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March 30, 2018 - April 13, 2018

This contest period's winners were Betty H., Jane S. and Kaylee H., who each received a copy of THE CUTTING EDGE: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel by Jeffery Deaver and I'VE GOT MY EYES ON YOU by Mary Higgins Clark.

 

Cindy
Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky

3
Fans of Delinsky will definitively like this book. There’s a lot of “stuff” going on and the author does an excellent job in keeping the reader focused and interested. Forgiveness of others and especially yourself is the major theme along with strong women overcoming tragedies and starting over. Not exactly my genre but I did like.

Kathy
Every Frenchman Has One by Olivia De Havilland

3
A light and breezy account of Ms. de Havilland’s move to Paris to marry and set up a home.

Sally-Jo
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

4
I liked this book but not as much as A MAN CALLED OVE. Heartwarming story. I liked the characters.

Pat
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

5
Fabulous read! From the beginning, I was grabbed into the story. Honestly, I wondered if I could possibly complete it because it was so sad and scary. This is Alaska wilderness at its best. Be sure to read this book.

Elizabeth
Tony and Susan by Austin Wright

2
TONY AND SUSAN is a story within a story. At least it’s supposed to be. Susan is reading a book written by her ex-husband. Most of TONY AND SUSAN is that book, the story within the story. It’s about Tony, a college professor, whose wife and child are abducted and murdered. The story starts out pretty good, although Tony is quite a wimp. But then the story degenerates; it gets tedious and dull. Worse is the end of the story within the story. It is quite a letdown. Worse than the story within the story is the story, Susan reading. I cannot figure out why these parts of TONY AND SUSAN even exist. I call it “the story,” but is it really if it makes me wonder, so what? Again, I don’t know why it’s there. And again, the end is a letdown.

Muriel
The One-in-a Million Boy by Monica Wood

5
This is a book that will stay in my thoughts for a long time. This is a magical, beautiful story of 104-year-old Ona Vitkus, the boy who enters her life and encourages her to embrace life fully, and the boy’s estranged father who learns a lot about love and family through his connection with Ona after the boy dies. I love the way Monica Wood gives the story back to the boy in the last chapter. What was to be his final gift was thoughtful and unique. This is a very special book.

Patricia
The Escape Artist by Brad Meltzer

5
The "finding" at the start of the book was a definite attention-getter, and the subsequent setting at the morgue at Dover Air Force Base was not expected, but the respect and reverence given to the setting and the work done there was moving. The mystery was what I expect from Brad Meltzer, but his research and the way he handled the Dover setting was an added extra.

Jill
The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

4
I read this for my book group. I liked how the author covered the period after World War II when Germany was moving towards a semblance of normalcy versus only covering the war period itself. That's been covered in a lot of great novels and this is a period in history I knew less about. The book started off slowly for me, but my friend reassured me that it gets better, and she was right. Very interesting about the perspectives the three women in the book had about Germany's role in the war. Worth the read, despite the slow start.

Karen
All Around the Town by Mary Higgins Clark

4
With enough characters to keep you interested but not so many as to confuse, ALL AROUND THE TOWN keeps the reader guessing until almost the very end. Of course, it's a surprise who-done-it, but not so surprising as to make you feel the need to reread the book to see what clues you missed. A predictably good read from a tried-and-true suspense novelist.

Jackie
End Game by David Baldacci

4
Another well-written, riveting book by David Baldacci. Can't wait for the next Will Robie story.

SHIRLEY
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

5
Couldn't put it down!

Dianne
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

5
A read for everyone that will make you cry one moment and the next cheering. A great read again from this author.

Heather
Educated by Tara Westover

5
4.5 stars. I couldn’t put this memoir down. It’s fascinating, heartbreaking and so deserving of respect. Highly recommend it.

Ruth
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson

5
Outstanding book by the author of MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND.

Karen
The Temptation of Forgiveness by Donna Leon

5
Commissario Brunetti is approached by a colleague of his wife, Paola, who is worried that her son is taking drugs acquired near his school. His next encounter with the lady is to tell her her husband has had a fall down the stairs near a bridge. Now Brunetti must try to find out why he fell. Did he confront a drug dealer? Had he embezzled money from the company he worked for or was he blackmailing someone? Does it have something to do with his elderly aunt? Bundles of coupons, belonging to his aunt, for cosmetics were found in his possession. He learns, with the help of his associates, a lot about the health system, and how easy it is to take advantage of the elderly.

Linda
The Fall of Innocence by Jenny Torres Sanchez

2
Through my locally owned bookstore, Midtown Reader, I read an advance copy of this book, which publishes June 12, 2018. It is young adult fiction; however, if I had kids at home still, I would not let them read this. It is about a teen girl who was brutally attacked at age eight and later as a teen commits suicide. The writing kept me engaged enough to want to see where it would go, but I don't think it's great writing. At 448 pages long, I found myself skimming the pages to get through it and find out the ending. She tried to make a connection to birds, but it was never exactly clear to me what exactly the connection was. Primarily, the darkness of the story was disturbing to me. Not for teens, I say.

Tessa B C
Imaginary Men by Anjali Banerjee

2
Lina Ray is a professional matchmaker in the San Francisco bay area who has yet to make her own match. But after blurting out news of her own (imaginary) engagement to save herself from a match to an Indian “bachelor from hell,” she has to find her prince in two months so the family matriarch can approve the match. It’s chick-lit with a cultural nuance. A fast read. Total mind candy.

Ashok
Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World by Elizabeth MacMillan

4
In Canada we remember the end of “The War To End All Wars” with Rememberance Day for our soldiers who’ve fallen in all wars on November 11. This date in 1918 was the ending of the fighting. The end of the war did not occur for another six months. Professor MacMillan covers the negotiations with each region or country that was part of the negotiated redrawing of the world map. Repercussions felt to this day. While getting an understanding of the negotiators as people and their agendas was excellent, my only disappointment was with MacMillan’s summation and view of the impact of the outcome. It was very brief and I would have liked more of her opinion. She is highly respected, attaining high professional standing.

Donna
The Second Winter by Craig Larsen

4
It's the second winter of WWII in occupied Denmark and the Danes are struggling for survival. Some are resistance fighters and are helping to transport Jews into Sweden. Polina is a teenage Polish Jew who is forced into prostitution for Nazi soldiers. This is a fictional story of about a year of her life and her struggle. Oskar is a farm boy who helps Polina and falls in love with her. These are difficult times.

Gretchen
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

5
Another one of those psychological thrillers that you can't put down with a twist that I didn't see coming! I have recommended it to all my friends.

Lynn
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

4
Heartbreaking, hilarious, and "deadpan weirdness," but such a fun, engaging read with a triumphant ending. Lovers of A MAN CALLED OVE must read this!

Vickie
Our Little Secret by Roz Nay

5
I was sent an ARC of this book and really loved it! The characters are realistically portrayed, from teenagers to adulthood. Angela makes friends early in life with her neighbor HP and their friendship continues until a new girl named Saskia comes in and steals him away. Then Saskia disappears. Told in first person, the story is Angela talking to the police about her innocence where Saskia is concerned. This is a must-read psychological thriller that was twisted, attention-grabbing and really a wild ride all the way to the end.

Vickie
Pelican Point by Irene Hannon

5
Retired army doctor Ben Garrison comes to Hope Harbor to settle the estate of his beloved grandfather. He brings baggage with him and meets Marci Weber, the owner of the local paper who moved there from Atlanta and who also has baggage. The suspense is delivered in the form of past relationships, and the romance is non-stop. This is a definite must-read for those who like romance but who like it clean. I received an ARC from Revell and really loved the book, so much so that now I plan to go back and read the other three Hope Harbor books in the series.

Donna
I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard

4
Millard's memoir about his life with an abusive father and the inspiration of the Christian song and movie by the same name.

Debbie
The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

3
This book has many twists and turns, but I figured the ending halfway into the book. The book starts with the suicide of a gifted violinist when she faces a trial for the murder of her teacher. Then the story jumps to Riley MacPherson, the sister of Lisa, the violinist, as she returns home after the death of her father. Riley has many issues that confront her: the death of Lisa, her brother Danny's behavior, and the secrets of her father. Another story emerges as the reader learns more about Lisa. Will the three siblings be reunited, and will all the secrets unravel? Diane Chamberlain writes a compelling story of love, hate, and families.

Debbie
Everybody Behaves Badly by Lesley M. M. Blume

2
Hemingway's life provides fodder for many writers, but M. M. Blume misses the boat with very little new information on Hemingway. I prodded along in this dull, senseless book hoping to reach the end before I died of boredom. I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures, but the book did little to maintain my attention.

Debbie
Murder Among the Pines by John Lawrence Reynolds

3
This is a Canadian mystery set around Toronto in Port Ainslie with Maxine "Max" Benson as the police chief in this tourist center. In this installment, Max must assist her ex-husband in proving his innocence in a murder charge. The novel is very short, more like a novella, but the story unfolds nicely. Lawrence Reynolds needs to develop his characters more thoroughly - he starts with great characters, but does not give them personality and emotions. The setting falls under the truck but has the ability to fully recover with more description.

Kay
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

4
An interesting story of one who loses ten years of her life.

Sandy
The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

4
Dark secrets, a devastating mystery, and the games both children and adults play twist together in this unforgettable novel, packed with utterly believable characters and page-turning suspense. A great whodunit!!

Barbara
Educated by Tara Westover

5
This memoir is so very good and well written. Tara Westover’s life has been truly amazing. I had a very difficult time putting this book down.

Jan
Only Child by Rhiannon Navin

5
This debut novel is a must for book discussion groups. Zach is at school, in the first grade, when a shooter enters the school and gunfire erupts. Zach and his classmates are terrified but the teacher hurries all of them into a closet where they huddle, terrified. After the shooting stops, police and security people line the students up and hurry then out of the building into the church across the street. Several hundred frightened students, a few security persons, and their teachers wait for help – parents begin coming to get their children. Zach’s mother finally shows up. She is anxious about her other son, a fourth grader and asks Zach where he is. Zach suddenly remembers that he has a brother – chaos. So many topics!

Lois
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

4
Loved the book. How a relationship develops between a slave and her mistress. Made me feel so positive about human nature.

Donna
Bridge of Sighs and Dreams by Pamela Allegretto

5
WWII in Nazi occupied Italy. Angelina is a wife and mother that refuses to give up her dream of seeing Venice with her husband against all odds. War and greed brings out the worst in some and the best in others. This is a story of deception, betrayal, greed and huge sacrifice.

