William Wharton "Birdy"

Birdy” is a story of childhood friendship, family, war, love, obsession and madness. The novel tells of the lifelong friendship of two boys, Al and Birdy. From a young age, Birdy is obsessed with birds and with the flights. Both boys went to war and Birdy, who comes back from Vietnam started think that he is a bird, an animal that has obsessed him since childhood. Birdy is confined to a military hospital, where he spends his time sitting naked in his room, not acknowleding anyone. Birdy actually becomes birdlike, refusing to act as a human, moving and acting like a parakeet. His best friend Al , also a wounded Vietnam soldier, visits Birdy every day, he is expected to bring Birdy back to his normal state of mind.
A stunning novel...
Lena.

Edith Wharton "The Age of Innocence"

Edith Wharton won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 for "The Age of Innocence" and once you start reading, you can see why. The love story was beautifully written, and the descriptions of New York’s high society were funny and witty. Newland Archer is about to marry May Welland when her cousin, Ellen Olenska returns from Europe. Ellen is mysterious, independent- all the things that Newland is looking for. He falls in love with Ellen, but still marries May. As he finds himself more and more intrigued by Ellen, he must finally choose between his duty and his heart....
Olga.

Joseph Roth "The Radetzky March"

"The Radetzky March" is Joseph Roth's brilliant tale of the declining years of the Austro-Hungarian and the Hapsburg Empire as told through the fortunes and misfortunes of three generations of the Trotta family. This touching drama of parents and children, the state and it's citizens, men and their deeds. The eldest Trotta was a Slovenian lieutenant who, as fate would have it, saved the young, soon-to-be Emperoror Franz Josef on the battlefield. This is a novel about the eternal cycle of the rise and fall of human affairs and empires.
"The Radetzky March" is generally considered to be masterpiece. Joseph Roth has written a beautiful, complex novel with humour and tragic irony.
Ann.

F.Scott Fitzgerald "This Side of Paradise"

"This side of paradise" is Scott Fitzgerald's first novel, written when the author was twenty-four, brought him immediate popular success on its publication in 1920. It tells the story of Amory Blaine, story of his life, but more than that it is the story of his search for love of others and finds only himself. In the first part of "This Side of Paradise" we see young man going to Princeton, full of himself, living a college life, falling in and out of love.
What really made this book important is the second part, after college and after Blaine had done military service during World War I in France.
"This side of paradise" is also autobiographical novel.
Lili.

Kate Chopin "The Awakening"

Writing in the late 1800s, Kate Chopin describes a young woman's dissatisfaction with her roles as wife and mother. Edna is the main character, and she becomes unhappy with her life. However she finds her life boring and wants to be more independent. She is not in love with her husband, though he is a very respectable man. After taking a trip to a resort for a summer, she falls in love with the handsome Robert, who falls in love with her.
"The Awakening" is a defining work of feminism. It features the awakening of Edna to find her true self.
"The Awakening" is a beautifully written brilliant story.
Olga.

F.Scott Fitzgerald "The Great Gatsby"

"The Great Gatsby" is a great american novel and one of the best books of the twentieth century. I think the biggest surprise about The Great Gatsby was what a pleasure to read it! Fitzgerald’s writing is absolutely poetic, his plot and his characters are always interesting and the book is almost never boring. It is a portrait of America between the two World Wars, a nation searching for meaning and trying to achieve the American Dream. "The Great Gatsby" takes place during the 1920's. This is a period of women rights, gangsters, new technologies, especially radio and cars. In some ways it is a love story and it also shows the dynamics of the class system.
Ann.

Andrea Barrett "Ship Fever"

Loved reading these short stories, some set in the late 20th century, some set in the late 18th. This collection is excellent, all about scientists, many historical stories. Andrea Barrett is one of the best, most intelligent, and most sincere contemporary writers of realist fiction.
"Ship Fever" is my favorite story about the Irish immigrants emigrating to Canada during the potato famine.
Barrett has a beautiful style of writing.
Tanya.

