Ronit Wagman

An engrossing multigenerational saga that paints a vivid portrait of the peoples and interests that created modern California. Smathers is a gifted writer and her story is full of dramatic turns, vibrant settings, and unforgettable characters. I loved this book!

A passionate, heartfelt, and thought-provoking memoir by a young woman looking for spiritual meaning after suffering emotional burnout after her father's unexpected death, a bitter romantic breakup, and several exhausting years as an international aid worker. Tender, funny, and wise, this is a moving book that takes the reader to India, Italy, and Africa. I loved Natashas's message about taking time for ourselves and honoring our inner wisdom.

This is an absolutely breathtaking novel that immediately got under my skin. Beautifully written, Benton expertly evokes the experience of new motherhood: the radical shift in identity, the sudden responsibility, and the intense love. I was rooting for Lilli from start to finish, and couldn't wait to return to the book whenever I had to put it down. The book is also relevant to many of today's cultural conversations about female sexuality and women's rights. The writing is excellent; think Geraldine Brooks.

Fairly engaging, but nowhere near as complex and thrilling as The Paying Guests.

Heartfelt and suspenseful, Bone Necklace conveys the brutal reality of the U.S. military's campaign against the Nez Perce people, whom they chased for over 1,000 miles from Oregon to Canada during the summer of 1877. Told from multiple perspectives and interlaced with real news articles that appeared at the time, the novel brings the reader inside the harrowing experience of those fighting on both sides, and highlights the shifting sentiments of the press and American public. This is a great book, a must read for anyone interested in Native American or U.S. history.