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

Room by Emma Donoghue

I just finished Room (listed as one of the Top 10 Fiction works of 2010 by the New York Times)--same author as Slammerkin (which I had intended to order a few months ago but got stacked up, so postponed). It is an astonishing work and I stayed up until 1:30 ON A SCHOOL NIGHT reading to it's conclusion. Anita Shreve wrote "I loved Room....It's unlike anything I've ever read before." Another author wrote "Room is one of the most profoundly affecting books I've read in a long time. Jack moved me greatly. His voice, his story, his innocence, his love for Ma, combine to create something very unusual and, I think something very important. I read the book over two days desperate to know how their story would end...Room deserves to reach the widest possible audience." Author of The Hours wrote "Room is that rarest of entities, an entirely original work of art. I mean it as the highest possible praise when I tell you that I can't compare it to any other book." Can't wait to hear what you think!!!! -BT

Too Close to the Falls by Catherine Gildiner

Thanks, Sister Tillie! This is a fun memoir about a girl growing up in a small town in upstate New York in the 50's. Perhaps I could have related to her school experience a tad more if I'd attended Catholic schools, but I still loved reading of her adventures. Her family is unique (never eating any meals at home) and her friends are unforgettable (especially Roy). Great book! - June

I recently read Too Close To The Falls (thank you, BT) and loved, loved, loved that little shit. She reminded me so much of my growing up during that time. Now I just finished After The Falls, and was disappointed. Once again, I enjoyed reminiscing about those years (which was while we were all meeting each other, and SOME of us were still growing up, as I recall :), but I hated to see that innocence and self confidence slip away. Ah well, that's the bumps of life, I guess. I hear Blackie in there giggling at Too Close To The Falls, as I type. Very fun book (except the end).-Carit

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

I LOVED Little Bee. I loved the story development, I loved the characters, and I was really impressed that a male writer nailed female emotions the way he did. I think that's one of the best in a long time. - Carla

Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard

Our book club recommended this book, and I'll admit it isn't one I'd probably seek out and read. It was slow at first and the author seemed a bit self-absorbed at times, but her experiences and her insight into the French culture made the book worthwhile. She draws many comparisons between the highly motivated Americans and the more laid-back citizens of France. Each chapter ends with several recipes, and they sound wonderful! -June

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner

Such an oldie but a goodie! I remember reading this years ago and loving it. But its a book I've wanted to reread to see how I'd like it now. I think when I was younger, I focused on the early part of the book when the characters were my age. Now as I read it, I identify more with the characters in their "advanced" years. But what a great story of marriage and friendship. Such interesting character studies. Highly recommend this book. -June

The Mulberry Child by Jian Ping

I've been slacking off it seems. I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since I last posted anything here. Anyway, I did read The Mulberry Child for my book group, and I'll just say that it was reading an assigned book for a college class. I had to force myself to read it, and I confess I didn't quite complete it before the book club meeting. The author jumps around in time and from person to person. While the story of her childhood is interesting, she's just such a horrible writing that I found myself editing instead of reading. I don't recommend this book. - June