Melissa S

"Home Sweet Home" is a novel based on the timeless theme of the American Dream. We follow a family through major life changes in the hopes of accomplishing the life they feel their family was meant to live. Who can't relate to that? The reader very quickly realizes this dream doesn't come easy. The midwest is an unforgiving, harsh, beautiful, breathtaking life that once bought into, becomes as ingrained in you as your DNA.
Smith uses straight forward language that engulfs the reader without he/she even realizing it. She very effectively bounces the reader from past to present without the reader ever feeling jolted.
The pervasive theme of Russian/Communist infiltration is spot on for today's reader! With the current political arena regarding Russian hacking and theories of presidential tampering by the Russian's, Smith's novel is even more relevant to her readers.
I would recommend this novel to all readers who love American life built on hard work, family, love and the pursuit of a more fulfilling existence. There's just enough suspense to keep the reading turning pages well into the wee hours of the morning!
Smith's novel is perfect for book club readings. She addresses societal issues about family, loyalty, government and justice. The discussion topics are endless!

Caroline Leavitt's ability to bring complex characters to life in a way that touches the reader to the core is amazing! In "Cruel Beautiful World", the reader is immediately absorbed by the main character, Lucy, and her life altering decisions. However, somewhere along the way, the secondary characters and their struggles become just as absorbing to the reader. I found myself completely immersed in each subplot as the novel progressed. This ability to engage the reader in such a complex way is the mark of a great novel! I will recommend Leavitt to all my fellow readers and can't wait to read her other novels! I highly recommend this jolting and heartfelt novel. The unexpected twists and turns within the subplots make "Cruel Beautiful World" a complete success!

I must say, "The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko" is my new favorite novel. I am convinced Stambach will be an author Literature majors around the country will study for many years to come. The fact that Ivan is a fictional character blows my mind. Stambach brings the characters and the setting of The Mazyr Hospital for Gravely Ill Children to such a realistic realm, the reader has has a very hard time accepting this world is complete fiction. I found myself checking and double checking the copyright page to verify this work is indeed completely fictitious. Stambach brings the grace of human nature to such a level, I found myself engrossed from page one. There are so many good novels just waiting to be read, I rarely read one twice. I will make an exception with this novel. Stambach is that rare author that can capture the beauty in the human spirit in the most ugly of places and people. True genius!