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Christi from Chaparral
Great Lion of God by Taylor Caldwell. I would give this 5 stars!
maestraw@msn.com
I just completed Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood. This is the second of her books I have read this summer. Wood is an excellent author, and I am very glad I discovered her. Her writing is tightly woven and her characters well-developed. There is a great deal of passion in what she writes. I would give this a 4 out of 5.
blhaley@qwest.net
I just finished reading No Second Chance by Harlan Coben. I give it 5 stars. Coben keeps you turning the pages, so it's hard to put down.
dreamterritory@yahoo.com
White Oleander by Janet Fitch is one of my favorite reads. Extremely poignant and detailed, it weaves back and forth between contrasting female figures, and the main character, Astrid, goes through many foster homes and on a journey of self-discovery. 5 stars.
A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov, and my version translated by Paul Foote, is an excellent example of Russian prose. Very readable and I believe it delves into psychological analysis of a Byronic hero. 5 stars.
Five Quarters of an Orange by Joanne Harris (who is the writer of Chocolat) is remarkably intriguing and extremely rich in detail, told in childhood flashbacks from a woman who remembers them so vividly. 5 stars.
Diane of Murfreesboro
I am currently rereading All That Lives by Melissa Sanders-Self. I would give it 4 stars.
Pachangabud@aol.com
I have finished reading Ireland by Frank Delaney --- he takes you on a faraway journey with him. He writes about a boy named Ronan and his love for storytelling. It's great to tell a story and get lost in it, but when you find out you have a story of your own, with deceit, lies, and betrayal --- all the things you like to talk about to your listeners --- but when you have to deal with your own story never told, it will make you or break you mentally.
GerryD8784@aol.com
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. 5 stars (or more!)
Unquestionably the best book I've read so far this year! Narrated by a 31-year-old woman looking back on her life as a student and soon-to-be donor, the unusual circumstances of her life are revealed only very slowly and gradually, paralleling her own growing awareness and that of her peers, all of whom were cloned to provide organs so that others need not succumb to illnesses we now consider life-threatening. Ishiguro has succeeded in combining a compelling story with a thoughtful analysis of the potential crisis scientific advances could bring.
Rage by Jonathan Kellerman. 4 stars.
Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis investigate the murder of a young man just after his parole from prison, where he served eight years for the kidnapping and killing of a two-year-old girl. Alex's long-time love, Robin, is still out of the picture, but there are hints she may be coming back in the future.
4th of July by James Patterson. 3 stars.
Lindsey Boxer, on administrative leave while her role in a fatal shooting is investigated, stumbles onto a murder in the small town where her sister owns a vacation home, and the details of the crime seem to match those of a case still unsolved after ten years. A good beach read, with Patterson's typical plot-driven short chapters.
Human Capital by Stephen Amidon. 4 stars.
A middle-class real estate salesman tries to keep up with big-money investors, while his daughter turns her back on her prep school classmates for a relationship with a troubled local boy. The wealthy Mannings, middle-class Hagels, and just-scraping-by Warfields are portrayed vividly, as members of each family cope with conflict and setbacks as they strive for their own version of success and happiness.
Trial by Fire by D. W. Buffa. 4 stars.
A brilliant young law professor is accused of murdering a woman who some say is a friend, while others call her his lover. Hiring Joseph Antonelli to defend him, Julian Sinclair claims that the woman was murdered by her husband, a wealthy and prominent San Francisco businessman whose public persona, he says, masks a sadistic abuser who has already gotten away with murder once before. Buffa's latest is a compelling and original thriller that starts off slowly, but is soon hard to put down.
Dktea@aol.com
I'm reading The Big Picture by Douglas Kennedy. 5 out of 5 stars. This psychological thriller is one that makes me just want to read one more page before putting it down.
Joyfulpond@aol.com
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi is a 4 1/2 star book that works as biography, history and literary criticism. It tells of her days teaching in a university in Iran, and then after no longer being employed there, she begins meeting a small group of female students to study mostly English literature. It also illustrates how important freedom is and helps the reader from taking ours for granted. Nafisi currently lives in the U.S.
Nafisi also recommends several books. I am chiefly a mystery book reader so I read an older book she recommended --- Trent's Last Case by E. C. Bentley --- which I would give 4 stars. It is in the tradition of Dorothy Sayers and many would find it rather slow moving, but I thought it was an excellent read and enjoyed the contrast with the Sherlock Holmes style. Yesterday, I enjoyed reading The Eight of Swords by David Skibbins. The quirky hero reads Tarot cards on the streets of Berkeley, as well as being in hiding from some 60s thing that is never completely explained. I knew who the perpetrator was all along, but not how it would all turn out. He describes the area well and has drawn some interesting characters.
Debby236@aol.com
My latest read is by Cindy Gerard. It was called To the Edge and was excellent. It is a Romantic Suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end. I give it a 4 1/2.
Aileen in Methuen, MA
Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock. 5 stars.
Although this book made me sad and angry, I enjoyed it. Surprise at the end!
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. 3 1/2 stars.
I honestly hated the main character when I started reading the book. She was very annoying to me, so I had to put this book down and read something else. After having read two other books, I came back to it and am glad to say that I breezed through to the end. It definitely got better towards the end. It is a "fluffy" read, but I don't understand the big rave about this book.
Laurafort@aol.com
Cut Out by Francine Mathews. 5 stars.
Although this an older book, the author's knowledge of CIA operations makes this book an exciting read. It's just too bad she can't tell all of their secrets!
dani@newvisiontechnologies.net
I just finished Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon. Wow! What a suspenseful read. Couldn't put it down. 5 stars.
Mittens0831@aol.com
The Best of Enemies by Taylor Smith. 5 stars.
The plot, with its political intrigue, secrets, and lies, was very good and it had an ending that surprised me. The in-depth descriptions of the characters and their feelings made this story even better.
jscady@efieldguide.com
I just finished, for the second time, Pyro by Earl Emerson. It's even better than the first time when I gobbled it down. He really gets inside his characters. I also discovered an author, John Lawton, by reading Flesh Wounds. His series is historical Scotland Yard (right after WWII) and an interesting slew of characters, the main one not your usual Chief Inspector.
hagarrpt@earthlink.net
Strange Affair by Peter Robinson. 4 stars.
