When She Woke by Hillary Jordan

This is a book club choice that will definitely spark some conversation. It takes place in the future, and it starts with a woman who's skin has been turned red because she has committed a crime..... having an abortion. People have of course compared it to The Scarlet Letter. There are many references to futuristic technology which are very creative - and probably realistic. And the whole concept of treating "criminals" by changing the color of their skin instead of putting them in prison is certainly a creative idea. I just love it when an author really gets you thinking about a concept like this one. The book certainly has some religious and political tones so it might not be for everyone. And the ending gets a little bizarre. But I loved reading it, and I highly recommend it. -June

Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

This was one of those books that kept popping up as a recommendation for me on Amazon. So when I saw it at the library, I grabbed it. It's a pretty quick read, and although I thought it was well written, I don't think I'll run back and pick up all the other books by the author. It's basically the story of two mothers and their daughters living in Atlanta in the 60's. Both mothers are married to the same man. One mother and daughter live their lives as part of a "normal" family with the father. The other mother and daughter are secrets, and although they know about the other family, they are not a part of their lives. The first half of the book is written from the secret daughter's point of view, and the second half from the other daughter. Of course, the characters are bound to meet, and the results are disastrous for everyone. The only character that is really difficult to figure out is the father who seems like a decent man some of the time but who doesn't understand the hurt he's caused to so many people. Recommend this one but with some reservations. - June

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

This is a well-reviewed first novel by the author, and I read it for my book club. It will be an interesting discussion since several members of my club work with children's services and family therapy. In the Language of Flowers we meet a main character, Victoria, who is just leaving the foster home program as she turns 18. We learn about her troubling past, and we can see how it has molded her into someone who has major issues with forming relationships. I thought that this part of the book was fascinating even though there were times when I wanted to reach into the book and smack her. The other interesting part of the book is the information on flowers and how they can be used to communicate emotions. The first half of the book is wonderful. There are many holes in the second half, and while it still is enjoyable to read, it becomes a bit frustrating. Even the ending leaves some unanswered questions. I think the author felt that the happy ending was complete, but there were still people Victoria dumped along the way who were truly good to her. If we are supposed to feel that Victoria has changed..... well, she still has a really long way to good. But I still recommend the book. -June

Skippy Dies by Paul Murray

This novel has it all - suspense, drugs, sex, humor, amazing characters, and more. The book takes place over the course of about six months in a boy's Catholic school in Ireland. And yes, Skippy does die in the first chapter. It's a long book and it's intense, but it's worth it. There were some parts that I admit were strange enough for me to just skim over (scientific stuff and video game stream-of-consciousness writing) but I loved how you really understand where each character comes from. But my favorite parts of the books were little nuggets of philosophy the author throws in that tie into the book - but are not really a part of the plot. Here's an example:

You know, you spend your childhood watching TV, assuming that at some point in the future everything you see there will one day happen to you: that you too will win a Formula One race, hop a train, foil a group of terrorists, tell someone "Give me a gun", etc. Then you start secondary school, and suddenly everyone's asking you about your career plans and your long-term goals, and by goals they don't mean the kind you are planning to score in the FA Cup. Gradually the awful truth dawns on you: that Santa Clause was just the tip of the iceberg - that your future will not be the rollercoaster ride you'd imagined, that the world occupied by your parents, the world of washing the dishes, going to the dentist, weekend trips to the DIY superstore to buy floor-tiles, is actually largely what people mean when they speak of "life". Now, with every day that passes, another door seems to close, the one marked PROFESSIONAL STUNTMAN, or FIGHT EVIL ROBOT, until as the weeks go by and the doors - GET BITTEN BY A SNAKE, SAVE WORLD FROM ASTEROID, DISMANTLE BOMB WITH SECONDS TO SPARE - keep closing, you begin to hear the sound as a good thing, and start closing some yourself, even the ones that didn't necessarily need to be closed.

Each time I'd run across one of these, I marveled at the creativity and talent it took to put those thoughts together. Anyway, loved the book but not for the squeamish. -June

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

I need to get back to current fiction! After reading two classics, I'm ready for a change. The Age of Innocence was a book club selection, and I guess it was "good for me".... kind of like exercising when I really don't want to. Yes, the characters are well developed and the writing is good. But I struggled to find one character I liked! And the ending.... well, I just didn't understand why the main character did what he did!! I wanted to reach into the book and shake him. The book was made into a movie, and I'm planning to rent it to see what I think of that. I hope they changed the ending. -June

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