War Dances by Sherman Alexie

This novel reads like a journal with a few short stories and poems throughout. The author writes with a Native perspective on life and philosophy. It is amazing how he can encompass so much in just 209 pages.
I enjoyed the short story Fearful Symmetry which alludes to William Blake's Tyger poem. Salt is another ironic and sad but comical story about an inexperienced newspaper intern taking over the deceased obituaries editor's responsibilities, and how he ends up taking a 'dip' in Soap Lake. If you crave for something different, this book is for you. The stories and poems offer a unique perspective on humanity.

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Richard Castle is a character on the TV show Castle, played by actor Nathan Fillion. On that show, he is a best-selling author of detective stories, and his latest book is called Heat Wave. ABC apparently decided to actually publish such a book, and to credit Castle as its author, right down to the actor's picture on the back cover of the book. Who knows who actually wrote the book! I like the gimmick as it fits with the show--the characters in the show don't take themselves too seriously, and the producers obviously aren't above making fun of their own show. I like the crossover appeal that may actually spur some fans of the TV show to pick up the book and read it. As for the book itself, it's not bad. It reads like a book based on a script, but it has good pacing and dialogue. Since I have watched the TV show, I enjoyed reading the book and picturing the TV characters as the book characters, and trying to remember if the book scenes ever happened on the show. It all works and it's lots of fun.

Once on a Moonless Night by Dai Sijie, translated by Adrianna Hunter

This is a fascinating novel about an ancient silk scroll with a mysterious Buddhist sutra written on it. The last Chinese Emperor Puyi has inherited the silk scroll centuries later but torn it in half under Japanese occupation. The obsession with finding the lost half and translating the unknown manuscript of the scroll has led to linguist Paul d Ampere's imprisonment. The narrator, a French student studying at Beijing University, determines to search for the history and meaning of the scroll. She falls in love with the street vendor Tumchooq, since he may provide her with the "link." Her life then takes an unexpected course...

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Dan Brown has succeeded in writing another entertaining thriller. The Lost Symbol continues the adventures of Robert Langdon, the Harvard symbologist featured in The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. Brown sticks to the formula that worked in those two books, so The Lost Symbol is similarly fast-paced and action packed, and loaded with esoteric historical tidbits. The setting is Washington, DC this time and Langdon is once again racing against the clock to solve a mystery protected by a secret society. Yes, it's far-fetched, but it's still fun.

The Only 127 Things You Need: A Guide to Life Essentials by Donna Wilkinson

The title of this book caught my attention. The mottoes of "Less is more" and "How to life simply" seem to have flooded book stores lately.
This informative book is comprised of 3 interlocking categories - Body, Mind and Spirit and how to attain them healthfully. Wilkinson has also included expert advice, further reading and website resources for the readers to explore. I especially appreciate the subject on "It's easy to be green" (p.235). It has a tip on "Don't buy so much stuff. Buy only what you need, and when you can, buy items that can be recycled..." (p.238).
This paperback is reader friendly and covers almost every aspect of life's essentials, from getting a good night sleep to "living consciously" to having a sense of awe and wonder. It is a good book!

South of Broad by Pat Conroy

Pat Conroy, author of Prince of Tides, has turned out a wonderful novel that is well worth the long wait. South of Broad is a beautifully written, moving story of friendship and love. Set in Charleston, it tells the story of a teen-aged boy and the high school friendships that changed his life. The prose is so lovely, I could have have enjoyed the book simply for the fine writing. Happily, the characters are also interesting and, well, characters. The vivid descriptions of Charleston make me want to visit there. Savor this book.

Seen the Glory by John Hough

This is a wonderful Civil War novel about two brothers from Martha's Vineyard who join the Union Army because they oppose slavery. Luke and Thomas quickly learn that their fellow soldiers have joined for varied and different reasons, and that army life is harder than they expected. It's a novel about brotherhood, love, fighting for what you believe in, and doing what's right. Highly recommended.