ebusby@optonline.net
I am currently reading Blood Lure by Nevada Barr. Her Anna Pigeon books are always entertaining and this one does not let down!

JFWisherd@aol.com
I read Beverly Barton's Every Move She Makes and I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

imslb@webtv.net
I am reading A Handful of Heaven by Kristin Hannah. VERY GOOD... Love in the Klondike. Rating 5.

bookmarm98@yahoo.com
HOSTAGE by Robert Crais. 5 stars.
CITY OF BONES by Michael Connelly. 5 stars.
BLACK WATER by T. Jefferson Parker. 5 stars.
DO NO HARM by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz. 5 stars.
THE WALKAWAY by Scott Phillips. 5 stars.
VERTICAL BURN by Earl Emerson. 5 stars.
RED CLAY, BLUE CADILLAC by Michael Malone. 5 stars.
SLEEP NO MORE by Greg Iles. 5 stars.

lin111@juno.com
I am finishing up Five Quarters of The Orange and am rather disappointed
in it. I guess one can't expect perfection in every authors' books. It seems to be taking forever to get to the point. I am also reading Love, Greg and Lauren and loving it. I'm not the least depressed, but think it's the best love story I have ever read. I so admire each of these very courageous people. I am also learning a lot from it, in more ways than one.

Pat4CSKK@aol.com
Just finished Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. I am a diehard Evanovich fan, I love the mystery and the ribald humor. I would rate it 5 stars. I can't wait for # 9.

ntroike@comcast.net
I just finished reading Anatomy of a Murder. It is from the 1950s but it is a great court room drama, very true as I just served on a jury. Was made into an excellent movie.

Loveajoy@aol.com
I've just finished 5 Earlene Fowler books and they're wonderful. More than a cozy, but small-town folksey. While each is a stand-alone book, they need to be read in order (by publication date) to keep up with the changes in the lives of the main characters.
Dove In The Window
Mariner's Compass
Seven Sisters
Arkansas Traveler
Steps To The Altar

JoanMent@aol.com
I am reading Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. It is astonishing beautiful. I bought this book for my husband, and from a few things he mentioned, I was sure it was not for me. He urged me to read it, and I am so glad he did. This book is not like anything I usually read, and I am totally captivated. I think it is brilliant! Absolutely 5 stars PLUS!

sjones174@comcast.net
The Hour Before Dark by Douglas Clegg. 5 stars.
Excellent read.

GeoBarb636@aol.com
The Puzzle Bark Tree by Stephanie Gertler. 5 stars.
Wasn't sure I was going to finish this book, but after the first couple of chapters, I was hooked. It turned out to be a really interesting and emotional book. I will remember it for a long time.

DizeM4T@aol.com
I am currently reading One Door Away From Heaven by Dean Koontz. It's a bit long, but not boring. He has a way with words that make them leap right off the page and into your brain. This is not one of his usual gory novels, either --- that's rather refreshing, too! So far, 4 out of 5 stars!

UndercoverReader@aol.com
I'm reading:
Loving:
THE BEACH HOUSE by James Patterson and Peter DeJonge

Not thrilled:
THE TROLL KING by John Vornholt

echodesign@aol.com
The Laughing Sutra by Mark Saltzman. 5 stars.
This book is full of insightful bits about the culture and history of China. In a gentle story about terrible events, Saltzman tells how the life of a child is saved, allowing him to grow and experience many adventures with a kind old man and a bazaar enormous protector.

Each chapter leaves thoughts about life and the importance of... that would be giving away the essence of the book so read it and you too can have a wonderful experience.

WindFlower@aol.com
I am reading The Salaryman by Meg Pei. A well-told story of a Japanese family who move to the US with his company.

Grandmareadme@aol.com
I am currently reading Lake in the Clouds by Sara Donati and The "M" Word by Jane Isenberg. I am also reading The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall for my f2f book club.

HEAVYLENNY@aol.com
I'm reading the latest Tom Clancy's Red Rabbit and loving every minute of it. Unfortunately, since it is cast in the early career of Jack Ryan, I see Ben Affleck in every scene, whereas as the original plot aged with Harrison Ford, I'd visualize him as President...next up James Lee Burke's Jolie Blon's Bounce.

dmilburn@alltel.net
Mortal Prey by John Sandford. 3 stars.
I was disappointed in this "Prey" book. I finally put it down when I was about half way through. Couldn't stay interested.

Mentha7@netscape.net
Ridley Pearson's The Art of Deception. 5 stars
This is a real page turner, can't put it down book.

James Patterson's Beach House. 5 stars.
A legal thriller.

Janet Evanovich's Hard Eight. 5 stars.
Finding a kidnapped child.

b.ostly@attbi.com
I am reading Killing Floor by Lee Child.

RTex57@aol.com
I just finished reading The Truth Hurts by Nancy Pickard. I finished it in one sitting because I couldn't stop reading!

Shell725@aol.com
At the moment I am reading A Hell of a Dog by Carol Lea Benjamin. It's the first book I have read by this author. I picked it up while browsing the mystery section of the bookstore. The plot intrigued me because it involved a convention for dog trainers, and I love dogs. Of course, they are starting to die at the hotel. The author has a keen sense of humor, and I'd like to give some of her other works a try. Rating: 4 1/2 stars.

BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
FLESH AND BLOOD by Jonathan Kellerman. 4 stars.
Good mystery and interesting characters.

tmzemke@comcast.net
I, Rhoda Manning, Go Hunting with My Daddy: And Other Stories by Ellen Gilchrist. 2 1/2 stars.
I tried very hard to like the book I, Rhoda Manning, Go Hunting with My
Daddy: And Other Stories by Ellen Gilchrist. It received great reviews, but I just couldn't finish it. Something about the stories felt disjointed, even though they were supposed to be told by the character, Rhoda, at different times at her life. Maybe it's because I don't really care for short stories that made me not care for this book.

How to be Good by Nick Hornby. 3 1/2 stars.
On the other hand, I'm reading the new Nick Hornby novel, How to be Good. I'm amazed when authors such as Hornby can write a novel from a different gender perspective. It's very funny, but manages to make the reader think about life at the same time. It's written by the author who also wrote High Fidelity and About a Boy so you know it's going to be a laugh out loud book.

charris@pcnuthut.com
Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg. 4 stars.
Her usual funny, yet serious book. Easy to read but not just fluff

Thane's Folly by Dorothy Gilman. 5 stars.
This is not about Mrs. Pollifax but a good mystery book with a very happy ending.

