Sesame705@aol.com
Loves Music, Loves to Dance, Mary Higgins Clark, 5 stars.
A serial killer uses personal ads to find his dance partner-victims. Erin, Darcy's best friend, is his latest choice. Darcy must find a
way to track the killer without herself becoming his next victim. So many suspects, so little time! Although I'm still in the middle
of this thriller, I can tell you that it is full of possibilities in a tapestry of descriptive and intriguing characters.

*****

NEPR@aol.com
Daddy's Little Girl by Mary Higgins Clark. 5 stars if you like Clark.
I won it in the weekly drawing. The plot revolves around the murder of a young woman and the sister who grew up feeling guilty about the murder. (I couldn't help thinking of the recent real-life case where two sisters were sleeping in the same room, and one was taken away by an intruder.) The suspense and the insight into the twisted mind of a killer are all up to par.

A Thirst For Rain by Roslyn Carrington. 4 stars.
This is a first novel by a native of Trinidad. The characters are four "families" of wounded people struggling with the heat and drought as well as financial stress. As their lives become intertwined, they experience pain and tragedy, but eventually hope. It is well written, and the characters become real people.

The Seville Communion by Arturo Perez-Reverte. 4 stars.
Very well written, but the plot sometimes drags. Lots of insight into the politics of the Church as well as the variety of ways faith expresses itself. Someone hacks into the Pope's personal computer with a plea to save an old church in Seville slated for demolition. It's defenders are small in number, and two of them have been murdered. The priest who is sent to investigate intends to stay objective, but even he is surprised by the love, faith, and greed that he encounters. Lots of suspense and a trio of would-be killers-for-hire who provide comic relief.

In This Mountain by Jan Karon. 5 stars.
More of Karon's Mitford. Realistic picture of aging as Father Tim and his friends deal with their illnesses and limitations. But it is also inspirational and fun.

*****

mnboylan@yahoo.com
I'm reading Divine Secret's of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood for about the fourth or fifth time since it was first published and am loving it just as much as the first time I read. I wanted to read it once more before seeing the movie.

*****

TLWood61@aol.com
Between Friends by Debbie Macomber.
Excellent read. You will laugh, cry and not want it to end. This is truly one of the best books I've read in a long, long time. I just hope there is a sequel in the works!

*****

caliauds66@aol.com
The Second Deadly Sin by Sanders. 3 stars.
A great thriller about a murder in New York City. Great story with many suspects, enjoyed it very much.

*****

Ery222@aol.com
Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James. 4 stars.
A tried and true Adam Dalgliesh mystery.

*****

evetoch@netvision.net.il
Take Him A Nation: A Novel Independent of Scotland by Robert Morris. 5 stars.
This morning at 4 a.m. I finished reading Take Him a Nation. I couldn't put it down. The book is fascinating! I could not stop reading it, there is a message of hope. A truly wonderful masterpiece!! I hope that the dreamer of a rabbi found himself also!

*****

Ccfw1503@aol.com
Envy by Sandra Brown. I rate it a 4.
It's a great "can't put down" summer read.

*****

SunnyeT@aol.com
CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER by Gregory Maguire. 5 stars
Imaginative concept, whirlwind of a story, enchantingly told.

GUNS, GERMS AND STEEL by Jared Diamond. 5 stars
Passionate tour de force of 13,000 years of physical, sociological and environmental history.

THE LADIES OF COVINGTON SEND THEIR LOVE by Joan Medlicott. 5 stars
Warm and fuzzy mind candy about three elderly women's friendship as they face challenges of aging.

WEST POINT: Character, Leadership, Education Developed from the writings of Thomas Jefferson by Norman Thomas Remick
2 stars.
Great material sadly in need of editing. Too bad a writer with the skills of a David McCullough didn't take this one on.

WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR by Doris Kearns Goodwin. 5 stars.
A skillfully written memoir based on her love for baseball and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Although I'm a Yankee fan, she almost had me rooting for her team.

AMERICANS' FAVORITE POEMS edited by Robert Pinsky and Maggie Dietz. 4 stars.
Needs more Countee Cullen and William Stafford. Maya Angelou isn't even mentioned.

RESORT TO MURDER by Carolyn Hart. 5 stars.
Hart's 21st C. answer to Miss Marple, Henry O, tracks down a killer at a wedding. Intriguing story, delightful characters.

*****

brady538_91208@yahoo.com
ALICIA: MY STORY by Alicia Appleman-Jurman. 5 stars.
I have read many books re the WWII holocaust and they are all good reading of harrowing experiences and how the survivors stayed alive. This is an excellent introduction to the subject and an autobiography of a 12 to 16 yr. old Jewess who stayed alive and escaped from the times she was captured and put into "prison." A page turner for sure and a rich reading experience. She now lives in Southern California.

*****

kmell33@hotmail.com
Empire Falls by Richard Russo. 4 stars.
Empire Falls has seen better days and so have some of its citizens. This story revolves around Miles Roby, his family and his friends. The author does a masterful job of bringing all the characters to life and making them believable. I would definately recommend this book if you haven't read it already.

*****

Suyme1@aol.com
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
The best mystery series for laughs and funny characters

The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman. 5 stars.

*****

Gemtaur66@aol.com
How to Be Good by Nick Hornby. 3 ½ stars.
Humorous, quirky novel, been on the NY Times bestseller list. If you can get past the first few chapters and hang on to see if this couple is going to remain trapped in this same argument for life, you may just find this book funny! Hornby does a great job of writing from the female perspective.

*****

DIANWILLY@aol.com
Last Man Standing by David Baldacci. 4 stars.
Suspence all the way. Easy to read. I like the rather clean approach. Get tired of sex and rough language. Good "cop" story.

*****

Lgluhani@aol.com
Waiting by Debra Ginsberg. 3 stars.
A great match-up to read alongside Nickeled and Dimed in America. Ginsberg writes about her life as a waitress.

*****

Mystrytx@aol.com
The Mummy Congress by Haether Pringle. 4 stars.
Nonfiction, very readable study of mummies from around the world (South and Central America, China, Netherlands, North America, of course, Egypt, and even the Arctic!) and those who study them (biologists, botanists, anthropologists, archaeologists, bug folks and parasite folks). Some very technical language but in all reads almost as a novel. Very interesting.

*****

Bjglu@aol.com
A Painted House by John Grisham. 4 stars.
I didn't think I'd enjoy this novel as much as I did. But the characters are true and stay with you long after the book is finished and the story envelops you.

*****

Buterfl2@optonline.net
Beach House by James Patterson. 1 ½ stars.
The book started out interesting and an enjoyable read ( especially for me as I am a native Long Islander and especially enjoyed his commentary on Long Island places) - but as the book progressed I was disappointed in him as a writer - the incidents became less and less believable and the book began to bore me - did finish it - but definitely would not recommend.

If Looks Could Kill by Kate White. 3 stars.
A non stop reader - you will not want to put the book down to find out "who" & "what" - great for the beach, pool and backyard.

*****

FRoybiskie@aol.com
Rouge Warrior: Detachment Bravo by Richard Marcinko and John Weisman.
Captivating, edging fiction by real-life U.S. Navy SEAL, Richard Marcinko. Marcinko and his SEALs foil a hostage takeover at a London school and soon find out that the incident is only a cover for an elaborate scheme driven by two young billionaire brothers bent on crippling both the U.S. and Britain. The SEALs track the killers from London to Buenos Aires, culminating in an above water showdown and under water explosion that excites and satisfies. Detachment Bravo is an excellent addition to the best-selling Rouge Warrior series. I highly recommend adding Rouge Warrior to your summer reading. You'll be happy you went along for the ride.

*****

welshdragon@rushmore.com
The Dragon Queen by Alice Borchardt. 3 ½ stars.
Another female-centered reworking of the Arthurian legend, but it does have some unique twists. Guinevere is much more powerful than she is usually depicted, and the villains are not the usual ones. A little slow to get into, but moves well once it starts rolling.

The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin. 3 ½ stars.
One of those books that crosses age boundaries--a good book for reading aloud to the whole family. A good story with a lesson or two thrown in for good measure.

