Shauna Nosler was born in Seattle and grew up in and around Oregon's Willamette Valley and it was her high school A.P. English teacher that spurred her initial interest in the wide, wide world of the written word.

"When I took my A.P. exam, rather than stick with the provided suggestions I challenged the academic standard and submitted an essay on Flaubert's Madame Bovary. It was a gamble but it paid off with a passing score that granted me a year's worth of college English credit ... I still write like that ... I like to take chances to diversify myself ... although my style is still definitely emerging."

Shauna stayed in Eugene for the next four years where she studied economics at the University of Oregon and toiled with short story writing on the woes and wonders of sorority life. Eventually, she moved cross country with her husband where she began freelancing for regionally based magazines and newspapers. They now live outside Indianapolis with their three children and chocolate lab, Norm (yes, from Cheers - Cliff lives down the street). One day, Shauna hopes to be a syndicated columnist. The Caretakers is her first published novel.

This is a character-driven novel which opens with a raw, disturbing scene revolving around an abortion in 1972. Then it goes on to summers end, 1989 describing the adult life of Jasper Jamieson, attorney at law, a widower, with an 11 yr. old daughter, and his sister Mabel, single and living at the family's "Country House" where they grew up and lived before their parents deaths. Every summer, Jasper and his brothers take their kids to The Country House (which the author describes in such a way you just want to pull up a chair and sit a spell). Mabel has no children, but her culinary skills has everyone anticipating their summers around her kitchen table. The kids look forward … READ MORE  

My book club just read this book for our February book and we all loved it every page! It's a powerful story that deals with love, family, grief and loss. I enjoyed the multiple conflicts with each individual character and how their struggles were related and intertwined. I also loved how it was written through the eyes of a child.  The way the writer leads you through this book is both dramatic and emotional, making the reader feel connected with the characters. The main lesson  ... READ MORE 

This book is a great read that embodies sorrow, humor, humility, and loss. Caroline was a convincing character that we have all encountered (and enjoyed) at some point of our being. The mischievous experiences of Rho, Mitch, and Cecil immersed me back to the 1970's spending summers with my own cousins. The underlying hint of political debate was secondary to Nosler's clear depiction of the complication of family relationships. The Caretakers is very entertaining and ... READ MORE