in 1924. As a young girl, Grace went to work as a servant at Riverton House. Through flashbacks we learn about the household, the way of life that would soon be lost forever (thank goodness - unless you were part of the aristocracy!) and secrets, lots of secrets! I thought the novel was very well written and it kept my interest throughout.
To any of you who are fans of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, you will be intrigued with the first two lines. "Last November I had a nightmare. It was 1924 and I was at Riverton again." Sounds a lot like "Last night I dreamt I went again to Manderley".
I look forward to other books by this author.

The Condition by Jennifer Haigh

In 1976 the McKotch family (Frank, Paulette and their three children-Gwen, Scott and Billy) is on their annual summer vacation on Cape Cod. Frank, who is an eminent scientist, sees his bikini-clad thirteen-year-old Gwen standing next to her cousin Charlotte who is younger. He knows immediately that something is wrong. Gwen has Turner's syndrome - a condition that has prevented her body from maturing.
This is what I read on the book flap. Quick as I am, I assumed the book was going to be about Gwen and her Turner's. And it is - sometimes. But the "Condition" refers to all members of the family and their journey during the next 20 years. I think it is a well-written book and it did keep my interest.
The only down-side for me was that I didn't really like any of the characters and wasn't sad that the book ended.

A Beginning, A Muddle, and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing by Avi J Avi

Good children’s literature often appeals to readers on different levels. Some of the cleverest picture books entertain youngsters with their story but have humor that only a more experienced person would understand.
This is definitely the case with A Beginning, A Muddle, and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing by Avi. Classified as juvenile fiction, and assigned a grade-level appropriateness of 4th through 6th grades, this book is an example of word play and language manipulation at its best – some of which will be lost on readers in the target audience.
My favorite example is when Edward, an ant, is threatened by an anteater. Avon, his snail friend, keeps Edward safe by convincing the anteater that he really is supposed to eat aunts. A much-relieved Edward cries, “ ‘Avon, you’re a genius! It was as if you put a spell upon that creature.’ ‘It just goes to show,’ agreed Avon, ‘that in this world U can make a difference.’”
If you are a lover of language and appreciate the nuances of words, don’t miss this clever new offering. The small format, wide line spacing and only 164 pages make this a quick diversion from weightier “adult” reading, and it’s guaranteed to elicit a bit of a smile, or maybe even an occasional giggle.

Where Did I Leave My Glasses? The What, When, and Why of Normal Memory Loss by Martha Weinman Lear 155.67 Lea

The title of this book grabbed my attention, not because I always forget where I leave my glasses -- they're either on my face or on my bedside table -- but because it scares me sometimes that I do forget so much. So I stepped outside my box and actually read a non-fiction book, and what a good one to try. Lear writes with a conversational style using normal-people vocabulary to make a confusing, mysterious, and not totally scientific subject understandable. Because she's at that age where the memory issue becomes a concern, she can write from personal experience as well, which she does with wit and humor.
What exactly constitutes normal memory loss, I'm not sure. I finished the book yesterday and can't remember a thing about it. But I feel so much better knowing that I'm just normal!

The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry by Kathleen Flinn 641.07 Fli

Kathleen (Kat)Flinn was a thirty-six-year-old American living in London. A relationship with a man she had met through work a few years back has just gone to a different level. There is a hint that he may actually be the one for her. Won't her mother finally be happy!!! She has just returned to London after a vacation with Mike, the guy!, and her family. That was a funny part! Her boss calls to meet Kat for coffee before she goes back to the office. Guess what! She no longer has a job. Okay, maybe this is a sign from above. She can move back to Seattle and work on the relationship with Mike. So she calls him with the news and cautiously suggests she move back. His answer floors her! He doesn't think she should come. He suggests she move to Paris and spend her savings on tuition at Le Cordon Bleu. What a guy! She had mentioned this secret dream to him four years ago....and he remembered. If he isn't the right guy I don't know who is. But it gets better. He says he'll quit his job and come with her - just like that.
So she goes on-line to check and finds it very easy to apply by computer. Three days later she is accepted and school starts in 24 days. This book is the story of her experiences in this prestigious school and of living in Paris. I found the information fascinating. At the end of each chapter is a recipe - none of which I would or could make. This is a quick read and I think it would appeal to lots of people. You will definitely appreciate the next fine meal you have!

Dewey by Vicki Myron 636.8

The sub-title to this book is "The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World". It takes place in Spencer Iowa. One frigid January morning, Vicki Myron thought she heard something as she was about to empty the drop-box. In there she found a small kitten who had been stuffed into the box and managed to survive the arctic temperatures and the falling books. She took him, with his frost-bitten paws, into the library where he stayed for the next nineteen years.
I loved this book. Of course I too work in a library. I too love animals. And I too would love to have a living creature here at work (besides the things the pest man kills). When I first heard that Spencer had a cat in their library, I immediately suggested to Joyce that we should have one also. To say that she wasn't keen on the idea....well, she wasn't at all. I thought we would never have a pet. Then a few summers back it happened. During the summer reading program (the theme was paws, claws, scales and tails), Sally, who was then the children's librarian, brought a cute little beta fish to the library. (It wasn't as dramatic as being stuffed in the drop-box.) We named him Gill. He swam round and round and looked at us with those fish eyes, waiting for his food. (It wasn't as cute as a kitten playing in boxes and chasing balls of paper.) He didn't live to enjoy a birthday party for him at the library (like the big one they threw for Dewey). When he passed we didn't receive any e-mails, cards or visits from people who had fond memories of him and he certainly didn't get his obituary in the paper (Dewey's ran in more than 270). But he was our Beta and we (I use this word very loosely!) still talk about him all these years later. So Gill will never have a book written about him, but at least he has a blog.
Oh yeah, the book I'm supposed to be telling you about. It is heart-warming, sad, funny and will remind people (although I hope they don't need reminding!) how the love and devotion of an animal can touch the hearts of many, many people.
This is also the story of Vicki. So don't think that it is all cute cat stories! She has led her life with courage and determination.
If you read the book, maybe you might want to drop a suggestion on Joyce's desk. hmmm - anyone know where we could get a pot-bellied pig?

Black Out by Lisa Unger

This is a new book and for me, a new author. It's a thriller - but no spies, mob figures or bloody scenes. It's a psychological one. Annie Powers used to be Ophelia March. Her mother caused Ophelia a lot of grief and trauma as a young girl because after divorcing her husband she moved them to Florida and became involved with a convicted murderer. The whole story of what happened there is told in bits and pieces as a flashback. Today Annie is married to a wonderful guy (although her in-laws are not so wonderful) and they have a darling little girl. Annie has tried to deal with her past as best she can, but it still affects her. And lately she has become more afraid and is having more panic attacks. I loved this book. It kept me guessing with the old question - just who can you trust?????

Absolute Certainty by Rose Connors

I listened to this from a Wilbor download, but we also own the book.

This is a murder/legal thriller. Martha is divorced with one teenage son. She works hard as an assistant district attorney. She has successfully prosecuted a man charged with the murder of a 20 year old on the beach the previous memorial day. Within hours of the verdict coming in, there is another murder that looks similar. She begins to have doubts about the true murderer. As she tries to investigate, she is thwarted by people in her own department. Can they all be trusted???? Well, you will just have to read/listen to the book to find out. This was her first novel and it is quite well done.

Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult is a new find for me. I've listened to a few of her books and have yet to be disappointed. I just finished listening to Vanishing Acts, which is about Delia, a woman who finds out her father took her away from her mother when she was 4 years old - she grew up believing that her mother was dead. The bulk of the story is about Delia and Eric, her attorney fiance. Delia has convinced Eric to represent her father Andrew in the kidnapping case. The story goes through 4 different points of view; Delia, Andrew, Eric and Fitz (Delia and Eric's best friend). Each telling their perspective of what is currently happening, with some flashbacks thrown in.

This story was amazing, with a few curve balls thrown in and a couple unexpected turns. Mothers, fathers you should definitely read (or listen to) this book. It was an eye opener.

