| Mary Ann Weaver |
Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The essays Anne Lamott has written for GRACE (EVENTUALLY) are incredible. I could hardly put the book down. Her attitude about ecology and how we should be protecting it were inspiring. Her reverence for God was awesome, but her irreverance was funny. I can hardly wait to read more of what she has written.
|
| Jane (janebeatty92083@hotmail.com) |
The Samson Process by Lindsay Jacobs |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a great book by a new author. It will keep you up at night just to see what happens.
|
| Karen |
When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A well-written novel based on an unusual premise --- a brain-damaged first wife assumes the role of one of the children in her ex-husband's new family.
|
| Brady (bradylee@myway.com) |
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah |
Rating: 4 Stars |
There is a lot of publicity about this book, and rightly so. You discover what "normal" life is like as a native in Sierra Leone, and then what brain washing is like while becoming a soldier, which entails a most difficult life with daily killings of people. Eventually, the author is rescued and the telling of all his experiences is certainly worth reading...and interesting.
|
| Sandra F. |
The Bernini Bust by Iain Pears |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I enjoyed this book in the Art History Mystery series. In this book, Jon Argyll comes to the US to deliver a painting to a museum. He then becomes embroiled in a couple of murders requiring the help of Flavia, who comes from Rome, to the aid of her friend.
|
| Jessica McKee |
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The book just keeps you turning the pages. After you start reading it, you won't want to put it down. You feel like you are actually there, experiencing it. The book expresses all of the feelings of the characters and it is everything that happens to real people, so most of us can relate to it.
|
| Mary Ann Weaver |
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger |
Rating: 1 Stars |
I cannot believe that I wasted my time. Ahn-dre-ah! seemed to love the punishment she was taking. The only redeeming quality I found in the book was when Andrea felt compassion for the teenager who had written to Miranda and in the last few pages of the book, when she decided to chuck it all.
|
| Glenda |
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A collection of short essays about women and aging. Some are humorous and amusing. I liked the essay about her purse and its contents. Other essays are not consistent in content or results. It was a fast and light read, but I fail to see how this might relate to women who cannot afford some of the luxury items that Ephron discusses.
|
| Sally B., San Antonio TX |
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane |
Rating: 3 Stars |
3.5 stars. I listened to this unabridged audiobook, which was read by Tom Stechschulte. It's a very strange but good story in which an US Marshall goes to a hospital for the criminally insane, which sits on an island, to help find a missing inmate. This is the same author who wrote MYSTIC RIVER.
|
| Glenda |
Restless by William Boyd |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A historical thriller in which Ruth Gilmartin surprisingly learns that her mother, Eva, has been a spy as a young woman. The story is told in a "parallel" fashion that allows the story of the spy emerge in the life of Ruth, a single mother who gets involved aiding her mother find a former betrayer. The spy side of the story is quite interesting; Ruth's story drags at times, but it is a good read that is well worth the time.
|
| Glenda |
The Expected One by Kathleen McGowan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is an interesting and controversial book about the role of Mary Magdalene and her relationship to Jesus and Christianity. The reader will get a taste of Biblical history as the narrator explores her possible family ties with Jesus and his wife, Mary Magdalene as disclosed through ancient scrolls left by Mary Madgalene herself. Much of this book addresses many of the same areas as THE DA VINCI CODE, but certainly with a more feminine twist. Altough some may be disturbed by the contents and viewpoints, it was interesting to read.
|
| Ray |
Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is so scary! If you like serial-killer novels and tons of suspense, then read this book!
|
| Genie (geniedances@yahoo.com) |
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Guy Montag, a book-burning fireman, is undergoing a crisis of faith. His wife spends all day with her television "family," insisting that Montag work harder so they can afford a fourth TV wall. Guy hasn't noticed how really dull and empty life is until he meets and befriends a teeage next-door neighbor, Clarisse. She is young and thrilled by the ideas in books, and more interested in what she can see in the world around her than in the mindless chatter on television.
When Clarisse mysteriously disappears, Montag is moved to make some remarkable changes in his own life. He starts hiding books in his home, which is illegal. When books are found in someone's home, it's the firemen who are called out to burn them and the house where they were found.
Eventually, his wife turns him in. He doesn't realize this until he must answer a call to burn his own house. At the time he is forced to torch his own house, he murders the Fire Captain who gave the order.
Taking a few of his secret stash of books, Montag flees to avoid arrest. He seeks and finds and joins an outlaw band of scholars who keep the contents of books in their heads, waiting for the time society will once again need the wisdom of literature.
It's ironic that this book has been banned since it is a book about banned book burnings and censorship. Maybe because Montag challenges authority, which is shown as being a good thing and makes him the hero.
This book is thought provoking. It speaks volumes about power in the wrong hands and the ignorance that causes individuals to fail to investigate situations for themselves instead of taking the word of someone else as fact. Thankfully, it is required reading in a
number of schools.
|
| Karen |
For Love by Sue Miller |
Rating: 4 Stars |
After many years, I just read this novel again. I must say that I enjoyed it as much as, if not more than, the first reading. Sue Miller is a top-notch writer of contemporary fiction.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Amanda's Wedding by Jenny Colgan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a nice break from some of the stuff I have been reading lately. Amanda is a friend of the main character, Melanie. She is marrying a longtime friend of Mels, Frasier, but everyone thinks she is only marrying him for his money and family status.
