The Flower Sisters, by Michelle Collins Anderson, offers the reader a well researched literary insight into the 1928 world of a small town in Missouri. The novel revolves around a true incident: the deadly explosion of a local dance hall during a crowded much anticipated evening celebration. But the book is much more than a simple retelling of a tragedy that changes many lives (and the town itself) forever.
The characters are richly drawn and interconnected, giving the reader a close look into this slice of the American landscape.
The book's format may not appeal to all: the chapters alternate among characters, both the "major players" and the "support players" as well as time periods…..in addition, there are newspaper articles and letters inserted between chapters,….
As the plot unfolds, and the reader learns about the townspeople of today as well as their historical connections, a truer picture of the tragedy unfolds and the parallel storyline of the young heroine adjusting to a new life becomes clear…..
The ending of the novel wraps everything up in a very satisfying way…..
The Flower Sisters will appeal to Book Clubs, offering varied and unique discussion options!

This debut novel is based on true events from the life of the author's maternal grandmother life in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Eve J. Chung, the author interviewed many relatives and incorporated pieces of their stories into the narrative of her debut novel.
The theme of boys being superior and more valuable than girls within the Chinese family structure is repeated throughout the novel.
Actual historical events that took place in that part of world frame the narrative…the reader will be reminded (or learn) of the political upheaval that shaped large swaths of Asia during the 1940's and 1950's …
Within this historical context, the book is well written but dwells on small details where larger ideas would have told the story in fewer words…for me, as a reader, I would have liked the book better with fewer mundane details as we follow the family from one heart wrenching situation to another.
The pacing of the plot was inconsistent: the beginning and middle events described in the novel are written with many details but the final portion is written in broad strokes and felt rushed.

Digging Stars was, for me, an average read: it did not fully engage me as a reader; a daughter or scientist. It was too "all over the place" for me…..
The author might have considered narrowing the focus of the plot to fully develop both the characters and the sequence of events: I found myself wandering around mentally during my reading of the book…..not fully engaged by the text at all…..
I was disappointed in the author and in myself for my lack of enthusiasm for this novel.

Banyan Moon by Thao Thai is an elegant debut novel…it has the sophistication and style of an experienced author, not a first time storyteller.
As a reader, I was transported to Miami Beach Florida and felt as if I was living in the crumbling house with the three generations of Tran women. The story grabs you on page one and never let's go until the last word. Grandmother, mother, daughter: all have rich backstories, myriad memories and all strands are woven together with the author's skill with words.
As I grew up while the anti-Vietnam War movement was in full bloom, my knowledge of the country and its people was not realistic or complete…even after visiting Vietnam as an adult, it took this book to open my eyes to the lives and struggles of the immigrants as they transitioned to living in the Southern United States.
Banyan Moon not only tells an interesting, interwoven, multigenerational tale, it will leave the reader wanting to meet and get to know the three protagonists, a sure sign of a "must read" novel.

The Scatterlings by Resoketswe Manenzhe is a beautifully written saga about family, politics, race and resilience.

As the reader follows the aftermath of the 1927 passage of the Immorality Act in South Africa, we watch the devastation on one family. Through the eyes of the various family members: parents, daughters -- the reader is painfully aware of just how this law upended (and ended) lives of innocent citizens of South Africa. The novel begins with life before the act is passed…interracial parents, 2 daughters…and continues with the passage of the act and the consequences.

Written with attention to detail as well as references to historical events it is difficult to keep from reading it in one sitting! The five parts of the book work well together to form a seamless novel…even the chapters have names that are thought provoking...an excellent choice for serious book club readers!