How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo (Fiction)

Fed up with being single at 38, Julie works out a deal to do research on how single women around the world cope. While she travels the world, her four friends back home (all in various stages of being single) cope with their lives.

This read more like a non-fiction book with a very thin line of story thrown in than a real fiction book. Perhaps because the author (who co-wrote He's Just Not That Into You) traveled the world doing research for the book herself. I found the long pages of explanation about how women in Australia face a "man drought" to be distracting from the story. Or the supposedly impromptu long meetings at French night clubs with single French women to be too didactic for a fiction book. After awhile, it seemed as though the author had done all the research but couldn't quite make it into a non-fiction book so she tried to turn it into fiction.

All in all, it wasn't a complete waste of time (I did finish it) but it wasn't the greatest book I've read lately, either.

Predictably irrational: the hidden forces that shape our decisions

(This is an audio book available as a download from Wilbor)
Think you are a savvy consumer? Think no one can pull the wool over your eyes? Well, think again. One question behavioral economist Dan Ariely asked was how we ever started paying over four dollars for a cup of coffee. I felt very smug - only because I don't drink coffee so that has never been an issue with me. Then he told the story of Amazon and their free shipping policy. Oh yeah - that was me. I want a book but I will have to pay shipping. But wait - if I buy another book, then I qualify for the free shipping. What a deal. Amazon made a killing after they started offering "free"! The book is filled with interesting experiments that were carried out. Many times they used MIT students as the guinea pigs - yikes, if those smart kids act irrationally, what chance do I have?
I enjoyed this book and I will be a better consumer from now on - because I know they are trying to manipulate me.....well I probably will still buy one more book on Amazon to get the free shipping!

The Sister by Poppy Adams

The present-day part of this book takes place from a Friday to a Tuesday. Ginny(age 70) has lived alone in her family's deteriorating mansion for decades - since the death of her mother and the departure of her father. As a young girl, Ginny worked with her father on experiments with moths. She worked on the research for years and was successful. But it wasn't a job that often took her away from the mansion and she gets weirder and weirder as the years pass. Now, out of the blue, her younger (everything is relative!) sister Vivien has written that she is coming to live with Ginnie. Since she has had no contact with her sister for 30+ years and since she likes doing things her own way, Ginnie is not very happy! During the narrative of these five days there are lots of conversations and flashbacks to fill in the story of the past 70 years. It's sort of eerie. There are, of course, the usual family secrets, etc. Author Harlan Coben called this book "lyrical and haunting" - wish I would have thought of that.

Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand

This is the story of three women and one young man. They meet in Nantucket. Josh is a college student working for the summer at the airport. One day three women and two children arrive. Since Josh wants to be a writer he is always attentive to what is going on around him in case he can use it one day in a story. Vicky has been diagnosed with lung cancer and has come back to her family cottage to begin her chemo and spend time with her young son and her baby. Brenda, her sister, is basically looking for a place to hide. She had loved the college setting where she had been teaching for two years. But then she became involved with a student (he is actually older than she is - so it's not exactly what you think) and now she is in big trouble. The third woman is Melanie. She had in vitro seven times. Of course she becomes pregnant in the usual way instead. But right before she found out about her pregnancy, she found out her husband was having an affair. Melanie and Vickie are good friends but Brenda and Vickie don't get along. Oh yeah - I forgot about Josh. He ends up spending the summer with them too. An easy read with likable characters.

A Perfect Mess by Eric Abrahamson (non-fiction)

This is a downloadable audio book that is available through the library's website. Being a messy person I thought this would be the perfect book for me! I doubt that a neatnik would enjoy this book. Abrahamson says that mess is not all that bad! It can help creativity. If it weren't for a messy workspace, penicillin wouldn't have been discovered when it was. Lots of good things have come out of mess. He comes down heavy on people who over-organize. I loved it! He also points out that we messy folk are organized in our own messy way. This book isn't for everyone but the examples he uses kept the book very interesting.

The Dark of the Day by Barbara Parker (MYS)

When the opportunity to host a show on CNN about celebrity murders presents itself, attorney C.J. Dunn is interested. Unfortunately, it means taking on a case she doesn't particularly want to - representing the primary suspect in the disappearance from a party of a young woman. It's a small world in Miami and C.J. knows many of the people connected to the case, from her sometime boyfriend to a United States congressman to the daughter of an old friend of her mother's.

All of Barbara Parker's novels/mysteries are set in Miami. When I read one of her novels, I feel like I've been there. From the heat to the lifestyle to the scenery, it's all there. This one had me guessing until the end - I like that!

In His Sights by Kate Brennan 364.15

Kate Brennan is not the real name of the author. That is because she is being stalked and has been for over a decade. Make fun of people who watch Oprah and Dr. Phil (that would be me!), but we know what the warning signs are when it comes to control freak/stalker personalities! I can understand why a young, young woman might be taken in, but I am surprised that "Kate" who was in her 40's didn't see it. Truly love must be blind! This is a true and very, very scary story. There are no blood or knifings - this is all a psychological game - and it has continued for a dozen years. Her stalker is still at work. It was an interesting book to read. And if you don't know the warning signs, please read it!

Pope Joan by Donna Cross

Pope Joan tells the legend of Joan, a young woman who poses as her brother and makes her way up to the most powerful position in the Catholic Church--Pope. Set in the 800s, Joan grows up in the middle of the Dark Ages where few people know how to read or write and women are seen as mere property and worthless.

Joan, however, strives to be different, at a very young age. Her father is a canon and marries a pagon. As she grows, Joan's mother teaches her about her religion as her father instructs her and her brothers in the Catholic faith. Joan's thirst for knowledge increases as she grows along with her father's anger towards her. When tragedy strikes and Joan's brother is killed, she decides to take his place rather than become someone's prize or slave. Her thirst for knowledge and quick wits keep her alive and her secret hidden until the very end.

The novel itself questions whether Joan actually existed. The author explains in her afterword why she believes this legend, even with the arguments against it. A great historical fiction!

The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley 155.935

The subtitle of this book is "Who survives when disaster strikes - and why" Ms. Ripley takes us through many disasters to look at how people reacted to these situations. When possible she has interviewed survivors who tell how they reacted and sometimes are able to explain why. Besides the human stories in this book, she has also talked to brain specialists, psychologists who deal with traumas and other specialists in the field of disasters. You might pick up some information that saves your life one day. Very interesting book.

A Gift from Brittany by Marjorie Price 944.1 Pri

This isn't a book that would interest everyone, but I loved it. Being a former French teacher I have traveled many times to France and Brittany is one of my favorite areas. This book is a memoir of an American who, in the 1960's, takes off on her own for Paris. She is an artist and felt she had to visit Paris in order to be a "real" artist. She thought she had enough money to last a few months. Instead she met Yves, another painter, and married him. During the next decade she lived in France. They had a daughter, but the marriage didn't work out. All of this is important in the book, but the main theme is the friendship she developed with Jeanne. Jeanne is in her sixties, dresses in the traditional black garb of the region, cannot read or write and has never left the hamlet where she lives. Marjorie and Jeanne could not be any more different from one another. Yet they manage to develop a friendship that deepens over the years and changes both women. The descriptions of the area and the country people were wonderful.

House & Home by Kathleen McCleary

Ellen has been married to Sam for 18 years. Sam is a wonderful guy and a great father - but he is also an inventor. An unsuccessful inventor. She followed him around the country chasing his dreams until they finally landed in Portland Oregon. There they had two girls. Ellen was happy living in one place with her family and running her coffee/antique shop. Sam wasn't happy. He felt he couldn't sit in a cubicle and work for the rest of his life. So they mortgaged their house again so Sam could work on the baby beeper. Then they hit their savings. I bet you know where this is going! As the book begins we find out that Sam and Ellen have separated and the yellow clapboard Cape Cod she has loved has now been sold. The new owner to be has stopped by and Ellen can't stand her! If Ellen can't have the house she surely doesn't want "Jordan" to have it - the only solution is to burn it down.
I thought it was a great book.

