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The Lost Apothecary
by Sarah Penner
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Hidden in the depths of 18th century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women around the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nell who sells well-disguised poisons to women to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary's fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious 12 year old, makes a fatal mistake , sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries. Meanwhile in present day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London 200 years ago, her life collides with the apothecary's in a twist of fate and not everyone will survive.

Persuasion
by Jane Austen
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I enjoyed the overall story line, but had trouble at times following what was going on, especially with the way the book was written. The subject sometimes changed mid-paragraph, and I had to re-read to decide who was speaking or what they were talking about. As with all authors from long ago, I found some of the sentences way too long as well. I also had difficulty remembering who some of the minor characters were; I'd definitely keep a list of characters, no matter how insignificant they seem when 1st mentioned, if I read this book again. I do like to read historical items written during that historical time, as I enjoy finding out the difference between then and now. This book lets us know how incredibly different the classes were from each other, yet some of the population was beginning to change from the strict separation and customs of the time.

The first gentleman
by James Patterson and Bill Clinton
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The descriptions are very vivid in this fast pace, murder mystery that involves the White House

Rental House
by Weike Wang
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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!

The Names
by Florence Knapp
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Women’s Fiction spanning thirty five years. The author put a good deal of thought and effort in writing this book. (Hence the two stars) It was easy to get lost and confused as names changed and time periods jumped around. For example: Bear was also Julian and Gordon. It takes place in London, Ireland, Africa, Italy, and Paris, I believe. Not sure if the author was exploring the possible opportunities for a baby boy born in 1984 or the ravages of wife abuse, or the confused experiences of a young daughter. As I started the book, iwasrecommending it to friends who have experienced wife abuse and survived. Then I had to call back and tell them not to waste their time.

The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
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This is a parable about setting out on your journey in life to find your true meaning in the world (or fortune). Santiago leaves his life as a shepherd in Spain to travel to Egypt. He was told by an old gypsy that he will find his fortune under the pyramids. Along the way of his journey Santiago meets people who help him on his quest and people who hinder his journey but all the time he follows the omens to reach his true destiny. I enjoyed this book and definitely think it’s worth a read. Maybe we can all follow our omens and meet the alchemist who can teach us to go for it.

Exhalation
by Ted Chiang
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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.

The Housemaid: An Absolutely Addictive Psychological Thriller With A Jaw-dropping Twist
by Freida McFadden
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This is not a book I would have picked myself.. My sister read it for a Book Club and insisted I read it. I am so glad I did! Suspense, twist and turns. A book you cannot put down. Finished in 1.5 days and want to know what happens next for Millie.

The Coldest Case
by Tessa Wegert
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Another book in the Shana Merchant series. Another good one!

Homeseeking: A Gma Book Club Pick
by Karissa Chen
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The book was good but I thought it was too long. I think she could have told the same story in fewer page
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