The Winter People

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The Winter People

Jennifer McMahon

Doubleday: 2014, 317 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

This story flips back and forth between various characters all in a different point of time, beginning in the early 1900s to present time.  They all are affected by goings on at West Hall, a small town in Vermont, and an area of creepy land named Devil’s Hand.  It is a captivating ghost story that keeps the reader wondering up to the end.  I found myself wishing there were photographs to go along with the book.  It was a quick and easy read that I enjoyed and look forward to more by the same author.

My Brilliant Friend

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My Brilliant Friend

Elena Ferrante

Europa Editions: 2011, 331 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

My Brilliant Friend is a novel translated from Italian.  I found it hard to follow in some parts, but the story line did keep me interested.  It basically interweaves the lives to two girls as they grow up into young women.  It details the paths they take and how each led to a traditional life or something a bit different.  The author did an excellent job showing how girls are friends and yet dislike one another at times.  There are more books in the series and I want to read to find out more about their paths in life.

The House at Riverton

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The House at Riverton

Kate Morton

Macmillan Pan Books: 2006, 599 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

This novel goes back and forth from present time to the past of one character, Grace.  In present day, she is at the end of her life and begins to reminisce about an old mystery that she was involved with during her time as a servant on a large estate.  The story of that time is being made into a movie and the makers consult her on some details.  This makes her return to that time and the reader slowly unravels the mysterious events.  I enjoyed this debut novel by Kate Morton, and I read it because I loved her book The Forgotten Garden, however the latter was noticeably much better.

The Nightingale

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The Nightingale

Kristin Hannah

St. Martin's Press: 2015, 440 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

In The Nightingale, two sisters learn to survive in war-torn France in the 1930's.  Each takes a different path and struggles to stay alive, while at the same time helping others, as the Germans take over every aspect of their lives.  This story is heart wrenching and contains heroism that makes it worth the read.

The Forgotten Garden

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The Forgotten Garden

Kate Morton

Pan Books: 2008, 648 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

This story takes place over three generations and each chapter alternates between them.  It revolves around the mystery of the birth of Nell and her mother's life and her granddaughter's quest to find the truth.  The reader is taken on a journey to discover Nell's family's past and how she came to be adopted and who her true parents were.  I enjoyed the story and the many layers of secrets that were slowly uncovered between the different points in time.

The Light Between Oceans

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The Light Between Oceans

M.L. Stedman

Scribner: 2012, 343 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

The Light Between Oceans follows the life of a lighthouse keeper, his relationship with his wife, the solitude of living remotely, and their desire for a child.  It is a feel good story, and I don't want to give it away at all, but I liked the writing style and would recommend it, although the premise was a bit far fetched.  I suppose it could happen, but it's doubtful.  I think it will make a great movie and look forward to its release later this year.

The Girl on the Train

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The Girl on the Train

Paula Hawkins

Riverhead Books: 2015, 325 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

Rachel, a recently divorced and depressed woman, takes a commuter train each work day and observes her old street from the window.  One day she notices something odd and subsequently involves herself in a mystery.  This book definitely seems to be written for Gone Girl fans as it has some similarities.  However, the character development is a bit shallow and I found it hard to follow at first because the chapters switch from different characters in first person.  That being said, it did keep me interested and I read it in one day.  I found the ending predictable but not disappointing.  

I am Malala

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I Am Malala

Malala Yousafzai

Little, Brown and Company: 2013, 327 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

An inspirational account of Malala Yousafzai's life leading up to her attack by the Taliban for speaking out about the right of girls to obtain an education.  The book weaves through little tales of her life and shows how she was raised by her father to be a leader and stand up for what she believed.  It seemed a lot of the stories were thought of in hindsight of what she accomplished, but that didn't take away from the encouraging message that we can all make a difference.

Brooklyn

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Brooklyn

Colm Tóibín

Scribner: 2009, 262 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

Eilis Lacey changes her life in the 1950s by leaving her family in a small town in Ireland for work in America.  This coming of age story is set in Brooklyn, New York, and allows the reader to follow Eilis's struggle to fit into society with other immigrants and Americans.  She struggles through being homesick, through her first love, and her friendships with other women.  She makes choices, sometimes that she comes to second guess, but she is strong and lives with her decisions.

The Blue Castle

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The Blue Castle

L.M. Montgomery

McClelland and Stewart: 1926, 218 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

A 29 year old girl, afraid of never being loved or married, has a total transformation due to a health diagnosis.  Valancy has lived with her overbearing mother her whole life, she decides to break out of her shell and do whatever she wants to make the most of her life.  Her story is nice and has a good twist at the end.  I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for light and happy reading.

My Cousin Rachel

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My Cousin Rachel

Daphne du Maurier

Doubleday: 1951, 352 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

**Warning - this review contains spoilers!

Philip Ashley is heir to his older cousin, Ambrose.  They both live simple lives until Ambrose marries an Italian woman named Rachel.  He dies suddenly and Philip is set to inherit his estate when he turns 25, in less than a year.  Philip had received mysterious notes from his cousin and had went to check on him in Florence.  He was too late and Rachel was gone as well.  Upon his return to England, Rachel came to his house.  No arrangements had been made for her to have any property or money.  She stays with Philip and over time, he falls in love with her and eventually gives her everything, but she does not return his affection.  The story had the reader wondering if she is sincere or if she possibly murdered Ambrose and is money-hungry.  The question is never fully answered as she has an accident in the end, and dies, and all the property and money revert back to Philip.  I enjoyed the thrill of the book, but did feel that it dragged on and the story could have been told in much less time.