Sismilli@aol.com
For months now I have been scouring my memory to come up with the title of a book I fell in love with last spring. After looking through old book journals, I am finally able to share it with all of you other book lovers: South of Reason by Cindy Eppes. This story is told from the point of view of Kayla Marie Sanders, who is just on the cusp of adolescence. She and her mother have just moved back to Rosalita, Texas across the street from a very precocious Charles Dale, who Kayla befriends, and Charles's beautiful and mysterious mother, Lou Jean.
I would classify this book as a coming of age story that is beautiful in its tactile details, funny, sad and a little mysterious as well. I read this book around the same time that I read The Secret Life of Bees, and although that book was very good, I actually thought this one was even better, so a big 5 starolas for that. Hope you can all find it and give it a read.
Recently I finished The Last Juror by John Grisham. It is absolutely my favorite book that he has written. I hadn't even bothered with a lot of his books lately because I had become so disappointed in them. I fell in love with this town and the characters in this book. In my opinion it combined the great character-driven story type of A Painted House with his previous level of suspense to be a completely fulfilling read. This was one that really left a void in my life when I was finished with it, and to me that is always the mark of a truly great reading experience. 5 stars.
I am currently trying to fill the void with Snow in August by Pete Hamill. I have to say Pete is really coming through for me. What a great storyteller, and any book that contains the element of snow is aces in my book. I am only halfway through, but 5 stars so far for this one too.
Monica from Eau Claire
I just finished J.D. Robb's Divided in Death and thought it was pretty predictable. I have really enjoyed this series so far, but this one disappointed me a bit. 3 stars.
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. 4 1/2 stars.
Hilarious, and I found myself thinking about the characters long after I finished the book.
Ain't She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. 5 stars.
This is one of my favorite authors, and she didn't let me down this time around. Good story, good characters. Easy read, but very engaging.
I also just discovered Suzanne Brockmann as an author. I have never read her before now, but am really enjoying some of her stuff. Just finished Over the Edge, and found it interesting, fast-paced, and not at all predictable. 4 1/2 stars.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown was okay, but a bit too similar to The Da Vinci Code. 3 stars, but extra points for the interesting historical facts.
Utah Reader, SLC, Utah
I have just finished The True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey. 4 stars.
I was very surprised I got so "in" to this book, having never even picked up a western type book before this one. Book club choice. A word of caution...the writing style is very different; it is written just how the characters would speak in Australia in the 1800s. Once I became familiar with the writing style and caught the rhythm of the author, I couldn't put it down. The "Robyn Hood" type adventures of the Kelly Gang keeps the readers' interest and the "what happened next" question always at the forefront of the readers' thoughts. It is a story of family dedication, family pride, outback adventure and "right must prevail" .... The question being "Who was right?" --- the law, the bushrangers (slang for Australian outlaws), the Irish immigrants? This story shows that one man and the folklore surrounding him can have a lasting impact on the history of an entire continent. Do a search on the net for The Kelly Gang...Ned Kelly is like Elvis and Thomas Jefferson rolled into one. I know it sounds weird, but the very charismatic outlaw fighting for truth and justice for all has also stolen my heart!
bradylee@myway.com
Our Twisted Hero by Yi Munyol. 3 stars.
This Korean writer had this story translated into English and it was highly recommended, so I read the novella (128 pages). It is about boys in grade school in Korea where our "twisted hero" collides with the class bully who is charming one moment and a striking snake the next. Our hero becomes a tattletale, much to his detriment with the other students as well as his parents. This story tells of the unraveling of the bully's world and how that is accomplished and also the redemption of our hero.
AnneK7@aol.com
The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani. 5 stars.
Another nicely written book by Adriana Trigiani. You will not be disappointed.
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts. 4 stars.
My first Billie Letts book. I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more.
Maid Marian by Elsa Watson. 4 stars.
Wonderful book. Easy and fast read.
Carly.Bohach@ThomsonMedia.com
I'm reading The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. It's a great love story and I'm learning a lot about Russia.
Spizzyone@aol.com
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. 5 stars.
I liked this book a lot. I love Hiassen's wit and spunk and I appreciate how the bad guys tend to lose.
bmailward@yahoo.com
The Partner by John Grisham. 4 stars.
This is the fourth Grisham novel that I've read (The Firm, The Partner, The Summons, and The Last Juror) and out of those I liked The Last Juror the best.
BEVBOOKS@aol.com
Dakota Printer by Janet Elaine Smith. 5 stars.
This historical romance gives a wonderful view of life on the Dakota prairie in the 1800s. Smith has definitely done her research here and is a master at characterization and plotting. Mary Jane and her grandfather, "Papa" Joseph Levine, publish a small weekly newspaper in frontier Fargo in the Dakota Territory. They make enemies of the liquor suppliers and friends with the Indians. This book has it all. There is romance, a new baby born on a remote farm, the terror of arson, and George Armstrong Custer and Libby.
The V8 Ford Blues by Gordon Donnell. 4 stars.
I loved this mystery-suspense. Donnell is a fresh voice that I want to hear more of. His similes are so fresh and original, and his protagonist is so believable that I was just mesmerized.
AUGER77777@aol.com
I am currently reading Garden of Beasts by Jeffery Deaver. This is a different sort of read than I am used to from Deaver (being a fan of Lincoln Rhyme). I thought it got off to a somewhat slow start, though the premise of the book is interesting. I have been getting more and more interested as I read on. 4 stars.
peggyprobus@netscape.net
I just finished reading Michael Connelly's The Narrows. It is very good. I'm reading one of Philip Craig's Vineyard mysteries now, Murder at a Vineyard Mansion. I always enjoy these with the same cast of characters.
tiffani_ba@hotmail.com
I just finished reading The True Meaning of Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks. It's about two friends who are starting their freshman year of high school. One girl gets involved with a senior guy, who already has a girlfriend. The other has to deal with her friend's situation as well as finding out about herself and where she fits in. 3 stars.
