| Julie Peterson |
The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have always wanted to read this book, and finally got the chance since my book club is reading it this month. What a fantastic read! I have always appreciated C. S. Lewis, but this book is amazing. If you want to think about your religious beliefs and actions, this will make you examine yourself! Plus, it's highly entertaining!
|
| Judy O. |
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a great story about life, medicine, and mysteries in early 1800s Boston. Often, the author would flash ahead to a time in the present that related to this period in history. This plot works well to make an exciting, engaging read.
|
| Julie Peterson |
The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I loved this book! Like CROW LAKE, this is the perfect discussion book! I couldn't put it down!
|
| Julie Peterson |
Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I thought this was a pretty good book, although I was very uncomfortable reading it. While the story is definitely a thriller/tragedy, I found the relationships between mother and daughter as well as friends very touching. I think this would make a good book club read!
|
| Marie Lovas |
Cooking Lessons by Nina Romano |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Nina Romano's book COOKING LESSONS delights the senses with every page. Every poem in this collection is a mini-narrative, and the author excels in taking the reader on voyages to thrilling places only dreamed about. Her food and wine descriptions are so tantalizing and mouth-watering that I hope she'll write a cook book next.
|
| Steven Schwindt (stevenschwindt@hotmail.com) |
Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Banned in China, it is a great book nevertheless. I live in Shanghai now, so I only read it at home and not in public.
|
| Jayne |
Summer's Child by Luanne Rice |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a lovely story about a mother and daughter, and what happened before the daughter was born. It kept my interest and I will be reading her next book, called SUMMER OF ROSES, which carries on where this book left off.
|
| Allyson Crawley |
Innocent Traitor by Allison Weir |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A great book. I thoroughly enjoy the way that Ms Weir puts what Lady Jane Grey might have thought and felt into perspective. Everyone knows what happened to her, but what might it have been like for her? I definitely would recommend this book.
|
| Rita Carter (gandmari@aol.com) |
The Messenger by Danial Silva |
Rating: 5 Stars |
In this suspense novel, Gabrielle Allon is once again on the trail of terrorists who are plotting is to kill the President of the United States and the Pope.
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| Rita Carter (gandmari@aol.com) |
Double Take by Catherine Coulter |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This installment in Coulter's FBI series is a page turner that keeps you reading well past bedtime...until you finish the book.
|
| Connie |
The Future Scrolls by Fern Michaels |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is an older book by Fern Michaels that I just discovered. It is a very good, quick read. It's not heavy, but just a simple Saturday afternoon book for letting the mind drift away for awhile.
Dani Arnold, a Manhattan editor, goes to the park one day and finds a lost, 10-year-old girl named Maria sitting on a bench. She takes her home with her because Maria has just arrived in the country. Her father did not meet her at the airport, and she has no way of contacting him. That is when the book really gets interesting. It's a mix of mystery, suspense, and romance all rolled into one.
|
| Cathy S. in Northern Virginia |
Dockside by Susan Wiggs |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you like love stories in which the characters have all the real troubles of life, then this writer is for you. This is the third book in her Lakeshore Chronicles series. While the characters and their stories are interwoven, each book can be read as a stand alone. She gives us happy endings, but just like real life, you have to go through a lot of trials and tribulations to get there. And sometimes, you find that the ending you were planning isn't always the one you get.
The main couple in this book are Nina Romano and Greg Bellamy. Together (and sometimes against each other), they are committed to restoring an old lakeside inn to its former glory. During the process, we catch up on other characters from the former books and meet new ones who will probably be the focus of future efforts from Ms. Wiggs. Her books are easy reads, perfect summer reading for entertainment, when all television has to offer are reruns and "reality" shows. Good escapist literature!
|
| Bonnie |
The Road by Cormac McCarthy |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Spare, elegant writing informs this novel of a father and son walking the earth after the end of the world. Their relationship and their terrors make up the heart of this amazing story.
|
| Bonnie |
The Dark by John McGahern |
Rating: 2 Stars |
A depressing novel set in Ireland in the 1950s, or thereabouts. If child abuse is your cup of tea, read on.
|
| Jayne |
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a wonderful read. It was about a young boy and how his father takes him to The Cemetery of lost books. The characters were very interesting and I could not put it down. I just wish the author would write something else. I can't wait!
|
| Mary |
Dark Celebration: A Carpathian Reunion by Christine Feehan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was an excellent read, carrying on the Dark series tradition of really hot men and incredible women. You get to catch up with all your favorites from previous books and pick up on leads for books to come. I highly recommend this one of you are a committed Feehan fan.
|
| Ruth |
Train from Marietta by Dorothy Garlock |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An enjoyable historical novel with a touch of suspense.
|
| Ruth |
10-Minute Home Improvement by Skye Alexander |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Lots of quick and easy tips for homeowners. A must-read before tackling home renovations.
|
| Ruth |
String of Pearls by JoAnna M. Lund and Barbara Alpert |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book of inspiration was written by the creator of the Healthy Exchanges system of weight control. I have recommended her cookbooks to many people.
|
| Ruth |
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I'd been wanting to read this book and was happy when it became one of my book club selections. It's the true story of one man who is making a difference by building schools for the children of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
|
| Bonnie |
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A novel set in Nazi Germany that is reminiscent of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK. It's well written and it keeps your interest.
|
| Christy H. |
Blood Red by Heather Graham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a terrific vampire romance novel set in post-Katrina New Orleans. There were lots of twists and turns, danger and suspense.
