Elegance of the Hedgehog is a wonderful story told by two alternating narrators that are both residents in an small exclusive apartment building in Paris. At once you can see that these two people as different as can be and at the same time you see that their views of the world and the people around them are very similar.

Renée is a fifty-four year old widowed concierge who describes herself as ugly, plump, and unfriendly. She lets people just see her this way, its a barrier, a protective field to hide the fact that she is an extremely cultured autodidact. She has a insatiable appetite for art, philosophy, literature, film, and music.

Paloma is a twelve year old girl who resides in the same building with her wealthy family, an obnoxious older sister and two self absorbed parents. Like Renee she lives her life day to day hiding her intelligence, insight, and disillusionment.

This is a beautiful story full of twists and turns of humor, tragedy, philosophy, and irony. It draws you in and makes you think; it inspires, and entertains you. The ending completely shocked me, but upon reflection it was completely right for the whole story. At times I forced myself to put the book down because I wanted it to last, I did not want to finish this book because it was so good. ~Mara

Enzo the dog firmly believes he will return in his next life as a human, and that humans descended from dogs. He is quite an astute dog, with some poignant observations on human behavior, as well as his owner's life and family. Written from Enzo's perspective, this book is sweet with a few touches of aching sadness. I cried at the end, but due to happiness that somehow, even after some of the seriously sad experiences he and his owner experience, everything works out. Enzo's owner is a race car driver from rainy Seattle, which gives him an edge over other drivers, as well as over his own life's difficult times. This was a wonderful Sunday morning read, especially right after reading Marley and Me! ~Spring

The one good thing that came from the snowy weather in December is that I got to actually read a whole book (other than the book club book). A customer whose opinion I value told me Telex From Cuba was one of her absolute favorite books in recent years. That recommendation from someone who reads more than I do was the only impetus I needed to pick up Kushner's novel.

The setting of the novel is pre-Castro Cuba. One of the great strengths of the novel is the pacing and evolution of the storyline. We are first introduced to a few of the American families who are living a luxurious lifestyle filled with servants, expensive cars, and large homes. But gradually, we begin to learn about the cost of those perks; the fact that they are built on the sweat of Cuban and Haitian workers in the sugarcane fields and nickel mines which are owned by American corporations. The plot then takes an unexpected turn when the son of one of the American executives joins the rebel movement and is actually the brains behind some of their more audacious attacks. Finally the novel focuses primarily on the Cuban story; the revolution and the violence which resulted in the exodus of the Americans.

This was a momentous time in American and Cuban history and Kushner has written an engaging and at times gripping novel. Kushner's research for the novel included her mother's journals who lived in Cuba in the 1950's lending an intimate truth to this work of fiction. Telex From Cuba was shortlisted for the National Book Award and will make a terrific book for discussion when it turns paperback in the summer. ~Patti