The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennet

My Rating:  2.5

This somewhat witty mockery of the Queen taking up reading was mildly entertaining.  I think the only reason this little book has gotten so much notice is that it was mentioned in The End of Your Life Book Club.... which is how it ended up in my queue.  I wouldn't recommend that you rush out to get this as there are so many other books that would be more worthwhile.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

My rating:  4.7

Ifemelu leaves Nigeria and her boyfriend Obinze, for life in America and discovers 'race' for the first time.  She starts a blog about 'race' and all of her perceptions in America.  More than all of this though, this book is about love.  A VERY good read.  I will be checking out more books by Adichie.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Bryson had me literally laughing out loud at times with the tales of him and his friend hiking the A.T.  At other times, I felt that it was a droning lecturing monologue but, thankfully even those were informative and didn't last too long before he got back to the adventures of him and Katz on the trail and totally cracking me up.  Enjoyable read that left me wanting to walk!

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

My rating:  2.6

Brooks takes a shred of historical fact - the first native American Indian graduating from Harvard in the 1600's - and weaves this fictional novel about a young girl and the friendship she develops with a this boy, a Chieftain's son, who goes on to Harvard.  I had two large problems with this novel.

1) The narration on the audio version was deplorable!  The speech was so slow and E.N.U.N.C.I.A.T.E.D. I do understand this was supposed to be effecting 17th century speech but, were they slow and stupid or did the narrator assume that the listeners would be?  Many times in listening to this book, I could envision reading the same passage and it would have been much more palatable instead of objectionable.

2) I didn't care about any of the characters.  Bethia is supposed to be a spunky young heroine who's pluck helps her triumph in overwhelming odds.....instead, she is just cliche and tiresome.  I won't go on about the stereotyping of her brother, Caleb or the other characters but, none of them had any depth to draw me in.

Brooks writing is wonderful but, this novel definitely fell short for me.

Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende

My rating:  3.8

19 year old Maya escapes her foray into a life of drugs, crime and prostitution by going into hiding on a remote island off the coast of Chile.  This story is told in flashbacks from Maya's writings in her notebook.

Allende is an amazing author that made this book come to life.  I loved so many of the characters - eccentric Nini cracked me up, Popo was so wonderful and I wanted to be wrapped up in his arms, my heart broke for Freddy.  This book was a blend of light and fun and some VERY intense and heavy scenes.  There were times that this was too far fetched and the book also seemed to drag but, the great writing made me.  This is not Allende's best work but, still a good read.

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

My rating:  2.8

This novel is about six friends who meet as teenagers at summer camp and their lives covering the 40 years thereafter.

You know that hyper A.D.D. friend we all have that we enjoy but get worn out by and, after spending too much time with them you start to tune out?  That is how this novel was for me.  Very witty and creative and hyper A.D.D. with way too much subject matter attempted.  It was lacking a good editor that should have honed this book into something less meandering and chopped at least 200 [ages from it.  The message that life is full of twists and turns and you don't know where it will lead is only profound to a 20 year old.  For everyone else, this book is more hype than substance.

The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope

My rating: 3.4

This is taken directly from the publisher's description:  During WWII, teenager Evelyn Roe is sent to manage the family farm in rural North Carolina, where she finds what she takes to be a badly burned soldier on their property. The rescued body recovers at an unnatural speed, and just as fast, the two of them fall deeply in love.  Rhonda Riley reveals the exhilarating, terrifying mystery inherent in all relationships: No matter how deeply we love someone, and no matter how much we will sacrifice for them, we can only know them so well…

This book is going to be so hard to capture as it dragged a lot and at some points, almost lost me. That being said, it has also stayed with me and haunted me.  .  It was entertaining and fabulous writing.  For the most part, I enjoyed the storyline although it did drag in some parts. It captured farm life so very well.  I felt the author nailed the last two sentences of the paragraph above.

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

My Rating:  3.8

I was disappointed when my bookclub selected this out of pure preconceived notions that I wouldn't like it (based on the book and the author).  I thought I would give it a try but, don't believe in reading books I don't enjoy, even if they are for book club.  Well, I was very pleasantly surprised!

