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Debby236@aol.com
I just finished Incubus Dreams by Laurell K. Hamilton. This was a very interesting book. Her style has changed a lot but it still keeps my interest. I give this book 4 stars.
Donna from New Berlin
4:50 From Paddington by Agatha Christie. 5 stars.
I have not found an Agatha Christie book I didn't like. A woman traveling on a train sees a man murder a woman on a train passing hers. At first no one wants to believe an elderly woman, especially when they cannot find the body. Once Miss Marple gets involved, it gets really good. I really enjoyed this mystery.
AUGER77777@aol.com
I just finished The Return of Little Big Man by Thomas Berger. I found this to be mildly entertaining but mostly boring. I was hoping for something better after his excellent book, Little Big Man, which was written about 35 years ago. 3 stars.
I am currently reading Boy's Life by Robert R. McCammon. This is an excellent and very fast read that is hard to put down. It tells of the life of a young boy growing up in a small Southern town in the early 1960s. The characters are vividly funny, frightening, crazy, or just plain human. This is a story a reader can identify with, especially if the reader is a boy who grew up in any small town in America. 5 stars.
Carosp@aol.com
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. 3 stars.
I expected to love this book, and I did enjoy it, but maybe was expecting too much from this well-known and excellent author, and was somewhat disappointed. I didn't think some of it was that believable. It is an alternate history in which Charles Lindbergh is elected President in 1940 instead of FDR, and collaborates with Hitler. "What Might Have Been" --- but could have been better done.
Native Tongue by Carl Hiaasen. 4 stars.
A very light read of course, but very entertaining. I like all of Hiaasen's books, but some are better than others and I think this is one of his best. Some of what happens is laugh-out-loud funny. He always comes up with ridiculous situations that can't help but amuse.
charris@pctelecom.us
Pigs at the Trough by Arianna Huffington. 4 stars.
This is a story of corporate and political greed that is corrupting and undermining America. There is a glimmer of hope at the end of the book.
Green River Running Red by Ann Rule. 5 stars.
This a is horrible subject, but done in the manner Rule can do. She investigates everything well and tells the story as it was.
Heart Full of Lies by Ann Rule. 5 stars.
Rule is a true crime investigative writer. Her writing flows and is easy to read. In most of her books you never understand the criminal but she tells it like it is.
The Staggerford Flood by Jon Hassler. 4 stars.
Apparently this is a book in a series but it stands alone. It is about relationships in a small town and how the flood brings them together.
RAYSMUSIC@webtv.net
A Season of Grace by Bette Nordberg. 5 stars plus.
This is a very moving book that deals with a very serious subject. A young woman finds her life put on hold as she takes care of her dear brother who comes back into her life after many years...now dying with AIDS. I found myself in tears and up way late reading this book. I highly recommend it. Any Bette Nordberg book is worth every penny and she is always on my top reads.
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. I can't really say how many stars yet. I just started this novel and to be honest so far I am having trouble getting into it. It is set in Italy during the end of World War II. I'm still reading and hoping it takes off soon. I'll let everyone know how it turns out soon.
Crsntmoon3@aol.com
I just finished Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. I started reading it last summer but had a hard time getting into it and there were tons of other books calling to me so I'd given up on it. I picked it up again in December and started over. I'm glad I did. I would give it 3 1/2 stars but it probably would get more if I'd read all the literary works to which she refers.
I'm currently reading two works to try to nurse myself through the post-election blues. Don't Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff and The People's Business: Controlling Corporations and Restoring Democracy by Lee Drutman and Charlie Cray, both get 5 stars.
darelene@earthlink.net
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. 5 stars.
A story you won't forget. In the year A.D. 855, legend has it that a woman was elected to the Catholic Papacy. Although the Catholic Church vehemently denies such a thing ever happened, there are more than 500 ancient manuscripts that contain accounts of just such a papacy. While the story is fiction, it was one of the most captivating books I've ever read. Ms. Cross's description of life in the ninth century as told from a woman's point of view is vividly fascinating.
Shogun by James Clavell. 5 stars.
Mr. Clavell is a master storyteller. His description of life in feudal Japan in the 1500s was detailed and breathtaking. Even after 1,152 pages, I didn't want the story of the English Anjin-san to end. He's a hero to men and women alike even though he starts out as anything but a hero. When I first started reading the book, I wondered how Mr. Clavell could possibly write such a long story and keep it interesting. By the end of the book, I just wanted to know more and wondered why he had to end it so soon! The insights into Japanese culture made me want to know more!
Aileen Maria-Cruz, Methuen, MA
I'm currently reading:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, which so far is an excellent book! I hesitated in getting this book because it was set in Afghanistan, but I am so glad I decided to give it a try anyway. So far it's one of the best books I've read in a long time!
The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events (Book 1) by Lemony Snicket. 3.75 - 4 stars.
Pretty quick read. I hope the next ones in the series start to pick up a bit more. Definitely not a Harry Potter substitute!
captainjack58@hotmail.com
I love this contest! Here is what I am reading right now:
The Devil in Music by Kate Ross is the fourth to feature sleuth Julian Kestrel. Unfortunately, it is the last as the author is deceased. I have so enjoyed this series set in 1820s Europe. Julian Kestrel is a dandy who is also quite brilliant when it comes to solving murders. I can't put this down!
Where I Was From is Joan Didion's autobiography. It's moving at a slower pace. I keep putting it down to read something else. But I keep coming back to it like a loyal dog because it is so interesting.
Next:
The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory. I have so enjoyed her previous Elizabethian stories, so I can't wait to get into this one.
Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn.
ginawjax@comcast.net
State of Fear by Michael Crichton. 1 star.
In The Long Hot Summer Will Varner says, "I get preached to on Sundays" in exasperation. That is how I felt about this too long, too preachy, too boring book. I have always liked Crichton in the past but this book was not an interesting read.
Deb1teach@aol.com
London Bridges by James Patterson is very disappointing. It's a quick read that really drops the end. I give it 2 stars, and I think James Patterson writes to a deadline and drops the ends.
KKbarash@aol.com
I have just read two novels by Irvin D. Yalom: When Nietzsche Wept and Lying On the Couch. These books fell into a very different genre of literature; they are described in reviews as psychological and intellectual thrillers. The author is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University. The stories in both books have their foundation in the theory and practice of psychiatry. The author gets into the heads of both the patient and the therapist. Definitely worth reading, both in paperback. I would rate them 3 1/2 stars.
KATHLAU@aol.com
Fannie Flagg's A Redbird Christmas was charming and not just for the holiday season. If you enjoy her look at small Southern towns and their "interesting" residents, you'll love this one. 3 stars.