Gil
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

3
This book centers on Su Yi who is on her death bed, and her family is maneuvering to inherit Tyersol Park, which consists of a magnificent mansion on acres and acres of land. Nicky, her favorite grandson, was believed to become the heir but fell out of favor with his grandmother. He had not visited her for a very long time until now because he married Rachel against Su Yu's wishes. Eddie, a jealous cousin, hoping to gain advantage monitored the death watch and was manipulating events so as to inherit Sue Yi's fortune. There are other interesting characters in this book that have influence in what eventually happens to Tyersol Park. They have significant problems including broken marriages and scandals.

Lori
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

4
I feel like I could almost copy my review of BEARTOWN because I had very similar reactions to both books. I was happy to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of the sequel, US AGAINST YOU. Once again, I could do without so much hockey, but Backman makes his readers care so much for the characters that I couldn’t put the book down once I got into it. It is a very intense read, and worrying about the characters made it very suspenseful. I found reading about many of the disturbing and depressing issues in the book difficult; this was not a happy book, but the interpersonal relationships made it worthwhile. There are many ethical issues which are addressed, and it would be a great choice for book discussion groups.

Brady
Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Temple Grandin

4
This is the true story of the life of one who is autistic. Temple was very hard to deal with as a youngster and because of her mother she was stent to people who know something about autistic children. Temple is now a very successful business person and has made a prosperous and fulfilling life for herself. You learn that a person with autisim sees life in the form of pictures rather than words like most people do. Her ways to relax are very different than most people and her way of life is just different than the general population. It is not better nor worse, just different. This book is enlightening and interesting and also short in number of pages. You learn that HBO filmed a program about her some time in the past.

Francisca E B
A Man of His Own by Susan Wilson

3
Three people connected by one dog, this is a kind of romance novel with a twist. There’s plenty of drama with three characters who are all emotionally fragile, and yet somehow are “guided” by this remarkable animal. That synopsis sounds trite and predictable, and in a sense the book is that, but I have to say that I was entertained and engaged by the story.

Peggy
First Women by Kate Anderson Brower

5
Very interesting, well-written book about the First Ladies from the 50s to Michelle Obama and how they interacted with each other.

Becky
Music of the Ghosts by Vaddey Ratner

3
Oh my goodness! What to say about this book. First the good. The writing is lyrical. Some phrases are exquisite. The word usage is wonderful. Then there is the story. I am SOOOOO confused. I tried very hard to like this book, but just couldn’t do it. The Old Musician and his reminisces wander all over-- future, past, present -- all in present tense. Somewhere around page 200, the story began to make sense. If you can make that far -- this tale of Cambodia and Khmer Rouge, death, love, life, hate, perseverance, family, faith -- becomes full of life and forces one to engage its loveliness and its heartbreak. Teera and the Old Musician enter your heart and mind and take up residence.

Jud
Island of Vice by Richard Zacks

5
Fantastic book about NYC at the turn of the 20th century and one man's quest, Theodore Roosevelt, to rid the city of its sinful ways.

Betty
Dreams of Falling by Karen White

5
Karen White’s books are always a perfect blend of family, friendship, mystery, and a little romance. In her latest book DREAMS OF FALLING she offers us two generations of strong female friendships. After nine years away, Larkin returns to her childhood home in South Carolina when her mother Ivy takes a life-threatening fall, a fall that becomes the catalyst for exposing long-held secrets. Larkin had fled her home insisting she would never return.

Cindy
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

4
I am not a gamer, dislike 3D movies, and am not into virtual reality. (makes me nauseous) However, I did experience the 80s, still have the original Intellivision and Sega systems, played Donkey Kong, Pong, Space Invaders, Asto Smash. This futuristic book which highlighted the 80s with its gaming, movies, TV programs, actors and music was a fun and wild retro ride for me. Granted I didn’t totally understand a lot of the plot but the geekines, innocence and strength of the young characters “transported” me into their real and virtual worlds. I can’t believe I am giving this book a 4-star rating! Definitely not my genre but it’s good to occasionally get out of your comfort zone.

Sandy
The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani

3
Wasn't the best book ever, but sort of entertaining.

Lisa
Peshwari Nans Part II: One Giant Leap For Nankind by Stephen Haughan

5
This is Book 2 in a series of books about two octogenarian sisters who are off on an adventure of a lifetime. This book picks up right from the end of the original Peshwari Nans book. These books will make you laugh and make you cry and every emotion in between. In this book the sisters have taken on a tiger, been through the Arabian Sea and dealt with brutal heads of state, all in their wacky way. Book 3 just came out and I can’t wait to see what new adventures these sisters are up to in America!

Susan
The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie

4
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Twists and turns - finished it in a couple of days.

Karen
What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin

5
I really enjoyed it. It is about Molly who is a gossip writer who has to write an article about relationships that resembles Nora Ephron. She meets Cameron who changes everything.

Tessa B C
Queen of the Air by Dean Jensen

4
Subtitle: A True Story of Love & Tragedy at the Circus. This is a love story, a tragedy to rival Shakespeare, a history of early twentieth century America, and a thrilling adventure. Lillian Leitzel and Alfredo Codona were the biggest stars in the early twentieth century Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. I was completed engaged and enthralled by their story.

