Rick Bass “The Hermit’s Story”

Rick Bass is the author of 16 books. ”The Hermit’s Story” is his best fiction.
Every story in this collection is amazing. My favorite stories are “The Hermit’s Story” and “Swans”. Bass explores the mysterious connections between man and nature. In “The Hermit’s Story”, a man and a woman travel across the frozen surface of a dry lake, in "Swans," a woman lights fires along the shore of a freezing pond to warm the five swans living there.
Language is wonderful, characters well developed, every story is remarkable in its own way.
Tanya

Shirley Hazzard “ The Transit of Venus”

"The Transit of Venus" is an extraordinary piece of modern literature. I just finished to read it and enjoyed it so much.
National Book Critics Circle Award-winner Shirley Hazzard tells a story of two sisters, Grace and Caroline Bell. They move from Australia to England to start their lives in a new land. We watch their lives progress through the men they meet. They fall in love, meet their husbands, their lovers.
This book is a story of different place and time. It’s a very good love story.
This is one of my favorite books, which is beautifully written and language is wonderful too.
Lena

Tom Robbins “Skinny Legs And All”

“Skinny Legs and All” deals with so many topics, many of which are classical in nature: love, sex, family, art, compassion, work, religion.
The book is very humorous, but it does have its serious side. The book moves across the USA from the South to the Northwest and out to New York, then to the Middle East as Robbins constantly analyzes the situation between Jews and Arabs there, as well as studies the Christian history. Tom Robbins is a master with words and best thing about his book is his writing.
I thought the story is terrific. It makes me want to live life, and live it in a new and healthy and loving way.
Olga.

Harper Lee “To Kill a Mockingbird”

A classic of modern American literature “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960, it was instantly successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize.
I'm so glad I finally picked up “To Kill a Mockingbird”, I heard so many wonderful things about this book. It’s really a wonderful piece of literature, great characters, plot and prose. Every character and every little side story added flavor, color and depth to this wonderful tale. This book seems so simple, but it's about several things at once - racism, injustice, social status, innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” has become a new all-time favorite book for me.
Lili

Boyle T.C. “World’s End”

World's End is a 1987 historical fiction novel by T. C. Boyle, the winner of the 1988 PEN/Faulkner Award for American Fiction. The novel tells the story of several generations of families in the Hudson River Valley from the late seventeenth century to the late 1960s with darkly humor, high seriousness, and beautiful prose. There are lots of characters, and lots of time shifts between chapters, but Boyle is able to tie it all together into a great story, involving wealthy Dutch landowners, Native Americans, poor farmers, and a rebellious youth in the 1970's. The novel is wisely readable, every character is placed with great care in the plot to do something. What I loved about the novel the most is its mix of historical fiction with family drama in the present, it never gets boring.
This book was hard to put down and well worth the read.
Olga.

Larry McMurtry “Lonesome Dove”

Lonesome Dove is a 1985 Pulitzer Prize–winning western novel written by Larry McMurtry. This novel goes down as one of the finest examples of Western literature of all time. The story focuses on the relationship of several retired Texas Rangers and their adventures driving a cattle herd from Texas to Montana. I think you really feel you are on the journey with them across the wide open spaces and going through their trials. The characters in this story are more real than in any other book I've read. I came to absolutely love Gus and Clara. Lonesome Dove
is a book to make me dream, laugh….
“If you read only one western novel in your life, read Lonesome Dove…” USA Today
Lena

Wally Lamb “She's Come Undone”

Wally Lamb presents the reader with a character who has lost all hope. I like Delores. She started out with a normal enough life. She was the only child in a normal family. Mother and father were together and happy, and Delores enjoyed spending time with them. But when her father decides to leave her and her mother, Dolores is not quite sure how to carry on.
The author has created an incredibly true and memorable young woman who has many of the same thoughts and feelings of your average female reader. I truly understood the feelings and thoughts of Dolores. It's amazing to me that a male author could write such engaging female character.

