This is not a simple book. These are not simple characters. On the one hand, we have Louise, a woman who is drowning in an emotional morass that requires copious amounts of alcohol and pills for her to make it through a day. She is fleeing a neglected childhood, a sacrificed youth and visions of a reclusive, lonely spinsterhood for her future. On the other hand, we have Henri, a solitary man who has recurring nightmares about his vanished idyllic childhood, who also sacrificed his youth to please his parents and who suffers intense guilt for past transgressions. These two troubled people meet and are thrown together through a complicated series of events, a coil that winds tighter and tighter as the story progresses. I loved Louise's character because she is no cookie-cutter woman. She isn't the sacrificial lamb I expected from a woman of this time period. She had enough of martyrdom and, once a line was crossed, looked out for herself with a cold, steely-eyed determination. Henri needed to pull himself up the seedy, life of crime that threatened to take over and cripple his future. So, we have two complex characters, each running from disastrous pasts towards impossible futures, until…they meet. Intriguing story. Not the happiest book I've ever read, but satisfying, nonetheless. It would make a good movie.

When I read the title and summary of this book, "The Lost English Girl", I had a very good idea of what the book was about and where it was headed. Well, I was wrong. I thought the book would tell the story of a mother who evacuated her child during WWII and the child was lost and she and her husband would have to find her. Some of that was true, but the story was so much more. It involves the reader in many moral issues: how wrong is it, at age 19, to choose your own dreams over unwanted, unexpected responsibilities, what should a person have to endure to atone for a youthful lapse, how much forgiveness is possible from parents whose moral code has been transgressed, when does meddling with someone's life, for their perceived own good become acceptable? All of these and more are addressed in Julia Kelly's book. I liked that the book spoke about the evacuated children, how their lives were turned inside out and how coming home wasn't always a fairy tale ending. Don't be fooled by the title. This book may not be what you expect.

The mystery genre is my favorite and I must've read a million mystery books. I've learned to love a good, tangled yarn that, in the end, plays me for a fool. This book surprised me and that surprised me. I also love a good serial killer, a depraved serial killer (is there any other kind?) and The Fields checked that box as well. We've got a flawed detective (think Harry Hole, Jo Nesbo's protagonist as the gold standard) and a back story concerning said detective that keeps rearing it's ugly head. We have a lot of intriguing things in play, all set in the cornfields of Iowa, written by an English author, which is a mystery in itself. How is a lady in Brighton, England, intimate with midwestern America? I live in Texas and I'm very sure I couldn't write about Brighton, England. Kudos to Erin Young for an absorbing story that is well written and keeps you guessing. I look forward to her next book with Sergeant Riley Fisher as the protagonist.

This book made me nervous! I went down the rabbit hole with Mrs. March (almost never learning her first name-even as a child, she’s called Mrs. March), twisting and turning, always worried. What will happen next? It took me on a downward spiral, a slow circling of the drain until the ending, which was both unexpected and inevitable. In most books, I can get into the character’s head and figure out what their next move will be. Not so, Mrs. March. Her mind was a dark labyrinth that defied predictability. I’ll quote Bette Davis here. If you read this book, “Buckle your seat belts. You’re in for a bumpy ride.”

The names of people and places in The Widow Queen were so foreign, it presented a stumbling block for me. The story was long and it took me at least 100 pages before I was able to follow it. I almost gave up. I persevered and was rewarded with a saga about Vikings, Danes, Swedes and Norwegians, about Kings, Queens, Princes, villains, heroes and gods. I struggled to keep up with the politics and wars and never did get that part straight. What kept me going was the love story between Swietoslawa (try saying that three times quickly) and Olav. Just when I was able to keep up with characters and back stories, the book ended and I was told to read the sequel to find out what happens next. I probably won't do that. I'm not saying the book was awful, just very difficult to read.

I grew up in the sixties so many of my classmates were drafted into the Vietnam war. Many died in those jungles, boys that I knew. All these years later, I still had an instant, knee-jerk, bitter taste for all things related to that war that "wasn't a war". Why I even chose to read this book is a mystery to my very own self. I think, perhaps, I was ready to try and understand a new perspective, that in my 70's, I've finally learned that war is abominable for both sides. The Mountains Sing relives the horror, the tragedy and the human spirit to survive with what seems like first-hand knowledge. Nguyen Phan Que Mai tells the story of one family as they try to survive not only the war with America but the civil war after. The story is heart-breaking but, at the end, makes us believe that redemption and forgiveness are the only way forward. Maybe we all need to hear the rest of the story.