Elizabeth
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

4
Every review of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW that I read was a great one. So I tried it. Although I do criticize it, I give it four out of five stars because this book, after 140 pages, is difficult to put down and, when I had to put it down, made me anxious to pick it back up. Please read the first 140 pages. This is one of those books that's worth what seems like too much buildup. The woman in THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW, Anna Fox, lives alone in a great big house that she never leaves. She spends her days online or watching DVDs of old movies or keeping an eye on her neighbors from her window. I was immediately reminded of the movie Rear Window, one of the old movies in Fox’s collection.

Martha
The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan

5
A nonfiction book that really gave new perspectives on Israel and Palestine. The two figures in the book that represent the opposing sides of ownership of the the state of Israel. These two people offer hope that someday these two factions could live in harmony, united in one country. There was so much that I didn't know about the situation there. Highly recommend this book!

Jan
Inheritance by Natalie Danford

5
This small compact book is about a father's secrets during World War II. A gentle Italian man, Luigi, makes it to the U.S., gets cheated, survives and has a wife who dies young and a daughter he raises on his own. Sadly, Luigi, has Alzheimer's and leaves nothing of value to his daughter when he dies except an old fashioned key and a deed to some land in Italy. The daughter rushes off to Urbino, the place of her father's birth. And there she finds relatives who have boxes of photos he sent back home to show his relatives his success: home, wife and daughter. She never knew any of this. She discovers that her father was thought to be a Nazi collaborator. Can that be true: how many of us discover things about our parents after their death?

Bonnie
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel

4
Fascinating nonfiction about a young man who walked into the Maine woods and lived there alone for several decades, never having a conversation with another human. Thought-provoking story of solitude and being alone vs. loneliness.

Shirley
Disappeared by C. J. Box

3
A ho-hum entry in a favorite series; it has fave Joe Pickett and Nate, too, but the crime and action are not as engaging as some of his others have been. The problems of animals, terrain, climate are more interesting in this series than the politics and big-shot bad guys; this book had too much of the latter.

Liz
Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

2
The story centers around the wealthy summer people who vacation on this island off of the New England coast and the hard working blue class local year round residents. It is about money, power love and betrayal. The story went back and forth in time and there are a few too many characters. This book just doesn't hit the mark and is not as well done as this author's earlier works.

Kaylee
The Time Tourists by Sharleen Nelson

5
THE TIME TOURISTS is very descriptive and suspenseful. The author really takes you back to the sights, sounds, and feelings of childhood. "Rather, they were much more attuned to their senses--of sight and sound and smell and the way things felt. Instead of a clock, time was measured more by the position of the sun or the moon,the season; the sweet aroma of lilacs in spring, fresh mowed grass, the mossy forest smell and hamburgers barbecuing on the grill in summer, the way the leaves crunched under your feet or how the air smelled just before it rained in the fall." THE TIME TOURISTS also has characters that are relatable. This novel is full of romance, betrayal, mystery, time travel, you name it. It has it all.

donna
Home by Harlan Coben

3
Not my favorite Harlan Coben book that he has written but still enjoyable. Found a couple of the characters bit contrived. Only buy as a paperback or free from the library. Still consider Harlan Coben one of my favorite authors and look forward to his new work.

Leanne
Never Never by James Patterson

5
Just finished reading NEVER NEVER by James Patterson. It’s a thriller about a serial killer in a mining camp. It’s definitely a page-turner. Couldn’t put the book down until it was finished. Only took me three days to read it.

Mary
Revenge of the Nerd: Or...The Singular Adventures of the Man Who Would Be Booger by Curtis Armstrong

5
Curtis Armstrong, who portrayed the beloved character Booger in "Revenge of the Nerds", shares his fascinating childhood, including life in Europe before a rude awakening in American junior high with its anti-nerd politics. A trained actor, he chafed at portraying Booger at first, but shares how that role has become one of the most meaningful for him as his career progressed over the years. He's educated, interesting, and funny. Best of all, he comes across as an average guy just trying to make his way in the world doing what he loves.

Kate
This Child of Mine by Sinead Moriarty

4
An emotional story of a mother's love.

r00
Every Note Played by Lisa Genova

5
Poignant story about an ALS victim - unforgettable!

Sherri
God on a Harley by Joan Brady

3
A spiritual fable. Christine meets "Joe," a modern-day flesh version of Jesus. He helps her with some "spiritual insights" to help her change her life. Interesting ideas to consider, but not my "cup of tea." I felt like it made Jesus in Christine's eyes not as presented Biblically.

Sandra
My Son Is Now My Daughter by Larry Ray Palmer

5
Good read. I have a transgender friend myself. This explains a lot of things, that I would not ask her. Do not want to offend. Everyone is different, these kids more so. They are brave for becoming who they feel they really are.

Sandra
Blue Baby by Carolyn Arnold

5
Great read. This author never disappoints! FBI looking for a serial killer. Find all sorts of clues and suspects. Things get hairy.

Sandra
Confessions of a Call Centre Worker by Izabelle Winter

5
As one who has done this line of work, she painted an accurate picture of the industry. Good, bad, funny and bizarre!

Dorothy
Love and Ruin by Paula McLain

5
Historical fiction of Hemingway and his third wife starting in 1936 Spain war, WWII, and their life in Cuba until their divorce. A page-turner.

Sally
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

5
This was an exceptional book. Beautifully written.

AnneMarie
The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham

4
We read this for my suspense book club. We had a great discussion afterward.

Lois
Educated by Tara Westover

4
Great story. Well-written. Brilliance shines in this memoir...could be described as from junkyard to Harvard.

Judy
Nighttime is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark

4
Its time for a high school reunion...and our heroine decides to go. She sees friends, and not so good friends, from those days gone by. But, the mystery deepens when a young high school reporter for their mutual school newspaper discovers that of a table full of girls pictured together, 6 of them have died under mysterious circumstances. There are two women left, and one disappears. Who will solve the puzzle as to who is doing the murders?

Kelley
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

5
Relevant to today's society.

Kathy
Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison

5
Young man in Seattle area is emerged in poverty, and his dysfunctional family makes several bad decisions before finally figuring out what morally works for him.

Simonne
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

5
Poignant memoir about growing up in a loving, but completely disfunctional family. The children manage to escape to a somewhat normal life, but have loads of emotional and some physical scars. Very well written.

Simonne
Honeymoon by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

2
Typical James Patterson. Very fast-paced, very exciting, but with the usual holes in the plot. Keeps you guessing, never knowing who is who.

Karen
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

5
I loved this book! I loved the story. I loved her writing, and I love Alaska.

Joan
Sweet Tomorrows by Debbie Macomber

5
This is a book I would recommend others to read. It is a book about two women and the men they love. The problems they have are problems men and women have today. It is a story of healing and hope for tomorrow.

Suzanne
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

5
I know this is an older book, but I so enjoyed reading it. Loved the personality of the letters, and the era (WW II), and the characters throughout. By the time I was halfway through the book, I was already starting to live in Gurnsey in my mind, it was that lyrical. I cannot say enough about this book and the authors, it is that praiseworthy. If you haven't read it and think you would be interested, give this book a chance. I guarantee you will be drawn in just as I was.

Jane
Gods and Kings: Chronicles of the Kings #1 by Lynn Austin

5
Excellent Biblical fiction during time of Kings. Five books in the series, all great, that bring the Bible alive!

Sherrie
My Ex-Life by Stephen McCauley

4
Funny cast of characters who take you on a real life wild ride. Julie's daughter, Mandy, calls her ex-husband for college application assistance, he moves into Julie's large Victorian home which she rents rooms out to guests as an Airbnb. There is also a pain of an almost ex-husband who is only interested in the sale of the house, however, no one else wants the house. Adventure, laughter and a bit of trickery all takes place. Loved it!

Cherry
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

5
Racism, gangs, police violence, and interracial dating as experienced by Starr as she wrestles with what she knows is right and what the world is being told -- her fears, her struggles to balance a life where she lives as a black girl being judged by her neighbors and as the girl who attends a private school filled with privileged white students. It's gut wrenching, funny and so very honest, it gave me a perspective I wasn't expecting. I hope book clubs and schools use it as a starting point for discussions that hopefully lead to a deeper understanding of others, black, white, orange, purple, and to a change in the climate of America.

Janet
I've Got My Eyes on You by Mary Higgins Clark

4
This book was really interesting and I couldn't put it down. It held my interest with its suspense and drama. Good characters and thoroughly riveting book.

Cherry
Hellbent by Gregg Hurwitz

4
This is the third book in the Evan Smoak series which started with ORPHAN X where we learned he had been trained, starting at age 14, as a government assassin. In ORPHAN X, he was closed off from the world with no friends or contacts other than the desperate people he helped get out of dangerous situations. What I like about this series is that Evan evolves in each book. This time, he has to trust a young girl whose life is in peril from the Orphan X program. It's a roller coaster ride that leads you on a heart-rending ride and ultimately waiting to see the next chapter in Evan and Joey's lives. HELLBENT is a perfect melding of suspense/thriller and the humor that comes from learning to interact with people.

Helen
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

4
A touching account of the results of war, especially since this was the war to end all war. It was nice to step back in time to a different age and get acquainted with some new (old) characters and a time I only know by hearsay and history books. Very enjoyable. I know I'll read more by this author.

Helen
Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear

4
Second in the series, characters who are all nice people, living in a different time but creating an intriguing plot and relationships. They begin to feel like old friends. This is a nice way to spend time.

Donna
The Myth of Perpetual Summer by Susan Crandall

4
Tallulah grew up in Mississippi in a small town where her family was not respected. At a young age, she knew there were secrets and no one would talk about them or answer her questions. She left everyone and moved to California when she was old enough. Seven years later, she was needed back in Mississippi. She learned the secrets and the healing began for her and the family.

Jud
Seven Ways to Die by William Diehl with Kenneth Atchity

4
Diehl's final novel is an excellent read that is both engaging and suspenseful. There's a killer on the loose that is carrying out murders based on a commonly accepted list among medical examiner's of the seven ways people can die.

Becky
Hot Mess by Emily Belden

1
Well, the title is correct – this book is a hot mess. If you can get past the f bombs and constant sex, one-dimensional characters and thin plot, there might be a halfway decent short story good for an hour on a long plane ride. So, what is good about this book? There are complete sentences. There is a plot with a beginning, middle and, thankfully, a conclusion. Once Benji is out of the picture, so to speak, the book improves. The story concerning the restaurant is not half bad. The love story is juvenile and unbelievable. So – if you don’t mind the language, the immaturity of all the characters and the constant focus on sex, this book might, repeat, might, be worth spending an otherwise boring afternoon with it.