*****

Beezer1873@aol.com
Trouble with Catherine by Andes Hruby. 5 stars.
A great story about a tough chick (although not as tough as she thinks) who runs her fathers fish distributor company. It's about discovering who you are and not conforming to what others feel you should be doing by a certain age. She is engaged to a man she doesn't really love, but feels she must follow the rules of society and marry b/c she is getting older (all of 30!). You follow her through her self discovery period that she really has to just live for herself and learn to be happy with who she is. I thought this was a great book. Very well written. Great for the beach or a day at the pool.

Watermelon by Marian Keyes. 5 stars.
I'm cheating because I just began reading this. But so far it's great. It's about a woman who's husband leaves her right after she gives birth to her daughter. I am quite confident I will love it as I love all of Marian Keyes books (Rachel's Holiday is a really great one).

Dog Handling by Clare Naylor. 5 stars.
I love Naylor's writing style. Her characters are always fun, adventurous, slightly self loathing Brits. Great Chick Lit. Liv, the main character has doubts about marrying her fiance, but then he shocks her by calling off the nuptials. She sinks into the depths of despair (even though it was what she thought she wanted). So she spirits off to Australia to live with her best girlfriend who only dates rich men (to help keep her brothers in great school after her parents pass). You live through liv and all her adventures, sort of wishing you were her. Just a fun book. Great summer reading.

Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty. 5 stars.
This book is amazing. Great for the teenage set, but still something adults can relate to if they think back to when they were a teenager. You struggle with Elizabeth, through first love, understanding friendship, attempted suicide and trusting others and finding true love. Such a great read!

*****

susanrjensen@yahoo.com
Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio. 3 stars.
The story of a young girl living with Tourette's Syndrome. Interesting book, but pretty depressing. The plotting is loose with an unfulfilling ending.

*****

Buttercupmlm@aol.com
Last Precinct by Patricia Cornwell.
Not as great as some of her others, but still a good Cornwell!

*****

songoden@earthlink.net
Fermat's Enigma by Simon Singh.
Three months ago I was reading Uncle Petros & Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos K. Doxiadis. The two books, the former non-fiction and the latter fiction, complement each other well as tales of mathematical mysteries. There is also another wonderful book on mathematics (not easy for this reader to say) which I read almost four years back entitled The Universe and the Teacup: The Mathematics of Truth and Beauty by K.C. Cole. After Singh, I needed a break and have taken up Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident.

*****

beparoo@prodigy.net
Crazy As Chocolate by Elisabeth Hyde. 4 ½ stars.
It is story of a woman/wife/mother of 2 daughters, who took her own life at the age of 41. The book explores the impact that act had on the rest of the family. It is fiction and it is powerful. It made me laugh out loud and weep.

*****

mjprodstracy@hotmail.com
Madam, The Grass is High by Dennis H. Christen. 5 stars.
I loved how this author wove the love story around older people while still dealing with younger people and their hang-ups. I found I truly related with each and every characters. I cared about them and each one of them got to have a part in the ending. It didn't leave me hanging about any of the characters. Besides being a teary, feel good ending, it made me sorry the story was finished. I mean, it's like I wish I knew where they lived so I could go over and visit for awhile.

Sirene's Song by Hallie Bingham. 4 ½ stars.
Another first-timer as far a novels go. I really found this story to be unpredictable and yet, predictable at the same time. That is, the characters were so well developed that I knew them enough to predict how they'd act to some of the problems. The unpredictable part was the way the story presented the conflicts for the characters. It kept me turning the pages and like the other story I listed, I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want it to end.

*****

stebie2003@aol.com
The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks. 4 stars.
Very moving, a great understanding of the complexities of human relationships.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. 4 stars.
Very sentimental about young love and a time of innocence

*****

DAVENAYMEG@aol.com
Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg. 5 stars.
A very moving story about a lesbian butch and what her life is like.

*****

Ells50@aol.com
The Dress Lodger by Sherri Holman.
If you like historical fiction, this is for you. Set in 1850's England, the author combines a riveting story of a 15-yr. old prostitute with the actual cholera epidemic of the day. I read this last summer and the story is still with me. I recommend this to all serious readers. Not a beach read.

*****

JRConover1@aol.com
The Skies of Pern by Ann McCaffrey. 4 ½ stars.
Ann McCaffrey continues to delight her readers with further developments in the wonderful and astounding evolution of the new world of Pern and a new generation of humans and their magnificent dragon companions. The book offers romance, adventure and pageantry in a fabulous world that does not have to be seen to be believed!

The Bestseller by Olivia Goldsmith. 5 stars.
Olivia leads us through the world of publishing which is anything but quiet and sedate. Fascinating to readers and authors alike she takes us through the world of authors on the way up and those on the way down, agents, booksellers and publishers. Her characters are rewarded appropriately for their actions be it good or bad and it is a terrific summer read!

Face The Fire by Nora Roberts. 4 ½ stars.
Nora continues to enchant her readers with contemporary characters entwined in Celtic myths and make them completely believable. This book is the last of a trilogy that take place on a charming, quaint and truly believable, mythical island off the New England coast. She weaves a tale of true love and sheer magic! I for one, want to move there!

*****

Tyra302@aol.com
Time Out of Mind by John R. Maxim. 5 stars.

Last Man Standing by David Baldacci. 5 stars.

Crossing Over by John Edward. 5 stars.

The Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel. 5 stars.

Saving Faith by David Baldacci. 5 stars.

*****

Elann121@aol.com
The Summons by John Grisham. 4 stars.

Envy by Sandra Brown. 4 stars.

Last Man Standing by David Baldacci. 4 stars.

Jackdaws by Ken Follett. 4 stars.

Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard. 4 stars.

*****

Carosp@aol.com
Revenge: A Story of Hope by Laura Blumenfeld. 4 stars.
I have a long drive to work every day, so I decided to "read" this book on tape, and it was quite engrossing - I hated to leave the car! Laura Blumenfeld's father was shot on a visit to Israel about 15 years ago, when she was about 18, and she vowed revenge at the time. Years later (13, I think), she went to Israel, intent on writing a book about revenge, but also on meeting the shooter and his family, not as the victim's daughter, but as a reporter. This is a story of revenge, not as an eye for an eye, but as teaching understanding - she and the shooter's family got to know each other, and she and the shooter corresponded (he was in prison). Very interesting and often touching, although the author in no way tries to wring sympathy or sentiment from the reader.

*****

JSkold4728@aol.com
Murder Can Kill Your Social Life by Selma Eichler. 4 stars.
I just found a couple of authors who have been around awhile and are only in paperback. Her character is an older female PI. The first book in the series is "Murder Can Kill Your Social Life." It was a delight. I've started the second book "Murder Can Ruin Your Looks". I haven't read enough to rate it but it's as good at the start as the first one.

Hubbert & Lil: Partners in Crime by Gallagher Gray. 4 stars.
The first book is "Hubbert & Lil: Partners in Crime". I give it 4 stars. I just got the second book A Cast of Killers. I had a hard time deciding which of the 2 to read next as I enjoyed both first books.

*****

Beezer1873@aol.com
The Trouble with Catherine by Andes Hruby. 5 stars.

Watermelon by Marian Keyes. 5 stars.

Dog Handling by Clare Naylor. 5 stars.

Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty. 5 stars.
Great for teenagers as well.

*****

MomGina1940@aol.com
Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon. 5 stars.
I read this when it first came out, and decided to read it again. I can't leave his books for long until the finish.

*****

Shell725@aol.com
The Villa by Nora Roberts. 2 stars.
Being a writer, I can appreciate that Nora Roberts has written more books than I will ever write in several lifetimes. However, with The Villa (which I've heard is supposed to be made into a TV movie), it was a real struggle to read. In fact, I kept putting this book down and going on to others, coming back to it periodically. I found the beginning very slow. And the whole pretense of the story was ridiculous. What person in their right mind would have people working for a huge winery switch jobs to see how the other half lives? Not only that, but the dialogue was really contrived. Do people walk around saying, "It's in your blood. You're a Giambelli."? Nora could have done much better than this.

