What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank  By Nathan Englander  Eight short stories. Jewish threads running through them. The title story was my favorite. Friends since childhood, two women (with their husbands) get reacquainted 20 years later. One couple is extremely religious and has been living in Israel. Their vivid childhood memories still hold them together, yet their present lives are nothing alike. After tiptoeing around the delicate wall built around them, these two old friends find they are not so different after all. These stories are short so if time is an issue its much easier to read but when the story is good enough to capture the reader, they end too abruptly. I found the other seven stories have superb writing but filled with dark humor, mysterious endings and somewhat depressing themes. I am quite certain some people (perhaps fans of Foer, Franzen and Chabon) would like this very much.

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven  By Susan Gilman   Susie and Claire have just graduated from Brown University. Filled with young ambition, wonderment and an all knowing Ivy League education, they decide over some pancakes at IHOP to circumnavigate the globe. They begin their journey flying to Hong Kong and make their way to The People's Republic of China. It is 1986, tourism in China is extremely limited and monitored and Claire and Susie wonder every day if they have made the right decision or a big mistake. The backpacker mantra seems to be the dirtier, hungrier and more you "rough it" the truer the nature of the journey. Both girls experience severe stomach illness, homesickness and general malaise. Unfortunately Claires' symptoms seem to get worse instead of better. She begins to isolate herself, show signs of paranoia and completely shut herself off from Susie. Susie has to take control of this adventure and guide them both to safety. This memoir is well written, witty and interesting. I highly recommend this read to all of those who have traveled or ever dreamed of doing so.

Still Life With Husband

Still Life With Husband By Lauren Fox      Emily and Kevin have been a couple for 9 years, married for 5. Turning thirty, Kevin is ready to start a family and move to the suburbs. Emily is not. A story about love, friendship and betrayal. The writing is witty and funny and the story flowed easily. Emily meets a handsome man in a coffee shop and decides to not tell him she is married and continue into the unknown. Unfortunately after reading Fifty Shades, WE WANT MORE, (there isn't much more) and frankly I was not completely in love with Emily (a little annoying). Her husband sounds so incredibly boring its hard to feel sorry for him except that lying is bad bad bad and exhausting to boot. All in all, I do recommend this book and enjoyed this writer as long as she doesn't go completely chick lit.

Jane and The Canterbury Tale

Jane and The Canterbury Tale  By Stephanie Barron        Through the character of Jane Austen, Stephanie Barron brings us back to the year 1813, to the small village of Godmersham outside of London. Jane is visiting her brother Edward who is a businessman and magistrate of the village. They are attending a wedding at a neighbors castle when the brides supposedly long dead husband is found murdered on a path near Edwards estate. To complicate matters each suspect has a solid alibi. As Edward continues the investigation with Janes assistance, the brides maid is found lifeless in the fields. The mystery intensifies. The twists and turns in the familiar Austen voice is clear and immensely entertaining. This book is one of a series for Jane Austen lovers and those who enjoy a clever, witty mystery.

A Secret Kept

A Secret Kept    By Tatiana De Rosnay    Antoine and Melanie are siblings in their early forties. They have led a life of privilege in Paris and although they have been afforded all the luxuries a prestigious wealthy family possess, they have also lived with a cold hearted father and early loss of their beautiful loving mother. Antoine surprises Melanie for her 40th birthday with a weekend to an island they frequented as small children. An accident occurs and through Melanies recovery a family secret surfaces that will change their lives forever. Thoroughly enjoyed this authors insightful writing, daily Paris life, mid life crises and challenge of familial relationships. It is not Sarahs Key but a good, solid read with extremely likeable characters.

Once We Were Brothers

Once We Were Brothers  By Ronald Balson    Ben Soloman grew up in a small town in Poland in the 1930's. His generous loving parents often helped less fortunate families. Otto Piatek's parents could not afford to care for him and the Solomans raised him as part of the family for his formative years. When Poland was invaded by the Nazi's life changed for all the people and worst off for the Jewish families. Otto went to work for the Germans as he was not Jewish and he initially thought it would help the Solomans. Life took Ben and Otto in opposite directions and very different lives. Throughout WWII, through death and marriage and loss. So much loss. Many years later in Chicago Ben is an older man at the end of his life. He believes he recognizes Otto as a prominent businessman, but this cannot be. Once We Were Brothers is a compelling novel about family, friendship, and faith. It flashes back to the past with accuracy and surmounts to an unexpected suspenseful story that cannot be put down. The historical portions were fascinating, although fiction, they were well researched and the characters extremely loveable. Highly recommend this read.

