Small World by Laura Zigman

Joyce and Lydia once upon a time along with their youngest sister Eleanor were the Mellishman sisters. Eleanor had cerebral palsy confined to a wheelchair, unable to communicate well or participate easily in most family functions. She was the center of attention and the apple of their mother's eye who doted on her every need and was a fierce supporter for the rights of disabled children. This meant that Joyce and Lydia were basically invisible even after Eleanor passed away at an early age. As young adults the sisters split up on opposite coasts but now both sisters are divorced and need a fresh start. Joyce moves back home and stays with Lydia disrupting her very orderly and private space. Lydia now alone has a fulfilling family life by organizing and cataloging family photos of clients. She also secretly writes small poems compiled from their neighborhood chat site. When Joyce makes friends with the new noisy upstairs neighbors it is more change and betrayal than Lydia can stand. One of them has to get out of their small world and find some common ground. A tragic and heartwarming look at the family matrix and complex sister relationships and how we all try to fit a very large puzzling life full of big problems into our small worlds.  4 1/2 stars