*****

Spizzyone@aol.com
The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer. 4 stars.
This book is an insightful story about an early twenty-something small town girl named Carrie who is engaged to be married to her high school sweetheart. They have always been together and no one can even imagine them apart. Except Carrie has been feeling stifled and wondering what life would be like without Mike. The relationship changes subtly and before she and Mike can even discuss it, Mike suffers a diving accident which leaves him a quad.

The story is about who a person really is, and whether their actions define who they are, or if who they are defined by how they act. Carrie has to get to know herself and like herself before she can decide how to respond to this life changing accident.
I wondered if this was going to be a heavy "Oprah" kind of book, that leaves you almost sorry you read it. (No offense to Oprah's picks!) But I was pleasantly surprised that this book was a good read, and inspiring, too, without being preachy. I read it on the beach in NJ!

*****

hmcobe@ix.netcom.com
Absolute Zero by Chuch Logan. 5 stars.

Little Girl Blue by David Cray. 5 stars.
We then went back to read earlier books by both authors and found they were also very good. Try them; you'll like them!

*****

Tootsiepie@aol.com
Funny Money by James Swain. 4 ½ stars.
Just discovered a new series starring Tony Valentine, a retired Atlantic City Policeman who runs a company consulting to the Gaming Industry. The author has extensive experience in the gaming industry and the mystery is interwoven with side stories of scams and grift artists. The insider information on the Casino business is entertaining in itself but the character and plot are also well developed and I stayed up most of the night to finish it. Heck, I went to the Library next day to find other books by the same author.

*****

Mysticwvs@aol.com
Final Arrangements by Miles Keaton Andrew. 5 stars.
This was really a fun book to read. It is the first book by the author,and I really look forward to another. As one can guess by the title, it involves the funeral business in a way that one has not read about before. Very humorous. I highly recommend it!

*****

Omwillis@aol.com
Open Season by Linda Howard. 5 stars.
This very readable "detective" is really a hybrid -- lots of comic relief and tongue in cheek mischief. The main character is never really in danger, although there is always the possibility that she can come to harm, but mainly she is an endearing character who mirrors the foibles and misplaced objectives of modern young women seeking a mate.

*****

kateaker@juno.com
Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League by Ron Suskind. 4 ½ stars.
Readable, compelling, thought provoking... Ron Suskind won the Pulitzer Prize for a series of articles he did about Cecil Jenkins, who was attending an urban high school in Washington, D. C. A Hope in the Unseen is the book that followed; it follows Cecil from high school through his freshman year at Brown.
I teach in an urban high school. Suskind's telling of Cecil's quest is inspiring and important. I recommend it to anyone who cares about education and what some of our young people face today.

*****

Britadon@aol.com
Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen. 3 stars.
Took a while for this to catch my interest. Perhaps, overdone a bit on the death ages but when it did grab my interest, I enjoyed it.

Up Country by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.
Definitely enjoyed this and believe that any Vietnam vet would really do so (I am not a vet but it reawakened and reviewed this era for me.) At one point, I felt that a little of the countryside description could have edited but definitely a good book.

*****

Hon2724@aol.com
In This Mountain by Jan Karon. 2 stars.
Have thoroughly enjoyed the Mitford series. A change from sex and violence in most of todays popular books. I usually like Jan Karon but this one is not a "grab you" book. It jumps around in storyline and in characters. It somehow just does not fit in the overall story of Mitford. It is however listed on the bestseller list so this is just one woman's opinion.

*****

LoisBCairl@aol.com
Atonement by Ian McEwan. 5 stars.
Although I never forgave Briony her stupidity, how could anyone not appreciate the great writing, the sheer truth of life and the beautiful construction of this book. My first book by this author but definitely not my last.

*****

ICUUCSD@aol.com
Warning Signs by Stephen White. 4 stars.
I only rarely find an author (and characters) who makes me want to read every book in which they costar; this is such a book.

Dr. Alan Gregory, a Colorado clinical psychologist, whose wife Lauren Crowder is a district attorney and has MS. Alan's friends are: Sam, police detective; neighbor Adrienne, urologist; business partner Diane and her husband Raoul; all of whom add both uproar and intelligence to the murder investigation at hand.

The characters and locations (if not always the plot twists) become so real, they seem to hop, skip, and jump off the page, sit right next to this reader and show 'n' tell the story. The reader is allowed to see not just the horror of the murder but also the psychology and motives of the killer.

Colorado is always beautiful, the murders are always solved, and Alan is often heroic in very human ways.
The emotional baggage of Alan's past loves, his concern for his wife and child, his caring for patients and friends all make the reader glad that there are a handful of previous titles that reveal the past loves and losses of these characters' lives. Read them in any order, but read them all to get the full picture.

*****

Yodasmommy@aol.com
The House on Sprucewood Lane by Caroline Slate. 5 stars.
Very very good!! Kind of a take-off on the Jon Benet story with a lot of different characters, but still the parents were major suspects in the murder of Calista. This is the author's first novel and I hope she continues to write.

*****

Pat4CSKK@aol.com
2nd Chance by James Patterson. 5 stars.
I am a devotee of Patterson's books. I didn't think I would enjoy his new protaganists as much as I have enjoyed the exploits of Alex Delaware. But - - I did, I did! When that's finished, I am re-reading the Ya Yas by Rebecca Wells. That and Summer Sisters, by Judith Blume are perfect beach reads.

*****

Cknapp262@aol.com
A Lesson in Terror by Caleb Carr.
It is about the history of warfare since the Crusades to recent and why it has always failed and will again. There are some interesting parts about some of the political leaders of our time and or the past that make you wonder were they so great or lucky in some decision they made. I am enjoying this book. It is not long in length and very concise in content.

*****

Vikkivand@aol.com
Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox. 5 stars.
I always liked everything that MJF was in and was saddened to hear about his latest challenge with Parkinson's disease. After reading his story, I was completely amazed! Not only was he dealing with his diagnosis, but he had to time his medications perfectly so that wouldn't shake while he was on the set...hiding his disease from his producers and co-workers. I especially liked the way he talked about other young adults with the same disease who don't have the advantages that he has. Everyday people who were also hiding their disease for fear of losing their jobs. I have enormous respect for MJF, his wife and family for helping others in their situation. Excellent story!

*****

Sesame705@aol.com
Before I Say Goodbye by Mary Higgins Clark. 4 stars.
Clark has a wonderful way of creating colorful, three-dimensional characters and describing the intricate details of human behavior. In this book, Clark delves into the psychic world and the possibility of contacting the dead through channeling. I have only just started to read this book, but I am looking forward to reading every page!

*****

EZREADER1265@aol.com
When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It's Time To Go Home by Erma Bombeck.
If it is summer at my house it is time to bring out all my Erma Bombeck books (I have them all) kick back with a big glass of lemonade and enjoy. She talked to all of us at different stages in our lives, and her humor taught us not to take ourselves to seriously.

*****

Cairo1953@aol.com
The Witness by Sandra Brown. 5 stars.
Excellent! A must read. Brown continues to produce "page-turning" stories.

Journey by Danielle Steele. 5 stars.
Superb! The best book ever written by Steele. This book should be rated above the 5 star level. Deals with domestic violence & abuse. Although this is a fictional story, the information & subject matter would benefit all those who may be touched by abuse.

*****

AlisonAD@aol.com
Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner. 5 stars.
Although I had to choose my seat on the bus carefully as I read this book on my commute to work (I didn't want anybody thinking I was reading a "how to" book!), I enjoyed this book very much. I wasn't expecting such a poignant and funny story. It was refreshing to read a book where the central character is a "larger woman."

24 Hours by Greg Iles. 4 stars.
This book holds your attention from the very first page. Quite suspenseful and well written, although a bit simple. A good beach read.

*****

DreamsOfBeyond@aol.com
Banner in the Sky by James R Ulman.
I read this book in the 8th grade and fell in love with it. I recently read it again. It is an exciting book about danger, loyalty, and honor.

Desecration by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B Jenkins.
This is the ninth book in the Left Behind series. It is so exciting and I just couldn't put it down. I love this series, I highly recomend it. And you dont have to be a religion fanatic to enjoy them.

*****

Berman1827@aol.com
Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama. 5 stars.

