bradylee@myway.com
The Unknown Darkness: A Former FBI Profiler Examines His Most Fascinating and Haunting Cases by Gregg O. McCrary, with Katherine Ramsland, Ph.D. 5 stars.
This is must reading for any true crime buff as it talks about a formal process for detecting criminals and their activities. The proper designation is Criminal Investigative Analysis, but I like to consider it as an educational course in learning to be a Sherlock Holmes in real life. It is taught at the FBI Academy and is a 10-month program for experienced law enforcement people. Another contribution for the author was his practice of Shorinji Kempo, a martial arts discipline (this led me to an interesting inquiry into that). You should thoroughly enjoy every case written about in this book; your eyes will be opened to the latest information of how criminals are ascertained and caught.

thegreencat@netscape.net
My Antonia by Willa Cather. 5 stars.
I loved this timeless classic about an immigrant girl growing up on the plains of America during the late 1800s early 1900s.

Four Spirits by Sena Jeter Naslund. 3 stars.
A fictional account of the civil rights movement in Birmingham, AL during the time that the Sixteenth Street Church was bombed, which took the lives of four young black girls.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie.
Just started but it looks like it will be a good one.

ATENC3@aol.com
In the Fire of Spring by Thomas Tryon. 5 stars
I have read a couple of other Thomas Tryon books and have not found one yet that I did not thoroughly enjoy. Tryon loves to spin a tale that always grabs you and keeps you to the very end.

JWozoo@aol.com
I recently read The Secret History by Donna Tartt … managed to get it on sale. I wanted to read it after reading The Little Friend by that author. Her books seem almost schizophrenic to me, changing style, somewhat radically at times. I liked Three Junes by Julia Glass. Sort of Wally Lamb-like. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett will never leave my bookcase and I will put it in my will. Wonderful book! Atonement by Ian McEwan was excellent and led me to Amsterdam. I am 76 and have read all my life. It is my greatest pleasure. As you can see, I am a poor typist and apologize for my errors but not for my taste in books. I recommend young readers who may be reluctant to pick up Shirley Jackson's wonderful books --- they will become readers after that!!

joswood@adiis.net
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. 5 stars.
I actually just reread this book in anticipation of seeing the movie. It is still a wonderful book and I enjoyed it as much the second time as I did the first. Such compelling writing and characters! I'm anxious to see the movie now.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck. 5 stars.
I got a yen to reread this book and bought it about 2 days before Oprah announced it as her pick. It is a highly readable family saga that is still relevant today. I loved his descriptions of the Salinas Valley and surrounding areas.

A Place of Execution by Val McDermid. 5 stars.
This is another book I want to reread. It was an outstanding mystery that kept you guessing until the end. Most books I forget about promptly, but this one has stayed with me for a couple of years. I am currently waiting to read her newest book, The Distant Echo. The reviews I have read about it are terrific. 

DebMillinFla@aol.com
Coastliners by Joanne Harris. 5 stars.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 1 star.
Very disappointing. I loved Tuesdays With Morrie and expected another good read, but I couldn't get into this one at all.

Babylon Rising by Tim LaHaye. 5 stars.
If you liked the Left Behind series, this is the first of a new series by Tim LaHaye. It starts at present time and will continue until the "rapture." The main character is like Indiana Jones and has a conflict with a mysterious man.

savinggrace@grics.net
Our book club just read Q Road by Bonnie Jo Campbell and were lucky enough to have Bonnie Jo join us at our club meeting. She is a very delightful guest. Q Road would be of special interest to those in rural areas as it deals with the way our rural land is being re-landscaped by changing times. It is also a novel of out-of-the-ordinary "loves," such as the love of a lonesome boy for a reticent farmer. 

tiffani_ba@hotmail.com
I'm reading Michael Moore's Stupid White Men right now. It is REALLY good, about serious topics but funny at the same time. It is a huge eye-opener, I can barely put it down. 4 stars!

CHICO1204@aol.com
I have been reading books by James Patterson and Richard North Patterson, the last of which was Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson, which rates 5 stars and was riveting reading. I've also read some older thrillers by James Patterson: Along Came a Spider, Pop Goes the Weasel, Jack and Jill, Cat and Mouse and Roses Are Red, all of which are 5 stars and have kept me turning pages many a sleepless night! I also have read Michael Connelly's book, Blood Work, and am getting ready to start some Harry Bosch books. There are so many thriller books that it's like being a kid in a candy shop! I thoroughly enjoy your web site and eagerly read it! 

BEVBOOKS@aol.com
Lie Still by David Farris. 5 stars.
This author made a stunning debut in his first medical suspense novel. It was great, no run-of-the-mill plot here. It's about a neurosurgeon who should never be doing brain surgery. Her incompetence cost some people their lives and disabled others. When Malcolm's conscience demanded that he report her incompetence to the hospital administration, it backfired and he lost his residency. Revenge takes an interesting form in this thriller. I lost some sleep finishing this one.

Ladies: A Conjecture of Personalties by Feather Schwartz Foster. 5 stars.
Another remarkable first novel ... well, it is fiction, but not really a novel, and not short stories ... or is it even fiction??  An excellent read however you classify it.  Each of the First Ladies of the United States, our former president's wives, talk about their lives, loves and ideas in this superb book. It's like being in a big room with all of them present. Relevant comments on each page are by the other first ladies.  Wonderful. Foster has the history right, too. It must have taken years of research!

Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs. 4 stars.
Another engrossing suspense novel of forensic pathology as practiced by Temperance Brennan. Explicit forensic pathology details --- not for the squeamish. This one includes some endangered species from the animal kingdom, as well as murder. A little romance in this one. I enjoyed it very much.

Pjwhome@aol.com
I am finally reading The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien to finish up the series before the movie comes out. I love the books but the reading is slow going for me. 5 stars definitely.

I recently finished The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and enjoyed it tremendously. I would rate it 4 stars.

I also read The Rapture of Canaan by Sheri Reynolds but the characters exasperated me. I finished it hoping it would live up to the recommendations I had heard, but it never pulled me into the story. I would give it only 2 stars.

Mmetutor@aol.com
I saw Patricia Cornwell in an interview last week by Diane Sawyer and went to the Used Book Store and bought four of her books. I finished Cause of Death and am now starting Isle of Dogs, and after I finish the other two I will trade them in for more of her books. Talk about suspense! Being knowledgeable about the human body and police procedures, she keeps me reading well past my bedtime. I will buy her new book also, she is that good.

Kaelesa@aol.com
Currently I am reading The Ship Errant by Jody Lynn Nye. It's a fun science fiction story that I would recommend to anyone interested in first contacts and space travel.

I'm also listening to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by Rob Inglis. An outstanding audio production of this classic fantasy tale. I listen as I drive my hour and a half commute each day.

At home, I'm also listening to The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall by Anne McCaffrey. It's a terrific collection of short stories that fill in some of the behind-the-scenes history of her world of Pern and the dragons and dragonriders that live there. The characters are written so well they come alive in each story. Anne McCaffrey is always a great science fiction read.

jalocke@comcast.net
I am an avid reader who always finishes a book with the belief that somewhere "in there" in any tome, there is something of value to learn.

The basic plot of The Conspiracy Club is an attention-getter --- women being murdered. And yes, the pages will turn.

However, until I got to page 225, I was struggling with the decision --- is this a romance, mystery, or medical chronicle? After approximately page 225, the plot does gain momentum. I did not find the story psychologically complex or challenging. I am slightly disappointed with this writing. Specifically, connections to the plot are expressed in shallow, below standard, and insubstantial build-up and depth. There is only a tad of "breathtaking" moments, and desire for the reader to hurry to the end to find out "who-done-it." The characters, even the hero, Dr. Jeremy Carrier, are too laid back. Except for Jeremy, other characters are very inactive in their roles.

If I were to rate this book using the 5-star system, I would give it 3 stars. I did not find the culprit "hunt chilling" nor do I consider this tome a "21st century Jack the Ripper" --- far from it.  A small number of victims, very little involvement of police activity and investigation expressed, and did not see the police represented as "assumed" heavy investigative factions --- a part that made the story (among other factors stated) "not believable."

Many nondescript factors combined to make for weak storytelling --- other than the description of what/where someone ate (for) lunch. The roles of doctors Gwynn Hauser and Dirgrove were left "flat" with no follow-up; Arthur Chess and compatriots were left flat in most of the story, especially Dr. Chess in his travels and how they connected to the plot. I was left wondering whether the parts of the aforesaid characters add value to the story and am left with the question: "Are they necessary to the story?"

On balance, I did enjoy the read and would read other books by this author.

Jakapn@aol.com
Drop City by T.C. Boyle. 3 1/2 stars.
Brings back fond memories, retrospective embarrassments and thought provoking realities of life during the hippie communal period.

Weceno@aol.com
Killjoy by Julie Garwood. 4 stars.
Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman. 4 stars.

Nanaaj1026@aol.com
The Best American Short Stories (The Best American Series 2001)
Wonderful Anthology. Barbara Kingsolver is the editor of this edition. Her introduction alone is worth the read.

MParloff@aol.com
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. 4 stars.
As the subtitle indicates, this book describes the heartwrenching experiences of a Hmong child, her American doctors, and the collision of two cultures. Anne Fadiman uses the case of an epileptic child from Laos whose family has settled in California to illustrate the enormous problems facing both refugees and medical staffs when the people concerned do not know each other's language or culture. A fine writer and magnificent researcher, Fadiman tells the reader of the obstacles to treatment when the people seeking it understand the symptoms differently --- even as having religious significance --- and when their inability to understand English means that they do not grasp the reason for the procedures or how to follow the instructions. The tragic, gripping story should surely be the stimulus for widespread efforts to improve the circumstances under which refugees receive medicine in this country.

MelJPrincess@aol.com
The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen. 5 stars.
Scary --- a perfect Halloween read!

Single White Vampire by Lynsay Sands. 5 stars!
Fans of vampire romance will love this funny story set at an RT convention.

John1rosie@aol.com
The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland. 5 stars.
Artemisia Gentileschi was a post-renaissance Italian painter and the first woman to be elected to the Accademia dell' Arte. Life presented her with experiences of degradation and shame, pain and suffering that only a passion could overcome. If you have a passion for or are even interested in art and art history, you will be enriched by this novel.

Servants of the Map by Andrea Barrett. 5 stars.
What writing! Here is a book of six stories. Reading the title story I found myself saying, again and again, that I could not believe that Ms. Barrett was not actually "there;" not only "in country" but under the skin of Max Vigne. Andrea Barrett is an author to discover and to read.   

Rickimc@aol.com
Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews. 5 stars.
A superb blending of the mystery and Chick Lit genres. A breezy read.

Pet Shop of Horrors, Vol. 1 by Akino Matsuri. 5 stars.
This manga is worth it for the artwork alone. Beautiful!

Tokyo Mew-Mew, Book 1 by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida. 5 stars.
Incredibly cute!  If you like Sailor Moon-style mangas, you'll love this one.

Emkbee@aol.com
I just finished Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven. It definitely rates 5 stars, a sigh, a smile, a tear, and a keep forever, and a read again and again. Give it to everyone you love!

GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm finishing the autobiography of Queen Noor of Jordan, Leap of Faith. 3+ stars, down from a 4 last week when I started reading this book. About midway, I felt the book turned into an "I-me" tome. The book has given me a different perspective on Middle Eastern politics, but has not swayed my general opinions.

Queen Noor has definitely been a positive influence on the country of Jordan and has done much to try to improve the education, economy and women's rights of her country. An insightful look at a different culture.

Susmu@aol.com
I'm currently rereading Seabiscuit for a discussion group. I love it even more this time! 5 stars.

I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife. It's very good. It is unique, a bit frustrating at first but very interesting and thought provoking. Although it's fairly long, it's really a quick read. 4 stars.

I've also recently finished Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman. Great writing and excellent descriptions of emotions but not a very plausible story. 3 1/2 stars.

Joyka234@aol.com
Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks is a nonfiction "must-read." It is so powerful --- like being hit in the head with a sandbag. 5 stars!!

Also The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith --- delightful, humorous and uplifting (gentle mystery) You want to read more (and can: there are sequels), learn about life in Botswana while enjoying the characters and plot. 5 stars!

rsaxe@utoledo.edu
Last Car to Elysian Fields by James Lee Burke. 4 stars.
The Frumious Bandersnatch by Ed McBain. 4 stars.

LEAustin1@aol.com
We recently read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. My book group rates it 3 stars. The first 200 pages were slow and not an easy flow. The story line was interesting but we found that he took too long to make a point.

We are just finishing Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews. It was a light and interesting read. We enjoyed the author's sense of humor and found some interesting discussion regarding the characters. We gave it a 4-star rating.

Jadesq5@aol.com
I have just finished reading The Woman Who Rode the Wind by Ed Leefeldt. I give it 5 stars. It is set in Paris in the early 1900s. A wealthy citizen offers a prize of one million francs to the person who can fly around the Eiffel Tower first. The story was interesting with many twists and turns. The author's gift for description makes you feel like you are there.

Debbie_Moore@nynd.uscourts.gov
I just finished The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty, a wonderful coming-of-age story and the story of a mother and daughter who are on different paths. 4 stars.

I also recently finished Life of Pi by Yann Martel. You get so engrossed in this story that you forget it's fiction. 5 stars.

I also recently finished Blessings by Anna Quindlen, a wonderful story of hope and redemption. 4 stars.

I am currently reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon, an amazing story with many twists and turns. One of the best written books I have ever read. 5+ stars.

pattyemb@earthlink.net
Thorn In My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs. 5 stars!!
I must admit that I initially bought this book because of the beauty of the cover and the promise of a story about brotherly rivalry, deception, and love set in the Scottish Lowlands in the late 1700s. This book was so captivating and beautifully written that I absolutely could not put it down. I consider it one of the best books that I have read.

What Was She Thinking? (Notes On a Scandal) by Zoe Heller. 5 stars.
I am almost finished with this book that deals with an underage love affair between a teacher and a student, the repercussions and the effects on a close friendship. Very insightful book and a great read so far.

MAP5402@aol.com
I'm in a Vampire phase right now LOL
Burnt Offerings by Laurell K. Hamilton. 5 stars.
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris. 5 stars.
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris. 5 stars.
The Miracle Strip by Nancy Bartholomew. 4 stars.
I've just discovered this writer, I think there is a total of 4 books and the first one was just pure fun.

jscady@efieldguide.com
I just finished No Second Chance by Harlan Coben. I rate it 4 stars because I didn't like that it was told in first person --- I can't get a good handle on character that way. However, the story is a good one, full of twists and turns.

I started Heretic by Bernard Cornwell yesterday and can't put it down. I rate it 5 stars. Your reviewer didn't mention that it is the third book in a series. Cornwell makes me go to the history book and atlas and love it.

dmilburn@alltel.net
Life of Pi by Yann Martel. 5 stars+.
Read this book slowly, so as to really savor it. The author has the most vivid imagination of any author I have read. The reader can never guess what may come next. You really can't tell someone about this book. Who would ever believe a tiger named Richard Parker or an island completely formed by algae? It all seems totally believable in the story. A book to read and ponder. Take time to go back and read some of the ideas over and over. 

Bberrycrk@aol.com
My Fine Feathered Friend by William Grimes is a small book about a New Yorker waking up and finding a chicken in his backyard. I found this little book irresistible. 4 stars.

My Cat Spit McGee by Willie Morris is how a confirmed cat hater came to love them. An enjoyable read! 4 stars.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck. 3 1/2 stars.
This classic novel tells many good stories but too many for one book. It could have been made into two or three books. Too many words!  It could have been edited down to a more concise tale.

Into the Forest by Jean Hegland. 4 1/2 stars.
I was fascinated with this tale of what it is like after electricity and most things we take for granted are no longer available. I wish I could tear one page out of the book, then I could highly recommend it.

tmzemke@comcast.net
Run, don't walk, to get a copy of Family History by Dani Shapiro. I had heard Dani being interviewed on NPR and was intrigued by what she had to say. This novel revolves around Rachel Jensen, a wife and mother who comes to realize that one can do everything perfect in life and still have pain on a personal level. Anyone who has raised children will relate to this book. It's such a good read that I didn't want it to end. 4 stars.

KLOZIER40@aol.com
One True Thing by Anna Quindlen. 4 1/2 stars.
A mother/daughter/father triangle centered on the death of the mother with cancer.

DancingGram7@aol.com
I just read Second Time Around by Mary Higgins Clark and I give it 4 stars! The head of a medical research firm suddenly vanishes and is thought to be an embezzler skipping town before the truth comes out about his phony cancer cure. Or is he a hero that has met with foul play? Reporter Carley DeCarlo tries to find the answer. I found this an okay read but not a "can't put down" read.

I could put down The Blessing by Jude Deveraux. I give it 1 star, if that. I found it very unbelievable that a wealthy, hard driving corporate genius would reluctantly take a break from his business and, to please his brother, move into his brother's girlfriend's house and take care of her spoiled baby for a week. Give me a break!!  Needless to say, I only got to page 42.

Dasras50@aol.com
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley. 5 stars.
The Distance from Normandy by Jonathan Hull. 5 stars.
The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans. 5 stars.
A Painted House by John Grisham. 4 stars.
As Always, Jack by Emma Sweeney. 4 stars.
The Snow Bride by Debbie Macomber. 2 stars.
Stone Garden by Molly Moynahan. 4 stars.
M Is for Malice by Sue Grafton. 3 stars.

Debby236@aol.com
I am presently reading The Fountain books by Josie Litton. These books are very enjoyable. I give them 4 stars.

Marric77@aol.com
I am currently reading an older book titled Stranger in the House by Patricia MacDonald. Her recent books are much more gripping, but I had to give some of her earlier works a try. I would rate this 3 stars. My opinion may change because I am only halfway through the book.

mot123@bellsouth.net
Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews. 5 stars.
This is a wonderful book about women of the south. It covers the aged southern belle, the modern southern woman, and their children. It covers the happenings in families that are whispered about in the south (divorce, alcoholism, affairs). 

dspmom@yahoo.com
I've just finished reading Unspeakable by Sandra Brown. Being an avid reader of her books I was not disappointed in this one. It kept me guessing until the end as to who the ranch hand was and his connection to the storyline. I give this book 5 stars.

AnneK7@aol.com
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. 5 stars.
An enjoyable story and fast read.

The Midwife's Tale by Gretchen Moran Laskas. 5 stars.
Excellent book!

The Crush by Sandra Brown. 4 stars.
An enjoyable mystery book.

Newcrain@aol.com
The Secret History by Donna Tartt. 4 stars.
Good characterization of college students in a small college town who get caught up in a drama bigger than life.