Julie & Julia 641.5 Pow

Julie is almost thirty and happily married. She's ready to have a baby but that just isn't happening right now. Her going-nowhere job is not fulfilling. While visiting her mother in Texas she sees a copy of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking on the shelf. Julie comes up with the idea of giving herself the assignment of cooking her way through book - recipe by recipe. (If memory serves me correctly, Martha Stewart also did this!) It doesn't sound like that great of read - but it was! I liked when she described the cooking (killing the lobsters made me cringe- as it did Julie) and it was interesting to read about their New York apartment and shopping in the big city. Not only would I not try to cook these recipes - I wouldn't want to look at them from some of the descriptions in the book!

The Year She Disappeared by Ann Harleman

Nan was 60. She is a widow now and enjoying her life after recovering from the grief of her husband's illness and death. She and her only child, Alex, have had a rocky relationship since Alex was young. But one morning Nan receives an urgent phone call from Alex. Nan changes her plans and goes to her daughter's house. Alex tells Nan that her husband Gabriel has been molesting her daughter, Jane. Alex begs Nan to take Jane the next day and to disappear. The plan is for Alex to go to court and get custody while Jane is safe. Their only communication will be through a personal ad in the local paper. Thinking it will only be for a month or so, Nan reluctantly leaves her life behind and boards a plane with her granddaughter. The book kept my attention but I was never that fond of any of the characters! It's worth the read.

Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell (973 Vow)

Obsessed doesn't begin to describe the author's fascination with presidential assassinations. To satisfy her obsession, she traveled to all the sites she could find that were associated with three presidential assassinations: Lincoln, McKinley, and Garfield. And I mean she traveled everywhere - as far away as the Dry Tortugas to see the fort where Dr. Samuel Mudd was imprisoned for helping John Wilkes Boothe. (Mudd said he was only performing his duties as a doctor. Others disagreed.)

I thought it would be a horribly boring book but it was one that I had to read for a book club. Imagine my surprise to find that I liked it a lot. The author is fairly cynical and has a sarcastic tone to her writing. She realizes how much she is imposing on family and friends (she doesn't drive so has to take them with her to get around) but is unapologetic about her interest in presidential deaths. I enjoyed all the history thrown in as well as all of the coincidences - did you know that Robert Todd Lincoln was connected to all three of these assassinations? Well worth the time spent reading it!

Erased by Marilee Strong 364.152 Str

If you don't like true-crime books you can quit reading right now! I love mystery books but sometimes I like to read about the real cases which are often more bizarre than fiction. Erased is the story of a new type of killer. Actually the type isn't new, just the vocabulary. One of the earliest examples was Chester Gillette. When his factory-working girlfriend became pregnant he made plans to "erase" her. Taking her out on the water for a boat ride (she thought he was probably going to propose), he suddenly hit her with the oars and left her to drown with the boat upturned and his own straw hat floating, as if he too had drowned. (When the police eventually catch up with him he swears that she committed suicide by jumping overboard). His story became famous when it became the inspiration for An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser.
This century's poster boys for eraser killings are Scott Peterson and Mark Hacking. The insight into these men is fascinating. They carefully plan the killings and carry them out with no emotion. In many, many cases the victims are pregnant. Seems these men feel a child doesn't fit in with their own plans.
This is not a gory book - it focuses on the psychological make-up of these killers.

Five Lessons I didn't learn from breast cancer by Shelley Lewis 616.994 LEW

I know - it's another breast cancer book! This one has a different spin on it. Most books in this genre are serious tearjerkers or inspirational stories about the lessons learned from cancer. This one is the opposite. It is written with a lot of humor. Shelly talks about coping strategies while throwing out lines such as "If you honestly think breast cancer is a gift, you can't come to my birthday party". It was an okay book, but if you are looking for insight into the disease and how to help loved ones, we have better ones to choose from.

Without a Backward Glance by Kate Veitch

This is a debut novel - I thought it was terrific and look forward to more by Ms. Veitch. She writes very much in the manner of Pilcher or Binchy. The story begins in Australia where Rosemarie is overwhelmed by her four children and underwhelmed by her husband, Alex. Rosemarie was from post-war England that she found gray, dirty and poor. She was easily taken in by an older man who was going to whisk her away to Australia. Four children later she is missing England terribly. Especially since it is Christmas and she is sweltering in the heat and she is longing for a white Christmas. A car pulls into the driveway and she goes to find out who it is. A few minutes later she comes back in and tells the children she is going to buy some lights for the Christmas tree. And with that she walks out of their lives.
The book takes place in present day and we are introduced to those children - who are by now
into middle-age. The desertion of Rosemarie had, of course, profound impact on them - and we get to read all about it!

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

I'm sure most of you have heard of this book. It's been a best-seller for a while. Randy was a professor at Carnegie Mellon. He was happy with his job, his wife and his kids. Then he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was asked to give a "Last Lecture" - in his case it was literal, but usually it was a lecture given by professors to share what life had taught them. This is not a long book, but it is very powerful. Randy talks about many things that resonated with me. When you begin the book you know what is going to happen, but there are many, many funny and uplifting parts to this book and very few low parts. Sadly, Randy passed away last month. He left one heck of a legacy!

Twnety Wishes by Debbie Macomber

I listened to this book (courtesy of our new downloadable book system -Wilbor), but we do have the actual book here at the library. This is the fourth in a series of books that loosely take place along Blossom Street. This fourth book can easily be read out of order with no confusion. It is the same theme as the other books. Unhappy people (usually through no fault of their own) who eventually turn things around. This book starts with some widows sharing Valentine's Day dinner together. They come up with the idea of - surprise! - twenty wishes. Many seem out of reach and some seem rather silly. They end up embracing the idea of writing their wishes down and ...... well I won't tell you the rest. A nice book that's an easy read!

Cost by Roxana Robinson

Julia Lambert is one of the 'sandwich generation'. As the book opens she is spending the summer in her Maine farmhouse. Her parents are visiting. Her father, a retired neurosurgeon, has always been critical of everyone. Her sweet mother is losing her mind. It isn't going to be an easy visit. She had no idea how bad things were going to get. When her son Steven comes back from his year in the West, Julia finds out that her other son, Jack, is in trouble with drugs. Steven believes that it is a heroin addiction.
Julia will do anything to save him. She enlists the help of her parents, her (remarried) ex-husband, her distant sister and son Steven. The 'cost' of addiction to a family is told in a way that I felt angry and sorry for all of the characters. Well worth reading.

Comfort- A Journey through Grief by Ann Hood

I read "The Knitting Circle" by Ann Hood last year and I enjoyed it immensely. In that book there was a character whose young daughter had died. She begins to knit in an attempt to keep her sanity during those dark days. That character was based on Ann Hood and this book is her personal story. It is a powerful story compacted into a short book. I don't know to whom I should recommend this book. If you have children you probably don't want to read about a mother losing her child. If you've lost a child I doubt you want to relive the pain.
So that leaves me. "Comfort" is well-written. It makes you feel her pain. You won't forget it.

The Art of Keeping Secrets by Patti Callahan Henry

Annabelle Murphy was married to Knox, the love of her life. Together they had two children and a close group of friends. But two years ago Knox was killed in a plane accident and the wreck was never found. It hasn't been easy but she has managed to handle her grief. Then one day she receives a visit from the sheriff. He has come to inform her that when lost hikers were found, the wreckage of the plane was also found. And there is more. He tells her that a body of a female was also found in the plane. Annabelle's whole world has been turned upside down. All of their close friends swear they do not know who the woman could be. Annabelle decides to travel to the town where Knox had stopped to refuel on his trip and look for some explanation of why her husband was with another woman. And that's all I'm going to tell you! I enjoyed reading it and was drawn into the mystery. Check it out!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the White House 973.099 Fun

During this oh-so-long political year, this is a great book to pick up and read when you have some time. Beginning with the election of 1948 (Truman vs. Dewey) through the election of 2004 (Kerry vs. Bush), this book takes on a humorous journey guaranteed to bring many smiles to your face! No political party or candidate is exempt from criticism.
Goldwater said of Humphrey's long-windedness:
"Hubert has been clocked at 275 words a minute, with gusts up to 340."
The award for stating the obvious goes to Quayle, who said:
"A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls."
Just two examples to whet your appetite.

