Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors. Although I prefer some of his other books over this one, I still rank this one as 5 stars. This book focuses on Ted and his relationships at 14 to 15 years old and at 39 years old. One of his friends is a famous artist, who became famous because his 14 year old friends forced him to enter a painting into a competition. As an adult, the artist meets an 18 year old who he sees as a kindred spirit, and introduces her to Ted. Their initially contentious relationship changes as the book progresses. As with all of Backman's books, much of the book focuses on relationships and the psychology of the various characters.

Sweet little mystery, very Miss Marple-like. I had it all along, but it was still a nice read. Loved the relationship between grandmother and grandson.

You can always count on Katherine Center for a good old fashioned feel good Rom Com. Her latest, THE LOVE HATERS doesn't disappoint. A young women, recently disappointed in love, finds herself drawn to a young man who has similarly had a bad recent past with the opposite sex. Throw in a job in jeopardy, two warring brothers, a coast guard hottie, and a hurricane and you have a few enjoyable hours of reading. What more could you want from a book?

I didn’t care for this book, I think it made light of serious topics like depression and suicide

The glamorous , talented and beautiful Vanessa Chapman sequestered herself on n isolated Scottish tidal island called Eris. She did her art work and besides her philandering, mooch of a husband who vanished decades ago, also had a long-time association with retired doctor Grace Haswell. Although she had several stormy relationships she produced art work of note. Art historian James Becker who is obsessed with Vanessa is the curator of the Fairburn Foundation and after her death loaned some of her works to the Tate Modern. That's where a forensic anthropologist sees one of her sculptures made of objects one of which he believes is a human bone. It is up to Grace to figure out how to mislead these people.

This wonderful novel describes a rarely seen time in history. It is the 1300’s, and the plague comes to Avignon. Eleanore’s mother was a locally famous healer, and Eleanore has taken over her healing duties after her mother’s death. Women who healed were considered to be witches, but a famous physician takes Eleanore under his wing. Together they try to heal those afflicted with the plague. Several characters in the book are real historical people, including this physician. Very highly recommended!

Always enjoy reading Adriana Trigiani. This novel has it all. Great story telling with wonderful humor.

Mallory Quinn, fresh out of rehab and recovery from a recent tragedy, has taken a job as a nanny for an affluent couple living in the upscale suburb of Spring Brook, New Jersey, when a series of strange events start to make her ( and her employer) question her own sanity. Teddy, the precocious and shy 5-year old she's charged with watching, seems to be haunted by a ghost who channels his body to draw pictures that are far too complex and well-formed for such a young child. At first these drawings are rather typical, but then the illustrations take a dark turn, showcasing the details of a gruesome murder.

Once again Lynda Loigman enthralled me with her story of Augusta, a woman before her time. Although I had a preview of the story when attending her visit at East Meadow, I could not put this book down. It is filled with history and was a tribute to aging. Augusta reminded me of some Great Aunts, Aunts, and my own Mother who dealt with life events in the world around them. Kudos to Lynda for writing another touching book. Thank you!

Sloan is a serial liar, mostly white lies, and she lies out of habit, mostly harmless on silly things, or to make herself look better, or be liked more. Sometimes her lies catch up with her and bring on serious consequences. One day her lies bring her into contact with an apparently lovely family. She eventually becomes their nanny. But, as it is lately with Nanny situations, all is not right with this family, or with any of the characters. The beginning was slow, almost too repetitive. Some of the situations were absurd, but ok, things happen in novels. A lot of this was outrageous, and the writing at times seems YA. At one point, I thought, how is this author going to write herself out of this quandary…. she did, and it made for an adequate, if improbable twist.