Peter Matthiessen "The Snow Leopard"

Matthiessen decided to travel through Nepal with his friend to study Himalayan blue sheep and to try to get a glimpse of the mysterious and rare snow leopard. The author never does find the snow leopard but his journey in the Himalaya helps him to begin to find himself and discover the meaning of life. This book works on several levels, as a spiritual text, travelogue, and naturalist text.
What I liked best was Matthiessen's writing style, it’s as poetry in a prose. His language and imagery are extraordinary. This is a book not to be missed.
Lili.

Laura Hillenbrand "Seabiscuit"

I loved this book! Seabiscuit is one of the best horse books I could ever read and an excellent example of how interesting non-fiction can be.
Hillenbrand is a wonderful storyteller with a graceful style, she writes the story with a funny, unique tone.
Seabiscuit is about one of the most famous American racehorses, who ran during the 1930's. He was a symbol of hope for many. In addition, Hillenbrand tells the amazing stories of his jockey,trainer, and owner.
I would recommend this for anyone who has ever been interested in horses or racing, anyone who enjoys reading about American history.
Tanya.

Edward P.Jones "The Known World"

"The Known World" tells the story of two plantations: one owned by Henry Townshend, a young, black slaveholder, the other by William Robbins, Henry's former master. The plantation is the center of the book connecting families and individuals to one another. The book is really a series of stories about the families, friends, neighbors surrounding Henry and his wife Caldonia. It looks closely at the complicated relationships between free and enslaved people of that time period.
A very good read, especially for those who are interested in that time period of American history.
Lili.

Stanley Elkin "Mrs.Ted Bliss"

It is a very good book. Mrs. Ted Bliss is a smart woman but does not quite realize that she is. An elderly Jewish widow lives out her retirement in Miami Beach. The story tells of her coping with old age, her grown children and grandchildren, starting life anew after the death of her husband. Elkin creates a comic plot with a deep character of a woman overcoming loss, a woman who is both recognizable and unique.
This is one of those books that taught me about writing.
Olga.

Edith Wharton "Roman Fever & other Stories"

Edith Wharton also distinguished herself as a short story writer, publishing more than seventy-two stories in ten volumes during her lifetime. The best of her short fiction is collected here in "Roman Fever and Other Stories". I like to read short fiction and i never regret it. "Roman Fever" is my favorite story. "Roman Fever" is about two adult women who are very close friends who grew up together and knew each other’s husbands. Visiting Rome with their daughters, the older women fall into conversation about old times, around the time period they were each married. Wharton finished the story with a surprising end.
Lena.

Alice Sebold "The Almost Moon"

The Almost Moon is a journey through a woman’s complex motives for a horrific crime, which only the reader can decide whether to sympathize or condemn. The book takes place over a 24-hour period, but during that time the reader comes to know the dominant character, Helen Knightly, intimately. The author uses both memory and current event to persuade the reader to come to its own conclusion about the guilt of Helen. Was her crime justified? Can we understand the reasons? Regardless, we know, as does Helen, that there is no turning back once the deed is done. What Sebold skillfully transmits in her novel is that an intense love/hate relationship can dominate our inner being and the direction of our lives to such an extent that choice does not seem an easy option.

Sebold’s writing style is almost prosaic. It is simple, direct, but with nuances and subtleties that reveal hidden meanings and underlying emotions. There are also moments of dark humor in the reading, a relief when raw emotions and graphic images captivate the story. As with her other American “#1 National Best Seller,” The Lovely Bones, Sebold leaves us thinking about The Almost Moon experience long after the last page is turned.

Arden.

Ellen Gilchrist "Victory over Japan"

In her second collection of short fiction, ‘‘Victory Over Japan’’ (1984) Ellen Gilchrist chronicles the adventures of a young girl- Rhoda Manning - during the final days of World War II. Gilchrist creates
the world of deep, funny, and dangerous women and the men who love them.
Once you meet Gilchrist’s characters, you want to know them better.
With each introduction of a character, author showes the humorous and serious side of them.
I really enjoyed reading this book to find out what was going to happen next.
This book was very exciting, funny and wise.
Olga.

