I thoroughly enjoyed this novel (mystery) but I think I did get much more from it because I had just finished reading "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali for my book club. The two protagonist detectives lead totally diverse personal lives but are able to connect while trying to understand their personal and religious differences. This is certainly more than just a good mystery. It explores the many aspects and "secrets" of Islam through a compelling story. I would recommend this book with a caveat to study a little about Islam and Isis first.

I absolutely loved this book. The prose is beautiful and so lovingly captures the Melville family. Their lives are so intertwined in ways they could hardly imagine. I found myself rooting for one character- then another- then another. Each alone was rather uncomplicated and precise in their desires, but together they were so daring and complex. I think this book would garner great discussion for any book club. Thanks for letting me enjoy it.

I so thoroughly enjoyed this book. Each member of the Brunson family is undergoing their own personal crisis; a theme generated in many novels. However the format of this novel and the interactions (or non-interactions) among the family members is what makes this book stand out. Whether or not you like the way their lives progress throughout the book, the family captures your heart and universally connects us all. I would most certainly recommend this book for book clubs or just a great read.

I truly enjoyed this book. Our protagonist Evelyn is trying SO hard to "fit" in with the group of people she thinks she needs to be a part of. I had sympathy for her position because she went to school and somewhat lived on the fringes of this privileged life she desired. She finally comes to realize that there were"privileges"all around her- she just wasn't seeing them. Her journey to understanding herself and her family with all their foibles was done in an entertaining and believable manner. I think it would be a fun book to discuss. All of us always seem to be striving for something we think we need or have to possess even though that is usually not the case- a very universal theme.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was a psychiatric nurse in the late 1960's at a large University hospital and I was lucky enough to be head nurse on the floor where we did all the Lithium testing for our manic depressive patients. Needless to say the results were extraordinary- especially to see first hand. I so admire Mimi Baird for writing this book about her father and the effect his illness had, not only on his own life but that of his family , friends, and colleagues. She humanized this traumatic illness with its myriad of complications. Dr. Baird was obviously a gifted physician and I am so sad that Dr. Baird died before the wonder drug Lithium was released to the public. I would recommend this book to all readers, familiar with manic depression or not. It is a story for all of us.

I enjoyed this book but I found myself becoming annoyed at the naivete of the main protagonist. It almost seemed incongruous that she would join the world of journalism considering her extremely sheltered life and all the family secrets she became aware of. That being said, it was a good and interesting read.

I actually enjoyed the last third of the book most of all. It takes that amount of time to incorporate all of the characters and how they interact with each other. Part of the problem is that sometimes 200 pages ensues in-between the names being mentioned. This book should really be read in one sitting- unfortunately it's too long for that. I like the author's writing style but I don't think she adequately ever explained who the "quick" actually were. Charlotte's relationships were the most endearing and believable. This book might be ok for book clubs if they can suspend their disbelief with the unknown.

Unfortunately although this was a coming of age story I don't think the protagonist ever came to age. The epilogue still kept him at loose ends. Although there weren't that many characters I felt we never really understood any of them and Will"s superficial attachments to women was annoying. I thought it was well written but lacked substance.

I absolutely loved the four "Christophers". This novel dissects the unusual and enigmatic relationship between Gabriel Delacruz and his four sons and their four respective mothers. I thought that all the secondary characters totally added to the overall charm of the story. The authors verbiage is extraordinary at conveying the ordinary man who encounters tragedy, comedy and pathos in his life. The mystery the four sons pursue in locating their father is interesting mostly because we learn the "story" of everyone involved, including the four delightful mothers. I think this book would generate a lot of interesting discussion.

I really would give this book 4 1/2 stars. Even though it was a bit unbelievable the story sure held your interest. I thought I was doing really well figuring it out and then would be proved wrong time after time - almost too many twists and turns. The most fun and perplexing is figuring out who is writing the diary on the side. I got that wrong too! An absolutely fun read and one I would recommend.

This book although about young Caleb who is reunited with his family after 3 years, is really also the story of his sister Lark who is gone "missing" in another sense. Her brother's abduction has left her lost and alone amid her family's struggles. I found this aspect of the book the most interesting because Caleb's abduction and what happened to him are left fairly ambiguous and wanting. His parent's relationship with all their entanglements really distract from the story. I am glad I read it and I think it would generate good discussion.

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I enjoyed this memoir, but of all that I have read I would place this in the middle. Domenica's accounting of her childhood and abuse in some places is left somewhat ambiguous. She also jumps around a lot from one part of her life to another without logical transition. I did like her writing style and find it remarkable that she conquered her childhood demons.