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July 24, 2015 - August 7, 2015

This contest period's winners were Helen B., Helen D., Linda C., Marilyn S. and Terese T., who each received a copy of BROKEN PROMISE by Linwood Barclay, CIRCLING THE SUN by Paula McLain, and THE MARRIAGE OF OPPOSITES by Alice Hoffman.

 

Janice
A Soldier's Oath by Angelica Kate

5
This book is part of a series, which I plan to read all of. It pulled me right into the storyline of a promise a band of "brother's " made to each other during dangerous missions. In each book you will follow a different soldier's story connected to the promise made. The next one is A SOLDIER'S PROMISE. I started and finished this book in 24 hours; I could not put it down.

Pearl
The Time in Between by Maria Duenas

5
Captivating historical which is enthralling, fascinating and during an era that is filled with strife and intriguing characters.

Shannon
Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

5
Love this addictive series! I purchased Book One to make sure I would like the series. I read three chapters and ordered the next four books!

Nancy
My Grandfather's Gallery by Anne Sinclair

5
A wonderful thought-provoking memoir about the author's grandfather, Paul Rosenberg. He owned a famous art gallery in Paris till the Nazis forced him out. He eventually reached America and settled in NY. There he opens a famous gallery on the upper east side that showed Picasso and other painters of that time. The book shows a vivid portrait of a Jewish family tormented by the Nazi regime.

Rena
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

5
A genuine voice, laugh-out-loud funny, challenging for the thoughtful reader about the complexities of racism in the 1950s and today. A coming-of-age story for Jean Louise as she wrestles with her developing identity, changing relationships with her family and friends, and reconciling her dreams and values with the reality of her time and place.

Rita
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

3
I am certain many others will also review this book. I think I can only give it three stars because I think: 1) It would not be widely read except for its relationship to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and 2) it will be quickly forgotten. The story about Scout as a grownup and her coming-of-age relationship with Atticus is interesting but not compelling. This is another story about a small Southern town and it bears elements of THE HELP but falls short of it. Overall, I can see why it was not published before her later book.

Deb
Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

3
The story was too predictable. I listened to the audio version (well-performed) and had a few laugh-out-loud moments. Tidbits about 'wining' perked up a mediocre story.

Myrna
Language Arts by Stephanie Kallos

4
Through the use of flashbacks, we come to know Charles Marlow, a teacher of language arts who is the father of a severely autistic son and a college-age daughter. Who knew one's elementary school penmanship lessons could have such an influence on an adult's personality?! The author paints a vivid picture, too, of autism from childhood through adulthood. The book kept my interest throughout.

Bobbie
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

2
Very uninteresting. Same old story of conflict between black and white in the south. Only fun when Scout was part of the story. My husband just finished it also and did not like it at all. Book should never have been published.

Rita
The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner

4
While this is historical fiction, it still gives one a good picture of life in the court of Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain and the pressures of the day. I found it quite fascinating as it deals with decisions of royal life, the conquest of Granada, the Spanish inquisition and, of course, Columbus. The most interesting thing to me was the comparison it raised in my mind while listening to today's issues of religious tolerance and how much we are all a product of our time.

Laurie
Things You Won't Say by Sarah Pekkanen

3
Family saga, police officers as husbands. Tells a good story how couples cope through injury and loss.

Kathy
The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

5
I love all of her books. They always have a quirky love affair. I also love that they're based on Nantucket.

Rita
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

3
This is an interesting book based upon a true story of a young Indian boy who leaves his own culture and religion to adopt the white man's culture and religion. He is aided in this "crossing" by a young girl from the settlement who goes through her own awakening to cultures and life's trials. This book is not as strong as Ms. Brooks' previous books but did create some good discussion in our book club.

Carol
Some Luck by Jane Smiley

2
Was 50% finished with the book before it became interesting. Have always struggled to finish Smiley's books and this one was the same. Without a farming background, not sure I would have bothered.

Peggy
Miss Julia Throws a Wedding by Ann B. Ross

4
Book three of a series has feisty Miss Julia totally involved with her adopted family. This is an easy, charming read.

Beverly
The Round House by Louise Erdrich

4
Very informative story concerning the Native Americans living on reservations.

Linda
Inside the O'Brien's by Lisa Genova

5
Another awesome and enlightening story by this author. It tracks an incurable disease from the time the victim is not even aware of its existence to the crippling effects on a life, the courage to continue that life, and the question of genetic testing of descendents.

Susan
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

5
Harper Lee's GO SET A WATCHMAN is definitely worth the read. It tells of Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, now 26, as she returns home to Maycomb, AL after being in NYC for 5 years. She looks at life there in a different light and it causes quite a bit of turmoil for her. The storyline is not elaborate but is backed up by many reminiscences of her growing up years. Going back to the characters of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Scout, her brother Jem and cousin Dill, decide to play "revival" and Dill's re-enactment of the Holy Ghost made me laugh out loud. There were other oh-so-typically Southern crazy events: a lady wants to publish an obituary for her cow, written as a poem; a gentleman digs up his long dead grandfather and removes his gold teeth.

Linda
A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor

4
A historical novel that tells the story of two sisters who are flower sellers, orphaned, in London. The younger of the two goes missing and is never found. Years later, Tilly, a young woman who is working at one of the homes provided by a wealthy man for children who are crippled or orphaned, comes across their story and starts to look for clues that might help find out what happened to the child. The fascinating part to me was that all of these children were educated and taught a trade while in a home-like setting and went on to have meaningful lives.

Michael
The Fall by Guillermo Del Toro

3
This is Book 2 in The Strain trilogy. I wanted to read it before season 2 of the FX show started. The best I can say is that it is pretty good. Parts are very good but it never quite achieves page-turner status. I usually make opportunities to read when I am reading a really good book. For this one, I found myself thinking "I have a few minutes to read. Oh. I am reading THE FALL", and I would find something else to do instead. I am not saying the book is horrible by any means - my interest in it waxed and waned. I thought the first book was fantastic. Something is missing in this one, though I couldn't tell you what. I am still going to read the third book. And between thumbs up and thumbs down, I would still say thumbs up.

Jayme
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

5
THE SUMMER BOOK is a gentle story of how a grandmother quietly helps her granddaughter come to terms with the sudden death of her mother. On an isolated island off the coast of Finland they spend a summer discovering the magic of the island and let each other wrestle with their demons in order to accept the gifts that they both can finally offer to each other. This is truly a remarkable book.

Jayme
The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng

4
In this exquisitely beautiful novel we are told the story of the ravaging of the people of Malaya in Southeast Asia by the Japanese during WWII. As retired Supreme Court Judge Yun Ling Teoh returns to her home and garden in the Cameron Highlands and begins to recount her experiences during and after the war, we get a glimpse into a culture, people, and historical events that seem to have been forgotten in most history books. To me what is most fascinating about this book is that although we witness some horrendous atrocities during Yun's walk down memory lane, the calmness and serenity that filters throughout the story is amazing. The writing is reflective and soothing, much like Yun's garden. I loved this book.

Jeanne
We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride

5
Great characters and terrific plot.

Jayme
The Coroner’s Lunch by Colin Cotterill

3
Dr. Siri is 72 years old and is dreaming of retiring, but it is one year after the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos has been established (1976), and the communist party needs him to be their coroner – even though he knows nothing about the job. Through Dr. Siri’s eyes as chief coroner, we witness the insanity and corruption that marks the new communist regime in Laos. This actually is a very witty mystery story with a few ghosts thrown in - CSI Laos style. An enjoyable read.

Maureen
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

3
I was disappointed in this book. I thought it would be better, but it was actually boring in spots. Although the writing was well done, the book didn't do it for me.

Eileen
Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper

4
Life takes us on lots of journeys, but Etta's trip to see the ocean takes us all on a very unusual, magical journey. Loved the characters and how their lives intersected. James is a travel companion I won't soon forget.

Rosemary
The Story of Land and Sea by Katy Simpson Smith

2
This book covers the conflicts of three generations of one family in a coastal town in North Carolina, centered around the time of the American Revolution. Following the last page is a notation that it was written as an exercise at a writing seminar. While the conflicts were well covered, the telling was disjointed and confusing. I would think the writer needs a few more seminars before attempting another novel.

Gail
A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson

5
The book opens with the quote, “A man is a god in ruins.” The story then proceeds to illustrate Teddy Todd’s life from his childhood to his death. It is a poignant tale about an easy-going, non-confrontational man who always wants to do the right thing. The reader witnesses his journey as he marries his childhood sweetheart, experiences the horrors of World War II, raises a child, Viola, who then also bears children who continue the line in life’s continuing story. It is a multi-generational saga, which shows the effect that different memories of the same event have upon each character. It is about our ability to soar like the skylark, once we learn how to fly and be free.

Nancy
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

5
I loved this book. It was great to read more about the characters from her previous book, and I could still read more. This is such a nice, sweet book about a magical family. They are waiting for first frost so that their apple tree will drop its apples.

Barbara
Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper

3
I had conflicting thoughts about this book. There were times I really liked it and other times I had a hard time picking it back up. I never felt a connection with the characters - maybe I'm too literal a reader to fully "get" this book. I really didn't like the ending.

Betty
What Stands in a Storm: Three Days in the Worst Superstorm to Hit the South's Tornado Alley by Kim Cross

5
Living in the South where there are so many tornadoes, this book caught my attention. It is a non-fiction but reads like a novel. In a three-day period in April 2011, 349 tornadoes touched down within “tornado alley”. It left at least 324 people dead and caused $11 billion in damage. Most of the dead were in Alabama. This book is the story of the people who survived (and some who didn’t) this hell on earth. It is told with compassion and with obvious heartbreak. Ms. Cross wrote so well that I felt some of the people were my friends. I felt their fear, their heartache, their strength. People put aside football rivalry and helped each other. Some history of storm watching is interspersed. Even this was interesting.

Jane
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

4
A very entertaining and charming story of a woman growing up in the early and mid-twentieth century. The story is told as the main character relates the important parts of her life to her granddaughter. In addition to being a very good story, Diamant interweaves the fascinating history of early immigrants to the United States at the turn of the century as well as giving us a heroine who is independent and determined to be her own person, despite the obstacles facing women during this time period

Melissa
The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan

5
It's incredible to think that a 22-year-old could have such insight into life. I am saddened to think that we have lost such a fine talent. How lucky were those who got to know her. Her characters were well developed and left me wanting more. I was particularly drawn to her non-fiction writing - it made me think. What more could a reader want?

Katherine
One Good Dog by Susan Wilson

5
A redemptive story of a man that makes a mistake borne of his callousness and is sentenced to community service and learns over time about second chances. His dog serves as a metaphor for his journey.

Pauline
The Other Son by Alexander Soderberg

3
I found while reading this book I should have read his first book in the series (THE ADALUCIAN FRIEND) first as I had trouble at first sorting out who worked for whom and who were the good guys among the bad. I wondered who was good and who was crooked. It seemed that some originally good person could turn evil for no real reason. I did like Sophie, a nurse connected to Hector and his notorious family crime syndicate, who becomes an underworld operative. Sonya the detective was another I liked. Tommy certainly was a study of evil. This book was translated from Swedish. Yes, a reader would be tempted to compare his writing to that of Steig Larsson.

Kathy
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

4
Read this for my book club and was not enamored with it. Interesting - of the 7 members in the club, 3 "loved it" and the others felt it was mediocre. I could not get totally involved - the protagonist did not hold my interest. There were parts that were wonderfully written - the descriptions of the bullying that took place. The difficulty of moving from a "good"life in California to being in poverty in Japan was very sad.

Shelia
Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein

4
Always an interesting read not only for the plotted mystery but how she intertwines in-depth, historical and interesting aspects of New York City. You would think she would run out of niches, but so far this is No. 11 or 12 in her Alexander Cooper series gleaned from her 26 years of heading up the Sex Crimes Unit in the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Ms. Fairstein is an intelligent writer.

Lynn
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

2
Well written but not nearly as interesting as her classic TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. TKAM dealt mostly with Scout and Dill's navigating their way through the racist South of the Depression and, to a lesser extent, her father Atticus' defense of the wrongly-accused African-American Tom Robinson. (Supposedly Lee was disappointed with the movie version of TKAM because it puffed up the part of Atticus by moving the trial center stage--but Gregory Peck who played Atticus refused to do the movie unless his part was made bigger, so....actors!) GSAW takes place after Scout has grown up, is living and working in New York, and comes back for a visit, during which she spends most it of arguing with Atticus about racism. Just not as interesting as TKAM.

Karen
Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline

4
A very engaging read that grabs the reader from the very beginning.

colin
Broken Promise by Linwood Barclay

3
Not a bad story.

Janice
Orphan #8 by Kim van Alkemade

4
I loved this book; it was a wonderfully engaging story and was based on actual historic events. I knew nothing about the Hebrew Orphan Asylum or the experimental medical treatments inflicted on children in this country. The story about Rachel Rabinowitz alternates between her childhood days in the orphanage and her life as a young mid-aged adult when she is working as a nurse. In many ways Rachel was lucky, but her life also holds much trauma and tragedy. The author included a few notes at the end that explained her familial ties to this orphanage; I would like to have heard more about her research and the historical facts on which her novel is based. I won my copy of this book from Bookreporter.com.

Kathleen
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

4
BURY YOUR DEAD is a very enjoyable mystery that has great character development and really draws you in. I look forward to reading more of this series.

Anne
The Girls by Lori Lansens

5
It's about conjoined twins written as autobiographies. The author seems to capture their voices so well, and it's often very humorous. There are a few times when sad things happen, but it's not a depressing book. I like to read something during which I walk in someone else's shoes, and this fit the bill. I enjoyed every minute I spent with these girls!

Gail
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

4
Jean Perdu was lost, but later found; in the same way that he encouraged his readers to find themselves, he discovered the person he should be, or rather, the person he had the power to be, the person hiding inside him all along. The reader knows that words have power and this book proves it. Jean Perdu was the bookseller of every reader’s dreams. He not only knew his books, but he understood his readers. As Katherine, his neighbor, coaxed the inner meaning of the stone into her sculptures, as Jordan created children’s books that encouraged children to grow into all they could be, and as Jean helped his readers solve their problems, his new friends and lost love helped him to solve his own. He discovered everyone needs love.

Richard N B
Red Sky at Morning by Richard Bradford

4
A coming-of-age story set in a small mountain town in New Mexico during WW II. Bradford writes believable teens (and adults), making sense of a world whose rules have changed. I was caught up in the story of Josh and his family, as they tried to make the best of the situation. The setting shields the characters from the war, but war will intrude eventually. In the meantime, Josh and his friends maintain some of the innocence of youth, while still stretching the boundaries as they rush headlong towards adulthood.

Sherrie
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

3
Sometimes a sequel is just too difficult to take in, as is with GO SET A WATCHMAN. Many expected changes as the young Scout has grown up and moved to the big city, only to come back Maycomb for her yearly visit to Atticus, her father, where she becomes a young stubborn girl from the past.

Kim
China Dolls by Lisa See

4
Loved the insight this novel provided into the lives of three very different young Asian women, bound by circumstance and friendship, in the era just before, during and after WWII. Chapters are written in the different voices of the three main characters, allowing the reader to know each one and better understand what drives her. Interesting ending, but sad that one character becomes almost a cliche, or caricature of her former self. Quick read; didn't want to put it down, and I enjoyed this book.

Susan
Bettyville by George Hodgman

4
George has come home to take care of his 90-year-old mother in Paris, Missouri. This book is a examination of their relationship now and over the years.

Judy
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

5
I love reading books about sisters and FIRST FROST was magical. Allen wrote several books about them, and I am not reading them in publication order. They are great reads anyway. Fun summer reading with a glass of something cold.

LaVonne
My Sister's Grave by Robert Dugoni

3
This story starts slowly and doesn't build until halfway through the book. It's a legal thriller that pretends to be something else. The plot is reasonable but can sometimes be lost in the overdone detailed chapters.

Marilyn
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

5
This was a second reading for me because a group of friends who had not read it before selected it. The second time around was more moving than the first because I remembered some things but not all. The angst of each character left me with tears in my eyes, even when some remained unforgiving.

Linda
The Daylight Marriage by Heidi Pitlor

4
Hannah disappears after a night of arguing with her husband. The police investigate and discover her personal belongings at a local beach. No one knows why she might have gone there. The police have no clues and no leads. THE DAYLIGHT MARRIAGE was addictive and fast-paced. The story is told from Hannah and Lowell's perspective. It also moves back and forth in time, which adds rich layers of complexity. Each voice was authentic and compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Betty
Witches Protection Program by Michael Phillip Cash

3
A fun read with an interesting mystery.

Deborah
The Word Game by Steena Holmes

5
This is an exquisitely written portrayal of the effects of child sexual abuse on families and the children, now adults. It is written in a way that keeps you guessing till the end. The author tackles this difficult subject matter with grace and compassion. The characters are true-to-life and I felt I knew them. Maybe, in a way I did, being a survivor of sexual abuse myself. It was a difficult review to write because this book was so good that I wanted to do it justice. There is a mystery throughout this book and you will never guess it. This is a book for our times. It is a must-read for anyone. Steena Holmes has captured the very essence of the effect this has on families and how secrets in families have a profound effect on everyone.

Bev
The Sound and the Furry by Spencer Quinn

5
This book won't change your world view but it sure will make you chuckle - especially if there has ever been a dog in your life. Quinn's spunky little detective novels are told through the voice of a over-enthusiastic canine named Chet. Chet rides shotgun with his owner/detective, Bernice, and together they solve odd crimes and share beef sticks. Lots of good-natured fun.

Annette
Tracks by Louise Erdrich

5
An unnerving and almost unbearable read that shines a necessary light on the devastating aftermath of the government's policy of forcing Native Americans to live on reservations in the early 20th century. Erdrich's lyrical use of language further emphasizes the unbearable poverty, taxation, starvation, and exposure inflicted upon Ojibwe clans in an act of cultural genocide. A must-read.

Melanie
The English Girl by Daniel Silva

3
Although many complained that Silva's epic installment series featuring Gabriel Allon, Israeli spy and art restorer, is getting too formulaic, others continue to enjoy the books that center on timely global affairs and keep you guessing throughout. I wouldn't call it riveting, but certainly entertaining and enjoyable.

Kathy
What You Left Behind by Samantha Hayes

4
A good mystery that kept me guessing. Some unique characters and interesting settings that made this one a little different from the usual whodunit and why.

Susan
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

4
Set in occupied Paris during World War II, a Paris architect is asked the unthinkable - to build temporary hiding places for Jewish people seeking to escape the Nazis. Written with meticulous research to the period and beautiful references to architectural design, Belfoure cleverly incorporates humor in the telling of Parisians outwitting the Germans occupiers. This is a wonderful book for book group discussions.

wendy
The Wrong Man by Kate White

3
It started out really interesting but soon I was able to guess things that are revealed in later chapters. Sometimes I wish the "bad guy" would continue to be a villain, even if the heroine is smitten with him!

Darcy
Bettyville by George Hodgman

5
This memoir is so touching and dear and well written, that it may become your favorite read of the year. A young, gay writer/journalist goes back to his small hometown in Missouri to help his mother during her declining years. The reader will be beset with laughter and tears throughout.

Christine
Palace of Treason by Jason Matthews

5
There is an abundance of spy novels out there, but few provide the sort of insight one finds in author Jason Matthews's new book, PALACE OF TREASON. As a former member of the nation's clandestine service, Matthews brings to the table years of tradecraft and deep understanding of the challenges facing today's spies (and double-agents). In this case, Matthews is returning to familiar characters: Dominika Egorova, a Russian double-agent, and Nate Nash, a CIA handler, who also happen to be romantically involved (strictly against regulations). Egorova has stumbled onto information about the Iranian nuclear program, and the US wants to use her to help sabotage progress by Iran. The biggest obstacle, however, may be Putin himself.

Peg
All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner

3
A detailed depiction of addiction and denial.

Diane
At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

2
I wanted to read this book because I loved WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. I gave it two stars because it was a bit slow, predictable, and the romance part was like a Harlequin novel - predictable.What I did like was the historical aspect of the story taking place during WWII in Scotland in the Highlands, near Loch Ness.The author gave the reader a sense of the day-to-day lives of those living through the war. The plot was tracking down the Loch Ness monster by a trio of young American socialites who decide to travel to Scotland at the height of WW II. Maddie, the heroine, soon discovers that her marriage is not what it first seemed. Fast reading. Recommend for a summer read.

Gina
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

2
In a nutshell, don't bother with this one. It is boring, preachy, and annoying. Scout is a grown woman visiting her hometown and old boyfriend and family. She doesn't do much but tries to overact in most situations. The words go on and on and on. The publishers who turned this book down years ago were right. It is not worth publishing.

David
The Lincoln Letter by William Martin

4
If you enjoy historical fiction, William Martin, an author from the Boston area, is very good.

Elizabeth
Things You Won't Say by Sarah Pekkanen

4
This is a time-sensitive novel. With all the recent shootings of police officers and young minorities, this is the other side of the story. What if by chance a police officer really is doing his job and the world goes against him? What happens to his family and life? This is a heart-wrenching story of how the family is torn apart in the aftermath of the shooting. I liked this book but I did not love it. There were side stories that I did not understand. This is not a bad read - just not as good as it could be.

Mary
I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

5
This is their best book that I have read this year. A thriller of a spy novel with suspense that never lets up!!

Muriel
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

3
Gillian Flynn is a good writer of suspense and has a tightly woven plot which keeps the reader guessing as to who could have committed the murders of the two young girls, Natalie and Ann. I probably won't read anymore of her books, however. After reading two of her books now, I would have to say I just can't connect with and do not like the characters in her books. I like a good mystery, but her books are filled with details which I find distasteful. I probably could overlook that if I could just find a character or two in the book I liked. At the same time, I can appreciate that Ms. Flynn puts together a suspenseful story that many would enjoy.

Linda
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

5
A beautiful story of two lonely people who find each other. I couldn't put it down,and I haven't stop recommending it.

elaine
Broken Promise by Linwood Barclay

3
Story hit close to home in many aspects.

Julie
The Purity of Vengeance by Jussi Adler-Olsen

3
A continuation of the Department Q series. Detective Carl Morck and his assistants involve themselves in a case involving involuntary sterilization of girls in 1950s Denmark, as well as trying to stop the rise of an unsavory political party. A bit long, and not the best of the series, but still worth reading.

Miriam
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

2
I was anxious to read the follow up to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I was disappointed in this book. Not sure Harper Lee really wanted this book released. The back and forth between Scout as a child and as an adult was disjointed. Interesting to revisit these characters but disappointing.

Phyllis
Under Magnolia by Frances Mayes

4
UNDER MAGNOLIA was read by the author in her lovely, soft Southern accent, which added to my enjoyment of this book. Her descriptive writing of place and characters is delightful. I had met her when she came to Detroit after UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, so I really liked "hearing" this audiobook.

Lynn W
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

5
This is the best book I've read this year.

shelly
Drape Expectations by Karen Rose Smith

5
If you have read any books in Ms. Smith's series you are going to love this one. As we know, Caprice De Luca is a home-stager who really enjoys her work. When Ace, a client and friend, asks her to please do him a favor and stage one for his girlfriend, Alanna, she agrees. Although Caprice and Alanna have different opinions on how the staging should go, it went rather well. Caprice was upset with the way Mirabelle, Alanna's cat, was being treated and decided that after finding her hidden in the utility kitchen closet, she had to say something to Alanna, and she does and then leaves. As we already know, Caprice has a soft spot for animals and treats Lady, her dog, and Sophia, her cat, as members of her family.

Melanie S.
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

3
The fact that TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD was created as a revision of this novel is the true miracle of this book. Glimmers of excellent writing talent are read here but not throughout. Even rewritten from Scout's point of view as a child, TKAM could have fallen flat, as this book does, were it not completely revised and the characters revamped. Scout seemed true to the Scout in TKAM. However, Atticus was presented as a very different and much more flawed human being. Had GSAW been a true sequel to TKAM, Atticus would not have been presented as he is in this precursor novel. The fascination with this book stems from its relation to the revision of this manuscript, which ultimately became one of the most iconic pieces of American literature.

Stacey
The Book of Aron by Jim Shepard

4
Great story about the Warsaw ghetto during WWII and how the people there survived.

Stacey
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

5
Wonderful story by the author of GONE GIRL about a woman whose family was killed when she was seven years old. It's 25 years later, and Libby is wondering if she was telling the truth when she said her brother, Ben, had killed their mother and sisters. Can't wait to see the movie!

Sean
Hannibal by Thomas Harris

3
Thomas Harris' third installment of the Hannibal Lecter series shifts the focus more to the machinations of one of his victims as he seeks revenge. Harris still envelopes the reader in the mind of Lecter, but at times he and Clarice Starling seemed to be on the back burner even though they are the most interesting characters. The ending isn't the typical one you'd expect and was a slight surprise. I would have rated this higher if more of Lecter's "appetites" were explored. Still a good book that has a high bar to live up to.

Jan
Let Me Die in His Footsteps by Lori Roy

4
This is a multitude of mysteries -- set in backwoods Kentucky. A young girl has a power to sense some things, and one of the things she knows is that her mother is coming back. She has been raised by her aunt and uncle and has a "younger sister." There is a myth, a belief, a superstition that her mother caused the death of a young man years ago. This is a complex book and well worth it for mystery lovers. The whole story culminates in the last 3 or 4 pages. I am still trying to think it all through -- why was one person not punished? Is another person going to be punished? Why did the neighbor man come back at this time? So many questions - such a good book.

Nicolette
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

5
I'm disappointed. Disappointed that this is the first Louise Penny book I've ever picked up. There was never a dull moment; when I put the book down I couldn't wait to pick it up again. The French-Canadian characters drew me close, especially Inspector Gamache. Now I know why so many novels revolve around him. The main story was intriguing as was the supporting storyline. These two eventually wove themselves together with such grace. I've read enough mysteries that I have become decent at being able to predict 'who dun it', but BURY YOUR DEAD left me wondering until the truth was finally revealed. I will most certainly be picking up another Louise Penny novel in the near future!

Marsha
The President's Shadow by Brad Meltzer

4
Continuing his saga of the Culper Ring (a 200-year-old secret society founded by George Washington and charged with protecting the Presidency), this investigation takes us back to one of the country's greatest secrets. Always good reading and historically interesting, Meltzer spins a good yarn.

Patricia
Rage Against the Dying by Becky Masterman

5
I loved this book SO much! I really love her writing style. I was instantly drawn in. She creates a character who is wonderfully flawed. There were many times where I wanted to strangle her for her decisions, but yet I was rooting for her the whole time. And she's a very likeable character - funny and strong. I also like how Masterman seems to write in a way that keeps you guessing, but not enough to make you feel confused. Early on in the book she alludes to things that happened in her past, but she doesn't explain them. It gives a mystery to the story all throughout. And she doesn't end up fully explaining everything (but enough so that you understand). I like that. It's more realistic than tying everything up in a neat bow.

Suzy
Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian by E L James

2
Since I loved the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, I thought this book would be just as juicy. However, this book seems very repetitious of the original first book of the series. In my opinion, there is only about 10% new material (insight). But because I loved the love story that was developing between Ana and Christian from beginning, I kept reading. I only recommend this book to readers who really "loved" the original book and don't mind a 90% duplication of Book One.

Sherry
Muscle and a Shovel by Michael Shank

5
Best book I have ever read!!

Sandra
Shoot Me by Lesley Crewe

4
I loved this delightful book about an extended family living in the same home in Halifax and the impact made by the arrival of an aged relative. Family relationships change in a hurry as the prospect of a hidden treasure dangles in front of them.

Francisca E B
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan

1
Three generations of Kelleher women descend on the family’s beach-front property one summer. The four women around whom the story revolves have little in common except that they are all part of this dysfunctional family. Their relationships are as rocky as the coast of Maine. I didn’t like any of them. I wasn’t interested in their stories. I didn’t care what happened to any of them.

Pauline
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

4
Great armchair travel read. And since I probably won't ever go to Australia, this is the next best thing. Read as part of my library's adult summer reading theme - Escape The Ordinary.

Marcia
The Silver Swan by Elena Delbanco

5
I loved this book!!! I was pulled into the story immediately as I was transported back to my musician days as a student, performer and teacher in New York City. Her writing certainly proves that she understands that world with all of its intrigue.