Olivia Goldsmith "The first wives club"

Cynthia Griffin is dead from suicide over her divorce. Elice, Brend and Annie decide enough is enough. Over lunch one day with Elise's money and connection, Brenda's impudence and Annie's information and personality, they form the First Wives Club. They plan the downfall of first husbands, especially those who cast off first wives for prestige, social power, money, or boredom.
A funny novel!
Lili

Robert Morgan "This Rock"

Robert Morgan gives a portrait of a North Carolina family during the 1920s. Ginny Powell, widowed for years, tries to keep her sons together while they struggle to survive in an Appalachian Mountain world. Moody has a reputation as a knife-fighter. The younger brother, Muir, is an innocent, shy man with big dreams. He finds something he wants to do, tries to do it, and when it doesn't go his way immediately, he finds something else to occupy his time.
This is a tale of two brothers searching for the meaning and purpose in their lives.
Great characters and a great story of family and faith.
Good read!
Tanya

Rich Cohen "Lake Effect"

"Lake Effect" is about growing up in Chicago, student's years in New Orleans but really centres on an unforgettable friendship, and the pain of looking back on that friendship with adult eyes. Everyone has a friendship like Rich Cohen describes in Lake Effect: a friendship that defined you at a critical time, that gave you courage, that transported you from adolescence into the beginnings of adulthood.
Jamie is an extraordinary and delightful character.
A fine book, highly recommended to read!
Ann.

Rick Bass "The Hermit's story"

Rick Bass is an american short fiction writer, novelist, and essayist. He is a skillful storyteller who explores the mysterious connections between man and nature. His stories express an admiration for nature. They are most excellent. Bass's prose is lyrical, characters well developed.
I love most of his stories and Rick Bass is a new favorite my author!
Lili

Anthony Hope "The Prisoner of Zenda"

The Prisoner of Zenda is a historical adventure novel and a great read from beginning to end. Wealthy young Rudolf Rassendyll, a young Englishman, visits Ruritania looking for action and amusement – and is suddenly involved in adventures beyond his wildest dreams. He is the exact look-alike of the King of the country; and when the King's life is in danger, there is only one thing to be done – for Rudolf to become the King himself...
I read this book in one sitting.
Olga.

James Hadley Chase Come easy go easy

I like to read all books written by J.H.Chase. His detective novels are very wonderful. I'd love it. Nataly

David Baldacci “The Collectors”

The book “The Collectors” by David Baldacci is undeniably a masterful thriller, which never leaves you bored. It has an enjoyable, exciting and fascinating plot, rather realistic and true to life. When you once start reading, it takes your breath away, and it leaves you only to guess, what the author prepared for the reader.

Олена Шелехова

W.G.Sebald "Austerlitz"

This has been my first acquaintance with Sebald. I hadn't heard of him until a friend recommended this book. This book is not a happy read, but probably an important, rich and complex book. Sebald writes about a man who, as a small child, grows up in the Welsh family, only to find that he was one of the Kinder Transport in summer of 1939 and his name was really Jacques Austerlitz. He spends the rest of the book--his life--to find out who he really is.
The book is beautifully produced and illustrated with a collection of black and white photographs.
Lili.

J.K. Rowling “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”

Well, friends ... at last happened I read a book by J.K. Rowling “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. To make a long story short I read it with pleasure. Felt myself like a kid again. As to the book itself … Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can’t wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn’t if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There’s an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school …

T.

P.G. Wodehouse "Right Ho, Jeeves"

“Right Ho, Jeeves” – a great book for fans of real British humor. P.G. Wodehouse, the famous classic of humor stories, did his best here. The main characters are inimitable Bertie Wooster and his manservant Jeeves. Lots of comical situations in which they took part are related with Bertie’s friend Gussie Fink-Nottle. There are as well many other famous Wodehouse’s characters. Among them are Madeline Bassett, Cousin Angela, Aunt Dahlia, Uncle Thomas, young Tuppy Glossop and the cook Anatole. Familiar names and very much loved characters. Great stuff! That’s the reason I recommend to follow me and read this masterpiece. Indulge yourself!

