This contest period's winners were Cindy R., Francisca E. and Mary G., who each received a copy of The Black Widow by Daniel Silva and THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 by Ruth Ware.
Bonnie
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
This was an 800+ page book that should have been half that.
Sandra Canales
A Game for All the Family by Sophie Hannah
This is my first book by this author. When I read the cover it appeared to be a sure thing, a story I usually go for. Let me be honest, beware of book covers. It is such a far-fetched plot that I found myself asking, "What? That isn't remotely possible." I know with any book, there is a level of fantasy but this strange and weird plot isn't even believable. Not even a little bit. I can' t begin to explain it without giving away spoilers. I wouldn't recommend it.
Lori Bednaz
The Witch of Napoli by Michael Schmiker
Historical fiction based on a female medium in the early 1900s. Very easy and interesting read!
Candace Stockstill
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Love a good Agatha Christie book. Something easy for summer!
Jane
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
A well-written story of a man who lived a very thoughtful, love-filled life. His thoughts on mortality will be pondered by many.
Margaret
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
After reading A MAN CALLED OVE by Mr. Backman, I knew I'd like BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE. His writing draws you into the minds of his characters and you feel like you know them. It's a nice change to read about older people who have so much to offer from their years of living through both the good and hard times. This is a charming story about a woman who has been married for 40 years. She has never worked outside her home but lived to please and care for her husband, and has a compulsion to clean to avoid chaos. After she learns her husband has a mistress, she leaves him, sets out to find a job and make it on her own. What happens to her is heartwarming as she discovers her capabilities, makes new friends, and learns how to care for herself.
Jane
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
A wonderfully crafted book about three women as World War II begins. One is in Germany, one in Poland and the third in New York. As their stories progress and intertwine, the reader is made to feel for each of them.
Lori
The Excellent Lombards by Jane Hamilton
I was a little disappointed in this book; I had liked the author's early books. This one was written from the point of view of a child, so that detracted from the book's appeal to me. I did feel like I understood what life was like in the book's environment, so the author was able to convey that very well, but there was very little action in the book. Overall, there was nothing compelling in this book for me and I would not recommend it.
Lori
Game of Secrets by Dawn Tripp
I've heard the author, Dawn Tripp, speak at the Boston Book Festival several times, so I was happy to finally get a chance to read one of her books. I thought it was beautifully written and a unique story. I thought the end was a little strange, but otherwise found it a great read.
Miriam
All Waiting is Long by Barbara J. Taylor
ALL WAITING IS LONG introduces most readers to the topic of Eugenics in 1930s Middle America. The plot includes commentary on striking coal miners, prostitutes, mobsters, prohibition, ladies' societies, Catholic-Protestant clashes, and all the other aspects of life in the 1930s. I found it to be compelling and enlightening.
Helen
Bryant & May: Strange Tide by Christopher Fowler
Fowler's London detectives Bryant & May bring a considerable amount of gray power to their latest outing. The Thames takes center stage in murders that begin with a young woman chained next to a rising tide. Fowler manages to continue to teach us more about London than was imaginable while weaving a mystery story. Loved it as usual.
Dorothy
Louisa by Louisa Thomas
A great biography about Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams. Author writes in a style that is easy to read. There are footnotes for each chapter at the end of the book for further information in the chapter. She was a force to be dealt with in a time when women could not do much without father, brother or a husband's approval. She was an important figure in getting John Quincy elected president.
Marcia
The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies
I won this book. It commences in 1925 with the arrival of Gwendolyn to live with her new husband in Ceylon. Miscommunication sets the frame of this story. The characters are interesting, ranging from mystery man Savi, to hateful sister-in-law Verity. Gwendolyn bears twins, but must keep a terrible secret from her husband, Laurence. It was interesting to learn some of the culture of this period of time. A fairly good book.
Susan Steacy
Undressing the Moon by T. Greenwood
Great read. Always enjoy her books.
Susan
The Silence of the Sea by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Engossing, hard to put down, characters are well fleshed-out.
myrna
Neapolitan Novels, Books 1, 2, 3 and 4 by Elena Ferrante
All four books -- MY BRILLIANT FRIEND, THE STORY OF A NEW NAME, THOSE WHO LEAVE AND THOSE WHO STAY and finally THE STORY OF THE LOST CHILD -- all wonderfully written and compelling reading. The question is: Who is Elena Ferrante?
Nancy J
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
This is my second reading of this wonderful story. I picked up more insight into what made Beryl Markham tick, and researched more on her friends and family members.
Jud
Shadow War by Sean McFate
SHADOW WAR by Sean McFate introduces readers to Tom Locke worthy of comparison to the characters created by Brad Thor and Daniel Silva. McFate brings his wealth of military experience to his writing and has created a character with depth and a plot with realism. The current climate in the world is definitely one of uncertainty and while that is troubling, it has provided a source of material for some of the best thriller novels available. This is the first novel featuring Tom Locke and I certainly hope it won’t be the last. I could hardly put down this book which is why it gets 4/5 stars.
Debbie
Fixin' to Die by Tonya Kappes
FIXIN' TO DIE falls under the cozy mystery genre, and the book follows that genre with the normal, everyday characters in a small community. The explicit description of blood and gore hides behind the complacency of everyday life. This is not an Inspector Lynley mystery delving into the psychological implications of murder, nor is the book an emotional journey into Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Tonya Kappes gives a book that imitates the writing of Carolyn Hart with the Ruth Bailey series. The friendly ghost returns to aid a friend or relative in solving a murder investigation. After finishing FIXIN' TO DIE, I remember very little of the various characters because none evoked any feeling.
Karen
The Widow by Fiona Barton
An interesting psychological thriller.
Suzanne
The Cunning Man by Robertson Davies
This book was narrated by several different people, which I found distracting.
Susan
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
I enjoyed LILY AND THE OCTOPUS more than I thought I would. You know it's a dog book and they tend to be sad. I appreciated the steps Edward went through to accept Lily's medical problem. I thought it was very realistic.
Deborah Ader
Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin Manuel Miranda and Jeremy Carter
A fascinating overview of the creation of Hamilton the musical.
Nancy
You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Interesting premise. How well do we really know our spouses? Grace is a first-time author, psychologist, wife and mother. Many of the shortcomings in a relationship she warns her readers about in her book turn out to be ones that she has fallen victim to, without knowing. Much of the storyline isn't plausible, but it does get you thinking. Is your husband REALLY working late, or is there something more sinister going on?
Wendy
Let There Be Water by Seth M. Siegel
Thoroughly researched.
Martha
This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! by Jonathan Evison
When I began this book, I thought it was going to be a bit of whimsy. After all, Harriet's deceased husband, Bernard, kept appearing and having conversations with her. A cruise to Alaska had been planned by Bernard, although Harriet was totally unaware of it. Making the decision to take this cruise brings about a revelation and more as Harriet revisits past periods of her life. The story is a great reflection of what was expected from women--wives and mothers--in time just barely past. Crucial moments are sometimes those unnoticed when they occur. Evison is also the author of THE REVISED FUNDAMENTALS OF CAREGIVING.
Terry
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
This is the story of Jack and Grace, a happily married couple. Or are they? Things aren't always as they seem. Women's Health Magazine said it is 2016 answer to GONE GIRL. I concur. This book is full or terror, horror, disbelief , anticipation, and suspenseful. If you like books that leave you hanging by the seat of your pants, do yourself a favor an get this book. GONE GIRL was the best book I read in 2015. I might have to agree with Women's Health Magazine for my 2016 vote.
Shelley K Hitt
In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume
Great story.
Judy
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
The story was monumental, but, the telling was a bit fractured. Would have enjoyed it more if it had a true beginning and ending.
Kathy
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
In a seemingly perfect peaceful beach side town there is abuse, bullying and scandal hidden beneath the surface. The story's descriptions of the modern family busy lifestyle, pressures and social interactions are humorous and accurate. The silent main character, secret keeping, plays a huge role in how the individuals perceive themselves and each other. I loved this story and recommend everyone read it!
helen brady
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
Our book club read this last month, and we all LOVED it!!! Wonderfully written, with a surprise ending. Not to be missed!!
LaDonna
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
A moving work by Randy Pausch, computer science professor at Carniegie Mellon. Diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and only a few months left to live, he tells the story of his last lecture.
David Welch
The Lake House by Kate Morton
Love Kate Morton mysteries.
Elizasbeth
Persuasion by Jane Austen
It's been many years since I read a Jane Austen novel. Would I like her as much now as I did when I read her PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and EMMA? I was 14 then. Answer: no. Or is it fair to compare those novels to PERSUASION, which was published after Austen died? I don't remember needing to reread many paragraphs in order to understand them when I read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and EMMA. But that is exactly why it took me a week to read PERSUASION.
Another problem with PERSUASION was probably also the same in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and EMMA. That is, the whole story is about nothing but romance. When I was younger, that appealed to me. Now I want more. Maybe Austen intended to do some rewrites on PERSUASION. We'll never know.
Gina
The Widow by Fiona Barton
This is a psychological thriller. A new widow decides to tell the truth about her late husband. The truth that comes out isn't pretty. Interesting to see how to get away with murder. I could not put this book down. A best of the summer reads!
Monica
The Year We Turned Forty by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
Three best friends are given the option of returning to the year they turned forty to make new decisions in their lives. From failed marriages to rebellious teenagers, these women get a chance to pave new roads and repair the potholes that tripped them up before. A great fiction read for book groups and a nice spin on time travel and women's issues.
Lynn
How to Start a Fire by Lisa Lutz
BN.com calls this chick lit, but I disagree! Wonderfully written, engaging and enjoyable, I thought it was a great lighter read, but complicated enough that it's necessary to pay attention to timing and details.
Lynn
Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson
A great BIG book like you seldom find any more! Lots of characters, complicated and interesting; many issues, some resolved and some not. Riveting action that keeps the pages turning. Really wonderful!
Brower
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
If you still have Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms this novel is for you! I fell in love with many of the characters, especially the two male cousins. A grand read!
Thomas
The Four-Night Run by William Lashner
I enjoyed this book very much.
Thomas
Sky High Stakes by Ted Clifton
It was a very good book.
Thomas
Speak of the Devil by Karla M. Jay
Excellent book. I enjoyed reading this book.
Betty
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
A top-notch mystery with great characters and enough action to really keep you reading. Rowling proves she is a versatile author in this book. I want to read more of her recent novels.
Patricia Lewis
Wish You Well by David Baldacci
This was a charming book about life in the Virginia mountains in the 1930s and 40s. Two young children who lose their father and whose mother is physically fine but not emotionally fine are sent to live with their grandmother. They moved from NYC so it is a complete change. The story grows and you'll grow with it. I recommend it to everyone.
Linda
Cross Kill by James Patterson
Alex Cross and his partner John Sampson are working at a soup kitchen when shots ring out. Going into the kitchen, they go tend to the wounded when Alex is shot in the chest and John is shot in the head. Alex has on his vest but John is rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Alex is stunned as he realizes the shooter is Gary Soneji, the kidnapper and murderer he watched die ten years earlier. It couldn’t be him or could it? This is one of Patterson's new BookShots and it ended with several unanswered questions. So, there will probably be another Alex Cross book.
LINDA
Henchgirl (Book 1) by Rita Stradling
I won this book and agreed to give it an honest review. I was caught at the very first chapter of the book and never wanted to put it down, and I can't wait to read the next book!! Sixteen-year-old Dakota Kekoa, a one-eighth dracon pretends to be a human in order to go to a human school and get close to one of the two children of her enemy. She has been trained as a henchman at night for her draconic mafia family. When she was eleven, she watched her dad's blood ooze out and had taken his place upon his death. Her mom forced them to live in a rented mansion where they had no food while she spent every last dime she was given planning one party after another. If not for Dakota her sisters would have gone hungry.
Linda
The Irresistible Rogue by Valerie Bowman
The fact that Lady Daphne Swift is a lady does not stop her from wanting to serve the Crown in their war against the French. She was even more adamant when her beloved brother Donald was killed by the French. She dresses as a cabin boy to Captain Rafe Cavendish as they meet the thugs who will provide them proof as to Donald’s murderer. Daphne and Rafe were married at Donald’s insistence before the voyage to protect Daphne’s reputation, but the marriage was not to be consummated and will be annulled after the murderers apprehended. Living close to Rafe proves a distraction to both Daphne and Rafe, especially when they are both highly attracted to the other.
Mimi
You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Plot twisting psychological thriller.
Linda
The Cavendon Luck by Barbara Taylor Bradford
This is the third book of the Cavendon series and covers the years of World War II. The stately home still stands ruled by the Sixth Earl of Mowbray, Charles Ingham and his wife Charlotte Swann Ingham. His eldest daughter Diedre works for the War Department and although she tells everyone she is in administration, she is really working with intelligence gathering. She has contacts within the German navy as well as contacts in other countries. As it becomes difficult to get people out of Germany, she has friends who put their lives in danger to help. Diedre's husband had died suddenly leaving her with their son. She leaned on her boss Will Lawson and valued their friendship, which turned into a loving romance.
Linda
The Proposal by Mary Balogh
At the annual meeting of the Survivors Club, the other members tease Hugo Eames, Lord Trentham, when he states that he needs to find a wife. They suggest he go to the beach and find one. He goes and finds Gwendoline, Lady Muir, with a sprained ankle. He carries her to the house and she is cared for until her brother comes to carry her home. Gwen has not forgotten Hugo nor he her. He is a military man and does not know how to court a woman. Gwen is patient and knows he loves her. She just has to get him to admit it.
Linda
Only Enchanting by Mary Balogh
She had met him months before and never forgotten him. Now Flavian Arnott, Viscount Ponsonby, will be staying at Middlebury for three weeks. Will he even remember her? Agnes Keeping, a young widow, accompanies her sister to their friends’ house and finds that Flavian does remember her and seems to search her out. Within three weeks, he has asked her to marry him and she agrees. They plan to go to London to his townhouse but he is leery because he has not told her everything of his past. They are shocked to find not only his mother, sister and brother-in-law in residence but also his country neighbors and their daughter who everyone expected to marry Flavian. This is the fourth book in the Survivors Club series.
Linda
Only a Promise by Mary Balogh
Ralph Stockwood, heir to the Duke of Worthingham, knows that he must marry and beget an heir but values his privacy since the Napoleonic Wars and the deaths of his three closest friends. Chloe Muirhead is staying with Ralph’s grandmother as a companion and proposes an arrangement to Ralph. She wants marriage and children but she is beyond the debutante age and fears becoming a spinster. She suggests they marry as it would solve both of their problems. He agrees and they both think to live together without any affection or love between them. It doesn’t take long before they find the support they need from each other. Love soon follows. This is the fifth book in the Survivors Club series.
Linda
Once a Rancher by Linda Lael Miller
Known as a player, Slater Carson was not ready to settle down until he met Grace Emery. Her beautiful red hair and blue eyes got to him. The more he was around her, the more he admired her for her devotion to her stepson. After a disastrous marriage to Hank Emery, Grace swore she would never marry again but that is before Slater came onto the scene. The first time they met, there was that little “something” between them and it never went away. This was a cute romance between Slater and Grace and I look forward to hearing about the other Carson brothers, Drake and Mace.
Linda
A Billionaire After Dark by Katie Lane
Nash Beaumont meets Eden Huckabee and his life is never the same. Thinking Eden is an escort, he tries to get her to bend to his rules but Eden sees he is troubled and wants to help him. She wants to be a reporter and was gathering information about Nash for a story when she falls in love with him and realizes she could never write about his pain. But someone got her notes and the story was written for all to read. Now he thinks she wrote the article and is furious with her.
Linda
Clawback by J. A. Jance
Ali Reynolds’ father Bob Larsen has just learned that the firm in which he has invested all of his money has gone bankrupt and the owner’s whereabouts are unknown. He goes to see Dan Frazier, his advisor, to find out what is going on. He finds Dan almost dead but before he dies, he tells Bob there were two men who stabbed him. Bob called 911 and the police hold Bob as a suspect. Then Ali gets involved. She is determined to find the money that the company lost as well as the owner and bring him to justice.
Katherine
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
The plot was intriguing and the book was hard to put down, I wasn't able to guess the ending so that made me keep reading well into the night. The characters seemed very real. It was a book that I won't soon forget. It would be a great read for a book club! I can't wait to read her next book!
Miriam
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
Britt Marie is a quirky character with a good heart. I really enjoyed reading it and loved the ending.
Richard N B
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
My wife likes chick-lit for an entertaining beach read. I guess this is the guy's version of chick-lit... Light on plot (and what’s there is predictable), a little romance, a life lesson learned (sort of), and a lot of football. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed some of the scenes that explored Italian culture.
Lynn
The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
I did not like this book the first time I read it; probably because it can't compare to THE GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING. I'm glad it was chosen for book club. This time around I liked it, but the full-page, full-color pictures of the six tapestries had a lot to do with it.
Suzy Smith
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
This book is a departure from Kinsella's popular Shopaholic series. It follows rather the same format in that our heroine has quite a bit of fashion sense, is twenty-something years old, a professional and a bit of a mess. This time she's a lawyer in a high-powered British firm and finds herself in a quandary to put it mildly. I never spoil but I will say that there always seems to be at least one serious love interest, a loving family to support our goofball heroine, and some moments of humor with touching story bits as well. For fans of Kinsella's work I recommend this book.
Mary Lou
The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery
This was such a great read --- pure escapism of the best order. It made me laugh out loud, it made me cry, it made me think about what I value in my own life. Highly recommended women's fiction, telling a story of love, friendship and...well, simply...life.
Jud
Gideon's Corpse by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Negative comments from other readers notwithstanding, I thought this book was highly entertaining. I read books like this to escape and this one helped me do exactly that. I'll concede the basic plot isn't original but that is the only downside. With all the twists and turns, this makes a great read for a rainy afternoon or long plane ride. If you want reality, read nonfiction; if you want a thrill ride, read Preston and Child.
Irene
If I Forget You by Thomas Christopher Greene
I happen to pick up three books at the library and all were love stories. This book is a story of a poor Jewish guy from Providence who meets and falls in love with a rich girl. Both are in college in New York where he is on scholarship and the girl's father is a big executive in NYC. Events happen that they have to break up and, twenty years later, they find one another. The writing is great and it was an easy and enjoyable read.
Deborah
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
I LOVED this book --- excellent storyline and writing --- and I learned a lot besides. This book is keeper and one I will re-read in the future.
