Anne M

A beautifully written story of a woman who finds herself after being on "loan" to two different men. That may not be exactly what the title word is meant to imply, and it comes from the Qur'an, but I really felt that it could have this other meaning, describing what Anna went through in order to take control of her own destiny. It is an all too true story for many women to hinge one's life on another's. The writing is exquisite. As Anna processes her life and makes some tough decisions, the beautiful writing shines through, leaving the reader with sadness for the loss of time and innocence but also with hope for a future lived on her own terms, being true to herself at last.

I had the unique experience of reading When the Cranes Fly South at the exact time that my mother was entering hospice care and declining due to dementia. While their stories are very different, it influenced greatly how I was feeling about the book and how I was processing my mother's situation. The book is beautifully written and about a topic that we still don't talk much about -- getting old and dying. How lovely it was to hear about the daily routines and thoughts of Bo and the wonderful caretakers who filled his everyday life, marking his time at an age when all the days seem to be the same. His preoccupation with his dog Sixten is an example of wanting to hold on to something when all else seems like it is out of your control. And navigating a changing relationship with an adult son is another dynamic here related to aging -- learning to let go when you really want to have some control over something. While this was a melancholy book about the end of life time period, it was also filled with hope and beauty and love. It struck a chord with me personally about the importance of dignity and humanity later in life, and how critical it is for those caretakers of elders to try to make that period as comfortable and positive as possible. Getting a glimpse inside Bo's head and what he was thinking and processing provides a unique perspective and gives one plenty to pause and think about. Highly recommended no matter what stage or circumstance you are in life.

I was very much looking forward to the book and the premise that four strangers join a therapy group together in order to get over some common, unnamed struggle. As the characters unfolded, the book took the reader into the backstories of the four strangers and there were, predictably, some intersections.

Then came the big reveal (which I won't mention here) and I immediately felt disbelief. I was dismayed that this novel was not what I wanted it to be about! How could I have been fooled?! Not one to put down a book and stop reading (I probably only left two books unfinished in all my years), I decided to continue out of curiosity, to see where it was going.

So glad I did! The book took a really delightful turn, unexpected and inspiring, and very comforting in many ways. You will get what I mean when you read it! Highly recommend! Just don't stop reading!

Military battlefields are not my favorite scene for a novel. And I was expecting the story to focus more on Amy and Edward (I love a love story!) and less on the men and the fighting and the atrocities of war. Much to my surprise, the book kept me enthralled, wanting to read on! I found myself intrigued to uncover along with Amy the various connections and associations of the characters to solve the mystery of what really happened to Edward Haslam. A conclusion of sorts came together rather abruptly in the end through the use of letters, which is my only criticism. Otherwise, it was a great read full of plot twists and turns, and I can see a sequel, should the author consider writing one!

The beautiful writing style captured the intense and often difficult realization of being a motherless child. Though Carrot's mother was there, she wasn't. What I found most profound was that she more than survived, and went on to fully understand and make peace with why her mother couldn't be her mother. At times the book was weighed down with mentions of flirtations and revolving short relationships that while important to her life story and her evolution, did little to captivate the reader due to the brevity of their presence in the book. But overall it was a beautiful coming of age story of a girl who had every reason to fall, but didn't. She will be okay. Happy and proud for Carrot!

Lady Sunshine is a book to savor with a cold beverage at the beach or while relaxing on a comfortable porch sofa. From the California setting to summer to music jam sessions and complicated family drama, it provided the entertainment I was looking for in a great summer read. It was both a coming of age story and a retelling and rekindling of the past with a few twists and turns along the way. And the setting made one feel like you were on summer vacation or at an extended getaway music jam session with the rest of the characters. It was sad coming to the end, much like the last day of a great summer vacation!

Though I loved the writing style and the character development, I found the switching between characters by chapter to be confusing. Not enough of a story was revealed before moving on to the next character and chapter. Stories of childhood were hard to keep straight -- what happened to whom? Thus, my title of the review. Had I been able to sit down and read the book all at one time, it may have been less confusing. Every time I picked up the book, I had to re-read the previous chapter in order to keep straight what was happening. The flow was not there, and I so wanted it to be! The premise of the story was something I was very much looking forward to exploring -- stories and secrets parents have, but never pass along to their children and the importance of logging your own history, whether for your offspring or to come to terms with your own story. Sadly, this book was not a favorite. It didn't grip me and hold me, like a good story should.

Very few relationships come close to the intensity of sisters. If close, there is nothing that can come between them. Such was the case with Cassandra and Jane Austen. Though more of a supporting character in a family with some very colorful personalities, Cassandra Austen proved her love and loyalty to Jane throughout their lives and after. This book focuses on the after, and the preservation of Jane's good name, though on its own it is a delightful window into Cassandra's reimagined life. This is more than a good read; it is as entertaining as one of Jane's own novels, and gives Jane's beloved Cassandra the depth and independence she has always deserved!