The Master Butchers Singing Club

Louise Erdrich.

Historical fiction.

Sweet but gritty, this book left me feeling expansive and full. I could have read dozens more chapters (Louise, you ended it too soon). I love reading books about people working hard, cleaning and cooking and practicing trades; it makes me feel as though in another life I could have been that busy. My only complaint is, towards the end of the book, time began passing in large chunks; the story skipped over years at a time, and I missed the earlier, careful detailing of each character's life. I wanted to know about the pregnancy, the funerals, the slow growth of love.

Kudos: Excellent interplay between past and present, changing perspectives without jarring the reader.