Author: Kiley Reid

It was a surprise when I went to the Library’s website to see if they had this book available and it was on order. It was the January pick for Reese’s Book Club and I’m hoping that they will continue to order her books. I was the first person to take the book out so I was especially careful not to do it any damage – no reading in the tub or shoving it into a bin, bag or box to move it around.

The story revolves around the relationship between a mother, Alix, and her child sitter, Emira. But brought into the story are several of Alix’s New York friends, her husband, and his co-workers. Emira brings her friends and a new boyfriend into the mix and there are a few surprises awaiting both women.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Tamar Ossowski

While I was away I finished my “real” book but knew I had three more books waiting to be picked up at the library. I needed something to read while we waited on ferries to get us home so I started this one that I had downloaded recently.

A woman with two girls, one of which seems to be autistic although that is never stated for sure, lives with her mother. Some event causes the woman to leave her mother’s and travel to a friend’s home. After a couple of days the mother takes one daughter (Matilda) shopping and the friend takes Franny, the autistic one, to an art museum. The mother and Matilda never return.

The book is told from the point of view of the mother, Therese, and her two daughters. Before the end of the book we learn most of the secrets that everyone was hiding. Of all of those secrets, I only guessed one!

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Henning Mankell

I’ve always liked Mankell’s Wallander books; I’ve read at least one book outside of that series and didn’t like it much. This one was on the bookshelf on the day I was looking for a new stack to add to my bedside table so I picked it up.

The book isn’t a mystery; it follows a young woman who leaves her home in Sweden to move to a larger city for a better life. She ends up as a cook on a ship sailing to Australia but jumps ship in Portuguese East Africa. From there her life takes several turns before she heads for home, a rich widow.

Many years after the main story takes place her diary is found in a run-down hotel in Mozambique. Although the details of the story are fictional, they are based somewhat on fact.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Tara Conklin

This is another book that came to me through Kathryn and Regan – who needs Amazon!

The story takes place in the future (2079) when the narrator is 102 years old. All this on the first page so I was skeptical regarding the rest of the book. Although each section has a prologue taking place in that time period, the story she is telling is told in a linear manner.

There are three sisters and a brother left to fend for themselves after their father dies and their mother retreats into her own world for about three years. Growing up, each of the sisters adored their one brother and as he spiralled out of control they each reacted in a different manner. At the heart of the matter is a search for Luna, their brother’s girlfriend who they believe he intended to propose to.

Goodreads Rating: * * *