vitale@grantsburgtelcom.net
I'm reading John Adams by David McCullough. Excellent book, although most members of my book club are having a very difficult time with it.

debbie_nance@yahoo.com
If a Place Can Make You Cry by Daniel Gordis. 4 1/2 stars.
This book is the true story of a Jewish-American family who goes to Israel temporarily and ends up deciding to settle there permanently. At about the same time, things begin to heat up in Israel between the Jewish and the Palestinian people living there. Fascinating story.

mars1013@cox.net
I am reading From A Buick 8. It is not one of Stephen King's best books! I have read all of his books and I think he is great. But this book is ok. It took me longer to finish this book then all his other books.

MADEIRI@cs.com
I am currently reading The Ice Maiden by Edna Buchanan (5 stars). I have read all of her books and The Ice Maiden is her latest. If you like to read Sue Grafton (the alphabet mystery writer), then I think you will also enjoy Edna Buchanan. The main character is a female news reporter for a Miami newspaper who has appeared in previous books. Since I live in Orlando, I enjoy books that takes place in Florida.

Spizzyone@aol.com
No Place Like Home by Fern Michaels.
I thought this was a cute and light read. I would recommend it.

Ery222@aol.com
Dead Sleep by Greg Iles. 3 stars.
Good suspense.

Spizzyone@aol.com
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf.
I wanted to read this before reading The Hours, or before seeing the movie. I felt I should have some background info about Mrs. Dalloway and the author. I didn't care much for this book and, even though I hear great things about The Hours, I am in no hurry to read it now.

John1rosie@aol.com
May There Be A Road by Louis L'Amour. 3 stars.
This is a collection of short stories of perhaps the bygone "hard boiled" school of writing. Whether the hero in this collection is a boxer or a cowboy, he is an individual overcoming evil through superior strength of body and will. These stories are a thought provoking break from the contemporary story that relies on a "poetic," fortune cookie conclusion.

bradylee@myway.com
Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc. 5 stars.
How does one live through abject poverty and in the middle of a drug culture? This book will tell you by giving a biography of a family of many branches. It is most interesting to learn the concern the mothers have for their children and their men, and what they go through during a "typical day." There are many characters in this story where one main man is a drug dealer and enjoys great wealth (temporarily), while his girlfriend is wined and dined in style that eventually turns to lead. This is one fine, detailed story.

Carly.Lombardo@amgpubs.com
I'm currently reading for my book club:
Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund. 4 stars.
It started off really slow and I thought, "How am I going to get through 600 pages in a month?" However, now I'm loving it. Great descriptions and an interesting plot.

pauladexter_21@hotmail.com
I've just finished reading Cinderella Liberty by F. Scott Sinclair. It's a page-turner and a half! And an emotional roller coaster that'll keep you glued to your seats. I read it as I flew from Thailand to the United States. I was afraid to get off the airplane, knowing what awaited me: U.S. Customs officers. And U.S. Customs didn't disappoint me...or anyone else. If you read this book, like 9/11, you'll never be the same again. A prophetic book and a thriller of the highest caliber. I give it 5 stars!

susanrjensen@yahoo.com
Lake News by Barbara Delinsky. 5 stars.
A great story about a young woman who is slandered by a malicious reporter. Frantic to escape life in the city, where she is constantly followed by journalists, she escapes to Lake Henry to hide out until the controversy blows over. Although Lake Henry shields her somewhat, she still finds herself facing problems: a cold, selfish mother; a static-y relationship with her sister; and the support of a stranger, whom she has every reason to mistrust. A great read.

The Stone Monkey by Jeffery Deaver. 4 stars.
This is the second Lincoln Rhyme novel I've read, and I love them. The characters are interesting, especially Lincoln, who is a quadriplegic forensic scientist. This particular mystery centers around a particularly ruthless smuggler who specializes in human cargo. Lincoln and his gang race to figure out the man's identity and whereabouts before he kills another shipload of people.

The Vineyard by Barbara Delinsky. 3 stars.
As always, Barbara does a great job of making readers feel "at home" with her characters and scenery. Although I enjoyed reading this book, I found it to be very predictable, which spoiled the story for me.