I didn't realize until after I had started this book that several of the characters are from previous books --- I will be definitely be going back and reading their stories now.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A THREAD OF GRACE takes look at the world of Hitler and World War II, and focuses on courage, caring and love amid the horror of war. It serves as a reminder that Hitler's revenge against the Jews really happened. This story is set in Italy and describes the Italians attempted to fool the Nazis.
|
| Fran |
When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I gave this four stars since the middle was a bit slow. Overall, it was a good, suspenseful mystery but not one of this author's best.
|
| Judith Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It's definitely different and surprisingly funny. I can see why this would be a TV hit as well.
|
| Lorna |
The Woods by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you haven't read any of this author's books you should try this one. This story has a few different plots going on but you won't lose interest. The ending will blow you away.
|
| Thomas |
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks |
Rating: 5 Stars |
John Tyree, on leave from the Army, meets beautiful Savannah Curtis in North Carolina. They quickly fall in love, though they have a turbulent relationship. Savannah helps John mend his relationship with his father, who has a rare form of autism that has always prevented him from showing John any real form of love. This is a very good story of love, loss, and true sacrifice.
|
| Rita Carter (gandmari@aol.com) |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A mesmerizing book about the life of women in Afghanistan beginning about 30 years ago. I usually read mystery and intrigue novels, but read this as a book group choice. I picked it up and was totally taken in from the first page to the last.
|
| Betty Jo (harrises@bayou.com) |
My Mother the Cheerleader by Robert Sharonow |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An excellent Young Adult book that takes a fictional look at the integration of William Frantz Elementary School in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, told through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl who has been taken out of public school by her mother for one year. Her mother is one of the "cheerleaders" who confronts six-year-old Ruby Bridges each morning and evening when she goes to school. This group of women heckled the child, threw urine on her, and told her her food was poisoned. This is a powerful book to be shared by adults and their teenage children.
|
| Robin Lensing |
Swim to Me by Betsy Carter |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a sweet story about a young girl from New York who longs to be a "mermaid" in the water show at Weeki Wachee springs in Florida. This story has some interesting characters, and most of all, an unusual setting! Reading about how the mermaids do their show is the really fascinating part of the story.
|
| LouBabe (LouBabe@juno.com) |
Edge of Evil by J. A. Jance |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Boy, I hate discovering new authors I like. I already have hundreds of books waiting to be read, and now I have to buy more :)
Alison Reynolds is a high-profile TV eporter who loses her job and, in the process, learns who her real friends are (and aren't) --- including her husband.
In order to reach her adoring public, say her goodbyes and tell them her side of the story, she sets up a web site/blog, which becomes extremely popular. It was fun to read the blog entries, which made for easier reading.
Ali survives a couple of murder attempts and discovers a new life along the way. After finishing it, I visited the authors web site and was pleased to learn that a sequel to this book will be out soon. In fact, I'm wondering if it's the start of an Alison Reynolds series (crossing my fingers).
Oh, and a real plus --- no sex, no disgusting language, not even a romance. How refreshing is that! I will be buying more of Jance's books.
|
| LouBabe |
Celebration by Fern Michaels |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is not my favorite Fern Michaels book, but it's good enough to merit 5 stars. It's the story of a military wife whose husband ruled his family "by the book." I found it to be depressing in many instances. I don't want to give any more of the story away, but there were some really enriching moments, too, and it's worth your time to read.
|
| kt |
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The incredible story of how one person can and does make a difference. In an area where Americans are despised, this one is winning the hearts and minds of the local populace by building schools where none exist. He is proving to the people that all Americans are not monsters and that the Taliban is not the only answer. Our government could take a lesson in how to win over a country --- learn their ways, respect their customs and give them the tools they need to better their lives.
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| Mary Q. (qmquack@aol.com) |
If You Lived Here by Dana Sachs |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was highly recommended by a friend who loved it, and I'm loving it too!
|
| Linda Scott (scott2@einetwork.net) |
The King of Methlehem by Mark Lindquist |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The mystery is set in Los Angeles and deals with the meth labs and users there. This is something I knew nothing about, so it was a real eye-opener to me. Good action and characters!
|
| Linda Scott (scott2@einetwork.net) |
Red Hook by Reggie Nadelson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This mystery/thriller is set in the Russian section of New York City, so you get to learn about how the people there live and work. The mystery itself is good, but the setting and characters make it very good.
|
| Mary Ann Wendel |
The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A very interesting book about a lost Shakespere manuscript and the lengths people go to keep the mystery hidden. It gave a good look at the used book world and an interesting tour through New York. The main and side characters all contributed to a well-written novel.
|
| Louise Pledge |
Don't Look Now by Linda Lael Miller |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I almost put this book down without finishing --- it was cumbersome to get into. There were too many characters in the first chapter or so, and it was hard to keep track of who was whom or what their histories were. I decided this must be a sequel to another book, but I've never found another one listed.
