FEBRUARY READS

[rapa]

Last night I finished THE KASHMIR SHAWL, an interesting book by Rosie Thomas.  The story goes between 1941 when newyweds move from Wales to India where the husband is assigned to a Presbyterian mission area. Years later their granddaughter finds a shawl and lock of hair while she was cleaning out her deceased father's house and she goes to India to find the story behind the shawl. .....and quite a story it is!  Very interesting read that provides insight into colonial India along with some romantic capers! 

http://www.amazon.com/Kashmir-Shawl-Novel-Rosie-Thomas/dp/146830246...

[Mandy Muffin]

I have fished the Black Like Me 50th Anniversary Edition which has a lot of photos, interviews and history of the movement toward desegregation of the South.  http://www.amazon.com/Black-Like-50th-Anniversary-Edition/dp/045123...

I stumbled upon a series that examines the lives of young ladies who were into the textile industry in the 19th century.  My mother worked in the New England mills as a girl and told many stories of how things were in the mills in her time.  I grew up in a textile town and worked in the mills some my self.  It is called "Bells of Lowell."  I am now into the first book, "Daughter of the Loom"   http://www.traciepeterson.com/bellsoflowell.html 

[grammyk]

Just finished this book also and agree with you!

[grammyk]

I just started "Return to Willow Lake" by Susan Wiggs; good so far.  Next up is "Merry Christmas, Alex Cross" (yeah, I know.  I don't read all of James Patterson's anymore but I do like the Alex Cross series).  I am on the waiting list for several more that I am really looking forward to reading; as usual, they will probably all come in at once!

[Ioruach]

I'm reading the latest Chet and Bernie mystery, A Fistful of Collars by Spencer Quinn. It is a typical Chet and Bernie story, told from a dog's perspective, or at least the perspective of a dog as seen by Spencer Quinn.     

[Eaglewoman]

Just finished the Memory Jar, its an Amish story, read them after reading all those tense books, a good relaxing read. the next book club book is Galleios daughter.

[rapa]

Last night started a newly released book THE AFFAIR by Colette Freedman. Read 200 pages before blowing out the candle! This is a well crafted and insightful page-turner about three ordinary people caught in an extraordinary triangle.  The first section tells the point of view of the wife.  The second section tells the point of view of the husband and the third section lets the mistress have her say. The story deals with the complexities of love and the challenge of ever knowing another person fully.

http://www.amazon.com/Affair-Colette-Freedman/dp/0758281005/ref=sr_...

[Ray]

After reading all of the reviews of The Affair, I decided I had to read it also.

[Mudqueen]

That looks like some thing I might like to read.

[tnbopeep]

I'm so into the Beverly Jenkins "Blessings" series I'm ignoring everything else. Started with a Nook Free Friday book, "Bring on the Blessings" and I'm mid-way thru the 4th in the series. Premise is: "mature" woman gets a gazillion dollars in a divorce settlement from no good husband. Since she's been blessed she wants to pass it on. She buys a bankrupt town off Ebay. It was settled in Kansas by "Exodusters" in the late 1800's. They were Blacks fleeing Jim Crow & civil war aftermath. The Exodusters part is all true. The books are filled with fun characters, good morals, and some black history thrown in for good measure. They're quick reads but just so pleasant. There's some murder & mayhem thrown in but it's always someone who deserves it - the old southern saying "some people just need killing". Cozies? Maybe. Don't care. I'm loving them.

[Eaglewoman]

I read Blessings, just loved them.

[Mandy Muffin]

I will add my name to the list of those who liked "Silver Linings Play Book"by Quick.  The story had a little bit of everything  for me:  a trip back to Philadelphia where I made my home for two years in my 20s; a tale told by a mentally ill person who saw reality from his own delusional mind  (a lot of references to The Bell Jar); a football season action that is intermingled with the plot (football is not real life but the characters have a hard time coming to grips with this fact); a tale of lost love and unrequited love, etc.  I just can't wait to see the movie and watch the script develop on the big screen.

[tnbopeep]

Thanks for the head's up on the latest Flavia - I'll be looking for it at my library!