Author: Michael Soos

Summary: Twelve-year-old Alice meets Bigfoot Millie one night and the two become friends, despite their disparate lives, upbringing, and social standing.

Thoughts:  A slightly unexpected choice, I admit.  I’d read all her others and just put this on the reserve list at the library.  When I picked it up and saw it was a Young Adult, I almost put it back.  I’m glad I didn’t.  It was cute.  Unusual, thought-provoking, lovely.  I’m hoping there’s a follow-up – the end lends itself to a continuation.

Summary:  Follows the lives of four classmates, particularly the tormented Jude, and how the others relate to him and each other.

Thoughts:  What a harrowing, difficult, disturbing read.  But un-put-down-able.  And highly recommended.  It won’t be for everyone, but the story is incredible.  The characters vary from unlikable and shallow to heart-breakingly tormented.  And you just want to climb into the book and give Jude a hug.  You’ll probably cry.  I didn’t, but I could see how people would.  It stays with you for weeks after, and unlike me, I couldn’t just pick up the next book once I’d finished this one.  I had to give it a few days to settle.  Haunting.  Brilliant.  Slightly scared to read her other novel, The People In the Trees.

Summary:  A group of people meet at a house party in England the early 1930s.  The novel follows their diverse lives over the next few years.

Thoughts:  Caro Fraser writes elegantly.  She’s English.  I love English authors.  They seem to have a fantastic command of the language, and describe things so beautifully.  The guests at the house party are diverse, their lives inter-twine, the ending is in some cases predictable, in others not, and the book was a glorious escape, without the fluff and superficiality.

Summary:  Magda’s memoir of her early life, including her father’s activities during the Second World War.

Thoughts:  I didn’t want to read this book, given the war stories and the Polish father connection.  I have awful memories of mine, and steer clear of anything war-related.  But the book was on my Book Club reading list (and from memory I think I actually selected it – mainly to see what all the rave reviews were about).  I was engrossed from the first few pages.  Magda writes so well, her stories are interesting, but not long-winded.  I didn’t know much about her, not being a TV watcher, but she has had such an interesting life.  I would have liked more on her recent years, but perhaps that’s coming in a follow-up.  A surprisingly wonderful read, and an easy read, given it’s a memoir.

Summary:  Mute Edgar lives with his parents and several dogs on a farm.  A series of tragic events lead Edgar to flee into the mountains with three dogs while he plans how to right the wrongs which led to his father’s death.

Thoughts:  Beautiful descriptions, and very unusual protagonist, and story, and not knowing how it’s going to end kept me reading with bated breath.  What a shame this is David’s only novel.  I’ve been waiting for years for a follow-up, but he probably knows that if you’ve created a masterpiece, it should stand alone in all it’s glory.

Summary:  The early days of Barack’s life, including how he got into politics.  Ends with his marriage to Michelle, but no details about their relationship.

Thoughts:  Beautifully written, insightful, powerful, thought-provoking.   I didn’t understand much of the American racial issues, but that didn’t matter.  Barack’s writing is just gorgeous.  What a clever, intelligent, good man.  Someone I respect, admire, look up to, and there’s not many people in today’s world who I can say that about.  I was eager to read about how he met Michelle and their flourishing relationship, but there was none of that!  Very disappointed in this small lack of content, but I loved the book despite this major omission.