Corelli's Mandolin by Louis DeBernieres. 3 stars.
Rather hard to get started but gets easier to read as you go along. It is a War story mainly about one woman and the man she loved.

The Breaker by Minette Walters. 4 stars.
Written very well, different type of mystery. A woman is killed and found in the water, found by two boys, than goes on from there. Good read

Stone Kiss by Faye Kellerman. 4 stars.
This is another in a series and is about Jewish people. Not a good as some of her books but a very good mystery anyway.

TracelDog@aol.com
I give The Emperor of Ocean Park written by Stephen L. Carter 4 stars. An unusual first person account of a black law professors' life and the mysterious death of his father. If you like chess and/or mystery stories this book is right up your alley!

Jilljbdnd@aol.com
Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs. Not one of her best writings but fair reading.

Myrnapen@aol.com
I'm reading The Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer. 4 stars. As a story, it's well-written, and as a catalyst for thought, it's provocative. It makes us wonder what we would do if life suddenly threw us a curve. You'll ask yourself what role devotion plays in matters of love.

Buttercupmlm@aol.com
I'm reading Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling. Rowling is an amazing author: it takes talent to write books that children & adults both can enjoy so much!

DAVENAYMEG@aol.com
I just finished The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. It just blew me away thinking that this could actually happen and most likely does. I really enjoyed it although I wanted to strangle Mr. and Mrs. X. I give it 4 stars. I probably would have given it 5 stars, but I reserve that high distinction to The Lovely Bones, the best book I have read in a long time.

JmkWild@aol.com
Three Junes by Julia Glass. 5 stars.
A wonderful study of relationships intertwined over a a period of years, written gracefully and sensitively --- 5 stars for sure.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.
Truly sorry to finish this elegantly written novel set in South America: the individual characters are unforgettable --- best novel I've read this year. I would give it six stars if possible!

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 5 stars.
Reminiscent of Our Town in its format, if not in its plot. Original and well written.

In the middle of The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer. Not in a class with the other three -- the story is OK, but the writing is pedestrian, and the cataloguing of products and place names is tedious. 3 stars.

Vikkivand@aol.com
Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook. 2 stars.
It was well written and had a few funny areas, but the story was just a little too unbelievable for me.

In the Walled Garden by Anahita Firouz.
Sorry, I can't rate this as I didn't finish it. Very slow moving and I was getting bored. The author writes well.

Faking It by Jennifer Crusie.
I am reading this now.

StephanieG@aol.com
This summer I read everything written by Judith Van Gieson. They're great! Her most recent is Confidence Woman, which I would give 5 stars.

AJF1701@aol.com
The last book I finished was Hot Dog by Laurie Berenson. Great book. I give it a 5.

NFrazelle@aol.com
Check out Moon Women by Pam Duncan! Awesome. NC author with NC women as subjects of story. Also Margaret Maron's Slow Dollar for a less intense, fun mystery! Welcome back Judge Knott!

Ery222@aol.com
Thunderhead by Preston and Child. 3 stars.

JONIVERSON@aol.com
I finished reading and love WATER BOY by Gary Reiswig.

DM155@aol.com
I am reading Distant Shore by Kristin Hannah. I give it 4 stars so far. I am also reading Heaven and Earth by Nora Roberts it is the second book in the witch trilogy. I give it 4 stars.

GDurisin@aol.com
The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen. 3 stars.
Gerritsen has moved away from her hallmark medical techno-thriller, and more into the world of horror and serial murders in this sequel to The Surgeon. Her earlier focus was more to my liking and brought more depth to her writing.

Kleopatra by Karen Essex. 4˝ stars.
Fictionalized biography of Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile was fascinating and very informative. Looking forward to reading her recently published sequel, Pharaoh.

Flight Lessons by Patricia Gaffney. 1˝ stars.
So trite that less than a week after finishing it, I've all but forgotten its contents. An unmemorable story of a young woman coming to terms with her memories and her resentment of the aunt whom she believes betrayed her mother by seducing her father. The setting, in an Italian family restaurant, was the only interesting feature of this book.

The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer. 5 stars.
When her fiancé, about whom she's already begun to have second thoughts, is paralyzed in a diving accident, a young woman is faced with a painful choice --- to go through with her plan to end the engagement and destroy the hope that may help Mike to recover, or maintain the relationship and give up her own dreams. Very well written, with well-drawn characters that evoke sympathy.

Stone Kiss by Faye Kellerman. 2˝ stars.
Decker travels with wife Rina and youngest daughter Hannah from LA to NY to investigate the murder of Decker's half-brother's brother-in-law, and the disappearance of that brother-in-law's daughter. But though the family requested his help, once he arrives, they seem puzzlingly eager to shut him out and send him back home. Some very far-fetched events and several less than sympathetic characters decreased my enjoyment of this new book.

The Double Bond by Carole Angier. 2 stars.
Not a good choice on my part as I was seeking an introductory work on Primo Levi; the author assumes her reader already has a good bit of familiarity with Levi's writings as well as his life. She's extrapolated much of her biographical data from his writings, so this book tends to be as much literary analysis as biography, and as such was largely inaccessible to me and unhelpful in introducing me to the man some have called the most moral man of the twentieth century.

The Legacy by D. W. Buffa. 4˝ stars.
I was lucky enough to win this book in the Authors Summer Reading List contest, and rate it 4˝ stars. Buffa is a new author to me, but the quality of his writing is enough send me searching for his three previous books. The Legacy was suspenseful to the end (and a very satisfying end it was)! as attorney Joseph Antonelli works to win acquittal for his client, a young black college student accused of murdering a candidate for the US Senate. I passed it along to a friend after I finished it, and she too said she could not put it down!

The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett. 5 stars.
Unusual in concept and characters, but so well-written I could hardly put it down, this one certainly rates five stars. After the death of her husband the magician, the woman who served as his assistant for 20+ years is contacted by his mother and sister and has an opportunity to be reunited with her dead husband, in a sense, by exploring the past he had hidden from her.

