This contest period's winners were Judson H., Linda B., Nancy G., Rachelle S. and Sandi W., who each received a copy of DEAD WAKE: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson, LAST ONE HOME by Debbie Macomber, and WORLD GONE BY by Dennis Lehane.
Rosemary DeMarois
Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
Excellent. We learned a lot. Our book club also read THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY several years ago and loved it.
Bonnie Gluhanich
However Long the Night by Aimee Molloy
Subtitled "Molly Melching's Journey to Help Millions of African Women and Girls Triumph". If you think one person can't make a difference in this world, read this inspiring book.
Raymond Palen
The Scarlet Gospels by Clive Barker
After many years Clive Barker triumphantly returns to the genre that put him on the map - horror. In his prime, no writer of fantastical horror had a more fertile imagination than Mr. Barker. In THE SCARLET GOSPELS he revives two of his finest characters --- Pinhead from the HELLBOUND HEART (and all those Hellraiser films) and Harry D'Amour of THE LAST ILLUSION (made into the terrific film "The Lord of Illusions"). Pinhead the ancient Cenobite Priest has returned to earth after being conjured by a group of dark magicians who have formed a death cult. Pinhead begins to feel his strength immediately and sets his sights on the ultimate target --- dominion over Hell itself.
Nancy Hausladen
Betrayed by Lisa Scottline
I liked this book. Judy Carrier is an attorney who is having problems on two sides. One is her work and the other is her Aunt Barb. A friend of Barb's is murdered, so Judy gets involved In the mystery. Very interesting reading.
Sheldon Friedman
A Touch of Stardust by Kate Alcott
This is a fun read. It's the story of a screenwriter wannabe who moves to California. She works as an assistant to Carole Lombard, who is on the set of Gone With The Wind with her soon to be husband, Clarke Gable. The trials and tribulations of filming the movie are gossipy and great fun to read. This book is a must for movie lovers.
myrna lippman
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Wonderfully researched, written and plotted.
Margie Takala
Play to Kill by P. J. Tracy
Fast-paced mystery, interesting characters. Hard to out down.
Penney Kolb
The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
I finished this last of the available Louise Penny novels with my morning coffee and am as enchanted with the characters and her marvelous plot lines as I was with her first novel. I am so looking forward to her next one that will be published this coming summer.
Vicki Hancock
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
I read this through Penguin Firsts. It is absolutely amazing. Every time I read one of his books I wonder why I don't just sit and read his books non-stop. He is the master of suspense. This book is no exception. It's my favorite of his to date.
Kristin Johnson
The Last Moon by DeAnn Lubell
It is Gone With the Wind crossed with Titanic and a bit of Selma. Now adapted to miniseries by me.
Lynn Thomas
Nightbird by Alice Hoffman
This one is actually a YA title suitable for middle school up -- but it's Alice Hoffman, and it has even an extra touch of everyday magic. A sweet tale of secrets, friendship, and family loyalty.
Betty Taylor
Unremarried Widow by Artis Henderson
This is the story of Miles and Artis Henderson’s marriage and how Artis deals with the death of Miles while on deployment in Iraq. It definitely makes you think about how you would deal with his death if you were in her shoes. It also makes you look at what is most important in life. I did not always agree with how Artis handled things, but each person grieves differently. There is no time limit on grief or rules on how to get through it. Artis shares her deepest pain and her struggle to move on. Honest, raw, encouragement.
Carol Stroup
The Children Act by Ian McEwan
Loved this book. Rich prose and depth of characters. Saw an interview with the author on Charlie Rose and it's clear he did a lot of research to augment this novel.
Cindy Cunningham
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This the best book I have read in a long time. Although I have read many books set in WWII, I truthfully never considered it from a woman's viewpoint. An excellent story.
Mary Ann Wendel
Me Before You by Jojo Meyers
Thought provoking. Good character development. A look at how we'd feel if something this grave happened to us and what a family and loved ones would do to honor the injured vs. our own desires. But ultimately there is a moral/religious consequence which was not explored in book. Nor was how society treats handicapped persons. Shouldn't we all be thankful for what we have rather than dwelling on what we don't??
Suzanne Turzillo
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Excellent book. It provided detailed history interwoven in an excellent story. This is a shift for Kristin Hannah, but she has delivered an awesome story.
Pamela Moore
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Beautifully crafted and written, almost poetic, this book, through several narrative voices, tells of interconnecting lives in war-torn Afghanistan. There is no major action but a lot of personal introspection and tragedy.
Nancy Bader
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I loved the way the book is written -- going back and forth between characters, from each separate perspective, but I disliked Rachel, the protagonist, so much and kept getting so mad at her for doing stupid things that I had to keep putting the book down. I actually found myself muttering at her at times!
Mary Mahaney
The Way of Tea and Justice by Becca Stevens
Learn about Becca Stevens' mission to help recovering women who have suffered through addiction, trafficking, or domestic violence, through her Magdalene homes and Thistle Farms. See how their new café is giving these women a new chance at life. Inspirational and soothing. Grab a cup of your favorite tea blend and cozy up with this excellent book!
Sharon Elliott-Fox
The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths
Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is just back to work after maternity leave. Beset with doubts about her ability to be a good single mother and juggle the demands of her work, she finds herself almost immediately drawn into the mystery of discovering the identities of 6 skeletons about 70 years old, hands bound and obviously shot in the head. The presence of the married father of her child does not make for a comfortable situation. The ensuing deaths of two old, but apparently healthy, veterans complicates the mystery of the skeletons.
Sharon Elliott-Fox
The Angel Whispered Danger by Mignon F. Ballard
Kate McBride and her daughter return to her hometown for a family reunion. She expects questions about her husband's absence but does not expect to investigate the murder of her uncle's housekeeper, Ella, although his woodsy estate is no stranger to murder and intrigue. Unexpected assistance is given by the angel, Augusta Goodnight, and her apprentice, the awkward Penelope, junior angel.
Terry Wisecarver
A History of Loneliness by John Boyne
The book follows the priesthood of Father Odran Yates, from seminary through the scandals which rock Ireland in the early twenty first century. Although not directly involved himself, the misdeeds of fellow priests affect his life and call into question whether he nonetheless is to blame in some way for the sins of his fellow churchmen. A well written and thoughtful story of the power of the church and the weakness of some of the men who serve it.
Judy Ross
The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain
An intense book that took me through the lives of a family who endured a secret that kept them all with secrets that shaped their lives, only to find out what they believed to be true may be false.
This is a book you cannot put down. The characters are spoon fed and well played to make your read a good one.
Dennis Beierbach
Hush Hush by Laura Lippman
Laura has written some great stories - this is one of them.
Simonne Coutinho
An Inconvenient Woman by Dominick Dunne
Reminiscent of the Marilyn Monroe story. Full of Hollywood gossip and the Los Angeles elite crowd intermingled with several seedier characters. This story moves right along and one finds oneself switching sympathy from the wife to the mistress.
Simonne Coutinho
A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
Wonderful nostalgic story about friendship and relationships in the 1930s, the upper "club" set of rules among the monied and love winning out. How what is said and unsaid can change one's life. Lots of action involving the 1938 hurricane.
Marcia Sailer
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
Enjoyable novel set in the south. Fast read. Story of Willa Jackson who's family used to be quite wealthy, then fell on hard times and out of high society. Her family's former mansion is being restored and a skeleton is found in the front yard. The mystery is who is it and what happened? Pleasant reading when you just want a nice book to pass the time.
Jessica Johnston
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Beautifully written!
Marika Zemke
Adultery by Paulo Coelho
Don't let the title fool you. This is a book about a middle-aged woman who is wondering where the real happiness in her life is. She is not discontent, but she finds herself wondering if she's missing out on something. She has a wonderful husband, two adoring children and a fulfilling career, but the "world" is telling her that happiness is more than being content. Great for book clubs.
