I wanted to love this book; the premise was intriguing. About midway through "Precious Thing," I thought I'd figured out the ending. I was right. The plot twists were numerous. In the beginning of the story, they made the story interesting. After a while, the never ending twists just became tiresome and predictable. I started the book twice; I found the author's writing style difficult. Rather than focusing on the story throughout the book, I was distracted by the cadence of the writing. In a beautifully written book, I love being aware of the writing, Sadly, this was not the case with "Precious Thing."

This book grabbed my attention and didn't let go. A wonderful, perceptive guide dog unifies three damaged people. The story is told in short chapters, alternating between the "voices" of the characters and the dog. Throughout it, I wondered if it was historical fiction. It depicted the years immediately during and after WWII in a way that seemed completely realistic. The story is detailed, sad, happy, uplifting. You won't see the ending coming - and it is perfect!

I started reading this book on Saturday morning and finished it the same day. "Letters from Skye" is compulsively readable. Although the story was somewhat predictable, I wanted to know what happened next. The author's technique of alternating between mother's and daughter's stories kept the suspense building. I loved learning about the Isle of Skye.

Wow - "Palisades Park" brought back memories. I never went to the park but I remember the jingle, Callahan's hot dogs, the big sign, Cousin Brucie and so much more. I enjoyed the novel very much. Encompassing 75 years of the 20th century, the characters live their lives around the park but also live life in the larger context of world wars, family joys and sorrows and important historical and political issues.
The book drags a bit, mostly in the first half. However, the story is engaging and keeps the reader hooked. I'd recommend this book to baby boomer and those older. This book would also appeal to readers interested in NJ history and the history of amusement parks and traveling shows.

Tara Conklin's first book, "The House Girl," entranced me. It is cleverly conceived, weaving back and forth from the mid-19th century to the present time and weaving in characters from the past and present as they become relevant to the story. The author made me care deeply about the characters and want to know them. I loved the words she chose to write with; she has a gift for embedding the reader in the story and describing long ago events so that the reader can picture them. This book would be perfect for book clubs and would lead to great conversation. Highly recommend and I can't wait for the author's next book!