David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

David is the reason I haven't read much else in the past few weeks. Had I known how long the book is, I probably would have found an excuse to not read it, but in many ways I'm glad I made the effort. I signed up for a 4-week class on DC when I realized I'd never really read anything by Dickens. How did I get through high school and college and manage to avoid Tale of Two Cities? Anyway, the class was outstanding, and I'm glad I plowed (and skimmed) my way through David Copperfield. I didn't realize that there would be humor in the book, and I enjoyed that part. And Dickens does create some wonderful characters and brings them to life. - June

Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante

Sometimes when I'm reading a book - especially if I'm reading it right before I go to sleep - I dream about it. This happened to me one night after reading Turn of Mind. The book is similar in some ways to Still Alice where there is a successful woman who develops Alzheimer's, and we see the devastating effects this disease brings to her. Both books are written from the patient's (Jennifer, in this case)point of view which makes it seem even more "real" than if another person were just telling her story. Of course, in my dream I had dementia. I couldn't remember my address or my phone number. I can't tell you the relief I felt when I woke up and realized that although my memory certainly isn't what it once was, I do remember the essentials. Back to the book. The twist is that Jennifer's best friend has been murdered, and for various reasons, the police believe that Jennifer did it. However, she doesn't seem to remember things she's done recently, and she's unable to help in solving the mystery. It's hard to say that you enjoy a book about this topic, yet this book certainly held my interest, and it's very well written. I highly recommend it.

Lottery by Patricia Wood

I'm in a it of a rut. After reading Room, I started in on David Copperfield. When I needed a break from that, I read Lottery. All of these have narrators who are children (or child-like) and there are definite similarities in the tone. So I need to read something else to break our of this pattern. That said, I enjoyed Lottery very much. Perry is such a likeable character, and although he is "slow", he sees the truth and is somehow wise and lovable. I've heard him compared to Forest Gump, and I see the similarities. Perry has some wonderful friends and some nasty relatives, and all of them show their true colors when Perry wins the lottery. While the ending is a bit of a fairy tell ending, the book is still a great read. -June

Room by Emma Donoghue

A haunting book. When I put it down, I couldn't stop thinking about it and felt I had to finish it. BT recommended this one (along with several other friends) so I suggested it for a book club selection. I've already heard that a couple of members didn't like it, so it will certainly make an interesting discussion. While there were times in the book I just wanted it to move a bit faster, overall I thought it was a great read. I'm always impressed with the creativity an author has who writes a story from a different perspective - in this case from the mind of a 5-year-old boy. The book would have been entirely different had the story been told by the mother or a narrator. The first half of the book is all about the daily lives of Ma and Jack who are being held captive in a room by a crazy man. Part two is all about how they adjust to the real world once they escape. Both parts are fascinating and well written. Highly recommend this one. - June

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

It's interesting to read reviews on this one. It's a book you either love or hate. If you like books with lots of action and plot twists, avoid this book. If you are into quiet characters who live quiet but somehow interesting lives, give it a try. Major Pettigrew is a lovely old gent who lives in a small town in England. He has a quick wit, a pompous son, and an interest in the Middle Eastern woman who runs the small store in his village. I adored his sense of humor and would have read it just for that. It needs to be read with a cup of tea. -June

The All of It by Jeannette Haien

When Ann Patchett spoke at my local bookstore, she talked about discovering this little book. I think she found it in a used book store, and after reading it, was instrumental in getting it back in print. At any rate, it's very well written and has an interesting story. A priest hears the "confession" of a woman after her "husband" dies. All the secrets come one - except one which we can imagine any way we wish. But the priest's attraction to the woman is where the book gets to me. As a non-Catholic I just think the celibacy thing is so silly. But I still recommend the book and in many ways understand why Ann Patchett recommended it so highly. - June

Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan

Imagine working at a Red Lobster on a snowy night. And imagine that this is the last night you'll work there because the restaurant is closing. That's the story line of this book.... one day in the life of the manager of the soon-to-be defunct Red Lobster. This short little book is incredibly detailed and well-written. Obviously, the author shadowed someone who works at Red Lobster because he knew the ins and outs of what's done there. But the characters are what make the book. Manny is the manager who's a hard-working but flawed guy, and his cast of cooks, waitresses, and customers make this book a gem. Loved it. - June

