| Jennifer Cecil |
Duma Key by Stephen King |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I thought it was a good read. It kept me on the edge of my seat and the ending surprised me.
|
| Mya Brooks (mya74@myway.com) |
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Very Funny! I love this book!
|
| Deborah Wellenstein (dwellenstein@cox.net) |
The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A quirky novel about the end mankind --- in the form of a virus --- and the afterlife. Different and sweet.
|
| Shelley (shelleymcclelland@yahoo.com) |
Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery by Joanne Fluke |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I liked this book! I don't cook but I love to read mysteries with recipes.
|
| Buddy Garrett |
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A gritty, compelling story of returning WWII veterans who confront rascism in rural Mississippi.
|
| lilyk |
Watership Down by Richard Adams |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A tale of life, love, and loss among a group of rabbits.
|
| Linda M. Johnson (tcheer4life@yahoo.com) |
Boom! Voices of the Sixties by Tom Brokaw |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Honest and often personal portrayal of a turbulent time in American History. The book considers the time from the mid '60s to the mid '70s --- the time which included the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy; the riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention, and the 1970 Kent State and Jackson State shootings. This book really hits home for me since this includes my senior year in high school and my college years.
|
| sarah woods |
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Exciting and invigorating!
|
| Judy |
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I tried to like this, I really did. But from the very beginning I felt like I had read this before and each little twist only lead me to my guess at the ending (which was on the mark).
Out of one tragedy, June Nealon finds blessed life and the future was every bit as bright. But life is a series of happenstance. People weave into our lives yet leave changed our existence in imaginable ways. Shay Bourne, foster child, "loser" drifts in the happy bubble. In a heartbeat, the world changes for everyone.
Now Shay wants to change things, and it looks like June's 11-year old daughter born after the night that changed everything is the key to his salvation.
The novel is told through the voices of June, Shay, a priest, an attorney, a cellmate. I wasn't quite sure what the book wanted to be and I felt manipulated by character plots and could never shake that de ja vu feeling right through to the ending.
I've liked so many of Jodi Picoult's works, but this one was just not one of them.
|
| Brittany Rebello (deadmonkeys90@yahoo.com) |
Willow by V.C. Andrews |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Although V.C. Andrews writes books that are quite demented in certain ways, they are always very good and they kep you wanting to know more. This one is about an orphan who sets out to meet her real mother after her father dies.
|
| Readingrat |
A Room with a View by E. M. Forster |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A quaint Victorian social satire and romance that makes for a short pleasant read.
|
| Ivy (ipittman26@yahoo.com) |
Seen It All and Done the Rest by Pearl Cleage |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An engaging read about a woman's return to Atlanta after living in Amsterdam and the problems, challenges and new life that she experiences. Pearl is a master at pulling the reader into Atlanta's west end, it's history and the people who take great pride in their neighborhood and their people.
|
| Shelley (shelleymcclelland@yahoo.com) |
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Predictable but I enjoyed it, as I do all her books.
|
| Kathy V. |
Murder Melts in Your Mouth by Nancy Martin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the latest in the series called Blackbird Sisters Mysteries and I have to say that Nancy did it again. She really pulls you into their lives and makes it all seem so real. This is a great book, just like all the others in this series. Nora really has her hands full when her parents show back up and all heck breaks lose. Her little sister doesn't help matters either.
|
| Roseann Kies |
sTORI Telling by Tori Spelling |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I highly recommend this autobiography. It gives us true
insight to a misunderstood woman, who is just so nice.
|
| Ed Nemmers (theyyyguy@yahoo.com) |
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan |
Rating: 4 Stars |
One couple's anxiety on their wedding night causes life changing problems.
|
| Judy O. |
Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Since I am an Obama supporter, I found it very interesting to read about his "roots". Part of his story takes place in Kenya, after he returns there to meet his father's family. We also learn about his community organizing in Chicago. I had wondered what a community organizer did. In some places I skimmed, as they got a little too long for my taste. All in all, I enjoyed it and learned from it.
|
| Stephanie (stoland@ameritech.net) |
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Absolutely fantastic book!! Funny, sharp, and lots of fantasy elements, it's one of Gaiman's best!
|
| Zara Heflin |
The Bleeding Dusk: The Gardella Vampire Chronicles by Colleen Gleason |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the third book in this decadent vampire series. I've heard the series described as "Jane Austen meets 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,'" and must say that's an accurate depiction. This book could be read alone, but would be made even better by reading the first two books in the series.
|
| Fran |
Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A story of a marriage affected by infertility and the husband's infidelity. A fairly predictable, fast read. I liked this author's first book better, but also enjoyed this one.
|
| Robert A. Piacquad (fonzie220@bellsouth.net) |
Two Little Girls In Blue by Mary Higgens Clark |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A great Story that kept you in suspense most of the time. I even like her daughter books too, because she is also a good writer.
