This book had a unique premise – to have the character continually die and then be reborn on the following page with a changed fate and plan. It was inventive and interesting, for sure, but for most of it, not my cup of tea. I had to keep going back to look at the date at the beginning of the chapter to see where and when we were which made it very disjointed, particularly on the Kindle. It might have been more pleasurable in print since you could flip around more easily and keep track of the dates. That being said, I did want to find out what happened to Ursula and her family and I can see why this is a hot read and on lots of “Best of 2013” lists. For me, however, it wasn’t a top choice.

This is another book that sucks you in right away. The story begins with the two main characters being held at gunpoint in a Circle-K. You feel compelled to find out what happens to them. In addition, with Shandi’s miracle genius child and the surrounding mystery, as well as the general disfunction afoot, this is a grand story which is a very fast read. I became disillusioned close to the end of the book and felt like the characters weren’t well-developed enough, but then the plot took off in ways I could have never predicted and I scampered toward the end. I loved the surprises along the way and I liked the premise. It was a great, fast-paced, and enjoyable read.

This novel sucks you right in. It’s the stuff of headlines: High School Teacher Has Affair with Student. You must know more. And the author deftly brings in the perspectives of all constituents. But, who is to be believed? I began to doubt Megan’s veracity about 60% in. But rather than spoil the ending (which is not entirely unpredictable, but still…), I will just encourage you to read the book. It’s a page-turner and definitely worth a look.

I had really high hopes for this one – I was ready for a great read. The fanciful side of this story, however, was not to my liking. It reminded me of Alice Hoffman, who I generally like, but who I have tired of recently. I feel a little guilty saying that since I have not read her latest two. But, I don’t really enjoy magical realism. If I am going to read fantasy, I want it to be fantasy. Otherwise, I prefer realistic fiction. That being said, this was quite a quick read and not unpleasant. It picked up in the middle during the section with Ursula Monkton, but that was about it for me. I really only continued reading to find the resolution and because I had abandoned the last book I started. I would give it two stars.

I gave The First Rule of Swimming a good try – 25% on the Kindle – and just couldn’t get into it. None of the characters were compelling to me and the storyline lagged even in the first quarter. Ah well, life’s too short and there are too many books. I am moving on. I received two great choices for Christmas (thanks, mom!) and will start The Ocean at the End of the Lane later today after wading through the Barbies and Legos. 🙂

This was a quick read and the perfect antidote to my heavier reads of late. The book maintained an overtone of suspicion and kept me reading to discover the resolution. I couldn’t be sure, as I read, where this sinister hint came from, but it certainly worked for the plot. One can tell from the cover that something violent will happen, but I could not have quite predicted the ending. I don’t want to spoil it, but since I really disliked Todd, I was pleased with the conclusion.

I recommend this one. While it has deeper moments, it doesn’t require much in the way of concentration or effort – it would be a good beach read.

There is no question that Jhumpa Lahiri is a talented writer. Her latest, The Lowland, is wonderfully written. However, there is a pallor over this book. It is so intensely sad. And I had such a hard time identifying with a story where a mother abandons her daughter. Intellectually, I understand Gauri, and the sadness she felt and what motivated her to leave, but emotionally, I couldn’t travel with her through this story.

About midway through the story, I wanted to give up. I was so disheartened by the lives of the characters. It picked up by the end, but I was still left with a feeling of gloom. It didn’t help that I read the ending on a rainy day. The whole book felt like a rainy day. Even in the happy ending moments in Ireland, it still felt dreary.

The writing compels me to recommend this one, but I am going to look for something lighter for my next read.

I couldn’t put Orphan Train down. I loved the interplay between the two generations of orphans and how their stories complemented each other. It absolutely made me want to find out more about this part of American history. While one might think the neat wrap-up of the ending is trite, I was pleased that there was a happiness for the characters that they had not really experienced for much of their lives.  It would be great book club read – I can see why it is so popular. All in all, I would give this one five stars.