|
jerrydrb18@yahoo.com
I recently finished About a Boy by Nick Hornby. This is a very insightful book about growing up. I would recommend it and his other books. 4 stars.
Also I read Tad Williams's book The War of the Flowers. This fantasy is not part of a series. It is nice to have a fantasy novel in one volume (definitely not the trend). Even so, it was almost 700 pages. It held my interest with its locale in Faerie and the dilemma of the decidedly unheroic hero. 3 stars.
fochler@erols.com
I have read a lot of books this summer. Some of the best were:
The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez. 4 stars.
A great read. Funny and heartwarming about a group of women who stick together through all the bad boyfriends, scandals, and tragedies of life. Men may come and go but your "girlfriends" are always there to help you pick up the pieces. I know from my own life experiences, I have "girlfriends" who have been with me through grade school, high school, college, children and grandchildren, deaths, births and everything else. Some are much closer than even family --- they are family. The ones I chose, or did they choose me?
Child of My Heart by Alice McDermott. 4 stars.
Another very good story, one I found I couldn't put down. I read in one day. Very well written with characters you really "care" about.
The Blessed Event by Jean Reynolds Page. 5 stars.
By far one of the BEST stories I have read this summer. Without giving the story away, two close girlfriends have entered into an agreement for surrogacy --- but a horrible accident (?) happens. Should they continue with the pregnancy even if the mother is dead --- or should they let the baby die with its mother? Who should have the baby? Lots of questions with NO easy answers. This is a book that will make you think about what is "morally" right and wrong. It is very well written with "heart-stopping" suspense. What will happen?
I also read:
Mary of Bellingham by Anneke Campbell. 5 stars.
A story about a young pregnant unwed teenager who finds love and acceptance from strangers. One of those "you can't put down" books. I fell in love with this book, and I hope to read more from this author. She is very, very talented.
Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews. 4 stars.
Hysterically funny. A bride catches her soon-to-be hubby in a compromising position and has a very good old-fashioned southern Hissy Fit. A must-read for this summer.
Between Earth and Eternity by Margaret Marrs. 5 stars.
A paranormal romance but very, very interesting. I loved this story.
Catslady5@aol.com
Some Kind of Hero by Brenda Harlan. 4 stars.
The third of a series of romantic suspenses. The first is Extreme Measures and the second is McIver's Mission. Each one was better than the next. A balanced blend of both.
KINDLEELF@aol.com
Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs. 5 stars.
Another Tempe Brennen winner.
The Last Juror by John Grisham. 5 stars.
Excellent writing.
The Murder Stone by Charles Todd. 5 stars.
Set in the autumn of 1916, it centers on a curse placed on the Hattons.
Death of Riley by Rhys Bowen. 5 stars.
Good mystery, adventure.
Epitaph and Derailed by James Siegel. 5 stars for each.
Of the two novels, Derailed is faster
The Way to Paradise by Mario Vargas Llosa. 5+ stars.
Delves into the story of Paul Gauguin. It is affectionate, astute and equally erotic and caustic. This is a double portrait of a study of passion and ambition.
No Angel by Penny Vincenzi. 5 stars.
Entertaining and unforgettable characters and plot.
Rickimc@aol.com
The Crown of Dalemark by Diana Wynne Jones. 4 stars.
This was the best book by far in "The Dalemark Quartet." Written more than a decade after the other three, Jones's writing style was more action-packed and breezier.
Flesh Tones by M. J. Rose. 2 stars.
This was a well-written story, but it was a downer. Even novels that are supposed to be depressing do not make me feel as low as this one did.
Carosp@aol.com
A Hole in Texas by Herman Wouk. 4 stars.
Herman Wouk has been writing books for probably 50 years, yet this one was still great. I really enjoyed reading it. Interesting characters, interesting concept. I was just a little disappointed in the ending, but it's worth reading.
Double Play by Robert B. Parker. 4 stars.
A Robert B. Parker book that doesn't feature Spenser, but is still a great read. The story takes place in the 1940s, and is about a WWII veteran who is kind of lost after the war, and is hired to guard Jackie Robinson. It's about him starting to put his life back together, among many other things.
levelground_032@hotmail.com
I'm currently reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I love the descriptive detail and the historical facts. The way she writes brings me back to 1742 Scotland. Its an incredible epic.
Jan
I just finished The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. It's quite long, but I could hardly put it down. How many of us knew there was another Boleyn girl --- Mary? The author brings history alive for us.
And then I zipped through Kent Haruf's The Tie That Binds. This is his first novel and you would swear a "good ole boy" was telling the story. I've read his Plainsong, which has a sequel out now. The paperback edition will be out next month and I can hardly wait.
els@core.com
I have just read The Zero Game by Brad Meltzer and Acorna's Rebels by Anne McCaffrey. I would give The Zero Game 4 stars. I could see it as a movie; it reminds me of The Pelican Brief. As for Acorna's Rebels, I would give it 3 stars.
bmailward@gmail.com
Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett. 4 1/2 stars.
Great book. It tells a story of corruption in a town in the deep south. A guy from San Francisco comes to the town to clean it up. It is run by the mob. A woman is killed and a whodunit ensues.
SalbyC@aol.com
I took to heart all the positive reviews I read through Word of Mouth on My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I found the book to be riveting, with excellent characterizations. It certainly rates 5 stars from me. I take issue with a reviewer who felt the ending was a "cop out." Although the ending certainly had an unexpected twist, I felt that the major questions had been resolved prior to this. This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I will now look at some of her other titles.
AUGER77777@aol.com
I have been reading Perelandra by C.S. Lewis. This is the second of his Space Trilogy. It is a fascinating tale combining science fiction with Christian analogy (like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe). In this story, the main character, Ransom, defeats the devil in a way that is so simple that it makes you wonder why he (or you) never thought of it before. 5 stars.
Kirsten from Graham
Derailed by James Siegel. 4 stars.
My father gave me this book after he finished reading it. I really enjoyed it. The book is narrated and you are reading a story along with the narrator, which then becomes the narrator's story. Sound confusing? Not at all. The narrator then falls into reminiscing about how he ends up where he is. There is one graphic scene that is a bit uncomfortable to read. But it is an excellent example of how one mistake in a person's life can cause a domino effect, ruining and destroying all that he THINKS are important. How it really is true that a lie can spread and just continue to cause problems way beyond that one lie, that one mistake.
