*****

mdb123@earthlink.net
You're Late Again, Lord!: The Impatient Woman's Guide To God's Timing by Karon Phillips Goodman. 4 1/2 stars.
When life seems to be progressing in suspended animation like a trapeze artist letting go of one bar before the other reaches him to grab, it's not unusual for a person to question the reason for God's delay.

In this book, the author offers wisdom and insight borne from her own life-long struggle with accepting God's timing, especially when it seems that a delay is all wrong. Goodman points to the necessity to abandon passive, patient waiting during such times. Instead, she encourages the reader to get involved in purposeful waiting by finding the work that God has for the person to do while he or she is in God's waiting room.

That purposeful action may involve work to help others, but it always involves work within one's self. In the waiting room, God brings the growth and skills that will be necessary in the next phase of one's life.

Rather than bringing a person discouragement, times of waiting lived purposefully will increase one's strength, faith, and hope so that the person will be able to "mount up with wings of eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

The author includes "While You Wait" questions at the end of each chapter that are appropriate for personal reflection, journaling or discussion. With that tool included, this book has the capacity to transform times of waiting for God into opportunities for a closer relationship with God and greater self-knowledge into God's will for one's life.

*****

JAnmnRO@cs.com
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. 5 stars.

*****

Bjglu@aol.com
The Bridge by Doug Marlette. 5 stars.
Sometimes you just get lucky and find several terrific books in a row. The Bridge is a novel based on a true story of a 1934 mill workers strike in the south. It's full of real and fully-formed characters and so well-written. I RARELY give 5 stars, so this book is a marvel to me. Rich with detail, it's a novel centering on family dynamics.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars.
The Secret Life of Bees is told in the voice of a young white girl who runs away from a terrible home-life with her family's black housekeeper -- takes place in the 60's, again in the south. They find a shelter with three black sisters and form a sort of family together. Beautifully written with characters you come to truly care about. Do not miss it.

*****

Bibliobabe2@aol.com
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman. 3 1/2 stars.
Ex Libris is a collection of short essays on the reading life. I found it to be quite enjoyable, though I was occasionally bogged down by Fadiman's erudite vocabulary.

How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen. 4+ stars.

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. 5+ stars.

*****

jhbandcats@attbi.com
Bloodland: A Family Story of Oil, Greed and Murder on the Osage Reservation by Dennis McAuliffe Jr. 4 stars
Washington Post reporter Dennis McAuliffe Jr. researches his ancestry to find out the real story of his grandmother's mysterious death at the age of 21, only to discover that she, like dozens of other rich Osage Indians in the 1920s, was killed for her money. Halfway through the book, it appears that while McAuliffe first suspected his grandmother's white husband, his research has since led him to think her killing was orchestrated by her white stepfather. McAuliffe's anger detracts from the horrific story he tells - of course he's angry, but I think his point would be better achieved with more subtlety.

*****

hammerr@carnegielibrary.org
Turning Hour by Shelley Fraser Mickle.
It was highlighted on Amazon's site recently. It is written in two voices alternating in each chapter from a mother and daughter's point of view regarding the daughter's attempted suicide.

Despite the subject matter there was humor in the book. The characters were realistic. I plan on recommending it to mature young adults.

*****

Luvs2read328@aol.com
Shadow Woman by Thomas Perry. 3 stars.
Our book group is reading this for our April meeting. This book started out with a bang, slowed down a little, then picked back up about mid-way through. We are reading, Driving Mr. Albert next and can't wait to start that one!

*****

DThomson@ric.edu
Hollowpoint by Rob Reuland. 5 stars.
This well-crafted novel tells the story of assistant district attorney Andrew Giobberti whose life has unraveled due to a senseless tragedy. Upon his return to work he is handed a murder case which is temptingly open-and-shut, but as the facts unfold he is drawn in by the details and becomes obsessed with seeking the answers to a senseless death. The deeper he digs to find the truth, the greater his own guilt becomes. Reuland draws the threads of this story together in a way that will keep the reader turning the story over in his mind long after the book is finished. An excellent first novel.

*****

polarbear90@attbi.com
John Adams by David McCullough. 5 stars.
I'm about 200 pages into the book and really enjoying it. I'm gaining an appreciation of the vision and courage of the founding fathers.

