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September 6, 2019 - September 20, 2019

 

This contest period's winners were Cindy M., Helen D. and Wendy K., who each received a copy of THE TESTAMENTS by Margaret Atwood and ELEVATOR PITCH by Linwood Barclay.

 

Leah
The Chain by Adrian McKinty

4
Very past-paced, engaging and fun read. However, I didn't think the book was as "deep" as some reviews made it out to be, and the ending wrapped up a bit too neatly/quickly.

Jud
Level 4: Virus Hunters of the CDC by Joseph B. McCormick, M.D. and Susan Fisher-Hoch, M.D.

5
Excellent book documenting the real-life experiences of the scientists who investigated some of the world's deadliest viruses.

Liz
Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson

5
M.M. Banning is a reclusive author who wrote one bestseller many years ago. Now she is broke because of a unscrupulous investor and must churn out another hit. Her publisher sends Alice to help. However, when Alice arrives at the mansion, she is put in charge of Mimi’s nine-year-old son, Frank. Frank is unique, dressing in 1930s-like clothing. He is extremely intelligent and does not get along with the children at school. This is a beautiful story that will make you cry and laugh, at times even break your heart.

Anita
The Arrangement by Robyn Harding

4
Natalie Murphy is a 21-year-old art student living in NYC. She is having trouble paying her bills and has lost her part-time job. When one of her classmates invites her to her penthouse apartment, Natalie is stunned. How can she afford to live like that while attending school. She explains that you can go online to a website for a sugar daddy. These are older men who will pay for the girls time, and sexual favors. Natalie decides to try it. When happens after is quite a surprise to her. This is a real page-turner. I would have given it 5 stars, but I figured out the mystery.

Katharine
The Lost Vineyard by Ann Mah

4
This is a book that takes place in the present and in occupied France during WWII. The reader gets a real sense of what life was like during the war. The book also challenges the reader to think about ties to land and country.

Karen
Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

5
I love history, and I understand much of this has been fictionalized. It is a well-written, well-researched book. I had not realized any of Cleopatra's children had survived. Ms. Dray brings all the historic figures to life beautifully. Must read to appreciate. I bought the trilogy together so I could read to the end.

Wendy
Well-Schooled in Murder by Elizabeth George

4
Good mystery. Kept me guessing.

Laurie
The Third Daughter by Talia Carner

4
Family saga/fictional history at its best with plenty of discussable themes for book review clubs. I learned so much about historical Buenos Aires, South America’ crime network as well as a very dark period in Jewish history. Brava to the incredibly brave main character, survivor Batya.

Judith
Educated by Tara Westover

5
This is a memoir of an unschooled rural girl, raised in a family that is full of too much hard work, who succeed and goes to college and then on to receive two degrees from Oxford. During the process of being "educated" she learn so much about acceptance of herself, the family she grew up with, and the family in the larger community that she rarely got to see. This is a book which I could not put down!!! So worth the read.

Cindy
Normal People by Sally Rooney

2
I do not understand why this book gets great reviews. It is well written, but the story of these two self-centered teens as they age is frustrating and her characters never gain any sense of self awareness as they mature. I finished it, but only to see if they would see the light at the end and go to therapy. Separately or together.

John
Toxic Game by Christine Feehan

5
This is a pulse-pounding exploration of the Indonesian jungle!

Cynthia
Factfulness by Hans Rosling

4
This fascinating book challenges our commonly held views of the world around us - our stereotypes, generalizations, and outdated perspectives on topics such as disasters, poverty, and education levels.

Anne
Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins

5
I loved this book! The relationships (or not) of the characters, their individual thoughts and moods were portrayed so well, I was rooting for one and then another as the author brought them to life. Emma, the main protagonist, was so well done I could picture her in my mind, sitting across the table from me and telling me her story. I'm so glad she brought in a "good" man to counteract my growing disdain of most of the others. Of course, that was a biased view... There was also a good mystery threading its way through the story, and I never guessed the outcome until the author revealed it to me!

Jeffrey
The Hidden Flower by Pearl S. Buck

4
Pearl Buck is, of course, best known for THE GOOD EARTH, and rightfully so. I read that book when I was in high school, and it opened my eyes to a world I knew little about. Buck was quite prolific and wrote many other books dealing with the East and often its sometimes contentious interactions with the West. THE HIDDEN FLOWER is a very good example of that clash of cultures. What makes it unique in my opinion is the surprising turns the story takes, leading to an ending that's both hopeful and profoundly sad. I've read some of Buck's other books and have not been overly impressed, but this one deserves wider awareness due to its unfortunate resonance with the racism that seems to be on the rise in our own country and around the world.

Sally-Jo
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

5
I enjoyed the backdrop of the Alaskan way of life. This was not a traditional family saga and I was kept guessing what would happen next. And what happened next I was not expecting. I really enjoyed this one.

Karlie
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

5
What a beautiful yet haunting story. While reading THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO, I wanted nothing more in the world than for Nuri and Afra to be happy, to feel even a small peace of mind.  I didn't realize I was carrying all of their pain and struggle in my heart until the very end of the book. Christy Lefteri is a talented author, painting a picture in your head of the beauty of Aleppo prior to this atrocious war that has ravaged Syria. It is really so heart-wrenching and tragic to realize how the bombs have destroyed the longest continually inhabited city on Earth. Even more heart-wrenching are the journeys of those who have lost their homes, their families and their livelihoods. This story will ground you.

Karlie
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

5
I absolutely loved THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL. It's a little over 350 pages but it's a surprisingly quick read. The main character's quick wit and sharp tongue had me laughing out loud multiple times. This book was a great foray into YA historical fiction, and made me realize how much more of this genre is needed. We can't expect Ruta Sepetys to write them all, so special thanks to Stacey Lee. She touches on multiple pertinent societal norms from a time when life was difficult for anyone who wasn't a white male. She specifically makes note of how there was a time before the Jim Crow laws that our country was beginning to move in a much more progressive, tolerant and inclusive direction, but then we went backwards.

Karlie
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa

4
THE MEMORY POLICE is an older book that was recently translated into English. I really enjoyed this dystopian story about an island where things regularly disappear (from perfume, to birds, to roses, to boats, etc.) Everyone accepts the disappearances due to a phenomenon that causes them to forget the feelings these items conjure. However, some people are able to retain these memories and that's where the Memory Police get involved, disappearing certain people, as well. Very "big brother" with a focus on women's voices, this 200-ish page book is an important and thought-provoking read. 

Sherrie
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

5
The story of THE STATIONERY SHOP by Marjan Kamali is beautiful. The characters are real, the feelings are real. This story brings you love, angst, some anger and a deep feeling for others. Just loved it!

Sean
The Lords of Salem by Rob Zombie

2
What do you get when you combine witchcraft, drug addiction, rock and roll, historical Salem, and Rob Zombie? Sadly, an editorial mess. The book has a decent premise but this is full of plot holes, strange writing decisions, and no sense of actual horror, just gore. The editor did the book no favors as the chapter breaks were oddly placed and random. The characters were all toss away cliches and there is no reason for anything. Overall, this was pretty brutal.

Noreen
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

2
As kids might say, "Bummer dude." What a let down. Expected more. A psychology study leads to the "drama and suspense" in the book. But who cares. I kept reading because I figured it's going to hit its stride. The last part of the book is what gave it 2 stars. It was so not memorable I can't even remember the details now. Don't waste your eyesight.

Thomas
Dead Silence by Wendy Corsi Staub

4
Very good read. Book is action-packed.

Deb
The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung

5
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book about a female mathematician and her struggle to be recognized for her contributions. The characters were well drawn and sympathetic. I savored the journey to see if the protagonist would ultimately succeed. I look forward to more books by this author!

Thomas
A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais

5
Excellent book. I really enjoyed reading this author.

Lois
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

5
A fascinating book about that period in NYC.

Sheree
Inland by Tea Obreht

1
I always pride myself on finishing a book once I start it but I couldn't finish this book. I never could get into it, it kept putting me to sleep and I couldn't even remember the storyline. This was not a book for me!

Karen
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum

4
This novel addresses the abuse that often accompanies a patriarchal religious group. It is a theme I have read about before, but I would urge a reader of this book to look up the author before reading the novel because it is more meaningful to know that the author lived this story. The book takes place in Palestine in 1990 and in Brooklyn in 2008 in the Arab community and unfortunately is relevant today. The characters and the story will hold your interest.

Linda
Inland by Tea Obreht

4
Not your typical Western novel, INLAND is a story of the Wild West as it developed in the mid to late 1800s. Parts actually happened and will surprise you. The characters are colorful and complex; the landscape is colorfully portrayed. The ending was devastating.

Thomas
Tailspin by Sandra Brown

4
Very good audiobook. Really good book.

Donna
Watching You by Lisa Jewell

4
Very well-written psychological thriller about deep, dark secrets. Enjoyed the read and was surprised at the end.

Rosa
Chances Are... by Richard Russo

5
Richard Russo is one of my favorite authors. After finishing his books, I always have a sense of satisfaction and feeling of joyful fulfillment, but I am also sad that the book had to end. CHANCES ARE... left me with these same emotions. This is a wonderful tale of three 66-year-old men - Lincoln, Teddy, and Mickey - best friends who went to college together in the late 1960s-early 1970s and fell in love with the same woman, Jacy. They were the Three Musketeers - all for one and one for all. Forty years later they reunite in Cape Cod, and memories of their last summer together in 1971 surface as they face the unsolved mystery of Jacy's disappearance that summer. Each man has a story and his own secrets, leading up to the revelation.

Jean
In the Woods by Tana French

4
Written in the first person, IN THE WOODS is a mystery within a mystery. The characters are engaging but flawed and the story is compelling. I didn't realize it was the first in a series when I read it, but now I'm looking forward to the others.

Connie
A Better Man by Louise Penny

5
This book is great as are all the ones in the series. Love the way she writes and wish I could visit Three Pines and meet the characters.

Joyce
Copperhead by Alexi Zenter

4
Profound revealing story about white supremacists. "No one is born hating...they can be taught to live...for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite" - Nelson Mandella. Lots to discuss.

Susan
Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

4
I am not a reader of "beach books", but several friends recommended this one because of the time frame for the setting. I was very impressed with the character development and the reminder of what it was like to worry constantly as a mother of a soldier when letters were the only avenue for communication.

Helen
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan

5
Can't remember when I've enjoyed a book so much. This is a very special story about very special people, C. S.Lewis and the lady who became his wife. Must be difficult to write about writers, but Ms. Callahan had no trouble organizing the thoughts and writings of this pair. The story is a fascinating one and the "romance" most unusual, taking place over many years and many distances, and encompassing many unusual problems. I think you'll love it, too!

Nancy
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

5
Loved this book. It tells a story of the library women on horseback who delivered books during the depression to the people in the mountains of Kentucky. It also tells of the Blue People of Kentucky. I had never heard of them. They are the color blue and are treated as blacks. We find out during the story why they are blue. I highly recommend it.

Patricia
Queen Bee by Dorothea Benton Frank

4
Dorothea really knew how to spin a tale. This book was exciting to read as it involved two darling little boys, an excellent cook and beekeeper and a quaint but nosy town. I loved learning about bees while watching the story unwind. We will surely miss her and her unique way of writing.

Linda
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

4
Nina Hill is an introvert, the only child of an absent mother, who never knew who her father was. Her life revolves around books and trivia. She then discovers, to her dismay, that she has a large family, right there in Los Angeles. Abbi Waxman’s writing style in this book is GREAT! It just fits perfectly with Nina’s character. And she has a very likable character - definitely quirky though! There’s romance in the book, too - not too much though - and a very interesting cast of characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this one - a charming and lighthearted read.

Sharon
Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

4
A look at many deep topics. Very quick read, well written and enjoyable.

Barbara
The Travelers by Regina Porter

4
This novel has a very unique and interesting structure, but do yourself a favor and buy a paper copy or take it out of the library. The book begins with a long list of characters, which, if reading on an e-reader is hard to refer back to. The list is very helpful, because there are so many characters. The book is extremely well written and the characters are well developed. Each character links to one or more in the book. Every story is fascinating. The novel brings us through time from the 40s until the '00's and covers a lot of geography though the U.S. and Europe. The characters are black and white, gay and straight. old and young. The prose is elegant and affecting. It's a very ambitious book that works. Regina Porter is gifted.

Barbara
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

5
This is an amazing, beautifully-written novel of Nuri and Afra, a beekeeper and his wife, who are Syrian refugees. The novel puts a face on the sorrow and hardships that refugees endure. There's incredible sadness, but also amazing resilience in this story. Your heart aches for these characters, but the novelist shows the strength of the human spirit. The metaphor of the bee is incredible. Everyone should read this incredible book.

Karen
The Second Worst Restaurant in France by Alexander McCall-Smith

5
Scottish food author, Paul Stuart, is attempting to write a book called The Philosophy of Food. He is struggling with his writing. First his girlfriend and editor brings her two Siamese cats over so he can get better acquainted with them. He can't write with the cats around. His mysterious aunt lends him a flat, but he can't work there either because the tenants above him play loud music. Then his Aunt Chloe rents a place in France and invites him to come, too. He is able to write a little, but then Chloe gets involved in helping out at the local restaurant that is being run by Claude and his nephew, Hugo. Chloe cleans, and then Paul gives cooking lessons to Hugo. Change is in the air for both the restaurant and Paul.

Michelle
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

4
Another great read by Ruth Ware. Wish I could give this 4.5 stars as this falls just behind THE TURN OF THE KEY for me, so I hesitated to give it a 5. The writing wasn’t quite as good. But again, Ware kept me guessing until the end and flying through the pages, eager to know what happened next. Can’t wait to read another one of her books.

Dana
The Stranger Inside by Lisa Unger

4
This story is more than a psychological thriller. It goes deep into the damage, physical, mental and emotional, that is caused by trauma. Rain, Tess and Hank are inseparable childhood friends until an encounter with a vicious psychopath. In that moment their lives are altered forever. Now adults, Hank and Rain are desperate to find closure and healing. How far will they go to get the peace they seek? This story is thrilling, thought-provoking and touching, and I highly recommend it.

Cindy
If Only I Could Tell You by Hannah Beckerman

3
This is an incredibly sad family drama about misconceptions, secrets, and forgiveness. For three decades sisters Lily and Jess have been estranged because of a devastating choice. Their mother, Audrey, does not understand or know why her two daughters are not speaking. Her wish is that her family could find a way to heal and love each other again. There is sadness from beginning to end in this story, although I can say it was beautifully written. I now need to read a more uplifting book to make me smile! This book was a win from Librarything.

Cindy
Friends of the Library by Susan Cushman

4
I adored this little gem of a book. The author did an amazing job in taking me with her and Adele on their visits in FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY. The author describes each town that Adele visits in vivid detail and gives a little history of the area. The stories of each town and its people are heartwarming and uplifting. I highly recommend this book to those who love the friendship of books. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY is filled with short stories that made me smile and even the few tears that I shed were happy tears. Much thanks to the author for sending this book to me for review!

Tessa
A Deadly Grind by Victoria Hamilton

3
2.5 stars. I liked the basic premise of this new cozy series, including the small-town setting, the interplay between the sisters, and the cast of (potentially) recurring colorful characters. But the main character repeatedly made poor choices and took such obviously dangerous chances that I was just irritated with her. Still, it was a fast read, and I’d be willing to try another in the series.

Francisca
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

4
A chance encounter with a fellow college student causes Rosemary Cooke to briefly abandon the careful façade she’s adopted and has her reflecting on her childhood, and her lost siblings - her sister Fern and her brother Lowell. This is the kind of character-driven literary fiction that I relish. Fowler’s writing brings this wounded family to life.

Nina
Normal People by Sally Rooney

4
Bold and deliciously different is Rooney's novel. Great character development and storyline make it hard to put down once you start reading it!

Milena
Well Met by Jen DeLuca

4
WELL MET was such a cute contemporary romance; I enjoyed it immensely. I loved the setting of the Renaissance Faire, and I loved hate-to-love romance between Emily and Simon. I even enjoyed the small-town setting, which usually is not my favorite (I am a city girl), but the author made me a convert. I fell in love with Willow Creek and its inhabitants. I hope we will get more books set in this town and featuring characters we already encountered in WELL MET. Overall, I had a great reading experience and would recommend this book to all romance readers.

Kim
Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

4
I really enjoyed this story, loosely based on a historical event. The author did a nice job with the details, making you feel what a person living in the era might have felt - the desperation of the Depression, the release of a speakeasy, the expectations put on a young women, and even the tensions of the Mob! I read this with my book club and it led to a great discussion. We talked for an hour about the characters' choices, the consequences, and how things have changed since the 1930s. Would could have talked much longer! And that picture!!

Linda
Dark Illusion by Christine Feehan

4
Isai Florea is one of the ancient Carpathian warriors and has about given up on finding his lifemate when he looks into her eyes and sees the color of chocolate. He sees colors and knows she is his lifemate and tells her so. Julija Brennan has the mark of the high mage as well as the Dragonseeker so she is part mage and part Carpathian. She is not ready to be anyone’s lifemate and tells him so. She is independent and stubborn and Isai knows he has his work cut out for him. She is searching for Xavier's book of spells and tells him that his brother stole the book from Mikhail, prince of the Carpathians. She has to find it before other mages and he is there to help.

Ilene
A Different Kind of Evil by Andrew Wilson

4
It is January 1927 and we find Agatha Christie aboard the SS Gelria, a luxury liner headed for the Canary Islands. She is there to help John Davison, of the British Intelligence Service, investigate the murder of one of their agents. While walking on the deck she hears a scream and in time witnesses a passenger, Gina Trevelyan, climb over the ships railing and jumps. Other murders occur while on the Canary Islands. Is the murderer one of her fellow passengers or is it someone on the Island? This is the second of the series by Andrew Wilson which follows A TALENT FOR MURDER.

Linda
A Rogue by Night by Kelly Bowen

4
To secure the financial backing and restore his family’s coffers, Dr. Harlan Hayward made a pact with the devil, or in this case with the mysterious man known as King. In return Harlan acts as the go-between for King with the local smugglers. Their leader is shot and slashed with a sword and is healing in Harlan’s house. In King’s latest job for Harlan, he is to free four French prisoners and one is in a bad way. He takes Katherine Wright, a midwife who was also a surgeon. Captain Buhler patrols the Dover coast looking for smugglers and knows that Harlan and Kate are connected to the smugglers. He wants to see them hang. Harlan and Kate have fallen in love and want a future together but have to outwit the vengeful captain.

Linda
The End by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois

5
Owen Taylor is the sole survivor of his last op. After taking out a top man at the CIA who set Owen and his men up, he is retiring to a house on the lake in a small New Hampshire town. All he wants is a little peace and quiet but some of the locals start harassing him and there is only so much a man can take. This is one of the better BookShots I've read and the storyline is great.

Linda
After the End by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois

5
Owen Taylor goes to visit Ray Winston, an old friend, and is shocked to see the severe injuries he received in Afghanistan. Ray’s wife shows them a video that she received anonymously. Ray and his fellow soldiers were set up by a news journalist who was later seen collaborating with the Taliban. Shots were aimed at the outpost where the journalist had just been. Soldiers were maimed and killed for his story. She wants revenge on this journalist for what he did to Ray. Owen agrees and a plan is hatched. A follow-up BookShot to THE END. Also a great story!

Linda
Black Nowhere by Reece Hirsch

5
Nate Fallon is enrolled in Stanford’s graduate program in physics and is bored with school. He has started small companies that fizzled out but got an idea of setting up an internet site for the sale of all kinds of drugs to buyers in return for his 7% fee. He names the site Kyte and sales skyrocket and he is soon earning $70,000 per day in fees. The site attracts FBI agent Lisa Tanchik and she is concerned when she sees what is offered on the site. She knows the site needs to be taken down and the man responsible needs to be arrested. But the government is the least of Nate’s worries because the success of his site has cut into the sales of the Zeta cartel and they are not happy. An excellent book deserving of more than 5 stars.

Linda
The Experiment by HelenKay Dimon

4
A steamy story on BookShots Flames! Jasper has asked Annie to marry him but she keeps putting him off by saying marriage ruins the romance in a relationship. She loves Jasper but finds herself attracted to a new client as she tries to find him the perfect house. Then she learns that Dave is Jasper’s old love and worries that he might leave her for Dave. Jasper tells her he loves her and Dave. Dave still loves Jasper and is strongly attracted to Annie. Has anyone considered a threesome?

Linda
Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie

4
A young woman is about to marry a duke when a wild-looking man throws open the door and demands the wedding be stopped as the bride is already married to him. Rose looks into the man’s eyes and sees Thomas, her husband believed to have drowned when his ship sank. Where has he been for the past four years? Her family wants answers and want to have her marriage annulled but she refuses. She loved Thomas and somewhere inside this tortured man is the man she loves. Good love story as Rose's love for Thomas helps him recover from the horrors he went through as a captive slave. He doesn't feel good enough for her and wants her to find someone else. She replies that she loves him. It is with her intelligent care and love that he finds inner peace.

Linda
Christmas Sanctuary by Lauren Hawkeye

5
Great story. Emma Kelly finds out her mother has lied to her her whole life and she takes off for a remote island off the coast of Canada to find her father. She learns he is Michael Nagorski, a famous sculptor. As she gets to his studio, she is surprised to find a good-looking man working on a sculpture. Nick Shepherd is another sculptor who came to the island to find his own peace after the death of his mother. He tells himself he shouldn’t get involved with Michael’s daughter but his heart doesn’t listen. One of the BookShots Flames.

Linda
The Christmas Key by Lori Wilde

4
Mark Shepherd has been discharged from the Marines after a terrorist attack ended his career. He has one final duty to carry out. Clayton Luther was a man in his squad who was captured and killed by terrorists and Mark blames himself for Clayton’s death. Now he will honor Clayton’s request and deliver a key to his family. In twilight, he is mistaken for a handyman sent by another church and is taken in by the Luther family. He needs to tell the truth but doesn’t want to cause the family any more grief. And, there is Naomi Luther who Mark has fallen in love with. How would she feel knowing Mark was the cause of her brother’s death?

Linda
Waking Up with the Billionaire by Katie Lane

4
Grayson Beaumont is an artist and wanted to paint Chloe McAlister. He had saved her from her abusive boyfriend and thought she would be grateful but she was rude. Months later, she shows up at his office and wants him to paint her but he has lost his ability to paint. She helped him return to his painting but Grayson knows she is hiding a secret and he is determined to find out. When he finds she ran away from her family, he knows they both have similar problems. When they can’t face a problem, they run away from it rather than try and solve it. He loves Chloe and feels she loves him. He doesn’t want to lose her and helps her in reuniting with her family.

Susan
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

5
If you read only book this year (a thought that is incomprehensible to me) then let it be this one. It is destined to be a modern classic and is so delicious to read. It is the story of four orphans escaping a horrible Native American school designed to erase that culture who travel down a river in a canoe trying to get to St. Louis. The trip, their friendship and the people they meet are wonderful experiences to savor. READ THIS BOOK.

Susan
The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen by Ada Bright and Cass Grafton

4
A fun, frothy romance story that mixes two friends, Jane Austen, time travel and the town of Bath in one entertaining story. What would our world be like if there no Jane Austen books? It's a shuddering thought and the results are more far-reaching than you expect. These two friends have their hand full juggling two new romances and restoring Jane Austen to the world. It's a wonderful way to spend the day.

Susan
The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell

5
This is the fantastic story of a woman who organizes, supports and motivates an important labor strike at a huge copper mining company headed by one of the the most heartless CEO's in our labor history. This is based on a true story and what she endures is remarkable. Her efforts led to both state and federal labor protection laws that effect us to this day. It is the story of one of those unsung heroes we never hear about but impact our lives to this day. She was a remarkable woman.

Jan
I Am the Clay by Chaim Potok

4
This beautiful book is about grace, about giving of yourself to others, about sacrifice, about learning that some parts of life are more important than you and your of-the-moment needs. In the Korean War, a couple quickly fled their home, hurrying away from the soldiers of the north. They were not wealthy, they were farmers and had only moments to grab a few things - quilts, rice, cooking and eating implements, etc.,before fleeing. They had a cart, which the man pulled. The woman saw a child bleeding from his chest by the side of the road and she insisted that they stop to help him. The husband resents this and the child. The boy is very ill. They have no food, beg for medical care for the child, despair. But all three live.

Trezeline
Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny

3
A good and complicated mystery.

Susan
Waiting for the Punch by Marc Maron

4
This is a collection based on the podcast WTF that actor, director, comedian, (et al) M. Maron has been producing in his garage for years. Based on different categories of "life" and introduced by a thoughtful, and at times really deep, short essay from Maron, the podcast excerpts range from a sentence or two to a page or more. Deep insights from Bruce Springsteen, Jason Segel, Conan O'Brien, many comics and actors, and lots of people of whom I was unaware until I read the book and wanted to learn more of their work. One caveat: this is deep stuff and at times there is a lot of swearing and graphic language.

Charlene
Been There, Married That by Gigi Levangie

1
Although the beginning set up a view of an unfiltered, sassy humor with cockiness, Agnes took all this crap in the book lying down. I never really saw her take initiative to solve a problem until after the problem begins. I hate these fake feminist characters that never do the right thing for themselves. Agnes barely has a brain. Combine that with a wagging mouth and loose free-running thoughts that practically leap out of her mouth? She's dug her own tomb. And that's just Agnes. I didn't care about anybody. Not Trevor, Fin, Waverly, Gio, Juliette, Liz, Anne, etc. There was no real connection between the sass coming out of Agnes' mouth and the build of the story.

Gwen
Star-Crossed by Minnie Darke

3
Do the stars chart our fate, or reflect it? When Justine violates good journalistic ethics, and tweaks the astrology column of the paper where she works, her goal is to (re)capture the attention of childhood friend/teen crush Nick. Alas, Nick interprets the horoscopes differently than she had intended. And yet...maybe because of Shakespeare, all ends well.

Elizabeth
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

5
The three friends had to get away from the orphanage, and they had their chance one night. What a marvelous, master storyteller Mr. Krueger is. His book even incorporated stories told by the characters within the book. Mr. Krueger’s magic is indeed evident in THIS TENDER LAND and is a book that needs to be read by every book club and everyone who loves becoming engrossed in the lives of the characters in a book and an era. This book is an absorbing tale of love, loss, and endurance and will fill your heart with the warmth that comes with feeling needed, helpful, and wanted. You just have to read this book to understand its beauty and excellence.

Elizabeth
The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels

4
Books, books, books, and one bookworm. Well, quite a few bookworms and one from Robin's past. If you also enjoy mysteries, THE WORDS BETWEEN US will appeal to you because added to Robin’s dilemmas in her life was a secret her grandmother supposedly had and that Robin never knew about. THE WORDS BETWEEN US will resound with book lovers simply because of that gorgeous cover, the title, and of course the storyline. The reader will again be treated to Ms. Bartel’s wonderful storytelling skills.

Sheryl
The Whisper Man by Alex North

5
This book captured my attention immediately!! I'm savoring every word, chapter; only reading so much per day because I don't want it to end.

Lisa
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

5
I really enjoyed this book. I felt like a lot of the material pertained to me. Usually, I read fiction books, but I felt like this was a good book. Also read the second one.

Mary
The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter

5
So happy to have Will and Sara back. I love the stand-alones (and can't wait for Netflix to make some of them into shows!), but we've waited awhile for the Will Trent series to return. And it was worth the wait. I couldn't put the book down and it was fascinating to read about the CDC and the cult that terrorizes Atlanta. The book was well researched but not for the squeamish.

ILene
The Promise of Provence by Patricia Sands

5
What if it was your twenty-second anniversary, you are 55 and planning a beautiful candlelight dinner for two, champagne, a dozen roses, and the best food, when the doorbell rings, and it’s a messenger with a note from your husband, “I want a divorce, I found a younger woman”. It is the story of lost love and love found. Katherine Price has to make a new life for herself. When her cousin gives her the idea of a house swap, she tries it, her house in Toronto for a swap in the Provence for two weeks. Will this get her out of her funk? What beautiful writing. I felt I was right there with her.

Katrina
The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney

4
This book was definitely not what I was expecting. It had some sci-fi mixed in. The ending was confusing and I felt like I had to read it twice before I understood what the author was trying to convey. Other than that, it was a great read and very suspenseful. I just wish the ending would have been wrapped up differently.

Teri
The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter

5
I haven't read anything by Karin Slaughter in ages. I will be going back to read Books 1, 2, and 3 of the Will Trent Series. Highly entertaining!

Elizabeth
29 Seconds by T. M. Logan

5
Being a good Samaritan is usually something you are proud of, not frightened of, right? Sarah saved the daughter of a prominent man from being kidnapped, but she was rewarded in a very unusual way and in a way she actually couldn’t accept until she knew she needed to. 29 SECONDS is a book you literally will not be able to put down. The tension keeps building and doesn't stop. The evilness of Alan doesn't stop either. If you enjoy edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this book needs to be on your reading list...an absolutely terrific read.

Tara
A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler

3
Interesting historical fiction book about Alva Vanderbilt.

Ilene
Death at Hungerford Stairs by J. C. Briggs

5
It is 1849 and in this sequel to the THE MURDER OF PATIENCE BROOKS we find that Charles Dickens and his police friend Supt. Sam James are searching for a missing boy Scrap who often helps them with odd jobs. Word reaches them that the corpse of a child has been found in an abandoned factory where Dickens worked as a youth. They learn that the body is not Scrap, and that he appears murdered. Then two more bodies show up and they now know that they are dealing with a serial killer. What I love about this series is all the colorful characters and Victorian England settings they come in contact with.

Chris
Tangle's Game by Stewart Hotston

4
A book that twists round and round until it unravels and leaves you wanting more!

Elizabeth
American Heiress by Jeffrey Toobin

4
You may think you know the story of Patricia Hearst. I thought I did. It was a big news story back in the 1970s. I’m about Hearst’s age, so it interested me at the time. I knew that Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) and soon thereafter became a member of the SLA. Along with the SLA, she robbed a California bank at gunpoint. It became apparent to most adults around me that she was a spoiled rich girl gone way bad. She was eventually arrested and jailed, but she was then pardoned by, I thought, President Carter. Read Jeffrey Toobin‘s AMERICAN HEIRESS, and you will know a lot more about this story than I did. You may even think that it is sometimes more than you need to know.

Kelly
The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

5
THE BOOK CHARMER is a magical book that makes you sad when you finish, not because the story is sad but because you have become so connected to the town of Dove Pond that you do not want the story to end. I NEED to go visit Dove Pond and have some coffee cake and meatloaf in the Moonlight Cafe while chatting with the whole cast. Love the small town magic of people caring for people. Karen Hawkins does a marvelous job with self discovery and following the magic that is in all of us. I would love to know more of Sarah, Daisy, Grace, and Trav's story. And who could not but fallen in love with Mama G.

Teri
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

5
I enjoyed this book from the very beginning until the end. It contains a lot of historical content that I never knew and opened up some "exploring" for me. It's a gem and I would highly recommend it!

Deby
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Bali Kaur Jaswal

3
Interesting story with details that I wasn't expecting (despite the title being quite obvious!) Probably not for everyone, but it was an enjoyable story.

Mary Pat
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

5
I was completely involved with the characters and plot throughout the entire book. I could hardly pull myself away from it when life required my attention.

Jan
Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters

3
This mystery is fantasy - taking us back to Civil War times - but with a cutting overtone of all the racism in the U.S. today. There are government agents, good and bad, advanced technology - and still a bunch of slaves (all black) and lots of counter-agents. I down rated the book because there are bunches of people of all colors and some of them are good or bad and far too many work for the CIA or the FBI. The science fiction was hard for me (not my genre), so it was difficult to believe that most of the people were tracing others and knew where they were at all times. Overall, I appreciated the constant emphasis on the horrible injustice that some people in my country endure.

Elizabeth
The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton

5
"I'm here to help you" were the words the children longed to hear and words they trusted belonging to Tante Truus, who is an actual woman named Truus Wijsmuller-Meijer. THE LAST TRAIN TO LONDON focuses on saving Jewish children by this woman who is said to have saved 10,000 children. The reader sees what is happening in the daily lives of the European people and the wonderful work Tante Truus does by secretly transporting Jewish children to safety. Each chapter has a very clever title, and Ms. Waite Clayton did amazing research. The beginning took a little while to figure out though.

Linda
I Will Make You Pay by Teresa Driscoll

4
A journalist who has a secret in her past receives threats from a stalker. Her boyfriend thinks the police are not doing enough, and hires a private detective to help. The story alternates between the past (him) and the present, Alice, our protagonist. There were some good twists in the plot, and a couple of times I thought I had figured stuff out only to find out I was wrong. Alice’s terror was conveyed very well, especially when her mouth was taped and she was afraid she’d suffocate. Alice’s love for her mother also came through well. A quick and enjoyable read.

Helen
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

5
Wonderful book. If you enjoyed GONE GIRL, you I’ll love this story. Lots of plot twists!

Gladys
Hot Texas Sunrise by Delores Fossen

5
When three young male children are left without their parents, Cleo Delaney is determined to fulfill her promise to their mother to raise the three children. Unable to foster the children herself, Cleo asks a male friend to do so with the understanding that she will totally care for the three siblings. Her male friend is stunned by her request, but knowing the only alternative is foster care and the odds the three boys will be placed in separate foster homes, he agrees to accept a title he had never wanted, dad. An interesting story unfolds.

Tessa
Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews

3
Even before I read the jacket blurb, I knew I was in for a light, fun, fast, chick lit, beach read. And that’s exactly what I got. Mary Kay Andrews knows how to write in this genre and she does a fine job of it.

Tessa
A Deadly Grind by Victoria Hamilton

2
2.5 stars. I liked the basic premise of this new cozy series, including the small-town setting, the interplay between the sisters, and the cast of (potentially) recurring colorful characters. But the main character repeatedly made poor choices and took such obviously dangerous chances that I was just irritated with her. Still it was a fast read, and I’d be willing to try another in the series

Elizabeth
The Murder List by Hank Phillippi Ryan

4
Three attorneys - District Attorney, Martha, a defense attorney, Jack, and a law student, Rachel, are the main characters in THE MURDER LIST. What is their connection and why does the defense attorney hate the district attorney? Was there something in their past? Was it a former court case? Did the defense attorney want the district attorney job? What is Rachel’s connection? As the story unravels, the reader gets a glimpse into the life of Rachel before she met Jack and currently when she is married to Jack, but the clues about her life and situations are kept secret. The hatred between Jack and Martha is evident, but the reason is also kept a secret.

Janet
Old Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

5
Using the Donner Party historical event as a jumping off point, the authors plot a story of a group following the Donner parties into the mountains. This party also gets stuck. Now there is an archeological dig to uncover what may have happened. Thus begins and exciting tale of mystery and lies. Like the fact that this story is told completely and only the end notes hints the characters may be continued in future books.

Janet
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

4
Well-written story about a woman firefighter and her family problems and love life. Very much a Hallmark movie-type novel.

Janet
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

2
This novel is written as a letter. It was listed as a ghost story. Not so much. Disappointing, in my opinion. She has written better.

Janet
Shamed by Linda Castillo

5
A good, riveting mystery in the Kate Burkholder series. There is murder and a mystery involving a missing woman and a surprise in the solution. It took me quite a while to figure this one out. I enjoyed this book.

Jan
Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn

2
This book was not as good as I expected. It is so negative, seemed to take forever to read. Patsy was born in Jamaica, dropped out of school, became pregnant, was raised by her religious grandmother, was very poor and abandoned her child when the child was young, 5 years old. Patsy managed to get a visa and some money to go to New York to be with her childhood friend and lover. The child's father, a policeman, brought the child into his home and raised her with his other children. I found nothing meaningful here. Immature people, stretching to get out of poverty, drugs, abuse of all types, disempowered women and a pie-in-the sky ending; the yellow brick road a beautiful rainbow, peaceful forever. I have seen it, I have read it before.

Katie
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

5
Love!!!!

Thomas
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

4
Very good book.

Gretchen
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

5
Another great book by Ruth Ware. Creepy. Couldn't put it down. Ending leaves you wondering!

Joy
Summer of ‘69 by Elin Hilderbrand

3
It’s about a family in the 60s.

Donna
Longbourn by Jo Baker

4
Imagine the story beyond PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

Padmini
29 Seconds by T. M. Logan

5
This is a great, suspenseful novel. I really enjoyed the plot twists. The protagonist is a young woman who is being sexually harassed at the work place. She has the ability to make a 29 second call to a mysterious number and give a name of a person who she wants out of her life. Does she make the call? Does she name her boss? These are the questions posed.

Jayme
The Girl in Red by Christina Henry

4
Henry has proven she has the chops to take Little Red Riding Hood into a dystopian sci-fi world with this fast-paced grown-up retelling. Thoroughly enjoyed the plot twists and our contemporary kick-ass woman with a red hoodie.

Jayme
P.S. from Paris by Marc Levy

3
Typical chic-lit with movie stars, friendship, great jobs and romance. Easy read on a plane ride.

Cindy
The Resurrection of Joan Ashby by Cherise Wolas

5
I’ve had this on my bookshelf for 2 years and finally picked it up and am loving it. Beautifully written and constructed. To some extent, we all give up parts of ourselves to become mothers. This well-known author puts her dreams aside for her family and then things get complicated. The story of her relationships with her family and herself is complicated as well as readable. Should have picked it up sooner.

Laurie
All the Flowers in Paris by Sarah Jio

4
World War II is my favorite fictional history genre. The story of two courageous women, connected by a mysterious stack of letters, set in Paris is a fascinating read.

Donna
Chances Are... by Richard Russo

4
Three 60-year-old men, friends from college, meet in the Hamptons and share memories of the sorority girl they were all in love with. Great characters and an interesting read.

Cindy
The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell

5
This historical fiction story of the power of women in the mining towns of Michigan resonates in today's world. The fight between hard working miners and their wealthy boss as they try to unionize reminds us of the progress that we've made for working people through the years and what we could lose.

Rebecca
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

4
This classic from 1938 was difficult to get into at first but I eventually liked it. The heroine with no name told the melodramatic story. Once I got into the plot, I could not put it down. It is often compared to JANE EYRE. We discussed it at our recent book club meeting.

Mary
In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende

4
Allende combines the stories of three disparate characters who accidentally become involved in a murder. All the characters have tragedies in their background and they bond over their histories as they try to figure out what to do with the body of the murdered man. The plot includes romance, humor, and loss.

Susan
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

4
A great book with fascinating characters!

Kristen
There There by Tommy Orange

5
Re-read this for book club on Monday and I loved it just as much the second time around!

shelly
Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer

5
Mr. Archer is back with a new series featuring William Warick. As we know, he has always wanted to be a detective against his father's wishes but does pursue his dream. He tells his father that this is what he wants and he does finally accept the decision. Mr. Warwick starts as a constable and will work his way up to a detective working for Scotland Yard. His background in art helps him working on one of his first cases to find a missing Rembrandt. Along the way, he meets Beth and discovers he has feelings for her. What he does not know is the secret she is hiding from him? By a freak accident, he learns what it is and will embark on asking his father and sister Grace to help him. Like his books,. You will find twists and surprises.

Brandon
The 100 Rebellion by Kass Morgan

4
The story was good but the book was just an unnecessary extra book.

Kay
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

4
Miss Keane tells the story of two families who are next-door neighbors, have children who fall in love, mixes in mental illness and develops a story over time. Nothing special about the story, but the way she develops the characters and engages us in their lives makes for a quality book.

Michelle
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

4
Another great read by Ruth Ware. Wish I could give this 4.5 stars as this falls just behind THE TURN OF THE KEY for me so I hesitated to give it a 5. The writing wasn’t quite as good. But again, Ware kept me guessing until the end and flying through the pages, eager to know what happened next. Can’t wait to read another one of her books.

Jean
I Feel Bad About My Neck and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron

4
Ephron writes about the indignities of aging in a self-deprecating and humorous style. She points out how the process affects women differently than men. I was never sure how well she was accepting these realities but I did laugh.

Linda
Wind River Protector by Lindsay McKenna

3
Andrea (Andy) Whitcomb met Dev Mitchell when his helicopter was shot down and both engines of her plane were shot as she covered for the chopper. They were hiding from the Taliban until they could be rescued. Four years later, they meet again when Andy comes for a job interview as a pilot at the newly formed air support for the local sheriff’s office in Wyoming. Although attracted to each other, they act professionally until they have to hide from drug dealers and all the stress they endured in Afghanistan comes back to both. They finally admit their love for each other. This would have been a better story if not so much stress was put on women being better than men and the many digs being made at men and how they were Neanderthals.

Stefanie
The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman

5
THE BOOK OF DUST: LA BELLE SAUVAGE is a prequel to Pullman's HIS DARK MATTERS trilogy. The story follows young Malcolm and baby Lyra (from THE GOLDEN COMPASS) as they try to escape a menacing religious sect, hell bent on having Lyra. The story is a fascinating addition to the world Pullman created wherein everyone has an animal counterpart called daemons. It has suspense, beautiful imagery, and a heart wrenching tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Linda
Never Tell by Lisa Gardner

5
Sergeant Detective D. D. Warren likes to get down and dirty with her team and doesn’t like sitting behind a desk. She’s got her hands full with new cases. Evie Carter has been arrested for killing her husband. She says she came home and found him shot dead in his office. She got the gun out of his hands and shot the computer due to what was on the screen. Evie had been questioned years earlier in the shotgun death of her father and his death was determined to be a tragic accident. Now D.D. is not so sure. When Flora Dane sees the photograph of Evie’s husband, she tells D.D. he met with Jacob Ness at a bar. Jacob had kidnapped, raped, and kept Flora captive for over a year until the FBI found them. Could there be a link between the two men?

Linda
In the Blood by Lisa Unger

4
Lana Granger is a loner who has been on medications for most of her life. As a child, she was in and out of different schools due to her violent outbursts and rages. She is extremely intelligent and is studying psychology at a private school. She takes a job looking after a troubled youth after school but Luke has his own agenda for dealing with Lana. He knows who she really is and wants her life to be ruined as his was. When Lana’s best friend goes missing, police think she had something to do with it. She would never hurt Beck, but would Luke?

Sheree
Evie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

3
It was just a okay book. It kept me reading but just wasn't exciting. The characters were just not likable.

Linda
The Seekers by Heather Graham

4
The crew of a television show that hunts for paranormal activities is onsite at an old inn supposedly haunted when the dead body of an FBI agent is found on an altar in the basement. This brings in FBI agent Dallas Wicker and Joe Dunhill, a longtime Savannah cop who is slated to attend the FBI academy. They interview the crew as well as Carl Brentwood, owner of the inn, and Keri Wolf, writer of true crime stories. Research finds that devil worship has supposedly been carried on for a long while and a cult meets in the deep forest surrounding the inn. Dallas and Joe have their hands full trying to find who are members of the cult and who killed the agent.

Linda
Marry in Scandal by Anne Gracie

5
Lady Lily Rutherford is saved from her kidnapper by Edward Galbraith but it takes them a few days to return to London. They are seen by a notorious gossip who spreads rumors about them and Lily’s reputation is in question. Edward knows what he must do and he and Lily are married. She has dreams of romance but he tells her their marriage is based on friendship. When her horse throws her and she is not moving, Edward is petrified and afraid he might lose her. He does love her but is afraid to admit it.

Linda
Shopping for Love by Renee Carlino

4
A personal stylist is hired to work with a young lady to update her wardrobe. Hayden adds jazzy outfits and accessories to the drab clothes worn by Caroline, who loves her new look. Then she introduces Hayden to her long-time boyfriend Blake and Hayden finds herself tongue-tied. She looks at the relationship between Caroline and Blake and it seems more like brother and sister than romantic love. Caroline’s aunt tells Hayden the romantic relationship is over and has been for a while, and the only ones who don’t know it are Caroline and Blake. But Caroline is Hayden’s client and she can’t just move in on her boyfriend, can she? This was one of James Patterson's BookShots Flames.

Linda
Scott Free by James Patterson with Rob Hart

5
An accused killer of three children is freed on a technicality and the parents are outraged. There is no justice in the courts so they decide to take matters into their own hands. If their children are dead, this man should be, too. Even though one couple has second thoughts, mob mentality rules until the man’s attorney brings up pertinent facts. Could they have it so wrong?

Linda
The Inn by James Patterson and Candice Fox

5
When Bill Robinson was fired from the Boston PD, he and his wife moved to Gloucester and bought a run-down inn to operate as a B&B. After his wife was killed, Bill stayed on with a cast of characters who lived at the inn and became his family. He likes his little town and is irate when a drug dealer moves into town. Suicides, murders, and OD’s escalate. Bill met the drug kingpin and asked him to go elsewhere and he just laughed. He doesn’t know Bill and his friends who are determined to rid the town of this menace, legally or illegally.

Linda
Love Me Tender by Laurie Horowitz

4
Leslie Stern has a degree in journalism but her supervisor only sends her to local events. She wants something to get her teeth into and is sent to Nashville to interview an up-and-coming singer who is said to be the next Elvis. She interviews him and likes him. Then she hears from his roommate who says he made up the story about Patton King being related to Elvis. She writes her story and it is not complimentary to Patton or the music industry. Then she goes to hear him sing and realizes how wrong she has been. A cute love story.

Linda
The Weekend Wife by Beth Ciotta

4
Nick Walker knows that his grandmother is worried about him so he tells her he is married. He promises to come visit her in Tuscany and has to come up with a wife. He asks his neighbor Megan Rooney, who he is secretly in love with, to pretend to be his wife. Recently let go from her television travel show, Megan agrees. Nick tells her that he lived with his grandmother for a while before returning to his mother and he and his grandmother have drifted apart. He wants to settle any differences they might have. Megan is wondering how they are going to fool his grandmother.

Janice
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

5
William Kent Krueger speaks of writing this book from his heart, of offering the reader his heart, and that is quite evident in the characters he has created, and the story he recounts of their lives. These are all young people, teenagers and younger, but have already had hard lives that have repeatedly tested their spirits. The setting is 1932 in Minnesota, and Krueger builds into this story great historical detail from the depression to give his story depth and authenticity. There are also vivid descriptions of the landscape. Krueger states it was a joy to write this, and it was indeed a joy to read.

Sharon
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

5
This novel tells the story of a Korean family relocating to Japan and their hardships and successes. It is interesting, engaging and provides a good topic for discussion about a country many of us know little about.

Janet
On the Bright Side: The New Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen by Hendrik Groen

5
I laughed and I cried throughout this book and that makes it a perfect book. Hendrik is in his 80s and lives in an assisted living facility. Hendrik and seven of his friends started "The Old But Not Dead” club and life in the home was never the same.

Elizabeth
The Dry by Jane Harper

5
Its title refers to a drought. The setting of THE DRY is a small farming town in Australia, and everyone is suffering because of the drought. God-awful things are going on in this small town, and often the drought is being blamed. But Federal Agent Aaron Falk knows better. He and his father left there when he was sixteen years old because it was such a nasty place, with some bad people making them miserable. So why is he back now, twenty years later? It appears that his best friend there has shot his wife and five-year-old son. But Falk and the town sheriff are finding that all is not as it appears. So there’s that mystery. But there is another - the reason Falk and his father left the small town all those years ago.

Katharine
Lost Vintage by Ann Mah

4
Interesting read with parallel stories from WWII and present. The WWII story was particularly interesting that gave the reader a sense of what occupied France was like.

Gina
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

4
I read this book hoping to figure out what Henry James' THE TURN OF THE SCREW was about. That book was a puzzle. Was the governess mad or driven mad? Ruth Ware's THE TURN OF THE KEY is a good, reasonable book that explains what is going on with the governess and the kids at a farm in Scotland. It is a page-turner.

Marilyn
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

5
Looking for a great read - this is the one. While we are all hearing about the MeToo movement and what is happening to society in regard to women and their rights, this novel is definitely a page-turner. We see how wealth and privilege can blindside a young girl and how her image and the events that follow, take a serious turn for the worse. An excellent book.

Thomas
The Wanted by Robert Crais

5
Excellent read. Very good book.

Carol
The Paris Diversion by Chris Pavone

4
THE PARIS DIVERSION completes the arc of THE EXPATS, a favorite novel. Again, we meet Kate and family, but this time in Paris. The plot is, like in THE EXPATS, tight and very well put together. It moves quickly through one day of suspense, hour by hour. Read THE EXPATS first and then settle down with THE PARIS DIVERSION. I finished it a month ago and it's still in my mind. It's 4.5 stars for me.

Dianne
The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter by Hazel Gaynor

4
Very readible story of two women separated by one hundred years. Ms. Gaynor ties their stories together creatively.with lighthouses, a locket and guide to managing a lighthouse.

Jay
The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib

4
A great story where the protagonist must decide between her dream life and ambition and surviving.

Francisca
The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú

4
Cantú studied international relations in college and joined the border patrol because, “I spent four years in college…learning about the border through policy and history. I want to see the realities of the border day in and day out.” In this memoir, he writes with brutal honesty about what he experienced, looks at the policies and procedures, and explores the toll on humans – both migrants and native-born Americans.

Francisca
Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho

4
Well this went in a direction I wasn’t expecting. Yes, of course, Maria winds up a prostitute and not a famous movie actress, but she comes to understand much about herself and the world. She ultimately takes charge of her life. Still, there were times when I thought that Coelho really doesn’t know women at all. And still, I was captivated by Maria and her journey.

Susan
Never Look Away by Linwood Barclay

5
I've read three of Linwood Barclay's books so far and I have loved them all!! Can't wait to read the next one.

Kelly
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

2
I will admit I had a hard time getting into this book. At first the storyline was confusing with the fairy-tail parallel, all the kingdoms and different names for things, which left me more confused than I wanted to be. I was tempted to stop reading a few times, but I knew there was a great story hidden down deep that if I finished the book. And there was...a story of life and grief. A story of a group of different people who learn to help each other with their heartaches and sorrows. I would like to meet Granny; however, I think I would have a love/hate relationship with her just like Britt-Marie and Ulrika (Elsa's mom).

Kelsey
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

5
This book was an unexpected favorite of mine. I veered away from my typical reading style and gave this one a shot and it did not disappoint. Heavy at times, this book has the ability to keep you interested and anticipating each page.

Nancy
A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards

4
When her sister disappears and her father has heart surgery, Ryan comes home to help her mother. Ryan is now caring for her sister's two children and trying to locate Wendy. Wendy is in some kind of trouble and Ryan uses her skills and contacts as a true crime pod-caster to help find her. The story revolves her relationships with her two nieces, her mother and father, and an old love. It is hard to say much more about the story without giving away secrets. I enjoyed it.

Elizabeth
The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

3
A mediocre read -- was able to figure out the circumstances of Sadie's death. A tired theme of "townies" vs wealthy land investors and seasonal guests in a picturesque resort town and the corruptive impact that power, position and money can have on truth and morality even on some residents of the local community. Some lovely descriptions of this rustic, ocean-side community by the author and though a bit of a slow build up. There were some suspenseful moments in the story about the truth and who to trust.

Linda
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

5
I reread the prequel in anticipation of THE TESTAMENTS. The book is so good, disturbing, but good. And unfortunately, it is timely, also scary.

Debbie
The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton

3
THE SUN DOES SHINE stands as an inspirational story of one man’s perseverance against the odds of reversing a conviction of murder. Ray Hinton Spent 29 years in prison on death row in Alabama even though he was innocent. What kept him sane throughout this travesty? His love of his mother and of God. How can he not harbor and hatred for those who punished him? The story conveys the trials of African Americans in Alabama. I knew that the Southern states were harsh to African Americans, but I did not realize the full extent of injustice. I love Ray’s comment that money is power and without money one is powerless. Ray’s language seems too refined for his background, but I feel that the time in prison was spent educating himself.

Debbie
A Better Man by Louise Penny

5
Louise Penny tells a brilliant story, and A BETTER MAN demonstrates this point. This will be Jean-Guy’s last investigation. In two weeks, he, Honore, and Annie will move to Paris. In two weeks, Jean-Guy will no longer be with the Surete; he will be safe to be with his family. Armand has returned to the Surete even though he has been ridiculed and blamed. A huge flood threatens the area as the winter thaw begins and a young woman has disappeared. Isabelle, Armand, and Jean-Guy race to find Vivienne hopefully alive. Vivienne, pregnant and drowned, floats in the raging water. Suicide or murder? The body reveals murder and the search begins with her abusive husband. The suspects run the gamut of husband, lover, and the godmother.

Cheryll
Tailspin by Sandra Brown

5
Enjoyed it from cover to cover. One of my favorite Sandra Brown thrillers, so far.

Cris
How the Marquis Got His Coat Back by Neil Gaiman

5
This is a short book that takes place during the NEVERWHERE novel. It explains, as the title states, how the Marquis got his coat back. It isn't a novel, or even a novella, but if you are a fan of Neil Gaiman and/or the book NEVERWHERE, it should definitely be part of your collection.

Patricia
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5
I am moderator of two book clubs and both read and evaluated this book with highest praise. I recommend this book to anyone I see reading.

Liz
The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin

5
This novel, which is beautifully written, follows the lives, trials and tribulations of Mary Pickford and Frances Marion in the early day of Hollywood. The novel begins in the early 1900s and continues until the late 1960s. Mary Pickford, of course was a famous silent screen star whose career stalled with the coming of the “talkies”. Frances Marion became the highest paid screenwriter at the time and her success continued through her life. They were fast friends, but encountered many obstacles, both public and private along the way.

Janet
Run Away by Harlan Coben

3
This novel is unlike other Coben books I have read in the past. It is a twisty story with a surprise ending. I felt there was too much information that had nothing to do with the storyline. In my opinion, not his best work.

Sydney
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

5
This fantasy adventure was full of everything you could want - intrigue, magic, politics, romance, a love triangle - you name it! I absolutely loved the book and cannot wait to continue the journey with the next book in the series.

Linda
The Family Tabor by Cherish Wolas

4
Wow - this book takes you deep inside the Tabor family - the 70 year old patriarch, Harry, is about to be given the Man of the Decade award, and his three brilliant but troubled children, two lawyers and a social anthropologist, have joined Harry and his wife Roma in Palm Springs for the weekend and the Man of the Decade gala. Harry very uncharacteristically disappears on the night of the gala - and slowly we find out why. It took me a week to read - the writing is so good, and would not let me hurry. Most all of the 380 pages takes place in one weekend, so there is much detail. I loved the depth of the character development - we get to know the entire family well.

MARILYN
News of the World by Paulette Jiles

5
Quite a charming story of the old west, the attempt to rescue kidnapped children and the spreading of world news by a grizzled old man whose friendship with one of the children enriched his life.

Linda
The Midnight Watch by David Dyer

4
Historical fiction about the Californian ship, which was present when the Titanic went down, and the investigation that followed. It was very interesting, outstanding book club discussion, and we all recommend this book.

Jan
Kill Fee by Owen Laukkanen

4
This author just gets better with each book. An FBI agent and Minnesota State Policeman are together again and some of their relationship gets sorted out in this third mystery. They are a great team. One is married; the other single. They are faced with seemingly random killings, but after several of the killings, they begin to notice some similar things. Except there is no clue to tie the killings together. Stevens and Windermere, with a lot of police effort, began to find similar things and then began to brainstorm about the similar items of the deaths. They still have almost no clues but start following a suspicious link. This mystery is quick-paced, no random events, all are significant, and is a true mystery.

Pamela
A Better Man by Louise Penny

5
Being an avid fan of Louise Penny, and especially of Armand Gamache, I could not wait to start reading THE BETTER MAN. I am amazed once again by Penny's writing - can she get any better than this? Her characters and I are old friends now, and the village of Three Pines is the home of my dreams. The loyalty, honesty, and love among these friends continues to warm my heart, and at times brings me to tears. The threat of spring floods, a missing woman, Armand's return to the Surete, and the upcoming move of Jean-Guy had me glued to the pages, unfolding the many plots that will meld together.

Tessa
Isn't It Romantic? by Ron Hansen

3
The subtitle of this little novel is “An Entertainment.” And that’s exactly what it is. Natalie and Pierre, a young Parisian couple, are stranded in Seldom, Nebraska, population 395. What follows is a farcical comedy, with messages gone astray, intentions misunderstood, love declared, and more than one mishap. It’s a fun romance, if totally ridiculous. Great beach read.

Jud
Separation of Power by Vince Flynn

4
Great book. Once again Flynn doesn't disappoint.

Jud
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

5
Excellent WWII novel based on true events.

Bonnie
The Guest Book by Sarah Blake

4
Beautiful writing and ultimately heartbreaking. This novel took a while to get into, but once in, I couldn't put it down.

Milena
The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox

4
I enjoyed THE WITCH OF WILLOW HALL and was eagerly awaiting the release of THE WIDOW OF PALE HARBOR. I am happy to say that this book did not disappoint. THE WIDOW OF PALE HARBOR is an intriguing mix of an atmospheric Gothic mystery and a swoony romance. It's also a perfect book to curl up with on a chilly fall night. I recommend it to all Gothic and historical fiction fans.

Tessa
Little Town On the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

3
Book Seven in the popular classic Little House series, has Laura growing into a young lady. I love this series for the way the pioneer spirit is portrayed and the strong family relationships. This book, however, has a scene that is very uncomfortable for modern readers. I know this is historically accurate to the period, but I just cringed reading about it. If you are going to read it with your children, be ready for a serious conversation about what is and is not appropriate.

Jamie
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

4
I learned a lot from this book, and I did find it to be an interesting and well-written story. It just went on a bit longer than I needed it to.