History of a Pleasure Seeker

History of a Pleasure Seeker  By Richard Mason    Piet Barol is a highly educated young man in the very early 1900's, living in Leiden. His French, singing instructor mother whom he was very close has passed away. His father is a joyless University employee and Piet is determined to find a new rich life in the world. His mother taught him all the finer pleasures of life as defined in food, music, art and language. Combined with his extraordinary good looks and easy disposition, Piet finds work as a tutor in one of the wealthiest homes in Amsterdam. He becomes mentor to a troubled 10 year old boy and lover to a rather cold and neglected wife of his employer. Reading this story accomplishes what an excellent writer sets out to do. For a few days I was in Amsterdam over a hundred years ago and was able to envision the dress, the homes, the food and the romance of that period. Highly recommend this timeless read about class, determination, love and of course, pleasure.

The Sweetness of Tears

The Sweetness of Tears   By Nafisa Haji     Jo March, named not by accident, unveils the secret that will change her life. Brought up with her twin as devout Christians with a famous evangelical uncle and missionary grandmother, Jo cannot leave this new information to chance. She endeavors on a journey of study, tracing her roots and resolving the mysteries of her life and her family. She embraces the people she meets even though they are different from herself and the world she knows. This well written beautiful story is about family dynamics and genetics. Nature and nuture. We are all connected and we are all on this earth together. Highly recommend this dynamic novel and look forward to reading more from this author.

The Sense of an Ending

The Sense of an Ending  By Julian Barnes     English author Julian Barnes travels into the mind of Anthony Webster, a divorced, retired gentleman in his mid sixties living outside London. Tony, as his friends call him has led a most simple, quite ordinary life. He is contacted by means of a small sum of money left to him by the death of a mother of an ex girlfriend. This leads Tony to revisit his youth and adolescence, his college years and every basic decision he has made since that time. Tony questions his actions, his motives and ultimately his own memory of these events in search of the truth. He discovers the memory of events are yours alone. We all remember the same happenings very differently and that discovery can be life changing. This short descriptive novel is comparative to reading a memoir only it is a fictional character born in the authors mind, or is it? Concise, interesting read, not to get lost in the story as much as the thoughts it leaves you with afterwards.

Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Darker  By E.L. James     Christian and Anastasia continue on with their erotic, complicated and mysterious relationship. They are slowly falling in love and as things between them become more serious they stumble upon various bumps in the road with ex girlfriends, new jobs and cross over to a deeper understanding of their wants and needs. Again, could not read this fast enough, yet did not want it to end. Whatever magic E.L. James has with her words, it is priceless. Enjoy and hold on for book #3!

The Lake of Dreams

The Lake of Dreams By Kim Edwards    Lucy Jarrett revisits her childhood hometown called Lake of Dreams in Upstate New York. She is in between jobs and has been traveling the globe working as a hydrologist for the past decade. Revisiting this small town where the lives of her mother and brother have moved on since the death of her father brings back haunting memories and regrets. Lucy discovers a past in her family tree she knew nothing about and details that could greatly affect the future of everyone and everything she loves. Her boyfriend Yoshi is due to arrive any day, her brothers girlfriend is secretly pregnant and her highschool sweetheart still holds an old flame for her heart. Kim Edwards weaves together a beautiful story about family with a mysterious twist. The likeable characters are a pleasure to follow throughout their journey. It does not hold the power of The Memory Keepers Daughter but is a good read all the same.

Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades of Grey  By E.L. James   Anastasia Steele, a 21 year old incredibly innocent college student meets Christian Grey, a local good looking, successful business man while interviewing him for the university magazine. As so begins her education in relationships, sex and the human condition. At first I had no interest whatsoever in reading this book but after several friends insisted, I relented. From the moment I began reading about Ana and Christian, I could not put this book down. (REALLY!) It may not be for everyone but all I can recommend is that you read the first and see if you enjoy it as much as I did. Will no doubt read the second in the trilogy and post asap. I cannot write much more as this blog is PG rated! (HA!)

An Available Man

An Available Man     By Hilma Wolitzer   Edward Schuyler is a widowed biology teacher living in NJ. He is reserved and kind and  mourning the loss of his beloved Bee. Their grown children observe his loneliness and place a dating ad in the back of a magazine. Edward begins a ride on a rollercoaster of emotions to get back in the dating world in his mid 60's. Dating after death is not what he expected at this point in his life and neither are the teen like feelings that arise with attraction, chemistry and sexual feelings that having been deeply hidden for some time. This story is sweet, funny and witty and an absolute pleasure read. Starting out thinking I did not relate in any way turned into smiles and laughter and hope. Hope for all of us to continue throughout our lives to find love and appreciate its beauty.