Absolute Rage by Robert K. Tanenbaum. 4˝ stars.
Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi investigate miners' union corruption in Appalachia after a family with whom they have just become acquainted is murdered in their home in West Virginia. Excellent portrayal of small-town corruption and greed in a tightly plotted novel that also features the Karp children in more prominent roles.

lgettle@iserv.net
AREA 7 by Matthew Reilly. Nonstop action and adventure. I'd rate it at 5 stars.

lyn1256@execpc.com
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. 4 stars.
The book deals with the omissions, exaggerations, and outright lies we were taught about American history. Interesting and thought-provoking.

welshdragon@rushmore.com
The Burning Times by Jeanne Kalogridis. 4 stars.
Somewhere between historical novel and fantasy. Good twist at the end.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. 4 stars.
A little dated, but you have to ask yourself --- are we there yet?

LAYUO37@aol.com
I have just finished HARD EIGHT by Janet Evanovich. I give this book 5 stars. It has everything. Love, terror, stealth, and excitement abound. Hard Eight is the eighth in a series of Stephanie Plum (Bounty Hunter) novels. I have read all eight of these mystery novels and am hooked.

Ness32693@aol.com
Close To You by Mary Jane Clark. 3 stars.
Not as exciting as her previous reads.

Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson. 4 stars.
Loved it.

Worth The Risk by Jayne Ann Krentz. 3 stars
A light read which is just what I needed.

Too Wicked To Love by Barbara Dawon Smith. 4 stars.
Enjoyed immensely.

What You Wish For by Fern Michaels. 4 stars.
She's one of my favorite authors.

EvieD@aol.com
Reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory.

bpresco1@tampabay.rr.com
About 60 pages into Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel. Fascinating bio of the groundbreaking astronomer and mathematician. Sobel does a great job of putting him, his work and his struggles with the Catholic church into historic context. 5 stars.

DesertGma@aol.com
I just finished reading My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk and loved it. It is a good translation from the Turkish and takes place in Istanbul in the 16th century. There's a murder mystery, but the most intriguing part of the book to me is its setting in the culture of the calligraphers and illuminators of the time. These people decorated books the margins of books and the story includes the politics, religious issues and social mores of this particular group at this particular time in history. A great read!

classics_booksellers@hotmail.com
I'm reading Trapped by James Alan Gardner...definitely 5 stars, even though I'm typically not a fantasy reader.

SWeeaks@aol.com
I am currently reading Black Mountain by Rex Stout. I have read all of the Nero Wolfe novels at least twice and when I can't find decent mystery, I reread another one. I have just finished the fourth Harry Potter book and Warning Signs by Stephen White. I have on order at my local library two more of Stephen White's mysteries. I'm hooked on mysteries.

Recently I have read all of the Janet Evanovich books and the Diane Mott Davidson books. I read journals professionally and when I read novels I read strictly for fun and pleasure.

BettyB6768@aol.com
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Under the old star system I would give this book 4 stars. Why not 5? I was upset with the ending. The tale itself is beautifully told and the love stories that become part of the imprisonment and music are engrossing, but it seems as though the author didn't know how to get out of the predicament and tacked on the ending. Some might see that ending as symbolic, but that is stretching the tale somewhat.

TeaSage@aol.com
The books I am currently reading are:
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells.
It is somewhat reminiscent of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, but with a Southern flavor. It is well-written, entertaining, and may provoke readers to examine their own relationships, fears, secrets, and hang-ups. I give it 5 stars.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard is a feast of images to delight the senses. This is the first of her books I have read, but it definitely won't be the last. Her style reminds me of Thoreau and Barbara Kingsolver. Again, 5 stars.

Yodasmommy@aol.com
All dog lover should read A Dog Year by Jon Katz. It is his tale of his life with 4 dogs. When his Labs were 6 and 7, a breeder who'd read his book Running to the Mountain, contacted Katz to say she had a dog that was meant for him --- a two-year-old border collie named Deveon, well bred but high-strung and homeless. This is the story of how Devon and Jon --- and Julius and Stanley --- came to terms with each other. It is a story of trust and understanding, of life and death, and is hilarious and deeply moving. I give this one 5 stars.

Bjglu@aol.com
Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg. 3 stars.
Mildly amusing but not nearly as good as her earlier novels.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 4.5 stars.
The reviewers are right. This is terrific (and if you enjoy this one, please read her earlier nonfiction, Lucky).

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. 3 stars.
Read this for book group. While it was well-written and literate, bottom line is I didn't care what happened to the characters.

oltlfreak@aol.com
The book I am reading right now is Lucky by Alice Sebold. Her Lovely Bones had me reading the book a second time as soon as I finished it. Then I went to buy my own copy of it. I just started reading this, but it's honest and open about what happened to Alice. 5 stars.

Lgluhani@aol.com
The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald. 3 stars.
Short novel but not really memorable.

storm8810@yahoo.com
I highly recommend The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe. It was a great story about how life can throw you a curve just when you thought everything was right. It's about a woman who is called home to S. Carolina by her ailing mother after the woman has been gone 20 years. She's not thrilled in the beginning but once she arrives back at the beach house everything seems to change. She begins to see what she's been missing all those years. The story had a few different sub plots and that made it even better. Very hard to put down once you start, so beware!! 5 stars.

MRJ1234@aol.com
I AM READING PARTNER IN CRIME BY J. A. JANCE. IT IS A GREAT READ BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IT BRINGS TOGETHER BOTH OF HER HERETOFORE SEPARATE CHARACTERS IN ONE NOVEL. THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN JOANNA BRADY AND J. P. BEAUMONT IS GREAT. ADD TO THE MIX A GREAT CRIME STORY AND YOU HAVE ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A WONDERFUL NOVEL. I GIVE IT 5 STARS.

beckybrannan@hotmail.com
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. 5 stars (and I would give it more). My favourite book of all time and I've just read it again for about the 20th time. There is so much in it that I always find something new. Deeply disturbing but an intriguing step into human psychology. Read it!

Heracles54@hotmail.com
Intelligence, Internment & Relocation by Keith Robar. 5 stars.
Over 300 books in the Library of Congress cover the events affecting ethnic Japanese in WW II but this book stands head and shoulders above most of them. Opinion is free but facts are priceless and our author prowled the Navy, FBI and National Archives to ferret out the documents to prove his case.

