Tuesday Teasers

My teaser for this week:

"She treats me like a fragile heirloom. Doesn't she know I am the delicate vase that has already fallen off the mantel into a million pieces on the floor? I can't break any more."

What's On Your Nightstand?

I can't believe it's the end of April! I actually read the three books on my nightstand this month! It's just the little things...

April's list:

• While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky
• True Colors by Kristin Hannah
• Still Life by Joy Fielding

I also finished Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark.

Here's what on my night stand for May:

More books to choose from:

• Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty
• Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty
• Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
• Asking For Murder by Roberta Isleib
• Simmer Down by Jessica Conant-Park
• The Girl She Used to be by David Cristofano
  

So, what's on your night stand?

Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark

Title: Just Take My Heart
Author: Mary Higgins Clark
ISBN-10: 1416570861
Pages: 322
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Date Finished: April 28

From the dust jacket:

Natalie Raines, one of Broadway's brightest stars, accidentally discovers who killed her former roommate and sets in motion a series of shocking events that puts more than one life in extreme peril.

While Natalie and her roommate, Jamie Evans, were both struggling young actresses, Jamie had been involved with a mysterious married man to whom she referred only by nickname. Natalie comes face to face with him years later and inadvertently addresses him by the nickname Jamie had used. A few days later, Natalie is found in her home in Closter, New Jersey, dying from a gunshot wound.

Immediately the police suspect Natalie's theatrical agent and soon-to-be-ex-husband, Gregg Aldrich. He had long been a "person of interest" and was known to have stalked Natalie to find out if she was seeing another man. But no charges are brought against him until two years later, when Jimmy Easton, a career criminal, suddenly comes forward to claim that Aldrich had tried to hire him to kill his wife. Easton knows details about the Aldrich home that only someone who had been there -- to plan a murder, for instance -- could possibly know.

The case is a plum assignment for Emily Wallace, an attractive thirty-two-year-old assistant prosecutor. As she spends increasingly long hours preparing for the trial, a seemingly well-meaning neighbor offers to take care of her dog in her absence. Unaware of his violent past, she gives him a key to her home...

As Aldrich's trial is making headlines, her boss warns Emily that this high-profile case will reveal personal matters about her, such as the fact that she had a heart transplant. And, during the trial, Emily experiences sentiments that defy all reason and continue after Gregg Aldrich's fate is decided by the jury.

In the meantime, she does not realize that her own life is now at risk.

A compelling novel that probes the mysteries of the human heart and mind, Just Take My Heart is Mary Higgins Clark's most spellbinding tale.

My thoughts: Mary Higgins Clark has been my favorite author since high school. The Cradle Will Fall was the first book I read by her and I spent that summer reading all her books. Every April, I look forward to her new release.

Just Take My Heart is about a man who is accused of killing his famous ex-wife. Although it takes time for the case to come trial, the public has pretty much found him guilty. Emily is the assistant prosecutor assigned to the case. Emily is thrilled to take the case as she has suffered numerous losses and thinks this is a sign that things are finally moving forward in her life.

Emily knows her job is to convince the jury that Greg Aldrich killed his ex-wife out of anger over their divorce. However, as the trial progresses, Emily suddenly has doubts that the wrong man is on trial.

Natalie's real killer didn't come as a surprise. Despite the obvious, I still would recommend this book to all of Ms. Clark's fans.

Can You Get an F in Lunch? by Nancy Krulik

Title: Can You Get an F in Lunch?
Author: Nancy Krulik
Series: How I Survived Middle School #1
ISBN-10: 0439025559
Pages: 104
Year Published: 2006
Genre: Children's Fiction (Series)
Date Finished: April 19

From the back cover: After spending the night studying the Joyce Kilmer Middle School Handbook, Jenny McAfee feels totally prepared to start sixth grade. But Jenny has another reason to feel confident. She'll have her best friend, Addie Wilson, right there by her side.

