Fantastic story for dog lovers! The Sawtelles have bred a particular kind of dog for 3 generations, doing research into the qualities they want for the dogs, and keeping meticulous records. They train the puppies and then sell them. Edgar, a mute but extremely bright boy, is the main character. After his father is killed by his uncle with poison brought over from Korea, the uncle, Claude moves into the house and starts living with Edgar's mother. Almondine, a Sawtelle dog, is the permanent companion of Edgar from infanthood, protecting and taking care of him and almost reading his thoughts! Edgar runs away from home with three of his puppies and ends up in the woods surviving for several days before running into Henry, a loner who has a cabin in the woods. He lets Edgar and the dogs stay with him until Tinder's foot heals. Edgar decides to come home and take revenge for his father's death. The whole barn and house burns and the dogs return into the woods. Beautifully written book with so much detail about the breeding and training of dogs! Loved it!

Good story! A used copy of Charles Lamb's stories is bought by Dawsey Adams and he starts corresponding with Juliet Ashton, the owner of the book and a writer herself. She learns that Guernsey was taken over by the Nazis during WWII, and of Elizabeth who falls in love with a German surgeon, Christian. They had a daughter, Kit, being raised by all the residents after Elizabeth is killed in a prison camp and Christian drowned. The society was formed as an alibi for the residents, who were partaking of a pig hidden by one of them. After this, they became readers of all kinds of books and met regularly. Juliet travels there to write a book about all their experiences of this time and later marries Dawsey and adopts Kit. Great story with meticulous research done by the author!

Excellent read! Very similar to Laura Bush's life, or so it seems. She was a school librarian from a very middle-class background, until she met Charlie who was later to become President. Showed the many personality and background differences between her and her husband -- she loved him and married him but always remembered her high school boyfriend who she killed in a car accident. Her grandmother was a big influence and even helped her get an abortion when she got pregnant sleeping with her dead boyfriend's brother (who hooks up with her best friend from high school later on). Well-written.