Tangero :))

Jeffrey Eugenides "Middlesex"

This is an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in reading a lyrical,thrilling, painful and beautiful story, all in one. "Middlesex" is the story of Cal Stephanides, a forty-year-old man who was born a girl called Callope, and three generation of the Greek - American Stephanides family, who travel from Greece to Detroit to San Francisco. Its about family, culture, adolescence, genetics and so many more things.
The writing is so great, the story is compelling.
A great read... a modern classic.
T.

Alice Walker "The Color Purple"

Alice Walker's "The Color Purple", was published in 1982, and won the Pulitzer prize for fiction in 1983. The Color Purple is a very powerful book about the life of an African-American woman,Celie, struggling to become an independent, self confident woman.I liked this story because it was about a girl who overcame her troubles to become a great person.This book is told in the form of letters from Celie, to God. Celie and her sister Nettie are separated at a young age. Nettie travels to Africa where she becomes a missionary. Celie is married off to a cruel man.
I've read it several times since then and I find new things to love about it. This is one of those books that will remain in your memory.
Maria.

Sebastian Faulks "Birdsong"

This excellent story of love and war is beautifully written. "Birdsong" is a long novel about the World War I and life and death in the trenches. The books opens with a love affair and describes everyday life in a french village and the contrast with the hell that village becomes during the war.
A stunning, thoughtful, romantic, realistic and dramatic novel. One of the best historical novels ever written!!!
Highly recommended.
T.

Sue Miller "While i was gone"

This book is a very good read.
Jo Becker is a successful veterinarian, with a good marriage, lovely children and a beautiful home. One day, however, someone walks in and her past comes back to haunt her, the past that she tries to escape for many years. Miller's novel moves back and forth between Jo's present life and her past.
The story is interesting and made it difficult for me to put down the book once I picked it up.

Olga.

Blue Balliett "Chasing Vermeer"

On a warm October night in Chicago three unidentified people get a mysterious letter. A really fun adventure starts when three these letters appear with the stealing of a famous Vermeer painting. Two University of Chicago students, Petra and Calder, use all their intuition and intelligence to find it.
The characters were great and believable and plot was pretty good.
It's a lot of fun!!!
Kate.

Ayn Rand "Anthem"

I consider "Anthem" to be one of the most interesting and provocative novels of the 20th century. "Anthem" is written as the diary of Equality 7-2521, a young man living in a future in which people have lost all knowledge of individualism. He is born into a collectivist society in which everyone's life is controlled by various Councils. He has no words for love or self, and being alone is a crime.
This is a book to make you think. This is a book to make you want to be selfish.
This book was actually really interesting.
Ann.

Marianne Fredriksson "Hanna's Daughters"

I liked this book from the very first page and i could not put it down. "Hanna's Daughters" is a story of three generations of Swedish women. They try to find out who they are in a world that never seems to fit them completely. Hanna, Johanna and Anna - grandmother, mother and daughter, their lives go through one hundred years of Swedish history: war and famine, great love and great loss.
I loved this book for its history.
Well told and beautifully written.
Ann.

J.M.Barrie "Peter Pan"

I really enjoyed this book; much more than I expected. It was a quick read and very enjoyable.
Peter Pan is the boy who wants never to grow old. This is the story of some of his adventures while on the island of Neverland, this wonderful island of imagination and adventure.
He and his friends have many adventures involving pirates, Indians and mermaids. They fight pirates, they can fly, they magically have food to eat and they get to run around with real swords and weapons! There are no rules, no chores to do, there is time for everything in a life free of cares and hardships.
Natalka.

