The Dry by Jane Harper

Good presentation of locale, strong character development,  astute description of small town prejudices all work together in this well written novel.

The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan

Wow, this was a very difficult book to read because it introduces us to two people who hold very divergent views about the horrific Israeli/Palestinian conflict, one a Palestinian man dispossessed of his family home, the other an Israeli immigrant whose family bought his "abandoned" home. These two people meet, and over decades exchange their experiences and beliefs in this narrative that also describes in detail the historical events that lead to the current impasse and tragedy taking place in Israel and the Palestinian lands it occupies. The sadness, the hungering for peace and justice are palpable. Although published in 2006, this book is valuable reading because it clearly explicates the history of a conflict on-going and even escalating in 2017.

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Delightful travelogue and introduction to Australia that convincingly conveys the author's delight with Australia, its vastness, "what a preposterously outsized country this was", and its many unusual sights. He extols its diverse attributes even as he acknowledges its relative anonymity on the world stage. Several exploratory visits encompassing lengthy drives around this vast island enable him to knowledgeably describe this incredible country. Leavened with humor, the narrative moves at a pleasant pace that keeps the reader ever engaged.

Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler

Really enjoyed this book. Thoughtful narrative about family dynamics. 

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Wow, what a lovely, poignant story. I savored every word.

Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker

Really enjoy this series. Bruno is a well developed, appealing character. He is a policeman in a small French town who knows and cares about the community he serves. He resolves problems diplomatically whenever possible. Each book in the series raises an important issue to consider as the plot unfolds. Vegans beware though because he cooks and eats meat, in fact food and wine descriptions are an integral part of the narrative.

Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

An impressive story about two French sisters, their experiences and activities during WW2. Both work against Nazi evil, just very differently. Details convey the horrors of the German occupation in France. Totally engaging to read despite subject matter.

Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver

Some really thoughtful, insightful, and heartfelt essays about our crazy world which is both beautiful and endangered. A very poignant essay about 9/11.

Black River by S.M. Hulse

This is a well written book about a man struggling with some serious physical and emotional pain. A former prison guard who suffered horrific torture during a prison riot returns to the prison to appear at a parole hearing for the inmate who tortured him. His anguish and pain is palpable. This is a debut novel from a wonderful young writer.

Wow, I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted. I have been reading a lot, just not commenting. I just finished reading several books I really liked. Our Souls at Night was very good. It is written by Kent Haruf. Two older widowed neighbors spend their nights together talking about their lives. Short novel but well written. Then I read another short novel called All the Old Knives by Olen Steinhauer about two CIA agents, one former, one still active. They both participated in a disastrous event, and now meet to discuss it. Just finished reading Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye by Marie Mutsuki Mockett. She is a Japanese-American who returns to visit family just after the devastating 2011 Fukushima event. Her family runs a Buddhist temple in the most affected area. Over several years, she visits other temples, explores Buddhist beliefs, and focuses on how the Japanese deal with grief. Very interesting exploration.

Reading lots, just not always good books

I've been reading a lot of books, in fact I reached my goal for the year of reading 100 books. One recent book is called Frozen in Time which follows the epic rescue attempt for some flyers downed in Greenland. Another book is called The Lowland which follows two Indian brothers, first in India and then in America, and the powerful woman the first brother married and then when he died, the second brother married. The daughter of the first brother is raised by the second brother as his own child, although the daughter does not know her true parentage. It is a somewhat convoluted plot but very well written.