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Raymondw345@aol.com
Superstition by Karen Robards. 5 stars.
Jwh9614@wmconnect.com
I've just finished reading Whispers & Lies by Joy Fielding. It would get 3 stars from me. Interesting story with a real twist toward the end. Surprised me at least.
Also I've recently read the Galway series by Bodie Thoene. It would get 5 stars from me. She writes very interesting, historical fiction with a Christian viewpoint.
Anonymous
In the last couple of months I have read over 20 romance books. Among the best were:
Flying High by Barbara Dunlop. 5 stars.
Lots of love and lots of laughter, just the way I like my romance stories. I like to fall in love with the hero and not to feel the heroine is a bitch (as so often seems to be the case of late.) Barbara Dunlop has a real knack for keeping the plot so entertaining that it is hard to put the book down.
Some Girls Do by Leanne Banks. 5 stars.
This book contains the funniest scene I have come across in the dozens of books I have read recently. It truly had me cackling like a disturbed chicken. The story is lively and impellingly interesting throughout. Hats off to Leanne Banks for a real winner!
garrettsambo@aol.com
1942: The Year That Tried Men's Souls by Winston Groom.
One Soldier's Story by Bob Dole
My Life So Far by Jane Fonda
The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh
bradylee@myway.com
Bad Girl by Abigail Vona. Nonfiction. Published 2004 with 261 pages. 4 stars.
This is a story of great personal transformation and, hopefully, one that will last a lifetime. This is the life imprint of a young girl who has a father who offers good financial support, yet has almost no parental authority...and a mother incapable of mothering. This results in a young life of trouble and waste. Things get so bad that her father sent her to a private "school for girls" to straighten up.
Abby tells, in an interesting way, her life before and during her transformation from a delinquent to being proud of her accomplishments. I surely don't know what her future holds but she had the gumption to write this book, and it would appear she is headed for winning struggles and leaving her self-centered world behind.
pyankcat@mailsnare.net
I just finished reading Animal Appetite by Susan Conant. This is an author I only recently discovered, but now I plan to buy copies of the entire series. In this cozy mystery Holly Winter, writer for Dog Life and owner of two gorgeous Alaskan Malamutes, investigates the murder of a publisher who died at his desk 18 years before the start of the book. At the same time, she's researching an actual historical event. I enjoyed the combination of colonial history and humor aimed at dog fanciers and Harvard professors, as well as the vivid way she brings dogs to life on the printed page.
Anonymous
The Lost Mother by Mary McGarry Morris. 4 stars.
Great book.
Love in the Driest Season by Neeley Tucker. 3 stars.
Learned a lot about Africa and the AIDS epidemic.
A Factory of Cunning by Philippa Stockley. 2 stars.
Hard to get into. Didn't like the British lingo
Currently I'm reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and am loving it so far.
KINDLEELF@aol.com
Wait Until Midnight by Amanda Quick.
A good mystery set in the late 1800s. Includes a little scandal, romance, good character development, especially Ms. Fordyce.
Omar by Craig O. Thompson. 5 stars.
In 1995 the CIA and the FBI uncover a plot by terrorists to salvage a priceless treasure from the hulk of the Titanic to finance their evil plots.
The Baker's Apprentice by Judith Ryan Hendricks. 5 stars.
Wynter Morrison, a breadmaker, has found contentment working the night shift. Mac, her on-again, off-again boyfriend, travels to Alaska to sort out his emotional baggage. In the meantime Wynter has become the foster mother to Tyler, a truly troubled teenager. Excellent character development.
An Apology for Autumn by David Turrill. 5+ stars.
What a great thought-provoking book. Although it must be read with an open mind, as the story fleshes out, one astounding thing follows another.
myrtleme@sbcglobal.net
No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark. 4 stars.
Really good book. It pulls you in, in typical Clark fashion, and while you are reading it, housework does not get done.
Debby236@aol.com
I just finished Beyond Scandal by Brenda Joyce. It was an older one but quite good. There was some mystery and some romance in it. I give it 4 stars. Now I am starting Master of the Moon by Angela Knight. So far it is fantastic.
Aileen in Methuen, MA
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. 4 stars.
This was such a twisted and bizarre story that makes you wonder if things like this are actually happening in this world! (I certainly hope not!). The story is told from the point of view of Kathy, who is an adult now, as she looks back and recounts her and her friends' story of their time at Hailsham, a private, secluded school. I will not say more because I don't want to give the story away. As twisted as the story is, it is very sad as well. I enjoyed reading it. I've never read anything like it!
I am currently reading House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III, which so far is good. It will be interesting to see the movie afterwards.
Rickimc@aol.com
This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart. 3 stars.
Interesting theories were presented about Shakespeare's The Tempest, but the book could have used a little more magic.
patoct@optonline.net
A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber. 5 stars.
Excellent. Warm, touching, and a few tears. Debbie didn't disappoint.
The Perfect Family by Carla Cassidy. 4 stars.
Wonderful suspense tale along with nice romance of course.
I am currently reading Pretty Woman by Fern Michaels, and know I will love it when done. Great lead characters with a hateable villain thrown in. 4 stars.
hagarrpt@earthlink.net
Buried Dreams by Brendan DuBois. 3 1/2 stars.
This mystery is set in a small New Hampshire town where Lewis Cole, a writer for a magazine, lives. When the story opens, he is attending the funeral of his friend, Jon Erickson, an amateur archaeologist who was murdered the day he finally found evidence of a Viking settlement in the area. Lewis makes it his quest to discover Jon's killer and uncover the missing Viking artifacts. Fans of cozies should find this book to their liking, as there is little in the way of bloodshed. There is an abundance of suspects, and myriad clues lead one along to a satisfying conclusion.
Fade to Blonde by Max Phillips. 4 stars.
Set in Hollywood in the early 50s, the main character is Ray Corson, a failed screenwriter doing roofing and other odd jobs to make ends meet. Enter blonde bombshell Rebecca LaFontaine, a failed actress turned hat check girl, waitress, etc. who wants to pay Corson to protect her from a scorned boyfriend (porn film producer and minor mob character Lance Halliday). As Corson begins to dig into Halliday's background, he finds more than he bargained for, and the result is a wild ride through an LA of drugs, mobs, and violence. A twist at the end makes this Hard Case Crime offering a great read.
Deadly Legacy by Robin Burcell. 4 stars.
Kate Gillespie, Homicide Inspector for the San Francisco PD, finds herself entwined in an apparent murder-suicide involving an old school friend. The deeper Kate digs, the more involved the case becomes, leading Kate to question some basic truths from her past. This is the third Robin Burcell book and a good, quick read.
hyjean@shaw.ca
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. 5 stars.
Although this is not an easy read it is a do-not-put-down look at cultural diversity and human history. Diamond puts so much knowledge into perspective that the development of human history seems clear. I am thoroughly enjoying it.
Pam Fierro, Virginia Beach, Virginia
I am currently reading The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg. So far it's 4 stars. I'm about halfway through. I just love the character Betta, a widow who's recovering from the loss of her beloved husband, John. As he lay dying from cancer, she promised him that she would find joy in her sorrow, which she fulfills by picking up and moving to a small midwestern town. Meeting each new quirky character is like unwrapping a gift; each one is a surprise and a treasure. Berg's descriptions of feelings and nature are astonishing and breathtaking, like reading poetry.
The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman. 4 1/2 stars.
I recently reread this in order to lead a discussion at my book club. Holman is a master of words, a truly talented writer. I found that the first-time reading was more enjoyable; there was an element of suspense that made me want to consume the book as fast as I could. I truly had no idea how the story would evolve. On reading it the second time, I enjoyed the descriptions (although harsh and nasty) of life in the disease- and poverty-plagued misery of nineteenth century England. Holman's use of Dickensian literary technique is very cleverly applied to this novel.
The Other Woman by Jane Green. 3 stars.
