March 28, 2008 - April 11, 2008
Last contest period's winners were Amanda, Buddy, Jennifer, Susan and Thomas, who each received a copy of HOLLYWOOD CROWS by Joseph Wambaugh and THE CURE FOR MODERN LIFE by Lisa Tucker.
| Lanny Bender |
| War On The Middle Class by Lou Dobbs |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Reading this book gives me a hopeless feeling about my ability to change the situation we're in. |
| Carol Drury (cdrury@gmail.com) |
| Power Play by Joseph Finder |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Great book that kept my interest from beginning to end! |
| Buddy Garrett (garrettsambo@aol.com) |
| Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
LADY KILLER is full of memorable characters in a South Philly neighborhood. There is a great story premise laid out and the setting and characters are memorable, but what's most important to a mystery is missing --- the suspense and a sense of danger. The book is disappointing when you could consider what it could have been. |
| Thomas Hoh |
| Stranger in Paradise by Robert B. Parker |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Not as well written as I would have expected from a New York Times bestseller, but I love murder mysteries so it did hold my interest. I also like short chapters. |
| Sandra F. |
| Piece of My Heart by Peter Robinson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The latest book in the series featuring Alan Banks of the Yorkshire police is as fine as the rest of this series. The book switches back and forth between a murder in 1969 and one in the present --- both connected by the music scene. |
| Sandra F. |
| Blue Blood by Pamela Thomas-Graham |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
BLUE BLOOD is the second book in a mystery series set in Ivy League universities. This one is set at Yale and the setting is really the central character in the book. It was a good read, written by an academic who knows the Ivy League scene from the inside. |
| Lilyk |
| The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
One of my favorite books, THE CATCHER IN THE RYE is a poignant and touching story of a young man's adventures in New York City. |
| Sandra F. |
| The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Written by the author of GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, this is a story of the creation of a 15th-century tapestry detailing the story of the seduction of a unicorn. I admire any writer who can take history and provide a realistic fictional explanation. |
| Sandra F. |
| And Then You Die by Michael Dibdin |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
A rather boring story of an Italian police officer hiding from the Mafia, who don't want him to testify at a trial. Not worth the effort. |
| Sandra F. |
| Dead and Buried by Quintin Jardine |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This latest book in the series featuring Scottish detective Bob Skinner was not as good as others --- perhaps the author is starting to run dry of fresh ideas. |
| Heather C |
| My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book touches on the subject of designer children. One daughter has a rare disorder, and her parents decide to engineer another child so they can save the first, by using her cord blood to experiment. Eventually, the engineered child grows to resent the fact that she is used without her permission and decides to sue. The outcome of it all is heartbreaking, and as a parent, you begin to wonder...'what if.' |
| Readingrat |
| The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book seems to draw mixed reviews; however, I found it funny and enjoyable. To be fair, I must also say that I enjoyed the movie much more than the book. I found it easier to connect with the characters in the movie and preferred the resolutions developed for the movie over the ones in the book. |
| Catie 75 |
| Land That Moves, Land That Stands Still by Kent Nelson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Excellent book! Couldn't put it down. |
| Paula Watson |
| 311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
As always, Ms. Macomber has the ability to capture small-town USA and make you become a part of the town she is writing about. This book is part of herCedar Cove series, she also has a Dakota series that will take you out West; you will enter Buffalo Valley and feel right at home. A very captivating author. |
| Paula Watson |
| Secrets In The Attic by V. C. Andrews |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I am not sure, but I think someone else is writing unfinished books. They are just not the same style nor do they hold your attention as the first in her series FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. |
| Thomas |
| Deception Point by Dan Brown |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a superb thriller from the author of THE DA VINCI CODE, Rachel Sexton is the daughter of a presidential candidate who finds herself in possession of information that could destroy her father's candidacy (not that it would break her heart). She is soon enmeshed in a drama involving the existence of extra-terrestrial life, a drama that threatens her own life and the lives of those around her. This is a very fast-paced thriller. |
| Sharon (sharoncerasoli@hotmail.com) |
| Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I can't put this amazing book down. Take this journey with the author across continents, and you will not regret it. |
| Catie 75 |
| Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Thought this would be a slow read since I would be "learning" while I read, but Kingsolver is such an amazing writer that I flew through the book. I have started signing up people to make one meal a week from all locally produced items --- our small effort to use less fossil fuels. |
| WendyB. |
| Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Wow! This one is really different! A little bit ghost story, a little bit coming of age, a bit more commentary on modern life, and a lot of historical fiction. A woman searches through her family and town's history in an effort to identify the father she has never known. The chapters on frontier history are especially fascinating. The heroine seems immature for pushing 30, but that's where the "coming of age" part comes in. She does grow up! All in all, an entertaining and compelling read. I'm looking forward to more by this author. |
| nncrews (crewsnn@tds.net) |
| Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Wonderfully written! The reader will never forget the characters. The book, which spans over many years and many losses, gave me something to discuss with my 18-year-old granddaughter. Loved it. |
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
| Thinking of You by Jill Mansell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This has to be one of the best chick-lit novels I have ever read. This is loaded with plenty of drama and humor, and it kept me wanting more and was very hard to put down. The story is about Ginny. Her daughter has left for college and she is alone. She misses her daughter terribly and doesn't think she can cope. But she picks herself up and decides to do something about it. She rents a room in her house to a woman suffering from a broken heart. Her name is Laurel and her brother, Perry, is to die for. This is a light, funny and enjoyable read. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this popular British author. An opportunity I may not have had if it wasn't for book-crossing. I am going to join another ring and this author will be added to my "favorites" list. |
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
| The Cat Who Saw Stars by Lilian Jackson Braun |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Mr. Q and his two Siamese cats try to solve the mystery of UFOs and the disappearance of a man. Not too interesting. |
| Charlene |
| High Profile by Robert B. Parker |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I am enjoying the new paperback Jesse Stone novel. The two stories/plots are interesting and have kept me guessing longer into the book than usual. The banter is entertaining. Robert B. Parker fans will read this anyway, but I recommend this to anyone not familiar with the Jesse Stone books. |
| Ricki (rickimc@aol.com) |
| Pirate's Passage by William Gilkerson |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Lots of information on pirates, but the storyline lost me at spots. |
| Ed Nemmers (theyyyguy@yahoo.com) |
| On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This story, of a couple on their wedding night, is subtly unsettling. |
| Martha E |
| Even the Wicked by Lawrence Block |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I would give this 4 stars for the stories, but it was just too long. I had not read anything by this author before but I do enjoy mysteries. The story was interesting, although at times crude --- which isn't surprising for a crime story set in New York. I liked the dry wit and rhyming jive. My problem was that at about two thirds through I was ready for the end. Perhaps it could have made up two separate stories as it did cover more than one crime investigation. Even though there was some intertwining in the tales, it just got too long. |
| Martha E |
| Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This sequel was just as good as the first book! It's the story of Yelena, (the Ixia Commander's food taster, instead of facing execution) and Valec (the Commander's amazing security officer) continues now in the south province of Sitia. There were new characters but old friends too. I have listened to these from Audible but will probably buy the books as well! |
| Martha E |
| Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This was wonderful to listen to. I enjoyed the story with its political intrigue, plot twists, adventure and danger, set in a fantasy medieval culture, and with magic as an additional feature. I thought there was good character development with doubts, betrayals, vulnerabilities and interesting interaction with enemies, friendships and a gentle romance. I thought the narration was wonderful and I will look for this narrator again. I will definitely listen to the sequels. |
| Catie 75 |
| Cheat and Charmer by Elizabeth Frank |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
This is not well written and did not hold my attention. |
| Dean |
| A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A very intriguing book, full of wisdom from throughout the ages. |
| Joan |
| Memory of Water by Karen White |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This is the story of two sisters who survived a sailing accident during which their mother drowned. Instead of drawing closer together because of it, they grow apart. They both have different memories of what happened on that fateful day. Marnie eventually moves away from their hometown, and years later, she is called back home to help her young nephew through a crisis. Family secrets are revealed and a shocking revelation faces Marnie. |
| Jennifer (jennifer_at_the_library@hotmail.com) |
| The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I read this book to kids at the library, grades 3-6. Although some of the vocabulary had to be explained, the kids loved the book. An added bonus was that I loved it too! The underlying message is beautiful!! I read it again for my own enjoyment. |
| Bridget |
| Beverly Hills Dead by Stuart Woods |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I gave this book 5 stars, not because it is so well written and such a great piece of writing, but because I just liked it so much. Are the characters believable? Not really, but they are people you like and want to know more about. Is the plot believable? Not totally, but it kept my interest and I kept wanting to find out what would happen next. It's set in Hollywood of McCarthy, a time and place that interests me. It's fun to read about how the movie business was once (maybe) with both glamor and grit combined. |
| Judy O. (joswood@msn.com) |
| Betrayal by John Lescroart |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Evan Scholler is a young soldier who was stationed in Iraq. He is badly brain injured while guarding a convoy and is sent back to the United States. Back home, he is accused of killing Ron Nolan, a man he knew in Iraq. Dismas Hardy takes on the appeal after Evan is found guilty. This book is a terrific courtroom drama and a very suspenseful mystery. Lescroart never disappoints. |
| Tom Sewall (trsewall@comcast.net) |
| Salem Witch Judge by Eve LePlante |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An excellent narrative portrait of the author's relative and direct ancestor, Judge Samuel Sewall, who --- in 1697 --- took the blame for the twenty innocent deaths of people accused in the infamous Salem Witchcraft Trials in 1692. |
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
| What The Dead Know by Laura Lippman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I have mixed feelings about this book. The book is about two sisters who disappear. Several years later, a woman appears who claims to be one of the missing sisters. The suspense and mystery, I thought, was stellar. I loved the plot and the way the author built up the suspense. I think this is one of the best mysteries I have read in a long time. On the other hand, there were parts of the book where I felt like it was stuck in the mud. I thought there was development on some characters that was not necessary. Too much detail about a minor character became the source of the drag. I liked the book and would recommend it but would mention its flaws. |
| Marsha |
| Run by Ann Patchett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Although most of the action takes place over a 24-hour period, a family comes together in unforeseen ways. It begs the question as to what exactly is a family? Do genetics or nurturing or privilege determine our lives? This is a lovely story. |
| Victoria |
| The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This book is the latest from Tess Gerritsen. it is very well written, but is a lot different from her others. The story is about a woman who buys an old house, only to discover a skeleton buried in her garden. The story switches back and forth between 1832 and the present, unfolding a story about a young man and his friends attending medical school. You will later find out how the story of the young friends relates to the bones in the garden. I liked Gerritsens other books much better than this one. its not as page turning as the rest, but still a good book. |
| Sunny |
| Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
It's been around for over 50 years for a good reason, and it reads like it was written today. |
| Readingrat |
| The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A wonderfully constructed story of two sisters and the tragic event that separates them for over 60 years. |
| Paula Watson |
| The Art of War by Sun-tzu |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a great read full of philosophical warfare. My favorite passage is, "Ultimate excellence lies not with winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting." |
| Paula Watson |
| 311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
As usual, Ms. Macomber can make you feel a part of the captivating community of Cedar cove. With her ongoing series, each set of characters in the story are a story all of their own. You cant wait to read the next installment to see what happens with the characters whose lived intertwine though her entire Cedar Cove series. |
| Paula Watson |
| Dakota Born by Debbie Macomber |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Once again, you are drawn into a community in Buffalo Valley. While reading the Dakota series, you feel that you are part of the community that faces the hardships together and come together for a common good. She is an wonderful author who has the uncanny talent of taking you home though her books, no matter where you are. |
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
| Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The author should be commended her display of realism. This book took me so far into the story that I completely forgot about my own life. Luckily, we are on spring break and I have some free time. Oh, let me warn you now, although it might be tempting to read the last few chapter to see what will happen in the end, DON'T! I am one to talk since that is what I usually do. For some reason, I didn't in this book. I guess I was so busy reading that I forgot. Anyway, I'm glad I didn't as it will ruin the book. |
| Ali |
| The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book has been on my expanding pile of books to read for a long time and it finally surfaced. I loved it. The complex relationships, feelings, and choices make outstanding reading. Well done. |
| Kathy V. |
| The Remains of The Dead by Wendy Roberts |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The first installment in the Ghost Dusters mystery series about a lady called Sadie who owns her own business of cleaning up crime scenes. She finds herself with a special talent that leads her into all kinds of trouble. I very highly recommend this book. It is one of those books that is very hard to put down and really hard to wait for the next one that comes out in Dec. 2008. |
| KT Morris |
| Daughter of Venice by Donna Jo Napoli |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A rich Catholic girl in Renaissance Venice wants to see the world outside her sheltered home, so she pretends to be a boy. She meets a Jewish scribe, learns to read, and otherwise sees what life is like for the not-so-priviledged. Well researched historical fiction. |
| Audrey Larson |
| St. Bart Breakdown by Don Bruns |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A great action-packed book. There's never a dull page! |
| Robin Mayerhoefer (rmayerhoefer@cox.net) |
| Frankenstein by Mary Shelley |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
As I'm not a fan of horror movies, this is a classic that took me awhile to get around to reading. I'm not sure what I expected, but from my vague memories it is about a misunderstood monster who can't communicate and accidentally kills people. The book is much, much than that, and the writing just flows. |
| Marsha |
| The Appeal by John Grisham |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Grisham attempts to explain the state Supreme Court election system in Mississippi. The chemical company that has been accused of dumping toxins in a small town's water supply has been found guilty of causing a "cancer cluster," and the resulting payouts are too much to ignore. They decide to finance and manipulate an unsuspecting young man to to replace the liberal judge who is up for reelection so he can be the deciding vote to reverse the ruling when it comes before the State Supreme Court. It gives you thought as to whether judges are better elected or appointed. Either way, there will be unseen powers pulling strings. The book, however, has so many characters that few are developed enough to engage the reader. |
| Kathy V. |
| A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An Aurora Teagarden Mystery, Librarian Roe finds herself in a mystery after she inherits a house, along with a mystery after she finds a skull in it. So, she is off to find out these answers but finds herself in all kinds of trouble. This is the second book in this series. |
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
| Longevity Made Simple by Richard Flanigan MD and Kate Flanigan Sawyer MD, M |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
With charts, graphs, lists and concise explanations, the Flanigans have made the medical science easy to understand. They write with just enough science to provide meaning and with common language to make it understandable. The amount of data inside makes this a very good quick reference book to have on hand. |
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
| Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Cute story of DC romance and intrigue. The story of Louisa and Pete and the dealings of politics --- a little. |
| Readingrat |
| The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A beautifully written multi-generational tale of new beginnings, cultural traditions, fate, and chance. |
| Becca |
| Lord John and the Hand of Devils by Diana Gabaldon |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Having read all of Diana's books to date (including the OUTLANDER Companion), I can't get enough. Her characters are people I identify with --- her research is impeccable. I eagerly, tho it's hard at times (because they're so far between), look forward to each and every one of her books. The next one can't come soon enough for me! |
| Shirley Smith (ssmith@msde.state.md.us) |
| Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Not the easiest read but one of the most rewarding. It is a member of my "quirky but I can't wait to recommend it" list of titles. A nun, a pianist, a priest, a storyteller --- all wrapped up in one person. |
| Lesa D |
| The Stand by Stephen King |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I'm a fast reader, but it took me a long time to finish THE STAND. It's a great story, but it got bogged down in the middle and I had to force myself to keep going. It was worth the effort, though. |
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
| Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCraig |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
The book followed Margaret Mitchell's story better than the movie version. It brought so many of the story's facts to light. Interesting. |
| Kona |
| Captivity by Debbie Lee Wesselmann |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This exciting novel is set at a primate rescue center where the director must deal with an unknown saboteur and her own haunting memories. It's a touching and rewarding read. |
| Lesa D |
| Getting Garbo by Jerry Ludwig |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This is a fun Hollywood noir-ish story. If you like old-time Hollywood gossipy stories, you'll like this one. |
| ck |
| One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Jackson Brodie, our friend from CASE HISTORIES, sees a man rear end a car, get out and begin to club the driver with a baseball bat. Another man throws his laptop at the enraged man.Then the author begins twisting the plot, weaving these three men into a complex story that includes a real estate tycoon and his wife, a couple of Russian maids, plus an Edinburgh detective and her son. The reader is surprised in every chapter by the way the characters keep bumping into each other. Great fun to read! |
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
| Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
The Stephanie Plum series is starting to wear thin. Instead of Joe and Ranger, we now have Diesel --- always a drop-dead looking man. The fun rests with a talking horse and Grandma Mazur. |
| Nancy |
| Women & Money by Suze Orman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a basic guide, but just the kind of book someone like me needs to get going on basic investing and other financial planning. |
| Ann Schreffler |
| Another Thing to Fall by Laura Lippman |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
I was happy to read more about Tess Monaghan's life, but this book just didn't much for me. I kept waiting for it to get better. Not one of Laura Lippman's best. |
| Ann Schreffler |
| Charley's Web by Joy Fielding |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I can't put this one down. I was involved from the first page. |
| Fran |
| Lost and Found by Jacqueline Sheehan |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The adorable dog on the front cover was what grabbed my attention and made me want to read this book. This was a cute story about the healing power between people and animals. I loved the dog in the story and the story line was cute. |
| Sherry (slbercu@msn.com) |
| Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
All of Jodi Picoult's books are amazing, and CHANGE OF HEART is no exception. The book leaves one to think, "oh this is so far fetched" --- a convicted murderer on death row tries to donate his heart to his victim's sister. But like all her novels, there is a twist. The book is great --- I was not able to put it down. |
