Bjglu@aol.com
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. 3 stars.
Perhaps you need to be a bigger Jane Austen fan than I am to appreciate this book fully.
The Big Love by Sarah Dunn. 4 stars.
Fun summer reading.
Lgluhani@aol.com
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris. 3 stars.
Humorous essays, some more entertaining than others.
Train by Pete Dexter. 3 stars.
bev208@bellsouth.net
I have just finished reading Ill Wind by Nevada Barr. I enjoy her books. She really describes the territory that she is patrolling. She makes everything come alive. Her books are easy reading, but once I start one, I can hardly put it down before I know who has done it. 4 stars.
Before this I read The Morning After by Lisa Jackson. I also enjoy her writing. Her books are easy reading, but they keep you on your toes. 4 stars.
I will be starting a new book tonight but have not decided which one I want to read. I imagine it may be Ice Hunt by James Rollins, another favorite author of mine.
Cmpar@aol.com
I just finished The Narrows by my favorite author, Michael Connelly. I give it 5 stars, as do most contributors to this space, but it is truly amazing how much opinions differ on most other books. I love to see ratings on books I've read, but when I hated the book that someone else rates 5 stars, I have to wonder if we read the same book!
pk5050@shaw.ca
I'm reading the entire series of Harry Potter books. Right now it's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It's so interesting to see the progression and character growth. Ms. J. K. Rowling has great descriptive powers and writes to keep the reader 'hooked.'
JerJanKel@aol.com
I just finished Big Russ and Me by Tim Russert. I LOVED IT! Russert has been one of my favorite news commentators for a while, and reading the background of his life and his touching relationship with his father just solidified my belief in him and his ability to report the news accurately and honestly.
I reread Peachtree Road by Anne Rivers Siddons. I loved this book but have not found any of the other books written by Siddons to be as good. In fact, it's almost like someone else wrote this book --- the rest of her books have such predictable, sophomoric plots. This one is chockfull of Atlanta history and has such wonderfully complex characters.
Dreaming Southern and its sequel, The Southern Belles of Honeysuckle Way, by Linda Bruckheimer. Both are light reading, enjoyable, and good beach reads.
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris. He's scored a big hit again...I LOVE THIS GUY!
And last, but certainly not least, my favorite author's new book, Skinny Dip, by Carl Hiaasen. This is definitely one of his best. I loved the humor and hidden civic lessons. Can there be anyone better?
Bberrycrk@aol.com
I finally read Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. It kept me reading but I wasn't as impressed with it as many were. 4 stars.
Clara, The Early Years by Margo Kaufman 4 stars.
Life with a pampered pug, and then the adoption of a child. Kaufman is an interesting writer.
Laura Blundy by Julie Myerson. Zero stars.
It went back to the library after the first few pages. Too mean and dreary for me.
Heather from Victoria
I'm currently reading Caribbean Cruising by Rachel Hawthorne, about an 18 year old girl who has big plans for a Caribbean Cruise, including losing her virginity in a wild fling. Problem is, she can't seem to find the right guy. She doesn't realize the right guy may be closer than she thinks. 3 stars.
charris@pctelecom.us
Deception Point by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
Very well-written action book similar in style to Allistair MacLean. This is about the NASA program and an election year.
R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton. 5 stars.
Another Kinsey Millhone mystery, a private detective who gets herself into all kinds of predicaments. Good read.
Sacred Time by Ursula Hegi. 2 stars
Too many dysfunctional families to keep track of.
Still Waters by Tami Hoag. 3 stars.
An easy romantic book about a divorcee coming to town and buying the local newspaper and the Sheriff.
Debby236@aol.com
I am just finishing up Kinsman's Oath by Susan Krinard. I give it 4 stars. It is Science Fiction and very interesting.
Nancy10107@aol.com
The Tapestries by Kien Nguyen. 4 stars.
The story takes place in Vietnam in the early 1900s. The novel is based on the author's grandfather's stories. I found it fascinating to learn about the lives and people in this culture, especially since I had never read anything about Vietnam before the 1960s. The character development was good --- I have to like the main character to like the book. I would highly recommend it.
zorm21@sbcglobal.net
Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag. 5 stars.
At the end of a long day, bike messenger Jace Damon has one last drop to make. But en route to delivering a package for one of L.A.'s sleaziest defense attorneys, he is almost run down by a car. Hoag intertwines Jace's story with the police detective, Kevin Parker's story. This made for a real page-turner. I thought this was the best book Tami Hoag has written to date. It had everything: great character definition, fast-paced action, suspense and an excellent mystery ending. I couldn't stop reading, and yet, I didn't want it to end.
Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah. 5 stars.
Meghann Dontress is haunted by heartbreak. She wishes she had a closer relationship with her sister Clare, but she always opens her mouth at the wrong time. Clare is getting married and wants to share her happiness with her sister. Meg is open to the invitation and travels to see her sister. What follows is a wonderful story of awakening old feelings and lying to rest the old ghosts. How tragedy can draw families closer is the theme of this book.
FtLicky@aol.com
I'm currently reading Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which is an exciting, more in-depth re-telling of the story of Peter Pan. 5 stars.
I just finished reading Studying Boys by Stephie Davis, which was a hilarious sequel to Putting Boys on the Ledge. 5 stars.
Frank in Dallas
I recently finished J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which I rate 5 stars. This series has really grown on me and I just love them. In The Goblet of Fire Harry is in his 4th year at Hogwarts. He is surprisingly selected to be a champion for his school and finally has to battle Lord Voldemort. I was even sorry when this story ended.
What a wonderful series. I am looking forward to reading the next book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I also learned that book 6 now has a title, "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince."
In case you are wondering, I am a grandfather and in my 60s, but I really enjoy Rowling's stories. They are wonderful.
GandmaRI@aol.com
I'm reading The Frumious Bandersnatch by Ed McBain. It's a novel of the 87th Precinct. Usually I like McBain, but whether it's me or the book, I haven't figured out. It seems like there's more "frilly" details than usual. So far, I'd rate the book a C+ or 3 stars.
emailward@spymac.com
Tell No One by Harlan Coben. 4 1/2 stars.
A nicely written book about a guy whose wife was murdered 8 years ago, but now she may be alive. It's a little unbelievable at times, but it's still a great book.
The Summons by John Grisham. 3 1/2 stars.
Not his best but still pretty good.
Reader from California
I cannot put down Bee Season by Myla Goldberg. I am losing sleep because if I rouse in the middle of the night, I pick up the book and don't put it down until dawn when I start feeling REMARKABLY guilty about being sleep deprived during the day. This is the book closest to Life of Pi I have seen --- a major compliment from me. It's remarkable that this is a first book, and I'm going to be following this author for her next one.
Sandn2shoes@aol.com
I am re-reading Chocolat by Joanne Harris for a book group discussion. I would give this a 4-star rating. I am concurrently reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, which is definitely a 5-star story. I have Just One Look by Harlan Coben in the "flight pattern" ready to be read next!
Colleen Goldrick, South Amboy, NJ
I am just finishing a trilogy by Nora Roberts. Right now I'm almost done with Face the Fire, the last book. The first two books are Dance Upon the Air and Heaven and Earth. I love this series that revolves around three women who have been drawn together on an island known as Three Sisters Island. It's a must-read for anyone. I give the series 5 stars. As I finished each book I could not wait to start reading the next. It is about three woman and their powers as witches and women, and the three men that come into their lives. The setting is New England and the story really just takes you away. I recommend it highly.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Where or When by Anita Shreve. 4 stars.
A concept that Shreve uses often with long-lost lovers and the consequences of their actions. I always like her books.
SEEDCAKEANDJOE@aol.com
Daddy's Little Girl by Mary Higgins Clark. 4 stars.
An easy-reading mystery. Perfect beach read.
Theodoretpmj@aol.com
Don't Look Now by Linda Lael Miller.
This is a book you cannot put down. There is a great attorney heroine, very gusty and likeable, a love interest in the form of a policeman, an adorable niece she is raising, and enough mayhem and murder to satisfy the most jaded suspense reader ever. I am going to go today and buy her next novel, Never Look Back. I recommend this strongly, a great beach read. Buy and enjoy!