The Language of Threads by Gail Tsukiyama. 5 stars.
Sequel to Women of the Silk.

*****

Majahnae@aol.com
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.

One for the Money is five times five stars for the reader who discovers Stephanie Plum and her world in New Jersey; her new job as a bounty hunter, her desires, her unique pet, her humor, and her family. I love mysteries and never thought one could be so funny that I would laugh out loud over and over again. Some parts so silly and fun that I would go read them out loud to one of my teenage foster daughters. She couldn't wait to read it after I was finished. Then, I pounced on the next in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.

*****

Ereganwrites@aol.com
Agatha Raisin by M. C. Beaton.
(Agatha Raisin and the Quich of Death, about 9 in this series so far) is a middle aged former Public Relations executive who retirers early and moves to a sleepy English villige. Her appearance almost guarantees murder, and her determination to make the wrong man love her speaks to many of us.

Hamish Mac Beth by M. C. Beaton.
(Death of a Cad, Death of a Gossis (about 17 in all) is a Scottish police officer who solves the mysterys that his superiors either ignore or give up on. Hamish also chases the wrong woman - for years. The BBC has filmed several of the stories and they will be broadcast this summer in the US.

Fellsworth Dolphin by M. C. Beaton.
This is the newest addition, he's a dirt poor waiter who finds more than his dead mothers body when he gets home from work. More than one supsect until the last few pages!

*****

dbelk105@adelphia.net
Sea Glass by Anita Shreve. 4 stars.
This story is about a marriage and also about life at the start of the Depression and the fall of the stock market and its effect on people's lives. It's so hard for us to understand what life must have been like then, but the author almost makes us feel we were there.

The World Below by Sue Miller. 2 stars.
Not up to her usual good writing. I found it very confusing to know which generation she was writing about, the grandmother or granddaughter. Both had mothers who died when they were young and their stories weave back and forth.

Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman. 5 stars.
Excellent portrayal of a wife's dilemma when she and the town discover something in her beloved husband's background that neither she or their son can live with.

*****

dmilburn@alltel.net
Firehouse by David Halberstam. 5 stars.
A brief but powerful book that tells the true story of 13 firemen who left to go to the Twin Towers. Only one returned. This is the story of those men, their relationships with one another and with their families and some insight into that nightmare they walked in to as others hurried out. My only complaint...and since I'm not a fireman...what do I know....anyway.....I doubt that all firemen are saints as one might gather from this book.

*****

marychambers@yahoo.com
Sula by Toni Morrison. 3 stars.
Toni always uses some odd and interesting characters.

Honor’s Pledge by Kristen Heitzmann. 4 stars.
First in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN LEGACY series.

Rebels and Redcoats by George F Scheer. 4 stars.
Excerpts from letters and diaries written by people in and around the Revolutionary War

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
Second in the Stephanie Plum mystery series. She is very funny.

The Wind Done Gone by Alice Randall. 4 stars.
A parody of GONE WITH THE WIND from the slaves' point of view.

Lincoln: A Novel by Gore Vidal. 3 stars.
It's well written and a classic though I disagree with some of Vidal's ideas.

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus. 4 stars.
Very funny but thought provoking. I loved it. A first novel.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. 4 stars.
Time travel from Scotland.

*****

jewel33@ameritech.net
If Looks Could Kill by Kate White. 3 ½ stars.
If you're looking for a quick, easy read, this book fits the bill. It follows the story of a freelance writer who dabbles in detective work who becomes involved in investigating the death of her boss's nanny. It has quite a few predictable turns, with a surprise ending (which is hinted at throughout the story). I didn't hate this book, but wouldn't keep it for a second reading .. the story wasn't engrossing enough and the characters were stereotypical and predictable. My recommendation: buy it used or in paperback.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. 5 stars.
The story of Dinah, the only daughter of Biblical Jacob, and her mothers, Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilbah. I was totally engrossed from beginning to end. I couldn't help comparing it with the tales as written in our Bible (written by and geared toward men). A very evocative, well-written, thought-provoking novel that brings us into the world of women of Biblical times, we are made aware of the sisterhood of wives (in this case, actual sisters) married to the same man. We see the friction, the love, the banding together, the passion, the discord and the very raw turmoil which leads to the breakdown of this ancient family and leads to Dinah's emotional breakdown and her battle back to emotional stability. This novel really brings you inside this sometimes violent world and there are a few moments where you will feel shocked to the core. Definitely worth purchasing and keeping for a second, third, or even fourth read.

*****

whittard54@hotmail.com
Diet Of Despair by Anna Paterson. 5 stars.
This is an amazing read. Accessible and very reader friendly, it tackles both the causes and best approaches to recovery for eating disorders. But what really set it apart for me was the fact that Anna Paterson herself actually suffered from the disorder for so long and she gives a clear insight into the disease and gives us all hope for the future.

Both practical and thought provoking. I learned a great deal about these much misunderstood illnesses.

*****

MysteryNut19@aol.com
Looking Back by Belva Plain. 2 stars.
Story of three young women who became friends in college. Follows their friendship throughout the trials of young to middle adulthood. Very hard to get into due to the characters just aren't very interesting.

*****

Susicaldy@aol.com
Seraph On The Suwanee by Zora Neale Hurston. 5 stars.
It takes place in the early 1900's. It's about a 20+ year old marriage, one you don't see anymore these days. It's very romantic!

*****

SOPHIENED@aol.com
The City of Your Final Destination by Peter Cameron. 5 stars.
Mr. Cameron's novel is subtle and humorous. He has gained critical success but deserves a larger audience.

*****

Cipsi2@aol.com
Mrs. Paine's Garage - The Murder of John F. Kennedy by Thomas Mallon. 2 stars.
Nonfiction. Much ado about nothing.

Ada's Man by Rick Bragg. 5 stars.
Such a story. Much, much richer than "All Over but the Shoutin." What wonderful characters and what a beautiful picture of love.

Basket Case by Carl Hiaason. 5 stars.
This book is a hoot from beginning to end, one of the best of its type I've ever read. A newspaper reporter manages to get himself demoted to obituary writer by causing a big scene at the newspaper when a new CEO was introduced to the staff. The reporter, Jack Tagger, is a really likeable neurotic, and the other "characters" in his life make for hysterical happenings, a who-dunit plot and a thoroughly enjoyable book. You will laugh all the way through it.

Carry Me Across the Water by Ethan Canin. 5 stars.
A novel, this book captures the soul of August Kleinman. You come to know his mother, his wife, his children, he benefactors, his military past, his jewishness, his compassion, his goodness -- and you feel lucky that you have known him. I loved every word of the book -- even when the author used the word "hippogriff" and I had to look it up. One of the best books I've read all year.

The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland. 4 stars.
Historical fiction. Artemisia Gentileschi was a woman in 16C Italy who was an oil painter, as was her father. This book is the story of how she tries to balance her art, her husband, her child and her pride. Vreeland is a good storyteller, though sometimes I wondered whether I was reading a romance book or watching a soap opera. Learning about a career women in 16C Italy is worth reading about.

Gracefully Insane - The Rise & Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital by Alex Beam. 2 stars.
Nonfiction book about the famous McLean Hospital in Boston. It probably tells more about psychiatry than the average person wants to know, but it is a very gossipy read (not intended to be so, I think), full of enticing tidbits that cover the old rich, the new rich, the artistic rich and about every other kind of rich you could imagine, as well as the famous.

*****

GATGKT@aol.com
Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier.
I found it to be a quick read, and perfect for a not-too-long flight. However, I think that the relationship between the main character and her husband needed to be given more details. Most of the characters seemed "flat."

*****

Sesame705@aol.com
Before I Say Goodbye by Mary Higgins Clark. 5 stars.
Clark has a way of developing a multitude of complex characters, creating a variety of subplots, and then intertwining these for the resulting "can't put it down 'til I'm finished" thriller. It's not hard to see why Clark is the Queen of Suspense. In this novel, Clark combines politics, business, and psychic mediumship to tell a tale with endless possibilities. What I like best about Clark's writing (and Before I Say Goodbye) is that it is smooth and flowing. Clark's characters are 3-dimensional and thoughtful. And even though I am anxious to see how it ends, I will be a little disappointed that I am finished...that is, until I start reading the next Mary Higgins Clark thriller!

