This is a haunting tale about the few remaining remnants of a family after a mass murder. But a mass murder committed by Whom? And way do they remain so secluded only to embrace the presence of an obscure relative? This story wonderfully raised more questions than it answers.

Not sure what I was expecting from this book and I guess for its time, 1513, it was insightful, but reading it today with statements that say you cannot avoid war and should only postpone it to your own advantage was disturbing. The book is Machiavelli’s perspective on how rulers must conduct themselves in order to be successful. And while I imagine that there are some who would agree even today, reading statements that say people must fear you and some brutality is needed, is disturbing to be reading now.

It is really hard to say much about the plot of this book without giving a lot away, so let me just say that a woman goes into an Ikea in Oregon and something terrible le happens. And there is something about this woman’s situation that make it even worse. Now what I can tell you is that it is an amazing book! The author does a wonderful job of taking you thought the array of emotions the central character experiences. And you will not be ablet to put it down.

This is the story of a woman and her ex-lover who wind up running for governor at the same time. It’s wonderfully done, mixing the story with present day natation and that of the past. It also tells the story from both protagonists’ point of view. And there is so much more to this story than first appears, and even when you think you have the whole story a whole other layer appears. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

While the writing was not terrible, the trouble is that while the author had a lot to say, there really is no story here. A 40-year-old woman loses her mother and is so distraught that she cannot get beyond it. The setting is Spain and all the character talks about is seducing men. The only interesting part was the epilog which was very articulate and summed up thing well.

This is a most touching story of a grandfather and his relationship with his son and grandson as he devolves into Alzheimer’s. We experience his thoughts as he begins to live inside the past as the present slips away. It is beautiful and sad and told from the grandfather’s point of view. Everyone should read this.

Yes, this was written by that Steve Martin and I did this as an audio book which was read by the author. Martin’s writing is crisp and to the point and has no difficulty evoking the emotion he wants you to feel. The story starts off a bit like Pretty Woman but then grows and matures and goes in a completely different direction. I did enjoy the book but was sad it was not a happier ending.

Wow. What a story! AS you read this book, you may think you know what is going to happen next, but trust me you will not see these sharp turns coming! I sounds simple; a man is sold a liquid, by a traveling salesman, that when applied to mirrors makes the person reflected in the mirror, look better. Not perfect or amazing, just a little more full of life and with the rough edges smoothed out. No big thing, right? Wrong!

This translated book from Japanese was very interesting. A boy of high school age who works in his family’s bookstore has just lost his grandfather who he lived with. He shuts himself away in the bookstore until a strange visitor comes into the shop. I liked the different writing this book presented as well as the way it presents a different way of looking a books.

Absolutely devastating. Great world building, as always with Suzanne Collins. But wow, I didn't think these could get any more heartbreaking.