I was disappointed that I didn't really enjoy this book. I was hopeful that I would, given the serious subject matter of work force inequality. But I found the characters flat and not very interesting. Oh well - can't love them all.

Daughters of Shandong is now on the top of my list of historical fiction novels. The author transports the reader into the eye of Chinese history and shows the incredible strength and fortitude of women who refused to be oppressed so that their daughters could rise above the hardships of cultural and political challenges and injustice. I found the story fascinating, compelling and surprisingly easy to read, despite the intense and, at times, brutal subject matter(s).

This was a very difficult and challenging read for me. Nevertheless, the author's knowledge about the problems and incredible corruption in Haiti is beyond impressive.

This is one of the most interesting books I've read in a while. It explores so many issues: astronomy and space exploration, racism, relationships and the search for the understanding of, and love for, a remarkable and genius parent. The writing is moving and complex, and the author's master of the English language helps emphasize the brilliance of the story's narrator as well as the author herself.

I really enjoyed this book about a Chinese American immigrant family told from the perspective of different characters. The characters are well-developed and complex and are faced with very real challenges - both in their past and presently. The ending caught me by surprise, and made me reflect and question how people, including myself, would deal with such a tragic situation.

It was a very easy read, even though some of the topics are not light fare, and I found the author's writing style straightforward, clear and detailed.

What a great book - and so timely - about a teenager ("Bucky") living in Washington state who is deported to his birth country of South Korea. While this book is a very easy read, the subject matter is serious and intense. Yet, the author manages to infuse humor into Bucky's experiences, helping to alleviate some of the hardships he must endure.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone interested in an immigrant's story told from the perspective of a teenager who knows little about his birth country.

I was so moved by this book because of the many shared experiences with the author.

While I'm a few years older than Priscilla Gilman, I too grew up in the 70's in New York and could relate to so many of the stories shared in this beautifully written book. Ms. Gilman eloquently captures the complexity of emotions experienced by a little girl through her adult life and the impact of her special relationship with her famous, late father. A stunning memoir.

I became immersed in this book immediately and could not put it down. I was swept away by the compelling, varied, colorful, sometimes tortured cast of characters who are integrally connected by the war and political turmoil in the Sudan. A truly remarkable, unforgettable novel.

I absolutely loved this book and to my own surprise, could not stop reading. In fact, the more I read, the more I wanted to read until the very end, which blew my mind (in such a good way). To say it's about a woman who wins the lottery and seeks to live her life secluded from society immersed in the 70's sitcom Three's Company does not do the book justice. The author addresses important issues of trauma, loneliness & mental health in a wholly original way. High praise for One's Company and for Ashley Hutson!!

I didn't know what to expect from this book, other than reading rave reviews. And I have to agree, this book is wonderful. Rarely do I find myself wanting to re-read passages to fully absorb what the author is saying. Anyone who has experienced caring for an elderly or sick loved one will find themselves nodding or shaking their heads in concert with Alice, the main character, as she contends with caring for her dying stepfather and contemplating the meaning of "time."

I received this book after entering a BookBrowse giveaway. It took me a bit to get into the book and had initially considered putting it down. But I stayed with it and ended up liking it. I didn't love it.
I liked the way the book is told by the main character "Maddy"- a 20 year old homeless woman (still a girl in many ways) who, with her beloved and devoted dog, lives in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
Through Maddy, the reader is introduced to many characters - other homeless youth/young adults and people who want to understand Maddy and her choice to live on the streets - all of whom are caring, yet also flawed. I found the book's ending uplifting, albeit not in a traditional sense.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in homelessness and why some people choose to live on the streets, rather than "inside."

I read this book in almost one sitting. The author presents the reader with so many thought provoking topics/issues we face in today's society: racism, sexism, discrimination, violence and sensitivity for the environment. Some readers may not like the book as it isn't "uplifting" but after you've finished, the stories told stay with you and make you question your own and others' values.
I highly recommend this book if you're interested in a fast paced story set in a North Carolina residential neighborhood.