A young woman in present-day Australia goes rock climbing with her beloved girlfriend and her best friend. She and her best friend have a tight bond because of secrets. The best friend doesn't always act like a good friend to her yet she can't/won't let the relationship go. During the climb , her girlfriend explicably falls to her death, even though all precautions were taken. There is a lot of angst (understandably) and some flashbacks about the best friends' earlier days. The story is good and the ending believable but it seemed like tiresome slogging through all the looking back and secret keeping (most of which was unnecessary).

After reading HELP WANTED, you won't look at the humans working in retail the same, especially the people working behind the scenes -- unpacking, shelving, cleaning. The book details the dreams, expectations, hopes, motivations of the (pretty much unseen by the public) workers in a big box store who unpack the daily truck and get the merchandise to relevant parts of the store. These individuals want what we want: a step up, recognition, meaning, love -- but it's harder for them. The story revolves around hopes for promotions when a new store manager is going to be named. Some funny parts and some heart breaking. Really, you have no soul if you remain oblivious to these people after reading this book. It was VERY hard to put down.

A fictional but accurate look at divorce in the U.S. in the 1950s -- how it is unfair to those without resources of her own, how it's viewed as shameful, and how it can only be obtained for what is considered a serious reason. Readers younger than baby boomers will find it fascinating, as they may not have heard of the Reno divorce ranches (to get a relatively speedy divorce, one had to be a resident for 6 weeks) for women. Much of this wasn't new to me but the main character was compelling, getting inside her not-dumb head and how her own lack of female role models informed her choices in her (up-to-now) short life. It becomes fascinating as the story speeds toward what might be a disaster.

In Liverpool before WWII, Vivian, a Catholic young woman, becomes pregnant by Jewish musician Joshua (whom she likes very much but they've only known each other a short while). His parents are accepting. Her parents -- dominated by a cruel, unfeeling, controlling, and AWFUL mother -- are not happy. Once married, the musician accepts money to leave for good, for NYC to make his way. Devastated Vivian and her delightful daughter Maggie live with her parents -- wimpy dad and the horrible mother who only cares about the opinions of others. When war breaks out, Maggie (like many children in English cities then) is sent to live in the country. The couple caring for her love her but are far too possessive for Vivian. You cheer for Vivian who gets a job and finally moves out of her parents' home (yay!!). Then the countryside is being bombed, and the couple and Maggie are presumed dead. Joshua comes back to enlist in the RAF. Vivian is a postal carrier and serendipitously delivers mail to home of his parents & sister -- who are the most normal and loving people. They all believe Maggie is lost until a clue gives them hope. One of the many good outcomes: Vivian steels her heart against her heartless, mean parents. This is a fantastic read with interesting good and bad historical details about prejudice, home life, and military life then.

A racist white family in 1960s Mississippi (where the civil rights students were killed) and a Black family the next town over in the 1980s. The entitled daughter of the white family seemingly escapes her racist legacy and in the 1980s is a graduate student at Princeton. She moves temporarily to live in the Black community to do research for her thesis. She befriends a smart Black girl ignored by her parents, but the community doesn't trust her. But she seems so sincere and likeable. A good, very readable, empathetic story for those who know they don't know enough about the South and want a different perspective.

This compelling linked-stories tale follows the Mexican-American Izquierdo family from the different points of view of hard-working and prosperous family members (father and mother and their 10 children and their children). They are generally very superstitious (many believing they have been cursed by a jealous enemy). But as this nemesis points out, "izquierdo" is Spanish for "left," possibly bringing about their own problems. Fascinating and loving look into the hearts of very decent people. (Learned a little Spanish in the process.) For anyone who likes a cultural education and some family drama. Would be great for book clubs.

The idea of this book was so intriguing to me, because I used Metropolitan Storage (the real-life Metropolis) for 6 years. It is exactly as described -- not cozy and a little creepy but clean and quiet -- and I always thought it'd be a great place to hide something nefarious. (The actual staff are wonderful.) This novel had a good premise but it's more about the characters (most of whom are likeable) and their problems (temporarily solved by the storage place) than any real mysteries. It was a page-turning read -- the problems wrap up in a satisfying way but a tad too pat.

The Chaos, a Chinese-American family -- 2 (separated) parents and 3 very different adult sons -- have a well-regarded (by Asians and non-Asians) restaurant in a Wisconsin town. Pretty much no one is very happy (except maybe the tyrant father) and then a crime. Or accident? It's all very dysphoric but you can't stop reading -- what is going to happen with the sons? Love interests? And don't forget the cute family dog. For those who like a family saga with a mystery and a little revenge.

This is a sweet and sad story. Pru, a young Jewish woman from the Midwest, starts graduate school at Columbia and falls for her professor. She finds all the lovely things about him are counterbalanced by problems (his previous marriage, his overshadowing fame) and, later, his declining health. Not a long book, but a very deliberate and well-thought-out story of perhaps an ordinary person who really is inspirational (without trying to be anything remotely like that). Hard to put down!

