The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg

The last title that I read by this popular contemporary author was "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". However she has penned several books since then which have all received good reviews. If you enjoy a light-hearted story about life in these United States, you will want to read her novels. Her storylines tend to follow the path of ordinary lives and are filled with positive thoughts and laughter, peppered with all those things that happen in a typical life.

In this book we are introduced to Lordor Nordstrom, who emigrated to Missouri from Sweden. The story shows how the town developed through the decades and depicts friendships, marriages, deaths, births, accomplishments and resilience in all of the people who live in this small town. The story has a soft ending but you really need to read it for yourself so I'll not got into it here.

A bit of light reading for a change.

Ladybookbug!

Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand

I am pleased to say that I have enjoyed all of this author's work. Her books speak of ordinary people leading ordinary lives and yet intrinsic in each novel is something of value that makes the reader want to read on and on.

This title is the third and final book in the Quinn family of Nantucket. This is one of those instances where you do need to read the previous books in order to gain a fuller understanding of the people involved. The two previous books are "Winter Stroll" and "Winter Street". Both books are short reads and thoroughly enjoyable.

In this entry the Quinns continue to face the hardships of life and the pleasures of life simultaneously. Some of the characters face deeper struggles than others but they all come together to support each other and remind us all yet again how much those people who circle our lives mean to us.

Worth the read. You will do yourself a disserrvice if you do not read all three.

Ladybookbug!

Secret Service Dogs by Maria Goodavage

Not my usual fare but certainly an interesting and informative book. The author has written two other books about service dogs entitled "Soldier Dogs: The Untold Story of America's Canine Heroes" and "Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca". Both books provide interesting background about "heroes" that often go unnoticed in the scheme of things.

This title is all about those special canines that protect the President of the United States. The book is divided into seventeen chapters which focus on the training, unsual quirks and defnitive job descriptions for probably some of the most prestiguous dogs in the world. From dogs who have a particular fascination with shoes to those who have a special dislike to walking on tiled floors, the reader is exposed to the inner circle of dogs and their handlers.

There is also a discussion of the various breeds that are chosen for this line of work and how their handlers are chosen as well.

An interesting read!

Ladybookbug!

Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich

This is the latest entry in the Stephanie Plum series. While one can expect the usual from this author's series of books, it is always a great departure from some of the more intense thrillers of the day.

In this book, Stephanie and Ranger are hot on the heels of the person who froze a body and coated it with chocolate and nuts to resemble a Bogart Bar. Morelli, Lula and Grandma make appearances as well. The crime is solved and you'll have a few laughs as well.

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Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart

The year is 1915 and Constance Kopp is the newly appointed first deputy in Bergen County. Constance takes her new role very seriously and helps thwart various thugs including a man who puts erroneous ads in a local newspaper to draw in young ladies to his lair.

The author appears to have done considerable research into the time period and this is a story that flows easily. This novel and the author's previous book are categorized as historical novels because the main character actually existed.

A good read!

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The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

This is the second book by this author. It was in very high demand in my neck of the woods. It was published this year and placed on the bookshelf at our local library in September. It was recommended to me by a fellow librarian.

This is a thriller about a journalist who is awarded the assignment of a lifetime. She is asked to take a luxury cruise for a week on a small cruise ship. The trip begins with glorious skies and quite a bit of pampering but as the weather changes the atmosphere on board the ship changes as well. The main character witnesses a
terrible event and decides to seek answers.

A fast-paced story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

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Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

One can easily say that this author is quite prolific with over ten books published. Several of his books have also been made into movies. Several of his titles which may be familiar to you are The Notebook, Safe Haven and Message in a Bottle to name but a few.

Mr. Sparks' latest novel is about a middle-aged man who experiences a series of difficulties in his life. Although he is perplexed and struggling, he finds himself continuing to put one foot in front of the other. Father of one daughter, he finds his strength in the recognition that he must provide for her and essentially this feeling motivates him.

A far from perfect, family, Two by Two explores the attributes that keep a family together even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Ladybookbug!