The Coffin Dancer by Jeffery Deaver. 5 stars.
Another Lincoln Rhyme/Amelia Sachs mystery. Brilliant plot. This time, Rhyme and Sachs are chasing a killer known as "The Coffin Dancer." As he maneuvers around New York City trying to kill witnesses to a crime, the duo must anticipate his next move. Riveting. Very hard to tear yourself away from this story!

CLH@aol.com
I am currently reading Quentins by Maeve Binchy. I would give it 5 stars. Just when I think the story will go one way, it goes in another way.

AUGER77777@aol.com
I just finished reading Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara. I haven't seen the movie, but if it is anything like the book, it should be great. I like the way the author delves into the personalities of the generals who conducted the war, examines their strengths and weaknesses, their self-doubts, etc. Like his father, Jeff Shaara succeeds in exposing the horrors of the Civil War, as well as displaying the loyalties and discouragements of both sides. 5 stars.

pattylw@hotmail.com
Soon-to-be bestseller The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown is a GREAT READ!

M2451@aol.com
Right now I am just finishing up The Best American Mystery Stories 2002, edited by James Ellroy. 4 stars. I like short stories and love mysteries, so I am very happy with this book. The stories are varied, my one complaint being that there are several sports stories and in particular boxing stories (I am not a great sports fan). All are interesting and have many surprise endings.

Bookgranna@aol.com
One of the most recent books I read was The Pact by Jodi Picoult. This was the first book in a long time that I literally couldn't put down. As avid readers know, this is rare. The plot and the true to life characters were a compelling combination. This woman knows how to write.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith was a disappointment. I had read good reviews, but felt the style and the story were simplistic. I was glad when I finished it so that I could go on to The Hours by Michael Cunningham. I decided to read this after I saw the movie, something I rarely do. I have just started reading it and so far have found it to be a good decision. Cunningham's writing is rich and full --- no empty sentences here!

CarolEBergs@aol.com
Death in Dublin by Bartholomew Gill. 5 stars.
In a True Light by John Harvey. 5 stars.
Beware the Solitary Drinker by Cornelius Lehane. 4 stars.
Rumpole's Last Case by John Mortimer. 4 stars.
Property of Blood by Magdalen Nabb. 5 stars.

BethYelah@aol.com
I am currently reading Alicia, My Story by Alicia Appleman-Jurman. It is very emotional and thought provoking, though I'm only about halfway through. I'd give it 5 stars.

KJ4FM@aol.com
I am reading The King of Torts by John Grisham. It is a good read, but not of the caliber of A Time to Kill and some of his others. I give it 4 stars.

Reeklink@aol.com
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger is one of the best books I have ever read. 5 stars for sure. I finished it last weekend and immediately started to read it again. It is a wonderful read and very well written, filled with beautiful descriptions of scenery and feelings for family members.

Bjglu@aol.com
An Equal Music by Vikram Seth. 4 stars.
This was beautifully written and heartbreaking. I would have given it 5 stars if I understood music more! Much of the book centers on classical music performance (all the main characters are involved in music) and some of it went over my head. But a wonderful story for any reader.

KLOZIER40@aol.com
Nevada Barr is my new author to read. I've just finished Track of the Cat and A Superior Death. I rate them 5 stars each. Another of her books I've just begun is Firestorm. Also, A Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe is a 5 star winner. It was a real tear jerker.

RTidw51431@aol.com
I believe Quentins by Maeve Binchy is outstanding. When reading her books, you fall in love with her characters. In this book Binchy brings many of our favorite characters back to Quentins. When I read a Maeve Binchy book, I hate for it to end because, as a rule, I love her characters. What a treat for her to bring them back to Quentins and give us another glimpse of their lives. You have to be in love with the twins!!

I just started reading Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells. I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is so true to life. I am from Texas near the Louisiana border and I tell you, this is how it is.

HarleyIsis@aol.com
Right now I am reading Get Happy by Gerald Clarke, a biography on the life of Judy Garland. It is an interesting read, but Mr.Clarke does not do that good of a job connecting his story. 2 1/2 stars.

txmlhl@msn.com
The October Horse by Colleen McCullough. 2 stars.
I am trying to get through this book but it is slow going. I've read all of the previous books in the series and thought they were interesting and informative. This book is written more in the style of a narrative than an action story.

