Original Sin, by Beth McMulllen is a fast paced page turner with a plucky heroine (Sally Sin) who “has a license to kill and carpool”! The plot is
full of twists, lots of laughs and the characters are complex, well developed, and interestingly real. I couldn’t put it down! And I didn’t see the end coming! I loved it! I can’t wait for Sally’s next adventure. Keep them coming Ms McMullen and congratulations on a great first book!

The book was a fascinating read! What a captivating true story about the amazing talent, strength and courage of a young boy from China. The book discussion group I lead will enjoy it and the topic will generate good discussion. What a great book to put into the hands of teens for insight into the freedoms they experience and may take for granted.

"The Tenth Song" by Naomi Ragen Is a story about how a Jewish family deals with a crisis of significant magnitude. On the surface, the book was okay. The plot was interesting and believable - and there was enough pathos to hold my interest. I had to find out how it all came out, but it seemed to be, what I call, a "light" read. What surprised me was where the book took me! The depth that developed as the story progressed caught me off guard and I found Ragen's perspective of even more interest. She conveyed great deal of wisdom and insight into interpersonal dynamics and the strength of spirituality in one's life.

It turned out to be a thought provoking and insightful read. There is within this story a message of hope, revealing the resilience of the human spirit when facing adversity. It is the first of Ragen's books I have read – it won’t be the last!

The women who tell the story in The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives seem vaguely familiar! They demonstrate some of the worst traits that women can have – not unlike the TV reality series that some enjoy. As a huge fan of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her unforgettable novels (Purple Hibiscus and Half a Yellow Sun), I looked forward to discovering another great African writer and learning more about Nigeria. What disappointed me about this book, although at times amusing, was how very little I learned. I also found it a tad difficult to identify the various ‘voices’ telling the story. Although not a bad read, to me it bordered on being ‘pulp’fiction. It’s not a book I would chose for the book discussion groups I lead.

Fans of Umrigar will not be disappointed. The Weight of Heaven
is a beautifully written story about an American couple suffering the loss of their only child, Hoping to find some some comfort and closure, Frank and Ellie move to India where he runs an American company. What may be unsettling to some readers is the intense struggle they encounter in their grieving.

This is not a 'feel good' book. It is also fair to say that Umrigar delivers a strong political message. The 'ugly American' is alive and well in the outsourced business Frank operates. The observations are real and there is no doubt about the image portrayed. It also gives insight into the culture of India. The uncomfortable truth in this story may be a hard swallow for some. It is thought provoking however and will make for a great discussion for a book club.

The Lotus Eaters, by Tatana Soli harkens the reader back the Viet Nam era; a time of dissent, passion and pain for the American people. One might ask why would you want to revisit that period of our history. But this is a story you don’t want to miss!   

You will experience the war from the perspective of a young female photo journalist named Helen, who learns what war is and the havoc it can play in everyday life. The characters in this story are finely drawn and very human. The love story that unfolds is poignant and powerful. Viet Nam becomes a place of more than war torn tragedy for the reader and for the characters whose lives are entangled in page turning plots that doesn’t let you go until the last page.

I find myself thinking about the book and will be so glad when it is published so I can discuss it with other readers, It will make a great book club read. Could I have already found the best read of 2010?

Every once in a while a book comes along that is a joy to read. This coming of age story about a boy and an elephant is such a book.

Set in 18th century England, it is amusing, moving, as well as fascinating. It’s really a love story – a tale about a young boy and Jenny, the elephant, growing into adulthood together. Thanks to Nicholson, I’ll never think about elephants in the same way again! Who says dog is man’s best friend? In this story it’s an elephant! When I finished the last page, I thought with a sigh -- what a great read! It's a "keeper" -- I can't wait to share it with my friends!

Valley of the Lost, the second mystery in the Constable Molly Smith series, is a disappointing read. Set in beautiful British Columbia, very little of the unique culture or character of the place is found. The plot is interesting, with a couple of good twists, but the uneven writing gets in the way. Reading like a first draft, the story is cluttered with details that add little to character development or plot and detracts from the story. At times, supporting characters seemed more like the hero/heroine than Molly Smith. With all the fantastic books in the mystery genre, this one is mediocre.

Sweet Mandarin, by Helen Tse is a delightful read about three generations of Chinese women that affirms the strength and resiliency of the feminine spirit. A memoir that seems more like a novel, takes the reader from Hong Kong to England and back. This true story keeps the pages turning! Unlike recent books about ancient Chinese heroines, these women live in the twentieth century. A lot of the old ways still exist but this family embraces the blending of cultures without losing the strength of their roots. Much of what is passed from one generation to the next, revolves around the love of food and cooking. I found it fascinating reading. It's a good book!

This book had a serious impact on me. Maybe it reads like fiction because it flies in the face of what we commonly believe to be true. Accepting people as they are? Not make them fill our mold of what is best? There is no way it can be as easy as using the force of education to change the world! Or can it?

Greg Mortenson's approach to the Muslim world worked. It's too bad none of our leadership recognizes the power in giving people what they need - and in their own way. Three Cups of Tea should be put in the hands of everyone who can read. No wonder its been on the best seller list for so long.

A powerful story and although unbelievable -- true.

Don't be put off reading McCort's Teacher Man because you didn't care for his other books. Although his melancholy nature comes through in the telling of his own teaching career, this book is an uplifting tale about what life in his classroom was like. Oh, if only all teachers could be so awesome! For me, it was one of those books I hated to see end. This McCort book has earned a permanent place on my book shelf.

Betty Webb’s fifth book in her Lena Jones series is another page-turner. This is not one of those “formula” mysteries that seem to flood the bookshelves. The Arizona desert setting is authentic. Her characters are complex and interesting. The plot twists and turns enough to keep you interested until the very last page. The subject of the book is horrifying and current; Webb has done her homework. She even shares resources on the topic in her author’s notes at the back of the book. You will not only enjoy the mystery but learn something as well. Wow!

Peter Hoeg's much anticipated fifth novel, The Quiet Girl, was an introduction for me to the author. Unlike many books translated into English, this one seemed to lose clarity in the transition. Although the plot was intriguing, the writers rather quirky writing style and the lack of standard English grammar was distracting to me. It was a tough read to finish. Hoeg fans may celebrate The Quiet Girl. I'm ready to move on to a new author.