King Corn dvd

This movie is a documentary that was shown on PBS. You will never look at your food the same way and you will be reading more labels. Two young men from the East find out through analysis of hair that they have a lot of corn in them! So they decide to find out more. Incredibly (it's a small world!) they both had great-grandfathers who farmed in the same small town in Iowa. They travel to Iowa and rent an acre to grow their own corn. That is sort of fun to watch. Then they get into feeding cattle (it's not nice what they do) and all of the corn syrup that is used for sweetening - can we say link to obesity and diabetes? This is not a fast-paced movie. There are many funny parts and it is educational - no wonder they say ignorance is bliss.
It is worth 90 minutes of your time.

The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

I loved this books on two levels. First it is a warm fuzzy type book about friendships that last through the decades. I always relate to books like this one and reflect upon my own friendships that have lasted for decades - the unbreakable bonds that survive the natural ups and downs. The second thing I enjoyed was the timing. It starts in the late 60's and there are lots of references to "my" history - Vietnam, the women's movement, the moon landing etc.
Enough about me and on to the book! Five women begin meeting at a park with their young children. The one thing they have in common is their love of books. They form a writers' group. Through the years there are many changes in their attitudes, hopes and homes. Great book.

Names My sisters Call Me by Megan Crane

This book was a fast read and a very enjoyable way to spend a hot Sunday in July. In the book we meet the three sisters - Courtney, Norah and Raine. Norah is the oldest. She is married, a mother and obsessive about keeping her life in order. Raine is the middle sister. After making a scene at Norah's wedding six years ago, she took off with her life-long friend Matt. They headed for California and a hippyish lifestyle. Courtney is the "baby" of the family. Shortly after she was conceived her father left the family and he died before Courtney was born. She is a professional cello player. Oh, did I mention that the "Matt" that Raine took off with was also the first serious (and secret) love of her life? Well, Courtney has accepted the proposal of longtime boyfriend and wants her feuding sisters to come together for her wedding - and that is what the book is all about!

Untraceable (DVD)

The movie Untraceable stars Diane Lane as Special Agent Jennifer Marsh, who works in the FBI's cybercrime unit. Her job is to track down cybercrime and trap criminals at their own game.

Her talents, and those of her colleagues are tested when someone tips them off to a website called "Kill With Me", where viewers can watch someone or something die. The more people 'tune' in, the faster the person in front of the camera dies. Marsh feels a desperate need to track down the killer and bring him to justice before anyone else is made a victim--especially when it appears she's his next target.

This movie has great action and flow. The scenes where the victims are killed are gruesome, however, so avoid if you have a weak stomach. A very timely piece.

Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio tells the story of Evelyn Ryan and her family, told by her daughter. The family of 12 never had much in the way of money or possessions, but they had a mother determined to make their life meaningful. Evelyn entered as many contests as she could, writing jingles, rhymes, and poems to bring in money to feed and clothe her growing household. She won large and small contests, sometimes earning $1 for her writing, sometimes trips and cars, all sold to bring money into their simple lifestyle.

Terry Ryan, Evelyn's sixth child, tells the story of their life growing up with an amazing woman--a woman all the children call their hero for everything she did to make their lives happy. Evelyn, as reported by Ryan, took every situation life threw at her in stride, with confidence and optimism that things would work out. Raising 10 children practically on her own, she struggled and sacrificed to keep their house together. This is the true story of one amazing woman's life, and the impact she made on her children and their community.

A fantastic read. The subject matter seems depressing, but the book is written in love and humor. Many laugh-out-loud moments throughout, especially when reading the limericks, jingles, and rhymes Evelyn came up with to win. This non-fiction reads like fiction.

The Sugar Queen b y Sarah Addison Allen

This is the second book by this author. I liked her first one, Garden Spells. This one also has some weird things that happen to the characters. Josey is 27 and lives a rather depressing life being at the beck and call of her mother. (The mother was the only character I didn't care for - but even she became more human as the book progressed). Josey's escape is the cache of romance novels and candy hidden in her closet. One day she finds a woman hiding in there. Her name is Della Lee and she a local waitress who has fled her life. Della Lee tries to help Josey change her life even though Josey is quite resistant.
In short, this is a book about love, family, friendship and weird happenings.

Madapple by Christina Meldrum (Audiobook)

I recently found a new TEEN audiobook sitting on my desk... someone suggesting that I wanted to listen to it. So, I get disc 1 out, put it in my computer and turn up the volume... The only thing I get out of it was that the family is from Denmark... so I decide that I need to wait, so I can turn the volume up louder and be able to listen more closely.

On my dinner break I take Madapple with me, and crank up the volume. As I'm driving home for break I'm introduced to sisters, Sara and Maren - in 1987. Sara has a daughter named Susanne and is pregnant, and Maren just reveals that she is also pregnant, only 3 or so months behind Sara.

Then the story jumps forward in time to 2007 and there is a courtroom and I'm utterly confused! But I stick with the story, it's got my attention and I want to know what's going on!

The story jumps backward in time to 2003, Maren's daughters name is Aslaug, and they are gathering plants - which you find out as you keep listening/reading that the plants throughout the story are very important all the way through.

To sum things up, Aslaug finds herself alone, her mother has died of cancer... so Aslaug finds her aunt and cousins and lives with them.... but the story gets complicated after that! Aslaug was raised by her mother alone, and they rarely left the house... Now Aslaug is living with her Aunt and cousins in a world she didn't know even existed.

After I was done listening to this book, I found myself sitting in my living room just thinking about Aslaug. This was a wonderful book. There are some "grown up" scenes toward the end of the story, so I would recommend this for older teens to adults. If you don't like books that jump from one time to another and back again, this story isn't for you. It goes back and forth between the "present (2007)" and the "past (2003/4, 2006)".

Mad Kestrel by Misty Massey

Kestrel has had a hard life. Her parents were murdered when she was four, and she has been on the run since then. Having magical Promise in her world ensures a quick trip to the Danisoba--one that you never return from.

But Kestrel has one more talent. Water nullifies magic--all except hers. In order to stay safe, she became a pirate, hiding her secret from the crew and living under the protection of her captain. Until he is arrested for a crime he didn't actually commit. Now with the threat of his hanging over her head, Kestrel embarks on a daring mission that will reveal her abilities to her enemies and her friends. She must try to save the captain and the king without falling victim to those who hunt her for their own reasons.

The ending of this novel wrapped up a bit too quickly, but the story itself was action-packed and well described. An interesting tale of a strong young woman determined to make her own destiny.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Earth has been taken over by aliens who call themselves souls. They take over human bodies (the organism that effects the environment the most) and live out their life in that guise.

Wanderer, one of the most experienced souls, has requested an adult body, almost unheard of in her day. Adults are the more difficult to control, as they have been influenced by outside forces for longer than children. As one of the strongest souls in their society, Wanderer is expected to use her new body to find the hidden pockets of resistance and help make Earth more peaceful.

What no one expects is that Melanie is very much alive in her own body. Shunted off to the side by Wanderer's soul, Melanie clutches on to her very being--unwilling or unable to let go completely. As she and Wanderer spend more time together, however, Wanderer begins to understand the complexities behind human existence. Forced to see the evil nature of her own species through the eyes of the very organisms she has been trained to discard, Wanderer cannot resist Melanie's pull to find her family and help them survive.

Even though this book is primarily science fiction, it has appeal across all genres as it examines what it means to be human. There are definitely some slower parts to the novel--Meyer has written three teen novels--this is her first adult attempt. The examination of what makes us human, and what can still be admired about our own species is a nice change from everyday life.

Lavinia by Ursula Le Guin

Lavinia tells the story of Lavinia, a young woman in the early days of Italy. She is the foretold wife of Aeneas, one of the survivors of the Trojan War. Virgil spoke of her in his epic poem, The Aeneid, but she had no voice.