Sharon
In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

5
I really enjoyed this book. It made me think about how life is lots of unlikely events and you just never know what's around the corner. Blume does not disappoint in weaving a character-rich story with many insights. There are twists and turns and surprises you didn't see coming, but it really is a story about life, love, family and what is important.

Linda
The Idea of Love by Patti Callahan Henry

4
Ms. Henry's description of the lovely seaside town of Watersend makes you feel the warm sea air and smell the wisteria blooming on the fence. Blake Hunter, a California screen writer, has been traveling Southern seaside towns looking for a love story to base his next screenplay on as his last two movies have been flops and he desperately needs a winner. When he meets Ella Flynn, he knows her story will be a winner. But he hides his identity from Ella, and she tells him a story that is untrue. As their friendship grows, she does not know how to unravel the lies she has told and he is unsure how to let her know that his new story will be based on her life.

Linda
Constant Fear by Daniel Palmer

5
Once I started reading this book, I was unable to put it down. Great story with a great character in Jake Dent. Jake was a former pro baseball player until an accident messed up his shoulder and ended his career as well as his marriage. He raised his son Andy and got a job as janitor at a ritzy prep school so his son could attend free. His son and a group of friends were hackers and took money from wealthy individuals and donated the funds to charity. These were small amounts, but one time money was stolen from a Mexican drug cartel and they wanted their money back. The kids were held hostage and the FBI wanted to negotiate. But Jake knew you don’t negotiate with killers. They had his son and it was up to him to free him.

Linda
A Rake's Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell

5
Sir Richard Harmsworth visits a vicarage and poses as a student of ancient history to try and find an artifact known as the Harmsworth Jewel, which he needs to prove he is the rightful heir. He did not expect to find the vicar’s beautiful daughter, Genevieve Barrett. He is posing as Christopher Evans as Genevieve had refused to sell the jewel to Sir Richard. When he saves her from Lord Neville Fairbrother, who is determined to have Genevieve and the jewel, he realizes he is in love with her. What will she think when she finds out he has lied about who he is?

Linda
To Ride a White Horse by Pamela Ford

5
This was an excellent book which took place during the mid-1800s when the Irish people were suffering due to the potato blight. Kathleen Deacey left Ireland for a new life in America but was washed overboard during a storm. Holding on to barrels that were lashed together, she was picked up by a whaler captained by Jack Montgomery. Once in Boston, Jack hired her to work in his grandfather’s house since many jobs were closed to Irish. Jack and Kathleen had fallen in love, but she was afraid that she would lose her family if she loved Jack, an Englishman. Little did she know that Jack would do anything for her and did.

Linda
The Marriage Season by Linda Lael Miller

4
Becca (Bex) Stuart loved Will Stevens and they planned to marry when he returned from Afghanistan, but his body was returned instead. Bex swore off marriage. Then she met Tate Calder, a widower with two boys. Bex was caring for her nephew who was the same age as Tate’s youngest, so everyone got along. Bex and Tate fell in love but she told him not to propose. He agreed to just live together as he wanted her in his life. He wanted marriage but would go along with Bex until she could overcome her superstitions that something would happen to him.

Jackie
The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-time by Mark Haddon

4
Written through the eyes and thoughts of a 15-year-old autistic boy, this is a wonderous book. Hard going at times, when trying to follow this boy's thoughts, but definitely worth it. Even 15-year-old autistic boys must grow-up, and he meets the challenge he gives himself, doing it with great humor and some sad awakenings.

Linda
The Memory House by Linda Goodnight

5
An excellent book that deserves more than 5 stars. Julia Presley, owner of the Peach Orchard Inn, and Eli Donovan, her handyman, come across old letters from the Civil War era as they are cleaning out the carriage house. Julia and Eli have both come across marbles made of clay that seem to have appeared out of nowhere. Eli’s son Alex tells his dad that a boy named Ben taught him how to play marbles. Ben was the boy who lived in the inn back in the 1860s, and he was given the clay marbles by a Union captain stationed at his home. As they read through the old letters, they find that there are many parallels between their lives today and those of Charlotte and Will in the 1860s.

Linda
The Importance of Being Wicked by Miranda Neville

3
Thomas, Duke of Castleton, is regarded as being prim and proper, but when he meets Caroline Townsend he is instantly smitten. She eloped at age 17 with a handsome rogue, who left her alone to gamble on cards. He died of a fever leaving her with mountainous debts. When Thomas came along, she thought her problems were solved, but he is not wealthy and wants to curtail her spending. Can these two make a marriage work even though they are total opposites?

Linda
Memory Man by David Baldacci

5
Amos Decker’s first and last time as an NFL player ended when he was hit hard and almost died. He suffered a brain injury resulting in hyperthymesia, meaning he never forgot anything. This came in handy when he applied for and was hired as a policeman in his hometown. He had perfect scores. It was not helpful when he returned home to find his family slaughtered. The killer strikes again by murdering several people at the local high school. Taunting messages are left for Amos. He has to search his memory to find this person before more people are killed.

Linda
The First Wife by Erica Spindler

4
Bailey Browne married Logan Abbott after a three-week, whirlwind romance. Coming to live at his horse farm in Louisiana, Bailey finds that a lot of tragedy has occurred in the Abbott family and the local redneck police chief is out to get Logan. There have been several disappearances of young women, including Logan’s first wife, and Billy Ray Williams is determined to see Logan go to prison. It seems Billy Ray had an inappropriate interest in True Abbott, an interest that was not returned. Could the police chief have committed the murders and is he trying to frame Logan?

Linda
Garden of Lies by Amanda Quick

5
Ursula Kern owns a secretarial agency and her newest client is Slater Roxton, a young man stranded on an island for a year who now keeps to himself rather than take part in society’s offerings. When one of Ursula’s employees is found dead, she believes the woman was murdered and sets out to find the murderer. Slater offers to help her and together they solve the murder of the employee. Lots of action as the two come up against a stiletto-wielding assassin, a new type of drug, and a house of pleasure.

Linda
Paris Match by Stuart Woods

3
Stone Barrington is in Paris for the opening of the newest Arrington Hotel. The Russians still want to buy his hotels, whether he is willing to sell or not. This time, a French police official is in league with the Russians. Stone has his usual bevy of willing women to share his bed. As he says in the book, he has no inclination toward celibacy. He proves this over and over. A little too much of his bedroom antics in this book.

Linda
A Scoundrel by Moonlight by Anna Campbell

4
As Nell Trim searches the library for a book purported to list all the victims of a nefarious man, she is surprised by James Fairbrother, the Marquess of Leath. She gives him a flimsy excuse but he knows she is hiding something. As they become better acquainted, they fall in love with each other but Nell tells him, “I am just a housemaid while you are an aristocrat.” Then James is blackmailed for the book written by his uncle but which would damage the family name if the book was made public. He has to catch the blackmailer while making Nell see that their love should come before all else.

Linda
The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress by Victoria Alexander

4
Lucy Merryweather’s great aunt left her fortune as well as her journal. Reading the journal, Lucy found a listing of things her aunt wanted to do but never got around to doing. Some might be considered risqué but Lucy was determined to fulfill her aunt’s wishes and, when she gets a chance to accompany Jackson Channing and his family to London, she goes. She meets Lord Cameron Effington, who uses Lucy’s madcap adventures as the basis for a series of newspaper articles. When Lucy finds out, she is furious and refuses to listen to Cam’s explanations. She loves him but wonders if she can ever trust him.

Megan
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

4
Interesting read and subject matter. Part romance, part thriller. well written.

Mary
The King of Torts by John Grisham

3
Good legal procedural, but not as good as earlier Grisham efforts. The story revolves around a public defender in Washington DC who has been in those trenches for five years, much longer than average. Offered a secret deal to handle a large medical tort case, he becomes known after going into private practice, as the "King of Torts". But can it last? Will he get back the woman he lost? Or will he become just another sleazy lawyer?

Kimberly
The Wednesday Group by Sylvia True

4
This novel surprised me. It was a serious, emotional look at what happens to the spouse of a sex addict. I really enjoyed it.

Susan
The Naked Eye by Iris and Roy Johansen

4
A great read - intense edge-of-your-seat thriller. Loved it.

Susan Spencer
The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

5
I really enjoyed this book. I had no idea how it could end. Diane Chamberlain always writes a great read. The author really knows how to make you ask yourself, "What would I do?"

Michele
Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little

3
This is a good mystery but be forewarned - the main character is not likable. Released on a technicality from prison for killing her mother, Janie (undercover) seeks to discover the real murderer of her mother. With America media hot on her tail, she travels to a small town to learn the truth. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars.

Donna
Emma: A Modern Retelling by Alexander McCall Smith

2
Emma, Emma, Emma. Such a spoiled, rich girl who believes she's entitled to say whatever she wants, whenever she wants, regardless of how it will affect others. On top of this, she wants to control situations and lives of others. Finally, she is called out on her behavior and she manages to turn herself around.

Brady
John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster by Sam L. Amirante and Danny Broderick

4
This is a great true crime story that gives you all the details as to the crimes and then the exciting court proceedings. The highlight for me was the courtroom action, which gave a good example of what an attorney goes through when trying crime cases and particularly the defense attorney.

