This contest period's winners were Gretchen K., Raven M. and Stacey B., who each received a copy of BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN PLACES: A Memoir of Love, Faith, and Resilience by Allison Pataki and THE HIGH TIDE CLUB by Mary Kay Andrews.
Sandy
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
I loved this book from beginning to end. So many little stories and they all come together at the end.
I must find more by this author.
Thomas
A Higher Loyalty by James Comey
I enjoyed reading this book.
Dorothy
Women in Sunlight by Frances Mayes
A saga of four women, three of which are in the autumn of their lives. They are finding out about themselves and doing very new things. Their new lives are in Italy. The author paints a beautiful picture of Italy: landscape, people and food wine. Great for a book club read.
Kathy
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
Two men, one black, one white, return to the south after serving in WWII, both suffering with what we now call PTSD and facing horrific racism.
Carol
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
The characters were well-defined and the story kept my attention. I enjoyed the book very much.
Alina
The Room on Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel
This historical fiction book provides another view of members of the French resistance during World War II. While other books tend to concentrate, principally, on operatives actions, this book also weaves in love stories which are central to the narrative. While I can not rate it on a par with THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah or BENEATH A SCARLET SKY by Mark Sullivan, it is a very good and well-written book that adds information on the day-to-day life of members of the resistance and demonstrates their valor.
Donna
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
Page-turning true story of an unsung hero of WWII. Seeing the war from Italy's perspective and realizing just how traumatized that country was by the war. The effect on families and cities - a country torn. Pino's story is one you can't put down.
Janet
The Lost Pilots by Corey Mead
Written more like a novel than nonfiction. An interesting part of history that I knew little about.
Bridget
We Were Strangers Once by Betsy Carter
I loved this book! The main character is Egon, a German ophthalmologist who must leave Germany in the late 30s because he is Jewish. The novel begins years before his birth, detailing the relationship of his parents against a changing Germany. In New York he struggles in many ways. It takes a while but he does, eventually, find what is right for him. The characters are believable and seem very real. I found myself staying up late, reading to learn more!
Bridget
Any Day Now by Robyn Carr
Good novel that held my interest. Some of the characters I met in a previous book of Carr's, WHAT WE FIND. I like series novels, feels like I'm visiting old friends.
Judy
The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman
When I read a book, I want to identify the main character as an intelligent person. I want to bond with him or her. I had a hard time doing so, found myself getting angry at her style of parenting.
Carol
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
My primary goal in reading is to “learn something” and it can come from any type of genre. Even though a work of fiction, PACHINKO exposed me to prejudices that exist in other parts of the world, among different nationalities and cultures. It is a story of family love, devotion, hardship and sadness and and I highly recommend PACHINKO. Book clubs would love it!
Nancy
The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe
Every time I think I've had enough Holocaust books for a while, another pops up the intrigues me. In this case, it was THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ. This book is pegged as "historical fiction," but if reads much more like "historical" than "fiction." It is the story of an Auschwitz prisoner Dita Kraus who is in charge of a clandestine library consisting of eight books that must be hidden every night. Their discovery would mean death. Much detail is given of Auschwitz and the other concentration and extermination camps. The book is sad, and sometimes horrifying, but testimony to the fact that, even in hells on Earth, there is hope.
Jayme
The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty
WOW! I haven't been this swept away by captivating characters and a great plot in a long time. I especially enjoyed learning about middle eastern folklore and myth (I kept going to my computer to verify certain mythological characters which lead to discovering new stories which is always fun).
Linda
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
A psychological thriller with unexpected twists much like GONE GIRL.
Mindy
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Really loved this book. Great book for book club discussions. Told from three different characters' perspectives. It really makes you think about your views on racism. This book is very timely with all that is going on in our country these days.
Trezeline
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah does not disappoint. This is a very good book.
Judith
In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
Excellent and timely book about life in North Korea and this young person's escape to South Korea via China. Amazing resilience and will to survive. Highly recommend!
Sally-Jo
Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
Good character development. Enjoyed the previous story MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON. I thought the sequel could stand alone without having to have read the previous book but was glad I had. Good author.
Joanne
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lots of room for discussion, so it is a great book club book, too.
lee
Spaceman by Mike Massimino
This was a Long Island reads book as the author is from L. I. I enjoyed Mike's memoir because it was a very humanistic story. He dealt with the difficulties he incurred along the route to becoming an astronaut. He had an MIT education including receiving a PhD gives real meaning to "rocket science. " A story about space flight, yes, but more importantly his sharing of the universal emotions we all experience makes this a great read.
Janice
We Own the Sky by Luke Allnutt
This is a wonderful but very sad book about an awful illness in a child and how it affects the family. A difficult book to finish (and impossible without tissues handy) but life affirming by the conclusion.
Allnutt is a wonderful author and learning about his medical issues makes you understand his compassion and need to write this book.
Helen
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Unusual story but so beautifully written. Highly recommended.
Elizabeth
The Hush by John Hart
I won this book in a Bookreporter.com newsletter contest. It is not a genre I usually read but I’m glad I won it and was exposed to this author. When I realized there was an earlier book about the main character, Johnny Merrimon, THE LAST CHILD, I read that first. But you don’t need to have read it to enjoy this book. It’s even better than THE LAST CHILD. I love Hart’s descriptions and some of his sentences are almost poetic. The story is thriller, historical fiction, mystery and horror, all rolled into one.
Helen
Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear
Another great story by this author. Her books have yet to disappoint. The stories are all so well fleshed out and so enlightening about the period. This is the third of her books I've read, and I'm enjoying each one. Can't wait to find out what Maisie does next.
Margie
A Matter of Chance by Julie Maloney
This was the author's debut novel and it was just amazing in my opinion. It’s the story of a mother whose eight-year-old daughter gets kidnapped by a supposed friend off the beach. It depicts how the mother never gives up in the belief that she will one day be reunited with her child. It was a fantastic read.
Marcia
After Anna by Lisa Scottoline
Maggie lost custody of her daughter when she (Anna) was a baby. The death of her ex and his wife opens the door for 17-year-old Anna to join her mother, Maggie, and her husband, Noah, and their son. Maggie is overjoyed to finally have the chance to mother her daughter. However, Anna isn't the sweet child they expected. She plays games, pitting her mother and Noah against each other. I don't want to provide the spoiler of what happens to Anna and the rest of the family. The story bounces back and forth, which takes a little time to get into. However, there are twists and it is worth the read.
Kristen
Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan
A book club book that will be surely one for great discussion. I loved the split of the narrative between characters and eras. I was reading to see what would happen next and because I really cared about the characters.
Marcia
You Me Everything by Catherine Isaac
Laura has raised her son, William, by herself. Yes, his father, Adam, has always paid child support but has rarely been a part of his son's life. He actually moved to France so there wasn't much opportunity to be a father. Laura's mother is dying. She urges Laura to take William to spend time with his father, to give his father a chance to fall in love with him. In the time Laura is there, she discovers secrets about her and Adam's past relationship. Of course, there is a twist. It's an enjoyable read. (I'm reviewing an advance copy I received.)
Marcia
A Sister in My House by Linda Olsson
This is the story of two sisters (Maria and Emma) who have lost their third sister, Amanda. They've never been close. Both carry their own version of why Amanda died. Both have heavy hearts. When Emma comes to visit Maria for six days, they gradually share the grief they both carry and reveal their own lives. The story is well told, but rather sad.
Marcia
The Family Tabor by Cherise Wolas
The Tabor family is not soon forgotten. Harry is to be presented an award as Man of the Decade in his community. His wife and three children are all successful in their fields. However, each carries burdens and secrets. The greatest secret of all is carried by Harry. It's a secret he's buried for years, even from himself. What happens when he remembers? The characters are well-written and one wants to know their individual stories. I recommend it. (I'm reviewing an advance copy of.)
Lou Ann
Women in Sunlight by Frances Mayes
This was a wonderful story about women, friendship, starting over, traveling and food. The three main characters start over again by moving to Italy. I read this book just after returning from a two week trip to Italy. The book was so descriptive it made me want to go right back there and buy a house in Tuscany and just stay! It makes us realize how lucky we are as women to be able to form such wonderful bonds of friendship and how important those bonds are.
Selma
What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper
This is the most beautiful book I have read in a long time. The story is at times very sad, then it can be so beautiful it brings tears to your eyes. The author is an artist and the black and white drawings are fabulous. I bought the hardcover book as I would love to share this with my friends and to put it on my bookshelf. A love story that will stay in your heart way after the final page. The author has her own inspiring story to tell at the end of the book.
Tessa B C
The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow
Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy after a fateful morning on a Chicago rooftop. I found the book in turns horrifying, moving, disturbing, riveting, and confusing. The story moves back and forth in time, and with multiple narrators. I was moved by Rachel’s predicament and empathized with her struggles to come to terms with what had happened to her, and to those she loved. All told, this is a great debut, and I look forward to reading future works by Durrow.
Donna
The Kings of Big Spring by Bryan Mealer
A memoir of the author's family going back to the 1800s and settling around Big Spring, Texas. The oil boom in this region made some of his family wealthy and others suffered. Very interesting read.
Connie
The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood
Great story about relationships between a 104-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy and the relationship the elderly lady has with his family members, particularly his father. It has to do with how the father learns more about his son from the elderly lady.
Bridget
The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen
After reading IN FARLEIGH FIELD last year, I really thought I was going to love this latest "stand-alone" by Rhys Bowen. While it was very good and I did enjoy reading it, I just didn't love it. Found the characters too hard to connect to, and the plot had all the loose threads tied up just a little too neatly.
Bonnie
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Entertaining enough.
Bonnie
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
Tearjerker. No surprise there, since it says so right on the cover.
Jackie
The People vs. Alex Cross by James Patterson
Another great James Patterson novel, with the usual twists and turns.
Gil
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer
Joe Castleman is a very famous award-winning author. Throughout his career, his wife Joan has been by his side providing constant encouragement and support, while at the same submerging her own ambitions. How long can she do nothing about fulfilling herself? What happens will surprise you.
Francisca E B
Our House in the Last World by Oscar Hijuelos
3.5 stars. Hijuelos’ debut novel spans five decades, telling the story of the Santinio family from 1929 in Cuba to 1975 in New York. Alejo is a man who has never met a stranger. He is exuberant and generous. Mercedes is a woman who lives in the past. She cannot let go of past glories of life in Cuba as a girl. She loves Alejo, but the man he has become is a stranger to her. Hijuelos’s writing is vivid and passionate, with scenes that are ethereal and full of mysticism contrasted with scenes of brutal reality. People yell in anger, whoop in celebration, and cry in despair.
Deby
Kinder Than Solitude by Yiyun Li
Many people will enjoy the introspection in the book but I felt like it lacked much of a story. We had a good discussion at book club, but none of us really enjoyed the book.
Dorothy
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
A true story about how children were treated when they were sometimes taken from their families and put into the Tennessee Children's Home Society. There they were mistreated, poorly feed and then sold to adoptive parents at exorbitant prices. Read it - you will never forget. This happened between 1939 and 1958. Read how they turned out.
