| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
My Funny Dad, Harry by Karen Arlettaz Zemek |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This book is about living and dying, and dealing with aging parents and the struggles both sides must go through. Most of all, it is a loving daughter’s tribute to her special father.
|
| Judy O. (joswood@msn.com) |
T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Wow, this is one of the best books in this series! Solana Rojas is the new caretaker of PI Kinsey Millhone's elderly neighbor, Gus Vronsky. Kinsey's suspicions of Rojas crop up soon, but the PI has to prove that the caretaker is a fraud and a sociopath. In the meantime, Rojas continues to physically mistreat her charge and also to steal his assets. Great suspense and characterization. Don't miss this one in the popular "alphabet" series.
|
| Christy H. |
White Hot Holidays: Volume 1 by Lora Leigh, Leda Swann, Cricket Starr, Trista Ann |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This 9-book anthology was a quick and fun read with lots of hot and steamy holiday romance.
|
| Catrina Pomerleau |
Oh My Stars by Lorna Landvik |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The tale of a young woman growing up in the Great Depression.
|
| Gaye McGill |
The Quickie by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Some of the series of events were just too pat, but overall, it was an excellent (quickie) read.
|
| Fran |
Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book examines the question, "How far should a mother go to protect her child?"
Nina is prosecutor who understands the court system and all its flaws. However, when her own child is traumatized, how far would/ should she go to protect him? I had a bit of trouble relating to Nina in this book; however the strength of the other characters kept my interest. I adored Patrick and loved any part of the book that included him. Caleb and Nathaniel were also great characters that will stay with me a long time.
Once again, Jodi Picoult amazes me with her writing style. She has a wonderful ability to take a difficult topic and create a beautiful novel out of it. Her characters are compelling and she manages to have the reader see the issue from all perspectives. I really enjoyed this book, despite the difficult topic.
|
| Bob Keck |
Michael Tolliver Lives by Armistead Maupin |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A playful, fun reworking of the Barbary Lane characters. The book contained loving portrayals of unflinching aging issues without being preachy or boring.
|
| Kay Z |
No Country for Old Men by Cormac MCarthy |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I recommend reading this BEFORE seeing the new movie. I always enjoy envisioning the story in my mind before seeing the movie. They are both great.
|
| Sally B., San Antonio TX |
Clapton: The Autobiography by Eric Clapton |
Rating: 2 Stars |
2.5 stars. The beginning was slow, but you have to get use to his style of writing, which was more like letter-writing. I got tired of reading about all his failed relationships with women though (it went back to when his Mother deserted him and his grandparents raised him). He didn't say directly how he felt about fame (other than the drugs and booze). There were numerous contradictions in words and actions, but then again, people change. The writing needed a lot more editing (additional paragraph starts and pauses). I get the impression that Clapton had a hard time trying to express his true feelings, but wanted to also tell a honest story without bashing anyone. No great literary feat here, but it's interesting if you like his music.
|
| Tanta |
Killing Floor by Lee Child |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This "first novel" got rave reviews from critics, as well it should. It's an excellent and complex story with a twist around every turn.
|
| Chris |
Over Hexed by Vicki Lewis Thompson |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I've enjoyed the book, but not as much as the Nerd books. This book is still a light, fun read, just not quite as good as the others.
|
| Christopher H. |
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A great fantasy Christmas novel.
|
| Linda Moeller (LINDALSHOT@aol.com) |
Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A nice holiday book. Not as good as her longer novels but still a nice, quick holiday read.
|
| Dorothy |
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you are a fan of Stephen King, you are going to love this book . The characters are interesting, and the story is creepy --- everything a horror fan is looking for.
|
| Laura Emerson (a.l.emerson@worldnet.att.net) |
Cotton Song by Tom Bailey |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book has strong characters and covers all emotions. The writer has done such a wonderful job describing the South and MS in this era that you almost feel as if you were there. I live in MS and can say that he has captured it beautifully. You will find yourself angry at the injustice which has befallen Letitia and cheering Baby Allen every step of the way for her courage. This book is one of the best books I have ever read.
|
| Tommy Nichols (Tommyotommy@yahoo.com) |
The Mist by Stephen King |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I'm half way through and it's very disappointing so far.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
The Gift by Richard Paul Evans |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Collin --- a child dying of leukemia and heart disease --- can heal the people he loves, but each healing throws him closer to death. A remarkable story of love and greed, and forgiveness.
|
| Christian Diaz |
Chronicles of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Amazing! This book will catch you as soon as you begin reading. Santiago Nassar story is a completely interesting.
|
| Bonnie |
The Turnaround Kid: What I learned rescuing Ameri by Steve Miller |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I got a preview copy (it'll be out in Feb.) to read and it's terrific. Miller worked on the Chrysler bail-out with Lee Iacocca and the Delphi turnaround, among others. He makes the world of business and finance very understandable to the layman and the stories read like an adventure. It's obvious he enjoyed what he did. The personal side of his story is riveting as well.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
The Prometheus Project: Captured by Douglas E. Richards |
Rating: 5 Stars |
THE PROMETHEUS PROJECT: CAPTURED by Douglas Richards is the second book in the Prometheus Project Series. This young teenager Sci-fi series is about an underground alien city left as an outpost to watch the emerging human race. The main characters are a brother and sister whose parents are brilliant scientists working on a top-secret team to explore and learn all about the alien technology.
|
| Gloria Williams |
Murder by Dewey Decimal by Stephen B. Bagley |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Don't start this book late at night. If you do, you won't get any sleep as you tell yourself that you'll read just one more page. The characters are funny and intelligent. I really liked the chief and his wife. Their relationship was witty and wise and seemed like the natural result of their many years of marriage. Bernard and Lisa took longer to grow on me, probably because they're much younger than I am, but they soon had me hooked. The mystery and the murders --- linked to a local library --- are puzzling, but when they're explained at the end, it all makes perfect sense. Stephen Bagley does a good job of hiding the clues in plain sight. The next book in the series, MURDER BY THE ACRE, is supposed to be out in early 2008, and I'm looking forward to it. The author needs to write faster! Faster!
|
| Paula C. |
The Careful Use Of Compliments by Alexander McCall Smith |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the fourth book in the Isabel Dalhousie series (Sunday Philosophy Club) and I enjoyed it just as much as the others. I will look forward to the next installment. Isabel has such interesting relationships and is known for "interfering" at times with things that she finds amiss. Although it is somewhat of a mystery, it is more of a philosophical study.
|
| Joan B. |
Double Cross by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Alex Cross is back on the police force and confronts a serial killer who loves the limelight. A fast-paced read. I'm glad to see Patterson can still write after the let down of YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.
|
| Marsha |
Leftovers by Laura Wiess |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Two young girls bond together to offset their strange lives and loneliness, and the consequences of their actions will cause you to wonder if they made a proper decision. The road through puberty is a rough one, indeed.
|
| Patricia (patriciart@aol.com) |
Operation Shylock by Philip Roth |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I must admit I am having a bit of trouble staying awake through this one. This is strange and often interesting, but he is spending a lot of pages bashing Israel and its existence in the wake of the Palestinians' loss of their lands. I intend to continue to the end and hope I can stay awake and finish this before Christmas takes over. I am not Jewish but find the topics Roth covers usually very riveting.
|
| Carol Hoyer from VA (pageant4u@hotmail.com) |
Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir by Janlice Erlbaum |
Rating: 4 Stars |
At the age of 15, Janice Erlbaum left her chaotic home life to the streets of New York. Having no money and nowhere to go, she ended up in a girls' shelter. Not having the necessary coping skills she still managed to survive --- but not without using drugs, drinking and having unprotected sex.
I found this to be rather slow in the beginning; however, it did give good details about how she ended up on the streets.
|
| 1dogyear |
The Watchman by Harlen Coben |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the latest in Coben's Elvis Cole series, this time featuring Joe Pike, Cole's partner and the classic man of few words. The plot moves apace, but what made this book memorable to me is the insight into Pike's character. Melancholy envelops him and he accepts it stoically. Yet, the more we learn about Pike, the less we really know.
|
| Claudia Graff |
Buffalo for the Broken Heart by Dan O'Brien |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the best book I've read all year! It is a memoir about living and ranching in western South Dakota. You'll fall in love with the people of the prairie and you'll also fall in love with the buffalo! There are many important lessons here on life, loss, and love. Mr. O'Brien is passionate about S.D. and the buffalo he raises, and it translates into a warm and tender book. I can't recommend it enough!
|
| ck |
Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Three wives tell the strange story of Ken Kimble's rise from being a minister of music to a real estate tycoon. Strong, memorable characters make this book very satisfying.
|
| ck |
The Innocent Man by John Grisham |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Ada, OK is certainly not a place to find yourself in jail. This is a frightening true story where law enforcement officials were determined to prosecute without proper evidence. Credos to The Innocents Project. Grisham is a masterful storyteller, but there is a bit too much repetition of facts.
|
| ck |
Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Do you like to add one new Christmas book to your collection each year? This is a lovely picture book by the author of ANGELA'S ASHES. It is appropriate to read aloud to adults as well as children.
|
| Priscilla E. |
The Owl & Moon Cafe by Jo-Ann Mapson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is a nice read. It is about the Moons --- a family who has problems and secrets. I think you'll enjoy it.
|
| Julie Towson |
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a wonderful memoir of the author's coming of age in the fifties and sixties. Some parts are laugh-out-loud funny. Bill Bryson is a gifted writer, as anyone who has read A WALK IN THE WOODS will surely agree.
|
| Melanie |
Agnes and the Hitman by Julie Crusie and Bob Mayer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A really enjoyable read that is lots of fun. I actually read it in one afternoon because I was enjoying it so much.
|
| Cynthia baxter |
Run by Ann Patchett |
Rating: 3 Stars |
While I enjoyed the story of the Doyle inter-racial family, I was disappointed that ultimately, this book became predictable. I was hoping for more from Ann Patchett. Relationships are messy and families are imperfect --- what started out as a wonderfully complex mixture of characters ended in a hurried clean-up job. It didn't need to be buttoned-down so abruptly; it gave the impression that the writer became tired of the subject.
|
| Susan D (susandyer1962@aol.com) |
Thriller by Various authors |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a collection of short thriller stories! I'm only on the seventh story and this book is really getting to me! If you like these kinds of stories, do not hesitate to get this book! You won't be sorry! Once you start reading, you wont be able to stop!!
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This is about a of small, Southern town, and the baggage that we all carry of family obligations and how we handle them. It's a story of blindness, deafness, love, and responsibility.
|
| Susan De Feo |
Beach Music by Pat Conroy |
Rating: 2 Stars |
Yes, I liked THE PRINCE OF TIDES, written by this author, but this book made me fall asleep after a few pages each night. Yes, I loved the settings in Rome and South Carolina, but the characters were many and they were all boring. I never cared for any of them and could care less about the so-called plot line.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the story of Nonny Frett, an illegitimate child who was adopted by another family. Both families live in a small southern town and both families hate each other. Nonny is loyal to her adoptive family but she is pulled to her birth family in a way she does not understand. Add to that, a husband who has done her wrong and whom she can’t seem to leave, and a lifelong friend who has stolen her heart. This book grabbed me from the beginning and held me right up to the last word. A funny, heartwarming, entertaining read. I highly recommend it.
|
| Genie |
Web of Evil by J. A. Jance |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Ali Reynolds is going back to L. A. to finalize her divorce with her estranged husband, Paul. She is looking forward to the closure of her broken marriage, knowing that she will finally be able to get on with her life. The process, however, comes to a standstill when Paul is murdered and his body (hands and feet bound) found in the desert. The answers to who did it and why are especially important to Ali since the L.A.P.D. put her name at the top of the list of suspects.
|
| Marsha |
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a beautifully written book that brings to mind the challenges of all immigrants who face losing part of their culture to become enmeshed in American culture. It is a finely detailed family saga that will appeal to all.
|
| Kate |
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I enjoyed this Gothic story about the biographer of a famous author, with many references back to JANE EYRE and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. Everyone in my book club liked it also --- a first for us as a group!
|
| Judy O. |
The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Eighteen-year-old Kara Churchill accidentally runs over and kills another teenage girl on the last day of school before summer break. She is consumed with guilt, and her family is vainly trying to make sense of the tragedy themselves. Their struggle to do this is the plot of this compelling book. It certainly makes one think about what they would do if this were to happen to one of their teenage drivers. Thought-provoking story.
|
| L. Hann |
Our Iceberg Is Melting by John Kotter |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is great for anyone, at any age, at any time in their lives. This book can be applied to everyday life, work, school etc. Find out how to deal with change and what type of person you are on adapting to change.
|
| M Monahan |
River God by Wilbur Smith |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A fascinating novel about ancient Egypt that is based on real scrolls that were found in a tomb in 1988. Some may consider this more of a "man" book as there are quite a few battle and hunting scenes.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
A Walk for Sunshine by Jeff Alt |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I found so many endearing anecdotes in this book. I couldn’t keep quiet when I stumbled across one. Every couple of pages or so, I’d yell to my husband, Steve, “Hey, listen to this,” and I’d read a passage out of the book.
|
| L. Hann |
Black Creek Crossing by John Saul |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Can't put this book down. Angel and her parents move to a house that everyone thinks is haunted. Angel's friend Seth sees something in the house that Angel has seen. Join them as they try to figure out what really happened in the house years ago and why it is haunted.
|
| Kathy Kasten |
Girl in the Mirror by Mary Alice Monroe |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A disfigured young woman has plastic surgery and becomes a real beauty and movie star. She finds love along the way and then discovers there's a problem that will harm her looks.
|
| Kathy Kasten |
The 5th Horseman by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro |
Rating: 3 Stars |
The Women's Murder Club is back in this mediocre book by Patterson. Murders are occurring in the hospital, including the mother of one of the women. This was not as good as his other books.
|
| J. P. Feingold |
A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A fast read that could help change your life. Very inspirational.
|
| CC |
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Loved this book!! Mystery, romance, thriller --- it had it all.
|
| Kathy Kasten |
Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A recent widow starts over and becomes an animal control officer on a remote island. She finds a dog that has been struck by an arrow and rehabilitates him. She must solve the mystery of who hurt the dog, why, and who the owner is.
|
| Callista (calllista83@cogeco.ca) |
Through a Brief Darkness by Richard Peck |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I had major deja vu when reading this book. I think I may have read it before, but I couldn't remember what happened before it happened so if I did, it was many years ago. This is the first Richard Peck I've ever read and I loved it.
It's the story of Karen Beatty, who --- after switching schools many times --- is called into the Principal's office and told her father's secretary called and she is to take her passport and leave school immediately. She is met at the airport by a new employee of her dad's she's never met before and is sent off to London. She is told little, mostly just that she's going to live with her cousins for a while till her dad contacts her. There is something very strange about her cousins and the whole situation, but by the time she figures things out, she's running for her life.
It was very involving, I had trouble putting it down, which doesn't usually happen with teen fiction, no matter how good it is. I hope the rest of Richard Peck's books are this good.
|
| Diane Dubay |
Privilege & Scandal by Janet Gleeson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A lot of people know about Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, but not as many know about her sister Harriett, who was a figurehead in her own right in the ages of George III. Think Nicky and Paris Hilton except with style, brains AND political acumen and sway!
|
| Kate Sender |
Deadly Beloved by Max Allan Collins |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Really 4.5 --- a return to the classic pulp fiction in the style of Raymond Chandler. DEADLY BELOVED is a tight, action-adventure, detective mystery featuring a believable female PI who doesn't give up and keeps the reader engrossed as well through intricate plotting to the the satisfying ending.
|
| Callista (calllista83@cogeco.ca) |
Life's Little Rituals by Alexandria |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A very neat book of rituals for any and every occasion, from first tooth to first blood, to first job ,to having a sibling leave home, to divorce, to death, and everything in between...
Morning and Bed routine, laundry ritual, new car, new roommate, decision to live together, pregnancy, home alone, graduation, beginning of seasons, work commutes, hiring, new credit card, change in eating habits, mammogram, speaking in public and more.
What’s better, they are non-religious rituals. You can be any religion or no religion and still use them. By ritual, the author means any little thing you do to commemorate the event. Great book.
|
| Karen |
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Funny novel about a family of PIs. I hope there's a sequel, similar to the Evanavich style. The first chapter absolutely hooked me.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book has the WOW factor! I didn't know who the killer was until the end. But be warned, this book is graphic, dark, and disturbing --- not for the faint at heart. What an awesome ending! I didn't see it coming.
|
| Linda Sheehan (linda.lsheehan@gmail.com) |
Broken For You by Stepahie Kallos |
Rating: 5 Stars |
It amazed me that this well-crafted novel was Kallos's first novel. I absolutely loved it and the characters portrayed. I didn't want it to end. I got totally immersed in the lives of the characters and cared for them. From the lonely, long-divorced elderly Margaret to the young woman, Wanda, that she takes in as a boarder, you will be enchanted. The title infers much more than the breaking of china. I hope the author has many more books to offer in future.
|
| Bert |
Double Cross by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
James Patterson's books are much more interesting, when he writes alone. When he has other authors included in his novels, there is always something missing.
|
| Patty Shogren (p12a11s49@aol.com) |
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is one of the best books I have read. It's a fictional story with the true history of the island of Moloka'i in Hawaii. It's about a young girl with leprosy and her life on the island in captivity. I can't say enough good things about it.
|
| Bonnie |
Stoner by John Williams |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This remarkable character study starts slowly and builds. I can't recall the last time I read a book that so got into the head of the central character.
|
| Marsha |
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A comic account of what could happen if the Queen took up the hobby of reading. "Books do not care who was reading them or whether one read them or not. All readers were equal, herself included." The love of literature is contagious and we often forget what a precious gift it is.
|
| Elaine Campbell |
The Night In Question by Tobias Wolff |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Incredibly written short stories that will have you clamoring for more. I now search out his material whenever I can. The New Yorker is a good source.
|
| Elaine Campbell |
Lolita by Vladamir Nabakov |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The opening lines alone are enough to set one off on an interesting journey...
"Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta."
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
The Sky's Not Falling! by Holly Fretwell |
Rating: 5 Stars |
She encourages the reader to research global warming. Knowledge is power and her belief is clear. “Human innovation and creativity have already changed the world for the better countless times…and they will again.”
|
| A. Thomas |
The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I just finished this one last night, and it's very good. Recommended.
|
| Ana |
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a very different story from the one found in the first book of the series, POISON STUDY. POISON STUDY is a coming-of-age story in many ways. It follows a battered (but, by no means, broken) girl on her path to herself and her freedom. The second book, MAGIC STUDY, finds her on her own again, this time so she can learn how to wield the power she has found within herself to help others. It is the perfect setup in the sense that the amazing repertoire between Valek and Yelena (our girl) may be lost for most of the story, but we see Yelena truly find her own (something that would have been hard to do with her highly protective, nearly invincible lover cracking his knuckles over her shoulder...not that Valek would ever be so overt). I have high hopes that the soon-to-be-released FIRE STUDY will reach the bar set by its predecessors. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I don't give anything 5 stars.
|
| Thomas |
The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Detective Gus Ramone works the Violent Crimes Branch in a bad area of D.C. A serial killer, not heard from in many years, has apparently resurfaced. Called The Palindrome Killer, since the names of his victims can be spelled forward or backward, his latest victim is a school friend of Gus' son. Meanwhile, a couple of serious troublemakers, Conrad Gaskins and Romeo Brock, are cruising the 'hood, looking for any number of ways to make a quick buck and not caring who gets hurt. Pelecanos has a way of making the reader feel like you're right there where the action is.
|
| Monica Jordan (mjordan1@yahoo.com) |
Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I have read several Dennis Lehane books and this one is, by far, my favorite. It is quite suspenseful with many twists and turns that keep you guessing. At times, the descriptions are so vivid, you can hardly stand it. It is a story about a search for a missing girl with a bunch of grisly characters as suspects. This book shows the darker side of human nature.
|
| Janice |
Now You See Him by Eli Gottlieb |
Rating: 3 Stars |
The author is a very gifted storyteller; however, this story lacks substance. It was only 261 pages. More time could have been spent developing the story and characters instead of only a fast read.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another book I had to read for work. This is a fable about a colony of penguins who discover their iceberg is melting and come together to decide what to do about it. Employees can use this fable as a guide in helping them put through change in their company. It is an interesting book and I am glad I read it.
|
| Gale |
Double Cross by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Patterson's best books are his Alex Cross series and DOUBLE CROSS doesn't disappoint. Cross assists the D. C. Police in chasing a vicious killer who craves attention. Cross also has to watch his back because his old nemesis, Kyle Craig, is back in the picture.
|
| Ana |
Poison Sudy by Maria V. Snyder |
Rating: 4 Stars |
POISON STUDY is the book that you see in the store and you think, "...hmmm cool name...Way better cover art than the rest of my SF/Fantasy collection...I wonder." You pick it up, flip through the pages, don’t really read any, and decide it is probably a gimmick. Then you buy it anyway because the cover is so pretty (and maybe hate yourself a little for being so shallow). You go home, sit on the sofa then read the first page. After than you can't possibly move for the next few hours and finally come up for air with a horrible neck cramp and the utter satisfaction that comes with being in the middle of a great story. You decide that it was your amazing subconscious book radar that led you to your purchase, not a pretty cover. It has enough of the regular markers of the genre to make it a comfortable read, but it is told in such a fresh way with very original twists that make it completely new and enjoyable. Yelena's is a world you will not want to leave. The story continues at full speed through the sequel, MAGIC STUDY, which tells a very new tale but still upholds the quality of the first. The third book. FIRE STUDY, should prove to continue this tradition upon its release.
I only don't give it 5 stars because I never give anything 5 stars.
|
| Dot L. |
Cloud Nine by Luanne Rice |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Normally I consider her books "beach reads", but CLOUD NINE really struck a chord with me. I could relate to the main character's love for her family, friends and especially for the man she falls in love with. I cried at the sad ending.
|
| Diana (bearzwitch) (bearzwitch@gmail.com) |
The Missing by Chris Mooney |
Rating: 5 Stars |
It had me spellbound from the very first page. Mr. Mooney writes well and draws people into his characters' lives. To imaging surviving a harrowing experience and have it come back to haunt you all over again is the premise of the plot. I can only tell you that you won't be disappointed and you will find yourself trying to keep reading, no matter what is going on.
|
| Joanna |
Dissolution by C. J. Sansom |
Rating: 4 Stars |
England in the year 1537. Henry VIII has proclaimed himself head of the church. Thomas Cromwell is sending commissioners to the monasteries to find reasons for dissolution. One of his commissioners is brutally murdered and Matthew Shardlake is sent to find the killer. I could almost smell the odors as described and the story was also great with a surprising ending. I have ordered another of C. J. Sansom's books from my library and will probably read them all. I do that when I find an author I really like.
|
| Neil Wasserman |
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Good light read. I enjoyed it more than my wife did.
|
| Karen |
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I'm listening to the author read his book on tape. What a lyrical writer.
|
| Neil Wasserman |
Snow in August by Pete Hamill |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Highly recommended --- I've added it to my "all-time best reading list"
|
| Neil Wasserman |
The Book Thief by Michael Zusak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An intimate view of Holocaust victims, this book is written from a different perspective than most. It is highly recommended and an addition to my all-time best reads list.
|
| Dena |
Atlantis Awakening by Alyssa Day |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was such a good story, I didn't want to put it down. The lost continent of Atlantis is lost no more and Alyssa brings to life wonderful characters that have many different gifts and powers.
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| Janice |
The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright |
Rating: 4 Stars |
If you are a Nicholas Sparks fan and enjoyed THE NOTEBOOK, you will definitely enjoy THE WEDNESDAY LETTERS.
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
High Five by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Could being a bounty hunter really be this much fun? Well maybe not for the rest of us, but when Stephanie Plum is behind the wheel, the adventures never cease. Go along with Stephanie for the ride of your life when you pick this book up. And be prepared to not be able to put it down.
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another hilarious installment in the Stephanie Plum series. You cannot read this book and not find yourself completely drawn in. The characters are so colorful and full of life.
|
| Lorna |
Step On a Crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This book was just okay. It took me a long time to read it; I felt I was wasting my time and I could have been reading something better. I haven't enjoyed the last two Patterson books I have read, but despite being disappointed, he is still one of my favorite authors.
|
| Lorna |
Crash by Jerry Spinelli |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I read this "tween" book because my 6th grade daughter had to read it and do a project on it. The book touches upon middle-school situations and relationships between the kids and of course a moral at the end.
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| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
The Last Noel by Heather Graham |
Rating: 2 Stars |
There is so much wrong with this book. Bottom line, it lacks believability.
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Lottery by Patricia Wood |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Excellent story! Wood did an awesome job of drawing up her characters and breathing life into them. Perry's story is not only interesting, but it makes you put your treatment of others into perspective as well.
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Eye Contact by Cammie McGovern |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great book! A must read for anyone, whether you have ties with someone autistic or not. It shoes that shows labels aren't all they're cracked up to be.
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This YA fiction book is a great one for women or men of all ages. If you or anyone you know has been affected sexual abuse, no matter at what age, this is a great book for you to read and/or recommend. The story, though fiction, deals with the main character's attack and the lasting affects it has had on her life. This book shows that while sometimes silence is easiest, it is not the way you have to go. It shows you that you can open up to someone else for help and support.
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Superb chick-lit! If you need a light but engaging read, this is one for you. Stephanie Plum is a hoot!
|
| Ivy |
Feeling for Bones by Bethany Price |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A deep and incisive trip into the world of a girl who is anorexic, although society hasn't yet to define it as such. The daughter of a preacher, she struggles to think and be normal. A great piece of writing by a new writer!
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| Wendy Catalano |
Immoral by Brian Freeman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An amazing read! I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. It's the first in a series, followed by STRIPPED and STALKED.
|
| Sue |
Cell: A Novel by Stephen King |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This man can weave a story about anything and keep you riveted. In Cell, a phenomenon occurs, later referred to as The Pulse, delivered via cell phone to all with those little gadgets. Basically, their brains crash like a computer, and the world becomes a very dark and scary place.
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Three for the Money by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Surely it can't get better than this?! Stephanie Plum is at it again, and her misadventures aren't getting any duller.
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| Jane (JerJanKel@aol.com) |
The Blade Itself by Marcus Sakey |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I'm not quite finished with this book so I can't give it five stars, but it is shaping up to be a terrific read. It's a story about a former thief, clean for seven years, who inadvertently is drawn back into the life of crime to try and save the new life he has carved out for himself. Finely drawn characters and on-the-edge-of-your-seat action makes this little talked-about title a keeper for me!
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| Bobbe Banks Salkowitz |
Abstinence by Tom Perotta |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Tom Perotta creates a world that most of us can easily step into, and then creates a twist that makes it his special world
|
| Marsha |
Gallows View by Peter Robinson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the first Inspector Banks mystery, which introduces you to his family and working mates. It's a well-crafted police procedural in the British manner.