LINDA
Crystal Dragon by Lynn Mullican

5
Abducted and forced to fight to save her son she doesn't remember, Crystal Bouchard is in an underground cell. She was told to kill or be killed. Nicknamed The Dragon, she shows no mercy for her opponents when she fight humans among vampires and werewolves. After years of fighting and the horror of blood and death, she slowly remembers bits and pieces of her former life and what happened to her husband and friend. Lynn Mullican kept me spellbound as I cheered and cried with Crystal. After her escape, she is taken again and told to fight or die, and she does what she has to do in order to get her son. Book One kept me rapidly reading and can't wait to read the rest!

shelly
Dogwood Hill by Sherryl Woods

4
Adrian Mitchell is a former pro football player who got injured and left his job. After his mother dies, he learns who his father is. Adrian applies for a job as the high school coach, but he also wants to visit Chesapeake Shores. He must decide if he is going to tell his father the secret he uncovers. Keeping secrets is not always a good thing, but Adrian is not exactly sure what it will do to his family once they find out. When Adrian arrives, he is welcomed into the town and they are all extremely anxious and excited to have a former “star” coach the football team. Liz March is a widow who decided after her husband died that she needed a new start to her life. She moves to Chesapeake Shores and opens up Pet Style.

OSWALDO
Rogue by Mark Sullivan

5
There is only one word to describe, ROGUE - mesmerizing. This story will keep you mesmerized until you turn the last page and the story ends. This book was so good from the beginning until the end. There were times that I felt like I was inside the story standing there with my favorite characters as things were happening. The characters are so real, the story will keep you on the edge of your seat thinking, "What is he gonna do now? What will happen next? This can't be happening now." It's filled with twists and turns and double crosses. It's like in movies only better. Mark Sullivan has created an unforgettable character in Robin Monarch.I had to tell my friends and family about this book. This book is a must-read. Definitely 5 stars.

Jill
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

5
Simply wonderful book, heartbreaking and thrilling. It is one I will re-read ! Loved it!

Therese
Mr. Owita's Guide to Gardening by Carol Wall

4
Interesting memoir about an unlikely friendship.

Laura
Broken Promise by Linwood Barclay

3
I liked the characters - so alive.

Lynn W
Getting Real by Gretchen Carlson

3
Carlson grew up in Minnesota as a violin prodigy, but broadcast journalism became her passion. In spite of such challenges as battling the "dumb blonde" image, fending off a stalker and sexual harassment, and once being fired, she reached her goal of anchoring a national TV morning show. Now she has her own show where she is a cultural warrior, speaking her mind on a variety of subjects.

Vikki
Summer Secrets by Jane Green

3
Although I love Nantucket stories, I struggled to get through this one.

Barbara
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

5
Wonderful story of a cranky, curmudgeon that you begin to love by the end of the book. He just wants to kill himself so he can be with his beloved wife, Sonja, who died a few months before of cancer, but all his neighbors, without realizing prevent his death, and he realizes they need him in their lives.

Da
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

4
I really enjoyed this book! It was suspenseful and engrossing! I didn't necessarily like the main character in the book, but I don't believe this decreased my enjoyment of reading this book. I would definitely read any future books by this author!

Deby
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

3
Interesting book, but I had to finish it in a hurry to get it done in time for our book club meeting and I ended up skimming the last 50 pages. I don't feel like I missed a lot by doing that.

Anita
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

5
This was a wonderful story about a family who own a farm and the black sharecroppers working for them in post WWII south. When 2 members of each family return from the war and become friends, the neighbors are very upset and take things into their own hands. I found the racism of this time period very disturbing. That being said, the book was very well written.

Linda
Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen

2
Usually I enjoy these fiction-biographies. I felt through most of the book that I was reading a romance novel, which I usually avoid. It seemed that the author dropped every name of every famous person who lived during the 1840s in New York City. I love poetry and I've always liked Poe's work, but I can not love this work. This was the choice of my book discussion for this month and most of the group felt the same way as I did.

Linda
The Mockingbird Next Door by Marja Mills

4
The author was asked if she would be interested in going to Monroe, Alabama to do research for an article. She ended up befriending the Lee Sisters and living next door to them for an extended period. Ms. Mills respected the sisters' privacy and operated by their rules and requests. Thus, she was able to write this book. One of the most delightful stories in this book had to do with Harper Lee, whose hearing is diminished, watching videos of the two movies about Truman Capote that came out in the middle 2000s. Ms. Mills needed to repeat the dialogue in the movie about Harper Lee to the actual Harper Lee. It would be very interesting to ask Ms. Mills her opinion about GO SET A WATCHMAN. She might know what Ms. Lee would have wanted.

Lori
Two Across by Jeff Bartsch

5
I was intrigued by the description of TWO ACROSS, and I was happy to receive an advance copy of it. This debut novel did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it well-written and thought it had a unique plot. My only complaint is that the ending seemed rushed after a very leisurely-paced story. I was intrigued by some of the legal issues raised in the book, but I wish they were addressed more in the story. I loved the use of interesting vocabulary and crossword clues. I would highly recommend this book to everyone and think it would be a good selection for a book discussion group. It's more intelligent than the typical beach read, but entertaining enough to take on a vacation.

Francisca E B
Nine Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman

3
The information is somewhat dated in the 1997 edition I got from the library, but the advice she provides to seeking financial freedom is still sound. She clearly outlines the steps and gives thorough, understandable definitions for terms.

Elaine
Tuscan Rose by Belinda Alexandra

5
A mysterious stranger leaves an infant with the sisters of Santo Spirito. A tiny silver key hidden in her wrappings is the one clue to the child's identity. Fifteen years later young Rosa must leave the convent and become governess to the daughter of an aristocrat and his strange wife. All the while the hand of Fascism curls around beautiful Italy and no citizen is safe. Rosa faces unbelievable hardship. I started the book in the evening and could not put down till I finished. LOVED IT. Do yourself a favor and get your hands on this book.

Elizabeth
House of Thieves by Charles Belfoure

4
A thoroughly entertaining read. I am recommending it to my lunch ladies. I would have liked to lived next door to the people who lived in the house of thieves. I think I would have liked this family. I enjoyed meeting them in the book.

LINDA
Black Magick by J. E. Taylor

5
What they thought was going to be a fun weekend in New York when Austin Shelton interviewed at two medical universities turned deadly. A man from her past that Paige Turner thought was dead when he was banished to another realm reappears. Paige is a witch and practices white magic, but Hunter Garrett is so evil that she shakes with fear every time she sees a shade of odd green eyes that could be Hunter taking over another human body to do his will. Austin was at an interview and she headed across the street to a coffee bar with WiFi so she could catch up on her papers. Paige spread out on the table and booted up her laptop. She felt a little guilty for taking up space, but the cafe wasn't very busy.

Marsha
The English Spy by Daniel Silva

5
Gabriel Allon, Israel's top spy, is sent to find an ally in an assassin. Together they hunt down a bomb-maker who is available to the highest bidder and who is responsible for the bomb that killed Gabriel's son. The book moves at lightening speed as the chase begins and includes Russians, Irishmen and Brits. Always the best writing and interesting plot.

Margaret
House of Thieves by Charles Belfoure

5
Lucky to have received an ARC of this book. Intriguing, riveting. Great read that keeps you interested throughout. Great period novel that keeps you involved and wondering if life is really that different today. Ethical dilemmas, family loyalty and protection, parental love and history of New York all rolled into one. Great book from an interesting author!

Lynn W
A Touch of Stardust by Kate Alcott

3
Loved this behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Gone With The Wind.

Francisca E B
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

4
Hosseini is a great storyteller. This is his most ambitious novel, covering several generations over six decades and across continents from Afghanistan to Paris to San Francisco to Greece. There are many heart-wrenching scenes that echo what happens to Pari and Abdullah, the two motherless siblings whose story bookends this novel, but however far apart – in terms of time, or distance, or relationship – these stories are all connected. His central theme is the moral complexity of life.

Vicki
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

5
The characters in this book were so compelling - a true mixture of today's world. It is easy to identify with how a small disagreement can blows into a major breakup in a friendship to the point where the reason for the disagreement is almost forgotten. Loved the main character and his grumpiness and his slow reentry back into his neighborhood. A good-feeling book!

Debbie
What Comes Next and How to Like It by Abigail Thomas

5
Such a well-written memoir. This is the first work of hers I have read and I want to read her other books. It’s about deep and long-lasting friendship, even when there has been extreme hurt. It’s about getting old and enduring tragedy, sickness, and loss. It's a quick and thought-provoking read. I highly recommend this book.

Bonnie
Born Survivors by Wendy Holden

5
5+ stars. Non-fiction about three women who gave birth in concentration camps in WWII. I can only compare it to SCHNIDLER'S LIST. It's that good. Brought tears to my eyes.

Phyllis
A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson

5
The title is taken from a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The story takes place in Britain during WWII and traces several generations of a family during the blitz and bombing of German cities and the aftermath and effects on the characters. The author's first book, LIFE AFTER LIFE, had some of the same characters and writing style.

Judith
Still Life by Louise Penny

5
This an A+ book, the first in a series. A true literary mystery.

Rose
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

5
Heartbreaking, uplifting and also funny, this book inspires the reader to step out of one's comfort zone. Everyone in our book group loved it, and it sparked a wonderful discussion.

Judie
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

5
Wonderful story of occupied France during WWII. The characters are so well developed - the two sisters with different ways of coping, two very different German soldiers billeted in their home, and the brave French who worked in the resistance.

Nadine
The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin

4
From Melanie Benjamin, author of ALICE I HAVE BEEN and THE AVIATOR'S WIFE, comes a fictional account of the life of Mercy Lavinia Bump Warren, the wife of General Tom Thumb. Although she is small in stature, there is nothing small about Lavinia's personality. An intelligent, witty, ambitious woman, Lavinia was not content to settle for life as a New England schoolteacher. Taking the risk to promote herself to showman P.T. Barnum, she soon finds herself on the national stage and, as the wife of General Tom Thumb, she becomes half of the mid 19th-century's first celebrity couple. Full of rich historical detail, this is an unforgettable tale of a woman who would have been a star in any age.

Gina
Her by Harriet Lane

2
Strange book that leaves the reader hanging. The story is told from the viewpoint of two different women witnessing the same events. It was a haunting book but the ending left me disappointed. If I knew now what I learned, I would not have read this book.

Karen
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

5
Such a great read! You just wanted to read a couple of pages at a time because you don't want the book to end. One of the best books I've read in a long time.

Elizabeth
The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff

5
THE LAST SUMMER AT CHELSEA BEACH had a lesson about the importance of family and the importance of following your heart. As always, Ms. Jenoff's books are well researched and very well written. You become part of her books and want to be one of the characters simply because of the marvelous way Ms. Jenoff tells a story. If you haven’t read THE LAST SUMMER AT CHELSEA BEACH or any of Ms. Jenoff’s books, what are you waiting for?

Elizabeth
The Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis

5
Despite the heartaches, THE SUMMER OF GOOD INTENTIONS is a nice, breezy read when you are in the mood for family drama, family bonding, and of course a well-written story. Ms. Francis has a way of emotionally drawing you into the story, and her writing style keeps you interested. And speaking of emotions, you will need some tissues as you read the ending page.

Jean
The Surrender Experiment by Michael A. Singer

5
Michael surrendered everything to the universe after learning to meditate deeply. What happened to him was awesome. He even did things that he didn't want to do but decided to see what would happen. I was totally amazed by what his life was like. I would like to surrender like this but I cannot do it as deeply. I'm glad I read the book.

Elizabeth
The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelly Estes

5
THE GIRL WHO WROTE IN SILK is a​n ​appealing, alluring read​ with charming, unforgettable characters​. You will love Mei Lien and admire her for her courage. You will also love her husband, Joseph, but despise Duncan Campbell. The book is as captivating as the book's title and cover, and THE GIRL WHO WROTE IN SILK becomes even more intriguing each time you turn the page and clues are revealed.

Sheree
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

4
Very suspenseful and creepy. It kept me reading to see what was going to happen next.

Suzanne
Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch

3
Psychological thriller with uneasiness. Very simple to dislike all characters. Strange story but it needs to be finished to be appreciated.

Katherine
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

4
This was a delightful book that our club enjoyed. We think that it would make a good movie.

Betty
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

4
Great book about a girl growing up and the value of friends.

Andres
Finders Keepers by Stephen King

4
Book 2 in the trilogy that began with MR. MERCESES is by and large a coming-of-age book, at which Mr. King excels. We also get another dose of Hodges, Jerome and the ever delightful Holly. The plot, stolen manuscripts, and murder with a dose of blackmail thrown in for good measure serve as a backdrop of a love story, discovering an author whose words touch our heart. I can't wait for Book 3.

Michelle
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

5
I feel like I just finished a marathon after reading almost 1000 pages of Diana Gabaldon's fifth masterpiece of the Outlander series. I feel so close to the characters like I know them. This one was a bit harder to get through with a lot of detail that certainly did not add to the plot, but nonetheless it was worth every page to fall away into the exciting, dangerous, sensual world yet again.

Kathy
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

3
This is an amazing book as it seems it is either hated or really liked. I liked it and could really "get" the feelings of Rachel as she imagined the lives of the people she saw daily as she rode the train. The plot becomes twisted, and it becomes a thriller, dealing with love, lust, divorce an death. I was totally surprised at the ending. An interesting read!

Harriet
Euphoria by Lily King

4
Based on the life and loves of anthropologist Margaret Mead, the book is filled with beautiful images and detailed experiences in the study of a different culture in New Guinea.

Wendy
Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett

5
The third book of the trilogy, brings the families from England, the United States, Germany and Russia to a satisfying conclusion. I loved the end with the wall coming down, bringing all the families together. Follett does such a good job of bringing generations of families to life and showing the importance of the connections family brings.

Sharon
Mazie Baby by Julie Frayn

4
This book is not for everyone. It's a tough subject - abuse. A story similar to SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY. I didn't give it 5 stars because I felt like the author tried too hard in the first half of the book; the second half was much better. I wanted to note that it even made me teary and blurry at the end, and any book that can make me show emotion is doing something right.

Linda
Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke

5
Fascinating look at 1920 Colonial Burma, the teak industry, and Billy Williams becoming an elephant 'wallah'. Then into 1942 and the heroism of both Williams and the elephants.

Julianne
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

4
This one has been on my shelf for several years (though, let's be honest, I have a problem with buying too many books, so this is not new for me), and I picked it up to take with me on vacation. I started reading it in the car ride, and when I finally came up for air the book was almost finished and so was our drive. I love books written in first person with a dog as the protagonist. (I recommend THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN and the Chet and Bernie Mysteries, too.) Being not only a dog lover but having spent time rehabilitating dogs made this book particularly touching. The main character is reincarnated several times throughout the novel, each time using his previous experiences to save lives and be a better companion.

Rosemary
The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows

2
Epistolary writing is not always as engaging as narrative, in my opinion. But the use of it here, I think, enhanced the storyline but did not flesh out the characters as needed. Willa, the young narrator, was more engaging than the adults in this West Virginia depression-era story of the Writers Project. There were too many loose ends (sub-plots) left for my inquisitive mind, even though the book had length.

Stacie
Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

5
The first few chapters left me questioning my desire to finish the book. They were a bit quirky and strange, but thankfully I continued because this was a wonderful read. The protagonist, Novalee Nation, was instantly likeable as was almost every other character. The prose was poetic and the message was powerful. The parallel story about Willie was also engaging. This is a must-read!

Stacie
Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon

4
A dual time-period novel with a little bit of everything thrown in. It's a ghost story, a murder mystery, and a coming-of-age story of sorts.

Helen
The Son by Philipp Meyer

3
A very talented writer but the convoluted way the story is told makes for difficulty in following the characters.

Helen
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

4
Not great lit, but if you have marathoners in your family (I do) or have visited Mexico's Copper Canyon (I have) you will find this very interesting and/or entertaining.

Judith
Those Girls by Chevy Stevens

5
Absolutely loved this book. It captivated me from the first page. Suspenseful with many heartfelt emotions.

Judith
Don't Say a Word by Rocky Rochford

5
Loved this book. A real page-turner with suspense right up to the last page.

Judith
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson

5
One on the best books I have read all summer. The crux of the story was so exciting. I was prepared for certain events had happened. Real page-turner.

Nanette
Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison

3
It was interesting reading. I admit to a guilty pleasure -The Girls Next Door - when it was on TV. I found myself believing Holly and feeling bad for the girls who permit themselves to be belittled by Hugh Hefner.

Linda
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

3
A series of tragic, violent deaths shake the community of New Bremen, Minnesota in the summer of 1961. The plot of this book deals compassionately with life and death issues. It shows that bad things happen to good people and there is no rhyme or reason for them. That is the lesson Frank, the thirteen-year-old narrator learns, and it is the point of the story. Krueger is a gentle writer. He sees beauty in just about all things. This is a book that makes readers feel better for having been exposed to Krueger's luminous writing. The story will stay with you for quite some some time. ORDINARY GRACE won the Edgar Award in 2014. I enjoyed this book very much.

Mary
The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows

5
Another great read from the author of THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY.

Marilyn
German Boy by Wolfgang W. E. Samuel

5
This is a stunning memoir of a child who becomes the head of his family and then is tragically left on his own. He is able to maintain his youthful innocence in many ways. He made his way to the US after the war and began a career in the US Air Force. My book club shared many memories of personal sacrifice after reading this book, and all the while I was reminded of how closely it resembled the life of my son-in-law.

Terese
When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi

5
Oh my, I loved, loved, loved this book. It is a stirring insight into the lives of Afghan refugees. I would encourage anyone who is a mother (or has one) to put this on their must-read list. Nadia is an excellent author.

Pamela
House of Thieves by Charles Belfoure

4
Fascinating American Dickensian -- It is an easy read, captivating from the first and hard to put down. Really good historical fiction but also a realistic picture of family lacking knowledge of each other. This is a great picture of the Gilded Age, both the manners and restrictions of the upper class New York and the underbelly, seamy side of the same period, both interwoven with a realistic look at the pollution and lack of sanitation in an age known for its ostentatiousness. The plot is realistic - how far would a person go to protect his family? Yet, a big question arises - When corruption and morality collide, which wins?

Susan
The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh

4
This was a really impressive debut novel. McHugh's setting of a small town in the Missouri Ozarks is integral to the story. Changing point of view and time to slowly reveal a past mystery alongside present day drama, McHugh's coming-of-age tale is engrossing and compelling.

Laurie
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

5
My favorite author for historical fiction from who I learned new information about Kenya and all of Africa! Brava to main character, Beryl Markham. Don't miss this new book, which has you hooked from the first chapter!

MH
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

1
I was so disappointed in this book. I can't believe Lee would have wanted this book published. Not only does the book depict most white Southerners as bigots, it is poorly written with many obscure references and sudden changes of heart for little apparent reason. Not a worthy follow-up to MOCKINGBIRD.

helen
Enchanted August by Brenda Bowen

4
A wonderful beach read for the month of August!

Sharon
A Deadly Wandering by Matt Richtel

5
Absolutely riveting! And terrifying! Richtel combines the story of Reggie Shaw, who caused an accident that killed two rocket scientists because he was texting while driving, lost his focus, crossed a center line and sideswiped the oncoming car, causing it to spin in front of a heavy truck, and the neuroscience of attention. Richtel is a reporter and his ability to present the science of attention is excellent, clear and accessible to the lay reader. I will send this book to family members who drive and text! It might save someone's life.

