This is a very moving story and interesting look at the lives of women in a rural town in 19th century China. It is sad but fascinating to see how wom...moreThis is a very moving story and interesting look at the lives of women in a rural town in 19th century China. It is sad but fascinating to see how women lived as part of a strict heirarchy and the sacrifices they had to make according to their position. Their lives were not their own as they filled specific roles and fulfilled duties throughout life. They knew deprivation, cruelty, and heartbreak. One of the few means of self-expression was through embroidery. Another was through a secret written language developed and perpetuated by women. Beyond self-expression, the language provided for a means for encouragement, comfort, solace, empowerment, hope, and recording memories. This way of life comes alive through the story of the life long relationship of two women. Highly recommended.(less)
This is the second book in the Richard Jury series. This was the first Martha Grimes book I read and I really enjoyed it. I plan to continue reading t...moreThis is the second book in the Richard Jury series. This was the first Martha Grimes book I read and I really enjoyed it. I plan to continue reading the series. Inspector Jury is aided by the wealthy Melrose Plant and hypochondriac Sergeant Wiggins in solving a murder in a seaside village and past crimes at an estate in the English moors. (less)
This is a quick read that will scare you out of eating junk. There are convenient shopping lists at the end of the book. The sections that talked abou...moreThis is a quick read that will scare you out of eating junk. There are convenient shopping lists at the end of the book. The sections that talked about artifical sweetners and animal products stick out in my mind as being very convincing informative when I think back to when I read this a month ago. (less)
This is one of the best books I've read in years. I thought that about the Kite Runner too, but I think this was even better. He brings to life the hi...moreThis is one of the best books I've read in years. I thought that about the Kite Runner too, but I think this was even better. He brings to life the history of Afghanistan during the last 30 years or so. He shows the tolls and tragedies of war on individuals, families, and communities. In A Thousand Splendid Suns he shows the appalling treatment of women and the harm caused by ethnic prejudice. (less)
This was a fun read. More developed of a story than you get w/an Evanovich romance. A successful lawyer leaves her all-consuming law career for a happ...moreThis was a fun read. More developed of a story than you get w/an Evanovich romance. A successful lawyer leaves her all-consuming law career for a happy life as a cook and housekeeper and to fall in love.(less)
This is such a great story and so beautifully written. Now I'm anxious to read more of Nemirovsky's work. Fire in the blood, passion that can't be den...moreThis is such a great story and so beautifully written. Now I'm anxious to read more of Nemirovsky's work. Fire in the blood, passion that can't be denied, is the common thread among the characters. It has to be hidden though because propriety, duty, and family must come first if one wants to remain part of the complicated village life. (less)
Beautifully written, informative, thought provoking, journey through a year in the life of one family as they eat only the vegetables and animals that...moreBeautifully written, informative, thought provoking, journey through a year in the life of one family as they eat only the vegetables and animals that they either grow on their farm or are grown locally. Kingsolver's husband contributes fact filled articles and her daughter provides interesting little stories along with recipes and meal plans. I learned a lot from this book and it will effect my future eating and buying habits. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I think the book could have been a little shorter. (less)
The first three Stephanie Plum novels. I wish I could write like Evanovich. :) I've read some of the books in this series before, but not in order and...moreThe first three Stephanie Plum novels. I wish I could write like Evanovich. :) I've read some of the books in this series before, but not in order and not these first three, so this was fun. (less)
I love the way Lahiri writes. This is a collection of short stories. The last three are all connected though. All of the stories are told from the per...moreI love the way Lahiri writes. This is a collection of short stories. The last three are all connected though. All of the stories are told from the perspective of young to middle aged men and women who's parents moved to America from India. (less)
In this book the main character is a pediatrician who got pregnant by the town bad boy when she was young. The man went to prison shortly thereafter a...moreIn this book the main character is a pediatrician who got pregnant by the town bad boy when she was young. The man went to prison shortly thereafter and was out of her life until he escapes from prison. Then she needs to be protected from him by a nice, handsome FBI agent. (less)
Second book in the Detective Superintendent Grace Mystery series, first one I've read. I had heard and read a couple different times about how popular...moreSecond book in the Detective Superintendent Grace Mystery series, first one I've read. I had heard and read a couple different times about how popular this series is in England, and how one of the Brighton (I think) police cars even has Grace's name on the side of it, so I was curious about it. I thought this was a good, suspenseful, interesting mystery and hope to go back and read the first one (it was checked out earlier so that's why I just started with the second!) Not knowing all of the various UK police abbreviations detracted from it a little for me, but not enough to make a difference. (less)
Great book. First in Detective Grace series. Page turner because you have more information than the detective and are anxious for him to know what you...moreGreat book. First in Detective Grace series. Page turner because you have more information than the detective and are anxious for him to know what you know, plus anxious for him to solve rest of mystery. Wish I had read series in order, but not essential. Can't wait to read books 3 and 4, which are already published in UK but not in US yet. (less)
We listened to this book on CD during our Labor Day road trip and really enjoyed it. Richard Jury learns of a mystery from a man named Harry Johnston...moreWe listened to this book on CD during our Labor Day road trip and really enjoyed it. Richard Jury learns of a mystery from a man named Harry Johnston over the course of several evenings spent with him at a local pub, The Old Wine Shades. (less)
This was an okay book. I wasn't going to finish it but wanted to find out what was going to happen, so I kept reading it and then didn't like the endi...moreThis was an okay book. I wasn't going to finish it but wanted to find out what was going to happen, so I kept reading it and then didn't like the ending. (less)
There is much advice from the Dalai Lama in this book that I found to be helpful for me, and I found myself bookmarking many pages and copying down qu...moreThere is much advice from the Dalai Lama in this book that I found to be helpful for me, and I found myself bookmarking many pages and copying down quotes. However, I felt that there was too much of the narrator's voice in this book, and it didn't enhance the book for me. The narrator is a western psychiatrist who attended the Dalai Lama's lectures and interviewed him for this book.(less)