Set several months after Robinson's last book, Playing With Fire, DCI Alan Banks is on vacation, trying to come to terms with the events that have occurred in his life. A mysterious phone message from Roy, his estranged brother, sends Banks to London, where he discovers his brother is missing. As he tries to piece together what has happened to Roy, Banks begins to see another side of the brother he always considered untrustworthy and living just outside the law in his business dealings.
Meanwhile, a young woman from London is found dead on a road near Eastvale, Banks's home territory. In her back pocket is a piece of paper with Banks's home address. Annie Cabbot, in charge of the case, goes to London to do background work on the victim only to discover that there is a connection between the murdered woman and Roy. As always in a Peter Robinson novel, characters are richly drawn and all too human. At times, it is painful to see Banks trying to come to grips not only with the life of a brother he never really knew but also with his own personal demons.
Dancing With Virgins by Stephen Booth. 4 stars.
This book is the second in the British police procedural series featuring Ben Cooper and Diane Fry, and concerns the murder of a woman hiker whose body was found near a Stonehenge-like area in a national park. As always with a Stephen Booth book, the plot is intricate and the writing is wonderful. I feel as though I've been on a trip to the Peak District of England and have seen the Nine Virgins with my own eyes.
klbell18@yahoo.com
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. 5 stars.
In the Cherry Tree by Dan Pope. 4 stars.
These are both exceptional books!! I have a "Must Read" book list probably a mile long, and can't wait to see if they make it on my email list to you!
vicklea@earthlink.net
I am currently reading Rage by Jonathan Kellerman. It is an Alex Delaware novel with the twist that Alex is more involved in the murder case this time. An old favorite, Milo Sturgis, is back and as humorous as ever. The book is hard to put down and definitely deserves 4 stars!
grandview9956@mintel.net
I just finished The Road to Home by Vanessa del Fabbro. It is set in post-Apartheid South Africa. The main characters, Monica and Ella, are introduced when Monica is injured in a car jacking and Ella is hospitalized for AIDS-related problems. Monica finds that she has a need to fill as Ella deteriorates and can no longer care for her two young sons. I would give this debut novel a 4 1/2.
Mimiklein43@aol.com
I must give 5 stars to Broken Prey by John Sandford. I've read his series of Prey books, and this is by far his best, especially if you're like me, and love books about serial killers!!
BlindlyBookish@aol.com
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron. 4 1/2 stars. It was a lot of fun, witty, and a good detective novel.
Jane and the Man of the Cloth by Stephanie Barron. I would give this one 5 stars because I LOVED it!!! It had a great romance, mystery and location. I don't care what people say about it being unrealistic! It was a GREAT read!
Jane and the Wandering Eye by Stephanie Barron. This one (the third in the series) I would only give 3 because I just didn't find it to have the wit and flavor of the other two. Maybe I came to expect too much from the series, but I was definitely a little bored by this one. But it wasn't bad enough to give up on the series, either. I already have the fourth and fifth books on my bookshelf.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares. I decided to reread this after I finally bought the third book. I give this two huge thumbs up and 5 stars definitely! I don't know if there are many books that can truly make me feel as raw emotionally as the Sisterhood books.
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. Once again, I am rereading this to be all up to date again before I read the third. Ditto on all I said above and another big 5 stars.
hyjean@shaw.ca
I am presently reading A Population of One by Constance Beresford-Howe. This is an understated, very well-written low-key story. The heroine, Willie, is a totally believable young female, educated at the PhD level and quite naive in her approach to a new life and freedom. Her reactions to a new lifestyle are intriguing and compelling. I find this small volume difficult to put down, and I savor her language. I give this one 5 stars.
nunu@cogeco.ca
This week I finished reading Pretty Woman by Fern Michaels. It was an easy read with a good storyline about a young woman with weight issues and an abusive husband. She dropped the weight and the husband. I would give it 4 stars.
danidelage@gmail.com
I just finished The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. While it wasn't as good as The Other Boleyn Girl, it was an interesting read. 4 stars.
I also read Pamela Anderson's Star and I think I lost a few brain cells while reading it. 2 stars.
Currently reading Melissa Bank's new novel The Wonder Spot. I'm a big fan of Bank's work. 5 stars.
s.bucher@insightbb.com
I've been reading the Hannah Swenson series by Joanne Fluke. Hannah owns a cookie shop in a small town in Minnesota and is always finding dead bodies and solving their murders. An enjoyable "cozy" series, with lots of recipes; in fact, book 6 --- Sugar Cookie Murder --- is mostly recipes of everything from appetizers to desserts.
dglg@telus.net
I just finished reading The Bright Forever by Lee Martin and rate this book 4 stars. This book mesmerized me and I couldn't put it down. The story revolves around a terrible tragedy that takes place one summer night in a small Indiana town in 1972. I liked how the author had his main characters narrating their version of what happened and how the story all fits together. A wonderful read, but a warning to readers --- it is also a very sad tale.
BEVBOOKS@aol.com
Falls the Shadow by William Lashner. 5 stars.
Victor Carl is one of the most interesting characters in crime fiction. He's an attorney that doesn't believe the rules necessarily apply to him, but will defend his own interior code of honor above all else. He usually does the right thing. Then there is the dentist, Bob. A character unlike any you've read about before. Lashner writes crime suspense with a sense of humor and non-stop action. I've read all his books, and will anxiously await the next one.
What Goes Around Comes Around by Con Lehane. 4 stars.
In this second novel featuring the bartender, Brian McNulty, Lehane takes us on a fast trip throughout the heart of New York night life. When McNulty starts poking around to find out who killed an old acquaintance, people get nervous. Brian turns up more trouble than he bargained for in this rich novel of crime in the underside of the Big Apple. An up-and-coming author who writes a believable whodunit with humor.
Killer Swell by Jeff Shelby. 5 stars.
In this debut novel by Jeff Shelby, San Diego private eye Noah Braddock is asked to find the killer of his sweetheart from years ago. The Southern California setting and the surfing scenes are wonderful. This is an energetic story with a twisting plot that has an unexpected ending. Shelby's smooth prose and great humor makes him an author to watch for.
Catslady5@aol.com
Hijacked Honeymoon by Susan Kearney. 4 stars.
A great romantic suspense. The only thing I disliked was the title.
heidicarter@cox.net
I just finished Remembering Sarah by Chris Mooney. It was awesome. Very suspenseful, easy to get into, and a fast read. (I read it in 2 days.) It's about a 6-year-old girl who goes missing, and the attempts to find out what happened to her over the next five years or so. The characters were easy to relate to also.
cinsin2001@netscape.net
The Salaryman's Wife by Sujeta Massey. 5 stars.
This is the first book of a series about a Japanese-American girl, now living in Japan. What a great book! I love the way the author writes. The book is contemporary and very entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone who already enjoys Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.
mcgillrmcgill@charter.net
I'm really enjoying Anne Perry's Long Spoon Lane, another story of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt. I love reading the rich details of Victorian England --- including its many restrictions and hardships. Charlotte has "come down in the world" since she married Thomas and left her society family. She still has occasional entree, however, through her wealthy sister, so the reader gets to see both sides of Victorian life. Ms. Perry always knows how to write a story. I give this one 5 stars.
MarshaNee@adelphia.net
Forgotten Man by Robert Crais. 5 stars.
Intense and intriguing suspense tale about Elvis Cole, a continuing signature character. Leaves you on the edge of your seat. Don't miss it.
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. 3 stars.
Written by a dying 76-year-old preacher to his 7-year-old son, this slow-moving tale relates things a father wants to teach his son if only he had the remaining years. His love of nature and the place religion has in one's life is a major theme.
nikjac@pghmail.com
I'm currently reading Sea Glass by Anita Shreve. I give it 4 stars. I can't wait to see how all the characters come together.
stephanie@krantz.name
I just finished reading 4th of July by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. 5 stars. As usual, it's a "get your attention" book right from the get go. This is the fourth book in his Women's Murder Club series and I have really enjoyed them. I think he is developing Lt. Lindsay Boxer into a more dimensional character and I liked that about this installment.
I also just finished reading The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 3 stars. I was very disappointed in this book --- I just loved The Secret Life of Bees and I didn't think this book was nearly as good. I know I am in the minority on this, but I found myself very irritated with the main character more than feeling sorry for her. It seemed like she was only thinking about herself with no regard for the consequences for everyone else around her.
Momom248@aol.com
I have currently just finished:
Becoming Madam Mao by Anchee Min. 3 stars.
I learned a lot about China and that time period.
I am now trying to read the Oprah Book Club recent pick, "A Summer of Faulkner." I just started As I Lay Dying --- so far so good.
ABamaBecky@aol.com
I just finished the fourth and final book in the Texas series by Fern Michaels. Texas Sunrise was my favorite by far. I fell in love with the Coleman family and enjoyed reading about their lives. 4 stars.
I am 65 pages into The Shadow of Time by Lisa Jackson. It has started a little slow, so I am rating it 2 1/2 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
The Spiral Staircase: My Climb out of Darkness by Karen Armstrong. Published 2004 with 306 pages. 5 stars.
This autobiography is a winner! As a teenager, the author decides to become a nun, though her parents are not particularly religious and do not recommend that she do so. She does follow through with her idea and sticks with it until 7 years go by when she becomes a complete mental and physical wreck by her reckoning.
This is her story and a follow-up to her first bio, Through the Narrow Gate, which I will read in the future. Great writing; she tells the story of how she eventually became understanding and satisfied with her life, but much, much water goes under that bridge, and the trip is the reader's joy. The place of religion in Karen's life takes a 360-degree turn with changes and the evolving continues for a long time. This is her personal journey and one of the best you will read.
lynne.wilcox@comcast.net
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. 4 stars.
I just finished the second Harry Potter, Chamber of Secrets. I am finding the Harry Potter books are great fill-in books, between my Book Club books. Harry Potter isn't just for kids! They are a great way to get away from the books I normally read! I don't usually go towards the "fantasy" type books, but because these are easy reading, I find they are quite enjoyable.
Velocity by Dean Koontz. 4 stars.
Billy Wiles works as a bartender at a local tavern. When he is not working, Billy does woodcarving and broods over the love of his life, Barbara Mandel, who has been in a coma for the past four years. A stranger walks into the tavern for a beer one night and joins in the conversation. That night a note is left on his truck demanding that he make a choice between two strangers to be killed. Billy, on the advice of his police buddy Lanny Olsen, treats the note as a sick practical joke, until a young schoolteacher is reported brutally murdered. Billy is haunted, harassed, and stalked by this murderer. His sense of desperation is palpable as the bodies mount. The pace of events will keep your eyes glued to the pages until the very end.
mandy41283@yahoo.com
2nd Chance by James Patterson. 3 1/2 stars.
It is the second book in the Lindsay Boxer series by James Patterson, and though better than the first, it is still lacking something. The plot line is excellent, but Patterson seems to lack that "woman's perspective" when writing a female lead character. There are so many things that Lindsay would do that he leaves out, or that she wouldn't do that Patterson writes into the story.
Table For Five by Susan Wiggs. 5 stars!
This woman knows how to write contemporary fiction! The plot line was great, the subtle romance was even better. It is a very romantic story, but it is written in a manner that it takes second place to the main plot line in the book --- which is exactly the way it should be. Wiggs got her characters perfect, and her portrayal of real life was exactly that...Real!
The Innocent by Harlan Coben. 4 stars.
Coben is the master of the page-turner! This is the first book I have read by him and I finished it within a day's time. It was impossible to stop reading the story and not think about it. The meshing storylines were easy to follow and made the reader want more and more. Great book!
Bjglu@aol.com
Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. 4 stars.
Stunning novel, great character development, the story will stay with you a long time.
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld. 4 1/2 stars.
Sittenfeld is dead-on in her depiction of private prep school students; the main character is sympathetic, funny and worth knowing.
I Love Everybody by Laurie Notaro. 5 stars.
And I love Laurie Notaro. Every book of hers I've read has had me laughing so hard I was crying.
Babs48rn@cs.com
I could not turn the pages fast enough in Nevada Barr's newest Hard Truth. Great vacation read.
TereseRose
I have been reading The Bitch Posse by Martha O'Connor. Everything I had read about this book led me to think that I was in for a remarkable story. Lee Child compared O'Connor's writing to that of Alice Sebold and Donna Tartt. I wish I could say that I felt the same way. Disappointing and worse than that, it left me wondering why anyone would want to read this book! I will give it a 1 because I feel badly saying any book deserves a 0.
A book that I would highly recommend is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. It is the tender message of a father to his son. 3 stars.
The Torment of Others by Val McDermid gets a 4 from me! Intriguing, suspenseful --- it has me looking forward to reading other stories by McDermid.
Led37@aol.com
Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse: My Life in Comedy by Phyllis Diller. 5 stars.
I did not have a hard time liking this book since my husband is Diller's second cousin. I have a lot of articles about her and memorabilia, including one of her egghead paintings that she so graciously gave my husband and me. I have also been in her dressing room or penthouse 7-8 times after her shows. With all I have collected on her, the autobiography gave me some insight into areas of her life that I knew very little or nothing about. I loved looking at the photos in the center of the book since I had not seen some of them before now.
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott. 4 stars.
I have read most of her books, and I like her nonfiction as well as her fiction.
What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey. 3 stars.
A compilation of short essays found in O Magazine.
Donna of New Berlin
I am currently reading Magic Terror by Peter Straub. There are 7 tales in this book. I was not too excited about the first story, but they have been getting better and I am now enjoying the book very much. 4 stars.
servilan42@myway.com
I've just finished Jonathan Kellerman's latest, Rage. I have only 3 words for this novel: contrived, predictable and disappointing. I give it 1 star. Really, Jonathan, you CAN do much better!
Currently, I'm reading a 2002 book by Loren D. Estleman entitled Sinister Heights. I can't begin to imagine Estleman's Amos Walker failing to entertain. The book is a delight with the gritty details and fast-paced action, and I recommend it highly. I give this book 4 1/2 stars. I would give it 5 stars, but I haven't finished yet.
Lgluhani@aol.com
R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton. 4 stars.
Another in a long line of involving, funny, entertaining mysteries by one of the best.
Bangkok Tattoo by John Burdett. 3 stars.
Murder mystery and more. It has a great sense of place, and you really feel as if you're in Thailand where the story takes place. Also, it gives a great sense of Buddhism and the life of some of the people there.
Seabird328@aol.com
This month, I discovered Richard Montanari through his novel The Rosary Girls. What a scary, pleasantly tricky, involved novel about the murders of Catholic school girls. An absolute must read for any mystery lover. Excellent introduction to this author.
The latest from Stephen White is Missing Persons. So far, it's my favorite Alan Gregory novel, complete with wisecracks and mysteries all over the pages. Good for the irreverent side remarks as well as the plot and, as ever, his well-written characters who will become someone you think you actually know, or at least remember the next time you pick up a book in the series.
For lighter reading, The Book Group by Elizabeth Noble is moving along for me. It's a sneak peek into the lives of the members of a book group. Great fun for book lovers and especially fun for book group members. Just who is the woman sitting next to you and what does she really go home to? Will make you aware of more than just the book of the month at your next book group meeting!
Finally, for book groups, there is The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman. It's serious stuff, but fascinating. As the matriarch of a bunch of guys all involved in finance of one kind or another and always have their eyes and ears tuned to current events and political and socio-economic trends, and the daughter of the man we called "information central" who was a student of history and the news his entire life, I feel like I'm playing with the big boys by reading this book. I'll also be conversing with said big boys if I understand it. Oh, and big girls too. Can't leave out the brightest ones on the globe and some of them are certainly in my little book group!
That's it for this month.
lmartinek@cphservices.com
The Innocent by Harlan Coben. 5 stars.
This is a fast-paced story full of twists and turns that always keeps you on the edge of your seat. In addition, Coben brings his characters alive so that you feel their emotions throughout the story. Just like all of Coben's books, this is a must read.
vbsami@qwest.net
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (An advanced readers copy that WAS AMAZING, a MUST read for book clubs this year!...due out in July).
All Hallows Eve by Richard Laymon (an old Laymon book but something exciting. So far it's pretty good).
KKiley@forbes.com
I have just finished reading Julia Spencer-Fleming's To Darkness and To Death. 5 stars for this one! The action starts on page one and doesn't stop until the end! The setting is so vivid that you can feel the chill in the air and see the mountains around you. This is a book that you will have a very hard time putting down until you know who and why. Claire and Russ are thrown together again and are still fighting their own feelings for each other. I can't wait to read the next in the series. I wish it were out now!
I am currently reading Redemption Street by Reed Farrel Coleman. I would give it 4 stars. This is a very different read for me. A dark but fascinating story. Moe Prager is an ex-cop who now co-owns a wine shop and has a P.I. license. A ghost from his past has come to haunt him, and he is determined to find the answers that are hidden in the secrets of the past.
Qoesls@aol.com
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars.
Heart-wrenching story, beautifully told, with well-drawn characters.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. 4 stars.
Fascinating. I can see why this is a popular book club selection. It led me to reread Genesis with a whole new perspective.
Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat. 3 stars.
The characters never really grabbed me. The Haitian setting was more vivid than the characters.
Mystrytx@aol.com
Unzipped by Lois Greiman. 5 stars.
The funniest, good mystery I have read in ages. Hilariously sarcastic but with a good solid story!! Can hardly wait for this new author's second book!!! Join the bandwagon!!
Grigoro@aol.com
The Ha-Ha by David King. 4 stars.
A Vietnam vet who was disabled in the war --- he has normal intelligence, but cannot speak, read or write --- becomes a temporary guardian for his ex-girlfriend's 8-year-old child. A touching story of the relationship that develops between the man and child, and how it changes both people.
The Power of Three by Laura Lippman. 4 stars.
SalbyC@aol.com
I have recently finished Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. I would give this only 2 stars, as it is predictable and did not have the impact of Picoult's wonderful My Sister's Keeper, a book I gave 5 stars. I also would give Sue Monk Kidd's The Mermaid Chair only 2 stars. A big disappointment after the wonderful 5-star The Secret Life of Bees.
Mipalew@aol.com
His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis. 4 stars.
An interesting tale of George Washington, the man.
uofakml@aol.com
High Crimes by Joseph Finder. 4 stars.
Recently I just finished Paranoia by Joseph Finder and decided to read the rest of his novels. Unlike most of the current mystery/suspense novels being written, High Crimes focuses not on the civilian legal system, but that of the military, which for someone like myself who is studying law, seemed a little different, but nonetheless interesting. This book has a lot of twists and turns, and some "shocking" scenes that really put your mind to work, plus what some would consider a "surprise" ending (but not me - lol). If you're like me and are really into John Grisham, I would certainly recommend checking out this author.
The Rainmaker by John Grisham. 3 stars.
I just started reading this Grisham novel (though it's not one of his most recent pieces) a few days ago. A little slow in the plot so far for my taste, but nonetheless, I trust this one will pull through as the rest of his novels. Although I am not much of a fan of novels based around civil proceedings, I vowed to read all of Grisham's novels.
KKbarash@aol.com
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. 4 stars.
A very unique and fresh first novel about a young British female private investigator who starts her career in 1929. Among many other things, it incorporates history, feminism, and philosophy. I am looking forward to reading the next Maisie Dobbs book, Birds of a Feather.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Not A Girl Detective by Susan Kandel. 4 stars.
I enjoyed this book. The main character, CeeCee, is writing a book about the author Carolyn Keene, who wrote the Nancy Drew mysteries. Of course, a murder happens, and CeeCee gets involved. A must read for all Nancy Drew fans!
I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason by Susan Kandel. 3 stars.
This was her first book, which was okay. The writing has developed, and you can see the improvement from this book to Not a Girl Detective.
AUGER77777@aol.com
I just finished reading Dust by Charles Pellegrino. This is an exciting, though fairly depressing (due to the subject) account of the end of the world as we know it. The author bases his story (which he obviously believes to be feasible, if not likely) on an evolutionary theory in which the world's insects die off, triggering a chain reaction, and culminating in the near extinction of mankind. As far as the possibility --- or probability --- of such an event occurring, I leave to the mind of the reader. 4 stars.
MScaramell@aol.com
I am reading Dance of Death by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. You have to read this book if you like suspense, a great plot, and terrific characters! A definite 5! Worth the wait!!!
trudee2@verizon.net
4th of July by James Patterson.
It is a must-read for anyone. I can't put this book down, and just like all of his others, it is a fast-paced book.
toythomas@comcast.net
Recent reads:
Dead Man's Bones by Susan Wittig Albert. 5 stars.
The Nosy Neighbor by Fern Michaels. 4 stars.
The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips. 3 stars (good idea, but did not flow well).
An Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverly. 4 stars.
YA novels:
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart. 3 stars.
Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman by Eleanor Updale. 5 stars.
Currently:
The Truth About Love by Stephanie Laurens. 4 stars (a Cynster novel).
pecsan114@optonline.net
So far this month I have finished:
The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard. 2 stars.
I found it just okay. The story line seemed lax and I never got to like anyone in the book --- they all seemed incredibly selfish and one-dimensional. The father is a weak, self-centered individual who runs away from reality and responsibility. The mother, stricken with a debilitating illness, does not want to ask others for help. The only character who impressed me was the son, who rose above his learning disabilities to try and solve the family problems. This cannot hold a candle to her others.
Zorro by Isabel Allende. 3 stars.
Interesting retelling of the Zorro legend. Both adults and younger readers could enjoy this. Insights about the politics of the time were revealing, as was the early history of the California mission system.
The Closers by Michael Connelly. 5 stars.
Harry Bosch is back in the cold case division of the LAPD and re-teamed with his old partner Kiz. Good read. I especially like Harry butting heads with the ranking brass!
The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg. 2 stars.
Quick read and not up to her usual story features. A widow sells all in Boston and moves to middle America trying to reformat her life.
Two Dollar Bill by Stuart Woods. 5 stars.
A new Stone Barrington story with the old favorites like Dino and Arrington. Stone's newest client is a con man extraordinaire who evolves into a dangerous killer.
Broken Prey by John Sanford. 5 stars.
Lucas Davenport is turned and twisted in this newest of the Prey series. He is trying to find a brutal serial killer who remains extremely elusive. Lots of red herrings abound! I was caught right until the last page.
4th of July by James Patterson. 5 stars.
Lindsey Boxer is caught between an ugly legal battle that threatens her future as a police officer and a series of bizarre murders in the quiet community where she goes to rest up between court appearances. Patterson does not let us down here using his quick narrative style, punch-quick chapters, and direct style of voice.
In the Company of Liars by David Ellis. 5 stars.
This was my first read by this author, but it will not be my last. The story is written in reverse chronological order, working back from the date of crime. Interesting premise and a good read.
booklover25729@hotmail.com
Saffron Skies by Leslie Lokko. 4 stars.
Very enjoyable book that keeps you hooked from the first chapters. I was a little disappointed by the ending though. I would have liked to have had more closure with the characters.
Sleeping with Beauty by Donna Kaufman. 4 stars.
I loved this book. I was really able to relate to the main character and the problems and issues she was dealing with. It was a very fun book to read.
Devil's Corner by Lisa Scottoline. 5 stars.
As a fan of Ms. Scottoline, I was not disappointed in her latest thriller. At first I was disappointed that this book did not take place at Rosato and Associates, but that didn't last long. Highly recommend.
The 37th Hour by Jodi Compton. 4 stars.
For her debut novel I was very impressed. There are times where the book drags a bit, but overall I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading her next book in the series, Sympathy Between Humans.
SEEDCAKEANDJOE@aol.com
The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx. 2 stars.
I just couldn't get interested in this book.
marychambers@yahoo.com
Shoeless Joe by W P Kinsella. 5 stars.
This is the book that the movie Field of Dreams was written from. It's worth reading. There are a lot of differences.
The Fellowship of the Ring by J R R Tolkien. 4 stars.
Start with The Hobbit. I haven't seen the movies yet, but this book was good.
Carole of Kelleys Island
The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas. 4 1/2 stars.
The Persian Pickle Club is an excellent novel. The setting is Depression-era rural Kansas. Several farm gals, members of the club, meet each week to quilt. These quilting ladies are bound by a sad secret. A newcomer to the area, an aspiring reporter, joins the group and becomes entangled in a mystery that involves the secret. The book combines a mystery wrapped in the everyday lives of seemingly ordinary people --- women who look out for each other. There is much discussion of quilts and quilting that ties into the story quite effectively.
Crsntmoon3@aol.com
I've just finished re-reading Dan Brown's Angels & Demons because I read it through so fast the first time last summer that I couldn't quite figure out why my friend kept raving about it. I'd still give it 3 1/2 stars.
The aforementioned friend thrust Brown's Digital Fortress into my hands recently, which I would give 4 stars so far. (I'm about 2/3 through it.)
I can't recommend The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini more highly. It is a phenomenal read that connects the reader with our fellow human beings in Afghanistan; it's a plus that it's set right in my neck of the Bay Area's woods! 5 stars!
Blackshowman@aol.com
Case of Lies by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Unlucky in Law by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Deception Point by Dan Brown
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
The Cunning Linguist by Richard Lederer
Nancy10107@aol.com
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. 4 stars.
A story of four major characters and many additional characters that takes place in an unnamed city and a small village in India starting about 1975. This novel depicts the horrors that are happening to the people there --- the caste system, birth control, living conditions, begging, corruption, employment --- you name it, it's there. It is a deeply disturbing book but I'm definitely glad I read it.
mpicc@verizon.net
Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown. 4 stars.
I thoroughly enjoy reading Sandra Brown's romantic suspense stories and this one didn't let me down. It's a light read but still very good.
4th of July by James Patterson. 5 stars.
This 4th installment of the Women's Murder Club series was, again, as good as the previous three. James Patterson is still one of my favorite authors and I really enjoy his non-Alex Cross novels as much as I enjoy the Alex Cross ones.
Scavenger by Tom Savage. 5 stars.
Years ago I read Valentine by Tom Savage and couldn't put it down so I decided to give Scavenger a try. What a read! It's a definite can't put down book and I never saw the ending coming. If you haven't discovered Tom Savage yet and you love a great who done it, I suggest you try him. You won't be disappointed!
Thanks for letting me tell you what I've been reading!
book.geek@verizon.net
Just finished The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Marketed as literature/fiction. 3 stars, maybe 3 1/2. Not a bad love story, if you don't mind heroines who selflessly wait for their men to return home from the sea, a la Penelope. Except that Clare's man doesn't travel the sea: due to a genetic defect, he pops in and out of time. The book has some compelling ideas and scenes (prepare to cry!), but too much of the book (for my tastes) dwells on the conceit of time travel, too little on exploring the characters and allowing them to drive the story.
Along completely different lines, also recently finished The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, circa 1900. A delicious Victorian melodrama complete with noble hero, beautiful heroine, plucky sidekick, plot twists, preposterous coincidences and an absolutely wonderful villain, Count Fasco. At 650 pages it's a long read --- this is one of the few books I'd ever consider recommending in an abridged form --- but first person narration keeps the tale interesting and whipping along. 4 stars -- what fun!
Pfzlady@aol.com
I am just finishing up Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. 4 stars.
Extremely funny, just as his other books are.
I am currently into Puppet by Joy Fielding. So far, 3 1/2 stars. It's tough because the main character is unlikable.
JCAMP2020@aol.com
I am just finishing Case of Lies by Perri O'Shaughnessy. She does a great job of using the Lake Tahoe location for her stories.
Devil's Corner is next.
hawkes@citlink.net
Wonderland: King of Diamonds by Cheyenne McCray. 4 stars.
This is the 3rd book in the series. It's a fun and fast read. If you've read the first 2 books (or even if you haven't), you'll love this book too.
KennethRMartin@aol.com
I am currently reading Blue Twilight by Maggie Shayne. I give it 5 stars. It's marked as romance on the spine but it's actually suspense and has some vampires in it. It's a fast read.
Pam
Carl Hiaasen's Stormy Weather is a head-shaking account of a large cast of characters' fascination with and intention to financially benefit from a hurricane that hits South Florida. The title aptly describes both the physical and moral destruction of its characters, many of whom cross each other's paths at some point throughout the novel. Love blooms in unlikely places even in the midst of murder, looting, the woods, and rain, lots and lots of rain. A great read for anyone fascinated by the macabre and greed's effect on humanity.
Marti, Green Valley, AZ
The Wild Girl: The Notebooks of Ned Giles, 1932 by Jim Fergus. 5 stars.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars.
Sarah's Quilt by Nancy E. Turner. 4 stars.
Fortune's Rocks by Anita Shreve. 3 stars.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5 stars.
Catslady5@aol.com
Protectors S.O.S. by Susan Kearney. 3 1/2 stars.
If you like romantic suspense you'll enjoy this book. It's part of the Intrigue series. Enjoyable for a quick read.
IREFAILTE@aol.com
I have just finished Sudden Death by David Rosenfelt and it was one of the best books I have read in a long time. It kept my interest, so much so I didn't even want to go online to check my email. I was disappointed when it ended...I wanted it to go on and on. I had never heard of this author before, but I have already gone out and purchased two of his other books. His sense of humor follows throughout and the characters were real --- you felt like you knew them.
I emailed Mr. Rosenfelt to let him know that I appreciated his style of writing, and to keep those books coming. His response was prompt and humorous just like his book. You have to read this author --- you won't be disappointed.
evieross@comcast.net
I am reading Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. I read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by the same author and loved it. I give both books 5 stars. On my nightstand I have Natasha by David Bezmozgis, which I plan to start next week when school is over. I am going to read all summer!
Rickimc@aol.com
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. 5 stars.
A very long read, but worth it. This is a very unique story.
ballma@oplin.org
Mad Girls in Love by Michael Lee West.
I enjoyed it. It is like "Designing Women" stories that cover several decades about women in love (good and bad loves) and the changes in their lives.
Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh.
This was intriguing. I liked the stories of how the hard-scrabble families struggled in a mining town. Nothing was easy. Realistic.
Blackberry Tea Club by Barbara Herrick.
This is nonfiction. Herrick makes the "change" poetic! Wonderful! Lots of poetry and tender stories about "the change," and how to adjust and live through it!
Rococo by Adriana Trigiani.
I am in the middle of her new novel and am thoroughly enjoying it. This time the story is told from a man's point of view!
JONIVERSON@aol.com
I give 4 stars to Earl Emerson's The Million-Dollar Tattoo, a fast-paced Thomas Black mystery in which intriguing mystery blends seamlessly with the Seattle milieu. This novel is well-written and a true page-turner.
Dena
No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark. 4 stars.
This is a great suspenseful read. Celia/Liza is a likable character who you want to have good things happen to, but that isn't likely in this mystery.
Nighttime is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark. 5 stars.
This book is a great read and I couldn't put it down. The setting is a high school reunion. Perfect for this time of year. The main character, Jean, is only one of the targets of the sick classmate who wants to exact his revenge on all those who he believes did him wrong. The story is very intense --- you think you know who the bad guy is, and then you realize you got it wrong.
Debby236@aol.com
I am reading a book called Tinker by Wen Spencer. It is about elves and had lots of suspense. I think there is something for everyone with this one. I give it 5 stars.
BlondeFairy1975@aol.com
I am reading Michael Cunningham's Specimen Days, Iain Pears's The Portrait, and Ridley Pearson's Cut and Run.
caddgirl7@yahoo.com
Psychopath by Keith Ablow. 5 stars.
Although I rise at 4 AM, I had to stay up last night to finish reading Psychopath. I read the first 2 books in the Frank Clevenger series and couldn't wait for this one. It is the best so far, and that's high praise because I loved the others. In this book it was the psychopath who fascinated me. We follow the disintegration of a mind to the point of total madness. Very scary stuff, because it rings true.
Alone by Lisa Gardner. 5 stars.
When a tactical swat team is deployed to defuse a domestic abuse hostage situation, Judge Gagnon's son Jimmy is killed. Did the beautiful wife, Catharine Gagnon, engineer the whole thing? Catharine claims she was abused, but her grieving in-laws claim she is the abuser. They believe she deliberately made her young son sick to control Jimmy. And who is controlling the mysterious serial rapist who is now stalking Catharine? This book is a real page-turner. I couldn't put it down. It's a suspense-filled ride sure to keep you up all night reading, but make sure you keep the lights on!
donnaing2@yahoo.com
I just finished reading Sullivan's Island: A Lowcountry Tale by Dorothea Benton Frank. She is also the author of Pawley's Island, Shem Creek, and Isle of Palms. These books all deal with places and characters in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
I give Sullivan's Island 5 stars. It is a fantastic summer beach book --- couldn't put it down. The main character, Susan, comes home to find her husband with another woman in their bed!! The book goes on to how she deals with her life, her crazy family, and how she regains her confidence. I laughed and I cried while reading this book. It's truly an original.
skippysgirl@hotmail.com
Teeth in a Pickle Jar by H. B. Milligan.
I was intrigued by the title and started reading it. I finished in two sittings. Thankfully it wasn't (as I had feared) a book about dentistry. Of course, I should have known right away by the cover that features a couple on the beach in an Impressionist-like painting. The book's mood is a blend of quirky, witty and bittersweet. There's a totally wacky but hilarious Italian Mamma, who cooks from scratch, worships all gossip, and dispenses advice such as "if you talk with your mouth full, you'll choke to death."
As much as I enjoyed Mamma's idiosyncrasies, what I liked even more was the relationship between her grown-up (44 years old) daughter and a man she had met on the Internet --- a man 14 years younger. I thought their IM exchanges were a bit long-winded, but on the other hand these virtual chats revealed a lot of background information about their pasts and what had brought them to the present. I am giving the book 4 stars, and recommend it as a fun and fast-paced summer "chick-lit" read.
annmarieweeks@netzero.com
I recently received a copy of The Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King. I figured it would be just like Ya-Ya Sisterhood, and in many ways it is. A group of Southern women who have been friends for many years, and the life challenges they have encountered. But in many ways, this book is quite different...focusing more on the women's adult lives and --- in my opinion --- presenting much more varied characters. Definitely worth a read, although not the best ever. I give it 3 1/2 stars.
DHotetz@artelinc.com
Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
I enjoyed this book greatly but could not stop thinking about the many parallels between the characters in the Stephanie Plum series. Instead of Stephanie, there is Barney; instead of the detective, there is NASCAR man; etc. The story line was interesting and well thought out and I truly enjoyed it. If you have never ready Janet Evanovich, this is a good first read.
Any Place I Hang My Hat by Susan Isaacs. 3 stars.
This book was not what I expected it would be, having read previous Susan Isaacs books. It was excruciatingly slow and at times, you wanted to scream at the characters to move it along or stop being so stupid. The ending was very predicable and not at all surprising, given what happened in her search for "Mother Dearest."
rmwillisjr@msn.com
Try the memoir The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (a contributing editor on MSNBC as well as an incredible writer). I would give it 5 stars. An incredibly eloquent story of a very difficult childhood, yet it is never whiny or depressing. If all tell-all memoirs could be this brutally honest, yet so inspiring, I would read them more often! Think A Tree Grows in Brooklyn cum West Virginia! Great read!
I also just read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, which may have already been recently recommended before, but it is a really moving piece of fiction. I was sad for the book to end, each character was so fully formed and real, and the story (with a few almost hard to buy coincidences) unfolded so wonderfully. Be prepared for this book to change you. 4 stars.
A quirky and great book for poolside is An Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. An "alphabetized life," this book seems to read your mind! As you read Amy's hilarious observations about the everyday occurrences that we all seem to have in common, you will be happy to know that yes, other people think that too! Hilarious! Amusing and hard to put down, I give it 3 stars for being fun, yet profound!
GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I read Hunting Fear by Kay Hooper. This is the first book of her Fear trilogy. It is about a person who kidnaps victims and then kills them after the ransom is paid. It's quite a page-turner and I'd rate it a 4 1/2.
The other book that I read is The Death Collectors by Jack Kerley. It is an advance reader book that I was selected to read and comment on in the Suspense/Thriller area in the Bookreporter.com newsletter. I'd rate the book a 5. Its characters were well-developed, and the plot was well thought out. I knew who did it several times in the book, only to find out that it had to be someone else. The chapters flowed one into the other. I'd definitely recommend it!
Tiggi47@aol.com
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks. 5 stars.
A writer goes to North Carolina to investigate lights that appear in an old cemetery that hover around it. He meets the town librarian and they are attracted to each other. The romance/mystery novel is very good so far.
mwang143@gmail.com
Small Island by Andrea Levy. 4 stars.
It's somewhat inconsistent in dialogue, but otherwise beautifully written; poignant and hilarious at the same time, while delving deep into issues of war trauma, racism and sexism.
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris. 3 stars.
Not all of these autobiographical essays are great, but most are witty and scathingly perceptive. This is a fast and enjoyable read and many of the stories will stay with you long after you've put down the book.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. 5 stars.
This is an oldie but goodie; Toni Morrison explores madness, racism and self-hatred with so much compassion and eloquence that it will break your heart.
I'll Take You There by Joyce Carol Oates. 2 stars.
Frustratingly obsessive and too polished, this book really doesn't go anywhere at all. Don't bother with it.
The Photograph by Penelope Lively. 4 stars.
This novel by the Booker Prize-winning author is faintly reminiscent of Margaret Atwood's The Robber Bride. Through multiple perspectives and story lines, Lively attempts to recreate the gorgeous and mysterious Kat, who transforms from a shadowy photograph into a remarkably three-dimensional character.
Cloish049@aol.com
Leeway Cottage by Beth Gutcheon. 3 stars.
Family saga. Good read.
sharoncerasoli@hotmail.com
I just started The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. Historical fiction set in Venice with intrigue surrounding a young girl coming of age and an up-and-coming artist. Very interesting so far.
I also am reading Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan, a children's book that is very well done. Highly recommended for those in 4th-7th grades.
zaraya@optonline.net
I finished The History of Love by Nicole Krauss just last week. Rated at 5 stars, and unforgettable. It is a book within a book: the story of an old man, and the book he wrote as a young man. The book is the common denominator here, bringing together a young girl trying to solve the mystery of her origins, and an old man who believes he has lost every tie to his past. Bittersweet, heartbreaking and heartwarming. One of the best books I have read so far this year.
KINDLEELF@aol.com
Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper. 4 stars.
If you liked The Book of Joe, you will like this.
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars.
Sue's spiritual journey.
The Forgotten Man by Robert Crais. 5 stars.
Elvis Cole is called to the scene of a murder because the victim says he is Elvis's father.
A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer. 4 stars.
A true story and probably good therapy for the author.
Nobel House by James Clavell. 5+ stars.
Exceptional read. What an insight into the Hong Kong market. Things have changed now.
The Wounded Hawk by Sara Douglass. 5 stars.
The 2nd volume in this series that starts with The Nameless Day. A little history, a little fantasy, well-written. 5 stars.
The Icon by Neil Olson. 4 stars.
His story bounces from 1944 to the present. Is this icon good or evil?
The Glass Virgin by Catherine Cookson. 5 stars.
Set in the 1800s. Annabelle Langston, born into high society, finds out she is a bastard daughter.
A Black Englishman by Carolyn Slaughter. 5+ stars
An excellent novel, full of passion and the unfortunate reality of discrimination.
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig. 3 stars.
Falls short of The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Michelle from California
I just finished reading The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I'd rate it at 5 stars. I've read this book before but after seeing the movie I wanted to read it again. This book is one of my favorite books and I think it's just a very sweet love story.
schot@cox.net
The Third Secret by Steve Berry. 2 stars.
I was so anxious to read this book. It started out slowly while the author got his characters and scenes in place, but the momentum built and it became a page-turner. The third secret was told to the reader and the book went downhill from there. What an insult and a waste of time.
Vikkivand@aol.com
Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood. 5 stars. Excellent.
Pamela from Cambridge, MA
Raising Hope by Katie Willard. 5 stars.
A wonderful book with such likable and realistic characters, I missed them as soon as I read the last page. Highly Recommended!
Deb1teach@aol.com
Last Man Standing by David Baldacci is a great thriller. Who set up Web in the middle of an intercity gang war is the question. Why did all of his men have to die and why was he the last man standing? It's an intriguing book that will keep your attention. There are enough details to make the book truly a GREAT read.
acranis@cgi.edu
The Closers by Michael Connelly. 5 stars.
After two previous novels as an independent PI, Harry Bosch again joins the ranks of the LAPD as Detective in their Open-Unsolved Section (a.k.a. Cold Cases) in one of Connelly's strongest titles in this outstanding series. Being back in the force gives Bosch a renewed vigor and personal sense of mission as he and his partner, Kiz Rider, reopen the 17-year-old unsolved murder of a biracial teenage girl. While the procedural elements dominate the narrative, Connelly allows us brief and memorable insights into Bosch, his background and motivations, and some of his best observations of Los Angeles.
Watch Your Back! by Donald E. Westlake. 5 stars.
The prolific and masterful author gives us one of the finest in his long-running series of comic capers featuring John Dortmunder and his associates. Always looking for a quick and easy heist, with a generous payload, of course, Dortmunder and his crew are gifted with what looks like a sure thing from --- of all people --- their obnoxious but reliable fence.
But before they undertake the heist, there's another matter that distracts their attention. Seems the O.J. Bar & Grill, their favorite meeting place to plan their jobs, has been taken over by a second-generation mobster who is determined to close the place down. But not if Dortmunder and company can help it. In addition to these two main plot lines, Westlake introduces a cast of quirky, hilarious characters hell-bent on deceiving each other in various ways. A wonderfully funny, and at times suspenseful, romp of a read.
khager@intercom.net
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. 4 stars.
It's definitely a very interesting book, but parts of it were a little slow. Even so, it's one of the creepiest books I've read in a long time, and I really enjoyed it.
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
I love Stephanie Plum, whether she's being a bounty hunter or trying to live a normal life. If you don't read her, I can't even explain what you're missing --- the books are so funny and you owe it to yourself to go read them --- the adventures of Grandma Mazur alone are worth the buy.
To the Power of Three by Laura Lippman. 5 stars, but only because that's the highest I can give.
I love Laura Lippman and I was a little nervous when I learned that this would be a stand-alone book (because I adore her regular Tess Monaghan series), but this was so good. It's about these three girls who have been friends for years and how there's this school shooting, and the police think one of them is responsible. There aren't words for how good this book is.
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