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

Dear Amazon,
You think you know me but your don't. You always have some recommendations for me, and yes, sometimes you are correct with your choices, but not this time. You kept recommending Still Missing to me and I believed you. I also believed all the 5-star reviews. And I thought you'd made a good choice for me at the beginning of this book. The first half of the book follows Annie as she is abducted by a crazy, scary guy and help captive in a remote cabin while he rapes and beats her. OK, this normally isn't the kind of stuff I read, but it was suspenseful and I wanted to know how she got out. But then once she's free, the book just fell apart for me. The entire second half is all about Annie re-entering her "normal" life which turns out to be anything but normal. And she's trying to solve the mystery surrounding her abduction. When we find out this mystery, it is just too unbelievable to even understand. So, Amazon, keep recommending those books, but I'll be more cautious next time. -June

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

A few months ago, Ann Patchett spoke at our local bookstore. Not surprisingly, there was standing room only. She was charming, articulate, funny, and very honest. It was a surprise to hear her say that she hated to write. Yet she is obviously a favorite for so many - including me. State of Wonder is a marvelous story taking us to the Amazon and introducing several fascinating characters. Marina works for a pharmaceutical company and is sent there to find out why one of her co-workers died and to find out the progress of the drug being researched there. It's hard to put this one down. -June

The Coffins of Little Hope by Timothy Schaffert

Recently, I listened to Nancy Pearl being interviewed on the radio, and this is one of the books she recommended. It's a wonderful little book that has some characters you want to know. The main character, Essie, is an elderly lady who is opinionated and spunky. Her relationships and conversations with her grandson and her great-granddaughter and some of my favorite parts of the book. There's a bit of a mystery going on in Essie's town. A woman claims her daughter is missing, yet no one has ever seen the little girl. The mystery is never completely resolved, but you end up understanding what Essie thinks about it, and that's enough. Recommend it. -June

to be sung underwater by Tom McNeal

I can't explain why, but I became obsessed with this book. I couldn't put it down. The characters were complex and fascinating, and I just had to find out what happened to them. Most of the book uses the technique where the author moves between the current time and the time when Judith was a young girl. Because so much of what's happening now is based on what happened in the past, this really works. And the book asks the question..... Do we ever really forget that first real love? Could you ever really get over Willy? This is a great book, and I highly recommend it.

The Seamstress: A Memoir of Survival by Sara Tuvel Bernstein & others

I'm through with WWII books for a few months. It seems like my book club has picked several of them, and although I find them fascinating, books like this one just haunt me. Sara Bernstein was a holocaust survivor having spent months in concentration camps. Most of the women with her died, but she managed to stay alive - although she was certainly close to death when the war ended and she was saved. The first half of the book focuses on her family and her life leading up to the war. But it's the second half that blows you away. It is graphic in it's detail, and there were actually times when I would have to put it down because I felt physically ill from reading it. It reminded me at time of Unbroken - both excellent reads. -June

The Cradle by Patrick Somerville

I read a review of this book in the newspaper months ago, and the plot sounded intriguing. So I wrote the name down and forgot about it. I found the note recently, ordered the book, and I loved it. The main character, Matt, goes on a road trip to find his pregnant wife's cradle, and along the way he uncovers all kinds of family secrets. At the same time, we meet Renee who is struggling with her son leaving to fight in the war. These stories merge only at the very end of the book. Highly recommend. Loved the writing. -June

The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

I read "The Almost Moon" by Sebold (author of The Lovely Bones and Lucky) and OMG! Starts out with the protagonist saying "When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily." Someone else wrote, "With fierce intelligence and emotional intensity, Alice Sebold brings us a searing portrait of a mother-daughter bond that descends into murder." hmmmmm It is excellent, I think, but I was thoroughly entranced with her style in the other two novels. - BT

