Meg Waite Clayton - The Wednesday Daughters: A Novel

2. The Wednesday Daughters: A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton (2013)

The Wednesday Series Book 2

Length: 316 pages

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Started: 2 February 2018

Finished: 20 February 2018

Where did it come from? From Bookmooch

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 18 October 2017

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed The Wednesday Sisters: A Novel by the same author in the past.

During the late 1960s, five extraordinary young women - Frankie, Linda, Kath, Ally and Brett - forged an amazing friendship that endured for a lifetime. Although the ladies initially had little in common with each other beyond a shared love of literature and watching the ‘Miss America Pageant’ together, their casual bond quickly blossomed into a much stronger relationship than any of the women could ever have imagined. ‘The Wednesday Sisters’ as they began calling themselves, soon realized that they were seeking out each other’s company more and more - commiserating over the myriad issues experienced in marriage and young motherhood; as well as buoying each other through the triumphs and tragedies faced in real life. And while ‘The Wednesday Sisters’ friendship lasted for four decades, the unique closeness these ladies experienced has extended into the next generation.

During the fall of 2011, Hope arrives in the English Lakes District to close up her mother Ally’s holiday cottage. Although she doesn’t anticipate anything going wrong during her visit - especially with lifelong friends Anna Page and Julie along to help - she still isn’t quite prepared for what does happen. Soon after arriving at the cottage, Hope discovers a stack of her mother’s old journals written in some sort of indecipherable code. Equally perplexing is the mysterious stranger who knocks at the door, claiming that the women are actually trespassing on private property.

The wealthy Englishman is Ally’s nearest neighbor, although she never mentioned him - either to her daughter or to anyone else. Calling himself Graham, the man invites Hope, Anna Page and Julie to take a tour of the English Lakes - in order to get a more intimate glimpse of the forests, fells, and waterfalls that inspired Beatrix Potter’s childhood classic Peter Rabbit and the poetry of William Wordsworth. However, what begins as a chance for Hope to learn more about the relationship between Ally and her eccentric English friend, quickly turns into something else entirely - something infinitely sweeter and much more meaningful to all three women. These guided tours become journeys through the emotional landscapes of their mothers’ choices in life - as well as their own.

As the daughters begin to uncover the true reasons behind Ally’s frequent trips to England - reasons that are as intricate and as personal as the secret puzzlebox that Hope carries with her - they reach a deeper understanding of the complexities of romance, the bonds of family, and the inescapable pull of the past.

First of all, let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Wednesday Sisters: A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton when I read it back in November of 2015. It only took me four days to read that book, and I was so looking forward to reading its sequel. To be perfectly honest, while I certainly enjoyed reading The Wednesday Daughters: A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton very much, I think that my expectations for this book were almost too high. In my opinion, the contemporary storyline was perhaps the most enjoyable of the two - although I appreciated that the historical storyline was also included.

I understand that Beatrix Potter was a prolific children’s author - and that she has ardent fans of her work - but I must admit that I have never read any of her books myself. As a result, I didn’t really follow the historical storyline all that well. Having said that, I would still give this book a definite B+! 

B+! - (85-89%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Ursula Hegi - The Worst Thing I’ve Done: A Novel

25. The Worst Thing I’ve Done: A Novel by Ursula Hegi (2007)

Length: 260 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Started: 15 September 2017

Finished: 23 September 2017

Where did it come from? From Christmas Tree Shops

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 25 December 2011

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Ursula Hegi is a new author for me.

Tonight, as she has done so many times before, Annabelle is driving between the North Sea and Montauk and back again. She is listening to talk radio and eating junk food; stifling her own rage and pain as she listens to the anonymous callers pour out their various tales of woe. This has been a part of Annie’s nightly routine - her own personal ritual - one that she has done ever since her husband Mason challenged everything that she once believed about herself and about their marriage. However no matter what she does, Annie can never seem to silence Mason’s urgent voice within her - it’s as desperate as some of the callers who confess their misery to the radio psychologists.

To so many of the people who know them, Annie, Jake, and Mason have always had a tremendously close friendship. Since early childhood, the three of them have had such a special bond with each other, and those ties have only strengthened for them over time. However on a day that should mark the happiest time of their lives, the initially tight friendship begins to warp into something else entirely. Something so emotionally charged and dangerous that nobody knows what to expect.

Their friendship begins to take a turn for the worse on of all days - Annie and Mason’s wedding day. Unfortunately that same night, Annie’s parents are killed in a tragic automobile accident, leaving their newborn daughter Opal an orphan. Although Annie is devastated by the loss of her parents, she must somehow find a way to put aside her own grief and tend to her newborn sister’s needs. So she and Mason take custody of Opal, and invite Jake to move in with them to help raise the child together.

Annie struggles to find a proper balance between all the responsibilities and relationships in her life and family: she is both a sister and a mother to Opal, a wife to Mason, and a friend to Jake. Perhaps inevitably, this already unique relationship grows increasingly more intense - becoming almost smotheringly close and dangerously entangled. Until that fateful night, when these three friends miss the precise moment in time that could have helped them all to take a step back from a crumbling precipice.

Instead, they continue goading each other to step across a line which ultimately leads to a series of shocking and unforeseen consequences. Set on the East End of Long Island, The Worst Thing I’ve Done is an incandescent novel of love, friendship, and marriage; of joy and betrayal; of an artist’s struggle to reconnect with her work; and of how we can sometimes choose our mothers, our families. This is a beautifully written story, brilliantly vivid and tremendously poignant; a stunning exploration of resilience and courage in the face of uncertainty.

