In Fannie Flagg's last book, she writes about Elmwood Springs, MO, and , well, seemingly everybody in that town. I found myself having to breeze over some of the particulars as there are so many dang characters that I was a bit lost at times over who was whose son/daughter/ neighbor/husband/wife/great niece (really), etc. While the sentiment is the same as her other books, there is a fair slice of mysticism and some fatalism, too. I loved some parts, liked others, and cringed at a few MAGA-esque moments. Overall, enjoyable, light and a quick read. Maybe just give her a pass when indicated because she's elderly?

Read our story and you'll get the dirt on how this book spawned a book club. That episode aside, this book may rock your ideas about what you think a gang leader would be like. Furthermore, it brings to light some social and/or business practices which have a damning ripple effect.

Truth is stranger than fiction, as they say, and this is a good example. Scientology and its practices are laid bare in this damning expose. Lawrence Wright is quite bold, seemingly holding nothing back in this scathing and terrifying tell-all. I don't want to give too much away, but as you read along, you realize how much the author risked in putting it all down on paper, because, well, read it and see for yourself. At times the pace slows, but the occasional slog is well worth it. The murkiness of this "religion" (which unsurprisingly does not share the main tenets of the "Big Five"), created by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard, is brought to light as it is obvious that he was making things up as he went along, crafting a society that revered him and catered to his whims. Chilling.

Poor Emma, scholar at heart and most definitely ahead of her time, rolled the dice and married Carl, instead of the family friend that seemed like a shoo-in. Carl, marcher-to-a-different-drummer that he was, encouraged Emma to continue her pursuits of knowledge and study, instead of limiting herself to house and home. At least that's how things seemed. As it turns out, "Physician heal thyself" applied to Carl (one of the fathers of shrinkdom) in an alarming way. He had layers of psychological issues, perhaps genetic, and perhaps as a result of childhood trauma. Moreover, it turns out that he wasn't quite as enlightened as it had seemed at the outset of their relationship. Interesting, deeply researched, and enlightening, this book tells the sometimes happy, sometimes not, story of this brilliant but troubled duo.

One we all should read--quirky and fun with illustrations sprinkled throughout. Of course there are some cringe-worthy moments because of the accepted lingo of the time; the assumption that he was criticizing such prejudice helps a bit. Getting your momentum going will help you get through the occasional slowdown. Worth the effort.

You want some info on the Mayans? Here you go. Details, illustrations (always a plus), descriptions from workaday routines to gruesome rituals take you back. Although it's probably not quite up to date anymore, it is still an interesting little read.

This quick read tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, a 12-year-old girl trying to figure out who the heck she's going to be, a struggle most of us have gone through. A unique style, refreshing and enchanting.

Gabriel knows how to weave a tale, but that doesn't mean the people he creates are nice. So the reading was easy but I'm sure glad I don't have to hang around with the character who is supposedly in "love" with Fermina. Sounded like a narcissist to me.

This fantastical narrative centers around young Antonio and his mentor, the curandera, Ultima. It was a tad mystical for me, but definitely well-written. Just not my genre.

James wraps it up with this one--every bit as good as the prior three. ~sigh~

Based on a real story, this book delves into a rare book expert's foray into analyzing the Sarajevo Haggadah. In doing so, she finds teeny weeny treasures tucked into the binding. It's tracing the history of these fingerprints of time that gives us the depth of this book, but alas, for me, I felt that I was slogging through the excessive particulars of this journey. For the right person, this could be a gem, though.

This true family saga is just incredible, complete with drama, mystery, family secrets, and humor. I loved it, even reading it in Spanish and taking about a year to do it.