Stacey K
First Impressions by Charlie Lovett
If you love Jane Austen, you will love this historical fiction/mystery regarding the original (lost) draft of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Very intriguing and wonderfully written.
Betty Chrastka
The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin
An exploration of the song lines of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, what they mean and how they affect life in Australia today.
PJ Passer
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
Engaged readers become extended members of the Whitshank family in this generational saga. We can envision sitting at the table for a cup of coffee or sharing Abby's Thanksgiving dinner. The magic of Tyler's writing lies in how real the characters, relationships and circumstances feel. We are reminded of our own lives, our own families, and in the end, we miss the characters when they go their separate ways.
Linda Reck
The Illusionists by Rosie Thomas
This unconventional story revolves around four characters: Eliza, the captivating and charismatic devil, an irascible dwarf who has talents for all things magical, and an artist, Jasper Button. They're thrown together by chance and their lives are unusually linked. THE ILLUSIONISTS starts out with all shades of malevolence, but after about fifty pages, it started to drag. After those pages, the story plods along and you hope there's a climax, but there isn't. It feels unfinished. I'd recommend it to people who enjoyed THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern and to people who read THE MUSEUM OF EXTRAORDINARY THINGS by Alice Hoffman. The book is good for historical fiction fans. It's a light read without much substance.
Sherrie English
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
WOW. A fantastic tale of intrigue, but really how we are fooled. Couldn't put it down!
Pattie Berryhill
Mistress by James Patterson
This is a different kind of story from James Patterson. I liked it. Sometimes, his books are the same old, same ol'. This one was more interesting than the others. Thanks, James.
pat lewis
A Man of His Own by Susan Wilson
If you like animals and reading about their interaction with people, this is the book for you. I don't want to spoil it so I won't say more. It's a lovely read with lots of emotions.
Pattie Berryhill
Becoming Richard Pryor by Scott Saul
This book held my interest till the end. I came to better understand Richard by reading about his upbringing. Violence is all he knew. I think that's why he mistreated all of his women. He was a terrible father, husband, and boyfriend. I was appauled at the amount of cocaine and alcohol he injested. It was heartwarming to see that he finally became humble after his fire accident with drugs. He had some remarkable mentors along the way who believed in him and allowed him to entertain at an early age. I recommend this book to those interested in comedy.
NANCY GALLAGHER
Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor by Rosina Harrison
Very easy read and very enjoyable about life in an aristocratic household in Britain during the Depression and WW II. Makes me want to read more about the Astors.
kay
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
The first half would get 5 stars, but like so many books, editing needed to take place, as it fell. But a vivid and unusual book.
Kathy Iwasaka
China Dolls by Lisa See
A fun, quick read that will take you back to the 1930s and 40s, WWII, and the effects of those times on the lives of three young Asian entertainers. Although I wasn't as swept away as I was in her prior books, See has a way of taking you back in time.
Kathleen Smith
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Can't see what all the hype was about this book. It wasn't that good. Had trouble keeping the characters straight. Wouldn't recommend it.
Tessa B C
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Audiobook performed by Bernadette Dunne. A classic of the genre, Shirley Jackson’s novel has been scaring people since 1959. Four people come to Hill House to investigate whether there is an occult presence. They get more than they bargained for, and Eleanor, a meek young woman with a past that includes a poltergeist, is particularly affected by the house. Bernadette Dunne does a marvelous job narrating the audio version. Get a bag of popcorn, turn the light low, and listen – if you dare!
Debbie Smith
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I LOVED this book so much. I have been to France and it's one of my favorite places on earth. This story is about a family, there is dysfunction since the mother died after the father returned from war. Now the Nazis are overtaking France. One daughter lives in the countryside and has a German staying in her home while the other daughter joins the resistance. The story is so well written, and I want to read more about the French resistance. I can only hope that the author will tell another story about the girls in the family. I want more of this story. A must-read.
Valerie Giambona
My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
I love the writing Walsh has put down on his pages. He takes me into a time in my own life - where was I, how did I react, when did it all change. This is a mystery and a coming-of-age story for us all. Thank you M.O. We are reading this for my book club and I can't wait to discuss it.
Phyllis Relyea
Hotel on Place Vendome by Tilar J. Mazzeo
An interesting approach to WWII. The Hotel Ritz located on the Place Vendome was an interesting setting for this nonfiction account of many of its famous residents during the Paris occupation, such as Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, Marlene Dietrich, and Nazi officers. Recommended for WWII buffs.
Linda Harrison
Tell Me About Orchard Hollow by Lin Stepp
Jenna Howell has gone to a cabin close to the Smoky Mountains to think about the mess her life is in and decide what to do about it. She married a controlling man who ridicules her artistic work. Her mother tells her to put up with her husband’s infidelities as that is part of the social scene. Her neighbor in Orchard Hollow is Boyce Hart, a well-known artist who has a small gallery. He befriends Jenna and their friendship blossoms into love, but she is still married and he recognizes this. She returns to New York to start divorce proceedings and Boyce wonders if he will ever see her again.
Linda Harrison
Makin' Miracles by Lin Stepp
Zola Devon runs a small gift shop in Gatlinburg in the shopping center where the Jackson Gallery is located. Spencer Jackson is a well-known photographer and has always been a loner until he meets Zola. She has the gift of sight and warns Spencer about the woman he is with. He becomes angry but later finds that she spoke the truth. He is attracted to Zola but is unsure of her “gift”. Can she always know what he is thinking? She is attracted to him but does not like the sullen side he shows when discussing his family. Can these two make a life together?
Linda Harrison
Twelve Days by Alex Berenson
Unsubstantiated proof is obtained that Iran has facilities for developing nuclear weapons and the President demands that Iran let the US inspect their plants. Iran refuses. The President gives them two weeks for Iran to recant. As the clock ticks, John Wells, ex-CIA agent, Ellis Shafer, CIA, and Vinny Duto, former head of the CIA and now a Senator, work to find out the source of the uranium. They focus on an Israeli billionaire who is a big supporter of the President. But they need to find absolute proof of this man’s involvement to get the President to call off the planned invasion of Iran. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking...
Linda Harrison
The Bride's House by Sandra Dallas
Nealie Bent and Will Spaulding went to see the new house as it was being built, and Nealie dreamed of living there with Will. But Will was the grandson of the owner of the mine and already married. When Nealie found out, it was too late. She was pregnant and married a miner who became wealthy and a mine owner himself. Nealie found herself living in the house which she had named the Bride’s House. After her death, her daughter and granddaughter lived in the house. The house had seen many changes in the lives of its owners over the years although the house itself never changed. This was an excellent book and a great story.
Linda Harrison
Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt
Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne, was falsely accused of murder and incarcerated in Bedlam for the criminally insane. After enduring several years of abuse, he escaped and is hiding in the burnt remains of a garden. He is working to restore the garden when he meets actress Lily Stump and her son Indio. But someone has given away his hiding place and the soldiers come for him. His friends hide him while hatching a plan to find the real murderer and restore Apollo’s rightful place in society.
Linda Harrison
Dogwood Hill by Sherryl Woods
A romantic story as a former NFL’er moves to Chesapeake Shores to find his biological father. He also finds a love interest but he has to make her see his true intentions and not lump him into the category of her lying former husband.
Linda Harrison
Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath
Lady Ophelia Lyttleton is the ultimate British snob and delights in ignoring Drake Darling, a commoner. Her best friend is Grace Mabry, who is Drake’s sister. Grace tells Ophelia that she snubs Drake because she is attracted to him and Ophelia is shocked when she considers this. One night, Drake found her washed ashore by the Thames and takes her home. He decided to give her a taste of her own medicine and treats her like his housekeeper when he realizes she has lost her memory. He fell in love with the down-to-earth Phee, who acts as his housekeeper. He is just afraid of what will happen when she regains her memory.
Linda Harrison
Full Throttle by Julie Ann Walker
Abby Thompson, the President’s daughter, first met Carlos Soto when they were both med students. Now, eight years later, he is with a secretive detail organized by the President and is working with the Secret Service to protect Abby while she is out of the country. When she is kidnapped by a militant Islamist group, Carlos goes after her. He finds her and now they are on the run from the militants running through the jungle to get to the Thai border. You would think their first thought is to run but no, these two decide to stop at a village where they have sex. Seriously??
Linda Harrison
Code Name: Nina's Choice by Natasza Waters
Navy SEAL Mace Callahan was a typical bachelor until he met Nina Samson and realized she was the one. Then he met her adorable daughter Gabriella and that cinched the deal. Gabriella’s father entered the picture and brought trouble. He owed a lot of money to a drug kingpin, and the way to get it was to kidnap Gabriella and get the money from Nina’s wealthy parents. But he didn’t figure on Mace and the rest of the SEAL team.
Judith Mosconi
The Old Neighborhood by Avery Corman
This was a feel good book with some thoughts to ponder along with the main character. Full of nostalgia, it raises questions that many of us ask, and it has a satisfying ending.
Vikki C.
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
I wasn't loving it at first, but then things picked up towards the middle. I always enjoy stories set in Boston.
Rena Ackley
Invisible Murder by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis
The second in the Nina Borg series. After reading THE BOY IN THE SUITCASE, I was anxious to read another book by Kaaberbol. The book is full of international intrigue, child welfare, stolen radioactive weapons. Nina continues to try to help refugees and protect the oppressed with the help of Peter and Mangus. Her husband does not support the cause, which comes into play in a major way in this novel. The book is riveting as it follows one young man's outing as a Roma "gypsy", which changes the entire life he has managed to build. His younger brother pulls him into the role of a hunted weapons thief while he has no idea what is really happening. Great read.
Norm Brontman
The Martian by Andy Weir
Best SciFi novel I've read in years.
Richard N B
Don't Ask by Donald E. Westlake
Book # 8 in the John Dortmunder series is a fun, fast, entertaining read. This time out the gang is involved in an international incident centering on an ancient religious relic. Dortmunder is a rather gentlemanly burglar; he’s a mastermind and a great planner, but his plans, however well thought out and featuring split-second timing, never quite work out. The joy comes in watching Westlake’s imaginative, convoluted scenarios unfold.
helen brady
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
A wonderful read. Could not put down!
elaine beierbach
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
A new author I tried and enjoyed.
colin beierbach
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
A good thriller.
Fran OH
Snowblind by Christopher Golden
Of course I read this during a blizzard -- not fun when I had to shovel snow in the evening and it got dark! I kept looking over my shoulder for dancing ice people. Yes, this one spooked me. Great all-around horror novel with fun characters. Watch out for the ice dancers!
Debbie Maskus
The Empire of Night by Robert Olen Butler
I am attempting to read all the books my mother gave to me, so this is not a book that I would pick to read. The series is Christopher Marlowe Cobb, an interesting name, but does not live up to the expectations. The premise of a mother and a son working together as spies during WWI might conjure a magical story, but unfortunately the relationship skirts decency. Butler does an excellent job with characters and setting, but the storyline falls short. The final scenes seem unrealistic. This is not a series that I will continue.
Therese Wiese
The Mockingbird Next Door by Marja Mils
This was a tough book to rate. I love TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and of course am looking forward to Harper Lee's "lost" manuscript this summer. I would have liked THE MOCKINGBIRD NEXT DOOR much better if it had been written just from an objective viewpoint. But that fact that the author claims to be Lee's friend, then discloses so much information just really felt a little unethical.
Lisa Alongi
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
I consider myself a tough critic, often rating a book 2 or even 3 stars fewer than most readers. And yet, Anthony Doerr has crafted such a beautiful tale of human resiliency and decency, a rating of 5 stars seems insufficient. The masterful writing of the parallel storylines, which become artfully woven together, captivated me almost immediately. I grew to love the two main characters, each fighting very different but equally challenging personal battles, in the face of grander war.
Crystal Blackburn
Death of a Liar: A Hamish Macbeth Mystery by M.C. Beaton
More murder and mayhem in the Highlands of Scotland.
Izella Cadwallader
A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor
I loved the book! For those who are flower lovers, it has so much interesting information about the meaning of flowers. There is also a wonderful loved story and a mystery that finally is solved at the end. It is historically based, which I also found very interesting.
Vikki Cabral
Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler
Nice love story.
Beth settje
Secret Life of Wishful Thinking by Lindy DeKoven
A story about four women, choices they make, and friendship. Each one has a hope that her life could be a little different, that certain parts of their past could be changed. We follow their lives as they intertwine and realize how much they need one another. I did like how women treating one another well was a theme throughout the book. The ending tied up a little too tightly, so I would say it is a good beach read vs. something more substantive.
Jo
The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier
This is a good book about a twisted serial killer. Lots of twists and turns. I read this in a day.
Denise Beierbach
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
A very vivid story that I lost myself in.
Linda Haack
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Good story but way too long. The author spent way too much time on certain aspects, with endless repetition. Where was the editor?
Brenda Klaassen
House Witch by Katie Schickel
This was the exact book I needed this past weekend. It was full of fun, sadness, adventure, family and friends. There were some very positive life values at the core of this story. The reader was given the chance to really use their imagination while reading this story. I do hope this author might make the characters in this book into a series of books. When you are looking for an entertaining story, pick up this book.
Becky Haase
February Fever by Jess Lourey
If you like trains and cozy murder, you will like FEBRUARY FEVER. Mira, the heroine of the story, is a librarian with a problem – murder follows her. Every month another dead body is discovered and Mira helps solve the mystery. February finds Mira, her co-worker Mrs. Berns, and snowboarder friend Jed on a Single-Mingle Valentine’s Day Train chugging to Portland. Comedy ensues as the travelers explore the train and engage with other passengers. The train gets stuck in a snow storm and a murder victim is discovered. The plot may be familiar, but the execution is well done. Mrs. Berns ranges from quirky to somewhat annoying, but the other characters are fun to have around.
shelly itkin
Last One Home by Debbie Macomber
Cassie was looking forward to attending college on a full scholarship when everything seemed to change. Discovering she was pregnant with Duke's child, she leaves her family and her dreams behind. Duke wants her to have no contact with her friends and family, and so they moved away. After Aimee was born things were not working out. Cassie had been abused before Aimee arrived, but after her birth she feared for the safety of the two of them. With no choice or time to prepare she runs away to a shelter to be safe. Cassie would often remember the good times she had with her two sisters, Karen, her older sister and Nicole, her younger sister. Life was much easier and happy then. Then Cassie returns to Seattle.
Francisca E B
The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier
Two men meet by chance and discover they are so identical in appearance they could pass for one another. After a night of drinking, John awakens in Jean’s pajamas, and finds that his French counterpart has stolen his identity and car. There’s nothing to do but take on the mantel of the Comte de Gue until the “practical joker” returns. Du Maurier writes wonderfully complex psychological suspense, and this is a stellar example. The way in which John muddles along as “Jean de Gue” reveals much about his doppelganger. The plot is full of twists and turns, which kept me interested and intrigued from beginning to end.
Judith Salisbury
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This novel is the story of two sisters during the occupation of France in WWII. It is the best book! I was enthralled by their journey through a disturbing time in their country. The elder is a sensible wife and mother while the younger is impetuous and rebellious. War brings out the most amazing qualities in each of them. It was a difficult and frightening time, but you see and feel the growth of these young women. I was transported into their world page by page. I haven't felt this moved by a novel in a long time.
Whitney Zinner
The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper
Well written. Thoroughly enjoyed the various storylines and characters. One or two predictable moments but overall a great read.
Marilyn Myers
Irish Blessings by Ashley Shannon
This is just a short fun book to browse. Because of my Irish heritage, I find it great fun to revisit in March!