I think this story is a tragedy and a chance for the readers to think about the tragedies and sadness of our own lives.
Lena

Anita Shreve "The Last Time They Met"

What a great book!!! This was the first book that I read by Shreve. Anita Shreve knows exactly how to make you care for her characters as close friends and to gain a deeper understanding of the character’s lives. This book really touched me and I can not stop thinking about it. I thought the book was wonderfully written. Shreve created such a powerful and emotional love between Linda and Thomas The ending was so shocking, it still brings tears to my eye. I highly recommend this novel and will be reading it again and again in years to come…A gripping novel…
Irina

John Edgar Wideman “Sent for You Yesterday”

“Sent for You Yesterday” is a novel by the American writer John Edgar Wideman set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 1970s. The novel tells the story of Albert Wilkes, who after seven years on the run, returns to Homewood, an African American neighborhood of the East End.
Wideman tells about ordinary lives are filled with hope and despair.
John Edgar Wideman is true great writer. I never knew there could be so many thoughts and ideas in two hundred pages.
An excellent novel.
Ann

Sebastian Faulks “Birdsong”

This is one of the best books about war, love, sorrow, loss, life that I have ever read.
The book is arranged into parts; one set in 1910, three set in the 1970s and the rest (the majority of the book) between 1916 and 1918. The parts set during the World War I are excellent. The battle scenes are so realistic, that as a reader I feel to be in the thick of the battle.
Birdsong begins as a love story. The young Englishman lives with a business partner's family in France and falls in love with his wife.
The novel also focuses on the life of Stephen's granddaughter, Elizabeth, and her attempts to find out more about her grandfather's experiences in World War I.

The story stays with you for a while after reading it. I could not put the book down.
I high recommend this book!
Lili

Alice McDermott “Charming Billy”

A very good book! Lots of feeling, character description, a good story... Billy Lynch, the central character, is an alcoholic who has just passed away as the novel begins. The story starts at Billy's funeral and then goes back and forth through time and we know of Billy's life from the time he returned from WWII until his death from alcoholism. This book is about the life, love, and relationships of Billy's family. The story is a tale of love found, love lost, and of the close ties of family.
I really liked all the characters, especially charming Billy.
An enjoyable read!
Olga.

Susan Isaacs “Long Time No See”

When a local housewife and a former investment broker is missing and then found dead in her covered swimming pool months later, the police as rule suspect the husband. His father wants to clear his son’s name. He asks Judith Springer who is now a widow and still a detective for her help in solving the crime. This brings Nelson Sharpe, now in Special Investigations, back into her life and her investigation.
I really enjoyed this book and kept on reading until I finished the book.
I highly recommend the book as a good summer reading mystery.
Lili.

Barbara Delinsky “The Woman Next Door”

Delinsky does a good job. The characters are wonderful and the plot definitely realistic. I love the way she writes about real people with real problems, real emotions, and real solutions. In this novel, we meet four women who live next door to each other. One of them is the rich, young, widow who is pregnant by an unknown lover. Naturally, all the other three women suspect their husband of being the father. Each marriage is under just enough stress. The reader will try to guess who is truly the father of this woman's child. At the end her child's father is revealed and is quite a surprise……

Once you start this book, you will not want to put it down.
Lena.

Nicholas Sparks “A Bend in the Road”

“A Bend in the Road” is a story of true love.
Miles Ryan and his wife Missy were young sweethearts, they married and had a beautiful boy named Jonah. Missy spent her days caring for her son while waiting for Miles to return home from his duty as a sheriff's deputy. The Ryans' were devoted to each other. Missy was killed by a hit and run driver. Two years later, Miles has tried to move on, but reminders of Missy are everywhere. When Sarah comes into his life. He finally learns to love again and move past all the horrible things in his life until he learns who the driver of the car is…..
Oksana.

Ken Follett's "Jackdaws"

I enjoyed this book. I don't think I have read a Ken Follett book before.
It was intriguing fast moving and kept my interest.
It reads like a movie, it's entertaining, and it's a bit suspenseful. This is the story of Flick, a female British spy in occupied France throughout WWII. Ken Follett is the rare spy novelist whose female characters are as strong as his males. Follett’s thriller is Intelligent.
A good read, it's easy reading and the kind of book that's good for passing the time.
Alena

Billie Letts “Where the Heart Is”

In her book “Where the Heart Is” Billie Letts takes her reader to the heartland of America where people live simply, care deeply and love completely.
Novalee is seventeen, seven months pregnant and on her way to California with her boyfriend. Now she finds herself stranded at a Wal-Mart in Sequoyah with $7.77 in change. Dut Novalee is about to discover hidden treasures in this small town.
This story is about real human life and survival. This book is a light read, with easy humor. It's a friendship story and a love story, that showcases the goodness of people.
"Where The Heart Is" is a wonderful book, can be read, understood, and loved by the whole family!
Ann.

