Julia B

In When the Cranes Fly South, Liza Ridzen has written a very sensitive book that lets the reader share a look back at a very full life. This story will tug at your heart strings, make you stomping mad, and then have you smiling only to lead you through those emotions again. Wonderful! It is the perfect book for putting the world aside for a few hours and just being with Bo.

After reading several rather dense non-fiction books, The Secret Ingredient of Wishes, was a pleasant respite. It would be a nice weekend read after a hectic week. While it is just a fantasy story with predictable, comfortable characters, it is also a book that could give a reader some things to think about beyond the story line. As I read the book I became more and more aware of how often "wishes" are dropped into our casual conversations. What if these wishes were granted? Can you even imagine how much worse rush hour would become?

The Disenchanted Widow is a good book for those weekends when you just cannot face another demand being made of you and only want someone "to tell you a story." It touches on the terrorism that took place in Northern Ireland and England in the 1980s because it is that terrorism that puts the plop into action. While some of those scenes are horrifying, they are a small portion of the book. The majority of the story is clever and humorous. If you enjoy books that really leave an impact and make you think, this book is probably too light a read. If you like to see flawed characters work through the situations that come their way and, in some cases, get what is coming to them, then you will enjoy this book.

I began reading The Imposter Bride skeptical the story would be rich enough to keep my interest. Having just finished it, I can say I was wrong. I was engaged with the characters and the complexities of their lives from the opening pages. Richler has given us a story of caring but troubled people. Then she reveals why they are troubled and why this still have hope. It reminds me of Sarah's Key. The Imposter Bride would be a good selection for a book group.

This early 20th century, true crime story is a compelling read. Greed and gullibility come together with life-altering results. The story drags just a bit in places and can seem slightly disjointed, but overall it is worthwhile read. It only takes a little imagination and some knowledge of current events to see that in the early 21st century human nature remains unchanged and thus history can repeat itself. If con artist and their marks intrigue you, or if you like to see the good guys win, you will enjoy this book.