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DThomas201@aol.com
VALHALLA RISING
by Clive Cussler, 5 stars
It's good seeing Dirk again and as usual Clive weaves a wonderful tale. The surprise at the very end of the book leaves us breathlessly waiting for more.
PamMacHig@aol.com
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY
by Michael Chabon, 5 stars
You know from the first page that this is a well written book and as you read it you realize why it won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction....it is a great read.
Cipsi2@aol.com
THE JURY
by Steve Martini, 3 stars
This book is easy to read, has a good plot and a decent ending. I'm glad I read it, but it is not up to Martini's usual gripping stories. It isn't a bad book, but just not a really good one. I eagerly await his next!
THE TIN COLLECTORS
by Stephen J. Cannell, 4 stars
Here in Southern Cal we are all aware of the Rampart police scandal and the dreadful things that happened in the L.A. Police department. This book tells a story of bad cops, and while it is a gripping story, one can't help but feel that his idea obviously came from the Rampart Scandal. The fact that he sets it in L.A. bolsters that idea. Nevertheless, once into it, and getting over the hurdle of an awful lot of foul language, I couldn't put the book down. I had not read any of his other books, but I shall.
TELL NO ONE
by Harlan Coben, 5 stars
Gosh, what a book. From the very beginning his story was so intense that I could only take it in chapter or chapter-and-a-half increments. I am crazy about his other books -- but this one is far and away the best. This book has more twists and turns than a roller coaster. It is a very satisfying read.
THE FAIREST AMONG WOMEN
by Shifra Horn, 2 stars
This is a book written by an Israeli writer and translated into English. Her characters are part real and part imaginary. Her story is part fact and part fiction. It is the story of a woman, her children and her husbands. To me it was like hearing a stuck record (for those of you old enough to remember records you'll know what that sounds like!) Frankly, I just didn't "get it." And I am sad about that. It is the only book I've ever bought because of the cover, which is beautiful, enticing, and enchanting! Serves me right.
Beecon1@aol.com
TILL THE REAL THING COMES ALONG
by Elizabeth Berg, 4 stars
I love this womans style of writing and have been hooked on her since PULL OF THE MOON. I love her characters and her uncanny ability to describe the full spectrum of human emotion through these people she has created.
Bookllover@aol.com
THE SURGEON
by Tess Gerritsen, 4 stars
This is a book you will not want to put down. The suspense builds, the characters are fascinating, and the writing is terrific. I could not stop reading it, and enjoyed it immensely.
ShadowHeart62@aol.com
Elliot Roosevelt White House Mysteries
by Elliot Roosevelt
I call my reading list - "Reading the Roosevelts". Elliot Roosevelt is not a new author, his humorous books are a delight. Reading the fictional mysteries that emerged from the White House with his mother hot on the heels of the latest murderer in and of itself was amazing and enjoyable. To have cameo appearances by the most well known people of that administration in their "before I was famous" roles, added to the wealth of home spun humor. Each of the cameos appeared to be true to life -- I could imagine that I was truly getting a glimpse into the REAL White House. "Reading the Roosevelts" is a delightful must for everyone's reading list. They are "easy" reads just meant to be relaxing. These "no effort" mysteries can take you away from the grind of daily living. For the avid reader, this is the "Calgon - take me away" ending for a day. For the less avid reader, these quick little mysteries will encourage you to pick up the next one -- then low and behold, you too can become that avid reader. The whole Elliot Roosevelt White House Mysteries series is my pick of the week.
Lgluhani@aol.com
WEST WITH THE NIGHT
by Beryl Markham, 4 stars
Beautifully written memoir about the author's life in Africa as a horse trainer and later as a world-class pilot. Read it for the descriptions of the people and places in Africa and the amazing way the author writes about animals.
Vikkivand@aol.com
All THE FINEST GIRLS
by Alexandra Styron, 4 Stars
A woman travels to the Caribbean to attend the funeral of her childhood housekeeper. Throughout this visit she is haunted by the memories of her empty childhood and how her housekeeper effected her life.In the end she finds a sense of belonging and acceptance of her real family.
WORLD OF PIES
by Karen Stolz, 5 Stars
Roxanne is a young girl growing in a small Texas town. The book describes stages throughout her life into adulthood. Throughout the story there are recipes for Roxanne's comfort foods. I even made Aunt Ruthies Hot Fudge Sauce! Yes, highly addictive. That gets 5 stars too.