The Odds

The Odds By Stewart O' Nan    Marion and Art are both unexpectedly unemployed. They have reached middle age after many years of marriage, two grown children and their fare share of ups and downs. On the brink of bankruptcy and divorce they decide to gamble their remaining finances and their love on Valentines weekend at Niagara Falls, the destination of their long ago honeymoon. Stewart O' Nan brings the reader right along for the journey. As you read this story, which is designed in short easy chapters, the reader can hear the slot machines ringing. The author is right on, the characters saying and thinking exactly what most think but rarely say out loud. Scary part is, its too real, its slightly depressing. The issues people do not wish to face, the feelings couples fear are gone forever, the daily grind that gets you nothing but a cheap weekend visiting Ripleys Believe it or Not! and eating cheap ugly buffets. Art and Marion find out there is more.

Mudbound

Mudbound  By HillaryJordan   This story takes place in the late 1940's. It is post WWII in Mississippi and Laura is thought to be destined a spinster. Although she and her siblings are college educated and lead a modern lifestyle, if you are unmarried and in your 30's, you are considered an old maid. Until she meets Henry. He is a bit older, intelligient, somewhat sophisticated and romance blossoms. To the delight of everyone, they marry and following his dreams of farming, Henry moves the family to a rural area far from everything Laura knows and loves. She calls the farm Mudbound due to the torrential, flooding rains and lack of ever feeling truly clean again. Henry's mean spirited pappy moves in with them, as does his brother Jamie, who is  quite the ladies man. This is a small story, in a small town with very small minded people but somehow this magnificent author brings it all to life in a big way. The reader can imagine each and every character, their joy and their sadness are palpable. Savor each chapter because it goes too quickly. Highly recommend this novel, quite sure there will someday be a movie to follow.

Digging to America

Digging to America  By Anne Tyler    The Donaldson-Dickensons and the Yazdans are two American families that have very little in common until they meet at the airport on the eve they are both adopting little girls from Korea. They become inseparable and their families begin to share celebrations and child rearing together. Over the next few years there are parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that encompass the good and the bad that makes a family go round. Anne Tyler is very easy reading. A little predictable and too neatly packaged but always enjoyable.

State of Wonder

State of Wonder  By Ann Patchett     Dr. Marina Singh is the main character of this unique, adventurous, suspenseful novel. Marina is a pharmacologist, MD, PhD, working for a huge pharmaceutical company called Vogel. She is having a quiet affair with the older, widowed CEO, Mr. Fox. Her office mate and dear friend, Anders is sent to Brazil to check on research the company is funding in a very deep remote part of the Amazon. When word of Anders death finally reaches them, Anders wife, Karen begs Marina to travel to Brazil and confirm this news and gather the details of which they received very few. Once Marina is in Brazil this novel takes the reader off to another world. You can feel the intense heat, enormous bugs and virtual dangers as they are encountered. Although leery of my interest of the subject at first, State of Wonder turned out to be an excellent read and one I did not want to end! Highly recommend this novel!

The Descendants

The Descendants  By Kaui Hart Hemmings     The King family are descendants of Hawaiian royalty. They own an enormous amount of land in Hawaii that is proposed for sale to be developed. Joanie King is Matt's beautiful, outgoing, wife who enjoys life in the fast lane until she is in a horrible boating accident and falls into a coma. Matt, who is normally at work as a busy local attorney is left to his own devices making family decisions and caring for their two daughters, Scottie, a feisty, fresh 10 year old and Alex, a feisty, fresh 17 year old who was recently banished to boarding school after getting caught doing drugs. Together these three bond as they never have before and search for the truth. The truth to their mother's life, loves and what their future will be like without her. It has been a long time since I could NOT PUT A BOOK DOWN! But this heart wrenching, funny, twisted story was incredibly real and touching. Now of course I will have to see the movie but after reading this amazing novel it is perfectly clear that Matt should be played by George Clooney. Highly recommend this read.

South of Broad

South of Broad By Pat Conroy    Leo King was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. The story begins with Leo's senior year in highschool where his mother is a tough principal and father an adored science teacher. Leo has had a difficult past and is determined to make his life more positive and fulfilling. He has lost his dear brother, survived a mental breakdown and is on probation for a drug bust he could not explain. Leo quickly learns that when one one door closes, a window opens. His senior year becomes a series of life experiences that he could never have dreamed. His group of friends fast become life long connection and South of Broad takes this motley crew through all the trials and tribulations of adulthood, family and friendship. My first Pat Conroy novel. He is an exquisite writer dispensing warmth, love and humor generously. South of Broad brings Charleston and its characters to life in the readers imagination. It is rather lengthy but if you have the time to indulge in this saga of Charleston, enjoy.

