The Yellow Birds, is stunning, brilliant, powerful and heartbreaking. After reading this story, I’m left asking what is the purpose of sending young men and women into battle? All I come away with is it is cruel and senseless.
Jane D
Barbara Kingsolver tackles global warming with a heartfelt tale of one Appalachian family. Even though we know Kingsolver has a point to make she wraps it around a very compelling well told tale. She brings together a rural fundamentalist family, all with different ideas about what is right, and a team of scientists who descend on the area to study the bizarre behavior of Monarch butterflies. What I appreciate in Kingsolver’s writing is her ability to get into the hearts and minds of her characters which transcend to all of us her readers.
Jane D
Bunheads’ striking cover pulled me into this book. Sophie Flack wrote this mesmerizing story from a first person view of the professional world of American Ballet having danced at the New York City Ballet for nine years. No one from the outside of this world has any idea the total commitment that is required to become a ballerina. For any young person or adult it is an awe inspiring story of dedication. As Hannah grows up in the school she begins to wonder if this is all she wants for her life.
Jane D
Charles Cumming begins his tale with the newly appointed head of England’s M16, who happens to be the first female chief spy, has gone missing, a young accountant is kidnapped and an elderly couple are tragically murdered. This is a cunning story with many twists and turns before this highly successful novel comes to an end. The Scandinavians may currently have all the attention, but this is one terrific English spy caper.
Jane D
Imagine letting your eleven year old son board a ship in Colombo bound for England. This is the stage Ondaatje set’s for three young adolescent boys traveling alone in the 1950’s. I still feel the sheer sense of joy the boys experience finding each other at the Cat’s Table and begin their adolescent romp exploring the ship. In exquisite prose Ondaatje weaves this well told story of their adventures on board ship and after.
Jane D.
Penelope Lively is one of my favorite authors, starting with her Booker Prize winner, Moon Tiger to The Photograph and her latest How It All Began. The Photograph begins when an old picture is discovered moving the story backwards in time. Just the opposite happens in How It All Began. A random mugging sends Charlotte to live with her daughter and son-in-law which begins a ripple effect with her family and friends. Lively’s wry humor and well crafted stories always delight her readers.
Jane D
Margot Livesey has written a kinder gentler, Jane Eyre, but an equally compelling story, set in the mid 1950s. Her heroine, Gemma, will remind you of the spunky strong willed Jane. You can hear Livesey’s Scottish background in her loving description of the flora and fauna of Gemma’s surroundings. I encourage to you pick up this engaging book
Jane D.
In a word fascinating! Not just the life of one of the most unusual leaders of the century, but being able to follow the development of the computer and products I never dreamed of growing up. Isaacson is of a pro.
Jane D.
A family of wild ruffians teach the other church kids a thing or two about the true meaning of Christmas. This is a delightful, funny and altogether charming story perfect for the holidays. A fun read to share with young and old each year at this time.
Jane D.
Amor Towels. Rules of Civility, is a smart, scintillating story set in Manhattan during the late thirties. He captures the give and take of a complicated three way friendship as they make their way through the ups and downs of jobs, relationships and much good fun and bubbly. Don’t miss this elegant debut book set when rules still mattered.
Jane D
