Although I slogged through the first half of this book and considered quitting several times, I flew through the second half of Skippy Dies, Paul Murray's second novel. Set in a Dublin Catholic boarding school for boys, we know from the title that Skippy dies.

What we learn from the book is just how this death affected his friends, his enemies, and the school community at large. Murray brilliantly captures the inner life of boarding school boys (sex and girls play a large part) and each quirky character came to life for me. As the school's administration tries to get on with life as normal after Skippy's death, the author shows how the event forces the adults in the book to come to terms with long-simmering issues of their own and his classmates to grow up. There is so much going on in this book, I wasn't sure how the author would tie up all the loose ends, but he does so in a stunning and brilliant conclusion. Stick with this one, and you won't be sorry.

--Recommended by Ellen

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Paul, who has had a bad day at work, stops at an isolated park to unwind before heading home. The only other person he encounters is a man savagely beating his dog. It can happen.

From the beginning of this book, I strongly identified with Paul who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and wondered what I might have done in such a situation. Although I’ve never read anything by this author before, I will definitely find him again. His writing was gorgeous and the characters completely believable. This would be an excellent book for a book club to discuss.

--Recommended by Ellen

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The movie “Slumdog Millionaire” is loosely based on this book. I found the two to be very different experiences and stories. Ram Mohammad Thomas comes to a life through a series of stories depicting his life as an orphan in India. As his story progresses the reader is introduced to a colorful array of characters including an Australian conspiracy theorist, a ruthless hit man, and an aging actress who cannot let go of her former glory. From the grandeur of the Taj Mahal to the horrors of a home for orphans, Q&A is an unforgettable ride through the life of a transient orphan in a country rich with history and culture.

--Recommended by Haley

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--Recommended by Nate

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Warm, moving account a family coping with loss. Character-driven, slow in pace, beautiful.

--Recommended by Andrea

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Introverts unite! This book is a revelation ... How I wish I had known this stuff 20 years ago! Can't put this book down...

--Recommended by Andrea

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An engaging and fascinating read. Rothfuss creates a world you can sink into, and a character you love. This book gripped me from the opening pages and did not let me go until I reached the end- and then I hungrily reached for the next book in the series. This is fantasy done with a fresh, brilliant voice. Rothfuss is to be praised for his skilled hand at writing.

--Recommended by Heather

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This is one I'll have to read again (or listen to since I've heard the audio book is excellent) because I read it too fast to properly appreciate the exquisite writing. Despite that, I just loved this book. The characters were quite well-drawn and the Mississippi setting was almost a character in itself---it felt real and palpable. The story was filled with twists and turns and still the author kept me guessing until the very end. The book club rated the book about an 8.5 and we had lots to discuss. Highly recommended.

--Recommended by Ellen

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Of all the books I've read about near-death experiences, this one was probably my favorite. The fact that the author was a nominal Christian and not only a doctor, but a neurosurgeon, made his conclusions that there is life after death even more remarkable.

This hard-core scientist had heard of, and summarily dismissed, the entire concept of NDEs until he himself experienced one and none of his scientific training could explain the mystery of what he saw and heard during the time he was in a coma.

I expect that Dr. Alexander will write more books because I got the sense that he's still 'unpacking' his experiences and his thoughts and feelings about them. I look forward to hearing more from this author.

--Recommended by Ellen

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--Recommended by Susie

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