When Jenny and Addie meet at their lockers the next morning, Jenny finds out that Addie has other plans--and they don't include her. Could Addie really be ditching her for The Pops--the coolest seventh graders in the school?

My thoughts: I've been looking for books to read for the Young Reader's Challenge. While browsing in the library, I saw
and thought it was such a cute cover. While checking out, I noticed it was the fifth book in the series and returned to the catalog to find the first book.

Remember being nervous to start middle school? Actually, when I was in 6th grade, it was still considered elementary school. Seventh and 8th grade were considered middle school (or junior high as we called it. Am I dating myself here?) Anyway, Jenny McAfee is nervous on her first day and the only thing she is looking forward to is seeing her best friend Addie. You see, Jenny spent her entire summer vacation at camp and did not see or talk to Addie while she was away. While she was gone, things changed. Including her BFF.

Jenny quickly learns Addie has ditched her for new friends aka "The Pops". These are the popular kids in school and Jenny longs to be one so that she can maintain her friendship with Addie. Jenny realizes that being popular isn't quite as glamorous as it seems. Addie has changed so much, that Jenny cannot believe they were once best friends.

Join Jenny as she tries to accept the loss of her friend and meet brand new ones. And oh. . .as she attempts to survive middle school.

16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

Title: 16 Lighthouse Road
Author: Debbie Macomber
Series: Cedar Cove #1
ISBN-13: 9781551668307
Pages: 377
Year Published: 2001
Genre: Romance (Series)
Date Finished: April 17

From the back cover:
Olivia Lockhart
16 Lighthouse Road Cedar Cove, Washington

Dear Listener,
You don't know me yet, but in a few hours that's going to change. You see, I'm inviting you to my home and my town of Cedar Cove because I want you to meet my family, friends, and neighbors. Come and hear their stories - maybe even their secrets!

I have to admit that my own secrets are pretty open. My marriage failed some years ago, and I have a rather...difficult relationship with my daughter, Justine. Then there's my mother, Charlotte, who has plenty of opinions and is always willing to share them.

Here's an example: I'm a family court judge and she likes to drop in on my courtroom. Recently I was hearing a divorce petition. In Charlotte's view, young Cecilia and Ian Randall hadn't tried hard enough to make their marriage work - and I agreed. So I rendered my judgment: Divorce Denied.

Well, you wouldn't believe the reaction! Thanks to an article by Jack Griffin, the editor of our local paper (and a man I wouldn't mind seeing more of!), everyone's talking.
Cedar Cove - people love it and sometimes they leave it, but they never forget it!

See you soon...
Olivia

My thoughts: I've had this book on my TBR list for almost 6 years! It's one of those that I keep meaning to read, but haven't yet. When I saw my library had it on audio book, I decided now is finally the time to read it.

16 Lighthouse Road is about Olivia Lockhart's family and circle of friends. Each character is introduced as Ms. Macomber allows us a glimpse in his or her life. It's a great start to what I'm sure will be an intimate series. Want to meet some new friends? Read 16 Lighthouse Road. I'm just embarrassed it took me so long to read it.

Library Loot

April 15 - April 21

I didn't post my library loot from last week, so I decided to include it here:

• Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park
• Simmer Down by Jessica Conant-Park
• Turn Up the Heat by Jessica Conant-Park
• Fed Up by Jessica Conant-Park
• Deadly Advice by Roberta Isleib
• Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
• Asking for Murder by Roberta Isleib
• Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty

By no means was it intentional to have a "cozy" theme for my library loot. The Gourmet Girl Mystery series and The Advice Column Mystery series are two that I've been wanting to read for quite some time. So, when I noticed my library had all the books for both series, well, I just couldn't leave them there!

As for the last book, Fourth Comings (not cozy), I never read this one. Which is odd because I read the first three books back-to-back. I really like this series and I'm on the wait list for Perfect Fifths, which should be available for pick up any day now.

