Filling in for Kristin K. (escapeartistk).  Pick any contemporary book that interests you.  List it with a brief statement reflecting your reactiions.  No limit, no minimum number.

1.  The Lotus Eaters: A Novel by Tatjana Soli, in process

2.  The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda, 3/19/2023, 4 stars. When a six year old girl named Arden, known to be sleepwalker, disappears during a rainstorm, townspeople fear she has been swept away by the waters. Rescued, her survival is deemed a miracle.  Twenty years later she receives a box of her mom's belongings and begins sleepwalking again.   Awakening one night she is standing over a dead man and is sure she didn't murder him.  And, the mystery that began with her disappearance so long ago unwinds.

3.  In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende, Nick Caistor (Translator), Amanda Hopkinson (Translator). 4/3/2023, 4 stars.  Wonderful read about an awesome artist who worked on his art until he died.  To be an artist, he said, start young and continue all through your life.  And, comment from the artist stated that he was an artist who happened to be an Indian.  The natural world was his motivation in whatever medium he chose to use.

4.  The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, 6/10/2023, 5 stars.  This a wonderful read that delves into the life of child who is different from others in that he was born with red eyes,  a rare eye phenomena that many people do not understand.  The lack of understanding leads of traumatic incidents for the child with both adults and other children.  He becomes known as lthe devil child based on their fear of the unusual.  It's a theme that demonstrates how difference affect not only children but the lives of their families.   This a new author but his sensitive writing and the depth of the story will lead me to other books by this talented individual.

5.  Precious and Grace (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 17) by Alexander McCall Smith, 6/25/2023, 3 stars.  Enjoy this series because it gives one a glimpse into the culture of an African nation.  These books are easy, calm reading and rather fun to pick up occasionally.

6.  The Story Hour: A Novel by Thrity Umrigar, 7/

7.  Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo

8.  Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

9.  Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo

10.  Before I Go by Colleen Oakley, 9/29/2023, 4 stars.  How does one deal with the knowledge that one has a terminal disease?  Do any of us really know?  Not until or unless it happens to us.  This book explores how a couple deals with a shortened life.  Daisy had breast cancer and with treatment she lived cancer free for four years.  However, it came back with a vengence and the life she thought she would have soon shattered as she started to deal with the reality of months to live, not always well.  The author explores the phases of how she copes with her upcoming death through Daisy's voice and her various health givers.  It was hard, so hard.  Finally, she finds the key to just take advantage of each day and enjoy it to the fullest because she knows her time is limited.

11. The Moon the Stars and Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan, 11 WL (doesn't come up under title, search author instead), 3 stars

12.  The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende, 11/21/2023, 4 stars

13.  The Giant's House by Elizabeth McCracken, 3 stars.

14.  This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel, 12/26/2023, 5 stars.  A difficult but intriguing read.  A family of five boys discover that their youngest son is a girl in a boy's body.  Coping with all that happens as they realize that this is a child loved and protected by all family members.  First they question if this is a phase.  When they know that it is not they must help him meet a world that may not understand who he really is.

So....any genre?  I'm not sure if I'll do very well with it being so open ended, but willing to give it a try.  

Found you! I'm usually on my phone and it's difficult to find all the options. I'm currently reading The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemison. I will comment on it when I finish. I just started it, so it will be awhile.

1.  Fifth Season (Broken Earth, Bk 1) by N.K. Jemison

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemison. Winner of the Hugo Award. This is a fantasy novel that begins with the words, "Let's start with the end of the world." The setting is a land known as the Stillness, but really, nothing is still. It's marked by earthquakes, known as shakes, that happen frequently. Periodically, a "season" occurs, which is a major disaster that causes long periods of suffering. There are orogenes who can control the power of the earth, but they are shunned because they frighten people, and they themselves can be controlled by Guardians. The storyline follows three female characters who each follow their own journey of discovery. There is an appendix that is very helpful because of all the terms used in all parts of the Stillness and a catalog of Fifth Seasons. I can't even comprehend how someone can come up with something like this book. The imagination and skill it takes to create this story is mind blowing. 
 

2. Next up.The Obelisk Gate (Broken Earth, Bk 2)   by N.K. Jemison