Books Read in November

 The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
The story: Beatrice's father has recently passed away, leaving her—a well-educated, well-traveled young woman— to fend for herself in pre-World War I England. She is hired as the first woman teacher in a village school and taken under the wing of the Kents, an influential family in the village. In her first year there she experiences successes and losses as the country heads into war and refugees pour into the village. A self-proclaimed spinster, Beatrice also discovers that perhaps she isn't destined for a life of loneliness without her father.
Me: I liked this novel. I didn't love it nearly as much as Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, Simonson's debut novel, but I did really enjoy it. There is a mixture of innocence and a quest for knowledge in Beatrice, who is on the cusp of an old world, ready for the new one. And I love the historical context of the novel. Recommended.


The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion.
The story: This is the sequel to Simsion's The Rosie Project, the story of Don Tillman's "scientific" attempt to find a wife who fulfills his 16-page questionnaire. Don and Rosie have moved to NYC and are completely enjoying their new life together— until a series of misunderstandings and surprises nearly destroys their marriage.
Me: I liked this OK, although it didn't hold a candle to The Rosie Project. I think most of that has to do with the sheer enjoyment and surprise of Don's character in the first novel; by the sequel, we know Don and aren't as intrigued by his quirks. Still, this is a must-read if you loved The Rosie Project, and everyone should love The Rosie Project.


The Good Earth by Pearl Buck.
This is a multiple re-read for me. I teach this whenever I teach World Literature, and I re-read whatever books I'm teaching right along with my students. I love this one—but it's never one of the students' favorites.


Commonwealth by Ann Patchett.
The story: An uninvited guest shows up at a christening party, and nothing will ever be the same again in the lives of the Keating family or the Cousins family. This novel spans fifty years, exploring the intertwined lives of the two families who are bound by blood, marriage, secrets, tragedies, and, most of all, the stories behind everything.
Me: Well, Ann Patchett is incredible. State of Wonder — wow! The Magician's Assistant and Bel Canto? AMAZING!! Patchett is consistently a powerful storyteller. How in the world does she come up with these incredibly diverse storylines? I have no idea—I'm just happy she does. Highly recommended!

Books Read in October

 Guests on Earth by Lee Smith.
The story: Age 13 and newly orphaned, Evalina is admitted to Highland Hospital in Asheville, NC, as a mental patient—although she is certainly not mentally ill. Highland becomes her home, nonetheless. Evalina meets a cast of interesting characters during her many years in Highland, including Zelda Fitzgerald. While Zelda makes only brief appearances in the novel, she adds an interesting and realistic touch to it. The novel also provides a glimpse into psychiatric practices—lobotomies, shock treatment, insulin injections— of the early-to-mid 20th century.
Me: I liked this novel, although it's definitely not a stand out for me. It seemed a bit contrived and rambling, but it was a good story—and I always love Zelda appearances. A couple of years ago, I took my American literature class on a field trip to Asheville, and we drove by what used to be the Highland Hospital, so that was a great connection.

Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya. This is a multiple re-read for me. I teach this as part of my World literature class. Click on title link for my review.

Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan.
The story: One day 18-year-old Kim doesn't show up for work. Kim's a responsible girl, a typical teenager. She has all kinds of secrets from her parents, but she's dependable and definitely not runaway material. Her boyfriend and her best friend are perplexed, and they join her parents and younger sister in a search that is supported by the whole community—for a while. But eventually the leads grow cold, and Kim's friends go off to college and try to make new lives for themselves. Her younger sister becomes "that girl" in her school—the one whose sister is missing. And her parents struggle with finding the balance between living and searching.
Me: I have no idea how I happened to pick up two missing-daughter novels in consecutive months (Tim Johnston's Descent was the other)! These are terrible books to read when one has a teen daughter! But both were well written and fascinating. I liked Johnston's better. Descent was more of a plot read and psychological thriller, whereas O'Nan's was more raw and desolate. That has nothing to do with the writing: both were truly excellent. O'Nan's is missing, well, a happy ending.

