I was sorry to finish this book. Now I want to read the other books by this veterinarian-author.

When Nick Trout stated that English was his worst subject in school he mist have been joking. "Ever by My Side" is written with such compassion for his family and four legged friends. His honesty in dealing with the good and the difficult situations is very appealing. I love his telling of his concern for not fulfilling his father's dream of helping in his practice [edited for plot spoilers]. You have to smile at the antics of the charming, but irascible dogs in his life. I will recommend this book to my book club.

This book is about how isolated each character feels when they are unable to communicate with one another. An explosion tore apart the Li family and they had to rebuild, learn how to live with loss, grief, betrayal and redemption. Beyond the family there is portrayed the culture clashes between the immigrants, expats, and the Shanghai population. This first novel shows Ruiyan Xu to be a gifted novelist who understands her subject. I hope we soon find other books by this author. This book is one I could not put down until I finished the last page.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin chronicles the lives of five people. The patriarch, Baba Segi, who is an abusive male chauvinist; Iya Segi, who worships money; Iya Femi, who desires revenge; Iya Tope, who is verging on lunacy; and Bolanle, whose university education puts her at odds with the others of this polygamous family. The story is a good look at current Nigerian life where women have no value except for child bearing, preferably a male heir. This tale is complicated with jealousy, diabolical plots, murder and the secrets which motivates each character. When Bolanle does not conceive the truth comes out and the family unravels.

I enjoyed reading this book on African life but sometimes had difficulty determining which character was narrating the story.

How sad for a family to loose its members one by one at such early ages. I found myself urging Charlotte to find true love and quit chasing after impossible men. Charlotte found her dream in publishing and the literary life of London, but too soon, she returned to the Haworth parsonage to a drab life under her fathers thumb.

When Arthur finally declared his love I wanted to give Charlotte a shove and tell her take the chance and have a good life.

Lovers of the Bronte Sister's books will find this book about them a wonderful time spent in reading it.

"Alice I have Been" is Alice in Wonderland indeed. A little girl is living a charmed life and doesn't always sort fact from wishful thinking.

This is a story of obsession, blackmail, rivalry, love...it runs the gamut of emotions. When Mr. Dodgsen tells a story to Alice and her sisters Alice begs him to write down "her story". Dodgsen becomes too familiar with Alice and the visits and friendship are stopped. Throughout her life Alice is reluctant to read "her story" as she is afraid of the person she will find. The author captures the scene and customs of Victorian England. This bittersweet novel will keep you turning the pages.

Start with a promise betrayed, deception, then guilt. Set during England at war there is a suspension of conventional virtues. Each new turn of this story comes close to upsetting this keenly balanced scale of lies and love. It will keep you reading to see what else could possibly happen.

This was a mildly interesting tale. It might have kept me riveted if Vicki Delaney had not written so much gimmicky detail into the book. Double names for so many people was very confusing. Referencing flower-children parents seemed out of character for the responsible people they became. It was off-putting to read they were "draft-dodgers".

If this book is part of a series, I don't feel compelled to get the other book(s). The plot twists were interesting but Ms. Delaney took so long to get on with the story that I lost interest.

The Sonoran Desert is usually tranquil but not in this case. A mystery with clues dropped in each chapter. This small town full of ethnic immigrants drawn by industry, is not well equipped to solve the deaths of young girls nor the culture the new townspeople brought with them from their original countries. Riveting to the end.

An American officer and his family are transferred to Turkey by the US government. The officer leaves on long secret missions while wife and daughter get involved in situations they know nothing about. Their behavior is too noticeable to ignore. They are warned but do not heed. The surprising ending leaves the reader with many unanswered questions.

The struggle for Jamaica's independence and the mother/daughter give and take seemed parallel. Cezair-Thompson's descriptions of the island and it's inhabitants are wonderful. I felt I was a close observer. All the characters were well developed. What a pleasure to read.