The Round House

This is the first time I read a novel by Louise Erdrich but it won't be the last. She's a beautiful writer.

The story is told through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Joe who is a Native American.

On a warm day in May his mom returns home after escaping from her rapist. This act changes everything for Joe. He's determined to find out who did it and bring him to justice.

The characters are finely drawn, the writing is exquisite, the Native American lore is interesting, and the action is nonstop. All ingredients for a great read!

The End of Your Life Book Club

I don't read nonfiction very often. I'm not sure why but I think I just like a made-up story that helps me escape. But, the title of this book caught my attention so I downloaded a sample of it and before I knew it, I was hooked so bought it.

And loved it! When Will Schwalbe's mother is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she and Will begin their bookclub...of just two people. Will accompanies his mom to her chemo treatments and that's where they discuss the books they've both read.

This book is rich in Will's love and admiration for his mother. They use the happenings and themes of their shared books to talk about life and death.

I was familiar with some of the books but hadn't read many of them. That didn't make any difference, though. The book reads like a novel and kept my attention. I thought of my own mom and how we read many of the same books and I remember sitting up all one night reading to her (a Danielle Steele novel, of all things!) when she was having trouble sleeping just after her cancer operation and in the middle of her chemo.

It isn't a sad book, though. His mother's life was so interesting and Will manages to celebrate all she did.

Books....Death....Life....Love. Everything to make a good story!

The Light Between Oceans

I've looked at this book quite a few times and read some reviews. Most were complimentary but some weren't so I put off downloading it until this week when I needed a good book. Boy, was this ever good! I started it on Friday and finished it this morning just after 4am with tears streaming down my cheeks.

Tom Sherbourne has just returned from WWI and takes a post on the island of Janus as lighthouse keeper. He brings with him his bride, Isabel. After five years, two miscarriages, and a stillbirth, a boat washes ashore with a dead man and an alive baby girl.

They decide to just bury the body and raise the girl they name Lucy as their own. Everyone knew Isabel was pregnant but word hasn't gotten back to the mainland about the stillbirth so it is easy to pass Lucy off as theirs.

But can they live with their consciences? And, what happens when they find out who Lucy's real parents are?

The writing is exquisite. The characters are flawed but likable. The plot is believable. A thousand thumbs up!

And When She Was Good

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. It alternates between the present when Heloise Lewis is a suburban mom, raising her eleven-year-old son and is the owner of an escort service disguised as a lobbying business, and the past when Helen Lewis is an abused teenager trying to survive.

Even though she is a prostitute, I couldn't help cheering for her. She's smart and dedicated to her son. What I especially liked is how flawed she is...just like all of us.

I read this novel in two days. Now, I need something new to start but nothing looks as interesting as this one.
Posted by Linda Jacobs at 10:33 AM

Merry Christmas, Alex Cross

I just can't resist this guy! I love his family, his values, and his intelligence.

In this installment, Alex deals with two situations. In the first one, he must prevent a man from murdering his ex-wife, their three kids, his wife's new husband, and a neighbor...on Christmas Eve when he'd much rather be at home.

In the second situation, he meets a terrorist from a previous novel. This time she's trying to blow up a railway station...on the same Christmas Eve when Alex would rather be at home.

Yes, this one is as formulaic as the other novels in the series but, it's the characters, clean writing, and morals that keep me coming back for more.

Danny's Mom

I had a hard time reading this book....not hard as in difficult to understand but hard emotionally. But I still couldn't put it down.

Beth Maller's son, Danny is killed in an automobile accident. She didn't want him to drive that night because he'd just gotten his license and snow was predicted. But her husband overrules her saying she's babying him and won't let him grow up. So, off he goes, never to return.

Beth blames her husband but also herself for not being stronger and more assertive. When she returns to her job as a high school guidance counsellor, her meekness is put to the test by a needy student, homophobic slurs against another teacher, and an uncooperative administration.

While reading this novel, I was Beth. I was back in high school dealing with teenagers and all their problems. How many times did I ignore issues so as not to sway the ship? How many students slipped through the cracks because I followed the rules? I'll be haunted by these thoughts and Beth for a long while.

Miracle Cure

I just can't resist Harlan Coben. So when Amazon sent me an email announcing this first book of his was now in Kindle format, I had to download it, of course.

The book is set in the late 80s. Harvey Riker is a scientist working on a cure for AIDS. Things are looking good when several of his experimental patients test negative for the virus. But, now, those survivors are being killed off one by one.

Sara Lowell is a journalist doing a story on the clinic. Her husband is a star basketball player who contracted the AIDS virus through a blood transfusion in the Bahamas six years earlier. Now, he is undergoing Riker's miracle cure. Then he disappears....

This was a quick read. Coben's writing is still immature in it; it lacks the humor and sharp edges of his more recent work. But, it's still plenty good!