Zoe, an artist from California, and Martin, an engineer from England, find themselves on The Chemin, also known as the Camino de Santiago. It’s a centuries-old pilgrim route that ends in Santiago in northwest Spain. They plan to join other walkers following the route, each having their own reasons for doing so. Zoe recently lost… Continue reading Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simsion & Anne Buist ★★★★
Nora Stuart grew up on Scupper Island, Maine, a small island three miles from the state’s coast and was shaped by two major events in her life: her father’s departure when she was 12-years old and pretty awful high school years. Her salvation was winning a competitive scholarship only available to islanders that took her… Continue reading Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins ★★★★★
Ove is a grumpy, older man, defined as such because he lives his life by a code that’s pretty black and white and inflexible. His point of view has also been shaped by a system that’s often been cruel and unfair and has let him down at critical times in his life. But, there is… Continue reading A Man Called Ove by Frederik Bachman ★★★★★
Frances Bloom, stay-at-home mother of three, is the connection between four families who live on the same block in Los Angeles. She voluntarily carpools their seven children to school each day, ranging in age from 4-to 14-years old, and often helps in other ways. They all seem to have lives that are working well from… Continue reading Other People’s Houses by Abbi Waxman ★★★★
Piper Whitman is a stay-at-home mother devoted to raising her 9-year old son, Fred. When circumstances force her to face the reality that her son’s “quirkiness” may be something more, Piper has to come to terms with him being on the autism spectrum. Soon after, her emotionally abusive father suffers a debilitating heart attack that… Continue reading Flying at Night by Rebecca L. Brown ★★★★
Wow. What did I just read? The story begins with the rather sad life of then 8-year old Wavonna (Wavy) Quinn. She’s the daughter of a major meth dealer and a seriously disturbed woman who can’t seem to function without drugs and “her” man. Wavy is the only adult in the house, giving care for… Continue reading All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood ★★★★★
Zac Hutchinson is a 10-year old boy growing up in a small town in England with single mom Juliet and his nearby grandparents, Lynda and Mick. He’s a lovely young boy who is fascinated with facts. After a particularly troublesome night where he hears his mother admit she still loves his father who disappeared when… Continue reading Little Big Love by Katy Regan ★★★★
We begin with an interesting passage where Dora Judd becomes mesmerized by a Van Gogh reproduction that helps her recall a happy moment in her youth. She defies her overbearing husband, Len and chooses this painting from several options at an auction. She hangs it in her room and threatens Len if he dares to… Continue reading Tin Man by Sarah Winman ★★★★
Blue Mood Café 