To be perfectly honest, I’m not quite sure what to say about this book. Actually, I can’t really pinpoint what it was that disturbed me specifically, but I definitely found this to be extremely difficult reading for me. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the premise of the story; I found it to be very intriguing and well-written. I found myself wavering slightly on how to rate this book, but eventually settled on giving it an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Juliette Fay - Shelter Me: A Novel

20. Shelter Me: A Novel by Juliette Fay (2009)

Length: 432 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Started: 15 August 2017

Finished: 22 August 2017

Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale 

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 June 2015

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Juliette Fay is a new author for me.

Janie LaMarche has recently lost her husband Rob in a biking accident. In the four months since his death, she has been balanced on the edge of an overwhelmingly emotional crisis - teetering from heartwrenching grief to blazing anger from day to day. However, her mourning is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of a contractor with a building order to add a porch onto her house. Bewildered by his sudden arrival, Janie slowly realizes that the porch was actually meant to be a surprise from her husband - now his final gift to her.

As a reluctant Janie allows the construction to begin, she steadfastly clings to the familiarity of her sorrow - mothering her two small children with a fierce protectiveness, avoiding well-meaning friends and family, and stewing in a rage she can't release. Yet Janie's self-imposed isolation is continuously breached by a motley crew of unlikely interventionists, all determined to break through her steely shell of grief. The cast of loving intermediaries includes: Janie's chatty Aunt Jude, for whom a stiff slug of ipecac solves everything; her over-manicured, tremendously nosy neighbor Shelly, whose home visits are so regular Janie can almost set her watch by them; her muffin-bearing cousin Cormac, who considers baked goods to be downright therapeutic; and even Tug, the contractor with a private grief all his own.

So, as the porch begins to take shape, Janie discovers that the unknown terrain of the future is better charted a day at a time. And that any potential potholes she may encounter along the way are best navigated with the help of others - even those who she never expected to call on, much less learn to love.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Everything about it resonated with me: the story was well-written, the characters were entirely believable, and the plot was very well-developed. I'm going to be putting this author's name right at the top of my wishlist and would certainly give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Jennifer Close - Girls in White Dresses

18. Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close (2011)

Length: 294 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Started: 7 August 2017

Finished: 9 August 2017

Where did it come from? From Bookmooch

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 7 August 2017

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Jennifer Close is a new author for me.

Isabella, Mary, and Lauren have been best friends for most of their lives. They had initially met in college and later discovered that they had quite a bit more in common with each other than they had expected. As their friendship has gone on through the years, they have watched as everyone else around them has gotten married, started families, and found success in their chosen careers. However, the three college friends have consistently noticed that they are 'always the bridesmaid, never the bride' as they struggle through young adulthood together.

As the women gather together to celebrate the good fortune of bride after bride, they find themselves evaluating their own lives and hoping for more in the future. As regularly as clockwork, they get together to ooh and ahh over the most inane bridal gifts; spend time reminiscing about events they would much rather forget; and drink champagne toasts by the case. They collect party favors by the dozens; eat endless trays of hors d'oeuvre; and cheerfully wear the most garish pastel dresses ever designed.

Meanwhile, these women are grappling with some major issues within their own lives that seem to transcend all the congratulatory celebrations that they attend each week. Isabella is stuck working in a dead-end job, Mary is dating a really nice guy whose mother is a stubborn perfectionist, and Lauren is waitressing at a mid-town bar and wondering why she finds the sleazy bartender so attractive. Amid various booze-filled family holidays, on-the-job flirtations, hungover bridal showers, and disastrous ski vacations, the women share the wild frustrations and soaring joys of modern life with each other.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't quite sure how enjoyable this book would actually be for me. Mareena's friend had initially recommended Jennifer Close as an author to me - after having read and thoroughly enjoyed this particular book for herself. Since our tastes in reading are usually so different, I filed Jennifer Close in my 'Eh...Maybe' category. Mareena put this book on our wishlist about three years ago, and it literally just became available to request approximately a month ago.

Since this book arrived at a moment when I was wondering what to read next, I started it immediately. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. The story was well-written and remarkably easy reading for me. I would definitely give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Joan Mendlicott - The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love: A Novel

15. The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love: A Novel by Joan Medlicottt (2000)

The Ladies of Covington Series Book 1

Length: 371 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 12 June 2017
Finished: 18 June 2017
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 5 June 2017
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

The harsh circumstances of life have brought together three very different women of "a certain age" in a Pennsylvania boardinghouse where the most any of them can hope for is a sagging bed and three square meals a day. Grace Singleton is an extraordinarily cautious woman who remains uncertain of her place in such an intimidating world; Hannah Parrish may be outspoken about a great many things, but she harbors a profoundly private fear that could change her life forever; Amelia Declose is a fragile soul who has been shattered by devastating grief. These three ladies may be as different as can be, yet their friendship will ultimately lead them all to experience the adventure of their lifetimes.

Their friendship will take take them on an extraordinary journey to North Carolina - and to a dilapidated farmhouse where the unexpected suddenly seems delightfully promising. Such startling changes will not only seem entirely welcome, but also come as a sweet surprise to each woman. As each lady travels along on this shared adventure, they will be surprised to find that the years they have managed to reclaim from the shadows of twilight just may be the best years of their lives. Years which will offer something infinitely more precious and rare: confidence, competence, and even another chance at love...

