America for Beginners is the first novel written by Leah Franqui. It has many fine points, but also some disappointments along the way. The book is billed as a travel story where Pival Sangupti, recently widowed, is visiting America from India to find her estranged son. …more Before we get to traveling, however, the reader has to endure 110 pages of backstory on the many characters who would contribute to this journey. I kept saying 'enough', let's get to the traveling. I did enjoy the tour and how the widow interacted with her guide and her traveling companion. The guide, Satya, is a fledgling tour guide; aha, America for Beginners. The companion, Rebecca, is an out of work actress who hasn't traveled much beyond NYC; once again America for Beginners. And Pival is the rawest beginner of them all. The book ended well and somewhat erased its bad beginning. I guardedly do recommend it for its few poignant scenes and its ending which summed up everything very satisfactorily. (less)

A terrible thing has happened. A sick man has gotten into McKinley School. He killed a bunch of people with his gun. One of these is Andy Taylor. His younger brother, Zach, also in the school at the time of the shooting, has survived.
The entire story is told from the point …more of view of six year old Zach. He sees his parents arguing and drawing away from each other. He feels very lonely and neglected.

I don't mind dysfunctional people, but when its parents of a small child, it is hard for me to take. The mother Melissa, seeking 'justice', seems to be in it more for revenge. Ugly. And the arguing between Melissa and Zach's father Jim, is very ugly and violent too.

I thought the book very well written and the story flowed well. Unfortunately, though, it had negative triggers for me. Yesterday, I described the book to a friend, and she said she could not read it. Too upsetting.

I have to commend the author though, for making this story so realistic that it evoked in me the responses I experienced. (less)

"How could you be this close, be a family, and yet be so unknown to one another?"

This quote sums up the reason for this book... the whole theme of this book: We can be a family, yet not know each other. Undoubtedly, this is because we do not let ourselves BE known.

This is …more the story of two sisters, Nora and Theresa. How they came to America from Ireland and then became estranged.

I was drawn to this book because of the reference to saints. In this book, a box of holy cards with saints pictures on the front is described. On the back is the cause or group that the saint 'patrons'. If you are a Catholic, you will know what I mean. For those who don't, I'll give an example. St. Cecilia is the patron saint of music and musicians. Theresa becomes Mother Cecilia, a cloistered nun. I am Celia and musical too. No wonder I was drawn to the book.

This book describes real family drama: the children of Nora, Patrick, John, Bridget and Brian all have their stories and secrets.

Getting to know this family was like getting to know my own family. I felt close to them all, even though I did not always understand the motivations of all. Good book that keeps the reader enthralled. (less)

This is the story of three people who have all lost a loved one. But the three improbably come together to support each other and learn how to live again. One is Arthur, age 82, the second is Maddy, age 18, and the third is Arthur's nosy neighbor, Lucille, a spinster of …more undetermined old age.
Elizabeth Berg has written a lovely story and has further enhanced it with beautiful phrasing and true life aphorisms. Maddy has had a sad and lonely life. She goes through a bunch of 'what ifs'. She concludes with this thought: If she (Maddy) hadn't lived here, would she ever have come to such an appreciation of what old people have to offer? Her thoughts brought a smile to this older and experienced reader's face!
The book is short and a quick enjoyable read. (less)