When I first started "The Little Italian Hotel" by Phaedra Patrick I was preparing myself for a 'same old, same old' plot, but looking for an Italian experience anyway. But the main character's generosity turned the story around, as well as the lives of three heartbroken strangers and herself.

Over the course of two weeks, each character chooses an activity that ends up providing true appreciation of the present moment and ultimately self discovery, all the while enjoying Italy's charming towns and countryside.

Of course there are unexpected twist and turns that kept me turning each page but left me satisfied with the outcome for each character's vacation.

Some years ago I accidentally stumbled on The Art Forger by B A. Shapiro and became a fan of the author and the book. So I was pleased to be selected to read and review "Metropolis".

I will never drive by a storage warehouse again without imagining the lives of the lessees, what mysterious contents are enclosed, and the story of the building itself.

Shapiro draws us in by slowly revealing the multifaceted lives of six characters, building owner, property manager, and four renters of units, each of whom seem to have little control over their lives. But the 'contents' being stored tell another story; contents being both human and material.

A dismantled elevator provides psychological suspense even while showcasing the interdependence and trust developing between the characters. Though I don't always need a happy ending, it was heartwarming to see control return to the characters lives.

I am delighted to review "The Scribe of Siena". Author Melodie Winawer introduced me to a subject of which I knew nothing, the plague in 1300 Italy. She used time travel so effectively to accomplish this, that I overcame my dislike of this method. Also, it is so very apparent that she deeply researched the Italy of current and fourteenth century times, the Italian language, and fresco painting.
I eagerly await Melodie Winawer's next book!

I do not usually read books known as "thrillers" but I sure am glad I read this one. I was immediately drawn into this story of a resident surgeon practicing at an illustrious east coast hospital, hoping to be invited onto it's permanent staff when he finally finishes his residency. The physician author knowingly illustrates the trials and tribulations of such a resident, interesting in and of itself, while he uncovers the incidents and protagonist out to keep him from attaining his goal. I was taught me so much about the inner workings of surgery, most of which I hope I never experience, while thoroughly enjoying a compelling novel with a truly unexpected ending.

I was thrilled to see Jamie Ford's second novel "Songs of Willow Frost" as a First Impressions book. I absolutely loved his first novel, "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" so was apprehensive that "Songs" would not live up to "Hotel.

I was not disappointed! The setting is Seattle again, of which I am familiar, and the time period is the Depression years of 1921 to 1934, of which I am barely familiar, and that only from hearsay.

Mr. Ford, name not withstanding, is the great-grandson of a Chinese mining pioneer and a past resident of Seattle's Chinatown. Thus his portrayal of the Chinese-American experience in that town and that era is authentic, educational, and interesting.

This story of a 3 year old boy placed in an orphanage by a sickly mother is heart-wrenching. We learn of 'Willy' endearing himself to the other orphans and to the Sisters of Sacred Heart Orphanage. We follow him as he yearns for and searches for his mother, whom he suspects is a well-known exotic movie star. We learn of early movie making in Seattle, an important and little-known industry there.

And, because Mr. Ford writes with insight and sensitivity, we almost understand and forgive a mother who had two choices and decided the orphanage was the best and only place for her young son.

Though this book may not be the block-buster that "Hotel' was, it will please a variety of readers and would be a good Book Club choice.

I found this book to be very enjoyable. I am not an artist, but a lover of art, so the details about how a masterpiece was reproduced were of great interest to me. Also the twists and turns that the story took kept me reading into the night. The author certainly knew or researched all aspects of the art world. I think book clubs would like this book ad would find a lot to discuss.

I enjoyed this book because it informed me about the plight of the Tibetan people under Chinese domination and about the Buddhist way of living. It is written in a straight forward manner and could be classified as a young adult book. I would like to see it receive plenty of publicity to raise awareness of this situation and provide ways that people could help.

I particularly enjoyed The Kitchen Daughter because of the typical interaction between sisters in an atypical situation, the agony suffered by siblings from the death of a parent, and the struggle to do what's right with what's left. Being a foodie, the recipes and references to food tickled my palate. I received further education of Asberger's Syndrome, appreciating the knowledgeable and compassionate writing.

I would recommend this book to book groups because it is sure to elicit a mix of opinions.