This book drew me into two lives: an aspiring high school journalist and an elderly woman who rarely talked. It takes place in upstate New York with a cross country adventure as the years unfold. Adele sets out to complete a journalusm class assignment at the local Nursing home. She meets Grace, a reluctant to talk resident with no known past. As their visits continue Adele unlocks Grave’s story. It was difficult to put the book down. I wanted to know what happened next.

This was strange in the best way — atmospheric, a little eerie, and hard to put down. Some parts dragged, but overall it was good.

I enjoyed this thriller. I was not a fan of the main character but I did enjoy the ending which I usually don’t with Thrillers.

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!

I really liked this one. Sloane is a self proclaimed liar. She doesn't lie to intentionally hurt people, but more to make herself seem more important and interesting. Unfortunately, she does manage to get herself into trouble.

This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think and it made me feel. What a beautiful, wonderful, amazing book. It is also a great choice for the 'book about art' space on the tic tac toe board!

This non-fiction book tells the story of Elizabeth Packard. She is a woman I have never heard of but should have. Sane women are institutionalized by their husbands on whims including Elizabeth. She fought to get back rights for her and others caught in this situation . The story is at times tedious but I am glad I learned about this formidable woman.

Mansion Beach is sort of a modern take on The Great Gatsby. After quitting her career and breaking up with her boyfriend, Nicola is staying on Block Island in an internship for sea conservation. She is staying at her favorite cousin’s rich wife’s family cottage. Nicola is living next to the biggest party house on the island owned by Julianna George and becomes friends with her. Can Nicola navigate the rocky terrain of keeping up with the affluent residents of the island? Who doesn’t survive the summer? Read and find out.

I'm not saying this book is awful, it actually draws some interesting parallels between Vietnam and the Holocaust. It is with sadness I say that the gladness was sucked right out of me with the repetition and long draw out story

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.