Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan was a quick, easy, interesting read. A couple of times, I had to re-read the back cover to remind myself this is a memoir; not fiction. I, like Kelly, never had a "best girlfriend" relationship with my mother and often disagreed with her rules and ideals. Throughout the story, you learn of Kelly's relationship with her mother, how it evolves over time (solely through Kelly's maturation), and how Kelly eventually finds herself emulating her mother while working as a nanny. I believe most mothers are the "glue" of families and that children, later in life, find themselves acting exactly like their mother. I am anxious to read the other books written by Kelly Corrigan.

What an exciting, heart-wrenching book! I have read many books about the Holocaust and enjoyed the perspective of this story that begins with the lives of Jews in Poland before the Nazi invasion. This was a well written book containing lots of interesting history. I would recommend this to anyone that is interested in this period of time and who enjoys a legal thriller.

This is a story about Alma, growing up in Philadelphia in the 1800's with her father who is a self-made man with his domain in botany; her brilliant, no-nonsense mother who came from a family of botanists; her Dutch nanny; her reclusive adopted sister, Prudence; and, the many scientists and botanists who were frequent guests at the family home, White Acres. Alma, a homely girl, grows up with a love of botany and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of everything. Alma develops the “Theory of Competitive Alteration” which she based on her study of mosses and tried to apply to the evolution of all living things. This theory just as easily could have applied to Alma and how she herself altered as a result of many life-changing and heart-breaking events. This moving novel deals with so many issues: life in Philadelphia in the 1800s; the travel and trade of plants and trees in the development of gardens, greenhouses, and medicine; abolitionists; Darwin and like-scientists; life in Tahiti; sexuality; and, two sisters who were “doomed to love” men that they “could not possess” yet still carried on. I find myself, days later, still dwelling on aspects of the story.

What a sad, sad book. Having lost a much older child in a tragic accident, I could identify with Charlie’s loss, pain, and lack of will to continue living. However, unlike Charlie, I had the love and support of my husband, other children, family, and friends. This is a heart-wrenching story about poor Charlie, who makes his daughter, Kate, his life. When she is killed, he has no boundaries; no job; no apparent friends; his wife leaves him; he has nothing left to define his life; turns to drugs and alcohol; and, “lives” in the past and dreams. Many times, I was hoping in the next chapter that Charlie would finally reach the depths of his despair and pull himself back together. A sad, sad tale.

The Collini Case by Ferdinand Von Schirach is a well written book about the first defense case for young Caspar Leinen representing the 67 year old Italian, Collini who admits to the murder of 85 year old Hans Meyer but refuses to give a motive. Through his investigation and trial preparation, readers learn of the history of Caspar, Collini, and Meyer. This was an interesting glimpse of the legal system in Germany, a partial evolution of its Criminal Code, and how the law was interpreted while prosecuting Nazis. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading courtroom procedural dramas or WW II historical fiction.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is the beautifully written story of an
ordinary man's extraordinary cross-country walk to make amends with an old
friend. During Harold's journey, I found myself wishing and praying
that Harold finds his way, in more ways than one.

This is a heart-warming tale that you will tell friends and family
they must read.