I chose this title hoping to enjoy a story about connecting to animal life an all it's interesting facets. I enjoy stories that help us see the makeup of animals and how they can become our friends by means of patience and understanding. However, this was not a title to make that connection. I kept getting distraction to all the details and facts about animal behavior that did not add to the reading. I tried several times to pick up and join the author's enthusiasm in connecting to wildlife but could not.

The first person we meet is a child named Ella. She is a child unloved by a mother and a cruel stepfather. Within the family Ella is made to feel she is invisible and not worth belonging in this family. Ella's skin may be black but her heart is as real as Scout's in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird." She is a very strong character and is equal to the second protagonist, Ms. James. Miss James also suffers through life because of the color of her skin. She is white but schooled by family to hate those considered beneath them, black people. This is a heart wrenching story that should be read by all. We need reminders that there is more to people than the color of their skin and going deeper getting to know what is in the heart will help us appreciate people for who they really are.

What a wonderful feel great book. We hear that more and more communities find libraries are the last of the budget agenda. As a librarian who worked in a library for 36 years this book caught my interest immediately. Our library went through the same crisis as the Chalcot Library in a English Village. A library is more then shelves of books as this book helped the reader appreciate. A library can be many, many things to different people.

Many references were made in abundance to books and characters Very entertaining and it made the protagonist June Jones a real and believable, knowledgeable librarian.

But the book is also about the people of Chalcot who loved their library and were willing to give of themselves to save it from being closed. The ending was quite a surprise, but will not disappoint anyone who reads this title.

When the tsunami of March 11, 2011 swept Japan's coast it left behind tremendous grief in the forms of lost lives. The title of this book is what caught my interest immediately. I was not disappointed in choosing and reading this book. It addresses the questions we all have how to deal we our personal grief. But it opens our perspective that there is no one right way to grieve. Relief and a degree of solace is attained for all who trek the mount that has the telephone booth connected to nothing but what the caller says and receives in their conversations with their dear dead loved ones.

The topic of love messages on love locks is inviting. The story is light, quick to get into and read. Topics covers is love lost, starting over alone, raising a child without a mother but underlying all is hope. A wonderful story to enjoy on a cruise or on a beach.

This title would have been one of my beloved recommendations for my patrons at the library I worked at for 36 years. The government program instituted in the 1930s took books to the isolated hills of Kentucky and was a soul saving gift to the people. Books are a gift for all of us when the stories of those we know nothing about are told. We are enlightened, and learn that people who may appear different are no different than we are on the inside. I came away with a deeper understand of those who live a life of isolation and extreme poverty yet love the solace and connection to other worlds outside of their own by means of books. We appreciate each and everyone of us have value when reading a story unlike our own life between the pages of a book.

I was pulled into the story of Ellie Jacobs in the very first chapter. No, in the very first paragraph. The chapter also introduced us to Dan Hollis, the Harp Maker. A wonderful story ensued and it was difficult to close the book to tend to other daily duties. You sense the promise of a good story, despite the turmoils and problems. A good read with a satisfying ending.

This is a perfect read for the summer. The flavor of the book is mellow, and show paced. This is not to say it is boring. Far from it. The characters are well rounded and believable. The cat who is the narrator is a bit too opinionated for my tastes. But then again, it reflects the personality of most cats. Cats have always made me think they are smarter than we give them credit. A perfect book for pet lovers, especially lovers of cats.

When I read the first paragraph in The Story of Arthur Truluv I immediately knew I would enjoy the book. Elizabeth Berg did not disappoint in this beautiful story of family. We are not speaking of a traditional family, but a true loving family none the less made up of two elderly people and a troubled teen. The characters are so real and you become part of the daily activities of life in this family You care for each one of the members. The story reminds us how valuable older people are despite the fact our two elderly persons feel they are useless human beings. The teenage girl in our story learns this valuable lesson and how despite feeling unlovable is shown otherwise by her two new friends. A wonderful story that will stay with me for sometime. It reminds us we must make ourselves take the time for each other as part of the human race, whether family or not. The simple things in life are what really matter and give us joy and an inner peace with ourselves. Many passages to enjoy and digest.

I totally enjoyed this book because although using the premise of castaways on an off the map small island as many other stories and movie scripts have used the author's approach was interesting and kept my interest throughout. The relationship between our castaways was like watching a marriage's beginning. How so? Learning about each others characteristics resulted in anger, criticisms, but eventually compromising and learning to enjoy each other despite imperfections. Working together to survive on this deserted island forced the give and take relationship to blossom. I am almost certain this will be made into a movie.

The topic of The Same Sky is what caught my interest immediately. It is a story that has been told but needs to be told again and again. The struggles of families in Mexico living in poverty and entering the U.S. in hopes of finding a better life.

However, I could not sympathize with the people depicted in the story from either side of the border. The characters were flat. The language was predictable. The story seemed to be written as a possible script for a TV movie. The metaphors were not inspirational because they did not move my heart to feel the emotions being conveyed. As a reader I was told how to feel. The words used did not allow me to imagine the scenes or emotions portrayed. The story could have been a wonderful story told through the eyes of those who suffer injustice and extreme poverty. It could have made us empathize and want to have life changed for the better for these people. I can't say I would recommend this book to anyone, except someone who wants to carry around a volume of fluff just in case they need something to do while standing in a coffee line.