*****

MSmith2957@aol.com
Pen Pals by Olivia Goldsmith. 3 stars.
If you've seen or read The First Wives Club you know what her usual storylines lead to...somebody done somebody wrong and they are going to pay in a funny and clever way. This book has a much different setting than what Goldsmith readers are used to, but has the same idea. The storyline becomes quite unbelievable toward the end, but you will still find yourself reading it up to the very end.

*****

Bjglu@aol.com
Lucky by Alice Sebold. 5+ stars.
This is a memoir of the author's rape and aftermath when she was an 18 year old college freshman. She is a remarkable woman -- and author. The book is not maudlin or horrifying, but rather enlightening and uplifting. It's a terrific study on what to do and say (and NOT do and say) to victims of crime. Her thoughts throughout the trial and her continued college life are presented clearly and we get to understand the author, her fears and her resilience. Should be required reading.

The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter. 4 stars.
This is a decent novel with some snippets worth savoring, i.e. "...the purpose of the state is not to create a society that is risk-free". It's a mystery and a social commentary of upper-class African-Americans (or, as the author refers to it, "the darker nation") who are also political leaders. Quite engaging.

*****

DOWELLIA@aol.com
American Son: A Portrait of John F. Kennedy, Jr. by Richard Blow 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. I realize think that many people see this as a betrayal, but, because JFK Jr. was so leery of the public I feel that this gives us more insight on to who he was, which may not be any of our business but curiosity killed the cat. I realize the author and JFK Jr. were merely business associates but I feel that Richard Blow wrote this book out of admiration of his boss and not to be vindictive whatsoever. I recommend this book to people who have never been that "in to" the Kennedy's I think you'll agree it's an endearing portrait of JFK JR.

*****

btaylor2u@aol.com
Open Season by Linda Howard. 5 stars.
If you open up Open Season on the plane or anywhere else you will not put it down.

*****

e.h.caldwell@sbcglobal.net
Where the River Bends by Richard Haddaway. 5 stars.
A family drama with a definite Southern accent. Texas oil, Kentucky bourbon and the Brazos River flow together in this tale of family, addiction, relationships and redemption. Funny and touching, tragic and powerful. Can't wait to see who plays Dorthy in the movie!

*****

Saba1111@aol.com
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. 5 stars.
For a thousand years men have denied her existence-----Pope Joan, the woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to rule Christianity for two years. This novel animates the legend with a portrait of an unforgettable woman who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept.

When her older brother dies in a Viking attack, the brilliant young Joan assumes his identity and enters a Benedictine monastery where, as Brother John Anglicus, she distinguishes herself as a scholar and healer. Eventually drawn to Rome, she soon becomes enmesjhed in a dangerous mix of powerful passion and explosive politics that threatens her life even as it elevates her to the highest throne in the Western world.

*****

brady538_91208@yahoo.com
Limbo by A. Manette Ansay. 5 stars.
Wanna know why Mrs. Ansay is an author instead of a pianist like she planned to be? This memoir is a dandy as she entertainingly tells you of life events that changed her ways of thinking and softened her approach to life in ways that you nor I would want to experience. Yet, maybe you, the reader, has had either equal or more events happen to you that has turned your life in a direction that held many surprises. You should enjoy this story as the writer certainly makes it interesting.

Meely La Bauve (a novel) by Ken Wells. 4 ½ stars.
A well told story of a 14 yr. old "po' boy" living in the deep South who stays alive by using his wits. He does have a father who comes around now and then (mostly then), but most of the time he is on his own. There is a bully out to "get him" that adds interest to the story and humor laced through the entire book. This is an easy-to-read novel and one highly recommended.

*****

ruthogejgil@yahoo.com
Face The Fire by Nora Roberts. 3 ½ stars.
A Breath of Fresh Air by Amulya Malladi. 5 stars.

*****

JSkold4728@aol.com
A Cast of Killers by Gallagher Gray. 4 stars.
Delightful sequel to Hubbert & Lil: Partners in Crime. I"m going to read the next 2 in the series (Death of a Dream Maker and : A Motive for Murder) and I'm sure I'll enjoy them as much. These are only available in paperback.

Murder Can Kill Your Social Life by Sekma Eichler. 5 stars.
I just found this author and really enjoyed this first book in the series. I am about to start the second book Murder Can Ruin Your Looks. These are only available in paperback.

*****

Yodasmommy@aol.com
Hunting Season by Nevada Barr. 4 stars.
I should have figured out sooner who dunnit, but when I did find out I was not surprised. I love all of Nevada Barr's books and this one was no exception.

*****

Valjeang@aol.com
A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton. 3 stars.
I enjoyed the spunky heroine.

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. 4 stars.
This one got me through hours of flight time and I could barely put it down for the in-flight movie. Bad choices, good novel.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. 5 stars.
No wonder it's a classic.

Wifey by Judy Blume. 2 stars.
I had been warned that Judy had written a "dirty" book but I was still a bit surprised. Interesting.

*****

TXNance@aol.com
Burn Factor by Kyle Mills. 3 stars.
The story involves pretty gruesome killings. Yet I feel compelled to see how the female FBI agent will catch the bad guy without becoming one of his victims.

The Manhattan Hunt Club by John Saul. 3 stars.
I read this in 3 days while I was on jury duty. It was a bit far-fetched but held my interest.

Privileged Information by Stephen White. 2 ½ stars.
I didn't care much for the main character or his love interest.

*****

TonyBrandin@peoplepc.com
Life Before Man by Margaret Atwood. 1 ½ stars.
Written in 1979, this tedious portrait of a modern marriage features three dull protagonists: Elizabeth, a Toronto natural history museum executive, married to Nate, an ex-lawyer toymaker, and Lesje, the paleontologist with whom Nate dispiritedly shacks up (literally). Atwood writes incomplete sentences, shifts tenses mid-chapter, travels abruptly back and forth in time and perspective, and fails to invest any of her characters with any appeal whatsoever. Each character overanalyzed every tiny detail of his or her boring life; so much interior commentary evaporated any sympathy I may have wanted to feel for any of these thoroughly unlikeable people.

*****

SBlack1047@aol.com
Widow’s Walk by Robert B. Parker. 4 stars.
Parker at his best...Yesterday I picked up the latest offering by Robert B. Parker, Widows Walk; last night I put it down, finished! Having apparently abandoned what has made Parker such a great success, colourful characters, witty repartee and cover to cover action; Widows Walk returns to the ingredients that made a Spenser novel fun from cover to cover. Many of the characters that we have met in the past have returned and will have you running to the older books to recall the role these characters played in previous novels. Block out a couple of hours from your day and immerse yourself in a great read.

*****

Richbaker123@aol.com
Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. 4 ½ stars.
What a great book! I had only heard of Seabiscuit, and knew nothing about his fabled career. Laura Hillenbrand prolifically tells the story of not only Seabiscuit, but also Charles Howard (Seabiscuit's owner), Red Pollard (Seabiscuit's jockey), and Tom Smith (Seabiscuit's trainer). I found myself rooting for Seabiscuit, cheering his victories and lamenting his defeats. Seabiscuit is a true, and brilliantly written, rags-to-riches story about a horse who became an American hero, and the three men who made this success story possible. One of the best biographies I have ever read.

*****

ReoneK@aol.com
In This Mountain by Jan Karon. 4 stars.
This is one of my favorites. Usually, Karon's books deserve five stars, but this one is a bit reaching--she does not seem to have the feel for Father Tim and Cynthia and all the other wonderful characters that she usually does. However, just to return to the mythical Mitford is sheer joy.

The Shelters of Stone by Jean Auel. 5 stars.
Though we Auel fans have waited many years for this sequel, the wait was definitely worth it. Auel has done fine research and her compelling characters, including Wolf, are beautifully drawn. This is truly a rewarding read--do not let the size of the book deter you from the joy of discovering more about Ayla and Jondalar.