Love and Shame and Love

Love and Shame and Love  By Peter Orner   Alexander Popper grew up in Chicago in the 1970's. He had an older brother Peter, classic grandparents, Bernice and Seymour and Phillip and Miriam, his mother and father. This novel time travels between Poppers life and his family history dating back to when his grandparents began their courtship in the early 1940's. The writing is eclectic and the author is funny. It is easy to read. But the big question, what is this story really about? It is about family dynamics, the pains of adolescence and Chicago life and politics. The read is an enjoyable one but not a page turner and frankly it could have ended at any point and it wouldn't have made a difference.

The Language of Flowers

The Language of Flowers By Vanessa Diffenbaugh    In the Victorian age flowers had a language of their own. If you gave someone a certain flower or bouquet it had a specific meaning, love or happiness, forgiveness or even jealousy. Victoria Jones is a foster child who barely survives a sad and difficult childhood. She goes from foster home to foster home and craves love and a place of safety in the world. Unfortunately, that day never comes and Victoria is finally thrust out on her own at 18 to truly fend for herself. At 10 yrs old, she had lived with Elizabeth on a farm that was a vineyard. Elizabeth had a love for flowers and the language they represented. She taught Victoria all she knew. Victoria had a gift and by a miracle found a job at a florist designing bouquets, the one thing she was truly good at. Victoria begins a journey to find friendship and love and learns that it is not too late. Her life is not meant to be solitary, she is not being punished. This is an amazing first novel. The author brings us on a journey into the world of flowers and also the despair of the foster system and its children that want so little but often get nothing. The simplicity of what a flower means, the simplicity of a smile, some food, a place to stay, can be shared with those who do not have. The things we take for granted and complain about nonchalantly are only dreams for many.

Walking Israel

Walking Israel  By Martin Fletcher   NBC Foreign news journalist Martin Fletcher has spent the better part of his career reporting from and about Israel. It has become his home and his passion. His love and deep understanding of this country is evident throughout this small journey he made hiking alone down the coast of Israel a few years ago. The reader is taken on a trip from the Lebanon border down the coast past Tel Aviv to end in Gaza. Mr. Fletcher visits and meets with a diverse group of Israelis with an open ear and open heart. He has intense conversation with Holocaust survivors, Israeli Arabs, young and old and some unique individuals trying to rebuild a new type of kibbutz life. This is not only a pleasurable trip through a mesmerizing country but an educational one as well. The author never fails to find both sides to every story in the most fair honest light possible, a difficult task for any reporter in this part of the world where emotions run high and histories collide. Whether you have never been to Israel or have traveled there many times, this would be an enjoyable easy read.

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness  By Alexandra Fuller   The tales continue to flow from the lives of the Fuller family. Some stories reminiscent from Alexandra's childhood and others dating back to her parents and grandparents lives. They all wind one way or another back to the land they love, Africa. Similar to her first novel, Don't Lets Go To The Dogs Tonight, a phenomenal memoir, the reader can enjoy everything from funny anecdotes to more serious situations that make living in Africa abundantly rich and unpredictable. Ms. Fuller is a delightful writer, her prose is easy to read and enjoyable. This book is more of the same stories, it would probably benefit to read them in order of publishing. What a lucky writer to have such a rich loving unique history and the talent to share her life with us all.

The Great Fire

The Great Fire  By Shirley Hazzard   This novel is set in 1947. It is post WWII in East Asia. Much of the story regards the relationship and love story of Aldred Leith, a British war hero studying the aftereffects of Asia post war (of which I'd actually hoped there was more information) and Helen Driscoll, a 17 yr old daughter of a cold hearted Austrailian officer with political aspirations. Ms. Hazzard's writing is like poetry. Every word in every sentence is like a melody, it flows and melts into the next sentence. It is a pleasure and calming experience to read her writing. The reader can hear her voice. On the other hand, new characters were introduced constantly and with needless depth into their lives that the reader never returned. It broke the beautiful prose and caused the reader to constantly look back and question who it was they were reading about. It would be ludicrous to insinuate that Ms. Hazzard's writing is anything less than magnificent but the story itself was not enjoyable.

