The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond

When you start reading a book and you keep looking forward to see how long the chapter is you know it is going to be a long read. Usually with this situation I just put the book down, but I was really curious to find out what happened. Abby was taking her future step-daughter for a walk on the beach, looked away for a few seconds and she was gone. This book goes through all the emotions and actions that she, her fiance and many others go through. It was very wordy and at times quite monotonous. I can't say that I would not recommend it because the author does capture the loss and frustration, but be prepared to take your time and maybe have another book going at the same time.

Light on Snow by Anita Shreve

I have tried reading her books over the years and I could not get into them. This one was easy to get into even though the subject matter was not the easiest to deal with or think about. A girl and her father have moved into a rural area in New Hampshire to escape some of their past. On one of their nightly walks they find an abandoned baby in the woods. The story takes us through what they are dealing with and how they are processing it. New characters come in that add layers to the whole thing. I liked how she developed the characters and made you feel for each one of them and what they were going through. It is a fairly quick read with some lasting impressions.

Open House by Elizabeth Berg

A story about a women who is surprised when her husband wants and divorce and moves out. She goes through a huge range of emotions. She is not sure what she will do. She is concerned about her son and how he is processing the situation. She needs to get roommates and a job to keep her home and those experiences are very enlightening. I am not one that usually enjoys books about divorce and such, but the depth given to the character and how she chooses to manage herself, good or bad, made for a very insightful and enjoyable book.

Death by Sudoku by Kaye Morgan

I picked this up at a library book sale. I enjoy doing Sudoku and thought it was interesting someone decided to write a mystery about it. The premis was good. Someone was sending messages through the puzzles and tragedies were happening. The writing was not very smooth and there were so many sub-plots things got bogged down. There were times I was really not sure where the story was going. At the end of the book there are some tips and clues on how to solve puzzles. Also, there were puzzles throughout the book and all of the answers are in the back. This is the first of a series, so I might pick up the next one to see if the writing improves.

Firefly Lane by Kristen Hannah

Hannah can really weave a tale and keep you going right up to the end. I laughed and I cried, hard. This is a story about two women who become friends in their teen years and keep it going for a very long time. There are many bumps in the road, but also many joys. Hannah shows you their insecurities and strengths and how they play off of each other. As you read you can feel what they are going through like it is yourself and you hope they make the right decision or choice. It is a wonderful book that truly could be taken right out of any ones lives.

Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy

What a fun book!! I am really enjoying mysteries, and when they are tied to something like cooking it makes it even better. This is the second one in a series and it was just as good as the first. Ollie, the executive chef for the White House, always manages to get herself into some sticky situations. Watching her figure things out, pick her battles and come out on top makes everything flow so well together. I can usually figure some things out, so I am always waiting to see when she will get it and what she can possibly do. Now I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

The Queen Jade by Yxta Maya Murray

This book was not the easiest to get through, but I am glad that I pushed my way through. The beginning dragged a bit but the last quarter really pulled me through. This is an adventure story that takes you through jungles, quicksand, bugs and everything in between. It is about a story that takes place in Guatemala in the mountains about blue jade. There are cryptic clues and word play that send these folks on an adventure, that for some started many years earlier. The depth of the characters and the interweaving of them was done very well. This is not a quick read, but it is a good one and gives you some history of that area, which I always find enjoyable.