Jane Green's novels are like candy --- a fun treat. You know there's better stuff out there, but it's just too deliciously easy to pass up. And her latest, featuring a woman caught up in the frenzy of meeting, marrying and mating a man is good enough to suit the craving. Some will relate to the mother-in-law woes, while others will find the main character ridiculously selfish and oversensitive. I thought she was okay --- like listening to your best friend whine about her problems. I felt sympathetic and supportive, but wanted to roll my eyes at times because so many of her issues were self-created.
MelJPrincess@aol.com
The Codex by Douglas Preston. 5 stars!
After he disappeared, a father leaves a videotape of himself for his two sons sending them on a trail for treasure. However, there's a Myan Codex hidden among the treasure that holds an incredible secret. Rip-roaring action and adventure make this book a thrilling, page-turning read.
Much Ado About You by Eloisa James. 5 stars!
The first in a new series about four Scottish sisters who, after their father dies, move to London to find true love. In this book, the focus is on Tess, the eldest sister, who finds out that marrying for love IS the best reason of all. An extremely well-written Regency romance.
Corky Lee, Aurora, IL
I just finished The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. I was quite enthralled with The Secret Life of Bees but this title left me wondering if the author will ever be able to surpass, or even equal, Bees. I did finish the novel but it didn't leave me with any kind of feelings for the characters.
I have also just finished reading Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. What a truly wonderful read! The characters were so real I wanted to reach out and interact with them. The novel also left me with a better understanding of the prison system as well as some human emotions.
mbennett@carmel.lib.in.us
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 3 1/2 stars.
I didn't like this one as much as The Secret Life of Bees. I thought the main character could have been developed better.
March by Geraldine Brooks. 3 1/2 stars.
Once again, I didn't like this as much as her previous book. The best part was toward the end when it was told from Mrs. March's perspective.
Eddie's Bastard by William Kowalski. 4 stars.
A coming of age story about a boy whose father is dead and his mother leaves him with his grandfather to be raised.
Killing a Unicorn by Marjorie Eccles. 4 stars.
A well-written and quick read murder mystery.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5+ stars.
Excellent book about a boy growing up in Afghanistan who moves to America, and the guilt and redemption he has about his childhood friend. Excellent character development, story, well-written, and you learn so much about Afghanistan.
mdcarter@netidea.com
CivilWarLand in Bad Decline by George Saunders. 5 stars.
Frek and the Elixir by Rudy Rucker. 4 1/2 stars.
Dinaper@cs.com
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. 4 stars.
Grips you at the beginning and doesn't let go. Florence, Italy at its most creative and fervent. Like The Red Tent in terms of teaching a lot of history within a beautifully crafted story, but The Birth of Venus carries through to the end. Jaw-dropping happenings, great twists and turns, really a "can't put it down" read.
Catslady5@aol.com
The Mistress of Trevelyan by Jennifer St. Giles. 5 stars.
Although I am only three-fourths through, I am totally enjoying this book. For those who love historical romance, this is a definite winner.
SEEDCAKEANDJOE@aol.com
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. 5 stars.
Great historical novel of King Henry's court during the time of Anne Boleyn. First of a trilogy.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
The Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer. 5 stars.
I've had this on my bookshelf to read for a couple of years and just got around to it. It's a great book about a tragedy and how the people it affects cope with it.
simecka@comcast.net
I just finished reading The Protectors: The Beginning by Beverly Barton. I am a big fan of hers and the book contains the first two Protector novels. I give it 5 stars.
I am now reading Yanoama, which is a narrative of a white girl kidnapped by the Amazonian Indians as told to Ettore Biocca. Translated from the Italian by Dennis Rhodes. The book is very old, but is a wonderful translation of the life of Helena Valero, who lived with the tribe for 20 years until she was finally reunited with her family. It is told by her, leaving nothing to spare as to the culture of the Indians and the many events that occurred over the years. I find it very interesting as it tells in depth the rituals and daily habits of the Yanoama tribes. 4 stars.
Cjlineberry@aol.com
Pinkerton's Sister by Peter Rushforth. 5 stars!!!
Exceedingly literary tale in which the main character's mind is stuck within pages, and stanzas of classical works such as Shakespeare, Wilde, Louis, Poe and others. Mr. Rushforth gives an interesting peep into the sharp, well-read mind of Alice who is considered to be the madwoman of the neighborhood. Alice fills her lonely life with such friends as Lady Macbeth and Jo March. She incorporates people around her into her world of make-believe, and into a secret book that she is writing. Spending her time reading, and deep thinking, she observes true prejudices within her life, and culture of the real world and transfers those views and people into the classics embedded in her heart and mind. This book is about the power of Alice's sharp mind, and the power of imagination.
Emma Brown: A Novel From the Unfinished Manuscript by Charlotte Bronte, by Clare Boylan. 4 stars.
A mystery set in Victorian England. The completed story of 20 unfinished pages written many years ago. In the story, Matilda is instilled within a girl's school under the pretense of being an heiress. When she is not retrieved at Christmas break, things begin to fall apart. The school finds that a false identity and address were given by Matilda's father. Matilda disappears, and Emma Brown is set to figure out who the young girl really is. I liked that the writer often speaks directly to readers, reminding them of facts mentioned earlier on, and rehashing what is what. Liked it much.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars.
I love a good southern tale. They are always filled with heartache and strife, and usually end all warm and fuzzy. The character of Lily is lifelike, and her story is moving. Sue Monk Kidd has a wonderful writing style. I have added her name to my summer reading.
The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald. 5 stars.
This is an astonishing novel. It is deeply woven into many layers of interest, making it totally absorbing and a fast-moving read. It is a story within a story. The writer picks you up and places you flat in the middle of 1962 with all the marks of that period. I appreciated her descriptive leaps from the past to the present.
First, MacDonald inducts the secret life of Madeline's father, Jack, into the story. Second, a murder mystery evolves and eventually is the ruin of a young man's life. Third, there is death, war, and loss. Finally, MacDonald crushes the reader and breaks his/her heart with a disturbing childhood secret that connects all the other aspects into one great story. I was tempted to take .5 off of my rating of this novel because I could barely take the cruelty done against the child characters (and I give warning to new readers of a harshness that turned my stomach). Then I realized, if it had such an emotionally stirring effect on me, then it deserved the entire 5 points. After all, isn't that what a good book is all about?
tunaross@nc.rr.com
Hard Truth by Nevada Barr. 5 stars.
Nevada Barr's writing reminds me a lot of poetry. She describes the wilderness and the human condition with such clarity and vivid detail that it's like being there in person. This book takes place in the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. I've read each of her books and they seem to get better and better. This one deals with park issues and politics, the disappearance of three young girls, and a volatile religious sect. Having read the wonderful book Seeking Enlightenment…Hat by Hat by Ms. Barr, entering the religious realm with her in a mystery novel was especially fascinating. I find her views on religion thought-provoking and uplifting. A wonderful read. I've read all of her books to date and can't wait for the next one to hit the stores.
janetmac56@optonline.net
I have just finished Beneath a Marble Sky: A Novel of the Taj Mahal by John Shors. If I could give it 500 instead of 5 I would. It was the most remarkable book I have ever read. I couldn't wait to finish it yet I didn't want it to end. The story is a fictional account of the events surrounding the building of the Taj Mahal. The story is riveting and the ability of this author to write from the perspective of a women was absolutely amazing. I have to say thank you to "Word of Mouth" contributors because without them I would NEVER have picked up this book. READ IT…you will not regret it.
Due to the opinions of Word of Mouth writers I also just finished The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story…with Wings by Mark Bittner. It is a good book that I would rate 3 1/2. While reading this nonfiction book I kept thinking how is he going to keep me interested in these parrots for an entire book. Well, guess what he did.
Honeymoon by James Patterson gets a 4. It is a quick read that keeps your attention to the very last page.
dmdclancy@hotmail.com
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 2 stars.
I had requested a hold at our local library so when it arrived I could be one of the first readers. I was so disappointed. This was just another story of a middle-aged woman unsatisfied with her life who finds a lover. I felt cheated. The Secret Life of Bees was so wonderful I recommended it to everyone. I won't do that with The Mermaid Chair.
Bound for Murder by Laura Childs. 5 stars.
This is the third book of her scrapbooking mysteries. A nice cozy read. The info about scrapbooking adds to the appeal for those of you who are artsy. I would also recommend her other series, The Tea Shoppe Mysteries. Always make you feel like you've just had a good visit with your best friend.
Marlie Warren, St. George, Utah
Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock. 5 HUGE stars!!!!
Great story through and through, and such a surprise at the end! I LOVED it!!
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. 5 stars.
A classic story and a classic author. I've had it lying around forever and have never read it until I saw a movie with John Travolta and Scarlet Johansen the other night called A Love Song for Bobby Long, in which this book was mentioned throughout the movie and the storyline built around this title. So I decided I'd like to give it a read to see what it's all about. Absolutely AWESOME read! I can't wait to get my hands on more of this author's books!
Cloish049@aol.com
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 4 stars.
A good second novel. A great read.
NFrazelle@aol.com
I just finished reading Haywood Smith's The Red Hat Club Rides Again! (4 stars) A perfect complement to the first, The Red Hat Club (5 stars). I enjoyed both of these very much! Both are great for laugh-out "been there, done that" (or you wish you had!)
I am now page-turning my way through Ridley Pearson's Cut and Run. It looks like another 5-star read!
yarraman@justinternet.com.au
From My Library Bag this time:
A Kiss Gone Bad by Jeff Abbott. 4 stars.
Excellent mystery/thriller. Likeable characters, believable situations and a surprise ending. I really enjoyed it.
Gone For Good by Harlan Coben. 4 stars.
OK, I know I'm a bit of a stuck record on Harlan Coben, but this guy is outstanding. Every book has been tops. Gone for Good takes us on an adventure into crime, family and mystery. Heaps of surprises, and a startling ending.
Bitten and Stolen by Kelly Armstrong. A very interesting premise, modern-day career girl/werewolf. The cover discussion nearly turned me off due to subject matter, but surprisingly, these are great reads, treated with humor, suspense and excitement. 3 1/2 stars.
AUGER77777@aol.com
I am currently reading The Descent by Jeff Long. This is a very interesting book about what lies beneath the Earth's surface as a threat to mankind. The search is on for "hadals," demonic creatures who inflict hideous tortures on humans who become their captives. It is also about a literal search for Satan through thousands of miles of underground tunnels, deep within the earth. This book could be considered "Journey to the Center of the Earth Meets The Exorcist." 5 stars.
baxtergr@msn.com
I just finished reading Heloise and Abelard: A New Biography by James Burge. This book was fascinating in the information it contained about the title pair, but also about life in the early 12th century, especially religious life. It is based upon letters the pair exchanged over the years, most rather recently discovered and authenticated. I rate this book a 4 1/2.
Gretchen Gionti
I am reading Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock. This book I rate a 5. It is a great book. What the poor girls had to go through at the hands of their stepfather. Too bad the mother is too afraid to speak her mind or doesn't really care.
CRome21695@aol.com
I am reading Selected Stories by Alice Munro. I give the book 5 stars, and would give it more if I could. These short stories are beautifully written, and are not only entertaining, but also thought-provoking.
SteelC97@aol.com
The Valley of Light by Terry Kay. This is a lovely book and very inspiring to read and discuss with a book club.
Patti from Greenwood
Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan.
I read this book as an advance copy and I just cannot say enough about the author! Chuck Hogan makes you feel that you are friends with all of his gang, a gang that robs banks. They aren't your "average" bank robbers though, they are just like you and me. There are many twists in this book that made it a non-stop --- well, almost anyway --- read for me and I can't wait to read more from Hogan! What a wild ride!
tmzemke@hotmail.com
I just read an ARC (advance review copy) of The Witch of Cologne by Tobsha Learner. It's historical fiction that centers on a woman, Ruth bas Saul Elazar. She's a Jewish midwife who is accused of witchcraft, when in actuality she's just using good science. Great read, but adult language! 3 1/2 stars.
I just started New Mercies by Sandra Dallas, one of my favorite authors. It takes place in Natchez, Mississippi in 1933 and revolves around a murder/suicide...or does it? Too early to tell.
I devoured March by Geraldine Brooks, which I thought was one of the best book that I've read this year. This book will make you want to reread Little Women! This is a must-read! 4 stars!!!
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is one of the best memoirs by a non-celebrity. Walls is a freelance writer whose parents are eccentric to say the least. Walls writes with clarity about her unusual childhood and gives a new perspective on the homeless. (I'm a Librarian and this book has tons of holds on it). 4 stars.
On the lighter side, I just finished Oh My Stars by Lorna Landvik. As usual, Landvik introduces characters who readers can identify with. 3 1/2 stars.
charris@pctelecom.us
Me Times Three by Alex Witchel. 5 stars.
This is a cute book with a storybook ending. Don't want to say too much or will give away the story.
'Til Death Do Us Part by Kate White. 4 stars.
A good mystery that keeps you guessing.
Hard Truth by Nevada Barr. 4 stars.
Anna Pigeon is a Forest Ranger. She has been sent to the Rocky National Park. She gets in the middle of all kinds of horror but solves the problems. A little too much.
Atomic Farmgirl by Teri Hein. 4 stars.
This was the book for our Reading Club this month. A very good nonfiction book of an extended family that lived it the Palouse Area on a wheat ranch in the State of Washington downwind from Hanford Nuclear Reservation that was made during World War II and the Cold War. It tells about this close-knit family and the neighbors who had many cancers, leukemia and thyroid cancers, and the problems they had. It is a more likable book for one who has lived on a farm or has parents who did.
bencanada1@yahoo.com
The Three Mrs. Parkers by Joan Medlicott. 5 stars.
Three generations of women who have to confront their frailties and resolve their problems by combining forces. Well-written with realistically portrayed characters and a beautiful story.
SalbyC@aol.com
I recently finished two very different books. The first, Citizen Girl by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, is a satire of "what it means to be young and female in the new economy." My daughter, age 27, had already read it, and I felt it would be interesting to discuss it with her, considering her time with a consulting firm. Although this book was described as being funny, I found it to be a discouraging tale. But the book did keep my interest. However, it did not have the compassion of their first book, the wildly successful The Nanny Diaries. I would give it 3 stars.
In contrast, Bill Bryson's 1991 travel book, Neither Here Nor There, was
very funny and still relevant today. This book, about Bryson's travels through Europe, was fascinating, despite all that has changed since it was written. I couldn't put it down. For travelers everywhere. 5 stars.
Janet Simonis, Mentor, Ohio
I just finished reading Plum Island by Nelson DeMille. I enjoyed reading it, but I definitely liked Night Fall much better. Plum Island had a little too much description (which was needed) but I thought it should have ended differently. I really enjoy the main character, John Corey, he has a great sense of humor. This character is in both books. Looking forward to another book by this author.
I am currently reading Hark by Ed McBain. I have always enjoyed Ed McBain and I needed a little "lighter" book after Plum Island.
bradylee@myway.com
The Devil of Nanking by Mo Hayder. Fiction. Published 2004. 359 pages plus notes. 2 stars.
This book was going along just fine where the protagonist was on the way to fulfilling her dream when everything just fell apart at around page 295 and it was so bad I just quit reading because I didn't care what happened as things got weird to me.
I never officially found out who the devil of Nanking happened to be, but I have a good guess who the culprit was. This is supposed to be a mystery, but I could not recommend it on any level.
amy.gross@cingular.com
No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark. 5 stars.
This is the best book Mary Higgins Clark has written in a long time. It's the story of a young woman ensnared into returning to a place she had wanted to leave behind forever --- her childhood home. I couldn't put it down.
SeelieQn@aol.com
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 4 stars.
A wonderfully fun mystery that weaves the past and the present.
102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn. 5 stars.
A breathtaking account of what went on during inside the twin towers on 9/11. We now have the whole story.
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. 5 stars.
Fast-paced, grabs you from the first page. Based on the author's life after he escaped from prison in Australia, this book takes you on an amazing journey of self-discovery. From the slums of Bombay to the deserts in Afghanistan, this is an amazing read, I can't recommend it to enough people. Don't be daunted by the size, you can't put it down.
canterburypl@snet.net
Our book club just finished reading Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons by Lorna Landvik. We all loved it; even the men thought it was amusing. 5 stars.
kola54@sbcglobal.net
Ride the Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson.
My daughter and I have worn out several copies of Ms. Robson's exciting, beautifully researched book about the last "free" days of the Comanche People. This book is historical fiction at its very best, and the story --- centered on captive Cynthia Ann Parker, who chose to remain there and live as a Comanche --- grabs the reader from the initial sentence in her prologue. She balances the characters wonderfully and shows understanding of both the settlers and the Comanche people. There are no good guys/bad guys here --- only human beings. (If this gives any more credence to the book's accuracy, I am Comanche. I grew up hearing bits and pieces of the story from my grandparents.) Her newest book, Shadow Patriots, is sure to be as well-researched and thrilling as the others. I've read every book she's written, and would gladly give them all 10 stars if I could! No matter what your genre preferences are, Lucia St. Clair Robson's writing will get into your system and you'll be addicted.
ALEMESH@aol.com
I have just finished The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares. It is about four close teenage friends who purchase a pair of jeans in a used clothing store and although they are different sizes and body types, the jeans fit each one perfectly. They are going spend the summer apart and will mail the jeans to each other. They all have different adventures while wearing the pants, some of which will include epiphanies. This book is not for the naive 12-year-old as it contains some sexual content but will be popular with with 14 and older. I have decided not to give this to my 11-year-old granddaughter for several more years.
NGroves@aol.com
Deep South by Nevada Barr. 4 stars.
Another in a series of detective novels featuring National Park Service ranger Anna Pigeon. In this episode, she's just arrived at the Natchez Trace Parkway for a new managerial job and hasn't even unpacked when the body of a teenage girl is discovered in the park, her prom night having taken a deadly turn. The girl's body is found with a sheet over the head and a rope around the neck, implying Klan involvement. Is it a clue, a red herring, or an extremely tasteless joke? Anna has to deal with new, unfamiliar terrain, alligator attacks, racial tension, and uncooperative subordinates to get to the bottom of things.
The World of King Arthur by Christopher Snyder. 3 stars.
This nonfiction book explores the historic era (the fifth and sixth centuries) that would have produced a king, chieftain, or war leader who inspired the legends that still have power today. The author looks at the Celtic and Roman history of Britain, archaeological evidence, old documents, etc., to review the history of the era, then moves on to show how a few bits and pieces of information were transformed over the centuries through literature into the familiar and much embellished story. Lavishly illustrated.
Four Spirits by Sena Jeter Naslund. 3 stars.
Naslund takes on the violent struggle for civil rights in her hometown of Birmingham during the early 1960s. She looks at the events through the eyes and thoughts of a host of characters, black and white, ranging from a black minister who was one of the movement's leaders to a KKK member (and inept bomb builder). Her main characters, the "four spirits," are young teachers, two black and two white, who meet in an early experiment in desegregating a night school (the term also refers to the spirits of the four little girls killed in a Birmingham church bombing). I had some problems with the structure of the book and grew exasperated at points, but if nothing else this book proves that there's been progress over the past 40 years, even if we have a long ways yet to go. It also gives you an appreciation for the bravery of so many individuals whose names never made the headlines.
Kahoho@aol.com
I just finished reading Nelson DeMille's Night Fall. I didn't think it was his best (The Charm School was my absolute favorite DeMille book). The first one hundred pages or so dragged and I almost put it down. I also figured out the ending and I think, because the book was based on fact, it was his only option but it was a little disappointing. I also got a little tired of Corey's "wise guy" attitude. But because I am a DeMille fan I will continue to read his stuff. I give Night Fall 3 stars.
My next book is The Tall Pine Polka by Lorna Landvik. I haven't read any of her work yet and I hope I enjoy this first one.
Bernjil@aol.com
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars.
Excellent, enjoyable book. I did not want to put it down.
Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells. 3 stars.
I loved the first two Ya-Ya books. I cannot say the same for this one. It was not as interesting. It was comical at times.
bookrec@sbcglobal.net
Cast of Shadows by Kevin Guilfoile.
A great book, makes for interesting discussion, everyone should read it.
Gods of Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson.
Interesting, not my favorite but goes a long way in proving everything is not always what it seems.
One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury.
A book about 9/11. Not finished yet but so far it is holding my attention.
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks.
I liked the characters and it had a believable plot. Highly recommended.
TereseRose
I recently discovered the fiction of William Lashner. The books in this series are excellent stories of a defense attorney and his adventures. Among the titles are Past Due, Bitter Truth and Fatal Flaw. You will want to read each and every one of them.
bradylee@myway.com
Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost At Sea by Steven Callahan. Nonfiction. Published 1986 with 234 pages. 4 stars.
The subtitle tells it all. What do you do, alone on a very small raft, in the middle of the ocean? You try to survive is what you do and that is almost a 24-hour-a-day task. His equipment for producing fresh water from salt water conks out occasionally and he has to find a way to repair it (which he does) with no replacement parts or tools. His description of the various sea animals and their part in his survival is most interesting.
I won't tell you how he is rescued, but that particular event seems to be nestled in a plan from on high as Steve "all of a sudden" is discovered. This book tells of pure adventure.
soniasez@aol.com
I bought The Year of Pleasures after listening to Elizabeth Berg talking with Diane Rehm on her show on NPR last month about it. It is about a middle-aged woman and the year that follows the death of her husbands. She doesn't follow the conventional wisdom to wait a year before making any big decisions, but rather she sells her Boston brownstone and starts driving west to start the life that she and her husband had planned in a small town in the midwest that she just finds along the way. She also looks up her old friends from college and makes new friends, and as she says the death of her husband allows her to experience pleasures she would not have otherwise. This is a wonderful and enjoyable book.
Pfzlady@aol.com
Right now I am reading Bet Your Bottom Dollar by Karin Gillespie. It is so funny and enjoyable that I give it 4 stars.
I just finished Any Place I Hang My Hat by Susan Isaacs. It was very well-written, engaging, and entertaining. I also give it 4 stars.
jrsale@verizon.net
I'm now reading Sarah Strohmeyer's Bubbles Betrothed, which is the fifth about this Polish Barbie-like hairdresser with a male friend named Stiletto! She of course solves crimes, even though she's a blonde. Plus the book is set in PA, which is not too far from my home. It's plain entertaining! 4 stars.
Bjglu@aol.com
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. 4 stars.
Terrific, empowering memoir. If she can "make" it, anyone can.
Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl. 4 stars.
Entertaining tales of Ms. Reichl's experiences as food critic for the New York Times (recipes are a bonus!).
Blowout by Catherine Coulter. 3 stars.
Workmanlike mystery.
Lgluhani@aol.com
We Thought You Would Be Prettier by Laurie Notaro. 5 stars.
Laugh-out-loud funny vignettes about Laurie's life and somewhat sarcastic, hysterical thoughts. I plan to read her other books.
3rd Degree by James Patterson. 3 stars. Mystery.
Dark Horse by Tami Hoag. 4 stars.
A mystery that takes place in the horse racing circuit.
Kathy, Dix Hills, NY
Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler, 5 stars.
Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. 4 stars.
The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans. 5 stars.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy. 5 stars.
metalfiend11@yahoo.com
Hostage by Robert Crais. 4 stars.
I had to read the book before I saw the movie. The book was very good but I expected better. It does have some good twists and turns and it is a very fast read. I look forward to reading the rest of his books.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King. 5 stars.
Stephen King at his best!!!!!! One of the best storytellers ever!!!! When Louis, Rachel, Eileen and Gage Creed move to Ludlow, Maine, they have no idea of the horrors that await them. The fun starts when a young college student dies is Louis's office and tells him things that shock him. Later Eileen's cat dies while she, Rachel and Gage are visiting Rachel's parents. Louis is introduced to a strange new world. Amazing he didn't end up in an asylum. I had dreams after reading this book. Awesome!!!!!
P.S. If you ever pass through Ludlow, Maine...don't stop!!!!!
Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells. 4 stars.
I have heard so much about the Ya-Ya's that I decided to start with the first book. The first half was so funny. The second half was very different. I had a hard time with the maid's description of the abuse the children were forced to endure.
ameliarand@yahoo.com
Wish You Were Here by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown. 4 stars.
She combines a mystery with a second arena of animals as sleuths (fantasy?). Those of us with animals know our animals are smart, but do they converse?
False Pretenses by Catherine Coulter. 4 stars.
I enjoy everything I have read of Ms. Coulter's. I am still reading this book, it really keeps my interest piqued.
Ain't No River by Sharon Ewell Foster. 2 stars.
Maybe I read too many mysteries. I know what is going to happen. It is a novel that intertwines faith, which I like.
Blown by Francine Mathews. 5 stars.
I was riveted to this novel.
One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus. 3 stars.
I think this is an interesting "what if" novel. What if the U.S. government had given the Cheyenne chief 1,000 women to assimilate the Cheyennes into the white man's world in 1854.
mcgillrmcgill@charter.net
Bloodlines by Jan Burke. 4 stars.
I've read several of Ms. Burke's Irene Kelly novels (Goodnight, Irene; Sweet Dreams, Irene; Remember Me, Irene) and was very pleased to see her new novel, which is in part a prequel to those books. I loved reading about a young Corrigan and a very young O'Conner.
bradylee@myway.com
Colter: The True Story of the Best Dog I Ever Had by Rick Bass. Published 2000 with 188 pages. 4 stars.
This is about the love between a man and his dog(s); a bird dog in particular who has the physical attributes, energy, and smarts to be an almost perfect bird dog...after training by a friend who knows what he's doing plus shooting lessons so the author can hit a bird in flight more than once out of 20 or 30 times.
I have never been a hunter, but it is interesting to read the satisfaction one gets doing the process with your animal where the kill is not the main function, but the eating thereof and roaming about nature's handiwork the highlight of living. Man and dog are in their glory working together and it is a joy reading an author who knows how to relate the thrill.
ngreenfield from Connecticut
Remembering Hypatia by Brian Trent is an exciting and shocking piece of historical fiction. Comprehensively researched, this novel tells the story of Hypatia, the woman astronomer, mathematician and philosopher who was head of the Great Library in Alexandria, Egypt in 414 A.D. It tells of her passion and her assassination. It contains polarities in religious and political/educational thinking, which are hauntingly similar to what we see in the United States and the world today.
Insightfully written, the book is captivating, moving from scene to scene like a motion picture. It excites the reader about education and knowledge, edifies with various historical facts, challenges belief systems, (steams up the room in a few unexpected brief scenes), and completely startles one with similarity of today's society and its growing schism between differing political and religious views. One side breathes total intolerance, while the other side struggles to tolerate those who would have them killed.
Among the many events that run concurrently are the treatment of women and the persecution of the Jews. Hypatia rose through the ranks in a "man's world" and became highly esteemed during a time when most women still had only domestic roles. That she lost her life to the religious prejudices of the day, through political brainwashing, is a heart-wrenching tragedy.
A charismatic young male character, named Thasos, makes the story as appealing to high school and college students, as it does to adults. The novel may excite students about the prospect of learning, (if it doesn't make them fear one could be killed for it). The reader becomes poignantly aware of the challenges of governing a society where there are conflicting views. If rating it like a movie, I would give it an "R" for a few, if only brief, steamy sexual scenes and violence that, unfortunately, is historically accurate.
Denwal1@aol.com
Dark Secret by Christine Feehan. 4 stars.
I recommend Dark Secret if you enjoy Carpathians, vampires, and strong sexual content. It's a fast-paced book I didn't want to put down. I look forward to Christine's next Dark book.
Marric77@aol.com
The Innocent by Harlan Coben. 4 stars.
This was not one of my favorites by this author. At times it was sort of confusing. But all in all it was still suspenseful.
rcaldicott@iopener.net
The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard.
This is the biggest disappointment of my reading season. It is like walking through quicksand. I attended a book and author luncheon and enjoyed The Deep End of the Ocean very much, but this is a far cry.
Marie, Winnipeg, Manitoba
I just finished reading The Day After Tomorrow by Allan Folsom. There's never a dull moment in this 700+ page thriller. A page-turner to say the least. Don't peak at the ending! 4 1/2 stars.
TXROSE101@aol.com
I am currently reading Cooking for Love by Sharon Boorstin. It is a very enjoyable read. The recipes she includes at the end of each chapter are great!! I like this book much better than Ms. Boorstin's prior book, Let Them Eat Cake. I am glad I decided to read it. Her characters are delightful and the way the "real truth" about her marriage is unfolded is intriguing, leading one to want to know more.
mrmullin@rochester.rr.com
I am reading FBI Girl: How I Learned to Crack My Father's Code by Maura Conlon-McIvor. It is a memoir of the author's childhood growing up in LA with a father who was in the FBI in the '60s. Conlon-McIvor's father was a man of few words so she felt that there must be a secret code to the little he said. I am enjoying the book because of many connections I have to the era, Irish-American family. And my father was in the FBI too. It is an excellent story about growing up in a family and finding your way in the world.
cummings112@cableone.net
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 4 stars.
I enjoyed this book, but was also disappointed that it wasn't as good as The Secret Lives of Bees. The characters were less memorable and the plot was a bit convoluted. Maybe for me the mythology surrounding the mermaid chair didn't ring true. It is a romantic book with strange twists.
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith. 3+ stars.
This book carries on in the tried-and-true fashion of the other books in the series. There is little plot movement as the reader once again follows Mma Ramotswe through her daily activities as head of her little detective agency and her marriage. If one really liked the first books, this one is also satisfying, but it doesn't seem to offer much that is new.
Our book club is reading Good Grief by Lolly Winston for June's meeting, but I haven't started it yet.
J. Campbell
Company Man by Joseph Finder. 4 stars.
More tense than I had expected it to be. That's a good thing!
And I finished The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. Disappointing. 1 star.
Carolyn Cook
I'm currently reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in order to be refreshed about the story before the story before The Blood Prince comes out. I'm also reading Trace by Patricia Cornwell. I'm a little behind on my reading. I teach kindergarten so during the school year I don't have a lot of time to read. I catch up on a lot of my reading during summer break.
schwindt68@hotmail.com
Becoming Justice Blackmun: Harry Blackmun's Supreme Court Journey by
Linda Greenhouse. 5 stars.
An excellent history of this justice.
The Italian Secretary: The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Caleb
Carr. 5+++ stars.
Great to see another new story by the author picked by the Conan Doyle Estate to start a new series about this detective.
Genie from Mississippi
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett. 4 stars.
Classic Buffett! Love it!
The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers by Amy Hollingsworth. 5 stars.
A very special, heartwarming read from a close friend of Mister Rogers.
Life's Journeys According to Mister Rogers: Things to Remember Along the Way by Fred Rogers. 5 stars.
Inspirational, heartwarming, and so incredibly special...just like Mister Rogers!
srydell@charter.net
The Plague Tales by Ann Benson is a bit of everything including a great read! It's partly a historical novel set during the time of the Great Plague that swept Europe, partly in the "future" (would you believe 2005!), romance going on in both time spans, lots of suspense and mystery. Now, as to how it all wraps up --- don't know because I haven't quite finished it but it's perfect for a good summer read.
kingmiller@tcsn.net
For the past four weeks I have been reading My Life by Bill Clinton. It's a very interesting book, but it's in large print. I have two more weeks to finish it, and I'm only halfway through. I find it an interesting insight into Clinton's life and career as a politician and as a human being. 4 stars.
peggyprobus@netscape.net
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks. 5 stars.
I think this is his best book yet; it's longer than usual and has mysteries as well as romance.
Two-Dollar Bill by Stuart Woods. 4 stars.
Another great Stone Barrington novel; fast moving and a really good read.
pschrot@comcast.net
I am currently reading The Innocent, the latest by Harlan Coben. I am really enjoying the book and Coben is sustaining the suspense level just as he has in his other novels. I find Matt a sympathetic character and I am hoping that the forces that seem to be conspiring to bring him down fail! So far I give it a 4 1/2.
B. Mathison
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. 4 stars.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 4 stars.
kstandefer@aps4kids.org
University courses are over, public school's nearly out, and my to-be-read stack is wobbling dangerously. But I just stuck The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd at the top --- a re-read, but it's been on my mind since I read it last summer. I loved this book and the quirky characters, the strength they have but don't recognize, the way these incredible women exhibit their community of...well, femaleness, I guess, regardless of race, during a very scary period in our country's history. 5 stars!
Thekuktas5@cs.com
My suggestion: Jonathan Kellerman's The Conspiracy Club.
nfroemel8715@charter.net
The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke by Suze Orman. 4 stars
This is a great book for those of us who don't already know what we are "supposed" to do to ensure a good financial future. Suze Orman explains the details of various investments and gives valid reasons why you should or shouldn't invest. She even explains auto loans, home mortgages, how to pay off your bills, credit cards, etc. There is even a companion website, with more great stuff. Sounds boring, but it really was a great book.
KARLWG@aol.com
3 Nights in August by Buzz Bissinger. 5 stars.
I love this book and excellent story of managing and living through a three-game series between the Cubs and the Cardinals as lived through the manager. If you are looking for a great baseball book, go no further.
alicia_ga@hotmail.com
Out of Reach by Patricia Lewin. 5 stars.
In this fast-paced thriller, the heroes are trying to find a kidnapped boy, Ryan, as he tries to escape. The bad guys are truly evil, and always close behind. CIA agent Erin recognizes a magician as someone she saw when her sister was kidnapped, 19 years ago, and believes the cases are related. The story has many twists and turns, and the characters are so real. This book will even make you see the internet differently. Patricia Lewin has a wonderful way with words!!
The Unexpected Wedding Guest by Patricia McLinn. 5 stars.
This Romance is a nice "escape read"! Max and Suz have known each other forever. Suz is best friends with Max's little sister. At the sister's wedding, Max suddenly feels attracted to Suz, but he thinks of her as another sister and doesn't want to violate that role. We get to know several interesting characters as they work together on a renovation project, with many "close calls"...
This Far by Grace: A Bishop's Journey Through Questions About Homosexuality by J. Neil Alexander. 5 stars.
This slim book makes you think, as Bishop Alexander explains many reasons the church should not exclude anyone based on sexual preference. He examines the ancient thinking about Bible verses and other logic that led him to vote to accept the election of a practicing homosexual to the office of bishop in the Episcopal Church.
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. 4 stars.
Follow five women from their 20s in the 1960s through today. This book gave me insight into what things were like for my mother and her friends --- things I was oblivious about at the time. It was interesting to see the characters, and the world around them, evolve. Made me regret that people are so mobile in my adulthood, and I lost track of good friends.
Hank the Cowdog by John R. Erickson. 4 stars.
Texan Internet friends recommended this children's book so strongly, I got it from the library. What a wonderful romp! Poor Hank, misunderstood cowdog, tells the story of trying to protect his ranch, and spending a few days in the wild with coyotes. Originally a magazine series for adults, this book would be great to read to a child over a few bedtimes, or for adults to read for some fun and laughs!
Pudgypb@aol.com
Alone by Lisa Gardner. 4 stars.
It was a little slow getting into it but after that it was a real page-turner.
Honeymoon by James Patterson. 5 stars.
What can anyone say about James Patterson's books except fantastic?
Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown. 5 stars.
This is one of those books I couldn't put down. It was excellent. Not her usual love stories though, a real thriller.
I read two older books both by Nicholas Sparks: Rescue and Message in a Bottle. Both are 5 stars. Nicholas Sparks is a great author.
Remacom@aol.com
Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes. 4 stars.
I am reading the translation by Edith Grossman and so far find it to be very amusing.
lmoeller1@cinci.rr.com
Full House by Janet Evanovich
Not as good as the Stephanie Plum series but still a delightfully funny, wacky romp in typical Evanovich style. I'd give it 4 stars.
BahamaValF@aol.com
Maximum Ride by James Patterson.
I loved the first two books when this all started and now this one really kept you hanging and running till the last page and I won't give away the ending for you need to read the book. You have to love these angel children. Patterson brings them right to you and makes you feel for them. I encourage everyone to read this book, the first in another series. I rate it a 5.
mia@jacobsracing.com
I'm currently reading Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells. It is the story of how the characters in Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood came to know each other and their adventures while they are raising their children.
If you liked the original books or just like funny books about families and lifelong friendships, you will enjoy this book. It has laugh-out-loud moments as well as poignant stories.
I would give this book 5 stars. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next to the Ya-Yas.
zorm21@sbcglobal.net
Dead Run by P.J. Tracy. 4 stars.
I loved the first two books in this series, Monkeewrench and Live Bait. This latest book has the returning characters, but is more of a thriller than a mystery. I was very disappointed.
dmilburn@alltel.net
The Innocent by Harlan Coben. 4 stars.
Other reviewers seem to think this book is his best. I disagree. I found it hard to follow, a real stretch to believe the plot, not in any way as suspenseful and "edge of your seat" as Tell No One and Gone for Good. I was disappointed, mainly because I have truly loved his previous books. I just didn't think this one came up to the level of the previous ones.
mo-n-cats@worldnet.att.net
I usually read several books at one time. I just finished The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. I loved it! I was expecting something different after reading The Secret Life of Bees. Everyone hits that restless period in their life at some point. This one is an A.
I am also reading The Sign of the Book by John Dunning. I like the Cliff Janeway series. As an avid reader and owner of more books than I have shelves to accommodate, I love to read about books. I have given all the other Cliff Janeway books an A. I'm waiting to see where this goes with the relationship.
I just started The Amber Room by Steve Berry. I wanted to read more of his books after I finished the advance copy of The Third Secret, which was wonderful. I'm only 25 pages into it, but it's turning out to be a page-turner.
I am also reading a collection of poetry by Samuel Coleridge.
Debi Salanitro, Vineland, New Jersey
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. A 4-star book in my book!
Picoult's style of writing draws readers in and allows them to feel the emotion going on in the story! I've also read My Sister's Keeper and simply cannot wait to get some more of her books.
delturn@n-connect.net
Entombed by Linda Fairstein. 4 stars.
Very well-written
Lucas by Kevin Brooks 4 stars.
Wonderful YA book about stereotypes
Whiteout by Ken Follett. 3 stars.
Good book but a little far-fetched
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
Yet another stunner by DeMille. He takes a theory on the crash of the Pan-Am flight outside of New York and runs with it.
Sadiebelle238@aol.com
I just finished reading Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani. I liked it very much. Her writing is easy to read, pleasant, and poignant. She makes you laugh and cry. Her characters are so likeable that you want what's best for them. I give this 4 stars.
I'm currently reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. What a change of pace. I am only 50 pages into the story but am already intrigued. Probably wouldn't have chosen this book to read but it is for the book club that I belong to. I already feel that I will be glad that I read it. That is one of the real benefits of belonging to a book club --- you often read things that you normally would not.
WBtrez@aol.com
I just finished reading Pawley's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank. What a refreshing book. I really enjoyed it a great deal as I do all of Frank's books. This one left me with such a good feeling. I really want to visit and explore the low country of South Carolina. I give this book 5 big stars.
HaveToHook@aol.com
Dead Run by P.J. Tracy. 5 stars.
This is book three with the Monkeewrench gang and IMO as good as the first. Their premises and storylines are different from most and create page-turners.
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars.
This is an absorbing story about a woman who was kidnapped by her own father 28 years ago and is just now learning all the details after the old warrant for his arrest.
MHaury2@aol.com
Good House Hunting: 20 Steps to Your Dream Home by Dennis Wedlick and Philip Langdon. 4 1/2 stars.
I loved this book! It's a wonderful mixture of practical and inspirational tips regarding home ownership and interspersed with enlightening anecdotes.
The Rescue Artist by Edward Dolnick. 4 1/2 stars.
This was the fascinating true story of Scotland Yard's Art Squad and one detective's undercover work to recover the 1994 theft in Oslo of Munch's "The Scream." It's an insider's look at the international art world as well as the police work it takes to solve these intriguing crimes.
The Flaming Luau of Death by Jerrilyn Farmer. 4 stars.
I love this murder mystery series starring L.A. caterer and party planner Madeline Bean! Maddy is smart, funny and hip. (I've actually gotten some good restaurant recommendations from these books). This one takes place totally in Hawaii and was a bit "thinner" than the others and not my favorite, but I will keep reading these books as soon as I can get my hands on them.
b_mooren@bellsouth.net
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
sharshop@sbcglobal.net
Double Shot by Diane Mott Davidson. 4 1/2 stars.
It was entertaining as all her books are and I just love her "Goldy" character. Her "Jerk" ex-husband finally gets done in and she spends most of her time trying to find out who did it while the sheriff's department suspects her. I find her books very satisfying reads and her recipes are outstanding. Can't wait to try the Double Shot Chocolate Cake. For my taste (no pun intended), Ms. Davidson can't write these culinary mysteries fast enough.
Honeymoon by James Patterson & Howard Roughan. 4 1/2 stars.
It was a very quick read and finished it in two days. I enjoyed this particular plot although it has been done by others before. Just goes to prove that even with a recycled plot, Patterson can include just enough twists to capture my attention. I wasn't too pleased with the final outcome but that's fiction. I am looking forward to my next Patterson novel, 4th of July.
Get Togethers by Rachael Ray 5 stars.
Yes, I read cookbooks cover to cover just like novels and enjoy them just as much as a good fiction story. I have several of her books and have made several of her recipes. I especially enjoy the little tidbits of information she reveals of herself and why she created each recipe. You can't go wrong with any of her books or preparing any of her great recipes.
Bobby Flay's Boy Gets Grill. 5 stars.
Here again the intro to many of his recipes gives us chef's tips that make the recipe come alive for you. You can almost taste the tartness in the Thick Yogurt with Lemon-Basil Pesto and Grilled Bread recipe, and smell the basil before you try this appetizer. He devotes an entire chapter to Dips, Pizza, Flatbreads and Quesadillas, like Grilled Quesadillas with Sliced Steak, Blue Cheese and Watercress. Can't you just savor the richness of the blue cheese and the rare smokiness of the steak and feel the saliva perk up your tastebuds? I could go on and on, but if you love to cook and eat you need to get this book!!!
harlanrn@telus.net
I am recommending Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs. It is a very good thriller. 4 stars.
Diane from Los Angeles
Dangerous Games by John Shannon. 5 stars.
Shannon writes about Los Angeles, where I live, and does it better than anyone else I can think of. He's a very literary writer, with an interest in social issues and the great variety of groups that struggle to live together in our city, with its complexities, paradoxes, diversity and inescapable allure. He brings this all together in his wonderful series featuring Jack Liffey, a failed tech writer, who searches for lost children, and a terrific cast of other characters. In this 8th book in the series, Dangerous Games (my favorite, so far), Jack searches for the young Native American niece of his current girlfriend, who is caught up in the LA porn scene. There are lots of other quirky LA characters and even a scary fire in the hills of Malibu.
ezmerelda@mail.com
I'm currently reading an advance copy of John Connolly's latest Black Angel. It is very dark, but very good. I read until 4 a.m. I give it 3 1/2 stars.
luckyduck106@comcast.net
I just read Danielle Steele's latest, Impossible.
a1gross@adelphia.net
I just completed 4th of July by James Patterson. Another excellent book by Patterson. 5 stars.
Jean Utley, Burbank, CA
Finally, a terrific book! Confessions of a Teen Sleuth by Chelsea Cain. Nancy Drew's memoirs from the end of her life! It is the funniest book I've read in a long time. It doesn't miss a trick. All our favorite characters from those teen books --- the Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames, Judy Bolton, Trixie Belden, as well as drawings a la Nancy Drew. Oh, I can't describe it. Just read it. I LOVED IT!
judithms@cox.net
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell. 5 stars for a bizarre and entertaining work. The author (also the voice of Violet in The Incredibles movie) visits places associated with three assassinated presidents: Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley. The book is full of historical tidbits not normally found in textbooks (a piece of thorax of John Wilkes Booth resides in the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia). Traveling to Alaska, Washington, the Dry Tortugas, Ms. Vowell writes with wit (despite the rather macbre subject, there are many funny asides) and passion.
Jshaffer@smithpachter.com
The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry. 4 stars.
Another great read by Steve Berry. May be wishful thinking for White Russians, but this is more than a modern-day Anastasia. A good combination of historical fiction and modern-day thriller.
buckeye14@tampabay.rr.com
I just finished reading Company Man by Joseph Finder. It was a very good book to read. It had a good plot and good characters. The only thing I didn't like about it was the foul words used throughout the book. I give it 4 stars.
rscalise@lmxac.org
Home to Italy by Peter Pezzelli
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Babes in Captivity by Pamela Redmond Satran
nunu@cogeco.ca
I just finished reading Blood Memory by Greg Iles. Excellent book. A real thriller. Just when you think you have it figured out there is another twist to the plot. You will not be disappointed.
Dennis J. Hotetz
The Broker by John Grisham. 5 stars.
Another hit for this author! The "hero," Joel Backman, is someone you feel connected to, and can easily root for. The book travels from Washington, DC to Italy to Switzerland and then on to Virginia. You can actually feel that you are in fact with him during his travels. The subplot between Joel, his son, and his Italian "lady" is very well played out. I enjoyed this book, as I knew I would.
Drama City by George Pelecanos. 4 stars.
This was my first reading of this author's work. The drama, set out in the ghettos of Washington, DC, amongst the various gangs and poor of that city, shows a side of life that not many of us may be truly aware of. The pressures of the gangs on the most vulnerable, the young, is very evident, as is the total lack of hope and expectations for the future. The many subplots are well played out, although the main one about the parole agent and her "dark side" is never fully explored. In total, this is a very interesting book that causes you to keep picking up to see what will happen next.
The Ambassador's Son by Homer Hickam. 5 stars.
This is a departure of sorts for this author and is indeed a welcomed one. I started this book during a business trip from the east to west coast and found I could not put it down, no matter what. The way this author incorporates various men of history (I won't give who they are, away) is very entertaining and makes you stop and think about the plausibility of this actually happening. All the characters (both people and animals) are extremely interesting. What I did not like was the ending --- in my opinion, the ending was sudden and totally unexpected without any explanations. I was very disappointed in that as what should have happened, didn't. In spite of that, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, and anxiously await the next book by this author.
Annie from NY
Sleeping With Schubert by Bonnie Marson. 5 stars.
Hilarious, mysterious and totally original, about a woman inhabited by the spirit of Franz Schubert. I totally loved it, could not put it down.
Wicked: The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. 4 1/2 stars.
A great satire with wicked humor. This is not Dorothy's Wizard of Oz!
Lamb by Christopher Moore. 5 stars.
The newest gospel, written by Jesus's childhood friend, Biff. Very funny and moving, too.
nll9017@earthlink.net
4th of July by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. 5 stars.
Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer is called away from a get-together with her friends Claire and Cindy to follow up on a crime scene investigation. Lindsay and her partner Warren Jacobi trail a stolen black Mercedes, seen at two other crime scenes. Their apprehension of the young suspects goes horribly wrong. Lindsay and her partner are shot; in self-defense Lindsay kills Sara Cabot and maims her younger brother. Lindsay goes over and over in her mind what happened. She is assured that she did nothing wrong, but then the Cabot family hires a hotshot lawyer and sues Lindsay for $150 million in damages. Lindsay is forced to take time off from the job and goes to her sister's house in Half-Moon Bay to recover. Lindsay's lover Joe Morelli, who works for the Department of Homeland Security, drops in on her and her beloved dog Martha from time to time. Lindsay buys an old Pontiac Bonneville from the local garage to put back together on her time off. She is amused by her sister's family pet pig. Lindsay even makes friends with her neighbors, Carolee and her daughter Ali, from down the street. Lindsay is quite aware of her trial coming up but cannot help herself by getting involved in a local string of unsolved murders. Fortunately for Lindsay, the jury in her trial decides in her favor. Before heading back to work for the SFPD, she heads back to Half-Moon Bay to finish what she started. Lots of twists and turns at the end as the multiple suspects are discovered. Lindsay Boxer is a strong, intelligent cop who is not afraid to show her vulnerable side to the ones she loves. A terrific addition to a great series!
Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. 5 stars.
By her sophomore year in high school, Arlene Fleet had slept with almost all the boys in her class. Traumatized by an event that happened, Arlene takes matters into her own hands, or so she believes. She soon leaves Alabama for Chicago and does not come home for ten years. Her beloved, almost-fiancé Burr wants to meet her family. Lena, as Burr calls her, relents, albeit practically kicking and screaming on the 15-hour journey home. It is pure torture for her to come home. Arlene sticks close to Burr and does not give her Aunt Florence a chance to question her. She's pleased to see her mother and her favorite cousin Clarice. The memories unfold as the days go by. Aunt Florence and Burr help her realize that she was not responsible for what happened ten years ago. Arlene Fleet is a good old southern girl at heart who loves her family too much to shut them out for good. Delightful characters! Terrific first novel!
MYIMAGINARYBUDDY@aol.com
The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. 5 stars.
Second in the trilogy, this takes place during the reign of Queen Mary in Tudor England.
Debby236@aol.com
I am presently reading Hunter's Moon by Lori Handeland. It is a paranormal story using werewolves. She has quite a different view. I give this one a 4 1/2.
PFLucas@aol.com
The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg. 5 stars.
Another great book by the author of Open House; so enjoyable that I found
myself worried that I would finish it too soon, and I did!!
Death of a Bore by M. C. Beaton. 4 stars.
The latest in the Hamish Macbeth mystery series. The main character, Macbeth, is one that grows on you. This mystery series is entertaining and addictive!
cindywoo44@hotmail.com
The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. 4 stars.
Speak Softly, She Can Hear by Pam Lewis. 3 stars.
It reminded me somewhat of Donna Tartt's The Secret History.
I am in the middle of The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble. 3 stars. I liked Lorna Landvik's Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons much better.
KMSage01@aol.com
Pablo Neruda: Selected Poems by Pablo Neruda, translated by Anthony Kerrigan.
This is one of the finest collections of Neruda's work. Not only were the book cover poems previously not translated, they were selected by Pablo himself. The array of poems vary on topic from love and nature to his inspiration to be a poet. I speak Spanish and can say the translations are near flawless, but the large volume of work was done by more than one person. Some translators were better than others. Overall it deserves 4 1/2 stars.
chrisr3@optonline.net
I am reading The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan. I give it 5 stars. It will be made into a movie this year.
The book is about a very resourceful woman who raised 10 children on contesting. Her husband was an alcoholic who was jealous of her contribution to the family's income. It was money much needed.
blackjackcolt@cox.net
Peaches and Screams by G.A. McKevett. 5 stars.
Humorous P.I. series. Reminds me of the Selma Eichler, Sue Grafton, and Carol Higgins Clark series!
amusingjoy@sbcglobal.net
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 3 stars.
What I thought would be a female "midlife crisis" read ended up being a story that reminds us that before we can give ourselves to others, first we have to "belong to" ourselves.
Company Man by Joseph Finder. 3 1/2 stars.
Not quite as suspenseful as Paranoia, but I'm a huge fan and will continue to recommend this author.
No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark. 2 1/2 stars.
Interesting storyline but VERY frustrating ending.
More Than You Know by Beth Gutcheon. 3 stars.
The past and present converge in small-town Maine for a ghostly love story.
The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again by Nancy Thayer. 2 stars.
Sequel to a book I haven't read. This minimally entertaining story reminds us of the positive, life-affirming moments that close friendships provide.
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks. 3 stars.
Lost Lake by Phillip Margolin. 3 stars.
Suspenseful, but (thankfully) not as "blood & guts" as Gone But Not Forgotten.
Dear Zoe by Philip Beard. 2 1/2 stars.
Tess DeNunzio learns to cope with the loss of her younger sister (who is killed in car accident on 9/11/01). The story felt similar to The Lovely Bones.
But Inside I'm Screaming by Elizabeth Flock. 3 stars.
A TV journalist unravels on live TV. The story is about her experiences in the mental institution (with other patients and her treatments). Not at all a happy, feel-good read but very well-told.
ishmael32@hotmail.com
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. 4 stars.
A wonderful mix of history, intrigue and mystery.
The Iowa Baseball Confederacy by W. P. Kinsella. 5 stars.
By the author of Shoeless Joe (the movie Field of Dreams was based on this book), Iowa Baseball Confederacy combines fantasy and baseball. The best baseball story I've ever read.
Riptide by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 5 stars.
You can't go wrong with these guys. They've not written a bad book yet. Always full of action, mystery, and interesting characters.
kristi.john@cox.net
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a really fantastic book. 5 stars!
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Dead Run by P.J. Tracy. 2 stars.
They always say three times is a charm, but unfortunately this time it wasn't. I loved the first two books, Monkeewrench and Live Bait, and could not wait to read Dead Run. I was very disappointed with it. Even after I finished it, I was like, why? I hope number four is back to what the first two were.
garrettsambo@aol.com
The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. 5 stars.
This is a very enjoyable book. The subject is one you want to read about and the author knows how to keep the story interesting rating.
The Broker by John Grisham. 4 stars.
This is an interesting read if you are into reading this genre. To me it seems the same old formula. John Grisham is a good writer, but can't he write about something else or at least come up with some interesting twists?
The Story of My Life by Farah Ahmedi. 5 stars.
A very enjoyable read about a contemporary topic if you want to understand the situation in Afghan from the viewpoint of the women who had been silenced.
trudee@mindspring.com
I am reading Two-Dollar Bill by Stuart Woods and it is excellent. I give it a 5.
NannetteRy@aol.com
No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark. 5 stars.
Dasras50@aol.com
The Alphabet Sisters by Monica McInerney. 4 stars.
Wonderful story of family relationships set in Australia.
Knitting by Anne Bartlett. 3 stars.
Another story set in Australia in which two women meet when they both stop to aid a homeless man. They strike up an unusual relationship and help each other fight their inner demons.
dem38@lhtc.net
The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. 5 stars.
I am always reading horror and true crime novels, so I just love when I come across a book that is not either of these and am still able to enjoy it. This is a nice easy-to-read story about a man who is not living his life until tragedy strikes and he takes a ride on his old bike and discovers his true self. I give this book 5 stars. This is a nice read.
lket@johnroberts.com
Sideways by Rex Pickett. 2 stars.
Going to Bend by Diane Hammond. 4 stars.
The Cat Who Went up the Creek by Lilian Jackson Braun. 4 stars.
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