• • •

P is for Peril by Sue Grafton. 4 stars.
This is one of the more engaging books in the Kinsey Milhone mystery series. The plot is complex with lots of interesting characters to spice up the tale of a doctor who disappears. Murder, money, lies, and corruption keep the pace moving swiftly. I was disappointed in the conclusion of the book not because of the solution, but with the way it was told. At the end of P is for Peril you know who did what and why, but it over quickly with very little detail. I feel cheated when an author takes a lot of care laying out the clues and unfolding the story, only to end it abruptly. I prefer a story that spends as much time in wrapping things up. However, other readers may feel the end of this book increases the impact of the solution.

I prefer my contribution to be anonymous. Thank you.

*****

PTWEETYPAT@aol.com
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow by Francis Ray. 5+ stars.
The story of a wife that finds out on her husbands death bed that he fathered a child and wants her to raise that child since the child's mother was killed in the accident that would also take his life. a book you will not want to put down.

Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner. 5+ stars.
A story you will want to read with the lights on and the doors locked. Sometimes the perfect man is the wrong man.

Best Revenge by Stella Cameron. 5 stars.
A page turner from page one. Romantic/suspense at its best!

Once In A Lifetime by Gwynne Forster. 5+ stars.
It will make you laugh, make you cry, make you believe in Love.

*****

NCBengt@aol.com
Faith of My Fathers by John McCain with Mark Salter. 3 stars.
After reading this book there will never be a doubt in my mind that John McCain is fiercely proud of his heritage. However, a little less syrup and a little more realism would have been nice. His comments in regard to his father and grandfather makes one wonder if the United States could have won WWl and WWll without the McCain men. Plus the constant use of "my father" and "my grandfather" became almost more than I could bear. I admire Senator McCain, but this book was very difficult to finish.

*****

Mystrytx@aol.com
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. 5+ stars.
The woman just keeps getting better and better!

*****

craftymlc@yahoo.com
A Love Devine by Alexandra Ripley. 5 stars.
This is the story of Joseph of Arimathea. This is the man who provided Jesus with a tomb for burial. The story begins with the young life of Joseph and follows his life as he becomes a rich man. I felt like I was living in those times, experiencing the life of a person in biblical times. The amount of research required to write such a story is evident in the book. I was very intrigued by the strong and enjoyable story. I learned some history which I have verified through other sources as being valid. This is truly a excellent book.

*****

Marooch17@aol.com
The Piano Shop on The Left Bank by Thad Carhart. 4 stars.
I had read an excerpt of this book and was intrigued and wanted to read more. I obtained it from my local library, and I wasn't disappointed. There is enough charm in the telling of how Mr. Carhart discovered the shop, won over the manager, and then learned a bit about how pianos work to qualify this book as a summer read. It is a somewhat compact book, and may make for quick reading for some. However, I did not want to finish the book, so I read it a chapter at a time. I found myself drawn more and more back to my own piano, which I have neglected in the service of raising two rambunctious school age children.

Empire Falls by Richard Russo. 5 stars.
I have read this already, but I keep wanting to go back to it and reread it. I find myself thinking about the characters in this book and wanting to refresh my memory.

The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman. 5 stars.

Dearly Departed by Elinor Lipman. 4 stars.

The Ladies Man by Elinor Lipman. 4 stars.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. 5 stars.
This book is awesome and very informative. It is also compelling reading. I found myself wishing Ms. Diamant would write more books like this. She does have a newer book out but it is a contemporary novel, where The Red Tent is set in the time of the Bible....

I'd also like to read:

Fall On Your Knees. I think it's by Ann Marie McBride.

Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. I haven't actually read this yet, but I will. Janet has me by the throat! I love her Stephanie Plum series. I can count on Hard Eight to be every bit as good as the first seven Stephanie Plum stories in the series.

*****

lgettle@iserv.net
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
These well developed characters have become good friends.

*****

jutley54@yahoo.com
Tularosa by Michael McGarrity. 4 stars.
I'm rereading all of Michael McGarrity's books, starting with Tularosa. I love the hero, an ex cop who is recovering from a shooting. I love that he can't do the physical stuff that all the action heroes can.

*****

Grif76@aol.com
Empire Falls by Russo. 4 ½ stars.
Russo's picture of small-town America is affectionate and funny. The sleepy mill town in Maine comes to life through his colorful characters. The tender portrayal of a man at a middle-aged crossroads will appeal to anyone who has ever, even for a moment, felt "lost at sea in his/her own life." Of the supporting cast: Max Roby is a deliciously cranky, in-your-face-rude Grandpa-figure who will make you laugh out loud.

*****

Ekimberly@aol.com
Beach Music by Pat Conroy. 5 stars.
I'm 100 pages from finishing this novel. I don't want the book to end, so I've been putting off reading the last several chapters! The style of his writing carries me back to endless summer days on the water with my sisters during those precious years of our youth. His characters are so well developed throughout the book that they truly come alive and nearly jump off of the pages at you.

*****

BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
The Summons by John Grisham. 4 stars.
An enjoyable enough read, but not one of Grisham's best.

*****

Bossu49@aol.com
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. 5 stars.
Great read. The book is much better and very much different from the movie.

The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. 5 stars.
This is a classic that's better every time you re-read it.

*****

billiegirl20@hotmail.com
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. 4 stars.
My reading group (The Fun People's Book Club) chose Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte as an easy summer read (haha). Actually, it was time to re-visit a classic and summer worked out as a perfect time to do so.

This is my first attempt at Charlotte Bronte (although I have enjoyed her sister's poetry). The novel is wonderful - what a great heroine we get in Jane Eyre. One of my favorite lines is very near the beginning when Jane states (after hearing her evil Aunt tell her cousins how bad Jane is and that they shouldn't associate with her), "They are not fit to associate with me." Jane is a woman after my own heart and a heroine before her time.

*****

Bibliobabe2@aol.com
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. 3 stars.
Not the best in the Stephanie Plum series, but enjoyable. The number of Stephanie's cars that were blown up became a trifle tedious, though, and there just weren't as many laughs as in previous books. Still, worthwhile for Plum devotees.

Playing for the Ashes by Elizabeth George 4 stars.
I'm cheating a little because I haven't finished the book yet, but as titles in the Lynley/Havers/et al series go, this is one of the better ones. A well-known cricket player dies of smoke inhalation, and the fire was deliberately set. Was he the intended victim, or was his married lover meant to die? And what do animal rights activists have to do with the man's death? There is less angonizing amongst lead characters in this book than in previous entries in the series and more pure story telling. I'm intrigued by most of the players, and interested in seeing how the complicated plot lines will converge. Recommended.

*****

gmanortwo@yahoo.com
A Chained Society: Life Inside America's Prisons by D.C. Maxwell. 5 stars.
Life behind bars in the inmates' own words. It covers all aspects of prison life. The author interviewed inmates from several different prisons across the United States. As I stated in my Amazon.com review, "It's the definitive book about life on the inside." You've heard about it in the media and from the politicians. Now finally read about it from the inmates point of view!

*****

AUGER77777@aol.com
City of Bones by Michael Connelly. 5 stars.
Detective Harry Bosch is back and the villain he must find may have committed his crime a quarter of a century ago. Still, the evidence points to one of the most vicious, heartless killers Harry has ever faced. I was hooked from the beginning and can't wait to see how it ends.

*****

rtdudder@lvcm.com
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson. 5 stars.
A wonderful old-fashioned love story with a modern setting. A very fast-paced book that will bring out tears of sadness and joy.

Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
The third book in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. A laugh out loud book full of zany characters. Just as good as the first two in the series--possibly even better.

*****

SAK24@aol.com
Three Strides Before the Wire by Elizabeth Mitchell. 4 stars.
It's about the horse racing industry, and its the best book that I have read on this subject.

*****

isadora1867@excite.com
A Breath of Fresh Air by Amulya Malladi. 5 stars.
I am currently reading this and enjoying it very much.

*****

bb1670@lycos.com
A Breath of Fresh Air by Amulya Malladi. 4 stars.
A story about the 1984 Bhopal gas leak caused by a Union Carbide factory, this book is about a woman who survives that leak. Anjali is a strong woman and her story a delight to read. Well written and fabulous. A few drawbacks are the contrived nature of some scenes in the book...but all in all a four starer!

