Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan
335 pages
 
What’s it about?
This is the story of two sisters, Nora and Theresa, who immigrate from Ireland in the 1950’s and end up in South Boston.  We follow the course of their lives and see how their decisions impact not only themselves, but the next generation. 
 
What did it make me think about?
This was just a good old-fashioned family novel that pulls you in and does not let go until the final page.  The weather here has turned cold and it was a joy to sit in front of the fire and follow the Rafferty family.
 
Should I read it?
This was a novel full of great characters.  Like all families they have their secrets and their strengths.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one. No major lessons imparted but it was a good read!
 
Quote-
“Charlie had said you could make yourself over in America, Leave behind all that you didn’t like.  Yet here she was, not yet to the front gate, and already it was clear that Nora was stuck with herself.”
 
If you this try-
 Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
​Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
 Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kruger
​The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson

​8 1/2 stars

​What’s it about?
This series of interconnected stories is set in the Midwest.  Elizabeth Strout uses her razor sharp skills to shed light on our shared humanity.
 
What did it make me think about?
How does Elizabeth Strout keep it so simple and yet impart so many universal truths?  She explores in these stories how interconnected we all are, and yet how alone we are as well.  How do we connect when we each have such a different sum of experiences?
 
Should I read it?
This is a beautifully written collection of stories- each story connecting to another.  I would highly recommend this book.
 
Quote-
“It seemed the older he grew- and he had gown old- the more he understood that he could not understand this confusing contest between good and evil, and that maybe people were not meant to understand things here on earth.”

If you like this try-
Levels of Life by Julian Barnes
The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Moshin Hamid
​Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
​
​9  stars

​Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
350 pages
 
What’s it about?
Gil is a writer and professor when he first meets Ingrid, one of his students, and they begin a long and tumultuous relationship.  Years later Ingrid disappears, leaving Gil and their two daughters (Nan and Flora) alone.  Ingrid leaves a variety of letters for Gil set inside various books.  As old age sets in and Gil’s health declines he believes he has spotted Ingrid in town.   Nan and Flora return home to tie up loose ends.
 
What did it make me think about?
This book is all about marriage, relationships, and choices.  Our choices have such an effect on our relationships- especially on our marriages.  The author’s use of old letters (left in various books) was such an interesting way to share what Ingrid was thinking at the time.  We obviously see that Gil only thinks of himself!
 
Should I read it?
This is a character driven book and the characters were interesting and flawed!  Plus- the writer obviously not only loved to write, but loved to read as well.  “Writing does not exist unless there is someone to read it, and each reader will take something different from a novel, from a chapter, from a line. “   I really enjoyed this one.  It is a book club selection for me this month and it should make for a good discussion!  Can’t wait to hear what people thought of this one.
 
Quote-
“And I saw what I hadn’t taken in the night before with the crush of people: your books.  Every wall lined with shelves, and every shelf was crammed with books, jammed in any way possible.  I scanned some of the titles, fiction mixed in with nonfiction and reference.   There was no order and no way of judging your taste:…”

If you like this try-

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
​And the Mountains Echoed by Khalid Hosseini
​Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

​8 stars

Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong
194 pages
 
What’s it about?
Ruth is 30-years-old and has just been left by her fiancé.  Feeling unmoored she goes home for the holidays for the first time in years.  Ruth tells her story in diary form and it is equally parts hilarious, sad, and insightful.
 
What did it make me think about?
This slim novel makes you think about all the big subjects- family, aging, relationships. The harsh reality of dementia, and the difficulties it presents to so many families, is highlighted beautifully in this book by Amy Engle. This novel runs the gamut- but what sets it apart is the humor found along side the grief!
 
Should I read it?
This one quietly snuck up on me.  It is such a small book and at first you are just struck with Ruth’s voice as a narrator.   "For a long time on the freeway I trail a chicken truck that rains white feathers onto my windshield .  I try to windshield -wipe them, which only results in their getting stuck in the wipers and moving enchantingly."  She sees things clearly, but in a much different way than most.  Somewhere during the second half of the novel I realized just how beautiful this book was.  I would highly recommend this one!
 
Quote-
“An hour today, you spent shouting.  You said we’d stolen money from you.  You threw your pillows over the fence and into the Grovers’ pool.  You broke the legs off of your dining table chair. You smashed almost all of our drinking glasses. 
In a matter of days, lung had said, it can go from manageable to scary.”

If you like this try-
The Wangs Vs. the World by Jade Chang
​The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick
Prayers For the Stolen by Jennifer Clement
​How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Moshin Hamid

​9 stars

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
274 pages

What’s it about?
Lane is 15 years-old when her mother commits suicide and she is sent to live with her grandparents, and cousin Allegra, on their large rural estate in Kansas.  Lane spends one long hot summer in Kansas and learns all about her family.  Years later she is drawn back by Allegra’s sudden disappearance.
 
What did it make me think about?
 This book just flies by!  This is one messed up family, but it makes for a quick fun book.  I was rooting for Lane and that is what makes this whole story work.

Should I read it?
This would be a great beach or travel book.  It is plot driven but also has good characters.  Amy Engle has previously written YA books.  I see that influence in this novel- she keeps our attention.  This novel is filled with sex, incest, and mystery.  You certainly will want to know what happened to Allegra...

Quote-
“No one had to explain to me the power our childhoods had over us, even when we fought like hell against them.”

If you like this try-
​The Nest by Cynthia D"Aprix Sweeney
The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore 
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

​7 1/2 stars

​

The Good People by Hannah Kent
400 pages

What’s it about?
This book takes you back to Ireland in the early 1800’s.  It is a hard life, full of superstition and  fear.  Nora find yourself alone after her husband dies.  She is left to care for her 4 year-old grandson Michael.  Michael can’t speak or walk.  Nora is desperate to find out what happened to him.

What did it make me think about?
This book is full of Irish folklore.  It looks back at a world of fairies and “the good people” to give us a glimpse at how the rural Irish tried to make sense of their world.  Ms. Kent uses the story of Nóra and her grandson to give us a glimpse into a forgotten world. 

Should I read it?
 I read Hannah Kent’s first book, “Burial Rites”, and really liked it.  Her writing is beautiful- especially when she describes the nature.  Nora’s need to help her grandson is something any person would understand.   As the story progresses we see how Nora's desperation, coupled with her beliefs, shapes Michael's “cure”.   This book is loosely based on true story and it  certainly made for an interesting idea for a novel. Hannah Kent's second book is also well written, but throughout most of this novel I did not feel much connection to the characters.  However, the Irish superstitions and folklore are so interesting that I would still recommend this book though.

Quote-
“What had happened?  What had her daughter done to lose her son?  Had she not crossed his face with ashes?  Not bit his fingernails until he was nine weeks old?  Not sprinkled his mouth with salt, or barred his cradle with iron?  All women knew how to protect their children from abduction.  A hazel stick by the door.  Milk spilt after stumbling.”


If you like this try-
The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish 
The Patriots by Sana Krasikov
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry
News of the World by Paulette Jiles

​8 stars