The Weight of Water

The Weight of Water  By Anita Shreve    In the late 1800's many fisher families from Norway emigrated to America in search of industry and a new life. Some of these immigrants made their way to the Isles of Shoal, a chain of islands off the coast of New Hampshire. Maren and her new husband John establish themselves on Smutty Nose Island. And it is there they experience harsh, solitary, difficult, long winter months. After a few years Marens sister, brother and sister-in-law arrive, along with her husbands brother. The addition of family makes times more tolerable but even so Maren has deep rooted problems with her sister and unwarranted love for her brother. There is murder, there is mystery. Intertwined with this story is Jean, her husband Tom, their daughter Billie and another couple on a sailboat near Smutty Nose in present day. Jean is doing a photo shoot for a magazine regarding the famous Smutty Nose murders that happened more than 100 years earlier. The weather turns badly, and so does the sailing trip. The writing of this story is captivating. It is eerie and suspenseful and it is a book I could not put down.

Then Came You

Then Came You  By Jennifer Weiner     Jules is a Princeton graduate that becomes an egg donor. Annie lives outside Philadelphia and is a very young mom of two that becomes a surrogate to earn much needed cash and help her family, Bettina is billionaires daughter that hates and is suspicious of her new stepmother, and India is the stepmother that is unable to have a baby on her own. This book is filled with warm, likeable, intelligent women that come together under extenuating circumstances that would have once been deemed unique but in recent years become commonplace. It is a story full of lives, mostly realistic, some too predictable but nevertheless, Jennifer Weiner manages to pull it together with her wit, humor, kindness and characters. If you haven't read one in awhile, its a pleasant easy read that is surprisingly enjoyable.

French Lessons

French Lessons  By Ellen Sussman    Three french tutors.  Three students. One day in Paris. Chantal, Nico and Philippe are tutors for a language company in Paris. They teach outside the classroom walking the streets of Paris while conversing with their students about, food, history, art and on this day, love. Suffice to say, they are all searching for love and romance. They have been heartbroken and disappointed but are still hopeful which is the essence of romance. Chantal walks Jeremy through the city while his famous wife shoots a movie, Nico accompanies Josie who has just been devastated by loss and Philippe teaches french to Riley who has two infants and is barely speaking to her husband. This read is an easy, enjoyable trip to Paris. A quick read that that is truly delicious. S'amuser!

The Marriage Plot

The Marriage Plot  By Jeffrey Eugenides    Three students about to graduate from Brown University in 1982. Madeleine Hanna is a waspy, intelligent, beautiful girl searching for her voice, her path, her destiny and true love. She is dating Leonard Bankhead who is a brilliant, handsome, science student who is a bit odd but very charming when he chooses to be. Leonard and Madeleine are on an emotional rollercoaster when Leonard is diagnosed with a medical condition. Mitchell, the third main character is a brilliant theology student who is secretly or not so so secretly in love with Madeleine. They are all three confused about their next step, their future lives and what real love truly means. The characters are all interesting and charismatic. The beginning feels scattered, it is hard to decide where this story is going but the characters are likeable enough to continue on. It feels like the author is sometimes trying too hard to impress but ultimately brings it full circle very successfully.

One Day

One Day  By David Nicholls     Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew attended the same university in England. He, over the top gorgeous and popular and she, a very pretty intellectual type. Their paths rarely crossed until a big graduation party. One night together could have been chalked up to drinking too much and celebrating the end of college and beginning of real adult life but at the last minute they decide to exchange numbers and (albeit hesitantly!) to keep in touch. And so begins their 20 year relationship. They have their ups and downs and way way downs. They connect on many levels, laugh, cry and become the best of friends. One Day is funny and descriptive and nostalgic until the end, the very bitter end. The reader cannot help but picture darling Anne Hathaway as Emma and although I have not seen the film, can imagine she would play it perfectly. Strangely the end is rather disappointing. After being thoroughly immersed into these characters it ends with a race to the finish. One of the signs of a good read, I wanted more.

The Social Climber's Handbook

The Social Climber's Handbook By Molly Jong-Fast      Dick and Daisy Greenbaum are a very very very rich couple in NYC. They have two spoiled annoying children that act like they are 25, when they are only 8 yrs old. Dick is an extraordinary math genius with a mediocre background that has climbed his way to the top of The Bank. Daisy is an insecure but outwardly sweet character that never fits in no matter how hard she tries. This drama of affairs, schemes, wealth and ultimately murder is at times funny and well written. It revolves around the current financial collapse and escapades of both banks and investment firms, ultimately showcasing how ridiculous it all has become. It is an easy read but not my cup of tea, my TBR list is just too long!