Mindy
The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews
I really enjoyed this book. It was the first time I had ever read a book by Mary Kay Andrews and I look forward to reading more. It was the kind of book that I was sorry to see end. I wanted to keep reading about the characters and see how their lives continued. I highly recommend it for an enjoyable summer read.
Linda
Hauling Ash by Tonia Brown
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review and I loved the introverted Otto Waldorf! Hauling Ash is a hilarious story that kept me laughing at what trouble this timid mortician and a ghost could get into! One morning after he had buried his uncle Walter, Otto awoke to find his corpse sitting in his kitchen and drinking black coffee that oozed from his cut neck. His uncle had taken him in when no other relative wanted him and he knew the old man had never wanted children especially the responsibility of a seven year old boy! Eventually, he grew up to marry a woman that cheated on him and he let her take everything in the divorce as he was too timid to stand up for himself.
Lori
Old Age: A Beginner's Guide by Michael Kinsley
I found this an interesting book about aging and Parkinson's in particular. I think because some parts were from magazine articles, there was some repetition of the author's history. The final chapter about economics seemed out of place to me.
Jan
The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen
Gerritsen used to be one of my favorites. She has lost something. There was an eerie supernatural sense to this book. It takes place in Chinatown. There are several murders, perhaps related over two decades. Some of them are explained, some are not. There was no character development. One character is given a secret voice to the reader. It does not help this book. I felt that Gerritsen was writing for her TV show --- a thrill a minute, lots of false leads, keep the viewer occupied. There are too many good books out there. I will pass Gerritsen by for the next few months, years?
Betty
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain
The book itself very succinctly spells out its story --- “It’s the story of a bookseller who finds a handbag in the street one day, takes it home with him, empties out its contents and decides to look for the woman who owns it.” This is an absolutely delightful little book. Not finding any identification in the handbag, bookseller Laurent begins to read the red notebook that was in the handbag. The notebook contains the innermost thoughts of its owner. Laurent becomes fascinated with this lady and goes to extremes in his effort to find her.
Janet
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
This is a debut novel for B. A.Paris and it is unforgettable. At times I found it unsettling yet I was drawn in and couldn't stop reading. Makes you wonder about those perfect marriages out there. How perfect are they really?
Judy O.
The Cherry Harvest by Lucy Sanna
This book is set in the summer of 1944 in the cherry growing country of Door County in Wisconsin. Because most of the usual migrant workers are off to war, the owners of a cherry orchard receive a bunch of Prisoners of War as cherry pickers. We meet the Christiansen family and we see how this influx of strangers in their midst affects them. Good story.
Judy
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
This book was originally published and read by me in 2010. I decided to read it again, and I'm glad because I didn't remember most of it. A young boy diagnosed with Asperger's is arrested for a murder. I learned a lot about autism, and it was also a great, suspenseful story. An oldie but a goodie.
Kelli
Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman
This is an excellent read. I am hesitant to compare novels to the classic TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, but this comparison kept coming to mind as I read WILDE LAKE. The author expertly combines legal action, ethical questions and love of family. I highly recommend it!
Shari
Redemption Road by John Hart
Loved it! Could not put it down! I hope we do not have to wait another five years for his next book. If you have never read a book written by John Hart I highly suggest you try this one.
Gail
Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain
This story captivated me. It's about a social worker in the 1950s who becomes too close to some of her clients and eventually gets fired from her job in a crisis of conscience over state rules and regulations.
Nissa
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
This is a wonderful period peace. It is one of my all time favorites and have read it three times and never get tired of it. Beautifully written story that captured a time gone by. Highly recommended if you enjoy reading about 1930s pre-war America.
Linda
Her Destiny by Brandy Walker
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Selena Perry escaped her brutal ex-boyfriend to start a new life in another city and after a year she felt safe, although she worked at the morgue on the night shift. She has no time to date and that's okay as she's not ready yet. She's seen some very odd corpses while she washed the bodies and no amount of her boss blaming it on spring fever would make her believe that it wasn't weird. Her furry black homeless cat that walked with her as she returned home had been missing and she worried about him.
Malcolm Turner, aka "Felix" as Selena had named him was in truth a Thaloc, a shape shifter being that took several forms is her protector and familiar. He is destined to be by her side.
Patricia
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
LILAC GIRLS is one of the best WWII novels I have read. I thought I had read a encyclopedia of work on this awful war but found out that I had a lot to learn. The writing shines and the characters will stay with you. A massive amount of research and attention will keep readers engrossed.
Thomas
Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica
This was a good book.
Thomas
First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies by Kate Anderson Brower
This was a good book.
Thomas
Cross Kill by James Patterson
Good story. Book was too short.
Phyllis
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
From the title, you may expect that the marriage of the perfect couple, Jack and Grace, is an abusive one. However, I was not prepared for the depth of psychological depravity shown by a person; it would be horrible to be caught in such a nightmare.
The book blurb and other reviews tell more of the plot. I will just say that the story jumping from past to present from Grace’s viewpoint kept me engrossed and reading from the beginning to the end while wondering how such evil could exist. Unfortunately, the news is often full of actions just as bad.
I received an advance reader’s copy from the publisher.
Phyllis
A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams
If you enjoy reading about society in the 1920s, A CERTAIN AGE is great entertainment. Beatriz Williams has depicted the characters, styles and location vividly. The storyline development brings the characters’ interactions, romances and mysteries together very satisfyingly. I very much enjoyed losing myself in this book.
I received an advance reader’s copy of the book from the publisher.
Margaret
The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Emma Straub is a new author for me. Since this novel had gotten rave reviews, I read it to see why. I feel it deserves only three stars. I had a hard time relating to any of the characters. They each had their own crisis and were dealing with it as flawed individuals do.
I like Ms. Straub's writing style and she manages to be humorous just when you aren't expecting it. She certainly made the vacation island sound inviting with its beaches, mountains, tapas, tennis courts and the rental house. But instead of appreciating being able to afford a vacation like this, the characters argued with each other, they complained about everything, secrets came to light, and we got to see how messy some families really are.
Suzy
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
This book was highly recommended to me and I couldn't wait to read it. I was quite surprised that the story was a very long and detailed "fairy tale" with an almost eight-year-old girl in the center of the story. It turns out this fit into the fantasy genre, the genre I always steer clear of. I was very tempted to stop reading numerous times. But I kept on reading and the story picked up pace. The story with its "quirky" characters turned out to be a real page-turner which was very well-written but I still think it was way too long. Unless you like fantasy, this is not the book for you.
Linda
High Witch: Next Generation #1 by Mona Hanna
I won this ARC and agreed to give it an honest review and now am a big fan of Ms. Hanna! Gareth and his father moved because his dad couldn't work any more due to his illness. Gareth makes an agreement with a blond man to trick a high witch so that he could turn her and have her do his bidding in return for his father being permanently cured. He had already lost his mom and had no clue what to do if his only parent died. Erica was a young high witch living with at home and helping her family. She knew her mom had hopes that she would lead their coven one day and she was nowhere near that yet. When she sees a tall boy with dark hair and eyes, she gets a tingle down in her belly then looks away, but her friend encourages her to take a chance.
Linda
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
I've been waiting for this book since the New York Times Book Review mentioned it in a podcast in October 2014. Was it good? Yeah. Was it as good as I was expecting? No, but anticipation usually dampens. I could recognized the NYC settings and mindset. I loved the writing. I felt it was more a character study than a plot-driven book. I certainly admire the vinous knowledge the pervaded the book. I think I'll go find a glass of wine now.
Cindy
Murder on the Last Frontier by Cathy Pegau
I picked this book up started it on a Friday and finished it Saturday. I LOVED IT! MURDER ON THE LAST FRONTIER was everything a book should be! I am a stickler for historical facts; the movie "The Notebook" just about killed me! I had my Google app at the ready and asked it every historical detail I questioned. The author was spot on with everything! I learned a bit too. I did not know rubber condoms began being manufactured in 1855; I love my useless factoids! She seamlessly incorporated historical facts, important agendas of the era, social taboos of the era, (and this era as well), the beginnings of a romance AND a mystery. Bravo!
Melanie S.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
On the one year anniversary of his wife's passing, Arthur Pepper comes across a charm bracelet that he had never seen before. After 40 years of marriage, Arthur was quite surprised to have found something he didn't know existed, and sets out to discover the meaning of each charm on the bracelet. As a quiet homebody set in his routines, these adventures of discovery take him very far outside his comfort zone.This was an enjoyable light read but one with substance and one that I would recommend.
Frank
Stork Mountain by Miroslav Penkov
East meets West, the Old World meets the New, ancient fables meet modern politics. A young man returns to Bulgaria from America to search for his missing grandfather and discovers himself along the way. This is one of the most delightful and unexpected books I have read in a very long time!
Patricia
Crisis of Character by Gary J. Bryne
Bryne details the Secret Service work with the Clintons. It tells many stories of the treatment the Secret Service receives. It also is very informative as to how the Secret Service operates.
I highly recommend this book.
Mark
Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters
America in the present day: smartphones, Facebook and chalupas. One thing is different and it's a whopper --- the Civil War never happened. Four states, in the Deep South, still practice slavery. They're known as The Hard Four. Victor is a smart, young black man. He works for the U.S. Marshal service, a modern day bounty hunter, tracking down fugitive slaves. He is tasked to track down a rebellious slave named Jackdaw. He is exceptional at his job but Jackdaw causes Victor to take a hard look at himself and question his own mysterious past. It also propels him into a conspiracy that places him firmly in the cross-hairs of his own government and the Hard Four.