|
| Sandy Greathouse (Muzzley56@aol.com) |
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book! Its one of the best I've ever read.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@gmail.com) |
Midnight Man by Lisa Marie Rice |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Rice merges two genres of my favorite genres in one with this erotic romance suspense.
|
| laurie lyman |
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Geraldine Brooks did not disappoint in her newest delivery. What I love about it is the sense knowing one walks away with after reading it. I find that true with all her books. I not only get a good read but I walk away with knowledge about a new subject.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@gmail.com) |
Play Dirty by Sandra Brown |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Reviews over Sandra Brown’s PLAY DIRTY weren’t exactly glowing on Amazon, causing me to be a bit skeptical prior to getting this book. For this reason, I went with the audio format. Normally I can stick with a bad book longer this way. But it turns out, this wasn’t necessary.
|
| Marjorie Clark (marjorie_clark2000@yahoo.com) |
The Appeal by John Grisham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
John Grisham is at his best at always explaining the law to his readers. This time it's trial lawyers and the supreme court in Mississippi. Like all of his books, this keeps you turning the page and not wanting it to end.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A touching story of a normal person, commoner, marrying into the royal Japanese family. So much time is spent on the early years and then suddenly you jump from young mother to middle-aged woman --- a big gap.
|
| Deanna |
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I learned so much about going through divorce, and the author's trip to Italy is mouth watering!
|
| Jodene Gildea |
Cross by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I loved it but wasn't thrilled with the ending.
|
| Donna P. |
Spin Control by Niki Burnham |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Wow! This book is great and is such a refreshing read. It's a comedy romance and I highly recommend it to all. This would be wonderful for teens.
|
| Julie Siemek (lsiemek@yahoo.com) |
The Ex-Debutante by Linda Francis Lee |
Rating: 5 Stars |
You should have a special category of 6 stars for books like this one. Hilarious from page one. Be prepared to read this one all in one sitting!
|
| Barbara Sharpe (barbara.sharpe@yahoo.com) |
The Winding Ways Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This book picks up essentially where CIRCLE OF QUILTERS leaves off. The new teachers are coming, the old teachers are leaving. Summer is going to grad school and Judy got a job at another university. However, what’s kind of cool about this is that you get each major character’s history and how they got involved in quilting. Judy’s story broke my heart, in a way, but she overcame it, obviously.
The newest employees are in the book but not described in depth as yet. Anna is the new chef and Gretchen the new teacher. Sarah and Matt have a couple of surprises, too. It also looks as if Jeremy, Summer’s boyfriend, and Anna might wind up being a couple. It seems pretty obvious so I hope that I’m wrong about that in future books.
Overall, a good story, but it’s best, I think, if you’ve read the entire series.
|
| Barbara Sharpe (barbara.sharpe@yahoo.com) |
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 4 Stars |
June is a central figure of this book, though we don’t hear much from her. In the beginning, she is in a car accident and her husband dies, but her daughter does not. June meets a policeman whom she ultimately marries.
Enter Shay. The story begins with his trial for the double murder of the policeman June married and her daughter, Elizabeth. Actually, the question has become --- should they give him the death penalty or not? One of the jurors, Michael, doesn’t want to and is ultimately persuaded.
Fast forward 11 years. We’re now at the end of Shay’s life and he sees on the news that June’s other daughter, Claire, needs a heart transplant. Shay wants to give her his heart but he’s scheduled for lethal injection, which stops the heart, leaving it inappropriate for donation. The story centers around Shay’s court battle to change his method of execution
I am a fan of Jodi Picoult, but I have to say that her books with mystical themes don’t impress me. It just doesn’t seem to suit her. In this case, there are people who think that Shay is the messiah. Or A Messiah. The saving grace for me is that there is a lot of discussion of the Gnostics and I always learn something new when books discuss the Gnostics.
It’s a great story, compellingly written as long as you ignore the mystical overtures.
|
| Barbara Sharpe (barbara.sharpe@yahoo.com) |
Storm Front by Jim Butcher |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I called my friend M today. I hated to do it, but I had to tell her that her husband was right: I DO like the Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher. At the very least, I liked the first of them.
Harry Dresden is a wizard who advertises his services in the phone book. Not surprisingly, he is the only wizard listed, so he gets a fair share of nut jobs calling him. This time, however, he gets two calls right after the other: one from a local detective looking for his help, and another from a woman who is trying to find her husband. The detective is calling about a double murder using magic --- and Harry is the only local wizard powerful enough to do it. He is under pressure from the human police and the wizard police because they *both* think he’s responsible. Along the way, there is a girl and some interesting fights and meetings with otherworldly creatures.
Initially, I thought this was a male version --- and rip off --- of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake. The whole being on retainer to the police, the adversarial relationship with some of the police force and then being a magical creature himself. After I read a few pages, I more or less got over that. The writing is more Sam Spade-like than LKH, which can be distracting at first. Again, once I got a few pages into it, that fell by the wayside and I just enjoyed the book.
The character development isn’t that great but that’s often true of first books. Lieutenant Karrin Murphy is fairly one dimensional as is Dresden’s love interest, Susan Rodriguez. To compare again to LKH, that was true of Dolph and Jean Claude until at least the 3rd book of the series, so I think there’s hope. There are (I think) 10 in this series, thus far, so I’m sure Butcher gets better in that arena. He did well enough this time that I want to continue to read the series.
I’m a fan of series book and this promises to be one that I’ll continue.
|
| mary ann |
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Excellant book about an American boy growing up in an Indian family, and his conflict with its traditions, foods, lifestyle and trying to fit in. He is first generation and his parents don't understand the "American Way" and they gave him a terrrible name too. We grow up with him in the novel and learn to love and appreciate his family and his own personal growth. Beautifly written with great narratives and descriptions of food and travel. We can all relate in some way to Gogel/Nikkoli.
|
| Bridget |
Ransom by Danielle Steel |
Rating: 1 Stars |
I have not read anything by Danielle Steel in ages. About one fourth of the way into this book I remembered why. Boring, predictable, shallow characters with a predictable ending. Won't read any of hers again.
|
| J. Kaye Oldner (jkayeoldner@yahoo.com) |
Colter's Woman by Maya Banks |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It’s a very short read at 272 pages and the best part is that it comes with a warning label.
|
| Miss Emma |
Omnivore's Dilemma by MIchael Pollen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Fabulous read.
|
| Robin (rmayerhoefer@cox.net) |
Texas! Sage by Sandra Brown |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Sandra Brown's books are always enjoyable, and the Texas! series lives up to her reputation. Sage is the third book in the series, and the best of the three. Yeah, it's a simple romance, but what's wrong with that?
|
| Readingrat |
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A morality play disguised as a sci-fi novel.
|
| Fran |
The Butterfly House by Marcia Preston |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A beautifully woven tale of a young girl who grows up with an alcoholic mother and finds solace in her friend's family. A wonderful story with a touch of mystery to keep the pages turning. I enjoyed this novel more than I expected I would.
|
| Genie |
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Engagement of Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's sole woman detective, to local master mechanic Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni has been announced. This turns out to be more complicated than she imagined. First, plans must be made concerning the setting up house with Mr. Matekoni and the acquisition of an engagement ring while having to cope with the nasty schemes of Mr. Matekoni's angry housekeeper. The unexpected addition of two foster children (one with serious physical disabilities) further complicates the household.
The main investigation begins when Precious is asked by an American woman to find out what happened to her son who disappeared from a commune ten years before. Once again she conducts the investigation using her insight of human nature and down to earth wisdom. Mma Makutsi, her secretary/typist/assistant is given a case of a cheating wife to investigate by herself.
|
| Genie |
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Great Britain in 1985. The Crimean War has dragged on for over 100 years. A number of readers still enjoy an intense love of literature. Third Most Wanted criminal, Acheron Hades, is stealing characters from England's classic literature and holding them for ransom.
While stealing a character from a book only changes that one book, Hades has escalated his thievery. He is stealing original manuscripts; changing all copies in print. Special Operations Network Literary Division operative, Thursday Next, is on the case. She has been trying to trace Hades ever since he stole Mr. Quaverley from the original manuscript of Martin Chuzzlewit and killed him. Now Hades has zeroed in on JANE EYRE, Thursday's all time favorite book. He must be stopped! After several tries, Thursday manages to stop Hades and rescue Jane.
What a great story! I couldn't put this book down!
|
| Liza |
Mistress in the Art od Death by Ariana Franklin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Who is killing children in 12th-century Cambridge? King Henry II wants the mystery solved, so he summons a "mistress in the art of death" in the form of Adelia, an Italian woman with the medical training to become a skilled forensic investigator. However, she must disguise her occupation and reason for arriving in Cambridge, in order not to be labeled a witch. It is a dangerous job and this historical novel pulled me in from the beginning. It is a novel of suspense, horror, romance and vivid history. Picture THE CANTERBURY TALES meets "CSI." I loved it and can't wait for Franklin's second book due out next year.
|
| Virginia Murr |
Captain Alatriste by Arturo Perez-Reverte |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another intriguing adventure from a gifted author.
|
| Karlie |
Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This book is about a caucasian couple that have a baby with African American traits and their journey to find their heritage.
|
| Janet Kindron |
Lost Souls by Lisa Jackson |
Rating: 2 Stars |
This was a well-written book but the story did not appeal to me. I am not a vampire person so that aspect was a turn-off. But, I liked her style of writing so I would give her another chance.
|
| Laura A. Adams (Laura.Adams@ky.gov) |
Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Good, easy read. Interesting characters. I liked it very much.
|
| Thomas |
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I knew that this bore no real resemblance to most of the movie versions of this famous book. Even the 1931 version starring Boris Karloff is far removed from the original story.
So, I decided to read Shelley's book in its entirety, and I have not been disappointed. This is a tale with deep meaning. One comes to feel compassion for the monster. How else would a person feel for one who has been rejected at every turn, not just by strangers, but by his very creator? How would we feel if we discovered that God had found us repulsive and wretched, and turned His back on us? It's no wonder the monster asks Victor Frankenstein to create another --- a female --- just as hideous as the original creation, but one who might offer companionship and even love, which is what the monster longs for (as we do). This is a must-read book, especially for those who ever look down on their fellow humans with a sense of superiority and no love.
|
| Christy Hawkes |
Demon's Fire by Emma Holly |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This fourth book in the Demon World series was a fascinating erotic adventure read with plenty of twists and turns.
Warning: the sex scenes are graphic and hot enough to set the pages on fire!
|
| Brenda |
Summer Blowout by Claire Cook |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book was a breath of fresh air. The overall feel of this book was breezy and light, but serious enough to hold my attention the whole way through. I enjoyed the beauty tips scattered throughout the story.
|
| Quinn (eqkmath@gmail.com) |
Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Ferris writes a compelling and funny story about life in the office 5 days out of the week! He saturates the story with such wonderful detail the reader feels as if she or he is in the next cubicle. It is easy to see why this book was on the National Book Award finalist list!
|
| Bonnie |
What is the What by Dave Eggers |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I probably would have enjoyed this more had I not recently read a non-fiction book about the Lost Boys of the Sudan. This seemed like a rehash.
|
| Bonnie |
Souvenir by Therese Fowler |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This first-time author hits a bulls-eye with this novel of choices we make and the road not taken. It's "women's fiction" yet so much more.
|
| Christy Hawkes |
Killer Secrets by Lora Leigh |
Rating: 4 Stars |
KILLER SECRETS is the 5th book in the Tempting SEALs series and the action and suspense just keeps getting higher and higher, along with the intrigue and romance
.
Ms. Leigh does not disappoint with her highly erotic love scenes that fans have come to anticipate and expect. Her fascinating characters have me eagerly anticipating the the next installment.
|
| Sherman |
One Helluva Ride by Liz Clarke |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A book about Nascar driving and how it has changed over the years, along with the sport and the drivers. It began with the moonshiners and now it is a multi-million dollar business.
|
| Laura A. Adams (Laura.Adams@ky.gov) |
A Thousand Spendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great book. A sad but very interesting story that needs to be told.
|
| Lonnie Elliott |
Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Once again, Karen Kingsbury has written a true-to-life book that makes you think. Why does our society abandon foster children at the age of eighteen?
|
| Janice Wright (jwright@iowatelecom.net) |
Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Roberts's books are an easy read. I just love her characters.
|
| Sheree Warner (moonshadow43@gmail.com) |
The Alibi Man by Tami Hoag |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Highly suspenseful. I have always loved her as an author and prefer her earlier works, but this is still worth the money!
|
| Sheree Warner (moonshadow43@gmail.com) |
What The Dead Know by Laura Lippman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It is very suspenseful and keeps you interested throughout the book. I would recommend the book and also the author.
|
| Carol Grubbs (carol.grubbs@gmail.com) |
Ultraviolet by Nancy Bush |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A fantastic light-hearted detective story with a vast array of characters. The father of the bride is murdered on his daughter's wedding day and any number of the characters could have finished him off.
I loved the Jane Kelly, P.I., character. She was, well, so much like me.
The cover and title were such a turn-off for me, but I am glad i finally got past that.
|
| shyeyes |
Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Very good novel about 3 families that have ties to each other back to the Civil War, and have brought forward all the residual attitudes and feelings of each family! Very well done, an different type of book for Paretsky.
|
| Noreen Brown |
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi |
Rating: 2 Stars |
This book could have better if it was half as long. It dragged on and on in some parts.
|
| Marsha |
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a haunting tale of secrets surrounding a deck of tarot cards and the significance they hold for a young girl in 1891 Paris and again with a present-day biographer. Call it a mystery, a ghost story, an historical novel about the Carcassonne region of France or just a good yarn about the forces of good and evil, it's definitely different.
|
| Michelle Miller (miller4plusmore@bellsouth.net) |
Like Water for Chocolate by Linda Esquivel |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a great book. The incorporation of recipes and cooking in the story gives it a lot of texture. The characters are interesting, especially Tita, the main character. This was a great read.
|
| Michelle Miller (miller4plusmore@bellsouth.net) |
Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I was a little uncertain about this one. I love to read and there really are not too many books that I dislike, but I was worried when I first started reading it and almost put it down. However, once I started getting into it, I really started to like it. Those who like to read historical fiction and about the Knights Templar will like this book. It just has to be given a chance. First impressions can be dangerous!
|
| Lori Barnes (photoquest@bellsouth.net) |
Light Of The Moon by LuAnne Rice |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I thought this was an absolutley wonderful book. I was so taken away to the fabled French Camargue and felt like I saw the white horses running in the white sand. It was a mother's last wish for her daughter to return to visit Sarah, who was a mysterious saint linked to her family. This book has a lot to offer: gypsies, white horses, bulls, love, deep-set pain, friendship, patience. This is a book anyone will enjoy to get caught up in.
|
| Kathy |
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A fun twist to the classic ALICE IN WONDERLAND. This is the story of Alyss and her homeland wars, as well as how her story was twisted into the children's story we have today.
|
| Marion Miller (lamamil@aol.com) |
Consequences by Penelope Lively |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A delightful read. This is a family saga from a British point of view. The story is good and the characters memorable.
|
| Dayna |
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Memorable and meaningful.
|
| Steven Herron-Mager |
Death Before Bedtime by Edgar Box (Gore Vidal) |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I just finished DEATH IN THE FIFTH POSITION by the same author. Maybe this is not the best mystery series I have read, but it is interesting, given that it was written by Gore Vidal under a pseudonym. I was not sure whether to give it 3 or 4 stars because they do have good plots and the characters are interesting. Mr Vidal says he wrote them because of a bad review he received in the 1950's and the reviewing "political" situation at the time. I would not recommend them strongly, but I would recommend them.
|
| Debbie Lockledge (dlockledge@co.brazos.tx.us) |
Jimmy by Robert Whitlow |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I would recommend this book to anyone. It was a great read.
|
| Catie 75 |
Sweetwater by Roxana Robinson |
Rating: 2 Stars |
Uneven; it tries to tell too many stories.
|
| Catie 75 |
Sacred time by Ursula Hegi |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great read.
|
| M, |
The Seduction Of An Unknown Lady by Samantha James |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book was fantastic! Historical Romantic Suspense at it's best. The banter back and forth between the hero and the heroine is quite entertaining and their desire to know each other's deepest secrets draws them further and further into a passion they can't deny. This is the second book in a series starting with THE SECRET PASSION OF SIMON BLACKWELL, which I also recommend highly, but you don't need to read the books in order.
|
| M. |
What Looks Like Crazy by Charlotte Hughes |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A well-written comedy/ mystery with a cast of quirky characters. This book will have you laughing from start to finish!
|
| Cynthia Baxter |
Tell Me Where it Hurts by Dr. Nick Trout |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This non-fiction book is about a "day in the life" of an animal surgeon. There are very sensitive subjects here that make for a lively discussion, --- such as placing a price on your pet or (and I loved this one) the availability of plastic surgery options for your cat or dog. Imagine how your reading group would respond to that one! Highly recommended, but with caution --- there are a lot of emotional moments, so keep your pet handy for a hug.
|
| Marie |
The Year of Living Bibically by A. J. Jacobs |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I am really enjoying this book that has taken me deeper into the bible than I ever had gone in CCD classes. Jacobs is a wry storyteller and he makes seemingly arcane rules from the Bible interesting and worth taking on...even in modern day NYC.
|
| Lori W. |
Star Wars: The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Love, love, love this novel! Simply a wonderfully romantic and well-put together Star Wars Universe story.
|
| Fran |
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Absolutely wonderful. Strout is one of the best contemporary writers. Her weaving together of the different stories is just magical.
|
| Tarah Pessel |
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is such an easy read --- like you're listening to your friend.
|
| Sasha (conannsasha@hotmail.com) |
Why Isn't Church Biblical? by Cliff Tucker |
Rating: 5 Stars |
While the title is a little misleading, this book is a no-holds-barred look into the Church today. How we have strayed from God's word and into feel good messages. This book has inspired me to take a deeper look into the word of God and what he really means. This book shows how one man can transform his life into a God-fearing Christian the right way!
|
| T. Thomas |
The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks |
Rating: 3 Stars |
First in a series. It moves rather quickly, but doesn't seem to offer anything new or innovative.
|
| Jean |
Scoop by Kit Frazier |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Very entertaining and fast moving. It is classified under romantic mystery. I find the humor in this novel to be similar to Janet Evanovich. I will definitely read another mystery by this author.
|
| Michelle (michelle.mccaffrey@verizon.net) |
Harmony by Joanna Goodman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Finding oneself is always a journey and Joanna Goodman takes us on Anne's journey. This was a really great read that snuck up on the reader and left you wanting to know more.
|
| Mo (maestraw@msn.com) |
Charley's Web by Joy Fielding |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Fielding has done it again! She writes thrillers that one can figure out as the book begins, and then she pulls the rug right out from under the reader and the end twists and turns to a resolution that no one knows is coming.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews |
Rating: 3 Stars |
DEEP DISH is about dueling Southern cooks who end up in love and determined to host a tv show together. A cute and predictable story.
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| Ezmerelda (ezmerelda@mail.com) |
Obedience by Will Lavender |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Wonderful book. I'm not finished with it yet, but would recommend it already. I ordered based on a review on this site and am highly pleased. Give it a shot. It's creepy and good.
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| Readingrat |
The Good Guy by Dean Koontz |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Enjoyable characters, lots of suspenseful action, and good plot twists, however the ending was less than satisfying.
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| Dena |
Shifter by Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Virginia Kantra |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I bought this anthology for the Alyssa Day novella that is part of her Warriors from Atlantis series. I really liked it but wish her story was longer. I found that I enjoyed all of the stories and now am more interested in the other authors.
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| T. Thomas |
People of the Book by by Geraldine Brooks |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Although I felt the book got bogged down in a couple of places, overall it is outstanding. I highly recommend it.
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| Gisele |
Crawfish Mountain by Ken Wells |
Rating: 4 Stars |
As a native/resident, I like reading books about Louisiana written by native Louisianians.
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| Katie D |
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love all of Jodi Picoults books, and her latest one is no exception. This time, she is again covering what is faith, as she did in KEEPING FAITH. But readers will discover that this book is even more complicated. It's wonderful, a real page turner.
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| Readingrat |
Oil! by Upton Sinclair |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Upton Sinclair's books always seem to be a struggle for me to finish. He incorporates so much political philosophy into his stories. Not being a very political person, it's hard for me to remain interested in the story once it turns that bend in the road. Overall, I found THE JUNGLE to be a more interesting story due to the working/living atrocities brought to light there.
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| Dena |
Vampire Interrupted by Lynsay Sands |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved all of Lynsay's Vampire books and it seems this is the last by the ending. I hope it isn't because her characters, settings, and storylines are really entertaining. This story followed Marguarite a new private eye looking for the mother of 500-year- old vampire. There was humor, mystery, and romance. If you like that, then you will love this book.
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| Frances Drukten |
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Loved it --- couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read other titles by her. I would recommend it to every mystery fan out there.
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| Jeni |
The Dead Room by Heather Graham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I just recently found this author. How I ever missed her, I will never know. Her writing is exactly what I love --- mystery, romance, and just enough supernatural to make it believable. I immediately went to Barnes and Noble, hunting for more of her work and there was nothing. How could this be?!! So, never fear --- Amazon to the rescue. I bought 4 more...THE PRESENCE, THE SEANCE, THE VISION, and GHOST WALK.
I love the bits of history incorporated, the varying characters and the clarity with which she writes. I am thrilled to have found her and look forward to reading everything.
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| Carol H. |
The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another excellent novel by Sue Miller. Bravo.
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| Carol H. |
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Well-written novel about the wonderful and the difficult times in the lives of childhood friends.
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| Denise |
The Detainees by Roddy Doyle |
Rating: 5 Stars |
THE DETAINEES is a collection of short stories, all dealing with changing Ireland. As Doyle notes in the preface, he went to sleep one night in one Ireland and woke up the next day in another --- with a more diverse population, and with a booming economy. One story updates the life of Jimmy Rabbitte (the central character in Doyle's breakthrough novel, THE COMMITMENTS); several explore the dance of the old and the new in Ireland. I love Doyle's writing, and was delighted to find this new book.
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| Zara Heflin |
Beastly by Alex Flinn |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an enchanting modern-day take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. It is marketed as young adult, but I think more mature readers will it enjoy it equally so.
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| Genie |
Cat Spitting Mad by Shirley Rousseau Murphy |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Modern-day Celtic cats Joe Gray, Dulcie, and Kit speak and read English. When the Molena Point chief of police is framed for the kidnapping and murder of a young girl, its time for this trio to join forces and join the investigation. These little investigators discover clues by hiding under desks, eavesdropping when they are supposed to be asleep, and carefully moving evidence to trap the real killer
There is also an interesting sub-plot: someone is killing cats in San Francisco. Who is doing this and how does it relate to the murders and kidnapping?
Although this is one of several books in a series, it's not necessary to have read the previous ones in order to enjoy this mystery.
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| Debi |
The Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle |
Rating: 2 Stars |
I was really disappointed in this book. It dragged in places so I skimmed through the pages. The ending was a trite vignette, as were many other scenes. Its theme is illegal immigration of Hispanics, but I don't think the characterization did justice to either side.
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| Linda B |
Hostage Situation by Debra Webb |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Very intense, and part of the Colby Agency series!
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| Linda B. |
Hidden by Eve Klein |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A new, fresh author who readers will love!
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| Coral Harrison |
Play Dead by David Rosenfelt |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A very good mystery. It is another installment in the Andy Carpenter series. He is a lawyer who inherited $22 million, so doesn't have to work and takes just the cases he wants. He is hired to try to prove Richard Evans --- who has a life sentence --- not guilty.
Andy has a beautiful Golden Retreiver named Tara. Another Golden Retreiver named Reggie is also a main character in the book.
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| Genie |
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series is one of my favorites. No matter how complex the tale, Precious Ramotswe always discovers the truth and gives down- to-earth advice to those seeking her help. The exception to her usual clear thinking seems to involve her own past. When her first husband comes back to town and tries to pull a blackmail scheme, Precious finds herself in the middle of a bad situation. This time, Precious realizes she can't bury the past. No matter how unpleasant, its time to confront some unfinished business.
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| Tonya Keener |
T is For Trespass by Sue Grafton |
Rating: 5 Stars |
She is my favorite author of all time. I have read every thing she has ever written. When I pick up her books I don't put them down till the book is read.
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| Genie |
Cat In the Dark by Shirley Rousseau Murphy |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Joe Grey and Dulcie are modern-day descendants of ancient Celtic talking cats. They witness, with great interest, a series of burglaries in their California seaside village. They discover the culprits are a human and his accomplice, a large black cat named Azrael, who also talks. When Joe Grey and Dulcie confront Azrael about the crimes, he admits they are correct and proceeds to tell them that there will soon be three murders. It is then that Joe Grey and Dulcie compare notes and come up with a list of possible suspects.
Azrael's human companion turns out to be the brother of Mavity Flowers, one of the hard-working older women in the village.
His daughter and her husband come to town to visit and clandestinely photocopy their aunt's financial portfolio. When the is found murdered, Joe and Dulcie are on the case, much to the dismay of Joe's human keeper, Clyde.
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| Desmond Warzel |
Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An exasperating and amusing story of a woman in distress, by one of the first novelists in the English language.
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| Phyllis |
Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgans |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book. Once I started reading, I hated to stop. It's full of delightful characters and situations; it had me laughing out loud at times and crying at others.
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| Nicole |
Good Grief by Lolly Winston |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I am reading this right now, and it is really a great book! It is about a woman who has lost her husband to cancer, and how she deals with it and gets on with her life!
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| Tammy Sorrell (tesorrell@aol.com) |
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I am currently reading CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult. I'm really enjoying it so far. I'm a huge fan of all of Jodi's books.
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| Yvonne Huff |
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Love her books.
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| Candace |
The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Just ok. The book was good enough to finish, but not enough to keep me awake until I finished it!
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| Gerry |
The Ghost War by Alex Berenson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
CIA agent John Wells returns in a sequel to THE FAITHFUL SPY. He's back in Washington, recovered physically from his wounds and living openly now with Jennifer Exeley, his former "handler." But still, he's restless, careless with his safety, uneasy in his skin. When the CIA finds evidence of a surge in Taliban activity backed by an unknown foreign power, it doesn't take much to convince Wells to return to Afghanistan to investigate. And what he finds there is far from what anyone expected.
This was well written, fast moving, and always interesting. My only complaint is that the end felt a bit rushed, and I'd have liked a little more explicit detail about the book's final events.
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| Annette Taylor |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the best books ever.
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| Carolyn Nedrow (cjnedrow@gmail.com) |
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Love her mysteries!
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| Alicia T |
Chill Factor by Sandra Brown |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I really enjoyed this. It made you think you knew what was going on, when in actuality, you didn't.
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| Ann F |
A Man Called Dave by Dave Peltzer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is his third in the series. The first book, A CHILD CALLED "IT" is the most well known. This conclusion tells how he not only survived, but went on to lead a very interesting life. I enjoyed the book very much.
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| Michele |
Snow Flower and The Secret Fan by Lisa See |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Beautifully written. Two girls become "old sames" in 1800s China. Living in different villages, they share their lives with each other by using secret women's writing on a fan that is passed back and forth. The book follows them from girlhood and foot-binding, to marriage and misunderstanding.
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| Katie S |
Dogs of March by Ernest Hebert |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Our book group just finished this book and then we had a visit from the author. His writing is so full of metaphors and wonderful descriptions. It is about a man in New Hampshire and his reaction to the change coming to his town as people from cities move in.
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| Fran |
Maybe a Miracle by Brian Strause |
Rating: 2 Stars |
A strange story about a girl in a coma, who has religious experiences and a healing effect on others. I enjoyed the novel from the perspective of her brother, and the impact of this tragedy on the family, but I could have lived without the religious aspects of the book. I was also quite disappointed in the end, which appeared to be a little too neatly wrapped up.
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| Karen Mead |
Any by Stephen King |
Rating: 5 Stars |
All of his books are amazing and well worth the read.
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| Julie (julietowson131@aol.com) |
A Vineyard in Tuscany by Ferenc Mate |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is about the author buying an 800-year-old home in Tuscany and planting over 15 acres of grape vines. It is filled with beautiful descriptions of the people, food and Tuscany. And his adventure of becoming an owner of a vineyard and having his wines receive international acclaim.
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| Margie Bunting |
Midnight Rambler by James Swain |
Rating: 4 Stars |
OK, I know I read a lot, and quickly, but I didn't discover until 2/3 of the way through this book that I had read it before! It's so good that I had to finish it, yet again. You can't go wrong with an exciting, suspensful book from Swain.
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| Karen |
Trouble the Water by Nicole Seitz |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great read! Honor and Alice could be two friends of mine. The characters were true to life as was the storyline. The author captured the real-life experiences of many us --- how we as women deal with friends, family, and our own illnesses. I had not read the author's previous work but went out and purchased THE SPIRIT OF SWEETGRASS as soon as I finished TROUBLE THE WATER.
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| Anita Yancey |
Vanished by Karen Robards |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a very good read that you won't want to put down. It keeps you guessing what's going to happen next all throughout the book. I especially like the character of Jake. I wish more men were like him.
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| Peggy (cali_lb@msn.com) |
Bone Song by John Meaney |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Looking for something original in Sci Fi or Fantasy? Well, this is the book for you. It's a futuristic tale that looks and feels like a dark gothic suspense novel. Two characters, a police lieutenant and a Commander who has a very unusual secret, work together to solve a series of murders. In this world, everything is in shades of black, or so it seems; yet, it compels the reader to keep turning the pages wondering what is going to happen next. It's Blade Runner in a city of the dead. Mr. Meaney is a breath of fresh air in the Sci Fi world.
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| Jean H. (sadiebelle238@comcast.net) |
The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Timely and thought provoking. I'm reading this for my book club, and it should be a good discussion.
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| Dodalodle from Beautiful British Columbia |
The Outcast by Sadie Jones |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I found this book to be very sad and emotionally disturbing in some parts. It tells the story of a young boy raised in a small community in 1950s England who witnesses his mother's drowning. He struggles in silence dealing with her death and being raised by a cold unemotional father. The community is very straight laced and church orientated with secretly abusive families. A very compelling and riveting novel.
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| Susan Smith |
Power Play by Joseph Finder |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I found this book interesting
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| Renee (tfranzen2124@comcast.net) |
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I realize I came to this novel a bit late, but with the Romanovs in the news this week, the book feels timely and important. What a wonderful novelist!
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| Mary Ann |
Learning Greek by Charles Baxter |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A very nice story about true love and many chances missed. It is the story of a thoughtful young man and woman who meet on a plane and hit it off. He loses her phone number and doesn't know her last name. They meet several years later, but she is going out with his best friend. And the story goes he secretely still pines for her but gets married to someone else, etc. The plot involves missed chances and finally getting what you are rooting for. It's cever and well written.
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| Mellena Driver |
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It is a very good book. My book club is currently reading this and it is a good mystery.
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| Margaret Ladue (laduea@frontiernet.net) |
The True & Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt by Elisabeth robinson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book was written in letter form, which was a little different, but I enjoyed it very much. It's a heartwarming story of two sisters.
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| Margaret LaDue (laduea@frontiernet.net) |
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love Jodi Picoult's novels. She always has some surprising twists, but my favorite, by far, was MY SISTER'S KEEPER.
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| Robin Coker (hillcoker@yahoo.com) |
7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the 7th installment of the Women's Murder Club series, and one of the best. It's one of those books you can't put down and then feel sad that its over. There were many twist and turns, all the way to the end.
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| Ricki (rickimc@aol.com) |
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This is a quick-paced read about three women that seamlessly moves between the past and the present. However, the ending was very disappointing.
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| Pattie Berryhill (pattiberr@aol.com) |
Slash by Slash and Anthony Bozza |
Rating: 3 Stars |
An insight into the life of Guns N' Roses lead guitarist.
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| Jessica (jessieface@aol.com) |
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love it. Joe's writing definitely reminds me of his Dad's, but he has his own style. HEART-SHAPED BOX is very spooky but intellectual.
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| Terri |
Killer Secrets by Lora Leigh |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I've enjoyed Leigh's books tracking a group of SEALS with their heroic efforts to save the world along with the steamy sex. This book explored the SEAL, Ian, whose biological father is a big wheel in the drug cartel. The heroine, Kira, has a secret life as a sometime-covert government employee. It was okay. But I think some of the "fresh" has gone out of this series. I'm ready for Leigh to tackle a new line because she is an amazing writer.
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