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Booksagain@aol.com
NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND
by Bill Bryson, 5 stars
Bryson is amazing. With his sense of humor he can transform
any place or situation into a good laugh. Most people
would probably not be able to put up with the things that
happen to him in his travels. He finds the humor in them.If
you have plans to go to England, or even if you don't,
this is a must read.
Ferrellac@aol.com
THE DEADLINE by Ron Franscell, 5 stars
Do NOT pick up this book unless you have a few hours to
kill!
THE COFFIN DANCER by Jeffery Deaver,
3 stars
THE FRIENDSHIP CAKE by Lynne Hinton,
4 stars
What a wonderful study on the friendship of women!
THE SWITCH by Sandra Brown, 4 stars
MLMEERSON@aol.com
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen,
5 stars
As a member of The Jane Austen Society I am privileged
to re-read each of her novels each year and always enjoy
them as much as the first time.
PLAINSONG by Kent Haruf, 4 stars
A simple story, or is it? It makes you think about family:
what is a family, if you don't have one of your own can
you invent one? Beautiful language.
THE SAMURAI'S GARDEN by Gail Tsukiyama,
4 stars
Since discovering this San Francisco novelist I quickly
read everything she has written and have had 4 outstanding
reading experiences.
TrishRux@aol.com
WOMAN: An Intimate Geography by Natalie
Angier, 4 stars
The book made me think differently about what it is to
be female.
JudithBridger@aol.com
THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver,
5 stars
I am especially fascinated by the author's ability to
relate the story through the eyes of the various characters.
Her portrayal of Adah's perception of the world around
her is especially poignant. A line I just read this morning
deserves highlighting: "God doesn't need to punish us.
He just grants us a long enough life to punish ourselves."
A fan of the author's previous books, this novel has not
let me down.
Whimsey03@aol.com
THE BLUEST EYE by Toni Morrison, 5 stars
This little book is a work of fiction spun with a touch
of poetry. Morrison's words are beautiful. A must read
classic.
ON WRITING by Stephen King, 4 stars
As little book week continues, Stephen King notes that
books on writing should be short. While he comments that
writers really don't know why or how they do what they
do, it's fun to take a peek at the thoughts of a writer
who works his craft a damn sight more often than everybody
else does.
AlisonAD@aol.com
THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver,
5 stars
I had passed by this book so many times in the bookstore.
Finally I gave in and picked it up. I immediately became
involved with the lives of the family and couldn't wait
to read more about their struggles and triumphs. I loved
it...and was sad when it ended.
OPEN HOUSE by Elizabeth Berg, 3 stars
This book had less "bang" for my "buck" than I expected.
AT HOME IN MITFORD by Jan Karon, 4 stars
This is a simple read, but a charming story about a small
town rector, whose life is spent among the quirky townspeople
of Mitford. His travails, quest for love, and acceptance
of a muddy mutt that arrived on his doorstep kept me interested
page after page. I plan to read the rest of the series.
KWol971102@aol.com
GEEK LOVE by Katherine Dunn, 4 stars
Strange tale about a carnival family, whose parents tried
to make their children born deformed by taking drugs,
etc. The results were some very freakish kids, including
Siamese twins and an Aqua Boy with only flippers for appendages.
It is a fascinating and sometimes gruesome read.
THE WORLD INSIDE by Robert Silverberg,
4 stars
A science fiction story about the future in 2300. Everyone
lives in skyscraper-type communes and never go out of
the buildings. Sex is shared freely. Population growth
is unchecked and encouraged.
NCT49@aol.com
'TIS by Frank McCourt, 3 stars
I've just begun this follow up to Mr. McCourt's wonderful
ANGELA'S ASHES, but so far I'm not as taken with its Irish
charm, although the author is one of the best storytellers
ever so I am eager to get on with it.
THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver,
5 stars
Probably one of my favorite reads ever. I've read everything
Ms. Kingsolver has written and loved them all. Her writing
is so engrossing I feel I am every one of her characters,
or at least they are someone I know.
MTK12345@aol.com
LANCE ARMSTRONG: It's Not About the Bike by Lance Armstrong,
5 stars
I happen to really love autobiographies. This is one of
the most engrossing I've ever read. I read it in a day
as I couldn't put it down. The spirit, drive and determination
of this young man is absolutely inspiring, and the challenges
he's faced so bravely, both with cancer and in bike racing,
are so moving.