This is fine alt history. Well-written, intense and thought-provoking.
Terry
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
This book is about a married couple who appear to be happy and content. But as the saying goes, "all is not what it appears to be."
Riveting, horrifying and intense. I found myself ignoring chores and social life until I finished the book. The things Grace endures are unimaginable and terrifying to think of. If you are a fan of Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, this book is for you.
Audra
Jonathan Unleashed by Meg Rosoff
This cute, romping comedy follows a young man in New York City who is a bit lost in life with a dead end job and a girlfriend no one seems to like. He's not even that sure about her. All he really seems to have going for him are these two dogs, who are actually his brother's, if he's being honest about it. The voice and writing style are really infectious and it is a feel-good sort of story --- you won't get an all-dogs-die-at-the-end vibe from this one. It's about how sometimes we need help seeing that we are lost and making poor choices about our lives. Sometimes those who see us best are the silent ones --- our pets! A very fun summer read. Highly recommended.
Audra
Baby Doll by Hollie Overton
This book has such an interesting setup: Lily was kidnapped and held captive for eight years, but now she's escaped with her young daughter in tow. This book tells the story of what comes next. It is really the continuation of the story, what we thriller readers so often imagine when we put down a book that has the abduction narrative. Unfortunately, I found the characters to be very lifeless and dull. Their choices were often confusing, especially that of the bad guy. There seemed to be such good potential for a whole different plot thread to emerge, one where Lily battles his story versus her story, but it is dropped and fades away into something less interesting. Overton shows some promise as a writer and is imaginative in the outline.
Ann
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
Hauntingly written. The kind of book that you feel viscerally and stays with you. The Lowland is about two brothers born in Calcutta in the 60's and the divergent lives they lead. One, a political activist, is ultimately killed by the government. The other is an academic who moved to Providence, Rhode Island. It is a story of honor, family and truth. I loved it!
Mary Lou
The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton
This started out a little slow but I kept with it and it turned out to be one of those books I could hardly put down. This is a coming of age story told in a deeply moving voice, and in a setting that those of us of a certain age will certainly identify with.
Emily
Dancing with the Devil in the City of God: Rio de Janeiro and the Olympic Dream by Juliana Barbassa
Having lived in Brasil many years ago I was very interested in the author's take on the city of Rio since 2010 and its problems in the face of the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games. Barbarossa combines both historical material and personal interviews to show the struggles the city faces as it tries to remake itself in time to host the Olympic Games. So many of the problems she documents existed there in the 1970s when I lived there and have been exacerbated by the greed and corruption of both local and national politicians. A very enlightening and well-written read. I highly recommend it.
Diana
They Call Me Alexandra Gastone by T.A. Maclagan
Excellent, fast paced with twists and turns you don't see coming.
Michele
The Pecan Man by Cassie Dandridge Selleck
Great read, short book, makes you evaluate your beliefs and behaviors.
Liz
Silver Wedding by Maeve Binchy
Each chapter of this story is being told by a different person as the main character is trying to plan a party for her 25th wedding anniversary. The book had no continuity and the story was predictable.
Kimiko
Discretion by Allison Leotta
This novel is political intrigue involving a murdered call girl in a Congressman's office. Anna Curtis, USADA, is determined to find out the truth and bring justice to the murdered woman.
Susan
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
A plane crashes in the Atlantic with two survivors: a man and a four year old boy. What happens to them afterwards is the basis of this book.
Orianne
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
Very accessible book that provides a lot of insight into what makes Ruth Bader Ginsburg tick.
Kay
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
A great thriller --- so many page turners and twists. The person to blame is the blameless one --- or so it appears. A child dies, a girl runs and the past catches up...will it be too late for her?
Lani
The Man who Snapped his Fingers by Fariba Fariba Hachtroudi and Alison Anderson
Unforgettable novel, the winner of the 2001 French Human Rights Prize and a powerful novel of impressions, meaning and totalitarian ideology. In a world where female voices are rarely elevated, Prisoner 455 is used as bait in an Iranian world to draw out her husband's subversive activities. Stoic and unbreakable, she refuses to break despite the horrors inflicted upon her from the guards. The other voice is from a colonel whose close proximity to the Supreme Commander is fraught with his own internal turmoil. Switching from past to present, the former colonel tries to seek asylum and is sent a translator who is none other than 455. The internal dialogue between the two lends incredible tension to an agonizing tale which left me breathless.
Fay
Amy Snow by Tracy Rees
Long historical fiction, which is not my usual read. Couldn't put the book down! Had to find out what was going to happen to the orphan, with a benevolent benefactor who dies. Great story: baby freezing in the snow found by a young, wealthy girl. Takes place in 1800s England. Writing gives you flavor of "society" of the day.
Fay
Country Bride by Debbie Macomber and RaeAnne Thayne
I particularly liked Thayne's Woodrose Mountain. The main female character had a different (for a romance!) occupation, a physical therapist. Evie moves from California, after a life shattering event. She moves to CO, and is talked into going back to physical therapy by a dear friend. The father of the patient is very alluring, self-made business man who is attracted to her. Evie wants nothing to do with him and has butted heads often in the past. Of course she takes the job. Love these comforting predictable reads.
Mary
The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir by Ruth Wariner
I can't imagine growing up as she did and becoming such a responsible person. The responsibility she had a a child growing up in poverty was heart breaking.
Lynn W
We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope by George W. Bush Institute
The women featured in this book tell their harrowing stories during the Russian invasion, the Civil War, and the time of the Taliban. But then, they go on to tell how they're reclaiming their lives and rebuilding their country. Many have advanced degrees, are running businesses, and one even won election to Parliament, at the age of 27, no less! I finished the book with hope for Afghanistan's future.
Susan
The Ploughmen by Kim Zupan
A dark, brutal and hypnotic novel. The writing is stunningly beautiful!
Becky
Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart
Constance Kopp, the first woman Deputy Sheriff of New Jersey, is the heroine of this novel. Constance was a real person as are her sisters and the other law enforcement persons. The personalities of each is clearly defined. The story moves slowly, but is interesting with the detailed descriptions of life in 1914 in small towns, large cities and the family farm. The narrative is enhanced by the real newspaper articles that are interspersed throughout. Altogether an engaging novel about an intriguing woman and her refreshingly novel family even with a fairly slow start.
Marilyn
The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
I read an advance copy of this book which will be released in August. It is wonderful --- reminds me of Erik Larson's work. It is fiction, but based upon facts. Electricity is about to become available to everyone, but not without twists and turns in the lives of Edison, Westinghouse and the lawyer involved. There is even a romance. It's a great page turner, and the reader gets a history lesson along the way!
Linda
Bachelor for Hire by Charlene Sands
I obtained this book with the agreement to give it an honest review. Ex-Army Sargeant and now security expert, Cody Matthews, left Texas to work at his elderly uncle's ranch in Montana. He had been in Marietta for five months and enjoyed the hard work of a rancher life. No sooner had he hit the final nail, that he saw a pair of gorgeous legs standing behind him. Movie starlet Haley O'Malley had a decent life after her parents dumped her on her granny without a backward glance, but her grandma loved her even though she caused her grief until the day she left for Hollywood. After her grandma's death she took time to go back to settle her estate and maybe rekindle the flame that burned so bright between her and Cody.
Linda
Perfect Kind of Trouble by Chelsea Fine
I won this book some time ago. I'd never agreed to do a review but felt compelled. Kayla Turner lost everything in her life, including her mom. Unbeknownst to Kayla, her mom borrowed $20,000 from Kayla's boss and died before payment was made. Now Big Joe wants her to pay it off by working in his diner where she slaved to make a decent living or work it off in other ways of his choosing. When she gets word that the father she barely knew left her an inheritance, she quickly quits her job and heads her rundown mom's car out of town. Daren Ackwood, Kayla's dad's protege, struggles to make amends for his family's mistakes and is grateful to be included in James Turner's will, but to work with his princess daughter just rubs him wrong.
Josie
Redemption Road by John Hart
A riveting mystery by John Hart. This is also a character study of emotionally damaged people. A horrific murder is an impetus to life changing reactions for various tragic characters. Will they be able to move on with their lives as they seek the "who and "why" their lives have been altered forever.
Donna
And After the Fire by Lauren Belfer
Excellent read. Historical and mystery. I enjoyed it so much I read Belfer's CITY OF LIGHT too.
Judy
Bella Tuscany: The Sweet Life in Italy by Frances Mayes
Delightful non-fiction story of the author's life in Cortona, Italy and San Francisco, California. Wonderful read full of thoughts, recipes, garden notations and her struggle to learn Italian.
Ann
Desperate by Daniel Palmer
Great beach read, fast moving! Just when you think you are reading another book about a
couple trying desperately to have a baby, they meet Lily and think all their problems have been
solved but the plot takes a twist you do not expect for Gage and Anna Dekker and their lives are
turned upside down. If you like Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay you will love this book by
Daniel Palmer.
Chris
English Creek by Ivan Doig
The first book in his Montana trilogy is so good, you'll want to cry when it's finished. The story centers around the McCaskill family in Doig's beloved Two Medicine Montana, and the coming-of-age happenings of the McCaskill boys, Jick and Alec. By turns lyrical, comical and melancholy, you'll fall in love with this book and Ivan Doig.
Lynn W
Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler
I have not cared for Tyler's last few books, but this one was enjoyable.
Marsha
A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams
This is a modern day opera featuring murder, intrigue, romance and scandal. The Jazz Age in New York society held all that and more, and Williams weaves it all into a deliciously twisted story.
Audrey
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
I thought the book gave a different insight on miniatures and how they started.
Aimee
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith
There's something so peaceful about reading a No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book. The way the author makes you feel like you are right along side Precious and her family and friends is wonderful.
Kay
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
Intelligent read for summer --- or anytime! Cannot see the ending coming, but the fleshing out of all the characters leading up to discovery is the heart of the book. Clearly there will be a sequel.
Gently interspersed are interesting discussions of political, philosophical and even moral issues.
My husband could not put it down either!
Laurie
A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams
I love this author! Wonderful book.
Donna
Lila by Marilynne Robinson
The author is a famous writer, but I found this book difficult to read. Lila is a neglected child living just prior to the Dust Bowl when times were hard for everyone. She is stolen from her parents by a drifter, Doll, who is on the run but believes she can offer Lila a better life. Lila only knows hard work and not to trust anyone. As a young woman, she settles in Gilead and marries an elderly preacher. The story is mostly told through her memory.
Pam
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Very entertaining novel. It leaves you feeling better informed on the workings of a mind on the autism spectrum, although the author doesn't label the main character as such.
Linda
Niko: Hell Squad #9 by Anna Hackett
I obtained this ARC in return for an honest review and fell in love with the series once again! Book 9 introduces readers to the newest couple, a former assassin Nikolai Ivano, and the tiny yet deadly, McKenna Carides! Mac had seen Niko around their new home, the Enclave, the posh underground enclosure their former president who spent the citizen's taxes on to keep him and a few chosen secret haven in luxury while the world fell apart. Howell had sacrificed the entire world to the aliens in the hopes of saving his own life. Every time she looked at Niko, a fluttering started in her belly and she gritted her teeth.
Linda
The War Reporter by Martin Fletcher
Martin Fletcher was a long time foreign correspondent. That is why I chose the book. He didn't let me down as an author any more than he did as a reporter.
The story starts with two reporters and a local interpreter who are ambushed in Bosnia. The story then jumps ahead a decade and one of the original reporters is still reporting in Sarajevo, but is doing a less than stellar job and is soon let go by his network.
The audio version I listened to was narrated by Guy Fletcher. When I heard the last name, I wondered. In an end of the book interview by the narrator with the author, the listener finds out the Guy is Martin's son. It was easy to listen to and kept me completely engaged.
Tessa B C
The Ghost and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell
This is book #3 in the cozy mystery series featuring Mrs. Hepzibah Jeffries, housekeeper to Inspector Gerald Witherspoon, and her team of servants who all help solve the crimes. It’s a fast read, full of colorful characters and I enjoyed watching Mrs Jeffries figure it out and gently coaxing the Inspector towards the correct solution to the mystery.
Bonnie
The Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Wonderful novel about three young women in World War II. The afterword says it's based on real people and events, so it's all the more fascinating. Looking forward to more from this author..
Shannon
Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich
I love to read stories about crazy hillbilly mountain folk. BULL MOUNTAIN does not disappoint. The surprise plot twist at the end blew me away! Great read!
Anne
Arrowood by Laura McHugh
I was thrilled to win an Advanced Reader's copy of ARROWOOD, Laura McHugh's latest --- following her thrilling THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD. Laura is a master of description and plotting in ARROWOOD. The main character returns to Keokuk, Iowa to inspect and inhabit the old family home she has inherited. She continues to try to solve the mystery of her twin sisters who were abducted as little children and never found. The story is compelling!
Cathy
Among The Wicked by Linda Castillo
Kate Burkeholder goes undercover and the action starts from the first page
Mary Pat
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
This is a beautiful story about an unexpected love between two people from very different worlds. Comic relief keeps the story from being too sad.
Bev
A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams
Let me begin by placing a few key phrases before you.
"hedonism of the Jazz Age" in New York City
Captain Octavian Rofrano (BOY)... honorable, devoted war hero, "battle scarred" paramour of the flamboyant Mrs. Theresa Marshall.
Miss Sophie Fortescue... naive, charming ingenue, advancing and retreating on the fringes of "the Roaring 20's."
"As a fateful triangle forms, loyalties divide and old crimes are dragged into daylight, drawing Octavian into transgression…and Theresa into the jaws of a bittersweet choice."
This is an excellent rendering of the jazz age in NYC and the colorful characters dabbling in conventional and forbidden pursuits.
4.5 *
Terri
The House of Secrets by Brad Meltzer and Tod Goldberg
I look so forward to books by Brad Meltzer and bought this the day it came out. I LOVE the historical elements which have been in Brad Meltzer's book and this one centered around Benedict Arnold, someone I only knew as a traitor to our country. The book begins with a car accident where the heroines father was killed, which she discovers after waking up from a coma, and ends with a great surprise twist at the end, which I did not see coming. It was a good read as we searched with the heroine into her past, which she has very little memory of, what is the secret life her father led, and why are her and her bother under surveillance by the FBI and who can she really trust? Even Beecher from the National Archives makes an appearance.
Michael
Daredevils by Shawn Vestal
It wasn't bad. The story was actually interesting for the most part. No spoilers so I will just say it involves Mormons and fundamentalist Mormons. The title doesn't quite fit the book (no big deal) and there are little speeches by Evel Knievel between chapters that got progressively longer and less interesting and didn't contribute to the story. One star off for that. Also another star off for the "ending" --- I don't mind an open-ended ending but this one didn't end. It felt unfinished to me.... like it was published without the last few chapters. It felt like maybe the writer just got tired of writing and typed "the end" seemingly at random. Didn't hate it but don't recommend it.
Debbie
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
Liane Moriarty writes stories mixed with humor and irony. I have read two of her novels and I thoroughly enjoyed BIG LITTLE LIES. WHAT ALICE FORGOT does not provide the laugh found in BIG LITTLE LIES, but the light-heartedness remains. Alice bumps her head and loses the memory of ten years of her life. The journey to regain those ten years provides Alice with a bitter look at the current Alice and gives Alice an opportunity to rectify her mistakes. What a wonderful chance, but the story drags in many chapters. The chapters alternate between Alice, her sister and her adopted grandmother. The sister, writes painfully to her therapist about her inability to have a child and the grandmother writes a blog about Alice.
Barbara
Somewhere Out There by Amy Hatvany
This is a great, summer beach read. Two sisters given up for adoption when their young, unwed mother is sent to jail, go through half their life not knowing about each other. One was adopted into a settled home with a mom & dad and the other has a hardscrabble existence of foster care. They find each other, but struggle to reconnect and create a family bond. Both are not sure they want to know about their mother that gave them up. The story is very true to life. Reading, you know there are many, many stories such was this outside the pages of the book. It has a very satisfying ending, as well.
Debbie
A Muddied Murder by Wendy Tyson
A new mystery series set in rural Pennsylvania, and very enjoyable. Megan Sawyer, a corporate lawyer, has left Chicago, to grow organic vegetables on her family's farm. Megan, a widow, lives on the historic farm with her grandmother, Bibi, and a motley group of animals. Simon Duvall, a disagreeable zoning commissioner, is found murdered on the farm and all fingers point to Megan and Bibi as the most likely to kill Simon. Megan does not let murder slow her down as she races to open an organic café and jump start her organic grocery. In spite of the grueling hours of hard labor on the farm, Megan has time for a little romance with the local veterinarian. The novel displays interesting and real characters, and the story moves briskly
Marsha
Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler
I enjoyed this book. You really got to know the characters. The story was very easy to follow.
Many of the things that happened were unpredictable. The book also had humor in it.
Marcia
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
This Pulitzer Prize winner is worth reading. The short stories of those of Indian culture. Some are stories of Americans back visiting their home country, others of those living in India. It's a short book and a fast read. The stories are thought-provoking.
Julie
End of Watch by Stephen King
I was sorry to finish this three book series. I am so invested in all the characters. Stephen King is one of my favorite authors; never disappoints and is always consistently good. I recommend reading the first two books in the series first.
Jessica
My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
I absolutely loved A MAN CALLED OVE so I was excited to read this book. Although I didn't love it, I thought is an interesting read. Written largely through fairly tales, Backman tells the story of a young girl who has to deliver apology letters to people in her building from her eccentric, dead grandmother.
Bea
The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende
Most of the women in our book club found this book just OK, some even found it boring. The author tried to cover too many social issues in one book which, we thought, made it so unreal that it was uninteresting. We know people are affected by social ills and problems, but usually not everyone is affected by every one of them. The characters seemed kind of flat and forgettable, but the writing is good.
Shirley
After You by Jojo Moyes
Enjoyed knowing what happened to the main character in Me Before You. Very easy read. Always enjoy this author
Linda
The Meanest January by Krissie Williams
I won this book and agreed to give it an honest review. The book was confusing at first as it introduced three women I had no clue about, but once I read the blurb it became clear. Three good friends are forced to forget the past and work together. They are given a case to investigate a prominent family two unnatural deaths risking their own lives to stop a vicious hex! Can they do it and at what risk to their new restored friendship?
Wendy
Euphoria by Lily King
Promoted as historical fiction, but it's just bad fiction.
