Literature frequently offers a chance to voyeur through the lives of others. Wesley Stace certainly offers that activity throughout this novel. The initial chapter offers great promise. Several ensuring chapters are somewhat tedious; however, having read Misfortune, the promise of a good writer remained. If you slug through the Jessold novel does pick up and is its own reward.

Stace’s participation and knowledge of the musical world brings a vivid picture of the intrinsic ups and downs. The introspection and descriptions by the narrator are enlightening. The use of language, somewhat forgotten by many authors, is delightful and charming.

Not a mindless read for sure, but a thoughtful read that offered even more on the second reading. There is a plethora of research and avenues to offer a serious book club.

If a numerical choice I would have given this a 3.5. Young Ha-Min offers an interesting view into the worlds of North and South Korea as well as that of "spyland" why there was nothing outstanding in the thriller/spy/mystery arenas. The actual usefulness of these "spies" was apparent and so left me rather disappointed. The author has a knack for beautiful phrasing and perhaps this type of novel is not his strong suit. It is possible that something was lost in translation. The story revolves around the lives of several people who seem to be inter locked and yet worlds apart. There were times I felt some of the plots were difficult to track. I will recommend the novel to my book clubs and fellow bookies for some beautiful phrasing, interesting insights into North and South Korea and the world of spying. - but not as a fabulous MUST to read.

A Thread of Sky was well written about three generations of Chinese women and their journey together - and alone. This novel could have been about three generations of women in any family. While part of the same family or a single thread they all have their own journey that has changed them and taken them apart. The beauty of this book is the hanging on to that single thread which is family. Descriptions of China through different eyes was an interesting background. Bravo to Fei - may she continue to write and grow!

Memoirs are usually very stimulating to me as an inside glimpse to other lives and lifestyles and a platform offering new directions of thought. As a rule I have found reading memoirs to either engage, challenge or open new avenues and so awaited this memoir with anticipation. I was disappointed that I was neither engaged, challenged nor were new avenues opened. That being said there were paragraphs here and there that I did find interesting in terms of the sameness of women's experiences. For those interested in writing a memoir/journal this could prove to be a useful structural resource.

If you believe that all things are possible through attitude and alternative healing this is a good read. It gives hope to many who struggle with traditional methods that seem to do more harm than good. The seeking for one solution always provides a more sweeping effect and this is true in this instance.

Edelman writes in her usual concise and yet intimate way so one is not sure if it is fiction or non-fiction. Her accounting of Belize is an interesting travelogue and true to what other visitors have experienced. The book holds interest and if you haven't believed in the possibility of everything - this may be your learning curve.

There is a quote from Miro, toward the end of the book that spoke to my overall feeling of the book -he said "I try to apply colors like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music." Zackheim used her words like a beautiful palette to paint a story that captured my attention and imagination from beginning to end. This is due, no doubt, to her talent as a painter as well as a writer.

While the storyline of the novel was wide-reaching it was inclusive of the various characters and side plots and came together in a way that one would have missed any component. The book flowed for me and was read easily over two long afternoons by the fire. While the ending was satisfying and conclusive I none the less was sad to not have the novel to pick up the following evening. It was a lovely lyrical time for me.