However, I was glad I persevered because I did enjoy it. The story involves a female defense attorney who almost goes through all of her nine lives, along the way, helping her to place her priorities and discover the value system she should have had all along.
|
| Dawnymae (dawnymae5@msn .com) |
And If I Die by John Anderson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Author has started this third book in a trilogy with lots of suspense and intrigue. It's very fast paced and well worth your time.
|
| janflora |
The Lambs of London by Peter Ackroyd |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An interesting fictional account of an historic case of fraud. In the 19th century, a lost Shakespeare play was supposedly found. It was proved false, but has still remained a big story in the Shakespearean world. Ackroyd wrote a biography of Shakespeare and did a lot of research on this event. I have to admit that the story of the fraud is more interesting than the fictional story he's created, but his writing is nearly flawless.
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| Metalfiend11 in TX (metalfiend11@yahoo.com) |
People Of The Abyss by Jack London |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a pretty interesting book. A little repetitive, at times, but very informative. Jack London reveals his experiences when he chooses to live on the East End of London in 1902. I had no idea people could have lived like this. I think it makes our homeless look wealthy. I found it online at Google.
|
| Sandy Greathouse (Muzzley56@aol.com) |
These High, Green Hills by Jan Karon |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love Ms. Karon's books! They're so funny and inspiring, and the characters are hilarious. I'm reading the whole series, and am anxious to read her latest about Father Tim's earlier days before Mitford.
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| Sandy Greathouse (Muzzley56@aol.com) |
Stilllife with Chickens by Catherine Goldhammer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another interesting memoir! A funny, beautiful, and sometimes hectic view of starting over after a divorce. It involves renovating a somewhat dilapidated cottage by the sea, and raising chickens without knowing anything about it. I now know more about chickens than I did, and I'm a farm gal! A fun read!
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| Sandy Greathouse (Muzzley56@aol.com) |
Dishing by Liz Smith |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I enjoyed this memoir...lots of interesting "dish" on popular film stars as well as some really tasty recipes.
|
| Jen Mulsow |
And The Band Played On by Randy Shiltz |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It was very good. I never realized how much I didn't know about the first few years of the AIDS epidemic.
|
| Irene Grigas (irenej7@netzero.com) |
North River by Peter Hamill |
Rating: 5 Stars |
NORTH RIVER was one of the best audio books that I have listened to. It has stayed in my head for weeks. It takes place in 1930s Brooklyn, New York. The characters are well defined and the story flows so wonderfully that I didn't want the book to end. I still think of Rosa and Dr. Delaney and all the characters. The person reading --- or I should say acting --- did a great job as he went from a 3-year-old voice to that of a woman' s, imitations of gangsters, as well as old men and young women. Truly remarkable. I can't remember the actor's name (shame on me) as I brought the CD back to the library. I can't say enough about this audio book. Also, hooray to Pete Hamill who wrote the book.
|
| Kathy V. |
The Hindi-Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I read this after winning an author chat with Ms. Pradhan. I was immediately taken in by the beautiful cover. This wonderful hidden jewel of a book is reminiscent of THE JOY LUCK CLUB. Its mother/daughter relationships ring true and warm your heart.
Tonight is our author chat and I can't wait to tell Ms. Pradhan how this novel touched me. I'm already awaiting her next book!
|
| Sonya (sonyalovesbooks@yahoo.com) |
Annabelle's Courtship by Lucy Monroe |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Lucy Monroe packs a whole lot of romance in ANNABELLE'S COURTSHIP. Ms. Monroe keeps the readers hooked with her unique and memorable characters and the unexpected twists as the story flows. The book will have the readers crying and screaming at the characters as they pull at your heartstrings. Annabelle and Ian's love story is truly remarkable, and will have readers coming back for more. I loved Annabelle's spirit and will, and her patience to deal with her brother and Ian. Ian is her perfect match and they make an explosive couple. I can not wait to see what she will come up with next.
|
| Judy O. |
Justice Denied by J.A. Jance |
Rating: 4 Stars |
During the investigation of the murder of LaShawn Tompkins, J. P. Beaumont discovers clues that link his murder with a pattern of sex-offender murders all around the country. He and his partner, Mel Soames, are racing to find answers. This was a good police procedural, but I prefer this author's Joanna Brady series, which is set in Arizona.
|
| Sandy |
Black Ice by Linda Hall |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have found a new author! This one grabs you from the first page. Lenore Featherjohn found a girl, frozen against a snowbank behind Lenore's bed and breakfast. Some say she is a ghost, others say she's an angel. BLACK ICE is loaded with suspense, tension, and characters that leap from the pages.
|
| Rose in CT |
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The title makes you think twice about reading it, but do take the leap. It is a wonderful journey that is so well written. Now I understand why it has been on top of the bestseller lists. I highly recommend it to all.
|
| Marjorie Clark (marjclark@comcast.net) |
New England White by Stephen L. Carter |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This book is kind of a slow, but you continue because there is always something or someone that makes you curious to see what will happen next. His previous book, THE EMPEROR OF OCEAN PARK, was great.
|
| Mary Teevan (WILSGRNDMA@AOL.COM) |
The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I couldn't put this book down and read it in one day.
|
| Marcia Cook |
Talking to the Ground by Douglas Preston |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Douglas and his family travel on horseback through parts of the Navajo Reservation. This is a wonderful and moving account of their journey and of the history of the Navajo people.
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| Carol Hoyer from VA (pageant4u@hotmail.com) |
Eva's Story by Eva Schloss |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Excellent true story of Eva Schloss, stepsister to Ann Frank, and her time in the concentration camp.
From secret hiding places to the horrific realm of Nazi concentration camps, this is the story of how one survived. It's a testament of human power and will to survive under the most horrendous conditions.
|
| Julie Towson |
Walt Disney the Triumph of American Imagination by Neal Gabler |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you like biographies, this is the book for you. It is a very detailed, fascinating book on the life of Walt Disney. It's a big read --- over 600 pages --- but really worth it.
|
| Lisa Garrett |
Hill Towns by Anne Rivers Siddons |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Siddons probes the meaning of relationships with an Italian setting. By the time you finish the book, you actually feel as if you have traveled through the hill towns and established rapport with each character.
|
| Rita Wright |
The Burnt House by Faye Kellerman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Decker and Rina are back! This is an absorbing mystery connected to a terrifying event. The characters are memorable and you cannot put the book down. Highly recommended.
|
| ET Burr |
The Lost: A Serach for Six of Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is one of the most riveting memoirs I have read in recent memory. It is Mendelsohn's account of his attempt to find out the details of what happened to the family of his grandfather's brother under the Nazi regime in Galacia. It brings that terrible history of the Holocaust down to the immediate and personal. Mensolsohn is a writer of skill, depth and beauty, and he weaves his family's history into a tale that is unforgettable.
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| Patty Shogren (P12A11S49@AOL.COM) |
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A wonderful read I won't forget! I'm in love with the characters.
|
| Carol H. |
Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A beautiful story about what truly makes up a family.
|
| Gwen |
Shantaran by Gregory David Roberts |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an incredibly written novel about an escaped convict from New Zealand who ends up in New Deli, India. It is a book full of suspense, crime and spirituality. It also gives you fabulous insight into the people of India and their customs.
|
| Kathy C. |
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a fantastic read. I LOVED the fact that the narrator of the book was "Death." It was such a novel spin. The characters were engrossing and I came to love and care about them.
The story takes place in World War II Germany and I was so glad I chose to read it with the TV show "The War" starting at the same time. Watching "The War" gave me real visual images of what I was reading. I also like the fact that events were also seen through the eyes of the main character, a displaced young German girl named Liesel.
The one thing I really appreciated was that the end of the book really gave closure to the characters' stories.
|
| Marsha |
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This beautifully written tale is an homage to the one-room schoolhouse days of 1910. How a motherless family of three children and a hard-working farming husband are impacted by the arrival of a housekeeper and her brother creates an unforgettable story.
|
| Vickie |
You've Been Warned by James Patterson and Harold Roughan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Strange! Fascinating! Thought provoking and weird are some of the words to describe this latest thriller. Set in NYC with the main character who's a nanny but wants to be a professional photographer, the whole book leaves you guessing until the end. And then, you still may not know what really happened! This is a "stay up all night until you finish it" kind of book!
|
| mcdonn |
Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the first of a series of historical mysteries set in Victorian London. Cyrus Barker, an inquiry agent, is seeking to hire an apprentice. Thomas Llewelyn, a man who has studied at Oxford and served time in prison, finds to his amazement and maybe his endangerment, that he has the job. This book is full of plots and twists, humor and pathos. Mr. Barker's and Mr. LLewelyn's backgrounds are just as much a mystery as the crucification of a young man in the Jewish ghetto of London. Each character is unique in this novel and I would definitely enjoy reading the next books in the series.
|
| Marilyn |
Bones and Ashes by Kathy Reichs |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another good forensic anthropology novel from Reichs. This was particularly interesting as I have been to the Maritime Provinces where part of the locale is set.
|
| Norine Gremse (nono@toast.net) |
Exile by Richard North Patterson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is currently in paperback. It really opened my mind to the existing conflict among Palestine/Isreal/United States. I just didn't know how long the history was, or why the Middle Eastern countries constantly inculcate their children to believe in religion and hatred. It must be a horrible way to live.
The book is very well written o the point that I hated having to stop for necessary "things" --- bathroom, sleeping, going out, living! I was so taken with the story that I had to call my BF Cathy to discuss what I'd learned. She decided to get into the Muslim/Jewish history and got the book after our conversation. I can't praise the story sufficiently. The story line is fantastic, the characters were very well developed and I had a very gratifying read. Give it a try. It's worth your time.
|
| Mary Angela Young |
You've Been Warned by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is a little strange, but very good just the same. Sometimes it was hard to follow.
|
| Sherrie Maner |
A fistful Of Charms by Kim Harrison |
Rating: 3 Stars |
If you like paranormal books, then this one has everything. Vampires and pixies, witches and werewolves all co-exist in an alternate US. It's a fun read, but sometimes it's a little too much over the top.
|
| Pamela Schofield |
Peony In Love by Lisa See |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another perfect score for Lisa See! A beautifully written novel about love, family, happiness and sadness that takes place in seventeenth century China. The reader will love the history of that era and the tale of an afterlife, where much is learned from ancestral ghosts. Peony is a character the reader will fall in love and identify with. She is a young woman who falls in love and envisions her life, but many obstacles are put in her path. She is a very unforgettable character.
|
| Carol G |
Down River by John Hart |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A well-written book that managed to get my attention, even though I was somewhat turned off at the beginning. The overall impression I received was of sadness --- the author does an excellent job of showing how secrets can devastate when they finally are exposed.
|
| Lorie Brown from Deerfield, IL |
The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The critics and I really enjoyed this book, though most readers didn't. Give it a try, it is worth reading. Once you get used to Ms. Messud's writing style and realize that even if you don't understand some of the words she uses, you'll still understand the story, you should enjoy spending March through November of 2001 with some New Yorkers. You don't want them for best friends, or even to meet for coffee, but their story is an interesting one. Also, I believe that Ms. Messud got the true feel of New Yorkers and New York City during the weeks surrounding 9/11. I was there so I 'm able to speak from firsthand knowledge and I really related to her words. It won't be the best book you will read this year, but your year will be enhanced by reading THE EMPEROR'S CHILDREN.
|
| Robert Michlowski |
Marked Man by William Lashner |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Interesting and fast paced.
|
| D. Garner |
Tam Lin by Pamela Dean |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An oldie, but a goodie. As I am currently deeply immersed in a graduate school class, this light trip into the world of fantasy at the end of a study session is perfect. Young Janice starts her freshman year of college at a university with strange traditions and a few ghosts. This is based on the Scottish legend of Tam Lin, and is part of the Fairy Tale series.
|
| Laura Skinner (Trudy013@aol.com) |
Promise Me by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The wry humor of Coben's character, Myron Bolitar, is excellent. You won't believe the ending.
|
| Debra Guyette (Debby236@comcast.net) |
Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is part of a series about a secret Brotherhood that works to save the world from supernatural entities. I love these stories and this one is no exception.
|
| Sandy |
The Rabbit Factory by Marshall Karp |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a very funny page turner about two LAPD cops, Mike Lomax and his partner Terry Biggs, who are smart and drop-dead funny.
Mike's wife, Joanie, died of cancer six months ago. She left letters, which he opens on the anniversary of her death. His father also loved her, but wants Mike to get on with his life. Terry Biggs met his wife when she was the paramedic called when he was an officer down. Very funny!
The setting is "Familyland," a Disneyland look-alike. The characters: Rambunctious Rabbit, Slaphappy Puppy, McGreedy the Moose, and others are now family favorites. But, someone is killing people associated with Familyland. They work hard and uncover a conspiracy, finding a big surprise at the end of the search.
It is a long book but it has large print and is so funny you can't stop reading.
|
| Albert Sears |
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This novel is long but quite engrossing. I'm reading it for the second time, and it's even better. It's a vampire narrative with substance; the connection between books and vampires is thought provoking. It's been a bestseller for a reason.
|
| Tamara Ring |
The Saturday Wife by Naomi Ragen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Sometimes scathing, sometimes empathetic, but always riveting. If you've ever had trouble reconciling religion's altruistic spirituality with evidence of rampant hypocrisy, you will be engrossed by Naomi Ragen's portrait of an Orthodox rabbi's wife struggling with these issues.
|
| Ann |
The Suspect by John Lescroart |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A very enjoyable "whodunit" mystery. I couldn't put it down.
|
| Yvonne M. |
Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
While the first half of the book gives a pretty detailed description of the training and stamina required to become one of the few selected to become a Navy Seal, it is the rest of the book that is intense, heartbreaking and head shaking. It is the story of Marcus Luttrell and his fellow Seals and how they were ambushed and overtaken on an Afghanistan mountain range while on a mission. Luttrell is the only survivor of this team. While it wasn't said in so many words amongst the team, they pretty much figured that it was a doomed mission because of the lack of suitable cover and the inability to reach HQ by radio. This is a very informative and interesting read, and I think that the world and especially the media forget or ignore the moral dilemma that all of our armed forces face on a daily basis in current conditions.
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| Marie |
Run by Ann Patchet |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I was a little disappointed with this one, after having read BEL CANTO a few years ago.
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| Coral Harrison |
Power Play by Joseph Finder |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A good suspense story that is well written and hard to lay down. It's a story of deceitful officers in an aerospace company. If you like non-stop high stakes thrillers you will really like this.
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| Sharon Lumb (swl44th@hotmail.com) |
Wild Swans:Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A beautifully written book of a grandmother, mother and daughter who grow up in China from the time of the Emperor to Mao. The description of ordinary life during Mao's reign is especially compelling. This is the life of three ordinary women who lived in extraordinary changing times.
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| Coral Harrison |
Burnt House by Faye Kellerman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a Decker and Lazarus book and is probably the best in this series. If you like mysteries, you would like this even if you have not read any of the others by this author.
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| Shirley Jones |
Firefly Beach by Luanne Rice |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Some books are just start off slowly, and this is one of them. I don't recall reading this author before and this is not a new release, but I think once I can get into it, it will be and interesting book.
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| Cheryl |
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn |
Rating: 2 Stars |
The book kept me interested, but the content and conclusion were a bit twisted for me. Even though the book deals with some very disturbing social phenomena, I couldn't put it down because I wanted to see what happened.
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| Bonnie Levy |
The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. it was a page turner and had a lot of surprises! I read it in one day!!
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| Debi |
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is fascinating! It is a story about a young girl in Nazi Germany who discovers that she loved to read. Unfortunately, Hitler has ordered book burnings, so she has to resort to stealing. What makes it so intriguing is the fact that the narrator is Death! Death is not portrayed as good or evil, but he is personified as being compassionate. The literary style is different --- not run of the mill! Excellent!
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| Sharon Haas |
Invasive Procedures by Orson Scott Card & Aaron Johnston |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Known for his science fiction and fantasy books, Card takes us into the near future and a frightening combo of technology and medicine.
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| Toni Savchuck (tonisandlin@aol.com) |
The Island by Victoria Hislop |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This debut novel starts as a journey for a young woman to Greece to learn about her mother's life, and becomes the story of her mother's ancestors and the history of an island that lepers moved to when they started showing symptoms. It is a beautiful tale of love, faith and redemption. A must read!
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| Brenda Tucker (rango1971@yahoo.com) |
Cat Breaking Free by Shirley Rousseau Murphy |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a mystery about three cats who talk like humans. They are able to help foil several crimes in the town where they live. It's a very nice story. I loved it when one kitty wanted his own cell phone.
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| Gail Spitzer |
The Pact by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A good story about a teenage couple making a pact to commit suicide together, and how this plays out.
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| Gail Spitzer |
Warm Springs by Susan Richardson Shreve |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An interesting book about the author's bout with polio as a child, and the time she spent in treatment in Warm Springs, Georgia.
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| Ann Otto |
Without A Map: A Memoir by Meredith Hall |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the most moving and beautifully written memoirs I've read.
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| Lew (mipalew@aol.com) |
The General's Daughter by Nelson DeMille |
Rating: 4 Stars |
After seeing the movie twice, I was still confused about the plot. However, reading the book makes it clear. A great read.
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| Lew (mipalew@aol.com) |
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A non-Harry Bosch thriller that keeps you guessing all the way through. Highly recommended.
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| Cheryl (wimer52@zoominternet.net) |
The Skystone by Jack Whyte |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this historical Fiction by a Cambridge Scholar. This is the beginning of a series on Arthur, and includes a lot of Roman history --- sometimes too much.
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| Lew (mipalew@aol.com) |
The Overlook by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another Harry Bosch mystery that's somewhat shorter than most at about 250 pages. It provides a new twist on terrorism.
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| Clarissa Higdon (higdonclarissa@yahoo.com) |
Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is actually a young adult novel, but it is brilliant. It delves into young Sherlock Holmes's life and shows a side of him we never see. A must read.
|
| Marcia Vola |
The Space Between by Kali VanBaale |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a thought-provoking book about a tragic school shooting and the resulting grief that surrounds not only the the family of the shooter, but also the victims' survivors. The author gives you insight into both sides and empathiy with both. As a parent, this book was hard to put down.
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| Marie |
The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
It's about an Iranian family in the aftermath of the revolution. Sofer has created a beautiful, poignant and tragic portrait of a family in turmoil. This great read is highly recommended.
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| Jay French |
Terrorist by John Updike |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Great writing, but I'm not so sure about the story, though. The ending didn't feel right.
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| Mary in HB (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
The Buenos Aires Broken Hearts Club by Jessica Morrison |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A quick mindless read, but still enjoyable. It's a good way to waste a few hours :)
|
| Joan |
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This isn't quite what I thought it would be. I expected more of a novel. However, it was a very interesting book about the time period during World War II, which has always fascinated me. The author gives insight into how the Polish Christian zookeepers coped with the loss of many of their animals and with hiding Jews in their home and in the zoo cages. It also gives insight into the Nazi savagery. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this time period.
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| Mary in HB (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
Slacker Girl by Alexandra Koslow |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Cute story --- typical NYC chick lit. I really enjoyed the chapter titles, which were done in a clever manner.
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| Mary in HB (mljacobsinhb@msn.com) |
Dead Ex by Harley Jane Kozak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the better mystery books I have read this year, Janet Evanovich in Hollywood!
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| Jerry Johnson (jerry_johnson@bellsouth.net) |
The Navigator by Clive Cussler |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another excellent work by the master of suspense, mixing historical fact with fiction. It's a great read for the beach, or just sitting by the pool with an adult beverage.
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| Karen Barash |
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The author weaves three crimes together in a unique mystery novel.
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| Noreen Brown |
You've Been Warned by James Patterson & Howard Roughan |
Rating: 1 Stars |
What a let down! I have read every single James Patterson book and have never been disappointed. But, this story is asinine, boring, stupid...
Nothing rang true. I kept reading and waiting for something to happen, to grab me, but nothing did.
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| Sherri |
The Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a great story of 5 sisters growing up with an inventor dad and a dead mom who is always "lurking" in the background.
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| Marie |
All Aunt Hagar's Children: Stories by Edward P. Jones |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An exquisite collection of short stories. It’s not hard to see why this author has won all kinds of awards. His stories and characters are nothing short of brilliant. The setting for this collection is Washington D.C. However, the characters are ordinary citizens, rather than the politicians we hear too much about.
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| Connie |
It Ain't All About the Cookin by Paula Deen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a great book about Paula's life. She has definitely had some hard times. It also has some very good recipes in it.
|
| Gracie |
Sleeping With Schubert by Bonnie Marson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An incredible novel in which a contemporary woman who finds herself invaded by Franz Schubert's spirit. I felt totally involved in this thrilling, funny, emotional story about the strange union of a genius composer and a New York lawyer is unforgettable.
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| Jackie Gay |
Pieces Of My Sister's Life by Elizabeth Joy Arnold |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I have an affinity for first novels and the opinion that some authors do their most passionate, insightful, and beautiful work on them.
PIECES OF MY SISTER'S LIFE is a wonderful example of this. The characters are just ordinary people with terrible problems, and there are no ridiculously easy solutions. Kerry and Eve are identical twins who are so very different, and therein lies the story. For a trip into another family, town, and island's life: this is your ticket.
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| Carol Hoyer from VA (pageant4u@hotmail.com) |
Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was absolutely one of the best memoirs I have read. I was very impressed with Mr. Obama's openness about his interracial family, problems that occurred and how he was able to come to peace with that. He spent many years growing up in Kenya and Indonesia, which I think makes him the person he is today. It is a good example of all of those who don't belong to one world or the other and are lost.
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| Joan |
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Julia Hamill has bought an older home in rural Massachusetts, and after digging for a flower garden, has discovered some bones. She soon sets out to learn about the family that lived in the house in the 1800s. The story takes us from present to past and we learn of family ties, secrets, and murder. This is a good read with plenty of surprises, and is definitely one of Gerritsen's best.
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| Jan Ross |
Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
MISSING WITNESS is a great book with an underlying moral theme involving legal ethics. Even though it often delved rather deeply into the letter of the law, it was never boring. The book was a fascinating and enjoyable legal thriller.
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| Marsha |
Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Think of a mixture of the TV show "Dallas", "The Practice" or "Boston Legal" and throw in a little of Grisham courtroom procedures and you have a wild ride through two trials involving a young and inexperienced lawyer. What fun!
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| Fran |
To Have and To Hold by Jane Green |
Rating: 4 Stars |
4 stars for a chick lit book. This is a cute story about a woman who becomes her husband's doormat and has to find herself again. I loved the way the main character evolves in this light, fluffy read.
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| Laurie Blum (laurieblum@hotmail.com) |
The Italian Lover by Robert Hellenga |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Robert Hellenga,s SIXTEEN PLEASURES is my all-time favorite, but his sequel, THE ITALIAN LOVER is a fun read for all of us art majors, avid fictional history buffs and fans of Florence, Italy!
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| Toni Giarnese |
The Whole World Over by Julia Glass |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A "delicious" story full of connected characters and an old friend, Fenno, from Glass's previous book THREE JUNES. Events cross from reality to fiction and back, and a national tragedy ties up the package. The author's own life, marked by divorce, cancer, suicide and 9/11, informs the tale and resonates with readers. THE WHOLE WORLD OVER is a book about love, longing and understanding.
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| Gale |
You've Been Warned by James Patterson & Howard Roughan |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This is an enjoyable and quick read. The heroine, photographer/nanny Kristin Burns, has a some terrifying dreams that connect to things from her past and make her question her future. If you're a heavy-duty fan of Patterson's Alex Cross or Women's Murder Club series, temper your expectations --- YOU'VE BEEN WARNED is Patterson-lite.
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| Connie |
Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I was disappointed in this book. I feel it is too drawn out and just drags on.
|
| Connie |
Code Name Bikini by Christina Skye |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have enjoyed all of Christina's books. This is a quick weekend read. It has some suspense and some romance.
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| Fran Custer (fcuster@nc.rr.com) |
The Trouble With Tulip by Mindy Starns Clark |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the first installment in a three-part series called The Smart Chick Mysteries. It's fun, funny, full of "helpful hints" and mystery. You don't know "whodunit" until the end! Excellent, a great read!!
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| Thomas |
Judge & Jury by James Patterson & Andrew Gross |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a story about single mother, Andie DeGrasse, who finds herself on a jury in the trial of Mafia boss Dom Cavello. Everyone knows that Cavello is very bad news, which proves true when he arranges for the bus carrying the jurors to be blown up, killing everyone except Andie. Also killed is her 10-year-old son. When Cavello escapes from custody, Andie and FBI agent Nick Pellisante, who lost two friends to Cavello's violence, team up to hunt down the killer. Though it sounds a bit far-fetched in places, this was a pretty good read.
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| Corinna |
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I finished this book last week and I thought that it was extraordinary! I wrote a small review about it last Word of Mouth b/c I could not wait to talk about it. That was before I finished it and I had given it 4 stars. I now want to change that to 5. I think that my favorite part of the book was the Author's Note. She explained what made her write the book and how she researched it. I found it to be so interesting. I was so happy to see that b/c I actually did have several questions regarding the factuality of the stories. And like I said before, I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!
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| Julie |
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is such a fantastic story. It's A very realistic look at one man's condition and the difficulties it can cause. A beautiful portrait of how, in some ways, love really can conquer all.
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| Julie |
Dead Sexy by Tate Hallaway |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Very interesting. For me, "Chick lit" has to be entertaining and this one is definitely that. I had never read anything else by this author, but I did enjoy this one.
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| M. Davis (marlys366@aol.com) |
Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This story --- told from the perspective of a 13-year-old girl --- is set in Colorado during World War II and revolves around the residents of Ellis, CO and those of the Tallgrass internment camp that holds several hundred Japanese Americans. It is especially interesting, given that I am reading (acutally listening on audio CD) this at the same time that Ken Burns's documentary "The War" is airing on public television. "The War" also contains footage and commentary on the internment camps.
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| M. Davis (marlys366@aol.com) |
Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An eye-opening account, by an investigative reporter, of the lengths people will go to in order to seek out a better life. Enrique's mother left him in Honduras when he was 5, and came to the United States to look for work that would pay enough so that she could feed, clothe and educate Enrique his sister. By the time he turned 17, Enrique missed his mother so much that he set out alone to come to the U.S. to find her.
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| Lori S. (sunbug5505@yahoo.com) |
Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A near death experience, a potential hot romance with her ER doctor, voodoo, and dead people who come to her for help... Nicki Styx has her hands full in this funny and fast-moving entertaining book. I am going out today to see if Garey has any more books out there.
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| Christy H. (hawkes@citlink.net) |
Caress of Flame by Sherri L. King |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Being a fan of both Ms. King and her Shikar stories, I was thrilled to read this next book in the Horde Wars series. (Although it isn't necessary to read the whole series in order to be able to enjoy this book, it would definitely help you to understand better.) Full of action, suspense and romance. this storyline and the characters Flare and Isis will hook you from the first page to the last.
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| Genie |
Fire Me Up by Katie MacAlister |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Looking for a paranormal romance with lots of action? This may be the book for you. There are demons, incubi, ghosts, and dragons disguised as humans. Aisling decides to attend a conference in the hope of finding a mentor. Why a mentor? It's difficult to be a Guardian-Demon Keeper when you haven't had any formal training. It's a simple enough plan but complications soon materialize, maybe because one of the dragons decides to claim Aisling as his mate. Then there's the amulet she is supposed to deliver for her uncle's courier service. Since she's wearing the amulet for safe keeping, she encounters all sorts of odd situations and individuals. When two mentors attending the conference die under suspicious circumstances, Aisling's acquaintance to both seems to be the only connection. She soon finds herself forced into the role of detective. Her life depends on it!
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| Judith Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
Brother Odd by Dean Koontz |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I think out of all the three Odd Thomas books, this was the best. I was too sad at the end of the first one, and this ended nicely. But we can rest easy, Odd Thomas will be back with another adventure!
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| Christy H. |
Things That Go Bump in the Night by Lorie O'Clare, J. C. Wilder and Ashleigh Raine |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This collection from three of my favorite authors makes for a perfect Halloween read. Filled with lots of action, fantasy, shape shifting, romance and sex, each story has a fun and entertaining plot with memorable characters.
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| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I remember hearing about this book many years ago and now I finally got around to reading it. It is the diary of a young girl who grew up in the 60s and gets mixed up with drugs. It is pretty sad because you can tell by reading her diary that she really loved her family. They seemed strong, her parents were together, and Alice seems to be an average teenager. So, you try and figure out what could have possibly gone wrong with this young life?
My thought is that part of the reason this happened was because she was a victim of the era. The 60s were very turbulent, between the war, the assignations of King and the Kennedys, and the “hippy” style that was popular then. Drugs were a huge part of this time, and they were popular and easy to get. It also seemed like this girl had very low self-esteem and didn’t feel like she had anyone to talk to about her fears and the drug use. She seemed very manipulated by her friends and the drug scene at school. This book teaches kids and parents several lessons. When the drug use began with this teenager, it was during the summer when she was staying with her grandparents. She had too much freedom to come and go as she pleased and should have been on a tighter rein. Parents should know where their teenager is and who they are with at all times. Open communication is key not only between the teenager and parents, but with teachers and counselors at school as well. The drug scene in schools have not gone away. It may look different than the 60s, but it’s definitely still there. I would recommend this book to all teenagers and parents. It may help someone make a decision to “say no”.
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| Heather M (hmacleod645@hotmail.com) |
Here If You Need Me by Kate Braestrup |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I am reading HERE IF YOU NEED ME by Kate Braestrup --- it's a true story about how a woman overcame her husband's death by becoming what her husband always wanted to be, a minister. It's very heartwarming and I think anyone could relate to |