Jan
Borderline by Liza Marklund
This wonderful thriller takes place in Sweden and Africa. A reporter finds a dead body in the snow and begins gathering information about her and some clues lead toward the dead woman's husband. At the same time, her husband (a minor Swedish official) is kidnapped in Africa. There has been trouble in this marriage for some time but there are two yound children the reporter has to think about. She gathers the massive ransom for her unfaithful husband and turns the reporting of the dead woman case over to another. When she is in Africa trying to deliver the ransom, true adventure happens. This is a page turner. Hurray for the Swedish mystery writers!!
Jan
All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker
A hypothetical drug that erases the memory of a traumatic rape is given to a teenage girl. But the anxiety and fear remain and her parents seek the help of a psychiatrist.
Narrated exclusively by the psychiatrist, the first half follows a fairly predictable course as we get to know the characters involved. Halfway through, there was an unexpected twist and I was suddenly reading an entirely different book altogether! Very clever. The twists continue right through to the end.
The unconscious, the manipulation of memories and how far one would go to protect those we love are some of the issues explored. I had a few issues with the twisty ending but this is an excellent debut.
Jerry
Zero K by Don DeLillo
While as usual, DeLillo's prose is rich and his imagery intense, this book is just plain weird. I'm really not sure what his motivation for writing it was. At this point I'm not really sure what my motivation for reading it was either. It's short, but turned out to be a far greater commitment than necessary.
Mike
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
Wasn't sure if I was going to like this one but really did. Can't wait until October for her new book.
Nadine
Home Front by Kristin Hannah
Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face the pressures of everyday life ---children, careers, bills, chores --- even as their 12-year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm's way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home, unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As a mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a solider she has always understood the true meaning of duty. In her letters home, she paints a rose-colored version of her life on the front lines, shielding her family from the truth. But war will change Jolene in ways none of them could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his darkest fear and fight a battle of his life.
Lynn
The Touch by Colleen McCullough
Alexander Kinross, a canny Scot, may not have the Midas touch, but he sees opportunity and acts on it. He can also "smell" gold and develops the largest mine in Australia. Then he needs a wife and sends to Scotland for one of the Drummond sisters. This multi-generational saga isn't quite THORN BIRDS, but it's certainly an enjoyable read.
Gina
The Outliers by Kimberley McCreight
This is not great lit but it sure was a page turner. Don't be turned off that it is in the teen books section. It is one of those books that you pick up to read for ten minutes and then cannot put
down. The narrator has a clever take on life and people.
Marilyn
The Handsome Man's DeLuxe Cafe by Alexander McCall Smith
I so enjoy the philosophical statements in Smith's writing as well as the narratives among the characters.
Nina
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
Conroy is an absolute wordsmith genius. The story is filled with compassion, empathy and love.
Dottie
Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer
Book 1 of Archer's 6-book intergenerational saga starting in WWI. Could not put it down, and the ending cliffhanger led me immediately to book 2, book 3, and I am now in the middle of book 4 which takes us and the Clifton and Barrington families into the 60s. There are 6 novels, and his shrewd twists and turns are addictive from the get-go, a saga of power and betrayal. His artful blend of colorful characters makes for great what-will-happen-next reading.
Helen
Fields of Gold: The Orchid and the Rose by Jim Stephens
An unusual love story in a historical setting. Surprisingly good and beautifully written.
Rosemary
Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica
Poor plot resolution.
Shelly
If You Were Me and Lived in Brazil by Carole P. Roman and Kelsea Weirenga
Ms. Roman has once again created an enjoyable and fun way to learn about the different cultures around the world. If you have read any of her "If You Were Me And Lived In" you are familiar with the lovely pictures and easy way she makes reading and learning a fun experience.
This book is all about Brazil, the largest producer of coffee in the world. It is the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world. Gabriela, Ana and Natalia are very popular girls names and Lucas, Bruno and Paulo are the common names for boys. Mamae is what you would called your mommy and Papa is what you would call your daddy. Some of the foods they eat are different but regardless of where you live you cannot have your dessert until you finish your dinner.
Betty
The Commodore by Patrick O'Brian
Another wonderful installment in the Aubrey'Maturin series --- the best historical novels and character studies ever written.
Janet P
In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume
Love Blume's writing and loved the fact that is built on a real event. My kind of book!
Pauline
Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
World War II London and beyond with characters the reader quickly relates to. Cleave's writing style is unique, both frenetic and slow. It propels you to read on! Memorable!
Deborah
Blood Red (Mundy's Landing #1) by Wendy Corsi Staub
First time I've read anything by this author. Not a bad book, however not my favorite type of thriller. A murderer on the loose after redheads, which appear in over abundance. The town is visited by many tourists due to unsolved murders in the early 1900's. One person in particular who is the target is the one the killer sees as the cause of the mothers suicide. Thought the killer identified too soon for my taste. This is a quick read.
Gayle
The Muralist by B.A. Shapiro
I liked the mix of art, WWII and mystery. As historical fiction goes I learned about some of the American artists during WWII along with American's position of taking (or not talking in) immigrants.
Jean
Foreign Agent by Brad Thor
Wow! Another great thriller. Hard to put down. Sorry to see it end.
Sandi
Redemption Road by John Hart
Not surprisingly, John Hart has done it again. In this book we follow Elizabeth --- cop, daughter of a preacher, and in love with ex-cop Adrian Wall --- who is currently imprisoned. Liz, as she is called, is put on inactive duty due to the unsolved investigation of a young girl snatched and tortured. If this isn't enough fodder for a good John Hart novel, there are murdered women turning up on the alter of Liz's fathers church. Adrian Wall has just been paroled --- has he again committed these murders, is it a copy cat or did Adrian do 13 years for a crime he never committed? John Hart is an excellent novelist. His stories pull you in page after page. Characters are believable, story plot is intense and complicated --- writing is superb.
Linda
The Devil Will Come by Justin Gustainis
I won this book and agreed to give it an honest review. The book is a collection of 21 short stories with a twist, all evil in one form or another, from Jack the Ripper in London as he attacks street walkers, to Hitler, to a certain black painted van that the police turn a blind eye on as it speeds through town. Each of the stories are more evil than the last. Some contain a supernatural origin. The author said the book is best read at night while you are alone with only a reading lamp on.
Trude
Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo
I'm a huge fan of Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series. This one grabbed me from page one and wouldn't let go. When a young Amish girl is found dead in upstate New York, Kate goes undercover as an Amish woman in order to help local officials. She's alone and vulnerable away from Tomasetti and her officers. The ending came as a real surprise to me...there was more happening in that little town than than we were originally led to believe.
Ms. Castillo continues to write wonderful layered characters and top notch suspense. I highly recommend this book.
Diane
Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore
He is so funny! My favorite author!
Marie
War Hawk: A Tucker Wayne Novel by James Rollins and Grant Blackwood
I won this book through Goodreads. An excellent, fast paced thriller involving modern/future military technology with man and his best (canine) friend as partners working together to prevent world chaos. Would recommend this book to everyone who likes this type of genre. Thank you to Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read and remark on this book.
Rita
The Chili Queen by Sandra Dallas
I enjoyed this book. The characters were very well-written and engaging. Just as I began to wonder what was happening, there was a twist, and then another twist. It certainly wasn't predictable.
Linda S.
North of Crazy: A Memoir by Neltje
This advanced copy from another site is a memoir who was written at age 83 by Neltje. Neltje you ask, who is that who is known around the world by just her first name. Many people may not recognize the first name but anyone who reads will recognize her maiden name it's Doubleday. She was born the daughter of Nelson Doubleday the founder and his wife of Doubleday Publishing and Doubleday Book Club. She begins her memoir from when she first begins to remember life in this very wealthy, very eccentric family. Time starts during the Gatsby era and continues to present where she is a ranch owner in Wyoming and a very successful expressionistic painter. Life did not begin that way for her. Find out how it changed for her.
Deborah
The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
An interesting tale about family dynamics.
Kathryn
Heart of Africa by Loren Lockner
After breaking up with her cheating fiance, Mandy uses their honeymoon funds and uncharacteristically takes off on an African safari, all on her own. She gets to Africa and the park for her safari on her own, where, unbeknownst to her, she does have a Safari Guide, Peter Leigh.
This is a quick, easy read that is a great story of adventure, love and survival. The descriptions of the park, birds, plants and animals were so amazing I found myself Googling a lot of images as I read the book.
A great book for an armchair traveler.
Mary
The Last Mile by David Baldacci
I enjoyed this book, even though I had not read MEMORY MAN, his previous Amos Decker novel. The plot kept me going, though I could put it down.
Gerry
One-In-A-Million Boy by Monica Wood
Beautiful story about the relationship between a shy, somewhat awkward eleven-year-old boy and the 104-year-old woman to whom he is assigned in a Boy Scout service project.
Gerry
After Her by Joyce Maynard
Well-written story loosely inspired by the Trailside Killer case that terrorized Marin County in the late seventies, but with a focus on the young daughters of the lead detective in the case. The plot is tight, but even more enjoyable is the coming-of-age story embedded in the mystery. Maynard truly understands the world of the young teenager, with all its insecurities, fears and bravado. Her description of a thirteen year old girl, with all her conflicting feelings and ideas, is letter-perfect! I'll be looking for more by this author.
Gerry
The Girls by Emma Cline
Once again, I've fallen for the hype and grabbed the touted "summer read", and once again, I've been disappointed. Just couldn't connect with the characters, all of whom seemed blandly one-dimensional. Four hundred pages of "I wonder what it would have been like if I'd actually been with the killers" in Charles Manson's cult was at least three hundred pages too much.