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Will Stephanie's bounty hunter lifestyle finally prove to be too dangerous for those around her? Don't miss this 7th installment in Evanovich's sure to please chick-lit series. Funny funny funny!
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another guilty pleasure. Stephanie Plum is so addicting; I love this series!
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| Rebekah Crain (littleminx@cox.net) |
Four to Score by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The fun just keeps coming! Janet Evanovich does it again. You can't beat Stephanie, Grandma Mazur, Joe, Ranger, and the gang.
|
| Fran |
Speak Softly, She Can Hear by Pam Lewis |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A good psychological thriller with a manipulative villain. Overall, not a bad first book for this author; however, some parts in the middle dragged a bit. I enjoyed it overall.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
The Simple Truth by David Baldacci |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An eye opener concerning the Supreme Court and the military. THE SIMPLE TRUTH is about a wrongly accused man in a military prison for 25 years and his attempts at freedom, and the working of the Supreme Court.
|
| Elaine |
The Woods by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I read this book because it was highly recommended by a number of readers from this site. However, I thought there were too many story lines. After the last chapter, I had to review in my mind all the different people, who had murdered who and why...the story could have been more interesting if there had been less plot lines and less people involved.
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| Carole (leonebear@aol.com) |
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book was a fictionalized account of the author's real experiences during the war, in which German troops occupied her home while the men were fighting or imprisoned.
|
| Lisa M. |
You've Been Warned by James Patterson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An absolutely amazing book with a mind-blowing ending. I had no idea what was coming!
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Crimson Joy by Robert B. Parker |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I always enjoy the Spenser mysteries, but this was one of the better ones. A serial killer (Red Rose Killer) is loose in Boston and he could possibly be a patient of Susan’s. Susan and Spenser have gone through quite a transformation in their relationship. I respect Parker’s effort in setting a great example of what a very close and intimate relationship can be like. Communication is key and Parker nailed it. I felt like Susan and Spenser became closer in this book. Their jobs became interlinked and they handled it well. Parker has not lost his touch with the wit and humor of the Spenser series either. I have great respect for Parker and his infamous character.
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| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The central character of the story is Tom Langdon, an investigative reporter who is currently writing about furniture, following his more adventurous existence with his longtime girl friend, Eleanor, in foreign lands covering wars and such. He decides to take a cross-country train trip partly to fulfill a request from his now deceased father, partly to reflect on his own life, and to see a friend on the West Coast. There are colorful characters on the train and one gets good insight into the domain of travel by rail. Tom is very surprised to find that Eleanor is on the same train. He has never forgotten her, but has not seen her since she left him while overseas. He is overwhelmed by the coincidence and does some checking to try to verify that it, indeed, was a coincidence.
For Eleanor, seeing Tom was certainly not love at second sight. After being snowbound in Colorado, the train continues to L.A., where mysteries are solved and some surprises revealed. This was a great Christmas story. I read it in 2004, but since it was an assigned book for one of my bookclubs, I read it again. I am glad I did. I had forgotten a lot. I recommend reading this, if merely for the trains.
|
| Tony Banks |
The Oasis by Wilson Crawford |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is Southern fiction and takes place in Charleston and in North Carolina. The characters are developed well and the story takes interesting twists and turns. I think this is Crawford's best book yet.
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| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I personally thought this was her best work. That said, the format was a MP3 audio. If I had to read it, then maybe I wouldn't have felt so strongly. But I have no way of knowing.
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| Danna Lambert (dannalamb@aol.com) |
Anatomy of Fear by Jonathan Santlofer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Very interesting approach, with each turning point illustrated by a police sketch artist's impressions. Engrossing and unique.
|
| Christy H. |
Sugar and Spice by Fern Michaels, Beverly Barton, et al |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The reason I bought this Christmas-themed anthology is to read "The Twelve Desserts of Christmas" by Joanne Fluke. I have fallen in love with Fluke's Hannah Swensen Murder Mysteries and this novella did not disappoint. It was filled with her fun and lovable characters and delicious recipes this was a lighthearted treat.
Fern Michaels is another author that I enjoy and her story, "The Christmas Stocking" was a fun tale.
"The Ghost Of Christmas Past" by Beverly Barton is set in a cabin in the woods with her snowbound characters and a lot of sexual tension.
And, add another yummy holiday recipe in Shirley Jump's "Twelve Days" office romance story to conclude this fun holiday themed book.
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| Sally B., San Antonio TX |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling |
Rating: 3 Stars |
3.5 stars. I think out of all the books, this one was the most juvenile. The action was almost nonstop and, to me, confusing. Someone said that this book tied up a lot of loose ends, but after reading the series for over an 8-year span, I couldn't remember all the loose ends! I think Rowling crammed too much into this last book to end the series.
|
| Lisa M. |
Choosing Sophie by Leslie Carroll |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A wonderful surprise. While at times it could be a little predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A very warm, heartfelt book, with a bit of realism thrown in.
|
| Lisa M. |
7th Heaven by James Patterson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Outstanding new book in the Women's Murder Club series, to be published in February 2008. I really enjoyed this book from the first page to the last.
|
| Lisa M. |
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham |
Rating: 2 Stars |
Dreadfully slow read. I really did not enjoy it whatsoever, and had a really hard time getting to the end of the book. I wish that Grisham would go back to the good ole days of books such as THE FIRM and A TIME TO KILL. His recent books have not been a hit with me.
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| Kathleen Vogel (kvsoon@aol.com) |
The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is amazing for a debut author. It is the coming-of-age story of a 12-year-old girl, Alice, who is coping with the death of a schoolmate, a depressed mother, a runaway sister and a dreaming father. This is not a warm, fuzzy, feel-good novel. If you like happy endings all tied up in a knot, beware --- this novel might not be for you. But as a wonderful seemingly realistic narrative of an adolescent trying to figure out what life is about, it will keep you thinking well into the New Year.
|
| Kathy |
The Cat Who Killed Lilian Jackson Braun: A Parody by Robert Kaplan |
Rating: 1 Stars |
If I could give this book a lower number of stars, I would. I eagerly sought out this book, as I am a big fan of Ms. Braun's The Cat Who... books. I think parodies can be amusing and fun, but this author has gone beyond being funny and/or amusing. In fact, if I were Ms. Braun, I would be embarrassed to have my name on this book. Mr. Kaplan has filled this book with many other than wholesome scenes, vocabulary, etc. --- which is so unlike those in Ms. Braun's books. I am glad I borrowed the book from my library and did not waste money on it. Even the storyline is very, very weak and unrealistic (and an insult to Ms. Braun) and much of the "parody" is so bad and includes so much junk, I had difficulty reading it. I definitely do not recommend this or any of this author's books to anyone, if this is an example of his writing. As I said, a parody can be fun to read, and many of them are. Had the author stuck with being funny, the book might have had a chance.
|
| Kathy |
Alexander and the Wondeful, Marvelous, Excellent by Judith Viorst |
Rating: 5 Stars |
ALEXANDER AND THE WONDERFUL, MARVELOUS, EXCELLENT TERRIFIC 90 DAYS s Viorst at her best for adults. This is the account of her youngest son (of ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY), his wife and their three children moving back home while their own house is being renovated. Anyone who has had a child move back home --- or even return from college for the summer --- will relate. Loved it.
|
| Christy H |
Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This 6th book in the series is a delight. It's filled with Ms. Fluke's wonderful sense of humor, the characters that I've come to love, and a buffet of recipes. I highly recommend this holiday mystery.
|
| Lisa M. |
High Noon by Nora Roberts |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Nora Robert's at her best. A remarkable page turner that which was hard to put down.
|
| Cynthia Harney |
Dawn of Empire by Sam Barone |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the author's first book and I know it will not be the last. It is written so well and with so much detail. It is a novel that takes you back before Christ. It has action, love and drama. I could not stop turning the pages.
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| Patricia in Calgary |
You've Been Warned by James Patterson & Howard Roughan |
Rating: 2 Stars |
I have always loved James Patterson's books. This one was a little different and had a somewhat confusing ending. If anyone can explain it, please do! It is easy reading with short chapters. I finished it in one night. I think the storyline was a bit weak and I kept comparing it with all the other books I have read by him. It just doesn't measure up. It still has an entertainment factor, though, and I will continue to read books with his name on them.
|
| Carol Hoyer from VA (pageant4u@hotmail.com) |
Shattered Dreams, Broken Promises by Michael Viner |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An excellent read on young Russian women wanting to come to America for a better life regardless of cost. He talks about internet marriages, marrying for the green card, the abuses, and sex trade that women sometimes go through to get to their ideal life.
I was stunned by what these women would go through to get what they wanted.
I couldn't put this book down.
|
| Gerry Chevalier |
The Sixth Target by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have always enjoyed Patterson for his style of writing, short chapters, and interesting characters, particularly the Women`s Murder Club Mysteries, which is currently airing on television every Friday evening. His writing captures your attention and has you waiting for each new book to hit the shelves.
|
| Susan De Feo |
90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper |
Rating: 2 Stars |
It is touted as a true story. The only believable part is the fact that he survived a horrific ordeal and lived to write the book.
