Migrations is one of those novels that are as chaotic to read as the story the author is giving us. As readers we have a choice, embrace the chaos, forgive the cliffs or choose to step back and close the cover. Charlotte McConaghy (could be first book I chose to read because of name) has written a book that feels like it was wrenched out of her soul. I would really like to know more about her. I suspect in coming months that will happen.
This is a book of what ifs. Clues are parsed out stingily and with little fanfare. I'm sure I missed many in my race to the end of this story. Although placed in the future, this book feels like it could be now. More than an interpersonal relationship book it is also an environmental story that warns us to take heed of our climate policies and protections.
I will carry this book with me a long time. I will reread it more slowly and deliberately. I will give it to you with my highest recommendation. Step into the chaos....

I hated this book. I loved this book. I thought the first 100 pages would never end. I couldn't quit on this book because I loved the author's first book "The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend." This novel is written as past and present vignettes. As I noted this was very confusing as the novel begins.

However, once I settled into commitment to the story and gave it a large block of time, the story unfolds, starts to make sense, and then I had to take a break because I didn't want it to end. This novel is perfect for book clubs because there are so many ways to approach the themes of the book. Church, politics, sexuality, honesty, friendships all waiting for the reader to put the pieces together in the mosaic of life.

VICTORIA by Daisey Goodwin covers the very early years of Victoria's life, from her childhood through her coronation and early courtship with Prince Andrew. The book is very readable and at times felt like a stage for a TV show which is exactly how the story develops. Does this distract from the book? No. Did I enjoy the book? Yes. But when all was said and done I wanted more, I wanted an Erik Larson treatment of Queen Victoria. Hopefully this book would be published as a trade paperback with discussion questions immediately. Wouldn't it be great for bookclubs to read this early in 2017 and enjoy the PBS shows or read along each week?

[Editor's Comment: BookBrowse will be hosting a discussion of Victoria starting Jan 24, to coincide with the broadcast of the PBS series (also written by Daisy Goodwin).]

Those who like stories of children surviving terrible childhoods in unthinkable conditions (think The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls) will enjoy this story. The unlikely relationship between Wavy and Kellen seems implausible at first but by book's end I found myself rooting for them. As the title suggests life can have an ugly side that seems alien to many. It wasn't always easy reading this story because of the ugly seam running through it. It seemed long at times but I kept wanting parts fleshed out a little more. Wavy will take you out of your comfort zone and make you wish you knew more about the stars.

I disliked this novel on so many levels and yet there were layers I did like. The author used the image of spinning cotton candy throughout the story, my image of this treat was more like a lump of hard sugar. The best psychological thriller novelists can have us on the edge of our seats with minimal description, Walker's very detailed explanations read like a psych textbook. It really interrupted the flow of the story for me. The italicized responses were confusing and distracting. The ending was a "huh"? Having said that, I can see the appeal of the story to movie makers. A visual experience will be more enjoyable than reading it.

Paul Cleave holds nothing back in luring us into the harrowing world of dementia or early onset Alzheimer's. There were so many times I wanted to put the book down and walk away from it. At times it seemed never-ending and then all of a sudden it ends and I'm scratching my head and wondering what just happened. This book will make you constantly wonder if this is what it really feels like to be in this disease's grip. Alzheimers has been tackled by several authors, I've read Still Alice by Lisa Genova, Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante, and Leisure Seeker by Micael Zadoorian for my book club and I expected more of this gentle slide. Trust No One was more like a tilt a whirl, it spins you around until reality is gone.

This novel by Jeannine Capo Crucet rang true with me on several levels. It took me back to the excitement of leaving home and going away to school while my friends stayed home. The excitement of first snow from dorm mates, the tiptoeing around room mates, the lack of money, the trauma of making grownup decisions and of course, the drama of dealing with the opposite sex. The fact that it is told from a Cuban-American point of view didn't detract from my memories of that first year of college. Crucet weaves Cuban history into this tale and the Cuban family dynamic. The strong female characters and their interaction with each other provides a glimpse into a culture that I think will intrigue new readers of Crucet. I would definitely recommend this book for my book club and hope that Crucet brings more outlooks into Cuban-American culture.