Following Atticus by Tom Ryan

Subtitle: Forty-eight high peaks, one little dog, and an extraordinary friendship -- Wow!  That was the first word that came to mind when I finished this book.  Ryan took in this dog and started an adventure in that really had no plan, it just evolved over time.  He was not a hiker, he was a writer.  Where Atticus took him was a place that he had never imagined.  The people that he met, that helped him along the way and showed him how to appreciate life, was over flowing.  You have to read this book.  Atticus will melt your heart and Tom will light a fire in you to make you want to get out there and experience life.  A wonderful, wonderful book!

The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama

What a wonderful story following a few families in Tokyo, Japan before, during and after the bombing in WW II.  To watch the vibrancy and love of the area to the total devastation and then move on the the re-birth was amazing.  Families struggled, but were able to hold onto their dreams.  They dealt with the loss in different ways, but many came back out on top.  There was a true sense of finding yourself and being true to yourself, the glass is half full attitude.  Tsukiyama is an amazing author that paints a beautiful picture.  You really feel a part of the story and want to be there with these families through their struggles and triumphs.  I am fascinated with the Japanese culture in the 1800's and 1900's and Tsukiyama makes me want to learn more and more about that time.  Wonderful book.

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

This is the first book in a new series that is an extension from the Cedar Cove books.  It takes place in Cedar Cove, but we will be dealing with a whole new set of characters.  Jo Marie suffers a huge loss and ends up buying a bed and breakfast in Cedar Cove.  Her first two guests also seem to be struggling with things in their personal lives.  We get to know the characters and see them grow and change, deal with things in their past and then have hope for their futures.  Macomber's writing is smooth and you get to know the characters well, and want to know them even more.  I look forward to seeing what she will do with this series.

Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand

This was an okay story.  It really didn't grab me.  Three women, with three very different problems, go to spend the summer at the beach.  Cancer, a surprise pregnancy and being fired from a job.  Very complex ideas, but there was not a lot that really drew me to the characters.  Everything seemed very individual and disjointed between the characters and there was not an overwhelming feeling of togetherness.  To top it off, the ending was really not all that great.  A very long book that just did not do much for me.