As Close To Us As Breathing by Elizabeth Poliner is a lovely, lovely book. It’s quiet, but filled with interesting characters who you fall in love with as you read. The women in Molly’s family travel to the shore and stay for the summer with their children while the husbands join each Friday for Shabbos dinner. Each sister has her own unique life issues which are explored through Molly’s eyes. Throughout the novel there is too much foreshadowing of Molly’s little brother’s death. In addition, the story hops around in time, which makes it a bit confusing, but overall, I enjoyed this book and the characters within it.