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Whimsey03@aol.com
Karbo214@aol.com
THE JUNGLE
by Upton Sinclair, 4 stars
This is a story which tells about the horrible factory and meat packing conditions during
the Great Depression in the United States. The author, Upton Sinclair tells about his
experiences in Packingtown where he lived during the years of the Great Depression. THE
JUNGLE is a historical book which informed the United States people about the meat packing
conditions in Chicago. It eventually led to a Pure Food and Drug Act which put
restrictions on meat which could be packaged and sold in the U.S. THE JUNGLE is a graphic
book at times but really gives us a great idea of what people went through when living
during the Great Depression.
UKHRH@aol.com
RINGED
CASTLE by Dorothy Dunnett, 5 stars
PAWN in
FRANKINCENSE by Dorothy Dunnett, 5 stars
The fifth and fourth book of the acclaimed Lymond Chronicles. Francis Crawford is truly
one of the most devious, witty, malicious of heroes ever written. Complex and subtle,
these books are a must for any devoted fan of historical fiction.
GDurisin@aol.com
TODAY I AM
A MA'AM by Valerie Harper, 1 star
It seems that Harper couldn’t decide whether she wanted to be funny or serious, and
this book is too little of either to be enjoyable. The humor is stale we’ve all heard
better menopause jokes Harper did much better delivering lines that were written for her
than scripting her own as she does in this book. Her comments come off as preachy and
superficial again, nothing we haven’t all heard before, with no real depth or
originality.
FACING THE
WIND by Julie Salamon, 3 stars
Salamon tells an incredible true story of a family -- a mother and three children --
killed by the father, who apparently suffered a breakdown under the stress of caring for
their severely handicapped son, Christopher, and the financial and other pressures related
to his loss of his job. The first part of the book, focusing on the Rowe family and their
lives before and after Christopher’s birth, was beautifully written and quite moving.
The latter half, focusing on Bob Rowe’s effort to rebuild his life after he was found
not guilty by reason of insanity, was less effective somehow, possibly because the author
was no more able to comprehend this man’s feelings, reactions, and motivations than I
am.
THE HEARING
by John Lescroart, 5 stars
Homicide investigator Abe Glitsky receives a late night call reporting a murder, and the
victim turns out to be his unacknowledged daughter, now a young lawyer. Her death is at
first believed to be random, the aftermath of a mugging, but some have doubts that the
obvious perpetrator is truly guilty. The case sets off a political firestorm when the
D.A., fighting for re-election,decides to use this case to prop up her ailing campaign.
Very well done!
btaylor2u@aol.com
THE PRAYER
OF JABEZ by Bruce Wilkinson, no rating given
TEMPTING
JANEY by Mary Lynn Baxter, no rating given
HOT SIX
by Janet Evanovich, no rating given
NIGHTINGALE'S
GATE by Linda Francis Lee, no rating given
JacMar5362@aol.com
SISTERS
WITHOUT MERCY by Clarence J. Moore, 5 stars
theaerie@skybest.com
THE BLIND
ASSASSIN by Margaret Atwood, 4 stars
Blind Assassin was a selection of my book club, or I would not have plowed my way through
the first 100 pages, only to be delighted with it upon finishing. Once you realize you
don't have to pay close attention to the science fiction "story within the
story", you can thoroughly enjoy her wonderful imagery and writing style. The total
genre of the era of the '30's is captured including the style of conversation and dress.
LETTERS
FROM YELLOWSTONE by Diane Smith, 4.5 stars
This is a wonderful little gem of a book telling its story in the form of letters written
by several characters. I could not put it down.
Snigsnag@aol.com
THE RAPE POEMS by Felicia Mitchell, 2 stars
Good idea about an important issue. However the poems are curiously uninspiring
considering the passion with which they were obviously written.
THE CORPSE
HAD A FAMILIAR FACE by Edna Buchanan, 5 stars
Been meaning to read it for years and glad I finally did.
