The House We Grew Up In
by Lisa Jewell
The House We Grew Up In (4/9/2014)
In this book, Lisa Jewell introduces an idyllic family that becomes dysfunctional and estranged after a tragedy strikes.
Not only does Jewell use flashback to tell each character's story; but uses emails between the mother and her lover as an update.
This book would make a good Book Club choice because the book covers many topics : secrets, mental illness, relationships, hoarding, death, and tragedy reactions.
The Race Underground: Boston, New York, and the Incredible Rivalry That Built America's First Subway
by Doug Most
The Race Underground (1/6/2014)
This was an interesting historical read about the building of the subway system in the late 19th Century. The focus was on the Whitney brothers and the race to build the first subway. One was building one under New York City and the other under Boston.
Honestly, I never thought about the development subways! In school we learned about the Transcontinental Railroad and the "Model T"; but never the Subway System. Finding out that planning and building began in the late 19th Century was astonishing.
Doug Most writes as if we were actually there experiencing the terrifying breakthrough, and horrific tragedies.
In my opinion, readers who would like this book would be who read historical works, adventure non-fiction and anything about transportation. Historic non-fiction.
The Lion in the Lei Shop
by Kaye Starbird
The Lion in the Lei Shop (5/28/2013)
This was an interesting two-voice adventure of the life of an Army family stationed in Hawaii during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and their relocation to San Fransisco to await the return of their deployed husband-father. Most post war stories are about internments of the Japanese-Americans. It was interesting to read of American service families that were living in Hawaii at the time and the sacrifices that they had to make.
This would be a good young adult book selection for this period of history. Book clubs would find this an interesting read to compare to internment reads.
This was a compelling story for me because before reading this, I previewed Sophie Littlefield's internment book "Garden of Stone".
In both stories, the voice was that of the mother and daughter and the books showed the different treatment and problems of Americans after Pearl Harbor.
I truly enjoyed this easy read because it showed Americans, in Hawaii ,displaced due safety reasons; a concept that I never heard mentioned in the history and stories of the Pearl Harbor aftermath.
The Last Girl: A Maeve Kerrigan Novel
by Jane Casey
The Last Girl (4/21/2013)
This was the first book that I have read by Jane Casey, I truly enjoyed the story line and the characters' interactions. These interactions made the reader feel a part of the story and led her through many twists and turns believing she could solve this mystery. Casey had an ending that, this reader, did not see coming! Unfortunately, this story is part of a series; so the other two plots that were intertwined in the story did not come to a conclusion. Therefore, the reader is left waiting for the next book.
Where You Can Find Me: A Novel
by Sheri Joseph
Where You Can Find Me (3/10/2013)
This was a very memoriable book about life after a kidnapped child is returned after three years. Sheri Joseph uniquely reveals each character's thoughts and fears about the kidnapping and aftermath. When the family relocates.the reader sees how the characters grow and adjust to their "new life". Through flashbacks. the reader learns what happened during the child's kidnapped years. This book was a fast and unforgettable read.
Ghostman
by Roger Hobbs
Ghostman (1/16/2013)
Move over David Baldasci, Vince Flynn, and Lee Child, Roger Hobbs had arrived. Ghostman is an interesting, fast paced first book for Hobbs.
Unlike the authors mentioned, Hobb's character is completely on the wrong side of the law. His protagonist is not the enforcer; but has to clean-up for the enforcer!
This was an unusual read since one finds himself "rooting" for the bad guy and understanding him completely.
When the book is finished, one realizes just how important the cleaner's job is in the scheme of things.
Book clubs would have a great discussion of the main character's main purpose and methods. The book members may even ask themselves, is he really that different from a Jack Reacher?
I enjoyed the book immensely and hope there will be more like this.
The Edge of the Earth
by Christina Schwarz
The Edge of the Earth (10/23/2012)
In 1890, Trudy Swann and her husband leave Milwaukee and travel to California's Big Sur country to tend to the Point Lucia Lighthouse.
The author writes this realistic story with such vivid details, that you feel you are experiencing the isolation, trials , and adventures with the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical and adventure fiction.
Besides the adventures, the characters' interactions and the geographical setting would be perfect for a bookclub discussions.
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