The creative brain that mastered the timeline of events in The Day Tripper must be a marvel! Alex Dean finds himself perpetually adrift while trying to navigate his life. I have enjoyed time-travel novels, but this one proved a bit much for me. I found it to be confusing because of the abrupt transitioning. I know, that's the premise of time-travel, but I never quite found the rhythm. In addition, the poor choices Alex made left me wishing that I could stop him! The intricacy of the plot kept me curious about what would happen to Alex. However, it is not a book I would recommend to a casual reader.

Not having read anything by this author, Carl Safina, I was especially impressed with his language and organization of thought. The book is a philosophical masterpiece. History of Indigenous people, history of "religious" experience, and history of man's relationship to the natural world become as much of the story as Alfie. As much as I admired the author's vast knowledge and ability to convey these concepts, it made for a slow read for me. I was expecting more of the day to day living experiences of the family and their pets. It is a beautiful story, but not one I would recommend to a casual reader.

Initially I liked the idea of this story. After a slow start, I came to realize that I didn't really care much for the characters or what happened to them. I found Pearl to be particularly unlikeable. She never seemed to be content or happy about any of the places she lived....not in Turya, not in Havana and not in New York City. The dialogue seemed stilted and stuffy, not a comfortable rhythm. Usually I like books about family struggles and their efforts to find ways to better themselves but Hotel Cuba left me watching without engaging. I finished the book but would probably not recommend it to my book club.

Choices. The choices made by 18-year-olds in the 1930s and 40s were so much more limited than today's teens and young twenties. Viv, Joshua, and Maggie made choices in this book that they would not have been forced to face today. The author has done a remarkable job of painting the lives of these characters. I was drawn in by their emotions, their passions, their failures, and their strengths. The setting of Liverpool was particularly important in presenting the problem of religious conflicts. The evacuation of young children during War World 11 was not new to me, but I didn't realize the extent and duration that families endured. The book was well researched to preserve the historical content. I would enthusiastically recommend this book to my book club for a lively discussion of the choices made by the characters!

I was not aware of this phase of the civil rights movement. That a black community wanted to remain a black city, but with individual freedoms and governmental freedoms, rather than an integrated municipality was not an issue I'd ever been exposed to in any history lesson. Moonrise Over New Jessup's characters and setting justify the belief in segregated townships in the late 1950s in Alabama. Their passion for developing their city, their love for one another, and their family values convince the reader of the rightness of their cause. Jamila Minnicks' s writing and language adds sparkle and depth to this unique novel.

I was in high school/college during the "Kennedy years." They were almost like royalty to me. Reading "Jackie and Me" brought back so many memories of their lives and mine! I had to keep reminding myself that this book was fiction. The author's language and writing style swept me into the character's emotions, actions, and time. I found myself wondering "what if". I found it to be a convincing read, a read I would recommend to book clubs, and a thoughtful portrayal of a man both loyal and lonely.

Hooked from the first page, I became deeply involved with each character. Esther's presence was felt even though she was already absent. The writing style and language were mesmerizing. Some books can be read without reading every word. This one requires the reader to read and process every word, every sentence, every chapter. The word pictures are crystal clear. And, oh, the small town-ness is so apparent! This story is a great read; while a disturbing tale, it is one to be savored, to be talked about, and to be passed on with high recommendations to the next reader. My book club will definitely be made aware of this title!

Confusion at the beginning almost stopped me from continuing to read. However, once I established that the author was filling in the back story with changing time periods, I became engrossed in the plot. The writing is very period-authentic. I wished for my e-reader to be able to tap the word and have it explained, as well as the French phrases. Not having read much about WW I, I was fascinated with the use of the trenches. The graphic descriptions of the violence and atrocities of war may deter some readers. But the mystery, visual imagery, and character
development were highly effective. Thank you for a superb read!

What a delightful read! The Chalcot Library brought back so many memories of my childhood library. From the children's reading room to the irascible head librarian, Marjorie, I was hooked. Watching the characters come together to save their library made me wistful for that kind of community in today's divisive world. June's growth as a person was believable as she struggled to "find her voice" . Lots of talking points for book club conversations!

A thoroughly researched novel about a not-so-wonderful subject; poisoning those who malign others' lives. The Lost Apothecary toggles back and forth from the 1700's hidden apothecary shop to the present day problems of a couple who are experiencing a "poisoning" of their marriage.

The first third of the book introduced the characters, but because of their negative attitudes, I found them unlikable. I became more engaged as the historical revelations took over in the middle development of the plot. Finally, watching Caroline, Nella, and Eliza fight for their lives created a fascinating ending.

The author has used the language of the 1700s almost as another character. I noticed one discrepancy on page 218...Gaynor goes out to buy a latte and then later is described as "lifting the lid from her cup to let her tea cool".

It may be the unpleasant subject matter that would keep me from recommending this book to someone else, but I suspect book clubs would find it ripe with discussion points. I found I had to suspend my "that couldn't happen" realistic brain on a couple of incidents. But that's a part of the magick!