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum.
The story: Trudy is a middle-aged history professor who has little sense of familial obligation. Caring for her mother, Anna, is a side duty for her. She visits her on proper holidays and leaves as soon as she can. Their relationship, built on hears of silence, has always been strained. But Anna has a reason for her silence: her past is too painful to disclose. During World War II, Anna was forced to be a Nazi officer's mistress in order to keep herself and, more importantly, little Trudy alive. Adult Trudy knows none of her story, and, in fact, she is disdainful of what she thinks she knows about her mother's life. Anna's story is revealed in alternating chapters, which are much more interesting than the chapters devoted to Trudy.
Me: Anna's story was heartbreaking and mesmerizing. Sometimes it was a bit too graphic, but I tend to be a fairly sensitive reader. I've read dozens of WWII era novels, yet somehow, this presents still another perspective—that of a young German woman who does what she has to in order to survive. I didn't love the chapters with Trudy, but I understand that this was a mechanism to tell her mother's story in flashback. Still, Anna's story is powerful and absolutely worth reading.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman.
The story: Seven-year-old Elsa is a genius. When her grandmother, who was her best friend, dies, Elsa is left with the task of taking care of various people by delivering letters of apology to them. The people nearly all live in her grandmother's apartment building, and they all were somehow rescued by her grandmother. Ultimately, they all come together to save Elsa—and themselves.
Me: I wanted to like this book. I loved A Man Called Ove. Really loved it. But–I didn't get this one. It could have been because I was traveling to and around Austria during the time I was reading it. It could have been jet lag. But I was glad when the book was over, and I felt confused after reading it. Amazon reviewers say it's fantastic, involving, charming, and funny, but I missed most of that. I was just perplexed and felt like I didn't get the joke.

Home Front by Kristen Hannah.
The story: Jolene is an eternally optimistic, upbeat helicopter pilot; her husband, Michael, is a lawyer who is anti-military and disgruntled with their life. Their marriage is falling apart, but Jolene is too optimistic to confront him. One night Michael finally tells her that he doesn't love her anymore, and, before she can figure out what to do with the information, she is deployed. Michael has to step up to the plate and take care of their two young daughters while she's at war. Midway through her deployment, she is injured and comes home as a different person—one that they all have to figure out how to live with.
Me: I loved Hannah's The Nightingale. It will probably be in my Top 10 best books of this year. And so.... I was terribly disappointed in this novel. There was so much about it that just didn't make sense. Why was the husband such a jerk? Why didn't she confront him about being a jerk? Why did he marry her if she was career military and he was anti-military? Why did he keep buying her wine if she had a drinking problem? Why does the little girl always want to play patty-cake? Why was he surprised that he was a "military family"? I just didn't love this book. It was formulaic and felt so contrived. But The Nightingale? Please, read that one!!

Linked up with the Saturday Review of Books and The Sunday Post

Books Read in September

The Lake House by Kate Morton.
The story: Flashing between the past and the present, Morton presents the mystery of a little boy lost and the subsequent disintegration of his family. Baby Theo, beloved only son of the Edevane family, disappeared one night without a trace. 75 years later, his older sisters are the only ones left in the family. They moved away from the beloved lake house soon after his disappearance. Enter Detective Sadie Sparrow, who's on forced leave from the department because of a case gone bad. While visiting her grandfather, she discovers an abandoned estate and an unsolved mystery from 75 years ago.
Me: Kate Morton is one of my favorite contemporary writers. She is kinda magical. Her stories are mesmerizing and her language simply beautiful. I've read and reviewed The Forgotten Garden,  The House at Riverton, and The Distant Hours. I also read The Secret Keeper but apparently didn't review it. I love all of them! Out of all, this one was probably the least riveting to me, but it was still absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend anything and everything by Kate Morton.

Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas.
Long-time favorite that I teach in my high school World Lit class. Reviewed here.

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens.
The story: Joe worked hard to get to college. His childhood was tough with an alcoholic mother and an autistic younger brother. An English class assignment requires that he interview an older person and write that person's biography. He heads to the nursing home and is given the only person there without Alzheimer's: a dying convict. Throughout the book, Joe discovers that there is a lot more to Carl than his murder conviction. He is determined to find the truth about Carl's story before Carl dies of cancer—but the real story turns out to be a dangerous one still. While searching for resolution, Joe's mother abandons his brother, and Joe has to deal with childhood demons of his own.
Me: First, I loved the main character, Joe, and his brother Jeremy. Joe's just a good guy who takes incredibly good care of his brother. I loved the story of Carl, too. The book got a little far-fetched when Joe meets up with the murder victim's family, but that's OK. The writing was great and the story really compelling. A great read.