Gerry
Grant Park by Leonard Pitts, Jr.
Literature at its best lets us step outside ourselves and see the world from another perspective. Pitts has accomplished that with Grant Park, comparing and contrasting America of 1968 and 2008 through the eyes of civil rights activists and the disenfranchised from both ends of the political spectrum. I can only wish that books like this would be more widely read by those who try to push America back to the '50s.
Gerry
The Accidental Superpower: The Next Generation of American Preeminence and the Coming Global Disorder by Peter Zeihan
I found this book fascinating from beginning to end. Zeihan's outlook on America's prospects for the next 15-20 years are more optimistic than one would expect from the current political discourse. His logic makes sense to me, though I admit to very limited background in geopolitics and economics.
Fran
The Innocent Man by John Grisham
A well written portrayal of a mentally ill man who is sent to prison for 12 years for a crime he never committed. Even more fascinating is the fact that it is a true story. Not only does it portray how easy it was to convict an innocent man of a crime despite a sheer lack of hard evidence, it also portrays the sad lack of mental health treatment available in our prison system. America's prison system houses an incredible number of mentally ill people with no real treatment programs of any kind. Very sad.
Donna
Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica
Quinn's roommate disappears and for no apparent reason. This story is told by two people who don't know each other. It is fast paced and filled with deceit, twists, turns and obsession. I couldn't put the book down. I won't say anything further for fear of giving the plot away.
Toni
Under the Harrow by Flynn Berry
You'll be hooked from the very first sentence. It's a page-turner with a twist.
Trez
I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan
Light reading and enjoyable. As an older woman, the story made me stop and think about my life.
Marsha
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
This international bestseller lives up to all the hype. It is chilling, emotional, thrilling and has a twist that will keep you reading well into the night.
Sandy
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
If you loved THE PARIS WIFE, you will love CIRCLING THE SUN by the same author. The description of Africa in the 1920s is superbly written. Beryl Markham's life is chronicled in a fascinating historical fiction style.
Helen
The Royal Nanny by Karen Harper
Really interesting combining fact and fiction, it is the story of Charlotte Bill, nanny to the children of King George and Queen Mary. The main part of the story is about Prince John who had epilepsy and was thought to be autistic. How this child was raised and cared for is the heart of this novel, as well as the amazing Charlotte Bill, the Royal Nanny devoted to the care of Prince John, who was carefully hidden from the public. There is also a fascinating documentary on Youtube about the Prince. Excellent book and very well written.
Candace
MEG: Nightstalkers by Steve Alten
This is the 5th book in the series. Two of the biggest Megs have escaped and other prehistoric beasts have been made known to the public and are causing havoc on the open seas. Three or four groups of people are looking to capture or kill the monsters or profit from them. It's a race to see who will get control of the animals or kill them. Familiar characters from the previous books are brought back and new characters are introduced. Fun, action packed book.
Pauline
On a Midnight Clear by Henry Hoffman
I really enjoyed this mystery set in the beautiful Colorado Rockies. You are right there with PI Adam Fraley as he drive the mountain roads in a blizzard, and later on "black ice". I've been out there, but in the summer.The author develops interesting characters; in addition to Adam I especially liked Carlita and Jolly of law enforcement. I hope to meet them again in a future mystery. I thought the story line of the plight of a child who lost her mother, the search for the killer and the hunt for buried treasure while leaving no loose ends was great writing. The scenes are vivid like one with a mountain lion. Hoffman creates quite a bit of action and wraps up everything in only 158 pages. It had a pleasant and satisfying ending.
Sheree
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kruger
Excellent book. You didn't want to put it down. It reminded me of growing up in the 60s. I would recommend it to all.
Linda
15th Affair by James Patterson and MaxinePaetro
SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin have been called to the Four Seasons hotel where four people have been found shot to death. Surveillance shows an unidentified woman crossing the lobby and entering the elevator and again when she knocks and enters a room. Then the video goes out. The woman has long blonde hair corresponding to the hairs found on the pillow in the room. After going to the home of the dead man and informing the wife of his murder, Lindsay looks at surveillance video from a van parked across from the woman’s house. She is shocked when she sees her husband Joe driving a strange car. She tries to contact him but only gets his voice mail. What is Joe doing here and why doesn't he answer her calls?
Linda
Stormswept by Sabrina Jeffries
Lady Juliana St. Albans fell in love with Rhys Vaughan the night she saw him speaking to the Sons of Wales, a radical group that opposed British rule and their ban on the use of Welsh language. He was obsessed with her even though she was outside his league. But love found a way and they eloped. Her brothers had him impressed into the British Navy and let her believe that he had left her. She knew him better than her brothers and was determined to wait for him. She had no idea what had happened to him or that it would be six long years before he returned.
Linda
The Untamed Earl by Valerie Bowman
Lady Alexandra Hobbs has been in love with Lord Owen Monroe ever since she was a child and saw him save the stableboy from a beating. When she is finally old enough to attend a ball and is introduced to Owen, she is smitten but she soon is told that Owen is to marry her sister Lavinia, a spoiled and petulant young woman. Alex tells Owen that she can help him win her sister in exchange for him teaching her how to dance and become the belle of the ball. She can see that Lavinia and Owen won’t suit each other. Why can’t their parents see this? She would be the perfect wife for him, not Lavinia!
Linda
As Time Goes By by Mary Higgins Clark
Another great “whodunit” by Mary Higgins Clark. A respected doctor who retired due to early onset Alzheimers is found dead by his caregiver. The funeral home director finds that his death is actually a homicide and the police close in on his widow. A television news anchor is following the trial and is sympathetic to the woman. The anchor is adopted and has long wanted to find her birth parents so she can sympathize with the woman who has lost her husband. An amazing thing happens during the trial and the widow feels a little hope but is it too soon?
Linda
You Can’t Always Get the Marquess You Want by Alexandra Hawkins
Matthias Rooke was brought up knowing that Rookes and Brants were enemies although he was never told why. Once Matthias saw Lady Tempest Brant, he knew he had to have her even if her brother or father called him out. Tempest knew about the enmity between the families too but her heart belonged to Matthias. They were in love and had to find an answer to their problem without any blood being shed on the dueling ground.
Brenda
Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar
This book caught my eye at the library. I was in the mood to read a book about a family. In this book the family had three generations represented. The family came full circle when it was dealing with life and emotions. I enjoyed this family from New Mexico. I enjoyed the role that the bees played in the story. I thought Carolina came of age very well.
Janet
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
Right from the start you sense something is off with Jack --- the perfect man. It's after he and Grace are married that the true Jack is revealed. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS is a chilling unsettling psychological thriller that is hard to put down.
Becky
Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved, and Died Under Nazi Occupation by Anne Sebbaa
This is a very, very dense scholarly book concerning the women of Paris during WWII. I ended up reading it as a collection of brief episodes as it was difficult to follow any one person’s activities because of the chronological order of events and the various names used by the women during the course of the war. The “Cast list” was almost useless as women were listed under their family name, or their husband’s name, or their resistance name, etc, but not all of them.
3 of 5 stars
Nicolette
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
I really like the layout of this story. The chapters focused on one person and what went on with them, offering multiple perspectives of the crash and it's reason for happening. At some points when a chapter would start I would wonder, "why is the author telling me this?". Then later in the story the answer to that question would come to light. Although this novel did not have a very high climax for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Francisca
If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't) by Betty White
2.5 stars. I feel a little mean not liking this more. I love Betty White, and some of the essays in this book are spot on perfect. But it’s pretty lightweight in substance, and while it is a fast read, it just didn’t satisfy what I look for in a reading experience.
Suzy
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
Although I'm a fan of the Shopaholic books, with the first one being my favorite and subsequent ones less favorite as I went along reading them, I thought I'd try a different book by the same author.
It was okay. All Kinsella's heroines are 20 something Brits, have a fair amount of money, wonderful friends, lots of clothes and drink a lot.
That said, sometimes escapism is good and although the characters are similar they are not exactly alike so these fluffy books are not too repetitive for me to recommend them.
Hedwig
The Black Widow by Daniel Silva
This is a book that should frighten America. Some will be unhappy with the portrayal of American president and the politics of this country; however, it is a must read as I believe that story is very necessary especially after what happened in Nice. This book almost predicts these events. It is one of the best books I have read. Although it is fiction, it hits all the key events that are now happening around the world and we as country need to understand that ISIS is not going away any time soon.
Nicolette
In A Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
Although IN A DARK, DARK WOOD started off with a nice hook, this book turned into a quest to see if I was right. Much too predictable for my liking. However it was an easy and quick enough read that I did finish it. Unfortunately I don't have much else to say other than that.
Hedwig
The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry
This was recommend as a summer read in the Boston Globe, I did not realize it was considered a young adult, however, it was a very interesting historical novel about the Catholic Inquisition during 1200s. The characters are very well drawn out and the afterward has a very good history lesson as I learned that some of the history I thought I knew was in fact incorrect.
Cindy
Luck, Love & Lemon Pie by Amy E. Reichert
Amy is ALWAYS a winner!
Cindy
A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams
This is the first time I've read one of Beatriz Williams' novels and I'm excited to go back and read her others. I was transported into the 1920's --- the glitz, glamour, fashions, speakeasys and a big time murder trial! Oh, it had me flipping pages! Perfect for the beach or pool! LOVED IT!