*****

AuntGigiR@aol.com
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher.
Rosamunde Pilcher wrote one of my favorite books, The Shell Seekers. Both are good relaxing enjoyable reads. Highly recommend.

*****

KatIZ@aol.com
Up Country by Nelson DeMille.
I can't put it down. I've fallen in love with Viet Nam through his words. He has such a marvelous descriptive writing style that stimulates all your senses. You feel, think, see, and at times, almost smell, the same things the main character is experiencing or reliving. DeMille has captured the emotions of both the Viet and American veterans and given me insight into a war and a country that was very foreign to me. It is a fast moving, educational, fun, and suspenseful read. I definitely recommend this book.

*****

AUGER77777@aol.com
The General's Daughter by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
As with Plum Island, The Lion's Game, and Up Country, this is a must-read book for DeMille fans. Army CID investigator Paul Brenner is trying to find the reason that a beautiful, intelligent, Recruiting Service poster-girl officer and the daughter of a three-star general would wind up nude, strangled, and possibly raped on an Army base that her father commands, while she is supposedly on duty.

For anyone who has served in the military, this is a case that calls for walking on eggshells, given the attention the case attracts, the rank of her father, and the very sensitive clues Brenner and his partner discover. I can't begin to guess what the ending will reveal, which is fine, since I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone. Brenner, like John Corey in Plum Island and The Lion's Game, is at his witty and sarcastic best. I can't wait to see the movie...but not until I finish the book!

*****

Jakapn@aol.com
The Children's War by J.N. Stroyar.
An epic historical fiction (over 1100 pages) detailing the lives of those who have "survived" the Nazi victory in Europe.

Detailed and chilling, this book again brings home the themes of racial prejudice and national ambition. I think it is a must read.

*****

WeisLor@bvu.edu
Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy. 5 stars.
Wonderful book, just as good as the rest of her books. I recommend them all.

The Summons by John Grisham. 2 stars.
Hated it. Don't waste your time with that one. Not nearly as good as most of his books are.

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. 4+ stars.
Just started this one, but it is really good so far.

*****

DOWELLIA@aol.com
Savanna Blues by Mary Kay Andrews. 4 stars.
I loved this book. I am not an antique lover but this book makes we want to start being a picker. I just wish that the ending would have been a little better. I want to visit Savanna after reading this book. Definitely a fun read!

*****

OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Sacred Sins by Nora Roberts. 4 stars.
I have never read Nora Roberts, and a friend gave me this book to read. Once I started, it rolled along smoothly, and I never wanted to quit reading! The two main characters, Ben and Tess, play police officer and psychiatrist , after a killer named THE PRIEST. The interaction between these two along with the murders, make many interesting sparks for the reader. I will defiantly read more of Nora.

*****

Sandn2shoes@aol.com
The Zygote Chronicles by Suzanne Finnamore. 3 stars.
This book is the "Bridget Jones diary" of a pregnant woman. Parts are cute and humorous.

The Good Harbor by Anita Diamant. 4 stars.
Contemporary setting of female friendships. The female bonding is only similarity to Diamant's other novel "Red Tent."

The Association by Bentley Little. 5 stars.
This is to gated communities what "Stepford Wives" was to women. Horror, thriller, suspense....sometimes to the point of being funny.

Synchronicity, Signs and Symbols by Patricia Rose Upszak. 3 stars.
Co-incidence? Why things happen...."energy follows thought." (non-fiction)

*****

Birdland48@aol.com
The Summons by John Grisham.
Very good and of course, a quick read. I almost figured it out. It's a good old-fashioned who dunnit and gives one another view of wealth.

Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand.
Excellent. I've learned so much about racing and I want to go to the Kentucky Derby now! Also, after hearing about what jockeys go through, I really feel like a wimp! This is a very entertaining, readable book for anyone.

*****

Kufungee@aol.com
One Door Away From Heaven by Dean Koontz.
The author has written a lot of truly strange and many times violent and frightening novels. This one, however, is quite something. While it interesting and typically strange, there is humor involved! Humor is the one thing never expected in one of Mr. Koontz's novels. I'm very close to the end of the book and can see where it's going. I would definitely say that I enjoyed this book but it wasn't one of his best.

