Mrs. Plansky, a widow of six months, is settling in to a new condo, making new friends, and a new life. She longs to hear from her children and she can afford to be generous to them and to her father in assisted living. Both children and father expect no less. Is she generous to a fault? When a problem arises Mrs. Plansky rises to meet the challenge with wit, wisdom, and an indomitable spirit. If revenge is sweet, Mrs. Plansky and the reader are in for an interesting adventure. A great read for book clubs and and gift for women of "a certain age".

I was intrigued by the short synopsis of In the Time of Our History on BookBrowse and definitely not disappointed in the reading of it. The clash of cultural and familial expectations with Mitra's assertions of independence eventually lead to secrets revealed, understanding and resolution, and a new way forward. This book will be hard to put down and will draw the reader into a more reflective consideration of cultural differences and family dynamics no matter your family origins. I highly recommend this book for a greater understanding of the world and possibly of oneself.

Any person whose view of Chinese culture consists of placemat calendars and Chop Suey has a very small window indeed. Carolyn Phillips invites to a much broader perspective. Her thirst for knowledge led her to China and its challenges, adventures, and romance. Her passion for the food, history, and people of China beautifully challenges us to expand our world view and culinary tastes. The recipes at the end of each chapter along with the glossary information make an expansion of the culinary repertoire much more accessible. This book was a joy to read and share.

Our first impression of Majella O'Neill comes through her long list of what she's not keen on and a short list of things that do meet her approval. My lists are reversed in length. I did not care for the foul language and casual sex. I was tempted to drop the book but I'm glad I stuck with it. I am glad I took the time to become acquainted with Majella. I recognized the quiet person trying to find a world she will be comfortable in, indeed, trying to find a way to be comfortable in her own skin. She's a kind person stuck in a small town and still grappling with results of the Irish conflicts. In the end, one can feel hope for Majella and maybe even all the other quiet and lost souls in our world.

No story of a war can be told in black and white, one side right and one wrong yet that is how such things are often viewed. Perhaps we've not stepped away far enough to allow for a more sympathetic view of Viet Nam. The Mountains Sing provides a view of the culture, history, language, and family life that is completely enthralling. The reader is drawn into the heart of the country and its struggles through the family trying to do more than just survive, but to live with love and hope,The examples of respect and honors for ancestors, devotion to family, and persistence in the face of incredible odds are lessons for all. The hope and love shine through in this emotionally fulfilling novel. I look forward to hearing more from Nguyen Phan Que Mai either in new books or translations of some of her previous works.

Although the cover art, title, and even the first chapter intrigued me, I did not feel the remainder fulfilled that expectation. Between first and last chapters I found transitions from present to past and all the places and people involved to be too often unclear. I felt no connection to the characters or depth to most of the characters. Their relationships seemed shallow for the most part. Although the final pages do reveal some redemptive qualities it seemed too little, too late. I only reached those final pages due to my commitment to the review. Otherwise, I'd have left them all behind in their smallness.

Reading takes you somewhere else when you have to stay where you are. I've just completed a pleasant journey to The Seine. Along the way I learned myth and history, islands and shorelines, stories, art, and song. Most interesting were the people that tell the stories of the river and its environs. A good book prompts more questions and explorations and I can easily imagine a book group discussion on many topics here. Any one planning to travel to Paris would do well to explore this book prior to boarding your flight.