The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakha

Just finished "The Crying Tree" and highly recommend it. It's about a family disrupted by the violent shooting death of their 15 year old son, the next 19 years leading to the "warrant" (didn't know it was called that) ordering the shooter's execution by lethal injection; the moral dilemma of the warden, the hatred and bitterness of the family, secrets and forgiveness--some excellent observations on the penal system, etc. It's the author's debut novel and well worth the read. The author of The Art of Racing in the Rain writes "Beautifully written, expertly crafted, forcefully rendered. The Crying Tree is a story of forgiveness and redemption but at its core it is a love story as well and that is the most powerful story of all." -BT

Helen of Pasadena by Lian Dolan

I wanted to love this book. I feel like the author is someone I know personally; however, we've never met. Lian (my personal friend) is one of the Satellite Sisters who had a marvelous radio show for years. I would try to listen to them whenever I could, and now that I'm able to download their podcasts, I rarely miss one. The sisters are all smart, funny, and interesting. I've also been listening to Lian's Chaos Chronicles podcasts and I've enjoyed hearing about her parenting, her work, and her writing. This is her first novel, and..... I really wanted to love it. We all have types of books that we gravitate to, and "chick lit" - however you define it - is not necessarily my thing. So while I enjoyed parts of the book, it's enough of a chick lit kind of book that I just couldn't adore it. There were some interesting characters, but too many were just over-the-top, full-of-themselves kind of people. (Remind me never to move to Pasadena!) And my biggest complaint.... the plot is predictable. I really wanted Helen to NOT fall in love and end up with the handsome archeologist and find her way on her own. That being said, Lian has a wonderful sense of humor and that comes across in the book just like it does in her podcasts. The book has received rave reviews elsewhere, so it's definitely found an audience, and I'm sure there were be more books on the way. -June

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Just a fascinating book following the history of HeLa cells and how the donor's family was impacted by it all. The author conducted massive amounts of interviews and extensive research in the writing of this book. So many ethical questions were raised. I'm looking forward to the discussion at my book group on this one. And some of the real-life characters in the book..... well, let's just say they are real unique characters. -June

Paris Wife by Paula McClain.

Historical fiction narrated by Hemingway's first wife. Fascinating. I want to read his books again after reading it. -DS

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

I'm a little behind in my reading.... obviously. This was the "book of the moment" about 3 years ago, but I'm finally getting around to reading it. And I picked it up reluctantly. Several friends swore it was one of the best books they'd ever read, while others said they didn't like it at all. As for me... I loved it. It's beautifully written, and the characters are very well developed. And the dogs!! Loved all the dogs references! Yes, the ending is hard to read, but it truly does follow the Hamlet storyline, so you know it will end tragically. But it's definitely a book that I'll remember for a long time. -June

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

I never realized how much I didn't know about Cleopatra!! Was I sleeping when we learned about her in school? Maybe she wasn't covered in my Western Civilization class, or if she was, we certainly didn't learn about all her love interests. I'm sure I would have remembered that! This was a book on my book club list, and although I learned a great deal, I didn't enjoy reading the book. I felt like it was a textbook and not something I'd choose for enjoyment. The authors style is to include as many long, difficult words as possible, and I felt that there was too much detail given when a nice summary would be just fine. -June

Friend of the Family by Lauren Grodstein

I do believe this was recommended by Sister BT, and I think she found a good read here. There are many secrets kept from the reader as the narrator weaves his story. The plot revolves around the narrator and his family and the family of his best friend. As the book jumps around in time, we realize that the main character is in trouble, and we're left to try to understand why. It's very well written, and the story-line keeps you reading. I will admit that I was somewhat let down by the ending. I wanted answers to all the questions even if I didn't like them. I'm OK with the fact that the relationship with his son was shattered, but the accusations made against him were never cleared, and I wanted that resolved. - June

The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

I'm a sucker for books about friends. The Wednesday Sisters are 5 friends who meet in a park where their children play. They soon are helping each other with their writing talents and even more than that, they are helping each other through life's challenges (breast cancer, infertility, infidelity etc). The book is somewhat predictable and there are a few gaps in the story, but for the most part, I enjoyed the book because I liked the characters. The author uses the time period (late 60's and early 70's) to add to the plot... the characters are all struggling with their roles as women at that time. Liked it. -June