Ellen Foster

Ellen Foster  By Kaye Gibbons   Fall in love with this spunky, honest, smart, clever, brave young girl named Ellen. In a small backward southern town Ellen's mother dies from a heart condition and pure sadness. Her no good father drinks heavily and verbally abuses her daily. She has noone to hold her, noone to love her until through her own determination and Gods will she finds her new mama and becomes Ellen Foster. A classic story for all to enjoy. Take a moment to reflect on Ellen's struggle and faith that family and happiness are out there somewhere. She never stops hoping.

Cleaning Nabocov's House

Cleaning Nabocov's House  By Leslie Daniels   Barb Barrett's  husband has told her how he would like the dishwasher loaded. He is handsome, successful, always right and a manipulating, condescending man. Barb takes her two kids on an unannounced extended camping trip and is later accused of kidnapping. She loses her two beautiful children, leaves her "experson" and starts her new life. Alone, penniless, sad and broken in their small town, Onkwedo (his hometown), in upstate New York. This is where the story begins and then it turns and turns and turns until you are upside down with Barbs new business, new friends and new life. Superb writing, hilarious details and laughs along the way. Barb finds herself and the reader finds out that just about anything is possible. An excellent, enjoyable, easy read, don't miss it!

This Beautiful Life

This Beautiful Life  By Helen Schulman   Jake Bergamot is an  15 yr old boy in NYC. He receives an inappropriate email from a young girl begging for his attention. He forwards it to a friend, and so on and so on. These boys that forward the email are removed from school, the word lawsuit, expulsion and crime are on the lips of everyone involved. The parents are distraught. This situation puts an enormous stress on Jakes parents, Richard and Lizzie, who are in an already precarious marriage and new location due to Richards recent job change. The questions of loyalty, friendship, sexuality, curiosity and parenting skills are all addressed in this come of age novel. The times of cell phones, instant access, constant communication and minimal parent supervision have taken over the world and all the families in it. Interesting story. Captivating writing. A bit of a rush to closure at the end leaves the reader hanging or wanting more. A read that should not be missed.

A Year and Six Seconds

A Year and Six Seconds  By Isabel Gillies  A memoir written by author/actress/mother/daughter/friend Isabel Gillies. Ms. Gillies is everywoman. She is honest, funny, witty, clever, resourceful and smart. She shares her story as a continuation from her excellent first memoir Happens Everyday, which detailed her idyllic life in Ohio and her heartbreaking and all too commonplace divorce from her husband a short time later. Every woman can find some aspect of this story to relate to, whether its divorce or simply having a similar relationship with your own mother. Its a quick, smile to yourself, a tear in your eye, one night read. Enjoy. Learn Something. And note to self: Read Happens Everyday first.

Sugar in My Bowl

Sugar in My Bowl   By Erica Jong    Collection of essays/short stories written by excellent, top quality women writers. These women range in age by many decades. They write about their sexual experiences that were most meaningful or memorable to them for one reason or another. Some women reach back to their first time, while others regard their spouses, exes, children and parents influence. Each story was like a secret peek inside a womans diary. Easy and enjoyable, just as it should be.

The American Heiress

The American Heiress  By Daisy Goodwin   Cora Cash is the wealthiest debutant in America. It is the late 1800's and every wealthy family in America has but one dream for their daughters, and that is the one thing money cannot exactly "buy", a title. Cora is a smart, outspoken, beautiful girl of 19. Her mother's dream is to have Cora marry an English aristocrat, which is exactly what Cora does.  Duchess Cora quickly learns how very different English society and social circles work. She learns that she cannot trust  her closest friends and even her husband has mountains of secrets that all of London seems to be whispering. Cora has to make hard choices. She married for love and dreams and is still young enough and rich enough to believe in them. This book is a light, airy read that takes the reader on a short enjoyable journey through another time.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee   By Rebecca Miller    Pippa Lee is a 50 year old woman living with her husband, Herb, in an adult community called Marigold Village. Her husband, the love of her life is 80 years old and they have liquidated their two huge homes and downsized to live a smaller, simpler life for Herbs semi retirement from the publishing world. Pippa feels like they are at deaths door, she begins worrying incessantly and sleep walking. Herb is acting strangely.  Her children are worried about them. Entwined with small flashbacks from Pippa's erratic childhood and very wild early adult life, Pippa Lee is a character you have never met. Fun, quick read. When does life really begin and when does it end. Does your career and money really define your place or does age. It is all relative. Highly recommend this read.