MSShealy@aol.com
A Painted House by John Grisham.
I wasn't sure what to expect after reading his lawyer based books, but was so pleasantly surprised. A really good book.

caliauds66@aol.com
Four Blind Mice by James Patterson. 5 stars.
Can't put it down, love it.

Rehanpeter@aol.com
When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard. 5 stars.

Avery85282@aol.com
Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman by Elizabeth Buchan. 4 1/2 stars.
I selected this book because the title and the jacket blurbs led me to believe it would be light reading. It was not, but I read it at one sitting, staying up until I could hardly see. Revenge of a sort (what is the best revenge?) is forthcoming, and a lot of other people begin to see life a great deal more clearly. It is a loving tribute to middle-aged women, a cautionary tale for middle-aged men, and good advice for the young of both sexes.

The Water and the Blood by Nancy E. Turner. 4 stars.
Mrs. Turner is a terrific author and I wish she had more national attention. This is the story of a young East Texas woman during the Second World War. The heroine is more or less a contemporary of mine and, although I was able to spot a few anachronisms, the book was extremely evocative of that period.

I notice that more people are recommending The Crimson Petal and the White. It is one of the best books I've read since Nicholas Nickleby and Bleak House. Can anyone explain the title to me? I know it is a quote from Tennyson's "The Princess" and I have read the poem, but I'm still in the dark.

yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I just finished Matchstick Men by Eric Garcia. It is about two con men and one of them has a very interesting daughter. This book is supposed to be a movie this summer starring Nicholas Cage. It has a great ending and should be a good movie. It is a small book and a very quick read. I'd give it 5 stars.

Myrnapen@aol.com
I'm rediscovering Maeve Binchy's Echoes, one of my favorite Binchy novels. Binchy follows the lives of the folks who live in the small seaside Irish resort town of Castlebay. Binchy at her best! 5 stars.

tiamo5@hotmail.com
I just finished Flesh Tones and Sheet Music by M.J. Rose. I've read everything by M.J. Rose. This is a reader's dream. To find an author, devour her books and not be able to wait for his/her next book. I recommend M.J. to every woman out there. Gorgeous and sexy, her characters walk the line of being who they are supposed to be and become something that is scary and exciting and sexy. I just love everything she does. I would recommend her to anyone who has read Anais Nin, Henry Miller, Jeannette Winterson, and Kathryn Harrison. Read her!

billiegirl20@hotmail.com
I'm currently reading How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan. My reading group did a study on McMillan for February and I started the month off with A Day Late and a Dollar Short, which I will,
unquestionably, give five stars. McMillan's characters are fun, funny and believable.

I'm about 1/4 of the way through Stella and enjoying it immensely, although it is a tad different from the movie, which I just happened to catch over the weekend.

If you haven't read her, give McMillan a try! Everyone in our reading group enjoyed their chosen books!

MsBizWiz1@aol.com
I nominate Puppet Child by Talia Carner not only for the book of the month but for the book of the year! Weaving an original plot that is like nothing I've ever read, Carner has lassoed me into this non-stop suspenseful, fabulous story that sounded so real! The author has created a protagonist that anyone can identify with: a woman who thinks she has everything yet nothing matters when her sole focus is to save her daughter.

In prose that never flinches, Carner makes every scene come to life until I saw it as a movie --- and one I could not forget for days! I'm introducing it to my reading group. There is so much to discuss about this book because the author has introduced a host of other topics: the political pressure behind the court system, the role of the media in carrying out justice, and the complexity of family relationships.

I cannot recall a book this year (or maybe even earlier) that matches the can't-put-it-down quality of Puppet Child.

Catsownme4@aol.com
I just finished reading Middle Age: A Romance by Joyce Carol Oates and was not too impressed. There is such a cynical feeling to her work which really turned me off. I had the opportunity to hear her speak while a college student and felt the same way about her work back then. 2 stars.

KINDLEELF@aol.com
The Ice Beneath You by Christian Bauman. 4 stars.
Depicts the disconnectedness some servicemen feel after a tour of duty --- thoughtful read.

Liberty by Stephen Coonts. 4 stars.
Fast moving, pertinent to the times.