DH1372@aol.com
The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen. 5 stars.
As a die hard suspense/thriller fan I give this book 5 stars. This is the first book I've read by Ms. Gerritsen, but not the last. When I fall in love with a character in a book, I don't stop until I've read every book that character appears in. Det. Jane Rizzoli is that type of character. She's made something of herself in a career field that is primarily dominated by men. She constantly strives to prove herself worthy of her position. She walks through life with her head held high and proud of who she is, while inside she fights demons that come from her job and her family.

loumax@adelphia.net
Hunter's Moon (audio) by Dana Stabenow. 4 stars.
I found it implausible that the two lead characters had enough physical stamina to accomplish what they did. Otherwise, Stabenow does a good job.

Cracker Ingenuity by P.T. Elliott and E.M. Lowry. 3 stars.
Pretty funny nonfiction, especially if you know anything about being "chronically broke" and living in a trailer park.

Norbles@aol.com
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. 5 stars.
Simply fabulous.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. 4 stars.
How did I miss this book when it was first published 10 years ago?

The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. 3 1/2 stars.

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. 4 stars.
An interesting look at life in Iran

The Beach House by James Patterson. 4 stars.   

jgruen@comcast.net
I just finished and adored Joseph Epstein's wonderful collection of short stories, Fabulous Small Jews. Although the main characters in the stories are Jewish, most are only marginally so and their religion plays little or no part in the drama. The stories are captivating in that we do care about the characters of each story and how they will resolve issues and challenges facing them, such as sudden widowhood and subsequent loneliness, ethical dilemmas, having to face one's innate character weakness, and mid-life passions.

Epstein is noted for his previous volumes of excellent essays, including Narcissus Leaves the Pool, Envy: The Seven Deadly Sins, and A Line Out for a Walk. He is one of the more intelligent and articulate writers around these days, and anyone who enjoys serious fiction with a point will surely enjoy Fabulous Small Jews. 5 stars.

jberger@salud.unm.edu
The Ghost of Hannah Mendes by Naomi Ragen. 4 stars.
This family saga is a wonderful novel with incredible character portrayal. The intent of the novel is to show us the family, their goal to understand and seek out their background and history so that they can justify their future. This is demonstrated throughout the novel by giving us a vivid historical background that shapes the entire family and their future. Excellent.

bencanada1@yahoo.com
Isabel's Daughter by Judith Hendricks. 4 stars.
A foundling's search for her mother is the basis of this novel. A warm and enchanting novel that explores the depths and feelings that are apparent in the main character's life. The vivid and accurate descriptions of the Southwest, New Mexico and the art scene in particular in Sante Fe are depicted in a realistic and beautiful manner. Sensitive and warmhearted are the words to convey this novel's message. Excellent.

bab@tennis.com
No Angel by Penny Vincenzi. 4 stars.
A fascinating family saga set in England before, during and after the Great War.  Accurate descriptions of life, relationships and portrayal of the family unit and their behavior and ultimate lifestyle. A seeping saga of passion, drama, love and sorrow. The intricacies of the characters and the plots keep you captivated. Excellent.

Dana_Cherrier@commerce.state.il.us
I am currently reading The Distant Echo by Val McDermid. I haven't finished it yet because I am trying to read it slowly and make it last because it's so good. I would definitely give it 5 stars, even though I haven't yet read the ending. I really enjoyed McDermid's A Place of Execution a lot, but this one is even better.

realbencann@yahoo.com
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. 4 stars.
This novel deals with the extended and vibrant family in South America. The tensions, upsets, torments and drama throughout the novel show us the family interaction. This dramatic and interesting novel deals with life and the generations. This magnificent novel deals with the Trueba family and their relations, loves and the hostility of the time. Excellent.

Rohde99@aol.com
Bleachers by John Grisham. 4 stars.
At first I wondered where this book was going, but after I finished it I really enjoyed the messages it sent. It kind of reminded me of Tuesdays With Morrie --- that with sadness so many positive lessons can be learned.

To The Nines by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
What can I say? I love Stephanie Plum and all the continuing characters. I actually laugh out loud. A cute little mystery and the interaction among the characters are just funny. It also helps that I grew up in NJ.

Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell. 2 stars.
Just not up to the past Scarpetta series. Didn't like the format, much preferred Scarpetta in the first person.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
I didn't think anything could beat Angels & Demons but this was a great mystery. Again I found myself researching to see if these things actually were true.

rojosho@hotmail.com
What She Wants by Cathy Kelly. 4 stars.
This cute, contemporary romance with lush descriptions of the Irish countryside is a restful and easygoing novel. Peopled by vivid, realistic characters and teeming with great characterization, this novel keep you riveted. Excellent.

maestraw@msn.com
Letter from Home by Carolyn Hart. 3 stars.
Easy-to-read mystery.

Child of My Heart by Alice McDermott. 4 stars.
Very nice novel about cousins who spend a summer together.

The Mammoth Cheese by Sheri Holman. 3 stars.
Strange book about a small town dairy farmer, her ex-husband, her daughter, and her relationship with a Thomas Jefferson portrayer, and the large block of cheese she makes for the newly elected president of the United States.

Plainsong by Kent Haruf. 4 stars.
Well-written book about a pregnant teenager, two farmers, a school teacher and his sons, and how their lives intertwine. It is sweet and poignant.

Cold Case by Stephen White. 2 stars.
Not very good. It is a mystery, but I found I did not care "who done it."

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan. 5 stars.
Very good. It is a true story about the Ryan family, and how Mrs. Ryan entered contests to win cash and prizes for the family.

hibar14@earthlink.net
I reading Windtalkers by Max Allan Collins. 5 stars. I missed the movie and am enjoying the book very much.

OLTLFREAK@aol.com
The Five People You Meet in Heaven. 3 stars.
This book was so-so during the reading, I thought it would have moved me more. Then when I turned the last page, and saw the photo of the uncle who the book was dedicated to, I was crying. Then it made me think of the purpose of the book --- how we are all here for a reason, even if we think we are doing nothing in our everyday lives.

Rubbed Out by Barbara Block. 5 stars.
I love her mystery series, and this one didn't disappoint.

Straight Talking by Jane Green. 4 stars.
Fast read, written in first person about a girl and her love life, looking for Mr. Right

Tragedy Ann by Sinclair Browning. 5 stars.
Another mystery series I love, you get into the characters and feel like you are there.

yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
Last night I finished The Serpent's Kiss by Mark T. Sullivan and I give it 5 stars. This is a new author for me and I will definitely be looking for his other books. The ending was very good and also surprising. The story does have things that might offend some readers --- the world of twisted eroticism, black-market herpetology, and fanatical spiritual cults --- but the story is very original and will definitely keep you interested until the very end.

sharoncerasoli@hotmail.com
Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine, a children's nonfiction book that tells the story of young Hana Brady, a Czech girl who was Jewish during WWII while interspersing the tale of Fumiko Ishioka, the Director of the Tokyo Holocaust Resource Center, and the person who finds out more about what happened to Hana. A very moving book, based on a documentary by this Canadian author.

Holes by Louis Sachar. Children's fiction, loving it so far!

When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park

JDDistef@aol.com
I just finished Patricia Cornwell's new Kay Scarpetta mystery, Blow Fly. I give it 3 stars. The writing is compelling as always, but some of the plotlines were confusing and on whole the book felt like one great big setup for the next book.

Bjglu@aol.com
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton. 4 stars.
Clever, fast-moving, witty --- another in a long line of wonderful mysteries by Grafton.

A Round-Heeled Woman by Jane Juska. 2 stars.
Juska, in her late 60s, places a personal ad looking for good sex. This is the resulting book. Not enlightening, not sexy --- not sure why she wrote it!

bradylee@myway.com
A Drinking Life by Pete Hamill. 5 stars.
A highly rewarding read is what this book offers. One of the reasons I enjoy reading of another's life is to see the twists and turns that occur in the course of events. We all have them, but the telling in an interesting way is the secret of success. Most of the time (never always) the route is circuitous before a life's occupation is finally realized. In this case Pete Hamill is talented from childhood due to a creative brain and the ability to draw. This leads to many, many adventures while being brought up in New York City and the final destination of the author. What a trip! Everything is well written and his amours are something to behold. I could not put this book down and read it in 3 days. By the way, Mr. Hamill is one of my two favorite living authors; he is close to being in my age group also.

LAD@shk.bc.ca
I am reading Morality for Beautiful Girls at the moment. This book by Alexander McCall Smith (as well as his first, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) I would highly recommend to ALL readers. His characters are so full of life, his stories thoroughly entertaining with such a sense of reality that you can't help but be absorbed to the fullest. With a mix of mystery, drama, comedy (not in the usual fashion, of course) and characters so full of love and compassion, you can't help but care for them all a great deal and anticipate what they will do next. McCall Smith will soon become your favorite author!! My priority booklist will most definitely include more of McCall Smith for an enjoyable journey into a simple yet carefully entwined escape. If you want to achieve the impossible, just TRY and not like this book.

alacombe@belfastlibrary.org
Currently, I am reading the first of the new series by Tim LaHaye, Babylon Rising. I would give it a 4-star rating to this point. So far, it feels like a combination of an Indiana Jones adventure and a Frank Peretti novel!

Qoesls@aol.com
Three Junes by Julia Glass.
This one was really tough. Literature shouldn't be such a chore. (And what's up with all the parentheses?)

MSShealy@aol.com
Death by the Light of the Moon by Joan Hess. 3 stars.
An almost gothic murder mystery, sort of cozy, that I read in 1 day. It was fairly entertaining and had some very unusual characters set in southern Louisiana, but I always have a problem with murder mysteries whose protagonists come up in the last chapter with all sorts of information to solve the crime with no place in the previous chapters where such information can be deciphered. Not sure I'll read more of Hess.