SalbyC@aol.com
I have just finished The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. This rates 5 stars. A wonderful book told in the fascinating voice of an autistic boy.
I also read The Photograph by Penelope Lively. Initially I found it less than absorbing, but it comes together in the end. Probably ranks at 3 to 4 stars.
KP
Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan.
In this small but intriguing book, an American woman is summoned by a remote tribe of nomadic Aboriginals, who call themselves the "Real People," for what she believes is to receive an award. Instead she is to accompany them on a 4-month long walkabout through the Outback. An extremely reluctant traveler at the outset, as times goes on, while travelling through 1,400 miles of rugged desert terrain, she learns a new way of life, including their methods of healing, based on the wisdom of their 50,000-year-old culture. Ultimately, she experiences a dramatic personal transformation. That is a priceless reward in itself.
I'm reading this for the umpteenth time. When the book was first recommended to me, I was rather put off by the title but persevered because I trusted the person who recommended the book. I'm SO glad I did. After the first reading (done in one night because I just couldn't put it down), I wanted to share the story with all my friends. I always ended up without a copy at home --- mine went walkabout. So now I keep a supply of new books on hand to give to people and keep mine just for me. I return to read it again and again. Each rereading yields something new. I recommend reading the book BEFORE reading about the author and her perspective (on the back of the book). The book is also in audio form --- reading it the first time if at all possible is best and then follow up with the audio version.
Dianna@mail2her.com
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. 5+ stars.
Thankfully I overlooked the campy cover art to give this book a try! What a rib cracking adventure. Mysteries should not be so funny. Never have I laughed so much or enjoyed myself more than while reading Skinny Dip. The villain was the most inept, sorry excuse for humanity that ever put me in stitches. Needless to say, this shall not be the last Carl Hiaasen novel read by me.
Isabel's Daughter by Judith Ryan Hendricks. 5 stars.
A young woman coming to terms with herself, her friends, love, and all the stuff that life has to offer her. I could not put it down. The first book in a long, long time that I have "pulled an all-nighter" to read. Well worth it!
wendy.salomon@verizon.net
Country of Origin by Don Lee. 4 stars.
A novel about the issue of race in Japan, among other things.
Secret Smile by Nicci French. 3 stars.
Readable but predictable.
Kings of Infinite Space by James Hynes. 5 stars.
A hilarious satire of office life with an ending that jolts you out of your seat.
pcantrel@mrtc.com
I just finished reading Dark Horse by Tami Hoag. It is a fabulous book full of suspense. It will keep you turning the page just to see what happens next. Everyone should read this book.
The second book I read recently was Black Creek Crossing by John Saul. This book is wonderful. If anyone has ever read Saul books before, they will love this one. I just couldn't put it down. I had to get to the next chapter to see what was going to happen. This is a must read.
JQuick5342@aol.com
Deep Pockets by Linda Barnes. Another good one.
The Last Goodbye by Reed Arvin. Lawyerly but different.
Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben. More action off the field than on the field for this sports agent.
Rickimc@aol.com
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart. 4 stars.
A tightly woven suspense for fans of modern gothic. The story's relevance to the title is a little confusing, though.
jscady@efieldguide.com
I just started C.J. Box's latest, Trophy Hunt, another good book. I'm also reading Remember When, a great twosome by Nora Roberts, J.D. Robb. And I just finished Silent Snow by Steve Thayer, which led me to research some of the books mentioned in his Acknowledgments.
MoM3g2b@aol.com
Has to be a good book if I am sitting at a children's park and do not hear the sweet voices of kiddies running amok. I am reading Keith Ablow's Murder, Suicide. As soon as I finish I will be looking for his previous novels at my local library.
Kellyw31@aol.com
As an aspiring "chick lit" novelist, I've been immersing myself in that genre and have discovered some great books and authors. One book is Slightly Settled by Wendy Markham, which is extremely witty. I felt as if Markham was writing about me/for me.
I've also read The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney, although I'm not sure this qualifies as "chick lit." It was definitely the best book I've read the past few months. It was written in 1999 but it's out in paperback and it's fabulous. It's the story of four female friends who form a woman's club. It recounts their journey through life, each woman having a uniquely different, nonetheless universal, issue facing women today.
DIANWILLY@aol.com
How to Succeed in Business Without Working So Damn Hard by Robert Kriegel. 4 stars.
Common sense book on how to can handle our daily tasks and lives, whether in a work environment or even as an individual at home.
Catslady5@aol.com
Some Kind of Hero by Brenda Harlan. 4 stars.
This is the third in a series of a nice, fast romance/suspense. Each one was better than the next.
LINDALSHOT@aol.com
I just finished To the Nines by Janet Evanovich. Excellent! The Stephanie Plum series is a wonderful romp with great dialogue; funny characters and enough "bite" to keep you guessing until the end. Loved it!
camurray@webtv.net
I am currently reading Garden of Beasts by Jeffery Deaver. Even though I'm only halfway through the book, I give it 5 stars. I'm totally hooked and can't wait until I see how it ends. Normally, I don't peek at the last page to see the ending before I'm finished, but this time I am tempted.
MHaury2@aol.com
Earlier this year I read Shirley Hazard's The Great Fire. I know that not everyone loved this book, but I did. It was absolutely mesmerizing, despite the fact that it was long, the plot was (viewed through the lens of a cynical 21st century reader) hokey, and I had to have a dictionary with me at all times. It was so beautifully written that I wanted to linger over every sentence. It was a classic romance, but very literary and historical; it takes place just after WWII in Japan. I would give it 5 stars.
