The Girl with Three Legs by Soraya Mire

The Girl with Three Legs is a true story where the author, Soraya Miré, weaves a dramatic chronicle of the personal challenges she overcame, of how women in Somalia accept physical abuse through generations as if it were the norm, and a testament to the empowerment of women    At age thirteen years old, Mire discovers the horror of the "gift," female genital mutilation (FGM), whereby a young girls' healthy organs are chopped off.

Miré reveals what it means to grow up in a traditional Somali family, where women's basic human rights are violated on a daily basis.  Her life story is one of inspiration and redemption.  4 stars

"The World Without You" by Joshua Henkin

"The World Without You" by Joshua Henkin is a book that explores family dynamics of a family racked by a tragic loss of one of its members.  On the first aniversary of his death, his mother plans a memorial service for him.  All family member converge for the service.  The family dynamics are spot on with sibling rivalry, marital problems for the parents of the son who passed away, and ultimately one who steps forward for the real meaning of the day.  I loved this book.  4 stars.

"The Winemaker" by Noah Gordon

"The Winemaker" by Noah Gordon is a new book that I really enjoyed.  The setting is in the tiny grape-growing village of Santa Eulalia in northern Spain.  The characters are well developed and extremely believable.  The story takes place in the late 1800's.  I've never read much about the history of Spain so this book was very interesting.  It made me want to read more about its political history and the lives of everyday Spanairds.

The main character of the book is Josep Alvarez.  He is a second son of the owner of a grape vineyard.  The grapes were grown for sale to vinegar makers.  Alvarez makes his way to France where he ends up working years on a wine vineyard and learns the real art of making great wine which becomes his passion.  The book continues as he pursues his passion.  This has a nice ending, which I like.  4 stars. 

Vanished in the Dunes - Allan Retzky

"Vanished in the Dunes" by Allan Retzky was, in my opinion, a good read.  I don't normally read thrillers or murder mysteries but this book was so different that I really liked it.  The characters were believable andthe narration good.  The main character, Amos, was in a pathetic situation:  he was under federal investigation (his company set him up as the scapegoat), He and his wife were having marital problems. She was living in the city while Amos was living in the Hamptons.  Amos' wife suspects his is seeing other women, although he isn't.  Then on the bus riding home Amos runs into a beautiful woman who pushes her way into his home.  The twists and turn in the rest of the book are what make this an interesting read.  I would give it 4 stars.