Renee's Picks

Julie Otsuka's The Buddha in the Attic tells the story of the Japanese Picture Brides toward the second world war.  The language is remarkably sparse and yet the topic is both powerful and difficult.  A fabulous book group selection.

A journey of epic proportions . . . a road trip book . . . a coming-of-age story . . . all about music and living life . . . and by far the FUNNIEST book I have ever read.

A dog lover's dog stoy. An idyllic setting and wonderful, creative story. The ending packs a wallop--Come in and talk to me when you've finished the book!

I haven't read a story this good in a long time--and an important story it is, too. The "help" refers to the Black women in the kitchen whose job it is to clean up after the White folks.

My all-time favorite.  A delicious love story.  Gives me goose bumps every time I read it.  More this book to the top of your list.