Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Fiction - 3 stars
Dark Places is the story of Libby Day, a depressed and angry thirty-something who, at seven years old, testified against her brother for the murders of her mother and sisters. In her thirties, she becomes a person of interest for a club called the "Kill Club" and is told that she may have been wrong about her brother. An interesting look at the farm culture in the 80s, this book has the elements of a great story, but it falls flat, mainly due to the writing style. Not my favorite book.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Historical Fiction - 3.5 stars

Sarah's Key is a story of the holocaust. Set in 1940s and modern France, it tells two stories that eventually intertwine into a heartbreaking tale of the Vel D'Hiv roundup in Paris, where french Jews were forced into a coliseum and sent to death camps, most never to return. I cannot reveal too much, but can say that this is a decently written book that delves into an area of history that most people have never learned about. It was an eye-opening read.

Ida B: . . . And Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, And (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan

Youth Fiction - 4 stars

This is a delightful children's book about a young girl, Ida B. Applewood, who grows up on a farm (orchard, really), is home-schooled by her parents, and has relationships with the natural objects she sees every day. When her mother gets cancer, and Ida B. experiences changes like going to school and seeing part of her land sold, she must deal with her anger. Along the way, she learns a few things about others and herself. Megan and I loved it.

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.