*****

AndreaCarter3270@aol.com
Up Country by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
Just thought I'd toss in a HUGE recommendation for Nelson DeMille's new novel, Up Country. It's much more than the traditional DeMille thriller; it's a trip back in time for those of us who struggled through the conflicts of the Nam era, and it's an up-close-and-personal history of the war that gives us a different perspective than earlier Nam novels. I'd read DeMille before, but reading Up Country reminded me of how much I enjoyed his wit and imagination.

Word of Honor by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.

The Lion's Game by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
Very eerie given the events of September 11.

I highly recommend all three of these long novels to anyone who enjoys well-executed and suspenseful thrillers.

*****

Kec200@aol.com
The Theory of Relativity by Jacquelyn Mitchard. 4 stars.
Enjoyed this much more than her first, Deep End of the Ocean. This was about a young couple who were killed in a boat accident leaving a small child behind. The couple lived with the wife's parents at the time of death and it was assumed the grandparents or brother would adopt the baby. The husband's family didn't agree and wound up going to court for a 2nd cousin to adopt the baby. The brother's status is stronger until it's brought up that he and his sister were both adopted and aren't blood relatives. It's very interesting, the characters, the family dynamics included extended family, and the legal issues.

*****

ALILabRat@aol.com
Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg.
As a 45 year old woman I can easily relate to the characters need to explore the aspects of life she feels she has missed out on. This should be a very quick read but I find myself caught in the story and spend more time daydreaming about how my own adventure would be.
****

*****

willmar71@yahoo.com
Power Tools for Women: Plugging into the Essential Skills for Work and Life by Joni Daniels. 5 stars.
(Random House/Three Rivers Press). The author uses the toolbox as a metaphor for how to achieve personal empowerment.

For example, think of Safety Goggles to help create a clear vision of success; think of an Electrical Sensor when you know you should follow your intuition; think of a Power Saw to cut away the relationships that hold you back; and think of Duct Tape as what will help you hold things together until you come up with a Plan B.

The author writes with humor and wisdom giving examples of how other women have struggled with using their power in their personal and professional lives. I could really relate to their stories - at times I felt like Joni Daniels was writing about me!

*****

BettyB6768@aol.com
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. 5 stars. I have finally gotten around to reading this long novel and it is worth it. The trials and tribulations of this missionary family during their stay in the Congo in the 60s and also, importantly, what happens to each of the 4 daughters afterward is worth every minute. Told from the point of view of MOST of the major characters we get a rounded view of the turmoil Africa went through from a white family's eye.

*****

BikeButler@aol.com
Pursuit by Thomas Perry. 4 stars.
In my opinion, all of his books are the same in two ways: 1-They're all page-turners! 2-All of his new ones are anticipated with relish.

*****

RGNNNR@aol.com
The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie. 4 stars.
I'm not a huge fan of westerns, although I've read a few that I like, especially John Carlos Blake. However, I thought I'd give this one a try since its a classic. Its much, much more than a western. The main characters are mountain men with intellect. The book is moving and thought provoking, although at times rather raw and gritty.

*****

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. 5 stars.
This book is incredibly detailed and was clearly very well researched. While technically a fictional account, the practices and customs described are very real.

Good Bones and Simple Murders by Margaret Atwood. 5 stars
The stories are all very short, but wonderful little nuggets. I've always found that my favorite Atwood works are shorter ones because she can pack so much punch into very little prose.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
This book is technically classified as a young adult novel, but I enjoyed it in that it made me think of my younger self.

*****

Padredon@aol.com
20 Things I want My Kids to Know , Passing on Life's Greatest Lessons by Hal Urban. 4 stars.
Simple but not simplistic, Urban, Ph.D. in Education and Psychology, distills the wisdom of centuries and presents them clearly, well illustrated and peppered with cryptic quotations. At age 73 I am still learning, and sharing this book with my granddaughter, 19.

The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey. 4 stars.
Having been introduced to Abbey through his Desert Solitaire, I have begun this "anti-development", save the earth novel. environmental activism thriller. Funny. Outrageous. Keep Webster handy as Abbey's vocabulary is extensive.

*****

juliecbarnard@yahoo.com
Sophie's World: A Novel about the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder. 4 stars.
It lives up to the hype on the cover - a suspense story AND a good, understandable history of philosophy. Quite a feat!

The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett. 5 stars.
Her first book and quite clearly one of her best.

*****

GERRIELADY1@aol.com
Indigo Slam by Robert Crais. 5 stars.
It is a very pleasant read.

