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Reviews by Dawn C. (Meridian, ID)

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The Laws of Gravity
by Liz Rosenberg

Conundrum? (4/22/2013)

What a wonderful book! If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult's, then you are going to love Liz Rosenberg. She has written many novels, and this one is as good as it gets. Nicole and Ari are best friends and cousins. Nicole gets very sick, is on chemo but needs stem cells that Ari had saved from their baby's birth. Should he give them to help save Nicole's life? Does Nicole have the right to ask? Very complex family situation that this author tackles very well. There is great dialogue, humor, and excellent character development. I highly recommend this to anyone with a heart! Very moving, so be sure and have your tissues handy.

Where You Can Find Me: A Novel
by Sheri Joseph

Where Can You Find Me by Sheri Joseph (2/19/2013)

This book takes an all too familiar from the headlines today and turns it into a good novel. An 11 year old gets snatched after his birthday and is not found for 3 years. The boys parents try desperately to find him, and when they get him returned the mother runs away with him to Costa Rica because of the press. It is a good story, but gets slow in spots, and the plot seems to fizzle some, but all-in-all I enjoyed this novel.

The Good House
by Ann Leary

The Good House by Ann Leary (12/18/2012)

I thought this book was really fun, poignant, & thought-provoking. Hildy is a realtor who lives in a small New England town. She thinks she can drink in moderation, when she is in fact an alcoholic. But as always, she is in denial. The characters are fun & remind you of people you know. I found the romance as 60 fun & encouraging. Very fun book!

The Devil in Silver: A Novel
by Victor LaValle

The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle (8/14/2012)

This was thrilling, scary, and fun all put together. Pepper never knew what would happen when he gets put in a mental institution in Queen, NY because the jails were overcrowded. No worries, he only has to be in for 72 hours. Little does he know what he will be dealing with, colorful inmates and of course the thing that comes out at night they call the devil. Can he escape and kill the devil too? A fast-paced read that was very enjoyable.

Mercy Train: A Novel
by Rae Meadows

Mercy Train (5/23/2012)

I enjoyed this novel because it has so many levels. You learn about Samantha who is helping her mother as she is dying of cancer. While there she uncovers things from her grandmother's past that have a ripple affect for both Samantha and her mother Iris. The history of the Orphan train was nicely portrayed when Violet is put on it by her own mother. There are many layers to this book and I enjoyed them all. I came to care very much for these women and what they had to learn about the past in order to face the present.

Wife 22: A Novel
by Melanie Gideon

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon (4/16/2012)

Alice Buckle is upon her tipping year, the year her mother died at the age of 45. As Alice is looking online one day she gets invited into a marital research study online. She decides to do it and is assigned her online pen name Wife 22. Through answering the study questions she is reminded of her early dating/parenting/marital times with her husband William. All is not well in the marriage and the online researcher becomes her new best friend, a kind of therapy. I found this book to be very entertaining, and enjoyed being reminded of some of my own early experiences with my husband. I highly recommend this book to any woman who has been married for any length of time.

The Red Book: A Novel
by Deborah Copaken Kogan

The Red Book by Deborah Copaken Kogan (3/13/2012)

Four roommates from Harvard all have very different lives and keep in touch by the Red Book that comes out every 5 years in which each alumni updates their life story in an autobiographical essay that makes up the class report. Much has changed for each of the girls since 1989 and everything becomes very real when they have their 20th class reunion.

The Good Father: A Novel
by Noah Hawley

The Good Father by Noah Hawley (12/28/2011)

Dr. Paul Allen is successful with patients, and seems to have an ideal life, father of twins with a second wife, and a son from his first marriage, Daniel. Daniel has issues and even changed his name. Dr. Paul finds out that his son is accused of shooting a candidate for president on the news. How to be a father, do the right things, and be there for you family is intense and emotional. Very good psychological novel.

One Day
by David Nicholls

One Day by David Nicholls (9/19/2011)

This book starts out in the late 80's with Emma & Dexter having a romantic interlude the day after their commencement. They each thought of each other over the years, the what-ifs. The author takes us to each of them on July 15th every year after their initial meeting til 2007. We see what their lives have become. Will they meet again? A great story about star-crossed lovers.

Next to Love
by Ellen Feldman

Next to Love (7/18/2011)

I think anyone who has loved can relate to this novel, especially during our times with men off to war as their families wait back in the states.Three couples are split apart by war, and this novel encapsulates what happens to them all with circumstances and choices made. I enjoyed it very much as it is in my grandparents time, but carries over to today! I highly recommend this book.

Friendship Bread: A Novel
by Darien Gee

Friendship Bread (3/14/2011)

I'll take a fresh slice! Anyone who has ever been the recipient of friendship bread starter will appreciate this book. We meet many people in the town of Avalon, and each has a story to tell, some are sad, some are heartfelt, and some are funny, but all need to be told. Darien weaves the stories flawlessly and adds a touch of whimsy with the friendship bread!

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