Carol@bookreporter.com
THE SKY IS FALLING by Sidney Sheldon,
4 stars
Last week I had one of those weeks where nothing seems
to happen on time, or go right. Wednesday night I searched
my shelves for an escape book. And this one fit the bill.
I can't say it's my fave Sheldon as that would probably
have to be THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT, but it was still
a fun read. Two things that perplex me: the cover and
the title. Neither to me has anything to do with the storyline.
Makes me think maybe I missed something major when I was
reading it. Anyone who has read it and agrees, let
me know.
Bmardones@aol.com
A RIVER SUTRA by Gita Mehta, 4 stars
Mehta opens a lushly exotic variety of paths her characters
have taken on the road to spiritual fulfillment,along
with a peek into life in India.
STONES FROM THE RIVER by Ursula Hegi,
5 stars
[This book] can put you off to begin with but soon envelops
you with a desire to find out how the "zwerg" has come
to grips with growing up "different" in a small German
town during the Nazi era.
dana@bookreporter.com
SHOPGIRL: A Novella by Steve Martin,
4 stars
Steve Martin, well known comedian and lesser known but
equally talented writer, may surprise you with his debut
novel about an unambitious young woman who falls in love
with a wealthy older man. Deceivingly simple, this story
--- quietly told in third person --- reveals that love
is never easy to decipher, and the simplest passion can
take years to translate. The slim book, however, will
only take you one enjoyable afternoon to read.
Trance5@aol.com
THE SWEET HEREAFTER by Russell Banks,
5 stars
Emotionally taut and devastatingly beautiful, this one
pulls you into the heart of grief in a small New England
town and wraps you in its haunting arms.
ON WRITING by Stephen King, 4 stars
While I'll agree with critics that it is quite a jolt
between the autobiographical section and the technical
writing advice, it still works on so many levels that
it's really kicked my own rear into gear. It's like a
friend giving the inside scoop on something he's really,
really good at.
THE TOUGHEST INDIAN IN THE WORLD by
Sherman Alexie, 5 stars
Brilliant! Weaving magical situations and honest, clear
language, this collection of short stories made me laugh
openly in public places. It's not all fun games though;
there are some real tender moments here with ripe observations
that make one put the book down and ponder the complexities
of life here on this crazy blue planet.
OuiNikita@aol.com
THIS IS MY DAUGHTER by Roxana Robinson,
5 stars
This is a book lush with details and descriptions about
a contemporary couple --- both of whom were recently divorced
--- who form a new union together but more importantly,
also bring together daughters from their previous marriages
and here is where the story really unfolds.
HiJanelle@aol.com
UP AT THE VILLA by W. Somerset Maugham,
4 stars
A good examination of the motives for love and marriage,
this novel is a quick read that keeps one turning its
pages.
THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver,
5 stars
The best book I've read about living in a culture foreign
to one's own and a great political commentary on the situation
in much of Africa.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS by Alison Lurie, 4 stars
Novel about academics on sabbatical in London, their love
lives and approaches to interpersonal relationships, the
perceived shallowness of certain segments of English society,
and the loneliness of lives lived at a distance.
LHarrisRN@aol.com
THE FIRST TIME by Joy Fielding, 5 stars
This was a book I enjoyed immensely! A real page turner
that I couldn't put down. A wonderful story about how
a family can come full circle in the light of tragic circumstances.
MUUNSTRUCK@aol.com
THE MANY LIVES AND SECRET SORROW OF JOSEPHINE B.
by Sandra Gulland (no ranking given)
My book club's choice. Outstanding historical fiction
narrated in diary form. Loved the book. Easy to read and
you won't want to put it down. First in a trilogy. All
three are available at Amazon.com.
Jazzmo07@aol.com
BOY'S LIFE by Robert McCammon, 5 stars
An excellent novel that provided all the reader needs.
The themes that the author addresses are simple yet very
thought out and thought provoking. His characters are
very believable. McCammon really knew what growing up
in the late 1950s/early 1960s was all about.
HOW TO THINK LIKE LEONARDO DA VINCI
by Michael Gelb, 4 stars
When I first noticed this book on the bookshelf of the
local bookstore I didn't expect more than your typical
pop psych book. It's very interesting the way the author
really analyzes the way Da Vinci approached life. The
activities he suggests seem a little "hokey" at times
but for the most part I would give this book 4 stars. |
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