*****

Caseym58@aol.com
Dead Reckoning by Robert Furlani. 5 stars.
I came across the book on a internet discussion group and decided to take a chance even thought I had never heard of the author. The book really had me from the first to the last page. It was a great read, I had to pry it from my wife in order to finish it. The book has quite an edge to it so if you like hard-biting good guy vs. bad guy book story you'll LOVE this book!

I'm working on Dreamcatcher by King but haven't finished it yet.

*****

KLeonowicz@aol.com
The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw. 5 stars.
Insightful look at the WWII generation. Some individuals were celebrities, but most were just mainstream Americans, from cities, farms, reservations; various backgrounds; women and men. Exceptional presentation. Plain and to the point. Can be picked up and read in its entirety or portions at a time.

Pretend You Don't See Her by Mary Higgins Clark. 4 stars.
One that I missed. She's almost always a good read. Keeps you turning those pages.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. 3 1/2 stars.
A Reread. Nostalgia. On to The Fellowship... and the Two Towers.

*****

Avery85282@aol.com
Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. 3 stars.
I have just finished this book because I am a good Arizonan (it is our community read). I enjoyed it a great deal more the first time I read it. Reading it more critically--and after Poisonwood and Appalachian Summer--I found it disjointed, with too many unnecessary elements.

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. 4 stars.
An absolutely delightful book, this was much more carefully crafted than Animal Dreams, and the characters better realized. Ms. Kingsolver improved enormously.

Gardens in the Dunes by Leslie Marmon Silko. 4 stars.
If you are interested in everything but a driving plot, this is the book. There is information about a thousand things, particularly plants and gardens. It is like a leisurely stroll through inimitable scenery, with several intrusting people.

*****

WRKGRK@aol.com
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson.
I am a fan of his detective novels. Quite a diversion from his usual fare. It will be a quick read even though it is supposed to be a real tearjerker. Hoping to recommend it to my book group as a future discussion.

Mortal Sins by Penn Williamson. 4 stars.
It is about several murders in 1927 in New Orleans. An interesting whodunit. Since I live in the New Orleans area it is interesting to read about the city.

*****

Pennwolf@aol.com
Burn Factor by Kyle Mills. 4 stars.

A Darkness More Than Night by Michael Connelly.
Suspense and good plots that kept me interested through the whole book!

Everythings Eventual by Stephen King. 4 stars.
It is a good read also! The Ebook Riding the Bullet has been put into this mix! I had a hard time sitting at the computer to read a book! I like to curl up in bed to read! =)

*****

Yodasmommy@aol.com
Every Breath You Take by Ann Rule. 5 stars.
This is a true story of murder, obsession, and revenge and it is very well written and I hate to put it down.

*****

frenchfry11@earthlink.net
Phantoms by Dean Koontz 4. stars.
Scary! Halfway through, and Phantoms has me on the edge of my seat. More wonderfully colorful characters for Koontz to kill off!

1st To Die by James Patterson. 3 stars.
Just finished, great book, but was over too quickly! A little predictable but the characters make up for it. I love where he's going with the ladies though and am waiting patiently for 2nd Chance.

*****

SalbyC@aol.com
The Snapper by Roddy Doyle. 3 stars.
He has the setting and dialect just perfect!

*****

Grammachris@aol.com
A Painted House by John Grisham.
I'm really enjoying it and I'm half way through. Very easy and interesting read.

*****

mdb123@earthlink.net
Online Markets for Writers: How to Make Money by Selling Your Writing on the Internet by Anthony Tedesco and Paul Tedesco. 5 stars.
For those who are professional writers or interested in joining the ranks of the freelancers, the Tedesco's book gives comprehensive information on 200 paying online markets and points out much useful information about online writing in general.

*****

Bossu49@aol.com
Dark Hollow by John Connolly. 5 stars.
Great detective story

Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas by James Patterson. 4 stars.

*****

BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy. 5 stars.
Another great read by this author. I hated to see it end!

*****

Lunar77777@aol.com
Roses are Red by James Patterson. 4 stars.
So far it is great, I read a lot of his. The last two books I read were Tami Hoag, Night Sins and then the sequel, Guilty As Sin. They were great.

*****

rfittje06@aol.com
Chosen Prey by John Sandford. 4 stars.

