Everything I Never Told You

By Celeste Ng, pub. by Penguin, 2014 This book is about the death of a girl. A Chinese American family living in 1970s Ohio. The oldest daughter Lydia disappears. Later we find she has drowned. The rest of the book tells us the backstory and the reality of what occurred. There are some twists and race is a huge factor. The family is so extraordinarily mixed up and unkind. I don't recommend this to anyone who is currently depressed.

Our Souls at Night

written by Kent Haruf, Publ by Vintage, 2015 Kent Haruf wrote several novels based in small town Holt, Colorado. I've read a few of them. My favorite was Plainsong. This takes on two elderly neighbors, both widows. One day, Addie Moore stops over at the house of Louis Waters. They've only talked a few times, Addie and Louis's wife were friends. Addie takes a brave step: realizing that they were both lonely and had both lost long-time companions, she makes a proposition: that Louis sleep over at Addie's house so they can talk each other to sleep. The relationship grows slowly, tentatively and, above all, kindly. The respect that grows between these two people is a thing to watch. Haruf writes of small moments, details from nature, the town, the habits of ordinary people. All the time we realize the heroic decisions people make when we outsiders see only choices, options and roads taken. At some point, I will need to read the books in order and take some time enjoying Holt.

The Boy in The Suitcase book review

Authors: Kene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis, Pub: Soho Crime, 2011. Translated from the Danish by Lene Kaaberbol. This is a Nordic fiction mystery that got great reviews when it was published in English in 2011 by Soho Crime. This novel has several awesome female characters, including Nina Borg a flawed, edgy, broken woman with extraordinary emergency medical skills. She's wonderful in crisis mode in combat situations and mass disasters, but handling everyday life is beyond her. She's a very compelling character and there have been several more Nina Borg novels produced. This book also has a fabulous title that can't fail but intrigue. We meet the boy in the suitcase early on and the rest of the book is the unraveling of the mystery as to why he was there. I found I could put this down and actually left a week or so between readings. Bad idea, because I lost track of the characters a bit. Nevertheless, the ending wrapped up all unanswered questions, disposed of all the unpleasant men along the way and made new friendships among women who have almost nothing in common. Definitely glad I read this one. Might read another in the series.

The Pope's Daughter

by Dario Fo Translated form the Italian by Anthony Shugaar Published by Europa editions 2015 I have very little education in European history. My only knowledge of the Borgias is a couple of previews of HBO programming. I had a general feeling of their deviousness and not much else. So reading the life of Lucrezia Borgia painting her as an heroic woman is a delight. Dario Po is a comedian and a playwright and it shows in his dialog. There are some real laugh out loud moments. Worth the read.