This contest period's winners were Marsha N., Maureen S. and Shirley B., who each received a copy of MAGPIE MURDERS by Anthony Horowitz and THE SUNSHINE SISTERS by Jane Green.
Kimberly
Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan
SAINTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS was an all-round excellent book: great story, great characters, great writing! I highly recommend it.
ILene
Strangers at the Feast by Jennifer Vanderbes
Ginny is an academic intellectual with limited domestic skills. Nevertheless, she takes on the task of hosting Thanksgiving dinner for her dysfunctional family. She is a single mother with an adopted daughter from India. Her father is a veteran of the Vietnam war who resents that his career suffered because of being shunned when he returned. Her brother is married with two children and is always frustrated in his efforts of trying to make monumental real estate deals by turning slums into developments. Her mother feels like she has missed something by being a stay-at-home mom. Things do not go well for the dinner preparation. The mistakes would be comical if not for the tragedy that affects them all. I really liked this book.
Sharon
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Curmudgeonly Ove just can't seem to not help people as his attempts to kill himself become almost a comedy of errors. Feisty neighbors, inept workers, left-behind teens, and accident prone people keep falling into his path and while he finds it burdensome, he can't help helping.
Bonnie
'Round Midnight by Laura McBride
This was an emotional gut-punch. Great writing and compelling storylines.
cj
Full Wolf Moon by Lincoln Child
For such an excellent writer he totally blew it here. If you're a teen into vampires you'll enjoy this one. I am neither.
Sherrey
The Blackbird Season by Kate Moretti
Moretti is not just a fantastic writer, she is a fantastic writer of mystery and suspense with a good thrill tossed in. THE BLACKBIRD SEASON is told by four characters--high school baseball coach, his wife, their mutual friend, and a female student. Each one has his/her problems including an autistic child, friendships that are too close, a background of nothing but hurts and pains. Moretti weaves all of these mini-stories into a great novel that keeps you turning pages well into the night. This is something for lovers of mystery, suspense and thrillers. Highly recommend it.
cj
Will's Red Coat by Tom Ryan
Well written and so moving. What an exceptional person Tom Ryan must be. Loved this book and went thru a full box of Kleenex.
Sheldon
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Wonderful story of a Korean family and the conflict between the Koreans and the Japanese.
Donna
The Breakdown by B. A. Paris
THE BREAKDOWN is the perfect title for this book. Cass learns that a potential best friend has been murdered and convinces herself that she might have been able to prevent her death. She carries her guilt to the extreme. Is she being irrational or are other forces being put into play? Revenge can be sweet when betrayal and lies almost destroy you.
Donna
The Girl on Mill Street by Peter Gilboy
Annie is a teenager when her mother is found murdered nine years after her disappearance. Her father, a psychiatrist, is charged with the murder and found guilty on circumstantial evidence. Annie never gives up on the premise that her father did not commit the murder. She uncovers a family secret and is determined to bring justice for her father.
Kimiko
Sycamore Row by John Grisham
Loved the twist at the end. However, the broad hint earlier in the book made it a given what would happen at the end. Justice was served.
Shelley Thompson
Summerlost by Ally Condie
SUMMERLOST is told from the perspective of a middle-school girl named Cedar Lee. After a tragic accident, she and her mother spend a summer in Iron Creek where her mother grew up. The book is about grief, adventure, responsibility, and friendship. It's a coming-of-age story that feels real.
Shelley
The Silent Wife by Kerry Fisher
Maggie and Lara, sisters-in-law, two different lives, married to brothers Nico and Massimo. This is a story where relationships and families are intricately revealed, where reality differs from appearances. When we chose this book, we knew there'd be secrets, we knew there'd be drama.
Kathy
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
I'd compare this book to THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield. Both books have a wonderful surprise ending that I sure didn't see coming. I have read three other books by Kate Morton and this one did not disappoint. I am one who does enjoy the style of writing told from two different characters, years apart. My book club will be discussing this book next week -- can't wait for the discussion.
Jud
The Ice Limit by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
THE ICE LIMIT by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is one wild ride. Perhaps best known for their collaborative Pendergast series, this writing duo is like no other pair today. This book has it all: interesting plot, well-developed characters and a cliff-hanger ending. If you like Clive Cussler and Jack DuBrul, then THE ICE LIMIT should be at the top of your pile. I happily give this book 4/5 stars.
Andrea
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Thought-provoking book about racism. Although I don't think a person can truly write from the perspective of something she does not have first-hand knowledge of (writing from the view point of a black woman), I think she was spot-on in writing from the POV of the white lawyer who didn't realize how deep racism runs. Made me reflect on my own life and views.
Marcia
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
This is Sleeping Beauty told in a whole new context— the Holocaust. Rebecca's grandmother has told her stories of Sleeping Beauty her entire life. The grandmother tells Rebecca that she is Briar Rose and that Rebecca is to find the castle, the prince, and the spell maker. Rebecca finds herself at a concentration camp in search of her grandmother's story. The book is interesting. It got a bit long in a spell of sightseeing. It's a bit pat that she actually finds the one person who knew her grandmother and can tell her the answers to her grandmother's life. Okay book.
Kathy
The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck
A short story describing the affects of war on the victims and also on the conquerors.
Diane
The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles and Robert Fagles
Interesting to read these classics, but they are not as captivating as more modern fare.
Pamela Moore
Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck
Had to give this four stars for its memorable characters, real and fictional. The real characters (Hemingway, Pauline, and their friends) in the novel are much as they might have been; this makes the novel ring true, even if the plot is predictable. If others have read about Hadley, then this is almost a follow-up on Hemingway's marriage to Pauline, and interesting as it covers the 1935 hurricane that devastated much of the Keys.
Jayme
Slade House by David Mitchell
Wow! It's been a while since I sat down and read a book in one sitting. An eerie Gothic house, two creepy twins and a handful of misfits weave together for a great ride on a stormy night. If you have never read David Mitchell, this is the perfect book to introduce you to this gifted writer.
Dawn
The Things We Do For Love by Kristin Hannah
Fun, quick but predictable beach read. Perfect for cleansing your reading palate!!
Marilyn
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens
An inter-generational story of a young man determined to get an education, an unusual writing assignment and a dying man recently released from prison.
Judy
Faithful by Alice Hoffman
What happens to two young girl's lives after an accident on a snowy February night? One will lie forever trapped in a mindless coma, but her friend, Shelby, will discover that life can be worth living. Strange, cryptic post cards lead to a productive life and also to love.