Susan
This I Know by Eldonna Edwards

5
You HAVE to read this! Such an beautiful story, you’ll fall in love with the characters, especially Grace. Sweetest child you just want to hug. This is a story about a family in terrible turmoil and a little girl with a special gift who only wants to help her family and be accepted.

Richard N B
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

4
Trevor Noah had a white Swiss German father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a relationship was punishable by up to five years in prison. This is his memoir of growing up under Apartheid and the years as it was being dismantled in South Africa. Honest and interesting.

Jackie
End Game by David Baldacci

4
Typical David Baldacci page-turner, surprises right to the very end.

Sandy
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

5
This is absolutely the best book I have ever read, and now I plan on getting the rest of this author's books. College student Joe Talbert has a deadline to complete a writing assignment for an English class. His task is to interview a stranger and write a brief biography, so Joe heads to a nearby nursing home to find a willing subject. There he meets Carl Iverson, a dying Vietnam veteran and a convicted murderer. With only a few months to live Carl has been medically paroled after spending 30 years in prison for the crimes of rape and murder. You will not want to put this book down!!

Kay
The Girls of the Atomic City by Denise Kiernan

4
An interesting look at some relatively unknown situations.

Lynn
Every Note Played by Lisa Genova

4
Genova is such a good writer -- not one wrong "note" here. Keep the tissues handy.

Lynn
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

4
Four stars for a book about ice hockey in Sweden??!! Probably not, but THIS book is so much more. The story is intense, the characters are fully-realized emotional beings, and the ending is exactly right.

Brady
The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers

4
A U.S.citizen who had ties to the Middle East and who started studying the history of coffee discovered that Yemen was possibly the originator of coffee beans about 500 years ago and who lost that prestige with producing inferior beans. The man who did the historical significance is named Mokhtar who had no training for any particular industry, became a "go to" guy in Yemen by instructing growers of how to produce an excellent product. Mokhtar did everything on his own by very hard work and danger while in the country of Yemen and became hugely successful in the coffee bean industry.

Susan
This I Know by Eldonna Edwards

5
Highly recommend, couldn’t put it down.

Patti
What Burns Away by Melissa Falcon Field

5
It's a fast-moving, captivating book. You don't know how it will end.

Bonnie
Victoria by Daisy Goodwin

3
English history light. Fictionalized version of Queen Victoria's early life.

Gretchen
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

5
Debut novel. A story of love and deceit. I was hooked from the first chapter. I read it in two days while trying not to be rude to house guests! So surprised with the ending.

Tessa B C
The Winter Garden Mystery by Carola Dunn

3
Book Two in the Daisy Dalrymple series has our heroine traveling to Occles Hall to research her latest article for “Town and Country” on England’s country manor houses. Lady Valeria is none too pleased at this intrusion, and even less so when Daisy finds a body buried in the winter garden. A satisfying cozy mystery with an intrepid heroine, set in 1920s England.

Deb
After Anna by Lisa Scottoline

5
Love!!! Lisa Scottoline!! This time she has came up with one hell of a jawdropping plot twist. Wow, it's a good one. While reading this book I was sensing an early irritation mode coming on shortly into the book. Little did I know that the irritation would hit nuclear proportions. Anna? Here's hoping Houston that Houston never gets hit by Hurricane Anna because that beatch is ferocious! We wouldn't stand a chance! To sum this book up for me, I spent the first half of this book miffed at this Anna character and the last half with my mouth open, jaw dropped. Excellent read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Deb
The Deceivers by Alex Berenson

5
This book starts out very interestingly as a bad group of people are going around posing as FBI and getting weapons, etc. to Muslims. These Muslims, who currently live here, are only posting and ranting on Facebook. These people would not actually go and do what being was done if it wasn't for being supplied with the tools. They would go on carrying their rants to all who would hear. Until one day...There is lots of crazy action going on in this book and I enjoyed it immensely. I sped right through it not wanting to put this book down.

Deb
Hold Back the Dark by Kay Hooper

4
I have several of Kay Hooper's books but have never got around to read them. This was my first one. I did not realize that this was a series and I was starting on number 18. (Shocked face!!) I just knew that she had a lot of books and I had never read them. I naturally assumed she was a mystery/suspense writer. I was correct in that assumption, only off by the fact that her characters all had some kind of psychic powers. Some had more than one. I wasn't expecting that, but I can handle that if it's not all out there and decided to forge on and give it a chance.

Margo
The Bad Daughter by Joy Fielding

4
This was a great book, easy to read, easy to follow and very detailed. Really enjoyed reading this book.

Deb
Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer

4
I really thought this was going to be a suspense/thriller according to the title. However, I could not be farther from the truth. While there was a mystery, it was far from what I thought it would be. The story of two sisters, their shared love for each other and their distrust and hatred of their stepfather. A man who loved using God's words to inflict pain and suffering to females around him. This was a really, really sad story with lots of secrets that did end up with a somewhat happy conclusion.

Deb
The Cutting Edge by Jeffery Deaver

5
Wow!!!! Lincoln Rhymes and Amelia Sachs are back!! In this new tale, they are set against a plot that has many cover-ups included to not give away the real reason or what is really going on with all these crimes in this book.

