Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Fiction - 3.5 stars

Little Bee is the perfect book club book. The story of a Nigerian immigrant (Little Bee) to the United Kingdom and the woman she searches for and finds (Sarah), the books deals with real issues. For Little Bee and her fellow immigrants, the issues include the reasons for illegal immigration (horrors from the home countries), life in the British detention centers, and the struggle to survive outside the centers and to "belong." For the other characters in the book, issues like adultery, depression, suicide, and making the right choices are just a few of the issues that make this a complex story full of emotion. Cleave does an excellent job of creating these very different characters, yet portraying them and their issues as very similar, which makes them fit together perfectly. I enjoyed it - easy read and interesting subject matter, and I recommend it to anyone wanting a good discussion book.

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

Historical Fiction - 4.5 stars

This book is a beast. At 800+ pages, it is not my favorite of the Outlander series, but it is still a great read. The middle drags a bit, and you only get glimpses of the greatness that is Jamie and Claire. Gabaldon does develop other characters, like Young Ian and William, and introduces some new "friends. " My only regret is that it takes her 3 years to write, and I have to wait that long to resolve the cliffhangers.

1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion by Morgan Llywelyn

Fiction - 4 stars - Good historical fiction is my passion, and this book falls into that category. This story revolves around a teenage Titanic suvivor who loses his family in the sinking and returns to Ireland at the brink of the 1916 rebellion. The main characters of the rebellion (like Patrick Pearse) are portayed from this young boy's point of view, and the story develops into Llywelyn's absolute best work.

The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

Those who know me best know that this is the series to which I compare all other books. Jamie and Claire are the ultimate couple in the ultimate story. I have read them over and over and never get tired of them. I could go on and on about them, but I will spare you. Read them and you'll see for yourself.