The Week of January 19th

CathcartFamily1@aol.com
ANGELA'S ASHES by Frank McCourt, 5 stars
'TIS by Frank McCourt, 4 stars
SEIZE THE NIGHT by Dean Koontz, 5 stars
FALSE MEMORY by Dean Koontz, 3 stars
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE by J.K. Rowling, 3 1/2 stars

Gandma RI@aol.com
LEAP OF FAITH by Gordon Cooper, 4 stars
This is a book that is part biography and part history. It's quite readable and reads quickly. It not only tells about the likes of former astronaut Gordon Cooper, it also gives insights into the history of the American space program and its participants from the beginning of the Mercury project thru the Gemini project. Interesting.

JesusFreak121231@aol.com
I KISSED DATING GOODBYE by Joshua Harris, 5 stars

MARILYN190@aol.com
DAUGHTER OF FORTUNE by Isabelle Allende, 4 stars
Great story beautifully written. Another good "Oprah book".
JULIA'S KITCHEN WISDOM by Julia Child, 4 stars
Good reference cookbook.

GDurisin@aol.com
THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant, 5 stars
The story of Dinah, daughter of Jacob and his first wife Leah, is limited in the Bible to a brief passing reference, but Diamant has developed her character fully in this beautiful and fascinating novel of Dinah's life and the women's culture of that period which centered on the red tent to which they retired each month. This was a book I didn't want to end!
BILLY BUDD SAILOR AND OTHER STORIES by Herman Melville, NO stars!
Among the most obtuse & convoluted writing I've ever encountered.  A basically OK story absolutely ruined by pompous verbosity.  I can't imagine why a teacher would assign this book, especially as independent reading, but since it was assigned to my child, I read it too.  This book strikes me as the perfect choice -- but ONLY if your goal as a teacher is to convince teenagers that reading is not meant to be a pleasurable activity -- hardly what a HS lit teacher should be aiming for!  Anyone see the value in this classic literature that I obviously missed?
THE DIAGNOSIS by Alan Lightman, 1 star
Bizarre plot, and most disappointing after I read the first couple well-written and fascinating chapters online.  Those chapters presented a great premise:  a middle-aged businessman on his morning commute suddenly realizes he has no recollection of where he is going or who he is.  The description of out multi-tasking, ever-connected, 24/7 work world was outstanding, but after a few chapters the book fizzled.  Plodded through half of it, but found the two subplots -- involving the wife's online "affair" and an online philosophy course the ten-year-old son was taking -- too weird and tangential to put up with.
THE CONSTANT GARDENER by John LeCarre, 3 stars
Written in an understated style that's not completely to my taste, THE CONSTANT GARDENER tells the story of Justin Quayle's search for his wife's murderer, which leads to his taking up her cause on his own. Well done.

Gpace6@aol.com
RED, WHITE, AND BLUE by Susan Isaacs, 3 stars
THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant, 5 stars
MAKING WAVES IN ZION by Sandra King Ray, 3 stars
EVERYWHERE THAT MARY WENT by Lisa Scottoline, 4 stars
NAME DROPPING by Jane Heller, 3 stars

akennedy@telluride.lib.co.us
THE SHORT HISTORY OF A PRINCE by Jane Hamilton, 4.5 stars
KILLING TIME by Caleb Carr, 3 stars
CEREMONY by Leslie Marmon Silko, 4 stars
THE RIVER KING by Alice Hoffman, 5 stars
LION IN THE VALLEY by Elizabeth Peters, 5 stars

DEV122@aol.com
MY ANTONIA by Willa Cather, 5 stars
A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN by James Joyce, 5 stars
MASTER AND COMMANDER by Patrick O'Brian, 4 stars

StephanieValdes@aol.com
WHY JOHNNY CAN'T COME HOME author not given, 1 star
DIANA IN SEARCH OF SELF author not given, 3 stars
DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF by Richard Carlson, 4 stars

Toyasheree@aol.com
AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF I DO by Valerie Wilson Wesley, 2 stars
MILK IN MY COFFEE by Eric Jerome Dickey, 1 star
CHEATERS by Eric Jerome Dickey, 2 stars

Rainbowlynb@aol.com
BLACKBIRD by Jennifer Lauck, 5 stars
Very inspiring. A true study in overcoming adversity, Can't wait for the sequel.

