a collection of tried and true
A social worker in rural Montana interacts with a boy who lives in the woods with his escapist, political father. Many messed up characters with equally messed up lives. Definitely not an up beat novel, but an interesting story yet pretty depressing on many levels.
PJH rating: ****
I picked this book up at the CWRU used book store and have been reading it off and on over the past year and FINALLY finished it. An intriguing account of their adventures of buying a big old house in Cleveland Heights. Lots of interesting Cleveland history that I enjoyed reading also.
PJH rating: ****
Interesting, quirky novel of two half-sisters in the 1940s and 50s told from both their view points. The old sister is a selfish romantic and a want-to-be actress with terrible luck. The younger sister is the more practical, bookish one that the intriguing stories revolve around. Nice read.
PJH Rating: ****
A collection of loosely related short stories set in a fictional coal mining town in Pennsylvania. Spanning the past 5 decades, all interesting, thought provoking tales of small town life, love and heartbreak. Book is reminiscent of Elizabeth Strout whose novels I enjoyed as well.
PJH Rating: ****1/2
Heartbreaking story of one modern family immigrating to America from Panama and the challenges they face – interwoven with chapters about other families doing the same. Wonderfully written. An excellent book from another first time novelist. Highly recommend.
PJH rating: ****1/2
A novelist returns to his mid west home after his father suffers a serious stroke. He hasn’t been home for over a decade during which he published a best seller based on many people in his town. A sad but funny story. The second Tripper novel that I have read and enjoyed.
PJH Rating: ****
An Asian-American family living in suburban Ohio town in mid 1970’s deals with the death of their teenaged daughter. Suburban angst, racism, sexism… but an interesting story, well written and a good read. Impressive first novel from an ex Shaker Heights resident. A tad depressing but I enjoyed it.
PJH rating: ****1/2
Story of woman who was a professional ballerina, not quite a world-class ballerina, got pregnant and settled into life. It turns out her son becomes a star in the ballet and some deep held secrets are brought out. Interesting, easy to read story that spans several generations.
PJH rating: *** 1/2
A mysterious rapture event occurs where a large part of the world’s population disappears into thin air all at the same time. The novel follows four members of a typical family in how their “normal” lives evolve after this event. Again I liked the characters and the mysterious setting. An expose I would say on American suburbia in the 21st century. A good read that is an HBO series now that I didn’t have a chance to watch before we got rid of HBO ):
PJH Rating ****
A family tries to escape their family troubles by traveling to Spain for a week long vacation. Strong characters, interesting setting and fun story made this a fun book to read and hard to put down.
PJH Rating: ****
Eat On Edgecliff 