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; in my opinion, it is a truly delightful story. This was certainly easy reading for me, but there was just enough going on in the plot to hold my attention all the way through the story. While this isn't completely a 'fluffy, feel good' story, I appreciated that it also wasn't entirely dark and depressing - I would give this book an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Anne Tyler - Celestial Navigation

14. Celestial Navigation by Anne Tyler (1974)
Length: 248 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 2 June 2017
Finished: 12 June 2017
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 June 2017
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

In the fall of 1960, Amanda Pauling is surprised when she and her sister Laura receive a disturbing phone call from their younger brother in the middle of the night. According to Jeremy's relatively matter-of-fact tone, "I wanted to tell you about Mama. She has passed on." His reaction just seems awfully peculiar given the circumstances; distant and strangely unemotional.

Actually, Jeremy Pauling has never left home. He is a thirty-eight-year-old bachelor who lives simply and quietly on the top floor of his mother's Baltimore boardinghouse. Meanwhile, his elderly mother putters around in the rooms below, and takes in a few down-on-their-luck boarders for little or no rent. Mother and son have lived together in this way for several years - Jeremy quietly creating his vast collection of collages of little people snipped from wrapping paper, and his mother taking responsibility for everything else in their lives.

Amanda was never particularly close to their mother herself, but she is surprised that her brother's voice sounds so passive as he speaks about their mother's death. He just seems totally baffled by the situation; and racked by uncertainties about what he should do next. Apparently, this is another reason why he has called his sisters: to ask them to make the proper arrangements. It appears that their mother died suddenly and left Jeremy alone.

To be perfectly honest, Amanda has always felt slightly resentful of their mother's relationship with her only son. In her opinion, the relationship was an inordinately close one; fostered by the sudden abandonment of their father. In the aftermath of her husband's abandonment of herself and their family, she appears to care more about her son's emotional wellbeing; than she does for both of her daughters'. As children, Jeremy always seemed to get the majority of their mother's attention; while Amanda and Laura were basically expected to fend for themselves.

Amanda firmly believes that their mother's persistent coddling of him only made Jeremy's eccentric behavior worse. She never seemed to expect very much from her son, and so Jeremy never felt that he needed to act any differently. Amanda truly believes that his strangeness can be overcome - he just needs to take responsibility for himself, and stop living in his own little world. Although, Jeremy has always disliked having to live like normal people.

Their mother only ever saw Jeremy's eccentric behavior as a sign of his creativity. He's an extraordinarily talented artist, yet he has always had significant trouble connecting with the outside world. Amanda secretly hopes that their mother's death will be just the impetus Jeremy needs to pull himself together and take responsibility for his own life.

Perhaps...But Amanda doesn't realize just how closely Jeremy resembles one of his own creations - a soul that is fragile and easily damaged. And neither of his sisters fully understand just how much courage it takes for Jeremy to voluntarily interact with the outside world. As a matter of fact, nobody can see how much Jeremy's life will change with the sudden arrival of Mary Tell and her little girl, Darcy.

I must say that this book wasn't anything like Anne Tyler's typical works. In my opinion, this was an intriguing story and a unique premise. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would certainly give this book an A! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Christopher R. Beha - What Happened to Sophie Wilder: A Novel

2. What Happened to Sophie Wilder: A Novel by Christopher R. Beha (2012)

Length: 255 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Started: 2 January 2017
Finished: 4 January 2017
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 16 August 2014
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Christopher R. Beha is a new author for me.

Charlie Blakeman is a recently published author whose first novel has received minimal acclaim. He currently lives with his cousin Max in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. The cousins live on Washington Square, and while Max is relatively successful in his career as a film critic for the local weekly newspaper, Charlie finds himself struggling to write his follow-up novel. For reasons that he can't seem to explain, Charlie is floundering for any serious literary inspirations, and is beginning to settle into an unexpected and somewhat boring routine in his life.

That is when Charlie's college love suddenly returns. Sophie Wilder and Charlie Blakeman had once been extraordinarily close until they had had a strange fallout about a decade before. Since then, they have barely spoken to each other, but Charlie is still pleasantly surprised to see Sophie. She actually appears to be having some difficulties within her own life as well, although Charlie isn't quite sure of the reason why.

So, Sophie begins to tell Charlie the story of her life since they had last seen each other. She tells him of the brief period of time that she spent as a hospice care giver; and particularly of the dying man with the terrible past who forced Sophie to make an extraordinarily difficult decision. When she disappears once again, Charlie sets out to discover what really happened to Sophie Wilder.

I must admit that I really enjoyed reading this book. The story caught and held my attention right away, and was very well written. I would give this book an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Jeanine Cummins - The Crooked Branch: A Novel

56. The Crooked Branch: A Novel by Jeanine Cummins (2013)

Length: 384 pages

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Started: 13 December 2016

Finished: 15 December 2016

Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 8 December 2016

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Jeanine Cummins is a new author for me.

After the birth of her daughter, Emma, first-time mother Majella finds herself feeling extremely strange - almost like she has somehow become separated or disconnected from herself and her family. The usually resilient and self-deprecating young woman suddenly feels isolated and exhausted - feelings which she slowly comes to realize reach far beyond simply being overwhelmed by her recent introduction to new motherhood. Trying to better understand her extraordinary feelings of 'differential otherness', Majella understands that no matter how much they may love her, her family just can't help her in this particular situation; so she seeks out professional help.

Late one night, while investigating the source of a strange sound up in her attic, Majella discovers the diary of her maternal ancestor - Ginny Doyle. While it is encouraging for Majella to find Ginny's diary - and to again feel the spark of a connection toward this tough and determined woman, Majella is nevertheless shocked to read a story of murder in her family history. Disturbed to think that she may be genetically predisposed to acts of violence herself, Majella sets out to explore Ginny's past.