Shirley Younger, Bala Cynwyd, PA
I just finished reading My Life by Bill Clinton. I enjoyed the book because it told a lot about his childhood. But don't buy or read the book if you think you are going to find out more about Monica because you will not. There's very little in the book about her. I enjoyed the book, gained greater respect for him and did not know all about his youth that I learned. Also, the print is small and, as I think everyone knows, is over 900 pages. Too big a book to carry around.
wskelly@yahoo.com
I'm reading Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes, which is about three friends who grew up together in a small Irish town and then all moved to London as adults. Now in their 30s, each is struggling to find happiness. One is ill and coming to terms that he might not recover, one is in an emotionally abusive relationship and one is terrified of risking a love relationship. It's witty and poignant and compulsively readable. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars.
kelley899@iowadsl.net
I'm currently reading Eat, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. So far good, I'd give it 4 stars. Also, I read Under the Boardwalk by Carly Phillips. 5 stars. It's a great beach read, as is Diary of a Radical Mermaid by Deborah Smith and its prequel, Alice at Heart. Both are 5-star reads that are unexpectedly fantastic reads.
maestraw@msn.com
I am reading This Day: Diaries from American Women, compiled and edited by Joni B. Cole, Rebecca Joffrey, and B.K. Rakhra. This is a compilation of diaries written by women all across the United States. The question, "What is a day in the life really like for any woman?" is answered over and over again. The editors selected October 15, 2002, as the date. Many women wrote about the Washington, D.C. sniper and the war in Iraq. Over 529 women contributed material for the book. It is fascinating to look into the lives of these women and see many are not so different from me and the women I know. The frustrating part is that I find myself wanting to know what happened next. I would rate this 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
bwyatt@bright.net
I just finished The Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel, a definite 5 stars. The research behind this series is very impressive. I haven't read one of the books yet without learning a tremendous amount of history, not to mention geography and medicinal uses of plants. These alone make it worth the read.
I have just started A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr (nonfiction), so I'm not really in a position to rate it, although I suspect it is going to be about 4 stars. It is serious enough to be required reading in my neighbor's MBA classes, but still extremely readable.
And, during the past 2 weeks or so, I have re-read Tom Clancy's Debt of Honor and Executive Orders, both of which are eerily appropriate in these days of the War on Terrorism. These are both 5 stars, as far as I am concerned, and I usually re-read the series once a year.
I guess I prefer fat books with small print...
KennethRMartin@aol.com
I am currently reading The Halo Effect by M. J. Rose. It is a suspense novel and I give it 5 stars. I am also reading Dark Universe by William F. Nolan. This is a collection of horror stories but not the gross kind. The stories basically have strange twists at the end. I give this one 5 stars.
DaveRudy@aol.com
I am reading Ten Little Indians by Sherman Alexie, an excellent but quirky book. The book has some great questions for consideration after you have finished it that helps focus you in on the intent of the writings. I'd give it a rating of 4 stars.
s.bucher@insightbb.com
'Til Death Do Us Part, third in the series by Kate White. 4 stars.
Bailey Weggins is a freelance writer in New York City, specializing in true crime. In this book, three of the women with whom she served as bridesmaid in a friend's wedding die under mysterious circumstances. And Bailey needs to find out "why" before she becomes the next victim.
johnwaynetexas@sbcglobal.net
I'm reading Final Verdict by Sheldon Siegel. So far so good. I'm currently on chapter 10. 4 stars.
Helenme23@wmconnect.com
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. 4 1/2 stars.
This collection of essays was a birthday gift for me and my first experience reading David Sedaris. I love his writing, his family, and his ability to deliver laugh-out-loud stories. An interesting sideline: The book was published in 2000. I enjoyed reading about an American living in Paris before Sept. 11, 2001. I am looking forward to checking out more books by David Sedaris.
Marilyn in Ballentine, SC
Second Time Around by Mary Higgins Clark. 5 stars.
I don't know how she does it, but this is another winner. Mary Higgins Clark is just great!
RKCKSYST@aol.com
My current reads are a series: The Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte. There are seven; I'm reading number five at the moment. They're the King Arthur story, beginning with great grandparents of his, and are beautifully written. Much time and ink is given to Merlin (spelled Merlyn in this series) and he and Arthur are made real and believable and totally captivating by this author. I'd give the series 5 stars plus! The books, in order, are:
The Skystone
The Singing Sword
The Eagles' Brood
The Saxon Shore
The Fort at River's Bend
The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis
Uther (actually coming earlier chronologically, of course, but written last)
If you're an Arthur fan, don't miss these books. They will capture you!
Josephine Anna Kaszuba Locke, Book Hugger
Strange But True by John Searles. 5 stars.
John Searles has created a second successful novel. Strange But True is anything but "strange"; it is mesmerizing! It is a story of lives affected by events at and following a high school graduation prom. Ronnie Chase, girlfriend Melissa, her twin sister Tracy, and date Chaz hire a limousine to deliver them to and from the Inn where the celebration is held.
Philip Chase is living with his mother, Charlene, in the Pennsylvania suburbs while recuperating from a fall off a balcony of his New York City apartment. Melissa phones Philip, and Charlene then pays them a visit, the first since five years past. The news she has to deliver stuns Philip and receives a venomous reaction from Charlene.
Melissa is nine months pregnant. Through visitations to a psychic and in answer to her prayers, Melissa believes the conception is Ronnie's baby. She has only had sexual intercourse one time with one person, and that is Ronnie Chase on the night of the Prom. However, Ronnie died almost five years ago. He was killed in a tragic accident when the limousine crashed into a thick oak tree on the return trip taking the foursome home. The limo driver had a high level of alcohol in his system. Full of loneliness and sadness, Melissa is estranged from her parents, living in a cottage, and has received a notice to vacate because of unpaid rent. Landlords Gail and Bill Erwin appear to be happily married, even though Gail has been disappointed in a few previous marriages, and Bill is an ex-policeman who was asked to leave his job.
Richard Chase, Ronnie's father, and second wife Holly live in Florida. Richard harbors a secret from the past. Charlene is an embittered ex-wife and mother grieving for her dead son. Along with Ronnie's 1979 Mercedes in the garage, Charlene keeps Ronnie's bedroom locked, enshrined like a museum. Formerly a librarian, Charlene visits the town library. As she steps into the lobby, "she is overcome by one simple thing: the smell of books." Philip loves reading and writing poetry. He has always known that his brother was the favored son. He overheard a conversation in which Charlene said "… the wrong son died."
Searles delivers poetic essence in Strange But True. In one instance he writes, "The wind… has died off, leaving the woods around the three small houses in a perfect hush." With intended humor, the author also writes of Charlene speaking to Philip, "…watching too much TV will make your brain rot." Searles's style of storytelling encourages readers to linger from beginning to end, uniquely blending chapters with the past and the present. The author gives credence to main and sideline characters, assigning each a burden of trials, tribulations and disappointments.
Strange But True is an avid reader's treasure, full of astounding surprises. Personification of the cast members is uniquely filled with happiness and sadness, anger and forgiveness, loss and gain, hatred and love, good and evil, but most of all, survival.
A story that poetically embraces the emotions --- puts a lump in the throat, a tug to the heart, and gives hope for the soul. Every book has a message --- Strange But True speaks volumes!
ctritt@comcast.net
I'm currently reading The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherford. I love his sagas and have read them all. This book does not disappoint. I'm finding the early history of Ireland to be quite fascinating and the characters intriguing. I highly recommend Rutherford's works.
JDDistef@aol.com
I just finished Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich, a 4-star beach read for fans of her Stephanie Plum series and appealing to those looking for a light, funny book.
Therapy by Jonathan Kellerman is a 5-star Alex Delaware mystery. Edge-of-your-seat suspense runs rampant through this thriller.
Bwilson731@aol.com
I have spent the summer reading Sandra Dallas books. The Chili Queen, Alice's Tulips, and Buster Midnight's Cafe all get 5 stars. Also, I have read Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove, Comanche Moon, Dead Man's Walk, and Streets of Laredo. They are all great reads and I give them 5 stars, too. I have just started Anything for Billy by McMurtry, and it so far is very entertaining!
az-gal@cox.net
Misery by Stephen King. 5 stars!
Jay in Wildomar, CA
Motion to Suppress by Perri O'Shaughnessy. 4 stars.
A good plot, with well-drawn characters.
The Club by Jane Heller. 4 stars.
A quick and funny read
A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King. 5 stars.
The 3rd in a series about Sherlock Holmes and his protegee, Mary Russell. Although not a Holmes fan, I really enjoy this series. It provides a different view of Holmes and his times, and Mary is his equal in every way.
Death at Bishop's Keep by Robin Paige. 4 stars.
First in a series about a young free-thinking American woman and an English knight who work together to solve mysteries in the English countryside. While the pairing seems unlikely, the characters are well-defined and the stories are fun.
tunaross@nc.rr.com
Blood is the Sky by Steve Hamilton. 4 1/2 stars.
Ice Run by Steve Hamilton. 4 1/2 stars.
I really enjoy this series, especially since I used to work with the author at IBM Kingston. He has won several prestigious awards for this series. I enjoyed Ice Run even better since it was more geared to romantic involvement than the other book. Perhaps all had a bit too much violence though.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
About 1/4 through this book. So far, it's enjoyable and engrossing but not as good and electric as I expected. Someone recently told me that they were disappointed after reading Angels & Demons, so I'll try to read that book in the future.
bradylee@myway.com
My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King by Reymundo Sanchez. 5 stars.
Fifty-five years ago I got my first job after leaving the military service working in the reformatory in Monroe, WA. At that time I formulated my opinion that about 90% of the inmates were there due to their parents. This book has reinforced that opinion 55 years later...and nothing has changed except there are more people incarcerated today than then. This book is an eye-opener about a life/society that I knew nothing about. It is about extreme violence, heavy drugs and booze, and sexual activity nonstop. It is about how you can waste your life if you participate. It is hard to believe that the author did not yet attend college when he wrote this as the quality of writing is very good. On page 229: "Adults in the neighborhood contributed to the loss of a generation by turning their backs and never seeing anything...didn't bother to help those who did try to stop the violence. Both a retired police officer and a Chicago Transit Authority bus driver who lived in the neighborhood directly contributed to gang activity. They would buy guns, sell them to us for a profit, and then report them stolen."
You will learn all about gangs and why you read in the paper that an innocent bystander was killed in a drive-by shooting. All in the name of revenge is their code and a life of hopelessness. This is a most interesting story and makes me glad I am not part of his generation.
ginawjax@comcast.net
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
A book with humor, ethical debate, and twists and turns. The ending was the best part of all.
heidicarter@cox.net
I am reading The Sanctuary Seeker by Bernard Knight, an English book that takes place in 1194 A.D. It is about a coroner living in Exeter at the time. He must solve a murder, but his brother the Sheriff interferes. Great historical reading! 5 stars so far.
EBpooh@aol.com
During the summer months, when 3 of my 4 girls are away, is the time I catch up on my reading. Currently I am in the middle of two series:
Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich, which I would rate 4 stars because Stephanie is not only the funniest thing out of NJ, (where I spent too many years of my youth!), but she is also honest and a true Jersey girl! Good read and lots of fun with the smut! I would love to meet Grandma because she is a total pip! What fun to go out cruising with your elderly Granny who thinks she is still a babe! I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
The Murder Book is my second entry, written by Jonathan Kellerman. During this summer I have managed to read four other Kellerman books, and even though some are predicable, they make for good reading. This particular one I would rate 4 stars because we finally get good insight and background into the mind of Milo, the detective who got us into this in the first place. I completely drove through the first few chapters because I could not get enough info on this guy. Additionally, we all want to know what will happen between our guy and Robin. Will it be romance or another lonely night looking at an empty shop???
curiosity@citlink.net
Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag. 5 stars.
Tami makes the story come alive and has you reading right to the end non-stop.
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. 5 stars.
Dean Koontz at his best. The story has a twist at the end that you can't see coming.
Self Defense by Jonathan Kellerman. 5 stars.
As usual, Jonathan Kellerman writes a novel worth reading over and over again.
Multiple Choice by Claire Cook. 4 stars.
It is a very funny book and a quick read. Worth you time.
Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell. 5 stars.
Patricia Cornwell's description of police lives and duties is perfect. This book will keep you interested from start to finish.
Mumto3girls1boy2@aol.com
Suddenly Mommy (5 stars) and Suddenly Reunited (4 stars) by Loree Lough.
Falling Star (5 stars) and Catch the Moon (5 stars) by Diana Dempsey.
All are WONDERFUL stories. I am currently fixing to begin reading Suddenly Home by Loree and am awaiting the August 3rd release of Diana's Too Close to the Sun. These women are two of the best writers I have ever come across. They are an inspiration.
Catslady5@aol.com
A Garden in the Rain by Lynn Kurland. 5 stars.
I thought this was a great time travel/romance set in Scotland mostly. It is my first time traveling story and I adored it.
The Dumont Bride by Terri Brisbin. 4 stars.
I just started this one and so far it is a very enjoyable romance read.
lls0114@msohio.net
I'm currently reading just one book at this time. I have waited a while for it and so wanted to give it my complete attention: Bait by Karen Robards. A murder-thru-mistaken-identity book, with mob ties, woman-in-jeopardy who's made a new life, at odds with the hunky FBI agent who assigns himself to the job of protecting her, in SPITE of her often voiced desire to stay AWAY from the FBI...at ALL costs. Which leaves me wondering...WHY? A question that has crossed the mind of the FBI agent, too; why doesn't this woman want to be protected, especially since another woman, staying in the same hotel, with the same name, was murdered the same night as our heroine was attacked? What came first? The murder or the ATTEMPTED murder on our heroine? And WHY? And is the unknown assailant of our heroine REALLY the same creep who murdered the OTHER woman, and is THAT the same creep who's playing a game of "Tag" with our FBI agent? Sending him, on the basis of purposely vague clues, haring around the southern US trying to stop murders on seemingly unrelated people and always 20 minutes too late? So MANY questions, NO answers...YET...and just the HINT of a "twist"...but where, when, why, and involving WHO?
It's a GREAT summertime read! The descriptions of the simmering, baking, broiling, roasting, SWELTERING heat of St. Louis in the summertime just add to the twisting, tightening, and ratcheting up of the tensions that will lead to the inevitable last act...whatEVER that may be! Looking FORWARD to it! But TRYING to read slower to better ENJOY!
pmccabe@web-guides.com
I'm reading Divided in Death by J.D. Robb. 5 stars.
Rickimc@aol.com
Wonder When You'll Miss Me by Amanda Davis. 5 stars.
A quirky coming-of-age novel. I could not put this one down!
The African Quest by Lyn Hamilton. 5 stars.
Lyn Hamilton is my favorite mystery writer. This one did not disappoint.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon. 4 stars.
A fast and interesting read. The title does not fit well, though.
susanrjensen@yahoo.com
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 4 stars.
An interesting story about a man with a futuristic disease that allows him to time travel throughout his past and future. The story focuses on the relationship between the man and the woman he marries, and the strain his disease puts on their marriage. An interesting, well-written book.
The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King. 3 1/2 stars.
Although this book starts out slowly, the pace picks up, and it becomes a fast-paced, well-written story. The story is about a brilliant teenage girl who literally bumps into Sherlock Holmes while on a walk. One thing leads to another, and the retired detective takes her on as his apprentice. Together they have many adventures.
Islands by Anne Rivers Siddons. 3 stars.
This book was okay, although dull in some places and very predictable in others. It was about a group of childhood friends who remain close as adults, helping each other through trials and struggles. As the group slowly dwindles, it becomes obvious that one member of the group has a dark secret that they have been hiding for years.
Death Du Jour by Kathy Reichs. 5 stars.
I have loved everything I've read by Reichs, and this book is no exception. It is the second in her series featuring forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan, who helps solve murders in both North Carolina and Quebec, Canada. This time, she is called in to study the remains of several people burned to death in Canada, as well as two murders on a remote American island. What she uncovers puts her own life in danger. Great, fast-paced story.
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. 4 stars.
I don't usually read nonfiction, but this book was fascinating. Larson told the stories of two men connected with the Chicago World's Fair around the turn of the century: Daniel Burnham, the brilliant architect who designed the "White City," and Dr. H.H. Holmes, who used the fair to lure young women to the hotel he had designed specifically for their murders. Both men's stories are compelling, and interesting for their contrast.
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. 5 stars.
I loved this quirky novel about Special Operations agent Thursday Next, an operative whose job it is to protect literary treasures in a topsy-turvy world where it is possible to hop in and out of books, not to mention time itself. It's hard to explain the plot, but it is pure fun.
BahamaValF@aol.com
Nighttime Is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark. 5 stars.
She is the most thrilling and exciting writer I have ever read. You will not put this book down; it leaves you hanging till the end, wondering who the serial murderer is --- and it is not who you expected it to be. I can hardly wait for her next book to come out.
Newcrain@aol.com
Homeland by John Jakes. 4 stars.
LONG historical fiction. Good sense of Chicago history starting in the late 1800s.
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
One of her best. Stephanie Plum's escapades are soooo outlandish that it's great summer escapism!
DIANWILLY@aol.com
Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag. 5 stars.
This kept me up last night. Every chapter ended where you wanted to continue. Easy reading and "clean."
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
The Hundredth Man by Jack Kerley. 5 stars.
I loved this book! It is along the lines of James Patterson, Karin Slaugther, PJ Tracy, and Patricia Cornwell. This is the first book from this author, and I'm eagerly awaiting his next one!
Cloish049@aol.com
The Big Love by Sara Dunn. 4 stars.
Fun, a quick read.
Donnaleggate@aol.com
Nighttime is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark. 5 stars.
This book was very good and kept you on the edge of your seat. It reminded me of the bullies of my past I will not forget. Some people never forget and never let go --- this is one of them.
The Blackbird Papers by Ian Smith. 2 stars.
I didn't find this mystery/thriller to be challenging and the main idea of the Blackbird Papers was not very interesting to me.
sharoncerasoli@hotmail.com
Drive Me Crazy by Eric Jerome Dickey. 2 stars.
This book did NOT drive me crazy! I have read some of Mr. Dickey's earlier novels and just could not get into this book. I stopped reading by page 40 or so, and flipped ahead to the end.
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 2 stars.
This was a fun, fast summer read! Janet's books are fun, with great characters, vivid writing and interesting twists. Gotta love Steph's two men, Joe versus Ranger, good guy versus bad boy. Highly recommended for a fun summer book.
MelJPrincess@aol.com
The Forgotten One by Kimberly Leslie. 5 stars.
From the outside this looks like a romance, but inside it is much more! Romance and kidnapping blend to make an exciting combination and a wonderful story.
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. 5 stars.
Complex yet enjoyable. Another code to be solved and a fast-paced, fantastic read.
Yours in Black Lace by Mia Zachery. 5 stars.
One of the most exciting Harlequin Blaze's I've ever read! Ms. Zachery knows how to keep the action moving. Short read but fast reading!
Dcher
The Enemy by Lee Child. 3 stars.
It is a good book and well-written, but I find it hard to believe a military policeman would not figure out a major plot point that I figured out right away. That really made the rest of the book less enjoyable than it would have been for me.
Anonymous
I am currently reading Flyboys by James Bradley, author of Flag of Our Fathers. Flyboys is a tribute to eight young American pilots who were shot down while on a mission to bomb Japanese communications posts on the Pacific island of Chichi Jima. Mr. Bradley's unforgettable character portraits of the "flyboys" and interviews with sweethearts, friends and surviving family members provide insight into their lives, and a deep appreciation of their sacrifice. They faced unspeakable hardship with courage and grace. This book answers questions that have been closely guarded by the government for almost 60 years. Excellent book!! 5 stars.
mvrdr@yahoo.com
Live Bait by P.J. Tracy and Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs.
Both books are excellent reads and will keep you guessing till the end. If you start out reading either one, you will most certainly want to go back and read the others in the series.
NGroves@aol.com
End of an Error by Mameve Medwed. 3 stars.
Middle-aged Lee Emery has a chance to address the big "what if" in her life when she learns that the boy she fell in love with as a teen while traveling abroad, before 25 years of happy marriage to a man from her hometown, is now divorced. She's never forgotten Simon but has been satisfied with her marriage, her family, and her job in a small Maine college town. Should she abandon the man she's stood by all these years to rediscover her "true love," or is she just in the throes of a midlife crisis, chasing after a youthful fantasy and risking the loss of all that's truly important?
Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat. 3 stars.
Set in Haiti and the US, this slim novel is the story of Sophie, whom we first meet as a child being raised by an aunt and grandmother in Haiti since her mother has gone to New York to work and send back money to support the family. Finally summoned to New York to join the mother she's never met, Sophie faces many adjustments, including learning to love the mother whose affection for the girl is tarnished by the fact that she was conceived during a brutal rape. It's a moving story of the ties and often difficult relationships between several generations of women.
Troy by Adele Geras. 3 stars.
For readers who might want to learn about the story of the Trojan War without wading through translations of the ancient Greek texts, this is an easy read. It's geared at young adults, with the story told through the eyes of several teenagers living in Troy at the time of the city's fall to the Greeks. In addition to being a compelling story, it's more faithful to the original version of events than the recent blockbuster movie.
Medea and Her Children by Ludmilia Ulitskaya. 3 stars.
This novel is the story of an extended Russian family scattered across the former Soviet Union. The vignettes of the lives and loves of various family members center on Medea, childless herself but in many ways the matriarch of the bunch, whose home in Crimea is a favored summer vacation spot of her far-flung kin. There isn't a lot of action, but it's an interesting glimpse into Soviet and post-Soviet life and a family that remains close despite distance and periodic quarrels.
BDB530@aol.com
Seek My Face by John Updike. 3 1/2 stars.
Updike knows more than I would have thought about art and he includes much of it in this novel, which fictionalizes the life of Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollack along with comments on other prominent artists, some with fake names and some with real names.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
Need we say more. I, once again, sat on the edge of my seat and was even scared by some of the events in this earlier book by this prominent author. I will read more of him soon.
PooohCat@aol.com
The book Awake by Elizabeth Graver deals with a so-called orphan disease (rare disease) and the way the family, mostly the mother, deals with this disease. The youngest son is born with this rare inherited sun-sensitive disease. While attending a camp dealing with these children, the mother realizes how her own dreams have disappeared. The founder of the camp, with a child who also has this disease, forms an instant attraction to the mother. What ensues is a fabulous story.
WATERLEO@aol.com
I am reading Final Target by Iris Johansen. It is a fast-paced murder mystery with twists and turns. Great summer read.
Cheryl, Allison Park, PA
Final Justice by W.E.B. Griffin. 4 stars.
This is one of Griffin's police dramas in A Badge of Honor series. The novel weaves several plot lines and makes for interesting reading. The novel also shows you not only the physical dangers faced by police, but the psychological dangers as well.
bobbiefischer1968@yahoo.com
I just finished reading The Bamboo Chest: An Adventure in Healing the Trauma of War by Frederick "Cork" Graham and found it to be an amazing read, not only because of Mr. Graham's fresh writing style, but also the story itself: it's unbelievable but an actual event that occurred in the early 1980s in which Graham became the first American political prisoner held by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War. There is a photo of the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle on the book cover from the day of his release!
In the adventure/self-help memoir, Graham leaves San Francisco at the young age of 18 travels to Bangkok. In Bangkok, he meets his photojournalism heroes and is taken in to become a combat photographer. He joins Hmong tribesmen in an ill-fated sneak into Laos. Then he meets a failed British actor by the name of Richard Knight, who invites him to photograph his treasure hunting expedition after Captain Kidd's.
The political intrigue, well-documented by declassified information, is a very nice touch. And the romance that is built in the story is very touching and shows a mature writer who had put some worthwhile thought into his experience: as a woman I wouldn't have been drawn too much into a normal, macho adventure story that has no insight.
In Vietnam, he not only becomes a political prisoner, but also learns how much he had been affected by Vietnam (as a child, he lived in Saigon during the worst years of the war). This is the first part of a trilogy. I can't wait to see what happens to him in the next two! I'm sure they're going to make a movie out of it soon.
This was truly a worthwhile story about Vietnam that has never been told! Absolutely a 5-star rating!
jeffers64@sbcglobal.net
In continuing my list of eclectic reading choices, I am currently reading the following books:
The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Portent by James Herbert
The Last Operation by Patrick Astre
The Mote in God's Eye is the best of the bunch so far, with a riveting portrayal of man's first contact with an alien species.
ginita@adelphia.net
Maid Marian by Elsa Watson. I just started, and it is wonderful!
War Woman: A Tale of the Real People by Robert J. Conley
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende
The Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte
Massacre of the Dreamers by Ana Castillo, for the twelfth time!
Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah. 4 stars.
I've never read this author before, and though the story was pretty predictable, it was an enjoyable read.
bab@tennis.com
The Blackbird Papers by Ian Smith. 5 stars.
A well-written, suspenseful mystery that has well-portrayed characters who are so finely drawn that one can see them clearly. A storyline that has you guessing from beginning to end. Nonstop action with excellent dialogue and ending.
bencanada1@yahoo.com
Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah. 5 stars.
A wonderful novel about 2 sisters who have drifted apart and are able to finally reconcile. Beautifully written with realistic characters and dialogue. Vivid descriptions of the area and the countryside.
Gramanik2001@comcast.net
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars.
Easy, hard-to-put-down read with an ending that I didn't expect.
The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper. 3 stars.
Easy, likable read.
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. 2 1/2 stars.
Often funny but very predictable read.
vitale@grantsburgtelcom.net
I just finished reading Hidden by Paul Jaskunas. It was really good. It's about a woman who was attacked and sent her husband to prison because she was convinced he did it. She had a brain injury and got epilepsy as a result. Trouble was, another man confessed to the crime six years later. This is a devastating book, but really, really well done. The author has a seizure disorder himself and is able to describe in the book how the seizure starts and what it feels like. I've never read anything like it.
Kathy from Severna Park
Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson. 3 1/2 stars.
This is a very good book, but his other "letter" book was far better and more moving. It is good to find that he can write something besides the usual mystery series he writes. Some authors cannot make the transition. I found the story of Sam fascinating. However, the story of Jennifer was not as interesting because it was so predictable. Still, I highly recommend it for the Patterson fan.
The Summer I Dared by Barbara Delinsky. 5 stars.
This is definitely a book to read. It thoroughly explores the mind and life of a modern woman as she grows from her rather unusual experience aboard a ferry boat. I think lots of women could easily relate to her and how she reacts to the incident aboard the ferry. It is also well-written.
Islands by Anne Rivers Siddons. 3 1/2 stars.
As usual, she has written a terrific book. It does drag a bit, but not enough to keep the reader from being interested in the story. It also provides the reader with an excellent understanding and taste of life in the cosmopolitan area, as well as on the island. I think, with so many of us getting into an age where we begin to look to lasting, lifelong friendships for solace and companionship to move into our older years, this book is very relevant to the times and the book reading population. Her development of characters is excellent, and the characters are very realistic. I have read each and every one of her books and this ranks up near the top.
jazocco@earthlink.net
I read all types of books, the latest of favorite authors to trying someone new. I have quite a huge collection and the other day I picked up Final Jeopardy by Linda Fairstein. That was such a great read I hustled down to the Book Barn in town and found a couple more. I don't know how I overlooked her as I love mysteries --- I discovered them when I was in 7th grade and I had read everything in the children's section. Nothing like a good book.
anniesbooks@comcast.net
I just finished Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani and give it a 5 stars. She is a very talented author that brings you right into the story.
DancingGram7@aol.com
I just finished Fragrant Harbor by John Lanchester and give it 5 stars! This book spans seven decades and it is a story within a story; basically a history of the colony of Hong Kong. The book opens up in the present decade, but after 4 chapters it moves into 1935 where Thomas Stewart, a young Englishman who has a longing for adventure buys himself a cheap ticket to the complex and corrupting world of Hong Kong. Aboard the ship, he becomes the pawn in a wager between a bluff Yorkshire businessman and a Chinese missionary nun who bets she can teach him Cantonese on the 6-week voyage out. What begins as a shipboard contest evolves into a close relationship among the parties involved. It takes in the savagery of the Japanese occupation and warlords and drug runners and Chinese Triads. There is a good deal of dialogue that could have been lessened, but the story is well worth the reading.
karenoubre@bellsouth.net
Answers by k. e. leger. 5 stars.
This romantic suspense is about two different people from two separate worlds with one endurable love. Kasarina Lockworth thinks she has it all --- a promising writing career and the perfect man, Jason Rivera. But Rivera's new job in Houston --- far from their Louisiana paradise --- shatters everything Lockworth worked so hard for. Then Walter Chamberlain --- Denver-based multi-billionaire --- comes into her life and changes everything.
From average to wealthy, socializing with fame and fortune including a friendship with her idol, rock star Madaline Cardona, Kasarina does indeed seem to have it all again. But one person stands in her way of true happiness --- Jason Rivera. It's a must read.
Robert from San Diego
Free Prize Inside by Seth Godin shows people how they can make their products, ideas, and themselves "remarkable" with practical tips and strategies. 4 stars.
maestraw@msn.com
This Day by Joni B. Cole, Rebecca Joffrey, and B.K. Rakhra is one of my few 5-star reads this year! I first read about this wonderful book on one of the services that provides reading guides for book clubs. I was intrigued by the premise, and knew I had to buy it. This is one book that did not let me down! I was captivated from the moment I began. I read in greed, hungering for the next diary entry. I completed it much too quickly, and had to re-read some entries. I found myself wondering about some of the women. (Many are still on my mind.) I am so pleased that book two is in the works. This is a book that is too good to miss.
zandercage2003@yahoo.com
I am currently reading Found Wanting by Joyce Lamb. It is a suspense novel and gets a definite 5 stars from me! This is one of the best suspense books I have ever read, and I am anxious to find out how it ends.
alacombe@belfastlibrary.org
Messenger by Lois Lowry. 5 stars.
If you read The Giver and Gathering Blue, you definitely need to read this. If you haven't read any of them --- DO!!
Sally. B., San Antonio TX, USA
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling. 4 stars.
Rowling is a very gifted writer. She tells a good story to include the everyday events of the characters and wraps you up in the dialogue. I've read 300 pages so far and really feel for the kids' anguish toward the adults (Ministry's) subterfuge.
Last Chance Café by Linda Lael Miller. 3 1/2 stars.
I'm listening to this unabridged audiobook from our local library. A divorced woman, with twin daughters, is on the run after learning of the involvement of certain people who murdered her stepfather. There are some "That wouldn't happen in real life" instances, but the author does a good job of pushing past these. I'm about halfway through.
Robert from San Diego
Unstuck by Keith Yamashita and Sandra Spataro is a practical guide for those who wish to get out of their rut, in business and personally. 4 stars.
Pfzlady@aol.com
I am reading Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. I purchased all of his titles at one time and this just happened to be the smallest and the first I picked up. It is laugh-out-loud funny and is quite refreshing. I rate it 4 stars so far.
I am also enjoying Gabriel's Gift by Hanif Kureishi. It picks up after the first 20 pages or so and I am enjoying its coming of age story about a talented, forlorn teenaged boy dealing with his parents' break-up and his unusual gift. 3 1/2 stars from me so far.
stoneyred@comcast.net
Here's my reading list:
Suburban Renewal by Pamela Morsi. 4 stars.
Infernal Affairs by Jane Heller. 5 stars.
Florida Roadkill by Tim Dorsey. 3 stars.
Debby236@aol.com
I am reading Mind Game by Christine Feehan. So far I would give it 5 stars. This is the second book written about a group of men who were the subject of an experiment where their paranormal abilities were enhanced. It is very interesting.
KennethRMartin@aol.com
I am currently reading The Taking by Dean Koontz. So far I give it 5 stars.
Rohde99@aol.com
The Dive From Claussen's Pier by Ann Packer. 5 stars.
The story of a young woman whose fiance becomes a quadriplegic in an accident, thus posing the question, How much do we owe the ones we love????
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. So far, 3 1/2 stars.
I am enjoying this book but feel like I am back in school and doing a homework assignment. I am determined to finish it.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine. 5 stars.
I love her series, this is the third in the life of Jaime Austen, writer and pi at times. The author used to write for comedy shows, and these books are funny as well as keeping you in suspense. Give them a try!
abromber@optonline.net
I just finished Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman. This is her first book and it is a great suspense story. I give it 5 stars.
Now I am reading Deafening by Frances Itani. This is her first novel. It takes you into the world of the deaf in the early 1900s. So far I am enjoying it. Also 5 stars.
tmzemke@comcast.net
I've read lots this month. Here are just a few.
Blackbird by Jennifer Lauck. 4 stars.
Biography of a young girl, writing from her young self's perspective. First book in a series of three. It's a different kind of bio and if it wasn't true you would think that it was fiction. Published to lots of acclaim and it's all true.
Love and Hate in Jamestown by David Price. 4 stars.
Remember Captain Smith and Pocahontas? You really don't know them until you read this amazing nonfiction book! You'll discover that Smith was a mercenary in the Netherlands and Romania, and a slave in Turkey, and that it was he who had the skills that would later save the fragile new colony from disaster. Parts of the tale sound surprisingly modern. Fearful that bad news would spook investors and discourage future colonists, the company censored accounts of hardship in letters coming from Virginia. Despite demands from London to cultivate more corn and less tobacco, tobacco always sold at much higher prices and so remained the crop of choice, even when the colonists were forced to buy corn from the natives. It's nonfiction, but really reads like a novel.
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra. 4 stars.
This book is set in Kabul under the rule of the Taliban, and takes readers into the lives of two couples. Mohsen comes from a family of wealthy shopkeepers whom the Taliban have destroyed; and Zunaira, his beautiful wife, once a brilliant teacher, is now no longer allowed to leave her home without escort or covering her face. Intersecting their world is Atiq, a prison keeper, a man who has sincerely adopted the Taliban ideology and struggles to keep his faith, and his wife, Musarrat, who once rescued Atiq and is now dying of sickness and despair. This is a novel that humanizes the experiences of many people in that part of the world.
Some clunkers include:
A Palestine Affair by Jonathan Wilson
Boy Still Missing by John Searles
Finding Fish by A. Quenton (lots of people loved this, not me)
Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides
…and the ever popular The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (just didn't get all the hoopla)
bev208@bellsouth.net
I have finished reading Ice Hunt by James Rollins. I would definitely give it 5 stars. If you like his kinds of books, which keep you wondering what is going to happen next, this one is for you. I enjoy them because every book of his takes you to a different part of the world. This one takes place at the polar ice cap.
I have also read Sense of Evil by Kay Hooper. I would give it 3 stars. I really like her books. I enjoy reading books about psychics. They have plenty of mystery and some romance. Her stories always keep you guessing as to who did it. I like it that she keeps Bishop/Special Crime Unit in every one of her books. I may only rate it 3 stars but a very high 3, close to a 4. I look forward to reading every one of her books as they come out.
Carosp@aol.com
I recently finished Forever by Pete Hamill. I've loved everything I've read by this author, and Forever is not an exception. It's a book about a boy born in the early 1700s in Ireland who, through interesting circumstances, is given a gift of very long, perhaps eternal, life, with the condition that he never leave the island of Manhattan. We see Manhattan through the years and what happens to the protagonist, and it's pretty much a great read and a great book. 4 1/2 stars.
I'm about halfway through Fat Man Fed Up by Jack Germond, who is a reporter and political writer, writing about how he thinks political reporting has deteriorated. He writes in an amusing and interesting way, and I like this book as well. A great book for political junkies like myself. 3 1/2 stars.
Ptacek1@aol.com
My favorite author, Carl Hiaasen, a zany wild man from Florida, has done it again with his Skinny Dip. Hilarious characters, and a great story line.
Wow. Day of the Dead by J. A. Jance. You almost feel you are on an Arizona reservation, living with all the native Americans there. A truly fine telling of the climate and feelings of American Indians. Mystical references, Indian folklore, and a story that certainly kept me up past my bedtime. If that's not enough, the villains in this work are truly evil, and the heroes are wonderfully believable.
charris@pctelecom.us
Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe. 5 stars.
This is a story about finding your way home. It is in South Carolina on the Barrier Reef and tells about the Loggerhead turtles. The store about them and the people in the book are excellent.
The Mulberry Tree by Jude Deaveraux. 4 stars.
A good, light read. Fun to read and a mystery, but not too scary.
The Body of David Hayes by Ridley Pearson. 4 stars.
Another Lou Boldt mystery. Quite complicated but turns out OK.
Killer Smile by Lisa Scottoline. 4 stars.
Lawyer/mystery thriller and better than her last book. Mary is a young widow in a group of women lawyers. I had known that the Japanese were interned during World War II but did not know that Italians were also. Informative and a good read.
SalbyC@aol.com
My latest book is Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray. This book is a light read, and it follows the same type of formula she uses in her previous novels. It was fun, but I'd only give it 3+ stars.
Denwal1@aol.com
Blowout by Catherine Coulter. 4 stars.
I love all her FBI books, they are always great reads.
fishrs@mchsi.com
I just finished the new Erica Spindler novel, See Jane Die. Wow, what a twist at the end! I didn't see it coming at all, and nearly dropped the book on the floor over my shock and dismay. Since discovering her as an author I haven't found a book yet that I don't like.
I am currently reading The Rule of Four, The Yada Yada Prayer Group, The Time Traveler's Wife, and Do Me Do My Roots. All very good books --- completely different of course. I have found The Rule of Four to be a bit slow here in the beginning. But it seems to be picking up speed. It hasn't been slow enough that I completely put it down and said forget it. So I am hoping something happens soon to really hook me. The Yada Yada Prayer Group is for a church book club. A very enjoyable read and quite a few good laughs as I go along. The Time Traveler's Wife is my book beside the bed --- a nice read to send me off to dreamland. And it is written in types of chunks that make it easy to read a section and put it down to come back to it later. Do Me Do My Roots is truly the funniest thing I have read in a very long time. I thoroughly enjoy this book (it is my "put in the purse" book in case I have some down time somewhere).
sears@lsol.net
I just finished reading Little Scarlet by Walter Mosley --- quite worthwhile. Mosley's Easy Rawlins mystery series stays fresh. It concerns a murder during the Watts riots: the mystery element is integrated well with the historical. 4 1/2 stars.
I'm also re-reading Frank Herbert's Dune, which I read years and years ago. It's an engaging and complex book. 5 stars.
ramblinred66@yahoo.com
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. 5 stars.
Who knew a book about punctuation could be so much fun?
Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton. 5 stars.
While I disagree with a lot of the book, there is plenty more that I agree with. It is obvious that Chilton loves Jesus and I recommend this book for any who share his love.
The Best of Times: America in the Clinton Years by Haynes Johnson. 4 stars.
Holes by Louis Sachar. 4 stars.
WATERLEO@aol.com
I just started the book Like No Other Time by Tom Daschle. It covers the 107th Congress and is a fascinating look at the intimate nature of politics. Especially relevant this election year!
dmilburn@alltel.net
Nighttime is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark. 2 stars.
I was disappointed in this book by an author I usually really enjoy. I had trouble remembering who was who as far as the characters were concerned because they all just blended into one. None of them, not even the heroine, captured my interest. As in all her books, she ends each chapter with a new problem that needs to be solved so that the reader keeps on reading to find the answer. Good beach reading, with a predictable ending.
FtLicky@aol.com
I'm currently reading Regarding the Sink by Kate Klise, which is a hilarious tale told through e-mails, letters, and newspaper articles. 5 stars.
I just finished reading The Christmas Kitten by Tessa Krailing, which was an adorable story about a young petsitter hired to take care of a kitten. 5 stars.
Waltsmom
I'm reading The Baron War by Spur Award-winning author Jory Sherman. Vivid characters, engaging plot, wonderful writing. 5 stars.
Bedtime reader in Irmo
Dead Aim by Iris Johansen. 4 1/2 stars.
Good suspense, enjoyable read, no surprise ending. I do appreciate the way Johansen includes a bit of sex, but allows the reader to imagine, rather than going into details.
Nancy
Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came by M.C. Beaton. 2 stars.
The Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway. 4 stars.
The Primrose Convention by Jo Bannister. 4 stars.
MMMMM from Los Angeles
I just finished Bee Season by Myla Goldberg, and it was the best book I have read since The Corrections by Jonathan Frazen. This is an amazing first novel, and I can't wait to see what Goldberg writes next.
lindanudell@yahoo.com
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is awesome!
For easy, fun reading, the Lawrence Sanders McNalley series are great. There are a bunch of them. Look for the ones written by him, not by Lardo, who continued the series after Sanders' death.
I am trying to get through Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. On my second attempt I purchased the translation recommended by Oprah, and it is a big improvment over the old book I was reading from the library. But it is still a lot to get through, but a great story.
bradylee@myway.com
Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel. 4 stars.
The principal time period for this story is about 1750 to 1777, and the subject is the creation of a clock that is reliable to be used to have ships asea able to pinpoint their whereabouts using Longitude, which is the variable along with Latitude, the constant. The creator, John Harrison of England, was self taught like Edison and others. His entire life was devoted to creating and then improving his clock/watch with a carrot in the form of financial reward from his country and a governing body originally headed by a proponent for Harrison's success, who dies and is replaced by the head man who is determined to see that Harrison fails as he believes astronomical methods are superior. This story gives you a great history of ships navigation, England's place in the world at the time, the genius of a few men, and the battle of government thwarting genius as well as an explanation of timepieces; and finally a king who sees to it that right replaces wrong. It sounds like a fairy tale, yet it is all true and most interesting.
Frank in Dallas, PA
I have a number of favorite authors including Stephen Coonts, Tom Clancy, J.K. Rowling, Paul Erdman, Robert Ludlum, Scott Turow, Dick Francis, John Grisham, and probably a couple I can't think of right now. But I think I would have to put Jeffrey Archer at the top of my list.
I am currently reading Archer's As the Crow Flies and I am about half done. I rate it as 5 stars. The story features Charlie Trumper who was born into the slums of East London and learned the art of selling from his grandfather. Charlie left to fight in WWI but returned to open up several shops in another area of London. The story chronicles Charlie's life and problems over 60+ years from the standpoint of several people including his wife and at least 2 enemies.
My favorite stories by Archer are Kane and Abel, The Prodigal Daughter, and Sons of Fortune.
I recommend any book by Archer and I am looking forward to A Prison Diary, which has at least 2 volumes. Yes, Archer recently served time in prison in England. You can find more information on that by searching on Google.
baxtergr@msn.com
I'd like to share a line or two about two of the books I've read recently that, in my opinion, are outstanding. The first is Kindred by Octavia E. Butler. This is classified by most book stores as science fiction, but for me it was more a lesson in life; hard life. The heroine of the book, who is black, lives with her white husband in California in the mid 1990s when she is suddenly and mysteriously transported back in time to early 1800s Maryland to a plantation where she is to save the life of a young boy, her white ancestor. She continues to move between times each time the boy, then man, is in danger. She too faces much danger and learns much about the inhumanity of slavery as do the readers of this volume. It's one of those "can't put it down" kind of books. I read this for a book club at a local book store and we were blessed to have the author with us at our meeting as she lives in the area. What a special evening that was. 5 stars for this book!
The other book which made an impression on me of late was 24 Years of House Work...and the Place is Still a Mess - My Life in Politics by Pat Schroeder, who for 24 years was a congresswoman from the state of Colorado. What an enlightening book this was regarding the "goings on" of politics in general and in D.C. in particular. It was also interesting to learn of life, family, work, ideals, etc. of this strong, loving woman. All women should read this book, and it would be helpful if the men do too. Another book that has earned 5 stars.
justme@xmission.com
I'm currently reading Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, after hearing Oprah on The Oxygen Channel one night say that it is her favorite book of all time. For that reason, I decided I needed to check it out, and I'm glad I did! It's one book that will keep you up all night and when you're finished, you'll wish there was more! I've never read any of Toni Morrison's books before and have been told that they are usually TOO DEEP and depressing. After reading this one, I HAVE to try more of hers and see what I think. This book: a definite 5 stars, hands down!
I'm also reading Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner. It's a very fun book to read, and with every page I just want more! 4 stars and teetering on the edge of 5!
ldkovacs@shaw.ca
I am reading The Private Sector by Brian Haig. Light summer reading, but the characters are intriguing. Makes me thankful I'm not a lawyer or a crime investigator.
yourstrulee@sasktel.net
I am currently reading Nerd in Shining Armor by Vicki Lewis Thompson. I give this book 5 stars. A book for your beach bag for sure.
Donna Padgett, Salt Springs, FL
I'm currently reading Dreamcatcher by Stephen King. I'd give it 1 star.
GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm reading Sigma Protocol by Robert Ludlum. I'd rate it 4+ stars. As usual, Ludlum is drawing great pictures of his characters and the story line is shaping up quite nicely.
DIANWILLY@aol.com
R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton. 4 stars.
If you are a Sue Grafton follower, then this is another enjoyable story plot. What I like with Grafton's books is that they are light detective mysteries, not overly violent. It keeps you interested and there's a lack of detailed sex. Looking to her next one, "S."
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
The Lake House by James Patterson. 2 stars.
This was an OK read --- only took a few hours --- but the writing seemed amateurish and it seemed a rehash of the first "flying children" book. I think Patterson is trying to churn too many books out!
DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 3+ stars.
This was a pretty good, but confusing, tale about a man with an inherited genetic disorder that causes him to travel back and forth in time. He meets a little girl in a meadow when she is 6 and they go on to meet in real time later on and marry.
Ghoul by Michael Slade. 4 stars.
This was a super x thriller about a series of horrific murders being committed in London. There is the Vampire Killer, the Cemetery Killer, the Ghoul, Jack the bomber, and a hit man all acting out various rages upon the hapless citizens of London. They are targeting children, women, gays....and what do these murders have to do with a rock band named GHOUL, appearing in Vancouver, BC. Although confusing if you don't read it almost all in one setting, it reminded me of the movie Seven because of the description of the murder implements and the ingenuity of these hideous killers in finding more and more horrible ways to kill people. Not for the squeamish!! A follow up to Headhunter.
rjdaringer@gulftel.com
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 5 stars.
The story is being told by a young girl who had been murdered by a neighbor. She is looking down from her heaven and watching the lives of her family and friends, relating happenings from her life growing up, and watching the present as her family tries to deal with her loss. The story wasn't gruesome or overly sentimental, but written very nicely.
A Theory of Relativity by Jacquelyn Mitchard. 5 stars.
A young couple is killed in an automobile accident, leaving behind a young baby. Their death results in a custody battle between her brother and the husband's family. Her brother and her husband had been best friends. The interesting line in the story is that the sister and brother had been adopted and are not blood relatives, and how this affects the custody proceedings. A very good story of family love for a child.
Ka9lvr@aol.com
I am reading John Grisham's The Last Juror, and I find it to be a book that has a rather complicated, but thoroughly interesting plot. In addition to the mystery to be solved, there are quite a few tidbits of history about the Italian people that add to my interest in the book. The characters are developed, and for some, their personalities are a quiet but strong voice throughout. I would give this book 4 stars (so far).
If you want to read a simple mystery, try The Conman's Daughter by Ed Dee. This is a book that will hold your interest and be a fast read. I would rate this one 2 1/2 stars.
I hope to read Anne Morrow Lindbergh's Gift from the Sea next.
joswood@adiis.net
Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag. 4 1/2 stars.
This was a compelling read about a young messenger boy who is in the wrong place at the wrong time. In the process of delivering a package, he is almost killed by a man in a car who tries to run him down. For most of the rest of the book, he is on the run from dangerous people. Only his wits and bravery will help him out of his situation. I thought the characters were very well drawn, and I found myself caring about them. This was so much better than her last book, Dark Horse.
The Tarnished Eye by Judith Guest. 5 stars.
I loved this book! It was so compelling that I didn't want to put it down. A family of 5 is murdered at their summer home in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. There is also a serial killer who is murdering young women in the same area. Are the crimes related? That is what the book is about. The plot is based on a true murder of a family in the 1960s in Michigan. That killer was never found. What about this one? Extremely well-written. Most of the violence does not happen on the pages of the book, so it was easier on the senses.
R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton. 5 stars.
Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone finds herself babysitting a young girl who is being released from jail on probation. Kinsey feels the need to keep her out of further trouble, which turns out to be a daunting task. This book was a great read, as I always enjoy getting reacquainted with Kinsey in each new book. This one is a winner.
sallybrice@comcast.net
I have just completed listening to the unabridged version of Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson. This book is very intriguing. Sometimes you feel you are going on the dive with the divers, you find your breathing change as they experience traumas while under water. This is a great book.
I am reading the entire series of George Pelecanos --- I started with his latest book Hard Revolution, which is where it all started. How the cop became a PI and how his family and surroundings made him into the man he is. Once I completed Hard Revolution, I read Hell to Pay and Right as Rain, and Soul Circus is sitting on my night stand. The books take place in DC, which is near where I live. As I am reading the books, I am right there with him, driving down the side streets, going to the restaurants. These books are very engaging.
dhill@fdn.com
I am currently reading My Antonia by Willa Cather. This is an enchanting book about the spirit of a child when growing up and the spirit of the American West. A classic, of course, and a must-read. 5 stars.
Cheryl, Allison Park, PA
Charmed & Dangerous by Lori Wilde. 5 stars.
This is a great romance book filled with intrigue. It's about twin sisters, an art thief and a determined FBI agent. The book kept me interested the whole way through and was a quick read.
ngovero319@yahoo.com
I actually found this book out in front of my house a few weeks ago. I believe it fell off the top of someone's car. It is Danielle Steel's Second Chance. I threw it in my bag for a recent trip and started reading it while waiting for my train. I kept reading it only because I had nothing better to do. Maybe at some point it will get more exciting, but I found it to be rather boring and typical of her writing. Too many details and not enough real plot. Let's get going with the story...or is there one??? I would give it a disappointing 2 stars.
Fort Wayne Madge
Faith of Our Mothers by Harold I. Gullan. 5 stars.
The stories of presidential mothers from Mary Washington to Barbara Bush.
Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum. 4 stars.
A Norwegian whodunit.
The Bushes by Peter Schweizer and Rochelle Schweizer. 5 stars.
This is a long book (540 pages), but very candid and interesting.
Someone to Watch Over Me by Judith McNaught. 2 stars.
Didn't hold my interest
andshecookstoo@iwon.com
I just finished Envy by Sandra Brown. It was pretty easy to figure out the plot early on, but I read it through anyway, and it had a few nice twists and turns. I would rate it 3 stars.
I am presently reading Secret Sanction by Brian Haig. It is a military book starring a JAG officer and has to do with the war in Bosnia. A bit heavy for me, as I am not that politically inclined nor informed, but would be a great read for someone who likes that kind of thing. I would rate it 3 stars as well.
Cloish049@aol.com
Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman. 3 stars.
The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin. 4 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story...with Wings by Mark Bittner. 4 stars.
The twists and turns of a person's life is just incredible, and this book verifies that change is the name of the game. Mark was a hippie in the literal sense and took decades for him to decide what he was supposed to do in this life. He never had any money, yet would do odd jobs in his neighborhood on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco to provide food and sunflower seeds for the parrots in his neighborhood. He never had to pay rent and lived in a dilapidated house, but his loving nature shone through in what he did...and that was nurture a flock of parrots where he named most of them and grew to understand their personality and personal traits. He tells all in this book and a wonderful story it is. You learn the joy of freedom in Mark and the birds and his telling in a well-written story. One great loss in his life was never finding a woman to love, but in the end he discovers his mate and he was taken completely by surprise. You will too, if you read this book. A joy for sure!
Britadon@aol.com
From Potter's Field by Patricia Cornwell. 4 stars.
If you like Ms. Cornwell's work, this is a very good mystery that left me with some unsettling thoughts about sibling rivalry.
Lori from Manahawkin
I just finished reading Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom. This was an excellent book and deserves more than 5 stars! I certainly understand why it is a runaway bestseller. Once I started reading it I knew I had to continue, and I found myself staying up until the wee hours of the morning until I finished it. I literally could not put the book down! Albom's story truly is a gift --- this book will captivate you, make you think about life and death, and touch your heart. I cannot wait until I read it again. I just have to buy some more tissues first and then be prepared to stay up all night!
PFLucas@aol.com
A Good Year by Peter Mayle. 5 stars.
Peter Mayle has written many books about France, including A Year in Provence and Acquired Tastes, which describe living in the South of France, but A Good Year was one of the best. The book begins with a familiar plot --- businessman inherits country estate in the South of France --- but don't let that discourage you. A Good Year includes stories of wine making, culinary delights, and heartwarming locals within an interesting mystery plot with several twists. I thoroughly enjoyed Mayle's latest book.
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote. 5 stars.
Since I had never read Breakfast at Tiffany's, I followed the recommendation of NPR Radio and read the novella in one sitting. I enjoyed the complex characterization of Holly Golightly and also the neighbors in her apartment building. Another case where you must read the book and then think about the movie.
The 37th Hour by Jodi Compton. 4 stars.
A suspenseful mystery of a husband who goes missing and the lengths that his wife takes to find him.
dixmil@yahoo.com
Just One Look by Harlan Coben. 4 stars.
Like his other books, Mr. Coben keeps you intrigued from one chapter to the next with surprises. I gave this book 4 stars because I found the whole concept somewhat forced and the ending unbelievable. Not on a par with his others, for instance, No Second Chance. Like his other novels, be careful to remember even the tiniest detail…even those that might seem to be "an aside" because every event is important to the story.
Zeebietoes1@aol.com
Someone to Watch Over Me by Judith McNaught. 4 stars.
Flirting with Pete by Barbara Delinksy. 5 stars. Great finale!!!
I found both by accident as the library is in full swing for summer readers. Both are good reads.
bmailward@HotPOP.com
The Last Juror by John Grisham. 4 1/2 stars.
Probably my favorite by him so far, it takes place in his fiction town.
Tell No One by Harlan Coben. 4 1/2 stars.
A little unbelievable at times but a great page-turner.
Rena in Oklahoma
Well, my husband is really beginning to know what I like to read so well, I may send him after more books more often! He brought me one from the library that I could not put down! Normally, I hate to read a series out of order, but I was so intrigued by the book description, I laid down my obsessive tendencies and am very glad I did. I just finished reading The Killing Kind by John Connolly and was blown away by its style and its suspense. I tend to like my suspense, murder mysteries pretty dark and this one fit me to a T. I am definitely going to read his prior two. The story was compelling and the humor dark and murky. I give it a resounding rating of 5 stars.
jberger@salud.unm.edu
Miriam the Medium by Rochelle Jewel Shapiro. 5 stars.
Entertaining, heartfelt and wise. A truly wonderful story about family and love. Thoroughly enjoyable, extremely clever and well-written with true-to-life situations and characters who have to deal with crises and difficulties. Absorbing and engrossing.
unicorn91010@msn.com
Right now I'm reading The Cat Who Talked Turkey by Lilian Jackson Braun. I really like the Who series.
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