Linda
I Found You by Lisa Jewell
I received a copy of this book from Bookreporter.com. I am not familiar with this author but a free new hardback book is worth reading. Alice is a mom to three children, runs a small art business, has no men in her life, and has a hard time running her household and staying focused on the details of life. But she is a kind person and notices a strange man sitting on the beach near her home. This book is about Alice and the stranger, Frank, as they try to find out why Frank has no memory. And it is the story 23 years earlier of Gray and Kirsty, siblings in their teen years who are on a summer vacation with their parents. This is an easy read, much like a beach read, with plenty of action and interesting, flawed characters.
Gerry
The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman
This was disappointing, but I suspect the movie would be much better. Ackerman's writing reminds me of a term paper, with all-too-frequent interruptions with citations just to prove she's not making it up. She seemed uncertain whether she wanted to focus on the zoo animals and conservation issues, or on the efforts of Jan and Antonina to protect their Jewish friends and neighbors. Perhaps she didn't have enough information on either topic to fill a book, but her constant jumping back and forth between the two main topics, and insertion of "scholarly" facts to back up her statements made the book drag.
Gerry
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
Snyder, a history professor at Yale University, has written a short, concise treatise on learning from history, setting out 20 steps to guide Americans in avoiding the coma-enducing politics of inevitability (everything will certainly turn out for the best) and the equally dangerous politics of eternity (yearning for a mythic past that never was). Worth reading.
Suzanne
Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard
I love my fiction but I also love a good non-fiction read. I find I always learn things and it expands my interest. Candice is a hometown girl and I will never forget her first book, THE RIVER OF DOUBT. She always picks an interesting subject and turns it into a great read. Non-fiction, beside being educational and informing, can be very entertaining and a very good read.
Kay
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
An interesting look at the sinking of the Lusitania.
Marilyn
The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
This novel has a different take from most WW II novels. Three widows with their children live together in post war Germany in an old castle owned by one of the women. Two of the dead husbands took part in the failed assassination attempt on Hitler. The women are from different backgrounds and have secrets they don't share with each other. You understand after reading how some good people got enmeshed with the Nazis. The surviving protagonists reunite at the castle (now the location of an international institute) in 1991 and can accept each other's choices gracefully.
Beth
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The book gave a chilling description of how someone descends into suicide. It was also ahead of its time in describing the shackles of conventional womanhood.
Diana
The River of Kings by Taylor Brown
Two estranged brothers take their father's ashes down the iconic Altamaha River to his final resting place. It is not an easy trip and much happens along the way. The story follows the brothers, their father's life and the story of a 16th century French artist who was part of a doomed expedition into Georgia's waters and undeveloped land All three stories are woven together into a very intriguing story with lots of mystery and history.
Syrena
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
This is the first book I have read by Towles. I enjoy how he writes and will probably read more of his books in the future.
Martha
The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth
I'm rating this book with 5 stars because I thought it was such a good mother and daughter story. The handling of a teenage girl with social anxiety disorder should bring hope to anyone who is dealing with this problem for themselves or for someone who is a relative of such a person. Other personal problems of the people involved with this story were significant: abuse, rape, the ability to have a successful pregnancy. This may sound like too much melodrama, but the story seems woven together with compassion. It is a quick read.
Kara
Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews
Fun southern tale with a bit of mystery. Rich details and great characters.
Peg
Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After by Heather Harpham
I didn't know what to expect from this memoir. I got a wonderful surprise! It's both heartwarming and heart-wrenching to read this moving story starting with the birth of the author's daughter, Gracie. The author writes so lyrically that I was fascinated throughout. Gracie was born with a rare blood disorder and Heather was devastated just as any new mother would be. Gracie's father, Brian, loved Heather but didn't want children and even tho Heather had family/friends' support, she felt alone. Eventually Brian gets back into the family but the health of their daughter consumes them because of the severity of the disorder. It's a complex love story. I was routing for Gracie & other kids suffering from similar illnesses. Extraordinary memoir.
Elizabeth
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
This book has four storylines. It leads you through the Holocaust and Ravensbrook and the prisoners used for experimental surgeries. Then back in the States is a retired star socialite who fights for the "rabbits" as she names them. The stories are haunting and heartfelt. This is based on a true story. If you love this time frame, this is a great book to read. It's quite long so settle in for a while.
shirley
Vicious Circle by C. J. Box
Another page-turner entry in the Joe Pickett Wyoming game warden series that also advances the personal storyline for this family. While the book resolves some old issues, it also may be raising some new ones and I look forward to reading about them.
Jean
What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman
Difficult to read at times but a page-turning haunting story of past and present. Insanity, homicide, love, loyalty...this book has it all.
Sandy
What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman
Depressing at times, but good ending!
Elizabeth
An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris
AN OFFICER AND A SPY is historical fiction about the "Dreyfus affair," which is the tragedy that occurred in France during the 1890s when a man in the French army was falsely convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment at Devils Island. The story is told in first person by the officer, Georges Picquart, who discovered the error and tried to convince his superiors that Alfred Dreyfus was innocent.
Picquart had access to the documents that convicted Dreyfus. Picquart found forgeries and handwriting that matched another suspect's. But the more he made his superiors aware of this, the worse they treated him.
Linda
What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan
A page-turner from early in the book. I just could not find the time I wanted to spend time with this book. I could have read it in one sitting. The chapters alternate among the mother of an 8-year-old boy who is kidnapped, the primary detective investigating the crime, and the detective's mandated sessions with a department psychologist. This was a good one.
Heather
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
I am so glad that my friend chose this for our book club. What a great read! I had trouble putting it down, and the last third just flew by. It was great from beginning to end. I had to put it down for a while, but I kept thinking about it the entire time and wanted to get back to it badly. Mysterious, thrilling, intriguing. I recommend it highly to everyone.
Margaret
The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
A family drama of two cousins, Lane and Allegra. The family has a high death rate of the women in their family. Allegra suddenly disappears and Lane returns home to Kansas to find her. This book is written in alternating time periods, but unlike some this is easy to follow. Mesmerizing tale for a great summer read.
Judy O.
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens
Joe Talbert is a college student in Minnesota, and he has an assignment to write a biography of an everyday person in his life. Joe picks Carl Iverson, a Vietnam hero who has just been put on probation after serving a thirty year sentence for murder. Carl is in a nursing home dying of pancreatic cancer. Joe soon decides that Carl is not guilty and sets out to prove his theory. This was a good story, but several things in the ending really suspend belief.
