It’s the 20th reunion at Harvard for a group of diverse women friends whom we meet initially through their “Red Book” entries. This could have been a run of the mill novel but it is anything but. It’s a terrifically intelligent and funny novel with sharp observations about family, friendship, death, aging, secrets and infidelity. All the characters were very genuine and the dialogue natural, making for a thumbs up reading experience.

Overall, this was not one of my favorite books. I almost abandoned it. I found the writing burdensome and the pace slow. Even though the characters were well developed, I really didn’t care what happened to either of them. I didn’t believe that they could help each other find the meaning of their lives.

This book took me totally by surprise. I finished it in two days and was a little sorry to see it end. What I really liked about the book was its voice. It flowed naturally with a well balanced mix of description and dialogue. The story has a personality that is sometimes touching, sometimes humorous and almost always believable.

I was looking forward to reading this book, but I was disappointed. The story revolves around a somewhat unconventional reunion of three characters, all of whom left me cold. I found the plot hard to follow as bounced back and forth between the present and the past. The writing, particularly the dialogue, flowed easily and was quite polished. That was what kept me reading.

This is not your typical mystery thriller and that’s what makes it such a pleasurable read.
It is really a tale about friendship revisited and secrets surfacing. When Nora and Charlotte were 11, their babysitter, Rose, disappeared and Nora was the last person to see Rose alive. At the time, the two friends tried to find out what happened, using paranormal methods extracted from a set of Time-Life books. Their efforts failed and so did their friendship. Fast forward fifteen years to 2006 when Rose’s bones are discovered and the two friends set out to unravel the mystery surrounding Rose’s murder. The book alternates seamlessly between the past and the present and as the investigation progresses, secrets emerge, resulting in a conclusion that is totally unexpected. This book will not disappoint.

I had a hard time getting into the book, but as the plot thickened and the intrigues multiplied, I ended up whipping through the last two thirds. My biggest problem was with the protagonist, Brendan Prescott. He was pleasant enough, but I found his rise to hero hood a bit unbelievable, given what I know about the political atmosphere of that era. I’ll be curious to find out how Brendan uses what he has learned and matures in the next book in the series

It is fortunate that Sally Brady listened to her friend, Morgan, and son, Andrew, when they encouraged her to tell the story of her marriage to Upton Brady. What results is a pouring out of intense emotions as the author relates the powerful events that unfolded during the course of her 46-year marriage. Her style is so perfectly suited to the memoir genre that the reader cannot help being moved. It’s worth reading, but be prepared for a roller coaster ride that you won’t forget.

This is my first Tess Monaghan book and I am hooked. Tess reminds me a little of my favorite childhood female detective, Nancy Drew. I devoured that series and may do the same with Tess. .”The Girl in the Green Raincoat” is a well-written mystery with crisp dialogue and realistic characters. There is a case for Tess to solve, but, to me, the solution is not as important as what Tess learns about herself, her past and her values.

Having read Susan Casey’s enthralling and gripping book, “The Wave,” I will view the ocean through a different lens, one that sees it as both powerful and mysterious. The author takes us on a journey that is as thrilling as the surfing challenges she describes. She travels with the select group of extreme surfers as they track down the seven most formidable waves, all of which have “a distinct character.” Interspersed between the wave chases are fascinating profiles of the scientists seeking to understand what causes the ocean’s unpredictable behavior. “The Wave” will not disappoint.

This book is not a page turner, but I found myself drawn into the story. I loved the author's lyrical yet simple writing style. By using vivid descriptions and fresh dialogue, the author treats the reader to a visual experience. There was an earthy/dream like quality that reminded me of some of Alice Hoffman's novels and she is one of my favorites. Hopefully we will hear more from Carey Wallace.

The Lovers by Vendela Vida

This “coming of adult” awareness novel starts off strong as we meet Yvonne who has returned to Turkey where she honeymooned with her recently deceased husband. The story spirals down as Yvonne seeks answers about her life, her family and her future. What she finds did not really ring true for me and I thought the pivotal event was not really believable. What saved the novel was the author’s easy to read writing style coupled with her astute descriptions and realistic dialogue. Friends tell me that her first novel is far better so I’ve placed it in my shopping cart.