Now I remember why I dislike Erica Jong's writing. She gets into a meaningful conversation, then slams you with sex. And not nice sex - words no one I know would use. Trying to get around that part, you continue reading. It gets better - almost understandable when you get hit again! Besides the fact that the main character is filthy rich so that her life is foreign to normal people, her language is sickening. Her fear of dying is ridiculous since she's mainly concerned about her ninety-some parents' dying.

What great characters! Each one would be great to be friends with - except one. Kept wondering what was going to happen at this year's First Frost. Loved making the apple tree itself a living thing! I'd like to know what happens in the future with Bay and her most interesting family. Follow up?

I did not like this book at all. The characters were not realistic and the premise of the book was confusing. Right in the middle of the book, everything changed with no warning and made the premise hard to believe. Sorry.

During the Cultural Revolution, small and infant girls were often abandoned because of sickness, physical challenges, or just because they are girls. Benfu, who makes his living scavenging landfills, finds these girls and brings them home to be loved and raised. The girls are given flower names and are thought of as a flower garden by Benfu and his wife.

Because of experiences in Benfu's youth, caused by a corrupt government, he is too proud to ask later for the help he should receive from government officials for taking the girls on. This book is based on a true story.

After slogging through the first chapter of this book (immature sorority and fraternity foolishness), it began to really get good! As expected in Southern families, each member is a Character! And each chapter gets you interested in that character - then you jump to another just as "unusual". I could identify with most of the family except Josh - whose overly descriptive chapter could have been omitted as far as I'm concerned! Love both the heads of the Johnston family - strong figures in their own identities. As I got into the book, I found I couldn't put it down - and did very little for two days but read - surprises throughout! I'm determined to read this author's other books, but I doubt they could be as absorbing as this one. Loved it!

It's hard to believe that extremely religious people are so heartless. Even though that is the case in the US sometimes, it has never been as wicked as in Iran.
A child is born while the mother and father are in prison as revolutionaries. The mother's sisters are also in prison - their children being cared for by an aunt and grandmother. The family's story is continued into the following years with heartbreaking details as to how they are affected by their history. Sad but true.

Had no idea this really happened. It is so scary to think people lived this way in the 1600s. I've heard of the Hapsburgs, but did not know anything about Don Julius and how mean he was.
It was encouraging to know there were women in that time who sought to be more than was expected of them. Marketa had to be extremely brave to do what she did and not expect any credit for it.

Can't believe this book is already recommended in the latest issue of O magazine, but it is that good. It's truly two books in one and both are so impressive, you find yourself wanting more of the one you're reading when it flips to the other. Three women on their own in the '20s in the middle east? Hard to fathom but the author makes it less farfetched than you'd think. At the end, both stories are pulled together and you're left with (as Oprah says) an AHA! moment.

So sad to know this book could easily be a true story. In an isolated mountain town, a poor family is taken advantage of by a radical fake pastor. The oldest boy is mute and slow and the mother will do anything to help him - including "casting out his demons" in the church. She is one of those ignorant church members who do not question "Pastor" even when an elderly member died from handling snakes.
The story and characters are so real, you find yourself a part of the community. I hope this author is only beginning to write more books like this. I'll read every one.

What an uplifting book about the village of Otuam and it's king - Peggy Bartels. Although she has been chosen to be king in Africa, she still works at the Ghanan embassy in Washington as a secretary who uses whatever she has to improve conditions in her village. The elders in her council are used to stealing, drinking, and carousing without limits - and think they can control Peggy because she is a woman who lives in America. When Peggy comes to power, she thinks only of improving her country by bringing education, clean water, and better living conditions. She will remind you of Mme Ramotswe in the Alexander McCall Smith series - a wonderful story set in Botswana. But King Peggy's story is real.