Priscilla Reilly
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
I loved this book as she took the reader from a southern family with slaves to two sisters that turned out to be abolitionists. The writing and the way she developed the characters and the story was wonderful. This book was very informative about those times and how southerners and Quakers reacted to the slavery issue. I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did.
Brady
Mozart in the Jungle by Blair Tindall
This is a memoir of a woman who is expert playing the oboe and who is a professional, always looking for work, though she always seems to find something, but is always broke until later in her story. You get an excellent insight into the workings of classical music and the performances as well as the lifestyle many have, which is quite raunchy. It is well written and interesting all the way through.
Brady
The Last Jew of Treblinka by Chil Rajchman
This author is a survivor of the holocaust and this is his story during that time in the 40s. If you haven't read about the horrors of that time, you should so to know it is important to not allow that terrible time to happen again. It seems the middle east is doing that right now...again...and it is most important to campaign to get that activity stopped. You will learn a lot if you read this.
Christine Menton
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
You wouldn't want neighbors like these. Kept me reading all day long so I could find out who had done it. Boy was I surprised at the end.
Debbie Maskus
The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies
I seem to have read too many war stories and they meld together. This story was too disconnected with the jumping back and forth of the different storylines, and the ending attempted to bring them all together. The setting provided a wonderful description of Wales and the Welsh people, but the characters lacked depth. So many of the storylines had choppy events that transpired with no clear sequence. And of course the Germans are portrayed as mean, inhumane creatures that batter their own troops. The story needed to be longer to give justice to the three characters, instead of flitting here and there.
Deanna Harwell
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This was a wonderful read. Two of my book clubs have read it. It was a deeply moving story about the WWll time period. The 530 pages moved fast as I could hardly put it down.
Jan Zahrly
The Secret Place by Tana French
This is the best Tana French book yet. The mystery is only solved in the last page or two, and, as usual, I went "DUH." The book is set in a private girls school in Dublin, where a male student from a neighboring school was murdered the year before. There are characters from French's earlier books but the book can easily stand alone. French accurately portrays the groups that form in a youth culture and the awful hurt that they do to each other. How did we ever live through that? If you have not yet read Tana French and if you love intricate mysteries, grab this one.
Oswaldo Reyes
American Sniper by Chris Kyle
AMERICAN SNIPER is a true story of one man's love for his country and family. It's a great book that every American should read. It has its sad moments and very happy ones, but most importantly it's a story of a real patriot and real American hero. This story is one you will remember for years to come. I recommend this book to all and it definitely gets 5 stars.
Laura Beierbach
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
A book that would be appealing to either sex. Exciting.
Teresa Hartkopf
Lacy Eye by Jessica Treadway
This was one of those books I read straight through. It doesn't say it was based on true events but I am guessing it was. I thought it was kind of sad, but at least Hannah in the book ended up knowing and acknowledging the truth, unlike the Mrs. Porco whom I think this book was based on.
Sara Myers
Shovel Ready by Adam Sternbergh
I am usually not fond of post-apocalyptic novels but for some reason when I read the summary for this book I decided to give it a try! Boy, it was a ride. The post-apocalyptic angle was a huge part of the plot, but it felt different in the reading of this story than others I have read. Maybe it was because not everything or everywhere was in ruins, only New York, and I kept wondering what was going on in the rest of the U.S., which I didn't really find out except that the Jets lost a game to the Dolphins. Should have kept Rex. Maybe it was because I was so drawn into the story and the crazy characters. The novel centers around Spademan, a garbage man turned hit man. Just a phone call, no questions and the deed is done. One rule - no kids.
Melanie S.
The Future of the Mind by Michio Kaku
Read this for a medically-themed book group at my library. I found the chapters discussing new technologies that can assist those with disabilities as well as target areas of the brain causing mental illness interesting. However, it rambled on about philosophy and ethics of each technology, which caused me to skim many sections of the book. Unless you enjoy reading science journals, I would not recommend. Onto something more mindless for me...
Lynn W
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Delicious. The reader knows from the beginning that someone died during the school's trivia night. There were just too many candidates to figure out who the unlucky one would be. Kept me guessing till the very end. This author is my newest favorite. Loved THE HUSBAND'S SECRET, too.
Tessa B C
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Audio book narrated by Don O’Grady. Genetics professor Don Tillman has decided to marry – once he finds the perfect wife with the use of the extensive questionnaire he’s developed. But when he meets Rosie Jarman he sets aside the Wife Project to help her with her Father Project. As the project continues a friendship develops. This is an endearing, tender romantic comedy that had me laughing aloud in places. A delightful surprise!
Elle Boehm
A Well-Tempered Heart by Jan-Philipp Sendker
I absolutely loved this book. Characters and plot were well developed and interesting to learn about travels through Burma and the culture. I hated putting down this book and was so sad when it ended.
Fran OH
All the Numbers by Judy Merrill Larsen
Beautifully written story about a family that faces the tragic loss of a young child. Portrayed through the eyes of a grieving mother, the reader is taken on a surreal journey of this family's story. Keep the tissues handy if you read this one.
Susan Spencer
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
What a great book, Anne Tyler never disappoints, I hated to have it end.
Stacey K
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This is the second time I have read this book, and the first time since I saw the movie. Loved it even more the second time around. Great plot twists, mystery and weirdness.
Francisca E B
The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
The subtitle says it all: A Biography of Cancer. Meticulously researched and explained so a layman can understand, Mukherjee has indeed crafted a biography of this disease that scares so many of us. He includes a few patient stories to make the scientific information more personal. Stephen Hoye does a fine job reading the audio version of this book.
Nancy Sanders
Tempting Fate by Jane Green
Great book club selection. Interesting characters with realistic life problems and situations.
Rachelle Strachar
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
Loved this book--- after reading it, it is obvious to me Pooh had it figured it out all along.
mary moreno
All I Love and Know by Judith Frank
I couldn't stop reading; this book was excellent. Fantastic writing and a great story.
Debbie Maskus
Guilty Wives by James Patterson and David Ellis
At first, the characters and setting led me to believe that this would be like a Harlequin romance. Then the mood changed. I like Patterson's mode of writing short chapters, so the reader feels compelled to continue reading. Monte Carlo and France set the stage for a thrilling story about the prison and judicial system of France. Four beautiful and bored housewives go to Monte Carlo for a "girl's weekend", but the stakes run high and dry with the women accused of murder and sentenced to life in prison. The story takes many twists and turns before the ending resolution. Patterson drops hints throughout the story implicating the real murderers, but the adventure is fun. A book better than I expected due to learning about French prisons.
Marsha
The Night Searchers by Marcia Muller
Muller has been writing Sharon McCone mysteries for a long time. These are easy reading and interesting tales, and if you start with the early ones you will be swept up into the life of McCone and her cohorts. It is a pleasant read.
Judson Hanson
Promised Land by Robert B. Parker
Oldie but a goodie featuring Spenser and Hawk on opposite sides of a real estate deal gone bad.
Judson Hanson
Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron
First in a series featuring PI and judge Deborah Knott.
Jayne Kasten
The Mockingbird Next Door by Marja Mills
Very interesting, especially in light of the next book to be released by Harper Lee this year!
Donna Shaw
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
I am not a fan of sports. I knew nothing about crew rowing. This non-fiction account of the University of Washington rowing crew during the depression of the 1930s is fascinating. The sons of dirt poor farmers, loggers and shipyard workers overcome many obstacles to become the best of the best in rowing. They compete and win the Olympic Gold in 1936. I have a great appreciation for this sport after reading this book.
Lynn W
Hit by a Farm: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Barn by Catherine Friend
Hilarious and poignant adventures of two women who buy 53 acres and make a farm. Their journey includes sheep, goats, llamas, chickens, ducks, geese, grapevines, miles of new fencing, mistakes, accomplishments, sadness, but enough love and joy to stay with it.