With the ravages of the famine upon her, a terrified and distraught Ginny Doyle fled from Ireland to America. Although she was eventually able to acquire passage for herself and her children, not all of Ginny's family were able to escape and to start over fresh in their lives. So, what actually happened during those harrowing years, and just why does Ginny continue to call herself a killer?

Despite the centuries that separate them, Majella is heartened to learn that her ancestor Ginny was in so many ways a woman just like herself - just a mother struggling to find a way to raise and protect her young children. Ginny's battles may have been more fundamental than Majella's - as she struggled to keep her young family alive during the time of Ireland's Great Hunger - yet Majella can't deny the strong connection that she still feels towards Ginny. However, does the fierce tenderness that Majella begins to feel towards her newborn daughter outweigh everything else - or is she actually genetically fated to be a bad mother? Determined to understand the truth of her heritage as well as her own identity, Majella seeks to learn more about Ginny Doyle's personal history - and discovers surprising new truths about her family and, ultimately, about herself.

I must say that I absolutely loved this book. In my opinion, it was just a wonderful book; beautifully written and seamlessly woven together. Both Ginny's and Majella's stories were equally compelling for me to read, despite the centuries that separated both women. I'm definitely putting Ms. Cummins' name at the top of my wishlist, and I would certainly give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Mark Salzman - Lying Awake: A Novel

48. Lying Awake: A Novel by Mark Salzman (2000)

Length: 181 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Started: 13 October 2016

Finished: 18 October 2016

Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 7 June 2016

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Mark Salzman is a new author for me.

Somewhere outside present-day Los Angeles - cloistered inside a Carmelite convent - Sister John of the Cross spends her days in contemplation of the divinity of the Lord. While the pace of life within the walls of this holy place has remained unchanged for centuries, Sister John has dedicated her life to the service of others. She has used her God-given talents to bring recognition to her sisters and to her convent by writing inspirational and religious poetry. While she has spent her many years there honoring God and His many blessings, she has also experienced something not many people ever have.

She alone witnesses visions of such dazzling grace and spiritual intensity, that she is viewed as a modern-day prophetess by many of her sisters. These visions are both extraordinarily powerful and profoundly insightful, and Sister John has even gained some small measure of fame from within the community of Los Angles because of the brilliance of her poetry. However, despite her growing prominence as an author and poet, Sister John still remains humble and counts herself extraordinarily blessed to have had such wonderful experiences and gives all glory to God. However, sooner or later Sister John will eventually face a very human dilemma.

For years she has suffered from debilitating headaches, sharp pain that usually accompanies Sister John's miraculous visions. When a doctor reveals that her headaches may actually be a sign of something more dangerous, she faces a devastating choice. Because if Sister John's spiritual gifts are just physical symptoms of a serious illness rather than signs of grace bestowed on her, will seeking an earthly "cure" mean that her soul will ultimately become bereft; or that God will eventually forsake His faithful servant?

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In my opinion, it was a delightful story and I really appreciated this poignant glimpse into a life spent within a convent. I will say that I have always been interested in reading anything that involves living the cloistered life. I would certainly give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Jane Hamilton - A Map of the World

47. A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton (1994)

Length: 390 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Started: 19 September 2016

Finished: 5 October 2016

Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 7 June 2016

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed Disobedience by the same author in the past.

Although Alice and Howard Goodwin and their two young daughters have lived in Racine, Wisconsin for several years, they are still considered to be relative outsiders by a majority of the townspeople. The family actually operates the last remaining dairy farm which is located on the outskirts of the town. While the farm has always been a dream of Howard's; finally realized by infusions of money given to him by his disgruntled mother, Alice considers herself to be constitutionally unsuited to be a farmer's wife. She works as a school nurse because she loves children, but is otherwise disorganized, skittish and emotionally volatile.

Alice is also extremely lonely, but she finds some solace in her friendship with her best friend Theresa. Theresa also has two little girls, and so both young mothers arrange alternating play dates while babysitting each other's children. During a particularly brutally hot day in June - in the midst of a terrible drought - Alice daydreams for just a few crucial moments while the four girls play together. In the space of a few short minutes, Alice's life as much as the lives of everyone around her, takes a tragic turn.

The resulting tragedy only serves to alienate the Goodwins even further from their neighbors, as the residents of Racine begin to close ranks against Alice and her family. When she is subsequently arrested for an unthinkable crime, Alice is devastated by the vicious accusations being made against her - but because Howard is unable to raise her bail - she must remain in jail. While Alice suffers tremendously though her time in jail, she still learns a great deal about human frailty and solidarity.

Meanwhile, Howard and her girls must undergo their own trial by fire. A Map of the World is the touching second novel written by Jane Hamilton. This is a beautifully written story that paints a stunning picture of a marriage placed under serious pressure due to calamitous circumstances. It also poignantly addresses the capricious turns of fate and the lives caught in the unyielding grip of regret.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The story was well-written and full of sympathetic characters. I found myself totally immersed in the plot and I could completely understand how a person's entire life could be ruined by false accusations. As a matter of fact, reputations can be totally destroyed by the aftermath. I have actually read this book once before - approximately a decade ago - but as I can barely remember the plot, it's almost like I've never read the book at all. I would give this book a definite A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Deborah Bedford - When You Believe

43. When You Believe by Deborah Bedford (2003)
Length: 288 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 16 August 2016
Finished: 18 August 2016
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 13 August 2016
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed His Other Wife: A Novel by the same author in the past.