Le Guin has corrected that error and tells Lavinia's story in her own voice. Lavinia is the daughter of a king, and must choose between a horde of suitors all wanting her lands and her wealth. Lavinia, however, knows there is a foreigner coming for her, one from a distant land. She knows this because she has been visited by someone she calls 'the poet'--Virgil. After speaking with her, Virgil wishes he had corrected his story when he had the chance.

Lavinia's story is a story of love, passion, politics, religion, and the strength of a young woman determined to decide her own fate.

I Am NOT My Breast Cancer by Ruth Peltason 362.196

Everyone should read this book. If you have breast cancer you will relate to the women in this book. If you don't have it yourself, you probably have a friend, a colleague, a neighbor or a relative who has faced this diagnosis.

Peltason writes in her introduction, "My greatest wish for this book is that it offer comfort to any woman living with breast cancer and to those who care about her. If this book is kept on the bedside table, then I hope its need is brief and its impact lasting. I Am Not My Breast Cancer speaks of courage, heroism in deeds small and large, and incredible faith and fortitude." I think this says it all.

Pretty is What Changes by Jessica Queller 362.196 Que

This was a great (if often sad) non-fiction read. Jessica was raised by a mother (Stephanie) who was more interested in material things than in nurturing her two daughters. The daughters are grown up now. Stephanie has battled through breast cancer. Six years later, at the age of fifty-eight, she is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Jessica and Danielle, her sister, devote themselves to their mother during her last two years. During this time Jessica finds out about a test to see if one is a carrier of a BRCA mutation. With this mutation the lifetime risk of breast cancer is up to 87% and a 44% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. This is the story of Jessica's struggle with losing her mother, wrestling with the idea of taking the test and the usual stuff (finding the right guy!). It is a very moving book.

Hold Tight by Harlan Coben

This is the second novel I've read by Coben and it was just as good as the last one! This mystery centers around Tia and Mike Baye and their teenage son, Adam. Teenagers are often moody and distant and now Adam is just like that. Since Adam's best friend committed suicide, they are extremely worried about his state of mind. It gets so bad that they have a spy program put on his computer. A cryptic message received by Adam shakes them up.
Mike (who is a doctor) is also dealing with worry over his next-door neighbor's son who needs a kidney transplant. Lots and lots of things going on. It kept me reading.

Friday Nights by Joanna Trollope

Another good book! (Our library is full of them!) Friendships are so important. The older we get the more we realize our important it is to have relationships with others. Eleanor has retired from a job that took up most of her life. Now she has time to watch out her window. She notices there are two women with kids in her neighborhood who always appear to be alone. One day she confronts the two of them and insists they come to her place Friday night. Eventually this weekly ritual is attended by six women (from the elderly Eleanor to twenty-two year old Jules) plus children. This is the story of their ups and downs and the usual you would expect from a bunch of women. (Can we really be that petty sometimes?) Then a man enters the life of one of the women - that messes up lots of things!

Searching for Paradise in Parker PA by Kris Radish (Audio book)

Addy and Lucky have been married for a long time and Addy has about had it. She is tired of his antics and is very tired of parking her car outside because Lucky has for years been storing his "treasures" in the garage. Addy has daydreamed about driving through the garage door for a while now. One day she returns home after teaching kids all day and sits in the driveway. This will be the day that she steps on the gas. Before she can act, Lucky comes running out to tell her the good news. He has won a sales contest at work and they are going to Costa Rica on a romantic vacation. So she doesn't plow through the garage door. Trying to have a good attitude, Addy tells herself (and her sister and a few close friends) that maybe this will recharge their marriage. Addy never finds out. The day they are to leave Lucky is carrying the suitcases to the car when Addy (in the middle of a shower) hears a blood-curdling scream. She rushes out (towel only!) to find Lucky in excruciating pain. Lucky is taken to the hospital where he must have a serious back surgery.
Too much togetherness leads both Addy and Lucky to search for understanding and support from their friends. Eventually there is a war between the sexes that spreads throughout Parker PA. This is a light-hearted and entertaining audio book.

the day i ate whatever i wanted and other small acts of liberation by Elizabeth Berg

Elizabeth Berg is one of my favorite authors. I was SO excited when I saw that she had a new book out. The writing in this book is as flawless as always. The only problem is - it isn't a novel! It is a book of short stories. I did read the book and I enjoyed many of the stories. But short stories are not my thing. I don't want a good book to end after 500 pages so you can imagine how excited I am when a good story ends in a handful of pages. If you like short stories I'm sure you will like this. If you are a Berg fan like I am you must read it - that's just the way it is when you are a real fan! I hope she's working on a new novel right now!

The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinski

June Parker is leaving a Weight Watchers meeting when she decides to offer a ride to a stranger. Marissa has just received a pin for reaching her goal weight (after losing 100 pounds!) and is walking toward the bus stop on teetering heels. They chat and Marissa tells June about a great soup recipe. She undoes her seatbelt to turn around and grab the recipe from her purse. It was then that a dresser falls off a truck in front of June. In the accident Marissa is killed and June is left with overwhelming guilt. Among the wreckage is a list of Marissa's - "20 things to Do by My 25th Birthday". Eventually June decides to fulfill the wish list in honor of Marissa and in doing so changes her own life. It's a good book. The characters were endearing and the story moves along at a good pace. Maybe we should all have a list. The act of doing so might make us think more deeply about our lives.

No time for Goodbye by Linwood Barclay

At the age of 14, following a fight with her father, Cynthia wakes up one morning to find her entire family gone - mother, father, and brother - with no note or any clue as to where they have gone. Now it's 25 years later and she is married with a daughter but is still unable to leave her past behind her and new clues are resurfacing. Seen through the eyes of her husband, Terry, we wonder with him if his wife is completely sane. Is she making up the clues? Has she known all along what happened to them? And if she is sane, then what happened to her family all those years ago. Some people might figure out part of the story - but not the whole thing! I went along for the ride - and enjoyed this book tremendously.

The Appeal by John Grisham

This is a typical Grisham novel. It was interesting and I generally learn something new. In a year filled with politics maybe I really don't want to think about what might be going on behind closed doors! Of course this IS a novel - it isn't true....I'm sure this sort of thing doesn't happen......
The book opens with a jury bring back a shocking verdict - they have found a chemical company guilty of causing a cancer cluster and given the plaintiff( a young woman who lost her husband and son within 6 months of each other) a verdict of 41 million dollars. The company immediately starts an appeal to the Supreme Court of Mississippi. They want to be sure those 9 justices are on their side..... thus begins the intrigue. I liked this book a lot and you can't figure out who is going to do what. Good guy? Bad guy? - hard to tell in this political arena.

Roommates Wanted by Lisa Jewell

This is not fine literature! It is, however, an entertaining, quirky book! Here is the storyline: Toby has received a big house as a wedding present from his father, who wants to give him his "inheritance" and be done with him. Of course the house is in terrible shape- as is the marriage. Within a month the bride has fled, leaving Toby alone and lonely. So he decides to advertise for roommates - ones who are also down on their luck. He figures they can live in his house until they get their lives together. Toby even makes them write a letter to explain why they should live there. Fifteen years later Toby is finally going to move on with his life. But how can he get rid of the people he meant to shelter for a short while? He tries to solve the problems that brought them to him in the first place. I enjoyed it.

Airman by Eoin Colfer

Conor has always had his eyes on the sky. Being born in a hot air balloon will do that to you. From an early age, he has wanted to fly and be free. It seems he will have that opportunity to discover how to fly.

Then tragedy strikes--he witnesses a murder. Not just any murder--the murder of his king and his mentor. The murderer then locks him away in prison with no one knowing what happened to him. Conor must find a way to conquer the sky and rescue himself and his family from danger that lurks around every corner.

A fascinating read, staged in Ireland around the time of the discovery of flight. Conor is an energetic and determined teen thrown into some harrowing and frustrating circumstances. This book is action-packed!

The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square by Rosina Lippi

Julia fled to Lamb's Corner, Georgia, five years ago following the sudden death of her husband. There she opened a highly successful linen and pajama store. The first time John Dodge sees her, she is wearing pajamas - the "uniform" for all the employees. He has moved to town to revive a store that sells pens and is instantly smitten. Each of them has things they are hiding from which must be resolved before the necessary happy ending. Both the employees of the two stores and other residents of the community figure prominently in the story and give it much of its local flavor.

