I really enjoyed this book. From the first few pages all the way to the end, I was deeply engrossed in the story. From the fate of Jane Grey to the secret behind the narrator's birthright, the author created a nice mix of historical figures and facts with fictional figures and a heavy dose of imagination. C.W. Gortner kept my interest and I will definitely read future books from The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles.

I absolutely love this book! There are so many similarities to my interaction with my dogs over the years that it feels like he's walked in my shoes. And the fact that Dr. Trout's first name is Nicholas (my seven year-old's name) makes it even more personal. Reading each "act" made me laugh out loud one minute and cry crocodile tears the next. Of all the pet memoirs I've read, this one really hits the mark. Although this copy was free, I already have the final product pre-ordered and I am looking forward to reading some of Dr. Trout's other books. After losing my beloved Asher to a similar fate, I wish I could put into words how Patch's story impacted me but I'm afraid I'd give too much away to those who haven't read the book. If you have had pets, this book will touch your heart. And if you have never had a pet, hopefully this book will make you want to share your love with one.

I became a fan of Lee Child's "Reacher" novels over the summer, so I was so glad to get a copy of "Gone Tomorrow"! I'm usually a slow reader but this one flew by. Just when you think you've got it figured out and you think you know who the "bad guy/gal" is, Mr. Child throws in another twist. Jack Reacher is a hero for men and women alike, with toughness and tenderness interwoven to create a truly complex character. I recently picked up the latest Reacher novel, "61 Hours" from the library but had to put that one aside to read "Gone Tomorrow" and I'm glad I did. Each novel shows more layers to Reacher; I can't wait to read the next one!

The beginning was a little slow, then it got interesting and suspenseful, then it got slow, then it got interesting. I suppose a bit like a boat ride in calm then rough waters. I found it hard to believe the main characters, Emma & Mac, were so "into" each other so quickly. At times, the story was hard to follow, and there is a lot of government & yachting jargon that a lot of people won't understand. After a few chapters of their sexual tension/innuendos, it became old hat and I wanted to scream "enough already!" It appears that the characters of Faroe and his wife Grace have a back story. If Elizabeth Lowell has a book based on their story, that's one I'd be interested in!

Although I was drawn into the story at the beginning, near the middle it started to slow down for me. The relationship between Tom and Jenny showed how intense Tom's affection toward Jenny and his love of elephants had become. I was not surprised by the cruelty towards elephants during that time period, especially after having read Sara Gruen's "Water for Elephants," but I was surprised at how little I knew about elephants and their habits. Mr. Nicholson really did his homework for this book, and I was impressed.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the correspondence letters in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Filled with humor, heartache, and mystery, each letter gives a glimpse into the lives of inhabitants on the island of Guernsey as well as the life of our main character, Juliet. While learning about each of the inhabitants of Guernsey, we are introduced to several works of literature by authors we may have heard of before but have shown little interest in until now. I inherited several volumes by Charles Lamb from my grandmother, and I have to say that I became so intrigued by him just through the correspondence of Dawsey and Juliet, that I will be setting out to read Lamb this summer. I did have some difficulty, however, believing that correspondence in 1946 could be delivered, read, and replied to within a three-day time span. With that said, I still give it a 5 and highly recommend it.

Resistance is the first book I've read that deals with an alternative to the history we have come to know. With my father-in-law having fought on the beaches of Normandy, and receiving a Purple Heart for his heroism, it was hard to imagine that the Allies failed in their mission. But once I got into the characters' stories I couldn't put the book down. I especially enjoyed hearing the story from several characters' voices. You begin to like these characters, even the ones you normally would categorize as the "bad guys". Without giving anything away, the story draws you in and is at times both heart-wrenching and heart-warming. I highly recommend this book for all book clubs and feel women and men co-ed book clubs would have wonderful conversations about the different points of view.

Many of the stories are open-ended leaving the reader to imagine what takes place after the written page ends. A writer’s job is to bring us into the stories they have written, and William Trevor certainly does that. I look forward to reading more of his work. The only problem I have with this book is that I wish many of stories were longer! But, alas, these are "short" stories. I’d love to read a full-length book about the characters in “The Dressmaker’s Child,” as well as “The Room.” What fascinating reads!