Linda
If the Duke Demands by Anna Harrington
Miranda Hodgkins was brought up with the Carlisle children and always fancied herself in love with the middle Carlisle son, Robert. Oldest son Sebastian agreed to help her in her romantic dreams of getting Robert to see her as a grown woman but somewhere along the way, Sebastian and Miranda fell in love. Sebastian is the Duke of Trent and feels he must marry within society as befitting the title and Miranda is the orphaned niece of one of the Carlisle tenant farmers. Society would shun her. It takes a mother’s wisdom to show her son what truly matters. A thoroughly enjoyable novel deserving of more than 5 stars.
Linda
The Fix by David Baldacci
Amos Decker is on his way to FBI Headquarters when he sees a man shoot a woman in the back of her head. He tells the man to drop his weapon but the man holds the gun to his head and pulls the trigger. This action leads Amos and the rest of the Task Force along with an agent from the Defense Intelligence Agency to search for answers. The dead woman worked as a substitute teacher and drove a battered Honda yet owned a pricey condo along with a Mercedes. The man owned a government contracting business that paid well. A look at his past indicated he purchased an expensive house and owned a Porsche while working in a lower-level position at a government agency. The facts don’t add up but Decker knows there is a link somewhere. He must find it.
Linda
The Burial Hour by Jeffery Deaver
A child saw a man snatched off the sidewalk and shoved into the trunk of a car. A small noose was left on the sidewalk where the man had been standing. The victim was later seen on a video with a noose around his neck and choking with the person who made the video calling himself the Composer. Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are called to “walk the grid” but the scene had been contaminated. They find a clue linking the Composer to a passport photo. A few days later, a similar kidnapping occurred in Italy and Rhyme and Sachs are on the way.
Linda
Vicious Circle by C. J. Box
While trying to catch illegal poachers, game warden Joe Pickett gets called into searching for a missing hunter. Seeing the image of a man on their plane’s radar system, Joe thinks the hunter has been located but then sees three other images and flashes which he realizes are muzzle flashes from guns. Has he just observed a murder? On the ground, he learns that his old nemesis Dallas Cates is out of prison and seeking revenge for the death of his father and brothers and imprisonment of his mother. He refuses to acknowledge his part in the fight and puts the blame squarely on Joe. Joe’s wife and daughters are also in danger and their safety is one thing Joe will not jeopardize.
Linda
Beautiful Bitch by Christina Lauren
This is the third book in the Beautiful series. Bennett Ryan and Chloe Mills have not been able to spend too much time together due to their work schedules. Bennett arranged for them to stay in a friend’s villa in France and was eagerly looking forward for Chloe to join him. But fate stepped in and Chloe was marooned in New York due to a mechanic's strike at the airlines, and it was three days before she could join Bennett. Bennett had never been in love before but realized he was in love with Chloe. He wanted it to be forever and wondered if Chloe felt the same. Bennett is beside himself and he has finally worked up enough nerve to ask Chloe to marry him. He only hopes she says yes.
Linda
Beautiful Bombshell by Christina Lauren
This is the 4th book in the Beautiful series and is based on the stag party held in honor of Bennett Ryan’s upcoming wedding to Chloe Mills. Max Stella set up arrangements for Bennett to have a private lap dance in one of Las Vegas’ sex clubs but Bennett wants no part of it. He misses Chloe. He didn’t realize the surprise that Max had arranged. Max had to practically push Bennett into the room so Max could have his own fun. Surprises for all along the way.
Linda
Exquisite by Elizabeth Hayley
The on-again/off-again relationship between Siobhan Dempsey and Derick Miller is off when Siobhan returns to New York and the gallery that Derick bought her. Her friends tell her to put her ego aside and use every opportunity that comes her way. But now Derick seems to be finished with her. Every time he used his money to make things easier for her, she had gotten angry and told him she wanted to make it on her own. Now when she realizes her faults and how much she loves him, she wonders if it is too late. I didn't find too much story in this Bookshot. Lots of sex between the characters. This is the 3rd book in the Diamond Trilogy bookshot.
Linda
Fortune's Secret Heir by Allison Leigh
Ben Robinson, COO of Robinson Tech, is trying to find the brothers and sisters he might have from his father’s womanizing ways. To aid in his search, he hires Ella Thomas, a college student who works odd jobs. Ben also thinks his father might be related to Kate Fortune, a wealthy woman who is leery of people saying they are related to her. Ben’s sister had found proof that their father Gerald Robinson was actually Jerome Fortune but his father would say nothing on the subject. Ben is determined to find out the truth.
Linda
Two from the Heart by James Patterson
Two short stories make up this book. The first is "Tell Me Your Best Story" and is about a woman who lost her belongings in a hurricane and travels across country and asks different people what their best story is. She photographs each and includes the photo with their story in a book that becomes a best-seller. The second story is "Write Me a Life" where a wealthy inventor contacts a writer and he writes fictitious episodes which are made a part of the man’s life using actors. Kind of weird and reminds me of the Jim Carrey movie, "The Truman Show".
Linda
My One True Highlander by Suzanne Enoch
As Lady Marjorie Forrester travels to Scotland for a surprise visit to her brother, she is kidnapped and taken to the home of Graeme, Viscount Maxton. He is in for a shock when he learns what his brothers have done and is in a quandary over what to do. If she is turned over to the Duke of Dunncraigh, she could be murdered. If she is taken to the Duke of Lattimer’s home, he could have Graeme and his brothers imprisoned. So Graeme decides to keep her for a while but has no intention of falling for an English lass. At least, that is what he tells himself.
Donna
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
I couldn't put this book down. It did take some concentration to keep the characters straight. There were a lot of main characters and the author did her best in letting you know who they were. This is a story of deception with many twists. From as early as the late 1600's women have met their deaths in a winding river that flows through a small town. The river is considered a place for troublesome women whether suicide or murder. Recently, several deaths have occurred and secrets are discovered.
Linda
Lunch Poems by Frank O'Hara
This small book of poetry was mentioned in LILLIAM BOXFISH TAKES A WALK. I decided to see what Lillian liked about it. First, it was not an easy book to find. Most of the copies in my extended library system catalog showed the book as "missing." It turned out to be not what I expected. None of the poems rhyme. They have few capital letters and punctuation and more "f" words than I expected in a book first published in 1964. Many of the references were dated. (How many would know who Lillian Gish was?) Still, when I finally put my actress talents to reading, the poems flowed better and were more easily understandable. I'm glad I looked for the book, even if I think Lillian wrote poems more like jingles.
Beatrice
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
The kidnapping of a six-month-old begins a story with a number of twists and turns that reveal unexpected surprises. And underlying it all are the very real issues of postpartum depression.
