South of Broad by Pat Conroy

This story started out a little rough for me. I was not instantly drawn into the book in a "can't put it down" sort of way. However I kept reading it and was soon drawn into the characters and the intricacies of their friendships. At times I found myself longing for the intimacy and history with a group of friends such as these characters possessed. I also realized how blessed I am to not have experienced all of their tribulations.

This story had so many layers and background story lines that flowed into making the history of this group of friends. The details that initially left me not as interested proved to be pertinent.

Warning there are many sensitive topics touched upon in this story including multiple versions of violence against children and adults. Strong language is also used however it seems like a perfect fit to add the appropriate richness to the story.

Perfection

Perfection by Julie Metz is toted as a memoir of betrayal and renewal. I was struck by the honesty with which Ms. Metz shared her story with the world. The life that she was thrown into, not by choice, but by consequences of the choices her husband made was tough to say the very least. Ms. Metz had to deal with situations where most people think they would bury their heads and hide, Ms. Metz chose to dig her self out and research her husband’s choices to better understand them as well as to come to a better understanding of herself. I applaud Ms. Metz for her willingness and bravery in sharing such intimate details of her life with us. This was a very intriguing book. I definitely felt at times that I was snooping in someone’s diary. I applaud Ms. Metz her successes in life and congratulate her on her strength and determination

The Crying Tree

The Crying Tree by Naseem Rahka is a story told in an alternating time line between the past and present. The story centers around the shooting death of a 15 year old boy and the fall out of his death on his family and the community.



Gripping, roller coaster of emotions bringing you on a journey to places that are, often, too uncomfortable. Places where you wish that such things didn’t exist
But ultimately, this story is about the human spirit and compassion. We are all simply travelers on this journey with our own stories to tell. This was a great, interesting read. I had trouble putting it down, my only complaint is that I couldn’t devote a large enough block of time to finish it in one sitting- as I went about my daily activities my mind kept drifting back to this book.

Sweet Waters: An Otter Bay Novel

Sweet Waters: An Otter Bay Novel by Julie Carobini
Sweet Waters: An Otter Bay novel by Julie Carobini is a story mainly about Tara Sweet and her development into a new woman after making several big changes in her life. Also highlighted in the story are her sisters and a bit about how they mingle together in their relationships. This story, not due out for several months, seems a bit incomplete in different areas. It feels as though the author didn't complete her thoughts in several spots. It is difficult to tease out if the spots where I was left confused are due to editing that remains on the book or if more background information would have been helpful. The author does make use of some very beautiful sentences throughout the story which demonstrate her skills as a writer.

While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky

Another excellent book by Barbara Delinsky. What I find so refreshing about this author is that the quality of her books are consistent, she isn't an author simply writing a story for the sake of writing one- she has important, interesting and emotional topics that are very engaging to the reader.

This story centers around the Snow family. This family, to the outside world, appeared put together and in control. However, tragedy strikes the family and secrets are revealed that were never meant to come out. The family relationships are put to many tests and the true strength of the family will be revealed through their reactions to the situations.

This is an excellent read. The reader should be warned that there are sensitive topics in the story including end of life decisions. I highly recommend this book.

Everyone Is Beautiful: A Novel by Katherine Center

This is a very interesting story about the life of Lanie Coates, a wife and young mother of 3 small children. The story centers around the families move from Houston, Texas to Cambridge, Ma. to support her husbands music career. This is a great story that I feel can be very relatable to young mothers trying to balance the responsibilities and demands of raising 3 young children, keeping a marriage strong and trying not to loose yourself in the process. One of the biggest changes for her with the move is that she moved away from her family and her support system. So now she is in a small cramped apartment trying to stay sane while her husband is busy with all of his work. The story takes us through many believable transitions as Lanie searches to achieve the balance she craves. This is a great book that I would recommend, strongly, to young mothers and wives who are going through some of these same situations.

bring on the blessings by Beverly Jenkins

Ms. Jenkins shares a very inspirational story that one can only imagine would occur in fiction. This story centers around a woman by the name of Bernadine Brown who comes into a fortune. She chooses to use this money to bring good to people. She decides to buy a small town that is in trouble and she has great plans on how to make this small town, rooted deep in history, thrive again. This is a story of faith, hope and dreams. It was a feel-good story, with a few deeply sad tid-bits thrown in that added depth to the story appropriately. The end of the book left the reader expecting a follow-up, which I hope happens I would love to see where all of the characters end up next.

Forever Lily by Beth Nonte Russell

Forever Lily is a beautifully written story following the path one mother takes to adopt her first daughter, Lily. The path to bring Lily home is an unusual one in comparison to what one might assume when imagining an adoption. Beth Nonte Russell agrees to travel to China with her friend Alex to help her adopt and bring home a little girl from an orphanage there. From the start of the journey we are able to pick up on the anxieties and insecurities Alex faces in relation to the adoption. Alex panics and decides, after a roller coaster of emotions, that she can't adopt the little girl. By this point Beth relizes that she can't leave this little girl behind. This story follows the ups and downs of both "mothers" outward reactions as well as the interpretation of feelings through Beths narrative. I was very impressed with the authors ability to share this story without "bashing" Alex- it seems like that would have been an easy thing to do. However, Beth is able to share this story and state just the facts leaving emotions out when sharing Alex' outward reactions to situations. This is a very moving story that leaves you feeling that justice was served in the end and that teh happy ending occured for this little baby girl.

firefly lane by Kristin Hannah

Firefly Lane-wow, take a deep breath and get yourself ready for this one. This story is an excellent read if you are in the mood and ready for an emotional heavy, friendship roller coaster type of book. This story, beautifully written by Kristin Hannah, describes a tumultuous relationship between two best friends, unlikely as they seem at first. The ups and downs of "TullyandKate" as they are referred to in the story, are the background, the basis of the story. Along the path of their friendship we are also touched by the impact of the mother daughter relationship and how that can shape us. This is a long one with 479 pages but worth the read. I had difficulty during some parts but that was due to my own impatience in wanting to complete the book. At times it seemed a bit word heavy in certain descriptions of things but it all weaved together in the end making you wish there was a way to extend the story line. Ms. Hannah also brings in excellent references to pop culture that allow the characters to become more alive as teh reader relates to the events and styles. One of my favorite style-references is when Kate is throwing an outfit together quickly since she was so caught up in the lifes of those around her that she forgot to get dressed herself and she wonders to herself if stirrup pants are still in style. I would recommed this book to someone who has the time to dedicate to this story, giving it the proper time it deserves rather than trying to rush through as I did. I think I will go back and read this story again sometime since there is so much to it that I know as a reader you would gain more from it with each new read.

the tutu ballet story and illustrations by sally o. lee

This is a cute story about forest animals coming together in a ballet class. Each animal/student in the class has a preferred move and talent within the class. Their teacher, Ms. Berry, finds each students unique quality and incorporates them into a recital. This story is simple with a deeper meaning hidden within if you choose as the reader to dig deeper into the story presented. The words themselves are a bit difficult to read on certain pages due to the fact that they blend in with the illustrations. The strength of this book lies in the beautiful illustrations which are created according to the copyright page description, as being "rendered in watercolor and pen and ink on paper." I think that any beginning ballerina would enjoy this story as they can imagine themselves practicing the moves and being in a recital themselves.