On the lighter side, I discovered a new (for me) writer. I read Earlene Fowler's Broken Dishes and was enchanted. The great thing about discovering a new/old writer is that I now can go back to a rich treasure trove of "new" books. This book is set in central California and the protagonist is a cowgirl/murder mystery solver/quilter. It has something for everyone! I love the descriptions of life on a ranch and the tension between the Benni and the hunky Detective Hudson. I would give this 4 stars.
While waiting for my library reservation of Hissy Fit to come in, I read an earlier Mary Kay Andrews, Savannah Blues. I've also read her other book and have liked both. They all seem to be stories of strong, funny, smart and attractive southern women. There was a fascinating theme having to do with American antiques in Savannah Blues. The only thing I didn't understand is why the main character actually preferred to be called "Weezie." Go figure. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars.
Dasras50@aol.com
Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah was a good summer read. I'd rate it 4 stars. I've just started reading her newest book, The Things We Do for Love, and look forward to reading more of her earlier titles.
I also read The Elegant Gathering of White Snows by Kris Radish. The story took place in my home state of Wisconsin, which made it extra appealing to me. I rate this one 3 1/2 stars.
I just finished Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult, one of my favorite authors. This one is worth 5 stars. It was interesting to read numerous reviews in last month's Word of Mouth about My Sister's Keeper, also by Jodi Picoult. I was truly moved by that story as well. I have read or intend to real all of this author's books. Since Plain Truth will soon be airing as a movie, I was most anxious to read that title next. Anyone interested in the Amish way of life should definitely read it.
ekcando@hotmail.com
Madam, the Grass is High by Dennis H. Christen. 5 stars.
I wasn't prepared for this "nice" of a story when talking about older people. I'm 65 years old and lost my husband five years ago. I've dated a little, but found reading and visiting family and friends to be more my liking. However, after reading this story, I must admit that I would love to go on a trip with other women my age and hopefully my background. It wouldn't have to be Hawaii, but the author really brought some of the locations there to life. I found the characters to be really fun and not too much different from me. I recommend this story to anyone who likes things nice. Don't get me wrong, the story has its challenges for the characters, but the way they are presented and the way they are solved was simply "nice."
Lorraine3@aol.com
Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss.
For all of us unfortunates who sat through mind-numbing English classes, diagramming sentences, this book is a revelation! If only we had had some fun learning punctuation, I'm sure we'd be all the better for it. It is funny while actually teaching when to use a comma, the history of the period at the end of a sentence, and telling all about the marvelous apostrophe!
Pat76273@aol.com
Brick Lane by Monica Ali.
Ali is from Bangladesh and lives in London. She writes about a Bengali man in London who has a young Bengali woman come to London to be his wife. Told from her perspective as a non-English speaking person in a foreign place and how she finds her way.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
A wonderful, epic story about a young boy in Madrid who has lost his mother. His father owns a bookstore and takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books to pick one special book that he reads and then must find out more about the author. Parallels exist between the author and the young man's life, helping him make life decisions.
The Fractal Murders by Mark Cohen.
His debut novel. A good mystery about three mathematicians who are experts in fractal geometry and have died within a close time period. Another mathematician suspects these are murders --- not accidents or illnesses. She hires a special investigator to find out the connection. Very well-written and very good plot line. Set in the mountains of Colorado and the city of Denver and Nederland.
You Remind Me of Me by Dan Chaon.
A complex story that jumps back and forth in time telling the story of two brothers and their separate lives. One was given up for adoption by a teen mother, while the other was born to her a few years later. The older one goes in search of the younger one and problems arise when their paths cross.
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen.
My first time to read one of his books. This was hilarious and a page-turner. Chaz throw his wife, Joey, overboard while on a cruise but she doesn't die. She lives and takes revenge --- quite funny.
A Hole in Texas by Herman Wouk.
A great book from this venerated author, it covers the superconducting super collider that was to be built in Texas but was halted by Congress (this part is true). But he takes off from this point with a story of his own making, giving the reader hints of how inside Washington works.
GerryD8784@aol.com
Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson. 5 stars
A fascinating and extremely well-written account of the deep-wreck divers who discovered a WWII German U-Boat off the coast of New Jersey in 1991 and spent the next six years exploring, researching, and finally identifying it. Kurson has done an admirable job of explaining the techniques and dangers of deep-sea diving, and the passion that led these men to pursue their seemingly impossible quest to learn the identity of the submarine and the crew that was lost when it went down.
Inside the Kingdom by Carmen Bin Ladin. 3 stars.
Though not always well-written, this is still a consistently interesting memoir of Carmen's life with the Bin Ladin family. Married to one of Osama Bin Ladin's 24 brothers, Carmen had an inside view of the family (including 22 wives, 25 sons, and 28 daughters of Sheik Mohammed Bin Ladin) that formed the largest and most prosperous construction company in Saudi Arabia, forged strong ties to the al-Saud family that has ruled Saudia Arabia since the 1930s, and spawned the terrorist believed to be responsible for the 9/11 attack on the U.S.
Body Double by Tess Gerritsen. 3 1/2 stars.
Pathologist Maura Isles returns home from a conference in Paris to find her home is a crime scene, and a woman found dead in a car outside the home who looks exactly like Maura, enough so that her many friends and acquaintances at the scene believed it was she, until she stunned them with her arrival. Seeking more information about the mysterious woman, Maura tracks her path back to a small town in Maine, where another grisly discovery awaits.
Little Children by Tom Perrotta. 3 stars.
The children referred to in the title may well be the thirty-something parents, not their young children, living their lives in boredom and pathetic regret over the choices they've made and the successes they haven't found, and refusing to grow up and take responsibility for their own lives. Perrotta's portrayal of several couples over the course of a summer in a small town near Boston is mildly entertaining but bleak, and hopefully does not represent the majority of the latest generation of young parents.