Charles Johnson “Middle Passage”

Middle Passage is a 1990 historical novel by Charles R. Johnson about the final voyage of an illegal American slave ship. The novel shows a personal and historical perspective on the illegal slave trade in the United States. We are introduced to the protagonist Rutherford Calhoun, a fascinating character who is a freed slave that ends up on the ship basically by accident as he flees to avoid a forced marriage to his impatient girlfriend. During the voyage, Rutherford becomes humbled, learning lessons that teach him to value and respect humanity which includes identification with his own country, America.
Great story which treats a difficult subject in an unusual and entertaining way. At times funny, at times heartbreaking, but always engrossing. Full of irony.
Olga.

Steven Millhauser “Martin Dressler”

Martin Dressler is a young man at the turn of the twentieth century with big ideas and dreams. Starting as a cigar boy in his father’s shop, Martin Dressler, the son of an immigrant, goes to work as a bellboy in a Manhattan hotel. He begins to realize his dreams, moving up first in the hotel's chain of command and then moving out on his own as an owner first of a cigar stand, then restaurants, then grander and grander hotels.
This book is about the energy of New York, the drive to achieve a dream, the power of the
imagination. The descriptions of New York city and some of the groundbreaking innovations at the turn of the century were wonderful.
One of the few Pulitzer Prize-winning novels that I thought was truly worthy of a Pulitzer

This is clearly and elegantly written
Ann.

Jonathan Franzen “The Corrections”

The Corrections is a great American novel for our time. It is the rare book that engages the heart and the head.
Jonathan Franzen tells the story of the Lamberts: Alfred and Enid, retired in their hometown, and their kids. Alfred, in particular, is having difficulties, mentally and physically. Their three grown children live on the East Coast: Denise is a chef, Gary a banker, Chip is between jobs. Gary is married and has three children.
Enid wants to bring together the family for at least one final Christmas. The story moves between present and pasts, from child to child and the story of each of the five Lamberts is told. The novel leaves the reader with both a family portrait and a portrait of America in the late 1990's.
The Corrections is a very fine read.
Highly recommended.
Ann.

Jhumpa Lahiri “Interpreter of maladies”

Interpreter of Maladies is truly a masterpiece. It is a book collection of nine short stories by Indian American author Jhumpa Lahiri published in 1999. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award in the year 2000. Rich with culture, Interpreter of Maladies shows characters that are simple, human, and very relatable. They are mostly gentle, believable, foolish or strong – they’re a pleasure to be with. Lahiri is a storyteller who shows beauty in simplicity, exploring Indians and Americans, the immigrant experience. Each story is unique.
I loved her style of writing and really enjoyed this author and I plan on reading more by her.
Olga

Dean Koontz “The Good Guy”

Timothy Carrier is a man who keeps to himself and tries to live as simple a life as possible. Until one day when a man sits beside Timothy at a bar and passes him an envelope with ten thousand dollars and a picture of a beautiful woman named Linda Paquette.
Tim decides that he's going to save the woman who's been targeted by an unknown to be killed. But what Tim doesn't expect is how he will feel about that woman. As they run and hide from the killer, Tim realizes that he loves her…
Good book, worth your time to read.
Lili

Pam Houston “Sight Hound”

This is the story of a woman, Rae, and her dog, Dante, a wolfhound who teaches Rae that love is stronger than fear. He teaches her about the relationship between love and loss. That you can’t ever have one without the possibility of the other, and that it is worth it never the less. Rae’s had a hard life: abusive parents, a string of failed romances, and now a dog with a terminal illness. It is Dante, along with a cast of friends, coworkers, and exes, who pushes her to maintain her faith in love and, more importantly, not to give up on life.
Good read!
Ira.

Anita Shreve “THE LAST TIME THEY MET”

“THE LAST TIME THEY MET” is truly a compelling novel. Shreve lets readers into the lives of Thomas and Linda as they examine their past and explore the present. The story begins, so it seems, at the end, when star-crossed lovers Thomas and Linda meet, after 26 years apart, at a writer's conference.
The ending was so shocking, it still brings tears to my eye. I highly recommend this novel and will be reading it again and again in years to come.
Powerful love story, and although the first book by Shreve that I have read, it will not be the last!
Ann.

Anna Sewell “Black Beauty”

Black Beauty is Anna Sewell’s first and only novel. This story is told by a horse, in his own words. This book is almost a collection of short stories, as each chapter relates a different episode in the life of Black Beauty and other horses who he meets along the way, from his carefree days as a foal on an English farm, to his difficult life pulling cabs in London, to his happy retirement in the country.
Black Beauty is a very understanding and forgiving horse, and it does all end happily ever after.