Cara and Edward's parents, Luke and Georgie, are divorced.  Luke, a renowned wolf expert, frequently lives with wolves.  Cara adores her father and  doesn't feel she fits with her mother, Georgie's new family.  Edward has had a falling out with his father and lives in Thailand.  An car accident brings this estranged family back together  

Lots of secrets are revealed in this intriguing story.  The character development and plot kept me interested all the way through.  It is not a 'deep' book and will definitely not make my 'best of' list but, it was a very entertaining read and I am sure it will make a good book club discussion.

Wool by Hugh Howey

My rating:  4.8

I kept hearing about this very short (<50 pages) story.  It is a dystopian sci-fi so I didn't think it would appeal to me.  I was wrong.  This was a fabulous novel.  I can see why Amazon is giving it away for free as they want to hook you to buy the rest of the books!  <grin>   Well, it worked.  I have to find out what happens so, I bought the Omnibus Series which is books 1 to 5 of the 9 book series.  Do not read too much about this book as it is better to just let it unfold.  Very enjoyable little read.

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

My rating:  5.0

War-torn Chechnya, 4 families and their intertwined lives and the most gifted author.  Read it.  That is all you need to know.

This book unfolds in the most amazing poetic and beautiful way.  From the very first pages, you will know that you are in the hands of a gifted writer.  This novel is told in flashbacks so PAY ATTENTION TO THE DATES that, on the kindle, are in teeny tiny letters at the beginning of each chapter.

I believe this is the best book I have ever read.  Yes, ever. I will reread it again to be sure it is as amazing as I think it is....maybe I will have to reread it two or three time just to be absolutely sure.  Anthony Marra I want to know, when is your next book coming out? No pressure but, I eagerly anticipate it and will be waiting with baited breath.

Here are the characters in their households/groupings
Akhmed -a failed physician
Ula - his bed-ridden wife

Dokka - Father of Havaa.  Finger-less arborist.
Havaa - Eight year old daughter

Khassan - Father, writer.
Ramzan - Informant son

Sonja - Doctor and sister of Natasha
Natasha - Sister to Sonja
Deshi - Nurse and sister to Maali
Maali - Nurse and sister to Deshi

A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

My Rating:  3.2

This is the story of 16 yo Nao who is the victim of bullying, a loving but dysfunctional home and is the great granddaughter of a very cool 104 year old Buddhist Nun.  On a British Columbia island is Ruth, who finds Nao's diary which pulls Ruth into the past and interesting plays on time.

There were so many things to love about this book...great writing, a unique storyland, settings in Japan and Vancouver Island (both of which have been my stomping grounds and it felt like she NAILED both places way of life) and playing with Nao/Now....or even "now!"

On one hand, Ozeki's novel is full of multi-faceted layers upon layers that were very compelling (loved the play on Nao/now).  She is a gifted writer and she had an extremely unique story line that came so close to grabbing me but, in the end, it was a miss.  It felt overly long and I didn't like Nao for the greater portion of the book and the time play was implausible (maybe I am too practical and only believe in the here and now).  I have great admiration for Ozeki and will definitely be checking out more of her brilliant writings and storylines as this one still is being turned over in my mind so, that says something.

The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messue

My rating:  3.7

This is the story of Nora, an elementary school teacher, and her relationship with her new student Reeza and his parents Sirena and Skandar. It is also about friendship, art, growing old, your purpose and outlook on life.

I started off completely dazzled by this book - both the story line and the prose....then it waned. The ending pulled me back in a bit. This felt like a short story stretched out to be a novel. Messud is an extremely talented writer with great character development and delicious prose but the pacing of this book needed some work.

The Dance of Fear by Harriet Lerner

My rating:  5.0

Harriet Lerner really is one of the best in her field.  So calm, rational and clear.  Her books are easy to digest and really resonate.  I always learn something from her books no matter how many times I reread them.....they are gold.

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

My rating:  5.0

This is about how the choices we make echo through many generations.  Each section switched voices and it took me a while to place how the new character(s) intersected with the previous character(s).  I also missed the voice from each section until I got wrapped up in the new voice, only to have it happen again and again - the sign of a great storyteller.  This beautiful book held so much and I am still reflecting on it.  I want to reread it again, this time keeping track of the characters.  IMO, this is his best book yet.

Ask Me Why I Hurt by Randy Christensen

My rating:  3.6

Dr Randy Christensen and his 38 ft Winnebago go around the streets of Phoenix to provide medical care to the homeless youth.  I am in awe of his energy and passion to not only pursue this dream but, to do it day after day, week after week and year after year.