His visualization of heaven was somewhat unbelievable, especially the scene of the apparently small gate of heaven, small walls and no ceiling. The title should read, "My Survival of a Near Death Experience."
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
The Meaning Of Life by Ronnie Lee |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This book describes life, its problems and solutions to these problems. It's divided in two parts. Part One is ‘The Meaning of Life,’ which consists of 35 poems, and Part Two, ‘A Return to Existentialism’, has 91 poems. Lee’s use of poetry allows the reader to feel the interrelatedness, and also allows the reader to explore deeper on the meanings.
|
| Karen |
Another Country by Mary Pipher, PHD |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The subtitle sums it up for this non-fiction account: "Navigating the emotional terrain of our elders." This is a frank, poignant, truthful account of our elders in this country, their needs, and their wants. Very informative for any age!
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| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
The Amen Sisters by Angela Benson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book has a suicide, a trip to a mental health clinic, and a cheating husband all before chapter one is over.
This drama centers around two sisters, their church, and its parishioners with a tough issue to deal with --- infidelity.
|
| Marsha |
Vapor Trail by Chuck Logan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another Phil Broker book that never fails to please. I think this is his best yet. Fantastic action and fascinating characters along with a plot that keeps you turning pages.
|
| LouBabe |
Sanctuary by Brenda Novak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Hope Tanner was raised in a polygamist town and had been lucky enough to get away. Now she is determined to go back and risk facing the ghosts of her past in order to help her sister get out.
|
| Cynthia Baxter |
The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Nothing like diving into the twisted mind of Christopher Moore at Christmas time.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Good to Great by Jim Collins |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I was assigned to read this book for a leadership class I am taking for work. I was not looking forward to reading this book; however, when I read the first few chapters I was really excited, it was turning out to be a very interesting book. I enjoy books where you can learn, not by reading terms, definitions and boring data, but by reading about real life examples of the terms, definitions and data. There was a lot of information about companies like Gillette, Kimberly Clark, Circuit City, Nukor, Fannie Mae and Kruger (to name a few). These are companies that Collins’s team ear marked as “Good to Great” companies. The book was a lesson on how these companies became “Good to Great”. Part of the research was a comparison of these “Good to Great” companies to other companies that had several similar characteristics but were not as successful like Bank of America, Chrysler, A&P and R. J. Reynolds. The excitement of this book wore off, however, in the middle when to me it started to get a bit redundant and wordy. I actually couldn’t wait to finish it and read something I want to, not have to.
|
| Clare Pyle (pyle.clare@yahoo.com) |
Rainbow Walking by Marie Fras Cribari |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I predict RAINBOW WALKING to be a real surprise sleeper. I am an avid reader of suspense and couldn't put this book down. The story reads like a fast-paced movie. The characters are darkly humorous and more than a little quirky. I found myself wanting to hang out with them long after the unexpected and jolting twist at the end of their run. There were a few editorial mistakes, but nothing that kept me from being engrossed. This unknown new author is worth reading and watching. I can't wait for the sequel. I had to go online to find it at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.
|
| Dottie Mallerich |
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I really loved this book despite its dark subject matter of Hansen's disease. The characters were so real and the storyline very easy to follow
|
| Christy H |
Bayou Justice by Robin Caroll |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Ms. Caroll's debut novel BAYOU JUSTICE is the first book in the Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense line of books that I've read and I was very impressed not only with the author, but also with the book and this line. This suspenseful thriller set in the Louisiana Bayou is an entertaining and riveting read. The relationship of main characters, Coco and Luc, as they work together to solve a murder and the transformation that comes with second chances and forgiveness will touch your heart. The interesting and intriguing secondary characters and the beautiful and vivid descriptions left me anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
|
| Laura Suttell (suttell@gmail.com) |
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book tells the fictional story of Mamah Borthwick Cheney's relationship with Frank Lloyd Wright.
|
| Paula |
White Corridor by Christopher Fowler |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the fifth book in a series featuring Bryant & May, Senior Detectives, who work in the Peculiar Crimes Unit in London. I like the characters and could see this becoming a PBS mini-series.
|
| LouBabe |
Snow by Brenda Novak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Good seasonal reading. This was a cute story about a gal who gets stranded in a snow storm. I've been hoping for a sequel to this book.
|
| Cynthia Baxter |
Run by Ann Patchett |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Ann Patchett's latest novel is proving to be on par with BEL CANTO and TRUTH & BEAUTY. It's wonderfully written, and is the Pierce County Book Club's December selection.
|
| Louise Pledge (LouBabe@juno.com) |
The Last Noel by Jean Hager |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Jean has, apparently, written a whole series of books about Tess Darcy who inherited a huge home and converted it into a bed and breakfast. This is the first one I have read, but intend to get the others now that I have become so fascinated with the characters. One of her guests is murdered, and Tess takes on the job of learning whodunnit!
|
| Cheryl Green |
Rainbow Walking by Marie Fras Cribari |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great story! Though it may need better editing, this thrilling story kept me reading! ait was hard to put down.
|
| Melanie |
Double Cross by James Patterson |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I had swore I wasn't going to buy any more James Patterson books because it seemed like he was more concerned with quantity than quality. However, because of a book club mix-up, I found myself with this title. I'm actually pleasantly surprised so far. The plotting has been pretty good and I'm actually enjoying catching up with Alex Cross. It's one of the more enjoyable James Patterson novels that I've read.
|
| Bethann |
Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is laugh-out-loud funny.
|
| Bethann |
A Christmas Beginging by Anne Perry |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Love this combination of a holiday story with a murder mystery. Anne Perry has many great Christmas books.
|
| Peggy |
50 Harbor Street by Debbie Macomber |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The fifth book in the Cedar Cove series and its residents. Mysterious postcards are mailed to the local private investigator and his wife finds one. Their daughter moves to Cedar Cove to work at a new medical clinic. She has her heart set on the new doctor. You will enjoy the drama the characters of Cedar Cove encounter.
|
| LouBabe |
A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This will be one of my all time faves. To summarize, it would be to give away a clever plot, so I'll just promise you entertainment if you pick it up. It was recommended to me by a lab technician who saw me reading while I waited for my tests. She and her family had been passing out around, they all liked it so much.
|
| Victoria |
Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An alternative single mom attempting to raise a child who wants to "fit in" with her peers, while dealing with her own mother's Alzheimer's. Ms. Porter digs in and tackles today's issues with compassion and humor. A beautiful read that I found to be inspiring.
|
| AmeK |
The Good Guy by Dean Koontz |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is definitely one of Koontz's best books. The story pulls you in from the first and keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. The characters, especially the good guy Tim, have as many layers as an onion, revealing something new at each turn.
|
| Marjorie Clark (marjclark@comcast.net) |
Double Cross by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The book's quick start that grabs you from the first page. It's true Patterson --- plot, excitement and love life. I'm enjoying this latest Alex Cross novel as well as all of the others. After the previous Cross book, I thought that the series was over. Thanks to Patterson's great writing, I think there's more to come.
|
| Jean |
A Christmas Beginning by Anne Perry |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I was disappointed in this latest Victorian Christmas mystery. The story was flat and I didn't care much about any of the characters. Perry's other Christmas novels are lovely.
|
| Jean |
Now and Then by Robert Parker |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I really enjoyed this newest book by Robert B. Parker. As usual, the story moves along and is infused with Parker's witty dialogue.
|
| CC |
Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Romance, adventure and mystery on the high seas. Fast-paced beach read.
|
| Sally Williams |
A House Divided by Deborah LeBlanc |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Deborah LeBlanc can really capture the essence of the South, Louisiana style. For sheer escapist reading with a bit of brio, A HOUSE DIVIDED is a great choice. This neat little horror story begins with the premise of a house remodeling in a small southern town. Unfortunately, the house's inhabitants don't want a remodel, so many weird happenings ensue. There are exterior strangenesses afoot as well, including massive spider webs and a serial killer. There are several ingratiating characters here, a bit of romance and a great deal of madness and mayhem. It is an exciting read with some plot turns you won't expect. LeBlanc is rather new in this genre and each book seems better than the last.
|
| Thomas |
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I needed an easy-to-read, engaging book for the evening and this one was perfect. High school sophomore Janie Johnson sees her own face on a milk carton, as she looked 12 years earlier. She then knows she was kidnapped and the mom and dad she loves are not her real parents. She is torn between doing nothing and letting her real parents never know what happened to her, or notifying them and losing the only real family she knows.
|
| Sharon Lumb |
Shopoholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella |
Rating: 3 Stars |
There are certain series that you enjoy reading, but not one book after another. The Shopoholic series is one of my favorite. You know that Becky will get in financial trouble again, but through merry misadventures, everything will turn out right in the last page. The fun is trying to guess how she will do it. Reading her books one after another forces the reader to realize that Becky does not deserve to get out of her problems because they are always self-made. So, it is better to have a month or two or twelve before you pick up the next book in the series.
|
| Sharon Lumb |
Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I love Ms. Flagg's books about the south. They are funny and human and spiritual all at the same time. You recognize people you know even though you live north of the Mason Dixon line. One thing is for sure --- you will feel just a bit more optimistic just reading one of her books.
|
| Doug P |
Opening and Operating a Bed & Breakfast... by Amelia Painter |
Rating: 5 Stars |
OPENING AND PERATING A BED AND BREAKFAST IN THE 21ST CENTURY is the only published book that I know of giving an in-depth overview of the Internet and its language to innkeepers. It also contains step-by-step instructions on how to successfully market a B&B Web site on the World Wide Web.
|
| Mary Branham (maryandlennybranham@yahoo.com) |
Found by Karen Kingsbury |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the 3rd book of Firstborn series. They are a pretty religious but well worth the read. My mom and I both are reading all of them and then we talk on the phone about them every day. She is 81 now.
They are about the Baxter family and the son they gave away 36 years ago. They are a great family with lots of members, and things are constantly going on with and around them.
|
| Ron Giner (rgnnnr@aol.com) |
I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Don't be put off by the length of this nearly 900-page novel. It's a fast and interesting read about mental illness. The chief protagonists are identical twin brothers, one of whom is mentally ill. Or, are both having mental problems? The diary of their maternal grandfather, whom they've never met, makes for a novel within a novel. I loved this book and was sorry to see it end.
|
| Pattie Berryhill (pattiberr@aol.com) |
Wonderful Tonight: The Autobiography of Pattie Boy by Pattie Boyd |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This autobiography is written by Pattie Boyd Harrison Clapton. She was in the movie, A Hard Day's Night with the Beatles as their hairdresser. She then married Beatle, George Harrison. When she divorced George, she married Eric Clapton.
|
| Debbie |
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Great love story taking place during the early days of the circus.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@gmail.com) |
An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I wouldn’t want to say too much about this book, to read spoilers prior to would be a total shame.
|
| Carolyn |
Stealing Your Life by Frank W. Abagnale |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you were stopped today by a police officer for a broken tail light and then arrested for other charges you knew absolutely nothing about, how long would it take you to convince them that you're not YOU?
Have you checked your criminal record lately? How much do you use your computer for everything? Do you have enough virus programs installed on it? Did you read your bank deposit agreement? Do you check your credit history regularly? Do you fill out and send in warranty cards? Do you let companies you do business with share your personal information? Do you fill out sweepstakes forms and place them in boxes in the stores? Do you have a BLOG? Do you think government agencies and businesses "tag" an individual's social security number when they die, or is that your responsibility? If a family member died tomorrow, how much information would you publish in the newspaper?
You will be amazed how easy it is for people to steal your identity, and how difficult it is for you to contest that someone else was at fault. The author gives some good information on how to protect yourself.
|
| Myrna Pennisi (myrnapen@aol.com) |
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a very interesting book about mountain climber Greg Mortenson's encounter with the people of a small Pakistani village (after a failed attempt to reach the top of K2) and his decision to build schools for their children. He gives fascinating, detailed descriptions of the landscape and of the people who come to love this outsider.
|
| Book Festival |
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is even better than THE GOLDEN COMPASS. Each book gets better. There are many interesting literary references. THE SUBTLE KNIFE is said to be anti-Christian, but I think it is more anti-Catholic. I think they are two different things.
|
| Sue Howard |
Keeping the World Away: A Novel by Margaret Forster |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I was attracted to this book because it was a story about a woman, her painting, and how her emotional expression in the unsigned work, "The Corner of the Artist's Room in Paris" affected other women who eventually came into possession of the painting. The author beautifully tells the story of a 20th-century artist named Gwen John. As her painting changes hands, the reader begins to see the connection between each of the owners and the effect the painting has on them. This painting does exist, but the stories about each owner of the painting are fiction. The author's style made it easy to picture each woman, her environment, and also feel the same emotions as the owners.
|
| Andrea Ramjattan (andee@thebluezone.net) |
No Time for Goodbye by Linwood Barclay |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A fast moving thriller. I lost sleep last night staying up late reading it. A real pager turner.
|
| Mrs L A Ramsen |
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you're the bah humbug sort like me, this might just be your antidote for the coming holidays. After long admiring Ms. Roach's contributions to Reader's Digest, I chose this quirky book. Although the subject matter is unusual and might well be distasteful to some, she handles it with dignity and --- if you can believe --- much good humor.
If you've ever been curious about all things dead, this is the book for you. Consider it the ultimate recycling idea! Chances are you'll never attend another wake without thinking about the stories in this book.
|
| Mary |
Dancing in the Dark by Mary Jane Clark |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book about murder at the Jersey Shore would probably be a perfect "beach book," but it is still a pretty good read on a cold, dreary day in November. A young girl disappears and police believe she staged her own abduction until another girl disappears. and dies accidentally at the hand of her kidnapper. There are lots of subplots and twists and turns, as a a tv news anchor unravels the mystery. Ms. Clark is a newscaster herself, so the story includes a kind of behind-the-scenes look at life in her profession as the heroine solves crime and copes with an almost anorexic daughter, a young son, a husband in prison and still manages to deliver the 6 o'clock news.
|
| Amee Enders |
Big Boned by Meg Cabot |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love the Heather Wells mysteries. It is Meg's best series, in my opinion. It is just really intriguing and funny. I would recommend it to everyone!
|
| Mildred Bromberg |
The Ha-Ha by Dave King |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a heart-warming story of a Vietnam Veteran who, despite his disabilities, made a life for himself. His life is turned upside down when a boy comes to live with him for several weeks. The changes that occur in their lives make this book a real feel-good read.
|
| Mildred Bromberg (abromber@optonline.net) |
Gentlemen & Players by Joanne Harris |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a suspense story about an English Boys School, St. Oswald. The suspense builds slowly and the ending will amaze you.
|
| Karen |
To the Power of Three by Laura Lippman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A quick read with an interesting set-up and some good characters. I was drawn in from the very first chapter. There is a shooting at the high school, and three girls who have been friends since childhood are involved. I like Lippman's style and want to read more of her novels.
|
| Coral Harrison |
World Without End by Ken Follett |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a long book, but so interesting that you enjoy reading it. It is set during the 1300s , and is about a town and area much different than now. The Plague kills so many people but the rest keep on trying to make a living. The two main characters, Caris and Merthin, make the story very interesting. I enjoyed reading this book.
|
| Dot L. |
The Innocent Man by John Grisham |
Rating: 1 Stars |
This nonfiction book by John Grisham was filled with detail overload, which bogged down the storyline. After a while, I skipped reading the names, dates, etc. just to keep the story moving along. Not one of his most interesting books.
|
| Gordon Wilson |
Irish Stew! by Andrew M Greeley |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have long been a fan of Father Greeley's "Irish" series starring Nuala Anne McGrail, a fey master of all trades and her hapless but lovable husband, Dermot Michael Coyne.
I don't find this to be the example of Greeley's talent but it's hard not to like the book anyway. Nuala Anne sees the mark of death on a bigshot Chicago lawyer and her family is off to unravel the mystery, while also being led into the fog of the historical Haymarket Riot of 1887.
Will they solve both cases? Undoubtedly since there are newer books in the series. My only hesitation with the writing is that the cute Irish wordplay is maybe getting a little too cute.
|
| April |
Soul Song by Marjorie M. Liu |
Rating: 5 Stars |
First, let me say that SOUL SONG is another of Marjorie Liu’s best! She captivates me time and again with each book, but I have my favorites, just like anyone else and this book is definitely one of them.
From book one, TIGER EYE, I have been enchanted with the way Marjorie Liu writes. She takes the time to really paint a picture with the scenes and enchant one and all with every character. It’s really a marvel to me how she does it, but it’s a gift. A gift both in her and to us, because for me it is like Christmas every time I open one of her books.
Being lucky enough to start this series from the first book, I have come to enjoy Dirk & Steele along with everyone who works there. A company steeped in secrecy over the talented and magical individuals that form the ranks of this organization. In SOUL SONG, we meet Kitala Bell, world renowned violinist, keeper of her own secret talent, and sadly out of the loop where Dirk & Steele are concerned. She has friends who work there but they never talk about the other side of their job. And Kit’s raw new power is just beginning to bud when she is suddenly involved in a bad situation.
M’cal is a force to be reckoned with. Part human, part merman, he is thrown into the mix when he is sent to kill Kitala. But Kit’s music calls to him and touches a part of him that has been dormant for so long. He resists killing her but Kitala is still not safe. Everyone seems to want her dead and her only hope lies in befriending M’cal, the very man who nearly took her life to begin with.
Their story really touched me. I cheered for this couple and really cursed the villains who got in the way of their happiness. And there were so many obstacles to that happiness in this book! It seemed the action never stopped or slowed down and I mean that as the greatest compliment. This book was a major page turner for me and I blame Marjorie Liu for a sleepless night of obsessive reading. Of course, it’s a good blame. I don’t forgo sleep to read anything but the best!
|
| Book Festival |
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
THE AMBER SPYGLASS is the best of the trilogy. The last two chapters were so emotional that I had a headache from reading so intensely. Maybe I would have been happier not to read the last two chapters (I love fairy tales); but I'm glad I read the whole book. I'm really looking forward to the film.
|
| Kay Keller |
Stone Cold by David Baldacci |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another great read by Baldacci! I'm becoming a huge fan of the character, Oliver Stone, and The Camel Club. This one is hard to put down!!