Lydia Porter loves everything about teaching at Shadrach High School. She enjoys working with children and loves being able to shape their young minds in her position as the School-to-Careers Counselor. Lyddie especially loves everything about Charlie Stains - the school's very popular wood-working teacher.

As a matter of fact, Lydia truly believes that God answered her lonely prayers when big-hearted Charlie came into her life. And although she hasn't told a soul about it, Charlie has even given her an engagement ring. Lyddie may have waited for a very long time to find her happiness, but she is definitely looking forward to a delightful future with Charlie Stains.

However, she has recently become very concerned about one of her students - a bright, pretty, and popular sophomore by the name of Shelby Tatum. Shelby has always been a good student, but lately she seems to be deeply troubled by something. She has become less outgoing and her grades have begun to slip ever so slightly.

Convinced that the girl's problems go beyond just the typical teenage angst, Lyddie eventually confronts her - only to have Shelby make an unimaginable...and utterly devastating allegation. The distraught girl says that an adult - a teacher at the school - has been sexually abusing her, and that she's terrified of what he will do if Shelby tells anyone. While her story seems horrendously plausible, Lyddie is astonished to learn the name of Shelby's alleged abuser - Charlie Stains.

Suddenly Lydia is faced with the hardest decision of her life. Now she must, by law, report the teenager's charges - regardless of her own personal feelings. What happens next will ultimately challenge everything Lyddie holds so dear to her heart: her love; her resolve to discover the truth; and her belief in the power of faith to comfort, redeem, and heal.

This is actually the second book that I have read by this author and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. This was quite an intriguing story for me, and I definitely wanted to see how it would develop. While I believe that this would be classified as an inspirational romance - as well as contemporary fiction - I really appreciated that the romantic elements were treated so respectfully. I would give this book a definite A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Maeve Binchy - Silver Wedding

42. Silver Wedding by Maeve Binchy (1989)

Length: 419 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Started: 9 August 2016

Finished: 16 August 2016

Where did it come from? From Bookmooch

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 12 December 2012

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

A silver anniversary is always an occasion to celebrate, and for Desmond and Deirdre Doyle this celebration is no less special. As the Doyles prepare to commemorate the twenty-five years of marriage they have shared, their closest family and friends gather around them in remembrance of such a happy time. However, it is also a time fraught with tremendous uncertainty.

The Doyles face an uneasy moment of reckoning as their friends and family members begin to arrive for the festivities. So much time has passed for all of them, and so much has changed. The couple may have prepared themselves for anything; but they can only hope that everyone has come ready to celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Everyone has certainly come to congratulate the happy couple, but each person seems to have also brought their own personal baggage to the party.

First to arrive are the three Doyle children: Anna, Helen, and Brendan. Their hapless daughter Helen is still struggling with her vocation to become a nun. Having reached a crossroads in her life, she plans on making her final decision at her parents silver anniversary. Their rebellious son Brendan prefers a life of solitude spent on the family farmstead in Ireland, rather than living with his parents and sisters in London.

Desmond's best man - Frank Quigley - was once his very best friend, but is now Desmond's boss. Deirdre's bridesmaid - Maureen Barry - is now a successful career woman, looking forward to opening a London location in her chain of fashion boutiques. Father James Hurley - the priest who married the couple - arrives to the silver anniversary carrying his own guilty family secret.

Yet it is her parents silver anniversary that will prove to be a time of ultimate transformation for the Doyles' eldest daughter, Anna. She is the person tasked with the seemingly impossible: navigating through the troubled waters of the past and smoothing out ruffled relationships. For only Anna can confront their tarnished lives and find a truth strong enough to draw them into a circle of love that might nourish, protect, and finally heal them all.

As I have probably said many times before, Maeve Binchy was such a remarkable author. This was actually the second time that I have read this particular book, yet it still felt like a fresh story to me. In my opinion, Ms Binchy created so many memorable characters; as well as poignant and emotionally-driven stories. This was just another one of her many delightfully written books and I would give it a definite A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Rosamunde Pilcher - Snow in April

41. Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher (1972)
Length: 245 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 1 August 2016
Finished: 2 August 2016
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 14 July 2016
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Caroline Cliburn is twenty years old and has recently become engaged. She travels from London to Scotland, hoping to finally make contact with her eldest brother Angus. The brother and sister haven't seen each other in several years, but Caroline and her younger brother Jody are both determined to find Angus and try to convince him to come back home. Then, Caroline plans to return home in time for her wedding to the man her strong-willed stepmother Diana thinks is so suitable for Caroline.

Unfortunately, a sudden blinding Scottish snowstorm strands the siblings at the house of a grieving young man named Oliver Cairney. Having recently lost his brother in a car accident, Oliver is still recovering from the tragedy and not really expecting visitors to his isolated family home. However, as the heavy blizzard-like conditions continue, Oliver realizes that Caroline and Jody need a place to stay. And, as the snow continues to fall over an extended period of time both Caroline and Oliver find themselves on the brink of making terrible mistakes; but perhaps these two wounded souls can save each other.

First of all, let me say that in my opinion this was just so typically Rosamunde Pilcher - light, sweet and simple reading. I don't mean that as a detrimental statement, as I appreciated that the story was uncomplicated and truly heartwarming. I would give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Anne Bartlett - Knitting: A Novel

39. Knitting: A Novel by Anne Bartlett (2005)
Length: 282 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 26 July 2016
Finished: 28 July 2016
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 19 September 2014
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Anne Bartlett is a new author for me.

