I loved The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and could not wait to read Young Jane Young. From the very start, Zevin had me laughing out loud with her descriptions of Rachel's online dating experiences. I love a book that puts me in a good mood. The author creates a variety of female characters from young to old and I empathized with them all. The story is one we can all relate to, everyone has a past and everyone makes mistakes. Zevin tells a wonderful story teller. She keeps the reader interested until the final page. This is a truly enjoyable read. I cannot wait to share it with my family and friends.

If you want to know what it's like spending care free days on private yachts, shopping in prestigious stores, lunching in the finest restaurants, and attending exclusive parties in New York City during the 50s and 60s, then read The Swans of Fifth Avenue. This is the fascinating story of Truman Capote and the beautiful, rich, and fashionable women he surrounded himself with. There was a caution at the beginning in the Dear Reader section that once you start reading you will begin Googling all the characters, which is exactly what I did. Benjamin definitely did her research and her writing of the dialogue between these characters seems so real you would think that she had an inside track to these famous people.

I loved this novel and highly recommend it. I have read all of Melanie Benjamin's novels and with each one she just gets better and better. I will add my own caution here, clear your schedule, because once you start reading a novel by Melanie Benjamin you won't be able to put it down.

This was an interesting book, and I would have enjoyed it more had the main character not been a celebrity, with famous parents and a rich husband; she had so much that it was hard to empathize with her as an aging woman. Erica Jong is a good writer, but not every problem can be solved with sex. While the subject of aging is one that I can relate to, I wish this story had been told with a little more reality.

Fiction based on real life events is one of my favorite genres; and The Hollow Ground is one of the best books I've read so far this year. Natalie Harnett tells a very interesting story of Brigid Howley and her family, whose lives are torn apart by these uncontrollable underground mine fires during the 1960s. This is a very emotional story with a lot of misplaced anger that comes out as family secrets are revealed. I highly recommend this book, it is a story you will continue to think about long after you finish reading the book.

Once I started reading The House of Bathory it was hard to put down. My favorite genre is historical fiction based on factual characters or events; and Linda Lafferty's telling of the Blood Countess did not disappoint. This is such an engrossing story and Lafferty does a wonderful job of transporting the reader back in time. After reading this novel, I will definitely be checking out some of her other books.

I enjoyed this story of two sisters, both trying to escape a secret at home by dedicating their lives to nursing during World War I. The friendships and romances that develop on the front-lines make this an interesting read; however, Keneally's image of medical care in the chaos of the battlefield may not be for everyone. I think this novel would make an excellent discussion for book groups.

Fever is a wonderful story. I finished reading the book a few days ago, and I can't stop thinking about it. I was amazed that the medical and science community could arrest and isolate someone without more proof that she was a carrier. I felt so sorry for Mary Mallon. I realize that these scientists were trying to protect the community from infection, but I put myself in Mary's position. She was healthy young woman; and the media made her out to be nothing more than a disease by labeling her Typhoid Mary. I loved the book, Keane has written a fascinating and also heartbreaking human story.

This was another excellent book by Christina Schwarz. I loved the imagery, I could almost hear the waves crashing against the rocks and feel the cold wind blowing off the ocean. This story is filled with secrets and surprises that will keep you reading late into the night.

This was such a wonderful story. The multi-generational family living under the same roof with their complex lives, conflicts, and secrets. I loved the relationships between mothers and daughters; and between grandmothers and granddaughters; each one is unique. These women lived together and thought they knew each other so well; and while each woman’s life may have a skeleton or two in the cupboard, I was most surprised by Elizabeth’s story. I enjoyed Santo’s descriptions of the olive orchards and the idea that the oil could be linked to a longer life. Thirty years ago, I had a priest tell me that he believed drinking olive oil every day would help you live longer. At the time, I did not think too much of it, but while reading this novel I did some research and there seems to be some health benefits to it. It definitely made for an interesting read. I loved this novel and can’t wait to see what Santo’s writes next.

I can’t remember when I have enjoyed a book as much as I enjoyed The Red Book. This is a great story of four intelligent roommates at their twentieth reunion weekend. Kogan expresses so well the feelings of a generation growing older and looking back at their younger selves. I love a book that gives you pause for thought. This will definitely be a great book club read.

Stacia Brown has written a great first novel. I stayed up until 2 in the morning to finish this book. It is that good. I am big historical fiction reader, but was not aware of the law of 1624 targeting unwed mothers who concealed the death of their illegitimate babies making the mothers guilty of murder. The story was so interesting and I will not forget Brown's character, Rachel Lockyer for a long time.

There is nothing I love more than reading an author’s first novel. This is a wonderful story about two sisters, one trying to protect the other from a horrible secret that leads to a misunderstanding and throws both their lives on totally different paths. As the story unfolds, you can see how circumstances and decisions affect not only the sister’s lives but the lives of future generations. I predict this novel will become a book club favorite and provide a very interesting discussion.