Brady
Growing Up by Russell Baker
I was reading an author's recommendation of a memoir a short time ago, so I went to a used book dealer and got the pocketbook. Just finished reading it and discover this is an outstanding rundown of one's life. 60% of the book is on his childhood and the rest as a young adult and into caring for his invalid mother. He was born in 1924, five years before me, so he talked about many events and things I knew about which made it all the more interesting. The writing is superb and the lifetime story always interesting. At a very young age, his mother started talking to him about how he would grow up to become a writer working for a newspaper. In fact, that is what he eventually wound up doing with many awards resulting.
Tessa B C
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
What Laura Ingalls Wilder did for the pioneer families in 19th century plains states, Erdrich has done for the Native Americans in this same time period. Omakayas is a seven-year-old Ojibwa girl living on Lake Superior’s Madeline Island. The novel covers the four seasons of 1847. I was fascinated by this story of the life of the Native Americans during this time period.
Kathy
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher discusses her family, her drinking, and her drug abuse. Sometimes funny, mostly sad.
KATE
Every Single Secret by Emily Carpenter
Emily Carpenter, Www! This book really did leave me breathless. A fast-paced psychological thriller of epic proportions. I was white knuckled and page-turning like crazy while reading this stunning novel very late into the night. My eyes would start to close about 3 a.m. and I would force myself to stay awake for that “one more chapter”. I did not want to put it down nor want it to end, but raced for the ending because it was an addictive, thrilling and heart-racing story. Talk about a psychological mind (expletive)! Just the way I like it. The ending was AMAZING. I was shocked, out of breath and happy all at once. I don't even know what say except WOW WOW. I'm rarely speechless and I still have goosebumps when I think about it.
Vicki
Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
This book began with a mother paying someone to take her child away from China. Living conditions were horrible, but he was able to make it because of the friendships that he made. His arrival in Canada did not bring him a happier life. The book then jumped to the Seattle World's Fair in 1962 and then back to the 1909 exposition held in the same location. It was a book that will hold your attention.
Diane
Twenty-One Days by Anne Perry
Anne Perry doesn't disappoint with her introduction of Thomas Pitt's son as a lawyer. The same strong sense of place and characters you can believe and believe in.
Gladys
Little House on the Freeway by Tim Kimmel
This book is packed with practical advice for slowing down and enjoying life more. Families could gain a lot of helpful advice for giving thought to what is really important in life. The author includes many examples from other authors that help the reader to understand this book's message. Today's hurried lifestyles are often harried lifestyles.
Rita
The Letter by Kathryn Hughes
I loved this book! It is heart-warming, uplifting and at the same time a thrilling page-turner, can’t put it down book! The characters are so real in a story beautifully told! Every once in a while I find a book that I never want the story to end! It’s that good!
Jan
A Higher Loyalty by James Comey
A beautiful book - well written, measured, no shouting, perhaps too much detail. Above all, this book demonstrates, once again, how dumb Donald Trump is and Comey actually compares him to a Mafia don. Comey had experience with the Mafia when he prosecuted many of them in New York City snd what this book does best for those of who can not remember who was what and when, Comey reminds us who was President when something happened, and who was Secretary of Defense at another time. This man has spent his life in government service when he would have made a legal fortune in the private sector. He is perhaps too gullible and keeps trying to educate Trump, to no avail. A great read!
Christine
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
This is a re-reading, but it has been at least 10 years since I have read the book or seen the movie. The story retains its charm; it is funny, it is exciting, there is action, adventure and romance. Mr. Goldman even has a backstory -- he claims it is a "good parts" condensation of a rare book his father read to him when he was a little boy. This is such a fun book. I highly recommend it.
Ellyn
Irena's Children by Tilar J. Mazzeo
I enjoy the history of WWII and especially the stories of ordinary people saving Jews during this horrific tragedy. This was somewhat hard to keep the names of some of these heroes straight as it was the cleansing of the Warsaw ghetto and the city itself -- I had to think hard to keep the characters straight in some cases. All in all, however, a wonderful story of one woman's chain of people saving Jewish children.
Elizabeth
Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award for Nonfiction, and The New York Times 10-Best-Books award, BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS examines three years in the lives of slum dwellers in India while the rest of that country is showing the world that it is undergoing great economic change for the better. The author, Katherine Boo, is a journalist. My three biggest impressions:
* Nearly everyone is corrupt (the police, the politicians, medical workers, voter registrars, etc.).
* Rather than get together to try to effect change, people in the slum consider only their own situations and how they can get something from someone else.
* All is always sad and hopeless.
shelly
The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery
Shannon is a single CFO of a company and was turning forty. Pam, who was the oldest, had just turned fifty and was happily married with three children. Nicole was about thirty and the owner of "Mischief in Motion." This was where they met and would take Pilates and exercises classes together. Shannon was frustrated with her life as she sacrificed to get to be CFO of the company she worked for. She was now hoping she could find someone in her life to have a permanent relationship with but someone who understood her feelings about work. Pam was happily married and was almost like the "mother" of the group from experience and common sense she was always willing to listen, offer advice or help in any way she could.
Donna
If I Live by Terri Blackstock
Book 3 and final book of a series. Casey has been running as a fugitive for a murder she didn't commit and knows her time is about up. Dylan, a private investigator, is her only contact and person she can trust. They are collecting evidence of her innocence, but don't know who they can give it to and survive.
Francisca E B
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Wow. I am ashamed to say that I knew nothing of this disgraceful episode in American history. Grann did a marvelous job researching and reporting his findings. He did more than simply report what the FBI managed to uncover, and that only emphasizes how institutionalized the racist attitudes were.
Lana
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
I read this book when it was first published but didn't remember much about it other than its general premise. I won several copies of its sequel, THE VENGEANCE OF MOTHERS for my book club so we read ONE THOUSAND WHITE WOMEN before it as no one else had read it. Overall it was a good book with an accurate depiction of Plains Indian culture. We will read the sequel in a few months.