Margaret
The Other Girl by Erica Spindler
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley, for an advance e-copy. I knew that Erica Spindler was a popular author so was delighted to get a copy. She certainly knows how to write a well-plotted murder/mystery/suspense/romance book that grabs you at the start & not let you go. There are twists/turns to keep you guessing. The protagonist is Miranda Rader, a small-town detective who has turned her life around from a troubled childhood. She came from the "wrong side of the tracks" & her family didn't support her. After being in juvenile prison, she decided to make something of her life. The novel involves 2 time periods: 2002 when she was a 15-yr-old & the present when she's assigned to investigate a grotesque murder. Action, sex & violence.
Sandy
The Breakdown by B. A. Paris
Read this one in one day!! I was fortunate enough to receive an Advance Readers' Edition, so I can recommend it to everyone!! On a rainy night, Cass takes the shortcut home through the woods, even though her husband has warned her it could be dangerous. With just minutes left until she's at their house she sees a car stopped on the side of the road with a woman sitting alone inside. Has the car broken down? Does she need help? Cass waits for a moment, but as the rain crashes down she continues on. When the news reports the next morning that a woman was killed in the woods Cass can't stop thinking about it. Pained by guilt, she has been forgetting every little thing. Who can you trust if you can't trust yourself?
Tessa B C
Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan
2.5 stars. This work of historical fiction tells the story of the relationship of Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne and Robert Louis Stevenson. Once again Horan turns her attentions to a man who was difficult to live with, and a woman who was conflicted about her life with that man. It should have been interesting, but this book somehow failed to capture me. The best part was their lives in Samoa, only about 100 pages in a nearly 500-page book.
Brady
Nevertheless by Alec Baldwin
I always enjoy reading books by thespians as all of them go through the panels of hell to become successful. Of course many never make it, but those that do have many interesting experiences during their journey. Alec has some terrible events that has messed him up for a lifetime and it was all his fault for sure. He has also had many wonderful times with those in his profession. I detest his political history and possible aspirations, but that is a minor flaw for me as he has accomplished much in his professional career.
Sherri
When I'm Gone by Emily Bleeker
One of the best novels I have read in awhile. Page-turner about the life of Luke after his wife Natalie's death from cancer and the secrets he learns from magical letters that arrive after she dies. I appreciated the insights into grieving and living after losing a spouse. Reading the author's bio was interesting as well as she is a cancer survivor.
Lori
Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone by Phaedra Patrick
I had thoroughly enjoyed the author’s previous book, THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to read her new book, RISE AND SHINE< BENEDICT STONE. I enjoyed reading it, but in some ways I found it was something of a “knock-off” of THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS, except using gems instead of flowers. I’m not a big fan of or believer in talismans, so I’m glad the author didn’t go overboard with them influencing people’s lives. I liked the characters in the book and the picture of village life. It was an interesting story with thought-provoking issues about marriage, weight loss, families and infertility.
Lori
Two by Two by Nicolas Sparks
Really enjoyed this book, but at times I struggled with his wife because I really don't like people like her, but I continued the story. A wonderful relationship unfolded. Mr. Sparks always bring true-to-life stories that are relatable.
Linda Johnson
Library of Congress by Kurt S. Maier
Very interesting. Did you know that when the Library of Congress was established in the early 19th century, borrowers were required to pay $1 to take out a book. A DOLLAR! In 1800! Lots of pictures of cards from card catalogs and of books including first editions for THE GREAT GATSBY and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. My only complaint? The book was too slim.
Linda
Enemies: A History of the FBI by Tim Weiner
This book kept my husband and me entertained through a trip to Philly and then to Michigan for Memorial Day. Considering recent news, many of the names mentioned at the end of the book are in the news again. Of course, the first half (or more) of the book involves J. Edgar Hoover. Much of the book we've lived through. It was just a matter of dusting off the cobwebs.
Donna
The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood
A book group, a mystery, affairs both current and past, tragedy, Paris, an old bookshop, dysfunctional kids, and secrets. All this in one book makes for a fascinating read as everything culminates to a stunning revelation and resolution.
Amy
The Light We Lost by Lisa Santopolo
Great book, touching. Read it in two days.
Francisca E B
Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag
3.5 stars. Set in a California town a few hours from Los Angeles, in 1985, Hoag’s thriller begins when four children stumble upon the partially buried body of a woman while playing in the woods. Hoag writes a tight, suspenseful tale. The action is fast-paced, and I was completely captivated from beginning to end.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
The plainspoken style and rhythm and kindness (toward characters, toward life itself) reminded me of what I've read of Haruf's previous work. I loved the sly self-referencing. I would have liked more and deeper peeks into the inner lives of Addie and Louis. As it stands, Louis in retrospect seems weak and passive, and I'm not sure whether that's exclusively my filtered interpretation or whether the author intended it. I see both Addie and Louis as real people in that they are decent and vulnerable and needy but also flawed, just like anyone --- Addie with her assertiveness that's really a house of straw and Louis with his go-with-the-flow lack of assertiveness. The grandson, while cute, I just didn't buy.
WALTER KRETZMANN
High Crimes by Joseph Finder
HIGH CRIMES was an excellent read. I would have given a rating of 5 stars, but I needed a little more creativity at the end of the book. Overall I would recommend.
Nicolette Bonzani
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I'll admit it...I cried a few tears. This is only the second book I can remember reading that I was moved to tears by. This moving story of World War II is not your typical war story. When you think of war stories, you often think of the war, the men out fighting it. It's not often that you think of what the women were doing back home, their war. This deep novel explores just that. Dealing with the Germans from inside their French homes. Losing so many friends and family members, tragedy so wide spread that you didn't even speak of it anymore. How far would you go to keep the people you love safe? Where does bravery cross the line into stupidity? This emotional novel with such intriguing characters captured my heart.
Becky
The Windfall by Diksha Basu
This book is not funny. It is just sad. A bunch of pretentious people trying their hardest to be even more pretentious is just depressing. I would have preferred a book about Mrs. Ray and Uben, somewhat minor characters who serve as foils for the Jha’s and Chopra’s. Mrs. Ray offers a breath of lightness and air in this very arid book. The Jha’s have come into money and are determined that everyone will know how wealthy they are. They wear uncomfortable clothes, sit on a very uncomfortable sofa and befriend very unlikable people. The writing is okay but totally wasted on this depressing book.
