This contest period's winners were Katherine B., Marilyn M., Nancy H., Norene W. and Wendy Z., who each received a copy of HUSH HUSH: A Tess Monaghan Novel by Laura Lippman, MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD by Jeffrey Archer, and MRS. GRANT AND MADAME JULE by Jennifer Chiaverini.
Melanie S.
Dietland by Sarai Walker
This is a parable-like novel which has a lot to say about what society values (or doesn't value) in women. A mysterious woman, Jennifer, goes rogue, attempting to right the wrongs of individuals and corporations who injure or demean women for being less than what society deems perfect. Told though the eyes of Plum, the overweight heroine, who transforms and learns to value herself as she experiences the "new" Baptist weight loss system, which was created as an antithesis to her mother's original weight loss system of horrible-tasting diet food and near-starvation. This book had a lot to say about damage caused by the weight loss industry, the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics industry, and fashion/ lingerie industries.
Lori Edelson
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I found this book to be an entertaining read. It kept my attention and the characters were interesting, if not particularly likeable. I thought it raised some provocative issues about alcoholism, relationships, etc. I would recommend the book as a good vacation read.
Karen Haney
Cold Cold Heart by Tami Hoag
Page-turner with several twists, but I thought I knew who did it twice before settling on the real killer!
Marion Moeller
True Colors by Kristin Hannah
Very good book. I enjoyed it.
Sylvie Kurtz
Crash and Burn by Lisa Gardner
I'm loving this new Tessa Leoni book. It's nice to revisit old characters. I love the idea of a character who doesn't quite know who she is and is trying to unravel it.
Jayme Gruden
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I have read many historical fiction books set during WWI and really didn't think anything new could be said, but under Hannah's gentle guidance an extraordinary story of a complicated love between two sisters unfolds as each of them tries to survive the war and keep those they love safe in occupied France. Highly recommend.
laurie blum
There's Something I Want You to Do by Charles Baxter
Ten ingenious inter-connected short stories.
Linda Reck
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
In A SPOOL OF BLUE THREAD, Anne Tyler's twentieth novel, the astute and compassionate novelist offers a portrait of the Whitshank family. At its center is not just a family, but a house, a sturdy 1930's home. What happens in the book, as in all of Tyler's novels, is the stuff of everyday life and not of high drama. What elevates Tyler's work to art is that sneaky way she has of slipping in something heartbreakingly honest and true into her characters. Nonetheless , the big topics are here: aging, death, greed, jealousy and the uses and abuses of love. Anne Tyler's a substantive writer who weaves magic into everyday life.
Phyllis Holt
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This is one of the best books I have read recently. It's one you can't put down and can't wait to get back to. Men returning from WWII were the big heros, but the women played a big part, too. This is set in France in the 1940s, and the two main characters are sisters who look at the war and their involvement in it through different lenses. A great book for discussions!
Gail Perryman
Crazy Love You by Lisa Unger
Unger keeps you guessing about what is real and what is imaginary and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This book was hard to put down.
Tessa B C
Summer Knight by Jim Butcher
The formula is wearing thin for me in this fourth book in the Dresden Files series. Harry is taxed to the max, battling ghouls, vampires, wizards, trolls, ogres, faeries and even a plant monster. The White Council is against him and his temper gets the better of him, but he still has a few friends he can count on. I really like Harry as a character, and the action is fast-paced and interesting, but the series is getting repetitive.
Sharon
Death of a Liar by M. C. Beaton
Love the description of the setting of this series. Hamish Macbeth is such an interesting character -- smart about murder, but not so much so about women. His ongoing trials with Blair, his police superior, his desire to keep his own little police station open (so he can be sure that the elderly and the vulnerable are taken care of during bad weather), his irritation with those policemen sent to help him, make for a good and easy read.
Denise Westlake
The Seventh Day by Yu Hua
Odd Buddhist sort of story of afterlife. Crazy details loosely woven.
Nancy Hausladen
Death of a Liar by M.C. Beaton
I love this series about a laid-back policeman, Hannish MacBeth. This book was no exception. Hannish always comes up with the right answers but does not want credit because he wants to stay in his quiet little town. A nice peaceful book to read.
Ruth Vontell
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
You'll laugh. You'll cry. What a great read! Every member of our book discussion group liked this well-paced romance novel. I can't wait to read more of her books.
Patricia O'Donnell
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The book was riveting from start to finish. I hated it to end.
Stacey K
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
A good Jane Austen story about Fanny Price, who leaves her poor family to go and live with her rich aunt and uncle. It is a little slow-moving for me in comparison to other Austen novels, but still a must-read for Austen fans.
Marian
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
This book made me think. There were quotes that I will remember for all time. It was a fast read and I would recommend that everyone read this book.
Bev Denor
The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall
Excellent character-driven novel. Udall is an artist balancing lyricism against hard-edged prose. This novel has teeth and may not be for everyone...that's exactly why it will result in a spirited discussion in most book groups.
Brenda K.
Beneath the Surface Killer Whales, Sea World, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish by John Hargrove
I found this book a page-turner because the facts flow fast in this book. The author did a great job of peaking the interest of the reader when it came to behind the scene at Sea World. I had known before reading this book that Sea World was not treating their Orcas and other sea life well. I just had not realized how bad they really are. I am glad this author is trying to advocate for the Orcas' well-being. This book did lift the lid for me and give me a glimpse of true Sea World. I hope that someone can convince Sea World to care for the Orcas better. The Orcas deserve a good life
Andrea Wilson
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I read this in two sittings while very ill, otherwise I would have read it in one! What a great book! Sorry to see it end. Truly lives up to all its hype!
Julie Link
Ghosts of Fear Street by R.L. Stine
I know this is geared to kids but thought I would read it to see what kids are reading. For being such a popular author I was truly disappointed in the writing style. Too simplistic for the age group it is being written for. I guess the enjoyment for kids comes from the "scariness," and, yes the book definitely has a scare factor. Not sure I would recommend to children that are scared easily.
Vikki C.
Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler
I normally like Anne Tyler books, but this one wasn't doing it for me. The storyline dragged throughout and I didn't find the characters very interesting. I kept hoping for something and it never happened. I didn't understand the love relationship between Liam and Eunice.
Andrea Wilson
Mozart In the Jungle: Sex, Drugs, and Classical Music by Blair Tindall
A lingering illness this month led me to Amazon Prime for their web series of the same title. After seeing the pilot, I knew I had to binge watch the rest ASAP and hope for a second season. After doing that, I also knew I must read the book! A flutist, though, a bit older than Tindall (oboist), I have enjoyed this book on many levels. One is that I recognize so many names and even think I've figured out some whose names have been changed! I try to read anything worthwhile with a music theme, whether it's fiction or non-fiction (as is "Mozart"). Tindall wrote this compelling account of orchestral musicians, particularly, and classical music in America, raising some very important questions, but also including some rollicking tales.
Rosemary Bednarczyk
The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker
When a writing blocked author seeks help from his mentor and previous college professor he ends up in the middle of a murder investigation. A 15-year-old girl had disappeared 33 years ago and her remains are found buried on the professor's property. Did he kill her? Why? Was it someone else? Was she the sweet young thing everyone thought or the town slut? What was the truth about her parents? The only way to find the truth is to read to the very end of the book. Only then are all the twists and turns in the story explained. Definitely a book to curl up with on a cold winter's night!
Dawn M. Thayer
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
Spellbinding. A perfect book to lose yourself in during the cold winter nights.
Rosa
Her by Harriet Lane
Quietly disturbing. As I read this book I had this lingering feeling that something dark was going to happen, any time now; the tension was there throughout. This is the story of the unlikely friendship between Nina and Emma. Nina is a successful, wealthy artist with a teenaged daughter. Emma is a young mother of a toddler and infant. Told in alternating chapters from each woman's perspective, you know from the beginning that the two share a past. But it isn't clear what that past is, especially because Emma shows no sign of remembering Nina. I loved this book. The writing is beautiful and fluid, and it gripped me from the start.