I like Rosina Lippi's books, whether she's writing as herself (in this case) or as Sara Donati (who writes historical romances). This book was no different - not too much thought involved but characters that were likable and honestly trying to solve their problems.

Losing You by Nicci French

I don't know if I've read anything else by this author (who is actually a husband-and-wife writing duo) but I will check out their other books. Another mystery, another missing child. This time it is a 15-yr.old girl named Charlie. She is supposed to come home from a sleep-over and get packed. Charlie, her brother Jackson, mom Nina and Nina's boyfriend are planning to leave that afternoon for Florida. It's Nina's 40th birthday and she has lots to do. Her old car is giving her problems but she manages to make it home. No Charlie. Nina is not happy that her irresponsible daughter has not packed. Then people start coming to the door. Surprise! It's a birthday party - planned by Charlie. But still no Charlie. You see where this is going, don't you? It read quickly and was interesting. I would recommend it.

Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline

In this typical Scottoline thriller our heroine is Mary diNunzio. As usual she is kept busy with her own family's problems (generally trivial) and those of the south Philly neighborhood (not so trivial). Trish Gambone (one of the Mean girls who tormented Mary in high school) comes to see Mary and ask for help. Her live-in boyfriend (who is in the mob) doesn't treat her well but she is afraid to leave him. (Just to make things interesting he is also an ex-boyfriend of Mary's - small world!) Mary offers to help her with a restraining order but Trish doesn't believe it will help. She storms out - and then she ends up missing!!! I listened to this book on cd and it was narrated by Barbara Rosenblat who always does a great job.

Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark

Clark has written 27 suspense novels and has kept up her high standards. This book is vintage Clark. Lots of red herrings in it so that you don't know whom to trust. My advice - don't trust anyone! Mack was a college senior when went missing ten years ago. All attempts to find him failed. Yet every year he calls on Mother's Day. His younger sister, Carolyn, is now twenty-six and has just finished her clerkship. She is determined to find her brother or at least find out why he has remained hidden all this time. As she begins the quest she tries to uncover all the secrets people seem to be hiding. A quick read.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I don't like fantasy books. I do like books with a little magic in them - after all, that isn't a fantasy. "Garden Spells" is the story of the Waverley family. Everyone in the family has some sort of 'gift'. Claire, the main character, is a caterer. She is quite successful because she uses ingredients from her garden which cause reactions from the people that eat them. (i.e. keeping secrets, making people thoughtful etc.) My favorite character is the cousin, Evanelle. Her gift is that she hands out unexpected 'gifts' to people all over town. They may not need the quarters, the bandage or whatever at that moment - but soon they find themselves in a situation where they are needed. Claire's sister Sydney comes back to the hometown with a daughter. So there is the usual - sisters having problems with things that happened in the past...................
I liked the book a lot!

The View from Mount Joy - audio book

I loved Lorna Landvik's book Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons. When I read the blurb on this book I decided to pass. Then we bought the audio edition. My standards are a little lower on audio books since I have fewer to choose from! Surprise, surprise - I loved it! It begins with a teenager named Joe who moves with his mother to Minneapolis after the death of his father. During high school he has a wild (secret) relation with Kristi (the head cheerleader no less!) and a close friendship with Darva (totally platonic). These women weave in and out of his life. The book covers four decades and I love the way she skips through Joe's life with just enough information that I felt I really knew what had happened to him. Nice guys don't always finish last!

Family Secrets by Judith Henry Wall

This is another book that won't make you any smarter - but it was enjoyable all the same. There are three sisters (who don't always get along), a mysterious letter found in a family Bible after their father's death (seems their paternal grandmother didn't die in childbirth!) and a mother who loves these three but needs to get on with her life (she moves to southern France). The sisters plan a trip to Montana to solve the mystery of granny. Along the way we find out more about their lives and problems. There were a few unexpected twists along the way - but not many.

Identical Strangers by Schein and Bernstein

Lots of children are adopted. Many adoptees have fantasies about their biological families. Many adoptees decide at one point or another to look for information about their births. At the age of 33 Elyse Schein decided to find out information about her birth mother. Originally the only information she received was that her mother was 28 years old and American. Six months later she receives a follow-up letter and finds that she has a twin sister. The rest of the story is told in the alternating voices of Schein and Bernstein. Since this is a true story it is not a match made in heaven at their first meeting. We read about their feelings as they get used to this new relationship. Eventually they begin a search for their mother. It was a fascinating read. I recommend it.

Charley's Web by Joy Fielding

Joy Fielding always does a great job of melding suspense or mystery with characters of substance. Charley (born Charlotte Webb) is a newspaper columnist who writes about provocative things in "Charley's Web". She lives with her two children (both different fathers and no marriages) and tries to keep some contact with her disapproving family. She often receives hateful emails - but one day they reference her children and she is freaked out. Soon after she receives a letter from a young woman who has killed three children and is scheduled to be executed. She wants Charley to write her story and tell more than came out in the trial. Charley accepts the challenge to write this woman's biography. So she is listening to the sick stories of this murderer and trying to make sure that her children are safe. How do you know who to trust? You'll just have to read the book to find out who was really trustworthy!

La Vie en Rose

Marion Cottilard's performance as French singer Edith Piaf is truly remarkable. Whether she did her own singing or just mimed the words is beside the point - she brought this tragic story to life.

Frail from childhood on (my only real complaint is that the actress who portrayed her as a child was far too robust to make the frequent references to her ill health anything but laughable), she never-the-less went on to international fame as a singer and actress. She died in 1963 at the age of 47.

I've always heard of Edith Piaf. I had no idea she was so young when she died or how troubled her life was. The singing was wonderful and the acting even better. Be prepared though - it's subtitled.

The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky

Oh families! There are always secrets, deceptions and misunderstandings. Everyone lies and sometimes it is for a good reason - or so we think. In this book Deborah lies for her daughter. After a car accident in which a pedestrian (in this case her daughter's teacher) is injured, Deborah phrases her statements to the police so they assume that she, not her 16 year old daughter, was driving. It appears the victim has nothing more severe than a broken leg but by the next day he is dead. Ah, the plot thickens. Of course there are also many sub-plots going on. It was an easy, fast read and I enjoyed it.

Sight by Adrienne Maria Vrettos

Dylan has a big secret. She can see things happen. Most of the time, she tries to hide her sight--and hide from it. But sometimes...she sees dead children. And only after they're dead.

The first time it happened, she was five years old, and her classmate, Clarence, was missing. She saw him--saw where he was buried. But she didn't tell anyone, not until after they found the body. After that, she went to the police whenever she got a vision.

Things are changing now. The man that killed Clarence, the man they called the Drifter, is back, and killing children again. If Dylan can force herself to see what happens before another child dies, she might be able to catch him. But secrets have a way of coming out. And life is not always what it seems in her little town.

Live Free or Die Hard

Die Hard fans will not be disappointed with this action-packed movie. The action starts at the beginning and keeps getting better as the movie goes forward. Caught in the worse computer attack the country has ever seen, McClane has to deliver a computer hacker to the FBI--but on the way, he gets thrown into the crossfire.

The terrorists, who are American citizens and in no way attached to anyone outside of the US, shut down the FBI, utilities, and street lights/cameras. This doesn't stop McClane, who uses his usual tactics and flare for sarcasm to find the bad guys and win the day. This time his partner is Matt Farrell, who understands and can counter everything the terrorists are doing--when he's close to a computer, that is. McClane's daughter Lucy also makes an appearance in this movie--she's kidnapped. But she shows the same attitude her father has when push comes to shove. A fantastic movie!