Still Life by Joy Fielding

Title: Still Life
Author: Joy Fielding
ISBN-10: 1416585273
Pages: 369
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Mystery
Date Finished: April 12

From the dust jacket: Beautiful, happily married, and the onwer of a successful interior design business, Casey Marshall couldn't be more content with her life, until a car slams into her at almost fifty miles an hour, breaking nearly every bone in her body and plunging her into a coma. Lying in her hospital bed, Casey realizes that although she is unable to see or communicate, she can hear everything. She quickly discovers that he friends aren't necessarily the people she hought them to be—and that her accident might not have been an accident at all. As she struggles to break free from her living death, she begins to wonder if what lies ahead could be even worse.

My thoughts: After reading the first few pages, I was immediately hooked. The story begins with Casey eating lunch with her two best friends and the first chapter ends with the hit and run accident. When Casey "wakes" up in her hospital bed and learns she's in a coma, it began to get uncomfortable for me to continue reading. To her family, friends and the hospital staff, Casey was in a coma and her prognosis was grim. For Casey, however, she was trapped inside a body that did not respond, but yet her mind was fully alert. This was really hard for me to read. I began to imagine what it must be like to feel trapped in my own body. The author did a great job with portraying Casey's frustration, anxiety, fear and thoughts of her own mortality.

Soon we realize her accident was indeed intentional. The killer's identity is revealed early, however as Casey's condition continues to improve, the killer must strike again before she gains consciousness. The killer's identity doesn't come as a surprise, but the reader does learn more about his/her past.

Tuesday Teasers

My teaser for this week:



"Janie stopped writing, pushing herself into a memory from her childhood. She hungered for moments like this, when her brain let itself be distracted with events that had occurred before the day her life had come to a grinding, colorless halt."

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday. . .

Read last week:

• Still Life by Joy Fielding
  

Still reading and plan to finish this week:

• Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer
  

Reading this week:

• Shelter Me by Juliette Fay
• Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark
  

Still listening to:

• 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber
  

Sunday Salon

Happy Easter everyone! My morning was spent attending my Easter service at church. I didn't attend the Sonrise service this year, but went to the 8am service instead. My pastor preached a powerful sermon (as he usually does). It's always such a blessing to hear a moving sermon to start the day.

After church I decided to spend some time at Barnes and Noble just to simply browse the shelves and have some me time. I definitely needed to do this for myself. I then came home, made lunch and curled up on my couch to read. I finished reading Still Life by Joy Fielding. I plan to write my review later this week. I'm still reading Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer and listening to 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber.

This week I joined another weekly event hosted by J. Kaye called It's Monday! What are you reading this week? Basically, you list the books you read the previous week and what's on your agenda to read this week. After I discovered this event, I began to think about my own reading schedule. Honestly, I don't have one. I do have an idea which books I would like to read in the current month, but that sometimes changes with my mood or if I check out a "must read" book from the library. I think I may benefit from having a reading schedule, but it needs to be flexible as well. I feel my reading groove is coming back (it was a bit sluggish at the beginning of the year) and I would like to keep it going. But, at the same time, not feel so completely locked in that I start to feel the pressure to read a book just because it's next on my list. There are just so many unread books to choose from (as I discovered today while browsing; the more books I read, the more I feel I have yet to read!). So, next up is Shelter Me by Juliette Fay. I read great reviews about this book and immediately added my name to the wait list.

That's my Sunday. How are you spending your afternoon?

Booking Through Thursday

For something different, I’m borrowing a question from … here! One of the very first questions ever at Booking Through Thursday. Back from 2005 when Laura owned the blog but, because it was so new, it didn’t get as many responses as it does now … so, why not revisit?

Here’s the question:

Some people read one book at a time. Some people have a number of them on the go at any given time, perhaps a reading in bed book, a breakfast table book, a bathroom book, and so on, which leads me to…

1. Are you currently reading more than one book?
   Yes
   
   
2. If so, how many books are you currently reading?
   3 - I am reading Still Life by Joy Fielding (mystery/suspense) and Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer (non-fiction). I'm also listening to 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber.
   
