I really enjoyed The Stolen Child because the characters motivations seemed real and their task appeared impossible. As the tortured WWI vet and his college dropout assistant undertook the mission to find a child from WWI, I immediately became engrossed in their journey. With no professional experience, they cleverly start to unravel the mystery of the past. There are the inevitable twists and turns, ups and downs, discoveries and setbacks but through it all you get to witness personal growth, enlightenment and self realization.

I was intrigued by the use of Moby-Dick in this 1849 historical fiction story set in whale hunting Nantucket. It would take an exceptional woman to be the sole proprietor of an Inn for whalers. I was not disappointed; all the women in this book were unique, exhibiting wisdom and compassion when faced with adversity. I loved the honest portrayal in the interactions between mothers and daughters when both were faced with opposing viewpoints.

Following the family mystery through all the twists and turns around the world kept me turning pages. Lastly, the author's use of relating the life cycle of the sperm whale to illustrate generations of motherly love was genuinely poetic.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast moving story of strong women forging their own future facing adversity then triumphing over it.

I was about halfway into this complicated story when I began agreeing with the prime character, Henri, that "none of it makes any sort of sense." Two totally different people attached by a single incident are traveling in parallel across Europe to Istanbul. Each in their own way is trying to resolve the events of their past. However, upon arriving in Istanbul the story explodes with excitement, clarity and conclusions. The final escapade involving the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar is so richly described, I felt like I was there.

Where the story is ambiguous in the beginning, the travel locations, Paris and Belgrade fill in with appealing sights and cuisine. The use of French and Arabic is used frequently but sometimes there is no passable translation. Reading on a Kindle might be an advantage to attaining a translation. I believe this book will appeal to readers that enjoy international destinations that they would not likely be able to visit.

The Gifts was a pleasure to read. The format was ideal for gradually getting to know the aspirations and struggles of each character during the 1840 time period. Many of the books themes such as misuse of religion, deadly ambition, greed and misogyny are alive and well in today's society. Despite being hampered by social mores of the time, it was heart warming to see how cleverly the collective women used their instinctive intelligent and talents to reach a conclusion.

I really loved The God of Endings. It is a wonderfully exciting different kind of vampire story. This epic tale of a young women's personal growth and acceptance spans numerous life times over two centuries and across several continents. It delves into the struggle of her unwanted immortality, the powers it gives her and the denial of human attributes she longs to have.

It's beautifully written with detailed imagery of mountain landscapes, quaint villages, ocean voyages, and interesting people. I was so captivated by the heroines loving and compassionate qualities that I easily accepted some of the more gruesome unthinkable ones. In the course of all the twists and turns inevitable in multiple lifetimes, I particularly enjoyed how the author integrated art as a perfect segue to each new beginning.

Initially, the story was tedious trying to follow two story lines over a half a century and keeping track of a large Indian families trials and tribulations. However, partway through the book significant parallels of King Rao's world and escalating current issues of today's world began to emerge. To solve all worlds' problems, the author presents sophisticated technological solutions, via King Rao. As a result, the various consequences to achieving a new world order can be unsettling. Anyone in the field of technology would be totally absorbed by this story.

What I loved about this book was the way such a significant historical event as the collapse of the Soviet Union was presented. Lea Ypi's memoir of living through Albania's abrupt transition of socialism to the formerly maligned capitalism provides a realism that could never be duplicated in a history book. Belief systems for millions of people are uprooted. The author sites numerous examples, some humorous, some tragic, of her family and others suddenly experiencing free speech, free elections, free markets, and open borders. Free also gives the reader a rare glimpse of daily life in a socialist society where the collective is paramount, religion is nonexistent, propaganda is preached in the schools, goods are limited or scarce, and praise for the leader is embedded in all aspects of life. Despite a universal desire for democracy and freedom, the author causes the reader to reflect on the price that one actually pays for freedom.
"Free" should be required reading in all high school and college world history classes.

With meticulous research, the author weaves a fictional story around a sensational historic court case held in Alabama in 1973 involving reproductive rights for women.

The drama unfolds on two fronts, the US Governments role in the court case and the people closely involved. The narrative centers around the affected family, their nurses and an array of friends, all African Americans, who are attempting to navigate a tragedy in a bigoted southern environment.

I enjoyed this book because the subject was a revelation for me. It read like a crime novel exposing the extent and enormity of the practice of racial sterilization. This book is intended to bring these past atrocities to light and broadcast awareness to those who can voice dissent.

History has shown that every evolutionary artistic period has been fraught with resistance. Manet's Journal illustrates the challenges and consequences for artists who tread outside the boundaries of tradition. Manet's desire for artistic freedom of expression clashes with his financial and personal need to please the public and his critics. This is a recurring theme even today among artists. The author, Maureen Gibbons has written an enchanting story to express how this well known artist maneuvered within the competitive environment of the late 18th century ultimately being recognized as the father of Modern Art. With comical tidbits and personal insights, he manages to pursue his passion for painting even while suffering with a debilitating illness. Including relevant illustrations of his paintings would be a wonderful addition for the reader. This is the type of book that would inspire artists of all genres' and should be a staple in any Art Centers reference library.

In the opening prologue, I was intrigued by the way the reader is immediately drawn into the 25-year old mystery of the vanishing student and male teacher. Temple House has its share of prejudice, cliquish girls, petty jealousies' and ultimately lies and betrayal. The methodical unfolding of the teenage love fantasy provides the perfect storm for a dramatic event. Once the mystery is revealed, the reader is promptly compelled to re-visit the prologue in order to get the full impact of the conclusion of the story. I particularly liked the way the author tied up all the loose ends.
Because this story has several underlying themes I believe it would be ideal for a book club discussion.

Chroniclers of 10th Century Scandinavia, known as the "dark ages", have scant documentation for historians to fully detail and recount various kingdoms and royal families. But the author, Cherezinska, has collected what factual evidence is available and woven a rich tapestry of budding kingdoms from Poland to Scandinavia, royal characters, monarch manipulations, obsession for power, territorial battles, betrayal, political intrigue and love with personal sacrifice. One is tempted to make certain comparisons to the 21st Century.

A 13 year period with the main noble individuals details the daily workings and religious/pagan practices of a kingdom as well as highlighting the continuous internal maneuvering required to expand and/or protect a monarchy. The role of royal daughters is of particular interest as we learn how men politically determine their futures. One woman's resistance is at the center of this story.

Kings, Jarls, Chieftains all seek to acquire territory, alliances, dominance and power. As the conflicts continue, the emergence of a new influence, Christianity, begins to casts an unknown into any victory where pagan societies exist.

This story contains numerous foreign names, place and things which could be a deterrent for some readers but the swift attachment to the characters, and rapid pace of plot keep the reader involved. At the end of the book there is much as stake and a new exciting scheme is implied but alas, the reader will have to wait for the sequel for all to be revealed.

This is a gripping story about three women who share different forms of abuse by men and their struggle to achieve some sense of justice. Their initial efforts are thwarted by powerful men with rank and wealth who are masters at controlling the dialogue.

But through their cunning and dogged digging into the backgrounds of the manipulators they are able to expose a covert brotherhood of males and their misdeeds.

Eventually all is exposed, but there is a sobering reality when the truth and justice collide.

I think this subject would be of great interest to a book club.