KINDLEELF@aol.com
Tell No One and Gone For Good by Harlan Coben. 4 stars.
I discovered this author on Word of Mouth. Thanks, he is good.

Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier. 5 stars. Excellent.

The Secret History and The Little Friend by Donna Tartt. 5 stars. Both are great.

The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve. 4+ stars.
Kathryn Lyons receives word that her husband Jack's plane has exploded near the coast of Ireland. Soon she is drawn into a quagmire of publicity fueled by rumors that Jack led a secret life. Kathryn sets out to find the truth.

Treason by Ann Coulter. 4 stars.
The other side of the liberal coin

A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford. 5+ stars.
I loved this book.

The Lake House by James Patterson. 3 stars.
OK, but kind of ho-hum.

mbunting@earthlink.net
The Cold Blue Blood by David Handler. 4 stars.
Superior mystery by an author unknown to me. It features an NYC movie critic, recently widowed, who becomes involved in a murder investigation in an upscale rural Connecticut community, along with an intriguing female police officer. This will follow up with The Hot Pink Farmhouse and a new sequel published in November.

Lapsing Into a Comma by Bill Walsh, chief copy editor of the Washington Post. 4 stars.
Easy-to-read, humorously told information on word usage, grammar and punctuation.

Enchiladas, Rice, and Beans by Daniel Reveles. 4 stars.
Related short stories revolving around a magical town in northern Mexico. Makes you feel like a part of the community. Filled with whimsy and emotion.

bradylee@myway.com
The House on Beartown Road: A Memoir of Learning and Forgetting by Elizabeth Cohen. 3 1/2 stars.
A chaotic life is what is given here … in minute detail. The author's husband takes off on a whim for 9 months and she is left with a newborn baby and a father in the middle stages of Alzheimer's. Her mother can't tolerate her husband and her sister can't manage him, so he goes to live with Elizabeth. She does a very good job for him, but her personal life is a total mess, as is keeping up her house and a million details of everyday living that must be forgotten to be able to cope with her daughter and father. One thing that is stable, however, is her job as a newspaper reporter/columnist, though that part of her life is not delved into in this book except in the acknowledgments section.

luckyme71564@yahoo.com
It's an older book but a fresh 'getaway" --- Tales from Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett. In a world where the news is so depressing and our children can't go outside for fear of disappearing, Buffet's book is refreshing! Definitely a five-star book!

Other good books that I have read are all by Nicholas Sparks --- none of his books disappoint or bore!! The latest was The Wedding, another 5-star read --- although readers might want to first read The Notebook, as this book often refers back to characters in that book.

I just got finished reading the latest Janet Evanovich book, To the Nines. Janet never disappoints! Another 5-star read! Bumbling bounty-hunter Stephanie and her friends make the reader laugh out loud and make it hard to put the book down. "Just one page," sound familiar?

Mystrytx@aol.com
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. 3 stars.
Her words paint pictures and it's nothing like the movie. Not the most interesting I've read but you catch the excitement of her adventures in Italy.

digicat@sbcglobal.net
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 5 stars.
I have only read half of it, but it is a wonderful book. Very insightful. This is a book I happened onto as a result of reading Bookreporter.

Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell. 4 stars.
She is one of my favorite authors. It is a good book, as all of hers are. Well written and suspenseful.

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
I have not read anything by her up until now and I really enjoyed it. I plan to read all her other books now!

thenson@mit.midco.net
Sierra Ransom by Alice Duncan. 5 stars.
A very emotional and delightful view of love, life and death in the gold fields of California in the 1800s.

Life is a Bowl of Toilets and I Clean Them by Ginger Simpson. 5 stars.
A hilarious depiction of this author's life from adolescence, dating, marriage and children! If you ever liked reading Erma Bombeck, you will like this one too!

ginnyann@zoominternet.net
Killing Moon by Rebecca York. 5 stars. Paranormal Romance.
The Legend MacKinnon by Donna Kaufmann. 4 1/2 stars. Paranormal Romance.
Touch of the Wolf by Susan Krinard. 4 1/2 stars. Paranormal Romance.
Stone Cold by Robert B. Parker. 4 1/2 stars. Mystery.
State Secrets by Linda Lael Miller. 4 stars. Romantic Suspense.
Angel Meets the Badman by Maggie Shayne. 4 stars. Romance.
Lakota Renegade by Madeline Baker. 4 1/2 stars. Historical Romance.
Annie and the Outlaw by Sharon Sala. 4 stars. Romance.
Out of Sight by Cherry Adair. 5 stars. Romantic Thriller.

Killing Moon by Rebecca York and Out of Sight by Cherry Adair are excellent, well written stories. Both books are for adult readers because of the sexual content. However, they are not erotica. They are both keepers.

EPaton@aol.com
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. To me it is the perfect Halloween story because it takes place one week before Halloween and is full of evil, spooky things but not the fun kind, the kind that really scare you and make you wish you were anywhere but where you are. His description and imagery evoke such clear images of small town Illinois, two young boys --- yet not so young --- growing up way too fast in the shadow of a dark, crooked, possibly haunted and evil Carnival. The writing is so excellent and so descriptive that I can actually see the two boys' faces. I'm sure I know what they look like just as I can picture what the two men who run the carnival look like (if indeed they are really men). The story is scary and not full of pumpkins and trick or treating but plenty of tricks and not nice, fun tricks, but nasty tricks that alter people's lives. However, this not obviously scary but actually very scary book is my favorite this time of year. I love vampire books around Halloween as well, but this one stands out in my mind as very special. 5 stars.

Crsntmoon3@aol.com
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters. 5 stars.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 5 stars. (I am starting Angels & Demons now!)
You Shall Know Our Velocity by David Eggers. 4 stars.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 5 stars.
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. 4 stars.
Will Work for Food or $ by Bruce Moody. 5 stars. (life-altering book)
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. 5 stars. (I recently read with my 5th grade class)

tattooedbubble@yahoo.com
I just finished The Breathtaker by Alice Blanchard and wow, this book is fun. It's a literary thrill ride unlike anything I've read in recent memory. The story is bone-chilling. The characters are flawed and poetic. The stakes are sky high. It's exhilarating and original. Fun book by a clever writer. There's nothing else like it out there. She wrote Darkness Peering, which was glowingly reviewed in 2000.

Debby236@aol.com
I just finished Dark Melody by Christine Feehan. I rate this 4 stars. This is another great edition to her Carpathian books.

Lorilann@aol.com
I am reading Wish You Well by David Baldacci. It is excellent --- different from his other writings in that it is not a mystery but rather kind of an autobiography, or not. It is set in rural 1940s northern Virginia. Lots of life lessons. Great read.

CluLess220@aol.com
I just finished reading Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown. I have always enjoyed her mysteries --- hated her sex stories that she called "romance" --- and I was thrilled to find another mystery by her. However, she seemed to combine her two favorite writing styles and came up with a "sextery!" I'll admit that it kept me guessing to the end as to whodunit.

ericbj@peoplepc.com
I just finished reading Sanctuary by Brenda Novak. It was awesome. Currently I am reading Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak. I've just recently learned about Novak, and I am so glad I "found" her. Her books are great, and they reel you in and keep you going.

TonyBrandin@peoplepc.com
Silence in October by Jens Christian Grondahl. 3 1/2 stars.
Ines, Astrid and Elisabeth are the three women in his life for whom a Dane has fallen. Ines was his first passionate love; Astrid is his steady wife; Elisabeth was his summer fling. Silence in October follows the unnamed narrator's life in the week that Astrid leaves abruptly, seven years after his dalliance with Elisabeth. Through flashbacks, he ruminates extensively on what his life was, is and could have been. Does Astrid leave for good? Was the affair worth it? Did the hero's passion for Ines permanently scar him?

Grondahl's narrator is exceedingly unreliable; why Astrid leaves becomes gradually clearer as the reader ventures deeper into the novel. Grondahl's book meanders between past and present, but generally is easy to follow. The hero, an art critic, is exceedingly articulate, and asks the questions about the nature of chance and time and choices that most of us have wondered in our lives. To Grondahl's credit, Silence in October offers no easy answers. Though slow in spots, I nonetheless found this book stimulating reading.

tfranzen2124@comcast.net
I'm enjoying Frances Mayes's first novel, Swan. Her earlier work Under the Tuscan Sun is one of my read overs. I pick it up and start from any page. Swan has a different feel, but is also written with her rich voice. 3 stars.

Ken4mar@msn.com
I have just finished reading Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown and would highly recommend it. This it is one of her very best! 5 stars.

I also recently finished Kate Remembered and enjoyed it very much. I enjoy the old movies and so it was fun to read about some of the goings on during the filming, etc. 4 stars.

BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Good Faith by Jane Smiley. 1 star.
Blah, a waste of time. Really disappointing as I usually like this author, but this was a struggle to even finish!

srydell@charter.net
I'm currently reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and find it just an amazing book. Since I'm currently reading it, I don't know how it's all going to end. However, I've found the travels of this little white girl with a black servant that land them at the home of three black sisters who raise bees for honey a simply amazing and compelling story. What also makes it so easy just to flow along with the story is that it seems to have everything so far --- tragedy, humor, love, fear -- but where it's going I'm just not sure.  But you betcha I can't wait to find out!

baxtergr@msn.com
I have read several books of late, but shall share with you but two of them, both earning 5 stars from me. The first is The Woman With the Alabaster Jar by Margaret Starbird. Another scholarly, but very readable, study of Mary Magdalene and what her role in the life of Christ may have been. I read a copy from the library but was so entranced that I purchased a copy so I can check out the references, mark it in places and fully absorb the book.