*****

Yentl7@aol.com
Brigade by Howard Blum.
A great book. Was my find of the year. Although I never saw a review or heard about it, I picked up at the book store and was thrilled. Although it is nonfiction it reads like fiction, in that it tells a great story which flows. Everyone recommends Evanovich (whom I love) and Coben (who is even better), but to find a book like this is a treat. Highly recommended by one who reads at least three books a week. By the way, I am now into the Sanford book and he is always great too!

*****

songoden@earthlink.net
One Hit Wonder by Lisa Jewell.
One of those books I "put on my list" some time ago and finally got around to. So far (about half way into it) I'm enjoying it a lot.

*****

scriptoress@yahoo.com
A Breath of Fresh Air by Amulya Malladi.
Just started and it is very good so far; the story keeps me turning pages and the writing is down-to-earth. Also provides insight I've never had into the life of a contemporary Indian woman.

The Treasure of Montsegur by Sophy Burnham.
Dragged in places, could have been much shorter, but good overall. As a fan of historical novels, I was disappointed that this one was more about religious wars in general than medieval France in particular.

*****

phyl622@aol.com
Caravans by James Michener.
I found I just couldn't put it down once I got started. Some of the events seemed a little far-fetched, but the descriptions of Afghanistan, its varied landscape, the nomadic tribes, the culture, were so very vivid. It's hard to believe that the book was written in the early 60's, and the events portrayed in the aftermath of World War II. The book is just so appropriate to read today!

*****

sanjana2174@yahoo.com
A Breath of Fresh Air by Amulya Malladi. 4 stars.
A terrific debut novel. Intensely emotional and simply written, I was caught up in the lives of Anjali and her family.

*****

Avery85282@aol.com
The Last Report on the Miracles of Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich. 5 stars.
She gets better and better with each new book. Her characters become more and more familiar, yet they are always full of surprises. The reader is amused, horrified, sympathetic, but never uninterested.

*****

Yodasmommy@aol.com
Taste of Honey by Eileen Goudge.
I'm about half-way through and hubby is out of town for a few days, so I will probably finish this one tonight! Very good, easy to read. Gerry Fitzgerald chooses to confront her past - and the daughter she gave up 28 years ago. She is currently a single parent with 2 children who must adjust to a new sibling and a mother who is not as perfect as they thought. Very entertaining.

*****

kwasserman375@cox.net
A Breath Of Fresh Air by Amulya Malladi.
Ms. Malladi's style is, indeed, a welcome breath of fresh air--straightforward, yet elegant. I look forward to reading more from this new writer!

*****

Britadon@aol.com
Accidental Pope by Raymond Flynn & Robin Moore 3 stars.
Had a delightful opening and start of a story line, but disintegrated with trite dialogue among the young characters and predictable ending. Still must award 3 stars as it made me research some factual information.

The Last King of Texas by Rick Riordan. 3 stars.
Good mystery without an excess of gore. Having recently visited San Antonio for the first time, it was fun being able to identify with places and events, such as the fiesta. Kept the suspense until the end.

The Wooden Sea by Jonathan Carroll. 3 stars.
Read about this on this site and was intrigued. Am not a big fan of science fiction, but definitely left me with a message about real life.

The Scandulous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Dupres. 4 stars.
It was a fun summer book though not a deep one. Southern Belle philosophy was very interesting to a Northerner.

*****

ALEMESH@aol.com
Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett. 5 stars.
I have just read a book I probably would have never tried except for the recommendation of our youngest (22yrs) book club member. She is very into scifi and fantasy which have never appealed to me but I read Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett and found it so droll and witty. The main character is Death, and what happens to the world when he takes a holiday and what happens to him when he interacts with humans. Very entertaining, both hilariously funny and thoughtful.

*****

Shell725@aol.com
One For the Money by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
I've heard so many good things about Janet Evanovich that I decided to give the "Plum" series a try. I purchased Three Plums in One which contains the first three in the series. One For the Money has definitely lived up to the positive comments I've heard. It has been a long time since I've actually laughed out loud or caught myself smiling at an author's way with words. Janet has certainly designed a wonderful character with guts, determination, and a humorous way of looking at life. I'm hooked now and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

*****

tmzemke@comcast.net
The Stone Carvers by Jane Urquhart. 4 stars.
This book is a Canadian bestseller and for all the right reasons. It's the story of how The Vimy Ridge Memorial was built in France by the Canadian sculptor, Walter Allward. It's both a war epic and a romance drama, but most of all, it is a tale of the pioneering spirit that endures, a great read, especially in these uncertain times.

*****

jcarter29@neo.rr.com
Tell No One by Harlan Coben. 5 stars.
This is a nail-biting roller coaster of a ride! I have never read this author before but I will be checking out his backlist now. A murder mystery that includes some romance, intrigue, behind the scenes police work, the street scene and a hint of spy games. It isn't easy to keep up with the good doctor (main character) as he relives the kidnapping and murder of his young wife. Or was she killed after all??? Now available in paperback.

*****

jangkeith@aol.com
The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
This is one of the best thrillers I've read in a long, long time! It's easy to see why this book is getting such good reviews! There is not a single dull episode anywhere. Even at the end, when you *think* you know everything, you find out on the very last page all the loose ends get tied together. In addition to being such a turn-the-page suspense novel, it is written by folks with a great sense of humor. I always get excited when I find new writers and I am already planning to access my Amazon account and get the rest of these writers' books. Highly, highly recommended!

*****

grace@attglobal.net
The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter.
This is an articulate, exciting mystery novel, with many intriguing twists and surprises. It centers around an upper class African-American family, a law school, politics, and oh so much more. Each chapter ends with a bang, just daring you to try to put the book down! It is a large book, which continues its momentum to the very last page. There is no letdown in this one.

Atonement by Ian McEwan.
Another recent favorite. This book is presented in three different time periods in the lives of one group of people. It demonstrates how destructive people can be to each other. I view it as a very important work of fiction which is bound to win many awards in the future. This is a serious "must read".

I also enjoy the writing of Charles Baxter (both his short stories as well as his novels) and my all time favorite, Iris Murdoch.

In the mystery line, Janet Evanovich is always great fun and highly entertaining as are Harlan Coben, Ruth Rendell, and Peter Lovesey.

*****

caroline@swtexas.com
One For The Money by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
I absolutely loved this book! After seeing so much on "Hard Eight", I decided to give this series a try. Boy am I hooked! I loved the comedy and suspense and really look forward to the rest of the books in this series.

*****

RosieSkye2@aol.com
The Lovely Bones by Alice Seabold. 5 stars.
A wondeful read from cover to cover!

*****

TonyBrandin@peoplepc.com
Man Made: A Memoir of My Body by Ken Baker. 2 ½ stars.
Baker is a former Colgate hockey goalie and current People magazine writer who for years suffered a brain tumor that flooded his body with massive amounts of prolactin, the hormone responsible for lactation in pregnant women. Baker's memoir describes his inability to perform sexually and his perceived estrangement from the testosterone-fueled cameraderie of other American men in their twenties. Initially interesting, Baker's memoir became whiny and one-note. After successful brain surgery, Baker learned there is more to life than sex. I wish his book reflected that realization sooner than it did.

*****

GDurisin@aol.com
Mortal Prey by John Sandford. 2 stars.
Lucas Davenport searches for a hit woman from his past who herself may have become the target of a killer. Slow-moving in spots, so much so that I almost put it aside. It's difficult to generate much sympathy for a serial killer, but Sandford tries to portray Clara Ringer with some compassion, emphasizing the details of her horrendous childhood and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her brother and step-father. Not his best, but an OK read.

Fatal by Michael Palmer. 3 stars.
Standard Palmer medical-thriller fare centers on the search for a cause of bizarre symptoms of a fatal disorder that's turning up unexpectedly in emergency rooms. Is toxic pollution the cause, or is it somehow related to vaccinations given routinely to children?

