Grace Notes — Jenny Pattrick

Set in the New Zealand of the 1990s, this tender and amusing novel tells the story of one woman's quest to stay loyal to letter writing while resisting the emerging trend of e-mail. Through her stories and correspondence, her friendships, the antics of her argumentative bowling club, and her love life are all vividly illustrated. As her tale unfolds, Grace faces new challenges as the problems of younger people invade her solitary life. Despite her struggles, she inevitably touches the lives of many with her warmth, feistiness, intelligence, and frailty.