Mel is trying to get over her long time love, Alex, when he surprises her with a phone call telling her he misses her and is coming home from the US. Alex is a real jerk, but love is blind in this instance. I was surprised but satisfied at the end. I enjoyed this book. It was witty and funny in some parts, and heart warming in others. It reminded me of a take-off of BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY. This could definitely be a movie.
|
| Kay Keller |
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a very good solo thriller by the co-author of a couple of James Patterson's bestsellers. After a bit of a slow start, the novel moves into high gear and never slows down until the last page. A very good read!!
|
| Bonnie |
Somebody's Gotta Say It by Neal Boortz |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I bought this book after reading the cover, even though I'd never heard of it. I was surprised to see it on the bestseller list since I don't think it's gotten much press. Could that be because the press is overwhelmingly liberal? Boortz is a Libertarian talk show host and rants about everything from government, i.e, public, schools and how they're ruining our children, fair taxes, abuse of the Constitution, idiotic voters, etc. etc. No matter if you agree or disagree, he brings some very interesting ideas to the table. Don't miss his "platform," should he ever run for President.
|
| Judy O. |
The Suspect by John Lescroart |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Dr. Caryn Dryden is found dead in the hot tub at her home, and her husband, Stuart Gorman, is the main suspect. Lawyer Gina Roake has taken on the case as his defense lawyer, and she honestly believes he is innocent. Can she convince the authorities? THE SUSPECT is a good courtroom drama.
|
| Ginny |
The Old Wine Shades by Martha Grimes |
Rating: 1 Stars |
When Martha Grimes blows it, she does it big time! This unabriged audio book about a missing woman and boy is an endless venture for Richard Jury and Melrose Plant that goes nowhere. Oh, she does solve the mystery, but the process is boring. I was very disappointed.
|
| Joan |
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra |
Rating: 4 Stars |
THE ATTACK is a “Book of Job” story of a well-respected Arab-Israeli doctor whose wife becomes a suicide bomber. The novel beautifully takes Amin though every stage of grief, shock, and rage, trying to understand why. Told from the point of view of a husband humiliated, the story gives the reader insight into the impotence of the Israeli-Palestinian violence.
|
| Christy (hawkes@citlink.net) |
Promises Keep by Sarah McCarty |
Rating: 5 Stars |
We first met Cougar McKinnely in PROMISES LINGER and now in this second book of the series, PROMISES KEEP, the sexy cowboy/retired sheriff is determined to make Mara Kincaid his. And... we get the opportunity to visit Asa, Elizabeth and Clint.
Ms. McCarty's western romance series are adventurous and full of steamy, erotic love scenes with well-developed characters. I was pulled in from the first page, and after reading this one, you'll be anxiously waiting for the next in the series with Clint's story.
|
| Marsha |
Abandoned and Forgotten by Evelyne Tannehill |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This touching memoir of a young girl forced into a hostile environment during World War II Prussia is very heartwarming. It reminds us of the misery encountered by the survivors of war-torn areas. It is very impressive.
|
| Christy (hawkes@citlink.net) |
Promises Prevail by Sarah McCarty |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Sarah has done it again with another hot western romance that will pull you in from the first page and not let you go until the last! PROMISES PREVAIL is the third book in the Promises series, and you will find Asa, Elizabeth, Cougar, Mara, Reverend Brad and more characters (friends) from the two previous books. This is a wonderful story of strength, determination and love that touched my heart and had me laughing, crying and sighing (sometimes all in the same breath). Ms. McCarty has the ability to weave you right into her stories so that you feel like a part of them --- you can actually see the sights and smell the aromas from her descriptions. This series of books has made this author one of my favorites. I will read EVERY story she writes and I'm most certainly awaiting the release of the next book in this series.
|
| Janice |
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Riveting and fast paced, this is a good read for older teens, parents and interested adults. It Includes the topic of date rape, teen sex games, and suicide, but they're handled as tastefully as these can be.
|
| Jane Squires |
Fair Game by Elizabeth White |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book will keep you moving through it to find out what happens next. A hunter and a person who does not believe in killing animals and wants a wildlife place to keep wounded animals are involved. It is great for teens as well as adults because it shows there is hope when one messes up in early life. It shows the difference that can happen regardless of your background.
|
| Lindsey Hedrick |
The Dying Game by Beverly Barton |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the first book by this author I have read. It kept me hooked from page one! It's eery and well written, with fully-drawn characters and a great story. I can't wait to read Griffin's story, which will be published Feb. 2008. While I am waiting, I will read more of her books.
|
| Christy (hawkes@citlink.net) |
Cops and Cowboys by Lora Leigh and Shiloh Walker |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Ms. Walker's story, "Her Wildest Dreams" is an exciting, scorching hot, erotic tale about a woman who finds herself finally living her fantasies with the man she's loved for years.
