Swim Back to Me

Swim Back to Me is a new book of short stories by Ann Packer. I picked it up thinking it was a novel, so I was disappointed when I started reading it, as I am not really a fan of short stories.

However, the writing is wonderful, and Packer has great insight into family life, especially that of teenagers.

I prefer novels because they give you a chance to get to know the characters a little better before moving on to an entirely different set of characters. But if you like short stories, this is a good collection of well written fiction.

The Printmakers Daughter

The Printmaker's Daughter by Katherine Govier, is historical fiction based on the life of the daughter of Japan's most famous painter, Hokusai, the legendary printmaker famous for his images of Mount Fuji, and The Great Wave.

According to Govier, much of Hokusai's work, especially later in his life, was actually done by his daughter, Oei, even though she was never given any credit for it.

It's a fascinating picture of nineteenth-century Edo, as well as the lives of artists and courtesans of the time. It's up to the reader to decide how much is fact, how much is fiction. Either way, it's a great story.

It took me a while to get engrossed in this novel, but once I did, I thought it was a wonderful read.

Until the Real Thing Comes Along

I generally like Elizabeth Berg's novels. She is good at creating very real and honest, believable characters. She often delves specifically into women's issues, all things I love.

However, in Until the Real Thing Comes Along, I just didn't really like Patty, the main character, very much. I liked Ethan, her gay best friend much better.

It is the story of a woman in her late 30's, obsessively longing for a baby, a husband, and a home. By the end, she gets two out of three, and somehow this is enough.

I liked the book, but didn't love it. Still, I'm sure it's not the last novel by Elizabeth Berg that I will read, as this is definately not the best example of her writing.

Saving CeeCee Honeycut

Saving CeeCee Honeycut by Beth Hoffman is as sweet and syrupy as a tall glass of sweet tea on a hot Georgia day.

It's a feel good, girl power novel filled with all sorts of eccentric Southern women and a 12 year old protagonist who is taken under their wings.

There's nothing particularly original about this novel, but it's hard not to root for CeeCee, even if you know from the start that she's going to be just fine.

A good, light read if you're in the mood for a little Southern fiction.

Distant Hours

I love Kate Morton's novels, and The Distant Hours is no exception. It's a big thick gothic mystery set in a crumbling old castle in the English countryside, spanning time from WWII until present day.

I was drawn in immediately to all the characters and just couldn't put the book down. Morton is a master storyteller. This is the darkest of her novels, filled with intrigue and suspense and lost love.

The Forgotten Garden remains my favorite of her books, but this one is still guaranteed to keep you up all night reading.

The Middle Place

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan is a memoir about a woman and her father who both survive cancer.

I wanted to like this book-I really did, and although there were some funny and tender moments, overall I found it tiresome, and I couldn't wait to be done.

I'm sure Corrigan is a lovely person, but that doesn't make her a great writer.

Local Knowledge

Local Knowledge by Liza Gyllenhaal is a novel I immediately got drawn into and couldn't put down. It is about Maddie Alden, a small town girl in New England, now a realtor selling second homes to rich urbanites who come to the country for the weekend.

Gyllenhaal probes the disparity between these two groups of people, as Maddie finds herself walking the line between lifelong bonds and new friendships springing up with the wealthy new crowd she longs to be a part of.

I loved this book all the way until the end. I won't spoil it, as I still think its a good read. Gyllenhaal's writing shows her deep observations of how we behave, what motivates us, and how we react to diffucult situations. I only wish it had ended differently.