   
3. Is this normal for you?
   On occasion I will read a non-fiction book while reading a mystery or novel. I only read a chapter from the non-fiction book nightly (or every other night), so it may take a week or two to finish. I cannot read more than one novel (fiction, mystery, young adult, chick lit, etc.) simultaneously. I've tried several times and felt more stressed than relaxed. I tend to multitask almost every aspect of my life and I just do not want to add reading to that list. I am, however, amazed with people who can read several books at once.
   
   I can listen to an audio book while reading a novel. I only listen during my commute to and from work (and sometimes while cleaning if I'm bored with my current playlist on my iPod).
   
   
4. Where do you keep your current reads?
   The novel is usually with me. I'm getting in the habit of taking a book with me wherever I go. The non-fiction book is usually on my coffee table near my couch. I do most of my reading on the couch. The audio book is either on a CD or in my iPod. I keep my iPod with me at all times too.
   

Tuesday Teasers

My teaser for this week:

"She didn't hear the car until it was almost on top of her. She was approaching her Lexus, right arm extended, thumb on the button of the remote to unlock the driver's door, when a silver-colored SUV came careening around the corner toward her."

True Colors by Kristin Hannah

Title: True Colors
Author: Kristin Hannah
ISBN-13: 9780312364106
Pages: 393
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: April 5

From the dust jacket: The Grey sisters have always been close. After their mother’s death, the girls banded together, becoming best friends. Their stern, disapproving father cares less about his children than about his reputation. To Henry Grey, appearances are everything, and years later, he still demands that his daughters reflect his standing in the community.

Winona, the oldest, needs her father’s approval most of all. An overweight bookworm who never felt at home on the sprawling horse ranch that has been in her family for three generations, she knows that she doesn’t have the qualities her father values. Bu as the best lawyer in town, she’s determined to someday find a way to prove her worth to him.

Aurora, the middle sister, is the family peacemaker. She brokers every dispute and tries to keep them all happy, even as she hides her own secret pain.

Vivi Ann is the undisputed star of the family. A stunningly beautiful dreamer with a heart as big as the ocean in front of her house, she is adored by all who know her. Everything comes easily for Vivi Ann, until a stranger comes to town. . .

In a matter of moments, everything will change. The Grey sisters will be pitted against one another in ways that none could have imagined. Loyalties will be tested and secrets revealed, and a terrible, shocking crime will shatter both their family and their beloved town.

My thoughts: Overall, I thought this was a good read. It started out a bit slow, but when Dallas Raintree came to town, the story picked up quite a bit and I could not put it down. My only complaint is that I wanted Aurora’s character to be developed more. I thought the author did a good job with Winona and Viva Ann, but I didn’t feel as connected with Aurora as I did the other two.

The book begins in 1979 shortly after their mother's passing. It spans almost three decades and we see how her death still impacted them as adult women. Family loyalty and jealousy are two important themes in this book. Jealousy will cause Winona to do the unthinkable, while Vivi Ann is torn between following her heart and obeying her father’s demands.

Without giving too much away, the reader quickly comes to understand that within the Grey family, buried secrets will always find a way to resurface. Silence is not always the answer, as the past has a way of repeating itself. Living one’s life to always fit in, doesn’t mean one is doing the right thing. Be true to yourself and know that sometimes in life you may just have to stand alone.

Musing Mondays

TBR List

As a follow up to last week's question, Joseph asked how you keep track of your tbr list. Do you have a paper list or on your computer? Do you take it with you when you go shopping? How do you decide what gets added to it?

My original TBR list was first saved in a Word document. I would print it about every other month or so and keep it in my book tote that I took with me to the library. As my list grew from 1-2 pages to 9-10 pages, I stopped printing it.