The Swan Thieves

The Swan Thieves  By Elizabeth Kostova    Robert Oliver is a talented, gifted painter. He is married to Kate and has two small children. He is well respected in his field and teaches to bring in some sort of steady income. Kate and Robert live in a small college town in Greenhill North Carolina. He obsessively paints and draws a woman from the 19th century, in detail, with a passionate love, and all from imagination.  After a minor incident Roberts true and deep psychological issues surface. They are extremely hard to understand, tolerate or live with. The psychiatrist Andrew Marlow helps Robert discover the truth about himself and the mysterious life he has created. The descriptive art world is told in a poetic manner through this story of love, friendship and fate. It has been a long time since I read a book I could not put down, finally!

Winter Garden

Winter Garden   By Kristin Hannah     Meredith Whitson runs her fathers apple orchard, Nina Whitson, her younger sister is a world renowned photo journalist. Their relationship has been close but tricky, their memories are loving and strong but their differences hold old resentments. Anya, their beautiful Russian mother has held her past and her secrets far from her girls. She has never been open and honest or loving. Until the day Nina pushes hard enough to force Anya to tell her story. And so begins their journey of understanding their mothers life, of the truth in the fairytale that they were always told at bedtime. Leningrad during WWII, the darkness, the cold and the death that many did not survive. The story of the sisters and a mysterious mother is too predictable. The writing is elementary and often filled with cliches. The Russian chapters more interesting and better written.  I had to force myself to finish.

Dreams of Joy

Dreams of Joy   By Lisa See   19 years after we fell in love with the Shanghai girls we read about Joy, a young woman at the University of Chicago. Joy's mother Pearl and her auntie May are still living the American dream in California. But Joy is disenchanted with her freedoms. She does not value the independence and opportunites that await her young adult life. Instead, Joy dreams of China, and the ideals that she have been convinced are equality, simple communal living and a Shanghai that her mother and aunt grew up in that no longer exists. So begins the adventure and unfolding drama of her and her mothers journey to find the truth and happiness they both have long desired. Many sequels do not live up to the original story but in the case of Dreams of Joy, I enjoyed it even more. Definitely recommend this read.

Miss New India

Miss New India  By Bharati Mukherjee    Fictional heroine Anjalie Bose is a middle class girl, living with her parents in a small apartment in a small town in India. Her mentor, an American teacher named Peter Champion sees possibility in Anjalie that noone else can see. Her father is desperately trying to match her with an appropriate husband, basing his decision on class, family background, future work prospects and most certainly not love! After a brutally failed attempt Anjalie, calling herself Angie, runs away to Bangalore. Even though this will destroy her parents, she knows that with her English language skills and the support of Peter she must at least try to succeed to a higher level position outside of her small town. Pretty, smart, English speaking girls have very good opportunity of work in the growing, ever changing cities with call centers, hosting companies from around the world. The family dynamics of her parents desperately holding onto tradition and Angie's burning desire to see the world lead her on an adventure to change her life. Enjoyable, easy read, very detailed world of the west invading Indian culture and a young adult finding true destiny.

The Invisible Bridge

The Invisible Bridge  By Julie Orringer  The saga of a Hungarian family during WWII. This story is filled with love, friendship, and family during a time in history when Europe is torn apart by fear and hatred and fighting. Andras Levi and Klara fall into an unlikely love affair. Andras is a Hungarian studying architecture in Paris during 1937. He is much younger than Klara who has a 16 year old daughter and teaches ballet. Klara holds tight to a dark secret in her past, Andras will do anything to have her in his life. The story winds into a group of wonderful friends and a relationship of extraordinary closeness between Andras and his brothers. Sadly, when exploring the lives of a Jewish family during WWII, it is filled with heartache and loss. In contrast to many of the other WWII stories told, I was unaware of the status and part played by Hungary and its relationship as allies to the Nazi's but in many ways protecting the Jewish people as long as they were able. This novel is an excellent read of history through the eyes of the Levi family. It is long and some parts seem to last longer than necessary.

22 Britannia Road

22 Britannia Road  By Amanda Hodgkinson   A young couple with a small child are separated for 6 years during WWII. They are from Warsaw and Januscz goes off to war, Sylvana is left with little baby Aurek. She tries to get to her inlaws home but the bus runs out of gas and all their lives are forever changed. They survive in the forest. By some miracle the family is reunited when she arrives with her son in England and Januscz tries in vain to make them a proper home, and start a new life. But the past is full of secrets and mysteries of war. Love and loss that is buried deep but cannot be forgotten. The reader can picture the characters and feel their sadness and their hope. Excellent story of love, history and moving on even if you have to take the past with you.

