Unsheltered, Barbara Kingsolver Genre: General Fiction Published 2018, 480 pages I'm a longtime Kingsolver fan, primarily due to The Poisonwood Bible. For me, this book is a mixed bag. Set in alternating time frames, the 1870s and 2016, the two storylines have similarities. I liked that format for this book. In both cases the male characters are teachers and have lost or are losing their jobs. In both cases there are female characters who are bucking the establishment, trying

The Dutch House, Ann Patchett Genre: General Fiction Published 2019, 337 pages Wow. This is one of the best sibling stories ever. AND, it's an excellent dysfunctional family story. Danny and Maeve, the brother and sister of the novel, (she's 7 years older) forge an unbreakable bond as they struggle through the abandonment by their mom, their dad's second wife, dad's death, and their effort to just survive. "The story of my sister was the only one I was ever meant to tell." An

What follows is a heartbreaking story of love, trust, and a marriage broken. An American Marriage, Tayari Jones Genre: General Fiction Published 2018, 308 pages "Human emotion is beyond comprehension, smooth and uninterrupted, like an orb made of blown glass." This book is SO beautifully written and explores so many conflicting emotions that I found myself pausing and rereading passages to absorb the language; I have so many quotes marked throughout the book! None of the hard

An articulate, eloquent, thoughtful autobiography. Michelle Obama shares her story starting with her childhood through the time the Obamas leave the White House. She shares insights into what drives her, her dislike of politics, and the things that matter most to her. Becoming, Michelle Obama Genre: Autobiography Published 2018, 421 pages This is the hardest review I've written - trying to corral my thoughts and put them in a reasonably cogent order is proving difficult. The

A couple who loses their son moves to India to "start over" is the framework for The Weight of Heaven, which Donna read. Terrie read The Space Between Us, the story of a wealthy Parsi woman, her valued servant of 20 years, and their changing relationship. The Weight of Heaven, Thrity Umrigar Genre: General Fiction Published 2009, 365 pages Donna's read I have read several books by this author and they have all been wonderful. This is a heart-wrenching story of an American cou

Anne of Green Gables #1, L.M. Montgomery Genre: YA, Classic Published 1908, 320 pages Have you read this yet? I don't know how I never read this before.....and the writing style took me aback at first. But, on audio, my goodness, the flow of language! The words! The flowery, joyful, effervescence of Anne is so engaging that it made me smile. And it wants to make me use my words better. Instead of everything being "great", try splendid, terrific, or sublime. And though Montgo

One wants to end her life and the other wants to save her and give her a reason to live. All My Puny Sorrows, Miriam Toews Genre: General Fiction Published 2014, 321 pages “It was my father and my sister who constantly beseeched my mother and me to read more, to find succor for life in books, to soothe our aches and pains with words and more words.” Sometimes a downer of a story about dealing with a family member’s multiple attempted suicides and simultaneously the death of a