Forgiving Sam by Powell Clark. 5 stars.
Although the book was an emotional read, I had to find out how Sam handled his horrendous past.

One Mans Bible by Gao Xingjian. 4 stars.
The plot was out of sequence and I felt kind of meandered --- still grabbed the essence of the time.

Balzak and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. 5 stars.
Short, excellent read.

Ice Age by Brian Freemantle. 2 stars.
Excellent plot, extremely shallow characters. I did not like anyone in this book. I got the impression the author does not like people very much.

mlgav@yahoo.com
The book club at the local public library is reading I Wish I Had a Red Dress by Pearl Cleage. It's a great read about a woman who lives near Detroit, Michigan coming to terms with being a widow and who meets a man. One who makes her want to grab a red dress and begin to live life again. A fun one!

clschomer@dmci.net
The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl. Wonderful!

Tllblnd@aol.com
I just finished A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House. I loved it...highly recommended. Now I am reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel and so far it is CAPTIVATING!!!!!

roydiajj@d-web.com
Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier. 5 stars.
I enjoyed this book simply because it was different. The story was told through the thoughts of various people, including a gravedigger's son. It touched on life and death, religious beliefs and mores at the turn of the century. It is a quick read.

The Sixteen Pleasures by Robert Hellenga. 4+ stars.
This was a quick but entertaining read.

Moonkee2@aol.com
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. 4 1/2 stars.
A detective story based in Africa. A great read.

Catslady5@aol.com
The Mammoth Hunters by Jean Auel. 5 stars.
This is the 3rd book in the Earth's Children series and is my favorite of all time. I give them all 5 stars.

beachpat@ccis.net
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt. 5 stars.
Although it's a rather dark book, it was very engrossing. The characters are visual, memorable and credible. I plan to read The Secret History by the same author next.

Vikkivand@aol.com
Sons of Fortune by Jeffrey Archer. 4 stars.
The story begins in Hartford, Connecticut in 1949 and Susan Cartwright gives birth to twin boys, while Ruth Davenport's baby is stillborn. An unscrupulous maternity nurse, in a split second decision, switches one of the healthy twins for the stillborn boy. Fletcher Davenport and Nat Cartwright grow up apart and the story describes their different lives throughout the 1950's and 1960's. One attends Yale and gets a law degree, while the other goes to Vietnam and then becomes a successful banker. As they both pursue positions in politics, they end up running against each other for Governor of Connecticut.

When Fletcher is involved in a serious car accident and a rare blood type is required to save his life, Nat, having the same blood type, donates the needed supply, not knowing that Fletcher truly is his twin brother. A physician studies the DNA samples and the brothers discover the truth. The writing was good, but this type of plot has been done so many times that the story itself is a little predictable.

Thoughts While Having Sex by Stephanie Lehmann. 5 stars.
My husband must have inquired a dozen times what this book was about. It's not page after page of sexual fantasy, but rather a touching story about a 25 year-old playwright named Jennifer Ward. Jennifer comes to terms with her feelings of guilt concerning her sister's suicide through a play that she has written for off-off Broadway. Jennifer's relationships with the director (Peter) and actress (Kelly) in her play also lead her to evaluate her insecurities, guilt and sexual dysfunction.

I just love stories set in Manhattan. I especially loved the ending. The writing was excellent and I loved the story. A quick read that will have everyone wondering what it's about.

Britadon@aol.com
The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter. 5 stars.
This definitely was one of the best books of last year. As a mystery/suspense, it kept me guessing until the end. But my real appreciation was for the character development and especially for the words of wisdom from Dr. Young. Although I did not really understand the chess references well, I got the general idea. I am sure a chess lover would like this even more. And what interesting references to the "darker nation" and the "paler nation."

Blue Shoe by Ann Lamott. 1 star.
I found this too boring to finish.

Rutharmita@aol.com
I'm reading A Year in Van Nuys by Sandra Tsing Loh. 4.5 stars! It is funny to the extreme, irreverent, satiric, and a testimonial to middle-age women everywhere! Go Sandra!