A SHORT
GUIDE TO A HAPPY LIFE by Anna Quindlen, 4 stars
Pithy conceit, but still an enjoyable read.
SilverDropp@aol.com
LIFE IS A
MOVIE STARRING YOU by Jennifur Brandt, 4 stars
This is a really great book. It's inspiring and fun. The author has done an excellent job
putting this book together!
bluhrig@inct.net
THIEVES,
DECEIVERS, AND KILLERS: Tales of Chemistry in Nature by William Agosta, 5 stars
A remarkably well written book about the field of chemical ecology. If you want to know
how a flower mite manages to duplicate the achievement of a cheetah running at top speed,
this book is for you. It brings the subject to life.
SORTOFAWRITER@aol.com
A DARKNESS
MORE THAN NIGHT by Michael Connelly, 4 1/2 stars
Some familiar characters in unfamiliar roles --- great mystery, keeps you guessing!
BEVBOOKS@aol.com
SICK PUPPY
by Carl Hiaasen, 5 stars
Hiaasen is just hilarious...and I love his wierdo, oddball characters ...especially
Clinton "Skink" Tyree, the former governor of Florida who disdains civilization,
lives in the swamps and eats road-kill. Twilly Spree spotted Palmer Stoat tossing fast
food litter out of his car window, and is bent on revenge in this powerful ecological
plea. I wish Hiaasen wrote books faster, I just can't get enough.
THE PERFECT
STORM by Sebastian Junger, 4 1/2 stars
Not the kind of book I usually read, but this non-fiction white-knuckle adventure kept me
riveted from the first page. This is the story of Nature gone wild and a storm that could
not have been worse in October 1991. The author takes us on a ride aboard a fishing boat,
through waves 10 stories high, and winds over 120 miles per hour, and straight to the
bottom of the sea with the six fishermen.
MORGAN'S
RUN by Colleen McCullough, 4 1/2 stars
Historical fiction at it's best...this book is about Richard Morgan, an Englishman who is
incarcerated in prison under the threat of execution, and then transported to Botany Bay
in New South Wales. The part where he meets and falls in love with Kitty feels a little
contrived, but that is the only jarring note in an otherwise seamless narrative.
TheCountess99@aol.com
MIDNIGHT IN
THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL by John Berendt, 5 stars
It is an excellent book that I couldn't put down. Mystery, murder, and betrayal.
ONE LAST
TIME by John Edward, no rating given
It really changed my outlook and it was a great read. I couldn't put it down. I would
recommend it to everyone.
kaos@bhsu.edu
POPE JOAN by Donna W. Cross, 4 stars
Vivid picture of a strong heroine. Based on a historical legend--you will hope she really
existed by the end of the book!
THE BALLAD
OF FRANKIE SILVER by Sharyn McCrumb, 3.5 stars
Two murders over a century apart speak to a sheriff and connect in a way that he would not
imagine. Interesting insight into some of the quirks of our early trial system.
EEYORE2L@aol.com
WHERE THE
LILIES BLOOM by Vera and Bill Cleaver, 5 stars
I liked it a lot because it shows a girl's determination for her family. She showed
courage even when times got tough. (This is a 7th grade level book.) It is a very good
book for 7th graders who need Accelerated Reader points.
Familyhistoryew@aol.com
THE RED
TENT by Anita Diamant, 4 stars
I could not put this book down until I had finished reading it! This is one of the few
novels that I have added to my library. Although it is a fictional account of the time of
Dinah, from the bible, it brought alive for me a sense of what my female ancestors
experienced and felt. I thank Ms. Diamant for a vivid view of history, unlike one that I
could imagine before.
Krebsman@aol.com
URANIA'S CHILDREN: The Strange World of the Astrologers by Ellic Howe, 4 stars
Fascinating account of the use of astrology for propaganda purposes in World War II.