| Juanita |
| The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Very Compelling! |
| Amanda Richards |
| Captivity by Debbie Lee Wesselmann |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The latest novel by Debbie Lee Wesselmann takes us into the world of chimpanzees living in captivity, but don't think for a moment that this is either a dry-as-dust scientific lecture or a gut-wrenching plea for animal rights. The well-balanced story unfolds through the eyes of Dana Armstrong, a primatologist with a difference, who runs a chimpanzee sanctuary in South Carolina. This is a well-researched novel, with excellent character development, and believe me, at certain points of the story you are going to want to inflict pain on some of the (human) characters. It is a work of fiction, based on fact, and will have you torn between wanting to read it as quickly as possible and not wanting it to end. Highly recommended. |
| Dena |
| Vampires are Forever by Lynsay Sands |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is my third book of Lynsay's I've read and I wish that I would have discovered her sooner! There is a mystery and some humor in this page turner that kept me up, losing sleep. If you like a different kind of vampire then you will enjoy this story. |
| Readingrat |
| A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
The author definitely had an interesting concept for the book and the amount of research she did into the time period is readily apparent. However in a story that stretches out for over 600 pages, the author never really manages to bring any of her characters fully to life or make the reader care much about their fates. |
| Thomas |
| The Last Detective by Robert Crais |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I think this was the best Elvis Cole novel I have read. The son of Cole's girlfriend has been kidnapped and all indications are that the kidnappers have a grudge against Cole, dating back to Vietnam. But all the people closest to him were killed in action. Cole and his partner, Joe Pike, search deeper and find that Elvis was only a smokescreen for a much more sinister operation. Very hard to put down. |
| Wendy Catalano |
| The Mist by Stephen King |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The mist takes over a small town, leaving people stranded in a local grocery store. It's what is in the mist that makes Stephen King the King of Gore and Suspense. I read this in one sitting and couldn't put it down. |
| Bridget |
| The Vanishing point by Mary Sharratt |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
An interesting book about two sisters. It's the 1600s and one is sent to the new world to marry a distant cousin as her prospects in England are shot (she's the town trollop). A few years pass and the younger sister is an orphan, so she sets off to join her sister in the new world. She learns her sister has died from child bed fever (not the truth), falls in love with her brother-in-law and starts a life with him. The story is told from the point of view of different characters, which makes for some interesting reading. There are lots of twists and turns in the plot, and the ending is not all together happy. |
| Dena |
| Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I loved Lynsay's book and her take on vampires. Every writer has their idea of what vampires are and how they act.Lynsay's is very different from others. Her story is funny and I couldn't put it down. |
| Liza |
| Officer Down by Theresa Schwegel |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A gritty mystery involving a female Chicago cop trying to find out who killed her partner...with her gun. While she deals with suspicions of guilt by her co-workers, she is determined to find the killer. There are lots of twists and interesting characters. |
| Margaret |
| The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a really cute, quick read. It is about the Queen discovering reading and how it changes her life. It turns out that the palace is not pleased and discourages her from becoming more literate. She, of course, being Queen Elizabeth, is able to hold her own. |
| Becky Wreyford (beckywreyford@hotmail.com) |
| Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Excellent story about Japanese internment camp in Colorado (I didn't even know we had one in Colorado!) during World War II. This story is told through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl. Well done. Provocative. Excellent book club choice. |
| Kathy Hecht |
| Breakable You by Brian Morton |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Interesting story about characters in transition in their personal lives, wrestling with changes in relationships with others. |
| Sue |
| The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This may be five stars, but I am just starting it. This author is an award winner with almost all her YA books. |
| Kathy V. |
| Going Out In Style by Chloe Green |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
In this series, a lady by the name of Dallas works in the fashion spread biz. Working against her boss and a serial killer but will she come up on top? It's a pretty good read. |
| Ladyslott (lslott@optonline.net) |
| Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Shay Bourne has been convicted of the murder of a young child and her step-father. When it becomes clear is execution is imminent, he makes known his wish to donate his heart --- to the younger sister of the girl he killed, in dire need of a transplant. This book brings up a whole lot of issues all ripe for discussion: the death penalty, religious beliefs, the meaning of miracles and more. It's hard to say I enjoyed a book that was full of so much sadness, but I did, it made me think about a lot of things. |
| Ladyslott (lslott@optonline.net) |
| Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Hannah Baker is a teenage girl who has committed suicide. After her death, 13 people begin to receive a series of tapes telling them why she killed herself and what role they played in her decision. This was a very sad book but a good one to read and discuss with your teen and preteen children. |
| Noreen Brown |
| World Without End by Ken Follett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Great story that is very interesting and exciting. I loved all the historical facts. Holding the 1,014 page book will build up your arm muscles. |
| Marion Miller (lamamil@aol.com) |
| Not Me by Michael Lavaigne |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A little different but plausible Holocaust story about a son's search for information on his father, leading him from Germany to Israel to the U.S., with an interesting outcome. There is much to think about here. |
| Debbie (deble_2000@yahoo.com) |
| Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Hannanh Matthews --- single mom, PR executive, breast cancer survivor --- goes home to Seaview to try to talk her 85-year-old grandmother into moving into an assisted living facility. There, she discovers her 20- year-old daughter is pregnant, an old flame reappears in her life...this is Sherryl Woods at her best! |
| Margaret |
| A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I am a very avid reader and this, without question, is the best book I have read in the last ten years. The characters of Laila and Mariam are quite simply both heroic and unforgettable. I loved this book. |
| Coral Harrison |
| A Cup of Tea by Amy Ephron |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A short, very well-written story written during World War I. It is a darkly romantic novel, plotting deep sense or foreboding with shocking conclusion. |
| Sandra |
| Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Very entertaining book about two sisters and a very unusual garden. Loved it! |
| Frank Nigro (frnk_nigro@yahoo.com) |
| The Third Secret by Steve Berry |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
A good, suspenseful thriller by an author who did his research. The subjects are the Vatican and the miracle at Fatima. The plot is great, but Berry's characters are a little cardboard and underdeveloped. A good read nonetheless. |
| Fran |
| The Honey Thief by Elizabeth Graver |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book surpassed my expectations! The writing is lyrical and prosaic and the characters are endearing and humanly flawed. I loved the intertwining of the past and the present, which offered unique insight into each character's personality and life struggles. It is the type of book where little actually happens, yet the reader is turning the pages to find out more. I did not want this to end! |
| Kay Keller |
| A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This story has not grabbed me the way KANE AND ABEL did many years ago; nevertheless, it is an interesting story and even though I'm in the middle of the book now, I look forward to reading it every day. Yes, I'd give it a big thumbs up! |
| Ann |
| Red Rover by Dierdre McNamer |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
An interesting tale about love between brothers, spanning the 1920s until the present. There's a "mystery" involved, and I can't wait to have it resolved! |
| Susan C |
| People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Brooks is the most artful writer of any I have read. While YEAR OF WONDER is still my favorite of hers, I was captivated by the timeline and idea of discovering the history of the book. |
| Susan C |
| Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I am a Jodi fan; THE PACT will always be my favorite. While I enjoyed this book and its cutting-edge topic, I found myself overwhelmed by some of the discussion of religion. I did like the way she alternates the "voice" of the story. |
| Norma Nance |
| Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I was glad to see the return of the series featuring Mary DiNunzio after an absence of several years. There was plenty of suspense and had a truly surprising ending. As always, Mary, her family and friends were fascinating characters. |
| Marsha |
| The Silver Swan by Benjamin Black |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a sequel to his award-winning CHRISTINE FALLS. It is much darker that his first, but he does develop the character of Quirke and his failing relationships. |
| Reva Wamsley (prwamsley@roadrunner.com) |
| Dead Aim by Iris Johansen |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
As usual, Iris Johansen does not disappoint. This book is one you won't want to put down. Alex Graham, a photographer, is taking pictures of a dam collapse and discovers it may not have been an accident. The next thing she knows, she's on the run. |
| Beverly |
| Burning Up by Caroline B. Cooney |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I'm a Caroline B. Cooney fan because her books work so well to utilize in my middle school classroom. This book was no exception and it also caused me to look introspectively at my life and my views of the world. |
| Coral Harrison |
| Just One Look by Harlan Coben |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A good mystery with a different twist. Grace Lawson was hurt in a mob when a gun was shot at the Band concert at the Boston Gardens. Several were killed and she was badly hurt. This story starts several years after that, but it all ties into that time. |
| KG |
| Solitary Places by Joan Vannorsdall Schoeder |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I enjoyed this book so much that it was hard to put it down. It is a beautifully written story. This book was sitting on a bookshelf for ages --- I am glad I finally read it. |
| Shannon Jensen |
| 7th Heaven by James Patterson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
In my opinion, this was one of his better books I've read in a long while. One of the Women's Murder Club books, Lindsay and crew are dealing with a firebug and a prostitute accused of murdering San Francisco's golden boy. A great installment. |
| Kathy (kboucher@cableone.net) |
| The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A delightful book; a group of women of all ages come together through knitting, and share their laughs, cries, fears, joys....the reader becomes involved with each person, and truly feels a part of the group. In the center is Georgia, owner of the yarn store, and her teenage daughter, Dakota. We share their trials and tribulations, as well as their joys, and really become a part of their lives. This is a book to treasure and is hard to put down. |
| Jennifer Bertram |
| Chasing Fireflies: A Novel of Discovery by Charles Martin |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Southern storytelling at its best. |
| E. Quinn |
| Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Ferris's first novel is outstanding. He writes about living in the environment of an ad agency 5 days a week. He has an eye for detail and explains to us what living in this space means to everyone involved. The impending layoff is always on someone's mind. We are invited into the tensions and humor of living within this nutty space. |
| Kristie Morrison |
| When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The second in a new Amish Fiction series was totally engrossing. I can't wait to see what will happen to the characters next. As an interesting twist, this involves lots of Amish interaction with the English world. |
| Crystal Johnston (ez2love_98@hotmail.com) |
| Obedience by Will Lavender |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
OBEDIENCE is a very scary and clever story that turns its own pages. The story is about good and evil, set on the campus of a university, of all places. Original, it is a puzzle that I am enjoying to the max and believe you will too. It is a house of mirrors that makes me want to get to the end and find out the finale. This is a great read by a new author. The chapters are short which is my favorite way to get through a book. Go get your copy. You won't regret it! |
| Ivy |
| A Thouand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseni |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An absolutely amazing, heart-wrenching story about life in Afghanistan and the friendship between two women. The lives of these women will stay with the reader long after reading the last page of this exceptionally well-written book. |
| Jen Ladwig |
| Dear Isabelle by Jessica Swan |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Beautifully and descriptively written. It kept me in suspense and I read it over a two-day mini-vacation! |
| Sarah P.C. (romantic_saamus@yahoo.ca) |
| The Morcai Battalion by Diana Palmer |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I never really liked sci-fi romance, but this one sure drew my attention from the beginning. There's lots of action, but at same time, interesting description exactly when it's necessary. For those who don't like romance to be almost like 'porn', well you'll like this one, since there is nothing explicit or shocking. |
| A. Downing |
| The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I've just started it and I'm really enjoying the story of the survival of these two women. It's a page turner!! Difficult to put down. |
| Shirley Akins |
| Twisted by Andrea Kane |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Andrea has really made you understand what "twisted" really means! As usual, you can't bear to put the book down. If you like good suspense, then you'll love this. |
| Carol B |
| Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book is an incredible story of how a person without the "necessary" skills can make an incredible difference in the world just by continuing to try! It is very inspirational |
| Velda Brotherton |
| Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A wild premise about a serial killer who works for the police because his foster father taught him it is only good to kill the truly worst criminals. Told in a humorous voice that makes this a truly believable and enjoyable read. |
| Velda Brotherton |
| Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
An intricate family story that explores contemporary small-town and farm life in Kansas. |
| Marleen Davis |
| The Quickie by James Patterson |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Since I've been reading really wonderful authors lately, this book seemed very amateurish and disappointing. However, it was a very fast read and a diversion from deeper works. I like Patterson's Alex Cross books, but this one was very poor. |
| Lesley Fry |
| The Binding Chair by Kathryn Harrison |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Everyone in my book club loved this book, set in turn-of-the century Shanghai, London and Nice, where colonial and Chinese culture come together. The central character is May-li, whose feet were bound as a child. Married at 15 to a brute, she runs away and becomes a prostitute in Shanghai. She later marries Arthur Cohen, a gentle philanthropist who brings her into the opulent household of his sister, her wealthy husband and their two young daughters. Her niece, Alice, becomes especially important to her and their relationship is one of the themes of the book. If you like books that are different and exotic, this is for you. |
| Julie |
| The Somnambulist by JonathanBarnes |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A wonderful, wacky, 19th-century mystery. |
| Ezmerelda |
| Orbit by John J. Nance |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is an excellent adventure. The protagonist is not a person, but space. Kip Dawson wins a trip on a commercial space flight. Something terrible happens, the pilot dies and Kip is left orbiting earth. Alone. He begins writing a journal, not knowing that the whole world can read his thoughts on life. |
| Dawn Torvik-Wahba |
| Consolation by Michael Redhill |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An excellent read. It's a story that goes back and forth between the founding years of Toronto and the present. The characters come alive on the page. Highly recommended. |
| Gary Kahn |
| Exile On Main Street by Robert Greenfield |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An in-depth glimpse into the lives and times of the Rolling Stones circa 1971 as they recorded the landmark album. An excellent read, and a must have for any true rock fan. |
| Gary Kahn |
| This Must Be The Place by David Bowman |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Fans of Talking Heads are sure to enjoy this fascinating portrait of the legendary rock band. The book is an entertaining and informative must have for any true rock fan's library. |
| Tammy Sorrell (tesorrell@aol.com) |
| Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I am a huge Picoult fan. I love her books with all the twists and turns they have. |
| Gary Kahn |
| Clapton: The Autobiography by Eric Clapton |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A revealing glimpse into the life of a rock legend. |
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
| Now You See Him by Eli Gottlieb |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
A man's story of friendship, love, hate, and death. It was very slow moving and unexciting. The missed events of life that present "what ifs". |
| Bridget |
| The Air We Breathe by Andrea Barrett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A wonderful novel that takes place in a TB sanitarium in the Catskills, just before and in the early years of World War I. There are layers to this novel. On one layer it's about the people in the sanitarium and those who care for them. There's another layer that's like a finger on the pulse of America and its attitude towards immigrants at this time period. There's unrequited love, as well as a sidebar that deals with the discovery of and refinement of the science of x- rays. This sidebar is deftly woven into the story and is really quite interesting. Overall, I do not think anything was lacking in this book. |
| Karen Mathis |
| The Doctor's Wife by Elizabeth Brundage |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Excellent book. I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait for this author to write another one. |
| Dawn T. |
| One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez |
| Rating: 1 Stars |
|
Oh my gosh. . . . One Hundred Years of Craptitude! I'm trying to get through it for book club but have a feeling I won't be able to finish. Supposedly, it's more character driven than plot, but I don't really care about any of the characters. Long, dry, boring with some fantasy thrown in. |
| Karen Mathis (kmathrn@elp.rr.com) |
| The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A great book that just grabs you and keeps you wanting to read more. |
| Jen |
| Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Fabulous book. So inspiring, I just think to myself everytime I'm reading it, "I should/could be doing more." It's awesome what this man has accomplished and continues to accomplish. I just listened to Greg speak here in my town and he is an absolute treasure. |
| Linda M. Johnson (tcheer4life@yahoo.com) |
| The Sound of One Thigh Clapping by Meredith Clair |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Very quick read. Cute, but the only way this classifies as Haiku is the syllable count. No "ah ha!" moments or nature observations. |
| Michelle |
| A Place Called Rainwater by Dorothy Garlock |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A good read,lots of characters,romance and murder |
| Betty |
| The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg |
| Rating: 1 Stars |
|
I was very disappointed in this book. It was a tale of child abuse by a mother to her daughter, but at the end, there was no closure. Nothing got solved and no one benifitted. I do not recommend it. |
| Tamara |
| The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A very fun book, and it has made me wonder about the history of Sitka and the Jewish population. Michael does some wonderful things here, especially playing with words. |
| Michelle |
| A Place Called Rainwater by Dorothy Garlock |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A good read, with lots of characters, and murder as well as romance. |
| D. Lohrding |
| Literacy and Longing in L.A. by Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I enjoy this pair of authors. A funny quick, and quirky narrative about a 30-something female living in L.A. --- who loves to read! |
| D. Lohrding |
| Perfect Weight America by Jordan Rubin |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Too many rules in order to reach "perfect." I did enjoy the making your world greener section. |
| Kate M. |
| The Book Thief by Markus Zusak |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Don't let the "Young Adult" classification keep you from reading this incredibly good book. Zusak approaches the Holocaust from an angle that is at once new and indelible. I can't recommend this book highly enough. |
| Julie Siemek (lsiemek@yahoo.com) |
| Sisters by Danielle Steel |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Fantastic book. Anyone who has siblings --- whether brothers or sisters --- will and can relate to the family in this book. |
| Sharon L. |
| A Vision of Light by Judith Merkle Riley |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
For my birthday a friend gave me the trilogy of Margaret of Ashley, who --- as a14th century woman --- goes beyond the bounds of normal life of women of that time. If the remaining two books are like the first, I will certainly enjoy this birthday present! |
| Linda M. Johnson (tcheer4life@yahoo.com) |
| Not Quite What I Was Planning by edited by Smith Magazine |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Supposedly Ernest Hemingway was asked to write a story in half a dozen words. He penned, "For Sale: Baby Shoes. Never worn." The editors of the online magazine Smith have requested and gathered others' attempts. |
| Linda M. Johnson (tcheer4life@yahoo.com) |
| Reality Show by Howard Kurtz |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A behind-the-scenes look at the big 3 networks' evening news programs. It seemed balanced and fair, by the media columnist for The Washington Post. |
| Crystal R. Blackburn |
| The Purrfect Murder (A Mrs. Murphy Mystery) by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
In another wonderful, animal-filled murder mystery set in fictional Crozet, Virginia, Harry Haristeen, former postmistress, her best friend Susan Tucker and the animals (Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tee Tucker) are out to solve another murder or two and save local architect, friend and Brinkley's mom, Tazio Chappers, from a murder charge. |
| Betty |
| The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the best book I have read in a while, while long it held my interest. I found it to be in the style of Catherine Cookson, who was a favorite of mine for many years. I do recommend this, just allow a bit of time for it. |
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
| White Tigress by Jade Lee |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Lydia Smith is an Englishwoman who sailed to the orient to surprise her fiance. She finds treachery instead. In Shanghai, she is drugged, sold, and made a slave to a dark-eyed dragon of a man. He purchased her body but was really seeking something else. He didn't want her virginity, but her yin (the essence of her ecstasy). She could see no harm in allowing him to pleasure her and teach her until she can escape. She sets down a path that will change her life forever. |
| Christy Hawkes |
| Dawn's Awakening by Lora Leigh |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I am a huge fan of Ms. Leigh's and her Breed series is one of my favorites. This book is full of mystery, action, suspense and plenty of romance and sensuality. Dawn and Seth were both first introduced in THE MAN WITHIN and Dawn has been a recurring character in almost all of the Breed books; the wait for their story was well worth it! Many of the characters we've come to know and love appear in this book also. It's a can't-miss story that I highly recommend. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series! |
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
| Kiss Me, I'm Single by Amanda Ford |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
In KISS ME, I'M SINGLE, Amanda Ford has single women step back and evaluate their lives, not run from them. She encourages us to rid ourselves of the falsehood that women must be in a relationship to be happy. Her book is packed with mini stories, all of which I could relate to. Each story is followed with a bit of advice delivered in a loving and sometimes humorous tone. |
| Readingrat |
| Mystic River by Dennis Lehane |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
While it's not hard to guess the real killer pretty early on, this thriller keeps the heat turned up when rumors start getting back to the dead girl's dad and he starts looking to avenge his daughter's death. |
| Zebeen (zebeenpanju@shaw.ca) |
| Portrait in Death by J. D. Robb |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The Author hits the mark in her In Death with A PORTRAIT IN DEATH. If you are a fan of Eve Dallas and Roarke, then this book will not disappoint. There is heart-thumping action to get the juices flowing and there is one of Robb's sensual, erotic and titillating love scenes, which get the pheromones and blood pumping. Between the covers of the book and between the sheets, Robb delights. |
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
| The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Not very impressive, really just a collection of short stories about various adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell. |
| Bonnie |
| Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Fun mystery with a sense of humor. And, best of all, you don't see the ending coming from a mile away. For Robert Parker fans, try Coben. |
| Judy O. |
| Strangled by Brian McGrory |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Jack Flynn, a reporter for The Boston Record, finds himself in the middle of a series of murders that look very much like the Boston Strangler Murders of the 1960s. The puzzling thing is that Albert DeSalvo, the confessor to those murders, is dead. What is going on? McGrory is a new author to me, but I hope to read other books by him. |
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
| Dark Magic by Christine Feehan |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Savannah Dubrinski is a mistress of illusion, a world-famous magician who mesmerizes millions of people. But there is one who keeps her mesmerized. Gregori is the most powerful of all Carpathians and he is Savannah's destiny. She was born to be his. New Orleans is where he will claim her. A good read for the paranormal romance fan. |
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
| Bet Me by Debra Webb, Catherine Mann, and Joanne Rock |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This connected trilogy is the story of 3 female detectives in Las Vegas. They are all undercover on the same weekend and all 3 find more than they are looking for. The stories are: "The Ace" by Debra Webb "The Joker" by Catherine Mann "The Wildcard" by Joanne Rock |
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
| Servant: The Awakening by L. L. Foster |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Gabrielle Cody has the ability to see demons. While most people see then as regular citizens, she sees them as they really are. And she has the responsibility to destroy them. She is on a divine mission and under a heavy burden. Luther Cross is a detective that finds himself attracted to Gaby even as he becomes suspicious of her. He tries to offer her a tenderness that no one else ever has. She senses that something evil is watching her and she tries desperately to find the menace. She confronts an evil like she's never met before. Another good paranormal romance. |
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
| Flesh and The Devil by Devyn Quinn |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Brendan Wallace is a vice cop who is assigned to investigate an escort service call Exotic Jewels, where he meets the lush, beautiful and seductive Liadan Niamh. She arouses a desire in him that he's never experienced before. But her kiss is more dangerous than Brenden can imagine. Women are turning up dead and all the clues lead back to Liadan. Theirs is a passion that could cost him his life. |
| T. Thomas |
| The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Second in the series that started with THE MISTRESS OF THE ART OF DEATH. It's every bit as good as the first. |
| Sally B., San Antonio TX |
| Turning Tables by Heather & Rose MacDowell |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Advance Reading Copy from Bantam Dell. A young single girl, who just lost her marketing job, has to find another one --- any one --- to make ends meet. She starts working at a high-end restaurant waitressing (which she's never done before) and has to put up with the egotistical chef and take whatever is thrown at her (as she is the new person). She makes friends, though, with other waiters and ends up going out, and falling in love with, one of the rich clientèle. Decent Chick Lit. |
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
| The Art of Smart Thinking by James Hardt |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book starts at the basics for those who haven't heard of the various brain waves and how our emotions affect those waves. He explains the reason for Alpha feedback and the Biocybernaunt process. He also shares that forgiveness and opening your heart are necessary for the rapid learning of enhanced alpha waves. These are the brain waves that we can consciously create. which will lead us to a happy and relaxed state. |
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
| Money and Manifesting by Dyan Garris |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
In this book, Garris lays down the ground work by giving us the tools needed to remove barriers that keep us from fulfillment. She does with through prana, yantra, and mantra techniques as a way to unblock, balance, and realign our chakras. This will help to clear your energy pathway. |
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
| Virgin River by Robyn Carr |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I loved, loved, loved this book!! The characters are real and believable. Melinda Monroe is a recent widow who needs to escape her heartache. When she sees an ad for a midwife/nurse practitioner for the remote mountain town of Virgin River, she thinks that this might be the place to start a new life. Her hopes are dashed as soon as she arrives, the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. She decides she's leaving when a baby is abandoned and a former marine asks her to stay and help. She came looking for escape and instead found a home. |
| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
| The Seventh Sacrament by David Hewson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Like his other novels, this latest by the author takes place in Rome and features the detective in the previous novels. This story is really quite interesting, as it has to do with the disappearance of a child twelve years before the current setting of the novel. There are elements of university students caught up in strange and not quite civilized ancient rituals on the site of an archaeological dig. When these students start to turn up dead over a period of years, one by one, the detective knows that it must have a lot to do with the child's disappearance. I was totally surprised by the actual events that occurred in that distant past, and the ending is a total shocker. |
| Kathy V. |
| Candy Apple Dead by Sammi Carter |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
In this series, Abby runs a candy shop called Divinity, which was left to her by her aunt Grace. It looks like one of the men in her life who owns a clothing store gets murdered and now her brother's freedom is on the line. So, to save him, she puts her all into finding out who really did it, and puts her own life on the line in the process. One of the best part of these books is that they include candy recipes for you! Yum!! |
| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
| Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Surprisingly enough, this is the first Lisa Scottoline novel I have ever read; somehow I just never seemed to be in the right place at the right time to have read one before. After reading this book, I intend to read many more of her books. She has written a thriller that includes plot twists, a love story, and female characters who are as eccentric as they are warm and sassy. This book kept me up all night, and I really felt that this story, besides being a first rate thriller, is a great woman's-bonding story, also. I absolutely loved it. |
| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
| The Abduction by Mark Gimenez |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I think this is one of the best mystery stories I have read in quite some time. As soon as I thought I had a handle on the plot, or the reason for an event in the book, the author threw in another factor that broadened the story even further. It has everything I like in a novel: family relationships that see new understanding, a story that kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next, and even elements of psychic connection between some of the characters. I really appreciated the author's point that sometimes one's true family is not at all the people we had always thought of that way. This is a wonderful and touching book. |
| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
| Atonement by Ian McEwan |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I read this book mainly because a movie had just been made out of the story. This story is one of the saddest I think I have read in some time, and all due to misunderstandings between siblings, compounded by a lack of synchronization. It takes place on the eve of World War II and far beyond. What happens to the main characters is just a grand and sweeping story; there is also quite a bit of nostalgia in this book. The author paints pictures of idyllic times to horribly tragic events with words used more skillfully than a paintbrush. I think this is destined to be a classic; it is one of the best serious novels I have ever read. |
| WendyB. |
| Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Stunningly good! Set in eastern Colorado, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor, this is the story of the impact of a Japanese internment camp on a small town. The narrator is a plain-speaking, 13-year-old girl who is struggling to come to terms with the complex actions of the adults around her. There is murder and bigotry as well as a strong and loving family at the core of this wonderful novel. A new author for me; and what a good find! |
| Kathy V. |
| The Fright of The Iguana by Linda O. Johnston |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the 5th book in the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. I believe they just keep getting better. Kendra gets pulled into a pet kidnapping scheme, but who keeps taking everyone's beloved pets? I just love this series. |
| Stephanie Hatton |
| A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Great character development. This book reads like a dark British comedy and is just screaming for a screenplay. |
| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
| No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I had never read a book by this author before and I read this one, quite frankly, because a movie was made out of it. I personally thought that this was one of the most depressing stories I have read in quite some time. The author has a bleak and pessimistic viewpoint on modern life, and where it is leading humankind. There is an awful lot of violence in this story, which hit my mind like a hammer, to be truthful. I honestly hope that the viewpoint of the narrator of this story (Sheriff Bell) as told by the author, is just one man's view, and not a true view of things to come. If this is what the future holds for us, then all of the miracles and advances made by humankind in the last few thousand years have been for nothing. A very, very disturbing story. |
| Sherman |
| Saints At The River by Ron Rash |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book revolves around the recovery of a child who drowned in a river. Should her family have closure, or should she rest in peace? Also, the environmental aspects of disturbing the river come into play. Two sides, two opinions. A very good book. |
| Jen Mulsow |
| To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Some parts are good, but there is one character, Professor Peddick, who rambles on about fish and I find myself just skimming these parts. I don't usually read Science Fiction, but I am enjoying the book |
| Venessa |
| The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
3 stars, only because I haven't finished it yet. I loved THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL so when I finished it, I jumped straight into THE BOLEYN INHERITANCE. It's going slow. It hasn't grabbed me like the first one did. I'm still enjoying it just not as much. |
| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
| Blasphemy by Douglas Preston |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is quite a story, which encompasses all modern science has to offer in a quest to actually prove or disprove the existence of a divine deity; i.e. God. It takes place in New Mexico on the abandoned lands of an Indian reservation; the native people were paid for the use of their land for the project. But as with all politically driven projects, it seems things start to go horribly wrong in this harsh and beautiful landscape. The story has everything, from murder to rekindled romance, to scientific arrogance and beyond. I have to say the ending is quite a surprise, also. It really left me wondering... |
| J. Campbell |
| Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The book starts with: "I come from a family with a lot of dead people." Don't we all. Anyway, this book is written for kids/teens but is a wonderful read for all. It deals with death and grief with humor and friendship. You will want to have your funeral at Snowberger's Funeral Home. You will want a Life Notice instead of a Death Notice. (There is a difference!) And you will want to meet Comfort, Declaration and Peach with bells on. |
| Judy S |
| World Without End by Ken Follett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
In this sequel to THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, the reader finds the town of Kingsbridge two hundred years later. Life in the medieval world is dominated by the church, noblemen (who are not always so noble), poverty, famine, plague and war. In 1327, four children slip away from the town festivities and witness the death of two men. And so the epic begins. The priory is still the center of Kingsbridge and the book is rife with love, hate, greed, selflessness, ambition, revenge, and perseverance. What a fantastic journey for the reader. |
| Tarah Pessel (fireball351c@yahoo.com) |
| High Noon by Nora Roberts |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Great book; a total page turner. |
| Susan De Feo |
| Away by Amy Bloom |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Overall, our book club found this book rather disappointing. The heroine, Lillian, survives all her trials in a foreign country by having sex with anyone who would help her as she tries to return to Russia from the states, only to give up her quest in the end. |
| Fran |
| And She Was by Cindy Dyson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I enjoyed the way the author infused the lyrics to AND SHE WAS into this novel. Overall, it was an okay book about a woman in Aleutia. I found the writing style between past and present Aleutia to be a bit choppy, making it difficult to follow at times. It was good enough to finish the book, but I wouldn't recommend it to any of my friends. |
| Bonnie |
| No Touch Monkey by Ayun Halliday |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
An okay book of travel stories. But, I was expecting more because of a.) the cute title, b.) the cover blurb by Stephen Colbert and c.) rocking first line: "Things really went to sh*t in the Munich train station men's room." It was alright, just not as funny or clever as I'd hoped. |
| Janette |
| Pigtopia by Kitty Fitzgerald |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This modern-day fable is about a lonely and angry adolescent girl, Holly, and Jack, an older man who is isolated from society because of his physical deformities. The author tells the story through Jack's voice and alternately through Holly's voice. The prose is fantastic and very personal! Excellent book! |
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
| Up Jumps the Devil by Margaret Maron |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
#4 of the Deborah Knott series --- I enjoy these books because, after the 4th one, I feel like I am getting to know the characters. As a matter of fact, the storyline involving the family was more interesting than the murder mystery. This time, the murders happen in Deborah's home town and it is over land. To be honest, I thought the mystery part was weak. I enjoy reading about Deborah's life as a District Court Judge and the cases she is involved in. I also enjoy reading about her family and all the aspects of her personal life. The series takes place in Northern Carolina for the most part and it's neat to read about places I have been to. An enjoyable book but not great enough to stay up for. |
| Barbara Dormer (bdorm@aol.cm) |
| Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The Greek gods are alive and living in London! Really funny. |
| Arthur S. Distler |
| Tainted Hero by Michael W Davis |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A thrilling mystery about operations in the Intelligence and Military that keeps the reader in suspense. It's difficult to put the book down. The information about Military operations is very real. I highly recommend this book. |
| Becky, kids librarian |
| Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I loved ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, so when I saw this, I had to have it. The beginning is a little adult for the 8-12 set, but is well written and true to the mood of the original story. This book's lack of reference to anything in the original books is neatly dealt with. Anne's many trials are matter of factly dealt with and saves the story from being too dark. |
| Readingrat |
| Hateship,Friendship,Courtship,Loveship,Marriage by Alice Munro |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Similar to other short story collections, some are very good, and some --- not so much. |
| Readingrat |
| Stardust by Neil Gaiman |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A fairy tale similar in spirit to THE PRINCESS BRIDE. One more wonderful Neil Gaiman creation. |
| Debbie (deble_2000@yahoo.com) |
| Dancing With Rose by Lauren Kessler |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Author Lauren Kessler lost her mother to Alzheimer's. Eight years later she takes a minimum paying job in an Alzheimer's facility, where she learns what the day-to-day care is like, and falls in love with the residents. An excellent true-life story. |
| Michelle |
| A Week From Sunday by Dorothy Garlock |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the first book by Dorothy Garlock that I have read and it was fantastic. A good story and it read fast; I couldn't put it down. |
| Deborah Wellenstein |
| The Age of American Unreason by Susan Jacoby |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This examines the reasons for American intellectual malaise. |
| F Tessa Bartels |
| Astrid & Veronika by Linda Olsson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
What a beautifully written book! She "paints the landscape of friendship." I cried --- softly --- at the end. So tender and loving. |
| Richard Bartels |
| The Colony by John Tayman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Probably 4-1/2 stars. This is a fascinating and horrifying true chronology of the "leper colony" at Kalawao and Kalaupapa Molokai. Tayman clearly did a lot of research, and parts of the book are somewhat dry. But I was intrigued and I think he did a good job of explaining this part of Hawaii's (and the USA's) history. |
| Sandra |
| Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I just finished listening to this one and am looking forward to seeing the movie. It's action packed and has a surprise ending. |
| Swapna Krishna |
| People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was very interesting and enjoyable. I especially liked the way it was laid out, with each individual story of the book's history in reverse order. I definitely found some stories more compelling than others. |
| Andy Sochanski (andy22nj3@comcast.net) |
| Worker in the Light by George Noory |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
If you listen to "Coast to Coast AM" or not, this book is worth reading. It is thought provoking and insightful. |
| Cynthia |
| The Children's Hospital by Chris Adrian |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book caught my eye because I used to work in a Children's Hospital --- it has an apocalyptic setting and is very intelligently written. Chris Adrian himself just finished his residency in pediatrics and is now attending Divinity School --- which corresponds to the book --- so I'm curious; did the book inspire the career or vice versa? Enjoyable read! |
| Lisa Garrett |
| Holly, Jolly Murder by Joan Hess |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book in the Claire Malloy series is full of dry humor that will keep you turning the pages. |
| Juanita |
| The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A wonderful book about Jewish community and a Christian community who shared the same street. So much to think about! This was written by the author at age 92! |
| Mona |
| Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Intriguing take on Rapunzel. Set on the central Asian steppes, a young maid and her mistress, Lady Saren, are shut up in a remote tower because of a refused marriage proposal. Who ends up with the prince in the end? Read the captivating book and find out |
| Ivana Cheong (soupfaerie91@yahoo.com) |
| No Lifeguard on Duty by Janice Dickinson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This actually deserves higher than a 5. I keep putting it off because of other things I need to do besides reading, but I finished this in around a day or two because I just cannot put it down. It's so stark and realistic. We all know Janice Dickinson as brutally honest, and she is too in this book --- about her personal life. From her childhood with a pedophile father to the dark, dark world of the modeling industry. The pain is wrenching and sometimes hard to read. But still, it's interestingly addicting. The pictures are a fun addition to illustrate her career and relationships. |
| Marsha |
| The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a mesmerizing tale of a young girl's struggle to find her place in the world after a devastating childhood. This so engaging that you won't want to put it down. High praise, indeed, as we wonder if Oates will ever run out of stories! |
| T. Thomas |
| Where the Heart Leads by Stephanie Laurens |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Actually 3 1/2 stars. I would have given it higher marks, but I felt it went on a little too long. |
| T. Thomas |
| This Republic of Suffering by Drew Gilpin Faust |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A must read for Civil War fans. |
| Len |
| Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a wonderful book full of lots of characters that takes place in the 12th century. It is a long, terrific saga that should not be missed! |
| Mona |
| Life on the Refridgerator Door by Alice Kuipers |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I give this 4 stars for the content, the idea, and the title! The title reached out and grabbed me as I walked by the library stacks where I work. I shared this with my daughter, who in turn shared it with a Mexican neighbor who she is helping to learn English. It is quirky and revealing. What a wonderful telling of the relationship between the mother and daughter. Who doesn't use their fridge for a message center these days? who knew that our quick notes to each other could reveal so much and become the basis for a book. |
| Genie |
| Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The world of shape shifters involves its own set of rules. Even those who abide by the rules are destined to lead unusual lives. Those who break them suffer the consequences. This is a tale filled with all of these elements. The main character is Wren, who has been brought up as an outcast who believes his parents killed each other. With the help of friend turned lover, Maggie, he discovers the truth of his past, comes to understand why he was destined to spend his childhood isolated from his family, and realize that the future holds much better times ahead. |
| Bev (lbfollin@embarqmail.com) |
| Adam by Ted Dekker |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is one of Ted Dekker's best! The main character dies within the first chapter or two. A serial killer is stalking young women and injecting them with a deadly virus, and the killer always seems to KNOW exactly what you are thinking and what you will do. A very good surprise twist at the end! |
| Mona |
| Keeping Corner by Kashmira Sheth |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Foreign cultures, other than our own, are intriguing. This is an interesting historical novel set in the time of Ghandi and how Native Indians suffer from British rule. I found it very enlightening. |
| Carol Grubbs (carol.grubbs@gmail.com) |
| The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
An excellent story intertwining the past with the present, beginning with a skeleton dug up from a garden, told though letters from the past. I could not put it down. |
| T. Thomas |
| Shadow Music by Julie Garwood |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Second in the Shadow series. An exciting read, |
| Fran |
| In a Heartbeat by Rita Herron |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Pretty good mystery/thriller. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline was suspenseful. |
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
| The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This book is about a widow's life after her husband's death from cancer. The little things in life are so important, and friendship. |
| MississippiMom |
| The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The is Book III in Pullman's His Dark Materials series and, by far, the best of the three... Be sure to have a box of tissues on hand for the last chapter! |
| Marsha |
| Tipperary by Frank Delaney |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Very disappointing. This book gets bogged down continually. I enjoyed Delaney's first book, IRELAND, but this one was painful. |
| Bonnie |
| Complications by Atul Gawande |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A terrific, well-written book. I read it in a day and a half because I had a hard time putting it down. Gawande writes about specific medical cases to show the possibilities and limitations of surgery, specifically, and medicine in general. It's so well written that it reads like fiction and just flies by. |
| Marleen Davis |
| All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I love this author. This book isn't as inspiring as THE ROAD, but it is a good read. |
| Julie C |
| Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
My friend recommended this book for our book club and I'm glad she did. I had never read Chris Bohjalian before, but I will continue to read him now. The book takes two societal issues and weaves them into a story about family and finding what is really important in life. If you enjoy Jodi Picoult, you will enjoy Chris Bohjalian. |
| Nancy |
| The Godmother by Carrie Adams |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
A humorous look at a single woman in her 30s surrounded by married friends. She is jealous of their marriages and families, but she comes to learn that their lives aren't as perfect as she thought and that her life is a lot better than she imagined. |
| Debi |
| In the Woods by Tana French |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This author has a lot of potential. With her first novel, she kept my interest from the very beginning by creating an interesting plot about the murder of a young girl. She ties it in with a cold case murder in which the prime detective is involved. She does leave several loose ends by the conclusion of the novel, or maybe I just missed something! |
| Sharon |
| Lucky Me by Michael J. Fox |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
I found this book at a $1 store and was willing to invest a dollar to read the story of actor Michael J. Fox, which is familiar to almost everyone. I am glad that I did not spend more. |
| Joanne (jafriday@windstream.net) |
| The Appeal by John Grisham |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I am enjoying this book. Some of the characters' perspectives change as the story progresses. The main character starts off very innocent and trusting. If you read this book, pay attention to how he comes to understand people. |
| Eileen |
| Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a great story of friendship. It relates the lives of two women: one is a newswoman who has become the top anchor and one is a mother. This story contains those characteristics of loyalty, love, truthfulness, caring and all the values one loves to live and read about. |
| Bea Carroll |
| The Other Side Of The Bridge by Mary Lawson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Taking place in a small town in Canada, this is about the relationship of two brothers who are opposites --- to each other, their mother, their lovers, and their community. It's about love, jealousy, and family. |
| Linda P |
| Crow Lake by Mary Lawson |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
An easy read; however, I found the character development lacking. |
| Sandra Hughes |
| Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A wonderful book that takes place in Norway about a father and son. This author can write! One of the best books I have read in a long time! |
| Debi |
| Turning Tables by Heather & Rose MacDowell |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
If you need a book to escape from the drudgeries of the office, this is for you! I enjoyed reading something that was quick, funny, and light! It shows that any job can offer life-long learning opportunities!! |
| Betty Jo (harrises@bayou.com) |
| Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
An American hairdresser goes to Kabul to volunteer her time after the fall of the Taliban. Word gets out that she is a hairdresser and her volunteering takes on a new life. For her, it has been life changing. |
| Debi |
| Playing for Pizza by John Grisham |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
If you enjoy football, you'll enjoy this book! It shows growth in the main character, who is a football player, and I appreciate that since I am the wife and mother of football players. Mr. Grisham began his career while living down the road a piece, so he knows football! Overall, it is a well-written story. |
| Debi |
| People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I read this from front to back and then from back to front --- quite literally! It kept me reading from the first chapter. The design of the chapters, the weaving of past and present, and, finally, the revealing of the future are pure genius! This is good writing! If you appreciate true literature, you must read this masterpiece! |
| Nicole |
| Run by Ann Patchett |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I am liking this book, but not as much as I had expected to! |
| Bonnie Waliezer (Nabofrue@aol.com) |
| The Good Guy by Dean Koontz |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Koontz at his best. This is another one you have trouble putting down, while thinking, "just one more chapter." A must read, for sure. |
| L. Hann |
| The Next Accident by Lisa Gardner |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Awesome! This is a real page turner. It will keep you guessing the whole time. It's a great read. |
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
| Parvana's Journey by Deborah Ellis |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This story was absolutely heartbreaking. It really puts life in perspective, how precious it is and how lucky we are. We pick up where we left off in PARVANA. After much of her Afghan neighborhood has been destroyed by bombing, Parvana and her father are on the move, trying to find the rest of the family. The journey is horrific. This book has left an impression on me. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this. |
| Sue |
| Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Her best book yet. Absolutely fantastic. |
| Myrna Lippman |
| The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A novel about a Pakistani's charmed life as a Princeton graduate and a Wall Street stock broker just before 9/11, and how its aftermath affects him. |
| Deanna Harwell |
| A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a wonderful and inspiring book on how to create a better consciousness in the world and basically how to be a happier person. |
| Coral Harrison |
| Compelling Evidence by Steve Martini |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Not the latest mystery by Martini but one of the best. A lawyer mystery that keeps you guessing. |
| Amber Porter (amberporter@msn.com) |
| Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
It's been a slow read, but it's one that you can pick up and read a chapter or two pretty quickly. There is some interesting information and I have enjoyed reading it, but it's not a page turner. |
| Myrna Lippman |
| And Sometimes Why by Rebecca Johnson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A first novel about a family caught up in a tragedy and how they cope --- or not. |
| Linda |
| Monkeewrench by P. J. Tracy |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book begins with the investigation of multiple murders, identical to scenarios found in an unreleased computer game, created by Monkeewrench, a computer software company. The owner, Grace McBride, and her crew are the main suspects and no one is who they appear to be. The book is entertaining and well plotted, with a true feel of Minneapolis. I can't wait to read another from the mother/daughter team of P. J. Tracy. |
| Kathleen Smith (Lvchoclat@aol.com) |
| The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Oh my God, this author has done it again! What a twist at the end! Don't miss it! |
| Ginny |
| Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A community read; a good choice for young and old readers alike. |
| Donna Hunt |
| Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I've been following this story since the beginning and this is a fitting end to the tale. It's darker than the other books, but with a life such as Harry's, it only seems fitting. All questions were answered and only left you wanting more if you've grown very attached to the characters. |
| Barbara Lima |
| Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Very fast read! |
| Genie |
| Killing Moon by Rebecca York |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
PI (werewolf) Ross Marshall is on the trail of a serial killer. While gathering evidence, he is shot by the suspect. Dr. Megan Sheridan finds Ross near death and decides she must tend to his wounds. This is only the beginning of a complicated relationship that takes on a serious note when Megan becomes the next target on the serial killer's list. |
| sal williams |
| The Novel 100 by Daniel S. Burt |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Ever since I was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, I have felt a compulsion to read all those books I have missed along the way that are considered by many to be great literary achievements. Professor Burt has made the choices easier for me with this compendium describing 100 well-written works dating from DOX QUIXOTE to Toni Morrison's BELOVED. Moreover, it isn't just a "Cliffnotes" rendering, but rather a full assessment of each book's total impact --- literary, historic and societal. Newly added to my reading list after checking in with Burt, are a story of Arabic life called CITIES OF SALT, a trilogy by Samuel Beckett, entitled Molloy,etc., of which I was unaware, and a reread of Doris Lessing's THE GOLDEN NOTEBOOK with a bit more insight than I had first time around forty plus years ago. We get into reading ruts, I think, and we need to blow the dust out and find new topics every so often. Burt's book is a handy way to sort through some of the best that is out there. |
| Book Momma (Bookmomma@aol.com) |
| Betrayal by John Lescroart |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is the latest in Lescroart's series that features Dismas Hardy, a San Francisco lawyer. The book starts in the present and then flashes back to a young policeman who is in California's National Guard. He gets sent to Iraq, where he is assigned to help a group of contractors. The novel continues as the soldier is badly wounded and recuperates back in the U.S., where he has further dealings with the nefarious contractor who steals his girlfriend. |
| Book Momma (Bookmomma@aol.com) |
| The Black Dove by Steve Hockensmith |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
3rd in a series, this continues the adventures of Otto and Gustav --- "Big Red" and "Old Red" Amlingmeyer --- who are detectives in the style of Sherlock Holmes in late 19th century western U.S. This time, the brothers solve a mystery in Chinatown. These books are humorous and well written. |
| Bridget |
| Shadow Music by Julie Garwood |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
I was very disappointed with this latest book by Julie Garwood. I've read her earlier historical romances and found them to be quite entertaining. This one, however, has a large list of characters that are hard to keep track of, making for a lot of confusing reading. I gave up going back and forth, trying to keep track of who was who. |
| Deanna Harwell |
| Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The author's family vows to eat healthier by growing their own food or eating locally grown food. This is the story of their life-changing adventure. |
| Terri D |
| A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book was a real awakening for me. |
| Joanne (jafriday@windstream.net) |
| The Appeal by John Grisham |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Written in Grisham style --- few words and entertaining sarcasm. Presenting two sides, the writer gives an interesting change of scenery. I do not want to give away the ending, but I am not happy. It disturbs be that life could be like that. |
| Sylvia |
| Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An interesting narrative of Mr. Mortenson's struggle to bring education to the poorest regions of Pakistan. For the most part, this book just relates the facts of the missions without getting too preachy. |
| reader1 |
| Hallowed Ground by Lori G. Armstrong |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I just finished reading HALLOWED GROUND by Lori G. Armstrong. This book was not the first in the series, but it was so good that I went to my local bookstore and bought the other 2 installments. My bookstore didn't have any of her books, but, upon my recommendation, they ordered 2 of each of the 3 books in the series that had been released so far. HALLOWED GROUNG had humor at the beginning that hooked me right away, but the story soon turned serious. It kept me guessing until the very last page. It would be perfect for a great spring break read or one to add to your summer reading list. I really liked this book and plan to go back and read the other 2 as soon as possible. |
| Kathy |
| Murder on K Street by Margaret Truman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Another entertaining Capital Crimes novel. And, I guess, the last, with Ms. Truman's passing earlier this year. I will truly miss my visits with Mac and Annabel Lee Smith, and their crime-solving friends. |
| Annette Taylor |
| Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
It's a wonderful book about wizards. |
| Desmond Warzel |
| The Dark Tower by Stephen King |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The seventh and final volume of the epic Dark Tower series. I'm not quite finished yet (it's over a thousand pages), but I have a feeling we're headed for a real downer ending. |
| D. Lohrding |
| The Secret by Rhonda Byrne |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Easy to read, with the joint authors' "quotes." I'm hoping the constant exposure seeps in to my conscience. |
| Julie |
| The Somnambulist by JonathanBarnes |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A wonderful Victorian murder mystery with a lot of highly unusual characters. It's magical, dark and very compelling. |
| Spike Henry |
| The Oasis by Wilson Crawford |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A great book of Southern fiction! |
| Janet Stewart |
| Half Broken Things by Morag Joss |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Very well-written British psychological suspense. It won a CWA Silver Dagger Award and it's easy to see why. |
| Shannon |
| T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is a great book. If you like her other books, you'll love this one. |
| Nicole B. |
| Frenemies by Alexa Young |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I managed to get an ARC of FRENEMIES and it was fantastic. She still has some things to fix up, but the plot line is engaging and I was able to relate to the characters. Fantastic book! |
| Mary Ward |
| Souvenir by Therese Fowler |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is such a beautifully written novel about the mistakes we make in life and how we live with them. It's also about family and love and never letting go of something that fills your heart. It's a lot more than all of this and I do recommend having a tissue nearby. |
| Ilene Harris (papagil@comcast.net) |
| The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I loved this book, although i thought it was the saddest book I have ever read. it took place in India, and more horrible things couldn't happen to the lowest caste people. |
| Jessie |
| Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Very timely subject matter --- hard to put down. There are a lot of characters to keep track of and it moves back and forth in time, so there's plenty of variety to keep the reader interested. |
| Shelley |
| No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Hard to read, but well done! It takes a little while to get used to the author's narrative style, but it forces the reader to digest every word. There's so much to think about, maybe more than we would like to. I haven't seen the movie and don't think I can but I highly recommend the book. |
| Wendy Catalano (wendycatalano@hotmail.com) |
| Silent In The Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A Lady Julia Grey Mystery that is a sequel to SILENT IN THE GRAVE. It's a quick-moving read with amusing characters. |
| C. McGirr |
| The Book Theif by Mark Zusak |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
We just read this for our book club and EVERYONE loved it. The character development is phenomenal and you will fall in love with the characters as well. The main character is a little German girl during World War II. It is narrated by Death --- it sounds really gloomy but the characters and the perspective make it a very worthwhile read. I won't lie to you, it is sad (how could World War II not be. It is a book you will think about for a long time with warmth in your heart. |
| Sabrina Williams (breenibooks@gmail.com) |
| The i Tetralogy by Mathias B. Freese |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Poignant and disturbing fictional account of the Holocaust. |
| Sabrina Williams (breenibooks@gmail.com) |
| The Book of Lilith by Robert G. Brown |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A feminized version of the Creation story. Lots of dark, tongue-in-cheek humor. |
| Jeanie |
| Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book is a paradox. It has some really profound thoughts on Christianity, but from a very unusual perspective. The analogies are very thought provoking. The style is conversational as it seems you are inside of Millers head and reading his private thoughts. |
| Frannie |
| Snow Flower and The Secret Fan by Lisa See |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A haunting tale of a woman's life during the 1800s in China. Through this girl's journey in life, the reader is taken on a journey of the customs of women in China during this time, including the barbaric custom of foot binding. I loved the nu shu element of the women's relationship as it seems to have been the only thing they had that was truly theirs. Although it was difficult to read at times, it was beautifully written and compelling to read. I couldn't put this one down! |
| Donna |
| The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The best book I have ever read in my entire life. You cannot put this book down. Tatiana and Alexander are spellbinding. I have read this book over 5 times! Alexander and Tatiana fight against all odds to be together. Through war, starvation, death, distance, family they fight to be together. This will be the best book you have ever read. |
| Judy O. |
| Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Eleven-year-old Claire Nealon desperately needs a new heart. Shay Bourne is offering her his heart, and it is a perfect match. However, Shay is the man who was convicted of killing her father and sister, but he will not be needing his heart as he is going to be executed for the crime. This is a fascinating story by an author who just keeps piling on the best sellers. Her books are always entertaining as well as thought provoking. |
| Jeanie |
| Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The subtitle is: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together. Denver became a homeless man because it was a step up from working on the plantation in Louisiana for no pay and only allowed to buy things on credit from 'da man's store. Ron and Debbie volunteer on Tuesday nights at a homeless shelter in Dallas and meet Denver and they begin a relationship that will touch hearts and change the lives of many people. |