*****

falbo@villa.edu
Martyrs' Crossing by Amy Wilentz. 4 stars.
This novel about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict offers a dual perspective of the struggling participants.

*****

brady538_91208@yahoo.com
Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. 5 stars.
This book is about a World War II mission where a large number of prisoners were saved from the Japanese prison camp by a covert action. I read many true stories of WW II and this is one of the best!! You will get throat lumps at the end of the book.

*****

Britadon@aol.com
Reason for Hope by Jane Goodall. 3 stars.
Autobiographical and philosophical. Gave me a real insight into her work. This could be an excellent gift book.

Princess by Jean Sasson. 5 stars.
This book left an indelible imprint on me and serious concern for the women of Saudi Arabia. Did you know that the births and deaths of women are not even recorded in Saudi Arabia? They are worthless. I was so appalled that I have been moved to pray for these women and I have never been so moved before.

Princess Sultana's Daughters by Jean Sasson. 4 stars.
Maybe the impact was a little less because I was prepared. But, I will be starting the third book Princess Sultana's Circle this weekend.

The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman. 4 stars.
Not for everyone as it is what I would call a dark novel but certainly gives one an insight into some medicine and social practices in Victorian England. The research behind this book must have been incredible.

Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews. 4 stars.
A good mystery with fun Southern characters!

*****

KChrist650@aol.com
Swimming Toward The Ocean by Carole L. Glickfeld. 5 stars.
It's a brilliant novel, poignant and funny, about a Russian immigrant woman as told by her daughter. It starts in Brooklyn in the 1950's, and perfectly captures this family and their relationships, ultimately spanning 40 years. The mother, Chenia, is both Old World (speaking Yiddish and afraid of the Evil Eye) as well as amazingly modern and strong. The story is wonderfully written, lyrical, captivating, and a page-turner. As Chenia struggles with love and family, heartbreak and divorce, a truly endearing portrait of a complex woman emerges as well a strong mother-daughter story. The book just came out in paperback from Vintage/Anchor.

*****

NEPR@aol.com
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. 4 stars.
This was a one-sitting book for me. I can just imagine how much fun Grisham had writing it. It will make a really funny movie--Chevy Chase style.

Twanged by Carol Higgins Clark.
Carol is not in the same league with her mother. The characters are pretty bland. The bad guys are not really believable, and some of the worst ones get off scot free while the pathetic one goes to jail.

The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor.
I just re-read some of the stories. If you are looking for light reading, don't go here. But, O'Connor has amazing insight into the human psyche. She understood "shame and guilt" before that label became the buzz word in therapy.

*****

LUCKEEJ@aol.com
A Moment in Time by Judith Gould. 4 1/2 stars.
It was in hardback last year.

*****

DILUDE@aol.com
A Small Death in Lisbon by Robert Wilson. 4 1/2 stars.
Robert Wilson is a British expatriate who lives and writes in Portugal. He knows his territory and he quite obviously did a tremendous amount of research in the writing of his novel. The reader is treated to a broad expanse of information about Portugal, its people, culture and geography which left me longing to visit and tour the country. He also recounts some little known historical aspects of World War II which I found delightfully interesting. Wilson wrote two stories that take place over a half century apart and brings them both together in a most plausible conclusion. He won the Gold Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel but his book is much more than a thriller of the murder mystery genre. Wilson's writing style brings to mind both the works of Graham Greene and John le Carrč, and I mean this in the most complimentary of terms. 'A Small Death in Portugal' left me both highly entertained and greatly edified. I strongly recommend.

*****

Stebie2003@aol.com
Dreamcatcher by Stephen King. 5 stars.
One of his best thrillers. The story begins with 5 boys who have been childhood friends since high school. The plot starts off a little slow and methodical but then picks up when four of the boys, now men in their thirties, rendezvous at a hunting lodge up in Bangor Maine one cold winter day. While hunting, they stumble upon two people who were abducted by aliens. From there the story builds to the climactic battle between human life and a possible alien take-over. I don't intend to reveal the conclusion because it will spoil the ending for those who have not yet read the book.

If you are a an avid Stephen King fan, science fiction lover or just like to read suspenseful, macabre genre, this is the book for you.

*****

Starrwy@aol.com
The Last Time They Met by Anita Shreve
This is definitely a chick book...very well written and could hardly put down. The last part of the book will knock you out of your socks. So read soon, and enjoy!!!!