Judith
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

4
The history of the characters of Brigham Young and Joseph Smith were fascinating. I found the writings attributed to the 19th wife herself to be a bit tedious, but there was a good modern day story interspersed that kept my interest to the end. Living in Utah, I am well aware of the offshoot sects that still practice polygamy, but the insight into their daily lives was enlightening.

Jennifer
Dear Carolina by Kristy Woodson Harvey

5
This book was one of the best I have read this summer! It's sweet and full of hope, kindness, and love. It was easy-to-read, warm, and funny. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great, heartwarming story with fun characters.

Jennifer
Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

5
While not a typical beach read, the cover notes, "It's a beach read with heart," and I would agree. It's full of heart. There are heavy issues, and it's sad at times; but throughout the book there is hope that kept me reading. I grew to care about each of the complex, damaged characters and wanted to see good outcomes for each, and the suspense of that kept me reading. It's very well written, and the writing flows very well. I really enjoyed it and read it quickly.

Jennifer
The Someday Jar by Allison Morgan

4
This was a light, easy read. It was heartwarming, and the main character was very likeable. I enjoyed the premise of this book, and it kept me hooked. This is a new author, and I am excited to read what she writes next. I recommend this for anyone who wants a lighter, women's fiction-type book.

Jennifer
Center of Gravity by Laura McNeill

5
This book was amazingly suspenseful. The author calls it "domestic suspense," and I think that suits it. It's a quick, easy-to-read, gripping page-turner. I lost sleep over this one because I just had to know how it was going to end. The characters were so relatable and likeable. I highly recommend this book to people who love a good suspense story that isn't "nightmare worthy" or overly violent.

Jennifer
The Middle of Somewhere by Sonja Yoerg

5
I received an advanced copy of this through NetGalley. This book was full of suspense and adventure. The characters were complex but likeable and relatable. The beautiful descriptions of hiking through the John Muir Trail were vivid. This book is highly recommended for lovers of adventure and suspense.

Linda
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

5
I'd never realized the plight of the many orphaned children in the early 1900s - left alone, on the streets, and the "lucky" ones were herded onto trains and taken to the Midwest to be adopted or owned by families there. A good analogy to the foster care system of today, and the search of "unwanted" children for a real home.

Elise
The Children Act by Ian McEwan

5
He just always gets it right. Interesting and thought-provoking. It would make a very good book club selection.

Donna
In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

4
This book was an enjoyable summer read. It kept my interest even though it was light reading. Had a difficult time keeping all the characters straight at first, but Blume tied up all the loose ends at the end.

Lynn
Dietland by Sarai Walker

5
One of the best books I've read in years! With this great, important, needed-now-more-than-ever story, Ms. Walker joins the ranks of other great feminist authors such as Margaret Atwood, Ariel Levy, Sheri Tepper, and James Tiptree (AKA Alice Sheldon). Thank you for your art, Ms. Walker; keep writing, please!

Liz
The Goddess of Small Victories by Yannick Grannec

3
This is a very thought-provoking book, a fictionalized account of one of the greatest mathematicians of the twentieth century, Kurt Godel, told by his wife to a young woman trying to get the great man's papers for her institute. Over the course of their conversation, the reader learns about the wife, the young woman, mathematical theories and the politics of the times.

Carol
The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman

3
Author did a good job going between time periods. There was reference in the book that was not backed up by prior information. That always puts me off. Don't know whether to blame the author or the editor.

Judy
Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

5
This is the second in a series, following QUEEN OF THE TEARLING. I listened to the audio version and the miles flew by in my car!

Marsha
Act of War by Brad Thor

5
This thriller featuring Scot Harvath takes us to Hong Kong, Dubai, North Korea, China and other places in his hunt for Chinese-placed Somalis, who are sent to the US to destroy our nation.

Fran
Legend by Marie Lu

3
There were many things I liked about this book, including the two main characters, their opposing viewpoints yet obvious attraction and the relationship that developed between them. I think I'd have liked the book better if I had a better viewpoint of the society they lived in. The author lost me a bit here so I never fully understood the whole dystopian nature of the world and how the plague plot played into it. I'm on the fence about whether or not I plan to read the second in this series. I'm curious about what is in store for June and Day, which may motivate me to pick up the second in this series in the near future.

Betty
The Fall by John Lescroart

5
The book starts off with a bang as a body falls out of the sky and onto the hood of a car. In a time of delicate racial relations, it would be better if the police found a white man guilty of the murder of this young black woman. Too many black men have been assumed guilty of too many crimes in the city. Way too fast, the police do arrest a white man, a man who was assigned to help her but instead, pushed her into the traffic below. A new lawyer, Dismas Hardy's daughter, has agreed to take the case. Lies, personal agendas, and less than diligent police work complicate the case as Rebecca strives to free her client. A great read with a dandy ending.

Bonnie
Blackout by Sarah Hepola

4
Illuminating memoir of the author's life as an alcoholic and her eventual sobriety. She's unflinching with herself, and her analysis of her life before and after alcohol is spot-on. Well worth reading.

Pearl
Boys Don't Knit by T. S. Easton

4
Searching for something new to read in my local library I came upon the above book in the YA section, featured as a new arrival. As a dedicated knitter in addition to a dedicated reader, I couldn't resist taking out the book. The book was originally published in England and takes place in a suburb of London. The story revolves around a 17-year-old boy who is placed on probation by the court for being involved in a minor crime. His punishment is community service and taking a course after school.The book is both comic and true to life. That it was written by a man who must be a knitter or close to knitters adds to its appeal. You don't have to be a knitter to enjoy, all you need is to like quirky books.

Linda
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

3
This book was very well written. I can't say I enjoyed the story. One of the problems for me was the book tended to wander too much. I felt it was too far-fetched that all the characters connected back to the actor who dies on stage before most of the rest of the world perishes from the Georgian flu.

Marsha
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson

5
This is a chilling and hypnotically suspenseful story of a couple who meet in an airport and end up plotting his wife's killing. If you are a fan of GONE GIRL then you will really appreciate this one.

Tessa B C
To Live and Die in Dixie by Kathy Hogan Trochek

3
Former Atlanta police officer Callaghan Garrity runs The House Mouse, a professional maid service, and also dabbles in private investigation. This is a fast-paced, well-plotted cozy mystery. I like Callaghan – she’s intelligent, resourceful, strong, and professional.

Deb
A Murder of Magpies by Judith Flanders

4
Fun and easy read - perfect for summer!

Dorothy
The Melody Lingers On by Mary Higgins Clark

5
Parker Bennett manages a investment fund with five-billion dollar and causes many people to lose their entire life savings. The FBI is trying to find Bennett if he is still living. Lane Harmon, an interior decorator, goes into the home to decorate and meets his son Eric. She believes that he has nothing to do the missing money and falls in love with him. This is a real good book with a surprising ending.

Marilyn
The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan

5
Excellent book if you are a baker like myself! I have always envisioned entering a contest like this. I actually won a small contest once in the appetizer division - what fun to receive a set of cookbooks! The five lives of the competitors was so intriguing. Loved the "old" and "new" cooking ideas before each chapter. The marriages, the friendships and the family struggles are so well played out in the book. Everyone seems to be searching for something - whether it be recognition, love, or understanding and acceptance from family members. A must-read - good for a book club choice.

Marilyn
Moonshadows by Julie Weston

4
The first in a new series set in 1920s Idaho. MOONSHADOWS features Nellie Burns, a female photographer/sleuth. It is entertaining and wonderfully descriptive historical fiction. I recommend giving this a try and look forward to the next in the series.

Miriam
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

2
This book was disappointing. TKAM was the better read. Interesting but disappointing.

Donna
The Liar by Nora Roberts

3
Shelby, living in the hills of Tennessee, is swept off her feet by a smooth talking, big spender and older man who comes into town. He takes her away from her roots and life isn't as pleasant as Shelby thought it should be. He is declared dead after a storm at sea. Shelby then discovers that her life was a lie. Her husband left her millions of dollars in debt. She starts digging into their life and travels and discovers he was a criminal. She moves back to Tennessee to be with family and sort out her life. This book is a combination of mystery, murder and a love story.

Tessa B C
Murder Past Due by Miranda James

3
Librarian Charlie Harris is well known in Athena, Mississippi, not least because he walks his Maine Coon cat, Deisel, around town on a leash. When a home-town boy turned famous author returns for a reception, however, Charlie finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation. This is a decent cozy mystery with a likeable main character. I’ll read more of this series.

Jan
Palace of Treason by Jason Matthews

5
This follow-up to RED SPARROW has most of the same characters and is full of exciting moments of deception with Dominika and Nate walking on the edge of survival. As in the previous book, we do not know very much about what happens to Dominika. Ned survives and is still with the CIA. There is an alternate love interest in this book. Matthews has proven that he can write a thriller.

Stacey
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

5
A hilarious comedy/satire about the uber rich Asian set, by an author who grew up with this kind of wealth. You won't be able to put this book down! I am currently reading the sequel. I love this author's style of writing.

Marsha
Naked Greed by Stuart Woods

4
This Stone Barrington novel introduces a part narrated by the criminal element. Criminal toughs have their own sense of entitlement and it is interesting to know how their minds work. Fun reading, as always, with these characters.

OSWALDO
The Ugly Duckling by Iris Johansen

5
As an avid reader and book collector I have read hundreds of books. The books that have made it into my personal collection are the ones that have kept me up reading till the early hours of the next morning, the ones I could not wait to tell my friends and family about, the ones that I still remember and will never forget. A book has to live up to a lot of expectations before it can occupy a space in my bookshelves with the rest of my personal book collection. THE UGLY DUCKLING by Iris Johansen did just that. It's a knockout thriller that will grab a hold of you from the beginning and will not let go until the amazing finale. It's a story of betrayal, revenge and survival. It's a spectacular story that you will never forget.

Cheryll
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

4
Wow! So different from GONE GIRL. Couldn't put it down.

Claudia
In Wilderness by Diane Thomas

4
This book is a page-turner. Two people living in a wilderness for different reasons find each other and fall in love. But they have their own problems that cause difficulties. It is a love story, full of suspense and very, very different.

Sonia
Kidnap in Crete: The True Story of the Abduction of a Nazi General by Rick Stroud

5
Many are unaware of Greece's part during WWII, how the Cretan people fought back against the axis of Italy and Germany, built a courageous resistance with the help of some dedicated Brits and then kidnapped a Nazi general from practically outside his house. How did the people persevere under extreme hardships such as starvation? Villages on the entire island were destroyed. and even women and children killed in retaliation for destroying a bridge or killing a soldier. The political climate at the time was the Andartes (resistance), backed by the then current prime minister for life, and the socialists were tired of the elitist class so they were fighting a civil war at the same time while fighting the Nazis!

Melanie S.
Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese

4
Beautifully written book about how stories can save us. A young native boy comes to know his father and his own heritage while honoring his father's last request to be buried by a particular overlook many miles into the Canadian wilderness. Through their journey, which is both an actual physical journey and one of spiritual discovery, Frank can finally put together the puzzle pieces of his own life, which was full of mystery and unknowns. As they travel to the father's final resting place, stories are told from father to son through flashbacks. Mr. Wagamese, a Canadian, is an outstanding writer with a style of Midwestern American writers. The subject matter wasn't one I typically would choose, but I am glad I read this beautiful book.

Michael
Naked Angel by Logan Belle

4
I got this book free in a giveaway - erotic fiction. Not my genre at all. It revolves around competing venues in the burlesque circuit. It was interesting. I have only read Jackie Collins (a guilty pleasure) and EL James (the worst books I have ever read), so this author lies somewhere in the middle. There is an actual story in between sex scenes and it is actually pretty engaging (the story I mean). The only thing that shocked me were some of the sexual terms - terms that a lot of women are not huge fans of - that are used repeatedly. This is a genre I won't be visiting much. This book didn't make me a fan but I didn't hate it either.

Lucille
Marry, Kiss, Kill by Annie Flett-Giordano

4
Great book from a first-time novelist. Murder intertwined with romance; you can't go wrong. Nola and Tony are the main characters in this witty, entertaining book. I couldn't put it down.

Lucille
One Murder More by Kris Calvin

4
Really interesting book from first-time author Kris Calvin. Meran Kane is a wonderful character who is led on a merry chase to figure out all the murders taking place in this book. It is a fascinating read. I just didn't want it to end.

Richard N B
True Grit by Charles Portis

5
14-year-old Mattie Ross hires Marshall Rooster Cogburn to track the man who killed her father. As Mattie tells the tale we see her outmaneuver, out bargain, and outsmart the hard men and women she encounters. Her indestructible vitality and basic innocence amuses, horrifies and touches the reader. I always picture John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, but have to admit that the more recent movie (starring Jeff Bridges as Rooster) is more faithful to the book.

Barbara
The Dinner by Herman Koch

1
This book was difficult to finish. I kept giving it the benefit of the doubt and kept reading hoping for the best - it never came. I didn't feel any connection with any of the characters - none of them seemed to have any moral compass. The book is about a boy who commits a horrible crime, yet his parents do everything they can to cover it up - which, okay, I can understand wanting to protect your child from a life-altering event but come on! The boy's father is just as volatile and definitely wasn't a good role model; the mother....ummm hmmmm yeah. I don't know what she was except her son's cover-up following the crime. Just a strange story with disturbing events and no consequences.

Donna
Coulson's Wife by Anna J. McIntyre

3
It's the 1900s and Mary Ellen is placed in a marriage by her father to a man she doesn't know. Her husband is only interested in having male heirs in his loveless marriage. Mary Ellen falls in love with her husband's business partner. As the first book of a series, this is a good start.

Catherine
A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

5
A wonderfully written story with hidden facets and delightful tangents. So many topics are woven together so beautifully, that I have never felt so... "satisfied", for lack of a better term, when finishing a book. Truth be told, this is the second time I've read this book... and I don't think it will be my last.

Brady
Cary Grant: Dark Angel by Geoffrey Wansell

4
This is a biography of Cary Grant, who is the epitome of a movie star. It shows his immense acting talent, but it also shows the instability of most actors where they think their last job would be the last one in their life. This immensely talented man had many personal problems and always had problems with his wives until he found the last one...the 5th one. This is a most interesting story of a fabled movie star during the golden era of the movies.

Linda
Therese Desqueyroux by Francois Mauriac

3
Interesting story of a woman who, despite making a "good" match for marriage, becomes disillusioned and arrested for trying to kill her husband.

Lynn W
Mademoiselle Chanel by C. W. Gortner

3
A rags-to-riches historical novel of the brilliant, but outrageous, Coco Chanel.

Lori
A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White

5
A can't-put-it-down book!

Margaret
Miss Emily by Nuala O'Connor

4
I can't say that I was ever curious about the life of poet Emily Dickinson, but after reading this book (which I won on Bookreporter.com---thanks again!), I find that I would like to know more about her. This book was about Ms. Dickinson, her eccentric family, and her friendship with the family maid, Ada. A very enjoyable read!

Debbie
All the Single Ladies by Dorothea Benton Frank

2
I adored Frank's novel, THE LAST ORIGINAL WIFE, but this latest novel dragged. The format of all these slightly older single ladies exploring life could be interesting, but after the many humorous passages in the last novel, I had to force myself to finish the book. None of the characters stand out as remarkable. Mayb I was not in the right frame of mind for this book. I would glimpse a spark of hope, but the fire quickly died. Every person is allowed a bad day, and this novel appears as one of those days.

Jennifer
Twelve Months of Heaven by Sam T. Coleman

5
Reflective of the 21st century where cultures collide, this novel is set in China with the protagonists from the U.S. and Austria. As the characters grow and lives fall apart, I felt myself glued to the pages, wishing and hoping that everything will work out in the end. Rarely does one come across a book that takes the reader on a journey through life with such poignant detail than what has been written by Sam T. Coleman. For anyone tired of cliché literature, this is a refreshing read. But be warned - you'll cry your heart out.

Marsha
The Fixer by Joseph Finder

4
Rick Hoffman, an unemployed investigative reporter, who is down and out and crashing in his father's dilapidated house happens upon a stash of over $3 million dollars. His father has suffered a stroke and is not communicative. As Hoffman tries to determine where this money came from, he finds himself being followed and threatened. Many surprising angles to this novel.

Linda
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan

4
Well researched book telling stories of people who lived during the dust bowl in the U.S. in the late 20s and into the 30s. The author presents information from survivor's diaries, personal letters and interviews. It's heartbreaking to hear of the sicknesses, blindness, and the loss of livelihoods, whether it be homes or farms or farm equipment.

Jan
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

4
This book is not as polished or thoughtful as MOCKINGBIRD and seems to suddenly come together in the last few pages --- all is peace, all is well with the world. It is obvious why Lee's editors were not willing to publish this book in the 1950s-60s. We have made so little progress in the U.S. with race relations even today, much less 50 years ago. The book calls the reader up short when we consider the daily news. It will be a good book group discussion. There is little character development and a lot of mooning over the past and how ideal life used to be.

Lynn W
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani

3
Book club choice. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, there's a large cast of quirky, but delightful, characters, secrets, marriage proposals, Italian relatives, Elizabeth Taylor and John Warner. Read past my bedtime to finish!

Francisca E B
Serena by Ron Rash

5
In 1929, George Pemberton brings his new wife, Serena, back from Boston to North Carolina, where they plan to make their fortune in timber. Lady MacBeth has nothing on Serena. I can’t remember when I loved reading a book about a character I disliked so much. Serena is fascinating. I liked how Rash incorporated the history of the era, giving the novel a strong sense of time and place.

Susan
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

5
What would you do if someone asked you to risk your life to save a stranger? Lucien Bernard, a talented French architect, is asked to build secret hiding places for Jews during WWII. This debut thriller by Charles Belfoure is a must-read and is a wonderful novel for book group discussion. I cannot wait for his next novel!

Cindy
Einstein's Beach House: Stories by Jacob M. Appel

5
What a superlative collection of short stories! I knew before even completing the first story that I had stumbled upon an extraordinary compilation of writings! I took my time reading these delicious tales; I read only one after finishing each novel in my cache of books. I savored each and every one of Jacob Appel's short stories. What skill this author has! In a mere 20 pages, he transports us into a new location, a different time, and introduces us to a set of wholly unique characters. He is not afraid to touch on taboo issues. Each trenchant story is only a snippet in time of someone else's story, but he deftly ends them at the precise point that leaves us satisfied, yet considering what we have just read.

Rose
A Deadly Wandering by Matt Richtel

5
Most of us can say we have used our cell phone for texting while we drove and did not think we were endangering ourselves or others who happened to be on the road with us at the same time. This book describes what really happens in our brains when we lose our focus. The author of this well-researched book uses the cautionary tale of Reggie Shaw to tell a vivid story of the consequences of texting and driving. Reggie was a teenaged driver who, in the midst of texting his girlfriend, caused a horrific accident that took the lives of two men who were driving to work and was one of the first legal cases in the United States that addressed the issue of distracted driving.