Linda
Little Night by Luanne Rice
Trying to save her sister Anne from her abusive husband, Clare Burke was arrested and sent to prison. Once released, she is trying to put her life back together, but prison took so much out of her. She is depressed at how her sister lied at the trial and took her husband’s side. Clare and Anne had been close growing up and now Anne’s husband is refusing to allow any type of relationship between them. Then, out of the blue, Anne’s daughter Margarita (Grit) comes and stays with Clare. Can Clare have a relationship with her niece?
Linda
To the Duke, With Love by Amelia Grey
The Duke of Hawksthorn is determined that his sister not be in danger due to a stupid prank he and his friends played on some of the debutantes years ago. He has found a young man considered to be a perfect match for his sister and wants her engaged before the start of the season. He goes to talk to Paxton Quick and meets his sister, Loretta Quick. Hawk is instantly smitten with her beauty and quick wit. Everyone thought she had entered a convent when she refused to marry a man chosen by her uncle. She had been banished to the country but Hawk had found her and is determined not to let her go but to make her his wife.
Linda
Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren
Sierra Rose has been assistant to Ian Shaw for several years and now comes up with a plan to help him. The government has Ian’s bank accounts frozen due to a disaster at one of his oil rigging sites. Ian funded the rescue squad known as PEAK, and the squad’s helicopter was almost destroyed during a rescue operation when a raging firestorm was almost on top of them. The helicopter needs extensive repairs and there is no money. Without the chopper, there is no PEAK. Sierra thought of asking Ian’s wealthy friends for donations. This would be done while they were on a 3-day cruise in the Gulf on Ian’s yacht. When the group decided to extend the cruise toward the Bahamas, they had no idea that a rogue wave was headed their way.
Linda
The Demon Crown by James Rollins
As Gray Pierce and his love Seichan relax on the beach, they notice a low-flying plane releasing a black mist of some sort. It turns out to be a swarm of wasps that sting before Gray can get them under the water. The wasps seemed to come after Gray and Seichan but what exactly were they? To find the answer, Gray and his Sigma Force teammates had to go back to the time of James Smithson, founder of the Smithsonian, and his extraordinary discoveries. Their investigation brought them to an old man seeking revenge and another of Gray’s enemies, the Guild and its assassin Valya Mikhailov.
Linda
I See You by Clare Mackintosh
Zoe Walker sees her photo in a newspaper advertisement for a dating site called FindtheOne.com. She soon gets a feeling that someone is watching her. Then she finds other women’s photos in advertisements for the same site and recognizes one of the photos as a recently-murdered woman. She contacts police and speaks with Kelly Swift. Kelly investigates and finds other links from women who were crime victims to their profiles on FindtheOne.com. As she works with team leader Nick Rampello to find the person responsible for the website, they realize they are up against an intelligent person who has covered his tracks extremely well. A very suspenseful book.
Linda
The Sweet Spot by Heather Heyford
Hank Friestatt had to take over management of the Sweet Spot Vineyard after his parents were killed. Facing his responsibilities ended his dream of becoming a pilot. Jamie Martel came to the vineyard for vacation and ended up working there for the summer. She and Hank had an instant attraction but both knew that Jamie would have to leave at the end of summer and return to her job in the East. Jamie loves the fresh air and openness of the vineyard as well as its handsome owner. She faces a dilemma as does Hank. Developers are after him to sell and then he would be free to do as he wished but the land has been in his family for generations and it’s in his blood. He also faces a dilemma.
Linda
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
A great descriptive novel about the grandeur of Alaska and how it affects those who move there. Some come to get away from the crowds of the lower forty-eight and to start a new life. Many are not prepared for the long, dark nights and frigid cold of winter. Ernt Allbright returned from captivity in Vietnam a changed man and took his family to Alaska for a fresh start. When they arrived, the short summer beauty revitalized him but the cruel winter brought out his dark side and caused devastation for his wife and daughter. They not only faced danger from the wild but also from inside their isolated cabin. Beautifully-written book.
Linda
The Final Service by Gary W. Moore
This is one of the most inspiring books I’ve read in a while. Sandy Richards grew up idolizing her father and following him around so much that she was known by her nickname Shadow. Her father served in World War II and came home suffering from PTSD and turned to alcohol to combat his demons. When he died, he left a building full of memorabilia that she had to go through. She met a stranger named Sam who helped her deal with her feelings toward her father. No one could see Sam and all thought she was having hallucinations. Sam seemed to know her father and helped her resolve issues she had with her father and his drunken behavior. Who was Sam?
Linda
So Over You by Kate Meader
Isobel Chase is part owner of the Chicago Rebels hockey team along with her sisters. A former professional skater, her career was ended due to a near-fatal accident on the ice during her first pro game. Now, she is aiming for a coaching spot on the team. Vadim Petrov has been traded to the Rebels from Montreal after a knee injury and Isobel has been assigned to work with him and get him in shape for the big game. Vadim and Isobel have a past between them and neither has forgotten the other. It’s imperative that he get in shape so they win and get to the play-offs. If not, the girls will lose control of the team. Can Vadim and Isobel overlook the past and concentrate on the future of the team?
Katie
White Houses by Amy Bloom
So interesting to read about the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hicks. And great history detailed.
Janet
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
What an amazing heroine - what an amazing story. I have read this book twice and will happily read it again.
Susan
Carousel Beach by Orly Konig
What a beautiful story. If you like reading about women dealing with loss, family, relationships and secrets, yet finding the strength within to not only get through it, but get better because of it, you’ll enjoy CAROUSEL BEACH. I would’ve had this book completely finished in less than 24 hours had I not been distracted by real life. It really grabbed me and held on. I loved, loved, loved the grandma even though she’s not an active character in the story. Orly Konig did such an amazing job building her characters I found myself wishing I knew some of these people in real life. Orly Konig, THANK YOU! This book is being released in a few days and I highly recommend it.
Shelia
Just One Look by Harlan Coben
Five stars for keeping you up all night, which it did several times. I'm not usually one to cheat but boy I sure wanted to on this one. Not only so my heart would stop racing but just the darn suspense! Of course, Harlan is a master of that and of double backs, and hairpin turns, and edge of the cliff, and especially on this one a slow, multi-layer reveal. So when you thought, okay, yeah, that about wraps it up, you still have a niggling feeling that something is still hanging. And of course it is, and he draws it out to the last sentence and abruptly ends, just like he always does. Can't say I strongly connected the title to anything in the book at the time, but looking back there are several instances from totally different angles.
Joy
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
It was a great book about what it is like to live without the love of your life.
Linda
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
Change of pace - nonfiction. GIlbert is the author of EAT PRAY LOVE. I loved that movie but haven't read the book yet. BIG MAGIC was a delight to read and was just what I needed at this point in my life to re-energize my creative self. She writes in a conversational style. As I read it, I could imagine that we were at my dining table with coffee (or wine) and nibbles, while she shared her wisdom with me. A one-on-one support session in a book to remind me to care for my creativity - in whatever form it takes - and tend to it as the special gift it is. The book is a delight to read and I truly didn't want to put it down. My outlook changed as I read and her message uplifted me in all aspects of my life.
Nancy
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
My book club does at least one classic a year. Last year, we read A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. For this month, we're reading REBECCA. This book has never been out of print since it was first published nearly 80 years ago. It's fun to go back and re-read books we read years ago. Sometimes they still work. Sometimes they don't. In REBECCA, the story of a second wife haunted by the memory of her predecessor and a villainous housekeeper, the story and writing definitely work. Re-read it, if you read it years ago, and read it for the first time if you never did.
Jane
The High Season by Judy Blundell
I love books about summer and summer places, and this book was one of them. The people, the goings on. Orient is the opposite of The Hamptons (which is close by), and Ruthie and Jem are living in in a house they inherited from Mike's family, (her ex who she is not divorced from), which they can't afford, which means that Ruthie has to rent it out between Memorial Day and Labor Day, hence Adeline moving in, which leads to much more than her renting it. He falls in love with Adeline, which makes Ruthie angry, along with losing her job. Ruthie loves her job at the Belfry museum but the people who work there are so nasty and they oust her.
Donna
The Dry by Jane Harper
A great read with interesting characters set in Australia. Readers need to pay attention because things may not be what you think they are. I have her next book, FORCE OF NATURE, on my want to read list.
Sally-Jo
Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
Wonderful characters - it reads like an anthology. I liked how some of the characters stories crossover into others. It is a good sequel to MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON.
Sharon
Crimson Lake by Candice Fox
Thriller set in Australia: Who abused and traumatized the young girl waiting for a bus? Was the wrong person charged? Why so many hurting and fearful people in Crimson Lake -- it's just a small community in the North? Good characterization and interesting plot. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Suzanne
The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly
As per usual, this author excels. Mickey Haller, the Lincoln lawyer, again is searching the truth about a murder of a former client. The courtroom scenes are so good you feel like you are sitting there in the courtroom while they are going on. Excellent book.
Suzanne
Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz
Dean Koontz hardly ever disappoints, and he did not with this book. My only criticism is that it is so long, a big book to read. The subject is explored very carefully and completely, and I was surprised more than once. For anyone whose interest is sparked by a mystery and part fantasy. I would wholly recommend this book.
Suzanne
Kitchen Chinese by Ann Mah
I really enjoyed this small book, cannot say enough good things about it. I am waiting for her new book to be available, THE LOST VINTAGE. Waiting with baited breath!! A woman loses her job and returns to her roots, China. She has a sister living there, although their relationship could be better. She makes her own circle of friends and finds a new position, food critic, and struggles through the language barrier. A fun read and I have a son in China, so this was especially fun for me!!
Nadine
Dark in Death by J. D. Robb
The events of the book move along quickly with a few interspersed private moments between Eve and Roarke, but I did miss having Summerset around as he's on vacation in this one. There are appearances by all the usual suspects: Peabody, McNabe, Mira, Mavis and family, and the other detectives in Eve's squad. I did enjoy the slightly meta quality of the killer in this one because it's all about authors, obsessive fans, and people that get lost in the fictional worlds of the books they read. Though not unique to mysteries, in general, it was something really different for the In Death series.
Lisa
The Ice Child by Camilla Lackberg
Another wonderful book by Camilla. Characters that are interesting and that you care about. A fast-moving plot and suspenseful. Her books never disappoint and this is no exception. Easy to understand, even if you haven't read other books in the series.
Joanne
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
You won’t know which way is up or who did what to who when you finish this book. Do hang in there beyond the first part of the book written in Amber’s point of view. It gets a bit tedious but is well worth it if you get to Part Two and beyond.
Diane
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Wonderful story about race, family and belonging.
Dianne
Errands by Judith Guest
What a delightful book from the early 2000s. The book has so many twists and surprises. Anyone with teens will probably relate to the everyday events in their life, especially after the death of a husband and father suffering from cancer. The book ends with a family finally living in peace together. It’s a fast read and one I could not put down. Enjoy.
Nancy
The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes
The narration alternates between modern day Inara, who has inherited her aunt's home on Orca Island, and Mei Lein, a Chinese woman living in Northwest Washington when the Chinese Exclusion Act became law. Weaving the story together is a beautifully-embroidered sleeve found by Inara.
Summer
Sea of Lost Love by Santa Montefiore
I found a stack of books in a cabinet I've never read. How simply exciting! LOL. Montefiore is a grand storyteller!
Kathy
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
A disconnected rambling by Carrie, sometimes funny, but also sad.
Lory
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Don't we all have someone who greatly influenced our thoughts, lives, direction into adulthood? My person was Ethel. She has guided my career, approach to life, and perspective on altruism for the past 25 years...and yet I haven't interacted with her in at least 20. This novel describes the influence such a person has on all of us and how, we often learn that they are not as invincible or infallible as we once thought. Their influence resonates with us (as Ethel's does) throughout the remainder of our lives, sometimes gently reminding us of values we want to uphold and other times jerking us into the reality that no one is as "Godly" as they once seemed - and neither will we ever be.
Lori
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
Powerful memoir of growing up poor in Ireland. Was drawn to this book because I'm going to Ireland this summer.
Kay
The Girls of the Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
An interesting look at the girls who helped to develop the atomic bomb.
Susan
Damaged by Lisa Scottoline
Mary takes a case of Patrick who suffers from dyslexia and is accused of harming a school aide. But this book takes many twists and turns in this case that you never see coming.
Ruth
Varina by Charles Frazier
True Charles Frazier style! Gifted author of COLD MOUNTAIN tells the story of "V", wife of Jefferson Davis, president of The Confederacy.
Bonnie
Every Note Played by Lisa Genova
Genova did a wonderful job depicting living with Alzheimer's in STILL ALICE. Here she does an equally great job with the topic of ALS. It's a heartbreaking novel, but so important. Genova really gets into the mind of Richard, a concert pianist, as he goes through ALS and into the mind and heart of his ex-wife, Karina, who takes care of him. It's definitely worth reading.
Shirley
Lullaby Road by James Anderson
Interesting premise, good story, liked the characters and the setting; made being a truck driver interesting. Planning to read his first book now.
Ruth
Varina by Charles Frazier
Great book about wife of Jefferson Davis. Wonderful history of Varina.
Aimee
We Own the Sky by Luke Allnutt
Although a work of fiction, this book seems so real, the emotions so raw, it was completely believable.
Kristin
The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich
This was such a fun read. Great love story with a perfect amount of humor and wit sprinkled throughout.
tessa
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
The novel follows the four parents and six children of the Cousins and Keating families over five decades. As children, the six kids are frequently left to their own devices as the adults in their lives too busy with their own drama to focus on the children. How the adult siblings each interpret and remember what has happened, and how they manage the guilt or shame is the main focus. Patchett really shines when exploring human relationships. She slowly reveals secrets, hopes, and fears until the reader feels she truly knows these people. Little by little events are revealed, and characters are fully realized. Like her other works, this would be a great choice for a book club discussion.
Judy O.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I was so taken by the new book by Kristin Hannah called THE GREAT ALONE that I decided to go back and read her fascinating book called THE NIGHTINGALE again. This book takes place from 1939-1945--the WWII years--in France. A young woman, Isabelle, becomes very active in the anti-war movement and earns the nickname of "The Nightingale" for her activities in helping Allied pilots who had been downed in France, to escape out of France in order to fly again. We also meet her sister Vianne, who becomes involved in helping Jewish orphans escape in France from the evil German SS. This is a fascinating read, and I'm glad that I was led to read it again.
Eunice
Faithful by Alice Hoffman
FAITHFUL is a story that resonates deep human grief when an event occurs that cannot be assimilated into conscious rationale. Thus Shelby, the main character, leads an aimless destructive existence while Ben, her childhood friend, offers a healthy relationship as they grow from adolescents to adulthood. The events and characters which drive this story offer up the best examples of trust and faithfulness that clears the darkness of loss.
norene
The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews
I really enjoyed this page-turner.
Debbie
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Lisa See's story of rural China evoked many chilling scenes, and I felt that this could not be a recent China, but many practices and beliefs still exist in rural areas. The story plunges into despair and misery, only to rise from the ashes like a phoenix. The language and setting color the life of Li-yan and the Aka people of China are wonderfully described. Li-yan possesses intelligence and perseverance in the face of many obstacles. I felt Lisa See told a moving story, but the ending rushed over important events.
Debbie
White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg
What an interesting book about the history of class in America, and to learn the founding fathers who were absolute snobs. In the land of equality, the poor still suffer a meager existence and have little hope of advancement. Isenberg covered each and every president and the discussion that not many presidents rose from rags to riches. Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel remain the ultimate "trash" in regard to prior presidents throughout the roster of American leaders. I had not known that America had such an extreme class structure in the early history, as I thought that all citizens struggled to survive and find freedom in this New World.
Debbie
Death of a Movie Star by Timothy Patrick
This satirical novella about Hollywood and the people who frequent this icon provides biting comments on the falseness and meanness of those "Hollywood" people. The book ends in a quasi-redemption, but a little too late. The format of this story bumps around in dialogue and setting, and character development pass quickly away. I read authors that create intriguing stories rich in setting and character personality. After reading DEATH OF A MOVIE STAR, no character remains in my conscious awareness. The old starlet, Lenora Danmore, reminds me of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, and as any can see, the names are very similar. Both Lenora and Norma need to acknowledge that their prime time has ended and now must fade to the sideline.
Phyllis
Do This For Me by Eliza Kennedy
The writing was good but the meltdown of the main character after finding her husband had an affair was so over the top to me. She had no regard for anyone but herself - not her children, her subordinates who she used in her mission of revenge against her husband (they could have faced legal issues or at least lost their jobs) or her partners in her office. There were a few very funny scenes but the ending and her self-discovery seemed trite. Thanks to Penguin First To Read for an early copy.
Elizabeth
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
I always love Liane Moriarty’s character development. I really care about her characters. There was a lot of humor in this book, too.
Barbara
Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler
My book club had a lively discussion of LADDER OF YEARS. This was a repeat for some of us since we had some newbies, but I never mind rereading Tyler's books. We were captured by the insensitivity of protagonist Cordelia's family members, amused by the new people Cordelia met, and generally displeased with Cordelia's actions as the story concluded. Tyler's quirky characterizations hit home for some of us, yet struck others as cold. Still, Anne Tyler's books are keepers.
Sandy
A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
One of the best books ever! When I came to the last page I wished there was more!!
Susan
Carousel Beach by Orly Konig
What a beautiful story. If you like reading about women dealing with loss, family, relationships and secrets, yet finding the strength within to not only get through it, but get better because of it, you’ll enjoy CAROUSEL BEACH.
Cheryl
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
In this coming-of-age story, a dysfunctional family sets out for a new life in a remote part of Alaska. With long summer days ahead, they need to prepare for the brutal winter and 18 hours of darkness. Just surviving in the wilderness is a feat. Ernt Allbright is a returning POW with control issues, and a drinking problem. Cora Allbright comes from a privileged family. Her parents don't want her with her husband. Leni is a thirteen-year-old who doesn't have much, and is embarrassed by her parents. Their story is an edge of the seat read. Many twists and turns. It will keep you thinking about the story long after it ends. Kristin Hannah has written another great story of survival, pain, and regret. You will love this story!
Gladys
When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It's Time To Go Home by Erma Bombeck
Need a laugh or 100 of them? Erma's books are packed with humor. In this book, Erma takes vacations to unusual places in the world, sometimes with her husband and at other times with her entire family, but she finds humor every day of every trip.
Marcia
The Pisces by Melissa Broder
I've seen this listed on "Books for Women to Read" lists. However, it is a book on how not to behave. I don't consider one-night-stands to be a positive thing. It just shows how little you respect yourself. The main character, Lucy, has been dumped by her boyfriend and goes to Los Angeles to house-sit for her sister. She joins a recovery group, in which there is little recovery. She lets herself be used by men, only lowering her self-esteem more. She meets a merman and has an affair with him. I won't go on, you get the picture. Three stars is actually a high rating for what the book entails. It is somewhat entertaining though, if you just want an escape. There are better books out there! (I'm reviewing an advanced copy I received.)
Norene
Sophie's Choice by William Styron
A good book.
Sherry
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
Enjoyed reading this book with its many twists and surprises. Was also thought-provoking.
Judy
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
I really loved this novel which was based on the true story of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. I had no idea about this dark period of our history, and the book truly evokes the heartbreak of both parents and children.
Sandi
The Driest Season by Meghan Kenny
This is a quiet little story about loss and the overcoming of emotions. Grief, loss, and the remaking of a family is seen through the eyes of a 16-year-old girl, who has found her father hanging in their barn. As her life changes, her sister moves away, her grandmother leaves and her mother narrowly misses a nervous breakdown, Cielle searches for the answer as to why things change. Kenny has written a very good novel in a quiet, subtle way. The story is told in a mellow, subdued fashion. This book does not scream of the changes in life but flows in a relaxed, easy-going, laid-back way, even though some of those life changes are cruel or hurtful. A good novel on grief and loss softened by the author's fluid movement of words and thoughts.
E.
Greenglass House by Kate Milford
I liked this quite a bit and can see why it won awards. A nice, cozy mystery with engaging main characters with a lovely generosity of spirit, warm concerned parents, and an intriguing cast of guests. I also loved the setting, a cozy old house/inn in winter. And there is a nice twist at the end. I must get the sequel ASAP.
Vera
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
I won ARC of this one. The author kinda pulls you in from the beginning. I can relate to the fear of going up in an airplane, but I'm not real sure I would have wanted someone like Chip to make me face my fear like this. But the author does keep us reading.
Sandy
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
This was a book club selection. Interesting plot that shows how one decision can determine the fate of others.
Gretchen
Shadow Play, Hide Away and Night & Day (2015 Trilogy) by Iris Johansen
Just finish this trilogy as I am catching up on books from authors that I have read in the past. I enjoy Iris Johansen's books. The only drawback is that she fills the reader in on what happened in the previous books, which means that you really need to read ALL her books!!!
Linda
The River House by Carla Neggers
Felicity MacGregor came from a family of bankers and accountants and always thought she should carry on. Her heart was not in this type of work and she was always getting fired. Gabriel Flanagan, her close friend since childhood, told her to find another line of work. He was outspoken and honest with her, but she resented it. It has been three years since they have seen each other and he is due to return to Knights Bridge for a conference. She is uncertain how to react. Gabe is successful and has recently sold his company and plans to stick around for a while. He realizes he was searching for something in his travels that was always waiting for him at home. He has never stopped loving Felicity and hopes to rekindle their relationship.
Linda
The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr
After years in the Army, Dakota Jones is discharged and comes to Sullivan’s Crossing to spend time with his brother and sister before deciding where to go next. He likes the little town, especially a female bartender named Sid. Although friendly, Sid tells Dakota she is not interested in a relationship. She came to Colorado after a bitter divorce and is not looking for a man. He asks if he would qualify as a friend. Their friendship evolved into love but a stalker harasses them. Dakota has no idea that Sid is a physicist famous in the study of quantum computing. He usually has women falling over him and is surprised when she does not. A great love story deserving of more than 5 stars.
Linda
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
When a young girl’s mother dies, her father buys a cabin for them to escape to for weekends. There she meets a nerdy next-door neighbor who loves book as much as she does. They become best friends and as they grow older, the friendship grows into love. She felt betrayed the night she found him passed out drunk with a naked girl laying across him. Eleven years later, they run into each other again and the attraction is still there, although both are cautious about calling it love. Can they forget their past mistakes and forgive each other? Can they have a second chance at love? Loved this book!
Linda
Secrets of Cavendon by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The story of the Swann and Ingham families continues. World War II has ended and the Inghams are having difficulty paying taxes and upkeep on the large estate. Miles and Cecily Swann Ingham are the heads of Cavendon. One of the main stories in this book is about Alicia Stanton, daughter of Daphne Ingham Stanton, and her romance with a movie producer named Adam Fennel. At first, their love was grand but she began to see cracks in the façade Adam presented in public. She begins to fear his outbursts and wonders who he really is. Lots of characters and it is hard to keep track of who is who. A suggestion to the author: a family tree inserted at the beginning of the book would be very helpful. I made one while reading this book and it helped.
Margaret
Best Seller by Susan May
Author provided an e-ARC. Enough has been said about the plot & I don't want to risk a spoiler. I've been reading Susan May's writing for a few years & she keeps getting better & better. This is her best work to date. Characters are well-developed & it was interesting to experience psychological changes they made. Storyline is perfectly paced & expertly thought out. Ms. May has become masterful at intrigue & knows how to keep you wanting more by ending each chapter with a mini-cliffhanger! If you like dark mysteries that are skillfully written, Susan May is the author to read. You won't be disappointed. I love her Imagination Vault at the end. She discusses where her ideas come from and how she fits them into her novels. Fascinating stuff.
Gil
Fascism a Warning by Madeleine Albright
An informative book about past and present authoritarian rulers, including Musolini and Hitler, whose methods define them as fascists. According to Madeleine Albright, fascism is not a political ideology, it can happen in both right wing and left wing extremist regimes. She observes that "a fascist is someone who claims to speak for a whole nation or group, is utterly unconcerned with the rights of others, and is willing to use violence and whatever other means are necessary to achieve the goals he or she might have." What she is describing makes this reader think that fascism is happening right now in the United States, thus a warning of what might come to be. Very sobering.
gretchen
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Entertaining but no depth -- maybe a beach read.
Jane
The Pelican Bride by Beth White
There is history, romance, danger, and secrets in book. Genevieve and her sister arrive in the New World with a promise they will marry men. They do not find what they expect. Tristan tries to avoid helping French settle the colony. There are secrets in both Genevieve's and Tristan's lives. True love cast out fear. It brings hope and faith. A book hard to lay down.
Cristine
Only Child by Rhiannon Navin
It’s told from the point of view of a first-grader who was in school during a school shooting. The story vividly tells the story of what a family goes through losing a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew. It tells the story of how the shooting affects the family but also affects the shooter's family. How even though a child might have survived, and was the good kid...perspectives can become distorted with grief. I had a lot of people ask me if it was based on a true story with all the school shootings. Sadly, this has become life’s norm.
Donna
The Deep Dark Descending by Allen Eskens
Latest of the homicide detective Max Rupert series. Another captivating book by Allen Eskens, author of THE LIFE WE BURY. I always enjoy his books. This one doesn't disappoint. I am a long-time mystery reader. I have grown bored with some of the current authors with their same ole, same ole plot lines. Give Allen Eskens a try. He's a breath of literary fresh air.
raven
There by R. Shaw
Although this book started off slowly and I wasn't sure exactly what the point was, the more I read, the more I got hooked. This book tells the life story of Evelyn - how she fell in love and got married and had kids. And then later how her daughter was murdered and the subsequent divorce. But the kicker of it all is that we are learning of her story from the afterlife. And that ending! So emotional!
This book is currently only available on Amazon as it is an "indie" book, but is worth the search!
Stacey
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Love, love, loved it! The characters were easy to relate to. You found yourself engrossed in the story. A definite page-turner.
Midge
The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond
This book grabbed me from page one and did not let go. It is the best suspense novel I have read in the past few years. Hard to believe and yet so believable. Jake and Alice enter into a secret society called The Pact and their marriage and their very lives are turned upside down. There are a set of rules every couple must follow that are designed to enhance their marriage. They are accountable to the group to adhere to those rules, and the consequences of not following them can be extreme. Suspenseful and well written. If you liked GONE GIRL, you will love this one.
Tessa B C
Letters For Emily by Camron Wright
Harry is dying of Alzheimer’s and he struggles to complete a book of wisdom for his favorite granddaughter. I thought the plot was predictable and emotionally manipulative, and that the characters were straight out of central casting. If it hadn’t been a book club selection I would not have finished it. I will say that some of the advice Harry leaves is poignant and resonated with me, but the book’s construct really irritated me.
Barbara
Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King
I stumbled across this series by accident and have been binge reading through all the books. What a wonderful light, quick read each of the books are. Being able to travel to all the locations with them has been a great escape. This book in particular takes place in Japan and delves into the customs of the Japanese imperial family and how Holmes and Russell immerse themselves into it to help solve a crime. They then help a ninja they befriended along the way to acclimate to the London world. Or do they?? What a fun read. If you have a little time and want to learn about the Japanese culture, this is a great quick read.
Lynnette
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
I enjoyed making comparisons with this book and WHITE OLEANDER. The feelings of a foster child will clearly portrayed as were those of a real " mother." The meaning of flowers was also very interesting.
Donna
The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg
Charmian and Jack London love each other very much, though in different ways. Jack is a brilliant writer and egotistical about himself and his talent. Charmian is an attractive and bright woman who becomes his caretaker, secretary, protector, nurse and sometimes wife. It is a very complicated marriage and not what Charmian anticipated. Houdini noticing Charmian causes Jack to begin to appreciate her. Good book!
Elizabeth
The Bishop's Wife by Mette Ivie Harrison
THE BISHOP’S WIFE is about a Mormon bishop’s wife, Linda, who gets overly involved in the lives of people living in her ward, which is the bishop’s responsibility. She is so nosy (when she should be minding her own business) that she insinuates herself right smack in the middle of two simultaneous mysteries.
