false 3 271 243 true 6086308 read 1 true 4249724 currently-reading 27 true 4249723 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44021258 to: The Little Book (Hardcover) by Selden Edwards
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49365618 to: Heaven's Net Is Wide (The First Tale of the Otori) by Lian Hearn
I bought this in London for Alex to read (teen literature section)- and ended up reading it myself.

The author is a British author who developed a facination with early Japan. Hers is a fictional world of 3 Japanese warrior clans a tribe with valueable skills (hired as spies and assasins) and a hidden group with alternative religious views.

I like the story and the writing. At times it seemed a bit slow, but the characters are strong and well developed with beliefs and actions that tie them closely to their time and fictional world.

She had a four part series about the world of the "Otori" and this particular book is a prequal to that series. In the end, I did want to read more, and I think I'll start on the first book. "Across the Nightingale Floor"

]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46124646 to: Sarum: The Novel of England (Hardcover) by Edward Rutherfurd
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46124587 to: Mrs. Kimble (Paperback) by Jennifer Haigh
Mrs Kimble explores a few women who marry someone they know nothing about, and learn very little more throughout their marriage. Not a lot of hope or inspiration. Nice enough writing. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44394099 to: If Today Be Sweet: A Novel (P.S.) by Thrity Umrigar
I found this a sweet book, but a bit heavy-handed. The 66 year-old Parsi protagonist from Bombay looks at her life and her family and tries to determine her direction. The continous talk of the decision making is a bit too much. And the characters are developed more my obsvervation of the other characters rather than their own actions.
However the characters are sympathetic and the story has a universal appeal - fitting in with in-laws, moving from one culture to another.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44416824 The Condition (Hardcover) by Jennifer Haigh
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44416768 The Used World: A Novel (Hardcover) by Haven Kimmel
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44416726 The Solace of Leaving Early (Paperback) by Haven Kimmel
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44416708 The Bright Side of Disaster: A Novel (Hardcover) by Katherine Center
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44416665 The Lace Reader (Paperback) by Brunonia Barry
bookshelves: to-read
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