Brother and Sister by Joanna Trollope

Trollope is the author of seventeen novels and I believe this is the first I have read....at least I don't recall reading any others. I enjoyed the book a lot and like her writing which is thoughtful, but easy to read.
The novel tells the story of Nathalie and David, two siblings who were both adopted by the same parents. They are in their mid to late thirties and have never sought to find their birth mother, until now. Nathalie, the mother of a five year old, Polly, who is about to have minor surgery, begins to wonder about her birth mother because the surgery raises questions about her daughter's genetic make-up.
Nathalie and David have a strong bond even though they are not blood related. Their relationship is complex and causes some problems with their spouses; they tend to go to each other for "deep" issues and problems.
As a matter of fact, Nathalie first tells David that she is going to look for her birth mother before even telling her common law husband, Steve.  She even insists that David look for his birth mother, too.
The issues that are raised were very interesting to me and quite compelling. If one is not adopted, it's not a topic that would necessarily cross one's mind. But this novel was quite realistic in dealing with the issues - the loyalties, insecurities, doubt.
It was an engaging read and I am going to read more Trollope novels, I am sure.

"Talking to the Dead" by Helen Dunmore

This was a very interesting book. Dunmore is a great writer. Very literary, but also interesting plots. The story takes place in Cornwall. Nina, an artist and photographer, is called to attend to her sister, Isabelle, who has just had her first child. After a very difficult labor, Isabelle had to have a hysterectomy. She is recuperating, and while there is a full time woman helping her, Richard, Isabel's husband, calls Nina to come and help out and spend time with her sister.
Isabelle is a great friend to two men, gay partners, who spend lots of time at her bedside. This allows Nina to find time alone, and to connect to Richard....in a very illicit manner!
What unfolds is the story of two sisters who are so different, but tied together by a family secret that comes out.
The writing is really quite beautiful. This is my second Dunmore novel and not my last!

The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler

When I found this skinny book (just under 200 pages) on the "one week shelf" at my local library, I grabbed it because Anne Tyler is a favorite author. And I read it in just a few days. And I enjoyed it, but it was NOT her best work of fiction.
The story is told from the point of view of Aaron, a man recently widowed, and recounts his reaction to his wife's untimely and unexpected death.
She is a physician; he is an editor for his family's vanity press. They meet when he is doing research for a book the firm is publishing. Aaron suffers from a handicap resulting from a childhood virus.  He and Dorothy seem an odd match on first account, but they actually are pretty well suited to each other.
After her death, Aaron tried to remain in their home (where she was killed by a tree falling through the roof!), but eventually has to move in with his sister, Nandina.  He hires a contractor to do the repairs, but never visits the house after moving in with his sister. At least not until she starts dating the contractor, Gil, and Aaron is uneasy in the house with them.
The odd but touching part of the book are the scenes in which Dorothy comes back to visit and chat with Aaron. The reader knows that the conversations that take place between the couple are really just conversations between Aaron and himself, trying to cope with his loss and the unfinished business between the couple.
The story did touch me, even though it was a bit simple and predictable. But I enjoyed the ending - and I won't give it away!