Cindy
In Twenty Years by Allison Winn Scotch
Allison is really talented at creating multi-layered compelling characters and she crafts six interesting ones I got to know over the course of her seventh novel. Six friends meet in college and five of them meet again twenty years later. But with a reunion comes the return of old grudges, negative feelings, secrets and unspoken resentments. Confronting the past at its best...
Cindy
All the Time in the World by Caroline Angell
First of all, it's hard to believe this incredibly complex novel is the work of a debut writer. Caroline Angell has written something very mature and special.
"I didn't try to be her, but somehow I lost me." A young woman steps in to help a family after the mother is killed and loses sense of self. ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD is a heart-wrenching yet life-affirming novel with emotional truths on every page.
Betty
The Homesman by Glendon Swarthout
An especially grueling winter on the great plains results in four pioneer wives going insane. The only solution is to take them back "home" to civilization where they can be looked after. The only person willing to take them is another woman and the drifter she rescues from hanging. A gripping story that pulls no punches.
Elizabeth
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith
If you, like me, do not know or care much about the art world, including art history, painting restoration and sales, art museums, etc, you will still probably enjoy THE LAST PAINTING OF SARA DE VOS. I sure did.
The author uses the device of skipping around from one story to another and one period to another. Sounds difficult to pull off, but it's effective. I thought about the characters even when I wasn't reading the book.
Linda
Flames of Winter by Elizabeth Baxter
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review, although this author is new to me, I'm glad I gave her a try. Bramwell Thornley is an engineer from Ral Tora, and like all scientific people he only believed what science could prove, until the deadly Everwinter plunged his world into chaos. Bram thought he could defeat this cold that was taking over his world but he never imagined what he and his friends would have to go through.
Kathie
The Passenger by Lisa Lutz
This is the best book I've read so far this year. I could not put it down. You tumble into the story from the first page and become a passenger for the ride of this book. I LOVED IT!!
Linda
Do or Die by Suzanne Brockmann
I won this print two years ago from another site and although I didn't agree to review it, I decided to give my take on an wonderful story that I didn't want to stop reading. Navy SEAL, Ian Dunn went rogue and became a jewel thief and con artist, or so the world believed. In truth, he was a special ops warrior still fighting for good. He lead his small team of freelance covert operatives that take care of high stakes business in unofficial ways. He decided to breach a heavily guarded embassy and rescue a pair of children.
Jan
Safe From The Sea by Peter Geye
This debut novel is about a gentle reconciliation between a father and his estranged son. For many years the sea-going father had abandoned his family – in the eyes of the son. Suddenly, the old man telephoned his son and asked him to come to an isolated cabin in northern Minnesota where the old man lived in the home his father built. The old man was dying but the son did not know that when he left his home and wife. The writing is beautiful, not only describing the land and the great lake, but giving us insight into the dying man and his son and the family dynamics. Near the end of his life, the father tells the son, “Take all the love I never gave you and heap it on your son. Maybe you'll remember me a little more kindly that way."
Thomas
Partners by John Grisham
I enjoyed reading this book.
Marsha
A Hero Of France by Alan Furst
This first rate thriller takes you into the minds of the French Resistance fighters as they try to outwit the Nazi occupiers who have made their lives miserable. It has all the excitement, suspense and intensity that makes you hope these were actual people.
Christy
Heart of Stone by Dakota Willink
I absolutely could not put it down. This is a story that just grabs you from the first few pages and does not let you think about anything else even days after you finished reading it. It is sophisticated, provocative and a highly sexy read that is well done. It was written from the perspectives of both characters, which is something that I enjoyed because you get both characters personal thoughts. The thing that struck me the most about this book were the dialogues between Krystina and Alex --- it was so refreshing to have a heroine who was not afraid to speak her mind, regardless of her feelings for the hero. I loved how she keeps him on his toes throughout the book. He has to work to keep her, but their chemistry is undeniable.
Deirdre Purdy
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
A wonderful read about life and the culinary world. One of those books you hate to end.
Melanie
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Bestseller and movie in Europe. What you see on the outside doesn't always tell the whole story.
Michael
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
A very good thriller and, yes, with a twist that you won't see coming that will make you see everything differently. I was riveted! I don't do spoilers so no plot details. I am a total Anglophile and this book just reaffirms that. Loved the story, the characters and the locations. Thumbs up!!!
Peg
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
I loved this novel. There are not enough positive adjectives in the English language to describe how I feel about this book. You don't have to be an animal lover to enjoy it even though it's about a 12-year-old dachshund named Lily and her owner, Ted. It concerns their relationship and how much they mean to each other. He discusses his life with Lily and of course, Lily "answers" sometimes as a close friend and sometimes like the dog she is.
We read how Ted got Lily and their past adventures which are hilarious. We learn about a serious problem that Lily has suddenly acquired and Ted's issues in dealing with it.
With excellent pacing, be prepared for an emotional ride that is delightful and funny but sad, and absolutely heartfelt.
Fran
Brother by Ania Ahlborn
For anyone who has ever thought that their family was strange, this one takes the cake. Reads like a B-rated horror flick but oddly, keeps the reader turning the pages. You can't help but like the main character, despite his murderous flaws.
Laura
Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler
This is probably the easiest book review I have ever written. I really enjoyed this light summer read! Even though it is a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew, you wouldn't guess it right off. The characters are so likable and the story flows easily along, never forced or contrived. I wish there was a sequel. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to such entertaining people! It was nice to just sit back and be amused, and even laugh picturing some of the situations.
Shelley Thompson
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
THE BOOKSHOP ON THE CORNER has just the right amount of adventure, romance, angst, and dream come true to make this the perfect summer read. Nina Redmond makes a few life changes and discovers what she is meant to do and where she is meant to be in life. She is a believable character who catches a lot of breaks. If only getting sacked from your job would always turn out this way...
Linda
Hoop Dreams: Steamy Urban Romance by Aaliyah Jackson
received an advance review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review and I both loved it and hated it. Family can cause you to clench your fist and grit your teeth so when Gemini's cousin started flirting with her boyfriend she wanted to smack sense into them both! All Darius thought about was basketball and getting into the NBA. When one of their arguments got too heated they both said some hateful words and once she cooled down she phoned him but his cell just rang and rang.
Linda
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
Great psychological thriller with a twist I never saw coming!
Lynn
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Read this again for book club. Liked it better this time.
Lynn
Bread Alone by Judith Ryan Hendricks
Perfect for a day on the beach.
Patricia
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
This book was kind of middle of the road for me. There were aspects that I really liked. But then there were parts that either didn't feel believable (the main character constantly using quotations from classic books) or plot lines that you could see coming from a mile away (I figured almost immediately that Alex was Mr. Knightley). But I took it for a light-hearted read, so didn't really expect too much from it. It was interesting and a quick read. I think I'll try the next book by Reay and see what I think.
Susan
Redemption Road by John Hart
This one will keep you reading all night! Couldn't put it down. A really good thriller with very good writing.
LaDonna
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Wonderful book from Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnie Mellon. Diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, he tells the story of his last lecture and experiences of his life.
Michelle
Ricochet by Sandra Brown
It's a page turner, want to keep reading!
Sophie
Arrowood by Laura McHugh
I received an ARC of Arrowood.
I absolutely loved this book...I was unable to put it down. A very good read!
Jan
A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock
A delightful debut novel set in a time when ladies were ladies and behaved as ladies. Vera is at Vassar (where else?) when she has her first chance to break away from the mold of her mother, the TRUE society lady. She goofs. She does not grab her chance. After a decade or so, she has found an acceptable man and is a TRUE society lady like her mother. She gets a second chance and along the way realizes/discovers something about her husband and about their relationship. This is not a spoiler. But the question in the last few pages is whether Vera will grab the brass ring or stay right there on Park Avenue encircled by the gold ring. A fine read!
Patricia
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel
Great memories, great book.
Karen Catignani
Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen
This book is delightful! Several stories are told that all center around a little black dress. It is funny and touching.
Francisca E B
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
Early in his career as a writer, Hemingway lived in Paris with his wife and infant son. This is his memoir of that time, when he was young, curious and soaking up atmosphere with a sponge. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have shared even one afternoon with these young writers! There is immediacy to Hemingway’s writing that just draws me into the world of his work. I thank Hemingway for letting me live vicariously through his memories.
Judy O.
The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain
Noelle is a well-respected midwife in North Carolina. She suddenly commits suicide, and her two best friends, Emerson and Tara, are devastated. An unfinished letter that they find in her personal papers is the only clue they have to find out why she did such a terrible thing. So they set about trying to discover her reasons. When they do unravel her secrets, they are shocked and deeply affected. Good book!
Linda
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
What a delight. I knew nothing about this book when I started listening. It was a delightful story of a widower who, at the beginning of the book, is apt to hang out at home rather than face the world, neighbors or his children. Wonderful character development. I'm hoping there might be a subsequent book telling more of Arthur's story.
Sean
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
I finally got around to reading the first book in the series everyone won't stop talking about. Martin does a very good job creating a world here. I mean, a huge world. At times, the constant listing of characters became too much, but at least the settings were minimal. The cast was very interesting, and unexpected things happened regularly. The book dragged on at points, weighted down by the novel's enormity. While a fantasy book was written, its more of a political thriller. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next installment.