Finished The Wednesday Sisters and enjoyed it, although the author should not try to write in the vernacular because it was annoying instead of clever and it made me sorry every time Kath said anything -- you can understand the personal edge. A lot of it was contrived -- but still, an enjoyable read and I liked thinking about writing all the way through. I thought my novel would begin "The other seven called us 'The Great Eight' while I referred to us as 'The Crazy 8.' But then their nicknames were June, Ginger, Carit, Janit, Tillie, Duba and SueC. Mine was Turd." -BT

And I also read Wednesday Sisters. I thought they were just a bunch of Great 8 Wannabes...who were pathetically short of being anywhere near as cool as us. Some good parts, though, and I enjoyed reading it. Most of all, I'm glad it inspired you to write, Busturd. I can't wait for that end product...and you MUST begin it like you said.- Carit

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

This was a book club choice, and one that I was very anxious to read. It's the story of Louis Zamperini.... his wild youth, his success with running track, and his military experiences during WWII. The book has received great reviews, and I did really like it.... but I'm just now sure I liked Louie all that much. However, the torture and tragedies he lives through are beyond belief. Although his experiences in the POW camps was difficult to read, the part of the book that had me glued to the words was the part where he spent 40-some days on a raft in the Pacific Ocean with no food or water. Just remarkable that he survived. War is truly hell. -June

Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman

The book takes place in a tiny North Dakota town in the months preceding a giant blizzard. We're introduced to 3 characters: Mitch, a high-school boy; Julia, a high-school teacher; and Horace, an elderly widower. We never hear about these characters interacting. Instead, the book devotes chapters to each character and that is how we follow their lives during this time. As I read it, I kept waiting for something... anything... to actually happen. And when it does, the book ends. While I thought the characters were well developed and interesting, the book was just OK. -June

Acedia & me, A Marriage, Monks and A Writer's Life by Kathleen Norris

I'd never heard of Acedia, so when this book appeared on my book club list, I bought it and dove in. However, this book reads like a term paper. Obviously, the author did some research, and she seemed determine to quote every writer who had ever written anything about the subject. Despite all the research, it was hard to know what acedia really is. The parts of the book that describes her life are mildly interesting, but the rest was torture for me. One of my book club members summed it all up when she said it would have made a nice 75-page book. Unfortunately, it's 250 pages too long. - June

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

I read Mudbound and also highly recommend that book although it is strange and dark. Barbara Kingsolver writes, "This is storytelling at the height of its powers...Hillary Jordan writes with the force of a Delta storm." It really is a page-turner! I have it and will send to any takers or bring in August. - BT

Read "mudbound" last summer and agree with turd. it is the kind of story that you are thankful that you don't know some of the characters in real life 'cause you'd have bad fantasies about how you could get them their justly deserved payback. some touching relationships that add several smiles, as well as some that make you want to throw the book on the floor and stomp it (and the bigots). in many ways it is a kindness that the book is so short. - Tillie

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley

I just finished The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley and it is extraordinary! -- about a 91 year old black man who is drifting into dementia and is rescued momentarily by -- well, you have to read it. You could feel his confusion and fear, his frustration and anger at the losses, as well as his joy and sorrow as he relived so vividly things that happened a lifetime ago. - BT

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

I just love reading a book that has such creativeness in the way it is structured! This book appears to be almost a collection of short stories and yet they are all woven together. Characters appear and reappear in different chapters, and time seems to shift forward and backward constantly. The book reminded me of Olive Kitteredge in how the book brings the characters into different stories. Loved the book and I can see how it would win the awards it's received. - June

Skippy Dies by Paul Murray

Don't remember which one of you recommended "Skippy Dies", but i am about 1/3 of the way through it and really like it. Funny, sad, and certainly captures a lot of what we don't like to see about adolescents, and makes you laugh at all the quirks. Some spot on observations re: parents and schools/school politics also. Hope it stays so readable. Thanks to the one that mentioned it, and to the others it is a goody. - Tillie