LAURA
by Larry Watson, 4 stars
An 11-year-old boy (Paul Finley) develops a crush on his father's girlfriend
(a poet Laura Coe Pettit). This crush turns into a life-long obsession and
the story describes periods of his life where Laura briefly comes and goes from his life. I liked the book, but I had a hard time believing that a crush can be that intense at 11 years old to bring up that type of obsession that the book describes. I think I would have preferred if Paul has been 16 years old when they first met. It was a good book, but I didn't like Laura at all and had difficulty understanding what he saw in this woman. I ended up extremely aggravated with Paul Finley too for pining over Laura to a point that it effected his entire life.
smb341@prodigy.net
THE EMPTY CHAIR
by Jeffrey Deaver, 5 stars
There were so many plot twists - it kept me guessing!
Jb329480@aol.com
TEMPLE OF THE JAGUAR
by John Claireaux Simon
A psycho-drama about events and dream sequences to help break through the torment in the hearts and minds of all that war touches. Anti-terrorist commandos that track down enemies of America. I have bought copies and given them to friends and people I know that seek solace.
VALAITISH@aol.com
THE NOT-SO-BIG HOUSE
by Sarah Susanka, 5 stars
The subtitle of this book aptly describes it: "A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live." This is a must-read for anyone contemplating building, buying or remodeling a house. Architect Susanka's premise is simple: put your money into the quality of the house, not the quantity. Why build rooms that you never use? Your house should be a reflection of you and the activities you engage in, not what a real estate agent thinks will provide good resale value. The houses Ssuanka designs and shows in the book are all ULTRA-contemporary, but the advice and tips she gives are useful to anyone.
burnisetuck@yahoo.com
SANDITON
by Jane Austen and Another Lady, 5 stars
The delightful last, unfinished novel by the incomparable Jane Austen. After many years of reading Austen's other novels I finally read this one while on vacation in Hawaii. Jane wrote the first 11 chapters then died and recently an anonymous "Another Lady" finished it in an almost seamless invention based on what Jane would have written. Not quite on a par with PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY but right up there and not to be missed by the Jane Austen aficionado.
Gotocheryl@aol.com
FAT TUESDAY
by Sandra Brown, 4 stars
Although usually a reader of biographies and perspectives, I also enjoy novels. I very rarely read a mystery, or sleuth book. A friend gave me this Sandra Brown book to read and I let it sit on a shelf for three weeks. What a mistake! I loved it. Humor and suspense in one. Twists in the plot just when you think you have it all figured out. The ending was a little sappy for me but still made me smile.
FIGHTING BACK
by Robert Davidson, 4 1/2 stars
I felt as if I was this woman's sister and I felt her pain and torment. How can she go from being a sweet innocent child, a victim of her mothers past, and become a victim in her own home, within her own marriage? I cried, I cheered, I read it in three days. Cannot miss it, cannot put it down.
jcrump@worldnet.att.net
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
by Lisa Scottoline, 4 stars
Good woman lawyer fiction. Bennie Rosato, head honcho of all girl law firm, discovers her (maybe) twin who has been accused of a cop-murder. The story works on two levels: 1. the confusion and devistation of discovering a (maybe) sibling that you didn't know you had and dealing with all of the ramifications like how your parents lied to you and how could a mothergive up a child. 2. an excellent murder mystery as the reader tries to unravel "who done it".
mi3son@bellsouth.net
THE MANHATTAN HUNT CLUB
by John Saul, 4 stars
A very good creepy book. You will not be able to put it down.
Britadon@aol.com
PRODIGAL SUMMER
by Barbara Kingsolver, 4 stars
My first attempt at reading was a bust; but, my second found me reading late into the night. Thought the very last chapter - very last couple of paragraphs - need more work.
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
by Andre Dubois, 5 stars
Actually, I listened to this on tape and it is read by the author and his wife - both excellent readers!! Ah, what a type can do!!! And my sister says she will always open her mail, now.
BEACH MUSIC
by Pat Conroy, 3 stars
Old book read by my bookclub. Characters were not very believable or likeable.
TORTILLA FLATS
by John Steinbeck - 5 stars
What a hoot!!
THE FOURTH HAND
by John Irving, 2 stars
Surely, this is a farce! If not, then being on the best seller list is a farce.
Lucky4750@aol.com
JUSTICE
by Dominick Dunne, 5 stars
An interesting read on Dunnes participation in some of the most famous trials and some that weren't so famous. He mingles with some of the World's most powerful and rich. He discusses conversations he's had with these people while attending and writing about the trials. He talks about the people who hate him (Kennedy's) and why. Read about the way the powerful and rich manipulate the press and juries.
NEXT OF KIN
by Joanna Trollope, 2 stars
Too slow paced and drags way too much for me to have stuck it out waiting for some juicy and interesting storylines. Didn't and couldn't get into it.
