Home by Marilynne Robinson

If you think about a book even when you've put it down and walked away, does that mean you like it? If so, I really liked this book. It doesn't have much of a plot and very little action, but this quiet book did haunt me. I didn't read Gilead which is about the same town and even some of the same characters. But both books have received good reviews, and I'd recommend this one. There really are just 3 characters: an elderly man and two of his grown children who have returned to live with him. And it takes place in a small town in Iowa and there's mention of the big city of Des Moines. - June

The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman always has a magic element in her books, and while I don't normally like fantasy types of books, she always seems to make it work. There are lots of characters who's lives weave together in this book, but it is very well written and keeps your interest throughout. It chronicles the lives of primarily 3 generations of Sparrow women who each have a gift. And you learn about the Sparrow women who came before them and the lives they lead with their magical gifts too. Recommend this one too. It's on it's way to Turd. - June

That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo

I confess. Richard Russo is my favorite author. OK, maybe it's a tie between him and Anne Tyler. But I love the guy. This may not be his best book, but it's still wonderful. He creates characters I love who are so real. And funny. Highly recommend this one. - June

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I'm always reluctant to start a book that everyone raves about. My expectations were very high. But this one was worth the great reviews. It takes place in the 60's in Mississippi, and the characters are so real you feel you know them all. The racial issues of this time and place are handled so well by the author. I really loved this book. - June

The Likeness by Tana French

It's all about the characters. The plot is a bit bizarre, but if you overlook some of the coincidences and focus in on the interaction between the characters, this is a great book. It takes place in Ireland, and the central character is a female cop who goes undercover to solve a murder. She has to take on the life of the murder victim to do this, and it's fascinating to hear how she manages to do this. Recommend this one! - June

Away by Amy Bloom

Characters. For me, interesting characters can make a book, and in this one, they do. Lillian travels from Russia to New York City, to Seattle, to Alaska. And along the way, she encounters intriguing people. I loved how the narrator would tell the reader what happened to each character after Lillian moved on. Often in a book, we meet characters but don't know what happened to them. Here, the author gives us the rest of the story. The book is sometimes difficult to read - maybe it's the wording - but overall, I really enjoyed it. - June

Tillie's Winter Books

Resurrection by Tucker Malarcky. I listened to this on tape, and I thought it was terrific. I assume it would be a good read too. BT also listened to it on tape and it saved her life on her travels with her mother.

Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry. June didn't care for this, but I liked it. Pretty fluff reading.

Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber. Implausible ending but a great story. Highly recoommend.

Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell. Jumps around but I still really liked it. This was also a book I listened to on tape.

Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen. Takes place in two different centuries. Very good.

The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen. Just OK. Kind of weird.

Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman. A character study of people in a small North Dakota town. Easy read. Enjoyable.

-Tillie

My Latest Grievance by Elinor Lipman

Maybe I liked this book because I met the author a few weeks ago at a book reading and I liked the author so much. She was funny and warm, and I wanted to like anything she would have written. So I did enjoy this book about a young girl growing up on a college campus where both her parents work. I loved the relationship between Fredricka and her parents (very liberal, open-minded parents trying to raise a socially aware young woman). So here's another one I recommend. Read it after you've just finished something intense and need something light and fun. -June

Restless by William Boyd

When I was in Chicago with Carla on her big old birthday, her friend Judy recommended this book to us. She said she's been unable to put it down. And I agree with her. This is an interesting read, and one I'd recommend. It's about a British woman who discovers that her mother was a spy in WWII. The book alternates chapters so every other one details the mother's adventures. I loved hearing how she was trained and what spy techniques she used. Thanks for the rec, Judy!! - June

Pleasant dreams

Okay now, here's a little hint to make those "waking up/getting up all night" events more enjoyable. Go get these new sheets I found! At least you go back to bed (or hopefully to sleep) smiling. They feel so good, and they don't wrinkle! I got mine at Kohls, but I'm sure you can find them lots of places.

Sonoma Life & Style 

Wrinkle-Resistant (and they really are)

500 thread count

Now isn't that special?

Carla

Chunky Taco Soup

1.5 pounds boneless beef sirloin or round steak cut into 3/4 inch cubes
1 medium onion chopped
1 TB olive oil
2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans rinsed and drained)
2 cans (14.5 ounces each diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained)
2 cups water
1 can 15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14.75 ounces corn)
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 envelope taco seasoning
1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
Brown beef and onion in large kettle or Dutch oven. Simmer until meat is tender. Add everything else (except the cilantro and all the water--I waited until I saw how juicy the mixture was without it then added water accordingly) bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for another 20 minutes or so. Good with sour cream and corn chips.
-BT

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

A fascinating book. The author moves between Paris in the present time and Paris 1942 when the French police assisted the Germans in rounding up Jewish families. Although it's fiction, the story is based on a true event which makes it all the more devastating. I was especially touched by Sarah's story and how her life changed in a single day. There are a few parts of the book that are predictable, but for the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. - June