The Language of Bees by Laurie King

Series

After struggling with the past couple Sherlock/Russell books, this one brought me back!!  Loved everything about this book, the storyline, the humor, the wealth of knowledge - even the part on aviation.  As much as I hate flying, I am ever so grateful I live in a time of advanced aviation technology and I bow down to the brave souls who tested the early days of flight.

Looking forward to the next one in the series, as this one left the reader with a cliffhanger ending!!

The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth De. - Nichole Bernier
                 DEBUT  novel

How well do we really know each other??

Do we keep secrets to protect our loved ones or ourselves??

Set during the summer on Great Rock Island, Kate inherits a trunk of journals belonging to her close friend Elizabeth. Elizabeth was killed in a place crash and Kate is trying to make sense of that loss.

But the journals paint a different picture of the woman Kate knew , making Kate question their friendship and choices that she made in her own life. 

Astray - Emma Donoghue
       "D" Author


I don't normally like a collection of short stories but Ms. Donoghue added an interesting element.  At the end of each short story was an historical fact which gave her fodder for the story.

Also, each story tells of a way in which the characters had gone "astray".

The Memory Collector by Meg Gardiner

Guilty Pleasure

An enjoyable suspense-thriller!  Reminded me of the 2000 file "Memento", and of me some days when my short-term memory is fleeting.  The plot was wrapped up well by the end and the action kept you turning page after page - as long as the nanotechnology in biological warfare stays fictional!!

Quote:  "You only live fully when you bring the past into your life and make it part of you...We have to embrace both past and present. No matter how painful, or how deep the scars."

   Sing You Home  -   Jodi Picoult
                 Guilty Pleasure


Wow!!  Jodi does it again.   Tugs at your heartstrings and makes you think really hard about right and wrong.  Not about laws, but the right and wrong of the treatment of others.

This story is about Zoe, Matt, Vanessa, Paster  Clive, Lucy.  Those are just some of the people you will meet.

You will also learn about in vitro fertilization, gay/ lesbian rights, and what  makes a family.   Zoe is a music therapist and says "Every like has a soundtrack. All you have to do is listen"

I had the privilege  of hearing Jodi speak in Pittsburgh recently and she commented on her research for this book.   When you read the viewpoints from the speakers from the church in this book,  keep in mind that they are verbatim from a group called Focus on Family that Jodi interviewed for this book.   How very closed minded that group is!!!!!

Good read,   Thank you, Jodi

The Last Good Paradise by Tatjana Soli

ARC

I struggled through all 300 pages of this book.  The author had some great ideas, but she needed to focus on only an issue or two and better character development.  There were multiple characters and their stories were drawn out through the book so no one really came to life for me.  Soli had important issues brought up in the book (nuclear testing, mistreatment of island natives, etc.) but without focus the message fell flat.

Quotes: "A biological clock had gone off, but she wasn't sure it was inside her; rather, it seemed outside, in every else"

"Maybe in the far dark past people actually did value the perfect rose blooming unseen on a deserted mountainside, maybe just its existence was enough, but in the modern age every perfection, every event, big or small, significant or not, only counted if others knew of it."

"Not all girls dreamed of the white dress anymore, bu the pressure against them was enormous.  Some girls just wanted to sleep with Prince Charming.  They wanted to go off and slay dragons themselves, not be cooped up in the castle all day, tending little princes and princesses."

Jennifer's Way: My Journey with Celiac Disease -- What Doctors Don't Tell You and How You can Learn to Live Again by Jennifer Esposito

Miscellaneous

I read this book not only because it was recommended to me, but because my colleague suffers from Celiac Disease.  Through her I've learned a great deal, but until I read "Jennifer's Way" I don't think I truly realized how much she suffers and how difficult life can be day to day.  This book has given me a better understanding, more empathy and greater insight to a terribly difficult and misunderstood disease.

Esposito writes it with her heart and emotion, so while she discusses the technical and medical details, the book is captivating because she discusses her struggles since childhood and through today.

A must read for anyone who wants to better understand that gluten-free is not a fad.