Descent by Tim Johnston.
The story: A family heads from Wisconsin to Colorado for one last family vacation before Caitlin heads off to college. Caitlin is a runner, and she and her younger brother, Sean, head up to the mountains first thing in the morning for a run/bike. And then the impossible happens: Sean is hit by a car, and Caitlin hitches a ride down the mountain, she thinks for help. Big mistake. The rest of the novel follows each character:  Grant and Angela (the parents) and Sean as the navigate the search for Caitlin and the aftermath—the years without her.
Me: This book was seriously hard-pounding. I could not stop reading it, practically ignoring everything and everyone else in my life for a couple of days. And this is not just a gripping plot read: Johnston is a terrific writer. He's refined. Sharp. Introspective. I cannot even believe that he doesn't have 5 other novels for me to read. He needs to get busy on his next novel.

Books Read in August

A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman.
The story: Ove is the definition of grumpy old man. He's bitter, cranky, judgmental, and rude. He sees the world in absolute black and white. He's the guy in the neighborhood who makes sure no one breaks any rules and no one has any fun. He's mad, and he wants everyone else to be mad, too. And then new neighbors move in next door, and Parvaneh, the wife, just keeps loving him, no matter how prickly and exasperating he is.
Me: I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I feel like, between Ove and Harold Fry, I've seen the redemption of two wonderful old men this summer. This is a novel of tremendous tenderness, sadness, and joy. You can't help but feel utter hope in the human race upon reading this book. It reaffirms what we all know: that beyond a bitter exterior can rest a heart of pure gold. Highly recommended.

The Geography of Genius by Eric Weiner.
The story: Many years ago in the Geography of Bliss, Eric Weiner set out to find the happiest places on Earth. In his newest travelogue of sorts, Weiner looks for the smartest places in the world. Why were places like Athens, Florence, Edinburgh, Calcutta, Vienna, and the Silicon Valley hotbeds of creativity? Why did geniuses seem flourish there? Are geniuses born or made? What are the attributes of a creative place? Weiner takes us on a tour of eight different places, studying the characteristics of that city and its geniuses. It's a historical text, sociological study, and travelogue all together.
Me: So, I was off my usual 4-5 books this month because this book took me a little over three weeks to get through. Three weeks! There are so many great questions raised and interesting fodder for discussion, such as:

• Is creativity contagious?
• Are we more creative in crowds?
• Is chaos an essential ingredient to creativity?
• Does it take a city to raise a genius?
• Why do pockets of geniuses seem to flourish and then fade away?

I love the idea that “what is honored in a country will be cultivated there." What are we stifling in America by boxing in our future geniuses? It's a sad thought. This was our book club pick for September, and it was a fascinating read. I took copious notes and look forward to discussing a variety of topics with my fellow book club members.

Books Read in July

The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes (2014)
The story: This novel is based on the true story of 650 Australian war brides who crossed the sea in an aircraft carrier from Australia to Great Britain to be reunited with their mostly British husbands in 1946. (The author's grandmother was one of the brides.) The book focuses mainly on four of the brides, as well as on the captain and a Marine. The novel is framed by the present as an old woman sees a ship and flashes back to her sea journey. This frame scene was extremely confusing, as were the first several chapters before the ship departs, jumping from character to character as she (or he) prepares to leave. The story eventually all came together when the ship departs, and from that point on, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel.
Me: Once I got past the initial confusion and jumping around, I became really engrossed by the book and all the characters. I love novels based on true historical events, especially unknown bits of history like this. I asked my Dad, a WW2 vet and an avid historian, if he knew anything about these war brides, and he had never heard of this. Kudos to Moyes to telling the story for these women and their descendants. 650 women who left their continent for another world: that's quite a story to tell! It wasn't a perfect novel; some of the story lines felt disconnected and extraneous. Still, it was quite interesting and unusual. Recommended.