A beautiful, compassionate story!
Olga

F.H.Burnett “A Little Princess”

It is absolutely wonderful story and I enjoyed it. ...this book is one of those books that touches the little child in all of us. It is not a happy fairytale. There are some real moments of sadness. I love this book because it tells that no matter who you are, or where you come from, you are who you want to be, no matter what anyone might say to you. I always admired Sara’s imagination and courage, her inner integrity and strength of will. Sara maintains the inner nobility and generous spirit of a "real" princess.
Loved this book!!!!
Lili

Emily Bronte "Wuthering Heights "

"Wuthering Heights" is the only novel of Emily Bronte. She died at the age of thirty, a year after publication of her novel. She describes the life of Heathcliff, a mysterious gypsy-like person, from childhood (about seven years old) to his death in his late thirties. Heathcliff rises in his adopted family and then is reduced to the status of a servant, running away when the young woman he loves decides to marry another. He returns late r, rich and educated and sets about gaining his revenge on the two families that he believed ruined his life.
Unique, mystical novel, which has become a classic of English literature!
An absolutely must-read novel!
Lena.

Daphne DuMaurier "Rebecca"

"Rebecca" is definitely on my list of best written books. I believe there is a book for all times...
"Rebecca" is a masterpiece of the genre, and my favorite of Du Maurier's fiction. I also liked the story a lot -A naive young woman meets and marries a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, who owns an old English estate called Manderley.
The young bride has a difficult time adjusting to life at Manderley. She began her search for the real fate of the first Mrs. de Winter, the beautiful Rebecca, whose presence is still felt strongly by the characters in the novel.
DuMaurier has written a dark, gripping tale with atmosphere of suspicion, fear and secrets.
Great writing and reading!
Kate.

Troon Harrison "Tales of Terre:The Separated"

"The Separated " is a wonderful fantasy adventure. Harrison has created a fantastic world full of creatures of all kinds, from Mara Folk to Sea Horses and Sea Witches. Thet all are here to be discovered by readers.
Three sixteen-year-olds must discover their own strength and their magical abilities in time to win the battle for their land.
"The Separated" is an exciting story for fans of fantasy tales. I'm looking forward to any future story of the series "Tales of Terre."
Olga.

Marguerite Henry "King of the Wind"

King of the Wind is a novel by Marguerite Henry that won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1949.
King of the Wind is the story about the a young, mute horseboy named Agba who works for the sultan of Morocco. He travels to France with a gift for Louis XV. The gift is a horse named King of the Wind who is also known as Sham. Sham and Agba run into many adventures and find themselves living with many different owners and in many different situations.
I absolutely loved it and I would recommend it to anyone who loves horse stories.
Tanya.

Robb Forman Dew "Dale Loves Sophie to Death"

American author Robb Forman Dew made a nice debut and won the National Book Award for "First Novel"."Dale Loves Sophie to Death" is quite and elegant novel. It tells the story of a woman whose husband stays behind in New England while she and their kids spend a hot summer in Ohio. There are no exciting actions. R.F. Dew can convey feelings, real relationships between parents and children, marriage partners, and between friends.
I like R.F.Dew's characters, they are so appealing.
Good read.
Olga.

John Kennedy Toole "A Confederacy of Dunces"

"A Confederacy of Dunces" is a great, perfect comedy, revolves around the amusing adventures of 30-year-old Ignatius, who is overeducated and underemployed, as he tries to find a job,who has two college degrees but cannot seem to last more than a month on any job. He lives with his widowed mother. This story is fulled of origional characters and comic adventures that all tie together at the end in an unexpected way.
A funny book that made laugh.I enjoyed it a lot.
Alla.

Gina Berriault "Women in Their Beds"

Gina Berriault’s short stories ‘‘Women in Their Beds’’ was published when the author was seventy."Women in Their Beds" won a number of prestigious national literary awards.I really enjoy reading this well-written collection of thirty-five stories about women. Gina Berriault offers a truthful vision of life in a beautiful prose.The endings are never happy, but you can find hope and courage in each of story.
Great read.!!
Tanya.

Ernest Gaines "A Lesson Before Dying"

"A Lesson Before Dying"is an deeply touching and moving story
and it very much deserves the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction that it received in 1993. It is set in the south in the 1950’s. Three men are killed. Jefferson, a young black, is an innocent witness, he is convicted of murder and is sentenced to death. Grant, the town's black school teacher, is asked to visit Jefferson in jail, to help him to be ready to die with dignity.Grant learns the true meaning of friendship and what it means to be a man.They both learn from each other some important life lessons.
This book touched me deeply and actually moved me to tears.
Ann.