Juliet

Juliet  By Anne Fortier   If you love the infamous Romeo and Juliet, you may have wondered if it was originally based on a true story. This historical novel follows that very ideal and takes the reader on a journey from 1340 through today to the very descendants of Romeo and Guilietta.  Julie Jacobs finds out she is a descendant of the real life Juliet and sets out on an adventure to learn more about her past and mysterious deaths of her parents. Julie finds herself traveling through modern day Italy on the adventure of a lifetime. The story is a bit slow midway through but when the pieces begin to make more sense it quickly gains momentum. Overall a fun, easy read and most interesting take on the most famous love story ever told. Recommend!

The Postmistress

The Postmistress  By Sarah Blake      Once upon a time people mailed actual letters to each other. With a stamp and an envelope and waited across mountains and oceans for their letters to be received. Then, they waited even longer for correspondence to be returned from afar. People searched their mailboxes everyday for news of birth, marriage, war and death. A lost or undelivered letter could change the course of many lives. This is a story during the early 1940's in a small town in Massachusetts. The postmistress is an organized, meticulous woman who is the bearer of good news and bad. A love story between the town doctor who goes off to help during the blitz in London, a radio announcer who brings the war to America for the first time through voices of refugees. A vital letter that goes undelivered. Excellent character depiction. Love story and historical fiction intertwined throughout the lives of this small town during a tumultuous time. Highly recommend this summer read.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet  By Jamie Ford    Part historical fiction, part love story. Henry Lee grows up in China Town of Seattle during the 1940's. WWII is the dominant theme in their lives and Henry struggles being the minority on scholarship at an all white school. Then he meets Keiko, who lives in Japantown. Their special friendship is frowned upon by Henry's father who is obsessed with the Japan China war in their mist and Americans are becoming more and more suspicious and prejudice of any Japanese people regardless of their American citizenship. A reminder of a time when Americans gathered innocent people into camps out of fear and desire to blame. These people were sadly forced to leave their homes and all of their belongings. Many of them, like Keiko, were born in the US and did not even speak Japanese. Other than the historical value of this story, the writing is rather elementary and was extremely predictable. The story was descriptive and although the characters were likeable, it lacked any real substance.

The Paris Wife

The Paris Wife  By Paula McLain    The telling of the romance and marriage of Ernest Hemingway to his first of four wives, Hadley during the early 1900's. It is the jazz era in Paris, the Hemingways, young ambitious and newly married are part of an art scene with friends such as Ezra Pound and Scott Fitzgerald. Ernest is trying to find his words and although he loves Hadley very much, he often needs to shut her out completely to do this. Their friends are surprisingly forward thinking for this time regarding open marriage and acceptance of their circumstance in their often bizarre romances. Slowly as Ernest is finding his fame the lure of this life is pulling him towards drink and other women. This story is moving, interesting and a bit predictable, only because most readers have heard about the philandering of Hemingway. The writing is excellent as the story played out in my mind. Very much reminded me of Loving Frank, if you enjoyed that one, you will certainly enjoy this. Highly recommend.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand By Helen Simonson   A quiet, sweet, thoughtful well written story about a late in life romance. In a small English village Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali, two widowers, find themselves in a most unlikely romance and the opinion of the entire village in an uproar. Throw in a spoiled, selfish son named Roger, a pair of famous Churchill guns, a cultural clash and many a tea time and you have Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. It is a about love, compassion, friendship, desire and loyalty. It is not over until its over and every day is another chance to let go of the rules we have created and abide by and enjoy life to its fullest. A thoroughly pleasurable read.

Say You're One of Them

Say You're One of Them  By Uwem Akpan   Short stories from life in Nigeria. As Mr. Akpan was growing up in a small village, he experienced and witnessed an extraordinary amount of love and compassion in this turbulent land. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest later in life and then continued on with and MFA in creative writing. This interesting mixed education brings his short stories to life. Some of these are incredibly sad. This writer has an intense connection to his characters that enables the reader to both visualize and care about each and every one of them. There is so much turbulence in Africa, yet the people can still stare up at a beautiful starry night and appreciate the beauty in which they live. If you enjoy reading about Africa, this is a good read. It is not necessarily enjoyable as much as deeply thoughtful.

March

March  By Geraldine Brooks     If you are a fan of Little Women, By Louisa May Alcott, there is no doubt you have wondered what Mr. March was like, where he went during the war and how it affected his lovely girls. This story is a gift for a reader that treasures those last few pages slowly and does not want the story to end. Finally, more! What an interesting mix of historical fiction during the civil war, our beloved March sisters and the small town of Concord , MA. Throw in Thoreau and Emerson and portray Mr. March on the real life of Bronson Alcott. In addition if all this history intrigues the reader you must read American Bloomsbury By Susan Cheever for the real life saga that is the birth of American Literature.