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Son, whom father considers a bumpkin of sorts, is sent to Europe to become a man . . . and collect some of the great art of the period to bring back to Dad and NYC. Sign of his wealth and culture.

Subplot involves son's love of his plain cousin -- so out of the question as a marriage possibility that Dad doesn't even consider it, let alone forbid it.

Hardy on vacation from his dour outlook on life. Fancy Day,educated school teacher, returns to her father's village to look after him. She turns the head of the Pastor (also educated, so suited), the richest man in town who is also kind, and Dick Dewey, a carrier who is the most attractive but the least suited. Dad gets his foot caught in trap; DD rescues him; Dad tells Fancy it was the rich guy, hoping for marriage

Enjoying this very much. Don't think I ever read it. JE is neglected child who becomes governess of Rochester . . . R. has an abandoned child in his care, daughter of a French mistress. Strange noises in attic. R. depressed. Friend visits, gets bitten by someone . . . of course I know about the crazy woman in the attic; main interest is relationship of R. and J. She has no coyness about her, which attracts him.

Oliver back with Fagan, part of the gang. Bill Sykes nearly gets him killed in a robbery. Evil grandson, deceiving his grandfather, is out to kill OT while all the while pretending to be looking for him. Grandfather mistreated Agnes . . . regrets it, wants the girl and her child back.

Orphan "sold" to carpenter who makes coffins. Low man always, but plucky

Solid, if a little predictable. Anne Elliot followed the advice of her too proud father and her friend and turned down marriage possibility with Naval officer, proud, kind, talented, but poor. Years have passed. Anne remains unmarried; naval officer returns with all the same qualities and rich.She regrets being persuaded as he (seemingly) has no interest in her anymore since he regards a backbone as key.

After reunification, riots in former E.G.against immigrants. Guns not available, arson is the crime. Gruesome stories of families burned alive. Riot in Rostock for four days . . . police unable (:?) to stop it. Hundreds of Vietnamese nearly burned alive (brought in when E. G. was communist.) Many arson attacks in W.G. as well. Police monitor protest march against Rostock riots with more cops than at the riot.

Grim reminder of frequency of right wing terror targeting people of color and Jews. Book then investigates the growth of neo Nazis in former East Germany. Bleak lives, little hope for a future,banding together into violent groups.

Agatha Christie type novel set in Harlem. Our dead conjure-man isn't dead after all. he was in a trance of sorts and comes back to life. The question remains -- who "killed" him. All participants will be reassembled with the conjure-man and the detective both using their own special abilities. Uneven. . . Some scenes terrific, others a bit of a yawn.

Moll taken in by rich family as servant/sorta sister. She is seduced by one brother, but marries the other more naive brother. He dies, she gets money and goes. 2nd husband rich . . . they spend until they're broke. He flees. 3rd husband is Virginia planter. All looks well until MF discovers he is her half-brother. It's suggested she just grin (not tell him) and bear it, but she can't. Back to London

Recommended by The American Scholar. Black doctor/author who was the leading light among Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, etc., Fisher died in his 30's. This is considered the first mystery set in a Black community. Solid start . . . mysterious death of Conjure Man, fortune teller.

Helen's past . . . brutal husband, drunkard, philanderer, abusive
thus the break . . . However, as he lays dying, he calls for his son and Helen returns so he can see the boy one last time.
Will he die? Probably not . . . conflict with her true love is coming.

Sci-Fi with interesting characters, fast-moving plot.
Citadel prepared by robots for human visitors. Humans arrive to find robots in disarray. Has one gone rogue? Is there another visitor on Mars from another planet? Either way, the intentions of this unknown are to kill the humans. Reminds me of Childhood's End . . . sci-fi but very human

They land, barely, on Mars, after failure to connect with robots sent ahead. They are fortunate to find the Citadel, their home on Mars, but can't get in. Codes changed. Robots let them in (barely in time). Investigation starts. These robots are acting strangely. Assign gender to one another, make decisions, etc.

Helen Graham is the tenant. Removed from the community, living in rundown Wildfell Hall, is subject of gossip in the community. Is she really Mrs. Graham, or was her son born out of wedlock? Her surly manner doesn't help her position. What's the truth?

Solid story.

Youtube fame . . . perfect family for the camera, not so perfect with camera off. Ruby (mom) is a tyrant. Shari is actually quite compliant throughout, but nothing she does is good enough. Family gains wealth; father (Kevin) becomes weaker as time passes. Brother (Chad) is also a victim. Weird relationship with older man who pretends to be a mentor but has evil intentions

Dos Passos similarities. Strong on characters, dialogue, everyday experience . . . doesn't look like there will be much of a typical plot

Dos Passos similarity. Character strong, dialogue strong, not sure there will be a plot. Birmingham working class manufacturing families

Dick Diver has fallen for NIcole . . . his ambition to be the greatest psychologist will be challenged, as much of his time will be dedicated to her mental fragility . . . victim of incest with wealthy father whom she adores. A mess.

Reminds me of Dos Passos. I don't think it will be strong on plot--more daily life of Birmingham manufacturing workers. Strong, natural dialogue and situations . . . but that lack of a plot is tough on readers.

Marriage continues to unravel. Vida wants no part of sex with Tom, doesn't get along with his children. Her son Peter is enamored with Tom's eldest, Stuart, who is enamored with Asian philosophy, medicine, etc. Not too many books that deal with this "blended family" dynamic.

and "For years she has lived largely through the books she teaches, but when she accepts the impulsive marriage proposal of ardent widower Tom Belou, the prescribed life Vida has constructed is swiftly dismantled."

Publisher nails the opening: "Fifteen years ago Vida Avery arrived alone and pregnant at elite Fayer Academy. She has since become a fixture and one of the best teachers Fayer has ever had. By living on campus, on an island off the New England coast, Vida has cocooned herself and her son, Peter, from the outside world and from an inside secret."

Rachel is operative in Arab country for Israel. Handler is Ehud. Her "front" is as an English teacher. She meets Rasheed through her class, rich Arab involved in chemical imports. Naturally, she falls in love with him though she stays true to Israel. Sidelines include killing German scientist with fast-acting poison he ingests by kissing her hand. Ehud also in love with her. She has disappeared.