Sue's Favorites

I relate to this book because of some personal grief I've experienced and from watching close friends deal with grief. Hidden secrets, death, grief, love, family are all themes throughout the book. Lots of discussion for book clubs! The Ryrie family have some dreadful secrets which reach into their past and can threaten their future. Private decisions may seem like they're for one person to deal with but so often family members are affected as well, we learn that a family that shares grief can rekindle tenderness and hope. This is a moving novel, beautifully written with well developed characters. We go on their emotional journey and learn we must come together to heal. A line from the book says it all- "Isn't it funny and a fine thing to realize that being whole nearly always requires not just the tending of ourselves, but the tending of our bonds with others?" - Sue

"The Distant Hours" by Kate Morton is the kind of book I love to read. Kate has written a story with a haunting quality that weaves the present day with the past and she does it seamlessly. She gives us a little romance and a mystery, and definitely makes you want to turn the page. How can you not want to read this when there is a decaying castle, secrets, lost mail, crazy sisters, a mad father, and a loving mother-daughter relationship? If you loved "The Forgotten Garden" or "The House at Riverton," you will definitely love this. If you haven't read any of them, pick one up now and start reading!! I think this is one that you will savor! - Sue

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton is the kind of book I love to read. Kate has written a story with a haunting quality that weaves the present day with the past and she does it seamlessly. She gives us a little romance and a mystery and definitely makes you want to turn the page. How can you not want to read this when there is a decaying castle, secrets, lost mail, crazy sisters, a mad father, and a loving mother-daughter relationship? If you loved The Forgotten Garden or The House at Riverton, you will definitely love this. If you haven't read any of them, pick one up now and start reading!! I think this is one you will savor! -Sue

Just read the first three pages and you'll be hooked. THis is the continuing story of May and Pearl from the "Shanghai Girls." (It's not necessary to read the book, but I loved that one too!) It's 1957 and 19 year old Joy finds out the truth about her complicated family which sets the stage for her journey to China to find out who her birth father is and where she belongs. See's characters are headstrong with unbreakable family bonds! -Sue

This is Lavinia's story - an orphan after her parents dies on a ship carrying them from Ireland to the states. Bought by a plantation owner to work alongside his slaves yet she was able to work in the kitchen house because of her white skin. Great discussion on the definition of family, racial justices, isolation, addiction, abuse & sacrifice. - Sue

This is a coming of age story following Emily Vidal from 14 to her late 20's. Memorable characters will have you laughing out loud & then aching with sadness. An honest story about choices & mistakes, about loving your family & not loving them while turning from them & ultimately accepting them. You get pulled right into Emily's insane world & you see what teens have to endure when affluent adults in their world remain children themselves. - Sue

I loved when Wally Lamb was the female voice in She's Come Undone and I now love Julia glass, giving voice to Percy Darling, a cantankerous 70-year-old widower dealing with his family and life changes. There is chaos, love, divorce, death, and new beginnings. the story also touches on lots of today's social issues ranging from homosexuality to healthcare coverage. You feel engaged as you're reading the book because all the characters are so engaged with their world. A good modern day family story where people are facing change and learning how to deal with it. - Sue

This is a book lover's book. Touching & charming involving a family of readers in a small college town where the dad is an eccentric English Professor. He is a lover of anything Shakespearean - each daughter was named after a Shakespearean character & they talk in couplets! They find themselves coming home partly because their mom has cancer, but really because their lives are falling apart & home is where they run to. They have to deal with their fears & being all together again. They learn what they are running from may be just what they need. Their family, their home, their, their histories offer more than they expected. At the end of the book you might just find yourself saying 'parting is such sweet sorrow'! - Sue

An exuberant tale about a dusty west VA town, during the 70's and it's rundown horse track. Horse trainer, Tommy tried to run a scam in order to rescue his failing stable. Memorable & complex characters and beautiful writing. - Sue

This is a neat story of friendship and two guys who decide to trek down the CT River in a canoe- starting at the Canadian border and ending in Old Saybrook. The best part is they agreed to do it with out camping out (because they're two old coots!) Instead, they depend on the kindness of strangers to take them in each night! It's funny, entertaining and I love David and Ramsey's friendship. - Sue