I was so looking forward to losing myself in Joanna Pearson's debut novel, Bright and Tender Dark! Instead I found myself working much too hard through a meandering plot and superfluous characters to reach the "big reveal" ... and then whodunit? While I appreciate the attempt to introduce a more "literary" entry into an already-crowded genre, this one sadly lacks the tight pacing necessary to keep those pages turning. Not much to see here.

On the plus side: In "Above the Salt," the author presents an interesting, well-researched (and to me, largely unknown) slice of 19th century history, particularly about the Catholic/Protestant unrest on the isle of Madeira and the mid-century Portuguese settlement of the American Midwest. But alas, the plot meanders, frequently overwhelmed by an overabundance of "poetic" language. This, plus a surprising lack of depth and motivation in a potentially intriguing cast of characters, lands "Salt" solidly--and sadly--in "average" territory.

"The Last Grand Duchess" is a serviceable, if uninspired retelling of the fall of the Romanov dynasty as seen though the eyes of Olga, the eldest of the Tsar's five children. I found the characters rather thinly drawn, and the frequent, alternating timelines distracting, but in the end, these shortcomings led me to further research ... always a plus! The reference list of characters, select bibliography, and informative Author's Notes were welcome additions, and the "twist" at the story's end a pleasant surprise.

Perhaps Tarkington's novel would have worked better as a series of interconnected short stories, a la Elizabeth Strout's "Olive Kitteridge." Instead, this cautionary tale reads as a rather bloated, disconnected, and at times highly unlikely single narrative that fails to live up to its promising prologue. That's not to say it's without merit given its crisp dialog, timely themes, and intriguing cast of intrinsically flawed characters. Instead, it's a missed opportunity to tell a basically familiar story in a fresh new way.

Given that I'm a fan of Dr. Pipher's earlier work, and that I am well into the "river" that she references in her title, I anticipated the opportunity to review this book with enthusiasm. Sadly, it was not my personal cup of tea. I don't consider my life experience particularly unique, yet I was able to relate to very little. That said, I would love to discuss it with the active, involved later-in-life ladies in my book group as I'm sure it would make for a lively conversation!

Had publications like People, Rolling Stone, and The National Inquirer existed at the dawn of the 20th century, no doubt Miss Alice Roosevelt would have been a frequent cover girl. Stephanie Thorton’s take on the adventures of this larger-than-life “first daughter” reveals a young woman whose hunger for public attention came second only to her quest for the affection of her often-distant father. The result is a fast-paced, fact-based roller coaster of a fiction that is, in turns, both exhilarating and heartbreaking. Book clubs will find much to discuss while examining—among other timely topics—the role of the press in shaping our opinions of public figures. Loved it!

I approached this book with great anticipation, given the subject matter...and I was so disappointed! I found the storytelling repetitive, the characters one-dimensional, and the writing itself unsophisticated--almost childlike. It's never a good sign when I find myself constantly checking to see how many pages remain until the story ends.
Book clubs may jump at this title, given the Kennedy cache, but oh dear! Kick deserves so much better!

A Place of Us is an amazing debut on many levels. It ticks off all the expected boxes for good fiction. It is well-written, plotted and paced, and peopled with finely realized characters who speak with clarity and honesty. But it is so much more than that! Perhaps most exciting of all is the discovery that an author so young could produce such a sure-handed, richly layered observation of the complex human condition in all its inherent beauty...and disappointments. The cultural background and life experiences of Haida, Amar, and their family might be miles from my own, but I learned a great deal about myself in following their journey. A transformative experience!

The garden as metaphor for rebirth is hardly new, but in the hands of author Abbi Waxman, this familiar convention blooms anew. Lilli, a thirty-something widow and mother, discovers an unexpected source of healing when she finds herself coerced into a local gardening class. Briskly paced, crackling with wit, cast with a wide assortment of memorable characters, and sprinkled with beautifully written (and useful) gardening tips, "The Garden of Small Beginnings" offers a master class in love, loss, grief, and giving. I couldn't stop turning the pages!

If you've ever wondered about the "back story" to recent book-club favorites such as Sarah's Key or Suite Francaise, or films such as Casablanca and The Monuments Men, this detailed, well-researched accounting of life in Paris during WWII provides many answers. Focusing primarily on the stories of women in the ten-year span (1939 - 1949) leading up to and during the occupation; the liberation; and the immediate post-war period, the author paints a series of vivid portraits detailing the complex experiences of collaborators, resisters, Jews, and other political outcasts, as well as the day-to-day sacrifices of women surviving in a particularly harrowing environment. Les Parisiennes is not an easy read, but a rewarding (and often uplifting) one for anyone interested in this dark and challenging time in 20th-century history.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I must confess that I have a weakness for books about the art world, particularly the New York art scene of the late 20th century. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed "Tuesday Nights in 1980" . . . and would have regardless of any personal inclinations. Peopled with quirky, flawed (i.e., human), and multi-dimensional characters; heady with the atmosphere of a teeming, transitional urban environment; and graced with the richness of well-crafted prose, this first novel hints at literary pleasures yet to come. I'll definitely be watching for more from Ms. Prentiss!

Based on its subject matter, I had high hopes for this first novel, but sadly, I must agree with those previous reviewers who felt the book lacked depth. It seems that in her eagerness to tell the story, the author skimped on character and thematic development. The ending, also, felt like a "cop out." Just not for me, I guess.