I read this creative and insightful book in one sitting, I just didn't want to put it down. The point of view on what is normal was so unusual and especially poignant for me. Ginny finds her strength in her ability to accept her normal, which we all need to do more of. I recommend everyone who has ever felt different or left out read this one right away!

I had so much fun reading this book. I am not a history buff usually, but this book describes both a time and place that I had little knowledge of. So, I really enjoyed learning about the 4 friends, their lives and loves, and the different parts of society they changed and cared about. Even if you are not in to history, this is one to pick up. The writing is detailed and intense and the subject extremely interesting.

I had so much fun reading this book. It is full of humor, great advice and special insights about parenting, Chinese style. I was surprised by the differences in "western" and Chinese parenting and delighted to know that I am less western than most. I was also delighted to know that raising children is a very difficult task for everyone. I highly recommend this book for parents, grandparents and anyone contemplating parenting or just wanting a great, entertaining book.

I just finished my favorite book this year. Even though this book is short, only 180 pages, the prose is rich and sparse with nothing wasted. It took me longer than usual to read this book. I had to stop and savor what I had read, to digest it, to find all that was not written but felt deeply. Yoko Ogawa has brilliantly both written and not written exactly what was needed to tell this quiet, haunting story. If you have not read this yet, I recommend you pick it up. And give it to your sons and husbands too. It will touch you all.

I loved Spencer's descriptive writing style, his unusual characters, and the slow build up of suspense that is so subtle that you aren't even aware of it's building until the end. I rarely cheer for the bad guy, but in this one I was. Spencer made his characters so real and warm and understandable that I could crawl inside their skin. This is one great writer. I will be reading more from him soon.

I was slightly surprised when reading this book. I always think of immigration as being mainly to the US, but don't think much about it in other countries. Trueba has faced not only family issues straight on, but immigration and prejudice issues in Spain. Just one small moment in this story can change a life forever or sends a person down a path they never dreamed of taking. The writing bounces between tenses like a ping pong ball which keeps you hopping. The only reason I did not rate the book higher was I felt that no one family could possibly have so many accidents, bad decisions, poor luck and accept it all so willingly. I do really enjoy reading international fiction and getting to know new authors and new cultures better. This book was no exception.

I was very happy to receive an ARC of this book since I had just finished reading O’Farrell’s first book. The mood of this book starts out dreamy and slow and almost made me feel drugged and slow as I met the two couples, one in the past and one in the future. I knew that they are somehow connected but had no idea how. The book slowly drew me in and started moving faster until the action was at breakneck speed. And at the end, I immediately wanted to start again to find all the hints that I missed, all the connections that were so skillfully hidden. Maggie O’Farrell once again has merged past and present with her uncommon skills of pacing and movement.

I received an ARC of The Bricklayer from Bookbrowse.com and I am so glad I did. From the first page to the last I was completely engaged with the characters and the story line and at 390 pages this one is no wimp. And still, it ended too soon. There were so many twists and turns in this thriller that I could not figure out what was happening next and I am the queen of figuring out the ending by the middle of the book. As an added bonus, I have fallen in love with Steve Vail, the Bricklayer, and am so thrilled that this is just the first book in a series. I can’t wait for the second book to come out. So you better get this one on your wish list quick because you cannot have my copy!

Pat Conroy has written another hit. This one is a based in Charleston, South Carolina and is a story of unlikely friendships that start in High School and last a lifetime. Leo King is eight years old when he finds his ten year old brother who has committed suicide. This tragedy colors the rest of his life and brings him to gather a motley crew of friends his senior year in high school. This group of friends stays together over a lifetime and can always count on each other.

Leo's mother never liked him because he was not his beautiful brother Steve. She was always telling him how ugly, stupid, and crazy he was. I could relate to Leo so much. I had the very same mother! Leo grew up in the south during integration just as I did and was just one year younger than me. We had the same experiences with our high schools being integrated, the fear, anger, hatred and finally acceptance.

Twenty years later, the group is pulled into a mystery when Sheba, now a movie star, asks for their help in finding her twin brother Trevor. Although Pat Conroy is wonderful at building characters, describing the location and making you feel a real part of the story, he is not really into keeping us on the edge of our seat in the mystery department. It was pretty easy to figure out everything long before the answer was revealed but it did not take anything away from the story at all because his skills at writing a believable story are amazing.

Being a southerner myself and very familiar with Charleston, I could see each street and house and walled garden as it was being described. I have also spent many days in San Francisco so I could picture the rundown neighborhoods and the mansion on the coast. And for those of you not familiar with these locations, Mr. Conroy has masterfully painted a magical picture for you to treasure.

I could not put this book down once I picked it up and as soon as I finish passing it around to all my friends, I plan on reading it again.