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May 18, 2012 - June 1, 2012

Wendy Catalano
Can't Buy Me Love by Maggie Marr

4
A sizzling romance and a story that I didn't want to end. However, the ending was perfect. The author captured my attention from the very beginning and I didn't want to put the book down. A quick read, entertaining and enjoyable. It would be a pleasure to read more of Maggie Marr's work.

Marsha
Devious by Lisa Jackson

4
This is a riveting case for Bentz and Montoya, detectives in the New Orleans Police Department. Surprisingly, nuns are being murdered and Montoya has a history with one of them. This is a romantic suspense-thriller and quite the page turner.

sherrill boggs
True Sisters by Sandra Dallas

5
The characters are so real I felt like I was with them on their 1300 mile walk to the promised land of Salt Lake City and was with them through struggles, triumphs, feelings of despair and futility. They walked through all kinds of weather and had very little provisions as they had to keep lightening their load. This is a good book for most book clubs but especially religions as this is a very different religion from most. When they finally reached their destination they had to adjust to different ways than they were used to.

shelly itkin
Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams

4
A touching story of how Danya who was divorced by her husband of seven years to marry someone else he was seeing and now comes back into her life. She is asked to see him and his wife who was the women he left her for to talk about something important. After the meeting she is questioning the relationship she now has with Warren her boyfriend and is asked to help her ex Brent and also her friend Audrey when she does something unthinkable and there friendship is in jeopardy. Interesting but too much emphasis on prayer and God.

Kaylynn S
Wedding Cake for Breakfast by Kim Perel and Wendy Sherman, Editors

2
Seems like what made the first year of marriage unforgettable was the tough times. I am NOT passing this on to my just-married niece.

Melanie S.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

5
Wow. This book took my breath away! The writing was so beautiful. It's hard to believe it was translated from Spanish to English and not originally written in English. The story was so convoluted and quite confusing at times, but the last 200 pages really grabbed me and I couldn't put it down! The ending was so moving. I would highly recommend this book!

Diane Pollock
Fish Tank-A Fable for our Times by Scott Bischke

5
Fun, lively morality tale - great for kids but will be loved by parents also!

Peggy P
Terminal Value by Thomas Waite

5
On the edge of your seat reading. Big business, IPO offerings, and behind the scene dealings that are not what they appear. Couldn't put the book down and read it cover to cover in 6 hours. A real who done it that speaks to modern day business ethics and questions the motives of those who would lead us and be responsible for our financial well being. Please take the time to try this book even if it is a new genre for you. You won't be disappointed!

chekita hernandez
Alone by Lisa Gardner

5
Our group is currently reading this. Hard to stop reading.

susan atkins
Hotel Vendome by Danielle Steel

5
This book about a man raising his daughter alone and the relationship they have forged is not only believable but was written so well I could feel the pain and the tears. It is a well-written book I recommend to anyone. Be sure and get a Kleenex, you will need it a couple of times. I love this author, she writes so poignant and you feel like you are right there. If you want a great love story, read this book. It is awesome.

Sylvia Caplow
Defending Jacob by William Landay

5
When you read this book, you KNOW what the characters look like! The main character, Andrew Barber, is the narrator. A murder takes place and the reader is swept along into the intensity of the story. I am familiar with the New England towns which are mentioned in the book and this enabled me to picture some of the scenes. I simply cannot put the book down - except to read my e-mails!!

Susie Sensmeier
The Hunger Angel by Herta Müller

5
A real challenge for translator Philip Boehm the Hunger Angel is written with sensitive and poetic prose the story of Leo Auberg in a Russian work camp starting in 1945. The book has won Herta Muller the Nobel Prize in 2009 but the first US printing is 2012. Starvation, work and homesickness is described so completely through Leo's eyes and feelings with the talent of Muller's poetic intensity. The book has an unforgettable quality from the description of life, work and homesickness. Even tho' the subject is difficult to read the book is a page- turner. Five stars for this one!

Maureen H
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

4
Great read. This is a really enjoyable story about two best friends and how their lives grow over the course of thirty years.

Susan Johnson
Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

5
This book is one of the most enthralling books I have read in some time. I literally couldn't put it down. A mother rushes into a burning building to save her child. What happens next is so awe inspiring and surprising that you can't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happens next. I can't wait to bring it to book club. There is so much to talk about that it could take all day. Highly recommended.

mary ann
Night Road by Kristin Hannah

4
Her characters are really good. For 90 percent of the novel I felt the story was good with real emotion. Felt is was just too quick and tidy of an ending. Overall very good.

Allison Gardner
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

3
Very interesting.

Karel DEich
Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

5
I am still reading it, but I am enjoying it. It is shocking, and sounds more like fiction than fact. Our Book Club is reading it and will have a discussion this summer.

Mary Rodriguez
The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble

4
Good historical mystery and romance read.

Lynn Hough
Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff

4
I greatly enjoyed reading this book.

Sue Mays
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

5
It is a story about the time the Romans were pillaging and burning the people out of Jerusalem and they find safety in an old fortress of Herod's where the importance of the doves and their safe keeping is of vital importance. The women who are the dovekeepers are the story. Very well written.

Rita Wray
44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel

5
I enjoyed this book very much and hated to see it end.

Patricia Pascale
The Litigators by John Gresham

4
Always a great read and I especially enjoy his characters. It is another page turner and I can't wait for the final page. I also find I learn a great deal about our courts, laws and especially the legal beavers who sometimes are very questionable!

ann golobic
Critical by Robin Cook

2
A medical mystery.

Robert E. Runyon
Guilty Wives by James Patterson

3
Interesting idea, but story is dragging at the 40% point in the book. Having traveled extensively overseas I find it hard to believe. Good summer beach read.

Eileen Quinn Knight,Ph.D.
My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me by Edited by Kate Bernheimer

5
This is a compilation of 40 new fairy tales told by some of our most prolific and thoughtful authors of today! We all love fairy tales as they take us to a different space and time. The fairy tales in this volume are gripping and imaginative tales that we all love!

rosemary Sobczak
Robert B. Parker's Lullaby by Ace Atkins

1
Ace Atkins is no Robert Parker! His repartee falls short. The story is OK but for fans of Spenser it is a disappointment. Perhaps we should let Spenser, along with Parker, rest in Peace.

Rosemry Sobczak
Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith

3
If you enjoy pondering what goes on in the neighborhood, this is your book. Engaging, gentle read.

Sandra Beatty
Why Men Lie by Linden MacIntyre

4
Just started, it's #1 this week.

Becky
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

5
This is a tale of a son who, from his very birth, has seemed very distant toward his mother and condescending to his father. As a teen, Kevin seems to have only one sports passion - this he puts to use to make his mark on a society he disdains. This is a brutal novel, surprising to the very end.

Sandy McCullough
Catch Me by Lisa Gardner

5
This is one of my fav. authors and she did not disappoint again! Detective D.D, Warren is hard to surprise. But a lone woman outside D.D.'s latest crime scene shocks her with a remarkable proposition. Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant believes that she will be murdered in four days. And she wants Boston's top detective to handle her death investigation. It will be up close and personal. No evidence of forced entry, no sign of struggle. Charlene tells a chilling story. Each year at 8 p.m. on Jan. 21, a woman has died. The victims have been childhood friends from a small town in New Hampshire: the motive remains unknown. Now only one friend, Charlie, remains to count down her final hours.

Fran
A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz

4
Dean Koontz veers away from his traditional horror story to share a love story between him, his wife and their beautiful Golden Retriever, Trixie. A beautiful memoir which details the life of this regal dog and all the wonder of her life. Written with a candid humor and grace, the reader is left to fall in love with this endearing dog and her relationship in their family. Any dog lover will relate to this story!

Lynn W
Catherine The Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie

4
Catherine's story is brought vividly to life. It's a huge book, but I'm glad I stayed with it.

Janice Baly
Calico Joe by John Grisham

4
This book was an enjoyable page turner. However, I think you need to know something about baseball to really appreciate it.

Joan
Defending Jacob by William Landay

4
Defending Jacob is a well written book that keeps you glued to the pages. At times the story can make you a bit uncomfortable, but you want to continue reading to see what is revealed next. It is the story of Jacob, who is the son of the town's DA, and how he finds himself on trial for the murder of a classmate. The story is told from the father's view point. He and his wife ponder the innocence or guilt of their son and the role each played in Jacob's upbringing and character development. Great book for a book club to discuss.

Lorna
The Confession by John Grisham

4
Donte Drumm is on death row for the murder of a fellow classmate. He claims he is innocent even though he confessed to the crime after being questioned by detectives. A week before he is to be executed a man confessed to a priest that he committed the murder and does not want the now 27-year-old man be executed for the crime that he committed. Unsure if he should become involved, the Reverend decides that he must. So the race is on to save the innocent man from execution.

Jan Hummel
Dark Horse by Tami Hoag

4
This story is a look into the world of wealthy horse racing. The main character is an ex-cop who gets caught up in a case unexpectedly and we don't know who did it until the end. Tami writes suspenseful, intriguing books with characters I enjoy following.

diann dobran
The Affair by Lee Child

5
Super as always! I love how the chapters are quick but makes it hard to put down...even on a NOOK!!!

Janet P Bedell
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

5
What a brilliant man! If I only had a percent of his creativity and struggle for perfectionism. Isaacson writes in such a logical and easy to follow the progression of his life. It is a super read, whether you know anything about computers or not.

Jackie Ranaldo
Wear This, Toss That! by Amy E. Goodman

5
An enjoyable read about what to save in your closet and what to toss ... plus what looks best for your body and the pitfalls to avoid when dressing to impress.

Andrea Lapsley
Winged Obsession by Jessica Speart

4
Who knew that the world of butterflies and bug, and the smuggling of them could be so interesting? One of the world's most beautiful endangered species, butterflies are as lucrative as gorillas, pandas, and rhinos on the black market. The agent's pursuit is truly and fascinating tale. If you liked the Orchid Thief you will love this book.

Julie
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

4
This is one of those books I can't put down. I love the writing style of the author. It's the story of a freshman in college who is a great fielder in baseball until one fateful day something happens on the baseball field that will change his life forever.

Elaine Baxter
The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

4
Even though the book is over 600 pages I read it in two days, did no house work or anything else for that matter. It held my interest as most of Kate Morton books have in the past. I discovered this author on Readinggroupguides.com. The first book I read was "The Forgotten Garden" and needless to say I was hooked. If any one has not read this author then I strongly suggest the you try and I know you will be hooked.

Elaine Baxter
The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich

3
Although I liked this book set in 1500's Venice. I feel that the author sped it up to finish without, for me anyway, a really true understanding of the plot. It seemed to have been written as a Novella short and sweet. Terrible people and a happy ending. I know this is her first novel but I don't think I will read any other books by her.

Francisca E B
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

4
Audio book performed by Peter Francis James. Okonkwo is caught between the tribal traditions at which he excells and the new Christianity and white man's laws that are changing the face of Nigeria. This is a tragic tale of one man’s inability to recognize the strength of outside forces, and to change and adapt to them. It is a cry against the callous disregard of the conquering forces for the traditions, strengths and culture of the conquered. This is also a story of fathers and sons, and the disconnect between generations. Achebe paints a complete picture of tribal life – including the barbaric traditions, and difficulties of a living dependent on nature (a good hunt, a good crop). Peter Francis James' narration is wonderful.

Don Forsythe
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

4
This is one of my favorite Jane Austen novels. I like the different themes that run throughout the novel: slavery in the West Indies, the dichotomy between the upper and lower classes as seen in the family settings of the Bertrams and the Prices, the discussions of landscaping, and the conditions of the "poor relation". The only fault that I find in this novel is the lack of a strong and appealing male character. All of the male characters are flawed and don't deserve the love and the admiration of the women in their lives.

Elaine Beierbach
The Bourne Imperative by Eric Van Lustbader

4
I've been a follower of the Bourne books for a couple of decades!

sherry lieberman
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

4
Wonderful. Keep me interested throughout the book. I wanted to forego my daily happenings so I could just sit and read this book. What a good book that I never thought that I would read, much less love.

Francisca E B
Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

5
An epic tale of twin boys born to an Indian nun and a British surgeon in an Ethiopian hospital, and raised by adoptive parents, only to become surgeons themselves. Verghesse is a masterful storyteller, who wields his pen with surgical precision. The landscape and characters come to life on the page, letting the reader experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of Ethiopia and the hospitals both there and in New York. There are several themes throughout – betrayal, forgiveness, and compassion. At its core is the central question … can you forgive a betrayal from those closest to you? Some reviewers have said that the book was slow … not for me. I was engaged and enthralled from beginning to end.

Jud Hanson
Fatal Error by J. A. Jance

4
When an old friend contacts Ali Reynolds for help checking out a boyfriend, she is happy to oblige. This takes Ali into a web of intrigue as it turns out the boyfriend is not all that he appears to be. Good addition to the Ali Reynold series, although a little light on action.

Jud Hanson
Revelation by Karen Traviss

5
Next to last book in the series features Jacen Solo now fully transformed into a Sith Lord. Having adopted the name Darth Caedus, he continues to try and bring down his own brand of rule on the galaxy. At the same time, young Ben Skywalker continues to pursue the investigation into the murder of Mara Jade Skywalker and so far all facts point to Jacen as the culprit.

Jud Hanson
Invincible by Troy Denning

5
Concluding novel of the Legacy of the Force series. Luke Skywalker must use all the power of the Force at his disposal to stop Darth Caedus from once again oppressing the galaxy. A final battle is on the horizon, as Jaina Solo seeks to confront Caedus and end his budding reign of terror.

Diane Castiglione
Gypped by Carol Higgins Clark

4
Just finished reading Carol Higgins Clark's book Gypped. Has been sometime since I have read one of her books and this was a great mystery. Miss Higgins Clark is a wonderful fun writer. Found this book to be a lighthearted mystery. We follow Ragan Reilly and her husband to L.A where she runs into a lady she meet some years ago and is invited to a party given by the lady who for some reason if left a lot of money by a neighbor of hers. Now the fun begins. Ragan's friend falls ill and Ragan decides to stay with her and help. Not realizing she has been followed to L.A. and is targeted, but why or is it the friend. Found this to be a light mystery and not hard to follow or figure out. Just love Miss Higgins Clark's characters.

Renee Booker
The Last Child by John Hart

5
Once you read this you will see how easy it is to cover up a murder in a small town. But because she was a twin thanks goodness her brother did not give up. By him looking for the truth he was able to save others from child abuse from other who was taken little girls and locking them in basement for sex. A very good book about the love of family.

Lisa Harness
Grace Chapel Inn series by various authors

5
These books are encouraging and uplifting. They just make you think of home and being at home feeling.

Lisa Harness
Design on a Crime by Ginny Aiken

5
This book reached out and grabbed me. I like the suspense & solving a mystery. It also just touched me, in the fact that God is always with us even when we're not as close to Him as we should be. Great read.

Lisa Harness
Decorating Schemes by Ginny Aiken

5
The second in the Deadly De'cor mystery. She brings out the dynamics in working with other people. It's just real life.

Lisa Harness
The Queen by Steven James

4
A thriller read. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. It also keeps you guessing until the end.

Lisa Harness
Relentless Pursuit by Kathy Herman

5
This is the third in this series. It shows the great love God has for us and how He draws us back to Himself. Awesome book.

Joan OToole
Oracle's Moon by Thea Harrison

5
This is the second book in a series of paranormal fiction. I have never been very interested in this type of fiction before but I am fascinated by this book and the first one by Thea Harrison.

Pota
The Radleys by Matt Haig

4
This book is a vampire book for adults but I think it could easily be rated YA. It's about a family that has a teenage son and daughter. One day the daughter is attacked at a party by a boy from school and she finds out she is a vampire after she bit him in self defense. Turns out the entire family are vampires and the parents hid this from their children and neighbors to raise their kids like everyone else. What happens after that is funny and eventful.

Dianne
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

4
Intriguing story set in a part of the world that is new to me. Great characterization and story line.

Diane Porter
Monday Mornings by Sanjay Gupta

4
Good read. Characters are well described, and you can about them. Gives the average person a look into hospital life.

Jud Hanson
Future King by Larry Pontius

4
According to legend, King Arthur and Merlyn will return in Britain's greatest moment of need. That time has arrived-the Royal family has been kidnapped, the economy is in turmoil and a coup is under way. Good book but plot could have been expanded.

Judy O.
Perla by Carolina de Robertis

4
This is probably the most unique book that I've ever read. It's historical fiction about the "Disappeareds" in Argentina in the late 70s to early 80s. Perla is a young woman who begins to question her whole life as a result of a mysterious "guest" who comes to visit her. It is a compelling story.

Cynthia Parry
Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

4
Great read.

Lynn Hough
Mission Flats by William Landay

4
This book is like a blindfolded roller coaster ride – starts off slow and steady then sends you through twists and turns, with no idea just how the ride will end. I picked this book up because I enjoyed the author’s latest book – “Defending Jacob”. Initially, I wasn’t as impressed but then I was hooked and in for the ride. Very enjoyable read – couldn’t put it down during the last 100+ pages.

Diane Dellicker
The Book Lover by Maryann McFadden

5
This book really lets the reader know about the process of one author's quest to get her book published. It also helps us to understand what an independent book store owner goes through in this age of the electronic books and other changes in the book market. The characters in this novel were very well done, and I think it's the author's best one yet. Book club members should like it, and the author is willing to talk to their clubs about her book.

Marsha
The King of Lies by John Hart

5
This is one of the best debut novels I have read. It is a complex mystery thriller which will leave you guessing until the end. It is well-plotted and beautifully written. The characters are well-drawn with a few surprises.

marion Miller
These is my Words by Nancy Turner

3
This is a very exciting book. I felt that I was reading a western movie epic. It is about a family that survives Indian raids, Bad cowboys, thieves etc. in the Old West. It is written in the form of a diary and is well written. However, at times I just wanted to say "get on with it Lady"!

Andrea Arbie
Come Home by Lisa Scottoline

3
Not among her best, I'm sorry to say. I liked the premise, the family (stepfamily, I should say) dynamic and the reunions. BUT I think this book suffers from what I call the kitchen sink syndrome, trying to put too much in whether it fits or not and somewhere in between the lost blood work, cybersexing hoax, cheating dead husband and insider pharacutical stock scams, I just threw up my hands and said, enough. Better to read some of her other, better books like Save Me. By the end of this book you don't want to come home to these characters, you'd rather go away.

Sally B., San Antonio TX
Are You There, Vodka? It's Me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler

3
The author/comedienne tells of her many escapades in her life. Very raunchy and not a book for everyone. The writing was pretty good though.

Edna Juck
The Forgotten Woman: The Untold Story of Kastur, Wife of Mahatma Gandhi by Arun Gandhi, Sunanda Gandhi and Carol Lynn Yellin

4
This book is so important about a woman we rarely talk about. It is valuable history; it is very informative about the status of women during her era. It is insightful about Mahatma Gandhi her husband, and is a delightful and entertaining read.

Norene Wittlin
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

5
Helped me understand a lot about computers and marketing.

Reva Wamsley
Two Widows & The Thrift Store by Ruth Ross

3
I downloaded this book for free to my Kindle so wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. This is a nice little mystery about two widows who happen to be mother & daughter & live together. They like to shop at this thrift store. Millie, the daughter, buys a ornate box & finds a will hidden in a secret compartment. Shortly afterward, the night watchman is found murdered in the store. Is there a connection?

Sheri Dodds
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

5
Loved this book. I didn't want it to end. I can't wait for Vanenessa Diffenbaugh's next book.

Lynn W
Wish You Well by David Baldacci

4
David Baldacci has written many books since this one, but none are as fine. In his own words, "writing this novel was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life." It's a very rewarding experience to read it, too.

Elizabeth Riggs
Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

5
It's wonderful so far as all Witemeyer's books are!

Elaine Beierbach
A Blaze of Glory by Jeff Shaara

3
Not my genre but a good read all the same.

Renee Booker
Night Road by Kristin Hannah

5
I like how she brought out a mother who think about nothing but her children and how it almost cost her a family, over the death of one.

Lea Ann Morris
True Sisters by Sandra Dallas

5
This is an historical fiction novel reconverted Mormons, mostly from England and Scotland, traveling/walking from Iowa City to Salt Lake City in 1856. It concentrates on the women; their strength, their suffering; their determination. The group gets caught in the snow in the mountains leading into Salt Lake City which increases their suffering and the number of deaths. The book grabbed my attention and held it throughout. While I especially recommend it to women, men too will find it worth their time. I thought it well written, true to history as I know it and a fitting memorial to the men, women and children who made such a hazardous trek.

Sandra Thomas
The Burning Soul by John Connolly

3
This is an intensely gripping story mixing revenge, mob activity and crimes against children set in a bleak northern town which exists in a grim setting, lacking any joy in life. A man who committed a horrible crime as a boy lives under an assumed identity fearing always that he be found out when a similar crime is committed in his locality. Somebody knows of his past and is taunting him with the details although he professes to be innocent. The hero, a private detective, is hired to protect him even though the detective has suffered the loss of his wife and daughter under brutal circumstances.

Linda Johnson
The Expats by Chris Pavone

4
Wow! Reminded me, in ways, of Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon. Never knew where this was going until very close to the ending. The author artfully supplied hints that all was not as the reader expected. He might have led us down the proper road, but it turned out that we were on the wrong side of the road. This is all Kate's story of leaving a job she'd had for almost half of her life and moving with her husband and two children to Luxembourg for Dexter's new job. The skills that Kate developed in her old career do not just turn off. She worked for the CIA. Now her distrust and suspicion turn to, first, a couple they meet in Luxembourg and subsequently Dexter. The pages turn themselves on this one.

Connie LeFever
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

5
I have been recommending this title after hearing the author speak at a local posh florist. I loved the flower references and the coming of age story set in a vineyard. It is a beautiful story you will want to read again and again.

KG
All The Flowers In Shanghai by Duncan Jepson

5
This book takes place during the time of the Communist Revolution in China. Feng, a 17-year-old girl is married off into a powerful, wealthy family. The life she leads is vastly different from the life she has previously known, and the reader soon sees how events that take place in Feng's new life, changes her. This book is a beautiful story of a very sad life. I did not know what to expect would happen and I could not put the book down.

Don Forsythe
Oh Danny Boy by Rhys Bowen

3
"Oh Danny Boy" is my favorite of the Molly Murphy series, thus far. In this book, Ms. Bowen creates a more credible protagonist and fleshes out the secondary characters. Molly, a recent Irish immigrant, continues in her unlikely choice of career, as a detective in New York. Her adventures in this novel are well crafted and there are many twists and turns in her latest investigation. Molly, as a single working woman, continues to be faced with the prejudices of the male-dominated society of the time. She faces a new and difficult personal challenge in this novel. We come to see and empathize with a more well-developed character. Looking forward to reading the next novel in the series.

Shirley Dameron
Someone to Watch Over Me by Teresa Hill

5
I'm enjoying this book very much.

Patty Hamblin
Sharpshooter in Perrocoats by Mary Connealy

5
I recently finished all 3 of the books in Mary Connealy's Sophie's Daughters series. I always enjoy Mary's book, love the way they make you laugh! I think I enjoyed this one the most, maybe because my mother is an artist and I can appreciate Logan and his love of art and his making a living at it, when it wasn't that common or understood at the time.

Gretchen Carolan
May the Road Rise to Meet You by Peter Troy

5
The worlds of an Irish immigrant, a New York society girl, and two slaves collide via the fight against slavery and the Civil War is a must read book! I love debut authors and Peter Troy is a great writer and I cannot wait for his next book. I could not put this book down and how he weaved the characters was extraordinary!

Jud Hanson
Designated Targets by John Birmingham

5
2nd book in an outstanding example of alternative history fiction. When a naval task force from 2021 is thrown back in time 80 years as a result of an experiment gone awry, they land right in the middle of WW II. They bring their technology with them and now the Axix powers have some of it as well. Stalin and Hitler both alter their battle plans upon learning what their destiny was to be. The Allies must find a way to counter this or history will be rewritten for their descendants in unimaginable ways.

Sandy McCullough
The Eleventh Victim by Nancy Grace

3
I was a little confused about the two different story lines until the end. I also thought there was a little unfinished business at the end.

Lori Edelson
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

5
I absolutely loved The Homecoming of Samuel Lake. It’s the best book I’ve read thus far this year. I had been apprehensive that it might be too religious for me, but it wasn’t at all. I agree with the positive comparisons to To Kill A Mockingbird. The characters are unique and well-developed, and the book is beautifully written. There was an underlying suspense in the story that made me unable to put the book down. I would highly recommend it to all readers and book groups. I was delighted to have received an ARC of this book through a book giveaway.

Michael McAdam
Haywire by Justin R. Macumber

5
This is a bit of a departure for me and I have to admit I am enjoying it. This book has a very "Battlestar Galactica" feel to it. Humans and a different race have to band together when a former enemy resurfaces. Very enjoyable... so far (half way through)...

Lynn Hough
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

3
This book was a little slow getting started but then it got better about half way through. I think the story itself was interesting but I never got “attached” to any of the characters.

Lois Belliveau
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

3
Interesting look at dealing with a Bi-polar lover; not as intriguing as Middlesex.

Lois Belliveau
On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

3
Surprisingly, good book by an unknown author. It was one of the Kindle 2.99 specials. I'd definitely read another of her books.

Billie Jo Copas
Dark Passage by Griffin Hayes

5
Pardon the language, but this is one hell of a book! Absolutely fabulous. It's creepy, twisted, one of the best horror books I have read in a LONG time! I cannot stress enough how good this is. I read a lot of books, and I have a good many favorite authors. Griffin Hayes is most definitely one now. All I can say is, "Look out, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker! Griffin Hayes has arrived and he is putting you on notice!" If you like horror, this book is definitely a MUST READ!! It had me captivated from the start. The writing is fast-paced, very vivid! Mr. Hayes makes you feel as though you are right there in the story. Not every writer can do that, but Griffin Hayes definitely can!! Read it. You will NOT be disappointed!

Pamel Welsh
The Forest Ranger's Child by Leigh Bale

5
As Lily returns home, after many years, she is caught in a flash flood. Even though she's thankful, Lily pushes the Forest Ranger's friendship away. She has no desire to be his friend or to be pursued by him. Lily has the upcoming birth of her child and an ailing father to deal with. Can Ranger Nate convince her he is one of the good guys? Can Nate help Lily believe in love again?

Reva Wamsley
When Day Breaks by Mary Jane Clark

4
This is one in a series about the people who work for KEY news, a television news station. The longtime star of morning television is going to another station. But before she starts her new job, she's found dead in her swimming pool. One of her colleagues, with the help of some of her other co-workers, is trying to find out what happened to her.

Daryl Evangelista
Little Bee by Chris Cleave

5
When I first started the book, I thought I wasn't going to like it. But then it totally drew me in and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened on the beach as well as see how the relationship between the two women developed.

Makaela
Matched by Ally Condie

4
This book had many unexpected twists and turns. Although the dialogue was poor quality the story was great.

Bonnie
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

4
Genius? Crazyman? Whatever you think of him, Jobs was one-of-a-kind and a little of both and this biography lets us know what made him tick. After reading it, I want to go out and buy lots of Apple products. Steve would like that.

Bonnie Gluhanich
The Affair by Lee Child

4
I'm a big Jack Reacher fan and this tells how he came to be the way he is. There's also another entertaining mystery packed into the story. Note to Child: When they cast the movie, think Jim Caviezal as lead.

Marsha
The Last Child by John Hart

5
Relentless and rather depressing in part but this story of the bravest boy you can imagine will touch your heart. He is determined to find his missing twin sister disappeared a year ago. The lives of those in the community are impacted as bodies are uncovered and hope, courage and loss affect so many.

Kylie W
The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler

3
A very slim volume packed with Tyler's wit and wisdom. Aaron is a stick-in-the-mud only in his mid 30s who has been married to a doctor 8 years his senior. She dies is a freak accident and then "appears" --- he thinks to help him through his terrible grief. By the end of the book the reader knows the marriage wasn't particularly happy and maybe she "comes back" to ease her own soul.

Irene Grigas
Lost December by Richard Paul Evans

4
This book involves a father and son. The father owns a copy company and the son goes to graduate school in Philadelphia and meets up with some undesirables. He eventually distance himself from his father and decides to live life as he wants by spending all his trust fund monies on his pleasures and no-good friends. Ending up in Las Vegas, he finds himself broke and homeless. He meets up with a good Samaritan who helps him get a job and he realizes what a mistake he has made. He realizes finally what life is really about. It's a fast moving story and a feel good ending. I recommend anything that the author writes.

Irene Grigas
True Sisters by Sandra Dallas

4
This advance copy was sent to me for review. I am at awe at the horrible conditions the early Mormons have endured. In my estimation I find this book a horror story with "saints" dying and starving on their trek to Zion the city where they are supposed to be saved. I cannot imagine any person being so taken with this cult as to continuing onward to Salt Lake City. This book shows the good in people but shows that their common sense never entered their minds. It was well written and I like Sandra Dallas's other books but it is a hard read.

Carolyn Kindle
Butterfly's Child by Angela Davis-Gardner

4
Hearing Puccini's great opera, Madame Butterfly, is not necessary, but if you love the opera you may also enjoy this author's imaginative account of the lives of Pinkerton, Kate and Benji after they sailed away from Japan following Cio-cio-san's suicide. It definitely wasn't "happily ever after" living on a farm in Illinois. I'm urging all my friends to read this book so I will be able to talk about it.

Jeff
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell

5
The best historical novel I've read since Wolf Hall. Mitchell explores the arcane world of Dejima, Japan, the Dutch settlement on the fringe of Nagasaki in 1799 with penetrating intelligence. The gripping storyline and richness of detail are astonishingly good. So nice to read a page-turner of such profound literary quality.

Mary Bryant
The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings

3
I'm halfway into the book. It is interesting but nothing too special.

Lesley Fry
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

5
I've read only 71 pages of this 600 page book, but already I wish it were longer! She's a great writer, the story moves right along, and the character development is excellent. The story starts in Hungary and Paris in 1937, so you know where the story is going and get hooked right away. It is hard to imagine this is her first book and I look forward to reading her next one.

Pamela Robison
My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

5
Wonderful story about a very strong, independent woman and her determination to practice medicine against incredible odds. The backdrop is the Civil War and it was very well represented without overpowering the story. The secondary characters were interesting and believable, and the writing was beautiful. Highly recommend this book.

Nancy
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

5
SO HILARIOUS, I am racing through this (mostly true) memoir. The stories she shares about her childhood and her zany Dad are so reminiscent of my own Dad's insane "hobbies".

Bea Carroll
The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler

5
Really imaginative book by one of my favorite authors.

Mary Zelli
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

5
Germany in the 30's as Hitler is rising to power and the people's unwillingness to see what is actually happening before their eyes. The American ambassador and his family in Berlin and what he observes and his daughter cavorting with the Germans. Interesting, suspenseful ... well written, can't wait to finish it.

Nanette McCall
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

5
I so enjoyed The DaVinci Code and The Lost Symbol and never got around to this one. I'm giving it five stars because I have no doubt it will be everything I am looking for on this long weekend.

Dianne Dow
Final Sail by Elaine Viets

4
One of the best books in the Dead-end Series.

Janet Nydegger
Baby's in Black: Astrid Kirchherr, Stuart Sutcliffe, and the Beatles by Arne Bellstorf

4
I have not had a lot of experience with graphic novels but I enjoyed reading this book. I was familiar with the story and that helped me follow along. It is only 200 pages so it did not take long to read. I bought this book because I love the Beatles, but it is not really about them. It is the love story between Stuart and Astrid. The illustrations are deceptively simple and tell a terrific story with very few words.

Rose Prevost
The Cranes Dance by Meg Howrey

3
I really enjoyed the behind the scenes life of a ballerina. Although this novel was about much more than a ballerina's life. It was about Kate's struggles with guilt about her sister Gwen, and her own struggles as well. The last few chapters were pretty intense. Very emotional, compelling.

Jacki Stein
Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

5
Very good read - entertaining and informative. Puts you back into the time of the events being discussed and has good descriptions of characters, including a character synopsis at the end, which was very interesting.

Rachelle Strachar
The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar

5
Thrity Umrigar always amazes me how her books are so easy to read -yet her characters are complex. Her words are beautiful and touching. I can identify parts of myself in characters and yet they are foreign to me. I learn so much about Indian culture. The World We Found is a beautifully written book about 4 friends from college who try to get back to together after 25 years and how their lives have changed. Difficult issues are explored such as religious fanaticism, Hindu vs Muslim, wealth and it privilege, lesbianism, parental care giving and marital fidelity. Definitely would recommend!!

Sharon
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

4
I would call Maisie Dobbs and the books that follow to be historical mystery. Although Maisie's story of a low maid in London to a highly educated investigator/psychologist is a bit of a stretch, the stories deal with solid issues of the time especially the aftermath of World War I. While solving a mystery Maisie is also dealing with poverty, shell shock (as they called it), prejudice and sorrow. A very interesting read.

Rachelle Strachar
A Natural Woman by Carole King

4
So far so good! I have just started to read it and I am really enjoy it. I guess being able to write good music has helped Carole to write a GOOD BOOK! I'm breezing though so far. The book starts with her as a toddler -- so it's long but looks like there is a lot to it. From what I know about her I life, I think it should hold most readers interest. Didn't know she was married 4 times ...

Rachelle Strachar
The Woman Who Can't Forget by Bart Davis, Celeste Ciulla and Jill Price

3
Having a good memory is often seen as being a gift. However it is not always so for that person. I'm reading this book to help me understand myself as well. While Ms. Price's memory is extremely superior -- her memory often creates difficulties for her. Others find this difficult to understand. I get it. I'm enjoying the book, and definitely learning from it -- but it does drag at times. Glad to be reading it!

Lois Lilling
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

5
I loved this book. The personalities of the dogs won me over. A story written from the heart, that had me weeping at the end. The main characters were so well portrayed by the situations and the plot. This is a book I would recommend again and again.

Marie Ruediger
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

4
Witty, spunky, and full of Southern life.

Linda Winchell
Nothing Daunted by Dorothy Wickenden

4
The author writes about the adventures of her grandmother and her grandmother's friend who left their family, and home, in New York in 1916 to teach in a country school in northwestern Colorado.

Allison Gardner
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

3
Great story about life on Cape Cod in World War II.

Mary Rodriguez
Miss Julia to the Rescue by Ann B. Ross

5
Miss Julia problems with remodeling her house and her trip searching for J.D. Pickens.

Susan Currant
Then Again by Diane Keaton

4
Diane Keaton has always represented a strong female to me. This book definitely confirms that. She writes the book as if she is sitting on your couch having a conversation with you. She has a very strong voice and talks about the influence her mother had on her life and also many others.

lisa
A Teeny Bit of Trouble by Michael Lee West

4
This is her 2nd book in a comic mystery series featuring Teeny Templeton - professional baker, accidental amateur sleuth and perpetual trouble magnet. West's writing is razor sharp and her dialogue hilarious. If you enjoy authors such as Carl Hiaasen, Jennifer Cruisie, Janet Evanovich - you'll be a fan of Michael Lee West as well. A real treat!

Johanna Bouchard
Iron House by John Hart

5
An excellent thriller. I loved this book!

Johanna Bouchard
Iron House by John Hart

5
An excellent thriller. I loved this book!

Susan Fifer
The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen

4
Interesting read set in 1918 against the backdrop of WWI and the influenza epidemic. A mill town in the NW United States decides to quarantine themselves from the outside world to prevent the flu infecting their town. Several moral dilemmas crop and our reading group had different opinions about the characters' actions.

Linda Smith
Safe from the Sea by Peter Geye

5
A mesmerizing story about lives broken apart and salvaged. The story takes place near Lake Superior, and it is beautifully told. I never wanted it to end.

Bonnie Gluhanich
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

4
Funny, light musings by the actress on "The Office". Made me chuckle a lot and laugh out loud several times. Quick read.

Patricia
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

5
I finally got around to read this book. I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner because it was such a wonderful moving story.

Gina
True Sisters by Sandra Dallas

4
I am not Mormon so was a bit wary about reading a book about Mormon immigrants using pushcarts to go across the plains and mountains to Salt Lake City in the 1800s. I became engrossed in the characters and their trials during the march. The book does not proselytize Mormonism. It is an historic novel. The characters stayed with me after the book was finished.

Marsha
Cleaning Nabokov's House by Leslie Daniels

4
A young woman whose life seems to be falling apart, settles into a house that supposedly belonged to the famous novelist, Nabokov. As she struggles to rebuild her life and regain the custody of her children, she finds note cards with the plot of a novel, hopefully written by the great author. In the process of trying to publish the book, she finds herself amid humorous twists and turns you will find yourself chuckling and enjoying her comeback.

Sandy McCullough
Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers

5
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. It is the story of Laure and her life in the orphanage and then her life in Canada. I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy and it can be found at Bookmooch.com.

Joan Burton
Beach House Memories by Mary Alice Monroe

4
This book is a sequel to The Beach House. It takes us back to the Isle of Palm off the coast of South Carolina to the little cottage, The Primrose. Lovie is once again spending the summer at the beach with her 2 children and also working with the loggerhead turtles. She meets a handsome man, who has come to the island to do research on the turtles and Lovie finds herself as his assistant. As her marriage begins to crumble around her, Lovie must decide what she wants for her future and that of her children. Monroe describes the island so well you feel as though you are there among the sand dunes observing life around you. Well worth the wait.

Karen Catignani
The Inquisitor by Mark Allen Smith

5
One of the most exciting thrillers I have read in a long time. Both characters and events are completely unexpected.

Evelyn Fenley
Forgotten Country by Catherine Chung

4
A Korean family fled to America after the father wrote an anti-government pamphlet. The daughters seem to have adjusted to American ways. Then one day the younger sister, Hannah, disappears from their lives. The family returns to Korea for the father's cancer treatment and both girls have to reconcile their lives with the life of the family.

Connie Fischer
True Sisters by Sandra Dallas

5
The story takes place in 1856 and is based on the true story of newly converted Mormons from England. It follows them on their journey by ship across the Atlantic to the U.S. and by pushing their belongs via handcarts from Iowa 1,300 miles to Salt Lake City, Utah. The deplorable conditions, bad weather, lack of food, clothing and medical care tests their faith to the extreme. Their amazing strength and determination to reach their Zion is described by the author and the characters committed to their goal. A part of me wondered why on Earth anyone would put themselves through this while another part of me admired their unfailing determination. The author did a great job of portraying the strength of women during this journey.

Connie Fischer
Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green

4
I found this novel to be well written and totally in tune with many of today's teens. With the number of parents with stepchildren these days, I'm sure many of them could read this book and feel as though they had experienced the exact things. Andi marries Ethan who has two daughters. Andi has no children of her own and cannot conceive. She does everything she can to be the loving stepmother to these two children and is met with total disdain by one of them. Emily is a child who has always been first in her father's love and resents Andi. Follow this family as they tread through their difficult relationships.

Connie Fischer
The Proposal by Mary Balogh

5
"The Proposal" is an excellent example of two people who have been deeply saddened by loss come together to help one another heal. Both Hugo and Gwendoline have wealth, yet Hugo is a simple man at heart. Together, they find trust, friendship and love. The humor that Ms. Balogh has added to this novel is essential to the journey to help the couple heal from their pain. I certainly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Linda Harrison
Catch Me by Lisa Gardner

5
A suspenseful book will keep you guessing as to the identity of the killer. Detective D.D. Warren of the Boston PD is intrigued when a young woman identifies herself at a crime scene and tells D.D. that she will be killed on the 21st of the month and wants D.D. to be the investigating officer.

Linda Harrison
The Mule Tamer II - Chica's Ride by John Horst

5
This book continues the story originated with The Mule Tamer. I love the down-to-earth story of Arvel and his Mexican wife Maria, known as Chica. In this book, their daughter is kidnapped by a bandit known as the Sombrero del Oro and Chica disguises herself to get into the bandit’s compound to save her daughter. There she sees the cruelty carried out by the bandits on their captives and takes her revenge.

Linda Harrison
The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader

4
This is the first Jason Bourne book written by Van Lustbader and based on the character originated by Robert Ludlum. This book was quite lengthy but kept your attention all the way through. Jason is battling jealous cohorts within the CIA as well as Chechen rebels in this book.

Linda Harrison
A Devil is Waiting by Jack Higgins

4
This book follows where The Judas Gate ended. Sean Dillon and Daniel Holley are helping General Charles Ferguson prevent an assassination of the U.S. president when he arrives in England. The Al Qaeda's spokesman has ordered his minions to kill Ferguson’s group but Ferguson has his own plans.

Judy
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton

4
Love all her books - but I never get them read as soon after publication as I'd like!

Kathy Iwasaka
Zero Day by David Baldacci

4
I did enjoy this book and it kept my interest until the end, but I kept thinking that John Puller was a wannabe Jack Reacher. Read it for the typical Baldacci twists and excitement. It will get your heart racing.

Melanie
Oxford Messed Up by Andrea Kayne Kaufman

4
This was a unique love story about two students at Oxford University with HUGE issues that interfere with their relationships. The girl has severe OCD and the guy is a "loser". (don't want to give a spoiler) I enjoyed reading this book as I don't recall ever reading a book with OCD at its theme, and the references to poetry, particularly Van Morrison's music, as a child of the 70s, made me want to get out some old albums... if only I still had my turntable...

Linda Hitchcock
The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont

5
A debut novel to rival "Catcher in the Rye." It's a brilliant, riveting coming-of-age tale set in an elite boarding school with finely drawn characters and harrowing images of hazing.

Ginny R. Horton
A Quiet Vendetta by R. J. Ellory

5
This thriller begins with the kidnapping of a governor's daughter. It takes awhile before the reader can latch onto who the central character is; at first we assume it to be John Verlaine, a Homicide Detective in New Orleans, but it isn't. Then we figure it to be New York based Special Investigator Ray Hartmann, but again, it isn't. In fact it is more than one hundred pages into the story before we finally know who it's really all about: Ernesto Cabrera Perez who confesses to the kidnapping although he won't divulge her whereabouts until he finishes telling Hartmann his life story. This is an amazing story by an exceptional writer.

Norene Wittlin
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

5
A quick read-very informative.

Robert Runyon
Stolen Prey by John Sandford

5
Great book if you love Lucas Davenport.

Brenda Tucker
Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

5
I like this book so far, Christian has not yet shown Ana the Red room. It seems very nice, but he is very deliberate in his Red room fantasies. I don't think I agree with Ana being totally dominated by him. Can't wait to see what happens.

Nancy Snodgrass
The Fault in our Stars by John Green

5
Fabulous book It will make you laugh! It will surely make you cry. And it will make you think about what it means to be brave. What it means to be in love. What it means to live.

Carroll Savage
The Last Child by John Hart

4
This is the first book I have read by John Hart and it won't be my last. My book club is reading it for their May selection. It is the story of a teenage brother's search for his twin sister who has mysteriously disappeared. Strong character development and lots of twists in the plot make for one great read! I couldn't put this thriller down!

GladysMP
When Two Hearts Meet by Janelle Mowery

5
This book rates 10 stars. I hated to have it end. Lots of action, an adorable hero and heroine, entertaining to the utmost, a Western setting - I am anxious to read other books by this author.

Donna Lock
Defending Jacob by William Landry

4
I could not put this book down. The story centers on an assistant district attorney who represents his teenage son on a murder charge. The battle between what is true and protecting a son is so strong and made me think about what would I do in the same situation.

Tessa B
Big Red Tequila by Rick Riordan

4
Jackson Navarre III (a/k/a “Tres”) has returned to San Antonio after 10 years in California, intent on answers to his father's murder. Riordan’s book is populated with colorful characters. In addition to Tres, we meet his half-brother Garrett – a paraplegic computer whiz who drives a van decorated with plastic fruit and paintings of Carmen Miranda on its sides. And let’s not forget Robert Johnson, Tres’s enchilada-eating coffee-drinking cat. The plot is appropriately intricate, involving old vendettas, past loves, unfaithful spouses, greedy politicians, and crooked cops. Riordan's writing has just the right flavor of San Antonio (and made me hungry for GOOD Mexican food). All in all, entertaining and engaging. I'll read more of him.

Sean Penrose
Relic by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

4
I have seen the names Preston and Child for quite some time and finally got around to reading one of their novels. I now realize I should have done so much sooner. In Relic, Preston and Child craft a intriguing science horror novel set in the mysterious New York Museum of Natural History. The building itself plays such a huge role in the book I now want to visit. The theme of the book is right inline with some of Michael Crichton’s work and is on par with that. The villains in the book, both human and not, are great and the unexpected epilogue was fantastic. My one pet peeve was too many of the characters were very one note throughout. Overall, a really good book that will lead me to check out more by these accomplished authors.

Fran
Sadie-In-Waiting by Annie Jones

2
This book was just okay. Never really grabbed my interest. But was just ok.

Fran
Tall Dark and Hungry by Lyndsay Sands

4
I love this series. This book featured Bastien and Terri. Lots of fun, romance, comedy and paranormal vampire themes. Love it. Cannot wait to get the next in this series.

Melanie
Lexapros and Cons by Aaron Karo

3
This was an ARC I received and decided to read even though its target audience was clearly teenagers. I also had to wonder, as I was reading, which age group this book would actually be appropriate for as there were many references to masturbation and girl's breasts. I am guessing a 15 year old boy would probably be the target audience... lol. Anyway, it was told from the point of view from a nerdy guy with OCD, and told of his struggles to try and break free of his compulsions. It was done with cryptic humor, which is what I enjoyed most about the book. I think this book has a very specific and small target audience, but I did find it amusing and entertaining, imagining what not-so-cool teenage guys must go through in high school.

Dianne
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

4
This is an intriguing look at the survivor's of the Titanic through the eyes of well developed characters you will not forget.

Colin Beierbach
A Blaze of Glory by Jeff Shaara

4
Rather enjoyed some of the battles fought!

Gary Cassells
Hard Country by Michael McGarrity

5
A quality western with great character development. Very much like "Lonesome Dove" in that the characters have to battle against the environment they are in; the gun, hostile natives, the earth. There is also a constant battle of the heart. It is a true American novel of the West.

Rena Ackley
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht

4
Interesting insights into family relationships and how past experiences shape who we are today even when we don't connect them at the time. This novel has also exposed me to areas of the world I was not previously familiar with.

ann golobic
Thunder and Rain by Charles Martin

3
Only on page 38 but i love books taking place in the West.

Janet Chiero
Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb

4
3rd in the Death series. I love the characters in this series and the fact that it is slightly in the future so it is a little futuristic in detecting ideas.

Gil
Calico Joe by John Grisham

5
A very good book about a rookie for the Chicago Cubs who performs out of this world as soon as he is inserted into the lineup. He then suffers some bad luck which shortens his career. The narrator of the story idolizes Joe, and ironically his father is a pitcher for the Mets and is Joe's nemesis. The book although fictional includes the names of actual baseball stars which make the book even more interesting. The book is an absorbing tale of how Calico Joe deals with his success as well as his nemesis. I believe the book is much more than just about baseball.

gil
The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer

5
This is the sequel to Only Time Will Tell. The story continues with Harry Clifton subsequent to his rescue after being torpedoed by a German u-boat. He is assumed dead and unwittingly takes on the identity of someone who has died, and was wanted for murder. In New York City, Harry has dealings with people who do not have his best interests at heart which leads to many hardships for him.

Tanya B.
Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan

3
This book wasn't at all what I expected. The time travel part took me totally by surprise and I felt like I had missed several chapters when it happened. I was also expecting a dog to play more of a role in the book. I enjoyed two other books by this author but this one didn't compare in my opinion.

Debbie M
Agony of the Leaves by Laura Childs

3
Laura Childs presents a mild mystery that does not contain graphic violence or sex. Sometimes, Childs uses a heavy hand in pitching charities. The recipes and description of Charleston are exquisite. I wish that Childs would publish a book of the recipes included in the Tea Shop Mysteries. In this caper, Theodosia's ex boyfriend, Parker Scully is killed. The parties and expeditions in Charleston create a worldly atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoy this simple, yet delicious sojourn in Charleston.

Lynn Hough
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan

4
What a dysfunctional family!! But I loved reading it. I especially enjoyed how the author told the story from 4 different points of view, which covered 3 generations of women in the family. Although expected, I'm not sure that I truly like the way the story ended. It left you wanting a little more.

Sharron
The World As We Know It by Joseph Monninger

4
Story of brothers who save girl from falling through the ice in New Hampshire. They go on to be best friends, start a nature film company, and one of brothers becomes engaged to girl. Things change quickly right before the wedding. Real environmental story.

Judy O.
The Innocent by David Baldacci

2
Will Robie is a paid assassin for the US government---mostly working abroad. This was a fact that bothered me from the beginning. The rest of the book was convoluted and unbelievable. Mostly people running from snipers and other bad guys. Many of them didn't get away. Even though I finished the book, I would not recommend it to anyone. To be fair, maybe this genre is just not my thing. Others have loved it.

Sandi Ward
The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

3
The Lifeboat is a book that makes you think. You are constantly asking yourself what you would do in a similar situation. How would you react? How strong are you? Where do your values lie? How would you manipulate your ethics to ease your mind? This is a situation that no one would like to be in, yet one that could bring out the best or the worst in a person. As present day has shown, this is not a far fetched plot line, but one that could easily happen. Who would I be? That is the question.

Bonnie Gluhanich
Defending Jacob by William Landay

4
Well-written murder mystery with a little surprise at the end. That's not giving away anything because virtually every review and recap of this novel has warned you to be on the lookout for the ending. I wish I hadn't known...THEN it would truly have been a surprise.

Jud Hanson
Prince of Fire by Daniel Silva

5
Gabriel Allon, Israeli operative and art restorer, is once again activated after a terrorist attack on Israeli interests in Italy. The suspect is a Muslim who has a long-held grudge against Israel for the taking of Palestnian land nearly 60 years ago. Well-written book that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. Clear your calendar before you start this one.

Marsha
Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

4
This absorbing story addresses the intricacies of surrogacy. How is a egg donor selected, how is a womb mother selected and what are the results of all the emotional turmoil that could eventually affect all the participants? It takes a village to raise a child and sometimes a village to produce a child. How are each of the villagers reacting to the result? What are the values of family life in this day and age? What does family mean to each of us? Many topics for discussion abound in this novel. It is a good selection for book clubs.

Kellie
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

4
I have taken my time reading these books because I love them so much. This one was good but there was too much plot that seemed to drag along. I realize it was important to take it all in. There is so much to this story, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of all of the characters and plot. The characters are the life of the story. The characters are what keep me glued to each page. The climax at the end is like no other. You can feel the drama, the crescendo that has been built up. Harry, Ron and Hermione have matured. They are strong and are determined to fight evil until the end. Whatever the end is. Harry is ready for his fight and appreciates the support of his friends. Am I ready for the final chapter of this story?

Eileen Kellen
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

5
Big discussions about social issues presented with relatable characters and an engrossing plot.

Jane Squires
An Amish Family Reunion by Mary Ellis

5
Family is woven all through out this story. A Mother missing her grown children. A Family reunion to bring them all together. Each person different but bound together by the thread of belonging to a family. Phobe loves to draw which most Amish find odd. She seascapes often to draw pictures of nature. She begs to go on a trip to Niagara Fall with the young people. There she meets Eli who loves to tell stories. They decide to write a children's book together. They meet every Wednesday at Library to work on it. Before they get it published tragedy happens in Eli's home. It looks like it could destroy Phobe and Eli's dream. Does it? I'll let you find out. I had to chuckle over several of the scenes.

Francisca E B
Griffin & Sabine by Nick Bantock

5
An absolute delight. A novella told in a series of correspondence between Griffin, an artist living in London, and Sabine, an artist living in a remote island nation in the South Pacific. Mystical and emotional.

Francisca E B
Sabine's Notebook by Nick Bantock

3
I feel cheated. Nowhere near the emotional impact of the first book, and clearly designed to sell the next book. Still, gorgeously illustrated, for which it gets 3*. But I won't read anymore in the series.

Richarb N B
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

5
I am a Vietnam Veteran - combat infantry platoon leader, Airborne Ranger. All I can say about Ms HIllenbrand's book is WOW! This is a gripping biography of a former Olympic miler, shot down in WWII, adrift at sea for 47 days and then captured by Japanese. It is both horrifying and inspiring.

Lori
Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray

3
Although this was a cute summer read, it was a little too silly for me. I prefer books that are at least somewhat believable. I have read and enjoyed other books by Jeanne Ray and would recommend those instead.

Jackie Ranaldo
Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger

4
A fun, light read. A late twenty-something gets the opportunity to work for an event planning business that caters to the stars and ends up a "celebrity" herself.

nora holmquist
Pack Up The Moon by Anna McPartlin

4
Poignant and funny, great characterizations and story.

Linda Johnson
History of a Pleasure Seeker by Richard Mason

3
If the sex hadn't been so explicit, I would have given this book a higher rating. The story was enthralling as Piet, a young Dutch man, goes to work for a patrician family as a tutor for the 10-year-old son with regimented (OCD) routine. The tutor's behaviors favorably affect most members of the family but at the same time have a deleterious effect on his own fortunes. The book does end with "to be continued" and I will return to see how Piet handles the next chapter of his life.

Julie
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

4
The first quarter of this book is about the skills of a shortstop baseball player in a small college and his excellent fielding. Then something tragic happens on one of his throws and his is not the same again. But through the rest of the book there is a homosexual storyline intertwined within it involving the president of the college and a student. Somehow it all is engrossing and entertaining. I guess there is a reason why it's been on the best seller list for so long. I'm almost finished and would definitely recommend this book.

Sandy McCullough
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

5
This book is a true story of a black woman who had cervical cancer in the late 40's. Doctors took her cancerous cells without asking. Those cells never died. They launched a medical revolution and a multimillion-collar industry while her children and grandchildren were poor and without health insurance. Everyone should read this book!

Paula Blake
The Innocent by David Baldacci

4
Great read, great author.

Wendy
Guilt By Association by Marcia Clark

4
Good mystery/legal story.

Suzanne Gonneville
Rival to the Queen by Carolly Erickson

2
The story takes place in Tudor England. There is a conflict between Queen Elizabeth and her cousin Lettice Knollys. And the main problem is the liaison between the queen and Robert Dudley. He and Letty are in love but the queen and Robert have a relationship that conflicts with Letty’s ideas. This was an interesting book, and I was carried away to the 1600s, but I don’t care much for this genre and it was tiring to finish.

Barbara Tosiano
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

5
Hemingway was not always a classic American author. He began as a struggling writer in Paris during the 1920's as part of the Lost Generation. This novel, told from his wife's viewpoint, gives a candid narrative of Hemingway, his craft and the effect of his writing on those around him. With cameo appearance from Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitgerald, this novel is an insightful portrayal of the 1920's.

Michael McAdam
The 10th Anniversary by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

4
I really enjoy this series. Aside from the occasional moment where I thought "ok that would never happen" I enjoyed the story immensely. Great series!!!

Gail White
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani

4
After reading her latest book "The Shoemaker's Wife" I had to read as many of her books as possible. The beginning of the trilogy 'Big Stone Gap' was wonderful. Set in mining town, the wonderful characters got to my heart and the intensity and delight builds with every page. I really love the way she writes & how one minute you laugh & the next tears are flowing.

Kathleen Boucher
The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich

4
In the past, I have had trouble getting into Erdrich's books, but this one really held me! Her writing is so believable, and the themes in this book of love and death, and the best and worst of human nature truly capture the reader. I think this is one of her best!

Natasha Rose
Bringing Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel

5
A great story, well told.

Donna K
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

5
I love anything by Jodi, but this is one of her best. I just love the wolf lore in the book.

Marcia Sailer
Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

4
Fast read about 1878 Texas. A widow and her widowed daughter-in-law return to Texas to save the family ranch. They only have three months to earn enough to pay the back taxes. A sleazy neighbor and a man grieving his lost love play into the story providing some interesting turns. This is a Christian based book with a good story.

Lorna Lagerquist
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

5
This was the best book I have read for a long time. It just amazed me how strong Louis Zamperini was to survive the awful things he went through during his captivity during W.W.2. Laura Hillenbrand is an excellent author.

Mitzi Vincent
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

5
Once again Nicholas Sparks has written a story that touches your heart and leaves you crying and smiling at the same time. The story includes romance, tradegy, and a conclusion that is unexpected. The main characters, Amanda and Dalton, begin the story as teenagers in love facing impossible odds. Will they grow old together or end up like Romeo and Juliet? It should be on your must read list.

Lynn W
The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

4
It's been awhile since I've read a "saga" and I chose a good one. Ciro and Enza, teenagers, find each other in the Italian Alps, lose each other, and then reunite--twice--in New York, before forging a new life together in the Iron Range of Minnesota. Trigiani uses her own family history to write a splendid epic --- bravo!

Susan
The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

5
Italian Immigrants and Minnesota Mining - great historical read and wonderful characterization!!!

Sharon Elliott-Fox
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

4
I especially like her definitions of prayer and the fact that a particular path is not the only way one can connect with/find God. I was amazed at the discipline she accepted and practiced in the Ashram; delighted with the descriptions of life in Bali and, except for a few dishes, wished for a similar food tour of Italy.

Beverly Lychako
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

5
1Q84 is a story of two people, Aomame and Tengo who originally met in school and have a lasting effect on each other, but who never really know each other. As adults their lives seem to move in parallel world during April to December 1984. A young girl, Fuka-Eri is a thread that connects their two lives, but in completely different ways. The author does an excellent job of weaving a story of two people which includes religious cults, mystery and murder bring their lives closer and closer together.

kitty ellison
The Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

4
Fast-paced plot, entertaining characters, fantastic settings, and a compelling ending that leaves you hungry for the next book.

Leslie Simich
An Available Man by Hilma Wolitzer

3
A poignant book following Edward as he copes with the loss of his wife and how he gets back into dating, etc. Very likable character. 3/5-4 stars

Judy Murden
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

4
A classic that provides a great insight into the French Revolution.

Judy Murden
Albert Nobbs by George Moore

4
As my book club friends and I noted, a book doesn't need to be long to generate a LOT of discussion!

Judy Murden
Madame de Stael: The First Modern Woman by Francine du Plessix Gray

4
I never even knew this woman existed! I'm not sure I liked her, but I enjoyed the book.

Marsha
Temptation by Douglas Kennedy

4
A screenwriter who yearns for success in Hollywood finds that there are many strange turns on the way and he just might be his worst enemy. The commentary shows both the opportunities and the dangers on the path to his idea of success. There is also a thread in the novel concerning the need of some people to control others. There are excellent discussion points for book clubs.

Amy Baldwin
The Last Child by John Hart

5
Wonderfully written book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The plot twists literally till the end. Very profound book about a boy in search of his kidnapped sister and how one incident can change a family. Very god story. I could not put it down!

Lynn Hough
The Boy In the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis

4
I was expecting sappy and instead got a thriller. I loved it!! The only downside was that I would occasionally get confused but overall – great book. I had a VERY hard time putting it down so actually read it in just 2 days.

Elaine Beierbach
A Blaze of Glory by Jeff Shaara

3
Great descriptive passages...

Gail Mack
In Zanesville: A Novel by Jo Ann Beard

5
Great fun book!

Gail Mack
The Long Way Home by Karen McQuestion

5
Loved this! Read it on the beach. Perfect! Thanks for the suggestion, Bookreporter.

Sandra Furlotte
All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

5
Cormac McCarthy is the best writer of the American south by far. He handles language in such a special way and his characters are unforgettable. John Grady Poe is one such character and he will remain in your mind long after you have finished the book. I look forward to reading the remaining two books in this trilogy.

Peggy Goodwin
The Divining by Barbara Wood

5
A fascinating historical fiction about ancient Rome and a couple's struggles to find meaning for their life and a chance to be together I have not read Barbara Wood in a long time and find this a challenge to discover her thoughts on spiritual insight.

Suzanne Gonneville
People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry

4
Lucie Blackman disappeared in the Tokyo summer of 2000. Her remains were found that winter. This true crime mystery is followed by Richard Lloyd Parry for ten years, revealing the horrifying truth of her outcome. This is a hard-to-put-down book that reads like a novel.

Mary Bryant
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

4
I am enjoying this book almost as much as I did "The Glass Castle'. The author really brings her grandmother to life in the telling of this true story. Lily was one gutsy, determined, and independent woman!

Lee Mitchell
Correcting the Landscape by Marjorie Kowalski Cole

4
Not done but enjoying this small book immensely.

Blanche Henry
Trusting God: A Girlfriends in God Faith Adventure by Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith and Mary Southerland

5
I enjoyed this book so much. Every woman should have and read this book. We say we trust God and we don't act like it. The book has 12 weeks of study. It has personal stories from the authors that you can relate. I am doing a Bible study on Facebook for the third time. A girlfriend and I are doing a personal study.It is a easy read;however It is a great study backed by sound scripture. I love the prayers that are included. It helps build your faith and build a deeper relationship with Him. The book can be used for daily devotions. It is a keepsake. It is a perfect gift for any woman.

Joanne McIntyre
The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje

3
The premise of the story is very good. It moves rather slowly into the first 125 pages, detailing all the mischief the three boys can get into on the ship. The pace picks up when Michael begins the story as an adult looking to reconnect with his two shipboard pals. There is sadness and joy in this rather "coming of age" story which is basically biographical.

Sara
Miracle Dog by Randy Grim

5
This is a great story of a dog who survived the gas chamber and lived to educate people about the horrors stray dogs go through. I would highly recommend this book!

Joy O'Sullivan
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

4
Page turner, plus flawed characters lead to good discussion.

Annie Pott
The Cove by Ran Rash

5
The story takes place in the North Carolina Appalachians during WWI and is a fascinating tale of love, patriotism, family, and mystery. An "unputdownable" book, it will hold you mesmerized from beginning to end with words masterfully used to thrill, frighten, anger and amaze you.

Mary Tillotson
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

5
Nearly as soon as I started reading this book, I fell in love with the characters. Mr. Doig does a superb job of bringing them to life. I loved the setting of the novel as well and from the way the book was written could very easily imagine myself there. This is the very first one of Ivan Doig's books I have read and I will surely be interested in his other books.

Martha Brown
The Chalk Girl by Carol O'Connell

5
I'm always ready for a new Mallory novel by Carol O'Connell and this one did not disappoint. Mysterious deaths of students in a wealthy private school, psychologically damaged bullies whose actions 15 years earlier come home to roost and kill, a red-headed little girl with Williams syndrome lighting the path to untangling a complicated web of cover-ups are integrated in this twisting plot. Mallory walks the edge, as usual, in unraveling and bringing justice to those who have long deserved it. If you haven't read any of the Mallory stories, you may want to begin with the first one. This series is addicting.

Lynn Ketelsen
Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal

5
Wonderful book of suspense set during WWII in England. Just when you think you have it all figured out, you find out that you don't! A real page turner...

Kathleen Green
Far from Here by Nicole Baart

4
Very good-kept my interest and was the subject of several discussions with friends which is a good thing!

Pat Askins
Tunnel Vision by Gary Braver

4
This book is not at all what you expect. I kept me guessing and wondering. Very hard to put down.

Pat Askins
A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron

5
This story is told by a dog. A very intelligent one. It is also a tearjerker but well worth the read.

Debbie M
Summer Breeze by Nancy Thayer

2
This is probably classified as a beach read. The story reminds me of Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews. Both books are fluff, and contain detailed setting and characters. The title, Summer Breeze, is aptly chosen, as the three women in the story breeze through life without very little interruption. The outcome of the story ended uneventful with most of the women sacrificing for the man. This is a book that did not enlighten me on any topic, just a quickly read and forgotten beach read.

Elaine Baxter
Narrow Gate by Jim Fusilli

5
This book comes as close to "The Godfather" as any book I've read. This book has it all from New York and New Jersey gangsters to Hollywood celebrities. The book is 600 pages plus but it reads so well that I read in 2 days. Didn't want it to end. The writing is clear and precise. Bravo, Jim Fusilli.

J
The Time In Between by María Dueñas

4
While the Spanish Civil war is brewing in Madrid, a young woman leaves her mother and betrothed to follow a lover to Morocco. She finds herself abandoned, penniless and heartbroken. She reinvents herself as a couturier and even does espionage work for the British. A delight to read and savor.

Gloria Roach
Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg

5
This book brings the characters to life. It keeps the reader totally engrossed. Just a delightful book.

Ramona Parra
Perla by Carolina de Robertis

5
A beautiful, mysterious, intriguing, novel about a young girl’s discovery of life’s unfathomable realities in Buenos Aires recovering from military dictatorship. Vivid, imagery-rich prose full of thought provoking ideas and metaphors make this a story to remember.

ck
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

4
I had not realized how little I knew about the Poland's role in WWII. Jan & Antonina Zabinski were Polish Christian zookeepers who hid "guests" from the Polish resistance as well as many Jews who were escaping the Warsaw ghetto. Antonina kept diaries of life at the zoo and various pets they raised like a badger that walked on a leash. Included are amazing tales of the ways Jan kept the zoo operating so they could live for most of the war on the property which provided great hiding places. There is an extensive bibliography citing many sources the author used, but the book itself flows like fiction.

Jud Hanson
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

5
Well-written book concerning the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, detailing how the fair came to be held in the Windy City. It also tells of the darker side of the fair, namely a serial killer going by the name H.H. Holmes, among others.

Jacqueline Childress
Girls In White Dresses by Jennifer Close

4
If you are looking for a lite, laugh out loud, quick read, this book will fulfill. I finished it in less than two days. The book has many true to life reality moments and many that are so true that I found very humorous! Even though pieced together by many short stories, I found the boil very easy to follow and wishing there was a sequel to find out what happened to each of the characters!

Jud Hanson
The Messenger by Daniel Silva

5
An attack on the Vatican and an ominous note prompt Gabriel Allon to once again go into the field. He launches an operation to insert a mole into the organization of a ZiZi, a well-known and very wealthy Saudi businessman who is determined to be the attack's planner. Excellent book, well-written with a captivating plot.

Robin Burgeson
Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

5
This is the first book in a trilogy that has all my friends talking. It's a romance novel that makes you feel you're on a roller coaster. The two main characters, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, meet by accident, and are immediately attracted to each other. The author does an excellent job of weaving several plots together, incorporating love, danger, friendship and trust. A surprise ending has you running to the bookstore to buy the next book in the trilogy, Fifty Shades of Darker.

Suzanne Gonneville
Gap Creek by Robert Morgan

5
This is a wonderful and well-written book. Julie and Hank marry at a young age and move to Gap Creek. They live a hard life in the Appalachian Region at the end of the 1800s. The author is able to convey the feelings, suffering, fear and hope of the couple in an intimate way. Julie is such a strong character, often it seems her challenges can’t be overcome. But her challenges are conquered and her love for Hank and her sense of right and wrong triumphs over all their hard situations.

MICHELLE MONTANA
Fifty Shades Freed by E. L. James

3
This book not as good as the first one, or second for that matter. All three books getting alot of attention with mixed reviews.

Janet Chiero
Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson

4
I like the Alex Cross series. I'm trying to read them in order.

Fran
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

2
This book was okay. Not great, but entertaining enough.

Marilyn Slocumbe
The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell

4
Intriguing plot with two storylines that compel one to speculate on how they will connect. Interesting to the end.

Mary Ann De Guzman
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

5
The author of this book is fantastically genius! I can not stop reading. I just love how Mr. Dan Brown inserted historical information all about the life of Jesus Christ. It's a book worth reading for. This is the best book I've read so far!

Marsha
These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen

3
To be a friend is one of the highest callings. Our families may fail us, our romantic partners may fail us, our jobs may fail us but friendship is sacred. Three girls who share an apartment learn to bond and nurture each other when most needed. There is much to discuss in this book and book clubs should embrace it.

Maureen H
Midnight Caller by Leslie Tentler

4
I'm about half way through this wonderful creepy book. The setting is New Orleans which is perfect. It is a good thriller by a new to me author. Rain is a psychologist and has a talk show. She is being called by a creepy caller who the FBI suspect as being the vampire killer. Rain and Trevor the FBI guy go looking for the vampire killer together. The reason they call him the vampire killer is because he exsanguinates his victims. I cannot wait to finish this book.

Lynn W
Married to a Bedouin by Marguerite van Geldermalsen

3
The author backpacked through the Middle East, met, fell in love with, married a Jordanian, and lived and worked in Petra. She vividly recounts her experiences in a culture so very different from her New Zealand background. So different, in fact, that Queen Elizabeth and Queen Noor asked to meet her!

Judy O.
True Colors by Kristin Hannah

5
This was a very heartwarming story of the Grey family--three sisters, Vivi Ann, Winona, and Aurora. They lived on a ranch in the Pacific Northwest. It's also a story of intense love and just as intense loss. This book is too multi-layered to put into a few words, but I really enjoyed it.

Bonnie Gluhanich
The Newlyweds by Nell Freudenberger

3
Not enchanted with this novel. I tried to continue reading, hoping the plot and characters would draw me in, but it never really happened. Gave up after reading about 80% of it.

Suzy Marcus
The Ring by Danielle Steel

4
As a brand new (JUST graduated) librarian looking for a job, and weeding my own collection in anticipation of moving, I am rereading old favorites as I pack away books. Danielle Steel's writing has changed through the thirty plus years that she has been a bestselling author and The Ring is one of her best earlier efforts. A strong and engaging storyline, a good twist, a fascinating main character, and above all a story of surviving by any means necessary, make this a terrific book to rediscover.

Suzanne Gonneville
The Sometimes Daughter by Sherri Wood Emmons

2
Judy was born at Woodstock Festival in 1969. Cassie and Kirk are her hippie mother and father. Cassie is in and out of Judy’s life, constantly leaving to try to find herself. This is the story of Judy’s life with Kirk, who goes back to school and becomes an attorney, and her relationship with her vanishing mother. There a lot of instances when the reader is left up in the air. Why did Judy do this? Or why did Cassie have to do what she did. I honestly didn’t think this was written as well as it could have been. Yet, it was a good story line.

Catherine Mulhall
The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

4
Leaving beloved family is difficult enough ( which happens multiple times to each character) , leaving your beloved country to build your dream in America, and getting inches away from achieving love over and over ... I found myself saying as I read the book "don't give up " out loud to these inspiring characters! LOVED IT!

Sandy McCullough
Mrs. Tuesday's Departure by Suzanne Anderson

4
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for… Hungary's fragile alliance with Germany kept Natalie, a renowned children’s book author, and her family out of harm's way for most of the war. Now as the Führer's desperation grows during the waning years of the conflict, so does its threat. Natalie's younger sister, Ilona, married a Jewish man, putting both her and her young daughter, Mila, in peril; Natalie's twin sister, Anna, is losing her already tenuous hold on reality. As the streets of Budapest thrum with the pounding boots of Nazi soldiers, danger creeps to the doorstep where Natalie shields them all. I enjoyed this book very much. It is on Bookmooch if anyone is interested.