In "Cowboy & the Captive", Ms. Leigh treats us to a sizzling steamy love story in a tale of mistaken identity. Fans of Ms. Leigh's will enjoy the visit from Sam and Heather August from the Men of August series. Ms. Leigh never fails to entertain and her books are always "must buys" on my list.
|
| Janice |
Sisters by Danielle Steel |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Steel breaks her usual formula in this story of four sisters banding together to handle a family tragedy. Each puts her life on hold to help and support the others. This makes me want to start reading her books again.
|
| Pat |
S is for Silence by Sue Grafton |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Grafton rocks again. All her books have been truly the best in their genre! This one is no different. Kinsey Milhone has to be one of today's best PIs around!
|
| Genie (geniedances@yahoo.com) |
Night Watch by Terry Pratchett |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a very interesting concept of time travel. Unlike the Back to the Future series where the main characters must avoid running into one another, Vimes is allowed to meet his younger self and actually teach him the ropes.
Sam Vimes --- Commander of ankh-Morpork's City Watch, who hasn't had to pound a beat in years --- has earned a title, and his wife is due to give birth to their first child any moment. At the time, he finds himself missing aspects of his old life. Thank goodness there's work to be done to take his mind off Sybel's present condition. Vimes manages to corner a murderer,
Carcer, on the library dome at Unseen University during a tremendous lightning storm. By a fluke (and perhaps the influence of some broom-carrying monks) he is zapped back in time 30 years, to an Ankh-Morpork where the Watch is a joke, the ruling Patrician is mad, and the city on the verge of rebellion. Three decades
earlier, Sgt. John Keel took charge of the Night Watch during the rebellion. He was the one who taught the young Sam Vimes how to be a good cop. Unfortunately, in this version of the past, Carcer has killed Keel.
In order to return home and ensure he has a future to return home to, Vimes must take on Keel's role. The dark situation is lightened with glimpses into the origins of several of the more unique denizens of
Ankh-Morpork.
|
| Kathi K |
The Watchman by Robert Crais |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I could not put this book down! From page one, Mr. Crais has you hooked. Featuring Joe Pike as the main character, this is, by far, the author's best novel to date. I passed it on to a co-worker who had never read any of his books and she couldn't put it down either.
|
| Diane Howard (bediane1954@writing.com) |
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Rarely do I find a book that I would like to read twice, but this most certainly is the one. I couldn't put it down. Once this girl gets on a roll at a downhill spiral she just can't stop. I would like to tell all of you that this is a book that must be read by all.
I have read many books in my 52 years of life, but this is a very rare one, indeed. It is read in first person. Although it was written by a man, you really think that, somehow, he is in a woman's body because he knows the psyche of a woman so well.
|
| Karin |
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have read a few of Dickens's novels (A TALE OF TWO CITIES, OLIVER TWIST, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL) and decided it was time to read the others. I am 3/4 of the way through this book and I am mesmorized. I've been having trouble putting it down, and I think about the plot when I am not reading the book.
|
| Peggy |
The Island by Heather Graham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The book begins with a murder --- a skull is found, which then disappears. This mystery is filled with suspense and romance. An enjoyable read.
|
| Sara |
At the Sign of the Naked Waiter by Amy Herrick |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of my favorite coming-of-age books!
|
| Elaine |
The Broker by John Grisham |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This novel has a promising beginning. As the President is about to leave office, he grants a pardon to a former Washington power broker who is released and spirited away to Italy by the CIA. Since it is believed that Joel Backman has information regarding a satelitte surveillance system, various itelligence agencies, the CIA, the Russians, Israelis, the Chinese and the Saudies are looking for him.
At this point, the story turns into a travelogue of Bologna, Italy and it isn't until the last couple of chapters that the story returns to the fundamentals --- that is, where has Bachman hidden the satellite information, where is the money he supposedly stashed, and what the intelligence agencies are doing to find him. In the end, the author wraps it all up neatly and even though Bachman originally planned to betray his country and sell the discs to the highest bidder, he is portrayed as having changed to a nice guy. Not one of Mr. Grisham's better efforts.
|
| Ruth Moore |
Point Blank by Catherine Coulter |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I gave this book only 4 stars because after reading it, I now have to go back and read the other 9 books in the series. Otherwise, it was a very good read.
|
| Mary |
Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love to go back and read the classics. This is one I could not put down. It is a story that you will continue to think about long after the ending.
|
| Elaine |
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the story of the young boy, Amir, and his friend, Hassan, in Kabul, Afghanistan prior to the fall of the monarchy. It's a page turner as we follow them going to school, and witness their experiences with school bullies, parents with secrets, and as in most societies, class prejudice. When the Russian army appears, Amir and his father leave Kabul and eventually come to the United States. The last third of the book is not very credible, as Amir tries to make up for betraying Hassan. However, this book is definitely worth reading!
|
| Peggy |
The Death Artist by Jonathan Santlofer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A serial killer is on the loose in the art community in New York. This descriptive, suspense thriller keeps you captivated and was very hard to put down. Enjoy --- I know I did.
|
| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
The Marriage Diaries by Rebecca Campbell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a pretty good book. I was disappointed in the main female character, but all in all, it was enjoyable.
|
| Jodi |
Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another funny Shopaholic book! These keep getting funnier and funnier. How can you not be amused by Becky's antics?
|
| Rita |
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a selection for my book group, and it provoked an excellent discussion. Although some felt the father was unlikeable, I personally thought he was a well-intentioned man who kept his promises and suffered for it. Do read Ms. Edward's book.
|
| Rita |
The Abortionist's Daughter by Elizabeth Hyde |
Rating: 3 Stars |
It was a month for reading about daughters! Incredibly enough, this book was a bit lighter than THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER, and was fairly predictable. However, it was enjoyable as a light read.
|
| Suzanne |
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I couldn't put this down. It was intriguing and surprising, and full of interesting characters.
|
| Victoria Kennedy |
Stone Butterfly by James D. Doss |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another great mystery from Doss's Charlie Moon series. I was totally clueless right up to the end. I love his books!
|
| Anne K. (annabelle973@aol.com) |
I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An excellent book by the same author of THE BOOK THIEF. It has a unique plot and is a fast read. His writing is very different from that of any other writer I'm familiar with. It is set in Australia, where the author resides.
|
| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
The Other Side of Air by Jeanne Braselton |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I enjoyed parts of this book, but it was really slow moving for me and hard to get into.
|
| Anne K. (annabelle973@aol.com) |
Dave Barry's Bad Book of Songs by Dave Barry |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the funniest books I've ever read! If you were around during the '60s and '70s and loved the rock-and-roll songs of that general era, you will thoroughly enjoy the analyses of some of the then-popular songs! Read it and laugh!
|
| Mary Ann Weaver |
Dry Ice by Stephen White |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Does Stephen White remember that PRIVILEDGED INFORMATION came out in 1991? Does he realize how many books, including many mysteries, I have read since then? I Wish I had reread it before starting DRY ICE. I found it very interesting, but I had to keep stopping to think back and remember some of the connections between the two.
I always buy White's books asap and dive right into them. He is a wonderful writer. His descriptions of life with Lauren and Grace had seemed to flow so easily until this book. Because he is Stephen White, I only gave it 4 stars, although if I had remembered more of the first book, I think I'd rate it a 5.
|
| Susan |
The Double Blind by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is one of the most fascinating books I have read. When you get to the end, you will want to tell everyone about it.
|
| J. P. Feingold |
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster |
Rating: 4 Stars |
While designed as simple entertainment for children, this book makes you think about what is really important.
|
| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Marley & Me by John Grogan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
What a wonderful story of companionship! Both hilarious and poignant, this book is a must read for animal lovers and non-animal lovers alike.
|
| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Kinsella does it again! Becky Bloomwood's crazy and addictive life pulls you right in to the story and refuses to let you put the book down. Some of chick-lit's finest.
|
| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Pretty interesting. I have to say that some of it was quite moving ("My Vagina Was My Village"), but other parts were just laughable to me. I guess I just didn't "get" it on all levels. I'm glad I read it, though, because it was curiously enjoyable, and the copy I picked up was the V-Day Edition so there was lots of background on the movement inspired by THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES.
|
| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
America's Cheapest Family... by Steve & Annette Economides |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you're looking at a life where your debts and/or expenses seem to be all your income covers, then AMERICA'S CHEAPEST FAMILY GETS YOU RIGHT ON THE MONEY is a great book for you to check out. It includes great tips and suggestions for how to work out a budget, weekly meal plans, tips for grocery shopping while saving money, teaching your kids (18 months and up) about money and budgeting, cheap or free vacation and entertainment ideas, and so much more.
|
| Anne K. (annabelle973@aol.com) |
Traveler by Ron McLarty |
Rating: 4 Stars |
While this was a very interesting book, it was not as good as McLarty's first one, THE MEMORY OF RUNNING.
|
| T. Thomas |
The Taste of Innocence by Stephanie Laurens |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This was not as good as some of her other books.
|
| T. Thomas |
A Dangerous Man by Candace Camp |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A better-than-average romance novel.
|
| Sally |
About Alice by Calvin Trillin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This beautifully written little book is by noted author Calvin Trillin, and is about his wife Alice, who died in 2001. Only 78 pages, it can be read in one sitting and is probably best that way. I read it in parts, and wish I had had time to just sit down and read it all at once. You learn a lot about Alice in these 78 pages, and you learn a lot about values and relationships. I wish I had known Alice.
|
| Marlyn E. Myers |
High Profile by Robert B. Parker |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This is a Jesse Stone mystery.
I like revisiting the locale and the characters. It was a quick, fun read.
|
| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Away Laughing on a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a YA book, but it's fun! If you haven't read this series yet, you must start (go back to the first book, though). Rennison does not disappoint in this continuation featuring everyone's favorite Georgia Nicholson.
|
| T. Thomas |
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A wonderful account of Kit Carson, the Navajo and the army.
|
| T. Thomas |
Storm Front by Jim Butcher |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This probably deserves 3 1/2 stars. It is different from The Dresden Files that is based on this series.
|
| Marlyn E. Myers |
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This story is filled with unlikeable characters. Only the daughter is someone you would like to get to know. Each character has a secret, and builds walls to keep it hidden. You know that there are people like them, but it is still hard to grasp. The ending was rushed in the last several pages.
|
| Jodi |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another fantastic book by Picoult, who just keeps getting better and better!! I couldn't put this book down!
|
| R. Honey (meenmom714@aol.com) |
Icebergs by Rebecca Johns |
Rating: 5 Stars |
My 88-year-old mother read this first and really liked it. She has read thousands of books, so this is high praise, indeed! I am now reading it and totally agree. Ms. Johns is definitely an author to watch.
|
| T. Thomas |
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This family is crazy, and you will laugh out loud.
|
| Wendy Catalano |
Conspiracy In Death by J. D. Robb |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This 9th book in the In Death series is a great mystery featuring Lt. Eve Dallas, with a bit of romance thrown in too.
|
| Ginny |
True Evil by Greg Iles |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Wow, has Greg Iles's writing changed. I hadn't read one of his books in years, but I picked up TRUE EVIL based on a write-up in Word of Mouth. Imagine that someone could contract the death of a wealthy spouse, which would appear totally natural and couldn't be detected. Then imagine that your sister is the victim of this kind of murder. She tells you about it on her death bed, and asks you to save her son; then, you discover who the next victim will be. This is exactly what happens to Alexandra Morse, who begins the pursuit of her sister's killer, and it is a great read.
|
| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I'd never heard of this book before I saw it on the bookstore shelf, and was drawn to the cover art and title. However, I'm so glad I chose to pick it up and buy it.
This book was so raw and emotional that, from time to time, I had to keep flipping to the genre listing on the back cover to be sure the story really was fiction and not a memoir or autobiography. Schlink's characters are so real and believable that as you progress from of Part 1 and into Parts 2 and 3, you really find yourself reeling from what takes place and what information is devulged. I don't want to ruin anything for anyone who might see this prior to reading the book, but let's just say that everything changes as soon as you get to Part 2.
THE READER is a good book --- a love story of sorts, filled with highs and lows, and devastation beyond your initial comprehension.
|
| T. Thomas |
Thunderstruck by Erick Larson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book reads as quickly as a novel. I liked THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY better, though.
|
| T. Thomas |
Brother Odd by by Dean Koontz |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This latest book in the series is not as good as the first two.
|
| Renee (tfranzen2124@comcast.net) |
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Sparks has such an easy style of gentling you into his stories. They are perfect escapist reading, just what the doctor ordered this weekend.
|
| Karla |
A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The story of a very dysfunctional family that is both touching and funny.
|
| Dodalodle from Beautiful British Columbia (dglg@telus.net) |
The Owl & Moon Café by Jo-Ann Mapson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was the first book I have read by this author and now it won't be my last. The story focuses on four generations of Moon women. Gammy Bess and her hippie daughter Allegra live above the family owned cafe, The Owl & Moon. Allegra's daughter Mariah and granddaughter Lindsay move in with them when Mariah loses her teaching job. Now, all the Moon women help to run the cafe.
Mariah and Allegra are at odds because Allegra has never told her daughter who her birth father is. However, she becomes sick and is diagnosed with lukemia, and her new doctor turns out to be her "first real love", as well as Mariah's real father!
This is a story with believable characters dealing with "real" life ups and downs. It's easy to read and hard to put down!
|
| Deb Ayres |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Only Jodi Picoult could manage to make the reader feel sympathy for a school shooter. It reminded me of WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN. As I am the mother of two girls in high school, it was hard to pick up, and then hard to put down. I'm glad our high school regularly practices drills for this kind of thing. I wish we lived in a world where we didn't have to. Lots to think about....
|
| Christy (OLTLFREAK@AOL.COM) |
Dog Years: A Memoir by Mark Doty |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I love all books about dogs! I found myself so sad when the two in this book, Arden and Beau, passed on, which made me think of my own dog that had died. Doty's writing is hard to read. It doesn't flow, so I had to skip a lot of the text. I love the cover, though.
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| Susan Jensen |
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brasheres |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the story of 4 girlfriends and a magical pair of pants. The girls trade off wearing the "perfect jeans" as they spend the summer apart from one another. The pants are witness to the girls' ups and downs, their triumphs and disappointments. The story is fun and magical, but also surprisingly realistic and even heartbreaking at times. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these very real girls and their one amazing summer.
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| Pat |
Dry Ice by Stephen White |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Dr. Gregory deals with demons and hidden secrets. This book is a treat for followers of White's fiction.
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| Olga |
Turning Angel by Greg Iles |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Fans of Greg Iles will not be disappointed with this book. There are so many events that will cause your heart to race. You will feel for everyone involved in this story -- good and bad. The book is very hard to put down once you have started.
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| Donna Marton (donnawho@webtv.net) |
Close Friends by Peter Jenkins |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This author writes books, most notably A WALK ACROSS AMERICA, about his nomadic travels. This book, CLOSE FRIENDS, answers the question: What did he do when he stopped walking? Did he have a "normal" life? Was he happy?
Though the book answers those questions, it still leaves you wondering...
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| Suzanne Knapp (sknapp@stny.rr.com) |
Bones Would Rain From the Sky by Suzanne Clothier |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A great nonfiction book for dog lovers, or for that matter, animal lovers.
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| Susan (bookmark60@sc.rr.com) |
Family Tree by Barbara Delinski |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I just started the book and am not sure how it is going to go. But, the synopsis grabbed me. This book is about a newly married white couple who live a comfortable life. But, when they have a child, their baby is born with African-American features, which stirs up a lot of questions. Accusations are made against the wife, since she doesn't know who her father is, but her husband accuses her of having an affair and wants her to take a DNA test.
We will see how the rest of the book goes. This is a good book club book, which will surely bring up questions in my club.
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| Pat Reid (preid939@gmail.com) |
Dry Ice by Stephen White |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I read all of Stephen White's books and I think this is the best yet. It is more suspenseful and contains more about his family.
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| Noreen Brown |
A Safe Place by Lorenzo Carcaterra |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have read and enjoyed several of Carcaterra's fiction novels. Published in 1992, A SAFE PLACE is "the true story of a father, a son, a murder"...his father.
Reading about the experiences of his childhood is painful, so actually living it must have been horrible.
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| L. Hann |
Four to Score by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A real page turner. Things are really heating up between Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli. Find out how hot things will get!
In this book, Stephanie hooks up with a transvestite musician named Sally, who is a hoot and will have you laughing throughout the whole book. Will Stephanie find out who blew up her apartment and why? Love is a dangerous thing.
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| Julie Towson |
Disclosure by Michael Crichton |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A riveting psychological thriller set against the backdrop of the cutthroat computer industry. It was a page turner for me and I really enjoyed it. Michael Crichton is one of my favorite authors.
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| Jesse Kaplan |
Golden Country by Jennifer Gilmore |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a bit slow moving, but it is still a good book. It's about Jewish family, immigration, gangsters, Broadway, TV, and family dynamics.
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| Joan Woods (buckeye14@tampabay.rr.com) |
Most Likely To Die by Lisa Jackson, Beverly Barton & Wendy Corsi Staub |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is written in three parts by three authors. Each tells part of the story and does it equally well.
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| Louise Pledge |
Superstition by Karen Robards |
Rating: 5 Stars |
In my opinion, this is one of Karen's best. The fact that some of the characters are ghosts (or spirits, if you will) makes for a little different twist, which holds one's interest. The heroine of the story is attempting to solve some murders on her national tv show, while at the same time, the murderer is planning his next victim. What role will her famous psychic mother play? Or her new police chief boyfriend (who has his own ghosts)? It's a hard-to-put-down book, for sure!
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| Louise Pledge |
The Closers by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the first time I've read Michael Connelly, but he has a new fan for life! LAPD Detective Harry Bosch is back on the force to solve a 17-year-old murder. I can hardly wait to read the previous books in the series!
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| Tammie Diyar (teaspoon67@yahoo.com) |
Size 14 is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Though usually labeled as a romance novel, this book is much more! Protagonist Heather Wells must deal with murder, mystery and a missing body, all while trying to forget her crazy family.
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| Kathy Bailey |
The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This a good book to learn about one of the potential candidates for the next Presidential election. It gives you insight into his political stance and what he would like to see changed in the U.S. It does not delve into his personal life as much as his first book, but it does make a nice follow-up to his first book.
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| Gordon Wilson |
The Eagle by Jack Whyte |
Rating: 5 Stars |
THE EAGLE is the final chapter of a fantastic series (though it does stand alone, as well) describing with incredible detail a very possible life of the High King of Britain, Arthur Pendragon --- better known today as King Arthur. What a story and what imaginative writing. Jack Whyte puts you right into the moment of every page.
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| Coral Harrison |
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A story of a soldier and the woman he loved. He met her, then had to go back to the Army. It is one of the best books I have read.
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| Scott |
The Gods of Newport by John Jakes |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Being a native of Rhode Island, and having toured the mansions of Newport many times, I'm finding more and more about a time long ago in Newport that you will never learn in school or on a tour in this great book.
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| Wendy Catalano |
We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the most horific yet compelling stories about motherhood, marriage, and family that I have ever read.
You have to read this book til the very end where everything comes together --- you will see why.
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| Sandra F. |
Fleshmarket Close by Ian Rankin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Ian Rankin never fails to satisfy readers and this Inspector Rebus novel is the best yet. Rankin's books are complex, making them all the more enjoyable to read.
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| Joan |
The Fifth Vial by Michael Palmer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I am a big fan of Michael Palmer, but I do not feel this is his best book. It is very interesting, but not as suspenseful as his others.
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| Sandy |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is one of my favorite authors! I am not even halfway through this one, but it is awesome. I recommend it to everyone I see.
I had it at work today and someone in the elevator asked if it was any good. It is about a school shooting in which 10 children were killed and many were wounded.
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| Annie |
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Loved this book! A college girl is brutally attacked, and this is the story of the impact it had on her life; a story about homelessness, desperation, and reality vs. fiction. The author cleverly weaves in characters and themes from THE GREAT GATSBY.
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| annie |
Family Tree by Barbara Delinski |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Interesting story about a white couple that has a black baby. Somewhat predictable, but a good read.
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| Annie |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another winner from Jodi about a current topic that any parent of middle or high school kids will be engrossed in. Like her last book, THE TENTH CIRCLE, the ending is disappointing.
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| Mary Mahaney |
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Not only is this an intriguing story of a young Chinese girl and her journey into adulthood, but Lisa See also delves into 19th century Hunan culture and its rich history.
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| Laurie Blum (laurieblum@hotmail.com) |
Astrid & Veronika by Linda Olsson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Set in Sweden, ASTRID & VERONIKA is a beautiful story of love and a unique friendship --- subtle but powerful, most enjoyable prose!
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| Darcy |
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a very moving story set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany. It brings to mind ANNE FRANK: THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL. Originallly written for young adults, it has proven to appeal to all ages. It goes on my lifetime-favorites list, along with THE PRINCE OF TIDES and THE SHIPPING NEWS.
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| Eileen Quinn Knight |
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A sad but exciting story about what secrets do to a relationship. It is wonderful and suspensefully written, with attention to detail that makes it so believable, as if it were the person who lived next store to us.
It is a quick but powerful read!
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| Bonnie Cooper |
Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Mr. Parker develops characters the readers care about, and plots that engross and captivate. Both my husband and I love these books and will continue to read others by him.
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| Annie |
The Lost Mother by Mary McGarry Morris |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A deeply felt novel of two children who search for the mother who abandoned them, and who doesn't want to be found.
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| Jane (janebeatty92083@hotmail.com) |
Miss Julia Throws A Wedding by Ann B. Ross |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This a very witty tale and a very funny adventure. You will laugh at Miss Julia and enjoy the view through her eyes.
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| Mary |
The Pact: A Love Story by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Jodi Picoult's books are always excellent. They are very well written and thought provoking. Though it was a book about a suicide, it didn't turn out to be what I thought it would be in the beginning.
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| Mary |
This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the 2nd book I've read by this author and I really enjoy her books. I didn't think I was one to like romance novels, but I have enjoyed hers. They are set in the modern day with a good story and diaglogue.
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| S. Bowers |
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the type of book I enjoy reading!! I really liked everything about this book and once I started, I just wanted to continue to read.
It felt Dickensian to me, and those have been the types of books I`ve enjoyed the most.
I marked as I read some quotes that I also enjoyed:
"Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not for the merits of who receives them."
"A stranger sees us the way we are, not as he wishes to think we are."
"Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you."
"Life flies by, especially the bit that worth living."
"A story is a letter the author writes to himself, to tell himself things that he would be unable to discover otherwise."
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| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
The Accidental by Ali Smith |
Rating: 1 Stars |
This was definitely not my type of book. I thought several times of just giving it up. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how this book could possibly be up for an award. How hard is it to babble on paper? That is exactly what this author did. There were very few complete thoughts. Sometimes I felt like the author had written this book after drinking 15 cups of coffee. I find no talent in expressing yourself in a continuous stream of unorganized thoughts. I think the book was about a dysfunctional family who is invaded by an odd character named Amber. Why anyone would let a stranger stay with them for as long as they did is beyond me. Maybe this is a sign of how dysfunctional they really were. Amber does influence their lives in both good and bad ways. It’s just so hard to understand the story line and the conclusion with the way it was written.
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| Lu |
Death by Pad Thai & Other Memorable Meals by Douglas Bauer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I just started this book, but so far, I am enjoying it. Twenty writers were asked to write about a past meal that they'd never forgotten.
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| Suzannefromtexas |
Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews |
Rating: 3 Stars |
SAVANNAH BLUES tells the story of a recently divorced antique-picker and her quest for a prized antique piece. There is a murder thrown in and a delightfully funny cast of characters. A pleasant, light read.
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| Karen Barash |
The Sisters Mortland by Sally Beauman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This novel pulled me in from the first page and I couldn't put it down. The story revoves around three sisters, the Mortland girls. It is artfully told from different points of view and keeps the reader in a state of suspense.
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| Spiralskygilligan |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I am halfway through this book and I feel as though Picoult did not put what she has in her others in this one. She is one of the best authors I have ever read, and I can't keep my attention to this one. There are too many characters, which is not unusual for her, but they are too confusing. All in all, I do hope the book gets better. I'm a little disappointed after waiting so long to read it.
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| Rosalie Sambuco (tigersmama43213@aol.com) |
Red Azalea by Anchee Minn |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the story of Anchee Min's life in Communist China during the Cultural Revolution. I couldn't put this book down until I finished reading. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
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| Debbie Nance (debbienance@houston.rr.com) |
The Girls Who Went Away by Ann Fessler |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Surprising testimonies from those girls who gave away babies.
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| Bev Lister (Bflister@aol.com) |
Drop Dead Gorgeous by Linda Howard |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This follows TO DIE FOR, which is about Blair Mallory, a beauty, former cheerleader and owner of a popular fitness center. It seems as though this is the second attempt on Blair's life --- while she is shopping one evening at a local mall, she is almost run over by a speeding auto. Who would want to kill her and why? The book is fast paced and fun to read. Blair, her family, and her fiancee Wyatt are very endearing characters.
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| Cam |
No Angel by Penny Vincenzi |
Rating: 4 Stars |
If you enjoy reading "sagas", this is the book for you. It is volume 1 of a trilogy. Vicenzi is an English author who's quite popular in her country. This novel is about a woman whose husband is head of a publishing company in London, and her involvement in the company after he goes off to fight during World War I. It makes for great reading!
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| Marjorie L. Carmony |
Irish Linen by Andrew M. Greeley |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Nuala Anne and Dermot are as wonderful as ever.
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| Nicole (mike810nicole@aol.com) |
Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella |
Rating: 4 Stars |
While I found the start a little slow, it got much better as I read. I always enjoy Kinsella's Shopaholic books. I really found myself rooting for Becky against the evil Venetia. I didn't find this book as funny as the prior Becky books, but I would definitely would say it was worth reading. I hope Kinsella writes another so we can see Becky in mom mode.
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| Nicole (mike810nicole@aol.com) |
Rags to Riches by Nathan Aaseng |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I read this book from my classroom library. It's about some of the staples of American life and how they got their start. It was interesting to see how Sears and JC Penney got underway.
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| Helene Simpson |
Past Perfect by Susan Isaacs |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Isaacs is a very funny writer. The plot is about the CIA, and relocating spies from east Germany about the time the wall came down. She is trying to find out why she was fired many years ago.
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| melissaherlevic (melissaherlevic@yahoo.com) |
Life of Pi by Yann Martel |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I decided to read this based on its longevity. I see a copy every time I'm in a discount bookstore. The book was interesting and kept my attention, but although the book is a fantasy fiction, it was a little hard to buy the fact that a tiger could "be tamed."
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| Dorothy (jddistef@aol.com) |
Find Me by Carol O'Connell |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you love mysteries and you haven't discovered Mallory, you had better get to the bookstore! The latest installment continues to follow Kathy Mallory and her partner and friend as they wind their way down Route 66 to solve a serial murder case.
Mallory is totally different from any female detective. You have to read about her because there is no way for me to sum her up here!
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| Marsha |
If Today Be Sweet by Thrity Umrigar |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This charming novel that addresses the universal problem confronting widows as they decide how to continue their lives will touch and warm your heart. The lesson here is to reach out to others, and in doing so, you will find yourself.
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| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Like Trees, Walking by Ravi Howard |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An interesting, fictional tale centered on the 1981 lynching of Michael Donald in Mobile, Alabama, which delves into the part of the funeral home. An eye-opening experience.
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| Matt St. Amand |
The Courthouse Record Store by Gary Britson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Lawyers and laughter don't normally go together, but both are found in abundance in Gary Britson's hilarious and poignant novel, THE COURTHOUSE RECORD STORE.
A lawyer who is tired of practicing law closes the old family firm and opens a used record store on the premises. Across the street from the local courthouse, The Courthouse Record Store becomes a focal point for the town's losers, among whom is a young man about to be railroaded into prison on a "three-strikes-you're-out" law wielded by an ambitious prosecutor. The store's proprietor comes out of retirement to defend his otherwise friendless customer. THE COURTHOUSE RECORD STORE is a portrait of small-town life, small-town law and a lawyer who would rather listen to "I Fought the Law" than practice it.
A great read!
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| Reva Wamsley (prwamsley@roadrunner.com) |
ONE FOR THE MONEY and TWO FOR THE DOUGH by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I just started reading this series. It's about Stephanie Plum and how, when she loses her job, decides to become a bounty hunter. Along the way, she meets up with a handsome cop from her past and gets into all sorts of scrapes. She even gets her elderly grandmother involved. These books make very intertaining light reading.
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| Bethann Miller (Queenbethanny@bak.rr.com) |
Born in Death by J. D. Robb |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Great characters! In depth, Robb intertwines the storyline with the characters' lives. This series keeps you on your feet.
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| Laura Merrill |
Behind Closed Doors by Natalie R. Collins |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was such an enjoyable book! I read most of it in one sitting and have ordered another of her books!
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| John Karbowski III |
From The Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Although this is a young adult novel, I believe it is a must read for everyone. Our society is constantly changing, and same-sex relationships are becoming more and more common. In this book, a young boy finds out his mother is gay and in a relationship with another woman. The book describes his struggle in coping with this situation. Same-sex relationships are becoming more and more common and will allow the reader to look at a situation that most of us may come in contact with during our lifetimes.
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| P. Corwin |
The Lady in the Palazzo by Marlena de Blasi |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Marlena de Blasi's third book about living in Italy has many adventures, and this time she and her husband are living in the Umbria area. After finding just the perfect house on a hill, next comes the negotiation for the sale and also renovations. She and her husband tour the area and attend the local eateries, making new friends and enjoying the local fresh foods of the region. It is enjoyable to read a book that has titled chapters! After reading each chapter, I go back to the beginning to review the title of the chapter and think of the connections.
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