Lost in Translation by Nicole Mones (1999)
The story: Alice is an expatriate living in China. She's a translator who likes Chinese men— a lot. A lot of Chinese men. She's fleeing a childhood with a famous politician father who was also a racist. When she was in her mid 20s, her father forbade her to marry a Chinese man, and she's been drifting from man to man ever since. Enter Adam Spencer, an American archeologist who hopes to find the famed Peking Man and needs Alice to translate for him. From there, the story goes to the search for Peking Man, Alice's search for her own identity, and Alice's love story with Dr. Lin, another archeologist.
Me: I had an extremely difficult time immersing myself in this novel at first, but I think that more likely because I kept putting it down to read other books that had quick due dates at the library. Mones is an excellent writer, first of all. Her prose is captivating and requires slow reading (unlike, for example, JoJo Moyes). This is not a "plot read": this is a book with many complex layers, reflective of the Chinese culture that permeates the novel. Alice herself is an extremely complex character, a brilliant woman driven by demons and a constant search for wholeness. I ultimately became engrossed in the novel and fascinated by the complexities of this dual cultural life of Alice, who so desperately wants to be a true Chinese. I recommend this novel, but it is much more than a beach read. Be prepared to concentrate.

The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner (1976)
The story: Joe is a retired literary agent, who does the proverbial puttering around the house. His wife, Ruth, is fairly disgusted with him. He seems to just be done with life. A postcard from an old friend prompts him to find a set of journals he kept during a particularly difficult time in his life: right after the death of their only son. Although Joe is a historically uncommunicative person, Ruth begs his to read the journals aloud to him. Through the journals, they are able to see each other and, perhaps more importantly, Joe is able to see himself as something other than a passive spectator of his own life.
Me: Wallace Stegner is, well, one of the best American novelists. I mean, I'm kind of sheepish to even be writing a review of one of his novels on a silly little blog. One feels the presence of greatness between the pages of such a book.  As I was reading this short novel, I was struck by the careful construction of each and every sentence, by the obvious love of language and the ability to manipulate it in such a fluid and powerful way. There are writers who are purely storytellers, and there are writers who are artists as well. Stegner is falls into the latter category, of course. The plot is really almost insignificant in such a novel. Joe and Ruth— how intimately we know them after reading this. They become living, breathing people, rather than the flat, silly characters of so many other entertaining yet fluffy books written today. They are the people next door, your parents' friends, the couple who you see at the grocery store every week. You realize that in another 20 years or so, you'll be Joe and Ruth, with your own journals to read and stories to reconfigure. Highly recommended. Savor it, and appreciate Stegner's incredible gift.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (2012)
The story: Don Tillman wants a wife. He's a brilliant, handsome genetics professor who also, unbeknownst to himself, displays all the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome. He has little patience for social customs and has failed miserably at any conventional attempts at dating, so  he devises the Wife Project: a 16-page questionnaire/application that will eliminate all but the perfect wife. She can't smoke, drink much, dye her hair, wear lipstick, etc. And then he accidentally meets Rosie, who is a perfectly unqualified candidate, so he thinks.
Me: I loved everything about this novel. I laughed out loud many times and read the whole darn thing through in one afternoon, in spite of having a dozen other things I should have been doing. I happened to have recently spent time with a friend who could be Don in real life, so I was especially attuned to the quirks, patterns, and absolute lovableness of a guy like Don. (It's never explicitly stated that Don has Asperger's, nor is my friend officially diagnosed.) Anyway, this is just a funny, sweet, smart, and happy story. I wanted it to be twice as long as it was, but, fortunately, there is a second Rosie novel which I hope to find soon. Highly recommended!

Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn (1994)
The story: While visiting Wentwater Court and writing an article about this noble family of England, Daisy Dalrymple stumbles into a murder investigation. The story takes place in the 1920s, and there is a predictable cast of characters doing and saying predictable things. The detective interviews the whole family, etc. etc.
Me: It was a simple mystery. There was nothing surprising, particularly satisfying, memorable, or even terribly interesting. I read it because it is our August book for book club. I don't really have anything to say about it other than I have no idea what we can possibly discuss at our next meeting. Man dies, someone did it, and who did it isn't much of a mystery. I guess if you like simple, cozy, sleepy British mysteries, then perhaps you will enjoy this?