Donna
Death of an Unsung Hero by Tessa Arlen

3
A WWI British mystery. The Monfort's have opened their home as a recovery hospital for shell-shocked soldiers. The neighboring farmers are not enthused about this decision even though it is a successful program. One of the patients is found murdered in the field where he was working. Lady Monfort and her housekeeper set out to see if the murderer was another patient, member of the staff or an outsider.

Linda
Too Scot to Handle by Grace Burrowes

5
Colin MacHugh is a former Army officer who is now a titled lord trying to learn the rules of society. He is exasperated with most of the silly rules until he becomes enchanted with Anwen Windham, whose sister recently married his brother. Anwen needs help with the orphanage she sponsors and Colin is only too happy to help. There are others in the Ton who are jealous of the Scottish lord and don’t think he is fit to mingle with British aristocracy. But the kilt-wearing lord is more a gentleman than the aristocrats will ever be.

Linda
Rugged Texas Cowboy by Lora Leigh

5
Lora Leigh’s books have sizzling sex scenes and this one is no exception. The book contains two novellas with a rugged cowboy the hero. Her characters are strong individuals who get what they want. Neither man was looking for marriage and both had a “luv ‘em and leave ‘em” attitude. That is, until they met the woman who stole their heart.

Linda
Third Son's a Charm by Shana Galen

4
Ewan Mostyn served under an elite group in the war against Napoleon and returned to England a hero. He is offered a job of watching over Lady Lorraine Caldwell but he informs her father, the Duke of Ridlington, that he is not interested in being a babysitter. The Duke tells him that his daughter has threatened to elope with a man who is only after her dowry and he wants Ewan to prevent this. The man she wants to marry is Ewan’s cousin, who made his life miserable when they were boys. This would be his chance for revenge. He changes his mind and tells the Duke he will take the job.

Linda
No Other Duke Will Do by Grace Burrowes

4
Elizabeth Windom and her sister Charlotte are the last two unmarried Windham daughters. As such, they have been sent to a house party at the Duke of Haverford’s home where ample young men will be looking for a wife. Elizabeth and Julian St. David, the Duke, strike up a friendship that turns into love. He wants to marry her but he is facing financial ruin. His ancestors bought books financed with debt and now the holder of the debt is calling it due. The Duke’s library is the largest in England and Elizabeth has an idea how the library can help pay off the debt. Will the sale of some of his oldest and rarest books be enough?

Linda
Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses by Lorraine Heath

5
After a disastrous romance when he was a young man, Andrew Mabry has vowed he will never marry. As the second son, he does not have to provide an heir. But his vow means nothing when he meets American heiress Gina Hammersley. She wants to marry a titled man but the more she is around Andrew, the more she realizes a title does not make the man. Andrew is the man she is determined to marry. She just has to change his mind about marriage.

Linda
Cowboy's Legacy by B. J. Daniels

4
Maggie Thompson has finally told Sheriff Flint Cahill she will move in with him. Before Flint can get to the house, Maggie is abducted. Flint is sure the culprit is his ex-wife who was thought to have vandalized Maggie’s beauty shop as well as tried to set fire to her house. But Celeste vows she is innocent. Flint doesn’t believe her. Then several people mentioned a brown van in the vicinity and Celeste said she saw it parked in trees behind Flint’s house. Flint learns of a former boyfriend who came to the house and one of his deputies found the guy and interrogated him. He was innocent. Who could have taken Maggie and why? Flint knows time is running out and he has to find the woman he can’t live without.

Linda
Cowboy's Reckoning by B. J. Daniels

4
Billie Dee Rhodes is the cook at the Stagecoach Saloon and Henry Larson usually saunters into the kitchen several times a week to have coffee and conversation. While she usually sings while she cooks, Henry notices how quiet she is but she says nothing is wrong. He takes her out to dinner and notices a man standing across the street from her house. Who is he and why is he watching Billie Dee’s house? This is a short novella.

Linda
Every Breath You Take by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

5
Laurie Moran has a new co-host for her television show “Under Suspicion” and she doesn’t care much for Ryan Nichols and his inflated ego. He has a new case for their next show that involves an unsolved murder from three years ago. A wealthy woman was thrown off the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the night of a big gala. No arrests were made but police thought her much-younger boyfriend killed her. He wants his name cleared and is all for the television show but the children of the deceased woman are not so sure. They are sure that Ivan killed their mother. Who else could have done it?

Elizabeth
The Forgotten Girls by Sara Blaedel

2
Scandinavian crime fiction has become very popular in the last few years. Ever since Stieg Larsson’s THE-GIRL-WHO books, it seems like an author need only be Scandinavian for readers in the United States to clamor for his books. A case in point is THE FORGOTTEN GIRLS by Sara Blaedel. This book has received many reviews dripping with praise. But, although the main characters are adults and some of the descriptions are not appropriate for young people, this book reads like a YA novel. Perhaps that is because it is a translation. Whatever the reason, this book is too easy to put down. Other opinions of THE FORGOTTEN GIRLS seem to outnumber mine. So maybe you should believe them.

Linda
End Game by David Baldacci

5
A fast-paced thriller as Will Robie and Jessica Reel set off for rural Colorado in search of their handler Roger Walton, known as the Blue Man. The CIA director stresses to them the importance to national security that the Blue Man be found quickly. Walton grew up in the area and had returned to fish many times. This time, he seemed to have disappeared. There is a two-person police force in the small town and state police are two hours away. Robie and Reel face neo-Nazis, white supremists, and other hate-filled groups who chose to live in the less populated area of northeast Colorado. Both know that the longer Walton is missing, the less chance there is that he is alive and they are following up on all leads.