Based on the article "A Farewell to Arms" by John Carlin

And Sometimes Why by Rebecca Johnson

I am always on the lookout for books by authors I know and enjoy. When I read a book by an unfamiliar author it is a book that I picked up because the title or the cover caught my eye. I thought this book was good and looked forward to checking to see if we had other books by Johnson. Unfortunately (for me) this is a debut novel. Johnson writes for magazines but I hope to see more books by this talented writer.
We all make choices and decisions every day without much thought. Only if tragedy strikes do we agonize over those choices. What if????? Why didn't I.......? Sophia and Darius have two teen daughters and they bought a car for them to share. Of course they both need/want the car on the same day. The argument is settled and daughter Helen takes a bus to go meet her boyfriend (that her parents know nothing about) and break up with him. When he asks for one last time together she reluctantly climbs on the back of his motorcycle to go to his place. They are involved in a terrible crash. Helen ends up in the hospital's ICU with brain trauma and in a coma. This is the story of how people are affected and how they react to this situation. I stayed up to 1 a.m. to finish it and I thought it was worth it!

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

This will be a very short blog. In my opinion Jodi Picoult is one of the best authors alive. Her books are well-written, keep you intrigued and even make you think about some social issues. If you are a loyal reader of Picoult's books you will not be disappointed in this one. If you have never read one of her books come to the library and pick one out - they are all winners.

7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

The last book by James Patterson (and sidekick) was awful in my opinion. This one was great I'm happy to say. I think that all of the women's murder club books have been well written and fun to read. This one was just as entertaining as the first one. The case this time is about murder and arson. Two seemingly well-bred young men are using clever cons to get into the luxury homes of the well-to-do. The couples are tied up and eventually die in the set fires. The only clues are books left at the scene that contain phases in Latin. Of course in the background of the crimes there is the on-going romance of Lindsay. If you are into this series keep on reading - you won't be disappointed.

Stolen in the Night by Patricia MacDonald (audio book)

This is a book for lovers of mystery or suspense. It isn't gory either! MacDonald tells the story of Tess who at the age of nine witnesses her younger sister being pulled out of their camping tent in the middle of the night. Jake, the brother, was supposed to be with them - but he left to go have fun in town. Tess gives an explicit description of the intruder which leads to the arrest of Lazarus who is charged with sexual assault and murder. Lazarus is executed for the crime although he maintains his innocence to the end. His mother believes him. Twenty years later she is able to have a DNA test done. The results show that Lazarus was not guilty. Now Tess must try to find out if she was really wrong that night or if there is another explanation.
The book was well-read and kept me interested and intrigued until the end. Of course there is a touch of romance in the book too! I would recommend this recording. It lasts 11 hours and 19 minutes (in case you are planning a car trip!).

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

I recently traveled to Kentucky to visit my best friend. Someone had loaned her this book but she hadn't had time to read it. So naturally I picked it up and started reading. If you liked the movie "Beaches" you will like this book - in fact you will be struck by the similarities between the two. But who cares? Two girls meet and become friends. They declare that they will be friends for ever and ever. They are separated physically but keep in touch through letters and phone calls. They grow up and eventually head down different paths - one with a huge career and one with a husband and kids. They have their ups and downs - and then a big down. It's a tear-jerker at the end. Another book about the power and bonds of girlfriends. I love that theme!!!!

Four Wives by Wendy Walker

This is a first novel by Wendy Walker but I'm sure that it won't be her last. The idea of the book is certainly not a new one as you can probably guess from the title. We are introduced to the suburban women and their families - and of course to their secrets that they hide from one another and sometimes from themselves. Most of the secrets are ones that you might guess would be uncovered. Despite the somewhat predictable format of the book, I really liked it. It was well- written and I quickly began to care about the characters and what would happen to them. As we all know deep down, the grass is not always that green in the rich suburbs.

Light of the Moon by Luanne Rice

OK, this novel was completely predictable. I knew after about the first ten pages how it was going to turn out. But I read it and enjoyed it anyway!

Anthropologist Susannah Connolly travels to the south of France to fulfill her mother's dying wish that she see the white horses of the French Carmargue. Once there, she meets an expatriate American, who now owns a ranch, and his troubled young daughter. Susannah becomes involved both in the life of the village and the life of the rancher and his daughter - and romance, with all its complications, ensues.

I like any book that takes me to a part of the world I've never heard of and leaves me with the desire to go there. This book did just that, describing life among the Gypsies who live in this region, the beauty of the horses on the beach, and the wonderful "light of the moon". I enjoyed reading, in spite of the predictability!

My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult

I would like to start this out by telling you that I typically read fantasy and science fiction books, so this book was way out of my norm. With that said this book was AMAZING! With the books I usually read, it is easy to root for one side or the other, but with this book the topic is so controversial I couldn't decide what was right, what was wrong or even what I would do if I was in that situation!

Sarah and Brian have 2 children, Jesse and Kate. At a very young age Kate is diagnosed with a rare type of leukemia, and the best way (and safest way) for her to survive is for a sibling that is an exact genetic match to give her blood. After testing Jesse to find that he isn't a match, they have Anna - but before that they have fancy tests done to make sure that Anna will be a genetic match.

Now, 13 years later, Kate needs a kidney transplant, and Anna files a lawsuit against her parents for the right to decide if she wants to donate her own organs (or not)... She has already donated many things (blood cells, bone marrow etc etc).

This story is told in the perspective of all the characters... Anna, Cambell (Anna's Lawyer), Julia (the court-appointed guardian ad litem), Jesse, Sarah and Brian.

I recommend this book to everyone - no matter if you read fantasy, mystery, western or anything in between! This is most definitely the BEST book I have read (actually I listened to it) in a very long time! So if you are searching for something to read, this is your book!

The Woods by Harlan Coben

This is the first book I have read by Coben but it won't be my last. I had read a write-up about this book last year but didn't get around to checking it out until now. Twenty years ago four teens left their summer camp and went into the woods. Later two bodies were found murdered but there was never a trace of the other bodies, only some clothing with blood on them. Throughout the book we see how this crime affected the families of those teens. When a homicide victim shows up at the morgue he has evidence on him that leads to the brother of one of the victims. Thus the case is reopened. It was an easy read and kept my interest from beginning to end. It's a mystery without the blood and gore. I'll be checking out other books by this author.

The Gift by Richard Paul Evans

Evans always writes feel-good stories that make wonderful tv movies! This short book is no exception. There is tragedy, romance, hope, faith and love. What made this one a little different is that the idea came from an incident that happened during the author's childhood. It involves "the gift" - the ability to heal. In the real event it was Evans' grandfather who had it. In the book the ability belongs to a young boy. Healing is not always about physical things - it can also be emotional. We see both of these in this book. Maybe you will stop and think about which is the most powerful.

Catching Genius by Kristy Kiernan

What caught my eye about this book was the reference on the front about readers of Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve liking this book. Since those are two of my favorite authors I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did. The story revolves around two sisters. Most of the story takes place in the present with trips back to the past. The older of the sisters was found to be a math prodigy and from that point on she was basically separated from her younger sister. This is the type of book I love because it focuses on relationships. It also reminds us that we do not always share the same memories as our sibling(s) even though we lived through the same things.

If I Pay Thee Not in Gold by Piers Anthony and Mercedes Lackey

Mazonia is a country completely opposite ours. The women have all the power, and men are mere slaves. You see, women can conjure, and men cannot. So that gives women more power.

Xylina is a young Mazonian, about to do her trial to see if she's fit to be a full citizen. Her trial consists of fighting unarmed an unarmed man. If she succeeds, she has the right to be a full citizen in the Mazonian society.

But Xylina doesn't really care. Her mother is gone and a curse is upon her head to bring harm to any who care for her. And after she becomes a citizen, it certainly seems the curse is in full force. Or is there someone behind the curse, threatened by the ease in which Xylina can conjure?

An interesting tale with twists throughout from two great fantasy authors. Xylina is an engaging and emphathetic character.

The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller

If you have ever read anything by Sue Miller you know that she is an excellent writer and this book is no exception. In this story we meet two couples who live in a double house. Meri and Nathan are newly married and new to the town. Delia, the wife of a former senator, lives next door. We find out about their past lives and secrets as the story unfolds. A tragedy turns into happiness for Delia but eventually ruins relationships. A fascinating story.