Crescent by Diana Abu-Jaber. 2 stars.
Lyrical writing but ultimately too slow moving for me. A thirty-nine year old unmarried female Iraqi chef in Los Angeles is courted by a handsome but mysterious professor from a local university.
Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths by Bruce Feiler. 3 stars.
A selection from the Chapter-A-Day online book club that I wouldn't likely have noticed on my own. Feiler explores different interpretations of Abraham in Islam, Judaism and Christianity, seeking some common ground for adherents to these three major religions to come together rather than fight against one another.
The Elegant Gathering of White Snows by Kris Radish. 2 stars.
I'm not sure what I think or feel about this one. It felt somehow as if I'd walked into the middle of a story, with interesting characters that I wished I could know better, but I'd already missed too much. The story centers on a group of women who suddenly decide just to leave everything behind and "take care of themselves" by walking, apparently aimlessly, through the countryside for about three days and nights. But without more background, it was hard to figure out why they felt the need, or how this particular choice of activity helped meet that need. Radish left me wanting more, but also wondering if it would be worth the effort to read even if she provided it.
Rcjebrown@aol.com
I am currently reading Stephen King's Wolves of the Calla, the fifth volume in the Dark Tower series. 4 stars.
I had begun The Gunslinger, Volume 1 years ago but never got through Volume 2. With the soon-to-be released final volume looming, I decided to start again and I am glad that I did. Stephen King at the top of his game.
KLOZIER40@aol.com
The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields. 3 stars.
The book covers the entire life and death of Daisy Stone-Flett. Not that interesting a life.
High Country by Nevada Barr. 4 stars.
Set in Yosemite, Anna Pigeon poses as a waitress to ferret out where four missing workers have disappeared. Lots of intrigue.
My Life by Bill Clinton. 3 stars.
Almost an easy-to-read journal of his day-to-day happenings, places he visited, and accomplishments he made. If you read it strictly for the sexual content, you will be disappointed because there isn't anything new to add to that story.
InfoGrrl@aol.com
I just finished reading Alan Patton's Cry, the Beloved Country. This is a wonderful story about South Africa and the hardships experienced by the people living there. I wept through the final pages, so have a Kleenex handy. I give it 5 stars.
I'm currently reading Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It is a lovely record of the author's solitary retreat to an island to reflect upon the meaning of her life. I won't rate it since I haven't finished, but it is an enjoyable read.
Donna of New Berlin
Nighttime is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark. 4 stars.
I enjoyed this mystery. Six girls who went to school together and all sat at the same table made fun of someone who stuttered. They meet at a reunion and find that some will pay the price for being cruel in school. It was very good.
JohnSSta@aol.com
Islands by Anne Rivers Siddons.
A great story about childhood friends who continue their friendship throughout their adult life. It takes place in Charleston and along the Atlantic coast in the Low Country --- places I have visited. A great character study.
Trisher2@aol.com
Ghost Ship by Brian Hicks
This is the mysterious true story of the brigantine ship Mary Celeste and her missing crew, and I rate it 5 stars. I am currently reading this book and have been taken back to another time. The writer's ability to make you feel as though you were actually present as the events of the Mary Celeste unfold is remarkable. The hardships and tragedies of the seafaring families of the past are brought to life as well as the mystery of the disappearance of the captain, his wife and child and crew when this ill-fated vessel is found floating off the coast of Portugal.
Leanne Mitchell, Sequim, WA
The Exile by Allan Folsom. 5 stars. (wish there were more!!)
I have just read Allan Folsom's new book, The Exile, and I can say, without any reservations, that it has been an eternity since I have read a finer thriller...probably since his last, Day of Confession! It starts off with a "WHOA, did I just read that?" within the first two pages…and doesn't stop until the last page when the same reaction sets in again! His premise floors you, but then again, one realizes that this idea is not so far off as to maybe one day occur. His characters are totally believable, complete with their "humanity" and "foibles" --- no supermen here. And just when the twists and turns are making you start to think you've lost track of what is
happening, his main character "explains" to another character what has happened in this labyrinth of a story. WHAT A BOOK! I couldn't put it down and when finished, I passed it on to my husband with a "just wait" caveat. He went to bed and started the book. The first thing he said to me the next morning was, "How am I going to keep up this pace?" I told him, "Don't worry --- just hang on!"
hokajo@cox.net
Currently I am reading Sandra Brown's White Hot and, though only 1/4 into it, I'm giving it 4 stars. As usual, the reader gets a vivid picture of the environment (in this book, the heat and humidity of LA) and with just a few descriptive sentences, you instantly get a feel for each character's character.
I'm also slogging through William Martin's Harvard Yard. 3 stars. It's HUGE and skips back and forth between present day and the beginnings of Harvard "College." Although Martin is a good writer, it's very slow going. There's not enough present-day suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat, but what really irks me is that there is no explanatory foreword or afterword to help distinguish what is truth and what is fiction in this tale. With so much historical detail, I'd find it helpful.
Norbles@aol.com
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 4 stars.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 4 1/2 stars.
3rd Degree by James Patterson. 3 stars.
Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson. 1 star.
Easter Island by Jennifer Vanderbes. 4 stars.
Deception Point by Dan Brown. 2 stars.
Cloish049@aol.com
The Color of Water by James McBride. 5 stars.
A second read, but well worth it!
Audrey in PA
I just finished reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries and is addicted to books. The novel tells the story of Daniel, the son of a bookseller, who is taken to the Cemetery of Lost Books and allowed to select one book whose future rests in his hands. Daniel then tries to uncover the life of the author and solve the mystery of why someone has tried to remove from history this author and his body of works. I would rate this book 4 1/2 stars.
Clogwoman@aol.com
Bait and Switch by Larry Brooks.
Hard for me to get into, but loved it once I did. I look forward to more of his books.
The Crush by Sandra Brown.
Very, very entertaining.
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiassen.
Not his very best book. I only laughed out loud a few times, but I truly enjoy every word he writes.
Moon Women by Pamela Duncan.
Not sure what prompted me to read this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I almost felt as if the characters were "kin" and will seek out anything else she writes.
The Epicure's Lament by Kate Christensen.
Very dark humor but great reading!
RaineCannici@aol.com
I just devoured the most wonderful book, Liars and Saints by Maile Meloy. An exquisite portrayal of the way our lies interfere with and change the course of our lives, particularly when they involve our family. It spans three generations of an ordinary family -- leading them into extraordinary circumstances by the choices they make. It is powerful, passionate and fearless, and I couldn't put it down. Absolutely 5 stars plus!!!
Deb1teach@aol.com
The Society by Michael Palmer was a great medical thriller, especially when our medical insurance is under so much controversy today. I give this book 5 stars.
OcalaRose@aol.com
McNally's Dare by Vincent Lardo (Lawrence Sanders). 5 stars.
This is light humor fiction that is extremely accurate in Palm Beach area detail and the people who live there. Archy McNally is such a lovable, humorous, pompous sleuth who flits around high society solving one mystery after another. Always easy reading and a shelf grabber every time. I've read these novels from the first one and will continue to add to my collection without fail. Archy McNally could easily be the fellow who charmed you in passing that you never forgot.
Marlie Warren, St. George, Utah
I thought I had read ALL of Elizabeth Berg's books but, alas, I found ONE MORE! I'm loving it as I did all the rest. This one is Never Change and goes BEYOND 5 stars! Elizabeth Berg writes like everyday life and writes like so many of us "think." Her books are always hard to put down! I personally will NEVER CHANGE from thinking that she rocks when it comes to being an incredible author!
Debby236@aol.com
I just finished Ill Wind by Rachel Caine. It is science fiction and a wonderful story. This is the second book in the series about Weather Wardens. They are very exciting books and I couldn't put them down. I give them 5 stars.
vicklea@earthlink.net
I am almost finished with J.A. Jance's latest thriller, Day of the Dead. Although you know from the beginning who the bad guys are, the suspense of how the good guys will catch them is well worth the read. I just started it yesterday and only have about 80 pages to go...it's a book that is hard to put down! 4 stars!
Comella2729@aol.com
I highly recommend the books of Gail Godwin. I recently finished Evenings at Five, Father Melancholy's Daughter, and Evensong. Godwin writes finely crafted novels, filled with provocative ideas and fascinating characters. She once said in an interview with Rob Neufeld that she has been "on a decades-long search for a powerful and centering spirit." This search is evident in her work in that all of her novels involve religious or theological thought. Her work definitely rates 5 stars.
Another book I just completed is Inside the Kingdom by Carmen Bin Ladin, the sister-in-law of Osama Bin Ladin. In my opinion this book has been highly overrated. It is poorly written and reveals little about the place of women in Saudi society. I would agree with a previous reviewer who called it a "vanity piece." 1 star or below.
buebel@worldnet.att.net
I'm currently reading Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen...what a hoot! Sooo funny! A fast read, lots of witty dialogue --- a movie "must." My first book I've read by this author, but certainly not my last.
KSATAN25@aol.com
I have just finished reading From a Buick 8 by Stephen King. I would give it 3 stars. It is a really good book even though it's not as scary as I had hoped it would be.
NGroves@aol.com
Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett. 5 stars.
This novel explores a failed 19th century Arctic expedition to find the crew (or their remains) lost from an earlier voyage of discovery. The leader of the expedition turns out to be more interested in making a name for himself at any cost than seeing to the well being of his crew. What sets this book apart is its look at issues of the day rather than only the shipboard events. For example, the author brings in the debate over evolution and whether the native peoples of the Arctic and other "uncivilized" parts of the world were a different species or even human. She also focuses on the women who, instead of being portrayed only as waiting patiently for their men to come home, chafe at being left behind and want opportunities to use their talents and abilities at more than domestic chores. An excellent book.
Dry by Augusten Burroughs. 4 stars.
This is the sequel to Burroughs's outrageous and hilarious autobiography, Running with Scissors. It picks up his life in his early 20s, when he has a good job as an advertising copywriter in New York City but finds himself forced into rehab when alcoholism impairs his ability to function at work. The gay-oriented rehab center he chooses is nothing like he imagines it, but he does make progress and manages to stay dry for an extended period until a friend's AIDS-related crisis sends him back over the edge. Burroughs elicits sympathy but never tries to evade responsibility for his own poor choices or gloss over the severity of his problems. There's still quite a bit of wry humor in the book, although those hoping for a repeat of Running with Scissors might be disappointed.
The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty. 4 stars.
A coming of age story set in a small Kansas town during the Reagan era. We meet Evelyn Bucknow when she's about 10 and living happily with her single mom in a cheap apartment. She begins to get a glimpse of the unfairness of life when her mother's "nice" married boss turns out to be her lover and abruptly leaves town just before she discovers she's pregnant. The baby is born with severe mental and physical disabilities, just about ending any chance his mother would have of ever getting a decent job and improving their situation. Evelyn, meanwhile, struggles to reconcile the fundamentalist teachings of her grandmother's church with events going on in the lives of those close to her. How can the mother she loves be an "adulteress"? If premarital sex is wrong, what is she supposed to do when her best friend, at 14, is cutting class to have sex with her boyfriend (and smoke marijuana, despite the fact that Nancy Reagan urges kids to "just say no")? If Jews are so terrible, why does she like her new algebra teacher, who happens to be Jewish. And if the Bible is literally true, why is Evelyn beginning to think her beloved science teacher is right in insisting that students be exposed to the theory of evolution? A well written portrait of a young girl trying to sort her way to adulthood in a messy world.
Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton. 3 stars.
A slim novel in which a stray dog on the doorstep of an elderly widow sets off a chain reaction that ends with her deciding to take the dogcatcher's juvenile delinquent teenage nephew into her home to see if she can set him on the right path. He's willing to take a chance, too, after getting a taste of her home cooking and especially her pound cake (but not before casing her house to see what he might steal). A delightful look at some everyday folks.
BUSY MOM
I just finished reading The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger and am in the middle of Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. What a joy to read a first novel back to back with a Pulitzer Prize-winning one, and see what it is that makes writers write.
Both books have a wonderful sense of place, be it New York City in the women's magazine publishing ghetto, or the settlement of the West in the 1800s. The first novel by Weisberger is full of excitement and youthful verve to get her immediate feelings about what she went through onto the page. It makes for fun reading.
At the same time, reading the more mature Stegner (years and career), who takes his time letting us get to know his characters, spinning a wider, more wistful geography of the place about which he is writing, makes one interested in reading what comes next from a talent like Weisberger.
Both are novels about women forging their way in territory that is interesting and not available to all of us from first hand experience. Only novels. Read both of them!
mohendies@earthlink.net
Garden of Beasts by Jeffrey Deaver. 5 stars.
I love all of his books. There are a lot of twists and turns to this one.
The Seduction of Water by Carol Goodman. 4 stars.
I loved the story within a story. A combination of mystery, fantasy and romance.
The Madman's Tale by John Katzenbach. 4 stars.
Since the "author" of this story hears voices and was institutionalized, how believable is his tale?
No Second Chance by Harlan Coben. 5 stars.
Once you think you've figured this one out...bam, you're wrong! Great author!
The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte. 5 stars.
A thinking man's mystery. Loved the story within the painting. You don't need to play chess to like this book.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 5 stars.
One of the best books I read this summer.
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
She still makes me laugh.
ctritt@comcast.net
I'm currently reading Allan Folsom's The Exile, which is excellent as are his other books. Really enjoying the read.
maestraw@msn.com
I just completed an ARC of The Empire of the Wolves by Jean-Christophe Grangé. There are so many twists and turns in this novel, you will feel like you have been riding rides in an amusement park. Just when you think you might have figured it out, something unexpected occurs. This is an excellent novel full of intrigue and battles of many minds. I would rate it 4 1/2 stars.
roginaru@yahoo.com
I just began My Invented Country by Isabel Allende and already I am caught up in this lovely book. Ms. Allende has long been one of my favorite authors, but this book far surpasses anything previous. I am loving every exquisitely crafted sentence.
LindaKLankford@aol.com
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
I have to say that I am really enjoying this book! I am so sad that I am just about to the end of the book. I am anxious to find out how it will end, but I don't want it to be over.
Sharon in Lancaster, OH
I just read Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman by Elizabeth Buchan, and I give it 4 stars. Rose Lloyd, married for 25 years, mother of 2 grown children, thought that she had a stable marriage and a good job until it all crumbled down around her at once. She learned that her husband was in love with her friend, and the friend was selected to take over Rose's job. She mourned what she'd known as her comfort zone, but little by little her life changed slowly into something different but pleasant again.
Lori McHugh
I have finally gotten around to reading Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell. I love her books and my motivation to finish this one is that her new novel Trace comes out this week. I have 3 children so reading is a luxury for me. This was not my favorite Cornwell book. I have to say I am tired of the Wolfman character. He is just a little grotesque for me, but I guess that is what the Cornwell books are about. Although this one does offer a surprise, I am still hoping that Trace will be more reminiscent of some of Cornwell's earlier books.
Also, for children, I really recommend Bambi (the novel) by Felix Salten. I read it as a child and my high schooler read it in 4th grade, and we both absolutely loved it. I was fortunate enough to at least find a paperback copy at Barnes and Noble so I can start reading it with my daughter who is in third grade. We are currently reading Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. What a comical book about life in the 6th grade! I have also found that my children really love the Lemony Snicket books.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Child of My Heart by Alice McDermott. 4 stars.
Beautifully written coming-of-age story of a 15-year-old girl.
bradylee@myway.com
Blinded by the Sunlight: Emerging from the Prison of Saddam's Iraq by Matthew McAllester. 5 stars.
The author, from Great Britain, was in Abu Ghraib prison as an inmate for a short time before the overthrowing of Hussein and his description of his stay there is educating and interesting. However, the bulk of the book and the best part is his explanation of the general citizenry, how they live, and of having to be on the defensive 100% of the time...to live. On page 75: "Human Rights Watch estimates that about 290,000 Iraqis were killed during Saddam Hussein's regime." If someone had stopped Hitler's rise to fame in the 30s, our world would be different and probably better. I am absolutely convinced that our war with Iraq and deposing Hussein was in the world's interest and saved untold hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. I do believe this book goes a long way in showing why this is a true statement. All of the events written about occurred before, during, and then after the war. WMD is a non-entity after reading this!
wandajb@yahoo.com
Right now I'm just finishing up The Senator's Daughter by Victoria Gotti. She is a wonderful writer and I can hardly wait to read subsequent books she's written. I give this book a 5-star rating.
Before that I read Life's Like That by Max Haines. It was interesting to see another side to the famous crime writer. I give this book a 4-star rating.
I've also finished reading The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. An awesome read! Lots of tears flowed while reading that one! I would definitely rate that one 5 stars.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. 5 stars.
I just finished this book, couldn't read it fast enough! This is my top book for the year 2004. Just ordered it online so I could have it for my collection. I don't know how to begin to describe it, it transports you to a different world. The author is from Spain; this spent a year on the bestseller list. If we can get the word out, I'm sure it would move up the bestseller list here. It has mystery, romance, suspense, history. Make sure to read this!!!
Bjglu@aol.com
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. 5 stars.
I love this book! You will too if you're the kind of person who finds grammar and punctuation mistakes in the paper and on retail signs, and it drives you crazy. Plus, it's witty and fun.
You Remind Me of Me by Dan Chaon. 4 stars.
Lovely, well-written novel about family, connections and the paths we choose.
Bettys1870@aol.com
I just read The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. 4 stars.
Part memoir, part romance, part science fiction, part coming of age. The book gets better as you read along and think about what you have read. It is a very long book, but worth the time.
I just started The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. Looking forward to solving the puzzle.
kelley899@iowadsl.net
I read On Fire's Wings by Christie Golden. The first book of a great epic fantasy and I can't wait to read the next ones. 5 stars.
I also read Dead Even by Mariah Stewart. It's the third book in a trilogy. A great romantic suspense. 4 1/2 stars.
Kathy from Severna Park
Blow Out by Catherine Coulter. 5 stars.
As a fan of the Dillon and Sherlock Savitch books, I eagerly began this one. This is as good as the others have been. The story line is fast paced and the events quickly draw the famous duo's crime investigation abilities into the fray. Because the author has written several books with the duo as stars, she doesn't have to do much character development and focus on developing the characters in this particular story, which she does quite well. I highly recommend it to any fans or would-be fans.
bradylee@myway.com
Walking to Vermont: From Times Square Into the Green Mountains - A Homeward Adventure by Christopher S. Wren. 3 stars.
I would call this a quiet book; pleasant storytelling with rippling rhythms of then and now. The author is a retired NY Times foreign correspondent who retires in Manhattan and the next day he starts walking to Vermont (near Hanover) where he is going to live. He walks on the Appalachian Trail where the distance is almost 400 miles and he accomplishes this in 5 weeks moving through 5 states. He tells of his experiences while on the trail with frequent interjections of incidences overseas while working for his newspaper. I feel he could have elaborated more about his overseas experiences as they were interesting, but took up from one paragraph to one page in space...oh well, I guess that is another book. He meets some interesting characters on the way, but because of the nature of his quest, nothing is permanent. I thought he hiked in a most sensible manner as every so often he would rent a motel/cabin, get a good meal in a local cafe, and take a shower/bath to clean off all the accumulated crud, and stop in to see past friends in their homes (which were on the way) and stay for a day or two. He accomplished his goal and derived great satisfaction in doing so, and then wrote a book about it.
joswood@adiis.net
Dark Harvest by Karen Harper. 4 stars.
I picked this up because I enjoy reading stories set in the Amish communities. This one takes place in such a community in Ohio. Somebody is harassing and then killing Amish children and adults. Kat Lindly, ex-police officer, goes undercover in the home of an Amish family to try to find out who is the villain. It is an extremely suspenseful novel, one that I read into the wee hours of the morning. There is also a romance involved that makes a nice counterbalance to all the violence. Another fantastic Amish mystery is Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult.
Hear No Evil by James Grippando. 5 stars.
This is one of the best courtroom dramas that I have ever read. Lindsay Pintado is accused of murdering her husband in Guantanamo Bay Naval Station in Cuba. Attorney Jack Swyteck is hired to defend her. The trial has more twists and turns than usual, and you are constantly whipped back and forth in your beliefs about guilt or innocence. I also enjoyed the Cuban ambiance of the plot. We actually "visit" Cuba twice during the book, and it was interesting to get a glimpse of life there. Don't miss this one.
bab@tennis.com
Royal Heist by Lynda La Plante. 5 stars.
Excellent mystery set in England with great character portrayal and an exceptional storyline that never lets up.
rojosho@hotmail.com
Priceless by Marne Kellogg. 5 stars.
Fascinating mystery with interesting characters and story that never loses its momentum. Loved every single page and was sorry it ended.
jberger@salud.unm.edu
Deception by Denise Mina. 5 stars.
Mesmerizing and enthralling mystery that is totally gripping and fabulous. Excellent story and characters that have you enmeshed in their lives and the entire novel.
realbencann@yahoo.com
A Road Through The Mountains by Elizabeth McGregor. 5 stars.
Sensitively written novel about love and heartbreak. Written with understanding, empathy and pathos. Could read it forever. Wonderful realistic characters who are indelibly etched.
cas2gether@yahoo.com
Standing Still by B.A. Webb. 5 stars!
I can't say enough about this book so I'm spreading the word! This is a new author and I obtained a pre-release from a mutual friend. Absolutely fell in love with the story and could so relate to every word, right down to the depiction of the '80s!
If you have ever wondered what might have happened with a past love, ever thought about searching the Internet for someone, or ever imagined how differently your life might have turned out, you'll love this book. Really engaging and very inspiring!
Antosi8@aol.com
I just finished In the Country of the Young by Lisa Carey and give it only 2 stars! This was the most unusual and weirdest book I have ever read! It's actually a ghost story. This book starts out in 1848 on a stormy night when a ship carrying 100 Irish immigrants to America runs aground 20 miles off the coast of Maine. Then it shifts to the present day in Maine. The beginning of the book until the middle is okay but then it gets really weird. Every other paragraph shifts from 1847 to present day and confusion follows the reader. What she writes is not the least believable --- such as a 14-year-old having sex in a graveyard with a ghost! I had to finish the book just to find out the outcome but really couldn't say I enjoyed reading it. I read her first book, The Mermaids Singing, and really liked it. I picked the book off the library shelves. It was written in the year 2000.
Tmzemke@comcast.net
Some pre-pub books that I've just finished:
The Covenant by Naomi Ragen. 4 stars.
Four women prisoners at Auschwitz make a "covenant" to protect each other and their families for life. Skip 2 generations and a granddaughter's husband and daughter have been taken hostage by a terrorist cell in Israel. Ragen manages to put a face to terrorism. Scary, but a timely tale. Ragen is a great author and this is one of her best.
Serving Crazy with Curry by Amulya Malladi. 4 stars.
A summer in the life of Devi Veturi, the American born daughter of traditional Indian parents. She comes from a family of overachievers and she feels like a failure...at everything. The book opens as she attempts suicide, but she even fails at that. This is a great story of 2nd generation East Indians who live in 2 worlds...their parents and theirs, which is America.
Songbird by Walter Zacharius. 3 stars.
The story of 15-year-old Mia Levy, a musically talented, middle-class, Jewish girl, whose life is changed forever by World War II. This book is written by the 80-year-old CEO and owner of Kensington Publications. Somewhat stilted language...how easy could it be for an 80-year-old man to write from the perspective of a young girl? It's worth reading as a historical fiction tale.
bradylee@myway.com
Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox. 5 stars.
I am not particularly interested in swimming per se, but am most interested in knowing about the human spirit, which is eternally changing and developing. This story should put wings on your aspirations and have Lynne Cox as the one to look up to. Major swimming accomplishments were attained at her age, 14, and more daring successes kept continuing. You understand her direct focus to attain her goals; her planning and extremely strong desires over a period of years that result in fair accompli. I would call this story "stunning" and of such import that I will keep track of what Lynne Cox is doing today and tomorrow; she is a major force for harmony in this world!
marychambers@yahoo.com
The Toll Gate by Georgette Heyer. 5 stars.
A refreshing old time but not typical romance. It's about a boy and I love books about children.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
This is the first book in the series. I enjoyed this book much better than The Da Vinci Code, which comes second.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 2 stars.
I should have listened to my book club who didn't want to read this book. Sometimes I wonder about Oprah's choices.
Never Change by Elizabeth Berg. 4 stars.
I have enjoyed all of Berg's books, including the one Oprah picked, Open House.
mbennett@carmel.lib.in.us
I listened to David Sedaris's book Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim in the car and almost wrecked the car laughing so hard! 5 stars.
I also just finished Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank. It was an enjoyable read. 4 stars.
tmzemke@comcast.net
Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag. 5 stars.
A thriller set in Los Angeles and one of this author's best!
RunicRamblings@msn.com
Three books totally enthralled me this summer of which two had me reading straight through the night until I reached their conclusions. The first was Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews (aka Kathy Hogan Trocheck). 5 stars. This is the same author who reported on the famous Jim Williams's murder trial featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The book leads you through Savannah's famous historic district in search of antiques, where revenge, murder, Catholic idiosyncrasies, and the perils of living close to an ex after divorce will have you on the edge of your seat. Ms. Andrews even incorporates one of Savannah's famous Ardsley Park Supper Clubs.
Book two was Shout Down the Moon by Lisa Tucker. 4 stars. This book totally captivated me and I spent another late night of reading unable to put the book down. Single mom or not, everyone can relate to overcoming life's challenges to reach your dreams.
Book three was The Honey Thief by Elizabeth Graver, another 5 stars. I hated to put this book down. I started reading it during my summer mid-terms, so it took me longer to finish. I loved the way the author unraveled the mystery of adolescence and a mother's fear of mental illness in her child.
bfjohnston@mpamacs.org
Amagansett by Mark Mills was a terrific read. 5 stars. He certainly did his research in time period and locale, plus some great characters and plot.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult could have been a 5-star book; it was until the cop-out ending. Picoult had the courage to tackle a real moral dilemma with no black and white sides but didn't have the courage to see it through.
4 stars for The Winds of Change by Martha Grimes; I always enjoy Richard Jury and Melrose Plant, but Grimes may have been spending too much time with Andrew Vachss --- it really wasn't necessary to have so many of the characters endure the death of a child and/or pedophilia.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas. 5 stars
This book was great. I read it in one day. It's an inside look at growing up in America as a young girl from Iran. It's good to take a look at how others live and have come to this country. Makes you realize how people, regardless of race, color, age and sex, are all basically the same. Same human emotions, etc. And her dad is a riot!!!!! Fun read!
Bossu49@aol.com
The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader. 5 stars.
Great read. More of Jason Bourne's non-stop adventures.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
Fast-paced, interesting.
Kathy from Severna Park
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. 5+stars.
I took the review of joswood@adiis.net seriously and went to the library and got this book. The story is well done and quite funny. I like the basic plot. While on a cruise to celebrate their 2nd anniversary, a husband throws his wife overboard. Instead of dying, as the husband expects, the wife is rescued by an ex-policeman and takes revenge on the husband. The author develops the plot, characters and setting well. I will definitely be looking for something else written by this author. It has been a while since I laughed so much reading a good book. A must for summer reading --- that might just make the summer linger a bit longer for you.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Donorboy by Brendan Halpin. 4 stars.
A quirky fiction book that was a good story and an easy read. I read it in a day. I read that this book is based loosely on his real life. Good for someone who has experienced a death in the family.
Peggy from Succasunna
I have just read After Sorrow Comes Joy by Cherie Clark. I would rate this book 5 stars. It is about Cherie Clark's struggle to help and sometimes adopt Vietnamese children. She is one of the women who was truly responsible for evacuating so many babies in the Operation Babylift during the fall of Saigon. While I disagreed with many of her decisions, I still found her a heroic figure in our history with Vietnam.
I am now reading Finding Katherine by Dr. Ellen Fitzenrider. I have just started the book, but I feel as I am going that I would have to give it 2 1/2 stars. This book too is about a woman going to Vietnam to adopt a child. She keeps wandering off with her belief in Buddhism, which I find a bit distracting. I am hopeful it will turn into a good read.
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