#22 Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy. Boy, I would pick a long book which puts me farther behind in my goal to read 100 books this year. But, it was well worth the effort. Binchy is quite the storyteller with each person somehow becoming an important part of the story. The story takes place in Dublin at a new Heart clinic. The new clinic director, her daughters, her ex-husband, and her boss, the new doctor and all of his relatives, the secretary, the nurses, the dietitian and exercise instructor, and of course, all of the heart patients and their relatives and friends. Whew, add romance, add misfortune, add Father Brian and his stalker, and add a happy ending. Also, add humor and the daily struggles of ordinary people, and there's the story. Each life touches another's life.

And, yes, the song "Heart and Soul" could apply to this story.

Book # 21. The Widow's War by Sally Gunning. Women's rights in colonial America? Not many. "A married woman could not own property or sign contracts. A widow was legally entitled to life use of one-third her husband's real estate, actual title to the property customarily passing to the nearest living male heir"- so says the historical notes in the back of this book. And so, Lyddie Berry becomes a widow when her husband dies in a whaling accident. Her independent nature is sparked by her lawyer and friend, Mr. Freeman, her doings with an Indian neighbor, and the ideas put forth by James Otis who speaks of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all- not just men. But then, she has to live with her son-in-law's decisions that run her life going from bad to worse.

I received this book through a chain book exchange with the book coming from New York. It came just when I needed a new book to read. And I really enjoy historical fiction. I think I need to reread Ahab's Wife.