Bel Kaufman "Up the down staircase"

Here are the wonderful adventures of a teacher who started the career in teaching of high school kids. It was hard and she thought the kids were just bad, but time passed, she was able to looked into the kid's outside life and the reason why they were like that. She was able to change the life of many kids especially their feeling towards English. This book is one that will make any day better by taking you through the daily struggles and triumphs over every obstacles. The book is a collection of the main characters' letters, notes, and memos and such that could be found in any high school.
This book is an optimistic book. A wonderful read which kept my interest.
Lily.

Anne Tyler "A Patchwork Planet"

Anne Tyler creates a lovable character of Barnaby Gaitlin. He's almost 30, lives in a run-down basement, is divorced, with a young daughter who he seldom sees, works and tries to find his place in the world. He has habit of breaking into other people's houses, not so much to steal things, but because he likes to read other people's mail and sees photo albums. He learns that his family and friends really don't trust him, and his world falls apart...
This is a wonderful novel - don't miss it!!!
Lili.

Penny Vincenzi "No Angel", "Something Dangerous", "Into Temptation"

When I finished these books I was so disappointed. Not disappointed in the ending, but sad that it ended at all. The story goes through three generations of the Lytton Family, it's wonderful family saga.
The characters you first met as children are all grown up, have children and grandchildren of their own, and each is given their own drama. The development of each character was brilliantly done. I felt like I knew the family personally.
These books are a wonderful read.
Sveta.

Carol Shields "The Stone Diaries"

The Stone Diaries is the story of one woman's life, Daisy Goodwill, which is followed from her birth through to her death. We learn of her childhood, marriage, widowhood, remarriage, motherhood, old age and death. Shields tells the thoroughly human story of Daisy Goodwill who tryed to understand her place in her own life. I found this book sad because Daisy is so alone most of her life, especially at the end.
It is a thoughtful book and i like it!!!
Iren.

David Guterson "Snow falling on cedars"

This is a story about a murder, but it is also a story about life in a small fishing island in America, about political, social and interpersonal racism between different cultures and about love that cannot be. David Guterson tells us a history lesson too : the story of the Japanese immigrants in the USA during the World War II. The characters are realistic, well presented and the relationships between characters are brilliantly and deeply developed throughout the novel, especially the relationship between Hatsue and Ishmael and you feel as if you know them.
This book is excellent. Highly recommended.
Olga.

Rafi Zabor "The Bear Comes Home"

Rafi Zabor writes his first novel, about a bear who performs jazz on the saxophone, and wins the PEN/Faulkner Award.
What really impresses about the book is jazz, magical world of improvisation and creation. The most great aspect of this book is the historical picture of the jazz scene. Rafi Zabor, a longtime jazz journalist and drummer, writes about music with a passion and inspiration.If you play jazz, or love jazz, or know a jazzer read this book!!!
Lili.

Marilynne Robinson "Gilead"

This is one of my new favorite books, a very simple, beautiful novel, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2005.. It is written as letters to an old man's son. John Ames is dying. He has lived seventy six years in the small town. He is married quite late in life and has one son, whom he never thought he would have and realizes he will never see him grow up. Ames is a great character, he knew himself, his feelings so very well. Ames lived through some very hard times and a long period of loneliness.
This is a powerful, thought-provoking novel about life, history, love and belief.
Olga.

Barbara Kingsolver "Homeland and other stories"

Barbara Kingsolver gives us a lovely collection of twelve stories: comic, heart-warming, wise, tender, true to life tales, about life and family.The title story is the first story in the book and probably one of the best.
Just the kind of prose I like. I loved every single one of these short stories, I like every single character in this book, be they young, old, man, woman, happy, miserable and recommend them to everyone.
Lili.

Robert Clark "In the deep midwinter"

A novel about the MacEwan family. Their life is predictable and well ordered. He's a lawyer, she's a housewife and their divorced daughter, Anna, is seeing a young man with a bright future. But after Richard's younger brother James death life exposes well-kept secrets and hidden passions.
I really like this powerful and disturbing novel.
Rita.