Even though I had long figured out the "surprise" part of the story, it still made excellent reading. I highly recommend it.
tiffani_ba@hotmail.com
I just finished reading Absent Friends by SJ Rozan. It was an intriguing mystery with the sad and poignant setting of New York after 9/11. It was a bit slow at first, but as the mystery emerged the suspense carried the story along, as the childhood flashbacks took on more meaning. A memorable read. 4 stars.
Bjglu@aol.com
Lost Light by Michael Connelly. 4 stars.
Another dependably interesting, well-written mystery by one of the best of the genre.
Candy Freak by Steve Almond. 4 stars.
Unique, nonfiction about the candy industry. NOT a good book for those of us on a low-carb diet! Made me want to go out and find several of the candies mentioned.
smazzei@myactv.net
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars.
This was our book club selection for the month of September. I like Jodi Picoult and the book was a great one for discussing in a book club setting because of the controversial nature of the topic. As per Jodi Picoult's style, however, she always throws in an unneeded romantic twist that isn't necessary to the story.
KATHLAU@aol.com
Shem Creek by Dorothea Benton Frank. 4 stars.
A single mom from Montclair, NJ decides to pack it all in, and move herself and her two teenage daughters back to Mt. Pleasant, SC. In the course of a few chapters, she finds a good job, a great house and a nice guy --- hey, that's why we call this stuff fiction. I know and love both the areas in the book and just found it a great last read of summer. Frank does it again with another good Southern Chick Lit entry.
Shell688@aol.com
I am reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 5 stars.
A bestseller in Spain, and I predict a bestseller in the US. A story that grabs you from the first page.
Trishajr@aol.com
Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck. 5 stars.
I picked this up because my high school daughter was reading it (for her American Cultures class) and I have to look at any book lying around. I started perusing it and couldn't put it down. When I read an author who is known to be exceptional, I am astounded all over again at how incredible good writing can be. I don't know if writing came all that easily to him, but John Steinbeck comes off sounding as if he hardly thought about it. For example, the writing seems simple in sentence structure, but that very simplicity bowls you over when you think about all that was said in what you just read. It is difficult to explain, but do get a book out by him and see what I mean. Travels With Charley is a dynamite read. You will enjoy it, and it may start you out reading classics when you didn't think you would.
Tiggi47@aol.com
Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson. 5 stars.
As usual James Patterson wrote another great book. Everyone should read it.
GerryD8784@aol.com
sMothering by Wendy French. 1 star.
Chick Lit, poorly done. The trials and tribulations of a young single woman, her ex-boyfriend, her lecherous boss, her meddling but insecure mother, and her lesbian sister aren't enough to develop into an interesting novel.
The Society by Michael Palmer. 4 stars.
Palmer's latest is up to his usual high standard in this suspenseful story of a serial killer apparently motivated to seek revenge against the managed care system for somehow causing his/her mother's death. Of course, all is not as it seems, and it's up to a discredited female detective to solve the case.
The Tutor by Peter Abrahams. 4 1/2 stars.
A chilling mystery centering on an eerily sinister young man who becomes increasingly involved in the day to day life of a typical American family.
Peninsula of Lies by Edward Ball. 2 stars.
Ball's two earlier books were impressive in both depth of research and writing style; his latest, unfortunately, does not come close to measuring up to his previous standard. While apparently thoroughly researched, Peninsula of Lies is poorly written, with frequent descriptive comments that interrupt the flow of the narrative yet add nothing of value to the text. The story of transsexual Dawn Hall Simmons turns out to contain little of interest and to rest largely on the prurient value of tabloid journalism.
Bookends by Jane Green. 4 1/2 stars.
My 19-year-old daughter introduced me to this author, who has a wonderfully witty way of exploring the lives and feelings of young adults finding their way in the world of careers and personal relationships. This novel features a group of college friends, now in their late twenties, whose lives are disrupted by the return of a classmate who was once the center of the group until she selfishly committed an offense that led the rest to shun her for ten years.
Mr. Maybe by Jane Green. 4 stars.
Green has masterfully captured the angst of the young single woman searching for Mr. Right in this sweet, funny novel. A great beach read!
roginaru@yahoo.com
I just finished an ARE of The Man Who Outgrew His Prison Cell by Joe Loya. It was an interesting book. Joe Loya is an ex-convict, ex-bank-robber-turned-writer. His story is appalling, violent and absolutely riveting. At times, I had to put it down because some of the things that happened to him or that he did were just so horrific. Mr. Loya writes so well, however, that I kept picking this book back up again to find out what happened. It's an amazing look into the psyche of this precocious little boy who, through the abuse he suffers from his father, slowly evolves into this manipulative criminal. This book shows us so clearly how violence and abuse affect society as a whole.
DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
I just finished Brimstone by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, and I have to give it 5 stars. It was thrilling from start to finish, and reunites characters from Relic and Reliquary. Very suspenseful. The clever Pendergast is on the trail of a very unusual killer --- victims are cooked from the inside out, left in locked rooms, and the smell of Brimstone is in the air. Is it the devil??
Also, read the very funny Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. Another 5 stars. This is much better than the last couple of his books. A man tosses his wife off a cruise ship on their anniversary, but she --- a former college diver --- survives to figure out WHY???
Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell. 3 stars. This book was sort of boring until the last 100 pages. The riddles were over my head and the excitement never got there. I don't recommend it unless you are one who absolutely HAS to read the bestsellers.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell. 4 stars.
Pretty good mystery with some surprises for fans of Kay Scarpetta, but I thought the ending was rather abrupt and sort of thrown together.
Kathy in Topeka, Kansas
I just wanted to recommend the author I just discovered last week. J.F. Freedman's Fallen Idols was incredible! Since I love anthropology, having taken lots of courses, books about anthro digs and ancient ruins always catch my eye. I was in Barnes and Noble the other day and happened upon Fallen Idols. Well, let's just say I accomplished nothing else until I finished that book! I love his characterization! It was about a teacher of anthropology who was on a major discovery with his wife and several students and something terrible happens. His sons notice that after this point in time, they cannot seem to get close to their father or find out what he is doing, so they decide to find out what happened in the forest that particular day. I loved it. I can't always find a book I can't put down, but so far the second book of his that I am reading, Bird's-Eye View, is the same way. I love the characters right away and it is a totally different type of story.
jjfarris@bellsouth.net
I just completed reading two books: Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz and The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. As you can tell, I have a wide spectrum of interests when it comes to reading, but this difference might also be explained by the fact that The Girl with the Pearl Earring was my Book Club's choice this month, and Odd Thomas was mine. I enjoyed both of these books.
Being an art lover, The Girl with the Pearl Earring was very interesting to me. I will admit to wondering and fantasizing about the story behind famous paintings, and Chevalier did an excellent job with this one. It was enjoyable and believable. I am very glad I read it.
