Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett

Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a very big book telling a very big story. The facts were seamlessly intertwined with story telling. The final installment of the Century Trilogy and probably the best that I have ever read.

The thoroughly engrossing story of the century continues with the civil rights movement in the US and the assassinations of John Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bob Kennedy. Also the lives of the different families in East and West Berlin and Russia and the building and tearing down of the wall.

Mr. Follett brings these topics to life in a way that we can all understand and relate to. It definitely brought me to tears many times, and most especially the ending (which I will not give away here).

Personally I learned so much from this trilogy, things that have been happening right during my lifetime and the struggles, while I have been just living in peace. Its a very important message for everyone and highly recommended. To have the right flow of the story, you will read the books in order; Fall of Giants, Winter of the World and Edge of Eternity.



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The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The mystery of a painting belonging to Olivia Halston but challenged by the remaining family of the artist. Somehow I could not get close to the characters in this book and the story didn't make me curious about the origins of the painting. The characters especially were shallow, with the exception of the time in France just before and during WWI.

I guess I thought that a "picture" was nothing compared to the suffering of human beings during the wars. I also found it frustrating that they kept mentioning nazi's since they didn't exist in WWI. That crossover just didn't work for me.

I have loved every book by Jojo Moyes so far, but this was was not up to the mark for me.



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Skin by Mo Hayder

Skin by Mo Hayder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A book in this series with the characters Jack Caffrey and Flea Marly is like a comfortable visit with very good friends. I look forward to the next installment each time I finish one.

Jack is in Bristol and working as a DI, but not really a very good team player. In this novel he is still very worried about a previous murder that he doesn't feel ended with the actual killer being brought to justice. Meanwhile Flea discovers just how much of a wimp her younger brother is and is refusing to own up to his responsibilities.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

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Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening by Carol Wall

Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening by Carol Wall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful story about friendship and healing. A woman, Carol, with serious health issues decides that she should create a better looking garden view for her neighbours. They have neglected their yard for many years and she has noticed that others in the area have lovely gardens.

She asks her neighbour if she would share her gardener and this is a turning point for her. Her gardener, Mr. Owita, becomes her greatest friend.

A lesson to us all.

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Wake by Anna Hope

Wake: A Novel by Anna Hope
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a terrific book. Very few authors have the ability to really get into my heart and touch me like this.

It is two years since the end of the WWI. Families are trying to carry on without their husbands, fathers, brothers and fiances'. It is extremely difficult to put the war behind you, especially after suffering such terrible losses.

The story follows the choosing and interment of the unknown soldier, placed in Westminister on November 11, 1920 at 11am.

This story brought the war to life for me and I thought about my grandfather, who served in WWI, to my thoughts and a realization of what he actually did and his generation did, for all of us.



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A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great read. A man named Ove pronounced ooova, is widowed. Six months after his wife died, he was made redundant at his job and he decided that life was not worth living without his wife and his job.

On the surface he is a very grumpy old man, but when a new family moves in next door with two young girls, a lack luster husband and a pregnant wife, things gradually begin to change.

A thoroughly enjoyable book, highly recommended.

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