It will be clear to readers that there is no need to wallow in guilt over our treatment of this ethnic minority. Proof is offered to refute charges that our government's actions were racist, we were hysterical and Roosevelt was a failure as a leader. These charges by a government commission are proven to be without merit.

Our publishing industry does not look with favor on self-publishers who work outside the "system" so the book is difficult to find. Try Amazon. You'll thank me for it.

karen4191@attbi.com
I am currently reading Zeke and Ned by Larry McMurtry and Dianna Osama, I give it 5 stars. I'm not normally a fan of Westerns, but the humor was apparent from the first few pages. This writing duo really knows how to turn a phrase.

MAKKEDAH02@AOL.com
I just finished reading two books by Jane Lindskold, Through Wolf's Eyes and the sequel Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart and they were fantastic!! They're about a girl who was raised with wolves, found years later, and could be the king's last living relative. She has outstanding gifts that help to save a kingdom at war. She has only a young man that she trusts and he has to teach her how to live like a lady , and not to devour her food as an animal. She also has one giant wolf that came with her to guard her in her new life. It's funny, loving, witty. Just one of those books you can't put down yet can't wait to finish, then you're mad cause you did finish it. But the story continues in the 2nd book and I believe there will be more to this story of courage, wizards, evil, love, and joy of life. I give these books 5 stars. ENJOY THE RIDE!!!!

juliecbarnard@yahoo.com
Currently reading Michael Chabon's new novel, Summerville, and loving it. 5 stars. Just finished China Run by David Ball --- a great read, 4 stars. Not as good as Michael's book, but then what is?

rozpet@earthlink.net
I am currently reading a new novel, The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster. I give it 5 stars. The story is wonderful, and the writing is superb.

PMS2812@aol.com
I've spent this week rereading some of my favorite Julie Garwood books. The Lion's Lady, Guardian Angel, The Gift, Castles, Rebellious Desire. I give all of them 5 stars. All her books until recently have been historical romances. They all have great stories and terrific characters that are witty and charming and of course the women are all independent. The stories usually have me smiling through most of the book. But of course not all is smooth sailing. They are all fun and fast reads. These books that I have reread this week, have all been reread before. So if you like romance and have not yet ventured into the realm of historicals, this would be a great place to start. If you like historicals you will undoubtedly like these.

MJesiJames@aol.com
I am reading Hot Springs by Stephen Hunter. More women should read this book! I give it 5 stars. This is a great crime story set in 1946. I found myself caring about the characters and definitely intrigued.

alliecat@enter.net
Simply Devine by Wendy Holden. 4 stars.
Laugh out loud funny.

Honeymoon by Amy Jenkins. 4 stars.
What is "The One True Love" and how it can mess you up.

Judy Moody Gets Famous by Megan McDonald. 4 stars.
Third grade seems like such fun.

Someone Like You by Cathy Kelly. 4 stars.
Just started, looks good so far.

Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married by Marian Keyes. 5 stars.
Again, looking for "true love" can mess you up.

Ferney by James Long. 5 stars.
Reincaration at its finest.

swanbender@hotmail.com
I am currently listening to Josephine Bailey narrate Year of Wonders by
Geraldine Brooks and I give this story a high rating. I am also reading All
Over But the Shoutin by Ricky Bragg.

Reeklink@aol.com
Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. 4 + stars.

Booksagain@aol.com
A Dog's Life by Peter Mayle. 5 stars.

SteLevey@aol.com
ATONEMENT by Ian McEwan. Brilliant prose and atmosphere. Three totally different sections adding up to a unputdownable novel. 5 stars.

VAGallus@aol.com
Just finished Jinxed by Carol Higgins Clark. It's her latest and best yet. If you want a quick mystery escape, Carol Higgins Clark is for you. 5 stars.

Tiggi47@aol.com
I am reading Stitches In Time by Barbara Michaels. It's a wonderful mystery about a haunted quilt.

divabrady@yahoo.com
I just read the following:

Summer Knight by Jim Butcher. 5 stars
Fantastic fast paced read.

Restless Spirits by SD Tooley. 5 stars.
Great mystery.

I also started a new (to me) series of mysteries by Carol O'Connell. I finished the first one Mallory's Oracle. Liked it a lot. 4 stars.

billiegirl20@hotmail.com
Right now is The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille. A friend bought it for me for my birthday after telling me over and over again that I had to read it. I'm about half way through it and am thoroughly enjoying it...although the characters do seem a bit "snobby." I believe they will get their "comeuppance" and I'll enjoy it!

I just finished The Lovely Bones. What an absolutely beautiful book.

cleas@earthlink.net
Just finished the brand-new The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber and absolutely loved it. Word of warning, it's not for the squeamish. But imagine Dickens without the sentimentality! Am now halfway into Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold (just out in paperback) and am having trouble putting it down to get any work done.

mlauerba@aol.com
I am reading
1. Small Ceremonies by Carol Shields. 5 stars.
2. A Celibate Season by Carol Shields. 5 stars.
3. Fortunes Rocks by Anita Shreve (to lead a book group). 4 stars.
4. Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler. 5 stars.
5. Music and Silence by Rose Tremaine. 4 stars.

Catslady5@aol.com
Valley of the Horses by Jean Auel. 5 stars.
I am rereading the Earth Children series and enjoying it as much or even more than the first time. I read Clan of the Cave Bear last month and will read The Mammoth Hunters next month. I can't wait until I read the 4th and 5th books of the series which I have never read.

DEJA2002@aol.com
Per your recommendation I read RUNNING TO THE MOUNTAIN by
Jon Katz. What attracted me to this book was his mention of love for his dogs. I am a dog lover, and not sure how a man's mid-life crisis would appeal to me, as I am of the opposite gender. This book shared an individuals' "becoming of age." Alone on a mountain, learning another lifestyle was the best I have read in some time.

FRoybiskie@aol.com
I am reading and loving Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series. The books are hilarious and expertly written. I can't wait for the next installment.

brady538_91208@yahoo.com
SEINFELD by Jerry Oppenheimer. 5 stars.
This is a good biography from Seinfeld's beginning to the present day. I read this aloud to my wife and both of us liked it a lot. As with all highly successful individuals, Seinfeld had a single purpose from childhood and never varied from it. His comedy and later his TV show took precedence over everything else in his life including girlfriends and social engagements. One must be driven to reach the pinnacles that Seinfeld enjoys. The journey is most interesting to read about. You discover that many, many of his shows were most autobiographical.

tfranzen2124@attbi.com
I am rereading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. I gave it 5 stars the first time I read it, and I'll give it 5 stars this time, and probably next time too. I had to reread it. I missed the characters that much!

