Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As much a story of immigrants as it is about erotic stories. I loved it. The characters come alive and you can almost hear them talking. There is so much here and it is presented so beautifully. The delight in their own culture and at the same time their desire to change things.
The desire of these women to share their fantasies and desires helps them to realize that they are not alone, their desires are a normal part of life and loss.
I felt that I got to know the characters and what made them do the things they did. Said another way, the plot was remarkably clear and the story unfolds beautifully.
Bravo, I read this for book club and my opinion went from "Why am I bothering with this book?" to "Wow, that was quite a read!"

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The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Does the past haunt our present personality and actions? In this multi-century family story we see that many of the same emotions and feelings exist across the generations. It is a beautiful story with intriguing characters and plot lines. Enjoyable to read and filled with a lot of things one might think about.
I'm not sure that there is that genetic disposition but certainly we remind ourselves where and who we come from and that might shape who we are and who we become. Either way, the situations we find ourselves living in has a great deal to do with how we behave and think.

Loved the book.

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The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A work of genius. First one should note that Marie Benedict wrote this with Victoria Christopher Murray. The book is a masterpiece of historical fiction. It is beautifully written and manages to tell a complex story from multiple viewpoints through clever narration.
The plight of women in the early 1900's is clearly defined but overlaying it is the racism that people of color experienced then and now. Lets see, if being a woman was not enough, our heroine was also colored, her words, passing for white. She sees, and the author shows us, the personal cost of racism and bigotry to the society and individuals.
Humanity has lost too much already by keeping some people in poverty and ignorance and subjugating whole groups of people to specific jobs or status.
The scientist who can cure cancer might be sweeping floors because (s)he was not given the opportunity to expand his education and use his whole potential. It is our loss.
When will we see that people need to be allowed to grow and be educated to their highest potential regardless of race or religion.
This book also shows that the cesspool of hate that we find ourselves in today isn't new, or the result of anyone person but is the consequences of centuries of hate perpetrated and encouraged by the highest and most respected members of our society.
Wake up America.

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No Plan B by Lee Child
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jack Reacher has become an old friend. This was a good story with nice plot twists and unsavory crooks. Jack to the rescue... This time the pacing seemed off. I wondered how they got from point a to point b so quickly. A little like the Muppets traveling by map.
This is still one of my favorite series and I look forward to what Jack will be up to next,

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