Lois Lilling
Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall
Very readable and dear story of a young girl who, unhappy with the life she has, runs away. She meets a wonderful black woman and the two have some unusual adventures.
Beverly Baum
Dear Life by Alice Munro
These short stories were kind of dull and mundane. I wanted more of a variety of stories with at least a couple being humorous, which I certainly did not find these to be.
Cathy Larese
Madame Picasso by Anne Girard
Inside look at life with Pablo and pals.
Bonnie Gluhanich
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
Wonderful writing, great story, relatable characters all makes for a very worthwhile read.
Francisca E B
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra
This short novel follows two couples in a Taliban-run Kabul. Khadra writes with poetic detail about a city which the residents no longer recognize as their own. They struggle to make sense of a culture that is at once familiar and foreign. This is a tragedy, but I feel that I have gained a little understanding of the situation by reading this novel, and for that I’m grateful.
Karen Lilly
Tempting Fate by Jane Green
The reading group had mixed emotions about the book, but we had a great discussion about it.
Miriam Boots
Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler
I loved this novel about 5 characters in Wisconsin. There is a plot twist 2/3 of the way through that will take your breath away. Wonderful writing.
Alex Rivers
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
This book is different from every other book I have read and in a very good way! Short stories that tie in together (I do not spoil); they will move you as they have me. Olive, and I can't exactly call her our heroine, is an honest, interesting, possibly even fascinating, woman who is one of the most honest book characters I have ever met. I admit it; it took me two attempts to read the whole book, separated by about two years. This time I started over on page 1 and really "listened" to the book. I am glad I did. I can't wait to read Ms Strout's other books.
Michael McAdam
Dark Eyes by William Richter
I really enjoyed this book. It felt like a THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO for the YA set. A young girl searches for her mother in NYC (no spoilers here). It was a fun read and felt like it could actually happen this way (meaning no plot points that are a little too convenient etc) Worth a read.
Jean
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Truly a 5-star read. A thoroughly engrossing story that I hated to see end. One of the best books I have read.
Betty Ramsey
The Shadow of Death by James Runcie
I've been trying new authors to broaden my reading experience. I bought this book because I like the Grantchester TV series and wanted to see what the books are like. I've read two of the three books in the series, this being the first. Sydney is a vicar who gets involved with solving murders, to the detriment of his religious duties. He denies his feelings for Amanda, thinking she would not be suited to be a vicar's wife as she is wealthy and comes from a pampered life. This first book was okay, but it kind of started being short stories without continuity, except for Sydney's involvement. The second book was not good at all. I can't recommend either book and I'm pretty sure the third book will be disappointing,also. Too bad...
Jeffrey Haddow
Who Killed Sir Harry Oakes? by James Leasor
Maybe my high rating is the result of low expectations, but when I was in the Bahamas recently, this was a really fun read. It involves a gold mining billionaire, the Mafia, and the ex-king of England. The atmosphere is tropical, the motives murky, and the rewards dubious. As they used to say about Monaco, Nassau in wartime was a sunny place for shady people.
Elizabeth Kakavis
Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes
Another wonderful story by this author. She hasn't written a bad one yet.
Julie Mackey
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
An absolute must- read. I loved this book even when it was breaking my heart. Tyler's writing is impeccable. Loved, loved, loved this one.
Mary Hayden
Death of a Liar by M. C. Beaton
I always enjoy reading the Hamish Macbeth mysteries by M. C. Beaton. They are a way of relaxing and having a good time and yet not feel 'too lazy'. I like to read them between other books with heavier topics. This one lives up to her usual standard.
Muriel Logan
Palisades Park by Alan Brennert
I love historical fiction and entering into the lives of interesting people such as those in this family saga taking place from 1922-1974. As the title suggests, the story centers around Palisades Park in New Jersey and the people working there in the early 1900s. Life is not easy for main characters Eddie and Adele Stopkq and their children Toni and Jack as we catch a glimpse of their lives during the Depression, WWII, and the Korean War. The author grew up going to Palisades Amusement Park and provides the reader with lots of interesting information about the park as well as warm, realistic and likeable characters to enjoy. It was easy to get caught up in their lives and the history of the park.
Nancy Bader
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I know that most people love this book, and yes, it does compare to GONE GIRL, which I did love, but I had real problems reading it. It took me a while to figure out why. It's because I dislike every single character in the book, especially the protagonist. I wanted to grab her out of the pages and shake her sometimes for seemingly always making the wrong -- bad -- choice. They say that stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. If that's so, then Rachel is really, really stupid!
Nancy Coughlin
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Always enjoy novels that blend the past and the present together. Had never done any readings on the orphan trains, knew about them vaguely. Will definitely do some more reading along these lines. It is always eye-opening to see people who think they know what they are doing because they are 'right', but don't understand at all. It is heart-rending to learn that there were at least 200,000 children shipped off to the Midwest as though they were cattle. Molly and Vivian are two wonderful characters, and their two stories are so twined together in their search for family.
Janice Baly
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
This novel will make you laugh and cry while rooting for its wonderful characters.
Shelia Worthey
The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett
Truly a mesmerizing book if nothing more than for the depths this lady has gone to get full and complete and accurate scientific information. You WILL be amazed, concerned, and unbelieving that we are still here as a race and that we may not continue. It would be so easy. Read it.
Judith Salisbury
Revival by Stephen King
I enjoyed the characterizations as always, but the plot of the novel was a bit thin and I kept putting the book down to read other books. It took me several weeks to finish this novel and when I finally reached the end, all I could say was "Really?"
Judith Salisbury
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Reminiscent of GONE GIRL, this novel weaves through narrative of three women: the girl on the train, her ex-husband's new wife, and a woman whom the girl sees on her daily train commute. Fast-paced and hard to put down, the author keeps you guessing just what is really going on, and I kept believing I had it figured out and then kept changing my mind after I read a bit further. Interesting read.
Geri Krempa
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
Easy read. A historical take on growing up in Boston in the early part of the century. Immigrants assimilating to the U.S., namely Boston. Thought it was a little flat, boring, was waiting for some pivotal climax that just never occurred. Very different from a favorite, THE RED TENT, by the same author.
Anne Murphy
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
I love Sarah Waters' books. You really can't fit her neatly into any particular genre and so she always keeps you guessing. FINGERSMITH - a Dickens type mystery novel, TIPPING THE VEVET - gay/lesbian issues, THE NIGHT WATCH - a modern history of changes in England during WW2. This book covered many issues. The lesbian story was captivating; the trial, though the details became a little tedious, was a perfect glimpse into the world of policing in England after the war. Symbolism abounds but the story is simply captivating.
Linda Smith
Descent by Tim Johnston
A family torn apart by the abduction of daughter Caitlin during a family vacation. I really wanted to like this book more but felt that it wandered a bit too much and was a story that has recently been told too many times.
Barbara B
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I was really excited to read this novel and it did keep my interest. However, I found all of the characters ulikable and it just didn't live up to the hype.
Barbara Bocan
Tess of the D'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy
I have always enjoyed Hardy's novels and this one slipped by me and has been on my list of "to reads". I really enjoyed reading about the countryside and of the rural people before the industrial revolution. I liked the characters, especiallyTess, who was a strong and righteous woman, who lived a very sad life. A truly great read and a classic.
Myrna Lippman
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
A beautifully written story of two sisters surviving in their own way during Germany's occupation of France during World War II.
Kathy Fuchs
Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson
This is simply one of the best books that I have ever, EVER read!! It immediately grabs you when an elderly man walks up to one of the most prominent businessmen and philanthropists in Chicago, puts a gun to his head, and accuses him publicly of being a Nazi war criminal. Fast start anyone? The pace never dulls and you find it almost impossible to put this book down. My husband read the book in one day because he couldn't put it down. I took two days, only because I got it so late on the first. It is an awful story, told beautifully, with rich characters, deftly examined emotions, descriptions that make you feel as if you are RIGHT THERE and much, much more. This is an extremely talented author who tells a story I will never forget.