*****

Shell725@aol.com
The Millionaires by Brad Meltzer. 5 stars.
One of the best books I've read in a long time. Meltzer definitely knows how to keep a reader turning the pages. Can't wait for his next release.

*****

mnboylan@hotmail.com
Heaven and Earth by Nora Roberts. 5 stars.
It's the sequel to the first book in the Three Sisters Island Trilogy and both have been great. Can't wait for the 3rd installment due out next month.

The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney. 5 stars.
A great read with wonderful character.

*****

Rocker098@aol.com
On the Hills of God by Ibrahim Fawal. 5 stars.
This is my absolute favorite book. It is written beautifully with a magnificent story and interesting characters. If you are wondering what the whole deal is with the war between Israel and Palestine, this is a chance to hear the Palestinian side through the eyes of a teenage Christian Palestinian boy living in Palestine in around 1948. This book offers the opportunity to hear the Palestinian side and to relate to their suffering. Even though it is adult fiction, it is historically accurate. A must-read for anyone!

River God by Wilbur A. Smith. 5 stars.
I love reading this book. There is an in-depth plot and intriguing characters. It's set in Ancient Egypt and unlike most books about Egypt it's not about British or American explorers or archaeologists traveling to Egypt to find some lost treasure. While these can be interesting, instead of being told through the eyes of an outsider, the story is narrated by an Ancient Egyptian slave showing you how people lived. It is told so elegantly that you feel as if you are a part of the story and in Ancient Egypt yourself.

*****

Cbullyrc@aol.com
Lake News by Barbara Delinsky. 4 stars.
I'm about 3/4 through it.

*****

GandmaRI@aol.com
John Adams by David McCullough. 4 stars.
This is the book I'm reading this week and will probably extend over into next week. It's factual, well written and quite readable.

*****

Rapchready@aol.com
Black House by Stephen King and Peter Straub.
I have just started it and so far it is very good. I enjoy reading all of Stephen Kings books and I enjoy reading Patricia Cornwell and many more but I think these two are my favorites.

*****

Omiabucket@aol.com
Echoes by Maeve Binchy. 5 stars.
I have yet to read a Maeve Binchy book that has not made me cry at one point or another. The way she describes the characters and the events in their lives make them seem more than real. I have never before in my life cheated and skipped ahead to the end of a book, but she mentions something on the first page of Echoes that I HAD to get the final story on. Ii made it through 3/4 of the book and I couldn't keep myself from looking at just the last paragraph. This is a very intense book and kept me up till hours of the night because I could not bear to put it down.

*****

Glitterfairy0001@aol.com
Cinnamon by V. C. Andrews. 5 stars.
My recommended reading is one in a series out by V.C. Andrews. Her new series Shooting Stars is an amazing series. My vote for the top book is the first in the series Cinnamon. If you like V.C. Andrews then these books are worth they money spent.

*****

carlylombardo@aol.com
The Corrections. 4 stars.
It took me a while to get into it but once in I couldn't put it down. It is one of those books you look back at once, your down and realize something different about it each time.

A Widow for One Year by Jon Irving. 3 stars.
I'm about 200 pages in and so far it has moved fast and I'm interested in finding out more about the characters.

*****

Booksagain@aol.com
The Pearl by John Steinbeck. 5 stars.
Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck. 5 stars.

*****

Sulebol@aol.com
Beachcombing for a Shipwrecked God by Joe Coomer. 5 stars.
Stumbled upon this book quite by accident and am so glad I did. It's an intimate portrait of three women who live on a boat in NH but surprisingly was written by a man. It's the kind of book where you are reading at breakneck speed in order to find out what happens next, but on the other hand are reluctant to have such an amazing reading experience end. Would make a wonderful choice for any book club.

*****

Heavychef2@aol.com
Dematerializing: Taming the Power of Possessions by Jane Hammerslough. 5 stars.
A thorough look at modern materialism and its effects on our lives and relationships. Very interesting subject and although I haven't finished it.

*****

MysteryNut19@aol.com
Never Change by Elizabeth Berg. 5 stars.
This is the best book I've read in quite a while! Story of a non-attractive nurse who has always avoided relationships in her life due to her looks. The most popular and handsome boy from her long-ago high school days becomes her patient when he comes home to die from inoperable brain cancer. His last days are spent teaching her not only about love, but most importantly about herself and the real way others view her.

