Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett

Another fun bookshop murder.  This time Tricia did not get too involved, but involved enough.  An old friend bunked with her for a bit, and then Tricia had had enough.  The next thing she knows, her friend is dead.  So now things start to unravel.  Tricia learns more about some of her employees, the town and the new sheriff in town.  It was a fun, easy read and Barrett did not disappoint with her ability to weave a tale.  There were some surprises, which I always love, it is no fun when things are very predictable!

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

A novel that delved into eight lives of people who thought they knew each other and did not.  A tragic accident occurs in the beginning that truly rips these friends apart.  Some can't function, others find their voice and others do not even know where to begin.  When you know people for so long, really think you know them, and find out they are not really who you thought they were your world turns upside down.  Trust and growth happened between these folks and generous things happened.  Hilderbrand did a wonderful job weaving the stories of all of these people together and making it all work together.

The Lobster Kings by Alexi Zentner

This was an interesting novel about a family that had been working Loosewood Island for generations.  It was myth mixed with current day and how history has shaped the people and ideas of the island.  Changes were coming and were hard to adjust to.  There were power plays and demons that people were dealing with.  Overall it was very enjoyable, the ending was a little disappointing though.  The author can tell a good tale and is very descriptive and emotional, but in the end it was lacking.

A Million Steps by Kurt Koontz

Koontz walked the Camino de Santiago trail in Europe.  It is a religious pilgrimage for many, for others it is just a walk to figure things out.  It is about 5oo miles, so you get a lot of time to think.  He did a wonderful job talking about the people, the landscape and the places that he stayed.  He made it sound so good I would consider to go do it also.  So many people and things to see and a great way to get in touch with yourself.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

This was a beautifully written book that bounced back and forth between the early 1940's and the mid 1980's.  Henry is a Chinese boy with parents who are against anything that is not Chinese.  He met a girl, Keiko, who was Japanese and made a connection with her.  She and her family were sent to an internment camp and they kept in touch, but time passed on.  In the present time an old hotel was being renovated and items that people who were sent to the internment camps could not take were hidden there.  This brought up memories for Henry and this is what moves the story along.  I will never cease to be amazed at how people treat people, how through out history we have treated other Americans who have a different skin color or background.  Again, just a beautifully written story.

China Dolls by Lisa See

I love this author.  I also love the subject matter she chooses.  I am fascinated with China and Japan, their culture and how they have worked to fit into the United States.  This takes place just before, during and after World War 2.  Three women -- Helen, Ruby and Grace -- are put together in a fast changing world.  They are from completely different backgrounds and would have never met or even been friends if it was not for the circumstances that they were in.  We follow their lives, the triumphs and pains and growth, and learn to love and hate them for what they do to each other and what they go through personally.  Wonderfully written and I can't wait for another Lisa See book!!

Riding the Bus with my Sister by Rachel Simon

Subtitle: A True Life Journey -- This was a very interesting story about a woman, Beth, who has mental retardation, and what her life if like through her Rachel's eyes.  Through a long series of events Beth does live on her own, and what she does with her time is ride the city buses.  She asks her sister to join her for a year.  It is a very trying time for Rachel and she is put to the test mentally and emotionally a lot.  Along the way she learns about her sister's world, the people she knows and how valuable her sister is to her.  It is frustrating, maddening and very touching.