Odd Thomas is unlike some of Koontz's previous novels. It is frightening but with some comic relief. One of his most loyal spirit friends is Elvis. Odd Thomas is a delightful hero. I enjoyed both books and would not hesitate to recommend them.
barleykw@appstate.edu
I am now re-reading Folly by Laurie King. I think this is such a great story and a wonderfully written, insightful book. By re-reading it I am picking up on several things that I missed the first time. I recommend this one to all women. It is a powerful story of strength and hope, which we should all strive for.
s.bucher@insightbb.com
I'm reading Beach Girls by Luanne Rice and loving every page! It's all that Carol Fitzgerald says about it in a recent newsletter. I also recommend The Perfect Summer and The Secret Hour, both by Luanne Rice.
justme@xmission.com
I'm actually reading FIVE books right now. Some, like my best friend, think that that is impossible, but I assure her and everyone else who doubts, that it definitely is not! It makes for some very interesting time spent reading in the wee late hours of the night and mornings when sleep won't come.
I am currently reading and enjoying:
Never Change by Elizabeth Berg. An absolute 5 stars!
Still another PERFECT novel by a very talented author! I've actually just finished this book and am proud to put it on the shelf along with all of her others as part of my COLLECTION.
Some Things That Stay by Sarah Willis. So far, 4 stars for sure!
I've not read or even seen anything written by this author before, but I'm very impressed
Sula, another awesome book by a magical Toni Morrison. 5 stars ABSOLUTELY without a doubt!
A Fine Dark Line by Joe R. Lansdale. 5 stars.
This book is more on the level of a writer who is just starting out and I'm impressed for a first novel! Being a wanna-be writer myself, I'm encouraged by Mr. Lansdale's writing and his talent. 5 stars for effort and a great suspenseful mystery! (and I don't usually enjoy mysteries).
And last, but definitely NOT LEAST, is a book written by a woman in my State and local Writing league here in Utah --- Walkin' the Floor by Betty J. Vickers. Betty writes what so many people have experienced, and this is one story that not only myself but many others will more than likely be able to relate to. A true story and an excellent, EXCELLENT work of creative nonfiction! You go girl!!
Kathy Kinston, NC
Behind Closed Doors by Susan Sloan. 4 stars.
Valerie falls in love and marries a man after a very short time. He turns out to be abusive but being Catholic she won't divorce him. Very good book...reels you in from page one.
Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews. 3 stars.
A woman finds her fiance making out with the bridesmaid the night before their wedding. She throws a hissy fit at a country club dinner.
SteinertT@aol.com
My recommendations for this year would be:
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
It was a really great book. I've read several of Jodi Picoult's books, but this was by far my favorite. It was so powerful! I was drawn to the teenager's struggle for independence, especially as a mother of a teen. As a mother, I understood the mother's struggle to balance the needs of the sick or dying child against the needs of the others in the family with less immediate needs, of repetitively being in crisis mode.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 4 stars.
I wasn't expecting to really like this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is a very poignant story of two boys living in Afghanistan in the 1960s and follows them until 2001. I thought the theme of the boys' friendship and betrayal and the decline of Afghanistan very compelling.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. 4 stars.
I'm sure this book is mentioned a lot, but I was surprised I would find a book about terrorists so compelling. You really are transported into the situation and your sympathies go out to all the characters.
Myrnapen@aol.com
I recently finished two very good books: The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler (4 stars) and The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (5 stars). It helps, but isn't absolutely necessary to be familiar with Austen's novels to appreciate Fowler's book. Check out the back of the book, where summaries of each of Austen's novels are given. As for The Time Traveler's Wife, it's an amazingly creative look at the relationship between a woman and the man she loves, who just happens to be able to time travel. How many of us can say we met our husbands when we were 6 and he was an adult, although in true time, he is only three years older than her!
Jakapn@aol.com
My Life by Bill Clinton. 4 stars.
Having just spent a good portion of my week's vacation at the shore reading Bill Clinton's recent autobiography, I miss him as President even more. Yes, the book is long and sometimes self reverential. However, this is a true American story about a greatly disadvantaged child who developed the interest, intellect and drive to become one of the most important and insightful world leaders of our time.
At a moment of our history when we are being led by true scoundrels, Clinton's book provides great perspective. Really, a must read.
Earlybird from Austin, Texas
I'm currently reading White Hot by Sandra Brown, definitely worth 5 stars, in my book (pun intended). Any book by Ms. Brown is an easy and enjoyable read, right from the get-go. Her characters are full of life --- often larger than life, but always demanding your attention. I'm only part way through so I don't really know the outcome. All I do know is that I really enjoy getting lost in the hot town of Destiny.
DancingGram7@aol.com
I am reading Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts and give it 4 stars. I like some of Nora Roberts's books but sometimes she gets carried away with sex or just rambling on and on. This book is quite long and I am getting tired getting to the outcome. It's a good story about a world renowned magician and his daughter who has inherited her father's talents for magic and jewel thievery. Along comes Luck Callahan, who was a runaway from an abused childhood and was brought up by the Nouvelles (the magician) and friends. He becomes an escape artist in the magic show but love enters the picture and secrets from his past shatter any illusions he had. In all, it is a good book, but I guess I'm too impatient and feel that the book could have been wrapped up in less pages.
kerin0874@yahoo.com
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts. 4 stars.
I absolutely loved Where the Heart Is, so I was really looking forward to reading this newest novel. It did not disappoint!
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. 4 stars.
This is the first book by Carl Hiaasen that I have read and I really enjoyed it!
newcrain@aol.com
Fortunes of the Dead by Lynn Hightower. 5 stars.
I just discovered this Shamus Award-winning mystery author and will be looking for more of her books to read. A private investigator and a homicide detective are romantically involved at home but working on different sides of the same murder investigation. Balancing the personal and professional commitments brings on natural conflict. As well, there is an intriguing cast of criminals.
Silvawings@aol.com
A great book is Flying Through Time by James M. Doyle.
A man's journey of flying his restored 1941 Stearman Biplane to the Army bases of World War II where his plane was the primary trainer for thousands of WWII pilots. While he retraces the wartime journey of his plane, he interviews pilots that were there and those WWII pilots tell their experiences. A very down-to-earth, heartfelt story of these great pilots. The pilot, Jim, Doyle shares his own experience of flying to each base around the United States and his thoughts of what it was like for those WWII pilots during that time. You don't have to be a pilot or a history buff to read this book. The story is well written and shows the pilot's emotions, thoughts and experience, in this day and time, for those wonderful heroes of the war. The pilot's delightful humor and love for flying and the history of his plane lures you into a time and place that one would not have known. This book can be easily read and understood by men, women and teens. It should be on bestseller lists. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Teresa Edmundson
I am currently reading Sons of Fortune by Jeffrey Archer, one of my favorite authors. This book not only uses the familiar setting of politics but also revisits the world of banking (as in Kane & Abel). I enjoy all the intrigue and the way he weaves the plot together.