Susan Conant "The Dogfather"

"The Dogfather" is a funny and entertaining mystery. If you like other Holly Winter books, you'll like this one. Holly is a delightful character. Guarini loves dogs and when his new puppy doesn't behave, he sends for Holly Winter, dog trainer.
Holly knows enough about Guarini and his reputation, to accept the job, but when one of Guarini's assistants is killed during a training session, things really start to go out of control...
"The Dogfather" is a fun evening read.
Written with humor.
Lena.

Julia Glass "Three Junes"

"Three Junes" is a wonderful, carefully written story of family, loyalty and understanding. It tells the story of a scotish family in three parts, all of which take place in June. We learn about Paul, recently widowed, traveling in Greece, about his past life with his wife, how they met, and raising their three sons, about Fenno, the eldest son, about his life in New York where he deals with his homosexuality and his feelings of not belonging to the family.
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, touching and full of life.
Tanya.

Charles Frazier "Cold Mountain"

The story of Inman and Ada is a moving tale of love... so romantic!! I highly recommend it to read!
A wounded soldier in the Civil War returns home to Cold Mountain and to Ada, the woman he loved there years before. Ada tries to revive her father's farm and learns to survive in this world.
"Cold Mountain" is a beautifully written novel about two people who struggle to survive in the Civil War, hope to reunite and make some kind of a future for themselves despite the many hardships they have faced.
Truly a good read.
Tanya.

Thomas Keneally "Schindler's List"

This powerful and moving novel based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, German Catholic businessman who saved more than a thousand Polish Jews from the gas chambers than any other single person during World War II.
A masterfully written and very interesting book and the movie is great too.
Elena.

Sena Naslund "Ahab's Wife"

This novel is very beautifully written, very exciting tale that is hard to put down.
It begins with Una as a little girl and her journey from Kentucky to Nantucket where her mother sends her to live with her aunt and where she meets two young men who change her life forever. Her story is not an easy one, but i loved Una's strong character.
"Ahab's Wife" is one of the best contemporary novels i have read in years.
Lena.

Ann Patchett "Bel Canto"

If you are looking for deeply moving, charming and captivating novel, I would definitely recommend you to read "Bel Canto". A birthday party is being celebrated for a Mr. Hosokawa, one of the most wealthy men in the world. To attract a business man from Japan to the party, his favorite opera singer is invited. The party is going well until interrupted by a group of terrorists... I am not opera-lover, but this novel makes me want to listen to it.
Good plot and enjoyable read.
Ann.

Louisa May Alcott "Little Women"

"Little Women" is the earliest american children's novel to become a classic, very simple and heart-warming. "Little Women" is the story of the four March sisters, who couldn't be more different. But with their father away at war and their mother working to support the family, they have to rely on each other. Every reader can find themselves, or a little bit of themselves, in at least one character in the book.
This story is very interesting and character are so great.!!!
Lena.

G.Heyer "Detection Unlimited"

Georgetter Heyer is a writer of great wit and style (Daily Telegraph)
"Detection Unlimited" was an enjoyable mystery with a number of twists and turns in the plot kept me interested to the end.
Sampson Warrenby was discovered by his anxious niece, Mavis, under an oak tree with a bullet through his brain. Mavis was one of the ten people in the village who disliked him. Only Chief Inspector Hemingway could uncover the murder.
Tanya.

Jack London "The Call of the Wild"

I like this novel, it's a thrilling and memorable reading!!!
I think it's London's greatest novel, which tells the tale of Buck. He is a heroic dog who lives in his own world and he lives by his own rules until he is stolen and shipped off to Alaska, where he is sold as a sled dog. In Alaska he begins to understand the brutal ways of the wild and faces a choice between living in man's world and returning to nature.
A wonderful tale of courage!
Olga.

John Updike "Rabbit Angstrom.The Four Novels"

This is a great series by Updike, who describes the history of a man and his time from the 1950s to the 1980s. Athlete and lover, husband and suburbanite - Harry Angstrom is Mr. Middle America in the second half of the twentieth century. John Updike has given us the representative American story and also has created a picture of American life.
Ann.