The Brambles by Eliza Minot

I really enjoyed reading this book and getting into the story and the characters. But the ending left me confused. The book is about a family of grown siblings as they prepare for their father's death. The main character, Margaret, is a stay-at-home mother of 3 small children, and some of the best parts of the book are her thoughts on parenting and the demands she feels by her family. So then there's a twist at the end... and it seems unnecessary or just odd. But anyway, liked the writing, liked the book, and I recommend it. - June

(Plan B) by Jonathan Tropper

The author would probably be surprised to know that this "senior citizen" liked his book about the frustration of turning 30!! Reviewers compared this book to an episode of Friends or Seinfeld. Well, I may be older than the characters in those shows and older than the characters in this book, but I still like them all. This is Tropper's first book, and although I liked This is Where I Leave You better, I still enjoyed Plan B. A close-knit group of college buddies kidnap one of their group to help him with his drug problem. The main characters exhibit wit through their self reflection, and all are people you want to know. While This is Where I Leave You made me laugh out loud, Plan B makes me smile. - June

The Widower's Tale by Julia Glass

I adored Three Junes. But I'd heard that some of Julia Glass's other books did not live up to the wonder of Three Junes, so I stayed clear. However, I'd recently heard that The Widower's Tale was a great read, so I gave it a go. And I completely agree. The characters are just wonderful.... Percy, of course, being my favorite. The story develops by seeing the action through different characters which is a technique I really like. It allows the reader to really know the characters. I highly recommend The Widower's Tale. - June

The Stuff that Never Happened by Maddie Dawson

After reading Freedom, I needed something lighter - something less dysfunctional. So while browsing through some Kindle selections, I came across this book. Although it sounded a bit like light chick-lit, it also received rave reviews. It starts off great and the author bounces back and forth between the present time and the 1970's and early 1980's. But as I read it, I realized that it has almost the same plot line as Freedom!! Woman loves two men.... one is stable, kind, rather boring... the other one is sexy, exciting, and handsome. Woman loves them both but maries Man #1. Then has an affair with Man #2. Years pass, but woman can't forget Man #2. Of course, they meet again and Man #2 turns out to be a tad disappointing so she reunites with Man #1. Really? How could I find two books with the same plot. However, in the writing style and the character development the books are wide apart. This book is more predictable and fluffy, but still has some humor and well-written scenes. -June

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

After all the hype about this book, I was almost afraid to start it for fear it wouldn't live up to my expectations. But I have to say, I really enjoyed reading all ten million pages of it. The author writes with so much detail (perhaps too much) that the characters are completely real. All of them are flawed and I could find myself and others people I know in them. There were pages I would read and then read again just to note how the author managed to create a scene or develop a character. Amazing! - June

The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman's books always deal with the supernatural and are sometimes a tad strange. But they are all well-written and certainly are interesting. This one is no exception. The main character makes wishes and they somehow come true. And it's how her life changes as a result of these wishes that creates the story. The characters are all a bit off-center, but I really found myself liking all of them. It's a quick read and is worth the time. - June

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

Such an interesting idea and intriguing beginning. The subtitle of this book is The Journals of May Dodd and the entire book is written in letter and journal form. At a peace conference in the 1850's, a Cheyenne chief tried to negotiate with the US Army for a gift of one thousand white women to be brides for his warriors. The Army rejected the offer, but this fictional book is based on what might have happened to one woman if the deal had been accepted. Sounds great, huh? Well, I just had a hard time getting into it. The plot moved slowly, and each time I'd pick it up, I felt like I was reading the same part I'd read the previous time. So I skimmed through the middle and moved to the end. Overall, it just wasn't what I'd hoped it to be. -June

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

Push yourself to make it through the first chapter, and you'll be rewarded with a wonderful story. Like Olive Kitteridge, this is a book made of short stories with various characters who all are linked together. Sometimes it's hard to make the connection that they have, but eventually you realize what it is. The characters are beautifully described, and the writing is excellent. Here's one of my favorite paragraphs. One of the female characters is describing her ex-husband. " Some people think love is the end of the road, and if you're lucky enough to find it, you stay there. Other people say it just becomes a cliff you drive off, but most people who've been around awhile know it's just a thing that changes day by day, and depending on how much you fight for it, you get it, or you hold on to it, or you lose it, but sometimes it's never even there in the first place." Wonderful book. -June