Facinating book that gives you a glimpse of the mind of a 15 year old autistic child. Family struggles, challanges, and a mystery (that involes a dog)encompass this short book.

No depth, not earth shattering, just an easy read for fun and discussion.

One of my favorite books. A book topic well before it's time. Strong characters and story line. I did not want the book to end, I feel in love with the characters. A must read. Our book club had a wonderful discussion involving the book, the author (she never did write another book and rumors that she did not write it, Truman Capote (was he modled as one of the characters?).

A timeless story line of good and evil. Spectacular writing that is timeless. A must read or re-read.

You have to remind yourself that this is a true story and not fiction. Many emotionals surface during the reading of this book. You feel guilty laughing at some parts, and can't help crying in others. Walls does a wonderful job showing the whole picture of her life. You keep cheering her on in the book and hope for the best. Great for book club discussions.

A book to borrow, but not buy. A perfect beach read - short, funny, no thinking involved. If you are over 40, you will laugh with the author. Not the best Book Club selection since there is really nothing to discuss (except what ailes you) and life in NYC (if you have experienced it).

A "classic" book is considered a "classic" because of it's excellent writing style, grabbing story line, and timeless content. This book can be described as a romance, but also a mystery. You can picture the characters and estate in your mind. Some twists and turns happen that are not expected. Great for a discussion (the book, the author & Hitchcock adaptation to screen). A classic worth re-visiting.

One of the few books that I never finished. The first chapter was interesting. Downhill from there. The names of the towns and people were confusing. The writing style was awful.

Interesting perspective having the patient (Alice) give her viewpoint of her illness. Good character development of the whole family. Interesting to have a linguistics proffessor (Harvard no less) with Alzheimer's. Informative. Great book for a book club discussion (we are still talking about it after we met). Wonderfully written.

The development of the characters was excellent. Each unique and add to the story. The viewpoints of the "help" and the lives of the employers was an eye opener. You get a feel of the birth of the desegregation movement and life in the deep south. In the end, you see that color is not a barrier to friendship and love if you let the walls down.

Mysteries are not my pick. However, this one had lots of twists and turns and kept me going. Very slow begining, and when you find out "who did it", the story kepps going (and going) to close up something that happened in the very begining. Sometimes Larsson was too descriptive - he wrote almost a whole page on the specs of the new computer that a main character was purchasing. I don't think I will be reading the rest of the series.

Written in the style of "The Help" (one chapter, one characters view point) and the subject matter (racial tension, family dynamics). I read this book in a week. Excellent character development while providing an interesting story line. Each character is so different, however their lives all intersect or intertwine.

An eye opening book regarding the Vietnam war period and the people it affected. A true story about a boy and his family, how the fall of Siagon changed their lives, the struggle to stay alive and stay human.

You fall in love with Sutton (main character) even though he is a bank robber. The author develops all the characters beautifully. The story of Sutton's life is woven in the story when he is interviewed by a paper after he is released from jail. You live his life, meet his friends and his love through his memories, and find Sutton lovable. Believe it or not, there is true love and romance in this book too!!!! The end has a little twist as you root for Sutton to make peace with his past A very good read. I also enjoyed "Open" and "The Tender Bar" by this author.

Hard to believe that the people in this book are real and not made up characters (although they read like characters). Meohringer has a unique writing style that grabs you. Short, to the point, but descriptive. You start reading, and don't want to to put the book down. You want to know more about ever character and become involved in their lives. A touching book about the coming of age of Moehringer, but we see glimpses of people we know. One of the few non-fiction books that does not read like non-fiction (fact oriented, predictable, one dimensional). Wonderful read. He also co-authored "Open" (excellent book even if you are not a tennis player).

This book was recommended during a call in with J R Moeringer. A book worth reading on your own or for book club (great discussion on characters). In each chapter, the books travels from the 60\\\'s to present, from Italy to America to develop a brillant book. The time line also goes back and forth to weave an intersting story. The character development is excellent. Ahhh love and choices.

Wonderful backdrop for a story line. As in \\\"Molokai\\\", Brennert has a wonderful easy reading writing style, developments interesting characters, gives you a little history, and allows you to visualize the characters and setting. This book was good read, not a great read. Better than your average \\\"beach read\\\", but will not be a classic. Great for a quick and easy read. Wonderful insight on the history of Palisades Park and the people involved in carnivals.

I think this book is getting so much buzz is because no one understands the end. It\\\'s so confusing, that I had to google the meaning of the book. I\\\'m not the only one confused. Many google hits on the ending it\'s meaning, and not just from readers, but from critics/reviewers as well (that has to tell you something). I did not like the writing style to begin with. I understand what the author was trying to convey, but the storyline, writing style and characters fell short. I think if he was not a previuosly known author, the book would be a total flop.

The book is not long, not a fluff "beach read", the character development is excellent, you gain some insight of life on a reservation, try to solve a mystery, and you keep reading.
I was either addicted to reading this book, or thought some areas could be shortened. However, I really liked this book. Set on a reservation (present day), events unfold that bring and tear apart families. Family dynamics, history, and emotions are explored. A good book club pick.

The beginnings (and end) of WWII through the lives of two different people. One is a young French girl that loses her eye sight before the war starts and an orphan that is \\\"drafted\\\" in the German army. Both stories are unfold and their lives intersect in the most unusual way. The writing style is brilliant, the story line is very interesting. Wonderful read. We discussed this book at length during our meeting (some books only last a 30 minute discussion).

Our book club was split as to liking the writing style and book (most liked it). This book does NOT have a storyline with main characters. It is the description of many characters and a timeline of Japaneese brides coming to California, their struggles, children, and internment camp. I hated the writing style (just descriptives of many people, actions or experiences), but some in our book club loved it. It was a book that brought a lively discussion on Japaneese internment camps and the struggle of these brides.

What an eye opening book on the "forgotten Kennedy daughter", how metal illness was perceived and treated decades ago and another insight into the Kennedy family. I am normally not a fan of non-fiction. A worthwhile read that sparks many discussion questions.

After being on so many lists as a "hot read", I did read it. If it was not written in the manner it was (the characters speak in their voice and you may get two/three views on a topic in their voice) it would have been VERY boring. The characters could have been developed more, nothing really goes on except the usual sex, drugs and rock and roll (and you kept reading because you thought something may happen), and it's predictable. I would put this in a "beach read" category. No use of brain cells and really nothing to discuss with anyone after.

We were divided in our book club. You either loved it or did not. I found the main character easily influenced and trying to justify her decision to leave acting (or convince herself she made the correct choices). I thought at the beginning of the book that her daughters were elementary or middle school aged (not adults). A story that went no where. A long, long, story about one topic that had no depth. Take this book to the beach.