Danielle Steel “The Ghost”

I have read the book “The Ghost” by Danielle Steel. From the gist of the book I can convince that it is a novel (love story) with a small piece of mysteries. The author presents us a specific plot line: with a marvelous economy of word Danielle Steel leaves a great number of details for the reader to read between the lines. From my point of view, this story contains courage, history and adventures on the basis of love two people: Charles and Carol Waterston. Having read this book, you’ll get the opportunity to appreciate or neglect the main heroes. To my mind, they are rather courage, brilliant people who transform their life and overpowered al difficulties. “The Ghost’’ is worth reading.
Yulya.

Virginia Woolf "Mrs Dalloway"

This book was amazing! Can’t wait to re-read this book – because I must. I know that I will find something completely different to love about it next time. It was wonderfully written with great characters and event. We meet Clarissa Dalloway, her husband Richard and daughter Elizabeth during one day.From the morning with its activity, through afternoon with its tea and rest, to the evening with Clarissa's party, Woolf tells the story of many lives and a death.
Tanya.

Oscar Wilde "The Importance of Being Earnest"

"The Importance of Being Earnest" is one of Oscar Wilde’s most famous plays. He called it “A trivial comedy for serious people.. The young Jack Worthing and his good friend Algernon find themselves in a situation when their fiancées learn they are engaged to the same man.
I think this is an amazing, sparkling, delightful, witty play and very easy reading!
Olga.

Virginia Woolf "To the Lighthouse"

One of the most popular twentieth-century novels "To the Lighthouse" is a story about a family's vacation house but really about relationships and life. We see what Mrs. Ramsay thinks of herself, and what everyone else thinks of her and the lives of the characters and their relationships with one another. I very much enjoyed "To the Lighthouse", beautiful prose and typical of Woolf, it is deep, thoughtful. You can't simply read it, you need to feel this book.
Ann.

Wilkie Collins "The Woman in White"

Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was the author of hundreds of literary works, one of the lucky writers who enjoyed immense popularity in his lifetime.Wilkie Collins is a master of mystery, and "The Woman in White" is his first excursion into the genre that combined horror with psychological realism.
"The Woman in White" is a story of love, mystery, and danger.
This book is unforgettable. The characters are irresistible and the plot won't let you go.
Do please read this book.
Ann.

Danielle Steel "Malice"

This is the first Danielle Steel book I've read. Great plot, great characters, great writing! When Grace's mother dies, it is the end of Grace's father sexual abuse to her. In self-defense, Grace shoots her father after he brutally rapes her. Grace had real problems she was in prison. Upon release two years later, Grace goes to Chicago where life starts looking up when she finds a job as a receptionist in a modeling agency.
When Grace meets Charles she has found love and happiness.
"Malice" is a very inspirational story. I definitely recommend it!!
Olga.

Mikhail Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita"

If you are looking for fascinating, complicated, funny, memorable, unique, and unlike anything you've ever read book take Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita". I love this book very much. It is a work of magical realism, dealing with the themes of God and the devil, good and evil, heaven and hell. While the stranger and his friends are visiting Moscow ( 1930s), Bulgakov takes us back to the moments before the execution of Jesus. He introduces us to Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator who approved, against his own will, the execution of Jesus. In between the two storylines, there is a third about Margarita and her lover, the Master.
I could not put the book down! It was a WONDERFUL book!
Lili.

Salman Rushdie "Midnight's Children"

Saleem Sinai, the hero of "Midnight's Children" is one of the children born in India at the moment of its independence from British rule. The tale weaves in and out of real events both past and present. Saleem is put in the middle of many political events. This book isn’t just about Saleem, though, it is about several generations of his family and the history of his country, all of which makes it into a literary saga.
Rushdie can write like no other, all his characters’ are fully developed.
Good read if you want to be better acquainted with India and her culture.
Ann.