A most unusual book! I would classify this book as sci-fic, which, admittedly, are not my favorite. The book consists of a series of vignettes in which the main characters appear. The message is that living forever is not great; in fact, pretty negative. The author points out all the unhappy sides of forever alive, i.e. watching your children grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc,etc, grow old and die.


The book is well-written and enjoyable to read. Each vignette can catch your interest.

This is not a happy book; However, it is a hopeful book about a very serious subject. The author has written in language that the average non-scientific reader can follow and understand. Further, she has included the lives of a family (Baxley) affected, giving the reader people to identify with making the book more like reading a novel. But don't forget - these people are real.

The disease caused by a mutated brain cell is passed genetically from generation to generation with no cure. It leaves the victim totally incapacitated. The effects on the families are devastating. While research has found no cure, a procedure has been developed to fertilize eggs in the womb, remove them and discard the ones with the infected gene and re-implant the others. What a decision! To some. the decision would be in a sin. To others, a chance to stop this disease in its tracks. What would you do?

Additional notes: Robin Williams chose suicide. His wife has written a book about this mutated brain cell disease.

Several young people in Washington State have contracted a disease that leaves their limbs weakened and useless somewhat like polio; caused, researchers believe, by a mutated cell.

Alzheimer research has recently made some very promising discoveries in brain cell mutations.

I found this book very hard to put down. The story kept my interest and the writing is excellent.

When Lucy runs off with her lover/teacher William, it releases a torrent of emotion and confusion in her sister, Charlotte, and her "surrogate mother", Iris. Their feelings of disappointment and resentment are countered by their
feelings of love and concern. No one knows where Lucy went, why or perhaps with whom.

After finally hearing from Lucy, Charlotte seeks to find out the truth behind Lucy's disappearance despite her feelings of betrayal. Her discoveries are illuminating - not only of Lucy, but of her own life and that of others.

The author's writing is gentle and appealing even in the most difficult situations. Her characters are believable and real. Great reading.

This is a lovely book. Not a page turner, no one gets murdered or disappears. It is just a pleasant book to read when you want to relax and enjoy. It is about people who and work in a couple of towns in the wine region of France.

Each chapter is devoted to one of the characters in the book and his/her relationships with the other characters.

Each character is well described so that you can relate to person. The landscape is beautifully drawn. The author has drawn a lovely picture of the time. It is a lovely book and a pleasure to read.

The Good Neighbor starts out slow but gains momentum as you read so that you find it hard to put down. While the circumstances are very different, the bases are matters that are familiar to many lives.

Izzie, the protagonist, has always been the typical suburban wife, mother, job until her divorce. Izzie decides she needs an outlet and finally decides to write a blog. It was fun at first as she told stories about her life and even invents a boyfriend. However, things started getting out of hand, especially about her "boyfriend". Izzie soon realizes that lying helps no one and can create a good deal of trouble.

Nathan's characters ring true, the writing is a pleasure to read and keeps the reader interested to the end.

Boy, this is one gutsy girl! Reeve is almost to hard to believe, but the author makes her a real young lady who decides she must fight back against the most terrifying time of her life at the hands of her life at the hands of Daryl Wayne Flint.

This psychopath escapes from prison and is tracking Reeve and searching for his next victim. At times, he really frightened me with his sinister behavior. With the help of the police, Reeve tries to find Daryl Wayne Flint (referred to throughout by his whole name) and return him to the Psychiatric Hospital where he belongs.

Well written, page turner, good character development, I really enjoyed this book and will look for Carla Norton's books in the future.

Whispering Shadows is a very interesting book. The author has managed to weave several subplots i.e. a budding romance; a murder mystery; a tragic loss of a son; into the main theme of the book; a look into the lives of the people; both American and Chinese; during the great growth and prosperity of China. It becomes a fascinating insight into Chinese government and all those who lived under this corrupt regime

This is a book I will not forget easily. The longer I read the harder it was t put down. Thank you, Mr Sendker

A lovely book - the story of Mother, Helen, and her three daughters and their marital problems.

Helen has led a bohemian life; wild, opinionated, three children by three different men. She is contemplating marriage to a very traditional man and wonders if she can be happy and supportive in this role.

Fiona, the eldest daughter lives a very traditional life with her husband and two children. When her husband reveals a terrible secret he has been harboring all these years, Fiona feels her life falling apart. She must deal with this secret and with her own problems and secrets. She is fighting to keep her ordered life and marriage together.

Ilsa. middle child and artist, feels unhappy and unfulfilled. Her art is suffering and her husband is very busy with work and barely pays attention to her. She has two small children whom she must consider.

Liane, the youngest, is in love with a man who has an ex-wife and two children. She is not sure how she is going to deal with this situation and feels fearful about going ahead with this marriage.

Marissa Stapley has been able to, through her beautiful prose with great understanding, bring together a book that could have been depressing. This is very pleasant read.

