This contest period's winners were Andrea L., Annette S., Faith E., Jeanie D. and Susan D., who each received a copy of A CIRCLE OF WIVES by Alice LaPlante, THE TROOP: A Novel of Terror by Nick Cutter, and TROUBLE IN MIND: The Collected Stories, Volume 3 by Jeffery Deaver.
Judy O.
Heart Like Mine by Amy Hatvany
This is kind of a syrupy story of love and loss. Grace McAllister is a 36 year old woman who is engaged to Victor, a restaurant owner. He is divorced from Kelli, and they have 2 children. When Kelli unexpectedly dies, Grace becomes a surrogate mother; and it is certainly harder than she thought it would be. How this family learns to accept and love is the crux of the story.
Marsha
King and Maxwell: A King and Maxwell Novel by David Baldacci
Since the successful TV program featuring former CIA agents King and Maxwell, this novel is easier to visualize. Michelle and Sean get mixed up with clandestine secrets from high up in the government when they try to help a young boy whose father has been deemed Killed in Action in Afghanistan.
Irene Grigas
The Caretaker: A Ranjit Singh Novel by A .X. Ahmad
I really liked this book until I came to the last part of it where it gets a little unbelievable. Ranjit Singh , a dishonored captain in the Indian Army, comes to Boston with his wife and daughter on a temporary visa. He is employed by his wife's uncle and is very unhappy, so he takes a job as a caretaker on Martha's Vineyard. He has to move his family into one of the estates he is taking care of due to unexpected homelessness. While there, thieves enter the house and from that point on the chase begins. The reader is taken to a tour of Boston's streets and Martha's Vineyard. I would have given 5 stars for the beginning of the book and 3 stars for the last part of the story thus making it 4 stars.
Arthur Harriman
The Gods of Guilt: A Lincoln Lawyer Novel by Michael Connelly
The protagonist of THE LINCOLN LAWYER, and younger half-brother to LA detective Harry Bosch, returns in a wonderfully plotted and danger-filled courtroom drama in which a jailed Mexican drug dealer is successfully defended against the most serious of the charges that led to the conviction. All the while, we are introduced to the current status of the lawyer's parental and (ex)marital life, and we once more see Harry Bosch passing the lawyer at a distance in a courthouse corridor. he reader learns that the lawyer has bought two 2011 Lincolns of the (discontinued) model desired Given the fate of the Lincolns once in the lawyer's hands, it is worth asking what will be the lawyer's office a few trials down the road.
Mary Jo Brown
My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
This is an inspiring autobiography by our first Hispanic female Supreme Court Justice. She overcame a poor minority background in the Bronx, with an alcoholic father, a working mother and childhood diabetes. She writes about her struggling family life and the many mentors who helped her achieve her goals. She was able to attend Princeton and Yale Law School and has devoted herself to her career. Her inspirations were her hard-working mother and her loving, outgoing abuelita (grandmother).
Linda Johnson
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
What a creative but honest book. Brosh opens herself in ways that many would not. Her artistic self is simplistic and emotes more than it seems possible for such a simple form. I related to several parts of this memoir. I really loved that each chapter was presented on different colored pages, enabling me to see how much more was in a chapter --- even though I never was eager for a chapter or the book to end. I could have read this forever.
Lori Edelson
Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence
I thought this was a great, quirky young adult read. I'm an adult but I enjoyed it too. I flew through the book and I found it delightful. I think everyone from teens up would enjoy it.
Lori Edelson
Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening: How I Learned the Unexpected Joy of a Green Thumb and an Open Heart by Carol Wall
I thought this book was a charming memoir which deals with unlikely friendships, breast cancer and gardening. There were some thought-provoking events in the book, but it was mostly a light and interesting read.
Lori Edelson
Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi
I thought this was an interesting book. I would recommend that people who read it should avoid reading reviews which typically have spoilers in them. I was very glad that I hadn't read the back cover, because it reveals a surprise that doesn't happen until half way through the book. Although I liked the book for the most part, I was disappointed that the ending wasn't very satisfying.
Lori Edelson
The Catch by Taylor Stevens
As much as I liked and recommended THE INFORMATIONIST, the first of Stevens’ books in the series, I have been disappointed with the subsequent books, including THE CATCH. The subsequent books don’t provide a good recap, but one is needed. I don't think this would be a good stand-alone book. Much of what differentiated THE INFORMATIONIST from other thrillers was the protagonist’s unique background and personal relationships. I wish these things were emphasized more in this book. One would never know what made her tick without having read the previous books. Even having read the other books, I felt that the motivation for her actions was lacking.
Robin Hall
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Very funny, quirky and just enjoyable. It is written using various media to advance the story --- emails, letters, hospital bills, etc.
Kai Wong
The Collector of Dying Breaths: A Novel of Suspense by M.J. Rose
This book is about Jac, a women who can experience the past lives she has lived while remaining in the present. Her brother Robbie has died of a mysterious illness while trying to create a fragrance that will bring the dead back to life. It explores an Eastern philosophy of past lives and reincarnation. It is said that we lives our life over and over again until we learn that lesson to break the circle to move towards Nirvana. An interesting story which shifts back and forth between the Medici family and the present.
Jennie Reece
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
I have a feeling that I'll want to upgrade this rating to five stars once I've finished it.
Jennie Reece
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
A fun read for my book club. Everyone in the group of ten enjoyed the story of Mma Ramotswe.
Saundra McKenzie
Sycamore Row by John Grisham
It was a book that kept you reading. I would recommend it to anyone that likes a good story. It is one of Grishams best!
Allison Gardner
Beach Trees by Karen White
A great story about rebuilding your life after you've lost everything.
S Anderson
Cross Roads by Wm. Paul Young
Many moral choices from a spiritual point of view.
Sandy McCullough
Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan
Very good! I enjoyed it a lot.
Michele Martin
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Between wanting to find out the secrets and enjoying the witty and comical depiction of characters, I couldn't put this book down. It takes place in Australia and the flipping of the seasons as well as Australian references was fun and interesting. They do celebrate differently than the U.S. It takes place around Easter, so what a good book for this time of year. It is the kind of book where certain reveals will bother you as you fall asleep and will be right there on your mind when you wake in the morning. A great book club book.
susan gannon
Bruecke to Heaven: Children of the Light by Timothy W. Tron
Fascinating story about Pentecost and future generations.
Angela Hertzberg
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
I loved this book. Certainly not a typical romance but it was a special story and one that really makes you think. I also read THE GIRL YOU LEFT BEHIND and, though I enjoyed the read, I wasn't as moved as I was with ME BEFORE YOU. Very nice title choices too!
Richard Godsell
The Martian by Andy Weir
This is Andy's first novel and what a novel it is. Readers, we need to support new authors, but also, Andy has written a wonderful story of a man left on Mars by his crew members who thought he was dead. It's funny, sad, thrilling, and an easy read. You won't be able to put it down.
Richard Godsell
Tiger Shrimp Tango by Tim Dorsey
I never thought I could laugh at someone being murdered by two idiots like the two helpers for a private detective that talks in the third person and 1940s lingo that we can't understand, but someone explains for us while reading. You want a laugh out loud, read this book.
Sandra Huling
11/22/1963 by Stephen King
Could not put this book down.
James Okula
Winter of the World by Ken Follett
Master storyteller Follett's second book of The Century trilogy is an excellent read that keeps the reader engrossed in this story which began pre-WW2 and continues now through the war and immediately at its close. The reader sees the efforts of the next generation and experiences the activities of the countries of both sides of the war. Along with providing some factual glimpses into the war, the reader is presented with the everlasting downside of war, no matter what the ideology.
Third book of the trilogy arrives in Fall 2014, which I eagerly await. Don't be concerned with the length of this book - you won't be counting pages as you stay engrossed in this wonderful story-telling.
Marian
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
This was a gripping, fast-paced novel about choices and growing up. With everything in upheaval, Tris has to discover where she belongs and who to trust.
Angie Cox
a land more kind than home by Wiley Cash
A great mystery novel. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. A guessing game through out the enter book. I can't wait to read his next book.
Richard Godsell
Pillars to the Sky by William R. Forstchen
Although, you might classify this book as Sci Fi, it's also a love story. Hanky required unless you're hard hearted, then you'll just love excitement. Read on my friends, a page turner.
Bonnie Waliezer
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts
This opens in 1263 with Sorcha, the Dark Witch and her 3 children. It quickly jumps to present day. If you like Ireland and magic, this is the book for you. The bloodline of Sorcha continues throughout the story and best of all...It is the first book of a trilogy. This is a hard one to put down. It is a whirlwind of love, danger and magic.
Judy Mathiak
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
So far, I am hooked. I started another highly rated book, which I won't mention here, and couldn't get past the 3rd chapter. Maybe I just love these young adult books, but the story lines are amazing and fascinating.
Cathy S
Instances of the Number Three by Salley Vickers
Salley Vickers remains one of my favorite discoveries. This one involves the triangle of a widow, her deceased husband's mistress, and the deceased husband himself. Add to that references to Shakespeare and Hamlet's ghost and the wise insights that come with Vickers' career as a psychoanalyst and you have the makings of a story to read slowly and savor.
Tessa B C
The Red Umbrella by Christine Diaz Gonzalez
Excellent YA historical fiction about the Cuban Revolution and the resulting evacuation of children to the U.S. 14-year-old Lucia goes from a typical teen to a grown-up young lady with responsibilities and worries.
Sandy McCullough
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
I didn't really care for this book very much. Very tedious read.
Susan Kellett
The Darkest Secret by Carla Buckley
I have enjoyed this book. A dysfunctional family with a child with a rare disease. Throw in a murder and you have a page turner. I believe Jodi Picoult wrote about a boy with the same XP factor so the story was not as fresh to me as it could have been. I would read more by this author.
Wendy Johnson
Beautiful Lies: Ridley Jones, Book 1 by Lisa Unger
After reading her newest books, I wanted to try another of her books. This was another suspenseful story which has a sequel.
Dorothy Boyum
The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman
I have just started this book and can't wait until I have time to sit and finish it. I've heard only great things about it and I'm sooooo anxious to continue reading.
Wendy Johnson
Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger
After reading her newest book IN THE BLOOD, which I loved, I wanted to try another of her books. This was another suspenseful story, which has a sequel.
Mary L. Holshouser
Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindle
The book started out kind of slow but it got more interesting as you got into it. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I think the ending could have been more detailed but it left you with your own ideas of how things will be in the future. Good read.
Anne Marie Koschnick
The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen
I love mysteries and wanted to go back to the classics. The mystery was complex and what struck me was the level of vocabulary in the exchanges between Ellery and his dad. After reading a cozy, it took me a few pages to get into the rhythm of this book. Since I was a fan of the short-lived series based on Ellery Queen, I could visualize him turning to the audience and indicating that he gave us the clues, what did we think. There was a lot of repeating thoughts about what could be clues, so if you didn't have an inkling about the ending, you really weren't paying attention. I would actually give it more of a 3.5, but that's not an option.
Mary Hayden
Bartender's Tale by Ivan Doig
Ivan Doig is such a masterful story teller that it is almost impossible not to be avid fan, once you have read one of his books. I don't believe I have missed reading a single one. I became familiar with him through his non-fiction books and went on to all of the fiction!
Betty Chrastka
Arthur & George by Julian Barnes
Parallel stories of Arthur Conan Doyle and George Edgalji (whom Conan Doyle defended). This is a thorough and fascinating look at the lives of two men that intersect in a strange way. Also a look at police work in the Victorian era.
Lynn W
Well-Read Women: Portraits of Fiction's Most Beloved Heroines by Samantha Hahn
Truly beautiful little book of the author/illustrator's imagined waterclored images of 50 favorite female characters. My favorites are Clarissa Dalloway, Anna Karenina, and Scarlett O'Hara.
Melanie S.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Wow. Just finished this incredible book. Best book I've read in quite some time. I will be recommending this to everyone. I do not give 5 stars too often. Amazing. Rather than "review" it, I will just say, "Read it."
Kathy Iwasaka
Second Watch by J. A. Jance
I always love the chance to visit with old friends and follow along as they investigate murder and mayhem. J. P. Beaumont, as always, is smart and funny, and Jance writes him, and most of her main characters, as someone I feel like I know.
Carol Weigel
Shadows by Robin McKinley
Haven't read McKinley since a kiddy lit class required reading all New very Honor and Award winners. She still has the capacity to enchant.
Pattie Berryhill
In the Blood by Lisa Unger
Exciting story of lust and murder.
Sharon Elliott-Fox
Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jaqueline Winspear
Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator, seeks to discover who killed two young women from India. Usha, the first killed, had the gift of healing, was willing to help those who were old or ill. Her friend Maya, may well have been killed because she knew something about Usha's killer. A twisted plot, interwoven with other cases and Maisie's personal life as well as that of her employees.
Lynn W
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
One very young slave girl is given to one very young Charleston girl for her "waiting maid." Thirty-five years later they have both found courage to fight for women's and personal freedom. Sarah Grimke` was a real person. Kidd has brought her from obscurity with a moving, riveting story. Excellent writing...a rare 4 stars!
S Jensen
Winners by Danielle Steele
Normally, I'm not a Danielle Steele reader, but enough patrons recommended this that I thought I'd give it a shot. Lily Thomas, a 17-yr-old training for the Olympics has a freak skiing accident that leaves her in a wheelchair. Her father has a hard time coming to terms with it, but when he does, boy, does he! Lily must adjust to a new life and she does so with a new friend, Teddy, who she meets in rehab, and she learns that not all dreams must die.
Surprisingly, I am enjoying this book very much. Most of Steele's works seem to be one dimensional and same character, same setting, different story. This one, though, has surprised me, and there are a couple of her more recent books I am willing to give a shot next.
Linda Reck
Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill
The title says it all. The unnamed wife speculates about all sorts of things---mundane, philosophical, personal and just plain facts. It is the story of the deterioration of a marriage. First, her husband loved her and then he stopped loving her. As a writer she takes a paltry job to pay for diapers, exterminators and lice. Yes, lice. After her husband betrays her, her thoughts take a downwards turn. She relates these things to us with scathing humor. It is a highly readable book.
susan Spencer
Cell by Robin Cook
Really enjoyed this latest book by Robin Cook. It gives you a lot to think about with the healthcare changes that are happening right now.
Donna Shaw
Once We Were Brothers by Ronald Balson
A gripping story of two boys who were raised as brothers in Poland. The family struggles to survive during the Nazi occupation and the Holocaust. The family is split because they are Jewish and had raised a non-Jew. This is a story of love and a cruel betrayal. I'm not going to say any more because I don't want to give away the story. It is a MUST read.
Donna Shaw
Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I've never read a book where I was a part of the story and looking into the actions of the characters involved. It is almost 900 pages and held me throughtout the story which takes place during the 1800s in London, England. I got very involved with the main character, a prostitute named Sugar. She is bright and has hopes of a better life and this story takes you step by step and in great detail of how she goes about achieving her goal. I was very upset with the fact that we don't....no, I'm not going to give it away.
shelly itkin
A Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer
Sebastian Sommers had lived in Boston but enjoyed his time in Nantucket and looked forward to always spending the holiday there. Once he got divorced he kept the home in Nantucket and his wife, Katya kept the house in Boston. Nicole had been a widow and had retired from her job as a nurse, she turned fifty-five. Her friend Jilly invited her to a party where she met Sebastian. Sebastian was sixty-two years old and had worked in a law office and also was retired. They realized they had a lot in common and after they married she sold her condo, moved into Sebastian’s home in Nantucket.
Donna Shaw
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts
The movie had been highly recommended to me, so I decided to read the book before going to the movie. I was shocked to discover that I was reading lines to a Broadway play. It is the story of a family that is as dysfunctional as one can get. It is easy to hear Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts speaking throughout the script. I have not been able to see the movie yet, but I will.
Donna Shaw
Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors
A wonderful love story told during the mid-1600s, a brutal time, in Hindustan. The beloved wife of the Emperor dies during childbirth. He has unlimited wealth and commissions the construction of a grand mausoleum, the Taj Mahal to demonstrate his love for his wife. His oldest daughter (one of 14 children) is the favorite of both parents. She tells the story of the building of the Taj Mahal and her life trying to save her father, her own life and the life of her brother who is to be the next Emperor. Another brother is a warrior, sadistic, cruel and will do ANYTHING to gain the throne. It is a large book, but you can't put it down.
Janet P Bedell
The Free by Willie Vlautin
Loved the writing! Could be a downer, but strong hints of love, compassion, and people wanting recognition.
Tricia Douglas
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
This will be my favorite book of this year. The writing was descriptive and colorful. The characters strong and independent. The reader is always surprised as to what the next page will bring. I loved this book
Wendy Zuckerberg
The Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle
A bit confusing and wordy.
Reva Wamsley
A Time to Kill by John Grisham
This was a terrific book. I didn't want to stop reading it. The main character is a lawyer in a small town in Mississippi. A ten-year-old black girl was kidnapped, raped & beaten by two white men. She identified them & they were arrested. A few days later, her father hid in a closet in the courthouse & shot them down as they were being transported. Can he get a fair trial in this town? His lawyer, our main character, does not think so. But the judge refuses to move the train to another town. Meanwhile, the Klu Klux Klan makes an appearance & starts threatening the lawyer & anyone else involved in the case who wants the black man to go free. There's a new book out that follows this one. I can't wait to read it.
Linda Kish
The Beast by Faye Kellerman
I am loving it. Her books are always thrilling.
KG
A Dangerous Fortune by Ken Follett
This is an excellent historical novel, a brilliant read. It is the story of a banking family in the 1800s on a journey, with characters beginning from their childhood right through adulthood. I found this book to be a real page turner and was not disappointed with the ending.
Debbie M
Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
Janet Evanovich started out as a hilarious writer, and then her novels followed a set pattern with less humor. TAKEDOWN TWENTY returns with some of the old humor. I constantly wonder why Stephanie Plum does not pick Ranger over Joe. Stephanie Plum also tries a new line of work in this novel for at least two days. Grandma Mazur needs to play more scenes since she is a riot. In this novel, she romances a killer in her thongs. The book is primarily dialogue with very little description. Dialogue appeals to more readers, it is more like the action movies that require no concentration.
Lou Ann Westmoreland
Return to Tradd Street by Karen White
Karen White's series, set in Charleston, SC, is the epitome of Southern women's literature, with ghosts, historical homes, and characters that you would swear that you know or have known.
This is the fourth book in the series about Melanie and Jack, and I hope Ms. White continues.
Annette Savio
Crooked Letter Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
This is the story of childhood friends Larry Ott and Silas Jones. But, it is also the story of dysfunction, prejudice, murder, and isolation. I quickly became emotionally attached to both boys as the story unfolds with both men as young boys and what happens to both of them as their worlds collide, and separate and ultimately collide again. Life for some can be very sad and this is a story that envelops that very sadness. I enjoyed the writing although I am uncomfortable with certain unsavory and derogatory phrases. This story will stay with you long after you finish this emotionally charged novel.
Linda Harrison
The Courier by Andrew Britton
Another task is put before Ryan Kealy just when he is thinking about retirement. With the advent of Homeland Security, too much reliance is placed on data crunching and not enough on common sense and instinct so Ryan can’t turn down this request. A sunk submarine carrying a nuclear bomb developed by Germans in World War II has been discovered and the U.S. fears that the bomb has been recovered by Iran. Ryan has been told to find the bomb and eliminate the threat to the U.S. and her allies.
Linda Harrison
Two Times as Hot by Cat Johnson
A one-night stand between Emma and Logan was to be just that. Emma returned to NY and Logan went on with his life in Oklahoma. Neither can forget the other and Emma returns to Oklahoma a few months later with news that shakes Logan’s world.
Linda Harrison
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
A young realtor disappears from the open house she is hosting and no one finds her until she escapes her captor a year later. Working with a police detective, evidence is uncovered that leads her to the person responsible for her abduction, a person she never would have suspected.
Linda Harrison
Brandon's Bride by Alicia Scott
Brandon Ferringer has been selected as a fire fighter in the small town of Beaverville, Oregon. He uses this as a cover to find answers to what happened to his father who grew up in Beaverville but disappeared many years ago. When Brandon is almost killed by a falling tree, he realizes that someone doesn't want him finding answers. Could his father still be alive or is his father’s killer after the son?
Linda Harrison
Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis
Jade Bennett left her painful memories in Chicago and settled in the small town of Sunshine, Idaho. She found a job working in an animal hospital under a good-looking veterinarian by the name of Dell Connelly. Dell was known as the “love-em and leave-em” type and was commitment shy. Jade tried to tell herself to see him only as her boss but, after one night together, neither one of them knew it would not be the same. A good book with lots of steamy sex.
Linda Harrison
If You Were Mine by Bella Andre
Zack Sullivan had always been told he was just like his father. Since his father died young, Zack believed he would die young too and was never into lasting relationships because of this mistaken belief. Then he met Heather Linsey. He knew from the first moment he saw her that she was special. He just has to convince her that he is serious.
Linda Harrison
Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis
This is the first of the Lucky Harbor novels and was hard to put down. There were lots of funny episodes, heartwarming episodes as the three sisters came to know and love each other, and hot sex between Maddie and Jax. What more could you ask from a great book!
Linda Harrison
Promise Me Texas by Jodi Thomas
Beth McMurray is on a train when it wrecks but not before she has heard her fiancé denigrate her before his cronies. Vowing she would never marry him, she latches onto a man who has saved her from falling debris and she tells the sheriff that this man is her husband. Living their “pretend” marriage is not so easy to do when each falls for the other but both are too stubborn to admit it. I thought this was a great book and highly recommend it.
Nancy A Schulte
May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes
I think I have found a new favorite author! I adored these characters and missed them when I finished reading this novel.
Renee' Booker
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
I enjoy the book so much I thought it was me. I have a military husband who overpowers my personality.
LaVonne Switzer
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
A very captivating story of hope and loss. It shows how one awful act can change the life of everyone.
Linda Johnson
Too Big to Fail by Andrew Ross Sorkin
Well researched book full of many familiar names to anyone who pays attention to the news and politics...Sorkin puts the puzzle pieces together to tell the disturbing story of the manipulations that occurred trying to keep major financial institutions from going under while at the same time individuals worked to stay out of the "dirt."
Judy O.
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert Waller
I decided to reread this book after I read in the paper that a musical based on this book has just opened on Broadway in NYC. Great story.
Susan Johnson
Altar of Bones by Philip Carter
ALTAR OF BONES is an intriguing book combining Russian folklore with love and mystery. It is fast-paced and I felt like I was watching a great movie unfold. It had that Raiders of the Lost Ark feel for me. From escaping gun shots and car chases to the search for the altar of bones, the story keeps you breathless to find out what happens next. One of the best thrillers I've ever read and highly recommend it. Can't wait to read the next Philip Carter novel!
Heather Bjork
Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano
Great read. Loved the Italian heritage as I have Italian heritage. Additionally it was moving to read about the constant struggle the immigrants faced in trying to survive the challenges in everyday life. Interesting read & I liked the authenticity of the characters.
Kay Burke
The Imposter Bride by Nanct Richler
After the war, a young lady comes to Canada to marry from Germany...however she does not marry the man chosen and there are questions about who she is really. Reading it for book club.
Diane Porter
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Kidd carefully researches her story of black/white relationships, and tells this one from the viewpoint of an owner's daughter and her slave. Wonderfully detailed. Shows the conflict within Sarah, the owners daughter and the development of Hetty/Handful into an adult. Well told and engrossing. This one is the caliber of THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES.
Rosemary DeMarois
Clover by Dori Sanders
This is a novel about a 10-year-old black girl. Her father dies and she is left with her white step-mother.
Noreen Brown
The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud
I had no interest in the main character. I couldn't get interested in her thoughts or actions. Didn't care about what she did or why she did it. Never a fan of ALICE IN WONDERLAND so the art references meant nothing to me. If it wasn't my book club selection I would have dumped it.
Debbie M
Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
I am not a connoisseur of this genre. The book is interesting and very much similar to J. K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series, without all the excitement and action. The story centers on secret books and codes, but a simple answer is revealed in the end. The reader is cautioned many times that the truth is always clearly visible. All the characters are remarkable in some odd way, but none shine as memorable people. The story weaves into darkness most of the time, such as the underground library, and the tall and dark bookstore. I listened to the audio book version and the 5th CD was defective, so maybe I missed too much. If one enjoys Harry Potter, this should prove an interesting book.
Priscilla Reilly
Orphan Train by Christine Baker Kline
I am a third through this book and I am loving it. I think the author is devolving the characters and cannot wait to see how things turn out. I have mixed feelings about finishing this book since I am enjoying it so much. I hate to finish it too soon as I don't really have anything waiting in the wings.
Andrea Lapsley
A Circle of Wives by Alica LaPlante
I am loving this book so far. I'm about 1/3 of the way through. Wonderfully developed characters supporting a terrific premise and plot. I keep thinking that I need to put it down and do other things (like cook dinner) , but I can't. I keep saying, just one more chapter and then I'll quit.
Debbie Smith
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
This is the first in a trilogy. All 3 books are written. I love her writing and am now having time to read these. Fascinating book about the end of civilization as we know it. Big pharma creating illness and scientific experimentation gone awry. Class divides create unrest. Can't wait to begin next in the trilogy. Well done.
Marsha
Hidden Order by Brad Thor
Scot Harvath is a covert antiterrorism operative that is called upon to thwart a dangerous plot involving the rise of the Sons of Liberty who plan to undermine the U S Banking system. It is a thrilling escapade with plenty of Revolutionary history unveiled.
Suzze Tiernan
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Great historical fiction!
Walter Kretzmann
Clover Adams: A Gilded and Heartbreaking Life by Natalie Dykstra
While some parts of this book were indeed fascinating, the real history is simply not there. There are lots of sentences such as "While no specific record survives, a typical young lady in this era studied music, art, and needlepoint". The writing itself is clear and engaging. And it truly is a heartbreaker. If the above-mentioned lack of specificity does not bother you, you may well enjoy the book.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Ratlines by Stuart Neville
The historical context of this book, Nazis in Ireland and the upcoming visit of President Kennedy, gives the story an urgency. A little too gory for my tastes.
jane Kimball
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
A bit of descriptive sex. Enjoyed the moss knowledge.
WALTER KRETZMANN
The Fortunate Pilgrim by Mario Puzo
Interesting and entertaining but not earth shaking. I read it on a long flight from Tampa to Seattle and it helped to pass the time. A friend recommended it to me.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Watergate by Thomas Mallon
Although I lived through this event, the novel gives some very interesting insights into the many characters depicted in the book. Mallon is most articulate in creating the female protagonists. The beginning chapters range across so many of the people, it is necessary to refer back to the list of players at the beginning of the book. This was hard to do on the e-edition. This book was chosen for a book group and the discussion was quite animated.
Kelli White
After Her by Joyce Maynard
AFTER HER by Joyce Maynard is one of those books that you hate to finish. A compelling mystery, a thriller and a loving portrait of a family all in one.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper---Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell
Do not read this book if you want reliable information on the Ripper case. As the CASEBOOK website on the ripper crimes argues, there is much wrong with Cornwell's evidence and her use of it. For example, she ignores evidence that her suspect Sickert was in France during the commission of several ripper crimes. She also provides absolutely no evidence that Sickert had violent tendencies or ever had any residence or spent any time in the area of the killings. Her emphasis on the ripper letters is largely useless, since there is no way to determine their authenticity.
The preimier book on the ripper is Philip Sugden's THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF JACK THE RIPPER. A trained historian, Sugden explores the vast evidence meticulously.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie
As with past Massie biographies of Peter the Great, and Nicholas & Alexandra, Massie writes as if it is an historical novel. A coherent and easy to read book that grabs you from the first page. Catherine the Great makes for a great book.
Sandy McCullough
Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry
I just started this book and I think I will be up very late tonight finishing it. When she sees what looks like a child tumbling from a ferry into frigid Lake Champlain, Troy Chance dives after him without thinking. When she gets the child to shore she discovers that his name is Paul, he speaks only French, and no one is looking for him. This is the first book of a series and I need to find out what is the name of the next one!!
Betty Ramsey
Badluck Way by Bryce Andrews
This book is based on the memories of a young man from Seattle who wanted to experience life on a ranch in Montana. He answered an ad from The Sun Ranch in the upper Madison River Valley. The ranch is committed to conservation and the story is about the workings of a cattle ranch located near a wildlife corridor and the difficulties of keeping the cattle safe from the bears and wolves in that protected area. The work is hard and Bryce spends his days repairing fences and making sure that the water and salt are refilled. He has to check the animals constantly for any signs of limping or illness.
Bryce develops an almost mystical attachment to the wolves which creates problems for him and is a point of interest in the story. I liked it.
Dianne
The Oath by Jeffery Toobin
Very textbook-like read.
Angela Ostley
The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer
I have read this book over 4 times through and it is one I just keep coming back to. The writing style and imagery is just beautiful, and the story is one-of-a-kind. I recommend this to anyone looking for something good to read.
Gretchen Carolan
Faith by Jennifer Haigh
I love all of Jennifer Haigh's books! Her characters are so detailed and interesting and this book we had for our bookclub and had a very interesting discussion. Since I am Catholic it was interesting to see what people of other faiths thought of the book and they loved it just as much as I did.
Barbara Levine
The Shadow Soul: A Dance of Dragons #1 by Kaitlyn Davis
The author, as young as she is, is a masterful storyteller. This book is the first in her second series within the fantasy genre. The hero and heroine, both strong characters, have intertwined connections and share mysterious and magical abilities. The words flow fast, as well as the imagery Davis has created for the characters, as well as the settings for the characters' quests....when you finish you will eagerly long for the sequel in this series.
Berna LaFortezza
Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink
So far, this is a riveting and well written book detailing events that occurred at this hospital during Hurricane Katrina. A fast read despite it's over 700 pages!
Nora Newsock
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartte
Fabulous story...well written...very descriptive!
Jennifer Ensman
The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski
A beautifully written story with lots of sadness... but full of hope and love as well.
Jeanette Mateer
The Bartender's Tale by Ivan Doig
I've been enjoying Doig's books and this is the best to date. Intriguing characters, great storytelling and an underlying humor that just keeps one hooked. Although this probably is historical fiction, the descriptions really made me feel "there" and the relationship between Rusty, Zoe and Tom were priceless. If this were a film, I suspect it could not enchant me like the book.
The story takes place in 1960, in Gros Ventre, Montana, when Tom's son Rusty is 12 and has a life changing summer.
Nancy Coughlin
The Foreign Correspondent by Alan Furst
An absolutely top rate historical spy novel by the master of the genre. I cannot wait to read more about the years before WW2 and what was happening on the Continent. I was ignorant about so much that occurred during this particular historical period. What an eye-opener.
Betty Chrastka
The Mangle Street Murders: The Gower Street Detectives, Book 1 by C. Kasasian
#1 of a series about Sidney Grice and his ward, March Middleton. Set in Victorian England, Grice is a take-off on Sherlock Holmes and Middleton is his Watson. Interesting characters, atmospheric and funny.
Elizabeth
Why I Read: The Serious Pleasure of Books by Wendy Lesser
I loved the premise of the book as outlined in the opening chapter. It led me to expect a fairly informal and lighthearted examination of books and reading. The very specific and occasionally obscure examples and references come at a rapid-fire pace, which make the book feel more like an earnest, often show-offy grad-school thesis. Lesser succeeds best when she examines more general topics, such as the appeal of Shakespeare or Scandinavian mysteries. The final two chapters (one about physical books, the other a list of recommended titles) come closest to the experience I imagined.
Tessa B C
True to Form: A Katie Nash Novel by Elizabeth Berg
This is Berg at her best. 13-year-old Katie Nash is gifted as a writer and observer of life, but she’s also a believable young teen who makes mistakes and suffers the consequences of her decisions. A chance to become part of the popular “in” group at a new school and news from her neighbor back in Texas leave her questioning the meaning of friendship and struggling to find a way to branch out into new experiences and still remain true to herself. While this is the third book in a trilogy it easily stands alone. Arija Bareikis does a wonderful job voicing the audio book. There were a few scenes that had me near tears, but on the whole this is a coming-of-age story with a hopeful outcome.
Francisca E B
American Boy by Larry Watson
This is a heartfelt story of one young man’s awakening and the missteps of youth. High school senior Matthew Garth has always relied on Dr. Dunbar for advice... but sometimes the lessons we are taught are not necessarily the lessons we learn. Matt’s obsession with Louisa Lindahl is understandable, but a recipe for disaster. The inevitable confrontations will change the way Matt sees himself and his place in the world. Watson writes with such a sense of time and place as to put the reader right in the landscape of his novel. The writing is spare but fraught with tension. My loyalties shifted in the course of the novel, just as Matt’s did. While the novel is specific to both time and place, it is universal in its themes.
Liza Grigoropoulos
City of Refuge: P.S. by Tom Piazza
The story of two New Orleans families who experience the effects of Hurricane Katrina. One African-American family decides to stay put and weather it out and another white family evacuates with thousands of other families. Written with an obvious love for the city and it's music and food. I recommend it.
Sunnymay
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A somewhat scary story set on a moor with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The hound can be heard baying and plays a key role in this tale. I would recommend this classic for mystery lovers.
Jan Zahrly
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
A disappointment after two grand books. The plot is incomplete --- people, like the crippled sister, just disappear, we never really know about the third brother, did the warlord/drug dealer kill him? The text of the writing is lovely, as usual, but continues for too long. We get pages and pages of description that are not related to anything. But the terrible thing about this book is that chapters start with a narration and we have no clue who is speaking. Who is the child speaking to Baba? Pari hums a tune... which Pari? We get the info with no context to figure out who is speaking. Hosseini does this over and over in this book and it was annoying. I only finished it because my book club is discussing it.
Marsha
After I'm Gone by Laura Lippman
What happens to the five women who were left behind when a man vanishes? A cold case is pursued by a retired cop and the stories unfold. Quite fascinating and not what I expected.
Bonnie Gluhanich
Thank You for Your Service by David Finkel
Powerful, important non-fiction where Finkel tells of men and women who've returned from Mid-East wars and the aftermath in their lives. It's a wake-up call reminding us that their suffering is real and the nation should help more than it does.
Judy O.
Skywalker: Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Walker
At age of 44 Bill Walker of Macon, GA, decided to try to walk the 2,174 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Bill is quite an imposing sight as he is 6'11" tall. It took Bill approximately 6 months to become a thru-hiker, but he made it to the summit of Mt. Katahdin in Maine not very many weeks before it was closed for the winter. There is nothing about this hike that sounds fun to me, but I did enjoy reading about his adventure.
Donna Shaw
The Shelters of Stone: Earth's Children, Book 5 by Jean M. Auel
This is the fifth book in the Earth's Children series. It's taken me over 10 years to finally read this book because its 750 pages long. I kept pushing it aside, though I thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in the series. The story takes place in Prehistoric Europe during the Ice Age. They are very enlightening and well written... but long.
Becky Haase
The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra by Helen Rappaport
History and Russian buffs will love this history of the last Tsar and his family. Although the title seems to indicate the book will revolve around the four Romanov daughters, more than half of the book is spent with their mother Alexandra, their brother Alexie and the influence of Rasputin. Perhaps because the girls were so sheltered from the public little actual “news” is available to write about them, their lives and their schooling. The book reads quickly and is interesting, especially as it relates the family to their English and German relatives.
If you are hoping to read the bloody details of the family’s end, you will need to find another book as this one ends with their banishment.
Shelly Itkin
Out of the Black by John Rector
Have you ever made a bad choice? Sometimes life is very complicated and we are not sure what to do, and sometime we don’t think clearly. This is what this book is all about. Matt Caine is as down on his luck as anyone could possibly be. His wife died in a horrible car accident, his daughter, Anna, is starting to recover from the accident that took her mom. The medical bills had piled up, his mortgage is due and he owes money to some loan sharks. Without a job in sight things are not looking good for Matt. One night his friend Jay, who has recently gotten out of prison, offers him a chance to make 25,000 for being a driver. Jay promises they are just going to kidnap the wife of a very wealthy businessman but not hurt her...
Elaine Williams
Little Failure: A Memoir by Gary Shteyngart
As good as my favorite memoir writer Ann Lamott, and I practically worship her. Born with the name Igor in the Soviet Union, Shteyngart's parents emigrated to the U.S. and made a life there. He captures his own immigrant experience, and I guarantee you there is no other like it. Impossibly clever with words, Gary's humor sneaks up on you on practically every page. Photos scattered throughout the book bring it to life.
Richard N B
The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos
I listened to the audio book narrated by the author. Pelecanos writes a tight, suspenseful mystery/thriller. I was completely drawn into the story, and there were enough complexities to the plot to keep me guessing all the way through. The action is fast but he takes time to carefully draw his characters, slowly revealing one layer at a time and demonstrating that the line between right and wrong, truth and justice, good guys and bad guys is frequently blurred. This is my first Pelecanos, but it won’t be my last! Pelecanos read the audio book himself. I though most characters sounded too similar, and with a fast moving plot it was sometimes hard to distinguish who was speaking.
Whitney Zinner
The Gods of Gotham: A Timothy Wilde Novel by Lyndsay Faye
Extraordinarily well written, entertaining and educational. Based on the history of New York City and the arrival of the Irish in America. Fascinating details of the times based on historically accurate events. Lived it!
Fran OH
Takedown Twenty: A Stephanie Plum Novel by Janet Evanovich
I needed a mindless read and Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series always fits that bill. Silly, goofy, slap stick style humor with familiar and likable characters.
Kara S
A Curious Madness: An American Combat Psychiatrist, a Japanese War Crimes Suspect, and an Unsolved Mystery from World War II by Eric Jaffe
This historical case study was a fascinating read! If you find the summary on any website intriguing, I don't think you'll be disappointed. One of the primary figures in the historical episode upon which the entire work focuses is the American psychiatrist who diagnosed a Japanese war criminal as insane for purposes of trial --- he also was author's grandfather. This drove the author to obsession, and some of that is contagious when reading. There are no clear answers presented. This book forces the reader to wrestle with the ambiguities of human psychology and draw whatever conclusions they can.This stimulating case study does not oversimplify the historical context, let alone the human being involved! Very fine history!
Kara S
A Perfect Double: A Breken Annersen Mystery by Sean Cronin
Now this is what they call a page-turner! Sean Cronin's debut, and the first book of the Breken Annersen Mystery series, was hungrily consumed by this reader over the course of a single afternoon. In addition to some spellbinding storytelling, Cronin offers the reader an unusual --- and I think quite charming --- protagonist in the character of Breken. It's refreshing whenever one finds men writing strong female characters as protagonists in their fiction. If the description of this plot appeals to you, the reading experience will not disappoint. I highly recommend A PERFECT DOUBLE to fellow readers.
Kara S
Fifty Years In America: A Book of Essays by Helene E. Hagan
I was unfamiliar with Helene E. Hagan's work before . Nevertheless, I found the entire collection very accessible without any such familiarity or any particular knowledge of the subject areas explored in the in these works. Areas of focus covered by multiple essays are the culture, history and studies of Native Americans.
Debbie M
The Governor's Lady by Robert Inman
Inman writes an interesting book about politics and the people passionately involved in politics. The characters stand as dimensional people that remain in your memory. Cooper Lanier grows from a complacent wife to a hard driven governor that must follow her own plan. Cooper's parents, Cleve and Mickey Spainhour, control much of the story. Cooper faces a decision to learn more about her parents and her own strengths. The book presents more than dialogue, including a picture of the characters and the setting. This creates a visual picture of the story.
Debbie M
Knots and Crosses: An Inspector Rebus Novel by Ian Rankin
Inspector Rebus is an enigma. He seems gentle, religious, and blasé, but as the book progresses, the reader learns that Rebus trained for Special Forces in the military, and passed with flying colors before having a mental breakdown. Rebus seems to go through life with a failed marriage and a so-so police career. A serial killer has murdered two young girls, and then abducts Rebus's daughter. The story quickly ends after the abduction. I do not find any redeemable quality in Rebus as the main character.
Elizabeth
The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley
I rarely give 5 stars, but this book had everything I want in a novel --- characters that are real, people whom I would enjoy knowing and a story that made me think. This should be a very sad story but in many ways I was uplifted. This book handles many hot topic issues --- the right to die and is a fetus a life if the mother is brain dead. I realize this type of story has been in the news but this is neither a pro-life or a pro-choice book, it is just a very real love story.
Francisca E B
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
Everyone knows everyone in the small town of Stoneybridge, on Ireland’s west coast. Still, when Chicky Starr buys Stone House from the last remaining Sheedy sister and announces she will turn it into an inn for paying guests, most everyone is certain the plan will fail. This is Binchy’s last novel, published posthumously. It’s evident that she loved the landscape and the people of Ireland and she conveys that beautifully. This is an ensemble piece and there are sections devoted to each of the major players. The reader gets to know each of the character’s dreams, disappointments, strengths and flaws. Rosalyn Landor does a wonderful job performing the audio version.
Vicki Hancock
Daughter of Smoke & Bone: Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Book 1 by Laini Taylor
I read this book this week. It is an exceptional paranormal-fantasy. The author has made an entire world beyond Earth. I literally could not put it down. I would very highly recommend it. The second book is out now and the third will come out in April. An amazing story and writer!
Vicki Hancock
Sanctuary by Pauline Creeden
This book is about aliens attacking Earth. It's an interesting and different take on the events in Revelations. I am enjoying it but it is definitely different. Almost finished!
wendy swanson
Night Film by Marisha Pessl
A spooky mystery with lots of additional story items --- news clippings, etc.
Nancy Ciaio
Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
I just finished reading this book. It is unbelievable to me that people could treat other people as Mr. Northup and all other slaves were treated. I have read many historical fiction books with slavery as part of the story but none ever made it as bad as it really was. I purchased this book and will pass it on to everyone I know who is a reader.
Stacey K
Fatherland by Robert Harris
Amazing book! It is spine chilling to imagine what would have happened had Hitler and Germany won World War II. Hollywood should make a movie of this novel.
Allison Gardner
Child of the Phoenix by Barbara Erskine
A great story about England and Wales in the time of the Druids.
Gail Coulson
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley
Great read! I couldn't put it down. Fans of Jodi Picoult will love this book. It is set in a lovely neighborhood where everyone thinks he/she knows his/her neighbors. Then a child disappears and everyone's secrets are in danger of being exposed. What would you do to hide your secret? This will be a great book to discuss in book clubs.
Linda Meyers
The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
Based on actual events in New York City in the early part of the 20th century, this story is about a young girl raised in the world of side shows and "freaks." While it was an interesting story, I felt that the end was just a little predictable.
Julie Mackey
Mercy Snow by Tiffany Baker
I'm almost done with this book. It is a compelling story but sometimes a little too out there for me. I am not a fantasy reader and often struggle with this element in books.
Kim Bacon
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
I love how Ms. Morton weaves this intriguing story of a family secret from present to WWII London, to the early 60's, and back. So many rich layers to the main characters, and a twist ending that keeps the reader turning the pages!
Linda Bacon
Concealed in Death: An In Death Novel by J. D. Robb
I love this series. I am thinking of going back and reading the first book again.
Jeanie Deem
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Fabulous book! It was so beautifully written. Our book club rates books from 1-5 stars as well. We decided this one rated a 5+! The relationships between the characters were beautiful, and having the book narrated by Death made the book very unique. We loved the last line in the book.
Muriel Logan
The Brutal Telling: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny
I don't read a lot of detective mysteries, but know I will be reading more by Ms Penny. I enjoyed following Inspector Gamache and company as they unraveled the mystery of the stranger in the secluded cabin in the woods. The town of Three Pines included an interesting array of characters to investigate.
Raymond Palen
The Martian by Andy Weir
Weir's debut novel is a triumph, mixing sci-fi and suspense with a fantastic outcome. When the first manned voyage to Mars suffers a tragic event one of the U.S. astronauts is left for dead. Regrettably, Astronaut Mark Watney is not dead but left behind on a very foreign planet. What proceeds next is a mix of "Robinson Crusoe" meets "Apollo 13" as Watney struggles to find a way to live on Mars until 'help' returns while the powers that be at NASA (and the rest of the world) scramble to make that happen. Always surprising and never dull it just begs for a film treatment.
Sharon Elliott-Fox
The Forever Girl by Alexander McCall Smith
Lots of "head stuff" as the characters constantly consider what they have done, thought, ought to do and ought to be. McCall Smith explores marriage and the difficulties of maintaining that first flush of desire, what love really is and how familial characteristics pass through generations.
Linda Reck
The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
This stunning historical fiction by takes place in 1911 at the time of the Triangle Factory fire and the huge fire at Dreamland on Coney Island. While the book was beautifully written and meticulously researched, I found it to be slow and lacking momentum.
Valerie
The Preservationist by Justin Kramon
This month my book club read THE PRESERVATIONIST by Justin Kramon. We were lucky to win a contest to have Justin visit our book club. We all had a great time including Justin. Justin was very insightful, it was interesting to see him interact with members of my book club. They all loved him. Eighteen members all agreed his book was 4 stars we bumped it up to 5 because he was so cute. We liked hearing about his writing process in comparison to other writers, even down to his comical stories of possibly losing himself in his research. The development of the few characters kept the book club members guessing what was going to happen to them and who was going to survive. This was even though the characters didn't come off as very likeable
Rhonda
Above by Isla Morley
A chilling story of a young girl kidnapped and imprisoned in a missile silo by a crazed teacher at her high school. Her story of years in the silo and the birth of her son left me breathless.
Michael Ventelli
Flags and Tears by Michael P. Ventura
This story is a historical fiction about England's first invasion of the mountainous Afghanistan. The saga follows the timeline of events. Many of the characters are based on those actually involved. The epic has never been told in novel form. The political intrigue in the overthrow of the Afghan Emir is one layer of the plot and runs along with a war time love story. A diverse cast of players, including world leaders, spies, a smuggler, a kidnapped wife, a priestess, beautiful women and soldiers are woven into the cultural and religious tapestry of Afghanistan and India during England's 19th century rule. I marvel at how history repeats.
Phyllis Relyea
Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall
Just finished this "coming of age" novel about a girl growing up in the 60's in Mississippi who runs away from home and makes her way north to Nashville. Enroute she runs into many racial tensions after meeting Eula (who has kidnapped a white baby), learns about NAACP marches and demonstrations and begins to rethink her own thoughts regarding race and relationships.
Barbara Studer
Trouble in Mudbug: Ghost-in-Law Series by Jana DeLeon
The first in the Ghost-in-Law mystery series. I very much enjoyed this book. It is entertaining, funny and kept moving at a good pace. Maryse's dead mother-in-law, Helena Henry, rises out of her casket at her funeral and thinks this must be a joke as she cannot understand why people are ignoring her. Maryse is the only one that can see her. When dangerous things begin to happen to Maryse, it can.or cannot.be a good thing to have someone on your side that no one can see. Very humorous as Helena learns to navigate in this new form. Who and why Maryse is targeted is a mystery and Maryse has no idea what she did to cause this.
Not every question is answered, although the story is OK as a stand-alone, I am anxious to read the next book.
Rosemary Sobczak
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
An engrossing saga.
Wendi Martin
Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen
Cullen has transported herself back in time to New York with great period detail and a real tale of tragedy and loss, but also a great love story. The spirit, passion and mystery fill the pages and make you feel like you are back in the 1840's with Frances, Edgar and Mrs. Poe. Enthralling.
Mary Sue Skelton
Ghost Train to the Eastern Star: On the Tracks of the Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux
Somehow I missed reading this book when it came out about 6 years ago. I had read DARK STAR SAFARI and several of his other books and enjoyed them all. This one is quite special: the author is now older and very experienced with travel exploration, and this particular journey is a near duplicate he made when he was younger. He approaches this journey with a new eye, a little more relaxed and very observant, if not humorous. I had just finished reading Orhan Pamuk's book "ISTANBUL" and this book of Theroux's is doubly enjoyable for a conversation he relates with Pamuk over a lunch in Turkey. He is descriptive beyond words and takes you to new regions of the planet that most of us would never have a chance to experience in person.
Maxine Hollander
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
A wonderful read. Another great book depicting the lives of slaves and their mistreatment in the South. It is also the story of two sisters fighting to free the slaves and promote women's rights at the same time. The characters, in some instances, were real people and a good part of their story is true. Another excellent book by Sue Monk Kidd.
Kate Burke
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
An excellent book club read.
Rosemary Bednarczyk
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison
An interesting story that becomes more complex the further you read. I Can't wait for my book club to discuss this one!
Linda Johnson
Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini
This is a YA book mind written by a 20-year old male about a teenaged boy. I found the book intriguing from the science fiction stand point. Jeremy is a geeky teenager who longs to be thought of as "cool". He finds out that he can get a squip (a computer in an easy-to swallow tablet) to tell him how to act in order to win the girl of his dreams. There are times I wish I had something to help me choose what to do.
Susan
The Undead Pool: Hollows) by Kim Harrison
I have read all of the books in this series. This is one of my favorite series of all time Rachel Morgan seems to land on her feet no matter what is coming at her.
Janet Chiero
The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
A fast paced book that will keep you guessing.
Pat Pascale
The Serious Kiss by Mary Hogan
Libby and Nadine are best friends. They are 14 and they have a plan --- to have a serious kiss before their 15th birthdays. The kiss would be "totally real, sincere, meaningful, soulful, poetic, inspiring, knee-buckling, love filled, journal worthy, mind-blowing, life changing, unforgettable, and undeniable". That's the one thing they both want because they think that special kiss equals love. Sweet story, great characters, lots of laughs, some tears and an ending that makes your heart sing long after you close the book. Highly recommended.
Susan Dean
The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan
I enjoyed this book very much. It is set in Shanghai and tells the story of Violet, who grew up in her Mother's courtesan house in the early 20th century. I live in the Midwest, and it was a perfect read for this awful winter we are having.
Jane Squires
Perilous Waters by Sandra Orchard
The title works well with the story. Jen and Cass are given a cruise for their birthday by their uncle. Little does Jen realize how perilous it will be. FBI Agent Sam Steele books the cruise to catch an art robber. He uses his parents 40th Anniversary as a guise. He gets way more than he bargains for. Stolen art, romance, a cruise and danger all work together for God to send Sam to protect Jen. Suspects are followed, but the real killer is revealed only at the end. Each chapter will keep you pushing on.
Janice Baly
Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz
This book is a page-turner about the fascinating life of Julia Child.
Laura Busch
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley
A compelling psychological thriller. I could not put it down. Once I finished this book I went back and read Buckley's earlier books which are just as good.
Marialba Martinez
Singularity: The Jevin Banks Experience by Steven James
This is the second book in a series about a magician in Las Vegas who gets involved in a scientific plot to turn human beings into cyborgs. It mixes a lot of current views about enhancing human talents such as eye sight, mind control, and strength into super talents, particularly as it pertains to soldiers and war. As part of the story the magician does elaborate tricks and shows how simple it is to create an illusion.
Crystal Blackburn
Mr. Monk Gets On Board by Hy Conrad
Monk follows Natalie on a cruise to Mexico for a business seminar. Of course there is at least one death on board along with a series of vandalism.
loretta sanford
Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys? by Billy Crystal
Wise and funny, sad and joyous, Billy Crystal tells his life story. Mostly about a man's love for his family and life.
Jamie Walsh
Serena by Ron Rash
Great story! This book is being made into.a movie this year, so I really wanted to it read before I see the movie.
Kara Shamy
Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields by Wendy Lower
Highly recommended Historical non-fiction. What really distinguished this Holocaust history for me was the clear sociopolitical importance of Lower's particular focus --- women's roles as perpetrators of atrocities -- that came through as I read. Because of my ardent, longstanding personal feminist views, a work that explores a widespread history of human behavior that contravenes gender and sex based expectations is bound to resonate with me on a number of levels. Regardless of your own expectations of human behavior, your ideas about how sex and gender effect it, and your feelings about these effects, HITLER'S FURIES will make you think in a new way.
Marian Collins
Cross My Heart by James Patterson
This book kept me guessing, and I can't wait for the next book to see what happens. I enjoy reading about Alex Cross, he has been through a lot in his life.
Laura Beierbach
Trouble in Mind: The Collected Stories, Volume 3 by Jeffery Deaver
It was okay but not award winning.
Faith Erickson
Never Go Back: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child
This was the first time I read one of the the Jack Reacher novels. It was a really great book and I want to read more. It was something different from what normally read.
robin fuller
Three Sisters: A Blackberry Island Novel by Susan Mallery
This is a favorite author of my, and this book doesn't disappoint. I didn't want to put it down.
Lynn W
The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini
Elizabeth Van Lew is a Unionist in Richmond during the Civil War. She risks her and her family's lives and property by caring for and concealing captured Union soldiers. Even more dangerous is searching for and passing along Confederate military secrets. MRS. LINCOLN'S DRESSMAKER was good and so is this book. I recommend it to historical fiction fans.
Marsha
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
This novel details the lives of two important, but not well known, women of the abolition movement. Sarah and Angelina Grimke, sisters and daughters of a slave-owning family in Charleston, are unlikely girls to come to the nation's interest. Both girls hold secret desires to be more than charming wives of society. Also, we follow the lives of several slaves who desire freedom above all. It is a slice of life that we often disregard, but these women were in the forefront of women's and slave's rights.
Linda Blanco
Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen
I am enjoying story so far, but I like to be pulled into a story more and read with anticipation through the bulk of the book. I have enjoyed Anna Quindlen's previous work very much, so I keep reading.
Wendy Catalano
Purified by Brian Robert Smith
This was difficult to put down... a very creepy start, describing one of my worst fears, and the story effectively progressed from there. Dr. Harlow, a heinous villain, has created Purify a wonder drug that brings the dead back to life. Mason Bushing succumbs to cancer and then becomes an unwilling participant in this project. He manages to escape, and
returns to his loved ones where he receives uncertain reactions, some elated and others adverse. Detective Fillmore is struggling over the recent loss of his wife when he makes a horrifying and unimaginable discovery while investigating a case that looks like life insurance fraud. A fascinating and suspenseful thriller!
Fran OH
Zoo by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
A modern day tale of Animals gone wild! Interesting plot, not entirely believable but you don't pick up this kind of book for a believable plot. I will be recommending this to my friends.
Ellen Sepnafski
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
An exciting, but at times, difficult book to read about the German occupation of Paris during the second world war. It reminds us of the horrors of war as well as the goodness, bravery and strength people show when faced with those horrors. This book was definitely a page-turner.
Donna Shaw
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
A young couple in the 1950's are making plans for their future. Life with its twists and turns steps in and changes their plans. You meet their neighbors and realize that one simply doesn't know what goes on behind closed doors. This book was made into a movie in 2008 starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Kate won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and the movie was nominated for 3 Oscars.
Becky Haase
The Workhouse Girl by Dilly Court
Sarah, the workhouse girl of the title, is followed from age 6 to about age 20 in this young adult novel. Poor Sarah rockets from one dismal situation after another, extricating herself (or being extricated) only to fall into another awful mess. Along the way we meet several villains and a few heroes and heroines. The characters are stock characters with one “noble rascal” to relieve the standardization. This is a quick read that moves from one unlikely situation to another, but does eventually reach a not quite foregone conclusion. The writing is okay, the dialogue pedestrian, but the tempo is non-stop. Tweens will love it. Teens will enjoy the action and like the very mild romance.
Jan Zahrly
Lost: A Lacey Flint Novel by S. J. Bolton
Another exciting mystery from S. J. Bolton. Lacey Flint is on leave from her last life-threatening case. Children are being murdered and Mark Joesbury and Dana Tulloch are hard on the case. But only Lacey seems to be getting clues --- some from her next-door neighbor, a young child who is left alone too often while his father is "giving lectures' at the university. The child's mother is gone and the father tells him that "she needs to go away" for awhile. Lacey and the young boy become friends and eventually run into life-threatening trouble, again!
This may be her best book to date. There are many suspects and many leads with a lot of blame to go around for everyone. A fantastic read.
Rosemarie Postilio
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Don't be put off this book because it may be labeled YA. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. If you can remember coming of age and falling in love for the first time, you will enjoy this book. Two young kids from opposite backgrounds find each other. You can feel the first love happening just the way you might have felt it yourself. The is nothing offensive in this book, and I found it truly entertaining. Recommended for young and old alike.
B.Klaassen
Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar--Your Brain's Silent Killers by David Perlmutter
I read this book because a friend of mine said it was a really good, and informative, book. Some of the science bored me a little, but I did agree with the author that I do have to get back to "nature" eating. Starting tomorrow I will slowly start more "nature" eating. I am hoping this type of eating will ease some of my aches and pains. I found this author presented a great case for "nature" eating with the research he had to back-up the case.
Walter Kretzmann
Dead Floating Lovers: An Emily Kincaid Mystery by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli
DEAD FLOATING LOVERS is a cozy mystery with a distinctly literary edge. The sleuths are a mismatched pair from "up north" Michigan --- Emily, a sad sack who can't sell her novels, pay her bills or say no to her obnoxious user of an ex-husband; and Deputy Dolly Wakowski, equally wounded but better at hiding it. The mystery, involving the murder of Dolly's long-missing husband and his Native American girlfriend, unfolds in a straight-forward manner without any shocking surprises. The complexity of the book lies in the main characters and their developing friendship. A cast of colorful locals add interest. Though the second in a series, this book can be enjoyed alone.
Walter Kretzmann
Christmas Mourning: A Deborah Knott Mystery by Margaret Maron
Margaret Maron reliably delivers yet another Deborah Knott mystery. The tragic death of a young high school classmate of some of Deborah's nieces and nephews in an automobile accident raises questions. As usual, Knott and husband Dwight Bryant work somewhat separately, but by mining her extensive family (and his this time) and using her deep connections in the rural Carolina community she was reared in, they eventually arrive at the solution. Nothing terribly new or innovative here, but an intriguing mystery and an enjoyable yarn.
Walter Kretzmann
The Scottish Prisoner: A Lord John Grey Novel by Diana Gabaldon
I'll read anything by Diana Gabaldon, but this book didn't really do it for me. I don't mind Lord John on his own, but I don't care enough about him that I need to read about his love life. John wants Jamie, and can't have him. Jamie wants Claire, and can't have her. It was a bad combination for me. I didn't care for the narration, the voice used for Willie just made me cringe and become a little less sympathetic to him --- though I do like him as a character in his own right, and have enjoyed every other appearance. Hal and Minnie were the best part of this book. I found them both very likeable, and I wish they had a book of their own.
Dorothea Maciejunes
Cross My Heart by James Patterson
I didn't realize at the beginning that it it would be a cliffhanger. A very good read.
Miriam Boots
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
This book is so wonderful. You will love the coming-of-age story of Theo. The world of Theo, Pippa and Hobie is mesmerizing and I love the writing! I am totally loving it and want to read slower so I can enjoy it more!!!
Francisca E B
The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell
Rindell’s debut is a chilling psychological study. The reader is drawn into the plot, just as Rose is drawn to Odalie. In many respects the novel reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. I was captivated by the story and seduced by the dynamics of Rose and Odalie’s relationship. But little by little I noticed cracks in the facade, and began to question how reliable a narrator Rose is. At the end I found myself wondering... what really happened? The novel is populated with a host of colorful characters, and the writing is wonderfully atmospheric --- you can feel the silk on your skin, taste the juniper of bathtub gin and hear the cacophony of a crowded speakeasy. I’ll definitely look forward to her next book.
Dorothy Boyum
Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
I love this book. It is so interesting and I can't wait to finish the last 50 pages tonight!
Elaine
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarity
Very well written. The story made you feel for the characters except the Mother. I guess that is good writing --- when you love or hate the characters. I love books written in the early 20th century. This was read by our book club, and out of 14 women only 2 could not get into it. The rest of us enjoyed it very much
Lori Edelson
Mating for Life by Marissa Stapley
I thought this was a lovely book with interesting and believable characters. Each chapter focused on one person sometimes even very minor ones. There were a lot of thought-provoking issues about family and romantic relationships. Sometimes, because the focus changed to another character, the reader is left to fill in the gaps of what happened to the previous character. I was occasionally left wanting more details about the main characters and could have done without some of the minor ones. Overall, the book kept my interest and could lead to a good book discussion.
Linda Harrison
Heart Trouble by Mary Kay Andrews (writing as Kathy Hogan Trocheck)
Callahan Garrity is a former Atlanta police officer who now operates a house cleaning business and a private investigation business. When she was asked to meet with a potential client, she agreed... but then she met the woman. The woman had run over and killed a child and was let out of jail on a technicality while Atlanta was crying racial injustice. When the woman is found shot to death, Callahan is determined to prove that the woman’s husband was behind it.
Linda Harrison
Private L.A. by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan
A famous Hollywood couple known for their international philanthropic work has disappeared along with their three adopted children. Their attorney and publicist have called in Jack Morgan and his Private consultants to find them. At the same time, Jack has been called upon to help apprehend a murderous man known as No Prisoners who will randomly killed citizens of Los Angeles unless his demands are met. No one knows who this man is or even where to look for him. As like other novels by James Patterson, this one will keep your attention.
Linda Harrison
Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford
A young boy grows up in an orphanage wondering why his mother gave him up. He finds her and she tells him her story. After hearing the story, he is able to forgive her for abandoning him and knows that she had no choice. The book was written from the boy’s viewpoint and then in his mother’s as she relates all that happened to her. I did not think this book was as good as Ford's previous one.
Linda Harrison
The Comforts of Home: A Harmony Novel by Jodi Thomas
This is the third book in the Harmony series and continues the heartwarming story of the people living in Harmony, Texas. A terrible tornado is on its way toward Harmony, and residents are thinking about what is most important to them. This storm is to be a fierce one and some of Harmony’s residents might not live through it.
Linda Harrison
Tell Me No Lies by Elizabeth Lowell
This book was a little hard to get into. The book was about stolen bronzes from China being smuggled out of the country to buyers in the US. This would result in relations between the two countries coming to a standstill and factions in China did not want this to happen. A museum employee, who was an expert in bronzes, and a former CIA agent in the Far East work together to find the smuggler.
Linda Harrison
The Sweetest Thing: A Lucky Harbor Novel by Jill Shalvis
Tara Daniels and Ford Walker met one summer and had a fling which resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. Since Tara was only 17, she gave the baby up for adoption and left with never a glance back at Lucky Harbor or Ford. Now she is back and both realize they still love each other. But Tara’s ex-husband has appeared and wants her back. There are a lot of funny episodes. Lucille, one of the town’s elder citizens, sets up a Facebook page for Lucky Harbor and gets a poll going about who Tara should marry. Jill Shalvis’ books are so enjoyable that you hate to see the book end.
Linda Johnson
Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell Jr.
I suspect this book would be better to read then to listen to. The audio was burdened by lots of dollar figures --- net worth, price of housing, price of paintings, prices of jewels, etc. I would have preferred more story. Ms. Clark Huguette Clark owned numerous mansions, including several that she never lived in. She spent the last 20 years of her life living in a suite in a NYC hospital. She died 2 weeks shy of her 105th birthday. Several times in her later years (90+) she was forced to undergo simple testing to make sure she was of sound mind. An interesting story.
mal kaplan
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
Is it possible to give more than 5 stars? I am not into supernatural books, however once I started I had a hard time putting it down. It gets better with each page. If you liked the movie Ghost, you will undoubtedly love this. I do not want to ruin it by telling too much, but it certainly grips you. It is certainly going to be a classic as far as suspense goes.
Terese Tessar
After Her by Joyce Maynard
I just finished reading this book. I kept plodding through it hoping that it would get better. I probably should have given up after my self-imposed minimum number of pages. The story line was interesting enough, but I felt that the characters were a bit too predictable.
Bonnie Gluhanich
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
This novel packs a punch while still being wonderfully readable. Worth reading.
Bonnie Gluhanich
The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
This novel is on several "best 100 novels ever" lists, so I gave it a go. Meh. I thought it was okay but it wouldn't make my list.
Linda Mckague
Flash and Bones by Kathy Reichs
I really like the TV series Bones which is based on these books so that is why I picked up this book to read. I am enjoying the book but find I am comparing the TV Temperance to the book character and like the TV character better.
Debbie Jackson
The Wedding Machine by Beth Webb Heart
A fun read but also has some serious moments...a glimpse into the weddings of over doneness! Not the usual out come.
Elizabeth Vollbach
Stay Close by Harlan Coben
If a book can make you want to keep reading even when you're going through personal turmoil, it's a very good book. And that was the case with STAY CLOSE, which I recently finished.
Elizabeth Vollbach
Murder One by Robert Dugoni
MURDER ONE is good but not great, unlike Dugoni's later book in this series, THE CONVICTION. That book was unputdownable. So MURDER ONE is a bit of a disappointment.
Elizabeth Vollbach
The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian
THE LIGHT IN THE RUINS is now in my list of favorites because this a can't-put-it-down book. Of the two others by Bohjalian that I've read, this one, a literary mystery/thriller, sure beats them all.
Although some reviewers say this book is two stories, it really isn't. Rather, it is one story made more mysterious by alternating chapters set during the end of World War II in Italy and chapters set in 1955. The mystery has to do with the Rosati family, and each chapter contains a few different characters' viewpoints. In this way, the mystery keeps the reader guessing. That also is what makes it unputdownable.
Ruth Dupchen
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See
This is such an enjoyable and easy to read book. It is a story about Pearl and May from "Shanghai Girls" and Pearl's daughter Joy. Joy runs away to China to find her Father after learning about the family secret of her birth.
I have read all of Lisa See's books as of today and I am looking forward to any thing else she may write. She is one of my favorite authors.
Bonnigene Cloud
Tuesday's Child by Dale Mayer
This is a great paranormal mystery that has a great touch a romance with just a little bit of the steamy stuff. In the book, Sam has had a reclusive existence and has only been able to connect with the animals in her life. One day her 'visions' become too much and she is forced to make contact with the local police department. When she gets the expected reception of the skeptical lot she isn't surprised, however, the contact with the amazing detective who believes her sends her head spinning. Brandt, soon becomes her support and companion as they solve an ongoing serial killer case, but not before encountering a little outside danger.
Bonnigene Cloud
Sanctuary with the Cowboy by M.J. Fredrick
When you are a Huston Police officer and you come home on Christmas vacation you hope you will be this lucky. This is a steamy romance with a twinge of danger. She is a very lucky police officer suffering p.t.s.d. after she is forced to kill a teenager on the job. However, it wouldn't be so bad if his brother wasn't the leader of a gang and drug ring. As she is home recuperating from the events she is met with her old flame. But time hasn't cooled the attraction and she is soon back in love with a young love.
Kim Johnston
A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante
My mom's name was Alice...
Betty Ramsey
Pursuit by Gene Hackman
I decided to read this because of the author. It's rare that an actor turns to writing and I was intrigued. Well, Mr. Hackman didn't disappoint. The story is about a female police sergeant going after a serial abductor. She has been assigned to cold cases and runs across similarities in several old cases. She starts to do research and alerts the perpetrator who zeros in on her. He abducts her own daughter and the chase is on. The story is a real page turner, the writing is good, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The only problem I had with this book is that I couldn't put it down. I lost a lot of sleep going chapter to chapter unable to stop. Great job, Mr. H
Brady
The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone
This is the true story of how Amazon was created and about the founder Jeff Bezos. It shows what can happen if you are smarter than the rest and have the guts to carry through your original plan, no matter how many setbacks occur. I am an Amazon advocate and now more than ever after reading this book. If you want to know how big business works, this is the book for you.
Elizabeth
Rookie Yearbook Two by Tavi Gevinson
While I'm not in the target audience, I enjoyed this compendium of art layouts, personal essays and heart-to-heart advice. (It does delve into fairly personal and sometimes intimate issues, even more so than the first volume, so I'd recommend it for older teens onward.) I do wish there were more additions; it's basically a full year of the online magazine in beautiful print form.
Debbie Maskus
The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches: A Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley
I have enjoyed the Flavia de Luce series in the past, but the chemistry overwhelms the novel. In the last novel, word had arrived that Harriet de Luce, Flavia's mother, had been found. Harriet embellishes the hard driven woman of the WWII era; she flies a plane and mountain climbs, as well as other daring feats. Since I do not wish to spoil the story, I will curtail my analysis of Harriet. This story does not hold the charm of past Flavia stories. The novel concerns espionage and the life after the war. I do not feel the characters are well developed in this novel, and the setting limps around.
Judy O.
Killer by Jonathan Kellerman
This book was just okay, and I was glad to get it finished. At times there were pages of mind-numbing boredom while the characters were hashing over the pros and cons of certain suspects. I almost quit reading it a couple of times. I used to be a big fan of his books. Maybe my tastes have just changed.
Connie Schmucker
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult
Went and seen the author in person and she was a great speaker. The book is a 5.
Jen Brown
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
A moving memoir from a writer who struggled through a weird, wacky dysfunctional childhood but managed to make peace with her flawed parents. A young girls Resilience and her parents redemption are tested but this unique and quirky family shine through. This is a quick read that will stay with you for a while.
Marsha
The Double by George Pelecanos
Spero Lucas is a former Marine who does investigative work for a lawyer but harbors a need for justice. This time he is involved in a love affair with a married woman that he knows cannot last and also is tracking down a man who humiliated a girl and stole her painting. He does things his way.
Caron Thornton
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
This book touched on time and space, quantum physics and Buddhism. Nao is a "time being" whose father had once held a high level position Silicon Valley lost his job. The family is forced to return home to Tokyo where they are now the misfits. Nao is badly bullied at school and her father, unemployed, is suicidal. Nao's best friend is her great grandmother, a Buddhist nun whose story she wants to document. Searching for meaning, Nao writes a diary which thanks to debris from the 2011 tsunami, washes up on a remote British Colombian shore and lands in the hands of Ruth (alter ego of the author). Ruth becomes obsessed with Nao's destiny and we are cultivating our "supapawa" and living fully in the present .
Tessa B C
Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen
This is a delightful retelling of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE set in a Jewish retirement community in Boca Raton, Florida. I really enjoyed this light read. It’s clever and witty, albeit predictable. I couldn’t help but remind myself, “Just like Wickham!” or “She must be Charlotte” as I read. Of course some of the scenarios draw from other Austen novels, but that’s no problem, it’s all in good fun and still entertaining. I even love the cover, which just makes me smile to look at it.
Jennifer Juenke
The Many Lives of Mila by Inna Swinton
I could NOT put this book down. Its like Sex in the City with a drop of mental illness mixed in. I could feel the pain of Mila's and Cliffs separation. The anxiety of being alone, the confusion of heading out into the dating world after being married, and trying to love ones self after a very bad decision, the story is all laid out! I loved it!
My favorite part is the Sportsguy with the High School Ring! Spot on!
Linda Johnson
Dear American Airlines by Jonathan Miles
I listened to this book which started as a letter of complaint to American Airlines because the narrator is stuck in Chicago's O'Hare Airport due to his flight's cancellation instead of getting to his estranged daughter's wedding in New Orleans. The letter of complaint becomes a brief (thank goodness) review of the narrator's life and the many missteps he has made in his 50+ years. Might read better than it listens.
Sandra Canales
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
This is an interesting read from the newest horror writer Joe Hill. Never mind that he is the son of the legend horror writer Stephen King, but let's just share that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Hill is making a voice on his own and doing a great job of it. He takes what makes a good scary story and takes his own spin on it. Are there eerie situations, an evil that has swirled it's claws into everyday reality, oh sure. But it's Hill's relentless pursuit of story telling that makes this a must read! Enjoy it.
Dorothy Haemer
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
A story of a woman and the choices she makes and how it alters the outcome. The author provides several outcomes to the same situation. Interesting read that takes place in the early 1900s to post WW2. Good for a Book Club.
Marsha
Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler
If you have ever lived in a small town or drove through a small town you will be enchanted with this novel. It is a wonderfully unexpected love song to the people who grew up together and loved each other and sometimes hurt each other. Written in lyrical, descriptive language you can almost smell the farmland and watch the seasons pass. It will touch your heart.
Jayne kasten
The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Extraordinary novel, beautifully written; I read it and am now listening to the audible version. Will be recommending it to two book groups. Really exquisite story of life with its perils and joys!
Renee' Booker
The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again by Nancy Thayer
I love to read a novel about woman who do not judge but help to make others life better if they can.
Ann
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
What a beautiful story. Bring the kleenx. This is not just a love story but a life story as well. Excellent best book I have read in a long time.
JoAnn Carroll
Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
Although it took awhile to "get into" this book, the final half of the book provided interesting plot and strong character development. It was beautifully written with expansive vocabulary and imagery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Francisca E B
The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giordano
Giordano writes with such elegance about the landscape of loneliness, the need for love and acceptance. This is an intimate study of the psychology of two damaged characters. Both Mattia and Alice lack the strength to truly connect to someone else, yet have the strength to live alone and isolated. Their steps toward one another are halting and even excruciatingly difficult, making the reader almost as anxious as the characters. Like real life, the ending is ambiguous, but oh, how I want to know what happens to these two people. Luke Daniels does a wonderful job narrating the audio version. His nuanced performance is both gentle and harsh, quiet and panicked, tender and mean.
Linda Reck
Thirty Girls by Susan Minot
Thirty Girls is a brilliant and compelling novel by Susan Minot. It is told in alternating voices. Esther is a Ugandan teenager who was abducted and ran away, and Jane, a journalist, who wants to write about what happens girls like Esther. Minot's prose is unflinching as she describes the non-speaking atrocities Esther had to commit and those and those committed on her. Susan, a journalist, wants to give voice to children like Esther. There is raw emotional intensity in Minot's writing. Esther has to find a way to live with what happened to her, and Jane needs to find peace within herself. Minot has written a heartfelt and powerful novel.
Linda Johnson
Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish by David Rakoff
Don't let the length of time that it took me to read this dissuade you from reading this novel novel. It tells stories of individuals in rhyme - not simple rhyme, but not forced. I, at times, got entangled in the rhyme, missing that for the story, so I would go back to pick up the thread that I had dropped. I would like to read it again, disregarding the rhyme and concentrating more on the story.
Linda Johnson
Lightning Bug by Donald Harington
The story was good, the writing was lyrical, but I seem to be hitting a patch of books that make me blush because of the explicitness. I don't mind people shacking up, but I prefer to leave a lot to my imagination.
Lightning Bug is the name a 5 year-old named Donny (pronounced Dawny) gives to Latha, he is in love with - a woman in his town who has always been single but not unloved. Latha owns a General Store and is the town Post Mistress in the small Ozark town. A man, Early Dill, from Latha's past returns to town, surprisingly as a preacher. He's meanin' to have a revival and see his one true love.
The plot was predictable, but the ride along it was scenic.
Gilda Weisskopf
Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble
Many twists and turns including murder, counterfeit rings, finding long lost love and starting a new life. After Lily Donaldson's mother dies, she moves to Austin, Texas, in 1904 to take a job as a kitchen maid the Butterfly Palace. I found this book well written and had a hard time putting it down. Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors. I recommend this book if you like a good mystery intertwined with a good romance.
Jan Zahrly
Fourth and Long: The Fight for the Soul of College Football by John U. Bacon
What a great book! The author writes well and presents a thorough picture of college football in the Big Ten. It was exciting to relive some of those games and interesting to see the problems faced by Penn State from the view of the athletes.
The author is a sports reporter and was able to talk to players, athletic directors, coaches and fans -- when they were willing to talk to him. He has harsh words for the commercialization of college sports, the N.C.A.A. (with its varying imposition of rules and penalties), and pro football. He has special harsh words for the A.D. at the University of Michigan. From what he reports, the harsh words are probably deserved BUT the author is a graduate of U.M. The book is a treasure.
Carol B
Honolulu by Alan Brennert
Wonderfully written historical novel. Our book club ALL absolutely loved it. The author weaves in actual people with the fictional story. His prose is so rich and yet so readable. I hated to have it end.
Brady
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
So many people have read this book, and liked it, I had to read it too. This does keep you wondering what is going to happen next and it ends in an unexpected way. The dynamics between the boy and girl is what this story is all about and you wonder who is the winner here? What is eventually going to happen to each one? The answers are all in the story, but you have to read it to find out.
Mary Hayden
Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman
Anne Hillerman has picked up where her father left off when he died. Her story telling if masterful just as his was, and the plot is terrific. She has brought Leaphorn and Chee up to the minute with no problem at all. I would not have realized Tony Hillerman was not the author, if I had not know he had died and his daughter was the author!
