Choosing Zoe - Laura Budd

A library loan. Light hearted story about a 20-something girl going through relationship angst, with commentary in the interesting voice of her unborn baby who's chosen Zoe to be her future mum. The story bounces along quite charmingly, reading a little like what I imagine teenage fiction to be like, although it isn't. I found her stubborn idiocy in continuing to be attracted to the "wrong" type irritating, but she redeems herself.

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian - Marina Lewycka

I forgot to list this one too after reading it some weeks/months ago, but that's not a reflection of what I thought. It was enjoyable and funny, about two sisters who plot to save their aging widowed father from marrying a scheming blonde busty woman who's using him as her passport to immigrate into England. In the process of pursuing a common goal the sisters experience a reconciliation after longstanding hostility. There are poignant moments too when Nadezhda finds out the events in her childhood and her parents' history.

Saving Fish from Drowning - Amy Tan

Read this a couple of months ago, but forgot to record it until now. Maybe it reflects what I thought of it. I find this deviation from her previous style of writing too clever and a chore to read, though the story is interesting enough. Based on a true story, Bibi Chen, San Francisco socialite and art vendor to the stars, plans to lead a trip for 12 to China & Myanmar, but dies in very strange circumstances before the tour begins. The group decides to go after all, with an indecisive and epileptic leader. Bibi is the disembodied narrator. The group gets kidnapped by a deluded tribe. It was hard to get into this book.

Lorelei's Secret - Carolyn Parkhurst

This book seems to be alternatively called The Dogs of Babel. Some reviews said it was schmaltzy, but I thought it was wonderful. It starts off innocently with the protagonist, a linguistic professor, coming home to find that his wife is dead, having fallen from the apple tree in his backyard, and their dog Lorelei as the only witness. In his grieving he attempts to teach his dog to communicate what happened in those last moments. There are clues left behind to make him suspect something more to the story. The book jumps back & forth in time to tell us of their first meeting and subsequent relationship. Lexy his wife was a charmingly whimsical and creative maker of masks, but subject to angry outbursts and mysterious angst. The story gets darker with what I thought was an unnecessary foray into some weird dog mutilation cult. Apart from that, it's beautifully written, evocative, sad, mysterious.

The Piano Man - Marcia Preston

The mother of a teenage boy who died in an accident searches for the man who was the recipient of her son's heart, refusing to let this man waste his life when he'd received such a precious gift from her son. It's pitched perfectly without a false note in the way she finds a way to connect to this stranger. Yet somehow the book loses its thread two-thirds of the way through, as she meanders through her estranged relationship with her father and ex-husband. Still, a nice read with poignant moments.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox - Maggie O'Farrell

The latest book by one of my favourite authors. Moving between colonial India, 1930s Edinburgh, and the present, a sad story about a woman put away by her family and discovered sixty years later by her great niece who had no prior knowledge of her existence. A sad tale of two sisters, rivalries, betrayal and, in a strange way, redemption. A beautifully written book.

Spellbound - Jane Green

A light easy chick lit with likeable characters, but a bit too light for my taste. I did enjoy reading about Alison and her philandering husband, her friendships and her eventual realisations about what she values and loves - a happy read. Nice... but no need for more!

The Alibi - Sandra Brown

A very satisfying mystery thriller. I read the review ages ago, and only recently got to read the book. At first it seemed like an ordinary mystery, but drew me in with its emotionally strong relationships, rich characters and a soulful love story. A really good read - I'll be looking forward to other books by the author.

Tipping the Velvet - Sarah Waters

The third book I've read by this author, but the first she wrote. It's the most racy one, with lots of sexy romps, unlike the others, however like the others it involves love, betrayal and a good story set in 19th century England. Very atmospheric, with strongly drawn characters, lingering like real people in my mind. Now I know what "tipping the velvet" means!