Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

As I started reading this book it was quickly apparent that the girls of her previous books in the ‘Traveling Pants’ series should be fully grown up. They are 29 years old! Yet it also became quickly apparent that the characters are all stuck in time and unable to make any real definitive steps forward in their lives without having the three others there to hold their hands or urge them forward.
I really did enjoy reading this novel, but I don’t think the characters have matured as much as I would expect of women nearing the age of 30.
There was a lot of emotional upheaval and a HUGELY traumatic death that shook them all to the core. I found myself understanding their feelings having recently lost Mom, though their loss was a much younger person. (I won’t tell here and possibly spoil it for my readers).
If you’ve either read the previous ‘Sisterhood’ books by Brashares or if you saw the movie based on those books, then by all means you must read this one!

The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Garth Stein
One of the members of our book discussion group picked this book several months ago and I was almost dreading the time when I would need to actually read it. I knew it was about race car driving and was told from the perspective of a dog. The dog's perspective was actually wonderful! Enzo, the dog was a philospher and was loyal to his owner, Denny, who yearned to become a professional race car driver. Through the book we learn of Denny's trials in marriage and life and how his skills as a driver help to guide him thru all the obstacles in his way. Enzo finally ends up dying (as all dogs are doomed to death in novels)but the ending is hope-filled and left me feeling glad that I had read the book. Thank you, Vivian (who recommended that we read and discuss this title)!

Some recent reading with no time to delve into reflection:
Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (another action-packed contemporary kids’ book with links to mythology; I expect the series to continue.)
Beginner’s Guide to Buddhism – Jack Kornfield (I listened to the audio. It is enlightening, but don’t listen to the audio while driving.)
The Bedwetter: Stories of courage, redemption and pee by Sarah Silverman (I did not read the description of this book before starting it; I expected heart-warming stories. It wasn’t! It was another SNL /Comedy Central actor with a series of short stories about the actors, writers, and producers with whom she had worked. I read it, but I’m not telling anyone!)