Two books-very different, both fun.

There seems to be a plethora of books about cooking, knitting, women's groups, etc. This first book came from mom. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. It's a first novel by a women who worked for Redbook, Family Life,
and Working Woman. And it reads exactly like a continuing novel out of one of those magazines. That's not an insult-it's just a recognition of the style. It was actually a rather pleasant read. A woman finds herself pregnant and the father takes off. Through a series of misunderstandings, stubborness, and unwillingness to be hurt again she raises the child (who happens to be mixed race although that is almost a non-issue, hallallujah) on her own, building a successful yarn store business and gathering an assortment of other lonely and alone women friends. The man reenters her life (of course) and they rebuild their relationship. The twist at the end is that she has cancer and dies leaving her daughter and the business in the hands of the father, newly found extended family, as well as the friends. If you're looking for a "woman's read" this one was a satisfying as any other.

The other was actually a lot more fun. Opem and Shut by David Rosenfelt. This one was a randon pick by me in a used book store. That's a plug for used book stores everywhere-not the chains like Half Price books which I don't think are much of a deal but the honest to goodness community bookstores. The one in my hometown doesn't even waste money on a telephone, but then again it's a very small home town! This another first novel published in 2002 so I'm hoping there's another one out there by now. It's a lawyer book-Andy Carpenter. The refreshing thing about him is that he's young, witty, and claims an upbringing free of disfunction or undue grief, love for his parents and no left-over psychological issues to deal with. He's generally happy with life. He is coming to terms with a divorce but it doesn't seem to be leaving any nasty scars. A dying request from his father compels Andy to take on an appeal which has no hope of getting his client off of death row. Surprise!