Becky
The Girl With No Name by Diney Costeloe
Although this book was too long (486 pages), the tale of a Jewish girl sent to England during the Kinder Transport of WWII who loses her memory because of injuries received during the Blitz and spends many months as a “lost child,” is interesting for its portrayal of life in England during the war. Charlotte spends time in London and in a rural area of England. The differences in quality of life are astounding. The Blitz was terrifying. Life in the rural areas was more peaceful, but many hardships were endured. The side tale of Harry is extraneous and interrupts Charlotte’s more interesting plot. If you are interested in British life you will like this book. If you like fast moving plots, skip.
Ilene
The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki
What a great book as told by the perspective of Clara, the maid of General Benedict Arnold and his socialite wife Peggy Shippen Arnold. An easy to read historical fiction, it tells the story of the defection of Benedict Arnold to the British during The Revolutionary War. Another good book by Allison Pataki is SISI, the story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungry who was married to Emperor Franz Joseph. Can't wait until her next book.
Jan
The Chosen by Kristina Ohlsson
This murder book is the most complex book Ohlsson has written. Children are murdered; there are deep dark secrets going back a decade and in another country. Plus the head of the national spy organization is complicit in some way. It is easy to get mixed up which woman has the violin and who is really working on what side. Multiple identities are in the mix, too. If you love good mysteries, prepare to stay up all night. This is a Fredrika Bergman and Alex Recht book; both characters have many issues, especially families and now they are looking for a child killer.
Becky
Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker
This psychological thriller held my attention during the read, but two days after finishing it I have completely forgotten it. Two sisters disappear one night and three years later only one returns home. There are lots of lies, innuendoes, misdirection and scary characters. Emma is quite well drawn. The other characters are known only in retrospect. The plot will keep you guessing until the end. So, is this a good book? Well it will hold your interest and is a good beach read. Is it profound? Not really.
Becky
The Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett
Space has been conquered and humans populate many planets. But a devastating virus has depopulated the worlds. Few humans are left. One human is Jamie, the lonely survivor on her planet. Her problem is to return to Earth to begin to repopulate the universe. The few survivors gather and then…Humans are human – mean, selfish, cruel, selfless, kind, arrogant. What kind of a world do they want? What will they get? Who will win and who will lose? The main characters are clearly drawn. The plot is full of twists and turns. The worlds are varied and interesting. Humans are in charge as they always have been, aren’t they?
Alice
A Good American by Alex George
This family saga of European immigrants spanning multiple generations was full of memorable characters and multiple plot twists, secrets, and history lessons.
Vicki
The Day I Died by Lori Rader-Day
Good summer beach read, but the ending was perhaps a bit too hard to believe it would really happen.
Vicki
The Burial Hour by Jeffery Deaver
Love Lincoln Rhymes. This one is maybe a little too out of America for me. Written like a new job and destination for his mysteries.
Anna
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
The author did a great job telling the stories of two women who both experience a horrific tragic event in which someone they love dies. Their stories are intertwined by a scarf that crosses both their paths even though they live a century apart. The choices they make are prompted by love, but the effects spill onto other events. They have to make difficult choices but continue to hope love will triumph. Life is full of choices and ethical dilemmas are the most challenging because you must decide what is right or wrong, and then you have to live with the consequences. Love can make us the most vulnerable. These women must decide if they will abandon love because they are afraid it will crush them or choose to trust love.
Anna
The Company She Keeps by Georgia Durante
A hardcore insiders look at the world of organized crime, mainly in Rochester, NY, told by the author. Through the story of her extremely difficult life, we experience the highs and lows of being married to someone in the mob. She did a good job telling her story and even though she make some poor choices, I found her story inspirational because she overcomes adversity and makes a life for herself.
Anna
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I thought the female perspective of occupied France and the tales of the resistance as well as the opposing sisters' perspectives was beautifully written. Their parallel stories are as different as their personalities, but both are suspenseful, complicated, and emotional. It is a story of hardships, cruelty, and the horrors of war but also a story of friendship, love, loyalty and dedication to the strong belief in freedom. There are many books written about WW II but in this one the emphasis is placed on the importance that women play during wartime. This book made me cry. I think I like books that bring out so much emotion that it makes you cry because they evoke feelings that make us human.
Anna
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini
Very interesting book about Scientology that I knew little about and have been curious about for a while. This book gave me some insight into this group. I enjoyed reading Leah Remini's account of her experience when she was involved with Scientology.
Anna
Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
I learned a lot about this famous Egyptian ruler. History has not depicted Cleopatra favorably, but the author shows a whole different side of her that I had never heard before. This is a good book filled with interesting historical facts. Stacy Schiff obviously did a lot of research before writing this book. She tells the story of Cleopatra's incredible life and gives the reader an alternative perspective from other books that have been written about her. Schiff is very careful about stating her sources and this can sometimes come off as a history lesson, but I think her main focus was to illuminate the life of Cleopatra and how her male contemporaries helped shape the choices she made. She does a very good job doing just that.
Cindy
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Absolutely wonderful portrayal of immigrant situation -- Koreans to Japan. It's about families in crisis across generations and decades. I miss the characters.
Deborah
Believer by David Axelrod
This is the book of the year here at our library, and everyone is excited about the author's coming to speak. I liked the "back stage" information on national politics. Of course, I did notice that when his candidate won it was because Axelrod did a brilliant ad or campaign. And when his man or woman lost it was because the candidate is a doofus.
Tessa B C
The Vicious Vet by M. C. Beaton
Book two in the popular Agatha Raisin cozy mystery series. I was not a fan of the first Agatha Raisin book, but she’s growing on me. One of the review blurbs calls Agatha “a glorious cross between Miss Marple, Auntie Mame, and Lucille Ball, with a tad of pit bull tossed in.” (Quote from the St. Petersburg Times.) I’m beginning to see that combination here, and I’m starting to appreciate the humor in Agatha’s character.
Judy O.
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan
Chilbury is a very small town in England, and this book takes place in 1940 at the beginning of WWII. The women in this town form a Ladies' Choir, because they no longer have any male singers in their midst. There are also many secrets among the town people, and the war bombings tend to cause these secrets to be made known. This was a good, fast-reading story.
Gloria
16th Seduction by Jammes Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Terrific book -- love the series.
Jane Blue
The Wish Granter by C. J. Redwine
Wonderful second book in the Ravenspire series.
S
The Widow by Fiona Barton
When a man who was accused of a horrible crime has died will his widow finally tell the world what she knows? A local reporter thinks so. When the widow starts to share her story can we believer her? The story is told by various characters with chapters varying from the past to the present. A very enjoyable mystery.
