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