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce.
The story:  First, you must read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry for this novel to make sense. But that's good news, because Harold Fry is absolutely fabulous. If you've already read Harold Fry, then very quickly run and get this book. This is the story of Queenie, who waits in hospice for Harold Fry to walk across England to reach her before she dies. In Harold Fry, we journey with him as he makes his physical and emotional pilgrimage. In this novel, though, we hear Queenie's side of the story. And what a tragic yet beautiful story it is.
Me: "If only memory were a library with everything stored where it should be. If only you could walk to the desk and say to the assistant, I'd like to return the painful memories about David Fry or indeed his mother and take out some happier ones please." Rachel Joyce is simply an incredibly storyteller. I thought Harold Fry was pretty much a perfect novel, but The Love Song is possibly even better. And the two together? Power couple. I read it all in one day. Told from the perspective of Queenie, who is on her deathbed, the novel was bittersweet and so beautiful written. She pulls back layer after layer of memory to reveal the story of her love affair with Harold Fry and, in a sense, with his son David. These two novels together will no doubt be if not by favorite of the year, then certainly in the top 5.

Books Read in June

Chasing the North Star by Robert Morgan.
The story: Jonah Williams becomes a runaway slave on his 18th birthday after his master whips him for borrowing a book (thank goodness his master never put it together that Jonah could actually read the book, thanks to his master's wife!). He didn't exactly intend to run away; he didn't think it all through clearly and didn't have  plan. All Jonah knows is that he needs to get as far north as possible. Along the way he meets Angel, who had been her master's plaything since she was a 12-year-old girl. Jonah doesn't want Angel to travel with him, but she keeps popping up wherever he lands. The story takes us on the journey north with them, through a series of narrow escapes and ultimately to freedom.
Me: I didn't love this book.  The first part was extremely slow moving; the details of Jonah moving through the woods, camping out, being cold, etc. were just too tedious for me. I supposed I am largely a dialogue-driven reader, and there was little to none during the first part of the novel. I was just getting to the point of giving up when Angel enters the story. I liked having Angel there; she was more interesting than Jonah, although I found it remarkable that a slave woman could hop on the train and travel and then just happen to meet up with Jonah again. She seemed to always be appearing just when he needed to be rescued, which seemed way too far fetched for me. Robert Morgan is one of my favorite contemporary writers, but this was not one of my favorite books. It's beautifully written, of course, but somehow I wasn't drawn in by the characters enough.

We Never Asked for Wings by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.
The story: When her parents decide to move back to Mexico, Letty is forced to become a parent for the first time, even though her kids are 15 and 6. She has no idea how to take care of her own kids; her parents fed them, clothed them, and raised them while she worked three jobs and partied on her time off. She has no choice but to figure it all out on her own, and, for the most part, she does a decent job. But just as she's starting to get the hang of it, some complications arise: she starts to fall in love with a guy, her son's father returns, and a series of other events threaten to shatter her newly constructed world.
Me: I adored Diffenbaugh's The Language of Flowers, and I really liked this one too-- not as well, but it was a great read. It's not perfect; there was some details that were a bit too contrived or unexplained. But I'm OK with that. I loved the characters, especially Letty and her son Alex. It's a sweet story of growth, family, and overcoming obstacles. Definitely recommended for a light but meaningful read.

