The Mermaid's Tale by Sue Monk Kidd

I don't believe I forgot to put this in the list. Since I loved The Secret Life of Bees, I wanted to read this one too. I don't think this was as powerful as the previous book, but it was still great. A woman goes to take care of her mother, who has just cut off her finger, on the island where she grew up in coastal South Carolina. It is so much more than her meeting a monk, with whom she has an affair - she tells you this on the first page of the book, so I'm not giving anything away. Another beautifully drawn book, leaving me thinking about many things. This one was the best one to give to Inta for Chirstmas. (finished reading in November)