This book consumed every minute of my non-working hours over a two day period, when upon completion I was sad to see it come to an end. My reaction to this book was the same as Violet's reaction to the birds... Wow! As the proud mom of an African Grey, Monica not only flawlessly captured the human experience of her characters, but also gave an accurate and meaningful look into the beauty and awe these creatures exemplify. One of the best books I've ever picked up and would highly recommend to any book club or individual looking for a new read.