I liked this book. It mainly concerns the parentage and history of some of its characters. It is, overall a sad book - not a page turner, not a fast paced thriller. That said it is a beautifully written book and gentle reading. While the characters are flawed, they do come to life on these pages.

I found it hard to put down - not as in the aforementioned page turned, but as a vivid interest in the characters.

As the author will tell you, it "is a fiction but utilizes a series of facts, documents and stories from real life" In my mind, the book leaves me with unanswered questions which, I hope, Laurel Saville's next book will tell me.

This is a book that should not be taken lightly. I do not mean that it is grim, but the subject is a serious one.

It is the story of two girls, sisters, who volunteer to be nurses to the wounded and dying during World War I. They served almost entirely in France. What they saw and heard during that time was much more than they expected. They experienced the horrors and tragedies of working with their patients. They experienced sinking ships and bombings.

As miserable as this all sounds, it has its lighter moments which takes away from the sadness of war. On their leaves, they visit towns, historical sights and even trips to England adding of a little romance and love(not Hollywood style).

Author Keneally has drawn a picture of a difficult time in our history. However, is not a difficult book to read. It is well written; the characters real; and dotting it with more pleasant times.

It kept my interest throughout. My rating is 5

This book is sad, but riveting and touching. Nicole and cousin Ari have been very close friends since birth and they are truly bonded. Now, as adults they have reached an impasse. Nicole has been stricken with cancer. Ari has the means to save her life. Does he make the right choices?

Even the judge on case his last case before his retirement is touched by this case as never before in his years on the bench. Does he make the right choice?
A story of love, family and the power to protect the ones we love. This is an powerful book worthy of reading. I recommend it highly.

WOW! What a book. It's not often that I find a book that keeps riveted right to the end. A masterful read. The characters are well written, drawing the reader into their lives and problems. The plot has many twists and turns leaving the reader wondering. The final twist at the very end. I will look for Sophie McKenzie's next book eagerly.

This is a different kind of book. A young man(Max) is dealing with his coming of age problems with a very complex problem. He is intersex.
Mother and Father disagree with how to handle this. Who is right and who is wrong or is there a solution? Why did they wait so long?
How does Max handle it? Add to that a little brother and a girlfriend.
It is written, rather than in chapter form, as each character states his feelings.
I must admit that I thought I would not like it. But as things moved along, I found that I became more interested in the and how each one deals with it. Not a page turner, but an interesting subject.

The main premise of this book is interesting and historically correct. Most people would be informed about these events. However, the endless attention to details of characters and events detracts from it's main purpose. Skipping back and forth between places (Harrisburg, New York and Baltimore for example) is confusing.
This belongs in an educational library for history majors or history "buffs" I would not recommend it for public libraries.

This book takes place during the period of 1966-1975 when American forces are leaving Vietnam and North Vietnam is attacking South Vietnam. How this effects the lives of the local people is the main storyline.

Chen Pie Sou now known as Percival is headmaster of the American Academy in the outskirts of Saigon. He is very proud of his heritage in China and his school in Vietnam. Too proud, in fact, as he refuses to admit all the signs of trouble around him.

The book is well written and is easy reading. The unfamiliar names in Chinese and Vietnam are bit daunting making it hard to keep track of at times.

This is a delightful book telling the story of three lives intertwined in a sea of conflicting emotions and conflicts.
Marion, a widow, satisfied with her stagnant life, after her husband,s death. Geoffrey, hoping to free his busy life in NYC busy with social connections and cocktail parties and anxious to make his life meaningful. Eliot, in love with Marion but unable express it.
Saul has the ability to look into the hearts and minds of his characters. He shows a deep understanding of the human mind and heart.

Although I would recommend this book as very interesting reading, I found it a little lacking. In dealing with Victoria's life in the "system" was not very revealing. Too much time in the contradictory meanings of the flowers. The back and forth timing serves to make me confused about who is talking and about what.

This a very well-written, interesting and thought provoking book. None-the-less, it is a sad book affecting every character in the story. Paul's anxiety and effort to understand his son's actions to commit this horrible crime are mostly fruitless. The book explores a parent's responsibility to the child to fight for his freedom. Also, the responsibility of the parent to accept and let go. A very good read which I will probably read again and would highly recommend to all serious readers.

I enjoyed this book, but also disappointed at the same time. Francesca was very well developed as I could relate to her character. The other characters were not as well developed. The plot was full of intrigue and kept you guessing, however life in Rome did not develop well more life in Roman church. That said, this book is a good read and I would recommend it.

This is an interesting and very readable book. I expected more on Bhutan's country, beliefs and day-to-day living. However, it is more biographical than historical.
What did she learn? I t seemed to me that she got more out of her "three good things" class in LA than from her visits to Bhutan. However, she did love the peace, easy-going and content lifestyle of the Bhutanese. I would too considering our frantic lives.
I would like to have had some pictures of the beautiful landscape and life in Bhutan.
I do recommend this book for pleasure reading.