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