Oh My Stars by Lorna Landvik

My book club decided to read another Lorna Landvik book called Oh My Stars. We had a very lively discussion because the book was fast moving and fascinating! The story follows Violet , a young girl growing up in the Depression and follows her incredible life and adventures. From a horrible childhood, a terrible accident, an unexpected meeting with two musicians who change her life, and Violet’s blossoming to an intelligent, savvy, humorous and compassionate woman the story moves quickly and is absolutely riveting. None of us could put it down until we finished it!
GG

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik

Last year my Book Club read Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik and we all loved it. If follows a disparate group of neighbor women in Minnesota who form lasting friendships, due to the formation of their own book club! They discover that they all like reading, especially during those long, cold Minnesota winters and come together once a month to discuss books. Over the years, these five women, who are all as different from each other as can be, share their lives, heartaches, and joys with each other. One woman had an underprivileged background and when violence unexpectedly touches her neighbor, she reacts quickly to save her friend. Her childhood survival instincts kicked in and past secrets are revealed.
GG

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

Just when you think that you know what the "choice" is that Gabby Holland must make, the narrative skips ahead 11 years to a crucial choice that Travis Parker must make. Sparks conveys the glow of happy memories in describing the picnic and parasailing day Gabby and Travis have together. He also knows the draining emotional experience of waiting at a loved ones hospital bedside. A light, quick read. Janice Sherman

Disposable People by Kevin Bales

The subtitle tells it all: New Slavery in the Global Economy.
Slavery has existed since mankind formed agricultural settlements. Modern slavery differs from older forms of slavery in that legal ownership is avoided, very low purchase cost is combined with very high profits, there is a surplus of potential slaves, the relationship is short term, the slaves are disposable (the "owner" take no responsibility for maintaining the health of the "slaves"), and ethnic differences are not important. One chapter is devoted to slavery in each of the following countries: Thailand, Mauritania, Brazil, Pakistan, and India. Of course, officially slavery does not exist. In India, for example, we find "attached" workers. This is a grim topic but the writing is fluid. A disturbing view of the hopeless lives that far too many people are born into.
Janice Sherman

Lethally Blonde by Kate White (Mystery)

Bailey Weggins, former crime reporter, now works for a Hollywood gossip magazine, specializing in "celebrity crime". The New York City setting is described in such detail that you could follow in Bailey's footsteps the next time you visit. Her romantic dilemma, choosing between the handsome, young, hunk and the possible soul-mate,documentary film director vies with the murder mystery for the reader's attention. Light weight mystery with an interesting heroine.
Janice Sherman

Farewell My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living by Doug Fine

Doug Fine (frequently heard on NPR) lives a sustainable life style in a remote New Mexican river valley. He buys 2 goats, plants a garden, makes his own gas from used vegetable oil, installs solar panels and generally lives off the grid. I learned a lot from this book - mostly, I will starve, freeze and die if our infrastructure fails! I feel horribly guilty eating, breathing and using my car. But I sure do admire Doug Fine and how he is living. He should be an inspiration and although I found his book humorous he was also wildly depressing. Is there little hope for my grandchildren? And why do people even want children! Forget the USA because China and India have so many people using up the earth's resources they will make us selfish, hoggish Americans look like Amish!

Shakespeare: The World As Stage by Bill Bryson

This is an enjoyable book for general readers. Bryson is very honest about how little we know about the man who influenced the English language. For instance, two of the three images we have of Shakespeare were created after his death and he suggests that we really don't even know how to accurately spell his name. The chapter on the first folio was fascinating as was the chapter on the controversy surrounding if Shakespeare was in fact the author of his works. Bryson's book was a pleasant beginner's biography of Shakespeare. Ann

PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL by Dan Ariely 658.8

This behavioral economist has created some interesting experiments to test theories about choices people make. He shows that context matters, "free" sometimes leads us astray, strong emotions influence our judgement, the effect of "social norms" versus "market norms", discusses proscrastination versus self-control (as in meeting deadlines!), the effect of expectations and what makes us more honest. Whew! Will I ever be able to make a decision without thinking of this book? Janice

Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness

by Richard H. Thaler. 658.8THA

What is a "nudge"? As used here, it is a way of structuring people's choices to make it easy to choose that which will make their life better, without taking away a person's freedom of choice. "Putting fruit at eye level (in a cafeteria line) counts as a nudge. Banning junk food does not." (p.6).
When do we need a nudge? People need nudges for decisions that are difficult and rare, where there are multiple choices, and lack prompt feedback. Examples are: choosing an investment portfolio or signing up for Medicare Part D. The authors don't just complain about the current state of affairs, they offer positive suggestions on how to change procedures to make the outcome the best for all concerned.
My favorite statement was the one regarding signs in a national park: the "positive" statement describing the desired behavior and outcome was more effective than the "negative, informational one" (p. 67).
Janice

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

The premise of the book is interesting. Good discussion could be had about the ethics of designing a baby as a donor to another family member who is ill.
- LY