This book was recommended at my book club, but it wasn't for me. Granted I do not really like short story collections--although I had more success with a previous book of short stories picked for my book club. I tried jumping around this book to find something I liked, but it didn't work. The lead characters seemed somewhat interchangable, and I had trouble telling one story that I had begun and not finished from another one that I couldnt stick with. I couldn't stick with a story for more than 2-3 pages. But, that's just me. Give me a novel, or better yet, some non-fiction book of interest any day. Better luck to other readers.