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

A non-fiction book, this is the story of Kelly Corrigan. She is a young woman having a wonderful life. She is married to a wonderful guy and together they have two young girls. She is a wife and mother - but she is still very drawn to her role as George Corrigan's daughter. When Kelly discovers a lump and faces an uphill battle against cancer she knows that her dad will support her. And he does - but he also has a recurrence of cancer and begins his own battle. This sounds like a depressing book but it really isn't. Her story is well-told with many touches of humor and is very uplifting. I liked it a lot.

Wizard's Daughter by Catherine Coulter

Wizard's Daughter begins with Nicholas Vail, a newly titled earl who goes to London to seek out a specific young woman. Why he does this, he is unsure--he just knows he has to meet her. And she turns out to be Rosalind de La Fontaine, a beautiful 18-year old who has no real idea who she is. Found beaten and bloody when she was quite young, the only thing she remembered was the bit to a song.

Nicholas and Rosalind quickly marry and return to Nicholas' house, where all sorts of things begin to happen. There's a ghost living in the library. Books appear, books that only Rosalind can read. And a nagging sense that Rosalind is not her real name--and her history is tied up with mysterious tales of the Pale.

An engrossing read, although the ending was added a little too easily. The novel is long, and some of the details are confusing, but the overall story is engaging.

Some Day My Prince Will Come, by Jerramy Fine

Wow!!! What a terrific read! I Looooved it! It is well written, entertaining, inspiring, and amusing. The book is a memoir of a woman who grew up with hippie parents in a small western Colorado town (which is a hoot and a holler in of itself) and at a young age insisted she was really a princess, and not in a hippie "be yourself" kind of way - but in a "you're not my dressing woman" to her mother kind of way. So from a young age she plots and plans to bring her goal of becoming a princess a reality. At times bittersweet, this book is so much more than an Anglophile's dream. It's a book of setting goals, unbelievable determination, and the importance of always having dreams. It is also a great window into the aristocratic lifestyles of twenty somethings in England with a bit of Bridget Jones thrown in. I could go on and on ... but pick up the book, trust me, you won't be able to put it down!!

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

I don't usually read non-fiction but I was looking forward to reading this one because I've heard so much about it. I really think the cause is great and support it wholeheartedly. I wanted to be immersed in the book...but just couldn't get into it. Not the fault of the book or the author, at all. What I read I enjoyed but after carrying it from one place to the other in my house for two weeks, I finally gave up - and moved on to the new book by Jan Karon.

We Carry Each Other

This is a non-fiction book that is a type of how-to book. It isn't a fun how-to book. This book will help you feel more comfortable in uncomfortable situations. What do you say to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one? Harder still is what to say to someone who is terminally ill. You are not going to get canned lines to whip out in these situations. You are going to get some insight into what might help. There are many stories of people on both sides of these situations. The inspiring stories of how people helped their friends and families through tough times might help you the next time you are faced with the situation.
A quote from the back of the book - "Don't wait to read this book because you never know when life will expect you to show up and get into action".

My Life with George by Judith Summers

Are you a pet-lover? Does your pet walk all over you? Would you do anything for your pet? If you answered "yes" to these questions you have competition! This non-fiction book tells the story of a woman whose life changes abruptly when her husband dies, leaving her with a young son to raise and a very dark lonely house to come home to at night. The answer is obvious. They need a dog. First they go to look - they aren't going to get one that day. Of course they do. The mom goes through a few basic rules before they get home. The dog will not get on the furniture and the dog will not sleep in the bed. Of course he does. Being a very bad disciplinarian myself I completely sympathize with her. If you are not a pet-lover don't read this book! You will not be convinced that this type of thing goes on in the world.
I loved the book - four paws up!

Boy Toy by Barry Lyga

Josh feels like an outcast in his small town. At eighteen, he's still suffering with the aftermath of being molested by his seventh-grade teacher when he was twelve, and it hasn't gotten any easier with time. Even though his name was never released during the course of her trial, everyone knows about his past.

During that same time five years before, Josh hurt one of his closest friends, Rachel. Now Rachel is forcing him to confront what he did to her and what happened to him all those years ago. But can Josh come to terms with what happened and move on?

This is a powerful story of the aftermath of child molestation, told from the victim's viewpoint. An emotional read.

Confessor by Terry Goodkind

Confessor is the last book in the epic Sword of Truth series. Once again, we join Richard and Kahlan as the world seems lost to evil. Both struggle with their own problems--Kahlan still not knowing who she is, and Richard desperate to find both her and a solution to everyone's problem--the Fellowship of the Order.

But other things threaten the good of all. With the Boxes of Orden in play once again, Richard strives to find a solution that will keep the world out of the Keeper's clutches--and out of despair. This final book is a climatic end to the story which began so long ago with Wizard's First Rule--with the final and most important wizard's rule of them all.

A masterful story that pulls elements from the other 10 novels in the series. The story begins with Wizard's First Rule.

Phantom by Terry Goodkind

Phantom, the sequel to Chainfire, and the second-to-last book of the Sword of Truth series takes off from where Chainfire ended. Goodkind has once again weaved magic throughout a world torn apart by strife.

As the final battle between those who believe the world is nothing but worthless and those who believe their lives are their own to live approaches, Richard must find a way to keep hope alive for all who follow him with faith in his abilities. Unknown players strike without warning, however, and he is lost to the cause once again. As he struggles to find Kahlan and anyone who might remember her, he is reminded time and time again that the world as they know it is coming to an end--unless he can stop it.

Phantom is a powerfully moving story that continues the Richard and Kahlan saga. To understand the entire story, one should begin with Wizard's First Rule.

My Name is Anne, She Said, Anne Frank by Jacqueline van Maarsen

If you like non-fiction try this one. We all know the story of Anne Frank but this one is from a different perspective. This is written by a friend of Anne's. Jacqueline tells about her parents and their background before introducing Anne into the story. Jacqueline was surprised to learn one day that her friend was gone. A letter was left behind saying that she and her family had gone to Switzerland. Jacqueline had no reason to believe that wasn't true and looked forward to seeing her friend again after the war. It was Anne's father Otto who broke the news to her. In the meantime we learn about life in Amsterdam during the war. If you like this genre I think you will find this interesting.

The Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney

This is the newest book by Monica McInerney (see post about The Alphabet Sisters below). As with that one, this is a story about families and how they relate to one another. In this one, the five Faraday sisters have kept telling a lie for 20 years - to protect each other, to protect their father, and to protect their beloved niece. When the truth comes out, the solution involves more lies which brings up the question - when do lies hurt and when are they good? Not necessarily a nice, tidy ending but one that fit the characters...and the lies.

Organize Your Life 650.11 Eis

If my friends knew that I had checked out a book with this title, they would assume that it was a fiction book. It isn't. We have lots of books at the Library that deal with de-cluttering and organizational tips and tools. I have several of these books at home. (I may not be able to put my hands on them right away but I do own some) Organizational books are one of my favorite genre of books. Why are there so many of them? My theory is this - there are the people who are natural born neat freaks. They cannot for the life of them imagine why someone would need a book to tell them to make their bed or put something back when you are finished with it or to get rid of clothes that haven't fit for 10 years or....... you get the point. Then there are the people like me. We think that the next trip to the container store or the next book (in this case) will be the answer to our dysfunction. It never really works which is why we always read the next book. This book is more up-to-date because it addresses the age of electronics. Everything else is what you would expect - make your bed, put things back when you are finished, get rid of clothes that haven't fit for 10 years.................... I haven't made any changes at home yet----------- maybe tomorrow I'll start. In the meantime I will continue to keep my eyes open for the next organizing book.

The Alphabet Sisters

This is an earlier book by Monica McInerney who wrote the book The Faraday Girls. As in her new book, this one is filled with the relationships between family members. In this book we are introduced to three adult sisters who have not spoken to one another in years. Their parents accept the situation but their paternal grandmother wants to put an end to the estrangement. Grannie uses her 80th birthday as an excuse to guilt everyone into coming together again. I'm sure that you can already guess the ending - but how they get there is the real story. If you are looking for sex, violence and suspense....well look somewhere else. If you like Maeve Binchy and Rosamund Pilcher-type books you will enjoy this one.