pnichols@woodruffelectric.com
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 5 stars.
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. 5 stars.
Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel. I have just begun this one, and so far I would give it 5 stars.
Ery222@aol.com
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. 5 stars.
Brilliant, inspirational.
dvolkenannt@charter.net
I'm reading The Life You Save May Be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage by Paul Elie. It's a nonfiction account of the intersection of the lives of writers Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, Flannery O'Connor and Walker Percy. It's a lovely story about how faith and the power of literature can affect our lives. 5 stars!
amigo1@comcast.net
Pompeii by Robert Harris. 5 stars.
Very good mystery set around a historic event.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
Almost as good as The Da Vinci Code.
An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears. 4 stars.
A good historical mystery.
Coltdf77@aol.com
I just finished reading Big Fish by Daniel Wallace. I saw the movie and thought it was wonderful, so I picked up the book that inspired it. I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it. I give it 5 stars!
Jakapn@aol.com
Forever by Pete Hamill. 4 stars.
I'm about halfway through another Hamill epic. Terrific sense of 18th century immigrant life, with style, suspense, sex, mysticism and enough twists and turns to keep me reading.
FtLicky@aol.com
I'm currently reading The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke and am so impressed with the writing. It's an adventure/mystery reminiscent of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling that is absolutely a marvelous read for children and adults alike. 5 stars.
I just recently finished reading Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery (the author of Anne of Green Gables). It features a refreshing young character who captures your attention from the first page to the very last. 4 stars.
KfAlexis@aol.com
Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn and The Fiery Cross, all by Diana Gabaldon.
This is an excellent series of books. You get completely involved with the characters after the first chapter.
Interview With a Vampire, The Vampire Lestat and Queen of the Damned, all by Anne Rice.
I've only read the first three. I'm starting on the fourth soon. The books expand the truth behind the movies, therefore making them much more worth your time. All in all, another good series so far.
MelJPrincess@aol.com
Don't Tempt Me by Julie Ortolon. 5 stars.
Prairie Peace by Ginger Simpson. 5 stars.
DM155@aol.com
I am reading Cat and Mouse by James Paterson. You can't go wrong with Alex Cross. 5 stars.
GandmaRI@aol.com
I just finished reading High Country by Nevada Barr. As usual Ms. Barr writes a good story with twists and turns. Until the final pages, I still had no idea who really "done it." I'd give the book 5 stars.
I'm getting ready to start Politicians, Partisans and Parasites: My Adventures in Cable News by Tucker Carlson. Politics is a subject that I usually steer clear of, but journalists, both of print and TV, usually pique my interest. We'll see how this goes.
DFSn180@aol.com
I have just read my first book by Brian Haig, Private Sector, and I really liked it. His character, Sean Drummond, is such a wise guy. Look forward to the next one. I give it 4 stars.
Bforsythe1218@aol.com
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler. 5 stars so far.
I'm just really getting into it, but her characterizations are flawless and her writing easily draws the reader into the story. Tyler accomplishes this so well. I picked the book up originally because the synopsis hit a familiar chord in me. In many ways it's like reading about myself and/or my friends.
KATHLAU@aol.com
Plantation by Dorothea Frank. 4 stars.
I'm a big fan of her other books. She has a way of introducing you to women who have to come to grips with themselves and allows them to do it in the beautiful Low Country areas around Charleston. I can't wait for her new one, Shem Creek.
The President's House by Margaret Truman. 5 stars.
Forget The West Wing. Find out what really goes on in the White House. Upstairs, downstairs and even on the stairs. It's fascinating reading who was liked, who wasn't and what they did to change the White House, physically and otherwise.
vitale@grantsburgtelcom.net
I just finished reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon for my book club. It's about a comic-book empire that two cousins build together and how World War II and the Holocaust alter the course of their lives. This book won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction several years ago. I loved it; the ending just tore me up. I absolutely cried. I highly recommend it to others, and I can't wait for our book club discussion.
megalon22@yahoo.com
Hades' Daughter by Sara Douglass. 4 1/2 stars.
This book is a tale of Greek gods, goddesses, evil and good, and the games they play to obtain power. The game is called The Troy Game, and this book lays the foundation for taking the story into 1939 London. This is the first book in the series called The Troy Game and I am really looking forward to future books.
Haddow@aol.com
Judith Thurman frequently writes articles about fashion for the New Yorker. I have zero interest in fashion, but I always read her articles because she's such a fine writer. Before reading her Secrets of the Flesh, I had never read Colette and knew only that she'd written "Gigi" and was reputed to have been a notorious libertine. This book proved to be a real eye-opener and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Thurman clearly relishes every tasty morsel of gossip about this immensely talented, monstrously selfish, endearingly indomitable subject and her glittering, decadent world, and writes about it all as if she had observed it firsthand. This is an epic story that, like Colette's life, never for a moment becomes boring.
tfranzen2124@comcast.net
Interestingly, I just finished the first two books of Daniel Silva, your featured author. Both books are 5 stars --- gripping, interesting and close enough in history to be current. I highly recommend The Spy (5 stars) and The Assassin (5 stars).
gsheehan@wideopenwest.com
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. 5 stars.
This one made me reread earlier parts to see where I missed clues. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it stayed with me for quite a while. A hearty 5 stars.
Vikkivand@aol.com
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 5 stars.
I loved Henry. I loved Clare. I never wanted this story to end. Excellent.
The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard. 2 1/2 stars.
I guess I just wasn't in the right mood for such a sad story.
LSharon@Brwncald.com
I just finished Murder Between the Covers and Shop Till You Drop by Elaine Viets. I don't normally read mysteries, but these were funny books. 4 stars.
lgettle@iserv.net
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. 5 stars.
An unusual and very likable hero.
Divided in Death by J.D. Robb. 5 stars.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas and Roarke solve computer generated murders. These are two wonderful characters.
lawrncet@nccray.com
The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich.
Words cannot describe this story of Delphine Watzka, who never finds the truth about herself but spends her life helping others find the truth about themselves. Events leading up to her marriage in Dakota in the first half of the 1900s to a widower named Fidelis Vogel, who came there by chance from the war torn Europe after "the great war" that was neither great nor the last, is told by a native author whose books have intrigued me since the 1980s. Step-and-a-Half (a character who has appeared in her writings before) is the only one who knows the truth --- or does she?
Shell688@aol.com
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. 4 stars.
A fun read with great characters through 30+ years.
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner. 5 stars.
A real page-turner. A suspenseful story of a school shooting in a small town by a town cop with a past.
hokajo@cox.net
I'm two-thirds through Key of Valor by Nora Roberts, her final book in the Key trilogy. In spite of her romance genre beginnings and what seems to be the obligatory love scenes found in her mainstream fiction, she's a gifted writer who combines vivid actions scenes with wonderful character development. 5 stars.
I've also just started The Last Juror by John Grisham. As described by early reviewers, it's not suspenseful and is not moving very quickly, but he too is a good portrayer of character and sense of place. So far, however, only 3 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
When It Was Our War: A Soldier's Wife in World War II by Stella Suberman. 5 stars.
If you want to know what life was like in the 1940s this is the book to read. I lived through those times, and Stella Suberman tells a perfect story of her life relating to all of the events going on during WWII. You get to know individuals in her life that gives meaning to everything, the man who became her husband and how a wonderful relationship grew and grew. Everything is so accurate that it brought back many a memory for me.
Newcrain@aol.com
Split Second by David Baldacci. 5 stars.
Great thriller/mystery. A more literary style than some other bestsellers in this genre.
Donnaleggate@aol.com
Dying to Please by Linda Howard. 4 stars
Sara Stevens is a butler for the estate of a retired judge. When she receives a job offer from another party and refuses, people start dying --- beginning with the judge. It was a very exciting book that keeps you guessing. I really enjoyed it.
NFrazelle@aol.com
In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner by Elizabeth George. 5 stars.
Itty Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews. 4 stars. A Must Read after Savannah Blues.
MAP5402@aol.com
Bell, Book, and Scandal by Jill Churchill. 2 stars.
I've enjoyed this series in the past, but this one was just slow.
KLOZIER40@aol.com
The Amber Room by Steve Berry. 4 1/2 stars.
An intriguing story based on historical fact about a room made of amber panels that was hidden during the Russian occupation by the Nazis. These carved panels are worth a fortune if found. Many people are killed looking for the panels, which has been thought to have been hidden in old mines.
DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
I am reading the Death series by J.D. Robb and I give them an average of 4-5 stars each. I really like this futuristic series though, if the truth be told … I skip the "romance" scenes!
I am now on #9, Loyalty in Death. I really liked Holiday in Death, about the matchmaking company murders. Eve Dallas is great and some of the banter between her and Roarke is all-out hilarious at times.
Also I just started The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This one is going to be great. I can tell by the first chapter and I want to savor it.
JFWisherd@aol.com
I am currently reading A Name of Her Own by Jane Kirkpatrick and rate it 4 stars. It is a story about a woman's courage and determination amid a man's world, set in the early 1800s and based on a true story. This author's writing puts you right into the story, and you feel as though you are the one who is on this Lewis and Clark-type journey. I am anxious to read her other books after this one.
TSAINSURE@aol.com
Retribution is a mystery by Jilliane Hoffman. She has penned the best first novel I have ever read. From the very beginning when she introduces us to St. John's law student Chloe Larson and develops her character in an exciting 56 pages, to the introduction 10 years later of C.J. Townsend, a prosecuting attorney in Miami with a secret, I was riveted by this book. Twists, turns, a little romance and unforgettable characters in a creative writing style place this author on my "watch for the next book list," which includes authors Michael Connelly, Lisa Scottoline, Nancy Taylor Rosenberg and Dan Mahoney, to name a few. This is a book that you won't be able to put down once you start it. This is an author who will become a household name with her next book. A rating of 5 stars is not sufficient for this book.
Solittlehm@aol.com
I'm reading, and loving, The End of an Error by Mameve Medwed. It is just delightful, even better than her earlier book, Host Family. I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a good read with a sense of humor.
pajead05@bellsouth.net
I am currently reading Sleeper by Steven Harriman (who also writes under the name Steven Spruill, among others). It is part thriller and part horror, in the tradition of Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. This author is a great writer! He writes about scientific things in a way that makes it so easy to understand and that doesn't take away from the story. His descriptions of places and people in the box are so clear you'll be able to picture it as if you were there. He's obviously done a lot of research, not only about genetic tampering but also about the Pentagon. You'll learn lots and lots about the Pentagon. Fascinating!! If you're a fan of monster and science stories without a lot of gore, you'll love this book. I do! I give it 5 stars. What fun!!!
Catslady5@aol.com
He Said Yes by Patricia Waddell. 3 stars.
A nice, light romantic read.
NEPR@aol.com
Leap of Faith by Queen Noor.
Very interesting. This autobiographical account of the American woman who married the King of Jordan is not a fairy tale. It is a political account of Hussein's efforts to bring peace to the Middle East --- and it is often a different story from the one we have heard in the U.S. It is sometimes hard to follow all the conflicts. However, this is also a love story by a woman who obviously fell in love with the King and his country.
Kelly636@aol.com
Total Control by David Baldacci. 3 stars.
This book is 694 pages. I enjoyed the book but it did take me a while to read. Much longer then usual. It seemed to go one way, then went other ways. It kept me interested for the most part and the ending was good. You have to really pay attention when you read though, and it was hard for me to immerse myself fully in this book for some reason. It ended up becoming something that I had to finish instead of something I rushed home to read.
Other books recommended: The Winner by David Baldacci, any Patricia Cornwell book, and I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb.