Marcia
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
The book takes place in WWII Italy. Pino Lella is a carefree teenager at the beginning of the story. His life changes drastically when the Nazis invade Italy. He helps Jews into Switzerland. Then, to evade the Nazi draft and the front lines, he enlists. He becomes the personal driver for General Hans Leyers, one of Hitler's right-hand men. Pino uses the position to obtain secrets for the underground. It's also his love story with Anna. I don't want to give away any more. It is based on a true story which makes it an even better read. I highly recommend it.
Kathy
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
A wonderful memoir of one man's quest to learn the secrets of running and particularly about the legendary Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyon in Mexico. I really liked this book and felt connected as I have visited Copper Canyon and met some of the Tarahumara Indians.
Kay
Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner
A thrilling mystery that keeps you reading!
Susan
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
I enjoyed this book. Erica and Clementine have been friends through their whole lives. But their childhoods couldn't have been different. An incident at a barbecue changes their friendship in a way they didn't see coming.
Sandy
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
I didn't care for this book as much as I did ROOM but I stuck with it just to find out the ending. It was slow going, but I am glad I finished it.
Alice
Abby's Journey by Steena Holmes
Very good. We read it for our book club and even my husband liked it.
Norene
Madamoiselle Chanel by C. W. Gortner
Really enjoyable.
Leslie
The Judas Strain by James Rollins
This is the second book of Rollins' that I've read and again I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what happened next!! I also have found myself wanting to read up more on Marco Polo to learn more about him and his life and also the Angelic Scripts, which I had never heard of before but want to learn more!! I started this book at a run and it never slowed down till the end!! There were twists and turns everywhere that kept me questing but also wanting more!! Besides a fictional story, I felt like I was learning something while reading this book...and never was I bored or felt like I was back in the classroom!! There are many true historical references and facts in the book. These just left me wanting to learn more!
Leslie
The Guests on South Battery by Karen White
I have loved this series from start to this book and I love a Karen White!!!! I patiently waited for this book to come out...my mother giving me a pre-ordered autographed copy for Christmas. Then once it arrived, I couldn't put it down!!! Again, Karen didn't disappoint with all the twists and turns of the story and her wonderful ways of writing!! The ending did leave the possibility of another book. Please, could there be another??!!
Leslie
The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White
As always Karen did not disappoint!!! Truly this book had me guessing what was coming next with every turn. I would think I knew "who did it" but then the plot would turn in a totally different direction!!! I loved how Karen brought these two ladies together and wound their lives around each other only to become "friends" in the end. Two ladies from different generations, walks of life, but so alike in so many ways! I truly loved this book! Again Karen, a winner of a read!!
Pauline
Paws and Effect by Sofie Kelly
Especially for people who like cats, this is an adorable read. Hercules and Owen are magical cats who help librarian Kathleen solve mysteries. When Kathleen's boyfriend Detective Marcus is accused of the murder of one of his three friends who arrived in town, she knows he is no killer and with the help of the two cats she finds who is framing him. Owen helped by knocking a pile of journals onto the floor, which opened to the right page for him to put his paw on the clue.
Elizabeth
Saints for all Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan
A well-kept secret lies at the core of this story of two sisters who emigrated to Boston from an Irish village in the 1950s. The sisters reminded me of Eleanor and Marianne in Jane Austen's SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, opposites, but fond of and appreciative of each other. One sister becomes a cloistered nun, and her abbey (based upon a well-known Benedictine New England Abbey, as well as the story of her vocation are accurately and knowledgeably described. (I have experience of monastic life and feel I can judge.) The circumstances of the secret seemed unrealistic, though they work in the context of the story. The second generation, the children of the other sister, seemed a bit one-dimensional. Entertaining, but not really gripping.
Allison
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts
Great story.
Stacey
The Black Book by James Patterson and David Ellis
This is a mystery with twist and turns that will keep you in suspense until the shocking end. It's a great summer read.
Renee
Burntown by Jennifer McMahon
This book has loads of suspense and mystery, all tied together perfectly with fantastic writing! When the story begins we first hear from young Miles, a ten-year-old quirky little boy, whose all decked out in his Robin Hood outfit and on a mission to frighten his mom into quitting smoking by replacing the tobacco in her cigarettes with gunpowder...just a small amount, mind you. As Miles hides in the nearby brush to watch his mother's reaction when she lights up, what he ends up seeing is a murder that will shake him to his core and turn his life completely upside down. This is one of the most surprising and creepiest opening scenes I've read in a long time...I was immediately hooked on this story!
CYNTHIA
The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian
The subject of sleepwalking is fully explored as we relate to concerned, well-developed
family members in the story.
Jo
The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes
Absolutely loved this book. A must-read!!
CYNTHIA
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult has treated another unique subject matter with a page-turner. Who would've guessed elephants are being researched? Every character begs for a movie role. An excellent read!!
Sherrie English
Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
Beautifully-written short stories with a thread of Lucy Barton throughout.
Dorothy Flood
Dangerous Games by Danielle Steel
I enjoy all her books but this one is different. It is a good mystery. Alix, a TV news reporter, and Ben work together to bring news to the world. She is put on an assignment to investigate the VP of the US. Read it -- it is excellent.
Cheryle
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
This is one of the best books I've read this year. Told as a fictional account of the woman featured in the Andrew Wyeth's art "Christina's World". The author has researched very thoroughly the time and the situation and came up with a story this is believable and extraordinary. I cried with sympathy the last half of the book, it was so believable.
Cheryle
The Golden Calf by Helene Tursten
I have read most of the series by this author and this one is excellent, as always. A man is found murdered in his wife's opulent home, which he usually does not inhabit. He had his own home in his own hotel. Intrigue and hidden agendas make up the storyline of this book. Financial underhandedness is a large part of the story.
Dianne
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Subtle look at abuse, spouse abuse and sexual abuse. Ms. Moriarty does an outstanding job portraying an abused spouse, her secrets and how violence affects her children. The picture of helicopter parents in a kindergarten setting is also right on target. The pacing is slow sometimes.
Have not seen the movie but plan to do so before our book club meeting.
Gerry
The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
This very engaging novel spans the years from the mid-1930s in pre-WWII Germany to the early 1990s. It follows three women brought together after the war to fulfill a promise one of them had made to her husband, to care for the wives and children of his partisan group, which failed in their effort to assassinate Hitler. All of the characters are complex and realistic, and none are saints, though all have tried as best they could to live a "good" life in a horrific era.
