The Postmistress, Sarah Blake

I read a review of this book, after I had finished it, and was really surprised to find out I had totally forgotten how it started-at a dinner party, as a question for discussion. And then I read the notes on how the author had written this story, which was fascinating, The first half of the book develops the main characters slowly; the action speeds up toward the end of the book, introducing the central characters to each other. Although liberty has been taken with some details, there is a clear picture of life around the edges of the battlefields of World War Two, and life for those who stay at home (in New England).

Vision in White, Nora Roberts

Jackie loaned me this one too. It is the first in a quartet of stories about four friends who have started a wedding business: one is the chef, one the flower expert, one the manager, and this book is about the photographer. I liked the premise, and the characters, but there sure was a lot of semi gratuitus sex. I have never read a Nora Roberts book before, but may read the rest of the quartet, if Jackie has them. (Also writes under the name of J.D. Robb)

Two Little Girls in Blue, Mary Higgins Clark

I hadn't ever read a Mary Higgins Clark, and I thought this one was well done ... good characters, well-drawn plot, and a real page turner. I read the whole thing in one day because I had a hard time putting it down. Recommended by Jackie, it had been in the Strauch teacher pile.

The Lost Art of Gratitude, Alexander Mc Call Smith

I really enjoyed this authors Precious Ramotswe series, about the lady detective, for the gentleness of spirit and the emphasis on doing good. I found the same qualities in Isabel Dalhousie, the title character of The Lost Art of Gratitude, although this series is set in Scotland, not Africa. Same strong female character solving problems for others. This one I listened to in the car, and what I assume is the reader's Scottish accent did add to the general tone. The Washington Post review said that McCall has "created a world where the humor is gentle, suffering is acknowledged but not foregrounded, and the efforts to do good are usually rewarded. It is a wonderful place to visit, even if we don't get to live there." McCalls books create places I really would like to live.

Going Rogue, Sarah Palin

The biography of Sarah Palin. It is interesting, but I am skimming it and may not finish. I have a better picture of who she is, or who she thinks she is, or who she wants us to think she is, but I'm still not a fan.

A Reliable Wife, Robert Goolrick

A steamy Gothic romance, and the story of the loneliness of winter, loss, and unresolved family relationships. A reviewer for the Washington Post calls it a story of "loneliness, lust, and the Mail Order Bride." The phrase "these things happen" recurs; but it ends on a note of reconciliation and hope for the future. Very readable; I got it on Kindle, and read it in Pasadena. I don't remember who recommended it to me, but I seem to be on a course of big first novels.

Gap Creek, Robert Morgan

This was an Oprah selection, and was given to me by Jackie-it has a Strauch School Book Club sticker in it. But I read it before. It was worth reading again, but I knew how it was going to come out. Read on trip to Pasadena.