I'm assuming Brooke Fossey is a young woman. I don't know any old ones named Brooke. How she was able to write this book from the perspective of an 88-year-old man is a total mystery. But, by golly, she did it. My sister is in assisted living and this book mirrors the activities in her home to a tee. The story, I thought, gives hope to those of us facing end-of-life decisions. If other readers found that depressing, just keep whistling in the dark, my friends. I found the story of the Centennial inhabitants to be very encouraging. If, at the end, we can be with friends, people who care about us and people who can come together to help one another and even strangers, what a blessing. A warm, inviting read that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

I enjoyed this book very much. Jessica Hindman's memoir of growing up in Appalachia and pursuing a dream of being a classical violinist was as amazing as it was funny. What four-year-old hears Vivaldi in a movie about a squirrel and bases her life on creating a skill set that will enable her to play that tune? Her dogged determination from the age of eight when she received her first violin made me feel like such a slacker. I didn't figure out what I wanted to do until I was nearly thirty. By that time, Jessica had a degree from Columbia, had travelled the entire United States and Middle East and China chasing her dreams. This book was very well written with a biting sense of humor and some thought-provoking insights into growing up a self-avowed "average" person who thought she could work herself into being gifted. The irony here is she is immensely gifted as a writer, not a musician. Her jaw-dropping story of being part of an Ensemble that mimes performances for years will make you want to dig into the archives of PBS specials. Her description of "The Composer" portrays a man who is simple and complex and extremely kind and cruel. Terrific read even if you don't like nonfiction.

I love historical novels, particularly those written about WWII. I've read a great many but I've never read one from Rosa's point of view. I don't think I was even aware that Hitler had food tasters but it makes sense that he did. The interesting thing about this story, however, wasn't that she faced death with each meal, but that she had been plucked, seemingly at random, from a life of waiting for her husband to return from the war to a life that forced her to examine who she was as a woman and a human being. She didn't always like who she was, she had flaws and in wartime, flaws can be lethal. As a reader, you always imagine, "What would I do? What choices would I make?" These questions, I think, would make for a very interesting book club discussion. Rosa was placed in a situation, not of her own making, that held dire consequences. What would you do? Read the book and answer the question.

I hate cliches. I hate "I couldn't put this book down." Of course you can. And you will. Having said that, I couldn't put this book down. I read while I ate. I read while I bathed in the tub. I read while I was supposed to be sleeping. I couldn't let it go. What was going to happen to poor Fi? What more trouble could Bram get into? We are led deeper and deeper into a labyrinth of lies and unfortunate events until the very breath is squeezed out of us and it doesn't let up until the very last word in the book. The very last word. Sometimes characters are drawn in such a way, we aren't given the opportunity to draw our own conclusions about them. Are they good or evil people? Our minds are made up for us by the author. I love it when I have a decision to make about a character. Is he entirely evil or just a regular guy with bad luck and a weak character? Is she totally stupid and powerless or does she have some spine, after all? These are some of many questions that this book raises and your answers will probably be all wrong when you're done. Terrific read!

I found this book hard to finish. It's not that I insist on a happy book or happy ending, but page after page of doom and gloom makes for an unappealing read for me. I was, at first, hopeful that I would enjoy the story because the premise was promising: a young couple with a baby leaving their home and secure future to take a huge financial risk in a rapidly developing economy in Hungary. It's something I wish I could've done, so the initial plot line pulled me in. But, then, the story deteriorated when the main character, Annie, became, in my opinion, unrealistically involved with an old man who exhibited personality traits most people would've considered crazy. Most people would not have gotten caught up in this demented old man's scheme of revenge. I ended up disliking almost everyone in the book and the ending most of all. It felt like the author had painted herself into a corner and the only way out was to wrap things up quickly. I couldn't recommend this to anyone.

This isn't your ordinary murder mystery. This is so cleverly done, even as you read the last page, you're saying, "Wait! WHAAAAT?" I learned a few things from this book. For instance, I never knew there were college kids who majored in Shakespearean drama and who could carry on entire conversations in Shakespearean English. I never knew kids could become obsessed with Shakespeare at 11 years of age. This book was engaging from the jump and kept you wondering until (and past) the end. I would've given it 5 stars except I'm not sure everyone would enjoy the Shakespearean quotes which are on practically every page. If you're into the Bard, then you've hit the jackpot. If you like a good mystery, a good story, then you, too, will enjoy this book.

