Is our society toxic to our own happiness? Why do soldiers in war-torn countries have less incidents of PTSD than our own? Sebastian Junger (A Perfect Storm, Fire, A Death in Belmont), draws conclusions based on his experiences in Middle Eastern war zones and tribal societies. The reader comes away with a better understanding of why in a society with so many resources, we fail to heal our most vuneralbe compatriots. Fascinating!
Author: Pam Gardner
A Timely Story
In Picoult’s latest novel, race relation is explored. Ruth Jefferson, an African American labor and delivery nurse at a CT hospital is ordered by parents of a newborn not to touch their baby. The parents are white supremacists, thus Ruth is dismisses from the baby’s care. What follows is a nightmare for both Ruth and the parents and the hospital. This is a very compelling read with strong plot and characters.
Warmth for a Cold Day
Another funny read from Elinor Lipman, On Turpentine Lane is a light and delightful story of a woman, her new house, the mysteries that come with it, a bad boyfriend and a great coworker. What elevates this book above a cozy tale is Lipman’s characteristic cultural insight and wit. Elements of mystery and romance keep the plot moving. Perfect for someone looking for some warmth and brightness at the end of a cold New England winter. (There’s also a cameo recognizable to local readers: all of that snow from the winter of ’14-’15 snowpacalypse.)
Reviewed by Pam.
The First Book from an Exciting New Author!
Lapena is a new author who has written a thriller centering around the kidnapping of a baby. The wealthy parents are at a dinner party next door,and left their baby sleeping in her crib.they had a baby monitor
and checked on her often. So how did the baby disappear? Lots of twists and turns in this thriller.
Reviewed by Terri.
A Thrilling Book with a Killer Twist
Bohjalian writes another thriller and this time it concerns sleepwalking. Annalen’s disappearance is attributed to her sleepwalking,but why was she near the river and where is her body? Her family and
the authorities spend the novel trying to solve this mystery. Of course there’s a twist at the end! This is Bohjalian at his best.
Reviewed by Terri.
A Wonderful Book
A Great Read!
This book is one of the best of 2016! The novel centers around Count Alexander Rostov who is exiled to the Metropol Hotel because the Bolsheviks accuse him of being an unrepentant aristocrat.
The hotel is across from the Kremlin where The Count can observe the changing government for the next 30 or so years. The Count lives his life with grace and dignity. This is a must read for readers
who like historical fiction and strong characters.
Reviewed by Terri
Two families. Five decades. One book.
Patchett writes about the dissolutions of two marriages and the fallout for the families. Bert cousins falls in love with Beverly Keating at her child’s christening and thus begins the ends of the two marriages. The story spans five decades and shows how the Cousin and Keating children form a lasting bond.
Reviewed by Terri.
An endearing love story from America’s heartland.
I love to read books about intertwined relationships; especially those involving old friends and lovers who part and meet again. In Shotgun Lovesongs four friends come together to attend a wedding in their small hometown. Sadder and wiser in their adult lives, they will face lost loves, missed opportunities and friendships so old and deep that there is hiding who they have become.
A great read! Read-a-likes are The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper and South of Broad by Pat Conroy.
A great read!
This is the second book I have read by Elizabeth Kelly and it won’t be the last! The Miracle on Monhegan Island is an absolute delight! At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like this book because the story is recounted by a dog who has been kidnapped, but it turns out that he very happy with his new family who certainly prove to be much more exciting then his previous owners. Ned (nee Lupine) goes to live with the Monahans where he is given to young Hally by his rakish, wandering father, Spark, as reparation for his neglect. Growing up on an island off the coast of Maine, Hally has been raised by his grandmother (now deceased), his evangelical grandfather, Pastor Ragnar, and his gentle uncle, Hugh. Upsetting the eclectic group’s dynamic, Spark’s return is only a precursor to the very dramatic effects of the “Miracle”!
Entertaining, insightful and heart-wrenching, this is a great book for those who like stories about family drama, love and redemption. If you like this, you should try Kelly’s first book, The Last Summer of the Camperdowns.
Reviewed by Kris Chin