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: * * * *

Author: Elizabeth Acevedo

Do you know the CBC radio show Q? I seldom listen to it because I don’t particularly like the host. While we were on Texada I heard an interview with the author of this book and the topic of a living wake intrigued me.

Flor, Matilde, Pastora and Camila are sisters born in the Dominican Republic but who have since moved to New York. The other main characters in the book are their daughters, Yadi and Ona. Each of the sisters has a special talent but Flor’s talent is predicting a death. So when she decides to have a living wake everyone is concerned for her.

I found the story a little hard to follow. The story switches from the Dominican Republic in the past to New York in the present. I also had trouble keeping the characters and their talents straight.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Kristin Harmel

I knew from my Facebook group that there was going to be a surprise ending so I was watching for it. It was a long time before I clued in; I had a general idea but I wasn’t completely right.

The story is written from the viewpoint of three women. Céline and Inès stories take place during the occupation of France during the Second World War. Liv has just finalized her divorce when her grandmother, Inès, whisks her off to Paris.

The story revolves around a fictional champagne house near Riems.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *