The Rook by Daniel O'Malley

"Dear You,
The body you are wearing used to be mine."
So begins the wonderfully imaginative debut novel The Rook by Daniel O'Malley. Myfanwy (pronounced like "Tiffany") Thomas opens her eyes to find herself standing in a park in the rain surrounded by bodies wearing latex gloves. She finds two letters addressed to herself in her coat pockets containing instructions for how to either slide herself into the life of the old Myfanwy Thomas, the previous owner of the body, or how to run and begin a new life for herself with a new name. Myfanwy obviously chooses to stay and take up the responsibilities and life of Thomas (as she calls the old owner of the body), which turn out to be complicated and very surprising. Thomas was a "Rook," one of eight heads of the organization known as the Checquy that protects the United Kingdom from supernatural threats. Someone was obviously trying to remove Thomas from the picture and Myfanwy is saddled not only with the challenge of quickly learning how to run a secret organization and control the supernatural powers she inherited along with her body but also with the task of sussing out the conspiracy behind her memory loss and how the increasing number of supernatural attacks since she woke up in the park is related to her existance.

This is a totally enthralling, complex, and darkly humorous debut that should appeal to readers who enjoy Jim Butcher or Neil Gaiman.

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness

Interested in Africa, I picked up Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller.  This is her fourth book and a narrative of her mother's love for Africa where her family lived during the 1950's and 60's.  Alexandra was raised by an eccentric mother with a zest for life.  Nicola was born in Scotland but raised in Kenya. Her love for Africa is expressed through this narrative as we learn the British colonial period's history of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.  Alexandra presents her mother with such spirit as she describes her love for the land and creatures even though she experiences untold hardships and tragedy as she runs from war. The Tree of Forgetfulness in Zambia is where the mother presently thrives raising tilapia (as the premier producer of fingerlings in the country) and sharing her love for all things African.

Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

I must say that the cover and title of this book almost prevented me from reading it.  Even I was slightly abashed to be caught reading this.  But I'm glad I overcame my embarrassment because it's a great story.
Rob MacGregor is traveling to pay homage to the new king.  As the future chief of his clan he takes his responsibilities seriously and doesn't have the time for romance.  But when a dying soldier uses his last breath to ask MacGregor to save Lady Davina Montgomery from a burning tower, he cannot refuse. 
Davina has lived in a convent all of her life for the sake of her own protection, but as a new king is crowned, even the convent can't keep the forces of evil from chasing her down.  She tries valiantly to defend her home, even as she sees all of those she loves being killed.  With all those she trusts laying bleeding on the ground, she has no choice but to believe in the powerful warrior who scoops her into his arms and carries her away. 
Paula Quinn spins an adventurous tale of love and treachery, fleshing it out with historical detail, political intrigue, and two captivating characters.

The Measure of Katie Calloway

by Serena Miller
Katie Calloway flees her Georgia home with her 8 year old brother, Ned.  Harlan, Katie's husband, wants her dead so that he can marry a rich widow and rebuild his war torn plantation.  He blames Katie for letting the Union soldiers burn down the home that his grandfather had built.  While Harlan is gone, Katie takes his horse and his money to get as far away from him as possible. 
In Bay City, Michigan, Robert Foster is looking for a cook for his lumber camp.  When he tastes Katie's apple pie, he offers her the job.  Katie believes the lumber camp deep in the Michigan forest is the best place to hide from Harlan.  Although the work is hard, the accomodations are sparse, and the injured camp cook, Jigger, doesn't want her there, Katie gets to do something she loves.  The lumbermen greatly appreciate her cooking, which is something Harlan never did.
While Katie's boss is a perfect gentleman and extremely handsome, Katie is still married.  She is determined to keep her place as cook for the seven months as she agreed.  But then she must find another place to work, because it is just too hard to be near Robert.
This was a fast read, maybe because I just couldn't put it down.  The lumbercamp was a new experience and the extra's that Serena Miller added, a starving sqaw & infant, Roberts sister & kids, made the journey with Katie fun.  If you like Kim Sawyer, Lauraine Snelling, Mary Connealy, or Karen Witemeyer you'll like The Measure of Katie Calloway.

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

Just after World War II, Jean Paget is contacted by an attorney and learns she has inherited some money. Her plan to use some of the funds is to go to Malaysia in order to build a well in a village. As she explains to the attorney her reasons for her wish , she tells the story of her forced march across Malaysia as a Japanese prisoner of war. The men are taken to a POW camp, but there are no accommodations for women and children. They are marched through jungles and across the country, their numbers dwindling due to disease and starvation. Eventually their Japanese guard dies, and they are accepted in a village, earning their way by working in the rice paddies. The women are helped by an Australian prisoner, Joe Harmon, who steals food and medicine for them and eventually is brutally punished for his actions. Jean believes Joe died from his brutal treatment and Joe believes Jean, like the rest of the British women, is married . After the war and after learning the truth about each other, they travel to opposite sides of the world to find each other, eventually establishing a new life in Australia.
A Town Like Alice illustrates the best of the human spirit, showing resilience, caring and hope in the face of unbearable suffering and brutality--a compelling story of war, survival and love.

Life in a Day

Filmmakers Ridley Scott & Kevin MacDonald combined and edited more than 80,000 videos submitted from people in 192 countries to tell the story of what life was like in the world on July 24th, 2010.  The film is a delightful mixture of the day-to-day with momentous occasions in the lives of individuals.  It is so powerful to watch morning rituals, one after another, as we do them differently in different places.  We also get to share such occasions as a teenager learning to shave with his dad and a family working together with the struggles of cancer.  As in real life, it's not always easy to watch, but  Life in a Day kept me glued to the screen with fascination as I laughed, cried, and delighted in a world where we know each other a little better. 

Portrait of a Spy

by Daniel Silva
Gabriel Allon is an artist, restoring valuable pieces of art.  He is also a retired Israeli spy who travels with his wife, Chiara.  On one of his trip to England, he spots a possible suicide bomber and follows him with the intent of killing him before the detonator is pressed.  Just before he pulls the trigger, he is tackled by British police and the bomber kills eighteen innocent people.  Gabriel is pardoned for his attempt of murder only by working with the CIA to put a stop to terrorism.  He must convince Nadia, the daughter of the terriorist Gabriel killed 5 years earlier, to help them discover who the head man is.  Portrait of a Spy is number eleven in the Gabriel Allon Series.