Marsha, Black Mountain
Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto by Annelie Rufus
Not only do you stay home reading, but now you're on line reading and writing about OTHER people reading and writing! Some people might call YOU a loner. You know, those serial killer types you read about in the paper. Party of One will make you feel PROUD to be a loner. I HOWLED with laughter when I recognized myself on each page! (My non-loner friend couldn't figure out why I thought it was so funny, but she did think it was very well written.) I give 5 stars to this book, and like loners everywhere, I'm very selective about whom I spend my (reading) time with. Loners, let's not join hands and not join a chorus to sing the praises of this book.
harrises@bayou.com
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer. 4 stars.
I had liked her other book Surrender Dorothy so I picked this one up and it did not disappoint.
The Skull Talks Back and other Haunting Tales, collected by Zora Neale Hurston. 5 stars.
Great short scary stories for children...will chill your bones.
Freaky Green Eyes by Joyce Carol Oates.
I just started so no rating yet...this is a young adult selection.
annfes@yahoo.com
I am reading Reason by Robert Reich. I know, he's preaching to the choir when it comes to me but it's nice to have your beliefs affirmed by one so reasonable and intelligent after being bombarded by all the constant conservative kvetching. He provides proof, with polling data, that most Americans are moderate to liberal when it comes to their political values, which is a big shock to me. There might be hope for us, after all. A good, enlightening read.
JohnSSta@aol.com
I have just finished reading Islands and Outer Banks by Anne Rivers Siddons. I couldn't put them down --- I had to keep reading to see what happened next. The character development is fantastic. And her vocabulary --- I keep a dictionary by my side as I read so I can look up the words she uses. What a mind stretcher. I now have four more of her books to read --- I am really glad I have found this author. What took me so long?
bradylee@myway.com
The Potato Factory by Bryce Courtenay. 5 stars.
This novel is the first of a trilogy with Tommo & Hawk and Solomon's Song coming after. After Pat Conroy, Mr. Courtenay is my favorite author and I still have a number of books to read by him. The Power of One, Tandia and April Fool's Day are of equal quality to this one and the ones I have read so far.
This title was most interesting to me and it develops to be most significant, but it's not what you probably think. The time period is the early 1800s and most reminiscent of what Charles Dickens would write. The first half of the 832 pages in the pocketbook takes place in London and the second half in Australia. This story has many, many layers and all are easy to keep track of. Most of the problems are resolved by the end [on the very last page yet], but a major one would be explained and expanded in Tommo & Hawk as I shall soon discover. The writing is superb and the characters are etched in your memory for all time. The subject matter is crass in the first half, yet is the foundation for all that happens in the second half. This is a tale of Australia's beginnings and an engrossing read you will not put down 'til finished.
EGWGOMA@aol.com
I recently read a first novel by Lolly Winston titled Good Grief. The story of a widowed 36-year-old woman who goes into a downward spiral with her grief, to the point where she actually goes to work in her bathrobe. Extremely well done for a first novel: poignant, tragic, hilariously funny all rolled into one. 4 stars.
pureevil25@yahoo.com
I've just finished reading Daughter's Keeper by Ayelet Waldman. I would give it 5 stars. It is a great book and the characters are believable. Although it's not something I would have picked up on my own (Book of the month club shipping error, but I kept it!!). I am very glad I got a chance to read it!
CFurgason@adesa.com
You Ain't Got No Easter Clothes by Laura Love. 5 stars.
This is a memoir, and is very good.
Jackie in OKC
I recently finished The Mammoth Cheese by Sheri Holman. 4 1/2 stars.
Excellent. Very different from The Dress Lodger, her historical novel.
I just finished Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella. 3 stars.
Fun and funny, but sometimes painfully so. The premise was stretched a bit thin, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Still Life With Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 4 stars).
Very good; suspenseful and gruesome --- just what I've come to expect and enjoy from this duo of authors. I look forward to Brimstone.
Clogwoman@aol.com
A Hole in Texas by Herman Wouk.
I'd give this book maybe 2 1/2 stars...it was good but not up to his usual standards.
Five Fortunes by Beth Gutcheon.
Very light but very enjoyable.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Fascinating from page 1.
Lgluhani@aol.com
The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel by J. Widzer. 4 stars.
Very helpful, readable guidebook giving suggestions on how to travel better for less.
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. 4 stars.
Hiaasen makes us laugh while telling a very funny story about a wife's get-even scheme on the husband who tried to murder her. Meanwhile, he, as usual, vents about ecological destruction, particularly of the Everglades.
kelley899@iowadsl.net
Lately I've read The Painted Rose by Donna Birdsell. 5 stars. It is just such a hauntingly beautiful book. I also read Found and Lost by Holly Jacobs. Fabulously funny!
a_jax32@hotmail.com
I recently finished two great summer reads.
Just One Look by Harlan Coben is a fast-paced thriller with a surprise ending. His other three stand-alone novels will also keep you guessing until the very end. 5 stars.
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank, set in South Carolina's Low Country, was perfect for summertime reading and definitely made me want to read her other books. 4 stars.
Debby236@aol.com
I just finished The Halo Effect by M.J. Rose. I give it 4 1/2 stars. It had some romance and some mystery and some terror. It also had quite a surprise at the end.
Newcrain@aol.com
The Water Dancers by Terry Gamble. 5+ stars.
This is a beautifully written book about race and class. I loved it and will recommend it to my book club for discussion. Starting after World War II, a young Indian girl becomes a maid in the summer home of a wealthy family in a Michigan resort community. The son comes home from the war, wounded physically and emotionally, and she helps him start to heal. The book covers a couple of generations and gives a unique look at Native American Indian history and culture in Michigan --- not as well known as in the traditional Western U.S. states but still a big part of Michigan's history.
Perpend311@aol.com
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 5 stars.
Not one of those books for page-turners. Not an easy book! This is a book for those who enjoy talking about authors and characters and how and why a book is written. Be prepared to take notes in the margins. Be prepared to read this book more than once. Mostly be prepared for an oral story told daily over a course of time. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is an author to be read.
mia@jacobsracing.com
Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! by Fannie Flagg. 3 stars.
It is an enjoyable, light page-turner.
The Runaway Jury by John Grisham. 4 stars.
LDS1979@aol.com
I just finished reading Ann-Marie MacDonald's book The Way the Crow Flies, which I will give 2 1/2 stars only because the author's descriptions are so vivid. I found the first section of the book difficult to get through due to the graphic depiction of child molestation. I almost quit reading the book but continued because this was the month's pick for my book club. I was strung along by the possibilities of the plot but was truly disappointed in the rapid, implausible ending. At nearly 700 pages the book should have had more substance. I can't imagine grade four children behaving in this manner!
bradylee@myway.com
A Most Remarkable Fella: Frank Loesser and the Guys and Dolls In His Life, by his daughter Susan Loesser. 5 stars.
This is a great title for a tunesmith of enormous talent and frank elan. I believe Irving Berlin was master of them all, but Frank Loesser was a small fraction below him. The music he created should last a long time to come and this book tells of his life. There are a lot of lyrics in the telling and they tell the story of Frank's way with words where he wrote only lyrics in the beginning. Eventually he wrote the music, lyrics, and even the book of some of his musicals. He demanded obedience to his instructions of how to deliver a song and he was usually right. This story of a life is upgrading and cantankerous and full of insights as to how music is produced and the necessity of collaboration. A most worthwhile read indeed.
DKRnj@aol.com
I have read the following recently:
Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman. 2 stars.
A collection of short stories connected to this house over a few centuries. I read about half of the stories, then stopped, as they were all such downers and unhappy that I just did not want to read anymore.
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. 5 stars.
Hiaasen's usual type of story connected with Florida. I can't help but think it would make a wonderful movie.
Dasras50@aol.com
I recently read The Things We Do for Love by Kristin Hannah. It was worth 4 stars. I intend to read more books by this author.
I also read The Second Time Around by another of my long-time favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark. This one was worth 3 1/2 stars. I don't finish her books in one sitting like I used to.
Currently, I'm in the middle of two books. Bleachers by John Grisham is just so-so because I'm not a big football fan. However, I'm really enjoying The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. It's about a group of diverse characters who get to know each other through a knitting class. I can really relate to this story because I've worked in a knitting shop myself. I'll rate both these books after I've finished them.
naidls@yahoo.com
The Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens by Jackson Tippett McCrae. 5 stars.
This novel consists of magazine articles (short stories) written by Strekfus Belzenschmidt (fictional character or the author himself?), a transplanted Southerner living in NYC. Strekfus writes about his memories of growing up in the south and the people, places, homes and gardens that shaped him into who he is today. One of the articles starts, "When I was six years old I became locked inside the home of Helen Keller." If you enjoy reading Southern writers like Pat Conroy and Anne Rivers Siddons, I guarantee you'll enjoy this beautiful piece of writing.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 5 stars.
Written from the view point of an English autistic teenage boy. Gives wonderful insight into the thought process of an autistic person. I loved the diagrams the author includes to illustrate this.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 4 1/2 stars.
The first couple of chapters may be a bit confusing as the novel skips back and forth in time, but hang in there! You soon get hooked into the story and each chapter heading tells you the date and the ages of the main characters, the time traveler and his wife. Wonderful story.
Bee Season by Myla Goldberg. 4 1/2 stars.
Nine-year-old Eliza Naumann goes from being an "average" student to discovering her passion for spelling. The story follows an eccentric family on the spelling bee circuit and also delves into Jewish mysticism, Eastern religions and compulsive behavior. As good as or better than The Secret Life of Bees.
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. 5 stars.
One of the best historical novels I've read in a long time, as good as The Red Tent. The sensual story is set in 15th-century Florence. You won't be able to put the book down after reading the mysterious beginning --- one of the best openings ever!
jberger@salud.unm.edu
Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman. 5 stars.
This suspenseful and thrilling novel has you guessing from the first page on. It is gripping and snares you until the end. Great characters and storyline.
realbencann@yahoo.com
A Road Through the Mountains by Elizabeth McGregor. 5 stars.
Beautifully written with sensitivity, clarity and empathy. Relationships are constructed with accuracy and the story is utterly captivating.
sweepscrazee@yahoo.com
I think my favorite recent read had to be the paperback Plantation by Dorothea Benton Frank. It had been on my "read these" stack (or avalanche, unfortunately) for a while, and once I started it, I couldn't bear to put it down. Excellent and unusual characters, with compelling stories and wonderful Carolina Basin cultural notes. Definitely at least 4 stars out of five.
Jon Iverson
I am reading David McCullough's Truman. A huge book but a fascinating read, this tome brings President Truman to life as a strong and decisive personality.
Lori Goldstein from Northridge, CA
Farewell, Jackie: A Portrait of Her Final Days by Edward Klein. 3 stars.
This was a short but well written account of Jacqueline Kennedy's last few months of life. Mr. Klein wrote it with an open view of how Mrs. Kennedy Onassis and those around her spent the time prior to her death.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 4 1/2 stars.
An interesting read. However, I preferred his first book, Tuesdays with Morrie.
Bleachers by John Grisham. 4 stars.
Normally I don't read Grisham, but this looked interesting and I wasn't disappointed.
Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks. 5 stars.
Definitely a departure for Mr. Sparks, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. He writes at times as if to make the reader feel a part of the story.
Single Mom
Heat and Dust by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala is as romantic as the movies from her novels and screenplays. A short little novel that is reminiscent of Austen, with India as the backdrop.
Maneater by Gigi Levangie Grazer is completely hysterical and wicked. Best since Bridget Jones.
Who Moved My Cheese? still holds up as a reminder of how to keep your life moving ahead.
Myrnapen@aol.com
I just started Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth on recommendation from a friend. It caught my interest immediately. The book is a look at the conflict between the Amish society and ours, when an Amish teenager gives birth to a baby who is found dead in a barn several hours after its birth. The mother doggedly refuses to admit that she gave birth to the child. This is the first of Picoult's books that I've read, but I can see I've found a treasure trove of books.
charris@pctelecom.us
A New Leaf by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer. 3 stars.
A novel about Cape Light, Maine. It shows how people can change and make life better. A good love story as well, but not as good as his pictures.
Skyward by Mary Alice Monroe. 4 stars.
This author writes very good, descriptive stories about saving birds and things of nature, as well as to save the environment. This book is about Raptors and the people who help them get rehabilitated after they are hurt. Very informative and a good love story.
Death at the Spring Plant Sale by Ann Ripley. 3 stars.
A garden mystery that is part of a series.
Midnight Sun by Kat Martin. 4 stars.
A good mystery about Alaska and a good love story.
Kellyw31@aol.com
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. 4 stars.
Although it took me a little while to "get into" Bel Canto, I'm glad I read it. The premise is so unique that you keep reading if for no other reason than to find out what happens. Excellent book.
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. 3 1/2 stars.
Funny book. I felt as though she could have been writing about me.
kittenluna@hotmail.com
What I'm reading now:
Pop Princess by Rachel Cohen. 3 stars.
Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella. 4 stars.
Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale. 4 stars.
wimer52@infonline.net
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris. 2 1/2 stars.
Humorous anecdotes from his life similar to A Girl Named Zippy.
The Lady Chosen by Stephanie Laurens. 4 stars so far.
Historical romance/mystery.
MHaury2@aol.com
The Darling by Russell Banks. 5 stars.
I was lucky enough to get an advance reader's copy of this wonderful new novel. Mr. Banks is a master at evoking a time and place. Here, we are in western Africa in the mid-eighties amid political turmoil and civil unrest. The protagonist, Hannah Musgrave, is a fascinating character and we follow her through her life as a privileged daughter, a sixties radical, a scientist attempting to protect her beloved chimpanzees and a middle-aged farm owner, not necessarily in that order. Mr. Banks, as always, is able to tell a difficult story so well that we cannot help but care deeply about it.
The Dim Sum of All Things by Kim Wong Keltner. 4 stars.
This is a hilarious look at Asian and American culture told through the eyes of 25-year-old Lindsey Owyang, a San Franciscan of Chinese descent. She lives with her grandmother rent-free, but has to put up with the "Chinese old lady smells." She works at a politically correct vegan publication, but eats plenty of animal flesh and seems to be falling for a "white devil" co-worker.
Paranoia by Joseph Finder. 4 stars.
The problem with these kinds of (corporate or any other kind) espionage stories is that you expect lots of twists, turns and betrayals, so almost any of them can be somewhat predictable. Still, this book was certainly enjoyable. The premise is that young, smart, but lazy Adam Cassidy, while working for a high tech firm, uses company funds to throw a lavish send-off party for a retiring dock worker. Adam is caught and the odious CEO of the firm blackmails Adam into working for a competitor as a corporate spy. While it got a little tedious at the end, it was fun reading throughout. The chapters were short and the descriptions of corporate life and spy gizmos were intriguing.
JoyZoo@aol.com
We are going on a European tour this Fall that ends in Venice, and the tour guide strongly suggested that we read a most enchanting book, Miss Garnett's Angel by Salley Vickers. I had to buy a used version online, so I am not sure it is available at bookstores in the U.S. Don't be put off when I tell you what it is about, because it is handled so masterfully, that what sounds like a predictable old maid sort of book is really lovely with any amount of depth you choose to find there.
Miss Garnett is a retired schoolteacher from England, an atheist, a communist and a virgin, who rents an apartment in Venice for six months. Tobit, a book from the Apocraphya, figures heavily in the plot along with numerous parallels in the plot. It is a gentle book, but is the story of many kinds of love and many kinds of enlightenment. Fifty-two stars!
MarciaDeMille@aol.com
I recommend No Angel by Penny Vincenzi. A long book but an easy and imaginative read. 4 stars.
Myra from Yukon, OK
I found a new author, Mary Jane Clark, and loved her suspenseful book, Close To You. She's a very good writer and I will look for more of her books. 4 stars.
I have also read another great author, Alice Blanchard, and her book is The Breathtaker, about tornadoes and murders in Oklahoma. It keeps you on the edge of the chair and guessing. Great book. 5 stars.
ppfqp@aol.com
I am currently reading Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner. I would give this book 4 1/2 stars. It is exceptionally well written, with beautiful descriptions of the Vermont countryside and engaging dialogue between two sets of lifelong friends.
I have also recently read No Second Chance by Harlan Coben. This book rates 3 stars. Coben never disappoints for keep-you-reading-til-midnight suspense stories. No Second Chance has plenty of drama without relying on foul language or extraneous violence. However, some of the plot twists rely too much on coincidence; dubious readers won't buy into it.
BDB530@aol.com
The Time of Our Singing by Richards Powers. 5 stars.
A bit long but so beautifully written that it's worth the time it takes to read. It creates through metaphor and descriptions of song what it feels like to be of mixed race in the world. A complex tale of three siblings from a German/Jewish father and a black mother who must make their way in increasingly complex environments through the '50s, '60s and beyond.
Momom248@aol.com
I recently finished The Shadow of the Wind. I agree with all of the above reviews. It was one of the best books I have read this year. I, too, was sorry to see the book end. 5+ stars.
Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons was another book I recently finished with my book club. It was a funny, easy, and enjoyable read. 4 stars.
I just purchased Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell and am looking forward to reading this.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
The Color of Water by James McBride. 4 stars.
This book was recommended to me. It's not one I would have picked up, but it was an excellent memoir.
Tsbrown62@aol.com
The Book of Ruth, A Map of the World and The Short History of a Prince, all by Jane Hamilton, and each a 5-star rating.
WATERLEO@aol.com
Grandmothers by Doris Lessing. 5 stars.
A compilation of four stories, each is quite different from the other and has at least one unexpected twist. Hauntingly written.
KATHLAU@aol.com
The Poet and The Narrows, both by Michael Connelly. 3 1/2 stars each.
I've read Connelly before and just couldn't get into it. The Narrows was a gift so I figured I should read The Poet first (The Narrows is a continuation). I gave this author a second try. Very suspenseful.
R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton. 4 stars.
Best in a long time. Kinsey's becoming more mellow and the storyline about her landlord's 87-year-old brother playing matchmaker is a hoot.
CoachDvd@aol.com
Double Shot by Diane Mott Davidson.
Reviewed by David Skibbins
First, the good news. There are some killer recipes in the back of the book. The protagonist, Goldy Schulz, is a caterer. So the book is larded with rich, chewy, fattening, sweet, delicious food, all of which is deconstructed in the appendix. As a mystery, however, there are too many suspects and not enough time spent in creating characters you really care about. My recommendation, if you want food-related mysteries, is Jerrilyn Farmer's Madeline Bean mysteries.
Death Duties: A Port Silva Mystery by Janet La Pierre
Reviewed by David Skibbins
This is a good, light, enjoyable read. The setting is a mythical town on the northern California coast, sort of a cross between Mendocino, Fort Bragg, and Humboldt. Except, at least in this book (number seven of the series), there isn't much poverty, or marijuana. Lots of dialogue, and the story moves right along, but it falls short of excellence.
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear.
Reviewed by David Skibbins
This is a classy book written by an elegant woman who is as integrating as her protagonist. The book is a quintessential cozy, and deserved to win an Agatha Award for Best First Novel at the 2004 Malice Domestic Convention. It is non-violent, with memorable characters. Maisie is a strong young woman coming back after being a nurse in World War One. She is starting her career as a psychologically-based investigator. What begins as a "Is my wife cheating on me?" case becomes a confrontation with a cult, and Maisie's own confrontation with the trauma of the war and with her own broken heart.
Misdemeanor Man is Dylan Schaffer's first novel. It delivers on so many levels. Firstly, as a legal thriller it presents a part of the law not often discussed: public defenders who specialize in misdemeanors. Secondly it has a lively plot, with satisfying twists and turns. But this book really delivers in creating eccentric, funny characters, people you come to care about. Schaffer's presentation of the humor, sadness and overwhelming stress of a man dealing with the early onset Alzheimer's of his father is superb.
NGroves@aol.com
All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki. 4 stars.
Yumi Fuller, daughter of a prosperous Idaho potato farmer and his Japanese war bride, ran away from home at 14 after an affair with her history teacher, a pregnancy, and an abortion. Now a more or less responsible adult, she returns home for the first time (with three kids in tow, each by a different father, but no husband) to check on her ailing, elderly parents and see if reconciliation with them, and the best friend she left behind as well, is either possible or desirable on either side. The Fullers' paths cross with that of a traveling group of environmental activists, the Seeds of Resistance, who are protesting genetically engineered potatoes but idolize the elder Fullers for their natural seed business. And Yumi's one-time lover shows up as well, working for a large agribusiness company promoting the same genetically modified potatoes the Seeds are against. She's paradoxically drawn to him, virtually reliving her teen years, while realizing at the same time that he was little better than a rapist for having sex with an underage student. The stage is set for conflict as well as a bridging of some of the gaps between the different parties, and Ozeki manages to address numerous issues without being heavy handed.
A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons. 4 stars.
This is the powerful story of a marriage between an unlikely pair: young, attractive Ruby, daughter of a well off farmer, who has just emerged from a disastrous marriage to a brutal drifter that ended with him being killed in a brawl, and Jack Stokes, a tenant farmer 20 years older than her, the kind of man few women would consider a prize but who turns out to be just the kind of guy to take care of Ruby and restore stability and happiness to her life. The story is told mostly in flashback, with the husband and wife speaking in first person in alternate chapters, starting with Ruby's untimely death from cancer, caused no doubt by the cigarette habit she couldn't kick. A love story in the truest sense of the word.
Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock. 3 stars.
A sci-fi/fantasy classic set in post-World War II England, where returning vet Steve Huxley finds himself gradually drawn, literally and figuratively, into the primeval forest on the family estate that had been his father's obsession --- and downfall. He discovers that myths and legends from various past eras (called "mythagos") come to life and coexist in the forest. Steve falls in love with a young woman mythago and, after she is kidnapped, must venture into the perilous woods and seek the help of the various tribes living there to rescue her. A fascinating, thought-provoking story that has spawned several sequels.
Atticus by Ron Hansen. 3 stars.
Atticus Cody, an elderly Colorado rancher and oilman, has an unexpected Christmas visit from his younger son Scott, an alcoholic, artist and vagabond, and hopes that perhaps his son is finally back on track and settling down. Only a month later he gets a call saying his son has committed suicide in the Mexican beach town where he's been living. When Atticus arrives to claim the body and meet Scott's off again-on again girlfriend, he begins to suspect murder rather than suicide. This book is not really a mystery, although the puzzle of what happened to Scott is a key element of the plot. It's also a prodigal son story, nicely done.
Debby236@aol.com
Right now I am reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's latest book, Night Play. It is excellent. I give it 5 stars.
Kathy from Severna Park
Brimstone by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 5 + + stars.
This is a fantastic book, one of the best I have read in recent times. Although FBI Special Agent Pendergast sometimes appears to be rather unbelievable, he still comes across as realistic. His partner in the story, Officer D'Agosta, I think, manages to bring the story down to earth. This book has all the excitement of other bestsellers. The story centers on the strange, and I really mean strange, deaths of four men who obviously have known one another for a long while, though they choose not to admit this fact up front. All die under very mysterious circumstances, and it is up to the FBI Special Agent Pendergast and Officer D'Agosta to answer the questions about their deaths, find the culprit(s) and causes.
In the story, the reader comes face to face with mysticism and satanic worship as well as satanic pacts, while traveling with the two detectives throughout the area of the deaths and across the Atlantic to Italy looking for answers. There are some rather unbelievable scenes the two go through and manage to overcome, but the story still holds the reader's attention. Once I began to read, I found it difficult to put the book down. I highly recommend this book to everyone looking for a good book into which they can easily lose themselves quickly. Superb writing!!! I am going to look for other books these two talented authors have written.
jramberg@usachoice.net
Paging Aphrodite by Kim Green. 5 stars.
At the moment I am reading an advance reading copy of Kim Green's Paging Aphrodite, due out October 26 of this year. This book is about four women who meet in Greece and re-discover themselves. The story is a great read and doesn't take long to get hooked. The story is so rich in detail and so easy to relate to. You feel as though these women are your best friends and you look forward to seeing how their lives will unfold. I could laugh, cry and even commiserate with these four women. This is a book that makes you realize that life has a lot to offer and we never know where the paths will lead.
LindaKLankford@aol.com
I just finished An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg. I enjoyed it but found his book The Fruit of Stone much more satisfying. 3+ stars for An Unfinished Life.
tenpennynail13@hotmail.com
Here's a list of what I'm reading these days:
The Difference Now by Cherie Burbach.
This is an outstanding book by a new author. It's filled with inspiring, spiritual, and empowering poetry. I would recommend this to any woman as the poems are especially reflective of a female perspective. It just makes you feel good. I suspect we'll see some great things from this author.
Deception Point by Dan Brown.
It's Dan Brown, it's a thriller, it's great mind candy. This one isn't as powerful as Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code, although it still jumps right into action and takes you for a ride. Worth the read.
The Halo Effect by M.J. Rose.
Another great story from the Butterfield Institute series. I became intrigued with this author and her savvy use of the web to promote her book. She's a great storyteller and writes a truly unique story with various facets. The very reason traditional publishers balked at picking up her books initially is what makes them so very good. They're different and worth the read.
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst.
A very different story idea that tells of a man's path out of grief. Very unique.
Le Mariage by Diane Johnson.
The follow up to Le Divorce. Ms. Johnson is clever and has a wonderful voice. The blending of French and American elements and culture makes for a great backdrop.
PGsahm@aol.com
After months of reading mediocre books I was becoming discouraged. I would finish a book only to say to myself "Why did I bother?" Luckily my bad book streak finally ended last week. I picked up a book that has given me a new outlook on life. Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife by Peggy Vincent has now bumped my long-standing number one favorite book, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, to second. I have found my new favorite and I have a feeling it's going to be hard to beat.
Peggy Vincent is now a retired midwife from California. Her book tells the story of her journey to midwifery. The story is awesome but the way she tells it makes it that much more beautiful. The book reads like a novel even though it is her actual life experiences. Included in the book are passages about hospital births, home births, funny anecdotes about pregnant women, facts about midwifery, and so much more. The birth stories in the book are told from her perspective as a midwife and all of them will be forever embedded in my memory.
I literally gulped down the book, wanting to turn the pages quickly to see the outcome of a birth. But at the same time I wanted to cherish every moment of Vincent's words. I did not want to leave the experiences, wanting them to last forever. Very few books have made me cry when it ended. This one did. I felt like my best friend had died and I was in mourning when I closed the book.
However, Peggy Vincent has taught me that it is possible to change the lives of other people simply by being part of a birth. For many years I have wanted to become a midwife or doula, and this book was just the thing I needed to push me over the edge and accomplish my goals. I'm ready now to start my own personal journey towards helping women empower themselves and give birth as birth was meant to be.
Definitely 5 stars.
revdrkathryn@yahoo.com
I am reading Some Things That Stay by Sarah Willis, and think it is a smallish book. It is taking me more time to read it than I thought because it is very intense (in a good way). The basic plot is about a young girl whose father is an artist and whose family moves every year, no matter what. This book captures the loss and turmoil that surrounds this teen --- and as one who has moved too many times while my children were young, I can see them in this book. 4 stars.
The second book I am reading is on audio, and it is Child of My Heart by Alice McDermott, author of Charming Billy. It, too, is about a teenage girl but a very different book indeed. I find it compelling and am enjoying it a great deal so far. 4 stars.
Anonymous
I have just finished reading An Absence of Light by David Lindsey. It was one of the best mystery/suspense stories I have read in a long time. Mr. Lindsey knows how to lay the background and build the suspense so that the reader is always surprised by the ending. I highly recommend David Lindsey's work. 4 stars.
I also have finished reading The Narrows by Michael Connelly. I have read almost everything Mr. Connelly has written, and have never been disappointed. Mr. Connelly has developed a very complex character in Harry Bosch. I would love to see a movie --- or even a TV series --- made from his great suspense stories. 4 stars.
Colleen.Carson@state.or.us
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 4 stars.
A very moving, great read.
Ginger.Louden@sendit.nodak.edu
I am reading Ordinary Miracles by Stephanie S. Tolan. I give it 4 stars. It is a book I found in our high school library. It is one of those books that is easy to read, but causes a person to think about future plans, siblings, and beliefs. Give it a try!
Sesame705@aol.com
The Poet by Michael Connelly. 4 stars.
A serial killer is making his way across the U.S., undetected, until a savvy reporter with a personal interest discovers the murderer's modus operandi. Lots of twists and suspense and detective work. It reminded me of the latest cop/forensic TV shows.
DoctorAnn@aol.com
The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani. 2 stars.
While the story followed what has become a pattern for Trigiani, the Italian immigration success story in America, the writing does not hold up to her earlier works.
kimberly.barnes@mindspring.com
Far From the Tree by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant. 4 1/2 stars.
A good book about family.
Butterscotch Blues by Margaret Johnson-Hodge. 4.4 stars.
A very touching love story about falling in love with a man who is HIV positive.
Price of Passion by Evelyn Palfrey. 4.4 stars.
A story about how to start your life over and leave for yourself, even when you are raising your husband's child he had while married to you.
Child of God by Lolita Files. 4 1/2 stars.
A story about how family secrets can ruin a family.
The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard. 4.6 stars.
A very touching book about a young girl who lost her mother in 9/11 and how she deals with it, along with leaving her half brother and stepfather to be raised by her biological father. This book is great read for both young and old people.
joswood@adiis.net
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. 4 stars.
This was one of the most original novels that I've read in a long time. Dexter is a serial killer, and he's also a respected blood-spatter expert for the Miami Police Department. However, he only kills "bad" people --- people who need killing. Somebody else in Miami is killing hookers, and Dexter feels a strong pull to the methods of this other murderer. It all sounds rather grim, but Lindsay has a rather interesting sense of humor and a very poetic way with words. It raises this grim plot line to black humor. It is a fast read, but one that will stay with you for awhile.
Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews. 5 stars.
This book was light and fun, but it had some substance to it that kept me eagerly reading to the end. There were many funny incidents, a great deal of interior decorating, and a very real mystery about what happened to Keeley's mother who disappeared many years ago. I really recommend it if you like a compelling read.
maestraw@msn.com
Mallets Aforethought by Sarah Graves.
This was the first novel by Sarah Graves that I have read. Graves's book begins slowly, but picks up the pace toward the middle. Although I was pretty certain who the murderer was, I enjoyed the storyline and plot immensely. I plan to back up and read the first books in order. When the next one is published, I will be ready to read it, too. I would rate the book 3 1/2 stars.
anniesbooks@comcast.net
I finally got around to reading Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati and now wonder what took me so long. It is a wonderful book and a great love story. 5 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
Callgirl by Jeannette Angell. Published in 2004. 5 stars.
I would use the term "a humdinger" in regards to this book. It is the true story of a woman who earned a PhD in a college in the East and came upon hard times financially and had to get some money fast due to a "rat bastard boyfriend" who cleaned out her bank account and all assets she had. She became a prostitute for an escort service near Boston, and this is her story. It is most interesting as she tells many stories of what happened with many of her "visits." She is also an accomplished teacher and worked as an assistant teacher for professors in tenure. She was able to completely separate her academic career from her escort activities, and you will learn about both sides of her coin if you read this book. You should have no trouble turning the pages as it will keep you engrossed!
Meredith Link
Incubus Dreams by Laurell K. Hamilton. 4 1/2 stars.
The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich. 3 stars.
Cerulean Sins by Laurell K. Hamilton. 4 stars.
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackery. 3 stars.
Dark Legend by Christine Feehan. 4 stars.
© Copyright 1996-2008, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
Back to top.
|