Mammakim@aol.com
This week I read Dating Game by Danielle Steel. I would give it 4 stars. I still like her books but the stories are written the same, just with different people.
sonia.chopra@worldnet.att.net
I am currently reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, and I absolutely love it for its insight into the small town and its depth in analyzing the protagonist's intelligence and her awareness of not belonging in that place.
Kidd captures South Carolina. I like the way she describes: "South Carolina. Population 3,100. Peach stands and Baptist churches. That just about sums it up."
Her tongue-in-cheek wry humor and straight style of writing are a great achievement.
yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I am in the middle of Last Car to Elysian Fields by James Lee Burke and as usual I cannot put it down!!! Where does he come up with these characters?? We have got to go to New Iberea, Louisiana on vacation to visit all the hangouts of Dave Robicheaux. Gotta go back and read some more!!! 5 stars!!!
GerryD8784@aol.com
Several really good books this time:
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. 5 stars.
Not an easy book to read, but one I found very worthwhile for its portrayal of the devastation wreaked by a teenager's killing spree at his school. Written in the form of letters from the boy's mother to his father, from whom she was about to separate just before the shooting, We Need to Talk About Kevin gradually discloses more and more, not only about what happened on Thursday (as the day of the shooting is always identified in Eve's letters), but also what may have led up to it and what followed. The book explores issues of nature and nurture and just who is responsible for such awful events.
The Last Juror by John Grisham. 4 1/2 stars.
Grisham is in top form in this novel set in the South of the 1950s and 1960s, when racial segregation and prejudice still held sway over the daily lives of residents in this small community. A transplanted northerner who runs the local newspaper narrates the story about a convicted criminal's revenge on the jury that convicted him, and the town's reaction.
The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald. 4 1/2 stars.
Long and a little slow-starting, but well worth the effort in the end. With an eye for both the "big picture" and the critical details, MacDonald paints a wonderfully evocative picture of a young girl growing up in the 1950s and 1960s in Canada amidst national and international political and social changes, as well as some frightening events in her own small community.
The Hot Flash Club by Nancy Thayer. 3 stars.
Not just a fun read (though it surely is that) -- also some inspiration in there for women of a "certain age"! Four women in their 50s and 60s form a mutual assistance and friendship group they call the Hot Flash Club, and each takes on the task of helping one of the others solve a particular problem. In the process, they bond with one another, share their various strengths and each discover new strengths and talents of their own.
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler. 4 1/2 stars.
They met in the anxious days just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and it was love at first sight --- or so they believed at the time. But through many years of marriage, this couple never quite meshed or accepted each other as they truly were, until finally it was too late. Tyler continues her tradition of well-drawn and very sympathetic, if a bit quirky, characters, and perceptive portrayal of family relationships and stresses in her newest, very enjoyable novel.
Myrnapen@aol.com
I recently read two books while on vacation. The first was The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett, whose Bel Canto I had read and loved. I found the same lyrical writing style that I so enjoyed in Bel Canto. The theme of basic human needs being met through non-traditional relationships runs through both books. I think I've found a new favorite author! 5 stars.
The second book I read was a first novel by Lisa Tucker, The Song Reader. This presents the very interesting premise of a person who offers advice to people based on the songs that they can't get out of their minds. Eventually the song reader is forced to face her own demons, making the novel a bit too ambitious, but still a fine first novel. 3 1/2 stars.
lindaharriet@netzero.net
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra.
This novel is for those who have the desire to more fully comprehend the hopelessness and helplessness of living under the Taliban's uunrelentless rule. It centers on two married couples --- the jailer and his fatally ill wife, and a younger couple who have lost virtually everything due to the stringency of the Taliban. At the beginning of the novel, an adulteress woman is stoned to death. Moshen, the young man, somehow gets caught up in the frenzy and also stones the woman. This one act moves the four protagonists towards their investigable doom.
jalocke@comcast.net
The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr. 5 stars.
The Angel of Darkness is a sequel to Carr's The Alienist. This reader, and I'm sure others, appreciate continuity in writings that carry forward some of the same characters, even though the narrator is a different person --- the street youth whom Dr. Kriezler has taken in and from a life of crime, Stevie Taggart. After all, proteges are developed by other narrators and in other fields as well --- this slant in The Angel of Darkness is no exception. I have an appreciation for authors who bring in true-to-history participants --- e.g., Clarence Darrow, Theodore Roosevelt and Mrs. Cady Stanton --- after all, didn't they play a part in history?
Author Carr is a master storyteller with hard-to-put-down books and a very engaging trade dialogue with a style of "teller to listener." Added are the glimpses with a clear visual field from a window on life during the early 20th century New York City time period. The Angel of Darkness is a riveting tale of a tormented murderess, facing crime and punishment for actions applicable to the latter part of the 19th century --- albeit an evil, cunning female would be difficult to believe in that part of history, with the "feminine" roles women were assigned --- more than today.
Libby Hatch compares in stature with villain John Beecham. Added spice is a first-rate mind that is always calculating the next move; Mr. Carr enfolds readers with examples of dark society --- excellent, poignant and some humorous drama. The author takes this story to a plateau of the black underside of human psyche, including madness, frailty of the human mind and development of sociopolitical forensic science methods, combining criminology and psychology with deepening nooks and crannies creating a suspenseful read.
As with any book of this nature, plot, scope and length, there are bound to be a few flaws. However, the reader becomes entranced with the story's path that flaws matter none. The narrative style contains some inconsistencies in that no single character nor subplot is given the depth-development it could have been assigned. This reader boasts proudly of having met Caleb Carr at his signing at the famous NY theme "New York Is Book Country" Annual Book Fair on 5th Avenue.
Biblioholic heaven! To all readers --- be sure to read Carr.
harrises@bayou.com
Mourning Ruby by Helen Dunmore. 5 stars.