Krebsman@aol.com
I sent the first four entries on this list in months ago, but it never appeared so I'm sending it again with the new entries:

The Blue Lantern and Other Stories by Victor Pelevin. 3 stars.
Not as strong a collection as the author's A Werewolf Problem in Central Russia but does have a couple of knockout stories.

Getting Naked with Harry Crews edited by Eric Bledsoe. 4 stars.
A collection of interviews with Harry Crews that took place over a span of 30 years. There is much food for thought here. I recommend this one very strongly.

The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles. 5 stars.
Simply great. Fagles' brilliant translation is poetic, but not flowery. Instead it's strong, muscular and rivetingly immediate. Bravo!

Freedom and Death by Nikos Kazantzakis, translated by Jonathan Griffin. 2 stars.
Kazantkakis' novel gets 4 stars, Griffin's awkward, almost unreadable translation gets no stars at all. I would describe the novel itself as a tragedy with the island of Crete as the tragic hero.

Arms of Nemesis by Steven Saylor. 4 stars.
Saylor continues his adventures of Roman sleuth Gordianus the Finder set against the background of the Spartacan slave uprising. Colorful and engrossing.

Paul Gauguin, A Complete Life by David Sweetman. 5 stars.
Monumental biography of the painter. Great scholarship, great writing.

How to Travel Incognito by Ludwig Bemelmans. 3 stars.
Short humorous sketches of travel in 1950s Europe with a character named Cucuface.

Cooking with Elvis & Bollocks: Two Plays by Lee Hall. 2 stars.
The author is talented, but both these scripts are severely undeveloped and are filled with missed opportunities. Poor man's Joe Orton.

Grif76@aol.com
THE DIVE FROM CLAUSEN'S PIER. 3.5 stars.
Heartbreaking premise, and Ann Packer explores the question of the narrator's responsibility to her injured ex-fiance and the depths of the guilt she feels. Is a bit much at times, and the supporting characters feel like they are there for decoration... Nevertheless, it's a good read.

Britadon@aol.com
Atonement by Ian McEwan. 4 stars.
Could have been 5 stars but the first third is a bit tedious...wonderful storyline and morality with an intriguing ending. Chose this because it was on so many of the summer author's lists to read.

Hamlet's Dresser by Bob Smith. 3 stars.
Very moving book but I cannot stay with it...don't know if I will finish it. But, that may have to do with the fact that I prefer nonfiction. Still it really appreciates the elderly without being sugary-sweet.

GrammaBet@aol.com
Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg is just a pure delight. I think you will enjoy it more if you are older (as in your 60's) because so much of the book will remind you of your childhood. At least it certainly brought back mine. But don't turn away from it if you are not that old, because it affords all ages a delightful read. You will renew acquaintance with Neighbor Dorothy from Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! as well as some of the other characters from that book. Fannie Flagg writes from the heart and I promise this book will touch yours. 5 stars.

MASTERSCOTT69@aol.com
Long Lost by David Morrell. 3 stars.
A successful family man is ecstatic to find the brother who was kidnapped as a child. Unfortunately he is led to wonder if this man is really his brother or a potentially dangerous con man. This book is definitely not a warm and fuzzy family story, but an okay read all the same.

comountainhiker@aol.com
I am currently reading The English Assassin by Daniel Silva. It is a great thriller with lots of surprises. It's definitely 5 stars! Thank you.

caliauds66@aol.com
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. 4 stars.
I really liked this historical fiction novel. It's a bit of a romance type novel but I liked it being narrated by Mary Boleyn. I would recommend it.

DancingGram7@aol.com
Tara Road by Maeve Binchy. 5 stars.
I just finished reading Tara Road by Maeve Binchy and really enjoyed this book. It's a story about a family and friends and a marriage and what happens when the character Ria who lives in Dublin, Ireland swaps houses with Marilyn in Connecticut for the summer. It's a long book but its a book that you can't put down. I highly recommend it...it's probably a woman's book.

MysteryNut19@aol.com
The Simple Truth by David Baldacci. 1 star.

Nothing is simple in this Supreme Court snorefest.

A Vietnam vet is convicted of cold-blooded murder and sentenced to life. Twenty-five years later he remembers what occurred prior to the incident and appeals to the Supreme Court for review. The new information threatens many now high-level politicos and they attempt to suppress the info by whatever means necessary.

This premise is so obvious. I'm stunned that the author managed to drag it out for 400+ pages.

TonyBrandin@peoplepc.com
Bloody Dawn by Thomas Goodrich. 4 stars. I am a student of Kansas Jayhawking/Missouri Bushwhacking history before and during the Civil War. Bloody Dawn tells the story of the Lawrence Massacre, when in 1863 a few hundred Missouri rebels sacked Lawrence, Kansas and killed more than 150 residents of what was then the frontier city. Goodrich's nonfiction account is easily readable and character rich. Often battle narratives get bogged down in military detail, but Goodrich keeps the chapters short and mostly free of tactical details. This is a good history of a bloody day.

brady538_91208@yahoo.com
MEDAL OF HONOR by Allen Mikaelian with commentary by Mike Wallace. 4 stars.
Eleven chapters containing bios of the various men who have received the Medal of Honor from the Civil War through Vietnam. For those who like war stories, (like me) this is a gem that details the specific incident that was responsible for the awarding of the medal. Politics paid its part, particularly in the early years during and after the Civil War. As with life, you will read uplifting stories and tragic stories about the men who truly sacrificed to save others. Mike Wallace puts in his two cents worth occasionally, and his part is interesting, also.

GeoBarb636@aol.com
I just finished reading:
The Puzzle Bark Tree by Stephanie Gertler. 5 stars.
Really enjoyed it!!

The Survivors Club by Lisa Gardner. 5 stars.
This book was hard to put down, just had to finish it!

bookmark@sc.rr.com
Mt. Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark was disappointing. She is much better in her suspense novels. I give it 2 stars. The book I am reading now is an advanced copy called the Crooked Heart by Christina Sumners, due out the end of October. I have read 100 pages, of it already I cant put it down. It's got suspense, romance and it's about a minister who falls for a cop, which the cop wants some crime to happen so he can talk to the minister. It's great.