LilTime4Me@aol.com
IF MOMMA AIN'T HAPPY, AIN'T NOBODY HAPPY
by Lindsey O'Connor, 4 stars
Just a book I picked up to read the humor about being a mother and wife. It's made me laugh and feel like I'm not alone in my endeavors.
Lgluhani@aol.com
SOME THINGS THAT STAY
by Sarah Willis, 5 stars
One of the best I've read in awhile. Writing is absolutely luminous. Author gets in the head of the narrator, a 14 yr. old girl, and gives a great sense of time (50s) and place (New York state) as well as terrifically written characters.
RTURANIN@aol.com
THE ONLY THING TO FEAR
by David Poyer, 1 star
I bought this paperback at a Dollar Store and know now why it was sold there....this is the first book of his that I read, and the last. President Kennedy is the protagonist, as a Lt. returning from his PT-109 duty, to act as an aide to President Roosevelt. He has been shown to be a shallow, father-fearing, 27-year old. As a 76 year old survivor of WW11, I resent the premise that JFK raped a l7-year old polio victim at Warm Springs and that FDR headed a sloppy administration. I know this is fiction, but it was poorly written and I finished it just because I have a rule that I finish every book I read.
Simon@aspiani.freeserve.co.uk
ANOREXIC
by Anna Paterson
What impressed me most about ANOREXIC is that it gave a clear insight into the true and destructive nature of anorexia. It in no way glamourised it and the reader is left with a clear understanding of the destructive nature of this terrible illness. Anna Paterson's story is one of abuse and then neglect, which led to years of pain and suffering. It ends on an extraordinary upnote as she finally finds someone who loves and supports her, giving her the strength to come through the other side after being so horribly close to death.
ANOREXIC must have taken a great deal of courage to write but it was well worth it. Compelling.
bjcmcn@aol.com
TOO OLD, TOO UGLY, AND NOT DEFERENTIAL TO MEN
by Christine Craft 5 stars
Wonderful non-fiction book of what led up to a law suit in 1983. Christine Craft was an anchorwoman and reporter in Kansas City at that time. Very interesting. She now can be heard on KGO Radio from time to time. (no I don't know her, just find her life very interesting). Book was very good.
MysteryNut19@aol.com
BONES
by Jan Burke, 4 stars
Very well written story about crime reporter Irene Kelly's investigation intothe confessions of a serial killer. Lots of forensic science info woven into this. If you're a Patricia Cornwell fan - you'll love Jan Burke
TwistyLane@aol.com
THE EXILES SONG
by Marion Zimmer Bradley, 4 stars
The first book in one of many Darkover trilogies. Margaret Alton arrives on Darkover with her mentor to study the native music. Born on Darkover, she really knows very little about her home world. She has a lot of surprises coming. The Darkover series by Bradley is one of my favorites. I've been reading them for some 30 years.
OUTSIDE THE DOG MUSEUM: A Novel of Love, Death and Architecture
by Jonathan Carroll, 4 1/2 stars
This was my first Carroll and it won't be my last. "Magical realism"
with nervous breakdowns, earthquakes, love triangles, dead shamans, showering dogs, magical children, a museum that will touch heaven ... a little of everything!
MOURN NOT YOUR DEAD
by Deborah Crombie, 3 1/2 stars
The fourth in this mystery series. A high ranking policeman is murdered. Duncan and Gemma take on the case and have some personal problems to deal with too.
THE LAST TO KNOW
by Wendy Corsi Staub, 3 1/2 stars
Written in the style of Mary Higgins Clark, this was a pleasant 462 page surprise. A serial killer has targeted young, stay at home moms in a wealthy suburb of NYC. No gore in this novel. Lots of suspects.
TRIPLETT CODE
by B.B. Jordan, 3 stars
BB Jordan in real life is a microbiology professor and surprise, her heroine is one too. There were no surprises in this mystery for me. The best thing was the description of the countries the characters visited.
wrcloud@aol.com
HOW TO GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL ALIVE
by Sheldon P Blau, M.D., F.A.C.P, F.A. C.R. and Elaine Fantle Shimberg, 5 stars
My book list is down to only one recommendation. I recommend it because I feel it is of utmost importance to our society, and should be a top priority on everyone's reading list. It is a FIVE STAR book dealing with the health profession. In other words, it's about life and death. Bernie S. Siegel, MD, states it well when he writes, "It is important to your survival to be informed, and this book is an excellent resource."
rumbler73@hotmail.com
BILLIE'S LOG
by Dougie Brimson, 4 stars
A very funny book by an English author I discovered while on holiday in the UK. Best described as a male version of Bridget Jones Diary, it captures exactly the same kind of humour and mood as its predecessor but this time it's from the 'other' perspective. Some of the observational humour about the female species is simply superb.
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