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.

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

Youth Fiction - 4 stars

This is a very cute book about a man who lives a somewhat boring life in Stillwater, USA. He is obsessed with Antarctica, and specifically penguins. One day he gets a special gift from a famous explorer, and it starts an incredible adventure. A Newberry Honorary Award winner, Mr. Popper's Penguins is a classic from my childhood. Megan says, "Read this book."

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Youth historical fiction - 5 stars
This is a beautifully drawn and written work of historical fiction for children. Deemed an instant classic, it is good for all ages, but especially the 8-12 set. Selznick writes about Hugo, who lives in a train station in Paris, and he eventually meets Papa Georges, a character based on the real-life Georges Melies, an inventor and silent film maker from the 1930s. At our book club meeting, Susan was kind enough to bring a projector and show some clips of this era. Megan's favorite was George Melies' A Trip to the Moon, thought to be the first science fiction film in history. We highly recommend this book.

Katherine by Anya Seton

Historical Fiction - 4 stars - This is the really complicated love story of the 14th century's Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. These ancestors of the Tudor and Stuart blood lines started out a little rocky, became pretty despicable, and redeemed themselves in the end. I enjoyed the intricate stories, and I can see now why it was a much-documented affair. Ms. Seton was a historical fiction writer from the 1950s, and I must say, she had great talent. Her work is comparable to Philippa Gregory's writing. This makes me want to read her other works.