While Sandra - a rigidly focused academic - struggles to navigate her way through life without her husband Jack, whom she recently lost to cancer, she is absolutely certain that nothing will ever be the same again. She had once thought that the well-ordered life that she had lived with her husband would just continue along in the same way it had since his passing. However, the intervening months have tested that belief. In the ten months since his death, Sandra has felt like she is wrapped in a layer of ice-cold glass - numbed by her grief, Sandra is certain that she will never feel warm again.

A chance meeting with a woman who could possibly be Sandra's polar opposite leads to a very unlikely friendship between them. Sandra meets Martha McKenzie after both women become Good Samaritans to someone suffering from a medical crisis in the street. Martha is an extraordinarily gifted knitter with her own secret store of grief. She spends her days knitting an astonishing variety of projects - each one of which is an elaborate creation - imbued with an incredible wealth of personal meaning.

While Sandra's own grief has constrained her spirit, Martha appears to wear hers very lightly. However, neither woman realizes just how much their differences will ultimately spark their own unique friendship. It is actually a shared fascination with knitting that ultimately draws these two very different women together.

Sandra is actually fascinated by all forms of needle and textile-craft, although her true talent for the domestic arts lies in her study of them. As a matter of fact, Sandra whole-heartedly believes that it is her avid interest in all types of domestic handiwork which has kept her fully grounded in reality for the past ten months. So, as the two women subsequently open up their lives to each other, their collaboration on an exhibition of 'Retro and Contemporary Knitting and Women's Handiwork' sets in motion a series of events that will help to heal them both in miraculous ways.

I was initially intrigued by the story because I have always enjoyed knitting and was curious to see how the story would evolve. To be perfectly honest, I found the story to be slightly anticlimactic although still very enjoyable. I liked so many of the characters, and found the plot well-developed yet easily paced. In my opinion, this was a delightful debut novel and I would definitely give it an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Barbara Delinsky - Sweet Salt Air: A Novel

36. Sweet Salt Air: A Novel by Barbara Delinsky (2013)

Length: 404 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Started: 13 July 2016

Finished: 18 July 2016

Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 July 2016

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

On Quinnipeague Island - just off the coast of Maine - hearts open up under the summer stars and secrets float in the sweet salt air. Nicole and Charlotte had once been the best of friends. Spending summers together at Nicole's island home off the coast of Maine was an idyllic time for both of them, but sometimes memories - no matter how sweet they are - cannot last. Too many years and too many secrets have begun to color the women's friendship and have succeeded in keeping them apart.

Charlotte is a successful travel writer who spends most of her time on the road. She is single, but is happy living as she does - on the road and out of a suitcase. Nicole is a food blogger who keeps house in Philadelphia; and she has been happily married to her surgeon husband Julian for the past ten years. When Nicole is commissioned to write a book about island food, she decides to invite Charlotte back for one final summer, to the place where the women had spent so many idyllic summers together - Quinnipeague, Maine.

To Nicole's mind, this could prove to be the perfect partnership between them. Outgoing and passionate, Charlotte has a gift for engaging people - talking to them and making friends with everyone she meets. Nicole could use her own expertise to interview the locals. So, dearly missing a genuine connection with her former best friend, Charlotte eagerly accepts Nicole's invitation.

Yet what both women don't realize is that they are each holding on to secrets that may change their lives forever. For Nicole, what comes to light could possibly destroy her marriage, but it could also help save her husband's life. For Charlotte, the truth could ultimately cost her Nicole's friendship, but the revelation could also give her a second chance to find love again. And Charlotte's second chance for love may lie with a reclusive local man, with a heart to soothe and troubles of his own.

First of all, let me say that I genuinely enjoy reading anything by Barbara Delinsky - she certainly can write an intriguing story and creates well-developed, sympathetic characters. Having said that, I must also admit that Ms. Delinsky has a tendency to be a bit of a hit-or-miss author for me. Perhaps I have mentioned this before, but some of her work seems slightly over-written and tremendously - if minutely - detailed.

This particular story was certainly interesting and an enjoyable reading experience for me. However, I would also say that it was slightly longer than I thought that it needed to be to tell the story. In my opinion though, this story was still well worth reading. I would still give this book a definite A! 

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Alice McDermott - Charming Billy: A Novel

33. Charming Billy: A Novel by Alice McDermott (1998)
Length: 243 pages 
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 27 June 2016
Finished: 1 July 2016
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 21 November 2001
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Alice McDermott is a new author for me.

The people who knew and loved Billy Lynch the best have all come to comfort his widow Maeve, and to eulogize a man whom many considered to be one of the last great romantics. From all accounts, the late Billy Lynch was such a wonderful man - a man who was an extraordinarily unique soul. As forty-seven members of his funeral party gather together at a local Bronx bar to reminisce over their memories of the past; each trading their own tales of his legendary humor, immense charm, and deepest, most profound sorrow - Billy Lynch will be remembered most by the people whose lives were touched by his presence.

As the mourners linger on into this extraordinary evening, their voices will eventually blend together to tell Billy's own tragic story. What is finally revealed to all present is a complex portrait of an enigmatic man; a loyal friend, a beloved husband, a functional alcoholic. While Billy's loved ones continue to hold Maeve in the highest esteem and admire her strength, there are those among the mourners who cannot remember Billy without also recalling the source of his unfathomable grief and sadness: "There was that girl." Their various stories weave together to become a gentle homage to all the lives in their close-knit community fractured by grief, shattered by secrets, yet sustained by the simple dream of love.