SheilaD@aol.com
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. 5 stars.
Hands down the best book I've read this year.

margietoone@cs.com
I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed Family Jewels, a detective mystery written by T. Y. Green. Brenda, a rookie officer secretly teams up with Lawrence and Alvarez to solve a case that's kept the citizens of Baltimore frightened for over a year. The Baltimore City Police Dept. can't seem to connect any of the clues that are disrupting the peace of their city. After a series of unlucky events leave Brenda and Lawrence struggling to keep their relationship from deteriorating. They stumble across some leads that help them to uncover evidence to help solve a once thought unsolvable mystery. I found this book to be well paced and written. I didn't want to put it down once I started reading. T. Y. Green provided an excellent ending to her book that left me eager with anticipation for her next novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to solve a good mystery. T. Y. Green should write scripts for TV Drama!

gojessgo@looped.com
The Beach House by James Patterson. 3 stars.
I am sorry I had to wait so long to be disappointed by this book. Boring, uninteresting and more than a little improbable...I had hoped for so much more from an author I have loved for years.

The Tutor by Peter Abrahams. 5 stars.
This was a great book about a tutor bent on destroying a family who unfortunately underestimates their Sherlock Holmes loving 11-year old daughter. Great book and so different with who the heroine is.

Bubbles in Trouble by Sarah Strohmeyer. 5+ stars.
I adored this book! It made me laugh so hard, my kids left the room. For any Janet Evanovich lovers out there --- try this book!

Quietus by Vivian Schilling. 3 stars.
This book was not only a little too long for me, it was a little to introspective and creepy. About a woman, her husband and friends who miss their date with death only to run headlong into the next one. No happy endings here and a little dark.

Loyalty in Death by J. D. Robb. 5 stars.
I have been reading the Eve Dallas series from the beginning for the past couple of months and I love them. They are excellently told stories with enough mystery and detail in each one to keep the series fresh. I highly recommend every book in this series.

One Hit Wonder by Lisa Jewell. 4 stars.
Sweet book about a woman unraveling the past of her sister the "One Hit Wonder" of 1986. I liked this book a lot. Very fun.

The House on Sprucewood Lane by Caroline Slate. 4 stars.
Depicts a family dealing with the rape and murder of their shining star 10 year old daughter. I didn't know that was what this book was about when I started reading it or I wouldn't have. I have a little girl and right now, reading about such heinous acts is not entertaining to me. Especially with all the kidnappings going on in the US right now. I guess I am a big wuss.

Fade to Black by Wendi Staub Corsi. 4 stars.
Reminded me of a Mary Higgins Clark mystery. I mean that as a compliment of course.

Dead Sleep by Greg Iles. 5 stars.
Hot Dog! What a fab book. A woman goes into a gallery in Hong Kong and sees a painting of her twin sister dead in a bathtub one year after she had been kidnapped. Cool story.

The Eleventh Hour by Catherine Coulter. 4 stars.
Better than usual installment in her FBI series. I really enjoyed this one.

The Puzzle Bark Tree by Stephanie Gertler. 5+ stars.
I read this book in one sitting. I was instantly drawn in and could not put this one down. The story revolves around a woman whose parents were emotionally unavailable all her life and how she and her sister deal with their eventual suicides. It may sound grim, but it is not. I can't say enough about it.

TLWood61@aol.com
The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen. 4 stars.
This is my first book by Tess Gerritsen, good but not great read, however I kept on reading because I was intrigued with the main character, Jane. I will read The Surgeon which is the first "Jane" novel.

The Beachhouse by Mary Alice Monroe. 5 + stars.
This story is one that you will remember long after you turn the last page. The novel has become one of my top ten! Mary Alice Monroe taps into the deepest part of relationships. A great southern novel and one I would highly recommend. Makes me long for summer already!

Mystrytx@aol.com
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. 4 stars.
Like learning history all over again for the first time. Great.

KatieLiz312@aol.com
The book I am reading is Timeline by Michael Crichton. I give it 5 stars because the scientific background backing up the story is amazing. The medieval setting is great, along with the action. To me, this book was one of the best I have ever read.

GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm reading City of Bones by Michael Connelly. 5 stars. It is a book that I won several months ago from Word Of Mouth. After waiting for my husband and daughter to read this book, I took it on vacation with me to a cabin in Wisconsin. I was not disappointed and neither were they! It is a book that just won't let you put it down! Compelling, compassionate, somewhat graphic, a page turner with a surprise ending. (DON'T READ IT FIRST!)

melissab@peak.org
Recent reads include:

Step Ball Change by Jeanne Rae. 4 stars.
A very sweet, good read. Kind of reminded me of Father of the Bride but actually sweeter.

Flesh Tones by M. J. Rose. 4 stars.
A very good mystery/fiction book that makes you think. Lots of talk about art and talent and it also breaks your heart. A must read.

Good People of New York by Thisbe Nissan. 3 stars.
Good book about a family and how they react to each other.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire. 4 stars.
The true story of the Wicked Witch of the West. Not what you would expect!

Lucky by Alice Sebold. 5 stars.
The story before The Lovely Bones. This is the autobiographical account of Alice Sebold's rape. Worth reading and loaning out to friends.

linda_huck@ameron.com
I am currently reading Cass Timberlane by Sinclair Lewis. It is part of my program of reading all of the works of selected classic authors. It is very interesting to get a look at what were the bestsellers 25 and 50 years ago compared to the bestsellers of today.

Loritaggert@aol.com
What I am currently rereading is MRS. MIKE by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. 5 stars! I came upon this wonderful book recently and am amazed to find so many people who have loved and cherished this book for over half a century. When I wrote an e-mail to my aunt singing the praises of this beautiful book she tried to reply but couldn't type because her hands were shaking! She picked up the phone to tell me that she remembered this book from 35 years ago when she was in 7th grade. If you lost your entire book collection today, what would be the first you'd replace. Right after my Bible, I would have to buy MRS. MIKE. As I write this short review I can glance over and see my copy sitting there on my bookshelf. It makes me sigh happily just knowing it is there. If I were Oprah, I would buy this book and just give it to everyone I know or happened upon on the street.

EZREADER1265@aol.com
The Grave Maurice by Martha Grimes. 4 stars.

McNally's Alibi by Sanders/Lardo. 2 stars.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 4 stars.
Love to reread these books.

LStev42725@aol.com
I'm working through an alternative history series by Harry Turtledove called "The Great War." It details a world where the US lost the Civil War and the "second civil war." Now World War I is being fought, not only in Europe, but in the US, between the CSA and USA with Canada as a CSA ally. Well-crafted characters and sub plots. The series rates a solid 4 if not a 5.

bencanada1@yahoo.com
The Ghost of Hannah Mendes by Naomi Ragen. 5 stars.
Excellent.

Doot65@aol.com
I'm reading From a Buick 8 by Stephen King and I rate it 5 stars.

Twinsmama83@aol.com
I just finished reading PLAIN TRUTH by Jodi Picoult and I rate it a 4. It was a great story about the simple life of the Amish in Pennsylvania. I learned a lot about a whole different way of life that is still being lived in our modern USA.

I am now reading THE ABSENCE OF NECTAR by Kathy Heppinstall. This book rates a 4.5 from me and I highly recommend reading this gripping story. I only have 30 pages to go, and I must say that this is a page turner and very hard to set down.

KLOZIER40@aol.com
The Lonely Bones by Alice Sebold.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.

Atonement by Ian McEwan.

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice.

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult.

I give each of them 5 stars and recommend each. So far, my favorite is The Red Tent.

tmzemke@comcast.net
I'm reading The Chili Queen, a new book by author Sandra Dallas. Sandra Dallas also wrote the wildly popular, but peculiarly titled book, The Persian Pickle Club. This is a book that you don't want to put down. The Chili Queen takes place in the 1880s in New Mexico and involves female scam artists. It manages to be a book about intrigue without being a mystery, a western without a John Wayne-type character and about brothels without graphic sex. How's that for creative writing?

Dallas writes about Kansas and New Mexico in such a revealing way that the reader can easily picture the lives of those who lived in such harsh conditions. As a librarian, this will be a book that I'll recommend to many patrons. This is definitely a 4 star read!

Comella2729@aol.com
The Lovely Bones by A. Sebold.
Patrimony by P. Roth.
Vanilla Beans & Brodo by I. Dusi.
Abraham by B. Feiler.
Year of Wonders by G. Brooks.
Corrections by J. Franz.
Peace Like a River by L. Enger.
Being Dead by J. Crace.
Comfort Me With Apples by R. Reichel.

All were interesting and and several were quite informative. I recommend them all.

bndraldy@excite.com
I am currently reading The Switch by Sandra Brown. I bestow all 5 stars for this fast paced page turner. It is laced with adventure, intrigue, tenderness and humor.

CLINDA912@aol.com
Our Book Discussion Group just read Still Life with Rice by Helie Lee. This biography of a Korean women was such a "good read." It made me wish I had talked more to my grandparents, who came from the old country, to find out why they came to America and what they went through in their native land. I enjoyed reading about a very different culture from my own. I'd recommend it to anyone and it gets 5 stars from me.

BettyB6768@aol.com
Mr. Vertigo by Paul Austere. 3 stars.
The plot begins well and is quite innovative, but the style, which is more than breezy, begins to pall after a while. It also seems as though the author begins to tack on plot elements and it becomes rambling.

lgettle@iserv.net
I just finished RED RABBIT by Tom Clancy. This is a well researched novel, but it lacks the I've-just-got-to-read-one-more-page suspense of his previous novels. I rate it at three and 3 and a half stars.

lswan@stplacid.org
The Songcatcher by Sharyn McCrumb.
Another delightful journey through Appalachia.

Silent Witness by Richard North Patterson.
Always keeps me engaged.

Rabbi Jesus: an Intimate Biography by Bruce Chilton.
Another wonderful resource for the history that doesn't get told.

MCarnes811@aol.com
The Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman. 4 stars.
Great read with a storyline that moves very quickly

A Year of Wonder by Geraldine Brooks. Truly a 5 star book. It tells the story of the Plague of 1600s in England and the sacrifices people made by volunteering to quarantine their entire city. Written as a novel but based on true facts.

Still She Haunts Me by Kate Roiphe. Another 5 star book. Tells the story of the relationship of Charles Dodgson (better know as Lewis Carroll) and Alice (the Alice from Alice in Wonderland) and why he was no longer permitted to see her again. It made me want to read Alice in Wonderland again!

Dochenry10@aol.com
I just finished Chiefs by Stuart Woods and it receives 5 stars, and Fatal by Michael Palmer --- also a 5 star book. I am currently reading Legacy of Secrets by Elizabeth Adler. She is a great author but this is a little slow in the middle probably would rate it a 3. Thanks.

Mdemulvihill@aol.com
I'm reading Bright Earth by Phillip Ball. My rating?
5 stars as a reader.
5 stars as a Chemist.
5 stars as an Artist/Historian.

Excessive? Perhaps, but very high praise is warranted for this extremely talented
author and his work.

camurray@webtv.net
I am reading Hurricane Bay by Heather Graham and give it 5 stars.

Susmu@aol.com
I recently finished Three Junes by Julia Glass. I would give it 3 stars. I tried reading The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold but I found it disturbing and put it down. I would give it 2 stars but that may be unfair since I didn't finish it. Right now I'm reading The Last Girls by Lee Smith. I'm enjoying it very much, 5 stars so far. I'm also reading Natasha by Suzanne Finstad. It's a biography of Natalie Wood and so far it's very good, 4 stars.

harrises@bayou.com
Hello, I have just finished Coraline by Neil Gaiman...very scary. I work in a bookshop and will recommend it to many young brave readers. 4 stars.

Also reading A Place Called Wiregrass by Michael Morris. 4 stars. The strong Erma Jean is a great character.

beckybrannan@hotmail.com
Atonement by Ian McEwan. 4 stars.
I've just finished reading this and much of it is still going round in my head. How easily a happy family can be destroyed. One lie leads to another, then there is no going back. Is forgiveness possible? Read it.

DKRnj@aol.com
The Bilbao Looking Glass by Charlotte MacLeod. 4 stars.
I read a later book of the Sarah Kelling series and enjoyed it sufficiently to go back and start reading the series from the beginning. I have not been disappointed so far.

The Importance of Being Ernestine by Dorothy Cannell. 3 stars.
I read this book because my mother's name was Ernestine. I liked parts of it but then it seemed to drag along too much.

csworks2@insightbb.com
Clay's Quilt by Silas House. 5 stars.
Heartwarming, genuine, real.

Bjglu@aol.com
Franklin Flyer by Nicholas Christopher. 4 stars.
Charming novel that gets you hooked on the first page and never lets go.

Muchacos Adios by D. Chavarria. 3.5 stars.
Translated from the Spanish; fun, lighthearted caper novel.

cdonovan@peoplepc.com
I'm reading The Mulberry Tree by Jude Devereaux and The Accidental Woman by Barbara Delinsky.

Iluvcats26@aol.com
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
I give this book 5 stars even though it starts with the murder of a young girl and generally speaking I don't like books about serial killers as they are too gory for my taste. I prefer genteel British murder mysteries. However after the initial first chapter I found myself unable to put this book down, which describes a family torn by grief and how they cope with it.

sciancetti@mooregrider.com
The Memory of Old Jack by Wendell Berry. 5 stars.
Simple and beautifully written. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Ery222@aol.com
Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich. 5 stars.

HOKAJO2@aol.com
I am reading Fannie Flagg's Standing in the Rainbow, and it gets 5 stars from me! A nostalgic look at life since W.W.II, the book's best features are its strong characters, simple, to the point language, and humor. It's a thick book, and you won't want it to end.

sampeterson45@hotmail.com
Hello everyone. Here is my list of the Top Three Best Reads for Summer 2002:
Madam, The Grass is High by Dennis H. Christen. Definitely a 5 star! Great character development. A warm and sensitive story. An after reading feeling of happiness and hope for the future, when we are seniors too. If that could be the future, then let me at it! I'm still thinking about it and it has been a week since I finished the book.

Faking It by Jennifer Crusie. 5 stars.
Enjoyed this! Funny! Have enjoyed her other books too, but not as much as this one. She makes you laugh out loud.

Among the Heroes: United Flight 93 and the Passengers and Crew Who Fought Back by Jere Longman. 5 stars.
This book reinforces my beliefs that Americans are caring individuals, and that there is a definitely a God. I didn't think I would like the subject matter this close to the actual event, but... Jere Longman does a wonderful job and I am glad I read this book.

MadTaz1@aol.com
A Dog Year by Jonathan Katz. I read excerpts from this book to my family and now they are taking turns reading it.

sdlinda@pacbell.net
The Measure of All Things by Ken Alder. 5 stars.
Fascinating! Rich in detail and well-researched, it tells the story of two French savants who tried to measure the world to establish the length of the meter, during the French Revolution "as the world was turning beneath their feet." Really captures the characters and the times through heavy use of original letters and documents.

The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason. 4 stars.
A lush and enchanting story of a London piano tuner sent to late 19th-century Burma on an extraordinary mission to repair a piano which an intriguing British army doctor wants to use as an instrument of peace. The book is saturated with intricate detail.

Bossu49@aol.com
MOUNT VERNON LOVE STORY by Mary Higgins Clark. 5 stars.
George and Martha Washington's story.

FINAL TARGET by Iris Johansen. 5 stars.
Fast paced thriller.

gema71@yahoo.com
Cold Mountain: A Novel by Charles Frazier. 5 stars!
After being wounded, a confederate soldier goes AWOL and walks across the country to his home in mountains. He has a deep desire to see the woman that he loves and that keeps him going throughout his difficult journey. This is not a touchy-feely romance. The main character and hero of our story runs across many hardships and gets caught up with "bounty hunters" who collect and kill deserters.

Good in Bed: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner. 5 stars!
The main character of this book is thirtyish and overweight. She has relationship problems and self-esteem issues. The book starts out with her finding out that her ex-boyfriend has a new job as a columnist in a woman's magazine. His first article is all about her! This is a very funny book by a first time author!

The Lovely Bones: A Novel by Alice Sebold. 4 stars!
The main character of this book is murdered at the age of 14. From then on, the book is narrated by her. The 14-year-old girl watches over her family, friends, and murderer. This was something unexpected, yet works really well in the novel. I was disappointed with the ending and thought it was a bit far fetched, but have friends who feel the opposite and loved the ending.

PFLucas@aol.com
Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came by M. C. Beaton. 4 stars.
This is for those who like to read about both the English countryside and murder. Agatha Raisin, an imperfect heroine solves mysteries in this series. Clever plots and witty dialogue will keep the reader turning pages with laughter.

Three Junes by Julia Glass. 4 stars.
Great characterization for a first novel!!

TAXIGRL@aol.com
Recently I finished two books in about 5 days written by Greg Iles. # 1 was TRAPPED. I enjoyed this book very much. I couldn't put it down. One night my lights went out and I was reading it by candle light. GOOD BOOK. The other was titled DEAD SLEEP. Not quite the page turner but nonetheless a very interesting read. Bravo to you, Mr. Iles! I have just started reading THE SIMPLE TRUTH by David Baldacci. Got to go...my book awaits. Happy reading!

shirfeld@gateway.net
Reading Hard Eight by Evanovich. Always enjoy her books very much.

SIROLIVER@aol.com
Just finished reading Val McDermid's The Last Temptation. What a great read. Involves a serial killer and reminds me of an early Morrell or Iles. Had to read it in one sitting --- could not put it down.

ana.roque@muhc.mcgill.ca
I have read several books from the following authors and have enjoyed them very much and I give them 5 stars.

Tami Hoag: Dust to Dust and Ashes to Ashes.

J. Deaver: The Bone Collector, The Coffin Dancer, The Empty Chair and The Stone Monkey.

Thank you.

Sblokzyl@aol.com
I just finished Undaunted Courage by David Ambrose. The story of Lewis and Clark. Well worth the read.

KINDLEELF@aol.com
I just finished Jeffery Deaver's The Blue Nowhere. Very thought-provoking and deserves 5 stars.

I totally enjoyed Welcome Home Baby Girl by Fannie Flagg and look forward to reading Standing in the Rainbow by the same author.

Riptide by Catherine Coulter lost credibility in the plot on occasion but is still a good read.