A truly enjoyable story about 11-year-old Norman and his single mum in England. He's just lost his best friend (a very quirky and charismatic boy) -- so, with the help of an elderly co-worker (who knows how to do A LOT), his mum agrees to let Norman try to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. And perhaps figure out who his dad is along the way. Mum is not very confident but she loves him very much. Quite a road trip. The book has some quite sad bits but there are some laugh-out-loud parts too. You have no heart if you don't like this book. For fans of BEAR NECESSITY and THE BRILLIANT LIFE OF EUDORA HONEYSETT -- we all need friends and the village to help us.

A retired couple move from the Boston area to North Carolina, to be near their daughter, but they are seemingly adrift from any purpose in life. They bonded as young adults by the loss of a parent in childhood although it doesn't seem to have given them insights to each other. In NC, where the husband spent part of his childhood, he wants to search the home he lived in. However, it's occupied by a single mother who prefers to keep others at bay. It's understandable she doesn't want a strange man in her house, but there's much more than that frightening her. The retired wife spends her days reminiscing and keeping notes for their daughter. I got the feeling the characters didn't really know how to navigate life or other people and all the signs/directions were incomprehensible to them. While much is written about loss, this is a beautifully written, heartwarming, and redemptive book. Little secrets bubble to the surface and it's very hard to put the book down. I now want to read more Jill McCorkle.

A moving story about an American-born teenager with German-born parents during WWII. She and her family were interred during the war at a camp in Texas where she meets a American-born Japanese teenager also interred there. They become fast friends and are separated when both families are returned to their parents' native countries. The historical aspects are fascinating and heart-breaking. Many decades later, the German girl (having lived in the US for decades) searches for her friend. What happens in between in compelling and very readable. For anyone who enjoys good historical fiction -- especially one about friendship.

The house in question belongs to a family in London -- 2 children and two employed parents. The father is a major screw-up and the mother is competent but thoroughly naive. After yet-again an indiscretion on dad's part, the parents part ways but the kids stay in the house. The parents take turns parenting them in the house so that the kids have that continuity. The crunchy granola idea of course doesn't work, and the mom arrives at the house after a weekend away to find complete strangers moving in...because they have bought the house. It only escalates and trouble piles on. The mystery of what happened is revealed through the rest of the book. Just as things seems to settle down, the end throws a wallop. It's a good, compelling read. Hard to put down but you do want to slap those parents.

A rich and heart-felt story of a Muslim Indian-American family in California in the early 21st century. The youngest child, the only son, is troubled yet adored. Each member of the family tries but each often fails to make others happy. Quietly told from various points of view, it is subtle and sympathetic. The guidance and constraints of religion and community mores are illuminating. This is a book everyone should read about another culture within our own country. It was very hard to put down.

This slow-burner twisty tale of friends and sisters is almost dizzying. Just as you've settled on what is happening in the life (and what happened in the past) of the main narrator, you start to realize something is very, very wrong. It's more than a case of an unreliable narrator; it's sociopathy at its creepiest. And exactly who IS the narrator? And the hairs on the back of your neck will shoot out at the end!

The title of the book refers to what will happen to the narrator's mother (who has early-onset Alzheimer disease); Clara is told that her mother -- as she knew her -- is never coming back. Clara has come back to upstate New York to look out for her mother (in a care facility) with whom she's had a fraught relationship. The story seemed a little plodding but about halfway through it becomes more engaging. There are heartbreaking moments and characters you would like if you knew them. And a little mystery of sorts thrown in.

The premise -- an accomplished writer putting her career second to family -- is not unusual but it's different for each person. So I was intrigued. Joan's thoughts and actions during the years of motherhood and marriage were enlightening and well written, thoughtful However, her writings interspersed throughout were off putting -- both the content and placement. It made it hard to enjoy the book.

The premise of the book is overwhelmingly sad (single mom of a young boy is dying) but it is compelling. As much as a young child can understand what will happen to his mom, it makes sense he wants to know who his father is and wants to meet him (probably would under any circumstances). This is the story of the mom struggling to do the best for her child and struggling even harder to make sure everyone knows SHE is the most important person in his life right now. All characters are believable and real. Interesting side story about the mom's profession of handling politicians' reputations. While not a book for those for whom it cuts too close to home, it is warm as well as heartbreaking and very readable.

HOME SWEET HOME is a bit of an ironic title because Rapid City, South Dakota, where a young NYC couple move, seems anything but sweet. The intelligent young couple and their two small children take immediately (really, immediately?) to 1950s South Dakota ranching life, making some friends. The depictions of ranching life, the harshness and mercurial nature of weather, and heartbreak of animal husbandry seem very authentic (to a non-rancher anyway). However, some outcomes seemed too good to be true, and the answer to the initial murder mystery seemed contrived and suddenly made up. The best writing was about the local people. The young couple left NYC and its constraints but found different constraints in the wide open spaces.

I'm usually disinclined to read stories about runaways, especially in controlling relationships, but I couldn't pass up a Caroline Leavitt book. And she did not disappoint! The story of 2 teenage sisters in the late 1960s who live with their adoptive mother. (I was a teenager in the same period and the depiction of the times was authentic.) One sister is studious. The other less so and enamored with an edgy teacher with whom she runs away. This of course doesn't go well. And their adoptive mother has a less-than-happy past with which she has come to terms. The world does prove to be cruel and beautiful. The book is a deeply compelling, realistic read about imperfect relationships and finding one's strengths.