In a voice that is resonant and full of deep feeling, Alice McDermott tells the tale of Billy Lynch within the complex confines of a tightly knit Irish-American community. Charming Billy is a poignant masterpiece about the unbreakable bonds of desire and memory. Ms. McDermott's striking novel, is an intricate study of the lies that bind and the weight of familial love, of the way good intentions can be as destructive as the truth they were meant to hide.

I must say that I really enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, this was a poignant and well-written story; one that I found both intriguing and intricately detailed. Having said that, I will admit that I found the book somewhat confusing with regards to some of the relationships between the characters and the frequent shifts back and forth between the past and the present. I would still give this book an A! and am happy to note that I have three or four more books by this author on my bookshelf.

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Elin Hilderbrand - The Castaways: A Novel

32. The Castaways: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand (2009)

Length: 359 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Started: 17 June 2016

Finished: 23 June 2016

Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale 

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 7 June 2016

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Elin Hilderbrand is a new author for me.

On the picturesque island of Nantucket - just off of Cape Cod, Massachusetts - rumors always tend to flow fast and furious. In such a close-knit, yet isolated community, everybody soon gets to know everyone else's business. For eight best friends - the Kapenashes, the MacAvoys, the Drakes, and the Wheelers - four prominent couples within their tiny community; secrets usually don't stay secret for very long. And even the most innocuous of meetings can raise suspicions.

When the charming and talented music teacher, Greg MacAvoy, spends a rainy Sunday night with a beautiful high school senior named April Peck - the curiosity and rumors begin. Although Greg loves his wife Tess deeply, and has been happily married to her for over a decade; he just can't seem to shake the speculative whispers of: 'What happened between Greg MacAvoy and April Peck?' The community rumor mill begins churning, and speculation is sent swarming around the island like tourists on Memorial Day.

With all the rumors floating around, the stress is beginning to show in the MacAvoy marriage. The troubled couple has begun experiencing an incredible amount of strain within their relationship - and all that strain has subsequently taken an enormous toll on Tess - who is dealing with her own issues. She is torn between her love for her husband and keeping a secret of her own.

With their twelfth wedding anniversary fast approaching, the MacAvoys decide to celebrate by spending some quality time on their sailboat. So the couple sets out on their anniversary trip to Martha's Vineyard, hoping to rekindle the romance in their marriage - confident that the roughest waters are behind them. Yet, all of the MacAvoys' dreams of a brighter future are soon dimmed by an inexplicable tragedy.

When the heartbreaking news eventually reaches the shores of Nantucket, the entire community is rocked to its very foundations. Greg and Tess have mysteriously drowned in a boating accident, leaving behind their two small children. Their closest friends - the Kapenashes, the Drakes, and the Wheelers - are absolutely devastated by the sudden loss of the MacAvoys.

For as long as anyone can remember, the four couples have done everything together. They have vacationed and celebrated together; confided in and depended on each other. However, tragedy tends to reveal both the best traits and the worst traits in people. Losing Greg and Tess so unexpectedly has reawakened long-simmering conflicts and brings deeply-buried emotions bubbling to the surface. The six friends, still reeling from their feelings of grief and denial, set out to answer the ultimate question: 'What happened to Greg and Tess MacAvoy?'

A page-turning story of passion and suspense, The Castaways: A Novel is a poignant exploration of the boundaries of friendship and forgiveness. This is an extraordinary portrayal of love, loss and acceptance - playing out against the evocative backdrop of the summertime perfection of life spent on Nantucket. A masterful story which highlights so much of what makes Elin Hilderbrand a hallmark best-selling author.

I must say that I absolutely loved this book. In my opinion, this was such a well-written story; it was filled with a certain amount of suspense and mystery, as well as believable characters and a thoughtful, well-developed plot. This was just the type of story that I usually enjoy reading, and I will definitely be putting Ms. Hilderbrand's name at the top of my wish list. I give this book an A+!

A+! - (95-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Patricia Gaffney - The Saving Graces: A Novel

27. The Saving Graces: A Novel by Patricia Gaffney (1999)
Length: 394 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 13 May 2016
Finished: 18 May 2016
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 5 November 2000
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

For the past decade, four friends - Emma, Rudy, Lee, and Isabel - have shared an abidingly deep affection for each other that has kept them strong. Their friendship has helped them all deal with the ebb and flow of various expectations and disappointments commonly experienced by so many women. Calling themselves the 'Saving Graces', this quartet is united by understanding, honesty, and acceptance - interweaving bonds of familiarity that have only strengthened as the years go by...

Emma, a sharp-tongued, soft-hearted skeptic, doesn't believe in love - until she meets the one man she can never have. For her, the Saving Graces have become the fall-breakers extraordinaire. She firmly believes that, "bad news doesn't hurt as much if you hear it in good company."

A stunning beauty with an extraordinary capacity for love and a shaky, dysfunctional past, Rudy is desperately trying to hold on to her deeply troubled marriage. She has always viewed her friendship with the Saving Graces as truly life-affirming. She honestly has no idea where she would be without them all, although she freely acknowledges, "I don't know why my friends bother with me, I'm so high-maintenance. I would run if I saw me coming."

Lee, whom everyone else is certain is "the normal one", longs to have a child of her own. Yet her overwhelming desire for motherhood threatens to destroy an otherwise idyllic marriage. The Saving Graces are the sounding board on which she unburdens all her hopes and fears. She fears that her inability to have children will eventually become an obsession for her, "I know I'm consumed by our infertility, and that's not fair to Henry...He says I blame everything that's wrong with us, everything that's wrong with my whole life, on the fact that we can't have children."