Esther Whatley
A Fine Summer's Day by Charles Todd
In the days prior to World War I, a young Scotland Yard inspector is called upon to investigate a series of seemingly unrelated deaths. As he digs deeper, he suspects there is some event that serves as a connection between the victims. The book is well written and even though the plot is very similar to THE RECKONING, which I read last year, it still held my interest. As a suspense fan, I find it interesting to read how crimes were solved in the "old days", before the internet, email, fax or when even finding a phone was a chore. Very enjoyable read.
Elizabeth Aiello
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I was so very fortunate to win this in a Bookreporter.com contest. It is one of the best books I have read in months. The story of the two remarkable sisters in WWII occupied France is wonderful. I felt as if I lived with them. Or lived through them. I highly recommend it. Oh my goodness. It was good!
Lois Lilling
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
Interesting story, especially if one has read THE ORPHAN TRAIN. The story of one such woman who was sent west on an orphan train.
Betty Ramsey
Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon
I've taken a break from serial killers and am now enjoying some really nice cozy mysteries. The heroine of this book owns a book store/coffee shop in a small coastal tourist town in California. She is friends with and tries to be of assistance to an elderly lady who's having trouble with the city council. They are pressuring her to sell out so a large apartment project can be built. Murder and mayhem ensue and make for a very good read. Ms. Cahoon is a new author for me and I enjoyed this book very much. I have already ordered another book in her Tourist Trap Mystery series.
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Judy Long
West of Sunset by Stewart O'Nan
Anyone obsessed with anything about F.Scott Fitzgerald or his wife Zelda or his daughter Scottie (called Pie) will love this book as much as I did. It represents a very complex human aspect of Fitzgerald's last 3 years and his relationship to the 3 most important women in his life and his alcoholism. He tries so very hard to still take care of an ill wife, keep up pretenses with his teenage daughter about his drinking and his last love, Sheila Graham, an up-and-coming Hollywood journalist who becomes more and more famous as his career is plummeting quickly. How he juggles all these relationships and keeps on writing is such another side of this very talented but flawed man. He tried to be a caring husband, a good dad and a perfect man.
Becky Haase
The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan
Vaughan has created five very likeable characters as the contestants for the "next Mrs. Eaden". Although Mike seems like the required male, He is an afterthought serving only as a foil for Claire’s Jay. Kathleen Eadon, who appears in backflashes, is the glue that serves to highlight each of the other character’s flaws and perfections. The book is lengthy (over 400 pages) but is a “quick” read. You will want to know the conclusion of the contest and the solutions to each of the contestant’s (and Kathleen’s) dilemmas. The pronunciation of Kathleen’s last name might lead one to believe that housewifely skills always produce an “Eden” in one’s life -- and one would be wrong.
Jean
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Fabulous read! I was totally engrossed in this beautifully written book. One of my all time favorite reads. Yes, it is that good.
Phyllis Relyea
Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar
I do not usually read nonfiction, but this was recommended to me and I am so glad to have it. The 33 Chilean miners who were stuck for 17 days without communication and then were stuck a total of 69 days before they were rescued is brought to life by this talented author. Even though you knew the outcome, reading and sharing their stories was a privilege. I have been to the Atacama Desert in Chile so was interested in the setting. Recommended!
Dr. Judy Beckman
The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win WWII by Denise Kiernan
They want to help end the war. They accept jobs in a secret city, secret jobs and promise not to speak of their part in ending the war swiftly. Engrossing and true. Based on interviews of women who held these jobs.
Debbie Maskus
The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank
Just what the doctor ordered for the dreary winter days. I listened to the audio book version and found the reader, Robin Miles, a little tedious with her Afro-American, Southern accent. Frank illustrates the comical side of a man's mid-life crisis when he must have the Barbie-doll wife, and replace the old, original wife. Leslie and Wesley have been married for decades, but Leslie discovers a bank statement and feels that Wesley has cheated her of a glamorous life of dancing, dining, and traveling. So, Leslie throws in the towel and moves to her brother's house in Charleston, and begins to live. The story remains lighthearted throughout, but serious moments do surface. Vivid description of characters and setting.
Debbie Maskus
Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian
I am not enamored by the writing of Chris Bohjalian, and this is my second attempt. This installation is a quasi-science fiction attempt, which leaves me feeling empty. The main characters are not likeable, and thus the rest of the story. First, I am not a fan of the science fiction genre, and therefore, I started off on the wrong track. The story starts very slowly and seems to go nowhere.
Andie Rathbone
Vanessa and Her Sister by Priya Parmar
VANESSA AND HER SISTER centers around Vanessa Bell and her sister, Virginia Wolff during the years 1905 - 1912 and is told from Vanessa's point of view through journal entries, letters and other ephemera of the time. While I always knew that Virginia Wolff was mentally unstable, I didn't know that her malady went back decades before she committed suicide in 1941, and this book shows that while she had a brilliant mind, she was also a trial to be around. Her all-consuming love for her sister led her into destructive behavior trying to destroy any relationship that Vanessa had that didn't include her. She was truly like a serpent insinuating herself into every situation for destructive purposes. Highly recommended.
Donna Shaw
Up Close and Personal by Fern Michaels
A mother has a child for the sole purpose of using her bone marrow to save her first born. Years later, the truth surfaces when the inheritance of a fortune is to be distributed. There is a nice love story that follows throughout the book.
Helen Wright
The Escape by David Baldacci
Another thriller from Baldacci featuring John Puller. In this one, his brother escapes from Leavenworth and the chase is on. From beginning to end, almost impossible to put down, and I loved every minute. Well plotted and very plausible. A fine addition to this series.
Helen Wright
Obsession in Death by J. D. Robb
I love all the Eve Dallas books. After 40 of them one would think that they might get tiring, but no. The latest one is another winner. This one not only puts Eve in danger but also her whole squad, and the ending is spectacular. Wonderful!
Judy O.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This was one of the most moving books I have read for a long time. It takes place in France during WWII. The Germans have just taken over France, and the atrocities have begun. We meet two sisters--Vianne and Isabelle. Spirited Isabelle gets involved in the underground resistance and saves the lives of over 100 Allied airmen by hiking over the Pyrenees mountains with them to safety. Vianne deals with life in a small French village, as she has to put up with German officers living in her home. Just don't miss this inspiring story.
Jan Zahrly
Living the Secular Life by Phil Zuckerman
What an intelligent book! This book clearly spells out what a secular life is rather than just a life without religion. Well written, great examples and comparisons with the "religious life." I fear that Zuckerman is preaching to the choir; those of us who know this do not need to read it. The religious extremists who need to read it will not. This is an informational book, not trying to persuade us to join any cause. I will keep it, lend it out, quote it.
Jan Zahrly
After I'm Gone by Laura Lippman
This may be Lippman's best book yet. A con man who lived well, was caught but out on bail, skipped bail and disappeared completely. He left a beautiful wife, three beautiful daughters and a bewitching girlfriend. The wife struggled, the girls grew up and the girlfriend disappeared almost a decade after he disappeared. Then she is found murdered many years later. Lippman does not use tricks or red herrings in her book; she gives us the viewpoint of each of the players, including the best friend, an attorney who always helps out the family. After reading hundreds of mysteries, the end was a shock to me. This is a super mystery.
Chris
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
Five plus stars! Excellent read for anyone interested in history or sports.
Heather
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
I found the first two thirds of the book to be a very, very slow build up to the huge ethical dilemma posed. Just not my kind of book.
Heather
The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport
Absolutely fantastic! Such a well written account of the Romanov girls and Alexey as well as their parents Nicholas and Alexandra. The author has done much research and included many quotes from letters and diaries. Highly recommend!
Linda J. Sheally
The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
I saw the movie last fall and fell in love with the story, characters, and setting---all very vivid and lush. I received the book as a Christmas gift and with all the snow here in the Northeast, I've had plenty of time to read. This book was meant to be savored as a culinary treat and treatment of time, place, love, and food. The first time author did a fantastic job of taking you to India, London, and Paris, and allowed you to savor the rich aromas of the food of each region and experience a young boy's appetite for the culinary world as he moves from place to place. Hassan shares the details of his life and his experiences of his soul, love, food, and family. I love cooking and eating, so this book was a perfect journey.
mary moreno
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Excellent! Loved the unique storytelling device of letting the reader listen in on police interviews.
Jackie Ranaldo
Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast
I enjoyed it. Having just buried my great-grandmother two years ago, I could easily relate to the author's situation.
Lynn W
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
There's a good story in this classic. Unfortunately, I had to skim pages and pages of needless detail and explanation to find it.
Ann Andrews
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
This is a moving and sad book about how love is not necessarily understandable or even understanding. I highly recommend.
john mayer
The Yalda Crossing by Noel Beddoe
A historical novel about families moving into areas of Australia populated only by indigenous people and the incredible hardships and problems endured both by the settlers and the original population. It is told with great sympathy and understanding. The resulting story is very hard to put down.
Francisca E B
Away by Amy Bloom
3.5 stars. Lillian Leyb escapes Russia when her family is killed in a pogrom. Alone in America and determined to succeed, she learns to use others as she, herself, is being used. Once she hears that her daughter may have survived, she sets out on an epic odyssey from New York’s Lower East Side to Seattle and Alaska en route to Siberia. She endures setbacks that would break a weaker person and encounters a host of colorful characters who are richly drawn. The story isn’t always linear, so even though Barbara Rosenblatt does a marvelous job of narrating the audio book, I’d recommend reading rather than listening.
shelly itkin
Ten Days in Paradise by Linda Abbott
David and his family arrive on Sanibel Island to celebrate his parents’ 50th anniversary. One of his sisters, Julia, has planned an elaborate celebration and he will have a chance to see not only his parents but his sisters and their family. Once he arrives things seem to unravel, and he realizes that his life is not what he thought it was. It is like a 24/7 nursery with three young children and a wife who seems more interested in doing things for the children then even caring or worrying about him. One day he is on the beach and suddenly notices a woman who looks extremely attractive to him. Ellen is alone and on a vacation to try and get some peace and quiet after all the unhappiness that is going on in her home. Is it fate?
Crystal Blackburn
Flesh and Blood: A Scarpetta Novel by Patricia Cornwell
The latest novel in the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series is thrilling.
Linda Harrison
The Foster Girls by Lin Stepp
When a well-known author comes to a small town near the Smoky Mountains, she is only looking for anonymity so she could continue her writing without worrying about nosy reporters. Instead Vivian Delaney finds her true love in Scott Jamison, the owner of a nearby children’s camp.
Linda Harrison
Private Vegas by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Jack Morgan, head of Private Investigations, has had his beloved Lamborghini firebombed. Weeks later, an Aston Martin is bombed but this time someone was in the back seat. Instead of destroying cars, the perps now have committed murder. As Jack’s scientist tries to figure out the accelerant used, two men from a small country called Sumar are on a spree targeting wealthy women. None of the raped women want to testify and the men are claiming diplomatic immunity. If this were not enough, Jack’s twin brother Tom is claiming their father wanted him to have the business and Jack unduly influenced him. There is a lot of action in this book and it’s a good one.
Linda Harrison
Descent by Tim Johnston
As Caitlin went for her morning training run, she was accompanied by her brother Sean. Out of nowhere, a vehicle slammed into Sean. The driver got out and told Caitlin she could either stay with her brother or go with him and he would take her to the sheriff’s office. Sean told her not to go but she got in the car and disappeared. Her father and brother never gave up the search for her. As the searches dwindled down, everyone asked how long would he continue to search. An excellent book but there were times when it was a little confusing as to who was narrating.
Linda Harrison
Wicked Ties by Shayla Black
When Morgan O’Malley sits down to interview Jack Cole (known as Master J in the BDSM community), shots ring out and he covers her as he tries to figure where the shots are coming from. He got Morgan away from the restaurant and out to his cabin where he figured she would be safe. Jack had a hidden agenda for agreeing to the interview. He planned to use Morgan to get back at Brandon Reed, her supposed fiancé but really her brother. And now there is a stalker who is trying to kill Morgan and anyone she is close to.
Linda Harrison
Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber
Harry Mills is an angel sent to earth to help Addie Folsom, who has returned to her childhood home after years away. Erich Simmons is the boy next door and was her brother’s friend growing up. As boys, they never had time for Addie, who was always tagging along, and did their best to make her life miserable. Now Erich needs help and Addie has volunteered. Harry has to use his influence to help them see they are meant for each other.
Linda Harrison
Wyoming Strong by Diana Palmer
Wolf Patterson is always teasing Sara Brandon and she sasses him back. In reality, she is fascinated by him, and he is attracted to her even though he thinks he is too old for her. Sara was abused by her stepfather and has a difficult time responding to men. But Wolf has an enemy who has threatened to kill him and anyone he cares for so he has to protect Sara by ignoring her no matter how hard it hurts either of them.
Linda Harrison
When the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries
Victor Cale, half brother to the Duke of Lyons, was wrongfully accused of stealing diamonds and spent several months being interrogated by the authorities. Now it is ten years later and he is employed by Manton Investigations, commonly known as The Duke’s Men. While on a case in Scotland, he finds his runaway wife and demands answers to the diamond heist.
Linda Harrison
Hard to Handle by Lori Foster
Harley Handleman rents a cabin from Anastasia Bradley when he wants to get away from the MMA scene. Anastasia is a life coach and wants to help Harley in dealing with his uncle who acts as his manager. She feels the uncle is too controlling and she wants Harley to stand up for his personal life. Harley has always been a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” type of man and Anastasia knew this but she fell in love with him anyway. Does Harley love her or just wants her in his bed?
Linda Harrison
Eyes Only by Fern Michaels
The vigilantes are on a new case. When the wealthiest man in the world finds that his daughter had twins out of wedlock, he is determined to find the children and take them from their adoptive parents regardless of the law. The vigilantes are determined that he will not uproot these children from the only parents they know. So the girls are off to the island owned by the evil man to take vengeance on him.
Linda Harrison
Trust No One by Jayne Ann Krentz
A suspenseful novel as a motivational speaker is found dead in his bed by one of his employees. Grace now finds herself a suspect and even more condemning is the vodka bottle found beside the bed. This was the weapon Grace used to kill a man after he had murdered his wife and kidnapped a neighbor boy. Was someone trying to implicate Grace? Emails appearing to originate from the dead man’s account start coming to Grace. Is the murderer someone Grace knows?
Linda Harrison
Watch Your Back by Karen Rose
This was a long book at 565 pages but, once you get into reading it, you can’t put it down. There is a lot of action when detective Stevie Mazzetti is targeted by Todd Robinette, a psychopath who does not want her to reopen an old case involving the death of his wife. This will expose his business dealings involving the manufacture of sarin and its subsequent sale to terrorist cells. Robinette had Stevie’s husband and son killed eight years ago to stop her from reopening the case then, and now police are obtaining proof that her former partner, Silas Davenport, was behind the actual murders.
Linda Harrison
Long Trip Home by Dutch Jones
Troy is married to the boss’ daughter and what started out as a happy marriage is now dull routine. His boss keeps him on the road and, on one trip, he meets a mysterious woman. They become friendly and find that they can really talk and listen to each other. He finds out that she is a well-known rock star who doesn’t have many friends, while he is a sales representative. When a song they sang together becomes a number one hit, they realize that their friendship has progressed beyond that. Troy loves his kids and doesn’t want to destroy his marriage. Then he finds out his wife is cheating on him and he doesn’t feel so bad about his friendship with Izy.
Debbie Maskus
Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich
The story moves quickly, but follows the same pattern as all the other books in the Stephanie Plum series. Why do I continue to read? Because my mother buys the books and then gives them to me to read. What do I think? Stephanie needs to decide between Joe and Ranger, and if the choice was mine, the winner would be Ranger. Grandma Mazur and Lulu did not play major roles in this story, and the humor went south of New Jersey in this book. If you are looking for a mindless read, this is the book -- with sex and violence thrown in for good measure.
Fran OH
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
While I usually enjoy Kristin Hannah's stories, I never really felt like I connected to this one. I'm not sure what it is... I think it was the way the two stories flowed into one another... I kept getting lost in the fairytale part. Oh well. Not my cuppa tea.
Susie Stangland
There Was a Little Girl by Brooke Shields
This memoir is just as wonderful as Rob Lowe's -- honest and vulnerable. I have been surprised it hasn't received a similar amount of attention. I encourage all to read this for the complicated rendering of balancing life with an alcoholic mother and manager who one loves dearly. Establishing independence and finding true love are themes many can relate to. I loved this book and have seen little of Ms. Shields work as an actress.
Linda Johnson
How to Be Both by Ali Smith
The book is divided into two parts. Some of the books start with George and tell her story, then continue with Francesco(a), the painter's story. The reader's concept will differ depending on which segment is read first. My book started with George, a young woman whose mother has died. George's reminisces involves a painting she and her mother viewed in a museum on a trip to Italy. THE GOLDFINCH kept running through my head during this section. The second section reminded me of GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING. I loved both of those books. I cannot say the same for this one. More character than plot driven. I would like to read it again, now that I can connect all the dots and see if I end up with a Rembrandt rather than a Matisse.
Linda Johnson
Andrew's Brain by E. L. Doctorow
Although I own RAGTIME and probably some other Doctorow books, this is the first that I read. I discovered it was available as an audiobook through the Ohio e-book project, so I opted for that since it is narrated by the author. I don't know why I was surprised by how "old and weary" Doctorow sounds; I believe he's in his 80s. A character study with an unreliable narrator spewing stream of consciousness ramblings. This may not have been the perfect book to absorb as an audio. I think I'll get out the hard copy and see if it works better.
Paula C.
The Blood of an Englishman by M. C. Beaton
This is the 25th book in the Agatha Raisin mystery series by M.C. Beaton, and I have read all of the other 24 books! Although it is nice to revisit characters and places in this series, the last few books have been repetitious in plot and events, and not as entertaining as the beginning series books.
Debbie Maskus
City of Dragons by Kelli Stanley
Nothing like a new series to invigorate your reading, and CITY OF DRAGONS stokes the flames. Kelli Stanley presents an image of San Francisco in 1940, as the threats of Hitler and the Japanese hinder the lingering aura of the Great Depression. Enter Miranda Corbie, a feisty and highly educated private detective. A Japanese youth dies in Miranda's arms and propels Miranda into drugs, sex, smuggling, and a world of unsavory characters. Stanley's language is rich, but Miranda and her love of Chesterfields provides too much smoke. Stanley skillfully omits much of Miranda's history, but provides little quips in passing. The book reminds me of the Shirley Tallman series, but Tallman’s character mingles with the upper crust of the 1890s.
Patricia Miller
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I absolutely LOVED this book! I love her writing style. It's very fast-paced, but yet didn't lose me. She kept me interested - and guessing - the entire book. I can't recommend this book enough!
Francisca E B
Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller
Originally titled WHAT WAS SHE THINKING. Barbara narrates as she records her observations of her friend and fellow teacher’s affair with an underage male student. Sheba is obsessed with the affair, emotionally stressed and not thinking straight. But the reader slowly becomes aware that Barbara is also emotionally damaged, equally obsessed with her friendship with Sheba and jealous of Sheba’s relationships with others. What Barbara reveals about herself in recording Sheba’s story is more subtle and interesting than the story she is trying to tell. She is a dangerous woman to have as a “friend.”
Coral Harrison
The Confession by John Grisham
Another good story by Grisham. The story is set in Texas where they have the death penalty. A black boy is on death row and says he is innocent. You must read to find out what happens.
Michael McAdam
Revival by Stephen King
Stephen King is sometimes hit and sometimes miss for me. This one is somewhere in between. By the end, it becomes quite good but takes WAY too long to become so. It is Stephen King so it is enjoyable even when he needs directions to get to the plot (the plot in this book is rather weak - no spoilers!) but I enjoyed it anyway, just not as much as I was hoping to. If you are dying for a new Stephen King book, this will do in a pinch, but I would recommend Mr. Mercedes much, much more.
Sandra Furlotte
Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin
Thank you Ian Rankin for bringing back John Rebus. Readers were in mourning all over the world when John Rebus retired. Rebus is older and maybe wiser in this book, but no less entertaining.
Thomas Barrington
Not Even Past by Dave White
I thought this book was a very enjoyable read. I would recommend this book to anybody.
Thomas Barrington
Dogs Don't Talk by Nancy May
I thought this was a very good book.
Debbie Smith
Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey
I listened to this via Overdrive from the library. The narrator was excellent. However, her name escapes me. British. Along the lines of STILL ALICE, tied together with a bit of mystery. It tells the story of an elderly mother progressing thru various stages of dementia. She goes back in time, reliving things that happened in her youth and also to her friend Elizabeth. The author did such a fantastic job of moving the story along. I would recommend this book highly to anyone that enjoyed STILL ALICE.
Suzy Marcus
Still Foolin' 'Em by Billy Crystal
Having read Mr. Crystal's book 700 SUNDAYS, based on his hit Broadway show, I was looking forward to reading his autobiography. I was not disappointed in the open and (remember this book was written prior to the death of his dear friend Robin Williams) oft-times funny stories about growing up in Long Beach, New York and becoming the movie star and comedian we all know. Frank, and yes, sometimes a bit bitchy about turning 65, Billy Crystal made me laugh out loud at several stories, especially newlyweds vs. long-time marrieds. Four stars for a fascinating read, minus one star for Mr. Crystal's kinda crabby comments on several groups, including overweight people.
Bonnie Gluhanich
Ruby by Cynthia Bond
Dark and depressing, as most of Oprah's choices seem to be. I didn't care for this at all.
Lynn W
Female Nomad and Friends: Tales of Breaking Free and Breaking Bread Around the World by Rita Golden Gelman
Loved these short stories of adventuresome travel and eating in every part of the world. There are recipes, too!
Debbie Maskus
City of Secrets by Kelli Stanley
Sometimes I am amazed by what I do not know, and the eugenics in the United States during the 1930s to 1950s has really shocked me. I know about the terrible treatment of the blacks in the South, but this points to the perils of being Jewish in America, while Hitler exterminates European Jews. Miranda has not lost her grit and stamina, but her smoking has diminished, a little. Parts of the story sends chills up my spine, to think of the suffering of the oppressed. Stanley presents a San Francisco rich in history, crime, passion, and beauty. The characters are rich in detail from No-Legs to Duggan to Blind Willie to Ozzie. I enjoyed the friendship among Miranda and Bente and Gladys and Allen.
Anita Pointon
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Don't know how I missed reading this book before. One of the most thought-provoking pieces I have read. Timeless. The gambit of emotions it brought out in me was incredible - fear, empathy, anger and compassion to name a few. A must read.
Tessa B C
Wish You Were Here by Rita Mae Brown
2.5 stars. Two gruesome murders have the residents of Crozet, Virginia in a tizzy. Postmistress “Harry” Haristeen and her faithful animal companions – Mrs Murphy and Tee Tucker – solve the case with the help of a few postcards. More of the book is spent on dissecting Harry’s failing marriage or opinions on racism, feminism, the environment, etc. than on the murder. On the plus side, it’s a fairly fast read and Harry is an interesting character. While she is suffering the hurts of a broken relationship, she is generally a strong, independent woman and I appreciate that. But it IS supposed to be a murder mystery, so I’d like more mystery and less social commentary.
Donna Shaw
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
An excellent account of life in the South during the early 1800s. Sarah and Angelina Grimke are born into a prosperous home and witness the treatment of their slaves. These women dedicate their lives to the abolition of slavery and for women's rights. The story mixes facts with fiction.
Judson Hanson
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett
This is a an excellent novel centered around Operation Overlord and the supposition that the Germans might have actually had a spy that discovered the deception instigated by the Allies. Follett weaves a very believable plot.
Judson Hanson
Drawing Conclusions by Deirdre Verne
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS is a cozy mystery that is a fast read. It features a main character who is a Freegan, something I had not heard of until I read this book. I enjoyed the book but was a bit turned off by the Freegan lifestyle, chiefly the eating out of dumpsters. This is the reason for 3 instead of 4 stars. That said, if you enjoy cozy mysteries, I can recommend this book.
Jan Zahrly
A Time to Kill by John Grisham
This may be Grisham's finest book. A black father murders two white trash men as they are leaving the courthouse in Mississippi. They brutally raped his 10-year-old daughter and she lived to tell it. The father knows that the men will probably never be convicted and if they are, they will receive minimum sentences. Young Jake Brigance takes on the case amid threats, beatings, burnings and and killings. This shows the Klan and the greedy black ministers at their worst. Unfortunately, this book is true -- racism still exists. Legal justice goes to those who can pay for it and eludes the poor. The book gives false hope that justice can exist in the racist U.S. south.
Sarah Kagan
Nobody Walks by Mick Herron
Fun, fast page-turner set in contemporary England where the worlds of crime and MI-5 intersect for our hero. Will there be a sequel?
Lynn Thomas
The Bullet by Mary Louise Kelly
While this is a first novel, the author is an accomplished journalist, and her storytelling is spot on. The plot is unique - A woman learns through a medical screening that she has a bullet lodged in her head at the base of the brain! The suspense continues as we find she has never, to her knowledge, been shot, although her parents were murdered in her presence when she was three. The characters are well-developed and interesting, making this a page-turner.
Lynn Thomas
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I came late to the table with this one... just too much to read before its turn came up. In fact, I still hadn't started it when the movie came out on DVD, and I decided to watch it. Usually, I always try to read the book BEFORE I see the movie, and almost always conclude I liked the book better. Surprise! The movie blew me away! And while I noticed expanded plot details and an altered ending when I did read it, my appreciation of the book wasn't quite as complete. If you have read or seen one, I suggest you indulge in the other one, and then YOU decide.
Lynn Thomas
Wolf Winter by Cecila Ekback
A most interesting and different read for me. The synopsis on NetGalley made me want to read this one, quite unusual in setting for a murder mystery. The setting is near-desolate rural land, sparsely populated, in a long ago Finland. I enjoyed the distinctness of the strong woman lead, descriptions of the struggles to survive a cruel winter, and the author's development of a mother's and daughter's actions and wisdom that helped find the killer.
myrna lippman
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
Post World War I compelling story set in London. Wonderfully written.
Marion Peterman
Five Sisters by James Fox
This is a biographical, 498 page chronicle of the Langhorne sisters from Virginia. It was interesting to follow their lives and get a glimpse of all the famous people who visited their homes. The main sister married the grandson of John Jacob Astor IV, who went down with the Titanic. One sister became the model for the famous Gibson Girl, marrying the artist. The younger sister was a friend of F. Scott Fitzgerald, who valued her advice. Much history interwoven among the story of the sisters' lives.
Dian Boysen
The Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
It was a wonderful story. Good character development. The story ties together two big events in history.
Judy Raetz
The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne
This book, though a classic by its age, is totally fascinating! As you watch five stranded men and one dog, you are caught up by what they are able to accomplish with the materials at hand. Of course, its very convenient that their leader, Harding, happens to be an engineer, and you will never see coming what happens in the end.
Pattie Berryhill
Second Honeymoon by James Patterson and Howard Roughan
Typical Patterson book. Easy reading, interesting story. Doesn't require a lot of thinking. Does anyone think he writes too many lighthearted books?
Marion Moeller
Don't Go by Lisa Scottoline
Awesome story. Loved the book.
Tessa B C
1st to Die by James Patterson
2.5 stars. Debut of The Women’s Murder Club. Four women – a homicide inspector, a reporter, a medical examiner and an assistant D.A. – put their considerable talents together to catch a serial killer. I liked how Patterson portrayed the four women; they were professional, strong, intelligent, and tenacious. I did get tired of Lindsay’s emotional struggles, and thought her health issue was an unnecessary subplot. Skip the audio, which is over-acted by Suzanne Toren. Lost a half-star on the rating due to her melodramatic performance. I’ll probably read another in the series – emphasis on READ, not listen.
Sylvie Kurtz
Crazy Love You by Lisa Unger
Let me start by saying I love Lisa Unger books, but this one left a heavy, dark feeling I didn't like. I never connected with the main character and lost respect for the love interest when she went back to a drug-addicted man who tried to kill her while under the influence. I did like revisiting with The Hollows.
Vikki Cabral
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova
Lisa Genova is becoming one of my favorite writers. Good insight into autism. Listened on audiobook. Debra Messing was one of the best readers I have experienced.
Paula Harpster
The Round House by Louise Erdrich
This was a very interesting book that will lead to a great book club discussion. There are so many themes and ethical issues to talk about from family, law, cultural differences or similarities, reservation politics and law and growing up.
Gloria Fabijanic
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Wow, what a good read. A suspenseful, tension-filled novel about three women. What is real? What is imagined? A well written, page-turner that you will not want to put down.
Gina Wills
The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless
Chris Mccandless's adventures were chronicled in Jon Krakauer's excellent INTO THE WILD. This
book is a memoir by his sister, Carine, of the real story behind why Chris left home and why
he did not contact his family about his plans. Carine is an interesting person in her own right. How her life evolved from the abuse she suffered from her parents is a case study in itself. I was
surprised how this book enveloped me in its story.
Bonnie Waliezer
Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova
The story of a Boston policeman who has Huntington's disease and the impact on the entire family. The disease is explained in terms you can understand. This is a riveting story and you are swept up into the horrors and trials of the family and their friends. I would say this is a must-read. It will hold your interest from the first page.
Carol E. Bergstrom
All Day and a Night by Alafair Burke
Ms. Burke never fails to deliver! I have all of her books and this one, I believe, is the last in the Ellie Hatcher series. The premise is a crime that has been committed that might possibly be the reason for releasing a prisoner who has been confined LWOL (Life Without Parole) for eighteen years. It is a page-turner. I would suggest to start at the beginning of this series, DEAD CONNECTION, but that is not necessary to fully enjoy this book.
Linda Reck
A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison
Annie Black is a flawed heroine whose impulses we may distrust but whose voice is compelling, drawing us in with her thoughtful self-awareness and lively observations of those around her. Ellison writes gracefully with moments of startling insight. Her first novel is an emotional roller coaster as well as a psychological mystery and a study of the divide between desire and duty. A SMALL INDISCRETION is so carefully plotted, so complex and unusual, it's hard to believe that this is a first novel. A SMALL INDISCRETION is an impressive fiction debut.
Darlene Thoresen
The Bishop's Wife by Mette Ivie Harrison
Really, really good!!
marcia
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Second time I read this. This time for book club and enjoyed it again. Since I knew the ending, I didn't have to rush through it. Definitely has sad moments. At book club we discussed the meaning of the title.
Wendy Zuckerberg
The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin
Loved it!
helen brady
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Riveting story of courage and loss, and the bond between two sisters in France during WW II.
Rosemary Bednarczyk
Invisible by James Patterson and David Ellis
A suspended FBI analyst is trying to overcome her grief following her twin sister's death in a fire while trying to convince her superiors that a number of fire victims died at the hands of a serial killer arsonist. She convinces her ex-fiancé, a retired special agent of the FBI, to use his influence with the director to start an investigation. As their team begins to discover facts leading to the arsonist, the arsonist discovers the team and tries to eliminate them. Definitely an edge-of-your-seat book, with the usual Patterson end of the story twist.
Rosemary Sobczak
A Partial History of Lost Causes by Jennifer DuBois
Too dark for February reading.
Katherine Bennett
A Pleasure and a Calling by Phil Hogan
A psychological thriller, this book made me hope that the villain would get away with his evil transgressions, including murder and trespassing. His seemingly innocent occupation gave him access to his clients personal lives. Devious and cunning, he went about his daily business without giving himself away. The police were suspicious but were distracted by other suspects. A creepy and thought-provoking novel.
Dorothy Gordon
Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
Excellent mystery with a rough around the edges but smart detective, former cop Jackson Brodie on the job. He is trying to find out the identity of his client, who was adopted as a young chid and taken from Britain to live in New Zealand. A lot of dead ends, a second detective named Jackson and a dog who finds himself a new master. Plus another ex-cop who suddenly finds herself rescuing a young girl from an abusive parent and decides to make a new life for her. A cover up that spans decades solves a very old murder. Intricate and well written story that I enjoyed.
Carolyn Milliser
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
This story intrigued me from the beginning to end. As an artist myself, I can relate to the obsession of painting the same thing - the thought of capturing it and improving it. Robert's subjects were being shaped by him on canvas and in his world. Impressionism is the artists creative expression of an emotional, physical, romantic, psychological, journey, and Kostova captivates us with the telling of this obsession with art and relationships.
Vikki Cabral
Searching for Grace Kelly by Michael Callahan
I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters, so it wasn't a page-turner for me. It got better about 3/4 of the way through though. Overall, I can say that I did like the story.
Karen Stigers
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
Great book. Written like journal entries or conversations.
Kathy Iwasaka
Joyland by Stephen King
As a huge King fan I don't know how I missed this one, so I am very grateful to our book group for making it this month's selection. JOYLAND is, I think, one of King's best. Sweet and scary, it is a must-read for any coming-of-age and/or Stephen King fan. Highly recommend.
norene wittlin
Downward Facing Brooklyn by Julia Chatham
Disappointing.
Carol
The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister
This was an unusual book with interesting characters and a spellbinding story. I loved reading something so out of the ordinary.
Marsha
Insatiable Appetites by Stuart Woods
Stone Barrington ends up with the most interesting cases. His demented ex-wife comes back to town after her father's death and fascinating things happen. His description of the characters is so vivid the we feel we know them intimately. Fun and fast reading. Great winter escape.
Martha Brown
Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova
A compelling story of a policeman and his family's struggles to cope with his diagnosis of having Huntington's disease, his deterioration physically and mentally, and the impact on the heredity of his children and their descendants, the complications HD brings to everyday life and planning for the future. Joe had no idea his DNA included this terrible condition. The devastating diagnosis does not come with solutions. The author presents the gut-wrenching effects through Joe, family and friends. Deeply tied to Charlestown, Catholicism, Irish roots, and the Red Sox, Joe & Rosie love each other and their 4 children. Descriptions of the policeman's life seem authentic. Huntington's disease becomes "up close and personal" through their story.
Melanie S.
Saving Grace by Jane Green
Part women's fiction, part mild thriller, Grace's life is forever changed when a newly hired household assistant insinuates herself into the family. Grace has a history of mental illness in her family and begins to question her own sanity as events begin to unfold. I was a bit disappointed as the truth was revealed and thought there would be more to the story. Still, it kept me interested as I waited for Grace's realization of the truth. I primarily listened to the audio book, but also read the hard copy and found reading the actual book moved much more quickly than the listening.
Betty Taylor
Wreckage by Emily Bleeker
I didn’t know what to expect of this book but I did expect the plane crash, some romance, and intrigue. But I got much more. The story is about the survival of Lillian and Dave after a plane crashes and the survivors come upon a deserted island. There are secrets kept by the survivors, quite a few secrets. Secrets kept from family, friends, the media. How can life return to normal after what they have been through? Can it return to normal? Both Lillian and Dave are married…not to each other. A ruthless journalist tries to get them to reveal their secrets – she knows they are keeping them. And what the other people were on the flight? What happened to them? I loved the book!
Debbie Maskus
City of Ghosts by Kelli Stanley
The third book in the Miranda Corbie loses a little of the glamour and excitement of the prior two novels. The United States government enlists Miranda in the growing concern over the war in Europe. This story displays many disappointments such as Rick Sanders, Mark Gonzalez, James MacLeod, and Dianne, and this reader will not spoil the story of why so many disappointments. The story begins with Miranda focused on locating her mother in England, but the trip to England does not take place, and the reader receives snippets of information about those early days of Catherine Corbie. Miranda blindly rushes to save the world and pays dearly for her courage and stubbornness. The language and setting are not as descriptive as in prior novels.
Toni Giarnese
The Dog: Stories by Jack Livings
The author puts you there in contemporary China with wit, satire, and empathy. It's a little Chekov.
Crystal Blackburn
Motive: An Alex Delaware Novel by Jonathan Kellerman
Dr. Alex Delaware and LAPD Lt. Milo Sturgis are back to solve more murder(s).
Denise Westlake
Above by Isla Morley
Part brutal abduction, part harrowing dystopian fiction. Very quick moving, every page a good one!
Raylene Wauda
House of Steel by Raen Smith
HOUSE OF STEEL is tagged as a WI book; it takes place in Appleton, although Lawrence University is renamed Leighton U. That's a good thing because Lawrence is a gem in WI, always ranked in the top 100 in the US, with exceptional professors expert in their areas, unlike Delaney Jones, a main character and art professor who is flighty, disorganized, and can't keep track of the student she slept with last night. It's not that I'm an alumnus (who went on to teach English in a public school system) that upsets me. There are numerous errors in English usage (conscience/conscious, passed/ past, that pesky verb: to lie), and the story is so convoluted and frustrating that I found myself looking back to see how a character is/was involved. Editor ?
Mimi Weiner
Saving Grace by Jane Green
Wonderful characters
Barbara Kirch
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This has to be one of my favorite Kristin Hannah books yet. It is without a doubt one of the most moving stories I have read about WWII. Ms. Hannah has created characters that are so real and so brave in the face of unspeakable horrors. The women who are usually "passed over" when one reads about WWII are portrayed with dignity, bravery, and a realism that left me wanting to know more.
Elaine Baxter
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth
Story of three woman years apart who have a connection. Part historical fiction, part fairytale. I loved it.
Fran OH
The Quiet Game by Greg Iles
A long closed mystery is reopened when a man gives up his practice to take his daughter back to his home town. Loved the pace of the story, the characters, the plot and the budding romance. I felt it had a little something for everyone. Look forward to the sequel, NATCHEZ BURNING.
Elizabeth
Before I Go by Colleen Oakley
This book is a young woman's journey through cancer. She wants to fulfill one thing before she goes to look for a new wife. This book is heartfelt, sometimes sad and sometimes funny, but it does make you think. We all need to think of what we would do before we go.
Trude Vandine
Murder in Retribution by Anne Cleeland
The second in Anne Cleeland's series. This is an excellent British mystery with quirky and likable characters.
Trude Vandine
Obsession In Death by J.D. Robb
The 40th entry in the In Death series featuring Eve Dallas and Roarke. This time Eve has to deal with an obsessed fan. This series never disappoints.
Jo
Invisible by James Patterson and David Ellis
The best Patterson book in years. I read it in one day. It was a page-turner with a twist ending.
KATE DONNELLY
The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede
A great book to regain the belief that people are good. A town does all and more to house and feed the people forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland after the 9/11 disaster.
Jackie Ranaldo
Cats Are Weird and Other Observations by Jeffrey Brown
For anyone who has a cat, you can relate. Very funny!
Marilyn Myers
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
My group loved the book and we had a rousing discussion. I am in another group and we are reading it too, so I am excited to have the impetus to do the re-read.
Betty Ramsey
Mission to Murder by Lynn Cahoon
Jill has now moved into the house that was left to her by a dear friend. Getting used to her new surroundings, she and a friend discovered a stone wall in the back of the property. The friend knows something about the California missions and tells Jill this discovery could be part of a mission and a very important find. The book centers on finding out the truth with, of course, evil doers working against them. A good read. I enjoyed it.
Janet P Bedell
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Excellently written to build suspense. However, on several occasions I had to put the book down because of the stupid actions of the characters!
Linda
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
A good sequel to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE for Jane Austen fans that develops Darcy's and Elizabeth's relationship 6 years later. The plot involves a murder on the grounds of Pemberley, which includes some familiar characters.
Gina Wills
Winter at the Door by Sarah Graves
The best review of this book is that I am eagerly awaiting Sarah Graves' next book in this series. A woman cop goes to the sleepy hamlet of Bearkill, Maine and finds murder and mayhem, deception and romance. I was impressed with the writing and plot lines.
Myrna Pennisi
The Winter Guest by Pam Jenoff
I seem to be on a roll, reading books about the Resistance movements in several European countries during WWII. This one tells the story of a set of twin sisters who, with their mother hospitalized and their father deceased, are left caring for their three siblings in a small village in Poland with the threat of Nazi invasion looming over them.
Thomas Barrington
World Gone By by Dennis Lahane
Thought it was a very interesting book. I enjoyed reading the book very much.
Thomas Barrington
The Gods Of Guilt by Michael Connelly
I thought that this was a very good book. I would recommend this book to anybody.
mary moreno
Call Me Debbie by Deborah Voigt
The book provides an inside look at the life of an opera star. It also provides insight on Ms. Voight's struggles with addiction. On the downside, the book was slow-moving and repetitive, perhaps in effort to stretch the number of pages.
Susan Vasi
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
This novel takes place in 17th century Amsterdam. It is, I believe, a story of the strength of women facing enormous odds. There are so many surprises in this story that it will keep you guessing. The miniaturist is a mystery. The person is making the miniatures for a doll house in the home of a wealthy merchant. It was bought to occupy the new and unhappy bride. This is a book of secrets and the people who keep them. It also is a book that describes the sights and sounds of 17th century Amsterdam and how people lived there. I highly recommend it.
Brenda
Jewelweed by David Rhodes
I read this book for an in-person book discussion. The story ended up to be interesting, but the author wrote to many small details for my liking. These details made the book plod along instead of dance along. The reader does not have to use their imagination to picture the characters or setting. The characters never developed into real people for me. I was given a photo of the physical setting instead of the water-color painting I had hoped for. I know this book will generate a lively discussion in my group.
Francisca E B
Paula by Isabel Allende
Evocative, heart-wrenching, luminous, suspenseful, triumphant – I cannot think of enough adjectives to describe this beautifully written memoir. Allende lays her soul bare on the page as she attempts to write her family history at the bedside of her comatose daughter, Paula. The work moves back and forth from Allende’s history to the events in Paula’s hospital room. It took me a while to get into the book; the writing is very dense, but Allende’s gift for storytelling is evident. Her experiences may be unique, but her reactions are universal.
Dawn M. Thayer
I Take You by Eliza Kennedy
A laugh out loud, funny, raucous romp! Ms. Kennedy's first novel does not disappoint. A fun read that's reminiscent of Sophie Kinsella.
Sherrie Payne
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Inspiring and quite an adventure.
Donna Shaw
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Rachel, Megan and Anna's lives will twist and turn, bringing them together in a most unusual way. The story flips back and forth between each character, similar to GONE GIRL. Once you get into the story, you will have a hard time putting the book down.
Pauline Brower
A Fifty-Year Silence by Miranda Richmond Mouillot
A granddaughter's memoir of her maternal grandparents and the cost of World War II on their estranged marriage, coupled with her contemporary life as a young woman living in France. Mesmerizing account of the ravages of war and how individual personalities cope.
Jan Zahrly
The Life and Times of Jamie Lee Coleman by Michael E. Glasscock, III
This was a quick read but I never could figure the target audience. It is a rags-to-riches story of a musician who is given a LOT of help and makes a lot of money. Folks die on him (don't they do that to all of us?) and he ends up doing a lot of good for others. There are other books in this series but I am not encouraged to read them. I did enjoy the descriptions of backwoods Tennessee. I received an advanced reader's copy of this title.
Melanie S.
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
If international public health issues like AIDS and TB, and medical anthropology and epidemiology are subjects of interest to you, then you will probably enjoy reading this book. Dr. Paul Farmer is truly a remarkable individual who has done much to facilitate the treatment of world epidemics. However, this is not the type of book I typically choose to read nor enjoy, and I only finished it out of courtesy to the book club member who selected it for our March read. I would have much rather been reading something else. I wonder how other book group members will respond to this choice ...
Gail Gavert
Fear the Darkness by Becky Masterman
Brigid Quinn, a retired FB I agent, and her husband Carlo, a former Catholic priest, are still fairly new to Tucson. She's now a private investigator, recently saddled with a niece, Gemma-Kate, difficult and sly, who lives with them before going to college. Brigid's close friend, Mallory, deals with her bedridden husband, maimed in a car crash. GK makes friends with a boy with a poor reputation. Another young boy's death had been quickly labeled a suicide and his mother snares Brigid into investigating. Who is the cat, who the mouse? The characters are well drawn, the writing fast-paced. Reading the 1st book in the series is recommended as there are references that tease. I'm hunting down RAGE AGAINST THE DYING now. A good read.
Diane Wall
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
It is interesting to read a part of history I know little about in a good story.
Noreen Brown
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
This book has everything in it. The stories of the team, the Dust Bowl, the Depression, Joyce Kilmer, the Nazi Party, Hugh Laurie. If this was fiction, no one would believe it. The book progresses like the crew's rowing. Starts off slow, picks up a little speed, faster, faster, and FASTER. You will learn so much you never knew...and not just about building a boat. A must-read.
DeAnn Acosta
The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister
Thrilling book with behind-the-scenes view of women and magic with attention paid to historical elements.
Linda M. Williams
Motive by Jonathan Kellerman
Another wonderful Alex Delaware adventure with Milo. A very good book and I couldn't lay it down. Wish all books were as good as Kellerman's.
Marsha
Holy Orders by Benjamin Black
Black has written several books featuring Quirke, a pathologist, who aids his friend, a police inspector, in investigating murders. A young newspaper columnist has been brutally murdered, and clues point toward the tinker population of Dublin. The characters are very well drawn and the writing is flawless.
Deb Philippon
Unravelled by Anna Scanlon
A book of a young WWII concentration camp survivor, this book stands head and shoulders over any similarly themed book I've read. Haunting.
Debbie Maskus
Wicked Autumn by G. M. Malliet
Malliet's novel quickly ends with all the problems solved and the local residents returning to customary habits. This novel reminded me of the Grantchester series on PBS, but the time period differs. Nether Monkslip is a bucolic community in England, with a retired MI5 agent tending to the religion of his flock. Amid the joyous celebration for the beginning of autumn, a local woman dies under suspicious circumstances. Max and Detective Chief Inspector Cotton struggle to find the killer before another person dies. The local people are friendly, but guarded, and Max and Cotton misread the clues. Malliet writes a cozy mystery which omits graphic scenes of death.
Becky Haase
The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell
What a great book! The writer gives you a feast for the intellect while presenting a spellbinding murder mystery. It might help if you have a bit of Biblical or Christian knowledge, but if you don’t, it will be liberally supplied without preaching. The schism between the Eastern (Orthodox) Church and the Roman Church is a major part of the plot. The schism plays out in the family that is the center of THE FIFTH GOSPEL. One brother is a Roman priest, the other an Eastern Christian priest. The victim is a lay person who is investigating the provenance of the Shroud of Turin with the help of both brothers. The writing is clear and fluid. The characters are well-rounded and interesting personalities. The plot is slowly revealed.
Linda Johnson
A Little Bit Wicked by Kristin Chenoweth
Excellently narrated by Chenoweth, who pulls no punches from being adopted to peeks behind the scenes of both TV shows and Broadway productions. Her humor is contagious.
Susan Spencer
Crazy Love You by Lisa Unger
Wow, great book. I couldn't put it down. Flips from past to present and you don't know till the last pages what is real or not.
Jud Hanson
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
This book was simply fantastic. Although I can't say I'm a devoted fan of rowing as a sport, this author does an excellent job in telling the story of these nine young men from blue-collar backgrounds who went on to garner the Gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This is a true Cinderella story.
Laura Nicole Diamond
Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement
Eye-opening, breathtaking, heartbreaking glimpse into "normal" brutalities of life as a girl in Mexico. Filled with Clement's poetic language, indelible characters and visceral visual images, this fast read left me feeling like the wind had been knocked out of me.
Elaine Beierbach
Hush Hush by Laura Lippman
A spellbinding tale.
Joanne G Holland
Room by Emma Donoghue
Made for a very good book discussion. Although some did not like the book, they still participated in the discussion. Would recommend it for book club groups.
Dennis Beierbach
Hush Hush by Laura Lippman
A thrilling story.
Colin Beierbach
Hush Hush by Laura Lippman
A book that was hard to put down.
Francisca E B
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
This is a beautifully written debut novel that exemplifies “show, don’t tell.” Just as you get to know your neighbors or friends over decades, one event and reaction at a time, the reader gets to know Talmadge over the course of the novel. A man of few words, he rarely directly reflects on the guilt he carries over his part in events. Rather, his actions speak to his deep-seated pain and desire to make amends. Coplin also writes with eloquence about the land and the time period. Mark Bramhall does a marvelous job voicing the audio book.
Brenda K.
The Lemon Orchard by Luanne Rice
I listened to this book while traveling and finishing a craft project. The story was full of emotions and adventure. The characters were believable. The author did a super job of making the emotions believable also. The author also did a good job of presenting the darker side of life in a true light. This reader likes the writing style of this author.
Heather Larson
February Fever by Jess Lourey
I was lucky enough to win this title in a Bookreporter.com contest. What a fun story. Fans of the Stephanie Plum novels written by Janet Evanovich will love this series. Wacky characters, lots of humor and an amateur sleuth named Mira make this a delightful read. This was the tenth in the series that uses all 12 months in the titles, but it was easily a good standalone. Now I need to go back and read the rest. Good work, Jess Lourey.
Lynn W
Emma by Jane Austen
This is the third book by this author that I've read in the last three weeks. I just may have to read them all. Each one seems to be better than the last --- or I have become accustomed to Austen's style. I now look for and really enjoy her sense of humor.
Alexis Thornton
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Run out, buy this book and you will not be able to put it down! (Warning: you may not be able to sleep though). Post-apocalyptic, this book draws you in from the beginning. I pray that a pandemic such as this never occurs. In the event that it does, I can guess that I would probably not survive a pandemic. Living near a nuclear power plant, this is certainly a fear!
Jenny Belk
At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen
Sara Gruen has written yet another page-turner. This one returns to the past to Loch Ness. It involves a trio of characters who decide to go in search of the notorious Loch Ness monster. It is also about a doomed marriage and finding validation and comfort in unexpected places. It has all the elements of a good book --- love, fear, greed, compassion and triumph over evil. I highly recommend.
Gina Lane
Crash and Burn by Lisa Gardner
I really wanted to love this book because I have really enjoyed several of Miss Gardner's books in the past. I was a bit disappointed in the storyline. The book could have been shortened and more concise.
Denise Beierbach
Hush Hush by Laura Lippman
Great book.
laura beierbach
Hush Hush by Laura Lippman
So many ways for this story to go....
Richard N B
The Ugly Little Boy by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg
Alternate title: "The Child of Time". Interesting science fiction fantasy. What happens when a
Neanderthal child is plucked from the Ice-Age and deposited into a “bubble” in a 21-st century scientific laboratory. One compassionate nurse, hired to care for the child, gradually becomes very close to the frightened child, and recognizes that what may be good for science is not necessarily good for the boy. First published as a short story in 1956, Robert Silverberg teamed with Asimov to add more information on the Neanderthal tribe from which the boy was taken, as well as a subplot involving a self-proclaimed child advocate adept at media relations.
susan gannon
The Offer by Catherine Coulter
This story was a rewrite of an earlier printing. I was disappointed to find typos and the story seemed disjointed. I love this author and will continue to read all her books. To republish an older book with changes was a mistake. I bet Ms Coulter didn't rewrite nor proof it herself.
Judy O.
The Same Sky by Amanda Eyre Ward
Alice is a young woman in Texas who desperately wants a baby but finds that she is infertile. Carla is a young girl, living in Honduras, who desperately wends her way to Texas to find her mother. These two women come together in a surprising way. Great story.
Donna Shaw
Mean Streak by Sandra Brown
Emory loves to run and is preparing for a marathon that she organized. Her marriage is shaky, so she decides to challenge herself in training for this marathon run by running a mountain trail. During the run, she wakes up in the cabin of a mystery man and with a concussion. He is kind to her, but he won't tell her anything about himself, including his name. She is fearful of him, but can't leave the cabin because of foggy weather. After four days with him, she doesn't know anything more than the day he found her. At the point of him returning her to civilization, many things come to light. This book supplies betrayal, revenge, murder and a love story.
Amanda Pape
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Couldn't put it down!
Carroll Savage
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Loved this story and characters! The surprise ending really was quite an unexpected twist! Loved how unpredictable it was!
Betty Taylor
The Bracelet by Dorothy Love
The story is set in 1858 in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah, being only a two-hour drive from where I live, is always a great setting. Savannah itself seems to be a major character in stories. THE BRACELET has elements of history, romance, mystery and intrigue. Celia has always been in love with Sutton, and he with her. He is in the shipping business and has just returned from several years in Jamaica. Trouble is brewing in the nation’s young capital as North and South prepare to face off over the slavery issue. But also arriving in Savannah is a journalist, determined to find out the truth about two deaths in Celia’s family home. Celia begins receiving threatening notes and a bracelet that sends a chilling message --- death.
Teresa Salvatore
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Can you imagine the world as we know it ending in a heartbeat? Emily St. John Mandel can. And has. Beautifully. Realistically. Poignantly.
Mandel’s tale of a worldwide mass pandemic flu virus and its effect on the characters in her story are not only masterfully crafted and heart-wrenching, its premise is all too probable and terrifying. Told from the various points of view of an interesting, realistically flawed and endearing cast, Ms. Mandel transports the reader through time seamlessly and skillfully. The reader never feels lost and the story flows exquisitely.
STATION ELEVEN is my favourite book of 2014. I was not expecting to be moved so much! 5 Feverish Stars. Simply put, it’s brilliant!
Crystal Blackburn
The Job: A Fox and O'Hare Novel by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
A con artist/fugitive and his FBI handler con take down criminals while stealing their ill-gotten gains to use for the next assignment. Fun times.