Aimee
Educated by Tara Westover

4
Wow - with similarities between THE GLASS CASTLE and THE SOUND OF GRAVEL, this is a memoir that's hard to put down (or turn off).

Rebecca
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

5
Knowing this book is based on real happenings from the 1930s-1950s broke my heart. I liked that the author told the story from a current-day character and a child going through the heartbreak of being taken from her family and living in horrible conditions.

shelly
A Million Little Things by Susan Mallery

3
Zoe and Jen have been friends for years and now that Zoe has moved back home she is excited about resuming their friendship. The problem is, Jen is too preoccupied with her baby son, Jack and is worried about his lack of talking. One day Zoe gets stuck in the attic,and realizes that since breaking up with her boyfriend she is all alone in the town. She remembers that Jen's mom Pam took an exercise class in town. Determined to make some friends she decides to take the class and meets and talks to Pam. Working in her home makes it almost impossible for her to have any interaction with other people and she realizes this has to change. Pam thinks Zoe is very nice and decides to fix her up with her son, Steven.

Sean
The House Of Secrets by Brad Meltzer and Tod Goldberg

4
Brad Meltzer delivers another super entertaining, fast read that deals with family drama, emotions, mystery, and American history. The novel's mysteries are good and their resolution is good. There are some medical...anomalies that seemed like a MacGuffin but was tolerable. The main character could have been fleshed out some more as we're given an insight into her thoughts but not how she arrived there. The ending left me unsatisfied slightly but this is just nit-picking. The book kept me entertained and that's the goal.

Mona
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris

5
All that glitters is not gold. This saying is apt for Jack and Grace's seemingly perfect life. Grace, a produce buyer for Harrods Department Store, meets Jack while visiting the park with Millie, her sister. Like many other women, she had noticed Jack, but she didn't think he would be interested in someone like her. He is a successful, attractive lawyer who specializes in domestic violence cases. But, little does she know, that she is exactly what Jack has been looking for.

Mona
Sweet Southern Bad Boy by Michele Summers

4
Katie McKnight is a location scout for her father's company, McKnight Studios. She comes upon a remote barn house in the small southern town of Harmony, the perfect setting for their upcoming teen vampire miniseries. Her repeated knocking brings her face-to-face with Vance Kerner, who, to Katie resembles a sexy pirate. "Pirate Man" immediately assumes she is the nanny sent by the agency. Although a bestselling author, he is currently responsible for, and overwhelmed by, the care of his brother's three kids. Hearing that he is running late for a meeting and hoping to win him over, Katie offers to watch his nephews. This earns her his gratitude and...a kiss.

Karen
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

3
I was grabbed by the outset of the book but felt as though the characters didn't become complete.

Chris
Leonard by William Shatner with David Fisher

4
A great book for those who never new about the life of Leonard Nimoy!

Betty
The Fox Hunt: A Refugee’s Memoir of Coming to America by Mohammed Al Samawi

5
This is one of the most amazing stories I have ever read – and it is a true story! Across the top of the front cover of the book is a very powerful description – “Four Strangers, Three Faiths, and One Extraordinary Escape to Freedom”.

Debra
Kiss of the Bees by J. A. Jance

5
Love her books.

Francisca E B
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho

3
This is Coehlo’s international best-selling classic tale of an Andalusian shepherd boy’s quest to find his own Personal Legend. I can see why it became an international best-seller: it’s an allegorical fable about finding your true self, wrapped in an adventure tale, with a little romantic interest added. However, while I found it entertaining I did not think it was particularly inspiring.

Ilene
Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser

5
I knew I was reading a great book from the start. A young 18-year-old girl, Carrie Meeber, comes to live with her married sister in early 1900s Chicago, thinking she will have a better life in the big city, but without any work experience she finds life pretty bleak. She happens to meet Charles Drouet, a traveling salesman, who gives her a lot of encouragement and they start a relationship. Then, an older married friend of Drouet becomes enchanted with Carrie. That's when everything goes out of control. I love all of the descriptions of the fashions and furnishings of the times. I highly recommend it.

Judy O.
As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner

5
A mother and her three daughters in Philadelphia are struggling to survive in 1918 during WWI and the Spanish Influenza pandemic. During these turbulent times, they find a baby who has been orphaned by the influenza and they take him into their home. This was a compelling story.

Lisa
The Company of Demons by Michael Jordan

4
Quick-moving and action-packed.

Lisa
My Ex-Life by Stephen McCauley

4
Very cute story about two exes who haven’t been together in over twenty years come back together as both their worlds are falling apart. Their friendship brings them together to work their way through many obstacles to start new lives. It is a very funny story as well.

Christine
The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub

5
To be fair, I have read this book several times. It is one of my favorites that I reread every so often. The last time I read it was in 2000. It is not a horror story, although there are some scary parts, from beings both human and inhuman. This is the story a 12-year-old boy's quest to save his mother's life. He travels through an alternate Earth named "The Territories" from which he can flip back and forth. Along the way he encounters strange and dangerous beings from both realities, but also meets a couple of friends. It is a long and daunting journey, and a thoroughly enjoyable read.