The Irish Inheritance
by M J Lee

To begin with - this is my favorite of books I read for the Summer. Genealogy and Mystery combined. A dying old Adopted American Billionaire hires a Genealogy Detective to find out who his real father was. With 3 main clues Jayne Sinclair (former police detective) begins a search that spans years from 1920's Irish fight for Independence to present middle 2000's. John Hughes only has about a month to live and Jayne only has 8 days to find John answers to who he is. History of Ireland - situations with Jayne's home life(not good) - then someone/s all of a sudden are coming at her from a direction that appears to be trying to stop Jayne from continuing search and her life is definitely at risk. Super story line (in my opinion) with twists and I was so "pleased" with myself when at the last "clue" I actually was so happy that I figured out the history of Mr. Hughes and how he became the adopted son of he Hughes - even that was the final twist. Such a delightful story told side by side in past and current time. Did she found answers to his question in time. Oh I will not tell you - read and found out for yourself. Plan to read more of Mr. Lee's series about Genealogy Detective Sinclair.
 
 

The Abbey
by Chris Culver

A detective - murder mystery - story with the added story line of the Muslim religion. Abe's dedication and obligations to be faithful to daily prayers while trying to solve murder case of his niece. Also he has serious drinking problem which is related to all the years he has seen too much death. His wife is trying to help and sticking with him, but how long will that will last.
 
 

Portrait of a Lighthouse School
by Claudia Keenan

A history of Bronxville School from 1922 - 1997. With photos, individual stories - reaching back 75 years - the commitment of the Leaders, Parents, Community to bring to Bronxville, NY the very best possible Education for their Children began and this book celebrates the beginnings, plans, visions that result in a history that should be read and read again and say a "Thank You" for the publication of this valuable history of Bronxville, NY and the community's pledge then and now for the best possible education of its children.
 
 

Camino Winds
by John Grisham

A follow up on Camino Island - same characters in a new murder situation about Nursing Homes. Scary to find out what is perhaps going on to our family members that have to live in nursing homes.
 
 

Killer Year - Stories To Die For
by Lee Child(Edited by)

A collection of short Crime Stories by 2007 up and coming new authors. Good way to "discover" new authors and check out their style of reading.
 
 

Life from Scrat
by Sasha Martin

It is a very interesting book about food across the world. I found the recipes and background stories about the food and the countries interesting. I have lived overseas for 12 years and enjoyed cooking some of the food that I had eaten in my own travels. Ms. Martin weaved in her family background and her memories of her travels. She committed herself to cook a meal from 175 countries. I loved trying the recipes and comparing them to those that I had accumulated during my own travels.
 
 

Where'd You Go Bernadette
by Maria Semple

For me, this is a strange story told in a genre that I wasn't familiar with. It's the epistolary style. I would have given up if the book weren't a book club choice for August. I had trouble liking the characters at first. By the end of the story, I felt sorry for Bea, the daughter. She seemed the only person who was looking for her mother and who tried to hold her family together. The plot involves around a mother who goes missing prior to a family trip to Antartica. We follow the family and their friends and co-workers via emails, personal letters, police and medical reports, and notes. Bea who's 15 years old and now in boarding school receives all these notes and she tries to figure out where her mother could have escaped to. She's so preoccupied by this turn of events that she's asked to leave the boarding school and persuades her father to take her to Antartica. She wants to find out where her mother has gone to. While on this search, Bea and her father finally managed to have a heart to heart, honest conversation. At the end, she's reunited with her mother. This was a very different type of book that I'm used to. I'm looking forward to see the movie and to the various discussions during the book club meeting.
 
 

The Silver Boat
by Luanne Rice

This novel takes place on Martha Vineyard. It is about three sisters who have suffered in their own way by the disappearance of their father. After their mother's death, they traveled to Ireland to find some answers. Upon their return home, the sisters are finally able to move forward with their lives and make peace with their past. I recommend the book. It is a story of love, sorrow, forgiveness and moving forward in the future.
 
 

This Tender Land By Krueger William Kent
by William Kent Krueger

I really enjoyed this book. The author has a real feel for the era and the hardships that people endured. Throughout their journey the main characters face many challenges. But even when things hopeless somehow goodness prevails. A good lesson for today.
 
 

Oh Say Can You Say By Dr. Seuss
by Dr Seuss Books

Lila loves it!