The second book I recently found memorable is Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. I previously read two other books concerning the Mountain Meadow Massacre in Utah in 1857, but found this book extended both backwards and forwards in the history of the Mormon faith. Most interesting.

KLOZIER40@aol.com
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. 4 1/2 stars.
Our book club is only reading half the book this month. So far, the story is interesting, but I did not expect such wordy descriptions and conversations. The descriptions are at least interesting, but the conversations are redundant in spots. It hasn't held my attention completely, but I'm looking forward to the second half being more interesting.

Delcain@aol.com
Constable's Run and The Lady Godiva Murder by Laurie Moore.
It's always fun to feel like you're in on the beginning of something. When I found Constable's Run by Laurie Moore I thought I would read it just because I knew the setting in Fort Worth, Texas. I laughed the rest of the way through the funniest and most touching mystery I can recall. 4+ stars.

That one finished, I had to see if there were anymore. Sure enough, I found The Lady Godiva Murder and loved it just as much. 4+ stars.

Along the way I learned that these are first novels in each of two series of mysteries with the same main characters. I can't wait for the next adventures of Deputy Constable Raven and the Fort Worth Police Department's Officer Cezanne Martin.

elegrams@hotmail.com
An excellent book I read this month is Take Me with You: A Round-The-World Journey to Invite a Stranger Home by Brad Newsham. The author travels to several Third World countries, looking for that one special person to invite to visit him in America. The paperback edition includes an extra chapter with a description of the chosen person's trip to the United States and the outpouring of support from the American public to welcome him to our country. Definitely 5 stars for the readability and unusual subject matter --- not your run-of-the-mill travel book.

This month I also read two books that are considered classics: The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford, originally published in 1915. The book truly lives up to the first sentence: "This is the saddest story I have ever heard."  I would give it 4 stars as I had some trouble with the complexity of the plot.  The second "classic" is Love in the Time of Cholera by Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the story of a lover who waits 50 years, 9 months, and 4 days for the object of his desire. 5 stars.

GerryD8784@aol.com
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
Brown's earliest novel is the fourth (and sadly, the last, until his next book comes out) of his that I've read this year, and once again I was not disappointed. This one focuses on computer cryptography, and the conflict between national security experts' need to intercept and decode encrypted messages and the general public's desire and right to privacy. Fast-moving and believable, well worth 5 stars!

Brick Lane by Monica Ali. 5 stars.
This is a first book by a talented writer from whom I'm sure we'll hear more. The main character, Nazneen, is a young woman sent to London by her family for an arranged marriage to an older man. Her sister, Haima, has escaped the same destiny by running away to marry the young man with whom she has fallen in love. Readers follow both their lives through Haima's letters to her sister, woven into the narrative, focusing primarily on Nazneen's very different life in London. Wonderful character development makes this book engaging and memorable.

Split Second by David Baldacci. 4 stars.
Two Secret Service agents join forces to locate a kidnapped politician in an intriguing, but unrealistic, mystery thriller.

Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown. 4 stars.
A female radio personality is stalked by a deranged listener who believes she has ruined his life with her advice.

Bleachers by John Grisham. 2 1/2 stars.
Former HS football players reminisce about their glory days while awaiting news of their old coach's death. Reinforced for me the idiocy of so much of the so-called "character-building" that goes on in the world of youth sports.

Deception Point by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
How did this author NOT make the bestseller list in the past?? This is the third of Dan Brown's books I've read this year, and each is better than the last. In Deception Point, as pre-election campaigning reaches its peak, the incumbent president announces that NASA has made a startling scientific discovery that makes his much-criticized support for the chronically over-budget space agency seem more than warranted. But the timing of the discovery makes it suspect, and all is not, in fact, as it seems. Brown once again uses extensive research to develop a plausible thriller that delivers one surprise after another, and keeps the reader guessing right up to the end.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 1 star (or less)
A mildly interesting idea, but trite, and not helped by the banality of Albom's writing, which doesn't compare to the power he showed in Tuesdays with Morrie.

The Miracle by John L'Heureux. 2 stars.
A young priest is banished from his parish in Boston for being too controversial, and sent to a seaside parish in New Hampshire where he falls in love first with the ideas of holiness and saintliness, and then with a mysterious woman who comes to the rectory seeking help.

The Jester by James Patterson. 3 stars.
A David vs. Goliath story set in the time of the Crusades. Predictable, but interesting. A quick read.

Dead Ringer by Jasmine Cresswell. 3 stars.
When her husband disappears in the middle of the night, a young woman is plunged into a mystery that tests her love and loyalty to a man she now realizes she hardly knew.

amusingjoy@sbcglobal.net
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 4 stars.
I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson. 2 stars.
It was entertaining but too whiny at times.

DancingGram7@aol.com
Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah. 5 stars.
I really enjoyed reading this one (for a change). It's about 2 sisters, one is a high-powered divorce attorney who is divorced and her younger sister who is estranged from her after a few years. When she announces her engagement to a struggling country singer, her sister Meghann gets involved trying to discourage her from marrying this loser. It's a story that is bittersweet and moving.

I am currently reading The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks. 5 stars. This is a story about a young widow who gets involved with a stalker after her young husband dies. She dates him a few times and he cannot accept rejection and tries to make her life miserable. There are other characters involved and Sparks does a good job of telling the story. I haven't gotten to the end so I can't tell if it works to the reader's liking.

kayaker9@juno.com
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. 5 stars.
A real high-energy thriller that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat.

The Beach House by James Patterson. 5 stars.
Well-written sequel to When the Wind Blows, both of which are not his usual genre. I couldn't put the book down and read it in 2 days. I love the short chapters. It keeps your interest intact.

JoBrockette@aol.com
I'm right in the middle of Up Island by Anne Rivers Siddons. It's the first one of her books that I've read, and I'm enjoying it tremendously. I rate the first six chapters a solid 4 stars.

jmedens@bellsouth.net
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. 5 stars.
A Painted House by John Grisham. 5 stars.
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. 4 stars.
Our Lady of the Forest by David Guterson. 3 stars.
Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon. 5 stars.

Norbles@aol.com
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. 5 stars. Simply fabulous.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. 4 stars.
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. 3 1/2 stars.
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. 4 stars. An interesting look at life in Iran
The Beach House by James Patterson. 4 stars.

Candie@aol.com
I just finished reading the very first Nora Roberts I've ever read, and Birthright was great. For some reason I've resisted her books but my mom insisted I would love this book. My mom was right. I did.

Vikkivand@aol.com
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. 3 stars.
A sequel to The Notebook. It wasn't one of my favorites. A little too syrupy for my taste.

The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin. 5 stars.
I loved the characters. Funny.

The Most Wanted by Jaqueline Mitchard. 4 stars.
Well written, but I didn't care for the overall story.

Our Lady of the Forest by David Guterson. 3 stars.  I Liked it.

Finding Alice by Melody Carlson. 5 stars.
A senior in college becomes schizophrenic. The story details her experiences on the streets and her successful treatment with the disease.

The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. 5 stars.
At first I'm thinking … talking dogs? As I read on, I was intrigued and thought it was an interesting story. Different.

GandmaRI@aol.com
Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs. 4 stars.
Tempe Brennen is once again on the trail of murders connected with a cult. A page-turner, although a bit gruesome. Lots of factual information about the hows and whys of being a forensic pathologist. Good storyline. Draws the ends together in the last chapter. Tut-tut! No cheating and reading the end first.

NGroves@aol.com
Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes. 4 stars.
A good read centering on a 14-year-old white girl whose longtime friendship with a neighbor boy turns to love, resulting in pregnancy. Her life intersects with that of a black man and his friends, who in the end offer the girl more support in her time of trouble than her own family. It's a big, sprawling book with a lively and memorable cast of characters.

Forgotten Fire by Adam Bagdasarian. 3 stars.
Based on events that actually happened to the author's great-uncle during the Armenian holocaust that began in 1915, this book describes what happens to a young boy from a wealthy, privileged family when Turkish leaders start to massacre his people. The boy sees several members of his family killed and endures much more suffering and loss before escaping to a safe haven. While the book has few details about the Armenian culture per se and could almost apply to any of the ethnic-related atrocities that have occurred in the past 100 years, it's still a good read, reminding readers of both man's capacity for cruelty and the fact that there is always hope even in the worst of situations.

Night of Many Dreams by Gail Tsukiyama. 3 stars.
This book centers on sisters Joan and Emma Lew, growing up in Hong Kong around the time of World War II. Joan dreams of being a movie star, while her sister is more interested in her studies. The book follows them as they mature, depicting the closeness that remains, despite their personality differences.

When the Elephants Dance by Tess Holthe. 4 stars.
Holthe sets her novel in the Philippines during World War II, interweaving the story of a group of Filipinos trying to survive the Japanese occupation with folk tales and myths told by members of the group to pass the time and give them strength to go on.

Son of the Shadows and Child of the Prophecy by Juliet Marillier. 4 stars.
These are the second and third books in the author's Sevenwaters Trilogy, set in ancient Ireland. Both feature strong female protagonists who struggle to find their role in preserving the magic that protects their land, while also dealing with matters of the heart.

hibar14@earthlink.net
I'm reading Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell. I'm a longtime fan of Cornwell's books and this one is as good as all her other books. I give it 5 stars.

bradylee@myway.com
Finding Fish by Antwone Quenton Fisher. 5 stars.
This memoir is now included in my 10 favorite books that I have read --- in my life. I did not see the movie, but I will rent the movie in the very near future after my wife reads it. The life background of this author would point to an adult life of poverty, heartache, and possibly death. Instead, it is an uplifting story of a human being conquering a huge number of defeats while young without parents or anyone who loved him or nurtured him. A schoolteacher was the one person in his life who started his turnaround to success rather than failure. There are others, but this story should not be missed if you love people and the way they are able to win over defeat in hundreds of different ways. Lump-in-throat time at the end of this book due to absolute joy of so many problems being resolved. I would love to meet Mr. Fisher someday; he is somethin' else.

FRoybiskie@aol.com
Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown was the last book I read. I give it 4 stars. A very engrossing story.

FialaJfiala@aol.com
I have made it a tradition to read a good mystery as soon as the sky starts getting all dark and gray for the winter, and so last week on a very rainy night I went to the library and checked out Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. This is probably the third year in a row that I've read it at this time of year and I am still amazed at how clever and detailed this book is. However, it's not the greatest thrill seeker I've read, so I'm going to give it 3 stars.

gojessicago@juno.com
Die in Plain Sight by Elizabeth Lowell. 4 stars.
Pretty formulaic, but worth the read.

The Falls by Karen Harper. 1 star.
Okay, I just HAVE to say this. I hate books like this! Why do the two main characters, male and female, ALWAYS have to fall in love, even when it makes no sense? How convenient that Clare, whose husband dies, suddenly doesn't love him anymore, thus freeing her for a romantic relationship with the obligatory sexy sheriff. If she doesn't love the dude anymore, then why try to find his murderer? Why not just thank God he's dead and move in with the sexy sheriff? Okay, rant over.

A Cruel Season for Dying by Harker Moore. 5 stars.
This book surprised me with its depth and its story has stayed with me. A very quality mystery.

Psychopath and Compulsion by Keith Ablow. Both 5 BIG stars.
When I read the first book in the Frank Clevenger series, I was underwhelmed. I am glad I stuck it out and gave Mr. Ablow another chance. These are excellent books!

A Winter Haunting by Dan Simmons. 4 stars.
Good book, not enough mystery for me. Too veiled with testosterone. (No offense guys!).

Dancing with the Virgins by Stephen Booth. 5 stars.
These Cooper/Fry mysteries are really growing on me. I read his first, Black Dog, and really enjoyed it, but I see him getting better with each book.

moonstone.jkm@worldnet.att.net
The One True Ocean by Sarah Beth Martin. 4 stars!
Lyrical and compelling, a suspenseful family secrets novel.

rashmi_shankar@hotmail.com
The Jesus Thief by J. R. Lankford. 5 stars.

STroop@hhb.com
House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III.
This was one of Oprah's picks for her book club quite a while ago and I'm just now getting around to reading it. The book so far is one that I can hardly put down. I also saw this weekend that the movie is coming out later this year. Now I have to get the book read so I can go see the movie. The book grabs you from the beginning and you have to keep reading to find out what happens next to this strange set of characters.

sonia.chopra@worldnet.att.net
I am reading She is Me by Cathleen Schine and I do not like it. It should be a great book because it has so much going for it: a single woman who writes a screenplay and gets to sell it to Hollywood, a great relationship with her mother, grandmother and son, a boyfriend who wants to marry her and she is reluctant. But it doesn't add up.

The book I just finished before this one was The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri and I absolutely loved it. Very crisp, very edgy writing and the message was close to my heart. If you don't know who you are, if you can't figure out your identity, you won't fit in or have great relationships.

Yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I got halfway through Blue Rodeo by Jo-Ann Mapson before I decided to stop wasting my time. Boring and not nearly as good as her other books. Now I am just starting Last Car to Elysian Fields by James Lee Burke. Usually I listen to his books, but I am going to read this one and will let you know in a few days how I liked it. Blue Rodeo is maybe 2 stars.

bradylee@myway.com
The Story of My Father by Sue Miller. 5 stars.
This is a compassionate telling of a life by a daughter whose father had Alzheimer's. She discuss her family's life, but more specifically the details of the progression of the disease and what it does to an individual. It seems each person has different effects, but all people deteriorate to death. This is a tribute to a loving father and a dominating mother well-told. If you want to know about this terrible affliction and need instruction on how to deal with it, this book is a good primer.

patricia_boyle@abitibiconsolidated.com
I have just finished reading The Siege by Helen Dunmore. This is a story of one family's survival when Leningrad (St. Petersburg) was under siege for almost 900 days by the Germans. A very well-written book that deserves 4 stars. Remember that this is a fictionalized account of a family based on the true stories of many families who survived the siege. I have now started reading 900 Days: The Siege of Leningrad, which is an accurate account of the siege written by Harrison Evans Salisbury.

Qoesls@aol.com
Timeline by Michael Crichton. 4 stars.
I wanted to read this before the movie came out, and it was such a lot of fun! Very engrossing. Don't worry about the plausibility --- or implausibility --- of the time travel plot. Just enjoy.

Donnaleggate@aol.com
I am currently reading The Mammoth Book of Egyptian Whodunnits, edited by Mike Ashley. Each story progresses in time during ancient Egypt and is written by different authors. It has been very enjoyable and mysterious thus far. 5 stars.

drfoodoutoftown@hotmail.com
I give The Jesus Thief an enthusiastic 5 stars. I only occasionally read thrillers because, while I love the thrill, the stories are often flat and kind of silly. The Jesus Thief, on the other hand, takes a remarkable premise --- what would happen if Jesus were cloned from blood on the Shroud of Turin --- and treats it with skill in the course of unfolding a plot that has implications that are even more profound than those of the premise itself. Because the science behind this is only just a little out of reach and because the author, J. R. Lankford treats the characters and action with such skill, the reader enjoys the action and the ideas at the same time. This is a thriller for people who are too smart to waste their time on thrillers.

lindaharriet@netzero.net
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri is the story of Gogol, named after the famous Russian writer, Ganguli, a first generation Bengali. His family moves from Calcutta to America. Gogol grows up in a world strewn with conflicting loyalties, comic mishaps, parental expectations, failed love and the means by which he must finally define himself. 5 stars.

Catslady5@aol.com
Light in Shadow by Jayne Ann Krentz. 4 1/2 stars.
Very quick and suspenseful read. I'm halfway through and thoroughly enjoying it so far.

MSShealy@aol.com
Goose in the Pond by Earlene Fowler. 5 stars.
I have just finished this book, which is the third in the Benni Harper mystery series.  I have now read them all, mostly in order, except for this last one, which I was unable to get in the proper sequence. These books are some of the best light reading I have read in years. The mystery is never obvious until the end, the relationships of the characters are so well drawn as to make them absolutely real that I can hardly wait to hear when her next book will be available. I may have come late to the series, but I will be quickly on the library waiting list for the next release.

aandrews@whitbylibrary.on.ca
A Winter Haunting by Dan Simmons. 4 stars.
A page-turner and wonderfully creepy. Don't read it at night in an empty house!! Language warning.

The Jester by James Patterson and Andrew Gross. 3 stars.
Another quick read, lots of action, set in the 11th century during the time of the first crusade. Has a happy ending. Language and sexual content warning.

Dark Matter: The Private Life of Sir Isaac Newton by Philip Kerr. 4 stars.
This author is a master storyteller! The fictionalized story of Sir Isaac's tenure in the Royal Mint. He has a murder mystery to solve. The author skillfully gives the reader a glimpse into the mind of the genius. Language and sexual content warning.

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. 5 stars.
Excellent fantasy. Totally alien world unlike any fantasy world I have yet encountered. The author must be mad to be so creative! I read portions out loud and it flowed like poetry. Sounded better to my ears than just reading silently. Very dark emotionally, like the movie Bladerunner in that respect, but any similarity between them ends there. Language and sexual content warning.

susanrjensen@yahoo.com
The Hour Before Dark by Douglas Clegg. 5 stars.
A completely engrossing, thoroughly chilling ghost story. I could not put it down. Just don't read it if you're in the house alone!

The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama. 4 stars.
A good story about a Chinese man recuperating from tuberculosis on the Japanese shore in the late 1930s. The story centers on his relationship with several interesting characters as well as his anxiety about his family and the impending conflict between China and Japan.

The Vanished Man by Jeffery Deaver. 4 stars.
Another suspenseful ride from Deaver, this one centering on a magician turned criminal, who can make himself appear to be anyone. Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are understandably frustrated as they try to outthink the brilliant murderer.

Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani. 5 stars.
I loved this novel about an Italian career girl who is blessed with beauty but literally cursed in love. When she meets a slick, uptown man she is forced to choose between the life she knows and the one she desires. A great story about fashion, love, family and friendship.

bradylee@myway.com
Raising Fences: A Black Man's Love Story by Michael Datcher. 4 stars.
This story is constructed just like a novel where you have 3 separate events going on during different times in the author's life: his youth doing dirty tricks, a love affair (well told) that explodes into a million pieces, and his love affair with school and poetry...all happening in California, Berkeley and UCLA. There is quite a bit of poetry that I skipped over, but the heart of the story is his search for fulfillment in finding a woman of his dreams. This is a good read and easy to keep track of all that goes on.

smaf@villa.edu
A Gathering of Spies by John Altman. 4 stars.
Espionage fans rejoice!

gdthoms@charter.net
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The best book I have read in the last two years. I can't say enough about how amazing this book is. Thought-provoking and emotional, it tells of the love between a man and a woman that surpasses time. I could never do it justice by trying to explain the plot. Suffice it to say that you will not be sorry that you picked up this book. I give it 5 stars.

jalocke@comcast.net
Dreamcatcher by Stephen King. 3 stars.
Knowing the again rising reputation and writing talent of Stephen King, I decided to take a shot at reading Dreamcatcher (did not see movie). The story promised a very gutsy plot. As I read on I became slightly bored with the story that didn't seem to be going anywhere. Then all of a sudden, about 1/2 way through the book, the plot weaves more suspense.

Boyhood friends from Maine visit the cabin known as Hole in the Wall for one of their annual jaunts. All 4 boys have grown up with differing problems in their midlife crises. Enter a stranger McCarthy and one begins to get the idea of an alien invasion of his body. And then a woman in the middle of the road...another victim of alien invasion...and mental horrors produced by these alien beings who aren't very huge in size --- weasel-like creatures, but they can do a heck of a number in a human's body. Incorporated into this writing is King's own addictions and the first book he has written since his near-fatal accident.

Although mid-average entertainment, this story does not challenge the reader to turn pages fast --- there have been better King writings. A character named "Duddits" with Down's Syndrome is the focus of a psychic connection between the four main players. This book is an average novel and a very confusing read with wimpy military involvement!

KristieL@mhmrtc.org
I'm currently reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Mon Kidd and it is really good so far. I've only read about 1/3 but it's hard to put down. It has been passed around among a group of friends and all of them have loved it!

JDDistef@aol.com
Dead Famous by Carol O'Connell. 5 stars.
If you are tired of the usual flirty, goofy, light female detectives, try the Mallory mysteries. I absolutely love all of them.

The Giant's House by Elizabeth McCracken. 4 stars.
Not what I expected, but a very interesting story of a boy who just doesn't stop growing and the librarian who falls in love with him --- in her own way. A great choice for reading groups.

Suntee@aol.com
I don't usually read "self-help" books but was intrigued by Not Much Just Chillin: The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers, especially because it was written by Linda Perlstein, who is an acclaimed reporter for the Washington Post.

The great thing about this book is that it reads like fiction. You will find yourself immersed in the lives of tweens who believe they, each of them, are the center of the universe! Conflicts with friends, parents and teachers are highly detailed, bringing to life the adolescent dramas that are being played out in every middle school in America. It is hilarious, dark and enlightening all at once. Perlstein interjects facts and statistics in a way that makes it interesting and relevant to the content.

As the parent of a middle schooler, I read this book with an amazing curiosity and have recommended it to all my middle-aged friends who are wondering how we'll (as parents) get through the middle school years!

donna@whitenet.com
I have just finished Patricia Cornwell's Blow Fly. It was a long time since the last Kay Scarpetta novel, but it was worth the wait.  You need to read the other novels in order to follow the plot. I am now eagerly awaiting the next book. 5 stars.

MAP5402@aol.com
Film Strip by Nancy Bartholomew.
This is the third book in the series and it's fun and light. The other 2 were just as good --- worth reading.

Fatal Tide by Iris Johansen.
I always love her books, and this one was one of her best.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.
This one was a special treat. It left me with a really nice warm feeling. Might not be as good as Tuesdays With Morrie, but its a completely different type of book.

ericbj@peoplepc.com
I just finished reading Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak. I give it 5 stars! This book hooks you and reels you in and keeps you going until the end. And when it ends, you wish for more. Currently I am reading Flirting With Disaster by Jane Graves. So far, so good. This is my first book by Jane and I'm lovin' it.

mcgillrmcgill@charter.net
1949 by Morgan Llywelyn. 4 stars.
This is the third in a series about the Irish Uprising (earlier books are 1916 and 1921) and I've really enjoyed them all. The primary characters are fictional, but the story line revolves around actual historical events and people. The books provide fundamental information about the Irish fight for freedom from British rule, and how and why the Republic and the partition of Ireland came about.

It's best to start with the first book to maintain a sense of order, but each contains its own story and they are written by an author who has done her research well.

Addisondaigle@aol.com
The Ultimate Weight Solution by Dr.Phil McGraw. 4 stars.
Void Moon by Michael Connelly. 4 stars.        

lindaharriet@netzero.net
She Is Me by Cathleen Schine is the story of three generations --- grandmother, mother, daughter --- and the loves in their lives. Adultery, motherhood, marriage and death are the major themes, yet the book is intensely funny and satisfying in the end. What do we owe our parents? There are references to Madame Bovary throughout. 5 stars.

nct49@cox.net
My 13-year-old Book Club group decided to see what was so special about Ernest Hemingway, so we chose The Sun Also Rises as our November read. I'm afraid to say we were not impressed at all with the story nor with Mr. Hemingway's writing style. This was considered the best first novel of any contemporary author! Not by us, it wasn't.

Jakapn@aol.com
Blood Canticle by Anne Rice. 4 stars.
As down to earth as possible in the realm of the Vampire Chronicles. Wraps up many outstanding issues: Lestat, The Mayfairs, Taltos, etc. Enjoyable read (warning: be sure to read Blackwood Farm beforehand).

SFNewshen@aol.com
The Seven Ages of Paris by Alistair Horne
The Price of Murder by Bruce Alexander

MParloff@aol.com
The Tale of Genji, a 54-volume book written in the eleventh century by a Japanese woman named Murasaki Shikibu, is usually described as one of the best novels ever written. Books of this vintage, like eminent movies of the thirties and forties, come with reputations that no one dares dispute, but close observation reveals that the historically interesting often does not merit more literary praise. Like many of the other editors through the centuries, Edward G. Seidensticker, the translator of the 1976 edition that I have been reading, chose to drastically abridge the novel, selecting only 12 of the 54 volumes. This is more than enough, since the novel repetitiously describes, in chapter after chapter, the amorous adventures of handsome, talented Genji, an emperor's son.

The writing is adequate, sometimes humorous, and gives one some sense of life among the royal personages of 11th-century Japan --- at least that life that includes sexual affairs, beautiful clothes, such arts as poetry, music and dance, and the enjoyment of gardens and scenery. The emotions of lust, jealousy and grief do appear, but their depiction is shallow and sometimes unbelievable. One also has the sense that the many changes in the text over the years have sometimes resulted in sequences of passages that do not follow each other coherently.

In sum, my reaction to Murasaki Shikibu's tour de force is like that of alleged witnesses of the fabled chess-playing dog: although the dog may not play a first-class game, it's remarkable that it can do it at all.

Haddow@aol.com
Act One by Moss Hart. 5 stars.
One of the best (if not THE best) theater biographies ever written. Not only for those in "the business," but for anyone who needs a little inspiration to keep pursuing their dream (or to make that leap and start doing it), Moss Hart's classic is just the ticket.

GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm reading an old Clive Cussler book that I had missed: Atlantis Found. Dirk Pitt is again traveling the world with a pack of killers in hot pursuit as he attempts to solve the mystery of an unknown written language found on the walls of a hidden vault in an abandoned mine in Colorado. A suspenseful read. 4+ stars.

thenson@mit.midco.net
Lonesome Bride by Megan Hart. 5 stars.
I read this historical romance in one quick sitting! This author has a way of embracing the reader into the story so you feel you are right there. Telling the story of a mail order bride's trek to Montana, it is a wonderful action-packed story of love in the wrong places!

The Wren by Kristy McCaffrey. 5 stars.
This was a wonderfully adventurous western romance taking place in Texas in the 1800s. How would you like to come back to where you were from to find your own tombstone? That's how the story starts and it only gets better and better, with many twists in the story that catch you by surprise! This was the author's first release, and if it is a sample of what the rest of her works will be like, then I'll be buying them all!

KLOZIER40@aol.com
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci. 3 stars.
There was a little mystery mixed in with a train ride at Christmastime about a man and a woman who had previously had a serious relationship but found themselves separated for a number of years. The train trip brought them back together in a social situation that turned out to be something different.

Hon2724@aol.com
Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton is not a book I ever expected to read but I am in my "biography" period at this stage and stocked up on all current ones out there. Much to my Republican surprise, I enjoyed the read very much. It was interesting to see the Clintons' take on politics and world affairs, as well as her obvious intellectual acuity. I better understood some of her actions in the White House, at least from her side of it all. In the end, I liked her. I give the book 4 stars.

LMADREADER@aol.com
I am currently reading Beachcomber by Karen Robards and am enjoying it very much. I would rate it 5 stars. Great suspense, great romance, great setting!

I am also listening to Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell. Very interesting. I would rate it 4 stars. I really like her earliest work best when the story line concentrated on forensics more than relationships.

DancingGram7@aol.com
I am currently reading The Hunger Moon by Suzanne Matson and it's a 5-star book! This book is about 3 women who come together in Boston by chance. One is 78 and a retired judge, one is a 19-year-old college student/dancer, and one is a 27-year-old single mother. They are all from different social backgrounds and become unexpectedly linked. The friendship between the women transforms their lives. This is a great story and written very well. I haven't finished the story but can't wait to pick it up again.     

zippety4@yahoo.com
Charlie Wilson's War by George Crile. 4 stars.
This is the story of a covert war in Afghanistan orchestrated by a Congressman and a rogue C.I.A. agent. The operation is successful and a great read.

BDM1215@aol.com
The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. 3 stars.
An interesting and easy read. I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did Tuesdays with Morrie.

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. 4 stars.
Very enjoyable. Made me want to venture out, go somewhere new and take on a challenge. Also made me very hungry!

tfranzen2124@comcast.net
Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand. 5 stars!!!
The movie was great, but (like always) the book is so much better. The first nonfiction book I've loved in years.

CFRID@aol.com
Lose Weight with The Power of One by Stephen Moss. 5 stars!!
This book gives the most sensible information regarding weight loss than any other book, article or doctor has ever recommended. I believe this is only available through Amazon.com. I have not seen it in stores.

Armageddon by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. 5 stars!!
I've read the entire Left Behind series, and each new book in the series is better than the previous one.

Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell. 5 stars!!
Patricia Cornwell is one of my favorite authors. Dr. Scarpetta gets your attention on the first page, and then it gets better. I highly recommend any of Cornwell's books. Once you start reading her books, you can't put them down. No matter what time it is, you have to read one more page or one more chapter.

Babylon Rising by Tim LaHaye and Greg Dinallo.
I just purchased this book and anticipate the same type of page-turner as the Left Behind series. So this should be a 5-star winner.

Another favorite author of mine is Sandra Brown.  I've read many of her books and never tire of her writing. 

AUGER77777@aol.com
I recently finished The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. This was a fascinating book that dealt with very controversial subject matter. I had to keep reminding myself that it was fiction, not reality. This book will no doubt disturb a great number of people and has already been the subject of at least one prime time network TV show dealing with its content. One important point the characters failed to mention when discussing Leonardo's painting "The Last Supper" (with, supposedly, Mary Magdalene seated next to Jesus) is that Da Vinci was a painter, not a photographer. He was free to paint anyone he wanted into this work --- an entire harem if he chose. But this did not prove Jesus was married to Mary or ever took a wife. Though well-written, the book has not changed my core beliefs. 4 stars.

I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone a couple of years ago. I wanted to see what all the excitement was about. I enjoyed the book and have since bought all five for my daughter. She has been after me to read them all, so I am now on a Harry Potter mission. I just reread the first book to refresh my memory. Now I have started Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and am thoroughly enjoying it. J. K. Rowling has created a wonderful series of books that has the young (and young at heart) reading for fun. 5 stars for both.

SalbyC@aol.com
I am currently reading Le Divorce by Diane Johnson. A National Book Award Finalist, it is very well-written. I would give it 4 stars so far.

aleach6179@yahoo.com
Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon. 5 stars.
It is the latest book in the Mitford series, which takes place in a small NC town. I have loved every book in the series. They are warm and humorous, with many lovable characters. I highly recommend this series of books.

Bossu49@aol.com
The First Billion by Christopher Reich. 5 stars. Super thriller.
North of Nowhere by Steve Hamilton. 5 stars. Great read.

bradylee@myway.com
Heart Full of Lies: A True Story of Desire and Death by Ann Rule. 5 stars.
Truth is stranger than fiction I do believe. I just finished a novel titled Little Bitty Lies, which I enjoyed. However, this book talks about grand, humongous lies that are life threatening and those encountered in the novel were piddling in comparison. Ann Rule does a good job of giving us the complete story in a "what is going to happen next" chapter by chapter. Chris, the husband, is a good guy, yet it is interesting to read how the wife, Liysa, creates a monster in his image. You discover there is not enough money in the entire world that would satisfy Ciysa. Her yearnings are something to behold. This book will keep you reading for sure.

LABASSIST@aol.com
I just finished reading Flirting With Pete by Barbara Delinsky, a wonderful tale about an out-of-wedlock daughter who inherits her father's townhouse, the father she never knew --- and finds bits and pieces of a journal that she believes are fact, not fiction. The book follows her as she reads the journal, giving the reader not one but two tales to follow. A wonderful, fast moving book that I really enjoyed.

I have also been reading old paperbacks of Tess Gerritsen, written before she became famous: In Their Footsteps, Keeper of the Bride and Presumed Guilty. All excellent reads.

Tab1956@aol.com
I work in a junior high school as a secretary. However, I started out as a library clerk and still read many books from our library. I have just read Katie.com by Katherine Tarbox. It is a must-read for parents and young people using chat rooms to make friends. It really makes you think. I give it 4 stars.

I am currently reading the third in the Alex Rider series, Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz. The first two were real page-turners as is this one. I give it 5 stars.

The book club I belong to is reading Middlemarch by George S. Eliot. I will be starting that soon.

kristin@poemsforyou.com
It's Your Kitchen by Joan Kohn. 5 stars.
Gorgeous photographs and practical design advice for creating a beautiful kitchen.

Remembering Jack by Jacques Lowe. 5 stars.
The Kennedy family playing together? Jack having a cigar? Jack giving the people the common touch? Ted Kennedy pre-lush era? Jackie looking beautiful as always? It's all in these intimate portraits.

Morgue Mama: The Cross Kisses Back by C.R. Corwin. 5 stars.
Why is it you can't get a really nice-guy preacher in fiction since Father Dowling?  This is a superb sleuthing duo of youth and age.

God in Sandals and the companion book God With Us by Margaret Montreuil. 5 stars.
A moving, intimate fictional account of the life of Jesus Christ (Mel Gibson, watch out.) The companion book takes us through the Scriptures as Jesus lived them, with meditations and soul-searching.

CDEBAUN@stny.rr.com
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 5 stars.
EXCELLENT book. I absolutely loved it and the minute I finished reading it I flipped back to the beginning and read it again!! It touched my heart in ways I don't think I could put in words.

Mittens0831@aol.com
Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb. 5 stars.
I liked it so much that I am going to buy the whole series. I just wish I had started with the first one!

Bjglu@aol.com
A Question of Honor by Lynne Olson and Stanley Cloud. 5 stars.
Nonfiction, highly readable (think Ghost Soldiers). This is the history of the Kosciusko Squadron of WWII. It also tells much about how Poland was treated/deceived by its so-called allies.

Why I'm Like This by Cynthia Kaplan. 4 stars.
Laugh-out-loud funny essays by Kaplan about her life, family, etc. Great read.

Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites by Tucker Carlson. 5 stars.
Carlson --- journalist, TV newsman/commentator/pundit --- writes about his worklife on TV and the people he met, most of whom are very familiar names. This is very witty, pointed, eye-opening and funny.  

bradylee@myway.com
Escape From Slavery: The True Story of My Ten Years in Capitivity - And My Journey to Freedom in America by Francis Bok with Edward Tivnan. 5 stars.
Untold millions of people on this earth are slaves today. Francis Bok was captured in the Sudan at age 7 and was a slave for 10 years until his escape. This is his story and a jim dandy one at that. There is a lot of heartache here, but great redemption after he comes to the U.S. You will learn how a real "nobody" who cannot read nor write eventually becomes a powerhouse of good and appears in our Congress and gives talks throughout our country. There are key people who help Francis in important ways and you meet them all. Again, here is a story that makes you proud that you live in America. You will not put this book down 'til finished --- guaranteed!

MHorn@mww.com
Madame Secretary by Madeleine Albright. 4 stars.

America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy by Ivo Daalder and James Lindsay. 4 stars.

Supreme Command: Soldiers, Statesmen and Leaders in Wartime by Eliot A. Cohen. 5 stars.

Losing Bin Laden by Richard Miniter. 4 stars.

Dangerous Diplomacy by Joel Mowbray. 4 stars.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 4 stars.

Black Cross by Greg Iles. 5 stars.

O'Hara's Choice by Leon Uris. 4 stars.

Newcrain@aol.com
The Secret History by Donna Tartt. 4 stars.
It became a tedious read (500+ pages!), but made for one of the best discussions at our book club. The group was split --- members either liked it or was super-critical of the author. The characterization was actually pretty darn good, because it had to be for some people to hate certain characters so much. That was the author's point!

Three Junes by Julia Glass. 5 stars.
Interesting people of different generations seen in three different months of June.  I loved the writing style and the transportation from America to Greek island to Scotland.

donald.alspach@acsalaska.net
Split Second by David Baldacci. 4 stars.
I can always count on Mr. Baldacci for an interesting read.

The Storyteller by Arthur Reid. 5 stars.
Warm characters.

Derailed by James Siegel. 5 stars.
A wild and twisted plot, but easily followed.

tamms@athenet.net
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. 4 stars.
Set in rural Virginia in 1978. A very literate writer who portrays her characters as real people rather than caricatures of "hill people." Her characters are very well developed and believable. The writing is excellent.

Kec200@aol.com
I am reading Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton. It's not a book I normally would have picked up but am thoroughly enjoying it. The difference in speech, the descriptions of the land and the struggle of the individual men and the country are all wonderful and heartbreaking. This book makes you want to study South Africa's history in more detail and learn the difference between Boers, Afrikaners, natives, etc. It's definitely an interesting country and history that is sorely lacking in my education. 4 stars.

GailTitle@aol.com
Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray. 5 stars.
This is as funny and touching a story as could be written. Yes, cakes play a big part. This book is a keeper!

Alice's Tulips by Sandra Dallas. 4 stars.
Set in Civil War times, the story is told by a series of letters written by a young married woman, Alice, while her husband is off fighting. It is tender, with wonderful characters.

Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes. 4 stars.
Part travelogue, part memoir, part cookbook, it is a peaceful and restful vicarious experience!

The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. 5 stars.
My library has this cataloged as a mystery. My library doesn't have a clue as to what this book is about. Except for one short section that I had to skip due to my propensity to have bad dreams when I read certain things, I loved every single word in this book. It is an amazing book.

yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
Last night at midnight I finished The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst and I enjoyed it very much. I'd give it 4 or maybe 5 stars. It would be a great book for a book club to read and discuss. It is a very hard book to describe, though. The main character returns home one day to find his wife dead under unusual circumstances and the only witness is the family dog. Paul is a linguist by training and so he begins his search for answers and hopes that the only witness to his wife's death will be able to answer his questions. This is a story of marriage, survival and devotion.

ATENC3@aol.com
The Summons by John Grisham. 5 stars. One of his best.
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans. 5 stars.

© Copyright 1996-2008, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.

Back to top.