Us by Matthew McKay



Psychologist Dr. Matthew McKay tells the story of Margaret, a young woman tortured by her struggle with dissociative identity disorder, a severe and controversial psychological disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity states or personalities. Treatment is aimed toward ultimately integrating the multiple personalities. Margaret chooses to live her life without undergoing this recommended integration, and wants her boyfriend, Walker, to accept her as she is—alternating between a frightened child, an angry male adolescent, a bawdy southern belle, and a suicidal woman who seems to belong nowhere. McKay uses Us to explore what happens in relationships when one is damaged, but seeks acceptance as opposed to being �fixed.” As Margaret teeters at the edge of self-destruction, Us examines the far limits of what can be given in the name of love.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Told third person, so to speak. I wasn't sure when I first started reading Us if I was going to continue reading it. Yet I found myself compelled to go further. I found both Walker and Margaret to be unique. Such a bittersweet story, I am so glad I did read on.



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The Second Daughter by J. Jeffrey


Winner HONORABLE MENTION New England Book Festival 2012!

Helen Gale is so busy suppressing secrets from her past that she doesn’t notice that almost everything she believes about her husband and two daughters is false. She is so busy what-iffing about the life she might have had that she overlooks the life she is actually having. Her family slowly, then quickly, then one day explosively disintegrates around her. Left awkwardly alone with her now 16-year-old second daughter Debra, Helen finds herself settling into the postscript of her life when, one night, the phone rings—and the man from her past, located by Debra’s secret machinations, suddenly crashes back into her present.

What if a game of “what if” were actually to come true? For a tired and lonely woman just north of her fiftieth birthday? Helen’s life is about to change forever; or rather, as Debra puts it, revert back to what it should have been all along.

But not exactly because of that man, as it turns out.

Because of the second daughter.

Welcome to a funny but poignant, unusual but beautiful love story


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A journey of a family, the good (rare), the bad (often), that cleverly draws you in. The hardship of a family, a mother who was alone with her children too much and a father absent most of the time. Two daughters who are opposite in most every way. The surprising outcome was an emotionally tribute to the love that survives. Well done.
www.librarything.com




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The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

Gifted with a mind that continues to impress the elders in his village, Ichmad Hamid struggles with the knowledge that he can do nothing to save his Palestinian friends and family. Ruled by the Israeli military government, the entire village operates in fear of losing homes, jobs, and belongings. But more importantly, they fear losing each other. On Ichmad's twelfth birthday, that fear becomes a reality. With his father imprisoned, his family's home and possessions confiscated, and his siblings quickly succumbing to the dangers of war, Ichmad begins the endless struggle to use his intellect to save his poor and dying family and reclaim a love for others that was lost when the bombs first hit."The Almond Tree" capitalizes on the reader's desire to be picked up and dropped off in another part of the world. It tackles issues that many Americans only hear about on World News or read about at The Huffington Post, such as the Israeli Palestinian conflict, the scholasticide that is being imposed upon the Palestinians in Gaza and the current Gaza blockade. But even more, it offers hope.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A wonderful novel! Filled with heartache and hope, trials and tribulation, and the struggle of a son Ichmad and his family. A son filled with guilt over his fathers' arrest, a father determined that his son will create a better life through education. The heartache endured but Ichmad and his father never wavered on their shared dream, that Icmad make something of himself, even if that meant leaving his struggling family for a period of time. In a country torn by war after war, this is about the human sprit, of never giving up. An exceptional novel by a very gifted writer. This story will make you keep reading and touch your heart.



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On the Trail of the Scissorman by Michael Coorlim

A serial killer is turning Steampunk Victorian London's children into orphans, and consulting detectives Alton Bartleby and James Wainwright have been hired to catch him before he can kill again. Can Bartleby's deductive reasoning and James's forensic inventions lead them to the Scissorman before he catches them instead?

http://www.librarything.com

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Received a copy from the author in exchange for a review. From LibraryThing.

Was a very well written novella. With strong characters and an excellent storyline. I was impressed and look forward to reading more from Michael Coorlim!



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Real Life, Real Miracles: True Stories That Will Help You Believe by James L. Garlow

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


These real-life, credible stories of miraculous experiences, gathered by the authors of Miracles Are for Real, reveal that God is still very active in the world. Each gripping story is sure to encourage and inspire, offering hope and a sense of wonder.

- When Steve rolled his car, he should have been killed. Why didn't he die that day?
- Caleb and Penny moved to a poor part of town to serve their community. But when one group of neighbors makes and sells drugs, will God's angels protect them?
- Bob's MS was getting progressively worse. Could God heal such a debilitating disease?

Whether you've experienced God's miracles or aren't sure if you believe in them, explore fascinating true stories like these and many more. You'll be in awe of God's power as you get a glimpse of how he personally cares for each of his children--including you.
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Paperback, 261 pages
Published November 1st 2012 by Bethany House Publishers
ISBN
0764210742 (ISBN13: 9780764210747)
edition language
English
url
http://www.bethanyhouse.com/Book.asp?...

Uplifting and inspiring stories that remind us miracles do happen, even when we may doubt their existence, there exists in each of us an inner voice. Whether we listen for it or not is entirely up to us. I can say with certainty that this novel has reinforced in me, that God does exist and angels do watch over us. An excellent collection of short stories.



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The Doctor of Thessaly: A Seven Deadly Sins Mystery by Anne Zouroudi


A jilted bride weeps on an empty beach. A local doctor is attacked in an isolated churchyard. Trouble arrives at a bad time to the backwater village of Morfi, just as the community is making headlines with a visit from a high-ranking government minister. Fortunately, where there's trouble, there's Hermes Diaktoros, the mysterious fat man whose tennis shoes are always pristine and whose investigative methods are always unorthodox.

Hermes must investigate a brutal crime, thwart the petty machinations of the town's ex-mayor and his cronies, and try to settle the troubled waters of two sisters' relationship. But how can he unravel a mystery that not even the victim wants solved?

Set against a radiant Mediterranean backdrop, THE DOCTOR OF THESSALY is a spellbinding mystery about the dark consequences of envy.(less)
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published December 4th 2012 by Reagan Arthur Books (first published 2009)
ISBN
0316217875 (ISBN13: 9780316217873)
edition language
English
series
The Greek Detective #3
characters
Hermes Diaktoros
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A very captivating story line. It kept me curious, wanting to find out what happened next. Found the authors' description of the characters so well detailed, which made the novel much more enjoyable. Enjoyed the white shoe detective I think the most! In general it was a terrific novel. I really enjoyed reading it.



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The Child's Child by Barbara Vine

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Received this complimentary from Goodreads.
This is an intriguing novel, (more like a novel within a novel), of the relationship between brother and sisters. The one story from the world war one era, the other from modern day deal with social taboo's that while more tolerated or even accepted today, were reason for disgrace and sometimes even criminal in the past. This tells about how each of the two generations dealt with the results of these taboos and the results were not always positive.
The Child's Child has a great story to tell, filled with mystery, suspense. and some acts of violence and sexual behaviors. I had a hard time putting the book down its a compelling read. Only a great writer could have pulled this off so well.



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