This book is somewhat difficult to read, for all its descriptions and random characters. But at its heart, its a sweet story of countryside romance. I'll bet people loved it back in the day, for its realistic depictions of Cornish life. If you get confused, just use Shmoop to help you figure it out.

After Crazy Rich Asians, I was a bit nervous about this one, especially because of the negative press Wednesday Martin has received. Who knows how much of that is hoards of embarrassed women trying to salvage their reputations, or how much Martin exaggerated to get her book published. Whatever the case, I'm of the camp that truth is stranger than fiction, and this book illustrates that among the upper elite. If you like celebrity culture, this will be an interesting read. Also, it really makes you want a Birkin bag for a hot minute.

Still Alice is a very personal read. I felt so much sympathy for Alice right away, and I could only see her getting worse. Time and finality are some of the underlying themes of this book about a disease that only has one outcome. Some of Alice's family choose to focus on the present and Alice's current wants and desires. Some want to focus on the future and the inevitable. ("She won't know what she wants in a year.") Choice is also a central theme. Some family members say that Alice would never have wanted her disease to burden their lives. Some say she's their mother, and she'd never be a burden, Alzheimer's or not. There are no easy answers, and Lisa Genova provides none.

I don't often put myself in the place of fictional characters, but I think everyone who reads this book wonders what it would be like to have early-onset Alzheimer's. Still Alice isn't fancy nor is its plot complicated. Its an "easy read." Yet it hits home for its themes about aging, disease, and death.

Recommended to anyone who's been impacted by degenerative disease and anyone who's felt isolated due to mental illness.

Another Book Club read, and I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. But I'm glad I did; Phil Klay has something to say. The book practically screams at the reader to take it seriously. The twelve short stories stories are fictional, first person, from different perspectives. One that stuck out in particular was Bodies, or Mortuary Affairs. Another, a chaplain. Klay's style is succinct (see quotes below) with no fuss or frills. Just plain speak, lots of references to violence, sex with or without others, abuse, racism, and corruption. It's also ridiculous, sometimes funny, childish, and raw. One of the most troublesome scenes didn't even have to do with the war in Afghanistan; rather (caution: its gross)

it takes place at a strip club, where a private on home leave thinks it would be funny to heat up some quarters so a stripper can burn the s*** out of her vagina.

That's what war does to our men and women. Eats them, gasses them, and s**** them out. Phil Klay's is just one voice that will resonate, disturb, and cry out to us.

Recommended for mature readers, as there is a lot of graphic references, swear words, and sexual content. If you want to know what war is really like, read this book.

Quotes:

Getting back feels like your first breath after nearly drowning. Even if it hurts, it feels good. (Redeployment, page 8)

"How long have we been here?" "Two and a half months." "Right. And how much f***** up s*** have we seen? And she's been here for years." I supposed that was true. But you don't just shrug off your brother getting shot in front of you." (After Action Report, page 49)

There were times, after dealing with the remains, when I'd grab a piece of my flesh and pull it back so I could see it stretch, and I 'd think, This is me, this is all I am. (Bodies, page 67)

I read this for a book club, which I'm going to tonight. The synopsis on the back is short, so I had no idea what to expect. Initially, I thought this book had lots of great elements - quirky characters like Jeremy Johnson Johnson, Ginger Boultinghouse, and Sheriff Pittswort. There are references to fairy tales and the Brothers Grimm, a sweet teen romance, and a quiz show.

And yet, the characters remain caricatures, except possibly for Jacob the omniscient narrator. Jeremy is under Ginger's spell from the beginning and never seems to think for himself. Ginger is upbeat and bossy. I'm all for girl power, but I think relationships should be a partnership.

It reminds me a lot of "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman. Both slightly dark and cobbled together with bits of other stories, it didn't deliver memorable characters.

Quotes:
Ginger said, "My grandfather says there's no point in traveling. He says all that happens when you go far, far away is that you discover you brought yourself along." (page 29)

Well, the grammar was poor, but the sentiment was kind. (page 205)