This is the story about the residents (some renters, some owners) in a New York apartment building. There is a large cast of characters, and the author has given us a cheat sheet at the beginning. After I had read a bit of the book I didn’t have to refer back to the list too often, but it was handy in the beginning. I am curious about the title of the book, because the friendships that develop span the floors of the building and are not limited to next-door neighbours.

I saw the book in the bookstore on one of our trips to Powell River before we moved. A long time after that trip, when I was going through my journal, I found the title and ordered it from the library. The story is about a family after the death of the mother at an early age. Before her death she left notes and a journal for her daughters and husband. There are a few surprises for everyone.