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Birds of a Different Feather
Ethel, a middle school teacher, Luce, a stay-at-home mom married to a successful businessman, and Ola, owner of Ola’s Wise Old Books, are best friends. They circumnavigate through the pitfalls of middle age together, confiding their innermost thoughts to each other. Or do they?
Ethel, out of pride, acts as if all is normal even though her husband suddenly returns to his native India. Ola refuses to discuss her past or strange relationship with Cornelius, who works alongside her at the bookstore.
Everything takes a strange twist when Luce, while in the library, comes across some disturbing news regarding Ola, and then after calling the middle school, she finds Ethel no longer works there. If that were not enough, Ola announces she has cancer, and the prognosis is not good.
Ethel, out of pride, acts as if all is normal even though her husband suddenly returns to his native India. Ola refuses to discuss her past or strange relationship with Cornelius, who works alongside her at the bookstore.
Everything takes a strange twist when Luce, while in the library, comes across some disturbing news regarding Ola, and then after calling the middle school, she finds Ethel no longer works there. If that were not enough, Ola announces she has cancer, and the prognosis is not good.
326 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
18 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
J. Schlenker
15 books393 followers J. Schlenker, a late-blooming author, lives with her husband, Chris, in the splendid center of nowhere in the foothills of Appalachia in Kentucky, where the only things to disturb her writing are croaking frogs, screaming guineas, and the occasional sounds of hay being cut in the fields.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 10, 2023
Friends From Life
This was another excellent book by J. Schlenker. I keep watching to download more of her special understanding of the human imagination. Looking forward to some wobble.
This was another excellent book by J. Schlenker. I keep watching to download more of her special understanding of the human imagination. Looking forward to some wobble.
March 20, 2023
This is the review from Wishing Shelf:
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
18th March 2023
TITLE: Birds of a Different Feather
AUTHOR: J. SCHLENKER
Star Rating: 5
REVIEW
I very much enjoyed this contemporary drama from the pen of J. Schlenker. It´s the story of three characters, Ethel, a teacher who´s husband, Raja, has left her, Ola, the owner of a bookshop, and Luce, a stay at home mother. Sweetly written with good pacing and filled with lots of tiny twists and turns, this is a wonderful novel for readers who enjoy getting to know the characters really, really well.
In a way, it´s difficult to know where to begin with this story as I enjoyed so many aspects of it. Firstly, character development. The author knows her characters well, and this shows in everything they do and say. They literally jump off the page – sedately. Is it possible to jump sedately? Anyway, I liked Ethel the best; I
sort of wanted to cuddle her all of the time. The author works hard to introduce all three of the principal characters to the reader, and she´s very successful in doing so.
Secondly, I enjoyed the pacing. The author´s not in a particular hurry to tell her story – and this is a strong aspect of the novel. The pacing is wonderfully even, allowing the reader to get to know the character whilst, at the same time, enjoying the many dramas that befall them. I never felt frustrated with this book; I never felt annoyed by how slow or fast the story moved along. It was like sitting in a dingy allowing the river´s current to pull me along.
I´m very happy to recommend Birds of a Different Feather to readers who enjoy character-led novels. There´s a lot of drama going on in this story, and there´s never a dull moment. This is the sort of novel you should read a chapter of every night just before bed – a bit like hot chocolate and slippers.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
18th March 2023
TITLE: Birds of a Different Feather
AUTHOR: J. SCHLENKER
Star Rating: 5
REVIEW
I very much enjoyed this contemporary drama from the pen of J. Schlenker. It´s the story of three characters, Ethel, a teacher who´s husband, Raja, has left her, Ola, the owner of a bookshop, and Luce, a stay at home mother. Sweetly written with good pacing and filled with lots of tiny twists and turns, this is a wonderful novel for readers who enjoy getting to know the characters really, really well.
In a way, it´s difficult to know where to begin with this story as I enjoyed so many aspects of it. Firstly, character development. The author knows her characters well, and this shows in everything they do and say. They literally jump off the page – sedately. Is it possible to jump sedately? Anyway, I liked Ethel the best; I
sort of wanted to cuddle her all of the time. The author works hard to introduce all three of the principal characters to the reader, and she´s very successful in doing so.
Secondly, I enjoyed the pacing. The author´s not in a particular hurry to tell her story – and this is a strong aspect of the novel. The pacing is wonderfully even, allowing the reader to get to know the character whilst, at the same time, enjoying the many dramas that befall them. I never felt frustrated with this book; I never felt annoyed by how slow or fast the story moved along. It was like sitting in a dingy allowing the river´s current to pull me along.