Gerry
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
This is a book I first read about on the Bookreporter.com site. I very much enjoyed reading this three-hundred year chronology of two branches of a Ghanaian family in Africa and America. I learned a lot of sad history too, about British colonization of Africa, the tribal wars, and the British-African-American slave trade and its long-term after effects, down to the present day. New characters representing each new generation were introduced in each chapter, within the social and economic milieu of their time. HOMEGOING is an interesting and very engaging read, one I recommend highly. Can't wait to see Yaa Gyasi when she speaks next week at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Gerry
Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain
4-1/2 stars for a completely engrossing fictionalized story focused on the eugenics program sponsored by the state of North Carolina from 1929 through 1977. Over and over, I am astounded at the terrible things that have been done in this country by those in power, whether government officials or simply powerful individuals or groups, to citizens considered less valuable for any number of reasons.
Margie
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
I loved this quirky and touching story about a young woman with poor social skills and a dysfunctional family background and how she evolves after meeting an "IT guy" at her place of employment, and both help an elderly man in trouble.
Kelly
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
A little whiny at times, but overall good.
Shirley
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve
Very interesting spin on how one incident can change a life in one day. Author made the reader feel as if you knew the characters personally.
Richard N B
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
The snow falling on Toronto gives the city a peaceful look, but the hysteria caused by a spreading plague that kills within days cannot be stopped. Dystopian or postapocalyptic novels are really not my thing, but I found this novel quite interesting. Mandel moves back and forth in time, and from character to character, keeping the reader off balance.
Ilene
Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde
What a great book! August Shroeder, a burned out teacher and recovering alcoholic, stops at a mechanic's garage because of a breakdown with his motor home. There he meets the owner, who tells him he will fix his van free if he takes his two sons along with him on his trip through Yellowstone Park and other national parks. It just so happens that Wes, the boys father, has to appear in jail for three months for a DUI. The two boys, Seth 14 and Henry 8, and Woody, August's dog, have a great adventure, learning about the rest of our country. They are such likeable characters, and if you like a good relationship book this is for you.
Trezeline
Night Over Water by Ken Follett
Very good mystery.
Wendy Catalano
Come Sundown by Nora Roberts
I won an Advance Readers Copy of this book from the publisher, St. Martin's Press. Thank you!
Another wonderful Nora Roberts read! A suspenseful and intriguing saga involving twisted passions and based upon family ties. Set in Montana on a ranch/resort owned by the Longbow/Bodine family, this is the story of a family coming together to settle issues of the past and to protect their own when a madman is on the loose abducting women to become his wives. In typical Nora Roberts fashion, this romantic suspense will captivate you throughout.
Janet
The Breakdown by B. A. Paris
Initially I felt the story was moving a little slow, but it kept me engaged wanting to know what would happen. It was worth the wait because everything built up to an ending that was a real surprise page-turner.
KC
The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld
Three years ago, in the back woods of Oregon, a 5-year-old girl goes missing and is presumed dead. The parents request the help from Naomi who has been called "The Child Finder". This secretive woman shares a similar past with many of her victims, which only pushes her harder towards a resolution. As Naomi travels into the expansive woods, she begins to delve deeper into her own past. The writing is quite visceral and extremely atmospheric. I could not put this book down until the captivating conclusion.
shelly
History of Russia in 100 Minutes by Tamel Vahislalu
This book is like an encyclopedia of knowledge then a history of Russia. Of course, I knew about Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin but this book starts before 862 and brings up to the present day.We learn who the 54 most important rulers were and the 106 historical people in Russia history. Most of us might be familiar with Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khruschchev and Leonard Brezhnev, but this masterpiece of learning really goes back to the beginning. I was not aware that the first Russians arrived in today's territory in 40,000 BC. I learned about the "time of troubles", which was one of the weakest points in the history of the Russian state, which after fifteen years of unrest killed almost a third of the population.
Debbie
The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
James Patterson draws the reader immediately into each book. Of course, Patterson's style of writing follows an example format that compels the reader deeper into the story. The action and language gather momentum that forces the reader to gobble up the pages. Patterson's book centers on action, not on analysis. I enjoy a break from description and commentary, and Patterson provides a pleasant reprieve. Gory killings and crazy killers litter the pages, but glimpses of world-famous cities populate the mad race to find the killers. Patterson's language remains simplistic and his characters confirm to various stereotypes, but Patterson's books make you wonder if the person you just met might be a killer.
Debbie
The Escape by David Baldacci
I love listening to David Baldacci on audiobook, as I hear the whole book and do not skim sections. Baldacci's books create an unease with government and the military, as I wonder what is truth. THE ESCAPE centers on a man convicted of treason escaping from Leavenworth Prison in Kansas. Leavenworth is a maximum security, military prison. The chase begins to find Robert Fuller, the escaped man. Baldacci intricately explains the prison workings, the military, the government, and plots to sabotage the government by Russian operatives. The two women in this story effectively outshine many of the men. Maybe Baldacci's failure rests in the extensive explanation of events.
Jean
All Fudged Up by Nancy Coco
A light, fun cozy mystery.
Lori
The Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille
I highly recommend DeMille's latest novel. I love his new main character and hope for a sequel. I found his sarcasm very entertaining. I think the author captured the life of people living in Key West as well as the dynamics of group tours. I haven’t been to Cuba, but his descriptions seemed very realistic to me, based on my travels to other Communist countries. The book had something for everyone. I learned a lot about Cuban-American relations & politics. There was adventure & danger on the high seas & in Cuba. There was also romance, complex relationships & humor. I also appreciate books that appeal to both men & women. It can also be considered a cautionary tale for potential travelers to Cuba. It is a great addition to DeMille's work.
Judy O.
The Foundling by Paul Joseph Fronczak and Alex Tresniowski
What a fascinating, non-fiction book! It is the story of a man, the author, trying to find his true identity. When he was very small, he was abandoned in front of a store in an upscale shopping center. He was finally thought to be the kidnapped son of a family who had their baby stolen in the hospital after he was born. He was given the name of Paul Fronczak. Occasionally I thought the book got too technical when dealing with genetic information.
Rosemary
Man Overboard by J. A. Jance
Not a fan of AI books, but this one was good.
Marilyn
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
This was a reread for me because our book club selected it for June. A delightful read, beautifully written.
Lynn W
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
Just not my thing, I guess, even though my husband's family was part of the migration from Eastern KY for jobs -- other than mining -- up north.
Nicolette
Persons Unknown by Susie Steiner
This second DS Manon novel had me thinking back to the first installment of this series, MISSING, PRESUMED. Reading that first book I found myself "sucked in." This second book was the same. I again found myself turning to this book with all my spare moments (and I read several books at once so there is always competition for my time). They mystery of what really happened is tied to Manon is two ways, through her job but more importantly through her family. The intertwining makes this book both character and storyline-driven, a solid one-two. It also gives what could be a cold hard mystery a softer touch. Susie Steiner did not let us down with this sequel!
