The Sadness of Lemon Cake - A Disappointment

What a disappointment. After hearing about this book from every channel, I was excited when my library hold came in, and the story was good about 50% of the way through. It was difficult to continue. There was a shift into the brother's story when I didn't care about the brother. I found the book unbelievable and NOT worth it.

Patty Jane's House of Style

Just a quick read.

My favorite book this summer

Major Pettigrew Takes a Stand

I love this jewel of a book. Set in England, a stodgy widower, determined to keep up the social status of the time, starts having feelings for an widowed Indian shopkeeper. The sweet revelations he comes to and the effect she has on his life is such a wonderful story.

I LOVE this book.

The Piano Teacher

by Janice Y K Lee

This book was fascinating about a period of history that I know so little about. Pre WWII Hong Kong before the invasion by Japan. Very interesting story. Then, the story flashes forward to the same character in pre-Communistic Hong Kong. I liked it most because I knew next to nothing about this period of time.

The story isn't as good as I wanted, but the details and characters are rich.

The Mennonite in the Little Black Dress

by Roda Jarzen

Another little memoir about a Mennonite who lives in the world. Following her bad divorce, she goes home to her family who helps her heal. It wasn't as good as the name indicated.

I liked learning a little about the culture.

The Lace Reader, Audio

I LOVED this story set in modern day Salem. What a fascinating story! Don't miss it, AND then please talk to me about it. I am still a little confused about the ending. Which, by the way, I LOVEd being confused.

The Help

So many people were talking about this book - I read it slightly before the curve and it was a great story. Set in Jackson, MS in early 1960's, the story of the "help" in normal "white" families makes you laugh and cry. It becomes a fresh background for the horrors of the Civil Rights Movement.

Even though the end is a bit too cheery, it is still a great read.

Don't miss it.