I then wanted to track more detailed info for each book on my TBR list (where I saw it, if my library owns a copy, ownership worthy, etc.) and it quickly became too complicated to maintain in Word. So I moved it into an Excel spreadsheet last year. That lasted for a few months and I decided I needed to have a way to bring this list with me. I then moved it into Library Thing. That way I can browse my list from my iPhone.

My TBR list now has over 600 books. How can this be? Although I still plan to keep the list on Library Thing (which I now refer to as my "master list"), I've decided to make a new list that will be less overwhelming for me to read from. My maximum number is 100 books. (I'm finding that I need to set limits for myself when it comes to reading. I'm so impulsive when it comes to books, that I easily find myself feeling overwhelmed, therefore my reading is no longer relaxing and care-free.) So far, this list has 35 books.

Another reason I decided to make a new list is due to my lack of enthusiam for reading some of the books on my master list. At one time, I was so excited to read a book, until the next one came along, then the next one and next one. Well, you get my point. Some of the books, I don't remember how I heard about them, what they are about and why I wanted to read them. It is time for a fresh start!

In addition to my TBR list, I also have a list of my unread, purchased books. I'm slowly trying to tackle this project and finally read all the books I've purchased.

What about you? How do you track your TBR list?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I found a new weekly event to participate in. Every Monday, J. Kaye, from J. Kaye's Book Blog asks us to list our recent reads and what we plan to read in the coming week.

Read last week:

• While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky
• True Colors by Kristin Hannah

Started last week, but haven't finished:

• Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer (I will be reading this book for awhile. I'm only reading one chapter each night.)

Reading this week:

• Still Life by Joy Fielding
• Shelter Me by Juliette Fay

Listening to this week:

• 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber
  

Friday Finds

It's been awhile since I last participated in Friday Finds. Here's what I discovered this week:


Title: Hold Back the Dark
Author: Eileen Carr
Summary: Devoted to her troubled clients, clinical psychologist Aimee Gannon never thought she'd be entangled in a murder investigation. But a middle-of-the-night phone call from the Sacramento PD delivers a shock: Aimee's rebellious seventeen-year-old patient Taylor Dawkin could be a suspect in the gruesome murder of her own parents. Traumatized by the events of that fatal night, Taylor is left catatonic...and Aimee is desperate to reach beyond her silence to uncover the truth.

Detective Josh Wolf needs Aimee's help to decipher the clues behind a pattern of rectangles and circles that Taylor drew in blood at the crime scene. Unfortunately, he can't keep his mind off the beautiful psychologist -- those long legs, that irritating stubborn streak. But he can't afford a moment's distraction: After Aimee is attacked, she and Josh must race to uncover Taylor's terrifying secret...before the deadly shadows of the past strike again. (Taken from Barnes & Noble)

Title: Same Difference
Author: Siobhan Vivian
Summary: Emily is ready for a change. She's been in the same town with the same friends for a long time...and none of them really understand her art. But when she goes to Philadelphia for a summer art institute, she suddenly finds like-minded people. One in particular, Fiona, intrigues and challenges her. But there are some things Emily is going to have to find out for herself -- like what the balance is between life and art, and which is more important when push comes to shove. (Taken from Barnes & Noble)


Title: My Life in Pink & Green
Author: Lisa Greenwald
Summary: Twelve-year-old Lucy Desberg is a natural problem solver. After the local homecoming queen shows up at her family’s struggling drugstore with a beauty disaster that Lucy helps to fix, Lucy has a long line of makeover customers for every school dance and bat mitzvah. But all the makeup tips in the world won’t help save the pharmacy. If only she could find a way to make the pharmacy the center of town again—a place where people want to spend time, like in the old days. Lucy dreams up a solution that could resuscitate the family business and help the environment, too. But will Lucy’s family stop fighting long enough to listen to a seventh-grader?

