I liked this book very much. It was a nicely written book with some difficult plot lines dealing with spousal abuse and homelessness. So there were times that I had to stop reading the book.

I enjoyed some of the stories in this short story collection. I enjoyed hearing the author's explanations of how each story came to be.

Zoe and Cassie Griffin were once very close, but twenty years ago became estranged. They were both members of a rock band and an incident occurred one night which fractured their relationship. The book weaves the past and present together skillfully as we gradually learn what happened. The themes are sisterhood and forgiveness. Realistic and satisfying ending.

Keru and Nate meet in college. Keru, an only child, immigrated from China with her parents. Nate and his brother grew up in a white, rural working class community with their parents. Despite their cultural differences Keru and Nate marry. In this short novel, set in two vacation spots (a rental house in Cape Cod and a rental house in the Catskills) we get a glimpse of how this DINK couple learn to navigate relationships with their in-laws, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, and each other. Weike Wang is a Boston University alumni!

Margaret Winterbottom a recently widowed, 89 year old woman, lives by herself in a nice neighborhood where she has alot of friends. Her over-bearing daughter and son-in-law want her to down-size or even go to a home, which Margaret refuses. When her good friend and neighbor, Barbara, is found murdered it shakes up Margaret who has a vivid memory of something Barbara told her, but she just can't remember what it is. With the help of her teenage grandson, James, she's determined to find the killer, remember what she was told and figure out why strange things are happening in her house, things she can't figure out.

The book is a true story of the notorious Nickel Academy inspired by the Dozier School for Boys in Florida, a reformatory with a history of abuse and unmarked graves. The novel takes place in the 1950’s, which shed light on racism, injustice of that time. There are two main characters and through their interactions, we see the psychological impact of the abuse through vivid descriptions and character interactions.

This was a very interesting Historical Fiction that takes place in Nebraska and the Dakota Territory during the 1800s. Melanie weaves the story through the perspective of two teenage sisters serving as teachers in two different areas. It is based on a real event when a severe Winter storm developed midday. You are drawn into the lives of children, adults, and westward expansion.

I listened to the audible version read by Jeremy Sisto. Wow, It was unputdownable and very moving but also sad and disturbing.

Imagine being a teenage girl in the late 1960’s, unwed and pregnant. Your family sends you to a home for wayward girls where you are given a different name for anonymity and lied to by the doctor, nurse and governess of the home. Fern, Rose, Zinnia and Holly meet at this home for wayward girls and become caught up with a charismatic librarian who gives Fern a book about witchcraft. The girls pledge their loyalty to the coven and become witches. As their babies are born and the realization of returning to their “normal” lives near, will the girls escape their pledge to the coven? Can the girls just leave the coven and live a normal life? Will they stay in touch? Read and find out.

I love the way Fiona Davis weaves her stories around historical buildings in NYC. This one is centered around the NY Public Library and a family that lives within the building.