Monday, February 14, 2011

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult's new book, Sing You Home is a must read and a real page turner!

Zoe Baxter and her husband Max have just lost another baby. After years of attempting to have one, this loss is too much for Max. Knowing that Zoe will insist on continuing with fertility treatments attempting once more to have a baby, he realizes he simply can't try anymore. He is done, he can't go through another loss. He files for divorce.

Max turns to alcohol to drown his sorrows. After a near fatal car accident he turns to his brother's pastor for help and joins the church where he finds forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding. Living with his brother Reid and his sister-in-law Liddy also presents a few issues of there own.

Zoe suffers from depression, for not only did she lose her husband, but she also agonizes through another more devastating loss--she needs a hysterectomy which will forever prevent her from having a baby of her own. In time Zoe turns to her best friend Vanessa, where she finds unconditional love, compassion, and understanding. Zoe and Vanessa soon get married and decide to start a family.

Zoe wants the frozen embryos that she and Max have at the clinic where they underwent all their invitro treatments. This would be her only chance of having a biological baby with Vanessa. The problem arises when the clinic needs both Zoe and Max's signatures. What lies ahead is a battle ending up in a courtroom.

Who decides whom would make better parents? Two parents; one male, one female? Two parents, both male? Two parents, both female?

Who decides what home would be better for a child? One which practices a religion, or one which does not?

What happens when people from the outside judge what is right and what is wrong?

Jodi Picoult has once again written a controversial story with such openness, empathy, and insight that you'll want to keep reading and reading till you get to the end!

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Last Time I Saw You

Have you ever been invited to or attended one of your high school class reunions? Do you remember contemplating should I go or should I skip it? Who would be there that I would like to see? I wonder what a certain friend has been up to all these years? Boy, I would sure like to reconnect with.......

The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg is just the book for you! In this book the characters reconnect with one another. They recalll the "last time" they saw a specific person, or shared a conversation-good or bad. They plan, prepare and gather to celebrate their fortieth class reunion, the very last one.

As they gather and celebrate the reunion brings many new possibilities-reconnecting with a classmate who was the "heartthrob", forging new friendships, patching up old misunderstandings, forgiving, and rediscovering new bonds.

For anyone who has gone to a class reunion or is planning on attending a class reunion. Take a few moments, relax, and enjoy this delightful, easy read book by Elizabeth Berg!