Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox

Subtitle: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist -- I have always enjoyed Fox. I loved his movies and was a pretty faithful watcher of 'Family Ties'. I like learning about peoples lives and what got them to where they are today. I also wanted to hear more about Parkinson's since my mother shares this with him. -- The book is in four parts- Work, Politics, Faith and Family. I enjoyed all of them and can see all that he has accomplished, some things under very challenging circumstances. I am not a political person, so this was not as intriguing to me, but noticed some of his frustrations with the system mimicked mine. To read overall how he has chosen to live with Parkinson's and deal with life as it comes is inspiring. In the end you need to figure out how to play the hand you are given, and no matter what it is you can come out a winner.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Wow!! What an amazing book. I truly had a hard time putting it down. This was historical fiction taking place in nineteenth-century China. It is told by a woman and the events that led her through her life. All of the myths and legends that wind through their lives. The suffering to be made desirable to get a good husband, whom you don't meet until your wedding day! Your worth and the pecking order within the families. Desirable traits and behaviors. I was totally enthralled. Lee has a way with words that just pulls you into the story and the time. There are not enough words to say how much I enjoyed this book!!

rowing the Atlantic by Roz Savage

Subtitle: Lessons Learned on the Open Ocean -- I love these kinds of books. She was not happy with where her life was going and made a change. Now, I don't think I would row across the Atlantic, but she did, and what a trip is was. Things broke, her body fought her, the weather was a beast and mentally it was a real challenge. She faced all of these things head on and told you about it in a way that did not make her sound whinny about the whole experience. I could relate to her on some level of low self-esteem and confidence. So, when she did something she did not think she could do and succeeded I felt it very much for her. She learned a lot about herself and told you about it in a very easy way. It was never preachy or made me feel like I was not doing well with my life. In some ways it is challenging me to do things differently in my life. It was very inspiring.

Quentins by Maeve Binchy

This was a very enjoyable book. There were back stories throughout which I sometimes really did not get. They did not seem to flow well with everything. The main story was interesting and not too predictable. I had to check to see when the copyright because is so paralleled some recent events in the financial arena. You watched a young woman be pulled in by a man who wrecked so many lives and how in the end she got her life back. I was pulled in and was left smiling and looking forward to reading another Binchy book.

Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett

This is the first book in a series and I sure hope that I can find the rest of them. It was a very fun and easy read. The characters are great. It is based in a small town in New Hampshire in which the whole downtown is made up of new, used and antique bookstores. A murder occurs in one of the bookstores and the story is all around the who-done-it. I truly was not sure who did it until I got very close to the end. Barrett pulls you in and makes you feel a part of the story.

If The Shoe fits by Rae Ellen Lee

Subtitle: The Adventures of a Reluctant Boatfrau -- Terry said I had to read this book. He said that the couple reminded him a lot of us in their behaviors. This couple, after spending a vacation in the Caribbean, decide to buy a boat, live aboard and sail back to the Caribbean. They lived in Montana and ended up buying a boat in Washington and lived there. He was in seventh heaven and thought this was the best thing. She had a hard time adjusting and her fear of water made things less than enjoyable. I could identify with her, though I don't think I am as bad as her. Reading about the trials, the learning curve, the repairs and the uncertainty of it all rang pretty true with me. She is a good story teller and this was a very enjoyable and easy read. It really gives you an idea of what some of the situations are that you encounter on a boat. Now I want to hear about their Caribbean travels!!