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Guilty As Sin by Tami Hoag |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Very well-written mystery set in Minnesota amid a winter snowstorm. The characters were delightful, from the first lady district bureau person to the professors and the district attorney. The guilty person was named in the beginning, just had to prove that he was guilty, but always throwing out other individuals as the possible killer.
|
| L. Hann |
The Woods by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Excellent! This is his best book yet. There are so many twists and turns you'll get whiplash! Great read. You won't be able to put this one down.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger |
Rating: 5 Stars |
With a title that peaks your interest, the humor and undeniably great insight on what it would be like to work for a debutante of the fashion world, this book held my interest from beginning to end. If you are looking for a deep literary read, this is definitely not for you. It is a light, funny read that I, quite frankly, could not put down. Having no knowledge of fashion, designers, or New York City for that matter, I felt like I had an education on the fast-paced, cutthroat and very competitive industry that most girls can only dream about participating in. I thought Weisberger showed immense talent in poking fun at this glamorous way of life and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
|
| Janice |
Away by Amy Bloom |
Rating: 4 Stars |
At first, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the book based on what I heard about the storyline. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I am not sure how historically accurate it is, but it was a very interesting read and I do enjoy the author's writing style.
|
| Gina |
Clapton by Eric Clapton |
Rating: 2 Stars |
A disappointing autobiography of the rock
guitarist. He is shallow and does not explain much, or give insights into his personal relationships.
He describes a lot about "drunk-alongs" and tours. Pattie Boyd Harrison Clapton's WONDERFUL TONIGHT was so much more interesting and insightful.
|
| Carol Riley (bookworm1957@roadrunner.com) |
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a book that can reach out to anyone who has lost loved ones and was unable to speak to them before they died.
|
| Julie Towson |
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Anyone who grew up in the 1950s will love this nostalgic memoir.
|
| JaneAnn Railey |
See Jane Die by Erica Spindler |
Rating: 5 Stars |
OH MY I don't know what made me pick up this book other than the title. I started reading Thursday morning and laid it down at 11:30 that night, finished! My hubby is lucky he got dinner! I don't read this genre but now I am out looking for all her books.
|
| Gordon Wilson |
Paradise Postponed by John Mortimer |
Rating: 3 Stars |
The front cover proclaims this to be "The glorious bestseller of English life." Sadly, I have never found a British writer that I truly connect with and this story of Simeon Simcox, Rector of Rapstone Fanner, is no exception to the rule.
The story concerns the quirky Simcox and his two sons, Fred and Henry. When the rector dies, he leaves his fortune to neither son, but to a society seeking local MP whom no one has ever really liked. Henry, a writer who takes himself much too seriously, wants to know why, as he would rather take the inheritance himself, thank you very much.
I'm afraid I find little evidence of the "good hearted" and "funny" story. I believe there is something to be gained from almost any book and this one will do in a pinch, but won't find its way back to my shelves for re-reading.
|
| Lillian |
Map of Bones by James Rollins |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A group of armed men disguised as monks enter the cathedral at Cologne during midnight mass, kill all the people and steal the bones of the three Magi. The Vatican calls upon the US state Department for assistance and an elite covert arm named SIGMA is sent to help and do battle with an ancient secret fraternity of alchemists who use science and religion in order to gain world dominance.
This is a fast paced story with a lot of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. A very enjoyable read.
|
| Debbie (deble_2000@yahoo.com) |
Them by Nathan McCall |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book tells a compelling story set in a downtown Atlanta neighborhood known for its main street, Auburn Avenue, which was once regarded as the "richest Negro street in the world." Barlowe Reed is a printer just steps away from the home of Dr. Martin Luther King. A white couple moves into the house next door, and this book describes the ups and downs of racial tension that builds in this neighborhood.
|
| Linda Finger |
S is For Silence by Sue Grafton |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I throughly enjoy reading the Kinsey Millhone stories, and this book is no exception. It is filled with suspense, mystery and misadventure as Kinsey manages to get herself into and out of trouble while solving a long-unsolved mystery.
|
| Sandy Greathouse |
The Parting by Beverly Lewis |
Rating: 5 Stars |
As always, Ms. Lewis never fails to inspire me with her books. I love this story and can't wait for book 2 to come out.
|
| Jon |
Eric Clapton by Eric Clapton |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This is Eric Clapton's long awaited autobiography. It's honest. It will give you some insight into what a narcissistic, drug-addicted, alcoholic rock star's life is like. It was rather depressing in that it chronicles a life lived for decades as a reclusive, self-involved musical genius who didn't really care much for the people he hurt or the gifts that he laid to waste. Listen to the music.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A story about Christmas grace and the miracles surrounding the season --- a sense that we are never too old to believe.
|
| Laurie Blum (laurieblum@hotmail.com) |
The Worst Thing I've Done by Ursula Hegi |
Rating: 2 Stars |
If, like me, you loved STONES FROM THE RIVER by Hegi, you may be put off by the soap opera quality of Hegi’s latest effort. Disappointing!
|
| bk |
Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The story covers the 20 years between World War II and the mid 60s in a PA mining town. It follows one family and all that happens to them --- love, loss, marriages, decisions. I enjoyed it in the same way I enjoy Binchy and other writers who can tell a good story through the ordinary lives of their subjects.
|
| bk |
Straight Man by Richard Russo |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The book covers a convoluted week in the life of an English professor at a small college. It’s funny, poignant, sad, and a great read. During the week, he discovers that his secretary can write better than he can, his best friend has a crush on his wife, and he threatens to execute a goose. Just the average week on a college campus.
|
| D. Lohrding |
Rescuing Sprite by Mark R. Levin |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Written in an approach similar to a journal --- rambling at times. It was not as moving as MARLEY & ME, yet still is an eye wetter.
|
| bk |
Blood of Angels by Reed Arvin |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A fast-paced lawyer thriller. Did the star DA really send the wrong man to the death chair? Can he hunt down the truth with a new trail of evidence? Even though the author left some loose ends dangling, I still enjoyed the fast read.
|
| Marsha |
Absolute Zero by Chuck Logan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Absolute thriller.
Absolute excitement.
Absolute entertainment.
|
| Kathy Kasten |
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Very funny and as exciting as usual.
|
| Lillian (wpriest99@yahoo.com) |
The Hyde Effect by Steve Vance |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A series of violent and gruesome deaths occurs in the hills of Southern California and the murders are attributed to an unknown savage animal. A journalist, a private eye, and a horror novelist team up with a college student who had escaped an attack pool their theories in order to find out if in fact it is a werewolf. When a suspect is apprehended and confined, the four are on hand. But neither the skeptics nor believers are prepared for the violence that is unleashed.
This is one of the scariest horror novels I have read. It kept me right on the edge and I couldn't put the book down until I finished reading it,
|
| Martha E |
The Last Juror by John Grisham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
THE LAST JUROR is not a usual Grisham legal suspense and action novel. It doesn't have much action or legal juggling, but it is great on character development. The story revolves around a young idealistic reporter, Willie, who becomes the editor of a small Mississippi paper in the 1970s. Willie gets to start his editing efforts with a major murder trial. He is brave and brash in his reporting --- willing to stir up discussions in the town. Part of the tale is the development of his friendship with a wonderful Black lady who becomes "the last juror" and the first Black person to serve on a jury in the town.
|
| Bonnie |
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This was okay, but not as good as some of Picoult's others. It never grabbed me to the point where I couldn't stop reading, while some of her other books have.
|
| Linda M. Johnson |
I am America (and So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I love Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart. I miss them both since the Writer's Strike has kept them off the air. I support their efforts and their writing. This book was a good substitute and kept me entertained. How do they think of this stuff?
|
| Linda M. Johnson |
On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Story of a bear sculpture that one family rescues when others think it is a piece of junk. Years later, after the man who spent all the family money to buy the statue dies, the sculptor's son arrives to try to get it back. Since his father's death, his renown has caused the the value of his pieces to escalate. He has to deal with the daughter of the original buyer. Well written.
|
| Linda M. Johnson |
Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Carl Hiaasen always writes stories demonstrating man's abuses of the land and each other, which make me laugh. I've been reading or listening to all of his books. I only have a few left. I hope Hiaasen has another books in the works for me.
|
| Linda M. Johnson |
Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Father Tim is back! I missed him. I don't know how many books will be in this series (this is billed as #1 in the Father Tim series), but I'll be here for the entire journey. Karon never disappoints me.
|
| Donna |
Capital Crimes by Jonathan and Faye Kellerman |
Rating: 3 Stars |
CAPITAL CRIMES is the second of their combined efforts. The book consists of two separate stories about murders taking place in Berkeley, CA, "My Sister's Keeper" and Nashville, TN, Music City "Breakdown." New characters are trying to solve the murders, plus special appearances by Lt Peter Decker in the CA story and Dr Alex Delaware in TN. Two satisfying mysteries.
|
| bk |
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It is a historical mystery set in Barcelona in the first half of the 20th century. A young boy is allowed to pick out any book from a special library. He becomes enchanted with the book and begins a quest to find the author. Along the way, he learns the secrets and hidden stories of many of the people whose lives were touched by the author. It reminded me of the storytelling style of Isabelle Allende. A lovely story written by a masterful bestselling author.
|
| Maryellen Goodwin (mgood222@hotmail.com) |
Skinny Bitch by Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is NOTHING like I thought it would be and that is exactly what the authors intended. At first I was in shock, I felt sick and never wanted to eat again. But after finishing the book, not only am I more informed and am making better food choices, I also want so very much to help these authors inform people about the horrors of the food industry so that they can make better choices and maybe even get involved in bringing about a much needed change in our food supply.
|
| Judy O. (joswood@msn.com) |
Never Enough by Joe McGinniss |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a true-crime story from the author of FATAL VISION. Robert and Nancy Kissel seemed to have it all: a loving marriage, lots of money, 3 wonderful kids, and an exciting life in Hong Kong. So, why did Nancy kill her husband? This is an absorbing story of people who never seemed to "have enough."
|
| Barbara Stahr |
North and South by John Jakes |
Rating: 5 Stars |
It may sound like an ordinary account of the civil war, but it is fascinating how the author weaves the lives of the characters into history. It is long, but it keeps your interest.
|
| Gail A. |
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another well-written book by this author about a young man who gives up everything and treks into the Alaskan wilderness without preparation. It is currently a movie also.
|
| Barbara Broberg |
Written in Bone by Simon Beckett |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the best mysteries I have read, WRITTEN IN BONE kept my rapt attention down to the last page.
|
| Barara Broberg |
Dead Connection by Alafair Burke |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Like her father, James Lee Burke, she is an excellent mystery writer. DEAD CONNECTION was a great story that was suspenseful enough to keep me urning pages when I should be going to sleep.
|
| Jaime (jshetrone@gmail.com) |
One Sunday Morning by Amy Ephron |
Rating: 2 Stars |
I’m not sure what the point of this was, other than to serve as a snapshot of 1920s New York society. It wasn’t bad, there just wasn’t a lot to it. It felt more like a short story than a novel, and the line in the synopsis, "with heartbreaking consequences for all" ends up looking a little overwrought. It didn’t seem like anyone’s heart was particularly broken at the end of the story. I’d say that this author just isn’t my cup of tea.
|
| Lori S. (sunbug5505@yahoo.com) |
The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
It's a bit strange that I was reading this for the 2nd time when I learned of Mailer's death! I first read it about 25 yrs ago and was spellbound by the story of convicted killer Gary Gilmore, his life, crimes and fight to be put to death. It is one of those all too uncommon nonfiction books that reads like a novel, then sticks in your head long after reading the last page.
|
| Mia |
Giving by Bill Clinton |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is a great view of the generous spirit of people and an inspiration to be as good as you can be. I have enjoyed reading it.
|
| Sue Howard |
Loving Frank: A Novel by Nancy Horan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
As an admirer of "all things Frank Lloyd Wright," I bought this book to learn more about his architectural philosophy. The book definitely gave me an understanding of his passion and power as an architect, but the main character is Mamah, with whom he had a long-term affair. The book is part fiction part non-fiction, but the story --- real or not --- is fascinating as Mamah's relationship with Wright unfolds and progresses. Mamah makes serious decisions because of her passion, and her life is defined by her love for Wright. This book was written in a very comfortable style. I will definitely look for the next book from this first-time author.
|
| L. Keene |
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an extraordinary story that is extremely well written, full of all the elements for a great novel. I picked this book up recently unaware of Follet's sequel to it, THE WORLD WITHOUT END.
|
| Sandy Greathouse |
Bygones by Kim Vogel Sawyer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Sawyer is a new-to-me author; I loved this first book of the series and am looking forward to the other books. She writes similarly to Bevery Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter, but the story is about a Mennonite woman and her family. Very good read!
|
| Kathy (kboucher@cableone.net) |
Until Proven Innocent by Stuart Taylor, Jr and KC Johnson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a brutally honest, meticulously researched story of the Duke lacrosse team's nightmare of being found guilty of a horrible crime before any facts were proven....a shameful expose of political prowess, academic timidity, corrupt police, and the rush of media to prove guilt. It is a very detailed account, and certainly shows us that this country's presumption of innocence until proven guilty is not always the case. It was a huge eye opener to the workings of the justice system!
|
| Dorothy |
Double Cross by James Patterson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a true James Patterson thriller. A must read for all his fans.
|
| bk |
Exit Ghost by Philip Roth |
Rating: 2 Stars |
This novel is supposed to be about the most decorated American writer who returns to NY after living in New England isolation for 11 years. There, he encounters a fanatical young writer who wants his cooperation, a beautiful young woman he desires, and an old friend who is a shell of her former self. I cannot explain why any writer, including Roth, would want to begin a novel and then repeat throughout it the too graphic information about prostrate problems in a 70-year-old man, including the details of hygiene pads to absorb constant urine, etc. Too much information! It was a turnoff for me. Plus, the story was boring and it went nowhere. There was not much of a plot, little character development, and when the incontinent old man decides to seduce the young woman….well, all I could do was cringe at the thought of how his constant urine seepage would be part of that! I listened on tape. The only good part of this book was the narration by George Guidall…always a winner!
|
| Jane H |
Dial M: The Murder of Carol Thompson by William Swanson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Fascinating account of the murder of a Minneapolis housewife, married to a prominent attorney in 1963. What makes this outstanding is that it takes us into the lives of the victim's four children and how this tragedy shaped their lives.
|
| bk |
Bad Twin by Gary Troup |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A story about the struggle between the twin forces of good and evil. A private eye has been choosing safe, lazy cases when a missing-person case falls in his lap. It takes him on a journey that parallels many classical stories, like King Lear, etc. All the clues come together at the end, but not before many false trails are laid out for the reader to chase. The book jacket touts the author as having perished on the Oceanic flight from the TV hit "Lost". But don’t be misled --- this book has nothing to do with the show. The author, Gary Troup, is listed as fictional along with the entire story. I’m confused why this was done. It did not increase/decrease my enjoyment of the story. Maybe the author/publisher was just trying to be cute? Cute can sometimes be insulting to the reader.
|
| bk |
The Program by Stephen White |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another great thriller with psychologist Alan Gregory in the middle, about a single mother and lawyer caught in the middle with unthinkable choices to make. “Every precious thing I lose, you will lose two,” from a convict she convicted sends her on the run. But can she ever be safe? Can the Witness Protection Program protect her, or are they the ones after her?
|
| bk |
Household Gods by Judith Tarr & Harry Turtledove |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A harried single mother wishes that she could live in a simpler time. Be careful what you wish for! She wakes up in the frontier of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century….as a tavern keeper…during the siege by the barbarians! Yikes! And she thought the 21st century was overwhelming! I enjoyed this novel in almost the same way that I enjoyed the Outlander series.
|
| bk |
Gardenias by Faith Sullivan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A delightful book that takes place during the years of World War II. The story is told through the eyes of a 9-year-old girl who is uprooted from her Minnesota home to move with her aunt and mother to the foreign world of California to work during the war. The tale has that feel that we all remember from childhood, when the children’s world was private and secret and adults didn’t know what was going on. At the same time, the children observe and absorb everything that’s happening to the adults. I enjoyed every page of this story of making do in the make-do years of the war.
|
| bk |
Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh |
Rating: 4 Stars |
If you enjoy Oprah’s book club, then you’ll enjoy this book. It’s similar in style and content to most that she selects. MRS. KIMBLE is the story of 3 women who marry the same man, a self-absorbed opportunist named Ken Kimble. The selfish manipulative acts of this one man cast wide ripples as he affects the women, the children, and all they touch. I listened on tape and thought the narrator did a great job.
|
| Justin Castillo (spacebarshift2003@yahoo.com) |
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Just finished it before Oprah picked it.
|
| Shauna Ens |
Slash by Slash with Anthony Bozza |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I picked this book up because I always loved Slash's music and guitar playing and wanted to know more about him, not just what was in the news. I have to say it was worth it, just reading about what he went through to get what he wanted --- which was playing his guitar in a band --- what he did in his life and how he survived what he put himself through. I loved this book; it was a very interesting read all the way through.
|
| E. Quinn (knight@sxu.edu) |
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a National Book Award finalist so I gave it 5 stars. And I loved the book!
Alison moves from San Francisco to Paris, Rome and then New York. It is an exciting and fast-moving story set in the l980s.It is a psychological thriller that takes into consideration the fragility and mystery of human relationships. It is a must read!
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| Nancy S |
Next by Michael Crichton |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Grabs your attention and doesn't let go.
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| Malcolm R. Campbell |
Lottery by Patricia Woods |
Rating: 5 Stars |
It's very interesting to see how Woods tells the story of a character with an IQ of 76 with humor, grace and an appropriate language cadence that makes the person come alive. Guess whose family suddenly shows up when he wins the lottery!
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| Laurel Foster (laurelf@suddenlink.net) |
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Extremely strange; I'm not sure whether I liked it or not.
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