Author: Ishiguro, Kazuo

What can I say about this book? I’m pretty sure it made my list because of a recommendation on a Facebook page I follow. I’ve read this author before and enjoyed that book so I decided to give this one a try. Also, it was one of the few books on my list that the library has in stock.

The story is set sometime in the future. Klara is a very advanced robot with superb artificial intelligence. She sits in a store window while many of the next series of robots are purchased. One day a young girl sees Klara in the window and won’t be happy until Klara becomes hers. Klara and Josie are inseparable but Josie has a “condition” and may not live long. Klara sets out to bargain with the sun, thinking that would keep Josie well.

Odd, but I read it quite quickly as I was intrigued by how it was going to end.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Kelly, Martha Hall

When I’m reading a book, in my mind, I’m rating it for Goodreads. This was going to be a three- or four-star, but leaning heavily to a four.

There are three main characters telling the story. Caroline is from a wealthy New York family, working for the French Consulate. Her family has ties to France and both Caroline and her mother are very involved in charities in France.

Kasia is a young g Polish woman, really just a girl, when she, her mother and her sister are transported to the Ravensbrück concentration camp. While there the Nazi’s used her and her sister for medical experiments.

Herta is a German woman, trained as a doctor. Because women in Germany were not allowed many career opportunities Herta accepts a position at Ravensbrück and conducts many of the experimental surgeries.

As I finished reading I was expecting the three women to meet and everyone would have a happy ending. There were connections made between the women but it was so much more than I expected. Finding out that this was a true story bumped the rating to a solid five.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *

Author: Wab Kinew

I’ve admired Wab Kinew from his time with the CBC and, most recently, as the Premier of Manitoba. Although this book gives good insight into his life it is also a memoir of his father, who was a residential school survivor.

I’ve borrowed this from the library but if I ever find it in a store I’ll buy it and keep it on my shelf.

To be hurt, yet forgive. To do wrong, but forgive yourself. To depart from this world leaving only love. This is the reason you walk.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Robinson, Peter

This is one of the books that Pat brought home from the Friends of the Library sale case. There are a number of Inspector Banks novels but this was the first for me.

Inspector Banks is investigating the death of a man on a remote walking path in a fictional English town. The dead man was a definite loner, a disgraced college professor and possibly a blackmailer or drug dealer. A series of background checks leads the team to one woman, Lady Veronica Chalmers, but with her connections in the police force they run into walls as the investigation moves along. Quite a surprise and quick ending to the book.

I’ll be returning this to the library along with my “real” library books as I think it can go back on the Friends of the Library shelf for someone else to pick up for $2.

Goodreads Rating: * * *