This contest period's winners were Bea C., Crystal B., Gina L., Linda H. and Margaret S., who each received a copy of CLOSE YOUR EYES, HOLD HANDS by Chris Bohjalian, LANDLINE by Rainbow Rowell, and WAYFARING STRANGER by James Lee Burke.
Jan Zahrly
The Color of Home by Rich Marcello
Many people love this book. I did not. It was repetitive, uninspiring and just dull. It is about two people who are each working to discover themselves and sometimes working together. "And they all lived happily ever after." The content is fairy tale and not very realistic. Of course, fairy tales are not realistic. There are other books that dig deeper into ourselves, make us think harder about what we are and want to be and where we have been. Did I get any new insight from this book? NO.
I received a review copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads program.
Zuzu Bicane
To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
This story follows Lara Jean as she deals with the problem of having her letters given out. These aren't just ordinary letters. These are letters that Lara Jean has written to all of the boys that she's ever loved. Each and every letter contains secrets that should remain private. The thing about writing the letters is that they are for Lara's eyes only, and they are more like a send-off than a love letter. After she finishes writing them, her love for that particular boy kind of gets smaller and smaller until it fully disappears. The letters are never supposed to be read by the boys, so she puts them into her hatbox. Until one day, out of nowhere she notices that the letters are gone and sent out!
Sandy McCullough
The Girl in the Red Coat by Roma Ligocka
One of the best books I have read in a long time! I may have to read this one a second time.
Wendy Catalano
Four Friends by Robyn Carr
This is a novel about extraordinary women facing ordinary problems. The four friends in this book are four women juggling the responsibilities facing many women today - family, friends, careers - while trying to maintain their own identities. Life is unpredictable, and Robyn Carr writes about some of the messiest issues of all. Bob, one of the male characters in the story, is now on my list of all-time favorite characters. A very satisfying book for fans of contemporary romance.
Janice Baly
Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery
Emma Gatewood, at age 67, became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail (2050 miles) alone. Her trip brought much needed attention to the trail and probably saved it from extinction.
Karen Stigers
Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford
I enjoy this author's writing. While I liked this book, I didn't think it was as good as his first book, HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET.
Vicki Hancock
The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes
I love Ms. Moyes' books. When I started this book, I thought it dragged and was going to give up but kept on. I was so glad I did. It is historical fiction with so much true history in it. The story takes places at the end of WWII, with modern day parts too, and tells of 4 women who live in Australia who marry British soldiers during the war. They travel on a big Navy ship.after the war to meet their new husbands in England. This is the story of these women during their ship ride to England. Fascinating book with so much real history. Very highly recommended. I have yet to find a book of hers I didn't like!
Bea Carroll
The Invention Of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
My favorite book this year. Lots of research went into this fictional story about real people.
Stacey K
A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
Incredible 3rd book in the Song of Fire & Ice series! Love these books so much! I read them after I see the TV show, so I am surprised when I watch the show.
Erika Loiacono
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker
I had very high expectations when I started reading this book, and it definitely lived up to them. It was a great novel that I could not put down.
Lori Edelson
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker
I thought this was a perfect summer read - fast paced with lots of twists and turns. I flew through the book and would highly recommend it.
Judy Murden
Letters From Skye by Jessica Brockmole
This is definitely going to be the book I propose when it's my turn to host book group. I was captivated by this: the language, the love stories, the character development , the history, and the unique format -- letters to and from Skye, Scotland. I've also picked a personal theme to honor the centenary of World War I, and this book fits that reading list. I read this as a recorded book and enjoyed it so much that I actually rejoiced when I was stuck in traffic. I'll be interested to hear what my bibliophile friends have to think about this book.
Kimberly Aylward
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Cecelia finds a letter meant to be opened in the event of her husband's death. But he's still very much alive when she finds it, and confronts him about it. The contents of the letter unveil a terrible, long-held secret her husband, John Paul, has been carrying around since he was a young man. Meanwhile, two other circles of characters are explored and eventually tied into this secret. The climax has everyone finding out what that letter explained, and many lives are changed.
Excellent summer read!
Elaine Baxter
The Buddha In The Attic by Julie Otsuka
Did not enjoy the author trying to make many voices into one. The story would have been interesting if those women had a voice of their own. I would have found what those women experienced much more enjoyable.
Dorothy Boyum
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro
I enjoyed this book but thought there was a little too much deception in it.
Laura Hartness
Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits by Mary Jane Hathaway
Mary Jane Hathaway strikes a nice balance with her own narrative, giving many winks to Austen’s original vision, yet blending in modern issues of the south and academia. Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits was a southern pleasure, capturing the essence of southern culture and the spirit of Austen’s creations without edging into territory that this Janeite would find unreasonable. Hathaway has crafted an engaging, thought-provoking romance here, and I look forward to reading more titles in her Jane Austen Takes the South series.
Mary Mahaney
Herbie's Game by Timothy Hallinan
Junior Bender, who has made a career out of burglary, discovers that his mentor, Herbie, has been murdered. A local criminal used a chain of lowlifes to carry out hits several times a year, and Junior vows to track down the killer. The trouble is the people on the chain keep winding up dead as well, and threats on his ex-wife and daughter are being made. To make things more complicated, he discovers that Herbie was not the warm-hearted father figure he viewed him as. Herbie played a complicated game, and now Junior seems to be the pawn as the danger rises around him. Witty dialogue and interesting, colorful characters round out this well told story. Junior's no hero, but you'll find yourself rooting for him just the same!
Deb Muzik
Saturday Night Widows by Becky Aikman
Dispels the stereotypes of 'widow' in the 21st century. Full of heartbreaking and heart-mending chapters as a group of women reluctantly and then purposefully bond to encourage each other to create new lives after the deaths of their spouses. This is one to keep and re-read.
Judy Knorr
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
I loved this book. The characters were very real and the settings and feelings well described. I felt like I was right there. Could not put the book down.
Elizabeth Coble
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
I very much enjoyed this YA book. A plane full of teen beauty queens crashes on a deserted tropical isle, leaving the survivors struggling to stay alive until their rescue--but will they be rescued? Vividly drawn characters, surprises galore, and humor--lots of humor--combine to make a novel enjoyable for teens and even for grown-ups like me.
Nancy Bader
The Farm by Tom Rob Smith
I have read all of Smith's books, and enjoy his writing and storylines. This is the first book that doesn't follow his Russian investigator. This book centers on Daniel, whose mother confides in him the details of a far-ranging conspiracy involving everyone from his father to local government and police officials. Are her contentions true, or is she delusional? You have to read it to the end to find out. Smith always has twists at the end of his stories, but I never saw the twists in this particular one coming.
Marion Peterman
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Though I felt her book was too long, I found it so interesting that I had to find out how it ended.
She used too many long paragraphs, usually when someone was speaking. That seemed unnatural for people to talk that long, unless they were filibustering in Congress. Especially too long and wordy was John Galt's three hour radio address. Common people would not have understood or listened to it that long! I liked the premise of the book, and I could relate to many of the characters. I would have liked a much shorter novel and a longer ending, in which the problems she creates in the book are beginning to be resolved.
Ann Nored
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
I loved this book! I'm usually a slow reader, but I read this book whenever I could get a chance and finished in 2 days. Fast readers can definitely read it faster. I found myself re-reading sections that I liked. Rowell really brings one back to how it felt to be in love for the first time.
Suzy Marcus
What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman
What a funny book! Ms. Newman, a television comedy writer for The Neighbors and That 70s Show, writes about her yearly travels around the world. For many years Kristin Newman would go on solo adventures, occasionally with girlfriends, where she would meet lots of single men, drink and eat lots of native food, and see lots of native sites. On occasion she would party with millionaires, but far more frequently she would bunk in a hostel or make friends, or meet friends of friends, and crash with them. A funny, yet occasionally touching, book, and a vastly different one from Eat, Pray, Love. I recommend the book for traveling women and couch potatoes alike.
Betty Fitzgerald
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker
A mystery with many twists and turns from the beginning to the very end. A young writer struggling with writer's block turns to his mentor for help. His mentor is a college professor accused of murder when the body of a 15-year-old girl, who went missing more than 30 years ago, is discovered buried on his property.
Nancy Simpson-Brice
Citizens Creek by Lalita Tademy
This historical novel tells the little-known story of Native American-owned black slaves during the time of the expansion to the West. It follows Rose Simmons through her tumultuous life. The novel is unique, strong, and eye-opening.
Jackie Stewart
Private L.A. by James Patterson
Entertaining, but a little slow in spots. Not one of his best, but still kept my interest.
Gail Rubin
One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson
An interesting exposé about the events of the summer of 1927 and its ultimate influence on America. Known for writing travel books, he has taken the reader on a trip down the decade of the 1920s, introducing a number of new tidbits about memorable names like Bela Lugosi, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, Charles Lindbergh, Clara Bow, Sacco and Vanzetti, Jack Dempsey, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. He introduces Prohibition, Hitler's rise to power, changes in the fields of communication, aviation and in the automotive industry, among a score of other major events. Bill Bryson’s book is expertly researched and very well written, but be prepared for an extraordinary amount of facts and details.
Gail Rubin
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
What an amazingly creative story Gaiman has written! A product of a profoundly gifted imagination, it will captivate readers who enjoy a bit of fantasy, a bit of science fiction. There are anthropomorphic creatures, monsters, and angels. There are characters whose names are symbolic of their special talent as in Lord Portico and his offspring, Door. There is pure evil as in Mr. Croup and his sidekick, Vandemar. Even the seemingly good characters have a touch of the “bad” in them. Many scenes are brutal and violent. Gaiman’s imagination fills the book with sexual innuendo, and his creativity can run to the macabre; it is in these instances that the book loses its ability to be a crossover into the genre of Young Adult.
Gail Rubin
I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You by Courtney Maum
This audio book is read impeccably by the reader, Sam Devereaux. He sounded almost supernatural at times. His voice was resonant and mellow. Reading in a dreamy, quiet, almost mournful, matter-of-fact tone (but there are lighter moments of jest also), he was able to convey the exact temperament of Richard Haddon and imprint his character upon the reader’s memory.
The narrative is exquisitely lyrical at times, but sometimes that mood was broken by the insertion of some crude and ugly language that referenced sex, body parts and/or bodily functions. I am not sure what the author’s intention was at those times, but it made what would have been a beautifully written, more serious novel more of a great beach read.
Tessa B C
Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg
Audiobook read by Cassandra Campbell. This is a sweet, gentle tale of one woman’s influence on her community, which reminds us all to consider the cycle of life and how we fit into it. Flagg populates Elmwood Springs with colorful characters who, for all their eccentricity, are completely recognizable. The parable reminds me that the things I most cherish have nothing to do with material goods and much to do with relationships I’ve developed over the years. It’s not great literature. It’s not even Flagg’s best work. But I did enjoy the time I spent with Elner and the residents of Elmwood Springs.
Judy
Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews
I enjoyed reading this book. I admired the main character's strength through all of her days of turmoil. I smiled when she took chances in business and in love. I applauded her when she broke through her cycle of accepting others ill feelings on her accomplishments. The end of the story was good but a bit rushed, like she ran out of paper. I just wanted to hear Cara's thought process she went through in the last few pages.
Gail Coulson
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker
This book is as good as all of the reviews. There are so many twists and turns. Every time you thought you knew whodunit, new information came to light that changed everything. It is an excellent translation.
Elaine Beierbach
Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke
New author for me. Found the book entertaining.
Lauren Bailey
Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
A nice summer read with a touch of magical realism. I am a huge fan of Allen's because she has the talent of creating beautiful stories with southern charm and magical realism - a perfect combination. Unfortunately, this book is my least favorite of all of her stories.
dennis beierbach
Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke
I am more into a differeent style of book, but this kept my interest.
Kathy Vallee
Lowcountry Bombshell by Susan M. Boyer
This is the second in the series of Liz Talbot Mysteries. Liz thinks she has seen another ghost, this one the ghost of Marilyn Monroe, who is now calling herself Calista, to hide from people in her past. After winning around seven million in the lottery and having so many strange people around her that could be after her and Liz herself. Good book, funny and impossible to put down.
colin beiebrach
Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke
I found it rather light and not very deep.
susan gannon
Saving Grace by Danielle Steel
Story could be true about a San Francisco Earthquake. The main characters could be one of us. What would we do? Great read for all ages.
Patricia Breaux
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
A feel good read about relationships! A wife and mom hits her head in gym and loses her memory of the present, and reverts back to her memory of the past.
Patricia Breaux
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Very beautiful read of young love and a tragic accident and what makes someone make choices! Going to make into a movie soon!
Patricia Breaux
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Sequel to If I Stay that tells what happened after the accident. Written from Adam's view point, tells how love is ever-present.
Jayme Gruden
Finding George Orwell in Burma by Emma Larkin
In Emma Larkin's memoir FINDING GEORGE ORWELL IN BURMA, Larkin hopes to discover more about Orwell by retracing Orwell's 5 years of service in the Imperial Police Force when he was stationed in Burma. With a battered copy of Orwell's BURMESE DAYS, Larkin discovers a Burma exploited in the past by colonial Britain and currently (published in 2004) being terrorized by one of the world's most brutal dictatorship. With insight and honesty, Larkin shows us the dignity and grace of the Burmese people as they try to circumvent a century of political upheaval. A must-read for those trying to understand the events dictating our 21st century world.
Gail Rubin
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
This book is definitely directed to Christians, but there is no reason why people of all faiths should not read it. It is very informative and is written in a clear-cut, simple, straight forward manner. It describes the horrors of World War II, and it documents the terror that Corrie Ten Boom actually experienced. This is a story about courage in the face of despicable evil, a story about a family in Holland that was willing to put the needs of others above their own. This is a story about the underground, a story about the righteous who rescued Jews and hid them in their own home, selflessly. No matter what your religious belief, you will find this story inspiring because it is about true kindness, compassion, sacrifice, and faith in G-d.
Jayme Gruden
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
As a history teacher my job sometimes gets in the way of my settling into a historical fiction novel and just getting lost in the story. I found myself wondering, while reading THE INVENTION OF WINGS, “what part is real – what part is fiction?” I finally turned to the Author’s Notes midway (which I recommend taking the time to read), which helped me to focus more on the history and not so much on the fluff fiction. I enjoyed THE INVENTION OF WINGS. It introduced me to the Grimke sisters and their pivotal role as trailblazers in the early feminist and abolitionist movements. A good book doesn’t end. It leads you to a fork in the road for you to discover a new direction in your reading path. I see more early feminism literature in my future.
Jayne Wessels
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker
Wonderful new voice and a great read. The story is a roller coaster of ever-changing suspects, with life lessons along the way. An imaginative story, told with well drawn characters. Anxious to see what else this young author has in him.
Linda Reck
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU is a beautifully crafted debut novel of dysfunction and grief. It begins: "Lydia is dead, but no one know it yet." With clear-eyed observations and elegant prose, Ng reveals the varied reaction of Lydia's family. Lydia is the biracial, blue-eyed child, the family's favorite who tries to take on her parents' unrealized goals as her own. Her mother wants her to be the doctor she never could be, and her father wants her to be well-liked, to fit in. The reader sees how the pressures on Lydia mounted into unbearable proportions. I really cared deeply about these characters. The story is profoundly moving. It sucks you in.
Jennifer Gensemer
The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley
An accident leaves accomplished astronaut Elle brain dead, and her neurosurgeon husband Matt is devastated. Elle has advanced directives, guiding her overwhelmed and distraught husband. However, before the plug is pulled, Elle tests positive for pregnancy. There's a strong probability that the long-awaited baby will survive, if Elle remains on life support. At the same time the family is united in their love for Elle, and torn apart by each member's assertion of what is "right." Therein lies the quagmire that makes family members adversaries for a bitter and public legal fight. THE PROMISE OF STARDUST is a compelling page-turner that leaves the reader haunted long after the last page is turned. What would you do if you were Matt?
Pamela Moore
China Dolls by Lisa See
Very good picture of young Chinese girls surviving in entertainment during WWII. Deals with the prejudices faced and especially the difficulties of friendships in a cut-throat business. This would be a good book for discussion and for those wanting a good picture of life in San Francisco during WWII.
Sue Levinsohn
That Night by Chevy Stevens
I have always liked Chevy Stevens' books, but this one, I think, is her best. She has mixed some of today's issues with a great story that keeps the reader wanting to see what happens next.
Vennie Martinisi Jasmine
Isabella: Braveheart of France by Colin Falconer
This book is amazingly wonderful. The story of Isabella and Edward ll of England.This was a well researched book and the writing is clear. The historic facts are enough to make one wonder just how exactly England survived the reign of Edward ll. If you enjoy history and/or historic fiction, you truly do not want to miss this book!
Linda Harrison
Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble
A suspenseful book as a serving girl finds that life is not as it first seems in the luxurious house called the Butterfly Palace. The house is old with tunnels going through the house and exiting into the yard. Lily finds evidence that someone is using the tunnels, and she wonders if the person who has been killing young women is someone living in the house. Who can she trust?
Linda Harrison
Carnal Curiosity by Stuart Woods
Stone Barrington’s latest conquest is linked to home burglaries. Setting up a sting to nab the jewel thieves, the thieves find out about it and change their plans.
Linda Harrison
The Scandalous Adventures of The Sister of The Bride by Victoria Alexander
Although this was a good book, it could have been a lot shorter. Delilah was the widow of Lord Hargate and had always done what was expected of her. Now she is in New York and wants to do something that is totally unexpected. Dancing with Samuel Russell, they are attracted to each other and spend the night together. Returning to England and hoping never to see Samuel again, she is surprised when he turns up as a wealthy friend of Gray Elliott, the man who was to marry Delilah’s sister, Camille. Samuel had never forgotten Delilah nor had Delilah forgotten Samuel, but this attraction did not fit in with her plans.
Linda Harrison
Love Letters From a Duke by Elizabeth Boyle
Felicity Langley had determined that she would wed a duke, and not just any duke but the Duke of Hollindrake. She thought she exchanged letters with the duke when it was actually the duke’s grandfather acting as a matchmaker for his grandson. When the real duke returned from fighting wars abroad, he is determined to put an end to this supposedly engagement. But when he is mistaken for a footman, he decided to play along and find out about Felicity. What he found was a woman he realized he could not live without, but he needed to make her fall in love with him as a footman and not knowing he was the duke. A good love story.
Linda Harrison
The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry
A suspenseful book with a lot of history. An illustrious Mormon Senator from Utah wants the state to secede from the United States and has a fellow Mormon who is fanatical about secession and will stop at nothing to achieve that goal. Cotton Malone is called in to help stop these actions which would jeopardize the future of the United States. Unknown to Cotton, his old boss at the Justice Department, Stephanie Nelle, has also called in Cassiopeia Vitt. As they get involved, they learn about a pact between Abraham Lincoln and Brigham Young.
Phyllis Gronewold
On The Rocks by Erin Duffy
A light beach read. I found it hard to like the characters; I enjoyed BOND GIRL by this author more.
Linda Harrison
Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews
A funny book as only MKA can do! Cara Kryzik is a flower designer specializing in weddings. Her biggest challenge is planning a wedding where the bride doesn’t really care what flowers are chosen as she is battling her wicked stepmother all the way. Cara has to soothe the waters as this wedding means a lot to her financially. To complicate her life more, another flower designer has moved to Savannah and plans to go to war with Cara and steal her customers. Cara also has a new love interest in Jack Finnerty, who she originally thought had stolen her dog.
Linda Harrison
Unlucky 13 by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The Women's Murder Club is back in action, and one of Lindsay Boxer's old adversaries is back and out for revenge on Lindsay. Lindsay has a new baby and takes extra precautions, but one day she sees Mackie Morales outside her apartment. Shots are fired and Lindsay sees her friend Cindy on the ground. Did Mackie shoot Cindy? Another great book from James Patterson and Maxine Paetro.
Linda Harrison
The Bourne Ascendancy by Eric Van Lustbader
As with most Jason Bourne novels, there is a lot of action and suspense. Bourne’s friend Soraya Moore and her family have been kidnapped and their lives threatened unless Bourne follows instructions from a terrorist by the name of El Ghadan. In order to save Soraya, Bourne has been ordered to kill the President of the United States at an upcoming peace conference. Bourne is also the target of the head of the Secret Service as she has been ordered to take him out when rumors abound that Bourne is to try and kill the President.
Linda Harrison
Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis
I love books by Jill Shalvis. Always a great story with a little sex to spice it up! This book is a love story between Adam Connelly and Holly Reid. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Adam met Holly, the daughter of a wealthy rancher, when they were teens. They had a romance until Adam enlisted. Now years later, he is back in Idaho training search and rescue dogs and Holly is working at her father’s ranch. She has decided she wants Adam, but he is not into the forever thing. She just has to convince him to change his mind and she has no doubts that she can do just that.
Linda Harrison
Everything to Lose by Andrew Gross
When Hilary saw the car run off the road, she hurried down the embankment to check on the driver. He was already dead but she found a bag full of money. Desperate for cash to keep her autistic son in his private school, she grabbed the bag of money. This led to the deaths of many innocent people when the bad guys wanted their money back. Staying one step ahead of them, she finds the son of the dead man who will help her. Together, they hope to get out of the mess Hilary got them in. I am a big fan of books written by Andrew Gross but did not like the character of Hilary in this book. I found her to be very vain and selfish.
Linda Harrison
Summer Days by Lisa Jackson, Mary Carter, Elizabeth Bass, Holly Chamberlin
Short stories by each of the authors. His Bride to Be is about a faux fiancé to help clinch a business deal, but the romance between the two was not planned. You Again is about two former lovers who meet after seven years and find they are still attracted to each other. Return to Hampton Beach is about a girl returning to the area where she was most happy and where her first love still lived. Summer Memories is about a girl returning to the coast of Maine where she met and fell in love with a landscape painter.
Candace Broman
Any Human Heart by William Boyd
Saw this on Masterpiece Classics and loved it so read book. The adaptation was excellent and so true to the book. It is the journals of fictional Logan Mountstuart from childhood through death and captures the small events that make up a life as well as the monumental ones. Highly recommended.
Coral Harrison
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
A story written by a soldier that had been in the US Army in Iran in 2004 and 2005. It is not a true story but could have happened.
robin fuller
China Dolls by Lisa See
I am a big fan already, so it was a treat to read her new book. Her characters were well formed and thought out. The time of war (especially in California) was not new to me, but I learned so much from reading this.
Donna Shaw
Ordinary Heros by Scott Turow
Following the death of his father, a son discovers papers that show that his father was court-marshaled during WWII. He wants to know more about his father and why this happened. The story is told by the father and by the son. The father was a JAG lawyer sent to capture a rogue officer in Europe. He connects with a resistance group, fights in combat and falls in love. The son discovers the difficult decisions his father had to make and has a greater understanding of his father and the brutality of war.
Ann Howard
This Is Where I Leave You: A Novel by Jonathan Tropper
What a hilarious book! I kept laughing all by myself -- out loud -- and one time I even laughed until I had to wipe tears. If you like characters, you'll enjoy this.
Saundra McKenzie
The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore
I seldom give a book 5 stars, but this one deserves it. Set in a sewing factory in TN, I related so well to this book. It is a story about the lives and relationships of blue collar female workers in the South. Highly recommended!!!
Dianne Soehner
The Beekeeper's Ball by Susan Wiggs
Fantastic read.
Betty Ramsey
Circle of Shadows by Imogen Robertson
This book was well written and mostly interesting, but a little hard to get by the formal language. The plot was rather convoluted and got kind of tiresome. I managed to finish it, but I don't think I'll read this author again.
Donna Shaw
The Testament by John Grisham
One of the richest men in the world is dying. He has ex-wives and children who have no relationship with him who are waiting for him to die so they can inherit vast sums of money. He has made several wills over the years that include these people and they are aware of their inheritance. He pulls a bait and switch at the last moment of his life. It's a fascinating story.
Donna Shaw
Love You More by Lisa Gardner
A very engaging story of a police woman who claims to have shot and killed her husband, but her son is missing. Everything points to her, but where is her child that she loved with all of her being. This is a story that asks - to what lengths would a mother go to in order to save her only child.
Eileen
The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
Evanovich is my go-to author for when I need to relax. She never fails to please, and THE CHASE, her sequel to THE HEIST, is no exception. Silly, sure, and wildly improbable, but when you want to read for pleasure, this is a great book. She further develops Nick Fox, the star of the series, and I was cheering for him to win the heart of the FBI agent Kate O'Hare by the end of the book. Plenty of action, plenty of laughs, plenty of Evanovich's imaginative writing style. And maybe even a few interesting factoids to learn along the way. I'm a fan!
Debbie M
A Nice Little Place on the North Side by George F. Will
As a diehard Cubs fan, I eagerly anticipated this sojourn into Wrigley Field. Will presents a multitude of Wrigley Field tidbits, but misses the essence of the story. Will jumps around too much in relating a story, and I could not pass second base. I remember the joys of Ladies' Day and the hoopla of the seventh inning stretch. Ernie Banks would wander throughout the stadium before a game. Of course, the breeze from lake Michigan would send chills throughout your body in the late afternoon. Will drilled home the facts of the players, but missed why the fans have been so loyal after all these years.
Debbie M
Johnny Evers by Dennis Snelling
This book presented the Cubs and Wrigley Field better than A NICE LITTLE PLACE ON THE NORTH SIDE, even though the emphasis in this book centered on a baseball player. Snelling shows the perils of baseball in the early 1900s when baseball was a sport that was played very little. A good player might earn $2800 in the 1900s. The game evolved into better rules and better players with better equipment. Johnny Evers loved baseball and sought methods of improving the game and providing the fans with excitement. Snelling conveys that love of baseball into the story.
Phyllis Relyea
The Wind Is Not a River by Brian Payton
Since I did not know anything about the Battle of Attu or of the Japanese in WWII in the Aleutian Islands, I found this extremely informative and I highly recommended this book. The author does an interesting take on this sensitive issue with good character development and great descriptions of the landscape.
Lori Edelson
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
I was delighted to be able to read an e-galley of A Man Called Ove. It turned out to be possibly my favorite book of the year. The characters are wonderful and quirky, and I liked how the backstory was revealed as I read. I found it interesting to read about a typical Swedish community and to see the similarities and differences of our cultures. As they say, I laughed, I cried. It was a nice change of pace to read a book about a man with great ethics and everlasting dedication to his wife, yet with plenty of human faults. It reminds us that it benefits everyone for the community to have people of all ages and types, and that bureaucracy often needs to be challenged. It is a wonderful love story that I would recommend to all readers.
Barbara March
Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan
Historical fiction about the life and times of Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife Fanny as they traveled the world. The story not only gives us details of Stevenson's life but also insight into what Fanny faced being the independent, spirited wife of the Scottish writer. I've definitely learned things about the both of them that I never knew, while being able to enjoy an adventurous story.
Bahareh Kompani
The Shadow Year by Hannah Richell
This book bring two stories from past and present together. Beautifully written, keeps you guessing until the end. Lila, a young woman who has suffered a terrible loss, inherits a lake house in need of renovation. She unexpectedly comes upon clues about the lives of the previous owners, a group of university graduates who decide to rely on one another for one year.
Patricia Askins
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi
An involved but easy-to-read story of two women in Afghanistan.They lived generations apart but one 's story inspires the other. The treatment of women in Afghanistan is so horrible. It is such a shame they have to go through what they do.
Linda Johnson
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
I listened to this book and look forward to reading a hard copy at some time in the future. Marra sets his debut novel in Chechnya from 1994 to 2004, during sobering times of unrest and upheaval, but combines the characters in this novel with humor and a real humanity. Colette Whitaker does an excellent job of narrating.
Denise Beierbach
Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke
Entertaining. Whizzed through it.
Laura Beierbach
Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke
I prefer more action, but it was a good tale.
Fran OH
Creep by Jennifer Hillier
Appropriately titled, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Likable characters, interesting plot and lots of suspense.
Roseann Kies
Doris Day: Her Own Story by A.E. Hotchner
I enjoyed reading about Doris Day's life according to her. What appears to have been a "happy-go- lucky" woman on the outside, wasn't such on the inside. Though it is written in 1976, it could pertain to modern day life. I highly recommend it!
Anne Spier
Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout
What a wonderful story of a mother and a daughter-- their love and, at the same time, their dislike for each other. This is not a new book (published in 1998 and shortlisted for the Orange Prize), but it is so relevant to today. You may remember that this author won the Pulitzer for her other book, OLIVE KITTERIDGE. In my opinion, AMY AND ISABELLA far surpasses Olive. The characters are so well-developed that you feel you know these people personally, and you can actually feel their emotions, rather than just read about them. I will be recommending this book to my 2 book clubs.
Sherreka Burton
Be Safe I Love You by Cara Hoffman
I don't read many military novels, especially ones about PTSD, but I'm glad I read this one. I was even glad it had a female protagonist. The book had some great lines, and it made me feel for Lauren. While I wasn't exactly sure why that last event was counted against her, I can empathize with why Lauren would take responsibility for the results. There were also a couple of feminist undertones in the book, but I wish there had been a bit more overt ones. I'm always curious about how women in the military avoid being taken advantage of in a male-dominated situation. I would recommend this one for sure.
Laurie Weatherlow
Cutting Teeth by Julia Fierro
A playgroup goes to Long Island for a weekend get away. We are a silent visitor as we learn each character's thoughts throughout the three days.
Donna Shaw
The Hanged Man by T. J. MacGregor
Years ago, seven convicts were enlisted in a government experiment using psychokinesis. Now only three remain alive; the others having died under questionable circumstances. A man is murdered and the wife is kidnapped by one of the three remaining members of the group. This is a page-turner, fictional mystery.
Crystal Blackburn
Murder in the Ball Park: A Nero Wolfe Mystery by Robert Goldsborough
A NY state senator is murdered during a baseball game at the Polo Grounds sometime around 1950. Archie Goodwin and Saul Panzer are there to watch the game but aren't able to help. Later they can as Nero Wolfe is hired to find the killer. The story is really good and reads like it could have been written by Rex Stout himself. I did guess who-dunnit before Wolfe made the announcement. Of course, I wasn't sure that I was right until the arrest was made.
Muriel Logan.
A Time to Kill by John Grisham
I think this is the only Grisham book I had never read. With SYCAMORE ROAD out now, I decided it was time. I enjoy the way Grisham weaves together events to build suspense, and I love some of the colorful characters he created in this book. I appreciate the fact that he depicts human nature the way it really is sometimes, without sugar coating things. The cruelty of the Klan and what was done to Tonya were both hard to read about. Racial hatred is hard to understand.
Jan Zahrly
No Way Back by Matthew Klein
Wow! This is an exciting mystery with many twists and turns. There are many characters, so take notes from the beginning. Jimmy was given a "second chance" to turn his life around; his college buddy appointed him as CEO of a failing high-tech firm in Florida. One of his first tasks was to fire most of the employees. He decided to find out where all the money was going, but his attempts to follow the money-trail led to trouble - with the company, with the FBI, with his marriage, and with his AA sponsor. Jimmy could not buy a break. Suddenly, there were folks speaking Russian, millions of dollars stuffed in bags in an attic, a wife acting strangely, and physical attacks.
Judy O.
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
Alice fell at the gym during a spin class, hit her head, and developed amnesia about the last ten years of her life. She had children she didn't remember and a husband whom she seemed to be divorcing. She doesn't know why. Little by little her memory begins to return. Maybe a 3.5 stars would be what I'd give this book. I liked it, but I just thought it was too long. The part that Frannie wrote should not have even been in there -- just filler it seems to me. I found myself skimming those parts. For the most part, it was a good story.
Sally B., San Antonio TX
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
This book was the basis for the "Bladerunner" movie in the 1980s. Earth's population has decreased due to people going to Mars to escape the radioactive dust. Still, there is a sizable populace left on Earth, and one of them is a bounty hunter after rogue androids (robots) from Mars. At times it was confusing due to the author not explaining things until further in the book.
Summer Grinstead
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Very cute, quick read. I enjoyed it.
Phyllis Gronewold
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
I loved the story of Jess, Tanzie, Nicky and Ed and their messy lives. With all their problems, the story could be a depressing one, but with Jess's positive attitude, they all come together making the most of life. ONE PLUS ONE is a humorous, quirky, very entertaining novel.
Francisca E B
Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
Focusing her work on the residents of Annawadi, a slum built in the shadow of luxury hotels near Mumbai’s airport, Boo writes a book that tears away the film of anonymity that hides the multitude, and forces the reader to recognize their individual humanity. Once I started, I could not stop reading.
Rebecca Chome
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
This is a great novel! It is set in the 1960s, and the main character, Frank, recalls events of that era in a small Minnesota town where he steps from childhood into adulthood. I found myself caring for each of the characters as they developed, and the plot was wonderfully crafted as family and acquaintances moved effortlessly and believably through the story. I received this book through a ReadingGroupGuides.com contest, and I am certainly going to recommend ORDINARY GRACE as a future selection for my book discussion group. Thank you ReadingGroupGuides.com!
Matthew Clark
Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke
Very good read!
Vicki Hancock
Heinous by Debra Webb
This book is the 9th in the Faces of Evil series. Jess has just found out she has a half-sister. Since her parents have been dead since she was around 9, this is a huge shock. In the meantime, Eric Spears is making her and Dan's life hell. Bodies are popping up more and more. Will they ever find Eric Spears, aka The Player, in time before he gets to Jess? This book is amazing. Debra Webb has a way with words that pulls you into the storyline and won't let you go. Her Faces of Evil series is some of the best romantic suspense out there. Highly recommend!!!!
Nadine Tatum
Longbourn by Jo Baker
An imaginative retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the servants' perspective. Reading P&P is a not necessary, as this novel stands well on its own. (However, a knowledge of P&P is an added bonus.) P&P is one of my favorites, and Jo Baker is an engaging author whose homage to Jane Austen is a credit to the canon. This was a book club selection, and we gave it an enthusiastic thumbs-up!
Michelle Archer
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
A beautifully written book about a young blind girl during WWII. She escapes Paris just ahead of the German occupation with her father who has been asked to protect an important artifact from the museum he works for. This was a lovely book, less about WWII than the ways our lives intersect and influence others, even those we do not know. Such lovely descriptions; it made me want to visit France.
Michelle Archer
Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
The newest offering by one of my favorite authors. Sarah Addison Allen provides a romantic tale with a hint of magic, just as we have come to expect of her. Filled with quirky characters, this story deals with how different people deal with regret and how they move forward in their lives.
Michelle Archer
Countdown City by Ben H. Winters
The second installment of The Last Policeman series. As a meteor hurtles toward the earth, police detective Henry Palace is determined to solve his latest case. A hard-boiled detective mystery in an apocalyptic setting would be hard enough to pass up, but Henry's determination not to relax his standards, even as society crumbles around him, make this book irresistible. A fun twist on the old detective story.
Ron
Police by Jo Nesbo
Great police procedural about a serial killer who is targeting police. I've now read about 8 of his novels, and they all get 5 stars. Harry Hole doesn't show up until halfway through this one, but his presence raises the book from 4 to 5 stars. Nesbo has a knack not only for suspense, but he can also make you believe one thing and then give the real answer as completely different. He does this more than once in this book. If you like Coben, Rankin, Sanford, you'll love Nesbo.
Debra Roy
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Technically a "young adult" book, at first I found the sentences to be too short and choppy, but as the story emerges, the style grew on me. It is the story of a wealthy New England family who spend every summer on their private island off Massachusetts. Family expectations, fairy tales, a mysterious accident and its aftermath all lead up to an ending with a twist that will keep you thinking about this story long after you've turned the last page.
Michelle Archer
That Night by Chevy Stevens
When Toni is released from prison after being wrongfully accused for her sister's death, she just wants to get on with her life. Unfortunately, she will have to find the real killer in order to move on with her life. The author reels out this tale of high school bullying gone bad in a series of flashbacks, which build the suspense throughout the book. The question becomes not who did it but what happened and why. The conclusion offers the reader a satisfying resolution, but the real fun of the book is how you get there.
Maya Beck
The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
Excellent book. Can't wait to see the movie.
Sharon Lumb
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Vivian actually rode the actual orphan train in the 1920s after her Irish immigrant family is killed. She is taken from New York City to Minnesota and given away to a couple without any review of the appropriateness of the placement. Molly rides an orphan train as she goes from one foster care home to another in our current foster care system. Neither system was or is perfect, and both suffered tragic childhoods. They meet under unusual circumstances and eventually share their stories. A well-written book.
Elizabeth
Bad English: A History of Linguistic Aggravation by Ammon Shea
Shea has an evenhanded approach (he tends to fall on the "cataloguing usage" side of the dictionary debate), and there is a lot of interesting information here. It tends to be very dense and a little pedantic, though, picking up only near the end with the Shakespeare quiz and the list of (generally) accepted words that were once frowned upon (including such shockers as "talented" and "ice cream").
Sharon Elliott-Fox
The High Druid's Blade:The Defenders of Shannara by Terry Brooks
It had been a long time since I read the initial Shannara stories, but even though I have obviously missed a lot of the "meantime" history, I found this book fascinating as Paxon Leah grows from being a simple air freight carrier to the bearer of the Sword of Shannara and defender of the Druids. More slowly, he and others discover that his sister, Chrysallin, may well be the bearer of long dormant wishsong. As the story begins, neither of the siblings have any knowledge of their powers, a state that leads them into danger and exposes them to the evils of witchcraft and magic.
Melanie S.
China Dolls by Lisa See
I am a huge fan of Lisa See's work. I always learn something historical that I never knew before when reading her books. CHINA DOLLS shed light on the life of Chinese entertainers in the 1940s, around the time of WWII, the prejudice they faced as Chinese Americans, and how Japanese entertainers, who were being sent to internment camps, tried to pass as Chinese performers to avoid resettlement. Told through the eyes of three "Chinese" women of diverse backgrounds who become fast friends at an audition, the book was lighter fare than some of Lisa's other books. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading and learning about this time in history through a unique perspective.
Caron Thornton
The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson
A gripping account of life in North Korea told through an ordinary citizen Jun Do (John Doe). In two chapters, the story is told before Jun Do is put in prison camp and after he escapes and takes on the identity of the captor he kills, Commander Ga. The horrors of life as a orphan masters son, a prisoner, and as a high ranking official are spelled out through family and love relationships, the over riding authority of the dear leaders Kim Jong il and Kim il Sung, and the utter control of life and death by the government. This story will be thrashing about in my mind for a long, long time.
sandi Ward
Eeny Meeny by M. J. Arlidge
One lives and one dies - no choice. Is your choice to die so someone else can live or do you kill - and if you do, can you live with that decision? Story takes place in the UK - mainly the coastal Southampton area - as DI Helen Grace takes the reins of a multiple death case. There appears to be a serial killer, a very intelligent serial killer, on the loose. As the media gains ground, Grace must bring the case to a close. This case is personal - really personal - Grace knows the deceased people. Who is the killer and what do they want from Grace? Very short chapters of page-turning suspense. Well written, with well developed characters that you are pulling for. Suspense builds with a satisfying conclusion.
Linda Johnson
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
My friend, Ruth, after finding out that I had not read this book admonished, "My dear, you have to read this book." She was right. It took me almost two months, but I was savoring every moment. I knew the name of one other character in the book, but didn't realize exactly their relationship. It was very different from what I thought. I don't think this will be the last time I read this book.
Annette Savio
The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A story about an Amish family facing hardships and challenging situations. There is love and romance, tragedy and humor. Julia Lapp is trying hard to hold her family together and even harder to keep Paul in her life and plan a wedding...but things get even more confusing when the bee man arrives...
Linda Smith
The Light in the Ruins by Christ Bohjalian
Suspense reigns as the reader flashes from someone brutally murdering the Rosati family members in 1955 and back to the titled Rosati family in Tuscany being held hostage in their beautiful villa in 1943 in WWII. Add Nazis, a physically and mentally damaged female detective and famous art being pillaged from the villa, and you have a tale that will keep you reading late into the night to find out who the killer is and why they are doing the killing.
Susan Vasi
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
I'm not sure I loved or even liked the protaganist, Theo, after I got into the book. It was a book I couldn't put down. 700+ pages, but such an incredible story. Tartt's writing puts you THERE.
rebecca eugene
There's A Boy In The Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar
This book was incredibly funny, and the main protagonist was quite witty for a 5th grader, which I loved. It was a quick, nice read that touches your heart, and it honestly made me want to go back to grade school and reflect about how much everything was simpler back then. Louis Sachar is an amazing author. I loved his other books, and this certainly did not disappoint me.
Trina Parker
Last Shot by Gregg Hurwitz
Action packed!!
Gabby Hayze
Cop Town by Karin Slaughter
Fast-paced thriller with surprise twists throughout. I was impressed by the insightful view Slaughter brought to the life of a policewoman in a precinct not famous for its treatment of women officers. I was unaware of the issues this book would cover when I began reading it. Slaughter wove her story very expertly around her subjects and made them very realistic and relatable. Highly recommend!
Susan Kolodny
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
When her genius eighth-grade daughter, Bee, suggests a family trip to Antarctica, Bernadette, a brilliant, self-absorbed, antisocial mom/wife/architect goes to extreme lengths to get out of this vacation. This hilarious satire, written in various formats (emails, letters, invoices, etc.) is a perfect escape read and book club selection.
Roe P
All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
Get ready to read this book and don't expect it to be "chic-lit". This is a mighty story about a woman and a family in deep trouble. Hasn't everyone at one time or another been overwhelmed by all the responsibilities left to us. Well, sometimes bad things happen to good people. Read how this innocent victim of everyday stress gets tugged into a nightmare and how her family has to help her dig her way out. Don't miss this excellent story of a family in crisis.
Gabby Hayze
Brutal Youth by Anthony Breznican
This is the perfect book for anyone who has ever been in any school, in any city, with any number of people. There is no way to escape the bullying of those too weak to defend themselves, whether it be up in your face or more subtle but just as destructive. Anthony Breznican has created quite the mixture of characters to tell his story, and it is a riveting story of friendship, betrayals, fear, trust issues, and a clear overall picture of what it takes to grow up within any school system. This is not only a good first read, but I know at some point I will read it again, not because it was unclear, but because I want to experience it again. Move over J.D. Salinger and Holden Caufield. Brutal Youth is the voice of a new insecure generation.
Catherine Acton
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
This was a moving account involving well thought out and complex characters. I simply loved it. The locations were intriguing, as well. Ms. Gilbert has a wonderful handle on prose, and her descriptions are clear. Fantastic read... highly recommend.
Debbie Deskin
Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler
What a great book, and the author is such a nice lady.
Bob Little
The 4-Hour Chef by Timothy Ferriss
This is about one man's journey to the very essence of cooking. He explains how not to get too hung up on details. If you are just beginning to cook for yourself or your loved one, this is a great start. There is a multitude of references to other great cook books to get you to the next level.
Shelia Worthey
Price of Fame: The Honorable Clare Boothe Luce by Sylvia Jukes Morris
Very thorough yet very readable telling of Clare Boothe Luce's amazing career and service in Congress, as well as her tragedies and loves. An outspoken, witty, charming woman who definitely advanced the equality of women. Hers was a worldwide influence. Over 100 pages of notes, indices, and bibliography.
Marsha
Black Horizon by Jack Grippando
Love these Switeck books. However, this is rather confusing. It involves an oil spill in Cuban waters heading for Key West and the US. The politics of both countries as well as human greed is quite involved, although fascinating.
Lynn W
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
Really enjoyed this book. Another story about the orphan trains...and so much more!
Janie Boyd
Ghost on Black Mountain by Ann Hite
Beautifully written Southern Gothic story with characters that wisp their way into your world. Hite has created a gripping mystery with elements of the supernatural that keeps you turning pages. A creepy but enchanting story of love, loss, and redemption.
Elizabeth
Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation by Ann Bausum
There are some intriguing moments here, but this feels insubstantial considering the seriousness of WWI. (There are a lot of anecdotes about the doughboys' situation, but they can basically be summarized as "war is hell.") I've seen several reviews complaining about shoddy or lacking documentation in the book, which could explain a lot. Even so, it does make me curious to learn more, and I was very unaware of animals' role on the frontlines in the first place.
Elizabeth
Manhood: How to Be a Better Man-or Just Live with One by Terry Crews
This isn't a how-to, in spite of the title. Terry Crews' brutal honesty is very engaging, and the story of how he's dealt with the remarkable highs and lows of his life is compelling.
Jane Squires
Lost Legacy by Dana Mentink
A treasure lost, a family illness, danger in tunnels, but where is the real danger? It isn't in a painting, revenge, and more. Lives ruined because of wrong decisions by others. Our decisions affect more than ourselves. Danger in the tunnels of a college. Enemy tries turning us away from the truth much as he tried in the tunnels to turn others away from what they sought after. Love is the right way. Learning to open up to admit to mistakes. Learning to let our heart lead us. So many trials lead to the true treasure.
Be sure and read
JOHN KURTZE
Heinous Book 9 : Faces of Evil by Debra Webb
HEINOUS FACES OF EVIL #9 is a must read. Fans who love mystery, thrills, twists and turns on every page, surprises and romance will love this book. Fans will enjoy Webb's well developed characters supported by great back stories. Debra Webb never disappoints her fans. Webb has earned her five stars from this reviewer.
Elizabeth
It Doesn't Suck: Showgirls by Adam Nayman
While I still believe that SHOWGIRLS is an awful movie, Nayman's critical analysis is thorough and well-argued. His research reveals many interesting tidbits, too (including the existence of a sequel).
MaryJo Tsitouris
Live and Let Die by Bianca Sloane
I really enjoyed this book! It's a mystery/thriller that's full of surprises and keeps you guessing all the way until the end! If you are a mystery/thriller fan, you will love this book!!
Pamela Mason
Seeking Solace by Anna Steffl
A fantasy/romance that reads like Game of Thrones - for chicks. Romance at its finest with dragons!
Debbie Smith
Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Her books are quick and easy reads, perfect for the summer. This had a bit of a different twist as the owner of the cookie shop was accused of murder. If you like an enjoyable - not much to think about read - this is for you.
Kay Keller
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair: A Novel by Joel Dicker
Best book I've read this summer! A compulsive read -- couldn't put it down, and didn't want it to end. So many twists and turns that you can't figure out the ending.
Francisca E B
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum
The subtitle says it all: Murder and the birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz-Age New York. This is a look at Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler, who transformed the New York City medical examiner’s office and introduced some of the now-familiar scientific studies to determine cause of death. The work focuses on the many poisoning deaths – intentional, accidental, industrial – that plagued the city in the early 20th century. Fascinating and compelling.
Alyson Widen
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
Bartles promised to look after a younger buddy during the war in Iraq. However, his buddy died next to him, and he was never the same. Gripping and you feel the emotions of fighting in the trenches and the aftermath and difficulty of returning to civilian life.
shelly itkin
Unlucky 13 by James Patterson
The Murder Club is back in action again, and this might be the scariest, upsetting and most frustrating books in the series. Lindsay, Joe and baby Julie are doing fine until Claire calls for her to come and look at an "accident" that is one of the most gruesome she has ever seen. When Lindsay arrives she is actually sick to her stomach. They have no clues as to how this explosion took place, but two young students died and the cause is not certain. Both are in their twenties, one is a male and the other is a female. The guts are all over the car and the explosion is a very unusual one, Claire calls the cause of death “belly bombs.”The book will keep you glued to each page as they search for clues and more importantly a motive.
Donna Anderson
Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline
The author unfolds the story in quick cuts and at a fast pace. I read 374 pages in 2 days. The chapters were short and pulled you right in to the story.
Linda Frashure
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker
A book within a book. I loved the twists and turns, and the story kept me turning the pages!
So different and captivating.
Jan Zahrly
Bone Dust White by Karin Salvalaggio
This gripping debut novel is a "page-turner," a "stay-up-all-night" mystery. A pregnant detective is sent out in the winter to investigate a murder, witnessed by a fragile young woman. The detective was on the initial case 11 years before when there were deaths of young women, probably brought into Montana as sex slaves, and a significant witness disappeared at the same time. Somehow, the murder of this tragic woman seems to be related to the 11-year-old case. Who did the young woman see murdered? And who murdered her? Why? This is such a complex novel that it is hard to believe it is the first by this author. The reader has to get to the end of the book to really understand the title. There will be follow-up books. WOW!
Judy Stein
The Martian by Andy Weir
An astronaut, injured and believed dead, is left behind as the rest of the crew of the Mars Ares 3 mission flees a violent storm, just days after they landed and set up camp. They head back to Earth, leaving Astronaut Mark Watney totally on his own. With a seemingly endless supply of ingenuity, Mark resolves to survive. One by one, he addresses the issues of limited food supplies, maintaining the astronaut habitat, and eventually, communicating with Earth. As the days roll by, documented in his log, Mark uses every bit of his scientific training to engineer the solutions that will keep him alive. Can NASA rescue him? This book is a thriller/sci-fi marvel, inviting the reader along on Andy's life-and-death journey.
Donna Shaw
Fear Not the Jackal by Miles DeMott
A family tragedy binds brothers throughout their lives as the successful older brother becomes his younger brother's keeper. The story keeps you involved as the twists have you wondering how it will turn out in the end.
Mamie Anthoine Ney
The Headmaster's Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene
Well, well, well -- who's to be believed? Talk about "unreliable narrators!" Do you remember books from your childhood that started out one way in the front but had another story if you read from the back of the book? That's what this great novel made me think of. Highly recommended.
Mamie Anthoine Ney
Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill
At the risk of sounding trite, this is a small book that packs an extraordinary punch. It's an avant-garde novel that reveals the inner workings of marriage and child-reading. Told in a series of seemingly disjointed diary entries, the author's remarkable writing style makes it work. I read this as part of my work with a book award committee. I would not have normally read something so "out there", and I did find it a challenge, but in all honesty, I'd go back and read it again.
Melody Jeffrey
Mastering the Art of Quitting: Why It Matters in Life, Love, and Work by Peg Streep
So glad I read this book. It's very inspiring for someone who perseveres and is stubborn... like me! The best part is the suggestions for redirecting yourself when you want to quit and the way it teaches you to set goals that are meaningful. Just what I needed.
Judy O.
Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf
DHS social worker Ellen Moore has seen it all when it comes to protecting children. However, one day she finds herself on the wrong end of the law when she fails to give complete attention to her own small child. We also meet Jenny Briard, another child who finds herself alone and adrift in a city in Iowa. This was a very timely book and I enjoyed it a lot.
Michelle Brown
One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson
Lots of interesting information, but presented a lot like a textbook. Good book overall.
Evelyn Hershkowitz
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Very enjoyable book. Really liked the characters.
Laura Lanik
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
WE WERE LIARS is a page-turning, fiery read with excellent characters. The plot is unique and the story will entertain you while you try to figure out who is telling the truth. It is a mystery that is beautifully written. E. Lockhart has written an honest, entertaining story that will have you thinking (what the heck is going on?) until the end. This is a book that you must read and talk about.
Diana Thomas
Catholic for a Reason IV: Scripture and the Mystery of Marriage and Family Life (Catholic for a Reason #4) by Scott Hahn and Regis J. Flaherty
I read this book a while ago and realized that I hadn't written a review. Even though I'm no longer a practicing Catholic, I enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it as a way to study scripture, especially if you're getting ready to or currently going through the Pre-Cana course.
MaryAnne Long
The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls
Jeannette Walls, once again, has written a story that in someone else's hand might have just been so-so. Well, I couldn't leave this book alone! Just had to keep going back for one more chapter until I finished in one sitting. It is a most enjoyable read that removes you from your setting and puts you in another. It is great.
Rezina Emmons
One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson
Lots of facts. It didn't read as well as his books in the past. DO NOT read this book as your first by this author; his past books are better.
Marsha
China Dolls by Lisa See
This fascinating story is told through the voices of three young Asian women who became fast friends prior to WW II. Their pains, happiness, tragedies and resilience take you through a cultural history of the lives and loves of the trio as they journey to adulthood.
Elizabeth Graham
Delicious! by Ruth Reichl
I loved it because it was both about food and magazines, and with a puzzle to solve.
Kim Kolk
Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain
This is a ‘book hangover’ book and should definitely be on your book club selection list. There are so many things to think about and discuss with this book. Set in the rural south in the 1960s, the book really gives shows how differently we think as a society today. From eugenics to poverty to the subservience of a woman to her husband, book clubs will have much to discuss. These characters and issues will stick with me for quite awhile, and I’m sure this will be on my ‘best reads of 2014’ list at the end of the year!
Margaret Sexton
Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf
Clear your day! Ripped from our headlines and told from a first person perspective that is raw and so insightful into human nature and how easily life can change, putting normal in the rear view mirror. The storyline is surrounded with speculation and doubt whenever this horrific event occurs. The characters are lovable and people we all know or have in our lives. I highly recommend this book! My book club won this book from your sister site, and we have enjoyed reading it and the discussions have been a peak into our own busy, busy lives, and some have had similar experiences.
Francisca E B
Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt
Audiobook read by the author. When the author’s daughter died suddenly, Roger and his wife, Ginny, moved in with their son-in-law and three small grandchildren. This is a tender and loving memoir of one family’s efforts to recover from a devastating loss. The love is so evident in these pages. Rosenblatt is restrained where he could have been sentimental, and the book has all the more impact because of that. It is a simple recording of the everyday events that helped this family get through a seemingly impossible year of grief.
Kathy Vallee
Cat Nap by Claire Donally
This is the second in the series of the Sunny & Shadow Mystery series. Sunny agrees to help Jane, her vet, confront her ex-husband who is dead when they get there. She needs to prove someone else did it since the cops don't want to spend the time doing so. But now Sunny is looking over her shoulder since the mob is after some money the ex took, and they now want it back.
Crystal Blackburn
Death at the Door by Carolyn Hart
More violence on Broward's Rock gives Annie, Max, Laurel and their friends more reasons to ask questions and play detective.
Bonnie Gluhanich
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Chick-lit satire. Funny and entertaining.
Melanie S.
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
4-1/2 stars. Just when you think there could be nothing more written about the horrible atrocities committed by the Nazis during WWII, another book comes along and sheds more light on the diabolical nature of these inhuman humans. That aside, this book was really a great read. An architect in Paris during the time of the German occupation, Lucien is surreptitiously commissioned by a wealthy German businessman to alter existing buildings to create hiding places for Jews to save their lives. This is a character-driven book, but the action, along with the tension, never faltered, and the author kept you riveted right until the very end. I highly recommend this book!
Elizabeth
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
I wasn't sure I liked the protagonist, Clay, at first, and I think Sloan is a little bit too wide-eyed regarding Amazon and (especially) Google (the book reads like advertorial at times). On the other hand, the concept itself is very entertaining and thought-provoking, and I confess I was researching the Gerritszoon font and Aldus Manutius by the end.
Linda Reck
Em and the Big Hoom by Jerry Pinto
EM AND THE BIG HOOM is the story of a family of four living in a small apartment in Bombay where the family must constantly cope with the mother's mental instability. The son narrates the story and I could feel his frustration, love and empathy. It is a beautiful book. It's written with compassion and heart. It addresses mental illness in everyday lives with commanding originality. However, I was disappointed by the book and saddened by it as well. There were too many off-color remarks.
Sean Penrose
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
Author Dennis Lehane crafts a near perfect, tension-filled drama that is now one of my favorite reads. Lehane is always able to fuse his novels with the street level grit that seem real and fantastic at the same time. Here, the characters are all different shades of grey with no one being completely good or bad. The dialogue seems realistic, the plot unbelievable, and the ending actually matching the high stakes of the book. Overall, simply a phenomenal book!
Jo Simon
The Senator's Other Daughter by Stephen Bly
The Belles of Lordsburg series. Easy read for summer days.
Gina
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
This book was engrossing until the very end. I would have given it 5 stars until the last couple of chapters when the story veers into a tangent about quantum physics. Before that it was a charming story of a young girl in Japan and a woman in Washington state whose lives cross. From wonderful poetic prose, the book does a strange turn into a physics lecture. It was out of the blue! I loved the story but not the physics lesson, which was didactic and seemed like an afterthought.
Susan Johnson
Lucky Us by Amy Bloom
A lovely book that makes us love the characters as they discover families come from everywhere. Eva is abandoned by her mother at her father's house right after his wife's funeral. She is taken in by her new half-sister, Iris, and forms a life-long bond. The story about the girls making their way through life and accumulating people to be in their family is lovely. What really makes this book sing is how real the characters are and how much you care for them. It was such a delightful read.
Judy R.
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
I enjoyed the book but got confused on some of the facts because of the way the story was told. It started in the middle and jumped around in the timeline. If you are good at jigsaw puzzle stories, you will have no problem with it.
Linda Hitchcock
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
A very special book, heartwarming, tender but concerned with universal issues of isolation and loss, feelings of uselessness. Ove is an inspiring, unforgettable character. It's a debut novel meant to be read and savored.
Lori Edelson
The Stone Boy by Sophie Loubiere
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. When I first started the book, I was turned off to it; it wasn't at all what I was expecting. I read a few reviews which were surprisingly positive (although one had a serious spoiler) and which indicated that the book started slowly, so I decided to stick with it. Once I got past the beginning, I read the rest of the book in one day. The book had twists and turns all the way until the very end, and the story was unique. I ended up finding it a fascinating read. I would highly recommend the book.
Vicki Hancock
The Competition by Marcia Clark
This is the 4th book in the Rachel Knight series, but the 1st I've read. The book starts with a school shooting. Two shooters wind up killing over 30 people at the high school and then themselves, or did they? Witnesses heard them countdown to kill each other, but the pieces are not fitting. Rachel Knight, prosecutor, and Bailey, her friend detective, investigate.
This was an excellent book. So many twists and turns and will keep you guessing til the end. I was skeptical because it was written by Marcia Clark of the OJ trial, but she can really write. Once you start reading this book, be prepared to stay up all night to finish. It's that good!!!
Victoria Trinske
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
Well written. The two narrators "sound" true to their ages -- Noa, Japanese teenager, and Ruth, a middle-aged author living in the Northwest. If you can get through the first 15 or so pages, with their rather graphic Japanese sexual details, the rest of the book is very intriguing. Contemporary, with references to the recent Japanese tsunami, but also lovely details about temple life with an aging grandmother.
Nancy Bader
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Following Toni Morrison's death recently, I realized I had read several of her books, but I had never read BELOVED, her Pulitzer Prize winner. This is a book that every reader should read, both for the story about slavery during the Civil War and after, both in the North and South, but also for the way it is written and the story is told. You end up knowing these characters as though they are real, and sharing their laughter, sorrow and lives. I just read an article in Vanity Fair about THE GOLDFINCH and what justifies a modern book being considered. If you read BELOVED, you will know that this one counts.
Beverly Wiese
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
This book is not his best one. I have never disliked any of his stories, but I had a difficult time caring about catching the villain. He seemed so blah. It is a big book and it took me several days to read it; usually I will read one of his in two days.
Sally C.
Killing Floor by Lee Child
This is the first of the Jack Reacher series. I have read a few of the later books in the series, so I decided to start with the first. It is true to form, with lots of action, as Jack stumbles into trouble. An interesting premise to the story, it is a good start to his many books to follow.
James Webb
A Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman
A book where you pull for all the characters and struggle with them as they decide what to do in life changing situations.
Norm Brontman
Phantom by Joe Nesbo
Never tire of this author.
Shel Friedman
That Night by Chevy Stevens
Fast-paced story that switches back and forth in time to create a psychological thriller. Two people chasing a murderer, wrongfully accused of the same murder.
Dennis Barnes
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Thoroughly enjoyable story of two people who seem broken and unable to conform to society's version of "normal". In fact, they appear to be totally incompatible, Don, the professor, and Rosie, a bartender in a biker, gay club. Then an important genetics project brings them together. Wait a minute... You may think you know how this plays out. Nope! This love story is hilariously different. It is a well crafted novel that will keep your interest to the final line. And it is even better when you realize that a movie and a sequel are coming!
Gayle Nix Jackson
Orville Nix: The Missing JFK Assassination Film by Gayle Nix Jackson
This is not your typical JFK book - boring and dry. This one is funny, sad, happy, and mysterious and definitely asks the reader to question her or his assumptions. Whether you believe the official story or not, this book will make you wonder why the truth isn't being told to the world. Orville Nix's film showed the grassy knoll and the camera original is missing. You won't find out who killed JFK, but you'll understand why there are so many questions still being raised about his death.
Marsha
Destroyer Angel by Nevada Barr
This U.S. Park Service ranger, Anna Pigeon, starts out with friends on a vacation camping trip in upstate Minnesota. Thugs take them hostage while Anna is away, and the excitement begins. This is a relentless thriller that takes place over a few suspenseful days.
Oswaldo Reyes
The Hit by David Baldacci
THE HIT by David Baldacci is action-packed and keeps you wondering what is gonna happen next. This book is impossible to put down. Reading THE HIT was like being in a movie. The pages just keep turning with this book. One of the best books I've read this summer. I will definitely recommend this book to all my friends.
Sharon Elliott-Fox
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
I am not sure if it was the writing, the setting, the subject matter, my preconceptions or something I simply cannot identify, but I found this slow going. It seemed to me to be repetitious as the author described again and again how people came to the villa and a small bit of their pre-war lives -- just enough to make one want to know more about them as real people. I thought if Antoninia's diaries were available, more of her essence might have been brought to life.
Joyce Clark
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi
In the vein of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS.
Jayme Gruden
God Never Blinks by Regina Brett
Every now and then, this girl needs a few reminders, or sometimes a swift kick, to get out of my head and remember what this jaunt around the planet is all about. GOD NEVER BLINKS is an insightful, funny, and misty-eyed look at the “lessons” in life that actually make life worth living. Regina Brett is a newspaper columnist who has taken some of her best essays and compiled them into “50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours.” You can read this book in one setting or read each essay as a daily scripture – whatever it is that you need. The book is filled with sayings, quotes and more than a passing nod to God. We all know these lessons, but sometimes in our day to day we forget. Good stuff.
susan gannon
Joshua: The Homecoming by Joseph F. Girzone
Father Girzone writes of an mere humble human who walks the earth. This compassionate soul touches the heart, mind body and soul of all. Is this real? You decide.
Gina Lane
Kill Fee by Owen Laukkanen
Third book in a series. Fast paced, lots of action, interesting storyline and characters. I recommend starting with book 1.
Donna Hessel
You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz
Once I got into the book a bit, the suspense grew until I was exhausted! This is the first book of Hurwitz's I have read, and am looking forward to finding more.
Beverly Merkel
All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
This book was a page-turner. The writing is true to every day life. I was not thrilled with ending, which was open-ended.
Helen Duncan
Me Before You by Jojo Mayes
Unbelievably good. I laughed, I cried and was equally touched and entertained.
Donna
Delicious! by Ruth Reichl
A mouthwatering read about food, the demise of a "gourmet" magazine and some quirky characters. RR nails it in this novel.
Donna
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
A novel to lose one's self in. Entering Theo's world from the bombing, to the drugs, to the damaged people that populate his world makes for a compelling read. Tartt has surpassed THE SECRET HISTORY with this book. One can only hope she is at work on the next one!
Nancy Boschetti
The House I Loved by Tatiana De Rosnay
I am a big fan of historical fiction and thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was one that our book club chose to read on my recommendation. I have never been to Paris but have read the history of that city, and the author's descriptions brought me right there during the period of time when the renovations were being done.
Rosemary Sobczak
Mother Nature Is Trying to Kill You by Dan Riskin, Ph.D.
Fascinating, if a bit creepy. I'll never look at parasites in the same way!
Phyllis Gronewold
The Salt Road by Jane Johnson
A really interesting book! I enjoyed the intermingling of the history of generations, nomadic tribes and life in the desert.
Marion Peterman
The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy
After reading one of her books, I was hooked and read any I can find. This was the last one of her books in my personal library. I found it just as enchanting as her other books. Following the life of Kit was especially interesting.
Kathy Iwasaka
Oxygen by Carol Cassella
Interesting and touching story about friendship, family, career and love. An exciting view of a slice of life as an anesthesiologist and the aftermath of an operation gone wrong.
Tessa B C
The Untelling by Tayari Jones
This is the second book I’ve read by Jones, and I continue to be impressed by her writing. She really explores her characters, slowly letting the reader get to know these women, who suffer from unspoken guilt and regrets. Aria narrates and that does give us a skewed perspective of her mother and sister, as well as other characters in the book. She is forever expecting things to turn out badly, and she is sometimes proven right, but she fails to see how she influences the outcome. An unexpected diagnosis is the catalyst for Aria’s finally coming to terms with her loss and facing her present and future.
Rochelle Stempler
Identity by Ingrid Thoft
Loved LOYALTY (her 1st book) and loved this one more. Fina is a delightful character. Enjoy the tongue-in-cheek. Great dysfunctional family.
mal kaplan
The Illusionists by Rose Thomas
I received this from Bookreporter.com for an honest review. Ms. Thomas has written a book that will visually, by her words, transport you back to 1870. The location and especially the characters are so well described. This is a mystery, but I will not spoil it for you. Eliza, an independent young woman devil, who wishes to own her own theater, Heinrich, who has produced an automata named Lucy, Carlo, an amazing contortionist and illusionist, and Jasper, a childhood friend of the devil - put them all together and you have the most interesting 5 star book!!!! This would also make a wonderful movie.
Jan Atkins
Off Course by Michelle Huneven
I loved Huneven's previous book, BLAME, so I wasted no time reading OFF COURSE. Huneven's writing is so smooth and easy with well-developed characters. However, as she was at the top of her writing in this story, I could not connect with the main character and her choices. This is one of those books that I would probably enjoy more after a good book club discussion. Basically, a woman goes to her parents' lodge in the California mountains to finish writing her dissertation and things go "off course", of course. I just wanted shake that woman and tell her to wake up!
Maryellen Walter
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Molly is a troubled teen who strikes up a relationship with Vivian, a 90-year-old who was on an orphan train. Through the sharing of stories and memories, Molly becomes attached to Vivian, who through her experiences, helps Molly cope with the world today. Excellent book.
Shelley S
Waging Heavy Peace by Neil Young
This is a fantastic look into the life of a great musician and all around interesting guy. Neil writes with charm, heart and humor. He will touch your heart in one chapter and make you laugh in another. The pictures are great too. The title fits the book so perfectly, and even though I read it in paper form, I had Neil's voice running through my head as if he were reading to me. It really is a hippie dream and a must-read if you like rock memoirs/biographies.
Elizabeth
A Little Trouble With The Facts by Nina Siegal
The combination of chick lit and detective noir is a cool idea, and so is the juxtaposition between the society page and the graffiti underground. Sometimes, though, it feels as if there's too much going on at once.
Marilyn Jensen
Sober Mercies by Heather Harpham Kopp
Our book club won copies of this book and will be chatting with Heather in August. A very engaging look at the life Heather hid from her family and friends - how her addiction played such a huge role not only in her family but her struggles and how she dealt with her drinking. An amazing story - can't wait until we talk with her!
Anne Sharpe
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
I loved this book! Eleanor and Park was so well written that I forgot that I was reading a "young adult" book. It was one that will make you cry as well as laugh, often at the same time.
Jayne Wessels
The Arsonist by Sue Miller
This had all the ingredients of a good book, which is what is expected of a new Sue Miller, but it just never delivered. The characters were one dimensional and the plot didn't deliver.
Elizabeth
1941--The Greatest Year In Sports by Mike Vaccaro
There is some fascinating information here, and it's interesting to see the sociological shifts over time. On the other hand, Vaccaro tends to paint the events and characters in rather broad (sometimes cliched) strokes, and the transitions between sports and wartime anecdotes are jarring at best.
Chris Felcher
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
Ordinary Grace is a wonderful story of a young boy who comes to terms with "growing up" in a small town in Minnesota. In 1961, tragedy strikes and Frank and his younger brother, Jake deal with growing into manhood.The story is well told and at times predictable, but the wisdom gained by the discoveries made that summer lead both young men to leave their childhood behind and experience a wide range of human emotions. The story of family, brothers, death, spiritual values and friendship develops into a very good read.
Margo Dill Balinski
Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire
This book kept me up all night reading -- and not because I didn't know what was going to happen. It's a romance. I knew the two main characters most likely would end up together in the end. I stayed up reading because McGuire is a great character writer. I loved both the hero and heroine in this book as well as the cast of supporting characters. I also wanted to see how they would eventually shed their insecurities and find their way to each other. I immediately bought another book in the series when I finished this one.
Sandra Canales
That Night by Chevy Stevens
Wow! Mean Girls times 100 meets any court case from any time in history. This was an intense read. The bullying itself is beyond any words. Anyone from any walk of life will remember a certain group of people who always had their eyes set upon one person, and it was their mission to destroy said person at any costs. This is what this book does, remind its readers how easy it can happen to anyone, at any time, just because.... A good read, but man oh man, you will not easily forget it.
Wendi Dusek
Girl on the Golden Coin by Marci Jefferson
I love reading historical fiction and non-fiction books. This book centers around Frances Stuart and her role in the royal courts of King Louis XIV of France and King Charles II of England. How much Frances gives of herself to both Kings and yet gives nothing away in virtue is a game oft played in the Royal Courts of the time. She manages to become the love of many men in the courts, and it is amazing how she weaves her way through the politics and romance around her. This is a book I would read again, and I highly recommend it.
Marsha
Compound Fractures by Stephen White
COMPOUND FRACTURES marks the end of 19 suspense novels. We hope the author has plans for something else. Alan Gregory is a psychiatrist whose life is spiraling after the murder of his wife. Just when you think he has had enough, something else is introduced. Very compelling.
Francisca E B
Sixpence House by Paul Collins
Paul Collins moved his wife and baby from San Francisco to the small Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye. It is “The Town of Books” – with only 1500 residents and forty bookshops (almost all of them specializing in used / antiquarian books). This is a memoir of their family adventure. I enjoyed it, but I wasn’t particularly moved by it.
Maryrita Dunlavey
Carthage by Joyce Carol Oates
Great psychological mystery about a young woman who goes missing, and her sister's ex-fiancee is accused of her abduction and murder.
shelly itkin
Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline
Ryan and his dad, Jake, were not particularly close and although he loved his son dearly, he somewhat resented the closeness he shared with his mom, Pam, his wife. At his wife’s suggestion he goes to pick up Ryan at the movies and is driving him home when Ryan asks if he could drive the rest of the way home. Knowing he has a permit and cannot drive at night he thought "it's less then five minutes from home, he was in the car with him, so why not." Then tragedy strikes...
Becky Haase
Monday, Monday by Elizabeth Crook
I was expecting more of a tale about the Texas tower massacre rather than a tale of damaged people and their secrets, and the damage those secrets caused. That said, the book was interesting for about the first half. Then I got wearied with all the drama and more drama and more drama that involved Shelly, her lover, her husband, her daughter, her friends, etc, etc.
After finishing the book, I decided it was a warning of the all mistakes people make in their lives and how those mistakes affect others far into the future.
The characters were carefully drawn. The writing was clear. The descriptions of life in Texas were interesting. The drama around the Devil’s Sinkhole was engaging and realistic. My favorite character was Dan.
Oswaldo Reyes
The Book of Spies by Gayle Lynds
I'm an avid reader and book collector, and I've read hundreds of books. It takes a really good book for me to give 5 stars.THE BOOK OF SPIES has earned that recognition. This book is impossible to put down.The plot is unbelievable. It's a surprise after surprise. I felt like I was sitting in a movie theater watching an action-packed movie as I continued to read on. I found myself cheering for main characters in the story, but the villains are so likable you will probably end up cheering for all of them. If you are looking for a great story to read, a page-turner you will remember for a very long time and a book to tell all your friends about, THE BOOK OF SPIES is the book you are looking for.
Marsha
Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum is back to her usual capers with Ranger, Morelli and Lulu. Death threats, highly trained assassins, highly untrained assassins and a pack of feral Chihuahuas make for quite the caper. Also, as an extra treat is a short story featuring O'Hare and Fox. What fun!
Judith Marie
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
Quite disappointed, both by the whodunit and characters, few of whom had redeeming qualities. Although the writing itself was admirable, the book was too long and convoluted. I'm glad to be done with it.
Linda Johnson
Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" by David Bianculli
I should have loved this book as much as I loved the Smothers Brothers show, but this was just okay. Perhaps some of my problem was the narrator who did bad impressions of David Steinberg and Richard Nixon among others. The book is virtually exclusively about the show of the late 1960s and some later specials - very little about the people themselves. By the end of the book, I was tired of the almost literal blow by blows of Tommy Smothers vs CBS. It is poignant to recall loving this show in my late teens. Now I'm putting my head around what the capitalistic network was concerned about almost 50 years ago. I kept thinking, "If someone didn't like it, the TV set could be turned off or to another channel."
I expected more and better.
Debbie Maskus
Nine Lives To Die by Rita Mae Brown
As a cat lover, I eagerly anticipated reading a Mrs. Murphy mystery, but my thirst was not whetted. Rita Mae Brown presents some aspects that I wish more authors would utilize. The beginning of the book contains a cast of characters, which I adore, even if I only use one time. I dislike trying to read a book and fumble through all the characters and end up writing my own list. The transition from human and animal talking tripped throughout the story and did not alter the consequences. I liked Brown's method of combining cats, dogs, mice, and other animals working together. This is one of those books that depends on conversation to progress the tale, therefore depth is missing. Brown gives us an easy and quick book to read.
Deby Mullen
The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble
Loved this book and how the author was able to piece together the lives of five separate women who all have a book club in common. It made me really appreciate my own book club even more!
Brandi
The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan
A wonderful book!
Tillie Horak
The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo
I love this series. Linda develops her characters throughout the series. Keep 'em coming, Linda.
Sandy McCullough
The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper
When I first started this book I didn't think I would like it, but the further I read, the better it got.
Sandy McCullough
The Fever by Megan Abbott
This seemed to be a YA novel, and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
Sandy McCullough
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
Very interesting story with a surprise ending.
Sandy McCullough
The Still Point of the Turning World by Emily Rapp
I didn't care much for this book, but I think parents of a child with a terminal disease would enjoy reading it. Very well written.
Cheryle Fisher
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
I won this book from the Word of Mouth contest. This is the first of those books that I have completed. I really enjoyed the story of this novel, but found it a little disconcerting to have the storyline jump from one year to the future, back to the present then jump to another year. I think it would have flowed better as a story if a different outline would have been followed. Otherwise, it was a great book.
Becky Haase
Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas
This debut novel is a quick read with a Christian wholesomeness. You will figure out the love story by the second page, but the story is really about people a small town in West Virginia, their prejudices, secrets and the ability to forgive. Coincidence and misunderstandings abound as the story progresses to its foreordained conclusion. You won’t be surprised, but you will enjoy getting there. The characters are likeable. The good folks find salvation and redemption. The writing is solid. If you like Christian, family centered novels, you will love this book. If you find them boring and cliché ridden, you should read something else.
Betty Ramsey
A Curious Man by Neil Thompson
I won this book some time ago and just got around to reading it. It follows the story of Robert Ripley of Ripley's Believe it or Not fame. Surviving a difficult childhood due to his appearance and shyness, Ripley discovers the fascinating idea of presenting the odd and unusual in cartoon form and becomes the most successful cartoonist in American history. He travels all over the world looking for the strange and sometimes grotesque to present in his cartoons. He parlays his success into films and TV, and creates shows and traveling museums, becoming rich and famous and beloved by his public. Unfortunately, this all takes a toll on his health and his relationships. Interesting and nostalgic, but somewhat dull until the end.
Sandra Furlotte
Em and the Big Hoom by Jerry Pinto
A tragic and also very funny book about the effects of bipolar disorder on an Indian family. Anyone who has a loved one with this illness should read this book.
Sandra Furlotte
The Bees by Laline Paull
This book is in the same vein as WATERSHIP DOWN with bees instead of rabbits. I found the information on hive hierarchy and the different roles of various bees fascinating. It is a thoroughly enjoyable story.
shelly itkin
If You Were Me And Lived In Australia by Carole P. Roman
Ms. Roman has written another excellent book for children who want to learn more about other countries. If we wanted to visit Australia we would have to go to the southern hemisphere, and that is where we would find Australia, which in Latin means south. Did you know that Charlotte, Ruby and Sophie are popular girl's names in Australia? William, Jack and Oliver are popular boy's names, so we have lots of things in common with them. Just like we call our parents mommy, they call them "mummy", and when we say daddy they would say "dadee". One of the best places to visit would be the Great Barrier Reef because you would get the opportunity to see jewel colored coral, colored fish, dolphins, turtles and whales, all making their homes there.
Diane Wall
The Con Man by Ed McBain
I liked the characters in the 87th Precinct. I like mysteries.
Serena Brice
My Foreign Cities by Elizabeth Scarboro
A wonderful memoir about living the life you have to the fullest. A woman retells the life she had with her husband who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at a young age. As you read through the book, people will grow and change before your eyes. This book deals with everyday life and disease, and how people react when the two are tangled together.
Crystal Blackburn
Power Play: An FBI Thriller by Catherine Coulter
Another action-packed mystery with FBI agents Dillon Savich, Lacey Sherlock and company chasing old and new criminals throughout the Washington, DC area.
Oswaldo Reyes
Saving Faith by David Baldacci
SAVING FAITH is a story that you will not forget for a very long time. I'm an avid reader and book collector, and I've read hundreds of books. SAVING FAITH is one of the best books I've ever read. The action,the plot,the surprising ending - this book is impossible to put down.Once you start this amazing story you will be compelled to keep reading. I loved this book. I actually cried at the ending. David Baldacci is a master storyteller and in SAVING FAITH you will see why.
Tessa B C
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Book on CD performed by Morven Christie & Lucy Gaskell. This is a young-adult book, a war story, a spy novel, and a story of an unforgettable friendship. “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo in northern France. Deprived of sleep, clothes, and food, subject to various tortures, she finally begins to write her “confession.” War is never romantic, and this book certainly points that out, but it also brings to light the role that many women played in the war. I particularly liked the way it explored a multi-faceted and deep friendship, and how the situations they found themselves in forced them to make difficult decisions in the name of that friendship. Morven Christie & Lucy Gaskell do a fine job narrating the audio version.
Marsha
The Final Cut by Catherine Coulter and J. T. Ellison
Coulter is the author of several FBI thrillers and this one, with the aid of Ellison, introduces Scotland Yard's Chief Inspector Nicholas Drummond. The British have loaned the Koh-I-Noor Diamond to the Metropolitan Museum and it disappears just before the exhibit opens. Agents Sherlock and Savich, FBI agents from previous novels join Drummond on a deadly chase of an international thief known as The Fox. It's a heart-pounding chase and you will not be able to put it down.
Bonnie Gluhanich
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Yes, it's as good as the movie... maybe better.
Kathy Vallee
Last Licks by Claire Donally
This is the next book in the series, " A Sunny & Shadow Mystery ". In this book, Sunny's boss gets hit by a car and while in the recovery nursing home his new friend in the next bed dies in the middle of the night. Ollie does not believe it was the stroke the doctors keep saying it is. He makes enough of a stink to get the nursing home to let Sunny investigate the death. Now her boss might be in the sights of the killer!
Patricia Zashkoff
Eye For An Eye by Ben Coes
Wonderfully fast-paced thriller with a bit of intrigue. Some twists and turns along the way make for an enjoyable read. The main character, Dewey Andreas, is a real US hero and has no trouble getting the job done at any cost. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an edge of your seat story.
Paulette Brooks
The Martian by Andy Weir
A captivating and intelligent sci-fi read! Follow Mark Watney's story as a stranded astronaut who is inadvertently left behind on Mars to fend for himself. As he maintains his sense of humor, Mark records an audio log of his efforts to survive long enough to be rescued and re-establishes communication with Earth, while dealing with such annoyances as only having disco music and 1970s sitcoms available to keep him distracted. I found the scientific situations fascinating as Watney has to put his botany and engineering skills to use in many life-threatening experiences. Meanwhile, NASA becomes aware that Mark is still alive and puts their team on developing his rescue plan, all while the world awaits news of his fate. A compelling read.
Melanie S.
2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino
I received this as an ARC; the book is due to be published in November. I probably should have waited until closer to that time to post my review. I'm afraid it will be forgotten by then, but don't forget about this endearing little book filled with quirky characters, all of whom connect on Christmas Eve Eve (not a misprint) at The Cat's Pajama's, a jazz club in Boston. The writing style is very artistic and unique and immediately drew me into the characters' lives. Life has not been easy for 9-year-old motherless Madeline, divorced teacher Sarina, her prom date from high school, Ben, and the nightclub's owner, Lorca. When they cross paths, each is forever changed.
Shelia Worthey
A Seahorse Year by Stacey D'Erasmo
I gave it three stars because I, personally, did not like it. Her writing ability is more than that though. Maybe I just don't get it. I admit that I am more of a practical, reality person, not much given to symbolism and nuances. I prefer living CONSCIOUSLY and look askance at people who don't seem to. BUT, when the characters are so thoroughly and trivially ensconced in their own self-observation, indulgence, and satisfaction-gaining, I just don't get it. I mean, are there REALLY people like that? I felt that Christopher and Tamara, his girlfriend, were the only true ones mature enough to engage in a love/emotional relationship. The others were too unwhole, self-conscious, rash, lost, detached, doubtful, or lacking self-confidence.
Irene Grigas
Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole
I loved this book. It is such a good story and written in letter form. We go back to 1912 where a young college student writes a fan letter to an author of poems in Scotland's Isle of Syke. The story takes us through two wars to 1940. When young Elspeth receives her first fan letter it is the beginning of a correspondence that blossoms into love. The book is very well written. As World War II begins, a bomb rocks Elspeth's house, dislodging her hidden letters, and then she disappears. Only one letter is left behind and it's up to her daughter to find her mother and the truth about what happened to her family. I would say this was one of the best books I have read.
Linda Johnson
The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel
The book on which the movie was based. Of course, much more in depth than the movie, but thoroughly enjoyable. I especially appreciated the last chapter, which was about what happened to each of the people after the war (and usually until the end of his/her life). Once again, but with a different reference, about the horrors of war and man's inhumanity to his/her fellow man/woman.
Elizabeth
Blood on the Ice by Katriena Knights
I'm usually not a vampire fan, but the story of an NHL star turned vampire (and newest member of a vampire league's team) is incredibly entertaining. Knight's world-building is excellent, and she clearly knows her hockey. (Everything seemed plausible, including the way the NHL reacted to the issue of whether or not a vampire's name should be etched on the Stanley Cup.) I was disappointed that Knight pulled back quite a bit on the m/m depictions the blurb promised, since Travis and fellow vampire Marc had such intriguing chemistry.
Francisca E B
Mary Coin by Marisa Silver
Starting with Dorothea Lange’s iconic image from the Great Depression - "Migrant Mother", Silver has crafted a novel that reimagines the lives of the woman and her children, as well as the photographer. The prose is beautifully simple, the images powerful, and the story poignant and haunting. So why four stars instead of five? I couldn’t get over the fact that Silver borrowed so completely from the lives of these two very real women, yet changed their names and called it fiction. There are plenty of works of historical fiction based on real people that use the real names. Why put that iconic photo on the cover and still hide the real women behind different identities?
ROSEANN KIES
Texas Chili? Oh My! by Patricia Vermillion
Adorable book for both children and adults. The illustrations are fabulous and there's a great chili recipe at the end of the story.
Phyllis Gronewold
Sixth Grave On The Edge by Darynda Jones
Another very enjoyable book in the Charlie Davidson series.
Juli Lear
The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick
Riveting account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn where General George Armstrong Custer met his end. The author does a fantastic job of setting up the events that led up to the battle, and for the battle itself gives the reader a real sense of what these men were up against. I had seen the battlefield before I read this book, and I wish I could go back and see it again now. This book is very well done--a well researched historical account.
Becky Haase
The Arsonist by Sue Miller
I enjoyed this very well written book until I got to the end. Then I felt cheated. Where was the conclusion? What happened? Who was guilty? Who died? Who loved? Frankie and Bud were clearly drawn, likeable characters. Frankie’s life in Africa was detailed enough to make her believable, if unknown and unknowable. Bud was always known and knowable. Sylvia and Alfie were good foils for Frankie and Bud. The fires seemed peripheral to the story, unnecessary even. Did I like this book? While I was reading it – unequivocally yes! Did I like it once I finished the book – not so much. The last 10 pages seemed like a cop out. Very unsatisfying.
Roberta Jaffe
In Doubt by Drusilla Campbell
I found this book to be a compelling, page-turning, held-my-interest read. Good pacing, characters with enough complexity to be interesting, and a story that unfolded with some interesting twists. While most of the strings were wrapped up neatly at the end, some strands were left ambiguous, which makes this fiction more realistic. This is the first book that I have read by this author, although this is not her first published book. I just may have to seek out her other books because this lady can tell a story.
Bev
Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante
I can't say I loved this book, but I liked it. Haunting, heartbreaking. Not what I would call a literary thriller, but very creative writing. I found myself getting bored about halfway through.
Oswaldo Reyes
Mr. Murder by Dean Koontz
MR. MURDER by Dean Koontz is a thriller that will keep you reading late into the night. You will not forget its twist and turns. This is one of the best books I've read in a while. It is scary and grabs you into the story, and you just can't stop reading because you'll be wondering what is going to happen next. I could not put this book down. It should have came with a warning label: "Warning: Impossible to put down." It's exciting, and the action is packed with surprises. This book is definitely a must read. I could not stop telling my friends about it. Read MR. MURDER, and you will be in for a really good story.
Liz Gregoria
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Our book club really enjoyed this book, and we had a lively discussion. Should assisted suicide be legalized? We would definitely read another book by the author. We found her writing style delightful and kept you glued to the book!
Jan Zahrly
The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell
Woodrell, as usual, does not disappoint. He writes about an event, a fire at a nightclub, and the ensuing deaths, pain and good that came out of the event. But it takes a long time for the community to feel the good, and they never know how the good came about. The community only knows who died and who was injured. It is not a mystery but feels like one as we hear the maid describe what she sees and knows. A very good read set in the Ozark Mountains.
Francisca E B
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Katey Kontent looks back on her life in New York City from 1938-1941, and how she came to be introduced to the world of the Upper East Side. Katey, the daughter of Russian immigrants, is intelligent, well-read and ambitious. But when she learns the truth of certain people’s situations, she begins to reflect on whether the “rules of civility” are nothing more than a mask. Towles has a gift for describing the city and its residents: "I poured myself a gin that was sized to make my apartment see less depressing." Rebecca Lowman does a fine job narrating the audio version. There are a lot of different characters, and she managed to give them sufficiently unique voices.
Michael McAdam
Lydia Bailey by Kenneth Roberts
An old book my mother loaned me --- the book itself was printed in 1947. Kenneth Roberts has a way with words. He can create a character with few words. Every character was distinct.It was kind of a love story and kind of a history of the Haiti revolution. He sets up villains who are easy to hate and heroes to root for. Extremely well-written book. I will be reading some of his others.
Sean Penrose
Finnegan's Week by Joseph Wambaugh
I have simply never been so upset at myself for finishing a book before in my life. This was literally the worst example of dialogue I have ever read. Joseph Wambaugh, who has written books I've enjoyed, delivers such a goofy, unrealistic display of how people speak. Every line was a bad local comedy club line....at best. No one speaks the way the writer makes them out to. It was tragically bad. Then, added to that, pop culture and topical references always make a book seem dated, and this is a perfect example of that. Ross Perot quips for the sake of nothing. Just bad. The plot was pedestrian and predictable, but the severe reason to avoid this is the dialogue. Unbelievable.
Connie McMartin
The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman
Don't let the chick-lit cover fool you. This book is a great piece of historical fiction with an oftentimes funny narrator, but is a more serious work of fiction at its core. It's about a young girl named Malka who flees Russia with her family and comes to the states in the early 20th century (living in the New York tenements). Early on, she has an accident that leaves her crippled and abandoned by her family (not a spoiler, it's in the synopsis) and is taken in by an ice peddler. The rest is about her taking on a new identity and her rise to the top of the ice cream biz. It's about the persona she invents and shows to the world (a wholesome, motherly type) vs. who she is inside. I loved it.
Susan Farrand
The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg
I loved this book. The main character, Sookie, is reaching her 60th birthday when she finds out some interesting news that makes her think about herself in different ways. It is clever and poignant at the same time. The characters are relatable, and the story moves along sensibly. Flagg has a wonderful sense of humor. This is definitely a book that satisfies.
Catherine Sommerlad
You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz
So often we say "you should have known." Such is the premise of this book. Grace Reinhart Sachs, a marriage counselor/family therapist and the main character, often speaks this admonishment to her patients. Little does she know that weeks before her book, YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, is published, a series of events (a violent death, a missing husband, and some terrible revelations about her husband, and the man she thought she knew so well) occur. Thus, not having heeded her own advice, Sachs is forced to create a new existence for herself and her child.
Linda Reck
Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Georgie has known that her marriage was in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband and he loves her, but he's taken their two daughters to Omaha to visit his mother for Christmas. Georgie, a high-powered television writer, has stayed home to work. Has Georgie finally ruined their marriage? That night she finds a way to communicate with Neal in the past by using an old yellow landline that lets her speak to him right before their engagement. It's not exactly time travel, but Georgie feels that she's been give an opportunity to fix her marriage. Is this what she's supposed to do? I found the book slightly endearing but oppressively slow and repetitious.