This book is a funny and sweet debut featuring an unforgettable narrator who knows what she wants, whether it’s great makeup, a killer business plan, or a better world. (Taken from Barnes & Noble)

While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky

Title: While My Sister Sleeps
Author: Barbara Delinsky
ISBN-13: 9780385524926
Pages: 319
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: March 29

First sentence: There were days when Molly Snow loved her sister, but this wasn't one.

My review: Robin is the star athlete of the Snow family. All family activities revolve around her running. Molly is the younger sister, always feeling second best to Robin. Even as an adult, Molly continues to struggle living in Robin's shadow. It’s not until Robin’s last run, that the Snow family will finally face the reality of their dynamics.

One that fateful day, Molly was supposed to be with Robin during her long run. True to Robin’s fashion, she changed her running plans at the last minute and expected Molly to accommodate her schedule. Molly, fed up with Robin being inconsiderate, decides to not help Robin and goes about her day as planned. Later that evening, Molly receives a call from the hospital stating Robin has been in an accident and she’s needed at the hospital immediately. Molly blows off the phone call thinking Robin just had another running injury. (after all, she’s had numerous injuries in the past) and takes her time arriving at the hospital. It’s not until she speaks with the doctors, that she learns the severity of Robin’s accident.

Meanwhile, their parents, Kathryn and Charlie Snow, are en route from a trip when Molly calls to tell them about the accident. Molly doesn’t go into detail, but explains to her parents that they should come straight to the hospital. Molly’s brother, Chris, is having marital problems. His wife, Erin, complains that he doesn’t talk with her and is not an active participant in their marriage.

As the Snow family gathers at the hospital, they soon learn Robin’s prognosis is grim. Each has his/her own way of grieving for Robin and what her void will mean to the family.

What effect do the characters in the book have on one another? Each family member has a role that he/she plays well. Charlie is the quiet father, but still has a presence in the family. He keeps Kathryn grounded and is the voice of reason. Kathryn is the overbearing, hardworking wife who wants the best for her children. It comes off that she favors Robin and pushed her far and beyond to be the best runner, however Kathryn has her reasons for doing so. Chris, the middle child, is quiet and takes life as it comes. Initially, he appears to “go with the flow”, but the reader soon learns he’s very passive in his life. Finally, there’s Molly, the youngest. Molly picks up Robin’s slack. She never feels she’s good enough in her mother’s eyes and is expected to do whatever she can to make Robin’s life easier.

As the author reveals more intimate details about the Snow family, the reader quickly begins to see things aren’t as perfect as Kathryn portrays them to be. Molly discovers a family secret and confronts her parents. The reader learns more about Robin through her journal entries once this secret is revealed. My only complaint is I would have liked to have read more of her entries. So much of the family centered around Robin, so at this critical time, I would have wanted to hear more from her as she really is a silent character, with a profound presence.

My thoughts on the ending: The ending doesn’t come as a surprise. The book is mainly about the process that Snow family goes through in order to reach a decision about Robin’s life. Throughout the process, each member will learn how his/her role in the family impacts the family as a whole.

Recommended for readers who like: a good story about family dynamics. If you are a Barbara Delinisky fan, this novel will not disappoint. If you have never read a book by this author, this would be a good place to start.

Booking Through Thursday

Public Library

I saw that National Library week is coming up in April, and that led to some questions. How often do you use your public library and how do you use it? Has the coffeehouse/bookstore replaced the library? Did you go to the library as a child? Do you have any particular memories of the library? Do you like sleek, modern, active libraries or the older, darker, quiet, cozy libraries?

I would say about 90% of the books I read are library books. Prior to this year, I would go to the library at least 4 times each week. Recently, I've started to cut back on my visits and the number of books I have checked out at one time. I've found myself reaching the renewal limit and returning too many books unread. So, my solution was to limit the number of books I have checked out and reduce my weekly library visits. I now go to the library about 1 or 2 times each week. I try to only go when I have books on hold that are ready for pick up.

