Author: Wally Lamb

I don’t know why I put this book into the donation box. It has been a long time since I read it the first time and I guess I forgot how good it was. My interest in it was revived when we watched a Netflix series based on the book. The series was great and as I read the book this second time I pictured the characters as they appeared on the screen.

Dominick and Thomas are identical twins. They may look alike but Thomas is a schizophrenic and gets himself in all sorts of trouble. Dominick has always looked after Thomas and nothing has changed now that they are adults.

The book is about so much more than the brothers though. There is the story of their less-than-perfect childhood, Dominick’s story and one of the best parts was reading the journal of their grandfather.

This one is staying out of the donation box and going onto “my” bookshelf (where I keep all my favourites).

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *

Author: Teresa Burrell

Sabre Brown is an attorney who works in the juvenile court system. At times she may be representing a parent and at other times she represents a child. In this case she is representing a very mature nine-year old; Sabre needs to determine whether or not it is safe to allow the child to return to the care of her father. On the surface the father appears decent and responsible but the further Sabre digs into his past the more challenging her decision becomes.

I’m glad I enjoyed this book because I have three more of her books on my Kindle. I must have got them at a very good price (or free) for me to have so many in the same series.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Sabre is back with all her colleagues – Bob, another lawyer, and JP, her investigator. Sabre is handling two cases in this book. She is defending a friend on a murder charge, as well as representing two children who have been raised in an extremely prejudiced family. Sabre also has a love interest in this book.

I enjoyed the story but felt there was just too much going on. The case of the children was practically ignored and the outcome she got for them came very quickly and without much explanation. It will be awhile before I pick up Book 4 in the series.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

It was a bit like meeting old friends as I read this one. There is a lot going on in the lives of the two children Sabre is representing. And amid all the drama of their lives, Sabre’s friend Bob has been arrested for the murder of the children’s father. It was always noted that JP, her investigator, was Texan but I didn’t like all the “JP-isms” that he came out with (new to this book).

I don’t think I missed much by skipping Book 3 and I won’t be looking for any more from this series.

Author: Andy Weir

Although I’m not a fan of science fiction this is the second book I’ve read by this author and I’ve loved them both. I noticed this morning that a movie based on the book is in production.

An unknown organism is starting to block out the sun’s rays and life on earth is doomed unless scientists can sort out what is causing the problem and find a way to fix it. Enter Ryland Grace, a science teacher, and a near-impossible plan to save earth. The plan was never to send Grace on this suicide mission but that is where he’s ended up.

Although I didn’t understand a lot of the scientific stuff and some of the story was unbelievable to put it mildly it was a fun read.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Louise Penny

This was the first book I borrowed from the library and read on my new iPad. I’ve read several by this author and loved them all; this is the 16th book in a series of 17. She has recently released another novel that was co-written with Hilary Clinton.

Most of Penny’s books take place in a small village in Quebec called Three Pines. This one though is set in Paris; all the family are there, as well as references to the villagers left at home.

Chief Inspector Gamache and his wife are in Paris awaiting the arrival of their newest granddaughter. Gamache’s son-in-law and former second-in-command at the Sûreté du Québec has left the force and moved to Paris to work in a multi-national corporation. His eldest son also lives in Paris and is involved in investment banking. When Gamache’s godfather is run down in the street the entire family gets involved in trying to solve the case.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *