This contest period's winners were Carolann G., John M., Kathy I., Kathy V. and Kim B., who each received a copy of THE KING'S DECEPTION by Steve Barry, THE WIDOW WALTZ by Sally Koslow and THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE by Neil Gaiman.
Anna Mills
The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving by Jonathon Evison
The characters are so well written that you wish you could live next door. A tragedy has nearly destroyed the main character and he is just holding on from day to day. Evison deals with the telling of the accident so delicately that it doesn't harm the reader. And what he does in his caregiving job is an act of redemption. I loved it!
Jennifer Baker
Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer
This leisurely-paced literary and philosophical novel traces the friendship and love between two writers. Frances, a fiction writer, is cool, competent and completely sane while Bernard, a poet, is bipolar and emotional. Told completely through letters by these two characters, readers gain a keen insight into both as they grow closer as their lives change. The novel has a melancholy tone -- Bernard needs to be hospitalized several times, Frances draws away, they lose touch -- and sometimes it seems nothing good will come of their relationship. Then it changes again. This is a great novel for book group discussion and for readers who love character-driven stories in which more happens inside the characters than to the characters.
Fran
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult never ceases to amaze me. This is a thoughtful, sensitive, well researched book that depicts one of our most horrible times in history, The Halocaust. Jodi is the true story teller as she managers to take the reader through a fictional account of one woman's experiences during the Halocaust through the eyes of her granddaughter. Not only does she present a compelling portrayal of this horrible time in history, but also depicts the long term impact on survivors and their future generations. As usual, Jodi presents compelling characters, vivid details and the reader cannot help but keep the pages turning until the very last plot twist.
laurie blum
The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg
This well-crafted novel could also be titled "The Weight of the World" as we enter the life of Edie Middlestein ...this conflicted main character has fought the battle of the bulge/diabetes since childhood which is contributing to divorce ...a family saga with plenty of discussable issues for female book review clubs.
Patti DelValle
Flirting With Disaster by Sheryll Woods
First time reading a Woods book and was totally delighted! It's one of those books that you don't want to end because you know it will be like saying goodbye to friends. It is one of a series of 3, but the same characters aren't in the series (Charleston series). It seems Woods is known for trilogies which is why my Mom recommended her to me --- I love trilogies, especially to read during the summer! Read this, you won't be disappointed.
Allison Gardner
Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin
Excellent historical fiction about King Arthur of England.
John Maline
Silken Prey by John Sandford
I am a real fanboy of John Sandford's novels, and this book didn't disappoint. I have probably read all of his fiction, and it is a real comfort to pick up the latest one he's written, just knowing that I will enjoy it. There is a reason he is a perennial NYT bestselling author, and after reading his latest book, it is easy to understand why.
Francisca E B
Room by Emma Donoghue
Audio book performed by Michal Friedman, Ellen Archer, Suzanne Toren & Robert Petkoff. Excellent exploration of what it means to grow up without the world around us. Jack is an extraordinary narrator.
Tessa B C
A Bitter Veil by Libby Fischer Hellmann
3.5 stars
This is a good historical thriller set during Iranian Revolution, 1977-1980. The crime gets resolved a bit too neatly, but it's still a good ride. I like Hellmann's writing - good pacing and characters we care about.
Nancy Coughlin
The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
This series is truly fascinating and amazing. Great character development and descriptive detail is wonderful. As the series progresses, characters we have learned about and come to care about reveal more and more about themselves. Sometimes this is a pure pleasure and at other times it is alarming, frustrating, and so very sad.
Mary Rodriguez
Bloodroot by Susan Wittig Albert
Another great China Bayles mystery and a treat for all gardeners that enjoy reading a mystery.
Michelle
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
This was quite the book! I was so entertained through its entirety and I had to tell myself to slow down when I felt myself racing to find out what was going to happen in each turn of the story. There were no holes in the story, I felt attached to the characters and never felt myself saying "ok get on with it". I look forward to reading Mr. Hill's earlier work.
Nancy Lane
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
This is the very best "can't put it down" book I have read in years. This book follows the life of Lavinia, a young girl orphaned and thrown into a life on a plantation during the days of slavery. The characters of the book are well developed. There are characters who are good at heart, some downright dastardly, and some who see life exactly like it is and are accepting of the circumstances of the times. Portions of the book are disturbing, but sometimes so is real life. I've steered several friends to the book and in every single case they have raved about how much they enjoyed it.
Gail Sorum
Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
This is the best book I've read in a long time - mystery, love story all-in-one.
Pe
The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs
More than half-way thru and still an enjoyable read. Plot lines remain strong so I hope I am not disappointed!
Bonnie Waliezer
Daddy's Gone A Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark
Another outstanding book by this author. You get so angry at some of the characters and there is a real twist at the end. It keeps you on the edge of your seat as you wonder what is going to happen to these girls who have lost their mother at a young age. They are grown and independent but trouble haunts them. A must read for sure.
Kim Bacon
He's Gone by Deb Caletti
Intimate look into a couple's relationship after the husband disappears, causing his wife to question every detail of the life they built, and the costs. Intriguing, with characters developed so you feel you know them and what makes them tick, but you begin to question what you believe, as well. The book had me hooked, but I suspected the outcome fairly early, so was not shocked. Good discussion book for book clubs!
Linda Harrison
The Last Victim by Karen Robards
Dr. Charlie Stone was the sole survivor of the Boardwalk Killer years ago and now she is back in the area helping the FBI search for another missing girl who is either the victim of the Boardwalk Killer or a copycat killer. As she grows attracted to FBI Agent Tony Bartoli, she has attracted a ghost named Michael Garland. A former inmate at the prison where Dr. Stone works, Garland was sentenced as a serial killer but told her he was innocent. He was killed in prison as she tried to save him and, as he died on the prison floor, his soul connected with hers. Now she has to choose between the two but it’s not really a choice for her as she was semi-attracted to Garland while he was an inmate. A suspenseful book and quirky love story.
Linda Harrison
15 Seconds by Andrew Gross
When Dr. Henry Steadman arrives in Jacksonville for a conference, his life begins to unravel. He gets pulled over on bogus traffic charges and then sees the police officer shot in front of him. When he goes to his friend’s house for help, he finds him shot. Someone is trying to frame him for the murders but why? He finds one person with the police department who will listen to him and together they work to find the true murderer. This was a very suspenseful book and one that was hard to put down until I finished reading.
Linda Harrison
Rebecca's Lost Journals, Volume 1: The Seduction by Lisa Renee Jones
Abandoned journals are found in a storage locker and, after Sara reads them, she is determined to find their owner and return them. No one seems to know where the woman is and Sara feels that she is in danger. As the book ends, she returns to the storage locker when the lights go out and footsteps are heard. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the sequel.
Sharon Elliott-Fox
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
A young girl, who, with her family lives in a derelict castle in England comes of age in the early 20th century. The estate is bequeathed to an American and it is seen as a perfect opportunity to marry the oldest daughter into wealth and a reversal of fortunes. Two single American men, two single destitute English girls whose father has had one novel published many years ago, but written nothing since, a confusion about which girl and which man could/would fall in love. The book purports to be the diary of the protagonist and charts her year of growing from teen to adult.
Carla Carlson
Waking Up in Heaven: A Mother's Remarkable Journey to Heaven and the Story God Sent Her Back to Share by Crystal McVea
A remarkable account of a woman who died for nine minutes and walked with God. Filled with an amazing recount, a story of life and pain, and the true gift that has been given.
Crystal never had it easy, from an abusive childhood, troubled teens, the cycle of abuse in marriage and upon oneself - feeling unworthy, filled with shame she never knew God - oh, the words were there, but the faith wasn't. She bravely tells her story from the ugly details to the miraculous journey never leaving anything out.
The true lesson of faith and love and how deep God's love for us (even when we feel unlovable) is.
Linda Harrison
State of the Union by Brad Thor
The Cold War has supposedly ended but some diehard Russian generals don’t agree and want to bring the US to its knees. Once again, the President calls on Scot Harvath to find the missing Americans that were a part of the counter-offensive to the Russian threat and to eliminate the nuclear threat to America. A suspenseful story that you won’t be able to put down.
Linda Harrison
Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
A funny story where two opposing attorneys are up for consideration as partner and each tries to outdo the other until they finally realize they have been in love with each other ever since they first met. I love the books by Julie James. They tell a good story with a lot of funny parts that we can all relate to.
Linda Harrison
The Dark Garden by Eden Bradley
A steamy story involving two women who find the loves of their lives at a reclusive club.
Linda Harrison
Last Snow by Eric Van Lustbader
When a US Senator is found murdered in Capri, President Carson asks Jack McClure to find out what the senator was doing in Capri when he should have been in Moscow. This book has a lot of action and a lot of Russians. It was kind of confusing with all of the double dealings going on.
Linda Harrison
The Siren by Tiffany Reisz
This is the first of the Original Sinners books and the main character, Nora Sutherlin, is an erotica author and a dominatrix at a well-known club. She has always wanted to write a great book and is working with her new editor to complete the revisions on a book that both feel will be a best seller. But working so closely together causes Zack to question his feelings for his wife and Nora.
Dorothy Boyum
Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love
It's the first time I've read anything written by Ms Love. I'll be reading more as it was an intriguing story. Its one of those books that I couldn't be down. It kept me wanting to know whats going to happen next. Very, very good read.
Mary Hayden
War Brides by Helen Bryan
I enjoyed this book the first time and have re-read it again just recently. There is so much to learn and try to understand about conditions in England during WWII. This book tells the story of 5 women, how they came to be in a small coastal town in England and how they had to cope with the war and its aftereffects.
Mary Hayden
War Brides by Helen Bryan
I enjoyed this book the first time and have re-read it again just recently. There is so much to learn and try to understand about conditions in England during WW II. This book tells the story of five women, how they came to be in a small coastal town in England and how they had to cope with the war and its aftereffects.
Janice Baly
Unusual Uses of Olive Oil by Alexander McCall Smith
I am a fan of Alexander McCall Smith and have read all of the books in the various series. However, the series about Professor von Igelfeld is my least favorite and I liked this book less than the other two in the series. It is difficult to care what happens to a character as pompous and lacking in self-awareness as the Professor.
Marie Ledin
Black Jasmine (Lei Crime Series) by Toby Neal
Lei Texeira in another mystery/crime set in Maui involving murder, sex slavery, possibly other crimes. Have read her first three books and want to read them all. Her stories keep you completely entranced wanting to find out who "done it." Recommend her books to everyone who enjoys these types of books.
Rhonda
Big Brother by Lionel Shriver
A book about family ties and the issue of weight.
Pat Lewis
Dearie by Bob Spitz
Reading about Julia Child was such an eye opener. We know her as an avant-garde chef but her life as a young child, teenager, high schooler, college woman, and eventually a TV chef was enlightening to say the least. She was a fun-loving, carefree yet hard working, driven woman. She had a zest for life, patriotism, men, and French cooking that knows no bounds. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even more, I loved learning about this beautiful, loving woman. I recommend this to anyone and everyone.
Marcia Sailer
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
Excellent story of a former SS concentration camp officer seeking forgiveness and death. He befriends a young woman baker who is the granddaughter of one of his concentration camp prisoners. Although not a happy story line, it grips you from the beginning. Who is this officer and what was his relationship to the baker's grandmother? How does learning her grandmother's story influence her? And what happens to the former SS officer? It is an intriguing book and keeps one reading to find the answers.
Betty Chrastka
The Round House by Louise Erdrich
A beautifully written coming-of-age mystery. The characters are so interesting and have a lot of depth. You come to care about these people.
Sherry Covill
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Kate Atkinson's books are some of my favorites, and this one is right up there with them. Sweeping across both World Wars, the main character, Ursula Todd, dies a number of times, as do other characters, and each time Ursula is reborn, so is the story line. Atkinson takes us along a wonderful what-if ride that you don't want to end.
Diane Pollock
My Planet by Mary Roach
A fun read!
Mary
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
This is such a moving book, and has so many elements...a coming-of-age book, a murder mystery, etc. I highly recommend it!
Carl Scott
The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea
The true story of a group of Mexican migrants who got lost trying to cross the desert into the U.S. in southern Arizona. All but a few of them died in the attempt. A well-written account of the tragedy from various points of view including the Border Patrol, the immigrants themselves and the officials who dealt with the aftermath of the event. Urrea writes with an understanding of the occurrence that surpasses political agendas and finds the commonalities of the participants and emphasizes their shared humanity. Tough, thoughtful and insightful---we can learn a lot from this book.
Maxine Urso
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
Our book club met last Monday and started reading this book. It's wonderful!
Judy O.
Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock
Historical fiction about Prohibition in the 1930s. Teenager Eve and her family go from St. Paul to Ohio to live at an uncle's holiday lodge. The uncle is offering them a home there in exchange for their help. However, Eve begins to suspect that things are not as they seem at this lodge, and she soon finds out more than she really wants to know.
Susan
Come Home by Lisa Scottoline
This is a murder mystery about a divorced woman who, on a rainy evening, gets an unexpected visit from her estranged stepdaughter who claims her father has been murdered. The police think it is suicide.
sandy haber
Bare it All by Lori Foster
Just started the second book in the Love Undercover series---so far so good! If it's anything like the first book it will be hard to put down.
I am going to now check to see when the final book in the series comes out.
Julie Towson
The Tides of Memory by Sidney Sheldon, Tilly Bagshawe
Tilly Bagshawe writes very well in the style of Sidney Sheldon. I just read a sample of this book on my kindle and had to buy it to read the rest of the story. If you liked books by Sidney Sheldon, you'll really like this family saga.
Anne Berger
The Time In Between by Maria Duenas
A memorable, well written, captivating and fascinating historical that enthralled me with the characters, plot and locale.
Susan Creed
Elizabeth the First Wife by Lian Dolan
A romantic advice book based on Shakespearean characters—what a great idea! Elizabeth, an English professor at Pasadena Community College, is working on a book proposal with that premise but not making much progress. When her ex-husband turned movie star invites her to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for the summer she agrees---maybe she'll find time to work on her book. The excerpts from her advice book which are included are laugh-out-funny, especially if you are familiar with the bard's plays. Light and breezy, this romance is a perfect summer read.
William Hamilton
The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo
The newest installment in the Harry Hole Oslo, Norway, series. Harry is one of the biggest downers a person will encounter as perpetual negativity seems part of his DNA. But he is an outstanding detective and interesting character when he stays away from alcohol. This entry deals with the huge presence of The Salvation Army in Norway, their considerable real estate holdings, and the assassination of one of their key members. Harry unravels the numerous threads that surround the plot and eventually is able to solve the case. A very well written procedural with lots of personal insights into the major characters.
Linda Reck
Flora by Gail Godwin
Helen's life is a shambles when her beloved grandmother, Nonie, dies and her father is going away for the summer to work at Oak Ridge. Helen is to be taken care of by her 22-year-old cousin Flora.To make life more difficult, they have to stay on the property because of a polio epidemic. Helen immediately feels superior to Flora, who is a sweet girl trying to do her best. Enter Finn, the delivery boy...His appearance fills Helen's fantasies of his coming to live with them, but he's attracted to Flora.
Virginia
The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
Believe it or not this is the first work by this author I have read. I am hooked. The main character just bought a bed and breakfast of her own on a wonderful cove surrounded by the sea somewhere near Seattle, WA. She is calling the shots and it just so happens our B&B owner loves all the things I do: reading, baking, the smell of fresh baked pastries, getting to know the people in the small town she is now a business owner in, building community, helping to make the world a more comfortable place for those who come within the realm of her emotional touch. I wish I was the main character. I have finished the book and have the sequel preordered, think it is coming out in July.
Reva Wamsley
The Columbus Affair by Steve Berry
I didn't like this as well as the other books by Steve Berry but it was still a good read. I kept expecting Cotton Malone to show up.
Investigative journalist Tom Sagan had his life ruined when one of his stories about the Middle East proves to be a fraud. Later he finds out that he was set up Now he has a chance to redeem himself when his daughter is kidnapped to force him to have his father's body dug up for some papers that were buried with him. He discovers his father was a Levite, the keeper of a Jewish secret that someone was willing to kill to discover what it was.
This story takes you from the US to Europe and to Jamaica.
Becky Haase
Gulp by Mary Roach
I always learn something when I read one of Roach’s books. And I usually am laughing when I learn it! Roach has a great (some would say twisted) sense of humor (don’t overlook the footnotes!) that enlivens a book that could be deadly dull. Never fear, Roach will entertain you even while discussing feces and other products of the human body.
Gulp takes the subject of food and its ability to pass through the body while giving nourishment and pleasure to the human (and seventh grade boys a scintillating topic of conversation) and delves into the most intimate phases of digestion and excretion and unique and interesting studies---both legitimately scientific and just bizarre---and explains what was learned in a way understandable to all.
Kathy Iwasaka
Guilt by Jonathan Kellerman
Enjoyed revisiting my old friends Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis. They always make for an interesting crime novel with psychological leanings.
Jeanne Agee
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks
Novel about how important it is to have at least one good friend. Maybe for a child it is an imaginary one or for an adult it is one that you can depend on forever. I loved this story because it was told in a way that makes you want to not put it down. It is a story that talks about love and friendship and is very original.
ck
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
I really enjoyed hearing the author speak about his latest novel. There are many stories woven together with strong characters and absolutely gorgeous writing. We wander around Afghanistan, Greece, Paris and America but all is neatly tied together by this brilliant storyteller.
Becky Haase
The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
A skillful recounting of the establishment and operation of Oak Ridge, Tennessee through the eyes of the girls (women) who worked there. I read an e-book before publication and there were significant errors of punctuation and numerous “lost” words. I assume these were corrected before publication.
I just bought the "real" book and would recommend that you get this and NOT the ebook. The pictures and other "extras" make a MUCH more enjoyable read. The thumbnail sketches of the "girls" helps keep the characters straight. The book bounces from girl to girl and topic to topic so the sketches are vital to an intelligent read.
Holly Biggs
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
In this very humorous, witty, and heart-felt romance, Eleanor and Park, who are very different yet very much the same, fall desperately in love and deal with the obstacles that teenage life throws at them.
SALLY GASS
The Stranger by Camilia Lackberg
The victims of fatal car accidents appear to have been killed while driving drunk---or is it a case of staged murder by a serial killer? At the same time, Detective Patrick Hedstrom has to contend with a TV film crew in his town dealing with a murder of their own. Complicated and suspenseful.
Patricia Wojcik
Under the Dome by Stephen King
I have had this rather large novel on my nightstand for a few years. Since the miniseries is beginning on TV soon I thought I should finally read the book. I am a huge Stephen King fan and this book is vintage Stephen King. It has everything you would expect from a Stephen King novel. Wish I wouldn't have waited so long to read it. The sheer size of the book is daunting but well worth it! Can't wait for the TV series now. I only hope it's as good as the book is.
SALLY GASS
As She Left It by Catriona McPherson
25-year-old Opal returns to her home which she left 13 years ago to escape her alcoholic mother. Her parents had been divorced and her father is deceased. She feels like she has gone back in time but something has changed. Her favorite neighbor’s grandson disappeared 10 years ago, with no progress made to find him. Some other neighbors have tightly-held secrets. Can Opal help them and figure out her own dark past?
Susan
The Citizens of London by Lynne Olson
A good read about Americans in London during World War II.
Lynn W
Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
Book club selection that I first read years ago. Glad I read it again...a feel-good book with a happy ending.
Susan Smith
Whitey Bulger: America's Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him to Justice by Kevin Cullen, Shelley Murphy
This is a great book about Whitey Bulger's life. Easy to read with interesting facts about his life from birth until he is captured in California. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy true crime.
Lynn W
Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Read this book when it was published and relished reading it again for book club. Superbly written historical fiction about one of Vermeer's most famous paintings.
Lynn W
Killing Cassidy (Dorothy Martin Book 6) by Jeanne M. Dams
Have read all of the Aunt Dimity mystery novels and now am working through the Dorothy Martin series. These sweet, gentle, English crime stories are my favorite weekend reads.
Renee' Booker
Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers
It is a very good read about a family who does not know how to express love and how holding back feelings can hurt others and yourself.
Brenda Vaccarello
The Silence of Bonanventure Arrow by Rita Leganski
I think THE SILENCE OF BONAVENTURE ARROW is the perfect summer read. Set in New Orleans, Bonaventure Arrow's story is mysterious and magical.
Raylene Wauda
Life After Life by Jill McCorkle
Residents of Pine Haven retirement center include Sadie Randolph, an 85-year-old retired teacher; Marge Walker, who keeps a scrapbook of local murders; Rachel Silverman, who is recently widowed but decides to leave her Massachusetts home to be near the grave of a past lover, and many characters whose lives are filled with joys, regrets, and secrets. Jill McCorkle, the author, finds humor and sadness as these people learn about each other in the final chapter of their lives.
Nancy Bader
Istanbul Passage by Joseph Kanon
Several friends who have traveled to Istanbul say that it is someplace they would return to over and over again. I knew nothing about the city, so this is a good introduction, even though the timing is post WWII. It's a good mystery spy book. The book keeps you guessing. I enjoyed it, although not as much as I liked the author's THE GOOD GERMAN. That is one of my favorites of all time.
Joyce Clark
Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian
World War II and the Holocaust from a German citizen's perspective.
lisa
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
This debut mystery certainly lives up to the hype---and then some. The only surprises for me in reading it were: 1) it is a first book and 2) it's been described as hard-boiled & crime noir. I didn't find that to be the case at all. Cormoran Strike, a down-on-his luck war vet injured in Afghanistan, is trying to scrape by doing PI work when he's asked to investigate the alleged suicide of a supermodel. At the same time, a temp worker named Robin shows up to act as his assistant. How Cormoran, greatly aided by Robin, navigates towards the sordid truth of the supermodel's death, as well as its implications into his own life, is a marvel to watch unfold. The pseudonymous 'Mr. Galbraith' is the real deal!
Melissa Adasczik
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
Easy read.The last 30 pages had me in tears. Just goes to show some friendships can endure anything
Robin McKay
The One Who Got Away by Amy Gamet
THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY tells the story of Gwen Trueblood. Gwen was first introduced as a ‘bit player’ in MEANT FOR HER. She has lived alone since the death of her husband David 15 years earlier in what she thought was an accident. A visit from Hank Jared, her niece’s husband, reveals a shocking discovery. As a child, David had been placed in Witness Protection along with his Mom and mob-connected Dad. Gwen is shocked to discover that there are things she didn’t know about her husband. To discover the truth, Gwen must work alongside Colin, and old friend with whom she shared an attraction many years earlier. Colin is now a U.S. Marshall with access to information that might help Gwen in her search for the truth.
Linda Johnson
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Another feather in Hosseini's cap. This book is to be savored. The writing requires deliberate perusal. It is not a chronologically linear story, nor does it concentrate on a single person through the entire book. I knew Hosseini was dispensing puzzle pieces, first the corners and the perimeter, then the center. I pieced the land together except for a smattering of holes. The sky was next. Slowly through the 400 pages the pieces made sense. I knew how it was going to end---I thought I knew what the picture was going to look like. All I really knew was it was a picture of a family---and I didn't have the right face in mind for the final portrait. Tears welled and I did not want to turn the last two pages. I didn't want this to end
Diana Huey
When the Emporor Was Divine by Julie Osutka
A wonderfully written book that, although short, says it all
Marsha
The Warlord by Ted Bell
Alex Hawke is a present-day James Bond. He is a adventurer with an exciting life. He enters this novel (the fifth in the series) in a blue funk until Prince Charles calls upon his old friend for help. The call to action puts Hawke back in the game that stretched from Ireland to Pakistan with a thrill a minute.
Sandy McCullough
The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey
THE YELLOW HOUSE delves into the passion and politics of Northern Ireland at the beginning of the 20th Century. Eileen O'Neill's family is torn apart by religious intolerance and secrets from the past. Determined to reclaim her ancestral home and reunite her family, Eileen begins working at the local mill, saving her money and holding fast to her dream. As war is declared on a local and global scale, Eileen cannot separate the politics from the very personal impact the conflict has had on her own life. She is soon torn between two men, each drawing her to one extreme. This was a very good book and I can't wait to find the next book by this author.
shelly itkin
Eyes Wide Open by Andrew Gross
Mr. Gross has written a suspenseful, scary, page-turning thriller that will have you not wanting to put it down and then when you are done you will still be thinking about it. I see why Mr. Patterson teamed up with Andrew Gross, he is a great writer.
Jay and Charlie are brothers but could not be more different then day and night. Jay is a surgeon and lives with his wife, Kathy (also a professional) and their two children in Westchester. He has an “almost perfect life.”
Jay’s brother Charlie, on the other hand, has a very sad life; he is bipolar, as is his wife Gabby and their son Evan. They live on public assistance and in a rundown apartment far away from his brother.
Jay gets a phone call one evening that will change his life.
Reva Wamsley
Gun Games by Faye Kellerman
This is the 25th book in this series & I've read them all, starting with the one where Peter Deckerman, a cop, meets Rina Lazarus, a Jewish widow. They are now grandparents & foster parents to Gabe Whitman. Peter had met Gabe's parent years before while investigating a case before Gabe was born. Gabe's mother left him in their care when she remarried and moved to India. He's now 15 and a piano genius. In this book, he meets a young Persian Jewish girl and they fall in love. Meanwhile, Peter is investigating two teenage suicides of students from the same school. He thinks they may be related. The mother of the boy doesn't understand why he would have killed himself and has asked the police to look into it.
shelly itkin
Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehman
Amanda Rosenbloom is the owner of Astor Place Vintage, a clothing shop in Manhattan. Amanda purchases many of the garments from people who are getting older or in this case nearly dying and just wants to make money and get rid of the merchandise.
On this particular day, Amanda is called to the home of Mrs. Kelley, after meeting and talking to her, Amanda’s life will never be the same. While going through some of the items that she has taken on consignment, she finds a fur muff with a diary inside. This story takes place in 2007 and when she begins reading through the diary it is dated 1907. We are introduced to Olive Westcott, a young woman who has moved to New York and is entirely on her own.
Lisa Sang
The Affair by Lee Child
Couldn't put the book down! Very engaging.
Brady
Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds
I have never read a life story that had so many insurmountable problems. In her younger years, she was supremely popular and had the world by a string. The men that she married ruined her life in the mainstay and each chaotic event is spelled out. Most people would give up I think, however, she brushed herself off and picked up again. Performing is her salvation and is what kept her sane. She is a real trooper and still appears in Las Vegas every once in awhile. A most interesting story.
Fran
The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson
The best part of this book was the relationship between our main character, Tom, and his two elephants, Jenny and Timothy. The story is told as a true love affair, with the unyielding loyalty of Tom, who is taking care of the these magnificent beasts. Beautifully written, makes you wish you had your own elephant!! The end seemed a bit forced, but it was otherwise a good novel.
Asha
Fly Away by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah knows how to tug the heart strings, making you cry or laugh with her characters.True friendship gets tested severely and only time does the healing.
Richard N B
The Drop by Michael Connelly
Bosch is working a cold case when he's pulled off to investigate the death of a powerful councilman's son. Political intrigue add to the difficulty of solving both cases. Fast-paced thriller with some twists I did not see coming.
Tessa B C
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Excellent crime novel and psychological study of an amoral con man turned murderer. There's no mystery, we always know who did it...but will he get caught? And how?
Suzanne Stevens
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
The interconnecting stories of each of Hattie's children are so moving and descriptive that I felt like I knew these people. The pains, the joys, the thoughts and emotions---why is Hattie the way she is? A complex and moving, sometimes rough and sometimes smooth book. Like jazz.
ck
Dead Scared by S. J. Bolton
Carol has written about a new book featuring DC Lacey Flint, so I decided to read one of S.J. Bolton's previous novels. What a page turner and what a scary scenario! Lacey goes undercover at Cambridge as an insecure, neurotic student and is immediately targeted by three bullies who create a hazing incident outside her residence. Or is that what it was? If you like psychological thrillers, this book is for you!
Ellen Whitney
First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde
The writer is just a classic wit; his knowledge of the book world and his seemingly bottomless sense of humor make this (and all the books in his series) a book that you want to read just so you can get to the next page. It's a book that you don't want to end!
Sherry Fraser
Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
An interesting glimpse into an important point in history through the eyes of women for a change.
Lara Crawford
Gone Girl by Jillian Flynn
Loved the telling of the story from both the husband's and wife's point of view. It was interesting to figure out which parts were truth and which were fabricated.
Pamela Lockman
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This classic is as fresh and relevant today as it ever was. I have read it at least 25 times, and it never gets old! The issues to discuss are still important and meaningful. The book becomes personal very quickly.
Beth O'Connor
Palisades Park by Alan Brennert
Love the characters and the way Brennert brings the park to life. Can't wait to finish!
Helen Duncan
The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory
The book is about a very complicated period in British history so it's not an easy read. That said, it's written in a way that makes it enjoyable and has a fascinating cast of characters. I think this is the best account of life in the 15th century I've come across. If you enjoy historical fiction this book is definitely worth the reading.
Ellen
The Girl Who Would Speak for the Dead by Paul Elwork
Beautifully written, especially when the author describes the setting---I could feel this house's great age and sense of silence. Unfortunately, whenever the story flips back to the past, it loses traction. The "secret" from the past just isn't that gripping, so the haunted part of this ghost story is rather tame.
Devon Murphy-Petersen
The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson
This year's Pulitzer winner draws you into the story from the first paragraph.
WALTER KRETZMANN
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
A breathtaking story of love, life, family and relationships. The author draws you into the story in such a way that makes it hard to put the book down at night. This is my first Kate Morton book and I am really looking forward to reading more of her work.
elaine beierbach
The King`s Deception by Steve Berry
Loved it.
dennis beierbach
The King`s Deception by Steve Berry
A page-turner.
Colin Beierbach
The King`s Deception by Steve Berry
Great book.
Kay
Bone and Bread by Saleema Nawaz
A tale of two sisters who lose everything including their parents---and have a hard time dealing with the losses---one becomes a single mother and the other becomes very sick and dies---the remaining older sister has a hard time dealing with the guilt and the hurt & how to tell her son about his parent. Big relationship issues.
Marjorie Hemingway
Tangled In Tales by Sujata Garimella
I have been a big fan of fairy tales all my life. I love happy endings. I love the drama (more often melodrama) in Grimms, Anderson's, Arabian Nights and Aesop's.
TANGLED IN TALES takes these and mixes them is a modern blender and serves up a delicious, frothy entertainer.
Tangled In Tales is clever, imaginative and exciting. It is the most engrossing children’s book I have read in years. I just couldn’t wait to read what happens next in the story that is thick with action and awesome twists in the old fairy tales.
I love the way the characters from the fairy tales have been infused with new personalities and are so much more likable. A sense of fun and urgency that marks this book.
Pick this one up as soon as you can!
Mary Beth Lindsay
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
Wow! Riveting story, great characters!
Elizabeth
I Want To Show You More by Jamie Quatro
I've enjoyed Jamie Quatro's essays and music journalism in THE OXFORD AMERICAN, so I was eager to read these stories. At its best, Quatro's writing combines the lyricism of Kevin Canty with the creepiness of Flannery O'Connor. She does tend to fall prey to some self-conscious showiness in phrasing, and the relentlessly downbeat endings made the book a hard slog for me.
Lisa Richardson
Three Things You Need To Know About Rockets by Jessica Fox
I just finished an ARC of this book, and love, love, loved it!! I have had a hard time lately finding a book to truly immerse myself in, but this was it. While it's a memoir, the author writes with a great sense of place, and I love being able to visualize the setting when I'm reading. I don't want to give away the story, but highly recommend this, especially if you've ever felt you found the place you belonged.
Debbie M
Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson
I have been mildly surprised by the Walt Longmire series set in Wyoming. I strongly disliked the first book, A COLD DISH, but have found that each book holds a different treasure. This novel focuses on current day Wyoming and Viet Nam in 1968. The two stories are drawn together when a Vietnamese young woman is found murdered. A seven-foot tall Crow Indian by the name of Virgil is being held as the suspect. The story takes many twists and turns. Cady, Walt's daughter has returned to Wyoming after her severe injuries received in Philadelphia. Henry, Sancho, and Walt have left her needing much physical rehabilitation. Henry, Sancho, and Walt race against the clock trying find an illusive killer.
Bonnie Gluhanich
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by M. Hamid
This novella packs a mighty punch. You'll think about it long after you're done reading it.
Bonnie Gluhanich
Swamplandia by Karen Russell
Must be me since this was a Puliter prize finalist, but it just didn't speak to me. It was all I could do just to finish it.
Crystal Blackburn
Dead, White, and Blue: A Death on Demand Mystery by Carolyn Hart
A resident of Broward’s Rock hasn't been seen for several days. The only person who truly misses her is her teenage stepdaughter. Everyone else hopes she is gone for good. Annie and Max Darling start to look into her disappearance.
Emily Osburn
Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Out of 20 people in my book club, 20 loved this book. It presents moral dilemmas for almost every character. Beautifully set in Western Australia, this book beguiles you with the post WWII period as people adjusted to their lives after the war. The lighthouse keeper Tom, and his wife Isabel long for a child after losing three to miscarriage. When a boat washes ashore with a baby and a dead man inside, what would you do about a baby put right into your hands?
laura beeierbach
The King`s Deception by Steve Berry
I enjoyed it like every other Steve Berry book.
elaine beierbach
The King`s Deception by Steve Berry
I love his action scenes
Sue Kramer
Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley
I think it drags in the beginning but then picks up halfway through the book.
Mary Bryant
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
This eighth book in her Chief Inspector Gamache seires moves more slowly than the others. Of course, it does keep you guessing who done it. I miss the location of the village of Three Pines.
Francisca E B
Say Her Name by Francisco Goldman
Goldman found the love of his life in the brilliant, witty, exuberant Aura, and they were looking forward to starting a family when she was tragically killed in an accident. I had such high hopes for this book. Everything I had heard about it led me to believe this would be a wonderful testament to an enduring love. But I felt the author was too disengaged. I will say that the section where Goldman relates that final day at the beach is absolutely riveting. I wish the immediacy and emotion of these chapters had been present throughout the book. Fass’s rather flat narration of the audio book does nothing to help.
Michael McAdam
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
I enjoyed this book. To be honest, not as much as the first book (BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, which had so many "oh this is going to be good!" moments) but I enjoyed it more and more as it went on. The first book had a very strong plot from the very beginning. The first few pages seemed to meander before kicking in (thus the 4 out of 5 stars) but once it gets going it is a fun book. I did miss the "this is going to be good" feeling from the first book---it isn't in this one nearly as much but it is still an enjoyable read.
Monica Colson
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Despite the signs of ordinariness, I kept looking for something more. I didn't want to put it down once I started because I was sure it the ending would have some surprise or twist, but disappointingly, there was none.
Lora Glass
Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky
I received an advance copy of this book and am delighted to share that I really enjoyed it. Emotionally charged with complex characters. I highly recommend this for your summer reading, and it is also a great book club selection.
Sue Bucher
Cause of Death by Patricia Cornwell
I started this series when it first came out and then got sidetracked with other things. I finally decided to pick up where I left off. This book takes place in 1996, and the plot is just as timely today. It was fun, though, reading a book in which cell phones are not as ubiquitous as they are in 2013. Recommended unless you're squeamish about details of autopsies .
Marsha
Six Years by Harlan Coben
Coben writes a good thriller and this one is no different. Six years have passed since Jake Fisher saw the love of his life getting married. Now he learns her husband has been murdered. He promised to leave her alone but as he has never stopped loving her, he needs to find her. Many surprises are in store for him as shocking secrets are revealed. This is a man of great determination but his life may be in danger if her persists.
Terry Beal
Fly Away by Kristin Hannah
Truly enjoyed the book; highly recommended.
Marie Gordy
The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham
Beautiful, elegant writing, with depth to the characters. Leaves one to question what makes a happy ending.
Sharon Shirlen
11th Hour by James Patterson
All his books are clever and fun to read, with lots of suspense and twists.
Becky Haase
Deadly Stakes by J A Jance
This is one of the better Ali Reynolds mysteries. This series has been uneven. Ali becomes in two intertwining mysteries. AJ, a teen boy, is involved with a murder when he follows his estranged father's instructions and discovers a dying woman. Chip, a prominent physician, and his girlfriend Lynn are charged with the murder of Chip's ex-wife. Family problems abound in both families---an ex-con father who suddenly has lots of cash, a mother with Alzheimers, an ex-wife preferred over the new girlfriend, a son nearly disowned while a scheming sister is allowed to control the family fortune. Meanwhile Ali and her "partner" rethink their relationship.
Nancy Hausladen
The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry
This is the first book in a series about a Victorian policeman and an upper class woman. The mystery is very good and so is the description of the class system in this era. I found it very interesting and plan on reading the next book in the series
Wendy Catalano
In The Land Of The Living by Austin Ratner
IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING captures the lifelong impact of traumatic childhood losses, through generations, of a family that is torn apart. Ratner's writing is compelling, has emotional depth and the story was well told.
There is something to be said for an author who can have you in tears over the certainty of life's pain and on the next page laughing at the certainty of life's humor.
I look forward to more by Austin Ratner.
Natasha Rose
Personal History by Katharine Graham
It took me a long while to get around to reading this book (it was published in 1997), but I'm very glad to be reading it now. It is Katharine Graham's autobiography and tells the story of her charmed life and of her association with the Washington Post.
WALTER KRETZMANN
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
The Storyteller is Jodi Picoult's finest book so far. She writes in the braided narrative structure, telling three stories at the same time. Yet the reader never feels lost. How does she do that? By creating distinctive voices. By researching history. One of the voices is actually a story within a story, or as allegory. How many writers can do this successfully? Few. How many put themselves out there and try? Few. We live in a world where there are people who consider the Holocaust to be a fake. Those who do not examine history are doomed to repeat it. I wish that every school in the world taught Elie Weisel's Night Trilogy.
Nancy Black
Blood Gospel by James Rollins & Rebecca Cantrell
A fast, intense read that never stops. The book starts off with a massive Earthquake in Masada, Israel, where hundreds of people are killed instantly. Two different groups of people are after the Blood Gospel. I fell in love with Father Rhun Korza! Simply can't wait for the second volume to come out.
Esther Lutzker
And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Loved this book. It is a very emotional story of an Afghan girl being sold by her father to provide for the rest of his family. All the characters and their stories are linked to this one episode. A moving and wonderful read. I highly recommend it.
Annika Stowe
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
Absolutely fantastic! Be sure to have the tissues ready.
kihei
Silken Prey by John Sandford
Another great Lucas Davenport story with familiar characters that make you feel at home for this mystery involving Minnesota politics. John Sandford never disappoints.
Robin McKay
The Edge of Courage by Elaine Levine
Rocco Silas has finally returned to the U.S. after being deep undercover in Afghanistan for years. He spent months in a military hospital trying to come to grips with the horror he witnessed over there. Now he is stateside and battling PTSD. He wants nothing more than to be left alone. That is, until a friend and fellow team mate asks a favor: go to his sister’s ranch in Wyoming and keep her safe. Kit Bolanger is concerned for the wellbeing of his sister. “Accidents” keep happening at Mandy’s ranch, a place she is trying to build into a therapeutic riding center. Mandy Fielding is good at fixing animals who have suffered at the hands of others, but can she use those same skills to help Rocco?
Donna Shaw
Prayers and Lies by Sherri Wood Emmons
If you enjoy a story about a dysfunctional family, you'll like this one. Four decades, from teen years to adulthood, are told by a young girl growing up in a small southern town. Years of secrets are covered by lies that affect an entire family.
Sherri Hines
The Big 5-0 by Sandra D. Bricker
Fun and cute romance for middle-agers. Clean and uplifting and humorous. Plan to read more by this author.
Crystal Blackburn
Death of Yesterday : A Hamish Macbeth Mystery by MC Beaton
A good mystery that made me laugh out loud.
Judy O.
Unwritten by Charles Martin
Martin's writing is always beautiful and affecting. The plot concerns two broken souls who come together to try to heal each other. An elderly priest is assisting both of them in their quest to fit into the world. Great story!
WALTER KRETZMANN
Cane River by Lalita Tademy
I don't know if anyone could read this book and NOT feel somehow changed by it.
Although written as fiction, the documents, family histories and pictures give not-so-silent tribute to this real family, and their very real experiences. I found myself pouring over the pictures, flipping back frequently to put a face with a name, and thinking the whole time "It's like Lalita Tademy sat down and talked with her ancestors!"
I would love to see this book hit the "required reading" lists of high schools. It's a lesson in so many things, not the least of which is the author's tenacious search for details, documentation and something else...something hard to define.
Dawn Cronk
The Gate by Dann Stouten
I thought this would be another book like THE SHACK, but it's not. Sky goes to check out a cabin while his wife is busy for a weekend. It's much like the one he knew from his childhood. Once there, he meets an angel, God, and Jesus. He also encounters people from his past that come to visit him that have special messages for him. I found it fun, challenging and entertaining.
Carroll Johnson
A Delicate Truth by John Le Carre
An excellent book by Le Carre. The guy writes better than just about anybody.
Linda Johnson
A Touch of Magic by Ruth M. Myers
a very light, quick-read mystery.
Tessa B C
Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen
Two winning tickets are sold for the Florida Lotto. But the two rednecks from Miami who hold one ticket figure they shouldn't have to share their prize, especially with a Negro. When they steal her ticket, JoLayne Lucks sets out to track the felons down and retrieve what is rightfully hers. This is Hiaasen at his best. The novel is full of quirky (or downright insane) characters, a little love interest, more than a few guns, and two women who are far smarter than the criminals. It’s a fast, enjoyable romp through the Florida landscape.
Debbie Maskus
Vivien Leigh by Anne Edwards
This book is a wonderfully written story about an extremely interesting actress. Vivien Leigh surpassed many obstacles to become a leading actress, whose first love was the theater, and only did films for the financial benefit. I was amazed to learn of her life and the separation from her parents of a very young age. But, according to Anne Edwards, Vivien remained friendly and loyal to everyone she met. I felt that Laurence Olivier contributed to her many bouts of depression, and I really thoroughly disliked him. I felt that Edwards presented the story very convincingly and truly showed the ravages of tuberculosis and depression that Vivien suffered.
Lisa
The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy
I read about this book on Word of Mouth and I am so glad I did. I really enjoy books that deal with realistic themes such as the horrors of the Holocaust. In this book we go between a small German town in the midst of the war and to present day in Texas. It gives German people a new face and not just that of the Nazis that tortured hundreds of thousands of people. You realize that they all did not agree with Hitler. It is also a very touching love story of a journalist who can't give her heart away. This is a very well written novel and I look forward to reading more from Sarah McCoy.
Judy O.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
A middle aged man is attending a funeral in his childhood hometown. He is drawn to a farm at the end of the road where, when he was 7, he had a frightening adventure. When he sees the pond by the farm, he suddenly remembers this dangerous thing that once happened to him. This is a fairy tale for sure. I enjoyed it for the first 2/3 of the book, but then I thought it went on and on for far too long. Certainly creative and imaginative.
Kellie
Beach Music by Pat Conroy
I adored this book. The storytelling is on an echelon all by itself. The humor is entertaining and it keeps the plot moving at a rapid pace. The chapter about the holocaust is the most detailed and moving aspect of that part of WWII I have ever read. But the portion of this book that touched me the most was about death. It was so explicit but not so sad it was moving but so very real. I remember when I read the first book by this author and when I finished, I searched for every other book Conroy has written. I think I have found almost all of them, but the sad thing is, there aren't enough.
Wendy Catalano
The Righteous and Very Real Housewives of Utah County by Miguel Santana
This novel comes complete with appetizing recipes at the beginning of each chapter. The six main characters are Mormon women related by marriage. I found it difficult, throughout the book, to remember the relationships among them. However, I had limited knowledge of the Church of Latter-Day Saints and I did learn quite a bit. It brought me closer to understanding how Mormon women view religion and themselves. A very complex story that shows how each of the women cope with the pressures of living a righteous life and ultimately reveals no one is without sin.
Lorna
Under the Dome by Stephen King
Stephen King at his best. A dome comes down on a small Maine town; no one goes in and no one comes out. The government tries to help with not much luck. The reader discovers what this town is all about with its corrupt selectmen and put-together police department. Can't wait to watch the upcoming series.
James Okula
Best Kept Secret by Jeffrey Archer
Wonderful continuation of Archer's current trilogy. Archer is a master storyteller who makes his reader enjoy being immersed in his story, wishing it were longer and eagerly awaiting his next novel. Highly recommend this novel and the preceding books of the trilogy.
Anne Marie Koschnick
Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James
Lovers of both Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and of mysteries are in for a treat with P. R. James' newest book. Building on the story of the Darcy family, a murder occurs just before the Lady Anne Ball. The social morals of the times are highlighted and to us can seem utterly ridiculous---but since it is set in the early 1800s, you can understand the challenges they faced. A good read, a surprising ending and a bit of history in this period murder.
Kathy Iwasaka
When The Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
Short and sweet, it felt like I was hovering over this unnamed family as they graciously survived the deplorable conditions of the Japanese internment camps during WWII. Scary too, was the thought that we could do this to our own.
Rosemary Sobczak
Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly
Fun summer reading.
Pamela Moore
The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman
The best things about this book involve the main character and the setting. The main character is so real that readers can feel her fear, pain, and confusion. The setting is a German village and then Dachau during WWII---doesn't sound unique, does it? However, the viewpoint is that of a German working class family struggling to survive the war; the reader goes inside the family when choices have to be made. The book makes clear the lack of communication, the rumors, the hunger, the never ending fear, etc. This is an excellent addition to round out understanding of the impact of the war on civilians, especially since it is based on stories told to the author.
Robert L. Cusick
Keep it Pithy by Bill O'Reilly
Light read but interesting and some good points. If you like him you will read the book.
Marie Ledin
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Just before the beginning of World War II, Liesel, a young girl, watches her young brother die on a train. She finds her first book after her brother is buried, which is the beginning of her "stealing" books. After her father was mysteriously taken away, with no money or job, her mother leaves Liesel with German foster parents, friends and sympathizers with the Jewish people. Hans, her foster father, teaches Liesel to read and understand words. She starts "stealing" books from burning piles or wherever she can find them. Hans and his wife help Max, the son of a Jewish friend who saved Hans’ life in a previous war, by hiding him in their basement. Very emotional book with people making the best of bad times. A must-read book.
shelly itkin
From the Kitchen of Half Truth by Maria Goodin
Growing up as a child I can remember my mother reading and sometimes telling me stories which were all make-believe, but that is not the case of Meg and her mom, Valerie. Meg is trying to separate the stories from reality and needs to do it quickly as her mom is very ill.
Meg’s childhood was very different then most of us, her mom was constantly cooking and baking and telling her stories like how her father died tragically in a pastry mixing accident. Imagine being a little girl and told how difficult it was to walk a hot dog as they did not like to have a leash around them. My favorite is that Meg was so sweet instead of adding sugar to the tea, her mother would dip Meg’s toe into the tea and get all the sugar she needed.
Suzanne Gonneville
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Is it because this book was written in the mid 1800s that I could barely finish it? It may be a classic but I had so much trouble just understanding how the characters reacted as they did to each other. And how the “Gothic-ness” is too, too much to understand why this book is still beloved today. I think I need to stay away from classics!
Carolann Goslee
Silken Prey by John Sandford
I really enjoy this Prey series. Having read all of them, each one is like entering a home of friends. The Davenport family is one I have seen change through the years and the work family has changed also. The stories are always entertaining. Set in Minneapolis, the weather is sometimes a factor.
Susan Currant
Secret Daughter by Shilipi Somaya Gowda
The thing that makes this book so interesting is that there are two story lines. The first is in India and the second is in America. Baby girls are not welcomed in India especially if they are the first born. Rather than allow her daughter to die, an Indian woman makes the journey to an orphanage where she hopes her daughter will survive and have a decent life. A childless couple in the US adopts her. The story of all the characters is a very interesting read.
Elle Boehm
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Definitely a very enjoyable read. Not as dark as his other books, but not as riveting either.
Elle Boehm
Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter
Really enjoying this book. The author is energetic and triumphant in planting an inner city garden in a high crime area. I am inspired!!
Gil Harris
City of Women by David R. Gillham
A story of courageous women during World War II in Germany who were very brave in hiding and protecting Jews. The cruelty of the Nazis is hard to comprehend, but these women were willing to risk everything to do what was right and moral. It also showed that 'ordinary' people were willing to turn on their neighbors in order to gain favor within the Nazi party. Lots of surprises and betrayals.
Marcia Sailer
Taking Lottie Home by Terry Kay
I enjoyed this story of a failed baseball player, Ben, in the early part of the century. Ben's friendship with a former player, Foster, cut from the team the same day as he was, will forever entangle his life. He meets Lottie on the train going home from the training camp. Lottie and Foster end up as part of a carnival that visits the town Ben lives in. As a result, Ben is beaten and a man is murdered. Lottie and Foster disappear with the carnival while Ben builds a life and falls in love. When Foster is dying, Ben is summoned out of state to take Lottie and her son, also named Ben, to her own hometown. It's a secret he wants kept from his own family and girlfriend for fear of misunderstanding. Entertaining outcome as a result.
Gil Harris
Into the Dark by Rick Mofina
A chilling tale of a serial killer of women. He has two personalities and at times is tormented by the inner demon who sometimes takes over. He has already killed five and is stalking a sixth. Great detective work and a courageous woman track him down. The story also tells of spousal abuse in general as a sub plot.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II by Mitchell Zuckoff
I only read fiction until I got the first chapters of this book and was totally captivated. Well written, well organized, detailed and highly readable true story of a WWII rescue mission. I shy away from war novels but this story was a page turner. I was sorry when it ended. I highly recommend it.
Robin McKay
Beneath Hallowed Ground by Steven P. Locklin
This is two stories blended into one. Lieutenant Jackson Prescott is fresh from the battlefields at Antietam in 1862. News has reached President Lincoln of a confederate plot to raise 5 tons of gold to support their cause. He sends Jackson undercover to locate the gold, discover who is behind the plot, and foil their plans. Both Prescott and the gold disappear in 1864. 150 years later, FBI Special Agent Jason Sparks is dragged into a plot to locate the missing gold. While he traces Prescott’s actions, his daughter is kidnapped. In addition, there’s a traitor in the FBI who undercuts his every move. Unsure of who to trust, he must find the gold to save his daughter.
Both missions merge at the bloody battlefields of Gettysburg.
Debbie Maskus
The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson presents a Wyoming that is harsh, bitter, but beautiful. In this episode, Walt is investigating undercover the death of a horrible man who was shot 6 times in the head and left to sizzle in a burning house. His wife confesses to the crime, but Walt does not believe that she is guilty. The characters are portrayed as believable heroes and villains. I admire the many ways that Johnson uses to describe characters and setting. There are always comic moments, like the writing of Shakespeare. The book holds many surprises, which this reader will not divulge. I feel that Johnson gets better with each novel.
Marsha
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
At first I was distracted by the shifting of character voices. By the time the novel ended I was teary-eyed. Hosseini knows how to tell a story that engages the reader. Although different from his first two novels, it is unforgettable.
Rosalie Leon
Adrenaline by Jeff Abbott
I listened to this book on audio CD as I am in the car a lot! at one point in the narration, I had to sit in the car and listen---it was so exciting, I could hardly bring myself to turn the motor off! I finished the book and was so disappointed that there was no conclusion. Of course, I ordered the sequel from the library---thank goodness it was available on hold...I can't wait to find out the conclusion---won't tell you and give away the story!
Sally C.
The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
I love the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, especially those set in Three Pines. As you can see by the order of this book in the series, I am still trying to become current. All that said, this book gave me pause. Although I had trouble getting into the story at first, it proved engrossing as time passed. There are quite a few surprises in this book. However, I am not sure that I like where the author is going with the characters we have grown to love. I have no problem with showing their human foibles, but I found this book unsettling. I am eager to start the next book in the series, however, just to see if some of the loose ends are resolved.
Jackie Ranaldo
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
Fantastic read...can't wait to see how it ends
Becky Haase
Amy Falls Down by Jincy Willett
After a slow start I really found myself enjoying the witty (though very dry) humor in this book. Amy grows on you as you discover more of her character and background. I especially enjoyed the names of the chapters, trying to see if I could find the relationship as I read. Another part I liked was the “topics” Amy lists as story ideas/titles. They give another clue to Amy’s persona. Amy’s students are delightful, clearly and carefully drawn. While the entire book is a put down of pretentious authors, it is also the story of a very human woman who has great sorrows to surmount. As is true with all good humor, there is also tragedy to provide contrast. Willett deals well with both.
Melanie S.
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
Beautifully written story told from twelve different points of view by the descendants of Hattie. The writing allowed you to really get to know the characters and feel their angst and heartaches. This was a story of survival and strength as well one of pain and hardship. I will be recommending this book to others.
Lynn W
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
I opened this book with trepidation. I had read one review that wasn't complementary and I was also afraid that it couldn't be as good as his two previous books. Note the five stars. I closed it at two o'clock this morning with a satisfied smile on my face.
Susan Spencer
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths
This is the first book I have read by this author and what a great read it is. The book is set in England---Ruth Galloway is an archaeologist and helps investigate some bones she has dug up. Fast paced and very interesting. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Sharon Lumb
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This is not your ordinary mystery. Although there is a missing wife with a poorly staged scene of overturned furniture, etc. There is blood. And there is the husband who does not appear to be upset that his wife is gone and who it is discovered has a young girlfriend. So the police are looking to tidy up the pieces and arrest the husband. But is there more? The result is quite a romp.
Ruth Dupchen
The Guardian (Home of Hickory Hollow, Book 3) by Beverly Lewis
This book kept my interest from the first page to the last. It was like a fresh breath of clean air. The simplicity of life can be so powerful. This was a wonderful story.
Juli Lear
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler
Apparently, the lives of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald are well documented, but I didn't know their story at all. I found this book to be a fascinating look at their lives, told from Zelda's perspective. I think even those who are not fans of the Fitzgeralds would find this book interesting.
Crystal Blackburn
The Kill Room: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel by Jeffery Deaver
Wow. Great storytelling. Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are back at work catching bad guys.
Amy Nash
The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore
Another great example of a male writer who writes excellently with a female voice. I'd forgotten who the author was and was quite surprised at the end of the audio book with the narrator repeated the author's name! Come along for a lifelong friendship with the Supremes, their men, families, and whole cast of characters. You'll laugh out loud in parts, cringe in others, and feel deeply affected by some characters' grief at other times...it's real life! Can't recommend it highly enough for a summer beach read, book club selection, or a story to treasure on a rainy day. Enjoy!
Renee Booker
Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston
This is about a couple that marries late in life and is happy until they decide to start a family. Due to age, they resort to hormone treatments, and this causes difficulties in their marriage, which sends them to retreat separately for peace and that is where the mistake/trouble comes.
WALTER KRETZMANN
The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs
This was so slow moving, I fell asleep rather early in the book, tried to pick it up and continue reading, and it felt like torture. Couldn't get into this book at all. I'm surprised at the good ratings. If a book is this boring at the beginning, it's hard to keep me interested, no matter how I try. That's my opinion of this book. I saw a lot of drawn-out descriptions that seemed so inane, like the author was trying to meet a certain amount of pages.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
What a bust this book was, and it had the materials to be so much better. Aside from a couple guffaws and chuckles, this book was a bore, moved slowly, not as imaginative as it promised to be, and pages plodded by with nothing happening.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Little Night by Luanne Rice
Luanne Rice has crafted an intriguing, multi-layered gem that delves into the shocking and uncomfortable subject of spousal abuse and manipulation. Mysterious and twisted and yet always believable, the story exposes the many (highly complex) vulnerabilities, strengths, and fears of not only the victim, but of those in her family. From cover to cover, LITTLE NIGHT is a suspenseful and perfectly paced page-turner.
I think this book will spark lively debates and conversations among book club members across the country and beyond.
Marie Ledin
The Hit by David Baldacci
Wow! From the very beginning I could not put this book down. More moles and traitors in the high-ups of the government? One of the best assassins is taking out prominent government employees, and one of the best is sent to capture/kill this person. What happens is totally suspenseful and constantly game-changing. Who do you trust?
Linda
Off the Beaten Page by Terri Peterson Smith
Great suggestions for trips for book lovers to cities all over the USA. You will want to read some of the suggested books before your adventure. Good advice on what is interesting to see in each city as well.
Linda Reck
Sutton by J.R. Moehringer
I've never read a book about a gangster before, so this was a real eye-opener. It's a riveting heist novel and an empathetic portrait of Willie Sutton. I enjoyed reading this book.
Julie Towson
The Expats by Chris Pavone
Very involved and it keeps you guessing as to who are the bad guys. A family moves to Luxembourg
because the husband says there's a great job opportunity there. This is when all the intrigue starts and the cloak and dagger begins on both parents' parts.
Sharon
Evidence of Life by Barbara Taylor Sissel
Abby's husband, Nick, and their daughter, Lindsey leave for a camping trip and never return home. The book was repetitive even though it isn't a long book. After just reading books written by Ken Follett and Ursula Hegi where there is in-depth research and intriguing plots and characters, it is hard to compare novels that don't rise to that level.
Marsha
Loyalty by Ingrid Thoft
Run, don't walk, to the nearest bookstore for the introduction to a new heroine (think a combo of Stephanie Plum, Kinsey Millhone and V, I, Warshawski). Fina Ludlow is an investigator for her family's law firm and woe be it to anyone who gets in her way---even to the detriment of one of the family members. I can't wait for the next edition. This girl is a force with which to be reckoned. Enjoy!
Judy O.
Defending Jacob by William Landay
This is my second reading of this book in a little over a year. It is as good the second time as it was the first. Who killed Ben Rifkin? Was it Jacob, the boy whose dad is as assistant district attorney? Is there such a thing as a "murder gene?" If so, did this play a part in the killing? These questions drive this wonderful story, and the ending is amazing and unexpected.
Sean Penrose
Testimony by Anita Shreve
This novel takes the wildly horrific events of one nights and explores the lives that are affected. The author does a fantastic job of different speaking styles for the various characters. The voices are both typical at times and insightful. While the ending is stark the book does a great job of intertwining stories which then eventually mesh and make sense. The character count is high and at times hard to remember who is who, it was still easy to follow. The novel is smartly written yet terrifying for a parent. I look forward to reading more by Anita Shreve.
Michael McAdam
Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris
I enjoyed this book and I am sad the series is over. The first 6 or 7 books of the series were fantastic and the last half of the series was enjoyable. For this book, I was happy with the ending (no spoilers here)---I had predicted something similar. The plot is slightly stronger than the last few. I will miss these characters! The book isn't quite 'un-put-down-able' but it was very enjoyable. I highly recommend starting the series from the beginning.
Sandra Furlotte
Out of Range by C.J. Box
This series tells the story of game warden in Wyoming and it is superior storytelling. I love the wonderful descriptions of the mountains and rugged country of Wyoming and the unique problems faced by the people there. Keep these tales coming.
Judith Bates
On Top of Spoon Mountain by John Nichols
One of John Nichols' better books! Very New Mexican in orientation!
Jan Siefert
Montaro Caine by Sidney Poitier
I really enjoyed Sidney Poitier's memoirs and was curious to see how he is with his first work of fiction. Although I'm not a fan at all of science fiction, this book had very little science fiction back story. Actually, I think it was a great story line, but two things kept me from giving this more than 3 stars. First of all, there were WAY too many characters. The story could have been told with about half the people. Secondly, the story could have been a lot shorter. It seemed to really drag on in places. It's still worth taking the time to read. I'm looking forward to his second work of fiction, if he writes one, to see what subject he chooses.
Judith Bates
His Majesty's Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal
This is the third book in a series about Maggie Hope in England during WW ll. She is an American working for the British MI-5. She has worked with Churchill and to protect Princess Elizabeth in prior books, but this books sends her as a spy to Germany! Excellent reading with humor and lots of history!
Judith Bates
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
A story about a young man who experiences a mind-bending situation when he is 8 and thereafter, does not talk. He becomes a "lock artist" and can open any lock he is given. This his story and how he becomes a contact for Mafioso and how he escapes. It is also a love story!
Debbie Maskus
What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris
This is a new series for me that is set in England in the 1810s about the different classes of the population. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the fear of the government that the French Revolution could spread to England, and the thought of French spies. And the hilarious nature of the aristocracy. The story centers on Sebastian, who must prove that he did not kill a popular actress. The characters are lively and dimensional, and the setting is superb. I could feel the dankness of the English weather. I look forward to reading more of the Sebastian St. Cyr series.
Robin McKay
Skeleton Letters by Laura Childs
Murder, mayhem, and scrap booking...what more could you ask for? The latest installment of the Scrapbook Series has Carmela Bertrand and side kick Ava witnessing the murder of a friend at St. Tristan's church. Carmela, owner of a scrap book shop, and part time sleuth, is asked to snoop around and see what she can find out about the situation. Detective Edgar Babcock is not too happy to see his girlfriend involved, but nothing will stop headstrong Carmela from finding out who is behind the murder of her friend.
Ellen Wehle
Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder
Superior mystery. I'm a sucker for a first-person private eye, and Conway Sax walks & talks like a noir hero of the '40s. The author knows his turf (the dead mill towns of western Massachusetts) and keeps his story moving at a good clip. Even the minor characters are quirky and surprising---no stereotyped villains here. Two thumbs up.
Kathy Vallee
A Cast-Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell
I love this series---they are very fast-paced. In this book, Lily finds the body of a very wealthy man at the arts school, so she is asked to find out if the murder was done by a human or ghost or something worse. Plus she has to juggle her new boyfriend, hoping he understands and does not run away just because she is a witch.
Mike
A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
A riveting story set in North Carolina about life in a small town intermixed with religion and what happens when people either refuse to believe in reality or choose to ignore it. A young boy sees something he was better off not seeing, involving a cult-like preacher and events unfold as people try to protect their beliefs and themselves.
This book is destined to become a modern American classic.
Diane Castiglione
Black Irish by Stephen Talty
I wanted to read this book since I grew up in Buffalo. Very impressed with the author's description of Buffalo and the South side. I knew many of the areas described. The south side was a big mill area and known for being a Irish area. I really enjoyed the main character Homicide Detective Absalom Kearney who grew up as an outsider and an adopted daughter to a cop. She has come back to take care of her father. She is a strong person and faces a hard time being a female detective since most of the male cops think she does not belong. We follow her as she is on the hunt for a killer who is always one step ahead of her. There are many twist and turn to this story.
Sharon A. Phelps
Enon by Paul Harding
Engrossing, detailed and intellectual journey into the tragedy of losing a daughter and the incredible spiral and abyss one man experiences during his grief process.
Nicolette Bonzani
He's Gone by Deb Caletti
It's unnerving to have forgotten a piece of your life, even just minutes. But imagine if something tragic were to happen during this time that's been blank in your memory. Now left with only questions, Dani dances with an array of emotions digging for the truth; the truth of what happened to her husband, the truth of the love they shared. With such complex pasts, answers don't come easy. But is it really as complicated as it seems? Perhaps it is merely the unknown that terrifies us.
Mary Lebel
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
A great story with many twists and turns. This book is truly unique.
Jackie Wisherd
Blowing On Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell
In 1880, Katherine Galloway struggles to run an Oregon boardinghouse as events surrounding her domineering mother and blossoming teenage daughter cause undue pressures on her strength and faith. A beautifully told story of a dysfunctional family.
Francisca E B
Peony in Love by Lisa See
This is a very Chinese story. Set in 17th century China and steeped in the long-held traditions of ancestor worship, belief in spirits and strict societal roles, See manages to present a story that celebrates feminism and the women writers who are all but forgotten today. But Peony is young and inexperienced, and she (and other young women characters) irritated me no end. Janet Song’s narration of the audio book didn’t help this. She has a slow, almost ponderous delivery, which just did not breathe any life into the work.
Linda Bass
Maggie Get Your Gun by Kate Danley
Maggie McKay is a tracker and her dad's partner. She arrived at their tiny office to find her dad had spirited her mom away for the weekend leaving the office all to herself, so she spent the day with paperwork and was just about to leave when a small squat man entered the door and made her an offer she couldn't refuse with a fat envelope stuffed with bills. A stimulating and quite funny story!
Nancy Bader
Inferno by Dan Brown
This book comes years after Brown's other best sellers, but it was well worth waiting for. If you liked the guessing games in THE DA VINCI CODE and ANGELS AND DEMONS, you'll enjoy this book. It was sometimes hard keeping all the religious and symbolic references straight, but that didn't take anything away from the book.
Fran O'H
The Woodsman's Daughter by Gwyn Hyman Rubio
After loving her debut novel, ICY SPARKS, I decided to give this book a try. It wasn't as good, but like her other book, had strong characters and an interesting story line overall.
Suzanne Gonneville
The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti
THE ALMOND TREE is a book that kept my intense interest to the very end. The story of the Palestinian’s reception to the influx of the Jewish people in creating the State of Israel in 1948 centered around one Arab family and their horrific life. Ichmad Hamid is the main character and the story tells his life.
I was disappointed in the way the book was written. I felt conversations were stilted and that Ichmad was just too good to be true. But I will admit, I couldn’t put the book down.
Janet
Private Berlin by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan
Just started reading it. In the past I have liked the Private series.
Susan Levin
Stoner by John Williams
A wonderful character study that is fully dimensional. I found myself thinking about the main character long after I finished this book.
Darlene Reid-Rericha
Split Second by David Baldacci
I'm halfway through it. Loving it!!
Lynne Johns
Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg
Another outstanding Elizabeth Berg novel---one of those books you want to find out what happens at the end but one that you don't want to end when you finish reading it. Highly recommend this novel.
Sharon Strickland
Deadly Stakes by J.A. Jance
The protagonist Ali Reynolds keeps you hopping through this mystery. Between her love life, an 80-year-old roommate and her investigation of a gold-digging divorcee, there is not a dull moment. Until the last chapter you really don't know who the killer is, although she presents several options. I highly recommend this as a quick and enjoyable read.
Kori Hamilton
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This book was like no other book I'd ever read. I do not usually like mysteries, but this book captivated me from the very start. I would very much recommend.
Beth Shoemaker
Panic by Sharon M. Draper
Great book about what happens when you talk to a stranger. Also, the book discusses abuse in a relationship.
Lynn w
The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls
This is a very good book about the abuse of adult power. Set in Virginia during the days of school desegregation, I learned something new. Did black school children always merge into the white schools? Did the reverse ever happen? Should it have? There are several ideas to contemplate in this story. It's worth the time to read.
Lois Lilling
The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman
A familiar tale of two lovers in Prague at the start of WW2. They are lost to the Holocaust but manage to live. They end up in the United States leading what seems to all a very normal life.
But then they meet again...
WALTER KRETZMANN
The Survivors Club by Lisa Gardner
I have read all of Lisa Gardner's books up to this point and have seen her consistently improve with each subsequent book. I was, however, left with a sense of disappointment after reading the Survivors Club. I found myself putting it down frequently and not being tempted to pick it up again.
The story itself was reasonably good, although the ending was anticlimactic. This was also the case in this author's first two books although she improved on this dramatically by book three. My real issue with this book is the graphic nature of one of the rape scenes. There were also the flashbacks of the survivors. If you, like me, have problems reading graphic rape, then this is not the book for you.
Becky C.
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
This is an interesting read, but kind of predictable for a Jodi novel.
Becky C.
The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse
This novel is a little supernatural...I like it!
Becky C.
The Guards by Ken Bruen
This is the first of the series...what will you think of Jack's conscience, or more surprisingly, his lack of one? I definitely will continue with this series.
Eileen Dandashi
All A Woman Wants by Patricia Rice
I just finished reading this book and found it just plain fun to read! It's a Regency Romance, yet not. The personalities of both the hero and heroine break the mold of the time period. The hero lives in Virginia but is making a trip back to England for business, and to see his sister whom the family has not heard from for a long time. He finds her deceased, and her 2 very young children are poorly taken care of. Even though he does not have the capability to provide for them, his compassion for them and his sister overwhelms his good sense, and he takes them from their drunken and miserable father. In looking for someone to provide for them temporarily, he finds the heroine. His life and hers take a completely new course!
Christina Oseland
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
I'll admit that I started out thinking there was nothing special about the book, but I quickly changed my mind. It sucked me in and didn't let me go. It's one of those books that I wish didn't have to end. I don't re-read books often, but this will easily be one of the very few that I do.
Val
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
I thought the history of the orphan trains was very interesting. The story held my attention for two-thirds of the book. I feel either Kline lost something or I missed it, but the ending lost its steam for me. Enjoyed reading it, used it for this month's book club selection. Will see what my book club has to say. Good beach read.
val
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Hosseini delivers again. AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED is intoxicating. When I'm finished reading it, I am going to listen to the audio book. I want to hear his characters voices in my ears. Loved every word. Thanks Khaled, it was music to my eyes.
Jodie Busch
Aleph by Paulo Coelho
I've just started this book, however thus far it has been eloquently written and tackles quite the subject---a writer embarking on a quest to become more spiritually enlightened. Paulo Coelho masterfully takes us on the journey along with his characters.
Dorothy Boyd
Temple of a Thousand Faces by John Shors
John Shors is one of my favorite novelists. His new book, TEMPLE OF A THOUSAND FACES, is just extraordinary. It's an epic, beautiful novel centered around Angkor Wat---the largest religious site on Earth. It is a complex, fast-paced novel that brought this ancient and wonderful world back to life for me.
Mary Vernau
The Execution of Noa P. Singleton by Elizabeth L. Silver
Terrific legal-thriller. I could not put this novel down!
Rita Hunt
The Kill Room by Jeffery Deaver
A classic Lincoln Rhyme novel that is sure to please Jeffery Deaver fans, and those who enjoy the "how-dunit" even more than the "whodunit" of a killing. While it is part of a long-running series, a reader could jump in here without having read the other books, since Deaver injects some background details about the main characters and how Rhyme usually operates in his custom-built home lab, to help new readers get a feel for the rhythm of the series.
His first one, THE BONE COLLECTOR, is right up there with my all-time favorite books. This is also well worth the read because Rhyme wanders out of his comfort zone and into the Bahamas to search for physical clues, so we get to see him in a new light.
Rita Hunt
Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
I have read several of the author's books before and consistently enjoyed them. She has a knack for making the reader feel they are right beside the characters, sitting on a sandy beach towel, watching the tide roll in. This book has a slightly different feel because it conjures up recollections of a famous trial from recent headlines, but it is still a truly wonderful beach read. The plot emphasizes the importance of female friendships in a time of need. I recommend you toss SILVER GIRL in your canvas tote now so you will be ready when you are heading to the shore or the pool this season!
Becky Haase
Children of the Jacaranda Tree by Sahar Delijani
I found this book to be both enormously interesting and vastly disjointed. It was difficult to follow the characters and time lines. Characters came and went with alarming frequency. Time jumped back and forth from the early days of the Iranian Revolution to the present with stops in the middle. My attention was immediately captured in the first few paragraphs, but then the next chapter moved to another time and place with new characters and I was left lost and wondering. Perhaps this was the author’s intention as those same disjointed feelings were evident in each of the characters. Delijani captures the sense of loss and disconnect the characters felt as their lives were disrupted, ended and changed.
Bonnie Gluhanich
Here is Where: Discovering America's Great Forgotten History by Andrew Carroll
One of my favorite non-fiction books in recent years. If you like trivia, history, or Paul Harvey's THE REST OF THE STORY, you'll love this book. It's absolutely fascinating.
Bonnie Gluhanich
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig
Willa Cather and "Opie" come to mind. A story of a simpler time, of families and how they come to be. It's a sweet and lovely story, though slogged a bit at times for me.
Debbie Maskus
Junkyard Dog by Craig Johnson
Johnson provides an excellent escape from the humdrum existence of daily living. The venture into the life and times of Sheriff Walt Longmire is filled with many laughs, and a little sadness. Henry's part seems to be smaller with each book, and Vic and Sancho have filled the void. The time of the year is February, and Wyoming is not the state for Saint Valentine. Of course, Walt's body undergoes more damage. Can any human survive all his injuries? Cady is planning a wedding to Vic's brother, which she still has not discussed with Walt. In this novel, many residents are murdered, and I wonder when the town population will be zero. Johnson writes an interesting book with all the twists and turns, especially the introduction.
Beth Rollins
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
I loved this book. If you enjoyed the Tea Rose trilogy than this book will be up your ally. The characters are richly defined and the story compelling. I really enjoyed this book and I am telling every one about it!
Gabby Hayze
My Promised Land by Ari Shavit
Ari Shavit is a leading Israeli journalist who has written this compelling history of the state of Israel from the time it was first settled until the present time. It is the story of the men and women who had a dream of a homeland, and they made it a reality. It is the story of huge struggles against unbelievable odds brought to fruition thanks to hard work, determination, and the triumph of the human spirit. I highly recommend this book both for its historical value and the story it tells of a nation of people who fought and never gave up no matter what the challenges thrown in their way.
Brady
My Way: An Autobiography by Paul Anka
Paul Anka has never been a favorite personality for me, however, he should have been as I never realized how talented and creative he is and I learned much about the entertainment business and a life well lived. How he became a star is most interesting and the result of persistent efforts. One who loves what he does yet still hits the wall on occasion to prove he is of the human race. A thoroughly satisfying reading experience.
Sharron C
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
Powerful story within a story. Sage meets elderly man, well respected in the community who admits to being a former Nazi in a concentration camp. Coincidentally, her grandmother was imprisoned in that same camp and writes a tale that keeps her and others going. Josef wants Sage to forgive him and kill him as he can't seem to die. Picoult is a magnificent storyteller herself and this book is Jodi at her best.
Lynn W
Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger
It's nice to read a bit of fluff now and again...well-written, with a surprise ending.
Beth O'Connor
Palisades Park by Alan Brennert
It is the perfect summer read! I simply fell in love with the Stopka family and the Palisades Amusement Park.
Melissa Ferr
The Kashmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas
The book has a slow start.
Cathey Avery
The Cider House Rules by John Irving
Beautiful book I wish I had read sooner. The perspective of what is right/wrong, God's work/the Devil's work, what you will do to protect family and what "family" really means. Irving did a great job of putting you into each individual's perception. I loved it!
shelly itkin
Enon by Paul Harding
I haven't read Mr. Harding’s award-winning book TINKERS but I found ENON to be very upsetting, depressing and frightening.
Charlie Crosby is the main character, along with his wife Susan, and their thirteen-year-old daughter Kate. The book opens with the unfortunate death of Kate in an accident. Instead of Charlie and Susan growing closer and trying to get through this terrible ordeal they find themselves pulling further apart.
On one specific day, Charlie manages go break his arm and is now taking painkillers constantly, and several days after the acciden,t Susan decides to visit her family. While she is gone, Charlie starts on a path of self-destruction by becoming dependent on painkillers.
Brady
An American Caddie in St. Andrews by Oliver Horovitz
I have no interest in golf whatsoever but I really liked this book. The author was a Harvard student and during the summertime he went to Scotland and got a job as a caddie at the original golf course of all time. This is the story of his escapades both on and off the course. It is the summation of a boy turning into a man and his place in the world. A good read indeed.
Maureen H
Touch & Go by Lisa Gardner
An entertaining read!!
Maureen H
Vanished by Joseph Finder
A page-turner.
Lynn W
Benediction by Kent Haruf
A small town's long-time resident is dying. His friends and neighbors, from young to old, embrace him and his family with love and compassion. This is a novel to savor.