I´m very happy to recommend Birds of a Different Feather to readers who enjoy character-led novels. There´s a lot of drama going on in this story, and there´s never a dull moment. This is the sort of novel you should read a chapter of every night just before bed – a bit like hot chocolate and slippers.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
March 21, 2023
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
18th March 2023
TITLE: Birds of a Different Feather
AUTHOR: J. SCHLENKER
Star Rating: 5
‘A richly layered tale of middle aged drama written with a gold tipped pen.’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I very much enjoyed this contemporary drama from the pen of J. Schlenker. It´s the story of three characters, Ethel, a teacher who´s husband, Raja, has left her, Ola, the owner of a bookshop, and Luce, a stay at home mother. Sweetly written with good pacing and filled with lots of tiny twists and turns, this is a wonderful novel for readers who enjoy getting to know the characters really, really well.
In a way, it´s difficult to know where to begin with this story as I enjoyed so many aspects of it. Firstly, character development. The author knows her characters well, and this shows in everything they do and say. They literally jump off the page – sedately. Is it possible to jump sedately? Anyway, I liked Ethel the best; I sort of wanted to cuddle her all of the time. The author works hard to introduce all three of the principal characters to the reader, and she´s very successful in doing so.
Secondly, I enjoyed the pacing. The author´s not in a particular hurry to tell her story – and this is a strong aspect of the novel. The pacing is wonderfully even, allowing the reader to get to know the character whilst, at the same time, enjoying the many dramas that befall them. I never felt frustrated with this book; I never felt annoyed by how slow or fast the story moved along. It was like sitting in a dingy allowing the river´s current to pull me along.
I´m very happy to recommend Birds of a Different Feather to readers who enjoy character-led novels. There´s a lot of drama going on in this story, and there´s never a dull moment. This is the sort of novel you should read a chapter of every night just before bed – a bit like hot chocolate and slippers.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
18th March 2023
TITLE: Birds of a Different Feather
AUTHOR: J. SCHLENKER
Star Rating: 5
‘A richly layered tale of middle aged drama written with a gold tipped pen.’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I very much enjoyed this contemporary drama from the pen of J. Schlenker. It´s the story of three characters, Ethel, a teacher who´s husband, Raja, has left her, Ola, the owner of a bookshop, and Luce, a stay at home mother. Sweetly written with good pacing and filled with lots of tiny twists and turns, this is a wonderful novel for readers who enjoy getting to know the characters really, really well.
In a way, it´s difficult to know where to begin with this story as I enjoyed so many aspects of it. Firstly, character development. The author knows her characters well, and this shows in everything they do and say. They literally jump off the page – sedately. Is it possible to jump sedately? Anyway, I liked Ethel the best; I sort of wanted to cuddle her all of the time. The author works hard to introduce all three of the principal characters to the reader, and she´s very successful in doing so.
Secondly, I enjoyed the pacing. The author´s not in a particular hurry to tell her story – and this is a strong aspect of the novel. The pacing is wonderfully even, allowing the reader to get to know the character whilst, at the same time, enjoying the many dramas that befall them. I never felt frustrated with this book; I never felt annoyed by how slow or fast the story moved along. It was like sitting in a dingy allowing the river´s current to pull me along.
I´m very happy to recommend Birds of a Different Feather to readers who enjoy character-led novels. There´s a lot of drama going on in this story, and there´s never a dull moment. This is the sort of novel you should read a chapter of every night just before bed – a bit like hot chocolate and slippers.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
April 1, 2023
I am a avid follower of J. Schlenker's writing. Birds of a Different Feather is a true to life novel revolving around three ladies. The aspect I love about Jerri's writing is that she targets the characteristics of each actor in her novels perfectly. And as I read her books, I always say, "I know someone who acts exactly like that or says that very same thing." I truly believe either Jerri is a compulsive people watcher or she has a master's degree in telepathic thoughts, as her technique of telling us about the personalities and situations her characters find themselves in is completely believable. I highly recommend that you start with one book and read through her distinctive list of accomplishments, as her style is unique and 'unputdownable.' You will not be sorry. Each book is completely different from the one before and just as enjoyable. Thank you, author Schlenker!
August 23, 2024
This author is talented and I'm a huge fan of her work.
Birds of a Different Feather puts her storytelling talent on a new level. This story is gripping, insightful, and intense. The characters are endearing. The plot has turns, twists and surprises. Considering it is a novel about several women and their friendship, there is much more to the story. It unfolds as the reader turns the pages. The characters are beautifully written, they're endearing and one gets their hopes up as you read how they work through their issues.
Of all her works, this award-winning story by J.L. Schlenker is my favourite.
Birds of a Different Feather puts her storytelling talent on a new level. This story is gripping, insightful, and intense. The characters are endearing. The plot has turns, twists and surprises. Considering it is a novel about several women and their friendship, there is much more to the story. It unfolds as the reader turns the pages. The characters are beautifully written, they're endearing and one gets their hopes up as you read how they work through their issues.
Of all her works, this award-winning story by J.L. Schlenker is my favourite.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews