| LindaH |
Just One Look by Joanne Rock |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a great read. I loved this book and I look forward to reading more by this author. I highly recommend JUST ONE LOOK.
|
| LindaH |
Skin Deep by Tori Carrington |
Rating: 5 Stars |
SKIN DEEP was the first book I have read by Tori Carrington and it won't be the last. This was an amazing story with great friends and lots of romance and hot scenes. Tori Carrington is now on my favorite/auto buy list. I look forward to reading more books by her. I highly recommend this book to those who love romance with laughter.
|
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
Killer Instinct by Joseph Finder |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An excellent, heart-pounding book! I finished it in 2 nights! Jason Steadman is a young sales executive for an electronics company, he feels like his career is at a standstill and his wife wants him to become more aggressive. Jason then meets tow-truck driver Kurt Semko. Kurt is a real man's man, a former Special Forces agent once drafted by a major league baseball team and in great physical condition. Looking for a pitcher for the corporate softball team, Jason helps Kurt land a job in corporate security. All of a sudden good things start happening to Jason, and bad things start happening to his competiton. As Jason starts putting things together, he finds that Kurt is definitely not a man you want for an enemy. This book is highly recommended!!
|
| Wendy Catalano |
Animal. Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver |
Rating: 3 Stars |
The true story of Barbara and her family's break from a big city to life on a farm.
Her first non-fiction narrative that opens your eyes to the idea, "You are what you eat."
|
| Wendy Catalano |
The Big Girls by Susanna Moore |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The story at the center of this novel is a crime of unfathomable horror surrounded by the horrific crimes and lives of women in prison.
A good quick read.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
The Unquiet by John Connolly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A disturbing tale of child abuse in Maine and the history of the Gilead community. The book also offers a look at the outcasts of the world and their lives of desperation.
|
| LindaH |
Connections by Sasha White |
Rating: 5 Stars |
CONNECTIONS was a short read filled with so many hot and steamy scenes between Carter and Elise. These two wonderful characters are made for each other, and I enjoyed reading them. Sasha White is a very talented author whose books are filled with so much hot steamy passion. You will fall in love with Sasha's characters and her novels. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about hot scenes and sexy characters.
|
| LindaH |
Gypsy Heart by Sasha White |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Sasha White does it again with another *HOT* read. From the beginning to the end, this book grabs you. You would fall in love with Gage and Sable. The sexual tension between these two characters is amazing. You will not want to put this book down.
|
| Linda |
Infatuation by Allison Kent |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was an excellent read. I love Alison Kent's books. This is one of my favorites that she has written for Harlequin Blaze. This is a must read.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
Marley & Me by John Grogan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a beautifully written story about a family and their dog.
|
| Lizabeth Gottermeyer |
A Miracle of Catfish by Larry Brown |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A bittersweet read (Larry died before finishing the novel). As usual, great characterizations draw you right into Larry's rough-and- tumble gritty world. Unfortunately, there is no ending, but it's a great read so far anyway!
|
| Tammy O |
Marley & Me by John Grogan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is great!. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It is for anyone who has ever loved a dog. I can see why it is on the # 1 New York Times Bestseller list.
|
| Linda Scott (scott2@einetwork.net) |
Spare Change by Robert B. Parker |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is one of Parker's Sonny Randall books. It's a very good book, but we can't help but wish it were a Spenser.
|
| Linda Scott (scott2@einetwork.net) |
Girls of Tender Age: A Memoir by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An excellent memoir of growing up in a small town where a serial rapist murderer stalks young girls. Just a super description of life at the time.
|
| Torrie Lynn |
Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher and Ruth Ross |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Empowering, yet heartbreaking, this book is a collection of a female psychologist's experiences working with adolescent girls. I will never look at our society and its view of women the same way again.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
13 Bullets by David Wellington |
Rating: 5 Stars |
For horror fans, it's a must read!
|
| Betty Jo H (harrises@bayou.com) |
The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I am about halfway through this author's second novel. I loved her first book, THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING and really like this one as well. Also, it could be a nice cross-over book for the young set.
|
| Ruth |
Dancing Bones by Patsy Clairmont |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Not as humorous as her other books, but I enjoyed the inspirational stories of people she's met throught the Women of Faith conferences.
|
| Christy (oltlfreak@aol.com) |
The Judas Strain by James Rollins |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved MAP OF BONES --- it's my favorite favorite of his. His newest doesn't disappoint, it engages you from the start. Read slowly to absorb it all; there's so much going on. This author really gives you your money's worth, so you don't mind spending the cash on a hardcover.
|
| Linda Ann (pinkheart4455@yahoo.com) |
Good Hope Road by Lisa Wingate |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love Lisa Wingate's books. They all make me cry, but, are wonderful reads.
|
| Linda Ann (pinkheart4455@yahoo.com) |
The Year Of The Fog by Michelle Richmond |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I have never read a book by her before. It was very good, and I would recommend it.
|
| Linda Ann (pinkheart4455@yahoo.com) |
For One More Day by Mitch Albom |
Rating: 4 Stars |
As always, his books are wonderful reads.
|
| Rachael |
Slip & Fall by Nick Santora |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a fast, exciting read that I finished all in one day.
|
| Rachael |
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Very spooky and thrilling book.
|
| Jane (janebeatty92083@hotmail.com) |
The Bourne Betrayal by Eric Van Lustbader |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a great book. It keeps you hooked from the first page to the last.
|
| pigletstl (pigletstl@aol.com) |
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I just finished this and found it stirring and captivating. It was, at once, a detailed historical account of a bloody battle and a touching love story. Very good.
|
| Ruth |
Better Single Than Sorry by Jen Schefft |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Reading this book was just like having a conversation with a group of girlfriends.
|
| pigletstl (pigletstl@aol.com) |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 4 Stars |
So far, this is at least 4 stars. It is more up to Ms. Picoult's previous novels than her last release, THE TENTH CIRCLE.
|
| Linda Bass (LINDARB49@HOTMAIL.COM) |
Pinky Swear by Jewel Adams |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Andrea Michaels swore to keep her best friend's infant safe from his drug-dealing father before he killed her. Now, she is on the run from his goons, who are after her. She has pinky sweared that she would get the child to his grandparents if it were the last thing she did.
|
| Jon W. |
The Overlook by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is another great one by Michael Connelly. The story has some interesting twists and turns. As always, it takes place in LA. Harry Bosch is one of the great mystery series characters. I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.
|
| Nancy Clark |
The Hindi-Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a great read about the conflict between mothers and daughters and their cultures of the east and west. It also has great recipes.
|
| Nancy Clark |
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The hardships of circus life are combined with a great love story and an ending that you'll never see coming.
|
| Marsha |
Requiem for an Assassin by Barry Eisler |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This latest book featuring John Rain, an assassin with a conscience, is full of the usual excitement. In this rendering, John Rain is trying to retire, but as we learned in the Godfather, "they keep pulling you back in." This time, his partner has been kidnapped and to save him, he must get back into the "business. An electrifying novel.
|
| RossRN (editor@newsovercoffee.com) |
Killing Che by Chuck Pfarrer |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A fictional account based on Che Guevara's final revolutionary attempt in Bolivia. The book is Pfarrer's first fictional novel, and in spots, I thought the word choice wasn't exactly right, which was slightly distracting, but the story itself was good. It kept me engaged and ended well.
If 5 is the best and an all-time classic, and 4 is very good, then this one is a 3, but I'd qualify it as better than average and worth the read.
The book is set in Bolivia in 1967, at a time when the US fears a country-by-country communist revolution in South America. When a Bolivian army unit is eliminated by guerrillas, the CIA sends in a contractor to investigate. The contractor is Paul Hoyle, an ex-agent now seeking work after a divorce and early exit from the agency.
While any student of history knows the ultimate outcome of the book, it had plenty of twists and turns and great insight into both the perspective of the insurgent and counter-insurgent.
|
| Rita Carter (gandmari@aol.com) |
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A fast read and a good read about a father and his 12-year-old daughter who find a newborn infant abandoned in the woods in the snow to die. Lots of food for thought.
|
| Julie Elias (julbloom55@yahoo.com) |
Predator by Patricia Cornwell |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The same dynamic Kay Scarpetta and cast --- Lucy, Benton Wesley, Pete Marino --- in a mysterious plot that takes us from the heat and humidity of eastern Florida to the blizzards of Boston. There's lots of action between the characters and a surprise ending --- all the things that make this series a "got to read it."
|
| Linda Scott (scott2@einetwork.net) |
The Dark Streets by John Shannon |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a Jack Liffey mystery. Jack is on the trail of a Korean sixteen year old when he is snapped up by the high-powered Homeland Security. Meanwhile, his own daughter takes up with an L.A. gangbanger.
|
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
Cherry On Top by Kathleen Long |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is definite chick-lit. The night that Cherry Harte is left at the altar, she finds out that she has won the lottery. She and her sister decide to move to Florida and start a new life. There are some funny moments as the story unfolds, and some very lively characters are introduced!
|
| Paula |
Spanish Dagger by Susan Whittig Albert |
Rating: 3 Stars |
In this latest installment, China Bayles, former attorney and now herb shop owner, helps the local police to solve a murder in Pecan Springs, TX. Included are recipes and helpful tips regarding the use of herbs for cooking and medicinal aid. This series is fast paced and easy reading. A good escape or weekend read.
|
| Jud Hanson |
The Fort at River's Bend by Jack Whyte |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the fifth part of The Camulod Chronicles. In it, Merlyn has taken Arthur to a secluded, nearly inpenetrable fort to keep him out of harm's way from those who would see him dead. Arthur receives a thorough education, militarily and otherwise, and takes further steps toward his destiny as High King of Britain.
I highly recommned this series and this book to anyone who'd like to know one way in which the Arthur legend my have been created.
|
| Barbara in Jackson |
Violets are Blue by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Although it is fairly typical James Patterson --- with all its violence and crime scene descriptions --- it is also fast paced and has quite a twist at the end. The good Mr. Cross, who we have gotten to know quite well from previous Patterson crime adventures, is still being mentally tortured by The Mastermind; however, in this one, there is a conclusion and the identity of The Mastermind, aka, The Monster, is revealed. There also are some new love interests and I am happy to say that Nana and the kids are still present. All in all, I enjoyed VIOLETS ARE BLUE and read it quite quickly. His short chapter style makes you want to constantly 'read a little more,' and the pages do fly by.
|
| Tanya |
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I know it's been out for a while, but our book group kept shying away from reading this. Perhpas because we had so many new moms. We finally read it last month and had the best discussion. It was so interesting to hear the different views from those with kids and without and those who have experience with special-needs issues. We all loved it but debated about the choice of ending.
|
| Kathleen Garber (callista83@cogeco.ca) |
The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an awesome novel about Changelings.
It's a longer novel at 319 pages, but you can't say the author wrote too much. Every word, every sentence and every paragraph adds to the story. At no point was I bored, not even at the beginning. This is Keith's first novel, and I can't wait to see if he writes more!
The novel switches back and forth between Henry Day's life after he's taken by the Changelings and his double who was once a changeling and has now taken the place of Henry Day and is living his life. What's interesting is that the parents never know the difference. The change is made while the child is away from the parents. They may notice a few changes in their child but assume it is from when the child was away from them.
If you like fairy tales then you should read this novel. It was very interesting and kept me entertained throughout. It also made me want to read up more on changelings.
|
| Kathy (kboucher@cableone.net) |
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Truly a deeply satisfying story, set in Biblical times....it is not an "easy" read, but it's very profound, and timeless. It offers a real insight into what it was like to be a woman during that period of history.
|
| James (james.e.bartlett@gmail.com) |
Next Stop Hollywood by Steve Cohen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
NEXT STOP HOLLYWOOD is both an interesting read and an interesting approach to the business of publishing. It is a collection of short stories compiled and published with the expressed intent of being made into movies.
I found each of the stories very entertaining. The book contains everything from horror, to comedy, to sci-fi. I could definitely see several of these stories making it to the silver screen.
There is more information about the book and the story selection process on the website, www.nextstophollywood.org
|
| Linda Scott (scott2@einetwork.net) |
The Collaborator of Bethlehem by Matt Beynon Rees |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The first in a series about an aging Christian who lives in Bethlehem, the Palistinian area. He is a teacher and one of his former star pupils is picked up by terrorists and labeled a collaborator. Many twists and turns.
|
| Noreen Brown |
Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Add another star if you're from New York. The book takes place in Manhattan, the Bronx, and even City Island. This is a very good story about 2 orphaned sisters. One, a TV personality, utters a no-no on the air.
|
| Zinda Vosberg (dzvos@prtel.com) |
Peony in Love by Lisa See |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Wonderful, just as good as SNOWFLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN. Lisa See is a very enjoyable author who keeps you turning the pages.
|
| Cindy (lgh164@copper.net) |
Disco for the Departed by Colin Cotterill |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This the 3rd in a great series featuring a 70+ year-old man that is 'appointed' coroner in the late 1970s in Laos. Communism, communicating with the dead, and murders are all woven into a witty and enjoyable story. I was transported to a time, place and culture beyond my experiences, and I loved it.
|
| Pam |
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger |
Rating: 5 Stars |
THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE has received a lot of hype, and flack due to that hype. The truth is that the book is highly entertaining and moving. It's a love story with a twist.
|
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
The Overlook by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a very good book. LAPD detective Harry Bosch is investigating the execution-style murder of Dr. Stanley Kent. Kent had access to radioactive substances from almost all of the hospitals in LA county. Was he killed by terrorists wanting access to these substances, or is something totally different going on? I read this book in one sitting. It is one I didn't want to put down.
|
| Julie Peterson |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I get excited every summer to have a new Stephanie Plum book to read. Of course, I enjoyed the book because I love the character; however, I'm not sure that this one was the best in the series. That said, it still was a very enjoyable summer read!
|
| Libby Davies |
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Chabon's writing is wildly imaginative and fun. You may need to read this wacky detective novel with a Yiddish dictionary at hand, but the effort will be well worth the work involved. Chabon creates an alternate reality in Canada that seems as real as this one by page ten.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Wings of Fire by Charles Todd |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An enjoyable English mystery with multiple deaths thought to be an accident or suicide, and the pagan belief in Gabriel's hounds coming for the unchristened dead. And of course, Inspector Ian Rutledge and all his war demons.
|
| Swapna Krishna (zenigma283@yahoo.com) |
The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is part family history, part general history, part memoir, and part something else altogether --- it's a very long book that takes quite the commitment, but it's worth it.
|
| Teresa Steinert (steinertt@aol.com) |
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great book, especially when adding the back story of finding it after 60 years.
|
| Marsha |
When Darkness Falls by James Grippando |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This amazing thriller will make your heart race. There is a hostage situation, as well as much information about "The Disappeared" of Argentina. Treat yourself.
|
| Judy Goldsmith (judyjtg@sbcglobal.net) |
Holes by Louis Sachar |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I read this for the local library book club. It's good, but I don't think it merits the acclaim it has received.
|
| Swapna Krishna (zenigma283@yahoo.com) |
Body Surfing by Anita Shreve |
Rating: 3 Stars |
It's easy to read, which I like, but it just isn't very captivating --- I feel like I rushed through it because I wasn't very interested.
|
| Teresa Steinert (steinertt@aol.com) |
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Grabbed me from the beginning.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Mother Love, Deadly Love by Andrea Peyser |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I remember hearing about this case when I was still living in New York, about 1 year before I moved to Charlotte, NC. To me, it was just another horrible story that became a media frenzy like the O. J. Simpson case. Now, 12 years later, I am a wife and a mother, and this case had more meaning to me. I cannot and will not ever understand how a normal person could ever kill their children --- Especially the way these boys were killed. I thought the author did an excellent job putting this book together. Not only did you get the facts about the case, she obviously did her research on the death penalty, race relations, and the economics and social aspects of Union, South Carolina. I believe the focal point of all of her data was to show the average person that this was just a small town filled with church-going people who did not feel threatened by the outside world. This town was not the type of town to produce a killer like Susan Smith. And yet, it did. The chapter “Who Are You Calling Crazy?” came the closest to an adequate explanation of the kind of person Susan was and why she did what she did. But, as a wife and mother of two beautiful children, it still did not satisfy me. I give kudos to Miss Peyser for her excellent journalism that I thought was non-biased and well researched. I didn’t enjoy this book but I am glad I had the opportunity to read it.
|
| Marsha |
The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This beautifully written novel is a wonderfully unexpected treat. It takes place in Iran in the aftermath of the Iranian revolution and will call to mind the treasure of family, identity and love.
|
| Lois Lilling |
The Divide by Nicholas Evans |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I couldn't stop reading. It was thoroughly enjoyable and well written. Evans is a master of the literary art.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Americans take their freedom for granted. To imagine that reading certain books must be done in secret, and that discovery could mean time in prison! What courage for these women to read and discuss the reading.
|
| Kathy Vieira |
March by Geraldine Brooks |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Beautifully written story about the "other side of the mirror" of LITTLE WOMEN'S beloved March family. It was absolutely fascinating reading about the father of the March girls being at war and the great love he had for family waiting at home.
|
| Sandy |
Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I started this book yesterday morning, and I am halfway through and loving every word of it. The title says it all. Annie Freeman did not want a traditional funeral so she is sending 5 of her best friends who have never met each other on a traveling funeral.
This book sure makes me think about doing something like this!!! But which friends do I pick?
|
| Renee (tfranzen2124@comcast.net) |
The Amateur Marriage by Ann Tyler |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Everthing Tyler writes is wonderful, but this was an espeically interesting tale.
|
| dawnymae5@msn.com |
The Woods by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 5 Stars |
As per usual with this writer, he has another page-turner! It is gripping right from the first page and doesn't let up until the surprise ending! So read it and enjoy
|
| Rachel |
Wearing the Spider by Susan Schaab |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This excellent thriller-fiction novel is a great read for those of you who love twists and turns. A male law firm partner hijacks the identity of a female associate and commits fraud and murder in her name. Schaab does a good job in exposing the inner workings of the corporate legal world, as well as presenting a compelling, fast-paced, suspense thriller that I couldn't seem to put down. This book is definitely worth it.
|
| Rita |
The Woods by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an excellent mystery book, with its share of surprises and intrigues. I definitely enjoyed this story, which concerned the fate of 4 teenagers in the woods, with the bodies of 2 found and the other 2 missing. When the body of one of the missing shows up many years later, the mystery takes a new twist.
|
| Priscilla |
The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I have not gotten very far into the book since I just started it today. But, it looks very promising!
|
| Tim Barnes (btv01@bellsouth.net) |
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffet |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A SALTY PIECE OF LAND is about a cowboy named Tully Mars. His adventures on a tropical island make you feel like you're in another place. A very enjoyable read!
|
| Lea Ann (baxtergr@msn.com) |
The White Cascade: The Great Northern Railway Disa by Gary Krist |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a riveting nonfiction account of the 1910 avalanche on Stevens Pass in WA state that killed 96 persons when two trains that had been caught by heavy snows for 5 days were pushed down the mountain. Living in Seattle and traveling the pass by car from time to time and seeing where the accident happened makes it especially real. It is a still-remembered part of our state's history.
|
| Michelle (herzingm@pennfield.net) |
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Great book! The story is told through a 93-year-old man's flashbacks to when he joined the circus as a young man in the 1930s. It grabbed me from the first chapter, and read almost straight through without putting it down.
|
| Janice Gateowod (jrg0143@aol.com) |
The Manny by Holly Peterson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Really great beach book, and a fast read. It's already optioned for a movie, which should be great if cast is right.
|
| Kay Keller |
The Lady in Blue by Javier Sierra |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a great read with religious themes reminiscent of THE DA VINCI CODE. The story goes back and forth between New Mexico in the 1600s and present-day Italy and focuses on a Catholic nun, Maria Jesus de Agreda, who possessed the "divine gift" of being able to bilocate. This author knows how to tell a good story!
|
| Mo (maestraw@msn.com) |
The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Kathryn Dance is the star of her own novel, and I have a feeling she will be back. There were the traditional twists and turns, and a visit via phone from Amelia Sachs and Lincoln Rhyme. A good summer beach read.
|
| Patti D. |
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A finding of oneself. Ms. Gilbert travels, opening her up to experience life in this unique story.
|
| Patti D. |
Red River by Lalita Tademy |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This tells the story of 3 generations of an African American family, from 1873 to the 19980s. Excellent reading! It really brings their stories to life!
|
| Mo (maestraw@msn.com) |
Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A fairly decent book about sisters and their loves during World War II.
|
| Jon Weiman (jdweiman@optonline.net) |
The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. Homes |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is an unusual book by A. M. Homes, as it is a memoir and she has always been rather guarded aobut her personal life. She is best known for her novels and off-beat writing, which generally explore the darker side of life and sexuality.
The memoir is a fascinating and moving account of her exploration and experiences with her natural parents. She was adopted and becomes aware of her mother and father in her early thirties. A great book.
|
| Shannon |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 4 Stars |
In the thirteenth book of the Stephanie Plum series, Stephanie's ex-husband Dickie Orr is missing and the bad guys are after Stephanie. Throw in some exploding rodents, the typical antics of Lula and Grandma Mazur, the sexual tension that exists between Stephanie and Joe and Stephanie and Ranger, and you've got another fun-filled --- albeit familiar --- romp with the crew from the Burg.
The only thing I don't like about this series is the wait for the next one!
|
| Barbara |
The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have mixed feelings about this book. It is a wonderful, heartbreaking story about the blizzard of 1888. But, it is also very technical in relating the story of the part of the Army Signal Corps that eventually became the U.S. Weather Bureau. That part was dry reading, which I skimmed to read the stories of the victims. I would recommend this book to anyone, but warn them about the side story.
|
| Marion Miller (lamamil@aol.com) |
The Other Boleyn Girl by Gregory |
Rating: 2 Stars |
I know many people love this author, but I am finding this a tedious read. I think it's because I am more interested in the history than the characters.
|
| Sandy |
Promise Me by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Once again, Coben keeps readers at the edge of their seats, trying to keep up with the twists and turns of this latest mystery/thriller.
|
| Caroline |
Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A complex story, mass graves, murder in Guatemala. Although the story grips you from the beginning, it loses hold with the abundance of technical jargon.
|
| Lisa |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you enjoyed THE KITE RUNNER, you will love this!
|
| Ginny |
Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Betrayal turns into adventure, which then turns into the bazarre as Joy Candellaro spends the week before Christmas as she has no other before. It almost makes you believe in magic!
|
| Ashley J. (ashleyjeon77@hotmail.com) |
Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A cute romance novel about a matchmaking gone wrong...then right though jealousy, love, lust, and happiness! I love this book, and I highly recommend it.
|
| Fran O. |
If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I originally bought this book because I thought it was "chick lit." It's actually more like a combination of fairy tale and magical tale with elements of chick lit. Although it took me a few chapters to get into it, I wound up loving it. It is a cute, light, and all-around fun read. I would recommend it as a fun summer book. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would.
|
| M. Krauser |
Sicilian Sisters: Women in La Famiglia by Marianna |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Brilliantly written by the author. This book brings you back to the days of the Pirates and how they unwittingly started the Mafia on a small Sicilian island. The heroine is a protagonist and descendant of the Pirates and Sicilian sisters.
|
| jodi |
Sister Mine by Tawni O'Dell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I picked this up to read it just by chance, and once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It's based around Jolly Mount, a mining town in Pennsylvania that's known for 5 miners that were trapped inside a mine but all survived. The main character is a feisty woman who finds herself in as much trouble as a Janet Evanovich character.
|
| Jen |
Once Upon A Day by Lisa Tucker |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Two unlikely people's worlds collide to help them discover how to live their lives. It is a page turner.
|
| Jen |
The Sunday Wife by Cassandra King |
Rating: 5 Stars |
THE SUNDAY WIFE is one of those books that you just don't want to put down. It is about a preacher's wife who moves with her husband to a new church and discovers a life.
|
| Sally B., San Antonio TX |
Chasing The Dime by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I listened to this abridged audiobook. The reader was very good (Alfred Molina) and the storyline was exceptional, with a fast-paced and suspenseful ending. Some of the scenes, though, seemed somewhat contrived, but this could be due to the abridgement.
|
| Jud Hanson |
The 5th Horseman by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the 5th book of the Women's Murder Club series, I believe. I've read some of the others and this is as good as those. The plot deals with what appears to be an "Angel of Death" that is causing mysterious deaths in the local hospital for patients who weren't on death's door. It's a pretty quick read.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Potter Springs by Britta Coleman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a light, quick little romance. It's a story about Amanda and Mark. Mark is a Baptist minister, and he is very much in love with Amanda. So much so that they break the moral law and have to quickly get married. Unfortunately, Amanda loses the baby and neither Amanda or Mark know how to deal with their grief or how to console each other.
Potter Springs is a small little Texas town where Mark lands a job as an assistant minister of the local church. The rest of the novel takes you through how they establish their life in this new town and how they cope with their loss. The character development isn’t really deep, but the story is definitely engrossing. It's not really believable, but enjoyable.
|
| Jud Hanson |
Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the third (and final?) book in the Pendergast Trilogy --- it was excellent. It picks up right from where DANCE OF DEATH left off, with Pendergast in prison for a crime he didn't commit. This book focuses on his brother's obsession with revenge and will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. I highly recommend this novel but you should read the first two books beforehand.
|
| Renee (meenmom714@aol.com) |
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a beautifully written book. I am 3/4 through it and can't imagine how it's going to turn out...that's a good thing!
|
| L. Hann |
Summer's Child by Luanne Rice |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A very good summer read. Mara Jameson went out to water her garden one day and then went missing. This is a very suspenseful book. I couldn't put it down.
|
| Lew |
Eldest by Christopher Paolini |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Not as good as ERAGON, the first book in Paolini's trilogy. There is not enough action and too much lengthy description. We will have to see if he improves with the third book.
|
| Sally C. |
On Chesil Beach by Ian Mc Ewan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Ian McEwan is one of my favorite writers, and this book does not disappoint. It's a very slim volume, almost a novella, but is beautifully written. The book takes place on the wedding night in 1962 of a young couple in Britain. He tells the story of what does and doesn't happen that night, as well as the ramifications. His book ATONEMENT remains his best, in my mind, but that does not diminish his other work.
|
| Coral |
Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A nostalgic story about a family with 3 teenage girls during World War II, and how they coped with their boyfriends. The mother insisted they write every night to their boyfriends and other boys in the service. This was a good read that told how we all felt during that time.
|
| Vicki T. |
What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George |
Rating: 2 Stars |
Elizabeth George is a good author, but this book is quite a departure from her usual writing and not quite up to snuff.
|
| Danna Lambert (dannalamb@aol.com) |
The Woods by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Engrossing until the final page,
and then some.
|
| Coral |
Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Delinsky has written another good book. This is about a couple that are white and have a colored baby girl. His parents are appalled and her family accepts. It has a lot of laughs and shows how some people can be so bigoted.
|
| Christy |
Love Kills by Edna Buchanan |
Rating: 3 Stars |
It's been a while for a new book, and had a hard time getting into this one. The story with the guy who kills his wives is good and really catches you, but the other one is just stupid.
I miss Edna's early writing style!
|
| Ashley J. (ashleyjeon77@hotmail.com) |
See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Jane has to prove herself as sports journalist material when following a hockey team, but something sizzles between her and the captain, Luc. Will it stay "hate at first sight"?
I loved this book. I couldn't go to bed without finishing it. Highly recommended.
|
| Julie Towson |
Ten Days in the Hills by Jane Smiley |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a wonderfully written book fashioned after Boccaccio's DECAMERON. Only, it takes place in the Hollywood Hills with a group of people staying at an aging director's home for ten days.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
If Looks Could Kill by Kate White |
Rating: 2 Stars |
This is the first of the Bailey Weggins Mysteries. I wanted to read it before LETHALLY BLONDE, which is the latest in this series.
|
| Lindy |
Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another Stone Barrington classic, that includes some previous characters, like Dino, and the little toad, Herbie. Unfortunately for Stone. his firm calls him to take on a case for Herbie, which takes him to the depths of the NY Mafia. He gets to meet "Datilla the Hun," and barely saves his own life. But knowing Stone, he finds time for a little romance, and of course, there is a happy ending.
|
| :omdu |
The Convenant by Beverly Lewis |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Beverly Lewis, a former resident of the Lancaster, PA, area once again
returns for a Christian novel on the Amish. The teenage daughters of Abram Ebersol begin courting, and his oldest, Sadie, gets involved with an "Englisher" named Derry who eventually abandons her. Their father finds a man for his next daughter, Leah, but she isn't interested. This is a wonderful look at the Amish and what makes them so unique.
|
| Lindy |
Twice Kissed by Lisa Jackson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Maggie Macrae and her twin, Marquise Walker, have little in common, but
when Marquise disappears without a trace, she goes to find her. Marquise and Maggie
became estranged when Marquise stole Thane Walker from Maggie on
purpose, and now Thane and Maggie are thrown together in finding her
sister.
|
| Lindy |
Chesapeake Blues by Nora Roberts |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The Quinn family of Chesapeake Bay welcomes home their son Seth, now a famous painter. Seth was adopted after his mom was unable to care for him, due to drug addition. Seth has decided to settle back at home permanently, but he has a blackmailer after him. He meets Dru, who ran away from her fiance and Washington, DC to open a flower shop in a place she loves. She has a lot of hurts that Seth needs to get around to make her his.
|
| Christy |
Scene of the Grime by Suzanne Price |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Cute little cozy I picked up and read pretty quickly. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
|
| Gerry |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Haven't posted here for a while, but a wonderful book brought me back. Like his debut novel, THE KITE RUNNER, A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS is set largely in Afghanistan, and tells the heart-breaking tale of two women whose lives intersect in a country torn by war and fundamentalist repression. Beautifully written and wonderfully evocative, this is a novel to savor and remember.
|
| Christy |
Dirty Martini by J. A. Konrath |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I could not put this book down, it's his best yet. The main plot is scary, because it's something that could really happen. I escaped from this world into Jack Daniels for a while, and it was great!
|
| Deb |
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A delightful memoir about moving to the family farm and becoming self-sufficient. This was a superb cautionary tale of the perils of our current food system in America. Grow organic. Buy local.
|
| Parker Benchley |
Confessions of The Game Doctor by Bill Kunkel |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A intriguing autobiography by a man who was in on the video-game craze since its beginning. Great writing and a totally fascinating story.
|
| Kathie |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I enjoyed THE KITE RUNNER, but I am just mesmerized by this book. The characters are so real and the writing is superb.
|
| Dale |
The Buffalo Soldier by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a very moving book, and Chris brings you right into the characters. I first read MIDWIVES, and now this book. He is a great author and I look forward to others.
|
| Dale |
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Leprosy is a subject I was not very well aware of 'til I read this book. It will make you cry and feel their pain! This book is one you can't put down until the end, and even then, you hate to do it. What a great writer!
|
| Sandi |
In a Dark House by Deborah Crombie |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I've been reading all of her books since January and I absolutely love them. They are all mysteries that take place mostly in Great Britain.
This one actually has 3 mysteries in it. The main characters is 10 years old, and is abducted in a dark house.
Read these in order as relationships wit family and friends are very important. I feel like I know Duncan and Gemma, who are police inspectors.
|
| Margaret Ball |
Porch Stories by Jewell Parker Rhodes |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Jewell Parker Rhodes has delivered another winner with PORCH STORIES. She has penned a wonderful story about her relationship with her grandmother. The fact that she was deserted by her mother before she could crawl has always left her feeling insecure, but not unloved because her wonderful grandmother filled her empty spaces with a love that was rich and pure. The two of them spent time bonding while sitting on the front stoop of their house. It was then that her grandmother, Ernestine, used to tell her stories of the past. They also taught Ms. Rhodes a strong moral code, and values that she could use throughout her life. Whenever Jewell's behavior was not up to code, Grandmother Ernestine had a tale to tell that made her understand why her particular action was not wise.” “Remember your name, who you be in love with your good self” was the number one message that Ernestine wanted to make sure Jewell understood.
For a short time Jewell had to go live with her mother, who did not share the same views in life that were instilled in her daughter. This made the period of time during Jewell's parents' attempt at reconciliation very hard for her. Living with her mother made her realize just how complex the world really is. It was her grandmother' s efforts that made her into the writer that she is today. Ernestine was determined that Jewell get the education that she herself had always longed for but was not able to get.
I truly enjoyed reading this book just as I have enjoyed each book by this author. It left me feeling good.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Not a genre I usually read, but I'm so glad I did! I love this author's writing.
|
| Carol Carris (cjcwind@hotmail.com) |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I've enjoyed reading the Stephanie Plum series several times, and I have to say, this latest installment is the best so far. It is laugh-out-loud funny. Evanovich has given us even more insight into what a jerk Stephanie's ex, Dickie Orr, really is.The tension between Ranger, Morelli, and Stephanie keeps the reader wondering if relationships may change this time. And there's a good mystery to solve in between all the fun, too.I highly recommend this fast and funny read.
|
| Ann Stone |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Afghanistan from the female perspective, the book complements THE KITE RUNNER. The book is easy to read and hard to put down, and the ending is better crafted than Hosseini's previous book.
|
| Lori Barnes (photoquest@bellsouth.net) |
16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber |
Rating: 5 Stars |
There was a lot going on in this book. I loved all the characters, you really felt like you knew these people and got a real sense of where this was all going, while also setting up for the next book and the whole community thing. I already have the next book and can't wait to get started on it. This book made me confident I would like the others. I have bought each book in the set.
|
| Deb (debmann54@yahoo.com) |
The Book of Small by Emily Carr |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The very short episodes in the artist's childhood are told in a strikingly vivid way. A fun look at being a child in the frontier town of Victoria, B.C.
|
| Noreen Brown |
The 6th Target by ames Patterson & Maxine Paetro |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Lots of doors left open for their next book....
|
| Marsha |
Up in Honey's Room by Elmore Leonard |
Rating: 5 Stars |
No one writes dialogue as well as Leonard, and he is at his best in this sequel to THE HOT KID. It takes place in Detroit during World War II, chock full of femme fatales, German conspirators, G-Men and escaped German POWs. Have fun and enjoy the tale.
|
| S. Katz |
Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved the story. I have recommended this book to everyone I know. This is the type of story that I think I will never forget.
|
| Elaine |
After Dark by Phillip Margolin |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Well-written suspense about the murder of an Oregon Supreme Court Judge and the corruption that surrounds the Court. The characters are interesting and a little strange. and the story moves along with interesting twists. Mr. Margolin is an excellent writer.
|
| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Extremely funny essays about growing up and living life on your own.
|
| Tim Cobb (tsc1233@aol.com) |
The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Terrific read with many surprises along the way. I especially enjoyed the historical connection with Edgar Allen Poe. An historical mystery with a superb story line.
|
| Sandra Smith (ssmith0028@verizon.net) |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the funniest yet, in the entire series --- you will be rolling on the floor, laughing. This is Evanovich at her best. I had to call a girlfriend so we could laugh about it together.
|
| DSGMOM |
Austenland by Shannon Hale |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A great read for Austen fans and those who, like the main character Jane, still see Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy as the ultimate man!
|
| Laurie Blum (laurieblum@hotmail.com) |
The Keep by Jennifer Egan |
Rating: 3 Stars |
If you loved LOOK AT ME, don't miss Egan's THE KEEP, which is a chilling modern gothic story in Manhattan and Europe. No more hints, just prepare for a real adventure!
|
| C Simar |
The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is both informative and entertaining. A great read for those of us enthralled with World War II history.
|
| Sharon J. |
X-Rated Blood Suckers by Mario Acevedo |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a wonderful vampire novel! Felix Gomez is a vampire detective hired to find out who killed porn actress Roxy Bronze. He and his compadre Coyote set out to solve this murder mystery in Los Angeles, California.
|
| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It really give it 3.5 stars --- very descriptive book, which would probably be a hit for the person who enjoys this type of writing.
|
| Marsha |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
More fun with Stepanie Plum. Her adventures never fail to amuse. Anyone who can read this without laughing out loud isn't concentrating.
|
| Sharon J. |
After Midnight by Richard Laymon |
Rating: 5 Stars |
AFTER MIDNIGHT tells the story of Alice, who refuses to give her real name. This is a horror story, the tale of an intruder that Alice encounters while house-sitting for her vacationing best friends. This story will give you goosebumps!
|
| Judy (AZ) |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I cannot say which book I loved more, this one or THE KITE RUNNER, but I read this book in one sitting. The book transverses 30 years of Afghanistan history and tells the the story of two Afghani women who are bound together by fate. This book truly belongs on the bestseller list.
|
| Judy (AZ) |
The Chrysalis by Heather Terrell |
Rating: 3 Stars |
The Chrysalis is a painting, the ownership of which is being challenged in court. The many plot lines jumble together: the legal fight over ownership, its creation in 15th century, Nazi Germany and the stealing of objets d'art from the Jews in the 1940s, and the present-day possible conspiracy, we well as some romance. I had expected more of a Tracy Chevalier-type of book, but the painting itself is fictional. I had high hopes when I began reading the book, but became more disappointed as it progressed.
|
| Fran |
Burned Alive by Souad |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A heart-wrenching account told from the perspective of one courageous woman who survived, despite insurmountable odds. Through the eyes of this woman, the world is told the story of women's lives in a small Arab village, New Market, where a woman's worth is considered less than that of a cow. Souad shares her experiences growing up in a world where a woman is routinely abused by her father, brother and eventually her husband, where mothers routinely smother their daughters at birth and where a woman dare not step out of line for fear of unforgivable punishment.
Souad is burned on over 70% of her body for the crime of falling in love and having premarital sex. Although parts of this book were painfully difficult to read, I couldn't put it down. Despite the difficult subject matter, Souad's survival and rescue is a story of hope and courage. I would recommend this book to all.
|
| Kathy |
Bungalow 2 by Danielle Steel |
Rating: 2 Stars |
A fairly predictable book that lacks an original plot and ending. Woman is offered big opportunity to write Hollywood script, hesitates to take plunge, agrees to it after husband convinces her, leaves home to write script, husband leaves her for another woman.
The author spent very little time developing the plot or characters, though this book shows more effort than many of her recent books. The ending is totally unrealistic, and it is fairly obvious that the author only ended the book this as an afterthought. It is poorly developed and the plot doesn't flow throughout the book.
I would recommend her earlier books, but lately, all she is doing is cranking them out. The good author she once was has disappeared somewhere over the years. If you must read her books, stick with the earlier ones.
|
| Ellen Krohn (krohnee@hotmail.com) |
Ex Marks the Spot by Merline Lovelace |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Our heroine, Col. Andi Armstrong, has to retire from the Air Force right at the pinnacle of her career, just before getting her first General's star. She's grieving but trying to get on with her life so she moves to Florida to be close to her best friend. She's totally shocked to find out her best 'friend' has gotten her a house right next door to her ex-husband. Other than the fact that they're still attracted to each other, which makes for some fun reading, Andi settles in to the community. She decides to open up a bookstore and, in so doing, makes connections in the community with people whose lives revolve around the military and the tourist trade.
This is a fun book. Our heroine builds a sense of family and community that she thought she'd lost when she left the Air Force. I give it 5 stars for fun.
|
| Sharron |
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The author reels you into his web with this one. Using characters from THE GREAT GATSBY and blending their continued saga with another story disturbed me a great deal. Yet, when the story ended with a bang!, I thought he did a superb job. I read it for my book club and we had one of our best discussions ever.
|
| Sharron |
The March by E.L. Doctorow |
Rating: 2 Stars |
I don't understand the wide support of this novel. Doctorow took a real event, layered it with many characters, a confusing writing technique, and left me feeling totally inadequate since so many people "loved" this book. He did project how the war affected every segment of society and that "war is hell."
|
| Claire Laskowski |
The Overlook by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 2 Stars |
I am a huge Michael Connelly fan, so it pains me to say that this book really was a disappointment.
Harry Bosch was so macho, etc, it just didn't work. The plot was so-so, but easily figured out... like in the first few chapters.
All in all, unless you are a true Michael Connelly fan; I'd skip this one ;(
|
| Maureen H |
True Evil by Greg Iles |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I just love this author. Every book that I have read by him is a non-stop read. He keeps the pages turning. Read just one chapter and you are hooked. I dare you!!
|
| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
Charmed & Deadly by Candace Havens |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Definite page turner. This is the best of the three and I know there is a setup for a fourth book. I just love these characters and the writing style.
|
| Judy O. |
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Relin |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Greg Mortenson stumbles into a small village in Pakistan after he had failed to climb K2, the world's deadliest peak. The residents take him in and nurse him back to health. He vows that he will come back and build the children a school. When he returns to the states, he sells everything he has and raises enough money to build the promised school. This is an inspiring story of what one determined person can do. There is a lot of interesting information about Pakistan and its people --- such a different culture from ours.
|
| Barbara Scott-Cannon (gatorgal1972@alltel.net) |
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have never been to Botswana, but after reading this book, I'd love to visit there. This book lets you peek into the lives of the characters involved in the #1 Ladies Detective Agency and enjoy their antics. It's refreshing in its simplicity, as Smith relates the incidents of everyday life in a way that makes you not want to put the book down.
|
| Ginny |
Three Junes by Julia Glass |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A death in the family brings three siblings together at their family home and they meet each other again as adults. An excellent exploration of family relationships and social issues.
|
| S. Lumb |
Love in the TIme of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez |
Rating: 3 Stars |
My daughter tells me this author is a must read. So I have had this book by my bed for six months, having read the first three pages at least three times before falling asleep. Now I am on vacation and I started reading it. I am not sure why this is considered such a masterpiece. Ten pages of small-typed prose with a major change in the plot in one sentence. Perhaps I will like it when I have finished. But right now, I want to get it out of my bedroom!
|
| Manky (matitwonky@gmail.com) |
Between A Wok And A Hard Place by Tamar Myers |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Tamar Myers has written several novels in the PennDutch Inn Mysteries. Magdalena Yoder Miller is the owner of the PennDutch Inn, which is located in Amish/Mennonite Country in Pennsylvania. Having grown up near the Amish and Mennonite people, I found Myers's descriptions and comments about the various characters who populate her stories to be accurate as well as amusing.
I wasn't terribly impressed with this novel at the beginning, but as I kept reading, I found myself enjoying the book more and more. Some of the humor seems a bit contrived, and there are times when Myers completely loses track of the mystery she's writing about, but in spite of that, the book is still entertaining. As a matter of fact, I will look for more titles in this series. I'd really like to know what Magdalena is up to next, and in addition, I'd like to see what new recipes are included in these various novels. From the sample I've seen so far, everything looks absolutely mouth watering!
|
| Jeanie |
Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson |
Rating: 1 Stars |
This book reminded me too much of homework. It read like a textbook. In the book's defense, I was only interested in Einstein, the person, and not his theories or science. I guess maybe my IQ is not high enough to enjoy this book, but math and science have never been my strong suit. Reading is, but this book was not enjoyable for me and I couldn't finish it.
|
| Trish |
Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A charming old-fashioned young adult novel about a girl growing up in turn-of-the-century New York.
|
| Gwen Schatz |
Exile by Richard North Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great read! The book portrays the dilemma of a young Jewish attorney who is approached by a radical Palestinian woman from his past to represent her in a multi-government trial in which she is accused of a terrorist murder.
|
| Billie McHam |
The Penny by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I believe this is Joyce's first fiction novel and it is a very interesting story about how to accept our insecurities, to forgive those who have wronged us, and how to stand up for what is right even when others don't agree.
|
| Sheila M |
The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier |
Rating: 3 Stars |
The information about how the tapestries were woven was very interesting. It took me a little while to warm up to the characters, but about halfway through the book, I started to really enjoy the story. Not a favorite, but I'm glad I read it.
|
| Tessa Bartels |
The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This fun read is a Hollywood version of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. I really enjoyed this book and will read THE FIRST ASSISTANT as well.
|
| Gwen Schatz |
Staircase of a Thousand Steps by Masha Hamilton |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Excellent sad story of life in Transjordan before the 6-Day War. The author does a great job of taking us into the hearts, the souls, and ideals of a Palestinian Village.
|
| Richard Bartels |
McNally's Secret by Lawrence Sanders |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Sanders is a great writer, but I prefer the Deadly Sin series.
|
| T. Ring |
Fowl Weather by Bob Tarte |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This follow-up to ENSLAVED BY DUCKS is the unvarnished and hilarious truth about what happens when you share your living space with a menagerie of 39. On a more sobering note, Tarte also talks about his mother's descent into Alzheimer's and his struggle with depression and anxiety.
FOWL WEATHER is the most engaging and honest memoir I've ever read. I love this guy. I hope installment three is coming.
|
| Donna |
The Good Guy by Dean Koontz |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you love Dean Koontz, you can't miss this novel. His books just keep getting better. THE GOOD GUY is full of surprises, as well as wonderful and witty characters with heart.
|
| Arlene Herring (ekelks@msn.com) |
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This fantasy novel about a street-wise teen who can see faeries grabbed me the second I read the first page. The writing is sharp and original. I'd quote, but I don't know where to begin. Grab this book.
|
| Vicki |
Cadmian's Choice by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another great read from Modesitt. I couldn't put it down it was so good! I love all of his books!
|
| Arlene Herring (ekelks@msn.com) |
The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A historical mystery set in old New York and centered around Freud's one and only visit to America, this book was full of interesting characters, many based on real people involved in real events --- like the building of the Manhattan bridge. An exciting, well-plotted debut murder mystery.
|
| Alice MacDonald |
The Blue Bistro by Elin Hildebrand |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great summer read! It's for Foodies, displaced Easterners, and anybody who just wants a "hot" summer book, best enjoyed in the shade in a hammock.
|
| Alice MacDonald |
Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Very different story about the developing friendship between an older woman with a hidden past and a younger woman trying to come to grips with a heartrending loss. This was very well written, and would be a good book group choice.
|
| Sheila M |
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I've been slowly making my way through this series, and #12 was a vast improvement over the last couple :-)
It didn't have as many LOL moments, but the plot, story line, and sexual tension between Steph, Morelli, and Ranger were entertaining.
|
| Jeanie |
Carry Me Home by Sandra Kring |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Earwig is a foul-mouthed young man who is mentally challenged. His older brother signs up for the National Guard and is quickly sent to the front lines in the Pacific Theater during World War II. For several years, Earwig's family does not hear from Jimmy and he and his family struggle with the trials of the war on the home front and the pain of not knowing if Jimmy is alive or not. Finally, Jimmy returns home --- he has changed, and so have things at home! This is a great read!
|
| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the best stories I have read this year. The author definitely has a poetic way with words. A very emotional book that is an amazing debut.
|
| Manky (matitwonky@gmail.com) |
The Oxygen Man by Steve Yarbrough |
Rating: 4 Stars |
We all think we know what the terms racism and bigotry mean, but when I read a novel like this one, I realize I have no idea at all what those things are really like.
This story concerns Ned Rose, who works nights making sure the fish ponds of his employer, Mack Bell, remain properly aerated. The hopelessness of the life Ned and his sister Daze live is so well written, it's as though both their voices can be heard saying the printed words.
There is racism and bigotry expressed throughout the book, and there are passages that become so tense with it I was riveted by the pages without realizing how immersed I was in the story. This isn't a happy tale, but I'd highly recommended it just for the experience of seeing what life is truly like for some people who are born with nothing and seem to go through life believing they deserve even less than that.
|
| Eileen Quinn Knight |
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a brilliantly written book with attention to the nuances of relationships. It is written with such smoothness and vibrancy that one feels one has just finished a wonderful conversation. It attends to such issues as love and duty, humor and affectionate satire, and the comical and contemplative side of life. A joy to read!
|
| Jane Haase (JerJanKel@aol.com) |
The Crimson Petal and The White by Michel Faber |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book has been in my reading stack for a long time, but because of its length (900 pages), it kept getting pushed to the back. I finally tackled it last month because my book club selected it and I am just sick I did not read it sooner. What a great story! I was so involved in the Dickens-like main character, Sugar, a lady of the evening in London, that I have to admit I hated when page 900 came around. I still think often of this story. Highly recommended.
|
| Barbara Scott-Cannon (gatorgal1972@alltel.net) |
A Walk On The Beach by Joan Anderson |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This is an insightful look at the frustrations women face in midlife, and the importance of friendship as women face uncertainty in what to do with the rest of their lives.
|
| Dorothy Olson |
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is told by a 14-year-old Nigerian girl during a time of great unrest in her country. Her father plays a very important role in her young life. It is a story of love, hate, treachery and faith.
|
| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The best Stephanie Plum book to date. This one was fast paced and very funny. I couldn't put it down.
|
| Nicky |
The Night Journal by Elizabeth Crook |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I love it so far. It's the story of 4 generations of women, set in the present; and how the journals of the eldest affect the lives of the three still living. I'm about 1/2 way through and can't put it down!
|
| Barbara Scott-Cannon (gatorgal1972@alltel.net) |
An Unfinished Marriage by Joan Anderson |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A unique analysis of marriage during midlife. Joan Anderson candidly speaks about open communication and the strength to remain true to who you are as an individual, while being part of a couple.
|
| Jane Haase (JerJanKel@aol.com) |
The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a beautifully written book about a young girl's yearning to be free of her repressive family environment in Iran. She refuses her highly placed political father's choice of a husband for her, and instead falls in love with her bodyguard. She is banished from the family when a misunderstanding occurs about the propriety of her actions. After a long and lonely life in England, she finally returns to Iran to reunite with what is left of her family and her love, but has to leave behind her husband and grown daughter who is expecting her first child. To try and explain why she had to leave, she invites her daughter to visit her in Iran, and both come to a deeper understanding of what each other's lives means. This is a quick, but very satisfying read.
|
| Cam |
Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I am currently reading JULIA'S CHOCOLATES, and even though I have not yet finished it, I had to write in to say how much I am enjoying this book. It's a wonderful story about a gal who leaves her abusive fiance and goes to live with her aunt --- a wonderful, funny, compassionate woman whose friends are just as wonderful as she is.
This book can make you laugh and cry and hunger for the delicious-sounding chocolates that Julia makes!
|
| Joan G. |
Summer Reading by Hilma Wolitzer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
SUMMER READING is the story of three women and how their lives are so very different. It is summer in the Hamptons and Lissy, a young, wealthy newlywed, has started a reading group for some of her friends. Angela, a retired English professor, is the leader of the group. Michelle, Lissy's housekeeper, snoops in the mansion and eavesdrops on the book discussions. All three women struggle with personal issues. This is a good book about friendship, love, and inspiration.
|
| Ricki (rickimc@aol.com) |
The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen by Lloyd Alexander |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I liked how this read like a folktale, but it was very predictable.
|
| Janet Stewart |
Sheer Abandon by Penny Vincenzi |
Rating: 5 Stars |
SHEER ABANDON is a bit lengthy, but contains well-drawn characters and a compelling story that starts out as a mystery and has a few unexpected turns.
|
| Bridget |
Nectar From a Stone by Jane Guill |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A pretty good novel that takes place in Medieval Wales. A woman kills her abusive husband and sets out on the run with her trusted servant. They cross paths with a returning Welsh noble out to avenge his father's murder. Both are "injured" and drawn to each other. There are lots of obstacles in their way; each has to get over things from the past. The book also contains a lot of detail regardomg herbal lore, fighting, and superstitions of the time.
|
| Sarah R. (friendoffiction@yahoo.com) |
Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors |
Rating: 5 Stars |
My book club read BENEATH A MARBLE SKY for our June meeting, and I couldn't be happier that we did. What a marvelous story.
BENEATH A MARBLE SKY is a work of historical fiction and does for India what MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA did for Japan. To be brief, the book is based on the wonderful story behind the creation of the Taj Mahal. A love story at its core, this novel provides an enchanting look at those involved with the world's most famous building. This is, without a doubt, the best novel I have read in years. It's every bit as powerful as THE KITE RUNNER, and it's just as lyrical as BEL CANTO. I just can't say enough good things about this beautiful novel. It's just about perfect.
|
| Irene - Saratoga Springs NY (cyeates@nycap.rr.com) |
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Quite a read! Five meager chapters completely encompass the personal past, present, and future of Edward Mayhew and Florence Ponting, beginning in 1962 England. The crux of the book centers on the wedding night of these two well-educated college graduates whose sexual knowledge is limited to a fumbling tizzy ending in... Well, if you really want to know, you must read it. How McEwan has mastered the ability to succinctly and vividly express so much in so few choice words is astonishing. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I am still thinking about the book, one week later.
|
| Christy Hawkes (hawkes@citlink.net) |
Willow Bend by Ally Blue |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This book is a beautifully crafted and heartwarming story not only about love at first sight, but about finding love after the death of a partner and in the midst of the illness and death of a parent. I was immediately drawn into this book. The characters were real and likable, and the romance was hot and erotic. I look forward to reading more books by this wonderful author.
|
| Diane |
The Good Husband of Zebre Drive by Alexander McCall Smith |
Rating: 4 Stars |
There are lots of changes in lives of the woman in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and with Mr. Maekoni and his trouble some apprentices. But, of course, things are resolved in an orderly fashion. This is a nice summer read. I really enjoy this author.
|
| Rita B |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I couldn't put this book down. As always, Picoult does a great job of portraying the gray areas in a world that some people would prefer to be black and white.
|
| Susan Burke |
Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An easy-to-read work of nonfiction by Nicholas Sparks (THE NOTEBOOK, MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE) about his trip around the world with his older brother. The travelogue is interspersed with anecdotes from their childhood. Interesting and enjoyable.
|
| Diane |
Chow Down by Laurien Berenson |
Rating: 3 Stars |
5 dogs are picked to represent a dog food company's newest project, and the nastiness begins. The owners are ruthless and the cash prize and chance at future endorsement brings out the worst in most everyone. Who knew what went on behind the scenes at dog shows. Cute book.
|
| Gail Ansheles |
The Ha-Ha by Dave King |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a story of Howard, a disabled Vietnam Vet, who has the care of a boy thrust upon him. Howard's disability is that he has lost the capacity to speak and write. The book is written from his first-person narrative point of view, which makes it more intriguing since readers are hearing everything he cannot express. It is beautifully written, with well-drawn characters. The story is poignant, often funny, and ultimately uplifting. I am choosing it for my book club to read. It is a "transformation" book, and reminded me a bit of Ron McLarty's THE MEMORY OF RUNNING, one of my favorites.
|
| Fran |
The Rabbit Factory by Larry Brown |
Rating: 2 Stars |
While I liked the quirky characters in this novel, I did not enjoy it overall. It was one of those disjointed books without a real plot. At times, I felt I could have easily stopped reading without caring what happens next. If it wasn't my book club selection this month, I probably would have put it down. I guess it just wasn't my cuppa tea...
|
| Bonnie |
Away by Amy Bloom |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Lillian loses her daughter when the Nazis attack her home. She moves to the U.S., sleeps with many men, and looks for her daughter by walking from Alaska to Siberia --- or does she? Think THE PERILS OF PAULINE, but more well-written.
|
| Lori S. |
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I became a big fan of Charlaine Harris after reading her first "vampire mystery," so now I'm reading them all in a row. Sookie Stackhouse, the small-town waitress, is a delight. She is the more humorous and likable version of Anita Blake from Laurell K.Hamilton's books. If you enjoy the supernatural tales of vampires and shape-shifters, I recommend these.
|
| Patricia (patriciart@aol.com) |
The Wild Trees by Richard Preston |
Rating: 3 Stars |
An educational and fascinating look at life in the canopies of the oldest and tallest trees in the world. Also, a true account of what kind of people and passion it takes to risk it all to climb and learn what these ancient Coast Redwoods have to teach. An amazing read.
|
| Christy Hawkes (hawkes@citlink.net) |
Demon's Delight by MaryJanice Davidson, et all. |
Rating: 3 Stars |
DEMON'S DELIGHT is a wonderful anthology from four authors who each add their own unique style to the theme. This is a great paranormal romance filled with twists and turns, humor, danger, and dilemmas.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
Scavenger by David Morrell |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This is the sequel to CREEPERS. For fans of the first, they'll no doubt love this book. For me, it was well worth it.
|
| Kim Stuard (kim_stuard@yahoo.com) |
To the Brink by Cindy Gerard |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Darcy Prescott works for the US Embassy in Manila. When a friend stumbles on information that someone considers dangerous, she's mysteriously killed by a hit-and-run driver. Suddenly, Darcy finds herself in possession of a mysterious envelope from her friend that seems to make her the target of a kidnapper and killer. She makes a call to her ex-husband, who's an ex Special Forces operative, and then disappears. Cindy Gerard weaves a tale of suspense, romance and intrigue that kept this reader turning pages way past my bedtime.
|
| Julie Peterson |
The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This was a good beach/pool read, but I didn't think it measured up to THE OTHER BOLEYN SISTER. I would still recommend this book to my friends.
|
| Maggie Rioux |
The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver |
Rating: 5 Stars |
As usual with Deaver's work, THE SLEEPING DOLL had great plotting and an impossible-to-predict ending in a psychological thriller. This book expands on a new character introduced in the last Lincoln Rhyme book and is set in a new area --- the Monterey Peninsula of California. Couldn't put it down!
|
| Marion (mizmar90@aol.com) |
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Chick lit for the "maintenance" group. I loved it from cover to cover.
|
| Diane |
The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud by Julia Navarro, translated by Andrew Hurley |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This takes place from 30 AD to the present, following the holy shroud from a small village in Edessa to the Cathedral of Turin in Italy through wars, the Templars, and secret societies within societies. This is a really fast read of well-written fiction that makes you wonder and keeps you guessing. I really enjoyed the book.
|
| Joan G. |
Adam's Peak by Heather Burt |
Rating: 4 Stars |
ADAM'S PEAK is a story of two families. The Vantwest family is from Ceylon and the Fraser family is from Scotland. Two young children make eye contact, and then 25 years later, their lives are connected again. The story goes from a tea plantation in Ceylon to a small Scottish town, and a Montreal suburb. The characters struggle to come to terms with themselves and the connection to the people and places they try to escape.
|
| Sharon Smith |
Too Close To The Falls by Catherine Gildiner |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Side-splitting humor for anyone who grew up in the 50s - 60s.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This book was written with 3 themes. The first was about Iran during the revolution and its impact on society, specifically women. The second was about the lives of the women of the book club that met "underground "at Nafisi's house every Thursday. And the third was about the classics and how they related to the lives of the students living through such an incarcerated time. The fact that all 3 themes played such a major role in this book, I believe, contributed to its downfall. Nafisi should have made up her mind which theme she was going to focus on and stuck with it. As a result of her decision, reading this became a long and drawn-out process. She bounced back and forth in time, which also made it difficult to stay on track. She made so many references to the classics that, as a reader, I felt I missed out on a lot of the meaning since I haven't read any of these books mentioned.
Having said that, this book did have a positive impact on me as a reader. It propelled me to do some research on the revolution, the Shah, the ayatollah and the Iran-Iraq war. I was about 12 in 1979. Although I do remember some things about this time, I know very little about these subjects.
There were some great quotes in this book --- "Alas, we who wanted kindness, could not be kind ourselves," and "He advised others that if they wanted to write better, they should fall in love." This was also another book that quoted one of my favorites, the famous "Whoever fights monsters..." quote by Nietzche.
I have also become intrigued and may possibly read LOLITA, MADAME BOVARY, or a novel by James. I also thought putting the Great Gatsby on trial was ingenious. Zarrin made a great point about readers not being so naive as to "Go whaling after reading Melville...."
This book does not make the top 10 or even top 20 of my favorite books. However, I will never forget it and I am very glad I read it.
|
| Maureen H |
3rd Degree by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another great read in the series. This was avery quick and enjoyable read. I now have to read the other 3 in the series.
|
| Jeanie |
Firefly Cloak by Sheri Reynolds |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Tessa Lee and her brother Travis are left at a campsite when their mother runs off with a man. All their mother leaves them, besides the tent they were sleeping in, was the firefly cloak and their grandmother's phone number written on Travis' back. Tessa spends her life searching for her mother and clinging to the cloak.
|
| Adrienne |
The Chrysalis by Heather Terrell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a decent first attempt. I see promise in this lawyer/author. If you like mysteries that are based on historical events (or make-believe historical events), then you will enjoy this book. A Dutch masterpiece, Nazi war crimes, and a decades-old secret kept in a vault will keep you reading, and hoping that Terrell's sophomore work is even better!
|
| Christy (oltlfreak@aol.com) |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
What can I say? Its Janet, and she delivers each time. I laughed my butt off while reading this, and I'm ready for book 14!
|
| m |
Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Besides delivering a terrific suspenseful thriller, the author also offers great information about history, the law, and family ties. You won't be disappointed.
|
| Ruby (bebaladylove619@yahoo.com) |
Heaven by V.C. Andrews |
Rating: 5 Stars |
V.C. Andrews is just a great author. She makes you feel like you're in the book. The events in this book are very traumatic, you'll love it.
|
| Lindy (Patience9@aol.com) |
Dead Run by Erica Spindler |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Spindler sets this novel about a serial in Key West and adds a Satantic cult to the mix. When Pastor Rachel Howard disappears and is thought dead, her sister Liz comes to Key West to search for her. A young, pregnant teenager is also murdered and her boyfriend is the prime suspect. Liz seeks help from retired cop, Rick Wells. This was a fast moving and interesting novel.
|
| Lindy |
Closely Akin to Murder by Joan Hess |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Claire Malloy's cousin, who has supposedly been dead for the last 30 years, calls to ask for help with someone who is blackmailing her. Her cousin was jailed for the murder of a Hollywood producer. She is now in a great career and doesn't want
it jeopardized. Her travels take her to Mexico to uncover the tangle, which includes a wild car chase, murders, the abduction of her daughter, and threats on her own life.
|
| Lindy |
The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Ex-agent Cotton Malone has retired and opened a bookshop in Copenhagen, leaving his ex and the danger behind. Somehow, he finds himself on a quest for the Templars, and a diary, but unfortunately, he is not the only one looking. It is difficult, becaue the Knights are extinct... or are they?
|
| Fran |
Something Dangerous by Penny Vincenzi |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I love Penny Vincenzi's writing style. Despite the fact that this is the second 700-page novel of this family saga, the storyline stays fresh and interesting. Penny's characters are so varied and their lives are intertwined beautifully. I would recommend this sequel to all those who have read and enjoyed I'M NO ANGEL by this same author. If you have not yet read it (and are a fan of historical fiction/ family sagas), then I would highly recommend that you begin with this book.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline |
Rating: 3 Stars |
An interesting book about the workings of a prison and the possible corruption going on inside. Also, there is an interesting backdrop about the workings of a university in regard to tenure and classes.
|
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
Leave It To Cleavage by Wendy Wax |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a very funny contemporary romance. From the opening paragraph --- in which Miranda Smith finds out her husband of 15 years likes to dress in women's underwear --- to the closing, where her dreams come true, you will find yourself smiling, sometimes laughing out loud, and other times with tears in your eyes. Highly recommended for the romance fan.
|
| Ethel L.Clark (blewnose@hotmail.com) |
Chill Factor by Sandra Brown |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I like this chill of a story, set in the icy mountains, and I was not sure of the killer until the end. This is a good read for a cold winter night, curled up next to a fire.
|
| Ethel L.Clark (blewnose@hotmail.com) |
The Komodo Dragon and Other Stories by Douglas Arthur Brown |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This collection of short stories offers something for everyone. Each one is unique and some of the stories are set in Canada, Denmark and China. I would recommend this with the highest rating.
|
| Ethel L.Clark (blewnose@hotmail.com) |
A Forest For Calum by Frank MacDonald |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The author's sense of humour creates spontaneous laughter from the reader. The wonderful wit jumps off the pages and I felt like I was in a three-dimensional painting, going from one hilarious scene to another.
|
| Jennifer Trainor |
Body Surfing by Anita Shreve |
Rating: 4 Stars |
If you're looking for a book that sets a perfect summer scene, look no further. While I've only just gotten 50 or so pages into the book, the "setting the stage" by Shreve is so beautifully done, I instantly felt as if I were sitting in a beach house on vacation. I could hear the waves crashing in the background and wanted to put the book down to take a summer afternoon nap, but also wanted to continue reading! I can't wait to see what drama develops.
|
| Lorna |
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I had been wanting to read this for awhile. I wasn't disappointed but I expected more, though I don't know what. This was a very touching story about twins who are separated at birth. The story will make you cry and laugh.
|
| Lorna |
The Sweet Potato Queens 1st Big-Ass Novel by Jill Conner Browne |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I read this book in 1 day. It's a very funny and touching look at the relationship among a group of friends that spans over years. It kept me laughing and sometimes crying. A really great book to take to the beach.
|
| Sandy T |
A Place of Execution by Val McDermid |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a psychological suspense thriller about a 13-year-old girl who disappears. This totally engrossing novel is filled with tension, twists and turns, and secrets. It was hard to put down.
|
| Lindy |
The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a historically accurate book, with the exception of a few battles. The Archer is Thomas of Hookton, a bastard sired by the local priest.
On Easter morning in 1342, the French steal into the tiny town in Southern England and rape the women, butcher the men, torch the village, and steal what is usable --- including the relic from the church, said to be the lance of St. George. As Tom's father lay dying, he asks him to find and bring back the lance.
Tom goes off with his bows to join Edward III's army. His tale illustrates the need for setting goals and priorities for oneself and
following through, even when faced with difficult odds and far more appealing things.
|
| Linda Smith |
Torch by Cheryl Strayed |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A heart-wrenching novel about what happens to a family when their 38-year-old mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
|
| kris j |
The Husband by Dean Koontz |
Rating: 4 Stars |
What do you do when you are a humble working man and you get a call that your wife has been kidnapped and you must pay the ransom? This is a fast-paced read with some twists and turns in fine Koontz fashion.
|
| Brenda Tucker (rango1971@yahoo.com) |
Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A good book about three friends, Tara, Katherine and Fintan. All their lives change when Fintan gets cancer, and may die. They all realize what is really important.
|
| Ben |
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Beautifully written, Chabon's book transports the reader to an alternate reality where Sitka, Alaska is a Jewish refuge.
|
| kris J |
Austenland by Shannon Hale |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Literary fiction this is not, but if you want a funny, light, make-believe dream of someday meeting your very own Colin Firth from the Pride and Prejudice T.V. miniseries, then this is a fun read for you. Remember that moment when Colin, in his white shirt, jumps into the pond? Well if you share that dream, you might like this fun chance at make believe.
|
| Babs in Jackson |
Deception Point by Dan Brown |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I was totally taken in as soon as I started this book. The facts about some historical items (such as the white house and Air Force One), in addition to what certain US agencies can really do, is all captivating. The story is riveting and I could not put this book down.
|
| Kris J. |
Portrait of a Woman by Vanora Bennett |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This historical fiction takes you into the family life of Thomas More. One of his adopted daughters takes an interest in the German painter, Hans Holbein, when he comes to paint the family portrait twice in a five-year span.
This novel reads very easily and I found it a good companion to some of the popular Tudor fiction now.
|
| Madeline (mora-summonte@comcast.net) |
Baby Proof by Emily Giffin |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Reading this is like eavesdropping on a conversation between friends/sisters. Snappy dialogue and a fast-paced style carry along a real, truly heartfelt story of love and marriage, and what one will do to keep both going strong.
|
| Marsha |
The Jury Master by Robert Dugoni |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a fast-paced thriller. The action zig-zags between points of views, which demotes it to one star for me, but it sure kept my interest.
|
| Sandy |
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I guess most of the books I post on here are 4 or 5 stars because if they don't grab me in the first chapter, I don't waste my time.
This is the first novel I have read by Chris Bohjalian, and I think I will have to get the rest. This book has wonderful characters and a surprise ending that I didn't see coming!
|
| bookczuk |
Storm Front by Jim Butcher |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you think Harry Dresden is just like The Dresden Files, prepare to think again. He's Sam Spade and a modern-day wizard rolled into one. This book is great. I'm looking forward to reading more over the summer.
|
| Jean Toth |
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book was hard to put down and several of my friends who have read it said the same thing. I love the way Jeanette Walls wrote this and would highly recommend it to anyone!
|
| Kim Kovacs (kkovacs@ix.netcom.com) |
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I just love this book. It's not at all what I expected. It's about the relationship between two people that just happens to be affected by a very strange genetic problem. It's well-written and very original. Couldn't put it down!
|
| RJ McGill (rjsluvbug@yahoo.com) |
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Andrew Gross doesn’t open the door to the concept of “The Blue Zone” --- he literally kicks it down! Having collaborated with James Patterson, expectations were high for his solo debut. Readers will not be disappointed. Gross weaves his plot lines together and maintains a high-octane ride like a seasoned pro. I look forward to reading his novels for years to come. In a crowded genre, with many well-known and loved authors, Andrew Gross has cemented his place among the best!
|
| Linda Smith |
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An astounding memoir recounting the author's year of soul searching and adventures in Italy, India and Indonesia.
|
| Marjorie Clark (marjclark@comcast.net) |
Boomsday by Christopher Buckley |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I am in the middle of this book, and as a "Baby Boomer," the thought of what the main character suggests is both brilliant and scary at the same time --- that baby boomers kill them selves by the age of seventy and receive government incentives. This was a great book, and I recommend it to everyone of my generation.
|
| Julie Peterson |
Second Chance by Jane Green |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I'm probably being generous giving this book 4 stars, but it was an enjoyable pool-side read. I usually love Jane Green's novels, but this one wasn't quite up to my standards. It is the story of high school classmates who come back together after 20 years when a mutual friend dies in a terror incident.
|
| bookczuk |
Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Pure Hiaasen, from death by rubber toy alligator to the Orange Bowl Parade. Great summer reading, especially in a tourist town.
|
| Sandy |
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the second in the series of books about the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Our main character is now engaged to Mr. J.L.B. Marckoni. This is part detective story, part comedy of manners, and part African travelogue. If you like to listen to books on tape, you will love this one!
|
| Rachael |
Dedication by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book was so entertaining! Chick lit fans will love it. It was really good and I can't recommend it enough!
|
| Phyllis |
Nottingham Hell by Rachel Johnson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An entertaining look at Britain's upper class. The setting takes place in expensive homes set around a communal garden, and the story tells of the yummy mummys, banker dads and the infidelities of the group.
|
| Leanne |
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book. It is one of my all-time favorites. The culture is so interesting and Lisa See makes you think you are experiencing it yourself. Could not put this one down. Can't wait to read PEONY IN LOVE.
|
| Leanne |
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great book. Once you read it, you will be amazed at how much she accomplished with what little she had.
|
| Ardie |
The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This should be mandatory reading for at-risk kids or kids who have been told that they will never amount to anything.
|
| Ardie |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
What a page turner --- could not put it down. I think it is better than THE KITE RUNNER. Can't wait for his next book.
|
| Sandra F. |
A Perfect Obsession by Caro Fraser |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an extremely entertaining book about Leo Davis, a barrister in London. Leo is confused about his sexual preferences and has attracted a number of potential lovers of both sexes.
|
| Sandra F. |
Three Bedrooms, One Corpse by Charlaine Harris |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This lady is a fine writer. Her genre is light mystery and I would not miss one of her books. Ms. Harris also writes the Sookie Stackhouse vampire novels.
|
| M. Miller, Black Mountain, NC |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I think the author's writing has matured since THE KITE RUNNER. There were moments when I thought the events in that book were implausible, though I forgave the author since it was his first book, and I loved the way he created an atmosphere.
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS is thoroughly believable. The main characters are two women who start out as rival wives of a man and end up giving meaning to each other's lives.
Both books left me feeling like I knew people in Afghanistan, and I empathized with them every time news came to us through the media about events there.
|
| Bonnie Waliezer (Nabofrue@aol.com) |
In the Dark Room by Peter Straub |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A bit slow starting but really a fast read by the time you are about one third of the way. I finished it in one day.
|
| Louise Pledge |
Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A sequel to HOT BLOODED, it is similar in that the killer is Catholic oriented. The serial killer in HOT BLOODED was shot and believed to have drowned in a Louisiana swamp, but is he really dead, or has he come back as another religious killer? With the help of a psychic who sees the killings as they're happening, Detective Bentz is back trying to solve the puzzling mysteries. He doesn't realize that the next victim might be someone very close to him.
|
| Louise |
The Switch by Sandra Brown |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I tend to like twin storylines, and this was no exception. One of the sisters is murdered, and before the mastermind is caught, you'll experience all kinds of twists and turns.
|
| Michelle |
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber |
Rating: 4 Stars |
THE CRIMSON PETAL AND THE WHITE takes place in Victorian England, and follows a prostitute's rise through the social circles. It grabbed me immediately because it is written from an interesting point of view, that of a third-party narrator talking to the reader and commenting on the scene. It is a long book, 900 pages, but holds my interest.
|
| Gail Spitzer |
The Road by Cormac McCarthy |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Through the eyes of a father and his son, we see the end of the world as we know it in a walking flight to maintain life. I could not put it down.
|
| Louise |
Flirting with Pete by Barbara Delinsky |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Actually, I'd probably give it a 4 1/2, but I like to save 5 stars for very extraordinary books. One aspect of this book that I liked is the fact that there was more than one story going on at the same time. Of course, by the end of the story, all the dots were connected, and everything fell into place.
|
| Christy Hawkes (hawkes@citlink.net) |
Unchained: Mac's Law by Sarah McCarty |
Rating: 5 Stars |
From the very beginning this story is a plethora of hot and sizzling sex scenes, intimacy and great romance. Ms. McCarty's characters are unique and lovable and her attention to detail is superb. The book is full of myriad emotions, laugh- out-loud scenes, and a great story line. MAC'S LAW is the first book in the Unchained series, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this wonderful author.
|
| Louise Pledge |
Hot Blooded by Lisa Jackson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The story is about a female radio personality receiving threatening phone calls and being stalked. I wasn't sure I wanted to read it, since it seemed like an old plot I was already familiar with, but there were enough twists to the story to keep me reading.
|
| Anne K. (annabelle973@cox.net) |
And You Know You Should Be Glad by Bob Greene |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A nostalgic memoir, and an enjoyable to read. I am only about 1/4 into the book and like it so far.
|
| Zena Schulman (LewSch@aol.com) |
Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love every book of hers that I have read.
|
| Debbie |
Death and the Devil by Frank Schatzing |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An interesting account of Cologne, Germany in 1260, and the supposed events of the death of the master architect of the Cathedral of Cologne. What if his death was not an accident, but murder?
|
| Gail Spitzer |
A Week in Winter by Marcia Willett |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A widow finds it necessary to sell an interesting old farmhouse on an English moor, setting off various reactions from step children and others. It's written in the style of Rosamunde Pilcher.
|
| Nonie |
Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I cannot believe this is the author's debut. Although there were mixed reviews, I picked it up because the premise was too inviting to overlook....This book is great fun. Different, interesting, a little gothic in a modern way, and overall, just a great story with a twist in the way the character is expressed. Super book.
|
| Susan |
The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity by William Alexander |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Perfect, perfect, perfect for a rainy day or at day's end when you're not out battling either the weeds, the wild critters or the insects, trying to create and maintain a garden. His encounters with Super Chuck the groundhog are hilarious. Very, very funny -- -hmm, also very true.
|
| Jeanie |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini tells the story of two Afghani women and the tragic lives that women in this war-torn country have. Mariam and Laila are from two different generations, but the tragedy of war and the way that women are treated as second-class citizens is very heartbreaking.
|
| Deborah Fochler (fochler@erols.com) |
The Virgin of the Small Plains by Nancy Pickard |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is a love story and a mystery with bits of paranormal elements woven in. It was extremely easy to read and got me hooked from the first page. Sometimes the best books are the ones you least expect.
|
| Nonie |
The Secret History by Donna Tartt |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I have read this book at least 4 times, and each time I find something or understand something I did not catch before. It never gets old --- great story, great characters, wonderful writing. When I finish reading it, I put it away, knowing it will not be the last time I pick it up.
|
| Nonie |
Straight Man by Richard Russo |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Although I devour every Richard Russo novel, this one seems to be off everyone's radar. I'm not sure why, it is one of my favorites of his. I laughed out loud many times, and shed a few tears. The narrator of this novel is one of the most interesting characters, and yet one of the most real and honest, I have met in all my years of reading. Whether you like Richard Russo or not, try this one if you have not read it. Great novel!
|
| L. Hann |
Voyage on the Great Titanic by Ellen Emerson White |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I have been reading the Dear America series with my niece in mind. I think they are great for any age (young and old). It is a wonderful story and a great way to learn about our past. Quick read,
|
| Dorothy Flood |
When Day Breaks by Mary Jane Clark |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A real whodunit. It was a page turner and an easy read. I was way off on the identity of the murderer. See you can figure it out.
|
| L. Hann |
Dreams in the Golden Country by Kathyrn Lasky |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Take a trip back in time, as seen through the eyes of a Jewish Immigrant Girl. Find out what life was like for her when she came to America.
|
| L. Hann |
Standing in the Light by Mary Pope Osborne |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Very moving.
|
| Shirley Sego |
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I enjoy the whole series, especially when her grandmother is in it, as she is funny, funny, funny. She wants to be a bounty hunter, though she is old and feeble, but loves to be part of everything going on. Great read...all her books.
|
| Sharlynda Dehnel |
Island of Bones by P. J. Parrish |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I am currently reading ISLAND OF BONES by P. J. Parrish. This is the next-to-last book in the series, so far, and it is as good as it gets. The protagonist is believable and so is the storyline. These two sisters are great authors. The first book that I read by them was AN UNQUIET GRAVE, and it was so good that I went out the next day and bought the entire series. I've never done that before with any author's works.
The main character, Louis Kincaid, moves from town to town, state to state, and police department to police department. He is unsettled in life and moves to find what he's searching for. He is a believable character, and the books really do allow me to have to those mental movies that I crave when reading a great book.
Buy all of P. J. Parrish's books; you definitely will not be sorry.
|
| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
Bad Luck And Trouble by Lee Child |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the 11th installment in the Jack Reacher series. I love this character and though I have only read two of the books, I feel like I know him (as well as any one can know Reacher). This book finds him reunited with former members of his Special Ops military group to solve the murder and/or disappearances of other members. Reacher is one one of my favorite characters and I plan on picking up every book in this series. I rate it 5+ stars.
|
| F Tessa Bartels |
Collected Short Stories by Katherine Anne Porter |
Rating: 3 Stars |
My book club selected this Pullitzer winner. Intellectually, I appreciate her superb writing craft, but it's just not my taste in reading. I read only the 5 stories we were scheduled to discuss, and not a single word more.
|
| Jodi |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A good look into the lives of two women in Afghanistan.
|
| Wanda Stevens (stevens_8@sympatico.ca) |
Blood Brothers by Brian Lumley |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is NOT for the squeamish. If you like sci-fi, fantasy, and horror-type books, this one's for you. It's the first of a trilogy about vampires called "Wamphyri" --- the most ruthless vampires you've ever seen.
|
| Jodi |
90 Minutes in Heaven by Don PopeON PIPER |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a great book and a quick read by a man who miraculously survived a horrific accident. During the 90 minutes that he was dead, he got a glimpse of heaven.
|
| Deborah |
The Way The Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book was very thought provoking, and gives the Canadian view of the Cold War. It's the story of a missing girl living on a military base in Canada. Extremely well written.
|
| Jerry K |
Unto the Sons by Gay Telese |
Rating: 5 Stars |
At the urging and recommendation of my half-Sicilian wife, I picked up and quickly became engrossed in Gay Telese's personal and epic recital of his family's evolution from early Italian kingdoms to his birth home in Southern New Jersey.
All I can say is that it's fantastic! It is hard to remember that you are reading historical non-fiction. Talese brings to life the wars, the peace, the immigrant experience and the lives of his people, spanning almost four hundred years and several continents.
Further, anyone who has not visited Italy or Sicily will surely find the desire to do so after reading this book.
While the work is over ten years old, it is never dated and very well worth your time.
|
| F Tessa Bartels |
Body Count by P. D. Martin |
Rating: 3 Stars |
An interesting plot line moves the story well. I read it in 2 days. But, as usual, the mystery is spoiled by the heroine being anxious about her new love.
|
| Richard Bartels |
Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Compelling, well-researched novel with gun control and gun violence at the center of the story. It's not a new book, and (unfortunately) it's not a new issue.
|
| Laurie Blum (laurieblum@hotmail.com) |
A Taxonomy of Barnacles: a Novel by Galt Niederhoffer |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This new novel is a clever, comic melodrama. It reminded me of the classic Hollywood screwball comedies from the 30s. A fun change!
|
| Janice |
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Reminiscent of THE SECRET. If we have a dream, we should follow the 'omens' and listen to our hearts, and we will achieve our goal.
|
| Karen Terry (mi3sons@mchsi.com) |
Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Natalie Greco is a great character that comes into her own when she tries to save a dying CO during a prison riot. She becomes involved with his widow because of a message he sends to his wife before he dies. Natalie is accused of a murder and attempted murder and she strikes out on her own to save herself. She becomes more confident and finds out that family is the most important thing in her life.
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| Karen Terry (mi3sons@mchsi.com) |
Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme S by James Patterson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Max finds out the truth about her parents and also finds out that her arch enemy has something to do with her past. She and the others split up because of him, which causes Max to be kidnapped by the people who made them. She also has to save the world. She can't do it alone because the bird kids have separated. The ending is very good and you can see why it is a great series.
|
| Tamara Randi |
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is our book group selection for the month and I loved it. I looked up labyrinths in Northern California and found hundreds of them. In fact, I found a public one just a mile from my house, so now the book group is meeting there. Reading books opens up the world. Your site opens up the world. Thanks...
|
| Larena Wirum |
To The Edge by Cindy Gerard |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a great book with a mystery to solve and some romance. It keeps you guessing until the very end.
|
| Lorie Brown |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Author Hosseini's new novel, A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, is even better than his first, THE KITE RUNNER, which I had added to my list of the best books I've ever read. I now add this new one and place it on the top!
|
| Jen |
The Butterfly House by Marcia Preston |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An excellent read about three women and how their intersection changes their lives.
|
| Charlene |
Nineteen Minutes by Picoulet |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Very different than I expected it to be. It's hard for me to put it aside to do other things!
|
| Marion Miller (lamamil@aol.com) |
The World to Come by Dara Horn |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a fascinating read that travels to the past and present easily and eventually to the future. I loved the references to the works of Chagall.
|
| Lea Ann (baxtergr@msn.com) |
Failing America's Faithful by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Mrs. Townsend --- oldest child of Ethel and Robert Kennedy, raised a devout Catholic --- decries her church and the Protestants, especially Evangelicals. In her opinion, they have neglected Christ's command to care for others, and instead, are concentrating on gaining "points" for themselves by setting limits of human behaviors --- such as birth control, abortion, homosexuality and the making of mega churches for themselves.
|
| Julie |
March by Geraldine Brooks |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Eleven out of thirteen members enjoyed this book, which is the story of the father of LITTLE WOMEN, and his involvements during the Civil War. Our discussion tended toward the issue of war in general, and the effects of war on families. A good read.
|
| Larena Wirum |
Beauty and the Beast by Hannah Howell |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a great historical romance that keeps you laughing. In reading this book, get you to run the gamut of emotions, from laughter to tears.
|
| Pam Adamovich |
Colors of the Mountain by Da Chen |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A good coming-of-age book, but is reminiscent of many we seem to have read in our book club.
|
| Harriet W |
The Mature Mind by Gene D. Cohen |
Rating: 3 Stars |
We live in such a youth-oriented society. This book is about all the good parts of getting older --- about the positive changes that occur in our brains.
|
| Brenda Klaassen |
A Place Called Here by Cecelia Ahern |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This author does a wonderful job of entertaining the reader. I enjoy that the main character gets lost. I also enjoyed the story about the loose watch.
|
| Renee (tfranzen2124@comcast.net) |
Colony by Anne Rivers Siddons |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was the first book I'd read by this author years ago, and summer seemed like a great time to re-read the book that got me hooked on Siddons. What an amayzing storyteller, and what haunting characters! It's going back on the shelf to reread some day down the road.
|
| Lynn (tfranzen2124@comcast.net) |
Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A wonderful story of a woman in the dawn of those fateful middle years, wondering where life has taken her. Oh my goodness! She's my age! No wonder.....
|
| Rosalie Sambuco (tigersmama43213@aol.com) |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I guess I was expecting more from this book. After reading THE KITE RUNNER, I thought this book would be better. In my opinion, it was not even close to THE KITE RUNNER. I enjoyed the book and I'm very happy I read it; but, I found that some parts in the beginning kind dragged. Nevertheless, it is a wonderful book and I have recommended it to several people to read. My first recommendation is for THE KITE RUNNER.
|
| Genie |
Movie Cat by Garrison Allen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The excitement of movie making hits Empty Creek, Arizona. Penelope Warren, local resident and owner of Mycroft and Company bookstore (along with her cat, Mycroft, aka Big Mike) is dragged into the madness by her actress sister, Stormy. When director, C.D. Masterly, is murdered, Penelope and Big Mike find themselves in the middle of the investigation.
At Stormy's insistence, Penelope is hired on as an extra in the western being filmed in Empty Creek. When she begins to make inquiries, she soon discovers that everyone in the Hollywood crew despises C.D. This means the suspect list includes a cast of hundreds. Although this complicates the investigation, Penelope and the local law enforcement officers are determined to find the murderer.
The backdrop of the story makes for a satirical look at Hollywood productions on location. Town characters are eccentric, including Penelope's cat, Big Mike, who enjoys saucers of non-alcoholic beer (at the local bar) and loves to eat Lima beans. There are enough twists and turns in the storyline to prevent readers from guessing the true identity of the culprit in this who-done-it until the very end of the book.
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| Lea Ann (baxtergr@msn.com) |
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A father "kidnaps" his 4-year-old daughter and moves her from AZ to NH. He is arrested 28 years later, and the book then moves back to AZ for his trial. A moving commentary told in alternating chapters by the main characters.
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| Lyla D (dragonqwester@hotmail.com) |
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have not finished this book, but have enjoyed it so far. It is told from the perspective of 11-year-old Ruben, whose mother walked out on him and his two siblings, leaving them with a father who leads a moral and loving life. Reuben's father also performs miracles, the first of which was saving Ruben's life at birth.
Ruben's father, who is the school janitor, stops two boys from assaulting a girl in the locker room. These boys start to terrorize the family, which eventually leads Davy to kill them. The story becomes a search for Davy, who escapes from jail and ultimately is a search for the miracles that happen in life. I recommend this book very highly. PEACE LIKE A RIVER is warm, humorous and poignant.
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| R.F. Marazas (seagoat38@comcast.net) |
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Excellent novel that takes place in Afghanistan, with enough twists and turns to dizzy you while you're marveling at the pitch-perfect prose.
|
| Pam Schofield |
The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a tender story of a woman who loses a child, and finds a way to express her grief to a group of strangers who become friends. Secrets are shared by all in the circle, bonding them in friendship. A wonderful read.
|
| Pam Schofield |
Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book transports you to another era, that of Georgian London. You experience wonderful characters against the backdrop of the circus. You are seeing it all through the eyes of Jem and Maggie, who are on a journey of a lifetime!
|
| Julie Towson |
Up in Honey's Room by Elmore Leonard |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A wiity, well-written book by the author of GET SHORTY. It takes place in the forties after the war. It's gritty, funny, and has a few surprises in the plot.
|
| Elaine Campbell |
Bobbie Faye's Very (Very, Very, Very) Bad Day by Toni McGee Causey |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A delightful summer's romp that takes place on one very, very, very bad day. The rebellious heroine will make you smile and chuckle throughout the whole book. I want her tee-shirt!
|
| Marsha |
Princess by Jean Sasson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book was named as one of the 500 Great Books by Women since the year 1300. It is a true story of life behind the veil in Saudi Arabia. It is the first of a trilogy. This riveting account will chill you. Anyone interested in human rights must read this book.
|
| Fran |
Blue Skies by Catherine Anderson |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A great summer read!
|
| History lover |
The Crusader by Paul Kengor |
Rating: 5 Stars |
June 12, 1987 was the day President Ronald Reagan delivered his famous "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" speech. The origin of Reagan's moral clarity is a significant part of this book. The phrase was not planned when Reagan traveled to (at that time West) Germany, and it was actively opposed by many in his administration when the phrase was proposed by a speechwriter. But the origin of that sentence is a simple distillation of one of the major reasons Reagan sought to become President in the first place. This book explores the intense focus Reagan placed on defeating, not just containing, Communist aggression from his first days in office. It was appropriate that on June 12 of this year, President Bush dedicated a new monument in Washington, D. C., titled "Victims of Communism Memorial."
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| Sharon Talmadge |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Further adventures of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.
|
| Sharon Talmadge |
Flashback by Nevada Barr |
Rating: 4 Stars |
FLASHBACK is the 11th book in the series about Anna Pigeon, a park ranger who takes a post as a temporary supervisory ranger on remote Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park --- a small grouping of tiny islands in a natural harbor seventy miles off Key West. I loved the characters, action and the writing itself. I'm looking forward to book # 14 coming out next year.
|
| David Siegel |
The St. Paul Conspiracy by Roger Stelljes |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A taut murder/cop novel with a strong sense of place, interesting characters, and clever plot. Spare, but not sparse, language makes for a fast-paced read.
|
| Debby B. |
Echo Park by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I do not read many mysteries, so it may be unfair to say that this one was not outstanding. However, it kept my interest and had all of the elements of a good mystery.
|
| Ozarks Anne |
The Woods by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I just couldn't wait to read THE WOODS as I am a real Harlan Coben fan. But, I was very disappointed with it. I really didn't care much about any of the characters. Sometimes, I had to go back to see how, or in some cases, if it all connected. I persevered 'til the end, but never did really get into it...
|
| Elaine Campbell |
The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The best of the best. This book's characters and situations will live throughout your life, they're that memorable.
|
| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
It's My F---ing Birthday by Merrill Markoe |
Rating: 4 Stars |
No one does neurotic like Merrill Markoe.... a very sarcastic and funny story.
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| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
The Infidelity Pact by Carrie Karasyov |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was the perfect summer read --- not too serious and with enough suspense to keep me interested.
|
| Noreen Brown |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a must read, if you have children or not, and more so, if you are a teacher.
|
| ck |
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Should be a book club favorite --- Bhima is a servant who lives in a slum in Bombay, and works for Sera, a middle class housewife. Their lives run in parallels but they are separated by the caste system, education and culture. A beautifully written and memorable story.
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| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
The Wives of Bath: A Novel by Wendy Holden |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Good British chick lit -- very enjoyable and with just enough substance to keep it interesting.
|
| Maureen H. |
The Virgin Of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I read this book on recommendations from your readers. I am so glad that I did. This is an excellent book. I could not put it down. I had to find out what happens.
|
| Norma |
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is such an unusual and riveting book; beautifully written. It takes place in Barcelona, and there is a story within a story, with lots of intrigue, mystery, love and magical realism. I don't want this book to end....
|
| Wendy |
The World To Come by Dara Horn |
Rating: 5 Stars |
What a wonderful read! This book contains something for everyone --- spirituality, suspense, mysticism, and tragedy among others. Ms. Horn's writing is beautiful and some themes will stay with you. It's quite different from what you might expect!
|
| Wendy |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Talk about relevancy --- this book certainly fits the times. The author tries a different take on a school shooting by a fellow student. It's a must read by a very perceptive writer.
|
| L. Hann |
I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly by Joyce Hansen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a very good book. It's written as the diary of Pasty, a freed girl. Take a walk back in time to slavery, and find out through her eyes and ears what life was like and how wonderful it was for her to learn to read. Even though this is not a true story, I am sure there are parts of it that could very well be. It is a great read for any age but would be a great read for young adults to learn how life was for the slaves in their own voice. Excellent!!
|
| L. Hann |
Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Nice read. It's not as good as the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, but she still has a great writing style no matter what book she writes.
|
| Marti |
Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A sweet story with twists and turns in the relationships. It was such fun to read all the literary references the main character made. Funny. Santos writes the way I wish I could!
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| Marti (martiAZ10@Cox.net) |
The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A lovely story about a small-town mystery. Well written and filled with faith and hope, along with the consequences that occur with cover-ups.
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| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Wow! An excellent, engaging debut by this author. GARDEN SPELLS is a very concise and well-written story about family relationships with common elements made magical. This story had just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning.
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| Jeanie |
Blue Water by A Manette Ansay |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Meg and Rex's life takes a tragic turn when their son is killed in an automobile accident and the drunk driver is Meg's childhood friend. They escape to the ocean on a sailboat and try to reinvent themselves and find forgiveness.
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| Jon Weiman |
The Darling by Russell Banks |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is one of the best that I have ever read. It is certainly among the best that Banks has written. It is a nonstop, new surprise around every turn, personal, political and emotional journey. It takes place in the US and Africa and is the story of a woman who owns a farm in the Adirondacks and is, among other things, a former member of the Weather Underground. Read it and meet a character that you will never forget.
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| Gail Dvorchak |
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I could understand the characters, as I grew up during the 1960s. But, it is not the "summer read" I was looking for. I found the whole story rather depressing and the ending is rather vague. For all the hype of this being a new classic, it was just average to me.
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| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
Next by Michael Crichton |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I'm glad I didn't read Amazon.com's reviews first. The negative comments might have stopped me from picking this one up.
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| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
The Blood of Flowers: A Novel by Anita Amirrezvani |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the best stories I have read this year. The author definitely has a poetic way with words. A very emotional book that is an amazing debut.
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| Mary Jacobs (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
Notting Hell by Rachel Johnson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Excellent British Chick Lit. It's a little like "Desperate Housewives", but without the violence. It is told through the words of two main characters, Mimi and Clare, through which you get an interesting/opposing point of view in this story from two distinct voices. I really enjoyed this gossipy summer read.
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| Janis |
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Yes, this is a vampire novel. No, it's not Anne Rice. I'm generally opposed to vampire books, but this book is well written! Several narrators relate the story, and the vampire stuff isn't gory. This is a great read that will keep you wanting more.
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| Valerie Wiesner |
What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book has to do with the disappearance in 1975, of two sisters who were ages 15 and 11, respectively. They went to a shopping mall in Maryland on a Saturday afternoon, and were never seen again. The life changes this event had on the girls' family was profound. Then, 30 years later, a woman involved in a hit-and-run car accident claims she is the younger of the two long missing sisters. How the police try to verify her story, and prove who she says she is, makes up much of the book.
There is a distinct possibility that this woman is a fraud, and for various reasons, it is almost impossible to verify anything she claims. The whole tale is very well written, and a fast paced read. I enjoyed it very much!
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| Elizabeth T. Burr (elizabethtburr@yahoo.com) |
Almost There: The Onward Journey of A Dublin Woman by Nuala O'Faolain |
Rating: 4 Stars |
O'Faolain has led a fascinating life as an Irish journalist, as well as a fascinating personal life. Luckily for us, the narrative voice she uses to tell us about that life is immediately engaging. I find much to enthrall me in her story.
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| Michelle Miller (miller4plusmore@bellsouth.net) |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Had to read this before the movie came out. It's my favorite Harry Potter so far! It was excellent. It really portrays how Harry and the others are poised on adulthood and ready to take charge of their own lives. No spoilers here, but Rowling really makes you feel what Harry is feeling in this one. His anger, frustration and sorrow all jump right off the page. The movies thus far have done all the books justice. I just hope that the Order of the Phoenix movie can live up to this one.
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| Lynne Perednia (112615.1350@compuserve.com) |
After Dark by Haruki Murakami |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another lovely, dreamy fable from the Japanese master storyteller, this time centering on two sisters --- a musician, a desk clerk at a "love hotel" --- among others, with some of his usual insightful writing about music. Don't worry about whether it makes sense; just enjoy it and see what you make of it later on.
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| Jan Kanowitz (pooohcat@aol.com) |
Black & White by Dani Shapiro |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is about a mother who becomes a famous photographer while taking pictures of her daughter from age three to fourteen. Many consider these nude pictures pornographic. This book discusses the affect these pictures have on the daughter as she comes to grips with her mother's upcoming death from cancer. Clara, the daughter, has been estranged from her mother for many years, has married, moved away, and has a daughter of her own. She is now nine years old and has never met nor heard mention of her grandmother.
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| Kathleen |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I love Stephanie Plum, but this one is so much like the others it almost got boring. Nothing new happens. There wasn't even any excitement during the Ranger/Plum sleep overs. Has the series lasted too long?
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| Debbie Le (deble_2000@yahoo.com) |
Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book. I fell in love with Alice. She was just released from prison after trying to run down the drunk driver who killed her son. I emailed Ms. Goudge and she answered!
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| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
Triptych by Karin Slaughter |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a really fast-paced and well-written thriller. It involves identity theft, a sexual predator and murderer, and a dark family secret that goes back many years. The key characters are an ex-con who was just released from 20 years in prison, and a homicide detective. Very interesting and good book!
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| Julie H. |
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This amazing text is an eye opener
to the industrialized food industry we unknowingly take place in. I am still reeling in the vast knowledge and experience this author went through and I am the better for it!
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| Gin |
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Stephanie Plum is back and is as much fun as ever. Evanovich continues her streak of easy-to-read, good-for-a-laugh, summer reading.
Stephanie, Lula and Grandma Mazur are colorfully written. and by the 13th book in the series, feel like family friends.
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| Elaine Gutenstein (EBpooh@aol.com) |
The Nine Month Plan by Wendy Markham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A great read for the summer or any other time you need a lighter read for escape. I actually cried at the end because the writing was so realistic. I plan to read her others as well as the horror novels written under the name Wendy Corsi Staub name. This was a great romance novel without too much off the mush that makes it completely too "sweet."
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| Corinne (abbeycat34@yahoo.com) |
Between the Tides by Patti Callahan Henry |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a very good story of a woman's journey to forgiving herself and moving on. Sometimes, the hardest journey. A very good read. Patti never seems to disappoint me. Can't wait for book #5.
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| Valerie Wiesner |
Hades by Russell Andrews |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Russell Andrews, a pseudonym for Peter Gethers, is one of my favorite thriller authors. I have read and enjoyed all four of his previous thrillers, and this one is great too! The author really, really knows how to make a plot interesting, exciting and addicting. In this book, we again meet Justin Westwood, the private investigator featured in three of his previous novels. This time, Justin must return to his hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, in order to clear himself of murder charges and, in addition, get to the bottom of a gruesome series of murders related to a multinational financial conspiracy. This book will keep you reading until dawn, if you let it!
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| Valerie Wiesner |
The Killing Moon by Chuck Hogan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a great mystery suspense novel. It takes place in a small, left-behind town in Massachusetts. The plot has to do with a corrupt police force, and the disappearance of a convicted pedophile. There are other things going on in this town, also, such as a murder and young people becoming addicted to methamphetamine, which had --- up to current time --- never been seen in this town before. The book is very well written, and is one I found hard to put down. The author is very good at making his characters come to life.
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| Sheila M |
In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the best books I have read/listened to in a long time. I listened to the audio book and I highly recommend it. The accounts of the World War II bombings she survived were amazing. I have read many accounts of survivors of the Holocaust and this is one of the best.
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| Sheila M. |
Basilica: The Splendor and the Scandal by R. A. Scotti |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A good book for those of us who do not know a lot about the history of St. Peter's.
|
| Sheila M |
Visiting Life by Bridget Kinsella |
Rating: 3 Stars |
The stories about the women and how they came to be with men facing life in prison were very interesting. Bridget Kinsella's personal story interested me less.
|
| Monica Jordan |
The Ghost Orchid by Carol Goodman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book, like her others, has an unpredictable ending. It's a great ghost story/mystery. One thing I really enjoyed was the way the chapters alternated between present and past, interweaving events and clues. A great read.
|
| Marsha |
The Best American Mystery Stories 2006 by Edited by Scott Turow |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This annual compilation of stories never seems to disappoint. They are varied and chosen for their impact. Try them.
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| Maureen (momom248@comcast.net) |
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I am about 1/3 of the way into this latest Oprah book club pick, and I am really enjoying the story. I hope it continues.
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| Carol H. |
The Whole World Over by Julia Glass |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Could not put this book down.
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