Sandra Voytko
The Drop by Dennis Lehane
Lehane breathes pulsing life into his story through the small details of his characters’ lives, investing their every mannerism with unspoken emotion.
Wendy Zuckerberg
An Italian Wife by Ann Hood
Poorly written.
Ivy Pittman
Gray Mountain by John Grisham
A town, old secrets and revenge seekers sets the tone for this story. True Grisham mystery to the end.
Susan Sporer
The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
I love this book. It created an incredible picture of New York City 100 years ago. The story held me from beginning to end. It reflected the magical nature of Alice Hoffman's stories but more realistic than many of her works. The characters are compelling.
Marion Moeller
Leaving Time by Jodi Pioult
Good book. A lot of elephant information.
Richard N B
700 Sundays by Billy Crystal
This is a memoir of his youth growing up in an extended family on Long Island. Billy Crystal’s father, Jack, died when Billy was just fifteen; he figures he had only 700 Sundays with his father. These Sundays form the framework for this memoir. Based on the Tony Award-winning play by the same title, it is not about Crystal’s career as an entertainer, but about the family that nurtured the boy. I wish I could have watched a DVD of the Broadway show because as I read I could not help but feel that the material is best performed.
Anne Marie Koschnick
Killing Orders by Sara Paretsky
My mind numbed over when she talked about stocks and crimes in the beginning, but it picked up quickly and the mystery deepened with more twists and turns than a roller coaster. V.I. is definitely not warm and cuddly, but that's why this was considered a breakthrough book of its time for women detectives. Will definitely read more to get a more complete picture of this female detective.
Linda Klages
Virgin Quest by Mark Radford
Only 92 pages. Extra time and pages could have been given to expanding on the characters.
Diane LaRue
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
CRAZY RICH ASIANS is a hilarious book from the very first page, a family tree. I could not believe how over-the-top wealthy some of these characters were, and even though there are many characters, the author does a great job keeping them straight in the reader's head. This is a book you will zip though, laughing and gasping all the way through. I can't wait for the sequel in July.
Joann Dees
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Best book I have read in some time---and I read a lot--------over 200 books last year.
Linda Reck
World Gone By by Dennis Lehane
WORLD GONE BY, which traces Joe Coughlin's ill-fated attempt at a quiet life, is bursting at the seams with great stories. Every character who floats through this saga of mobsters in 1940s Tampa has his or her own astonishing tale to tell. For Joe Coughlin, the former Prohibition era has gone almost legit. He acts as consigliore to Tampa's top mobsters. He is trying to keep away from the violence that has marked his past. WORLD GONE BY is a multi-layered, morally ambiguous novel of family, love and betrayal. Coughlin finds out that a hit has been put out against him, which adds to his unease. His past is catching up to him. Lehane, who has developed into a novelist of seeming effortless power and command,is missing nothing in his delivery.
Nancy Zuercher
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Great on plot, too little on history for me. It would be an engaging book for a flight to Europe, preferably France.
Judy Ross
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
This book hooked me in the second chapter and held me close till the end. I enjoyed reading how a divorced woman with children finds love again. Life has many twists and turns, whether you are rich or not. This book shows courage and perseverance through each of the characters, even the family dog. Loved it.
Paula Harpster
The Round House by Louise Erdrich
This novel was set in 1988 on an Indian reservation. The story is narrated by Joe, a 13-year-old boy who grows up fast after his mother is raped. The novel explores many themes and topics - from the criminal justice system, betrayal, family, and what happens behind closed doors. It was a good book for a book club discussion.
Rosemary Bednarczyk
My Sister's Grave by Robert Dugoni
Twenty years after a girl disappears and a man was convicted of killing her, her body is found in a shallow grave outside the small town where she grew up. Her older sister, a former teacher turned homicide detective in a near by city, has always doubted that the man in prison is really the killer. She gets a childhood friend, who is now a criminal defense lawyer, to look into the case. The twists and turns and unexpected ending will keep any mystery reader glued to his seat. Don't start this book late in the day, unless you want to stay up all night to finish it!
mary sue skelton
Killing Patton by Bill O'Reilly
Fantastic book! In addition to detailed and personal information about Patton, the book is nicely laid out in form, leading from the beginnings of WWll to the end of the war. Also, many other WWll figures such as Montgomery, Bradley, and even Stalin are profiled. To make it even better, there are many personal photos scattered throughout the book. At the very end of the book, Patton's famous speech is listed, word for word. One gets a sense of his very driven nature and supreme patriotic dedication, not to mention his hair-trigger temper and off-the-cuff rantings. All in all, this book was entertaining while remaining a valid source of accurate and sometimes surprising information.
Joan Chance
The Forgotten Garden by Jane Morton
At first it was hard to keep the characters straight with the three different timelines and the different names assigned to some of the characters. But soon it all fell together, and I enjoyed the mystery of the garden.
Fran OH
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Loved the book, characters. This story was so different and unusual. The author pulled me right in and kept the pages turning. Not the ending I was expecting, but very well done!
Gina Wills
Crash and Burn by Lisa Gardner
Excellent page-turner. A woman with a past scatters clues throughout the book to help us
find her secrets. Is her husband trying to kill her or help her? Is she trying to commit suicide or
stay alive? Who is she really? Who was she as a child?
Kathy Iwasaka
Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline
As always, Lisa writes a story that keeps you on edge from start to finish. If you like to be kept guessing, this one's for you. I always enjoy her books and have another waiting in the wings.
Nancy Smith
Finding Jake by Bryan Reardon
After a school shooting, one perpetrator is dead and another boy, Jake, who has disappeared, is of high interest to the police as he was a friend of the shooter and a witness says they saw two boys. The book traces the friendship of the two boys and Jake's alienation from the mainstream of kids. Did he do it? Where is he if he did participate and if he didn't participate, why is he gone? This is a different take on the subject of alienation and school shootings so don't let the subject matter turn you away. Reardon is a first-time author and this is an excellent book with a different take on what seems to be teen alienation with a surprise twist. Looking forward to more books by this author.
Coral Harrison
The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs
It is a story about broken families. Two girls find out they are born on the same day and had the same Dad. He was killed so they never met him. They were grown before they knew that they were sisters. It is very well written and I found the book very interesting. Parts of it are slow reading but I really enjoyed it. Their grandfather was hurt and was in the hospital a long time. They did not know if he would live.
Edna Ritzenberg
Night in Shanghai by Nicole Mones
A fascinating page-turner which kept me going all day during a bad snow storm.
Norm Brontman
Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan
Good story.
Veronica Earley
Of Irish Blood by Mary Pat Kelly
A very intense novel of the Irish survival during World War I. Lots of history.
Bonnie Gluhanich
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
This is geared to middle-graders and I bought it for our 9-year old grandson. He loved it, got his mother to read it and now I've just read it. Great story of empathy and kindness and would be great for a family discussion.
Therese Wiese
Starting Up Silicon Valley by Katherine Maxfield
If you lived in Silicon Valley in the late 70s and early 80s, you know ROLM was "the" place to work. I did enjoy the book and the memories it evoked, but lots of techy stuff going on, which made for some patches of very dry reading. Having said that, I would still recommend it for all the history.
Barbara Otter
Hush Hush by Laura Lippman
I am a latecomer to this series, this being the first one of Laura Lippman's books I have read.
Lucky me as I have a lot of catching up with Ms. Monaghan.
Rochelle Stempler
Mightier Than the Sword by Jeffrey Archer
I am an avid Archer fan and have read all but one of his novels. I have enjoyed all the Clifton Chronicle books. You do not have to have read the four previous books in the series to understand and enjoy MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD. When I have finished each book (I generally read it within the first month of its release), I am frustrated that I have to wait a year for the next one.
Betty Chrastka
Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King
Another great read in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series -- this time spending time in Japan. Fascinating stuff.
Emily Comella
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
Well-written, thoroughly researched, and absolutely riveting. Great account about the final crossing of the Lusitania.
Susan Spencer
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
What a wonderful book. I read JANE EYRE a few times and I loved this homage to Charlotte Bronte.
Mike Patt
Black Horizon by James Grippando
I like all his books but enjoy the Jack Swyteck books the most.
Cam Grizmala
A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor
A MEMORY OF VIOLETS is a poignant story about London's flower sellers. Set around 1876, two young, impoverished sisters sell "posies" of flowers at Covent Garden Flower Markets for their survival. The youngest sister goes missing and her sister never stops searching for the little girl. It is rather sad and disturbing to think that children, some orphaned or having parents unable to find work, as young as these were, having to sell flowers for a pittance.
Sandra Furlotte
Farthing by Jo Walton
This is a very unusual mystery set in England in 1949. It is unusual because history has been turned upside down with England making a separate peace with Hitler in 1940. The assumptions about what life would have been like makes this story worth reading.
Sharon
In the Woods by Tana French
Rob Ryan f/k/a Adam Ryan is the only survivor of three children who went missing in the woods of a Dublin suburb. Currently he is a member of the Dublin Murder Squad with his best friend Cassie Maddox as his partner. Then they are given the task of solving the murder of a small child in the same woods. Thus started the search for the murderer which threatened the relationship between Cassie and Rob and even Rob's own sanity. The book is well-written and enjoyable.
Tessa B C
The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue
An ethereal novel that moves back and forth in time from 1920s to contemporary New Orleans. Raziela Nolan was a vivacious woman planning a career as a doctor when she died in a tragic accident. Now she watches over a young married couple, Amy and Scott, from her place in “the between.” Both Razi and Amy are dealing with loss and grief. I liked the young Razi, but never connected with Amy. I thought the dual plot lines got away from Domingue, but it was a decent debut novel.
Katherine Bennett
The Perfect Mother by Nina Darnton
This book was a real page-turner that kept me guessing until the end. The reader, like the mother in this story, learned of the daughter's lies gradually and most importantly at the end. Set in Spain, it was an interesting study of the culture and justice system of the country. Possible romance and a marriage under stress kept me intrigued also as to how that would all work out. A thought-provoking book that made me question how well do we really know our loved ones.
Bridget
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
This book was really hard to put down. Told from different points of view, it kept me interested throughout. I DID NOT see the ending coming at all!
Bridget
The King's Curse by Philippa Gregory
One of Philippa Gregory's better endeavors. Maybe because I did not know much about Margaret Pole I found this more interesting than some of her other more recent novels.
Debbie Maskus
A Fatal Winter by G. M. Malliet
The story is especially interesting on audiobook, with the delightful narration of Michael Page. The characters bounce from the pages as truly sinister figures and deciding which is responsible for the deaths of the patriarch Oscar, Lord Footrustle, and his twin, Lady Baynard. Christmas sings through the chapters and the halls of Chedrow Castle as Max aides Inspector Cotton in finding the killer. Malliet uses many references to the Bible, Shakespeare, and various famous movie lines to unfold the story. A gifted reader could write an excellent paper on all these allusions. In Nether Monkslip, the females plot to catch Max in a matrimonial web. Who will be the lucky woman?
Linda Johnson
I Heard God Laughing: Poems of Hope and Joy by Hafiz
A book of beautiful poetry by an ancient Persian poet. Definitely fills one with joy.
Myrna Pennisi
Some Luck by Jane Smiley
This first book in Smiley's trilogy covering 100 years in the life of the Iowan farming Langdon family, covers the years from the 1920s to 1953. We saw Walter and Rosanna Langdon marry and have 6 children as they tended to their farm in Denby, Iowa. Now I'm looking forward to reading the second book, EARLY WARNING, which covers 1953-1986. It will be interesting to see what directions the Langdon children take during this period of social and political significance in American history.
Nancy Gallagher
Gossamer Ghost by Lauren Childs
An awesome cozy mystery! Keeping up the suspense until the very end! Just love this author!
Audrey Larson
Fear the Darkness by Becky Masterman
This is a powerful, riveting book! I read every single word, could hardly put it down, and learned a great deal from it. The author has a tremendous insight into people, their motives, flaws, beliefs, etc. There is good, solid medical information about drugs, their side effects, interactions with foods and beverages, some even causing Parkinson's symptoms. Additionally, the setting is fascinating, everything from saguaro cactus, the desert, local color, and an area of the USA that I've never visited, but now wish I could! I give this book two thumbs up and a five star rating!
Brenda Klaassen
The Song by Chris Fabry
This was a wonderful story. I think the reason I read it so slowly was it hit close to home. The settings were beautifully described. The characters were 100% believable. The author found a great way to present G-d to the world. The book did not come off "preachy." There was no surprise ending - it was just true-to-life. I will recommend this book to others.
Hedwig Hopwood
Cat Out of Hell by Lynne Truss
Read in one sitting! It is a fun little book - the title pretty much lets you know the premise. You will remember Roger's story for quite some time. The animal characters are far superior to the bumbling human ones. Enjoy a quick read.
Robin Fuller
Trust No One by Jayne Ann Krentz
This is an author I enjoy because I like her characters. This book was not a disappointment. I would recommend it as a read for pleasure.
Jeri Schejbal
Stone Mattress by Margaret Atwood
Very, very creative writer. Short stories but wonderfully tied in. Definitely recommend.
jane Kimball
The Eye of Heaven by Clive Cussler
It's an emerald big as a grapefruit and the Fargos are hunting it. Who better to find it than Sam and Remi. A fantastic couple in a fast moving adventure! Lotsa fun!
Marsha
Raging Heat by Richard Castle
I am surprised that the Castle books are as exciting as they are. The writing is quite good and the plot very complex but fascinating. Much better than the TV series. Nikki Heat is a raging gal as she hunts down the person hired to kill her.
Vikki Cabral
Saving Grace by Jane Green
Enjoyed the story, although it was hard to believe that two intelligent people like Ted and Grace could be conned as they were. Not sure the recipes in the book were needed.
Frann O
His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire Series #1) by Naomi Novik
Not bad for a free Nook book. I'm glad I didn't buy it though.
Donna Shaw
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
An excellent description of life in Iceland during the early 1800s. Agnes M. along with 2 others are charged and convicted for the murder of two men. She was beheaded and the last person to be executed in Iceland. This story is an account of her last year of life.
Barbara Burke
Longbourn by Jo Baker
If you have read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, then you must read LONGBOURN. LONGBOURN gives us an in-depth view of what 1812 in the Bennett household may have looked like below stairs. We enter into a world that truly brings the reality of what living in 1812 must have looked like. I love that this story mirrors PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and as you read this very well written book you know exactly where you are in Jane Austen's story throughout it all. Well developed characters, detailed descriptions of the real day-to-day living and a solid storyline that keeps you so connected to these very real people. Terrific read!
Michael McAdam
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Every year there are a couple of books that stick with me and are the first out of my mouth when people ask for book recommendations. I think BIG LITTLE LIES will be the first for 2015. I have already recommended it to a few people. I don't know (and don't care) if it qualifies as "chick lit" - I REALLY enjoyed it. Who knew a story about kindergarteners and their mothers could be so engaging! Huge thumbs up!!!
Tessa B C
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
What a magical, wonderful story! This is a quest, a fairy tale, a horror story, a coming-of-age story, and a psychological study all in one. I love David, and I loved how Connolly incorporated so many life lessons in this imaginative tale. The adventures David has while in this “other” land are familiar and yet disturbingly different. Connolly is known as a writer of mystery thrillers, and his skill at writing a fast-paced, suspense-filled narrative shows here. I was immediately engaged in the story and couldn’t put it down.
Judy O.
The Winter Guest by Pam Jenoff
Helena and Ruth Nowak are eighteen-year-old twins who live in occupied Poland during WWII. They are raising their three much younger siblings. Helena discovers a downed American pilot out in the countryside. What should she do? This is a great story--a very gripping exciting one to the end.
Gail Janke
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
This book kept me reading and eager to get to the next twist and turn of the story. I liked it even more than GONE GIRL.
Donna Shaw
All the Old Knives by Olen Steinhauer
I loved this book. It was an easy read and I read it in one day. I couldn't put it down. Ex-lovers and former spies haven't contacted each other for six years. They have moved on with their lives... but have they actually moved on? They meet for dinner and the story and suspense builds. I was completely blindsided with the ending.
Leslie Runge
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
I learned so much about rowing fromt his book. It is a very well written story; I found myself on the edge of my seat even though I already knew the outcome of the Olympics.
Melanie S.
Whiskey & Charlie by Annabel Smith
Sensitive story about identical twin brothers who are far from similar in their personalities. We are first introduced to the brothers when, as adults, one is visiting the other who has sustained a severe head injury and is in a coma. The book started off rather slowly but then built momentum and I found myself more engaged as the story progressed. We learn about Whiskey and Charlie and their relationship/rivalry from a very early age through their teenage years and adulthood. A satisfying and emotional read. Received a review copy from Bookreporter.com.
Evelyn H
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
So well written. Didn't want to put it down.
Melanie S.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Wow! Loved the ride that this novel took me on as the layers of each characters' story were revealed and the suspense kept building. This novel is being touted as this year's GONE GIRL, but I liked this book so much better, and it had a much more satisfying ending. I am not a big reader of the thriller genre, but this story held me captive. Definitely recommend.
Lynn W
Vanessa and Her Sister by Priya Parmar
Reading this book about the Bloomsbury Group is very entertaining. The reader learns about the lives of these innovative people through Vanessa Bell's diary and letters and cables between the cast of characters (listed). I especially enjoyed finding the nuggets like "Morgan" is E.M. Forster and Roger Fry bought Van Gogh's SUNFLOWERS for a dealer for one hundred and twenty pounds! Priceless!
Vikki Cabral
Some Luck by Jane Smiley
I was skeptical when in one of the first chapters, we see the world through a baby's eyes. The spoon Frankie played with, the mush "mama" fed to him, the view from sitting in his high chair. It went on for a bit longer than it should have. Don't even get me going on the farm chores and the planting of oats. There was a lot of pointless detail in this book. Maybe that is the point though, living on a farm is a lot of work and not fun. Very Green Acres, only not funny. I kept waiting for something...ANYTHING to happen and it just didn't. I did start to like a few of the characters, eventually. The ending was terrible. This is the first book in a trilogy. Who knows, maybe this is just background for what's coming.
Jan Zahrly
Whiskey & Charlie by Annabel Smith
This book about two adult twins will be interesting to young adults and teens who are exploring themselves mentally. It is told from the side of a brother watching his identical twin in a coma from an accident. It explores one brother discovering that he is so different from his sibling. He only understands some things as an adult and has to face the possibility that his brother may die or never recover from the damaging accident.
Nancy Hausladen
Invisible by James Patterson
I enjoyed this book, however, did not think it was up to James Patterson's usual writing. The book's central character is a FBI researcher who has been put on medical leave. While on leave she investigates a series of fires. I did not feel the characters were real.
Sandra Furlotte
We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach
This is one fabulous book. It is funny, tragic, genuine all rolled into one. It is the story of four teens caught up in an end of the world event. The way these four handle themselves and their relationships with family and friends is so wonderfully told. Please read it.
sandi ward
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
A psychological thriller with the twisted ending. We follow the lives of Tom and Anna, Jason(Scott) and Jess(Megan) and Rachel, Tom's ex-wife. Between alcoholic blackouts, trains, a missing woman and a murder the chilling plot emerges. Who is safe, who is sinister, who lies and who tells the truth? The three women narrate this book.
Jud Hanson
Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
First book in the series featuring Guido Brunetti, a police commissario in Venice, Italy.
Jessica DeLeon
A Spool of Blue Thead by Anne Tyler
Tyler weaves a tale of three generations of one family. The book takes unexpected twists, but it's Tyler's knack for the articulating the highs and lows of interpersonal relationships that make the book worth reading.
Francisca E B
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
A beautifully elegant gem of a novel that explores a unique friendship between the Housekeeper, her son and the brain-injured professor of mathematics whose memory is limited to 80 minutes. The slow way in which the Housekeeper, Root and the Professor get to know one another is framed by his lessons on the poetry of mathematics and the elegance of prime numbers. Cassandra Campbell does a fine job narrating the audio book; even when reading an equation she makes it sound like poetry.
Alyson Widen
Hush Hush: A Tess Monaghan Novel by Laura Lippman
The deep questions this book raises makes you search your soul and wonder about the repercussions of mental illness and far-reaching consequences of postpartum depression.
Elizabeth Petrovich
The Reluctant Midwife by Patricia Harman
THE RELUCTANT MIDWIFE is one of those books you won't want to put down because the characters are so wholesome and because the story is so homey and heartwarming. Patience and Becky are characters you would want for friends. Enjoy if you read THE RELUCTANT MIDWIFE....any women's fiction fan will be hooked. You will want to crawl into the pages of the book, to be one of the characters, and to share in their lives.
P. Ashley
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Most entertaining! Delightful suspense, with each character seemingly suspect. Makes you stop and think that what we see is sometimes not the reality of the situation.
Amelia McQuiston
Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews
It was a fun easy read. It lived up to my love of Andrews' work.
Kay Keller
The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell
Amazing novel!! Just the kind of thriller that keeps you reading late into the night. It's a real page-turner!! The setting is the Vatican in 2004 during Pope John Paul II's reign. Two brothers who are both priests become involved in a murder mystery. At the center of the story is a fifth gospel that could change the Catholic Church. Very well-researched and full of Biblical history!! Can't wait to read the next Ian Caldwell novel!!!
Ann
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I read a lot of books and would have given 10 stars if possible. This was the best book I have read this year. Good storyline, the characters came to life and you just did not want to put the book down. A must-read.
LINDA BASS
The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton
Twenty-two year old Sophia Parsons was a Wicca by faith, but then small town of Belle Meadow didn't understand her link to Paleography that she studied in college. She was a pariah after a series of unsolved murders cast her in an unfavorable light as she was the only thing in common. How could she tell anyone that she heard the sound of many, many voices in her head? Because she was an outcast, it was believed that she caused illness in the children and everything else that went wrong in the town. Sophia worked as a waitress in the town's diner and rarely dated. Her best friend Ivory insisted that she spend a night clubbing with her, but if she knew what she was in for she'd have stayed at home.
Donna Shaw
Mr. And Miss Anonymous by Fern Michaels
Lily and Peter meet at a fertility clinic where they donate in order to earn money to finish school. Their understanding was that they would be helping childless couples. Nineteen years later, they decide to attend a class reunion in the hope of making contact again. Both of them have been disturbed about their actions during their college years. They meet and an investigation begins.
Nancy Boschetti
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
The members of my book club were all in agreement that this was one of the best books that they had read, and it made for a wonderfully interesting discussion at our meeting.
Betty Taylor
Whiskey & Charlie by Annabel Smith
At first, I was a bit put off by the chapter titles “gimmick.” Lately it seems some authors spend more time on developing their format than on the story itself. But I am happy to say I was wrong when it comes to Annabel Smith. As children, Whiskey and Charlie loved the NATO alphabet, so Ms. Smith wrote 26 chapters with each chapter named for the next letter of the alphabet. Thus the chapters were Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, etc. Having a military background, I had no problem keeping up with the chapters. The story flowed really well and I found myself wondering how she was going to work the title of the chapter into the story, especially with chapters such as India, Quebec and Uniform. Amazingly, she accomplished it very smoothly.