Margaret Truman's Murder in Union Station takes some interesting twists and turns. The victim is a Mafia king, returned from the witness protection program in Israel (?) to testify at a Senate hearing that could potentially destroy a presidency. There's a character for everyone to like and/or hate: senators, detectives, authors, girlfriends, and of course, the Smiths. Not the best in the series but certainly enjoyable. 3 stars.
hushpup@optonline.net
These are the most recent books that I have read:
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. 4 stars.
Very cute idea of skipping the Christmas season because it is a lot of work, but in the end it is not about the decorations but of a feeling of good will towards friends and neighbors.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 5 stars.
Great book about a boy who is autistic and how in first person he tries to solve the murder of his neighbor's dog. As he goes along and tries to solve this mystery, he finds out more about his life then he needed to know. Very moving and touching.
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad. 4 stars.
I thought this book was a lot like The Kite Runner, which I totally LOVED, but it was nonfiction. The author lived with this man, Sultan, who was a bookseller in the town of Kabul, and how their life was affected after the Taliban and during the war. The women are treated terribly and I was sad to read how they are treated. This one wasn't my favorite.
Night Over Water by Ken Follett. 5 stars.
So far this book is great. It is about a transcontinental flight of a plane during the beginning of WWII. The characters are interesting and the storyline is falling into place. I like it so far.
Silent Star by Tracie Peterson. 5 stars.
This is another book about WWII and a telegraph delivery boy who feels completely dejected by his neighbors during WWII. Andy is the delivery boy who brings telegrams regarding the status of the townspeople's sons in Germany. He loses his parents to early deaths and is faced with a grim situation during the Christmas holidays. Estella, another person from their town, befriends him and helps him in more ways than one. As she is helping him with his maladies, he in turn is helping her. She is a widow with no children or parents either. Very moving story and a quick read.
tunaross@nc.rr.com
The Journeys of Socrates by Dan Millman. 4 1/2 stars (Available 4/2005)
I looked forward to once again sharing Socrates's adventures and was not disappointed. This book details how circumstances and events molded a young orphan into the great spiritual warrior we came to know and love in Dan Millman's books. It was a heartfelt, memorable journey, one in which the reader learns valuable lessons right along with the courageous warrior.
Trace by Patricia Cornwell. 3 1/2 stars.
It's been a long time since I've read a Scarpetta novel --- with its familiar cast of characters. It reminds me of what a fantastic writer Cornwell is. Unfortunately, it also seems involved in the same familiar plot (with slightly different villians). Nonetheless, it was a good reading adventure.
Anonymous
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. 4 stars.
A tough read, at least at first, but well worth the read!
T. Shaw
I just finished Divining Women by Kaye Gibbons. A clever story and short read of a pregnant woman who is emotionally beaten by her controlling husband. Her niece comes to care for the baby but ends up taking care of the Aunt instead.
Currently I am reading The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. I can already tell, in chapter 5, that it's a story I won't want to see end. The prologue is gripping enough that anyone would want to find out how a dead nun came to have a giant tattoo of a snake stretching from shoulder to crotch. I can't turn the pages fast enough!
rstruthers@rogers.com
I'm Watching You by Karen Rose. 5 stars.
I am currently reading this book. It is definitely a page-turner and well-written. This book could make an excellent movie. I look forward to reading other Karen Rose books.
KennethRMartin@aol.com
Like Death by Tim Waggoner from Leisure Books. 5 stars plus.
This is a surreal horror novel and is different from most horror novels I've read. Highly recommended.
The Resort by Bentley Little from Signet. 5 stars.
Another horror novel that is hard to put down.
lisaavila2000@yahoo.com
The Search by Christiane Heggan. A very good book.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler. 5 stars.
Tyler is one of my favorite authors, and she didn't disappoint me in this book. It was a multi-leveled story of a family as it goes through changing relationships through the years.
NFrazelle@aol.com
I was most fortunate to receive books and gift cards for books as Christmas gifts.
I just finished Handling Sin by Michael Malone, and Devices and Desires and The Murder Room by P.D. James.
I just started Michael Malone's Uncivil Seasons and am anxious to get to A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett (I'm an original Parrot Head!), James Patterson's latest London Bridges and Ridley Pearson's The Body of David Hayes.
I also received Morality for Beautiful Girls and The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith.
Happy Reading in 2005!
baware@comporium.net
I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe. No stars.
If the f word was eliminated, so would about 25% of the text. It was writing of the most juvenile and didn't seem to have been edited at all for length. Few of the characters were believable. I read as far as I could, maybe five or six chapters, then browsed through and read the last few chapters. It should never have been published and probably wouldn't have been by any other author.
Mantrapped by Fay Weldon. 5 stars for imagination, insight, and intricacy of plot.
I am an ardent Fay Weldon fan and find her books delightfully wicked and relevant to the man/woman psychological absurdities.
The Family by Kitty Kelly. 3 stars.
Very interesting but too much information.
Eat, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. 5 stars.
This is a humorous book on punctuation. I've given the CD to my children and grandchildren. The 13-year old boy listens to it when he goes to bed.
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. 5 stars.
Everybody should read this. You will never look at cleaning services, Walmart employees, or waitresses the same way again.
ngovero319@yahoo.com
I have just finished the book Ghosts Among Us by Leslie Rule. The book chronicles true stories of spirit encounters across the U.S. Anyone who has ever seen a ghost, experienced something abnormal that they have no explanation for, or just believes without having ever witnessed a paranormal experience, should read this book. If you are an all-out skeptic, you may not be after this read. I give it a B+.
Dawnymae5@msn.com
Key of Light and Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts. 4 stars.
This is the beginnings of a trilogy and is set in today's time period, but with some dark magic involved. Very entertaining. I am also starting The Key of Valor by Nora Roberts, which is the last book in the trilogy.
Mittens0831@aol.com
American Idle by Alesia Holliday. 5 stars. Funny!
The Healer by Jean Brashear. 5 stars. Heartwarming!
Time's Captive by Kate Lyon. 5 stars. Unique time travel!
justme@xmission.com
I could hardly put down a book called The Only Girl in the Car by Kathy Dobie. If you like memoirs, this is indeed a true work of art and I would give it a HIGH 5 stars for sure! Another great book to read is Cakewalk, a collection of short stories written by Lee Smith. A pure delight with 4 3/4 stars from me!
dani@newvisiontechnologies.net
I am currently reading Cage's Bend by Carter Coleman. I love the way the narrative switches from the four main characters in the novel. I am finding this book very moving and compelling --- with a bit of fun thrown in to make it interesting! 5 stars.
I just finished Hit Reply by Rocki St. Claire. I LOVED the e-mail/IM format that the author uses to tell this story. It is more introspective than the usual "Chick Lit" and is one I found hard to put down. I kept thinking I would read just one more e-mail and, 20 pages later, still want more. 5+++++ stars.
sunflowercat@bellsouth.net
Currently I'm reading:
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. 2 stars.
Not quite all it's been cracked up to be, but still lots of fun. Not recommended for those who have trouble concentrating on a large cast of characters, though.
Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay. 3 stars.
A fascinating study of how artists' paints came to be what they are today, full of historical notes and small thrills (such as, my favorite red lipsticks probably come from the blood of dead bugs).
Orsinian Tales by Ursula K. Le Guin. 4 stars.
Finally back in print! Beautifully told and well worth the wait. Even non-sci-fi fans will find these interesting.
bencanada1@yahoo.com
All That Matters by Jan Goldstein. 5 stars.
Touching and sensitive novel that tears at your heartstrings and touches your soul. I loved the vivid and accurate descriptions of all the characters and their personalities. Wonderful story about life and death.
realbencann@yahoo.com
A Road Through the Mountains by Elizabeth McGregor. 5 stars.
A heartrending story of love lost and found, which is deep and definitely a page-turner. The profound message and realistic character portrayal make this story a masterpiece.
Ruth Ross
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus. Fascinating!
DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
The Murder List by Julie Garwood. 3 stars.
A woman attends a seminar and writes down names of people she could do without in her life. A psycho finds it and starts killing them as his "gift" to her. She is protected by a cop who just resigned to go to the FBI and so there is a romantic element in this suspense story.
London Bridges by James Patterson. 2 stars.
Very disappointing sequel to Big Bad Wolf. Someone is decimating towns in a display of power like never seen before. Ultimatums are given to the U.S. President. It involves the Russian mafia and an old nemeis, the Weasel. Alex Cross is losing his appeal to me.
Heartstone by Philip Margolin. 3 stars.
A 1960s murder has been unsolved for years but the cop who first found the body of the stabbed boy will not give up. He helps a potential witness "recover" her memories through hypnosis. A surprise ending.
I have also been working my way through a series of extremely graphic super X thrillers! The books by Michael Slade start with Headhunter, and move on to Ghoul, Cutthroat, Ripper, and Primal Scream. These are definite 4 and 5 star reads about a special investigative unit attached to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Not for the squeamish.
magickann@gmail.com
Deception Point by Dan Brown.
This book has kept me on the edge of my seat since I opened it. It is filled with intricate levels of secrecy and makes you wonder what else the government is covering up. If you like a suspense novel this one is it.
Our Lady of the Lost and Found by Diane Schoemperlen.
Wow is what I have to say about this book. My mom gave it to me as I had never heard of it or perhaps overlooked it as I was in the bookstore. The Virgin Mary needs a vacation and comes to stay with a not even nominally religious woman writer who lives in an unnamed suburb of a larger city. The history of visitations and miracles attributed to this tired Mother of Christ as well as her desire for a quiet vacation from her avocation is wonderfully written. I love the history that the book tells as well as the journey the author takes during her guest's visit. I was enchanted by this book.
Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson.
It's hard to get into but I believe it's worth the effort. I am not done with it but am already looking forward to reading the others in the trilogy. Nice blending of history and suspense.
Of the 3 books, Our Lady of the Lost and Found is the best.
Rickimc@aol.com
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. 3 stars.
Very well-written children's book. However, it had too much sci-fi and not enough fantasy for me.
Peach Fuzz, Vol. 1 by Lindsay Cibos and Jared Hodges. 5 stars.
Adorable American manga about a ferret. It just keep getting better with each chapter. Some parts made me laugh aloud.
The Gabriel Hounds by Mary Stewart. 2 stars.
Some parts were just way too confusing making the plot difficult to follow. Good suspense, though.
Mammakim@aol.com
I read Hit Reply by Rockie St. Claire, 5 stars. The emails and IMs were a refreshing writing style. I also read Upgrading by Simon Brooke, 4 stars. It was an OK portrayal of a man looking for the greener grass on the other side of the fence.
prwamsley@adelphia.net
Wish You Were Here by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown. 4 stars.
This is the first book I've read by Rita Mae Brown. Since I like animals, I thought I would start at the beginning of this series that she co-writes with her tabby cat. I found it very amusing the way the animals talk to each other and try to communicate with their not-so-smart human. They try to solve the mystery and usually figure it out about the same time their human does. The book reminds me a little of "The Cat Who" series but it's a completely different style. I recommend this to all animal lovers who also enjoy a good mystery.
Kellyw31@aol.com
Forever by Pete Hamill. 4 1/2 stars.
This is the story of Cormac O'Connor, an Irish immigrant to the U.S. who is granted immortality as long as he stays on the island of Manhattan and never leaves. We see the growth of New York beginning from its earliest days in the 1700s. Spellbinding.
Tzgkd5@aol.com
My book club selected Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani to read for January. I decided to read the sequel, Big Stone Gap, first. They were both easy, enjoyable reads. I liked Big Stone Gap a little more. Trigiani creates interesting characters and gives the reader a glimpse of what small town life may be like. I'd give both these book 4 stars.
Alize55@aol.com
Mercy by Jodi Picoult. 2 stars.
I fell in love with another book of hers (Perfect Match) but this one disappointed me to the max. Most of it was filler except for the beginning and the end. Nothing grabbed me, and quite honestly it was kind of sad to read. Not intriguing sad where you want to keep reading and feel bad for the characters…but a dull kind of sad.
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner. 4 stars.
I may change my mind about this book but so far its amazing. I am only about a third of the way through but it definitely has held my attention. I constantly want to pick it up. Lately, being so busy, I only read a few pages before bed at night, but with this one I always tend to get a good amount read every time I pick it up. I really recommend this book.
susanrjensen@yahoo.com
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. 5 stars.
All I can say is: This book deserves all the hype it has gotten. It's simply a great, fast-paced literary mystery.
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. 3 stars.
This small volume tells the story of Oswald Campbell, an ailing man who moves to Lost River, Alabama, for health reasons. The small town embraces the man, who comes to love its people, especially a little girl named Patsy and a redbird named Jack. Although the plot is original, Flagg's writing lags in this one. It is as if she is trying too hard to be inspirational and heartwarming. It is a sweet story, just not well written.
Blue Night by Cindy McCormick Martinusen. 3 stars.
I like the idea behind this novel: A group of friends in WWII Germany each take a blue tile with them as they go their separate ways. When matching blue tiles are found at several murder scenes, the group unites to discover the secrets the tiles hold. The reunion leads to revelations that will rock their lives and reveal old Nazi secrets. In the hands of a more capable writer, this would have been a compelling page-turner. As it is, it's a mediocre novel --- unrealistic, predictable and sappy.
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. 5 stars.
I loved this novel about a small town filled with quirky Southern folk. The story focuses on Ave Maria Mulligan, the thirty-something town pharmacist who is desperate to find herself and her place in the tiny town. It is a funny, sweet book. I loved it!!
mbennett32003@earthlink.net
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 5++++ stars.
How did I miss this in school? It's been on my to-read list a while, and my neighborhood group just read it. What a wonderful book! It's well written with great characters, great plot, and a great message.
The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty. 4 stars.
Also for a book group. I had to read this in a hurry so I may not be giving it as much of a chance, after all it did win a Pulitzer. I thought it was just ok. Certainly well-written, but it just lacked some umpf for me.
The Drowning Tree by Carol Goodman. 4 1/2 stars.
This is Carol Goodman's third book and I am thoroughly enjoying it (not quite finished). It's about a woman who finds her long-time college friend dead in a river days after seeing her. Was it an accident or a suicide or possibly murder? The book explores the relationships/lives with her friend and her ex-husband who has been in a mental institution.
Last Writes by Laura Levine. 4 1/2 stars.
This is the second mystery in the series. It is a light-hearted, funny mystery where the main character gets involved in a murder investigation while getting a chance to write for a series on TV.
schot@cox.net
The Irish by Doris Flood Ladd. 5 stars.
This is in paperback and probably out of print, but what a wonderful romantic read. I bought this book at a library sale and will not part with it. I intend to reread it every year. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking to read other books by this author.
Bjglu@aol.com
In the Castle of the Flynns by Michael Raleigh. 3 stars.
I read this for my book club, otherwise I would have quit halfway through. It's a palatable enough novel that reads like a memoir. I'm just not sure why it was written. It's okay but nothing special and the story has been told before.
When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? by George Carlin. 4 stars.
A funny book to skim. There are laugh-out-loud vignettes and other sections to skim over. A caveat: this is by George Carlin. Before you read it you should be aware of what you're getting. Don't be offended. That's what he DOES! If you're open-minded, it's a hoot with lots of aha moments.
pjclark@execulink.com
Cross Current by Christine Kling. 3 stars.
ltwofoot@tampabay.rr.com
A Veiled Journey by Shirley Palmer. 5 stars.
This books captures your attention and doesn't let go until the very last page. Full of emotion and passion, this book brings you into a culture and allows you to see into a world normally hidden behind a veil. It is a wonderful story of a woman trying to find her roots in the unknown while staying rooted in the known. Excellent story!!!
1st to Die by James Patterson. 4 stars.
Definitely a quick book to read. Short chapters, fast-moving story. I will definitely read the second book in the series. Just when you think you know "who did it" the story takes another surprising twist. The real "villain" is not known until the very end, but once you know it was kind of predictable.
bradylee@myway.com
Ronnie & Nancy: Their Path to the White House -- 1911 to 1980 by Bob Colacello. Published 2004 with 506 pages + notes. 5 stars.
This book offers two biographies where one chapter is about Ronald Reagan and every other chapter of Nancy (Davis) Reagan from childhood to where he is elected president. Nancy had a family that was well-to-do and Ronald quite a bit less financially.
If you have any interest in these two you will like this book as it is quite detailed, but most accessible and interesting to read. There are many notes, but they do not interfere in any way. It is enlightening to see how they met and how Nancy was interested in him and designed a way to meet him when he didn't know she existed. It was not a quick romance, but did build up in time, and at marriage and beyond the cymbals clashed continuously. You will learn the workings of wealthy, influential people at playtime as well as in the serious business of politics. There is also a fair amount of "movie" talk that added to my interest. I am sure Reagan will be in the history books in a major way for all time to come...deservedly so.
Ellen Whitney
Over His Dead Body by Leslie Glass. 4 stars.
Not part of her April Woo series but a super stand-alone. You don't want to put it down.
wmcmorine@worldatwork.org
In December I read Without Reservation by Alice Steinbach and Expecting Adam by Martha Beck. Both were fabulous.
Hallheatherm@yahoo.com
Death in Vineyard Waters by Philip R. Craig. 4 stars.
Excellent read whether you are familiar with Martha's Vineyard or not. His protaganist is an ex-Boston cop. This is one book in many with the same character. A fun and easy read.
The Bookman's Wake by John Dunning. 5 stars.
Excellent read with lots of information about collecting antique and first edition copy books. Great murder mystery plot.
The Widow Killer by Pavel Kohout. 5 stars.
I picked this up at a used book sale. It takes place during Hitler's regime. It is a wonderful murder mystery that includes lots of historical information.
cll@rcn.com
I just finished Joy Comes in the Morning by Jonathan Rosen, and I would give it 5 stars.
mohendies@earthlink.net
With Red Hands by Stephen Woodworth. 5 stars plus!
The sequel to Through Violet Eyes and better than the first (which I would rate 5 stars too!) Violets are born with violet eyes and can connect with the dead. They are used in criminal cases to testify in the victims behalf. With Red Hands continues the story of Natalie Lindstrom. This time she is dealing with a serial killer using other Violets to do his dirty work. Vincent Thresher is scary as hell. This series is highly recommended!!
State of Fear by Michael Crichton. 5 stars.
It really makes you think twice about global warming, the media, and created "states of fear." He backs up characters' "facts" with footnotes that makes the novel more real. He has appendices and a bibliography for anyone wanting to research more about the subject. His appendix on eugenics is worth reading.
Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman. 4 stars.
This book has gotten mixed reviews, but I enjoyed it. A short novel of interconnected stories about a house in Massachusetts and its inhabitants, spanning 200 years.
Jessica Gullons
Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books would have to get 5 stars every time. The continuity and story are awesome. The stories are relatable and hilarious to anyone I know who has read them. I would suggest that anyone wanting a quick, hilarious read to pick up these books.
Lgluhani@aol.com
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett. 4 stars.
Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell. 3 stars.
Purple Hibiscus by C. N. Adichie. 4 stars.
Yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I just finished Some Kind of Miracle by Iris Rainer Dart and I give it 5 stars. An easy, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Before Christmas I read A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg and give it 4 stars. I also read The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore, and if you like Carl Hiaasen you will love it. It is one of those books you either love or hate. I loved it.
martysmarty@hotmail.com
I have currently been reading Louise Erdrich's book The Master Butchers Singing Club. It is very well written and has a propelling story line following emigrants from Germany to South Dakota with emotional swings from high to low periods of their experiences with small town life during the settling of the midwest. Great read!
maestraw@msn.com
How to Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward is a small gem of a book. I had it on the shelf to read and kept putting it aside. When I read about it again on Word of Mouth, I decided to try it. I am so glad I did. Ward packs a lot of insight and angst in this short book about love, loss, and family. 4 stars.
On the other hand, I am very disappointed in Cage's Bend by Carter Coleman. It was not what I expected. It was slow reading, sad, and depressing. The book never seemed to take off. It jumped from the past to the future with no rhyme or reason. I just did not like it. I normally do not finish books I don't like. However, I kept thinking this one would get better. It didn't. 1 star.
bradylee@myway.com
A Paper Life by Tatum O'Neal. Published in 2004 with 285 pages. Nonfiction. 5 stars.
A difficult life for sure has been the story of Tatum O'Neal's experience before, during, and after marriage. The determining problem was her parents first and then her husband second. This most interesting book will make you wonder why she kept returning to her parents when they always made conditions worse, never better.
The drug culture plays a prominent role in her lifestyle and her "almost" destruction until she had a friend and her brother demand she attend meetings for self help...which have worked well. You will read of many happy experiences, but the total sum is primarily despair 'til the very end of the book. The friends you make in this life are so important and you will discover about that in this story, but you have no choice as to your parents.
JoanOH@cinci.rr.com
Happiness by Will Ferguson. 5+ stars.
If we could score higher than 5 stars, I would! Wonderful story line. What would happen to society if the "perfect" self-help book was written? Tobacco industries would fall, as would diet industries, cosmetic lines, hair replacement, junk food, plastic surgery...and on and on. Wonderful read and really makes you stop and think!
bedrock18@aol.com
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. 5 stars.
One of those books with a quirky sense of humor, references to pop culture, literature, science fiction (and science fact), entertaining to the max. Set in an "alternate universe" in 1985, it's a story you can jump into --- much like the lead character can jump into and out of books we're all familiar with (such as the Jane Eyre of the title.) It's interesting to think of a world where the works of Shakespeare are the pop culture of the day.
tfranzen2124@comcast.net
It's 14 below zero. There's nothing to do BUT read! So, I'm in the middle of a whole bunch of books. Best on the list is Broken For You by Stephanie Kallos (5 stars). This is just an amazing first book from this author. Whatever she writes next, I'm there.
Also working on Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson. So far, a solid 4 stars. It is an adventure/true story of a WWII sub found off the New Jersey coast. Great read!
And thanks to back to back reviews in this space's last edition of The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore (one loved it, one hated it), I started that too. Moore is a genius of comedic phrase and plot. Always read his stuff with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Here's to January!
Comella2729@aol.com
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. 5 stars.
This is an engaging first novel about a 14-year-old girl Kambili, growing up in Nigeria. She and her mother and brother are under the strict control of her traditional Catholic father. People outside the family see her father as a generous, loving human being and a pillar of the community. Kambili sees his abusive behavior as a gesture of love. It is not until Kambili and her brother spend time away from the family at her aunt's home that she realizes that her family situation is not normal and that her father's abusive behavior is wrong. The ending of the story came as a complete surprise to me. This is a beautifully written novel and a real page-turner. If you liked Barbara Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible, you will like this book.
DancingGram7@aol.com
Journey by James Michener. 5 stars!
This is a real story about the adventures of four English Aristocrats and one Irish servant who cross the Atlantic Ocean to seek fame and fortune in the Yukon gold rush in 1897. They were misguided on the journey and ended up taking two years to get to their destination. It is a provoking insight into the follies and grandeur of the human spirit. Journey is a vivid novel only James Michener can write.
Grace Notes by Charlotte Vale Allen. 5 stars!
This is a story about a woman who was abused early in her marriage and manages to leave with her infant and a few belongings. She fled to her brother's home in Vermont where she ended up becoming an author but also ended up being her brother's caretaker. Her brother became severely disabled with Rheumatoid Arthritis and was unable to care for himself. She becomes involved with a mysterious female stranger on the Internet who is seeking advice because she is an abused wife. As the story continues Grace finds that something sinister is going on and finds her life in jeopardy. I enjoy Ms. Vale Allen's books and this one didn't disappoint me.
Jenne from Denton, Texas
The Bootlegger's Other Daughter by Mary Cimarolli. 5 stars.
I have recently finished The Bootlegger's Other Daughter by Mary Cimarolli and I enjoyed it immensely. It, along with Reading Lolita in Tehran and Jarhead, were finalists for the PEN/Martha Albrand Award for the Art of the Memoir in 2000. Jarhead won the award but it is easy to see why this was a finalist. It is a warmly written, funny autobiography of a poor girl growing up in East Texas. The author has a readable, easy style that keeps you engaged from start to finish. She is honest in her writing, she doesn't gloss over the unpleasant things that happen in life but she doesn't wring them out for every drop of sympathy either. At the end of the book, you feel as if you have been getting to know a new friend.
Lthobbs1@aol.com
By Order of the President by W.E.B. Griffin. 4 stars.
I have read the Brotherhodd of War series, which was work sometimes, but this is a very smooth read. A man at the top of his game.
GerryD8784@aol.com
My 2005 reading list is off to a good start with these!
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson. 4 stars.
Private detective Jackson Brodie discovers unexpected connections among cases he is investigating: the disappearance (and presumed murder) of a three-year-old girl in 1970, the murder of a nineteen-year-old girl in 1994, and the killing of a young father in 1979. Nothing is exactly as it seems. As the investigations proceed, readers are drawn into the lives of some fascinating and quirky characters in this consistently engrossing novel.
American Woman by Susan Choi. 4 stars.
In a fictionalized account of the kidnapping and radicalization of Patty Hearst, Choi focuses on a young woman who helped Hearst survive as a fugitive, on the bond that developed between the two, and on the life histories and experiences that brought each of them to the point where their paths crossed. Though a little slow early on, Choi's narrative builds to a touching and memorable resolution.
jberger@salud.unm.edu
Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh. 5 stars.
Multigenerational family saga set in the coal mining country of Pennsylvania. A warmhearted and beautifully written novel with interesting and vivid characters who are true to life. Exceptional writing and sensitively portrayed story.
Haddow@aol.com
Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kaestner. 4 1/2 stars.
An absolutely charming children's book originally published in 1929 by journalist/fiction author Erich Kaestner. Everyone in this novel (except the villain, of course) has a big heart, but it never strains for credibility.
ebrong@nfdc.net
Desert Places by Blake Crouch. 4 stars.
Very fast read, but very creepy.
Haunted by Heather Graham. 4 stars.
A quick romantic suspense for those who like ghost stories.
Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie. 5 stars.
A very fun mystery.
bartonz@msn.com
Being a true book fanatic, I'm reading multiple books:
Nonfiction:
Prophecy by Sylvia Browne. 3 stars.
It's just so fun to read her books and hear her gravelly voice! She outlines things to come in the next century. She published this in July 2004, and one of the things she predicts for twenty years from now are numerous tidal waves in the Orient, especially in the Indian Ocean.
The Story of Painting by Sister Wendy Beckett. 5 stars.
This enormous book published by Dorling Kindersley looks to be as comprehensive as my Art History textbook from college, lo these many years ago (and not nearly as expensive).
Spanish for Dummies by Susana Wald. 4 stars.
I promised myself I'd learn another language this year. It's broken down into good-sized chunks.
Fiction:
Original Sin by P.D. James. 5 stars.
A top-notch mystery involving a small, family-owned publishing house and some interesting connections to World War II. It kept me guessing the whole time.
The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde. 4 stars.
Hilarious, mysterious, sci-fi (Chick Lit?) about a literature detective who time travels in an alternate reality to our own. I'm just starting this, but it follows the story in the other two books in the series.
nchasnoff@earthlink.net
I am reading a great book called Hawkes Harbor by S. E. Hinton. My daughter finished it in one day and gave it a great review. So far it is great.
Sylvie Edwards from Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Well I stumbled upon a Canadian mystery author and have now read two of her books in a week over the holidays, which are a delight: Mary Jane Maffini. I have read both The Icing on the Corpse and The Devil's in the Details.
I am now waiting on Amazon to send me the third one, Lament of a Lounge Lizard.
I just love the titles and the heroine sure knows how to get herself in a mess. Leaves you breathless.
Annabelle973@aol.com
I just finished reading a remarkably fine book called Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman. This is a book about books and reading, and is a collection of essays by Ms. Fadiman, who grew up loving to read. She tells about her love of books in a most enjoyable way ---each essay is both interesting and entertaining. For example, she tells the reader about how difficult a job it was for her and her new husband to combine their extensive book collections. There is not a boring page in this book.
Roy Klaskin
Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman. 3 stars.
Not one of Hillerman's best. It introduces Joe Leaphorn for one segment and then forgets about him. It does focus on Jim Chee and his soon-to-be bride Bernie. I would rate this quick reading story 3 stars.
Whiteout by Ken Follett. 4 stars.
Fast-moving adventure story set in Scotland. Very typical of what one should expect of Ken Follett's books. Quick read and enjoyable.
Jane
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. 5 stars.
This book is a very easy, fast read. It is very touching and eye-opening. It is a story about a Japanese family and the different times and emotions of their lives during their internment. Their father was taken and interned for over four years in New Mexico. The two children and their mother were interned in the Nevada desert. You hear the story through the children and the parents.
Native Son by Richard Wright. 4 stars.
This story is about a young black man, Bigger Thomas, during the 1930s in Chicago. He lives in poverty with his mother, brother and sister in a very small apartment. He is offered a job driving for a wealthy family. Things do not go well for Bigger and he accidentally kills the daughter of this wealthy family. Life gets much more complicated and hopeless for this young man. Would it get so complicated if he wasn't a minority?
Cover Her Face by P.D. James. 3 stars.
A family hires an unwed mother as a maid named Sally. The father of the family is dying and someone is hoarding his sleeping pills. THEN Sally turns up dead! The local Inspector is having a devil of a time trying to figure out who murdered Sally. I will let you know, when I know, WHO DONE IT!
Sam Douthit
The Forge by T. S. Stribling.
This is the first of a trilogy that takes you from the time of the Civil War up to the Reconstruction time in northern Alabama. The writing is archaic but hits the voice of the Southern people exactly. I really think that Margaret Mitchell might have read this trilogy before writing Gone With the Wind. I am old enough to remember people from this era and Stribling gets it just right.
The Store is the second book of the trilogy and takes the reader through the era after the Reconstruction and the South's struggle to gain its feet economically after slavery. It has personal conflicts that project the times and the feelings of black and white people readjusting their lives and psyches after slavery. It is a Pulitzer Prize winner and only one of two won by Alabama writers. The other winner was Harper Lee for To Kill a Mockingbird. These books are in limited print recently printed by the University of North Alabama. Some words used are archaic but reflect the times and style of that period. T. S. Stribling was a prolific writer who wrote detective stories and Sunday school stories to eke out a living in the tough times he was raised in. He also was a lawyer but seldom practiced.
The Unfinished Cathedral. This is the third of Stribling's novels about the South and carries the story up through the election of Grover Cleveland, the first Democratic president since the war. It shows the struggle and conflicts of the racist society trying to survive in a changed world. It covers the Ku Klux Klan and the various problems of the reconstructed South. Most people younger than seventy who were not raised in the South will have a tough time relating to the language and history of these times. The trilogy is very enlightening for anyone who would want to understand those times. There is love, sex, and violence, but it is subdued and not graphic as things like that were done in those times.
AUGER77777@aol.com
I am currently reading Mine by Robert McCammon. This is a gripping story of a surviving member of a radical and dangerous 1960s movement, similar to the Weathermen. Marry Terror is just that --- a holy terror who is mentally unbalanced and will kill anyone she feels can identify her as a member of her former group, the Storm Front Brigade. Now she must kidnap a newborn baby from a wealthy couple and give it to her former lover and leader of the Brigade. On her trail is the FBI and the child's mother, Laura Clayborne, who will stop at nothing to get her baby back. This is a real page-turner. 5 stars.
Carosp@aol.com
The Last Juror by John Grisham. 4 stars.
Some of Grisham's books are better than others, and I liked this one a lot. It's not as suspenseful as The Firm or some of the others, but it's a good story with a lot of interesting characters and a murder at the core. The main character is the owner of a very small town in Mississippi in the 1970s --- a young guy who really bought the paper through chance but made it a success. Read it!
charris@pctelecom.us
Liars and Thieves by Stephen Coonts. 5 stars.
Very suspenseful book by a good writer. Keeps one wondering to the very end.
New York Dead by Stuart Woods. 4 stars.
Good mystery story. Woods is a very good writer.
City of Bones by Michael Connelly. 4 stars.
Mystery about Detective Harry Bosch finding the bones of a child buried about 20 years ago.
Pureevil25@yahoo.com
The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson. 5 stars.
It's a sad story but is very beautiful at the same time. I was surprised at first by the style of writing. The story is told through a series of letters and a few emails but it worked out very well.
Nancy10107@aol.com
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
A newborn is found in an Amish barn and the mother is charged with murder. It is a moving story involving the mother and her attorney who is compelled to live with the family. Wonderful characterization and an intense story. I didn't want it to end, or at least hope another book is written about some of these characters. I have moved Jodi Picoult to the top of my list of authors for whom I want to read all their books.
Inventing the Rest of Our Lives by Suzanne Braun Levine. 5 stars.
I have just begun this book but am finding it amazing. Descriptions of what goes on in women's minds once they're over 50. Very uplifting and very interesting. I would recommend this to all women over 50.
GandmaRI@aol.com
I've just started reading Dark Justice by Jack Higgins. It grabs your attention from the start. It is another book about the men in The Basement, a group established to protect the President of the United States, and Sean Dillon and his British counterparts. A page-turner.
ARomano895@aol.com
I'm currently reading The Broker by John Grisham. As usual Grisham does an exceptional job of keeping you on the edge. 5 stars.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. 5 stars.
I started this book thinking I probably wouldn't like it that much --- the subject matter sounded rather bizarre --- but it's a wonderful book. The story of a family is beautifully written with rich, vivid description. You grow to care for these people and what happens to them. Well worth reading.
Britadon@aol.com
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 5 stars.
The hero of this book is a teenage boy with Asperger's Syndrome. I have been recommending it to all the people I work with because we are currently attempting to copy with a similar young boy and this book gives such terrific insights into this type of thinking. The book is appropriate for both teenagers and adults and is quick reading with so much to offer. I particularly recommend the audio book because it is so well presented.
Cyanide Wells by Marcia Muller. 4 stars.
A good mystery without the gore many writers seem to need these days. I am not sure that I was satisfied by the ending.
bjbookman@msn.com
I just finished The Rosary Girls by Richard Montanari. I enjoyed this book and believe it will be his breakout novel. Detective Kevin Byrne and new partner Jessica Balzano are tracking the Rosary Killer. It is much more than another hunt for a serial killer. The writing is top-notched, the plot is flawless. I hope Richard will continue to write about Philly Homicide Detectives Byrne and Balzano. 5 stars.
JKW5124@aol.com
The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lillian Jackson Braun
The latest addition to the Cat Who series isn't quite up to Braun's usual standards. While it was still a lighthearted, enjoyable read, KoKo and Yum Yum didn't have a big enough role in this story. There were also too many questions introduced that had no answer. Perhaps they are lead-ins for the next book, but it made this a less satisfying read than I have come to expect from this series.
sknapp@stny.rr.com
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is what I am currently reading. If I remember right it was Powell's that had a note about this book, and caused me to pick it up. When I started, I thought "Oh, Oh! I made a mistake"...but I persevered and within a very few pages it had captured me. I have not finished it yet, but have had a hard time putting it down long enough to get other things (like the wash, dinners, etc.) done.
3rice@gvec.net
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. 5 stars.
A feel-good book that I couldn't put down till I had read the last page.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel. 4 stars.
A very interesting book, like no other book I've ever read. I kept thinking about it long after I finished reading it.
Circle of Grace by Penelope Stokes. 5 stars.
This book is about four ladies who become friends in college and upon graduation agree to stay in touch by sending a leather-bound journal back and forth to each other for each to write in. Years later, when one of the ladies is diagnosed with fatal cancer, the ladies each set the records straight about the truth in their lives instead of the stories they told in the journal. One of the best books that I've read on this subject.
A Rip in Heaven by Jeanine Cummins. 4 stars.
A true story about two teenage girls who were murdered. The book is written by their aunt and she tells of the trauma the family had to go through because of the police department and the media. A very interesting story.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars.
One of the best books I've read in a long time! I enjoyed reading each and every page.
susanrjensen@yahoo.com
The Last Juror by John Grisham. 4 stars.
In this novel, Grisham revisits the small Southern town of Clanton, Mississippi, a setting he first used in A Time to Kill. This novel focuses on 23-year-old Willie Traynor, a long-haired stranger from Memphis, who buys Clanton's small newspaper with money from a wealthy relative. As Willie searches for news in the tiny town, a major story lands right in his lap: A young mother is brutally raped and murdered, and the accused is the son of a dangerous band of criminals. Willie suddenly finds himself, along with Padgitt's jurors, the target of intimidation. When jurors start turning up dead, Willie and the town want Padgitt re-arrested, but is Danny really behind the murders? Although the plot is somewhat weak, I think this is one of Grisham's best.
kathrynpatton@earthlink.net
The Full Matilda by David Haynes. 5 stars.
A wonderful book of relationships between an aunt and her nephews over two generations. She is the kind of person who many find opinionated and difficult to get along with, but she forms a unique bond with each of her three nephews. Matilda mixes acceptance and love with manners and life lessons. A good read.
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler. 5 stars.
Another hit for Anne Tyler. Tyler does such a good job of writing about dysfunctional people. Pauline and Michael are married for thirty years but their marriage is full of arguments, disagreements, and unhappiness. After Michael walks out of the marriage, they look back on what went wrong and look at how to move forward.
bradylee@myway.com
The Untold Story by Iain Calder. Published 2004 with 314 pages. Nonfiction. 5 stars.
A book that has changed my mind as to the reputation of the National Enquirer. I was so impressed with the contents of this book that I have now subscribed to a four-issue trial of this paper/magazine. The author states that of all lawsuits that have been brought against them, there is only one where the verdict was against them and that was a suit by Carol Burnett that is covered in the chapter titled "The Burnett Case." They can and do prove everything that is in their publication and many times with pictures. Also, celebrities' activities comprise only about 30 to 40% of the content during the period written about. If you read this book you will learn a lot about the life of a reporter, the executives handling the news, and most importantly, the creator of the National Enquirer who was Generoso Pope, Jr., an incredible human being; one who fired hundreds of employees 'til he found the right ones to fulfill his vision. His paper paid higher salaries to everyone there as opposed to the rest of that industry. It was an exclusive employer for sure and you will learn of what it takes to "get the story."
Jude in Waterloo
Jonathan Lethem's A Fortress of Solitude made me late for work last week. I can't put it down. A riveting story that is so wonderfully written the story line unfolds as a film in my mind.
MHaury2@aol.com
I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe. 3 1/2 stars.
This was a definite "page-turner," which was good as there were a lot of them! The story was good, but dragged on in too many parts. Mr. Wolfe's satirical look at college life will ring true to many of us and his gift for perfect dialogue still impresses.
Cheat and Charmer by Elizabeth Frank. 4 stars.
This was a family saga about racism, feminism and Communism. The story takes place in the 1950s with lots of flashbacks and involves family loyalty and betrayals, HUAC and the movie industry. It was fascinating and I couldn't put it down, although it did seem to evolve into a soap opera at times.
Hot on the Trail by Jane Eisenberg. 3 stars.
This is the latest installment in the Bel Barrett murder mystery series. Bel is a reluctant sleuth who can best be described as a Jewish post-menopausal Stephanie Plum. It was a guilty pleasure and I plan to read more in this series.
kristim789@juno.com
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. 5 stars.
My 11-year-old son asked me to read this book because he loved the book so much. It was definitely a great book for young and old. This book talked about the fears of loneliness and abandonment through the characters' eyes among life consequences and decisions to be made. Thanks Mr. Mikaelsen for a great book.
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. 5 stars.
I read someone's review through Bookreporter so I wanted to read this book to see just how good this book was. Excellent read. It kept me up way past my bedtime. Hard to put down. Loved it. Thanks for the great reviews to draw me to this book.
charlottescobwebs@yahoo.com
Nectar by Lily Prior. 5 stars.
The Devil's Wind by Richard Raynor. 4 stars.
Witness by Amber Frey. 4 stars.
KINGFREDDY27@aol.com
I just read The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson. I would give it 4 stars. The format of the book was something I was not sure I'd like, but once I got through the first 10 pages I enjoyed reading it so much I could not put it down!
Tsbrown62@aol.com
I put Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews on my Christmas wish list. I got the book as a gift for Christmas. I wish now I hadn't. 2 stars.
PFLucas@aol.com
The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lilian Jackson Braun. 4 stars.
This book is the twenty-seventh book that Lilian Jackson Braun has written about the eccentric columnist, Jim Qwilleran, and his two cats, Koko and Yum Yum. Cat lovers will enjoy reading about cat behavior and mystery readers will enjoy a good plot.
Cary Grant: A Biography by Marc Eliot. 4 stars.
A very interesting book about the life of Cary Grant and the people he associated with in Hollywood, including photos of the period.
The Belles of Solace Glen by Susan S. James. 5 stars.
The first book in a new mystery series where the town maid, Flip Paxton, discovers letters on a regular cleaning day. The letters she discovers were hidden by a family for over a century. Now Flip is asked to locate a family member and make sure that she gets the letters. It is a touching and revealing book but does have some moments of humor.
barleykw@appstate.edu
I'm currently reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I'd like to give this book 5 stars because I think the story is excellent, but I think the writing and/or editing caused it to be too choppy, so I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars.
Kathy from Maryland
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 4 1/2 stars.
Very good book, well written. The plot is quite intriguing. The main character, John Corey, is well developed and realistic. I thought the inclusion of his wife, also an agent, and their marital problems a poorly developed part/aside of the plot. Anything they added to the plot could have been added another way. The ending was surprising. The author, as usual, has produced a great read.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
Great book, with an interesting and different story line. Though there could have been lots of medical jargon and things the average reader would have found difficult to understand and get through, the author kept all this to a minimum and explained everything well enough not to detract. Same with the legal aspects. The author has lots of emotion in the book, but I found more emotion in myself, the reader. I have not read anything else written by the author, but plan to soonest.
The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lilian Jackson Braun. 2 stars.
This book is not up to her usual. The plot was very loose and not well developed. The cats, so much a part of her other books, played practically no role in this one and were practically not even involved in solving the crime. The usual cast of characters in the small community were present, with a few additions as usual, but the story left me sadly wanting. Where has the Lilian Jackson Braun I know and read gone???
Teresa Henson
Sleep Tight by Laura Marie Altom. 5 stars.
This is a comedy romance about the not too often read about Tooth Fairy and the son of a prior "fairy" and a regular human. The hero doesn't know his mother's "past" and things start happening that confuse him and cause loads of hilarity in the story.
Myrnapen@aol.com
I am currently reading Chris Bohjalian's most recent novel, Before You Know Kindness. He is a master of character and plot development. This is the story of a tragedy that strikes when an extended family gathers at the New Hampshire home of matriarch Nan Seton for some summer relaxation. Nan's grown children, Catherine and John, each send their daughters to "Nan Seton Boot Camp," as visits to the 70-year-old's home are called. When they come with their spouses and infant child to spend the weekend and then take the girls home, an accident occurs that leaves the family stunned. With such vivid character development that one could swear we are reading about actual people, Bohjalian has created a gripping and moving story. I'm only 1/3 through the book, but I give it a strong 5 stars!
RTidw51431@aol.com
I have just finished The Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King. It rates 5 stars in my book!! The characters are wonderful and the story is great. I wanted it to go on and on. It is one of those books you just don't want to complete because you become so involved with the characters. The author addresses many of the issues middle age women face. I am glad I read this book.
ksdickinson@hotmail.com
No Place Like Home by Fern Michaels and Midwives by Chris Bohjalian.
These are both older books, but I would give both 5 stars. I saw the movie for Midwives on Lifetime a long time ago and really liked it. And Fern Michaels is up at the top of my list with Nora Roberts and Bertrice Small. All truly enjoyable reads!!
bradylee@myway.com
Teasing Secrets From the Dead: My Investigations At America's Most Infamous Crime Scenes by Emily Craig, Ph.D. Nonfiction. Published 2004 with 284 pages. 5 stars.
Have you ever heard of a forensic anthropologist? This autobiography gives you great insight as to the training and complex duties of many specialties comprising crime detection as to death by devious means. This author is able to determine much information looking at bones and the surrounding area where they are found and usually determining many facts about the person that used to be. Believe it or not there is intuition involved and it is always backed up by scientific proof. An interesting, though somewhat gory story...in parts, a showing of what you can accomplish when you just love what you do! 'Tis amazing what can be determined by just looking at a human bone.
alisonairedale@yahoo.com
The Family Tree by Carole Cadwalladr. 5 stars.
I have just finished this tremendous book and want to press it into the hands of all my friends. I bought it after reading a rave review in Entertainment Weekly and it did not disappoint! Set partly in the 1970s, it's a hilarious account of a dysfunctional family in the time of Dallas and Charlie's Angels but above and beyond that it's also an intelligent read that makes you think about families and how [on earth] you're related to one another. I love books that are both funny and sad, and although it has tons of great jokes, The Family Tree was also a poignant and touching read.
stephejl@stclair.k12.il.us
Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian. 5 stars for this gem I discovered from a review on Word of Mouth. An excellent read-aloud for teachers of intermediate students
Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon. 1 star.
Terrible dialogue and flimsy plot.
Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian. 3 1/2 stars for a character study of family members at odds because of differences over animal rights vs. gun owners. It would have been more believable if the two female cousins were older. Not as compelling as I expected.
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