I loved The Seige by her so much that I couldn't wait to start her new one. I am not disappointed. At first I had to get back into her writing style and get the characters straight, but that did not take long and now I don't want to stop reading it. She is a beautiful writer and her stories tend to stay with me and bring out so much emotion in me. I think that is a sign of a great writer.
maria.smith@thomson.com
I am currently reading Stalker by Faye Kellerman. I find it a good page-turner that I cannot tear myself from. I give it 4 stars. I like her Rina and Peter Decker characters but the focus on this one is Peter's daughter Cindy. It is a good book for any mystery fan --- or anyone.
Qoesls@aol.com
The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty. 4 stars.
Excellent. The author truly loves her characters, flaws and all, and it shows. I loved seeing the young Evelyn's eyes being opened up to the world, watching her search for her place in the world, and ultimately finding it.
lindaharriet@hotmail.com
I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson. 5 stars.
Guilt abounds in this riotously funny yet poignantly sad novel about the burden some working mothers carry. Do you balance both lives and pretend to be doing a terrific job at each? The title says it all. The heroine's predicament becomes so pronounced that the nanny calls her to tell her that her husband left. This is a wake-up call. The answer to I Don't Know How She Does It is that she can't.
barleykw@appstate.edu
I have just finished reading Phillip Depoy's The Devil's Hearth, which I loved and am now reading his second in the series The Witch's Grave. They're about a retired folklore professor from North Georgia and a cast of interesting off-beat characters.
daubuchon@athensisd.net
Unless by Carol Shields. 4 stars.
A really great book about a writer's struggles with self-examination and self-blame, as she tries to maintain a normal life while dealing with her oldest daughter's strange behavior (leaving college to beg on a street corner).
The Seduction of Water by Carol Goodman. 5 stars.
Fascinating mystery/drama. The writer tries to find out what happened to her mother's last manuscript (3rd in an Irish fantasy trilogy about selkies) and other mysteries. The mother was killed in a fire at a hotel, registered under a different name. The setting is a mix of city and mountain resort hotel. Wide range of audience appeal...I really enjoyed it and I recommend it to all!
Coltdf77@aol.com
Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich. 4 stars.
For those who don't like to gamble, this book is not for you. For those who do, this is a must read. Especially if you're going there for Spring Break … Vegas Baby Vegas!
bradylee@myway.com
Love in the Driest Season: A Family Memoir by Neely Tucker. 5 stars.
"There are defining moments in your life, in which your measure is taken for good and you remember it always. So it was for me then." The reason for this quote is many-fold as it encompasses the whole experience of what this book is about, a reading experience that should please anyone who likes nonfiction. The author is a news reporter who is white, married to a black woman living in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and wants to adopt an orphan. This is the premise of the whole book, but you would not believe what they had to go through to accomplish this mission. In fact, the story of how this child came to be is a story all by itself as covered in the Prologue. A fine read with a reminder of what it is like in countries other than the U.S.
kerri1973@mchsi.com
I've recently finished reading the following books:
Lucky by Alice Sebold. 4 stars.
This is a true life story of the author, Alice Sebold, and her brutal rape during her freshman year of college. The story begins with the rape and proceeds in detail with the aftermath of such a violent trauma and the subsequent stressful prosection of the accused. The book is a frightening wake up call to all women and a very accurate description of the sometimes victim-biased criminal justice system of our country. The only reason for the 4 stars is because the book has a very weak ending, in my opinion. The ending is just very abrupt and the following years are just crammed into a short couple of pages. It leaves you unsatisfied with the wrap-up.
Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding. 5 stars.
This is the follow-up book to the popular Bridget Jones's Diary. It picks up where Diary leaves off. The characters are still just as funny as ever, but this book gives way more in terms of storyline than the first book. It has a lot more content and was very enjoyable. I was surprised at the quality of this sequel book. It made me laugh out loud, and for that I give it 5 stars!
Flash Point by Metsy Hingle. 4 stars.
This is a mystery/thriller set in the fabulous New Orleans. The story is a good mix with some elements of paranormal or sensory perception thrown into a mystery with some romance as well. The setting of New Orleans really adds to the quality of the story and the characters are likeable. I did find the ending somewhat predictable and for that I give it 4 stars.
BDB530@aol.com
The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd. 5 stars.
An old-fashioned tale woven with diary entries and letters taking place in China and Japan from 1903 to 1943. It gives a picture of these countries from the point of view of a woman of the times going through an affair, earthquakes, world wars, etc. I didn't skim one page.
PETRACLARE@aol.com
I have never before been prompted to write to anyone about a book before. That is until I read James Patterson's The Jester.
Having read all of his Alex Cross books, and some of his others, I read the blurb on the back of this one and my heart sank a little as I thought that it wasn't for me. But as I have to read, and there was nothing else in the house, I started it.
There have been times when I have had to sleep, feed children, do the washing, try to be a good mother and wife, sure, but the rest of my time has been spent reading this fantastic story.
In this day and age where good honest heroes are few and far between, this book rocks. This isn't about horror, death and violence, although there are disturbing graphic scenes that assault your brain until you can actually relive them and move on. This book is about love and goodness and one man's fight to achieve what's right. Thank you Mr. Patterson.
JMGS57@aol.com
I'm reading Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy. I give this book 4 stars. I am not finished yet, but I am really enjoying the book. I can't wait to see what happens next.
darcy.lacourciere2@sympatico.ca
The Haven by Richard Dube. 4 stars.
This book details the madness of self-hatred and is about a man locked up in prison and his own mind. Very shocking and a spine-tingling read. Worth reading!!!
hibar14@earthlink.net
I'm reading 2nd Chance by James Patterson. They don't get any better than this. It's hard to put down. I give it 5 stars.
jandpr1@earthlink.net
I am re-reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I first read this book when it came out in 1960, and am reading it again for my current book club selection. It has wonderful characters and is so wonderfully written. I have to wonder if there is any truth to the intriguing story that it was actually written by Truman Capote. It does seem very strange that Harper Lee would never write another novel after writing a fantastic book such as this. I give it 5 stars. It is a classic.
lindaanselmo@hotmail.com
The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland. 5 stars.