I was so smug when I read this book, thought I figured it out and even said, "It was good, but I figured it out before the end". Until I got to the end. Humbling, to say the least. This was a good mystery, with several layers, several stories within stories, that kept me intrigued. The characters were well developed and likable and, most of all, kept you guessing. If you're a mystery fan, don't pass this one up. It may surprise you.

When I picked this book up, I didn't know what to expect, knew nothing about it. If I had, I probably would've passed, thinking it was too "new-age-y" for me. But, what a delightful surprise when I found myself absorbed in the story, turning pages long after I should've been asleep, wanting to get more deeply involved. Without giving anything away, let me say, this story sucked me in. Once I figured out what the overlying subject matter was (something I would've rejected out of hand), it was too late. I was hooked. Great story, clever writing, enlightening and highly recommended.

I was reading right along, enjoying this book, when BAM! It ended. I love mysteries and, like everyone else who reads the genre, try to figure things out as I go along. If I'm surprised or can't figure it out, I consider that a good book when all is revealed at the end. This was definitely a surprise because very little was revealed. The book just ended. I'm assuming it's a lead-in for Mr. Barclay's next book and maybe then the mysterious questions will be answered? Or not. I felt cheated and a bit angry. I don't like to be left twisting in the wind.

I don't read much non-fiction. I love getting lost in a "story". Fortunately for me (and for any other readers) Lusitania tells a story, a riveting, transfixing story. Greg King and Penny Wilson did their homework. This book is so well-researched, I can't imagine anything was overlooked. I felt like I was on the ship myself. I had vague memories of the Lusitania from my high school history class, but all I remembered was...it sunk. I knew it was torpedoed by a German U-boat, but that was the extent of it. These authors laid out the entire story from beginning to sad ending and did it in a compelling way. It read like one of my beloved novels instead of a factual presentation of an historical event. If you've ever been on a cruise yourself or remember the Costa Concordia, this book will strike a chord with you. I've never been in a book club, but I think this book would spark a spirited discussion. Good read!

I love mysteries and have read about a million of them and am never happier than when I've read a good one, one that keeps me up at night, reading way past a sensible hour. FIVE was one of those books. It started out with a bang and picked up speed until the very end. I struggled with Beatrice, the lead detective on the case, felt her anxiety, worried about her children, her rotten ex-husband, her hateful boss. The clues kept arriving, but, mercy! Arriving steeped in blood and were seemingly unconnected. If you want a read that will keep you riveted, pick up FIVE by Ursula Archer. You won't be disappointed.

This book was high octane sugar. I'm not saying it was a bad book, just not my cup of tea. The plot was somewhat contrived and the outcome never in doubt. I liked the characters, just not the story so much. Just a sweet read, if you like that kind of thing. Personally, I like a book that makes me think and has some anxious moments. This was like watching a Hallmark movie and eating Milk Duds at the same time. It wasn't badly written, just too saccharine.

This book, I think, was written for younger readers, youth readers, even though it did have some sex in it. It was just too much of a fairy tale to be believable. The heroine, Katie OToole, was just that - a HEROINE! In capital letters! Katie did have many doubts (which were outlined for us over and over and over) about her place in life and her abilities, but she always managed to triumph in every situation. This is where the author lost me and maybe it's just me. I lose interest in characters that aren't flawed. Give me a good old alcoholic, a drug addict, a gambler, a self-centered clod and I can work with that. If the character is PERFECT and can practically raise the dead, I smell "made-up" and feel it's written for children. Having said that, the story was interesting and probably would make good reading for teens. Very young teens.

I wanted to like this book. It was billed, on the cover, as "A wild romp through the South...". This book was not a romp. Carl Hiaasen writes romps and I love them. This was a tedious story about a dysfunctional family that went on far too long. The book is told from the viewpoint of eleven different characters, most of whom are in the same family. Each character was less likeable than the last until you get to the end of the book and you realize you've read 359 pages about people you despise. There were some funny lines in it, but not enough to make it a book I would recommend to anyone. I say pass on this one.