I would recommend this book without reservation. The narrative is compelling and draws the reader into the frustration, unfairness and sometimes the small joys of the illegal immigrant life in New York City. I was often unsure of whether I was reading a memoir or a novel. I think this confusion stems from a lack of story line or plot. It is, at times, an uncomfortable read because the reader does not want to be associated in any way with the thoughtlessness and selfishness the heroine has to deal with. The ending adds to the confusion between memoir and novel but that doesn't spoil the read. It would be a good Book Club read.

Jo-Ann Mapson fans will thoroughly enjoy "Solomon's Oak". She deals with the age old problems of abandonment and with sympathy without being maudlin. The story is Glory's story, how she deals with the loss of her husband and then takes on a foster child who has suffered even more catastrophic losses than her own.

The only real problem with the book is that while it is Glory's story at the end it is Juniper who winds things up. The ending is just a tying up of loose ends - sort of. I anticipate that this is the first of a series. The ending seemed too abrupt for the care that had gone into the writing for most of the book. All that said, it is an enjoyable read and Book Clubs will have lots to consider after reading it.

I could not finish this book. Many reviews relate the pertinent details and all are more interesting than the book itself. Long, dull and tedious sums it up. Save your strength and read something else.

The Handbook for Survivors of Lightning Strike Survivors is a well written, sympathetic but not sentimental, book about the coming of age of two distinctly different people. Lighting strikes, both real and metaphorical, provide the structure of the book. Lighting strikes can happen to anyone at anytime and it is not only the direct victim who suffers the consequences. It all adds up to a compelling read. This book will be a great Book Club selection with so many points of view to explore.

I enjoyed reading The Map of True Places, but it wasn't a book that kept me awake late into the night reading it. Zee, the main character, has many problems that involve many characters and this seemed to lead to lots of introduction but not a lot of development. I would recommend this book to friends for a light read, if they enjoyed the Lace Reader, they would enjoy this. I imagine it would appeal most to people, especially women from late thirties onwards. There is lots to fuel discussion in Book Clubs and would lead to lots of interesting discussions.