I did go to the library as a child. My mom would take both my brother and myself every two weeks and from this, my passion for reading developed. I love big libraries, the ones where you can just get lost in. My favorite library is the Mid-Manhattan Branch on 5th Avenue in NYC. I prefer the sleek, modern libraries.

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

Title: Handle with Care
Author: Jodi Picoult
ISBN-10: 0743296419
Pages: 477
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: March 22

From the dust jacket: Things break all the time. Day breaks, waves break, voices break. Promises break. Hearts break. Every expectant parent will tell you that they don’t want a perfect baby, just a healthy one. Charlotte and Sean O’Keefe would have asked for a healthy baby, too, if they’d been give the choice. Instead, their lives are made up of sleepless nights, mounting bills, the pitying stares of “luckier” parents, and maybe worst of all, the what-ifs. What if their child had been born healthy? But it’s all worth it because Willow is, well, funny as it seems, perfect. She’s smart as a whip, on her way to being as pretty as her mother, kind, brave, and for a five-year-old an unexpectedly deep source of wisdom. Willow is Willow, in sickness and in health.

Everything changes, though, after a series of events forces Charlotte and her husband to confront the most serious what-ifs of all. What if Charlotte should have known earlier of Willow’s illness? What if things could have been different? What if their beloved Willow had never been born? To do Willow justice, Charlotte must ask herself these questions and one more. What constitutes a valuable life?

First sentence: Things break all the time.

My review: When I first started reading Handle with Care, I immediately thought of My Sister’s Keeper. The similarities between the two novels were hard to ignore. As I began to read more, I quickly forgot about My Sister’s Keeper and found myself easily immersed in the story.
Charlotte and Sean O’Keefe were trying to have a baby. Just when they started to give up hope, Charlotte found out she was pregnant. Fortunately for Charlotte, her best friend Piper, is an OB-GYN. Despite their personal relationship, Piper agrees to be Charlotte’s physician. This decision will later haunt Piper.

Charlotte gives birth to Willow, a beautiful girl who is diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta or OI. Sean and Charlotte devote all their time and attention to Willow to make sure she gets the proper care. When they decide to take a family vacation with their oldest daughter, Amelia, the world as they know it will forever be changed.

The events that occurred during their vacation will lead Charlotte down the path, which some may easily say is harsh, unnecessary and selfish. But is it? It’s easy for one to be quick and judge Charlotte for what she decides to do, however the judgment is based on just a small portion of what you currently see. It’s not based on Charlotte’s life 24/7.

What Charlotte decides to do, to her, is best for Willow, while at the same time it destroys others’ lives. While it may appear as though this was an easy decision for Charlotte to make, she struggles with it daily. While she’s looking out for Willow’s future, she’s also sacrificing her marriage and the relationship she has with Amelia. She’s also ruining her best friend’s career, not to mention her self-worth.

True to Ms. Picoult’s style, Handle with Care will touch upon ethical issues, leaving the reader thinking long after the story has ended.

My thoughts on the ending: Early in the book, I knew how the story would end. After I read the last sentence, I wondered if Ms. Picoult did this intentionally. Having said that, the event that occurred at the end, was disappointing to me. All that happened, and this is how the story ended? It was a bit odd to me. I thought perhaps the ending could have remained the same, however the event that led up to the ending could have been different. I don’t want to reveal too much, as I’m afraid I will spoil the ending!

Random thoughts: Jodi Picoult quickly became a favorite author after I read My Sister’s Keeper in 2007. Since that time, I’ve been reading her books, with the goal of reading them all (I have six more to read). Nineteen Minutes is my favorite of hers. It was such an emotional read. I’ve attended three of her book signings and encourage all of her devoted readers to RUN, not walk, if she’s coming to your city. She’s fun and energetic and very personable. To anyone who has never read any of her books, I recommend, Nineteen Minutes, My Sister’s Keeper, The Pact, Change of Heart, Salem Falls and A Perfect Match.