Author: Hannah Kent

This is the best book I’ve read in a long time and I don’t even know who or what group recommended it.

The story takes place in Iceland in the early 1800’s. Agnes, Fredrik and Sigga have been convicted of murder and sentenced to execution by beheading. While Agnes awaits her execution date she is sent to live and work on a remote farm. Between visits by the Reverend and the mistress of the farm we learn Agnes’ story.

I already liked the book but when I read the author’s notes and learned it was based on a real trial and execution I liked it even more. Agnes was the last person in Iceland to be executed.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *

Author: Paul Murray

I worried about this book from the very beginning. The first page talked about a man who had murdered his family and then set the gun on himself. A little unsettling, but I was okay. Then I turned to the back of the book, not to see the ending but to see how many pages. I couldn’t help but see the final sentences, “It is love. You are doing this for love.”

The story is told from the point of view of the Barnes family – Dickie, Imelda, Cass and PJ. Although they are all telling the back story there a new details that come out in each telling. The murder/suicide didn’t happen to this family and did, indeed, happen in another town but did that make the ending any easier? It is one of those “you decide” stories.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Lisa See

I’ve always enjoyed books by this author; I think this is the best one yet.

Li-yan is from a Chinese mountain village who strictly follow the rituals of the Akha people. When she gets pregnant her child, under the rules, is considered a reject and should be killed. Li-yan makes a long journey on foot in order to leave her child at an orphanage. The child, is adopted by an American family and lives in California. Li-yan dreams of meeting her child and the child, now known as Haley, often wonders about her “real” mother.

Although this story is interesting and very well told, it was all the rituals of the Akha people and the art of growing and making tea that I will remember.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Allen Eskens

If you don’t judge a book by its cover then how about by its title. This suggestion came from one of the many lists I follow and both the cover and title intrigued me. I’m always amazed that the library has so many books on their shelves that I’ve never heard of but newer books by popular authors sometimes aren’t available.

Carl Iverson has spent thirty years in jail for the murder of a young woman, his next door neighbour. He is dying from pancreatic cancer and has been paroled to a nursing home for his last few months. Joe Talbert is a university student whose assignment for an English class is to interview a stranger and write a portion of their life story. Joe is in search of a subject when he comes to the nursing home but most of the residents have lost their memories and Carl seems the only likely candidate. As the story unravels Carl’s conviction is in question.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *