November 19, 2010 - December 2, 2010
Last contest period's winners were Louis P, Connie, Richard B., Vanessa and Trez B., who each received a copy of DON'T SING AT THE TABLE: Life Lessons from My Grandmothers by Adriana Trigiani, FULL DARK, NO STARS by Stephen King and LIPSTICK IN AFGHANISTAN by Roberta Gately.
| Louise P. |
| No One Lives Forever by Jordan Dane |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I'm just finishing my fourth Jordan Dane book (this is the third), and I am still enamored of her writing skills. NO ONE LIVES FOREVER is sort of a sequel to NO ONE LEFT TO TELL (it offers more about Christian Delacorte), and I highly recommend reading NO ONE LEFT TO TELL first. |
| Louise P. |
| No One Left to Tell by Jordan Dane |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
In my opinion --- and I have won writing awards, myself, so it must count for something :) --- Jordan Dane is one of the most skillful writers around. Not only are her plots varied and out of the ordinary, but the writing and the descriptive phrases are outstanding. I can almost guarantee that romantic suspense fans will love this book, as well as its follow-up, NO ONE LIVES FOREVER. |
| Gail |
| They're Watching by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A suspenseful thriller. I couldn't put it down. This is my first G. Hurwitz book, and it won't be my last. |
| Debbie |
| Cat Coming Home: A Joe Gray Mystery by Shirley Rousseau Murphy |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
I am a sucker for Christmas novels, and this has an added bonus as a cat mystery. But, I was sadly disappointed with this novel. The story moves too far from reality. As a cat an owner and lover, I understand the unique personality of a cat. Murphy presents cats with more intelligence than the humans in the story. Lilian Jackson Braun presents a more believable story with her Cat Who series. In many places, the dialog is confusing, and it's hard to tell who's talking: the cat or the human. Also, the cats' agility as they fly over rooftops and enter houses presents a picture of ninja cats. I plan to stick with Braun's series. |
| Reva W. |
| Weekend Warriors by Fern Michaels |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
The first book in the Sisterhood series. I had read a later book at one time, and decided I wanted to go back and start at the beginning. A group of women who have been wronged in some way get together to devise a way to get even with those who have wronged them. The first one is a woman truck driver who was raped by three men, while her handicapped husband watched. |
| Louise P. |
| Secret Agent Father by Laura Scott |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Shelby witnesses her sister's murder. Even worse, though, is the fact that her sister's little boy also saw it. Shelby flees with little Cody to protect him, and then the adventures begin. |
| Bonnie |
| At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the perfect, fun book for curious people who like to know a little bit about a lot of things. Plus, it's very entertaining --- and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. I'd expect nothing less from Bryson. It starts off by going through his house, room by room, but from there it takes off with anecdotes about everything from bats to Thomas Jefferson to concrete to forks, and so on. Highly recommended. |
| Debbie |
| Where the Lake Becomes the River: A Novel in Stori by Kate Betterton |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Kate Betterton writes brilliantly, with vivid settings and interesting characters, but the story hammers a life of doom and gloom. Parrish, an artistic and gifted child, dwells on death. Her school essays all recount the themes of death and hopelessness. The story begins in Japan, after WWII, but quickly changes to Mississippi, with its racial tension and the supremacy of the Klu Klux Clan. Betterton explores the problems of Southern life: the tension between the blacks and the whites, the distance between the poor and the rich, sexual abuse and superstition. There are too many devastating events that follow Parrish: death, loss of innocence, and loss of friendship. The last section of the book, "Anastasis," brings a glimmer of hope. But this enlightening moment is too little and too late. |
| Jean |
| North River by Pete Hamill |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I truly enjoyed this heartwarming story, which is set in New York during the great Depression. I found myself totally engrossed by this book. |
| Jodi |
| Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I want to tell everyone I talk to and see to read this book!!!! I couldn't put it down all day long. It switches back and forth between the past and the present, alternating between the two every other chapter --- but not in a confusing way. The past is about the events that took place in Paris during July 1942, and the Vel' d'Hiv roundup of Jewish families. Although the event was horrific, the book is fascinating. The present events are about an American journalist who's researching the event and starts finding ties to it. |
| Esther |
| The True Memoirs of Little K by Adrienne Sharp |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Engrossing historical fiction. This novel tells the story of Mathilde Kschessinska, the prima ballerina who was the mistress of Tsar Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia. Russian history comes alive, disguised as a love story, in this sweeping saga of the glory of the Romanov Empire and the turmoil of the Revolution. |
| Justine C. |
| The Wishing Trees by John Shors |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a wonderful novel of grief, but it's also a story of hope and love. I found it quite beautiful, and I won't forget it. |
| Susan J. |
| A Cup of Friendship by Deborah Rodriguez |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
"...since we're all fools, why not dance?" Sunny is an American expat, who just wants to run a nice, friendly coffeehouse in Kabul --- not an easy task given the state of Afghanistan. Having someone to love wouldn't hurt either. Her coffeehouse mixes Afghans --- some much more traditional than others --- together with foreigners --- both somewhat misguided do-gooders and hard-boiled professionals, for whom war is a livelihood...people who didn't quite fit in their own countries. And Sunny feels responsible for a young and pregnant Afghan widow, but she doesn't know how she can save her from a fate that's all too common among Afghan women guilty of "loose" morals, through no choices of their own. It is amazing to me --- the idea of living in a culture where parents forgive sons who are guilty of murder, where the worst behavior is explained and often excused. I find it shocking that there is a culture where parents and husbands can think that it is the right thing to stone, beat and murder their children and wives when they bring shame on their families for both real and imagined crimes --- crimes that would not raise an eyebrow in the United States. This book is a feel-good novel about friendships, romance, cultural and religious conflicts, and an inability to break with tradition even when tradition causes harm. The characters are wonderful, and I fell in love with them. To me, the story was a little predictable, but that didn't take away from its charm. Highly readable. I received an advanced reader's edition of this book from the publisher. |
| Julie |
| Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
An absorbing novel that takes place mostly in Ethiopia. It chronicles the life of twins, who were born to a nun and become doctors. The story starts in the early 1950s, and it is beautifully written and difficult to put down. |
| Louise P. |
| So Wide the Sky by Elizabeth Grayson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A very fascinating plot, in which a white girl is kidnapped by the same Indians who massacred the rest of her family. After nine years of living with the tribe, she doesn't fit in with her "own kind" and has some tough choices to make. I highly recommend this book. |
| Louise P. |
| Kiss by Ed McBain |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I'm trying to re-read McBain's books as I run across them. I remember them very fondly, but this was a little bit of a disappointment. Nevertheless, it was like old times --- reading about 87th Precinct Detective Steve Carella. |
| Justine C. |
| Bel Canto by Ann Patchett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I love the way that Ann Patchett writes. She has a beautiful way with words. This novel, which is about hostages and their jailers, is very moving and quite lyrical. |
| Justine C. |
| Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Though sometimes this novel is a bit slow and dense, I find it amazing that Conrad wrote this story in his third language -- -English. I love some of his phrases, his choice of words, etc. This is an interesting story about traveling up the Congo. |
| Tanya |
| Kasey to the Rescue: The Remarkable Story of a Mon by Ellen Rogers |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The true story of a quadriplegic and a service monkey named Kasey. This is one inspiring story that everyone should read. |
| Allie |
| The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humbl by A.J. Jacobs |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
An interesting concept. |
| Chris |
| The Judge Who Stole Christmas by Randy Singer |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Singer takes us to a small town where the Christmas spirit is alive and well, and the citizens are celebrating with a live manger scene on the downtown square. Enter the ACLU, which opposes this display and takes the offenders and town to court. A federal judge gets the case and rules the display unconstitutional. The battle heats up when the offenders refuse to abide by the ruling, and the case takes on a life of its own, becoming national news. A law student gets caught in the middle of it when she is assigned the case as part of her school's legal aid clinic. Twists and turns abound, as we look at what the real reason for this season is, and how things aren't always as cut-and-dried as they appear. |
| Mayleen |
| The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Elisabeth, confined to her bed, watches a snail on her nightstand as it lives a life that mirrors limitations of her own. What follows is an oddly compelling story about her discovery of companionship and beauty in the most unexpected of creatures. |
| Judy O. |
| In the Still of the Night: The Strange Death of Ro by Ann Rule |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Ronda Reynolds is a former Washington State Police Trooper. One fateful morning, she is found dead in a closet in her home. Her estranged husband discovered her, and he was very anxious to mark it as a suicide. Her mother was tenacious in her quest to have the death labeled as a homicide. This is the story of a woman who was loved by many, and she was too young to meet such an untimely death. A very typical true crime drama, but it's interesting. |
| Louise P. |
| A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A very touching and emotional story about a young girl with a beautiful life in front of her. Instead, she chooses a poor man and deals with hardships for the rest of her life. Abbie Deal was a remarkable woman. A fascinating reading for all ages! |
| Louise P. |
| The Neighbor: A Detective D.D. Warren Novel by Lisa Gardner |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I want to give this one more than five stars. I read it in one day, which wouldn't be so unusual, except that as I've age, I've found that I have a shorter attention span and get anxiety attacks if I sit for too long. BUT I just could not put this down. I HAD to keep reading. A young, pretty mother disappears from her bed in the middle of the night, leaving signs of a struggle. It's fairly obvious that her husband is guilty...or is he? It's up to Detective Sergeant D.D. Warren to find out! |
| Angela S. |
| Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
What a classic! It is a must-read for everyone. Even though you shouldn't, you can't help but like Humbert. The words just flow so freely; I can't put it down. |
| Kellie |
| In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Number six in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series --- I love these books because of how unique they are and their simplicity. The plot, the setting --- everything is new. In this one, Note comes back. MMa Makutsi takes dancing lessons and meets someone new. Mma Ramotswe has a lot to think about. A new character, Rra Polopetsi also joins the series. I have to be honest, the beginning was a little slow. But the last half of the book is quiet engrossing. I think this is one of my favorites, and I'm looking forward to the next one. |
| Sharon E-F |
| London by Edward Rutherfurd |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Amazing historical scope with great tales of adventure, love, war, greed, wealth and poverty. |
| Reva |
| Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An Alex Cross novel. Alex is engaged, but while he's on a family trip to Bermuda, his girlfriend disappears without a trace. Now he is heartbroken, and he hast to try to find out what happened to her while investigating a vicious serial killer. A great book --- one of the best so far. |
| Jud H. |
| Dead in the Water by Stuart Woods |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
While vacationing in St. Marks, Stone encounters the widow of a well-known writer. She shows up alone on a large yacht, with a story about how her husband died while crossing the Atlantic. The widow is charged with murder and faces the death penalty if convicted. Along with a local barrister, Stone must try to get the widow acquitted and navigate the strange, British-style legal system. |
| Stacey K. |
| Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Michelle Moran captured the essence of ancient Egypt in NEFERTITI and THE HERETIC QUEEN, and she has done it again with the Roman empire in CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER. Her writing gives a real insight to what these real-life people may have been like. One of the best pieces of historical fiction I have ever read! |
| Barbara F. |
| The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I am finally reading this book, and so far, I am thoroughly enjoying it. I like how the book bounces back and forth between time frames, so that you get a more complete picture of who Henry is. |
| Janet |
| The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I've just started reading it, but it is really good. I love books that have puzzles to solve within a story. |
| Ivy Pittman (ipittman26@yahoo.com) |
| The Prostitutes' Ball: A Shane Skully Novel by Stephen J. Cannell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
While there is wealth, glitter and fame amongst this cast of characters, nerves are rattled when secrets from 30 years ago come out during a murder investigation. Cannell should be looking down with pride! |
| Marsha |
| Faithful Place by Tana French |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A Dublin policeman is drawn back into his dysfunctional family when a suitcase is found in an abandoned house. The family dynamics are spot-on. It will make you feel like your clan is Disney-perfect. Murder, tangled relationships and family loyalty are all explored in this fine novel. |
| C. Stewart |
| Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Kingsolver's first book in nine years, and it was worth the wait! While she might not be a historical purest throughout, the historical tale is there, which makes this a read chock-full of fun, adventure and surprizes. |
| Elise |
| Vixen by Jillian Larkin |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A very engrossing debut novel set in the 1920s about a group teenagers who are trying to find themselves. Flappers, speakeasys, boys, love, gangsters, jealousy, betrayal...all make for an awesome first book of a trilogy. Synopsis Blurb: Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It's a dangerous combination. Every girl wants what she can't have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle-and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she's engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago's most powerful families, Gloria's party days are over before they've even begun . . . or are they? Clara Knowles, Gloria's goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch-but Clara isn't as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she'll do anything to keep hidden. . . . Lorraine Dyer, Gloria's social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria's shadow. When Lorraine's envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone's going to be very sorry. . . . From debut author Jillian Larkin, VIXEN is the first novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic new series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . when anything goes. |
| Linda M. J. |
| In the Company of Others: A Father Tim Novel by Jan Karon |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
To me, this was a disappointment compared to Karon's other books. It still has Father Tim and Cynthia, with some occasional instances featuring Dooley. It takes place in Ireland, where Father Tim and Cynthia go to vacation with his cousin and his wife. Things never seem to go as planned. This seemed preachier than the others in the Mitford series and the other Father Tim book. |
| Sharon E-F |
| Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I chose this book to give to one of my teenage grandchildren, but I read it first. In my opinion, it is too "adult" for teens. Guess it will have to go on the shelf for a while. |
| Paula |
| The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I just adored this book. I bought this book on recommendations, and it was in my to-be-read pile for several months before I picked it up. It was fabulous!! A granddaughter traces her grandmother's roots to figure out where she came from. It has suspense and mystery in it, as well as great descriptive writing. There are many surprises, and it slips back and forth in time. I am now off to find this author's previous books. |
| F. Tessa B. |
| Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Two and a half stars. There's something about the Waverleys and their "magic" apple tree. Southern chick-lit with a littyle fantasy thrown in, as well as some references to real, modern-day troubles. I thought the ending was unrealistic. |
| Lorna |
| The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Eight students come together once a month to Lillian's restaurant for cooking lessons. Each person has a different background and a different reason for taking the class. Each character has their own chapter, where you get to meet them and find out why they are there. I think I expected more from the book, and I would like to have known what happened to everyone once the classes finished. |
| Linda |
| Pretty Little Things by Jilliane Hoffman |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An inside look at how online sexual prediators prey on "worldly" --- or so they think --- teens. If you are the parent or grandparent of a teen, this is mandatory reading! |
| Sandra |
| Still Missing by Chevy Stevens |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An excellent story --- well written, psychological suspense at it's very best. Stevens skillfully balances the back story of Annie's captivity with the front story of a woman who's desperately trying to reclaim her old life. |
| Ruthie B. |
| Finny by Justin Kramon |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This was the strangest but funniest book I have read in a while. It is the story of a girl named Delphine --- Finny for short --- and it follows her life from about the age of 14 up until she reaches her 30s. Funny and sad, tender and tough, and sweet but bitter, Finny is full of contradictions --- but aren't we all! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I could not put it down! |
| Sue G. |
| Island Passage by Sherry Hartzler |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I love this book. The author lives about 100 miles away from me --- the book is so familar. It's about friends who grew up together and found each other again when they needed each other most, uncovering a few secrets along the way. This is Sherry's second book; the first one stole my heart. You can find this book at Beehive Books, or at independent book stores in central and southeast Ohio. I would love to meet Sherry some time!! |
| GailfromMatthews |
| Life by Keith Richards with James Fox |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Full of riveting stories about the Stones' long career, as well as interesting tidbits about the evolution of their music, this book is hard to put down --- even though it's disjointed and, sometimes, difficult to follow. |
| pkhorn |
| World and Town by Gish Jen |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Jen offers a well-written cast of characters who are dealing with life changes in small-town America. |
| Barbara S. |
| The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I just finished this book for my reading group. I thought it was very well-written. History that's told as a story is so much more enjoyable than a historical biography. I could not imagine living through what these people did --- enduring such deprivation with stoic courage. The good and the bad are very well described: all are presented as human beings with flaws. |
| Dara B. |
| Djibouti by Elmore Leonard |
| Rating: 1 Stars |
|
I wasted two days reading this, the latest book from Elmore Leonard. |
| Debra L. |
| Only Son by Kevin O'Brien |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is Mr. O'Brien's first book and, just like all of his others, it pulled me right into the story. If you like thrillers, he is the author for you! |
| Carol W. |
| The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I loved this book. I was hooked from the beginning, and I did not want it to end. Rose could sense people's feelings by tasting whatever they made, starting with her mother's lemon cake. This started around the time of her ninth birthday, and the book carries her through her relationships with her dissatisfied and lonely mother, her non-expressive and precise father, and her troubled but gifted brother, Joseph. It ends when she has grown up with an anticlimactic surprise. I love the artistry of the writer, Aimee Bender, and I will look for other books by her. The book glides through the story with ease, and it was very difficult to put down. Rose's gift of perceiving people's feelings through taste made this book possess a magical quality, but it also opens up the mind to deep observations about others and to clues about what they are feeling. I really haven't said much about the story, but I am positive that you will find it much more satisfying than any piece of cake, so I do not want to spoil it for you. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It will make you wonder and appreciate! |
| Carol W. |
| The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
THE EDGE OF WINTER was very enjoyable. It was very easy to get wrapped-up in the story, and there was a gentle pull to set things right. I may be biased because I love to read about the interworkings of families, and I love nature --- especially birds. Families are a complicated subject, and I think that Luanne Rice handles them well. There are three families involved in this book, and each of them are having trouble dealing with loss. Their losses are held close to their chests and are bound up in secrets: to use Ms. Rice's term, they were "frozen." All three families have a deep love of nature, particularly birds. I miss the beaches where I used to live, but over and over again, I went back to the beaches in this book. She artfully describes the beauty of the beaches and the nature inhabiting them. A snowy owl comes to roost in the beginning of the story, and it's injured just as each of the families are deeply hurt. The owl is a symbol of what they loved, and of the great pain that was inflicted upon them. This is a story of how love conquers fears and shame. The German U-boat that was sunk off the coast of Rhode Island was a horrible reminder of the costs of war. Luanne Rice weaves the threads of heartbreak, loss and disappointment together, and finally intermingles them with the ideas of joy, forgiveness, love and rebirth. |
| Kathy V. |
| Cries & Whiskers: A Theda Krakow Mystery by Clea Simon |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Theda is on the rise, getting involved in the band scene, which she considers her "family," till someone drugs her and steals her baby (cat). Now the GAME is on, and she has to find her before it's too late --- and still get her article into the newsroom on time. |
| Billie M. |
| The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The second in the series --- it's about Amish people and the jams they get themselves into. |
| Sue |
| The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humbl by A.J. Jacobs |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a "laugh out loud" book. It's the story of one man's quest to follow the Bible as literally as he possibly can for one year. If you love to laugh, it's a great read. |
| Rosemary S. |
| Freedom by Jonathan Franzen |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
An interesting story, but it's too long and fairly depressing. |
| Diane |
| The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A captivating and unique story that captured my heart. |
| Ellie |
| The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A wonderful story that's emotional and memorable. |
| Pearl |
| East of the Sun by Julia Gregson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A wonderful British novel that captivates and enthralls. |
| Anne |
| A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An emotional and beautiful novel which takes place in Nazi-controlled Italy. |
| Phyllis |
| Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A quick, entertaining story featuring Diesel, who also appears in the Stephanie Plum books. |
| Connie |
| Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The story of a young servant who's working to become a Lady's Maid to Mrs. Vanderbilt at the beautiful Biltmore mansion in Asheville, NC. Her descriptions of what life was like for servants in the early 1900s, as well as her comparisons between the Biltmores' opulence and the poverty of the average people of the time period, were extremely well done. I loved the book. |
| Sharlynda D. |
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I am re-watching all of the Harry Potter movies on television, as they gear up for the release of Part I of Book 7. This has inspired me to re-read all seven of the books in the Harry Potter. The first book in the series, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE, catapulted me on an unforgettable journey, one that I gladly undertook again with each new book's release. I didn't become interested in the Harry Potter books until Book #4 was coming out, and I worked at a local bookstore when Books 6 and 7 were released. And, with each new release, I re-read each book in the series again --- just as a refresher. Each time I re-read the series, I was never disappointed. And I'm still not disappointed. They still bring about the same joy that they did the first time I read them. They re-awaken the joy of reading, as well as the child within. I will likely re-read the entire series when the movie for Part II of Book 7 is released in 2011. |
| CC |
| Therapy: An Alex Delaware Novel by Jonathan Kellerman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
These characters are always enjoyable, and although I thought the ending was a bit contrived, it was a decent read overall. |
| m r h |
| A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A lovely comedy of manners from a by-gone time. |
| Darcy |
| Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Reading King is truly a guilty pleasure for self-acclaimed booksnobs, and his writing in this one does not disappoint. Can't put it down. |
| Myrna |
| Juliet by Anne Fortier |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Present-day Juliet learns that she may be related to the famous Juliet of "Romeo and Juliet." I enjoyed the parallels and differences between Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and the story that's presented in this book. The sections that take place in 1340 are particularly enjoyable; the modern sections, not so much. |
| K. Peters |
| Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I'm re-reading all Jane Austen's books that I can find. It's like the Kellogg's Corn Flakes commercial --- "taste them again for the very first time" --- only I'm reading them again with adult eyes and an adult brain. It's quite the experience, but I'm loving it and the books. |
| Connie |
| Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris, Illustrated by Ian Falconer |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Vignettes about various fairy tales, written for adults only. Some were quite funny, some were downright weird and others, a bit risque. A quick read for a good chuckle. |
| Connie |
| Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I am a great fan of Ms. Kinsella's novels and --- again --- I enjoyed Mini Shopaholic, which is a story of a "Mini-Me Shopaholic." It's best to be familiar with her novels if you want to fully enjoy the humor. A terrific author. |
| Rhoda M. |
| The Brave by Nicholas Evans |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
There's not much love in eight-year-old Tom Bedford's life. His parents are old and remote, and the boarding school they've sent him to has mean bullies and a sadistic staff. The only comfort he gets is from his fantasy world of Cowboys and Indians. But Tom's life is changed when his sister Diane, a rising star of the stage and screen, falls in love with one of his idols, the suave TV cowboy Ray Montane. They move to Hollywood, and all his dreams seem to have come true. Soon violence changes their lives forever. What happened all those years ago remains a secret that corrodes Tom's life and wrecks his marriage. Only when his estranged son, a US Marine, is charged with murder do the events resurface, forcing him to confront his ghosts. As he struggles to save his son's life, he will learn the true meaning of bravery. |
| Debbie W. |
| Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
OUTLIERS explains that the story of success is more complex --- and a lot more interesting --- than it initially appears. Gladwell is very good at taking an in-depth look at all the events that come together to make people successful. |
| Debbie W. |
| World and Town by Gish Jen |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The story revolves around Hattie Kong, a Chinese-American who moves to a small New England town in search a new start. The story questions how we think about home, religion, our neighbors, love and America! |
| Debbie W. |
| Solomon's Oak by Jo-Ann Mapson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This was really good. It's about three people who are in search of family: a young widow, an ex-policeman and a teenage girl. |
| Jean M. |
| The Prostitutes' Ball: A Shane Skully Novel by Stephen J Cannell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This author recently died, so there won't be more of his wonderful books. All of his works really shine. We will miss them. |
| Debbie W. |
| Tomorrow, When the War Began: The Tomorrow Series by John Marsden |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the first in a series of YA books. They center around a war that takes place in Australia, and the teenagers there --- who hide in the bush and end up fighting the enemy. There are five in the series, and all of them were national best-sellers. |
| Jeff |
| The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I nearly put down the "un-put-downable" first book in this series because it took so long to get started. But enough friends told me to stick with it, so I did, and sure enough, I got hooked big time. In the second book, he really got cooking, and I blazed through it in a couple of sittings. Now I think I'm going to do something I rarely do: splurge on a hardcover because I can't wait for the paperback version of the third one. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that I reserve the top spot for life-changing titles like A HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE or THE IDIOT. |
| Phyllis |
| The Best Laid Plans by Lynn Schnurnberger |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
When Tru Newman, an Upper East Side, stay-at-home mom, finds out that her husband has been out of work for three months, her best friend loses her job, and the economy tanks, so she has to find a way to earn money. With her best friend and her husband's tax attorney, Tru starts an over-40 escort agency. THE BEST LAID PLANS is an easy, fun book filled with delightful characters. |
| F. Tessa B. |
| Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Cather has a gift for conveying time and place, and this particular book is set in a landscape that is dear to me. But her description of the Mexicans just doesn't sit well with me, and I cannot recommend this particular book. Two and a half stars (for her writing). |
| Brenda R. |
| Pasadena Promises: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Rachel Druten |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I'm still reading this, but what I have read so far has been keeping my attention --- and making me disappointed when I have to put the book down to go do other tasks! |
| GladysMP |
| Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I am in the midst of reading this book (about halfway through), and I'm enjoying every minute of it. The setting is Scotland, and the hero is a man from a Scottish clan named Laird. He hasn't yet tamed the hellcat, but I am betting he will. My single complaint about the book is that the book is over 300 pages long, but it's divided into only nine chapters. Since I love to finish a chapter before taking a break from reading, this is problem. But the chapters do take section breaks, and that helps some. It is well worth reading, however. |
| Christy |
| You Had Me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets by Julie Klam |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book is a must-read for people who love and own Boston Terriers. The cover pulls you in. The story is about a single girl, who gets a Boston after having a dream about it. The next thing you know, she is married and is rescuing Bostons. The author's writing starts out a bit jumpy, but all Boston Terrier owners and lovers will forgive that and read her stories. |
| Debbie W. |
| The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
These books have been out for awhile, but I had not read them before. This is the first in the series, and it was really sweet. I'm going to read the rest of the series. |
| Heather |
| Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
A little hard to get into, since it has been a while since I read the second book in this trilogy. I think it is hard when the wait for the next book is longer, but I know it should be great once I get involved again. |
| L. Hann |
| Undone by Karin Slaughter |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A great book. A little too graphic, but Karin Slaughter has a way of pulling you right into the story. Not many authors can do that. |
| Janice H. |
| The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I found this book quite incredible. This memoir --- which is about Jeanette Walls and her experience growing up with two extremely dysfunctional parents --- is so descriptive and detailed in its language yet so nonjudgmental and warm, that it drew me in, and I couldn't put it down. Through Ms. Walls's eyes, we see her father not only as the alcoholic, irresponsible jerk he sometimes is, but also as the brilliant, creative and sometimes loving man whom his children love dearly. And as for her mother, she is not only depressed, neglectful to the point of being abusive, dreamy and oblivious; she is also intelligent, creative and imaginative. The bonds that developed between her and her siblings are understandable, as they mostly had only each other to rely upon. But the attachments between the parents and their children are equally unyielding, despite all the failures and disappointments. This is a book about resilience, family bonds and hope. |
| Tricia D. |
| The Prostitutes' Ball: A Shane Skully Novel by Stephen J. Cannell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A little slow to start, but then watch out! This is a great story, written by the author of several TV series, including "The Rockford Files." The characters are well developed, and the story is written in the form of a TV script. I'll definitely read more of Cannell's books. |
| Diane |
| Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Readable non-fiction about the beginning of our country. It makes you appreciate the true meaning of Thanksgiving. |
| Carolyn |
| The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I'm really enjoying this one. I took it on our honeymoon, and it was just right for a holiday read: warm, easygoing and fun, with just enough levity to give it depth. |
| Sandy |
| The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Absolutely loved it!!! I don't know where Alice Hoffman gets her strange ideas for stories, but I hope she keeps it up! |
| Julie H. |
| Naked Heat by Richard Castle |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
A great tie-in for any fan of the TV show "Castle." The mystery seems a little less clunky than it was in the first novel. This time, a celebrity death seems right up Rook and Heat's alley. |
| Sally B., San Antonio, TX |
| The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Three and a half stars. Lizbeth recuperates in the hospital, while her friends gather info to free her. My first book on an e-reader. |
| Marsha |
| The Distant Land of My Father by Bo Caldwell |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
From her childhood in exotic pre-war Shanghai, Anna recalls how good their life was when her father was young, handsome, rich and successful. She and her mother flee to Los Angeles before the Japanese invasion, but her father stays in the land he loves and falls from millionaire to tortured prisoner. Her memories fade as she grows older, but when he reappears in her life, she must grapple with forgiveness and heal the wounds he has caused within the family. This novel will resonate with anyone who has had to flee from a place they loved. |
| Carolyn |
| I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I found this to be an enjoyable, thoughtful read. Maybe I was more in the mood for some serious action, or maybe it was a little more meditative than I would have liked, but it didn't quite deliver on its promise of tension and thrills. I would still give it a solid three stars. |
| Carolyn |
| This Is Not the Story You Think It Is: A Season of by Laura Munson |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This was one of those books that made me want to pull my hair out. It is a memoir about a very difficult time in the author's marriage; her husband treats her so badly, while she turns the other cheek in the name of spiritual growth. She was so passive it made me want to shout out all my thoughts to anyone who would listen: "This man is such a jerk!" |
| Carolyn |
| The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I love Marian Keyes. I read RACHEL'S HOLIDAY on at least three occasions and laughed my way through it every time. This book wasn't one of her best, but I really enjoyed it. It took me a little while to get into it, and at first, the characters seemed a bit shallow, and their motivations were hard to fathom. Thankfully, I hung in there ---- as it turns out, there were reasons for all of their strange behavior, and once they were revealed, the book became much more interesting. A fun read. |
| Debbie |
| A Catered Wedding by Isis Crawford |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I selected this book on a whim, since the premise is food, and recipes are included. Two sisters, Bernie and Libby Simmons, run a catering service and food shop, but have a second profession as amateur sleuths. In this episode, the sisters and their ex-police chief father race to discover the killer of Lezza Sharp. Poor Leeza...she finally got the wedding of her dreams, and then she is murdered with a crossbow on the day of her wedding. The mystery unfolds amid delicious tidbits about food preparation and Bernie's constant recitation of Wikipedia knowledge. The sisters are almost extreme opposites: One is always groomed to perfection, and the other is covered in crumbs and other baking ingredients. The story is not all fluff, as this book explains caviar and falconry. The characters and setting could be better developed, but this is a fun and interesting series, which I will continue to read. |
| Cindy |
| Mister X by John Lutz |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This story holds your attention right till the end. I was not crazy about the way it ended, otherwise I would have given it five stars. This is the first book by John Lutz that I have read. I will check out his other books after this good read. |
| Jud H. |
| The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Readers find Salander, hospitalized after her encounter with her father and step-brother, facing a triple murder charge. Blomkvist vows to clear her name, and his pursuit of justice leads him to the highest levels of government and into the middle of a decades-old conspiracy. An excellent book by all counts. |
| Carolyn |
| The Snowman by Jo Nesbo, Translated by Don Bartlett |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A very enjoyable thriller. I did figure out who the killer was, and there were a few cliches in the story, but it was all done so well that I enjoyed every moment of the journey --- it built up to a very satisfying climax. |
| Debbie |
| The Postcard Killers by James Patterson |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
I always enjoy reading James Patterson; his novels are quick reads due to the short chapters and large percentage of dialogue. Of course, Patterson does not develop his characters or setting, but he does sneak a few lessons into the novel. In this novel, Patterson utilizes the world of art and an international setting. The story centers on finding a young couple that's indulging in a killing spree in different international cities. The murderers select a young couple that is vacationing in the city, and then they befriend and brutally murder them. New York Police Department detective, Jacob Kanon, and Swedish journalist, Dessie Larsson, jump into the foray to stop these demonic killers from committing another slaughter. The story moves quickly as Patterson guides the reader to the light at the end of the tunnel. As usual, Patterson's presentation is entertaining. |
| Reva W. |
| Cat & Mouse by James Patterson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I enjnoy these Alex Cross novels. I'm reading them in order. In this one, the sociopath from ALONG CAME A SPIDER comes back to get revenge on Alex and his family. Meanwhile, he also gets dragged into a new killing spree by another murderer, and the FBI gets involved |
| Judy O. |
| The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia by Mary Helen Stefaniak |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is one of the most unique books I have read in a long time. Grace Spivey comes to Threestep, GA as the new country school teacher. A well-traveled woman, Grace soon has the children going on field trips, wearing Arabian costumes, and listening to stories from THE ARABIAN NIGHTS. The big trouble arises when she revives the annual town festival and turns it into an exotic Baghdad Bazaar. The Cailiff family's daughter, Gladys, tells this story. I really enjoyed it. My one criticism is that the ending dragged because of one of the long stories that were told. I found it somewhat hard to follow. All in all, though, a great story. |
| Glenn |
| Dexter Is Delicious by Jeff Lindsay |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Number five in the Dexter series. I've read all five books (haven't seen any of the TV series), and this is my least favorite. The first half could have been called "Dexter Light," with it's focus on Dexter becoming a father and having an inner conflict about retiring of the Dark Passenger. The mystery/crime part of the plot line wasn't interesting, and it was overly silly and predictable. Not sure if I'll stick with this series. |
| Kellie |
| Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Number six in the Gennaro-Kensey series --- I am so happy these characters spoke to Lehane so he could write another book. This is a great series, and I was waiting for it to continue. Lehane is a great writer. He can really bring out the love that's shared between Angie and Patrick. I enjoy the humor and the conversations between these two. The heavy parts of the book are another gift from Lehane. There is always a lesson. The lesson is never easy. MOONLIGHT MILE has characters from GONE, BABY, GONE. Amanda McCready is missing again, but in this book, she is 16. Patrick did the right thing in Book Four...or did he? Society would favor his decision, but was it the best thing for Amanda? Patrick is about to find out. And everything Amanda has experienced in her life has made her the teenager she is today. The climax is a bit wild and far-fetched, but the writing keeps the reader engrossed. I am thrilled to have these characters back, and I hope they keep talking. |
| Martha D. |
| Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
It's taking me a little time to read this, not because I'm not enjoying i,t but because I want to keep enjoying it. Set during the Cold War, we meet prima ballerina Nina and hear her life told in a flashback as she's auctioning her jewelry. There's a mystery thrown in --- the story of Grigory and what his history may be. |
| Joanne |
| Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A riveting story. I didn't want to put this book down! |
| Michelle |
| Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I did not see the movie, and I have to say the plot really sneaked up on me. There was a major twist about halfway through that I did not see coming. I think that is because I was so caught up in Charlie's life and the really beautiful love story. |
| Michelle |
| More Book Lust by Nancy Pearl |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
As with the first book, I couldn't believe how readable this was. Maybe I just never thought I would enjoy a book about books so much. Either way I now have a list of books to find and read about a mile long. That list also includes Nancy Pearl's other books! Fun book about books! |
| Michelle |
| Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is the second book of Lawhead's The King Raven trilogy. The story in this book is told largely by Will Scarlet. The first person narration definitely added to the story. Will was funny and sad at the same time. The author does leave the characters in terrible trouble at the end, though. A definite cliff-hanger. |
| Debbie |
| Bad Boy: An Inspector Banks Novel by Peter Robinson |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Peter Robinson utilizes a formula when writing. His novels all begin with a scene involving the sights and smells of England, and then the scene labors along, with the tempo increasing as a character heads toward the conclusion. Alan Banks, Detective Chief Inspector, basks in the sun in California, as he enjoys a holiday/vacation. Back home in England, chaos erupts with the accidental death of Alan's former neighbor and some poor judgment on the part of his daughter, Tracy. Robinson reveals how complicated the police regulations are when it comes to firearms and making arrests. The story displays the many horrors of drugs and criminal activity, and the involvement of the police. Robinson maintains control of the story like his character, Alan Banks, who attempts to control the outcome of a difficult situation. But Banks is human and has many flaws, which is why he is a likable and believable character. Not every situation goes as he plans, and he must deal with the results. Banks brings other people into his world, and they ultimately suffer from their contact with it. |
| Stacey K. |
| Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
I know this book is a classic, but I could not get into it. I tried to read it, but it was just not for me. |
| Stacey K. |
| 1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is the yearly release in the Cedar Cove series, and it does not disappoint. I love reading about all the characters Ms. Macomber has created in Cedar Cove, Washington. Can't wait for the next one! |
| Martha D. |
| Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I'm just starting this, but I'm loving it so far. Wally Lamb is really a gifted writer. |
| Martha D. |
| The Postmistress by Sarah Blake |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I'm listening to this, and it's just fabulous. There are many stories going on in this story, which takes place just before America's entry into WWII. The reader, Orlagh Cassidy, does a great job creating each character. It's well worth the read, for sure. |
| L. Long |
| All I Can Handle: I'm No Mother Teresa by Kim Stagliano |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
What would life be like if you were raising three children with autism? In this memoir, Kim Stagliano will tell you about her life with straight-to-the-point, raw humor. It's nice to see a book that brings laughter along with information. Autism is a misunderstood disorder, and I am glad this book shines light on the everyday life of the parents that live with it. |
| Debbie |
| Royal Blood: A Royal Spyness Mystery by Rhys Bowen |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
This is part of the Royal Spyness mystery series, set in England before WWII. The series appears to be light mysteries, with much comic relief about the royalty's antics. Duty trumps any personal yearnings. Lady Georgiana Rannoch stands 34th in the line to the throne, a seemingly minor character. In this escapade, Georgiana goes to Transylvania as one of her schoolmate's bridesmaids, while snow and murder intrude upon the orchestrated event. The story presents a sad look at the duties of royalty and the grudges among the various players. The story is quick reading, and it leaves the reader very little historic insight. The problems leading up to WWI are quickly mentioned and then forgotten, as is a chance meeting with Hitler. |
| Deb W. |
| The Passage by Justin Cronin |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I haven't finished this book yet, but so far each time I have to put it down, I cannot wait to get back to it !! |
| S. Larson |
| Such a Nice Guy by Phil Torcivia, Illustrated by Rebecca Shockley |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
SUCH A NICE GUY, not such a nice book.Ok, maybe that is too harsh. So shall I say it was cute? Probably not the adjective the author of a macho, 40+ singles-scene memoir wants to hear, but as they say, if the shoe fits... I felt the author was trying too hard to be funny by making light of his dating life after he was divorced. The nice thing about the book was that each chapter was only one to three pages long. This made it my bathroom read. Unfortunately, it still took months to get through. Not the best read so far this year. |
| S. Larson |
| Skin by Ted Dekker |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This was a good book, with an interesting plot line. I have often asked other people who read horror and suspense novels if they have ever had the eperience of being unnerved or scared while reading a book. Many people have told me they have definitely experienced fear when reading certain books. This has never been the case for me, until now. There were a few points in this book where, if I had taken my pulse at the time, I know it would've been elevated. The odd part is that this story is not one that's all that scary. I guess it just goes to the credit of Mr. Dekker's storytelling abilities, which drew me into the plot. This is the second Dekker book I have read, and I must say I have become a fan. |
| S. Larson |
| Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Another fun read from the crazy world of Christopher Moore. I only have two more Moore books left before I don't have any more to read. Chris always creates wonderful characters and puts them in some really strange situations. This tale involves tribal Indian Gods, a biker gang and a few swindling insurance salesmen, to name just a few. Fun characters, funny situations, and an overall good read. |
| S. Larson |
| The Professional by Robert B. Parker |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Another instant classic by the immortal Robert B. Parker. It was with hardedned hearts that Spenser fans across the globe learned of Parker's death in early January. Parker has brought a lot of joy to this reader over the years. I actually owe my life-long love of reading to him. When I was in high school, I picked up one of his books from my brother's bookshelf, and I haven't looked back since. This is another fun Spenser novel. Spense doesn't get into too much trouble in this volume, but his wit and commentary on the world are as sharp as ever. |
| S. Larson |
| The Overton Window by Glenn Beck |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
The government devises a plan on where to lead the people. Then it formulates a strategy on how to enact such a far-fetched scheme. Enter THE OVERTON WINDOW ---slowly moving a previously unacceptable process into an acceptable way of life. Let me give you a simple example. Before 2001, in-depth, random searches of both belongings and bodies would not have been tolerated. Enter the events of 9/11, and now it is an accepted practice. THE OVERTON WINDOW uses some creative license to get its point across, but Beck paints a very vivid picture of his view on what our government is doing behind the scenes. At the end of the book, he devotes a chapter to his source material and challenges his readers to look into it in greater detail for themselves. An entertaining read, especially for the conspiracy theorists among us. |
| Julie |
| Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is a wonderfully written story about 1950s Ethiopia. The story centers on two doctors, one male one female, and their love for each other, as well as on the trials and tribulations of running a clinic in this third world country in the middle of the 20th century. |
| Mary |
| Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This riveting tale of two girls in two worlds makes the pain of the French Revolution relevant to YA and adult readers today. Beautifully crafted and very interesting. Jennnifer Donnelly's best! |
| Tanya |
| Room by Emma Donoghue |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Three and a half stars: This book is about a woman who was kidnapped seven years earlier, and her five-year-old son Jack. The book is told from Jack's point of view, and it's different than most books about abduction. |
| Lorna |
| Fragile by Lisa Unger |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The story takes places in a small town outside of NYC, where, of course, everyone's lives are connected to each other. A teenage girl goes missing --- is she a runaway, or has she been abducted? The search for this girl stirs up similar incidents that took place in the town years ago, and everyone has some connection to what happened. There are many characters to keep track of, but they all come together. Very much worth the read. |
| Marisa P. |
| Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I'm 42 years old, and this is the first time I've read GWTW. And I only read it because a friend forced me to. And I'm so glad I finally read it. I've seen the movie numerous times, and it's one of my favorites. I have to say the movie makers did an incredible job, especially in casting the film. But there are differences between the book and the movie. I won't give them away here, but if you've only ever seen the movie, the book has some surprises. The book is huge and seems to go on forever, but it reads quickly. Margaret Mitchell did a phenomenal job writing this epic tale. The book goes much more into the Civil War and its aftermath, and it's all fascinating and illuminating. But it all comes down to Scarlett and Rhett --- their story sizzles. These are two of the best-written characters. If you haven't yet read this book, do so, and you won't be disappointed. |
| Allie |
| The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A fantastic book about life in Stalinist Russia. |
| Debbie |
| Don't Sing at the Table: Life Lessons from my by Adriana Trigiani |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Trigiani presents an entertaining book about the lessons learned from her two Italian grandmothers. I enjoyed the lightness of the lessons and the family photographs. How fortunate she is to have had two strong grandmothers as role models. As an amateur genealogist, I am amazed to see two women who worked outside the home and still maintained a household. The majority of women in the 1920s up through the 1950's were housewives and "stay-at-home" mothers, yet these two women worked outside the home as owners of their own businesses. The author shows awe, love and kindness in her presentation of her two grandmothers. These two working women not only provided financial support to their families, but they also gave emotional support and still had time to devote to their children and grandchildren. Their simple lessons about love, finances, work and family seem forgotten today. |
| Kathy V. |
| The Thorn: The Rose Trilogy, Book 1 by Beverly Lewis |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Beverly has a knack for writing in a way that keeps the story going. She doesn't spend too much time describing the setting, although she gives just enough details so that you can picture it in your mind and get a feel for the beautiful country her novels always take place in. She is always coming up with a new dilemma that her Amish families must go through and work out, much like modern American families must do. |
| Jessica |
| Room by Emma Donoghue |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
If you were drawn to the unforgettable voices of the young protagonists in books like THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME and EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED, you should add Emma Donoghue's ROOM to the very top of your wish list. Without giving away any of the wonderful premise or the plot, suffice it to say this is a book won't be able to put down, from the riveting opening page to the satisfying end. |
| Renee S. |
| No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I know this is an old one, but a dear friend just made me aware of it...although the story was "okay," I loved the characters' insights into life. |
| Jami |
| One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I don't know why I waited so long to read this classic, but I am glad I finally made time to. Marquez's storytelling is beautiful, and I savored each page. It is the story of the Buendia family, who are the founders of a fictional town, Maconodo. The combination of realism and folk-tale elements makes the history of these family members an exciting read. |
| Kim S. |
| Across the Universe by Beth Revis |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I read the first chapter through a promotional e-mail blast and was hooked. I was so excited when I received an ARC from the publisher, and I haven't been able to put it down. The storyline is like nothing else I have come across: A spaceship traveling hundreds of years to start life on a new planet; a love story between the ship's future leader and a girl who's frozen aboard the ship. The book jumps between these two characters throughout. This book being released on January 1st, 2011. |
| LG |
| The Bells by Richard Harvell |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
While I am not a big opera fan, I was drawn to this book by the great reviews. Very loosely based on myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, the plot and the characters take the reader on a real roller-coaster ride. I highly recommend this book to indivduals and book clubs. This was a real page-turner. |
| Linda B. |
| Room by Emma Donoghue |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Awesome and soul-shaking. |
| Linda B. |
| Harvest by Tess Gerritsen |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I love most of her books, this one was a little hard. |
| Christine |
| The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
An easy, relaxing read. |
| Christine |
| An Irish Country Village by Patrick Taylor |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Another enjoyable visit to a small village in Ireland and the doctors there that serve their community. |
| Christine S. |
| Nowhere to Run: A Joe Pickett Novel by C.J. Box |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is another thrilling adventure set in Wyoming from one of my favorite authors, C.J. Box. |
| Vanessa |
| Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Relax from the holiday hustle and bustle with CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR by Lisa Kleypas. A delightfully charming new novel about second chances with a memorable cast of characters, readers will look forward to this new series. Perfect for stocking stuffers! |
| Janice W. |
| Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An excellent story line, an easy read --- really funny. |
| Renee S. |
| Waxed by Robert Rave |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A story of three very different sisters, who are also very much the same. Loved it! |
| F Tessa B. |
| Open Season: A Joe Pickett Novel by C.J. Box |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Three-and-a-half stars. Joe Pickett's debut. He's a Wyoming state game warden and an all-around good guy. A little "slow" on the uptake --- or so everyone thinks. Well, they think wrong. Good plotting and a likable character that I want to get to know better. I'll keep reading this series. |
| Michele |
| The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Riveting to the end, it was the best of the three. I don't know, but some of the reviewers had said that it created more questions than it answered...I don't understand what they were talking about. I can't wait to see the Swedish movie now. |
| Michele |
| The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This was a quick read, and I am going to recommend it for my book club because it will be a good discussion book. Some of the stories seem outlandish, and I wonder if the recollections were not a little exaggerated. But there are many poignant stories that tug at your heartstrings, and you can just see those children. Everyone has had a family like the Walls in their neighborhood or at their school, but was it really that extreme? I liked the mother, and I can see why her mother led her to act as unconventionally as she did. It's funny how the majority of the kids turned out okay, even within that environment. It must have been the survival instinct, and they definitely had to have it. |
| CAROL |
| Murder with Peacocks: A Meg Langslow Mystery by Donna Andrews |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't familiar with the author, but I'll definitely be reading more of her books. Mystery, humor and great characters! |
| CSB |
| Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A great story about the author's mother and grandmother and how they grew up in the Southwest. It made me wish my family had a storyteller...I wonder what that tale would be like... |
| Chris |
| The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Sherwood weaves a tale of a lovesick man who decides to eat a 747 that crash-lands in his cornfield to prove his love to a woman who refuses to take notice of his feat. JJ, a record-keeper from Guiness, comes to town to verify the record and inadvertantly falls in love with the same woman, setting off a series of events that is delightful to read about. Sherwood interweaves actual Guiness record information throughout, making the book feel as if it's a true tale. A fun, light read. |
| Renee |
| The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, but it wasn't as great as I was hoping it would be, so it may have been that my expectations were too high. |
| Leslie |
| The Peanuts Collection: Treasure's from the Wo by Nat Gertler |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Treasures from the World's Most Beloved Comic Strip. This beautiful book is the ultimate collection for Peanuts fans; It has a wealth of information. Longtime fans will find many familiar items, plus much newer material, some of which has never been seen before by the public. It includes artwork, illustrations, photos and removable materials such as reproductions of sketches, letters, stickers, coloring books, prints of the Peanuts characters, and much more. The text is filled with fascinating details about the creation and evolution of the characters. |
| Leslie |
| The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Gia by Susan Casey |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I didn't see how someone could write an entire book about waves, but it didn't take me long to find out. This is not a dry facts-and-figures science book; Susan Casey writes in a wonderfully descriptive and engaging style. The book reads like a novel, but at the same time you are digesting scientific data and amazing facts about our oceans and the people who study them, sail them, and surf them. She makes the science easy to understand, and the descriptions of the surfers, the waves and the rough seas come to life. |
| Pattie B. |
| Santa Fe Edge by Stuart Woods |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A page-turner --- easy to read and exciting. |
| F Tessa B. |
| Murder with Peacocks: A Meg Langslow Mystery by Donna Andrews |
| Rating: 1 Stars |
|
ZERO stars. Absolutely AWFUL. I had read some promising reviews of some of the newer books in this series, but I like to start at the beginning. There was no plot and little character development --- inconsistent behavior. And, by the way, WHERE is the mystery? Yes, we have a couple of dead bodies, but there's no evidence of "working the case" until the explanation at the end. Huh? |
| Trez B. |
| The Bells by Richard Harvell |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An absolutely beautiful book. There is mystery and intrigue, and it's sometimes happy as well as sad. An historical novel that's educational and entertaining. A rewarding read. |
| Bananas Honey |
| So Shall Ye Reap by Mat Jackson |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I love, love, love this book --- it's deliciously written and totally gripping. It took me through a whole range of emotions. Love the storyline/s. Love the character development. Love the symbolism that seeps through the pages. Love the romance. Love the darkness. It would make a fantastic movie. A must-read. |
| F. Tessa B. |
| Bread Alone by Judith Ryan Hendricks |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
Two-and-a-half stars. It's a debut novel and good chick-lit --- I think it would make an entertaining beach read. |
| F. Tessa B. |
| The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
I could not get into this book --- the footnotes on Dominican history, the many references to science fiction, and the rough language just turned me off. I started to get caught up in the story, but ultimately I quit about page 100; I would rather spend my time on something else. The other members of my book club (which focuses on Latino authors) were split. Some really connected to the message, but two others felt like I did. It's a Pulitzer winner. |
| Diana M. |
| The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their T by Jim Gorant |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The story of Michael Vick's dogs --- not so much the details about what happened to them, but what it took to help them survive afterwards. This is not just for animal lovers! |
| Diana M. |
| Blame by Michelle Huneven |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
An alcoholic wakes up from a blackout to find that she has killed a family...How do you live with yourself afterwards? |
| Diana M. |
| Jessica by Bryce Courtenay |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This book is by an Australian author who's not well known in the states. It's the true story of a girl who grew up in the Outback at the turn of the century, packed with love, greed, snakes and aboriginals...I loved it! |
| Kim B. |
| Sarah's Quilt: A Novel of Sarah Agnes Pine and by Nancy E. Turner |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
The follow-up to her first novel, THESE IS MY WORDS --- it's historical fiction based on the diary of the author's great-grandmother, set in Arizona circa 1906. Fantastic character development; you will miss them when you finish! Although I enjoyed the first novel, SARAH'S QUILT surpassed my expectations --- the author's writing flows naturally, and it portrays the period perfectly. It's a wonderful discussion book that I highly recommend! |
| Dara |
| Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This is a Christian allegory about how Jesus can take your life on a journey. |
| Richard B. |
| Nature's End by Whitley Strieber and James Kunetka |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
Two-and-a-half stars: Imagine the sort of environmental collapse forecasted in Rachel Carson's SILENT SPRING, with people gasping for breath in the polluted air, the countryside virtually devoid of trees, and drought and dust storms plaguing us. Now imagine a charismatic leader who believes that the only way out is for one third of the world's population to "voluntarily" commit suicide. This book contains some really thought-provoking issues, although the plotting and the characters left me cold. |
| Debby C. |
| Lover Avenged: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brother by J.R. Ward |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This book has really caught my interest. I had not read any of her work before, but I do like fantasy with a little erotic mixed in. This book has it all --- a very good plot, and it is part of a series, so the good time will continue. |
| Patricia |
| The Lion by Nelson DeMille |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
An excellent read, but not nearly as thrilling as THE LION'S GAME, which started the story that this book continues. |
| Eileen K., Ph.D. |
| Somewhere Towards the End: A Memoir by Diana Athill |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A wonderfully inspiring book by an author who is in her 90s. She models a great attitude towards life. She develops the idea that life changes so drastically as one gets older, that it changes what's important. |
| Kellie |
| A Rule Against Murder: A Chief Inspector Gamache N by Louise Penny |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Number four in the Armand Gamache series --- this is the first book I have read in the series. The mystery revolves around the murder of a woman --- she is part of a family reunion that's taking place at the resort where the Gamache couple is staying. This very dysfunctional family becomes suspect after she is found in the yard of the resort after a storm. The beginning of the book was a bit slow. After about 100 pages, however, I started to get really excited about this book. I love the way the author writes. This is a murder-mystery, but the subtle, very dry humor that is dribbled throughout the pages is brilliant. I liked the Canadian mountain setting. I don't think I have read a book that took place in that area...it reminds me so much of the Adirondacks. So, I was traveling down a very exciting path as a reader. I was liking the book, but then it took a turn down Boring Drive. The poetry and art references are not my thing. We left Boring Drive and came back to Interest Lane --- by then, the mystery was slowly being solved, so my interest was peaked again. But sadly, the resolution was disappointing to me. I felt it was a bit rushed and far-fetched. With that being said, I still liked the writing and enjoyed the book --- I just didn't love it. |
| Tricia |
| Happy Ever After: Book Four in the Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I've loved this whole series. The characters are wonderful, and the men are real hunks. And I love how everything does end up "happy ever after." |
| Joyce D. |
| Worth Dying For: A Reacher Novel by Lee Child |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the best Jack Reacher book yet --- there are so many twists and turns in the plot, yet it's so very readable. |
| Patricia |
| The Lion's Game by Nelson DeMille |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I spent hours reading this before I realized that I had neither got up from my chair nor thought to eat dinner. It's spellbinding with edge-of-your-seat tension. |
| Joanne L. |
| Fall of Giants by Ken Follett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I had a hard time putting it down. He describes the people and events from that period of time in an interesting way...it made them seem real. |
| Margie B. |
| At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Bryson uses his own home in England, which was built in 1981, as "home base" for his musings on everything you can think of --- it's a loose "history of home life." Since there's absolutely no plot, you can pick it up anytime and read a chapter. Enjoy! |
| Elizabeth http://silversolara.blogspot.com/ |
| The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
"Twindar," bipolar disorder, secrets, family life, manslaughter...these are just a few of the things this book is about. Birthdays and phones are two things Karena likes to forget about, but it's her birthday, and the phone ringing off the hook with bad news...The news does help in other ways, though. Karena learns about what stormchasers do, and she gets closer to finding her twin brother, who she hasn't seen for 20 years (he, too, is a stormchaser). Karena is invited, or rather she invites herself, on a stormchasing tour to act as the newspaper woman. She meets people who knew her brother, but she doesn't get good news about him. The book mainly talks about chasing storms and Karena's efforts to find her brother. It also flashes back to Charles and Karena's childhood, describing what their life was like as twins and what the it was like for them to live with "absent" parents. Love, of course, comes into the picture, too...brotherly and sisterly love as well as romantic love. It wasn't bad; it'll keep your interest...four out of five. |
| Renee |
| Blood of the Prodigal: An Amish-Country Mystery by P.L. Gaus |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
A mystery set in an Amish community in Ohio. This is the first time I've read this author. The book has an easy pace and an interesting story. |
| Debby C. |
| Skin Trade: An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel by Laurell K. Hamilton |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
As usual, a very good read. |
| Joe B. |
| A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the by Simon Winchester |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was something else. If you like details and the reasons behind why these things happen, this is a great book. If you don't like a lot of detail, then you will not fine it very readable. I learned a lot. |
| Robin C. |
| The Book Thief by Markus Zusak |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This is the story of Liesel, who lived in Nazi Germany during WWII, narrated by Death. One of my favorite things about the book is the relationship between the mayor's wife and Liesel, because she loves the mayor's library full of books. When she learned to read, books and words took her away from the terrible things that were happening in her life. This is one of those books you will keeping thinking about after you've finished with it. |
| Santa Fe Cowgirl |
| Room by Emma Donoghue |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
It's interesting to read a story that's told from a five-year-old's point of view! |
| Santa Fe Cowgirl |
| Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An excellent story about Mississippi in the 60s. I wouldn't consider it a mystery, but there is a "mystery" in it. |
| Diana M. |
| Columbine by Dave Cullen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
So you think you know all about that horrible day? Well, this book will give you a lot more to think about... |
| Lori B. |
| The Help by Kathryn Stockett |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
An awesome novel based on author's memories of growing up in Mississippi during civil rights era. It's a great story about a group of African-American maids and a white woman who wants to put their lives on paper. It's great!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Annette S. |
| The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A multi-generational story that takes place in Australia and England. It is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the last few pages. |
| Jamie K. |
| Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A shy woman goes to her boss's secluded home to seduce him, only to find out that he is a shapeshifter, who's cursed by the devil. I really loved this book! The characters were all really well-developed, and it started out intensely, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end! |
| Ivy P. |
| 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An absolutely great coming-of-age story about a young black girl, who chooses not to talk as a way of rebelling against her neglectful mother and her classmates, who have name her Monkey Night. Davida may have been emotionally wounded, but the passing years prove her to be a survivor on her own terms. |
| BB1819 |
| Up from the Blue by Susan Henderson |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I am reading this book as fast as my work allows me to. It's let me see into the thought process of an eight-year-old, and realize how children interpret adults' words and actions. Being part of the military community, I can relate to the dad. I definitely recommend this book, especially to a book club. |
| Karen T. |
| Inside Out by Barry Eisler |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A rollercoaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. |
| Betty Jo |
| Room by Emma Donoghue |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
One of the most unique novels I have read lately. To raise a child in a tiny, locked room with a skylight...I should never complain again. |
| Holly M. |
| Room by Emma Donoghue |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This unbelievable novel is about a young woman who has been held against her will in an outbuilding for seven years and abused by "Old Nick." The story is narrated by her five-year-old son, Jack. The world that Donoghue creates is one of darkness and cruelty, but Jack says poignant, heartwarming things, juxtaposing this dark world against light. I didn't give it five stars because this story may be too hard for some people to read. |
| Holly M. |
| Shanghai Girls by Lisa See |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Pearl and May are sisters, who live luxuriously in Shanghai during the 1930s. Everything changes, however, when their father, who loses all his money, arranges for them to marry men who are living in California. Through war, abuse, pregnancy, etc., the sisters manage to survive and teach us about family and sheer will. The ending is unsatisfying, however, and I wonder if See set it up for a sequel. |
| Beth C. |
| Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
This memoir gives voice to the differences in the child-rearing philosophies of Chinese-American parents and their non-Chinese counterparts. The author raised her daughters with the fierce determination of her Tiger horoscope, allowing herself to be hated by them while pushing them to be their best. |
| Holly M. |
| Every Last One by Anna Quindlen |
| Rating: 3 Stars |
|
This is a chilling novel about a typical, suburban family, told from the perspective of the mother, Mary Beth. Her children have been plagued by some serious teenage problems, but she's managing the best she can. The novel takes a tragic turn when her daughter's boyfriend snaps. The novel is well-written, but it just seems far-fetched and very depressing. |
| Rosie S. |
| Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-To by Vicki Myron |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
There's always time for heartwarming stories! |
| Ron G. |
| The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo, translated by Don Bartlett |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Believe me, this book is as good as THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. Nesbo is a Norwegian writer, and his protagonist is Inspector Harry Hole, who is as full of flaws as they come. Harry's personal life and that of the serial killer he pursues both make fascinating stories. |
| Ron G. |
| Freedom by Jonathan Franzen |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Nobody can write about family angst as well as Franzen --- this book is even better than THE CORRECTIONS. Does this book live up to all the hype...YES! |
| Beth C. |
| Life by Keith Richards with James Fox |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
This is an in-depth look at the world of a rock star. Richards includes more details, both musical and personal, than many people would care to know. Yet the book is enjoyably conversational --- it's as if you're sitting with a friend, who happens to be Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, and letting him tell you everything he can remember about his life. |
| Jennifer |
| The Distant Hours by Kate Morton |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A young editor happens upon a letter her mother that was sent to her mother and has been lost in the mail for years. Her curiousity gets the best of her and sends her on a quest to discover the identity of the letter-writer. When she does, she finds three elderly sisters, who live in a castle with a secret they've protected for years. |
| Ginny |
| A Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientist's Unc by Robert M. Sapolsky |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A fascinating look through a scientist's eyes at the lives of humans and baboons in Nigeria. The writer uses language well in crafting this book. |
| Reva |
| The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
A very interesting look into the life of a polygamist family. Golden's father introduced him to the lifestyle, and his marriages to four separate women were all decided by others. He just went along with it, but now he's not so sure this is the life he wants. Now, he's attracted to a dark skinned woman, who just happens to be married to his boss. |
| Fran |
| Blaze by Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Stephen King refers to this as one of his "trunk novels." Originally written in the 70s, Stephen King was not happy with the original manuscript, and he never submitted it to his publisher. Years later, Stephen revisited this work and decided to share it with the world. As a fan of older Stephen King novels, I loved, loved this endearing story. While the main character is certainly a "bad guy" who orchestrates a kidnapping, he is also endearing and likable. It is amazing that you find yourself rooting for this character, even as he digs himself deeper and deeper into his kidnapping scheme. His best friend, who has been dead for the past three years, adds the creepy Stephen King element to this otherwise good crime novel. |
| Sheltiemama |
| Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
I'm finally getting around to reading this, and I am more than halfway through. One of the most interesting things to me is the fact that, even though Tolstoy died before the Russian revolution, some of his characters --- especially Levin --- know that major change is coming. |
| Janis |
| Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Finally got around to reading it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! |
| GladysMP |
| Memoirs of a Millionaire's Mistress by Anne Oliver |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
An exciting book by an Australian author that has a reluctant heroine, a wealthy and handsome hero, and an unsual first meeting place, along with lots of twists and turns. I won't spoil the ending. |
| Janis |
| From Dust to Ashes: A Story of Liberation by Tricia Goyer |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
Great! The very interesting story of a SS wife who helps the prisoners of a concentration camp after they are liberated. It is fiction, but it is based completely on facts. I enjoy reading about WW II, particularly about the stories and lives of people who were prisoners in the concentration camps, so it really appealed to me. |
| Janet |
| Life by Keith Richards with James Fox |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
A very detailed and (mostly) fun read. He seems to have a good memory, and as far as I can tell, he doesn't hold anything back. Keith really loves music, and hopefully he will be playing for many more years to come. |
| Pam |
| Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
|
Their mother's story about surviving the siege of Leningrad brings two sisters back together and allows them to realize who they are. |
| Ginny |
| The Blue Moon Circus by Michael Raleigh |
| Rating: 5 Stars |
|
With a wonderful situation and wonderful characters, this book provides look at how hard life was in the Midwest's not terribly distant past. It's very heart-warming. |
| Jannetg |
| Early Warning by Michael Walsh |
| Rating: 2 Stars |
|
I found this book very confusing. I love spy novels, but this one did not make sense. I had trouble following the story line. |
| Amanda |
| Virgin and the Crab: Sketches, Fables and Mysterie by Robert Parry |
| Rating: 4 Stars |
| Loving this tale of Queen Elizabeth I and her tutor, mathematician and astrologer John Dee. |