A WEREWOLF
PROBLEM IN CENTRAL RUSSIA and Other Stories by Victor Pelevin (translated from the
Russian by Andrew Bromfield), 5 stars
Collection of eight dazzlingly surreal short stories by a writer of true originality. Like
nothing I've read before. Is this the future of literature?
DAZZLER:
The Life and Times of Moss Hart by Steven Bach, 3 stars
Entertaining biography of the playwright/director. Fairly juicy, too, considering the
opposition to the book by the subject's estate.
SHAKESPEARE
IN THE STRATFORD RECORDS by Robert Bearman, 4 stars
Excellent work of scholarship focused on the few existing documents that mention
Shakespeare during his lifetime.
Sepatout@aol.com
THE BRIDE
AND THE BEAST by Teresa Medeiros, 4 stars
Medeiros writes romance fantasy - well-written, light reading of the romance novel variety
but usually with some type of fantasy element thrown in. The Bride and the Beast plays
down the fantasy element to mere legend, but is still quite a fun read.
IF I PAY THEE NOT IN GOLD by Piers Anthony and Mercedes Lackey, 5 stars
A definite read for fans of either author and an absolute must for fans of both.
PondPaul@aol.com
EXODUS
by Leon Uris, 5 stars
I highly recommend this book. It is both a love story and a history - a recent history
very relevant to a current world issue - the Middle East conflict.
ZuchRN@aol.com
THE FIRST
COUNSEL by Brad Metzler, 4 stars
This book was a very fast read. It was suspenseful with a surprise ending.
Lucky4750@aol.com
LONE EAGLE
by Danielle Steel, 5 stars
A great love story as only Steel can write it. I couldn't put this one down.
PLAIN JANE
by Fern Michaels, 4 stars
Slow getting started, but I read it through. Should have read this before the Steel book
because then I wouldn't have compared it. Of course there is no comparison, an okay read.
petrole@netway.com
THE FEAST
OF LOVE by Charles Baxter, 5 stars
This book is not only a page turner, I felt like the characters were speaking to me long
after I put the book down. The structure of the stories relaying the characters'
experiences with love truly works to create a masterpiece. I especially liked how Baxter
put each chapter in the characters' unique perspective, ranging from a philosopher in his
fifties to a coffee shop worker in her late teens/early twenties. He captures the
diversity of human experience in lieu of its commonalities. Highly recommended!
BLACK WATER
by Joyce Carol Oates, 4 stars
Another dark masterpiece by Oates! This haunting portrayal of a young woman trapped in a
sinking car creates a snapshot of the human psyche at its most intense moment: death. This
is definitely a page turner; I finished it in one afternoon! If you like Oates, you'll
love this one.
saltandlight@suite101.com
THE RED
TENT by Anita Diamant, no rating given
Anita Diamant crafts a story of a young girl and a story of a people through her eyes in
THE RED TENT. A tale of heritage and tradition as it relates to the growth and development
of Dinah. Dinah narrates a story of freedom to captivity in the 1st century Middle East. I
would recommend this vivid novel to all ages and all cultures.
Bossu49@aol.com
1ST TO DIE
by James Patterson, 5 stars
Great suspense thriller.
LONE EAGLE
by Danielle Steel, 5 stars
World War II love story.
Whimsey03@aol.com
DUNE: HOUSE
ATREIDES by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, 3 stars
This prequel to Frank Herbert's sci-fi classic DUNE is not the masterful work that shook
the world of science fiction in the mid-1960s. To their credit, however, Herbert and
Anderson have created a highly readable storyline, accessible to young adult readers, that
fills in the events, power plays, and familial maneuvering in the Dune universe prior to
the birth of Paul Atreides.
Tlundy1@email.msn.com
MARCHING
THROUGH CULPEPER by Virginia Morton, 5 stars
Great read. A novel about Virginia women during the Civil War in a town repeatedly
occupied by Union and Confederate troops throughout the war. Ms. Morton accurately reports
nearby battles and "humanizes" well-known historical figures. Jeb Stuart and
other "real people" share the story with fictional characters - and a good story
it is.
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