Helen
Come Sundown by Nora Roberts
Just about perfect novel that's part thriller, part romance, and a heart-warming story of family. Takes place in the West. Lots of outdoors, horses, interesting and talented people.
shelly
Murder in Palm Beach by Bob Brink
Mitt Hecher definitely not a model citizen and he did get into many different types of fights with people and even the police. One thing he did not do is murder anyone. Unfortunately, thanks to a corrupt judicial system and some prosecutors who are trying to make a name for themselves, it looks like they have convicted an innocent man. Being sent to jail for minor charges would be acceptable, but to be convicted and sentenced for murder when the witnesses are all people who are in jail with the accused is really unbelievable. Yes, we are told to accept the verdict of the jury but how can we when they evidence they are given are lies? Rodger Kriger and his family lived in a lovely section and not one that Mitt would be familiar with.
Cheryl Olivera
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
The beginning of the book was very suspenseful, but later on that suspense disappeared. The book had moments that I really liked and some I disliked. I just didn't care for it, but I do hope they make the movie. I think I would rather see the movie on this one.
Maureen
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
3.5 stars. I love all of Liane Moriarty's books so far, but this one not quite as much. It was a good read and I would definitely recommend it, but just didn't grab me as her others did.
Maureen
The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain
I will be reading more by this author. This was a great story that I could not put down. I enjoyed her writing style. Recommended as a great choice for book clubs.
Elizabeth
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
This truly a winner, some will even call it wonderful. Coming from me, this is a compliment you can believe. This book is partly a coming-of-age novel. If this type bores you, as it does me, you’re in for a surprise. Boyne’s dialog (and THE HEART’S INVISIBLE FURIES is packed with it) is so enjoyable, so clever, I promise, you won’t be bored. It turns out, though, this book is about growing up through adulthood as a homosexual male in 20th and 21st-century Ireland. Again, this subject may bore you, as it usually does me. It may even put you off. But in this case it won’t do either. Boyne is such a skillful writer, he won me over, even with put-offish subjects.
Sandy
The Dry by Jane Harper
Best book ever!! After getting a note demanding his presence, Federal Agent Aaron Falk arrives in his hometown for the first time in decades to attend the funeral of his best friend, Luke. 20 years ago when Falk was accused of murder, Luke was his alibi. Falk and his father fled under a cloud of suspicion, saved from prosecution only because of Luke's steadfast claim that the boys had been together at the time of the crime. But now more than one person knows they didn't tell the truth back then, and Luke has killed himself.
Francisca E B
A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer
2.5 stars. Well, this sounded much more interesting than it wound up being. I definitely enjoyed some aspects of the novel. I like reading medical histories, and the race to develop a procedure to mass produce penicillin was an important effort in World War II. But, Belfer included a romantic subplot, as well as broken family ties, a murder, and other elements. There is just too much going on between the covers of this book, and I never got caught up in the story.
Liz
A Fine Romance: A Memoir by Candice Bergen
Candice Bergen writes this book as a testament to all she has and everything she has accomplished. There is no flow to the book at all, jumping from place to place. I failed to find any humor in it at all. I feel the book would have been better if she had been a bit more humble.
Jan
Mortal Allies by Brian Haig
This is my first Brian Haig book and it was okay. The mystery is very military - you need to know about rank and rules, etc. Koreans are obsessed with North Korean spies and have been since the Korean War (50 years ago) and this book plays on that obsession. A young Korean officer is murdered in the apartment of an American officer. Others were present. It seems that only those present can give information about the event. The U.S officer is charged with murder but was really the lover of the Korean man. And on it goes since homosexuality was not acceptable in either military. Haig gets a lot of the culture right - the subservience of women, the formal rituals and military protocols but Koreans are not so obsessed with homosexuality.
Marsha
The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly
I have read almost all of the Harry Bosch novels and this one is by far the best. It is an early one when Harry is determined to find the killer of his mother. It is a very cold case but it has been troubling him for years. Beautifully written and full of wise words.
Mary
Come Sundown by Nora Roberts
I loved this story, family, Montana, love and mystery. I haven't read any Nora Roberts books in a while and this one makes me want to go back and read the ones I missed. She is such a great storyteller and this one, COME SUNDOWN, has it all.
Lynn W
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
Good story about the lead-up to WWI and the changing roles of women. Loved the dialogue. Reminded me of Downtown Abbey.
Linda
Are You Anybody?: A Memoir by Jeffrey Tambor
I've enjoyed watching Jeffrey Tambor for more than 30 years, his appearances on Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law stand out. This book is perfect Tambor - droll, witty, and honest. I'm now looking forward to watching the performances that I missed because they weren't on network TV - the ones that made him an "anybody." As both a reader and as a seldom performing actor, I'd read this book again.
Linda
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
Wow! I read REBECCA years ago. I know I read a book of du Maurier's short stories. Why did I stop there? Du Maurier is a master manipulator of the reader. My sympathies for Rachel bounced more than LeBron James at a Cavalier game. I loved it. I'd read this one again in a snap.
Linda
Cages by Sylvia Torti
I know I read about this book someplace and that is why I requested an ARC. Unfortunately, I did not note where I found out about it. I was not as enthralled as whoever introduced me to this book.
Multi-layered story of a team of people who do research on birds, trying to learn how and why they sing. Some of the scenes of lab work were not easy to read, but it was the same for some of the interaction between lab mates - it was more than the birds that were confined by cages.
Linda
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
What a sweet story of a young girl who emigrates from Ireland to (surprise!) Brooklyn. She leaves behind her mother and adored older sister as well as her brothers and friends to forge a path in the New World, with a new job, new living arrangements, and new friends. Eilis is an honorable lass who tries to keep all right with her world, but it isn't always easy. This book rings so true. I loved it.
Linda
The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki
Amateurish writing and uninspired narration. Overwritten characters. Finished it, but, oh, it took too long. Fictionalized account of Benedict Arnold's second wife who manipulates the men in her life. Was it Arnold's idea to betray the colonies or Peggy's?
Tessa B C
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
I am not a great fan of post-apocalyptic novels. And yet, here I am reading another one. Heller’s writing is both poetic and spare, with short sentences that come at the reader like staccato gun fire. This gives the novel a feeling of impending danger, of uncertainty and fear. I wanted to rush through it, and yet, I wanted to take my time to understand what was happening and how these characters were dealing with this different world.
Lynn W
16th Seduction by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
This is the first Patterson book I've read in years, and I really enjoyed it. The ladies of the Women's Murder Club are tough, smart and courageous professionals.