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica.
The story: Mia, the adult daughter of the well-to-do Judge and Mrs. Dennett, has been kidnapped and is being held in a remote cabin in Minnesota. Mrs. Dennett is beside herself, but the Judge is remote and cold. The story flashes between the past and present through the eyes of various characters: Mrs. Dennett; Colin (the kidnapper); and Gabe, the detective. Sometimes multiple narrators are confusing, but in this case, they are nicely labeled. What a great idea!
Me: Oh my goodness. This book was positively mesmerizing. I almost didn't read it when I saw that Harlequin was the publisher! I wondered why I even had it on my reading list. But honestly,  I could hardly put it down! I loved having the story unfold through the various POVs, and the characters were all lavishly drawn and intriguing. I've seen lots of comparisons to Gone Girl, and I think that's pretty accurate (minus the graphic scenes). HIghly recommended as a psychological thriller.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.
The story: Harold Fry, a retired man in his 60s, receives a letter from an old friend who is dying. Next thing he knows, he's started on a walking journey to see that friend. He believes that as long as he walks, she will continue to live. As he walks, he begins to remember various scenes from his life: his childhood, his early marriage, fatherhood. Back home, his wife has a similar inward pilgrimage. Harold and Maureen begin putting aside 20 years of animosity toward each other and wonder how they got so far off track—and if they can ever return.
Me: Oh. My. Goodness. This book (our June book club read) is astounding. I read it in about three sittings, in spite of having a billion other things to do, because it was hard to put down. I love everything about the book: the characters, the setting, the masterful way the author reveals the story. There were all kinds of surprises, and a few times I thought the book was going to take a turn I really didn't want; but in the end it was wrapped up beautifully. Such a great story of redemption, the power of love and memory, and that it's never too late—for anything. Highly recommended!

Books Read in May

After You by JoJo Moyes.
The story: This is the sequel to the popular soon-to-be-a-major-motion-picture Me Before You— the story of a woman who falls in love with a quadriplegic. Louisa trudges on with her life, which is interrupted with all kinds of surprises and twists.
Me: I can't really say much about it, as I don't want to spoil Me Before You for those who haven't read it. This was a decent sequel, and I'd definitely recommend it for those who read the first one. If you haven't read the first one, this will make no sense.


The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
The story: This novel is geared toward early young-adult readers, but I think anyone would appreciate it. Ada is 10-year-old and has never left her hellish home. She has a clubfoot, which her abusive, slovenly mother considers to be the mark of the devil. The mother tells people—and Ada— that Ada is an idiot. Ada's only touch with the outside world is through her younger brother, Jamie. When WWII looms and London is certain to be bombed, Ada and Jamie evacuate, against their mother's wishes, to the countryside with the other children. They are introduced to a completely foreign world with Susan, their foster mother, and Ada learns that she is a person of tremendous value.
Me: I loved this novel. I'm a big fan of WWII era novels and redemption stories and happy endings. This one has all three and is told simply and beautifully. I loved reading Jamie's and Ada's discoveries about themselves and the world. Susan was also a wonderful character, and readers can't help but root for her as she learns how to love again. Highly recommended for all ages.

Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir of Sorts by Ian Morgan Cron.
The story: Ian's home life is a wreck. His parents, once beautiful people who hobnobbed with Hollywood, have fallen into the pit of despair because of his father's alcoholism. From a mansion to a tiny apartment, the family, of which Ian is the youngest and last at home, disintegrates. Ian actively despises his father, who just looks like a pathetic drunk to him. At 16, Ian discovers that his father is actually a CIA agent—one who was once actually brilliant at his job. This discovery in some ways reshapes his image of his father, but Ian never gets what he really needs: a father who acknowledges and loves him as a son. Inevitably, Ian also turns to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, insisting that he is not like his father. This is Ian's story of struggle and ultimately triumph—although I'm sure the story continues today.
Me: I am a big fan of a well-written memoir. Cron is a fabulous writer. He's poetic and honest, although a bit disjointed at times. I can accept that, though, because his life was so disjointed. Highly recommended if you like memoirs.

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. 
The story: During the summer when Frank Drum is 13 years old, there are 5 deaths in his  small hometown in Minnesota. Looking back as a middle-aged man on that summer, Frank remembers all the vivid details and tells the story as part mystery but mostly as a coming-of-age, loss-of-innocence story. This has somewhat of a To Kill a Mockingbird feel to it, a little bit of Stand By Me and even Our Town, sorta. Krueger is a wonderful storyteller, and I was immediately immersed in the novel.
Me: I absolutely loved this book. I read it in an evening and a day, putting aside all the other things I was supposed to get done on that particular day. I really loved everything about it: the characters, the story, the setting, the narrator's voice, Krueger's prose, the mystery, the sadness, the joy. It was truly a wonderfully written story of loss and forgiveness and healing. Highly recommended!