Me4765@aol.com
WOMEN OF THE SILK by Gail Tsukiyama, 3 stars
About silk workers (all women) in China.  Good, however there could be more historical background to the period in which these women live.

Showshana@aol.com
ROSES ARE RED by James Patterson
I am a fan of his novels and have read all of them so I was looking forward to his newest - the book continued Dr. Alex Cross' pursuit of the "bad guy" - it has all the elements of a Patterson book, easy reading, descriptive paragraphs, a little bit of love, mystery-the good guys vs the evil.  It is very easy reading, actually a very short book (large print, double spacing between lines) - I just read along and was not feeling very fulfilled until I got to the last line - now I can't wait to the sequel (I assume that is why the book ended the way it did).

GA PCH3301@aol.com
BEACH MUSIC by Pat Conroy, 2 stars
It goes too slow for me.  There are some very good parts in the book, but I like a book that goes faster.  I read PRINCE OF TIDES, one of his other books and enjoyed it okay, but it also was slow reading.  Several people told me BEACH MUSIC was really good; so I decided to try it.  I don't think I will read another one of his books.

MMUUM1212@aol.com
CODE TO ZERO by Ken Follett, 4 stars
Another page turner by Follett.  I could not put it down!

Bhhawley4@aol.com
THE LOST DAUGHTERS OF CHINA by Karin Evans, 5 stars
THE BOOK OF WAR by John Keegan, 5 stars
THE HOURS by Michael Cunningham, 3 stars
WHAT'S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE by Philip Yancey, 5 stars
WIDE SARGASSO SEA by Jean Rhys, 1 star
A HEARTBREAKING WORK OF STAGGERING GENIUS by Dave Eggers, more than 5 stars
An amazing story of a young man of 21 who has to raise his little brother after both of their parents die within a month of each other. Funny, sad, hilarious!

LES TOAD@aol.com
WINTER SOLSTICE by Rosamunde Pilcher
A wonderful winter read by one of the best.  Curl up by the fire with this one and savor it slowly, who knows if we will get any more!

NEPR@aol.com
THE LAMORNA WINK by Martha Grimes, 4 stars
An excellent mystery.  The social lives (or lack of) of Richard Jury's friends did not add much to the story.

kristen@booksintl.com
MARTHA PEAKE by Patrick McGrath, 4 stars
A wonderful historical novel, full of vivid detail and strong characterization.

Booksagain@aol.com
THE CLIFF WALK by Don J. Snyder, 5 stars


AwsmActors@aol.com
SHADOW OF PRINCESS No author given
IN MY FATHERS EYES No author given
IN OUR OWN WORDS No author given
REAL BOYS by William S. Pollack

McDoobees@aol.com
THE TRAVELING VAMPIRE SHOW by Richard Laymon, 4 stars
IT by Stephen King, 5 stars
THE STAND by Stephen King, 5 stars
Way better than the movie.
THE SWORD OF SHANNARA by Terry Brooks, 3 stars

Mrssteffes@aol.com
FIRST MOTHERS by Bonnie Angelo, 5 stars
A captivating book of stories about twelve mothers whose sons became president. Each story is unique and it is difficult to put down.
LOSING MATT SHEPARD by Beth Loffreda
I had just finished reading this when the special on hate crimes was aired. I could not believe the impact that it had on me.
HALF A HEART by Rosellen Brown, 5 stars
The finest piece of fiction I have encountered recently. It is about a former civil rights activist who searches for the daughter she had with a black professor eighteen years earlier.
It was a week of wonderful books.

SLuxbacher@aol.com
HANNA'S DAUGHTER by Marianne Fredriksson, 3 stars
My rating at this time is a 3 because I am not that far into the book.

Spazkats@aol.com
All books by James Patterson and I rate them all 10's

CHagate@aol.com
THE RED TENT by Anita Diamont
I have read several books already this year. I received "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamont from my sister for Christmas.  It was the BEST book I think I have ever read!  I recommend it to all women who love books.
PLAINSONG by Kent Huraf
BLOODY RIVER BLUES by Jeffery Deaver,
THE MERCHANT OF MENACE by Jill Churchill
Humorous book.
FOLLOW THE STARS HOME by Luanne Rice
I enjoy a vast array of subjects and authors. I have a great family and most of my family members as well as my good friends all enjoy reading.