Quentins by Maeve Binchy. 4 stars.
I don't think this book is as good as many of her others. It was slow to start and took a bit to get into it.
Cobblestonedrive@aol.com
The Hemingway Book Club of Kosovo by Paula Huntley. 4 stars.
Written in journal form, this book was very enlightening and will give my book group a lot to discuss about international relations and what the U.S. could be doing and how.
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank. 4 stars.
I started out disliking the writing style, but the plot and the characters kept me going!
kwmallet@sympatico.ca
I just finished reading The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and really enjoyed it. Definitely 4 stars. It was difficult to get into because of the jumping back and forth from past/present/future, but you soon get used to it and just sit back and enjoy the story. In essence it is a strong love story written with real and witty characters you can't help but like. I hated to see it end.
I also recently finished The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter and found it slightly less absorbing. Probably 3 stars. The book is longer than it needs to be and the big "arrangements" that propel the thread of the narrative amount to a bit of a letdown. But the real point of the tale is the revelations that Talcott, the main character, makes about his father, his family, his wife and, ultimately, himself during his journey to solve the mystery. If looked at as an exploration of family relationships, it is a better book than if looked upon as a mystery thriller. Still definitely worth a read.
bradylee@myway.com
True Notebooks by Mark Salzman. 5 stars.
The first book I read by this author, a few weeks ago, was Iron & Silk and it was wonderful. Now he has written something different, though still in the teaching vein. He lives in Los Angeles, and a friend of his was teaching at the Central Juvenile Hall in L.A. on a volunteer basis and Mark became curious and eventually decided he too would teach...about writing. The youths were teenagers and many were incarcerated awaiting trial for murder. This book lets the youth tell their stories in their own way, and it is an eye-opener. Mark is guiding all the way, but you discover what is under the veneer of braggadocio for these criminals-in-training. You also find out the importance of becoming involved to help these young people and the results of your concerns. Mark Salzman has found his calling in writing books as he puts you in his picture with telling results.
Dana_Cherrier@commerce.state.il.us
Dating Dead Men by Harley Jane Kozak. 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice, light read with fun, quirky characters. The end got a little convoluted but I still enjoyed it a lot.
Morgue Mama: The Cross Kisses Back by C.R. Corwin. 5 stars.
I haven't quite finished it, but I am really enjoying it. Most books have at least a few periods when I get bored and just keep going because I know it will get better. This one has not had any of those. It moved along at a brisk pace, the plot was fairly original and I really liked the central setting, which was a newspaper office.
I would recommend both of these to mystery readers but especially Morgue
Mama. I look forward to both series.
joswood@adiis.net
Paranoia by Joseph Finder. 3 stars.
A young man is forced to become a spy for a technology company against a competitor. It is full of fantastic coincidences and luck, and the ending was rather unbelievable. However, it was often a page-turner and it was compelling reading at times.
High Crimes by Joseph Finder. 5 stars.
I liked this earlier book by the author better than the one above. A man is arrested on charges that he participated in the massacre of 87 people during wartime. His wife is convinced that he is innocent, and since she is a lawyer, she defends him in court. This book was hard to put down, and I understand that a movie has been made from the book.
High Country by Nevada Barr. 5 stars.
I love Nevada Barr's books --- as much from the exciting plots as from the ambiance of the national parks that are in her books. This one takes place in Yosemite National Park. Ranger Anna Pigeon takes a job as a waitress in the park, but she's really working as an undercover ranger, trying to find out what happened to four young people who have disappeared from the park. It is exciting reading.
Love in the Driest Season by Neely Tucker. 5 stars.
This is a nonfiction memoir of a man who was a journalist all over the world for various newspapers in the U.S. During a stint helping out in an African orphanage, he and his wife found a tiny, sickly baby. They decide to adopt her, as she has completely captured their hearts. His account of all these events makes a very heartwarming story.
NovAndrew1@hotmail.com
I've just finished reading The Karma Trail by Danny McCallan and would give it 5 stars. It's a fast-paced page-turner with stunning plot twists, a real kick in the tale ending and an overall message that stays with you long after you've finished the last page.
stephejl@stclair.k12.il.us
I give The Blessing Stone by Barbara Wood 3 stars. It delineates the history and development of humans as they come into contact with the mysterious blue stone in eight different time periods. Initial chapters depict pre-Neanderthal through Biblical times. Delightful anecdotes about ancient feuds, the accidental creation of wine, bartering/trade and superstitions. More poignant portrayals of early Christianity and martyrdom. It began as an engaging snapshot of early man but deteriorated into an incredulous drama (Vikings, slave traders, utopia, pirates) with too much detail. I couldn't finish the last two sections. Green City in the Sun by the same author is much better.
The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier. 5 stars.
The first novel I've read by Chevalier, but certainly not the last. She incorporated a clever method of narrating the story from the perspective of various characters. A bawdy tale with underlying (or were those overt?) sexual innuendo, but tasteful and extremely well done!! Literally, a page-turner.
Getting Mother's Body by Suzan-Lori Parks gets 4 1/2 stars for the quirky tale of an unwed pregnant teenager who takes a road trip to see if her mother's body was actually buried with the family jewels. It is reminiscent of Where the Heart Is because of the zany, yet lovable characters. It includes some graphic sexual content and language, but are appropriate to plot and characters. In my opinion, this gem has been overlooked.
SBRADFLA@aol.com
I have just finished reading The Last Juror by John Grisham. Solving the mystery is only one thing that kept me turning pages. This book gets you totally involved with the life of the town and its occupants. It paints a vivid picture of "small town south" in the 1970s with great clarity. It allows the reader to feel what is taking place rather than just observing and processing information. It was a terrific read. I give it 5 stars.
DaraXact@aol.com
I just finished James Patterson's 3rd Degree. I give it 5 stars. It grabbed me from the first explosion and kept me up late into the night to finish it. Pure Patterson at his best. He knows how to draw on your emotions and keep you craving for more. I didn't want it to end.
Newcrain@aol.com
High Country by Nevada Barr. 5 stars.
I've been to Yosemite, so this was even more fun because of its setting and landmarks. It's nice to have the main character not so depressed as in previous series books.
CarolEBergs@aol.com
A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin. 5 stars. GREAT!
A Cry From the Dark by Robert Barnard. 3 1/2 stars.
Interesting but it didn't grab me the way his books usually do.
tunaross@nc.rr.com
Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs.
On recommendation of a friend, I bought the entire series. I'm up to the third book now. I don't know if I would be reading all of these if I hadn't impulsively bought them. They are certainly filled with graphic details and quite more violence than I'd like. But her characters are well-defined and I enjoy the complex level of interaction throughout the series. Sometimes her simple descriptions (regarding a blue sky or sunny day) fill me with awe and allow me to see things a bit differently. So I continue to read . . .
Anger by Thich Nhat Hahn.
A wonderful book with great insights into human behavior. It includes "doable" exercises and mediations. I enjoyed this book very much.
spootymom@yahoo.com
The Great Husband Hunt by Laurie Graham.
lslott@optonline.net
Jemima J by Jane Green. 4 stars.
This was a cute and funny book, in the classic Brit-Chick Lit mold. Jemima J is 100 pounds overweight and in love with one of her co-workers. When she discovers Internet chat rooms, she decides to lose her excess weight because she has met someone online that she has sent a phony picture to and now he wants to meet her. Jemima's adventures along the way to finding true love are very funny, and the book was a light and pleasant fluff read.
DavidH1888@aol.com
I am reading Better Together: Restoring the American Community by Robert D. Putnam and Lewis Feldstein. It is a wonderful book of vignettes about how groups are restoring community and building social capital. I highly recommend this book. I give it 5 stars.
carolrd@vipweb.net
I am currently reading:
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
I also facilitate a book club in my home once a month. This is our "group" pick for March. The imagination of the story piqued my interest --- the entire idea of time travel, astro-projection, a modern Alice in Wonderland.
On the whole I enjoyed the story. I do feel however that Niffengegger missed the mark by filling the story with so much unnecessary dialogue that resulted in boring moments in this novel. Henry's time traveling and re-entry coming up naked was humorous in the story, but after a while it got pretty routine and sated. I also feel that relevant current events based on "time and place" interwoven in the fabric of the story would have been far more interesting than repetitive scenes in the library.
Finally, I really did not come away with the feeling that this was a love story, which is how it was described when reviewing it on the web for the book club. Additionally, I am curious how others will view this novel when we meet this week.
If you have any good recommendations for a group read, I would appreciate any input you have.
ARomano895@aol.com
Currently I'm reading Soon by Jerry Jenkins. This is the first time I have read Jenkins. WOW, it keeps you on the edge. I can't put the book down. It's fast-moving and never gets bogged down.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
I just finished the book Name All the Animals by Alison Smith. I give it 4 stars. This was compared to The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold in People magazine, which I didn't think came close to being in that category. It was a good read but sad at the same time. This book is nonfiction, based on the author's life. Her brother dies and she has a secret love, which surprised me.
rstruthers@rogers.com
At the moment I am reading Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs. I have read all of her novels. She gives great information. Her plots are well thought-out.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
No One to Trust by Iris Johansen. 3 1/2 stars.
Not great literature, but it doesn't pretend to be. Easy reading and fun to see some of the same characters from previous books.
KINDLEELF@aol.com
The Covington series by Joan Medlicott: The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love, The Gardens of Covington, From the Heart of Covington, The Spirit of Covington. You will fall in love with Grace, Hannah and Amelia, three 60+ ladies who live together. 5 stars for all.
Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs. 4 stars.
Fast moving and many seemingly unrelated clues do get wrapped up at the end.
The Last Days by Joel C. Rosenberg.
Currrent events with a large twist … possible?
Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy. 5 stars.
I believe this was her first novel. I loved Tara Road, Scarlett Feather and Quentins, so I searched for more.
The Good House by Tananarive Due. 4 stars.
Voodoo enters into this novel and teaches us to be careful treading where we don't understand the consequences.
The Alienist by Caleb Carr. 5 stars.
I did not realize in the 1800s that psychologists were called Alienists. I loved the style of writing in this novel. I shall follow up with The Angel of Darkness by the same author.
annm.mackinnon@ns.sympatico.ca
The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald. 4 stars.
A little bit too long but a gripping story. MacDonald brings the characters alive. You will come away feeling like you have lived the lives of these characters.
DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
I just finished The Secret Life of Bees, which I would give 3 stars. It's a lovely story about a girl searching for her dead mother and finding her memories in the company of three African American beekeeping sisters during the 1964 civil rights movement. Better as a required read for high school.
Fever Cell by Leonard Goldberg. 4 stars.
A medical thriller about terrorism and smallpox virus (but it is the most lethal kind with a 100% death rate). This is part of the Joanna Blalock, forensic pathologist, series. Much better than Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series, in my opinion.
I'm also working on the Death series by J.D. Robb. I finished #7, Holiday in Death, and I give it 4 stars. A very good futuristic cop series (but I do skip the romance parts in the books as they run on forever and are simply a rerun each time). Conspiracy in Death was 3 stars.
camos@gt.rr.com
I recently finished The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. This was a witty, enjoyable read. It did seem a bit repetitious and longer than it needed to be. All in all I'd rate it 4 1/2 stars.
I'm currently reading one of Joy Fielding's earlier books, The Deep End. I love the way she mixes family issues and mystery/suspense in all of her books. I'm midway through and always looking for any moment I can to squeeze in a bit of reading --- always a sign of a good book. 5 stars.
jalocke@comcast.net
Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office by Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D. 2 stars.
I have just read this lightweight tome and find no intellectual, in-depth stimulation... Same church, different pew... "Elementary, my dear Dr. Frankel, Elementary"... Subject matter has been rolling on for decades... The issues addressed in Dr. Lois Frankel's Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office are not new; neither are the subjects for her "leadership, motivational" seminars. This territory has been covered for decades, not just for women but also for men --- attempts to instill in each the necessity of role-playing, not doing certain things, not wearing certain things, not acting out in certain ways … and on and on. The words and techniques may vary but the story is the same.
It has been some years since I have seriously read/attended training programs for getting ahead, etc. Even though Dr. Frankel's book addresses support of women's advancement, the issues resemble many that have plagued women for generations (Transactional Analysis; Management By Objectives; Assertiveness vs. Aggressiveness, etc.) Some good leaders such as Dr. Frankel get on the "bandwagon" to keep things rolling, then level out --- "fizzle" to yet another decade of same-type motivational speeches. But I do credit Dr. Frankel for keeping up the momentum. It takes individuals, women specifically, to keep the momentum on track objectively for both sexes in the corporate arena, to be made aware of women as co-workers and in successful management roles with respect vs. degradation, facing their male peers with the same principles of equal opportunity without one-sex cliques passing out old cliches, jokes and agreeing that women are less able just to maintain the status quo with their male peers and not "rock the boat" because of losing kinship within the workplace.
This week, I will be reading Vertical Coffin by Stephen J. Cannell and The Coil by Gayle Lynds.
clschomer@dmci.net
I have just finished Laurie King's The Game. I would recommend it as a fun light read. 4 stars.
I am about to start reading Arnold Weinstein's A Scream Goes Through the House.
m.mcdermid@mchsi.com
Roofwalker is a collection of beautifully written short stories by Susan Power. Her Native American characters capture you as she tells of life's triumphs and failures. A big 5 stars on my rating scale.
maggards@yahoo.com
I am currently reading all of the Will Lee series by Stuart Woods: Run Before the Wind, Grassroots, and now The Run. I know that these are somewhat older novels, but I just started reading Stuart Woods recently. I give all these books 5 stars and can't wait to read Capital Crimes. I've read quite a few others by Mr. Woods, including several in the Stone Barrington series, and they are all at least 4-5 stars. Nothing has been disappointing!
mcgillrmcgill@charter.net
St. Patrick's Day is coming up, so I've been re-reading a couple of books by one of my favorite Irish authors, Morgan Llywelyn. The Last Prince of Ireland, history from 1601, the aftermath of the battle of Kinsale, when 1,000 people began a flight across Ireland and pitifully few survived. 1916 is based on the Easter Irish Rebellion and tells the story of another group of men and women who lived and died for Irish freedom. Both books rate 5 stars.
rojosho@hotmail.com
Prospect Street by Emilie Richards. 5 stars.
A wonderful story that concentrates on an exceptional family who undergoes great transformation in a critical year. Involved in this struggle is the husband, wife and two teenage children. A master of a novel that depicts the individuals with great sensitivity and pathos. An interesting and definitely worthwhile novel that cannot be missed.
GeoBarb636@aol.com
I just finished The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. It's a great book; almost as good as Tuesdays with Morrie. 4 stars.
Endorra@aol.com
I just finished two books by Erik Larson. I read The Devil in the White City first and then Isaac's Storm. Both books were really very good and worth reading. Isaac's Storm was about the hurricane of 1900 that decimated the city of Galveston. It was also the beginning of the Weather Bureau. The Devil in the White City gives you a window into the feat the city of Chicago accomplished when they, over great odds, built the greatest fair in American history: The Chicago World's Fair and the dark side in the person of H. H. Holmes. Both deserve 5 stars.
I also recommend The Grave Maurice by Martha Grimes. Vintage Grimes at her best.
tansbks@netscape.net
Recent books I have read. Rated 1 to 5 stars with 5 being the best:
Key of Light by Nora Roberts. 4 stars.
Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts. 5 stars.
Key of Valor by Nora Roberts. 5 stars.
With each book you fall in love with the characters and are left guessing what will happen until the very end. This trilogy overall receives a 5-star rating.
Tennessee Waltz by Ginger Hanson. 4 stars.
A very good book set in the Civil War era.
The Highlander by Elaine Coffman. 5 stars.
Wonderful, intriguing story of love in the Scottish Highlands.
The Ideal Husband by Shari Anton. 3 stars.
A fairly good book. It just didn't hold my interest too much.
The Sherbrooke Twins by Catherine Coulter. 5 stars.
The much-awaited book of the Twins. If you have read the Sherbrooke series by Catherine Coulter as I have, this is a must-read. We find ourselves back in the Sherbrooke home, getting to know the twin sons that belong to Douglas and Alexandera (Alex) Sherbrooke. Now they are grown men and setting out to make their mark in the world.
Blackwood Farm by Anne Rice. 4 stars.
A continuation of the Vampire Chronicles, with Lestat very much involved in this tale.
hibar14@earthlink.net
I'm reading The Rana Look by Sandra Brown. It's a fast-moving romance novel. If you want something to read in an afternoon, you'll like this novel. I give it 3 stars.
DKRnj@aol.com
I have read the following and liked them:
The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal by Lillian Jackson Braun. 4 stars.
This is the second time I am reading it. I like the series and am re-reading the books in order.
Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House by M. C. Beaton. 4 stars.
I have to say 4 stars because I do like Agatha Raisin, even though she is a bit different. Again, I have read the series.
The Cat Who Wasn't a Dog by Marian Babson. 4 stars. Good story.
Sismilli@aol.com
I recently finished reading The Boyfriend School by Sarah Bird. This would probably be classified as Chick Lit and was just the type I was looking for to fit my mood while recovering from oral surgery and some relationship discord. Gretchen, the main character, is a struggling photographer at a Texas newspaper who is sleeping with her boss who isn't paying her for either activity. She is sent on assignment to "Luvboree," a romance writers convention, where she meets a cast of wonderful characters and gets pulled into the genre to the point of penning her own attempt.
This book was funny, with great characters and was ripe with the intrigue of impending romances without getting really wrapped up in the whole romance thing.
I enjoyed this so much that I sought another book by Bird that I am almost finished with: Virgin of the Rodeo. This one is not quite as snappy as The Boyfriend School but still has a cast of colorful characters; it just doesn't have the same quality of humor, though it's still amusing. This is one of her early works, so I am looking forward to reading a more recent Bird submission: The Yokota Officers Club. I would give The Boyfriend School 4 stars and Virgin of the Rodeo 3 stars.
megalon22@yahoo.com
A Dangerous Fortune by Ken Follett. 5 stars.
This story is set in Victorian England in the late 1800s and follows the story of a wealthy banking family. The book starts off with a group of young men involved with a murder during their school days. The secret of the murder is woven throughout their lives and affects everything that subsequently occurs. The book was very good and was a fast read, despite being 533 pages long. It held my interest the whole way through --- like all Ken Follett books do!
MSShealy@aol.com
The Cat Who Saw Red and The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun. 5 stars
I had previously read several of the Braun books and enjoyed them so much (of course, I had a Siamese cat!) that I began collecting the entire series. I am backtracking now to read the beginning books that I missed. They are such light reading and the characters are so well written that I highly recommend to anyone for pure enjoyment with a little suspense and sometimes murder!
PandoraO5@aol.com
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. 5 stars.
Love, betrayal, revenge and adventure. Edmond Dantes starts out innocent and in love, but after spending time in prison at the chateaux d'if for a crime he didn't commit, he emerges as the Count of Monte Cristo, with nothing but revenge in mind. One of my favorite books; everyone should read this when they get the chance.
rojosho@hotmail.com
Ain't She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. 4 stars.
An entertaining and humorous romance that keeps you interested in the characters and the lives and loves of the individuals. Cute and amusing and very light reading.
realbencann@yahoo.com
The Ghost of Hannah Mendes by Naomi Ragen. 5 stars.
A brilliantly written saga of a family and the background and history of their descendants. Written with sensitivity and pathos, this is a gripping and interesting novel of the Spanish Inquisition and the members who are involved in the trip to discover their roots and the importance this has on their lives. A wonderful portrayal of characters and the depiction of the actual events, which keeps you enthralled.
PFLucas@aol.com
The Cat Who Talked Turkey by Lilian Jackson Braun. 4 stars.
The latest installment in the mystery adventure series of Jim Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum. If you have read other books in this series, you will enjoy this book. Lilian Jackson Braun is an expert in describing cat behavior and also people who own and admire cats. There seems to be a new character in each book who aquires a cat and names it with a creative flair.
bradylee@myway.com
Random Family by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc. 5 stars.
This is a family saga of happenings and relationships in New York City that gives you the blueprint of how life works when confronted with dire poverty. One interesting trait is how generous most family members are. Frequently they don't know where their next meal is coming from, but they will give money and food to another and even to strangers because they know how terrible it is to have nothing. A big problem is drugs in their society and an even bigger hinderance is their lack of education. The author, an academic, writes in a down-to-earth manner where you can keep track of all the family members and friends. If you want a primer of how to exist with no assets, then you should read this book. Oh yes ... a few had a financial windfall (lawsuit, etc.) receiving a large amount of money, but they go through their nest egg so fast by giving away much of what they received that it doesn't help their life in the long run. It took me a week to read this book and 'twas time well spent.
Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany by Marthe Cohn with Wendy Holden. 5 stars.
I read this book two years ago and again now for my book club. It was just as good this time as last. Much of the activity takes place in France and then shifts to Germany during WWII. Marthe is under five feet tall, but a true giant as to guts and productivity. You get an excellent run down of how she eventually became a spy, which is a fascinating story, and then the heart of the book where she is a spy and goes from France to Germany many times. Her harrowing experiences are many and you get caught up in her world with breath held, wondering if she is going to make it. A grand read you will never forget!
erinolson@myway.com
I just finished The Sea Shack by Mark McNulty. It is a new book from a print-on-demand publisher and my expectations were not too high. The book was geared towards younger readers, however, and somebody recommended it for my son and let me borrow their copy. Well, I was SO impressed with the book! The author uses strong, powerful writing skills and tells a really beautiful story about a boy spending the summer with his grandfather. My son is reading it now, but I also ordered a copy for my own bookshelf. The author is a young teacher in Massachusetts and perhaps a rising star in the book world. I give The Sea Shack 5 stars with lots of praise and enthusiasm. My local bookstore was not carrying it, but it is worth picking up online or anywhere you can find it. It's just a really enjoyable book that makes you feel good about things.
MaryAllred@aol.com
I am currently reading The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures by Anne Fadiman. I give it 3 stars. I am reading this for my book group and I also enjoy anything regarding the Vietnam era. The Hmong worked with the CIA during this period and many were resettled later in the United States. This particular book expands on the cultural differences and problems that exist in receiving medical care appropriately.
I am also reading One Writer's Beginnings by Eudora Welty. I give it 5 stars. I am interested in writing short stories and Welty is definitely a favorite. The book is interesting to read because it tells many stories of her youth and it is also informative for anyone wishing to become a writer.
KHarrington@a-s-e.com
I just finished Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. When I first heard of the book "about a hermaphrodite" I thought I'd pass, but when it won the Pulitzer I decided that I needed to read it. I am so glad that I did. It's an immigrant's story of building a new life in America. The man can WRITE.
alacombe@belfastlibrary.org
The Knight: Book One of The Wizard Knight by Gene Wolfe. 4 stars.
This book takes a bit to get into, but it's worth the read.
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