GerryD8784@aol.com
The Life and Times of the Last Kid Picked by David Benjamin. 1 star.
Benjamin's recollections of growing up in the 1950s were interesting initially, but after a short trip down a familiar (to me) memory lane, they became too repetitive and pointless to warrant continuing. Half of this memoir's 270 pages were more than sufficient.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby. 5 stars.
Bauby painstakingly "dictated" this book, selecting one letter at a time by blinking his eye, after he was stricken by a brain stem stroke that left him almost completely paralyzed. The horror of reading about a fully sentient and rational mind being entombed in an unresponsive body is ameliorated by the wonder Bauby evokes as he allows his mind to soar where his body cannot, and awe that he is still able to find some pleasure and value in his severely circumscribed life. How sad that he died right after completing this book, never knowing how much he had inspired others through his words. This should be required reading for all chronic whiners!

The First Law by John Lescroart. 4 1/2 stars.
Defense attorney Dismas Hardy and police lieutenant Abe Glitsky are once again teamed up in an investigation, this time not only unofficially, but against direct orders from Abe's superiors in the police department. It's Abe's father's best friend who's been murdered in a robbery-slaying and it's Hardy's pal and client, John Holiday, who's been targeted as the killer. Glitsky and Hardy are looking like suspects for a time too, as they uncover evidence and try to prove that Holliday has been framed. Well-plotted and suspenseful.

The Best Revenge by Stephen White. 5 stars.
This is the best Alan Gregory novel yet! As always, the plot involves a mystery as well as some ethical conflicts for this clinical psychologist. A female patient who is also an FBI agent refers a new patient to Dr. Gregory, a man whom she has just helped get released from death row after she located evidence suggesting someone else murdered the girl he'd been convicted of killing. The man's adjustment to the outside world after thirteen years of imprisonment is being made more difficult by the fact that many people seem not to support his vindication, and some may be out to inflict their own brand of justice. This is an excellent story that keeps the reader in suspense until the end.

Samaritan by Richard Price. 4 1/2 stars.
Ray Mitchell is the "Samaritan," a well-meaning benefactor whose good deeds are fueled as much by his need to be loved as by true compassion. When he's badly beaten in his apartment, he declines to cooperate with the police investigation because, he admits to himself, maybe he deserved the beating. Detective Nerese Ammons has known Mitchell since adolescence and takes over the closed investigation, determined to solve this one last case before her upcoming retirement. Fascinating character development in a well-plotted, realistic story makes Price's latest book a winner.

agroves@charter.net
Secrets of the Tsil Cafe by Thomas Averill. 3 stars.
This novel follows a boy from childhood through adulthood, growing up with a father who owns a small restaurant specializing in foods prepared only with ingredients native to the Americas and a mother who runs a catering business. It's a rather offbeat novel about families, friendships, a passion for food, the struggles of the restaurant business, and the young man's search for his own identity and career path. It includes recipes for many of the menu items, although most would be too complicated for the average cook.

The Rose Grower by Michelle de Kretser. 4 stars.
This bittersweet novel begins on the eve of the French Revolution, when a young American artist enters the lives of the aristocratic Saint-Pierre family after his hot air balloon crashes on their estate. He falls in love with one of the daughters, despite the fact that she's already married, while her older sister falls for him. The revolution changes everyone's life, of course, and the story of the chaos that follows the initial triumph is told through the affairs of the family and a young doctor who tries to introduce more scientific and humane methods of medical care --- and also falls in love with the Saint-Pierres' oldest girl. The girl, Isabelle, is a passionate rose grower who eventually returns the doctor's affections, just as the world around them descends into madness. Although aristocrats are often portrayed as the villains who deservedly get their comeuppance, this story is a sympathetic look at a family that was on the "wrong side" but probably did more to benefit their fellow citizens than many of the zealous revolutionaries ever did.

Bright Angel Time by Martha McPhee. 3 stars.
Narrated by a young girl named Kate, this novel set in the 1970s follows a newly divorced mom as she tries to build a new life with Anton, a charismatic hippie "guru" who travels around leading therapy sessions and sponging off of wealthy benefactors. Kate's mom and her three girls leave their organized, predictable, middle class lifestyle to wander the West with Anton and his six kids. While this unstructured life has some bright spots, the girls are exposed to drugs and alcohol, nudity, casual sex, petty crime, and other situations from which the negligent, self-centered adults fail to shield them. McPhee does a good job of capturing this era and exposing its underside.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. 3 stars.
This novel, told nearly entirely in flashbacks or recollections, begins with an event that could either be described as self-defense or cold-blooded murder. Teenager Davy Land shoots two town bullies who have broken into the family home, seeking revenge on the family because Davy's father caught them as they were about to rape Davy's girlfriend. The story is told by Davy's younger brother, Reuben, who idolizes both his brother and his widowed father. Davy escapes from jail during his trial, and the family decides to try to find him after getting a tip that he is in the Dakota Badlands. Law enforcement agents, of course, are also on the trail, and family members have to wrestle with their desire to protect Davy and doing the "right thing" as citizens. Reuben, his father and his younger sister are a memorable family, and the story of their search for Davy and the relationships they form along the way is finely crafted. However, I felt that the central question of the shooting and Davy's guilt or innocence (is there something in between?) was too little explored.

raeann.ja@verizon.net
I am reading Empire Falls by Richard Russo. It is a very good story about a small town and the people who live there.

Broom_S@msn.com
Crick Crack, Monkey by Merle Hodge. 5 stars.
Train, Whistle Guitar by Albert Murray. 5 stars.
Random Family by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc. 5 stars.
The Human Stain by Philip Roth. 4 stars.

tmzemke@comcast.net
I just finished reading Chasing Hepburn: A Memoir of Shanghai, Hollywood, and a Chinese Family's Fight for Freedom by Gus Lee. The title is what caught my eye. It's a fascinating memoir that relates how Lee's family fell from incredible wealth and power in China. It's especially revealing about Chinese customs, from family hierarchy to servants and slaves. It's historical, adventurous, sad at times and very eye opening. It's a definite 5-star read.

txmlhl@msn.com
The Syndrome by John Case. 5 stars.
After reading Case's new book The Eighth Day, I decided to read some of his other earlier work since Case was a new author to me. The Syndrome was published in 2001. It was as enjoyable a read as The Eighth Day was. Jeff Duran is a psychologist who only has two patients. He lives well, even though he has no other source of income. He also borders on being agoraphobic, which seems strange considering his occupation. When one of his patients commits suicide, the patient's sister starts investigating Jeff and his methods of treating her sister. When she discovers that Jeff is not what he seems, the action takes off and goes non-stop until the end of the book. Jeff and the sister start working together to find out who Jeff really is and what the real motivation is behind his work. There is a lot of fast-paced action and intrigue, with a little romance thrown in.

If you start reading this book, make sure you have plenty of time to devote to finishing it because you won't want to put it down until the conclusion. There are 445 pages of thrills and enjoyment in this book.

DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
The Vanished Man by Jeffery Deaver. 4+ stars.
I like thrillers and these characters are memorable for their intelligence and depth. This series (The Bone Collector, The Stone Monkey, among others) is fast paced and edge-of-your-seat suspense. The author keeps you guessing until the end. Another trademark of Deaver is his in-depth study of the subject involved in the cases that Lincoln Rhyme takes on: in this case, it is the world of magic and illusion.

The Hours by Michael Cunningham. 1 star.
I don't get what the hype is all about. This book was BORING, and I have no clue what it was about, nor why it was written. I can't imagine the movie being any different. I guess those who give the awards for best movie must understand it better than me.

sandycastle1@yahoo.com
I'm just finishing Patricia Cornwell's Portrait of a Killer, her book that claims to identify the real Jack the Ripper. It's a great book and I've enjoyed reading it. It provides myriad details of the lives of those affected by these terrible crimes, from the victims themselves to the purported killer --- a somewhat famous 19th-century artist --- to the policemen who worked in vain to solve the cases when they occurred. It's a terrible tale, but Cornwell presents things in a straightforward, pretty convincing manner, without gratuitous gore or lurid prose. And the scope of her research is awe-inspiring. A good read!

BettyB6768@aol.com
Immortality by Milan Kundera. 3 1/2 stars.
Kundera is intriguing. This time around he tries to run circles through the usual plot lines by digressing a bit too much. We go along with him for a short ways and then lose interest in his long philosophical diatribes. Sorry Milan.

Samnmarty@aol.com
I just finished reading The King of Torts by John Grisham. If you are familiar with his work (I have read all of his books) you'll love this one! The pace of this book is so fast, you can't put it down. It is a roller coaster of a book: the lust for money, power, publicity, one-upmanship, etc. Even though it deals with a subject that most of us know little or nothing about (torts), Grisham always explains his subject just enough so we understand, without giving us tedious, oversimplified and unnecessary fluff. I always enjoy a good Grisham novel, and this is definitely one of his best! 5 stars.

rtdudder@lvcm.com
The Name of the Rose by Eco Umberto. 3 stars.
The mystery aspect of the book was great, but there were so many things that were untranslated from Latin that it made me wonder what I was missing.

Me Times Three by Alex Witchel. 4 stars.
This book wasn't the funny light read I thought it would be, but it was worth reading.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. 5 stars.
A book with a bit of a sci-fi twist to it. The futuristic setting and new treatment of women in the society that has suffered through nuclear war was captivating. Atwood makes everything so incredibly believable, which made this book one that I couldn't put down.

Wvirgil2@aol.com
Rain Of Gold by Victor Villasenor.
An incredible journey of a remarkable family to begin a new life in a new country and the devastating hardships they were able to overcome. Quite serious but also very humorous.

The Kid Stays In The Picture by Robert Evans.
His own story of his rise to the top of the motion picture industry and his inglorious fall from studio king. A great show biz read and unusually candid.

Too Strong For Fantasy by Marcia Davenport.
She chronicles her life and the world statesmen, performers, authors and others of world renown whom she comes to know. It is also a bittersweet chronicle of the downfall of European nations leading up to World War II. Her father was the world class violinist, Efram Zimbalist and Zimbalist Jr. her brother. Her mother was an accomplished singer. Very interesting accounts of her life in America and her other life in Europe and how she moves between the two.

Jwstandridge123@aol.com
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. 5 stars.
All About Rosie by William Kamm. 5 stars.

marilyn.angello@us.mullermartini.com
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 4 stars.
Great book and a very quick read. A wonderful story of a 14 year-old girl growing up in the South during the civil rights era and her search for her mother in South Carolina.

Atonement by Ian McEwan. 4 stars.
A wonderful story with a terrific "twist' ending.

GeoBarb636@aol.com
The Sunday Wife by Cassandra King. 4 stars.
Very interesting to me. Could visualize the ladies of the church and how the preacher's wife was able to handle everything and be true to herself.

Ghost Image by Joshua Gilder. 5 stars.
Easy read. Sure kept my interest.

John1rosie@aol.com
The Belt by Ahmed Abodehman. 3 stars.
Somewhere in some of the eleven chapters you will find something worthwhile. You will not be sorry that you read this collection. But is this collection a good use of reading time? The answer will vary with the individual. You will learn about a people and a culture with which we are generally unfamiliar. You will come away feeling very positive about them. This volume is probably most appropriate to high school students and book discussion groups. It is a help to the sharpening of critical reading skills. It would also be a great book report book as it is only 145 pages and it will raise many issues and questions about the individual, the culture, identity and change.

ufouria@bellsouth.net
Four Blind Mice by James Patterson. 4 stars.
Very compelling, easy read, typical Patterson (which is a good thing).

Summerland by Michael Chabon. 3 stars.
I was expecting a Potteresque book, but it's not. Still a fun read, the kids will love it.

Left Behind by LaHaye and Jenkins. 3 stars.
I figured I'd read this to see what all the fuss was about. Fascinating subject, very easy and fast read, but the book got a little cheesy for my taste. I'll probably continue to read this series though.

storm8810@yahoo.com
I just finished Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton (4 stars). This book is based on facts from an actual unsolved "Jane Doe" murder case, which took place in 1969. Ms. Grafton found out about the case through a friend and used the facts to write this book. It contains her usual dry humor (which I love), twists and turns, and a lot of shady characters, which she comes to find out are connected to each other in one way or another. The ending pages keep you on the edge of your seat. I am now on to The King of Torts by John Grisham.

lin111@juno.com
I am currently reading A Case of Curiosities by Allen Kurzweil. I chose this book for its title; it made me curious. This book will, early on, transport you back to the 19th century, where we meet Claude. He is a very bright, inquisitive and engaging young boy, apprenticed to an Abbe, who is NOT religious. The tale is somewhat racy and will pull you in immediately as the writing is clever. This is definitely 4 stars.

lem9579@GlaxoWellcome.com
I am currently reading When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago. It's a lovely book dealing with cross-culturalization in Puerto Rico in the late 50's and early 60's through the eyes of a young, very poor girl. Esmeralda later graduates from Harvard and either NYU or Columbia and it is amazing to see how far a person with determination can go. Along the way you get a couple of laughs with the stories and events that happen in a life that is probably very different than the one many of us know.

Greenwolf@collegeclub.com
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. 5 stars.
This book was written during the 1800's, so readers must keep that in mind as they read it, because the story is told differently and some archaic words are thrown in. I had always wondered why they put the scene with the blind man in the movie, Young Frankenstein, but now I know because of the scene in the book where the monster tries to befriend a blind man. I have seen many variations of the Frankenstein story in movies and can't help but picture the monster as I have seen him in movies. The movie, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, is more true to the book, though the ending was changed in the movie. That happens a lot, as with George Orwell's 1984.

Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag. 5 stars.
I loved her other book, A Thin Red Line, so I eagerly snatched up this one. It is another Southern tale, set in Louisiana and intricately woven. Yet here, you get to know practically EVERYBODY in the story, not just the key players. It's about an ex-attorney named Laurel Chandler who gets caught up in a civil disturbance case and struggles with her "fall from grace" after losing a major case. Meanwhile, a serial killer is on the loose, raping and strangling women, and the threat of a next victim turning up in her parish is a lingering one. The book includes a glossary of the Cajun French sprinkled throughout the story. I really liked the character Savannah, although she had some inconsistencies. But she is very strong, dealing with her past abuse in her own way. A very engrossing book and hard to put down!

tillmanvaughn@yahoo.com
Somewhere in America by Sydney Molare. 5 stars.
Now this book touched on the lives of people I know pretty well. This is a collection of short stories that is a fast read. The last story sums it all up beautifully. I'm giving it away as gifts as we speak.

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. 5 stars.
At first I discredited her because of the nature of the book, but as I read further, I realized that she was seriously spoofing inner city life. The whole experience left me with a chill and I highly recommend this to others.

Bitteroot@aol.com
Couldn't Keep it to Myself by Wally Lamb and The Women of York Correctional Institution. 4 stars.
I learned a lot about how women end up in prison and the conditions in this prison.

A Stab in the Dark by Lawrence Block. 4 stars.
Its an oldie but good Matthew Scudder novel.

A Walk Among the Tombstones by Lawrence Block (the unabridged audio version produced by Books on Tape). 3 1/2 stars.
The story is good Matthew Scudder, but the narrator's voice was rough.

yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I just finished reading Along Came Mary by Jo-Ann Mapson. I loved the first book of the series, Bad Girl Creek, and the second is just as good, maybe even better. Be sure and read Bad Girl Creek first. There will be a third in the series!!! I can't wait!!!

bookreader46@yahoo.com
In the past month I have read the following books:

A Time To Embrace by Karen Kingsbury. 5 stars.

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult. 2 stars.
Not as good as some of her other books.

To America by Stephen Ambrose. 4 stars.

Cords of Love by Lynn A. Coleman. 4 stars.

Several by Dee Henderson --- The O'Malley Series: The Negotiator, The Guardian, The Truth Seeker, The Protector, The Healer. 5 stars each.

The Last Album: Eyes From The Ashes of Aushchwitz-Birkenau by Ann Weiss. 5 stars.

Candy Cane Calaboose by Janet Spaeth. 4 stars.

The Neighborly Thing by Wanda Brunstetter.

The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside The Secret World of Hershey and Mars by Joel Glenn Brenner. 4 stars.
This was our reader's circle book of the month.

Love Stories of WWII compiled by Larry King . 5 stars.

Julia's Hope by Leisha Kelly. 5 stars.

Bittersweet Bride by Denise Hunter. 4 stars.

Whole In One by Aisha Ford. 4 stars.

The Flame Within by Pamela Griffin. 4 stars.

Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson. 5 stars.
A prequel to the O'Malley series.

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