Hon2724@aol.com
THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT by Jeffrey Archer, 4 stars
Although a slow start...gets riviting quickly.  His book "As the Crow Flies" is my favorite book and while this one is outstanding...makes you think about our government....it is not up to the quality of AS THE CROW FLIES. I really liked the read.
ONE FOR THE MONEY,
TWO FOR THE DOUGH,
THREE TO GET DEADLY,
FOUR TO SCORE
by Janet Evanovich, 4 1/2 stars
While some of the language is "tough"...it is timely and in today's world this is an interesting, funny, believable, very good read, especially for someone who reads a lot and reads different types of books. It is not rocket science...but to me it is better....I don't understand rocket science...but I do get these stories and I really like them.

Baaadwater@aol.com
'TIS by Frank McCourt, 5 stars
Sad but informative.
SINCERELY No author given, 5 stars
Caustic but good.
RADIO No author given, 5 stars
Funny.

AR RAIDER@aol.com
COMBAT TAI CHI by Paul Crompton, 4 stars
Most people dont even know that Tai Chi has aggressive moves both offensively and defensively. For the Tai Chi practitioner, knowing these additional forms is well worth the time to study them.
MEDITATION by Eknath Easwaran, 5 stars
Another book I'd highly recommend. Thank you Mrs. Kelley.


Entropydvd@aol.com
THE TESTAMENT by John Grisham, 4 stars
Once again, John Grisham spares no detail in a wonderful story about a Last Will and Testament, and the documents missing heir.
Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis trilogy by Michael P. Kube Mcdowell, 5 stars
Another Star Wars Trilogy, continuing the tale from the movies. This book has several characters who haven't been seen in a while, such as Lobot. The story revolves around a missing fleet of Imperial vessels, and the criminals who have them. Something all Star Wars fans should read.
MEMNOCH THE DEVIL by Anne Rice, 5 stars
This is about my 5th time through the book, and I know now I'll read it again in a few months. Rice paints her characters to be your best friend. You know them, you feel them. In this story, our favorite vampire, Lestat, gets to meet the devil. The way Rice blends the Bible and her characters together is not to be missed.

BCbuccieri@aol.com
OMERTA by Mario Puzo
I find this to be one of his finer works following GODFATHER and THE FORTUNATE PILGRIM (which I considered his finest work). Puzo depicts characters and incidents in an exciting and mostly enjoyable way. His sardonic interpretation of criminals and police activities are very realistic and believable. Although this book will make a superb movie, it will be studied as Puzo's final chapter in his analysis of the Mafia and the changing face of criminal activity.

Macanator007@aol.com
UNBEARABLE by Paul Jennings, 5 stars
HARRIS AND ME by Gary Paulsen, 4 stars


CWALTERS5@aol.com
BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY by Helen Fielding, 5+++++ stars
Finished in three days GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!  Fantastic!  Recommend to any single women from 21 to any age.
DROWNING RUTH by Christina Schwarz, 3 stars
Okay, slow start but getting very interesting.....
MAP OF THE WORLD by Jane Hamilton, 2 stars
Okay.. again not sure if it is my kind of book...very slow start.
THE PILOT'S WIFE by Anita Shreve, 4 stars
Excellent... very intriguing.
A MAN NAMED DAVID No author given, 5 stars
Very great book..... Author is outstanding.

Bramarvir@aol.com
THE BRETHREN by John Grisham, 5 stars
TIMELINE by Michael Crichton, 5 stars
ROSES ARE RED by James Patterson, 5 stars


Macanator007@aol.com
UNBEARABLE by Paul Jennings, 5 stars
It is about weird stories and unusual happenings. One story tells about these little black balls that a mother finds in her daughter's jeans and she goes on and on about how the black balls get in her pocket, then at the end her father asks why there is a dead rat in the fridge so she says to herself "I gotta come up with another good story....fast." So there are a lot of good and really weird stories in it. If you like being weird or reading weird stories, read UNBEARABLE by Paul Jennings.

Katie714350331@aol.com
BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY by Helen Fielding
I am currently reading some old favorites.  It has been awhile since anything new has interested me.  I am, however very interested in the new Helen Fielding novel.  I enjoyed both Briget Jones books very much. Please put me in the drawing for her new book.

nana@toast.net
THE LAST HONEST WOMAN by Nora Roberts, 5 stars
DANCE TO THE PIPER by Nora Roberts, 5 stars