A Friend When in Need

Peter Mayle is my go-to guy. When I've read something heavy, disturbing, or am stressed out, I visit Peter. I started with Chasing Cezanne and never looked back. Just because I want to read something lighter, it still has to have enough 'tooth' to keep me reading. His fiction takes place all or in part in the south of France and reflects the mood of the region - life is to be enjoyed. His characters are engaging and the plots grab you and reel you in like a trophy trout. A little mystery, a little romance, all delivered with humor and smarts. They're no vin ordinaire!

Carol

Jonathan Franzen Freedom

The long-awaited follow-up to Franzen’s novel The Corrections does not disappoint. While it nears 600 pages, Freedom’s well-drawn conflicts and long stretches of inspired dialogue make it unlikely to become a doorstop. The book tells the story of Walter and Patty Berglund, an idealistic couple living in Saint Paul, Minnesota, who find their marriage strained by their son Joey’s decision to divorce them in favor of a shockingly different family next door and the encroachment of Richard Katz, a purposely obscure rock musician and longtime friend of Walter’s, on their relationship.

John