Isabel, as the oldest member of the quartet, is a true survivor. Someone whose wisdom and strength were forged by her experiences of some of the worst trials life can possibly offer. Hers is the guidance and practical insight that propels and grounds the Saving Graces. Hers is the quiet, yet equally sustaining 'voice of reason' to which everyone listens.

Her view of the Saving Graces is profoundly simple: "We're all productive, tolerably sane, functioning adults, we Graces, with no more emotional baggage - well, except for Rudy - than you would expect in a random sampling of aging yuppie women. And yet our childhoods were disasters. Occasionally, we four play the intriguing 'What keeps us together?' game, and the fact that we all survived our childhoods is mentioned early and often."

Although these four sisters of the heart and soul have seen it all, as well as talked through it all; nothing can possibly prepare them for what comes next. Emma, Rudy, Lee, and Isabel will each face a crisis of such astounding proportions that the strength of the bonds of love, loyalty, courage, and friendship that these remarkable women share, will ultimately be tested like never before. Captivating from first page to last, this mesmerizing story illuminates the emotional links that define and join us together as women.

The Saving Graces: A Novel by Patricia Gaffney poignantly illustrates just how friendship sustains and enriches women's lives in unique ways - ways no romantic or family relationship ever can. Seen by many as a source of solace, support, and spiritual nourishment, friendship is a tie that powerfully connects women to each other in unforgettable, joyous, sometimes painful ways. While men, jobs, and crises may come and go, nothing lasts like true friendship.

This is actually the second time that I have read this book - the first time that I read it was approximately ten to fifteen years ago. I must say that I enjoyed it just as much the second time as I did when I first read the book. I have always found Ms. Gaffney's writing style to be highly evocative and tremendously sensitive to her audience. Her characterizations are always deeply grounded in reality; they are sympathetic, yet also very relatable in their respective reactions to certain situations.

I was completely immersed in the story in a relatively short period of time, and quite willingly lost myself in the story of these four remarkable women. I found the book hard to put down and was rooting for the Graces all the way through.  I would certainly give this book an A+! and will happily keep it to read again some time soon.

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Barbara Delinsky - A Woman's Place

26. A Woman's Place by Barbara Delinsky (1997)
Length: 405 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 2 May 2016
Finished: 7 May 2016
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 14 August 2001
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Claire Raphael is a woman who has everything - two great children and a husband who she adores; a thriving part-time business and a hectic yet extremely happy life. She has built her wicker furniture business from the ground up - basically from nothing - and made that business successful through her own imagination, creativity and hard work. In fact, everything that Claire has, she has legitimately earned. On her own; through benefit of her hard work and, as such, thoroughly well-deserved.

Then, one evening, Claire returns from a particularly difficult business trip and is utterly blindsided. Dennis - her seemingly loving husband - hands her divorce papers along with an order to vacate their house; effective immediately. He also wants sole custody of the children. He tells Claire that this is all for the best.

Claire is devastated by Dennis' actions. She had always believed that even though they may have had their issues, the marriage was still strong. She had absolutely no inkling that her marriage was so close to the brink of disaster; nor any clue that Dennis could possibly be so devious. He was obviously planning this ambush for weeks, if not months - Claire is certain of her suspicions.

She has no idea just how quickly her happy but hectic life will change; how fast everything she has worked so hard for will come crumbling down around her. Claire doesn't know what to do; where to turn or who to trust. Yet, over the next few weeks, Claire will discover something about herself: when everything she values is threatened, a woman is as tough as she needs to be.

First of all, let me say that this was a reread for me from approximately ten to fifteen years ago. I absolutely loved this book back then; I always enjoy reading stories about strong women dealing with difficult situations. Although I still enjoyed reading this book very much, I must admit that I didn't find it quite as good as the first time around.

I can't really put my finger on what was different about the story, but I did notice that the plot seemed slightly forced or stilted; at least in my opinion. I would still give this book an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Amy Hatvany - The Language of Sisters: A Novel

23. The Language of Sisters: A Novel by Amy Hatvany (2002)

Length: 312 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Started: 23 April 2016

Finished: 26 April 2016

Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale 

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 June 2015

Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and Amy Hatvany is a new author for me.

It has been a decade since Nicole Hunter left her troubles behind her. Ten years since she made the decision to leave her dysfunctional family and troubled home, and search for contentment elsewhere. She loves her family deeply, yet also finds herself unable to cope with the demands of living a life with her severely disabled sister, Jenny. While she has always felt somewhat guilty for leaving, Nicole tells herself that at the time she was doing the right thing.

Although her continuing search for happiness - both in her career and in love - has fallen somewhat short of her dreams, Nicole still pretends to everyone that all is well. Then an earth-shattering phone call sends her rushing back home to be with her family. As Nicole's world is turned upside down, she soon finds herself back in her hometown, caring for her pregnant sister and attempting to heal her contentious relationship with her mother. While it may be difficult for her to do, Nicole views her return to her hometown as a chance to reconnect with her family.

Reunited with her family and forced to confront the guilt that still haunts her, Nicole recognizes that she finally has the chance to be the sister she always wanted to be. A second chance to be the sister she always wished she had been when she was younger. She soon comes to the realization that her feelings of guilt are almost entirely subjective. And when she is faced with the most difficult choice of her life, Nicole rediscovers the beauty of sisterhood - and receives a special gift that will change her life forever.

First of all, let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The story was well-written and sharply developed. I found myself connecting with the characters and really feeling for them and what they were all going through. In my opinion, Ms. Hatvany's writing style is both compassionate and extremely poignant. Having said that, I also must admit that the story seemed just the slightest bit predictable. I would still give this book a very strong A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight