This contest period's winners were Dawn M., Gretchen P. and Nancy B., who each received a copy of THE BOY FROM THE WOODS by Harlan Coben and A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD by Therese Anne Fowler.
ILene
Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes
Life is perfect for Anna Walsh. She has the perfect job in the Big Apple along with a great apartment and the best friends. What could go wrong? Everything! She wakes up one morning in her parent’s house in Dublin, Ireland with stitches on her face, a broken arm and a dislocated knee, and no memory of what happened to her. A great mystery along with the best family relationships book and excellent writing.
Ashton
The Daughter by Lucy Dawson
THE DAUGHTER by Lucy Dawson was one of the first books I have ever given a hands-down five star review. This psychological thriller gripped me and didn’t let go. I could not put it down and I had to know what was going to happen next. This is the first book I have ever read by Lucy Dawson but it will not be the last. The way she can leave readers on the edge of their seats is mesmerizing.
Gil
Conan Doyle for the Defense by Margalit Fox
Oscar Slater is serving a life sentence for the murder of a wealthy woman because of prejudice and the incompetence of the police. The Glasgow police in 1908 convinced themselves that they had their man and then worked backward to compile the case against him. About two decades later, Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was asked to get involved to find out what really happened and disprove what seemed like a very unfair investigation and trial. Conan Doyle used the same logic used by Sherlock Holmes in his books, which is go where the clues take you, even ones that appear to be insignificant, and then reach a conclusion. The police investigation at that time was based on physical appearance and ethnicity.
Nina
Fight of the Century by Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman, et al.
I've always been fascinated by the ACLU and their mission to defend individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. Throughout this collection of various landmark ACLU cases and personal anecdotes from famous authors and activists, I felt moments of joy, happiness, and frustration. In this collection, each contributing writer describes how each landmark decision affected their personal lives or the lives of their loved ones. I applaud the writers of this book for the inclusion of a dissenting and critical opinion of the ACLU's decision on a particular subject very relevant in today's society. It demonstrates that as a reader and citizen, you don't necessarily have to agree with everything the ACLU supports and upholds.
Kimberley
Have a Little Faith In Me by Sonia Hartl
I am enjoying young adult novels very much. Giving the reader insight to the trials and troubles of today's youth, this was a true eye-opener. This humorous love story takes place over a summer at a Christian camp. It is fun, enlightening and sad simultaneously. It is a lovely story and the reader is drawn to all the characters. There are many revelations about the young adult world.
Jill
Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler
I’ve had this on my TBR list for a while. I finally read it and it did not disappoint. I tend to gravitate toward debut books. I was caught up in the story from the start and after reading I was so emotionally drained. It will touch on every emotion. Have a box of tissues near by.
Michelle
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Supernatural thriller that gave me a book hangover. Definitely recommend picking up a copy.
Jennifer
How to Be Good by Nick Hornby
I really enjoyed this book. It was a thoughtful look at marriage and family life that made me laugh out loud at times.
Jeanne
The New Husband by D. J. Palmer
THE NEW HUSBAND by D.J. Palmer is a psychological thriller/mystery/suspense-filled, mind-blowing book. The main characters are Nina, her two children and Nina’s live-in boyfriend Simon. Nina met the seemingly perfect Simon not long after the death of her husband Glen. The author has totally captured all the elements of a psychological thriller in a manner nothing short of sheer genius. This book totally captivated me from the beginning. Just when you think you have figured everything out, you get hit with a surprise mind-blowing twist and turn. I received an ARC of this book in the mail from St. Martin Press and D.J.Palmer for my honest review. In my opinion, you have a bestseller on your hands and I rated it “as must-read” high five plus.
Jayme
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
I wish I had this graphic novel when I was teaching about WWII and the Japanese internment camps in my 7th grade history class. I think more of my students would have understood the plight and discrimination that occurred during this scarred time in our nation's history. Takei does an outstanding job explaining the historical elements as seen through a child's eye. Highly recommend.
Pat
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Beautifully written.
Gerry
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES was Min Jin Lee's debut novel. While not as compelling as her more recent book, PACHINKO, it is an interesting exploration of cultural and generational values and expectations, filled with well-developed, interesting characters. The central character, Casey Han, is a recent Princeton graduate struggling to find her place in the rarefied world of wealthy young Manhattanites even as she copes with her uncertainty about her life goals and her very shaky finances. Her Korean immigrant parents have sacrificed everything, laboring in a dry cleaning business to insure that she and her younger sister can be well educated, but has Casey's education prepared her to find love, friendships, and meaningful work?
Gerry
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
Powerful writing on racial justice by a young black woman. “I look back and see centuries of creative evolution of the hatred for Black bodies. I look at the present—police brutality, racial disparities, backlash against being “politically correct,” hatred for our first Black president, the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, and the election of a chief executive who stoked the fire of racial animosity to win—and I ask myself, Where is your hope, Austin? The answer: It is but a shadow.”
Gerry
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
What a sad and inspiring story! The title, A LONG PETAL OF THE SEA, is based on poet Pablo Neruda’s description of Chile, where much of this story takes place. It is centered on two families connected by the Spanish Civil War of 1939 that resulted in Franco’s dictatorship of some thirty-five years, by migration to Chile, and by the coup that brought another dictator, Pinochet, to power in Chile in 1973 for nearly twenty years. The historical research that went into this novel is impressive, and the parallels to current domestic issues in the U.S. quite frightening. The characters, both real and fictional, were fascinating, and their circumstances and responses resonated with me. Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction.
Elly
One Good Mama Bone by Bren McClain
Taking place in the rural south during the 1950s, this is a beautifully-written novel about the power of love. Characters are well developed, the story at times, gritty, funny and tender. The main character, Sarah Creamer, learns how to care for a young boy, the child of her husband and best friend, both deceased. Her role model is Mama Red. Her life is difficult; she is dirt poor and must find a way to provide for this child. Truly heartwarming.
Gerry
Mama Hissa's Mice: A Novel by Saud Alsanousi
This was a challenging read right to the end. While I learned a good bit about Kuwait, sectarian battles within Islam, and the chaos of war in this part of the world, there was also much I was not able to grasp. 2-1/2 stars.
Gerry
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
This story of Edward, the twelve-year old lone survivor of a plane crash that killed his parents, his older brother, and 188 other people is one of the most touching and engaging I've read. Without ever becoming maudlin or overly dramatic, Napolitano has crafted a riveting account not only of the crash and its aftermath, but also, and more importantly, of the individuals whose lives were touched by this horrific accident. More than anything else, it's a novel of characters and relationships, and of the power of personal connections and love. The story is told in alternating chapters focusing on the events on the plane and the individual passengers and their families. A riveting novel, and a MUST read.
Gerry
Jubilee by Margaret Walker
I think of this novel as the counterbalance to GONE WITH THE WIND, providing a more realistic narrative of life in the South before, during, and after the Civil War. Walker created characters both good and evil, but especially focused on enslaved and free black people, who endured horrific trials, but most of whom still managed to persevere in their efforts to live a good life. Based on other nonfiction accounts I've read, Walker's narrative appears well researched and realistic, and was certainly well written and completely engaging. While very sad in many parts, it was still a very enjoyable read.
Gerry
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
Slow starting (for me) but I'm very glad I stuck with this one. Ward can certainly paint a vivid picture with her words! Some of the scenes were beautiful, though gritty; others, especially the dog-fights and Hurricane Katrina, were just brutal. The love between family members shone through despite the many trials they all suffered. The reader is left with a sense that this family can survive anything, even the devastation of Katrina. One quibble about the writing: Ward seemed far too enamored of similes and metaphors, using one or the other in her descriptions on at least every other page. Ward's later books show her growth as a writer.
Gerry
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara
DJINN PATROL turned out in the end to be a more serious novel than I had anticipated. Children, "who worked as scavengers or begged at traffic junctions, who struggled to study at home because of their difficult circumstances, and who had to drop out of school after being displaced by religious violence" were given voices in this novel about missing children. Narrated by nine-year-old Jai, the novel maintains the perspective of a young boy who struggles to understand the terrible things happening around him, and who imagines himself a detective who can solve the mystery of children's disappearances. It's a compelling story told in an engaging style that gradually draws the reader in to see the terrible underbelly of a divided society.
Gerry
The Language of Secrets by Ausma Zehanat Khan
This second mystery in the Rachel Getty and Esa Khattak series was as engaging as the first, and even more packed with interesting historical information. The novel is based on an actual event, the plotting of a terror attack in 2006 in Ontario, Canada, by the Islamist group that came to be known as the Toronto 18. Detective Esa Khattak and his partner Rachel are asked to investigate the murder of a young Muslim man working as an informant for the Canadian Mounted Police, but the real purpose of the investigation is to protect the undercover investigation of a terrorist group that the young man had infiltrated. The murder investigation is complicated by political rivalries within the force and other issues. Very good reading!
Gerry
The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer
I didn't have high expectations when I started this novel, but was surprised at how quickly Scharer drew me into the story and made me feel as though I was experiencing Paris in the 20s along with Lee Miller. Really excellent writing held my attention effortlessly and introduced me to a complex, talented, and damaged woman I'd known nothing about. Lee Miller was a fashion model in New York, a photographer in Paris, and a war correspondent in Germany and Eastern Europe during and after WWII. Scharer's biographical fiction focused mainly on Miller's years in Paris, when she was an assistant and lover to famed photographer Man Ray. It left me both fascinated and saddened by Miller's story, and eager to explore her life further.
Tessa
Before I Die by Candy Chang
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Chang noticed the many abandoned, boarded up homes in New Orleans. One such house was in her neighborhood – a daily reminder of damage, devastation, shattered hopes and despair. She was inspired to do something and got permission from the owner and the city to create a piece of public art. Her project brought her neighborhood together as people wrote, read, and discussed the responses, and drew national and international attention. This book chronicles the efforts of people in 40+ countries on six continents to create similar works of art.
Mary
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
What a story. Can't imagine a life like Kya's. She is so smart and strong and vulnerable.Told so beautifully.
Mary
Under Currents by Nora Roberts
Loved the book. Did not like the subject but it is part of our reality. Felt so sorry Zane and his sister Britt for what lives they had as kids. Loved Darby.
Donna
To Lay to Rest Our Ghosts by Caitlin Hamilton Summie
This collection of 10 short stories leave a lasting impression and an awareness of challenges of relationships, especially with family. The stores are so real, touching, sad and, yet, there is some hope. The writing fills you with the sense of loss and grief that comes with broken relationships, death, and your own mortality along with a glimmer of reconciliation.
Donna
Every Note Played by Lisa Genova
I know a couple of people who are victims of ALS, though I have viewed it from a distance. This book gives a realistic sample understanding of the life, stress, fears and devastation of this dreadful disease. I read STILL ALICE and knew this was another book that is a must-read in spite of the fact that it's painful to read, yet a page-turner.
Dawn
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Loved this novel....I read this with my heart beating fast the whole time!!
Amy
The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall
Booked tackled several intriguing subjects. I enjoyed the characters.
Janis
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
My new all-time favorite book. This is the story of “cursed” second daughters in an Italian family and the journey that two very different cousins take with their Aunt Poppy, who is also a cursed second daughter. This book has everything: love, family, fun, drama, travel. The characters are beautifully written and you feel like you know them. If you like Adriana Trigiani’s books you will love this.
I back-tracked and also read Sweet Forgiveness and The Life List by the same author and found them to also be fantastic reads.
This book is so much better than a 5 Star. I’d rank it a 10!
Sally-Jo
Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok
I thought it was an interesting story. I liked the cultural aspect of the characters.
Sheila
A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen
I finished reading this book just before news of the corona virus started to swirl and I keep thinking about it. This book is set in San Francisco, 6 years after a global flu pandemic. It's about trying to live a life in the current configuration of the world. Moira used the opportunity to reinvent her former pop star self. Rob has to convince a review board he is coping, otherwise his daughter may be "rehomed." Krista makes a living interacting with the world for people who won't venture outside. It was a well done story - I just hope it's not now it's playing out in real time.
Gerriann
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Very good read about families and their sad relationships.
Susan
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Mauve and Danny was told by their stepmom to leave the only home they have known after their father died. How they survived and went on to the rest of their lives is the substance of this book.
Sandra
Zero Day by Ezekiel Boone
Scared of spiders? Then this is the book for you, or maybe not.
Joyce
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
To be honest, I hadn't expected to react to this book in the way that I did. As the stories of the other passengers on Edward's flight were slowly revealed, I became more and more engrossed. Edward's story itself plays out over five years, and I think the author's ability to stir up various emotions in me - sympathy, admiration, and finally joy - while keeping me completely interested, is a testimony to her abilities as a writer. I am so happy that I took a chance on this book. I've been recommending it to friends frequently.
Gina
The Sunday Wife by Cassandra King
Written by a former preacher's wife, THE SUNDAY WIFE rang true. This book is part romance, part break-up, part mystery and part soul-bearing diary.
Rosemary
Instinct by James Patterson and Howard Roughan
Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a professor and author of a book on abnormal psychology, is contacted by NYPD Detective Elizabeth Needham when a copy of his book turns up at a murder scene. A killer leaves a playing card at each scene hinting at who the next victim will be. As new victims appear, each with a foretelling clue, the pair race to solve the mystery as to why the victims are selected and who the killer is and why he or she has chosen these people. A quick, entertaining read with a touch of humor will make this book perfect for a rainy or snowy afternoon!
Joy
There There by Tommy Orange
This book is about a multi-generational about violence and recovery, beauty of a nation and its people.
Donna
All the Forgivenesses by Elizabeth Hardinger
Well-written story about a family living and working in the oilfields in Kansas during the depression.
Margaret
Good Girls Lie by J. T. Ellison
I was looking for a thriller and had read other from Ellison. This one didn’t immediately grab my attention but in the end it was a good read.
Aimee
I Really Needed This Today by Hoda Kotb
This book has a quote for every day of the year, and some thoughts from Hoda underneath the quote. As I read the book, I could hear Hoda's voice sending positive and uplifting thoughts to the reader. She seems to bring light to others, and the quotes she selected reflect her sunny outlook and personality.
Laurie
These Ghosts are Family by Maisy Card
My favorite type of multi-generational family saga that transported me, the voracious reader, from colonial Jamaica to present day Harlem - lots of great discussion themes for book review clubs!
Elizabeth
The New Husband by D. J. Palmer
The second half of THE NEW HUSBAND by D.J. Palmer is what gets this book high marks and great reviews. But you have to be patient when you read the first half and hope that the second half will be good enough to make it worth the wait. It is. (But I rate on the basis of both halves, not just the second.)
Myrna
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
This is the third time in my life I have read the book: first in high school, second time in my 40s, and now again, nearing 70. When my book club discussed reading a classic, I was quick to suggest THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER. Even now, 80 years after it was first published, the book's themes ring true, for they are universal. Mick Kelly, the 12-year-old girl in a Georgia mill town, speaks of her "outer room" and her "inner room." The "outer": concrete aspects of her life (family, school, finances, etc.), her "inner room: where she goes to touch base with her deepest yearnings and loves, of which music and communication with their deaf-mute boarder ranks high. Race, religion, politics are all represented through various characters.
Helen
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
The book is very entertaining, but it shines because the writing is so masterful. It's easy to see this is a great talent. The book just flows with description, dialogue and logical but surprising plot shifts. It's thoroughly entertaining and a pleasure to read. I'm in awe of the talent. I read a lot but seldom encounter such a polished and effortless process.
Tracy
The Moonshiner's Daughter by Donna Everhart
This is an amazing read! Set in North Carolina in 1960, generations of Sassers have made moonshine in the Brushy Mountains of Wilkes County, North Carolina. Their history is recorded in a leather-bound journal that belongs to Jessie Sasser's daddy, but Jessie wants no part of it. As far as she's concerned, moonshine caused her mother's death a dozen years ago. This is a gritty read that evokes emotions and a sympathy for Jessie as she fights the demons of her legacy while seeking the comfort of food, with self-destructive behaviors. The ending is amazing!
Fran
Unwind by Neal Schusterman
I’m surprised this series isn’t more popular! Great young adult novel!
Connie
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Story rambles. Did not appreciate the concept and did not find it interesting.
Jan
Hitting a Straight Lick With a Crooked Stick by Zora Neale Hurston
This is a book of short stories, many not known to the reading world until this excellent collection. There is also a lot of biographical information about Hurston. Most of the stories are written in dialect and that was easy reading for me. Most of the stories are upbeat or funny. I was most struck by the fact that her stories almost always have the wife/girlfriend as the winner of conflict with spouse or employer or neighbor. How interesting that in 2020, I can read stories that are a century old that empower women. Hurston was a feminist before her time. Charming, imaginative, wise, folk lore - just what one expects to read with Hurston. Because this is a collection of short stories, I recommend it to the youth of our world.
Janet
Genesis by Blair Howard
Prequel to the Harry Starke books but I read it as newbie and stand-alone. It was intriguing and a page-turner.
Nadine
Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder
One man’s inspiring American journey and of the ordinary people who helped him, providing brilliant testament to the power of second chances. Deo arrives in the United States from Burundi in search of a new life. Having survived a civil war and genocide, he lands at JFK airport with two hundred dollars, no English, and no contacts. He ekes out a precarious existence delivering groceries, living in Central Park, and learning English by reading dictionaries in bookstores.
Susan
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
A wonderful and exciting book. This is a great book club choice as it will bring about a good conversation,.
vera
Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett
This a YA novel. I won an ARC. Josie Staint-Martin grew up in Beauty until she was 12 years old. Her mom and grandmother got in a horrible argument, so they left in the middle of night.
After several years moving from place to place, she is now asked to come back to Beauty to run her grandmother's book store. Her grandmother is out of county. She has promised Josie this will be the last move for a while and she can finish high school here. But the past seems to come back and many don't forget. Even best friend Lucky doesn't seem the same. This is where a new adventure begins. The book is well written and I think lots will enjoy.
sandra
Four Years Gone (Carlos McCrary, Private Investigator, Mystery Thriller, Book 8) by Dallas Gorham
First time author, for me. I really enjoyed this book. Carlos is a good guy, and I liked all the action in this. He is looking for his family member, who is missing. While doing so, he discovered other missing girls. Sometimes, the answer is closer than you know.
sandra
Victim or Killer?: [Short Story] (Kindle Edition) by History of Killers
Three stories here. The Sam Shepherd case. Where he was accused of killing his wife. Another story, and the final one. About Dr. Death. Lots of word errors in here. That is why I gave it a three.
sherry
I'll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie
I've never read a book by this author before. I love physiological thriller books, but this one was not spellbinding for me, just okay.
Melissa
The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain
A genre-spanning book that will surprise you!
Sandra
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
I enjoyed OLIVE KITTERIDGE a few years ago and her new book OLIVE, AGAIN is just as good. You don't have to read the first one before sitting down with this one. The story is in her later years in beautiful Crosby, Maine and her reflection of her life.
Noreen
The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz
I won this book from Penguin Random House over a year ago but it got lost in the bookcase. Just read it...you will keep reading it. What a diabolical mind Koontz has to come up with the mind-control technology. It isn't necessary to have read the previous Jane Hawk book to know what's what. The book has some really memorable characters - Cornell, Laurie, Bernie, and the little old desert lady.
Katrina
Dead to Her by Sarah Pinborough
She has quickly became one of my favorite authors. I was obsessed after reading BEHIND HER EYES and I feel like she matched the quality of that book with this one. There were a lot of twists and I finished this book in two days. I love her writing style and there always seems to be one more twist in the last chapter. I highly recommend.
Sharron
The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward
Dysfunctional family on cruise trying to figure out who they are. Not as good as other Ward books but very readable and entertaining. Makes you think how you would react if you went on cruise with your grown children.
Bob
Desolation Mountain by William Kent Krueger
Another good one. A continuing saga of Cork O'Conner. The endings are always so interesting.
John
Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie
This is the touching story of dead people being prevented from preying on the living!
Linda
Daughter of the Reich by Louise Fein
The story is told by Hetty, the young daughter of a high ranking Nazi officer in Leipzig, in the 1930s. We see Hetty’s transformation from a good German girl, who loves HItler, and wants nothing but to live for the Reich, to one who questions what she is being told, to one comes to firmly believe that the Nazi’s ideals are not right. She falls in love with a Jewish boy she has known from childhood - and you know that things are not going to work out well for them. The story moved along quickly, with interesting characters, some devoted to the Reich, and Hitler, and others who oppose. I liked the writing style; in the beginning, when Hetty was 14, it was very simple, as a girl that age might write, but progressed as the book went on.
Jan
Shattered Justice by Susan Furlong
This is a mystery - one of a series - and the first I have read by this author. It was okay. It is a mystery through and through -- people go missing, a violent wife is on the rampage, children are injured, people are arrested. Deputy Brynn Callahan is one of the Travellers - folks who move often, are deeply fixed within their culture, and are not understood by most folks. Callahan has decided to try to live in both worlds. Justice is different in the worlds - in the Travellers, justice is often swift, handed out by anyone who feels he or she is wronged, and there is no bother with courts or the legal system. On top of this Callahan has an drinking problem and her boss has ordered her to go to AA.
Cindy
You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Oh, what a tangled web - definitely describes this novel! Shay Miller is the main character. She is personable but not so good with people. She is very analytical and keeps a data journal in which she keeps all her facts as she accumulates them - this turns out to be a valuable asset for her in many aspects of her life. Her life is in a shambles - she needs a new job and a new place to live. Shay is trying to rectify her instability. She is on her way to set up some interviews and work on her resume. She goes down to the subway and is waiting on the train. A stranger comes up beside her and immediately jumps in front of an oncoming train! The woman's suicide horrifies Shay and she becomes obsessed with finding out about her life.
Francisca
Love and Ghost Letters by Chantel Acevedo
3.5 stars. Acevedo gives us a wonderful exploration of Cuba from 1933 to 1969. Over the course of the novel Acevedo explores love in its many forms: passionate, within marriage or outside of it, as a teenager, during old age, parental and among friends. The upheaval within the relationships is contrasted nicely against the revolutions and political changes in the country during this time frame.
Judson
Ike and McCarthy: Dwight Eisenhower's Secret Campaign Against Joseph McCarthy by David A. Nichols
Excellent book about one of America's most despicable figures, Joseph McCarthy, and the president who refused to capitulate to his paranoia and fear mongering.
Judson
Whip Hand (Sid Halley # 2) by Dick Francis
Good book by this MWA Grand Master. If you like mysteries featuring PIs with unusual former careers, I recommend this series.
Lois
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Incredible story of a blended family. The issues facing them were well described and it's incredible most lived through the ordeal.
Elizabeth
The Operator by Gretchen Berg
Do NOT miss reading this book!! Operators listening in on conversations? It’s the 1950s and yes that could be done with a simple "number please." The operators could also disconnect a call, too. Secrets and gossip kept the small town of Wooster buzzing.
Amanda
Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women's Literary Society by Amy Hill Hearth
This is a funny book, set in 1962 in what was then quiet Naples, Florida. Jackie is a transplanted Yankee, not really trying to fit in. She starts a book club whose members are a bunch of other social misfits in the area. She also secretly becomes "Miss Dreamsville," host of a late-night radio show that becomes quite popular. I read this because my local book club will be reading and discussing the sequel in a couple months. I'm glad I read it and I look forward to the sequel.
Linda
The Holdout by Graham Moore
The two timelines in this book work well and were easy to follow. Main character, Maya Seale in the present timeline is now a defense attorney and the other timeline 10 years earlier is about Maya's time as a juror in a murder trial. Maya thinks that Bobby Nock is not guilty of murdering teenager Jessica Silver and convinces the other jurors to change their votes. When the jurors meet for a 10 year reunion at a hotel, one of the jurors is found dead in Maya's room. These are not spoilers as this happens very early in the book. I found the plot lines interesting and wanted to know the outcomes, but the pacing is slow in this book and the writing is choppy at times. I thought the book could have been better.
Elizabeth
Dovetail by Karen McQuestion
If you need an uplifting read set in a small mid-western town, you won't be disappointed in DOVETAIL. This book has intrigue, tenderness, suspense, and an all-around cozy, sweet storyline.
Thomas
After Anna by Lisa Scottoline
Excellent book. I enjoyed reading it.
Thomas
The Secret Bones by Kylie Logan
Excellent book. I enjoyed reading it very much.
Thomas
Hunter Killer by Brad Taylor
Excellent book. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Thomas
Lost by James Patterson and James O. Born
Excellent book. Really enjoyed reading this book. Always like James Patterson's books.
Vivian
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
I was totally impressed with this novel! What a story! This book deals with teenage love, neighbors of different class and race, and racial issues. The genres for this novel are fiction, women’s fiction and contemporary fiction. The narration and the storyline are written from different points of view. This is truly a book that everyone needs to read. I have never read such a story as this, and it will be one that will be remembered for a long time. I have such high praise for this novel, and I recommend it to everyone. A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD reminds me of a modern-day ROMEO AND JULIET. I can definitely see it as a bestseller or even made into a movie. This is my first novel by Therese Anne Fowler and it definitely won’t be my last.
Anna Servati
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure how I would feel about it because I thought it would be depressing. At times funny and other times sad, I ended up loving this story. Britt-Marie was so genuine and to me loveable but so misunderstood most of the time. Her husband was a total jerk who took advantage of her. I loved how she found her way on her own and grew while she learned things that she was sheltered from before.
S
Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott
My book club's March read, it's a cozy mystery. I listened to the audio version and the reader was excellent but I found it hard to follow because of the number of suspects and village residents.
Linda
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
Ted told Lily that his wife was having an affair with the contractor building their house. He is so mad that he would like to kill her. Lily told him she could help make that happen and they hatched a plan. But Ted’s wife Miranda also had a plan and hers was carried out first. She didn’t love or care for Ted and talked the contractor into killing him. He carried out the deed but guilt got to him and he listened to Lily when she came to him with a plan. Ted was an innocent man who was played by Miranda and Lily wanted revenge. The detective on the case knows there is more than it first seems and somehow Lily is involved.
Linda
Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis
Ivy Snow is finally putting down roots. She owns the Taco Truck and is saving for a condo. Pretty good for a girl who has been on her own since she was sixteen! Kel O’Donnell is on leave from his sheriff’s job in Idaho and working on security for his cousin Caleb Parker. Kel has been burned too many times on relationships and has always been told it’s his fault. As a policeman, he is on call a lot and he’s beginning to think it’s not in the cards for him to have a happy future. That was before he saw the good-looking redhead who owns the Taco Truck and had a bite of the most delicious taco he’s ever eaten. He looks at her and both feel a special “something” between them.
Linda
The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot
FBI agents Zander Wells and Ava McLane are called to a town on the Oregon coast to investigate the hanging death of Sean Fitch, a black man who taught history at the local high school and was highly thought of in town. His wife Lindsay was white and was found stabbed to death. Sean had been stabbed as well and was dead when hanged. Zander and Ava are wondering whether this could be a hate crime when they learn of another hanging death that happened years ago. Emily Mills is the person who called the FBI and demanded they investigate this crime. Her father had been the man who was hanged years earlier. Could there be a connection between the two hangings? Zander is determined to find the person responsible for the heinous crime.
Linda
Seduce Me with Sapphires by Jane Feather
Fenella Grantley grew up acting in plays with her family. Now she is grown and taking acting classes. Edward Tremayne has written a play and wants Fenella to play the lead. She knows acting is frowned upon by society but it is what she wants to do. She and Edward are attracted sexually to each other and they act upon their attraction. These characters are pathetic. She grew up in a wealthy home but is allowed to do what she wants regardless of society’s rules. I don't think this is how it was done. She spends the night several times with Edward without marriage. George Headington had been her escort and pouts when he sees her with Edward. Edward is usually genial but at other times, he is extremely rude. These are supposed to be gentlemen?
Linda
Interview With the Antichrist by Jeff Kinley
A fictionalized account of the rising power of the antichrist who calls himself The One and destroys the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem and sits on the Ark as if it were his throne. The gold on the Ark is melted into an image of himself. He hires a young journalist to become his biographer and write down his words and thoughts. He also has a friend who is given the title of minister of affairs. At the end of the book, Mr. Kinley answers questions that many people have asked about the Rapture and the rise of the antichrist. A powerful yet scary book.
Dianne
Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon
A mystery tied up inside a resident's growing dementia. Touching story about the value of every person. Florence is a wonderful character you will grow fond of as the story progresses.
My
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Really well-written, interesting story of two families whose lives are changed when blended, broken and bruised by choices not always their own.
sandra
The New Husband by D. J. Palmer
OMG!!! I read this in two evenings. Woman has a husband who disappeared, but then takes up with one of her kid's teachers. He knows everything about Nina. Is he as perfect as he seems? There is an unusual twist I did not see coming.
Chris
Alternate Routes by Tim Powers
This is the story of two people who save the world. The two must travel to a dangerous netherworld in order to save our own. Of course, since it is by Tim Powers, there are lots of mythical and supernatural elements involved. All in all an engrossing story; I didn't get some of the literary references (eg: some of the poems he quotes) but there's nothing that would interfere from the basic story. Also there is a second book coming soon that features the same two protagonists, which I also would like to read.
Pat
Inheritance by Dani Shapiro
I really enjoyed the first half of this memoir when Shapiro discovers that her father is not actually her genetic father and her quest to find her real father. Then I lost interest after she needed to continue after she actually met her father and his wife.
Nadine
True Sisters by Sandra Dallas
Sandra Dallas tels the story of four women - seeking the promise of salvation and prosperity in a new land - who come together on a harrowing journey. About a little-known event in American history. In 1856, LDS converts in the British Isles left their homes to move to SLC, Utah. Most of them were hard-pressed factory workers in poor health looking for a better life.
Betty
The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz
This is the first book I have read by Brenda Janowitz but will definitely not be the last. I loved her writing style and am eager to discover some of her older writings. This is a “feel good” story of family, love, and tradition. Three generations of women and one remarkable wedding dress. The dress was designed shortly after the wedding of Grace Kelly, when brides everywhere were enthralled with the princess’ wedding dress. The writing reflected the culture of each generation and the struggles each woman encountered - the struggle over the right person to marry or how to make the dress unique to each generation. The author beautifully presented the three different timelines in a manner that seemed to flow effortlessly.
Sean
Eye of the Red Tsar by Sam Eastland
I love historical fiction and especially those novels taking place in Russia. This was an interesting time in world history and Eastland tells a good tale with a good protagonist. The book could have used more meat. The mysteries were solved too easily and the twists were apparent. I feel like there could have more backstory from the two brothers because this was an incredibly short novel. Overall, a decent read with some potential for a series.
Tessa
All the Stars In the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani
Historical fiction based on real-life Hollywood drama: the love affair between Loretta Young and Clark Gable that resulted in a love child. I like Trigiani’s writing. I like the way she draws the reader in and moves the story forward. I really liked the secondary story of Alda and Luca – their steady love story is a direct contrast to the multiple relationships/marriages/breakups/divorces of the Hollywood stars.
Hailey
Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding
Robyn has been a favorite of mine since I read her novel THE PARTY. This book made me feel like I was living inside an episode of Law and Order SVU. What I gotta say is it was AMAZING and spin-tingling. If you haven't read it yet, just go out and read it. Now! Run! Don't walk! You will not be disappointed.
Susan
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
I loved this book and its amazing characters. This story will break your heart and stay with you for a long time. Once you start the book be prepared to keep reading until you finish it. I predict that A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD will be one of the top fiction books for 2020. This book will generate a wonderful discussion for a book club. I give the book 5 stars!
Betty
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara
Unusual story told by children who search for a friend who has gone missing from his slum home somewhere in India. Did he run away? Was he snatched? More children disappear and they try their best to be detectives when the police ignore their plight. The use of Indian words and idioms is confusing. There is a glossary but it’s at the back of the book and I found it when I finished reading. Notes and conversation with the author explained a lot. Wish I had read those parts first.
Julie
The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger
I enjoyed every minute of this book. Although some might call this a book about rich people’s problems, I thought it brilliantly illustrated how people view their children as extensions of themselves and how they over and underestimate them.
Laurie
The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner
Set in Poland, WWII family (mother/daughter) drama - inspired by true stories of hidden children during war times.
Nancy
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
Most of us probably read this book for high school English. It takes on a different perspective when you read it as an adult. Even though the book is decades old, it still has relevance as a coming-of-age story, of a young boy with identity issues and family dynamics. One of my book club members selected this book for next month's discussion. I am looking forward to it. Like a frustrated student, I even borrowed the Cliff's Notes on it from the library!
Helen
The Woman in the Woods by John Connolly
John Connolly is my latest author obsession and THE WOMAN IN THE WOODS is my favorite (so far). The mix of reality and other world spookiness is pitch-perfect. Charlie Parker is called in to identify a woman's body unearthed and to locate her missing child. The story involves some truly evil people, spirits, other worlds, bookbinding tips, and one of the creepiest "sounds" I've ever heard. Loved it.
Jayme
The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
This is a very readable and realistic account of the life of King David and how he manipulated and united the twelve tribes of Israel.
Lucy
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Very well-written story of a mother's journey to escape the Mexican cartel with her son. Even after reading all the controversy over this book, I felt it was a story well told.
Gerry
The Bamboo Stalk by Saud Alsanousi
This is the second of Alsanousi's books that I've read, and definitely the more accessible of the two. THE BAMBOO STALK is the story of José, the son of a wealthy Kuwaiti man and the Filipino servant in his mother's home. Forced to leave Kuwait with her son due to the "shame" of that relationship, Josephine raises her son with to believe he will someday return and claim his rightful place in Kuwait, which she describes as a paradise. The novel describes José's early life in the Philippines and his return to Kuwait, where he is known as Isa al-Tarouf, and contrasts the cultural, religious, economic, and social conditions of the two nations, along with the coming-of-age of a young man who is torn between his two identities.
Jayme
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
This is a hard book to review because I have read Beryl Markham's memoir WEST WITH THE NIGHT and I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed this book for what it is - a fictional account of Markham's personal and sexual life, but she was so much more than her love affairs. Read WEST WITH THE NIGHT to get an essence of who she really was and loved - Kenya.
Gerry
Among the Ruins by Ausma Zehanat Khan
3-1/2 stars. While on vacation in Iran, Detective Esa is contacted by a woman who seeks his help with an investigation. When her plea for assistance fails to persuade him, she turns to threats to make Esa's status with the police and the public in Canada even more difficult than it has become as a result of his recent cases. The investigation in Iran involves a murder of a Canadian journalist of Iranian ethnicity at the notorious Evin Prison; the motivation for her trip to Iran and for her murder are both unknown. Iranian political history in the latter half of the 20th century plays a role in the investigation, and I'd probably have enjoyed the mystery more if I had been more familiar with the issues and political intrigue of the time.
Sheila
When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal
Good book about the close bond of two sisters.
Gerry
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara
Michelle McNamara's account of her search for the Golden State Killer was interesting; she was a very good writer who included enough detail to make her story come to life, but never dwelt excessively on the gore and horror of the events. Her early death, before the book was completed, meant that she never had the opportunity to work with an editor who might have guided her in sequencing and organizing the book differently. The completion of the book was a collaborative effort between her husband and her researcher. The organization of the book seemed disconcerting to me, with frequent shifts from one decade to another and back again, and changes in voice from Michelle to her posthumous "ghost writers," but overall it was a worthwhile read.
Gerry
The Dry by Jane Harper
THE DRY is an intriguing mystery set in a small town in Australia where a drought has all but destroyed the livelihood of local farmers, ranchers, and shopkeepers. The wife and son of a local rancher have been brutally murdered in their home, and the rancher himself was found in his truck, an apparent suicide. His childhood friend, now a federal investigator, returns home for the funeral, and is drawn into the investigation of the murder, which many believe may be connected with the long-ago disappearance and drowning of a young girl who'd been friends with both boys. Although the story wrapped up with no loose ends and certainly reads well as a stand-alone, this first book in a series has me looking forward to the next installment.
Gerry
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
Unquestionably odd, but also oddly engaging. Children who spontaneously combust when they get upset and a young woman who’s tasked with caring for them. As it turns out, it doesn’t fit any of the challenge categories (it’s definitely not the “lighthearted” novel I’d anticipated), but in the end, not a bad read, and an interesting perspective on parental love and protecting children from harm.
Judy
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katerina Bivald
This is especially fun if you have ever lived in rural Iowa or other small rural community.
Marcia
Exile Music by Jennifer Steil
(This is an advance uncorrected proof I'm reviewing.) The book was wonderful, holding my attention from beginning to end. Orly is the daughter of Jewish parents, her father in the Philharmonic Orchestra and her mother an opera singer. When Germany takes over Austria, they have to find a way out, and Bolivia is the only nation accepting Jewish refugees. Orly has to leave her best friend, Ana, when they flee. She never forgets her though. The new life is hard, especially for her mother who harbors a secret. I don't want to give away the story, but the horrors the Jewish people endured aren't glossed over. A very good book.
Michelle
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Not my typical genre but I appreciated the subject. Orlean obviously did an enormous amount of research on this subject which should be applauded. Her research alone was far reaching on the fire but it also included extensive history on the building and former librarians and other historical elements. It was a little too much for me though so I skimmed in some places. I also didn’t like some of the speculating she did about the cause of the fire. I think my favorite thing about this book was the physical book right down to the fake book return insert at the end, complete with a sheet with due dates and names.
Whitney
The Roxy Letters by Mary Pauline Rowly
Very light hearted beach read. Super funny and had me laughing out loud sometimes!
Laura
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
Loved this book. So moving. I didn't want to put it down.
Linda
Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict
Winston Churchill's wife, although mostly unknown, was very influential in shaping British history, including both world wars. Winston was dependent on her for support and listened to her political views. Benedict's historical novel was interesting as well as educational. "Behind every great man is a great woman" is the theme.
Julie
Wham! George Michael & Me by Andrew Ridgeley
I really enjoyed this book which detailed the beginnings of a band I loved in my youth. Andrew Ridgeley tells the story of how he met George Michael when they were boys in school together and the how they formed Wham! Ridgeley's style is humorous without being over the top and confident with modesty infused throughout. He really loved and cared about George Michael and believed in him. I had tears as he talked about George Michael's death and its affect on him. I highly recommend to anyone who at some point has danced around to "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go".
Roberta
The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright
A true story of how an Indian child is abducted from the street and adopted by an American family, and the amazing details that connect him with his Indian family years later.
Pam
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Loved this one, despite the controversy. The story is gripping, the characters well developed, and the descriptions are wonderful.
Laura
Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
I enjoyed this book based on the true story of Pino Lella. It's hard to imagine the horror this boy had seen in Italy during WWII. What a brave soul.
Jean
Faithful Place by Tana French
This is the third of her Dublin Murder series. Each features a story told from the perspective of a different detective with some characters appearing more than once. I read the first two and enjoyed them. Had I read this one first, I would never have continued in the series. This is told in an annoying (to me) Irish lower class dialect. The story is focused on the detective's family of origin who he has largely abandoned due to their problems with alcoholism and resulting violence. It is not a happy story and does not have a happy ending. I only finished reading it to be able to enter here as I cared less and less about the characters as it went on.
Sandra
The Gown by Jennifer Robson
I loved this book about the making of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown. The wedding in 1947 was the boost that war-weary London needed. Wonderful details on how the gown was made.
Sally-Jo
The Gate Keeper by Charles Todd
I've always enjoyed the Ian Rutledge mysteries with this quirky detective.
sue
The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom
I would not have finished this book if I were not one of those people who cannot stop reading a book once I have started it. The writing was poor...sort of a 5th grade "What I did this summer" essay. The listings of her family and their uninteresting activities went on and on. She glossed over the things that would have been interesting to many: Katrina, employment with Oprah, speech writing for a New Orleans mayor, travels. The yellow house itself was less than interesting. I can't imagine anyone not living in New Orleans would trudge through this book.
I live in New Orleans and it was an effort for me.
Rosemary
The Book Woman of Troublesone Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
During the Depression of the 1930s the U.S. Government sponsored a program to get books and other reading materials to indigent people in the backwoods and mountains. This book revolves around one such imaginary woman who rode a mule and serviced a route of individuals and an isolated school. The woman was one of the "blue people" of Kentucky, a phenomenon that actually occurred where people in fact had blue skin due to a genetic condition. They were treated as "colored" by whites, and rejected by blacks. While this story is about a fictional character, the service and people it represents were real, and it's a really good story, too.
Donna
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
A mother and her eight-year-old son's journey to the United States from Mexico as immigrants. This is a very vivid description of what the immigrants face along the way.
Dana
The New Husband by D. J. Palmer
Glen, Nina, Maggie and Connor have a normal family life, until Glen goes missing from his fishing boat one day. There are no clues as to whether he is dead or has disappeared. Nina and the kids are devastated and confused as information is revealed that puts Glen under a cloud of suspicion. Enter Simon Fitch, who sweeps Nina off her feet when she is most vulnerable. For Nina, he checks all the boxes as the perfect partner for her and her family. Her thirteen-year-old daughter, Maggie, feels differently about Simon and doesn’t trust him. Little by little Simon starts to show his true nature, but will it be too late for Nina and the kids? I loved the way this story unfolded and gathered speed until the climax.
Linda
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement by John Heminway
"The remarkable story of one woman's search for a new life in Africa in the wake of World War II -- a life that sparked a heroic career but also hid a secret past." This book is a difficult read in some places. However, there is wonder whether or not a person can rewrite a troubled past with both courage and weakness and a sense of atonement.
Betty
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Joshi’s writing drew me in and allowed me to be a part of Lakshimi’s life. I loved the descriptions of the works of art she drew upon women’s bodies. I felt the oppressive heat, smelled the flowers and scents of cooking food. I felt fear and happiness, anger and longing, desperation and defeat. Such a roller coaster of emotions. The characters were so real to me, eliciting the same emotions I would have had had I truly known these people.
JOAN
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
Story of two sisters, one involved in drugs and one who happens to be a police officer. How they hate and love each other; how they were raised; how deep down they are always there for each other as much as they can. Very good story.
Linda
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Amazing amount of research and history of the China tea trade, and insights into the challenges of international adoptees.
Gretchen
The Treadstone Resurrection by Joshua Hood
I wanted to read this to see how this author matched up against Robert Ludlum's. I have read many written by Ludlum and loved them all. THE TREADSTONE RESURRECTION was worth my time to read but, honestly, I am a Ludlum fan!
Helen
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
This is a different sort of thrill. It takes place on a boat where the movement is limited and the characters are limited to those aboard. The trick is to figure out who is who and who can be trusted. There's adequate suspense and the plot is believable, if complicated. I enjoyed it and can recommend it.
Helen
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
The central character here is a house and a family of unfortunate folks for whom the house is a source of misery in many different ways. The story is so beautifully told; such talent. It's really a pleasure to read and quite unusual. Most of the characters are likable and real and their lives very different from any you've read about before. This is a wonderful book, unforgettable in its own way.
Margaret
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
This novel is about relationships between 2 families involving several decades. It truly is a domestic drama about Irish immigrants & their struggles. Ms. Keane does a great job with her characters who are decent people, fully human with flaws. The characters have stayed with me because I felt like I could have known any of them, especially the police officers since my husband is a retired police officer. Issues such as mental illness & alcoholism were discussed throughout this moving & emotional novel. After a tragedy divides neighbors, they try to go on with their lives as best they can. We learn there are always second chances & forgiveness. I constantly routed for things to work out for all of them. But pace seemed slow during last 1/3.
Nancy
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
This book takes place during the Vietnam War. It tells of a group of soldiers tramping though the jungle and what they carried with them in their backpacks. They, of course, had all their army gear. They also carried items and memories from home. They all had a different way of handling their situation. I was reading this for a book club and was not sure how I would like it. I did like it, although some parts were difficult to read. I was a teenager during that war and really did not know much about it, except that it was not popular.
Jenifer
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
4.5 stars. I know -- another historical fiction novel about WWII, but honestly this one is a must-read! A fresh perspective told through the eyes of a librarian (Odile), her surprise friend (Lily), and others from the marvelous cast of characters that we are introduced to throughout this book. A chapter of history based on the true story of the American Library in Paris during WWII, this kept me up reading until 4 a.m. two nights in a row. Please do yourself a favor and read this book. Due to be published June 2, 2020.
Barbara
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Great story about a child who is unknowingly born with both sets of genitalia, but this was not recognized by the doctor at birth. Raised as a girl until at puberty when things started to change.
Very interesting and well written!!
Virginia
Trace Elements by Donna Leon
I love the Inspector Brunetti series and Ms. Leon’s latest is excellent. As always, Venice is present, the characters intriguing, and the mystery puzzling. This is a five star book.
Liz
Criss Cross by James Patterson
M is back and hunting down Alex Cross. This is a typical Alex Cross novel, no surprises. Easy to read and to put down. Alex and his partner have just witnessed the execution of a man they helped to convict. Now there is a copycat crime and he and John Sampson are not if they helped convict the wrong man. Another man is in prison, swearing his innocence and stating he has been framed. The team is trying to find evidence to set him free. Lots going on in this book and loose ends are all tied up by the end of the book.
Margaret
Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward
Just the book needed right now. Excellent look at a family dynamics. The main character Lee wants to get her adult children back. She wins a cruise and takes the entire family along to reconnect.
Jill
Oppo by Tom Rosenstiel
Such a wonderful political book that it is comparable to our current times. I’ve read all three of his and this is by far the best. In my mind I replace the names and characters with the people who are actually in our government. A great read.
Elizabeth
A Tangled Web by Leslie Rule
If you liked Ann Rule's true crime books, you will be happy to read A TANGLED WEB, written by Ann's daughter Leslie Rule. This is the true story of a woman obsessed with a man. She met that man on the computer, and she used the computer to feed her obsession.
Ilene
The Holdout by Graham Moore
THE HOLDOUT is great legal thriller! Fifteen-year old Jessica Silver, a white student, vanishes and her teacher, Bobby Nock, a twenty-five-year-old black, is the prime suspect. Now 10 years later there is a true-crime docu-series that reassembles the jury and we find out what really happened. Each of the jurists has a story - so many twists. Unbelievable!
Norma
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
This is not a story of the cartel but one of survival and love. The plot is tight, smart, current and consistently unpredictable --- to the point you cannot imagine the next page out. The descriptive and emotional prose is unimaginably wonderful. This is one that grabs you from page 3 and never gives up. My gosh…is this a good one!
shelly
Sisters by Choice by Susan Mallery
Blackberry Island is where Sophie, Kristine, Heather and her mother Amber have lived almost all of there lives. Sophie moved away to attend college and never returned. She has built a company, CK or Clandestine Kitty, starting with a dream she had in college. After a fire destroys her property she is forced to return home, to Blackberry Island and see if she can build her company up again, not an easy task. When returning home she is thrilled to have contact with Kristine who is married and has three boys. Heather is holding down several jobs and once again helping her mother, Amber which is something she has been doing since she is sixteen. These cousins are more like sisters and will help each other in any way they can,
sherry
Tailspin by Sandra Brown
I loved this book. The characters were all very engaging and the plot was great. Another wonderful book by Sandra Brown.
Francisca
Passing by Nella Larsen
Larsen was part of the Harlem Renaissance and this book is a marvel of social commentary. In this slim volume Larsen explores issues of black/white identity, of the desire to get ahead and the societal obstacles to that path, of male/female relationships, and female-female rivalries. There is tension, fear, anger, joy, desire and hope. We get a wonderful glimpse of middle-class Black culture in 1920's Harlem.
Linda
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
This author never disappoints. With this totally different type of story, she enfolds you in a world so difficult for us to imagine. Her characters are strong, well imagined. Don’t miss this one!
Dianne
Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
Outstanding historical novel with characters you learn to love.
Donna
The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore
Loved the characters, the storyline, the location and all the talk of food.
Susan
From the Heavens to the Heart by Tzvi Jacobs
Inspirational short stories, something for everyone.
Julie
The Supremes At Earl's All You Can Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore
The lives of three childhood friends are played out around their beloved diner that is the center of their life and social world. The lives of three childhood friends are played out around the beloved diner that is the center of their world.
Mona
Syrian Brides by Anna Halabi
Thanks to The Review Crew for my complimentary review copy. I chose this book because of the genre and setting. Short stories are brief, yet comprehensive, and I enjoy world literature because it gives me a glimpse into another culture. This group of fourteen distinct short stories vividly depicted everyday life in Syria. As evidenced by the title, the focus is on women: their feelings and struggles to meet the expectations of their husbands and society. Although brief, each story provides a life lesson in an entertaining, non-preachy style. The genres varied. Some were comedy, while others were drama.
Mona
Nineteen by Arly Carmack
Narrated by Cameron, protagonist, NINETEEN is an honest, emotional story of his life. He is just a normal guy. Unlike his much older over-achiever siblings, he lives for today. To the chagrin of his parents, especially his father, he is only passionate about his cars, playing the drums, and Lisa, his Wednesday customer at the Stop N Shop, his crush/"girlfriend." Like any child, he craves the love, attention, and approval of his parents. But, instead, he feels (and is made to feel) like a stranger in his own family. He can't share memories of experiences he wasn't a part of. He is poles apart from them in both looks, personality, and values.
Betty Jo
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
It's tough but well worth your time. Travel with an educated migrant and her son as they try to get on American soil, to safety.
Elizabeth
Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
For eighteen years Rose Gold was told by her mother that she was ill with some disease that no one could figure out. Will the town forget what she did to her daughter? The big question, though, is who is the better/biggest liar, the most dangerous, the most cunning, or the most evil? DARLING ROSE GOLD is a tense, chilling book, but is very well written. You won’t want to put the book down.
Trezeline
Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris
A good story including mystery, love, and family relationships.
Liz
The Way the Light Bends by Cordelia Jensen
Linc and Holly are almost twins, one being the natural daughter, the other adopted from Ghana, they are only four months apart in age. One is clearly the mother’s favorite, she is bright beautiful and athletic. The other daughter is more introverted and artistic, trying very hard to find her place in the world. The story takes place during the girls’ sophomore year at an exclusive high school. This is a beautiful story told in verse.
Donna
Ribbons of Scarlet by Stephanie Dray, Kate Quinn, Laura Kamoie, E. Night, Sophie Perinot and Heather Webb
Six brilliant authors have produced a masterpiece about fearless women who fought for the rights of the females setting the stage for the French Revolution. The stories of these individual women is captivating reading and told in such a way that you feel as though you are present with them. They faced the Reign of Terror with the faith that their cause would bring about a change in France. A marvelously researched history lesson.
Donna
Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard
This romantic suspense story was extremely well balanced. The suspense started on the first page and held you until the end of the story. This fast-paced, easy reading novel includes kidnapping, secrets, murder and romance.
Donna
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
Cassie has grown into a tough and strong woman because of events on her 16th birthday. She hasn't allowed love to enter her life. She is admired and a hero as a firefighter. Life steps in and changes her world. In this new environment she discovers that forgiveness is the answer to a more fulfilling life. This book is filled with hurt, anger, teamwork, mystery, humor, romance and most of all forgiveness and its power.
Donna
The Pale-Faced Lie by David Crow
This memoir was written by a man who survived in spite of being raised in poverty by a mentally ill mother and a dysfunctional, cruel, violent father. There were no rules in his life until he was an adult. His father was a powerful man and feared by his children until his death. Forgiveness has freed them to become successful individuals.
Mona
The Look-Alike by Erica Spindler
Ten years ago, in the small town of Tranquil Bluffs, Wisconsin, Sienna Scott was responsible for the murder of a young woman. Indirectly. Just because she looked like the victim. To this day, the murder remains unsolved. To escape notoriety, Sienna runs away...far away, to London. But, now she's back to care for her mentally ill mother and to reunite with the family she abandoned. Upon her return, the past comes rushing back. Long-buried memories of the murder re-surface. Questions arise.
Bonnie
Tightrope by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
The authors of the brilliant HALF THE SKY now write about Americans who fall through the cracks and Americans reaching for hope. Great ideas and well-written. Nonfiction.
Bonnie
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Novel about the illegal immigrant experience.
Bonnie
The Poison Squad by Deborah Blum
Nonfiction. One chemist's single-minded crusade for food safety at the turn of the twentieth century.
Nancy
Westering Women by Sandra Dallas
Excellent historical about strong women in a wagon train going to California.
Richard N B
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
On April 29, 1986, there was a disastrous fire in the Los Angeles Public Library. The conflagration reached 2000°F and burned for more than seven hours. It was the single biggest library fire in U.S. history, consuming 400,000 books and damaging 700,000 more. This is the story of the fire, the investigation, and the building/rebuilding of the library, fire scientists and fire marshals, and family members of the primary suspect. The result is a comprehensive story, not just of the fire, but of libraries in general, and the LAPL in particular.
Jan
The Holdout by Graham Moore
A young female juror, determined to do what was moral and right, voted not guilty on a murder case. She did so because no body had ever been found and the evidence was circumstantial. She was the only one who voted not guilty on the initial vote. Instead of letting others persuade her, she persuaded them. The final verdict was not guilty. One juror wrote a tell-all book later blaming the young woman for the not guilty verdict. Ten years later, he organized a reunion that was to be taped by a TV group, hoping for wide screening. But he is killed the night before the big reveal. Through a series of bungles, leaked info and new information, the woman who initially voted not guilty is charged with his murder. A great read.
AnnMarie
Smile by Roddy Doyle
I enjoyed this book, although it was a bit depressing. It was written in such a way that you felt like you were a fly on the wall peeking into someone else’s life.
Thomas
Hit List: A Stone Barrington Novel by Stuart Woods
Another very good Stone Barrington read.
Debbie
The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
Sometimes, an author includes too many characters, and THE WORD IS MURDER has an abundant cast. How to decide which character has enough motive to commit murder? Diana Cowper walks into a funeral home and arranges her future memorial service. Later that same day, Diana is brutally murdered. So many individuals have a motive for wanting Diana dead, but who is the guilty culprit? Hawthorne and the author, Anthony Horowitz, gathers the information. Anthony learns the tactics employed by Hawthorne, an ex-policeman. Another story of an event 10 years ago interweaves between Diana’s murder. Horowitz employs himself as a narrator, which provides an explanation, an aside, that is very well done.
Debbie
Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy
DOPESICK by Beth Macy provides an interesting discussion about the prescribed drug epidemic, but too much information is given like a textbook. Macy shows that drugs have invaded the population and have gotten out of control. The drug OxyContin is manufactured by Purdue Pharma, which targets the poor souls in Appalachia. The stories are heartwrenching as the crisis spreads to other areas.
Debbie
The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
Celeste and Benji will soon enjoy the perfect wedding as prepared by Benji’s mother, Greer Garrison Winbury. Loads of planning and money have been thrown on this very important social event. But hours before the wedding, a dead and floating female is discovered. Merritt Monaco, the bridesmaid, turns out to be the body. Is this an accident, suicide or murder? Chief Ed Kapenash must question the entire wedding party and determine what has happened. Elin Hilderbrand leads the reader on a hunt for the answer to this puzzling question. She explores the psychology of each member of the wedding party and uncovers a multitude of secrets.
Debbie
Big Sky by Kate Atkinson
BIG SKY by Kate Atkinson is #5 in the Jackson Brodie series. I am not enamored by this installment and found too many tedious characters. I floundered among this epic cast. Jackson Brodie has been demoted to investigating cheating spouses. Jackson relishes the chance to find the killer of Wendy Ives, the wife of a man Jackson just saved from jumping off a cliff. In the course of this searching, Jackson uncovers foreign girls enmeshed in sex trafficking. The theme of money hungry glimmers on every page, but does money protect the owners of this wealth?
Debbie
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
EDUCATED by Tara Westover drills home the false beliefs by many of government control. Tara’s father withdraws his children from school and does not apply for birth certificates for many of them. He is stockpiling food and supplies in rural Idaho. Can you imagine withdrawing from government contact and education for your children? Tara’s mother supplements the family income by working as a midwife and herbalist. The children are self-educated, and a few actually enter school and college. This reminds me of THE GLASS CASTLE in the story of despair.
Debbie
The Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire by Allison Pataki
I am a glutton for historical fiction and thoroughly enjoyed THE QUEEN'S FORTUNE by Allison Pataki. Pataki expertly shows the terror, love and atmosphere during the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. Desiree Clary’s sister, Julie, marries Napoleon’s brother, Joseph, and thus interweaves the two families together. The story follows Desiree’s loves and disappointments, which run from France to Sweden. Pataki creates an interesting woman who shaped history, but has been sadly overlooked. Yes, many movies have been made about Desiree, the love of Napoleon, but Pataki shows this remarkable woman.
