REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES BY Shelby VanPelt

I was prepared to dismiss this book as entirely ridiculous after my self-appointed requirement of 75 pages; however, what I discovered was a perfectly delightful, well written and tender character study. The story concerns a 70-year-old woman stuck in grief for a teenaged son lost to an early death, a 30-year-old man-child stuck in anger at a mother who abandoned him at age 9 and an aging octopus stuck in a too small “prison” longing for the vast ocean he can hear outside the aquarium. One supporting character I enjoyed was the busybody owner of the grocery store who inserts himself into everyone else’s business. To tell you more would spoil this novel. Read it for yourself and be delighted. I hope the author writes another tale for us to enjoy. 5 of 5 stars for a surprisingly good novel with an unusual collection of characters and a first-time author.

ONLY THE BEAUTIFUL by Susan Meissner

This two-pronged story tells of the young vinedresser’s daughter, Roseanne, who is orphaned and then turned into a maid/servant by her supposed guardians. The inter twining story tells of Roseanne’s “aunt” who has shown her great kindness and love, but is far away in Europe facing her own devils when Roseanne’s parents die. These two stories are dependent on each other as they tell of man’s inhumanity to man and also great love and resilience. Meissner is able to show both good and characters in all their faults, but also their humanity. She has done her research on vine dressing, wine making and on Europe in the years preceding and during Hitler’s rise. Meissners’ great ability to empathize with her characters and cause them to grow and change in the course of the story makes the novel radiant with life. Book groups will have many topics to discuss – meaning of family, child abuse, discrimination, grief, adoption, exploitation of minors, mental health, abusive laws, sterilizations, love, empathy and more. 5 of 5 stars

KING OF THE ARMADILLOS by Wendy Chin-Tanner

KING OF THE ARMADILLOS by Wendy Chin-Tanner I had a hard time putting this book down. I needed to find out what happened to Victor, his family and his friends in the 1950’s. Chin-Tanner made them real people and I was invested in them from the first pages of this coming-of-age novel. Victor, a 15-year-old Chinese immigrant boy living with his father, brother and his father’s live-in girlfriend in New York City, discovers he has Hanson’s Disease (leprosy, a slur) and must be confined to the National Hospital in Carville, Louisiana until he is cured. At Carville, for the first time, Victor is able to make his own friends and decisions and discovers he has talents and capabilities he was unable to foster in the confines of his brother’s shadow. As an educator I was able to visit Carville in the late 1960’s. Chin-Tanner got the atmosphere, fear and hope of the place exactly right. She wrote expressively of being a teenager in a state of anxiety and dread with great empathy and reality. The alternate plot of the family left behind in New York was equally fascinating. The oppressive climate of hot, humid Louisiana in the summer was clear. Altogether this is a great book well worth your time. You will learn a lot about Hanson’s Disease and Carville, teenagers and their path to adulthood. KING OF THE ARMADILLOS is full of love, despair, hope, friendship, betrayal, passion, talent, family, and much more. Book groups will find a plethora of topics to discuss. 5 of 5 stars

NEW MERCIES by Sandra Dallas

Dallas is a master of the slowly unfolding plot and this book is one of the best. The Civil War is long over but the Great Depression is still affecting people’s lives when Nora, the daughter of two socially prominent Denver families, inherits a Southern mansion from an hitherto unknown relative. Stilling from a divorce and then the death of her former husband, Nora escapes to Natchez, Mississippi. Nora discovers that her aunt had secrets just as Nora herself has secrets. Avoca, now her mansion, comes complete with retainers, secrets, a herd of goats, and a murder. Natchez is a major player in this family drama. Its citizens - family retainers in the form of two former slaves - a family lawyer who knows more than he lets on - as well as friends (and enemies) of her aunt abound. You will laugh at the foibles of various characters, be shocked at the secrets as they are slowly revealed and be heartened by the writing of a master story teller. Lots to love and discuss here. 5 of 5 stars Note: if you are easily offended by non-PC language and situations, you have been warned.

The LIGHT IN THE RUINS by Chris Bohjalian

The LIGHT IN THE RUINS by Chris Bohjalian This a mesmerizing story of love, war, murder, betrayal, politics, desire, despair, forgiveness and revenge. A noble Italian family is devastated by events during World War II. Their beloved villa, surrounded by centuries old olive and grape orchards, and a depository of Etruscan artifacts, becomes a meeting place for treasure seeking Germans. At the same time a partisan group seeks refuge in the Etruscan burial vaults. Ten years later someone begins murdering the remaining Rosatis one by one. Bahjalian is a master of character, place and plot. They come together in this thrilling detective tale to surround the reader with Italy in the waning days of the war, a family trying without success to maintain their traditions and young people coming of age in a time of great turmoil. Book Groups will find a wealth of material for discussion. 5 of 5 stars

TWO WARS AND A WEDDING by Lauren Willig

TWO WARS AND A WEDDING by Lauren Willig So, neither of the two wars did I know much about before I read this. I don’t know a lot more after finishing the book. Greece and Turkey in 1897 got into pitched battles over I’m not quite sure what and Betsy Hayes, Smith College graduate, decided she needed to be a nurse and save lives. Unfortunately, she was NOT a nurse and, in fact, she knew little about nursing. But Betsy was determined to do whatever SHE wanted, and so she cajoled her way into a nursing cohort. It was nothing like she imagined. A year later, the United States and Spain got into a bitter war. And Betsy talked her way into a Red Cross nursing unit. Her reasoning is complicated. (Read the book.) You will learn a lot about nursing in war zones during the 1890’s. Willig’s research is flawless and detailed. Nurses, especially women nurses, were considered little more than letter writers for the dying and water carriers for the critically wounded. The characters are believable, the situations are only too true – and horrifying. Clara Barton is melded seamlessly into the story. Oh yes, the wedding. There is one. Again, read the book. It will keep your interest and you will know more about two half-forgotten wars and also a bit about archeology and digs and the treatment of women especially educated women, in the 1890’s. 4 0f 5 stars

THE BULLET THAT MISSED by Richard Osman

THE BULLET THAT MISSED by Richard Osman This third outing of the Thursday Murder Club is just as much fun as the other two. Four pensioners living in a gated community get together every Thursday to discuss and try to solve a cold murder case. Each of the four is a wonderfully portrayed personality. They include a former spy, a psychiatrist, a doddering (maybe) busybody and a supporting cast of characters just as delightful. The murders are intriguing and come with additional characters to join the fun. This time around a former KGB hitman joins the four and I hope he sticks around for more chapters in this series. Not quite a cozy (murders do happen!) but not a bloodthirsty thriller either. This one deals with stolen money, cryptocurrency, an aging TV star, the requisite murder (and several more murders) before the plot plays out. Well worth your time. A clever plot that is satisfying at the surprising conclusion. 5 of 5 stars