Every character in this book is wonderfully done. I found the home health patients especially fascinating from the drug dealing older man with a bullet wound to the rich elderly lady who outlived her family and friends and is bored out of her mind. This book is funny, poignant and honest.

*****

Cipsi2@aol.com
Private Demons - The Life of Shirley Jackson by Judy Oppenheimer. 3 stars.
Having stumbled quite unexpectedly upon The Lottery, Shirley Jackson's stunning short story that shocked the world back when it was published in 1948, I decided I'd better found out a little more about this person who could even conceive of such a story as this. The book by Oppenheimer isn't the best written book I've ever read, but it sure is interesting!

*****

whpeters@citlink.net
The Summons by John Grisham. 5 stars.
Easy reading, good plot.

Fall on Your Knees by Anne MacDonald. 5 stars.
Twists and turns.

Shipping News by Annie Proulx. 5 stars.
Great evocative mood-setting.

*****

toythomas@attbi.com
Thursdays at Eight by Debbie Macomber. 4 stars.
Four women meet at a journal writing class and become friends. They decide to continue meeting even after the class is over. The books follows their lives through an entire year and is partly written as journal entries by them.

*****

W.V.Mama1@aol.com
No Place Like Home by Barbara Samuel. 5 stars.
Excellent! It even made me cry. Good characterization as well as good plot device. Timely topic of helping an AIDS patient who is dying. I am out looking for her other works.

*****

webgirl227@hotmail.com
Final Target by Iris Johansen. 1/4 star.
President's young daughter is victim of a failed kidnapping and witness to a murder. Since the kidnappers escaped, the threat remains. She is in the home of a female psychiatrist in Virginia, who is treating the young, catatonic victim. After 62 pages I too started to become catatonic also. I just did not care for this book, nor the writer.

Skin Tight by Carl Hiaasen. 5 stars
Hilarious, murder mystery including great characters like a retired Florida state attorney investigator, a successful plastic surgeon and his tree-trimming brother, topped off with a 7 foot, skinny hit man who is not very successful in his occupation. I found my "new" favorite author and can't wait to read his new one, Basket Case.

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. 5+ stars.
I really love how Tolkien can make you feel apart of a scene. I loved this trilogy and when I finished the Return of the King left me wanting more. Middle-earth is a realm of fantasy mixed with Medieval flavoring. The Hobbits, Frodo Baggins and his loyal companion, Samwise Gangee have to destroy the Ring, or the dark evil of Mordor will destroy them and all that makes Middle-earth beautiful. Mordor's wastelands and creatures await their arrival, and the trek to the Mountain of Doom is filled with tragedy and horrible events. During the Hobbits' journey, the other companions of the Fellowship are busy trying to save themselves and the approaching evil that has comes from the land of Mordor.

*****

paulachambers@webtv.net
Handling Sin by Michael Malone. 5 stars.
I don't know how I let this author slip past me. The characterization is superb -- lotsa' words -- and LOTSA' side-splitting humor!

*****

Iprocs58@aol.com
Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen. 4 stars.
A captivating novel, which once into a few chapters, I was hard pressed to put down. However, due to the subject matter, not what one would term enjoyable.

The Millionaires by Brad Meltzer. 3 1/2 stars
Meltzer impressed me with his depiction of the devious and ingenious minds at work in cyberspace. An interesting, and somewhat humorous novel. Unfortunately, I found the conclusion to be a disappointment.

Up Country by Nelson DeMille. 4 1/2 stars
Though I found this novel to be a bit wordy, I would recommend this book to most DeMille fans. To Vietnam War Veterans, painful memories could stir. For the main character in the book, this was a healing process, though I would not presume it to be for all.

*****

ltb2000@hotmail.com
Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles. 4 stars.
Story of love and survival in midst of Civil War seen through eyes of 18-year-old escapee of Union imprisonment. Reminiscent of Cold Mountain, and highly readable.

Vineyard Shadows by Philip R. Craig. 4 stars.
One of my favorite mystery writers never disappoints. There is always something afoot on Martha's Vineyard for cop turned clamdigger J.W. Jackson and this 12th outing is just as good as all the others.

Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. 4 stars.
For all of us who enjoyed Mitford, Big Stone Gap is another delightful town with its own cast of enjoyable characters.

*****