Privileged Information by Stephen Walsh White. 3 stars.
First novel in the Alan Gregory series, introduces the psychotherapist as he is falsely accused of sexually abusing a client who subsequently committed suicide. When two more patients die, one in an automobile accident and one murdered in her home, Gregory fears more deaths will follow unless he can unmask the killer.

Private Practices by Stephen Walsh White. 2 stars.
In this second novel in the Alan Gregory series, Gregory's partner's office is invaded by a gun-toting angry husband who murders his wife and wounds her lawyer, the first in a series of suspicious deaths of former patients of the practice. The plot is a bit convoluted, and red herrings abound before the identify of the orchestrator of the whole plot is discovered.

In the Country of the Young by Lisa Carey. 2 ½ stars.
Slow going, but enjoyable novel mixing Irish mysticism with a tale of famine-ship Irish immigrants rescued off the coast of Maine.

The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan. 4 ½ stars.
Based on a true story of one of wives of a great Mughal Emperor in 16th century India. Very interesting history of that period woven into a drawn-out love story. Sundaresan is working on a sequel tentatively titled Veils of Power, that will definitely make it onto my must-read list.

Gone for Good by Harlan Coben. 2 ½ stars.
A young man is told by his dying mother that his older brother, whom he had believed dead, is actually alive and in hiding from the police. The news sends him searching for his brother, but he's not the only one looking. Has a similar premise, but is not as good as Coben's previous book.

Mortal Allies by Brian Haig. 4 ½ stars.
A military lawyer is re-called from his Bermuda vacation to defend an American serviceman in Korea who has been accused of murder in the death of the Korean defense minister's son. Very well-written and engrossing mystery.

The Blue Edge of Midnight by Jonathan King. 3 ½ stars.
A retired cop stumbles - literally - into a new investigation when he finds the body of a murdered child and becomes a suspect himself.

The House on Sprucewood Lane by Caroline Slate. 3 stars.
Loosely based on the Jon Bonet murder mystery, this novel focuses on the victim's brother as the prime suspect, and portrays the parents as hiding his guilt in an effort to save their one remaining child.

*****

lolaterry@yahoo.com
The Emperor Of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter. 4 stars.
A very long, very wordy book. Exteremly well written with long decriptive chapters. He has a way of writing well, but I found myself skimming alot. Not really the page turner it was supposed to be. This is the author's first novel although he's written other books of non fiction. A very interesting author as I heard him intervied on Public Radio. If you like a lot of words and a very long book, worth reading.

Ester's Child by Jean Sasson. 5 stars.
Excellent easy to read summer book. I found alot of history about the middle east and the formation of the state of Israel. She has a wonderful way of intertwining fact with fiction. I found this book hard to put down and highly reccommend it.

*****

JCVItaly@aol.com
Paint It Black by P.J. Parrish. 4 stars.
I love the way that Parrish weaves an intriguing story with well developed characters.

Without Fail by Lee Child. 4 stars.
A good story with just the right amount of a romantic relationship offered too. Also, try The Killing Floor by this author. It was excellent.

*****

Divaknc@aol.com
The Shiksa Goddess by Wendy Wasserstein. 5 stars.
Always enjoyable to read anything by smart, funny au currant women.

Seabisket by Laura Hillanbrand. 5 stars.
Facinating characters, a great story, will hold your interest even if you're not horse savy.

*****

GeoBarb636@aol.com
Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox. 5 stars.
I am not one for reading memoirs or celebrity stlye books, so I almost didn't start this one. But I'm glad I did, a really heartwarming story. I might even read it again.

*****

MKinkel948@aol.com
Black Water by T. Jefferson Parker. 5 stars.
A real stay up all night page turner as all his books are.

Tell No One by Harlan Coben. 5 stars.

Gone For Good by Harlan Coben. 5 stars.
New to me author I recommend. Read his TELL NO ONE in the spring and just finished GONE FOR GOOD last week. He knows how to keep your attention and leads you into a good read with his wonderful writing.

*****

neneelynn@yahoo.com
My Lady's Pleasure by Julia Justiss. 5 stars.
This is a historical romance. This is a very intriguing and fast moving story.Valerie who was a widow and never knew intimacy with her husband and felt her life is wasted by her own luck, becomes fascinated with Teagan Fitzwilliams an orphaned child and now feels society has cast him a role that he is not happy with.This is the first book I have read by Julia Justiss and now I will continue to be a regular reader of her books.

*****

joswood@adiis.net
Survivor's Club by Lisa Gardner. 5 stars.
This books was compelling reading as there were so many sub-plots and unexpected twists. The characters were well-drawn and mostly believable.

Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
Her books are exciting and humorous at the same time. I love her repeating characters, and I always look forward to "meeting" them again and again in each one of her books.

*****

annettem@pipeline.com
Mohawk by Richard Russo.
Two days ago I finished "Mohawk" by Richard Russo. I didn't like it very much, but kept putting it on the pile to give away, then picking it up and going forward. So there must have been something there, but I can't, having finished it, say what.

The Good German by Joseph Kanon.
I'm only about 25 pages in, but I'm hooked. I've read his other books and enjoyed them.

And I'm reading, very slowly, James E. B. Breslin's, biography of Mark Rothko.

*****

MACN4MONEY@worldnet.att.net
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane.
I love the way he has tied/intertwined the characters lives together. It's a great crime book.

Empire Falls by Richard Russo
Small town life. I thought it was somewhat reminiscent of Main Street by Sinclair Lewis. Loved the characters or should I say loved and loved to hate some of the characters.

*****

Lucky4750@aol.com
If Looks Could Kill by Katie White. 4 stars.

The Summer House by Jude Deveraux. 4 stars.

Jolie Blon's Bounce by James Lee Burke. 3 stars.

Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. 4 stars.

*****

MAGLORO76@aol.com
Beach House by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge. 5 stars.
A law student receives word of the death of his brother and he knows it wasn't an accident as the police say. This story is a great legal thriller...full of deceit and revenge...with a shocking ending!

*****

fsb65@kconline.com
A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins. 5 stars.
It was written in 1973 but it is still a very good read if a reader is interested in ordinary people in unordinary places.

*****

beckyc3694@aol.com
Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 5 stars.
I could not put this down........Story is told by a 14 yr old murder victim.....as looks back her life and what happens to her family after her death.

*****

SOPHIENED@aol.com
Step-Ball-Change by Jeanne Ray. 5 stars.
I loved this book. It was very funny and lighthearted. All of the characters were wonderful. Highly recommended.

*****

neuseance@lycos.com
An Unfinished Marriage by Joan Anderson. 4 ½ stars.
Terrific memoir about one year in Anderson's life. She chooses to spend the year alone after her husband relocates with a new job and her kids leave the next. Great inspiration for doing the difficult work of knowing yourself and learning to stand up for your heart's desires.

*****

brady538_91208@yahoo.com
Serpentine by Thomas Thompson. 5 stars.
I read this book 23 yrs. ago and it has been on my mind off and on ever since. This is one of my favorite books of my life as it is filled with mystery, intrigue, adventure, and a dynamic evil person that is almost unbelievable and the whole story is true. Thomas Thompson is my favorite author and I have read all his books, however, this one is my favorite and Blood and Money is the runner up. If you wish to read 563 pages of powerful page turning adventure, get Serpentine.

*****

youthpeace2002@yahoo.com
Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Book of Eastern Wisdom by Taro Gold. 5 stars.
This is the best collection of Eastern wisdom I've ever found. The enlightening theme is that 'true happiness is within us all; we have only to reveal it.' The book is filled with hundreds of simple and inspiring guideposts based on the timeless wisdom of Eastern thought, including my personal favorite: 'The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud.' Deeply thought-provoking and yet light and uplifting at the same time. Beautifully illustrated as well.

*****

Mwalima@aol.com
Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter. 5 stars.
Carter provides an engaging and intriguing look into life in the Black Upper Middle class, and how they, too, "sing America." The characters are well developed, complex and ones a reader can get into - whether you like them or despise them, they manage to become persons in their own right. The death of a judge, whose choices on his way to the bench eventually cost him a seat on the High Court, spark a good read. The judge's son, a college professor walking between his upper middle class life, and the expectations of others, black and white, keeps the story moving, and the reader coming back for more.

*****