Interconnecting stories, some feature Olive, while in others she has a cameo role. Strout does a marvelous job of portraying experiences and emotions Interconnecting stories, some feature Olive, while in others she has a cameo role. Strout does a marvelous job of portraying experiences and emotions of aging. ...more
This book tells the stories of several people living or working in a dorm at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville during a fall semester. I startedThis book tells the stories of several people living or working in a dorm at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville during a fall semester. I started listening to it, but there were too many characters to follow so I switched to paper. It is character driven, with a plot that is difficult to detect until the end. The ending is not tidy. (4.25 stars)...more
A literary mystery narrated by an eccentric older woman who lives in a sparsely populated area of Poland near the Czech border. I did not guess the enA literary mystery narrated by an eccentric older woman who lives in a sparsely populated area of Poland near the Czech border. I did not guess the ending. The book also addresses serious themes, including animal hunting. (4.5 stars)...more
Unusual novel with characters inheriting mutations that turn them into other species. This book is about a recently married couple who learn that the Unusual novel with characters inheriting mutations that turn them into other species. This book is about a recently married couple who learn that the husband will turn into a shark. The story of the couple is very moving. The use of a non-existent mutation makes the situation easier to handle than a story involving a devastating medical condition would have been. But it is still sad. Highly recommend the audio edition. ...more
The Door is translated Hungarian literary fiction. It is character driven, the story of Emerence, who is the elderly housekeeper of Magda, a writer. AThe Door is translated Hungarian literary fiction. It is character driven, the story of Emerence, who is the elderly housekeeper of Magda, a writer. An unusual relationship develops between the two. Magda’s dog, Viola, is also an important “character” in the book, adding a magical element. The book was published in 1987 in Hungary, but the current translation was published in 2015. ...more
Loved listening to this story about India, an actress, and the important people in her life, including her children. The theme of the book is adoptionLoved listening to this story about India, an actress, and the important people in her life, including her children. The theme of the book is adoption and how it impacts lives and relationships. Patti Murin, the narrator, brings the characters alive. The audio also includes a lengthy conversation between Frankel, the author, and Murin, which adds a lot of value. ...more
Enjoyable book about five college age Chinese Americans planning heists of Chinese art in five world class museums. The chapters alternate between theEnjoyable book about five college age Chinese Americans planning heists of Chinese art in five world class museums. The chapters alternate between the characters, who we get to know apart from their participation in the heists. Although the book was inspired by a true art crime, it is well described as a heist caper. (4.25 stars)...more
The book is a combination of fantasy, historical fiction and romance. It takes place in Madrid during the Inquisition in the late 16th century. The auThe book is a combination of fantasy, historical fiction and romance. It takes place in Madrid during the Inquisition in the late 16th century. The author includes some historical figures in the story. Some of the characters are conversos - converted Jews who secretly believe in Judaism. I thought some of the characters were well developed. (4.25 stars)...more
Enjoyed this book which features Toby Fleischman, after his marriage breaks up. He becomes the primary caregiver for his two children after his marriaEnjoyed this book which features Toby Fleischman, after his marriage breaks up. He becomes the primary caregiver for his two children after his marriage breakup, while working in an emotionally challenging job as a doctor specializing in serious liver conditions and pursuing his desire to meet another woman. There is a lot of humor in the book, but it is also an in-depth story of a courtship and marriage. The audio was a little difficult to follow because there was one barrator who did not change her voice when characters changed. (4.75 stars)...more
The story takes place in the near future and tells the story of a family and several friends who survive severe climate change in Florida. I find dystThe story takes place in the near future and tells the story of a family and several friends who survive severe climate change in Florida. I find dystopian novels depressing, but this one is better because of well developed characters. The audio edition is excellent. ...more
The Postcard is a “real” novel based on the family history of Anne Berest, a French author, whose grandmother was the only member of her family to surThe Postcard is a “real” novel based on the family history of Anne Berest, a French author, whose grandmother was the only member of her family to survive the Holocaust. The book describes research by Anne and her mother to trace the family history since Myriam, Anne’s grandmother never discussed it. She used the novel form to tell the story to make it easy to read. Otherwise it would have been full of facts and very long. French history is part of the book - Vichy France vs. the Resistance and anti-Semitism in France before, during, and after World War II. As is Jewish identity....more
The book is both a prequel and a sequel to There There. Part historical fiction, part contemporary fiction. This is literary fiction about Native AmerThe book is both a prequel and a sequel to There There. Part historical fiction, part contemporary fiction. This is literary fiction about Native Americans who end up living in Oakland, California. The writing is beautiful, but the main theme is very serious - addiction and its impact on family and other relationships. Although it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading There There first. Rating 4.5 stars....more
During the summer of 1975, Mary Jane starts a summer job as a babysitter for a family very different from hers. The book is a lot of fun and I loved tDuring the summer of 1975, Mary Jane starts a summer job as a babysitter for a family very different from hers. The book is a lot of fun and I loved the time setting, bringing back memories of the cultural issues of the period. The audio version is excellent....more
This historical fiction is loosely based on real life incidents - a trial in nineteenth century England involving a claimant to an estate and a populaThis historical fiction is loosely based on real life incidents - a trial in nineteenth century England involving a claimant to an estate and a popular author whose works are no longer read. The main character, Eliza Touchet, was the widow of a cousin of William Ainsworth, the author. There are many themes, ranging from family relationships to British writers to slavery to nineteenth century British inheritance laws. Parts of the book were brilliant, especially the sections about the experience of enslaved people in Jamaica. But the structure was confusing, with very short chapters, jumping back and forth between the 1830’s and the 1870’s, with the years not always made clear. The choppy structure also interrupted the narrative and character development. I did re-rate it higher because, despite it being a reading challenge, the characters and parts of the narrative have stuck with me and I have been thinking about it. ...more
Enjoyed listening to this story about the daughter of a prominent writer. It is told from four perspectives - the daughter, her father, her mother, anEnjoyed listening to this story about the daughter of a prominent writer. It is told from four perspectives - the daughter, her father, her mother, and her best male friend. The audio version has four narrators, one for each of the four main characters, and a fifth narrator for the “book within the book.”...more
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